Abstract: An electric vehicle control method for braking of an electric vehicle applies a front braking torque to a front drive motor that drives a front wheel and applies a rear braking torque to a rear drive motor that drives a rear wheel. The method includes: during the braking, executing a torque limiting process (process B, process C, front braking torque control) that reduces the front braking torque and the rear braking torque when a slip of the front wheel is detected; and executing a distribution torque changing process that increases the front braking torque while maintaining a sum of the front braking torque and the rear braking torque when a slip of the rear wheel is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a battery pack including a secondary battery, a battery sensor that detects a state of the secondary battery, and a first control device; a second control device provided separately from the battery pack; and a converter. The first control device is configured to use a detection value of the battery sensor to obtain a current upper limit value indicating an upper limit value of an input current of the secondary battery. The second control device is configured to use a power upper limit value indicating an upper limit value of an input power of the secondary battery to control the input power of the secondary battery. The converter is configured to perform a conversion of the current upper limit value into the power upper limit value.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a low voltage battery constituted by a lithium-ion battery, the low voltage battery supplying an electric power to an electric component mounted to a vehicle; a high voltage battery constituted by a lithium-ion battery, the high voltage battery having an output voltage higher than an output voltage of the low voltage battery; a first rotating electrical machine that operates by an electric power supplied from the high voltage battery, the first rotating electrical machine generating a torque for driving the vehicle; and a second rotating electrical machine for starting the engine. The second rotating electrical machine operates by an electric power supplied from the high voltage battery.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle and method of its control include a parallel hybrid powertrain including an engine, a transmission, a battery system, a first electric motor coupled to the engine by a first clutch between the engine and the first electric motor, a second electric motor coupled to the transmission and to the first electric motor by a second clutch between the first and second electric motors, and a controller configured to control the parallel hybrid powertrain for optimal operation across a plurality of different propulsion and charging modes, including calculating cost values for each of the engine and the first and second electric motors and selecting optimal propulsion and charging modes based on the calculated cost values.

Abstract: A method of controlling the vehicle may include predicting, by a controller, a braking situation of the vehicle; performing, by the controller, brake distribution control of front and rear wheels of the vehicle in a response to a predicted sudden braking of the vehicle at a predetermined level; and performing, by the controller, independent braking control of the rear wheels of the vehicle in a response to a predicted general braking of the vehicle at the predetermined level.

Abstract: A controller for a hybrid vehicle controls an electric motor such that a motor torque is input to a crankshaft in order to compensate for a decrease in an engine torque when a cylinder deactivation control is executed, the decrease resulting from suspension of combustion in one or some of cylinders. The controller calculates an engine torque calculated value using an engine rotation speed, a motor rotation speed, and the motor torque. The controller diagnoses that the cylinder deactivation control is functioning normally when the engine torque calculated value is less than a torque determination value and diagnose that the cylinder deactivation control is not functioning normally when the engine torque calculated value is not less than the torque determination value during the execution of the cylinder deactivation control.

Abstract: Upon a request for switching from a first travel mode of traveling with a clutch disengaged and operation of an engine stopped to a second travel mode of traveling with the clutch engaged and the engine operating, a controller for a hybrid vehicle restarts the engine in the following manner. That is, the controller restarts the engine in a first start mode of starting combustion in the engine with the clutch non-fully engaged when a rotation speed of a motor is greater than a determination value and restarts the engine in a second start mode of starting combustion in the engine with the clutch fully engaged when the rotation speed of the motor is less than or equal to the determination value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an engine operation start control device of a hybrid vehicle comprising a power output device having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. In this hybrid vehicle, an intermittent control for intermittently operating the engine can be performed and when the operation of the engine is started during the intermittent control being performed, a cranking of the engine is performed until the engine speed reaches a target engine speed. According to the invention, in case that the operation of the engine is started when the speed of the hybrid vehicle is higher than or equal to a predetermined speed and a power required for the power output device is larger than or equal to a predetermined power, the engine speed, which increases as the speed of the hybrid vehicle increases, is set as the target engine speed.

