Patent Publication Number: US-2010120581-A1

Title: Vehicle, control method of vehicle, and driving apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle, a control method of the vehicle, and a driving apparatus. More specifically the invention pertains to a vehicle having a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle, a control method of the vehicle, and a driving apparatus mounted in a vehicle along with an accumulator capable of charge and discharge. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     One proposed vehicle has a motor for driving drive wheels, a battery supplying electric power to the motor, a charging connector for connection with an external charger outside the vehicle in order to charge the battery, and a startup switch that is switched on according to a driver&#39;s operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle prohibits vehicle driving upon detection of connection between the charging connector and the external charger when the startup switch is switched on, and accordingly prevents the connector or cables from being broken at improper start of the vehicle driving when the driver forgets to disconnect a charging cable. This vehicle also prohibits the vehicle driving upon detection of the connection of the charging connector when the vehicle driving is permitted. 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H7-39012 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In this prior art vehicle, there is a case where the vehicle driving is prohibited and then the driver, who has an intention to start the vehicle driving, has a feeling of abnormality or inconvenience when the driver switches on the startup switch without recognizing that he or she forgets about disconnecting the charging cable. Such a feeling of abnormality or inconvenience is preferably to be reduced. The driver&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience is preferably to be reduced also upon detection of the connection of the charging connector when the vehicle driving is permitted. 
     In a vehicle, capable of charging an accumulator with electric power from a power supply outside the vehicle, a control method of the vehicle, and a driving apparatus according to the present invention, a main object is to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. 
     In order to attain at least the main object, a vehicle, a control method of the vehicle, and a driving apparatus of the present invention have the configurations discussed below. 
     According to one aspect, the present invention is directed to a first vehicle. The first vehicle, having a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle, includes: an accumulator capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; an informing unit that provides information; a connection determination module that determines whether or not the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply; and a shutdown time control module that, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply by the connection determination module when the startup instruction is given by the startup shutdown instruction unit in a state of the system of the vehicle shut down, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents driving the vehicle is impossible due to the connection part of the charger being connected to the external power supply and/or information which represents requiring disconnection of the connection part of the charger from the external power supply, without starting up the system of the vehicle. 
     The first vehicle according to this aspect of the invention, includes: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle; an accumulator capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; and an informing unit that provides information. The first vehicle, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply when the startup instruction is given in a state of the system of the vehicle shut down, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents driving the vehicle is impossible due to the connection part of the charger being connected to the external power supply and/or information which represents requiring disconnection of the connection part of the charger from the external power supply, without starting up the system of the vehicle. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. 
     According to another aspect, the present invention is directed to a second vehicle. The second vehicle, having a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle, includes: an accumulator capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; an informing unit that provides information; a connection determination module that determines whether or not the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply; and a startup time control module that, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply by the connection determination module in a startup state defined as a state of the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle being possible, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents performing the external charge is impossible due to the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle being possible and/or information which represents requiring the shutdown instruction by the startup shutdown instruction unit, without performing the external charge. 
     The second vehicle according to this aspect of the invention, includes: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle, an accumulator capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; and an informing unit that provides information. The second vehicle, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply in a startup state defined as a state of the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents performing the external charge is impossible due to the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle being possible and/or information which represents requiring the shutdown instruction by the startup shutdown instruction unit, without performing the external charge. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. 
     In one preferable application of the first vehicle of the invention, the connection determination module may be capable of determining a predetermined abnormality where it is impossible to normally determine whether or not the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply, and the shutdown time control module, upon determination of the predetermined abnormality when the startup instruction is given in the state of the system of the vehicle shut down, may control the informing unit so as to provide information which represents the predetermined abnormality. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience caused by the predetermined abnormality. 
     In one preferable application of the second vehicle of the invention, the connection determination module may be capable of determining a predetermined abnormality where it is impossible to normally determine whether or not the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply, and the startup time control module, upon determination of the predetermined abnormality in the startup state, may control the informing unit so as to provide information which represents the predetermined abnormality. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience caused by the predetermined abnormality. 
     In the application capable of determining the predetermined abnormality of the first or second vehicle of the invention, the connection determination module may be capable of detecting connection and disconnection of the connection part of the charger to and from the external power supply, and may determine that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply when a predetermined time elapses in a state with detecting the connection of the connection part to the external power supply and without determining the predetermined abnormality. This arrangement enables to determine that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply more appropriately. 
