Abstract: A control device and control method for a hybrid vehicle is disclosed having an electric storage detecting section 13 which detects a state of charge (SOC) of an electric storage device 10. A target running efficiency calculating section 14 serves as a unit to calculate a target value of a running efficiency, indicative of a proportion of a given physical quantity, in terms of a drive power rate required for driving the vehicle such that the higher the SOC detected value, the smaller will be the target value.

Abstract: An electromechanical coupler for enhancing the energy consumption efficiency of linking a drive to an output device. The system comprises a lever arm bracket, an elongated lever arm with first and second ends and pivotally mounted to the bracket, a connection for associating the drive to the first end of the lever arm, a rotational output drive shaft coupled to the output device, a linkage for associating the lever arm second end to the output drive shaft, and an energy input controller associated with the output drive shaft that is in electrical communication with the drive for activating and deactivating at selected time intervals the flow of energy to the drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling a vehicle is provided for correcting a lowered value of the torque of an output shaft in the gear shifting and suppressing a revolution speed of an input shaft on the basis of the lowered torque correction. The torque of the input shaft is adjusted at the termination of the gear shifting on the basis of the lowered torque correction.

Abstract: A series electric drivetrain includes a multiple speed, mechanically-shifted transmission driven by a pair of electric motors. Input power is provided by both electric motors during operation in any given speed ratio, and by only one of the electric motors during shifting between speed ratios. During shifting, the motor not providing input power is released from the output, and accelerated or decelerated to a post-shift speed. When the released motor reaches the post-shift speed, a clutch is synchronously engaged to complete the shift, and the motors resume a shared supply of the transmission input power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel flow and spark within the engine to create combustion. A measuring device is then used to determine the crankshaft speed. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured variations in crankshaft speed exceed a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is determined to be occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.

Abstract: By preventing engagement of an engaging part (clutch) under appropriate conditions, it is possible to effectively avoid the so-called surging phenomenon. When there is an engaging directive for the clutch, the rotational speed of the engaging element positioned at the output shaft side of the drive/regeneration motor (the clutch output rotational speed) is detected, and the gear ratio of the CVT is detected, and when the product of the rotational speed of the engaging element and the gear ratio of the CVT is equal to or below a predetermined value, complete engagement between the engaging elements is prevented, and control is conducted which makes the gear ratio large.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor drive controller for a vehicle having an engine and a motor disposed therein as a vehicle-propulsion system, the motor having both driving and power-generating functions, comprising: an engine controller for controlling a running state of the engine; motor controller for controlling both driving and power-generating states of the motor in a manner independent of control over the engine gained by the engine controller; engine speed-detector for detecting an engine revolution of the engine; and, engine load-detector for detecting an engine load. The motor controller includes a map defined by respective detection signals from the engine speed detector and the engine load-detector. The motor controller functions to provide alternative control between driving and power generation of the motor in response to a torque instruction value that is retrieved from the map.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a vehicle, including a vehicle velocity sensor; an engine rotational speed sensor; a first clutch switch which becomes off when a clutch is fully engaged, and successively from the fully engaged state becomes on just before the clutch is placed in a partially engaged state; a second clutch switch which becomes off when a clutch is fully released, and successively from the fully released state becomes on just before the clutch is placed in a partially engaged state; and a motor control device for controlling so as to generate electricity by the motor, determining as the approval of the idling power-generating control state, when at least one of the following two conditions is satisfied: the condition that a vehicle velocity is zero and an engine rotational speed exceeds zero, and the condition that a vehicle velocity is zero and the second clutch switch is off.

Abstract: A pivot-hung door drive system with an electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic drive device that supplies the opening and closing moment required to open and close a connected pivot-hung door panel, whereby an electronic regulation/control system with at least one memory and at least one microprocessor, on the basis of sensor signals, controls the opening or closing moment by means of a gear wheel that is located on an output shaft, which gear wheel is connected by means of a linkage and an actuator arm with the pivot-hung door panel, whereby between the output shaft of the pivot-hung door drive system and the linkage or the actuator arm, there is a device that effects a change in the opening and closing moment over the angle of rotation of the pivot-hung door panel.

Abstract: Method for minimizing driver perceptible drive train disturbances during take-off in a hybrid electric vehicle when maximized power is often desired is disclosed. The method includes sensing an actual state-of-charge (SOC) value of a battery in a hybrid electric vehicle and a traveling velocity of the vehicle during take-off operation. The sensed actual SOC value is compared with a SOC reference value and computing a delta SOC value as a difference therebetween. A velocity-based SOC calibration factor is looked up that corresponds to the traveling velocity of the vehicle. A combination is utilized of the delta SOC value and the SOC calibration factor as a SOC feedback engine speed control instruction to an engine controller of the hybrid electric vehicle. A driver's desired vehicular acceleration is sensed based on accelerator position.

Abstract: The invention comprises an actuator controlled harmonic drive transmission assembly for the speed and positional control of an output shaft of the harmonic drive transmission. The assembly includes a motor having a rotor shaft for providing rotational power to harmonic drive transmission and a control arrangement for permitting rotational positional and speed control between the rotor shaft and the output shaft of the harmonic drive transmission. The control arrangement may comprise an output speed, torque, vibration and/or rotational encoder mounted on the output shaft of the harmonic drive transmission. The control arrangement may comprise an output speed and rotational encoder mounted on the rotor shaft of the motor, each encoder feeding data to a control logic unit to control the motor driving the transmission.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having a dynamotor which operates as a motor for assisting the output of an internal combustion engine and which operates as a generator for regenerating the running energy of the vehicle. The control apparatus, in accordance with operating conditions of the vehicle, controls an assist operation for supplying electric power from a storage device to the dynamotor and a regenerative operation for charging the storage device by the generated power of the dynamotor, and determines an acceleration mode for performing an assist operation or a cruising mode for selectively performing the assist operation and a regenerative operation, in accordance with an engine rotational speed and a throttle valve opening degree, or a vehicle speed of the vehicle and the throttle valve opening degree.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a drive shaft driven by the engine, a generator for converting kinetic energy of the drive shaft to electrical energy to generate electric power, and an electrical storage device for storing electrical energy output from the generator, wherein idling of the engine is detected. An amount of electrical energy to be regenerated by the generator during the idling of the engine is calculated. An output from the generator is calculated based on the amount of electrical energy to be regenerated by the generator. An amount of intake air supplied to the engine is controlled in a manner such that the amount of intake air to be supplied to the engine is increased when the generator regenerates electrical energy during the idling of the engine. And an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine is controlled to a leaner value than a stoichiometric value during the idling of the engine.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle drive system including an electric motor operated by electric energy, an engine operated by the combustion of a fuel, a transmission, and a synthesizer mechanism. The synthesizer includes a hydraulically operated clutch system and mechanically synthesizes the output of the engine and the output of the electric motor for transmitting a resultant of these outputs to the transmission. The synthesizer mechanism and the transmission are disposed adjacent to each other, to simplify piping arrangements for supplying the clutch system with a working fluid and lubricating the synthesizer mechanism and transmission.

Abstract: An electric machine which can be operated optionally as a motor or generator and in particular can be installed in the drive train of a motor vehicle with a hybrid drive. The machine includes a stator and a rotor of substantially cylindrical shape, The rotor is positioned about the stator to form a circumferential air gap between the stator and the rotor. An integrated switchable clutch is provided for the transmission of torque. The rotor is arranged on the outside (external-rotor machine) of the stator and the clutch is arranged within the stator.