Abstract: A core of a solenoid actuator is provided which is improved in durability, and at the same time ensures high energy efficiency of the solenoid actuator. The core of the solenoid actuator attracts an armature during operation of the solenoid actuator. A plurality of core plates are formed of a magnetically soft material and laminated in a predetermined direction orthogonal to a direction of attracting the armature to form a laminated stack. The core plates form magnetic circuits between the armature and the core plates themselves during the operation of the solenoid actuator. Two core holders formed of a non-magnetic material sandwiches the laminated stack of the plurality of core plates from opposite sides along the predetermined direction. The plurality of core plates are each coated with insulating film, which insulate adjacent two core plates from each other.

Abstract: A lateral deviation &dgr;d which is a lateral distance between an intrinsic appropriate course R for a vehicle Ai and a contact position P at which the vehicle Ai will come into contact with an on-coming vehicle Ao, is calculated based on a relative angle &thgr;, a relative distance L and a relative speed Vs which are detected by a radar device, and based on a vehicle speed Vi of the vehicle Ai detected by vehicle speed sensors. When the lateral deviation &dgr;d is in a range of &dgr;dn<&dgr;d<&dgr;dx, it is determined that there is the possibility that the vehicle Ai will collide frontally with the on-coming vehicle Ao. The lateral deviation &dgr;d can be calculated based on the relative angle &thgr;, the relative distance L and the relative speed Vs provided in one cycle of transmission and reception of beam by the radar device.

Abstract: A relative lateral deviation calculating device calculates a relative lateral deviation between a vehicle and an on-coming vehicle, based on the state of the on-coming vehicle detected by an object detecting device and a future locus of movement for the vehicle estimated by a movement locus estimating device. When the relative lateral deviation is in a predetermined range, a contact-possibility determining device determines that there is a possibility that the vehicle will come into contact with the on-coming vehicle. Even when the relative lateral deviation is not in the predetermined range, if a steering-state detecting device has detected an involuntary steering operation by a driver, a contact avoiding device increases the steering reaction force of the steering wheel to inhibit the steering operation by the driver in a direction for the vehicle to approach the on-coming vehicle.

Abstract: A polycrystalline layer is formed on a surface of a substrate and metal electrode layers are formed thereon to be opposed to each other. The polycrystalline silicon layer includes an exposed region exposed from the metal electrode layers, and this exposed region includes low resistance regions extending under the metal electrode layers to be in a pair, and a high resistance region having a high sheet resistance defined between the low resistance regions. At least one of the low resistance regions is so trimmed as to adjust heat generation from the high resistance region.