lolder

I don't think there is any clutch between the ICE and carriage gear in the 2010-12 FFH. In this model, when you brake down a long hill over max EV speed, once the HVB is full, I think the gen provides torque coupling from the wheels to the ICE to spin it and cause braking. The torque split is always the same determined by the CVT geometry but the power ( torque X RPM ) split is determined by the gen which essentially controls the CVT in addition to generating. Remember that the Gen can operate as a generator or motor in either direction to apply whatever torque is needed for system management.

Really nice research. About the significance of "N"; regulations require a transmission selection position where the vehicle can not be powered. That is "N". Power is disconnected from the motor and from the generator except if you put the vehicle in "N" going downhill and the max EV ( generator with ICE off ) speed is exceeded, the generator will motorize the ICE to limit the generator speed. This is the case in 2010-12 models and I expect it to be the same in others to protect the generator from overspeed. The Prius plug-in has an additional planetary gear to accomplish this as their generator was not capable of as high a speed as Ford's.