A starter apparatus is provided for starting a combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle, wherein an energy accumulator, a switching element for optionally coupling the energy accumulator with the combustion engine and a drive unit for driving the energy accumulator and for actuating the switching element. Also claimed is a drive train with the proposed starter apparatus.

Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations in a hybrid vehicle. While an engine is cranked via motor torque, engine fueling is delayed until the engine speed is sufficiently high and the engine has been rotating in a forward direction continuously for a threshold duration. A disconnect clutch between the engine and motor is slipped while the engine cranks, the clutch engaged only after the engine has run up to the motor speed.

Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations in a hybrid vehicle. While an engine is cranked via motor torque, engine fueling is delayed until the engine speed is sufficiently high and the engine has been rotating in a forward direction continuously for a threshold duration. A disconnect clutch between the engine and motor is slipped while the engine cranks, the clutch engaged only after the engine has run up to the motor speed.

A method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle includes: during a coasting operation of the motor vehicle in which a shifting clutch is open and the internal combustion engine stands still starting the internal combustion engine in a first operating mode with the electric machine and in a second operating mode by at least partially closing the shifting clutch with a coupling torque set at the shifting clutch, thereby operatively connecting the internal combustion engine with at least one wheel, wherein the internal combustion engine is started in the first operating mode when a predictively determined wheel slip predictive value exceeds a wheel slip setpoint value, and wherein when the internal combustion engine is started in the second operating mode the electric machine is used for starting the internal combustion engine and for driving the at least one wheel when a wheel slip actual value exceeds the wheel slip setpoint value.

A method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle includes: during a coasting operation of the motor vehicle in which a shifting clutch is open and the internal combustion engine stands still starting the internal combustion engine in a first operating mode with the electric machine and in a second operating mode by at least partially closing the shifting clutch with a coupling torque set at the shifting clutch, thereby operatively connecting the internal combustion engine with at least one wheel, wherein the internal combustion engine is started in the first operating mode when a predictively determined wheel slip predictive value exceeds a wheel slip setpoint value, and wherein when the internal combustion engine is started in the second operating mode the electric machine is used for starting the internal combustion engine and for driving the at least one wheel when a wheel slip actual value exceeds the wheel slip setpoint value.

An engine assembly may include an internal combustion engine and an expander couplable to the internal combustion engine in a force transmitting manner. The engine assembly may also include a pulley mounted rotatably on a shaft of the expander. The pulley may be coupled to the internal combustion engine in a force-transmitting manner via a belt drive. The engine assembly may further include a first driver plate connected non-rotatably to the pulley and a second driver plate arranged adjacent thereto and connected non-rotatably to the shaft. The engine assembly may additionally include a clutch device including at least one actuating device and a coupling wheel. The coupling wheel may contact the first driver plate and the second driver plate when the clutch device is closed such that the pulley is connected with the shaft of the expander in a driving manner.

An engine assembly may include an internal combustion engine and an expander couplable to the internal combustion engine in a force transmitting manner. The engine assembly may also include a pulley mounted rotatably on a shaft of the expander. The pulley may be coupled to the internal combustion engine in a force-transmitting manner via a belt drive. The engine assembly may further include a first driver plate connected non-rotatably to the pulley and a second driver plate arranged adjacent thereto and connected non-rotatably to the shaft. The engine assembly may additionally include a clutch device including at least one actuating device and a coupling wheel. The coupling wheel may contact the first driver plate and the second driver plate when the clutch device is closed such that the pulley is connected with the shaft of the expander in a driving manner.

A vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a battery, an alternator, a starter, configured to start the internal combustion engine, a charger, distinct from the battery, and an electrical energy storage system, connected to the starter and to the charger, and distinct from the battery. To allow the engine to be started in case of a battery failure, a method for operating the vehicle comprises: starting the internal combustion engine, measuring a state of charge of the battery, comparing the measured state of charge with a predetermined threshold value, if the measured state of charge is lower than the predetermined threshold value: charging the electrical energy storage system with the charger, then starting the internal combustion engine with the starter, by powering the starter with the electrical energy storage system, when restarting the internal combustion engine is required.

Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.

Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.