Abstract: A posture recognition apparatus recognizes instructions signified by postures of persons present in the surroundings, from images obtained with an image capture device. The posture recognition apparatus includes an outline extraction device that extracts an outline of a body which is a candidate for a person from the images; a distance calculation device that calculates a distance to the body being the candidate, from distance information of each pixel within the outline in the image; a search device that searches for a candidate for a hand of a person based on the outline and the distance to the body represented by the outline; and a posture determination device that determines an instruction corresponding to the relative position of the candidate for a hand and the outline, and outputs this determination result as a posture determination result.

Abstract: The temperature of an exhaust gas flowing through an exhaust passage 3 is estimated or detected, and the temperature of an active element of an exhaust gas sensor 8. (O2 sensor) is controlled at a predetermined target temperature by a heater using the estimated or detected temperature of the exhaust gas. For estimating the temperature of the exhaust gas in the vicinity of the exhaust gas sensor 8, the exhaust passage 3 extending up to the exhaust gas sensor 8 is divided into a plurality of partial exhaust passageways 3a through 3d, the temperatures of the exhaust gas in the partial exhaust passageways 3a through 3d are estimated successively from an exhaust port 2 of an engine 1. The temperature of the exhaust gas is estimated according to an algorithm which takes into account a heat transfer between the exhaust gas and passage-defining members 6a, 6b, 7 which define the exhaust passage 3 and a heat radiation from the passage-defining members into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An active noise control system is provided which cancels a noise using a sound radiated from a speaker driven by an output from an adaptive notch filter. The system employs output signals from an adder or simulation cosine-wave and sine-wave signals, an error signal or an output signal from a microphone, and a compensated signal from the adder or a signal available for acoustically transferring an output from the adaptive notch filter to the microphone in accordance with initial transfer characteristics to update the filter coefficient of the adaptive notch filter. This configuration allows the system to operate with stability even when the acoustic transfer characteristics vary with time or under circumstances where there exists a significant amount of incoming external noises. The system also prevents overcompensation for a noise at the ears of a passenger in a vehicle, thereby proving an ideal noise reduction effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transporting automotive instrument panels, comprising a frame, a pair of carry arms pivoted to the frame to carry opposite sides of an instrument panel, each carry arm having an outer end section which is provided with a carry formation for engaging a complementary carry formation on a corresponding side of the instrument panel; the instrument panel having a central column region with a lower column end portion, both of said carry arms having an inner end section which is positioned to lie in the path of the lower column end portion as it is lowered onto the frame, said carry arms being further arranged to be displaced downwardly as the instrument panel is lowered to a carry elevation relative to the frame, the downward displacement of the carry arms by the instrument panel causing the carry formations on the arms positively to engage the complementary carry formations on the instrument panel.

Abstract: There are provided device for determining a desired trajectory of a translation floor reaction force's vertical component of a legged mobile robot 1, a vertical component of the total center-of-gravity acceleration or a body acceleration vertical component of the robot 1, device for determining a desired vertical position of the total center-of-gravity of the robot 1 or a body 24 thereof so as to satisfy the desired trajectory, and means for determining a desired vertical position of the total center-of-gravity of the robot 1 or the body 24 thereof based on a geometrical condition concerning a joint of a leg 2. Depending on the gait mode, such as walking or running, one of the desired vertical positions is selected, or the desired vertical positions are combined by taking the weighted average thereof or the like, thereby determining a final desired vertical position.

Abstract: Based on a detected or estimated value of an actual posture of a predetermined part, such as a body 3, of a robot 1 and a deviation the actual posture from a posture of a desired gait, a posture rotational deviation's variation is determined as the temporal variation of the deviation, and the position of the robot 1 (for example, the position where the robot comes into contact with a floor) is estimated on the assumption that the robot 1 rotates about a rotation center by the rotational deviation's variation. In addition, in accordance with the difference between the estimated position and the estimated position of the robot 1 determined by an inertial navigation method using an accelerometer or the like, the estimated position of the robot 1 determined by the inertial navigation method is corrected, thereby improving the precision of the estimated position.

