A travel control apparatus including a driving level switching portion switching to a first driving automation level involving a driver responsibility to monitor surroundings or a second driving automation level not involving the driver responsibility to monitor the surroundings, a distance measurement device measuring an inter-vehicle distance to a forward vehicle, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor performs controlling an equipment according to the inter-vehicle distance so as to follow the forward vehicle, controlling the equipment so that the self-driving vehicle starts when the inter-vehicle distance increases up to a predetermined value, and determining a first predetermined value as the predetermined value when the driving automation level is switched to the first driving automation level and a second predetermined value larger than the first predetermined value as the predetermined value when the driving automation level is switched to the second driving automation level.

A control device that includes an electronic control unit that is programmed such that, when the internal combustion engine is started by the rotary electric machine while output torque from the rotary electric machine is transferred to the wheels in a state in which rotation of the internal combustion engine has been stopped, the electronic control unit: executes second slipping control in which the second engagement device is controlled into a slipping engagement state, executes first slipping control in which the first engagement device which has been in a disengaged state is controlled into a slipping engagement state during execution of the second slipping control, and controls an engagement pressure of the first engagement device so as to lower a rotational speed of the rotary electric machine in the first slipping control.

A torque limiting clutch that includes an input member and at least two output members is provided. The input member is configured to receive torque. Each output member is in operational communication with the input member to transfer torque between the input member and each output member. Each output member is configured to slip the operational communication with the input member when a torque above a set torque limit is encountered. Further wherein the slip of the operational communication between the input member and one output member of the at least two output members is independent of the operational communication between the input member and any other output member of the at least two output members.

A method and device for controlling an engine clutch of a hybrid vehicle are provided. The method includes setting a target speed of an engine to change a driving mode of the hybrid vehicle from an EV mode to an HEV mode and operating a HSG to adjust an engine speed to reach the target speed. An engine clutch that connects the engine with a driving motor or disconnects the engine from the driving motor is engaged to start when the speed of the engine is maintained at the target speed. A kiss point generated when the engine clutch is in a slip state is detected to learn the kiss point of the engine clutch and an output of the engine is increased based on a driver required torque when the speed of the engine and a speed of the driving motor are synchronized after the kiss point is learned.

A controller for a driving force transmitting apparatus mounted in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, includes: a driving force controller configured to calculate a command torque indicating a driving force to be transmitted to the sub-drive wheels via the driving force transmitting apparatus based on a traveling state of the four-wheel-drive vehicle and a road surface condition, and to control the driving force transmitting apparatus based on the command torque; and a road surface condition determiner configured to determine that the road surface condition is a high- condition when a duration of a non-slipping state where a vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a prescribed value and a slip ratio of each of both the main drive wheels is lower than a prescribed value has become equal to or longer than a prescribed time.

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid driveline that includes an engine, a motor/generator, and a driveline disconnect clutch are described. The systems and methods may improve vehicle efficiency while providing expected vehicle operation and performance. In one example, transmission line pressure is adjusted to match driveline disconnect clutch torque capacity to driver demand torque.

The vehicle driving force control device comprises: a behavior control mechanism for reducing a driving force of an engine according to a steering speed; a driving force distribution mechanism for distributing the driving force of the engine to rear road wheels; and an ECU for controlling the mechanisms. The behavior control mechanism reduces the driving force by a target torque reduction amount set based on the steering speed, to thereby generate a deceleration, and the driving force distribution mechanism distributes the driving force to the front road wheels and the rear road wheels based on a distribution rate set for the rear road wheels depending on a traveling state, and the ECU corrects the distribution rate based on the target torque reduction amount during cornering of the vehicle.

A method for controlling gear shifting of a hybrid electric vehicle, which is configured for reducing gear-shifting time, minimizing loss by a drive system, improving fuel efficiency and enhancing drivability and which enables a driver to feel a change in acceleration when the driver manipulates the accelerator pedal during power-on upshift active control operation may include speed control of the driving source of the vehicle based on a change rate of a transmission input speed and feedforward control of the clutch of the engagement element in the transmission, to which a driver requested torque is reflected, which are performed at the same time during power-on upshift active control operation, facilitating the driver to feel a change in acceleration which is produced by his or her driving manipulation.

A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated fiction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.

An active torque management clutch system that includes an ATM clutch, a clutch actuator, and a controller is provided. The ATM clutch is positioned between a driven sheave of a CVT and an axle. The clutch actuator is used to control the ATM clutch. The controller is in communication with at least one vehicle sensor and the clutch actuator. The controller is configured to open the ATM clutch when sensor information indicates a shift is about to occur and close the ATM clutch when the sensor information indicates engine torque is required in a driveline.