Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus including: (i) a power transmitting member; (ii) a differential mechanism which has a first element connected to an engine, a second element connected to a first electric motor, and a third element connected to a second electric motor and the power transmitting member; (iii) an automatic transmission constituting at least a part of a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel; and (iv) a differential-state switching device operable to selectively place the differential mechanism in its differential state in which the second and third elements are rotatable at respective different speeds, and in its non-differential state in which the second and third elements are not rotatable at respective different speeds.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a driving device of a vehicle, the driving device including a transmission system including (A) a non-step speed change portion which includes (a1) a differential device including a first rotary element connected to an engine, a second rotary element connected to a first electric motor, and a third rotary element connected to a transmission member, and (a2) a second electric motor provided in a power transmission path between the transmission member and drive wheels, and which functions as an electric CVT, and (B) a stepwise speed change portion which constitutes a portion of the power transmission path and functions as a stepwise automatic transmission, the control apparatus including a differential-state switching device which selectively switches the differential device to a differential state thereof in which the non-step speed change portion operates as the electric CVT, and to a non-differential state thereof in which the non-step speed change portion does not operate

Abstract: A control device for a vehicular drive system including a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle. The control device includes a differential-state switching device operable to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state and a non-differential state, and a switching control device operable to control the differential-state switching device, so as to place the differential mechanism in the differential state when the vehicle is in a motor-drive mode in which at least one of the first and second electric motors is used as a drive power source to drive the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular transmission mechanism switchable between a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, and a control device for controlling an operation of switching of the shifting state of the transmission mechanism so as to reduce its switching shock and improve the durability of coupling devices. The transmission mechanism 10 is switchable between the electrically established continuously-variable shifting state and the step-variable shifting state, by selective releasing and engaging actions of switching clutch C0 and brake B0, which are controlled by switching control means 50.

Abstract: Vehicular drive system which is small-sized and/or improved in its fuel economy. A power distributing mechanism 16, which is provided with a differential-state switching device in the form of a switching clutch C0 and a switching brake B0, is switchable by the switching device between a differential state (continuously-variable shifting state) in which the mechanism is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a fixed-speed-ratio shifting state in which the mechanism is operable as a transmission having a fixed speed ratio or ratios. The power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state during a high-speed running of the vehicle or a high-speed operation of engine 8, so that the output of the engine 8 is transmitted to drive wheels 38 primarily through a mechanical power transmitting path, whereby fuel economy of the vehicle is improved owing to reduction of a loss of conversion of a mechanical energy into an electric energy.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a first motor generator, a power splitting mechanism portion, and a second motor generator. The first motor generator functions mainly as a generator. The power splitting mechanism portion divides the power generated by the engine into power for the first motor generator and power for driven wheels. The second motor generator has an outside diameter that is smaller than the outside diameter of the first motor generator and is arranged on the side of the first motor generator opposite the engine. The second motor generator functions mainly as a motor and generates power to assist in driving the driven mechanism portion which has an outside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the second motor generator and which reduces the rotation speed of the second motor generator is provided on the side of the second motor generator opposite the engine.

Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle drive unit supports a motor-generator with high precision, improving the efficiency of the motor-generator, and reducing the size of the motor-generator, independent of any influence of centering precision of the crank shaft and of deformation of the torque converter. According to the invention, a motor housing is disposed between a converter housing and an internal combustion engine, and a bearing is fitted to a lateral wall provided in a front portion of the motor housing. Rotor supporting members are independently supported by the bearing. Eccentric rotation of the crank shaft resulting from explosive vibrations of the engine is counteracted by two flex plates. Owing to a predetermined clearance, one of the rotor supporting members as a separate component is free from the influence of deformation of the torque converter.

Abstract: A vehicle characterized by a deceleration that is readily adjustable in the course of braking control with a torque of a motor mounted on a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle has a power system including an engine, a motor, a torque converter, a transmission, and an axle that are linked with one another in series. The transmission is a mechanism that changes over a gear ratio under control of a control unit to vary the transmitted torque. The driver manipulates a gearshift lever in the vehicle to specify a desired deceleration by power source braking. The control unit refers to a predetermined map and specifies a combination of motor torque and gear ratio to attain the specified deceleration. In the course of braking control, the deceleration is corrected according to a step-on amount of an accelerator pedal in a range of play of the accelerator pedal. This arrangement facilitates minute adjustment of the deceleration by the power source braking.

Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle drive method and system includes an internal combustion engine that includes an output shaft, a first electric motor/generator connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via a power distribution mechanism, a wheel drive shaft connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via the power distribution mechanism, a second electric motor/generator connected to the wheel drive shaft, and a transmission located on at least one of the wheel drive shaft and a connecting portion of the second electric motor/generator with the wheel drive shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle has a power system, in which an engine, a motor, a torque converter, a transmission, and an axle are connected in series. The transmission has a mechanism of varying a gear ratio under the control of a control unit. A driver of the vehicle operates a specific switch for setting a deceleration to specify a desired deceleration by means of power source braking. In response to an ON operation of a snow mode switch, a possible range of setting of the deceleration is restricted to a specific area that does not cause any slip or skid of the vehicle. The control unit totally controls the torque of the motor and the gear ratio, thereby implementing the braking at the desired deceleration. This arrangement attains the desired deceleration specified by the driver in the wide possible range of the setting, while restricting the deceleration to a specific range according to the driving conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle drive unit supports a motor-generator with high precision, improving the efficiency of the motor-generator, and reducing the size of the motor-generator, independent of any influence of centering precision of the crank shaft and of deformation of the torque converter. According to the invention, a motor housing is disposed between a converter housing and an internal combustion engine, and a bearing is fitted to a lateral wall provided in a front portion of the motor housing. Rotor supporting members are independently supported by the bearing. Eccentric rotation of the crank shaft resulting from explosive vibrations of the engine is counteracted by two flex plates. Owing to a predetermined clearance, one of the rotor supporting members as a separate component is free from the influence of deformation of the torque converter.

