A control apparatus for a vehicle includes an input-rotation limiting portion configured, when the vehicle starts running and is accelerated, to calculate an estimated speed value that is a speed value of an input rotational speed of an automatic transmission upon elapse of a predetermined length of time, and to calculate an estimated force value that is a force value of a piston pressing force acting on a piston in a forward direction in a released engagement device upon the elapse of the predetermined length of time, based on a centrifugal hydraulic pressure in a pressure chamber of the released engagement device and the centrifugal hydraulic pressure in a canceller chamber of the released engagement device. When the estimated force value is not smaller than a predetermined threshold, the input-rotation limiting portion restrains an increase of the input rotational speed.

An active shift control method for a power-off downshift of the hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes increasing the torque of an engagement clutch in a transmission while disengaging a disengagement clutch by reducing the torque of the disengagement clutch in the transmission, when the shift of a power-off downshift is requested. A motor speed is adjust for a transmission input shaft rotary speed to reach a predetermined target stage synchronization speed of a target stage after shifting, and the torque of the engagement clutch is maintained in a state where the disengagement clutch has been disengaged. The engagement of the engagement clutch is completed by increasing the torque of the engagement clutch when the transmission input shaft rotary speed has reached the target stage synchronization speed.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle powertrain, where the driveline includes an electric machine downstream of a dual clutch transmission, which is downstream of an engine. In one example, a method comprises communicating from a transmission, a torque to accelerate transmission components from a first speed to a second speed with first and second clutches of a dual transmission open, the communicating performed while an electric machine coupled to the dual clutch transmission at a location downstream of the dual clutch transmission is providing torque to propel a vehicle. In this way, wheel speed may remain substantially constant while the transmission is shifted and the engine is stopped.

A vehicle travel control apparatus configured to control an actuator for driving a vehicle with a self-driving capability so that the vehicle follows a forward vehicle in front of the vehicle. The vehicle travel control apparatus includes a travel state detector configured to detect a traveling state of the forward vehicle, and an electric control unit having a microprocessor and a memory. The microprocessor is configured to perform determining whether the forward vehicle is cruising based on the traveling condition detected by the travel state detector, and controlling the actuator so that the vehicle travels in a normal mode, when it is determined that the forward vehicle is not cruising, and the vehicle follows the forward vehicle in a cruise mode with a fuel economy performance or quietness higher than in the normal mode, when the forward vehicle is cruising.

A method for controlling revolutions per minute (RPM) flare, in which an RPM of a transmission increases due to clutch slip, for a hybrid vehicle can include: determining whether gear-shifting is performed in a transmission of the hybrid vehicle; detecting whether RPM flare of the transmission occurs when it is determined that the gear-shifting is performed; and controlling a torque of a motor of the hybrid vehicle so as to reduce the RPM flare of the transmission by reducing the torque of the motor when the RPM flare of the transmission is detected.

The present invention relates to a controlling apparatus for a powertrain of an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle comprises a gearbox having an input shaft, a first electric machine and a second electric machine being coupled to the input shaft of the gearbox. The controlling apparatus is configured to control the operation of the first and second electric machines by the steps of: changing the speed of the first and second electric machines to reach a target speed of the input shaft; determining that the speed of the input shaft is within a target range of the target speed; setting one of the first and second electric machines in a first control mode, the first control mode being speed control to adjust for changes so that the target speed of the input shaft can be kept when reached, and setting the other one of the first and second electric machines in a second control mode being different to the first control mode, in response of determining that the speed of the input shaft is within the target range.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, the engine is started and coupled to the driveline via closing a clutch of a dual clutch transmission. Speed of the engine and clutch pressure are controlled to reduce driveline torque disturbances and provide a desired wheel torque.

A drive system for a hybrid vehicle and a method of operation of the drive system are provided. The drive system includes an internal combustion engine having a shaft, a vehicle transmission having a transmission input shaft and an output shaft, a transmission clutch between the transmission input and output shafts, an inertia-mass drive unit arranged between the internal combustion engine shaft and the transmission input shaft, a first clutch between the internal combustion engine shaft and inertia-mass drive unit and a second clutch between the inertia-mass drive unit and the transmission input shaft; and an electrical machine torque-transmittingly connected to the transmission input shaft. The inertia-mass drive unit may include rotational oscillation reduction device. Operation of the first, second and transmission clutches in coordination with electric motor and engine operation provides multiple operating modes while minimizing operator disturbance during transitions between engine deactivated and activated states.

A control apparatus for a vehicle includes an input-rotation limiting portion configured, when the vehicle starts running and is accelerated, to calculate an estimated speed value that is a speed value of an input rotational speed of an automatic transmission upon elapse of a predetermined length of time, and to calculate an estimated force value that is a force value of a piston pressing force acting on a piston in a forward direction in a released engagement device upon the elapse of the predetermined length of time, based on a centrifugal hydraulic pressure in a pressure chamber of the released engagement device and the centrifugal hydraulic pressure in a canceller chamber of the released engagement device. When the estimated force value is not smaller than a predetermined threshold, the input-rotation limiting portion restrains an increase of the input rotational speed.

A gear change control device and method thereof are provided. The gear change control device is a target torque control device that sets a target torque of a motor outputting a torque to a multilevel transmission having a torque converter and a lockup clutch. In a case when the lockup clutch is in a fastened state and during upshifting gear change, target torque reduction control is executed for reducing the target torque of the motor such that the output of the motor becomes a torque at which a heat generation temperature of the lockup clutch does not exceed an allowable temperature. If the lockup clutch is fastened, threshold value changing control is executed for changing threshold value of a rotation speed of the motor or the input shaft when the gear range is shifted to the side of higher range during upshifting gear change to a higher rotation speed.