Abstract: A metal separator 10 for a fuel cell is configured such that, after forming through-holes 11b and 12b on a first separator member 11 and a second separator member 12, rising wall sections 11c and 12c are provided so as to be spaced apart from formed sections 11a and 12a for introducing a gas by a predetermined distance L, the rising wall section 11c of the first separator member 11 is fittingly inserted into the rising wall section 12c of the second separator member 12 for performing a positional alignment therebeween, and then, the rising wall sections 11c and 12c are folded to be caulked, whereby the first separator member 11 and the second separator member 12 are bonded to each other. A positional alignment between the first separator member 11 and the second separator member 12 become facilitative.

Abstract: By using a hydraulic forming device 20, a metal plate body 11 is placed on a support section 21b with a hollow section 21a formed on a lower die 21 filled with hydraulic fluid A. Subsequently, a blank holder 23 is lowered to clamp the peripheral edge section of the placed metal plate body 11 with the support section 21b. Then, the upper die 22 is lowered relative to the lower die 21 to pressedly deform the central section of the metal plate body 11 and to compress the hydraulic fluid A to increase the fluid pressure. A rib-like convex section 12 is transferred onto the metal plate body 11 by the increased fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A and a formed section 22a. Further, the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A is kept for a predetermined time. Then, the increased fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A is released.

Abstract: A fuel cell composed of a plurality of cell function assemblies of each of which includes a set of spaced electrolytic membranes, two pairs of electrode plates in contact with opposite surfaces of each of the electrolytic membranes, a set of separators, and a set of six support frames assembled to retain the electrolytic membranes and separators in position. In the fuel cell, the separators each are in the form of a flat plate of synthetic resin integrally provided with a plurality of spaced projections made of pressed carbon powder and retained in contact with the electrode plates to form a pair of reaction chambers at opposite sides of each of the electrolytic membranes.

Abstract: By using a hydraulic forming device 20, a metal plate body 11 is placed on a support section 21b with a hollow section 21a formed on a lower die 21 filled with hydraulic fluid A. Subsequently, a blank holder 23 is lowered to clamp the peripheral edge section of the placed metal plate body 11 with the support section 21b. Then, the upper die 22 is lowered relative to the lower die 21 to pressedly deform the central section of the metal plate body 11 and to compress the hydraulic fluid A to increase the fluid pressure. A rib-like convex section 12 is transferred onto the metal plate body 11 by the increased fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A and a formed section 22a. Further, the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A is kept for a predetermined time. Then, the increased fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A is released.

Abstract: A metal separator 10 for a fuel cell is configured such that, after forming through-holes 11b and 12b on a first separator member 11 and a second separator member 12, rising wall sections 11c and 12c are provided so as to be spaced apart from formed sections 11a and 12a for introducing a gas by a predetermined distance L, the rising wall section 11c of the first separator member 11 is fittingly inserted into the rising wall section 12c of the second separator member 12 for performing a positional alignment therebeween, and then, the rising wall sections 11c and 12c are folded to be caulked, whereby the first separator member 11 and the second separator member 12 are bonded to each other. A positional alignment between the first separator member 11 and the second separator member 12 become facilitative.

Abstract: When power is output from an engine 50 to a crankshaft 56, a multiplying gear unit 57 attached to the crankshaft 56 increases a revolving speed but decreases a torque and transmits the increased revolving speed and the decreased torque to a rotating shaft 57e. A drive shaft 22 of a vehicle that cruises at a constant speed is generally driven at a higher revolving speed and a smaller torque than a driving point at which the engine 50 is driven with a high efficiency. The multiplying gear unit 57 converts the power output from the engine 50 to a power of high revolving speed and low torque. This structure decreases the amount of electrical energy transmitted between a clutch motor 30 and an assist motor 40 in the process of torque conversion by the clutch motor 30 and the assist motor 40 and thereby reduces an energy loss of both the motors 30 and 40. This effectively reduces the required capacities and size of the clutch motor 30 and the assist motor 40.

Abstract: A clutch motor 30 that includes a rotatable outer rotor 32 and a rotatable inner rotor 34 and is driven to carry out power operation or regenerative operation is attached to an output shaft of an engine 50. The output of the clutch motor 30 is transmitted to front wheels 26 and 28 via a drive shaft 22A. An assist motor 40 is directly linked with a drive shaft 22B that transmits power to rear wheels 27 and 29. Slip rotation in the clutch motor 30 enables part of the energy of the engine 50 to be regenerated. The assist motor 40 is driven with at least part of the regenerated energy or energy stored in a battery 94. This structure allows torques to be output to the two different shafts and thereby realizes four-wheel-drive. In accordance with another possible structure, the assist motor 40 regenerates electric power, while the clutch motor 30 carries out over-drive operation.

Abstract: A MacPherson strut type automotive suspension system having an attaching portion to a body of an automobile. This attaching portion includes an inner cylindrical member secured to a piston rod in a shock absorber, an outer cylindrical member disposed in coaxial relation to the inner cylindrical member and secured to the body of an automobile, and a cylindrical resilient member interposed between the both inner and outer cylindrical members.A stopper is secured to the inner cylindrical member and adapted to abut the bottom surface of the cylindrical resilient member, thereby preventing an excessive displacement of the resilient member in its axial direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheel camber adjusting means for use with strut type suspension means for vehicles wherein a pair of arms of a bracket mounted on the lower end of a shock absorber strut are overlapped upon one end of a knuckle arm connected at the other end to a tip end portion of a lower arm through a ball joint. The pair of arms are pivotally connected to the knuckle arm by means of at least a connecting bolt arranged substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The bracket is connected to the knuckle arm at a position vertically spaced from the connecting bolt by means of an adjusting bolt arranged in substantially the lateral direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A structure for supporting the main shaft of a steering column with its upper end being journalled in a first bearing structure and its lower end in a second bearing structure, wherein the second bearing structure is adapted to support the shaft in such a manner as to allow the shaft to rotate about its axis as well as to pivot about a point on the axis.