Patent ID: 6019183
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: B60K,B60W,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A hybrid vehicle comprising:an engine for propelling the hybrid vehicle, said engine having an output shaft;power transfer means for transferring an output power of said engine from the output shaft thereof to drive wheels of the hybrid vehicle;an electric motor for supplying an assistive output power to assist the output power of said engine through said power transfer means to said drive wheels;electric energy storage means for storing electric energy for energizing said electric motor; andvehicle operation control means for controlling operation of the hybrid vehicle with said engine and said electric motor;said vehicle operation control means comprising means for controlling said electric motor to generate said assistive output power to start the hybrid vehicle with the electric energy supplied from said electric energy storage means to said electric motor while said engine is idling or stopped, if the amount of electric energy stored in said electric energy storage means is greater than a predetermined quantity, and for controlling said engine to cause said output shaft to generate an output power to start the hybrid vehicle while said electric motor is being de-energized, if the amount of electric energy stored in said electric energy storage means is smaller than said predetermined quantity.