An engine start system of a hybrid vehicle includes a converter circuit unit converting voltage and outputting the converted voltage and a switch having a first terminal connected to an output terminal of the converter circuit unit and a second terminal selectively forming an electrical connection with the first terminal. A diode has an anode connected to the second terminal and a cathode connected to the first terminal. A battery is connected to the second terminal. A low-voltage starter connected to the battery and provides rotary power to start an engine in a stopped state by converting battery power into rotational energy. A controller opens the switch and supplies driving power to the low-voltage starter when the engine is started.

A control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a characteristic storage portion configured to store therein torque-characteristic information representing an output torque characteristic as a characteristic of an output torque of an engine of the vehicle, which has appeared in a certain control operation, such that the stored torque-characteristic information is divided into a plurality of groups corresponding to respective refueling points that provide the fuel; and a factor determination portion configured, when the output torque characteristic represented by the torque-characteristic information belonging to one of the plurality of groups and the output torque characteristic represented by the torque-characteristic information belonging to another one of the plurality of groups are different from each other and a characteristic difference therebetween is not smaller than a threshold value, to determine that the characteristic difference is caused by a difference in a property of the fuel.

A control device for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine and of an electrical machine in a hybrid drive assembly, which permits a mechanical coupling of the engine and the machine in a drive train. An engine control part controls the internal combustion engine and an electrical machine control part controls the electrical machine. A monitoring part monitors proper operation of the control parts and, in the event of a malfunction, takes over a control function within a reaction time span. An engine false-start prevention part detects a transition of the internal combustion engine from stopped to running and, in the event of such a transition, checks if a proper start of the internal combustion engine was requested within a predefined past time span in order to prevent a fuel supply release and/or an ignition release if such a start was not requested.

The present disclosure relates to a method and a control unit for controlling pre-warming process of an engine of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). The method comprises determining start-up time of the engine. The method also comprises determining engine heating time for the engine. The pre-warming process of the engine is initiated prior to start up time of the engine. The process of pre-warming is discontinued when the determined start-up time of the engine is greater than the engine heating time and the process is restarted when the determined start-up time of the engine is less than the engine heating time and when the pre-warming process of the engine is discontinued. The above-mentioned process is reiterated at plurality of time intervals for controlling the pre-warming process of the engine which results in energy efficiency and sufficient heat for warm-up of the engine.

The present disclosure relates to a method and a control unit for controlling pre-warming process of an engine of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). The method comprises determining start-up time of the engine. The method also comprises determining engine heating time for the engine. The pre-warming process of the engine is initiated prior to start up time of the engine. The process of pre-warming is discontinued when the determined start-up time of the engine is greater than the engine heating time and the process is restarted when the determined start-up time of the engine is less than the engine heating time and when the pre-warming process of the engine is discontinued. The above-mentioned process is reiterated at plurality of time intervals for controlling the pre-warming process of the engine which results in energy efficiency and sufficient heat for warm-up of the engine.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine cranking. In one example, a method for an engine cold start may include extending engine cranking at least based on one or more engine cold start conditions, where extending engine cranking may increase an engine oil pressure in a plurality of camshaft phaser cavities of a variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser. In some examples, the method may further include, after engine cranking, enabling fueling. In this way, fuel efficiency considerations may be balanced with increases to the engine oil pressure such that components of the VCT phaser may be actuated and/or lubricated.

An engine starter apparatus includes a starter motor, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the starter motor, a light source integrated with the starter motor, and a controller operatively connected to the temperature sensor and the light source. The controller is configured to illuminate the light source in a first color in response to the temperature of the starter motor exceeding a first temperature threshold. The controller is configured to illuminate the light source further in a second color in response to the temperature of the starter motor exceeding a second temperature threshold. The second temperature threshold is greater than the first temperature threshold. The first and second color are different. The second temperature threshold corresponds to a life limit of the starter motor. Illumination of the light source indicates an overheated starter motor, which may warrant a replacement of the starter motor.

A method actuates a starter of an internal combustion engine by way of a starter relay. The starter relay is configured to supply the starter optionally with current via an on-board electrical system. The method has the following steps: determining an error status of the internal combustion engine; commencing repeated actuations of the starter relay; determining a current status of the internal combustion engine, wherein the current status of the internal combustion engine displays at least one error status or at least one operating status; and, if the current status displays at least one operating status, ending the repeated actuation of the starter relay, otherwise once again determining the current status. A system for actuating a starter of an internal combustion engine includes a control device, a power source, a starter relay, connected to the control device and configured to supply the starter of the internal combustion engine optionally with current from the power source via an on-board electrical system, wherein the control device is configured to carry out the method.

There is provided an engine starting device, including: a motor generator coupled to a crankshaft of an engine; and a starter including a pinion provided in a detachable manner from a ring gear provided on the crankshaft, and configured to mesh with the ring gear when the engine is started, wherein the engine is cranked through simultaneous cranking by both of the motor generator and the starter when a condition set in advance is satisfied, and wherein, in the simultaneous cranking, the starter starts rotating after the motor generator starts rotating.

A remote engine start system, comprising an engine start unit and a control unit is disclosed. The engine start unit is arranged in a vehicle and configured to receive signals from a remote control. The vehicle comprises a drive motor. The engine start unit is configured to initiate the start of the drive motor upon receipt of a signal from the remote control. The control unit is configured to monitor the function of the engine start unit, and to detect errors in the function of the engine start unit. The remote engine start system is configured to prevent the starting of the drive motor once an error in the function of the engine start unit was detected, and to initiate the turning off of the drive motor, if the drive motor is turned on and an error in the function of the engine start unit was detected.