Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle including an electric motor and an engine as drive force sources, the hybrid vehicle being configured to execute engine running using the engine as the drive force source for running and motor running using the electric motor as the drive force source for running with the engine stopped, the control device having a predefined running performance oriented running mode such as a sport running mode and a predefined large drive force running mode with a lower requirement degree of start acceleration performance as compared to the running performance oriented running mode, in the predefined running performance oriented running mode, the motor running being inhibited, the engine running being performed in an operation range in which the motor running is normally performed, and the engine being retained in an operating state at the time of vehicle stop, and in the predefined large drive force running mode, the motor running being inhibited, the engine running being performed in t

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular system of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine (3) which has a dual-mass flywheel (5) with a hub (4), having a transmission (8) and having a hybrid module (10) which has an electric motor (9), wherein the transmission (8) has a transmission input shaft (6) and the hybrid module (10) has a hybrid module input shaft (7), wherein the transmission (8) or the hybrid module (10) can be connected alternatively with its respective input shaft (6, 7) to the hub (4) of the dual-mass flywheel (5). Particularly flexible production is made possible in this way.

Abstract: A drive train (1) of a solely electrically driven motor has an axle (2) with first and second axle sections (4, 5) connected to different outputs of a differential (35). The drive train also has a first and second electric motors (13, 14) that co-operate with first and second transmissions (15) respectively to drive the axle (2). A first clutch can connect the first transmission (15) to an entry wheel (34) of the differential (35) for driving the two axle sections (4, 5) of the axle (2). A second clutch (37) can connect the first transmission (15) to the first axle section (4) while the first clutch (36) is open and a third clutch (38) can connect the second transmission (16) to a second axle section (5) while the first clutch (36) is open.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to control apparatuses for hybrid vehicles which permit starting of an engine and a shift-down action of a transmission, while assuring a reduction of heat generated by a clutch and an improvement of a response of the hybrid vehicle to a vehicle operator's desire for high drivability. In one embodiment, the control apparatus controls the hybrid vehicle such that, when the transmission is required to be shifted down while the hybrid vehicle is switched from the motor drive mode to the engine drive mode, a rate of change of the input speed of said transmission is lower than when only the shift-down action is required to be performed, such that the rate of change of the input speed is relatively low when the input speed of the transmission to be established upon completion of the shift-down action is relatively high.

Abstract: In order to provide a hybrid drive system that suppresses a useless change of a pump driving path and that has a high durability, a plurality of drive sources, an output mechanism that outputs rotational power to an outside on the basis of those operation states, a control device that controls the operation states of the drive sources, an oil pump, and a pump input selecting mechanism that causes the oil pump to be driven with one of a plurality of rotary shafts to which power from the corresponding drive sources is inputable, are included, and the control device controls the rotation speeds (V1, V2) of the plurality of rotary shafts to unequal speeds by controlling the operation state of one of the plurality of drive sources.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle operates in an electric-drive-only mode and one or more modes using an internal combustion engine. A control pedal is movable to respective positions by a driver for indicating a desired vehicle motion. A controller selectably activates the engine according to instantaneous values of a variable wheel output demand and a variable pull-up threshold. The pedal position is converted to a respective instantaneous wheel output demand in response to an initial value from a mapping relationship that is modified in response to a difference between the initial value and the variable pull-up threshold. The pull-up threshold may preferably be dynamically determined according to a state of charge of a battery for powering the electric drive. The modification to the wheel output demand preferably reduces the slope of the mapping relationship near the pull-up threshold to reduce pedal position sensitivity in a region near the dynamically varying pull-up threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and a method of controlling motor vehicle operation. The method may include: setting a creep torque as a minimum torque; setting a maximum torque as a sum of a maximum torque of an engine and a maximum torque of a motor; monitoring an acceleration pedal position sensor (APS) value; calculating a demand torque according to the APS value; setting a filter coefficient for filtering the demand torque according to an operating condition of the vehicle; and filtering the demand torque by means of the filter coefficient.

