Abstract: Activating an engine of a HEV to charge a battery includes obtaining a first GPS trace from a first trip of the HEV along a first route, where the first GPS trace includes first trace metadata; obtaining a second GPS trace from a second trip, where the second GPS trace includes second trace metadata; adding, to a navigation map, an aggregation of the first trace metadata and the second trace metadata for edges of the navigation map; using the navigation map to obtain an activation action of the engine, where the activation action is selected from a set that includes a first activation action of turning the engine on and a second activation action of turning the engine off; and activating the engine according to the activation action, where activating the engine using the first activation action causes the engine to turn on to charge the battery of the HEV.

Abstract: A vehicle system vibration suppression control device is provided for a vehicle system in which a vehicle is driven via an elastic shaft by a motor drive device having a torque control function. The vehicle system vibration suppression control device includes: a section containing an approximate model to which an output torque command is inputted; and a feedback control section. The feedback control section is configured to: employ the approximate model; calculate a motor-accelerating torque component by differentiating a measured speed component of a motor rotational speed; produce a compensation torque component by causing the motor-accelerating torque component to pass through a vibration suppression control filter; and calculate the output torque command by subtracting the compensation torque component from an input torque command. The vibration suppression control filter is expressed by a second order mathematical expression.

Abstract: A vehicle control device that controls a vehicle is configured to execute rotation speed control when the vehicle is in series traveling, in which a rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is increased to a first rotation speed in accordance with an increase in a speed of the vehicle, and when the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine reaches the first rotation speed, the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is decreased to a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed; and restrict execution of the rotation speed control when receiving a predetermined operation.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle includes obtaining propulsion switching data descriptive of a state of one or more vehicle systems for switching power flow of an internal combustion engine and an electric machine. The propulsion switching data may be used to provide a driver behavior recommendation and/or an actual environmental impact of the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to improved battery management, motor control, energy storage and battery charging. The systems and methods enable vehicle electrification and provides a paradigm changing platform that enables integration of battery management, charging and motor controls with means to manage regenerative braking, traction and handling. In embodiments, systems and methods are directed to a unified modular battery pack system having a cascaded architecture comprising an integrated combination of a networked low voltage converter/controller with peer-to-peer communication capability, embedded ultra-capacitor or other secondary energy storage element, battery management system and serially connected set of individual cells as the fundamental building block.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a control unit for controlling pre-warming process of an engine of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). The method comprises determining start-up time of the engine. The method also comprises determining engine heating time for the engine. The pre-warming process of the engine is initiated prior to start up time of the engine. The process of pre-warming is discontinued when the determined start-up time of the engine is greater than the engine heating time and the process is restarted when the determined start-up time of the engine is less than the engine heating time and when the pre-warming process of the engine is discontinued. The above-mentioned process is reiterated at plurality of time intervals for controlling the pre-warming process of the engine which results in energy efficiency and sufficient heat for warm-up of the engine.

