Control apparatus and control method for hybrid vehicle

A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle mounted with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor serving as a source of power for causing the vehicle to travel,

• said hybrid vehicle including:
• a chargeable and dischargeable power storage unit;
• a charging unit for externally charging said power storage unit with electric power received from an external power supply, when said power storage unit is caused to enter a state chargeable by the external power supply;
• and
• an electric power generation unit capable of generating electric power from drive force received from said internal combustion engine,
• said electric motor generating drive force from electric power received from said power storage unit, and
• said power storage unit being configured to be internally chargeable with electric power received from said electric power generation unit,
• said control apparatus comprising:
• a mode selection unit for selecting one of a first travel mode and a second travel mode for causing said vehicle to travel, said first travel mode restricting internal charging of said power storage unit by said electric power generation unit, and said second travel mode controlling internal charging of said power storage unit by said electric power generation unit such that a state of charge of said power storage unit is kept within a predetermined range;
• an operation request generation unit for generating an operation request to said internal combustion engine when a predetermined operating condition is satisfied while said vehicle is traveling;
• and
• an intermittent operation control unit for starting said internal combustion engine in response to said operation request and stopping said internal combustion engine in response to cancellation of said operation request,
• said operation request generation unit changing said predetermined operating condition depending on whether said first travel mode is selected or said second travel mode is selected,
• said control apparatus further comprises a start preparation unit for preparing for start of said internal combustion engine by preheating a sensor provided to an exhaust system for said internal combustion engine, and
• said operation request generation unit generates said operation request when preparation for start of said internal combustion engine is completed while said second travel mode is selected, and said operation request generation unit does not generate said operation request when preparation for start of said internal combustion engine is completed while said first travel mode is selected.