Patent ID: 6719076
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F16H,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A vehicle that is driven while regulating power output from a power source to a drive shaft through an operation of an accelerator unit, the vehicle comprising:a power transmittable engine that is capable of transmitting power to the drive shaft; a motor that is capable of applying a braking force to the drive shaft; a detection unit that measures an operating amount of the accelerator unit; a target speed reduction rate setting unit that, when the measured operating amount of the accelerator unit is not greater than a predetermined level, sets a target speed reduction rate of the vehicle corresponding to the measured operating amount, based on a predetermined relationship between operating amount and speed reduction rate; a motor driving state specification unit that specifies a target driving state of the motor to apply a required braking force to the drive shaft, in order to attain the setting of the target speed reduction rate; a control unit that controls the motor to be driven in the target driving state, so as to brake the vehicle; a transmission that, in the course of applying a braking force, is capable of selecting one among a plurality of different gear ratios and is interposed between the motor and the drive shaft; a selection unit that selects a target gear ratio to attain the target speed reduction rate with a torque of the motor; and a change speed control unit that controls the transmission to effect the target gear ratio.