Brammo, Inc.

Daniel M Riegels

Charles R Lee

Brian Joseph Wismann

Lawrence O Hilligoss

Michael R Sorensen

Aaron Bland

Craig A Bramscher

Methods and apparatus are provided for preventing over-shifting in electric vehicles having a multi-gear transmission and an electric motor operable in a drive mode and a regenerative braking mode. The method includes: (a) predicting the speed of the electric motor resulting from downshifting from a current gear being used to a next lower gear based on a current speed of the electric vehicle, a current speed of the electric motor, and a gear ratio of the next lower gear; (b) determining if the speed of the electric motor predicted in (a) will cause an overvoltage condition from regenerative braking or an overspin condition in the electric motor; (c) preventing downshifting to the next lower gear when it is determined that the downshifting will cause an overvoltage condition or an overspin condition in the electric motor; and (d) repeating steps (a), (b), and (c) a plurality of times.

Method and apparatus for preventing over-shifting on electric vehicles

A control apparatus is provided for use in an electric vehicle having a throttle input device. The throttle input device is operable by a rider for generating a throttle signal for controlling the speed of the electric vehicle. The control apparatus, which adjusts the throttle signal, includes a rider input mechanism and a control device. The rider input mechanism can be manipulated by the rider to provide a given input. The control device is coupled to the rider input mechanism and to the output of the throttle input device. The control device adjusts the throttle signal based on the given input provided by the rider input mechanism.

Method and apparatus for adjusting throttle control signals in electric vehicles

A throttle control system is provided for generating a throttle control signal in an electric vehicle. The throttle control system includes: a throttle position sensor operable to detect a throttle twist input by an operator and to responsively generate a throttle twist input signal; a controller operatively coupled to the throttle position sensor for receiving the throttle twist input signal and responsively generating a throttle control signal; and a feedback circuit operatively coupled to the controller for receiving the throttle control signal and outputting a corresponding feedback signal to the controller; wherein the controller compares the feedback signal and the throttle control signal to detect an error condition in the throttle control signal, and when an error condition is detected, determines a responsive action corresponding to the severity of the error condition.

Growing community of inventors

Ashland, OR, United States of America

Daniel M Riegels