     In another preferable application of the second vehicle of the invention, may further include a vehicle halt state determination module that determines a vehicle halt state when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed, and the startup time control module, upon determination of the vehicle halt state by the vehicle halt state determination module in addition to the determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply by the connection determination module in the startup state, may control the informing unit so as to provide the information which represents performing the external charge is impossible due to the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle being possible and/or the information which represents requiring the shutdown instruction by the startup shutdown instruction unit, without performing the external charge. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience when the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply by the operator in the vehicle halt state. 
     According to still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a first driving apparatus. The first driving apparatus, mounted in a vehicle along with an accumulator capable of charge and discharge, includes: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle and is capable of receiving and supplying electric power from and to the accumulator; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; an informing unit that provides information; a connection determination module that determines whether or not the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply; and a shutdown time control module that, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply by the connection determination module when the startup instruction is given by the startup shutdown instruction unit in a state of the system of the vehicle shut down, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents driving the vehicle is impossible due to the connection part of the charger being connected to the external power supply and/or information which represents requiring disconnection of the connection part of the charger from the external power supply, without starting up the system of the vehicle. 
     The first driving apparatus according to this aspect of the invention, includes: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; and an informing unit that provides information. The first driving apparatus, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply when the startup instruction is given by the startup shutdown instruction unit in a state of the system of the vehicle shut down, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents driving the vehicle is impossible due to the connection part of the charger being connected to the external power supply and/or information which represents requiring disconnection of the connection part of the charger from the external power supply, without starting up the system of the vehicle. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. 
     According to still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a second driving apparatus. The second driving apparatus, mounted in a vehicle along with an accumulator capable of charge and discharge, includes: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle and is capable of receiving and supplying electric power from and to the accumulator; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; an informing unit that provides information; a connection determination module that determines whether or not the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply; and a startup time control module that, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply by the connection determination module in a startup state defined as a state of the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents performing the external charge is impossible due to the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible and/or information which represents requiring the shutdown instruction by the startup shutdown instruction unit, without performing the external charge. 
     The second driving apparatus according to this aspect of the invention, includes: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; and an informing unit that provides information. The second driving apparatus, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply in a startup state defined as a state of the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents performing the external charge is impossible due to the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible and/or information which represents requiring the shutdown instruction by the startup shutdown instruction unit, without performing the external charge. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. 
     According to still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a first control method of a vehicle. The vehicle has: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle; an accumulator capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; and an informing unit that provides information. The first control method, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply when the startup instruction is given by the startup shutdown instruction unit in a state of the system of the vehicle shut down, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents driving the vehicle is impossible due to the connection part of the charger being connected to the external power supply and/or information which represents requiring disconnection of the connection part of the charger from the external power supply, without starting up the system of the vehicle. 
     In the first control method of the vehicle according to this aspect of the invention, the vehicle has: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle; an accumulator capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; and an informing unit that provides information. The first control method, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply when the startup instruction is given in a state of the system of the vehicle shut down, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents driving the vehicle is impossible due to the connection part of the charger being connected to the external power supply and/or information which represents requiring disconnection of the connection part of the charger from the external power supply, without starting up the system of the vehicle. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. 
     According to still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a second control method of a vehicle. The vehicle has: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle; an accumulator capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; and an informing unit that provides information. The second control method, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply in a startup state defined as a state of the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents performing the external charge is impossible due to the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible and/or information which represents requiring the shutdown instruction by the startup shutdown instruction unit, without performing the external charge. 
     In the second control method of the vehicle according to this aspect of the invention, the vehicle has: a motor that outputs power for driving the vehicle; an accumulator capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor; a charger having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply; a startup shutdown instruction unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible; and an informing unit that provides information. The second control method, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply in a startup state defined as a state of the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents performing the external charge is impossible due to the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle is possible and/or information which represents requiring the shutdown instruction by the startup shutdown instruction unit, without performing the external charge. This arrangement enables to reduce an operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of the configuration of a hybrid vehicle  20  in one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing a startup requiring control routine executed by a power supply ECU  78 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a charge requiring control routine executed by the power supply ECU  78 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a connection determination routine executed by the power supply ECU  78 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     One mode of carrying out the invention is discussed below as a preferred embodiment.  FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a hybrid vehicle  20  in one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment includes: an engine  22  constructed as an internal combustion engine that outputs power, using hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline or light oil, in response to operation controls such as fuel injection control, ignition control, and air flow regulation control by an engine electronic control unit (hereafter referred to as engine ECU)  24 ; a planetary gear mechanism  30  that carrier is connected via a damper to a crankshaft  26  or an output shaft of the engine  22 ; a motor MG 1  constructed as a synchronous motor generator that rotor is connected to a sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism  30 ; a motor MG 2  constructed as a synchronous motor generator that rotor is connected to a driveshaft  32  which is linked with a ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism  30  and with driving wheels  63   a  and  63   b  via a differential gear  62 ; inverters  41  and  42  configured as drive circuits to drive the motor MG 1  and MG 2 ; a high voltage battery  50  that is connected via a system main relay  46  to the inverters  41  and  42  and designed as a secondary battery supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor MG 1  and MG 2 ; a DC/DC converter  52  that transforms electric power from the high voltage battery  50  to electric power of a lower voltage and supplies the electric power of the lower voltage to a low voltage battery  51 ; a hybrid electronic control unit (hereafter referred to as HVECU)  70  configured to control the operations of the whole hybrid vehicle  20 ; and a power supply electronic control unit (hereafter referred to as power supply ECU)  78  configured to function as a startup control device of the hybrid vehicle  20 . 
