Hybrid vehicle conversion system
Provided herein is an auxiliary hybrid system (AHS) that may be configured to provide electrical propulsion to an e.g., internal combustion-powered vehicle through the use of a battery and electric motor. Alternatively, the AHS may be configured to increase range to electric vehicles through the use of an internal combustion-powered generator. In either embodiment, the AHS is added to a vehicle without altering the operation of the vehicles standard drivetrain, allowing the vehicle to operate conventionally when the AHS is not engaged. The AHS is compatible with a wide range of vehicles with a minimum of vehicle-specific parts.
1. A system comprising:
an energy storage device configured to store power for a vehicle;
a power conversion device configured to transfer power between the energy storage device and the vehicle, wherein the power conversion device comprises a rear drive;
a power conversion controller configured to regulate power flow between the energy storage device and the power conversion device;
an input device configured to receive input from a user and configured to translate the input into instructions for the power conversion controller; and
at least one swing arm, wherein the at least one swing arm is configured to connect to the rear drive.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises at least one battery.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power conversion controller comprises a motor controller.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rear drive and at least one swing arm comprise a system drive.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rear drive is configured to transfer power between the energy storage device and the at least one swing arm.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one swing arm is configured to transfer power from the rear drive to one or more of the vehicle's wheels.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rear drive comprises:
a chassis configured to provide support for the rear drive;
an energy conversion device configured to convert energy from the energy storage device into mechanical energy;
a differential drive configured to transfer power between the energy conversion device and one or more driveshafts;
one or more driveshafts configured to transfer power between the differential drive and an axle assembly; and
one or more axle assemblies configured to transfer power between a driveshaft and the swing arm.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the rear drive further comprises:
a drive mounting assembly configured to mount the rear drive to a vehicle.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the drive mounting assembly is connected to the chassis.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rear drive comprises:
a chassis configured to provide support for the rear drive;
a first energy conversion device configured to convert energy from the energy storage device into mechanical energy;
a second energy conversion device configured to convert energy from the energy storage device into mechanical energy;
a first right-angle transmission configured to translate a substantially transversely oriented rotation of the first energy conversion device into a substantially longitudinal orientation and transfer power between the first energy conversion device and a swing arm; and
a second right-angle transmission configured to translate a substantially transversely oriented rotation of the second energy conversion device into a substantially longitudinal orientation and transfer power between the second energy conversion device and a swing arm.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the rear drive further comprises:
a drive mounting assembly configured to mount the rear drive to a vehicle.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the swing arm comprises:
a chain configured to transfer power between the rear drive and a coupling assembly;
at least one tensioner configured to remove slack from the chain; and
a swing arm frame configured to mount the at least one tensioner and a coupling assembly and to rotationally interface with the rear drive.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the swing arm further comprises:
a counterbalance assembly configured to oppose a longitudinal force on the coupling assembly caused by tension in the chain.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the swing arm further comprises:
a coupling assembly configured to attach the swing arm to a wheel on a vehicle.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the swing arm comprises:
a driveshaft configured to transfer power between the rear drive and a right angle gearbox;
a right-angle transmission configured to translate a substantially longitudinally oriented rotation of the driveshaft into a substantially transverse orientation and transfer power between the driveshaft and a coupling assembly; and
a torque tube configured to support the driveshaft and provide resistance to a right angle transmission against rotation about a vehicle wheel.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the swing arm further comprises:
a coupling assembly configured to attach the swing arm to a wheel on a vehicle.
17. The system of claim 1 , the system further comprising:
an energy storage device charger.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the energy storage device charger comprises a battery charger.
19. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a user interface comprising a display and control electronics configured to allow a user to communicate with the system.
20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input device comprises:
a throttle configured to communicate magnitude and direction of force to the power conversion controller.
21. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises:
a vehicle mounting assembly configured to attach to a vehicle and the power conversion device.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the vehicle mounting assembly comprises:
a rear-side coupling assembly including:
a mounting plate configured to mount a rear drive to a vehicle; and
a receiver post configured to mount a rear-side coupling to a trailer hitch receiver.
23. The system of claim 1 , wherein the swing is not configured to connect a rear wheel or an axle to the vehicle.
24. A system comprising:
an energy storage device configured to store power for a vehicle;
a power conversion device configured to transfer power between the energy storage device and the vehicle;
a power conversion controller configured to regulate power flow between the energy storage device and the power conversion device, wherein the power conversion device comprises a rear drive;
an input device configured to receive input from a user and configured to translate the input into instructions for the power conversion controller; and
at least one swing arm,
wherein the rear drive and at least one swing arm comprise a system drive, and
wherein the rear drive comprises:
a chassis configured to provide support for the rear drive;
a first energy conversion device configured to convert energy from the energy storage device into mechanical energy;
a second energy conversion device configured to convert energy from the energy storage device into mechanical energy;
a first transmission configured to increase torque and decrease speed from the first energy conversion device; and
a second transmission configured to increase torque and decrease speed from the second energy conversion device.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the rear drive further comprises:
a drive mounting assembly configured to mount the rear drive to a vehicle.
26. A system comprising:
an energy storage device configured to store power for a vehicle;
a power conversion device configured to transfer power between the energy storage device and the vehicle;
a power conversion controller configured to regulate power flow between the energy storage device and the power conversion device;
an input device configured to receive input from a user and configured to translate the input into instructions for the power conversion controller; and
a vehicle mounting assembly configured to attach to a vehicle and the power conversion device, wherein the vehicle mounting assembly comprises:
a wheel-side coupling assembly configured to transfer power between a swing arm and a vehicle wheel and configured to allow the swing arm to be decoupled from the vehicle wheel; and
a rear-side coupling assembly configured to mount a chassis of a rear drive to a vehicle.
27. The system of claim 26 , wherein the wheel-side coupling assembly comprises:
a wheel-side coupling; and
a least one lug nut configured to secure the wheel-side coupling assembly to a wheel on the vehicle.
28. The system of claim 26 , wherein the rear-side coupling assembly comprises:
a mounting plate configured to mount a rear drive to a vehicle; and
a receiver post configured to mount a rear-side coupling to a trailer hitch receiver.
29. A system comprising:
an energy storage device configured to store power for a vehicle;
a power conversion device configured to transfer power between the energy storage device and the vehicle;
a power conversion controller configured to regulate power flow between the energy storage device and the power conversion device, wherein the power conversion device comprises a rear drive,
an input device configured to receive input from a user and configured to translate the input into instructions for the power conversion controller; and
at least one driveshaft configured to transfer power between the rear drive and a chain, the chain being configured to transfer power between the at least one driveshaft and a differential of the vehicle.
30. The system of claim 29 , wherein the rear drive further comprises:
a chassis configured to provide support for the rear drive;
an energy conversion device configured to convert energy from the energy storage device into mechanical energy;
a bearing block configured to engage an axle tube of a vehicle and support a forward end of a driveshaft;
a right-angle gearbox configured to translate a substantially transversely oriented rotation of the energy conversion device into a substantially longitudinal orientation and transfer power between the energy conversion device and a driveshaft;
a driveshaft configured to transfer power between the right angle gearbox and a drive sprocket;
a drive sprocket configured to transfer power between the driveshaft and a chain;
a chain configured to transfer power between the chain and a driven sprocket; and
a driven sprocket configured to transfer power between the chain and a vehicle's differential.
31. The system of claim 30 , wherein the rear drive further comprises:
a drive mounting assembly configured to mount the rear drive to a vehicle.