A method for operating a drive unit for a motor vehicle. The drive unit has at least one internal combustion engine, an electric machine which is or may be drivingly coupled to the internal combustion engine, and a start-up clutch, via which the internal combustion engine and the electric machine are drivingly connected to an output shaft of the drive unit. In a start-up operation mode of the drive unit, the internal combustion engine is operated without ignition when the start-up clutch is open, and is cranked by the electric machine to a start-up speed, which is greater than an idle speed of the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is ignition-operated and the start-up clutch is closed upon reaching the start-up speed. The invention further relates to a drive unit for a motor vehicle.

A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine (EM), a first input shaft (GW1), a second input shaft (GW2), an output shaft (GWA), two planetary gear sets (P1, P2), and at least four shift elements (A, B, C′, D). Different gears are selectable by selectively actuating the at least four shift elements (A, B, C′, D) and, in addition, in interaction with the electric machine (EM), different operating modes are implementable.

A hybrid vehicle includes: an internal combustion engine; an electric motor; a controller; a transmission including an input shaft that receives power inputted from the internal combustion engine and the electric motor and an output shaft that outputs power to a drive wheel; and a clutch disposed in a first power transmission route between the internal combustion engine and the input shaft. The electric motor is connected to the input shaft so as to transmit power to the input shaft through a second power transmission route different from the first power transmission route. The controller changes the manner of controlling the electric motor upon switching of the state of power transmission from the internal combustion engine and the electric motor.

A hybrid drive system has an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, a dual clutch transmission having an input shaft, a dual claw clutch having a first claw clutch and a second claw clutch, a first sub-transmission, and a second sub-transmission. The first claw clutch is non-rotatably connects a first sub-transmission input shaft of the first sub-transmission to the input shaft. The second claw clutch non-rotatably connects a second sub-transmission input shaft of the second sub-transmission to the input shaft. The rotor is arranged in such a way that torques starting from the rotor on an output side of the second claw clutch can be introduced into the dual clutch transmission via the second sub-transmission input shaft.

A vehicle drive apparatus includes an internal combustion engine, an electric-power-generating-motor gear train, a drive gear, a driven gear, a differential, a low clutch and a high clutch. The electric-power-generating-motor gear train and the driven gear are arranged on a first plane. The drive gear, the driven gear, and the differential are arranged on a second plane. The low clutch and the high clutch are arranged on a third plane.

A vehicle drive device includes: a first oil passage that supplies oil discharged from the first hydraulic pump to the second transmission system; a second oil passage that supplies oil discharged from the second hydraulic pump to the first transmission system; a third oil passage that supplies the oil discharged from the second hydraulic pump to the first rotating electrical machine; and a fourth oil passage that supplies the oil discharged from the second hydraulic pump to the second rotating electrical machine.

A friction clutch includes a reference plane aligned perpendicular to a rotational axis, a first clutch component, and a second clutch component. The first clutch component has a first friction element, a first support part that receives the first friction element, a leaf spring unit including a leaf spring that rotationally fixes the second support part to the first support part. The second clutch component has a second friction element. The first friction element lies against the second friction element in a frictionally locking manner in a closed position, and is axially spaced from the second friction element in an open position. The leaf spring is designed and positioned relative to the reference plane in a set angle in the closed position such that an additional axial force is applied to the first friction element and the second friction element in a drive rotational direction of the first clutch component.

Systems and methods for starting an engine that is incorporated into a hybrid vehicle driveline are described. In one example, a torque converter clutch is fully opened if a threshold amount has transpired after a request for torque converter clutch slip is requested but not delivered. Further, the torque converter clutch may be fully opened if a commanded torque converter clutch torque capacity is less than a threshold torque capacity.

A power shift transmission includes an input shaft and a gear housing including a gear assembly disposed therein. The gear assembly is driven by the input shaft. The transmission also includes an output shaft rotated by the gear assembly. The transmission also includes an auxiliary shaft extending through a portion of the gear housing. The auxiliary shaft is rotated by an internal combustion engine. The transmission also includes a clutch assembly movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The clutch assembly includes a first clutch portion coupled to the input shaft and a second clutch portion coupled to the auxiliary shaft. The second clutch portion transmits rotational force to the first clutch portion only with the clutch assembly in the engaged position. The transmission also includes an electric motor including an electric motor shaft in geared relationship with the first clutch portion.

A hybrid vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission mechanism, first and second clutch mechanisms, a motor generator, and a forward-reverse travel switching mechanism. The engine outputs torque. The transmission mechanism converts the torque at a predetermined transmission gear ratio. The first clutch mechanism allows and disallows power transmission between the transmission mechanism and a drive wheel. The motor generator is coupled to a power transmission path between the first clutch mechanism and the drive wheel. The second clutch mechanism allows and disallows power transmission between the motor generator and the drive wheel. The forward-reverse travel switching mechanism is coupled to a power transmission path between the engine and the transmission mechanism. The forward-reverse travel switching mechanism is coupled to a countershaft. The forward-reverse travel switching mechanism switches among a forward-travel direct coupling state, a reverse-travel direct coupling state, and a neutral state.