Abstract: A drive unit for a floor trolley, with at least one steered wheel (1), which is attached to a vehicle chassis (3) so that it can swivel about an essentially vertical swivel axis (2), a drive motor (4) with a drive shaft (5) being arranged coaxially with the swivel axis (2). The motor is in driving connection with the at least one wheel (1) via a gear system (10). The drive motor (4) and the gear system (10) are mounted in a common housing (16), consisting essentially of two separate housing portions, namely, a lower and an upper housing (portion 16a, 16b), that can be joined together by a fastening mechanism (18), and is mounted to rotate on the chassis (3) via at least one roller bearing (19). A drive unit is provided that at least one of the two housing portions (16a, 16b) is associated with a drawbar connection (20) formed integrally therewith by way of the housing (16) being swiveled relative to the chassis (3) about the swivel axis (2).

Abstract: A direct drive motor module has hollow disk-like plates (21, 22) for interconnecting the rotation side of an in-wheel motor (3) and a wheel (2) and a drive force transmission mechanism (20) comprising cross guides (23) for guiding the plates (21, 22) in the vertical direction. To mount the direct drive motor module to the wheel (2), attachment holes (2s) are formed in the spoke portions of the wheel (2), the fixing portions of connection pins (30) having a spherical pin head which is a mating portion are fitted in the attachment holes (2s), guide holes (40) having a predetermined clearance relative to the outer diameter of the pin head (33) are formed in the wheel side plate (22) supporting the wheel (2) sides of the cross guides (23), the pin heads of the connection pins (30) are mated with the guide holes (40), and the direct drive motor module is mounted to the wheel (2). The direct drive motor module can be reliably mounted to the wheel (2) even if assembly accuracy is not so high.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes an electric drive motor oriented along an axis and disposed within a central axle housing. The electric drive motor includes a motor housing having an engagement face perpendicular to the axis. A spindle assembly includes an external connection to the central axle housing and an internal engagement face that is perpendicular to the axis. A sealing member is in sealing contact with the engagement face of the motor housing and the internal engagement face of the spindle assembly.

Abstract: Taught is an apparatus for converting energy in a wheeled vehicle, comprising a wheel rim; a tire; and a plurality of hydraulic plunger cylinders alternatively distributed on periphery of the wheel rim.

Abstract: An in-wheel motor system, wherein the non-rotating side case of a motor and the knuckle of a motor are connected to each other by a buffer mechanism 10 having plates 11 and 12 interconnected by a linear guide 15 with springs composed of a linear guide 13 consisting of a linear bearing 13A and a rod 13B and spring members 14 and 14 moving in the vertical direction of a vehicle and integrated with the linear guide 13 and a damper 16 moving in the vertical direction of the vehicle and interconnecting the plates 11 and 12. Thus, the motor can be securely float mounted to a part around the wheel of the vehicle and the buffer mechanism 10 can be easily assembled.

Abstract: A lift truck is provided comprising: a power unit assembly comprising a power unit base, a wheel coupled to the base, and a system for driving the wheel; and a main frame assembly detachably connected to the power unit assembly. The main frame assembly comprises a main frame base, a mast assembly coupled to the main frame base, a carriage assembly coupled to the mast assembly, and hydraulic drive apparatus coupled to the mast assembly. Preferably, substantially the entirety of the hydraulic drive apparatus is provided on the main frame assembly such that the main frame assembly is detachable from the power unit assembly without requiring disconnecting hydraulic connections to the power unit assembly.

Abstract: Autonomous and lightweight vehicle intended to transport a city dweller combined with the use of public transportation. Formed by one motorized wheel on which the user maintains, through speed, his or her lateral balance, and longitudinal balance is ensured by automatic functioning driven by an accelerometer. The footrests and the guide supports that tightly hold the leg are retractable. Driving does not require the use of the hands. The entire device goes into a bag, e.g. a backpack, and weighs less than 4 kg.

