Motor vehicles inventions 05/06

20060108155 - Vehicle having twin transmissions for driving respective wheels: A vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, a prime mover mounted on the vehicle frame, a laterally turnable wheel disposed at one side of the vehicle frame, a pair of drive wheels disposed at the other side of the vehicle frame, a steering operation device, a traveling operation device for setting...

20060108156 - Vehicle control by pitch modulation: A method for fore-aft stabilization of a vehicle for motion in a specified direction over an underlying surface. The vehicle has at least one forward wheel and at least one aft wheel, and the forward wheel is characterized by a force normal to the instantaneous direction of motion of the...

20060108157 - Chassis supported track assembly: An endless track assembly wherein the weight of an associated vehicle/equipment is supported by the track framework. The track assembly provides a framework having a number of idler rollers and a drive sprocket that mounts to a rotational drive power source. The weight of the vehicle is transferred from a...

20060108158 - Control apparatus for a patient support: A patient support including a traction device and a motor for moving the patient support. A motor disconnect arrangement is provided to enable manually powered movement of the patient support....

20060108159 - Motorcycle with support wheel system: A vehicle (1) in the form of a motorcycle comprises a support wheel system located between the front and rear wheels (3, 4) of the motorcycle. The front wheel is arranged in a wheel suspension (5), in or with which the front wheel can, depending on steering actions with steering...

20060108160 - System and method for extracting propulsion energy from motor vehicle exhaust: Vehicle engine exhaust is sent to a reformer, which produces hydrogen from fuel remaining in the exhaust. The hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen tank, and is used by a fuel cell to produce electricity to recharge the vehicle battery and/or to supply propulsion current to an electric propulsion system...

20060108163 - Control system for hybrid vehicle: A hybrid vehicle comprises an engine 2, a motor generator 4, a torque converter 6 with a lock-up clutch 5, and a ratio-change mechanism 7. A control system for the hybrid vehicle comprises a rotational sensor 22, which detects the slip ratio of the torque converter, and a hydraulic control...

20060108161 - Flexible hybrid drive system for vehicle stability control: A hybrid drive system for integrated vehicle stability control. Specifically, the hybrid drive system includes a multi-wheeled vehicle, a drop-in electric drive motor, and a master controller. The multi-wheeled vehicle is originally configured for propulsion using an internal combustion engine. That is, the present invention is suitable for powering legacy...

20060108162 - Vehicle driving apparatus: A rotor shaft of a first electric motor is connected to a crankshaft of the engine by being fit to a transmitting member that is coupled to the crankshaft. The stator and rotor shaft of the first electric motor are supported by a case housing the first electric motor....

20060108164 - Snowmobile frame: A snowmobile frame includes a tunnel, the tunnel includes a left side structure having a front portion and a rear portion, a right side structure having a front portion and a rear portion, a radiator interconnecting the rear portion and the left side structure with the rear portion of the...

20060108165 - Vehicle control by pitch modulation: A method for fore-aft stabilization of a vehicle for motion in a specified direction over an underlying surface. The vehicle has at least one forward wheel and at least one aft wheel, and the forward wheel is characterized by a force normal to the instantaneous direction of motion of the...

20060108166 - Hybrid four-wheel-drive: A four-wheel drive system for a hybrid vehicle includes at least two motor-generators and a single engine connected to a differential having multiple degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, by adjusting the outputs of the motor-generators, a controller allocates power from the engine, to or from each of the motor-generators,...

20060108167 - Apparatus and method to encourage seat belt use: An apparatus and method for encouraging seat belt use in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a control unit coupled to at least one seat unit and an entertainment unit. If sensors within one of the seat units detect that a seat is occupied and the user in the seat is...

20060108168 - Device and method for recognizing the occupancy of a seat: A device and a method for recognizing the occupancy of a seat has two sensor mats which independently of one another detect the pressure exerted on them....

20060108169 - Mechanical absorption systems for an active bonnet hinge: The main characteristic of this device is that it comprises a shock-absorbing device employed when a pedestrian hits the bonnet (11, 111, 211) which has been raised, so that the assembly consisting of the bonnet (11, 111, 211), the raising mechanism and the piston (17, 117) can move under the...

