A system and method for modifying the engine pull-up (EPU) logic within a hybrid vehicle based on max motor torque that accounts for the drop or change in available motor torque due to the opening/slipping of a torque converter bypass clutch during engine starts is disclosed. An engine pull-up threshold is determined from max available motor torque at a virtual impeller speed, where the virtual impeller speed is the impeller speed that would result if the torque converter bypass clutch was open/slipping and transferring the same amount of torque.

An electronic control unit stores a vehicle load at the time when the vehicle is switched into an ignition off state, stops operation of an electric oil pump when the vehicle load is small, and operates the electric oil pump when the vehicle load is large. Thus, a decrease in service life due to an increase in the number of times of the start of the electric oil pump is suppressed, and, when it is estimated that the vehicle load is large, the response of the start of a vehicle, which makes a driver experience a feeling of strangeness, is improved by starting the electric oil pump together with switching the vehicle into an ignition on state.

Methods and systems are provided for selectively engaging an electric machine to an electric axle of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include engaging or disengaging the electric machine to a differential of the electric-axle by adjusting pressure in a piston coupled to an axle shaft of the electric-axle via a disconnect clutch.

A method for operating a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle includes: starting the motor vehicle solely with the aid of an electric machine; engaging a torque converter lockup clutch for rotationally fixing an impeller of a torque converter to a turbine wheel of the torque converter, wherein the turbine wheel is rotationally fixed to the electric machine; and engaging a clutch in order to drivingly connect the impeller to a motor vehicle drive unit, in order to start the motor vehicle drive unit.

A control apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle that includes (i) an engine, (ii) a first electric motor, (iii) a second electric motor, (iv) first wheels, (v) second wheels and (vi) an engagement device disposed between the engine/first electric motor and the first wheels. The engagement device establishes and cuts off transmission of a power of the engine/first electric motor to the first wheels, by connecting and disconnecting between an input rotary member and an output rotary member. During running of the vehicle in a running mode in which the engagement device is released and the vehicle is caused to run by a power of the second electric motor, it is determined whether the engagement device is being released or not, based on (a) a rotational speed difference between the input and output rotary members and (b) a rotational state of the engine or the first electric motor.

A control apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle that includes (i) an engine, (ii) a first electric motor, (iii) a second electric motor, (iv) first wheels, (v) second wheels and (vi) an engagement device disposed between the engine/first electric motor and the first wheels. The engagement device establishes and cuts off transmission of a power of the engine/first electric motor to the first wheels, by connecting and disconnecting between an input rotary member and an output rotary member. During running of the vehicle in a running mode in which the engagement device is released and the vehicle is caused to run by a power of the second electric motor, it is determined whether the engagement device is being released or not, based on (a) a rotational speed difference between the input and output rotary members and (b) a rotational state of the engine or the first electric motor.

An electrified vehicle may include an electric motor coupled to a battery to propel and brake the vehicle, a pedal generating a pedal position signal including a released position signal, friction brakes configured to provide a stopping force to vehicle wheels, and a controller programmed to control the motor and the brakes in response to the pedal being released to decelerate the vehicle to a stop, and to control the motor and an engine (in hybrid vehicles) to inhibit propulsive torque to the wheels after stopping due to the pedal released position until receiving driver input indicative of a request for moving the vehicle, such as depressing the brake or accelerator pedal, or activating an automated vehicle maneuver, such as a parking maneuver, cruise control, or stop-and-go control. Inhibiting torque may include inhibiting creep torque and/or operating the electric machine to charge the battery when the engine is running.

An electrified vehicle may include an electric motor coupled to a battery to propel and brake the vehicle, a pedal generating a pedal position signal including a released position signal, friction brakes configured to provide a stopping force to vehicle wheels, and a controller programmed to control the motor and the brakes in response to the pedal being released to decelerate the vehicle to a stop, and to control the motor and an engine (in hybrid vehicles) to inhibit propulsive torque to the wheels after stopping due to the pedal released position until receiving driver input indicative of a request for moving the vehicle, such as depressing the brake or accelerator pedal, or activating an automated vehicle maneuver, such as a parking maneuver, cruise control, or stop-and-go control. Inhibiting torque may include inhibiting creep torque and/or operating the electric machine to charge the battery when the engine is running.

A drive control device of a hybrid vehicle provided with a motor and an engine is provided. The control device includes a processor configured to execute a target fuel consumption setting module that sets a target fuel consumption according to the number of lapsed days from a given reference timing, an actual fuel consumption calculating module that calculates an actual fuel consumption actually consumed during a specific period from the reference timing, a forcible consumption calculating module that compares the actual fuel consumption with the target fuel consumption, and when the actual fuel consumption is less than the target fuel consumption, calculates a forcible consumption of fuel according to a difference therebetween, and a traveling controlling module that controls the drive of the motor and the engine so that traveling at least with the engine is continuously performed until the fuel is consumed by the forcible consumption.

A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a disconnect clutch configured to selectively couple the engine to the electric machine, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to start the engine with the electric machine, command a target pressure to the disconnect clutch that depends on a seal friction derived from a measured line pressure of the disconnect clutch and a rate change of the measured line pressure.