Abstract: A system and method for speed control as a function of battery capability in an electric aircraft is illustrated. The system comprises a battery pack coupled to the electric aircraft, a sensor coupled to the battery pack and configured to detect a battery pack output, and a computing device coupled to the sensor. The computing device is configured to receive the battery pack output from the sensor and adjust a maximum speed of the electric aircraft as a function of the battery pack output and a battery pack output threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle motor control apparatus includes: a processor configured to determine whether a state of a vehicle is an over-steer state or an under-steer state, to determine a driving control mode or a braking control mode of a motor based on a determination result of the state of the vehicle, to calculate a target yaw moment of based on a tire force by using the over-steer state or the under-steer state, and to determine a motor control amount that follows the target yaw moment; and a storage configured to store data and algorithms driven by the processor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to electrified vehicle charging systems that are equipped with multiple charging interfaces. An exemplary charging system may include a first charging interface, a second charging interface, an on-board charger module operably coupled to the first and second charging interfaces, and a control module configured to command the second charging interface to be isolated from the on-board charger module in response to a status change of a door of the first charging interface. The status of the door may be monitored by a sensor system of the charging system for determining whether or not to disable the second charging interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, the method starts an engine according to vehicle conditions that are within a range that is defined by one or more thresholds. The thresholds may be adjusted based on a history of individual driving patterns.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle including a first sensor that senses an acceleration of the vehicle and an electronic processor connected to the first sensor. The electronic processor determines whether a loading condition of the vehicle is detected and determines a first total mass of the vehicle using a first technique when the loading condition of the vehicle is detected. The electronic processor receives a first signal indicative of the acceleration of the vehicle from the first sensor, determines whether the acceleration of the vehicle is greater than zero, determines a second total mass of the vehicle using a second technique when the acceleration of the vehicle is greater than zero, determines a third total mass of the vehicle using a third technique when the acceleration of the vehicle is not greater than zero, and controls a function of the vehicle based on one of the total masses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy storage device, comprising power terminals for connecting to a voltage circuit of power electronics of a drive system, which drive system can be controlled by an external system controller as well as at least one electrical storage block; at least one power converter for connecting the voltage circuit of the power electronics of the drive system to an internal voltage circuit of the storage block; and a control device for controlling the at least one power converter. Said control device has a controller board having output and/or feed-in control means for controlling the power converter for the outputting of current from/feeding of current into the storage block, and/or voltage closed-loop and/or open-loop control means for the closed-loop and/or open-loop control of the output voltage of the energy storage device. According to the invention, said control device has an adaptation board, which is connected to the controller board.

Abstract: A engine starting method is carried out to start an engine of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a first hub, a second hub, and a damper. The damper connects the first hub and the second hub in a power transmission path between the engine and a generator capable of power generation and powered travel. The engine starting method determines whether or not the engine needs to be started, begins to crank the engine via the generator when the engine needs to be started, performs a first ignition when torque fluctuation caused by torsion in the first hub and the second hub is in a range of being absorbable by the damper during the cranking, and suppresses engine torque generated by the first ignition below engine torque generated by second and subsequent ignitions.

Abstract: Since a maximum rotation speed of a second rotary machine is set to a lower value when a supercharging pressure is high than when the supercharging pressure is low, an engine torque decreases with an rotation speed of the second rotary machine which is relatively low and the rotation speed is less likely to fall into a high-rotation state. When the supercharging pressure is relatively low and the rotation speed is less likely to reach an upper-limit rotation speed of the second rotary machine, the maximum rotation speed is set to a relatively high value. Accordingly, the engine torque does not decrease to the rotation speed which is relatively high and power performance can be easily secured. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in power performance due to the decrease in the engine torque and to prevent the rotation speed from falling into a high-rotation state.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a driving mode of a hybrid vehicle and a method thereof are provided in which a specific cell, which constitutes a battery, is prevented from being overdischarged by adjusting a switching time point of a driving mode (an electric vehicle (EV) mode or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode) based on a cell voltage change of the battery mounted in the hybrid electric vehicle. The apparatus for controlling the driving mode of the hybrid vehicle includes a battery including a plurality of cells, a voltage sensor to measure voltages of the cells in the battery, and a controller to control a switching time point from the EV mode to the HEV mode based on the voltages of the cells in the battery, as measured by the voltage sensor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for controlling an electrical system of an electrically drivable motor vehicle, wherein the electrical system includes at least one lead battery and at least one lithium battery. Initially, a lower and a first upper threshold value for a state of charge of the lithium battery are determined. Then, a second upper threshold value which is higher than the first upper threshold value is determined. During the driving operation of the motor vehicle, a state of charge of the lithium battery is set between a lower and a second upper threshold value. When the motor vehicle is switched off, the state of charge of the lithium battery is determined. If the state of charge of the lithium battery is higher than the first upper threshold value, the state of charge of the lithium battery is lowered to the first upper threshold value.

Abstract: A control apparatus is configured to control a vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine, a generator configured to generate electric power by using motive power outputted from the engine, and a drive motor coupled to a drive wheel. The engine, the generator, and the drive motor are coupled to each other via a planetary gear mechanism. The control apparatus includes a processor configured to diagnose a state of at least one of the engine, the generator, or the drive motor on the basis of a relationship between a rotational speed of the engine, a rotational speed of the generator, and a rotational speed of the drive motor.

