Patent ID: 8026679

Claim:
A hybrid vehicle comprising: first and second rotary electric machines each functioning as an electric motor or a generator according to the operating mode of the vehicle; a matrix converter connecting the first and second rotary electric machines to each other to provide AC to AC power conversion between both the rotary electric machines; a battery connected to an electrical path branched off between the matrix converter and the second rotary electric motor; an inverter interposed among the battery, the matrix converter and the second rotary electric machine to convert AC power to DC power and vice versa; and a controller for activating the first rotary electric machine with power fed from the battery and restraining the change in torque output of the second rotary electric machine at the activation of the first rotary electric machine: wherein the first rotary electric machine is a generator connected to the output shaft of an engine and capable of being driven by the engine, the second rotary electric machine is an electric motor connected to a drive wheel to output a driving force to the drive wheel, and the controller is configured to activate the first rotary electric machine, thereby starting the engine, and to restrain the change in torque output of the second rotary electric machine at the start of the engine.