Abstract: A vehicle includes an air-path portion, an engine, and a rotating fan located more rearward than first and second seats. A wind pressure near the air-path portion located on a side surface of the vehicle is detected by a pressure sensor, and based on a detection result, an ECU controls a direction of rotation of the rotating fan. The rotating fan introduces/discharges air to/from an engine room via the air-path portion. If the pressure sensor detects a negative pressure, the rotating fan is controlled so as to discharge air from the engine room via the air-path portion. On the other hand, if the pressure sensor detects zero or a positive pressure, the rotating fan is controlled so as to introduce air to the engine room from the air-path portion.

Abstract: A vehicle transaxle comprising a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly mountable to an axle tube of the vehicle absent any additional structure for mounting the transaxle to the vehicle. The axle tube houses a wheel axle to which the transaxle is operably couplable. The transaxle additionally comprises a transaxle mounting collar that is fixedly mounted to or integrally formed with a housing of the transaxle. The mounting collar is structured and operable to have a prime mover of the vehicle mounted thereto and to support the weight/mass of the prime mover such that the prime mover is mountable to the vehicle via only the mounting collar absent any additional structure for mounting the prime mover to the vehicle such that the prime mover can be cantilevered from (e.g., suspended from) the transaxle, e.g., the prime mover is ‘free floating’.

Abstract: An independent rear suspension of a motor vehicle with an electrical drivetrain. The independent rear suspension including a left semi-trailing arm and a right semi-trailing arm, each of which can be articulated with an end on the body side to a chassis of the motor vehicle and are fixedly connectable to a wheel carrier on an end on the wheel carrier side, and also a transverse leaf spring for the suspension of the rear wheels. The transverse leaf spring is attached on the end side to the ends of the semi-trailing arms on the wheel carrier side, so that between the semi-trailing arms and the transverse leaf spring is formed an open installation space for receiving at least part of the electrical drivetrain.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle, such as a bus, using a rear driven axle and having a propulsion unit positioned so that it is not aligned with the direction of travel of the vehicle. The propulsion unit is oriented at an acute angle to the base reference axis of the vehicle. The axle is provided with a driven input shaft that is oriented at an angle not parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The propulsion unit comprises a motor, a transmission, and a bevel gear box coupled to the transmission, with an output shaft that is oriented at an angle not parallel to the axis of the propulsion system. The propulsion unit output shaft and the driven axle input shaft are not aligned coaxially, and are connected via a propeller shaft, wherein the ends of the propeller shaft use constant velocity joints to accomplish a change in the angle of the transmitted power and torque.

Abstract: A vehicle transaxle comprising a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly mountable to an axle tube of the vehicle absent any additional structure for mounting the transaxle to the vehicle. The axle tube houses a wheel axle to which the transaxle is operably couplable. The transaxle additionally comprises a transaxle mounting collar that is fixedly mounted to or integrally formed with a housing of the transaxle. The mounting collar is structured and operable to have a prime mover of the vehicle mounted thereto and to support the weight/mass of the prime mover such that the prime mover is mountable to the vehicle via only the mounting collar absent any additional structure for mounting the prime mover to the vehicle such that the prime mover can be cantilevered from (e.g., suspended from) the transaxle, e.g., the prime mover is ‘free floating’.

Abstract: The present invention provides a model vehicle having a motor and electronic speed control for driving and braking driven wheels, combined with a separate braking system for non-driven wheels. A controller and a method of operation are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for driving the drive wheels (1) of a vehicle, comprising two sets of electric motors (2) and casings (3) (left and right). Each of the casings (3) comprises an input pinion (8) which rotates interdependently with the rotor of one of the electric motors (2) as well as with a set of gears (12) driving the ring gear (7) of a planetary gear set (4). The two planetary gear sets (4) are connected to one another by a connecting means (9) that rotates interdependently with each of the two sun gears (5) (inner planetaries). The planet carrier (6) of each of the planetary gear sets (4) rotates interdependently with a connecting means (11) of one of the drive wheels (1). The two planetary gear sets (4) perform a double differential function. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the electric motors (2) that allows the drive system to be used as a torque converter. The drive system can be fixed to the chassis frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rear floor panel extends rearwardly from a kick-up portion formed at a rear portion of a floor panel. A lateral connecting member which constitutes part of a rear suspension connects to supporting portions to support both rear wheels. An engine is arranged below the rear floor panel and in front of the lateral connecting member. A generator is arranged below the rear floor panel and in back of the engine. Accordingly, the traveling stability of the vehicle can be improved and the yaw inertia moment of the vehicle can be decreased.

