Showing papers on "Drive wheel published in 1995"

Mass-body drive for a rotary tightening device

Abstract: A rotary tightening device for a safety belt has a belt retractor including a housing and a belt take-up shaft rotatably supported in the housing. The belt-take-up shaft has one end of the safety belt connected thereto. Upon triggering of the rotary tightening device, the belt take-up shaft is rotated in a belt take-up direction of the safety belt. A drive wheel is connected to the shaft. The housing has a channel extending in a plane parallel to a radial plane of the drive wheel and extending at least partially about a circumference of the drive wheel. Mass bodies are positioned loosely adjacent to one another in the channel. The mass bodies, when accelerated, act on the drive wheel for driving it. The drive wheel has at the circumference a gearing in which the mass bodies are received for driving the drive wheel. A spacing of the gearing is substantially identical to a spacing between the mass bodies.

Motor-driven vehicle

Abstract: A motor-driven vehicle (30) includes a drive wheel (46) mount on a vehicle body (32). An electrical drive wheel driving unit (90), a battery (82), and a control unit (88) for controlling the driving unit are disposed within the drive wheel. A transmitter (98) unit is disposed on the vehicle body and includes at least light-emitting diode disposed close to the drive wheel to transmit a light signal to a receiver unit (86) disposed on the drive wheel. The receiver unit includes a plurality of phototransistors (T₁-T₈) disposed close to the transmitter unit, equidistantly along a circle concentric with the axle of the drive wheel. The phototransistors rotate with the drive wheel. The spacing between adjacent ones of the phototransistors is so determined that at least one phototransistor is within a light signal detectable range. The driving unit includes a gear (72) secured to the axle, plural pinions (80) rolling around the gear, and plural motors (76) having respective shafts (78) coupled to associated ones of the pinions. A manual-driving-force sensing unit (50) is mounted on a handlebar (42) of the vehicle, which generates a control signal in accordance with the magnitude and direction of a manual driving force applied to the handlebar. The control signal is fed to the control unit through the transmitter and receiver units.

Integrated control system for 4WD vehicles for controlling driving torque distribution

Abstract: A driving-torque distribution integrated control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle, for controlling a driving torque distribution between front and rear wheels and a driving torque distribution between right and left wheels, comprises a first torque distribution control section responsive to a first control command for controlling a front-and-rear driving torque distribution between subsidiary drive wheels installed at a first side of front and rear sides of the vehicle and primary drive wheels installed at a second side of the front and rear sides, and a second torque distribution control section responsive to a second control command for controlling a right-and-left drive torque distribution between said primary drive wheels. First and second target slip arithmetic units derive target slip states for the subsidiary drive wheels and for an outer drive wheel of the primary drive wheels, and first and second actual slip arithmetic units derive the actual slip of the subsidiary and outer drive wheels. A decision unit decides whether the vehicle is in an acceleration turning state. An integrated control unit simultaneously controls the first and second torque distribution control systems in the acceleration-turning state to adjust actual slip states toward the target slip states in response to the first and second control commands.

Automatically guided vehicle

Abstract: A magnetically guided unmanned vehicle system to carry various loads along a guide path of a closed loop which comprises guide path consists of magnetic tape, a magnetic guide type steering drive unit having a magnetic sensor to detect magnetism from said tape and a drive wheel, said steering drive unit having a driving means to drive said drive wheel and a steering means controlled automatically by signals detected by said magnetic sensor, a trolley which has wheels at each of the four corners of the lower surface of a chassis thereof, the front said wheels having a universal casters, and a carriage shelf assembly which has one or a plurality of horizontal automatic roller conveyer(s) as shelves. The magnetically guided vehicle can be constructed by combining the trolley, the steering drive unit and the carriage shelf assembly and the trolley can be used for its original purposes by disassembling such parts. The drive wheel can be changed from a position wherein the wheel touches the floor with a pressure sufficient for running to a position wherein the wheel is suspended with a clearance above the floor.

Control belt or timing drive for IC engine

Abstract: The control belt or timing drive (10) comprises a drive wheel (20), at least one driven wheel (22), and a looped drive belt. There are elements capable of superimposing an extra unevenness to the drive. Pref. at least of the wheels is unround or eccentrically mounted. At least one wheel may have depressions distributed over its periphery, with the number of the depressions corresponding to the main order of the rotation. With a transmission ratio 2:1 the driven wheel may have four peripherally distributed depressions.

