A hybrid drive device has an internal combustion engine, a clutch transmission which has at least one free partial transmission and a partial transmission connected to an electric machine with in each case a clutch, and at least one electric machine. In order to start the internal combustion engine, pulse energy is provided from an inertia of the clutch associated with the free partial transmission and/or a rotation in the free partial transmission.

Since a maximum rotation speed of a second rotary machine is set to a lower value when a supercharging pressure is high than when the supercharging pressure is low, an engine torque decreases with an rotation speed of the second rotary machine which is relatively low and the rotation speed is less likely to fall into a high-rotation state. When the supercharging pressure is relatively low and the rotation speed is less likely to reach an upper-limit rotation speed of the second rotary machine, the maximum rotation speed is set to a relatively high value. Accordingly, the engine torque does not decrease to the rotation speed which is relatively high and power performance can be easily secured. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in power performance due to the decrease in the engine torque and to prevent the rotation speed from falling into a high-rotation state.

Since a maximum rotation speed of a second rotary machine is set to a lower value when a supercharging pressure is high than when the supercharging pressure is low, an engine torque decreases with an rotation speed of the second rotary machine which is relatively low and the rotation speed is less likely to fall into a high-rotation state. When the supercharging pressure is relatively low and the rotation speed is less likely to reach an upper-limit rotation speed of the second rotary machine, the maximum rotation speed is set to a relatively high value. Accordingly, the engine torque does not decrease to the rotation speed which is relatively high and power performance can be easily secured. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in power performance due to the decrease in the engine torque and to prevent the rotation speed from falling into a high-rotation state.

A regenerative braking control system of an AWD (all-wheel-drive) hybrid vehicle including a front wheel HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) powertrain and a rear wheel EV (electric vehicle) powertrain is provided. The control system includes a manipulating instrument mounted to a steering wheel for manual shifting and regenerative braking control by a driver's manipulation, and a controller for adjusting a regenerative braking amount and controlling a shift pattern of each of a front wheel motor of the front wheel HEV powertrain and a rear wheel motor of the rear wheel EV powertrain by receiving a (−) or (+) manipulation signal or a hold manipulation signal of the manipulating instrument.

A regenerative braking control system of an AWD (all-wheel-drive) hybrid vehicle including a front wheel HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) powertrain and a rear wheel EV (electric vehicle) powertrain is provided. The control system includes a manipulating instrument mounted to a steering wheel for manual shifting and regenerative braking control by a driver's manipulation, and a controller for adjusting a regenerative braking amount and controlling a shift pattern of each of a front wheel motor of the front wheel HEV powertrain and a rear wheel motor of the rear wheel EV powertrain by receiving a (−) or (+) manipulation signal or a hold manipulation signal of the manipulating instrument.

Methods and systems are provided for improving torque control of a vehicle that includes simulated shifting of a step gear ratio transmission. In one example, a propulsive effort request is gradually incrementally increased or decreased to provide a smooth torque transition, thereby providing a smoother vehicle speed change and improve vehicle drivability.

Methods and systems are provided for improving torque control of a vehicle that includes simulated shifting of a step gear ratio transmission. In one example, a propulsive effort request is gradually incrementally increased or decreased to provide a smooth torque transition, thereby providing a smoother vehicle speed change and improve vehicle drivability.

In a hybrid vehicle, when a required driving force is equal to or smaller than a first upper limit driving force, a control device sets a target driving force to the required driving force. When the required driving force is larger than the first upper limit driving force, the control device sets a target compensation power of a power storage device, based on a difference between the required driving force and the first upper limit driving force. The control device sets a second upper limit driving force of a driveshaft when an upper limit power is output from an engine and the power storage device is charged or discharged with a power based on the target compensation power. The control device sets a target driving force to the smaller between the required driving force and the second upper limit driving force. This configuration suppresses deterioration of the driver's drive feeling.

In a hybrid vehicle, when a required driving force is equal to or smaller than a first upper limit driving force, a control device sets a target driving force to the required driving force. When the required driving force is larger than the first upper limit driving force, the control device sets a target compensation power of a power storage device, based on a difference between the required driving force and the first upper limit driving force. The control device sets a second upper limit driving force of a driveshaft when an upper limit power is output from an engine and the power storage device is charged or discharged with a power based on the target compensation power. The control device sets a target driving force to the smaller between the required driving force and the second upper limit driving force. This configuration suppresses deterioration of the driver's drive feeling.

It is determined whether fuel efficiency of a vehicle is improved by operating a first rotating machine to generate electricity to such an extent that an electrical path amount becomes a desired electrical path amount for controlling an operating point of an engine to a desired operating point and driving and operating a second rotating machine as a second power source, the electrical path amount being a magnitude of electric power in an electrical path through which the electric power is transferred between the first rotating machine and the second rotating machine. When the electronic control device determines that the fuel efficiency of the vehicle is improved, the first rotating machine is operated to generate electricity to such an extent that the electrical path amount becomes the desired electrical path amount and the second rotating machine is driven and operated as the second power source.