A method for operating a drive apparatus including an internal combustion engine and an electric engine. An output shaft of the drive apparatus can be operatively connected to the internal combustion engine by way of a shifting clutch and can be permanently operatively connected to the electric engine, so that the output shaft is disengaged from the internal combustion engine in a first shifting state of the shifting clutch and is engaged with it in a second shifting state.

A method for operating a drive apparatus including an internal combustion engine and an electric engine. An output shaft of the drive apparatus can be operatively connected to the internal combustion engine by way of a shifting clutch and can be permanently operatively connected to the electric engine, so that the output shaft is disengaged from the internal combustion engine in a first shifting state of the shifting clutch and is engaged with it in a second shifting state.

When an output limitation value of a battery is equal to or less than a threshold, an electronic control unit determines that basic torque is able to be output from a second motor to a drive shaft. Then, the electronic control unit sets a predetermined value as a target motoring rotation speed for ending motoring of an engine by a first motor. When the output limitation value is greater than the threshold, the electronic control unit determines that the basic torque is unable to be output from the second motor to the drive shaft at the time of starting the engine, and sets a value smaller than the predetermined value as the target motoring rotation speed.

When an output limitation value of a battery is equal to or less than a threshold, an electronic control unit determines that basic torque is able to be output from a second motor to a drive shaft. Then, the electronic control unit sets a predetermined value as a target motoring rotation speed for ending motoring of an engine by a first motor. When the output limitation value is greater than the threshold, the electronic control unit determines that the basic torque is unable to be output from the second motor to the drive shaft at the time of starting the engine, and sets a value smaller than the predetermined value as the target motoring rotation speed.

When a brake is turned on during travel of a hybrid vehicle, a required braking force required for a drive shaft is set based on a brake depression amount, a base rotation speed of an engine is set based on the required braking force, a shift stage is set based on the base rotation speed and a vehicle speed, a target rotation speed of the engine is set based on the shift stage and the vehicle speed, and the engine, the first motor, and the second motor are controlled such that the engine operates at the target rotation speed and the required braking force acts on the drive shaft.

A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a traction battery, and a hybrid electric powertrain including an electric motor powered by the traction battery and an electric generator coupled to the internal combustion engine and the traction battery. A control method includes determining minimum and maximum engine power limits based on desired wheel torque and traction battery charge and discharge power limits. A generator torque command is calculated to track engine speed to the desired engine speed. The generator torque command is limited based on the minimum and maximum engine power limits to limit engine power transmitted to the powertrain.

A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a traction battery, and a hybrid electric powertrain including an electric motor powered by the traction battery and an electric generator coupled to the internal combustion engine and the traction battery. A control method includes determining minimum and maximum engine power limits based on desired wheel torque and traction battery charge and discharge power limits. A generator torque command is calculated to track engine speed to the desired engine speed. The generator torque command is limited based on the minimum and maximum engine power limits to limit engine power transmitted to the powertrain.

An EHC is configured to electrically heat a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas from an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine mounted on an electrically-powered vehicle, when a current passes through the EHC. A charger converts AC electric power supplied from an external power supply to a charging port into charging power of a power storage device by a power conversion path including an insulating transformer. The EHC is electrically connected to power lines which are provided on the primary side of the insulating transformer on the power conversion path, and to which a DC voltage is output. In a case where the EHC is operated when the vehicle travels, the charger converts the electric power from the power storage device into the DC voltage output to the power lines connected to the EHC, by a part of inverse conversion of power conversion at the time of external charging.

An EHC is configured to electrically heat a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas from an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine mounted on an electrically-powered vehicle, when a current passes through the EHC. A charger converts AC electric power supplied from an external power supply to a charging port into charging power of a power storage device by a power conversion path including an insulating transformer. The EHC is electrically connected to power lines which are provided on the primary side of the insulating transformer on the power conversion path, and to which a DC voltage is output. In a case where the EHC is operated when the vehicle travels, the charger converts the electric power from the power storage device into the DC voltage output to the power lines connected to the EHC, by a part of inverse conversion of power conversion at the time of external charging.

A vehicle control system for preventing malfunction of the clutch for selectively connecting the engine with the power train. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having an engine, a motor disposed on a power train, and a clutch interposed therebetween. In order to prevent a malfunction of the clutch, the vehicle control system is configured to engage the clutch while causing a slip but without starting the engine if the engine has not yet been started.