Patent ID: 6595307
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F01N,F02D,F02N,Y02A,Y02T,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A hybrid vehicle comprising:a power train including an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a generator, which are operatively connected to each other, at least one of an output of the engine and an output of the electric motor being utilized for running the hybrid vehicle; a battery electrically connected to the electric motor and to the generator, the electric motor using the battery as an electric power supply, at least one of the output of the engine and inertia of the running hybrid vehicle being utilized for driving the generator so as to charge the battery; a catalytic converter disposed in an exhaust system of the engine so as to purify an exhaust gas emitted from the engine; and a controller that: determines whether a condition for stopping the engine is established, based on an operating state of the vehicle; cuts off fuel supply to the engine when the condition for stopping the engine is established; and applies a load of the generator to the engine upon the cutting off of the fuel supply to the engine, wherein the controller determines a temperature of the catalytic converter, and keeps the engine rotating irrespective of establishment of the condition for stopping the engine if the determined temperature of the catalytic converter is higher than a predetermined threshold level.