Abstract: A general joint component framework that is capable of exhibiting complex behaviors of joints in articulated figures is provided. A network of joint components is used to model the kinematics of a joint. A joint builder can specify parameters for each of the joint components and join the joint components to form a joint set function that captures the biomechanical dependencies between the components. The joint function has fewer inputs than the total number of possible articulations yielding both simple control and biomechanically accurate joint movement.

Abstract: In the present invention, after a nitriding process is performed on a steel, a passivating process in which the steel is heated under an atmosphere containing oxygen is performed. The heating condition of the passivating process is within a range surrounded by (100° C., 120 min), (100° C., 10 min), (125° C., 5 min), (190° C., 5 min), (200° C., 10 min), (200° C., 20 min), (190° C., 30 min), (190° C., 40 min), (180° C., 60 min), and (180° C., 120 min) on coordinate axes of temperature and time. In the process for production of the nitrided steel, uniform passivated layer can be easily formed, and fatigue strength is improved as pitting corrosion resistance is improved.

Abstract: A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator.

Abstract: After an alloy powder including W, Cr, at least one of Ti, Zr, and Hf, and at least one of V, Nb, and Ta is produced, the alloy powder, a powdery carbon material, and a catalyst are heat-treated in the presence of a nitrogen gas. The alloy powder is carbonitrided into a multicomponent ceramics powder, and sintered into a sintered body. Alternatively, a powder of a first substance including at least two of Ti, Al, V, Nb, Zr, Hf, Mo, Ta, Cr, and W is molded into a molded body. Then, the surface of the molded body is surrounded by a second substance including a metal element which is not contained in the powder of the first substance, and the molded body is heat-treated in an atmosphere in which N is present. A porous sintered body thus produced is crushed into a multicomponent ceramics powder.

Abstract: A bipedal robot of the present invention has a trunk consisting of an upper trunk and a lower trunk which are rotatable around a rotation axis relative to one another. The upper trunk has shoulders on the right and left sides. An arm is provided at each shoulder. A pair of right and left legs is attached to lower ends of the lower trunk. A storage battery is mounted to the back of the upper trunk, positioned within a shoulder width. The storage battery is positioned below the top of a head mounted on the upper trunk. When the robot walks a narrow passage or corridor having a width slightly larger than the width thereof, for example, this arrangement prevents the storage battery from interfering with the passage or the like.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. A serpentine oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the first separator. A seal member is provided around the oxygen-containing gas flow field, i.e., around the anode. Filling seals are provided in a clearance between the seal member and the cathode at positions where the leakage of an oxygen-containing gas is likely to occur.

Abstract: In a motorcycle, an increase in the wedge effect of the upper cowl occurs with respect to the wind buffeted thereto during travel for reducing wind drag while maintaining continuity of the upper surface of the screen with respect to the upper surface of the head of the rider in a fully bent posture while providing a meter with high visibility even for the rider in a fully bent posture. In a motorcycle wherein the upper surface of the upper cowl covers the upper end portion of the front fork and is formed into a convex surface with a backward rising gradient a screen is provided having an upper surface formed into a convex shape with a backward rising gradient mounted on the upper cowl around the periphery of an open-rear notch for mounting the screen. A meter is disposed inside the upper cowl and the screen.

Abstract: In a vibration welding structure for fixing an attachment to an instrument panel (12), a first projection (70) resiliently deformable in a predetermined vibrating direction is provided on the instruction panel (12) so as to project from the instrument panel (12) toward an air conditioner duct (15). First fitting groove portion (72) is formed in the air conditioner duct (15) for fitting engagement with a distal end portion (70a) of the first projection (70). Further, a first positioning mechanism (74) is provided between the instrument panel (12) and the air conditioner duct (15) for positioning the air conditioner duct 15 in a direction perpendicular to the vibrating direction.

