Abstract: A semi-trailer has a rear impact guard including an elongated horizontal member that attaches to a trailer by a pair of vertical guards. The horizontal member may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a leading edge from which a surface of the guard member extends rearward to the top or bottom surface. The rear impact guard may include a pair of gussets that extend from the vertical guards. Each gusset may include a main generally planar portion, a first stiffening flange perpendicular to the main portion, and a second stiffening flange perpendicular to the first stiffening flange.

Abstract: An example vehicle for monitoring windshield vibrations for vehicle collision detection includes a windshield, a vibration sensor coupled to the windshield to detect window vibrations of the windshield, a first accelerometer to detect vehicle body vibrations of a vehicle body, and a restraint control module. The restraint control module is to detect an event based upon the window vibrations and determine whether the event is a collision event or a non-collision event responsive to comparing the window vibrations and the vehicle body vibrations.

Abstract: An airbag assembly including an airbag configured to be coupled to a vehicle floor of a vehicle. The airbag is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the airbag is deflated. In the deployed position, the airbag is inflated and spaced apart from the vehicle floor to define an aperture between the airbag and the vehicle floor. The aperture is sized to receive feet or lower leg of a vehicle occupant, thereby limiting movement of the legs of the vehicle occupant when an external force is exerted on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a controller, and a seatbelt retractor. The controller is programmed to receive a signal from the sensor indicating detection of a vehicle front oblique impact. The seatbelt retractor includes a load limiting mechanism selectively releasable from a high load mode to a low load mode. The controller is programmed to release the load limiting mechanism from the high load mode to the low load mode at a predetermined time in response to a signal from the sensor indicating a vehicle front oblique impact.

Abstract: Provided is an occupant leg restraint device suitable for restraining legs of an occupant when an automobile has an oblique collision. An occupant leg restraint device 1 has an airbag 4 that inflates in front of legs of an occupant in a front seat of an automobile, and an inflator 5 for supplying gas to the lower part of the airbag 4 to inflate the airbag 4. The airbag 4 has a first pane 11 on the occupant side and a second panel 12 on the side opposite thereto. A plurality of pockets 60 recessed from the first panel 11 in the direction away from the occupant are provided in the upper part of the airbag 4. Knees N of the occupant enter the pockets 60, and fit into and engage with the pockets 60, and the lateral movement of the knees N is thereby restrained.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a door trim panel, a first airbag coupled to the door trim panel and inflatable to an inflated position, a second airbag coupled to the door trim panel and spaced in a vehicle-rearward direction from the first airbag and inflatable to an inflated position, and an inflator in simultaneous fluid communication with both the first and second airbags when the first and second airbags are in the inflated positions.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a base. The seat assembly includes an air bag supported by the base. The seat assembly includes a cover adjacent the base. The seat assembly includes a first plurality of ribs extending transversely from the cover and toward the base. The seat assembly includes a second plurality of ribs extending transversely from the base and toward the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) having a seat (16 or 22) for receiving the occupant (20) includes an inflatable protection device (14) inflatable from a stored condition in the vehicle (12) adjacent a reaction surface (19, 23, 36) to a deployed condition between the reaction surface and the vehicle occupant (20). The protection device (14) includes a front portion (62) presented toward the seat (22) and an inflatable volume for receiving a penetrating occupant (20?) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition. A rear portion (64) connected to the front portion (62) has an inflatable volume spaced from the front portion (62) by a space (110). The front portion (62) is positioned between the vehicle occupant (20) and the rear portion (64) when the protection device (14) is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: A system includes a bumper, an actuator fixed to the bumper, and a panel fixed to the actuator and moveable relative to the bumper. A first bracket is fixed to one of the bumper and the panel, and a second bracket is fixed to the other of the bumper and the panel. The second bracket is moveably engaged with the first bracket. A spring-loaded lock is fixed to the first bracket and is biased against the second bracket. The actuator may be triggered in response to a sensed pedestrian impact. In that case, the actuator moves the first and second brackets relative to each other to move the panel from a recessed position to an extended position.