Abstract: The operation of a hybrid powertrain system is optimized with respect to a desired state-of-charge trajectory, taking account of the estimated anticipated vehicle drive power. The hybrid powertrain system has an internal combustion engine and an electrically operated torque machine. The internal combustion engine and the torque machine are controlled by a control device and are connected to an output element via a hybrid transmission. Before the start of the prediction period ?t, an experience-based state-of-charge trajectory for the anticipated route, covering at least the prediction period ?t, is retrieved from an external database. The desired state-of-charge trajectory is established based on the experience-based state-of-charge trajectory by modifying it with at least one optimization constraint.

Abstract: There is provided a hybrid vehicle to suppress hunting (inversion) of a drive mode in a short time. The hybrid vehicle has an engine, a motor, a battery, an air conditioning system configured to condition air in a passenger compartment, and map information, and sets a drive route from the present location to the destination, and creates a drive support plan in which one of the drive modes including CD mode and CS mode is assigned to each drive section of the drive route to perform the drive support control. The drive support plan is created based on the battery remaining capacity taking into account the power consumption of the air conditioning system. When the predetermined condition that is based on the battery remaining capacity without taking into account the power consumption of the air conditioning system is satisfied while performing the drive support control, the driving state is continued.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, when a required driving force is equal to or smaller than a first upper limit driving force, a control device sets a target driving force to the required driving force. When the required driving force is larger than the first upper limit driving force, the control device sets a target compensation power of a power storage device, based on a difference between the required driving force and the first upper limit driving force. The control device sets a second upper limit driving force of a driveshaft when an upper limit power is output from an engine and the power storage device is charged or discharged with a power based on the target compensation power. The control device sets a target driving force to the smaller between the required driving force and the second upper limit driving force. This configuration suppresses deterioration of the driver's drive feeling.

Abstract: A fuel economy display control method for a hybrid vehicle includes driving electric power supplied to a travel motor from a battery is generated by an electric power generation device that generates electric power by consuming fuel. The fuel economy display control method includes an electric power economy computation step in which instantaneous electric power economy according to an output of the travel motor is computed, a fuel economy computation step in which instantaneous fuel economy corresponding to the above instantaneous electric power economy is computed in accordance with an operating state set for the electric power generation device, and a display step in which the instantaneous fuel economy is displayed on a display device arranged inside a vehicle cabin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating trip use for a prospective vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving trip log data for a first vehicle. The trip log data includes vehicle data associated with driving conditions for a plurality of trips. The method also includes identifying a pattern of travel for a set of trips of the plurality of trips. The trips of the set of trips are traveled from an origin to a destination. A trip of the set of trips has a path distance between the origin and the destination that exceeds a distance threshold. The method further includes calculating a predictive range estimate for a second vehicle for travel between the origin and the destination based on the path distance and the driving conditions associated with the set of trips.

Abstract: A power conversion device includes an AC conversion unit; a detector that detects an output current, a DC voltage, and a temperature; an I/O unit; and a control unit. The control unit includes a motor control unit that controls the AC conversion unit; an operation instruction/parameter setting unit that converts an operation instruction and a parameter; an information management unit; an I/O control unit; and a detection unit that acquires data of the detector. The operation instruction/parameter setting unit outputs the set parameter and characteristic data to the information management unit, which acquires parameter information associated with the operation instruction and parameter information for an operation instruction change quantity required for adjustment from an information server.

Abstract: A vehicle control system according to this embodiment includes: a storage battery that stores a electric power generated by a power generating unit or electric power supplied by a charging spot; a use status acquiring unit that acquires a use status of a charging spot present in an area identified by a route from a place of departure to a destination of the vehicle; and a control unit that sets a charging target value of the storage battery at the time of arrival of the vehicle at a destination to be higher in a case in which a status is determined in which the charging spot is unusable than a case in which a status is determined in which the charging spot is usable on the basis of the use status of the charging spot acquired by the use status acquiring unit.