Abstract: It is provided a control device of a vehicle power transmission device including: a torque limiter device blocking transmission of a torque amount exceeding a predetermined torque with operation involving differential rotation between a first rotating member and a second rotating member; and an electric motor coupled to one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member in a power transmittable manner, wherein when a rotation speed difference is generated between the first rotating member and the second rotating member due to the operation of the torque limiter device, the electric motor is operated so as to suppress the rotation speed difference.

Abstract: In a vehicle and a method of controlling the same, a controller determines whether an idle-stop condition is satisfied or not when an engine is driven, and stops idling of the engine when it is determined that the idle-stop condition is satisfied. In addition, while the idling of the engine is stopped, when an operation order given to a fork driving cylinder by manipulation of a cargo handling lever is received, the controller starts the engine, and switches an oil pump for cargo handling of the fork driving cylinder to an on-load state before an engine revolution number reaches an idling revolution number region.

Abstract: The metallic case of a power conversion apparatus includes a casing having a side wall, as well as an upper case and a lower case, a first area being formed between a cooling jacket provided at the inner periphery of the side wall and the lower case, the metal base plate dividing the first area between the cooling jacket and the upper case into a lower side second area and an upper side third area, first and second power modules being fastened to a top surface and a capacitor module being provided in the first area, driving circuits that drive inverter circuits of the power modules respectively being provided in the second area, and a control circuit that controls the driver circuits being provided in the third area.

Abstract: The disconnect clutch and motor of a parallel type hybrid electric vehicle are repositioned within the wet zone of an automatic transmission to compactly and efficiently reconfigure a drive line using a motor and transmission assembly. A drive shell is provided interposed between the engine output and the disconnect clutch input which surrounds the torque converter enabling the torque converter to move independent to the engine output shaft. The resulting structure is compact and provides good structural support and cooling for the disconnect clutch and motor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a power storage device, a motor generator using electric power from the power storage device for generating driving force, and an ECU. The vehicle is capable of running with the operation mode selectively switched between the CS mode in which the vehicle runs utilizing the driving force from the engine and the motor generator, and the CD mode in which the vehicle runs preferentially utilizing the driving force from the motor generator in the state where the engine is stopped. When the OBD is performed for detecting a malfunction in the engine in the state where the CD mode is selected, the ECU keeps the operation mode being temporarily switched from the CD mode to the CS mode until the OBD is completed.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle comprises front and rear axle assemblies supported in mutually spaced relation by one or more vehicle frame members that also support a drive train comprising: a) one or more air compressors; b) one or more fuel sources; c) a fuel cell comprising one or more fuel cell modules; and d) one or more electric motors, that are operatively connected together. The air compressor feeds air to the fuel cell, the or each fuel source feeds fuel to the fuel cell and the electric motors are connected or connectable to the fuel cell such that electrical power generated during operation of the fuel cell causes activation of one or more of the motors to power the vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle drive system for use with a first prime mover and a transmission driven by the first prime mover. The system includes a second prime mover coupled to a rechargeable energy source, a split shaft PTO, and an accessory coupled to the split shaft PTO. The split shaft PTO is configured to couple to the second prime mover, and the accessory is configured to receive power from the second prime mover through the split shaft PTO.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Distance to Empty (DTE) calculation method for an electric vehicle, and more particularly, a DTE calculation method for an electric vehicle that provides a more accurate DTE calculation by estimating remaining available energy of an actual battery and using the estimated remaining available energy for calculation. The DTE calculation method includes obtaining a battery's initial available energy, calculating a battery's accumulative consumption energy consumed while driving a current accumulative driving distance, calculating a battery's remaining available energy from the initial available energy and the accumulative consumption energy, calculating a final fuel efficiency corresponding to driving the current accumulative driving distance, and calculating a DTE from the final fuel efficiency and the remaining available energy.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a utility vehicle (1) which operates with an internal combustion engine (12) and an electrical generator (80), motor (86) and storage means (84). Auxiliary hydraulic functions (93,94) may be powered by the electric motor (86). An output of the engine (12) is mechanically coupled to a multi-ratio transmission (10) which has a hydrostatic driveline (24) and an output which is mechanically coupled to propulsion means. With the engine switched off, the electric motor powers a hydraulic pump (91) which generates pressurized fluid to operate auxiliary functions. In addition, the pressurized fluid may be exploited in a secondary propulsion mode to drive a hydraulic motor (92) in the hydrostatic transmission to propel the vehicle in a low emission, low noise output mode.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of motors operatively connected with one another. The vehicle is powered with the plurality of motors individually and in combination with one another to primarily operate each of the plurality of motors within a predetermine efficiency range.

