Patent ID: 6380641
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: B60L,B60W,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
An engine stall prevention apparatus for a hybrid vehicle which comprises an engine which outputs driving force to drive a vehicle; an electric motor which assists the driving force of the engine; and a power storage unit which stores electric power generated by the electric motor when the electric motor in functioning as a power generator or when deceleration regeneration is performed by the electric motor;the engine stall prevention apparatus comprising: a clutch operation detection device which detects an engaging state of a clutch, which has been engaged by a driver; a clutch state determination device which determines the state of the clutch based on the relationship between vehicle speed and engine speed; a throttle opening degree determination device which determines a degree of throttle opening the engine; a first engine speed modification device which modifies a charging/regeneration allowing lower limit engine speed value above which deceleration regeneration by the electric motor is allowed; and a half-engaged clutch determination maintaining device which outputs a determination signal indicating that the clutch is half-engaged for a predetermined period of time, when the clutch operation detection device detects that the clutch is not disengaged, the throttle opening degree determination device determines that the degree of throttle opening of the engine is no more than a predetermined degree, and the clutch state determination device determines that the clutch is half engaged; wherein the first engine speed modification device elevates the charging/regeneration allowing lower limit engine speed value while the half-engaged clutch determination maintaining device outputs a determination signal indicating that the clutch is half-engaged.