Abstract: A target pinion angle computation unit computes a target pinion angle on the basis of a basic assist component and a steering torque, and computes the target pinion angle so as to rapidly increase a steering reaction force when it is determined based on the target pinion angle that a rack shaft of a rack-and-pinion mechanism reaches a position near a limit of a movable range of the rack shaft. In an EPS, a correction component for the basic assist component, which is necessary to increase the steering reaction force rapidly, is computed through execution of PID control for causing an actual pinion angle to coincide with the target pinion angle. Because the correction component is added to the basic assist component, the steering reaction force is increased rapidly when the rack shaft reaches the position near the limit of the movable range.

Abstract: A target sideslip angle computing unit calculates a target sideslip angle used when a vehicle makes a turn, based on a steering angle and a vehicle speed. A target sideslip angle correcting unit corrects the target sideslip angle calculated by the target sideslip angle computing unit using a sideslip angle correction amount calculated based on at least one of a steering angular velocity, a depression amount of an accelerator pedal, a depression velocity of the accelerator pedal and a depression amount of a brake pedal. Vehicle attitude control is executed using the target sideslip angle corrected by the target sideslip angle correcting unit.

Abstract: A stair climbing vehicle that is able to stably climb stairs is provided. In order to keep the balance of the stair climbing vehicle at the time of climbing the stairs, the ratio between a gravity center moving control gain for the stair climbing vehicle and a turning control gain for first wheels and second wheels is changed by controlling the rotation of a first motor of each first turning actuator. Thus, it is possible to slightly turn the first wheels and the second wheels based on the posture of an occupant seated on the stair climbing vehicle when the occupant climbs the stairs with the stair climbing vehicle, thereby preventing the posture of the occupant from being unstable. Thus, the stair climbing vehicle is able to stably climb the stairs.

Abstract: A power generating device includes an input rotor that is provided to an output shaft of speed up gears so as to be capable of rotating together with the output shaft, an output rotor that is provided to a drive shaft of a generator so as to be capable of rotating together with the drive shaft, and a one-way clutch that is disposed between the input rotor and the output rotor. The one-way clutch connects the input rotor with the output rotor so as to rotate together with the input rotor and the output rotor when the rotation speed of the input rotor exceeds the rotation speed of the output rotor, and the one-way clutch is configured to release the connection between the input rotor and the output rotor when the rotation speed of the input rotor falls below the rotation speed of the output rotor.

Abstract: Discloses is a method of controlling a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a torque distribution device capable of changing a torque distribution amount for secondary driven wheels according to an input current to be applied thereto. This method comprises the steps of: applying, to the torque distribution device, a current value corresponding to a target torque distribution amount; and, performing a current changing control for increasing and reducing the input current to the torque distribution device. The step of performing a current changing control includes causing the input current to the torque distribution device to be temporarily increased to a value greater than the current value corresponding to the target torque distribution amount, and then returned to the current value corresponding to the target torque distribution amount, and repeating the temporary increasing of the input current at least at intervals of a predetermined time.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus includes: a first cam mechanism that converts rotational force from a housing into first cam thrust force used as clutch force of a main clutch when the first cam mechanism is actuated through clutch action of a pilot clutch; and a second cam mechanism that is actuated prior to conversion of the rotational force into the first cam thrust force by the first cam mechanism, and that generates second cam thrust force for reducing an interval between clutch plates of the main clutch. The second cam mechanism includes an input cam member that rotates upon receiving rotational force used as actuating force of the input cam member from a cam actuating driving source, and an output cam member that generates the second cam thrust force between the output cam member and the input cam member and outputs the second cam thrust force.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system that makes it possible to give a higher priority to machining of a workpiece that is a super-urgent item is provided. When a pallet to which a workpiece, which is a super-urgent item, is attached is loaded on a loading station, a second controller gives a command to a conveyor to convey a pallet to which a workpiece, which is a normal item, is attached and which is located at a standby position of a pallet changer to a pallet storage room. Then, the second controller controls the conveyor to convey the pallet to which the workpiece, which is the super-urgent item, is attached and which is loaded on the loading station to the standby position.

Abstract: A carbon film deposition apparatus includes a nozzle which has a plurality of outlets for discharging source gas into a process chamber, and which includes a gas introduction pipe defining therein a gas flow path communicating with each of the plurality of outlets. A portion of a pipe wall of the gas introduction pipe corresponding to formation regions of the plurality of outlets is formed to have a stepped shape such that diameters of the gas flow path of the pipe wall become smaller as a distance from a side of supply of source gas by source gas supply means increases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phenol resin molding material comprising 100 parts by weight of a resol type phenol resin, 40 to 100 parts by weight of an inorganic fiber, 30 to 90 parts by weight of a natural silica powder having an average particle size of 0.5 to 15 ?m and subjected to a coupling agent treatment and 1 to 15 parts by weight of a rubber component as main components. The molding material can contain 50% by weight or more of a glass fiber and a natural silica powder having a crushed shape can be used as the natural silica powder. As a molded article produced from the resin molding material, a resin pulley is exemplified.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus includes a linkage mechanism that is able to carry out switchover between a connected state where first and second intermediate shafts are connected to each other so as to be non-rotatable relative to each other to transmit torque output from an electric motor to a rear wheel, and a disconnected state where the first and second intermediate shafts are disconnected from each other. When switching the driving force transmission apparatus from the connected state to the disconnected state, a control unit reduces the torque that is generated by the motor during a drive state where the torque output from the motor is transmitted from the first intermediate shaft to the second intermediate shaft, and switches the driving force transmission apparatus from the connected state to the disconnected state by controlling the linkage mechanism while the torque that is generated by the motor has been reduced.

