Patent ID: 7527111

Claim:
A hybrid vehicle, comprising: an engine for producing power; a first rotary electric machine configured to operate as at least one of an electric generator and an electric motor; a power distribution device configured to distribute the power produced by the engine to the first rotary electric machine and to a driving wheel; a second rotary electric machine configured to operate as at least one of an electric motor and an electric generator to produce power to drive the driving wheel; a battery that stores electricity generated by the first rotary electric machine and supplies electricity to at least one of the second rotary electric machine and the first rotary electric machine; and a driving device including: a pressure reduction device provided in the engine for reducing a compression pressure inside a cylinder of the engine created while cranking the engine; and a controller configured to control the pressure reduction device so as to reduce the compression pressure inside the engine cylinder when stopping the engine, the controller also configured to control at least some operations of the engine, the first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine, wherein the controller, when stopping the engine, reduces a rotational speed of the engine via the power distribution device by controlling the first rotary electric machine, by stopping ignition of and fuel supply to the engine, by closing a throttle valve, and by reducing the compression pressure inside the engine cylinder via the pressure reduction device.