Abstract: “Bumper car” amusement rides are disclosed. An exemplary bumper car comprises a frame, a seat, a portable source of electrical power for propelling the car, multiple drive wheels, a motor controller, and at least one rider control. The seat is configured to hold and position at least one rider of the bumper car. The source is a portable source, mounted to the frame, of electrical power for propelling the bumper car. Each drive wheel comprises a respective hub motor that, when supplied with the electrical power from the source, rotates the respective drive wheel relative to the frame and propels the bumper car. The controller is connected to the source and to the hub motors. The controller is configured: (a) to limit a maximal current supplied by the source to the hub motors during a surge-current situation to a preset maximum, and (b) to ramp down the maximal current over a preset time interval during the surge-current situation.

Abstract: An in-wheel motor system includes a knuckle supporting a hub to be rotatable and including a tank portion in which a refrigerant is accumulated, a housing fixedly attached to the knuckle, a motor incorporated within the housing and driving the hub to rotate, and a pump incorporated within the housing and pumping the refrigerant accumulated within the tank portion to the motor by means of a rotational power of the motor to refrigerate the motor.

Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles having a drive assembly that is selectively configured between a plurality of drive configurations, such as responsive to user inputs via user input devices, and a ground detection system that is adapted to detect when at least one of a plurality of wheels loses contact with the ground surface. The ground detection system may be adapted to restrict the plurality of drive configurations responsive thereto. This restriction may be automatic responsive to loss of contact of the at least one of the plurality of wheels with the ground surface, and it may be made regardless, or independent, of user inputs that otherwise would select and/or enable one of the restricted drive configurations.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus has a first frame and a second frame supported above the first frame and movable relative to the first frame. A plurality of casters are coupled to the first frame. A wheel is movable relative to the first frame between a lowered position engaging the floor and a raised position spaced from the floor. A drive assembly is coupled to the wheel and is operable to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor. A foot pedal is coupled to the first frame and is movable to raise and lower the wheel relative to the floor.

Abstract: A flexible coupling 10 is constituted such that a drive-side plate 11 and an intermediate plate 13 are interconnected by first connection members 14A to 14D having a rubber member in such a manner that they can move in a direction perpendicular to a direction for interconnecting pin members 15a and 15b for mounting the above first connection members 14A to 14B, and the intermediate plate 13 and a driven-side plate 12 are interconnected by second connection members 16A to 16D having the same constitution as the above first connection members 14A to 14D and arranged perpendicular to the above first connection members 14A to 14D in such a manner that they can move in a direction perpendicular to the above direction. Torque on the drive side can be transmitted to the driven side efficiently with simple constitution and the flexible coupling can be easily mounted.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid motor vehicle which has an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine is provided. When turning off the internal combustion engine and/or when starting the internal combustion engine, a torque characteristic of the electric machine for starting the internal combustion engine or turning off the internal combustion engine is feedforward-controlled.

Abstract: An in-wheel motor system, wherein the non-rotating side case of a motor and a knuckle are connected to each other by a motor attachment plate (11), a knuckle attachment place (12), and a damper (16) for interconnecting these plates (11) and (12), moving in the vertical direction of a vehicle. A first direct-acting guide (13) consisting of a linear bearing (13A) and a rod (13B) and a second direct-acting guide (14) consisting of a linear bearing (14A) and a rod (14B) are integrally attached to an attachment member (12m) installed on the side face of the knuckle attachment plate (12). Also, spring members (15) and (15) are installed between receiving members (11m) and (11m) for supporting both ends of the rod (14B) of the second direct-acting guide (14) installed on the motor attachment plate (11) and the fixing portion (12k) for fixing the second direct-acting guide 14 of the attachment member (12m).

