Abstract: A chain (endless flexible member) is looped over an input pulley and an output pulley. Each of the input pulley and the output pulley includes a pair of a fixed sheave and a movable sheave. The fixed sheave and the movable sheave have tapered faces that are opposed to each other to define a V-shaped groove. A vibration damping plate (vibration damping member) is fixed to each fixed sheave, and is in contact with the outer peripheral face of the fixed sheave. When the fixed sheave vibrates, the vibrations are damped by the friction between the outer peripheral face of the fixed shave and the vibration damping plate.

Abstract: A speed reduction mechanism includes: a speed reduction unit that includes an input member formed of an external gear that makes circular motion about a rotation axis with an eccentric amount, and a rotation force applying member formed of an internal gear that is in mesh with the input member; and a lubricating oil supply unit that supplies lubricating oil to a bearing of the speed reduction unit. The lubricating oil supply unit includes an oil tank arranged outside of the rotation force applying member, an oil delivery passage that delivers the lubricating oil to the oil tank, and a first oil introduction passage that introduces the lubricating oil from the oil tank to the bearing. The lubricating oil is delivered to the oil delivery passage through pumping action of the input member based on the circular motion.

Abstract: A ball screw device includes a cylinder that surrounds the outer periphery of a ball nut. Accommodation holes are formed in the ball nut at a rolling start position and a rolling end position in ball rolling paths. An outer periphery turning groove is formed in an outer peripheral face of the ball nut, and the outer periphery turning groove and an inner peripheral face of the cylinder constitute a turning rolling path. The turning rolling path and connection passages formed in deflectors constitute a circulation path through which balls are returned from the rolling end position to the rolling start position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch unit includes: a friction mechanism including a first friction member and a second friction member; a lock sleeve connected to an input shaft member so as to be non-rotatable relative to the input shaft member, and movable in an axial direction of the electromagnetic clutch unit between a first position at which the lock sleeve is engaged with only the input shaft member and a second position at which the lock sleeve is engaged with both an output shaft member and the input shaft member; and a pressing member that constitutes a magnetic path extending over the pressing member and the second friction member, and that presses the lock sleeve with the electromagnetic force to move the lock sleeve from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: When the zero-crossing of one of the output signals of magnetic sensors has been detected, a rotation angle computing device identifies a magnetic pole sensed by the first magnetic sensor based on the other two output signals. Subsequently, the rotation angle computing device identifies the magnetic pole sensed by the second magnetic sensor and the magnetic pole sensed by the third magnetic sensor based on the magnetic pole sensed by the first magnetic sensor. After that, the rotation angle computing device corrects the amplitude of the output signal of each magnetic sensor based on the identified magnetic poles respectively sensed by the magnetic sensors. Then, the rotation angle computing device computes the electric angle ?e of the rotor based on the corrected output signals.

Abstract: An oil pump apparatus in which an electrical pump can be easily disposed is provided. A mechanical pump including: an inner gear which is configured to be driven by an engine; and an outer gear which is configured to mesh with the inner gear, and an electrical pump including: an outer gear which is configured to be driven by a motor section; and an inner gear which is configured to mesh with the outer gear are installed adjacent to each other in the axial direction in a pump installation space of a pump housing having suction ports and ejection ports. A blocking plate which is configured to block communications between the suction ports and the ejection ports is disposed between the mechanical pump and the electrical pump.

Abstract: An electric power steering system determines a steering state of a steering wheel on the basis of a current (Im) of a motor applying assist force to a steering system and a steering speed (?s) of the steering wheel. A state where the steering wheel is retained at a position other than a neutral position is a retained state, and a state where the steering wheel is placed at the neutral position is a neutral state. When the steering speed (?s) is lower than a determination value (?a) and the motor current (Im) is larger than a reference value (Ix), it is determined whether the steering state is the neutral state. When the steering speed (?s) is lower than the determination value (?a), the motor current (Im) is larger than the reference value (Ix), and the steering state is determined to be the neutral state at immediately preceding determination, the steering state is determined to be the neutral state.

Abstract: A torque detection device includes: a torsion bar that couples a first shaft to a second shaft; a magnet that is fixed to the first shaft; and a pair of magnetic yokes that are fixed to the second shaft and that are arranged to face each other in an axial direction. Each of the magnetic yokes includes a yoke ring and a plurality of lugs that are arranged in a circumferential direction on the corresponding yoke ring. Each yoke ring includes an extending portion that extends radially outward from base portions of the lugs, and a bent portion that is bent in the axial direction from a radially outer end portion of the extending portion. The outer size of the pair of magnetic yokes in the axial direction is larger than or equal to the length of the magnet in the axial direction.

Abstract: In a control apparatus for a hydraulic power steering system including multiple electric pumps, a first ECU determines that start-up of a first motor is completed when a first current value, which is a value of current flowing to a first electric pump, has been within a prescribed current range continuously for a prescribed period of time or longer. An upper limit of the prescribed current range is set to be less than to a limit value provided as an upper limit of a current supplied simultaneously to the first and second electric pumps after completion of start-up. A lower limit of the prescribed current range is set to a minimum value of a current indicating that the first electric pump is in an energized state. After start-up of the first motor is determined to be completed, a second ECU starts electric power supply to the second electric pump.

