The invention relates to a multi-speed transmission, comprising a power split device, an input shaft of the transmission being connected or connectable to prime mover, an output shaft, two shiftable sub-transmissions, each providing a plurality of different gear ratios, and at least one rotating electric machine, connected to said power split device, wherein the two sub-transmissions can be connected alternatively to the output shaft, and a control system, connecting said electric machine with an electric battery and auxiliary electrical consumers. The electric machine is connected to the power split device in a way to reduce torque value down to zero on either an input shaft of the first sub-transmission or on an input shaft of the second sub-transmission by applying different shaft torque levels, and the internal heat generation capacity of the electric machine exceeds the power capacity of the control system power line.

Disclosed is an automatic transmission for a hybrid vehicle, the automatic transmission including an input shaft driven by the combustion engine, an output gearwheel, ring gear or pinion, a stationary element such as a casing for example, an electric machine of which the stator is secured to the stationary element, first, second, third, fourth and fifth selective torque transmitting members that can be selectively engaged or activated in order to establish different transmission ratios, a single double planetary gearset of the Ravigneaux type (TPR) the constituent functional elements of which are arranged as two sets of planetary gears connected by the aforementioned members to the input shaft and to the stationary element, the rotor of the electric machine being mounted on a functional element that injects the movement of the gearset.

Various methods and systems are provided for a drive arrangement for a vehicle including a housing, a double planetary gear set partially or fully contained within the housing, an input shaft selectively engaged with the double planetary gear set, a first clutch assembly coupled to the input shaft and selectively engaged with the double planetary gear set, a second clutch assembly coupled to the input shaft and selectively engaged with the double planetary gear set, and a sliding spline coupled to the input shaft and selectively engaged with the double planetary gear set. The double planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a first set of planetary gears, a second set of planetary gears, a planetary gear carrier, and a ring gear, wherein components of the double planetary gear set are lockable thereby providing three different gear ratios.

A disconnecting axle assembly for a vehicle can include a planetary differential and a clutch. The differential input can be meshingly engaged with an input pinion. The clutch can include first and second friction plates. The first plates can be non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to a first differential output. The second plates can be interleaved with the first plates and non-rotatably but axially slidably coupled to a first axle half-shaft which can drive a first wheel. A second differential output can be drivingly coupled to a second axle half-shaft which can drive a second wheel. The differential can output a greater amount of torque to the first differential output than the second differential output when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line.

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.

The disclosure relates to a transmission comprising an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a first planetary gear set, and a second planetary gear set which is connected to the first planetary gear set. Each of the planetary gear sets comprises multiple elements. The input shaft, the two output shafts, the planetary gear sets, as well as the elements thereof are arranged and designed such thata torque introduced via the input shaft is converted and is distributed to the two output shafts in a defined ratio, and the development of a sum torque is prevented. At least one element of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to another element of the second planetary gear set. Another element of the second planetary gear set is secured to a rotationally fixed component.

The invention relates to a method to start a combustion engine in a hybrid powertrain by a) disconnecting rotatable components of a first planetary gear from each other, b) disconnecting rotatable components of a second planetary gear from each other, c) preventing rotation of at least one gear pair, which is connected with the first planetary gear and an output shaft and at least one gear pair, which is connected with the second planetary gear and the output shaft, prevent rotation of the output shaft, and e) activating a first electrical machine connected to the first planetary gear, and/or a second electrical machine connected to the second planetary gear, so that the combustion engine starts.

A powertrain system is described, and includes an internal combustion engine having a crank member, a torque machine having a rotatable shaft member, and a transmission having an input member and an output member. The crank member of the internal combustion engine is couplable to the input member of the transmission. The rotatable shaft member of the torque machine is couplable to the crank member of the internal combustion engine at a first gear ratio. The rotatable shaft member of the torque machine is couplable to the input member of the transmission at a second gear ratio. The first gear ratio is less than the second gear ratio.

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 drive device for a motor vehicle having a first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, and a planetary gear unit, via which the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly are operatively connected to a drivable axle of the motor vehicle. The first drive assembly and the drivable axle are operatively connected to the planetary gear unit. The second drive assembly as well as an auxiliary drive having an auxiliary assembly are operatively connected permanently to the planetary gear unit. The auxiliary drive has a third drive assembly, which is coupled at least intermittently to the auxiliary assembly.