Methods for controlling vacuum within a brake booster by modifying powertrain operation include determining an intake manifold vacuum in response to actuation of a brake pedal. Increasing the intake manifold vacuum if the brake booster vacuum is less than a desired brake booster vacuum. In some embodiments, the transmission is downshifted to increase engine speed and intake manifold vacuum.

A vehicle includes at least one sensor generating a signal to control an operation of an internal combustion engine; and a control unit configured to store a control parameter to control an operation of the internal combustion engine, and to correct the control parameter based on an output of the at least one sensor. The control unit stops correcting the control parameter while the vehicle is at a halt, and the power generator is generating electric power by driving of the internal combustion engine.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling an aspirator shut-off valve in an engine of a hybrid vehicle. One example method includes opening the aspirator shut-off valve following a shut-down command to the engine when engine speed is between a first engine speed and a second engine speed, the first engine speed being lower than an idle speed and the second engine speed occurring before an imminent engine stop. The example method further includes not opening the aspirator shut-off valve between the first engine speed and the second engine speed if an oxygen content of an emission control device is at or near a threshold.

A vehicle includes: an electric motor that generates a first driving force for rotationally driving drive wheels of the vehicle, an engine that generates a second driving force for rotationally driving the drive wheels of the vehicle, an exhaust gas purification device that purifies exhaust gas generated in the engine, a generator that generates electric power using the second driving force, and a clutch that switches whether or not to transmit the second driving force to the drive wheels, wherein when the second driving force is not being transmitted to the drive wheels, the engine operates at a higher rotational speed than when the second driving force is being transmitted to the drive wheels, and the electric motor generates the first driving force using the electric power generated by the generator by using the second driving force.

In the present invention, an internal combustion engine (7) drives a generator (6). The internal combustion engine (7) carries out a standby operation. The standby operation is an operation involving assisting power supply to a drive motor (2). During the standby operation of the internal combustion engine (7), the SoC of a battery (4) is equal to or higher than a predetermined SoC threshold. The operating point of the internal combustion engine (7) during the standby operation is further on a lower-output side than the operating point of the same during the charging of the battery (4). The operating point of the internal combustion engine (7) during the standby operation is an operating point in which the collector pressure of the internal combustion engine (7) is equal to or higher than a predetermined collector pressure threshold. The operating point of the internal combustion engine (7) during the standby operation is within a lean combustion region.

The present invention relates to a method for determining engine operation parameter values during and/or after a gear shift operation prior to performing said gear shift operation. The method comprises the steps of, prior to the gear shift operation: determining initial conditions comprising torque demand and engine speed and certain other engine operation parameter values; providing said initial conditions to an engine operation simulation model; providing a torque development course as well as an engine speed development course during the intended gear shift operation to said engine operation simulation model; and determining desired engine operation parameter values by means of said engine operation simulation model based upon the information thus provided to said engine operation simulation model.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling an aspirator shut-off valve in an engine of a hybrid vehicle. One example method includes opening the aspirator shut-off valve following a shut-down command to the engine when engine speed is between a first engine speed and a second engine speed, the first engine speed being lower than an idle speed and the second engine speed occurring before an imminent engine stop. The example method further includes not opening the aspirator shut-off valve between the first engine speed and the second engine speed if an oxygen content of an emission control device is at or near a threshold.

A method for reducing exhaust gas emissions during a transient transitional phase of a vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electric machine or an alternative ancillary unit, the method including, in the transient transitional phase, over a period of time defined by a dynamic indicator for determining the transient transitional phase, a correction intervention is carried out by a load point reduction of the internal combustion engine and, simultaneously thereto, a torque substitution by a transient torque applied by the electric machine or the alternative ancillary unit.

A system and method for mitigating or avoiding risks due to hazards encountered by platooning vehicles. The system and method involve interrogating, with one or more sensors, a space radially extending from a lead vehicle as the lead vehicle travels over the road surface, perceiving the environment within the space, ascertaining a hazard caused by an object in the space, and causing a following vehicle, operating in a platoon with the lead vehicle, to take a preemptive braking action to avoid or mitigate risks resulting from the hazard caused by the object in the space.

A system and method for mitigating or avoiding risks due to hazards encountered by platooning vehicles. The system and method involve interrogating, with one or more sensors, a space radially extending from a lead vehicle as the lead vehicle travels over the road surface, perceiving the environment within the space, ascertaining a hazard caused by an object in the space, and causing a following vehicle, operating in a platoon with the lead vehicle, to take a preemptive braking action to avoid or mitigate risks resulting from the hazard caused by the object in the space.