Power output apparatus and hybrid vehicle

A hybrid vehicle comprising:

• an internal combustion engine;
• a power conversion mechanism that converts at least part of output power of the internal combustion engine into electric power;
• a motor that consumes the electric power converted by the power conversion mechanism to output power to a drive shaft linked to an axle;
• an accumulator unit that transmits electric power to and from the power conversion mechanism and the motor;
• a vehicle speed measurement unit that measures a vehicle speed;
• and
• a control unit including :a target idle rotation speed setting module that sets a target idle rotation speed of the internal combustion engine corresponding to the measured vehicle speed;
• a power demand specification module that specifies a power demand required for the drive shaft;
• a target power setting module that sets a target power to be output from the internal combustion engine corresponding to the specified power demand;
• and a control module that, when the target power requires idling of the internal combustion engine, controls the internal combustion engine, the power conversion mechanism, and the motor to idle the internal combustion engine at the target idle rotation speed and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to the specified power demand to the drive shaft, when the target power does not require idling of the internal combustion engine, said control module controlling the internal combustion engine, the power conversion mechanism, and the motor to ensure output of the target power from the internal combustion engine and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to the specified power demand to the drive shaft.

A control method of a power output apparatus, which includes an internal combustion engine, a power conversion mechanism that converts at least part of output power of the internal combustion engine into electric power, a motor that consumes the electric power converted by the power conversion mechanism to output power to a drive shaft, and an accumulator unit that transmits electric power to and from the power conversion mechanism and the motor,

• said control method comprising the steps of:
• setting a target power to be output from the internal combustion engine corresponding to a specified power demand required for the drive shaft;
• and
• when the target power requires idling of the internal combustion engine, setting a target idle rotation speed of the internal combustion engine corresponding to a measured rotation speed of the drive shaft and controlling the internal combustion engine, the power conversion mechanism, and the motor to idle the internal combustion engine at the target idle rotation speed and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to the specified power demand to the drive shaft,
• when the target power does not require idling of the internal combustion engine, controlling the internal combustion engine, the power conversion mechanism, and the motor to ensure output of the target power from the internal combustion engine and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to the specified power demand to the drive shaft.

A control method of a hybrid vehicle, which includes an internal combustion engine, a power conversion mechanism that converts at least part of output power of the internal combustion engine into electric power, a motor that consumes the electric power converted by the power conversion mechanism to output power to a drive shaft, and an accumulator unit that transmits electric power to and from the power conversion mechanism and the motor,

• said control method comprising the steps of:
• setting a target power to be output from the internal combustion engine corresponding to a specified power demand required for an axle;
• and
• when the target power requires idling of the internal combustion engine, setting a target idle rotation speed of the internal combustion engine corresponding to a measured vehicle speed and controlling the internal combustion engine, the power conversion mechanism, and the motor to idle the internal combustion engine at the target idle rotation speed and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to the specified power demand to the axle,
• when the target power does not require idling of the internal combustion engine, controlling the internal combustion engine, the power conversion mechanism, and the motor to ensure output of the target power from the internal combustion engine and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to the specified power demand to the axle.