Abstract: A wheel rotating device (1) for an in-wheel motor vehicle includes a motor (2), a speed reducer (6) coupled to an output part of the motor (2), a hub (4) coupled to an output part of the speed reducer (6), and a spindle (5) fixed relative to a vehicle body and supporting the hub (4) in a manner that permits the hub (4) to rotate. The hub (4) is coupled to a wheel (13) to rotate the wheel (13). A stator (21) of the motor (2) is disposed inwardly in radial directions of the wheel (13) along an inner circumferential surface of the wheel (13). A rotor (22) of the motor (2) is disposed inwardly in radial directions of the stator (21). The speed reducer (6) is disposed between the rotor (22) and the hub (4) with bearings provided between the speed reducer (6) and the hub (4).

Abstract: An in-wheel motor includes a rotating electric machine (110) provided at a wheel and applying driving force to the wheel, a housing (134) housing the rotating electric machine and rotatably supporting the wheel, and a vibration damping member (124, 126) provided between the housing (134) and a ball joint (106, 108) as a mounting portion for mounting the housing on a vehicle body.

Abstract: A rotating side case supporting the rotor of an in-wheel motor and a wheel or a hub are interconnected by a flexible coupling which comprises a motor-side plate and a wheel-side plate having a plurality of grooves and a plurality of grooves formed on their opposed surfaces in the circumferential direction at an angle of 45° from the radial direction of the plates and extending in directions orthogonal to each other, respectively, small balls sandwiched between the grooves and in such a manner that they can slide, and an intermediate plate interposed between the above plates and having guide holes for guiding the small balls in a direction orthogonal to the radial direction of the plates and which has a small number of parts and is easily assembled.

Abstract: An energy recoverable wheel motor for attachment to an axle has a motor mount plate suitable for attachment to the axle, a rim defining an outwardly periphery of the wheel, a flywheel mounted interior of the rim and freely rotatable relative to the motor mount plate, a first rotor motor affixed to an interior surface of the flywheel so as to rotate with a rotation of the flywheel, and a second stator motor fixedly positioned relative to the first rotor motor. A second stator motor is affixed to the motor mount plate. A stator motor is fixedly positioned relative to the second stator motor. The first stator motor is affixed to one side of the vehicle mounting plate. The second rotor motor is affixed to an opposite side of the vehicle mounting plate.

Abstract: There is provide a shaft coupling of the type which can transmit power between two parallel shafts through rolling elements disposed at intersecting portions of guide grooves that intersect each other at a right angle which can always stably transmit power. Guide grooves 5 and 6 are formed in opposed surfaces of two plates 1 and 2 such that each adjacent pair of guide grooves formed in each of the plates extend in a direction that forms an angle of 45 degrees with a reference line X connecting the midpoint between their respective intersecting portions and the center of the plates. Elongated holes 7 are formed in the retainer 4 so that each elongated hole extends along a straight line connecting the two adjacent intersecting portions between the two adjacent pairs of opposed guide grooves. Each elongated hole 7 and two pairs of opposed guide grooves 5 and 6 form a pair of rolling element guide mechanisms.

Abstract: An electric motor 10 and a reduction gear mechanism 11 are connected to each other by a flexible coupling 12, such as an Oldham's coupling, which is a power transmission mechanism. Also, a casing 11c of the reduction gear mechanism 11 is integrally structured together with a knuckle 5, which is an unsprung part of a vehicle, or mounted to the knuckle 5. Further, a motor case 10a of the electric motor 10 is mounted to a motor mounting member 4m provided on the lower part of a strut 4 for suspending the knuckle 5 through the medium of a shock absorbing mechanism 20 equipped with a spring member 21, a damper, and two guide members 23 for guiding the operating direction of the spring member 21 and the damper. An in-wheel motor system thus structured allows the mass of the motor 10 to act as the mass of a dynamic damper and thus features not only improved ground contact performance and riding comfort of a vehicle running on a rough road but also superior space efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel driving apparatus arranging structure has a road wheel 27, a road wheel supporting member 71 connected to a vehicle body via a suspension 31 to support the road wheel 27, and a motor 72 rotating a road wheel side of the road wheel supporting member 71. A center of gravity of the motor 72 is disposed higher than a center C of the road wheel 27, a plurality of arms 32 to 36 which make up the suspension 31 are disposed to support the road wheel supporting member 71, at least one of the arms 32 to 36 is disposed higher than the center of the road wheel 27, and one end of the arm 32 which is disposed higher than the center C of the road wheel 27 is connected to a motor housing 93 of the motor 72.