20060108170 - Axle unit with slip sensor and slip meansurement method: An axle unit 210 including a rolling bearing unit attached to a knuckle of a wheel support member has a slip sensor (211) including acceleration sensors and a rotation sensor in one piece. The slip sensor (211) has the rotation sensor placed on the base face, and the rotation sensor...

20060108171 - Swiveling work machine: A swivel work machine includes a traveling unit, a swivel base plate supported on the traveling unit to be pivotable about a vertical swivel axis, the swivel base plate having a first lateral side and a second lateral side provided across said vertical axis, a pair of upper and lower...

20060108172 - Power steering device: In a power steering device, a hydraulic power cylinder is configured to assist a steering force of a steering mechanism linked to steerable road wheels, a pump is configured to supply a hydraulic pressure to respective pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder, an electric motor is configured to drive...

20060108173 - Hydraulic damper integrated into steering rack for attenuating steering nibble: The present invention provides a damping system for use with a mechanism such as a steering system wherein one element moves relative to another element. The system includes a variable volume chamber, a collection chamber, and an inertia track providing fluid communication between the two chambers. A fluid is disposed...

20060108174 - Motor-driven steering assist apparatus: A motor-driven steering assist apparatus is disclosed having a single unit body covered by first to third housings. An upper end portion of an input shaft and a torque sensor are supported by the first housing. An upper end portion of an output shaft, an electric motor, a worm gear...

20060102391 - Mechanism for controlling displacement of vehicle hydrostatic transmission system: In a displacement-control mechanism for a vehicle hydrostatic transmission system including a traveling hydrostatic transmission (HST) and a steering hydrostatic transmission (HST), a steering link member is extended from a steering displacement-control device of the steering HST, and connected at an end thereof to the traveling-direction switching rotary member interlocking...

20060102392 - Bed transfer system: The present invention is a powered hospital bed mover or bed transfer system. The bed mover includes a bed attachment mechanism that is vertically displaceable relative to a base that includes an electrically powered drive wheel and a pair of support castors. The attachment mechanism includes a pair of horizontally...

20060102393 - Motor vehicle comprising a hybrid drive and method for controlling the idle speed of a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle: A motor vehicle having a hybrid drive and a method for idle-speed control of a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle are provided. The hybrid drive includes an internal combustion engine having an engine management system, and at least one speed-controlled electric machine which is coupled to a drive shaft...

20060102394 - Regeneration and brake management system: A regeneration and brake management system includes a prime mover, an energy storage device associated with the prime mover, and a regenerative braking system including a controller and at least one friction brake, wherein the regenerative braking system is configured to at least partially disable the at least one friction...

20060102395 - Regeneration control system: A regeneration control system permits highly efficient regeneration while a vehicle is traveling stably, and also permits regeneration to be performed without interfering with a smooth behavior correction made by a driver when the behavior of the vehicle has been disturbed. The regeneration control system includes a total regeneration amount...

20060102398 - Fuel cell equipped vehicle: In a fuel cell equipped vehicle (10), hydrogen cylinders (18) storing hydrogen gas to be supplied to a fuel cell battery (30), a fuel cell (30), fuel cell accessories (31), a storage battery (40), and a PCU (50) that controls the supply of electric power from the fuel cell (30)...

20060102397 - Method and arrangement for controlling the energy supply of a mobile device comprising at least one electric driving motor and a hybrid energy system containing a fuel cell system and a dynamic energy system: The subject matter of the invention is a method and an arrangement for controlling the power supply of a vehicle which has a hybrid power system composed of a fuel cell system (7) and a dynamic power system (53) which contains a storage battery (10). The power system can be...

20060102396 - Power transmission method and device for a motor vehicle comprising a heat engine and at least one electric machine: A system is disclosed for powering a motor vehicle using a heat engine and an electric machine. The vehicle includes a supercapacitor which stores unused energy from the heat engine. When the vehicle speed stabilizes, energy is stored in the supercapacitor. The heat engine is shut down and the energy...

20060102399 - Selective closing of at least one vehicle opening at a front portion of a vehicle: Mechanisms are described for selectively closing grille and/or bumper openings. These mechanisms may be operated in response to one or more vehicle parameters. Closure mechanism control signals may be delivered to such mechanisms along a vehicle databus. In addition, vehicle parameters used in determining the control of such mechanisms may...

