Patent ID: 6962224

Claim:
A hybrid vehicle comprising: an internal combustion engine serving as a propelling power source for vehicle propulsion; an electric motor serving as a propelling power source for vehicle propulsion; an electric generator driven by the engine for power generation; a battery electrically connected to the motor and the generator; sensors and switches for detecting operating conditions on the engine and the vehicle; and a control system electrically connected to the engine, the motor, the generator, the battery and the sensors and switches, for controlling the engine, the motor and the generator; the control system comprising: (i) an engine misfire determination section that determines whether an engine misfire occurs; and (ii) a control section that permits operation of only the motor as the propelling power source to establish a motor propelled vehicle driving mode and simultaneously inhibits operation of the engine, under a predetermined first condition comprising at least a condition that the engine misfire occurs, the predetermined first condition comprising a condition that a state of charge of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value, and that permits operation of the motor as the propelling power source to establish the motor propelled vehicle driving mode and simultaneously permits operation of the engine for driving the generator only for a battery recharge, under a predetermined second condition that the engine misfire occurs and the state of charge of the battery is less than the predetermined reference value.