Abstract: A rear wheel steering apparatus for a vehicle with hydraulic power steering for the front wheels is disclosed. Pressure sensors detect the hydraulic pressure in the two chambers of a power cylinder for the front wheels. A differential amplifier which is connected to the pressure sensors produces an output signal corresponding to the pressure difference between the chambers. An electric motor for steering the rear wheels is controlled by a control unit in response to the output signal from the differential amplifier and an output signal from a vehicle speed sensor. At high speeds, the rear wheels are steered in the same direction as the front wheels, and at low speeds, they are steered in the opposite direction. When the steering wheel is in a neutral position and a sudden lateral force acts on the vehicle to cause a cornering force to be exerted on the front wheels, the rear wheels are steered in the direction tending to increase the restoring moment acting on the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle capable of preventing or substantially reducing generation of shocks and noises when the steering system is changed from a power steering mode into a manual steering mode or vice versa. A motor is operatively connected with steerable road wheels and adapted to be energized by a power source to transmit a force to the steerable road wheels for power assisting steering motion caused by the operator through a steering wheel. An electromagnetic hysteresis clutch is interposed between the motor and the steerable road wheels for electromagnetically connecting the motor with the steerable road wheels in such a manner that the power-assisting force transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels is continuously changed in accordance with an exciting current supplied to the clutch.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle capable of ensuring the travelling stability of a vehicle during travel on a bad road by avoiding unintentional motion of the steering wheel caused by road surface irregularities. The power steering system includes a motor adapted to be energized by a battery to power assist the steering motion induced by an operator. The power assisting force is transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels through a first electromagnetic sliding clutch and a second electromagnetic switching clutch. The operations of the motor and the first and second clutches are controlled by a control unit in such a manner that the force transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels is reduced to make the steering operation heavier than when steering with full power assist when the vehicle is travelling on a bad road.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle preventing transmission of operating noises of the motor to the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and for suppressing the generation of radio wave noises: a speed sensor for detecting the travelling speed of the vehicle; a torque sensor mounted on a steering shaft for detecting turning force imparted to the steering wheel by an operator, a first pinion operatively connected with the steering shaft and adapted to be driven by the steering wheel through the intermediary of the steering shaft, a rack operatively connected through tie rods with a pair of steerable road wheels and having a first rack tooth portion and a second rack tooth portion formed thereon, a second pinion being in meshing engagement with the second rack tooth portion on the rack, a motor operatively connected with the second pinion for power assisting the steering motion of the rack induced by the operator a first electromagnetic clutch interposed between the motor and the

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle having a torque sensor for detecting operator-induced steering torque resulting from steering force exerted on a steering wheel by an operator and generating a voltage signal representative thereof and a motor having a field coil and an armature and connected to transmit a rotating force to said steerable road wheels for power-assisting steering motion caused by the operator through the steering wheel. Electric switching elements are interposed between a battery and the field coil of the motor for controlling current to be supplied to said field coil so as to change the rotational direction of said motor, and a control means connected to receive the voltage signal of the torque sensor for controlling the operation of the electric switching elements.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle having a motor operatively connected to the steerable road wheels of the vehicle and a clutch arrangement interposed therebetween for selectively establishing and interrupting the transmission of power-assisting force from the motor to the road wheels in accordance with vehicle speed and operator-induced steering torque resulting from the steering force exerted on the steering wheel. The current to be supplied to the motor and the clutch arrangement for controlling the respective running and switching operations thereof is calculated on the basis of a value which corresponds to the detected steering torque and a prescribed constant which corresponds to the rate of change for the steering torque so that fluctuations in the steering torque due to time lags in operation of various component members can be substantially suppressed or reduced, thus preventing resultant vibrations of the steering system for a smooth and stable steering operation.

Abstract: The output current and drive torque characteristics of a vehicle generator during cold, startup periods are approximated to those of a warmed up generator by sensing the field winding current, and interrupting it for a time period prolonged by a feedback/charging capacitor (904) whenever it exceeds a reference level. The field winding current never exceeds the reference level when the generator is warmed up, whereupon the interrupting circuitry has no effect.

Abstract: A fail safe system for a motor driven power steering apparatus comprises a DC motor for subsidiarily energized said steering apparatus; a handle for receiving steering rotary force to produce a corresponding steering torque; a torque sensor for producing a signal corresponding to said rotary force applied to said handle, said torque sensor comprising a potentiometer having a movable electrode for detecting a torsional angle owing to said steering torque and a torque neutral region sensor arranged to operate together with said movable electrode for detecting a neutral region of said steering torque to produce a signal indicating whether said steering torque is within said torque neutral region or not; a motor current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing in said DC motor; an electromagnetic clutch for coupling/decoupling an output of said DC motor to/from said steering apparatus; a power supply circuit for supplying electric power to said DC motor and said electromagnetic clutch; and a fail safe re

