Abstract: A transmission disconnect clutch assembly and method are provided. The clutch assembly operates to place the transmission in a low-loss state, by decoupling the base transmission from the differential gearing, thereby maximizing fuel economy and increasing efficiency. The transmission disconnect clutch assembly may be a dog clutch assembly, which may include a dog clutch hub, a clutch apply plate, and a synchronizer. When the dog clutch is disengaged the vehicle may operate in EV mode, propelled by an electric motor and rear e-axle. When the dog clutch is engaged the vehicle may operate in hybrid mode, propelled by torque transmitted to a front axle by an engine and the torque transmitted to the rear e-axle by the electric motor. A method for transitioning a vehicle between EV mode and hybrid mode, as well as a method for transitioning a vehicle between hybrid mode and EV mode are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has a powertrain that includes a transmission with a planetary gear set that has a first, a second, and a third member. An engine is connected for unitary rotation with the first member. A first final drive is operatively connectable with the carrier member and connected with the first axle. A first motor-generator is connected for unitary rotation with the third member. A second motor-generator is operatively connected for proportional rotation with one of the axles. A first clutch is selectively engageable to connect any two of the members for unitary rotation with one another. The planetary gear set provides an underdrive ratio of speed of the second member to speed of the engine when the sun gear member is stationary.

Abstract: A transmission includes a first motor/generator having a first rotor that is selectively rotatable about a first axis and a second motor/generator having a second rotor that is selectively rotatable about a second axis. A first planetary gearset and a second planetary gearset each has a respective first planetary member, a respective second planetary member, and a respective third planetary member. One of the members of the first planetary gearset is operatively connected to the first rotor to receive torque therefrom. One of the members of the second planetary gearset is operatively connected to the second rotor to receive torque therefrom.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, a transmission having an input member, and a damper operatively interconnecting the input member and the crankshaft to transmit torque from the crankshaft to the input member. An electric motor/generator is operatively connected to the transmission input member to selectively transmit torque thereto. A damper bypass system is operatively connected to the crankshaft and the input member. The damper bypass system is configured not to transfer torque from the crankshaft to the input member, but transmits torque from the input member to the crankshaft in response to input member torque exceeding crankshaft torque.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first electrical power loss value of operating first and second electric machines with power inverters of both electric machines in an active mode. The method includes determining at least one of a second and a third electrical power loss value. The second electrical power loss value is with operating with the power inverter of the first electric machine in the active mode and the power inverter of the second electric machine in a standby mode. The third electrical power loss value is with operating with the power inverter of the second electric machine in the active mode and the power inverter of the first electric machine in the standby mode. A controller sets the power inverters in the respective modes corresponding with a lowest of the electrical power loss values.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, and a stationary member. First and second planetary gearsets each have respective first, second, and third members. A first motor/generator has a first rotor operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith. A second motor/generator has a second rotor operatively connected to one of the members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation therewith. The transmission also includes first, second, and third torque transmitting devices operative to selectively connect members of the planetary gearsets with the input member, the stationary member, or with other members of the planetary gearsets to provide two electric vehicle modes, two electrically variable modes, and a fixed gear ratio mode of transmission operation.

Abstract: A hybrid control system for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes a hybrid control module. The hybrid control module includes a first motor control module that controls output torque of a first motor. A second motor control module controls output torque of a second motor based on a second motor torque request signal. The second motor torque request signal is generated based on a transmission output torque request signal prior to startup of an engine of the HEV. An override module generates a torque override request signal during the startup. The first motor control module controls output torque of the first motor to crank the engine during the startup. The second motor control module adjusts output torque of the second motor based on the torque override request signal and not the transmission output torque request signal during the startup to minimize vehicle jerk during the engine start.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission includes a transmission having a selectable clutch device effective when engaged to mechanically couple an internal combustion engine to a first axle at a fixed engine speed to axle speed ratio. A method for starting the engine includes executing an engine start event including spinning and fueling the engine such that an engine speed to axle speed ratio exceeds the fixed engine speed to axle speed ratio, and engaging said selectable clutch device after the engine speed to axle speed ratio exceeds the fixed engine speed to axle speed ratio.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor with a rotatable rotor. A centrifugally-actuated clutch has a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, and at least one actuator member attached to the first rotatable member. One of the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member is operatively connected to the wheels. The other of the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member is operatively connected to the rotor. The actuator member is configured to transfer torque between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member by an amount that decreases due to centrifugal force acting on the actuator member as a rotational speed of the first rotatable member increases. A method of control is also provided.

Abstract: A transmission disconnect clutch assembly and method are provided. The clutch assembly operates to place the transmission in a low-loss state, by decoupling the base transmission from the differential gearing, thereby maximizing fuel economy and increasing efficiency. The transmission disconnect clutch assembly may be a dog clutch assembly, which may include a dog clutch hub, a clutch apply plate, and a synchronizer. When the dog clutch is disengaged the vehicle may operate in EV mode, propelled by an electric motor and rear e-axle. When the dog clutch is engaged the vehicle may operate in hybrid mode, propelled by torque transmitted to a front axle by an engine and the torque transmitted to the rear e-axle by the electric motor. A method for transitioning a vehicle between EV mode and hybrid mode, as well as a method for transitioning a vehicle between hybrid mode and EV mode are also provided.

