Patent ID: 7108088

Claim:
A hybrid vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and with a motor that is capable of outputting power to an axle, said hybrid vehicle comprising: a power generation system that utilizes at least part of power from said internal combustion engine to generate electric power; an accumulator that is chargeable and dischargeable to supply and receive electric power to and from said power generation system and said motor; and a controller comprising: a driving power demand setting module that sets a driving power demand in response to a driver's manipulation; a charge-discharge power setting module that sets a charge-discharge power to charge or discharge said accumulator according to a state of charge of said accumulator; a compensated power setting module that sets a compensated power according to the setting of driving power demand; a vehicle power demand setting module that sets a vehicle power demand required for said hybrid vehicle according to the setting of driving power demand, the setting of charge-discharge power, and the setting of compensated power; an operation-stop determination module that determines whether said internal combustion engine is in operation or at a stop, based on the setting of vehicle power demand; and a control module that controls said internal combustion engine, said power generation system, and said motor to output the vehicle power demand from said internal combustion engine and to output the driving power demand to said axle when said operation-stop determination module determines that said internal combustion engine is in operation, while controlling said internal combustion engine, said power generation system, and said motor to stop operation of said internal combustion engine and to output the driving power demand to said axle when said operation-stop determination module determines that said internal combustion engine is at a stop.