Abstract: A portable display device is capable of monitoring the residual capacity of a traveling battery from the outside of an electric vehicle, and conducting operations such as locking and unlocking of a door from outside of the vehicle and controlling the operation of the air conditioner through wireless means. This portable display device is inserted into an insertion section provided in an instrument panel of the vehicle for operating the vehicle. If an ID code in the portable display device agrees with an ID code in the vehicle, a traveling switch is unlocked. Then, if the traveling switch is operated, a steering lock device is released and the traveling motor is connected to the traveling battery in a state in which the electric vehicle is operable.

Abstract: In a brake system in an electric vehicle comprising a follower wheel capable of being hydraulically braked by the operation of a brake operating element, and a driving wheel connected to and driven by a motor using a battery as an energy source and capable of being hydraulically braked and regeneratively braked by the operation of the brake operating element, the regenerative braking force for the driving wheel exceeds a theoretic distribution characteristic of the braking forces for the follower and driving wheels at least during an initial braking. Thus, it is possible to sufficiently perform the recovery of the kinetic energy of the vehicle by the regenerative braking to increase the possible travel distance of the vehicle. In addition, at least during an initial braking, the hydraulic braking of the driving wheel and the hydraulic braking of the follower wheel are inhibited, and substantially only the regenerative braking of the driving wheel is performed.

Abstract: A shift device for an automatic transmission of an automobile includes an indicator box affixed to the automobile floor. The indicator box has, in part, a wavy surface and a shift lever which is moved back and forth about an axle by an operator of the automobile. A spring-biased check ball is resiliently held in contact with the wavy surface of the indicator box, and is moved back and forth with respect to the axle in correspondence with motion of the shift lever. The position of the shift lever is regulated by the wavy surface of the indicator box and an indicator is visually provided, so that the shift lever stops accurately at positions of the indicator without needing adjustment during assembly of the selected shift device in a manufacturing assembly line.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling brakes suitable for use in an electric vehicle. Target deceleration is determined from the amount of depression of a brake pedal and the deceleration of the electric vehicle is detected. Then, the difference between the target deceleration and the deceleration of the electric vehicle is determined and a desired braking force for attaining the target deceleration is obtained. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the difference falls within a predetermined range. It is further judged, based on the result of the determination, whether the operation of a regenerative brake is required to obtain the desired braking force. If the difference falls outside of the predetermined range, then the regenerative brake is inhibited from being actuated.

Abstract: The switchover is mode from a regenerative braking-preference mode in which the braking force for follower and driving wheels are more than a theoretical braking force distribution characteristic for follower and driving wheels, to a usual mode in which a braking force distribution characteristic thereof corresponds to the theoretical braking force distribution characteristic, is carried along an equal braking force line which is the sum of the braking forces for the follower and driving wheels. Thus, the sum total of the braking forces over the entire vehicle is kept constant even if the distribution of the braking forces for the follower and driving wheels is varied and therefore, a smooth braking is possible without a degradation of the steering stability. In addition, the switchover in mode from the regenerative-preference mode to the usual mode is carried out when the time-differentiation value of a wheel speed of the follower wheel or the driving wheel exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A transmission control system in an electric vehicle in which a battery is used as en energy source for a motor and is charged with an electric power generated through the motor by regenerative braking of driving wheels which are connected to the motor through a transmission. In the transmission control system, a regenerative energy capable of being generated at a current transmission ratio, a regenerative energy capable of being generated when such transmission ratio is increased, and a regenerative energy capable of being generated when such transmission ratio is decreased, are calculated and compared with one another, thereby shift-changing the transmission into a shift position which permits the largest regenerative energy to be provided. This ensures that the efficiency of recovery of the energy can be increased to the maximum to effectively charge the battery.

Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission is disclosed. The control device is provided with a base member mounted on a vehicle body. A shift lever is pivotably supported by the base member. A guide structure and a check structure and a shaft-locking device are mounted on the base member. The shift lever is provided with a positioning pin movable in the axial direction of the shift lever. A guide structure for guiding the shift lever is provided with a positioning plate having a parking position part and a moving position part engaging the positioning pin. The positioning plate is provided with a buffer member at the moving position part. The check structure for moderating motion of the shift lever has a plurality of positioning recesses on the positioning plate and a check arm for contacting the positioning recesses.