A system and method for controlling switching of an electric vehicle to four-wheel drive are provided. The system includes a first motor connected to main drive wheels and configured to output a first torque, a second motor connected to subsidiary drive wheels and configured to output a second torque, a disconnector mounted on an axle shaft for the subsidiary drive wheels, a driver requested torque detector configured to detect a driver requested torque, and a controller configured to release a set output limit of the first motor for a designated time and simultaneously release a set output limit of the second motor when the driver requested torque is greater than or equal to a reference requested torque, and control the first motor to output a maximum torque exceeding the set output limit to the main drive wheels until the disconnector is engaged.

A system for electrically connecting a vehicle to track electrodes, the system comprising vehicle electrodes configured to be electrically connected with a respective one of the track electrodes; actuators operatively connecting the vehicle electrodes to a structure of the vehicle for displacement of the vehicle electrodes relative to the structure of the vehicle, the actuators operable to vary distances between the vehicle electrodes and the track electrodes; sensors operatively mounted to one of the vehicle or track electrodes, the sensors detecting variations in the distances; and a controller operatively connected to the actuators for actuating the actuators as a function of the variations in the distances detected by the sensors.

A system for electrically connecting a vehicle to track electrodes, the system comprising vehicle electrodes configured to be electrically connected with a respective one of the track electrodes; actuators operatively connecting the vehicle electrodes to a structure of the vehicle for displacement of the vehicle electrodes relative to the structure of the vehicle, the actuators operable to vary distances between the vehicle electrodes and the track electrodes; sensors operatively mounted to one of the vehicle or track electrodes, the sensors detecting variations in the distances; and a controller operatively connected to the actuators for actuating the actuators as a function of the variations in the distances detected by the sensors.

A torque security system for a vehicle is provided. The system receives a signal from a sensor coupled to a motor shaft of an electric motor and determines an acceleration of the electric motor, based on the signal from the sensor that indicates an amount of rotation of the motor shaft. The system determines an internal torque between the motor shaft and an input gear coupled to the motor shaft, based on the acceleration of the electric motor and an inertia of the electric motor and a gearbox. The powertrain of the vehicle comprises the gearbox and the electric motor, and the input gear couples the electric motor to the gearbox. The system determines whether the internal torque exceeds a threshold torque, and in response to determining that the internal torque exceeds the threshold torque, the system reduces power output to the electric motor. The system also diagnoses the health of the gearbox.

A torque-speed curve or data of load that is used as a standard to determine an external condition in which an electric vehicle is operating such as incline or no incline, head wind or no headwind, high temperature or low temperature. The system compares samples of actual torque-speed of load data to the standard. Based on the comparison, the system determines the external condition (going up a hill, traveling into a headwind, operating at high temperature) or an abnormal operation of the vehicle powertrain, for example, low tire pressure, elevated friction, wheels out of alignment. Based on the determination, the system takes an action to govern a maximum torque output of the motor to control temperature of the vehicle battery; to raise a wind deflector; to govern maximum speed of the vehicle to reduce danger resulting from low tire pressure, elevated powertrain friction or out of alignment wheels; or to initiate an indication of abnormal conditions.

Methods and systems are provided for an electric drivetrain. In one example, the electric drivetrain system includes a first and a second electric motor-generator rotationally coupled to a planetary assembly that is rotationally coupled to a drive axle via an output gear. The system further includes a controller that is configured to, during a first operating condition, operate each of the first and second electric motor-generators in a motor mode or a generator mode and hold the output gear at a zero speed.

A drive axle system and a method of control. A control system determines a torque command based on an inverter temperature, a stator temperature of a stator of an electric motor, and a rotor temperature of a rotor of the electric motor. The electric motor is operated to provide torque based on the torque command.

The invention regards a controller for controlling an output power of an electric vehicle, such vehicle and a respective method. The controller is configured to operate in a drive mode controlling electrical energy to a motor generating torque for driving the vehicle based on a throttle input signal. The controller is further configured to receive, in addition to the throttle input signal, a further user controllable signal and to switch the controller in response to such user controllable signal to a maximum power mode for a time interval, wherein in the maximum power mode the maximum electrical energy that can be delivered to the motor is increased compared to the drive mode.

A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a vehicle system configured to operate the vehicle in a normal operating mode and a boosted mode. In the boosted mode, the vehicle system increases at least one of a maximum motor torque, a maximum engine torque, and a maximum battery power available to the vehicle. A wear estimation module is configured to collect wear data associated with a component of the vehicle while being operated in the boosted mode, estimate, based on the collected wear data, wear of the component caused by being operated in the boosted mode, and generate a prediction of a remaining lifetime of the component based on the estimated wear of the component.

A system control unit for controlling a charging system that is intended for charging an electrical energy storage device, comprising an electric generator; an internal combustion engine that is mechanically connected with the electric generator; a generator controller for controlling the electric generator; an engine controller for controlling the internal combustion engine; and a transmitting device for transmission of messages, whereby the engine controller is connected with the generator controller by way of the transmitting device, and whereby the engine controller is operable in that a message containing information about an operating state of the internal combustion engine can be produced and said message can be sent to the generator controller via the transmitting device.