Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission comprises a housing whose interior space serves as a fluid sump, a pair of first and second fluid passages disposed in the housing, the pair of first and second fluid passages interposed between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor so as to constitute a closed fluid circuit of an HST. A charge fluid passage is disposed in the housing so as to be connected with each of the first and second fluid passages for supplying fluid from the fluid sump into the closed fluid circuit. A drain fluid passage including an orifice is disposed in the housing so as to be connected with at least one of the first and second fluid passages so that, when hydraulic pressure in the at least one of the first and second fluid passages is increased beyond its neutral level, excessive fluid in the at least one of the first and second fluid passages is drained through the drain fluid passage to the fluid sump, thereby expanding the neutral zone of the HST.

Abstract: A projection 24 is integrally formed at a front surface 22b of a light shielding plate 22. The light shielding plate 22 is interposed between a reflector 14 and a focusing lens 18. As the reflected light from the reflector 14 is deflected or reflected upward by the projection 24, light B1 for illuminating overhead-signs is made to propagate from the focusing lens 18. A front-end portion 24b of the projection 24 is has a curved surface such that the portion 24b and an upper inclined surface 24a of the projection 24 are smoothly connected to each other. The front-end portion 24b is prevented from being seen as dark relative to the surface 24a, which can be seen as being brightly lit by external light.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent dazzlement from being caused by beams of light directly emitted from a light source, without requiring any bulky component member. A vehicular headlamp 1 comprises a light source 7, a reflector 6, a cut-line forming shade 9 for forming a cut line, and a condenser lens 8. The cut-line forming shade cuts off some beams of light emitted from the light source and reflected by the reflector and forms shaped beams of light. The condenser lens projects the shaped beams of light forwards and radiates them according to a light distribution pattern. An opening is formed between the condenser lens and the reflector. A dazzling-light cutting shade 15 for cutting off beams of light emitted toward a region above the light distribution pattern is disposed between the light source and the opening.

Abstract: A vehicular headlamp having enhanced long-distance visibility in right and left diffused-beam areas without dazzling drivers of oncoming vehicles. A vehicular headlamp of the invention includes a light source, a reflector for radiating light emitted from the light source forwards, and a cover lens for covering an area in front of the reflector and the light source, wherein the light distribution pattern of the low beam emitted by the vehicular headlamp has a horizontal cut line at least on the side of the opposite lane and wherein a long-distance visibility enhancing portion extending above the horizontal cut line of the light distribution pattern is formed at an end portion of the horizontal cut line.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pair of complementary masks for use in an electron projection lithographic (EPL) technique uses an algorithm for distributing the design data to a pair of EPL masks. The algorithm allocates a positive sign or negative sign to each of the pattern data, summation of the areas of the pattern data having positive signs while subtracting the areas of the pattern data having negative signs, for obtaining a minimum of the sum. One or more of initial combination of the signs is prepared and the vicinity of the initial combination is calculated therefrom for obtaining an optimum combination.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism and a pressure oil supply system therefor are provided for use in work vehicles provided with a work device externally of the body of the vehicle at longitudinal one side thereof, the transmission mechanism being simple in construction and serving to shorten the overall length of the vehicle while holding a transmission shaft interconnecting a PTO shaft and an input shaft for the work device close to a horizontal. A work vehicle provided with a work device in front of the vehicle body comprises a transmission 30 disposed between a differential gear unit 10 and an HST 20 and providing a travel cooperative mechanism, a PTO shaft projecting from the housing of the HST 20, and a PTO cooperative mechanism disposed in the housing for dividedly deriving power for the PTO shaft from the travel cooperative mechanism for the transmission of the power.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism and a pressure oil supply system therefor are provided for use in work vehicles provided with a work device externally of the body of the vehicle at longitudinal one side thereof, the transmission mechanism being simple in construction and serving to shorten the overall length of the vehicle while holding a transmission shaft interconnecting a PTO shaft and an input shaft for the work device close to a horizontal. A work vehicle provided with a work device in front of the vehicle body comprises a transmission 30 disposed between a differential gear unit 10 and an HST 20 and providing a travel cooperative mechanism, a PTO shaft projecting from the housing of the HST 20, and a PTO cooperative mechanism disposed in the housing for dividedly deriving power for the PTO shaft from the travel cooperative mechanism for the transmission of the power.

