The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (W.sub.D). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. A controller (2) is provided having at least one electronic processor for controlling operation of the first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12). The at least one electronic processor (P) is configured to close the first decoupling mechanism (11), to determine a target operating speed of the torque generating machine (4), to control the operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) in dependence on the determined target operating speed and to close the second decoupling mechanism (12) when the operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) at least substantially matches the determined target operating speed. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of controlling first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12) to control the transmittal of torque from a torque generating machine (4) to one or more driven wheel of a vehicle (1).

An automatic travel control unit (120) of this travel control device (100) makes a vehicle travel according to a travel schedule including driven travel and inertial travel. When an accelerator opening degree output from an accelerator sensor (31) exceeds a first threshold value, an inertial travel control unit (110) prohibits inertial travel, and when the accelerator opening degree is smaller than a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value, the automatic travel control unit (120) performs a control operation so as to cancel the prohibition of inertial travel.

A control device of a vehicle including an engine, an auxiliary machine driven by rotation of the engine, and an engagement device selectively connecting and disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and drive wheels comprises: a coasting control portion for selectively providing a first coasting control for allowing the vehicle to coast with the engine brought into a drive state while the power transmission path is disconnected by release of the engagement device, and a second coasting control for allowing the vehicle to coast with the engine brought into a stop state while the power transmission path is connected. If a load of the auxiliary machine is equal to or greater than a predetermined load and a vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined vehicle speed when a predetermined coasting start condition is satisfied, the coasting control portion provides the first coasting control.

A speed control system for controlling a speed of a vehicle to a predetermined target speed is provided, wherein in order to achieve and maintain the target speed, a control unit transmits corresponding control signals to a drive unit or a brake unit, and wherein the control unit is configured, during active speed control, to detect the end of a manually triggered temporary acceleration request, to detect the actual speed at the end of a manually triggered temporary acceleration request and to generate a signal to initiate a coasting mode if, after the ending of the manually triggered temporary acceleration request, the actual speed is greater than the predetermined target speed.

A coasting driving control method and system for a vehicle may determine virtual engine RPM for a current driving state using engine RPM, vehicle speed, and gear stage information by a controller when coasting is started with the clutch in the neutral position and outputs a downshifting instruction signal for a gear stage by the controller when the virtual engine RPM is less than a coasting engine RPM which is greater than an idling RPM by a predetermined value.

A vehicle control system includes a travel control section, a first traffic condition quantity acquisition section, a second traffic condition quantity acquisition section, a correction parameter calculator, and a correction section. The first traffic condition quantity acquisition section acquires a current traffic condition quantity on a road on which a preceding vehicle is traveling further ahead of a front vehicle. The second traffic condition quantity acquisition section acquires a reference traffic condition quantity, which is a traffic condition quantity that serves as a reference for the road on which the preceding vehicle is traveling. The correction parameter calculator calculates a difference between the current traffic condition quantity and the reference traffic condition quantity and calculates a correction parameter using the difference. The correction section corrects a control parameter used during execution of the vehicle speed control by the travel control section, using the correction parameter.

Systems and methods of selective driver coaching are provided. Driver coaching systems learn the characteristics of a deceleration event. With the goal of increasing recouped energy while operating a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), driver coaching systems predict when the HEV can begin coasting at the start of the deceleration event. In this way, the amount of time during which regenerative braking can be applied may be increased. Coaching cues are provided to the driver so that the HEV can be operated in way that achieves the goal of increasing recouped energy. However, engaging in excessive regenerative breaking can negate its advantages if the amount needed to reaccelerate the HEV to a cruising/steady speed is too great. Selective driver coaching provides coaching cues only if the operating efficiency of the HEV exceeds the operating efficiency of the HEV when controlled by the driver without coaching cues.

An apparatus for shift control in a vehicle includes: a transmission; an acceleration apparatus; and a control circuit electrically connected with the transmission and the acceleration apparatus. The control circuit shifts the transmission from a drive state to a neutral state when an activation condition for coasting is satisfied during travel of the vehicle, and corrects an oil pressure for release of a clutch in the transmission at the time of a kickdown shift, when a driver's input for kickdown is detected through the acceleration apparatus during the coasting.

An apparatus configured for controlling starting of engine may include a clutch pedal including an ignition lock switch, a starter, a status detecting unit, an electronic clutch mounted between the engine and a transmission, a clutch controller configured to control coupling and releasing of the electronic clutch, check status of the electronic clutch and generate a clutch status data, and a vehicle controller configured to enter coasting running mode based on the vehicle status data, and, during the coasting running mode, operate the starter and restart the engine based on the clutch status data provided from the clutch controller and a switch status data of the ignition lock switch when a position value of an acceleration pedal included in the vehicle status data is equal to or greater than an acceleration reference value.

A system, method, and apparatus include a controller structured to predict a change in speed of a vehicle in advance of upcoming terrain and inhibit a coasting event if the speed exceeds a limit. In one form a velocity of the vehicle is predicted using a physics based model of the vehicle within a look ahead window in front of a vehicle. Such a look ahead window can be distance or time based. In another, speed of a vehicle is monitored during a coasting event and is compared against a threshold to determine whether to remain coasting or re-engage an engine to a driveline. The threshold is a function of road grade, and permits a larger deviation from set speed at low grade than at high grade. The function can be based on road grade and vehicle weight.