Abstract: In an electric device control method and an electric device of the present invention, during a period in which a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine shifting from a non-combustion mode to a combustion mode is decreased to a rotational speed within a predetermined rotational-speed range by a first electric motor connected to the internal combustion engine, a torque generated by the internal combustion engine is set lower than a required torque within the predetermined rotational-speed range for the internal combustion engine in the combustion mode.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assist system, including an engine pump, a flow-rate restricting mechanism, a motor pump, a motor-pump controller, and a steering-force assist device, wherein the steering assist system is configured to restrict an engine-pump ejection flow rate to be lower than a required receiving flow rate to be received by the assist device when the engine pump is operated by being driven by an engine rotating at an idling speed, the engine-pump ejection flow rate being a flow rate of a working fluid ejected from the engine pump to the assist device via the restricting mechanism, and wherein the motor-pump controller is configured to control a motor-pump ejection flow rate such that an insufficient flow rate of the working fluid is covered by the motor-pump ejection flow rate, the insufficient flow rate being a shortage in the required receiving flow rate not covered by the engine-pump ejection flow rate.

Abstract: A method for driving a vehicle having a propulsion system comprising a combustion engine with an output shaft, a gearbox with an input shaft, an electric machine comprising a stator and a rotor, and a planetary gear comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet wheel carrier. The vehicle is driven with the members of the planetary gear interlocked. The planetary gear is brought to the releasing position by controlling the torque of the electric machine and of the combustion engine towards torque balance in the planetary gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing predefined desired drive characteristics (38, 50) in an aircraft, characterized by the following steps: —driving a thrust generation element of the aircraft by means of an electric motor that has actual drive characteristics (34) which include at least some of the desired drive characteristics (38, 50) but are also partly different therefrom; and—having a control device adjust operating points of the electric motor exclusively according to the desired drive characteristics (38, 50).

Abstract: A drive system and a method of driving a vehicle, wherein the drive system includes a combustion engine, a motor control function, a gear box, an electric machine, an energy storage and a planetary gear. A control unit receives information concerning the charge level of the energy storage and determines if the charge level is lower than a limit level such that the energy storage needs charging. If this is the case, the motor control function is controlled such that the combustion engine increases rotation speed in relation to the rotation speed when the energy storage does not need charging.

Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle driving forward towards stop. The vehicle has a propulsion system including a combustion engine with an output shaft (2a), a gearbox (3) with an input shaft (3a), an electric machine (9) comprising a stator and a rotor, and a planetary gear comprising a sun gear (10), a ring gear (11) and a planet wheel carrier (12). When braking the vehicle, a reverse gear of the gearbox is engaged and the electric machine is controlled to apply brake torque requested to the input shaft of the gearbox.

Abstract: A power unit includes an engine, an electric-powered generator configured to regenerate power and to provide power assistance, a stepped or stepless transmission mechanism configured to perform a shift change operation during transmission of rotational power output from the engine and the electric-powered generator, an output shaft configured to output the rotational power as a driving force, a first clutch configured to transmit the rotational power or to disconnect the transmission of the rotational power from at least one of the engine and the electric-powered generator to the output shaft, and a battery configured to supply power to the electric-powered generator to drive the electric-powered generator and to store power generated by the electric-powered generator. During the shift change operation by the transmission mechanism, electric-powered generator is driven to add torque to the engine in a direction of increasing synchronization with the rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A method for managing energy in response to a request of a driver for torque on a power train of a hybrid vehicle including a heat engine and at least one electric motor powered by a battery, capable of recovering energy during deceleration in accordance with a management rule distributing the energy supply from the heat engine and from the electric motor in real time. The energy-management law depends on: an equivalence factor that is based on an instantaneous energy state of the battery, an energy target, and travel conditions of the vehicle; and a discharge precompensation factor that is based on energy potential that can be recovered during deceleration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the operation of a mild hybrid electric vehicle having an engine and high and low voltage power systems selectively connectable via a DC to DC converter. The method comprises whenever possible using only a low voltage battery forming part of the low voltage power system to power low voltage loads during an engine E-stop performed automatically to save fuel and reduce emissions and whenever possible using only a high voltage battery forming part of the high voltage power system to recharge the low voltage battery when the engine is restarted following the E-stop.

