Abstract: A first clutch and a second clutch, which are operable selectively, control the coupling of the rotor of a reversible electrical machine with the transmission and with the internal combustion engine, respectively. A control system is provided for implementing a stop-start function in which, in a stop stage, the internal combustion engine is disconnected from the electrical machine and from the transmission and is switched off, in first predetermined operating conditions of the vehicle and then, as a result of the occurrence of second operating conditions, such as a command imparted by the driver, in a subsequent start stage, is automatically restarted by means of the electrical machine operating as a motor, and is then reconnected to the transmission. The system is characterized especially by particular methods of controlling the clutches and the electrical machine during the start stage.

Abstract: An absolute sensor 1 has a high speed side encoder 13 mounted on a high speed rotational shaft 6, a low speed rotational shaft 11 arranged coaxially with the high speed rotational shaft 6, a planetary gear mechanism 10 for reducing the speed of rotation of the high speed rotational shaft 6 and delivering the rotation of reduced speed to the low speed rotational shaft 11. The planetary gear mechanism 10 has a fixed sun internal gear a, a front stage planetary gear b, a rear stage planetary gear c, and an output sun internal gear d connected to the rear stage planetary gear c and low speed rotational shaft 11, wherein the planetary gears b and c are rotatably supported by an eccentric shaft portion 23 of the shaft 6. The planetary gear mechanism 10 can be constituted so that the input and output shafts are arranged coaxially, and can be made small with having a large reduction ratio in comparison with the conventional reduction mechanism comprised by spur gears.

Abstract: A differential gear for a motor vehicle, comprises a casing, an input shaft, two output shafts, and a differential supported within the casing. The casing comprises two casing parts connected to each other along a separation plane which is oriented perpendicular with respect to the output shafts. At least one of the two casing parts comprises a projection which serves as a hollow carrier. The projection comprises an attachment spot for attaching the casing to a body of the motor vehicle, and is arranged above a rest oil level within the casing, wherein a retaining element is arranged within the casing at the entrance of the projection. The retaining element limiting the flow of oil which has been thrown into the projection, back into the casing.

Abstract: An automatic transmission system has a switching mechanism for switching a plurality of shift gears and a sub-clutch by which transfer torque is controlled while being transferred from an input shaft to an output shaft. An actual deceleration speed is calculated based on an engine speed. Calculated next, based on an engine torque, is a target deceleration speed at which an output torque generated during upshifting is almost equal to an output torque generated after the upshifting. The transfer torque is controlled by feedback control so that the actual deceleration speed reaches the target deceleration speed.

Abstract: A linearly-displacing dual dial rods speed changing controller comprises a base, a wire hub seat, an advancing member, and a withdrawing member. The wire hub seat is fastened with a guide wire of a speed changer. The wire hub seat is controlled by dial rods of the advancing member and the withdrawing member to displace linearly in a reciprocating manner on the guide rail of the base, thereby actuating the guide wire to bring about a pulling action to attain the speed change.

Abstract: An engine is connected to a sun gear of a planetary gear train via a toroidal type continuously variable transmission. Driven wheels of a vehicle are connected to a ring gear of the planetary gear train. The sun gear and the ring gear are connected to each other by a first clutch. A shifter can connect a second clutch connected to the engine either to a carrier of the planetary gear train or the driven wheels. When the vehicle is started when a failure of the electronic central system has occurred, by engaging the first and second clutches with predetermined engagement forces while the second clutch is connected to the carrier by the shifter, change of the ratio of the toroidal type continuously variable transmission beyond either the LOW ratio or the OD ratio is prevented so as to avoid generating an excessive load.

Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly comprises pedals, crank arms, an axle and a chainring assembly. The pedals, crank arms, and axle are coupled to the chainring assembly through an elastic element in the form of a U-shaped spring. This elastic coupling allows relative angular rotation between pedals and chainring proportional to the force exerted on the pedals by a bicycle rider. The proportionality constant, or elasticity, is adjustable by repositioning the spring within its supporting structure. The elasticity may be thus adjusted to enable accurate calibration of measurement instrumentation associated with the crank assembly, or for any purpose for which an adjustable elastic coupling is desirable.

Abstract: A braking arrangement for rotatably supporting an element rotatable about an axis such as a control wheel, rotary control knob or the like, for example for a vehicle fresh air nozzle, has a plug-shaped casing with an end portion and a peripherally extending flange extending away from the end portion and having a circular external peripheral surface. The external surface of the flange forms a rotary mounting surface for the rotatable element. The flange encloses a central guide space for two braking members which have braking portions facing diametrally away from each other. The braking portions extend through transverse holes in the flange. The two braking members are urged away from each other by a spring disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a turbine impeller integrally connected to a pump impeller, a side-cover having a boss and covering the turbine impeller, and a turbine shaft extending through the boss and connected to the turbine impeller. A radial bearing and a one-way clutch are disposed axially adjacent to each other between the boss of the side-cover and the turbine shaft. The radial bearing serves to retain the boss and the turbine shaft concentrically, and the one-way clutch connects the turbine shaft and the side-cover to each other, when a back load is applied to the turbine shaft. Therefore, a load received by a clutch element of the one-way clutch such as a sprag between the turbine shaft and the side-cover is equalized. Thus, when a back load is applied to the turbine shaft, a slipping between the turbine impeller and the pump impeller is prevented, thereby providing a good engine brake effect.

Abstract: A first clutch area produces a first torque-transmitting connection between a drive element and a first driven element, and a second clutch area produces a second torque-transmitting connection between the drive element and a second driven element. A common engaging/disengaging mechanism actuates the first clutch area and the second clutch area to produce and to nullify the first and second torque-transmitting connections.

Abstract: A method of controlling torque transfer from a torque input source to an outlet source in which an electronically controllable magnetorheological fluid-based torque limiting device is coupled to either a differential pinion gear, a side gear, both the differential pinion gear and side gear, or both side gears of a differential assembly. By introducing current through electronically controllable magnetorheological fluid-based torque-limiting device during a turning or spin-out condition, and thereby increasing the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid within the torque limiting device, the amount of torque that is transferred to the output source through the differential assembly can be controlled.