Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a type identifier that identifies the type of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle may provide the type identifier to a server. The server may access a database and return a vehicle type record associated with the type identifier. Each system of electric vehicle performs a function of the electric vehicle. A system may need to perform in one manner while installed in a first type of electric vehicle and in another manner while installed in a second type of electric vehicle. The vehicle type record includes a range for each system for the type of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle uses the range to program its systems to operate within the range suitable for the type of electric vehicle.

Abstract: A system for capturing and presenting views of a vehicle. In an example embodiment, the system captures video data rearward and along a side of the vehicle and/or behind the vehicle. The system includes video cameras for capturing video data at one or more resolutions and in one or more fields-of-view. The displays present the video data to the driver for use during operation of the vehicle. The displays present the video data at one or more resolutions. The resolution of capture and/or display may be in accordance with an operating mode of the vehicle, such as turning, direction of travel and/or driver selection.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a bi-directional converter. The bi-directional converter converts AC or DC energy to DC energy for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. The converter converts DC energy from the battery to AC or DC energy for driving a load. The converter is attached to and travels with the electric vehicle. The converter may receive and provide three-phase, split-phase and single-phase AC energy.

Abstract: A charging station for an electric vehicle includes a handle attached to a cable for carrying a current from the charging station to the battery of the electric vehicle to charge the battery. While the charging station is not charging an electric vehicle, the handle is positioned in a socket of the charging station. The charging station includes a locking mechanism for locking the handle in the socket while performing testing. The electric vehicle includes a receiver into which the handle is inserted for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. The handle includes structures that cooperate with a locking mechanism of the vehicle to lock the handle in the receiver while the battery the vehicle is charged. The cable and handle may be cooled by a liquid medium.

Abstract: Headlight and taillight assemblies may include cameras for providing video information. A barrier positioned between the cameras and the lamps of a headlight or taillight assembly reduces or eliminates light reflected from the lamps into the camera from an outer interface of the lens. The barriers enable the cameras to be positioned in close proximity to the lamps. Headlight and taillight assemblies may further include heaters to warm the lenses to melt ice or snow. Various methods may be used to install the headlight and taillight assemblies on the vehicle so the position of each headlight and taillight is known to a processing circuit.

Abstract: The assembly of battery cells, battery blocks and battery packs may benefit from a support structure for receiving and positioning battery cells, electronic switches and/or fuses that protect electrodes and/or battery cells or battery blocks from damage, a method for charging and discharging batteries that decreases the amount of energy needed from the power company and cooling system that directs the flow of a coolant to reduce damage from excessive heat.

Abstract: A battery that includes collectors with tabs that are wide with respect to the area of the collector. The wide tabs present a low electrical and thermal resistance to improve the flow of current and/or heat to and from the collector thereby improving electrical and thermal performance of the battery. The battery further includes terminals with a channel that supports the flow of medium (e.g., liquid) to heat and/or cool the battery. The terminals may include fins or pins to increase the surface area of the terminal to improve thermal transfer to and from the battery and collectors of the battery. The batteries may be formed into a battery module that includes a system for monitoring and regulating the temperature of the batteries of the module.

Abstract: Systems for a vehicle include a sound system that detects and compensate for objects that block or muffle sound in the interior of the vehicle; light bars positioned under the headliner of the vehicle or on the front or back of the vehicle that can emulate headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn lights; external light fixtures that are symmetrical around a centerline and can be placed at any position on the front or back of the vehicle without structural change and a collision detection system.

Abstract: A user may specify via a user device an origin, a destination, a date of arrival and a time of arrival at a destination. A server may determine a route from the origin to the destination, the amount of time for travel from the origin to the destination and time for departure. The server may also determine whether the battery should be charged prior to departure and if it does, the server may control the charging process. Time for departure and charging may be reported to the user. Message may be sent to ask the user to connect the electric vehicle to the charger.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a controller controls the HVAC system, dampers, fans, and heater/coolers in seats to heat or cool the interior and the seats to a desired temperature. The controller may control the temperature and/or the flow of air through a plurality of ducts and the heater/coolers in the seats to heat or cool regions of the interior and the seats to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A battery that includes collectors with tabs that are wide with respect to the area of the collector. The wide tabs present a low electrical and thermal resistance to improve the flow of current and/or heat to and from the collector thereby improving electrical and thermal performance of the battery. The battery further includes terminals with a channel that supports the flow of medium (e.g., liquid) to heat and/or cool the battery. The terminals may include fins or pins to increase the surface area of the terminal to improve thermal transfer to and from the battery and collectors of the battery. The batteries may be formed into a battery module that includes a system for monitoring and regulating the temperature of the batteries of the module.

