Abstract: An operation control system for a small-sized vehicle is capable of reducing an electric power consumption of a battery used for a power steering apparatus. The operation control system includes a main switch configured to turn on/off an engine, and a power switch function configured to turn on/off an electric motor-driven power steering apparatus supplying an assisting steering force to a steering shaft.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and four wheels that support the frame. Two seat assemblies are disposed side by side on the frame. The seat assemblies are separated from each other to define a space therebetween. An engine powers the wheels. The engine defines an air intake port that communicates with a combustion chamber. An air intake system delivers air to the intake port. At least a portion of the air intake system extends through the space.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and wheels. An engine powers the wheels through a drive system that includes a front differential gear unit. A housing encloses the front differential gear unit. The housing is positioned generally on a longitudinal center plane of the frame with the plane extending generally vertically and fore to aft. A steering system controls directional movement of the front wheels. The steering system includes a steering wheel that is offset relative to the center plane. A steering shaft is connected to the steering wheel and is disposed on the frame for rotation. A pair of tie-rods are coupled with the respective front wheels. A coupling mechanism couples the steering shaft to the tie-rods. The coupling mechanism converts the rotary movement of the steering shaft to an axial movement of each tie-rod. The coupling mechanism includes a rack-and-pinion assembly. A gear case encloses the rack-and-pinion assembly.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle has a frame. A pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels support the frame. The frame supports at least two seats. An engine powers the off-road vehicle and has a crankshaft. A transmission has an output shaft driven by the crankshaft. The output shaft drives the front and rear wheels. Each seat has a front end, a rear end and a bottom end. The crankshaft is positioned between the output shaft and the rear wheels. The crankshaft and the output shaft are disposed between a generally vertically extending first plane including the front end of the seat and a generally vertically extending second plane including the rear end of the seat. The crankshaft and the output shaft also are disposed below a generally horizontally extending third plane.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of wheels. An engine powers the wheels. An air intake system supplies air to the engine. The air intake system has an air inlet through which ambient air enters the intake system. The air inlet is positioned higher than the wheels. An air intake duct extends rearward to the engine from the air inlet. At least a portion of the air intake duct is positioned lower than the tops of the wheels.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle has a frame with a floorboard extending laterally over a middle region of the frame. The floorboard has a upward projection that defines a tunnel. At least a portion of an air intake system of an engine of the vehicle is positioned within the tunnel. A foot pedal is disposed in front of a seat such that a driver of the vehicle can operate the pedal by foot. The tunnel has a surface that is laterally adjacent the foot pedal such that the foot of a driver can simultaneously contact the surface and the foot pedal.

Abstract: An actuator, a vehicle mounted radar device, and an automobile drive control system that employ a non-contact type potentiometer to detect a rotation angle of a rotary shaft. The non-contact type potentiometer includes a pair of planar magnets disposed opposite and parallel with respect to each other on a U-shaped magnetic yoke, the polarities of the magnets being arranged such that approximately parallel magnetic fields are formed around a magnetic detection element that is retained on a support shaft connected to a rotary shaft on an actuator, and can freely rotate relative to the stationary member. By rotating the rotary shaft on the actuator, a change in the output from the magnetic detection element occurs, thus allowing a rotation angle of the rotary shaft to be detected.

Abstract: An actuator, a vehicle mounted radar device, and an automobile drive control system that employ a non-contact type potentiometer to detect a rotation angle of a rotary shaft. The non-contact type potentiometer includes a pair of planar magnets disposed opposite and parallel with respect to each other on a U-shaped magnetic yoke, the polarities of the magnets being arranged such that approximately parallel magnetic fields are formed around a magnetic detection element that is retained on a support shaft connected to a rotary shaft on an actuator, and can freely rotate relative to the stationary member. By rotating the rotary shaft on the actuator, a change in the output from the magnetic detection element occurs, thus allowing a rotation angle of the rotary shaft to be detected.

Abstract: A braking system for an electric motor operated vehicle including a system for providing both regenerative and reverse excitation braking and shifting between the braking modes in response to operator demand.

Abstract: A brushless motor includes a stationary member; a rotating member rotatably supported with respect to the stationary member; a stator provided in the stationary member and provided with a stator coil for generating current magnetic field under an exciting state; and a rotor magnet provided in the rotating member for obtaining a revolutionary power due to an electromagnetic mutual effect with the current magnet field of the stator coil. The rotor magnet is formed such that segment-shaped magnets are placed annularly with predetermined gaps circumferentially. The gaps are filled with a magnetic resin material.

Abstract: A brushless motor includes a stationary member; a rotating member rotatably supported with respect to the stationary member; a stator provided in the stationary member and provided with a stator coil for generating current magnetic field under an exciting state; and a rotor magnet provided in the rotating member for obtaining a revolutionary power due to an electromagnetic mutual effect with the current magnet field of the stator coil. The rotor magnet is formed such that segment-shaped magnets are placed annularly with predetermined gaps circumferentially. The gaps are filled with a magnetic resin material.