System and method are disclosed for vehicle accessory power management. An example vehicle includes an engine configured to operate in a start-stop mode, and a power management system. The power management system is configured to receive an input requesting use of a vehicle accessory in an accessory mode, and responsive to the input, reduce an electrical load, disable the start-stop mode, and enable use of the accessory mode.

A power generation system is provided configured for installation within a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a stator having a plurality of face-mounted permanent magnets; and a rotor having a plurality of windings configured to rotate, with rotation of the wheel, in proximity to the permanent magnets thereby generating a current. The stator is mounted to a brake caliper of the vehicle. Also provided is a wheel-based vehicle display system including a light emitting diode (LED) array arranged on or within a wheel of a vehicle; a power source connected thereto; and a controller connected to the LED array. The display system is configured to display at least one of: textual information, visual images or full-motion video.

Systems and methods for an energy harvester coupled to a rotatable component of a vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, an energy harvester system includes at least one energy harvesting component configured to be attached to a wheel of a vehicle, wherein the at least one energy harvesting component includes a piezoelectric component configured to be directly attached to a staging surface of the wheel, wherein the piezoelectric component is configured to deform in response to a mechanical strain imparted on the piezoelectric component as the wheel rotates and generate an electric signal.

A device for transport of air in the tire P or close to it consisting of a chamber K in the shape of a hollow compressible channel, placed along at least a part of the tire perimeter, characterized by the fact that a ring OK is placed at the inner side of the chamber K with the distance of its outer side from the tire axis of rotation equal to 1 to 1.1 multiple of the distance of the bottom side of the chamber K from the axis of rotation of the tire P.

Provided is a technology for supplying power to an external load while bypassing an overcurrent, even when a failure on a main battery side or a failure on a sub-battery side has occurred. One relay is connected to the main battery via another relay, and the sub-battery is connected to the main battery via both relays. A main power supply path connects the main battery to a backup load, bypassing both relays. A sub-power supply path connects the sub-battery and the backup load via one relay. The other relay transitions from a closed to an open state when an overcurrent flows thereto, and when the overcurrent flows in a charging direction, the one relay also transitions from a closed state to an open state. If the overcurrent flows in a direction opposite of the charging direction, the one relay does not transition from the closed to the open state.

The vehicle turbine charging system is adapted for use with a vehicle. The vehicle is further defined with one or more body panels, a brake system, and an electrical system. The electrical system is further defined with a brake signal and a battery. The vehicle turbine charging system is a regenerative braking device. The operation of the vehicle turbine charging system is initiated upon the application of the brake system on the vehicle. The vehicle turbine charging system comprises one or more regeneration devices. Each individual regeneration device selected from the one or more regeneration devices diverts air flow from around the vehicle through the turbine. The turbine powers the regeneration circuit to provide electrical energy that recharges battery. The control circuit opens and closes the intake that diverts the air flow to the turbine. The intake is open during brake system operation and is otherwise closed.

Systems and methods for an energy harvester proximate to a rotatable component of a vehicle's wheel are disclosed. In some embodiments, an energy harvester system includes: a plurality of energy harvesting components configured to be coupled to a rotatable component in a ring formation along a circumference of the rotatable component, wherein each of the plurality of energy harvesting components includes: a substrate configured to be attached to a surface of the rotatable component; a piezoelectric component coupled to a surface of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric component is configured to deform in response to a mechanical strain imparted on the piezoelectric component as the rotatable component rotates and generate an electric signal; and an interconnect coupled to the piezoelectric components and configured to conduct the electric signal from the piezoelectric components to a device coupled to the rotatable component.

System and method are disclosed for vehicle accessory power management. An example vehicle includes an engine configured to operate in a start-stop mode, and a power management system. The power management system is configured to receive an input requesting use of a vehicle accessory in an accessory mode, and responsive to the input, reduce an electrical load, disable the start-stop mode, and enable use of the accessory mode.

Air-motion powered devices may be attached to vehicle wheels to harvest energy from the air through which the vehicle passes. One illustrative energy harvester embodiment includes a body that attaches to a wheel of a vehicle to move with the wheel as the wheel rotates. An action member attached to the body is acted upon by air through which the vehicle moves, causing the action member to move relative to the body. The motion of the action member optionally drives a generator to generate electrical power. An illustrative method embodiment which may be implemented by a wheel-attached energy harvester includes: receiving with the action member an aerodynamic force from air through which the vehicle moves; deriving from the aerodynamic force motion of the action member relative to the body; and converting said motion into electrical power. The electrical power may be supplied to sensors, lights, or motors.

A power supply system in a vehicle having an idling stop function for executing an automatic stop and an automatic restart on an engine has a power generator, a first storage unit that can be charged with and can discharge generated power generated by the power generator, a second storage unit that can be charged with and can discharge the generated power, two paths connecting the first storage unit and the second storage unit, a switching unit including a first switch for switching one path of the two paths between a conductive condition and a non-conductive condition, and a second switch for switching another path of the two paths between a conductive condition and a non-conductive condition, and an engine restarter connected to either the first storage unit side or the second storage unit side of the switching unit in order to start the engine during the automatic restart.