An internal combustion engine

Abstract

The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine (10) for a vehicle. The internal combustion engine (10) has a crankcase (110) and a gear shifting mechanism (120) configured with the crankcase (110). The internal combustion engine (10) further has a cover member (130) attached to the crankcase (110). The cover member (130) is configured to cover one or more elements of the internal combustion engine (10). The cover member (130) has at least one recess (132) provided thereon. The internal combustion engine (10) further has a rotary electric machine (140). The rotary electric machine (140) has a shaft (146) configured to be engaged with the gear shifting mechanism (120). At least a portion of the rotary electric machine (140) is accommodated in the recess (132) of the cover member (130).

Description

[0001] TITLE OF INVENTION

[0002] AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006]

[0002] Generally, in conventional motor vehicles with internal combustion engines, the motive force produced by the engine is transferred to the driving wheel of the vehicle through a transmission system. The power produced needs to be transferred in a controlled manner to wheels which is done by the transmission using specific combinations of gear arrangements. The transmission system of a typical motorcycle engine is of a manual gear shifting type and includes many components including clutch system and gearbox.

[0007]

[0003] The gearbox comprises of plurality of gear pairs mounted on shafts, with a gear selector mechanism that selects and sets the relevant power transmitting gear pair in the gearbox. Manual gear shifting system involves clutch actuation and gear change actuation by rider, while in automatic gear shifting system both the actuations are done by automated systems, based on vehicle operating conditions without rider’s intervention. In the automatic gear shifting mechanism, clutch actuation is performed either by a separate actuation motor or by a mechanism within the clutch that comprises of a centrifugal mechanism that responds to engine speed, while the gear actuation is done by an actuator, i.e. a motor that drives the motion of the gearshift mechanism.

[0008]

[0004] However, introduction of new components such as the motor for shifting gears comes with the challenge of additional space requirement within the internal combustion engine and modifications of housing components. Particularly, in two wheelers, where there is a space constraint both within the vehicle and the engine, it becomes a further challenge to accommodate the gear shifting motor as well as the clutch actuation motor.

[0009]

[0005] In some conventional configurations, the gearshift motor is mounted to an external side of a crankcase and is visible from outside which hampers the overall aesthetics of the vehicle. Another issue with such an external mounting is the risk of external impact on the motors such as stone hitting or environmental impact which may damage the motor. Further, these conventional systems also require longer and complex mechanisms to transmit the power of the motor to the gear shift mechanism. This leads to higher transmission losses, multiple components, major modifications in the engine along with an increase in the costs of engine.

[0010]

[0006] Thus, there is a need in the art for an internal combustion engine which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine has a crankcase and a gear shifting mechanism configured with the crankcase. The internal combustion engine further has a cover member attached to the crankcase. The cover member is configured to cover one or more elements of the internal combustion engine. The cover member has at least one recess provided thereon. The internal combustion engine further has a rotary electric machine. The rotary electric machine has a shaft configured to be engaged with the gear shifting mechanism. At least a portion of the rotary electric machine is accommodated in the recess of the cover member.

[0013]

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the cover member has an opening. The opening is configured to allow the shaft of the rotary electric machine to pass through to a hole in the crankcase for engaging with the gear shifting mechanism.

[0014]

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the shaft of the rotary electric machine is configured to actuate the gear shifting mechanism for shifting gear position.

[0015]

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the crankcase has a left crankcase half and a right crankcase half. [Oi l] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover member is attached to the right crankcase half.

[0016]

[0012] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cover member is attached to the left crankcase half.

[0017]

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover member has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the cover member faces the crankcase and the outer surface is opposite to the inner surface of the cover member and facing away from the crankcase. The recess is provided on the outer surface of the cover member.

[0018]

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the recess is provided on a rear portion of the cover member, thereby accommodating the rotary electric machine at the rear portion of the cover member.