Abstract: A ball screw device has a plurality of spiral raceways. One end and the other end of each raceway is connected via a bridge. An annular flange of a ball nut has a plurality of mounting portions at equal intervals in a circumferential direction. A fixing screw is fitted to each mounting portion. The bridges arranged so as to overlap with the annular flange in position in an axial direction are arranged at positions different in the circumferential direction from positions at which the mounting portions are arranged, and are arranged at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A rack shaft supporting device includes a support yoke, a plug, an intermediate component, a torque generation spring, and rolling elements. The plug has a plug end portion and plug cam faces formed in the plug end portion. The intermediate component is arranged between the plug and the support yoke in a state where the intermediate component is rotatable relative to the rack housing and movable relative to the rack housing in a pushing direction. The intermediate component has an intermediate opposed portion opposed to the plug end portion and intermediate cam faces opposed to the plug cam faces. The rolling elements are arranged between the plug cam faces and the intermediate cam faces, and make contact with each of the plug cam faces and the intermediate cam faces.

Abstract: A motor control device includes an anomaly detection means that detects an anomaly occurring on power feeding paths of respective phases on the basis of first electric current values, second electric current values of the respective phases and a phase electric current value obtained by the first electric current values and the second electric current values. When at least one of an absolute value of the first electric current value and an absolute value of the second electric current value exceeds a first threshold value corresponding to a limit value of an electric current detection and an absolute value of the phase electric current value is smaller than a second threshold value corresponding to zero in any one phase, the anomaly detection means determines that an anomaly of an electric current sensor has occurred as regards the corresponding phase.

Abstract: An oil pump includes a first spill passage formed on a side surface (60) of a pump chamber (58) to communicate a hydraulic pressure chamber (54) with a first high pressure discharge passage (68) when the entire hydraulic pressure chamber (54) is positioned between the first high pressure discharge passage (68) and a first low pressure discharge passage (70). Therefore, when the hydraulic pressure chamber (54) passes between the first high pressure discharge passage (68) and the first low pressure discharge passage (70), the hydraulic pressure inside the predetermined hydraulic pressure chamber (54) escapes to the first high pressure discharge passage (68) through a first spill passage (76), so a hydraulic pressure value inside the hydraulic pressure chamber (54) is maintained at the pressure value inside the first high pressure discharge passage (68).

Abstract: An auxiliary power supply device includes a capacitor that is connected to a main power source, and that is able to discharge an electric current to an electric motor, the main power source supplying electric power to the electric motor; and a booster circuit that boosts a voltage of the main power source and applies the boosted voltage to the auxiliary power source. An operation of the auxiliary power supply device is controlled by a control device. When supply of the electric power from the main power source to the capacitor is started in a state where a voltage across terminals of the capacitor is equal to or higher than a voltage of the main power source, the control device increases the voltage applied to the capacitor by the booster circuit as the capacitor voltage increases.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes a plurality of voltage detecting sections configured to each detect a terminal voltage of one of phases of a brushless motor, and a control section configured to control driving of the motor. The control section takes in, via separate signal lines, detection signals of the voltage detecting sections. When the condition that any two of terminal voltage detection values of respective phases obtained from the detection signals of the voltage detecting sections are continuously equal to each other is satisfied, the control section determines that a short circuit has occurred between any of the signal lines.

Abstract: A motor rotation angle sensor includes a plurality of Hall elements and a plurality of switches, each a which is able to interrupt supply of power for operating a corresponding one of these Hall elements.

Abstract: Upon detecting a peak value from output signals of one of either a first or a second magnetic sensor, an rotation angle computation device identifies, on basis of an amplitude compensation table corresponding to the one magnetic sensor for which the peak value was detected, a pole number of a magnetic pole sensed by the magnetic sensor. Then, based on the identified pole number and a magnetic pole identification table, a pole number of a magnetic pole sensed by the other magnetic sensor is identified. The pole numbers of the magnetic poles sensed by the respective magnetic sensors are thus identified, and the rotation angle computation device compensates the output signals of the respective magnetic sensors using amplitude compensation gains corresponding to the sensed magnetic poles (magnetic pole pair).

Abstract: A gear machining apparatus causes a machining tool and a workpiece to rotate at a high speed in synchronization with each other to machine a highly accurate gear through cutting. The machining tool is manufactured such that each of pitches between tool blades of the machining tool is an integer multiple of a pitch between teeth of the gear, the integer multiple being equal to or larger than double. By using the machining tool for cutting performed by the gear machining apparatus, the number of the tool blades of the machining tool, which are brought into contact with the workpiece at the same time, is reduced. Thus, it is possible to suppress occurrence of self-excited vibrations during cutting by reducing the cutting resistance. Thus, it is possible to enhance the tooth trace accuracy of the gear.

Abstract: There are provided a ball screw that makes it possible to prevent a situation where a large load is applied to a part of a plurality of balls, and an electric power steering system including the ball screw. The ball nut is a component that surrounds a part of the male thread groove, and has a nut inner surface and a female thread groove. The female thread groove is formed in the nut inner surface, and forms a part of the rolling path. A female thread diameter varies according to a position in an axial direction of the ball nut. The female thread diameter is larger at each axial end of the ball nut than at an axially intermediate portion of the ball nut, and the female thread diameter is larger at one axial end than at the other axial end.