Abstract: Described is a modular transport unit adapted for transporting persons and/or goods and comprising at least one cabin module and/or at least one storage compartment module, and at least one autonomous propulsion module. The autonomous propulsion module may be adapted for simultaneously serving as a flexible, customizable undercarriage of said modular transport unit and, in operation, propelling said modular transport unit. The propulsion module may comprise a propulsion system, a suspension unit, and a housing. The housing may comprise a top cover element comprising at least one connection element adapted for connection with at least one complementary connection element provided on the cabin module and/or the storage compartment module to enable an end user to exchange the cabin module and/or the storage compartment module.

Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a housing, crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing is configured to be mounted on a frame of a bicycle. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion. The crankshaft is provided to the first portion of the housing. The propulsion assist motor is provided to the second portion of the housing and configured to assist propulsion of the bicycle. The propulsion assist motor includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends. The second portion has a maximum dimension of smaller than or equal to 75 mm in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor.

Abstract: A wheelchair body harness system and method for manufacturing such system comprising a vest portion and seat area created by a strap secured between a patient's legs. The wheelchair body harness may contain a zipper along the center of the patient's chest and abdomen area of the vest portion. Adjustable side and shoulder panels may also be included to accommodate patients of different sizes. The wheelchair body harness may contain straps and buckle members across the patient's sides and shoulders that correspond to straps and buckle members located on a wheelchair or wheelchair insert. The vest portion may contain a Velcro section on the posterior side to adhere to a Velcro back of a wheelchair or wheelchair insert. The vest portion may also contain snap parts interspersed throughout the Velcro section to snap onto mating snap parts on the Velcro back of the wheelchair or wheelchair insert.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle for traversing surfaces is provided. The vehicle is comprised of a front chassis section including a magnetic drive wheel for driving and steering the vehicle and a front support point configured to contact the surface. The vehicle also includes a rear chassis section supporting a follower wheel. The front and rear chassis sections are connected by joints including a hinge joint and a four-bar linkage. The hinge is configured to allow the trailing assembly to move side-to-side while the four-bar linkage allows the trailing assembly to move up and down relative to the front chassis. Collectively, the rear facing mechanism is configured to maintain the follower wheel in contact with and normal to the surface and also maintains the front support in contact with the surface and provides stability and maneuverability to the vehicle while traversing surfaces regardless of surface curvature and vehicle orientation.

Abstract: An anti-scrubbing mechanism in the track of a tracked robot or a tracked vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, a tracked robot includes one or more tracks coupled to a chassis of the tracked robot. Each of the one or more tracks include one or more track segments along a length of each of the one or more tracks and a plurality of rollers coupled to the one or more track segments along the length of each of the one or more tracks, wherein each of the plurality of rollers and the one or more track segments are arranged alternately along a width of each of the one or more tracks. The tracked robot further includes a drive system mechanically coupled to the one or more tracks and the chassis of the tracked robot.

Abstract: A pawls-type one-way clutch selectably connects and disconnects an electric motor and drive system with the front sprocket of a bicycle. Laterally-extending pivotable pawls on a first rotatable member engage cam surfaces on a frictionally rotatable plate and cause the pawls to either engage with or disengage from corresponding teeth in a ratchet wheel attached to a second rotatable member. Sensors and a controller determine whether a rider is pedaling the bicycle and applying rotational power in the first rotational direction, and if so, the motor applies power in the forward rotational direction, causing the clutch to engage and power to be transmitted to the front sprocket. Otherwise, the motor applies power in the rearward rotational direction, causing the clutch to disengage the front sprocket from the electric motor, which allows the bicycle to be rolled backwards freely without attempting to back-drive the electric motor and drive system in reverse.

Abstract: An ebike comprises a front wheel, a rear wheel, a frame structure supported on the front wheel and the rear wheel, the frame structure including a hollow tube (e.g., a down tube) having a converging inner surface, and a battery assembly configured to be coupled to the frame structure in an installed position at least partially in the hollow tube. The converging inner surface is configured such that at least a portion of the battery assembly is supported within the hollow tube by the converging inner surface when the battery assembly is at least partially positioned in the hollow tube. In one embodiment, the battery assembly comprises a battery housing and a resilient lateral support, wherein the resilient lateral support resiliently laterally supports a portion of the battery housing in the hollow tube when the battery assembly is positioned in the hollow tube.

Abstract: A swing arm assembly for a foldable wheelchair consisting of a camber tube and adapters is disclosed. The adapters mount to the frame of the wheelchair and receive the ends of the camber tube. One end of the camber tube is pinned into an adapter such that it pivots. The other end is pinned in an adapter using a quick release pin. The camber tube improves the stability of the foldable wheelchair. When desired to fold the wheelchair, the quick release pin is removed and the camber tube is rotated approximately 90 degrees, thereby allowing the wheelchair to fold. The adapters may be mounted to the wheelchair frame or to stub axles if used. The swing arm assembly adds substantial stiffness and stability to a folding wheelchair.

Abstract: A semi-trailer includes first and second main beams and left and right side rails. A cargo platform extends between the left and right side rails. Each of the side rails includes an aluminum extrusion including an upper portion including a platform engaging portion, and a lower portion including a winch track. The lower portion further includes a projecting hook engagement wall. The hook engagement wall includes an upper surface oriented toward the cargo supporting platform and an opposite lower surface. The hook engagement wall includes a tapered nose including first and second nose walls that define a nose angle X such that said tapered nose is adapted to be received in an open recess of an associated cargo strap hook that defines a hook recess angle X?.

