Abstract: A rolling bearing has a sensor unit disposed on one of the opposite circumferential surfaces of a fixed ring of the bearing. The sensor unit includes two strain gauges disposed on the circumferential surface of the fixed ring, one strain gauge extending in the circumferential direction fo the fixed ring and the other strain gauge extending in the axial direction of the fixed ring. Preferably the strain gauges are arranged to overlap with each other and to cross at right angles or obliquely to each other. A plurality of performance characteristics of the bearing are detected on the basis of output signals from the two strain gauges. The detection of the performance characteristics enables the rolling bearing to be monitored during operation with respect to applied load, the rotational speed and acceleration of a rolling ring thereof, a rise in temperature thereof and an abnormal vibration thereof.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus suitable for use with a four wheel drive apparatus of an automobile which can prevent production of rattling noises of a driving system and occurrence of a swerving phenomenon of the automobile. The apparatus includes a cam ring connected to a first rotary shaft and a rotor connected to a second rotary shaft and accommodated for rotation in the cam ring to define a pump chamber therebetween and is designed to transmit driving force between the first and second rotary shafts in accordance with a pressure of working fluid in the pump chamber which is produced in response to rotation of the first and second rotary shafts relative to each other. The apparatus comprises a frictional force applying mechanism interposed between the first and second rotary shafts for applying predetermined frictional force between them to assure stabilized transmission of torque between the first and second rotary shaft.

Abstract: In a drive coupling unit suitable for use in an four-wheel drive unit for motor vehicles of the type wherein a torque is transmitted via a fluid pressure produced depending on a difference in rotational speed between two rotating shafts, each working fluid supply passage and a corresponding check valve disposed therein are arranged to interconnect one of two intake/discharge ports in each respective pump chamber with a tank in which a working fluid is retained. With this construction, an improved response characteristic of the check valves and a substantial reduction of the overall size of the drive coupling unit can be attained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drive mechanism in which a movable bracket is operatively connected to a drive source so that the movable bracket is moved to a desired angular position, the movable bracket including an upper jacket supporting an upper shaft provided with a steering wheel attached thereto. One end of the movable bracket is pivotally supported by a fixed bracket attached to a vehicle, and the other free end of the movable bracket is pivoted on a nut member which engages a lead screw through an eccentric bearing assembly. The eccentric bearing assembly causes angular movement in the bracket as the nut member is linearly moved by rotation of the lead screw.

Abstract: Cracking of a ceramic bearing fitted over a metal shaft is prevented by grooves on an inner periphery of a ceramic inner race and/or on an outer periphery of the metal shaft.

Abstract: A power steering system including an input shaft coupled to a steering wheel, a torsion bar for transmitting rotation of the input shaft to an output shaft, a power cylinder coupled to the output shaft, an oil path switching valve for switching oil paths to the power cylinder in accordance with the difference of turning angle between the input shaft and the output shaft, a high pressure oil path for supplying working oil delivered from an oil pump to the power cylinder via the oil path switching valve, a low pressure oil path for returning the working oil from the power cylinder to an oil tank via the oil path switching valve, a reaction piston for exerting a restraining force between the input shaft and the output shaft to limit the difference of turning angle therebetween, a control oil path extending from the midway of the high pressure oil path to the reaction piston, a pressure control valve for controlling oil pressure in the control oil path extending to the reaction piston to a level not higher than a

Abstract: A steering force control apparatus for a power steering apparatus of a vehicle of the type having a reaction chamber responsive to fluid pressure applied thereto for producing a reaction force to counteract the steering force produced by a power cylinder. A main tubular spool is disposed in a valve case movably relative to the valve case and has an inner valve surface. A sub-spool is disposed in the main spool movably relative to the main spool and has an outer valve surface cooperative with the inner valve surface to define a variable throttle for selectively connecting a fluid pump to the reaction chamber and to the power cylinder according to the movement of the sub-spool relative to the main spool in response to the vehicle speed. The main spool is moved relative to the valve case and the sub-spool in response to the fluid pressure applied to the reaction chamber when the fluid pressure is above a certain value to enable the variable throttle to disconnect the fluid pump from the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column is comprised of a lower column mounted to undergo angular displacement around one end portion thereof and an upper column telescopically connected to the other end portion of the lower column to undergo angular displacement together with the lower column and linear displacement relative to the lower column along a column axis. A plurality of ball members are disposed between the lower and upper columns for restraining free linear displacement of the upper column to thereby allow the upper column to undergo frictional linear displacement in response to the application of a given amount of force to the upper column. A support member is engaged with the upper column for restraining free angular displacement of the upper column to thereby allow the upper column to undergo stepwise angular displacement in response to the application of a given amount of force to the upper column.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a steering force of a vehicle which uses a power steering apparatus in which a driving shaft for a sub-pump for feeding pressure oil into a hydraulic pressure reaction chamber provided internally of a main valve and a main pump for supplying pressure oil for the power steering apparatus is made common to both said pumps to increase an discharge amount and hydraulic pressure of the sub-pump. When speed information and steering angle information of the vehicle are obtained, the hydraulic pressure fed to the hydraulic pressure reaction chamber is controlled by a throttle means subjected to numerical control by output signal of the controller which is provided with predetermined data according to the travelling state of the vehicle and the other throttle means by way of analog control wherein a variation of road resistance is sensitively transmitted as a variation of hydraulic pressure to vary an opening in response thereto, thus always obtaining a proper steering force.

