A start control device is a start control device that controls start of a vehicle including a clutch that is engaged by the hydraulic pressure supplied from a hydraulic pressure supply source and a start device that starts a vehicle driving source, and includes: a hydraulic pressure control unit that controls so that the hydraulic pressure supply source supplies the hydraulic pressure to the clutch if a start condition for the vehicle is satisfied; and a start device control unit that controls the start device so that the rotation speed of the vehicle driving source reaches the predetermined rotation speed after the clutch is engaged.

A method may include predicting an acceleration event of a vehicle. The method may further include predicting a maximum speed of the predicted acceleration event. The method may also include determining an engine start time based on the predicted maximum speed. The method may still further include starting an engine of the vehicle at the engine start time.

An idling stop control device includes an authenticator, a storage, a getting-off detector, and an engine restart permitter. The authenticator is installed in a vehicle, performs authentication via a wireless communication with a mobile device, and repeatedly performs, while the vehicle travels, an authentication operation at predetermined intervals. The storage stores result and time of authentication as the authentication history during travel. The engine restart permitter determines permission or prohibition of restart of the engine in accordance with the authentication history and getting-off information, permits restart of the engine when the authentication is successful and permits, in a case where the authentication fails, restart of the engine when a history of success of authentication has been stored in the storage during travel and the getting-off is not detected after the authentication has been successful.

A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to reduce fuel consumption. A controller is configured to execute a first determination to determine that a required power is less than a reference power, and a second determination to determine that a condition to start an engine is satisfied. If the answers of the first determination and the second determination are YES, a target power of the engine is set to a predetermined power which is greater than the required power, and which can be generated by consuming smaller amount of fuel. Then, the generator is driven by the engine being operated to achieve the predetermined power, and an electric power generated by the generator to be accumulated in a battery is set to a value calculated based on a difference between the target power and the required power.

A hybrid vehicle in which an electric storage device can be cooled during propulsion in an electric vehicle mode. In the hybrid vehicle, the battery supplies electricity to a drive motor when the hybrid vehicle is powered by the drive motor in an electric vehicle mode while stopping the engine. The battery is cooled by an intake air flowing through an intake passage of the engine. A detector detects a temperature of the battery, and a controller operates a motor-generator when the temperature of the battery exceeds a first threshold value during propulsion in the electric vehicle mode.

A method for operating a hybrid drive apparatus for a motor vehicle, having an exhaust-gas-producing internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The internal combustion engine and the electric motor, respectively alone or at least sometimes jointly, provide a drive torque, wherein, when a start threshold value is exceeded by a demand variable. The internal combustion engine is started and the drive torque is at least partially generated by the internal combustion engine, and, when a stop threshold value is not met by the demand variable, the internal combustion engine is stopped and the drive torque is generated solely by means of the electric motor.

Provided is a vehicle control device with which improved fuel economy and lowered exhaust gas emissions can be effectively achieved without adversely affecting the driver when traveling while following a leading vehicle. The present invention has: a following-determination means that, during travel while following a leading vehicle, determines, on the basis of the speed of the host vehicle, the speed of the leading vehicle, and the distance from the leading vehicle, whether the host vehicle will be able to follow the leading vehicle by coasting; and an idle stop determination means that, when the following-determination means has determined that the host vehicle will be able to follow the leading vehicle by coasting, and the driving/travel state of the host vehicle satisfies other traveling idle stop criteria, determines that a traveling idle stop should be performed; and is provided with a determination criteria updating means for updating the determination criteria for the idle stop determination means in regard to criteria such as the leading vehicle characteristics, road surface conditions, and weather. In the event that it has been determined, from the determination conditions that have been updated in regard to the leading vehicle characteristics, etc., that following by coasting is possible, a control to shut off the on-board engine is performed.

A transmission assembly including a clutch system, an accumulator, and a controller is provided. The clutch system may include a flow source. The accumulator may be selectively in communication with the flow source via a solenoid valve. The controller may be programmed to, responsive to detection of a vehicle stop and the accumulator charged below a predetermined threshold, output a command to open the solenoid valve to rapidly charge the accumulator from the flow source. The predetermined threshold may be an accumulator pressure between 700 kPa and 900 kPa. The controller may be further programmed to, responsive to detection of the accumulator being charged to or above the predetermined threshold, output a shut down command to an engine in communication with the transmission assembly and to output a close command to the solenoid valve. The flow source may be a pump out circuit or a line pressure circuit.

A hybrid vehicle is provided. In the hybrid vehicle an oil pump can be driven while stopping an engine without a device for interrupting torque transmission between a power split device and the engine. A differential mechanism includes a first rotary element to which torque is delivered from the engine, a second rotary element connected to drive wheels, and a third rotary element to which torque is delivered from the first motor. Torque transmission between the first motor and the third rotary element is interrupted by a clutch. A mechanical oil pump is driven by any one of the first input shaft and the second input shaft that is rotated higher than the other one.

A method for controlling a mild hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The method includes determining, by a controller, whether a state of charge (SOC) of a first battery that supplies electric power to a starter-generator exceeds a reference value. The method further includes operating, by the controller, the starter-generator and a starter that is separate from the starter-generator and receives electric power from a second battery at a voltage lower than that of the first battery. A combustion engine of the mild hybrid vehicle is started using the starter-generator and the starter when it is determined that the state of charge of the first battery exceeds the reference value and it is determined that an ambient air temperature of the engine exceeds a temperature reference value.