Vehicle and method for controlling rotary electric machine

A vehicle comprising:

• a rotary electric machine to generate power to move the vehicle;
• an internal combustion engine to be started by the rotary electric machine to generate power to move the vehicle;
• a temperature sensor to detect temperature of the rotary electric machine or of a drive circuit for the rotary electric machine;
• a limiter to restrict the power generated by the rotary electric machine if the temperature is higher than a first threshold temperature;
• and
• a start prohibitor to prohibit the rotary electric machine from starting the internal combustion engine if the temperature is higher than a second threshold temperature which is higher than the first threshold temperature.

A method for controlling a rotary electric machine to generate power to move a vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine to be started by the rotary electric machine to generate power to move the vehicle, the method comprising:

• detecting temperature of the rotary electric machine or of a drive circuit for the rotary electric machine;
• restricting the power generated by the rotary electric machine if the temperature is higher than a first threshold temperature;
• and
• prohibiting the rotary electric machine from starting the internal combustion engine if the temperature is higher than a second threshold temperature which is higher than the first threshold temperature.