Disclosed herein is an apparatus for variable fluid damping. The apparatus comprises a mount. The apparatus also comprises a damper coupled to the mount to apply a damping force in response to movement of the mount. The apparatus further comprises an electrical element positioned to correspond to the damper. The apparatus additionally comprises a rheological fluid disposed in the damper. The rheological fluid changes viscosity in response to a change in an output of the electrical element to change the damping force of the damper. The apparatus also comprises a controller to provide input to the electrical element in response to a normal operating condition or an emergency operating condition.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for variable fluid damping. The apparatus comprises a mount. The apparatus also comprises a damper coupled to the mount to apply a damping force in response to movement of the mount. The apparatus further comprises an electrical element positioned to correspond to the damper. The apparatus additionally comprises a rheological fluid disposed in the damper. The rheological fluid changes viscosity in response to a change in an output of the electrical element to change the damping force of the damper. The apparatus also comprises a controller to provide input to the electrical element in response to a normal operating condition or an emergency operating condition.

Provided is a wheelchair that can be easily operated with either a right or left hand. The wheelchair according to the present invention is provided with: a right-left pair of first handrims connected to handrim spokes; a right-left pair of second handrims connected to spokes; a first rotary shaft for transmitting a first rotational force generated by rotation of the left first handrim to a right wheel; and a second rotary shaft for transmitting a second rotational force generated by rotation of the right first handrim to a left wheel, wherein a first power transmission device on a right inner shaft of a right drive mechanism meshes with a second power transmission device on the second rotary shaft, and a third power transmission device on a right outer shaft of the right drive mechanism meshes with a fourth power transmission device on the first rotary shaft.

Provided is a wheelchair that can be easily operated with either a right or left hand. The wheelchair according to the present invention is provided with: a right-left pair of first handrims connected to handrim spokes; a right-left pair of second handrims connected to spokes; a first rotary shaft for transmitting a first rotational force generated by rotation of the left first handrim to a right wheel; and a second rotary shaft for transmitting a second rotational force generated by rotation of the right first handrim to a left wheel, wherein a first power transmission device on a right inner shaft of a right drive mechanism meshes with a second power transmission device on the second rotary shaft, and a third power transmission device on a right outer shaft of the right drive mechanism meshes with a fourth power transmission device on the first rotary shaft.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tensioner lever capable of consistently exerting appropriate reaction force to various tension fluctuations in conjunction with varying chain behavior, and reducing vibration and noise when the chain runs. The tensioner lever of the present invention includes a torsion coil spring having a pressing arm in which a distal end portion abuts on a lever body to form a first load point, and a support arm in which a distal end portion abuts on a support part provided to an attachment surface to form a first support point. The tensioner lever further includes a spring load adaption structure configured to form one or both of a second loading point and a second support point when a certain level or more of load is received from the chain.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tensioner lever capable of consistently exerting appropriate reaction force to various tension fluctuations in conjunction with varying chain behavior, and reducing vibration and noise when the chain runs. The tensioner lever of the present invention includes a torsion coil spring having a pressing arm in which a distal end portion abuts on a lever body to form a first load point, and a support arm in which a distal end portion abuts on a support part provided to an attachment surface to form a first support point. The tensioner lever further includes a spring load adaption structure configured to form one or both of a second loading point and a second support point when a certain level or more of load is received from the chain.

The present invention is a steering system for a beam-type solid axle arrangement. The steering system is designed to operate in conjunction with the triangulated link-style suspension system with zero bumpsteer during suspension travel and negligible bumpsteer during articulation. Accurate steering throughout suspension operations is satisfied with mechanical linkages that include a slow ratio rack and pinion gearset and unique augmented chain and sprocket assembly. The slow ratio of the rack and pinion gearset ensures negligible bumpsteer during articulation, thereby leading to negligible if any bumpsteer throughout operation of the suspension system. Meanwhile, augmentation of the chain and sprocket assembly defines a steering quickener effect thereby speeding up the rack and pinion gearset and restoring quick steering response. Effortless steering is ensured by appropriate use of electric or hydraulic assist devices.

The present invention is a steering system for a beam-type solid axle arrangement. The steering system is designed to operate in conjunction with the triangulated link-style suspension system with zero bumpsteer during suspension travel and negligible bumpsteer during articulation. Accurate steering throughout suspension operations is satisfied with mechanical linkages that include a slow ratio rack and pinion gearset and unique augmented chain and sprocket assembly. The slow ratio of the rack and pinion gearset ensures negligible bumpsteer during articulation, thereby leading to negligible if any bumpsteer throughout operation of the suspension system. Meanwhile, augmentation of the chain and sprocket assembly defines a steering quickener effect thereby speeding up the rack and pinion gearset and restoring quick steering response. Effortless steering is ensured by appropriate use of electric or hydraulic assist devices.

An axle in particular of a universal carrier frame, which includes an arm of the axle, a power drive unit, swivel drive units, swivel distribution systems, travel distribution systems. At one end of the arm of the axle, a front portal suspension of a front wheel is rotatably arranged. At the other end of the arm of the axle, a rear portal suspension of the rear wheel is rotatably arranged. The front portal suspension of the front wheel and the rear portal suspension of the rear wheel comprise an angular chain transmission comprising a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, a driven shaft having a longitudinal axis, a link chain for connecting the drive shaft and the driven shaft, and a pulley angular system of the link chain to define the angle (a) between the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and the longitudinal axis of the driven shaft.

An axle in particular of a universal carrier frame, which includes an arm of the axle, a power drive unit, swivel drive units, swivel distribution systems, travel distribution systems. At one end of the arm of the axle, a front portal suspension of a front wheel is rotatably arranged. At the other end of the arm of the axle, a rear portal suspension of the rear wheel is rotatably arranged. The front portal suspension of the front wheel and the rear portal suspension of the rear wheel comprise an angular chain transmission comprising a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, a driven shaft having a longitudinal axis, a link chain for connecting the drive shaft and the driven shaft, and a pulley angular system of the link chain to define the angle (a) between the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and the longitudinal axis of the driven shaft.