An auxiliary machine-driving device has a first idler roller having an outer peripheral surface biased into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of a motor/generator roller and an engine roller, a second idler roller having an outer peripheral surface biased into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the engine roller and a rotating roller, and a third idler roller having an outer peripheral surface biased into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating roller and the motor/generator roller. When the engine starts, the engine is started by transmitting the driving force of the motor/generator to the engine via the motor/generator roller, the first idler roller and the engine roller. After the engine starts, power is generated from the driving force of the engine being transmitted to the motor/generator via the engine roller, the second idler roller, the rotating roller, the third idler roller and the motor/generator roller.

A suspension friction drive system and an auto-balancing personal transportation device having same. The suspension friction drive system may include two wheels (at least one of which is a drive wheel) that contact the rim of a wheel to be driven. The wheels preferably contact the rim at a contact angle that increases friction such that wheel driving performance is enhanced. The wheels are also preferably positioned such that some degree of shock absorption is provided and additional absorption may be supported. Various embodiments and features are disclosed including, but not limited to, a suspension frame coupled between the two wheels, the use of at least two drive wheels, a suspension bias mechanism, and a drive wheel substantially centered on the rim.

A suspension friction drive system and an auto-balancing personal transportation device having same. The suspension friction drive system may include two wheels (at least one of which is a drive wheel) that contact the rim of a wheel to be driven. The wheels preferably contact the rim at a contact angle that increases friction such that wheel driving performance is enhanced. The wheels are also preferably positioned such that some degree of shock absorption is provided and additional absorption may be supported. Various embodiments and features are disclosed including, but not limited to, a suspension frame coupled between the two wheels, the use of at least two drive wheels, a suspension bias mechanism, and a drive wheel substantially centered on the rim.

An auxiliary machine-driving device has a first idler roller disposed between an engine roller and a first rotating roller; a second idler roller disposed between the first rotating roller and a second rotating roller; a third idler roller disposed between the second rotating roller and the engine roller; and a linking mechanism driven by one actuator to switch the first idler roller between a state in which the first idler roller contacts the engine roller and the first rotating roller, and a state in which the first idler roller separates from the engine roller and the first rotating roller, and to switch at least one of the second and third idler rollers between a state in which the at least one roller contacts two rollers adjacent the at least one roller, and a state in which the at least one roller separates from the two rollers.

An auxiliary machine-driving device has a first idler roller disposed between an engine roller and a first rotating roller; a second idler roller disposed between the first rotating roller and a second rotating roller; a third idler roller disposed between the second rotating roller and the engine roller; and a linking mechanism driven by one actuator to switch the first idler roller between a state in which the first idler roller contacts the engine roller and the first rotating roller, and a state in which the first idler roller separates from the engine roller and the first rotating roller, and to switch at least one of the second and third idler rollers between a state in which the at least one roller contacts two rollers adjacent the at least one roller, and a state in which the at least one roller separates from the two rollers.

In a propulsion device including a main wheel having a plurality of driven rollers fitted on and arranged circumferentially along an annular core member so as to be rotatable around tangential lines of the annular core member at respective positions thereof on the annular core member, a pair of drive disks positioned on either side of the main wheel in an individually rotatable manner, a plurality of drive rollers supported along an outer periphery of each drive disk so as to be each rotatable around a rotational center line extending in a skewed relationship to a rotational center line of the corresponding drive disk, and a drive unit for individually rotatively driving the drive disks, a plurality of guide rollers are rotatably supported by a body frame and engage at least one driven roller not engaged by any of the drive rollers from either side.

In a propulsion device including a main wheel having a plurality of driven rollers fitted on and arranged circumferentially along an annular core member so as to be rotatable around tangential lines of the annular core member at respective positions thereof on the annular core member, a pair of drive disks positioned on either side of the main wheel in an individually rotatable manner, a plurality of drive rollers supported along an outer periphery of each drive disk so as to be each rotatable around a rotational center line extending in a skewed relationship to a rotational center line of the corresponding drive disk, and a drive unit for individually rotatively driving the drive disks, a plurality of guide rollers are rotatably supported by a body frame and engage at least one driven roller not engaged by any of the drive rollers from either side.

A cartridge includes a housing, a drive-transmission member and a detected body. The housing has a first wall and a second wall opposing each other in a first direction from the second wall toward the first wall. The drive-transmission member is rotatable about a first axis parallel to the first direction for transmitting a drive force. The detected body is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis upon receipt of the drive force to move the detected body irreversibly from a first position to a second position. The detected body includes: a detected portion; a receiving portion configured to receive the drive force; and a peripheral portion positioned downstream of the receiving portion in a radial direction of the detected body away from the second axis, at least a portion of the detected portion being positioned on the peripheral portion.

A cartridge includes a housing, a drive-transmission member and a detected body. The housing has a first wall and a second wall opposing each other in a first direction from the second wall toward the first wall. The drive-transmission member is rotatable about a first axis parallel to the first direction for transmitting a drive force. The detected body is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis upon receipt of the drive force to move the detected body irreversibly from a first position to a second position. The detected body includes: a detected portion; a receiving portion configured to receive the drive force; and a peripheral portion positioned downstream of the receiving portion in a radial direction of the detected body away from the second axis, at least a portion of the detected portion being positioned on the peripheral portion.

An apparatus for rotatably supporting a rotating cylindrical body. The apparatus comprises a pair of roller assemblies for supporting an annular bearing surface of a rotating cylindrical body. Each of the roller assemblies comprises a cylindrical roller having a circumferential bearing surface in supporting engagement with the annular bearing surface of the rotating body; first and second shaft extensions extending from the roller; bearings for rotatably supporting the first and second shaft extensions; and a pivot plate for supporting the bearings, the pivot plate being pivotally attached to a base by a pivot pin such that the cylindrical roller self-adjusts to the annular bearing surface of the rotating body.