Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Kent Hancock

Mark Anthony Rockwell

Justin Badger

Carol Louise Okubo

Shunsuke Okubo

Jacob Doan

Chris Michael Kava

Thomas Francis Rolewicz, Jr

Bryan Whitney D Belt

Fazal Urrahman Syed

Robert Roy Jentz

Angel Fernando Porras

Paul Stephen Bryan

Sumanth Reddy Dadam

Daniel Richard Luedtke

Brett Allen Dunn

Christopher Michael Kava

Herbert Thomas Meissner

Johnathan Andrew Butcher

Tyler Lenzen

Methods and systems for operating a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, various vehicle operating modes may be entered from a baseline vehicle operating mode and the vehicle operating modes may revert back to the baseline vehicle operating mode in a plurality of stages so that returning to the baseline operating mode may be less noticeable to vehicle occupants.

Methods and system for operating a hybrid vehicle in a performance mode

A method includes controlling an electrified vehicle by automatically commanding an output torque from an electric machine if the electrified vehicle is in park and an engine start or stop request has been received. A road grade may be used to determine whether or not to command the output torque.

Vehicle systems and methods for avoiding unintentional electrified vehicle movement and for reducing electrified vehicle noise, vibration, and harshness

Methods and systems are provided for on-board diagnostics of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system of an engine coupled to a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method may include, upon receiving an engine shut-down request, prior to engine spin-down, rotating the engine at an idling speed via an electric motor and carrying out diagnostics of the EGR system. EGR diagnostics may include estimating a ratio of accumulated difference between a measured EGR flow and an EGR limit to accumulated intake air flow, over a duration of time, and indicating EGR system degradation in response to the ratio being higher than a threshold.

Method and system for exhaust gas recirculation system diagnostics

Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes a continuously variable transmission are described. The systems and methods adjust engine speed according to one of a plurality of engine speed to vehicle speed profiles so that driveline noise, vibration, and harshness may be reduced. The different engine speed to vehicle speed profiles provide different levels of engine braking.

Methods and system for controlling engine braking

A method includes controlling an electrified vehicle by automatically engaging a braking device if the electrified vehicle is in park and an engine start or stop request has been received. Controlling the electrified vehicle includes preventing a brake lamp from illuminating during engagement of the braking device.

Vehicle systems and methods for reducing electrified vehicle noise, vibration, and harshness

Methods and systems are provided for classification of the type and weight of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. The classification is based on a comparison between a real-time road gradient as determined by the vehicle system and an expected road gradient as determined from an off-board or an onboard map. Vehicle operations may be adjusted based on the classification of the attached trailer.

Smart trailer classification system

A vehicle includes an engine. The vehicle includes a controller configured to start a timer having a duration defined by a charge limit of a traction battery and during which the engine braking is maintained and reduce a predetermined rate of change speed limit of the engine is reduced. The starting of the timer is responsive to application of an accelerator pedal during engine braking. The controller is further configured to increase the predetermined rate of change speed limit such that engine braking is predicted based on the limit of the battery, responsive to application of an accelerator pedal during engine braking.

Engine speed stabilization

An example method includes operating an electric machine to produce a torque output and a non-torque output. The method maintains the torque output and intentionally increases the non-torque output to produce a desired condition in an electric vehicle.

Intentionally increasing a non-torque output of an electric machine in an electric vehicle

An electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an energy recovery mechanism, and a controller configured to selectively activate at least a battery cooling mode to dissipate excess power from the energy recovery mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Kent Hancock