Abstract: A vehicle frame that includes first and second frame portions. The first frame portion has a plurality of struts associated with each other to form a first framework. The second frame portion is associable with the first frame portion in a stiffening association for significantly increasing the stiffness of the first frame portion. The associated first and second frame portions are configured to support a rider sitting on the vehicle frame. The associated frame portions also define an interior cavity dimension for housing a component of the propulsion system for propelling the vehicle. The associated frame portions also comprise attachments for supportedly connecting two wheels of the vehicle, a seat disposed on the frame, and other vehicle accessories and systems.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system for an electric vehicle having front and rear wheels, and includes a drive wheel, an actuating device, a regenerative braking control circuit, and a power electronics circuit. The regenerative braking control circuit includes a potentiometer ir transducer, a process sensor, and a microprocessor. The system applies a regenerative braking torque to the drive wheel when the rider commands regenerative braking, and the process sensors signal a drive wheel velocity greater than zero. The present invention also relates to a throttle for actuating regenerative braking and reversing feature.

Abstract: A two-wheeled electric scooter principally powered by batteries which together provide more than 100 volts. The scooter carries an onboard recharging system to replenish the battery supply. Accordingly, the onboard recharging system is not called upon to provide the main power source for acceleration and other operating conditions. A recharging system is implemented either as a fuel cell which trickle charges the battery, or an internal combustion engine which recharges the battery through a mechanical charging unit such as an alternator or generator. Regenerative braking is provided so as to further conserve energy by back driving the motor to recharge the battery pack during braking. Connections are provided for an external power source such as an AC outlet to be plugged into the scooter so as to provide an alternate mechanism to recharge the batteries.

Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly with a motor configured for driving the vehicle and including a rotatably driven motor shaft. A first swing arm has a first end housing the motor and a second end pivotably and supportively attachable to a vehicle body, with an elongated portion joining the ends. The vehicle also has a gearbox housing configured for transmitting torque to a road surface through a road engaging member, and a transmission directly engaged with the motor shaft and housed within the gearbox housing. The transmission is configured for transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the housing. A second swing arm is pivotably and supportively attachable to the vehicle body. An axle is fixed to the second swing arm, received within the gearbox housing, and attached to the transmission such that the second swing arm is supported by the transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly with a drivable wheel pivotably connected to a body, about an axis substantially transverse to the body, by first and second swing arms. One of the swing arms houses a motor and includes a heat dissipating member in thermally conductive association with the motor. The heat dissipating member preferably a plurality of cooling fins exposed to ambient air. The motor is housed in an end of the first swing arm opposite the body, and has a shaft that is directly engaged to a transmission within the wheel. The transmission is contained within a gearbox housing that rotates with the wheel and is formed by left and right structural gearbox halves. A wheel rim, configured to carry a tire, is attachable only to the first gearbox half, and can slide over the second half when removed from the gearbox housing, allowing the transmission to remain assembled.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electric vehicle frame having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion includes a base and integral sidewalls. The sidewalls extend from the base to form an open cavity. The upper portion detachably joins to the lower portion such that the upper portion covers the cavity and forms a frame assembly which defines an enclosed chamber therein. The strength of the assembly is substantially greater than the strength of each of the portions prior to being joined. The lower and upper portions are formed of cast aluminum. The present invention further includes a method of assembling an electric vehicle, which includes using the frame and a plurality of subassemblies, and the electric vehicle formed therefrom, particularly in the form of a motor scooter.

Abstract: An electric scooter employs an equalization circuit for charging a plurality of series connected batteries used to power the scooter. The equalization circuit has a number of cell circuits, each connected across the terminals of a corresponding battery. Each cell circuit includes two voltage detectors, a first implemented as a modular voltage monitor for detecting a low voltage across the battery terminals, and the second implemented as a Zener diode to detect a high voltage across the battery terminals. Both voltage monitors are enabled by an optocoupler switch. When the switch is turned on and either a low or a high voltage condition is detected, the cell circuit outputs a signal reflective of this condition through a second optocoupler. During a constant current charging phase, a high voltage condition causes the cell circuit to cause a portion of the charging current to bypass that battery, thus achieving equalization.

Abstract: A frame buffer, divided into three bit planes, is addressed by a single grahic display control chip, whose address signal is altered by an adder to address each bit plane at successive, prescribed time intervals during a single display cycle. A data word of N-bits from each of the first two bit planes is read and latched, then loaded simultaneously with a data word of N-bits from the third bit plane into corresponding shift registers. Thus, the number of memory chips in the frame buffer is minimized and three times the normal data output is achieved during each display cycle.