Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Colorado State University Research Foundation

Joshua D Payne

Geoffrey David Gaither

Shannon Alicia Wrobel

Nathan C Westover

Mohammad Effendi Dufford

Justin J Chow

Heraldo Felicio Stefanon

Robert C MacArthur

Benjamin M Geller

Abril A Galang

Geoffrey D Gaither

Takanori Aoki

Craig Cauthen

Christopher M Bulpitt

Tapan V Patel

Christopher T Gauthier

Lincoln Morfin

Monica Andrea Vanterpool

Thomas H Bradley

Zachary Asher

David Trinko

Eiji Fukushiro

Steven Baker

Vincent E Roa

Systems and methods are provided for optimizing predictions regarding traffic conditions based upon learned/measured traffic conditions. Current traffic conditions can be measured and characterized based on speed or other factors as a vehicle traverses the route. These measured traffic conditions can be compared to predicted traffic conditions. A weighting term can be associated with the measured traffic conditions based upon the comparison. During a subsequent time that the vehicle traverses the route, a traffic conditions prediction may be made. The weighting term and measured traffic conditions data can be used to adjust the traffic conditions prediction for better accuracy, and an optimal time(s) during which a battery of a hybrid vehicle can be pre-charged can be requested.

Systems and methods for more accurately adjusting traffic predictions for the intended use of optimizing battery pre-charging

A navigation system for generating turn segments includes a processor, a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, a segment list stored in the memory module that includes a plurality of known segments, and machine readable instructions stored in the memory module. The machine readable instructions cause the navigation system to identify a current location of the navigation system, search the segment list for at least one known segment candidate that is within a threshold distance of the current location, determine whether at least one known segment candidate from the segment list includes the current location, track turn movements of the navigation system to form an unknown segment in response to determining at least one known segment candidate does not include the current location, and to link the unknown segment to the plurality of known segments from the segment list.

Navigation systems and methods using turn detection

Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving propulsion of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a vehicle configuration associated with an arrangement of a set of hub motors that are selectively attachable on driven wheels of the vehicle, loading a control setting according to the arrangement to one of a series configuration and a parallel configuration to indicate a power source for the driven wheels as one or more of a motor of the set of hub motors and a central propulsion system. The set of hub motors is structured to be selectively attached to the driven wheels without removing the driven wheels from the vehicle. The method includes managing power delivery to the set of hub motors and the central propulsion system of the vehicle to propel the vehicle according to the control setting.

Systems and methods for improving propulsion of a vehicle using selectively attachable hub motors and rotatable axles

An autonomous workhorse vehicle includes a main body including a platform to support a plurality of objects, a tracking sensor to detect a location of the main body relative to a leading vehicle, and an input/output port to receive an identifier of the leading vehicle. The autonomous workhorse vehicle further includes a power source to provide power to propel the main body, a steering actuator designed to adjust an orientation of the main body, and an ECU. The ECU is designed to receive the identifier of the leading vehicle. The ECU is further designed to determine a following time to begin following the leading vehicle. The ECU is further designed to control the power source and the steering actuator to move the main body to follow the leading vehicle at the following time based on the detected location of the main body relative to the leading vehicle.

Home improvement store autonomous workhorse

Systems, methods, and other implementations described herein relate to a hub motor for a wheel of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hub motor includes a cylindrical rotor and a cylindrical stator coaxially spaced from the cylindrical rotor along an axle. The cylindrical rotor includes a rotor attachment to selectively couple the cylindrical rotor to the axle. The cylindrical stator is disposed between the cylindrical rotor and the wheel and includes stator attachments to selectively couple the cylindrical stator to an outer wheel surface of the wheel. The cylindrical rotor and the cylindrical stator are selectively attachable to the axle and the outer wheel surface, respectively, without removing the wheel from the vehicle.

Selectively attachable and detachable axial hub motor

Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving propulsion of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a change in a wheel configuration associated with modifying an arrangement of hub motors that are selectively attachable on wheels of the vehicle, identifying attributes of the hub motors coupled with the wheels of the vehicle. The hub motors are structured to be attached to the wheels of the vehicle without removing the wheels from the vehicle. The method includes determining properties of the hub motors according to the attributes and the wheel configuration. Further, the method includes managing electrical power delivery to the hub motors to propel the vehicle according to the properties.

