Abstract: A torque sensor unit includes a countershaft, and helical gears for providing the countershaft with not only torque but also axial load generated by engaged gears. Axial load measuring instruments are disposed coaxially with the countershaft in order to regulate axial movement of the countershaft and to measure the axial load.

Abstract: A control system controls a hybrid vehicle having an engine for rotating a drive axle, an electric motor for assisting the engine in rotating the drive axle, and electric energy storage means for supplying electric energy to the electric motor. The control system has an electric motor control unit which calculates an output power of the electric motor depending on an operating status of the hybrid vehicle and assists the engine based on the calculated output power of the electric motor. The electric motor control unit also reduces the output power of the electric motor when the rotational speed of the engine or the speed of the hybrid vehicle exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A regeneration control device of a hybrid electric vehicle can sufficiently charge a battery with power regenerated as a result of the regenerative braking and effectively perform the regenerative braking, and which can also ease the burden of a friction brake. If chargeable power set by a chargeable power setting device according to an actual level of the battery becomes lower than regenerated power computed by a regenerated power computing unit during the regenerating operation of a motor, the power regenerated by the motor is supplied to a generator. This drives the generator to cause an engine to run an engine brake without the supply of fuel.

Abstract: In a series-parallel hybrid vehicle, a check is made to see if there is any trouble of a clutch such as slip or overheating in an engaged state of the clutch, and upon detection of a clutch trouble, the vehicle is driven in accordance with a series hybrid type to prevent driving characteristics from being deteriorated by the clutch trouble.

Abstract: A drive control system for a hybrid vehicle, in which the output torques of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine are synthesized by and outputted from a torque synthesizing/distributing mechanism. The target speed of the engine is determined on the basis of the output demand for the engine and the output speed of the torque synthesizing/distributing mechanism, and the target speed of the motor is determined on the basis of the target speed of the engine and the output speed of the torque synthesizing/distributing mechanism. The output of the engine is controlled to the output torque which is determined on the basis of the output demand for the engine and the target speed of the engine, and the output speed of the motor is controlled to the target speed.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of power-assisted manually operated vehicles, specifically wheelchairs. An arrangement is providing for sensing the amount of manual force inputted and then providing a power assist related to that input force. Once the operator either decreases the input of the manual force or discontinues it, the power assist is maintained for a predetermined time period so as to provide further assist. The power assist is reduced either gradually or in steps and may be held constant for a time before or after the power reduction. This provides a more natural effect and still reduces the necessity for operator input. Separate controls are provided for each of the wheels and a helper assist is also provided.

Abstract: A unique drive transfer device for use with personal electric vehicles, such as bicycles and scooters. In particular, a cordless, battery-driven rotary hand held tool is mounted to the vehicle in a manner whereby the rotatable output shaft of the tool is coupled to the rear wheel of the vehicle to drive the vehicle. The tool is powered by one or more batteries, a battery pack being mounted to the vehicle. The tool output shaft provides torque on demand and is sufficient to drive the vehicle over a wide range of speeds.

Abstract: A motorization system for a merchandise cart having at least two wheels including a direct current electric power storage unit; a power supply controller connected to the power storage unit; and two electric motors connected in series and connected to the controller, with each of the motors being operatively associated with one of the wheels and each motor having a nominal operating voltage equal to half the nominal output voltage of the power storage unit.

Abstract: Two embodiments of electric motor and reduction gear transmissions for driving the hub of a vehicle wheel. The construction provides a very compact, low cost and low noise drive through the use of two planetary transmission incorporated within the hub and disposed between a pair of stub axle shafts that are fixed to the vehicle frame. One planetary transmission, the first, is of the frictional type and the second, which transmits higher torque than the first, is of the spur gear type. An improved wiring arrangement is also disclosed for powering the electric motor.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Abstract: A hybrid powered vehicle of the present invention reduces the vibrations caused by changes in torque to thereby achieve excellent driving characteristics. The hybrid powered vehicle has an electric motor, an engine and a vehicle driving power source, which outputs a vehicle driving power from at least one of the engine and the electric motor in a plurality of driving modes including an electric motor single driving mode. A starting clutch capable of varying a torque transmission capacity is provided between the vehicle driving power source and drive wheels, and the torque transmission capacity of the starting clutch is controlled according to an output, which a driver requires from the vehicle driving power source.

Abstract: In a current-limiting setting mode, with, the motor locked and with the accelerator 4 operated fully, the detection current value of the motor provided by a current sensor CT is displayed. The operator, while observing the display, operates up/down push buttons 13 and 14 until the detection current value reaches a predetermined current-limiting value, and a duty of application of current is stored. This feature makes it unnecessary to additionarily provide a current meter, and makes it possible for only one person to perform the adjusting operation.

Abstract: A target drive torque is calculated based on a detected value for vehicle speed and a detected value for an accelerator pedal depression amount. A generator torque is calculated for a motor(1,4) based on a battery SOC. An engine(2) is controlled to a torque value which achieves a target drive torque and a generator torque as a target engine torque. The motor(1,4) is controlled to a value which is the difference of a target drive torque and an engine torque estimation value as a target motor torque. In this way, a required generator amount may be achieved under steady-state conditions and it is possible to satisfy charge conditions of the battery(15). In addition, required drive force by the driver can be achieved during transition running and responsive acceleration and deceleration can be performed.

Abstract: An electric motor vehicle includes an electric motor driving a step-down differential, axles, and drive wheels. An operator control produces torque command signals, which are applied to a controller to command application of electric power to the motor in response to the torque commands, to achieve the desired torque. The low friction of the electric drive, in conjunction with the rotational compliance or imperfect stiffness of the axles, may result in low-frequency surges or jerky motion, especially at low speeds. A damping arrangement includes a differencing circuit coupled between the operator control and the controller, for taking the difference between the operator-commanded torque and a damping torque signal. The damping torque signal is produced by differentiating the electric motor speed to produce a motor-acceleration representative signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency energy management system includes a number of battery control modules and/or a control unit that are configured to exchange battery operating parameter/performance information and control signals by radio frequency. Each battery control module includes one or more sensing elements to measure one or more operating parameter of a respective battery, and at least one device selected from the group including a radio frequency receiver, a radio frequency transmitter, a memory device, a controller, control devices, a signal blocking device, and combinations thereof. The control unit is configured to monitor and control the operating parameters of the batteries and includes a radio frequency receiver and a radio frequency transmitter.

Abstract: A gearbox monitoring apparatus is disclosed for use in combination with a gearbox (4) which provides a connection between an input shaft (3) driven by a motor (1) and an output shaft (2), said gearbox monitoring apparatus comprising a first position sensing means (11) and a second position sensing means (12), said first and second position sensing means generating a respective first and second output signal, said first output signal being representative of the angular position of the input shaft and said second output signal being representative of the angular position of the output shaft, a torque signal generating means (6) which generates a third output signal representative of the torque carried by the gearbox (4), and signal processing means (15) adapted to receive said output signals and to process said output signals to produce one or more modified output signals representative of the wear in the gearbox.