Abstract: A hybrid drive system configured to selectively establish one of a first drive mode in which a first motor/generator MG1 is operated with a drive force of an engine, to generate an electric energy and in which a vehicle drive force is generated primarily by a second motor/generator MG2, and a second drive mode in which the vehicle drive force is generated by the engine, and at least one of the first motor/generator MG1 and second motor/generator MG2 is operated to generate an assisting vehicle drive force, as needed, and further configured such that an amount of a working oil to be supplied to the first motor/generator MG1 is larger in the first drive mode than in the second drive mode, permitting sufficient cooling of the electric motor depending upon a selected one of the vehicle drive modes.

Abstract: A vehicle hybrid drive device includes: a first rotating machine coupled to an engine; a connection/disconnection device capable of connecting/disconnecting the engine and the first rotating machine to/from wheels; and a second rotating machine disposed in a manner enabling transmission of drive power to the wheels, the vehicle hybrid drive device enabling a vehicle to run in two running modes of an EV running mode enabling the vehicle to run with the second rotating machine used as a drive power source while the connection/disconnection device is disconnected, and a parallel HEV running mode enabling the vehicle to run with the engine and at least one of the first and second rotating machines as the drive power sources while the connection/disconnection device is connected.

Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes: an engine; a connection/disconnection device configured to connect/interrupt the engine; a rotating machine disposed to enable transmission of drive power to the wheels; and a running position selection device, the control device including a first manual mode selected by performing a deceleration increasing operation by a driver for increasing vehicle deceleration while the automatic running position is selected and a second manual mode selected by performing a deceleration increasing operation by a driver for increasing the vehicle deceleration while the manual running position is selected, while the vehicle is running with the engine interrupted from the wheels, if the first manual mode is selected, the vehicle deceleration being generated only by the rotating machine, and if the second manual mode is selected, the connection/disconnection device being put into the connected state to generate the vehicle deceleration at least by the engine.

Abstract: Providing a vehicle torque limiter device enabling acquisition of a hysteresis torque with a simple structure. Since a friction force F1 generated on friction surfaces between a pressure plate 80 and a first friction material 88 is smaller than a friction force F2 generated on friction surfaces between a lining plate 76 and the first friction material 88, when a torque T is input to a damper device 38, a slip first occurs between the pressure plate 80 and the first friction material 88, and the lining plate 76 and the first friction material 88 integrally rotate. In this case, a hysteresis torque T1 is generated based on the friction force between the pressure plate 80 and the first friction material 80. Since a torque limiter mechanism 68 also acts as a hysteresis mechanism in this way, the torque limiter mechanism 68 is realized that can generate the hysteresis torque with a simple structure.

Abstract: A vehicular indicator device for a hybrid vehicle which is provided with vehicle drive power sources in the form of an engine and an electric motor and which is driven in one of a plurality of vehicle drive modes including an EV drive mode, a series HV drive mode and a parallel HV drive mode that is automatically selected according to a vehicle drive power, said indicator device being configured to indicate the selected vehicle drive mode and said vehicle drive power, the vehicular indicator device being configured to indicate a running state of the hybrid vehicle as represented by said vehicle drive power and said selected vehicle drive mode, in a two-dimensional coordinate system on a display screen, which coordinate system is defined by said vehicle drive power and said selected vehicle drive mode.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes: engine starting means for starting an engine when a need for switching to a 4-wheel drive mode has been forecasted, the hybrid vehicle having a series HV drive mode in which the hybrid vehicle is run with a second electric motor, in the released state of a connecting/disconnecting device, while a first electric motor is operated with a drive force of said engine to generate an electric energy, the control apparatus further including, as said engine starting means, series HV drive controlling means for starting said engine and enlarging a series HV drive mode region for running the hybrid vehicle in said series HV drive mode, so as to cover a portion or an entirety of an original EV drive mode region for running the hybrid vehicle in said EV drive mode, when the need for switching to said 4-wheel drive mode has been forecasted.

