Hybrid vehicle control apparatus

A hybrid vehicle control apparatus comprising:

• first drive force generating means for generating a first drive force;
• power transmission means for establishing a torque transmitting path that transmits power through a one-way clutch;
• second drive force generating means for generating a second drive force between the first drive force generating means and the power transmission means;
• first variable torque transmission capacity clutch means for selectively engaging and disengaging the first and second drive force generating means;
• second variable torque transmission capacity clutch means for selectively controlling torque in a power train that spans from the second drive force generating means to a drive wheel via the power transmission means;
• and
• control means for disengaging the first variable torque transmission capacity clutch means and engaging the second variable torque transmission capacity clutch means to select an electric drive mode in which the first drive force generating means is stopped and the drive wheel is driven solely with power from the second drive force generating means, and for engaging both the first and second variable torque transmission capacity clutch means to select a hybrid drive mode in which the drive wheel is driven with power from both the first and second drive force generating means,
• the control means further performing execution of a rotational speed control of the second drive force generating means while in a coasting state with the power transmission means in the torque transmitting path that transmits power through the one-way clutch such that the rotational speed control increases a rotational speed of an input side of the one-way clutch to a value closer to a rotational speed of an output side of the one-way clutch with a difference between the rotational speeds of the input and output sides of the one-way clutch becoming equal to a target value.

A hybrid vehicle control method comprising:

• selectively generating a first drive force with an engine;
• selectively controlling a transmission to establish a torque transmitting path that transmits power through a one-way clutch;
• selectively generating a second drive force with a motor/generator arranged between the engine and the transmission;
• and
• selectively controlling a first clutch with a variable torque transmission capacity being disposed between the engine and the motor/generator and a second clutch with a variable torque transmission capacity being disposed in a power train that spans from the motor/generator to a drive wheel via the transmission such that an electric drive mode is selected in which the engine is stopped and the drive wheel is driven solely with power from the motor/generator by disengaging the first clutch and engaging the second clutch, and a hybrid drive mode is selected in which the drive wheel is driven with power from both the engine and the motor/generator by engaging both the first and second clutches;
• and
• performing a rotational speed control of the motor/generator while in a coasting state with the transmission in the torque transmitting path that transmits power through the one-way clutch such that the rotational speed control increases a rotational speed of an input side of the one-way clutch to a value closer to a rotational speed of an output side of the one-way clutch with a difference between the rotational speeds of the input and output sides of the one-way clutch becoming equal to a target value.