Abstract: In a part-time four-wheel drive vehicle, and electric control apparatus for a transfer device in drive connection to a front or rear differential is arranged to permit selection of the four-wheel drive mode at the transfer device during travel of the vehicle in the two-wheel drive mode only in a condition where travel speed of the vehicle and temperature of lubricating oil in the differential are in a predetermined allowable region. The allowable region is defined to permit engagement of a clutch mechanism in the transfer drive mode without causing any heavy load acting thereon.

Abstract: In a power transfer mechanism including an input shaft arranged to be applied with drive torque from a prime mover of a motor vehicle, a first output shaft arranged coaxially with the input shaft for drive connection to a first set of drive axles and a second output shaft arranged in parallel with the first output shaft for drive connection to a second set of drive axles, a planetary gearset of the double pinion type is mounted on the first output shaft to transfer the drive torque from the input shaft to the first and second output shafts, the planetary gearset including a ring gear in drive connection to the input shaft, a sun gear in drive connection to the first output shaft and a planet carrier for drive connection to the second output shaft, a limited-slip differential in the form of a viscous fluid coupling is disposed between the ring gear and planet carrier to limit differential action between the first and second output shafts, and a drive train for drive connection between the planet carrier and th

Abstract: A power transfer device of the type which includes a housing, a first shaft rotatably mounted within the housing to transfer drive torque from a power transmission to a set of rear-wheel drive axles, a second shaft rotatably mounted within the housing in parallel with the first shaft for drive connection to a set of front-wheel drive axles, and a pair of clutch sleeves mounted on the first and second shafts and shiftable between respective positions in which they effect drive connection or disconnection between the first and second shafts.

Abstract: In a power transfer device including a housing, an input shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, an output shaft rotatably mounted within the housing and arranged coaxially with the input shaft for relative rotation thereto, a planetary gear unit arranged within the housing and having an input element mounted on the input shaft for rotation therewith and an output element connectable to the output shaft, and a clutch sleeve axially slidably mounted on the output shaft and shiftable between a first position in which it is retained to effect a drive connection between the input and output shafts and a second position in which it is retained to effect a drive connection between the output element of the gear unit and the output shaft, an oil pump assembly is arranged in parallel with the input shaft and mounted on an internal wall of the housing to be driven by the output element of the gear unit to pump up lubricating oil stored within the housing and supply it into an axial bore in the input shaft through

Abstract: A manually operated change-speed mechanism in a power transfer device includes input and output shafts arranged coaxially to each other for relative rotation, a planetary gear unit mounted on the input shaft and having an input element mounted on the input shaft for rotation therewith and an output element connectable to the output shaft, an internally splined clutch sleeve axially slidably mounted on an externally splined portion of the output shaft and shiftable between a first position in which it is engaged with the output element of the gear unit and a second position in which it is engaged with an externally splined portion of the input shaft, wherein a synchronizer assembly is arranged to effect synchronous engagement between the clutch sleeve and the externally splined portion of the input shaft in shifting operation of the clutch sleeve toward the second position.

Abstract: An output information system for providing preset information signals from a camera accessory (Y), such as an interchangeable lens or a stroboflash device, to a camera body (X), for use by a microprocessor in the camera body (X), employs a gate array (AN1-AN8, OR1-OR7), a counter (COUNTER 1), and a decoder arrangement (decoders 1,2) for providing an n bit stream of 1's and 0's to the microprocessor in a predetermined bit pattern synchronized to an n pulse clock stream from the camera body (X), without addressing.

Abstract: An output information system for an interchangeable lens (Y) usable with a microprocessor based camera system (X) for transmitting specific data about the lens (Y) to the microprocessor in the camera body (X) comprises a binary counter (CO) which counts each of n clock pulses transmitted from the microprocessor, and a discriminator gate array (AN.sub.1 to AN.sub.6, AN.sub.11 to AN.sub.15) connected to the counter (CO) for comparing the n clock pulse number which has a predetermined logic level among the specific data for producing the logic level as an output discriminated logic level via an output gate (OR, NOR) when the counted value of the counts (CO) is in agreement with the output discriminating condition of the gate array (AN.sub.1 to AN.sub.6, AN.sub.11 to AN.sub.15), the opposite logic level being provided as an output bit to the microprocessor when the counted value of the counter (CO) is not in agreement therewith.

Abstract: A helical planetary gear assembly includes a ball bearing secured to a housing, a carrier sleeve coupled with an inner race of the ball bearing and being axially restrained by engagement therewith, an input shaft supported by the ball bearing through the carrier sleeve, an output shaft arranged coaxially with the input shaft for rotation relative thereto, a sun gear secured to the input shaft for rotation therewith, a ring gear secured to an internal wall of the housing, a planet carrier arranged between the sun and ring gears, and a plurality of planet gears rotatably supported by the planet carrier and being in meshing engagement with the sun and ring gears, the gears each being in the form of a helical gear. The planet carrier includes a body member secured to the carrier sleeve for rotation therewith, and the input shaft is axially restrained by opposite ends of the carrier sleeve through a pair of axially spaced thrust bearings.

