Method for operating a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle

A method for operating a hybrid drive of a vehicle, comprising:

• providing at least one internal combustion engine and at least one first electric machine as drive machines of a first drive train of the vehicle, and an associated first transmission;
• performing at least one of:
• (1) adaptation of the total torque of the drive machines of the first drive train in a shifting operation of the transmission in order to at least one of (a) reduce the load at the transmission and (b) modify rotational speeds according to a new transmission ratio;
• and (2) restriction of the torque gradient of the drive machines of the first drive train to a specified, maximum torque gradient of the resulting total torque of the drive machines of the first drive train in a transition between acceleration operation and trailing throttle operation;
• providing at least one second electric machine for driving at least one second drive train;
• and
• one of the following is performed:
• (i) electric energy additionally produced in the at least one of the adaptation of the total torque and the restriction of the torque gradient by an increased generator-driven operation of the first electric machine is utilized by the at least one second electric machine for driving the at least one additional drive train, for the propulsion of the vehicle, or (ii) energy additionally required in the at least one of the adaptation of the total torque and the restriction of the torque gradient for an increased engine-driven operation of the first electric machine is generated by the second electric machine.

A control unit for operating a hybrid drive of a vehicle, the hybrid drive including at least one internal combustion engine and at least one first electric machine as drive machines of a first drive train of the vehicle, a first transmission associated with the first drive train, at least one second electric machine, and at least one second drive train, the control unit comprising:

• means for performing at least one of:
• (1) adaptation of the total torque of the drive machines of the first drive train in a shifting operation of the transmission in order to at least one of (a) reduce the load at the transmission and (b) modify rotational speeds according to a new transmission ratio;
• and (2) restriction of the torque gradient of the drive machines of the first drive train to a specified, maximum torque gradient of the resulting total torque of the drive machines of the first drive train in a transition between acceleration operation and trailing throttle operation;
• and
• means for performing one of the following:
• (i) utilizing by the at least one second electric machine, electric energy additionally produced in the at least one of the adaptation of the total torque and the restriction of the torque gradient by an increased generator-driven operation of the first electric machine, for driving the at least one additional drive train, for the propulsion of the vehicle, or (ii) generating by the second electric machine energy additionally required in the at least one of the adaptation of the total torque and the restriction of the torque gradient for an increased engine-driven operation of the first electric machine.