A vehicle throttle locking circuit and method are provided. A control unit receives detection voltages from a pedal sensor and, when a clamping actuation signal is ON, digital clamping voltages are gradually reduced according to the detection voltages. A D/A conversion unit converts the digital clamping voltages to analog clamping voltages. A variable voltage clamping unit clamps the detection voltages according to the analog clamping voltages. The gradual reduction of the digital clamping voltages are stopped when the detection voltages are already clamped at an idle condition so that the pedal is effectively locked at the idle condition. As such, the present invention not only provides anti-theft function, but also avoids traffic accident and hazard to the safety of the driver or passers due to the vehicle's sudden loss of power.

A vehicle control apparatus performs an in-excess determination control by monitoring a drive power in-excess indicator at a time when a temporary in-excess state occurs which indicates that a drive power excess amount exceeds a predetermined value. As such, when a vehicle-dynamic safety parameter fulfills a prescribed condition, the vehicle control apparatus lowers an indicator threshold for determining an excess drive power continuation time from an original value to a lowered value. As a result, the excess drive power continuation time is determined as exceeding the indicator threshold, which indicates that a drive power of a vehicle is in excess, and a fail-safe instruction signal output is brought forward from an original timing to an earlier timing. Therefore, when a degree of dangerousness of a vehicle behavior is estimated to be relatively high, a fail-safe action is promptly taken.

A method of start/stop engine control based on vehicle location and driving situation includes identifying the location and driving situation of a host vehicle, and classifying the location and the driving situation of the host vehicle based on the identified location and driving situation. The engine start/stop control is based on at least one of the location classification and driving situation classification.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a stop/start vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine throttle position is adjusted in response to whether or not a starter engages a flywheel during engine stopping. The throttle may be adjusted to a more open position if the starter engages the flywheel or to a more closed position if the starter does not engage the flywheel.

A fuel system for an internal combustion engine is provided, which comprises a first fuel tank, a fuel filter device, arranged between a low pressure pump operated by an electric motor and a high pressure pump, a first fuel conduit, through which the low pressure pump is arranged to supply fuel to the fuel filter device, and a control device, arranged in connection with an electric motor operating the low pressure pump. An overflow conduit is arranged in connection with a deaeration outlet, arranged in the fuel filter device and the first fuel tank, and the control device is arranged to control the electric motor, in such a way that the low pressure pump is active when the internal combustion engine is turned off for a limited period, whereby fuel may flow from the fuel filter device via the deaeration outlet and the overflow conduit, back to the first fuel tank.

A fuel injection device for an internal combustion engine includes: a high/low pressure fuel system configured to inject fuel into cylinders 12a to 12d through an in-cylinder injector 44; and a low pressure fuel injection system configured to inject fuel into an intake manifold 14 through an intake path injector 46. An ECU 60 incorporates: an idling stop/start unit 68 that stops the engine when an idling stop condition is satisfied, and restarts the engine when the idling stop condition is no longer satisfied; and a fuel injection control unit 70 that causes, after the idling stop condition is no longer satisfied, fuel remaining in the first fuel injection unit to be injected into the cylinder, before rotation of a crank shaft 32 starts, so that the engine 10 is automatically restarted, and causes fuel injection to be started from the second fuel injection unit when predetermined condition is satisfied.

An abnormality diagnosis system of an internal combustion engine that is installed on a vehicle and includes an actuator includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit receives vehicle outside information concerning a period of time for which the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value, and determines whether the period for which the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined value is expected to be equal to or longer than a length of time required for an abnormality diagnosis of an abnormality diagnosis target device. The electronic control unit activates the actuator and starts the abnormality diagnosis as the vehicle speed becomes lower than the predetermined value, when it determines that the period for which the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined value is expected to be equal to or longer than the time required for the abnormality diagnosis of the target device.

A drive control section automatically stops an engine by stopping fuel injection and by closing a throttle valve that adjusts the amount of intake air when a predetermined specified condition is satisfied. A stopping-angle detection section detects a crank angle when the engine is automatically stopped as a stopping angle. The drive control section cranks the engine before an in-cylinder negative pressure period, in which pressure in a cylinder of the engine is negative pressure, elapses after starting to automatically stop the engine if the stopping angle is outside an allowable crank-angle range in which it is possible to restart the engine by cranking the engine by the motor generator.

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a source of degradation in an exhaust system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include actuating an electric turbocharger to rotate in a first direction to evaluate integrity of an exhaust pipe of the exhaust system and rotation the turbocharger in a second direction to assess an exhaust manifold of the exhaust system, after an engine of the vehicle is turned off. Pressures generated in the exhaust system are compared to thresholds based on barometric pressure and/or turbocharger speed.

A micro-auxiliary power unit for supplying electric power to a vehicle includes a thermal resistant enclosure having an intake duct for receiving air, and a source of fuel. A fuel valve is fluidly coupled from the enclosure, and the fuel valve is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The micro-auxiliary power unit includes a Wankel engine to drive an output shaft and a starter-generator coupled to the output shaft to generate electric power. The micro-auxiliary power unit includes a system that has at least one sensor disposed within the enclosure that observes a condition of the enclosure and generates sensor signals, and a controller having a processor that receives the sensor signals, determines the presence of a thermal event within the enclosure and based on the determination, outputs one or more control signals to the fuel valve to move the fuel valve to the closed position.