Methods and systems for a differential assembly are provided herein. In one example, a method is provided that includes operating a clutch motor coupled to a differential locking clutch to place the differential locking clutch in a locked configuration. The method further includes, after the differential locking clutch is placed in the locked configuration, reducing electric power delivered to the clutch motor at a first rate and increasing the electric power delivered to the clutch motor when it is determined that clutch disengagement is occurring based on outputs from a motor position sensor or outputs from shaft speed sensors coupled to a pair of shafts coupled to the differential locking clutch.

A method for determining a recommended maximum load for a vehicle to be operated along a predefined route, includes acquiring road topography data for said predefined route, the road topography data containing information about the topography of the road along said predefined route; determining, based on the acquired road topography data, a respective maximum allowable tire load for each individual tire of the vehicle for said predefined route; and determining, based on the determined maximum allowable tire loads, a recommended maximum load for the vehicle for said predefined route.

A hybrid drive train for a vehicle has at least one internal combustion engine with an internal combustion engine drive shaft, in particular a crankshaft, and at least one first electrical machine with a first electrical machine drive shaft. The internal combustion engine and the first electrical machine are designed to transfer a torque to at least one drive axle. A transmission has a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft which is operatively connected to a first drive axle that can be driven by the internal combustion engine. The transmission input shaft of the transmission is connected at least to the internal combustion engine drive shaft of the internal combustion engine in order to transfer a torque from the internal combustion engine to the transmission input shaft and further to the first drive axle. The transmission input shaft and the internal combustion engine drive shaft of the internal combustion engine are arranged parallel to each other.

A drive apparatus of a hybrid vehicle including a first and second rotors arranged movably in axial direction so as to separate from or approach each other, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to perform selecting a drive mode from among drive modes including a first mode in which the engine drives a planetary gear mechanism, a second mode in which the engine is stopped, and a third mode in which the engine is driven through the planetary gear mechanism, and controlling a first motor-generator and a clutch mechanism so that the first motor-generator generates regenerative energy when the drive mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and then so that the clutch mechanism is engaged and the first motor-generator generates drive torque when the drive mode is switched to the third mode.

A vehicle control device mounted on a four-wheel drive vehicle including a driving force transmission system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit calculates a command torque based on vehicle information. The electronic control unit estimates a temperature of a heat generating location in the driving force transmission system based on the command torque. The electronic control unit estimates the temperature of the heat generating location based on an estimated value of a driving force input to an input rotating member, when it is not possible for the driving force corresponding to the command torque to be transmitted to auxiliary drive wheels due to a magnitude of the driving force generated by a drive source or occurrence of a wheel slip.

High-performance road vehicle having: a plurality of replaceable or removable components; a control unit, which controls the operation of the road vehicle; at least one electronic identification device, which is fitted on a corresponding component, has a memory designed to contain at least one unique identifying code of the component and has a first transmission organ designed to send the data contained in the memory; and a second transmission organ, designed to communicate with the first transmission organ and connected to the control unit to allow the control unit to read the univocal identifying code of the component.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling operation of a vehicle. The system includes a microphone located in a passenger cabin of the vehicle and configured to detect sound data indicating noise in the passenger cabin. The system also includes a powertrain of the vehicle including an engine/motor for propelling the vehicle and a transmission of the vehicle having a plurality of gears. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle coupled to the microphone and the transmission. The ECU is configured to determine a powertrain torque limit based on the sound data, determine whether a torque output of the powertrain exceeds the powertrain torque limit, and instruct the transmission to downshift when the torque output of the powertrain exceeds the powertrain torque limit.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling operation of a vehicle. The system includes a microphone located in a passenger cabin of the vehicle and configured to detect sound data indicating noise in the passenger cabin. The system also includes a powertrain of the vehicle including an engine/motor for propelling the vehicle and a transmission of the vehicle having a plurality of gears. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle coupled to the microphone and the transmission. The ECU is configured to determine a powertrain torque limit based on the sound data, determine whether a torque output of the powertrain exceeds the powertrain torque limit, and instruct the transmission to downshift when the torque output of the powertrain exceeds the powertrain torque limit.

A gang reel mower has a hybrid engine, generator and battery pack electric power system driving a pair of electric wheel motors for propelling the mower and for driving individual reel motors for powering a plurality of reel cutting units. A master controller is programmable with a selected clip and maintains the selected clip whether the mower travels straight ahead or is turning. The output power of the generator is damped and is gradually increased during high electrical loads to prevent step responses in the engine and thereby limit engine droop. During regenerative braking of the mower, the generator can be driven as a motor to use the engine as a load. This limits the voltage produced by the traction motors during regenerative braking from damaging the electrical system or overcharging the battery pack. Moreover, maximum transport and mowing ground speeds are automatically reduced during some turns of the mower.

A gang reel mower has a hybrid engine, generator and battery pack electric power system driving a pair of electric wheel motors for propelling the mower and for driving individual reel motors for powering a plurality of reel cutting units. A master controller is programmable with a selected clip and maintains the selected clip whether the mower travels straight ahead or is turning. The output power of the generator is damped and is gradually increased during high electrical loads to prevent step responses in the engine and thereby limit engine droop. During regenerative braking of the mower, the generator can be driven as a motor to use the engine as a load. This limits the voltage produced by the traction motors during regenerative braking from damaging the electrical system or overcharging the battery pack. Moreover, maximum transport and mowing ground speeds are automatically reduced during some turns of the mower.