Abstract: A rechargeable automobile electric power system and method for modifying a front-wheel drive automobile through installation of the system is disclosed. The system includes basic plug-in rechargeable electric drive power units, one that can run simultaneously with the gas motor to improve gas mileage. The second puts a one or two speed gear box between the electric motor and the wheel. This will allow the vehicle to run on rechargeable electric power in town and on the highway.

Abstract: A drive train module with an electric motor, a clutch differential, a pair of wheel hubs and a pair of shafts, which rotatably couple the wheel hubs to the clutch differential. The clutch differential can have an input member, which can be coupled to an output shaft of the motor, and first and second overrunning clutches. The overrunning clutches permit the electric motor to drive the wheel hubs when the drive train module is activated to provide supplemental drive power, and to prevent the electric motor from being back-driven by the wheel hubs when supplemental drive power is not desired.

Abstract: A controllable vehicle system and method of using a vehicle capable of being manual and remote control. The system includes a vehicle and a remote control unit. The vehicle includes a compartment for receiving a rider and at least one wheel. Manual controls are provided for controlling operation of the at least one wheel upon receipt of a control signal from the rider. A control override switch disables the manual controls. The vehicle also includes a receiver and a vehicle transmitter which generates and transmits a distance signal. The remote control device includes a device for generating control signals based upon command signals received from a user. A remote transmitter is provided for transmitting the control signals to the vehicle transmitter for controlling the control override and control operation of the at least one wheel.

Abstract: A powered snowboard having a drive assembly mounted thereon, the drive assembly including a frame, a track assembly having a track suspended over multiple wheels, the track assembly being supported in the frame such that it is able to travel in a vertical direction as well as pivot about an axis, and a motor operatively engaged with the track such that it drives the track thus propelling the snowboard. A cutout is formed in the snowboard through which the track assembly engages the snow or ice below the snowboard, and the track assembly is biased against the snow or ice to maintain a constant contact with the snow or ice during use.

Abstract: An apparatus and assembly method including a sprocket hub and a locking collar for go kart vehicles and other land vehicles with drive axles is provided. The present invention eliminates the need for two locking collars on either side of the sprocket hub. The invention further provides a lightweight sprocket hub with a hub neck portion adapted to receive a single locking collar. The sprocket hub fits loosely on the drive axle. The fin-like sprocket hub arms and sprocket hub extensions each have sprocket connection holes used to connect the sprocket hub to a drive sprocket. The locking collar engages the sprocket hub neck portion by means of two flanges located on the sprocket hub. As assembled, the sprocket hub and locking collar float and oscillate on the drive axle to compensate for chassis flex and chain bind such that acceleration of said kart vehicle is enhanced.

Abstract: A go-kart drive assembly with an internal combustion engine in the form of a reciprocating-piston or rotary-piston engine as a power source is described. The drive assembly includes a spur-gear reduction gearing between the internal combustion engine and a rear-wheel drive shaft of the go-kart. The spur-gear reduction gearing and the crank shaft (17) of the reciprocating engine or the engine shaft of the rotary-piston engine (17a) are accommodated in a common housing (10) that is preferably closed. The space or spaces (a, b) between the shafts of the spur-gear reduction gearing (27, 29; 30, 33) is fixed in the housing (10) so as to be invariable. The driving gear wheel (27) of the gearing (26) is mounted on the crank shaft (17) or the engine shaft (17a) and the driven gear wheel (33) of the gearing (26) is mounted on the rear-wheel drive shaft (6).

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for both flotational and oscillatory movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is restrained longitudinally by support links that are pivotally connected to the frame at a location that is forward of the rear drive axle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. Vertical movement of the middle axle support wheels results in a corresponding vertical movement of the rearward end of the bogey beam and a rotation of the support beam about its pivotal connection on the bogey beam. The oscillatory movement is accomplished by a pivotal connection via a ball joint between a central support bracket mounting the transverse support beam to the longitudinally extending bogey beam.

Abstract: A tired roller is provided with a prime mover and a speed change unit of the HST type. The speed change unit includes an HST hydraulic pump of the variable displacement type driven by the prime mover and an HST hydraulic motor driven by pressure oil from the hydraulic pump, and can change a rotational speed of the hydraulic motor by varying a delivery rate of pressure oil from the hydraulic pump. Rotation of the hydraulic motor is therefore transmitted at a lower speed to a drive-axle tire train. A propeller shaft is connected to the hydraulic motor without interposition of any speed reduction mechanism, so that the propeller shaft is rotated at a high speed with a low torque. This has made it possible to form the propeller shaft smaller in diameter and hence to arrange it in a narrow space between tires in the drive-axle tire train.

