Abstract: A sprocket assembly, formed of dissimilar materials, includes at least one tooth member made of ferrous material and a circular disk made of a light metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The circular disk supports the tooth member on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The tooth member is dissimilar-metal welded to the circular disk, either by laser welding or by electronic beam welding. Optionally, multiple individual tooth members may be fitted into notches formed in an outer periphery of the circular disk, and welded therein. A method of making a sprocket assembly is also described.

Abstract: A sprocket assembly, formed of dissimilar materials, includes at least one tooth member made of ferrous material and a circular disk made of a light metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The circular disk supports the tooth member on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The tooth member is dissimilar-metal welded to the circular disk, either by laser welding or by electronic beam welding. Optionally, multiple individual tooth members may be fitted into notches formed in an outer periphery of the circular disk, and welded therein. A method of making a sprocket assembly is also described.

Abstract: In a method for determining an installation position of a portable information terminal on a vehicle, a present camera image showing a camera image at a present position of the camera of the portable information terminal installed on the vehicle is acquired. It is determined, based on a position of a predetermined vehicle component of the vehicle in the present camera image, whether or not the portable information terminal is installed at a predetermined installation position on the vehicle. It is notified from the portable information terminal that the portable information terminal is not installed at the predetermined installation position if it is determined that the portable information terminal is not installed at the predetermined installation position.

Abstract: A motorcycle apparatus is provided which may include a step disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel, and to support feet of a rider and a side cover configured to cover a lateral side of the vehicle body. The apparatus may also include a charging electric cable for charging the battery from an outside power source and an electric cable housing unit to house the charging electric cable in the vehicle body, and in which the charging electric cable is connected to the vehicle body. The apparatus may further include a housing opening portion to be opened for inserting or removing a leading end portion of the charging electric cable into or from the electric cable housing unit and an opening lid to close the housing opening portion. The housing opening portion may be located under the step and provided to the side cover.

Abstract: In a method for determining an installation position of a portable information terminal on a vehicle, a present camera image showing a camera image at a present position of the camera of the portable information terminal installed on the vehicle is acquired. It is determined, based on a position of a predetermined vehicle component of the vehicle in the present camera image, whether or not the portable information terminal is installed at a predetermined installation position on the vehicle. It is notified from the portable information terminal that the portable information terminal is not installed at the predetermined installation position if it is determined that the portable information terminal is not installed at the predetermined installation position.

Abstract: A motorcycle can include a step placed between a front wheel and a rear wheel in a side view and on which a rider puts his or her feet. A charging electric cable 41, used for charging from outside of the motorcycle 1, is housed in the vehicle body in an electric cable housing unit, and in which the charging electric cable is connected to the vehicle body 2. A housing opening portion can be opened for inserting or removing a leading end portion of the charging electric cable into or from the electric cable housing unit. An opening lid closes the housing opening portion. The housing opening portion can be located under the step and provided to a side cover.

Abstract: On a pivot bolt which rotatably and pivotally supports a side stand bar on a vehicle-body-side bracket, a switch unit which is constituted of a base and a rotary made of a resin and detects a rotational position of the side stand bar is mounted. A first engaging mechanism which is constituted of a groove and a projection is arranged between a cylindrical portion formed on the rotary and an engaging shaft and, at the same time, a second engaging mechanism which is constituted of a groove and a projection is arranged between the base and the cylindrical portion. The rotary on which a movable contact formed of a leaf spring is mounted allows a positioning pin which is formed on one end portion thereof to be engaged with a pin hole formed in a pivot portion and hence, the rotary is integrally rotated with the side stand bar.

Abstract: On a pivot bolt which rotatably and pivotally supports a side stand bar on a vehicle-body-side bracket, a switch unit which is constituted of a base and a rotary made of a resin and detects a rotational position of the side stand bar is mounted. A first engaging mechanism which is constituted of a groove and a projection is arranged between a cylindrical portion formed on the rotary and an engaging shaft and, at the same time, a second engaging mechanism which is constituted of a groove and a projection is arranged between the base and the cylindrical portion. The rotary on which a movable contact formed of a leaf spring is mounted allows a positioning pin which is formed on one end portion thereof to be engaged with a pin hole formed in a pivot portion and hence, the rotary is integrally rotated with the side stand bar.

Abstract: A pressure-type flow rate control apparatus controls the flow rate of fluid passing through an orifice to a target flow rate. The flow rate of a compressible fluid under non-critical conditions (sub-sonic) passing through the orifice is calculated by: Qc=KP2m(P1?P2)n so that the flow rate can be controlled to the target flow rate with high precision and speed. Also provided is an improved pressure-type flow rate control apparatus in which a pressure ratio P2/P1=r, obtained from an upstream pressure P1 and a downstream pressure P2 is constantly compared with a critical value r, and under critical conditions (r?rc), the flow rate is calculated by: Qc=KP1. Under non-critical conditions (r>rc), the flow rate is calculated by Qc=KP2m(P1?P2)n.

Abstract: A pressure-type flow rate control apparatus controls the flow rate of fluid passing through an orifice to a target flow rate.