Abstract: An automotive multiplex communication system is provided, which is capable of determining the fulfillment of conditions to make a transition to a sleep state with a simplified system configuration and with simplified determination processing. This communication system is provided with a particular communication node and a plurality of ordinary communication nodes. When a communication-continuing request is not determined from pieces of first information respectively delivered from the ordinary communication nodes, the particular communication node delivers a sleep-transition command signal to the ordinary communication nodes. The ordinary communication nodes enter their sleep state in accordance with the sleep-transition command signal from the particular communication node, without individually determining the necessity to make a transition to the sleep state.

Abstract: A communication error detecting method for a bus communication network including a first type ECU which is powered on whether an ignition key is situated at an ON position or a cranking position and a second type ECU which is powered on when the ignition key is situated at the ON position and which is powered off when the ignition key is situated at the cranking position. The communication error detecting method includes: selecting a predetermined detecting mode from a plurality of detecting modes according to a combination of the type of a subject ECU and the type of a corresponding ECU; and performing an error detection according to the predetermined communication error detecting mode so selected.

Abstract: A communication error detecting method for a bus communication network including a first type ECU which is powered on whether an ignition key is situated at an ON position or a cranking position and a second type ECU which is powered on when the ignition key is situated at the ON position and which is powered off when the ignition key is situated at the cranking position. The communication error detecting method includes: selecting a predetermined detecting mode from a plurality of detecting modes according to a combination of the type of a subject ECU and the type of a corresponding ECU; and performing an error detection according to the predetermined communication error detecting mode so selected.

Abstract: An automotive multiplex communication system is provided, which is capable of determining the fulfillment of conditions to make a transition to a sleep state with a simplified system configuration and with simplified determination processing. This communication system is provided with a particular communication node and a plurality of ordinary communication nodes. When a communication-continuing request is not determined from pieces of first information respectively delivered from the ordinary communication nodes, the particular communication node delivers a sleep-transition command signal to the ordinary communication nodes. The ordinary communication nodes enter their sleep state in accordance with the sleep-transition command signal from the particular communication node, without individually determining the necessity to make a transition to the sleep state.

Abstract: A pneumatic active suspension apparatus is provided wherein, when a sprung vertical acceleration (ZG), which causes a wafting phenomenon perceptible by a person in a vehicle, occurs during travel of the vehicle, supply/discharge of air to/from air spring chambers of suspension units is carried out for a supply/discharge control time determined based on the maximum value (ZGmax) of the sprung vertical acceleration. The supply/discharge control is started at an advanced time based on the sprung acceleration whose phase is advanced by 90 degrees from that of the sprung velocity, to thereby produce a force acting to cancel out the sprung vertical velocity at proper timing. As a result, the operation delay of the suspension apparatus is compensated for and the sprung vertical motion is suppressed.

Abstract: A suspension control system having a suspension unit between a wheel and a body of a vehicle, a fluid supply device for supplying a fluid to the suspension unit, a fluid discharge device for discharging the fluid from the suspension unit, an amplitude measurement device for measuring the amplitude of vertical vibrations of the vehicle body, a threshold value setting device for setting a threshold value of the amplitude of vertical vibrations, a controller for cancelling expansion and contraction of the suspension unit by controlling the fluid supply and the fluid devices when the amplitude of vertical vibrations is equal to or larger than the threshold value, a counter for counting the number of times the fluid supply and fluid discharge devices are controlled by the controller in a predetermined time period, and a threshold value changing device for setting, when the number of times counted by the counter is equal to or larger than a reference number, the threshold value in the threshold value setting device

Abstract: A rotational type variable resistor includes a base plate having an arcuate resistance element and an arcuate electrode formed on one surface thereof. A shaft adapted to be connected to the control member is rotatably mounted in the housing and carries a pair of brushes which are disposed in sliding engagement with the resistance member and the electrode. The resistance element is formed from a first resistance layer deposited on the base plate between a pair of copper foil electrodes. A silver paste is disposed between the copper foil electrodes and the opposite ends of the first resistance layer and a second resistance layer is formed which completely overlies the first resistance layer and the copper foil electrodes. The arcuate electrode includes a first layer of copper foil disposed on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A rotation angle detecting device, that outputs a position data and a control data, each having a prescribed number of bits, as a serial data. A position-data generating circuit, that includes first detecting circuits, that are turned on or off according to the angle of rotation of a rotary shaft, outputs a position data, having a prescribed number of bits, according to the angle of rotation. A state-data generating circuit, that includes second detecting circuits, that are turned on or off according to the signals from the first detecting circuits, outputs a state data, having a prescribed number of bits, that indicate the states of operation of the first detecting circuits. The state data is transformed to a control data after passing through a data selector and a control code generating circuit. The last bit of the serial data is a parity bit.