Abstract: An electric drive module for use in electric vehicles includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a continuously-variable gearbox assembly interconnecting the first and second electric traction motors to a pair of wheels, and a third electric motor for controlling a direction and rotary speed of a component of the gearbox assembly so as to continuously vary a speed ratio between the wheels.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a vehicle is provided which is equipped with a power split device and a speed variator. The power transmission device is designed to set a speed ratio of speed of rotation of an output of a power source to speed of rotation of a driven wheel in a power circulation mode of a power split device to lie within one of a positive range in which a sign of the speed ratio is positive and a negative range in which a sign of the speed ratio is negative. This results in a decrease in degree of torque acting on the speed variator such as a continuously variable transmission, thus permitting a required degree of durability of the speed variator to be reduced.

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: The shift control unit shifts the sub-transmission mechanism while changing the speed ratio of the variator in response to a change in the speed ratio of the sub-transmission mechanism so that the through speed ratio does not change after the through speed ratio is caused to reach the final through speed ratio by changing only the speed ratio of the variator if the speed ratio corresponding to the shift instruction from the driver is between a first speed ratio at which the sub-transmission mechanism is in the second gear position at the high speed side and the speed ratio of the variator is lowest and a second speed ratio at which the sub-transmission mechanism is in the first gear position at the low speed side and the speed ratio of the variator is highest when the manual mode is selected.

Abstract: An electric drive module for use in electric vehicles includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a continuously-variable gearbox assembly interconnecting the first and second electric traction motors to a pair of wheels, and a third electric motor for controlling a direction and rotary speed of a component of the gearbox assembly so as to continuously vary a speed ratio between the wheels.

Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes: power dividing mechanism that has a plurality of rotating elements rotated by torque output and transmitted from an engine and a first motor/generator and switches a transmission mode according to the engaging states of the respective rotating elements; and a clutch that has a first engaging member and a second engaging member having a backlash between them in a rotating direction thereof, and that sets a transmission mode to a fixed transmission ratio mode by engaging the first engaging member connected to one of the rotating elements with the second engaging member, and sets the transmission mode to a continuously variable transmission ratio mode by releasing the engagement. In the control device of a vehicle, the magnitude of the reversed rotating torque is reduced when the direction of rotating torque acting between the first and seconds engaging members.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes a planetary gear set and a first and a second connecting mechanism. The planetary gear set receives power from a power source and outputs it to a power-driven member. The first connecting mechanism connects a first and a second rotor of the planetary gear set through a separate path. The second connecting mechanism connects the second rotor and a third rotor of the planetary gear set through a separate path. The controller is operable selectively in a first operation mode in which the second connecting mechanism is engaged, while the first connecting mechanism is disengaged and a second operation mode in which the second connecting mechanism is engaged, while the first connecting mechanism is disengaged. This ensures suitable mechanical connections among the power source, the power-driven member, and the power split mechanism which match with an operating condition of the power transmission device.

