Electric GT Questions/Notes:

ECU Control Inputs:

• How does eGT ECU get the accelerator input? Directly connect via cable or from communication bus (by-wire) from adapter device?

• Does eGT ECU receive brake pedal input? How?

• What other control inputs are needed/allowed (drive mode, ignition sw, clutch, gear, etc.), and how are they delivered?

ECU Diagnostic/Status Outputs:

• Does eGT ECU provide OBDII or other diagnostics and/or configuration? What parameters?

ECU General:

• Does Electric GT create their own firmware? Can new features/tweaks be requested?

• Are there multiple driving profiles (Eco, Normal, Sport)?

• Does the ECU support cruise control?

12V Vehicle Battery System:

• Is standard 12V vehicle battery completely replaced by HV batteries?

• Does eGT system replace the alternator and charge the 12V battery from the HV batteries?

• Are control units and other new electrical parts powered by vehicle 12V battery or HV batteries?

High Voltage Traction Battery System:

Heating/AC:

Power Steering:

Braking System:

Drive Train:

• Since the electric motor can go to 0 RPMs, is a standard clutch required to interface to a manual transmission?

• What would be the best clutch/flexplate/spacer connection to a Tremec TKX 5-Speed?

• How is vehicle speed determined? Classic speedometer cabling or new wheel speed sensors?

Charging:

• RV 50A (NEMA 14-50) converters are readily available for J1772 Level II chargers

• Standard 20A (portable) converters are available on Amazon (et. al.) for J1772 Level II chargers

• These converters will allow charging from a standard RV campground pedestal

Towing:

EV Brake System with Autonomous Toad Mode (i.e. Dinghy/Towed Mode)

• Potential Components

  • 4x Bosch Integrated Power Brake Units

  • 1x Bosch IMU (2x for redundancy)

• Driving Mode (Hydraulic)

  • Normal Hydraulically controlled operation as designed

  • Includes Regenerative Braking features (assumed implemented already)

• Driving Mode (By-Wire)

  • Unknown if Bosch firmware already handles this using CAN bus commanded brake requests

  • Includes Regenerative Braking features

• Parked Mode

  • Requires parking brake input (physical or commanded)

  • Locks brakes for use with manual transmission or other vehicles without parking pawl

  • If vehicle is moving, apply reasonable brake assist until stopped

  • Maintain brake when stopped until Drive Mode or Dinghy Mode is entered

• Toad Mode with brake assist

  • Used when being towed by motorhome or otherwise flat towed

  • No input required from towing vehicle except for breakaway connection

  • Will require Toad Mode enable input (physical or commanded)

  • Allows low level motor regeneration while being towed at speed

  • Proportional brake assist during deceleration

    • Uses IMU data to detect deceleration

    • Does not engage brake assist until configured threshold level of deceleration

    • Level of deceleration and motor regen parameters used to calculate amount of brake assist

      • Generates similar amount of brake assist as it would during normal driving used to slow at same inertial characteristics

      • This level can be learned from IMU data and brake engagement during normal driving or can be a fixed algorithm based on vehicle weight

    • Brake lights should be applied when using brake assist same as in drive mode

  • Breakaway input

    • When breakaway is detected, brake assist is applied to safely bring the vehicle to a stop

    • In case of breakaway input error, logic similar to anti-lock braking can be used to prevent wheel lockup and excessive tire damage with CAN bus alert

    • Could be same input as Dinghy Mode Enable

      • If Dinghy Mode is not enabled, and Drive Mode is not enabled, assume Parked Mode

Patentability

• See RViBrake Shadow, Curt TriFlex Brake Control,

• Claims:

  • Multi mode operation for EV and hybrid vehicles

    • Normal drive mode with all braking and stability control features

    • Special Toad Mode for proportional braking with regen during towing

    • Parked mode

      • Parking brake independent of transmission parking pawl

      • Emergency vehicle stop when exiting Toad Mode or Drive Mode and vehicle in motion

  • Autonomous Toad Mode operation

    • No wiring from towing vehicle required other than breakaway connection