Abstract: The invention provides an exhaust gas purification device that can prevent deterioration of the emission during a regeneration process for a particular filter for trapping particulates contained in the exhaust gas. Particulate filter regeneration timing determining unit estimates the amount of particulates trapped by the particulate filter to determine the filter regeneration timing based on the estimated particular amount. In response to the regeneration timing determination, heating unit heats the particulate filter to raise an exhaust gas temperature, so that a particulate filter regeneration process starts. At this time, intake air amount reducing unit reduces the intake air amount to raise the exhaust gas temperature while combustion maintaining unit controls the combustion in the internal-combustion engine so as to be maintained in a desired condition.

Abstract: The invention provides an exhaust gas purification device that can prevent deterioration of the emission during a regeneration process for a particular filter for trapping particulates contained in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine for driving front wheels; a generator 6 for generating at 42V; a battery 11 adapted to be charged with a generated output from the generator 6; motors 8 for driving rear wheels with a generated output from the generator 6; a direct-current voltage converter 12 for allowing the generated output to step down to a voltage of 14V; and a battery 13 for accessories and an electric load 14, the battery being adapted to be supplied with electric power at the voltage allowed to step down by the direct-current voltage converter 12.

Abstract: An input drive power applied to an automatic transmission is sequentially recognized. When there is a demand for the automatic transmission to make a gear shift, a clutch mechanism is disengaged, and a drive power generated by an electric motor connected to the automatic transmission at an output side of the clutch mechanism is controlled depending on the input drive power (input drive power immediately prior to a gear shift) that is applied to the automatic transmission immediately before the clutch mechanism starts to be disengaged. The drive power generated by the electric motor is controlled such that a drive power equivalent to the input drive power immediately prior to a gear shift is applied from the electric motor to the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A two-cycle action cam having two protruding parts 1a and 1b and a four-cycle action cam 3 having one protruding part 3a are selectively used by a cam change mechanism 46i. The two-cycle action cam 1 effects opening of the inlet and exhaust valves once per revolution of the crankshaft and the four-cycle action cam 3 effects opening of the inlet and exhaust valves once per two revolutions of the crankshaft. The four-cycle action is selected when the engine is in the low revolving speed and running at a low load and the two-cycle action is otherwise selected.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has a transmission coupled to the output shaft of an engine for transmitting an output power of the engine to drive wheels of the hybrid vehicle. A generator motor is coupled to the transmission for transmitting an assistive output power for assisting the output power of the engine through the transmission to the drive wheels. A battery stores electric energy regenerated by the generator motor, operating as an electric motor, from kinetic energy of the hybrid vehicle transmitted from the drive wheels through the transmission when the hybrid vehicle is decelerated. A transmission control unit establishes a speed reduction ratio for the transmission to achieve a predetermined regeneration efficiency for the generator motor when the hybrid vehicle is decelerated, and controls the transmission at the established speed reduction ratio.

Abstract: A failure detecting system of an exhaust purification apparatus includes, a catalyst unit including an electrically heated catalyst and intervened in an engine exhaust path, an air pump supplying a secondary air to the engine exhaust path, a first electric current sensor detecting electric current value for the electrically heated catalyst, and a second electric current sensor detecting electric current value for the air pump. The electrically heated catalyst and air pump are supplied with current upon a cold start of an engine. Presence of failures in the electrically heated catalyst and air pump is discerned on the basis of the electric current value each of the first and second electric current sensors, and the detection of the current value of the first electric current sensor starts prior to the detection of the current value of the second electric current sensor.

Abstract: In a heating device for an exhaust gas purification catalytic converter, an insulating coating or an insulating material is provided between a tubular electrode receiving member of a power relay means and an electrode received in this electrode receiving member.

Abstract: An actuator is connected to one of components forming a power transmitting device capable of transmitting a power provided by a valve operating cam provided on a cam shaft, so that the actuator can drive an engine valve in a lift amount which is obtained by addition of a lift amount of the engine valve based on a cam profile of the valve operating cam and a lift amount of the engine valve based on the operation of the actuator. Thus, a portion of the lift amount of the engine valve is borne by the valve operating cam, whereby a valve-opening power borne by the actuator can be reduced, as compared with a system designed so that the engine valve is driven by only the actuator only. The amount of electric power consumed by the actuator can be smaller.

Abstract: A foreign matter-removing filter is provided upstream of an electrically-heated heater.

