A drive unit having a downsized brake device for applying a braking force to a drive wheel is provided. The drive unit comprises: a first brake device that applies braking torque to a first rotary member situated closer to a first motor than a first speed reducing device in a first torque transmitting route between the first motor and a first drive shaft; and a second brake device that applies braking torque to a second rotary member situated closer to a second motor than a second speed reducing device in a second torque transmitting route between the second motor and a second drive shaft.

A gear shaft of an output gear in a speed reducer of an in-wheel motor driving device is supported at a first end thereof and a second end thereof with respect to a housing. The gear shaft of the output gear is formed with a spline hole. The spline hole provides a spline-connection with an output shaft of a wheel hub.

A vehicle axle assembly including an electric motor, an electric power source, a mode shift gearset, an actuator and a differential within a housing. The motor can include a first output member. The mode shift gearset can include a second output member and a shift member. The shift member can transmit torque between the first and second output members when the shift member is in a second position. The actuator can be coupled to the shift member to move the shift member between first and second positions. The differential can include a differential case and a differential gearset. The differential case can be drivingly coupled to the second output member to receive rotary power therefrom. The differential gearset can transmit rotary power between the differential case and first and second output shafts.

An apparatus transforms vehicle operator intentions to wheel propulsion controls using an operator interface, sensors, a torque budgeting circuit, at least four motor controllers, and a vehicle/operator personality profile store. The store provides instructions and parameters which control dynamic vehicle responsiveness and reflect an operator's personality. The instructions and parameters are accessible by an application programming interface (API). Vehicle characteristics may be recorded by operating the vehicle through a prescribed route or evolution. A revised performance profile of a vehicle can be installed when the vehicle is reconfigured. Performance of a vehicle is modified to mimic a different vehicle by installing a new software dynamic performance profile. The API enables an open architecture for developers to customize vehicle dynamics without cutting metal.

A motor gearbox assembly is provided for a vehicle having two wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. The assembly includes two independent drive systems that each include an electric motor and an associated gear train, each drive system being configured to independently drive one of the wheels. The assembly further includes a common housing that receives the motors and the gear trains such that the gear trains are at least partially positioned between the motors. Furthermore, at least portions of the drive systems have generally inverse orientations in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the motor gearbox assembly is mounted on the vehicle.

A ride-on vehicle, such as for a child, includes a vehicle body and one or more wheels that support the vehicle body relative to a surface. At least one of the wheels includes a hub motor arrangement that provides a drive torque for propelling the vehicle. The hub motor arrangement includes a housing defining an interior space. An axle or other mounting element(s) define an axis of rotation of the housing. Preferably, the axle or other mounting element(s) do not pass completely through the housing. A motor drives the housing through a transmission. Preferably, the motor is a standard, compact motor that is positioned on the axis of rotation and can be laterally offset from a central plane of the housing. In some embodiments, a traction element is carried directly by the housing.

A vehicle drive device with a variable transmission includes a first driving module that provides a driving force, a second driving module that controls a transmission ratio, and a reduction gear part comprising a first sun gear, a second sun gear, and a planetary gear provided inside the second driving module. An output part is connected to one of the first sun gear, the second sun gear, and the planetary gear, and the first driving module is connected to another one of the first sun gear, the second sun gear, and the planetary gear that is not connected to the output part.

A power train for a vehicle, the power train includes: a motor including a rotatable shaft; a reducer coupled to the motor; a gear train disposed at least partially inside the reducer, to transmit rotational force generated by the motor; and a wheel rotatable by receiving power from the reducer or by transmitting power generated by its rotation to the reducer, wherein the gear train is configured to transmit power from the motor to the reducer or to transmit power from the reducer to the motor based upon comparison of a rotational angular velocity of the rotatable shaft and a rotational angular velocity of the reducer.

A ride-on vehicle, such as for a child, includes a vehicle body and one or more wheels that support the vehicle body relative to a surface. At least one of the wheels includes a hub motor arrangement that provides a drive torque for propelling the vehicle. The hub motor arrangement includes a housing defining an interior space. An axle or other mounting element(s) define an axis of rotation of the housing. Preferably, the axle or other mounting element(s) do not pass completely through the housing. A motor drives the housing through a transmission. Preferably, the motor is a standard, compact motor that is positioned on the axis of rotation and can be laterally offset from a central plane of the housing. In some embodiments, a traction element is carried directly by the housing.

Provided is a powertrain of a vehicle comprising an electric motor, a final drive, a gearing system with two-degrees-of-freedom configured to transfer power from the electric motor to the final drive, the gearing system comprising a one-way mechanism, and a mechanical friction brake connected to the gearing system. The powertrain further comprises a control system. The powertrain enables power driving, coasting without motor drag and braking with regenerative braking. Further provided is a method for controlling braking mode in a vehicle that comprises such a powertrain.