A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

A method selects a target state of a vehicle driveline connecting at least a combustion engine and/or an electric machine to the wheels of the vehicle by a transmission, from a set of states present on the transmission, which are defined by various combinations of couplers and reduction gears thereof in order to transfer torque from the combustion engine and/or from the electric machine to the wheels over one or more gear ratios. The method includes filtering to determine, from a list of available states, state consecutive eligible sets as a function of combined driveability constraints.

The invention is a system for automatically adjusting drive modes based on weight. The system includes a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing devices includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive weight data from the weight determination system, receive the input data from the data input device, and receive a user input. The processor is also configured to determine at least one drive mode setting based on the weight data, the input data and the user input, send the drive mode setting data to a vehicle control system, and communicate the drive mode setting to a user.

An engine starting system for hybrid vehicle is provided. The engine starting system is applied to a hybrid vehicle in which a friction clutch is disposed between an engine and a power distribution device. In order to reduce gear noise and vibrations, a second motor establishes a cancel torque to cancel a reaction torque acting on an axle when starting the engine. The engine starting system is configured to increase the torque of the second motor in a direction of a drive torque rotating the axle, when starting the engine while bringing the friction clutch into engagement in a slipping manner.

A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, a first motor serving as a motor for driving of a vehicle or serving as a generator, a first power transmission mechanism disposed between the engine and the first motor to transmit the power of the engine to the first motor or to cut off transmission of power between the engine and the first motor, a second power transmission mechanism disposed between the first motor and a driving shaft of running wheels to transmit the power of the first motor to the driving shaft of the running wheels or to cut off transmission of power between the first motor and the driving shaft of the running wheels, and a second motor connected to the second power transmission mechanism via a third power transmission mechanism to transmit power to the second power transmission mechanism and outputting power for driving the vehicle and transmit the power to the driving shaft of the running wheels.

A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine and a first electric machine each configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine and configured to start the engine from an inactive state. A high-voltage battery powers both of the first electric machine and the second electric machine over a high-voltage bus. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to issue a command to start the engine using the second electric machine in response to a threshold acceleration demand following a period of reduced acceleration demand.

An electronic control unit performs a control process including a step of setting a second learning time shorter than a first learning time when a Charge Sustaining mode is not selected, a step of setting enlarged values as upper and lower limit values of a feedback value, a step of switching an engine stop prohibition flag to an ON state when a learning start condition is satisfied, a step of performing learning control, a step of performing an update process when the set learning time elapses, and a step of turning off the engine stop prohibition flag.

A hybrid vehicle propulsion includes an engine and a first electric machine, where each is configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine to provide torque to start the engine from an inactive state. A high-voltage power source is configured to power both of the first electric machine and the second electric machine over a high-voltage bus. The propulsion system further includes a controller programmed to deactivate the engine and propel the vehicle using the first electric machine in response to the vehicle being driven at a steady-state speed for a predetermined duration of time. The controller is also programmed to restart the engine using the second electric machine powered by the high-voltage power source.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting system includes a power transmission switching portion configured to selectively establish a first drive mode by placing one of the first and second coupling elements in an engaged state, a second drive mode by placing the other of the first and second coupling elements in an engaged state, or a third drive mode by placing both of the first and second coupling elements in the engaged states. The power transmission switching portion switches the vehicular power transmitting system between the first and second drive modes through the third drive mode, where a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and switches the vehicular power transmitting system between the first and second drive modes with concurrent engaging and releasing actions of the first and second coupling elements, where the predetermined condition is satisfied.