In-motion charging technology can drastically improve electrical mileage of Eclectic Vehicles (EVs). Therefore, it is expected as a game-changing technology. In this paper, we investigated cost-effective arrangement design of in-motion charging facilities that can maximize supply energy in the shortest section length as possible. In order to simulate that, we analyzed the actual driving data on urban area in Japan. We focused on the staying time near crossroads with traffic light and found the appropriate in-motion charging section length. Finally we did an electrical mileage simulation using actual driving data and confirm the effectiveness of the in-motion charging facility for electrical mileage extension.

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) has been widely researched in many application fields. Typical application to vehicle field is wireless charging for electric vehicles while parking and driving. Some power conversion circuit structures and its control method have been proposed in previous researches, for example, transmitting power control and efficiency maximizing control using a secondary-side DC-DC converter. However, selection method of optimal circuit structure for desired control is not clear. In this research, we propose generalized power conversion circuit structure on Series-Series compensated WPT circuit. Load current and power transfer efficiency are analyzed using equivalent AC resistance model about WPT circuit with constant voltage load. Then, we formulate operation points for desired control with consideration for operating condition.

The In-Wheel Motor (IWM) is the most preferable driving mechanism of electric vehicles for vehicle motion control, energy efficiency, and vehicle design flexibility. One technical issue of the IWM is the reliability of power and signal wires. Wireless power transfer technology is the best solution. In this paper, a bidirectional wireless power transfer circuit using a primary inverter and a secondary converter is proposed. We propose a control method of both the inverter and the converter to stabilize the secondary DC-link voltage. The proposed method is verified by simulation and experiments using simulated test equipment.

In order to extend electric mileage per charge of Electric Vehicles (EVs), the powertrain efficiency should be further improved. A possible solution is employing transmission which is properly optimized for EV. Continuously variable transmission (CVT) is especially suitable, because it maintains the operating condition of electric motor being closer to the most efficient region even while vehicle speed is changing. In this paper, a toroidal CVT and a single ratio transmission are compared by numerical simulations regarding the overall efficiency. Toroidal CVT has an advantage for high torque-low speed region and low torque-high speed region. However, regarding the rest, the efficiency degrades in contrast. In order to improve the overall efficiency, the best implementation approach is introduced.

To achieve a human like grasping with a multi- fingered robot hand, the grasping force should be controlled without using information from the grasped object such as its weight and friction coefficient. In this study, we propose a method for detecting the slip of a grasped object using the force output of Center of Pressure (CoP) tactile sensors. CoP sensors can measure the center position of a distributed load and the total load applied on the surface of the sensor, within 1 ms. These sensors are arranged on the fingers of the robot hand, and their effectiveness as slip detecting sensors is confirmed in tests of slip detection during grasping. Finally, we propose a method for controlling grasping force to resist tangential force applied to the grasped object using a feedback control system with the CoP sensor force output.