Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus includes: a meshing member that switches two rotating members between a coupled state and an uncoupled state; a piston member with a plurality of locked portions formed along a circumferential direction; an armature that moves the piston member forward and backward between a first position where the armature presses the piston member in an axial direction and a second position where the armature does not press the piston member; a biasing member that biases the piston member in the opposite direction from the pressing direction of the armature; and a locking member that locks the locked portions. The piston member has a mechanism that mitigates a possible shock when the locking member comes into abutting contact with an abutting contact surface of a first locked portion.

Abstract: A driving force transmission device includes: a switch member that switches a first rotary member and a second rotary member between a coupled state and a decoupled state; a second friction member that generates a frictional force between the rotary members; a piston member that has first to sixth engaged portions formed in the shape of a staircase and that presses the switch member and the second friction member in an axial direction; a biasing mechanism that presses the switch member and the second friction member toward the piston member; and an engaging member that engages with one of the plurality of engaged portions. The engaging member rotates the piston member by sliding on a plurality of tilted surfaces of the plurality of engaged portions, and the piston member is always pressed toward the engaging member by a biasing force of the biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus including a tank which reserves lubricating oil in an accommodating space which is interposed between a housing and an inner shaft and an apparatus case which has a cylindrical accommodating portion which accommodates the housing, and in the case, the accommodating portion has an inner circumferential surface which faces an outer circumferential surface of the housing, and the tank has an oil inlet port which is opened to the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion and through which the lubricating oil in the accommodating space is let in based on a centrifugal force generated in association with the rotation of the housing when a four-wheel drive vehicle travels forwards in a two-wheel drive mode.

Abstract: A driving force transmission control system includes: an electric motor; a multi-disc clutch; a cam mechanism that converts rotation output from the electric motor into cam thrust force that is axial force in the axial direction of the multi-disc clutch; a pressure-conversion mechanism that converts reaction force against the cam thrust force into pressure of a fluid; a pressure sensor that detects the pressure; and a control unit that computes a command value of a current supplied to the electric motor. The control unit stores the pressure of the fluid during disengagement of the multi-disc clutch, and computes the current command value based on the pressure of the fluid to which the reaction force against the cam thrust force has been applied, and the stored pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes: a driving force transmission system which transmits torque of a drive source to front wheels and rear wheels via gear mechanisms; a clutch provided in the driving force transmission system and capable of controlling an amount of the torque transmitted to the rear wheels; and a pressing mechanism which presses the clutch by transforming a part of the torque transmitted to the rear wheels into axial thrust. In the driving force transmission system, gear ratios of the gear mechanisms are set such that a direction of a differential rotation between a drive shaft connected to an input side of the clutch and a drive shaft connected to an output side of the clutch is not reversed even when a steered angle of the front wheels changes to a maximum value while the four-wheel drive vehicle is traveling forwards.

Abstract: A driving force transmission control system includes: an electric motor; a multi-disc clutch; a cam mechanism that converts rotation output from the electric motor into cam thrust force that is axial force in the axial direction of the multi-disc clutch; a pressure-conversion mechanism that converts reaction force against the cam thrust force into pressure of a fluid; a pressure sensor that detects the pressure; and a control unit that computes a command value of a current supplied to the electric motor. The control unit stores the pressure of the fluid during disengagement of the multi-disc clutch, and computes the current command value based on the pressure of the fluid to which the reaction force against the cam thrust force has been applied, and the stored pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A clutch device includes; i) a clutch mechanism including a friction engagement member capable of rotating relative to a rotating member and a clutch member that is supplied with restoration force in a direction in which the clutch member departs from the friction engagement member by a restoration spring; and ii) a cam mechanism including; a cam member that is arranged in parallel to the clutch mechanism along a rotation axis line of the rotating member and that is incapable of rotating relative to the rotating member; and a cam follower capable of rolling on a cam surface that exists between the cam member and the clutch member. The cam angle is set to make torque applied to the clutch member due to reaction force accompanied by friction engagement with the friction engagement member larger than torque applied to the clutch member by thrust force caused by an activation of the cam mechanism.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus includes: an electric motor; a multi-disc clutch including outer clutch plates and inner clutch plates that are disposed coaxially with each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other and that are frictionally engaged with each other by being pressed in an axial direction; an input rotary member that rotates together with the outer clutch plates; an output rotary member that rotates together with the inner clutch plates; a cam mechanism that generates cam thrust force for pressing the multi-disc clutch in the axial direction upon reception of torque generated by the electric motor; a strain sensor that detects reaction force against the cam thrust force; and a spring member that is disposed between the cam mechanism and the strain sensor and that buffers an impact transmitted from the cam mechanism to the strain sensor.

Abstract: A driving force transmission apparatus including a tank which reserves lubricating oil in an accommodating space which is interposed between a housing and an inner shaft and an apparatus case which has a cylindrical accommodating portion which accommodates the housing, and in the case, the accommodating portion has an inner circumferential surface which faces an outer circumferential surface of the housing, and the tank has an oil inlet port which is opened to the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion and through which the lubricating oil in the accommodating space is let in based on a centrifugal force generated in association with the rotation of the housing when a four-wheel drive vehicle travels forwards in a two-wheel drive mode.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a rotating member; an electromagnetic coil that is arranged on a rotational axis of the rotating member and generates electro-magnetic force; an output mechanism that has an armature to which return force in a direction away from the electromagnetic coil is applied by a return spring; a cam mechanism that is juxtaposed along the rotational axis to the output mechanism, and has a control cam that is unable to rotate relative to the rotating member, and a cam follower that is able to roll between the control cam and the armature; and a relative rotation restricting device that is arranged on an axis of the cam mechanism, and that is configured to restrict relative rotation between the armature and the control cam when the electromagnetic coil is in a de-energized state.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes: a driving force transmission system which transmits torque of a drive source to front wheels and rear wheels via gear mechanisms; a clutch provided in the driving force transmission system and capable of controlling an amount of the torque transmitted to the rear wheels; and a pressing mechanism which presses the clutch by transforming a part of the torque transmitted to the rear wheels into axial thrust. In the driving force transmission system, gear ratios of the gear mechanisms are set such that a direction of a differential rotation between a drive shaft connected to an input side of the clutch and a drive shaft connected to an output side of the clutch is not reversed even when a steered angle of the front wheels changes to a maximum value while the four-wheel drive vehicle is traveling forwards.

