A system and method for controlling backlash in a vehicle powertrain includes the step of controlling a torque request of the powertrain with a first control strategy after an occurrence of a backlash predictor and prior to an occurrence of backlash. The first control strategy is modified when backlash occurs during the first control strategy. The torque request is controlled with the modified first control strategy after another occurrence of a backlash predictor and before another occurrence of backlash.

A system and method for controlling backlash in a vehicle powertrain includes the step of controlling a torque request of the powertrain with a first control strategy after an occurrence of a backlash predictor and before an occurrence of a backlash. Another step may be employed whereby the torque request is controlled with a second control strategy after the first control strategy and before the occurrence of the backlash such that a torque request level is below a highest torque request level obtained during the first control-strategy.

A method for adapting a biting point pressure of a hydraulically actuated hybrid disengaging clutch arranged in a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle between an internal combustion engine and an electric machine includes step by step implementation during driving of the motor vehicle via a plurality of selected engagement operations of the hybrid disengaging clutch with a manipulation of a rapid filling routine. Proceeding from an initially stored biting point pressure, a setting pressure, which is reduced relative to a subsequent rapid filling routine, is incrementally increased step by step. An actual value, which is set in each case for a test parameter, is detected until the actual value corresponds to a setpoint value. A change in the transmission of torque of the hybrid disengaging clutch is derivable via the actual value.

A vehicle control apparatus having an engine and an electric motor includes a clutch, a first travel controller, a second travel controller, and a motor controller. The clutch is disposed in a power transmission path that couples the engine and driving wheels to each other. The first travel controller executes a motor travel in which the driving wheels are driven by the electric motor in a state where the clutch is disengaged to decouple the engine from the driving wheels, and the engine is stopped. The second travel controller executes a cranking travel in which the clutch is engaged while a fuel injection of the engine is stopped in a state in which the motor travel is executed, and the engine is rotated during traveling. The motor controller increases an output torque of the electric motor when a travel mode switches from the motor travel to the cranking travel.

A method and system of controlling an engine for vehicle interior heating is provided. The method includes performing a first engine control when the engine is not in an engine-on state for vehicle driving, to perform heating control for interior heating at a predetermined range of a reference coolant temperature. Additionally, the method includes performing a second engine control when the engine is in an engine-on state for vehicle driving, to prolong an engine-on time for vehicle driving by setting a minimum value of the range of the reference coolant temperature to a lower value and setting a maximum value of the range of the reference coolant temperature to a higher value and to determine a point of time of engine-off operation based on a real-time lock up time and an average lock up time of an engine clutch for vehicle driving.

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.

A vehicle control unit performs filling control in which the vehicle control unit boosts an oil pressure in a second oil passage by supplying electric power to a pressure regulating valve with a switch valve being in a first state in which the switch valve connects a first oil passage to a clutch and disconnects the second oil passage from the clutch, torque replacement control in which the vehicle control unit increases motor torque while reducing shaft torque of an engine, and clutch disengagement control in which the vehicle control unit disengages the clutch while performing hydraulic control by the pressure regulating valve with the switch valve being in the second state in which the switch valve connects the second oil passage to the clutch and disconnects the first oil passage from the clutch.

The invention relates to a method for synchronising the common speed (ω p) of two concentric primary shafts (1, 6) of a hybrid transmission in a hybrid operating mode wherein said two shafts are rotatably connected by a first coupling means (5), with the speed (ω s) of a secondary transmission shaft (10) comprising at least one idler pinion for allowing the coupling of one of said pinions (11, 12) to the shaft (10) thereof by closing a second coupling means (13) that does not have mechanical synchronisation bodies, the torque (Te) of the electric machine being temporarily reduced during the synchronisation phase in order to meet the conditions of a perfect coupling when the value thereof caps at an upper limit value (T.sub.e.sup.max) or a lower limit value (T.sub.e.sup.min).

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.

A vehicle includes an engine, a rotating electric machine, a high-voltage power line, a high-voltage battery, an inverter, a capacitor, an electronic control unit, a low-voltage battery, an alternator, and a low-voltage power line. The capacitor is connected to the high-voltage power line. The electronic control unit is configured to control the engine such that the engine is operated and the alternator supplies electric power to the low-voltage power line in a case where the possibility of the occurrence of a collision of the vehicle is detected. The electronic control unit is configured to perform control such that the capacitor discharges a residual electric charge in a case where the possibility of the occurrence of the collision of the vehicle is detected or in a case where the occurrence of the collision of the vehicle is detected.