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 battery pack (10) is a battery pack that is charged by a charger, and includes an input component (11) to which current and voltage are applied from the charger, and a current and voltage measurement component (12) that measures the current and voltage inputted to the input component (11).

The disclosure relates to improved fastening mechanisms having both sufficient stiffness to bear a load and the ability to fit securely on a wide-range of sizes and shapes of tubing, including tapered tubing. Embodiments include a fastening mechanism with a first body part having a first inner surface, and a second body part having a second inner surface. A first fastening set may be disposed at a first end of the first and second body parts. A second fastening set may be disposed at a second end of the first and second body parts. The first and second fastening sets may be capable of securing the first and second body parts about a central tube, which may have tapered dimensions. The first inner surface and the second inner surface may each have a first subsurface and a second subsurface, the first subsurfaces may have a first contour, the second subsurfaces may have a second contour, and the first contour may fit a different size and shape of tubing than the second contour.

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.

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 r elative 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 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 motorcycle includes an extended and lower frame arrangement, a front wheel coupled to the extended and lower frame arrangement via a front wheel extension member to frontwardly extend a distance between the extended and lower frame arrangement and the front wheel, a rear wheel coupled to the extended and lower frame arrangement via a widen hub assembly to rearwardly extend a distance between the extended and lower frame arrangement and the rear wheel, such that the front wheel and the rear wheel are shifted far from the extended and lowered frame arrangement to lengthen a distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel so as to further lower a center of gravity of the motorcycle.

A motorcycle includes an extended and lower frame arrangement, a front wheel coupled to the extended and lower frame arrangement via a front wheel extension member to frontwardly extend a distance between the extended and lower frame arrangement and the front wheel, a rear wheel coupled to the extended and lower frame arrangement via a widen hub assembly to rearwardly extend a distance between the extended and lower frame arrangement and the rear wheel, such that the front wheel and the rear wheel are shifted far from the extended and lowered frame arrangement to lengthen a distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel so as to further lower a center of gravity of the motorcycle.

A motorcycle includes an extended and lower frame arrangement, a front wheel coupled to the extended and lower frame arrangement via a front wheel extension member to frontwardly extend a distance between the extended and lower frame arrangement and the front wheel, a rear wheel coupled to the extended and lower frame arrangement via a widen hub assembly to rearwardly extend a distance between the extended and lower frame arrangement and the rear wheel, such that the front wheel and the rear wheel are shifted far from the extended and lowered frame arrangement to lengthen a distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel so as to further lower a center of gravity of the motorcycle.

A motorcycle includes an extended and lower frame arrangement, a front wheel coupled to the extended and lower frame arrangement via a front wheel extension member to frontwardly extend a distance between the extended and lower frame arrangement and the front wheel, a rear wheel coupled to the extended and lower frame arrangement via a widen hub assembly to rearwardly extend a distance between the extended and lower frame arrangement and the rear wheel, such that the front wheel and the rear wheel are shifted far from the extended and lowered frame arrangement to lengthen a distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel so as to further lower a center of gravity of the motorcycle.