A power transmission device of a four-wheel drive electrically driven vehicle comprises a transverse engine that is supported on one right side surface of two side surfaces of the gear case, and a motor that is supported on the other left side surface of the two side surfaces of the gear case. The power transmission device includes a transfer case that is supported by a gear case and the distributes power from a power source between the left and right front wheels and the left and right rear wheels. The transfer case wraps around from the side surface to a rear surface of the gear case, as seen from above, and outputs power to the left and right rear wheels from the rear surface side of the gear case.

A transfer case includes primary and secondary output shafts, along with a secondary torque transfer mechanism and a locking mechanism, which are configured to selectively couple the primary and secondary output shafts. The secondary torque transfer mechanism comprises a sprocket coupled to the secondary output shaft, and a plate clutch coupled to the sprocket to selectively form a friction coupling with the primary output shaft. The locking mechanism selectively couples the primary output shaft to the sprocket, and includes a locking sleeve and an actuator that moves the locking sleeve between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the locking sleeve forms a first splined connection with the primary output shaft and forms a second splined connection with the sprocket. In the second position, the locking sleeve forms the first splined connection with the primary output shaft and forms a second splined connection with the sprocket.

An actuator for a transfer case includes an actuator member, a face cam mechanism, and a motor. The actuator member includes a circumferential flange and an annular body extending from an inner periphery of the circumferential flange. The annular body includes a circumferential slot opposite the flange defined between two end walls formed by the annular body. One of the end walls includes a bearing member coupled thereto. The face cam mechanism includes a follower coupled to a cam member. The cam member is configured to displace axially when rotated. The follower is disposed within the slot. In a first range of motion, the annular member is rotated independent of the face cam mechanism. In a second range of motion, the bearing member engages the follower to rotate the second cam member relative to the first cam member, and the follower moves axially along the bearing member.

A transfer case includes an input shaft, a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, and an actuator. The primary output shaft is coupled to the input shaft with a gear reduction mechanism. The secondary output shaft is selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a secondary torque transfer mechanism. The actuator includes a first actuation mechanism, a second actuation mechanism, and a driver gear assembly. The first actuation mechanism is configured to operate the gear reduction mechanism. The second actuation mechanism is configured to operate the secondary torque transfer mechanism. The drive gear assembly includes a gear plate member, a sense plate member configured to engage the first actuation mechanism, and a hub member configured to engage the second actuation. The sense plate member and the hub member are independently coupled to the gear plate member to rotate in unison with the gear plate member.

A movable structure driving unit is a movable structure driving unit used for a movable structure, including: an electric motor that is electrically connected to a power supply and that drives a front wheel; a rear-side motive power source that drives a rear wheel; a jump detector that detects a jump of the front wheel from ground; and a motor controller that controls driving of the electric motor. The motor controller stops supply of a driving current from the power supply to the electric motor when the jump of the front wheel from the ground is detected in a state in which driving of the front wheel and the rear wheel is instructed.

An off-road vehicle has four wheels and side-by-side driver and passenger seats. At least two of the wheels are driven by an electric motor powered by batteries disposed in the vehicle.

An electric axle is configured to selectively enable an electric motor to power a pair of drive shafts of a vehicle. The electric axle includes a planetary gearset configured to drivably couple an electric motor with first and second drive shafts coaxially arranged. The planetary gearset including a ring gear. A housing at least partially surrounds the planetary gearset and is configured to be grounded to the vehicle. A clutch is configured to selectively ground the ring gear with the housing to enable an electric motor to power the first and second drive shafts. The electric axle may include a second planetary gearset, namely a differential planetary gearset. The differential planetary gearset may include a carrier that is shared or common amongst the planetary gearset and the differential planetary gearset.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a four-wheel drive powertrain of a vehicle. In one example, a method may comprise: in response to a desired shift from a four-wheel drive mode to a two wheel-drive mode: decreasing a transfer case torque output to a secondary driveline to a lower first level and disengaging a disconnect device of the secondary driveline; increasing the transfer case torque output from the lower first level to a higher second level over a duration; and after the duration, reducing the transfer case torque.

A vehicle having a four-wheel-drive system including an auxiliary portion that has an auxiliary driveshaft and drive means between the auxiliary driveshaft arranged to releasably connect a second group of wheels to the driveline via a releasable torque transmitting device. The releasable torque transmitting device is operable to allow slippage of the input portion with respect to the output portions, thereby to vary an amount of torque that is transmitted to the second group of wheels.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a control system configured to control a driveline of a motor vehicle to operate in a selected one of a plurality of configurations, the system being configured to cause the driveline to operate in a first configuration and not a second configuration in dependence on a first set of one or more conditions, the system being further configured to override operation in the first configuration and cause the driveline to operate in the second configuration and not the first configuration in dependence on the first set of one or more conditions and in addition a second set of one or more conditions.