Abstract: A discharge control apparatus in an electric motorcycle includes a main battery; a motor driven based upon electric power supplied from the main battery and a lighting device that is a load other than the motor for consuming electric power. A BMU determines a remaining capacity of the main battery. A control member performs a discharge control of the main battery for supplying electric power to the motor and the lighting device. The BMU and the control member allow the discharge of the main battery until the remaining capacity becomes a threshold value higher than zero. When the control member receives an instruction of checking a deterioration state of the main battery from an external checking device, the control member performs a discharge of the main battery until the remaining capacity reaches zero, and then, allows the main battery to be fully charged so as to determine a chargeable capacity.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a fuel cell having excellent power generation performance, which includes a compound containing at least hydrogen and nitrogen as fuel and uses an anion exchange membrane as an electrolyte layer. [Solution] In a fuel cell 1 including an electrolyte layer 4 formed from an anion exchange membrane, a fuel side electrode 2 and an oxygen side electrode 3, both electrodes being disposed to face each other with the electrolyte layer 4 interposed therebetween, the fuel side electrode 2 contains lanthanum and nickel as a metal catalyst such that the content proportion of lanthanum is 10 to 30% relative to the total mole of the lanthanum and nickel. Further, a compound containing at least hydrogen and nitrogen, such as hydrazine, is used as fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus which estimates the temperatures of a motor without using a temperature sensor can achieve overheat protection by proper control. In an example, a heat generation amount calculation section calculates a heat generation amount of a motor. A current upper limit map has a current upper limit value corresponding to a temperature estimated value and a ratio map has a ratio corresponding to the temperature estimated value. A lower one of limited current values, determined using the two maps, controls energization of the motor. The heat generation amount calculation section includes a heat generation correction term, and a heat radiation correction term for calculating a function of the difference between the integrated value of the heat generation amount and a motor ambient temperature. If the ambient temperature becomes equal to or higher than a comparison temperature, then the heat generation amount is calculated without the heat radiation correction present.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte layer; a fuel-side electrode to which fuel is supplied; and an oxygen-side electrode to which oxygen is supplied, the fuel-side electrode and the oxygen-side electrode being disposed to face each other with the electrolyte layer sandwiched therebetween. The electrolyte layer is an anion exchange membrane. The fuel-side electrode contains cobalt and nickel. The fuel includes a compound containing at least hydrogen and nitrogen. The proportion of the nickel content relative to total moles of cobalt and nickel in the fuel-side electrode is 70 mol % or less.

Abstract: A discharge control apparatus in an electric motorcycle includes a main battery; a motor driven based upon electric power supplied from the main battery and a lighting device that is a load other than the motor for consuming electric power. A BMU determines a remaining capacity of the main battery. A control member performs a discharge control of the main battery for supplying electric power to the motor and the lighting device. The BMU and the control member allow the discharge of the main battery until the remaining capacity becomes a threshold value higher than zero. When the control member receives an instruction of checking a deterioration state of the main battery from an external checking device, the control member performs a discharge of the main battery until the remaining capacity reaches zero, and then, allows the main battery to be fully charged so as to determine a chargeable capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus which estimates the temperatures of a motor without using a temperature sensor can achieve overheat protection by proper control. In an example, a heat generation amount calculation section calculates a heat generation amount of a motor. A current upper limit map has a current upper limit value corresponding to a temperature estimated value and a ratio map has a ratio corresponding to the temperature estimated value. A lower one of limited current values, determined using the two maps, controls energization of the motor. The heat generation amount calculation section includes a heat generation correction term, and a heat radiation correction term for calculating a function of the difference between the integrated value of the heat generation amount and a motor ambient temperature. If the ambient temperature becomes equal to or higher than a comparison temperature, then the heat generation amount is calculated without the heat radiation correction present.

Abstract: A removable steering angle sensor for a motor-driven power steering apparatus for use in a vehicle intended for rough road use. The handlebar of the vehicle is disposed on an upper portion of a steering shaft, and a motor-driven power steering apparatus, including a power assist portion as an actuator unit, is disposed in a middle portion of the steering shaft. The steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle is disposed on one end of the steering shaft, or more specifically, on a lower end portion of an output shaft, or a leading end portion of an output shaft. During maintenance, this arrangement provides for easy removal and installation of the steering angle sensor.

Abstract: To reduce a load on an electric motor for a power assisted motor-driven power steering apparatus. The present invention includes side projecting portions secured to an input shaft with an upwardly projecting tab as a first stopper secured to a vehicle body at a position corresponding to the side projecting portions. The upwardly projecting tab being provided for restricting a swing range of the side projecting portions. The side projecting portions are secured to an output shaft. A downwardly projecting portion is provided as a second stopper secured to the vehicle body at a position corresponding to the side projecting portions. The downwardly projecting portion being provided for restricting a swing range of the side projecting portions.

Abstract: It is an object to provide is an overcurrent relay having less number of parts and a smaller space to implement an automatic reset function and a manual reset function. A contact point mechanism 110 includes a movable contactor support 10 for supporting a movable contactor composing a part of the usually-closed contact point while being maintained in the movable iron core 5, and a reset bar 14 arranged in a manner that is switchable between an automatic reset setting and a manual reset setting. The reset bar 14 does not engage with the movable contactor support 10 in an operation range of the movable contactor support 10 in the automatic reset setting.

Abstract: A power steering system of an all-terrain buggy vehicle is provided to protect a power assist motor against obstacles encountered during traveling on the irregular ground, or the like. In a power steering system of a four-wheeled buggy vehicle in which a steering shaft rotated in response to the operation of a handlebar is disposed forward of an engine located at the almost-middle in the back-and-forth direction of a body frame, and the rotary shaft of a power assist motor is disposed perpendicular to the steering shaft, the power assist motor is located inside the body frame.