Multi-directional motorized wheelchair

Abstract: A multi-directional motorized wheelchair (10) having a seat portion (12) and, a back portion (14), and having two drive wheels (32, 32), each having a separate motor (36, 38) for driving one drive wheel forwardly or backwardly, independently of the other wheel, a drive wheel mounting (34) beneath the seat (12), and controls (30) for operating the wheels (32, 32) either simultaneously in the same direction, or one of them in one direction, or simultaneously in opposite directions, and, stabilizer wheels (22, 22) mounted beneath the seat (12), and extending outwardly from and around the drive wheels (32, 32), to stabilize the chair (10).

Differential drive linear actuator

Abstract: The linear actuator comprises an output shaft (4) having a pair of driven wheels (6, 8), one (8) being rotatable thereon in a fixed plane and having a drive nut (9) for an associated thread (11) on said output shaft and the other (6) being rotatably fixed (6A) to said output shaft, an input shaft (2) alongside the output shaft which is rotated by a suitable power source (3) and a drive wheel (5, 7) for each driven wheel rotatably fixed on said input shaft, the ratio between each drive and driven wheel set being chosen to rotate the driven wheels at different speeds in the same rotational direction to produce axial movement of said output shaft in a direction depending upon relative rotation of the driven wheels. In accordance with the invention the fixed driven wheel (6) and drive wheel (5) are meshing helical gear wheels, and a fail-safe arrangement is provided comprising a clutch (27, 29) between the drive wheels (5, 7) of the input shaft, a back-drive (9, 11) for said output shaft, and biasing means (22) for effecting a back-drive. In operation the meshing helical gears impart an axial force to engage the clutch only while power is supplied, the biasing means being operative to back-drive the output shaft to a fail-safe position when the power is terminated. The actuator can be readily modified to be operated by a remote operating vehicle (ROV) in undersea applications.

Exercise vehicle with cable steering system

Abstract: An exercise vehicle is provided with an improved push/pull cable steering system for use in directing vehicle travel without interfering significantly with vehicle power. The vehicle includes a frame with a drive system attached thereto and includes at least one drive wheel coupled with the frame. Preferably, the drive system includes arm levers operatively connected to the drive wheel so that counter-reciprocal movement of the arm levers produces rotation of the drive wheel. The steering system includes a guidance wheel rotatably coupled with the frame, an elongate steering crank which is operatively coupled with the guidance wheel, hand levers pivotally attached to the arm levers and push/pull cabling assemblies connecting the hand levers to the steering crank. When one hand lever pivots, the steering crank rotates, causing the other hand lever to pivot in the same direction of rotation while the freely rotatable ends of the hand levers move in opposite translational directions, and causing the guidance wheel to turn.

Pedal mechanism for cycle and exercise equipment

Abstract: A pedal mechanism for a bicycle to permit a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel (10) by backward rotation of the pedals (2, 3) in addition to permitting a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel by a forward rotation of the pedals (2, 3). A preferred embodiment allows one of the pedals (2, 3) to be rotated in one direction while the other pedal (2, 3) rotates in the opposite direction. A free-wheeling clutch (17) is positioned between the pedal shaft (6) and the bevel gear (16). When the pedal shaft (6) is rotated in the forward direction, the free-wheeling clutch (17) engages and causes bevel gear (16) to impart a forward force to the drive wheel (10). When the pedals are rotated in the reverse direction, the free-wheeling clutch (18) engages causing bevel gear (19) to rotate with the pedal shaft which permits a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel (10) by reversing gear (20). Free-wheeling clutches (17, 18) engage the pedal shaft (6) to provide unidirectional movement of the drive wheel (10) when the pedals are rotated in either the forward direction or the reverse direction.

Vehicle drive system with electrical power regeneration

Abstract: A drive system provides a smooth start for a vehicle and converts excess kinetic energy accompanying the difference in speed between the engine and the drive wheels occurring during starting into electrical energy for storage in a battery. The drive system includes a gearbox having at least a first gear element connected to an output shaft of an engine, a second gear element connected to a drive wheel of a vehicle and a third gear element for, by applying a braking torque to the third gear element, reducing the speed of rotation input from the first gear element and outputting it to the second gear element. An engaging element provides selective connection to any of the gear elements for mechanically connecting the output shaft of the engine to the drive wheel. The drive system further includes an electric rotary device connected to the third gear element, an accumulator, engine load detector for detecting engine load, speed detector for detecting the speed of at least one of the gear elements of the gearbox and for outputting a speed signal and a control unit.

