A control device executes caster angle change control for controlling a driving force applying device or each of the driving force applying device and a braking force applying device to reduce a caster angle of a steered tire-wheel assembly when a steering request is received in a stopped state or in a creeping state without exceeding a predetermined vehicle speed at a point starting from the stopped state. In the caster angle change control, the control device applies, to one tire-wheel assembly out of a front tire-wheel assembly and a rear tire-wheel assembly, a driving force in a direction toward the other tire-wheel assembly and applies, to the other tire-wheel assembly, a braking force or a driving force in a direction toward the one tire-wheel assembly to achieve the stopped state or the creeping state in response to a request for acceleration or deceleration.

A process to control a drive assembly includes the steps of providing a mathematical model associating a first quantity indicative of a torque delivered by a motor-generator with a second quantity indicative of a linear acceleration of a wheel hub unit, which receives the torque, acquiring a first signal indicative of the second quantity, determining a target signal of the first quantity by means of the mathematical model based on the acquired first signal, so that the torque indicated by the target signal involves at least a decrease in a difference between the second quantity and a reference, and controlling the motor-generator according to the determined target signal.

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an electric vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. The electric vehicle includes a normal driving mode where the electric vehicle is steered by turning the steerable wheels (e.g., left or right) and vehicle yaw mode where the vehicle controls the torque applied to each wheel. In response to receiving input to initiate vehicle yaw mode and yaw direction, the system determines the inner wheels and the outer wheels and provides forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle to rotate the vehicle.

A wheel assembly for an electric vehicle includes a wheel having a hub and an electric driving system for driving the hub. The electric driving system includes a driving device producing a driving moment. The hub defines an intra-hub space. The electric driving system further includes a speed reducer which is transmission-connected to a downstream side of the driving device and has a speed-reduction function. The electric driving system is coaxially connected to the hub, with at least a part accommodated in the intra-hub space.

A power and cooling assembly is disclosed for use with a vehicle having a deck for a rotatable tool such as a mowing blade. An electric motor is mounted on the deck and used to drive the blades by an output shaft. A circulating pump is connected to a housing of the electric motor and is also driven by the electric motor. The circulating pump is hydraulically connected to at least one sump on the vehicle and at least one electrical component of the vehicle to provide cooling thereto. Additional cooling pumps may be provided on the vehicle and may provide cooling to additional electrical components.

A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, caster wheels and a drive assembly. At least a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel of the riding lawn care vehicle are attachable to the frame. The steering assembly is configured to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels. The caster wheels are configured to support unpowered rotation about a wheel axis that extends substantially parallel to the ground and rotation about a spindle axis that is substantially perpendicular to the ground. The drive assembly is configured to be selectively placed in a disengaged state in which rotation about the spindle axis and the wheel axis is uninhibited, and an engaged state in which the caster wheels are at least partially inhibited with respect to rotation about both the wheel axis and the spindle axis.

An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The axle housing including a first gearbox, a second gearbox and a cradle assembly coupling the first gear box to the second gear box. The axle assembly includes first and second hub assemblies that form a first axis of rotation. The first gearbox includes an electric motor that is coupled to a transmission used to rotate an output shaft. The first gearbox also includes a differential mounted for rotation with the transmission and a first drop box mounted for rotation with the differential. The axle assembly also includes a portal axle mounted for rotation with the first drop box and extends from the first gearbox to the second gearbox wherein the portal axle forms a second axis of rotation that is offset from the first axis of rotation of the hub assemblies. The second gearbox includes a second drop box mounted for rotation with the portal axle and is adapted to drive the second hub assembly.

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a K-turn mode. The K-turn mode is engaged in response to determining that an amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold. While operating in the K-turn mode, forward torque is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle. Further, backward torque is provided to the rear wheels of the vehicle. Yet further, the rear wheels of the vehicle remain substantially in static contact with a ground while the front wheels slip in relation to the ground.

The present disclosure provides a cooling system including a decelerator and a cooling line provided in a gear housing to cool at least one of a gear and a lubricant. The cooling system is configured to control the temperature of the lubricant inside the decelerator by circulating a coolant through the cooling line. The decelerator includes a gear set including the gear and the lubricant for accommodating a backlash and a gear housing configured to surround the gear set for transmitting a torque output from an electric motor through the decelerator to a drive shaft and vehicle wheels.

An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly also includes a drive unit housing that includes an interior cavity enclosing first and second electric machines, a common gear reduction, a differential gear set, and a speed change mechanism with the first and second axle shafts partially disposed within the interior cavity and extending out of the drive unit housing. The drive unit housing includes a central cavity, a lower cavity, a first machine cavity, and a second machine cavity. The central cavity includes the common gear reduction and the axis of rotation of the first and second axle shafts. The lower cavity accumulates a volume of gearbox fluid with the speed change mechanism at least partially immersed in the lower cavity. The first machine cavity includes the first electric machine and the second machine cavity includes the second electric machine.