Abstract: To provide a vehicle which can move independently as an own independent vehicle and can run integrally in linkage with another vehicle. A plurality of single-seat vehicles which can move independently are combined and they move integrally while a predetermined formation is maintained through linkage among respective vehicles. One of all the vehicles moving in linkage serves as a host vehicle and an occupant in the host vehicle becomes a driver in the linkage moving. A host vehicle 1 runs with speed/direction according to running operation conducted by an occupant. Simultaneously therewith, the host vehicle 1 instructs following vehicles 2 to 4 to synchronize (follow) the host vehicle. The host vehicle 1 transmits a speed, a direction, and a relative position to the host vehicle to the following vehicles 2 to 4 as moving information in order to synchronize the following vehicles with the host vehicle (maintain linkage relationship).

Abstract: A vehicle control device which can provide compatibility between a high grip performance and fuel efficiency is provided. When a camber angle of a wheel 2 is adjusted to a negative camber, ground contact pressure in a first tread 21 is increased and ground contact pressure in a second tread 22 is decreased. Accordingly, the high grip performance is provided. On the other hand, when the camber angle of the wheel 2 is adjusted to a positive camber, the ground contact pressure in the first tread 21 is decreased and the ground contact pressure in the second tread 22 is increased. Accordingly, a rolling resistance becomes low, and fuel saving is achieved. In this manner, by adjusting the camber angle of the wheel 2, the compatibility can be provided between conflicting performances of the high grip performance and the fuel saving.

Abstract: A vehicle control device which can at least provide compatibility between a high grip performance and fuel efficiency or compatibility between quietness and fuel efficiency is provided. When a camber angle of a wheel 2 is adjusted to a negative camber, ground contact in a first tread 21 is increased and ground contact in a second tread 22 is decreased. Accordingly, the high grip performance or the quietness is provided. On the other hand, when the camber angle of the wheel 2 is adjusted to a positive camber, the ground contact in the first tread 21 is decreased and the ground contact in the second tread 22 is increased. Accordingly, a rolling resistance becomes low, and fuel saving is achieved. In this manner, by adjusting the camber angle of the wheel 2, the compatibility can be provided between conflicting performances of the high grip performance or the quietness and the fuel saving.

Abstract: A motor vehicle (1) having a body (2), a wheel (5) rotatably supported and coaxially disposed on the body (2), and an occupant riding portion (3) supported by the body (2) and mounted with an occupant, the motor vehicle including: body attitude detection means (121, 122) for detecting an attitude of the body; and body attitude control means (120) for controlling the body attitude detected by the body attitude detection means (121, 120), wherein, in response to an inertial force or a centrifugal force generated by acceleration, deceleration or a turning motion of the motor vehicle (1), the occupant riding portion (3) is moved so as to balance the inertial force or the centrifugal force. The motor vehicle (1) further includes occupant attitude control means (130) for controlling an attitude of the occupant riding portion (3) in accordance with a detection value detected by the body attitude detection means (121, 122).

Abstract: A vehicle control device and a vehicle are provided with compatibility between high grip performance and fuel efficiency. When a camber angle of a wheel is adjusted as a negative camber, the ground contact pressure on a first tread is increased and the ground contact pressure on a second tread is decreased, thus providing the high grip performance. On the other hand, when the camber angle of the wheel is adjusted as a positive camber, the ground contact pressure on the first tread is decreased and the ground contact pressure on the second tread is increased, thereby reducing resistance and achieving fuel saving. By adjusting the camber angle of the wheel, compatibility can be provided between high grip performance and fuel saving which otherwise conflict with each other.

Abstract: By bending and stretching a link mechanism, both left and right wheels of a vehicle can be inclined toward inside of cornering to generate a camber thrust as a lateral force, i.e. an increase in cornering force. Further, by bending and stretching the link mechanism, the passenger compartment can be inclined in accordance with inclination of a connecting link, and thus the center of gravity of the vehicle can be moved toward its inner wheel during cornering. By preventing lifting of the inner wheel during cornering, cornering performance is improved. Because the passenger compartment is inclined toward the inner wheel during cornering, centrifugal force is less likely to be felt by the occupant.

