Motor vehicles inventions 09/06

20060207807 - Sail-propelled vehicle: A land sail-propelled vehicle includes a one-piece molded body defining a seat in a top surface thereof. At least one tubular rear axle guide is bonded to, or molded into, a rear portion of the body. A rear axle assembly, including at least one rear axle, is removably insertable into...

20060207808 - Counterintuitive physics demonstration mechanism: A vehicle designed to harness the kinetic energy of a stream of gas or liquid aimed in a constant direction toward its front end, with the surprising and educational result that it moves into the oncoming stream....

20060207809 - Electric drive system having cooling strategy: An electric drive system for a work machine is disclosed. The electric drive system has a first traction device configured to propel the work machine and a first motor drivingly connected to the first traction device. The electric drive system also has a second traction device configured to propel the...

20060207810 - Hybrid drive: The invention relates to a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle having a branching gearbox between an internal combustion engine, a generator and an electric motor which is positively coupled to the drive train for driven vehicle wheels, with the rotation speed of the drive train in each case being...

20060207811 - Method of controlling vehicle driving system: With a method of controlling a vehicle driving system comprising a flywheel for accumulating the output of engine as energy, a motor generator to be driven by the engine to generate electricity and an output shaft interlocked with the drive wheels of a vehicle, provided that (A) the lower limit...

20060207812 - Drive unit for hybrid vehicle: A drive unit includes an engine, a generator, an electric motor and a power distributing device. The engine drives the generator to generate electric power. The electric motor is driven by the electric power generated by the generator and rotates a drive wheel. The power distributing device distributes the drive...

20060207813 - Hybrid vehicle: A battery and a capacitor having a large capacity correspond to a power storage device for storing power used by a motor generator MG2. A controller detects state of charge of the battery and of the capacitor. When the driver issues an instruction requesting acceleration, the controller monitors the state...

20060207814 - Electric wheel: An electric wheel has a transmission assembly and wheel speed detecting device mounted inside a chamber formed by two assembled sidewalls. A rubber tire surrounds the peripheries of the assembled sidewalls. Two hollow forks are respectively attached to external surfaces of the two sidewalls. A transmission ring is formed on...

20060207815 - Condenser arrangement: A condenser arrangement for a vehicle is provided that comprises a vehicle support structure, upper and lower condenser coupling structures and a condenser. The upper and lower condenser coupling structures are fixedly coupled to upper and lower mounting portions of the vehicle support structure. The condenser has a lower attachment...

20060207816 - Apparatus for vehicle hood: A latching device and operating mechanism are provided suitable for controlling the opening or closing of a tilting cover such as the hood of a car or truck. The latching device operates to prevent accidental closure of the cover when the cover is open. The operating mechanism is coupled to...

20060207817 - Apparatus for vehicle hood: A latching device and operating mechanism are provided suitable for controlling the opening or closing of a tilting cover such as the hood of a car or truck. The latching device operates to prevent accidental closure of the cover when the cover is open. The operating mechanism is coupled to...

20060207818 - Control device for starting motion of mobile body: A control device is mounted to one's own mobile body such as a vehicle for controlling its starting motion. A distance measuring part measures the distance to a front going vehicle and a speed control part controls the speed of the own vehicle such that the distance to the front...

20060207819 - Double rear traction assembly: There is provided an integrated rear traction assembly for a vehicle, comprising a frame comprising a lower member, an upper member, and a frame plate; a plurality of wheels supported by the lower member; a rear sprocket and a front sprocket mounted on the frame plate at an adjustable distance...

20060207820 - Active vehile shield: An invention is disclosed for having an ‘active external vehicle shield’ which deploys on detection of an ‘imminent collision’ condition. This ‘invention’ provides a shield, which is fully deployed around the vehicle before the collision happens. When the collision happens this shield absorbs most of the collision energy, resulting in...

20060207821 - Retroactive device: A retroactive device as part of a hydraulic servo-steering system that also includes a hydraulic servo-valve device, the retroactive device comprising an arrangement for hydraulically producing a restoring moment into a central position that produces the restoring moment as a function of the pressure differential between a pressure side and...

20060207822 - Differential steering application for trailer spotter vehicles: A trailer spotter vehicle having a seat and a control console which are relatively rotatable with respect to the vehicle frame, and a differential drive system which permits the vehicle to turn within a very small turning radius. The rotatable seat and control console allow the operator to steer the...

20060207823 - Rough terrain vehicle with electric power steering system: To effectively cool an electric power steering system having an electric motor. A rough terrain vehicle includes an electric motor that is disposed substantially orthogonal to a steering shaft with an engine and an exhaust pipe that are disposed behind the steering shaft and under a seat. A forced air...

