Abstract: A motortricycle with oscillation mechanism including left and right suspension arms respectively swingably mounted onto a vehicle body frame, rear wheels mounted respectively onto the outer portions of the left and right suspension arms. An oscillation mechanism permitting leftward and rightward oscillation of the vehicle body frame relative to the side of the suspension arms is provided between the suspension arms and the vehicle body frame, and an engine for driving the left and right rear wheels is mounted onto the vehicle body frame. Since the engine of the motortricycle is mounted on the vehicle body frame rather than on the suspension arms, weight on the suspension arms can be largely reduced, and the riding comfort can be further enhanced.

Abstract: An automatic engine shutdown apparatus for automatically shutting down an engine under a predetermined running or operating condition. The apparatus includes a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, a throttle sensor for detecting a throttle opening, a travel history memory for storing a travel history of a vehicle, and an engine shutdown controller for automatically shutting down the engine depending on the vehicle speed, the throttle opening, and the travel history. The engine shutdown controller shuts down the engine after elapse of a standby time depending on the travel history since a predetermined engine shutdown condition has been satisfied. As a result, the automatic engine shutdown time is optimized depending on predetermined running or operating conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A valve system is provided to eliminate a play at connection portions in a valve characteristic varying mechanism and to enhance the accuracy in control of valve operation characteristics.

Abstract: An automatic engine shutdown apparatus for automatically shutting down an engine under a predetermined running or operating condition. The apparatus includes a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, a throttle sensor for detecting a throttle opening, a travel history memory for storing a travel history of a vehicle, and an engine shutdown controller for automatically shutting down the engine depending on the vehicle speed, the throttle opening, and the travel history. The engine shutdown controller shuts down the engine after elapse of a standby time depending on the travel history since a predetermined engine shutdown condition has been satisfied. As a result, the automatic engine shutdown time is optimized depending on predetermined running or operating conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present apparatus for a continuously variable transmission ensures good acceleration performance during starting operations and following an engine stall occurring before a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is shifted back to a low speed. The control apparatus includes sensors, a gear ratio return control unit, and a one-way clutch. One sensor detects a gear ratio of a continuously variable transmission. The other sensor detects whether an engine is in a stationary state. The gear ratio return control unit drives a motor in a backward direction when the engine is in the stationary state and the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is one other than a low gear ratio. The one-way clutch turns idly relative to a backward drive of the output shaft. The gear ratio return control unit brings the motor to a stop when the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission sufficiently lowers.

Abstract: A valve operating device for an internal combustion engine is capable of increasing a negative valve overlapping duration when maximum lift amounts of an intake valve and an exhaust valve are small. The valve operating device is provided with intake-side and exhaust-side characteristic adjustment mechanisms for adjusting operating characteristics of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. Each characteristic adjustment mechanism has a control cam rotating integrally with a cam shaft, an electric motor that causes a holder pivoted on the cam shaft to rotate about the cam shaft, a sub-rocker lever pivoted on the holder and caused to oscillate by the control cam, and a valve cam that is caused to oscillate around the cam shaft by oscillation of the holder and the sub-rocker lever, for causing oscillation of main rocker levers.

Abstract: A power plant includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft to which a piston is connected and a variable compression ratio system for changing the position of the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. The power plant includes a transmission having a main shaft which is connected to the crankshaft through a first deceleration system. The variable compression ratio system includes a crankshaft holder, which rotatably supports the crankshaft and which is swingably supported on a main shaft, and a drive system which swings the crankshaft holder. Thus, the power plant retains unchanged the distance of shafts between the crankshaft and the main shaft, even when the combustion engine has a variable compression ratio system, by changing the position of the axis of rotation of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A valve system is provided to eliminate a play at connection portions in a valve characteristic varying mechanism and to enhance the accuracy in control of valve operation characteristics.

