When an electric vehicle is traveling downhill, experiencing regenerative braking, or otherwise forcing the vehicle motor to turn faster than the commanded motor torque, the vehicle motor produces electrical energy that can be used to recharge a vehicle battery. However, if the vehicle battery is already nearly or fully charged, the excess electrical energy produced may damage the battery. Control systems described herein may reduce and/or dispose of the excess energy by manipulating the motor flux (i.e., direct) current and quadrature current independently.

A wheel core assembly for a recreational device such as a skateboard is provided. The orientation of the wheel core assembly can be readily reversed to allow use of both sides of a wheel such as e.g., a side-set wheel. The position of an outer bearing and a spacer can be readily switched to either side of an internal chamber thereby allowing the user to select the orientation of the wheel on an axle. The outer bearing and spacer can be configured for ready removal and installation without the use of special purpose tools.

A foot-deck-based vehicle, a front wheel support, and at least one accessory therefor are provided. The foot-deck-based vehicle has a foot-deck with a front end, a rear end, and at least one rear wheel proximal to the rear end. The foot-deck-based vehicle has a front wheel support comprising a pair of wheel interfaces, each of which is couplable to a front wheel, a main body extending between the wheel interfaces and coupled to the foot-deck, and at least one recess in the main body. At least one accessory is snugly securable within the at least one recess of the front wheel support to modify a resistance of the main body to bending under a bending load applied to the front wheel support through the foot-deck when the foot-deck supports a person.

An inline skate frame and axle assembly includes a frame having single sidewall that mounts a plurality of outwardly-extending axle assemblies. The sidewall has a wheel-mounting portion, a forward attachment portion and a rearward attachment portion. A forward attachment member includes a leg that extends outwardly from the sidewall between wheels on the skate, and a first attachment plate that cooperatively with the first attachment portion is configured to attach a skate base. A similar rearward attachment member comprises a leg and a second attachment plate that cooperatively with the second attachment portion is configure to attach the skate base. In embodiments the axle assemblies are rotationally locked to the sidewall, and include a cap member rotationally locked to the axle to prevent wheel rotation from loosening and wheel retaining connector.

A modular motorized wheel system is provided for replacing a conventional wheel of a conventional skateboard. The wheel is retained on the axle of the skateboard by an end nut removably attachable to the outside end of the axle. The system includes a motor shaft having an axial bore therethrough. The bore is sized to make the motor shaft concentrically and removably mountable on the axle. The motor shaft has an exterior end formed in an open cylindrical shape, the exterior end including an axially displaced shoulder sized to receive and abut the end nut, by which the motor shaft is secured on the axle. Other embodiments are provided.

A drive module for a skateboard, the drive module comprising at least one axle with at least one wheel which is or can be driven by an electric motor, and a frame, which is connected to the axle and has a receiving space for an energy storage unit, in particular for a secondary battery, the drive module being replaceably connectible to the skateboard. Also, a set and a skateboard comprising the drive module.

In an aspect, a tire for use with a single wheel, self-balancing vehicle is provided. The tire has a tire body with a tread configured for engagement with a ground surface. The tread has a lateral profile having a central region, a first lateral region tapering towards a first lateral side of the tire, and a second lateral region tapering towards a second lateral side of the tire. The lateral profile is substantially free of discontinuity. The tread has a non-directional tread groove arrangement that is asymmetrical about a central circumference line of the tire. The tire has a hardness selected to substantially prevent deformation of the first profile and the second profile during riding by a rider.

In an aspect, a tire for use with a single wheel, self-balancing vehicle is provided. The tire has a tire body with a tread configured for engagement with a ground surface. The tread has a lateral profile having a central region, a first lateral region tapering towards a first lateral side of the tire, and a second lateral region tapering towards a second lateral side of the tire. The lateral profile is substantially free of discontinuity. The tread has a non-directional tread groove arrangement that is asymmetrical about a central circumference line of the tire. The tire has a hardness selected to substantially prevent deformation of the first profile and the second profile during riding by a rider.

When an electric vehicle is traveling downhill, experiencing regenerative braking, or otherwise forcing the vehicle motor to turn faster than the commanded motor torque, the vehicle motor produces electrical energy that can be used to recharge a vehicle battery. However, if the vehicle battery is already nearly or fully charged, the excess electrical energy produced may damage the battery. Control systems described herein may reduce and/or dispose of the excess energy by manipulating the motor flux (i.e., direct) current and quadrature current independently.

A powered skateboard having a powered wheel. The powered wheel formed of a motor within tire of the wheel. The powered wheel fixed to a truck of the powered skateboard. The powered skateboard including at least one onboard battery to provide electrical power to the powered wheel.