Abstract: A cover structure of an actuator is provided in which a case of the actuator, which houses a conversion mechanism that converts input energy to mechanical motion, has a metal cover fastening portion and a cover member to which a metal fastening part that is fastened to the cover fastening portion is integrally attached. The cover member is formed by a metal cover portion and a resin cover portion. The metal cover portion has a center portion that covers part of the conversion mechanism, and an extended portion that extends from the center portion to the area near the metal fastening part so as to oppose the cover fastening portion. In this way, a vehicular power transmitting apparatus that discourages theft is provided by realizing an actuator with a strong cover fastening structure by making the fastening portion of the actuator be able to withstand intentionally inflicted damage without its weight being increased much.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system configured to selectively establish one of a first drive mode in which a first motor/generator MG1 is operated with a drive force of an engine, to generate an electric energy and in which a vehicle drive force is generated primarily by a second motor/generator MG2, and a second drive mode in which the vehicle drive force is generated by the engine, and at least one of the first motor/generator MG1 and second motor/generator MG2 is operated to generate an assisting vehicle drive force, as needed, and further configured such that an amount of a working oil to be supplied to the first motor/generator MG1 is larger in the first drive mode than in the second drive mode, permitting sufficient cooling of the electric motor depending upon a selected one of the vehicle drive modes.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus configured to selectively establish one of a first drive state in which a vehicle drive force is generated primarily by a second motor/generator operated with an electric energy supplied from an electric-energy storage device while an engine is placed in a rest state, and a second drive state in which a first motor/generator is operated with a drive force of the engine, to generate an electric energy and in which the vehicle drive force is generated primarily by the second motor/generator operated with at least the electric energy generated by the first motor/generator. The vehicle control apparatus is further configured such that the vehicle drive force generated in the second drive state at a given value of an accelerator pedal operation amount ?acc is larger than that generated in the first drive state.

Abstract: A vehicle hybrid drive device having an EV running mode enabling a vehicle to run only with a second rotating machine used as a drive power source while an engine is disconnected from a drive power transmission path, a series HEV running mode enabling the vehicle to run only with the second rotating machine used as the drive power source while a first rotating machine is rotationally driven to generate electricity by the engine disconnected from the drive power transmission path, and a parallel HEV running mode enabling the vehicle to run with the engine and at least one of the first and second rotating machines used as the drive power sources while the engine is connected to the drive power transmission path. If a driver desires power-performance-oriented running or fuel-efficiency-oriented running, the range for selecting the series HEV running mode is made narrower or wider, respectively, than usual.

Abstract: A vehicle hybrid drive device includes: a first rotating machine coupled to an engine; a connection/disconnection device capable of connecting/disconnecting the engine and the first rotating machine to/from wheels; and a second rotating machine disposed in a manner enabling transmission of drive power to the wheels, the vehicle hybrid drive device enabling a vehicle to run in two running modes of an EV running mode enabling the vehicle to run with the second rotating machine used as a drive power source while the connection/disconnection device is disconnected, and a parallel HEV running mode enabling the vehicle to run with the engine and at least one of the first and second rotating machines as the drive power sources while the connection/disconnection device is connected.

Abstract: A speed reducer (32) including a gear case (33) is attached in an electric motor, and a pinion is provided to an output shaft (35) protruding from the gear case (33). A base portion (33a) protruding in a diametrical direction is provided to the gear case (33) and a support shaft is mounted to the base portion (33b). A sector gear (42) is fixed to a base end of a lift arm (24), and the sector gear (42) is swingably supported by the support shaft and meshed with the pinion. In addition, a groove portion (42c) in a circular arc shape is provided to the sector gear (42), and a gear cover (51) is fixed to the gear case (33) by a bolt (58) penetrating the groove portion (42c) and a bolt (54) disposed on an outer periphery side than the sector gear (42), and the gear cover (51) covers a mesh portion of the pinion and the sector gear (42) and presses the sector gear (42) toward the gear case (33).

Abstract: In this damper mechanism, when small fluctuations in torque input to the damper mechanism occur, small hysteresis torque is produced as a result of pressure contact between a radial plate and a first friction section. Consequently, the small torque fluctuations can be damped between the radial plate and the first friction region of the damper mechanism and can be output to an input shaft. In addition, along the direction of relative rotation of an annular plate and the radial plate, the friction coefficients of the annular plate and the radial plate become larger as the torsion angles of both plates become larger. Therefore, even when torque fluctuations become large, the hysteresis torque can be produced in accordance with the magnitude of the torque fluctuations.