Abstract: A vehicle frame is to be made compact. A rectangular frame portion includes a vehicle body frame having front wheels supported thereon through leading arms and rear wheels supported thereon through trailing arms. Both front and rear wheels are suspended by front and rear shock absorbers. The heights of pivot points are set almost equal to the heights of the rectangular frame portion. A battery is accommodated in the space defined by the rectangular frame portion and the rear portion of the vehicle body is extended to overhang a swing power unit assembly.

Abstract: A drive assembly mounted on the axle of a radio-controlled racing car, the drive assembly comprising in combination, an axle hub having a drive sleeve positioned therein, the drive sleeve having an extending geometric face cooperable with a ring bearing having a complimentary geometric aperture, mounted interiorily of a spur gear mounted on the axle, and a wheel hub having a drive sleeve secured therein having an extending geometric face cooperable with an exterior mounted ring bearing, having a complimentary geometric aperture, both the wheel hub, the drive sleeve and ring bearing mounted exteriorily of the spur gear, the geometrically-extending face of the complimentary drive sleeves cooperable with the geometric apertures of the ring bearing to provide positive, non-slippage rotation to the axle of the radio-controlled car.

Abstract: A rear suspension for battery powered on-road scale model car of the type having a straight rear axle and a nonindependent rear suspension is disclosed. The model car includes a chassis having a central longitudinal axis with a centrally located battery pack. A pair of remotely steerable wheels are pivotably affixed to the chassis front end. A motor pod pivotably supports a pair of rear wheels interconnected by a straight rear axle and includes a mechanism for attaching an electric drive motor. The rear suspension elastically attaches the motor pod to the chassis for limited vertical bounce movement and limited torsional roll movement of the motor pod relative to the chassis. The rear suspension components are spaced sufficiently from the battery pack to provide clearance for a row of batteries oriented centrally along the chassis. The central battery design minimizes mass moment of inertia of the model car measured about the longitudinal axis resulting in improved maneuverability.

Abstract: A vehicle generally consisting of a body of monocoque construction, front and rear axle assemblies provided with brakes, wheels and tires, suspension systems mounted on the axle assemblies for supporting the body on the axle assemblies, a steering system, an engine mounted in the body between the axle assemblies and adjacent both a side of the body and the rear axle assembly, a transmission mounted on the body rearwardly of the engine, a chain assembly for transmitting drive from the transmission downwardly and laterally, means for transmitting drive from a lower end of the chain assembly forwardly to the rear axle assembly, a cooling system for the engine mounted in the body and control means mounted on the body for operating the engine and transmission.

Abstract: A small-type four-wheel automobile, especially one adapted to carry one or two persons, has a generally U-shaped swing arm pivotally connected at ends of its branched arms to a chassis frame which supports front wheels, on this swing arm is mounted an engine unit which includes a power train, from an engine to an axle for rear wheels that serve as drive wheels, in a unitary construction.

Abstract: A motor vehicle which includes at least two rear wheels, wherein two leaf springs extend rearwardly from both sides of the frame of the vehicle, below the driver's seat, for supporting the axles of the rear wheels, respectively. An engine is interposed between the leaf springs.

Abstract: An engine mounting structure for a vehicle of the front-engine, front-drive or rear-engine, rear-drive type, wherein an engine and a transmission are separately mounted with the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transmission interconnected through a universal joint. The engine and the transmission are independently supported on the vehicle body through rubber mounts. With such an arrangement, vibrations from the engine can be effectively prevented, and the engine and the transmission can be reliably mounted on the body through supports which are respectively suitable for them.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a transversely mounted engine-drive unit in which the engine-drive unit is connected to a vehicle sub-frame by structure preventing longitudinal movement between the unit and the sub-frame while permitting limited vertical movement therebetween with the engine-drive unit carrying the driven axle while the non-driven axle is mounted on the sub-frame and a self-supporting body is resiliently connected to the sub-frame and to the engine-drive unit. The connecting structure also permits slight pivoting movements around a transverse axis.

Abstract: A truck comprises a main frame having a U-shaped subframe, including a pair of side beams and a forward cross-beam, universally mounted thereon by a ball and socket connection. A rearward end of each side beam is mounted under the main frame of the truck by a suspension cylinder pivotally interconnected therebetween. A drive motor is mounted on each of the side beams and has an output shaft thereof drivingly connected to at least one roadwheel, rotatably mounted on a spindle secured to a rearward end of each side beam. A rearward cross-beam is preferably secured between the rearward ends of the side beams in axial alignment with the spindles.

Abstract: A heavy duty motor vehicle has a main frame with a forward axle and steerable ground wheels. A power unit sub-frame carrying a rear axle is releasably secured to the main frame, and includes an engine assembly which is located at an intermediate position between the axles. The unit may also include a fifth wheel assembly whereby it becomes a towing vehicle for a further trailer unit or units.