20060102400 - Radiator device for two-wheeled motor vehicle: In a motorcycle provided with a water-cooling type engine mounted to a lower portion of a motorcycle body, a radiator unit is arranged in front of the engine. The radiator unit is disposed so as to cover the front wheel and a cylinder head of the cylinder assembly from a...

20060102401 - Fuel tank protector shield: A shield (20) for an automotive vehicle (10) is provided to lessen the impact force to a foreign body by absorbing energy or converting energy from the foreign body with the shield (20). The shield (20) has a ramped surface (22), an inner surface (24), and a periphery (26) delineating...

20060102402 - Device to raise a body component of a motor vehicle and method to operate such a device: A device for raising a body component of a motor vehicle, especially an engine hood, from a starting position into a receiving position can be returned to an operative state by opening and closing the body component after actuation. A method to operate such a device has the following steps:...

20060102403 - System for efficient power control on a snowmobile: A power management system for a snowmobile is provided to efficiently manage power supplied to a cooling fan and to a heater on the snowmobile. The power management system can be incorporated into a control unit of the snowmobile and can be comprise of a fan motor control section for...

20060102404 - Hub motor formed in a wheel: Disclosed herein is a hub motor (100) formed in a wheel (14) for assisting in the movement of a vehicle (10) and methods associated therewith....

20060102405 - Folding support member of handlebars of a cart for a person to ride on: A cart has a folding support for handlebars, which includes a lower rod secured on a front part of a frame, a pivotal rod pivoted to an upper end of the lower rod, and an upper tube positioned in a linearly displaceable manner around the pivotal rod from a lower...

20060102406 - Swing arm structure in motorcycle: A structure for supporting a swing arm in a motorcycle is provided in which a power unit swingably supports a front portion of the swing arm via a first pivot of a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with an output shaft of the power unit and a second pivot that...

20060102407 - Log skidder: A forestry vehicular machine includes a front section supported by two front wheels; a rear section articulately connected to the front section, and an engine. The rear section has a frame supported on the ground by a tandem bogey with revolving support members and an arch assembly mounted to the...

20060102408 - Vehicle positioning apparatus: A vehicle positioning apparatus capable of avoiding the elastic deformation of the tires or the development of histeresis in and around the legs allows a vehicle to be positioned with high accuracy. The apparatus includes two front wheel guide units 10 and two rear wheel guide units 20, each including...

20060102409 - Vehicular drive system: A second electric motor is arranged on a first axis on which an output shaft of the engine is arranged, a transmission is arranged on a second axis which is parallel with the first axis, and a clutch is arranged on the first axis to selectively connect and disconnect the...

20060102410 - Travelling device particularly for self-propelled mower: Travelling device (20) particularly for self-propelled mower comprises a frame (1) provided with several identical travelling units (21) arranged on its circumference. Each travelling unit (21) comprises a flexibly suspended travelling wheel (2) rotating on its horizontal and vertical axes. A motor unit (3) with a driving shaft (13) is...

20060102411 - An apparatus and a method for assessing visibility of a child restraint anchorage: An apparatus for assessing visibility of an anchorage disposed proximate a vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly adapted to engage a first anchorage and a laser adapted to project a beam toward a second anchorage. The mounting assembly is pivotable about the first anchorage to adjust an angle...

20060102413 - Vehicle passenger protection system: A vehicle passenger restraining system is basically comprises a plurality of passenger restraining devices, a deformation detecting device and a passenger restraining device operating unit. The passenger restraining devices are configured and arranged to restrain a passenger inside a vehicle. The deformation detecting device is coupled to a vehicle body...

20060102412 - Vehicle-pedal backward-displacement preventing device: A vehicle-pedal backward-displacement preventing device. A pedal bracket has side plates each including a front end at which the pedal bracket is attached to the dash pane. A bulge protrudes in a protruding direction away from the other of the side plates. An operating pedal having a depressible portion is...

20060102414 - Vehicle passenger restraining system: A vehicle passenger restraining system comprises a plurality of passenger restraining devices, upper and lower deformation detecting devices, and a passenger restraining device operating unit. The upper deformation detecting device is disposed in a generally central upper end of a first lateral side of a cabin to output one of...

