Patent ID: 7874956

Claim:
A hybrid-vehicle engine start control system, comprising: an engine; a motor disposed between the engine and a vehicle driving shaft; a first clutch disposed between the engine and the motor, the first clutch operable to engage and disengage the engine; a second clutch disposed between the motor and the vehicle driving shaft and operable to engage and disengage the vehicle driving shaft; and a controller configured to: correspond a transmission torque capacity of the second clutch to a vehicle driving shaft torque when the engine is disengaged; increase a driving torque of the motor in response to a request for an increase in a driving force; and start the engine from a disengaged state, including: increase a transmission torque capacity of the first clutch at a first velocity in a first engaging phase; change the transmission torque capacity of the first clutch at a second velocity slower than the first velocity in a second engaging phase after the first engaging phase is complete; and decrease the transmission torque capacity of the second clutch for a time shorter than a time required to start the engine in a release phase of the start of the engine, wherein the release phase is performed only if a requested driving force is more than or equal to a predetermined value.