A multi-axle drive unit includes an electric drive machine, a primary drive axle, a hydraulic device and a secondary drive axle. The primary drive axle has a primary axle drive element that is couplable to a rotor shaft of the electric drive machine mechanically directly or indirectly to thereby transmit torque. The hydraulic device has a hydraulic pump with a pump drive shaft which is couplable mechanically directly or indirectly to the rotor shaft. The secondary drive axle, on which a hydraulic motor of the hydraulic device is arranged, the hydraulic motor having a motor output shaft that is couplable to a secondary axle drive element of the secondary drive axle couplable mechanically directly or indirectly to thereby transmit torque, the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor being connected hydraulically to one another.

A method for controlling an electric rear axle drive (eRAD) includes, responsive to a vehicle being in DRIVE, operating the eRAD such that any torque output by the eRAD to drive rear wheels forward is less than torque output to drive front wheels forward. The method further includes, responsive to the vehicle being in REVERSE, operating the eRAD such that torque output by the eRAD to drive the rear wheels backwards is more than any torque output to drive the front wheels backwards.

A vehicle includes a first axle, second axle, driveshaft, engine, clutch, and controller. The first and second axles are coupled by the driveshaft. The engine is configured to generate torque in the first axle. The clutch is configured to disconnect an output of the second axle. The controller is programmed to, in response to release of the clutch resulting in an increasing commanded torque to the first axle being greater than a threshold, decrease an engine torque such that a first axle torque is less than the threshold.

A vehicle includes a first axle, second axle, first clutch, second clutch, and controller. The first and second axles are coupled by a driveshaft. The first and second clutches are configured to isolate the driveshaft from loads transferred through the first and second axles, respectively, when open. The controller is programmed to, in response to a difference between output speeds of the first and second axles exceeding a first threshold, close the second clutch, reduce the difference such that it is below a second threshold, and close the first clutch.

When a vehicle is switched from a two-wheel-drive mode to a four-wheel-drive mode during turning, rotation of a Rr dog clutch is synchronized by a synchro mechanism. Rotation of a Fr dog clutch is synchronized, by controlling coupling torque of a control coupling that transmits power to a rear wheel that provides an outer wheel during turning. Thus, rotation of the Fr dog clutch is also synchronized, so that shock at the time of engagement of the Fr dog clutch can be suppressed.

An electronic control unit switches a driving mode to a high-gear two-wheel driving mode when a first condition and a second condition are satisfied at the time of driving in a high-gear four-wheel driving mode, and switches the driving mode from the high-gear two-wheel driving mode to the low-gear driving mode when a third condition is satisfied in a state in which the first and second conditions are satisfied. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten a time required for switching to the low-gear driving mode after all of the first to third conditions are satisfied.

A vehicle includes a differential gear that transmits rotation of a propeller shaft to an axle. A differential lock switches the differential gear between a locked state and an unlocked state. A clutch is provided in a power transmission path between a prime mover and wheels of the vehicle. A controller controls an engaging force of the clutch during a moving start of the vehicle in accordance with which of the locked state and the unlocked state is selected by the differential gear.

A utility vehicle is configured for independently controlling torque at each of the ground-engaging members.

Method and system for automatically selecting a mode for a vehicle, including: receiving, through a perception system of the vehicle, real-time perception data representing an environment in a direction of travel of the vehicle; receiving, through a vehicle sensor system; and predicting, using a first fitted inference model, based on the real-time perception data, first-subsystem candidate mode predictions for a first-subsystem of the vehicle. The first-subsystem candidate mode predictions correspond to a set of predefined modes for the first-subsystem, each of the predefined modes defining a respective set of one or more operating parameters for the first-subsystem. A first-subsystem mode is determined based on the first-subsystem candidate mode predictions.

Removable devices and systems for operating the four wheel drive (4WD) system of a tow vehicle having an electronically controllable part time 4WD system including a selectable 4WD low range mode are described. The removable device may comprise a first interface for coupling the removable device to a selector, the selector providing an indication of a desired operating mode for the 4WD system; a second interface for coupling the removable device to a controller-area network bus of the tow vehicle; a memory storing vehicle control codes; and at least one controller communicatively coupled to both the first interface and the second interface. The removable device, and system, may allow a vehicle operator to operate the tow vehicle in two-wheel drive low range mode.