20060102415 - Work vehicle door interlock with override position: A door interlock for a door of a work vehicle is provided, the door interlock including a switch, wherein the door interlock is movable between (a) an operating position in which the switch alternately indicates (1) that the door is open and (2) that the door is closed, and (b)...

20060102416 - Steering apparatus: A steering apparatus comprises a bearing for supporting a pinion shaft so as to be rotatable and a high-rigidity member for holding the bearing in a state where it is positioned with respect to a housing. The housing comprises cylindrical first and second housings whose respective ends are fitted to...

20060096791 - Steering apparatus for working machine: An assist mechanism of a steering apparatus for a working machine includes right and left operational arm members for selectively engaging and disengaging right and left clutches. Right and left cam grooves are formed in the right and left operational arm members, respectively. A bar-shaped member has opposite ends disposed...

20060096792 - Mobility device: A mobility device is provided for converting a manually powered wheel chair or stationary chair to a powered mobile chair. The mobility device includes a housing, a pair of independently and/or simultaneously operable reversible motors, and a pair of drive members. The drive members may be in the form of...

20060096793 - Drive device for electrically movable vehicles and electric wheelchair having same: The invention provides a drive device for electric vehicles which is small-sized, improved in heat radiating characteristics and adapted for use with a drive wheel of reduced diameter, and an electric wheelchair comprising the drive device. The drive device is provided on the inner periphery of each of left and...

20060096794 - Mounting structure of electronic apparatus in vehicle: A structure for mounting electronic apparatuses in an electric motor-driven vehicle can be provided, in which the electronic apparatuses such as a high voltage battery unit and motor control unit can be mounted compactly in the same section occupying a minimum mounting space, allowing them to be mounted in a...

20060096795 - Hybrid driving system for a motor vehicle: Hybrid drive for a motor vehicle with a drive train, comprising a combustion engine and a vehicle transmission with variable gear ratio and a first and second electrical machine which can be operated both as a motor and a generator, each of which comprises a stator and a rotor with...

20060096796 - System for storage of power: The invention relates to a power storage system intended to transmit power to and from a driving system of a vehicle. A power storage having a stator provided with two windings and at least one rotor provided with a magnetic-flux generating device is comprised. The rotor is connected to a...

20060096797 - Vehicular battery mounting structure: A vehicular battery mounting structure for mounting a battery pack above a floor panel while securing a simple structure of cooling passageways. This battery mounting structure is suitably adopted in a vehicle that is equipped with a first battery pack and a second battery pack that has stricter requirements regarding...

20060096798 - Motorcycle: A sub-frame of a motorcycle is attached to the rear end of a main frame of the motorcycle and extends rearward. An AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) mechanism is attached to the sub-frame which prevents direct conduction of heat and vibrations generated by an engine on the main frame to the...

20060096799 - Prime mover control device of contruction machine: A prime mover control device of a construction machine according to the present invention includes a hydraulic pump (11) driven by a prime mover (40), a hydraulic traveling motor (5) driven with pressure oil output from the hydraulic pump (11), and a control valve (12) that controls a flow of...

20060096800 - Vehicle having at least one axle steerable via a knuckle steering gear: A vehicle having at least one axle (1) steerable via a knuckle steering system (4) which is designed with one main steering cylinder device (6) flexibly connected with track rods (8A, 8B). The track rods are in operative connection with wheel carriers (10A, 10B). A steering kinematics of the knuckle...

20060096801 - Electric power steering apparatus for vehicle and method for installing the same on vehicle: When the disclosed electric power steering apparatus designed for use in a right/left-hand-drive vehicle is installed on a left/right-hand-drive vehicle, methods of (1) mirror-reversing the apparatus except for the rotation angle sensor; arranging the sensor in a consistent direction relative to the rack/column shaft; and counterchanging V and W phases...

20060090938 - Robotic all terrain surveyor: A vehicle including a body and three legs. Each leg includes a proximal end coupled to the body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an actuator. Each actuator imparts enough acceleration to the vehicle along an axis of the leg to cause the distal end of the leg...

20060090939 - Removable snowmobile repositioning device: A snowmobile repositioning device for a snowmobile includes a front ski and a front steering member and mounting plate that connect a front suspension to the front ski. At least one of the front steering member and mounting plate includes a first opening. A wheel assembly is rotatably supported by...

