Abstract: A drive unit includes a support frame, a drive wheel and a prime mover. The support frame is disposed to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The drive wheel is supported by the support frame. The prime mover is supported by the support frame. The prime mover drives the drive wheel. The support frame and at least one member form a pivot unit. The at least one member pivots together with the support frame. The pivot unit has a center of gravity disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis with respect to the drive wheel.

Abstract: A drive unit attached to a mobile entity is disclosed. The drive unit includes a motor, a first detector, and a controller. The first detector detects vehicle speed information regarding a vehicle speed of the mobile entity. The controller performs PWM control for the motor. The controller controls a duty cycle of a PWM signal in accordance with the vehicle speed information detected by the first detector.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a drive wheel, a prime mover, a coupling mechanism and a support frame. The coupling mechanism includes first and second coupling members. The first coupling member includes a first opposed surface. The second coupling member includes a second opposed surface opposed to the first opposed surface. The second coupling member is attached to the first coupling member in a detachable manner. The support frame is attached to the coupling mechanism. The support frame supports the drive wheel and the prime mover. The first coupling member includes a first vertical groove and a first transverse groove on the first opposed surface. The second coupling member includes a second vertical groove and a second transverse groove on the second opposed surface. The second vertical groove is opposed to the first vertical groove. The second transverse groove is opposed to the first transverse groove.

Abstract: A drive unit attached to a mobile entity is disclosed. The drive unit includes a motor, a first detector, and a controller. The first detector detects vehicle speed information regarding a vehicle speed of the mobile entity. The controller performs PWM control for the motor. The controller controls a duty cycle of a PWM signal in accordance with the vehicle speed information detected by the first detector.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a drive wheel, a prime mover, a coupling mechanism and a support frame. The coupling mechanism includes first and second coupling members. The first coupling member includes a first opposed surface. The second coupling member includes a second opposed surface opposed to the first opposed surface. The second coupling member is attached to the first coupling member in a detachable manner. The support frame is attached to the coupling mechanism. The support frame supports the drive wheel and the prime mover. The first coupling member includes a first vertical groove and a first transverse groove on the first opposed surface. The second coupling member includes a second vertical groove and a second transverse groove on the second opposed surface. The second vertical groove is opposed to the first vertical groove. The second transverse groove is opposed to the first transverse groove.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a support frame, a drive wheel and a prime mover. The support frame is disposed to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The drive wheel is supported by the support frame. The prime mover is supported by the support frame. The prime mover drives the drive wheel. The support frame and at least one member form a pivot unit. The at least one member pivots together with the support frame. The pivot unit has a center of gravity disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis with respect to the drive wheel.

Abstract: A moving device adapted to be actuated by a prime mover is disclosed. The moving device allows a caregiver to ride thereon. The moving device comprises a vehicle body and a plurality of rotors. The vehicle body includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The first frame portion allows the caregiver to ride thereon and the second frame portion allows a care receiver to ride thereon. The plurality of rotors are provided on the first frame portion and are rotatable in accordance with movement of the vehicle body. A wheel base defined by the plurality of rotors is constant. The second frame portion is provided on the first frame portion so as to be movable in accordance with a motion of the caregiver riding on and getting off the first frame portion.

Abstract: A power transmission device configured to transmit a power inputted thereto from a motor to a wheel is disclosed. The power transmission device includes a first support member, a first gear, a second support member attached to the first support member, a second gear, and an adjustment mechanism. The first gear is supported by the first support member, and configured to rotate about a first axis. The second gear is supported by the second support member, meshed with the first gear, and configured to rotate about a second axis. The second axis is approachable to and separable from the first axis. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a distance between the first axis and the second axis.

Abstract: A moving device is disclosed. The moving device includes a vehicle body, a prime mover, mounted on the vehicle body, a driving rotary body and a driven rotary body. The driving rotary body is configured to be driven by the prime mover. The driven rotary body is rotatably mounted on the vehicle body. The driven rotary body has a larger diameter than that of the driving rotary body. The driven rotary body is configured to rotate by contact with the driving rotary body in a rotational direction or by magnetic coupling force of the driving rotary body.

Abstract: A moving device adapted to be actuated by a prime mover is disclosed. The moving device allows a caregiver to ride thereon. The moving device comprises a vehicle body and a plurality of rotors. The vehicle body includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The first frame portion allows the caregiver to ride thereon and the second frame portion allows a care receiver to ride thereon. The plurality of rotors are provided on the first frame portion and are rotatable in accordance with movement of the vehicle body. A wheel base defined by the plurality of rotors is constant. The second frame portion is provided on the first frame portion so as to be movable in accordance with a motion of the caregiver riding on and getting off the first frame portion.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus transmits torque from a rotating electric machine and includes a first path, a second path, a clutch, and a fluid coupling. The second path is provided parallel to the first path. The clutch is provided on the first path. The clutch can assume an engaged state that transmits torque and a disengaged state that stops transmission of the torque. The fluid coupling is provided on the second path. The fluid coupling includes an input member into which the torque from the rotating electric machine is input, and an output member that outputs the torque input from the input member via a fluid to a drive wheel. The fluid coupling is configured such that a rotation speed of the input member is lower than a rotation speed of the output member when transmitting the torque from the drive wheel to the rotating electric machine side.

Abstract: A moving apparatus is rideable by a caregiver and operable by a motor. The moving apparatus includes a main body and a first rotating body mounted on the main body so as to be rotatable around a first rotation axis. The moving apparatus also includes a second rotating body mounted on the main body so as to be rotatable around a second rotation axis. The second rotation axis is disposed spaced apart from the first rotation axis. The first rotating body and the second rotating body contact the ground. The main body is configured such that a wheelbase defined by the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis is changeable.