A drive device for a motor vehicle includes a primary powertrain and a secondary powertrain, wherein the primary powertrain includes a combustion engine for generating a total torque; a torque distribution device coupled to the combustion engine and including a first and a second output, wherein the torque distribution device is designed to provide a first partial torque in mechanical form at its first output derived from the total torque, and to provide a second partial torque in electrical form at its second output derived from the total torque; and a transmission which is coupled to the first output of the torque distribution device; wherein the secondary powertrain includes an electric machine which is coupled to the second output of the torque distribution device; wherein the torque distribution device includes a torque limiting device which is designed to limit the first partial torque to a presettable threshold value.

An automatically-shiftable transaxle includes an input member configured to receive an external power-source torque and rotate about a first axis. The transaxle also includes torque transmitting device(s) and a gear-train, each operatively connected to the input member for selecting transaxle speed ratios, and a first transfer gear operatively connected to the gear-train and rotatable about the first axis. The transaxle also includes an intermediate shaft rotatable about a second axis, and a second transfer gear rotatably fixed to the intermediate shaft and meshed with the first transfer gear. The transaxle additionally includes an electric motor arranged on a third axis for providing a torque input to the second transfer gear. Furthermore, the transaxle includes a differential assembly operatively connected to the intermediate shaft and rotatable about a fourth axis to thereby transmit a transaxle output torque to drive the load. All four transaxle rotational axes are arranged in parallel.

A vehicle includes an engine, a drive axle, a multi-mode transmission, and a controller. The multi-mode transmission includes a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set, a second motor/generator electrically coupled to the first motor/generator and coupled to the second gear set, a brake selectively limiting movement of a portion of the second gear set, and a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second motor/generator to the engine. The first gear set is coupled to the engine, and the planetary gear carriers are rotatably coupled. The controller is configured to selectively configure the multi-mode transmission into an active neutral startup mode of operation by engaging the clutch and the brake such that at least one of the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator produces a voltage.

An automatically-shiftable transaxle includes an input member configured to receive an external power-source torque and rotate about a first axis. The transaxle also includes torque transmitting device(s) and a gear-train, each operatively connected to the input member for selecting transaxle speed ratios, and a first transfer gear operatively connected to the gear-train and rotatable about the first axis. The transaxle also includes an intermediate shaft rotatable about a second axis, and a second transfer gear rotatably fixed to the intermediate shaft and meshed with the first transfer gear. The transaxle additionally includes an electric motor arranged on a third axis for providing a torque input to the second transfer gear. Furthermore, the transaxle includes a differential assembly operatively connected to the intermediate shaft and rotatable about a fourth axis to thereby transmit a transaxle output torque to drive the load. All four transaxle rotational axes are arranged in parallel.

A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission is configured to alter clutch pressures in preparation for an upcoming shift between discrete gear ratios (e.g., input-to-output ratio). For example, the clutch pressures may spike to a heightened magnitude to prepare for the upcoming shift. The electric machine is configured to selectively propel the vehicle and perform regenerative braking. If regenerative braking demands occur during the clutch pressures being heightened during shift preparation, the controller is programmed to stop the preparing of the clutches. This can be done by reducing the clutch pressures back to their pre-preparation magnitude. The upcoming shift can be cancelled or delayed.

A transmission for a hybrid powertrain includes a first input, a second input, a third input, and an output. A sun gear is attached to and rotatable with the first input. A carrier is attached to and rotatable with the third input. The carrier rotatably supports a plurality of pinions. Each of the pinions includes a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear. Each second pinion gear of the pinions is disposed in meshing engagement with the sun gear. A first ring gear is disposed in meshing engagement with each first pinion gear of the pinions. The first ring gear is disposed in torque communication with the second input. A second ring gear is disposed in meshing engagement with each second pinion gear of the pinions. The second ring gear is disposed in torque communication with the output.

A transmission for a hybrid powertrain includes a first input, a second input, a third input, and an output. A sun gear is attached to and rotatable with the first input. A carrier is attached to and rotatable with the third input. The carrier rotatably supports a plurality of pinions. Each of the pinions includes a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear. Each second pinion gear of the pinions is disposed in meshing engagement with the sun gear. A first ring gear is disposed in meshing engagement with each first pinion gear of the pinions. The first ring gear is disposed in torque communication with the second input. A second ring gear is disposed in meshing engagement with each second pinion gear of the pinions. The second ring gear is disposed in torque communication with the output.

Misfire detection techniques for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) including an internal combustion engine and an electric motor involve utilizing a crankshaft speed sensor configured to generate a crankshaft speed signal indicative of a rotational speed of a crankshaft of the engine that is coupled to the electric motor via a flywheel. The techniques also utilize a controller configured to control the electric motor to provide a vibrational response to dampen disturbances to the crankshaft, receive the crankshaft speed signal, selectively modify the crankshaft speed signal to obtain a modified crankshaft speed signal, and detect a misfire of the engine based on the modified crankshaft speed signal and a set of thresholds including at least one of a negative misfire threshold and a positive vibrational response threshold.

A vehicle includes a drive axle, a multi-mode transmission, and a controller coupled to the multi-mode transmission. The multi-mode transmission includes a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set, a second motor/generator coupled to the second gear set and selectively coupled to a connecting shaft, a brake positioned to selectively limit a rotational movement of a ring gear of the second gear set when engaged, a first clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first gear set and the second gear set to the drive axle when engaged, and a second clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second motor/generator to the connecting shaft when engaged. The controller is configured to engage the brake and the clutches to selectively reconfigure the multi-mode transmission to an intermediate shift mode of operation.

A drive system includes a first gear set and a second gear set, each including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears, a first electrical machine directly coupled to the sun gear of the first gear set, a second electrical machine directly coupled to the sun gear of the second gear set, a connecting shaft directly coupling an engine to the ring gear of the first gear set, a driveshaft configured to transport power from the first electrical machine, the second electrical machine, and the engine to a tractive element of the vehicle, and a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft when engaged.