Abstract: In a frictional drive device comprising a pair of drive disks (48) rotatably supported by a frame (10) around a central axial line (A) in a mutually opposing relationship, a pair of motors (64) supported by the frame for individually rotatively actuating the drive disks, a plurality of drive rollers (56) arranged along an outer periphery of each drive disk at a regular interval and each having a rotational center line so as to be rotatable along a plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the central axial line, and an annular main wheel (84, 110) disposed approximately coaxially with respect to the central axial line and engaged by the drive rollers of the drive disks, the main wheel comprising an annular member (86, 111) and a plurality of driven rollers (92) supported along the annular member so as to be rotatable around a tangential line of the annular member, a resiliency is incorporated either in the main wheel or in the drive rollers so that a relatively large number of driven rollers can be

Abstract: According to a vehicle 1 of the present invention, coordinate systems of a past estimated value and an instantaneous provisional value of a two-dimensional floor inclination are conformed, by coordinate converting at least one of the “past estimated value” and the “instantaneous provisional value” of the two-dimensional floor inclination, using an orientation of the vehicle 1 or a rate of change thereof. Thereafter, a new estimated value of the two-dimensional floor inclination is calculated, by calculating a weighed mean value or a low-pass filter value using the past estimated value and the instantaneous provisional value of the two-dimensional floor inclination.

Abstract: A traction-drive type driving-force transmission mechanism has a sun roller. Planetary roller units are orbitally movable along an outer surface of the sun roller. A pressing member presses the planetary roller units toward the outer surface of the sun roller and allows a driving force to be transmitted by a traction force between the sun roller and the planetary roller units. Each planetary roller unit includes a first planetary roller rotatably supported by a first shaft and adapted to move orbitally along the outer surface of the sun roller, and a second planetary roller rotatably supported by a second shaft while allowing an outer surface thereof to contact an outer surface of the first planetary roller and the pressing surface, and adapted to press the outer peripheral surface of the first planetary roller against the outer peripheral surface of the sun roller during orbital movement of the planetary roller unit.

Abstract: In a drive assembly for driving a pulley of a water pump of a combustion engine, a movable supporting arm is fitted idly with a drive wheel, and is loaded by a torsion spring to bring the drive wheel into angular engagement with the pulley fitted to the shaft of the pump, and with a drive belt of the engine; an actuating device (being activatable to exert a force in opposition to that exerted by the torsion spring, and detach the drive wheel from the pulley.

Abstract: In a frictional drive device comprising a pair of drive disks (48) rotatably supported by a frame (10) around a central axial line (A) in a mutually opposing relationship, a pair of motors (64) supported by the frame for individually rotatively actuating the drive disks, a plurality of drive rollers (56) arranged along an outer periphery of each drive disk at a regular interval and each having a rotational center line so as to be rotatable along a plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the central axial line, and an annular main wheel (84, 110) disposed approximately coaxially with respect to the central axial line and engaged by the drive rollers of the drive disks, the main wheel comprising an annular member (86, 111) and a plurality of driven rollers (92) supported along the annular member so as to be rotatable around a tangential line of the annular member, a resiliency is incorporated either in the main wheel or in the drive rollers so that a relatively large number of driven rollers can be

Abstract: A high-speed fluidic device has a friction roller type speed-increasing mechanism, an electric motor, and a high-speed fluidic machine, wherein: the friction roller type speed-increasing mechanism includes a housing, a low-speed side member having an outer ring provided at one end portion thereof, a high-speed side shaft rotatably supported by the housing so as to be eccentric to the low-speed side member and the outer ring, at least one guide roller rotatably supported between the outer ring and the high-speed side shaft, and at least one movable roller rotatably supported between the outer ring and the high-speed side shaft; the electric motor drives the friction roller type speed-increasing mechanism; and the high-speed fluidic machine is connected to the high-speed side shaft so as to be driven by the high-speed side shaft.

Abstract: An XY coordinate measuring stage includes a drive unit for a coordinate axis. The drive unit has a friction rod and a motor, the motor including a motor shaft in contact with a side of the friction rod. An applied pressure roller contacts an opposite side of the friction rod. At least one applied pressure spring urges the applied pressure roller, the friction rod, and the motor shaft against one another with an applied pressure force so that the motor shaft frictionally engages the friction rod, converting a rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion of the friction rod. A compensation device associated with the motor shaft generates a compensation force onto the motor shaft oppositely to the applied pressure force so as to at least partially compensate for the applied pressure force.

Abstract: A reciprocating mechanism is provided with a motor rotating in one direction to produce forward and reverse motion by a drive wheel in direct contact with the forward and rear surfaces of an element such as a plate. The plate can take the form of a sliding door covering a vanity mirror in a vehicular sun visor.

Abstract: An arrangement for driving at least one roller of a roller unit for transporting web-shaped materials, such as X-ray sheet films or stimulatable phosphorous foils with substantially constant speed in a device for exposing or scanning these materials, the arrangement comprising a stepping motor having a motor output shaft, a friction drive having a drive input shaft, and a vibration damping mechanism provided between said motor output shaft and the drive input shaft. The drive is formed so that a ratio of the drive and a diameter of the roller is selected so that at least 20 steps of the stepping motor corresponds to a transporting path of the web-shaped material of one millimeter.

Abstract: A lawn mower is provided with a speed control mechanism which is controlled by a single cable. A return spring, floating power transfer shaft, and biasing assembly provide a speed control mechanism which is effective in design and operation.