Abstract: An anti-theft fastening device for fastening an SBW motor externally mounted to a transmission case that includes a bolt having a head portion and a threaded portion integrally formed with the head portion, a bottomed tubular bolt cover having an opening end, and a cap member closing the opening end of the bolt cover. The bolt cover has a through bore to allow the threaded portion of the bolt to pass through, a bottom portion abutting a bottom surface of the head portion of the bolt, and a grip portion projecting from an outer circumference of the bottom portion and surrounding a periphery of the head portion of the bolt. When the threaded portion of the bolt is screwed into a threaded groove of the transmission case, the bottom portion of the bolt cover is interposed between the bottom surface of the head portion and each fastening portion of a bracket portion.

Abstract: In this damper mechanism, when small fluctuations in torque input to the damper mechanism occur, small hysteresis torque is produced as a result of pressure contact between a radial plate and a first friction section. Consequently, the small torque fluctuations can be damped between the radial plate and the first friction region of the damper mechanism and can be output to an input shaft. In addition, along the direction of relative rotation of an annular plate and the radial plate, the friction coefficients of the annular plate and the radial plate become larger as the torsion angles of both plates become larger. Therefore, even when torque fluctuations become large, the hysteresis torque can be produced in accordance with the magnitude of the torque fluctuations.

Abstract: A speed reducer (32) including a gear case (33) is attached in an electric motor, and a pinion is provided to an output shaft (35) protruding from the gear case (33). A base portion (33a) protruding in a diametrical direction is provided to the gear case (33) and a support shaft is mounted to the base portion (33b). A sector gear (42) is fixed to a base end of a lift arm (24), and the sector gear (42) is swingably supported by the support shaft and meshed with the pinion. In addition, a groove portion (42c) in a circular arc shape is provided to the sector gear (42), and a gear cover (51) is fixed to the gear case (33) by a bolt (58) penetrating the groove portion (42c) and a bolt (54) disposed on an outer periphery side than the sector gear (42), and the gear cover (51) covers a mesh portion of the pinion and the sector gear (42) and presses the sector gear (42) toward the gear case (33).

Abstract: An anti-theft fastening device for fastening an SBW motor externally mounted to a transmission case includes a bolt having a head portion and a threaded portion integrally formed with the head portion, a bottomed tubular bolt cover having an opening end, and a cap member closing the opening end of the bolt cover. The bolt cover has a through bore to have the threaded portion of the bolt pass through, a bottom portion abutting a bottom surface of the head portion of the bolt, and a grip portion projecting from an outer circumference of the bottom portion and surrounding a periphery of the head portion of the bolt. When the threaded portion of the bolt is screwed into a threaded groove of the transmission case, the bottom portion of the bolt cover is interposed between the bottom surface of the head portion and each fastening portion of a bracket portion.

Abstract: A cover structure of an actuator is provided in which a case of the actuator, which houses a conversion mechanism that converts input energy to mechanical motion, has a metal cover fastening portion and a cover member to which a metal fastening part that is fastened to the cover fastening portion is integrally attached. The cover member is formed by a metal cover portion and a resin cover portion. The metal cover portion has a center portion that covers part of the conversion mechanism, and an extended portion that extends from the center portion to the area near the metal fastening part so as to oppose the cover fastening portion. In this way, a vehicular power transmitting apparatus that discourages theft is provided by realizing an actuator with a strong cover fastening structure by making the fastening portion of the actuator be able to withstand intentionally inflicted damage without its weight being increased much.

Abstract: A controlling device includes a range switch mechanism, range switch operating means, operation frequency monitoring means, and heat generation limit controlling means. The range switch mechanism is adapted to change a shift range using a motor. Through the range switch operating means, an occupant inputs a required shift range. The motor is controlled in accordance with the required shift range such that the shift range is changed into the required shift range. The operation frequency monitoring means monitors an operation frequency of the range switch operating means. The heat generation limit controlling means switches a control of the motor to a heat generation limit control when the operation frequency of the range switch operating means exceeds a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: Ferroelectric metal oxide crystalline particles are produced by first producing nanoparticles of a ferroelectric metal oxide and dispersing the nanoparticles in a gas phase. Then, the nanoparticles are processed by heat treatment with the nanoparticles being maintained in the gas phase in a dispersed state. The nanoparticles may be produced by using a laser ablation method. The ferroelectric metal oxide may have a perovskite crystal structure.