Abstract: A seatbelt assembly and method of operating a seatbelt includes allowing webbing to slide between a lap portion and a torso portion through an unlocked weblock of a tongue assembly; and upon forces exerted by an occupant on the webbing, the weblock locking the webbing from movement between the lap and torso portions while increasing tension in the lap portion via the tongue assembly.

Abstract: A seatback for a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: a top portion; a headrest extending above the top portion; and a first shoulder belt guide disposed adjacent the top portion, fastened to the seatback, and configured to accept and retain a first shoulder belt of an occupant restraint assembly. The seatback further comprises a boss receiver and the first shoulder belt guide includes a first boss. The first boss is disposed within the boss receiver. A fastener can be disposed through the boss receiver and into the boss of the first shoulder belt guide disposed in the boss receiver to fasten the first shoulder belt guide to the seatback. The first shoulder belt guide is disposed adjacent the top portion to a first side of a midline of the seatback. A second shoulder belt guide can be disposed adjacent the top portion to a second side of the midline.

Abstract: A serrated portion is formed on an outer peripheral portion of a lock base body of a lock base of a webbing take-up device. Furthermore, a flange portion is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the lock base body. The flange portion is disposed on a vehicle front side with respect to the serrated portion. Triangular grooves of the serrated portion are closed by the flange portion. When the lock base becomes displaced in a vehicle rearward direction and the flange portion comes into abutting contact with a leg plate of a frame, further displacement of the lock base in the vehicle rearward direction is blocked. Due to this, engagement between the serrated portion and ratchet teeth of a ratchet hole in the leg plate can be maintained.

Abstract: A pretensioner includes a driving wheel and a power transmission unit. A spool is rotatably disposed in the driving wheel. The spool winds a webbing. The power transmission unit transmits power to the driving wheel. The power transmission unit includes a resin-made long body and a passage of the resin-made long body. The resin-made long body rotates the driving wheel. The passage is formed in an outer circumference of the driving wheel. The passage includes a wall surface, a cover member and a stopper. The wall surface is disposed on one side surface of the driving wheel. The cover member is fixed in the wall surface from the other side surface of the driving wheel. The stopper stops a tip portion of the resin-made long body which has rotated the driving wheel. The stopper is configured by a fastening member connecting the cover member and the wall surface.

Abstract: A sharable vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a storage that to stores registered user information and a communicator that communicates with a terminal device. A controller receives identification information of the terminal device from the terminal device when startup is performed. The controller unlocks a P stage of a transmission when it determined that the received identification information of the terminal device is the same as an identification number of the terminal device in the stored user information and locks a P stage of when it is determined that the received identification information of the terminal device is different from the identification number of the terminal device in the stored user information Additionally, the controller outputs authentication failure information of the terminal device and a display is configured to output the authentication failure information of the terminal device.

Abstract: A system and method for triggering a silent alarm notification in the event the vehicle occupant comes under attack and needs to discretely signal for help. The system includes an integrated silent vehicle alarm that is triggered by the vehicle occupant by entering a pre-programmed silent alarm sequence. The silent alarm sequence is entered using OEM-installed manually actuatable devices such as door or steering wheel switches located within the vehicle. These manually actuatable devices have dual functions: a primary vehicle related function (such as opening/closing a window) and a secondary function as input devices for the silent alarm sequence. In this way the silent alarm signal utilizes devices already present in the vehicle and requires no new installation or placement of new devices. The silent alarm notification is wirelessly sent to a remote facility for vehicle tracking and emergency response.

