Abstract: A three-rotational-degree-of-freedom connection mechanism required for a robot that can make motion similar to a human has a simple structure, and there is no restriction on motion within a movable range. The three-rotational-degree-of-freedom connection mechanism includes a joint connecting a second member rotatably to a first member with three rotational degrees of freedom including rotation around a torsion axis, three actuators each including variable length links having a variable length, and power sources for generating force changing the lengths of variable length links and three first-member-side link attaching units provided in first member and the second-member-side link attaching units provided on the second member such that variable length links having a twisted relationship with respect to a torsion axis exist in each state within a movable range of joint.

Abstract: A structure having limited supportable portions has been difficult to isolate from vibration in the direction in which a load is applied. A base isolation apparatus includes a Z-axis base isolation unit, an X-axis base isolation unit, and a Y-axis base isolation unit. The base isolation unit includes a vibration-source connector, an isolated-object connector, a lock device disposed between the isolated-object connector and the vibration-source connector for switching between a state of fixing the isolated-object connector and a state of making it movable, a distance recovery device for generating a force to cause an amount of change in distance to approach zero, depending on the amount of change, and a vibration damper for generating a force in an orientation of hindering the change, depending on the rate of change in distance.

Abstract: A honeycomb sandwich panel having an absolute value of thermal expansion coefficient smaller than an absolute value of thermal expansion coefficient obtained by using carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is provided. The honeycomb sandwich panel includes: a first skin being a plate material made of a low expansion metal being a metal having an absolute value of thermal expansion coefficient smaller than an absolute value of thermal expansion coefficient of CFRP; a second skin being a plate material made of the low expansion metal and arranged to face the first skin; and a core made of CFRP or the low expansion metal, being bonded to the first skin and the second skin and including a plurality of tubular cells each having a hexagonal cross section, the tubular cells being formed adjacently to each other.

Abstract: An optical device can deal with a relative difference in thermal expansion coefficient between a reflecting mirror and a mirror supporting member, and can also support the reflecting mirror with a simpler structure than the conventional one. The optical device includes: a reflecting mirror including a reflecting surface to reflect light, and a supported portion disposed on a rear surface and having three supported surfaces arranged with rotational symmetry of 120 degrees around an optical axis, the rear surface being a surface of the reflecting mirror existing on the contrary side to the reflecting surface; a structural member provided on a rear side of reflecting mirror; and three supporting members, each of the three supporting members including a mirror supporting portion connected to and supporting each of the three supported surfaces, and having two ends connected to the structural member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound which has an inhibitory activity on plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and has a propanedioic acid structure represented by formula (1) [wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R3 represents a cyclohexyl group or a phenyl group (provide that the phenyl group may be substituted by a substituent selected from a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a halogen atom); R4 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl group (provide that the phenyl group may be substituted by a substituent selected from a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a halogen atom); and n represents an integer of 1 to 8]. The compound is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission is provided with two coaxially mounted input shafts having input gears, a pair of clutches to selectively transmit a driving torque of a power source to the input shafts, a plurality of output shafts having output gears, and a plurality of gear selectors. The gear selectors selectively connect and disconnect the gears to their respective shafts in order to selectively establish a plurality of forward driving speed ratios and at least one reverse driving speed ratio by selectively controlling the gear selectors and the first and second clutches. The gears are arranged such that only two sets of the gear pairs are used in establishing a torque transmitting path from one of the input shafts to a final reduction gear output shaft when at least one of a forward gear is selected other than a first forward gear.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission is provided with two coaxially mounted input shafts having input gears, a pair of clutches to selectively transmit a driving torque of a power source to the input shafts, a plurality of output shafts having output gears, and a plurality of gear selectors. The gear selectors selectively connect and disconnect the gears to their respective shafts in order to selectively establish a plurality of forward driving speed ratios and at least one reverse driving speed ratio by selectively controlling the gear selectors and the first and second clutches. The gears are arranged such that only two sets of the gear pairs are used in establishing a torque transmitting path from one of the input shafts to a final reduction gear output shaft when at least one of a forward gear is selected other than a first forward gear.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided that lowers the cost of series hybrid vehicles in order to make it easier for series hybrid vehicles to gain popularity. A hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine, a first rotary electric machine and a second rotary electric machine. The first rotary electric machine is coupled to the output shaft of the engine, while the second rotary electric machine is electrically coupled to the first rotary electric machine and coupled to the drive wheels of the vehicle. The maximum generated electric power of the first rotary electric machine is substantially equal to the maximum output power of the second rotary electric machine.

Abstract: A coolant inlet and a coolant outlet are opened on an inner surface enclosing an inner space of a rotation object. The coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are located on a rotation axis and face each other. A main-stream which flows straightly along the rotation axis from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet is generated in a central space of the inner space. Therefore, a resistance about the coolant stream is small. In addition, a sub-stream which circulates in a radial direction is generated in a peripheral space around the central space. By generating a contact between the main-stream and the sub-stream, it is possible to obtain high performance of cooling.