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle wherein vehicle speed and operator-induced steering torque are detected for the control of power-assisting steering operation; a vehicle-speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed to generate an output signal representative of the detected vehicle speed; a motor connected to be energized by a battery to transmit a force to the steerable road wheels for power assisting steering motion caused by the operator through the steering wheel; a first electromagnetic sliding clutch for controlling the power-assisting force transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels; a second electromagnetic switching clutch connected to be switched off for interrupting the transmission of the power-assisting force from the motor toward the steerable road wheels when the vehicle speed increases above a prescribed level, and switched on for transmission of the power-steering force therebetween when the vehicle speed decreases below the prescribed level; and a control unit

Abstract: A device for controlling a motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle comprising: a torque sensor for detecting operator-induced steering force exerted on a steering wheel by an operator and generating a voltage signal representative thereof; a motor operatively connected to power assist the steering motion caused by the operator through the steering wheel; a control unit electrically connected with the torque sensor through a connector interposed therebetween for controlling the power-assisting operation of the motor in response to the operator-induced steering torque detected by the torque sensor; and a converter interposed between the torque sensor and the connector for converting the voltage signal generated by the torque sensor into a proportional current signal to be supplied to the control unit.

Abstract: A vehicular charging system is provided with a microcomputer for performing a diagnostic routine on the vehicle battery and charging system. The battery charging condition and internal resistance are monitored to determine the service life of the battery and the state of the battery charging system. The internal resistance is calculated by taking the difference between the voltage when the battery terminals are in an open circuit condition and the voltage when the battery terminals are in a closed circuit state and dividing this difference by the battery current. Also included in the charge condition measurement is the measurement of the specific gravity of the battery.

Abstract: Instead of controlling an output voltage of a charging generator with a fixed value in a voltage regulator which turns a current flowing through a field coil of the charging generator on and off, the output voltage level of the generator can be adjusted by signals from external sensors, so that the generator can be subjected to fine control dependent upon the conditions under which a car carrying the generator is run, and the conditions under which the storage battery is being charged by the charging generator.

Abstract: In an auxiliary device driving motor, at least one of spring pressure to brushes and material of the brushes in contact with a commutator of said d.c. motor, an armature winding and a field winding is changed to obtain output characteristic in which current at non-load revolution is reduced and the engine is started within a high output region of the output characteristic while the auxiliary rotating machine is driven within a low power region.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for an automobile or other vehicle has a motor which rotates a steering shaft through an electromagnetic clutch and a worm gear reduction gear. When the clutch is engaged, the rotation of the motor causes the rotation of the steering shaft. When the clutch is disengaged, the steering shaft is not connected to either the reduction gear or the motor and can therefore be rotated manually with the same force as for a manual steering apparatus. The reduction gear and the electromagnetic clutch are coaxially disposed around the steering shaft.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for an automobile or other vehicle has a steering shaft constituted by an input section and an output section connected by a torsion bar. A mechanism for detecting when a driver is imparting torque to the steering wheel of the vehicle is constituted by a potentiometer having a resistive element and a wiper arm, one of which is mounted on the output section and the other of which is mounted on the torsion bar so that the wiper arm will rotate with respect to the resistive element and the resistance of the potentiometer will change when the torsion bar is rotated with respect to the output section. The potentiometer is electrically connected to a preamplifier mounted on the steering shaft, and the preamplifier is electrically connected to slip rings through which its output can be supplied to a stationary control unit. The electrical output of the potentiometer is independent of the speed of rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A charging system control system includes a microcomputer for determining the most proper voltage regulator reference value setting according to input data received thereby, and controls a clutch and a speed change gear disposed between the engine and the charging generator so as to operate the generator within an optimum r.p.m. range. The microcomputer further performs fault detection on the basis of charging system data input thereto and effects display of the detection results by means of a display unit.

Abstract: A charge control microcomputer is provided for a vehicle charging system to control the reference voltage employed by the voltage regulator so that a suitable battery charging voltage is generated at all times. The microcomputer processes charging system data such as the battery output voltage, the generator output current, etc., and at least one engine parameter from an engine control microcomputer to derive the most suitable reference voltage for the voltage regulator.

Abstract: A charging control system includes a clutch interposed between the generator and the engine, and a microcomputer for receiving input data and determining a suitable reference voltage for the system voltage regulator, and a suitable engagement state of the clutch, in order to drive the generator in an optimum r.p.m. range at all times. The microcomputer may also be used for detecting faults in the charging system, and displaying the detected results on a display unit.

Abstract: A D.C. charging and starter circuit for a vehicle includes a microcomputer which monitors the state of battery switch units, a pair of charging generators and a starter switch, and operates to control various switching elements and the like to prevent accidental discharge of the batteries, and to prevent damage to either the electrical load or the generator rectifier circuits.

Abstract: A charge control system for a vehicle is provided with a microcomputer which calculates the most suitable battery charging value or voltage regulator set value on the basis of detected engine and charging system parameters. The microcomputer uses parameters such as the charging condition and service life condition of the battery, along with the instantaneous generated voltage, etc., and outputs the calculated set value to the voltage regulator of the charging system.