Abstract: In a powertrain for motor vehicle that includes an engine, an electric machine able to function alternately as a motor and a generator, and a transmission whose input is driveably connected to the engine and the electric machine, a method for controlling transmission input torque during an downshift including using the engine to produce torque transmitted to the transmission input, during the ratio change phase of the downshift, operating the electric machine as a motor, and controlling a net torque transmitted to the transmission input by using the engine to drive the transmission and the electric machine concurrently, and during the torque transfer phase of the downshift, operating the electric machine as a generator.

Abstract: In a powertrain for motor vehicle that includes an engine, an electric machine able to function alternately as a motor and a generator, and a transmission whose input is driveably connected to the engine and the electric machine, a method for controlling transmission input torque during an upshift including using the engine to produce torque transmitted to the transmission input, during the ratio change phase of the upshift, operating the electric machine as a generator, and during the ratio change phase of the upshift, controlling a net torque transmitted to the transmission input by using the engine to drive the transmission and the electric machine concurrently.

Abstract: In a vehicle that includes an engine driveably connected to the vehicle wheels, an accelerator pedal, and an electric motor for transmitting power to at least some of the vehicle wheels, a method for indicating that the vehicle is operating on a grade having positive slope includes determining that displacement of the accelerator pedal is greater than a reference displacement, determining that a rate of change of the accelerator pedal displacement is greater than a reference rate of change of displacement, determining that vehicle deceleration is greater than a reference vehicle deceleration, and producing a signal representing that the vehicle is operating on a grade having positive slope.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and a second electric motor connected to the power transmitting member. The control apparatus, which permits size reduction of the vehicular drive system, or improvements of fuel economy and vehicle drivability, includes a switching clutch or switching brake for switching a the differential mechanism between a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, to enable the drive system to have both of an advantage of a fuel economy improvement of a transmission the speed ratio of which is electrically variable, and an advantage of high power transmitting efficiency of a gear type power transmitting device.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission having a single motor/generator provides electrically variable power flow along dual power paths and provides an electrically variable reverse operating mode. The transmission includes a compound differential gear set having at least four gear elements operatively interconnected with one another. A transmission input member and the single motor/generator selectively provide power to a transmission output member via the differential gear set. The transmission includes a plurality of intermeshing gears, including a reversing gear and gears connected for rotation with the output member, for operatively connecting the differential gear set with the output member. Torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable to provide power flow between the input member and the output member in multiple operating modes, including a parallel hybrid electrically variable reverse operating mode utilizing the reversing gear.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine and an electric motor and generator sub-system, which establish mechanical and electric power flow paths. Multiple-ratio gearing in a power flow path for forward drive enhances vehicle traction torque for heavy-duty vehicle applications. Reverse drive performance is enhanced by torque multiplying gearing in a reverse drive power delivery path.

Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine including a rotor, a layshaft gearset including an input driveably connected to the engine and an output, for transmitting power between the input and the output and producing a first speed differential that causes a speed of the input to exceed a speed of the output, first and second driveshafts, a differential mechanism driveably connected to said output, for transmitting power between said output and the driveshafts, and a planetary gear unit driveably connected to the output and the rotor, for transmitting power between said rotor and said output and producing a second speed differential that causes a speed of the rotor to exceed the speed of the output.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor that are connected to a driveshaft linked to an axle via a gear mechanism, on condition that an output torque of the motor (previous Tm2*) is not lower than a preset reference output torque Tm2ref (step S190) at a moment of a start requirement of the engine (steps S130 and S180), the drive control of the invention starts the engine (step S220). On conditions that the output torque of the motor (previous Tm2*) is lower than the preset reference output torque Tm2ref (step S190), that a torque demand Tr* is lower than a preset reference torque level Tref (step S200), and that a state of charge SOC of a battery is not lower than a preset reference charge level Sref (step S210), the drive control keeps the engine at a stop (step S140), regardless of the start requirement. This arrangement effectively reduces the potential for backlash or gear rattle in the gear mechanism due to a torque pulsation applied to the driveshaft at a start of the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling selection of an automatic transmission gear ratio with staged ratios or constant variation for a vehicle including a control for preventing/allowing extension of the gear ratio or for controlling a shortening the transmission gear ratio if, at a current engine speed, the power is insufficient for maintaining the vehicle speed. The method prevents extension of the transmission gear ratio if the power available after the extension is insufficient for maintaining the vehicle speed; otherwise allowing extension of the transmission gear ratio.

Abstract: A system for robust fault detection in an electrically variable, hydraulically controlled transmission includes independently monitoring hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic control circuit and electric machine rotation for detecting clutch state faults.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hybrid propulsion system for a passenger vehicle is provided. The system comprises at least one drive wheel; a first motor coupled to the drive wheel; a second motor; a transmission including a first end coupled to the drive wheel and a second end coupled to the second motor; and a control system configured to control operation of the first and second motor to each provide vehicle braking torque, wherein transmission state is adjusted in response to an amount of braking torque provided by the first motor and an amount of braking torque provided by the second motor.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. A countershaft transmission in the powertrain delivers power from an engine through countershaft gearing. Electric power from a single motor-generator complements engine power and may drive front traction wheels. Regenerative power is recovered during power delivery to rear traction wheels.

