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IPC Subclass
B60L

PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES

Introduced: September 1968

Last revised: January 1985

Classification Context

Section:
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Class:
VEHICLES IN GENERAL
Subclass:
PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES

Description

B60L covers the complete electrical propulsion systems for vehicles, including motor control, power distribution, and energy storage technologies for electric and hybrid vehicles. The subclass encompasses auxiliary power supply systems for non-propulsion functions, electrodynamic braking mechanisms applicable across all vehicle types, and magnetic suspension or levitation systems. It also includes monitoring and diagnostic systems for operating parameters of electrically-propelled vehicles and safety mechanisms specific to electrical vehicle systems. This classification excludes non-electrical propulsion systems (covered in other B60 subclasses) and general electrical safety devices not specific to vehicle applications.

Additional Content

Glossary

Electrodynamic braking system An electric machine that acts as a brake. Braking is accomplished by reversing the electric fields on the machine, effectively turning it into a generator. The usage of the generated power, either in useful applications or as dissipation of heat, restrains the motor-generator and provides a braking action. As such, this term is virtually coterminous with "dynamo-electric braking system" (see below). However the term "electrodynamic" on its own is broader and less clear than the term "dynamo-electric". It means "pertaining to electric current, electricity in motion and the effects of magnetism and induction", and could theoretically encompass electrical devices other than dynamo-electric devices. Dynamo-electric braking system dynamo-electric braking systems A dynamo-electric machine is a device for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy or mechanical energy into electrical energy or combinations thereof, which involve electromagnetic induction. In respect of brakes, a braking effect could be produced by converting the kinetic energy of a vehicle into electrical energy, for dissipation (e.g. by resistors or as eddy-currents) or for storage (e.g. by regenerative braking). Alternatively, electrical energy could be supplied to the device to drive it into reverse, thereby producing a braking effect. Vehicle vehicles This term has been used with the following two variations in meaning within this subclass: (1) all varieties of apparatus (e.g. automobiles) intended to carry people or goods significant distances (e.g. between cities, to or from separate building complexes) across land or over water, except those restricted to one of the following types: rail vehicles, waterborne vessels, aircraft, space vehicles, hand carts, cycles, animal-drawn vehicles or sledges, which are covered by the relevant subclasses of . Moreover the term "vehicle" also includes (i) vehicular characteristics which are common to more than one of the above-listed types of vehicles, and (ii) certain characteristics restricted to automobiles, road trailers or cross-country trailers. (2) In some instances of this definition, the term "vehicle" has been qualified by another word which takes its meaning outside the scope of (1) above (e.g. "rail vehicle"); in such cases the word "vehicle" takes its broader dictionary meaning. The reader can determine from the context whether an occurrence of the word "vehicle" in this definition falls within the meaning stated in (1) or (2).

Limiting references

Electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles Electric heating for vehicles Arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units in vehicles Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems Arrangements or mounting of electric gearing in vehicles , Arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general Power-driven ground-engaging fittings for manoeuvring the vehicle Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, including control of electrical propulsion units Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles Preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles Dynamo-electric machines,e.g. dynamo-electric brakes , Starting, controlling, braking of electric machines or converters in general

Related Keywords

electric equipment for electrically-propelled VEHICLES

12 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • B60L 55/00 Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
  • B60L 8/00 Electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B60, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION 28,052
  2. HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY KR 27,773
  3. FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES US 26,243
  4. KIA MOTORS CORPORATION KR 20,110
  5. ROBERT BOSCH DE 19,033
  6. TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION JP 17,924
  7. BMW (BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE) DE 14,214
  8. HONDA MOTOR COMPANY 12,527
  9. AUDI DE 10,806
  10. GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS US 10,336