Abstract: A cooling device for an internal combustion engine is provided. The cooling device includes a first passage connected to the internal combustion engine and circulating a coolant, a second passage connected to the internal combustion engine and circulating the coolant, a heat exchanger provided on the first passage and configured such that heat exchange is performed with respect to the coolant, a first pump provided on the first passage, a second pump provided on the second passage and an electronic control unit controlling the first pump and the second pump. The electronic control unit, when a temperature of the coolant is no lower than a predetermined temperature, drives the first pump such that a flow rate of the coolant in the first passage increases as compared to when the temperature of the coolant is lower than the predetermined temperature, and performs first control of stopping the second pump.

Abstract: A cooling device for an internal combustion engine is provided. The cooling device includes a first passage connected to the internal combustion engine and circulating a coolant, a second passage connected to the internal combustion engine and circulating the coolant, a heat exchanger provided on the first passage and configured such that heat exchange is performed with respect to the coolant, a first pump provided on the first passage, a second pump provided on the second passage and an electronic control unit controlling the first pump and the second pump. The electronic control unit, when a temperature of the coolant is no lower than a predetermined temperature, drives the first pump such that a flow rate of the coolant in the first passage increases as compared to when the temperature of the coolant is lower than the predetermined temperature, and performs first control of stopping the second pump.

Abstract: A route searching apparatus for searching for a route through which a moving body which moves by electric energy from a changeable battery reaches a destination has a position obtaining unit configured to obtain a current position of the moving body; a predicting unit configured to predict a time of arrival at a battery changing station based on a position of the battery changing station; a stock information obtaining unit configured to obtain stock information of a changeable battery in the battery changing station at the time of arrival; an estimating unit configured to estimate a movable range based on a residual amount of a changeable battery mounted in the moving body; and a searching unit configured to search for a route through which the moving body reaches the destination via the battery changing station, based on the stock information and the movable range.

Abstract: A fuel heater including an engine that is driven by combustion of air-fuel mixture including air and fuel supplied to a combustion chamber within a cylinder, a battery that stores electricity, and a motor that drives the engine by the electricity supplied from the battery, the fuel heater includes a fuel heating portion heating the fuel with the electricity supplied from the battery, and a controller performing one of a first control by increasing the amount of electricity supplied from the battery to the fuel heating portion and a second control by increasing heating time of the fuel by the fuel heating portion for a time period until the engine starts in a case where a battery charge remaining of the battery is equal to or smaller than a remaining threshold value at a start of the engine.

Abstract: A route searching apparatus for searching for a route through which a moving body which moves by electric energy from a changeable battery reaches a destination has a position obtaining unit configured to obtain a current position of the moving body; a predicting unit configured to predict a time of arrival at a battery changing station based on a position of the battery changing station; a stock information obtaining unit configured to obtain stock information of a changeable battery in the battery changing station at the time of arrival; an estimating unit configured to estimate a movable range based on a residual amount of a changeable battery mounted in the moving body; and a searching unit configured to search for a route through which the moving body reaches the destination via the battery changing station, based on the stock information and the movable range.

Abstract: An assistive power control apparatus for a motor-assisted bicycle controls a motor to generate an assistive torque depending on the pedaling force of a rider. The assistive power control apparatus detects a rotating torque value of a crankshaft rotated when a rider steps on pedals by a torque sensor, controls a motor to generate an assistive power determined using the rotating torque value, calculates a rotation angle of the crankshaft when a present rotating torque value is detected from a time period from a timing of detection of a peak position of the rotating torque value to a timing of detection of the rotating torque value, calculates a pedaling force applied when the rider steps on the pedals from the calculated rotation angle of the crankshaft and the detected present rotating torque value, and determines the assistive power of the motor according to the calculated pedaling force.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a magnetostrictive portion formed on a rotational shaft, a bobbin surrounding an outer circumference of the magnetostrictive portion, and a coil wound on the bobbin for detecting a change in magnetic property of the magnetostrictive portion. The bobbin fits over the magnetostrictive portion in contact with the magnetostrictive portion in such a manner as to allow rotation of the magnetostrictive portion relative to the bobbin. The magnetostrictive torque sensor is carried on an electrically assisted bicycle or an electric power steering apparatus of a vehicle.

Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle with an auxiliary power unit that improves positional stability of a torque sensor and inhibits the position of the sensor from being misaligned, wherein the power-assisted bicycle includes an annular hollow member inserted over an outer periphery of a crankshaft and a one-way clutch disposed on the hollow member for transmitting, when a pedaling torque in a direction in which the power-assisted bicycle traveling in a forward direction, is applied to the crankshaft, and wherein a magnetic film is formed in a recess disposed in an outer periphery of the hollow member, and a magnetostrictive torque sensor is positioned and fixed by a support member for rotatably supporting the magnetostrictive torque sensor relative to the annular hollow member at both ends of the recess, such that the magnetostrictive torque sensor faces the magnetic film in the recess.

Abstract: A bicycle includes an auxiliary power unit for regenerating electric energy even with no braking operations. A power-assisted bicycle includes a controller for detecting a torque value of a pedaling torque applied to a crankshaft for controlling an output of a brushless motor according to the torque value detected. A power transmitting member outputs the pedaling torque applied to the crankshaft to a rear wheel with a clutch unit for permitting an output of a driving force of the brushless motor to the rear wheel, but not an output of power from the rear wheel to the brushless motor. A selector selects whether or not to permit transmission of power from the rear wheel to the brushless motor. The clutch unit includes a lock-up ratchet for selectively permitting an output of power from the rear wheel WR to the brushless motor according to an operation of the selector.

Abstract: A hybrid saddle-type vehicle is provided with a drive power transmitting mechanism for transmitting a power of an internal combustion engine from one side of a swing arm in a widthwise direction of a vehicle to a drive shaft of a rear wheel and an electric motor for transmitting a driving force from the other side in the widthwise direction to the drive shaft. One end portion in the widthwise direction extending in an axial direction from a motor housing accommodating a stator and a rotor of the electric motor is fitted with an outer hub in a radially contacting manner, and a rotating shaft of the electric motor is connected to the drive shaft to transmit the driving force.

Abstract: A torque detection device for a power steering which is less liable to be influenced by external factors or by a bending force exerted on a shaft. In the torque detection device, a torque is generated between an input shaft, which is turned interlockedly with a steering handle for operating the traveling direction of a vehicle, and an output shaft turned interlockedly with the input shaft so as to steer the vehicle. An assisting force is exerted on the output shaft by an assisting unit that is determined based on the detection result. The torque detection device is provided between the input shaft and the output shaft and includes a cam mechanism by which a torque generated between the input shaft and the output shaft is converted into a thrust force, and a pressure sensor for detecting the thrust force into which the torque is converted by the cam mechanism.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure warning system for an internal combustion engine including a hydraulic pressure sensor that is prevented from being influenced by the heat of the engine and by the pulsation of an oil pump. A hydraulic pressure sensor detects hydraulic pressure in a lubricating oil passage of the engine and issues a warning based on hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure sensor when the hydraulic pressure drops. The hydraulic pressure sensor is provided on a wall surface of a water jacket of a rear cylinder block so as to project therefrom.

Abstract: A hybrid saddle-type vehicle is provided with a drive power transmitting mechanism for transmitting a power of an internal combustion engine from one side of a swing arm in a widthwise direction of a vehicle to a drive shaft of a rear wheel and an electric motor for transmitting a driving force from the other side in the widthwise direction to the drive shaft. One end portion in the widthwise direction extending in an axial direction from a motor housing accommodating a stator and a rotor of the electric motor is fitted with an outer hub in a radially contacting manner, and a rotating shaft of the electric motor is connected to the drive shaft to transmit the driving force.

Abstract: An assistive power control apparatus for a motor-assisted bicycle controls a motor to generate an assistive torque depending on the pedaling force of a rider. The assistive power control apparatus detects a rotating torque value of a crankshaft rotated when a rider steps on pedals by a torque sensor, controls a motor to generate an assistive power determined using the rotating torque value, calculates a rotation angle of the crankshaft when a present rotating torque value is detected from a time period from a timing of detection of a peak position of the rotating torque value to a timing of detection of the rotating torque value, calculates a pedaling force applied when the rider steps on the pedals from the calculated rotation angle of the crankshaft and the detected present rotating torque value, and determines the assistive power of the motor according to the calculated pedaling force.

