Abstract: An object is to provide a vehicle control apparatus capable of enhancing fuel economy when coasting is performed by disconnecting a clutch disposed between an engine and drive wheels of the vehicle. A travel path and a travel pattern of a vehicle are predicted by a vehicle outside information collection device, such as a navigation system. Also, amounts of fuel consumption by normal traveling and coasting are predicted and compared, so that coasting control is performed in a case where an amount of fuel consumption can be reduced by performing the coasting control.

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 which are 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 hybrid vehicle is selectively placed in a plurality of drive modes according to respective combinations of engaged and released states of the clutch and the brake.

Abstract: A method and a control device are provided for operating a road-coupled hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has an electronic control unit, a primary motor associated with a first axle, and a secondary motor associated with a second axle. By way of the electronic control unit, the primary motor and the secondary motor are basically controlled in a drive-oriented manner such that preferentially only a single-axle drive by the primary motor is provided. Beginning with the secondary motor switched off, when a traction requirement is determined, the secondary motor is switched on, regardless of whether the vehicle is traveling on a curve. Beginning with the secondary motor switched on, when a traction requirement is not present, the secondary motor is not switched off until it is determined that the vehicle is not, or is no longer, traveling on a curve.

Abstract: The present invention improves fuel efficiency of an engine that is the power source of an auxiliary machine. Configured is a regeneration control device that has a control means that, when a hybrid automobile is stopped, the accelerator is in a closed state, and the auxiliary machine is in an operating state, and when the indicated value for the amount of fuel injection of the engine is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, or the indicated value exceed the threshold, causes a driving mode wherein the engine and an electric motor cooperate during deceleration after the hybrid automobile has started moving.

Abstract: An ECU executes a program including: a step of calculating a reference value Itag_b; a step of performing a first Pchg calculating process when a SOC at present is not in a predetermined range or speed V of a vehicle is smaller than a threshold value, or when a target value Itag is not less than the reference value Itag_b; and a step of performing a second Pchg calculating process when the SOC at present is in the predetermined range between SOC(1) and SOC(2) and the speed V of the vehicle is not less than the threshold value V(0), and when the target value Itag is smaller than the reference value Itag_b.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine configured to transfer torque via a clutch to an input member of a hybrid transmission having torque machines configured to transfer torque thereto. Operation of the engine is controlled to facilitate a change in activation of a clutch between the engine and the input member of the hybrid transmission.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the conditions of driving systems can be used in particular to control driving systems in hybrid vehicles with particular consideration given to the exhaust emission. The method monitors the conditions of driving systems that comprise an internal combustion engine and an electric motor with an energy source. A first power value for operating the internal combustion engine and a second power value for describing the power that can be provided by the energy source are ascertained, and the first and second power values are compared with each other to monitor the conditions of the driving system. The driving system is controlled dependent on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle including an engine, a first MG (motor generator), a second MG, a power split device that couples them, and an ECU. ECU determines whether or not to permit execution of pressing control for suppressing idling vibrations produced by the power split device in an idling state of the engine depending on whether or not the combustion state of the engine is good, and sets a permission flag in accordance with a determination result. ECU determines whether or not the vehicle is stopping and is in the idling state. While the vehicle is stopping and is in the idling state and if the permission flag F is “ON”, ECU executes pressing control to cause the first MG to produce pressing torque Tp. If the permission flag F is “OFF”, ECU does not execute pressing control so that the first MG does not produce pressing torque Tp.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a class of electric hybrid drives that can be retrofit easily to cars and trucks to reduce transportation costs. Certain embodiments include mechanisms for attachment to an existing powertrain, regenerative braking, on-the-road optimization of transportation costs depending on road and route conditions, or an operational mode in which motive power for a vehicle is solely derived from electric energy stored in a battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operating modes may be adjusted in response to driving surface conditions. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.

Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor configured to output power for running and power necessary for starting the engine, and a connecting/disconnecting clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and the electric motor, and the control device is configured to start the engine while the connecting/disconnecting clutch is controlled toward engagement during motor running for running by using only the electric motor as a drive force source for running with the connecting/disconnecting clutch released.