Abstract: A gait generation device for setting a translation floor reaction force's horizontal component (component concerning a friction force) applied to a robot 1, a limitation-target quantity, such as a ZMP, and an allowable range, for determining at least a provisional instantaneous value of a desired floor reaction force and a provisional instantaneous value for a desired movement of the robot 1, that receives at least the provisional instantaneous value for the desired movement and determines a model floor reaction force instantaneous value with the aid of a dynamics model.

Abstract: A high speed video camera capable of taking video of a high speed phenomena by an image sensor composed of a matrix of MOS type light sensor circuits each representing a unit pixel and having a wide dynamic range with no occurrence of afterglow, recording the video by storing image data output from the image sensor, executing compensation of outputs of the image sensor based on the image data read from the memory at a normal processing speed and displaying the video based on the compensated video data on a display device. Accordingly, with this camera, it is possible for the user to take and record video of a high speed phenomenon at a very high speed while executing compensation for variations in outputs of the image sensor at a normal processing speed based on the video data read from the memory.

Abstract: A rolled steel plate 1 wound in a roll shape is unrolled and is cut in given dimensions to form a blank 2. In this case, a cut surface 2a is caused to incline at 1 to 3 degrees relative to the thickness direction of the blank 2, wherein the inclination direction of the cut surfaces 2a, 2a on each side is reversed. The blank 2 cut in this manner is roll-formed to cause the cut surfaces 2a, 2a to confront each other. Since the cut surfaces 2a, 2a on each side incline at 1 to 3 degrees in the opposite direction as described above, the cut surfaces 2a, 2a are caused to be parallel. Then, the confronting sections are laser-welded to form a cylindrical body 3.

Abstract: A landing position/orientation of a foot (22) to be landed in a landing action of a robot (1) such as a biped mobile robot or the like is estimated, and a desired footstep path for the robot (1) is set up. Based on the estimated landing position/orientation and the desired footstep path, a future desired landing position/orientation is determined in order to cause actual footsteps of the robot (1) (a sequence of landing positions/orientations of the foot (22)) to approach desired footsteps. Using at least the determined desired landing position/orientation, a desired gait for the robot (1) is determined, and the robot (1) is controlled in operation depending on the desired gait. For determining the desired landing position/orientation, mechanism-dependent limitations of the robot (1) such as an interference between the legs thereof, etc., and limiting conditions of an allowable range in which a desired ZMP can exist are taken into consideration.

Abstract: A gait generation device for generating a desired gait which includes floating periods in which all the legs 2, 2 of a legged mobile robot 1 float in the air and landing periods in which at least one leg 2 is in contact with a floor which appear alternately generates the desired gait in such a manner that, at least when shifting from the floating period to the landing period, the velocity of an end portion 22 of a landing leg with respect to the floor and the acceleration thereof with respect to the floor is substantially 0 at the instant of landing. After both the velocity of the end portion of the leg with respect to the floor and the acceleration thereof with respect to the floor are determined to be substantially 0, a movement of the body of the robot with the desired gait is determined in such a manner that the horizontal component of a moment produced about the desired ZMP by the resultant force of gravity and an inertial force applied to the robot 1 is substantially 0.

Abstract: Two antennas are provided in a base station, one antenna AT1 is arranged at the root of a right handle grip [1R] and the other antenna AT2 is arranged at the root of a left handle grip [1L]. Alternatively, one antenna AT1 is arranged at the root of a front right turn signal [2R] and the other antenna AT2 is arranged at the root of a front left turn signal [2L] Alternatively, one antenna AT1 is arranged at the root of a rear right turn signal [3R] and the other antenna AT2 is arranged at the root of a rear left turn signal [3L]. Alternatively, one antenna AT1 is arranged at the front of a vehicle and the other antenna AT2 is arranged at the rear thereof.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a tonneau cover, formed in an approximately tabular shape, for a pickup truck with a bed extending from a rear end of a vehicle to a rear pillar portion, comprises a bed rail as an elongated support member on which the tonneau cover for the pickup truck is placed, the tonneau cover extending on an inner surface of a side wall of the pickup truck in the longitudinal direction of the pickup truck in such a way that the upper surface of the tonneau cover is put apart downward from the upper end of the bed of the pickup truck.

