A drive system for a vehicle having a maximum speed, the drive system comprising: a first electric drive motor configured to drive both a first wheel and a second wheel of the vehicle; a differential coupled to the first electric drive motor, the differential being configured to split drive provided by the first electric drive motor so as to form a first drive path from the differential to the first wheel and a second drive path from the differential to the second wheel; a second electric drive motor positioned along the first drive path and configured to drive the first wheel; and a third electric drive motor positioned along the second drive path and configured to drive the second wheel; wherein each of the first, second and third electric drive motors are configured to provide drive up to the maximum speed of the vehicle.

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, a reduction gear part comprising a first sun gear, a second sun gear, and a planetary gear provided inside the second driving module, and an output part connected to one of the first sun gear, the second sun gear, and the planetary gear. In particular, 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 driving apparatus includes: a first power source; a fluid transmission device; a first output shaft for receiving a power transmitted from the fluid transmission device through a first power transmission path and outputting the power to drive wheels of a vehicle; a rotary electric machine connected to the first output shaft and/or the drive wheels, through a second power transmission path; and a control device. When the vehicle is stopped or running at an extremely low speed, with a rotary-electric-machine driving mode being established, the control device is configured, upon determination that a drive request amount is larger than a threshold amount value, to place a direct clutch of the fluid transmission device into an engaged state and to place the first power transmission path into a power transmittable state so as to cause the power of the first power source to be outputted to the first output shaft.

A driving apparatus includes: a first power source; a fluid transmission device; a first output shaft for receiving a power transmitted from the fluid transmission device through a first power transmission path and outputting the power to drive wheels of a vehicle; a rotary electric machine connected to the first output shaft and/or the drive wheels, through a second power transmission path; and a control device. When the vehicle is stopped or running at an extremely low speed, with a rotary-electric-machine driving mode being established, the control device is configured, upon determination that a drive request amount is larger than a threshold amount value, to place a direct clutch of the fluid transmission device into an engaged state and to place the first power transmission path into a power transmittable state so as to cause the power of the first power source to be outputted to the first output shaft.

An electric vehicle includes: an electric motor; a wheel that is driven by the electric motor; a power transmission mechanism that defines at least a part of a power transmission path between the electric motor and the wheel and that transmits rotational power of the electric motor to the wheel; a wheel brake that is provided on the wheel; an electromagnetic brake that stops rotation of the electric motor; and a controller that maintains a control value of a rotation speed of the electric motor at 0 and activates the electromagnetic brake when a vehicle speed becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined value close to 0.

An electric vehicle includes: an electric motor; a wheel that is driven by the electric motor; a power transmission mechanism that defines at least a part of a power transmission path between the electric motor and the wheel and that transmits rotational power of the electric motor to the wheel; a wheel brake that is provided on the wheel; an electromagnetic brake that stops rotation of the electric motor; and a controller that maintains a control value of a rotation speed of the electric motor at 0 and activates the electromagnetic brake when a vehicle speed becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined value close to 0.

A suspension device for electric vehicle includes a pair of hollow members each connected to an elastic body configured to suspend a vehicle body of the vehicle, the pair of hollow members each configured to house, in an internal space of the hollow member, part of an associated one of a pair of drive shafts, a beam member joined to the pair of hollow members, and at least one of a hollow member joint portion or a beam member joint portion having a projecting portion, the hollow member joint portion constituting a side surface of each of the hollow members, the beam member joint portion constituting a side surface of an end portion of the beam member, the other one of the hollow member joint portion or the beam member joint portion having a recessed portion.

A suspension device for electric vehicle includes a pair of hollow members each connected to an elastic body configured to suspend a vehicle body of the vehicle, the pair of hollow members each configured to house, in an internal space of the hollow member, part of an associated one of a pair of drive shafts, a beam member joined to the pair of hollow members, and at least one of a hollow member joint portion or a beam member joint portion having a projecting portion, the hollow member joint portion constituting a side surface of each of the hollow members, the beam member joint portion constituting a side surface of an end portion of the beam member, the other one of the hollow member joint portion or the beam member joint portion having a recessed portion.

An installation arrangement is provided for a vehicle having a front motor for driving a front wheel, a rear motor for driving a rear wheel, a high-voltage battery that stores electrical power for the motors, and a low-voltage battery that stores electrical power for various units. The installation arrangement is configured such that an intersection of a longitudinal center line and a lateral center line of the vehicle overlaps the high-voltage battery as seen in a plan view. In the front section of the vehicle, the front motor is arranged on one side of the longitudinal center line, and the internal combustion engine is arranged on the other side of the longitudinal center line. In the rear section of the vehicle, the low-voltage battery is arranged on one side of the longitudinal center line, and the rear motor is arranged on the other side of the longitudinal center line.

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.