The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a first roller comprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact with a first wheel of the vehicle. The first roller may be configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel. The apparatus may further include a first shaft rotatably couplable to the first roller such that rotation of the first roller causes the first shaft to rotate. The apparatus may further include a first generator operably coupled to the first shaft. The generator may be configured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.

The disclosure is directed to methods and systems for provisioning mobile electric vehicles with various operational settings data transmitted over the air. A vehicle or its components may operate according to operational settings corresponding to operational settings data included in the vehicle components. A server that is remote to the vehicle may comprise operational settings data and may transmit operational settings data to the vehicle. The server may transmit operational settings data automatically, such as on a periodic basis, in response to a request, such as from a user or from a vehicle component or anytime new or updated operational settings data are available for the vehicle or its components.

A power generation system adopted for use on a vehicle comprises a first rotary member, a second rotary member, a transmission gear set and a brake module. The first rotary member includes a first gear, and a housing space for installation of the second rotary member. The second rotary member includes a second gear with a gear ratio smaller than that of the first gear, an excitation winding and an electric input portion. The transmission gear set includes at least one transmission gear which is driven by the first gear to drive the second gear to rotate in a direction opposite to the first gear. The brake module detects operation condition of a brake pedal and a drive pedal made by the driver, and outputs an excitation current to the electric output portion via a first brush to generate electric power.

A power generation system adopted for use on a vehicle comprises a first rotary member, a second rotary member, a transmission gear set and a brake module. The first rotary member includes a first gear, and a housing space for installation of the second rotary member. The second rotary member includes a second gear with a gear ratio smaller than that of the first gear, an excitation winding and an electric input portion. The transmission gear set includes at least one transmission gear which is driven by the first gear to drive the second gear to rotate in a direction opposite to the first gear. The brake module detects operation condition of a brake pedal and a drive pedal made by the driver, and outputs an excitation current to the electric output portion via a first brush to generate electric power.

A vehicle includes a frame, an electric motor coupled to the frame and configured to selectively receive power from at least one battery pack and operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode that is different from the first operation mode. A wheel assembly is coupled to the frame and driven by the motor. A control device is operable by a user to control operation of the vehicle. The control device is moveable between a first position relative to the frame corresponding to a riding configuration in which a user is able to operate the control device while seated on a seat on the frame, and a second position relative to the frame corresponding to a walking configuration in which a user is able to operate the control device while walking adjacent the vehicle. Movement of the control device from the second position to the first position triggers conversion from operation of the motor in the second operation mode to operation of the motor in the first operation mode. Movement of the control device from the first position to the second position triggers conversion from operation of the motor in the first operation mode to operation of the motor in the second operation mode.

A vehicle includes a frame, an electric motor coupled to the frame and configured to selectively receive power from at least one battery pack and operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode that is different from the first operation mode. A wheel assembly is coupled to the frame and driven by the motor. A control device is operable by a user to control operation of the vehicle. The control device is moveable between a first position relative to the frame corresponding to a riding configuration in which a user is able to operate the control device while seated on a seat on the frame, and a second position relative to the frame corresponding to a walking configuration in which a user is able to operate the control device while walking adjacent the vehicle. Movement of the control device from the second position to the first position triggers conversion from operation of the motor in the second operation mode to operation of the motor in the first operation mode. Movement of the control device from the first position to the second position triggers conversion from operation of the motor in the first operation mode to operation of the motor in the second operation mode.

A four-wheel drive vehicle includes: a drive-power distribution device for distributing a drive power from an engine to main and auxiliary drive wheels with a drive-power distribution ratio between the main drive wheels and auxiliary drive wheels; and a control apparatus for controlling an electric motor such that the drive-power distribution ratio becomes a target distribution ratio value, by setting an electric-current command value for driving an electric motor. The control apparatus is configured, in a drive-power transmitted state in which the drive power is transmitted to the drive-power distribution device, to execute a command-value reduction control operation for causing the electric motor to be driven with the electric-current command value being set to a value smaller than in a drive-power non-transmitted state in which the drive power is not being transmitted to the drive-power distribution device.

A four-wheel drive vehicle includes: a drive-power distribution device for distributing a drive power from an engine to main and auxiliary drive wheels with a drive-power distribution ratio between the main drive wheels and auxiliary drive wheels; and a control apparatus for controlling an electric motor such that the drive-power distribution ratio becomes a target distribution ratio value, by setting an electric-current command value for driving an electric motor. The control apparatus is configured, in a drive-power transmitted state in which the drive power is transmitted to the drive-power distribution device, to execute a command-value reduction control operation for causing the electric motor to be driven with the electric-current command value being set to a value smaller than in a drive-power non-transmitted state in which the drive power is not being transmitted to the drive-power distribution device.

The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a first roller comprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact with a first wheel of the vehicle. The first roller may be configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel. The apparatus may further include a first shaft rotatably couplable to the first roller such that rotation of the first roller causes the first shaft to rotate. The apparatus may further include a first generator operably coupled to the first shaft. The generator may be configured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.

The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a first roller comprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact with a first wheel of the vehicle. The first roller may be configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel. The apparatus may further include a first shaft rotatably couplable to the first roller such that rotation of the first roller causes the first shaft to rotate. The apparatus may further include a first generator operably coupled to the first shaft. The generator may be configured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.