Appeal No. 2003-0725
Application 09/629,978
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to an assistance controlling apparatus
for a hybrid vehicle which is propelled by an internal combustion
engine assisted by an auxiliary electric motor. Such a vehicle
has the problem that when the fuel is running out and the ratio
of the fuel in the fuel-air mixture is low, the fuel-air mixture
does not burn in the engine. In this condition, when the motor
assists the output of the engine and the engine is rotated by the
force of the motor, the fuel-air mixture which is not burnt is
sent to the exhaust system and the catalyst in the exhaust system
may be damaged. Specification, p. 1. The invention determines
when the remaining quantity of fuel is under a fixed value and,
when it is, restricts the assistance of the engine by the motor,
which reliably informs the driver that the fuel for the engine is
running out to prevent damage to the catalytic converter and to
prevent over-discharge of the battery.
Claim 1 is reproduced below.
1. An assistance controlling apparatus for a hybrid
vehicle, comprising:
an engine which outputs propulsive power for the
vehicle;
a motor which assists the output of the engine;
a remaining quantity detector which detects whether the
remaining quantity of fuel is under a fixed value or not;
and
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Last modified: November 3, 2007