A controller includes a processor programmed to determine, for a vehicle, a first control input based on input data and first reference parameters. The processor is further programmed to operate the vehicle according to the first control input. Based on operating data of the vehicle for an operating condition, the processor determines a second control input for the vehicle. Operating the vehicle according to the second control input reduces a cost of operating the vehicle relative to operating the vehicle according to the first control input. The processor is further programmed to determine, based on the second control input, second reference parameters. The controller generates a third control input based on the second reference parameters and the input data. A cost of operating the vehicle according to the third control input is reduced relative to the cost of operating the vehicle based on the first control input.

Methods and systems are provided for an electric drive train of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). In one example, the electric drive train may include a four-node planetary gear set with a first motor coupled to a first input node, a second motor coupled to a second input node and an engine coupled to a third input node of the planetary gear set. The third node is positioned between the first and second input nodes. Torque delivered to each input node is summed at an output node of the four-node planetary gear set.

A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle using a driving tendency are provided. The method includes determining a driving tendency level based on data to determine a driving tendency of a driver and determining a target engine torque using an engine torque map based on a vehicle speed and a required torque. Whether the driving tendency level corresponds to a predetermined level is determined as well as whether the required torque is equal to or greater than a torque that corresponds to an optimal operating point of an engine when the driving tendency level corresponds to the predetermined level. The target engine torque is then adjusted when the required torque is equal to or greater than the torque that corresponds to the optimal operating point of the engine.

Methods and systems are described for conserving energy used by an energy consuming device. In certain embodiments, an energy conservation system can be configured to deliver energy to the energy consuming device for a period, followed by a period where energy delivery is dampened and/or cut. By cycling the delivery of energy in this fashion, the energy conservation can achieve a pulsed efficiency.

A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine, first and second electric machines coupled to a traction battery and configured to operate primarily as a motor and a generator, respectively, and a controller in communication with the engine and the first and second electric machines include increasing target engine speed from a sea level speed to deliver a demanded engine power at altitude up to an NVH engine speed limit. The system and method may reduce the demanded engine power based on an attainable engine power associated with the NVH engine speed limit. A demanded wheel power may be reduced in response to the reduced engine power.

Coordinates of a point, representing a current pair of states of a vehicle, can be determined to be outside of a first curve. An interior of the first curve, representing a first region of operation of the vehicle, can be characterized by values of forces produced by tires being less than a saturation force. A distance between the point and a second curve can be determined. An interior of the second curve, representing a second region of operation of the vehicle, can be characterized by an ability of an operation of a control system to cause the vehicle to change from being operated in the current pair of states to being operated in the first region of operation. A manner in which the vehicle changes from being operated in the current pair of states to being operated in a different pair of states can be controlled based on the distance.

Provided is a method for propulsion of a vehicle, said vehicle comprising at least one power source for providing power to at least one drive wheel of said vehicle. The method includes, when said vehicle is to be driven along a first path: determining a torque profile for use in controlling said first power source when driving said vehicle along at least a first segment of said first path; determining said torque profile on the basis of an estimated representation of a demand for torque when driving said vehicle along said first segment; when determining said torque profile, reducing variations in torque delivered by said power source by allowing increased variations in speed of said vehicle; and when said vehicle is driven along said first segment of said first path, controlling torque delivered by said at least one power source according to said determined torque profile.

A power control device of a vehicle disallows generation of additional power of rotating electrical machines when power of an internal combustion engine is transmitted to a transmission via a clutch and an amount of operation of an accelerator pedal is lower than an operation threshold value. The power control device allows generation of additional power of the rotating electrical machines when power of the internal combustion engine is transmitted to the transmission via the clutch and the amount of operation of an accelerator pedal is higher than the operation threshold value.

A powertrain control system for a motor vehicle having a transmission and an engine includes an axle torque controller that determines a desired engine torque and a desired speed ratio from a plurality of inputs, an engine controller that determines a commanded engine torque based on the desired engine torque, wherein the commanded engine torque is used to control the engine to produce an actual engine torque, a transmission controller that determines a commanded gear ratio based on the desired gear ratio, wherein the commanded gear ratio is used to control the transmission to produce an actual gear ratio, and an estimator that determines an actual axle torque of the motor vehicle from the actual engine torque and the actual gear ratio. The plurality of inputs includes a desired axle torque, the actual axle torque, a desired fuel rate, an actual fuel rate.

In a hybrid vehicle, in a case where a temperature of a catalyst is equal to or larger than a prescribed temperature that is a temperature at which purification of an exhaust gas in the catalyst begins, and charging of a storage battery is not restricted, at least one of an engine load, an engine speed, and a retard angle amount of an ignition timing is made to gradually increase, and in a case where the temperature of the catalyst is equal to or larger than the prescribed temperature and the charging of the storage battery is restricted, the engine load is fixed and at least one of the engine speed and the retard angle amount of the ignition timing is made to gradually increase.