A control apparatus for a vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus including a dog clutch that is operated by an actuator to selectively connect and disconnect a drive-force transmitting path. In process of switching of the dog clutch from released state to engaged state, the control apparatus determines whether a rotational speed difference of the dog clutch is equal to or larger than a given difference value when a sleeve of the dog clutch is positioned on an engaging side of a synchronizing position for placing the dog clutch into the engaged state, and stops the switching of the dog clutch to the engaged state and causes the actuator to place the dog clutch back into the released state, when determining that the rotational speed difference is equal to or larger than the given difference value with the sleeve being positioned on the engaging side of the synchronizing position.

An in-vehicle control apparatus is configured to execute a collision degree calculation process of, when it is determined that gear rattle occurs, calculating a collision degree that indicates a magnitude of a collision between a sleeve chamfer and a gear chamfer based on a rotation speed difference between a sleeve and an idler gear, execute an index value calculation process of calculating an index value that correlates with wear and tear of the sleeve chamfer and the gear chamfer based on the collision degree that is calculated each time it is determined that gear rattle occurs, and execute a wear and tear degree calculation process of calculating a degree of wear and tear of the sleeve chamfer and the gear chamfer by integrating the index value that is calculated each time it is determined that gear rattle occurs.

The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (W.sub.D). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. A controller (2) is provided having at least one electronic processor for controlling operation of the first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12). The at least one electronic processor (P) is configured to close the second decoupling mechanism (12) to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel, determine a target operating speed of the torque generating machine (4), control an operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) in dependence on the determined target operating speed and close the first decoupling mechanism (11) when the operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) at least substantially matches the determined target operating speed. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of controlling first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12) to control the transmittal of torque from a torque generating machine (4) to one or more driven wheel of a vehicle (1).

A control apparatus for a vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus including a dog clutch that is operated by an actuator to selectively connect and disconnect a drive-force transmitting path. In process of switching of the dog clutch from released state to engaged state, the control apparatus determines whether a rotational speed difference of the dog clutch is equal to or larger than a given difference value when a sleeve of the dog clutch is positioned on an engaging side of a synchronizing position for placing the dog clutch into the engaged state, and stops the switching of the dog clutch to the engaged state and causes the actuator to place the dog clutch back into the released state, when determining that the rotational speed difference is equal to or larger than the given difference value with the sleeve being positioned on the engaging side of the synchronizing position.

The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (W.sub.D). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. A controller (2) is provided having at least one electronic processor for controlling operation of the first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12). The at least one electronic processor (P) is configured to close the second decoupling mechanism (12) to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel, determine a target operating speed of the torque generating machine (4), control an operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) in dependence on the determined target operating speed and close the first decoupling mechanism (11) when the operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) at least substantially matches the determined target operating speed. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of controlling first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12) to control the transmittal of torque from a torque generating machine (4) to one or more driven wheel of a vehicle (1).

When a vehicle is switched from a two-wheel-drive mode to a four-wheel-drive mode during turning, rotation of a Rr dog clutch is synchronized by a synchro mechanism. Rotation of a Fr dog clutch is synchronized, by controlling coupling torque of a control coupling that transmits power to a rear wheel that provides an outer wheel during turning. Thus, rotation of the Fr dog clutch is also synchronized, so that shock at the time of engagement of the Fr dog clutch can be suppressed.

An electric driveline system is provided. The electric driveline system includes a first electric machine and a second electric machine mechanically coupled to a transmission and a power take-off (PTO) assembly coupled to the first electric machine. The PTO assembly includes a first clutch coupled to a PTO gearset and designed to selectively disconnect a PTO from the first electric machine and the PTO gearset is mechanically coupled to the first electric machine.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle controller comprising a computing device, the controller being configured to command a first releasable torque transmitting device of a drive-line to switch between a released condition in which a first releasable torque transmitting device substantially prevents transmission of torque from an input to an output portion thereof, and an engaged condition in which a releasable torque transmitting device allows torque transmission from an input portion to an output portion thereof. The controller may be configured to receive information indicative of: a speed of wheels of a first axle; a speed of wheels of a second axle; and a terrain over which a vehicle is driving. The controller may be configured, in response to a detected disparity between the speed of wheels of said first and second axle when said first releasable torque transmitting device is switched to said engaged condition, in dependence upon said received information indicative of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, either: output a signal to automatically cause said first releasable torque transmitting device to perform a reconnect operation comprising momentarily resuming the released condition, and then subsequently resuming the engaged condition, or maintain said first releasable torque transmitting device in said engaged position.

A powertrain system includes a geartrain configured to transfer mechanical power between an internal combustion engine, torque machines and a driveline by activation of a synchronous engagement clutch. A method includes commanding activation of the synchronous engagement clutch, including commanding operations of the engine and the first and second torque machines to control members of the clutch, including monitoring speeds thereof. A magnitude of clutch slip is determined. A zero-slip feedback control routine is executed when the clutch slip approaches a zero-slip state, wherein the zero-slip feedback control routine is operative to control the engine and the first and second torque machines to control the rotational speeds of the opposed first and second members to achieve zero clutch slip. The synchronous engagement clutch is activated when the clutch slip is less than a threshold level associated with the zero-slip state.

When a vehicle is switched from a two-wheel-drive mode to a four-wheel-drive mode during turning, rotation of a Rr dog clutch is synchronized by a synchro mechanism. Rotation of a Fr dog clutch is synchronized, by controlling coupling torque of a control coupling that transmits power to a rear wheel that provides an outer wheel during turning. Thus, rotation of the Fr dog clutch is also synchronized, so that shock at the time of engagement of the Fr dog clutch can be suppressed.