Abstract: Provided is a driving evaluation device that enables evaluation of driving for the purpose of improving a driving time in a circuit racecourse. The driving evaluation device includes an evaluation section extractor 24 that detects a deceleration section and an acceleration section in cornering, a tire friction circle-load factor calculator 27 that calculates, based on a front-rear acceleration and a lateral acceleration, a tire friction circle and a tire load factor in the deceleration section and those in the acceleration section, and a skill deficiency evaluator 28 that evaluates driving based on the tire friction circle and the tire load factor in the deceleration section and those in the acceleration section.

Abstract: A laboratory system including a plurality of lab workstations distributed in a lab where each of the plurality of lab workstations is configured to run jobs of a work process, at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle that holds a sample holder, and a controller connected to the plurality of lab workstations and the at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle. The controller is configured to receive operational job data characterizing each of a number of different jobs that define the work process, receive system data from one or more of the plurality of lab workstations and the at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle, and based on the operational job data and the system data, schedule and coordinate each of the number of different jobs that define the work process.

Abstract: A traction control system for a vehicle having a first wheel driven by a first electric motor including a first set of coil windings, the system comprising a first controller arranged to control current in the coil windings for generating a drive torque for driving the first wheel, and a second controller arranged to determine a maximum wheel velocity based on a first slip ratio value for the first wheel and the vehicle velocity and a minimum wheel velocity based on a second slip ratio value for the first wheel and the vehicle velocity. The second controller communicates to the first controller the maximum and minimum values and a torque demand value corresponding to a drive torque for driving the first wheel. The first controller controls current in the coil windings to generate a drive torque based on the maximum and minimum wheel velocity and torque demand values from the second controller.

Abstract: A user input signal management method for a vehicle provided with a prime mover having an output that rotates and an input for a user input signal that controls the rotating speed of the output of the prime mover. The method including the reception of a signal representative of the position of a user input of a vehicle, the reception of data representative of at least one condition of the vehicle, the modification of the received signal representative of the position of the user input as a function of the data received and the supply of the modified signal to the accelerator input of the prime mover.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a creep speed control system for a vehicle having at least one electric motor for providing torque to at least one vehicle wheel. The system comprises an input configured to receive a current speed signal indicative of a current speed of the vehicle; a creep speed control module that is configured to activate when the current speed of the vehicle crosses a predetermined threshold above a creep speed target value; and, an output configured to, upon activation of the creep speed control module, send a creep speed control torque signal to the at least one electric motor to control the vehicle speed in dependence on the creep speed target value, wherein the creep speed control torque signal is limited to a creep speed control filtered torque value less than a creep speed control maximum torque value.

Abstract: An apparatus of controlling a gear shifting of a vehicle, and a method thereof, to improving shift quality by minimizing the jerk generated in a shifting process of the vehicle, includes storage that stores a Gaussian process (GP) model on which machine learning is completed, and a controller that detects a change amount of engine torque and a change amount of an engagement-side clutch torque based on the GP model, and controls the gear shifting of the vehicle according to the change amount of the engine torque and the change amount of the engagement-side clutch torque.

Abstract: A rolling cart configured at least for manual rolling across a facility floor to different locations of process stations with the rolling cart comprising a cart frame configured to traverse the cart, displacing the cart as a unit on and across the facility floor on which is disposed at least one of the process stations for processing laboratory samples and/or sample holders and a processing section with a number of different processing modules connected to and carried by the cart frame, each of the different processing modules having a different predetermined laboratory processing function with a different predetermined function characteristic corresponding to the processing module, each different processing module and corresponding predetermined function being automatically selectable in a predetermined sequence to effect automatically with the corresponding predetermined function, a predetermined series of preprocess or process conditions or steps of one or more of the laboratory samples and sample holders.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes storage that stores a dual clutch transmission (DCT) dynamic model and a machine learning-based Gaussian process (GP) model, and a controller configured for determining a first engine torque used for optimal shifting according to the DCT dynamic model, determines an engine torque compensation value according to the machine learning-based GP model, and controls a shifting of the vehicle according to the first engine torque compensated by the engine torque compensation value.

