Transfer case for hybrid vehicle

A transfer case for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and first and second drivelines, comprising:

• an input member adapted to be driven by the engine;
• a first output shaft adapted for connection to the first driveline;
• a second output shaft adapted for connection to the second driveline;
• an input clutch operable in an engaged mode to rotatively couple said first output shaft to said input member and in a released mode to release said first output shaft from engagement with said input member;
• an input brake operable in a released mode to permit rotation of said input member and in an engaged mode to brake said input member against rotation;
• a first planetary gearset having a first sun gear, a first ring gear fixed to said input member, and pinion gears meshed with said first ring gear and said first sun gear, said pinion gears are rotatably supported on a pinion carrier which is fixed to said first output shaft;
• a second planetary gearset having a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and planet gears meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear, said planet gears are rotatably supported on a planet carrier which is fixed to said first sun gear;
• a transfer unit coupling said pinion to said second output shaft;
• and
• an electric motor for selectively driving said second sun gear.

A hybrid motor vehicle, comprising:

• a powertrain including an internal combustion engine and a transmission;
• a front driveline including a front differential connecting a pair of front wheels;
• a rear driveline including a rear differential connecting a pair of rear wheels;
• a transfer case including an input member driven by said powertrain, a front output shaft operably connected to said front differential, a rear output shaft operably connected to said rear differential, an input clutch operable in an engaged mode to rotatively couple said rear output shaft to said input member and in a released mode to release said rear output shaft from engagement with said input member, an input brake operable in a released mode to permit rotation of said input member and in an engaged mode to brake said input member against rotation, a planetary gearset having a sun gear, a ring gear fixed to said input member, and pinion gears meshed with said ring gear and said sun gear, said pinion gears are rotatably supported on a pinion carrier which is fixed to said rear output shaft, a transfer unit coupling said pinion carrier to said second output shaft, and an electric motor for selectively driving said sun gear;
• and
• a control system for controlling actuation of said input clutch, said input brake and said electric motor to define an electric operating mode, a hybrid operating mode, and an engine operating mode.

A hybrid motor vehicle, comprising:

• a powertrain including an internal combustion engine and a transmission;
• a front driveline including a front differential connecting a pair of front wheels;
• a rear driveline including a rear differential connecting a pair of rear wheels;
• a transfer case including an input member driven by said powertrain, a front output shaft operably connected to said front differential, a rear output shaft operably connected to said rear differential, an input clutch operable in an engaged mode to rotatively couple said rear output shaft to said input member and in a released mode to release said rear output shaft from engagement with said input member, an input brake operable in a released mode to permit rotation of said input member and in an engaged mode to brake said input member against rotation, a first planetary gearset having a first sun gear, a first ring gear fixed to said input member, and pinion gears meshed with said first ring gear and said first sun gear, said pinion gears are rotatably supported on a pinion carrier which is fixed to said rear output shaft, a second planetary gearset having a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and planet gears meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear, said planet gears are rotatably supported on a planet carrier which is fixed to said first sun gear, a transfer unit coupling said pinion carrier to said second output shaft, and an electric motor for selectively driving said second sun gear;
• and
• a control system for controlling actuation of said input clutch, said input brake and said electric motor to define an electric operating mode, a hybrid operating mode, and an engine operating mode.