     The high voltage battery  50  is a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery, and designed to have a capability to be charged with electric power from charging unit  92 , outside the hybrid vehicle  20 , that is connected to an external power supply  90  such as a domestic power supply (AC 100V). That is, the high voltage battery  50  is enabled to be charged with electric power from the external power supply  90  by switching control of the inverter  41  and  42  in a state that a relay included in an AC port  53  and the system main relay  46  are on and that a vehicle side connector  54  and an external power supply side connector  94  are connected. The vehicle side connector  54  is connected via the AC port  53  to the neutral point of the motor MG 1  and MG 2  (the neutral point of the multiphase windings), and the external power supply side connector  94  is attached to a charging cable  93  of the charging unit  92 . This configuration allows the high voltage battery  50  to be charged with electric power from the external power supply  90  before starting the vehicle driving, and enables to start the vehicle driving with the high voltage battery  50  fully charged. 
     The HVECU  70  is constructed as a microprocessor including a CPU  72 , a ROM  74  that stores processing programs, a RAM  76  that temporarily stores data, a non-illustrated input-output port, and a non-illustrated communication port. The HVECU  70  receives various inputs via the input port: a vehicle speed V from a vehicle speed sensor  81 , a gearshift position SP from a gearshift position sensor (not shown) that detects the current position of a gearshift lever, an accelerator opening Acc from an accelerator pedal position sensor (not shown) that measures a step-on amount of an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal position BP from a brake pedal position sensor (not shown) that measures a step-on amount of a brake pedal, signals from rotational position detection sensors (not shown) that detect rotational positions of the rotors in the motors MG 1  and MG 2 , phase currents applied to the motors MG 1  and MG 2  and measured by current sensors (not shown) attached to a power line from the inverters  41  and  42  to the motors MG 1  and MG 2 , a charge-discharge current measured by a current sensor (not shown) attached near to an output terminal of the high voltage battery  50 , an inter-terminal voltage measured by a voltage sensor (not shown) attached near to output terminals of the high voltage battery  50 , and a battery temperature measured by a temperature sensor (not shown) attached to the high voltage battery  50 . The HVECU  70  outputs various signals via the output port: the switching control signals to the inverters  41  and  42 , an on/off signal to the system main relay  46 , control signals to the DC/DC converter  52 , a light-on signal to a warning lamp  82  attached near to a driver&#39;s seat in a passenger compartment  21 , control signals for controlling display output of text and images to a display  83  attached near to the driver&#39;s seat in the passenger compartment  21 , a control signal for controlling sound output from a speaker  84  that is driven by an amplifier (not shown) and located in the passenger compartment  21 , and a control signal for controlling sound output from a speaker  85  that is driven by an amplifier (not shown) and outputs sound to outside the hybrid vehicle  20 . The HVECU  70  communicates with the engine ECU  24  and the power supply ECU  78  via the communication port to transmit diverse control signals and data to and from the engine ECU  24  and the power supply ECU  78 . The HVECU  70  of the embodiment also computes a remaining charge or state of charge (SOC) of the high voltage battery  50  from an integrated value of the charge-discharge current measured by the current sensor (not shown). 
