A control apparatus for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit that is configured to set a value of a target generated voltage of the generator. The electronic control unit is configured to execute power generation control to control a generated voltage of a generator. The electronic control unit is configured to maintain a value of the generated voltage in the power generation control to be constant during an upshift gear change when the upshift gear change control of a transmission is executed while the lock-up clutch control is executed during deceleration of the vehicle. The electronic control unit is configured to increase the value in the power generation control during the downshift control to the value of the target generated voltage at a first specified rate when a downshift gear change of the transmission is executed while the lock-up clutch control is executed during the deceleration.

The drive system from the engine (1) to the drive wheels (7) of a vehicle is equipped with a torque converter (2), which has a lock-up clutch (3), and a variator (4). Said engined car is provided with a lock-up control means for controlling the engagement/disengagement of the lock-up clutch (3) and a gear change mode switch-controlling means (FIG. 8) for performing control to switch between a “continuously variable gear change mode” and a “DSTEP gear change mode.” While traveling, the gear change mode switch-controlling means (FIG. 8) prohibits gear change by the “DSTEP gear change mode” when the detected oil temperature is at or below a lock-up engagement-permitting threshold for permitting engagement of the lock-up clutch (3) and allows gear change by the “DSTEP gear change mode” when the detected oil temperature is higher than the lock-up engagement-permitting threshold.

A method for improving operation of a vehicle that includes an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter clutch is disclosed. In one example, the method assesses whether or not driver braking is expected and adjusts driveline braking accordingly. The method freewheels the driveline to extend vehicle coasting when driver braking is not expected and the method increases or decreases driveline braking based on a closing distance between the vehicle and an object in the vehicle's path.

Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the systems and methods adjust a driveline disconnect clutch boost time duration or magnitude responsive to a pressure error and a time delay error. A driveline disconnect clutch may be operated via supplying a pressure to the driveline disconnect clutch that includes the adjusted boost time duration or magnitude.

A transmission is provided having a control module, an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. The control module includes a control logic sequence for performing a coasting downshift of the transmission.

A control apparatus for a lockup clutch is provided. The control apparatus for the lockup clutch includes an electronic control unit that is configured to: calculate a driven target clutch torque capacity and a driving target clutch torque capacity; set a target clutch torque of the lockup clutch and control the lockup clutch, based on the driven target clutch torque capacity and the driving target clutch torque capacity; and change over the target clutch torque capacity from the driven target clutch torque capacity to the driving target clutch torque capacity when the driven target clutch torque capacity and the driving target clutch torque capacity coincide with each other after an operation state of an accelerator of the vehicle changes over from an accelerator OFF state to an accelerator ON state.

A vehicle includes an engine, and a transmission including a torque converter having an impeller. The vehicle further includes an electric machine configured to provide drive torque to the impeller. The impeller is selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch. At least one vehicle controller is configured to, in response to the engine being OFF, the transmission being in DRIVE, a vehicle speed being zero and a brake pedal being released beyond a threshold position, command the electric machine to provide a torque to the impeller. The torque is a predetermined feedforward torque adjusted by a feedback torque that is based on a difference between measured and calculated speeds. The speeds may be the speeds of the electric machine.

A method for operating a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes outputting via a controller an engine speed command that is based on a predicted impeller speed of a torque converter and corresponds to the accelerator tip-in to output a torque from the engine to wheels of the vehicle in response to detection of an accelerator pedal tip-in greater than a predetermined threshold. The method may also include accessing a history of impeller speed outputs of the hybrid vehicle to obtain the predicted impeller speed. The engine speed command may set engine speed substantially equal to or greater than the predicted impeller speed. The predetermined threshold may be based on a driver requested torque output of the wheels in which torque from the torque converter to the wheels results in saturation.

A method for controlling an electric drive unit (EDU) having a motor-driven torque converter includes receiving a request signal indicative of a requested output torque of the EDU, and operating the motor at a target motor speed using the requested output torque. The target motor speed minimizes system losses while achieving the requested output torque. When the requested output torque remains below a calibrated threshold and a turbine speed is less than a corner speed of the motor, a torque converter clutch (TCC) transitions to or remains in a locked state. The controller commands the TCC to transition to an unlocked state to reach the target motor speed, thereby selectively enabling torque multiplication. A powertrain system includes a driven load and the EDU. A computer readable storage medium may include executable instructions for performing the method.

A powertrain (12) for a vehicle (10) is disclosed. The power-train (12) comprises: a combustion engine (24), (ii) a drivetrain (14) having a torque converter (32) with a first state of operation in which the input (34) of the torque converter (32) is locked to the output (36) of the torque converter (32) and a second sate of operation in which the input (34) of the torque converter (32) is not locked to the output (36) of the torque converter (32) for allowing slippage. The drivetrain also has a final drive (44) for supplying torque to the drive wheel (16) from the torque converter (32), wherein the final drive (44) is coupled to the torque converter (32) at a fixed gear ratio. The powertrain (12) further comprises: (iii) a first electric motor (28) configured to supply torque to the drivetrain (14) on the output-side of the torque converter (32).