Even in the case where it is difficult to increase an engine torque (Te) during switching when a running is switched to a 4WD running or a 2WD running during a 2WD_d running, an alternative control section suppresses a fluctuation in the driving force of a four-wheel drive vehicle, hence it is possible to suppress a switching shock and an unnatural feeling of deceleration occurring during the switching to the 4WD running or the 2WD running.

A clutch control device is provided for a four-wheel drive vehicle for transmitting drive force to the rear wheels. The clutch control device includes a dog clutch and a friction clutch, and a controller that controls the engagement and disengagement of the dog clutch and the friction clutch. In this clutch control device, the four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle includes a disconnected, two-wheel drive mode and a connected, four-wheel drive mode. When a driver's foot is lifted off an accelerator in a low-speed region when the connected, four-wheel drive mode is selected, the 4WD control unit maintains the connected, four-wheel drive mode while the brakes are not depressed, and shifts the mode to the disconnected, two-wheel drive mode when the brakes are depressed.

A brake torque distribution system for a vehicle can include a braking system and a controller. The controller can be configured to signal a clutch of the vehicle powertrain to move to the engaged position such that the front wheels are rotationally coupled to the rear wheels and the brake torque applied to the front wheels by the braking system is transmitted to the rear wheels. The controller can be configured to signal the clutch to move to the engaged position based on an inclination angle signal received by the controller and indicative of an angle of inclination of the vehicle, a selected gear signal received by the controller that is indicative of the reverse gear ratio being selected in the powertrain, and a load signal received by the controller and indicative of a load applied to a portion of the vehicle adjacent to the rear wheels.

A wheel disconnect clutch includes a housing attachable to a knuckle and a clutch sleeve slidably supported for axial movement within the housing and having first teeth configured to couple with a wheel hub and second teeth configured to couple with a half shaft. The clutch sleeve is slidable between an engaged position in which the first teeth are coupled to the wheel hub and a disengaged position in which the first teeth are decoupled from the wheel hub. A drive ring is connected to the clutch sleeve and supported within the housing to be axially slidable and rotationally fixed relative to the housing. An actuator ring is disposed adjacent to the drive ring, supported for rotation within the housing, and axially fixed relative to the housing. The driver ring moves the clutch sleeve between engaged and disengaged positions.

The electronic IWE actuator includes an electric motor, a worm gear connected to the electric motor, a ball ramp including a worm wheel configured to engage with the worm gear, a clutch ring configured to engage with a wheel hub of the vehicle, and a shift fork configured to engage with the clutch ring and the ball ramp and move linearly in a direction along an axis of the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the ball ramp. The clutch ring is configured to engage with the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the worm gear in a first direction, and disengage from the wheel hub in response to a rotation of the worm gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

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.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a multi-axle assembly in a vehicle. The multi-axle assembly may be operated according to a requested mode, where the mode includes providing torque at one, two, or no axles of the multi-axle assembly, and the requested mode may be selected based on vehicle speed. In this way, operation of the multi-axle assembly may be adjusted according to a fuel efficiency of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.

An electric drive unit clutch for an automobile includes a first rotatable shaft, a one-way clutch fixedly mounted onto the first rotatable shaft, a dog clutch slidingly mounted onto the first rotatable shaft and adapted to rotate with the first rotatable shaft, a clutch ring positioned between the one-way clutch and the dog clutch, and a second rotatable shaft rotatable engaged with the clutch ring, wherein the clutch ring is adapted to transfer rotational motion from the second rotatable shaft through the one-way clutch and the dog clutch to the first rotatable shaft.

A driveline for a vehicle and its method of operating are described. The driveline may have a power source and a front axle assembly drivingly engaged or selectively drivingly engaged with the power source. The front axle assembly may have a front left half shaft, a front right half shaft, a front left torque transmission control mechanism configured to control the transmission of torque to the FL half shaft, and a front right torque transmission control mechanism configured to control the transmission of torque to the FR half shaft. The driveline may also have a rear axle assembly drivingly engaged or selectively drivingly engaged with the power source. The rear axle assembly may have a rear left half shaft, a rear right half shaft, a rear left torque transmission control mechanism configured to control the transmission of torque to the RL half shaft, a rear right torque transmission control mechanism configured to control the transmission of torque to the RR half shaft. The driveline may also have a control unit configured to independently control the FL torque transmission control mechanism, the FR torque transmission control mechanism, the RL torque transmission control mechanism, and the RR torque transmission control mechanism.

A rotary power transmission device includes a housing, a clutch, an actuator and a retaining body. The housing has an annular surface and an interior in which multiple components are received for rotation. The clutch is received within the housing and has a clutch ring selectively engageable with one of said multiple components. The actuator has a limit surface, a coil and a plunger driven for movement along an axis and relative to the clutch, and the plunger is received over and movable along the annular surface. The retaining body has a blocking surface radially overlapped with the limit surface and arranged to be contacted by the limit surface to prevent removal of the plunger from the annular surface.