     The power supply ECU  78  is operated with electric power supplied all the time from the low voltage battery  50  and constructed as a microprocessor including a non-illustrated CPU, a non-illustrated ROM that stores processing programs, a non-illustrated RAM that temporarily stores data, a non-illustrated input-output port, and a non-illustrated communication port. The power supply ECU  78  receives various inputs via the input port: an on/off signal from a power switch  80  that is attached to a panel in front of the driver&#39;s seat and gives an instruction for starting up a system of the hybrid vehicle  20  and an instruction for shutting down the system of the hybrid vehicle  20 , and a detection signal from a connector sensor  55  that is attached to the vehicle side connector  54  for charging the high voltage battery  50  and detects whether the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  are connected or not. The power supply ECU  78  outputs various signals via the output port, for example, an on/off signal to the relay of the AC port  53 . In the embodiment, the power supply ECU  78  controls a non-illustrated relay to be on so that electric power from the low voltage battery  51  is supplied to electronic control units such as the HVECU  70  and the engine ECU  24  upon reception of the on signal from the power switch  80  in a state of the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  shut down. The power supply ECU  78 , upon further satisfaction of a predetermined startup condition, permits the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  started up in a driving mode that allows the vehicle driving, for example, by making the HVECU  70  control the system main relay  52  to be on. The power supply ECU  78  shuts down the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  upon satisfaction of a predetermined shutdown condition when the off signal from the power switch  80  is received in a state of the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  started up in the driving mode. In the embodiment, the power supply ECU  78  permits the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  started up in a charging mode, for example, by controlling the non-illustrated relay to be on so that electric power from the low voltage battery  51  is supplied to the HVECU  70 , controlling the relay of the AC port  53  to be on, and making the HVECU  70  control the system main relay  52  to be on, upon determination that the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  are connected based on the detection signal from the connector sensor  55  in the state of the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  shut down. The power supply ECU  78  shuts down the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  when the high voltage battery  50  becomes fully charged in a state of the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  started up in the charging mode. The connector sensor  55  of the embodiment has a capability to output a connection signal Cn and a connection abnormality signal Cna as the detection signal. The connection signal Cn indicates whether there is a connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  or not (on or off). The connection abnormality signal Cna indicates whether there is an abnormality where it is impossible to normally detect the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  or not (on or off), for example, a malfunction where the connection signal Cn is not able to be changed from on to off. 
     The hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment thus constructed calculates a torque demand to be output to the driveshaft  32  functioning as the drive shaft, based on observed values of a vehicle speed V and an accelerator opening Acc, which corresponds to a driver&#39;s step-on amount of the accelerator pedal. The engine  22  and the motors MG 1  and MG 2  are subjected to operation control to output a required level of power corresponding to the calculated torque demand to the driveshaft  32 . 
     The description regards the operations of the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment having the configuration discussed above, especially series of operation control when the driver switches on the power switch  80  and when the driver connects the external power supply side connector  94  of the charging cable  93  to the vehicle side connector  54 .  FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing a startup requiring control routine executed by the power supply ECU  78 , and  FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a charge requiring control routine executed by the power supply ECU  78 . The startup requiring control routine is performed when the on signal from the power switch  80  is received in the state of the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  shut down, and the charge requiring control routine is performed repeatedly at preset time intervals (for example, at every several msec) in the state of the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  started up in the driving mode. The startup requiring control is first described and the charge requiring control is next described. At the timing of start of performing the startup requiring control routine, the power supply ECU  78  controls the non-illustrated relay to be on so that electric power from the low voltage battery  51  is supplied to electronic control units such as the HVECU  70  based on the on signal from the power switch  80 , regardless of permitting or prohibiting the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  stated up in the driving mode. 
     In the startup requiring control routine of  FIG. 2 , the CPU of the power supply ECU  78  inputs data required for control, for example, a connection determination flag Fc set in a connection determination routine shown in  FIG. 4  (step S 100 ). The description regarding the startup requiring control routine of  FIG. 2  is suspended here, and the following description regards the processing of the connection determination executed by the power supply ECU  78 . The connection determination routine is performed repeatedly at preset time intervals (for example, at every several msec), regardless of the state of the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  being started up or shut down. 
     In the connection determination routine of  FIG. 4 , the CPU of the power supply ECU  78  inputs the connection signal Cn and the connection abnormality signal Cna from the connector sensor  55  (step S 300 ). The CPU determines whether the connection abnormality signal Cna is on or off (step S 310 ), and determines whether the connection signal Cn is on or off (step S 320 ). When the connection abnormality signal Cna is on, the CPU sends a command for lighting on the warming lamp  82  to the HVECU  70  in a case where the power switch  80  is on (step S 330 ), sets the connection determination flag F to 0 (step S 340 ), and terminates the connection determination routine. When the connection abnormality signal Cna is off and the connection signal Cn is off, the CPU sets the connection determination flag F to 0 (step S 340 ), and terminates the connection determination routine. That is, the connection determination flag F is set to 0 in the both cases that a connection abnormality, where the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  is not able to be normally detected, is in occurrence and that the connector connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  is not detected. The HVECU  70  receives the command from the power supply ECU  78 , and lights on the warning lamp  82  in the passenger compartment  21 . Accordingly, it is enabled to inform the driver of occurrence of abnormality. The warning lamp  82  is lighted up when the connection abnormality signal Cna is on at the start of performing the startup requiring control routine of  FIG. 2 , that is, at the input timing of the on signal from the power switch  80  in the state of the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  shut down. The warning lamp  82  is also lighted up when the connection abnormality signal Cna is on while performing the charge requiring control routine of  FIG. 3 , that is, the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  is started up in the driving mode. 