Abstract: A method of integrating, optimizing and combining in a marine hybrid system, the operation of one or more variable speed high voltage direct current (HVDC) generator(s), one or more energy storage units and a combination of one or more HVDC parallel hybrid and serial hybrid propulsion systems through use of an Energy Management Computer. One aspect of the invention involves the application of logic programming to automate the optimization and the operation of the Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) so that whenever the system requires their usage, they are operated at optimum efficiency conditions. For an ICE to operate at peak efficiency a combination of a large energy storage unit used as a buffer combined with a mixture of both a serial and a parallel hybrid system is used.

Abstract: A control unit 2 includes a standard control map Map1 in which an EV driving permitting region is set according to the SOC of a battery 3 and a substitute control map Map2 in which the EV driving permitting region of the standard control map Map1 is narrowed, whereby when an air conditioning compressor 112A, 112B is actuated to operate, the driving is controlled by selecting the substitute control map Map2 to be referred to in place of the standard control map Map1.

Abstract: An upper rotational speed limit NengUL and a lower rotational speed limit NengLL of an engine operation prohibition area are set from an upper rotational speed limit Nmg2UL and a lower rotational speed limit Nmg2LL of a motor operation predetermined prohibition area of a second motor generator. When an engine speed target Nengt, calculated from a preset target operating line, lies in the engine operation prohibition area, the engine operating point target is corrected so that the second motor generator rotational speed target Nmg2t lies outside the motor operation prohibition area. When the engine speed target Nengt is greater than or equal to a change-direction engine speed NengCD at which direction of shift to/from an allowable range of engine operation is changed, the engine speed Neng is increased. When the engine speed target Nengt is less than the change-direction engine speed NengCD, the engine speed Neng is decreased.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine; an electric motor for starting the internal combustion engine; an inverter for controlling the electric motor; a clutch for selectively connecting and disconnecting power transmission between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor; and a battery for supplying power to the electric motor. The control device includes: a voltage detection unit for detecting the voltage of the battery a voltage control unit for controlling the output of the battery in accordance with a first power value currently available within the voltage limit range of the battery; and an internal combustion engine starting unit for engaging the clutch to start engine while controlling the inverter in accordance with the output from the battery that in turn is controlled by the voltage control unit.

Abstract: Objects are to set up control of a plurality of motor generators in a case where a battery is charged or discharged, to secure both a target driving force and target charging/discharging, and to have the breath of control of using electric power of the battery under a more specific condition.

Abstract: Braking/driving force control that includes: detecting a driver's operating state for causing the vehicle to run; detecting a vehicle body motional state while the vehicle is running; computing a target longitudinal driving force for causing the vehicle to run and motional state amounts for controlling a vehicle body behavior on the basis of the detected operating state and motional state; and computing driving or braking forces allocated to the wheels so as to achieve the computed target longitudinal driving force and target motional state amounts and that the braking/driving force generating mechanism causes the wheels to generate independently.

Abstract: A vehicle provided with a motor generator as a driving source includes an engine and a catalyst for purifying gas exhausted from the engine. The engine is controlled in one control mode of a CS mode and a CD mode in which opportunity for operation of the engine is limited compared to in the CS mode. In the CS mode, the temperature of the catalyst is increased to be equal to or higher than a prescribed activating temperature. The temperature of the catalyst is increased to be higher than the activating temperature before the control mode is changed from the CS mode to the CD mode.

