Abstract: A rectifier (306) rectifies (402) an output signal of a VCO (302) to produce an envelope signal proportional to an amplitude of the output signal. An integrator (308) integrates (404) the envelope signal to produce a comparison signal, such that, in response to a change in the envelope signal, during a first mode of operation of the VCO, the comparison signal is allowed to change at a first rate, and, during a second mode of operation of the VCO, the comparison signal is allowed to change at a second rate different from the first rate. A comparator (310) compares (406) the comparison signal with a reference signal (316) to produce a bias signal, and controls (408) a gain of the VCO with the bias signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor dynamic sensor such as an acceleration sensor is composed of a sensor chip for detecting a dynamic force applied thereto and a circuit chip for processing output signals from the sensor chip. The sensor chip is supported on the circuit chip, and both chips are mounted on a package case. To suppress thermal stress transfer from the package case to the sensor chip through the circuit chip, an adhesive film having an elasticity modulus lower than 10 MPa is interposed between the circuit chip and the package case. Characteristics of the sensor chip are kept stable by suppressing the thermal stress transfer from the package case.

Abstract: A radar system mounted in a reference vehicle can detect a distance and orientation of a preceding vehicle to thereby compute a relative position of a width center of the preceding vehicle. A curving radius of the reference vehicle is then detected for computing a relative rotation angle between a direction from the reference vehicle and a longitudinal direction of the preceding vehicle. Relationship between a relative rotation angle and a lateral bias of the relative position of the width center is previously prepared in a map. The computed relative rotation angle is applied on the map, so that the corresponding lateral bias is obtained to correct the computed relative position of the width center of the preceding vehicle. Thus, the width center of the preceding vehicle moving in an adjacent lane can be accurately estimated.

Abstract: A head protecting airbag device comprises an airbag folded and housed above the upper edge of a window on the interior side. The airbag includes an airbag body and a current regulating cloth. The airbag body includes: an inflation shielding portion; a gas feed passage portion arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle above the upper edge of the inflation shielding portion; and one gas inlet port protruded upward from a portion of the gas feed passage portion removed from the front end and the rear end. The current regulating cloth includes an inlet side portion and an outlet side portion. The outlet side portion includes first and second gas outlet holes capable of releasing the inflating gas from the inflator to the front and the rear along the gas feed passage portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic sensor adjusting method that can always be accurate in sensing a sensing target satisfactorily irrespective of fluctuations of a sensing gap length that may occur between different magnetic sensor products or in one magnetic sensor product, and that can prevent from occurring an irregularity of a phase of a binarized waveform edge. Within a magnetic gap of the magnetic sensor, a sensing gap length formed between a concave and convex portions of a sensing target units and a magnetic filed detecting sections is changed among a plurality of setting values. Then, the magnetic filed detecting sections 3, 5 obtain detection waveforms 201, 202 in every setting values of the sensing gap length. Next, an intersection point level value AG0 obtained by superimposing the plurality of detection waveforms in phase is calculated. Then, a threshold value VTH is adjusted so as to agree with the calculated intersection point level value AG0.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a cylindrical member of a solenoid valve is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes in an axial direction of the cylindrical member. By fitting the protruding portion into a vertical groove of a plunger, it is possible to restrict the cylindrical member from moving in a peripheral direction of the plunger. Therefore, it is possible to prevent change of the flow path that passes the plunger and the vertical groove, as well as to prevent variation in a sliding speed of the plunger or the like. As a result, a fluid pulsation reduction effect is obtained.

Abstract: First and second predetermined charging voltages are applied between the movable and fixed electrodes of a capacitive type of sensor to measure first and second capacitances between the movable and fixed electrodes, respectively. The first and second electrostatic capacitances are compared to obtain a characteristic of the sensor from a result of comparison. In measuring the first and second capacitances, first and second charging voltages are generated of which magnitudes are determined in accordance with the first and second capacitances, respectively. Equalization is made between the first output voltage when the first charging voltage is applied between the movable and fixed electrodes in a predetermined normal condition of the movable electrode and the second output voltage outputted when the second charging voltage is applied between the movable and fixed electrodes in the predetermined normal condition.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, several cell blocks provided on the semiconductor substrate, several gate electrodes electrically independent of one another and respectively provided in the cell blocks, and several gate pads respectively connected with the gate electrodes. In this construction, the cell blocks can be determined whether they are defective or not by utilizing the gate pads easily. Therefore, the semiconductor device can be operated only with non-defective cell blocks.

Abstract: When a compressor apparatus is operated at a maximum displacement for 60 minutes or longer, an ECU controls a pressure control valve to gradually change the refrigerant pressure in a swash plate chamber in a manner that gradually reduces the displacement of the compressor apparatus. In this way, it is possible to create a state, in which a relatively large pressure difference is created between a refrigerant inlet side and the swash plate chamber. Thus, refrigerant oil accumulated in the swash plate chamber can be returned to the refrigerant inlet side of the compressor apparatus at the time of gradually reducing the displacement of the compressor apparatus.