Abstract: In a door control system, a reservation signal is transmitted when a user operates a mobile device and reserves opening a door, a control device transmits a reservation acceptance signal and starts transmitting a response request signal upon receipt of the reservation signal. When the mobile device receives the reservation acceptance signal, a mobile device memory stores information indicating that the reservation is accepted and authorized and a notification unit notifies the user of authorization. When the mobile device receives the response request signal, the mobile device transmits a response signal including the stored information indicating authorization. When the control device receives the response signal including the information indicating authorization in response to the response request signal, a controller performs at least one of unlocking or opening the door.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windscreen wiper for a system for wiping a window of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising: a wiper blade (16), a strip-shaped, resilient, elongated support element (18), a longitudinal retaining member (30) for the blade (16) which comprises a first longitudinal housing (32) for receiving a heel (34) of the blade (16) and a second longitudinal housing (42) for receiving said support element (18), and a longitudinal body (14) which forms an aerodynamic deflector (20) and which comprises means for hooking onto the retaining member (30), characterized in that the longitudinal body (14) is fixed in a non-detachable manner to the retaining member (30).

Abstract: A unitary or one-piece integral image sensor and washing nozzle assembly or module 100, 300, 400 is configured to enclose, protect, and aim multiple image sensors and effectively clean multiple lenses (e.g., 102, 104) simultaneously while using only one nozzle head (e.g., 120, 320 or 420) with at least one optimized spray pattern (e.g., 122). The module includes a housing with a cover or bezel (e.g., 106) that supports and orients the lenses and the nozzle head aims spray at the lenses along a spray axis, with the relative heights and spacings of the nozzle's outlet orifice (e.g., 174) and the surfaces of the lenses (e.g., 102, 104) selected so that a particular spray either glances across and washes a nearest lens (e.g., 102) or impacts and washes over a farthest lens (e.g., 104).

Abstract: A vehicle wiper device including (i) a first motor that includes a first output shaft, that rotates the first output shaft to rotate a wiper arm back and forth about a pivot point of the wiper arm, and that causes a wiper blade coupled to a leading end portion of the wiper arm to perform a back and forth wiping operation between an upper return position and a lower return position on a windshield, (ii) a second motor that changes a wiping range on the windshield by the wiper blade, (iii) a rotation angle detector that detects a rotation angle of the first output shaft, and (iv) a controller that controls the second motor according to a rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detector in a state in which a broad field of view should be secured on a front passenger seat side.

Abstract: A system for cleaning at least one glazed surface (21) comprises at least two devices (100 to 111) for projecting a cleaning product onto an associated glazed surface. The projection devices each include an electronic control module (120) configured to drive the operation of the corresponding projection device depending on control instructions, and the cleaning system includes a powerline bus common to the at least two projection devices (100 to 111), which are linked electrically to the powerline bus (11) independently of one another and in successive areas (90, 92) of said powerline bus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal washing device for containers including a base with a structure including telescopically extendable sections and in which at least one cleaning element is housed. The base includes a drive shaft, each section includes at least one toothed longitudinal segment configured to engage with at least one pinion fastened to the drive shaft. The sections include a push pawl. The initial section incorporates a support element on the forward end, and the additional sections incorporate a pull pawl and a recess for the fastening of the corresponding push pawl, such that the drive shaft has the ability to operate all the sections without needing to move.

Abstract: A system and method for repairing collision damage or servicing a motor vehicle that involves managing and organizing a plurality of parts that have been removed from the motor vehicle during the repair or service process. The system includes a base member having opposite facing top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of regions corresponding to different sections of the body of a motor vehicle displayed on the top surface of the base member. An overlay member having opposite facing top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of open regions corresponding to the base regions is configured to be superimposed over the base member to create a plurality of separate compartments for locating and holding parts that have been removed from specific sections of the motor vehicle for later assembly back onto the vehicle in a downstream collision repair or service process step.