Abstract: An in-vehicle apparatus for a vehicle driven by a first driving power source in a first driving mode and driven by a second diving power source in a second driving mode, includes: a collision detection device; a stopping device stopping the first and second driving modes when the collision detection device detects collision; a severity determination device determining a severity of collision indicative of a collision intensity; and a controller. Under a condition that the stopping device stops both of the first driving mode and the second driving mode, the controller executes one of recovery of both of the first driving mode and the second driving mode, recovery of one of the first driving mode and the second driving mode, and system shut-down according to the severity of collision.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle is arranged to prevent shock and to minimize adverse influence on lag and fuel consumption when one of a start/stop control of an engine and a shift control of an automatic transmission is requested while the other control is occurring. The control apparatus includes an engine, a motor/generator, a first clutch, an automatic transmission, an integrated controller, an AT controller and an engine/transmission coordinate controlling section. When a second control request is generated during the first control, the engine/transmission coordinate controlling section starts the second control at a request timing when a condition does not exist such that a shock does not exceed an acceptable level and starts the second control at a later timing when the condition exists such that the shock would exceed the acceptable level if the second control is started at the request timing.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle includes an electric motor disposed in a manner enabling power transmission to wheels; and a clutch device capable of interrupting and connecting a power transmission path between the wheels and the electric motor, if temperature of the electric motor exceeds predetermined temperature defined in advance, the electric motor being rotated after the power transmission path between the wheels and the electric motor is interrupted by the clutch device.

Abstract: If, in uphill deceleration determination procedure, it is determined that the vehicle is being decelerated on an uphill slope, a transmission shift lever is in D range, the motor is in order, the start gear is a first specified gear or lower, a to-be-selected traveling gear is a second specified gear or lower, an actual even-numbered gear is a third specified gear or higher, and actual odd-numbered gear is a fourth specified gear or higher, a first, a second and a third synchronizer mechanisms are put in neutral position to create a state in which no gear is selected. Then, a shift to a gear suited for re-acceleration is conducted by activating operating the first, second and the third synchronizer mechanisms.

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 which are 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 of the first and second differential mechanisms which are selectively connected to each other through the clutch is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device comprises: an electric motor operation control portion configured to control the second electric motor for starting the engine with an output torque of the second electric motor, when a reaction force is exerted on the first and second electric motors.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle frame, a swing arm and a fuel tank. The vehicle frame includes a front portion and a rear portion and defines a longitudinal centerline therebetween. The front portion is configured to support a recumbent seat. The rear portion is configured to be coupled to the swing arm and. The swing arm defines a longitudinal centerline and includes a wheel mounting portion configured to be coupled to a wheel assembly. The wheel mounting portion defines a radial axis that is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle frame in at least one plane. The fuel tank is coupled to the rear portion of the vehicle frame such that the fuel tank is above the longitudinal centerline of the swing arm.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a tri-hybrid automotive power plant. The power plant is an alternative to standard internal combustion engines and available hybrid or electric vehicle propulsion systems. The power plant includes a hydrogen fuel cell stack, a lithium battery pack and a flexible fuel internal combustion engine. The various components of the power plant are optimized through various disclosed control schemes.

Abstract: When a vehicle is to be started solely by a motor immediately after an engine is started or the shift position has been changed from N range to D range, a delay time for delaying pre-charge of first and second clutches is set in accordance with operating oil temperature. The pre-charge is executed after a lapse of the delay time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is accelerated to a speed of a driveline integrated starter/generator before the engine is coupled to the driveline integrated starter/generator.

Abstract: A control device of a vehicle including an engine, an electric motor, and a clutch configured to achieve a mechanically directly-coupled state of a power transmission path between the engine/the electric motor and drive wheels, the control device causing the clutch to be slip-engaged or released when the engine is started during motor running in which only the electric motor is used as a drive force source for running with the clutch engaged, the control device being configured such that when the clutch is engaged during the motor running, an engagement pressure is made lower than an engagement pressure when the clutch is engaged during engine running in which at least the engine is used as a drive force source for running, and in the case of running with the clutch engaged, the engagement pressure of the clutch is constantly adjusted based on output torque of the electric motor during the motor running, while the engagement pressure of the clutch is not adjusted during the engine running.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle utilizes telematics and on board sources to obtain information relating to operating conditions. The data is used to modify hybrid-electric drive train operation to extend the life of components of the drive train. In response to requests for propulsion, data relating to expected conditions of operation including one or more of the following, weather, traffic and road conditions, determines what proportion of the request to meet from the internal combustion engine and what proportion to meet from the electrical motor. The proportion of the request for propulsion allocated to the engine is increased where expected conditions of operation impose excessive stress on electrical components of the drive train.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a holding force of a vehicle parked on a hill is adjusted depending on a grade of the hill.

