An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.

A method for operating a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes outputting via a controller an engine speed command that is based on a predicted impeller speed of a torque converter and corresponds to the accelerator tip-in to output a torque from the engine to wheels of the vehicle in response to detection of an accelerator pedal tip-in greater than a predetermined threshold. The method may also include accessing a history of impeller speed outputs of the hybrid vehicle to obtain the predicted impeller speed. The engine speed command may set engine speed substantially equal to or greater than the predicted impeller speed. The predetermined threshold may be based on a driver requested torque output of the wheels in which torque from the torque converter to the wheels results in saturation.

A method is provided to control a hybrid powertrain to achieve a desired engine speed in a combustion engine, said powertrain comprising: a gearbox with input and output shafts with the combustion engine connected to the input shaft; a first planetary gear connected to the input shaft and a first main shaft; a second planetary gear connected to the first planetary gear and a second main shaft; first and second electrical machines respectfully connected to the first and second planetary gears; first gear pair connected with the first main shaft; and second gear pair connected with the second main shaft. The method comprises a) ensuring that two rotatable components in the first planetary gear are connected; b) ensuring that all rotatable components in the second planetary gear are disconnected; c) ensuring that a gear is engaged in the first gear pair, d) ensuring that the second gear pair is disconnected; e) controlling the second electrical machine so that a desired torque is achieved in the output shaft; f) controlling the combustion engine to a desired engine speed; and g) controlling the first electrical machine so that a desired total power consumption for the first and the second electrical machines is achieved.

A vehicle control device applicable to a vehicle including an engine includes an electric motor coupled to the engine, a hydraulic clutch, a solenoid control valve, a first travel control unit, a second travel control unit, and a fail-safe control unit. The hydraulic clutch is engaged when hydraulic oil is supplied and disengaged when the hydraulic oil is discharged. The solenoid control valve includes a solenoid. The solenoid control valve supplies the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic clutch when the solenoid is in a non-energized state, and discharges the hydraulic oil when the solenoid is in the energized state. The first travel control unit executes an engine traveling mode, and the second travel control unit executes an inertial traveling mode. The fail-safe control unit drives the electric motor when the solenoid is switched from the energized state to the non-energized state while the inertial traveling mode is executed.

An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.

An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.

A vehicle control device applicable to a vehicle including an engine includes an electric motor coupled to the engine, a hydraulic clutch, a solenoid control valve, a first travel control unit, a second travel control unit, and a fail-safe control unit. The hydraulic clutch is engaged when hydraulic oil is supplied and disengaged when the hydraulic oil is discharged. The solenoid control valve includes a solenoid. The solenoid control valve supplies the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic clutch when the solenoid is in a non-energized state, and discharges the hydraulic oil when the solenoid is in the energized state. The first travel control unit executes an engine traveling mode, and the second travel control unit executes an inertial traveling mode. The fail-safe control unit drives the electric motor when the solenoid is switched from the energized state to the non-energized state while the inertial traveling mode is executed.

An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.

A transmission includes a housing, and a transmission input member. A torque converter includes a pump and a turbine. The turbine of the torque converter is connected to the transmission input member. A lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the turbine. A cover is connected to and rotatable with the pump. The cover at least partially defines an interior of the torque converter. A torque converter input member passes through the cover. A one way clutch interconnects the torque converter input member and the cover. An engine brake friction clutch is disposed within the interior of the torque converter. The engine brake friction clutch selectively interconnects the torque converter input member and the cover in torque communication to transfer a braking torque therebetween.

A transmission includes a housing, and a transmission input member. A torque converter includes a pump and a turbine. The turbine of the torque converter is connected to the transmission input member. A lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the turbine. A cover is connected to and rotatable with the pump. The cover at least partially defines an interior of the torque converter. A torque converter input member passes through the cover. A one way clutch interconnects the torque converter input member and the cover. An engine brake friction clutch is disposed within the interior of the torque converter. The engine brake friction clutch selectively interconnects the torque converter input member and the cover in torque communication to transfer a braking torque therebetween.