[Technical problem] To provide a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle in which a prime mover is disposed at a low position to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle while a driving path from a transmission to a front wheel differential mechanism is also shortened. [Solutions] In a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the power of a prime mover is transmitted to a front wheel differential mechanism which is disposed in front of the prime mover, and to a rear wheel differential mechanism which is disposed behind a transmission, through the transmission which is disposed behind the prime mover. The transmission comprises a front and rear wheel drive shaft that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The transmission is arranged separately from the prime mover and a rear axle drive device. The rear end portion of the front and rear wheel drive shaft is connected to an input shaft of the rear wheel differential mechanism. The front end portion of the front and rear wheel drive shaft is connected to an input shaft of the front wheel differential mechanism via a front wheel power transmission shaft that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and passes through the space beneath the prime mover. The front wheel differential mechanism, the prime mover, the transmission, and the rear wheel differential mechanism are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the center of the vehicle width of the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a tandem axle system having an inter-axle differential and clutching assembly, a forward or first axle assembly, and a rear or second axle assembly. The inter-axle differential and clutching assembly includes a differential mechanism having first and second side gears and a clutch mechanism having a clutch member and an actuator assembly. At least one of the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly is in selective driving engagement with the inter-axle differential and clutching assembly.

An automotive vehicle axle and, more specifically, a transmission shaft on an automotive vehicle that can be connected and disconnected in order to allow selection of driving power for the vehicle. The shaft connection includes a first shaft segment; a second shaft segment; and a connector linking the first shaft segment to the second shaft segment. The connector selectively connects or disconnects the first shaft segment to the second shaft segment.

A transaxle comprises first and second input shafts coaxial to each other, an output shaft drivingly connected to the second input shaft, a torque limiter interposed between the first and second input shafts, and a housing incorporating the first and second input shafts, the output shaft and the torque limiter. The torque limiter includes first and second sleeves. The first sleeve is fitted to the first input shaft unrotatably relative to the first input shaft. The second sleeve is fitted to the second input shaft unrotatably relative to the second input shaft. The first and second sleeves are layered in a radial direction of the first and second input shafts so as to be pressed against each other with a radial surface pressure to limit a torque transmitted between the first and second sleeves to a limiting value.

The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (W.sub.D). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. A controller (2) is provided having at least one electronic processor for controlling operation of the first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12). The at least one electronic processor (P) is configured to close the second decoupling mechanism (12) to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel, determine a target operating speed of the torque generating machine (4), control an operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) in dependence on the determined target operating speed and close the first decoupling mechanism (11) when the operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) at least substantially matches the determined target operating speed. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of controlling first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12) to control the transmittal of torque from a torque generating machine (4) to one or more driven wheel of a vehicle (1).

A powertrain for a vehicle includes a housing, a motor generator unit, a torque converter, a first and second shafts, a first and second gear sets, and a torque transmitting mechanism. The motor generator unit includes an output member. The torque converter includes a pump and a turbine. The pump is connected for common rotation with the output member of the motor generator unit. The first shaft rotatably is supported by the powertrain housing and is connected for common rotation with the turbine of the torque converter. The second shaft is rotatably supported by the powertrain housing and disposed parallel to the first shaft. An output gear is connected for common rotation to the second shaft.

Methods and systems are provided for a motorized disconnect operable to selectively engage and disengage two rotating components of a vehicle drivetrain. As one example, a motorized disconnect system is provided that operates via an electric motor and includes a shifter assembly with an oscillating gear track and cam profile for rotating the shifter assembly while moving it in an axial direction to selectively couple two rotating components.

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (W.sub.D). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. A controller (2) is provided having at least one electronic processor for controlling operation of the first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12). The at least one electronic processor (P) being configured to determine a target operating speed of the torque generating machine (4), control the operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) in dependence on the determined target operating speed, close the first decoupling mechanism (11) when the operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) at least substantially matches the determined target operating speed and close the second decoupling mechanism (12) after closing the first decoupling mechanism (11). The present disclosure relates to a corresponding method of controlling first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12) to control the transmittal of torque from a torque generating machine (4) to one or more driven wheel of a vehicle (1).

A control device of a four-wheel-drive vehicle having an electronic control coupling changing a transmission torque, and a connecting/disconnecting mechanism connecting/disconnecting an input to the input-side rotating member of the coupling, comprising: a storage portion storing a relationship between the drive current to the coupling and the transmission torque of the coupling; a control portion controlling the drive current based on the relationship; and a learning portion performing correction for the relationship through learning by applying a braking torque to the input-side rotating member by an electromagnetic actuator. The learning portion performs the correction for the relationship by using the drive current supplied to the coupling and the braking torque at the time of determination that the transmission torque is balanced with the braking torque based on rotational speeds of the input-side rotating member and the output-side rotating member while the rotational speed of the input-side rotating member is increased.

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle disconnector device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle information acquisition unit configured to acquire vehicle information, a calculation unit configured to calculate an engagement length of a sleeve of the vehicle disconnector device based on the vehicle information, and a control unit configured to compare the engagement length of the sleeve with a preset reference engagement length and configured to determine whether to determine an engagement length of the sleeve, which is calculated based on the comparison result, as the engagement length.