Abstract: When passage through a road pricing area where an exhaust gas emission vehicle is subjected to billing is predicted, an ECU calculates a stored energy quantity available for EV traveling based on the current SOC of a power storage device, and estimates a required energy quantity for passing through the road pricing area by EV traveling. The ECU further calculates a deficit of the stored energy quantity relative to the required energy, and if a deficit is found, executes vehicle control for preparing a vehicle condition for passage through the road pricing area corresponding to the energy deficit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control an electro-mechanical transmission is provided, selectively operative in a plurality of fixed gear modes and continuously variable modes, and comprising first and second electrical machines and hydraulically-actuated clutches. Included is launching a vehicle so equipped, comprising operating the electro-mechanical transmission in a continuously variable mode to transmit motive torque from the first electrical machine to the driveline, and, selectively increasing an operating speed of the engine and selectively actuating a second clutch to transmit motive torque generated by the second electrical machine when an operator torque request exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine output. The IVT includes a hydraulic module and a mechanical drivetrain module. A pressure transducer is associated with and provides an output signal representing a hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic module. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for controlling the IC engine output, dependent upon the output signal from the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A gear train includes a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, and a first carrier and a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and second carrier. The gear train also includes a first clutch configured to selectively connect the first carrier with the second carrier and a second clutch configured to selectively connect the first sun gear with the second sun gear. The gear train also includes a first brake configured to selectively fix the first sun gear, a second brake configured to selectively fix the second sun gear, and a third brake configured to selectively fix the first carrier.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism including a switching clutch or brake that is switchable between a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, and has both an advantage of improved fuel economy provided by a transmission, the speed ratio of which is electrically variable, and an advantage of high power transmitting efficiency provided by a gear type power transmitting device constructed for mechanical transmission of power. While a clutch-to-clutch shifting action of an automatic transmission portion is in a tie-up state, a differential portion is placed in a continuously-variable shifting state by switching control, and engine speed is changed under the control of hybrid control, so as to prevent a drop of the engine speed for thereby reducing a shock of the shifting action, unlike in a non-continuously-variable shifting state of the differential portion in which the engine speed is directly influenced by the tie-up state.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid propulsion group with power bypass for an automobile including at least two driving wheels. The system includes a thermal engine, a battery, a braking system for the driving wheels, a mechanism detecting a condition of the braking system, and an infinitely variable transmission including at least two electric machines and at least two epicyclic gear chains. The thermal engine is mechanically connected with the infinitely variable transmission via a first epicyclic gear chain, the infinitely variable transmission being mechanically connected to the driving wheels via a second epicyclic gear chain. The control system is capable of controlling the thermal engine and the two electric machines so that torque supplied by the thermal engine is converted into energy by the two electric machines used as generators for recharging the battery after receiving a signal from the mechanism detecting the condition of the braking system indicating the braking system is activated.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system configured with an input shaft and a friction type continuously variable transmission (CVT) device. The CVT includes an input member drivingly connected to the input shaft, and an output member. Rotation of the input member is steplessly changed in speed and transmitted to the output member by a shear force of an oil film interposed at the contact position. The drive system includes an electric motor having a dedicated output shaft, a differential device, and a gear transmission device that is structured from a meshing rotary transmission mechanism. A case includes at least a first space filled with traction oil and accommodating the CVT device, and a second space filled with lubricant oil and accommodating the gear transmission device.

Abstract: An information display for a vehicle includes an indicator arrangement having a visual display configured to provide driver demand information to a vehicle driver. The visual display includes a dynamic target range for operating the vehicle, which includes a first boundary and a second boundary indicating a driver demand that would cause the engine to start. A control system includes at least one controller, and is configured to receive at least one input related to current operating conditions of the vehicle and to provide at least one output to the indicator arrangement to position the target range on the visual display and to indicate to the driver a current level of driver demand. In this way, the visual display indicates to the driver the current level of driver demand relative to the position of the target range.

Abstract: A vehicle's active electrically controlled non-step speed change mechanism includes an internal combustion engine, a dynamo (motor-generator), a power allotment unit and an active electrically controlled non-step speed changer to control vehicle able to run in the best condition notwithstanding its speed, roadway condition or load thereby achieving the aim of fuel saving and minimizing the environmental contamination due to excess discharge of exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method and system for executing a shift from a first fixed gear to a second fixed gear in a powertrain system comprising a two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission operative to receive a speed input from an engine is described. It includes deactivating an off-going clutch, and generating a time-based profile for rotational speed of an oncoming clutch. The input speed is controlled based upon the rotational speed of the oncoming clutch and an output of the transmission. The oncoming clutch is actuated, preferably when the input speed is synchronized with a rotational speed of an output shaft of the transmission multiplied by a gear ratio of the second fixed gear, preferably after a predetermined elapsed period of time in the range of 500 milliseconds.

Abstract: A vehicle control system is comprised of a controller which is arranged to select an optimal mode adapted to a driving point of a vehicle from an optimal mode map of defining a plurality of running modes of the vehicle, to detect a generation of a mode transition in the optimal mode map, and to hold a current running mode selected before the transition for a holding time period when the generation of the mode transition is detected.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle 20, when the ECO switch 88 is turned on, Step S140 determines whether or not a driving state is an economy driving state based on an ECO mode driving state determination map having a tendency not to regard the driving state as the economy driving state in comparison with a normal driving state determination map. A determination result of Step S140 is displayed on a meter display unit 90 in the form of an illumination or an extinction of an ECO mark 95 so as to inform the driving state is the economy driving state or not (Step S180).

