A tire failure detection device includes a steering angle sensor for sensing a steering angle, a yaw rate sensor for sensing a yaw rate, and a control unit. The control unit calculates side-slip energy based on the output signal of the steering angle sensor and the output signal of the yaw rate sensor, and determines that a failure has occurred in a tire when the side-slip energy exceeds a first threshold.

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain or driveline that includes an engine and an integrated starter/generator are described. In one example, engine power is adjusted based on a time averaged transmission input shaft power so that the engine may operate in a power region where its performance is enhanced to support operation in an off-road environment.

A method for detecting combustion irregularities in a combustion engine coupled to an electric engine of a hybrid vehicle having a management unit for determining the respective powers to be supplied by these engines, and for delivering setpoint data dependent on these power distributions, including determining a threshold value corresponding to a percentage of the power supplied by the electric engine, such that values of this percentage less than or equal to the threshold value correspond to operation of the electric engine that is not liable to falsify the results of the combustion irregularity detection diagnostics, and, for the purpose of launching a diagnostic procedure, when the percentage of the power supplied by the electric engine is greater than the threshold value, delivering setpoint data suitable for fixing the value of the power percentage at a setpoint value less than the threshold.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, vehicle launch control parameters are adjusted responsive to a learned driving style. The approach may provide vehicle launches that are closer to driver expectations than vehicle launches that are based solely on accelerator pedal position.

A method and system of operating an internal combustion engine (ICE) of a hybrid powertrain system for powering a vehicle or stationary apparatus having a variable load demand includes arrangements and configurations of operating the ICE to charge/recharge capacitive energy storage, such as ultra-capacitors, during acceleration or high load demand on the ICE. Operation of the ICE can be transitioned from one mode of operation to another, more efficient, mode of operation during charging and high load. The present invention provides fuel efficiency/economy benefits when charging the capacitive energy storage during high load situations.

Spark ignition engine operation at higher RPM so as to reduce alcohol requirements in high efficiency alcohol enhanced gasoline engines is disclosed. Control of engine upspeeding (use of a higher ratio of engine RPM to wheel RPM) so as to achieve an alcohol reduction objective while limiting any decrease in efficiency is described. High RPM alcohol enhanced gasoline engine operation in plug-in series hybrid powertrains for heavy duty trucks and other vehicles is also described.

A vehicle control system includes an electric power generator, a battery, a motor for traveling which rotates a driving wheel, a traveling plan generator which generates a traveling plan in which a traveling route has been planned, an electric power generation plan generator which generates an electric power generation plan in which electric power generation by the electric power generator has been planned on the traveling route, and a plan modifier which modifies the electric power generation plan to a plan for increasing the amount of electric power to be generated by the electric power generator in one or more sections before a predetermined section when electric power generation by the electric power generator in the predetermined section having a height equal to or greater than a threshold value among one or more sections constituting the traveling route has been planned in the electric power generation plan.

A vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle having a traction battery and an internal combustion engine include adapting a power limitation of the internal combustion engine by sensing a currently supplied power level of the internal combustion engine and a current velocity of the vehicle, sensing an ambient temperature of the vehicle and determining an associated ambient-temperature-related weighting factor, sensing an ambient air pressure and determining an associated air-pressure-related weighting factor, determining a thermal load indicator as a function of a ratio of the sensed currently supplied power and the sensed current velocity as well as of the ambient-temperature-related weighting factor, the air-pressure-related weighting factor, and a vehicle-bodywork-related weighting factor, and limiting a maximum supplied power level of the internal combustion engine as a function of the determined thermal load indicator.

A control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided. When a first drive mode is selected as the drive mode of the hybrid vehicle, a control section shifts the drive mode to a second drive mode when a charge amount of a battery for an electric motor becomes smaller than or equal to a determination charge amount. The first drive mode operates the electric motor while an internal combustion engine is stopped. The second drive mode permits the operation of the internal combustion engine. The control section executes a shifting process when the upper limit system output is lower than or equal to a startup determination output even though the charge amount of the battery is greater than the determination charge amount. The shifting process shifts the drive mode to the second drive mode to start the internal combustion engine.

A control system for vehicles that controls drive force and acceleration smoothly without causing a shock, in response to an operation of an accelerator pedal. A hysteresis is set between an input value and an output value of angle of the accelerator pedal. The hysteresis includes a deadband and an asymptotic range. The output value is not changed significantly with respect to a change in the input value if an angle of the accelerator pedal is changed within the deadband, and the output value is changed continuously with respect to a change in the input value based on a predetermined function if an angle of the accelerator pedal is changed within the asymptotic range.