A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission includes monitoring powertrain operating conditions, and calculating, via an electronic controller, a commanded clamping force based on the powertrain operating conditions, wherein the commanded clamping force includes a commanded clamping force of an input pulley and a commanded clamping force of an output pulley on the endless rotatable device. The method also includes activating, via the electronic controller, at least one of the input actuator and the output actuator such that an axial component of the input wedge force and the axial force of the input actuator together provide the commanded clamping force of the input pulley, and an axial component of the output wedge force and the axial force of the output actuator together provide the commanded clamping force of the output pulley.

A traction system for vehicles comprises a first power source of the non-reversible type, a second power source of the reversible type and a transmission which is connected to the power sources and which includes a first differential device. The transmission further comprises a speed variator which is interposed between the first source and the first differential device and which comprises a continuous speed variation device, and a second differential device. The continuous speed variation device is of the toroidal friction wheel type and comprises a lateral motion input disc, a lateral motion output disc and at least two idle oscillating friction roller members. The lateral motion input and output discs have a friction surface of toroidal shape and the idle oscillating roller members have a friction surface shaped in the form of a spherical dome.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for driving rear-wheels of an environment-friendly vehicle. The apparatus for driving rear-wheels may include: a rear-wheel driver including a first motor and a second motor configured to respectively drive first and second rear wheels; a rear-wheel reducer configured to decelerate drive forces of the first and second motors and transmit the respective decelerated drive forces to the first and second rear wheels; a brake configured to releasably fix the rear-wheel reducer to a vehicle body; and a controller configured to control the rear-wheel driver, the rear-wheel reducer, and the brake. The rear-wheel reducer may include: a first planetary gear set disposed between an output end of the first motor and the first rear wheel; a second planetary gear set disposed between an output end of the second motor and the second rear wheel; and a ring gear coupled to the first and second planetary gear sets.

A method is provided to start a combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain, comprising a gearbox with input shaft and output shaft; which combustion engine is connected to the input shaft; a first planetary gear connected to the input shaft; a second planetary gear connected to the first planetary gear; first and second electrical machines, respectively connected to the first and second planetary gears; at least one gear pair, connected with the first planetary gear and the output shaft; and at least one gear pair, connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft. The method comprises connecting the rotatable components of the second planetary gear with each other by connecting, via a second coupling device, a second sun wheel arranged in the second planetary gear and a second planetary wheel carrier with each other, and activating the first and second electrical machines to start the combustion engine.

Disclosed is a method for control of a vehicle with a drive system comprising a planetary gear and a first and second electrical machine, connected with their rotors to the components of the planetary gear, a braking of the vehicle towards stop occurs by way of a distribution of the desired braking torque between the first and the second electrical machines, and wherein such electrical machines are controlled to transmit a total torque to an output shaft of the planetary gear, which corresponds to the desired braking torque at least to one predetermined low speed limit, before the vehicle stops.

A drive system for a vehicle includes two electrical machines arranged between a combustion engine and an input shaft to a gearbox. The first electrical machine rotor is connected with a planetary gear component, and the input shaft of the gearbox is connected with another planetary gear component. The second electrical machine rotor is connected via a transmission with the output shaft of the combustion engine, which is connected with another planetary gear component. planetary gear's components may be locked together to rotate at the same rotational speed, and released wherein the components rotate at different rotational speeds. Further, the output shaft of the combustion engine may either be locked in position with or released from the additional planetary gear component.

A vehicle includes a powertrain and a controller. The powertrain includes a transmission mechanically coupled to an electric machine and configured to transfer torque between a wheel and the electric machine. The transmission has a gearbox configured to establish gear ratios through a shift. The controller is programmed to, in response to an indication of an expected regenerative braking event having a timing falling within a shift window of the transmission, prevent a clutch of the transmission from disengaging until first occurrence of application of an accelerator pedal or removal of the indication to inhibit the shift prompted by a shift schedule of the gearbox.

A transmission includes a drive source, a first input shaft, a second input shaft, a first gear group, a first synchronous engagement mechanism, a second gear group, a second synchronous engagement mechanism, an output shaft, and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to control the first synchronous engagement mechanism to synchronously engage one of the at least one first driving gear with the first input shaft before selecting one of the at least one second driving gear and connecting the second input shaft to the drive source through a second connection and disconnection device so as to move a vehicle.

A drive system for a vehicle comprises an electrical machine, arranged between a combustion engine and an input shaft to a gearbox. The rotor of the electrical machine is connected with a component of a planetary gear, and the input shaft of the gearbox is connected with another component of such planetary gear. A first locking means may be moved between a locked position, in which the planetary gear's three components rotate at the same rotational speed, and a release position, in which the components are allowed to rotate at different rotational speeds. A second locking means is moveable between a locked position in which the output shaft of the combustion engine is locked together with a component in the planetary gear, and a release position, in which the combustion engine's output shaft is decoupled from such a component.

A method for controlling gear shifting of a hybrid electric vehicle, which is configured for reducing gear-shifting time, minimizing loss by a drive system, improving fuel efficiency and enhancing drivability and which enables a driver to feel a change in acceleration when the driver manipulates the accelerator pedal during power-on upshift active control operation may include speed control of the driving source of the vehicle based on a change rate of a transmission input speed and feedforward control of the clutch of the engagement element in the transmission, to which a driver requested torque is reflected, which are performed at the same time during power-on upshift active control operation, facilitating the driver to feel a change in acceleration which is produced by his or her driving manipulation.