Patent ID: 7884574
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F02N,H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A hybrid vehicle comprising: an internal combustion engine and a first electric motor incorporated as a motive energy source for a vehicle, a battery that can be charged and discharged, constituting a power source for said first electric motor, a power generation device generating electrical power using motive energy from said internal combustion engine, and capable of charging said battery, an electrical power conversion device conducting electrical power conversion such that electrical power can be transmitted and received between a power source external to the vehicle and said battery, and a control device controlling said electrical power conversion device such that refresh-discharging of said battery is executed before said battery is charged from said external power source using said electrical power conversion device, and said battery is charged from said external power source after said battery is refresh-discharged, wherein said power generation device includes a second electric motor having a rotational shaft mechanically coupled to a crankshaft of said internal combustion engine, said second electric motor can start said internal combustion engine using electrical power from said battery, said control device determines that said refresh-discharging is to be executed when a fuel remaining amount of said internal combustion engine exceeds a prescribed amount, and said prescribed amount corresponds to an amount that allows said internal combustion engine to be operated continuously during a period when a state of charge indicating a charge state of said battery is lower than a required amount required to start said internal combustion engine by said second electric motor in accordance with said refresh-discharging.