An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The electrically driven drive wheel is supported at a steering shaft and freely pivotable with respect to the auxiliary drive device. The steering shaft is arranged such that, when the auxiliary drive device is coupled at a wheelchair ready to be operated, a castor is provided for the electrically driven drive wheel.

A method of operating a vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving a driver acceleration/deceleration command for the vehicle's powertrain and determining a torque request corresponding to the driver's acceleration command. The controller shapes the torque request and determines compensated and uncompensated accelerations from the shaped torque request. The compensated acceleration is based on an estimated road grade and an estimated vehicle mass, whereas the uncompensated acceleration is based on a zero road grade and a nominal vehicle mass. A final speed horizon profile is calculated as: a speed-control speed profile based on the uncompensated acceleration if the vehicle's speed is below a preset low vehicle speed; or a torque-control speed profile based on a blend of the compensated and uncompensated accelerations if the vehicle speed exceeds the preset low vehicle speed. The controller commands the powertrain to output a requested axle torque based on the final speed horizon profile.

This invention is directed to a testing apparatus for testing a vehicle drive system by connecting load devices to the vehicle drive system, wherein the testing apparatus includes a handle operation amount input part for inputting a handle operation amount corresponding to a handle operation of a vehicle, an accelerator operation amount input part for inputting an accelerator operation amount corresponding to an accelerator operation of the vehicle, a brake operation amount input part for inputting a brake operation amount corresponding to a brake operation of the vehicle, and a control part for controlling the load devices based on the operation amounts simultaneously inputted by at least two of the handle operation amount input part, the accelerator operation amount input part and the brake operation amount input part.

A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine configured to power driven wheels, an accelerator pedal, and a brake pedal. A controller is programmed to, in response to driver-demanded torque corresponding to a position of the accelerator pedal, selectively brake the vehicle via operation of the electric machine, in further response to a speed of the vehicle being greater than a threshold, limit a rate of change of the driver-demanded torque commanded to the powertrain based on a first rate limit, and, in further response to the speed being less than another threshold, limit a rate of change of the driver-demanded torque commanded to the powertrain based on a second rate limit that is higher than the first rate limit such that, for a given driver-demanded torque, acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle is more responsive than when the first rate limit is applied.

An accelerator pedal information feedback system is provided for allowing the driver of the large electric vehicle to realize the status of the power system in real time. The information feedback system uses the power system information of the vehicle to calculate the systematic loading status information and feeds the information back to the driver. Consequently, the driver can realize the loading status of the power system in real time.

A hybrid vehicle system facilitates operator control over electric power generation and use. The system features a motor/generator that can be mounted to an output of a transmission of the vehicle.

A battery-powered vehicle is provided having dual charging capabilities. The vehicle has a body, a plurality of wheels supporting the body, a motor connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels, a battery port having a battery dock and battery dock terminals, a remote charging dock on an exterior of the vehicle body, the remote charging dock having remote charging terminals, a charger having a charger plug and associated charger terminals, and a removable and rechargeable battery having battery terminals. The battery is configured to be positioned in the battery port for charging in the battery port and to have the battery terminals electrically and mechanically mate with the battery dock terminals. The battery is also configured to be removed from the battery port and to have the battery terminals electrically and mechanically mate with the charger terminals for charging outside the battery port.

A control system for an electrified powertrain of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) includes an accelerator pedal and a controller configured to determine maximum and minimum values for driver pedal position based on a first position of the accelerator pedal indicative of a first driver pedal position, determine whether the accelerator pedal position remains constant relative to the first position, when the accelerator pedal position does not remain constant and moves to a second position indicative of a second driver pedal position, detect that driver pedal position is increasing when the second driver pedal position is greater than the first minimum value and setting the first maximum value to the second driver pedal position and detect decreasing driver pedal position when the second driver pedal position is less than the first maximum value and setting the minimum value to the second driver pedal position.

A system for electrically driving a vehicle comprising an energy storage device connected to a master controller, an axle connected to the vehicle, at least one bearing concentrically and rotatably connected to the axle, a wheel concentrically connected to the at least one bearing, a tire concentrically connected to the wheel, a wheel motor assembly comprising at least two electric motors concentrically connected to the axle, and a wire harness connected to a first motor controller, a second motor controller, and the master controller. Operator input provides an input to the master controller to provide electrical power from the energy storage device through the wire harness to at least one of the first motor controller and the second motor controller, driving the wheel motor assembly, rotating the wheel and the tire about the axle, and providing propulsion to the vehicle.

New and retro-fit systems utilized on a chemical fuel-powered vehicle that converts the vehicle into a hybrid chemical fuel-electric vehicle.