Abstract: The viscosity of a puncture-preventing sealant (7) is set in a range of 25 to 35 dPa·s, and a thixotropy index is set in a range of 6.5 to 11.0, the sealant (7) being filled in a sealant chamber (6) defined to extend along an outer periphery of an air chamber (5) in a tire (T). When the tire (T) is being rotated by traveling of a vehicle, the viscosity of the sealant (7) is reduced by a stirring action provided by a vibration or a centrifugal force of the sealant (7), whereby the sealant (7) can be diffused uniformly in the sealant chamber (6). When the vehicle has been stopped and the stirring action has been extinguished, the viscosity of the sealant (7) is increased, whereby the sealant (7) is maintained in a state in which it has been diffused uniformly in the sealant chamber (6) without flowing downwards in the sealant chamber (6) by gravitation. Therefore, even when the vehicle is travelling at a high speed, the generation of a vibration and a noise can be prevented.

Abstract: A lubricating system for an internal combustion engine includes a recovery pump by which a lubricating oil dropping to and dwelling in a bottom portion of a crankcase after lubricating individual portions of the internal combustion engine is sucked through a pump suction port opened in the bottom portion of the crankcase and is fed to a lubricating oil tank. A supply pump is provided for supplying the lubricating oil from the oil tank to the individual portions of the internal combustion engine. The lubricating tank is integral with the crankcase and is partitioned from a crank chamber by a partition wall projecting from the inside wall of the crankcase. The lubricating system includes an overflow oil passage through which the lubricating oil that flows over the upper edge of a partition wall of the lubricating tank is led to a suction port of the recovery pump.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pearlescent coating for a vehicle of a particular vehicle color, comprising an e-coat and an outer coating portion applied to the e-coat, the outer coating portion including at least one color-containing primer layer applied to the e-coat layer and a pearlescent coating applied to the primer layer, the outer coating portion being capable of absorbing about 85 percent of UV radiation landing on the coating.

Abstract: A motorcycle saddlebag mounting device having a restricting means for staggering timings of yawing occurring in a motorcycle body and resonance caused by lateral swing of a saddlebag is provided. The restricting means is provided between a support bracket mounted to a seat rail and a saddlebag mounting frame rotatably mounted to the support bracket. Rotation of the frame with respect to the support bracket is restricted, so that resonance caused by yawing of the motorcycle body and lateral swing of the saddlebag is cancelled out.

Abstract: When generating a gait for a legged mobile robot 1 which has floating periods in which all the legs 2 of the robot float in the air and landing periods in which any of the legs 2 is in contact with the floor appearing alternately, a desired ZMP is set at any point in time in the floating periods and the landing periods, and a desired gait is generated in such a manner that the horizontal component of the moment produced about the desired ZMP by the resultant force of gravity and an inertial force caused by a movement of the robot with the desired gait is 0. The desired ZMP is set to be substantially continuous for all the periods in the gait. Furthermore, as a dynamics model for determining the desired gait, an approximate model is used which is arranged so that the moment, about a certain point of application, of the resultant force of the inertial force and gravity calculated using the model depends on the position of the point of application.

Abstract: An allowable range of a frictional force component, such as a horizontal component of a translation floor reaction force, applied to a legged mobile robot 1 is set, and a provisional movement with a current time gait of the robot 1 is determined so as to satisfy a condition concerning the allowable range and a dynamical equilibrium condition that a moment produced about a point of application of a provisional desired floor reaction force substantially agrees with a provisional desired floor reaction force moment. The provisional movement is determined by adjusting movements in two movement modes which are different in ratio between the translation floor reaction force and the floor reaction force moment.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and a pair of first and second separators. First through fourth oxygen-containing gas holes, first through fourth coolant holes, and first through fourth fuel gas holes extend through the fuel cell. The first through fourth oxygen-containing gas holes are selectively used as oxygen-containing gas supply ports or oxygen-containing gas discharge ports to change the flow direction of an oxygen-containing gas in an oxygen-containing gas flow field continuously.