Abstract: There is provided a working vehicle that can continuously drive a working machine by electric power to improve the silence. The hydraulic pump is driven by the power of the motor generator that is driven by the electric power of an external power supply supplied via the power cable. By this means, when a crane operation is performed by the crane apparatus in a workplace with an external power supply, it is possible to continuously drive the hydraulic pump by the power of the motor generator, and therefore to continuously perform the crane operation of the crane apparatus, improving the silence.

Abstract: A high-voltage wiring structure in a vehicle includes an extending member extending in an extending direction which is a longitudinal direction or a width direction of the vehicle, a plurality of bulkheads respectively provided at a plurality of portions of the extending member in the extending direction, a high-voltage wire extended from a battery for driving the vehicle, and a pipe, in which the high-voltage wire is inserted, and which is surrounded by the extending member. A plurality of portions of the pipe in a longitudinal direction of the pipe are respectively fixed to the bulkheads by welding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-propelled type crane that has outriggers, provided at both ends of the front area and both ends of the rear area of the vehicle body, inclined downward from the top to the outside, thereby helping simply manufacture each outrigger with one cylinder, helps prevent each outrigger from falling down while the crane is operated to lift heavy loads, reduces electrical loss by operating only one of the electric motors and one of the hydraulic pumps when a small amount of power for operation is needed, and increases power output by using both the two electric motors and the two hydraulic pumps when a large amount of power for operation is needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting operating conditions of a genset, the apparatus including a processor circuit configured to select a set of operating points from a plurality of operating points of the genset each comprising an engine speed in a generator electrical output value and a plurality of cost values associated with operating the genset at respective operating points such that the sum of the cost values associated with the operating points in said set is minimized and such that the engine speed increases or decreases monotonically with monotonically increasing or decreasing electrical power output values.

Abstract: A hybrid drive of a motor vehicle includes a combustion engine, an electric machine, a gear box, and a superimposed transmission. The gearbox includes an input shaft, and first and second output shafts, and the input shaft is connected to the first and second output shafts via switchable spur gear stages. The superimposed transmission is connected non-rotatably to a hollow shaft arranged coaxially with the second output shaft. The hollow shaft is connected non-rotatably to an idler of an axially adjacent switchable spur gear stage via a first coupling-switching element, and the hollow shaft is fixed at a housing via an interlock switching device. A bridging contact member connects the hollow shaft to the superimposed transmission, and the superimposed transmission is also permanently connected to a rotor of the electric machine.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving device including an engine drive system transmitting a drive force of an engine to a transmission through a one-way clutch and transmitting a drive force after shifting by the transmission to a rear wheel and a motor drive system transmitting a drive force of a motor to the rear wheel, the drive force of the motor of the motor drive system is joined to a point upstream the transmission and downstream the one-way clutch in the engine drive system. The transmission includes a twin clutch capable of shifting between neighboring shift gears by alternately switching the connection state of a clutch on one side and a clutch on the other side, and is automatically shifted to produce an optional rotational speed and motor torque at which the electric power generation efficiency becomes high at the time of regeneration control of the motor.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine; a rotating electrical machine that rotates an output shaft of the internal combustion engine; and a control unit that performs automatic stop control for the internal combustion engine. The control unit causes the output shaft to rotate using the rotating electrical machine, when a stop period of the internal combustion engine according to the automatic stop control is equal to or longer than a first period.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a vehicle includes a first clutch and a second clutch, a first input shaft selectively connected with an engine through the first clutch and a second input shaft selectively connected with the engine through the second clutch, an electric supplement drive unit that is a motor generator performing functions of both of a motor and a generator and transmits a driving force to the second rotary shaft, a planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotating elements, in which the first rotating element is connected with the electric supplement drive unit through the second rotary shaft, the second rotating element is selectively connected with the engine through the first rotary shaft, and the third rotating element functions as a fixing element, and a shifting unit that shifts and outputs torque of the first input shaft of the input unit at several stages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle control apparatus which can prevent the deterioration of drivability. The ECU can set a control accelerator opening degree to be converted when a control permission condition is established. The control accelerator opening degree is equal to or larger than an accelerator lower limit which is larger than an idle determination value for determining an automatic stopping of an engine by an eco-run. The control accelerator opening degree thus set can prevent the drivability from being deteriorated without the automatic stopping of the engine being caused even if the accelerator opening degree is converted to reduce the torque of the engine with the establishment of the control permission condition.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electrical system of a vehicle with electric propulsion achieved by at least one electrical machine; the electrical system has: a storage section provided with at least one battery including of a plurality of cells, each of which is coupled in series with the other cells and is provided with a bypass branch that is coupled in parallel to the cell and has a bypass switch; a section of traction that interacts with the electric machine and is equipped with a power electronic converter that exchanges electrical energy with the storage section; and a section of the auxiliaries, which powers auxiliary services of the vehicle, has a buffer battery and is electrically powered by the storage section; a first connector switch coupling the storage section to the section of traction; and a second connector switch coupling the storage section to the section of the auxiliaries.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has a first running mode with an engine stopped and a second running mode with the engine operating. An ECU monitors information related to the frequency of intermittent startup of the engine in response to the startup and stoppage of the engine during vehicle running. The ECU executes running control such that startup of the engine is suppressed during the first running mode when in an operation pattern in which the frequency of intermittent startup is high. Accordingly, discomfort to the driver and degradation in fuel efficiency caused by repeating stoppage and startup of the engine frequently in a short period of time can be prevented.

