The present disclosure is directed to autonomous vehicle platforms and autonomous vehicles including such platforms. For example, an autonomous vehicle can include a bisymmetrical platform including a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and a fourth portion that collectively provide a supporting structure for the autonomous vehicle and that respectively comprise a wheel mounting frame configured for location of a wheel assembly. A body including front and rear sides and first and second lateral sides can be positioned on top of the bisymmetrical platform configured to receive passengers for transport. The autonomous vehicle can also include a plurality of wheel assemblies configured for secure positioning relative to each wheel mounting frame within the bisymmetrical platform and a powertrain configured to power the plurality of wheel assemblies for operation of the autonomous vehicle to travel in either a forward direction or a rear direction.

The present disclosure is directed to autonomous vehicle platforms and autonomous vehicles including such platforms. For example, an autonomous vehicle can include a bisymmetrical platform including a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and a fourth portion that collectively provide a supporting structure for the autonomous vehicle and that respectively comprise a wheel mounting frame configured for location of a wheel assembly. A body including front and rear sides and first and second lateral sides can be positioned on top of the bisymmetrical platform configured to receive passengers for transport. The autonomous vehicle can also include a plurality of wheel assemblies configured for secure positioning relative to each wheel mounting frame within the bisymmetrical platform and a powertrain configured to power the plurality of wheel assemblies for operation of the autonomous vehicle to travel in either a forward direction or a rear direction.

Methods and systems are described for conserving energy used by an energy consuming device. In certain embodiments, an energy conservation system can be configured to deliver energy to the energy consuming device for a period, followed by a period where energy delivery is dampened and/or cut. By cycling the delivery of energy in this fashion, the energy conservation can achieve a pulsed efficiency.

To provide a vehicle drive device capable of effectively driving a vehicle by using in-wheel motors without falling into the vicious cycle between enhancement of driving via the motors and an increase in vehicle weight. The present invention is a vehicle drive device that uses in-wheel motors to drive a vehicle and includes in-wheel motors (20) that are provided in wheels (2b) of a vehicle (1) and drive the wheels, a body side motor (16) that is provided in a body of the vehicle and drives the wheels of the vehicle, and a battery (18) and a capacitor (22) that supply electric power for driving the in-wheel motors and/or the body side motor, in which a voltage of the battery is applied to the body side motor and a voltage of the battery and the capacitor connected in series is applied to the in-wheel motors.

An apparatus may generate energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a roller, a shaft, and a generator. The roller may rotate in response to a movement or motion of the wheel and may apply a friction to the wheel to decrease a rotational velocity of the wheel. The shaft may rotate in response to a rotation of the roller. The generator may generate an electrical output based on rotation of the shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

A vehicle, integrated all-wheel propulsion and steering system with plurality of propulsion and steering power sources, designed with enumerate specifications are coupled to, and de-coupled from a final drive of the vehicle propulsion system. A controller receives input-signals from the driver steering-wheel sensor; computes a set of reactions to the plurality of steering-actuators, wherein feedback-mechanism with each wheel-position sensor, the controller secures each wheel in its computed angle. In different speed and load conditions, the controller is programmed to compute a desired power demand then couple to the final drive[s] the propulsion power source[s] that is designed to do-the-job with the least energy consumption. When the vehicle changes speed and load, the controller couples a different power source[s], and de-couples the previous power source[s] to meet the power demand. In turning-modes, whilst positioning every wheel in its computed position, the controller computes the different distances the left and the right wheels of the vehicle have to travel, wherein the controller moves-up the propulsion power sources velocity to the wheels opposite to the turn to make a perfect turn without EPS assistance.

A hybrid driving apparatus is provided which enables a driver to sufficiently enjoy a driving feeling of a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. A hybrid driving apparatus includes an internal combustion engine that drive main driving wheels, a motive power transmission mechanism transmitting a driving force to the main driving wheels, a main driving electric motor driving the main driving wheels, an accumulator, sub-driving electric motors transmitting motive power to sub-driving wheels of the vehicle, and a control apparatus executing an electric motor traveling mode and an internal combustion engine traveling mode. The control apparatus causes the internal combustion engine to generate the driving force, the internal combustion engine is a flywheel-less engine, and the control apparatus causes the main driving electric motor to generate a torque for maintaining idling of the internal combustion engine in the internal combustion engine traveling mode.

Provided is an electric vehicle in which the state of contact between an electric connection arm and an external power line can be stabilized during traveling of the electric vehicle. In the electric vehicle, when the free end of an electric connection arm contacts an external power line during traveling of the electric vehicle, a posture control device controls the posture of the vehicle body so that the rotation angle of the electric connection arm approaches a target rotation angle or a target rotation angle range.

An analogue system for balancing an electrical energy storage assembly having a plurality of capacitive effect electrical energy storage devices connected to one another in series, the system including, for each storage device, a balancing device including: a bypass circuit for the storage device, able to be controlled between a closed state and an open state; a first voltage comparator for controlling an open or closed state of the bypass circuit depending on a balancing voltage; and a second voltage comparator for controlling an open or closed state of the bypass circuit depending on a switch-off voltage.