Abstract: A valve operating device for an internal combustion engine is capable of increasing a negative valve overlapping duration when maximum lift amounts of an intake valve and an exhaust valve are small. The valve operating device is provided with intake-side and exhaust-side characteristic adjustment mechanisms for adjusting operating characteristics of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. Each characteristic adjustment mechanism has a control cam rotating integrally with a cam shaft, an electric motor that causes a holder pivoted on the cam shaft to rotate about the cam shaft, a sub-rocker lever pivoted on the holder and caused to oscillate by the control cam, and a valve cam that is caused to oscillate around the cam shaft by oscillation of the holder and the sub-rocker lever, for causing oscillation of main rocker levers.

Abstract: In order to do away with the need for a power source switching operation, and to improve motor regeneration charge efficiency in a hybrid vehicle, a one-way clutch is provided between an internal combustion engine and an electric drive motor.

Abstract: A differential mechanism is arranged below an infinitely variable transmission and a reduction gear mechanism. Front fitting parts and rear fitting parts for fitting suspension arms to a vehicle frame are arranged to the front and rear of the deferential mechanism. Even though the left and right suspension arms swing up and down, or a transmission and a reduction gear mechanism attached on a vehicle frame swing left and right with respect to the suspension arms, there is no interference of the transmission and the reduction gear mechanism with the suspension arms due to a space at the front and the rear of a differential mechanism, so that the vehicle frame can swing left and right and it is also possible to easily constitute a vehicle having an independent suspension.

Abstract: A three-wheeled motor vehicle includes a through coupling situated between right and left internal shafts and rear wheels, each via a drive shaft. The axial lines of right and left internal shafts are both intersected with a straight line as a rocking axis. If the right and left internal shafts are placed away from each other in the front and rear of the vehicle body, the drive shaft can be placed extensively in the diagonal direction from the right and left internal shafts to the rear wheel side. Using the described structure, the total length of the drive shaft can be increased. In consideration thereof, the bending angle of the drive shaft can be minimized when the rear drive wheels move in the vertical direction, and the track of the rear wheels can be reduced because the drive shaft is placed extensively in the diagonal direction.

Abstract: In a three-wheeled vehicle provided with a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the output of an engine to left and right rear wheels via a continuously variable transmission, a gear box and inner shafts of drive shafts as left and right output shafts, the inner shafts which are output shafts of the gear box are provided apart in a longitudinal direction of the body. The overall length of the drive shafts can be increased. When the rear wheel is vertically moved, an angle of the bend of the drive shaft can be minimized. Further, the tread of the wheels can be reduced. Therefore, the width of the body can be reduced and the mobility of the vehicle can be enhanced. In addition, the gear case can be separate from the crankcase and attached to the crankcase with the differential mechanism being housed in the separate gear case.

Abstract: A motortricycle with oscillation mechanism including left and right suspension arms respectively swingably mounted onto a vehicle body frame, rear wheels mounted respectively onto the tip ends of the left and right suspension arms, an oscillation mechanism permitting leftward and rightward oscillation of the vehicle body frame relative to the side of the suspension arms provided between the side of he suspension arms and the side of the vehicle body frame, and an engine for driving the left and right rear wheels mounted onto the vehicle body frame. When a suspension spring is attached to the suspension arm side, the engine is not present on the suspension arm side, so that the under-spring weight can be largely reduced, and the riding comfort can be further enhanced.

Abstract: A lubricating oil supply system for an infinitely variable transmission wherein the infinitely variable transmission has a transmission shaft provided with a lubricating oil path and is rotatably mounted through the wall section of a casing. The infinitely variable transmission is housed in a transmission case partly defined by the wall section. An input rotary member is provided that is relatively unrotatably connected to the transmission shaft on the outside of the transmission case. An oil pump is provided for supplying lubricating oil to the lubricating oil path. The oil pump is located in the casing. In this infinitely variable transmission, the oil passage from the oil pump to the lubricated portion of the infinitely variable transmission is simplified in structure and the oil passage is substantially reduced in length, thereby enabling a decrease in the length of the transmission shaft. The oil pump which is driven by the transmission shaft is located on the wall section.

