초록 ▼

A power output apparatus of the invention includes a clutch motor (30) and an assist motor (40) that allow energy output from an engine (50) driven at a driving point of high efficiency to be converted to energy expressed as the product of a revolving speed and a torque of a drive shaft (22) and to

A power output apparatus of the invention includes a clutch motor (30) and an assist motor (40) that allow energy output from an engine (50) driven at a driving point of high efficiency to be converted to energy expressed as the product of a revolving speed and a torque of a drive shaft (22) and to be output to the drive shaft (22). In case that a large torque is required, for example, when the vehicle starts on a rising slope or runs at a low speed, the engine (50) is driven at a high-energy driving point having a large torque and a high efficiency. This structure causes large electric power to be generated by excess energy greater than the energy generally consumed and enables a battery (94) to be charged with the large electric power. The power output apparatus of the invention further has functions of predicting the process of charging the battery (94) with the large electric power based on a driving state of the vehicle and topographical information and lowering the remaining charge of the battery (94) in advance according to the requirements. This process effectively prevents the battery (94) from being damaged with excess charging.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A power output apparatus mounted on a vehicle for outputting power to a drive shaft of said vehicle, said power output apparatus comprising:an engine having an output shaft;engine-driving means for driving said engine;a first motor comprising a first rotor connected with

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A power output apparatus mounted on a vehicle for outputting power to a drive shaft of said vehicle, said power output apparatus comprising:an engine having an output shaft;engine-driving means for driving said engine;a first motor comprising a first rotor connected with said output shaft of said engine and a second rotor connected with said drive shaft, said second rotor being coaxial to and rotatable relative to said first rotor, said first and second rotors being electromagnetically connected with each other, whereby power is transmitted between said output shaft of said engine and said drive shaft via an electromagnetic coupling of said first rotor with said second rotor;a first motor-driving circuit for controlling the degree of electromagnetic coupling of said first rotor with said second rotor in said first motor and regulating the rotation of said second rotor relative to said first rotor;a second motor connected with said drive shaft;a second motor-driving circuit for driving and controlling said second motor;storage battery means connected with said first motor-driving circuit and said second motor-driving circuit, said storage battery means being charged with electric power and discharged to release electric power via said first motor-driving circuit and said second motor-driving circuit;running state detection means for detecting a running state of said vehicle;power prediction means for predicting an output state of the power to said drive shaft corresponding to a predetermined output state based on the running state of said vehicle detected by said running state detection means, said predetermined output state representing the output state accompanied by a process of charging said storage battery means with electric power that is equal to or greater than a predetermined electric power; andcontrol means for, when said predetermined output state is predicted by said power prediction means, controlling said engine via said engine-driving means and controlling said first motor and said second motor via said first motor-driving circuit and said second motor-driving circuit, so as to allow said storage battery means to be charged at least with the predetermined electric power.