Abstract: It is possible to ensure welding of an exposed portion of an electrode core member protruding from one end surface of an electrode group to a desired connection portion of a current collector plate by constituting a battery wherein an end portion of a first electrode is protruding from an end portion of a second electrode and an end portion of a separator on one end surface of an electrode group, the protruding end portion of the first electrode includes an exposed portion of a first electrode core member, the exposed portion of the first electrode core member is welded to a connection portion on one surface of the first current collector plate, and an insulating layer is formed in an area except for a reverse face portion of the connection portion on the other surface of the first current collector plate.

Abstract: A charge/discharge control system for controlling charge/discharge of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a positive electrode including a composite oxide containing lithium and nickel. This system includes a charge/discharge circuit for discharging the secondary battery and charging the secondary battery with power from an external power source; and a control unit for controlling the charge/discharge circuit such that the voltage of the secondary battery is within a voltage range having a predetermined end-of-discharge voltage as a lower limit value and a predetermined end-of-charge voltage as an upper limit value. The control unit is configured to change at least the end-of-discharge voltage according to a variable related to deterioration of the secondary battery.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a rotating member; an electromagnetic coil that is arranged on a rotational axis of the rotating member and generates electro-magnetic force; an output mechanism that has an armature to which return force in a direction away from the electromagnetic coil is applied by a return spring; a cam mechanism that is juxtaposed along the rotational axis to the output mechanism, and has a control cam that is unable to rotate relative to the rotating member, and a cam follower that is able to roll between the control cam and the armature; and a relative rotation restricting device that is arranged on an axis of the cam mechanism, and that is configured to restrict relative rotation between the armature and the control cam when the electromagnetic coil is in a de-energized state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-output, and long-life nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: an electrode group which is formed by winding a positive electrode 5 including an active material layer formed on a surface of a current collector, and a negative electrode 6 including an active material layer formed on a surface of a current collector with a porous insulator 7 interposed therebetween, and is sealed in a battery case, wherein the electrode group is configured in such a manner that uniform surface pressure is applied to turns of the positive electrode 5, the negative electrode 6, and the porous insulator 7 during the winding.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes composite oxide particles including lithium, nickel, and an element M, the element M being at least one of aluminum and cobalt. The composite oxide particles include primary particles and each particle of the primary particles includes a surface portion and an inner portion. A content of the element M in the surface portion is higher than a content of the element M in the inner portion, and a proportion of the primary particles relative to all of the composite oxide particles is 80 to 100 wt %. According to the invention, a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that has excellent cycle characteristics and storage characteristics and is suitable for use in a wide range of the state of charge and in a high-temperature environment and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same can be obtained.

Abstract: It is possible to ensure welding of an exposed portion of an electrode core member protruding from one end surface of an electrode group to a desired connection portion of a current collector plate by constituting a battery wherein an end portion of a first electrode is protruding from an end portion of a second electrode and an end portion of a separator on one end surface of an electrode group, the protruding end portion of the first electrode includes an exposed portion of a first electrode core member, the exposed portion of the first electrode core member is welded to a connection portion on one surface of the first current collector plate, and an insulating layer is formed in an area except for a reverse face portion of the connection portion on the other surface of the first current collector plate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in which electrodes of a plurality of semiconductor elements are bonded onto at least one of a plurality of electrode patterns on an insulator substrate, the other surface of the insulator substrate being bonded to a heat dissipating base. The upper surface of the heat dissipating base is covered with a member for cutting off the semiconductor elements from the outer environment. Terminals electrically connect the electrodes on said insulator substrate and the electrode placed outside the cutoff member. The material of the heat dissipating base has a linear expanding coefficient larger than that of the semiconductor element and smaller than three times that of the semiconductor element, and a thermal conductivity larger than 100 W/mK. The semiconductor elements are arranged on at least one electrode surface and in at least two regions divided by the other electrode surface on the insulator substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of mounting an assist grip to a body panel and related mounting structure elements that provide a removable attachment between the assist grip and the body panel and that simplify the manufacture of the body panel as well as the assembly and disassembly of the assist grip to the body panel.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in which electrodes of a plurality of semiconductor elements are bonded onto at least one of a plurality of electrode patterns on an insulator substrate, the other surface of the insulator substrate being bonded to a heat dissipating base. The upper surface of the heat dissipating base is covered with a member for cutting off the semiconductor elements from the outer environment. Terminals electrically connect the electrodes on said insulator substrate and the electrode placed outside the cutoff member. The material of the heat dissipating base has a linear expanding coefficient larger than that of the semiconductor element and smaller than three times that of the semiconductor element, and a thermal conductivity larger than 100 W/mK. The semiconductor elements are arranged on at least one electrode surface and in at least two regions divided by the other electrode surface on the insulator substrate.