Systems and methods for improving propulsion of a vehicle using selectively attachable hub motors

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 motive wheel and selectively attachable/detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle comprises an axle comprising an axle axis, outer end, and cylindrical axle hub; a wheel comprising an outer wheel surface, inner wheel surface, wheel hub configured for reversible rotatable disposition on the axle, and wheel rim configured to receive a tire; and a hub motor disposed proximate the outer wheel surface and configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the wheel and axle and comprising a cylindrical rotor and cylindrical stator, the cylindrical rotor configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the axle, the cylindrical stator extending away from the cylindrical rotor and configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the wheel hub, the hub motor configured for reversible rotation of the wheel and cylindrical stator, wherein upon attachment of the hub motor a motive wheel is provided, and wherein upon detachment of the hub motor a non-motive wheel is provided.

Motive wheel comprising a selectively attachable and detachable hub motor and method of making and using the same

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

Systems and methods of selective driver coaching are provided. Driver coaching systems learn the characteristics of a deceleration event. With the goal of increasing recouped energy while operating a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), driver coaching systems predict when the HEV can begin coasting at the start of the deceleration event. In this way, the amount of time during which regenerative braking can be applied may be increased. Coaching cues are provided to the driver so that the HEV can be operated in way that achieves the goal of increasing recouped energy. However, engaging in excessive regenerative breaking can negate its advantages if the amount needed to reaccelerate the HEV to a cruising/steady speed is too great. Selective driver coaching provides coaching cues only if the operating efficiency of the HEV exceeds the operating efficiency of the HEV when controlled by the driver without coaching cues.

Systems and methods for selective driver coaching based on driver efficiency

Systems and methods described herein concern integrating a hub motor with a vehicle. One embodiment establishes a communication link between the hub motor and an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle; transmits, from the hub motor to the ECU via the communication link, an identity of the hub motor; transmits, from the ECU to the hub motor via the communication link, an identity of the ECU and information regarding functionality supported by the ECU; reports, from the hub motor to the ECU via the communication link based at least in part on the identity of the ECU and the information regarding the functionality supported by the ECU, calibration data for the hub motor and information regarding the functionality supported by the hub motor; and adjusts, at the ECU, one or more characteristics of the vehicle in accordance with the calibration data and the functionality supported by the hub motor.

Methods and systems for integrating a hub motor with a vehicle

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to delaying a start of an internal combustion engine ('ICE') in a hybrid vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a stopping location, a regenerative braking event that assists in stopping the hybrid vehicle at the stopping location, and an actual energy value based on a regenerative braking energy generated during the regenerative braking event. The method includes determining an estimated energy value, based on a predicted regenerative braking energy from a predicted braking event, that causes the hybrid vehicle to stop at the stopping location. The method includes determining an energy savings value based, at least in part, on a difference between the actual energy value and the estimated energy value. The method includes, responsive to the ICE being off, delaying the start of the ICE based, at least in part, on the energy savings.

Reutilization of regenerative braking energy for delaying an engine start event

Systems and methods of sharing driver coaching data are provided. Driver coaching systems learn the characteristics of a deceleration or acceleration event. Driver coaching data may be determined with the goal of increasing operating efficiency, such as recouping energy while operating a vehicle that can recapture energy. Coaching cues are provided to the driver so that the vehicle can be operated in a way that achieves the goal of increasing recouped energy. Driver coaching data can also be shared. For example, an estimated operating efficiency that is associated with previously operating a first vehicle based on previous coaching data can be compared to a measured operating efficiency associated with currently operation a second vehicle. Based on the comparison, coaching cues may be presented to the drive of the second vehicle without the second vehicle having to perform its own learning process for the driver coaching function.

Systems and methods for sharing driver coaching data

A system includes a power source and a memory to store an event that is predicted to occur, an action to be performed by the power source to increase efficiency of the power source during the stored event, and a mis-prediction counter indicating a count of mis-predictions. The system further includes an ECU designed to predict that the stored event will occur and to control the power source to take the action when the stored event is predicted to occur. The ECU is further designed to update the mis-prediction counter and to adjust at least one of the stored event that is predicted to occur, the stored action to be performed by the power source, or a prediction horizon of the prediction when the mis-prediction counter reaches or exceeds a threshold quantity of mis-predictions to increase efficiency of the power source during a subsequent prediction of the stored event.

Utilizing missed prediction

A removable vehicle battery system includes an energy storage module, a charging/discharging control unit, converter configured to convert the energy into a usable format for an external device, and a power outlet configured to supply energy to the external device. The system communicates with the external device regarding the energy formats the external device requires as well as the quantity of energy in the energy storage module, and the formats in which the energy storage module can supply this energy to the external device. The control unit controls energy delivery from the energy storage module to the external device.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Joshua D Payne