Abstract: A high-quality bearing steel contains 0.70 to 1.10% by weight of C, 0.15 to 1.60% by weight of Si, 0.15 to 1.15% by weight of Mn, 0.010% by weight or less of P, 0.002% by weight or less of S, 0.50 to 1.60% by weight of Cr, 0.015% by weight or less of Al, 0.0050% by weight or less of N, 0.0006% by weight or less of O, 0.0015% by weight or less of Ti, and the remainder of Fe together with impurities. The steel can further contain 0.05 to 0.50% by weight of Mo or a member or members selected from a group consisting of 0.05 to 0.30% by weight of V and 0.05 to 0.30% by weight of Nb. The bearing steel has an excellent durability life and cold workability.

Abstract: A high-quality bearing steel contains 0.70 to 1.10% by weight of C, 0.15 to 1.60% by weight of Si, 0.15 to 1.15% by weight of Mn, 0.010% by weight or less of P, 0.002% by weight or less of S, 0.50 to 1.60% by weight of Cr, 0.015% by weight or less of Al, 0.0050% by weight or less of N, 0.0006% by weight or less of O, 0.0015% by weight or less of Ti, and the remainder of Fe together with impurities. The steel can further contain 0.05 to 0.50% by weight of Mo or a member or members selected from a group consisting of 0.05 to 0.30% by weight of V and 0.05 to 0.30% by weight of Nb. the bearing steel has an excellent durability life and cold workability.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a steering force of a handle in an automobile having a power steering system in which a driving shaft of an auxiliary fluid pump for obtaining pressure oil for a hydraulic reaction chamber of the power steering system is made common to a driving shaft of a fluid pump for the power steering system to increase a quantity of discharge and oil pressure of the auxiliary pump. Oil pressure with respect to the hydraulic reaction chamber is controlled by the speed and steering angle of the automobile to obtain a proper steering force.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling valve timing in an internal-combustion engine. The apparatus includes a pair of telescoping sleeve members. One of the sleeve members is connected to the camshaft of the engine with a bolt, and the other sleeve member is connected to a timing pulley which is connected to the crankshaft of the engine. Each of the sleeve members has at least one slit which is located adjacent to a slit on the other sleeve member. The adjacent slits are angled relative to each other. Abutment rollers are arranged in the slits and are mounted on an axially movable member. The movable member is connected via a screw mechanism to a rotary motor. The rotational movement of the output shaft of the motor is changed to a linear movement of the support member, thereby causing the support member to move, which movement, in turn, causes the generation of angular displacement between the sleeve members so that variable valve-timing is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling valve timing in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a pair of sleeves inserted into each other. One of the sleeves is connected to a camshaft of the engine. The other sleeve is connected to a timing pulley which is connected to the crankshaft of the engine. One of the sleeves has diametrically opposite slits while the other sleeve has diametrically opposite slits located adjacent to the respective slits in the one sleeve. The adjacent slits have central lines which are skewed with respect to each other. Roller-bearing units are arranged in the slits and are mounted on an axially slidable slider. Movement of the slider causes the generation of angular displacement between the sleeves so as to obtain a variable valve timing.

Abstract: An oil seal apparatus, particularly for use with a vehicle engine, wherein an oil seal coacts between a stationary casing and a rotatable shaft which projects through the casing. The oil seal apparatus includes an annular elastomeric seal member having a pair of axially spaced annular lip portions disposed for engagement with the shaft. One lip portion is positioned innermost for creating an oil seal, and the other lip portion is positioned outermost for creating a dust seal. This other lip portion is provided with a auxiliary annular lip which projects axially outwardly along the shaft. The auxiliary lip has an annular groove around its periphery to facilitate transfer of water around the seal member and prevent the water from flowing axially inwardly along the shaft past the dust seal.