Abstract: A regenerative braking control system consumes energy generated in a period corresponding to an angle .theta..sub.1 which starts in a half of a period of an AC voltage produced in a drive motor during the braking of the drive motor. The regenerative braking control system also consumes energy generated in a period corresponding to an angle .theta..sub.2 that ends at the end of a half of a period of the AC voltage. The regenerative rate of braking control system utilizes a current induced in the driving coils of the drive motor at the end of the period corresponding to the angle .theta..sub.1 to recharge a battery. By utilizing two periods to carry out the regenerative braking process, the recharging energy and the braking force can be controlled individually. Moreover, a controller monitors the electric control system to determine whether a malfunction is present. If a malfunction is detected, an electrical brake electrically brakes the drive motor.

Abstract: An ignition coil device has a plug cap engaging a spark plug; a secondary coil surrounding the plug cap; a primary coil coaxially surrounding the secondary coil; a cylindrical case with a bottom surrounding the plug cap, the secondary coil and the primary coil; and a sealing member for sealing an opening of the case. Furthermore, the coil ends of the primary coil extend close to a bottom of the case and are individually connected to terminals which extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spark plug. The coil ends and the external wiring are not passed through the sealing member, thereby improving the sealability of the ignition coil. Further, because the coil ends and the external wiring do not interfere with the sealing member, they are not worn by vibrations, thereby improving the durability of the external wiring.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a wet type secondary battery wherein a battery housing is provided with electrode plates being operatively positioned within the battery housing. Connector terminals are operatively connected to respective electrode plates. The electrode plates are disposed in a horizontal plane when the battery housing is mounted relative to electric vehicle. A step floor is provided on the electric vehicle and operatively positioned relative to a lower portion of the electric vehicle wherein the battery housing is disposed below the step floor. A charging station is provided for charging the battery.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system in a motor vehicle determines a state of deceleration on the basis of the number of revolutions of a motor and an accelerator signal and performs a regenerative braking according to the state of deceleration. The regenerative braking system includes a revolution sensor for detecting the number of revolutions of a rotor of a vehicle driving motor and an accelerator opening sensor in a RAM stores discrimination data for discriminating between a regenerative braking mode and a drive mode on the basis of the number of revolutions of the rotor and the accelerator opening and also stores on-off duty ratio data of FETs in the regenerative braking mode and that in the drive mode.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system in a motor vehicle determines a state of deceleration on the basis of the number of revolutions of a motor and an accelerator signal and performs a regenerative braking according to the state of deceleration. The regenerative braking system includes a revolution sensor for detecting;the number of revolutions of a rotor of a vehicle driving motor and an accelerator opening sensor in a RAM stores discrimination data for discriminating between a regenerative braking mode and a drive mode on the basis of the number of revolutions of the rotor and the accelerator opening and also stores on-off duty ratio data of FETs in the regenerative braking mode and that in the drive mode.

Abstract: A regenerative braking control system consumes energy generated in a period corresponding to an angle .theta..sub.1 which starts in a half of a period of an AC voltage produced in a drive motor during the braking of the drive motor. The regenerative braking control system also consumes energy generated in a period corresponding to an angle .theta..sub.2 that ends at the end of a half of a period of the AC voltage. The regenerative rate of braking control system utilizes a current induced in the driving coils of the drive motor at the end of the period corresponding to the angle .theta..sub.1 to recharge a battery. By utilizing two periods to carry out the regenerative braking process, the recharging energy and the braking force can be controlled individually. Moreover, a controller monitors the electric control system to determine whether a malfunction is present. If a malfunction is detected, an electrical brake electrically brakes the drive motor.

Abstract: A regenerative brake device increases its regenerative brake power during high-speed driving, without impairing driveability. A regenerative brake device includes a driving wheel linked with a rotary shaft of an electric motor through a power transmission system and a battery charging circuit provided between the electric motor and a set of batteries. The battery charging circuit is switched OFF and ON to execute the regenerative braking in response to the duty factor of control pulse signals inputted to the battery charging circuit. The duty factor of control pulse signals inputted to the battery charging circuit decreases as the rotational speed of the rotary shaft of the electric motor increases, thereby increasing the braking power within a range that does not exceed a predetermined braking power.

Abstract: A warning device is provided for use in an electric vehicle which includes a frame member and ground engaging wheels operative mounted relative to the frame member. An electric motor is operatively connected to the frame member and the ground engaging wheels for supplying rotational motion to the ground engaging wheels. A switch member is provided for selectively energizing the electric motor. An indicator member is provided for indicating to an operator that the electric vehicle has completed a preparing to start operation. The switch member may be a switch for operatively connecting the electric motor to a source of power. The indicator member may provide a visual display or an audible sound for warning the operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor driven vehicle having a driving unit assembled with a motor and transmission mechanism. In order to avoid a load in a low rotational state of the motor, the transmission mechanism is connected with the motor and driving wheel within a range of predetermined rotational numbers in which the motor approaches the vicinity of maximum efficiency. Accordingly, motor driving is possible from the start, and because of the small electric power and the low heat generating quantity, cruising distance is extended and the apparatus is consequently made to be compact and of light weight. The transmission is provided with an automatic starting clutch and an automatic transmission, and when a belt type stepless speed change transmission is used as the automatic transmission, operation of the motor near the vicinity of maximum efficiency can always be maintained in the usual speed change range. The driving unit can be constructed compactly as a power unit of swing type.