Abstract: System and techniques for vehicle operation safety model (VOSM) compliance measurement are described herein. A subject vehicle is tested in a vehicle following scenario against VOSM parameter compliance. The test measures the subject vehicle activity during phases of the following scenario in which a lead vehicle slows and produces log data and calculations that form the basis of a VOSM compliance measurement.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive wheel, an engine, an accelerator pedal, a torque converter, a clutch, and a controller. The drive wheel is configured to propel the vehicle. The engine is configured to generate power and to deliver power to the drive wheel to accelerate the vehicle. The accelerator pedal is configured to generate an acceleration request based on a pedal position. The torque converter is disposed between the engine and the drive wheel. The clutch is disposed between the engine and the drive wheel and is configured to bypass the torque converter. The controller is programmed to, in response to depressing the accelerator pedal to a position that corresponds with accelerating the vehicle at a desired magnitude, adjust the torque of the engine to accelerate the vehicle at the desired magnitude, regardless of the state of the clutch.

Abstract: A self-service operating system and method, and an operation door. The system comprises: a control server, one or more operation doors, at least one robot, and one or more storage containers, wherein the control server is configured to respond to an item operation instruction, determine a target storage container and a target operation door which corresponds to an item to be operated, and send a carrying instruction to the robot; the robot is configured to respond to the carrying instruction to carry the target storage container to the target operation door, and a plurality of box openings on the target storage container respectively correspond to a plurality of box openings on the target operation door on a one-to-one basis; and the control server is further configured to control a box opening door of a target box opening on the target operation door to open.

Abstract: A vehicle slip control apparatus to be installed in a vehicle including a drive source configured to output power to a driving wheel of the vehicle and a gear pair interposed between an output shaft of the drive source and the driving wheel includes a rotating speed detector, a slip determination unit, and a slip determination prohibition unit. The rotating speed detector is configured to detect a rotating speed of the output shaft. The slip determination unit is configured to determine, when an absolute value of an angular acceleration of the rotating speed detected by the rotating speed detector exceeds a set threshold, that the driving wheel is in a slip state. The slip determination prohibition unit is configured to prohibit the determination by the slip determination unit until a predetermined time elapses after a direction of torque outputted from the drive source is inverted.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an autonomous vehicle includes: estimating a set of tire force margins with respect to each wheel of the vehicle and a set of dynamic chassis margins associated with a chassis module of the vehicle; based on the margins, determining whether the vehicle is capable of moving in accordance with a decision command; when the determination is negative, outputting a request for update of the decision command; and when an updated decision command has not been received, calculating a set of marginal actuating signals based on the decision command, the margins, required slip angles respectively for the wheels and a center of percussion of the vehicle so as to make the autonomous vehicle move accordingly.

Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor disposed at a vehicle. An ECU includes a processor for processing sensor data generated by the vehicle speed sensor. The ECU, responsive to processing at the ECU of sensor data generated by the vehicle speed sensor, determines speed of the vehicle. The ECU, responsive to determining that the speed of the vehicle reaches a vehicle soft lock speed, automatically enables a vehicle speed soft lock. The ECU, responsive to the vehicle reducing speed to the vehicle soft lock speed by coasting, maintains the current vehicle speed at the vehicle soft lock speed. The ECU, responsive to the speed of the vehicle increasing a multiple of a vehicle speed increment above the vehicle soft lock speed, automatically sets an increased vehicle soft lock speed that is the multiple of the vehicle speed increment above the vehicle soft lock speed.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes a friction clutch, an actuator with an output member, and a controller. The friction clutch is lubricated with a lubricant. The controller is configured to determine a current power state of the friction clutch and determine values for a plurality of thermal coefficients based on the current power state, a set of operation variables, and one or more multi-variable correlation data. The controller is further configured to determine an approximated temperature change of the lubricant based on the values of the plurality of thermal coefficients and a lubricant temperature model. The controller is further configured to determine an approximated lubricant temperature based on the approximated temperature change and a device ambient temperature, and to control operation of the actuator based at least on the approximated lubricant temperature.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes a friction clutch, an actuator, and a controller configured to determine an approximated temperature change of the friction clutch. The controller is configured to determine a current power state of the friction clutch, determine a desired power state change based on the current power state and a previous power state, determine a plurality of thermal coefficients based on a thermal coefficient model, the desired power state change, and a set of operation variables, determine an approximated temperature change of the friction clutch based on the thermal coefficients and a friction clutch temperature model, determine an approximated clutch temperature based on the approximated temperature change and a contemporaneous value of an device ambient temperature, and control operation of the actuator based at least on the approximated clutch temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for steering a machine. The system may comprise a controller configured to receive a steering command and determine a target angular turn rate for the body and a target turn direction for the body. The controller may be further configured to determine a steering mode based on a transmission output torque, the steering mode including Traction-steering, Assisted-steering or Implement-steering. When the steering mode is Assisted-steering, the controller is configured to steer the machine in the target turn direction and at the target angular turn rate by (a) moving an implement from a first position to a second position and (b) diverting or removing power from a first ground engaging traction member.