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle 20, when the ECO switch 88 is turned on, a maximum allowable charging power Pcmax is set based on a vehicle speed and an ECO mode maximum allowable charging power setting map that is a second relationship having a tendency to allow charging of a battery 50 in comparison with a normal maximum allowable charging power setting map (Step S130), and an engine 22, motors MG1 and MG2 are controlled so that the battery 50 is charged with an effective charge-discharge power demand Pb* as a charging power demand set at Step S140 in accordance with state of the battery 50 within a range of the maximum allowable charging power Pcmax and a torque demand Tr* for driving is ensured (Steps S150-S280).

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A method for controlling selection of an automatic transmission gear ratio with staged ratios or constant variation for a vehicle including a control for preventing/allowing extension of the gear ratio or for controlling a shortening the transmission gear ratio if, at a current engine speed, the power is insufficient for maintaining the vehicle speed. The method prevents extension of the transmission gear ratio if the power available after the extension is insufficient for maintaining the vehicle speed; otherwise allowing extension of the transmission gear ratio.

Abstract: A method for controlling an idle stop mode in a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The method for controlling the idle stop mode includes: performing an engine RPM lift-up control to raise an engine RPM if a deceleration is less than a medium deceleration when a speed of a hybrid electric vehicle reaches an idle stop mode entering speed such that as the engine RPM is raised, a gear changing oil pressure is increased, so that a continuously variable transmission (CVT) gear ratio according to a deceleration reaches a target minimum gear ratio; and as the CVT gear ratio reaches the target minimum gear ratio, entering an idle stop mode even when a deceleration is less than a medium deceleration while a transmission control unit (TCU) does not perform a control operation for preventing an idle stop mode from being entered.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine (8) to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a locked state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, the control device including an engine-stop switching control portion operable to control the differential-state switching device to place the differential mechanism in the differential state, upon stopping of the engine, so that the engine speed can be rapidly lowered to zero by controlling the first electric motor in the differential state of the differential mech

Abstract: A control device for a vehicular drive system including a differential portion (11) having a differential mechanism (16) operable to distribute an output of an engine (8) to a first electric motor (M1) and a power transmitting member (18), and a second electric motor (M2) disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel (38) of a vehicle, the control device including a differential limiting device (C0, B0) provided in the differential mechanism (16) and operable to limit a differential function of the differential mechanism for thereby limiting a differential function of the differential portion (11), and torque-response control means (84) for controlling a response of a change of an input torque of the differential portion to an operation of a manually operable vehicle accelerating member (45), depending upon whether the differential function of the differential mechanism (16) is limited or not.

Abstract: In a drive train for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine, an electric drive assembly and a transmission having a compact structural design and including at least six forward speeds, the transmission comprises an input-side planetary gear set and an output side Ravigneaux planetary gear, a sun wheel of the input side planetary gear set is fixed and the six forward gears and one reverse gear are adjustable by closing and opening, in pairs, various clutches and brakes.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a vehicle, comprising an internal-combustion engine, a generator, an electric motor, an electric energy accumulator, and a connection device for establishing mechanical connections between the internal-combustion engine, the generator, the electric motor and the vehicle, and a control device.

Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle power train connected to an engine comprises a motor, a CVT unit, a planetary gear unit having at least two input elements, namely, first and second input elements and an output element, a first clutch for engaging/disengaging the first input element with/from a final shaft of the power train, and a second clutch for engaging/disengaging the output element with/from the final shaft of the power train. An input shaft of the CVT unit is connected to the engine and is drivingly connected to the second input element. An output shaft of the CVT unit is connected to the first input element. The motor is connected to the output shaft of the CVT unit. According this configuration, motor torque is amplified and transmitted to the final shaft when the first clutch is engaged, while motor torque is transmit directly to the final shaft when the second clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A power split hybrid wheel drive system of the present invention comprises a planetary gear train (16) coupled to the output shaft of a driving engine (12). A primary motor or generator (18) is coupled to an output shaft of the planetary gear train (16) for receiving power therefrom, and a secondary motor or generator (30, 32) is associated with each driven vehicle wheel (14) to provide an electrical power pathway. A mechanical differential gear train (20) is coupled between the output shaft of the planetary gear train (16) and each driven vehicle wheel; (14) to provide a mechanical power pathway, while a mechanical clutch (22) and brake system (24) is configured to regulate the mechanical power routed to the differential gear train (20). A control system (48) is included to regulate the flow of electrical power between the primary motor (18) and secondary motors or generators (30, 32).