Abstract: A regenerative brake device increases its regenerative brake power during high-speed driving, without impairing driveability. A regenerative brake device includes a driving wheel linked with a rotary shaft of an electric motor through a power transmission system and a battery charging circuit provided between the electric motor and a set of batteries. The battery charging circuit is switched OFF and ON to execute the regenerative braking in response to the duty factor of control pulse signals inputted to the battery charging circuit. The duty factor of control pulse signals inputted to the battery charging circuit decreases as the rotational speed of the rotary shaft of the electric motor increases, thereby increasing the braking power within a range that does not exceed a predetermined braking power.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor driven vehicle having a driving unit assembled with a motor and transmission mechanism. In order to avoid a load in a low rotational state of the motor, the transmission mechanism is connected with the motor and driving wheel within a range of predetermined rotational numbers in which the motor approaches the vicinity of maximum efficiency. Accordingly, motor driving is possible from the start, and because of the small electric power and the low heat generating quantity, cruising distance is extended and the apparatus is consequently made to be compact and of light weight. The transmission is provided with an automatic starting clutch and an automatic transmission is used as the automatic transmission, operation of the motor near the vicinity of maximum efficiency can always be maintained in the usual speed change range. The driving unit can be constructed compactly as a power unit of swing type.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in the design of the magnetic circuit in a permanent-magnet rotary machine, e.g., a servomotor, with an object to stabilize the output of the motor with respect to temperature variation. The inventive improvement is in making the value of (A.sub.m B.sub.m)/(A.sub.y B.sub.ys), which is called the area factor .alpha., larger than 1 but smaller than 5, A.sub.m and B.sub.m being the cross sectional area and magnetic flux density, respectively, in the magnetic circuit of the permanent magnet and A.sub.y and B.sub.ys being the effective cross sectional area and saturation magnetic flux density at room temperature, respectively, in the magnetic circuit of the yoke.

Abstract: An electric generator organization, particularly adapted for small vehicles such as motorcycles, is described in which a rectifier mechanism electrically disposed between the stator and the rotor is mechanically connected to the rotor for rotation therewith during engine startup and disconnected therefrom during periods of normal engine operation. An operating circuit enables efficient transmission of electric current from the battery to starting coils in the generator only during the period of engine startup. During periods of normal engine operation, the transmission of electric current is from generating coils in the generator to the battery. Included in the operating circuit is an engine operation detector that prevents excessive current feed from the generator coils to the rectifier mechanism.

Abstract: An electric generator for vehicles is disclosed including an armature having starting coils, generating coils and a starting current supply path assembly for supplying electrical current from a power supply to the starting coils. The electric generator also includes a field element having a set of field magnets for providing a magnetic field which interacts with the magnetic field of the starting coils during a start-up sequence of the engine of the vehicle. The field magnets also generate a magnetic field after the start-up sequence has been completed to induce an electrical current in the generating coils during operation of the engine so as to provide electrical energy for the engine. The starting coils are arranged concentrically inside the set of field magnets and the generating coils are arranged concentrically inside the starting coils.

Abstract: A storage battery including a container and a cover. The container is partitioned into a plurality of cell chambers by a plurality of partition walls. Each cell chamber has a cell therein which is composed of positive and negative plates. The negative and positive plates are connected by negative and positive straps, respectively. An intercell connecting conductor connects negative and positive straps from adjacent cells through an opening in the partition wall. Each intercell connecting conductor includes a horizontal base attached to one of the straps, and an ear which extends obliquely upwardly from the base to the opening in the partition wall. The opening in the partition wall and the ear are laterally offset from the base so that they are vertically unaligned with the base.

Abstract: A switch attachment structure on a motor vehicle having an handlebar such as a motor scooter, a motorcycle, a snowmobile, or the like includes a handle cover fixed to the handlebar and at least partly covering the handlebar, and a plurality of switches mounted on the handle cover for controlling electric components on the motor vehicle. The handle cover has a plurality of juxtaposed switch attachment seats to which the switches are fittingly attached, respectively.

Abstract: A coupler device for use in a motorcycle or the like serves to centralize electrical connections previously achieved through a plurality of independent couplers. The device allows more freedom in the design of the headlight, which formerly housed electrical couplings, and also permits the centralization of other electrical components, such as fuses. The device may be mounted in a previously dead-space on the vehicle, leading to design efficiency and a better external appearance of the bike.