Monorail transportation system and vehicle for traveling thereon

Abstract: A monorail transportation system has an elongated, overhead monorail (12) with a vehicle (14) having a coupler (16) that movably travels along the upper surface of monorail (12) and a drive wheel (20) that engages the lower surface or underside of monorail (12) to propel vehicle (14) therealong. The coupler (16) and drive wheel (20) are recessed in the top of the vehicle (14) during road travel and extended for travel along the monorail (12). The vehicle includes a movable sled (130) that carries the vehicles batteries (56) to balance the vehicle (14) about its longitudinal centerline during travel along the monorail (12).

Motor vehicle having drive assemblies with various track distances

Abstract: For the drive train of a motor vehicle, a drive train assembly can be used which comprises two operational components which are separate from one another, each of which comprises a motor and a transmission which faces the drive wheel to be driven. The transmission, which can be a spur gear transmission with a driven shaft part oriented eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the motor device, or can be a planetary transmission, is located together with the motor device on a common support part, on which the driven shaft of the motor device and the driven shaft part of the transmission are also mounted. The transmission is coupled to the drive wheel by means of a universal joint propeller shaft. To install the transmission-side joints of the universal joint propeller shafts, even with short universal joint propeller shafts, in the vicinity of the instantaneous center of rotation of the drive wheel, the two components are connected to one another by means of an auxiliary frame and with the bolster of the drive axle system. Merely by adapting the auxiliary frame, which may also be a component of the bolster, the drive train can be adapted to meet the special requirements of the motor vehicle, without having to make extensive modifications to the design of the components. The component can thus be constructed using standardized transmission and motor components.

Vehicle suspension system for a steerable drive wheel

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for a steerable wheel directed to such objects as to improve handling safety by reducing the height of a roll center and the variation ratio of the height of a roll center with imaginary links, to enhance free layout degree by applying multi-links and setting up the changement of kingpin, camber, and tread independently in accordance with the arrangement of links, and to ensure a maximum effective volume of an engine room by minimizing a space occupied by a suspension system, wherein a plurality of links are disposed so that an intersecting point of an imaginary line connecting a pivot joint where a connecting arm is connected to a wheel carrier to an instantaneous center of the connecting arm with respect to a vehicle body with an imaginary line connecting a pivot joint to a hinge point of a lower control arm becomes an instantaneous center of the wheel with respect to the vehicle body.

Minature motorized annular hand held dental saw

Abstract: A miniature motorized hand held dental saw wherein, like with a coping saw, the axis of rotation of the handle of the dental saw is tangent with the outer diameter of the blade. This important characteristic, combined with the use of a flexible blade, enables the operator to change, as needed, the direction of the cut without any snagging or binding effects. The dental saw is composed of a main steel body on which are attached three flanged Teflon™ coated bearings that support and guide a 0.004 thick annular diamond coated blade. The rotation of the blade, on these flanged bearings, is created by a drive assembly consisting of two opposite wheels, a drive wheel and a follower wheel, each wheel composed of a hub on which is fitted a neoprene o-ring. The opposite o-rings create an equal pressure on both faces of the blade which they make rotate. The power is transmitted to the assembly by means of a drive cable that is connected to a motor situated in a remote stationary work station.

Drive train assembly

Abstract: A drive train assembly for motorized vehicles, for example lift trucks. The rotational movement of the output shaft of a motor, for example an electrical motor, is transmitted to a drive wheel by a single drive shaft having at one end a gear interface assembly consisting of a gear on the end of the output shaft and a gear on an end of the drive shaft, and at the other end of the drive shaft by a second gear interface assembly consisting of a gear on the drive shaft and a gear fixedly mounted on the inside of the rim of the drive wheel. The drive train assembly allows for strong, reliable transfer of rotational torque to the drive wheel in a compact, non-complex arrangement with a minimum number of drive parts, bearings and gears. The drive wheel is independently rotatably supported on a spindle mounted to the chassis of the vehicle and bears a majority of the external load and stresses, relieving the drive train assembly of a substantial amount of such load and stresses. The assembly contributes to other important lift truck design considerations, such as mast placement, counterbalance requirements, and right angle stack.

Traction control system for automotive vehicles

Abstract: An automobile traction control system in combination with a throttle control system of an internal combustion engine for controlling traction of drive wheels, comprises a sub-throttle for adjusting an engine-power by varying its opening amount and a controller responsive to a slip amount of the drive wheel for controlling the sub-throttle opening to reduce an engine-power irrespective of an accelerator pedal work when the slip amount exceeds a predetermined threshold. To effectively suppress undesired acceleration-slip for example when starting on a low-μ road, the controller performs a sub-throttle slow-opening control under a particular condition of at least a low vehicle speed, a low-μ road and a great depression of an accelerator. During the slow-opening control, the sub-throttle opening increases slowly, after once adjusting the sub-throttle opening essentially to zero irrespective of the slip amount of the drive wheel.