Abstract: A motor control unit includes: a microcomputer that outputs a motor control signal; a driving circuit that supplies driving electric power to the motor based on the motor control signal; and a capacitor provided at an intermediate portion of a power supply line that connects the driving circuit and a driving power supply to each other. The microcomputer carries out electric discharge from the capacitor by supplying electric power generated by electric charges stored in the capacitor to the motor such that torque is generated by the motor and an angular velocity of the motor becomes less than or equal to a prescribed angular velocity, with torque transmission between the motor and the wheel interrupted by the clutch after a driving relay is turned off.

Abstract: In an electric power steering system, an ECU calculates a steering angle of a steering wheel based on an output of a rotation angle sensor and an EPS gear ratio. The ECU calculates a correction amount for canceling a steering deviation caused due to a temperature change, based on a temperature of a rack shaft detected by a temperature sensor and a map stored in a memory, and corrects the correction amount by adding the correction amount to the calculated steering angle.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus including a tank which reserves lubricating oil in an accommodating space which is interposed between a housing and an inner shaft and an apparatus case which has a cylindrical accommodating portion which accommodates the housing, and in the case, the accommodating portion has an inner circumferential surface which faces an outer circumferential surface of the housing, and the tank has an oil inlet port which is opened to the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion and through which the lubricating oil in the accommodating space is let in based on a centrifugal force generated in association with the rotation of the housing when a four-wheel drive vehicle travels forwards in a two-wheel drive mode.

Abstract: A cage of each of ball bearings arranged on respective outer peripheries of eccentric portions of a motor shaft has an annular base portion interposed between an inner ring and an outer ring and a plurality of partition wall portions for forming pockets together with the base portion. In a first ball bearing, part of the base portion protrudes axially outward from the inner raceway and forms an oil receiving portion that receives lubricating oil from the second rolling bearing side, at a portion around the rotation axis and axially outward of the first rolling bearing.

Abstract: A tapered cylinder portion, a radially extending portion, a cylindrical portion, a center backup portion, and a large diameter side curved portion are formed from an integral metallic plate.

Abstract: The damping property of a rear rolling bearing (133) is adjusted by controlling a damping force that is applied by damping application means (5, 134) based on, for example, the type of a tool (T). Thus, it is possible to provide the optimum damping properties for various tools that differ in natural vibration, and to suppress the generation of chattering of the various tools. As a result, it is possible to increase the cut amount per unit time to increase the productivity.

Abstract: A steering system includes: an operation mechanism that includes an operation member; and a steered mechanism that is not mechanically coupled to the operation mechanism and that steers a wheel on the basis of a steering operation of the operation member. The operation mechanism includes a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the operation member and a steering direction detection unit that detects a steering direction of the operation member. The steering direction detection unit includes a threaded shaft that is rotatable in the steering direction of the operation member, a nut that is screwed to the threaded shaft, a nut guide that causes the nut to move in an axial direction of the threaded shaft in accordance with rotation of the threaded shaft, and a force detection sensor that detects a force that the nut guide receives from the nut.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering system includes a steered shaft inserted through a tubular housing and a screw shaft provided on the intermediate portion of the steered shaft. A ball nut threadably engaged on the screw shaft via balls is driven to rotate by electric motors. A first bushing and a second bushing held by the housing support the first end portion and the second end portion of the steered shaft slidably in the axial direction, respectively. The central axis of the intermediate portion of the steered shaft is offset from the central axis of the first end portion and the central axis of the second end portion of the steered shaft. The central axis of the ball nut and the central axis of the intermediate portion of the steered shaft match each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pusher device (8) that includes a rotary bearing (10) having an inner periphery (11) that is off-center relative to the outer periphery (12). In order to compensate for wear, the bearing (10) is rotationally urged in one direction (F) by a spring (10) and is thus pressed against the back (9) of a rack (3) that is then pushed back against the teeth of the steering sprocket (5). The rotary bearing (10) is rotatingly mounted in a housing (13) that is in turn mounted on a steering casing (2) so as to be capable of sliding in a direction (B) parallel to a plane (P) of the teeth (6) of the rack (3) and orthogonal to the axis (A) of said rack. Shock-absorbing spring means (20, 21) are arranged between the sliding housing (13) and the steering casing (2) for absorbing the straightness defects of the rack (3).

Abstract: A lubricant supply unit that supplies lubricating oil to a raceway groove of an inner ring is fixed to an outer ring. The lubricant supply unit is provided with a first and second radially separated electrodes used to supply electric power from an external power source to the micropump. Each of the first and second radially separated electrodes is fixed to an outer face of a tank that is stationary relative to the micropump so as to be exposed on the outside of the lubricant supply unit. The first radially separated electrode is arranged so as to be apart from the second radially separated electrode.

Abstract: A four-wheel-drive vehicle includes: a drive source which generates torque forming a driving force of the vehicle; a driving force transmission system which transmits the torque of the drive source to main driven wheels and auxiliary driven wheels; and a dog clutch provided in the driving force transmission system and capable of transmitting the torque to an auxiliary driven wheel side by engagement of a recess portion and a protruding portion. The vehicle further includes: a determination unit which determines whether a friction coefficient of a road surface is lower than a predetermined value based on an index value relating to the friction coefficient of the road surface; and a control unit which generates a control signal which causes engagement of the dog clutch before the vehicle starts when the determination unit determines that the friction coefficient of the road surface is lower than the predetermined value.