Abstract: A lubricating oil supply system for an infinitely variable transmission wherein the infinitely variable transmission has a transmission shaft provided with a lubricating oil path and is rotatably mounted through the wall section of a casing. The infinitely variable transmission is housed in a transmission case partly defined by the wall section. An input rotary member is provided that is relatively unrotatably connected to the transmission shaft on the outside of the transmission case. An oil pump is provided for supplying lubricating oil to the lubricating oil path. The oil pump is located in the casing. In this infinitely variable transmission, the oil passage from the oil pump to the lubricated portion of the infinitely variable transmission is simplified in structure and the oil passage is substantially reduced in length, thereby enabling a decrease in the length of the transmission shaft. The oil pump which is driven by the transmission shaft is located on the wall section.

Abstract: A secondary battery generates an assisting force for a bicycle. When the voltage of the battery drops, a driver can physically feel a variation in driving feeling to indicate a reduction in battery capacity and to also indicate the amount of capacity remaining. The variation in driving feeling is an increase in force required to pedal the bicycle. In other words, when charging is required, the assisting force which assists pedaling by human power will be reduced. A voltage drop detector compares data obtained by A/D conversion of the voltage of a battery with certain reference voltages set in advance and outputs voltage drop detection signals. When the voltage drop detection signal is received by an assisting force variation control, a variation assisting force is output to warn the user that battery charge is low. The variation assisting force is obtained by reducing or varying almost to zero an assisting force calculated by an assisting force calculator.

Abstract: To smoothly perform a shift change by the actuator with a simple structure, a drive motor M as a running drive source is connected with a drive motor electronic motor unit 103 through a FET driver 107. A change motor 61 for driving a shift drum 62 is connected with a change motor electronic control unit 111 through a FET driver 112. When a drive motor electronic control unit 103 outputs the speed change signal on the basis of the detection signal of an accelerator opening sensor 106 and a drive motor rotational speed sensor 104, the output of the driver motor M is temporarily reduced or stopped to release the meshing surface pressure of the gear trains of the transmission T, and during the period thereof, a shift drum 62 is driven by the change motor 61 for performing the shift change. After completion of the shift change, the output of the drive motor M is smoothly increased.

Abstract: Intake and exhaust rotary valves (10, 10', 20; 110, 110', 120; 210, 210') are separately disposed in intake and exhaust passages (7, 7', 8, 8'; 107, 108) communicating with a combustion chamber (6; 106) in an internal combustion engine (1; 101), respectively, and are adapted to open and close the corresponding intake and exhaust passages. These rotary valves have spherical valve bodies (13, 13', 23; 113, 113', 123; 213, 213'). A valve operating system (30) for rotatively driving the valve bodies interlockingly with the movement of a piston (5; 105) in the internal combustion engine (1; 101) has drive shaft (34, 36; 134; 234) each of which is connected to the valve body through a connecting member (17, 18; 117, 118; 217, 218). In case a plurality of the intake and exhaust rotary valves are mounted, the valve bodies of the intake rotary valves as well as the valve bodies of the exhaust rotary valves are also interconnected through connecting members.

Abstract: A rotary valve system for an internal combustion engine having ball-type valves with through bores. The valves are driven by rocking cam mechanisms within passageways for controlling communication through intake and exhaust passages. Valve seats are arranged to either side of the valves such that sealing thereof may occur. In one embodiment, side cut portions are employed to allow either intake or exhaust gases to flow around the valve body as well as through the through bore when the valve is in the opening or closing orientation. In another embodiment, a through bore of square cross section is provided to increase flow during opening and closing thereof. In a third embodiment, a bias mechanism is employed to provide torque on the valves and drive mechanism to eliminate clearances such that impact between components will be reduced or eliminated.