Abstract: Hybrid vehicles and methods for providing electrical energy to motor-generators of hybrid vehicles are disclosed. A hybrid vehicle includes a first motor-generator comprising an output shaft mechanically coupled to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a second motor-generator comprising an output shaft mechanically coupled to a plurality of drive wheels, a primary electrical energy storage device, and a secondary electrical energy storage device. The hybrid vehicle provides a first amount of electrical energy from the primary electrical energy storage device and the secondary electrical energy storage device to the first motor-generator in order to increase an engine speed of the internal combustion engine, and simultaneously provides a second amount of electrical energy from the primary electrical energy storage device and the secondary electrical energy storage device to the second motor-generator in order to increase a rotational speed of the plurality of drive wheels.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for enhanced comfort prediction. A system includes one or more external databases connected through a network to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a navigation unit for obtaining navigational map information, one or more sensors that monitor an environment of the vehicle, a memory to store a route history, a plurality of comfort adjustable vehicle components and an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to at least the navigation unit, the one or more sensors, and the plurality of comfort adjustable vehicle component. The ECU may determine a predicted route set and one or more predicted ride interruption event based on the navigational map information, vehicle information and a route history. The ECU may detect a ride interruption event and send a first signal to the first comfort adjustable vehicle component to have the first comfort adjustable vehicle component operate in an enhanced comfort mode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for acceleration event prediction. A system includes one or more external databases connected through a network to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a navigation unit, one or more sensors and an electronic control unit coupled to at least the navigation unit and the one or more sensors. The electronic control unit is configured to obtain navigational map information and vehicle information, determine a predicted route set including a destination location based on the the navigational map information and the vehicle information, determine one or more predicted acceleration events for the predicted route set, detect a respective acceleration event of the one or more predicted acceleration events based on the predicted route set and a first location of the vehicle and send or transmit a signal to a turbocharger that is coupled to an engine to prepare for the respective acceleration event.

Abstract: A system for reducing the likelihood of brakes of a vehicle overheating when towing a trailer includes a transmission configured to operate in a plurality of gear ratios and a GPS unit configured to detect location data. The system also includes an input device configured to receive data indicating whether the trailer is connected to the vehicle and an ECU coupled to the transmission, the GPS unit and the input device. The ECU is designed to determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a downgrade of a road based on the location data, determine a current gear ratio of the transmission and determine whether it is desirable for the transmission to operate in a second gear ratio that is lower than the current gear ratio based on whether the trailer is connected, whether the vehicle is within the predetermined distance, and the current gear ratio.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for enhanced comfort prediction. A system includes one or more external databases connected through a network to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a navigation unit for obtaining navigational map information, one or more sensors that monitor an environment of the vehicle, a memory to store a route history, a plurality of comfort adjustable vehicle components and an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to at least the navigation unit, the one or more sensors, and the plurality of comfort adjustable vehicle component. The ECU may determine a predicted route set and one or more predicted ride interruption event based on the navigational map information, vehicle information and a route history. The ECU may detect a ride interruption event and send a first signal to the first comfort adjustable vehicle component to have the first comfort adjustable vehicle component operate in an enhanced comfort mode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for acceleration event prediction. A system includes one or more external databases connected through a network to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a navigation unit, one or more sensors and an electronic control unit coupled to at least the navigation unit and the one or more sensors. The electronic control unit is configured to obtain navigational map information and vehicle information, determine a predicted route set including a destination location based on the the navigational map information and the vehicle information, determine one or more predicted acceleration events for the predicted route set, detect a respective acceleration event of the one or more predicted acceleration events based on the predicted route set and a first location of the vehicle and send or transmit a signal to a turbocharger that is coupled to an engine to prepare for the respective acceleration event.