Abstract: A powertrain is provided with an input clutch that is disengagable to allow a transmission input member to rotate independently of engine speed under power of a motor and provide an alternative way to power vehicle accessories otherwise driven by engine torque, while still allowing the motor to start the engine. A powertrain having a parallel combination of input clutches including a friction input clutch and a selectable one-way clutch is provided, as well as a method of control of such a powertrain. Another method of controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain includes starting the engine via torque from a motor with the input clutch biased in an engaged position. If vehicle operating conditions are more efficiently met without operating the engine, the input clutch is disengaged to so that torque is provided only by the motor to the output member and to vehicle accessories operatively connected to the input member.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine (8) to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a locked state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, the control device including an engine-stop switching control portion operable to control the differential-state switching device to place the differential mechanism in the differential state, upon stopping of the engine, so that the engine speed can be rapidly lowered to zero by controlling the first electric motor in the differential state of the differential mech

Abstract: In setting of an oil temperature increasing process mode, the drive control technique of the invention starts an engine to actuate a mechanical oil pump that pressure feeds a flow of lubricating oil for lubricating the mechanical parts of a transmission and other relevant parts, actuates an electric oil pump that pressure feeds the flow of lubricating oil, and makes a brake B1 included in the transmission in a semi-engagement state. A motor arranged adjacent to the transmission is then driven with lowered output efficiency. This arrangement effectively accelerates heat generation by the motor and ensures a quick temperature rise of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: A vehicle having a transmission for transmitting a torque from a drive machine to drive wheels, with the transmission having an transmission output shaft and a transmission input shaft, in which the torque can be transmitted from the drive machine to the transmission output shaft, and having an electrical machine which has a rotor and a stator, which means being provided in order to connect the electric-motor torque of the electrical machine optionally to the transmission input shaft or to the transmission output shaft.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided with a first transmission passage for transmitting driving force of an engine to driving wheels and a second transmission passage for transmitting driving force of a driving motor to the driving wheels, and driven by selectively using or in combination of the first transmission passage and the second transmission passage. The hybrid vehicle includes: a first input gear for inputting the driving force of the engine; a second input gear for inputting the driving force of the driving motor; and an idle gear meshed with the first input gear and the second input gear, and transmitting at least one of the driving force of the engine and the driving force of the driving motor toward the driving wheels. The driving force to be input from at least one of the first input gear and the second input gear is transmitted to the driving wheels via the idle gear and the final differential gears.

Abstract: An exemplary power management system may include a power source configured to receive a fuel supply and a transmission driveably engaged with the power source. A control system communicates with the power source and the transmission and is configured to determine a fuel supply limit associated with a desired speed of the power source. The fuel supply limit may be determined from a fuel curve associated with the machine. The control system is operative to modify at least a portion of the fuel curve based on a load condition of the power source.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control apparatus includes an engine, a motor, first and second engaging elements, an input rotational speed and a controller. The first engaging element is arranged between the engine and the motor to selectively connect and disconnect the engine and the motor. The second engaging element is arranged between the motor and a drive wheel to selectively connect and disconnect the motor and the drive wheel. The input rotational speed detecting section is configured to detect an input rotational speed of the second engaging element corresponding to a rotational speed of the motor. The controller is configured to determine whether the second engaging element is seized based on the input rotational speed when a disengagement command or a slip engagement command has been issued to the second engaging element and a drive force of at least one of the engine and the motor has been changed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid vehicle including a first transmission path that transmits a traction of an engine to driving wheels and a second transmission path that transmits a traction of a motor to the driving wheels, and the hybrid vehicle runs by alternatively selecting either the first or second transmission path or in combination thereof. The first transmission path has a first reduction gear ratio that is defined to be smaller than a reduction gear ratio at which a maximum vehicle speed can be achieved by the traction of the engine alone.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a required torque calculating portion that calculates required drive torque required of the vehicle; a running mode switching portion that switches between a motor running mode and a hybrid running mode according to the calculated required drive torque; a torque distribution control portion that sets the torque distribution between front and rear wheels according to the switched running mode; a gear noise preventing portion that prevents gear noise in a gear mechanism by changing the set torque distribution between the front and rear wheels when a predetermined gear noise producing condition is satisfied; and a drive torque control portion that calculates drive torques of the front and rear wheels based on the calculated required drive torque and the changed torque distribution and controls the torques of the engine and the electric motor.

Abstract: A launch system for a hybrid vehicle includes a pump, an electronic throttle, a sensor, and a hybrid control module. The pump is driven by an internal combustion engine and provides pressurized fluid to a transmission. The electronic throttle selectively adjusts airflow to the internal combustion engine and current to an electric motor. The sensor detects when a brake pedal has been released. The hybrid control module increases pressure of the pressurized fluid and limits torque transfer from at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor when the sensor detects that the brake pedal has been released until a predetermined condition has been met. The hybrid control module increases pressure of the pressurized fluid with the pump by increasing the revolutions of the internal combustion engine and limits torque to the transmission by retarding the responsiveness of the electronic throttle.

Abstract: A controller for a hybrid vehicle in which the torque is output from an engine and/or an electric motor and is transmitted to drive wheels through a fluid torque converter and a transmission. The controller includes a motor output torque limiter to restrict the output torque from the electric motor such that the torque increased by the fluid torque converter does not exceed permissible torque which is acceptable for the transmission to receive when the electric motor in addition to the engine is driven.