Abstract: A power transmitting device makes a motor in a hybrid vehicle be smaller and lighter, prevents internal resistance and inertia of the generator motor from becoming driving resistance, and can effectively utilize energy. Via a first clutch, power is transmitted from an input shaft to a transmission shaft but power transmission vice versa is blocked, and power transmission from the input shaft to the transmission shaft can be blocked. Via a second clutch, power is transmitted from the transmission shaft to the input shaft, while power transmission vice versa is blocked. Thus, when driving using only the power of the engine, power transmission from the input shaft to the transmission shaft is blocked, thereby preventing transmission of power to the generator motor. Consequently, the generator motor can be made smaller and lighter, and energy losses can be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmitting device capable of streamlined structure and control, as well as alleviating energy loss. The device comprises a planetary gear device wherein motive power of an engine and a motor is inputted from a first element and a second element; and a first clutch that transmits, in an interruptible manner, motive power from a second shaft that is linked to the second element, to a first shaft that is linked to a third element and an input shaft, while interrupting motive power from the first shaft or the input shaft to the second shaft. It is possible to switch motive power of the engine and the motor with motive power transmission switching by the first clutch, thus allowing streamlining of structure and control.

Abstract: A first input shaft and a second input shaft; a first friction clutch and a second friction clutch that can transmit motive power from a motive-power source to the first input shaft and the second input shaft; a speed-changing gear mechanism provided with a shared gear that can connect the first input shaft and the second input shaft, the speed-changing gear mechanism that can connect/disconnect the motive power from the first input shaft and the second input shaft and select a plurality of speed changing levels; and an output shaft that outputs the motive power from the speed-changing gear mechanism are provided. Upon start, a first speed level is selected, both of the first friction clutch and the second friction clutch are coupled, and the motive power from the motive-power source is transmitted to the output shaft via the first friction clutch and the second friction clutch.

Abstract: A driving force distribution device includes a sub transmission, a friction clutch, a rotary drive member fixed to an output shaft of an actuator, a friction clutch driving cam to change a pressing force of the friction clutch, a shift cam to shift the sub transmission by converting rotary motion of the actuator into linear motion, and a ratchet lever provided so that a shaft line thereof in a normal direction with respect to the outer surface of the rotary drive member is a rotation center. The ratchet lever is disengaged from the shift cam and is rotated when the rotary drive member is rotationally driven to one side from a predetermined position starting at control origin of the shift cam, and the ratchet lever is rotated in conjunction with the shift cam when the rotary drive member is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the one side.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus includes a disengaging device that disengages a driving force from a front-wheel differential device to a first driving-force transmitting direction converting unit and a multi-plate clutch mechanism provided between an output of a rear-wheel differential device and a right-rear wheel and capable of successively adjusting a fastening force. Drag torque when the fastening of the multi-plate clutch mechanism is released is set smaller than friction torque of a rear-wheel drive system between the first driving-force transmitting direction converting unit and a second driving-force transmitting direction converting unit. A controller unconnects the disengaging device and releases the fastening of multi-plate clutch mechanism when switching to a two-wheel drive mode, thereby stopping the rotation of the rear-wheel drive system.

Abstract: A process of forming an ultrafine crystal layer in a workpiece constituted by a metallic material. The process includes: performing a machining operation on a surface of the workpiece, so as to impart a large local strain to the machined surface of the workpiece, where the machining operation causes the machined surface of the workpiece to be subjected to a plastic working that causes to have large local strain in the form of a true strain of at least one, such that the ultrafine crystal layer is formed in a surface layer portion of the workpiece that defines the machined surface of the workpiece. Also disclosed are a nanocrystal layer forming process, a machine component having the ultrafine crystal layer or the nanocrystal layer, and a machine component producing process of producing the machine component.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting devices is able to engage a main clutch with a small amount of hydraulic pressure. The driving force transmitting device includes an input shaft and an output shaft, and a main clutch. The device is formed of a primary clutch that intermittently transmits the driving force transmitted from the input shaft, a hydraulic pump that generates a hydraulic pressure, a piston that presses the primary clutch with the hydraulic pressure by the hydraulic pump, and a cam mechanism that presses the main clutch with a press-contact force which is amplified to be larger than the press-contact force of the piston by utilizing the driving force from the input shaft through the primary clutch, so as to engage the main clutch.