     When the connection abnormality signal Cna is off and the connection signal Cn is on, the CPU waits until a preset determination time t 1  (for example, 50 msec or 100 msec) elapses without any change of the both signals (step S 350 ). The CPU then sets the connection determination flag Fc to 1 (step S 360 ), and terminates the connection determination routine. This arrangement of waiting until the preset determination time t 1  elapses enables to determine the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side  94  more appropriately, in comparison with an arrangement of making immediate determination of the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  when the connection is detected, and in comparison also with an arrangement of making immediate determination of the connection when the connection is detected while the connection abnormality is not in occurrence. The description above regards the processing of the connection determination. 
     The description regarding the startup requiring control routine of  FIG. 2  is resumed here. After inputting the data such as the connection determination flag Fc, the CPU of the power supply ECU  78  checks the input connection determination flag Fc (step S 110 ). When the connection determination flag Fc is 0, the CPU permits the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  started up in the driving mode (step S 120 ), and terminates the startup requiring control routine. This control enables to drive the hybrid vehicle  20 . When the connection determination flag Fc is 1, the CPU sends a command for display output of text to the display  83  to the HVECU  70  (step S 130 ). The text gives information that represents driving the vehicle is impossible due to the vehicle side connector  54  being connected to the external power supply  90  (for example, “you can&#39;t drive the car because the charging cable is connected” or “the car system cannot be started up because the charging cable is connected”), or the text gives information that represents requiring disconnection of the vehicle side connector  54  from the external power supply  90  (for example, “please disconnect the charging cable because the you can&#39;t drive the car” or “please disconnect the charging cable because the car system can&#39;t be started up”). The CPU also sends a command for sound output of warning from the speaker  84  in the passenger compartment  21  to the HVECU  70  (step S 140 ). The CPU then prohibits the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  started up in the driving mode (step S 150 ), and terminates the startup requiring control routine. As described above, upon determination of the connector connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  when the power switch  80  is switched on in the state of the vehicle system shut down, the HVECU  70  receives a command from the power supply ECU  78  and provides the above information by display output of text to the display  83  in the passenger compartment  21  and sound output of warning from the speaker  84 . This arrangement accordingly reduces the driver&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience that is caused because the vehicle driving cannot be started when the driver switches on the power switch  80  without recognizing he or she forgets about disconnecting the charging cable  93 . The above information is provided according to the connection determination flag Fc set when the preset determination time t 1  elapses in the state with detecting the connector connection and without occurrence of the connection abnormality, the connector connection is accordingly determined more appropriately, for example, with reduction of providing erroneous information. This arrangement thus reduces the driver&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience more appropriately. The description above regards the startup requiring control. 
     In the charge requiring control routine of  FIG. 3 , the CPU of the power supply ECU  78  inputs data required for control, for example, the vehicle speed V and the connection determination flag Fc set in the connection determination routine of  FIG. 4  (step S 200 ). The vehicle speed V is measured by the vehicle speed sensor  81  and input from the HVECU  70  by communication. 
     After the data input, the CPU checks the input connection determination flag Fc (step S 210 ), and determines whether the absolute value of the input vehicle speed V is less than the preset vehicle speed Vref (for example, 5 km/h or 3 km/h) for determination of the vehicle halt state (step S 220 ). When the connection determination flag Fc is 0, that is, in the both cases that the connection abnormality, where the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  is not able to be normally detected, is in occurrence and that the connector connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  is not detected, the CPU terminates the charge requiring control routine. Upon no determination of the vehicle halt state when the vehicle speed V is not less than the preset vehicle speed Vref although the connection determination flag Fc is 1, the CPU decides there is not such a case where the charging cable  94  is connected to the vehicle side during the vehicle driving, then terminates the charge requiring control routine. In these cases, the hybrid vehicle  20  maintains the state of driving enabled. 