[0019]

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover member is configured to cover the rotary electric machine from at least a front side of the rotary electric machine in the front-rear direction of the internal combustion engine.

[0020]

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover member has a first mounting boss and a second mounting boss provided at the rear portion of the cover member for mounting the cover member to the crankcase. The second mounting boss is provided downwardly of the first mounting boss, wherein the recess is provided between the first mounting boss and the second mounting boss in an up- down direction of the internal combustion engine.

[0021]

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rotary electric machine has a housing and one or more flanges extending outwardly from the housing of the rotary electric machine. The one or more flanges are provided with mounting provisions configured to mount the rotary electric machine to at least one of the cover member and the crankcase.

[0022]

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gear shifting mechanism has a gearshift drum, an index star coupled to the gearshift drum and a drive gear coupled to the gearshift drum and operatively coupled to the shaft of the rotary electric machine. The gearshift drum, the index star and the drive gear being housed in the crankcase, wherein the rotary electric machine is configured to rotate the drive gear and thereby the gearshift drum for shifting gear position.

[0023]

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, a central axis of the rotary electric machine extends parallelly to a central axis of the gearshift drum.

[0024]

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the internal combustion engine has a gear train mechanism including one or more gears. The gear train mechanism is engaged with a shaft of the rotary electric machine and the drive gear. The gear train mechanism is provided to transmit rotation of the rotary electric machine to the gearshift drum.

[0025]

[0021] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine has a crankcase and a gear shifting mechanism configured with the crankcase. The internal combustion engine further has a cover member attached to the crankcase. The cover member is configured to cover one or more elements of the internal combustion engine. The cover member has at least one recess provided thereon. The internal combustion engine further has a rotary electric machine. The rotary electric machine has a shaft configured to be engaged with the gear shifting mechanism. At least a portion of the rotary electric machine is accommodated in the recess of the cover member.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]

[0022] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates another perspective view of the internal combustion engine depicting engagement of a rotary electric machine with a gear shifting mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a gearshift mechanism and a rotary electrical machine of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 illustrates a top sectional view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033]

[0023] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine of the present invention is typically used in a vehicle such as a two wheeled vehicle. However, it should be understood that the internal combustion engine as illustrated may find its application in a three wheeled vehicle, or a four wheeled vehicle, or other multi- wheeled vehicles, or any non- automotive application using an internal combustion engine as required.

[0034]

[0024] Figures 1 illustrates a perspective view of an internal combustion engine 10 and Figure 2 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the internal combustion engine 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the internal combustion engine 10 comprises a crankcase 110. The crankcase 110 is configured to house one or more components of the internal combustion engine 10 including a crankshaft (not shown) that is connected to one or more pistons (not shown), wherein the combustion in the engine 10 causes the pistons to translate, thereby allowing the crankshaft to rotate and this power is then transmitted to various components as per requirement. In an embodiment, wherein crankcase 110 comprises a left crankcase half 110A and a right crankcase half 110B.

[0035]

[0025] As further illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the engine 10 has a cover member 130 that is attached to the crankcase 110. The cover member 130 is configured to cover one or more elements of the internal combustion engine 10. In an embodiment, the cover member 130 is configured to cover the crankcase 110 from a laterally outward direction of the internal combustion engine 10. In an embodiment, the cover member 130 is configured to cover a clutch assembly of the internal combustion engine 10 wherein the clutch assembly is configured to engage and disengage the power transmission from the crankshaft to a transmission shaft (not shown) which houses one or more gear pairs. The cover member 130 has at least one recess 132 provided thereon.

[0036]

[0026] In an embodiment, the cover member 130 is attached to the right crankcase half HOB.

[0037]

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, the cover member 130 can be attached to the left crankcase half 110A.

