Patent ID: 8113307
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: B60L,B60W,B62K,B62M,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An electric powered vehicle comprising: a frame; at least two wheels, at least one of which is a drive wheel; a first drive unit coupled to one of the drive wheels; a second drive unit coupled to one of the drive wheels, which second drive unit is configured to drive the vehicle at a higher speed than the first drive unit; a clutch configured to automatically disengage the first drive unit from the drive wheel when the speed of the drive wheel exceeds the speed of the first drive unit; a jackshaft continuously rotationally coupled with the at least one drive wheel, wherein the first drive unit is coupled to the jackshaft through the clutch and the second drive unit is continuously rotationally coupled to the jackshaft; and an electronic control unit configured to apply a voltage to the first drive unit and apply a voltage to the second drive unit to drive the vehicle from a standing start up to first speed, and apply a voltage to the second drive unit to drive the vehicle up to a second speed that is higher than the first speed.