Abstract: A torque sensor includes first and second shafts, an elastic shaft, a magnet, a pair of ring plates, and a magnetic sensor. The elastic shaft connects the first and second shafts coaxially. The magnet is fixed to the first shaft. The pair of ring plates is fixed to the second shaft, and faces each other in an axial direction of the elastic shaft so that the pair of ring plates sandwiches the magnet. The magnetic sensor is disposed in a gap between the pair of ring plates so that the magnetic sensor detects a magnetic flux density in the gap. Each ring plate includes a convexity and a concavity in an inner circumference of each ring plate, respectively. The pair of ring plates is rotatable against the magnet in accordance with a twist of the elastic shaft so that the rotation of the ring plates causes the magnetic flux density in the gap.

Abstract: In a switched capacitor filter circuit, a switching transistor is connected to an operational amplifier for input of a switching control signal to the operational amplifier. A noise compensation transistor is provided between the switching transistor and the operational amplifier. The drain and the source of the noise compensation transistor are connected to each other. The noise compensation transistor is applied with an inverted signal of the switching signal, and generates feedthrough noise of the polarity inverted from that generated by the switching transistor in order to cancel the feedthrough noise.

Abstract: In a motor having a motor unit and a speed-reducing unit, a brush holder is sandwiched between a yoke housing of the motor unit and a gear housing of the speed-reducing unit. The brush holder includes holder body, joining portion, and connector portion. The holder body is formed with a first opening being open in the yoke housing. The joining portion is formed with a cylindrical portion extending in a direction same as the opening direction of a connector recessed portion of the connector portion. A second opening is formed on an end surface of the cylindrical portion. The first opening communicates with the second opening through first and second communication holes, so that pressure difference between the inside and outside of the yoke housing and the gear housing are cancelled.

Abstract: A case of a pressure sensor has an atmospheric pressure introduction port for introducing atmospheric pressure into the case, and a water repellent filter that is attached to the atmospheric pressure introduction port to prevent passage of moisture, dust and the like while allowing flow of air. The filter is disposed to have a filter surface extending along a gravitational direction when the pressure sensor is used.

Abstract: When a control power source voltage becomes lower than an operation guarantee voltage level, the output of a start-up circuit assumes an H-level, a NOR gate produces an output shut-off signal of an L-level, and FETs are turned off. As the control power source voltage further decreases, the output shut-off control circuit loses stability in the operation. In this case, a resistor maintains the FETs in the OFF state due to its pull-down operation. As a result, the output of the output circuit is maintained in a high-impedance state over the whole range of control power source voltages lower than the operation guarantee voltage level.

Abstract: An arm head of a windshield wiper device is provided on a backside thereof with an undulated groove formed by sidewalls. The sidewalls have plural hill portions protruding in opposite directions alternately in a width direction of the arm head so as to be opposed to one another in a longitudinal direction thereof. Tops of the hill portions on one width side of the arm head are integrally provided at upper surfaces thereof with projections extending perpendicularly to a depth direction of the groove to overhang the groove. A hose for delivering washer liquid to a washer nozzle is accommodated in the groove and firmly held by the hill portions and the projections without using an extra part such as a clip.

Abstract: An engine cover has a cover body having a through hole penetrating both sides of the cover body in an area opposed to a resonant space in which resonant sounds are generated. An opening of the through hole is covered with the sound absorbing member layer. Because a part of the resonant space is open, resonant sounds generated in the resonance space are decreased.

Abstract: A swing member is supported by a swing support member like a universal joint of a Hook's type such that it can swing in a state where it is prevented from rotating around a center line. In this manner, even if a shaft rotates at high speed, the swing member is surely prevented from rotating around the shaft. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a piston from excessively vibrating, hence to prevent large noises from being made, and to improve reliability and durability of a compressor when the compressor is operated at high speed.

Abstract: A diaphragm-type semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a surface of which is substantially flat, a diaphragm, which covers a circular pressure reference space located on the surface, and a circular electrode layer, a middle part of which is embedded in the diaphragm. The electrode layer is larger than the space and is coaxial with the space. Therefore, internal stress is balanced between inner and outer sides of the diaphragm, and a step formed at the outer edge of the top electrode layer is separated from the diaphragm. The device also includes a step adjuster around the space on the surface. Therefore, another step formed at the outer edge of the space disappears, and a new step is formed separately from the diaphragm at the outer edge of the step adjuster. With this structure, the diaphragm has a desired flatness.

Abstract: A control device is provided in a hybrid-driven auxiliary system using an engine and a motor as driving force. The control device includes: an auxiliary unit into which the motor is integrally assembled; current controlling means for controlling an electric current of the motor for driving or generating; current detecting means for detecting the electric current of the motor; and load torque computing means for computing, based on the electric current of the motor, a load torque when the auxiliary unit is operated.

Abstract: A unit plate, which holds electric circuit components including power supply terminals, is secured to a housing cover, which is, in turn, connected to a housing to close an opening of the housing. The housing cover includes guide walls, which extend in a direction generally parallel to a fitting direction of an external connector to guide the unit plate in such a manner that a second end of each power supply terminal held by the unit plate is received in a connector housing part of the housing cover, which is connected with the external connector, at time of installing the unit plate to the housing cover. The unit plate includes a rotation support arrangement, which rotatably supports a rotator. The electric circuit components also include stationary contact members, each of which includes a contact section that is slidably engageable with a movable contact of the rotor.