Abstract: An electrical axle for a four wheeled road vehicle is provided. The electrical axle comprises an electrical propulsion motor (110) arranged coaxially on said axle (100), a differential mechanism (120) being connected to said electrical propulsion motor for driving two wheels arranged on a first side (160) and a second side (162) of said electrical axle (100), and an electrical torque vectoring motor (132) arranged coaxially on said axle (100) and connected to said fist side (160) and second side (162) for providing a change in torque distribution between said first side (160) and said second side (162) of said axle (100), wherein the diameter of the torque vectoring motor (132) is less than the diameter of the electrical propulsion motor (110).

Abstract: A power supply apparatus for a vehicle supplies/charges electric power to/from a power supply unit. The vehicle includes a first power-inverter circuit, a capacitor, high-resistance and low-resistance electric-paths between the capacitor and a battery, a first switching unit opening/closing the electric-paths, and a unit operating the first switching unit, when connecting between the battery and the first power-inverter circuit, in such a manner that after the high-resistance electric path is closed and the low-resistance electric path is opened, the high-resistance electric-path is opened and the low-resistance electric-path is closed.

Abstract: A starter arrangement for starting a motor vehicle engine, having a starter ring for connecting to a drive shaft, a starter unit for introducing a starter torque into the starter ring via a starter pinion acting on the starter ring, and a clutch connected to the starter ring for coupling the drive shaft to at least one transmission input shaft of a transmission. The clutch is spaced apart in the axial direction from the starter ring by an axial distance s, a forming reserved installation space for positioning an electric machine for a hybrid drive. The starter unit is positioned at least partially, preferably in large part, within the reserved installation space. A smaller installation space requirement for positioning a drive train in a motor vehicle body is possible by the sharing of the reserved installation space provided for the electric machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device in a self-propelled construction machine with a first driving unit, which provides for a first speed of rotation (n1). By means of a planetary gear the first speed of rotation (n1) is translated into a different speed of rotation (n3) at which a working device of the construction machine, in particular a milling rotor for processing ground surfaces, can be operated.