[0038]

[0028] A wheel, i.e. a driven wheel is powered by the crankshaft through a transmission mechanism. For transmitting the power of the crankshaft to the driven wheel in a controlled manner, the engine 10 has a gear shifting mechanism 120 (shown in Figure 3) configured with the crankcase 110. The gear shifting mechanism 120 is operatively coupled to the crankshaft through one or more gear pairs or through any other suitable mechanism, the gear shifting mechanism 120 is responsible for engaging or disengaging gears with each other for selection of the relevant gear ratio.

[0039]

[0029] To operate this gear shifting mechanism 120, the engine 10 has a rotary electric machine 140. The rotary electric machine 140 comprises a shaft 146 (shown in Figure 4) which is an output shaft. The rotary electric machine 140 comprises a motor which is electrically driven to rotate the shaft 146. The shaft 146 is configured to be engaged with the gear shifting mechanism 120 for operating the gear shifting mechanism 120. As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, at least a portion of the rotary electric machine 140 is accommodated in the recess 132 of the cover member 130. Accordingly, the rotary electric machine 140 is disposed outside the crankcase 110 without requiring any major modifications in the crankcase 110. For allowing the rotary electric machine 140 that is outside the cover member 130 to be engaged with the gear shifting mechanism 120 that is provided within the crankcase 110 and laterally inward of the cover member 130, the cover member 130 comprises an opening 138. The provision of the opening 138 allows the shaft the crankcase 110, thereby allowing the shaft 146 to engage with the gear shifting mechanism 120.

[0040]

[0030] More specifically, in an embodiment, the shaft 146 of the rotary electric machine 140 is configured to actuate the gear shifting mechanism 120 for shifting gear position. In operation, the rotation of the shaft 146 is transmitted to the gear shifting mechanism 120, wherein the rotation of the gear shifting mechanism 120 establishes a change in gear position or gear ratios.

[0041]

[0031] Accordingly, in this configuration, the rotary electric machine 140 is disposed on an outer side of the crankcase 110, thus not requiring any major crankcase 110 modifications to be accommodated. The present configuration, since not requiring crankcase 110 modifications, also allows for the rotary electric machine 140 for automatic transmission to be retrofitted in existing engine with without any impact on vehicle aesthetics.

[0042]

[0032] In an embodiment, the rotary electric machine 140 can be accommodated in the engine 10 with or without the presence of an accompanying manual transmission.

[0043]

[0033] As further illustrated in the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2, to facilitate the above disposition of the rotary electric machine 140, the cover member 130 has an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface 130A. The inner surface of the cover member 130 faces the crankcase 110 and the outer surface 130A is opposite to the inner surface of the cover member 130 and faces away from the crankcase 110. Herein, the recess 132 is provided on the outer surface 130A of the cover member 130. Such a provision of the mounting of the rotary electric machine 140 also ensures easy access and removal of the rotary electric machine 140, this improves serviceability. In an embodiment, the recess 132 extends in a lateral direction of the internal combustion engine 10, thus allowing the rotary electric machine 140 to be disposed in the lateral direction of the engine 10 such that an axis of the rotary electric machine 140 is parallel to an axis of the gear shifting mechanism 120, this reduces the gap and / or distance between shaft of the electric machine 140 and the gear shifting mechanism 120.

[0034] As further illustrated in the embodiment depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the recess 132 is provided on a rear portion 131 of the cover member 130, thereby accommodating the rotary electric machine 140 at the rear portion 131 of the cover member 130. In this embodiment, the cover member 130 is configured to cover the rotary electric machine 140 from at least a front side of the rotary electric machine 140 in the front-rear direction of the internal combustion engine 10. This results in reduction in the chances of impact and environmental damage to the rotary electric machine 140 even when the rotary electric machine 140 is provided outside the periphery of the crankcase 110. Further, the rotary electric machine 140 being covered at least from the front side reduces the impact from any external factors from the oncoming direction of forward moving vehicle.