Abstract: A method for maximizing regenerative energy captured by an electric machine in a powertrain including an engine, the electric machine and a transmission device configured to transfer torque through a driveline includes detecting an operator brake request and monitoring a time between the detected operator brake request and a preceding operator brake request that was last detected. A maximized regenerative deceleration event is initiated if the time exceeds a predetermined threshold time that includes monitoring a current fixed gear ratio that is selected from among a plurality of fixed gear ratios of the transmission device when the operator brake request is detected and applying a magnitude of torque at the axle that is sufficient for achieving a maximum capability of the electric machine to capture regenerative energy in the current fixed gear ratio.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline disconnect clutch operation is adjusted in response to vehicle mass so that the vehicle may operate similarly at lower and higher vehicle masses.

Abstract: In a first slip suppression control by a first slip suppression control unit when a vehicle stops on a slope, an electronic control unit controls an output torque of an electric motor so that a rotation speed of an input rotation member of a hydraulic power transmission reaches a predetermined target rotation speed during stopping of an engine. The electronic control unit starts the engine when the output torque of the electric motor is greater than a predetermined torque. Accordingly, when the output torque of the electric motor at a rotation speed under a slip suppression control is insufficient, the output torque of the engine can be used and thus a locked state of the electric motor is appropriately prevented.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided with an engine having a crankshaft and an electric machine coupled to the crankshaft. The hybrid vehicle also includes a pump and a controller. The pump is driven by rotation of the crankshaft and coupled to the engine by a fluid circuit. The controller is configured to control the electric machine in response to a wheel torque request to drive the crankshaft with the engine off to provide lubricant to the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle driving system includes: a left wheel driving system having a first motor and a first speed changer; a right wheel driving system having a second motor and a second speed changer; a motor controller which controls the first motor and the second motor, a rotation restricting unit which can be shifted between a released state and an applied state; and a rotation restricting unit controller which controls the rotation restricting unit. When the rotation restricting unit controller shifts the rotation restricting unit from the applied state to the released state, the motor controller controls the first motor and the second motor so that a torque sum of the first motor and the second motor approaches zero while maintaining a torque difference between the first motor and the second motor.

Abstract: A mode selection control system and method for controlling an electrically variable transmission. The system and method calculate respective costs for operating the vehicle in a plurality of operating modes based on a battery discharge penalty and the costs associated with operating the electrical and mechanical portions of the transmission. The method selects an operating mode having the lowest calculated cost.

Abstract: A vehicle provided with a motor generator as a driving source includes a battery to supply electric power to the motor generator, an engine, and an ECU to control the vehicle in one of a CS mode and a CD mode in which opportunity for operation of the engine is limited compared to in the CS mode. The ECU controls the engine in accordance with a condition different from a condition used to control the engine in the CS mode, if the engine is started at least due to decrease in a state of charge of the battery while the vehicle is controlled in the CD mode.

Abstract: A method and powertrain apparatus that predicts a route of travel for a vehicle and uses historical powertrain loads and speeds for the predicted route of travel to optimize at least one powertrain operation for the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes: a controller that configured to obtain an index on the basis of a running condition of a vehicle and that configured to vary a running characteristic of the vehicle on the basis of the index, wherein the controller is configured to relatively delay a variation in the index in response to a variation in the running condition when the variation in the index decreases quickness of a behavior of the vehicle as compared with when the variation in the index increases the quickness of the behavior of the vehicle, and to correct the running characteristic on the basis of the index so that energy efficiency of a driving force source of the vehicle varies within a predetermined range depending on control over power output from the driving force source.

Abstract: A vehicle control system to control operation of a vehicle includes a powertrain system operable according to a plurality of operating modes that drive the vehicle. A sensor is mounted to the vehicle to detect a quality of air surrounding the vehicle. A vehicle control module is configured to select an operating mode of the powertrain system. The operating mode is selected to reduce at least one emission exhausted from the vehicle that contributes to a low air quality measure by the sensor.