Abstract: A stationary charging system for charging a battery mounted in a vehicle using direct-current charging power includes a power unit for generating direct-current charging power, a plurality of charging units (CHG1 to CHG9) that constitute the power unit, a control unit (MCU), and a first CAN communication line for allowing data exchange between the control unit and the charging units, each of the charging units receives control command data transmitted by the control unit, and creates charging unit status data, and the control unit, and creates charging unit status data, and the control unit divides the charging units into charging unit groups 4-1, 4-2, and 4-3, and transmits the control command data at varying times, whereby the charging unit status data is received at varying times.

Abstract: A drive system (2) for a motor vehicle (1) has a transmission (11) for driving at least one drive axle (13, 14) of the motor vehicle (1). An internal combustion engine (3) optionally is connected operatively to the transmission (11) or decoupled therefrom. A first electric machine (17) optionally is connected operatively to the at least one drive axle (13, 14) or to an output shaft (39) of the transmission (11) or decoupled therefrom. A second electric machine (19) is connected operatively to the internal combustion engine (3).

Abstract: A torque control device for use in a hybrid vehicle equipped with a generator driven by an internal combustion engine has a command value calculator that calculates an engine torque command value and a rotation speed command value of the generator based on a target generation power of the generator set in accordance with a running state of the hybrid vehicle, a generator torque command value calculator that calculates a generator torque command value to cause a rotation speed calculation value to match the rotation speed command value, a generator controller that controls the generator based on the generator torque command value, a rotation speed detector that detects a rotation speed detection value of the generator, and a pulsation removal filter.

Abstract: A brake control system has a manual fluid pressure source and a power fluid pressure source. A fluid pressure actuator forms an X-pipe having a first channel and a second channel. The power fluid pressure source supplies the operating fluid to each wheel by using the first channel and the second channel. A channel system including the first channel and a channel system including the second channel can be isolated from each other by an isolation valve. The fluid pressure actuator includes a regulation unit configured to regulate a state of supplying the operating fluid such that a difference between a state occurring when the operating fluid is supplied to one of the first channel and the second channel after passing through the isolation valve, and a state occurring when the operating fluid is supplied to the other channel without passing through the isolation valve, is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an engine operation start control device of a hybrid vehicle comprising a power output device having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. In this hybrid vehicle, an intermittent control for intermittently operating the engine can be performed and when the operation of the engine is started during the intermittent control being performed, a cranking of the engine is performed until the engine speed reaches a target engine speed. According to the invention, in case that the operation of the engine is started when the speed of the hybrid vehicle is higher than or equal to a predetermined speed and a power required for the power output device is larger than or equal to a predetermined power, the engine speed, which increases as the speed of the hybrid vehicle increases, is set as the target engine speed.

Abstract: A hybrid drive module includes an electric machine with a stator arrangement and with a rotor arrangement which is coupled to a torsional vibration damping arrangement. The torsional vibration damping arrangement comprises an input region and an output region. A first torque transmission path and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in the first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.

Abstract: Provided is a hybrid construction machine capable of preventing overcharge, comprising: an engine; a generator-motor; a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic actuator to be operated by the hydraulic pump as a hydraulic pressure source; an actuator regeneration section to make a regenerative action of generating actuator regenerated-electric-power through return fluid from the hydraulic actuator; an electric storage device; a charging-rate detector; and a control section. The control section performs: causing the electric storage device to be charged with electric power generated by the generator-motor and the actuator regenerated-electric-power; causing the generator-motor to make a motor action through electric power stored in the electric storage device to assist the engine; and a regeneration control including stopping the generator action and restricting the actuator regenerated-electric-power, when a detected charging rate of the electric storage device is not smaller than a preset charging-rate limitation value.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a generator coupled with an internal combustion engine and configured to produce generated electrical power in response to operation of the internal combustion engine. The generator includes a rotor, a stator, and a clutch configured to selectively disengage the rotor. The vehicle also includes a controller coupled with the generator, a power receptacle, and an operator control device. Generators are also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement structure of an electricity-storage device of a vehicle, which comprises a pair of right-and-left front side frames, a dash panel partitioning a vehicle-compartment front portion at rear end portions of the front side frames, and a pair of front tires arranged on an outside, in a vehicle width direction, of the front side frames. The electricity-storage device is arranged on the outside, in the vehicle width direction, of the front side frame at a position between the dash panel and the front tire in a vehicle longitudinal direction such that the electricity-storage device overlaps a rear end portion of the front side frame (the kick-up portion, the protrusion portion) in a vehicle side view.

