Patent classifications
F16H59/00
Variably expanding chain transmission
A bicycle transmission allows a bicycle operator to change the radius of a pedal crank's transmission gear as sliding gear segments, radially arranged on a base ring assembly, vary their relative radial position from the center of the base plate. These gear segments slide in and out to change the effective radius of the gear. Spring biased locking pins engage adjustable control plates as the crank rotates. The locking pins release to make further adjustments to increase or decrease the effective radius. The transmission may also be used as a variable-ratio prime mover for other motive power applications, to transfer power from the wheel to another rotating component. The transfer of power may be via a chain or a belt.
ALTERNATOR DRIVING APPARATUS FOR DRIVING AN ALTERNATOR
An alternator driving apparatus for driving an alternator may include a crank pulley mounted on a crank shaft of an engine, an alternator pulley connected to the crank pulley through a driving belt, an alternator shaft connected between the alternator and the alternator pulley, and a rotation speed varying mechanism configured to vary a rotation speed of the alternator shaft.
ALTERNATOR DRIVING APPARATUS FOR DRIVING AN ALTERNATOR
An alternator driving apparatus for driving an alternator may include a crank pulley mounted on a crank shaft of an engine, an alternator pulley connected to the crank pulley through a driving belt, an alternator shaft connected between the alternator and the alternator pulley, and a rotation speed varying mechanism configured to vary a rotation speed of the alternator shaft.
Gear shifter
A gear shifter performs an abutment learning, having a reference value learner that sets a reference value of a position signal when abutting a drive object to a stopper, and reduces warpage by (i) an all phase power supply supplying to the electric current to all of the plural phase coils of the direct current motor, and (ii) by reducing an amount of the electric current supplied to the coils, and by decreasing a pressing force of the drive object pressing the drive object against the stopper. The reference value determined at a warpage diminish time enables a reduction of variation of the reference value due to an influence of the warpage, thereby setting a robust reference value to account for an environmental condition such as a temperature change, for an accurate shift operation of the gear shifter.
Decoupler assembly
A decoupler assembly that includes a hub, a pulley and a mechanism for transmitting rotary power between the hub and the pulley. The mechanism includes a torsion spring and a one-way clutch. The torsion spring is configured to dampen vibration in the rotary power that is transmitted from the pulley to the hub. The one-way clutch has a wrap spring that is smaller in diameter than the torsion spring.
Derailleur with damper of the chain guide
The derailleur has a damper that breaks the angular movements of a chain guide. Variable volume chambers in the damper are filled with a damping fluid and connected through a controlled fluid passage system so that fluid flows between chambers in response to angular movement of the chain guide. The damper comprises a dividing body in a mobile body coaxial to the axis X, mechanically constrained so that each rotation of the dividing body about the axis X is accompanied by a translation of the dividing body along the axis X. The dividing body is mechanically constrained to the chain guide and moves with it in the angular direction about the axis X. The chambers are formed in the mobile body on opposite sides of the dividing body and change volume in opposite directions when the dividing body moves along the axis X.
Vehicle operator notification system
A vehicle includes an ignition, selector, and controller. The ignition is configured to start and shutdown the vehicle. The selector is configured to transition the vehicle between a standard driving mode and an economy driving mode. The controller is programmed to, in response starting the vehicle after a prior shutdown with the economy mode selected, generate a notification that the vehicle was operating in the economy mode upon the prior shutdown.
Bicycle front derailleur
A bicycle front derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a chain guide, a link mechanism, and a biasing member. The base member is configured to be fixedly coupled to the bicycle. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism couples the chain guide to the base member between retracted and extended positions in response to movement of an operation cable. The link mechanism includes a first link pivotally connected to the chain guide about a first pivot axis. The first link is configured such that the first pivot axis moves in a forward-rearward direction, while the chain guide moves between the retracted position and the extended position in a mounted state where the base member is mounted to a bicycle frame. The biasing member is operatively disposed between the base member and the chain guide to bias the chain guide towards the extended position.
Front derailleur device for a bicycle chain shift
A front derailleur device for a bicycle chain shift includes a frame fixing part for attachment to a bicycle frame, a hinge arrangement which is pivotable relative to the frame fixing part, and a chain cage which is pivotable relative to the frame fixing part via the pivotable hinge arrangement for guiding and pivoting of the bicycle chain. The hinge arrangement includes at least two hinged struts which can be mounted rotatably relative to the frame fixing part and relative to the chain cage about pivot axes. The pivot axes run substantially parallel to each other and, in a mounted state of the derailleur device on a bicycle, may be oriented substantially vertically.
Shift device
In a shift device, a shift locking mechanism drives a motor to perform locking and locking release of rotation of a knob, and an autocorrect mechanism drives the motor to change a shift position of the knob to a P position. Thus, driving of the common motor enables locking and locking release of the rotation of the knob to be performed, and enables a shift position of the knob to be changed to the P position, thereby enabling a simple configuration.