Hybrid vehicle

A hybrid vehicle comprising:

• speed detection means for detecting vehicle speed;
• accelerator detection means for detecting degree of accelerator pedal depression;
• an internal combustion engine;
• a motor drive assembly including an electric motor, a motor controller, a battery and a power source circuit for sending electric current from said battery to the motor, the electric motor having its output connected to an output shaft;
• a temperature sensor for detecting temperature of said motor, said motor controller reducing electric power to said motor responsive to detection of a predetermined increase in said temperature;
• clutch means which is engagable for selectively connecting the internal combustion engine to the output shaft;
• a hydraulic power transmission provided between said clutch and the internal combustion engine;
• malfunction detecting means for monitoring a parameter relating to operation of said electric motor, said motor controller or said power source circuit and for determining a malfunction when said monitored parameter crosses a predetermined value;
• drive power share computing means for apportioning drive power for the vehicle between the engine and the motor to establish one of the following three normal drive modes:
• (1) an engine drive mode wherein the vehicle is driven by the engine alone, responsive to detection of a vehicle speed exceeding a set value for speed, (2) a motor drive mode wherein the vehicle is driven by the motor alone, responsive to detection of a vehicle speed below the set value for speed and of a degree of accelerator depression below a set value for degree of accelerator depression and (3) a hybrid drive mode wherein the vehicle is driven by the engine and the motor in combination, responsive to detection of a vehicle speed below the set value for speed and of a degree of accelerator depression above the set value for degree of accelerator depression and for lowering said set value for speed and said set value for degree of accelerator depression responsive to detection of an increase in temperature of said motor;
• first control means for disengaging said clutch means when the vehicle is driven by the motor alone;
• and
• second control means for engaging said clutch means and for establishing a malfunction drive mode wherein the vehicle is driven by the engine alone, regardless of the detected vehicle speed and detected degree of accelerator depression, responsive to a detection of a malfunction by said malfunction detecting means.