Traveling mode switching controller of hybrid electric vehicle

A traveling mode switching controller of a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:

• a velocity detection unit for detecting a traveling velocity of a vehicle;
• a state-of-charge detection unit for detecting a state of charge of a drive battery;
• and
• a switching control unit that, on the basis of the traveling velocity of the vehicle and the state of charge of the drive battery, selectively switches among
• a first traveling mode in which a clutch, which connects and disconnects driving force transmitted from the engine to the drive wheels, is released and the engine is deactivated and in which the drive wheels are actuated by activating a drive motor by use of the electric power supplied from the drive battery,
• a second traveling mode in which the clutch is released, in which the generator is actuated by the engine to generate electric power, and in which the drive motor is activated by the electric power to actuate the drive wheels, and
• a third traveling mode in which the clutch is connected and in which the drive wheels are actuated by the engine,
• wherein the switching control unit performs
• switching between the second traveling mode and the third traveling mode at a first velocity when the state of charge is less than a first state of charge, and
• switching between the first traveling mode and the third traveling mode at a predetermined velocity which is higher than the first velocity when the state of charge is the first state of charge or more.