Abstract: Method of generating vibrations in an electric vehicle and electric vehicle thereof. The method being executed by a controller of the electric vehicle. The method includes providing a signal for operating the electric motor and selecting one of a first driver-contacting component or a second driver-contacting component to be vibrated. The method continues with adjusting the signal for causing vibration of the electric motor at a desired frequency. The desired frequency is at or near a resonance frequency of one of the first or the second driver-contacting components. The method continues with applying the adjusted signal to the electric motor.

Abstract: A shifting and gear assembly for a transmission (102) has: a hollow shaft; first and second gears (244A, 244B) on the hollow shaft, the hollow shaft defining first and second apertures (434) in axial alignment with the first and second gears; first and second shift pawls (430) disposed in the first and second apertures (434); a cam (416) disposed in the hollow shaft; and a shift actuator operatively connected to the cam (416, 512) for selectively translating the cam (416). In response to the cam (416) being axially aligned with the first shift pawl (430), the cam (416) displacing the first shift pawl (430) radially outward to engage the first gear (244A) to rotationally fix the first gear (244A) to the hollow shaft. In response to the cam (416) being axially aligned with the second shift pawl (430), the cam (416) displacing the second shift pawl (430) radially outward to engage the second gear (244B) to rotationally fix the second gear (244B) to the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain (100) for an electric bicycle has: an electric motor (104); a motor gear (226) connected to the motor (104); a crankshaft (108) for connecting to crank arms (110); an input shaft (232) driven by the crankshaft (108); an input gear (234) connected to the input shaft (232) and driven by the motor gear (226); a plurality of first gears (236) mounted to the input shaft (232); a countershaft (242); a plurality of second gears (244) rotationally mounted to the countershaft (242), each second gear being driven by a corresponding first gear (236); a plurality of third gears (246) rotationally mounted to the countershaft (242); an output shaft (114); a plurality of fourth gears (260) mounted to the output shaft (114), each fourth gear (260) being selectively driven by a corresponding third gear (246); a first shift assembly (248) for selectively rotationally fixing any one second to the countershaft (242); a second shift assembly (250) for selectively rotationally fixing any one third gear (246) to the co

Abstract: A shifting and gear assembly for a transmission has: a hollow shaft; first and second gears on the hollow shaft, the hollow shaft defining at least one first aperture and at least one second aperture in axial alignment with the first and second gears respectively; at least one first cam follower and at least one second cam follower disposed in alignment with the at least one first aperture and the at least one second aperture respectively; a cam disposed in the hollow shaft, the cam having a minimum cam contact surface having a width measured in a direction parallel to a central axis of the hollow shaft. A distance between the first and second cam followers is less than or equal to 1.1 times the width of the minimum cam contact surface. A shift actuator is operatively connected to the cam for selectively translating the cam in the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain for an electric bicycle has: an electric motor; a motor gear driven by the electric motor; a crankshaft adapted for connecting to crank arms; an input shaft having first and second end portions, the second end portion driven by the crankshaft; an input gear connected to the first end portion and being driven by the motor gear, the input gear driving the input shaft; at least one first gear mounted to the input shaft; an output shaft; at least one second gear mounted to the output shaft and being driven by the at least one first gear; a drive sprocket driven by the output shaft; and a torque sensor disposed between the second end portion and the at least one first gear for sensing torque applied to the input shaft. The electric motor is controlled based at least in part on torque sensed by the torque sensor.

Abstract: A method for changing a gear driving configuration of a discrete gear transmission (DGT) in a powertrain including an engine operatively connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The DGT has a DGT input shaft operatively connected to a CVT driven pulley, a plurality of gears having a plurality of gear driving configurations and a DGT output shaft selectively operatively connected to the DGT input shaft based on the gear driving configuration. Responsive to a gear shift request, a target driven pulley speed is determined for synchronizing the DGT input shaft with the DGT output shaft for the desired gear driving configuration. The engine is controlled to change an engine speed to the target engine speed corresponding to the determined target driven pulley speed. Responsive to the DGT input shaft being synchronized with the DGT output shaft, the current gear driving configuration is changed to the desired gear driving configuration.

Abstract: A poppet valve has a valve head and a valve stem. A piston is capable of reciprocating motion relative to a housing along a reciprocation axis. The piston has a valve-receiving portion for receiving therein an end portion of the valve stem. A cotter secures the valve stem to the piston. A cap is disposed around the valve-receiving portion. A cap lateral portion extends away from the cap end portion in the direction of the valve head. The valve-receiving portion is held between the cap end portion and the cap lateral portion in a direction parallel to the reciprocation axis. At least part of the cap lateral portion is angled toward the reciprocation axis. The part of the cap lateral portion is closer to the reciprocation axis than at least part of the valve-receiving portion. A method of assembling a valve assembly is also described.

Abstract: A poppet valve has a valve head and a valve stem. A piston is capable of reciprocating motion relative to a housing along a reciprocation axis. The piston has a valve-receiving portion for receiving therein an end portion of the valve stem. A cotter secures the valve stem to the piston. A cap is disposed around the valve-receiving portion. A cap lateral portion extends away from the cap end portion in the direction of the valve head. The valve-receiving portion is held between the cap end portion and the cap lateral portion in a direction parallel to the reciprocation axis. At least part of the cap lateral portion is angled toward the reciprocation axis. The part of the cap lateral portion is closer to the reciprocation axis than at least part of the valve-receiving portion. A method of assembling a valve assembly is also described.