Abstract: A vehicle drive device is provided having a first source of driving force and a hydraulic transmission, into which power is input from the first source of driving force, arranged axially. A motor that transmits power by an electromagnetic action between a stator and a rotor is arranged between the first source of driving force and the hydraulic transmission. The stator is arranged to be radially distant from the rotational center axis of the hydraulic transmission. A small diameter portion formed to have a smaller outer diameter than an inner diameter of the stator is formed at a motor side of the hydraulic transmission and the hydraulic transmission is arranged with the small diameter portion being inserted axially into the inner periphery of the stator. As a result, the axial length of the vehicle drive device is shortened to thereby provide a small-size, lightweight device.

Abstract: In a vehicle provided with a transmission that has a lock-up clutch that is directly couplable between drive sources and a drive shaft, the shock of switching between the drive sources is prevented from being transmitted. It is determined whether the drive source is to be switched, and when “YES” is determined, a lock-up clutch is disengaged or placed in a half-engaged state, and the shock due to switching of the drive source is prevented from being transmitted. Then, after it is confirmed that switching of the drive source is completed, the lock-up clutch is once again placed in the fully-engaged state.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system comprising: a torque amplify mechanism coupled to an output member of an internal combustion engine and an output member of an electric motor, as energized by an electric power to output a torque, for amplifying and outputting the torque, as outputted from the internal combustion engine, by controlling the torque of the electric motor; and a continuously variable transmission arranged between torque amplify mechanism and the output shaft for increasing/decreasing and outputting the torque inputted from the torque amplify mechanism. Further comprised is a forward/backward switching mechanism between the torque amplify mechanism and the output shaft for setting a forward state, in which the inputted motive power is unreversed and outputted, and a backward state in which the inputted motive power is reversed and outputted. As a result, the reverse run can be made only with the motive power outputted from the internal combustion 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: An electrically driven automotive vehicle including an electric motor for driving the vehicle, an electric energy storage device for storing an electric energy for operating the electric motor, the storage device having a plurality of storage portions which can be charged and discharged independently of each other, and a fully discharging device for fully discharging at least one of the storage portions, when an amount of electric energy stored in at least one of the other of the storage portions is larger than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle drive system including an engine, an electric motor operated by an electric energy stored in a storage device charged by operation of the engine, and a controller for selecting a low-load drive mode for driving the vehicle by the electric motor when the vehicle running condition is in a predetermined low-load range, and a high-load drive mode for driving the vehicle by the engine when the running condition is in a predetermined high-load range in which a load acting on the hybrid drive device is higher than that in the low-load range, and wherein the controller includes an emergency drive control device operated in the event of a failure of the first and second drive power sources, for operating the other, normal drive power source to drive the motor vehicle, and a range changing device for changing one of the low-load and high-load ranges which corresponds to the normal drive power source when the normal drive power source is operated by the emergency drive control device.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle, wherein a controllable device such as an automatic transmission or a center differential device is disposed between drive wheels of the vehicle and a drive power source consisting of an engine operated by combustion of a fuel, and an electric motor operated with an electric energy, and the engine and/or the electric motor is/are operated for driving the motor vehicle in different running modes. The controllable device is controlled by a control device on the basis of an input torque received by the controllable device. The control device is adapted to estimate the input torque of depending upon a currently selected one of the running modes, or effect learning control of the controllable device in different manners corresponding to the different running modes.

Abstract: A start control system for a vehicle comprising: an electric motor brought into a starting state when an ignition key is operated to a starting position; an automatic transmission; and a shift unit having running ranges including drive, second speed, first speed and reverse ranges, and non-running ranges including parking and neutral ranges. Further comprised is a mechanism for allowing the shift unit to change the parking range to the drive range when the ignition key is operated to the starting position.

Abstract: Hybrid motor vehicle drive system including an electric motor operated by an electric energy generated by an electric generator and stored in a storage device, an engine, and a controller for controlling the engine and electric generator to operate in an electricity generating drive mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied, such that the engine is operated so as to provide an output greater than a required power to drive the motor vehicle, so that the vehicle is driven by the engine with the required power while the electric generator is operated by the engine with a surplus power to charge the storage, and wherein the controller includes a special control device operated in the event of a failure of the electric generator, for inhibiting the selection of the electricity generating drive mode and selecting an engine drive mode to operate the engine for driving the motor vehicle with the required power, even when the predetermined condition is satisfied.