Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an electric vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. The electric vehicle includes a normal driving mode where the electric vehicle is steered by turning the steerable wheels (e.g., left or right) and vehicle yaw mode where the vehicle controls the torque applied to each wheel. In response to receiving input to initiate vehicle yaw mode and yaw direction, the system determines the inner wheels and the outer wheels and provides forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle to rotate the vehicle.

A vehicle body speed estimation method applied to a four-wheel drive vehicle includes: acquiring an estimated vehicle body speed based on wheel speeds or a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle; determining whether an operation condition that includes at least a condition that the estimated vehicle body speed is higher than an operation determination speed is satisfied; performing torque limitation to reduce a torque of a portion of wheels of the vehicle when the operation condition is satisfied; determining whether a stop condition that includes a condition that the estimated vehicle body speed is lower than or equal to a stop determination speed or a condition that a duration of a state where a wheel acceleration of the portion of the wheels is higher than zero is longer than or equal to a set period of time; and stopping the torque limitation when the stop condition is satisfied.

A vehicle driving apparatus includes: an engine; a first rotary electric machine; first and second output shafts; a power distribution device for distributing a power between the first and second output shafts; and a control device for controlling an electric-power generation torque of a second rotary electric machine such that a power distribution ratio between the first and second output shafts becomes a target distribution ratio, and controlling a total torque of the engine and the first rotary electric machine such that a requested drive torque is obtained. The control device executes an electric-power consuming control to supply at least a part of a generated electric power generated by the second rotary electric machine, to the first rotary electric machine without via a power storage device, and to drive the first rotary electric machine, such that an operation state of the engine is brought close to a fuel-economy optimum state.

A vehicle driving apparatus includes: an engine; a first rotary electric machine; first and second output shafts; a power distribution device for distributing a power between the first and second output shafts; and a control device for controlling an electric-power generation torque of a second rotary electric machine such that a power distribution ratio between the first and second output shafts becomes a target distribution ratio, and controlling a total torque of the engine and the first rotary electric machine such that a requested drive torque is obtained. The control device executes an electric-power consuming control to supply at least a part of a generated electric power generated by the second rotary electric machine, to the first rotary electric machine without via a power storage device, and to drive the first rotary electric machine, such that an operation state of the engine is brought close to a fuel-economy optimum state.

A method of distributing driving force of a four wheel drive (4WD) eco-friendly vehicle includes determining a first allowable range of driving force for each driving force based on determination of travel stability, determining a second allowable range of driving force for each driving wheel based on system limitations of at least one of the first driving source or the second driving source, determining a range of available driving force of the first driving wheel based on the first allowable range of driving force and the second allowable range of driving force, determining first target driving force of the first driving wheel in consideration of efficiency of the first driving source within the range of available driving force, and determining second target driving force of the second driving wheel based on the first target driving force and requested torque.

A method of distributing driving force of a four wheel drive (4WD) eco-friendly vehicle includes determining a first allowable range of driving force for each driving force based on determination of travel stability, determining a second allowable range of driving force for each driving wheel based on system limitations of at least one of the first driving source or the second driving source, determining a range of available driving force of the first driving wheel based on the first allowable range of driving force and the second allowable range of driving force, determining first target driving force of the first driving wheel in consideration of efficiency of the first driving source within the range of available driving force, and determining second target driving force of the second driving wheel based on the first target driving force and requested torque.

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a K-turn mode. The K-turn mode is engaged in response to determining that an amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold. While operating in the K-turn mode, forward torque is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle. Further, backward torque is provided to the rear wheels of the vehicle. Yet further, the rear wheels of the vehicle remain substantially in static contact with a ground while the front wheels slip in relation to the ground.

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a K-turn mode. The K-turn mode is engaged in response to determining that an amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold. While operating in the K-turn mode, forward torque is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle. Further, backward torque is provided to the rear wheels of the vehicle. Yet further, the rear wheels of the vehicle remain substantially in static contact with a ground while the front wheels slip in relation to the ground.

A traction control device and method for a four-wheel drive electric vehicle are disclosed. When the drive wheels of an electric vehicle spin, a drive force of the electric vehicle is controlled so as to restrain the spinning of the drive wheels and to secure the starting performance and acceleration performance of the electric vehicle.

A traction control device and method for a four-wheel drive electric vehicle are disclosed. When the drive wheels of an electric vehicle spin, a drive force of the electric vehicle is controlled so as to restrain the spinning of the drive wheels and to secure the starting performance and acceleration performance of the electric vehicle.