Patent ID: 7587269

Claim:
A power output apparatus that outputs power to a driveshaft, the power output apparatus comprising: an internal combustion engine; an electric power-mechanical power input output structure that is connected to an output shaft of the internal combustion engine and to the driveshaft and outputs at least part of output power of the internal combustion engine to the driveshaft through input and output of electric power and mechanical power; a motor that inputs and outputs power to and from the driveshaft; an accumulator unit that transmits electric power from and to the electric power-mechanical power input output structure and the motor; a driving force demand setting module that sets a driving force demand to be output to the driveshaft; a target operating condition setting module that, upon failure of a continued combustion condition of continuing combustion in the internal combustion engine, sets a target operating condition of the internal combustion engine including an intermittent operation of the internal combustion engine based on the set driving force demand, while upon satisfaction of the continued combustion condition, continuing operation of the internal combustion engine and setting the target operating condition of the internal combustion engine based on the set driving force demand; and a control module that, in a state other than a specific driving state of applying a braking force or a small load to the driveshaft upon satisfaction of the continued combustion condition, performs continued medium-high load combustion control which controls the internal combustion engine, the electric power-mechanical power input output structure, and the motor to drive the internal combustion engine in the set target operating condition and to ensure output of a driving force equivalent to the set driving force demand to the driveshaft, in the specific driving state, the control module performing continued low load combustion control which controls the internal combustion engine, the electric power-mechanical power input output structure, and the motor to drive the internal combustion engine in the set target operating condition with continued combustion in the internal combustion engine and to ensure output of a driving force equivalent to the set driving force demand to the driveshaft.