Patent attributes
A transmission unit is able to switch between a non-neutral state where power of an engine is transmitted via a path K1 and a neutral state where power of the engine is not transmitted via the path K1. A clutch is able to switch between an engaged state where power is transmitted from the engine to a first MG and a released state where transmission of power from the engine to the first MG is interrupted. When the transmission unit is controlled to the non-neutral state and, at the same time, the clutch is set to the released state, a vehicle is operable in series-parallel mode. When power is transmitted via the path K2 by directly coupling the engine to the first MG by the clutch and the path K1 is interrupted by controlling the transmission unit to the neutral state, the vehicle is operable in series mode.