Abstract: A hybrid construction machine comprises: a motor generator (2) which exchanges torque with an engine (1); a hydraulic pump (3) which is driven by at least one of the engine and the motor generator; a hydraulic actuator (5) which is driven by hydraulic fluid delivered from the hydraulic pump; an electrical storage device (10) for supplying electric power to the motor generator; and a controller (8) which sets target power of the engine and target power of the motor generator so as to satisfy demanded power of the hydraulic pump. The controller makes the setting so that the target power of the engine monotonically increases with the decrease in the remaining electric amount of the electrical storage device. With this configuration, the operator's operational feel can be kept excellent while also achieving reduction in fuel consumption and gas emission.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, a controller includes a target drive power setting device which sets a target drive power requested for the running of the vehicle, a target drive power calculator which calculates target drive power from the target drive power set by the target drive power setting device and the vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed detector, an output limiter which limits the amount of power obtained from an electricity storer based on the state of the electricity storer, and a transition prohibitor which prohibits the transition of an engine to a stopped state when the power consumed for the transition of the engine from an operational state to a stopped state exceeds a value obtained by subtracting the target drive power calculated by the target drive power setting device from the output limit value set by the output limiter.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for aggregating electric power flow between an electric grid and electric vehicles are disclosed. An apparatus for aggregating power flow may include a memory and a processor coupled to the memory to receive electric vehicle equipment (EVE) attributes from a plurality of EVEs, aggregate EVE attributes, predict total available capacity based on the EVE attributes, and dispatch at least a portion of the total available capacity to the grid. Power flow may be aggregated by receiving EVE operational parameters from each EVE, aggregating the received EVE operational parameters, predicting total available capacity based on the aggregated EVE operational parameters, and dispatching at least a portion of the total available capacity to the grid.

Abstract: A vehicle is supplied by a first electrical energy storage unit on board the vehicle, and a ground electrical network providing an energy supply by application of a supply voltage through electrical distribution. The first energy storage unit is controllable under a generator regime or a receiver regime. The supply voltage is adjusted, in the generator regime, by applying an algebraically additive supply voltage originating from the first electrical storage unit to the distribution, to maintain a supply voltage above a minimum threshold. In the receiver regime, if a surplus of supply voltage originating at least partially from a second storage unit in the generator regime is detected above the minimum threshold, this surplus is channeled energetically to the first energy storage unit of the vehicle if it is required for operating the vehicle and enables maintaining the supply voltage below a maximum threshold and above the minimum threshold.

Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor outputting a running torque at the time of motor running and a starting torque at engine start, in a state of the motor running using even the starting torque, the control device being configured to give a notification of the state to a driver when a charging capacity is smaller than a first predetermined value, and to start an engine when the charging capacity is smaller than a second predetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined value.

Abstract: Provided is a control device for a hybrid vehicle, which makes it possible to manually select a degree of acceleration in tune with user's preferences and user's intended running quality. Provided is a control device for a hybrid vehicle 1 including an engine and a motor for assisting the engine with power, in which an ECU 20 is provided with a first changing unit, which prepares to increase the assist amount of the motor 12 in response to a user depressing a Plus Sport mode switch 30, and subsequently increases the assist amount of the motor 12 in response to the user pressing an accelerator pedal to cause a variation ?AP in an accelerator position to be at least a predetermined value.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for hybrid powertrain control are disclosed. Certain example embodiments control an internal combustion engine and a motor/generator of a hybrid electric powertrain. Example controls may determine a total output demanded of a powertrain based at least in part upon an operator input, a battery output target based upon a battery state of charge and independent of the operator input, and an engine output target based upon the total output demanded and the battery output target. Such example controls may further determine a constrained engine output target, a modified battery output target based upon the total output demanded and the constrained engine output target, and a constrained battery output target based upon the modified battery output target and a battery constraint. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and figures.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle of the present invention includes: an engine, a first motor, a second motor, a clutch and an electronic control unit. The first motor is connected with an output shaft of the engine. The second motor is connected with a driving wheel and configured to generate a driving torque at the driving wheel. The clutch is arranged between the output shaft of the engine and the driving wheel and configured to engage or disengage the output shaft of the engine and a rotary shaft connected with the driving wheel. The electronic control unit is configured to control the clutch to be engaged and control the first motor to generate the driving torque at the driving wheel, when the second motor cannot generate a predetermined output torque and the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between regenerative braking and providing positive torque to a driveline is presented.

