Abstract: A shaft drive type motorcycle includes a drive shaft for permitting a reduction in the vehicle weight. The shaft drive type motorcycle includes a gear box provided at a rear part of a swing arm with a bearing provided between the gear box and a rear wheel axle. The bearing includes an outer race and balls and an inner race operative provided to rotatably support the rear wheel axle. A presser flange is provided between the rear wheel axle and a rear wheel that includes a hollow cylindrical part pressing the inner race in the axial direction of the rear wheel axle. A flange part is provided as part of the presser flange to which a brake disc is mounted. A labyrinth structure is provided for making it difficult for oil from leaking out of the gear box.

Abstract: A method for operating a steering system and such a steering system are presented. The steering system includes a steering wheel which acts on a steering rack via a steering pinion of a steering column, wherein a steering torque is transmitted to the steering rack by means of the steering wheel. Furthermore, a steering assistance unit is provided, by means of which a steering assistance torque can be applied to the steering rack. A control circuit with which the steering assistance torque is regulated, is used, wherein the control circuit takes into account the mass inertia of the steering column.

Abstract: Upper coupler assemblies for mounting coupling devices to trailers, and methods for inspecting upper coupler assemblies. The upper coupler assemblies include a housing having first and second members that define a cavity therebetween. At least the second member has a through-hole adapted to receive a coupling device, such as a kingpin. The cavity contains at least one fluid-tight chamber, more preferably multiple gas-tight and liquid-tight chambers by walls within the cavity. The coupler assembly has at least one fluid inlet for introducing and/or withdrawing a fluid (liquid and/or gas) from one or more of the chambers. The integrity of the upper coupler assembly can be evaluated by introducing or removing a gas from the one or more chambers and detecting the presence of any gas leaks in the one or more chambers.

Abstract: A spherical drive system for a vehicle providing movement in multiple directions. The spherical drive system can be maneuvered either by a system of driven omnidirectional wheels or by an electromagnetic field. One embodiment includes two pairs of omnidirectional drive wheels working in complement to each other providing multi-directional movement by way of electronic motors which are wired to a controller. A spherical tire will reside within the shell and will be in direct contact with the omnidirectional drive and stabilizer wheels. The spherical tire will work in tandem with the omnidirectional drive and stabilizer wheels moving the vehicle in the appropriate direction. Another embodiment is driven by an electromagnetic field created with magnets placed inside the spherical wheel and electromagnets placed on an outer shell. The electromagnetic field will drive the spherical wheel moving the vehicle in the appropriate direction.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes: a steering wheel, a shaft that transfers a rotational force from the steering wheel, a steering column that supports the shaft, a fitting bracket with which the steering column is fitted to a vehicle body-side member, a rotational force assist mechanism that applies a rotational force to the shaft, and a tilt mechanism that changes a tilt angle of the steering column. The fitting bracket includes a support portion that tiltably supports the steering column, and a secured portion secured to the vehicle body-side member. The fitting bracket is structured in such a manner that the secured portion and the support portion lie in the same plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the shaft when the steering column is at a predetermined tilt angle that is within a range of tilt angle achievable by using the tilt mechanism.

Abstract: A transporter for transporting a load over a surface. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting the load. The support platform is characterized by a fore-aft axis, a lateral axis, and an orientation with respect to the surface, the orientation referred to as an attitude. At least one ground-contacting element is flexibly coupled to the support platform in such a manner that the attitude of the support platform is capable of variation. One or more ground-contacting elements are driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal characterizing the attitude of the support platform. Based on the attitude, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.

Abstract: An electric motorcycle in which a power drive unit and a motive power generation motor for traveling are secured to a swing arm swinging around a pivot shaft, and power from a battery is supplied through the power drive unit to the motive power generation motor. A hollow inside of the swing arm is partitioned into an air introducing space and an equipment fixing space by a partition wall. The power drive unit is secured in the equipment fixing space so as to be in close contact with the partition wall and a fin extending from the partition wall to the air introducing space are formed at a fixing surface of the air introducing space to which the power drive unit is attached.

Abstract: A stair-climbing device including a support unit, a climbing unit driven by a motor and a control unit for controlling operation of the climbing unit, wherein a detection unit is provided for detecting the current position of the support unit with respect to one or several steps of a stair which includes at least one non-contact sensor, wherein the detection unit provides signals to the control unit, which signals contain information about the current position of the support unit with respect to one or several steps of the stair, and wherein the control unit is adapted to control operation of the climbing unit depending on signals of the detection unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hydraulic power steering motor. A continuously variable transmission has an input shaft rotatable under the influence of force transmitted from the engine and an output shaft operable to drive a pump. The continuously variable transmission is operable to drive the pump at a first speed when one of the input and output shafts of the continuously variable transmission rotates at a first speed. The continuously variable transmission is operable to drive the pump at a second speed when the one of the input and output shafts rotates at a second speed. A centrifugal sensor is connected with the one of the input and output shafts. The centrifugal sensor transfers rotational movement of the one of the input and output shafts to a linearly displaceable input member of the continuously variable transmission to change the speed at which the pump is driven.

