Abstract: A shifting operation detecting apparatus includes a gearbox and a shift change apparatus. The shift change apparatus includes a shifting operation unit, a shifting operation receiving section, a swing lever and a connecting member. A shift operation detector is disposed between the swing lever in an outer shaft section of the shifting operation receiving section and a gearbox case to directly detect a pivoted state of the shifting operation receiving section, and the connecting member is connected to the swing lever from the gearbox case side.

Abstract: This clutch actuator includes a hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51) configured to operate a clutch (26) to provide a connected state or a disconnected state, a motor (52) configured to generate a rotary driving force for driving the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51) to a driving shaft (52a), a transmission mechanism (54) configured to transmit the rotary driving force generated in the driving shaft (52a) of the motor (52) to a driven member (54b) parallel to the driving shaft (52a) in an axial direction and disposed coaxially with a cylinder main body (51a), and a conversion mechanism (55) configured to convert the rotary driving force transmitted to the driven member (54b) into a reciprocal driving force of a piston (51b) in a stroke direction, wherein the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51), the motor (52), the transmission mechanism (54) and the conversion mechanism (55) are integrated as a unit.

Abstract: A variable speed control system includes a multiple-speed transmission which changes a speed of an engine output in multiple stages based on a change in meshing state of a dog clutch which is caused in association with an operation of a change pedal connected mechanically, a pedal load detection device which detects an operation load of the change pedal, and a control unit which suppresses or shuts off an engine output to the multiple-speed transmission and permits a speed change action of the multiple-speed transmission by the change pedal when a detected pedal load exceeds a pedal load threshold. The variable speed control system further includes an engine revolution speed detection sensor which detects an engine revolution speed. The control unit changes the pedal load threshold according to the engine revolution speed detected. Such variable speed control system can realize a stable speed change action irrespective of running conditions.

Abstract: A method of controlling the electric current of a linear solenoid valve by performing pulse width modulation on a coil current for energizing a linear solenoid of the linear solenoid valve to adjust the hydraulic pressure of a working oil in a hydraulic clutch for transmitting and interrupting the rotational drive power from a power source to a drive wheel of a vehicle. The method includes setting the period of the pulse width modulation to a shorter value as the degree to which the hydraulic clutch is engaged increases from a disengaged state thereof. Here, the period of the pulse width modulation may be set in accordance with the variation of a duty ratio depending on the hydraulic pressure corresponding to the degree to which the hydraulic clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A shifting operation detecting apparatus includes a gearbox and a shift change apparatus. The shift change apparatus includes a shifting operation unit, a shifting operation receiving section, a swing lever and a connecting member. A shift operation detector is disposed between the swing lever in an outer shaft section of the shifting operation receiving section and a gearbox case to directly detect a pivoted state of the shifting operation receiving section, and the connecting member is connected to the swing lever from the gearbox case side.

Abstract: This clutch actuator includes a hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51) configured to operate a clutch (26) to provide a connected state or a disconnected state, a motor (52) configured to generate a rotary driving force for driving the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51) to a driving shaft (52a), a transmission mechanism (54) configured to transmit the rotary driving force generated in the driving shaft (52a) of the motor (52) to a driven member (54b) parallel to the driving shaft (52a) in an axial direction and disposed coaxially with a cylinder main body (51a), and a conversion mechanism (55) configured to convert the rotary driving force transmitted to the driven member (54b) into a reciprocal driving force of a piston (51b) in a stroke direction, wherein the hydraulic pressure generating mechanism (51), the motor (52), the transmission mechanism (54) and the conversion mechanism (55) are integrated as a unit.

Abstract: A saddle-riding type vehicle includes an automatic clutch mechanism configured to be activated by an actuator which enables a push start to be executed, so that even when a charged capacity of a battery is reduced, an engine can be started. A control unit of the vehicle proceeds to a push start control mode when an engine stopped state detection portion detects a stopped state of an engine, a vehicle stopped state detection portion detects a stopped state of the saddle-riding type vehicle, and a gear selected state detection portion detects a state in which any one of gears of a transmission is selected. In the push start control mode, the control unit applies a clutch to start the engine when a vehicle speed detection portion detects a predetermined vehicle speed or faster, and a cutoff switch state detection portion detects a change in state of a cutoff switch.

