Abstract: A shock caused due to a change in the direction of torque transferred to an output shaft is reduced. There is provided a control device for a powertrain including a drive power source that transfers torque to an output shaft connected to a wheel of a vehicle, and a rotary electric machine that transfers torque to the output shaft via a transmission. When electric power generation performed using the rotary electric machine is restricted, if torque that decelerates the vehicle is transferred from the drive power source to the output shaft, a control is executed so that torque that does not decelerate the vehicle is transferred from the drive power source to the output shaft, and a shift control over the transmission is executed.

Abstract: A braking system and method provided for a utility vehicle pneumatically coupled to a trailer. The system has an electronic control unit, a valve device that can be electrically connected by the at least one electronic control unit, the valve device building up pressure for the trailer braking system when connected, causing the trailer to brake, and a pressure sensor which detects the pressure for the trailer braking system and transmits a corresponding signal to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit can influence the pressure generated for the trailer braking system by pulsed connection of the valve device, taking into account the pressure detected by the pressure sensor for the trailer braking system.

Abstract: A control method for an engine of a vehicle includes generating a brake value indicative of an operating condition of a brake system of the vehicle, and selectively adjusting one of a fuel control value of the engine and a fuel adjustment diagnostic value for the engine based on the brake value. In the method, a mass of fuel delivered to the engine is based on the fuel control value, and a diagnostic result indicative of lean operation of the engine is based on the fuel adjustment diagnostic value. The brake operating condition is selected from a group including a state of operation, a pedal displacement, an actuation period, a fluid operating pressure, and a power assist pressure. The fuel control value is provided.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for limiting, in a first operating condition, a motor vehicle internal-combustion engine torque. The operating condition, resulting from an operation of a motor vehicle brake, when the engine torque is simultaneously demanded by a driver's intention indicator, differs from a second operating condition, in which the brake is not operated. The limiting takes place at least partially by way of a controlled reduction of an advance angle efficiency in the first operating condition in comparison to the second operating condition.

Abstract: A braking/driving force control device for changing output torque by controlling torque or a rotation number of a power source includes means for setting a plurality of ranges by a plurality of parameters including an output rotation number, range judging means that judges that a range corresponds to any of the plurality of ranges based on the parameter while driving, and controlling means (S007) that controls the torque or the rotation number of the power source based on a driving environment and a range judgment result by the range judging means. This enables driving regulation control by, for example, a driving environment other than intentional shifting operation by a driver, in a vehicle of a type without a transmission.

Abstract: A device for automatically controlling vehicle speed, including a processor, wherein the processor includes logic to determine a vehicle acceleration rate value, wherein the processor is configured to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed, a second signal indicative of a second local required speed received after the first signal, a third signal indicative of a value of a current vehicle speed, and information that enables the processor to determine the vehicle acceleration rate value, wherein the processor further includes logic to automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on the first local required speed, the second local required speed, the current vehicle speed, and the determined vehicle acceleration rate value, and automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the new set vehicle speed.

Abstract: A system for controlling a foundation brake of a vehicle. The system includes an adaptive cruise control (ACC) device, an arrangement to detect or predict excessive use of the foundation brake and an arrangement to disengage the ACC device on detection of excessive use of the foundation brake of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle having an anti-lock braking system comprises under conditions of degraded operation of an anti-lock braking system, restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during deceleration vehicle operating conditions. According to another aspect, the method comprises under conditions where the anti-lock braking system is functioning, disabling fuel injection during at least some deceleration operations; and under conditions of degraded operation of the anti-lock braking system, restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during deceleration vehicle operating conditions. By considering the functioning of an ABS, it is possible to deactivate fuel injection during some deceleration operations during one condition to realize fuel economy gains and disable the deactivation of fuel injection at another condition to reduce engine stalls. Thus, the deceleration fuel shut off strategy may be used aggressively for improved fuel economy.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle operated by a driver may comprise detecting actuation of a braking device of the vehicle by the driver; calculating a parameter indicative of an actual amount of braking effort by said driver based on vehicle conditions; and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on said parameter. The method can adjust a number of cylinders carrying out combustion, fuel cut operation, a level of powertrain output torque (positive, and/or negative), and/or other engine parameters.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid drive of a vehicle is described, the hybrid drive including as propulsion motors an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor/generator, and the output shafts of the propulsion motors being operatively linkable to a power train of the vehicle. The propulsion motors and an electrically activatable braking system of the vehicle are activated in a coordinated manner as a function of a negative torque request, taking this negative torque request into account.