Abstract: A vehicle leveler spacer and method of using the vehicle leveler spacer that may be selectively attached to a retracted leveler of a vehicle, such as a trailer or motor home. The spacer at least partially supports the vehicle upon extension of the leveler to the ground. The spacer includes at least one connector to selectively connect the spacer to the retracted leveler. The connector may be a magnet, strap, clamp, or another mechanical connector. The top surface of the spacer may include a rim along its perimeter configured to retain a pad of a leveler. The spacer may form a gap between the bottom surface and a supporting surface, e.g. the ground, when the spacer is connected to a retracted leveler. The connectors enable the spacer to be quickly attached or removed from a retracted leveler of a vehicle.

Abstract: A control system with multiple brake-pedal selected disengagement-modes for an automated vehicle includes a brake-pedal and a controller. The brake-pedal is used to detect a plurality of pedal-action-classifications based on one of pedal-force, depression-duration, and a combination of pedal-force and depression-duration. The controller is in communication with the brake-pedal. The controller operates the system into a first-mode in response to the brake-pedal being operated in accordance with a first-action-classification, and into a second-mode in response to the brake-pedal being operated in accordance with a second-action-classification different from the first-action-classification.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system device is provided. The vehicle brake system device includes having a signal input apparatus for inputting request signals from a driver of the vehicle which includes a sensor device which gradually detects a degree of operation of a driver-operated operating element between a position which represents non-operation and a position which represents maximum operation, and generates an operating signal which represents this degree of operation. The signal input apparatus also includes an evaluation electronics system into which the sensor device operating signal is introduced for evaluation purposes.

Abstract: A brake control system may comprise an inertial sensor coupled to an axle and configured to measure a linear acceleration of the axle and an antiskid control (ASK) in electronic communication with the inertial sensor, wherein at least one of the inertial sensor or the ASK calculate a linear velocity of the axle based on the linear acceleration, and the ASK uses the linear velocity to calculate a wheel slip speed.

Abstract: A brake controller is applied to a vehicle that includes a tractor and a trailer. The brake controller includes a first braking unit that controls a first brake device, a second braking unit that controls a second brake device, a distance sensor that detects a distance between the vehicle and an object, an execution unit that controls the first braking unit and the second braking unit in accordance with the distance detected by the distance sensor and executes an automatic brake control, and a prohibition unit that prohibits the execution unit from executing the automatic brake control. The brake controller prohibits execution of the automatic brake control under the condition that the tractor and the trailer are coupled to each other and the second braking unit includes a failure.

Abstract: The friction brake system includes a braking force distributor configured to output load command values to friction brake devices for a plurality of wheels, and a friction coefficient estimation calculation section configured to estimate a friction coefficient between a brake rotor and a friction material of each friction brake device. The friction coefficient estimation calculation section includes a distribution adjustment section configured to change distribution of brake pressing force to be distributed by the braking force distributor, for estimation of the friction coefficient, and an estimation calculation section configured to estimate the friction coefficient on the basis of a relationship between deceleration of a vehicle and the load command values the distribution of which is changed.

Abstract: The braking system includes a first and a second braking actuators associated with wheels of a respective axle or a respective bogie of a railway vehicle and to which there are connected a first electro-pneumatic control assembly and a second electro-pneumatic control assembly respectively, each comprising a charging solenoid valve and a discharging solenoid valve adapted to cause an increase and a reduction, respectively, of a pneumatic pressure supplied to the corresponding braking actuators, and a control unit arranged to control the electro-pneumatic control assemblies as a function of a target braking pressure, so that the assemblies cause the application of respective pressures to the corresponding braking actuators.

Abstract: A parking assist device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: perform parking assist of a vehicle to automatically park the vehicle at a target position while restricting a vehicle speed to an upper limit or lower in accordance with an instruction of a user who is outside the vehicle; determine whether or not the vehicle moves on a road surface having a downhill grade along a travelling direction of the vehicle by the parking assist; and set the upper limit in the case where the vehicle is determined to move on the road surface having a downhill grade to be smaller than the upper limit in the case where the vehicle is not determined to move on the road surface having a downhill grade.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a wheel cylinder, a master cylinder including a master cylinder piston operable to translate between an unactuated position and an actuated position in a first mode of operation, a brake pedal operable to transition between an extended position corresponding to the unactuated position of the master cylinder and a retracted position corresponding to the actuated position of the master cylinder, and a booster located between the master cylinder and the brake pedal. The master cylinder is operable to selectively transfer a braking force from the brake pedal to the wheel cylinder in the first mode of operation. The booster is operable to hold the brake pedal in the retracted position in a second mode of operation without user input and without associated braking.

