Patent ID: 8100207
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F02N,F16H,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A power output, apparatus for outputting power to a drive shaft, said power output apparatus comprising: an internal combustion engine; a first motor capable of inputting and outputting power; a second motor capable of inputting and outputting power; an accumulator capable of sending and receiving power to and from each of said first and second motors; a power distribution and integration mechanism having a first element connected to a rotating shaft of said first motor; a second element connected to a rotating shaft of said second motor; a third element connected to an engine shaft of said internal combustion engine, said power distribution and integration mechanism being configured so that these three elements can be differentially rotated with respect to each other; a connection/disconnection device capable of performing a drive source element connection being any one of a connection between said first motor and said first element, a connection between said second motor and said second element, and a connection between said internal combustion engine and said third element, said connection/disconnection device capable of performing a release of said drive source element connection; a transmission mechanism capable of selectively coupling one or both of said rotating shaft of said first motor and said rotating shaft of said second motor to said drive shaft, and transmitting power from said first motor and power from said second motor to said drive shaft at a predetermined speed ratio respectively; a power demand setting module for setting a power demand which is power required for said drive shaft; and a control module for controlling said first and second motors, said connection/disconnection device, and said transmission mechanism so that power based on said set power demand is outputted to said drive shaft while performing a power transfer process of transferring power from one of said first and second motors to the other, a release of the coupling between one of said first and second motors and said drive shaft by said transmission mechanism, a rotation speed adjusting process of adjusting a rotation speed of one of said first and second motors released from the coupling to said drive shaft so as to enable said drive source element connection, said drive source element connection, and an engine start process of cranking said internal combustion engine by said first or second motor, if an engine start condition for starting said internal combustion engine is established when said transmission mechanism couples both said first and second motors to said drive shaft and at least one of said first and second motors outputs power in a state in which said drive source element connection is released and said internal combustion engine is stopped.