Abstract: A system for providing deceleration in a hybrid vehicle having a hydraulic braking system and a regenerative braking system. The system includes a hydraulic braking sensor configured to determine a status of the hydraulic braking system. The system also includes a brake pedal unit configured to determine brake pedal data. The system also includes a battery configured to store energy generated by the regenerative braking system. The system also includes a processor configured to determine whether the hydraulic braking system is compromised. The processor is also configured to detect an emergency braking situation based on the brake pedal data. The processor is also configured to increase engine speed of the engine to induce engine braking, and increase the maximum charge limit of the battery to increase a regenerative braking capacity of the regenerative braking system when the hydraulic braking system is compromised and the emergency braking situation is detected.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes one or more processors, a memory, an engine, a battery, and a motor. The motor is configured to utilize electrical energy stored in the battery for powering a movement of the wheels or an operation of the hybrid vehicle. A memory stores route data and corresponding vehicle operation data. The one or more processors predict, based on the route data, that the hybrid vehicle will travel on a second route after travelling on a first route. The one or more processors predict, based on the vehicle operation data, that the state of charge (SOC) of the battery will reach or exceed a threshold value during the second route. The one or more processors set a target SOC for the battery. The one or more processors discharge the electrical energy stored in the battery during the first route based on the target SOC value.

Abstract: A method/system for maintaining the energy efficiency history of predicted route segments in a database, providing adaptive feedback to hybrid vehicle controls, and displaying the energy efficiency history to the driver. As the vehicle travels on a route, the system stores energy efficiency information for route segments. The system may include sensors, a memory, and a processor to learn energy efficiency information based on how fuel and battery power are used over a route segment and/or route. The method/system may utilize energy efficiency information to adjust a start/stop engine threshold of a hybrid vehicle. When the processor predicts that the vehicle will travels on the predicted route segment again, the vehicle may optimize powertrain parameters such as the start/stop engine threshold during traveling on the predicted route segment and/or before reaching the predicted route segment.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for controlling internal combustion engine rotational speeds are disclosed. Vehicles described herein include an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a plurality of drive wheels mechanically coupled to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. Embodiments described herein determine a target wheel torque, determine a base increase rate of engine rotational speed, increase an engine rotational speed of the internal combustion engine based on the base increase rate of engine rotational speed, determine an estimated wheel torque, determine an updated increase rate of engine rotational speed based on the target wheel torque and the estimated wheel torque, and increase the engine rotational speed of the internal combustion engine based on the updated increase rate of engine rotational speed.

Abstract: Hybrid vehicles and methods for providing electrical energy to motor-generators of hybrid vehicles are disclosed. A hybrid vehicle includes a first motor-generator comprising an output shaft mechanically coupled to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a second motor-generator comprising an output shaft mechanically coupled to a plurality of drive wheels, a primary electrical energy storage device, and a secondary electrical energy storage device. The hybrid vehicle provides a first amount of electrical energy from the primary electrical energy storage device and the secondary electrical energy storage device to the first motor-generator in order to increase an engine speed of the internal combustion engine, and simultaneously provides a second amount of electrical energy from the primary electrical energy storage device and the secondary electrical energy storage device to the second motor-generator in order to increase a rotational speed of the plurality of drive wheels.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for acceleration event prediction. A system includes one or more external databases connected through a network to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a navigation unit, one or more sensors and an electronic control unit coupled to at least the navigation unit and the one or more sensors. The electronic control unit is configured to obtain navigational map information and vehicle information, determine a predicted route set including a destination location based on the navigational map information and the vehicle information, determine one or more predicted acceleration events for the predicted route set, detect a respective acceleration event of the one or more predicted acceleration events based on the predicted route set and a first location of the vehicle and send or transmit a signal to a turbocharger that is coupled to an engine to prepare for the respective acceleration event.

