A solar-powered vehicle that includes a body having opposing sides and defining a cavity; two or more wheels; a first and second solar panel assembly respectively disposed on the opposing sides of the body; one or more electric motor disposed within the cavity of the body between the first and second solar panel assemblies, the one or more electric motors configured to rotate at least one of the two or more wheels; and one or more electric battery disposed within the cavity of the body between the first and second solar panel assemblies, the one or more electric batteries configured to power the one or more electric motors and to be charged by electric current generated by the first and second solar panel assemblies.

A drivetrain system for a reverse trike configured to transmit power from the motor to the rear wheel includes a first and a second drive chain being the only two drive chains utilized. A jackshaft has at one end a first universal joint connected to a first jackshaft sprocket and at an opposite end has a second universal joint connected to a second jackshaft sprocket. The first drive chain is connected between the motor output sprocket and the first jackshaft sprocket. The second drive chain is connected between the second jackshaft sprocket and the rear wheel drive sprocket. The first jackshaft sprocket is rotatably attached to the frame and configured to be movable away from and towards the motor output sprocket. The second jackshaft sprocket is rotatably attached to the frame and configured to be movable away from and towards the rear wheel drive sprocket.

A drivetrain system for a reverse trike configured to transmit power from the motor to the rear wheel includes a first and a second drive chain being the only two drive chains utilized. A jackshaft has at one end a first universal joint connected to a first jackshaft sprocket and at an opposite end has a second universal joint connected to a second jackshaft sprocket. The first drive chain is connected between the motor output sprocket and the first jackshaft sprocket. The second drive chain is connected between the second jackshaft sprocket and the rear wheel drive sprocket. The first jackshaft sprocket is rotatably attached to the frame and configured to be movable away from and towards the motor output sprocket. The second jackshaft sprocket is rotatably attached to the frame and configured to be movable away from and towards the rear wheel drive sprocket.

A solar-powered vehicle that includes a body having a front end, rear end, top and opposing sides; two or more wheels; and a first and second solar panel assembly respectively disposed on the opposing sides of the body.

A drivetrain system for a reverse trike configured to transmit power from the motor to the rear wheel includes a first and a second drive chain being the only two drive chains utilized. A jackshaft has at one end a first universal joint connected to a first jackshaft sprocket and at an opposite end has a second universal joint connected to a second jackshaft sprocket. The first drive chain is connected between the motor output sprocket and the first jackshaft sprocket. The second drive chain is connected between the second jackshaft sprocket and the rear wheel drive sprocket. The first jackshaft sprocket is rotatably attached to the frame and configured to be movable away from and towards the motor output sprocket. The second jackshaft sprocket is rotatably attached to the frame and configured to be movable away from and towards the rear wheel drive sprocket.

A drivetrain system for a reverse trike configured to transmit power from the motor to the rear wheel includes a first and a second drive chain being the only two drive chains utilized. A jackshaft has at one end a first universal joint connected to a first jackshaft sprocket and at an opposite end has a second universal joint connected to a second jackshaft sprocket. The first drive chain is connected between the motor output sprocket and the first jackshaft sprocket. The second drive chain is connected between the second jackshaft sprocket and the rear wheel drive sprocket. The first jackshaft sprocket is rotatably attached to the frame and configured to be movable away from and towards the motor output sprocket. The second jackshaft sprocket is rotatably attached to the frame and configured to be movable away from and towards the rear wheel drive sprocket.

A solar-powered vehicle that includes a body having opposing sides and defining a cavity; two or more wheels; a first and second solar panel assembly respectively disposed on the opposing sides of the body; one or more electric motor disposed within the cavity of the body between the first and second solar panel assemblies, the one or more electric motors configured to rotate at least one of the two or more wheels; and one or more electric battery disposed within the cavity of the body between the first and second solar panel assemblies, the one or more electric batteries configured to power the one or more electric motors and to be charged by electric current generated by the first and second solar panel assemblies.

The disclosure relates to improved friction drive systems, control algorithms for friction drive systems, and automatic traction control for friction drive systems. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may improve control over an amount of normal force between a contact surface on a friction drive (e.g., disposed on a drive motor) and a tire or wheel of a wheeled vehicle. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may dynamically adjust the normal force between the contact surface and the tire or wheel in response to rapidly changing conditions, such as weather, road surface, and/or tire inflation. Embodiments of an automatic traction control system may adjust the normal force to avoid slippage while minimizing tire wear and maximizing battery efficiency. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may allow a user to calibrate or adjust the amount of normal force delivered based on their preferences or based on a selected mode of operation.

The disclosure relates to improved friction drive systems, control algorithms for friction drive systems, and automatic traction control for friction drive systems. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may improve control over an amount of normal force between a contact surface on a friction drive (e.g., disposed on a drive motor) and a tire or wheel of a wheeled vehicle. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may dynamically adjust the normal force between the contact surface and the tire or wheel in response to rapidly changing conditions, such as weather, road surface, and/or tire inflation. Embodiments of an automatic traction control system may adjust the normal force to avoid slippage while minimizing tire wear and maximizing battery efficiency. Embodiments of friction drive systems and methods may allow a user to calibrate or adjust the amount of normal force delivered based on their preferences or based on a selected mode of operation.

A propulsion device for a bicycle can include a mounting assembly for releasably coupling the propulsion device to the bicycle, a motor, a power source selectively providing power to the motor, a gear assembly, and two frictional drive components coupled to the gear assembly. The two frictional drive components can be movable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. In the engaged configuration, the two frictional drive components are frictionally engaged with a side of a wheel of the bicycle such that the wheel is arranged between the two frictional drive components. In the disengaged configuration the two frictional drive components are disengaged from the wheel. The motor can drive the gear assembly: (i) to move the two frictional drive components into the engaged configuration, and (ii) to rotate at least one of the two frictional drive components to rotate the wheel of the bicycle.