Systems and methods for reducing efficiency losses associated with powering vehicle accessories

A system for driving an accessory of a vehicle, the system comprising:

• a power take-off (PTO) device;
• a first electric motor;
• a second electric motor, wherein the second electric motor has a smaller power capacity than the first electric motor;
• and
• a clutch coupled to a shaft of the second electric motor and the PTO device, wherein the clutch is configured to:
• engage, such that the shaft of the second electric motor is coupled with the PTO device when a speed of the PTO device is within a predetermined speed range;
• and
• disengage, such that the shaft of the second electric motor is decoupled from the PTO device when a speed of the power take-off is outside the predetermined speed range.

A method for controlling mechanical power delivery to a mechanically driven accessory of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving a first speed of a power take-off (PTO) device at a first time;
• comparing the first speed of the PTO device to a predetermined speed range;
• based on the comparison of the first speed to the predetermined speed range, engaging a mechanical connection between an electric motor and the PTO device, wherein engaging the mechanical connection causes mechanical power to be transferred from the PTO device to a mechanically driven accessory;
• receiving a second speed of the PTO device at a second time;
• comparing the second speed of the PTO device to the predetermined speed range;
• based on the comparison of the second speed to the predetermined speed range:
• disengaging the mechanical connection between the electric motor and the PTO device;
• and
• applying electric power to the electric motor to generate mechanical power that is transferred to the mechanically driven accessory.

A method for controlling mechanical power delivery to a mechanically driven accessory of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a first electric motor, mechanical power from a drivetrain of the vehicle;
• generating, by the first electric motor, electric power from the mechanical power;
• charging at least one battery of the vehicle with the electric power generated from the first electric motor;
• providing electric power from the at least one battery to a second electric motor of the vehicle;
• generating, by the second electric motor, mechanical power from the electric power provided by the at least one battery;
• and
• driving an accessory of the vehicle with the mechanical power generated from the second electric motor.