A vehicle drive device includes: an electric motor; a multi-plate clutch including a plurality of clutch plates; a pressing mechanism configured to press the multi-plate clutch; an output rotary member to which a drive force of the electric motor is transferred through the multi-plate clutch; and a control device configured to control the electric motor and the pressing mechanism. The control device is configured to control the pressing mechanism using information on the result of test operation performed while the vehicle is stationary.

In a driven state phase, target input torque is limited to a first limit value, whereas in a backlash-elimination state phase, the target input torque is limited to a second limit value and target engine torque and torque of a motor-generator are controlled according to the target input torque. In the backlash-elimination state phase, the target input torque is limited to the second limit value that is suitable for mitigating rattling shock, so that rattling shock can be appropriately mitigated. Meanwhile, in the driven state phase, the target input torque is limited to the relatively high first limit value, so that an MG rotation speed can be quickly increased to eliminate a rotational difference, which enhances the responsiveness of driving power up to when required driving power is obtained after elimination of the backlash.

Disclosed is a method for controlling engagement of an engine clutch in a hybrid electric vehicle in which an engagement control method of the engine clutch is accurately determined so as to minimize a determination error and a sense of discontinuity caused by conversion of the engagement control method resulting therefrom.

A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. An integrated actuator housing includes a single external power access for the shift actuator. A controller interprets a shaft displacement angle, determines if the transmission is in an imminent zero or zero torque region, and performs a transmission operation in response to the transmission in the imminent zero or zero torque region.

An engine clutch disengagement control method for a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed to overcome a sense of discontinuous travel caused when an engine clutch is disengaged due to influence of the inaccuracy of model engine torque. The method includes: acquiring vehicle acceleration information during engine clutch disengagement control of the hybrid electric vehicle, determining whether a predetermined condition for determining inaccuracy of model engine torque required for engine clutch disengagement control is satisfied from the acquired vehicle acceleration information, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, determining a situation in which the model engine torque is inaccurate and calculating target compensation torque using the vehicle acceleration information, calculating a target slippage amount in a transmission clutch using the calculated target compensation torque, and performing transmission clutch torque control for inducing slippage in a transmission clutch based on the target slippage amount and a current transmission speed.

Disclosed is a method of controlling a hybrid electric vehicle having a transmission, an engine, and first and second drive motors. The method includes: performing charging through the first drive motor using the power of the engine by engaging an engine clutch disposed between the engine and the first drive motor while a vehicle is stopped with the gear stage shifted to the parking (P) range; turning off the engine and controlling the clutch of the transmission to enter an open state when the gear stage is shifted to the driving (D) range; and commencing movement of the vehicle using the second drive motor alone or using at least one of the first drive motor or the engine together with the second drive motor based on at least one of requested torque, available torque of the second drive motor, or the speed of the first drive motor.

A vehicle power supply apparatus includes first and second power supply systems, first and second switches, and a fail-safe controller. The second power supply system includes a generator motor coupled to an engine, and a second electrical energy accumulator able to be coupled to the generator motor. The fail-safe controller inhibits a powering state of the motor generator on the condition that the second switch is in a malfunctioning state in which the second switch is rendered inoperative in a second turn-off state. The second turn-off state includes isolating the generator motor and the second electrical energy accumulator from each other.

A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. A controller controls the shift actuator utilizing an actuating pulse and an opposing pulse.

An agricultural machine configured to be operated by an operator and including a drive mechanism having a drive shaft and a gear assembly for driving an agricultural implement. The agricultural machine includes a slip clutch that has an outer sleeve operatively coupled to the gear assembly, an inner sleeve positioned within the outer sleeve and coupled to and rotatable with the drive shaft, a plurality of torque-transfer members positioned between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve and configured to selectively couple the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve, and a position sensor in communication with one of the plurality of torque-transfer members and configured to output a signal in response to radial displacement of the one torque-transfer member being detected. The agricultural machine includes a control unit in communication with the position sensor and configured to alter an operating parameter of the machine in response to receiving the signal.

A method for operating an electromotive drive train for a vehicle is disclose. The electromotive drive train has an electric machine for driving at least one wheel of the vehicle, a traction battery of the vehicle, which can be charged by the electric machine via recuperation, and a clutch device arranged between the electric machine and the at least one wheel. The method has the following steps: ascertaining a maximum permitted recuperation power of the electric machine to be fed into the traction battery by the electric machine during a braking procedure of the vehicle; and setting a slip state of the clutch device such that the recuperation power generated by the electric machine during the slip operation of the clutch device does not exceed the maximum permitted recuperation power.