The invention relates to a method for propelling a vehicle comprising a first power source being an internal combustion engine and a second power source comprising at least one electrical machine. The vehicle is configured to be selectively driven according to a first mode and a second mode, wherein said second mode is prioritized more in relation to fuel efficiency of said vehicle than said first mode. When a maximum power for propelling said vehicle is requested, power delivered by said first power source and said second power source is controlled such that the total power delivered by said first and said second power source exceeds the maximum deliverable power of said first power source. The total power delivered by said first and said second power source is allowed to exceed the maximum deliverable power of said first power source when said vehicle is driven according to said second mode.

A vehicle that utilizes a counter-rotating electric motor to generate at least a portion of its propulsive force that includes the vehicle with front and rear wheels, the counter-rotating motor with two oppositely rotating components linked to two drive shafts that are coupled to the wheels in a common rotational direction, a component for reversible stopping the rotation of at least one rotating component while permitting the drive shafts to rotate, a power source linked to the motor, and a controller that controls both the speed of the vehicle and the reversible stopping component to switch between a first operational mode for slower vehicle speeds and a second operational mode for higher vehicle speeds, thereby increasing the overall electrical efficiency for operating the vehicle.

A vehicle that utilizes a counter-rotating electric motor to generate at least a portion of its propulsive force that includes the vehicle with front and rear wheels, the counter-rotating motor with two oppositely rotating components linked to two drive shafts that are coupled to the wheels in a common rotational direction, a component for reversible stopping the rotation of at least one rotating component while permitting the drive shafts to rotate, a power source linked to the motor, and a controller that controls both the speed of the vehicle and the reversible stopping component to switch between a first operational mode for slower vehicle speeds and a second operational mode for higher vehicle speeds, thereby increasing the overall electrical efficiency for operating the vehicle.

An ADS performs processing including setting an immobilization command to “Applied” when an autonomous state has been set to an autonomous mode, when an acceleration command has a value indicating deceleration, when an actual moving direction indicates a standstill state, and when a wheel lock request is issued, setting the acceleration command to V1, and setting the acceleration command to zero when an immobilization status has been set to “11”.

An ADS performs processing including setting an immobilization command to “Applied” when an autonomous state has been set to an autonomous mode, when an acceleration command has a value indicating deceleration, when an actual moving direction indicates a standstill state, and when a wheel lock request is issued, setting the acceleration command to V1, and setting the acceleration command to zero when an immobilization status has been set to “11”.

Methods and systems are provided for improving torque control of a vehicle that includes simulated shifting of a step gear ratio transmission. In one example, a propulsive effort request is gradually incrementally increased or decreased to provide a smooth torque transition, thereby providing a smoother vehicle speed change and improve vehicle drivability.

In a hybrid vehicle, when a required driving force is equal to or smaller than a first upper limit driving force, a control device sets a target driving force to the required driving force. When the required driving force is larger than the first upper limit driving force, the control device sets a target compensation power of a power storage device, based on a difference between the required driving force and the first upper limit driving force. The control device sets a second upper limit driving force of a driveshaft when an upper limit power is output from an engine and the power storage device is charged or discharged with a power based on the target compensation power. The control device sets a target driving force to the smaller between the required driving force and the second upper limit driving force. This configuration suppresses deterioration of the driver's drive feeling.

In a hybrid vehicle, when a required driving force is equal to or smaller than a first upper limit driving force, a control device sets a target driving force to the required driving force. When the required driving force is larger than the first upper limit driving force, the control device sets a target compensation power of a power storage device, based on a difference between the required driving force and the first upper limit driving force. The control device sets a second upper limit driving force of a driveshaft when an upper limit power is output from an engine and the power storage device is charged or discharged with a power based on the target compensation power. The control device sets a target driving force to the smaller between the required driving force and the second upper limit driving force. This configuration suppresses deterioration of the driver's drive feeling.

This vehicle speed command generation device 1 generates a target vehicle speed command to be used by a vehicle speed control device. The vehicle speed command generation device 1 comprises: a shift processing unit 12 that receives an original vehicle speed command and generates each of a reference vehicle speed command in which the original vehicle speed command is delayed by a reference delay time, a first-out vehicle speed command in which the original vehicle speed command is delayed by a first-out delay time that is shorter than the reference delay time, and a delayed vehicle speed command in which the original vehicle speed command is delayed by a second delay time that is longer than the reference delay time; and a correction processing unit 16 that generates a target vehicle speed command by using the first-out vehicle speed command and the delayed vehicle speed command.

A method for the performance-enhancing driver assistance of a road vehicle driven by a driver and provided with at least two drive wheels driven by at least one electric motor connected to a corresponding vehicular battery pack; the method comprises the steps of defining a dynamic model of the road vehicle; determining a route of a track travelled by the road vehicle; calculating, as a function of the dynamic model of the road vehicle and of the route, a convenience index relative to the use of energy of the vehicular battery pack by the electric motor; subdividing the route (R) into a plurality of sectors assigning to each a relative value of the calculated convenience index; delivering electrical power to the drive wheels according to the value of the convenience index assigned to each sector of the route.