A damping force control device 10 comprises vary damping shock absorbers, a detector, and a controller. Each of the shock absorbers sets damping coefficient from a minimum value to a maximum value in order to adjust damping force. The detector detects vertical vibration state quantity relating to vibration of the sprung mass. The controller performs an ordinary control for setting the damping coefficient based on the vertical vibration state quantity and according to a predetermined control law suitable for an assumption that all of the wheels touch ground. The controller performs, when at least one of the wheels is an ungrounded wheel which does not touch the ground and each of the other wheels is a grounded wheel which touches the ground, a specific control for setting the damping coefficient of the shock absorber corresponding to the grounded wheel to a first specific value greater than the minimum value.

A damping force control device 10 comprises vary damping shock absorbers, a detector, and a controller. Each of the shock absorbers sets damping coefficient from a minimum value to a maximum value in order to adjust damping force. The detector detects vertical vibration state quantity relating to vibration of the sprung mass. The controller performs an ordinary control for setting the damping coefficient based on the vertical vibration state quantity and according to a predetermined control law suitable for an assumption that all of the wheels touch ground. The controller performs, when at least one of the wheels is an ungrounded wheel which does not touch the ground and each of the other wheels is a grounded wheel which touches the ground, a specific control for setting the damping coefficient of the shock absorber corresponding to the grounded wheel to a first specific value greater than the minimum value.

A vehicle includes a powertrain configured to transfer energy to a tire and including both an engine and an electric machine. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to charge a traction battery with torque captured by the electric machine in excess of torque required to maintain the departure. The charging is in response to indication of departure from static friction between the tire and a surface during a line lock tire slip event powered by the engine.

A vehicle includes a powertrain configured to transfer energy to a tire and including both an engine and an electric machine. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to charge a traction battery with torque captured by the electric machine in excess of torque required to maintain the departure. The charging is in response to indication of departure from static friction between the tire and a surface during a line lock tire slip event powered by the engine.

A vehicle drive device and a control method therefor are provided. The vehicle drive device includes: a power source including a first rotating electrical machine; a second rotating electrical machine; a differential unit including three rotating elements to which a first output shaft, a second output shaft, and the second rotating electrical machine are connected; and an electronic control device. The electronic control device regeneratively controls the first rotating electrical machine and the second rotating electrical machine in such a manner that negative torque is applied to the first output shaft and the second output shaft, when performing regenerative control by the second rotating electrical machine in a drive mode in which torque from the power source is distributed to the first output shaft and the second output shaft by controlling torque of the second rotating electrical machine during deceleration of a vehicle.

A vehicle travel control device includes a surrounding environment recognition device that acquires surrounding environment information on a surrounding environment of a vehicle; a vehicle state recognition device that acquires state information on a state of the vehicle; and a travel control unit that performs travel control of the vehicle, based on the surrounding environment information or the state information. When the vehicle state recognition device detects a slip of at least one drive wheel of the vehicle, the vehicle travel control device executes brake LSD control for braking the at least one drive wheel. When the surrounding environment recognition device recognizes snow on a traveling road of the vehicle and a snow melting area and a snow non-melting area ahead, the travel control unit switches an operation mode of the brake LSD control from a first mode to a second mode.

A vehicle travel control device includes a surrounding environment recognition device that acquires surrounding environment information on a surrounding environment of a vehicle; a vehicle state recognition device that acquires state information on a state of the vehicle; and a travel control unit that performs travel control of the vehicle, based on the surrounding environment information or the state information. When the vehicle state recognition device detects a slip of at least one drive wheel of the vehicle, the vehicle travel control device executes brake LSD control for braking the at least one drive wheel. When the surrounding environment recognition device recognizes snow on a traveling road of the vehicle and a snow melting area and a snow non-melting area ahead, the travel control unit switches an operation mode of the brake LSD control from a first mode to a second mode.

To provide a brake system for a saddled vehicle that exerts proper braking force control considering changes in the driver's posture during deceleration. A brake system for a saddled vehicle including a control device exerting automatic control over a brake fluid pressure of a front-wheel brake and that of a rear-wheel brake according to various information, and a throttle position detector for detecting a throttle position of a rotary-type throttle operating element mounted on a steering handlebar. When an operation on the throttle operating element is detected at start of automatic control over the front-wheel brake and the rear-wheel brake, if the throttle position is less than a predetermined threshold value, the control device maintains the automatic control, and if the throttle position is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the control device cancels the automatic control.

To provide a brake system for a saddled vehicle that ensures vehicle's stable behavior when a brake operating element is operated during automatic control. A brake system for a saddled vehicle includes: a control device exerting automatic control over a brake fluid pressure; and a front-wheel brake operating element and a rear-wheel brake operating element for a driver to manually operate a front-wheel brake and a rear-wheel brake. When an operation force is applied to at least one of the front-wheel brake operating element and the rear-wheel brake operating element while the front-wheel brake and the rear-wheel brake are under automatic control of the control device, if a brake fluid pressure corresponding to the operation force is less than a brake fluid pressure generated by the automatic control, the control device maintains the automatic control, and if a brake fluid pressure corresponding to the operation force is equal to or greater than a brake fluid pressure generated by the automatic control, the control device cancels the automatic control and generates the brake fluid pressure corresponding to the operation force.

To provide a brake system for a saddled vehicle that suppresses the speed at which the vehicle transitions to a front-dropping posture, thereby enhancing the driver's sense of security. A brake system for a saddled vehicle includes a control device exerting automatic control over a brake fluid pressure of a brake according to various information, and a pitch angular velocity detector for detecting a pitch angular velocity of the vehicle according to an output of a pitch angular velocity detection unit. When the pitch angular velocity becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value while the control device is gradually increasing the brake fluid pressure of the front-wheel brake by the automatic control, the control device reduces a degree of increase in the brake fluid pressure or maintains the brake fluid pressure at that time point.