A vehicle control apparatus includes: a clutch controller configured to switch an operation state of a clutch mechanism from a release state to an engagement state upon switching of a traveling mode from a motor traveling mode to an engine traveling mode; and a motor controller configured to control a traveling motor to suppress variation in torque upon starting of the engine. The clutch controller is configured to control the clutch mechanism to be brought into the engagement state at a first engaging speed when the engine is started on a condition that a revolution speed of the motor driving system is higher than a revolution threshold, and to control the clutch mechanism to be brought into the engagement state at a second engaging speed lower than the first engaging speed when the engine is started on a condition that the revolution speed is lower than the revolution threshold.

The lock-up control unit is configured to: in a case where the normal mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when a vehicle speed decreases and reaches a first vehicle speed while the vehicle is traveling in a state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, in a case where the eco mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when the vehicle speed decreases and reaches a second vehicle speed in a brake operation OFF state while the vehicle is traveling in the state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, in the case where the eco mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when the vehicle speed decreases and reaches a third vehicle speed in a brake operation ON state while the vehicle is traveling in the state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, and set the third vehicle speed to a vehicle speed lower than the first vehicle speed, and set the second vehicle speed to a vehicle speed higher than the first vehicle speed.

A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes an automatic transmission with a torque converter clutch is described. In one example, the method includes predicting a time that the torque converter clutch will open so that stopping rotation of the engine may be requested before the torque converter clutch is opened. The stopping rotation of the engine is requested to conserve fuel.

A vehicle power supply apparatus includes first and second power supply systems, first and second switches, and a fail-safe controller. The second power supply system includes a generator motor coupled to an engine, and a second electrical energy accumulator able to be coupled to the generator motor. The fail-safe controller inhibits a powering state of the motor generator on the condition that the second switch is in a malfunctioning state in which the second switch is rendered inoperative in a second turn-off state. The second turn-off state includes isolating the generator motor and the second electrical energy accumulator from each other.

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.

Examples of hybrid powertrain systems are provided herein. The system includes: an engine; a motor/generator (“MG”); a clutch coupled to the engine and the MG; a transmission coupled to the MG; an energy storage system connected to the MG; and a controller coupled to the engine, the MG, the clutch, the transmission and the energy storage system. The controller is configured to initiate an engine stop, allow engine torque and MG torque to reduce to zero or near zero, shift the transmission to a neutral gear, cause the MG to operate in a generator mode, thereby loading the engine to recover kinetic energy from the engine, disengage the clutch to decouple the MG from the engine, increase the speed of the MG to a target speed, and shift the transmission into gear in response to the MG reaching the target speed.

A vehicle control device is configured to: execute a fuel cut control for stopping fuel supply to the internal combustion engine in response to a deceleration request to the vehicle; engage the lock-up clutch and open a throttle of the vehicle during the execution of the fuel cut control; close the throttle and execute the motor assist in a case where there is an acceleration request to the vehicle while the lock-up clutch is engaged, the throttle is opened, and the fuel cut control is executed; end the fuel cut control and resume fuel supply to the internal combustion engine when an intake pressure of the internal combustion engine reaches a predetermined startable negative pressure after the throttle is closed; and disengage the lock-up clutch when the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine is resumed.

A vehicle, a vehicle powertrain system, a computer program product, and a method of controlling a vehicle in a manner to achieve enhanced driving performance. An example vehicle powertrain system includes one or more of a powertrain having an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter, and a control module to control the powertrain system. The control module is configured to conduct, in response to sensor data in connection with a detected current vehicle speed and a detected current transmission oil temperature, a vehicle powertrain analysis of the sensor data. The control module is to then control the powertrain in response to the vehicle powertrain analysis and an operating state of a lock-up clutch of the torque converter.

The lock-up control unit is configured to: in a case where the normal mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when a vehicle speed decreases and reaches a first vehicle speed while the vehicle is traveling in a state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, in a case where the eco mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when the vehicle speed decreases and reaches a second vehicle speed in a brake operation OFF state while the vehicle is traveling in the state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, in the case where the eco mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when the vehicle speed decreases and reaches a third vehicle speed in a brake operation ON state while the vehicle is traveling in the state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, and set the third vehicle speed to a vehicle speed lower than the first vehicle speed, and set the second vehicle speed to a vehicle speed higher than the first vehicle speed.

The present disclosure provides a hybrid powertrain system, comprising: an engine; a motor/generator (“MG”); a clutch coupled to the engine and the MG; a transmission coupled to the MG; an energy storage system connected to the MG; and a controller coupled to the engine, the MG, the clutch, the transmission and the energy storage system. The controller is configured to initiate an engine stop, allow engine torque and MG torque to reduce to zero or near zero, shift the transmission to a neutral gear, cause the MG to operate in a generator mode, thereby loading the engine to recover kinetic energy from the engine, disengage the clutch to decouple the MG from the engine, increase the speed of the MG to a target speed, and shift the transmission into gear in response to the MG reaching the target speed.