20060090940 - Hybrid drive system wherein clutch is engaged when engine speed has exceeded motor speed upon switching from motor drive mode to engine drive mode: A hybrid vehicle drive system including (a) an engine, (b) an electric motor, (c) a planetary gear device having a first rotary element connected to the engine, a second rotary element connected to the electric motor and connected through a first clutch to an output member connected to vehicle drive...

20060090941 - Method for controlling a series hybrid electric vehicle: A method for controlling a series hybrid powertrain for an electric vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a primary power source and an electric energy stored system. The method provides total system efficiency with a load-following control strategy....

20060090942 - Positive air flow drive train unite for utility vehicle: A utility vehicle is provided which has a CVT drive unit. A housing for the drive unit provides an enclosure for the CVT drive components and defines an air flow path. An inlet port associated with the CVT housing includes a fan assembly which provides a source for filtered ambient...

20060090943 - Electric bicycle power structure: An electric bicycle power structure includes a motor, a power exchange device and pedal interlocking shafts; and provides power through motor or pedaling means, wherein the power exchange device automatically switches between power generating means to accomplish power saving effects and offering enhanced usage conveniences. The invention is characterized that,...

20060090944 - Engine mounting arrangement for two wheeled vehicle: A two wheeled vehicle has a frame assembly. The frame assembly comprises a backbone style frame. A power unit is mounted to the frame. A space is defined between the power unit and the frame such than an auxiliary component can be positioned within the space....

20060090945 - Motorcycle with lowered center of gravity: A motorcycle has a frame and a power unit. The frame comprises a main frame member extending rearward from a steering head pipe. The power unit comprises a drive source, power transmission devices attached to the output end of the drive source, and a casing that houses the power transmission...

20060090946 - Vehicle side collision occupant restraint system: A safety restraint system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a seat belt buckle (60) and a retractor (53) mounted approximately at or below a pelvic level of a vehicle occupant (98). A seat belt (52) extends over a side pelvic portion (97) of vehicle occupant (98) and directly prevents...

20060090948 - Driver side airbag detainment and containment device: A device that insures peace of mind from steering wheel airbags deploying on First Responders after being installed. A device that weighs less than two pounds. My device is made of the strongest fabrics known and has a lock down strap built in that requires only one person to install...

20060090947 - Safety device of electric transporter: The present invention discloses a safety device disposed around a pulling rod of a car body cover of an electric transporter and comprising a restoring mechanism for keeping a safety cover of the safety device at a position around the periphery of the pulling rod to restrict users from pulling...

20060090949 - Hydrostatic drive system: A hydrostatic drive system has a travel drive (4) and working hydraulics (6). The working hydraulics (6) have a variable delivery pump (5) connected to the driving engine (1). The pump (5) is connected to a container (10) on the inlet side and delivers to a delivery line (11), to...

20060090950 - High-rise go-chart chassis: A go-cart chassis that sits lower on the front right side than the rest of the chassis to promote weight shifting to the front right tire of an attached right front tire. The go-cart chassis also has a raised rear portion such that the weight of the chassis sits atop...

20060090951 - Drivetrain for a backhoe loader: The backhoe loader of the present invention allows an operator to move the backhoe loader without having to take the time to turn the seat around or use the backhoe to push the backhoe loader to the desired location. In addition to the standard front controls that are found on...

20060090953 - Electric steering system for rapidly increasing damper gain after steering speed exceeds a specific value: An electric steering system includes a device for measuring a steering input into a steering system; a device for measuring a steering speed; a section for computing a target current based on the steering input; and a control section for applying a steering power to the steering system by driving...

20060090952 - Steering control apparatus: A steering control apparatus for an automotive vehicle is provided with s steering control system 41 that comprises a detected steering angle calculating section for calculating a detected steering angle θj based on a variation of a motor rotational angle detected by a motor rotational angle sensor 25. An electric...

20060090954 - Steering system and method of control: A steering system includes a steering wheel, a steering angle sensor detecting a steering angle, a steering motor steering road-wheels, a reaction motor imparting a reaction force to the steering wheel, an ECU driving the steering motor with respect to a detected steering angle and a temperature detecting unit detecting...