Abstract: In a state a vehicle is stopped at an intersection, an infinitely variable transmission is in a neutral position, a motor/generator rotates with a low speed, an oil pump and an auxiliary equipment are in rotating state. At that time, an input clutch is disengaged, and the internal engine is stopped. When the vehicle is started, a continuously variable transmission performs continuous shift control from the neutral position using hydraulic pressure from an oil pump, and the rotation of the motor/generator is transmitted to drive wheels via a ring gear of a planetary gear. After the vehicle has started driving, the input clutch is engaged and the internal engine is started. The vehicle is driven while the motor/generator assists driving or the motor/generator charges batteries based on operation of the internal engine.

Abstract: The present invention improves mountability of a drive train in a hybrid vehicle by minimizing axial and radial dimensions while providing for adequate output torque of the motor/generator of the drive train. A center portion of a front cover of a torque converter extends axially and a multiple disc lock-up clutch is arranged at the inner circumferential surface of the center portion while the motor/generator is arranged at the outer circumferential surface of the center portion. A spring damper is provided at the radially inner side of a circumferential surface defined by friction plates of the lock-up clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle control unit controls a vehicle having a device capable of controlling deceleration, such as a continuously variable transmission. An information detection device is capable of determining a relationship between the instant vehicle and a preceding vehicle running in front of the instant vehicle, for example, a headway distance and a relative speed therebetween. Based on the information derived from the detection device, the vehicle correlation is determined and compared with a predetermined target correlation. Then, deceleration of the instant vehicle is set by a deceleration setting device such that the determined correlation reaches the predetermined target correlation. The device for performing deceleration is controlled based on the deceleration that has been set.

Abstract: A hybrid drive apparatus for a vehicle which is capable of improving the response in restarting an engine during the running of a vehicle. As a result, a shock due to deceleration can be reduced. The hybrid drive apparatus for a vehicle incorporates an engine, a motor generator, a clutch, a transmission unit and a control unit for controlling the other elements. The control unit incorporates a standby control device for realizing a constant cranking characteristic to improve the starting response at the start of the engine by transmitting the power of the motor generator to the engine and controlling the engagement pressure of the clutch, thus revolving the engine to a cranking start position.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicular drive unit having an engine, a motor-generator for acting as a motor and a generator, a planetary gear including at least three rotary elements, a battery for storing electric power as generated by the motor-generator and for feeding electric power to drive the motor-generator, an engine controller for causing the engine to output a target output value on a best mileage curve; and a motor-generator controller for controlling the motor-generator. When the output of the motor-generator corresponding to a target output value of the engine is within an outputtable region of the motor-generator, the motor-generator controller causes the motor-generator to output a reaction torque corresponding to the output torque of the engine.

Abstract: A vehicular drive unit having a combustion engine, a motor-generator for converting electric energy coming from a battery into mechanical energy to output the converted mechanical energy or for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to store the converted electrical energy in the battery, and a planetary gear including at least three rotary elements. The vehicular drive unit further includes a continuously variable transmission for changing the revolution of an input member continuously variably to output the changed revolution to the drive wheels of the vehicle. The planetary gear has a first rotary element connected to the output shaft of the combustion engine, a secondary element acting in reaction against the first rotary element and connected to the motor-generator, and a third rotary element connected to the input member of the continuously variable transmission.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicular drive unit that includes an engine, a motor-generator connected to the output shaft of the engine and which acts as both a motor and a generator, a battery for storing the energy recovered by the motor-generator as electric power and for feeding electric power to drive the motor-generator, a first clutch for connecting the motor-generator and the wheels, a stop state detector for detecting the stopped state of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the engine, the motor-generator and the first clutch. When the stopped state is detected by the stop state detector, the controller releases the first clutch, interrupts the feed of fuel to the engine, and feeds electric power to the motor-generator to drive the motor-generator to thereby hold the rotation of the engine substantially at an idling RPM.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicular drive unit including an engine 1, a motor/generator 2, a transmission 4, and a planetary gear 30 connected to the engine through a starting clutch 31 and to the motor/generator and the transmission. The control system includes a motor drive control acting as a program in an ECU 70 for driving the motor/generator in a predetermined direction prior to the application of the starting clutch at a split starting time of a vehicle, when the starting clutch is applied to interlock the engine and the motor/generator through the planetary gear to output a reaction of an engine output torque to the motor/generator.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicular drive unit including an engine; a transmission connected to the output shaft of the engine and having a plurality of gear stages for transmitting the power to wheels; a motor generator connected to the output shaft of the engine for recovering the braking energy of the wheels through the transmission by generating electricity; a battery for storing the braking energy, which is recovered by the motor generator, as an electric power; a running status detector for detecting the running status of the vehicle; and controller for controlling the transmission and the motor generator in accordance with the output signal coming from the running status detector.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicular drive unit having an engine, a motor-generator for acting as a motor and a generator; a power transmission including a planetary gear composed of at least three rotary elements and a mechanism for selectively connecting/releasing the rotary elements; a battery for storing electric power generated by the motor-generator and for supplying a driving electric power; a residue detector for detecting the state of charge of the battery; and a controller for controlling the engine, the motor-generator and the connecting/releasing mechanism in accordance with an output signal from the residue detector. The first rotary element of the planetary gear is connected to the output shaft of the engine; the second rotary element, as acting a reaction against the first rotary element, is connected to the motor-generator; and the third rotary element is connected to an output member for transmitting the drive power to wheels.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a drive motor for generating a output drive torque, a torque transmission train for transmitting the output torque to the drive wheels of the electric vehicle and an oil circulating circuit for feeding oil to the drive motor and the torque transmission train. The oil circulating circuit includes: a mechanical drive unit driven by the torque transmission train and adapted to be driven by the rotation of the running motor; and an electric prime mover separate from and in addition to the drive motor.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism including a fluid coupling device having input and output elements, and a centrifugal type lock-up clutch for releasably engaging the input and output elements, characterized in that the lock-up clutch comprises: a cylindrical inner surface formed on the input element; a drive plate provided with friction elements displaceable in a radially outward direction for engagement with the cylindrical inner surface, and cam weights for urging the friction elements in a radially outward direction; a driven plate coupled with the output element; a damper of a resilient material provided between the drive and driven plates; and a cam surface for urging the cam weights in a radially outward direction according to the degree of relative displacement between the drive and driven plates.

Abstract: A centrifugal type friction clutch, comprising: a first rotary coupling member provided with a plural number of friction element support means on the outer peripheral portions thereof; a second rotary coupling member having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface disposed coaxially with the outer periphery of the first rotary coupling member and provided with a frictional engaging surface thereon; and friction coupling elements respectively supported by the friction element support means and displaceable radially outward according to the rotational speed of the first rotary coupling member for engagement with the frictional engaging surface of the second rotary coupling member; each one of the friction coupling elements comprising an arcuate friction shoe with a frictional engaging surface on the outer periphery thereof, a resilient retractor means located between the friction shoe and friction element support means, and a cam means pivotally supported on the first rotary coupling member for pressing the frict