Engine combustion mode-switching transitions are controlled through a coordination control of an electric machine and a multi-combustion mode engine coupled to each other with a hybrid propulsion system by following predetermined combustion mode-switching strategies and control algorithms.

A hybrid vehicle comprises an engine, an energy storage device, and an aftertreatment system comprising a SCR catalyst configured to treat constituents of an exhaust gas. A controller is operatively coupled to the engine, the energy storage device, and the after treatment system, and configured to estimate an exhaust gas temperature and flow rate of the exhaust gas based on a set of engine operating parameters. The controller determines an exhaust gas cooling rate based on the exhaust gas temperature, flow rate, and a SCR catalyst temperature, and an ambient cooling rate based on an ambient temperature, a vehicle speed and the catalyst temperature. The controller determines a SCR catalyst temperature change rate based on the exhaust gas and ambient cooling rates, and adjusts a load distribution between the engine and the energy storage device based on the SCR catalyst temperature change rate.

A system and method for power management of hybrid electric vehicles is provided. In some implementations, a plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle may include an engine, a motor/generator (MG), a traction motor, an energy storage device, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the engine and the MG to control operation of the engine and the MG such that a state-of-charge (SOC) of the energy storage device tracks a dynamic reference SOC profile during a trip and an average engine power (AEP) is maintained above a threshold. In some instances, maintaining AEP above a threshold supports emission control of the vehicle.

A control system for a hybrid vehicle that reduces a change in an engine torque when warming a catalyst. The hybrid vehicle comprises a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas, a first motor, a differential mechanism having a plurality of rotary elements, and an engagement device that selectively connects the first motor to an engine. A controller is configured to determine whether it is necessary to warm the catalyst, and disengage the engagement device while retarding an ignition timing of the engine when it is necessary to warm the purifying device.

A control device for a vehicle includes a catalyst temperature raising control part configured to perform catalyst temperature raising control raising a temperature of an exhaust purification catalyst of an internal combustion engine while driving in an EV mode on an EV section of a driving route when driving over the driving route in accordance with a driving plan when, while driving on the EV section: (i) the temperature of the exhaust purification catalyst is less than a predetermined temperature raising reference temperature that is higher than an activation temperature at which an exhaust purification function of the exhaust purification catalyst is activated, (ii) the exhaust purification catalyst was previously heated while driving on the driving route, and (iii) there is a CS section to be driven on while in a CS mode in a remaining driving section of the driving route after the EV section.

A method of reducing cold start emissions in a series mode hybrid electric vehicle, including an internal combustion engine with an exhaust duct having a catalyst and a downstream oxygen sensor, an output of the combustion engine being connected to an electric generator with a power output of at least 10 kW that is connected to an electric motor which is coupled to a drive shaft of two or more wheels. The method includes detecting a cold start condition, injecting fuel into the engine such that combustion at a lambda value, λ, is achieved for which λ>1, running the engine at a speed of 1000 rpm or higher, determining if the efficiency of the catalyst reaches a first level, setting λ to about 1 after the predetermined efficiency level of the catalyst has been reached, and reducing the speed to working conditions when the catalyst efficiency reaches a second level.

A controller for a hybrid electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a filter arranged in an exhaust passage collect particulate matter from exhaust gas. The controller executes a first deceleration control process, a second deceleration control process, and a selection process. The first deceleration control process uses a fuel cutoff process when deceleration of the hybrid electric vehicle is required. The second deceleration control process does not use the fuel cutoff process when deceleration of the hybrid electric vehicle is required. The selection process selects execution of the second deceleration control process when a PM deposition amount is greater than or equal to a threshold value and selects execution of the first deceleration control process when the PM deposition amount is less than the threshold value.

A controller for a hybrid electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a filter arranged in an exhaust passage collect particulate matter from exhaust gas. The controller executes a first deceleration control process, a second deceleration control process, and a selection process. The first deceleration control process uses a fuel cutoff process when deceleration of the hybrid electric vehicle is required. The second deceleration control process does not use the fuel cutoff process when deceleration of the hybrid electric vehicle is required. The selection process selects execution of the second deceleration control process when a PM deposition amount is greater than or equal to a threshold value and selects execution of the first deceleration control process when the PM deposition amount is less than the threshold value.

A method for controlling operation of a vehicle. The method includes: providing information on geographical position of a first (starting) location and a second (destination) location and on length and topography for at least one possible route to be taken by the vehicle from the first location to the second location; calculating, based on vehicle conditions and on length and topography for the at least one possible route, a plan for how to control the powertrain system to achieve an energy efficient performance of the powertrain system if driving the vehicle along said at least one possible route. The method further includes: setting the vehicle in a non-drive off mode that prevents the vehicle from driving off from the first location, and setting the vehicle in a normal operation mode that allows drive off from the first location when calculating the plan has been carried out.

A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine equipped with a filter that removes particulate matter in an exhaust system, a motor for traveling, an electric power storage device that exchanges electric power with the motor, and a control device that controls the engine and the motor. The control device stops, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, rotation of the engine and inhibits, when a filter temperature as a temperature of the filter is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the rotation stop of the engine regardless of whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied.