Abstract: A vehicle control system embodied as an autocruise control. Fuzzy Logic is introduced in the system such that an expert driver's operation or judgment made on an non-automated vehicle is able to be incorporated in the system as fuzzy production rules. In the system, the control is effected in accordance with the rules which can be expressed linguistically in a simple manner and has a predictive nature therein. Operating condition of the vehicle is detected through parameters such as a vehicle speed, a vehicle acceleration and a change of vehicle acceleration which are then assigned on a scale named universe of discourse. The satisfaction degree is evaluated so that one rule is selected. A control value is determined from the selected rule which is output to an actuator to be controlled.

Abstract: A method of indicating when a shift operation of a manual gearbox is to be preformed includes a step for comparing a detected vehicle speed with a reference vehicle speed which is determined and changed on the basis of a detected engine operational parameter and a step for indicating that the shift operation should be performed on the basis of a result of the comparison. The reference vehicle speed is corrected to a lower speed in response to an increase of a total running time of the vehicle, thereby to maintain the driveability of the vehicle when the running time of the vehicle is short.

Abstract: A system for electronically controlling vehicle operation vehicle and a method therefor applied to a cruise control, which utilizes fuzzy logic or approximate reasoning in determining a control output. Namely, vehicle operating conditions are assigned on a scale called a universe of discourse having degrees of 0 to 1.0 called membership functions or degrees. The detected conditions are identified on the universe and are then defined by fuzzy labels which are in turn used for retrieving control rules expressed in similar labels. Pertinent control rules are composed in fuzzy relation so as to obtain a scaled or universe value which is then converted into a real numerical value. The value is finally sent to a pulse motor control device which opens or closes a throttle valve in order to maintain the vehicle at a predetermined cruising speed.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a carburetor with a slow speed circuit, includes a feedback control means by which an air intake side secondary air is supplied to the carburetor, on the downstream side of the throttle valve, in response to a result of detection of air-fuel ratio in terms of the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of the engine. Under a predetermined operating condition of the engine, the feedback control of the air-fuel ratio by means of the control of the air intake side secondary air is performed while the supply of the fuel through the slow speed circuit of the fuel supply system is controlled in response to the result of the detection of the air-fuel ratio. In a variation of the system, the supply of the fuel through the slow speed circuit is stopped during the predetermined operating condition of the engine.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a generator control system for use in a power supply system for vehicles in which a battery and an engine-driven generator are connected in parallel with a load. The total load current fed to the load is detected and the generated voltage level is changed by performing field regulation for the generator in accordance with the detected value. Switching of the generated voltage level of the generator is controlled according to the state of the load applied so as to improve power generation efficiency. Certain parameters, such as battery state, engine speed, auto choke and load state, can be provided as an input or inputs to a voltage regulator for the generator.

Abstract: A shift-up indicating system for manual speed change gears of an automobile transmission wherein preset values are respectively provided for the speed of the automobile, the engine speed of the engine and the vacuum pressure of the engine to determine a region of running conditions which can provide a good fuel consumption for every shift position of the speed change gears such that when a driver selects one of the predetermined gear positions of the speed change gears, if the condition of fuel consumption is brought out of the determined region, then an indication is given to the driver by an illuminating indicator to thereby urge the driver to shift up the speed change gears to a higher gear.

Abstract: An internal combustion piston engine employs a main combustion chamber supplied with a lean combustible mixture through a main intake passage and an auxiliary combustion chamber supplied with a rich combustible mixture through an auxiliary intake passage. The auxiliary combustion chamber has a spark plug associated therewith, and a torch nozzle defined by a slot having its major axis extending along the principal axis of the engine cylinder.