The power controller, when switching from the second power-source drive to the first power-source drive, determines a specified power of the second power-source based on a ratio of the target transmission capacity of a clutch to the target vehicle power, and controls the second power-source based on the specified power.

A creep control method for a vehicle is disclosed. The creep control method includes a limit-setting step and a limit release step. In the limit-setting step, a controller compares a speed of an input shaft of a transmission with a predetermined creep reference speed, and, if it is determined that the speed of the input shaft is lower than the creep reference speed, a creep minimum torque of a clutch for controlling creep driving of the vehicle is set to be a predetermined lower limit torque, which is larger than 0. In the limit release step, if the controller determines that the speed of the input shaft is increased above the creep reference speed while the creep minimum torque is limited to the lower limit torque, the creep minimum torque is set to 0.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain comprising drive torque means, a transmission and a driveline, the drive torque means comprising an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: detecting that coasting entry criteria have been met; causing the powertrain to assume a first coasting mode for a first time period in which the drive torque means delivers positive drive torque to the driveline to substantially balance powertrain losses; determining a value for at least one parameter, the or each parameter being indicative of: a probability that a demand will be made for torque to be delivered to the driveline in addition to torque delivered to substantially balance powertrain losses; or a probability that a demand will be made for braking of the vehicle; and setting the value of the first time period in dependence on the value of the or each parameter.

A launch control method for a vehicle may include a step of increasing clutch torque of a clutch according to a decrease in braking pressure, a step of maintaining a current level of the clutch torque for a first reference duration, a step of gradually reducing the clutch torque within a range which is lower than the first reference torque level and is equal to or greater than a second reference torque level which is lower than the first reference torque level, a step of gradually increasing the clutch torque until the clutch torque reaches a third reference torque level which is higher than the first reference torque level, and a step of bringing the control to a stop when a state in which a clutch slip is less than a predetermined critical synchronous slip is maintained for a predetermined critical synchronization duration or longer than the predetermined critical synchronization duration.

A method includes estimating a first pressure at a first location of a clutch based on a flow rate of a fluid in the clutch, computing a first torque lead value based on the first pressure, computing a second torque lead value based on a second pressure, computing a third torque lead value by combining the first torque lead value and the second torque lead value, and applying torque from a motor of the vehicle based on the third torque lead value.

A vehicle control unit performs filling control in which the vehicle control unit boosts an oil pressure in a second oil passage by supplying electric power to a pressure regulating valve with a switch valve being in a first state in which the switch valve connects a first oil passage to a clutch and disconnects the second oil passage from the clutch, torque replacement control in which the vehicle control unit increases motor torque while reducing shaft torque of an engine, and clutch disengagement control in which the vehicle control unit disengages the clutch while performing hydraulic control by the pressure regulating valve with the switch valve being in the second state in which the switch valve connects the second oil passage to the clutch and disconnects the first oil passage from the clutch.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a driveline disconnect clutch for a hybrid vehicle shifting are presented. In one example, pressure of a working fluid supplied to the driveline disconnect clutch is adjusted in response to a rate of change in accelerator pedal position. Further, pressure of the working fluid may be decreased responsive to selected operating conditions.

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.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle driveline are presented. In one example, a margin torque for closing a torque converter clutch is adjusted responsive to a state of engine operation.

A method for stopping of a motor vehicle including providing a creep torque via a drive train of the motor vehicle and then increasing, independently of the driver, engine speed of a drive engine of the drive train to increase a drive torque of the drive engine and simultaneously increasing, independently of the driver, a braking torque of a brake system of the motor vehicle to balance the drive torque and the braking torque of the motor wherein the maximum braking torque is as great as the creep torque during a standstill of the motor vehicle. The method then maintains the braking torque and simultaneously reduces the engine speed of the drive engine to point at which the motor vehicle comes to a standstill. In an alternative embodiment the method includes applying, independently of the driver, a braking torque by a brake system of the motor vehicle, wherein the applied braking torque is as great as the creep torque present when the motor vehicle is at a standstill and then maintaining the braking torque and simultaneously reducing the creep torque of the drive train up to a point at which the motor vehicle comes to a standstill.