Abstract: A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake pedal operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake pedal operation by a driver, a negative pressure-based force multiplying unit that multiplies a force, with which a brake is operated, using an intake negative pressure of an engine, a negative pressure detecting unit that detects a negative pressure of the negative pressure-based force multiplying unit, and a coast stop control unit that stops the engine when the amount of brake pedal operation that is detected is equal to or greater than a first operation amount threshold during coast drive, and re-starts the engine when the negative pressure that is detected falls below a first negative pressure threshold after the engine stops.

Abstract: A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake operation by a driver, an engine stopping/re-starting unit that, during coast drive, stops an engine based on the amount of brake operation that is detected, and, after the engine stops, re-starts the engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected falls below a first threshold, and a first threshold setting unit that sets the first threshold smaller as vehicle speed becomes lower.

Abstract: A torque assist using a motor generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of an engine via a belt is prohibited during a lock-up transition from a state where a lock-up clutch is released to a state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, and the torque assist using the motor generator is permitted when a condition for the execution of the torque assist is satisfied except during the lock-up transition.

Abstract: An automatic engine-stop control device for a vehicle has a coast stop controlling section that stops an engine during a running of the vehicle when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a deceleration detecting section that detects a deceleration level of the vehicle, and an engine-stop time limiting section that limits a time length for which the coast stop controlling section keeps the engine in a stopped state if the deceleration level is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake operation by a driver, an engine stopping/re-starting unit that stops an engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected exceeds a first threshold during coast drive, and re-starts the engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold after the engine stops, and a threshold setting unit that sets the first threshold smaller as a deceleration becomes lower.

Abstract: A device for controlling a vehicle is configured to determine whether or not a relay is fixedly closed before a vehicle travels and after a driver operates an ignition, and the driving of a starter motor and an SSG motor is inhibited when the relay is determined to be fixedly closed.

Abstract: While a vehicle speed is between a first certain vehicle speed and a second certain vehicle speed lower than the first certain vehicle speed, it is determined whether to perform vehicle control in accordance with conditions excluding a condition based on the estimated road surface slope.

Abstract: A device for controlling a vehicle is configured to determine whether or not a relay is fixedly closed before a vehicle travels and after a driver operates an ignition, and the driving of a starter motor and an SSG motor is inhibited when the relay is determined to be fixedly closed.

Abstract: A torque assist using a motor generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of an engine via a belt is prohibited during a lock-up transition from a state where a lock-up clutch is released to a state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, and the torque assist using the motor generator is permitted when a condition for the execution of the torque assist is satisfied except during the lock-up transition.

Abstract: A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake operation by a driver, an engine stopping/re-starting unit that, during coast drive, stops an engine based on the amount of brake operation that is detected, and, after the engine stops, re-starts the engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected falls below a first threshold, and a first threshold setting unit that sets the first threshold smaller as vehicle speed becomes lower.

Abstract: A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake operation by a driver, an engine stopping/re-starting unit that stops an engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected exceeds a first threshold during coast drive, and re-starts the engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold after the engine stops, and a threshold setting unit that sets the first threshold smaller as a deceleration becomes lower.

Abstract: A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake pedal operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake pedal operation by a driver, a negative pressure-based force multiplying unit that multiplies a force, with which a brake is operated, using an intake negative pressure of an engine, a negative pressure detecting unit that detects a negative pressure of the negative pressure-based force multiplying unit, and a coast stop control unit that stops the engine when the amount of brake pedal operation that is detected is equal to or greater than a first operation amount threshold during coast drive, and re-starts the engine when the negative pressure that is detected falls below a first negative pressure threshold after the engine stops.

Abstract: An automatic engine-stop control device for a vehicle has a coast stop controlling section that stops an engine during a running of the vehicle when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a deceleration detecting section that detects a deceleration level of the vehicle, and an engine-stop time limiting section that limits a time length for which the coast stop controlling section keeps the engine in a stopped state if the deceleration level is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: While a vehicle speed is between a first certain vehicle speed and a second certain vehicle speed lower than the first certain vehicle speed, it is determined whether to perform vehicle control in accordance with conditions excluding a condition based on the estimated road surface slope.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided with an exhaust cleaning apparatus and control method. In the exhaust cleaning apparatus and method, exhaust from a combustion chamber is conducted to a main catalytic converter disposed in a main exhaust channel. A fuel cutting operation is performed upon determining a deceleration state in the vehicle and establishment of a condition for stopping fuel supply to the engine. Then, a main-channel blocking device closes the main exhaust channel so that the exhaust flows through a bypass catalytic converter disposed in a bypass exhaust channel upstream from the main catalytic converter and then merges again with the main exhaust channel upstream from the main catalytic converter after the fuel cutting operation and upon determining one of either an elapsed of a prescribed period of time, or an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust reaching a stable state.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine includes a catalytic device within an exhaust path of the engine, wherein the catalytic device includes a housing with a catalyst carrier. A length of the catalyst carrier along a longitudinal axis, measured along a downstream flow direction of exhaust gas within the exhaust path, is substantially the same or a shorter than the upstream distance traveled by a reverse flow of exhaust gas during an exhaust gas pulsation within the housing. With this type of configuration, due to reciprocating movements of the exhaust gas caused by the pulsations, the same exhaust gas passes through the catalyst carrier multiple times. Thus, an increased number of heat exchanges take place within the catalyst carrier, which rapidly increases the catalyst temperature after a cold engine start.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal-combustion engine comprises an exhaust bypass in parallel with an upstream portion of a main exhaust path having a main catalytic converter in a downstream portion thereof; an exhaust bypass catalytic converter provided in the exhaust bypass; and a flow path switching valve for blocking the main exhaust path at the upstream portion thereof. The exhaust system includes an ignition timing adjustment mechanism for adjusting ignition timing to delay sparking when the flow path switching valve is switched from the closed condition to the open condition thereof. A control method for the exhaust system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An intake control valve of an intake device of an internal combustion engine comprises a given portion defined by an air intake passage that leads to a combustion chamber of the engine through an intake valve; a pivot shaft passing through the given portion; and a valve plate secured to the pivot shaft to pivot therewith within the given portion. The valve plate is pivotal between a close position to close the air intake passage and an open position to open the air intake passage. When the valve plate assumes the close position, the interior of the air intake passage downstream the valve plate is formed with mutually isolated first and second air flows that are separated and oriented to enhance a flow of air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust system includes at least one main exhaust path connected to at least one cylinder, an exhaust recirculation path that is branched out from the main exhaust path so that part of exhaust gas is recirculated to an inlet system, a bypass that is branched out from the exhaust recirculation path in which the bypass has a higher path resistance than that of the exhaust recirculation path and a bypass catalytic converter that is provided in the bypass.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon trapping layer (25) is formed by coating a hydrocarbon trapping material onto a carrier (21A). A number of exhaust gas passages (34) are formed in the carrier (21A) and a plurality of slits (22) are formed on the carrier (21A) to cross the passages (24) in a transverse orientation. The slits (22) delay temperature increases in the downstream hydrocarbon trapping layer (25) and delay the release of trapped hydrocarbons therefrom. This is due to blocking the transmission of heat to the downstream hydrocarbon trapping layer (25) from the upstream hydrocarbon trapping layer (25). The slits (22) further produce a turbulent flow in the flow of exhaust gas and promote diffusion of exhaust gas over the entire surface of the carrier (21A).