A mechanical stabilization system for a battery assembly is disclosed. The system includes an actuator and a stabilizer that are configured to work in concert. The actuator and stabilizer are disposed in a housing of the battery assembly. The system may be implemented by depression of the actuator disposed in the housing, which causes the stabilizer to retract a support post into the housing. The depression can occur during a docking operation of the battery assembly with a lift mechanism for an electric vehicle. When the actuator is released, the support post automatically reverts to its previous, deployed state. The support post is configured to maintain the battery assembly in a stable configuration when the battery assembly is separated from the electric vehicle.

An autonomous travel device is provided with wheels, a device main body, a power source that is provided on one end portion of the device main body within the device main body and causes the device main body to travel autonomously by driving the wheels, a battery for supplying power to the power source, and an accommodation unit for accommodating the battery from the other end portion of the device main body to a central portion of the device main body within the device main body. With this configuration, it is possible to easily perform replacement of the battery, and therefore, it is possible to perform autonomous travel that is stabilized due to disposition of the battery in consideration of the center of gravity of the device main body.

A mounting and dismounting system for a battery assembly is disclosed. The system may be located onboard of an electric vehicle powered by a battery pack disposed in the battery assembly. The system includes a pair of four-bar linkages that can be used to raise and lower the battery assembly. Each four-bar linkage includes a pair of hooks with different vertical positions. The hooks are positioned to grasp horizontal mounting bars that are disposed on the battery assembly. Using vertically displaced hooks ensures the battery can be raised and lowered without rocking.

A system for modifying the range capability of an electric vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front axle and a rear module secured to the vehicle body. The rear module includes a rear axle and the rear module is detachable from the vehicle body and replaceable with another rear module. The rear modules may include different range extension capabilities. The rear modules may include a battery or a combustion engine that may supplement the standard battery and electric motor of the vehicle. A pair of laterally translatable pins of the rear module may be moveable into and out of engagement with the vehicle body. The rear module may also include vertically extending posts that engage with the vehicle body. The vehicle body may be raised to disengage the posts from the vehicle body.

Systems and methods for implementing a battery swapping system for an electrically powered vehicle. The vehicle includes a propulsion system, a first battery powering the propulsion system, and another power source powering the propulsion system. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to enable unloading the first battery to a first charging station by propulsion of the vehicle towards and then away from the first charging station. The controller is further configured to subsequently enable loading a second battery from a second charging station by propulsion of the vehicle powered by the another power source towards the second charging station.

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.

An electric work vehicle includes a carrier provided separately from a vehicle body for mounting/dismounting a battery, a carrier storage section provided in the vehicle body for attaching the carrier to the vehicle body, and an attachment mechanism for attaching/detaching the carrier to/from the carrier storage section.

A front wheel drive powered wheelchair is provided and may include a support frame, a pair of opposing drive wheels, a pair of drives, and a pair of rear wheels. The frame may include a front portion, a seat post, and two independent arms extending rearward from the front portion. Each drive wheel may be coupled to the front portion of the frame. Each drive may be mounted to the front portion of the frame and may be operatively connected to a respective drive wheel of the pair of drive wheels. Each rear wheel may be coupled to a respective independent arm of the support frame. Each independent arm may be capable of flexing independent of the other.

The invention provides a powertrain for an electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle as such. The powertrain has an electric motor and a drivetrain for transmitting rotary power from the electric motor to at least one of the vehicle wheels. A mechanical rotary transmission is provided in association with a flywheel. The mechanical rotary transmission is controllable to transmit power in a direction from the vehicle wheels to the flywheel and further transmit power in the reverse direction. Power from both the electric motor and the flywheel is concurrently used to accelerate the vehicle. The vehicle kinetic energy is recovered and stored at the flywheel during vehicle deceleration. The motor vehicle has at least one battery unit to supply the electric motor. The battery unit is removable from the vehicle, without tools, and is portable so that it is carried away from the vehicle for charging.

Disclosed is a battery pack that is mountable in a vehicle. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules, and a battery case that accommodates the battery modules. The battery case includes a first frame, a second frame provided across the battery modules from the first frame, and a connection portion that connects the first frame and the second frame. The second frame is provided with a protrusion that protrudes in a direction from the first frame toward the second frame.