Abstract: A method/system for optimizing vehicle operations for a predicted route and/or a route set. The method/system may record location data and time data for a route. Two or more routes can be linked to form a route set by analyzing the location data and time data of the routes using a linking threshold. The linking threshold may be based on a relationship between locations and/or times of different routes. The vehicle may predict that a particular route segment or route will likely be driven. An operation of a unit or a device of the vehicle over the predicted route and/or route set may be adjusted based on information stored regarding the predicted route and/or route set in order to enhance the energy efficiency of the vehicle. The links may be categorized as having different types in order to apply a different control strategy to different types of links.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine configured to generate power and noise. The vehicle includes a transmission configured to operate in a first gear corresponding to a first gear ratio and a second gear corresponding to a second gear ratio. The second gear ratio is less than the first gear ratio. The vehicle also includes a noise reduction device coupled to the engine and configured to operate in a first state to reduce the noise of the engine to a first volume and a second state to reduce the noise of the engine to a second volume that is greater than the first volume. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the engine, the transmission and the noise reduction device and configured to control the noise reduction device to switch to the second state when the transmission shifts from the second gear to the first gear.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine configured to generate power and noise. The vehicle includes a transmission configured to operate in a first gear corresponding to a first gear ratio and a second gear corresponding to a second gear ratio. The second gear ratio is less than the first gear ratio. The vehicle also includes a noise reduction device coupled to the engine and configured to operate in a first state to reduce the noise of the engine to a first volume and a second state to reduce the noise of the engine to a second volume that is greater than the first volume. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the engine, the transmission and the noise reduction device and configured to control the noise reduction device to switch to the second state when the transmission shifts from the second gear to the first gear.

Abstract: A system for reducing the likelihood of brakes of a vehicle overheating when towing a trailer includes a transmission configured to operate in a plurality of gear ratios and a GPS unit configured to detect location data. The system also includes an input device configured to receive data indicating whether the trailer is connected to the vehicle and an ECU coupled to the transmission, the GPS unit and the input device. The ECU is designed to determine whether the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a downgrade of a road based on the location data, determine a current gear ratio of the transmission and determine whether it is desirable for the transmission to operate in a second gear ratio that is lower than the current gear ratio based on whether the trailer is connected, whether the vehicle is within the predetermined distance, and the current gear ratio.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes one or more processors, a memory, an engine, a battery, and a motor. The motor is configured to utilize electrical energy stored in the battery for powering a movement of the wheels or an operation of the hybrid vehicle. A memory stores route data and corresponding vehicle operation data. The one or more processors predict, based on the route data, that the hybrid vehicle will travel on a second route after travelling on a first route. The one or more processors predict, based on the vehicle operation data, that the state of charge (SOC) of the battery will reach or exceed a threshold value during the second route. The one or more processors set a target SOC for the battery. The one or more processors discharge the electrical energy stored in the battery during the first route based on the target SOC value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively adjusting settings of a vehicle during a known route are described. A method may include storing a driving route, parsing the driving route into a plurality of segments based on at least one of a turn detection, an intersection detection, a change in road conditions, a change in speed of the vehicle, or a predetermined distance traveled. The method may also include assigning to each segment a unique identification code, storing a plurality of values correlating to settings, the settings having values determined during a segment of the driving route, and associating each of the plurality of values to the unique identification code of the segment in which the setting was determined. The method may also include automatically changing each of the plurality of values at the beginning of each segment in which the value was altered.

Abstract: A launch control system which maximizes hybrid vehicle acceleration from a standing start. A hybrid vehicle includes wheels, an engine, a motor-generator, a processor, and an actuation device. The processor controls an engine speed and an engine torque independently from a wheel speed and a wheel torque. While the hybrid vehicle is at a standstill, the actuation device is switched to an on state, and the engine speed and engine torque is raised to optimal values. When the actuation device is subsequently switched to an off state, the engine speed and the engine torque is applied to the plurality of wheels to launch the hybrid vehicle. The processor blends or further adjusts the torque applied to the plurality of wheels to maximize the acceleration while optimizing an amount of wheel slip. The processor then learns the launch to improve performance on subsequent launches.

Abstract: A system/method for controlling a battery temperature of a vehicle over a known route. The method may include providing a route having a starting and ending location, iteratively sensing a battery temperature of the battery when the vehicle is travelling along the route, and dividing the route into a plurality of route segments. The method may also include storing a known route having a plurality of segments where each segment has a corresponding battery temperature of the vehicle when the vehicle previously travelled along the segment. The method may also include providing a cooling device associated with a battery of the vehicle, initiating the cooling device during a previous time segment when the battery temperature for a particular time segment of the known route exceeds a high temperature threshold, and reducing an amount of battery power draw from the battery during the previous time segment.