A vehicle control apparatus includes a generator, a brake system, first and second sensors, first and second deceleration rate setting units, and a power generation torque controller. The first deceleration rate setting unit sets, when a first control mode that decelerates a vehicle on the basis of a brake operation performed by an occupant is executed, an allowable deceleration rate upon deceleration of the vehicle on the basis of a brake operation amount. The second deceleration rate setting unit sets, when a second control mode that decelerates the vehicle on the basis of a situation ahead of the vehicle is executed, the allowable deceleration rate upon deceleration of the vehicle on the basis of a brake fluid pressure. The power generation torque controller controls power generation torque of the generator on the basis of the allowable deceleration rate that is set by the first or second deceleration rate setting unit.

The invention relates to an emergency vehicle (1), especially fire truck, comprising: a vehicle body (2); at least two wheel pairs (3) having respectively at least two wheels (6), which are disposed on the vehicle body (2); an accumulator (10) for storage of electrical energy; a secondary energy unit (7) for conversion of an energy stored in a fuel into electrical energy; at least one electric motor (11).

The secondary energy unit (7) is disposed on a carrier frame (14), wherein the carrier frame (14) is received in modular and detachable manner on the vehicle body (2).

A controller and a control strategy minimizes shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift conducted while the vehicle is in a regenerative braking mode by maintaining total powertrain torque at a desired target during the downshift. The controller has three preferable modes including modulating just engine torque, modulating just electric motor torque or simultaneously modulating both motor and engine torque.

A vehicle includes an electric machine, battery, torque converter bypass clutch, drive wheel, and controller. The electric machine is configured to recharge the battery via regenerative braking. The torque converter bypass clutch is disposed between the electric machine and the drive wheel. The controller is programmed to, in response to a negative drive wheel torque command during a regenerative braking event, adjust a closed-state torque capacity of the torque converter bypass clutch based on the torque command.

A vehicle may include an engine selectively coupled to a motor and a transmission. The vehicle may include a controller configured to, in response to actuation of a brake pedal, command the transmission to downshift during a regenerative braking event based on a regenerative braking downshift torque. The regenerative braking downshift torque may be determined from a predicted brake pedal input rate. The predicted brake pedal input rate may be based on road grade, vehicle headway range and a driver history. The predicted brake pedal input rate may be classified as Low, Medium, or High. The regenerative braking downshift torque may also be determined from a predicted brake torque rate that is based on a predicted deceleration rate of the vehicle, a vehicle speed prediction and a road grade prediction within a future time interval that begins upon actuation of the brake pedal.

A method of operating an accessory drive system for a motor vehicle, wherein the accessory drive system includes one or more accessory components, a motor generator of the motor vehicle, and a flexible drive element configured to transmit a torque load between the one or more accessory components and the motor generator, includes determining a maximum permissible flexible drive element torque threshold, detecting an increase in torque demand on the flexible drive element, determining when the torque demand on the flexible drive element will exceed the flexible drive element torque threshold, and reducing the torque demand of one or more of the accessory components so that the flexible drive element torque threshold is not exceeded.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

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.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

A vehicle may include an electric motor, a variable displacement hydraulic pump having a swash plate, driven traction members, a transmission operably coupling the electric motor to the driven traction members and to the hydraulic pump, a hydraulic pressure consumer fluidly coupled to an output of the hydraulic pump, a battery to receive energy produced by the electric motor during braking of the driven traction members by the electric motor and a controller. The controller is configured to adjust an angle of the swash plate in response to a sensed state of the battery and braking of the driven traction members.