Power output apparatus and method of controlling the same

摘要

A power output apparatus of the invention includes a clutch motor (30) and an assist motor (40) that allow energy output from an engine (50) driven at a driving point of high efficiency to be converted to energy expressed as the product of a revolving speed and a torque of a drive shaft (22) and to be output to the drive shaft (22). In case that a large torque is required, for example, when the vehicle starts on a rising slope or runs at a low speed, the engine (50) is driven at a high-energy driving point having a large torque and a high efficiency. This structure causes large electric power to be generated by excess energy greater than the energy generally consumed and enables a battery (94) to be charged with the large electric power. The power output apparatus of the invention further has functions of predicting the process of charging the battery (94) with the large electric power based on a driving state of the vehicle and topographical information and lowering the remaining charge of the battery (94) in advance according to the requirements. This process effectively prevents the battery (94) from being damaged with excess charging.