20060207824 - Motor-driven steering apparatus: In a motor-driven steering apparatus in which a handle stay provided with a steering handle is fixed to a steering shaft, and a motor-driven steering assist unit is interposed between the steering shaft and a tire wheel side steering member, and a taper coupling portion provided in the handle stay...

20060207825 - Rough-terrain traveling vehicle provided with electrically-driven power steering apparatus: To constrain a load applied to a steering shaft and a power assist unit. In a rough terrain vehicle including a power assist unit including an electrically-driven power steering apparatus provided coaxially with a steering shaft, and an electrically-driven motor provided in the power assist unit arranged so as to...

20060201721 - Rotary propeller: Disclosed is a rotary propeller having a rotor 3 rotating in a duct 1 and a plurality of blades 5, 7 secured to the rotor. The blades comprise apertured blades 5A, 5B, 5C and non-apertured blades 7A, 7B, 7C, which are arranged alternately in a direction of rotation. One apertured...

20060201722 - All wheel drive utility vehicle with bogey beam suspension: A utility vehicle that has a bogey beam suspension for the front steered wheels is also provided with all wheel drive by mounting a drive shaft within the bogey beam so that power can be furnished to the front axle. For a six wheel vehicle the middle axle is mounted...

20060201723 - Wheelchair suspension: A side frame assembly for a wheelchair suspension includes a mainframe, and a front caster frame connected pivotally to both a front end of the mainframe and a front caster. A return spring is disposed between the front caster frame and the mainframe so as to bias the front caster...

20060201724 - Isolated dual battery system: An isolated dual power source system for isolating a first power source of a vehicle, connected to an engine starter, from a second power source of the vehicle which has an electrical circuit for distributing electrical power among the consumers, includes first and second switches for selectively connecting the first...

20060201726 - Apparatus and method for determining normal start up of sensorless motor: An apparatus and method determine a start-up of a sensorless motor. The apparatus includes an elapsed time determination unit, a motor velocity determination unit and an abnormal start-up determination unit. The elapsed time determination unit determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after a start-up of the motor is initiated....

20060201725 - Hybrid driving unit and vehicle carrying the same: A hybrid driving unit in which a first electric motor (20), a second electric motor (23), a transmission (22) and a power splitting planetary gear (21) are disposed in order from the front side (the side of an internal combustion engine) on an axis within a casing member (14). Since...

20060201727 - Rain gutter for a vehicle hood: A rain gutter system for a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood having an opening. A rain gutter is mounted to the hood underneath the opening. At least one contoured area is on at least one side of the rain gutter, wherein there is a space in between the contoured...

20060201728 - Auxiliary power unit starting apparatus for an electric bicycle: The present invention relates to an auxiliary power unit starting apparatus for an electric bicycle, which can convert the rider's pedaling force into mechanical displacement at the time the bicycle is being pedaled, and then the mechanical displacement can start the auxiliary power unit of the electric bicycle. The device...

20060201729 - Modular type motor-driven vehicle: A modular type motor-driven vehicle includes a front half module, a rear half module and a retainer unit. The front half module includes a front vehicle frame, a front vehicle body shell disposed fixedly on the front vehicle frame, and a seat disposed fixedly on the front vehicle body shell....

20060201730 - Electric four-wheel drive vehicle and control unit for same: An electric four-wheel drive vehicle and a control unit for the same, which can be applied to cars of class having larger displacements than the class to which the electric four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with the DC motor is applied, without increasing the cost over that of the known mechanical...

20060201731 - Airbag for protecting pedestrian or the like, and airbag device for protecting pedestrian or the like: An airbag for protecting a pedestrian or the like and an airbag device for protecting a pedestrian or the like including the airbag are disclosed. The airbag is quickly deployed to a predetermined deployment area without the use of a high output inflator and has a high absorption property of...

20060201732 - Tractor with reversible operator position for operation and transport: A tractor has hydraulically driven wheels at a cab end and castor wheels at an engine end. It can be driven cab forward in a working mode with a header on the forward end. It is rotated to engine forward in the transport position for more stable higher speed travel....

20060201733 - Clutch for steer-by-wire steering system: A steer-by-wire steering system has a steering wheel actuator and a braking device that acts on the steering column. The braking device is activated when the vehicle steering wheel is to be blocked or at least sharply braked, such as when the steering stop is reached or a wheel goes...

20060201734 - Fluid disturbance damping in fluid driven activation devices: A fluid pressure disturbance damping arrangement for a fluid-driven actuation device includes an actuator, a fluid pump, a fluid supply line for delivering fluid from the pump to the actuator at relatively high pressure and a fluid return line for delivering fluid from the actuator to the pump at relatively...

