A method and apparatus is disclosed for evaluating the driving of a vehicle performing a journey on a road network, comprising determining at least one constant speed zone of the road network, a constant speed zone being a portion of the road network at which the vehicle can travel at a constant speed, said determination being based upon expected speeds of travel along the road network determined from positional data relating to the movements of a plurality of vehicles over time along the road network. A speed of the vehicle traversing the road network is determined at a plurality of times during the journey, and a value indicative of a consistency of the speed of the vehicle within the at least one constant speed zone is further determined.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

An engine system for a vehicle may include an engine including a plurality of cylinders connected to a crankshaft, a Cylinder Deactivation (CDA) apparatus provided to at least one cylinder among the plurality of cylinders of the engine, a first flywheel mounted on the crankshaft, a second flywheel having a rotation center formed eccentrically with respect to the crankshaft by being disposed at a position corresponding to the cylinder including the CDA apparatus, and a clutch provided to the crankshaft to selectively transmit a torque of the crankshaft to the second flywheel during operation of the CDA apparatus.

The present invention relates to methods of controlling kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS), to controllers, KERS, drivetrains and vehicles including the KERS and controllers. The KERS comprises an energy storage system. In an embodiment, a vehicle is provided with a first vehicle operating mode wherein the energy storage system has a first target state of charge, and with a second vehicle operating mode wherein the energy storage system has a second target state of charge. The first or second vehicle operating mode is selected and energy is transferred between the energy storage system and the vehicle in order to achieve the target state of charge associated with the selected vehicle operating mode. In other embodiments, the KERS includes a variable power transmission device adapted to transfer energy to and from the energy storage system. The energy storage system is maintained at suitable energy levels for the vehicle's driving conditions.

A driveline (12) of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine (10) for propelling the vehicle and method of assembly can include a self-contained drive axle assembly (35). The self-contained drive axle assembly (35) can include an electric motor (18) for propelling the motor vehicle mounted coaxial with and sheathing a first portion of the drive axle assembly (35) and a disconnect clutch (20) mounted coaxial with and sheathing a second portion of the drive axle assembly (35) for selectively connecting powered rotation between the electric motor (18) and a gear box (14). The drive axle assembly (35) can include the gear box (14) having at least one of a transmission (15) and a power take off unit (40) mounted coaxial with and sheathing a third portion of the drive axle assembly (35) for transferring powered rotation to a pair of wheels (16a, 16b) through the drive axle assembly (35).

An apparatus for controlling a hybrid vehicle may include an engine that generates driving torque by combustion of fuel; an integrated starter-generator that starts the engine and generates electrical energy by selectively operating as a power generator; a drive motor that supports the power of the engine and generates electrical energy by selectively operating as a power generator; a battery that charges with the electrical energy generated by the integrated starter-generator and the drive motor; a nitrogen oxide purification device (LNT) that purifies nitrogen oxide included in exhaust gas exhausted from the engine; and a controller that controls engine torque by calculating a target engine torque for regenerating the nitrogen oxide purification device, supports the engine torque through the integrated starter-generator or the drive motor when a driving torque necessary for driving is greater than the target engine torque at a regeneration mode of the nitrogen oxide purification device, and performs regenerative braking the driving torque through the integrated starter-generator or the drive motor when the driving torque is less than the target engine torque.

An active front deflector assembly having a deployable deflector panel, linkage assemblies, and an actuator. The system deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, interrupts air flow thereby improving the vehicle aerodynamics, reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. The deflector panel is retractable so the vehicle meets ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road requirements, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The linkage assemblies are coupled to the deflector panel and a drive shaft connected to the actuator. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system. The active front deflector assembly provides a fully deployable system with object detection, declutching of the actuator, and communication with the vehicle.

A control device for a four wheel drive vehicle. Differential limitation is applied to both of right and left rear wheels, with 2WD_d state being maintained, by executing two wheel control for engaging or half-engaging a first clutch and a second clutch. As the two wheel drive control is executed, a moment that suppresses the rotation speed difference between the right and left rear wheels acts on the right and left rear wheels even in the 2WD_d state. When the rotation speed difference occurs between the right and left rear wheels, a braking force is allowed to act on the vehicle wheel on the high rotation side and a driving force is allowed to act on the vehicle wheel on the low rotation side through the execution of the two wheel drive control so that a stable moment acts on the vehicle without a transition to a 4WD state.

A system and method for controlling an active grille shutter system for a vehicle upon startup of an associated engine includes determining if flaps of the AGS system are in a closed position upon cold-startup of the vehicle; moving the flaps to the closed position if it is determined that the flaps are not in the closed position upon cold-startup of the vehicle; and maintaining the flaps in the closed position until an engine coolant temperature (ECT) reaches a predetermined temperature that initially overshoots a predetermined continuous ECT target associated with steady-state operation of the engine. The initial overshoot of the ECT during cold-startup is configured to rapidly raise an engine oil temperature (EOT) to a predetermined continuous EOT target thereby reducing viscosity of the engine oil during cold-startup operation and increasing fuel efficiency of the vehicle.