[0044]

[0035] As further illustrated, the cover member 130 comprises a first mounting boss 134 and a second mounting boss 136. The first mounting boss 134 and the second mounting boss 136 are provided at the rear portion 131 of the cover member 130 for mounting the cover member 130 to the crankcase 110. The second mounting boss 136 is provided downwardly of the first mounting boss 134. Herein, the recess 132 is provided between the first mounting boss 134 and the second mounting boss 136 in an up-down direction of the internal combustion engine 10. In an embodiment, the recess 132 can be closer to the second mounting boss 136 than the first mounting boss 134. Since the rotary electric machine 140 is accommodated in the space between the first mounting boss 134 and the second mounting boss 136, the rotary electric machine 140 is accommodated without any significant change in the overall periphery of the internal combustion engine 10 and without an increase in size of either the cover member 130 or the crankcase 110. This ensures compactness of the IC engine and the overall vehicle aesthetics is maintained even with the addition of the rotary electric machine 140 to an outer side of the engine 10.

[0045]

[0036] For facilitating the secure attachment of the rotary electric machine 140 on to the cover member 130 and / or the crankcase 110, the rotary electric machine 140 has a housing 142 and one or more flanges 144 extending outwardly from the housing 142 of the rotary electric machine 140. The one or more flanges 144 are provided with mounting provisions 160 that are configured to mount the rotary electric machine 140 to at least one of the cover member 130 and the crankcase 110. In that, in an embodiment, the mounting provisions 160 comprise of one or more fasteners which are configured to pass through one or more through holes provides on the one or more flanges 144, thereby attaching the housing 142 of the rotary electric machine 140 to the cover member 130 and / or the crankcase 110. In an embodiment, the through holes on the one or more flanges 144 are configured to be aligned with the first mounting boss 134 and the second mounting boss 136, and thus the same fasteners are responsible for mounting the cover member 130 to the crankcase 110, as well as mounting the rotary electric machine 140 on to the cover member 130.

[0046]

[0037] Reference is made to the embodiments depicted in Figure 4 and Figure 5, wherein as illustrated, the gear shifting mechanism 120 comprises a gearshift drum 122, an index star 124 that is coupled to the gearshift drum 122 and a drive gear 126 that is coupled to the gearshift drum 122. The gearshift drum 122, the index star 124 and the drive gear 126 are all located within the crankcase 110. In that, the gearshift drum 122 comprises one or more channels provided along the outer periphery of the gearshift drum 122, and these channels are configured to house one or more shift forks (not shown) whereby rotation of the gearshift drum 122 causes translational movement of the one or more shift forks in the width direction of the engine 10, which establishes the gear change operation. Further, the index star 124 comprises of a series of ridges and valleys and is configured to ensure that the rotational movement of the gearshift drum 122 is only done to desired values. For causing this rotation of the gearshift drum 122, the drive gear 126 is also operatively coupled to the shaft 146 of the rotary electric machine 140. Rotation of the shaft 146 is transmitted to the drive gear 126 which causes rotation of the gearshift drum 122 for the gear shift operation for shifting gear position of the vehicle. In an embodiment, when the gearshift drum 122 is rotated by means of a gearshift lever or pedal operated by a user instead of the rotary electric machine 140, a manual transmission is achieved. Thus, the same system can be used in both manual and automatic transmission systems for shifting gear position as per requirement.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the gearshift drum 122 extends in the lateral or width direction of the internal combustion engine 10 such that a central axis (X-X’) of the rotary electric machine 140 extends parallelly to a central axis (Y-Y’) of the gearshift drum 122. The central axis (X-X’) of the rotary electric machine 140 being parallel to the central axis (Y-Y’) of the gearshift drum 122 ensures that a simple transmission assembly can be provided for transmitting power from the shaft 146 of the rotary electric machine 140 to the gearshift drum 122.

