A power transfer unit for a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle includes a housing, a rear wheel drive gear shaft having a first end section configured to be selectively connected to a FWD transmission, a second end section including a gear member, an intermediate drive shaft having a first end configured to be operatively connected to the FWD transmission, a second end configured to be connected to a front wheel, and an intermediate portion having a gear element. A locking member is mounted to one of the rear wheel drive gear shaft and the intermediate shaft. The locking member is selectively shiftable between a first position, wherein the intermediate drive shaft is independent of the rear wheel drive gear shaft, and a second position wherein the gear member is operatively connected to the gear element.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a differential assembly for allowing a vehicle to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The differential assembly includes a bearing assembly positioned between a race gear and output hubs. An armature plate is rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly and a clutch plate is positioned to engage the armature plate. A biasing member biases the clutch plate to engage the armature plate and allow the bearing assembly to transmit torque between the race gear and output hubs. When electricity is provided to an electromagnet, the electromagnet exerts a magnetic force on the clutch plate that is sufficient to overcome the bias of the biasing member so the clutch plate does not engage the armature plate and the bearing assembly does not transmit torque from the race gear to the output hubs.

A power transmitting apparatus (TM) for a hybrid vehicle includes a power split mechanism (4), a transmission gear mechanism (17) and a support (118). The power split mechanism (4) includes a differential device provided with a first/second/third rotation elements. The power split mechanism (4) splits and transmits dynamic power to a drive force source and the drive shaft (126). The transmission gear mechanism (17) changes speed of an engine (1) and transmits a torque to the first rotation element (8), and the elements are arranged in an order of the transmission gear mechanism (17), a rotary machine (2), and the power split mechanism (4) from a side closer to the engine (1). The support (118) is arranged between the transmission gear mechanism (17) and the rotary machine (2), supporting a rotating shaft (2a) of the rotary machine (2), and configured to allow lubricant to enter (118b) the rotary machine side from the transmission gear mechanism side.

A transmission includes a single planetary gearset, a first torque machine, an output member and a two-speed gearset that is coupled to the drive member. The single planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a carrier gearset and a ring gear, wherein the carrier gearset is rotatably couplable to the input member and rotatably couplable to the output member, the sun gear is rotatably coupled to a rotor of the first torque machine, and the ring gear is rotatably couplable to the input member and rotatably couplable to the output member. The output member is rotatably couplable to the two-speed gearset, which is configured to operate in one of a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio.

A hybrid system includes an engine, a speed change device, a differential device, a rotary machine, a first engagement device, a case, and a cover wall. The first engagement device is configured to shift the speed change device, and be actuated by hydraulic pressure. The first engagement device includes a first oil chamber. The rotary machine is arranged between the first engagement device and the engine. The case houses the rotary machine, the speed change device, the differential device, and the first engagement device, and is connected to the engine and has an opening on the engine side. The cover wall covers the opening, and operating oil is supplied to the first oil chamber via the cover wall.

A wheel driving system includes a generator connected to an engine and configured to generate electrical energy, a front axle configured to drive a front wheel and including a front electric motor configured to produce a driving torque and a front transmission configured to convert the driving torque into a conversion torque and transmit the conversion torque to the front wheel via a front drive shaft, a rear axle configured to drive a rear wheel and including a rear electric motor configured to produce a driving torque and a rear transmission configured to convert the driving torque into a conversion torque and transmit the conversion torque to the rear wheel via a rear drive shaft, and a central connection unit operatively connected to the front drive shaft and the rear drive shaft and configured to transmit the conversion torque between the front axle and the rear axle.

An engine starting system for hybrid vehicle is provided. The engine starting system is applied to a hybrid vehicle in which a friction clutch is disposed between an engine and a power distribution device. In order to reduce gear noise and vibrations, a second motor establishes a cancel torque to cancel a reaction torque acting on an axle when starting the engine. The engine starting system is configured to increase the torque of the second motor in a direction of a drive torque rotating the axle, when starting the engine while bringing the friction clutch into engagement in a slipping manner.

A vehicle driving apparatus that includes an input member drive-coupled to an internal combustion engine through a damper, a first rotary electric machine, a second rotary electric machine, a differential gear device, an output device drive-coupled to a wheel, the differential gear device including a first rotary element drive-coupled to the input member, a second rotary element drive-coupled to the first rotary electric machine, and a third rotary element drive-coupled to the output device, and a gear mechanism including a first gear that meshes with an output gear of the second rotary electric machine, a second gear that meshes with an input gear of the output device, and a coupling shaft that couples the first gear and the second gear.

A lubricating structure that includes a case, a center support, a bearing, an oil reservoir formed on the center support on a second side of the center support fixation portion in the axial direction to open on an upper side in a vertical direction, the second side being opposite to the first side, and an oil passage formed in the center support, one end of the oil passage opening in the oil reservoir, and the other end of the oil passage opening in a space between the clutch drum and the center support in the axial direction.

A selectable one-way clutch includes an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism is configured to be switched between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The engaged state is a state in which relative rotation between a first and a second members in one of a positive rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction is restricted. The disengaged state is a state in which the relative rotation between the first member and the second member in both of the positive and the reverse rotational direction is permitted. The electronic control unit is configured to apply torque to the one of the first member or the second member by using a motor such that relative rotation in the other one of the positive or the reverse rotational direction is generated between the first member and the second member when the engagement mechanism is switched from the engaged state to the disengaged state.