A vehicle control system which can ensure high reliability, real-time processing, and expandability with a simplified ECU configuration and a low cost by backing up an error through coordination in the entire system without increasing a degree of redundancy of individual controllers beyond the least necessary level. The vehicle control system comprises a sensor controller for taking in sensor signals indicating a status variable of a vehicle and an operation amount applied from a driver, a command controller for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller, and an actuator controller for receiving the control target value from the command controller and operating an actuator to control the vehicle, those three controller being interconnected via a network. The actuator controller includes a control target value generating unit for generating a control target value based on the sensor signals taken in by the sensor controller and received by the actuator controller via the network when the control target value generated by the command controller is abnormal, and controls the actuator in accordance with the control target value generated by the control target value generating unit.

Vehicle Control System

An engine automatic start stop control apparatus controls an engine of a vehicle to be automatically stopped or started in response to driving conditions of a vehicle. Particularly, the apparatus is applied to the vehicle that performs idle stop control for reduction of discharge gas. Herein, the apparatus controls the engine to restart based upon determination for restarting the engine under an engine stop mode. Namely, the apparatus controls the engine to restart if a driver depresses a clutch pedal or if a driver does not depress a brake pedal during an engine stall in which engine speed becomes zero. Thus, it is possible to restart the engine by prescribed operations even if the driver mistakenly recognizes that the engine is stopped by automatic stop control although the engine actually stalls due to an error operation of the driver so that the engine speed becomes zero. This improves drivability for the driver who handles the vehicle, particularly a hybrid vehicle which is capable of independently running by using an electric motor only.

Engine automatic start stop control apparatus

Method and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions. One example method comprises, adjusting a brake torque applied to a deactivated rotating engine after an engine restart request, the brake torque applied to slow the engine to at least a predetermined threshold speed without stopping the engine, and engaging a starter to the still rotating engine to increase the engine speed and restart the engine.

Methods and systems for assisted direct start control

A control device for a vehicular drive system is disclosed as including reverse drive for suppression means operative to preclude output member, such as an output shaft and drive wheels, of an automatic transmission portion from inputting a reverse drive force to a differential portion. This prevents a power transmitting member from rotating in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the same with a running position being set. This suppresses a first electric-motor rotation speed, determined with an engine rotation speed and a power transmitting member rotation speed based on the relationship on mutually relative rotation speeds in the differential portion, from increasing to a high level. This results in improved durability of a first electric-motor.

Control device for vehicular drive system

In a hybrid vehicle with fuel cells and an engine mounted thereon as energy output sources, a technique is employed that adequately changes a working energy output source according to a driving state of the hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has the engine and a motor, both enabling power to be output to an axle. The hybrid vehicle also has fuel cells as a main electric power supply for driving the motor. The technique changes the working energy output source between the fuel cells and the engine, in order to reduce the output of the fuel cells with consumption of a fuel for the fuel cells. With a decrease in remaining quantity of the fuel, the technique narrows a specific driving range, in which the motor is used as the power source. The technique also causes the engine to drive the motor as a generator and charges a battery not with electric power of the fuel cells but with electric power generated by the motor. This arrangement effectively prevents the fuel for the fuel cells from being excessively consumed in one driving mode. The fuel cells can thus be used preferentially in a specific driving state of the hybrid vehicle where the fuel cells have a high efficiency.

Moving object with fuel cells incorporated therein and method of controlling the same

In an economy running mode, auxiliary machines are operated by a motor generator in a state where the engine is stopped so as to reduce electric power consumption. The motor generator, the engine and the auxiliary machines are connected through pulleys and belts. Moreover, a clutch is provided for switching enabling/disabling of power transmission between the motor generator and the engine. A battery is connected to the motor generator through an inverter. When the engine is stopped, the clutch is disengaged and the auxiliary machines are operated by the motor generator.

Power train system for a vehicle and method for operating same

A control device for restarting an engine of vehicle wherein determination is made on whether a quick pressure increase control is executable. When the quick pressure increase control is determined to be non-executable, the engine torque is reduced as compared to a case where the quick pressure increase control is executable. Further, the engine torque is set at a value when the engine speed is equivalent to an idle speed. Also, when the engine torque is reduced, the brake pressure hold electromagnetic valve is maintained at a hold state. This reduces an engagement shock upon engagement of the clutch and prevents the deterioration of clutch durability, in the case where the quick pressure increase control immediately after restart of the engine is non-executable.

Control device for restarting engine of vehicle

Hybrid drive system (40, 130, 160, 200, 230, 260) for a motor vehicle, including (a) an engine (42) operated by combustion of a fuel, (b) a planetary gear mechanism (46) having a sun gear (46s) and a carrier (46c) one of which is connected to the engine, and a ring gear (46r) connected to an output member (50, 232), (c) a motor/generator (48) connected to the output member, and (d) a differential gear device (72) having output shafts (76, 78) and an input member (74) rotated by a drive force received from the output member, and wherein the motor/generator, the planetary gear mechanism and the output member are arranged coaxially with each other along a first axis (O1), and the output shafts are disposed along a second axis (O2) parallel to the first axis. The planetary gear mechanism (46) is disposed in a radially inner space provided radially inwardly of a stator coil (90) of the motor/generator, and the input member (74) includes a radially outer portion which overlaps a radially outer portion of the motor/generator in the radial direction of the motor/generator.

Hybrid drive system wherein planetary gear mechanism is disposed radially inwardly of stator coil of motor/generator

An automatic engine stop and restart device for a vehicle provided with a brake
booster using an intake negative pressure generated by the engine rotation as the
boost source, is provided with a sensor for detecting the negative pressure of the
brake booster. The engine is restarted (steps 180 and 190) when the negative
pressure decreases to a predetermined value or less during engine stop. Sufficient
surge tank negative pressure, that is, the brake booster negative pressure, is
secured by restarting of the engine. This prevents the deterioration of the brake
booster function resulting from increased engine stop frequency.

Stop and restart device for vehicular engine

A power output apparatus (100) includes an engine (102), a double-pinion planetary gear (110), a first motor (MG1), and a second motor (MG2). A ring gear (114), a planetary carrier (126), and a sun gear (112) of the double-pinion planetary gear (110) are respectively linked with a crankshaft (104) of the engine (102), a drive shaft (108), and the first motor (MG1). The engine (102), the second motor (MG2), the double-pinion planetary gear (110), and the first motor (MG1) are arranged sequentially along an axis running from the front to the rear of a vehicle. The second motor (MG2) is required to output a greater torque than that of the first motor (MG1) and accordingly has a larger size. The second motor (MG2) is, however, disposed closer to the engine (102) and thereby has a sufficient margin in the diametral direction. This configuration reduces the size of the whole power output apparatus (100).

Shuji Nagano

Papers

Power train system for a vehicle and method for operating same

Control device for restarting engine of vehicle

Hybrid drive system wherein planetary gear mechanism is disposed radially inwardly of stator coil of motor/generator

Stop and restart device for vehicular engine

Dual electric motor drive with planetary gearing