Abstract: A projector-type headlamp having an improved external appearance when viewed from the front of the lamp, even when the projector-type headlamp is incorporated in a substantially vertically rectangular lamp body. The headlamp includes a pair of auxiliary reflectors 34A and 34B for reflecting light, from a light source 22, forward without passing the light therefrom through a focusing lens 28. The auxiliary reflectors are respectively provided on both vertical sides of a reflector 24 in such a way that, on the whole, the contour of the pair of auxiliary reflectors, when viewed from the front of the lamp, looks vertically rectangular. Consequently, a lamp unit 20 observed in a turned-on condition appears brighter in design than simply dimly lit as before, and when incorporated in the whole lamp, there is no feeling of wrongness between the reflector and the focusing lens.

Abstract: A vehicle is installed with an integral transaxle apparatus constructed so that a single housing contains left and right axles, a driving hydrostatic transmission (HST) having a variable displacement first hydraulic pump and a first hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, a steering HST having a variable displacement second hydraulic pump and a variable displacement second hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, and a differential unit differentially connecting the axles with each other so as to be driven regularly or reversely by the output of the driving HST and to differentially drive the axles while receiving the output of the steering HST, wherein the first hydraulic pump receives power of a prime mover and has a first movable swash plate, and the second hydraulic pump receives power of the prime mover independently of the first hydraulic pump and has a second movable swash plate.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission comprising a housing formed with a fluid sump, a center section disposed within the fluid sump, a hydraulic pump mounted on the center section, and a hydraulic motor mounted on the center section. A fluid passage is formed in the center section for hydraulically connecting the hydraulic pump with the hydraulic motor. A bore is open at an outer surface of the center section in communication with the fluid passage. An output operation device is provided for controlling discharged fluid of the hydraulic pump. The output operation device is moved to an operational position from a neutral position. A piston having an outer surface is reciprocally inserted into the bore so as to be allowed to project outward from the center section. A valve is disposed within the bore for opening and closing the bore to and from the fluid passage. The valve is biased to be closed by a spring disposed between the valve and the piston.

Abstract: A vehicle is installed with an integral transaxle apparatus constructed so that a single housing contains left and right axles, a driving hydrostatic transmission (HST) having a variable displacement first hydraulic pump and a first hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, a steering HST having a variable displacement second hydraulic pump and a variable displacement second hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, and a differential unit differentially connecting the axles with each other so as to be driven regularly or reversely by the output of the driving HST and to differentially drive the axles while receiving the output of the steering HST, wherein the first hydraulic pump receives power of a prime mover and has a first movable swash plate, and the second hydraulic pump receives power of the prime mover independently of the first hydraulic pump and has a second movable swash plate.

Abstract: A vehicular headlamp utilizing a light source bulb of the H4 type and which provides a low-beam light distribution pattern which makes it easy for the driver to drive and reduces the possibility of oncoming drivers being dazzled by glare. A light source bulb is securely supported by a reflector so that left and right upper edges of a shade are located at substantially the same height and an axis of a filament is upwardly offset from an optical axis of the reflector at a predetermined angle. A reflecting surface of the reflector is provided with a downward deflective reflection zone which downwardly deflects and reflects the light that has traveled from the filament past the right upper edge of the shade and impinged on a traveling-lane-side reflection zone.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprising a common housing in which a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other and an axle driven by the hydraulic motor are disposed, At least one of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor is variable in displacement and has a capacity changing device for changing its capacity. A hydraulic actuator is provided in the housing for controlling the capacity changing device. A control valve for hydraulically controlling the hydraulic actuator is provided in the housing. A center section for fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor with each other is fixedly disposed in the housing and a driving part of the hydraulic actuator and the control valve are incorporated in the center section. A rotary member operatively connected to a human-operated traveling control member provided on a vehicle is rotatably supported by the housing.

