Abstract: A torque limiter includes a friction mechanism, a pressure plate, a first side plate, an urging member, and a second side plate. The friction mechanism includes a first friction member and a second friction member. The pressure plate includes a first contact surface and a plurality of first drainage grooves. The first contact surface is a surface that makes contact with the first friction member. The first drainage grooves radially extend. The second side plate includes a second contact surface that makes contact with the second friction member. The second side plate is disposed on a second side with respect to the second friction member in an axial direction. The second side plate is attached to the first side plate to be unitarily rotated therewith.

Abstract: A damper device includes a damper unit and a torque limiter unit. The damper unit includes an output plate, an elastic member, first and second input plates. The torque limiter unit includes a pressure plate, first and second side plates. The first side plate has an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter of the output plate. The second side plate has an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter of the first input plate. The pressure plate has an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter of the second input plate. An inner-peripheral surface of the first side plate is not opposed to an outer-peripheral surface of the output plate. An inner-peripheral surface of the second side plate is not opposed to an outer-peripheral surface of the first input plate. An inner-peripheral surface of the pressure plate is not opposed to an outer-peripheral surface of the second input plate.

Abstract: A damper device includes a damper unit and a torque limiter unit. The damper unit includes first and second plates each including a plurality of window portions, a hub flange including a plurality of window holes, and a stopper mechanism. The first plate includes an engaging portion and a fixing portion fixed to the second plate. The engaging portion and the fixing portion are disposed radially outside the plurality of window portions. The hub flange includes a protrusion disposed circumferentially between and radially outside adjacent two of the plurality of window holes. The stopper mechanism is configured to be actuated by contact of the protrusion with the engaging portion. A fixation member, by which the first plate and the torque limiter unit are fixed, is disposed circumferentially between adjacent two of the plurality of window portions as seen in a direction along a rotational axis.

Abstract: It is intended to sufficiently apply a wheel pressure to a drive wheel. An upper unit is configured to be attached to a mobile object. A drive wheel is disposed to be movable in an up-and-down direction with respect to the upper unit. A drive source is configured to drive the drive wheel. A support arm is pivotably attached to the upper unit. The support arm extends slantingly downward from the upper unit. The support arm supports the drive wheel. An urging mechanism urges the support arm downward.

Abstract: A damper device includes a first rotor, a second rotor rotatable relative to the first rotor, a plurality of elastic members circumferentially aligned, an intermediate member, and a hysteresis generating mechanism. The intermediate member is disposed axially between the first rotor and the second rotor. The hysteresis generating mechanism is disposed axially between the first rotor and the second rotor to generate a hysteresis torque in relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor. The intermediate member includes an annular portion and a support portion. The annular portion is provided radially outside the plurality of elastic members. The support portion protrudes radially inward from the annular portion. The support portion is disposed between at least circumferentially adjacent two of the plurality of elastic members. The support portion actuates the at least circumferentially adjacent two of the plurality of elastic members in series.

Abstract: A mobile object control device controls an electric motor assisting traveling of a mobile object. The mobile object control device includes a rolling resistance calculation section, a power loss calculation section, and an assist force calculation section. The rolling resistance calculation section calculates a rolling resistance based on a set weight set by a user. The power loss calculation section calculates a power loss caused until a power outputted from the electric motor is transmitted to a drive wheel. The assist force calculation section calculates an assist force of the electric motor based on an acceleration of the mobile object, the set weight, the rolling resistance calculated by the rolling resistance calculation section, the power loss calculated by the power loss calculation section, and an assist ratio.

Abstract: Torque is transmitted from an electric motor to an output unit through different gear trains depending on direction of rotation of the electric motor. The drive unit includes an electric motor, a first gear train, a second gear train, a third gear train, and a moving mechanism. The first gear train includes a first drive gear, a first driven gear, and a clutch member. The clutch member moves inside the first driven gear and receives torque transmitted from the first driven gear. The second gear train transmits to an output unit the torque transmitted from the first gear train. The third gear train transmits to the output unit the torque transmitted from the first gear train. The moving mechanism axially moves the clutch member toward the second drive gear when the electric motor is forwardly rotated and toward the third drive gear when the electric motor is reversely rotated.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a first electric motor, a fluid coupling, a pump, a second electric motor, and a controller. The first electric motor is configured to drive a drive wheel. The fluid coupling is configured such that a torque outputted from the first electric motor is inputted thereto. The pump is configured to supply a working fluid to an interior of the fluid coupling. The second electric motor is configured to drive the pump. The controller controls the second electric motor based on at least one of an input/output rotational ratio of the fluid coupling, a temperature of the working fluid in the interior of the fluid coupling, or an amount of the working fluid in the interior of the fluid coupling.

