Abstract: A motor drive assembly can prevent a two-way roller clutch of the current speed ratio and a two-way roller clutch of the next speed ratio from engaging simultaneously, and includes a first-speed friction plate formed with engaging protrusions on the first-speed side, and a shift ring formed with engaging recesses. While the shift ring is in a first-speed shift position SP1f, the engaging protrusions are adapted to be engaged in the engaging recesses, thereby preventing rotation of the shift ring relative to the first-speed friction plate. The shift ring is provided with projections on its inner periphery. The drive assembly further includes an annular protrusion formed with cutouts. When the projections are axially and circumferentially displaced from the respective cutouts, the projections are adapted to interfere with the annular protrusion, thereby preventing axial movement of the shift ring between the first-speed shift position SP1f and a second-speed shift position SP2f.

Abstract: An electric vehicle which includes in-wheel motor driving devices and an independent-steering apparatus and is capable of making pivot turns within a minimum-required parking space, having a structure without a chassis and a part of the body protruding out of a minimum-required circular space necessary for the wheels to make pivot turning. In a case where the electric vehicle has four wheels including left and right front wheels and left and right rear wheels, an in-wheel motor driving device is incorporated only in the left and right front wheels, only in the left and right rear wheels, or in all of the wheels. An independent-steering apparatus serves for all of the wheels. A kingpin axis in each of the wheels makes an intersection with a road surface on a circle inboard of a vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A motor drive assembly for a vehicle is proposed which can prevent a two-way roller clutch of the current speed ratio and a two-way roller clutch of the next speed ratio from engaging simultaneously. This assembly includes a first-speed friction plate (52a) formed with engaging protrusions (66a) on the first-speed side, a shift ring (51) formed with engaging recesses (65). While the shift ring (51) is in a first-speed shift position SP1f, the engaging protrusions (66a) are adapted to be engaged in the engaging recesses (65), thereby preventing rotation of the shift ring (51) relative to the first-speed friction plate (52a). The shift ring (51) is further provided with projections (63) on its inner periphery. The drive assembly further includes an annular protrusion (58) formed with cutouts (62).

Abstract: An electric vehicle which includes in-wheel motor driving devices and an independent-steering apparatus and is capable of making pivot turns within a minimum-required parking space, having a structure without a chassis and a part of the body protruding out of a minimum-required circular space necessary for the wheels to make pivot turning. In a case where the electric vehicle has four wheels including left and right front wheels and left and right rear wheels, an in-wheel motor driving device is incorporated only in the left and right front wheels, only in the left and right rear wheels, or in all of the wheels. An independent-steering apparatus serves for all of the wheels. A kingpin axis in each of the wheels makes an intersection with a road surface on a circle inboard of a vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering motor, a steering power transmitting mechanism for transmitting a rotation of the steering motor to a steering axle, a toe angle adjusting motor and a toe angle adjusting power transmitting mechanism for adjusting the toe angle upon rotation of the toe angle adjusting motor. A switching mechanism is provided which operates in such a manner that in the event of failure of the steering motor, the rotation of the toe angle adjusting motor in place of the steering motor is transmitted to the steering power transmitting mechanism to enable a wheel turning, but in the event of failure of the toe angle adjusting motor, the wheel turning is carried out only by the steering motor. A hollow motor is employed for one or both of the steering motor and the toe angle adjusting motor.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering motor, a steering power transmitting mechanism for transmitting a rotation of the steering motor to a steering axle, a toe angle adjusting motor and a toe angle adjusting power transmitting mechanism for adjusting the toe angle upon rotation of the toe angle adjusting motor. A switching mechanism is provided which operates in such a manner that in the event of failure of the steering motor, the rotation of the toe angle adjusting motor in place of the steering motor is transmitted to the steering power transmitting mechanism to enable a wheel turning, but in the event of failure of the toe angle adjusting motor, the wheel turning is carried out only by the steering motor. A hollow motor is employed for one or both of the steering motor and the toe angle adjusting motor.