Abstract: A safety system and method for a manual transmission vehicle with a remote starter is provided. The system includes a motion transducer module detecting motion of the vehicle and a controller module deciding erroneous starting of the vehicle and stopping the vehicle when erroneous starting is decided. The controller module receives motion data from the motion transducer module. A baseline is set in the detected motion data, and the controller module calculates number of baseline crossings that occur within a predetermined time frame in the motion data. The controller module decides erroneous starting based on the number of baseline crossings. The controller module adjusts the baseline based on averaged motion data from the motion transducer module when the remote starter is inactive.

Abstract: In a driving condition control system, a sensing unit is configured to sense a first physical quantity indicative of a rotation of the first rotatable axle assembly and a second physical quantity indicative of a rotation of the second rotatable axle assembly. A correcting unit is configured to correct the torque according to the sensed first and second physical quantities of the rotations of the first and second rotational axle assemblies. This allows the torque to be precisely obtained.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine having at least one cylinder and an electric machine that drives the engine during a start-up period. A control module monitors a rotational speed of the engine and regulates torque generated by the electric machine based on the rotational speed during the start-up period and a maximum discharge power available to power the electric machine.

Abstract: In a driving condition control system, a sensing unit senses a first physical quantity indicative of a rotation of the first rotatable axle assembly and a second physical quantity indicative of a rotation of the second rotatable axle assembly. A determining unit compares the first and second physical quantities of the rotations of the first and second rotational axle assemblies and determines whether a driving condition of the vehicle is unstable according to the compared result. As a result, the unstable condition of the vehicle can be rapidly detected without detecting a yaw moment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a variable-speed engine of a machine is provided. The machine may include a park-brake. The method may include receiving a signal indicating an engagement status of the park-brake. The method may also include operating the variable-speed engine at a first idle speed. Additionally, the method may include operating the variable-speed engine at a second idle speed, lower than the first idle speed, only if the signal indicates that the park-brake is engaged.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus is provided that distributes an engine braking torque Tbe to the front and rear wheels in accordance with an ideal braking torque distribution to suppress and prevent the tendency for one of either the front or rear wheels to lock when the engine braking torque operates. When the road surface friction state is a low friction state and the engine braking torque operates, the brake control apparatus derives an engine braking torque Tbe and distributes the engine braking torque Tbe to the front and rear wheels in accordance with the ideal braking torque distribution. In addition, when the engine braking torque reduction amount is small, the engine drives a generator connected to the engine. When the friction state between the wheels and the road surface is not in the low friction state, the generator attached to the engine is operated as a motor that supplements driving of the engine to reduce the engine braking torque of the engine.

Abstract: An engine deceleration control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is arranged to prohibit correcting an air quantity supplied to the engine when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of an accelerator of the engine is within a first predetermined time period, or when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of a lockup clutch of a torque converter is within a second predetermined time period or when a shifting of a transmission connected to the engine is being executed, and to cancel prohibiting the correction of the supplied air quantity when a braking operation is executed.

Abstract: A method and a device for protecting a torque converter of an automatic transmission from overheating during standing-start of a motor vehicle, a slipping wheel being decelerated by a traction control system by a braking intervention. To improve the protective function of the traction control system, the energy loss converted in the torque converter or a value proportional to it is calculated and the engine torque is reduced if a specified threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: A hybrid type vehicle drive control device for preventing an engine from being stalled as a generator fixing mechanism is released. The hybrid type vehicle drive control device includes a generator connected differentially rotatably and mechanically to the engine, a generator fixing mechanism for mechanically stopping the rotation of the generator, a braking state decision device for deciding a braking state by a braking brake and a release control device for releasing the generator fixing mechanism when it is decided that an abrupt braking has been performed. When the abrupt braking is performed, the generator fixing mechanism can be released to prevent the engine speed from lowering and the engine from being stalled.

