Patent ID: 7836987
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A power output apparatus that outputs power to a driveshaft, the power output apparatus comprising: an internal combustion engine that outputs power to the driveshaft; a motor that outputs power to the driveshaft; an electric cranking device that performs a cranking to start the internal combustion engine; an accumulator that supplies and receives electric power from the motor and the electric cranking device; a deterioration factor calculation module configured to calculate a deterioration factor based on a value of electric current flowing through the accumulator, the deterioration factor indicating that a deterioration of the accumulator due to a discharge of the accumulator begins when the deterioration factor exceeds a predetermined reference value; an output limit setting module configured to set an output limit of the accumulator to a base allowable discharging electric power that is an allowable discharging electric power based on a state of the accumulator when the calculated deterioration factor is less than a predetermined limitation start threshold value that is smaller than the reference value, the output limit setting module set the output limit to electric power smaller than the base allowable discharging electric power so as to make the deterioration factor become equal to or less than the reference value when the calculated deterioration factor is equal to or more than the limitation start threshold value; an output limit correction module configured to correct the set output limit so as to temporarily increase the output limit when a predetermined condition is satisfied; a power demand setting module configured to set a power demand required for the driveshaft based on a torque demand that is to be output to the driveshaft; and a control module configured to control the internal combustion engine, the motor and the electric cranking device so as to ensure an output of torque equivalent to the torque demand to the driveshaft without an operation of the internal combustion engine while restricting a discharge electric power of the accumulator within a range of the set or corrected output limit when the set power demand is less than an engine start determination threshold value obtained by subtracting a predetermined electric power from the base allowable discharging electric power while the operation of the internal combustion engine is stopped, the control module controlling the internal combustion engine, the motor and the electric cranking device so as to ensure the output of torque equivalent to the torque demand to the driveshaft with a start of the internal combustion engine by the cranking of the electric cranking device while restricting the discharge electric power of the accumulator within the range of the set or corrected output limit when the set power demand is equal to or more than the engine start determination threshold value while the operation of the internal combustion engine is stopped.