Abstract: A control device capable of moving a vehicle in a direction with an angle larger than at least the maximum steering angle of wheels. When the wheels (2) are brought into a parallel movement arrangement as shown in FIG. 3(a) and rotatingly driven according to the depressed amount of an accelerator pedal (53), the wheels (2) are slippingly moved on a road surface. Thus, while the vehicle forward component of a drive force generated by the right and left front wheels (2FR) and (2FL) and the vehicle rearward component of a drive force generated by the right and left rear wheels (2RR) and (2RL) balance each other out, the vehicle rightward component of a drive force generated by the right and left front wheels (2FR) and (2FL) and the vehicle rightward component of a drive force generated by the right and left rear wheels (2RR) and (2RL) act as a drive force for moving the vehicle (1) rightward. As a result, the vehicle (1) can be moved, in parallel, in the right side direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack having a fuel chamber including a fuel electrode (anode), an air chamber including an oxygen electrode (cathode), an electrolyte layer interposed between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode, and a pressure regulating valve for regulating supply pressure of fuel gas (hydrogen gas) supplied to the fuel chamber. The pressure regulating valve sets the supply pressure of the fuel gas when the fuel cell stack starts up power generation at a level higher than the supply pressure of the fuel gas during normal power generation in which the fuel cell stack is generating electric power.

Abstract: A vehicle utilizing the attitude control of an inverted pendulum, wherein the attitude of the vehicle is dynamically controlled by moving a balancer. The inclination of a vehicle body is detected by a gyro-sensor, a torque T1 against the inclination of a boarding part is calculated by using the angular acceleration of the vehicle body, and a torque T2 for returning the boarding part in the opposite direction of an inclination direction by canceling that torque is generated by moving the balancer (B). Namely, a reaction torque T3 against the torque T2 is allowed to act on the boarding part by driving the balancer with the torque T2(>T1) in the inclination direction. The boarding part is pushed back in the opposite direction of the first inclination direction by the reaction torque T3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for generating braking force in a wheel. In a vehicle having wheels, a wheel control device for controlling the wheels is provided with an actuator for performing an operation to vary a slip angle of the wheels, and a controller for controlling the actuator to increase the braking force of the wheels by increasing the slip angle absolute value of the wheels such that a lateral force is generated in the wheels relative to a ground contact surface of the wheels.

Abstract: In starting power generation under low temperature conditions, an antifreeze liquid being coolant of a cooling system in a fuel cell stack is once recovered in a tank to reduce heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, and thereafter the power generation is started. Heat of reaction caused by the power generation restores the temperature to temperature under normal operation, and then the antifreeze liquid is again filled to drive the cooling system, so as to make it function as a cooler.

Abstract: A fuel cell wherein efficient cooling is achieved by supplying air and cooling water simultaneously while maintaining cooling and wetting of a membrane without increasing the size of the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a separator sandwiched between unit cells. The separator includes an air passage on a front surface side abutting at least on a cathode of the unit cell and cooling passages supplied with air and water on the rear side thereof to cool the unit cell with latent heat of evaporation of water by heat of the unit cell transmitted to the cooling space. Thereby, the unit cell is cooled via the separator and clogging of the air passages by water is prevented.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generating apparatus (1) using a fuel cell (10) having a cathode (11) and an anode (13) disposed on opposite sides of an electrolyte membrane (12) has an air supply passage (31) through which atmospheric air is supplied to the cathode. A fuel gas supply passage (22) supplies a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas is supplied to the anode. A water spray nozzle (41) ejects liquid water onto the surface of the cathode and the sprayed water takes heat from the air around the cathode as latent heat of evaporation, which is effective to prevent dehydration of the electrolyte membrane, as well as to cool the cathode which would otherwise become overheated when the fuel cell operates continuously over a long period of time. When starting operation of the apparatus, the nozzle is made operative to eject water onto the cathode before the fuel gas is first supplied to the anode to prevent the supplied fuel gas from reacting with oxygen in air which might remain around the cathode.

Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell system, which is inserted between single cells, each single cell having an electrolyte sandwiched between electrodes, in order to form a cooling space between the single cells, includes a porous radiator plate that abuts against the electrodes of the single cells. As a result, the contact surface of the supplied air and the radiator plate increases due to the formation of the holes, which improves the function as radiation fins of transferring heat from the electrodes to the air flowing through the cooling space.

Abstract: A separator includes an imperforate separator substrate and spacer plates that are interposed between electrodes and the separator substrate. The spacer plates are formed of mesh and have rectangular wave-shaped cross-sections. Top portions of the rectangular waves that abut against the electrodes serve as gas diffusion portions. Adjacent side portions and portions between waves together are rectangular and serve as spacer portions which define gas passages between the gas diffusion portions and the separator substrate. Air holes that provide intercommunication between adjacent gas passages are provided in the spacer portions. As a result, gas can be supplied downstream of a gas passage that has become narrow or blocked due to a water droplet remaining in the passage.

Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell, which is inserted between single cells, each single cell having an electrolyte sandwiched between electrodes, in order to stack the single cells together, includes gas diffusion portions which are arranged so as to cover a surface of the electrodes and in which are formed multiple air holes for gas diffusion, and spacer portions which form parallel divided gas passages on the back side of portions of the gas diffusion portions which cover the surface of the electrodes. The gas diffusion portions and the spacer portions are integrally formed by bending a wire mesh member to have a rectangular corrugated plate shaped cross-section. As a result, the air holes are formed evenly between the electrodes and the separator and high contact pressure is ensured by the contact of the fine wire mesh, thereby making it possible to both have the gas diffuse evenly and reduce the power collection resistance.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator (10B) interposed between adjacent unit cells (10A). A mixed fluid of air and water is supplied to an air electrode (12) of each unit cell. The separator includes a mesh conductor (14) on at least a surface facing the air electrode of the unit cells, and the mixed fluid passes through the mesh conductor. Water is retained on the mesh portion of the conductor. With this configuration, it is possible for the unit cell to be cooled by the release of latent heat when the water is evaporated by the heat of unit cell, without any clogging which inhibits contact between the electrode and the air.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system which is efficient and does not cause reduction in output even when operation and stopping of a fuel cell are repeated for a long period of time. The fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell stack including a fuel chamber for supplying a hydrogen gas to a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen chamber for supplying air to an oxygen electrode. The system is provided with gas supply ports for supplying the hydrogen gas into the fuel chamber, gas discharge ports for discharging the hydrogen gas from the fuel chamber, a hydrogen suction pump and the like for sucking the hydrogen gas from the gas discharge ports, a hydrogen circulation pipe and the like for interconnecting the gas discharge ports and the gas supply ports through the hydrogen suction pump and the like, and a first hydrogen discharge pipe and the like for interconnecting the gas discharge ports and an outside gas release port through the hydrogen suction pump and the like.

Abstract: A fuel cell system 1 includes at least one fuel cell stack 100 having a fuel chamber 30 including a fuel electrode (anode) 15b, an air chamber including an oxygen electrode (cathode) 15c and an electrolyte layer 15a interposed between the fuel electrode 15b and the oxygen electrode 15c, pressure regulating means for regulating a supply pressure of fuel gas hydrogen gas) to be supplied to the fuel chamber 30. The pressure regulating means sets up the supply pressure of the fuel gas at a time when the fuel cell stack 100 starts up power generation higher than the supply pressure of the fuel gas during a normal power generation state in which the fuel cell stack 100 is generating electric power.

Abstract: In starting power generation under low temperature conditions, an antifreeze liquid being coolant of a cooling system 13 in a fuel cell stack 1 is once recovered in a tank 136 to reduce heat capacity of the fuel cell stack 1, and thereafter the power generation is started. Heat of reaction caused by the power generation restores the temperature to temperature under normal operation, and then the antifreeze liquid is again filled to drive the cooling system 13, so as to make it function as a cooler.