A power distribution system is provided that ensures that a car is able to operate safely in an autonomous mode. The system includes multiple power rails, including a pair of safety critical power rails. Associated with each safety critical power rail is a safety switch, vehicle sensors (e.g., vehicle location and obstacle sensors), vehicle actuators (e.g., braking and steering actuators) and an autonomous control unit. If a fault is detected during vehicle initialization or general operation, the safety switch which detected the fault opens and that particular power rail is decoupled from the general purpose power rail as well as the remaining safety critical power rail. The remaining safety critical power rail is then able to provide power to a sufficient number of sensors, actuators and controllers to allow the car to safely and autonomously complete an emergency stop on the side of the road.

The invention relates to an electric or hybrid means of transport comprising a high voltage bus and a low voltage bus. The high voltage bus is for delivering energy to at least one propulsion motor. The low voltage bus is for delivering energy to parts operating at low voltage. The electric or hybrid means of transport is equipped with a solar panel, the panel comprising groups of solar cells connected to a primary bus of an associated distributed maximum power point tracker. The distributed maximum power point tracker having a secondary bus to exchange energy with other distributed maximum power point trackers. The secondary bus of at least one of the distributed maximum power point tracker is connected to the low voltage bus, thereby eliminating the need for a DC/DC converter between the high voltage bus and the low voltage bus.

The invention relates to an electric or hybrid means of transport comprising a high voltage bus and a low voltage bus. The high voltage bus is for delivering energy to at least one propulsion motor. The low voltage bus is for delivering energy to parts operating at low voltage. The electric or hybrid means of transport is equipped with a solar panel, the panel comprising groups of solar cells connected to a primary bus of an associated distributed maximum power point tracker. The distributed maximum power point tracker having a secondary bus to exchange energy with other distributed maximum power point trackers. The secondary bus of at least one of the distributed maximum power point tracker is connected to the low voltage bus, thereby eliminating the need for a DC/DC converter between the high voltage bus and the low voltage bus.

A dual power supply apparatus includes a main power grid that supplies power by a first battery to an autonomous vehicle and a redundant power grid that supplies power to a dual power load based on a second battery, in an emergency driving mode due to a failure in the main power grid.

A dual power supply apparatus includes a main power grid that supplies power by a first battery to an autonomous vehicle and a redundant power grid that supplies power to a dual power load based on a second battery, in an emergency driving mode due to a failure in the main power grid.

A bicycle component is provided other than a rear derailleur and a drive unit. The bicycle component includes an electrical part, a rechargeable power source and a non-contact charging portion. The rechargeable power source is electrically connected to the electrical part. The non-contact charging portion is configured to wirelessly receive external electric power and to supply the external electric power to the rechargeable power source. A non-contact charging method is also provided for charging the rechargeable power source of the bicycle component.

A bicycle component is provided other than a rear derailleur and a drive unit. The bicycle component includes an electrical part, a rechargeable power source and a non-contact charging portion. The rechargeable power source is electrically connected to the electrical part. The non-contact charging portion is configured to wirelessly receive external electric power and to supply the external electric power to the rechargeable power source. A non-contact charging method is also provided for charging the rechargeable power source of the bicycle component.

A self-stabilizing, one-wheeled electric skateboard may include improved features. In some examples, the vehicle includes a status indicator viewable through a slot formed in an upper surface of the board. In some examples, the vehicle includes a convertible carrying handle transitionable between stowed and deployed positions. In some examples, the vehicle includes an interchangeable fender and fender substitute that may be removably coupled to an upper surface of the board. In some examples, a motor controller of the vehicle may operate a field-oriented control (FOC) scheme configured to control the electric motor by manipulating a direct current aligned with a rotating rotor flux angle and a quadrature current defined at ninety degrees from the rotating rotor flux angle. In some examples, the motor controller may be configured to permit intuitive dismounting of the vehicle by tilting and/or moving the vehicle backward.

A battery control system and method selectively connect battery strings to one or more conductive buses by plural electrically controllable switches. The switches are controlled to one or more of (a) connect the strings with one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a first sequence and/or (b) disconnect the strings from one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a second sequence. The first sequence and the second sequence are based on one or more of states of charge between the strings, different charge capacities between the strings, different electric currents conducted through the strings, different polarities of the electric currents conducted through the strings, and/or a speed of a vehicle that is powered by the one or more loads.

A battery control system and method selectively connect battery strings to one or more conductive buses by plural electrically controllable switches. The switches are controlled to one or more of (a) connect the strings with one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a first sequence and/or (b) disconnect the strings from one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a second sequence. The first sequence and the second sequence are based on one or more of states of charge between the strings, different charge capacities between the strings, different electric currents conducted through the strings, different polarities of the electric currents conducted through the strings, and/or a speed of a vehicle that is powered by the one or more loads.