Abstract: A braking/driving force control system, during control for maintaining a target vehicle speed, performs fuel cut and then, when a required braking/driving force for maintaining the target vehicle speed reduces, makes a downshift while fuel cut is continued. The braking/driving force control system causes a brake to generate a braking force such that the sum of a braking/driving force that a powertrain generates and the braking force that the brake generates agrees with the required braking/driving force. Thus, good fuel efficiency and riding comfort are obtained.

Abstract: A control system for a powertrain of a vehicle includes a set of sensors configured to monitor a set of operating parameters of the vehicle indicative of at least (i) whether a driver of the vehicle is in control of the vehicle, (ii) an intended direction of motion of the vehicle, and (iii) actual motion of the vehicle and a controller configured to, based on the set of operating parameters determine whether the driver of the vehicle is in control of the vehicle and when the driver is determined not to be in control of the vehicle determine whether the actual motion of the vehicle is in the intended direction of motion of the vehicle and when the actual motion of the vehicle is not in the intended direction of motion of the vehicle, control a torque output of the engine to hold the vehicle stationary.

Abstract: A system including a first drive axle, a second drive axle, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor is configured to measure a first speed of the first drive axle. The second sensor is configured to measure a second speed of the second drive axle. The controller is in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller configured to determine an actual axle speed difference value based on the measured first speed and the measured second speed, determine an expected axle speed difference value based on a vehicle speed and a vehicle torque, compare the actual axle speed difference value and the expected axle speed difference value to obtain an error value, and generate an output signal in response to the error value being above a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Asynchronous item delivery utilizes a depot and a mobile robot. A method includes (1) receiving a specification by a user of a destination depot and an item, (2) selecting, based on item delivery data and by a depot control system, a drawer from a rack module in a depot that houses drawers, (3) receiving the item from the user via the depot user interface, (4) communicating the item to the drawer within the rack module that houses drawers, communicating, from the depot and to a mobile robot, a message to pick up the item, (5) swapping a first battery on the mobile robot with a second batter charged by the depot, (6) transferring the item from the drawer in the depot to the mobile robot using a depot drawer-swapping module and a mobile robot drawer-swapping module and (7) delivering, by the mobile robot, the item to the destination depot.

Abstract: A dead time estimation device capable of accurately estimating a dead time in a control system is provided. A dead time estimation device 6 includes a dead time calculation section 64 configured to obtain a dead time L{circumflex over (?)}?1 with which an evaluation function J in Equation (1) is at minimum [Equation 7] J=?|?/e?{circumflex over (L)}?1s???|df??(1) where G{circumflex over (?)}/e?L??1s is a frequency characteristic of an element from which a dead time element is removed from a transfer function of a control target P and G{circumflex over (?)}? is a transfer function not including the dead time element in the control target P.

Abstract: A brake/drive force control system includes: a requested acceleration calculating section; a powertrain control section calculating a minimum brake/drive force at the time of no fuel cut and a fuel-cut brake/drive force, generating larger one of a requested brake/drive force and the minimum brake/drive force when the requested brake/drive force is larger than the fuel-cut brake/drive force, and generating the fuel-cut brake/drive force when the requested brake/drive force is equal to or smaller than the fuel-cut brake/drive force; a brake control section generating a requested brake force; and a brake/drive force control section calculating the requested brake/drive force from requested acceleration, requesting the powertrain control section for the requested brake/drive force, acquiring the brake/drive force generated by a powertrain, and when the requested brake/drive force is smaller than the acquired brake/drive force, requesting the brake control section for a difference between the requested brake/drive

Abstract: Provided are a vehicle body behavior control device which can reduce unstable behavior of a vehicle body and a method of controlling behavior of a vehicle body which can reduce unstable behavior of the vehicle body. A vehicle body behavior control device incorporated into a vehicle body having a plurality of wheels includes: a behavior control mechanism which controls behavior of the vehicle body; and a control part which controls an operation of the behavior control mechanism based on an axle load applied to the wheel calculated using a gradient value ? of a road surface.