Abstract: A Venturi device for producing vacuum from fluids in an engine system has a body defining a Venturi gap separating apart an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section by a lineal distance, and a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The converging motive section and the diverging discharge section both gradually, continuously taper toward the Venturi gap, the converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet, and an inner passageway of the converging motive section transitions as a hyperbolic function from the motive inlet to the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster including a booster housing having at least one housing shell. The housing shell is designed to be substantially pot-shaped with a center axis, a base portion and a lateral portion, and the base portion has a curved or conical wall region. In order to offer a brake booster by which it is possible to cost-effectively realize improved adaptability to customer- and application-specific requirements with respect to the spatial connection arrangement, at least one flattened surface area is formed in a radial outer region of the base portion, is designed to be elongate in the circumferential direction and has, at its radial outer edge, at least two notches which are arranged with respect to one another in a defined grid pattern with a circle angle.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster for a hydraulic motor-vehicle brake system, including a booster housing, having a front and a rear housing shell, and at least one connecting pin, which is arranged in the booster housing such that the at least one connecting pin extends axially parallel to the center axis and which supports the booster housing from the inside by two supporting formations and which protrudes through the booster housing from the inside to the outside on at least one side by an end segment. In order to ensure simple intermediate handling of the brake booster before and during the assembly of the brake system and to improve the durability and corrosion resistance, the housing shells are arranged in such a way that the housing shells are each connected to the connecting pin such that the housing shells are secured against being axially moved apart from each other.

Abstract: A check valve of this negative pressure-type booster device is provided with: a cylindrical section that is integrally formed with a shell disposed on one side, communicates with a connection pipe, and is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding toward the inside of a housing; and a valve body section that is disposed inside the cylindrical section, and is axially fitted, within the cylindrical section, to the cylindrical section such that air is permitted to flow from a negative pressure chamber to the connection pipe while the air is prohibited from flowing from the connection pipe to the negative pressure chamber.

Abstract: A brake arrangement including hybrid brake actuators includes pneumatic and electric brake actuators, and is designed to overcome pneumatic failures by electrical brake actuators. The pneumatic can thus be lightened and less energy consuming. In particular, only one compressed air tank can be used for all the axles.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies configured to control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies includes a first brake assembly integrated with a smart actuator unit including a first actuator controller and a first electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel coupled to the first brake assembly. A second brake assembly excludes an actuator controller and has installed therein a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel coupled to the second brake assembly. At least one electronic actuator driver unit is remotely located from the first and second brake assemblies, and is configured to output a high-power signal that drives the first and second electro-mechanical actuators in response to receiving a digital command signal from the first actuator controller.

Abstract: An electric parking brake for an automotive vehicle comprises a brake caliper having first and second bores. A first piston is mounted in the first bore and a second piston is mounted in the second bore. A first actuator supports the first piston and a second actuator supports the second piston. The first and second actuators are controlled individually.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrohydraulic motor vehicle braking system and to a method for operating an electrohydraulic motor vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A brake unit having a container which serves for accommodating working fluid and which is arranged with at least one connector piece in a receiving bore and which is sealed off by a sealing element which extends radially around the connector piece. In order to offer a simple, inexpensive and pressure-tight interface between connector piece in a receiving bore, it is proposed that a form fit transversely with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the connector piece is formed by a displacement of the material of the sealing element during the installation of the connector piece in the receiving bore.

