Patent ID: 7766107

Claim:
A drive device for a hybrid vehicle, comprising: an engine; a motor/generator; a first clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator having an adjustable torque capacity; a transmission disposed between the motor/generator and drive wheels of the hybrid vehicle that can change a gearshift ratio continuously or in steps; and a control system that can control the engine, the motor/generator, the first clutch, and the transmission; wherein the control system comprises a controller adapted to engage the first clutch from a released state and lift-start the engine when there is a request to switch to a hybrid operation mode from an electric operation mode; and wherein lift-starting the engine, performed according to the controller, comprises adjusting a transmission input rotation speed by controlling a gearshift ratio of the transmission and engaging the first clutch after starting the adjusting when there exists both an upshift command for the transmission and the request to switch to the hybrid operation mode from the electric operation mode; and wherein lift-starting the engine, performed according to the controller, comprises engaging the first clutch and adjusting a transmission input rotation speed by controlling a gearshift ratio of the transmission after engaging the first clutch when there exists both a downshift command for the transmission and the request to switch to the hybrid operation mode from the electric operation mode.