Abstract: A safety device for a remotely-activated power supplying system of a manual transmission vehicle includes a starting safety unit connected to a main controller for detecting the presence of a safety condition, and an ignition key detector connected to the main controller for detecting if an ignition key is uprooted from a key-operated power supplying system. Thus, the main controller can be configured to activate a power supplying device to supply electric power to an ignition system when a wirelessly transmitted start signal is received by the main controller, when the safety condition is detected by the starting safety unit, and when the ignition key detector detects that the ignition key is uprooted.

Abstract: A brake negative pressure control apparatus and method, and an engine control unit for an internal combustion engine are provided for ensuring a negative pressure within a brake booster and a stable combustion while avoiding a complicated control. The brake negative pressure control apparatus comprises a negative pressure sensor for detecting a negative pressure within the brake booster, and an ECU for disabling the combustion mode to be set to the stratified combustion when the detected negative pressure is lower than a first predetermined negative pressure. The ECU controls a throttle valve opening in accordance with a target throttle valve opening in a homogeneous combustion mode when the ECU disables the combustion mode to be set to the stratified combustion.

Abstract: A driver authentication apparatus and method permits a vehicle driver to be identified using a simpler method without using an ID card or the like, and without performing any special operation. The apparatus has a feature amount storing section for storing preset feature data of each registered driver; an operation detecting section for detecting an operation performed by the driver, and outputting data indicating details of the operation; and a feature data managing section for storing the data output from the operation detecting section and generating operation feature data of the driver based on the stored data, and comparing the operation feature data with the preset feature data stored in the feature amount storing section and determining any identity between the compared operation and preset feature data.

Abstract: An electronic air charge controller for a tractor trailer vehicle air brake system includes a micro controller, a first pressure sensor interface coupled to the micro controller, a second pressure sensor interface coupled to the micro controller, and a vehicle control protocol interface coupled to the micro controller. The micro controller, in response to a signal received from the first pressure sensor interface indicative of an air supply recharge condition, a signal received from the second pressure sensor indicative of parking brake engagement condition, and a signal from the vehicle control protocol interface indicative of an engine start condition, supplies a maximum engine speed control signal to the vehicle control protocol interface. The time required to charge the air supply system to the required normal operating level is thereby minimized. In addition, a transmission sensor interface is preferably coupled to the micro controller.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle with a butterfly valve, where the butterfly valve is opened and a fuel supply is cut off when the vehicle is in an overrun phase, the method including the steps of determining a first value of a position of the butterfly valve during the overrun phase as a function of a vehicle speed and an engine rpm value at a beginning of the overrun phase, adjusting the butterfly valve to the first value during the overrun phase; and adjusting the butterfly valve to a second value, which is calculated as a function of the vehicle speed and the engine rpm's, instead of to a value based on a gas pedal position for a certain predetermined time after an end of the overrun phase.

Abstract: A brake negative pressure control apparatus and method, and an engine control unit for an internal combustion engine are provided for ensuring a negative pressure within a brake booster and a stable combustion while avoiding a complicated control. The brake negative pressure control apparatus and method, and engine control unit are for use with an internal combustion engine of an in-cylinder direct fuel injection type which is configured to set a combustion mode to a stratified combustion or a homogeneous stoichiometric combustion based on a required output in accordance with at least an opening of an accelerator pedal and an operating condition of the internal combustion engine, and is equipped with a brake booster for increasing a braking force of a brake with a negative pressure introduced from an intake pipe.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a motor, a hydrodynamic retarder, at least one pump, at least one feed line for feeding operating medium to the retarder, and at least one bypass line which conveys operating medium past the retarder. A device for directing the flow of operating medium is arranged upstream of the retarder in the direction of flow. The device can feed the operating medium through the retarder via the feed line, feed the operating medium past the retarder via a bypass line, or divide the total flow of operating medium into at least two predetermined parts. A first predetermined part of the operating medium is fed through the retarder via the feed line. A second predetermined part of the operating medium is conveyed past the retarder via the bypass line.