     On the other hand, upon determination of the vehicle halt state when the vehicle speed V is less than the preset vehicle speed Vref while the connection determination flag Fc is 1, the CPU sends a command for display output of text to the display  83  to the HVECU  70  (step S 230 ). The text gives information that represents charging with the external power supply  90  is not possible due to the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  being started up in the driving mode (for example, “the battery can&#39;t be charged because the power switch is still on” or “the battery can&#39;t be charged because the vehicle system is still started up”), or the text gives information that represents requiring to switch off the power switch  80  (for example, “please switch off the power switch because the battery can&#39;t be charged” or “please connect the charging cable after switching off the power switch”). The CPU also sends a command for sound output of warning from the speaker  85  to the outside the hybrid vehicle  20  (step S 240 ). The CPU then terminates the charge requiring control routine. As described above, upon determination of the connector connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  in the vehicle halt state and the state of the vehicle system started up in the driving mode, the HVECU  70  receives a command from the power supply ECU  78  and provides the above information by display output of text to the display  83  in the passenger compartment  21  and sound output of warning from the speaker  85  to the outside the vehicle. This arrangement accordingly reduces the driver&#39;s or operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience that is caused because the driver or operator does not recognize the situation where the charge of the high voltage battery  50  with electric power supplied from the external power supply  90  cannot be started due to the power switch  80  being on. The above information is provided according to the connection determination flag Fc set when the preset determination time t 1  elapses in the state with detecting the connector connection and without occurrence of the connection abnormality, the connector connection is accordingly determined more appropriately, for example, with reduction of providing erroneous information. This arrangement thus reduces the driver&#39;s or operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience more appropriately. The above information is provided upon determination of the vehicle halt state in addition to determination of the connector connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94 . This arrangement thus reduces the driver&#39;s or operator&#39; s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience further appropriately. 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment described above, upon determination of the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  when the power switch  80  is switched on in the state of the vehicle system shut down, starting up the vehicle system is prohibited and the information that represents the vehicle driving is not possible due to the vehicle side connector  54  being connected to the external power supply  90  or the information that represents requiring disconnection of the vehicle side connector  54  from the external power supply  90  is provided. This arrangement effectively reduces the driver&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, upon determination of the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  in the state of the vehicle system started up in the driving mode, charging the high voltage battery  50  is not permitted and the information that represents the charge with the external power supply  90  is not possible due to the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  being started up in the driving mode or the information that represents requiring to switch off the power switch  80  is provided. This arrangement effectively reduces the driver&#39;s or operator&#39;s feeling of abnormality or inconvenience. 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, upon determination of the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  when the power switch  80  is switched on in the state of the vehicle system shut down, either one of the information that represents the vehicle driving is not possible due to the vehicle side connector  54  being connected to the external power supply  90  or the information that represents requiring disconnection of the vehicle side connector  54  from the external power supply  90  is provided. However, upon the determination, both of the information that represents the vehicle driving is not possible due to the vehicle side connector  54  being connected to the external power supply  90  and the information that represents requiring disconnection of the vehicle side connector  54  from the external power supply  90  may be provided. 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, upon determination of the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  in the state of the vehicle system started up in the driving mode, either one of the information that represents the charge with the external power supply  90  is not possible due to the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  being started up in the driving mode or the information that represents requiring to switch off the power switch  80  is provided. However, upon the determination, both of the information that represents the charge with the external power supply  90  is not possible due to the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  being started up in the driving mode and the information that represents requiring to switch off the power switch  80  may be provided. 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, upon determination of the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  when the power switch  80  is switched on in the state of the vehicle system shut down, information is provided by display output of text to the display  83  in the passenger compartment  21  and sound output of warning from the speaker  84 . However, upon the determination, information may be provided only by display output of text to the display  83 , information may be provided by sound output of a message from the speaker  84  in place of or in addition to these, information may be provided by display output of an image such as an icon in place of or in addition to these, and information may be provided together with lighting on the warming lamp  82  in addition to these. 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, upon determination of the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  in the state of the vehicle system started up in the driving mode, information is provided by display output of text to the display  83  in the passenger compartment  21  and sound output of warning from the speaker  85  to the outside the vehicle. However, upon the determination, information may be provided by display output of an image such as an icon, information may be provided by sound output of a message from the speaker  85  to the outside the vehicle in place of or in addition to these, information may be provided together with lighting on the warming lamp  82  in addition to these, and information may be provided with flashing on and off a non-illustrated emergency lamp (for example, all of directional indicators). 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, the warning lamp  82  is lighted up when the connection abnormality signal Cna is on. However, in place of lighting up the warning lamp  82 , information that represents occurrence of a connection abnormality where it is impossible to normally detect the connection between the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  (for example, “The charging connector is in an abnormal condition”) may be provided by display output of text to the display  83  in the passenger compartment  21  and sound output of a message from the speaker  84  when the connection abnormality signal Cna is on. The warning lamp  82  may not be lighted up even when the connection abnormality signal Cna is on. 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, the connector sensor  55  has a capability to output a connection signal Cn and a connection abnormality signal Cna as the detection signal. However, the connector sensor  55  may output only the connection signal Cn. In this case, without executing the connection determination routine of  FIG. 4 , input of the connection signal Cn from the connector sensor  55  and determination whether the connection signal Cn is on or off may be performed in place of the processing of step S 100  and S 110  in the startup requiring control routine of  FIG. 2  and also the processing of step S 200  and S 210  in the charge requiring control routine of  FIG. 3 . 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, the high voltage battery  50  is enabled to be charged with electric power from the external power supply  90  by switching control of the inverter  41  and  42  in the state that the relay included in the AC port  53  and the system main relay  46  are on and that the vehicle side connector  54 , which is connected via the AC port  53  to the neutral point of the motor MG 1  and MG 2  (the neutral point of the multiphase windings), and the external power supply  90  are connected. However, the high voltage battery  50  may be charged with electric power from the external power supply  90  by controlling a charging circuit, which has a vehicle side connector  54  and is electrically connected to the high voltage battery  50 , in a stage that the vehicle side connector  54  and the external power supply side connector  94  are connected. 