Abstract: A vehicle drive apparatus independently controls drive forces for a front-right drive wheel, a front-left drive wheel, a rear-right drive wheel, and a rear-left drive wheel using a front-right electric motor, a front-left electric motor, a rear-right electric motor, and a rear-left electric motor, respectively. The drive forces for the drive wheels of a vehicle incorporating the vehicle drive apparatus are determined based on the target moments in the yaw and roll directions of the vehicle, the total drive for the drive wheels, and the drive reaction forces at the drive wheels. Thus, the performance desired by the driver can be achieved, and the drivability therefore improves accordingly.

Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive unit (21) comprises a casing (22), a motor part (A), a deceleration part (B), a wheel hub (31), and a wheel hub bearing (33) rotatably supporting the wheel hub (31) with respect to the casing (22). The wheel hub bearing (33) includes first and second outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) provided on the inner diameter surface of the casing (22), a first inner track surface (33c) provided on the outer diameter surface of a wheel-side rotation member (30) and opposed to the first outer track surface (33a), a second inner track surface (33d) provided on the outer diameter surface of the wheel hub (31) and opposed to the second outer track surface (33b), and a plurality of rolling elements (33e) arranged between the outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) and the inner track surfaces (33c) and (33d).

Abstract: A ground connection for a vehicle comprising a wheel (1), a sliding suspension for a wheel carrier relative to a support (10) connected to the vehicle, the suspension comprising a substantially vertical pillar (8) fixed to the wheel carrier, the degree of freedom of suspension of the wheel carrier relative to the support (10) being permitted by the movement of the pillar in the guide means (11) connected to the support, means for driving the wheel by a first rotary electric machine (15) mounted in the wheel, the first electric machine driving the wheel by means of reversible reduction means, the reduction means comprising a ring gear (16) fixed to the wheel and a drive pinion (17) connected to the first machine and defining a reduction ratio between the speed of rotation of the first machine and the speed of rotation of the wheel, the reduction ratio being greater than 10, said ground connection having no mechanical service brake.

Abstract: Motor-generators are incorporated in front wheels and drive the front wheels, respectively. An ECU determines whether or not a steering apparatus including a steering actuator, a tie rod and a steering angle sensor has failed, based on an operation angle of a steering wheel from a steering wheel angle sensor and a steering angle of the front wheels from the steering angle sensor. When the ECU determines that the steering apparatus has failed, the ECU provides torque difference for a torque instruction for the motor-generators in accordance with the operation angle of the steering wheel.

Abstract: To enable control the number of revolutions of a wheel with a new structure different from an induction motor and adjust the maximum torque rapidly and accurately. A linear drive travel system includes a metal wheel 20 having a drum rotor and a stator 30 arranged inside the metal wheel 20. The stator 30 includes a plurality of rows of electromagnets 32 arranged in the direction of rotation axis, each row being formed of a plurality of electromagnets 32 arranged along the circumference around a rotary shaft 40. A drum rotor includes a plurality of arc-shaped rotor cores 23 arranged along the circumference around the rotary shaft 40. Control means (control system 80) performs control by allowing electromagnets 32 in some rows to be a magnetization coil of the rotor core and by allowing the electromagnets 32 in other rows to be a rotation coil of the drum motor.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly for driving a wheel of a vehicle includes a moveable suspension arm and a wheel spindle fixed to the suspension arm. A planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear. The carrier encompasses the wheel spindle and is drivingly connected to the wheel. An electric motor includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor drives the sun gear.