Abstract: The combined control unit is designed with a manual drive stage input unit (2) for the vehicle gear setting and an electronic selection signal unit (5) connected at vehicle control bus (1) also electronic gearbox control (7) connected to bus, which controls the actuators (8,9) for adjusting the gearbox in the respective desired gear stage signaled by the selection unit. An electronic hand brake unit (10) is provided with an electronic hand braking function control unit (11), also hand brake input unit (12) for deactivating-activating the hand braking function and an actuator (13) for the vehicle brake. A brake pedal sensor (14) is coupled to the control bus across an interface (15). The running control of the various components is carried out, so that with the choice of the parking setting at the drive stage input unit is established across the selection signaling unit and the control bus, activates the hand brake unit and the vehicle brake.

Abstract: An engine automatic start stop control apparatus controls an engine of a vehicle to be automatically stopped or started in response to driving conditions of a vehicle. Particularly, the apparatus is applied to the vehicle that performs idle stop control for reduction of discharge gas. Herein, the apparatus controls the engine to restart based upon determination for restarting the engine under an engine stop mode. Namely, the apparatus controls the engine to restart if a driver depresses a clutch pedal or if a driver does not depress a brake pedal during an engine stall in which engine speed becomes zero. Thus, it is possible to restart the engine by prescribed operations even if the driver mistakenly recognizes that the engine is stopped by automatic stop control although the engine actually stalls due to an error operation of the driver so that the engine speed becomes zero.

Abstract: The invention provides a strategy to stop a parallel HEV powertrain engine while maintaining smooth vehicle response to driver demand using the motor while simultaneously opening an engine disconnect clutch. In the preferred embodiment, the strategy stops an engine (based on, for example, driver demand), disconnects the disconnect clutch to the powertrain, halts fuel to the engine, and predicts a desired motor/generator speed. The prediction of desired motor/generator speed can be: a trajectory comparison based on present and past vehicle velocity and deceleration or on a vehicle accelerator position, or a determination of whether the vehicle is in speed following control mode. The system can also add additional strategies such as accelerate the strategy if a vehicle brake is applied. The gradual takeover by the motor occurs by proportionally decreasing actual engine torque until engine torque is zero while maintaining vehicle velocity using for example a proportional plus integral controller.

Abstract: A geared motor in which user needs for change gear ratios are met with flexibility and reliability, and an increase in noise is suppressed. The geared motor comprises a motor unit and a change gear unit for transmitting rotational power from this motor unit in combination. A simple planetary roller unit including a simple planetary roller mechanism and a casing for accommodating this simple planetary roller mechanism is interposed between the change gear unit and the motor unit. The simple planetary roller mechanism has a sun roller, planetary rollers, and a ring roller. Flange portions spreading outward in the radial directions of the sun roller are formed on both axial ends of the casing. One of the flange portions is coupled to the motor unit, and the other is to the change gear unit. Moreover, the geared motor is configured so that rotational power from the motor unit is transmitted to the change gear unit through the simple planetary roller unit.

Abstract: Operation of a vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, is prevented or modified if operation of the vehicle would be dangerous or destructive due to a brake system abnormality. A motor controller limits the speed of a moving vehicle if a brake system reservoir pressure is below a predetermined threshold or if parking brakes are applied. Additionally, if there is a brake system abnormality, the motor controller limits the motor torque produced in a stationary or slowly moving vehicle. Electronically controlled brake system control modules are recruited to monitor brake system status information and report abnormalities to the motor controller. Preferably, the electronically controlled brake control modules communicate with the motor controller over a serial link.

Abstract: In braking/driving force controlling apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a state discriminating section discriminates between a parking state in which a manipulation for the vehicle to be parked is carried out and a non-parking state in which no manipulation for the vehicle to be parked is carried out, a controller detects a manipulated variable of a manual input section, generates a constant target vehicle speed corresponding to the detected manipulated variable in a case where the state discriminating section discriminates the parking state, calculates a vehicular braking/driving force for a present vehicle speed to become the target vehicle speed, and controls the vehicular braking/driving force on the basis of the calculated braking/driving force.

