Abstract: A portable-type disk apparatus for a 3.5-inch or less optical disk implemented in a thin, light-weight and miniaturized structure having a vibration-withstanding capability. An optical head assembly is disposed stationarily while an optical disk and a spindle motor for rotating the optical disk are disposed movably in a diametrical direction of the optical disk. The spindle motor is constituted by a brushless motor of a substantially semi-circular form in cross section and having a laterally truncated portion. The optical head assembly including an optical head and a laser circuit is disposed at the side of the laterally truncated portion.

Abstract: A linear actuator for e.g. a disk drive has a fixed member and a movable member. One of those members carries at least one track of permanent magnets extending in the direction in which the movable member is to move, with adjacent permanent magnets having alternate magnetic polarity. The other member has first and second drive parts, each having at least one pair of opposing sets of teeth. The moveable member or each track passes between those teeth. Each pair of teeth is associated with a corresponding drive coil giving the teeth a magnetic polarity so that there is a magnetic alignment between a polarity of the teeth and the permanent magnets. The drive parts are arranged so that, for any given relative position of the first and second members, the magnetic alignment of the teeth of one drive part is out of phase with the magnetic alignment of the teeth of the other part.

Abstract: A switchable connection for a plurality of unit batteries for an electric vehicle. The unit batteries are normally connected in series through battery switches. When an impact sensor attached to a vehicle body detects an impact, a controller changes the battery switches to have a connecting state in which the unit batteries are separated into several groups.

Abstract: An electric vehicle driven by a motor is provided with a secondary battery and a generator which are controlled by a controller so that when an amount of charge of the secondary battery becomes lower than a predetermined value of the generator is put from a stopping state into an operating state and so that when the amount of charge of the secondary battery becomes higher than another predetermined value the generator is put from the operating state into the stopping state. The controller changes the predetermined values in accordance with the changing rate of the electric energy consumption of the secondary battery so that the secondary battery loses it amount of charge after the generator becomes empty of its fuel. The electric vehicle can fully perform its characteristic and the generator is effectively operated by storing excessive electric energy of the generator and effectively using the secondary battery.

Abstract: In an electric vehicle driven by an electric motor, a battery accumulator supplies electricity to the electric motor and a plurality of auxiliaries. A generating unit generates electricity in order to charge the battery accumulator. A detector unit detects at least one of various running conditions of the vehicle. A control unit supplies the electricity from the generating unit directly to the electric motor when the detected running condition indicates an overload condition, and gradually reduces the electricity supplied to the auxiliaries.