Abstract: A coolant inlet and a coolant outlet are opened on an inner surface enclosing an inner space of a rotation object. The coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are located on a rotation axis and face each other. A main-stream which flows straightly along the rotation axis from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet is generated in a central space of the inner space. Therefore, a resistance about the coolant stream is small. In addition, a sub-stream which circulates in a radial direction is generated in a peripheral space around the central space. By generating a contact between the main-stream and the sub-stream, it is possible to obtain high performance of cooling.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided that lowers the cost of series hybrid vehicles in order to make it easier for series hybrid vehicles to gain popularity. A hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine, a first rotary electric machine and a second rotary electric machine. The first rotary electric machine is coupled to the output shaft of the engine, while the second rotary electric machine is electrically coupled to the first rotary electric machine and coupled to the drive wheels of the vehicle. The maximum generated electric power of the first rotary electric machine is substantially equal to the maximum output power of the second rotary electric machine.

Abstract: Provided is a power train system for a vehicle, for transmitting power from a motor to a differential gear unit. The motor and the differential gear unit are disposed so that the output shaft of the motor and an axis of rotation of an output portion of the differential gear unit are parallely offset in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The power train system comprises a planetary reduction gear unit connected to the motor to be driven thereby and a parallel reduction gear unit drivingly connecting between the planetary reduction gear unit and the differential gear unit. The planetary reduction gear unit and the parallel reduction gear unit are disposed within a stationary casing.

Abstract: A generator (4) is combined with drive wheels (8) of a vehicle, and the output of an engine (2) is transmitted to the drive wheels (8) under an engaging force of an electromagnetic clutch (3) in response to an energizing current. During a predetermined deceleration state, a braking force is applied to the drive wheels (8) and a battery (15) is charged by the generator (4) which performs regenerative power generation. At this time, the controller (16) supplies a weak energizing current to the electromagnetic clutch (3) so as to put the clutch (3) into a partially engaged state. A sensor (29) detects the output rotation speed of the clutch (3). When the output rotation speed of the clutch (3) is high, the controller (16) decreases the energizing current so that the rotational resistance of the electromagnetic clutch (3) is reduced.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprises an electric motor as a first propulsion source, an engine as a second propulsion source and a continuously variable transmission for receiving an input rotation from at least one of the motor and engine and for delivering a driving torque to a drive axle of the vehicle. A controller controls a transmission ratio of the transmission so that the transmission ratio in a motor drive mode is higher than the transmission ratio in an engine drive mode.

Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid drive vehicle, comprises a driving mechanism which includes a clutch, an engine connected the clutch, a first motor for generating power, connected to the clutch, a second motor for driving a drive wheel, connected to the clutch, and a transmission connected to the clutch. A third motor is provided for driving a hydraulic pump of a hydraulic system for the transmission. A first inverter is connected between the first motor and a battery, in which charging and discharging between the first motor and the battery being made through the first inverter. A second inverter is connected between the second motor and the battery, in which charging and discharging between the second motor and the battery being made through the second inverter. A third inverter is connected between the third motor and the battery, in which changing and discharging between the battery and the motor being made through the third inverter.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, an internal combustion engine and a first electric propulsion motor are linked to an input axle of a clutch and an input axle of a continuously variable transmission and a second electric propulsion motor are linked to an output axle of the clutch. A propulsion mechanism for transmitting a power from an output axle of the continuously variable transmission to drive axles, a third electric propulsion motor used to drive a hydraulic system of the continuously variable transmission, a battery supply, a power inverter for charging and discharging between the battery supply and the first, second, and third electric propulsion motors, and a controller for controlling operations of the power inverter, the battery supply, the first, second, and third motors, and the continuously variable transmission are provided in the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle employing a parallel hybrid system, using both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion, comprises a propulsion mechanism having at least a first electric motor, an internal combustion engine, a clutch, a second electric motor, a transmission, and drive wheels, and constructed so that a crankshaft of the engine and a motor shaft of the first electric motor are connected to an input shaft of the clutch, and that a motor shaft of the second electric motor and an input shaft of the transmission are connected to an output shaft of the clutch to transmit a driving torque from the output shaft of the transmission to the drive wheels. An engine temperature sensor is provided for detecting an engine temperature.

Abstract: A lock-up control apparatus for a vehicle automatic transmission enables an engine stalling prevention at the time of a sudden deceleration in the lock-up state of a torque converter without causing the slip of the torque converter before the sudden deceleration, and prevents effectiveness of the fuel consumption from being sacrificed by a fuel cut. A controller performs the change-speed control on an automatic transmission through shift solenoids and on the basis of a throttle opening and a transmission output speed, and also performs the lock-up control of the torque converter through a lock-up solenoid. During the coasting drive when the throttle opening is set close to zero, the controller sets the torque converter to have a minimum lock-up capacity through the lock-up solenoid within such a range that no slip occurs.

Abstract: An improved planetary gear type transmission mechanism is provided which is capable of realizing a plurality of desired speed ratios in a wide range, for example in an automatic transmission, and which maintains gear ratios of all of a plurality of planetary gear sets in an available range. The transmission mechanism includes a double pinion type planetary gear set.

Abstract: A supporting structure for control elements of an automatic transmission including a multiple-disc clutch having a piston operated by hydraulic pressure from a control valve unit and a cylinder slidably supporting the piston, and a one-way clutch having outer and inner races and a series of sprags placed between both of the races so as to mechanically jam depending on the rotational direction of the outer race, comprises a support member comprised of the cylinder and the inner race which are integrally formed with each other, and a transmission case for fixing the support member on the inner surface thereof from the inside of the transmission case by means of bolts.