A power divider unit including an input shaft, a drive gear disposed around the input shaft, an inter-axle differential assembly coupled to the input shaft, an output side gear coupled to the input shaft, and a locking system for the power divider unit. The locking system is configured to passively lock the inter-axle differential assembly. The locking system includes a ramped first clutch member in selective engagement with the drive gear, a mating second clutch member configured to engage the first clutch member, a clutch pinion, and a slip clutch assembly. The second clutch member and the first clutch member rotate at different speeds, the clutch pinion rotates and causes the slip clutch assembly and second clutch member to rotate at a speed of the input shaft, causing the first clutch member to mate with the first clutch member.

A power transmission device include: a differential having three rotational elements; and a connection switching device that selectively switches a connection relationship among an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, and the three rotational elements. Further, the connection switching device selectively fixes any one rotational element to a fixing member, the second power source is coupled to rotational elements other than the rotational element fixed to the fixing member, the differential can be switched between modes including a first mode where any one rotational element among the three rotational elements is coupled to the input shaft, one of the remaining rotational elements is fixed to the fixing member, and the other is coupled to the first output shaft, and a second mode where the three rotational elements are respectively coupled to the second power source, the first output shaft, and the second output shaft.

A driveline component includes a first plate and a second plate. A motor is engaged with the first plate. The first plate and the second plate include ramped grooves that ramp toward the other of the first plate and the second plate. Balls are disposed between the first plate and the second plate and are engaged with the ramped grooves. A shifter is engaged with the second plate. Relative rotation of the first plate and the second plate causes the balls in the ramped grooves to move the first plate and the second plate axially relative to each other. This relative rotation may be used to make one type of mode selection, and operation of the shifter by the second plate may be used to make another type of mode selection. This allows the single motor to make both selections.

A driveline component includes a first plate and a second plate. A motor is engaged with the first plate. The first plate and the second plate include ramped grooves that ramp toward the other of the first plate and the second plate. Balls are disposed between the first plate and the second plate and are engaged with the ramped grooves. A shifter is engaged with the second plate. Relative rotation of the first plate and the second plate causes the balls in the ramped grooves to move the first plate and the second plate axially relative to each other. This relative rotation may be used to make one type of mode selection, and operation of the shifter by the second plate may be used to make another type of mode selection. This allows the single motor to make both selections.

Provided is a torque control device for a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can stably output a minimum torque required to start or drive the vehicle to the auxiliary wheel side under a road surface condition that main driving wheels are stuck in the idling state or under a road surface condition equivalent thereto. When front wheels Wf1, Wf2 are judged to be stuck in the idling state, a current rear torque TrCMD is raised step by step. And, when a brake operates in the state in which the four wheels are at stop after raising the command torque TrCMD step by step, the command rear torque TrCMD is released. And, the command rear torque TrCMD is raised step by step when the command rear torque TrCMD continues to be released for a second threshold time.

A four-wheeled vehicle includes: a frame; two front suspension assemblies and two rear suspension assemblies connected to the frame; two front wheels operatively connected to corresponding ones of the two front suspension assemblies; two rear wheels operatively connected to corresponding ones of the two rear suspension assemblies; a motor connected to the frame; a front differential and a rear differential operatively connecting the motor to the two front wheels and the two rear wheels respectively; and a steering system. The steering system includes a front steering assembly for steering the front wheels and a rear steering assembly for steering the rear wheels. The front steering assembly includes a user-operated steering input device. The rear steering assembly includes an actuator operatively connected to the rear wheels and operable to modify a steering angle thereof. The actuator is mounted to the frame and is disposed completely rearward of the rear differential.

A four-wheeled vehicle includes: a frame; two front suspension assemblies and two rear suspension assemblies connected to the frame; two front wheels operatively connected to corresponding ones of the two front suspension assemblies; two rear wheels operatively connected to corresponding ones of the two rear suspension assemblies; a motor connected to the frame; a front differential and a rear differential operatively connecting the motor to the two front wheels and the two rear wheels respectively; and a steering system. The steering system includes a front steering assembly for steering the front wheels and a rear steering assembly for steering the rear wheels. The front steering assembly includes a user-operated steering input device. The rear steering assembly includes an actuator operatively connected to the rear wheels and operable to modify a steering angle thereof. The actuator is mounted to the frame and is disposed completely rearward of the rear differential.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a transmission for a rear mid-engine vehicle. The transmission comprises a power transfer portion for receiving torque from the engine and a gearbox for providing conversions of rotational speed and torque. First and second side output portions conduct torque from the gearbox to the rear wheels. A forward output portion conducts torque to front wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle. An air clutch comprising each output portion controls the degree of torque transferred to each wheel. The output portions are each coupled to a rear wheel by a rear axle, bevel gears, and rear portal gears. The rear axles are aligned with, and positioned above, the trailing arms to protect the rear axles from damage due to rocks and debris. The length and alignment of the rear axles cause CV joints to articulate in the same direction as the trailing arms.

The present disclosure refers to an all-wheel drive system (10) for a vehicle (12), comprising: an electrical motor (24) being connected to a first axle (26) of a planetary gear set (28) arranged at an output side (30) of a vehicle gearbox (32), and a second axle (34) of the planetary gear set (28) being connected or connectable to the gearbox output shaft (36) or to ground (G) by a coupling (I), while a third axle (38) of the planetary gear set (28) is connected or connectable to the front axle (14) of the associated vehicle (12); and further to an all-wheel drive system (10) for a vehicle (12), comprising: a differential (56) arranged between a vehicle gearbox (32) and a front (14) and rear axle (16) of an associated vehicle (12), a first planetary gear set (28) having a planetary gear set output (58) being connected to one of the differential outputs (60), and a second planetary gear set (62) having a planetary gear set output (64) being connected to the other one of the differential outputs (68), wherein said first (28) and second planetary gear set (62) are sharing a common ring wheel (44), and an electrical motor (24) is electively connectable to one of the planetary gear sets (28) or to a gearbox output shaft (36) by means of a coupling (I).

The present disclosure refers to an all-wheel drive system (10) for a vehicle (12), comprising: an electrical motor (24) being connected to a first axle (26) of a planetary gear set (28) arranged at an output side (30) of a vehicle gearbox (32), and a second axle (34) of the planetary gear set (28) being connected or connectable to the gearbox output shaft (36) or to ground (G) by a coupling (I), while a third axle (38) of the planetary gear set (28) is connected or connectable to the front axle (14) of the associated vehicle (12); and further to an all-wheel drive system (10) for a vehicle (12), comprising: a differential (56) arranged between a vehicle gearbox (32) and a front (14) and rear axle (16) of an associated vehicle (12), a first planetary gear set (28) having a planetary gear set output (58) being connected to one of the differential outputs (60), and a second planetary gear set (62) having a planetary gear set output (64) being connected to the other one of the differential outputs (68), wherein said first (28) and second planetary gear set (62) are sharing a common ring wheel (44), and an electrical motor (24) is electively connectable to one of the planetary gear sets (28) or to a gearbox output shaft (36) by means of a coupling (I).