Abstract: A damper device includes a first rotor, a second rotor, an elastic coupling part having first and second elastic members, and a hysteresis generating mechanism. The hysteresis generating mechanism includes a friction member, and generates a hysteresis torque. The friction member does not make frictional contact with the first and second rotors in a first torsion angular range where the torsion is caused between the first and second rotors by a first torsion angle from a neutral condition, makes frictional contact with the first or second rotor in a second torsion angular range exceeding the first torsion angle so as to generate the hysteresis torque, and does not make frictional contact with the first and second rotors in a predetermined torsion angular range within the second torsion angular range. In the neutral condition, the friction member is set in a neutral position by actuation of the elastic coupling part.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes a flywheel, a torque limiter unit, and a damper unit. The torque limiter unit includes first and second side plates and a friction plate. The first side plate is attached to the flywheel. The first side plate is disposed on a first axial side to the flywheel. The friction plate is disposed axially between the first side plate and the second side plate. The damper unit includes input rotational bodies, an output plate, and an elastic member. The output plate is disposed axially between the first side plate and the flywheel.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a motor, a torque converter, a torque transmission member, first and second transmission paths, first and second gear trains, and a controller. The torque converter amplifies torque directed in a first direction. The first transmission path transmits torque through the torque converter. The second transmission path transmits torque without through the torque converter. The first gear train outputs torque directed in the first direction as forward torque. The second gear train outputs torque directed in the first direction as reverse torque. The controller executes a first forward moving mode such that the motor is rotated in the first direction, and torque is outputted through the first transmission path and the first gear train. The controller executes a second forward moving mode such that the motor is rotated in a second direction, and torque is outputted through the second transmission path and the second gear train.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a support frame, a drive wheel and a prime mover. The support frame is disposed to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The drive wheel is supported by the support frame. The prime mover is supported by the support frame. The prime mover drives the drive wheel. The support frame and at least one member form a pivot unit. The at least one member pivots together with the support frame. The pivot unit has a center of gravity disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis with respect to the drive wheel.

Abstract: An assist control device controls an electric motor assisting traveling of a mobile object. The assist control device includes an operating switch and a control part. The operating switch is configured to be turned on when operated by a user. The operating switch is configured to be turned off when released from being operated by the user. The control part controls the electric motor to output an assist force when the operating switch is turned on.

Abstract: A drive unit includes an electric motor, first and second torque transmission paths, a torque converter, first and second gear trains, and a first switch mechanism. The first and second torque transmission paths are provided parallel to each other. The torque converter is disposed in the first torque transmission path. The torque converter amplifies a torque outputted from the motor when the torque is directed in a first rotational direction. The first gear train is disposed in the first torque transmission path. The first gear train is disposed downstream with respect to the torque converter. The second gear train is disposed in the second torque transmission path. The first switch mechanism switches between the first torque transmission path and the second torque transmission path as a path for transmitting the torque outputted from the motor.

Abstract: A hysteresis torque generating mechanism includes a first rotor having a slide surface, and a second rotor opposed to the first rotor. The second rotor is configured to slide against the slide surface of the first rotor so as to generate a hysteresis torque. The second rotor includes an initial contact portion and a main friction surface. The initial contact portion is provided to protrude toward the first rotor. The initial contact portion is configured to slide in contact with the slide surface of the first rotor. The main friction surface is configured to slide in contact with the slide surface of the first rotor after abrasion of the initial contact portion.

Abstract: A damper device includes a first rotor, a second rotor, an elastic coupling part elastically coupling the first and second rotors in a rotational direction, and a hysteresis generating mechanism. The hysteresis generating mechanism generates a hysteresis torque and includes a friction member. The friction member is configured to make frictional contact with the first or second rotor. The friction member does not make frictional contact with the first and second rotors in a first torsion angular range where torsion is caused from a neutral condition to a first side and a second side in the rotational direction. The friction member makes frictional contact with the first or second rotor so as to generate a hysteresis torque in a second torsion angular range exceeding the first torsion angular range. The friction member is set in a neutral position by actuation of the elastic coupling part in the neutral condition.

Abstract: A rotary device includes a first rotor, a second rotor, a centrifugal element, and a first rolling member. The first rotor includes an accommodation portion having first and second guide surfaces. The first and second guide surfaces face both sides in a circumferential direction. The first rotor is disposed to be rotatable. The second rotor is disposed to be rotatable with and relative to the first rotor. The centrifugal element is disposed within the accommodation portion. The centrifugal element is disposed to be radially movable by a centrifugal force acting thereon in rotation of the first or second rotor. The centrifugal element rotates about a rotational axis thereof in radial movement thereof. The first rolling member is disposed between the first guide surface and the centrifugal element. The first rolling member rolls on the first guide surface in accordance with rotation of the centrifugal element about the rotational axis thereof.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a prime mover, a torque converter, and a torque converter casing. The torque converter is configured to amplify a torque generated by the prime mover. The torque converter is disposed to be rotatable. The torque converter casing is disposed to be non-rotatable. The torque converter casing accommodates the torque converter. The torque converter casing includes a first air intake port and a first air discharge port. The first air intake port is configured to draw air into the torque converter casing therethrough. The first air discharge port is configured to discharge the air inside the torque converter casing therethrough. The drive unit allows the torque converter to be cooled.

Abstract: A drive unit includes an electric motor, a torque converter, a power transmission unit, a first shaft, a second shaft, and a first switching mechanism. The torque converter amplifies torque from the electric motor in a first rotation direction. The power transmission unit includes first and second forward drive gear trains. The first shaft transmits torque from the electric motor to the torque converter. The second shaft transmits torque from the torque converter to the second forward drive gear train. The first switching mechanism transmits torque from the first shaft to the first forward drive gear train in a first forward drive state. The first switching mechanism does not transmit torque from the first shaft to the first forward drive gear train in a first neutral state. The first switching mechanism is configured not to allow the first forward drive gear train to rotate in a locking state.