Abstract: A driving force transmission device is for a four-wheel-drive vehicle based on the two-wheel drive of rear wheels or front wheels. In the case of the two-wheel drive of rear wheels, a multi-disc clutch mechanism controls the driving force distribution to a front wheel output shaft, and a disconnection/connection mechanism selectively disconnects and connects a front wheel differential and a left front wheel drive shaft. In the two-wheel drive of the rear wheels, the dragging torque of the multi-disc clutch mechanism is made smaller than the friction torque of a front wheel driving force transmission section, and the front wheel differential and the left front wheel drive shaft are disconnected by the disconnection/connection mechanism, thereby stopping the rotation of the front wheel driving force transmission section.

Abstract: A driving-force transmitting device includes a first disengaging mechanism that disengages a driving force from an engine to a driving-force transmitting unit and a second disengaging mechanism having a synchronizing mechanism that disengages the driving force from a driving-force transmitting unit to a right-rear-wheel driving shaft. A change gear ratio between front wheels and rear wheels is constructed so that a driving-force transmitting unit side of the first disengaging mechanism rotates at a speed higher than that of an opposing side at the time of completion of synchronization of the second disengaging mechanism. In switching from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode, synchronization of the second disengaging mechanism first starts to increase the rotation speed of the driving-force transmitting unit, and next connects the first disengaging mechanism when a rotation speed of the driving-force transmitting unit side of the first disengaging mechanism matches that of an opposing side.

Abstract: A driving force distribution device includes a sub transmission, a friction clutch, a rotary drive member fixed to an output shaft of an actuator, a friction clutch driving cam to change a pressing force of the friction clutch, a shift cam to shift the sub transmission by converting rotary motion of the actuator into linear motion, and a ratchet lever provided so that a shaft line thereof in a normal direction with respect to the outer surface of the rotary drive member is a rotation center. The ratchet lever is disengaged from the shift cam and is rotated when the rotary drive member is rotationally driven to one side from a predetermined position starting at control origin of the shift cam, and the ratchet lever is rotated in conjunction with the shift cam when the rotary drive member is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the one side.

Abstract: A four-wheel-drive-vehicle driving force distribution apparatus has an auxiliary transmission mechanism for switching motive power transmitted to an input shaft at least between two levels, a high speed and a low speed, and transmitting the motive power to a main output shaft; a friction clutch for selectively transmitting the motive power of the main output shaft to an auxiliary output shaft; a ball cam mechanism for changing the pressing force of the friction clutch in a non-step manner; and a shift mechanism for shifting the auxiliary transmission mechanism. A clutch control mechanism is provided between a drive member fixed to an output shaft of a motor and a pinion gear and changes the clutch pressing force caused by the ball cam mechanism corresponding to clockwise rotation of the drive member performed by a motor starting from a control starting point.

Abstract: A driving force transmission device for four-wheel-drive vehicle based on the two-wheel drive of front wheels is provided. In the case of the two-wheel drive of front wheels, a multi-disc clutch mechanism for controlling the driving force distribution to a rear wheel output shaft, and a disconnection/connection mechanism for disconnecting and connecting a rear wheel differential and a right rear wheel drive shaft are provided, and in the two-wheel drive of front wheels, the dragging torque of the multi-disc clutch mechanism is made smaller than the friction torque of a rear wheel driving force transmission section, and the front wheel differential and the right rear wheel drive shaft are disconnected by the disconnection/connection mechanism, thereby the rotation of the rear wheel driving force transmission section is stopped.

Abstract: A hydraulic power transmission joint provided with a rotary valve in which a first enclosing hole is bored and moreover, a first spool valve, a first spring, a first pin member and a first communicating hole are provided. Further, a second communicating hole is also provided therein in such a manner as to be coaxial with the first communication hole. Moreover, a second enclosing hole having a smaller diameter is bored therein. Furthermore, a second spool valve having a diameter smaller than that of the first spool valve, a second spring, a second pin member, a third communicating hole, a fourth communicating hole and an orifice are provided therein. Further, a valve element, whose position is controlled, is enclosed in a high-pressure chamber formed in the rotary valve.

