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 refuse vehicle including a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, the body assembly defining a refuse compartment, and an electric energy system, the electric energy system including one or more battery cells and control hardware, the electric energy system detachably coupled to the body and configured to be accessed by a door in the body, and wherein the one or more battery cells of the electric energy system are replaceable.

An electrified vehicle includes a chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, and an energy storage system. The body assembly is positioned behind the cab with a space defined therebetween. The energy storage system is positioned within the space between the cab and the body assembly. The energy storage system includes a housing and a plurality of battery cells disposed within the housing. The housing is coupled directly to the chassis and extends upward from the chassis such that a portion of the housing is positioned above at least a portion of a roof of the cab.

In an embodiment, an expansion component (e.g., expanding foam element, inflatable pad, a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism, etc.) is arranged inside of a battery module compartment (e.g., on a bottom interior surface of the battery module compartment). A battery module is inserted into the battery module component and is fixated, or secured, within the battery module compartment at least in part based upon the expanding component which starts to expand or continues to expand after the insertion. In a further embodiment, the battery module may be removed from the battery module compartment after a contraction function (e.g., collapse of the foam element, deflation of the inflatable pad, etc.) of the expansion component is initiated.

A refuse vehicle including a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, the body assembly defining a refuse compartment, and an electric energy system, the electric energy system including one or more battery cells and control hardware, the electric energy system detachably coupled to the body and configured to be accessed by a door in the body, and wherein the one or more battery cells of the electric energy system are replaceable.

A solar-powered vehicle that includes a body having opposing sides and defining a cavity; two or more wheels; a first and second solar panel assembly respectively disposed on the opposing sides of the body; one or more electric motor disposed within the cavity of the body between the first and second solar panel assemblies, the one or more electric motors configured to rotate at least one of the two or more wheels; and one or more electric battery disposed within the cavity of the body between the first and second solar panel assemblies, the one or more electric batteries configured to power the one or more electric motors and to be charged by electric current generated by the first and second solar panel assemblies.

An electric vehicle includes a chassis and a seat assembly that includes a plurality of seats mounted to the chassis. The chassis includes a vehicle frame defining a mounting space, and a battery module disposed in the mounting space and including an outer battery unit that is mounted to the vehicle frame, and an inner battery unit that is coupled to the outer battery unit. The vehicle frame is operable to switch between an expanded state, where the inner battery unit is permitted to be coupled to the outer battery unit and the seats are spaced apart from each other, and a collapsed state, where the inner battery unit is prevented from being coupled to the outer battery unit and the seats are overlapped with each other.

A tractor trailer battery system having a battery compartment containing one or more battery units which house one or more battery cells, electrical leads from the battery units to a trailer mounted controller in electrical communication with a cab mounted controller which is in electrical communication an electric motor or hybrid engine system. The battery system allows for either the trailer mounted controller or the cab mounted controller to provide principal communication to the electric motor or hybrid engine system.

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 floor structure is provided including: a vehicle interior opening formation section provided inside a vehicle cabin, and demarcating a vehicle interior opening that opens into the vehicle cabin; a vehicle exterior opening formation section provided further toward a vehicle lower side than a floor inside the vehicle cabin, and demarcating a vehicle exterior opening that opens toward a vehicle exterior; a storage section provided at the vehicle lower side of the floor, and demarcating a storage space that connects the vehicle interior opening and the vehicle exterior opening together; and a pull-out receptacle disposed inside the storage section at a position corresponding to the vehicle interior opening, and capable of moving from inside the storage section to the vehicle exterior through the vehicle exterior opening.