Abstract: The control system for a vehicle includes processing circuit, and memory and a touchscreen. The processing circuit detects the characteristics of contact (e.g., touch) between the user's hand and/or an object and the touch-sensitive surface of the touchscreen. Responsive to the touch, the control system may present touch controls of a particular class on the touchscreen, establish sub-areas of the touchscreen, and/or control the operation of a system of the vehicle. The touch controls displayed on the touchscreen may perform the function of a dynamic touch control in that the graphic of the icon of the touch control may change to provide status regarding the operation of the system related to the touch control.

Abstract: An electric vehicle controls turning of the electric vehicle in accordance with the orientation of the wheels and skid steering to match the path and turning radius as indicated by the steering wheel. A processing circuit detects the position of the steering wheel and determines the direction of the turn and the resulting path and turning radius of the electric vehicle. The processing circuit either measures the orientation of the wheels or captures data regarding the turning radius of the electric vehicle. The processing circuit controls the traction motors of the electric vehicle so that the actual path and turning radius of the electric vehicle matches the path and turning radius indicated by the steering wheel. Further, the processing circuit may further control controls the traction motors to attempted to maintain the speed of the electric vehicle as indicated by the throttle.

Abstract: A braking system that uses a combination of a friction brake force and a traction motor brake force to slow or stop the rotation of the wheel. A friction brake may provide the friction brake force. A traction motor may provide the traction motor brake force. The braking system may include sensors that provide data for determining a wheel lock threshold for each wheel. The friction brake force and the traction motor brake force may be adjusted for each wheel to provide an applied brake force to the wheel that is less than or equal to the wheel lock threshold.

Abstract: A system of an electric vehicle configured to compensate for spin of the electric vehicle that results from slipping of one or more wheels. A controller detects when one or more wheels are slipping and/or a spin (e.g., rotation) of the electric vehicle that results from a torsion force as a result of the slipping. The controller instructs the steering system to orient one or more of the wheels that are not slipping in a direction opposite the direction of rotation to attempt to reduce or eliminate rotation of the electric vehicle and/or to maintain the present direction of travel.

Abstract: A battery cell that includes grating for coupling to the tabs of the electrodes of the battery cell. Anode and cathode electrodes may be organized as electrode groups. The anode tabs of the anode electrodes of an electrode group may physically contact each other to form an anode tab group. The cathode tabs of the cathode electrodes of an electrode group may physically contact each other to form a cathode tab group. The anode tab group may be positioned through the opening between the bars of the anode grating. The cathode tab group may be positioned through the opening between the bars of the cathode grating. The anode grating and the cathode grating may mechanically and electrically couple to the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the battery cell.

Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle includes a processing circuit, a pad position detector, a pressure sensor, a pad positioner and a pressure combiner. The pressure sensor and the pad positioner are adapted to determine a thickness of a friction material of a pad of the braking system. The pad position detector is adapted to detect the position between the pad and a rotor of the braking system. The pad positioner and the pressure combiner are adapted to determine a desired position between the pad and the rotor to provide a desired braking response time and a desired amount of drag.

Abstract: A fly-by-wire steering system uses one or more magnets and one or more magnetic sensors to determine the position the rack of the steering system. The magnetic sensors provide a high-level signal when proximate to magnet. The signals from magnetic sensors provide an indication of the position of the rack. The sequence of changing values of the signals magnetic sensors provides an indication of the direction of travel of the rack. The signals may be used to calibrate a steering sensor and/or an actuator.

Abstract: Geometric and driving profiles are used to set the equipment of vehicles so that the vehicle is configured and performs in a manner that is familiar to a driver to increase the safety of operation of the vehicle by the driver. Geometric and driving profiles may be managed by a server. Geometric and driving profiles may be used across a fleet of vehicles.

Abstract: A battery that includes collectors with tabs that are wide with respect to the area of the collector. The wide tabs present a low electrical and thermal resistance to improve the flow of current and/or heat to and from the collector thereby improving electrical and thermal performance of the battery. The battery further includes terminals with a channel that supports the flow of medium (e.g., liquid) to heat and/or cool the battery. The terminals may include fins or pins to increase the surface area of the terminal to improve thermal transfer to and from the battery and collectors of the battery. The batteries may be formed into a battery module that includes a system for monitoring and regulating the temperature of the batteries of the module.