A disconnect mechanism comprises an input shaft defining a drive axis, a disconnect shaft selectively engaged with the input shaft to be driven about the drive axis by the input shaft, and a disconnect ramp operatively connected to the disconnect shaft to axially move the disconnect shaft between at least a first axial position and a second axial position. A disconnect pawl is selectively engaged with the disconnect ramp shaft, and a brake is selectively engaged with the disconnect shaft in the second axial position.

A pedaled drivetrain includes a drive mechanism, a wheel, a freewheel hub, and a locking mechanism. The wheel has a rotational axis. The freewheel hub connects the drive mechanism to the wheel, and the freewheel hub transmits torque from the drive mechanism to the wheel in a first rotational direction around the rotational axis. The locking mechanism has a locked state and an unlocked state. The locked state rotationally fixes a component of the drive mechanism to the wheel relative to the rotational axis.

A torque limiter device includes an input shaft having a first contact surface and an output shaft having a second contact surface. The input and output shafts are operable in an engaged position and a disengaged position A biasing mechanism provides a bias force that mechanically biases the input and output shafts in one of the positions and sets a threshold torque. An electromagnet is arranged to selectively provide an electromagnetic force that opposes the bias force when an activation current is supplied. A controller determines a difference in rotations of the shafts and selectively supply the activation current to the electromagnet so as to disengage the input and output shafts when the rotation difference exceeds a threshold. Each of the contact surfaces comprises one or more grooves, wherein at least one rotatable member is disposed in at least one of said grooves.

A torque limiter device includes an input shaft having a first contact surface and an output shaft having a second contact surface. The input and output shafts are operable in an engaged position wherein the contact surfaces are brought into mechanical engagement, and a disengaged position wherein the contact surfaces are separated. A biasing mechanism provides a bias force that mechanically biases the input and output shafts in one of the positions and sets a threshold torque. An electromagnet is arranged to selectively provide an electromagnetic force that opposes the bias force when an activation current is supplied. A rotation sensor arrangement measures a respective rotation of the input shaft and of the output shaft. A controller determines a difference in rotations of the shafts and selectively supply the activation current to the electromagnet so as to disengage the input and output shafts when the rotation difference exceeds a threshold.

A disconnect mechanism comprises an input shaft defining a drive axis, a disconnect shaft selectively engaged with the input shaft to be driven about the drive axis by the input shaft, and a disconnect ramp operatively connected to the disconnect shaft to axially move the disconnect shaft between at least a first axial position and a second axial position. A disconnect pawl is selectively engaged with the disconnect ramp shaft, and a brake is selectively engaged with the disconnect shaft in the second axial position.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means to receive (1110) a fault-derived coupling state request (430) signal and (1120) at least one further coupling state request signal, wherein each coupling state request signal is indicative of a request for a coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle, processing means arranged to determine (1130) the coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle in dependence on the fault-derived coupling state request signal (430) and the at least one further coupling state request signal, wherein the processing means is arranged to determine the coupling state of the electric machine in precedence on the fault-derived coupling state request signal over the at least one further coupling state request signal, and output means arranged to output (1140) a coupling signal indicative of the determined coupling state to control coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle.

A pedaled drivetrain includes a drive mechanism, a wheel, a freewheel hub, and a locking mechanism. The wheel has a rotational axis. The freewheel hub connects the drive mechanism to the wheel, and the freewheel hub transmits torque from the drive mechanism to the wheel in a first rotational direction around the rotational axis. The locking mechanism has a locked state and an unlocked state. The locked state rotationally fixes a component of the drive mechanism to the wheel relative to the rotational axis.

Methods are provided for checking the actuating accuracy of a clutch arranged in a force flow between a fixable shaft and an electric machine of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle when at a standstill. One method includes: fixing the shaft, setting a defined setpoint torque on the clutch to be checked, continuously ramping up the electric machine up until the first slipping of the clutch, comparing the achieved torque of the electric machine with the setpoint torque preset on the clutch. Another method includes: fixing the shaft, ramping up the electric machine to a defined rotational speed, setting a defined setpoint torque on the clutch to be checked, comparing the torque of the electric machine needed to maintain a constant rotational speed with the setpoint torque set on the clutch.

A disconnect mechanism comprises an input shaft defining a drive axis, a disconnect shaft selectively engaged with the input shaft to be driven about the drive axis by the input shaft, and a disconnect ramp operatively connected to the disconnect shaft to axially move the disconnect shaft between at least a first axial position and a second axial position. A disconnect pawl is selectively engaged with the disconnect ramp shaft, and a brake is selectively engaged with the disconnect shaft in the second axial position.

A transmission for a vehicle includes a first rotating member for rotation about an axis and a second rotating member for rotation about the axis. The first rotating member and the second rotating member are connectable to each other such that the first rotating member and the second rotating member are rotationally locked relative to each other for transferring torque between the first rotating member and the second rotating member. The transmission comprises a sensor arrangement for measuring a relative angular position of the first rotating member and the second rotating member while at least one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member is rotating.