Abstract: [Problem] In an electric power steering device that includes a filter section, the electric power steering device in which a motor and a control unit are integrated with each other, a device that aims to improve the noise suppression function of the filter section and improve workability is provided. [Solution] In an electric power steering device that includes a filter section, the electric power steering device in which a motor and a control unit are integrated with each other, the control unit includes a filter module forming the filter section connected near a connector for power supply placed in an outermost portion, and this filter module is configured with wiring for electric conduction, coils and, and a filter substrate on which capacitors are mounted.

Abstract: A system includes a torque overlay device having an input shaft and an output shaft coupled to the input shaft. The system includes a steering wheel coupled to the input shaft. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect a torque applied to the input shaft and to actuate the torque overlay device to provide torque to the output shaft in a direction opposite the torque applied to the input shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for transferring rotational, mechanical motion into sinusoidal wave-like motion.

Abstract: A transport assembly for a shipping module which has a chassis; a towing element secured to the chassis; two opposed wheels mounted on the chassis; a support assembly secured to the chassis and configured to be positioned in a mating relationship with a shipping module proximate to a lower transverse edge of the shipping module; means for removably securing the support assembly to a shipping module; and a displacement actuator secured between the chassis and the cradle, said displacement actuator for varying the ground clearance of a shipping module when secured to the support assembly.

Abstract: An isolation system for a vehicle having a rear frame attached to a front frame. The rear frame supports a greater portion of a total force applied to the vehicle than the front frame. The isolation system includes at least one isolating device positioned between the rear and front frames. The isolating device supports a portion of the total force applied to the vehicle in a direction in which the isolating devices is positioned. The isolation system includes a force limiting device positioned near the isolating device and a motion limiting torque rod attached to the rear and front frames. The force limiting device limits the amount of load applied to the isolating device above a maximum load. The motion limiting torque rod prevents or limits movement of the rear frame relative to the front frame in the direction in which it is aligned.

Abstract: A front fork of a bicycle may include a suspension system that includes a damper. The damper may include a hollow tube with orifices that may be partially blocked by an adjustable blocker. A free end of the adjuster that adjusts the blocker may maintain its axial position in any rotational position. Ambient air may be introduced through a valve and retained in the suspension system. The suspension may include a mechanical spring in a chamber away from the valve that introduces the ambient air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer dampening system for dampening during variable road conditions experienced during long hours of travel. Secondly, the trailer dampening system encompasses a universal design that will allow for easy installation and application to multiple trailers. The trailer dampening system is provided having a barrel assembly joined to the trailer, a cylinder rod assembly adjoined to the barrel assembly by a connection assembly wherein a connection assembly first opening is configured to receive a coupler end cap proximal end of the cylinder rod assembly. In some embodiments, there is a reservoir system having a main reservoir, a valve assembly, and at least one connection line. In some embodiments, the trailer dampening system further comprises an electrical control system connected to the valve assembly and having an input device configured to receive an input, a battery, a plurality of sensors, and a microcontroller.

Abstract: A system and bicycle incorporating same mounts a heat-generating component such as a motor, motor controller, or battery pack, inside a frame tube using a thermally conductive and compliant elastomeric device comprising a base portion having a relatively smooth first side and regularly-repeating protrusions extending away from a second side, wherein the relatively smooth side of the elastomeric device is wrapped around the heat-generating component such that the regularly-repeating protrusions will be in an interference fit with the interior surface of the tubular frame when the heat-generating component is mounted in the frame tube, thereby conducting heat to the frame to exhaust to the environment, providing compliance that allows for dimensional variation of assembled parts, and muting noise and vibration.

Abstract: A snow gliding device (1) comprising: a first gliding surface (10), a first layer (20) for heating said first gliding surface (1), where the first layer (20) comprises: a positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound (22), a first and a second electrode (24, 26), wherein said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound (22) is at least partially sandwiched between said first and second electrode (24, 26), and which first and second electrodes (24, 26) are adapted to provide a potential difference across said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound (22) when connected to a power source, wherein the first layer (20) is arranged adjacent to and in thermal communication with said first gliding surface (10).

Abstract: A towing device for connecting an automatic guided vehicle to a carriage is disclosed. When connecting an automatic guided vehicle to a carriage, a swing arm is moved toward a connecting member by a moving device, whereby the swing arm is engaged with the connecting member to thereby regulate the swiveling (swinging) of the connecting member with respect to the automatic guided vehicle. Furthermore, after the automatic guided vehicle is connected to the carriage, the swing arm is moved in a direction away from the connecting member by the moving device, whereby the engagement between the swing arm and the connecting member is released, thereby allowing the connecting member to swivel (swing) with respect to the automatic guided vehicle.

Abstract: An electric bicycle and a battery lift mechanism and a battery carrying device thereof are disclosed. The battery lift mechanism includes a bracket, a carrier for carrying a battery, an upward-force device coupling with the carrier, and a locking device selectively in an unlocked state or a locked state. The carrier is movable relative to the bracket along an up-down path; the upward-force device is capable of applying an upward force to the carrier. When the locking device is in the locked state, the locking device interferes with the battery to limit the relative movement between the battery and the bracket. When the locking device is in the unlocked state, the interference between the locking device and the battery is removed, so that the upward-force device drives the carrier carrying the battery to move upward relative to the bracket.