Abstract: An arrangement for a motor vehicle having an electric or hybrid engine includes a power supply battery and reinforcing elements to protect the battery from external stresses applied to the vehicle in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the vehicle, in particular in the event of an impact. The reinforcing elements are separate from the battery and separate from an enclosure of the battery in particular. The battery is attached to the reinforcing elements. First structural elements of the chassis of the vehicle are sandwiched and clamped between the battery and the reinforcing elements.

Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device releases one of the clutch and the brake when the engine is started in a drive mode in which the engine is at rest while the clutch and the brake are in an engaged state, selecting the one of the clutch and the brake to be released, depending upon a drive force generated during starting the engine.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle comprises a control unit configured to be electrically coupled to a drive system of the vehicle. The drive system includes at least one traction motor for providing motive power to the vehicle. The control unit is configured to control a torque output of the traction motor to hold zero speed or near zero speed of the vehicle on a grade without knowing information, in at least one mode of operation, about the grade and/or a load of the vehicle, and without a service brake of the vehicle being activated.

Abstract: The usage pattern of an electric vehicle including the amount of power consumption of a battery on each day of the week is extracted from usage histories of the vehicle in a predetermined period. When the vehicle goes home after one day's operation and is connected to a charging apparatus, a charge determination unit predicts a usage pattern of the vehicle on the next day and determines whether the vehicle can operate on the next day with the remaining amount of power of a battery in the vehicle. When it is determined that the charging of the battery is necessary, the battery is charged until it reaches the target remaining amount of power. The target remaining amount of power is determined on the basis of the amount of power consumption in the predicted usage pattern so that the full charge is prevented and the number of charges is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for informing, in a reassuring manner, the driver of a vehicle that is provided with a heat engine and a STT System for automatically stopping and restarting the engine. The method comprises the following steps: verifying that the driver requested the automatic engine stop; determining that the vehicle System does or does not allow the automatic stop; and if the automatic stop was properly requested and the vehicle System does not allow the automatic stop, informing the driver that not automatically stopping the engine is a normal opération.

Abstract: A lifting vehicle having two axles with respective differentials; a constant-velocity, universal joint drive connecting the differentials; a telescopic arm; and a hydraulic circuit powered by a hydraulic pump to operate the telescopic arm.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting structure for a battery and a fuel tank of a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. The mounting structure allows the battery to be disposed on one side of a propeller shaft, and the fuel tank to be disposed on the other side of the propeller shaft. The propeller shaft is disposed in the center of the vehicle and below the bearing surface of the rear seat, under the floor of the vehicle body so as to substantially extend in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A kinetic energy recovery system (“KERS system”) and motorcycle equipped with the same is disclosed. The KERS system may be mechanical, hydraulic, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, motorcycle includes a rear wheel, an electric motor, a motor shaft, and a front wheel equipped with a wheel hub that includes a sprag clutch. The motor shaft can be fitted with a motor drive sprocket that drives a jackshaft chain that in turn drives a jackshaft input sprocket that is fitted to the jackshaft. Jackshaft input sprocket may be installed in conjunction with a sprag clutch that allows the rear wheel to free wheel during coasting while the front wheel KERS system is engaged. The motor harvests kinetic energy from the front wheel without simultaneously powering the rear wheel while the use of a geared dead zone allows the front and rear wheels to not lock together to improve safety.

Abstract: A system and method for determining functionality of a single signal wire actuator of a vehicle monitor the signal wire for a heartbeat signal after commanding the actuator and waiting for a self-diagnostic period. In one embodiment, a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric heater, a heater core and a valve positioned to route coolant through an engine and/or an electric heater. An actuator positioned to circulate coolant through the electric heater and the heater core is configured to transmit a heartbeat signal while connected to a power source and a ground terminal. A vehicle controller may be configured to store a diagnostic code, start the engine and/or control the valve to selectively route coolant through the engine and the heater core in response to a heat request and the heartbeat signal not being received from the actuator within a predetermined interval of time.