Abstract: A power control unit for electric vehicle which can easily detach the high voltage cables even if the motor room is deformed, for example, by head-on collision and/or rear-end collision of the vehicle, which is difficult to be deformed, which can make small, and which can avoid an influence of heat generated by the reactor is disclosed.

Abstract: A material such as imidazole (nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound), which has at least one lone pair, is dispersed in a basic solid polymer such as polybenzimidazole. The mole number of imidazole per gram of polybenzimidazole is less than 0.0014 mol, preferably less than 0.0006 mol. The basic solid polymer is impregnated with an acidic inorganic liquid such as phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid to prepare a proton conductive solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A vehicle-use electronic key system includes a control unit mounted on a real car, and an electronic key for sending a response signal on receiving a request signal sent from the control unit via a transmission antenna, the antenna being installed near the middle of the real car. Specifically, when a line segment (wheel base) connecting the center of a front wheel to the center of a rear wheel is assumed, the transmission antenna is installed in any location within a range from the upper part to the lower part of the real car within a range from a ¼ point to a ¾ point of the wheel base with the center of the front wheel as a reference.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling temperature of an exhaust gas sensor can include a temperature estimating device for sequentially estimating the temperature of an active element based on a predetermined element temperature model, which is representative of a temperature change of the active element due to heat transfer between the active element and an exhaust gas held in contact with the active element. A heater control device can control a heater to equalize the temperature of the active element with a predetermined target temperature using an estimated value of the temperature of the active element from the temperature estimating device.

Abstract: A brake device for a vehicle such as an all terrain vehicle includes a brake disk fixed to a drive shaft, and a brake caliper for braking by a nipping action of the brake disk. The brake caliper is fitted to a final gear case on an outer side of the vehicle body frame. The brake device permits maintenance work to be easily carried out and with few obstructions from neighboring parts.

Abstract: A parts list system includes a CAD section and a parts list section. The CAD section generates a CAD figure of a part included in an apparatus based on design reference data, and extracts a part number of the part, configuration part numbers of configuration parts of the part and attribute data from the CAD figure. Here, the design reference data is reference for design. The attribute data indicate properties of the part and the configuration parts. The parts list section generates the parts list based on the part number, the configuration part numbers and the attribute data from the CAD figure and the design reference data. Here, the parts list relates the part number, the configuration part numbers and part data. The part data indicate properties of the part and the configuration part. Then, the CAD section modifies the CAD figure based on a modification command showing a modified design, and extracts the part number, the configuration part numbers and the attribute data from the modified CAD figure.

Abstract: A fuel gas inlet, a fuel gas outlet, an oxygen-containing gas inlet, an oxygen-containing gas outlet, and other components, which are disposed at upper and lower portions at both ends in the lateral direction, are provided in a first fuel cell stack. A plurality of cooling medium inlets, a plurality of cooling medium outlets, and other components are provided at lower portions on the long side and at upper portions on the long side respectively. A cooling medium flows from the lower portions to the upper portions through cooling medium flow passages to cool the power generation surface smoothly and reliably.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell comprising a pair of separators sandwiching outsides of a membrane electrode assembly composed of a pair of electrodes provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an outer seal member sandwiched by a pair of separators at a position surrounding an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly, an inner seal member sandwiched by one of the pair of separators and an outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane, and a backing member opposing to the inner seal member interposing the electrolyte membrane, wherein steps are formed at contact surfaces of the inner seal member and the outer seal member on one of the pair of separators.