20060201735 - Steering apparatus: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (12,14) includes a connector member (28) which connects a first end portion (70) of the rack (66) with a first steerable vehicle wheel (14). A second end portion (72) of the rack (66) is spaced from the second steerable vehicle...

20060201736 - Method and apparatus for detecting a failed temperature sensor in an electric assist steering system: A method and system are provided for controlling an electric assist motor in a vehicle steering system during an enablement of an overuse algorithm. Electric power is provided to the electric assist motor of the vehicle steering system via a switching circuit. Temperature of one of at least electric assist...

20060201737 - Power assisted steering system of a motor vehicle: An auxiliary power assisted steering system of a motor vehicle is provided. When a power limit for the system supplying the auxiliary power assist (or a limit for the specified steering angle) is exceeded, at least when considered over time, the gear ratio between the steering angle selected by the...

20060196709 - Transmission mechanism for vehicles having hst and pressure oil supply system therefor: A work vehicle provided with a work device in front of the vehicle body comprises a transmission 30 disposed between a differential gear unit 10 and an HST 20 and providing a travel cooperative mechanism, a PTO shaft projecting from the housing of the HST 20, and a PTO cooperative...

20060196710 - Driving system for a mobile machine, in particular an industrial truck: Driving system for a machine, in particular an industrial truck with a combustion engine, a two-branch gear transmission whose first shaft is coupled to the combustion engine, whose second shaft is coupled to a change-over transmission, whose outlet acts on the driven wheels of the industrial truck via a collecting...

20060196711 - Control apparatus and control method for drive apparatus of hybrid vehicle: A control method for a drive apparatus of a hybrid vehicle in which an assist power source is connected to an output member connected to an engine through a torque transmitting member whose torque capacity is changed according to an engagement control amount includes the steps of maintaining a rotational...

20060196712 - Vehicle regenerative braking control apparatus and method: A regenerative braking control apparatus for a wheeled vehicle, includes: a regenerative braking unit arranged to produce a regenerative braking effort for the vehicle; and a control unit connected for signal communication to the regenerative braking unit, and configured to perform the following: measuring a wheel speed deviation defined as...

20060196713 - Body frame of motorcycle: In a motorcycle, a head pipe is provided with one main frame part that extends rearwardly from the head pipe and a rear frame that extends substantially downwardly from the rear of the main frame part. A pivot is pierced in a pivot support part provided to the rear frame...

20060196714 - Driving-force control apparatus and method for vehicle: A driving-force distribution control apparatus for a vehicle includes a first motor adapted to drive one of front wheels and rear wheels, as main drive wheels; a second motor adapted to drive another of the front wheels and the rear wheels, as auxiliary drive wheels; an engine adapted to drive...

20060196715 - Occupant protection device for vehicle: A seat cushion airbag unit is provided at each seat and includes a seat cushion airbag. The seat cushion airbag is disposed in an inboard portion of a seat cushion of the seat so as to support an inboard portion of buttocks of an occupant in the seat. The seat...

20060196716 - Vehicle pedestrian impact sensor with proximity arming: A pedestrian impact sensor system includes a first plate and a second plate both connected to an outer surface of a vehicle such that a capacitance between the first plate and the second plate is dependent upon whether a body proximate the vehicle is animate. A crush sensor senses a...

20060196717 - Four wheel traction control valve system: A hydrostatic propulsion system includes a hydrostatic circuit fluidly connecting left front and right front motors in parallel with an outlet of a pump, left rear and right rear motors in parallel with an inlet of the pump, left front motor and right rear motor in series, and the right...

20060196718 - Four wheel traction control valve system: A hydrostatic propulsion system includes a hydrostatic circuit fluidly connecting left front and right front motors in parallel with an outlet of a pump, left rear and right rear motors in parallel with an inlet of the pump, left front motor and right rear motor in series, and the right...

20060196719 - Transmission for speed changing and steering of a vehicle: A transmission for speed changing and steering of a vehicle comprises a first HST and a first differential for speed changing and a second HST and a second differential for steering. The first HST is a combination of a hydraulic pump and motor. The pump is driven by an engine...

20060196720 - Hydraulic steering system with input horsepower limiting circuit and increased fan speeds at low engine rpm: A hydraulic system that provides hydraulic fluid to a power steering system of a vehicle at a substantially constant flow rate and can also divert excess hydraulic fluid to the air cooling fan of an associated vehicle at low engine speeds is disclosed. The resulting hydraulic system increases fan speed...

20060196721 - Motor-driven steering assist apparatus: In a motor-driven steering assist apparatus, a gear train transmitting a rotation of an electric motor to an output shaft comprises a single unit body surrounded by housings, and an attaching boss to a vehicle body side bracket is provided in a lower surface of the housing as seen from...

