HYBRID VEHICLE CONTROLLER FOR HYBRID VEHICLE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR HYBRID VEHICLE WITH A CHANGE OF THE SWITCHING CONDITIONS FROM A DEPLETING MODE TO A SUSTAINING MODE

摘要

The hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a power storage device, a rotary electric machine, and a controller. The internal combustion engine has a variable valve actuation device. The variable valve actuation device is configured to change the operating characteristics of the intake valve. The power storage device is configured to be charged. The rotating electrical machine is configured to generate driving force for propelling the hybrid vehicle using electric power supplied from the power storage device. The controller is configured to cause the hybrid vehicle to travel in a mode selected from among a charge continuation mode and a charge exhaust mode. The continuous charge mode is a mode in which the charge state of the power storage device is maintained within a predetermined range. The charging mode is a mode in which the charging state is consumed more preferentially than the charging continuous mode. The controller is configured to change the switching condition to switch from the charge-consumption mode to the charge-sustaining mode such that the first charge state is higher than the second charge state. The first charge state is a charge state in which the controller switches from the charge consumption mode to the charge sustain mode when the operating state of the intake valve is unchangeable to the desired operating characteristic. The second charge state is a charge state in which the controller switches from the charge consumption mode to the charge sustain mode when the charge state of the intake valve can be changed to the desired operating characteristic.