Abstract: A relative position detection device is used for a traveling system that allows a first and second vehicles to travel such that the first vehicle precedes and the second vehicle follows the first vehicle. The detecting device includes a sensor pair of a first and second sensors and an arithmetic unit. The first and second sensors are located at the same height on the right and left end portions of the front surface of the second vehicle. The first and second sensors emits transmission waves from their located positions in their front directions and receives their reflected waves. The arithmetic unit detects a direction of deviation between the first and second vehicles in the right and left direction on the basis of a difference between a first intensity of the reflected wave received by the first sensor and a second intensity of the reflected waves received by the second sensor.

Abstract: A shift mistake detection apparatus detects an operation value of an accelerator pedal in a vehicle and a shift range selected by a shift operation of a driver of the vehicle (e.g. reverse, drive, park). The apparatus detects a shift mistake operation when (i) the shift range selected by the shift operation is in a reverse range and the vehicle begins to travel in reverse according to an operation of the accelerator pedal, and (ii) a steep step operation and a steep return operation of the accelerator pedal is detected. The steep step and return operations of the accelerator pedal have an operation value that is greater than or equal to a normal operation value, where the normal operation value may be a value detected when a driver of a vehicle intentionally travels in reverse (i.e., there is no shift mistake).

Abstract: In an in-vehicle theft call apparatus, when a relevant vehicle is in a non-stopped state, an electric power supply from an in-vehicle battery is maintained to both a Cellular wireless section and a PCS wireless section. Thus, a wide range wireless communication area can be secured. In contrast, when the vehicle is in a stopped state, an electric power supply from the in-vehicle battery is maintained to only one of the Cellular wireless section and the PCS wireless section while being interrupted to the other. Thus, a communication signal can be transmitted appropriately in an event of call state; further, power consumption can be improved.

Abstract: Air passages 18 are formed between surfaces of a plurality of heat transfer plates 12 laid together. A plurality of rib sections 14 extending orthogonal to the air flowing direction A are formed on a surface of the heat transfer plate 12 and projected into the air passage 18. By shifting the positions of the rib sections 14 to each other in the air flow direction, coolant passages 15, 16 are formed inside the plurality of rib sections 14. Between the plurality of rib sections 14, fin sections 17 are formed integral with the heat transfer plate 12 and projected from the plate surface. The fin section 17 has a protruded shape formed by pressing and having a cut portion partially cut a plate thickness of the heat transfer plate 2.

Abstract: An A/F sensor outputs a linear air-fuel ratio detection signal proportional to the oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas from an engine upon application of a voltage. A computer controls the applied-voltage in a stoichiometric control region, a lean burn control region, an atmosphere detection region and a rich control region to have a fixed value such that the change rate of the applied-voltage is reduced to be less than that in other regions. In addition, when changing the voltage applied to the A/F sensor, the computer variably sets the voltage change speed sequentially. Thus, the influence of the capacitive characteristic of the A/F sensor is eliminated.