An all-wheel drive vehicle driveline that includes a PTU input member, a spindle, a stub shaft, an axle shaft, a PTU clutch and a stub shaft clutch. The PTU input member, the spindle, the stub shaft and the axle shaft are rotatable about a first rotary axis. The axle shaft is received through the spindle. The PTU clutch is operable in a first PTU clutch mode, in which the PTU input member is rotatably coupled to the spindle, and a second PTU clutch mode in which the PTU input member is rotatably decoupled from the spindle. The stub shaft clutch is operable in a first stub shaft clutch mode, in which the stub shaft is rotatably coupled to the axle shaft, and a second stub shaft clutch mode, in which the stub shaft is rotatably de-coupled from the axle shaft.

A system according to the present disclosure includes a trailer distance module, a trailer contact module, a trailer distance module, and at least one of a driver warning module, a brake control module, and a steering control module. The trailer distance module determines a distance from a cab of a truck to a fifth wheel trailer attached to the truck based on an input from a sensor. The trailer contact module identifies potential contact between the trailer and the truck cab based on the cab-to-trailer distance. The driver warning module warns a driver of the potential contact. The brake control module applies a brake of at least one of the truck and the trailer when potential contact is identified. The steering control module increases an amount of driver effort required to steer the truck in at least one direction when potential contact is identified.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a truck, a tractor unit, a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, at a tandem, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

An AWD driveline includes first and second sleeves. The first sleeve is axially translatable between first, second, and third positions; the second sleeve is coupled for translation therewith. When the first sleeve is in the first position, the first sleeve couples an input of a differential to an intermediate member, and the second sleeve is rotatable relative to the first sleeve and couples first and second outputs members. The first output member can be an output of the differential. In the second position, the first sleeve is rotatable relative to the input or the intermediate member, and the second sleeve is rotatable relative to the first sleeve and couples the first and second output members. In the third position, the first sleeve is rotatable relative to the input or the intermediate member, and the second sleeve is rotatable relative to the first sleeve and the first or second output members.

A perception system for an autonomous machine to be hauled by a towing vehicle includes sensors that are configured to determine characteristics of an environment associated with the machine. Such characteristics associated with the machine include at least structural characteristics of the towing vehicle. The sensors are further configured to detect a presence of the towing vehicle on a job site, an orientation of the towing vehicle on the job site, and a loading end of the towing vehicle. The perception system further includes a controller that is communicably coupled to each of the sensors. The controller is configured to actuate movement of the machine in relation to the towing vehicle based on the characteristics of the environment determined by the sensors.

A hybrid vehicle having an engine, an electric machine, and a step-ratio transmission includes a controller programmed to, in response to an accelerator lift-pedal event when operating in a towing mode, learn a vehicle speed, and apply a lift-pedal torque when vehicle speed exceeds the learned vehicle speed, and apply an adjusted lift-pedal torque based on a gear ratio after downshifting the transmission to maintain a constant output shaft torque otherwise.

A mechanism for preventing power generation during towing of an electric vehicle. The mechanism includes: a rod-shaped coupling member receiver into which a rod-shaped coupling member to be used during the towing is configured to be inserted on a front portion or a rear portion of the electric vehicle, and to which the inserted rod-shaped coupling member is configured to be locked; and a switcher that is provided between the axle and the decelerator, and that is configured to bring the axle and the decelerator into a decoupled state in an inserting operation of inserting the rod-shaped coupling member into the rod-shaped coupling member receiver, and to bring the axle and the decelerator into a coupled state in a removing operation of removing the rod-shaped coupling member from the rod-shaped coupling member receiver.

A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, in response to a vehicle towing a trailer being in reverse, determine a relative orientation of the trailer to the vehicle; while the vehicle is in reverse, in response to the relative orientation exceeding a threshold, brake the vehicle; and then, upon receiving an operator input, permit the vehicle to travel in reverse with the relative orientation exceeding the threshold.

A trailer for a vehicle with a high voltage traction-battery. The trailer may be a self-propelled trailer to substantially match vehicle dynamics and minimize impact on the vehicle. Alternatively, the trailer may push the vehicle to simulate hill descent, or drag on the vehicle to simulate hill ascent. The trailer may provide power for the vehicle. The trailer may provide current to a vehicle electric machine. The trailer may also provide current to recharge a vehicle traction-battery. The trailer may also recharge its own traction-battery.

A trailer backup assist system is provided herein. A camera captures images of a trailer connected to a vehicle. A display has a screen for displaying captured images and registering a touch event thereon to assign a target on the imaged trailer. A controller processes the captured images and tracks the target to determine a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer while the vehicle is automatically steered during a trailer backup maneuver.