Abstract: To provide a layout structure for a motor-driven power steering unit controller configured to take into account the water level at which submergence of the vehicle is expected to occur. In a vehicle including a steering shaft rotatably supported on a vehicle body frame, a steering bar handle attached to the upper end of the steering shaft, a motor-driven power steering unit mounted onto the lower end of the steering shaft, and at least two front wheels, a controller for controlling the motor-driven power steering unit is laid out on the front side relative to the steering shaft and above a horizontal line indicative of the submergence limit of the vehicle.

Abstract: To provide a power steering system for an all-terrain vehicle in which a control unit can be favorably protected from water, mud or the like coming from the ground surface at the time of operating of the vehicle on rough terrain or the like. In a power steering system for a saddle ride type four-wheel vehicle in which a rotary shaft of a power assist motor is disposed at right angles to a steering shaft and is inclined so that its upper portion is located on the rear side, a control unit for controlling the power assist motor is disposed on the upper side relative to a meshed portion between the power assist motor and the steering shaft.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for being protected from mud or dust, or rainwater. A sub-steering unit is provided together with a torque sensor of the power steering apparatus used in a vehicle. A steering shaft portion includes an input shaft and an output shaft, each being rotatably supported. A torque sensor portion is connected for joining the input shaft and the output shaft with the torque sensor portion sensing an amount of torque. A power assist portion is engaged with the output shaft for assisting the steering based on the amount of torque sensed by the torque sensor portion and the like. A sub-steering portion is engaged so as to connect the input shaft with the output shaft while circumventing the torque sensor portion and reducing the amount of torque. The power steering apparatus includes a column cover for covering the sub-steering portion as well as the torque sensor portion.

Abstract: It is an object to provide is an overcurrent relay having less number of parts and a smaller space to implement an automatic reset function and a manual reset function. A contact point mechanism 110 includes a movable contactor support 10 for supporting a movable contactor composing a part of the usually-closed contact point while being maintained in the movable iron core 5, and a reset bar 14 arranged in a manner that is switchable between an automatic reset setting and a manual reset setting. The reset bar 14 does not engage with the movable contactor support 10 in an operation range of the movable contactor support 10 in the automatic reset setting.

Abstract: To provide a layout structure for a motor-driven power steering unit controller configured to take into account the water level at which submergence of the vehicle is expected to occur. In a vehicle including a steering shaft rotatably supported on a vehicle body frame, a steering bar handle attached to the upper end of the steering shaft, a motor-driven power steering unit mounted onto the lower end of the steering shaft, and at least two front wheels, a controller for controlling the motor-driven power steering unit is laid out on the front side relative to the steering shaft and above a horizontal line indicative of the submergence limit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A power steering system of an all-terrain buggy vehicle is provided to protect a power assist motor against obstacles encountered during traveling on the irregular ground, or the like. In a power steering system of a four-wheeled buggy vehicle in which a steering shaft rotated in response to the operation of a handlebar is disposed forward of an engine located at the almost-middle in the back-and-forth direction of a body frame, and the rotary shaft of a power assist motor is disposed perpendicular to the steering shaft, the power assist motor is located inside the body frame.

Abstract: A removable steering angle sensor for a motor-driven power steering apparatus for use in a vehicle intended for rough road use. The handlebar of the vehicle is disposed on an upper portion of a steering shaft, and a motor-driven power steering apparatus, including a power assist portion as an actuator unit, is disposed in a middle portion of the steering shaft. The steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle is disposed on one end of the steering shaft, or more specifically, on a lower end portion of an output shaft, or a leading end portion of an output shaft. During maintenance, this arrangement provides for easy removal and installation of the steering angle sensor.

Abstract: To provide a power steering system for an all-terrain vehicle in which a control unit can be favorably protected from water, mud or the like coming from the ground surface at the time of operating of the vehicle on rough terrain or the like. In a power steering system for a saddle ride type four-wheel vehicle in which a rotary shaft of a power assist motor is disposed at right angles to a steering shaft and is inclined so that its upper portion is located on the rear side, a control unit for controlling the power assist motor is disposed on the upper side relative to a meshed portion between the power assist motor and the steering shaft.

Abstract: To reduce a load on an electric motor for a power assisted motor-driven power steering apparatus. The present invention includes side projecting portions secured to an input shaft with an upwardly projecting tab as a first stopper secured to a vehicle body at a position corresponding to the side projecting portions. The upwardly projecting tab being provided for restricting a swing range of the side projecting portions. The side projecting portions are secured to an output shaft. A downwardly projecting portion is provided as a second stopper secured to the vehicle body at a position corresponding to the side projecting portions. The downwardly projecting portion being provided for restricting a swing range of the side projecting portions.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for being protected from mud or dust, or rainwater. A sub-steering unit is provided together with a torque sensor of the power steering apparatus used in a vehicle. A steering shaft portion includes an input shaft and an output shaft, each being rotatably supported. A torque sensor portion is connected for joining the input shaft and the output shaft with the torque sensor portion sensing an amount of torque. A power assist portion is engaged with the output shaft for assisting the steering based on the amount of torque sensed by the torque sensor portion and the like. A sub-steering portion is engaged so as to connect the input shaft with the output shaft while circumventing the torque sensor portion and reducing the amount of torque. The power steering apparatus includes a column cover for covering the sub-steering portion as well as the torque sensor portion.