Abstract: A microprocessor based camera information transmission system capable of electrically transmitting various information on a plurality of different camera accessories from the accessory (Y) to the camera body (X) with the accessory information being selectively provided to the camera body microprocessor (MCP) via a data input register (SR1) in response to the decoded clock output (SR2) from the microprocessor (MCP) for sequentially and serially providing a synchronized serial bit pattern to the microprocessor, (MCP) via the data input shift register (SR1) in accordance with a detected accessory identification code. The camera body (X) includes a flip-flop (FF) and counter (CO) which cooperate with the microprocessor clock to synchronize the serial bit pattern and to provide the corresponding identification code (S1-SN) from the accessory (Y) to the microprocessor (MCP) to set the quantity content of the microprocessor for that accessory (Y).

Abstract: An apparatus (X) for converting a manual focus interchangeable lens having an associated focal length into an autofocus type lens for use with a microprocessor based autofocus single lens reflex camera (Y) for providing autofocus photography with the manual focus interchangeable lens includes a lens data conversion and output circuit (SC, MP, 17) which converts data concerning the aperture values of the lens into a serial bit pattern representation of the full/minimum aperture value lens characteristics based on the detected minimum aperture value (S.sub.1, S.sub.2) and number of stages of aperture values (S.sub.3, S.sub.4, S.sub.5) for the lens. The converter (X) enables a manual focus lens having a different mount (1, 7) than the camera to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the camera to permit autofocus photography. Digital encoders (19) may be employed with the aperture control ring to detect the minimum aperture value and associated number of stages for the lens.

Abstract: A dynamic damper includes a metallic weight having a predetermined resonance frequency, a support member to be connected to an oscillating member in a vehicle to which the damper is applied, a rubber resilient member bonded by vulcanization to the metallic weight and the support member, a cover member attached to the support member in fluid-tight sealing relation thereto and encircling the support member, the resilient member and a part of the metallic weight, and a membrane secured on the metallic weight, a peripheral end portion of which is in fluid-tight contact with an inner peripheral wall surface of the cover member and is slidable therealong.

Abstract: A change-speed gearing assembly including upper and lower bearings carried on a partition wall of a casing for the assembly respectively for supporting thereon input and counter shafts, and a bearing retainer secured in a fluid-tight manner to the outside face of the partition wall to retain both the bearings in place. The input shaft extends outwardly through an annular seal member carried on the upper portion of the bearing retainer coaxially with the upper bearing. The bearing retainer is formed with upper and lower cavities and is formed at one side thereof with a vertical groove which opens at its upper end into a side portion of the upper cavity located above the lower edge of the seal member and at its lower end into the upper portion of the lower cavity to maintain the level of lubricating oil in the upper cavity above the lower edge of the seal member.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a power transmission unit comprises a casing provided at the open end thereof with an upright peripheral seating face and a cover member fitted at its upright peripheral seating face to the upright peripheral seating face of the casing in a fluid-tight manner. The cover member is provided at the head portion thereof with a vertical vent hole and is integrally formed at the inner wall thereof with a laterally slanted protrusion fitted to the upper corner of the casing seating face in a fluid-tight manner to form an air passage communicating the vent hole into the casing, and an air breather plug assembly is coupled over the vent hole. The air passage is designed to be wider at its lower portion and to be narrower towards its upper portion. An air chamber is provided between the upper end of the air passage and the vent hole.

Abstract: A restriction device for a differential gear having multiplate clutches which are formed by first friction plates fixed to a pair of side gears installed inside of a differential casing and second friction plates fixed to the differential casing. The first and second friction plates are alternately situated and are in contact with each other, wherein one of the frictional faces of the friction plates is treated by cold rolling while the other is coated with a self-lubricating agent so as to minimize the tendency of increasing differential movement of both side gears.

Abstract: A differential gear for automotive vehicles comprising a washer interposed between the backs of pinions and the inner surface of a differential casing and fitted to a pinion shaft. The washer has at most a thickness of l tan.alpha. wherein l represents a displacement from an uncompressed condition of a spring washer to a compressed condition thereof exhibiting a predetermined pressure against the side gears. With this arrangement, the pinions may be installed into the differential casing without applying any pressure through the spring washers to the side gears, and after installation of the pinions into the differential casing, pressure between the meshed gear teeth of the side gears and the pinions may be desirably determined.