A first method of predicting the range of an electric vehicle comprises, determining a range value during a current vehicle operating cycle using a first range model, wherein the first range model is dependent on an energy consumption rate value recorded during a previous vehicle operating cycle. A second method of predicting the range of an electric vehicle comprises, monitoring a trailer detecting means of the vehicle; and determining a first range value if the trailer detecting means detects that a trailer is attached to the vehicle.

An external power supply connector attached to a vehicle-side connecting portion and control unit controlling the supply power to the vehicle-side connecting portion, supplying power from the vehicle to outside. The external power supply connector includes a body including an external connecting portion to an electric plug supplying power to a connected external device; a restricting member enables switching between restricting state wherein the electric plug is restricted from being attached and detached to and from the external connecting portion, and allowing state enabling the electric plug to attach and detach to and from the external connecting portion. A signal outputting portion outputs a signal to the control unit and detecting portion. The detecting portion detects the restricting state and allowing state of the restricting member. In allowing state, the signal outputting portion outputs a prohibiting signal from being supplied to the external power supply connector to the control unit.

A vehicle is configured to carry out external charging operation in which an in-vehicle battery is charged with electric power from a device outside the vehicle. The vehicle includes the in-vehicle battery, a charger and a control device. The charger is configured to output electric power from the device outside the vehicle to the in-vehicle battery. The control device is configured to control the charger so that the external charging operation is completed by time set by a user. Furthermore, the control device is configured to preferentially allocate a period of time during which the external charging operation is carried out in order of a priority time period set by the user, an immediate time period immediately after the priority time period and a preceding time period immediately before the priority time period.

A charge/discharge system includes: first and second electric chargers that supplies electric power to a motor generator and charges electric power generated by a motor generator; an electric power converter; and a controller. The controller controls the electric power converter such that electric power charged in the first electric charger is supplied to the motor generator, electric power charged in the second electric charger is charged in the first electric charger when a charging capacity of the first electric charger is lower than a second predetermined value. The driving force of the motor generator is reduced depending on the charging capacity when the charging capacity of the first electric charger is lower than the first predetermined value.

A suspension characteristic is changed depending on a travel state by a simple structure. An ECU uses a vehicle speed-spring constant setting part to calculate a target spring constant depending on a vehicle speed, and uses a spring constant-frequency setting part to calculate a set frequency corresponding to the target spring constant. An oscillation input calculation part generates a signal representing an oscillation input oscillating at the set frequency. A superimposition part sets a value acquired by superimposing the oscillation input on a target driving force to a new target driving force. As a result, the wheel exhibits a minute oscillation in a longitudinal direction, resulting in an input of the minute oscillation to a suspension bush. The suspension bush changes in a spring constant and a damping coefficient depending on the frequency of the input minute oscillation. As a result, the suspension characteristic can be changed.

An apparatus includes a multi-channel DC bus assembly comprising a first channel and a second channel, a first electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the first channel, and a second electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the second channel. A first DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the first channel and a second DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel. The apparatus further includes a bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel and a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the first electromechanical device.

An electronic control circuit with a backup energy source subassembly for an e-latch assembly and a method of operating the backup energy source subassembly are disclosed. The electronic control circuit includes a control unit including a computing module and a memory for electrically coupling to a plurality of sensors and to a main power source. The backup energy source subassembly is electrically coupled to the control unit for providing electrical energy to the electronic control circuit in response to one of a failure and interruption of the main power source. An output module is electrically connected to the backup energy source subassembly and to the main power source for driving an actuation group. The backup energy source subassembly includes a backup low voltage source and a boost-buck converter configured to selectively supply voltage to and selectively amplify voltage from the backup low voltage source.

The invention concerns a method for managing a system for supplying a vehicle electrical system with electrical energy, comprising the steps consisting of: •supplying the electrical system with electrical energy via the additional electrical energy storage device and the DC/DC converter when the switch is open; •regulating the electrical energy generator to supply voltage lower than that imposed by the DC/DC converter and higher than a voltage of the electrical energy storage device; •closing the switch such that the DC/DC converter imposes a voltage on the electrical system that is higher than that of the electrical energy storage device and the electrical energy generator; •applying a voltage to the electrical system from the electrical energy generator that is higher than that of the DC/DC converter; and deactivating the DC/DC converter.

A power supply device for supplying power to a load by combining a secondary battery and a capacitor includes a switching element which switches the supply of power to the load from the capacitor, a DC-DC converter which enables a voltage of the capacitor to be stepped up and supplied to the load and a control unit which enables power to be supplied to the load by pulse-controlling the switching element, controlling the DC-DC converter to output a pulse current alternately with the switching element and combining the alternately output pulse currents if the voltage of the capacitor drops below a minimum voltage capable of driving the load.

A drive device of an at least partially electrically operated vehicle includes at least two vehicle wheels, each wheel being mechanically coupled to an electrical drive unit. Each electrical drive unit obtains electrical energy from an electrical energy storage device during motor operation, and/or supplies the electrical energy storage device with electrical energy during generator operation. When operating as intended, the electrical drive units provide a torque according to a drive-unit-specific torque of a vehicle control system. A maximum total torque is determined by taking into consideration a maximum available output of the electrical energy storage device, wherein the sum formed of the drive-unit-specific torques is limited using the maximum total torque.