Abstract: A lead-acid battery includes cell rooms in which cells are stored and a partition wall separating the cell rooms. The cell rooms include an electrode plate assembly having electrode plates facing each other with a separator sandwiched between the electrode plates, and positive and negative straps extending in a laminated direction of the electrode plates in a bar shape. The positive and negative straps are connected in parallel with lug portions of the electrode plates. An intercell electrically connecting member having a H-shaped cross-section and formed of a lead-based material is held by the partition wall to interconnect cells in adjacent cell rooms. The intercell electrically connecting member has a first butting end surface in a flat plane shape butt welded to the positive strap, and a second butting end surface in a flat plane shape butt welded to the negative strap.

Abstract: A differential mechanism of a four-wheel driving apparatus for vehicles has a planetary gear and transmits the driving torque from an input shaft to a front wheel driving shaft and a rear wheel driving shaft in a distributing manner. The differential mechanism includes a first spline rotated by the driving torque from the input shaft, a second spline connected so as to the integrally rotated with a sun gear of the differential planteary gear, a third spline connected so as to be integrally rotated with a carrier, fourth spline formed on an outer circumferential surface of the ring gear, and a differential change sleeve mounted in an outward radial direction from the first spline to the fourth spline for axially sliding between two positions, one position for connecting first and fourth splines, and the other position for connecting first, second and third splines.

Abstract: A full-time four-wheel drive apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes a planetary gear unit for shifting purposes, a shift changeover unit, a differential unit and a transfer unit for transferring rotating power from the rear-wheel side to the front-wheel side or vice versa. The shift changeover unit is arranged on the side of said planetary gear unit directed to the input shaft of the four-wheel drive apparatus, the carrier of the planetary gear unit is connected to the output shaft of the four-wheel drive apparatus, the differential unit is arranged between the planetary gear unit and the transfer unit, and a rotating force outputted by the planetary gear unit is transferred to the rear-wheel side and front-wheel side. Fluxure force exerted on a main shaft caused by the transfer unit based on a chain is eliminated and axial length of the apparatus is reduced.