Abstract: A bicycle includes an auxiliary power unit for regenerating electric energy even with no braking operations. A power-assisted bicycle includes a controller for detecting a torque value of a pedaling torque applied to a crankshaft for controlling an output of a brushless motor according to the torque value detected. A power transmitting member outputs the pedaling torque applied to the crankshaft to a rear wheel with a clutch unit for permitting an output of a driving force of the brushless motor to the rear wheel, but not an output of power from the rear wheel to the brushless motor. A selector selects whether or not to permit transmission of power from the rear wheel to the brushless motor. The clutch unit includes a lock-up ratchet for selectively permitting an output of power from the rear wheel WR to the brushless motor according to an operation of the selector.

Abstract: A bicycle with an auxiliary power unit with improved positional stability of a torque sensor and inhibits the position of the sensor from being misaligned. A power-assisted bicycle includes an annular hollow member inserted over an outer periphery of a crankshaft and a one-way clutch, disposed on the hollow member, for transmitting, when a pedaling torque in a direction in which the power-assisted bicycle travels in a forward direction is applied to the crankshaft, the pedaling torque to a rear wheel. In the power-assisted bicycle, a magnetic film is formed in a recess disposed in an outer periphery of the hollow member; and a magnetostrictive torque sensor is positioned and fixed by a support member for supporting the magnetostrictive torque sensor rotatably relative to the annular hollow member at both ends of the recess such that the magnetostrictive torque sensor faces the magnetic film in the recess.

Abstract: A torque detection device for a power steering which is less liable to be influenced by external factors or by a bending force exerted on a shaft. In the torque detection device, a torque is generated between an input shaft, which is turned interlockedly with a steering handle for operating the traveling direction of a vehicle, and an output shaft turned interlockedly with the input shaft so as to steer the vehicle. An assisting force is exerted on the output shaft by an assisting unit that is determined based on the detection result. The torque detection device is provided between the input shaft and the output shaft and includes a cam mechanism by which a torque generated between the input shaft and the output shaft is converted into a thrust force, and a pressure sensor for detecting the thrust force into which the torque is converted by the cam mechanism.

Abstract: A twin clutch device wherein a second clutch is arranged coaxially and radially inside of a first clutch outer which forms an annular plate portion. One clutch inners of both clutches is arranged between a clutch member which constitutes a portion of the outer of the first and second clutches and an annular plate portion. Lifter pins have axes arranged parallel to a rotary axis of first and second clutches and axially movably penetrate both clutch inners to bring one ends thereof into contact with pressure plates. First and second drive control members are capable of applying control forces to disconnect the first and second clutches against spring forces of first and second clutch springs. A second clutch outer is rotated together with the first clutch outer and is arranged coaxially with the first clutch. A pair of clutch outers are connected in a relatively non-rotatable manner with each other.

Abstract: To provide a smaller clutch system with fewer component parts, the clutch system includes a first hydraulic clutch, which is provided between a power source and a first driven shaft, and a second hydraulic clutch, which is provided between the power source and a second driven shaft. An input member includes an annular plate portion, an inner cylindrical portion, and an outer cylindrical portion. The input member is provided commonly to a first and a second hydraulic clutches, while the inner and the outer cylindrical portions are made to be the input sides respectively of the first and the second hydraulic clutches. First and a second clutch pistons, which are included respectively in the first and the second hydraulic clutches, are placed on an opening end side of the input member.

Abstract: A twin-clutch transmission system in a power unit for a vehicle includes a clutch system with a pair of hydraulic clutches, which respectively include clutch pistons. A gear transmission includes a first main shaft, which has a first end portion linked to a first one of the two hydraulic clutches. The gear transmission also includes a second main shaft, which has a first end portion linked with the other one of the two hydraulic clutches. A pair of hydraulic passages are concentrically formed inside the second main shaft, and apply hydraulic pressure respectively to the clutch pistons. An operating fluid is supplied from a second end side of the second main shaft. The resulting configuration enables the protrusion of the power unit toward the clutch system to be minimized.