Hybrid powertrain engine disconnect device

A hybrid vehicle, comprising:

• a final drive unit driving at least one vehicle wheel;
• and
• a powertrain providing motive force to the final drive unit, the powertrain including:
• an internal combustion engine configured to provide rotational power to a rotatable shaft in a first rotational direction;
• an electric motor-generator comprising a rotor fixed for rotation with a torque converter rotational input, such that the electric motor-generator is configured to selectively provide rotational power to the torque converter rotational input;
• and
• an engine disconnect device comprising a mechanical clutch linking the rotatable shaft with the torque converter rotational input such that the rotatable shaft drives the torque converter rotational input in the first rotational direction, and the torque converter rotational input freewheels with respect to the rotatable shaft when rotating faster in the first rotational direction than the rotatable shaft;
• wherein the mechanical clutch is a selectable one-way clutch, the selectable one-way clutch linking the rotatable shaft with the torque converter rotational input such that the rotatable shaft freewheels with respect to the torque converter rotational input when rotating faster than the torque converter rotational input in the first rotational direction, and the selectable one-way clutch is configured to apply an engine braking force transmitted by the rotatable shaft to the torque converter rotational input;
• and
• wherein the selectable one-way clutch includes one or more axial engagement elements configured to transmit rotational power from the rotatable shaft to the torque converter rotational input.