Abstract: A method for driving a hybrid vehicle with a propulsion system including a combustion engine, an electric machine with a rotor and a stator and a planetary gear with three components including a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet wheel carrier, where an output shaft of the combustion engine is connected to a first component, an input shaft of a gearbox is connected to a second component and the rotor of the electric machine is connected to a third component. The vehicle is driven forward by the electric machine. The reverse gear engaged in the gearbox drives the third component of the planetary gear to rotate with a negative rotational speed while a brake brakes the first component. Thereafter, move the component brake to an open position, so that the output shaft of the combustion engine rotates with a positive rotational speed so that the combustion engine may be started.

Abstract: A vehicle control system to control operation of a vehicle includes a powertrain system operable according to a plurality of operating modes that drive the vehicle. A sensor is mounted to the vehicle to detect a quality of air surrounding the vehicle. A vehicle control module is configured to select an operating mode of the powertrain system. The operating mode is selected to reduce at least one emission exhausted from the vehicle that contributes to a low air quality measure by the sensor.

Abstract: An auto-seek operating mode for an electric vehicle adjusts the vehicle using a vehicle power steering system and a vehicle traction motor to move the vehicle toward a target connector for a utility power grid to charge a vehicle traction battery. If needed, vertical vehicle position adjustments may be made using a controllable vehicle suspension system.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle comprises conducting unfire operation in an internal-combustion engine in a fuel cut-off mode during a hybrid-mode ride in deceleration of the internal-combustion engine, disconnecting the internal-combustion engine from an output while maintaining the fuel cut-off mode, and reducing a transmission capacity of a clutch configured to couple the internal-combustion engine and an electric motor. During a hybrid-mode ride in deceleration of the internal-combustion engine for transition to the purely electric drive, the internal-combustion engine may be disconnected from the output and shut down. When the internal-combustion engine is operated unfired in a fuel cut-off mode, the internal-combustion engine may be disconnected from the output and shut down by reducing the transmission capacity of the clutch that is connected between the internal-combustion engine and the electric motor.

Abstract: A computer controlled electric vehicle is disclosed that includes two high power batteries, a motor drive circuit, an electric motor that drives the vehicle drive train, a generator, an internal combustion engine, and battery charging circuitry. The batteries are connected to the motor drive circuit in a mutually exclusive fashion where only one battery is online or connected at any given time and the other battery is offline. The offline battery is recharged by battery charging circuitry that receives its power from a generator that is mechanically driven by an onboard hydrocarbon engine. When the online battery is depleted, the computer disconnects the online battery from the motor drive circuit and connects the offline battery to the motor drive circuit. The depleted battery is then charged in readiness for the next battery switch event. An external power plug enables recharging of the batteries when external power is available.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a controller that executes control such that a second motor is regeneratively driven within the range of input and output limits of a high-voltage battery that exchanges electric power with the second motor that outputs power for traveling without running an engine using a first motor when charging electric power is smaller than the input limit of the high-voltage battery and an EV traveling priority mode is set. The invention also relates to a control method for the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between regenerative braking and engine braking is described.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine, both capable of providing propulsion power. A clutch is configured to selectively couple the engine to the electric machine. At times, the vehicle may be subject to excessive loads, such as a large amount of weight in the vehicle or the vehicle towing another object. At least one controller is programmed to engage the clutch and start the engine in response to a load of the vehicle exceeding a predetermined threshold and a release of the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped and in drive. This increases available engine torque prior to vehicle launch in anticipation of an upcoming acceleration demand.