Abstract: A transaxle apparatus is constructed so that left and right axles, two hydrostatic transmissions (HSTs), one for driving a vehicle and the other for steering it, and a differential unit for differentially connecting said axles with each other are together contained in a housing. The driving HST is disposed so that its hydraulic pump and motor are aligned along either a left or right side of the housing. The steering HST is disposed so that its hydraulic pump and motor are aligned along either a front or rear side of the housing. The differential unit is laterally opposite to the driving HST. Either the left or right axle crosses the driving HST between its hydraulic pump and motor. The two HSTs are provided with one or two flat center sections disposed in the housing. The cylinder blocks of the hydraulic pumps and motors of the two HSTs are mounted on either a top or bottom surface of the center section or sections.

Abstract: A projector-type headlamp having an improved external appearance when viewed from the front of the lamp, even when the projector-type headlamp is incorporated in a substantially vertically rectangular lamp body. The headlamp includes a pair of auxiliary reflectors 34A and 34B for reflecting light, from a light source 22, forward without passing the light therefrom through a focusing lens 28. The auxiliary reflectors are respectively provided on both vertical sides of a reflector 24 in such a way that, on the whole, the contour of the pair of auxiliary reflectors, when viewed from the front of the lamp, looks vertically rectangular. Consequently, a lamp unit 20 observed in a turned-on condition appears brighter in design than simply dimly lit as before, and when incorporated in the whole lamp, there is no feeling of wrongness between the reflector and the focusing lens.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus in which a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor which constitute a hydrostatic transmission are disposed on a center section. In a horizontal portion of the center section are provided a pair of linear oil passages in parallel to each other. A pair of arcuate ports are provided on a pump mounting surface formed on the horizontal portion of the center section. The pair of arcuate ports are substantially perpendicular with respect to the direction in which the oil passages extend. The axis of slanting movement of a movable swash plate of the hydraulic pump extends laterally of the vehicle body on which the axle driving apparatus is provided. The rotating direction of an arm provided on a control shaft for slantingly operating the movable swash plate is coincident with the operating direction of a control rod connected with a speed changing member. Thus, the link mechanism for connecting the speed changing member and the control arm for the movable swash plate is simplified.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus, wherein at the interior of a housing is formed an internal fluid sump, and are disposed a fluid circuit, which fluidly connects a hydraulic pump with a hydraulic motor so as to constitute a hydrostatic stepless transmission, and a fluid feeding port, which is opened toward the fluid circuit when the fluid pressure within the fluid circuit becomes negative; at the exterior of the housing is formed an external fluid sump, which is provided with a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port and a filter element interposed between the both of ports; a fluid extracting means communicates the internal fluid sump with the fluid inlet port, and a fluid introducing means communicates the fluid outlet port with the fluid feeding port.

Abstract: A charge pump for a hydrostatic transmission, having a self-charge relief function, in which a first toothed wheel, a second toothed wheel, and a pump casing, housing therein the first and second toothed wheels, are molded of heat resistant resin material, thereby reducing the weight of the charge pump, stabilizing its charge relief function and reducing the wear of the lower surface of a center section. Check valves are housed in the pump casing so that operating oil sealed between a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor can always be maintained at a proper level, regardless of whether the charge pump is driven or not.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission and a charge pump for supplying operating oil which are housed in a housing, in which a pump casing of the charge pump is mounted to a center section of the hydrostatic transmission without using mounting bolts. A spring is interposed between the pump casing and the inner surface of the housing. For defining pump discharge pressure, the center section receives all of the radial force generated in the pump casing. Between the center section and the charge pump is interposed a plate of material made of less friction resistance so as to reduce the sliding resistance. The charge pump is simple in construction and inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus in which a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor which constitute a hydrostatic transmission are disposed on a center section. In a horizontal portion of the center section are provided a pair of linear oil passages in parallel to each other. A pair of arcuate ports are provided on a pump mounting surface formed on the horizontal portion of the center section. The pair of arcuate ports are substantially perpendicular with respect to the direction in which the oil passages extend. The axis of slanting movement of a movable swash plate of the hydraulic pump extends laterally of the vehicle body on which the axle driving apparatus is provided. The rotating direction of an arm provided on a control shaft for slantingly operating the movable swash plate is coincident with the operating direction of a control rod connected with a speed changing member. Thus, the link mechanism for connecting the speed changing member and the control arm for the movable swash plate is simplified.