Abstract: A tow bar assembly for use in connecting a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle wherein the tow bar assembly includes at least a cylindrical knuckle connected to a draw bar that is receivable within a receiver of the towing vehicle and wherein a pair of spaced flanges of a first end of a U-joint coupler are connected to the knuckle so as to pivot about a first pivot axis defined by an elongated central axis of the draw bar and a second pivot axis perpendicular to the first pivot axis and relative to a horizontal plane and where a pair of spaced flanges of a second end of the U-joint coupler are adapted to permit relative motion of the U-joint coupler about a third pivot axis with respect to a hitch mechanism that is adapted to be connected to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system comprises a torque sensor, a motor connected to a part of the steering system to provide motor torque to the steering system and a motor controller which is adapted to receive an output signal from the torque sensor and to generate a motor torque demand signal indicative of the torque to be applied by the motor to the steering system. The motor torque demand signal comprises a driver demand component dependent upon the torque applied by the driver; and a diagnostic component independent of the torque applied by the driver and which varies in value over time in a predetermined manner. The system further comprises a monitor that correlates the diagnostic component with the output signal and generates a signal indicating that the output signal is faulty if the correlation falls outside of a predefined range.

Abstract: Provided are an electric power steering system and a vehicle steering system each including rack-and-pinion mechanisms (14A, 14B). A rack shaft (3) has a first rack (7A) and a second rack (7B) that are formed on the axially opposite sides of the axial center of the rack shaft (3). The first rack (7A) has a regular pitch p between rack teeth, the second rack (7B) has a regular pitch p between rack teeth, and these pitches p are equal to each other. A predetermined difference is set between the phase of gear teeth engagement between a first pinion shaft (8A) and the first rack (7A), which constitute the first rack-and-pinion mechanism (14A), and the phase of gear teeth engagement between a second pinion shaft (8B) and the second rack (7B), which constitute the second rack-and-pinion mechanism (14B).

Abstract: A telescoping crossbar assembly for a wheelchair comprises an inner tube that is slidable within an outer tube. The head portion of a pass-through fastener bears on the inner tube through a sufficiently large head-side aperture so as to slightly deform the inner tube and to hold the two tubes by friction in mutual engagement.

Abstract: The present invention is an omni traction wheel system, which adopts an integrated differential mechanism to generate longitudinal and lateral traction forces. The omni traction wheel system may include a rotary device that delivers two individually controllable rotational forces, the differential output of which may drive a plurality of peripheral wheels to rotate laterally, and the common output of which may drive a pair of longitudinal plates to rotate longitudinally. Accordingly, the omni traction wheel system may travel in all directions.

Abstract: In a saddle-ride electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor generating power for rotatively driving a rear wheel, a main battery supplying electric power to the electric motor is disposed in a first space S1 that is surrounded by a down frame connected to a head pipe or a front end portion of a main frame and extending downward, a pivot frame connected to the rear end portion of the main frame and extending downward, and the main frame, and a sub-battery that can supply electric power to the electric motor instead of the main battery is disposed in a second space S2 surrounded by seat rails connected to the rear portion of the main frame to support an occupant seat and the main frame. The electric motor is disposed at a position different from the first and second spaces S1 and S2.

Abstract: A flexible fluid storage system for holding large volumes of fluid and a process and apparatus for the handling and transportation of the flexible storage system is provided. The flexible storage system includes a main storage bag with an attachment apron with fingers, a ground sheet, a lay flat tube for fluid circulation, a pressure release port, and fill/drain ports. The flexible storage system is configured for attachment to a trailer and reel system such that the flexible storage system can be mechanically rolled onto or off of a reel on a semi-truck trailer bed for easy transportation, deployment, and storage of the flexible storage system.

Abstract: A crash attenuator includes a crash cushion having a front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed adjacent the front end. The trailer hitch component is capable of being secured to a mating hitch component located on the towing vehicle, such that hitch components are capable of being rotated relative to each other about a substantially vertical axis. The crash attenuator further includes at least one wheel supporting the crash cushion. The wheel is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and is spaced rearwardly from hitch component. One or more tethers are positioned on opposite sides of the hitch component and are moveable relative to one or more guides connected to the crash cushion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel tank mounting structure for a vehicle which includes a rear floor panel forming a rear portion floor, a first cross member disposed in front of and under the rear floor panel and extending in a vehicle width direction, and a second cross member disposed rearward of the first cross member and extending in the vehicle width direction. A fuel tank is supported by belts stretched between the first and the second cross members so as to abut on an undersurface of the rear floor panel via a resilient pad. Brackets are joined to the first cross member such that they project rearward of the first cross member, each of the belts is connected to the first cross member by the corresponding bracket, and the fuel tank abuts on a rear surface of each bracket via a second resilient pad.

Abstract: A foldable device is adapted to connect a front fork to a handlebar of a bicycle, and includes a linking member hingedly connected to lower and upper hingeable flanges about first and second hinge axes, respectively. The first and second hinge axes are transverse to each other. The upper and lower hingeable flanges are respectively coupled with the handlebar and the front fork. The handlebar is turned relative to the front fork about the first and second hinge axes to permit a handlebar line of the handlebar to be parallel to a longitudinal direction in which the bicycle extends so as to fold the bicycle and to minimize the entire width of the folded bicycle.

Abstract: A pump apparatus includes: a first housing member which includes a first drive shaft insertion hole; a second housing member which includes a second drive shaft insertion hole; a pump drive shaft; a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion formed in the second housing member; the first and second drive shaft insertion holes being previously co-processed in a state in which the first and second housing member are relatively positioned by abutments between the first and second positioning protruding portions and the first and second abutment portions, and a joining member joining the first and second housing members in a state in which the first and second housing members are relatively positioned by the abutments of the first and second positioning protruding portions and the first and second abutment portions so as to re-create a relative position between the first and second housing members at the co-processing.