Abstract: A method of controlling the electric current of a linear solenoid valve by performing pulse width modulation on a coil current for energizing a linear solenoid of the linear solenoid valve to adjust the hydraulic pressure of a working oil in a hydraulic clutch for transmitting and interrupting the rotational drive power from a power source to a drive wheel of a vehicle. The method includes setting the period of the pulse width modulation to a shorter value as the degree to which the hydraulic clutch is engaged increases from a disengaged state thereof. Here, the period of the pulse width modulation may be set in accordance with the variation of a duty ratio depending on the hydraulic pressure corresponding to the degree to which the hydraulic clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A saddle-riding type vehicle includes an automatic clutch mechanism configured to be activated by an actuator which enables a push start to be executed, so that even when a charged capacity of a battery is reduced, an engine can be started. A control unit of the vehicle proceeds to a push start control mode when an engine stopped state detection portion detects a stopped state of an engine, a vehicle stopped state detection portion detects a stopped state of the saddle-riding type vehicle, and a gear selected state detection portion detects a state in which any one of gears of a transmission is selected. In the push start control mode, the control unit applies a clutch to start the engine when a vehicle speed detection portion detects a predetermined vehicle speed or faster, and a cutoff switch state detection portion detects a change in state of a cutoff switch.

Abstract: A variable speed control system includes a multiple-speed transmission which changes a speed of an engine output in multiple stages based on a change in meshing state of a dog clutch which is caused in association with an operation of a change pedal connected mechanically, a pedal load detection device which detects an operation load of the change pedal, and a control unit which suppresses or shuts off an engine output to the multiple-speed transmission and permits a speed change action of the multiple-speed transmission by the change pedal when a detected pedal load exceeds a pedal load threshold. The variable speed control system further includes an engine revolution speed detection sensor which detects an engine revolution speed. The control unit changes the pedal load threshold according to the engine revolution speed detected. Such variable speed control system can realize a stable speed change action irrespective of running conditions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a throttle controlling mechanism; a valve characteristic varying mechanism which controls an internal EGR rate by the control of an overlap period Pa and a non-overlap period Pb; and an output setting means which sets a required amount of engine output. The throttle controlling mechanism controls an opening degree of a throttle valve to fully open the throttle valve at a predetermined load Da with an increase in an operating amount D in a first load range Fa which covers load range below the predetermined load Da in a low-load range, and to keeps the throttle valve fully opened in a second load range Fb which covers a load range over the predetermined load Da. The valve characteristic varying mechanism controls the engine output by controlling the overlap period Pa or the non-overlap period Pb according to the required amount D over the entire load range, and controls valve operation characteristics to obtain a maximum internal EGR rate at the predetermined load Da.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a throttle controlling mechanism; a valve characteristic varying mechanism which controls an internal EGR rate by the control of an overlap period Pa and a non-overlap period Pb; and an output setting means which sets a required amount of engine output. The throttle controlling mechanism controls an opening degree of a throttle valve to fully open the throttle valve at a predetermined load Da with an increase in an operating amount D in a first load range Fa which covers load range below the predetermined load Da in a low-load range, and to keeps the throttle valve fully opened in a second load range Fb which covers a load range over the predetermined load Da. The valve characteristic varying mechanism controls the engine output by controlling the overlap period Pa or the non-overlap period Pb according to the required amount D over the entire load range, and controls valve operation characteristics to obtain a maximum internal EGR rate at the predetermined load Da.

Abstract: A valve system of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle comprises a valve characteristic varying mechanism for controlling valve operation characteristics of an engine valve, and an electric motor of the valve characteristic varying mechanism is disposed in the exterior of a valve chamber defined by the cylinder head. The cylinder head is provided with a duct, for guiding a running airflow therethrough, between a combustion chamber and the valve chamber. The electric motor is laid out at a position which is adjacent to the valve chamber in the radial direction with respect to the cylinder axis and at which the running airflow having flowed in via an inlet portion and having passed through the duct collides on the electric motor.

Abstract: A valve system of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle comprises a valve characteristic varying mechanism for controlling valve operation characteristics of an engine valve, and an electric motor of the valve characteristic varying mechanism is disposed in the exterior of a valve chamber defined by the cylinder head. The cylinder head is provided with a duct, for guiding a running airflow therethrough, between a combustion chamber and the valve chamber. The electric motor is laid out at a position which is adjacent to the valve chamber in the radial direction with respect to the cylinder axis and at which the running airflow having flowed in via an inlet portion and having passed through the duct collides on the electric motor.