Abstract: A hybrid automobile runs by transmitting a power from an engine and a power from a motor-generator MG2, and can store a part of the power from the engine and an electric power generated by a motor-generator MG1. In this hybrid automobile, a power requirement Pr* of a drive shaft is set based on an accelerator opening, and a battery charge electric power Pbi is set based on SOC, and the sum of the power requirement Pr* and the battery charge electric power Pbi are set as an engine target power Pe*. When the engine target power Pe* is less than a predetermined minimum value Plow, the engine target power Pe* is changed to the minimum value Plow. Further, in accordance with this change, the battery charge electric power Pbi is also changed, and the engine and the motor-generators MG1, MG2 are operated.

Abstract: A hybrid automobile runs by transmitting a power from an engine and a power from a motor-generator MG2, and can store a part of the power from the engine and an electric power generated by a motor-generator MG1. In this hybrid automobile, a power requirement Pr* of a drive shaft is set based on an accelerator opening, and a battery charge electric power Pbi is set based on SOC, and the sum of the power requirement Pr* and the battery charge electric power Pbi are set as an engine target power Pe*. When the engine target power Pe* is less than a predetermined minimum value Plow, the engine target power Pe* is changed to the minimum value Plow. Further, in accordance with this change, the battery charge electric power Pbi is also changed, and the engine and the motor-generators MG1, MG2 are operated.

Abstract: A delay time for delaying starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle is set to a predetermined time based on an engine coolant temperature and a state of an air conditioner switch. Starting of the engine is delayed for the predetermined time if it is determined that a vehicle can run using only a motor based on a required torque, a required power and an SOC of the battery. The predetermined time is determined based on a time necessary for completing preheating of an engine by a preheating device, preparations of sensors such as an air-furl ratio sensor, and warming-up of an exhaust gas purifying device. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform start of the engine and operation immediately after the engine start, and to make control at the engine start time simple.

Abstract: When a starter switch is switched from OFF to ON, a hybrid ECU determines that a driver intends to start driving a vehicle, reads a temperature of each of items (engine coolant, injectors, lubricating oil, and the like), and makes a determination on the necessity of preheating depending on whether each of the items has reached a corresponding one of suitable temperatures. If preheating is required, the hybrid ECU sets an engine start permission flag so as to prohibit the engine from being started, and instructs an engine ECU to preheat the item requiring preheating. On the other hand, if every one of the items has reached the suitable temperature range of its own, the hybrid ECU determines that preheating is not required, and sets the engine start permission flag so as to permit the starting of the engine.

Abstract: An output state detecting apparatus is arranged to detect a reaction torque of a motor and detect an output state of an internal-combustion engine from the reaction torque. The apparatus comprises an internal-combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal-combustion engine to generate electric power, torque detecting means for detecting a reaction torque of this generator, and output state detecting means for detecting an output state of the internal-combustion engine. The output state detecting means detects the output state of the internal-combustion engine, based on the reaction torque of the motor detected by the torque detecting means.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as power sources includes an air-fuel ratio sensor downstream of a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine. An amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is estimated and, based on the estimated amount of oxygen and an output produced by the air-fuel ratio sensor after the engine is restarted after having been temporarily stopped, it is determined whether the catalyst has excessively deteriorated.

Abstract: The present invention prevents a decrease in efficiency due to energy circulation in a power transmission path in a power output apparatus having an engine and a motor as power source. In the power output apparatus, a planetary gear 120 has a sun gear shaft linked with a generator MG1, a ring gear shaft linked with a motor MG2, and a planetary carrier linked with an output shaft of an engine 150. The power output apparatus carries out a control procedure to avoid energy circulation, which goes through the planetary gear 120, the motor MG2, and generator MG1, and the planetary gear 120, and thereby prevent a decrease in efficiency. The energy circulation occurs when the motor MG2 converts the power output from the engine 150 to electric power and the generator MG1 carries out power operation with the regenerated electric power.