Abstract: A method is provided to control a hybrid powertrain that comprises: a combustion engine; a gearbox with input and output shafts; a first planetary gear connected to the input shaft and a first main shaft; a second planetary gear, connected to the first planetary gear and a second main shaft; first and second electrical machines, respectively connected to the first and second planetary gears; one gear pair connected with the first planetary gear and output shaft; and one gear pair connected with the second planetary gear and output shaft. The method comprises: disconnecting a first planetary wheel carrier and a first sun wheel or disconnecting a second planetary wheel carrier and a second sun wheel from each other; b) controlling the combustion engine to a predetermined engine speed; and c) controlling the first and second electrical machines so that a desired torque is achieved in the output shaft, while a requested total power consumption of the first and the second electrical machines is achieved.

Abstract: A method for controlling braking of a vehicle includes the steps of calculating a first pressure based on a driver request, and providing pressure that does not exceed a predetermined pressure threshold if the vehicle is stationary and the first pressure is less than the predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A drive system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drive system may have a travel speed sensor, at least one traction device speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the travel speed sensor and the at least one traction device speed sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a slip value associated with a traction device of the mobile machine based on signals generated by the travel speed sensor and the at least one traction device speed sensor, and determine a torque output value of the mobile machine. The control may also be configured to make a comparison of the slip value and the torque output value with a pull-slip curve stored in memory, and selectively update the pull-slip curve based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for disconnecting an electrical machine connected with the wheels of a vehicle's drive axle by means of a dog clutch having intermeshing couplers includes, upon receipt of a command to disengage, two successively activated steps. In the first step, a torque equal to a calibrated threshold of a target torque (d) is applied to the electrical machine so to effect a zero torque between the couplers. During this step, a dog clutch actuator is deactivated so to allow the dog clutch to disengage from the electrical machine as quickly as possible. Next, a torque having a value determined according to a slope whose value ranges from the calibrated threshold of the target torque (d) to zero is applied to the electrical machine.

Abstract: A control method of a tracked vehicle having a track belt and configured to advance the tracked vehicle provides for acquiring the driving speed of the tracked vehicle; acquiring the speeds of the tracks with respect to the tracked vehicle; calculating a range of expected values of traveling speed as a function of speed of the track; and varying the speed of the track when the traveling speed of the tracked vehicle is outside the range of expected values.

Abstract: A torque response control apparatus for an electric motor of a vehicle comprises a motor torque response control means that is configured to carry out finding a difference between a required acceleration that is variable in accordance with a change of a vehicle driving condition and an actual acceleration that is obtained, at the time of the change of the vehicle driving condition, with the aid of a torque characteristic of the electric motor, the difference being caused by the torque characteristic of the electric motor in which the maximum torque is varied in accordance with a rotation speed of the electric motor; and controlling the torque response of the electric motor in a manner to cause a driver to feel the difference of the actual acceleration from the required acceleration to be small by compensating the difference between the required acceleration and the actual acceleration.

Abstract: An example method of operation comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. For example, slippage of a forward clutch of the transmission may be used to enable the transmission to remain in gear, yet reduce torque transmitted to the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine configured to transfer torque via a clutch to an input member of a hybrid transmission having torque machines configured to transfer torque thereto. Operation of the engine is controlled to facilitate a change in activation of a clutch between the engine and the input member of the hybrid transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission device includes an input member coupled to a combustion engine and a rotary electric machine; an output member coupled to wheels; a speed change mechanism with a plurality of friction engagement elements and that provides a plurality of shift speeds; and a control device that controls the speed change mechanism. When a during-regeneration downshift is performed while the rotary electric machine is outputting regenerative torque, the control device sets a target increase capacity, which is a target value of a transfer torque capacity of an engagement-side element to be engaged after an increase, increases the transfer torque capacity of the engagement-side element to the target increase capacity over a predetermined torque capacity increase period, and decreases a transfer torque capacity of a disengagement-side element, which is to be disengaged, over a predetermined torque capacity decrease period that at least partially overlaps the torque capacity increase period.

