Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine and an electric machine are described. In one example, an actual total number of transmission gear downshifts are counted to determine whether or not a transmission clutch characterization is immature. The transmission clutch characterization may be adjusted if it is determined to be immature.

A launch control method is provided for a vehicle having an accelerator, a brake and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The method comprises determining: (i) a braking torque set by a vehicle operator by pressing a brake pedal of the vehicle; and (ii) a holding torque required to hold the vehicle in a stationary position. The method also determines that the operator has released the brake pedal. The brake is released whilst engaging a launch clutch of the CVT, wherein the launch clutch is engaged by increasing a clutch engagement pressure at a first pressure ramp rate, such that the sum of the braking torque and a clutch torque of the clutch remains equal to the holding torque. An acceleration torque requested by the operator via the accelerator is determined. The clutch engagement pressure is increased at a second pressure ramp rate when it is determined that the braking torque is substantially zero, such that the clutch torque is increased by the acceleration torque. A fixed minimum pressure ramp rate is stored, wherein the minimum pressure ramp rate increases the clutch engagement pressure towards a maximum engagement pressure. The current pressure ramp rate is compared with the minimum pressure ramp rate, and the clutch engagement pressure is switched to the minimum pressure ramp rate if the current pressure ramp rate is less than the minimum pressure ramp rate.

A method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a dual clutch transmission. In a starting operation of the drive device directed at a startup of the motor vehicle, an electric machine coupled to a first input shaft is used, when the first shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the first sub-transmission is disengaged and when the second shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the second sub-transmission is engaged, for providing at the output shaft a starting torque used for starting the internal combustion engine and a drive torque directed at the startup of the motor vehicle, and/or in that, in the starting operation, the internal combustion engine is operated, when the second shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the second sub-transmission is engaged.

A hybrid drive device includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and an impulse start module which comprises two clutches and a flywheel mass. A method for operating the hybrid device includes opening the first clutch of the impulse-start module and establishing a start-up requirement for the internal-combustion engine. The method also includes closing the first clutch with the second clutch in an open or closed position for a start of the internal-combustion engine.

An engine control device for a saddle riding vehicle includes a mechanical centrifugal clutch for connecting and disconnecting driving force from an engine to a driving wheel, a throttle operator to adjust output power of the engine, a motor to rotate a crankshaft of the engine, and a control unit to control the motor and a fuel injection system. The control unit executes injection stopping control for stopping fuel injection during deceleration of the vehicle and executes, when an opening operation of the throttle operator is performed after an engine speed becomes equal to or lower than a centrifugal clutch disconnection speed at which the centrifugal clutch is disconnected, acceleration assist control for rotating the crankshaft with the motor.

A wheel loader includes a forward clutch, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a controller configured to control hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil supplied to the forward clutch. The controller performs clutch hydraulic pressure control for reducing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil supplied to the forward clutch according to an operation amount of the brake pedal on condition that at least the brake pedal is operated while the accelerator pedal is being operated. The controller continues the clutch hydraulic pressure control even after the clutch shifts from a complete engagement state to a semi-engagement state by the clutch hydraulic pressure control.

A power take-off (PTO) drive assembly for a transmission includes a shaft defining a shaft axis, a PTO gear defined radially about the shaft axis, and a clutch assembly positioned between the shaft and the PTO gear and having an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the clutch assembly is in the engaged position, torque is transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear. When the clutch assembly is in the disengaged position, torque is not transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear.

A method for learning a clutch pedal may include determining whether a clutch pedal is operated; determining at least one of a depressed speed of the clutch pedal, a depressed value of the clutch pedal, and a speed of an engine at a shifting timing when the clutch pedal is operated; determining at least one of a moving average value of the depressed speed of the clutch pedal, a moving average value of the depressed value of the clutch pedal, and a moving average of the speed of the engine for a predetermined time; and storing the moving average value as a correction value for preventing an abrasion of a shift clutch.

A method and system for controlling an engine clutch of a P2 type parallel hybrid vehicle includes steps of: determining whether or not a learning mode entry condition is satisfied, depending on whether or not a kickdown shift occurs during performance of variable hydraulic control of an engine clutch and based on the degree to which slip of the engine clutch occurs, deriving and storing a learning hydraulic value for suppressing the slip that is to occur when the kickdown shift occurs during the performance of the variable hydraulic control in such a manner that the slip does not occur, when a vehicle state satisfies a predetermined learning mode entry condition, and computing a final hydraulic pressure by adding a hydraulic compensation value to a target hydraulic pressure, when the same kickdown shift situation occurs, and controlling the engine clutch using the computed final hydraulic pressure.

A method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a dual clutch transmission. In a starting operation of the drive device directed at a startup of the motor vehicle, an electric machine coupled to a first input shaft is used, when the first shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the first sub-transmission is disengaged and when the second shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the second sub-transmission is engaged, for providing at the output shaft a starting torque used for starting the internal combustion engine and a drive torque directed at the startup of the motor vehicle, and/or in that, in the starting operation, the internal combustion engine is operated, when the second shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the second sub-transmission is engaged.