Abstract: A target recognizing device that creates a template concerning a target by itself is provided. The device comprises a robot camera for creating continuous images showing a target and an arithmetic operation unit for controlling the robot camera. A robot camera acquires continuous image information by means of a camera rotatable by a motor. The arithmetic operation unit comprises a template management section for allowing an update part to update a template stored in a template storage part and a target recognition section having an image storage part where the acquired image information is stored, a recognizing part for recognizing a target by using the template, and a motion command part for rotating a camera according to the result of recognition.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell, which generates power by supplying anode gas and cathode gas into the fuel cell, a compressor, which controls the amount of the gas to be supplied into the fuel cell, and a pressure control valve, which controls the gas pressure of the fuel cell. The pressure control valve is provided on the downstream of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is controlled by changing an amount of the supply gas by the compressor, and thereafter changing the opening of the pressure control valve during the transition period of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An object detection apparatus and method capable of detecting objects based on visual images captured by a self-moving unit. A sequential images output section makes a train of a first input image and a second input image sequential to the first input image and outputs said train. A local area image processor calculates local flows based on said first input image and said second input image. An inertia information acquiring section measures self-motion of the unit to calculate inertia information thereof. A global area image processor uses said inertia information to estimate global flow, which is a motion field of the entire view associated to the self-motion, using said global flow and said first input image and creates a predictive image of said second input image. The global area image processor then calculates differential image data, which is a difference between said predictive image and said second input image.

Abstract: A cooling method for a fuel cell using a heat exchanger is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ion exchanger in a circulation system for the cooling fluid; decreasing ion concentration in the cooling fluid by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the ion exchanger when the temperature of the cooling fluid is below a thermostat operating temperature; distributing a portion of the cooling fluid discharged from the fuel cell, mixing the portion of the cooling fluid returning from the heat exchanger with another portion of the cooling fluid whose ion concentration has been decreased in the previous step, and returning the cooling fluid mixture to the fuel cell, when the temperature of the cooling fluid is approaching the thermostat operating temperature; and cooling the fuel cell by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the heat exchanger after the temperature of the cooling fluid reaches the thermostat operating temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel comprises a rim (172) and a disk section (171) separate from the rim. Since the disk section is separate from the rim, the freedom of designing the disk section is improved. The rim comprises an outer rim (178) and an inner rim (181) separate from the outer rim. The outer and inner rims are attached to the outer periphery of the disk section at the same place by welding.

Abstract: TIG welding equipment includes a first articulate robot having a first arm, a TIG torch holding member for holding a TIG torch at a specified position so that the TIG torch can perform a weaving operation, and a filler wire guide moving member formed so as to surround the TM torch holding member and holdingly moving a filler wire guide in Z-axis direction.

Abstract: A grip heater control apparatus (7) capable of increasing the opportunities to enable a heater (2) to warm a grip (1) while suppressing a voltage drop of a battery (10), the grip heater control apparatus comprising a heater (2) for generating heat by means of electric power supplied from the battery (10), the heater being provided in a grip (1) of a steering handle of a vehicle having a generator (9) for generating electricity interlocking with the rotation of an engine as a propulsive source and the battery (10) charged by the generator (9), and a heater control unit for controlling the electric energy supplied to the heater (2) from the battery (10), wherein a revolutions detecting unit is provided for detecting the number of revolutions of the engine or the generator (9) and the heater control unit includes a unit for determining an upper limit on the upper limit electric energy supplied to the heater (2) depending on the detected number of revolutions.

Abstract: A catalyst particle containing an active metal and a carrier composed of a carbon material, wherein the active metal being supported by cavities on a surface of the carrier and their edge portions. The active metal is fixedly attached to the carrier for a long period of time, so that the catalyst particle stably shows a high catalytic activity, which is hardly reduced by a reaction. The catalyst particle is usable for the dehydrogenation of alcohols.