Abstract: A control device of an FR hybrid vehicle is provided with: a drive source that contains at least an engine (Eng); and a second brake (B2) that is fastened when a D range is selected. In the range of starting of fastening control of the second brake (B2), when the parameters (rate of input rotational frequency change and amount of motor torque change) that change along with the rotational fluctuation of the engine (Eng) become at least a predetermined threshold, it is judged that the second brake (B2) has started fastening. When in a state wherein the rotational fluctuations of the engine (Eng) can be determined to be large, the absolute value of the predetermined threshold is set to a value that is larger than when in a state wherein the rotational fluctuations of the engine (Eng) can be determined to be small.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having a controller controls output torque of an engine and output torque of a generator motor so as to apply requested torque to a drive shaft. The controller performs engine intermittent operation to stop operation of the engine when a given engine operation stop condition is satisfied, and start the engine when a given engine start condition is satisfied. The controller makes an in-cylinder injection valve abnormality determination while causing a total amount of fuel to be injected from an in-cylinder injection valve, and makes a port injection valve abnormality determination while causing the total amount of fuel to be injected from a port injection valve. If at least one of abnormality determinations concerning the in-cylinder injection valve and the port injection valve has not been made, the engine is operated so that the load of the engine falls within a predetermined range.

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 which are 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.

Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements; and a parking lock mechanism having a parking lock pole preventing rotation of a parking lock gear connected to the output rotary member when a manually operated shifting device selects a parking range. 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 sets a drive mode to an engine drive mode in which the brake is placed in a released state while the clutch is placed in an engaged state when a shift change is made into the parking range to achieve a parking lock with the parking lock mechanism.

Abstract: In a vehicle capable of performing regenerative braking by a motor, when regenerative power is supplied to both of a battery and an electric heating catalyst device (EHC), and it is predicted that the battery is overcharged at the time of turning-off of EHC (a supply of power to the EHC is stopped), ECU temporarily delays turning-off of EHC. ECU determines whether or not a condition for turning off the EHC is met during the EHC turning-off delay. When the condition for turning off the EHC is met, the regenerative brake torque is lowered so that the regenerative power becomes less than the battery acceptable power, and the hydraulic brake torque is increased depending on lowering of the regenerative brake torque, and thereafter the EHC turning-off delay is cancelled.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle energy management are described that take driving context into account to derive suggested vehicle control inputs to reduce energy consumption. Driving context may be based on information including, for example, traffic congestion and/or flow information for a travelled route, road topology information, traffic controls, weather conditions, vehicle characteristics, and other types of driving context information. The driving context may be used to derive suggested control inputs to reduce energy consumption. The suggested control inputs can, for example, be expressed as: a suggested road speed, suggested gear selection, rate of acceleration or rate of deceleration.

Abstract: A driving force control device for a hybrid vehicle includes: a travel load calculation unit adapted to divide a predicted route from a current position to a predetermined distance ahead into a plurality of intervals, and to estimate a travel load in each interval; a recommended discharge amount calculation unit adapted to search for a regeneration possible interval, in which a travel condition required by a driver can be maintained even when an output of an internal combustion engine is stopped and regeneration is performed by a motor/generator, from an estimation result, and to estimate a charge amount expected value in the regeneration possible interval, and distributes the charge amount expected value preferentially to an adjacent interval to the regeneration possible interval as a recommended discharge amount in order to stop the output of the internal combustion engine; and an energy management unit that controls an operation of the motor/generator in the current position on the basis of a travel condit

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 which are 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 comprises a mode selecting operation device selecting an acceleration drive mode oriented to vehicle acceleration and a fuel efficiency drive mode oriented to fuel efficiency.

Abstract: An electric vehicle motor control device controls the transmission of power from an electric motor to driving wheels via an automatic transmission. The electric vehicle motor control device includes a vehicle speed detecting device that detects a vehicle speed of the electric vehicle and a controller. The controller includes a required driving power calculating section that calculates a required driving power of the electric vehicle, and a target motor rotational speed calculating section that calculates a target motor rotational speed. The target motor rotational speed is calculated so that an efficiency of a product of a power consumption rate of the electric motor and a transmission efficiency of the automatic transmission will become a prescribed target efficiency, based on the vehicle speed and the required driving power. The controller controls the electric motor based on the target motor rotational speed.