     In the hybrid vehicle  20  of the embodiment, the engine  22  and the motor MG 1  are connected to the driveshaft  32  via the planetary gear mechanism  30 . The technique of the invention is also applicable to a hybrid vehicle that has an engine and a motor both connected to the driveshaft without having the motor MG 1 , or a hybrid vehicle that has a capability of charging a battery with electric power generated by a generator using all of output power from an engine and a capability of driving the vehicle with output power from a motor using the electric power from the battery, and also applicable to an electric vehicle that is driven with output power from a motor connected to a battery which is chargeable and dischargeable. 
     The technique of the invention is not restricted to the motor vehicle but may be actualized by any other diverse applications, for example, a vehicle other than motor vehicles such as a train, and a driving apparatus mounted in a vehicle along with the high voltage battery  50 , as well as a control method of a vehicle. 
     The primary elements in the embodiment and its modified examples are mapped to the primary constituents in the claims of the invention as described below. The motor MG 2  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘motor’ in the claims of the invention. The high voltage battery  50  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘accumulator’ in the claims of the invention. The vehicle side connector  54  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘connection part’ in the claims of the invention. The combination of the system main relay  46 , the inverter  41  and  42 , the motor MG 1  and MG 2 , the AC port  53 , and the vehicle side connector  54  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘charger’ in the claims of the invention. The power switch  80  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘startup shutdown instruction unit’ in the claims of the invention. The combination of the warning lamp  82 , the display  83 , the speaker  84 , and the speaker  85  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘informing unit’ in the claims of the invention. The combination of the connector sensor  55 , which outputs the connection signal Cn and the connection abnormality signal Cna as the detection signal, and the power supply ECU  78  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘connection determination module’ in the claims of the invention. The power supply ECU  78  executes the connection determination routine of  FIG. 4  that sets the connection determination flag Fc to 1 when the preset determination time t 1  elapses in the state of the connection abnormality signal Cna being off and the connection signal Cn being on, and also executes the processing of step S 110  in the startup requiring control routine of  FIG. 2  and the processing of step S 210  in the charge requiring control routine of  FIG. 3  to make determination of the connection determination flag Fc. The combination of the power supply ECU  78  and the HVECU  70  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘shutdown time control module’ in the claims of the invention. The power supply ECU  78 , upon determination of the connection determination flag Fc being 1 when the power switch  80  is switched on in the state of the vehicle system shut down, executes the startup requiring control routine of  FIG. 2  in which an instruction to HVECU  70  is given to prohibit starting up the vehicle system and to provide the information that represents the vehicle driving is not possible due to the vehicle side connector  54  being connected to the external power supply  90  or the information that represents requiring disconnection of the vehicle side connector  54  from the external power supply  90 . The HVECU  70 , upon reception of the instruction, controls the display output to the display  83  and the sound output from the speaker  84  so that the information is provided. The combination of the power supply ECU  78  and the HVECU  70  in the embodiment corresponds to the ‘startup time control module’ in the claims of the invention. The power supply ECU  78 , upon determination of the connection determination flag Fc being 1 in the state of the vehicle system started up in the driving mode, executes the charge requiring control routine of  FIG. 3  in which an instruction is given to the HVECU  70  not to permit charging the high voltage battery  50  and to provide the information that represents the charge with the external power supply  90  is not possible due to the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  being started up in the driving mode or the information that represents requiring to switch off the power switch  80 . The HVECU  70 , upon reception of the instruction, controls the display output to the display  83  and the sound output from the speaker  85  so that the information is provided. 
