A four-wheel drive vehicle comprises: main drive wheels and sub-drive wheels; a first input rotating member; a first output rotating member; a second input rotating member; a second output rotating member; a first dog clutch; a second dog clutch; a synchromesh mechanism. In the case of canceling a disconnect state in which the power transmitting member interrupts power transmission from the drive power source and the sub-drive wheels, the control device controls an engagement torque of the coupling to a preset first torque and operates the synchromesh mechanism to engage the first dog clutch when it is determined that the rotation speeds are synchronized between the second input rotating member and the second output rotating member, and controls the engagement torque of the coupling to a second torque smaller than the first torque to engage the second dog clutch when it is determined that the first dog clutch is engaged.

A four-wheel drive vehicle comprises: main drive wheels and sub-drive wheels; a first input rotating member; a first output rotating member; a second input rotating member; a second output rotating member; a first dog clutch; a second dog clutch; a synchromesh mechanism. In the case of canceling a disconnect state in which the power transmitting member interrupts power transmission from the drive power source and the sub-drive wheels, the control device controls an engagement torque of the coupling to a preset first torque and operates the synchromesh mechanism to engage the first dog clutch when it is determined that the rotation speeds are synchronized between the second input rotating member and the second output rotating member, and controls the engagement torque of the coupling to a second torque smaller than the first torque to engage the second dog clutch when it is determined that the first dog clutch is engaged.

The electronic IWE actuator includes an electric motor, a worm gear connected to the electric motor, a ball ramp including a worm wheel configured to engage with the worm gear, a clutch ring configured to engage with a wheel hub of the vehicle, and a shift fork configured to engage with the clutch ring and the ball ramp and move linearly in a direction along an axis of the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the ball ramp. The clutch ring is configured to engage with the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the worm gear in a first direction, and disengage from the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the worm gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

The electronic IWE actuator includes an electric motor, a worm gear connected to the electric motor, a ball ramp including a worm wheel configured to engage with the worm gear, a clutch ring configured to engage with a wheel hub of the vehicle, and a shift fork configured to engage with the clutch ring and the ball ramp and move linearly in a direction along an axis of the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the ball ramp. The clutch ring is configured to engage with the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the worm gear in a first direction, and disengage from the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the worm gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

A drive unit for an electric vehicle includes a first electrical drive assembly which is associated with, and drive-connected to, a motor vehicle front axle, and a second electrical drive assembly which is associated with, and drive-connected to, a motor vehicle rear axle. A center of mass of the first drive assembly lies on a side of the motor vehicle front axle facing away from the motor vehicle rear axle, and a center of mass of the second drive assembly lies on a side of the motor vehicle rear axle facing away from the motor vehicle front axle. Also, a motor vehicle has such a drive unit.

An electric motor transaxle having a transaxle housing for a vehicle drive axle includes first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The transaxle includes a first planetary gear-set operatively connected to the first axle-shaft, configured to rotate about the first axis, and having first, second, third, and fourth members. The transaxle additionally includes a second planetary gear-set operatively connected to the second axle-shaft, configured to rotate about the first axis, and having first, second, third, and fourth members. The transaxle further includes an electric motor arranged on the first axis and configured to provide a direct electric motor torque input to each of the first and second planetary gear-sets. A vehicle drive axle for mounting in a motor vehicle and employing such an electric motor transaxle is also disclosed.

An all-wheel system for a motor vehicle, with a first electric machine for driving a first drive axle of the motor vehicle; a first electronic power unit for controlling a rotational speed of the first electric machine; a second electric machine for driving a second drive axle of the motor vehicle; a second electronic power unit for controlling the rotational speed of the second electric machine on the basis of the rotational speed of the first electric machine and a specified differential rotational speed between the first electric machine and the second electric machine.

An all-wheel system for a motor vehicle, with a first electric machine for driving a first drive axle of the motor vehicle; a first electronic power unit for controlling a rotational speed of the first electric machine; a second electric machine for driving a second drive axle of the motor vehicle; a second electronic power unit for controlling the rotational speed of the second electric machine on the basis of the rotational speed of the first electric machine and a specified differential rotational speed between the first electric machine and the second electric machine.

A vehicle control apparatus includes a thermal load priority calculator, a stability priority calculator, and a driving force distribution controller. The thermal load priority calculator is configured to calculate a thermal load priority that prioritizes a thermal load of a motor for driving a vehicle according to an operating state of the vehicle. The stability priority calculator is configured to calculate a stability priority that prioritizes a stability of the vehicle according to an operating state of the vehicle. The driving force distribution controller is configured to control a driving force distribution in a front and a rear of the vehicle, on a basis of a result of comparing the thermal load priority and the stability priority.

A four-wheel drive vehicle comprises: main drive wheels; sub-drive wheels; a power transmission path; a first connecting/disconnecting device; and a second connecting/disconnecting device, at least one connecting/disconnecting device of the first and second connecting/disconnecting devices including: a dog clutch; a synchronization mechanism; and an electromagnetic actuator. The four-wheel drive vehicle includes a control device providing the energization control of the electromagnetic coil based on a preliminarily stored current command value to engage the dog clutch of the one connecting/disconnecting device, and the control device learns a characteristic value indicative of an increasing characteristic of the rotation speed of the first rotating member with respect to the current command value and updates the current command value such that an increase rate of the rotation speed of the first rotating member becomes equal to a predetermined rate based on the learned characteristic value.