Positive drive rubber track

Abstract: A positive drive endless rubber track system for the undercarriage of a vehicle, the rubber track including spaced guide lugs projecting inwardly therefrom, the undercarriage including a drive wheel having spaced sprocket pins thereon, idler wheels, and tension adapting wheels around which the endless rubber track is guided and driven by the driving wheel, the drive wheel being attached to the vehicle and having an up-ratio in the range of about 0.5% to about 4.0%.

Swing arm supported electrical drive assembly for powering cycles

Abstract: An electrically powered cycle has a frame, an axle, a drive wheel, an electric motor, a motor controller, an electric power supply, a power supply charger, and a swing arm pivotally mounts the electric power supply and electric motor on the cycle frame. The drive wheel is rotatably supported on the axle, which, in turn, is supported in the swing arm adjacent the rear end of the cycle. This end of the swing arm is coupled to the shock absorbers which connect the frame to the axle so that the drive wheel moves relative to the frame. The other end of the swing arm is pivotally mounted on the frame. The electric power supply and the electric motor are supported on the swing arm intermediate the ends thereof.

System for controlling driving torque of vehicle

Abstract: In order to provide an accurate traction control by closing a second throttle valve provided in series to an accelerator-operated ordinary throttle valve, with a simplified actuator, a control system for reducing a vehicle driving torque employs one or more sensors for sensing a second vehicle operating parameter representing a road surface friction coefficient (μ) or a driver's command for acceleration, in addition to sensors for sensing a first vehicle operating parameter representing a drive wheel slip. When the road surface friction coefficient is high or when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal hard, the control system restrains the closing operation of the second throttle valve in accordance with the second parameter even though the closure of the second throttle valve is requested by the first parameter.

Dual-speed clutch for agricultural planter

Abstract: A mechanical clutch for use in metering seeds in an agricultural planter unit allows for selecting the input drive from either a primary drive source operating at a first RPM or a secondary drive source operating at a second, reduced RPM for dispensing seed at two different speeds. A third mode of operation of the clutch may also be selected wherein the seed metering mechanism is disconnected from the two drive sources. This arrangement allows a ground driven implement such as a planter to either (1) plant at a first predetermined population per acre; (2) plant at a second, lower population per acre; or (3) not plant at all. The clutch is driven by a ground engaging wheel and drive wheel combination, with the two seed dispensing speeds as well as the planter by-pass mode on-the-go selectable by an operator via a suitable electrical switch and solenoid combination.

Turf aerator drive assembly

Abstract: A turf aerator is provided with a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on a drive shaft supported in a main frame of the aerator. Each drive wheel is provided with a radially extending flange and a pawl is pivotally mounted on each flange. A pair of sprockets are secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and disposed in engagement with a respective pawl. A drive sprocket is mounted for rotation with the shaft and is operatively connected to the shaft of an aerator assembly and a motor driven shaft by means of a chain interconnecting sprockets on each shaft. The pawls are arranged relative to the sprockets to positively drive the drive wheels in a forward direction while permitting one pawl to ratchet relative to the sprocket in engagement therewith and permitting rotation of the drive shaft in an opposite direction without imparting a drive to said wheels.

Positive drive rubber belted track system

Abstract: Prestressed compressible drive blocks are positioned on an endless belt of a track machine. The blocks are mateable with openings in drive wheel and function for driving the track and for guiding the track. Drive bars are associated with the drive wheel openings for exerting pressure on the drive/guide bars while maintaining the drive/guide bars against excessive wear.

Drive wheel and tiller for a patient transporter

Abstract: A device for controllably moving a vehicle that includes a drive wheel. The device includes a drive motor that provides energy for moving the drive wheel, a steering tiller conjoined to the drive wheel for changing vehicle direction and a control grip attached to the steering tiller for increasing and decreasing power to the drive motor. The present invention also includes a control grip.

Apparatus for propelling a manually-powered cycle

Abstract: Apparatus for propelling a manually-powered cycle including first (40) and second (42) pedals which move along spaced, linear paths of movement. The pedals are connected to the drive wheel (14) of the cycle through elongated flexible transmission elements which wrap about rotatable crank members (24, 26) used to drive the cycle.

