This invention provides two methods for detecting mechanical or electrical faults in a solenoid valve. In the first method, a force sensor is placed in the valve in such a way as to detect changes in the impact force of the plunger against the solenoid valve body or coil housing (depending upon the direction of movement of the plunger upon application of the electric current/magnetic field). A second method is provided which makes use of an accelerometer placed in such a way as to detect changes in the response of the plunger to the application of the magnetic field.

A vehicle-use transmission includes a transmission case accommodating a transmission mechanism; and a power extraction case linked to a side wall of the transmission case and accommodating a gear type power extraction mechanism linked to a power extraction shaft of the transmission mechanism. The power extraction case includes: a gear accommodation chamber for accommodating the gear type power extraction mechanism; and an intermediate transmission chamber for establishing fluid communication between the gear accommodation chamber and the inside of the transmission case. The power extraction case is provided with an oil communication passage for establishing fluid communication between the inside of the transmission case and the gear accommodation chamber.

A vehicle-use transmission includes a transmission case accommodating a transmission mechanism; and a power extraction case linked to a side wall of the transmission case and accommodating a gear type power extraction mechanism linked to a power extraction shaft of the transmission mechanism. The power extraction case includes: a gear accommodation chamber for accommodating the gear type power extraction mechanism; and an intermediate transmission chamber for establishing fluid communication between the gear accommodation chamber and the inside of the transmission case. The power extraction case is provided with an oil communication passage for establishing fluid communication between the inside of the transmission case and the gear accommodation chamber.

A method for operating a motor vehicle including an all-wheel drive that can be enabled and disabled, and a drive train including two clutches actuated by a control unit for enabling and disabling the all-wheel drive, and components rotating between the two clutches, which components are driven when the all-wheel drive is enabled and are uncoupled from the remaining drive train when the all-wheel drive is disabled. In order to allow early detection of defects and, in particular, bearing defects of the rotating components, and to determine the applied drag torque even without knowing the oil temperature, in one embodiment, when the all-wheel drive is disabled, the rotational speed (n) of at least one of the uncoupled components is measured in a time interval, and an angular acceleration of the uncoupled components is determined therefrom.

A method for operating a motor vehicle including an all-wheel drive that can be enabled and disabled, and a drive train including two clutches actuated by a control unit for enabling and disabling the all-wheel drive, and components rotating between the two clutches, which components are driven when the all-wheel drive is enabled and are uncoupled from the remaining drive train when the all-wheel drive is disabled. In order to allow early detection of defects and, in particular, bearing defects of the rotating components, and to determine the applied drag torque even without knowing the oil temperature, in one embodiment, when the all-wheel drive is disabled, the rotational speed (n) of at least one of the uncoupled components is measured in a time interval, and an angular acceleration of the uncoupled components is determined therefrom.

Disclosed is a drive train including a drive shaft, a drive machine, and a planetary gearbox having three drives and three outputs, wherein one output is connected to the drive shaft, one drive is connected to the drive machine, and a second drive is connected to an electric differential drive. The differential drive can be connected directly to a network without a frequency converter, in order that the operation of the drive train is possible without a frequency converter.

Provided is an automotive transmission control device in which a shift range signal can be generated as accurately as possible and control of vehicle travel can be maintained even when a signal input port for a computation device develops a fault. The automotive transmission control device according to the present invention: is provided with three input ports for receiving shift range signals; and provisionally determines the shift range state by the majority decision of the input ports, estimates the shift range state on the basis of the travel state of the vehicle, and performs a final determination of the shift range state by using both the provisional determination and the estimation.

Provided is an automotive transmission control device in which a shift range signal can be generated as accurately as possible and control of vehicle travel can be maintained even when a signal input port for a computation device develops a fault. The automotive transmission control device according to the present invention: is provided with three input ports for receiving shift range signals; and provisionally determines the shift range state by the majority decision of the input ports, estimates the shift range state on the basis of the travel state of the vehicle, and performs a final determination of the shift range state by using both the provisional determination and the estimation.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling and diagnosing one or more clutches in a transmission. In one example, a method for operation of a vehicle system is provided that includes at a diagnostic controller or processing unit independent from a driveline controller or processing unit, respectively, determining an engagement state of a clutch in a transmission of the vehicle system, wherein the engagement state is selected from a group of three or more clutch engagement states. The method further includes identifying an unauthorized clutch state based on the engagement state of the clutch and a speed of the vehicle and responsive to the identification of the unauthorized clutch state, operating the vehicle system in a fault state.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling a transmission. An engine stop-start event may be allowed or denied based on one or more characteristics of the vehicle including the transmission.