Abstract: A neutral safety switch (NSS) is described for use with a remote engine starting system. The NSS may be attached to each of an emergency brake on, door open, engine running and motion sensor. By sensing the state of the sensor inputs, the NSS determines that the emergency brake has been set, that the vehicle transmission is in neutral and that the driver and passengers have left the vehicle, and if these conditions are not met, disables the remote starting system. The NSS may be used with automatic or manual transmission vehicles.

Abstract: A motorcycle has an engine and other components that are controlled based upon output from an acceleration sensor. The motorcycle also has an alarm system that uses the same acceleration sensor to detect vibrations indicative of a potential theft of the vehicle. Various routines of controlling a fuel pump and operation of the engine are disclosed based upon the sensed operating characteristics of the motorcycle.

Abstract: An engine control system and method is disclosed, which reduces driver's feeling of unease relating to the operation of driving a vehicle which is idle-controlled so as to reduce the exhaust gas discharge, thereby improving the driving operability. The method comprising the steps of detecting a switch of the driving mode of the vehicle from a first normal driving range to a second normal driving range different from the first normal driving range; detecting whether the engine is currently in a stopped state due to an automatic stop operation; detecting whether a brake for stopping the vehicle is currently being operated; and automatically starting the engine if it is determined that the engine is currently in a stopped state due to the automatic stop operation, and that the driving mode has been switched to the second normal driving range, and that the brake is not currently being operated.

Abstract: A method for establishing a defined active relationship between the operation of the accelerator pedal and the resulting braking torque of a vehicle is provided, in which the possible adjusting range of the accelerator pedal is divided into at least two control ranges. A first control range is defined below a first defined accelerator pedal angle. In the first control range, control elements which can cause a deceleration of the vehicle are controlled corresponding to a defined braking torque course. Preferably, the second control range is defined above a second defined accelerator pedal angle. Between the first and the second defined accelerator pedal angle, a third control range is defined, in which the control elements which can cause a deceleration or an acceleration are controlled such that the braking torque or the drive torque of the vehicle is, in each case, kept constant.

Abstract: The invention is based on a system for changing a signal representing rotational motion in a motor vehicle with first means for generating a first signal representing the rotational motion and a second means for generating at least one second signal representing additional information (direction of rotation, air gap, and/or brake lining wear). In addition, a third means is provided, by means of which the first signal (rotational speed signal) can be changed as a function of the second signal (direction of rotation, air gap, and/or brake lining wear). The essence of the invention is that the first means is designed in such a way that the first signal (rotational speed signal) assumes at least two first current values and/or two first voltage values.

Abstract: An automatic control for operating an engine retarder, service brakes, and an automatic transmission associated with earth moving equipment is provided. The automatic control monitors engine speed and responsively produces control signals to maintain engine speed within predetermined limits.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fast accelerating a vehicle which converts to a fast acceleration mode, wide-opens a throttle valve, increases the torque of a transmission, locks up a transmission after gearshifting a transmission to a high gear position if the torque of the transmission reaches a predetermined value, and converts from a fast acceleration mode to a normal acceleration mode if a brake pedal is depressed. In the fast acceleration mode, a fuel-air mixture is injected into the engine asynchronously and the throttle valve is wide-opened. A vehicle can be accelerated quickly by just a narrow depression of an accelerator pedal. The apparatus comprises a mode switch, an accelerator pedal sensor, a first control unit for controlling a vehicle under a normal acceleration mode, a motor for wide-opening the throttle valve, and a second control unit for controlling a vehicle under a fast acceleration mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a braking system, specifically for a motor vehicle, with a hydrodynamic retarder featuring a stator impeller wheel and a rotor impeller wheel, a working medium sump, and a control device for controlling the degree of working space filling of the retarder. The control device includes a proportional valve as well as a connecting line to the sump, and the sump communicates with the working space of the retarder by way of a riser duct. A venting duct communicable with the sump whereby air pressure generated by the non-braking operation of the retarder can be vented from the sump to the atmosphere thereby providing a pressure balance of the forces acting on the level of the working medium sump.

Abstract: A running control apparatus for an automobile prevents an abnormal running state by depressing a brake pedal even when a fault takes place in the component(s) of the control apparatus. When a detected brake pedal depression stroke exceeds a predetermined value, an electric power supply to a throttle actuator is interrupted to thereby allow a throttle valve to assume a fully closed position.