A continuously variable transmission includes a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, a metal belt and a controller. The metal ring includes a ring and a plurality of elements bundled by the ring. The elements have respective receiving portions opening in a radial direction of the metal belt and receive the ring in the receiving portions. Assuming a direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction and a radial direction of the metal belt as a lateral direction L, the controller executes a falling-off countermeasure control of the element when a relative movement of the element in the lateral direction L with respect to the ring is detected or a presence of an action of a force on the element which causes such relative movement is detected.

A utility vehicle comprises a traveling driving power source which generates rotational driving power for driving a drive wheel; a continuously variable transmission including an input shaft to which the rotational driving power transmitted from the traveling driving power source is input, an output shaft which outputs the rotational driving power toward the drive wheel, a drive pulley provided at the input shaft, a driven pulley provided at the output shaft, and a belt wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley; a clutch which is disposed in a driving power transmission path at a location that is between the belt and the drive wheel and is capable of disconnecting the driving power transmission path; and a clutch actuator which operates the clutch.

Provided is a vehicle control method in which a controller executes sailing stop control in which, if the conditions for stopping a drive source are satisfied during travel, the drive source is stopped and a coupling element provided in a power transmission path between the drive source and a continuously variable transmission is released for coasting. If the conditions for stopping the drive source are not satisfied, the controller restarts the drive source and estimates the driver's intention to accelerate, and if the driver has an intention to accelerate, the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is increased to a higher value than when there is no intention to accelerate, and the coupling element is coupled.

Provided is a vehicle control method in which a controller executes sailing stop control in which, if the conditions for stopping a drive source are satisfied during travel, the drive source is stopped and a coupling element provided in a power transmission path between the drive source and a continuously variable transmission is released for coasting. If the conditions for stopping the drive source are not satisfied, the controller restarts the drive source and estimates the driver's intention to accelerate, and if the driver has an intention to accelerate, the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is increased to a higher value than when there is no intention to accelerate, and the coupling element is coupled.

A vehicle control apparatus to be applied to a hybrid vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission, a clutch mechanism, and a travel processor. The continuously variable transmission is coupled to an engine and a first motor via an input passage, and coupled to drive wheels via an output passage. The clutch mechanism is provided on the output passage. When the travel mode is switched from a first mode in which the clutch mechanism is engaged to the second mode in which the clutch mechanism is released, the travel processor releases the clutch mechanism and stops the continuously variable transmission while maintaining a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission. When the travel mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode, the travel processor synchronizes rotation speeds of input-side and output-side portions of the clutch mechanism by controlling the continuously variable transmission, and engages the clutch mechanism.

A vehicle control device includes a motor, a transmission unit, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the motor, a vehicle speed sensor that detects a vehicle speed, and a controller. The controller controls switching of the transmission unit based on a first temperature determined in accordance with the vehicle speed as the temperature at which the transmission unit is switched from connection to disconnection, and a second temperature determined in accordance with the vehicle speed as the temperature at which the transmission unit is switched from the disconnection to the connection. The first temperature decreases as the vehicle speed increases. The controller switches the transmission unit from the connection to the disconnection based on the first temperature, and then switches the transmission unit from the disconnection to the connection based on the second temperature.

A vehicle control device includes a motor, a transmission unit, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the motor, a vehicle speed sensor that detects a vehicle speed, and a controller. The controller controls switching of the transmission unit based on a first temperature determined in accordance with the vehicle speed as the temperature at which the transmission unit is switched from connection to disconnection, and a second temperature determined in accordance with the vehicle speed as the temperature at which the transmission unit is switched from the disconnection to the connection. The first temperature decreases as the vehicle speed increases. The controller switches the transmission unit from the connection to the disconnection based on the first temperature, and then switches the transmission unit from the disconnection to the connection based on the second temperature.

A vehicle includes an engine; a continuously variable transmission; an output clutch disposed between the continuously variable transmission and the drive wheel; a drive motor coupled between the output clutch and the drive wheel; a traveling mode controller; and a speed ratio controller. In a case where required driving power based on an accelerator position is less than a first threshold, the traveling mode controller switches a traveling mode to a first traveling mode. In a case where the required driving power is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the traveling mode controller switches the traveling mode to a second traveling mode. In a case where the required driving power is less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold, the speed ratio controller causes a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission to change depending on a vehicle speed.

A control system for a vehicle uses one or more inputs of a velocity request, a brake request, a speed request, travel direction indication, engine speed, and vehicle speed to determine a control strategy for a continuously variable transmission. A target engine speed is selected based upon the inputs, and the engine and continuously variable transmission ratio are controlled to achieve the target engine speed while controlling the vehicle according to the inputs. In some embodiments, the control strategy further selects the target engine speed according to accessory system demands, such as a hoist or lift system.

A control system for a vehicle uses one or more inputs of a velocity request, a brake request, a speed request, travel direction indication, engine speed, and vehicle speed to determine a control strategy for a continuously variable transmission. A target engine speed is selected based upon the inputs, and the engine and continuously variable transmission ratio are controlled to achieve the target engine speed while controlling the vehicle according to the inputs. In some embodiments, the control strategy further selects the target engine speed according to accessory system demands, such as a hoist or lift system.