Abstract: A shift fork used in a transmission which engages with an engaging groove of a coupling sleeve of the transmission, comprises a fork main body and an engaging part integrally molded therewith. The engaging part has an engaging surface which comes in contact with a coupling sleeve, and the engaging surface is formed in a bulging shape by high precision aluminum diecasting.

Abstract: A hydraulic power transmission joint provided with a rotary valve in which a first enclosing hole is bored and moreover, a first spool valve, a first spring, a first pin member and a first communicating hole are provided. Further, a second communicating hole is also provided therein in such a manner as to be coaxial with the first communication hole. Moreover, a second enclosing hole having a smaller diameter is bored therein. Furthermore, a second spool valve having a diameter smaller than that of the first spool valve, a second spring, a second pin member, a third communicating hole, a fourth communicating hole and an orifice are provided therein. Further, a valve element, whose position is controlled, is enclosed in a high-pressure chamber formed in the rotary valve.

Abstract: When an assembly in which a sprag is temporarily assembled to a retainer by a return spring is assembled between an outer race and an inner race, even if the sprag projecting from the retainer is depressed, a drop-out of the sprag is prevented by a retaining member of a friction plate fixed to the end portion of the retainer. A lubrication passage is formed by opening a space surrounded by the outer race, retainer, and sprag to the outer peripheral side. An attaching member of the friction plate which is fixed to the retainer by a spot welding is recessed backward by joggling in a downward stairway manner for a contact surface. Therefore, even if a rise occurs in the attaching member by the welding, the rise is not come into contact with the contact surface.

Abstract: In the state where a tire valve cap body has been fixedly screwed onto a valve mouthpiece, a top cover is pushed to open a tire valve, allowing introduction of a tire air pressure. A piston is slidably incorporated in a cylinder chamber defined within the top cover and is urged by a return spring. Upon the introduction of the tire air pressure, the piston is displaced to a position at which the biasing force of the return spring balances with the force of the introduced air pressure. An indication mechanism is provided to indicate, through an indication window formed in a cylinder member, a position of the piston member displaced by the tire air pressure introduced, thereby indicating a measurement value of the tire air pressure.

Abstract: A hydraulic power transmission joint provided with a rotary valve in which a first enclosing hole is bored and moreover, a first spool valve, a first spring, a first pin member and a first communicating hole are provided. Further, a second communicating hole is also provided therein in such a manner as to be coaxial with the first communication hole. Moreover, a second enclosing hole having a smaller diameter is bored therein. Furthermore, a second spool valve having a diameter smaller than that of the first spool valve, a second spring, a second pin member, a third communicating hole, a fourth communicating hole and an orifice are provided therein. Further, a valve element, whose position is controlled, is enclosed in a high-pressure chamber formed in the rotary valve.

Abstract: A power transfer system which distributes a power of the engine to front and rear wheels in a vehicle. The power transfer system comprises a first input shaft whose one end portion is in butt connection with an input shaft from an engine and whose other end portion is supported to a ball bearing fixed to a housing. A friction clutch is installed to the first input shaft such that the power to the first output shaft is transferred to a second output shaft through an endless chain according to the engagement of the friction clutch. A ring groove is formed at an outer peripheral portion of the first output shaft, and a ring member is installed to the ring groove so as to be in contact with a side surface of the ball bearing. Therefore, a thrust load applied to the first output shaft due to the operation of the friction clutch is securely received by the ball bearing through the ring member.

Abstract: A lubricating device lubricates various parts of a power transfer system for a vehicle. The lubricating device comprises a gear interconnected with an output shaft and splashes lubricating oil in an oil chamber. The splashed oil is received by a cover member and supplied to a passage for supplying the lubricating oil to a bushing for rotatably supporting an output shaft of the power transfer system. Therefore, even if the direction to which lubricating oil is splashed by the gear is changed according to an operating condition of the vehicle, the cover member securely receives the splashed oil and supplies it to the passage for the bushing.