A vehicle driving apparatus includes: (a) a power distribution device for distributing a power between a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels; (b) a differential device for distributing the power between right and left wheels that constitute one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels; and (c) a propeller shaft for transmitting the power to the other of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels. The power distribution device includes a first rotary element connected to a rotating machine, a second rotary element connected to the differential device and a third rotary element connected to the propeller shaft. The third rotary element and the propeller shaft are both connected to a power transmission member between the power distribution device and one of the right and left wheels in an axial direction of the power distribution device.

A drive torque transfer case is provided. The transfer case includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a gear assembly coupled to the input shaft, and a range clutch assembly coupled to the output shaft. The range clutch assembly includes a clutch member and a multi-piston actuator configured to receive a pressurized transmission fluid for selectively axially translating the clutch member to engage a component of the gear assembly for transmitting a drive torque from the input shaft to the output shaft. The multi-piston actuator includes an internal piston having a first annular surface area A1 and a third annular surface area A3, and an external piston having a second annular surface area A2 and a fourth annular surface area A4. The A1 and A2 are in hydraulic communication with a first hydraulic chamber, and A3 and A4 are in hydraulic communication with a second hydraulic chamber.

A drive assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing having a transmission housing chamber, a reservoir, and a clutch housing chamber. At least one of the transmission housing chamber or the clutch housing chamber are fluidically connected to the reservoir. A transmission is disposed in the transmission housing chamber. A clutch is disposed in the clutch housing chamber. The clutch is drivingly connected to the transmission. An actuator has an actuating element engaged with the clutch. The clutch is moveable by the actuating element between a disengaged position and an engaged position. A valve is operatively connected to the actuating element of the actuator to allow lubricant flow from the reservoir to at least one of the transmission housing chamber and the clutch housing chamber when the clutch is in the engaged position and to prevent lubricant flow from the reservoir when the clutch is in the disengaged position

A differential assembly is provided to include a two-piece differential carrier, a differential gearset installed within a gearset chamber formed in the differential carrier, and a ring gear. An interlocking feature mechanically interconnects the ring gear to the first and second case members of the two-piece differential carrier and defines first and second weldment junctions. A first weld seam is located in the first weldment junction and connects the ring gear to the first case member while a second weld seam is located in the second weldment junction and connects the ring gear to the second case member.

A differential device includes a ring gear receiving a rotational driving force from a drive gear, a differential case rotating integrally with the ring gear around a predetermined axis, and a differential mechanism installed within a barrel part of the differential case. The ring gear includes a gear portion meshing with the drive gear, and a rim portion that is formed integrally with an inner periphery of the gear portion and is fitted, in a non-welded state, onto a maximum diameter outer peripheral portion of the barrel part or a predetermined outer peripheral portion having a smaller diameter than the maximum diameter outer peripheral portion. The rim portion has a to-be-fixed portion welded to the barrel part at a position spaced in an axial direction from a fitting part via which the rim portion and the barrel part are fitted, the position being further radially inward than the fitting part.

A method of controlling a drive axle system. The drive axle system may include first and second drive axle assemblies. A drive axle assembly may be disconnected by operating a wheel end disconnect to discontinue transmission of torque between a wheel assembly and a differential and by discontinuing the transmission of torque to the differential.

A transfer device is provided, which includes an input shaft configured to receive a driving force generated by a drive source, an output shaft configured to output a portion of the driving force to part-time drive wheels of a vehicle, a transfer case accommodating the input and output shafts, at least two output bearings rotatably supporting the output shaft, and a constant-velocity (CV) joint connected to the output shaft and provided on a first side of the part-time drive wheels with respect to the output shaft. The output shaft is formed with a recessed opening portion opening toward the first side and receiving at least a part of the CV joint therein. The transfer case has an annular intruding part extending from the first side of the output shaft into the recessed opening portion. A first output bearing is located inside the recessed opening portion.

An actuator arrangement for a drive train including a shifting element moveable between first and second shifting positions, a shifting mechanism operable in a first shifting operation to actuate the shifting element, and a holding mechanism operable to hold to shifting element in both of the first and second shifting positions. The shifting mechanism includes an axially displaceable pushing element. The holding mechanism has a latching element fixed to the shifting element and a latching contour formed on a first shaft element. The latching element is configured to engage the latching contour when the shifting element is located in the second shifting position. The latching element is released from the latching contour via a second shifting operation by the pushing element.

A centralized full-time electric four-wheel drive system, including: a housing; a central differential; a main drive unit, whose power output gear meshes with the ring gear of the central differential; a dual-rotor motor having a first and a second output gear at either end; a rear-axle differential; a first planetary gearset (PG), whose sun gear and ring gear connect to the carrier of the central differential and the housing respectively; a second PG with common carrier of the first PG, whose sun gear connects to the sun gear of the central differential and ring gear meshes with the first output gear; a third PG, whose sun gear and ring gear connect to the semi-axle of the rear-axle differential and the housing respectively; a forth PG with common carrier of the third PG, whose sun gear connects to the rear-axle differential cage and ring gear meshes with the second output gear.

A behavior control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle comprising a driving unit, front and rear wheel driving torque transmission paths that transmit driving torques of the driving unit to front and rear wheels, respectively, and control unit. The rear wheel driving torque transmission path includes a speed increasing device for increasing speed of the rear wheels relative to the front wheels and two clutches for the left rear w heel and right rear wheel disposed between the speed, increasing device and the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel, respectively. The control unit engages the clutch on the turning inside when the vehicle is in oversteer state during turning under braking in a situation where the two clutches are disengaged.