In a coasting control process, an ECU increases line pressure PL of a hydraulic path to predetermined pressure P1 such that discharge pressure of an MOP becomes higher than that before a C1 clutch is disengaged at timing when an executing condition of coasting control is satisfied (time t=t1). According to such coasting control process, driving torque of the MOP increases, so that deceleration (deceleration G) caused by driving of the MOP by a drive wheel becomes larger than that in conventional coasting control in which the discharge pressure of the MOP is not increased. As a result, it is possible to inhibit a driver from feeling discomfort due to free-running feeling generated during the coasting control.

An engine clutch disengagement control method for a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed to overcome a sense of discontinuous travel caused when an engine clutch is disengaged due to influence of the inaccuracy of model engine torque. The method includes: acquiring vehicle acceleration information during engine clutch disengagement control of the hybrid electric vehicle, determining whether a predetermined condition for determining inaccuracy of model engine torque required for engine clutch disengagement control is satisfied from the acquired vehicle acceleration information, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, determining a situation in which the model engine torque is inaccurate and calculating target compensation torque using the vehicle acceleration information, calculating a target slippage amount in a transmission clutch using the calculated target compensation torque, and performing transmission clutch torque control for inducing slippage in a transmission clutch based on the target slippage amount and a current transmission speed.

A limited slip differential (LSD) is mounted on a driven axle of a vehicle to drive left and right wheels. To control the LSD, a speed of the vehicle is determined. A value of a preload for application to the LSD is also determined. The value of the preload is based on a predicted engine torque and on the speed of the vehicle. A preload is applied to the LSD when the value of the preload is greater than zero.

A hybrid vehicle may include an engine, a drive wheel, a CVT for driving the drive wheel by continuously changing an engine power, an electric motor for driving the drive wheel, and a transaxle mechanically linked to the drive wheel. The transaxle may include an input shaft having first and second ends axially opposite each other and a clutch interposed between the motor and the input shaft. The first end of the input shaft is structured to receive power from the CVT and the second end of the input shaft is structured to receive power from the electric motor, The clutch, the second end of the input shaft and a motor shaft serving as a rotary axis of the motor are coaxially disposed.

A work machine comprising a work unit that performs work on a travel path, an internal combustion engine configured to generate power for driving the work unit, a traveling unit including a front wheel and a rear wheel, an electric motor configured to generate power for driving a first wheel of the front wheel and the rear wheel, a first clutch for switching between transmission and discontinuation of the power from the internal combustion engine to a second wheel of the front wheel and the rear wheel, and a switching control unit configured to control the first clutch based on a power consumption of the electric motor for switching between the transmission and the discontinuation.

A unitary system for an electric-assist bicycle generates signals indicative of power input to a drive system of the bicycle when a rider pedals the bicycle, considering torque applied by the rider, as well as the cadence or speed of the rider's pedaling. Direction of pedaling is also measured using the system. The system utilizes fixed, hard-wired, contactless electronics, namely first and second inductance coils that are non-equally-spaced circumferentially around a first axis, and which generate a first electrical signal indicative of torque based on lateral movement of a conductive or otherwise magnetically permeable rotatable member relative to the coils, and which generate second and third electrical signals indicative of pedaling cadence and direction based on eccentric relative rotational movement of the conductive or otherwise magnetically permeable rotatable member relative to the first and second inductance coils.

A limited slip differential (LSD) is mounted on a driven axle of a vehicle to drive left and right wheels. To control the LSD, a current input torque applied to the LSD is determined and a predicted engine torque is determined based on an accelerator control position. A current average speed of the left and right wheels is also determined. A preload is applied to the LSD. The preload is determined based on the predicted engine torque and to the current average speed of the left and right wheels.

A control strategy is provided for a hybrid vehicle that will increase drivability during low or decreasing driver demands. Coordination between shifting the transmission and stopping or (non-demand) starting of the engine can increase drivability. The vehicle includes a motor/generator with one side selectively coupled to the engine and another side selectively coupled to the transmission. The control strategy acts when an engine start or stop is requested while driver demand is decreasing and a shift of the transmission is demanded. To inhibit these events from proceeding simultaneously, the control strategy delays the engine from starting or stopping until the transmission has finished shifting, or vice versa.

A transaxle may include a motor, an input shaft, first and second output shafts, and first and second clutches. The input shaft has first and second ends. The first end of the input shaft is structured to receive an engine power from an engine. The second end of the input shaft is structured to receive motor power from the motor. The first output shaft is driven by power outputted from the input shaft. The second output shaft is driven by the motor power. The second output shaft is extended coaxially to the input shaft. The first clutch is interposed between the motor and the input shaft. The second clutch is interposed between the motor and the second output shaft. The first clutch and the second clutch are coaxially disposed between the second end of the input shaft and an axial end of the second output shaft.

A limited slip differential (LSD) is mounted on a driven axle of a vehicle to drive left and right wheels. To control the LSD, a current input torque applied to the LSD is determined and a predicted engine torque is determined based on an accelerator control position. A current average speed of the left and right wheels is also determined. A preload is applied to the LSD. The preload is determined based on the predicted engine torque and to the current average speed of the left and right wheels.