     The ‘motor’ is not restricted to the motor MG 2  constructed as a synchronous motor generator, but may be any type of motor constructed to output power for driving the vehicle, for example, an induction motor. The ‘accumulator’ is not restricted to the high voltage battery  50  designed as a secondary battery, but may be a capacitor or any other storage unit capable of supplying and receiving electric power to and from the motor. The ‘connection part’ is not restricted to the vehicle side connector  54 , but may be any other part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle. The ‘charger’ is not restricted to the combination of the system main relay  46 , the inverter  41  and  42 , the motor MG 1  and MG 2 , the AC port  53 , and the vehicle side connector  54 , but may be any other arrangement having a connection part that is connected to an external power supply defined as a power supply outside the vehicle, and capable of performing an external charge defined as charging the accumulator with electric power from the external power supply when the connection part is connected to the external power supply, for example, a charging circuit connected to the high voltage battery  50 . The ‘connection determination module’ is not restricted to the combination of the connector sensor  55 , which outputs the connection signal Cn and the connection abnormality signal Cna as the detection signal, and the power supply ECU  78 , where the power supply ECU  78  that sets the connection determination flag Fc to 1 when the preset determination time t 1  elapses in the state of the connection abnormality signal Cna being off and the connection signal Cn being on and also makes determination of the connection determination flag Fc, but may be any other arrangement that determines whether or not the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply, for example, a sensor that outputs only the connector connection signal Cn as a detection signal. The ‘startup shutdown instruction unit’ is not restricted to the power switch  80 , but may be any other unit that gives a startup instruction and a shutdown instruction, the startup instruction being an instruction for starting up a system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes possible and the shutdown instruction being an instruction for shutting down the system of the vehicle so that driving the vehicle becomes impossible. The ‘informing unit’ is not restricted to the combination of the warning lamp  82 , the display  83 , the speaker  84 , and the speaker  85 , but may be a single display or any other unit that provides information. The ‘shutdown time control module’ is not restricted to the combination of the power supply ECU  78  and the HVECU  70 , but may be actualized by a single electronic control unit. The ‘shutdown time control module’ is not restricted to the arrangement that, upon determination of the connection determination flag Fc being 1 when the power switch  80  is switched on in the state of the vehicle system shut down, prohibits starting up the vehicle system and provides the information that represents the vehicle driving is not possible due to the vehicle side connector  54  being connected to the external power supply  90  or the information that represents requiring disconnection of the vehicle side connector  54  from the external power supply  90  by the display output to the display  83  and the sound output from the speaker  84 , but may be any other arrangement that, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply by the connection determination module when the startup instruction is given by the startup shutdown instruction unit in a state of the system of the vehicle shut down, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents driving the vehicle is impossible due to the connection part of the charger being connected to the external power supply and/or information which represents requiring disconnection of the connection part of the charger from the external power supply, without starting up the system of the vehicle. The ‘startup time control module’ is not restricted to the combination of the power supply ECU  78  and the HVECU  70 , but may be actualized by a single electronic control unit. The ‘startup time control module’ is not restricted to the arrangement that, upon determination of the connection determination flag Fc being 1 in the state of the vehicle system started up in the driving mode, does not permit charging the high voltage battery  50  and provides the information that represents the charge with the external power supply  90  is not possible due to the system of the hybrid vehicle  20  being started up in the driving mode or the information that represents requiring to switch off the power switch  80  by the display output to the display  83  and the sound output from the speaker  85 , but may be any other arrangement that, upon determination that the connection part of the charger is connected to the external power supply by the connection determination module in a startup state defined as a state of the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle being possible, controls the informing unit so as to provide information which represents performing the external charge is impossible due to the system of the vehicle being started up and driving the vehicle being possible and/or information which represents requiring the shutdown instruction by the startup shutdown instruction unit, without performing the external charge. 
     The above mapping of the primary elements in the embodiment and its modified examples to the primary constituents in the claims of the invention is not restrictive in any sense but is only illustrative for concretely describing the modes of carrying out the invention. Namely the embodiment and its modified examples discussed above are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. 
     There may be many modifications, changes, and alterations without departing from the scope or spirit of the main characteristics of the present invention. 
     The technique of the invention is preferably applied to the manufacturing industries of vehicles and driving apparatuses. 
     The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-288865 filed on Nov. 11, 2008 including specification, drawings and claims is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.