Abstract: In a linear solenoid 107n, an electromagnetic coil 71n, a pressure sensor 72n, and label resistors 73n and 74n for correcting an inherent variation in a pressure detection characteristic are integrated; the standard characteristic of the pressure sensor 72n is stored in a control module 120M; when driving is started, the resistance values of the label resistors 73n and 74n are read, the pressure detection characteristic of the utilized pressure sensor 72n is corrected, and an excitation current for the electromagnetic coil 71n is controlled in such a way that a target adjusted hydraulic pressure is obtained. Even when due to a change in the oil temperature, the valve opening characteristic of the linear solenoid 107n changes, the adjusted hydraulic pressure is controlled to be constant.

Abstract: When the vehicle decelerates on the ascending slope, a required brake axle torque is calculated in accordance with vehicle deceleration, so that the swinging back is suppressed. At start timing after that, initial and final values of the required brake axle torque and a correction duration are determined. During the correction duration from the start timing, the required brake axle torque is decreased from the initial value to the final value. Then, based on change in a detected vehicular speed at or before a time which is a last moment of a period in which the detected vehicular speed detected based on detection signals of the wheel speed sensors are equal to or larger than a minimum detectable vehicular speed, a stop time at which an actual vehicle speed becomes zero is estimated, a period from the start time to the stop time is identified as the correction duration.

Abstract: A payload control system includes a sensor system and a force sensor system. A controller determines a calibration machine state, a calibration linkage force, and machine calibration parameters based at least in part upon the calibration machine state and the calibration linkage force. The controller also determines a loaded implement machine state, a loaded implement linkage force, and a mass of the payload based at least in part upon the machine calibration parameters, the loaded implement machine state, and the loaded implement linkage force.

Abstract: The occurrence of shock and the occurrence of the feeling of losing speed can be prevented. When the clutch is engaged from the state in which the clutch is disengaged and a vehicle is being driven by only the power of an electric motor, an electric motor control unit controls the electric motor so that the torque of the electric motor is decreased at a rate determined according to the torque requested by the driver. During the period in which the torque of the electric motor is decreased at the above rate, a clutch control unit controls the engagement of the clutch so that the clutch is engaged after being set to a half-engaged clutch state in which part of the power is transmitted. The present invention is applicable to hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: A traction control system in vehicle comprises a detector for detecting a monitored value which changes according to a degree of a drive wheel slip; a condition determiner for determining whether or not the monitored value meets a control start condition and whether or not the monitored value meets a control termination condition; and a controller for executing traction control to reduce a driving power of the drive wheel during a period of time from when the condition determiner determines that the monitored value meets the control start condition until the condition determiner determines that the monitored value meets the control termination condition; the condition determiner being configured to set at least the control start condition variably based on a slip determination factor which changes according to a vehicle state and such that the control start condition changes more greatly according to the vehicle state than the control termination condition.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric vehicle drivetrain having least two drive units with wheels located on opposite axles are driven by respective drive units, includes in a first operating mode, the ratio of the torques provided by the drive units in each case for a given torque requirement is set taking into account the efficiency applicable to each drive unit under the given operating conditions, and in a second operating mode, the ratio of the torques provided by the drive units in each case for a given torque requirement is set independently of the efficiency applicable to each drive unit under the given operating conditions.

Abstract: A driving force control apparatus includes: a turning radius estimating unit that estimates a turning radius of a four-wheel-drive vehicle; a target slip angle computing unit that computes a target slip angle at the time of turning of the four-wheel-drive vehicle, on the basis of the estimated turning radius; a target rotational speed computing unit that computes target rotational speeds of right and left rear wheels of the four-wheel-drive vehicle, on the basis of the estimated turning radius, the computed target slip angle, and a vehicle speed; and a driving force control unit that controls driving forces that are transmitted to the right and left rear wheels such that actual rotational speeds of the right and left rear wheels approach the computed target rotational speeds.

Abstract: A coasting control device for avoiding dangerous modes such as tire lock up upon the end of coasting control. The device, which performs coasting control to disengage the clutch and to reduce the engine revolutions per minute (RPM), also prevents a gearshift operation during coasting control.

