POWER OUTPUT APPARATUS FOR HYBRID VEHICLE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power drive apparatus for a hybrid vehicle and a control method therefor that can implement reliable thermal protection of a drive circuit by a compact and inexpensive apparatus structure. SOLUTION: An HVECU 100 sets a target speed MRNE* and a target torque TE* of an engine ENG according to a request power PE* of the engine ENG set according to an accelerator position P and a vehicle speed V. The HVECU 100 next sets a target speed MRN1* of a motor generator MG1 according to the set target speed MRNE*, the rotation frequency of a ring gear shaft 182 and the gear ratio of a power split device PSD. When the target speed MRN1* determined to be within a predetermined lock range, the HVECU 100 sets an allowable torque such that a heat loss caused in switching elements during the transition through the lock range will not exceed the heat rating of the switching elements, and sets a torque command TR1 of the motor generator MG1 within the allowable torque. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT