Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, the automatic engine stopping may be inhibited so that an engine may be restarted during change of mind conditions without generating a large driveline torque disturbance. The engine stopping may be inhibited based on a inhibit engine pull-down torque threshold.

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, a torque reserve for starting an engine via an electric machine is adjusted responsive to vehicle operating conditions. The torque reserve may set aside a portion of torque that an electric machine may produce for cranking and starting an engine.

To prolong a lifetime of a starter battery, a starting system (5) for an internal combustion engine (3) includes: a starter battery (22) constituted of a lithium-ion battery and configured to supply electric power to a starter motor (21); and a controller (51) configured to drive the starter motor (21) by the electric power from the starter battery (22) to perform cranking operations of the engine (3) intermittently, wherein the controller (51) is configured to prohibit the cranking operations for a first time interval before the cranking operations are performed a prescribed number of times within a prescribed time window, and to prohibit the cranking operations for a second time interval longer than the first time interval right after the cranking operations are performed the prescribed number of times within the prescribed time window.

A starter motor of a vehicle is provided and includes a housing having a central longitudinal axis and at least first and second coils disposed within the housing. One of the at least first and second coils is configured to control driveshaft and ring gear engagement and the other one of the at least first and second coils is offset from the central longitudinal axis and configured to control an application of current to a motor disposed to drive rotation of a driveshaft of the vehicle.

Systems and methods for positioning an engine during engine stopping and during vehicle activation are described. In one example, a belt integrated starter/generator rotates an engine before the engine is started to reduce engine starting time and determine engine position before the engine is started. The engine may be rotated to a first or second position based on a destination of the vehicle.

In a system for controlling rotation of torque applied to a rotating shaft of an engine of a vehicle that uses the engine as a drive source thereof, a motor is provided. A main controller controls the engine and the motor. The main controller selectably activates the motor that applies first torque to the rotating shaft of the engine, and deactivates the motor. A rotary electric machine includes a rotor connected to the rotating shaft of the engine. A rotation parameter detector measures a rotation parameter associated with rotation of the rotor of the rotary electric machine. A sequence controller performs, in response to an occurrence of a trigger situation, a control sequence that controls, independently of the main controller, the rotary electric machine based on the rotation parameter measured by the rotation parameter detector, thus applying second torque to the rotating shaft of the engine.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a starter motor operable to receive a first input indicative of an engine shutdown being required, a second input indicative of a change-of-mind event having occurred after initiation of engine shutdown and a third input indicative of the engine position. After receipt of the first input the controller is operable to monitor the third input and to determine an expected engine rotation direction indicative of the expected rotation direction of the engine after a predetermined delay. If the expected engine rotation direction is positive and the second input is received then the controller is configured to control the output means to cause the starter motor of the engine to be actuated upon receipt of the second input. If the expected engine rotation direction is negative and the second input is received then the controller is configured to delay controlling the output means to cause the starter motor of the engine to be actuated until a determination is made that the expected rotation direction is positive. Advantageously, the controller calculates the expected engine rotation direction before receipt of the input indicative of the change-of-mind event having occurred, thereby reducing the time required to determine whether or not the starter motor can be actuated.

An engine starter unit for starting an engine, includes a starter, a first controller, and a prohibiting means. The starter includes a motor generating a rotary force and a pinion transmitting the rotary force generated by the motor to the engine, the starter cranking the engine up to an engine speed of 450 rpm or more in a drive ON state. The first controller turns the starter into the drive ON state to make the starter start cranking in response to an ON operation of an ignition switch by a user. The prohibiting means prohibits the starter from being turned into the drive ON state again in response to another ON operation of the ignition switch for a prohibition duration after the first ON operation by the user.

In order to provide an engine automatic stop and restart apparatus capable of realizing excellent startability, and preventing an excessive load from being imposed on a starter (30) and a power transmission system, a starter drive inhibition determination section (12) inhibits, in a case where an engine restart condition is satisfied, when a backward rotation of an engine (20) is detected based on a crank angle of a crankshaft of the engine (20) detected by a crank angle sensor (1) for detecting the crank angle, a drive of the starter (30) configured to crank the crankshaft so as to restart the engine (20), and releases, when a stop of the engine (20) is detected, the drive inhibition of the starter (30).

Provided is a start controller for an engine capable of reducing torque of a starter consumed to start the engine. The start controller includes a stop position sensor that detects a position of a piston in each cylinder at an engine stop time, an intake pressure sensor that detects an intake pressure in an intake passage, and a processor that determines whether the position of the piston in each of the cylinders detected by the stop position sensor is within a specified target range after the engine is stopped. In the case where it is determined that the position of the piston in each of the cylinders after the engine stop is out of the target range and the intake pressure detected by the intake pressure sensor is lower than an atmospheric pressure, the engine is started by a motor even when an engine start condition is not satisfied.