Abstract: Providing a control apparatus for a vehicular drive system, which is configured to implement a torque reduction control during a shifting action of an automatic transmission, and which permits reduction of the size and cost of an electric circuit including a smoothing capacitor. An electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01 is predetermined such that a point of a vehicle running state lies in the electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01 prior to a moment of determination to perform a shifting action of the automatic transmission, and electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting means 96 implements an electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting control to restrict a rate of increase of a total amount of an electric energy generated by first and second electric motors MG1 and MG2, to a predetermined upper limit value LTGN, when the point of the vehicle running state has moved into the electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine to power a propeller, and a transmission being selectively changeable in gear position to establish speeds including a first speed and a second speed and transmitting power of the engine to the propeller with a gear ratio determined by established speed, it is determined whether acceleration is instructed to the engine when the second speed is established and whether a preset condition is met, and operation of the transmission is controlled to change the gear position from the second speed to the first speed when the acceleration is determined to be instructed and the preset condition is met, thereby improving the acceleration performance of immediately after the acceleration is started.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine and transmission, it is configured to determine whether acceleration is instructed to the engine by an operator when the gear position is the second speed, detect a slip ratio of a propeller based on theoretical velocity and actual velocity of a boat, control a throttle opening to suppress increase in the slip ratio when the acceleration is determined to be instructed, and change the gear position from the second speed to the first speed when the slip ratio is equal to or less than a first predetermined value and the change amount of the slip ratio is equal to or less than a prescribed value. With this, it becomes possible to appropriately control operation of the engine and the transmission during acceleration, thereby improving the acceleration performance of immediately after acceleration start.

Abstract: A method of operating a drive-train having a drive aggregate comprising an electric machine and internal combustion engine. An automated variable-speed transmission is connected between the engine and a drive output. The electric machine couples, via a friction clutch, a shaft of the transmission. Gearshifts are carried out in the transmission with an interruption of the drive torque provided by the drive aggregate in such manner that first the drive torque, provided at the output, is reduced to zero, then the actual gearshift is carried out, and then the drive torque, at the output, is again built up. To accomplish the gearshift, after disengaging a current gear and before engaging a target gear, the shaft of the transmission, which couples the electric machine via the friction clutch, is synchronized utilizing the inertial mass of the electric machine.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain includes monitoring a desired synchronous transmission shift during deceleration of an output member including a desired operating range state, monitoring an output speed, predicting output deceleration through the desired synchronous transmission shift, determining a penalty cost associated with the desired synchronous transmission shift based upon an input speed profile resulting from the predicted output deceleration and from the desired synchronous transmission shift, and executing the synchronous transmission shift based upon the penalty cost.

Abstract: A system and method of dithering speed and/or torque for shifting a transmission of a vehicle having an engine, a reversible, variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump which can be driven by the engine, a hydraulic accumulator supplied by said motor/pump, and at least one reversible hydraulic driving motor for propelling the vehicle supplied with fluid by the hydraulic accumulator and/or by said motor/pump operating as a pump. A transmission unit connects the engine with the variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump during a first mode of operation (city mode) and connects the engine to a vehicle drive wheel during a second mode of operation. The system utilizes stored hydraulic energy to dither the output of the driving motor in order to achieve quick and smooth shifts between city and highway mode, or between various ranges within the city mode.

Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain system to transfer torque among an engine, torque machines, and a driveline includes identifying a speed/torque search window responsive to a parameter affecting engine power output and the output torque request. A search is executed to determine a preferred engine operating point for operating the powertrain system in response to an output torque request. The search includes determining a candidate power cost associated with operating the powertrain system at the candidate engine torque and candidate engine speed for each of a plurality of candidate engine speeds and candidate engine torques within the speed/torque search window. A preferred engine operating point is determined as the candidate engine speed and the candidate engine torque associated with a minimum of the candidate power costs. Engine operation is controlled responsive to the preferred engine speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle, in particular of an electric vehicle, during a driving process for overcoming an obstacle which is close to the ground and has a slow speed. In this context, the method has the following steps: transmission (S1) of a torque to the wheels which are to be driven in order to overcome the obstacle, detection (S6) that the obstacle has been overcome, and automatic reduction in the torque and/or automatic generation (S7) of a braking torque in order to decelerate the motor vehicle directly after the detection.

Abstract: A method for an automatic transmission includes measuring torque of a component of the transmission using a torque sensor in communication with the component. The torque of the component is estimated from information other than the measured torque. The measured torque is rejected from being used in a control operation of the transmission if the difference between the measured torque and the estimated torque is greater than a selected threshold.