Abstract: A transmission includes a first motor/generator having a first rotor that is selectively rotatable about a first axis and a second motor/generator having a second rotor that is selectively rotatable about a second axis. A first planetary gearset and a second planetary gearset each has a respective first planetary member, a respective second planetary member, and a respective third planetary member. One of the members of the first planetary gearset is operatively connected to the first rotor to receive torque therefrom. One of the members of the second planetary gearset is operatively connected to the second rotor to receive torque therefrom.

Abstract: A method minimizes driveline disturbances in a vehicle having a motor generator unit (MGU) and a controller, which may be a motor control processor or a hybrid control processor. The method includes determining a set of motor values of the MGU, including a change in motor speed, a derivative of the change in motor speed, and a motor jerk value; calculating a corrective final torque value for the MGU as a function of the set of motor values; and commanding the corrective final torque value from the MGU during a predetermined event, e.g., engine restart. Calculations and commanding the corrective final torque value are conducted by the controller within a calibrated minimum processing loop time. A vehicle includes first and second MGUs, and a controller electrically connected to the second MGU. The controller has the algorithm for minimizing driveline disturbances as noted above.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a showcase for displaying an exhibit therein. The showcase includes a first display unit and a second display unit. The first display unit is located on one side of the exhibit, is formed of a transparent touch panel, and displays information about the exhibit thereon. The second display unit is located such that the exhibit can be interposed between the first display unit and the second display unit, is placed opposite the first display unit, and displays an image related to the exhibit.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an electric all-wheel drive hybrid vehicle having an engine, automatic transmission, and first and second motor-generators includes driving the vehicle via the second motor-generator. The method also includes determining desired engine speed and transmission gear ratio. The method also includes starting the engine via the first motor-generator and locking up all but one of a plurality of transmission torque transmitting devices required to be engaged for selecting the gear ratio. The method additionally includes modulating engagement of the one remaining torque transmitting device while controlling the engine to generate the desired engine speed. Furthermore, the method includes regulating the engine and the first motor-generator such that their combined torque is approximately zero, locking up the remaining torque transmitting device to select the gear ratio, and controlling the engine to generate desired transmission output torque.

Abstract: A controller-executable method provides an electric-only (EV) launch mode in a vehicle having an accelerator pedal, an engine, a motor generator unit (MGU), a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and a belt alternator starter system adapted for selectively rotating the crankshaft using motor torque from the MGU. Execution of the method uses motor torque from the MGU, while the engine is off, to accelerate the crankshaft to above a calibrated launch speed when a threshold minimum force is applied to the pedal. A designated one of the odd- and even-gear clutches of the DCT are controlled until input torque to the DCT equals a calibrated level. The other DCT clutch may be modulated to dampen drivetrain oscillations. The vehicle launches in the EV launch mode via the designated DCT clutch when the crankshaft speed exceeds an input speed of the DCT. The vehicle and controller are also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle hybrid powertrain having an engine, a motor-generator and a multi-speed automatically-shiftable transmission, wherein the engine and the motor-generator operate to supply torque to the transmission for driving a vehicle. The method includes modulating the torque supply from the motor-generator to the transmission during a gear shift to minimize a transmission output torque disturbance.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an electric all-wheel drive hybrid vehicle having an engine, automatic transmission, and first and second motor-generators includes driving the vehicle via the second motor-generator. The method also includes determining desired engine speed and transmission gear ratio. The method also includes starting the engine via the first motor-generator and locking up all but one of a plurality of transmission torque transmitting devices required to be engaged for selecting the gear ratio. The method additionally includes modulating engagement of the one remaining torque transmitting device while controlling the engine to generate the desired engine speed. Furthermore, the method includes regulating the engine and the first motor-generator such that their combined torque is approximately zero, locking up the remaining torque transmitting device to select the gear ratio, and controlling the engine to generate desired transmission output torque.

Abstract: An electric motor damping module includes an electric motor, a motor damper continuously interconnected with the electric motor, and an input member continuously interconnected with the motor damper. A transmission includes these elements, plus an output member, first, second, and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set, a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set and the output member with the third member of the third planetary gear set, and a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set. The transmission also includes six torque transmitting mechanisms and a hydraulic pump. A sealing assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid control system for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes a hybrid control module. The hybrid control module includes a first motor control module that controls output torque of a first motor. A second motor control module controls output torque of a second motor based on a second motor torque request signal. The second motor torque request signal is generated based on a transmission output torque request signal prior to startup of an engine of the HEV. An override module generates a torque override request signal during the startup. The first motor control module controls output torque of the first motor to crank the engine during the startup. The second motor control module adjusts output torque of the second motor based on the torque override request signal and not the transmission output torque request signal during the startup to minimize vehicle jerk during the engine start.

Abstract: A controller-executable method provides an electric-only (EV) launch mode in a vehicle having an accelerator pedal, an engine, a motor generator unit (MGU), a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and a belt alternator starter system adapted for selectively rotating the crankshaft using motor torque from the MGU. Execution of the method uses motor torque from the MGU, while the engine is off, to accelerate the crankshaft to above a calibrated launch speed when a threshold minimum force is applied to the pedal. A designated one of the odd- and even-gear clutches of the DCT are controlled until input torque to the DCT equals a calibrated level. The other DCT clutch may be modulated to dampen drivetrain oscillations. The vehicle launches in the EV launch mode via the designated DCT clutch when the crankshaft speed exceeds an input speed of the DCT. The vehicle and controller are also provided.