Power assist apparatus for a manually operated vehicle

Abstract: A power assist apparatus which includes a battery powered motor which is mounted on a manually operated vehicle such as a bicycle, which is to be selectively usable by the rider of the bicycle to not only assist in the manual operation of the bicycle but can be used as a sole source of operation of the bicycle. The power assist apparatus is normally fixedly mounted on the bicycle and is carried with that bicycle at all times. The power assist apparatus includes a housing and exteriorly mounted on that housing is a handle. Movement of the handle to various positions locates the power assist apparatus in either a disengaged position relative to a support wheel of the bicycle or to an engaged position relative to the support wheel of the bicycle. The engaged position actually includes a further engagement position that the handle can be moved to which is to be used when the bicycle is being operated in a wet environment to insure positive frictional engagement between a drive wheel of the power assist apparatus and the support wheel of the bicycle to which it is connected.

Mechanical transmission for drive wheels, especially for mobile work machines

Abstract: of the DISCLOSURE. The invention relates to a mechanical transmission for drive wheels, especially for mobile work machines, comprising: a sprocket keyed on a drive shaft rotatably supported to a frame; an internally-cogged crown connected to a hub of a drive wheel of a work machine; at least one intermediate gear wheel coupled to the sprocket and the crown and rotatable supported by an intermediate member. Two gear couplings are provided, each of which is equipped with own externally-activated means for command, which gear couplings connect the intermediate member with the frame and the drive shaft.

Baseball pitching device

Abstract: The present invention can be described as a ball pitching machine having an integral pitching barrel and motor mount and three spaced drive wheels partially projecting into the barrel to grip and propel a ball placed in one end of the pitching barrel. The barrel has three longitudinally aligned slots or windows in the surface of the barrel to provide clearance for secant portions of each of the three wheels. The planes formed by each drive wheel extend radially from the longitudinal axis of the barrel. Each radial plane is equally spaced from each other at 120 degrees relative to each other. Each domed drive wheel is rotatably mounted on the end of a rotatable drive shaft of an electric motor. The three electric motors are mounted on the integral pitching barrel and mount by C-shaped clamps. The barrel is supported by a wheel mounted frame, a pair of U-shaped brackets secured to the frame in an opposed facing relationship, a front support ring for rotatably securing the ejectment end of said ball pitching device, and a rear support ring for rotatably securing the feed end of the ball pitching device. The front support ring and the rear support ring are mounted in a spaced apart relationship between the opposed facing U-shaped brackets to form a generally open rectangular-shaped support member for rotatably mounting and adjusting vertical angle of the ball pitching machine.

Suspension device for crawler vehicle

Abstract: A suspension device in a crawler vehicle has a ve-hicle body, a pair of parallel spaced swing beams mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle body by a suspension for angu-lar movement about a first axis located substantially longi-tudinally centrally thereof, a rear idle wheel rotatably sup-ported on a front portion of each of the swing beams for ro-tation about a second axis, a rear drive wheel rotatably sup-ported on a rear portion of each of the swing beams for rota-tion about a third axis, a crawler belt trained around the rear idle wheel and the rear drive wheel, and a front wheel rotatably mounted on a front portion of the vehicle body. The distance from the second axis to the first axis is greater than the distance from the first axis to the third axis. The second axis is positioned on a front end of each of the swing beams, and the third axis is positioned between the first axis and a rear end of each of the swing beams. Preferably, the distance from the second axis to the first axis and the distance from the first axis to the third axis have a ratio of about 2 : 1.

Portable taping machine

Abstract: A portable taping machine for wrapping an elongated article with continuous strip material includes a housing adapted to be gripped by an operator and defines an internal cavity for receiving the article and a passageway communicating with the internal cavity. A taping head including a C-shaped drive wheel with integral gear teeth formed around its periphery is mounted on the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis which extends through the internal cavity. The drive wheel has a peripheral discontinuity for lateral reception of the article into the internal cavity when the peripheral discontinuity is coextensive with the passageway. When the peripheral discontinuity is substantially non-coextensive with the passageway in the housing, entry of the elongated article into the internal cavity or egress from the internal cavity are prevented. A spindle on the taping head removably supports a supply roll of the strip material on an axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the internal cavity. A motor mounted within the housing rotates a drive gear and with it a pair of pinion gears also drivingly engaged with the drive wheel. The pinion gears are engaged with the drive wheel at locations which are dimensionally no less than the width of the passageway in the housing extending into the internal cavity such that at least one of the pinion gears is in engagement with the drive wheel at all times.

Vehicle motion control system

Abstract: A vehicle motion control system is combined with a wheel slip control system so as to stabilize vehicle behavior during traction control during which a drive wheel cornering power varies. When the wheel slip control is in operation, a signal of a drive wheel slip is transferred from the wheel slip control system to the motion control system. In response to this signal, the motion control system rewrites a constant representing a drive wheel cornering power, and produces a control signal for controlling the vehicle motion by using the rewritten constant.