[0047]

[0039] In that, for transmission of rotation from the rotary electric machine 140 to the drive gear 126, the internal combustion engine 10 comprises a gear train mechanism 150. The gear train mechanism 150 is engaged with the shaft 146 of the rotary electric machine 140 and the drive gear 126. In that, the gear train mechanism 150 comprises one or more gears 152, 154 which are provided on the same shaft. In that, a first gear 152 is meshed with the shaft 146 and a second gear 154 is meshed with the drive gear 126. The rotation of the shaft 146 thus rotates the first gear 152, which in turn rotates the shaft on which the first gear 152 is provided on, which in turn rotates the second gear 154 which is meshed with the drive gear 126, thereby rotating the drive gear 126, which rotates the gearshift drum 122. In an embodiment, the first gear 152 has a larger number of teeth than the second gear 154. As two different gears 152 and 154 can be used, output speed of the shaft 146 of the rotary electric machine 140 transmitted to the drive gear 126 can be changed based on requirement.

[0048]

[0040] In an embodiment, the rotary electric machine 140, the gear shifting mechanism 120 and the gear train mechanism 150 are provides such that at least a portion of the shaft 146, the first gear 152, the second gear 154, the drive gear 126, the index star 124 and the gearshift drum 122 are submerged in oil in an oil sump in the crankcase of the internal combustion engine 10. This ensures that the above components are sufficiently lubricated at all times, which improves durability by ensuring continuous lubrication, without requiring any dedicated lubrication supply.

[0049]

[0041] Advantageously, the present invention provides an internal combustion engine and a vehicle having the internal combustion engine, wherein the disposition of the rotary electric machine for automatic transmission is such that the rotary electric machine is accommodated with minimal changes in conventional engines having manual transmission system, while at the same time being easily convertible from manual to automatic transmission system or vice-versa.

[0050]

[0042] The present invention also ensures that the rotary electric machine is placed on the outer side of the crankcase and the cover member, which ensures that no significant changes are required in the crankcase assembly for accommodating the rotary electric machine. In the present invention, such arrangement of the rotary electric machine improves vehicle aesthetics. This allows for the same components to be used for both manual and automatic transmission systems, which not only improves retrofit-ability, but also reduces complexity in manufacturing and costs. Further, the rotary electric machine can easily be accessed and removed when required, thus improving serviceability.

[0051]

[0043] The present invention also provides for the rotary electric motor to be disposed close to the gear shifting mechanism, thus ensuring a compact assembly as well as elimination of any complex transmission mechanism for transmitting of rotation from the rotary electric machine to the gearshift drum.

[0052]

[0044] Furthermore, the provision of the rotary electric machine such that the rotary electric machine is covered at least from the front side also ensures prevention of the rotary electric machine from any impact from stones and mud etc, especially from objects oncoming from the moving direction of the vehicle. The components of the present configuration are also submerged in oil thus ensuring sufficient lubrication at all times, which improves durability and performance.

[0053]

[0045] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0054] List of Reference Numerals

[0055] 10: Internal Combustion Engine

[0056] 110: Crankcase 110A: Left Crankcase Half

[0057] HOB: Right Crankcase Half

[0058] 120: Gear Shifting Mechanism

[0059] 122: Gearshift Drum

[0060] 124: Index Star

[0061] 126: Drive Gear

[0062] 130: Cover Member

[0063] 130A: Outer Surface of the Cover Member

[0064] 131: Rear Portion of the Cover Member

[0065] 132: Recess

[0066] 134: First Mounting Boss

[0067] 136: Second Mounting Boss

[0068] 138: Opening

[0069] 140: Rotary Electric Machine

[0070] 142: Housing

[0071] 144: One or More Flanges

[0072] 146: Shaft

[0073] 150: Gear Train Mechanism

[0074] 152: First Gear

[0075] 154: Second Gear

[0076] 160: One or More Mounting Provisions

[0077] X-X’: Central Axis of the Rotary Electric Machine

[0078] Y-Y’: Central Axis of the Gearshift Drum

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An internal combustion engine (10), comprising: a crankcase (110); a gear shifting mechanism (120) configured with the crankcase (110); a cover member (130) attached to the crankcase (110), the cover member (130) being configured to cover one or more elements of the internal combustion engine (10), the cover member (130) comprising at least one recess (132) provided thereon; and a rotary electric machine (140), the rotary electric machine (140) comprising a shaft (146), the shaft (146) being configured to be engaged with the gear shifting mechanism (120), at least a portion of the rotary electric machine (140) being accommodated in the recess (132) of the cover member (130).

2. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover member (130) comprises an opening (138), the opening (138) being configured to allow the shaft (146) of the rotary electric machine (140) to pass through to a hole in the crankcase (110) for engaging with the gear shifting mechanism (120).

3. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft (146) of the rotary electric machine (140) being configured to actuate the gear shifting mechanism (120) for shifting gear position.

4. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crankcase (110) comprises a left crankcase half (110A) and a right crankcase half (HOB).

5. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cover member (130) being attached to the right crankcase half (110B).

6. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cover member (130) being attached to the left crankcase half (110A).

7. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover member (130) having an inner surface and an outer surface (130A), the inner surface of the cover member (130) facing the crankcase (110) and the outer surface (130A) is opposite to the inner surface of the cover member (130) and facing away from the crankcase (110), wherein the recess (132) being provided on the outer surface (130A) of the cover member (130).

8. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the recess (132) is provided on a rear portion (131) of the cover member (130), thereby accommodating the rotary electric machine (140) at the rear portion (131) of the cover member (130).

9. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover member (130) being configured to cover the rotary electric machine (140) from at least a front side of the rotary electric machine (140) in the front-rear direction of the internal combustion engine (10).

10. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover member (130) comprises a first mounting boss (134) and a second mounting boss (136) provided at the rear portion (131) of the cover member (130) for mounting the cover member (130) to the crankcase (110), the second mounting boss (136) being provided downwardly of the first mounting boss (134), wherein the recess (132) is provided between the first mounting boss (134) and the second mounting boss (136) in an up-down direction of the internal combustion engine (10).

11. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rotary electric machine (140) comprises a housing (142) and one or more flanges (144) extending outwardly from the housing (142) of the rotary electric machine (140), the one or more flanges (144) being provided with mounting provisions (160) configured to mount the rotary electric machine (140) to at least one of the cover member (130) and the crankcase (110).

12. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear shifting mechanism (120) comprises a gearshift drum (122), an index star (124) coupled to the gearshift drum (122) and a drive gear (126) coupled to the gearshift drum (122) and operatively coupled to the shaft (146) of the rotary electric machine (140), the gearshift drum (122), the index star (124) and the drive gear (126) being housed in the crankcase (110), wherein the rotary electric machine (140) is configured to rotate the drive gear (126) and thereby the gearshift drum (122) for shifting gear position.

13. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a central axis (X-X’) of the rotary electric machine (140) extends parallelly to a central axis (Y-Y’) of the gearshift drum (122).

14. The internal combustion engine (10) as claimed in claim 12, comprising a gear train mechanism (150) including one or more gears (152, 154), the gear train mechanism (150) being engaged with a shaft (146) of the rotary electric machine (140) and the drive gear (126), the gear train mechanism (150) being provided to transmit rotation of the rotary electric machine (140) to the gearshift drum (122).

15. A vehicle, comprising:an internal combustion engine (10) having a crankcase (110), the internal combustion engine (10) comprising: a gear shifting mechanism (120) configured with the crankcase (110); a cover member (130) attached to the crankcase (110), the cover member (130) being configured to cover one or more elements of the internal combustion engine (10), the cover member (130) comprising at least one recess (132) provided thereon; and a rotary electric machine (140), the rotary electric machine (140) comprising a shaft (146), the shaft (146) being configured to be engaged with the gear shifting mechanism (120), at least a portion of the rotary electric machine(140) being accommodated in the recess (132) of the cover member (130).

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