Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Brian Thomas Soo

Bernard D Nefcy

Walter Joseph Ortmann

Marvin Paul Kraska

Daniel Scott Colvin

David Paul Tourner

Charles Vitullo

Ming Lang Kuang

Francis Thomas Connolly

Stuart N Ford

Mark Davison

Brian Richard Light

Craig Edward Esler

Michael Duane Wallace

Kimberly Trice

Matthew Joseph Meinhart

Bernard D Nefacy

A vehicle comprises a hybrid powertrain includes an electric machine coupled between an automatic gearbox and an engine. The vehicle includes paddle shifters configured to output a driver requested gear change. The hybrid powertrain is configured to selectively operate in an economy mode that optimizes fuel economy. While operating in the economy mode, a controller may selectively inhibit the driver requested gear change when the change may negatively impact fuel economy. In the economy mode, the driver requested gear change may be inhibited during a demand for braking. If the driver requested gear change is a downshift request, the downshift is inhibited and simulated using electric machine torque.

Paddle shifter control of hybrid powertrain

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and methods for operation having a powertrain that includes an engine, an electric machine and storage battery, and a transmission coupled via a drive shaft to wheels having regenerative-friction brakes. The HEV and transmission incorporate regenerative and adaptive braking and a capability to detect nearby obstacles and other vehicles. Such controllers monitor and report the nearby-vehicle distance and a brake pedal tip-lift time and position. In response, the controller(s) cause the electric machine to generate electric power with negative torque, which decelerates the transmission and wheels at a constant or variable rate, adjusted so the nearby-vehicle distance during deceleration equals or exceeds a predetermined, lead-lag distance to nearby vehicles or obstacles. An adaptive cruise signal may also be generated that may indicate driver vehicle preferred settings and profiles, and constant, adjustable, learned, and driver selectable deceleration profiles, which are utilized to control deceleration during braking.

Regenerative braking system and method

A vehicle includes a regenerative braking system, which may include an electric machine, configured to provide regenerative braking torque to vehicle traction wheels. The vehicle further includes at least one controller configured to provide indicia for display to indicate performance of the regenerative braking system. The indicia represent a comparison of a braking profile that is recorded during a deceleration event and a calculated braking profile that is based on a detected forward object. In various embodiments, the indicia may include a numerical or letter grade representative of a similarity between the recorded braking profile and the calculated braking profile and/or a visual representation of the comparison of the recorded braking profile and the calculated braking profile.

Regenerative braking coaching system

A vehicle includes a connector for coupling a battery in the vehicle to a load external to the vehicle. An energy management system includes a controller that is programmed to operate the battery in a vehicle according to a target state of charge range that is defined by upper and lower state of charge limits. In response to receiving a request to prepare for power generation at a destination prior to arriving at the destination, the controller increases the lower state of charge limit as the distance to the destination decreases. In response to the request, the battery is operated during the drive cycle to the destination so that the battery state of charge at the destination allows the battery to provide power to the external load for a predetermined period of time before an engine is started.

Vehicle battery charge preparation for post-drive cycle power generation

A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a driver interface having a first driver-activated selector, and a controller. The controller selectively operates the engine according to a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the engine runs continuously. In the second mode the engine is turned off in response to a first set of operating conditions and turned on in response to a second set of operating conditions. The controller further, in response to a driver activation of the first selector, controls the engine according to the first mode and, in response to an anticipated end of a first vehicle acceleration event subsequent the driver activation of the first selector, controls the engine according to the second mode.

Temporary engine start or stop using paddle shifter

An exemplary clutch device of an electrified vehicle includes a first member having a plurality of lugs about an axis, and a second member including a plurality of apertures. The plurality of lugs are selectively moveable axially into corresponding apertures to couple together rotation of the first member and the second member. Interfaces between the first member and the second member when under positive torque are angled differently than interfaces between the first member and the second member when under negative torque.

Electrified vehicle powertrain clutch

A control system and method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain supplies battery power boost torque to vehicle traction wheels to modify shift points for a multiple ratio transmission in the powertrain. A shift schedule is adjusted to avoid a downshift for small changes in torque demand, thus reducing shift frequency due to small transient changes in torque demand.

Multiple-ratio transmission downshift strategy for hybrid electric vehicle powertrains

A method for restarting a vehicle engine that is stopped at a known crank angle includes actuating a clutch located in a torque path between a starting motor and the engine with desired pressure related to the known crank angle during the restart, and using the starting motor to drive the engine during the restart.

Engine cranking torque referenced to an engine stop position

A method for controlling a downstream clutch in a vehicle during an upstream torque disturbance includes slipping a downstream clutch by reducing the downstream clutch pressure, varying the downstream clutch pressure to a target threshold to control the slip of the downstream clutch, increasing the downstream clutch pressure to engage the downstream clutch. A vehicle includes a first prime mover, a second prime mover connected to the first prime mover using an upstream clutch, a transmission connected to the second prime mover using a downstream clutch, and a controller connected to the first and second prime movers and the upstream and downstream clutches. The controller is configured to (i) slip the downstream clutch by reducing the pressure, (ii) vary the downstream clutch pressure to a target threshold to control the slip, and (iii) increase the downstream clutch pressure to engage the clutch.

Growing community of inventors

West Bloomfield, MI, United States of America

Brian Thomas Soo