An electric drive motorcycle (100) allows a suitable and effective cooling of the battery unit when the electric motor is operated, and comprises: a front portion comprising one or more front wheels (103) and a handlebar (104); a rear portion comprising saddle (101), a shell body (107) arranged below said saddle (101), and a rear wheel (105) arranged below said shell body(107); an intermediate portion extending as a connection between said front portion and said rear portion; an electric drive unit (8) connected to said rear wheel (105); and a hybrid supply unit supplying said electric drive unit (8), comprising at least a battery unit (115) and a combustion engine (116) actuating an electric generator (120) apt to feed said battery unit (115) and/or said electric drive unit (8), wherein the combustion engine (116) drives a cooling fan (121) arranged so that, when this is drawing a flow of cooling air through an inlet mouth (122), such flow wets the battery unit (115), before being drawn, wherein the combustion engine (116) comprises a crankshaft which is arranged transversally to said front-rear direction, said crankshaft having a first end keyed to an electric generator (120) arranged adjacent to the wall of the shell body (107), and a second end thereto said cooling fan (121) is keyed, and wherein the sucking mouth (122) of the cooling fan (121) is faced towards the battery unit (115).

The disclosure relates to improved friction drive systems, control algorithms for friction drive systems, and automatic traction control for friction drive systems. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may improve control over an amount of normal force between a contact surface on a friction drive (e.g., disposed on a drive motor) and a tire or wheel of a wheeled vehicle. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may dynamically adjust the normal force between the contact surface and the tire or wheel in response to rapidly changing conditions, such as weather, road surface, and/or tire inflation. Embodiments of an automatic traction control system may adjust the normal force to avoid slippage while minimizing tire wear and maximizing battery efficiency. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may allow a user to calibrate or adjust the amount of normal force delivered based on their preferences or based on a selected mode of operation.

The disclosure relates to improved friction drive systems, control algorithms for friction drive systems, and automatic traction control for friction drive systems. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may improve control over an amount of normal force between a contact surface on a friction drive (e.g., disposed on a drive motor) and a tire or wheel of a wheeled vehicle. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may dynamically adjust the normal force between the contact surface and the tire or wheel in response to rapidly changing conditions, such as weather, road surface, and/or tire inflation. Embodiments of an automatic traction control system may adjust the normal force to avoid slippage while minimizing tire wear and maximizing battery efficiency. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may allow a user to calibrate or adjust the amount of normal force delivered based on their preferences or based on a selected mode of operation.

A friction drive system for a bicycle, which enables a bicycle to be converted into an electrically assisted bicycle, includes a driving system including a friction roller in driven engagement with a motor of the driving system. The friction roller defines a wheel engaging surface configured for engaging a wheel of the bicycle via friction between the wheel engaging surface and the wheel. A controller is operatively connected to a traction control system, for controlling a torque exerted by the friction roller on the wheel, and/or to an adjustable pressure system, for moving the wheel engaging surface and varying a contact force exerted between the friction roller and the wheel of the bicycle.

A friction drive system for a bicycle, which enables a bicycle to be converted into an electrically assisted bicycle, includes a driving system including a friction roller in driven engagement with a motor of the driving system. The friction roller defines a wheel engaging surface configured for engaging a wheel of the bicycle via friction between the wheel engaging surface and the wheel. A controller is operatively connected to a traction control system, for controlling a torque exerted by the friction roller on the wheel, and/or to an adjustable pressure system, for moving the wheel engaging surface and varying a contact force exerted between the friction roller and the wheel of the bicycle.

A solar-powered vehicle that includes a body having a front end, rear end, top and opposing sides; two or more wheels; and a first and second solar panel assembly respectively disposed on the opposing sides of the body.

A scooter is provided. The scooter comprises a frame assembly including a main frame for a user, an extendable frame movably connected to the main frame and configured to be extendable away from the main frame at an interface at which the main frame and the extendable frame meet, and a wheel assembly connected to the frame assembly. The extendable frame forms a cargo space at an extended position.

A scooter is provided. The scooter comprises a frame assembly including a main frame for a user, an extendable frame movably connected to the main frame and configured to be extendable away from the main frame at an interface at which the main frame and the extendable frame meet, and a wheel assembly connected to the frame assembly. The extendable frame forms a cargo space at an extended position.

Embodiments of a friction drive system include a battery, a drive motor, a control unit, and a speed wheel. When the friction drive system is mounted on a wheeled vehicle, the speed wheel provides an accurate measurement of the vehicle speed by maintaining contact with a tire of the vehicle. An automatic traction control system, which may be part of the control unit, compares the speed of the speed wheel with the speed of the drive motor to determine whether slippage is occurring. If slippage is detected, then embodiments of an automatic traction control system automatically increase an amount of normal force between a contact surface on the drive motor and the tire, by advancing a position of the drive motor relative to a fixed mounting point. If no slippage is detected, then embodiments of an automatic traction control system automatically reduce the amount of normal force, by retracting a position of the drive relative to a fixed mounting point. In embodiments of a friction drive system, the relative position of the drive motor may be controlled by powering a worm gear motor attached to a worm gear in response to commands from the control unit.

A solar-powered vehicle that includes a body having a front end, rear end, top and opposing sides; two or more wheels; and a first and second solar panel assembly respectively disposed on the opposing sides of the body including a first side and a second side.