Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Abril A Galang

Justin J Chow

Joshua D Payne

Robert C MacArthur

Geoffrey David Gaither

Emily S Lerner

Nathan C Westover

Shannon Alicia Wrobel

Benjamin M Geller

Jordan Choby

Tapan V Patel

Arlo C Eitzer

Takanori Aoki

Allison McGowan

Benjamin J Groelke

Max K Ralya

A battery manager includes a pattern estimator, a prediction engine, and a charging scheduler. The pattern estimator estimates a driving pattern of an electric vehicle. The prediction engine predicts a charging parameter based on at least one of the driving pattern or driver charging behavior. The charging scheduler outputs the charging parameter to control charging of a secondary battery of the electric vehicle. The pattern estimator may estimate the driving pattern based on information from at least one information source of the electric vehicle. The prediction engine predicts the charging parameter of the secondary battery in preparation of a future use of the electric vehicle.

Adjusting battery soc based on future use of an electric vehicle

A modular axle and motive wheel system comprises: a pair of opposed axle ends and attached axle hubs; a pair of inner motive wheels each comprising an outer surface and configured for radially extending rotatable disposition on the hubs; and a pair of inner electric hub motors each comprising an inner stator and an inner rotor, the inner stators configured for attachment to the axle hubs, the inner rotors configured for attachment to the outer surface of the inner motive wheels, the inner rotors configured for rotation of the inner motive wheels by and about the inner stators; the inner motive wheels configured for attachment of a pair of outer motive wheels each comprising an outer electric hub motor comprising an outer stator configured for selective attachment to the inner stator and an outer rotor configured for attachment to the outer motive wheel and rotation of the outer motive wheels.

Modular axle and motive wheel system for a vehicle

A variable wheel drive electric vehicle comprises a chassis; a first axle disposed on the chassis comprising: a pair of opposed first axle ends; a pair of first axle hubs attached to the first ends, a pair of motive wheels configured for rotatable disposition on the first hubs, and a pair of electric hub motors each comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotors configured for reversible motive rotation of the motive wheels by and about the stators; a second axle disposed on the chassis comprising: a pair of opposed second axle ends; a pair of second axle hubs attached to the second ends; a pair of non-motive wheels configured for rotatable disposition on the second hubs; and a pair of hub motor blanks each comprising a stator blank and rotor blank, the rotor blanks configured for reversible non-motive rotation of the non-motive wheels by and about the stator blanks.

Variable wheel drive electric vehicle comprising selectively attachable and detachable electric hub motors and method of using the same

Methods, systems, and apparatus for a brake assist control system. The brake assist control system is for a vehicle. The brake assist control system includes a first sensor configured to detect driver awareness. The brake assist control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the first sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal are in a released position. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that there is vehicle movement. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that a driver of the vehicle is unaware of the vehicle movement based on the driver awareness. The electronic control unit is configured to reduce or eliminate the vehicle movement.

Brake supplement assist control

Methods and systems of the present disclosure allow vehicle participants to issue vehicle statistical challenges to other vehicle participants using V2V communications. Accepted challenges are initiated and vehicle statistics relevant to the challenge are then recorded by the system in both vehicles. Once the challenge is complete, the system calculates and/or compares the results of the challenge, then communicates the results to the challenge participants. The system may also provide options for drivers to communicate via V2V messages, directions, routes, places of interest, or emergency locations in lieu of stopping and inquiring other vehicle participants in person.

System and method for vehicle-to-vehicle statistic challenges

A vehicle includes a body having a roof that defines a volume and includes a top surface. The vehicle further includes a plurality of support members. The vehicle further includes a plurality of actuators each coupled to at least one of the plurality of support members. The vehicle further includes an input device configured to receive user input corresponding to a desired roof rack configuration. The vehicle further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the plurality of actuators and to the input device and configured to control the plurality of actuators to actuate at least one of the plurality of support members to be in a raised position in which it extends above the top surface of the roof or to be in a stored position in which it is located in the volume based on the desired roof rack configuration.

Hideaway roof rack for fuel economy

A system and method counters the 'rubber band-like effect' in hybrid vehicles by introducing engine noise and/or vibration into a vehicle compartment when the engine reaches a threshold or maximum RPM, but the electric motor continues to provide additional power to increase vehicle speed. An acoustic tube coupling the engine to the passenger compartment is used to simulate the increased engine noise. Vibration mechanisms in the passenger compartment are used to simulate the engine vibration in the passenger compartment.

Sound and vibration enhancement in hybrid vehicles

Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing an acceleration boost. The acceleration boosting system provides or outputs a boosted acceleration. The acceleration boosting system includes a communication device, a navigation unit or a first sensor that is configured to obtain acceleration information. The acceleration boosting system includes a second sensor that is configured to detect or measure an applied force of an accelerator pedal. The applied force corresponds to a first amount of energy that is used to power or propel the vehicle. The acceleration boosting system includes an electronic control unit that is configured to determine that the acceleration information indicates that a driver should accelerate. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the accelerator pedal is depressed within a threshold time limit of the indication and cause a second amount of energy to be converted to move or propel multiple wheels.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Abril A Galang