Abstract: To provide an interior illuminator for an automobile that prevents light leakage to the driver's seat and light reflection in a window glass, can illuminate a backseat more evenly with an adequate quantity of light, consumes less electric power, generates less heat, has a small size and can be produced at a reduced cost. An interior illuminator has: cold cathode tubes 5, 6; a cold cathode tube driving circuit for driving the cold cathode tubes 5, 6; manipulation switches 12, 13, 14 and 15 for turning on and off the cold cathode tubes; and a housing 2 that houses the cold cathode tube driving circuit and holds the cold cathode tubes and the manipulation switches. The housing 2 is attached in a position on a longitudinal center line of the automobile and behind the driver's seat, and the cold cathode tubes 5, 6 each have an illumination range set to be lower than the lower edge of a window glass behind the driver's seat.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine variable compression ratio system includes a piston inner, a piston outer that, while being fitted around the outer periphery of the piston inner, so it slides only in the axial direction, is capable of moving among low (L), high (H), and medium (M) compression ratio positions, and two sets of raising means disposed in line in the axial direction between the piston inner and outer. Each set of raising means includes a movable raising member, which can pivot individually between a non-raised position (A) and a raised position (B) around the axis of the piston inner and outer. It is thus possible to provide an internal combustion engine variable compression ratio system that enables the compression ratio to be appropriately switched between at least three stages, that is, between low, medium and high compression ratios, without rotating the piston outer.

Abstract: An apparatus for dilution of discharged fuel of a fuel cell is provided, which has an inlet for guiding purged hydrogen gas coming from the fuel cell, a reservoir for storing the purged hydrogen gas guided through the inlet, and a cathode exhaust gas pipe penetrating the reservoir. The cathode exhaust gas pipe has a feature that it has holes inside the reservoir and is supplied with cathode exhaust gas of the fuel cell. Also the apparatus has a feature that the cathode exhaust gas pipe sucks the purged hydrogen gas stored in the reservoir through the holes and discharges the purged hydrogen gas diluted by mixing with the cathode exhaust gas.

Abstract: A heat exchange system is provided that includes an evaporator (11) that carries out heat exchange between exhaust gas discharged from an exhaust port (16B) and water, exhaust gas passages (87, 88) on the upstream side in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas being disposed on the radially inner side, an exhaust gas passage (89) on the downstream side being disposed on the radially outer side, and an oxygen concentration sensor cooling portion (92) for cooling a mounting section of an oxygen concentration sensor (91) facing the exhaust gas passage (87) on the most upstream side being positioned on the radially outer side of the exhaust gas passage (87). Water is supplied separately to a water passage (W3) of the evaporator (11) and a water passage (W4) of the oxygen concentration sensor cooling portion (92), and the water passage (W3) of the evaporator (11) is arranged so that the direction of flow of the water is opposite to the direction of flow of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A control device includes a transmitter for outputting a request signal to an electronic key in response to the ON operation of a predetermined switch (start switch) among a plurality of switches (winker switch, horn switch, etc.) arranged in the vicinity of a user who has sat on the driver seat of the vehicle (request signal) generator, a transmission circuit, and a transmission antenna, a detector for detecting a response signal from the electronic key (a reception circuit and response signal matching device), and monitor for outputting a lock release instruction to an actuator when the response signal shows that the request is from a regular or proper user.

Abstract: In a fuel cell comprising a tubular casing, an electrolyte layer received in the tubular casing, and a pair of gas diffusion electrodes interposing the electrolyte layer and defining a fuel gas passage and an oxidizing gas passage, respectively, each gas diffusion electrode is formed by stacking a plurality of layers of material therefor, for instance in the axial direction of the casing. Because the gas diffusion layers are formed layer by layer, components can be formed in highly fine patterns so that a highly compact tubular fuel cell can be achieved. Similarly, the dimensions of the various elements of the fuel cell can be controlled in a highly accurate manner. Also, the geometric arrangement can be changed at will in intermediate parts of each gas passage.