Abstract: Transportable system for the diagnosis, evaluation and prediction of leakages in hydraulic circuits of low pressure between 0 to 7 bar and of high pressure from 0 to 170 bar, quickly and safely for the operator is provided having a first independent circuit of high pressure and low flow and a second independent circuit of low pressure and high flow wherein the first independent circuit comprises: a first pressure subsystem, which delivers pressure to a first 4/3 valve with ports A, B, P and T, which is actuated by first solenoids, to deliver pressure to a first coupling A or to a first coupling B, in fluid communication with the ports A and B of the first 4/3 valve respectively a computer arranged to control the pressure of each pressure subsystem and associated method.

Abstract: A vehicle control device comprises: a downshift control part (51) configured, upon issuance of a downshift request for downshifting an automatic transmission (200), to execute a downshift control of downshifting the automatic transmission (200) and driving an engine torque regulating mechanism to increase an output torque of an engine (10); a vehicle attitude control part (53) configured, upon satisfaction of a condition that the vehicle is traveling and a steering angle-related value pertaining to a steering angle of a steering device increases, to execute a vehicle attitude control of reducing the output torque of the engine (10) to generate deceleration of the vehicle so as to control vehicle attitude; and a downshift suppression part (55) configured, when the vehicle attitude control is executed, to suppress the execution of the downshift control.

Abstract: A revolution rate sensor configured to detect a revolution rate of a first input shaft and an ECU configured to estimate the revolution rate of the first input shaft using another method which is not based on detection of the revolution rate sensor are provided, and the ECU performs engagement permission determination of a switching mechanism associated with the lowest shift stage in first engagement switching mechanisms using an estimated value of the revolution rate of the first input shaft estimated by the ECU when it is determined that a revolution rate of the first input shaft cannot be detected normally by the revolution rate sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to controlling engine operating points and power for full throttle command in an off-highway vehicle, such as a diesel electric haul truck, to increase fuel efficiency. In one example, a system includes an engine and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a target engine horsepower and associated target engine speed, command the engine to operate at a first engine speed above the target engine speed, adjust a load placed on the engine to reach the target engine speed, and command the engine to operate at a second engine speed to reach the target engine horsepower.

Abstract: A method for calculating in advance the consumption of a motor vehicle provided with at least one drive motor in a drivetrain, wherein the power levels of differentiated predicted energies describing the predicted operation of the motor vehicle, which are required to complete a route that is known in advance and include input data obtained from the route data, are determined, wherein the predicted energies are assigned in dependence on the associated power levels and at least one used operating strategy proportionally to the different efficiency models of the drive train, and while using the efficiency model from the predicted energy components associated with the efficiency model, the energy used from an associated energy storage device is determined as consumption or as a variable determining consumption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is couple to a transmission in response to a transmission upshift to reduce transmission output shaft torque disturbances.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a drive system (3, 203) of a hybrid vehicle (1, 201), a performance-oriented mode or a consumption-oriented mode can be selected for the drive system, whereby, when the consumption-oriented mode is selected, in the case of a first condition, the method involves: controlling the drive system in a parallel boost hybrid mode of operation in which the internal combustion engine (5, 205) and additionally the first electric machine and/or the second electric machine delivers a drive torque until a criterion is met that depends on the duration of the operation and/or on the energy conversion in the parallel boost hybrid mode of operation, and if the criterion is met, changing over to a serial hybrid mode of operation in which the drive torque is delivered by means of the second electric machine (11, 211), and the internal combustion engine (5, 205) powers the first electric machine (9, 209) in order to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of an engine are presented. In one example, a position of a throttle is adjusted along with other actuators to improve engine starting.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission, where the transmission is downstream of the engine, and where the electric machine is downstream of the transmission. In one example, responsive to a driver-demanded wheel torque that exceeds a capacity of the electric machine, a vehicle acceleration plateau is avoided by transiently connecting a crankshaft of the engine to a low speed input shaft of the transmission while the engine is accelerating to a target speed.