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 power output apparatus 20 includes an engine 50, a clutch motor 30 having rotors 31 and 33 respectively linked with a crankshaft 56 and a drive shaft 22, an assist motor 40 attached to a rotor-rotating shaft 38, a first clutch 45 for connecting and disconnecting the rotor-rotating shaft 38 to and from the crankshaft 56, a second clutch 46 for connecting and disconnecting the rotor-rotating shaft 38 to and from the drive shaft 22, and a controller 80 for controlling the motors 30 and 40. The controller 80 operates the clutches 45 and 46 according to the states of the engine 50 and the drive shaft 22 and changes the connection of the rotor-rotating shaft 38, so as to enable power output from the engine 50 to be efficiently converted by the motors 30 and 40 and output to the drive shaft 22.

Abstract: A robot apparatus is provided for supplying parts to a work conveyor line and assemblying the parts to a work conveyed along the conveyor line. The robot apparatus has a plurality of manipulators and a manipulator support for supporting the manipulators so that each manipulator is movable in a direction perpendicular to the work conveyor line and so that the manipulators protrude from the manipulator support in directions opposite to one another. The movable support of the manipulators enlarges the area accessible to the manipulators in the direction perpendicular to the conveyor line, and the opposite protrusion of the manipulators prevents interference of the manipulators.