A regenerative braking control method and a regenerative braking control device of the present invention control a drive source that generates a regenerative brake force in such a manner that an upper limit of regenerative deceleration when a driver executes manual control becomes smaller than an upper limit of regenerative deceleration when automatic control is executed.

A regenerative braking control method and a regenerative braking control device of the present invention control a drive source that generates a regenerative brake force in such a manner that an upper limit of regenerative deceleration when a driver executes manual control becomes smaller than an upper limit of regenerative deceleration when automatic control is executed.

A speed control system to control retardation energy of a vehicle and a method of controlling retardation energy of a vehicle are provided. The system includes an energy storage device configured to absorb and store the retardation energy of the vehicle. The energy storage device includes a power absorption limit determined at least partially by a temperature and a state of charge of the energy storage device. The system further includes a non-energy-storing retarder configured to absorb the retardation energy of the vehicle and a controller configured to route the retardation energy to the energy storage device up to the power absorption limit and route a remaining portion of the retardation energy to the non-energy-storing retarder.

A regenerative braking system and method include: a regenerative braking determination unit configured to determine whether or not a vehicle satisfies an entry condition for regenerative braking based on information collected by the vehicle; a calculation unit configured to calculate a hydraulic braking torque according to a pressure of a master cylinder and a target amount of a regenerative braking torque varied according to the pressure of the master cylinder, if the vehicle satisfies the entry condition; and a controller configured to perform braking of the vehicle based on the target amount of the regenerative braking torque and the hydraulic braking torque.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a truck, a tractor unit, a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, at a tandem, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a truck, a tractor unit, a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, at a tandem, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

An electric vehicle includes: an electric motor; a wheel that is driven by the electric motor; a power transmission mechanism that defines at least a part of a power transmission path between the electric motor and the wheel and that transmits rotational power of the electric motor to the wheel; a wheel brake that is provided on the wheel; an electromagnetic brake that stops rotation of the electric motor; and a controller that maintains a control value of a rotation speed of the electric motor at 0 and activates the electromagnetic brake when a vehicle speed becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined value close to 0.

A vehicle includes an ADK that creates a driving plan, a VP that carries out vehicle control in accordance with various commands from the ADK, and a vehicle control interface that interfaces between the VP and the ADK. A power supply structure for the ADK is provided independently of a power supply structure for the VP.

A regenerative braking apparatus for a motor vehicle (and concomitant method and retrofit kit) comprising a two-piece rim, a power spring inside the rim, a winding apparatus transferring energy into the power spring, a speed reducer that allows for smooth accumulation of tension in the power spring, and a controlled holding brake system that allows for bypassed, autonomous, or on-demand application of the regenerative braking apparatus.

There are described herein methods and systems for operating an electric motor of a watercraft. In one method, the electric motor of the watercraft is controlled based on commands received from an accelerator of the watercraft, a sensor signal is received from at least one sensor of the watercraft while the electric motor is in operation, the sensor signal indicative of an undesirable condition of a water intake of the watercraft, and a change is effected to the controlling of the electric motor in response to receiving the sensor signal.