Abstract: An electrode structure includes: a metallic electrode; a case for accommodating and holding the electrode, and one end of a lead wire connecting to the electrode; and an insulating member interposed between the electrode and the case in order to ensure insulation between the electrode and the case, in which structure a waterproof member is interposed between the case and the lead wire in order to prevent the incoming of water from between the case and the lead wire, and an electric heater havinging the above electrode structure.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an engine for propelling the hybrid vehicle, a power transfer mechanism for transferring an output power of the engine from an output shaft thereof to drive wheels of the hybrid vehicle, an electric motor for supplying an assistive output power to assist the output power of the engine through the power transfer mechanism to the drive wheels, and an electric energy storage unit for storing electric energy for energizing the electric motor. The hybrid vehicle also has a controller for controlling operation of the hybrid vehicle with the engine and the electric motor. If the amount of electric energy stored in the electric energy storage unit is greater than a predetermined quantity, the controller controls the electric motor to generate the assistive output power to start the hybrid vehicle with the electric energy supplied from the electric energy storage unit to the electric motor while the engine is idling or stopped.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has a generator motor coupled to the output shaft of an engine through a transfer shaft, for transmitting an assistive output power for assisting an output power of the engine through the transfer shaft to the output shaft of the engine. A battery stores electric energy regenerated by the generator motor from kinetic energy of the hybrid vehicle transmitted from the output shaft of the engine through the transfer shaft. A generator is mounted on the transfer shaft and has an electric energy generating ability smaller than the generator motor. The generator generates electric energy to energize another device than the battery.

Abstract: An intake air amount control system for an internal combustion engine installed in an automotive vehicle has an intake air amount control valve arranged in a bypass passage bypassing a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage of the engine. The intake air amount control valve controls the amount of air supplied to the intake passage at a location downstream of the throttle valve. The intake air amount control valve is controlled in dependence on operatives states of electric devices including an electrically-heated catalyzer which are installed on the vehicle and supplied with electric power by an alternator installed on the vehicle and driven by the engine, when the engine is in a predetermined operating condition. The intake air amount control valve is controlled by the use of a correction amount dependent on an operative state of the electrically-heated catalyzer.

Abstract: An electrical load abnormality-detecting system for an automotive vehicle detects abnormality of each of a plurality of electrical load devices installed on the vehicle. A current sensor is provided commonly for the plurality of electrical load devices, for detecting a total load current flowing through the plurality of electrical load devices. The plurality of electrical load devices are separately put into operation, and abnormality of each of the plurality of electrical load devices is determined based on the total load current detected by the current sensor.

Abstract: A failure detection system detects a failure occurring in an exhaust secondary air supply system of an internal combustion engine, and has a catalytic converter installed in an exhaust pipe of an exhaust system of the engine for reducing pollutants from exhaust gases emitted from the engine, a conduit connected, at one end, to the exhaust pipe at a location upstream of the catalytic converter and an air pump connected to an opposite end of the conduit for supplying compressed air in the conduit. The conduit is closed by the a valve which opens in response to the negative pressure and a second valve which opens in response to the conduit pressure. In the system a first prescribed level and the second prescribed level are set and two pressure switches are provided for generating output at the levels. A failure occurring in the air pump and the valve is detected based on operation of the air pump and the output of the pressure detectors.

Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling an electrically-heated catalyzer of an internal combustion engine. Electric power generated by an alternator driven by the engine is supplied to the electrically-heated catalyzer. At least one electrical parameter dependent on the electric power supplied to the electrically-heated catalyzer is detected. It is determined that the electrically-heated catalyzer is abnormal when the at least one electrical parameter falls outside a predetermined range. The predetermined range is changed according to the rotational speed of the engine detected by an engine rotational speed sensor.

Abstract: A control system controls an alternator driven by an internal combustion engine, for generating electric power. A changeover switch selectively switches the destination of electric power generated by the alternator to a plurality of electric load groups having respective different load voltage values, each electric load group having at least one electric load. An ECU controls switching operation of the changeover switch and changes output voltage from the alternator between a plurality of different predetermined voltage values corresponding, respectively, to the plurality of electric load groups, according to a direction in which the changeover switch has been switched.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying system is provided for an internal combustion engine for use in a vehicle having an alternator driven by the engine to generate electric power. An electrically-heated catalyzer is arranged in the exhaust system of the engine and connected to the alternator to be electrically heated thereby. A changeover switch is provided for selectively switching the destination of electric power generated by the alternator to the electrically-heated catalyzer and to the electrical equipment. An ECU controls the electric power generated by the alternator, depending upon a direction in which the changeover switch has been switched. The ECU detects abnormality of the changeover switch, and when the abnormality is detected, the electric power generated by the alternator is changed to a value smaller than a value assumed when the changeover switch is normal.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying system for an internal combustion engine includes an alternator driven by the engine. A regulator controls voltage generated by the alternator. An electrically-heated catalyzer is arranged in the exhaust system of the engine and connected to the alternator to be electrically heated by electric power generated by the alternator. An ECU controls the regulator to control the voltage generated by the alternator and supplied to the electrically-heated catalyzer, according to operating conditions of the engine detected by sensors such as an engine coolant temperature sensor and an intake air temperature sensor.