20060196722 - Steering angle sensor arrangement structure of vehicle intended for rough road use: A removable steering angle sensor for a motor-driven power steering apparatus for use in a vehicle intended for rough road use. The handlebar of the vehicle is disposed on an upper portion of a steering shaft, and a motor-driven power steering apparatus, including a power assist portion as an actuator...

20060196709 - Transmission mechanism for vehicles having hst and pressure oil supply system therefor: A work vehicle provided with a work device in front of the vehicle body comprises a transmission 30 disposed between a differential gear unit 10 and an HST 20 and providing a travel cooperative mechanism, a PTO shaft projecting from the housing of the HST 20, and a PTO cooperative...

20060196710 - Driving system for a mobile machine, in particular an industrial truck: Driving system for a machine, in particular an industrial truck with a combustion engine, a two-branch gear transmission whose first shaft is coupled to the combustion engine, whose second shaft is coupled to a change-over transmission, whose outlet acts on the driven wheels of the industrial truck via a collecting...

20060196711 - Control apparatus and control method for drive apparatus of hybrid vehicle: A control method for a drive apparatus of a hybrid vehicle in which an assist power source is connected to an output member connected to an engine through a torque transmitting member whose torque capacity is changed according to an engagement control amount includes the steps of maintaining a rotational...

20060196712 - Vehicle regenerative braking control apparatus and method: A regenerative braking control apparatus for a wheeled vehicle, includes: a regenerative braking unit arranged to produce a regenerative braking effort for the vehicle; and a control unit connected for signal communication to the regenerative braking unit, and configured to perform the following: measuring a wheel speed deviation defined as...

20060196713 - Body frame of motorcycle: In a motorcycle, a head pipe is provided with one main frame part that extends rearwardly from the head pipe and a rear frame that extends substantially downwardly from the rear of the main frame part. A pivot is pierced in a pivot support part provided to the rear frame...

20060196714 - Driving-force control apparatus and method for vehicle: A driving-force distribution control apparatus for a vehicle includes a first motor adapted to drive one of front wheels and rear wheels, as main drive wheels; a second motor adapted to drive another of the front wheels and the rear wheels, as auxiliary drive wheels; an engine adapted to drive...

20060196715 - Occupant protection device for vehicle: A seat cushion airbag unit is provided at each seat and includes a seat cushion airbag. The seat cushion airbag is disposed in an inboard portion of a seat cushion of the seat so as to support an inboard portion of buttocks of an occupant in the seat. The seat...

20060196716 - Vehicle pedestrian impact sensor with proximity arming: A pedestrian impact sensor system includes a first plate and a second plate both connected to an outer surface of a vehicle such that a capacitance between the first plate and the second plate is dependent upon whether a body proximate the vehicle is animate. A crush sensor senses a...

20060196717 - Four wheel traction control valve system: A hydrostatic propulsion system includes a hydrostatic circuit fluidly connecting left front and right front motors in parallel with an outlet of a pump, left rear and right rear motors in parallel with an inlet of the pump, left front motor and right rear motor in series, and the right...

20060196718 - Four wheel traction control valve system: A hydrostatic propulsion system includes a hydrostatic circuit fluidly connecting left front and right front motors in parallel with an outlet of a pump, left rear and right rear motors in parallel with an inlet of the pump, left front motor and right rear motor in series, and the right...

20060196719 - Transmission for speed changing and steering of a vehicle: A transmission for speed changing and steering of a vehicle comprises a first HST and a first differential for speed changing and a second HST and a second differential for steering. The first HST is a combination of a hydraulic pump and motor. The pump is driven by an engine...

20060196720 - Hydraulic steering system with input horsepower limiting circuit and increased fan speeds at low engine rpm: A hydraulic system that provides hydraulic fluid to a power steering system of a vehicle at a substantially constant flow rate and can also divert excess hydraulic fluid to the air cooling fan of an associated vehicle at low engine speeds is disclosed. The resulting hydraulic system increases fan speed...

20060196721 - Motor-driven steering assist apparatus: In a motor-driven steering assist apparatus, a gear train transmitting a rotation of an electric motor to an output shaft comprises a single unit body surrounded by housings, and an attaching boss to a vehicle body side bracket is provided in a lower surface of the housing as seen from...

20060196722 - Steering angle sensor arrangement structure of vehicle intended for rough road use: A removable steering angle sensor for a motor-driven power steering apparatus for use in a vehicle intended for rough road use. The handlebar of the vehicle is disposed on an upper portion of a steering shaft, and a motor-driven power steering apparatus, including a power assist portion as an actuator...