Abstract: The present invention increases the frequency of the LAF sensor deterioration determination in the case that air-fuel ratio control is being carried out while the deterioration of the LAF sensor is being monitored. When the monitor conditions are no longer satisfied during the deterioration determination of the LAF sensor (as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 6), the LAF prohibition timer is operated (as shown in (c) of FIG. 6), and switching to a lean burn is prohibited for a predetermined time interval (for example, 7 seconds), and in addition, after the LAF sensor deterioration determination has completed, after passage of a time interval shorter than this predetermined time interval (for example, 2 seconds) (as shown in figures (c) and (d) of FIG. 6), a lean burn is permitted.

Abstract: In an electric vehicles sharing system, a number of (electric) vehicles are stored in ports and are used by drivers to achieve assigned objects. Herein, multiple vehicles run together in column in an automatic follow-up manner in such a way that following vehicles which are normally unmanned automatically follow up with a manned preceding vehicle. Each vehicle is equipped with ultrasonic sensors, which are arranged in a front portion and a rear portion respectively. Normally, each vehicle detects a travel direction thereof (i.e., a forward or backward direction) to activate only a sensor which matches with the travel direction. Thus, ultrasonic waves radiated from the ultrasonic sensors do not mutually interfere with each other among the vehicles.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint comprises a plurality of trunnions which are formed to be spherical, sliding surfaces which extend in a flat configuration along an axial direction of an outer cup, and pairs of slipper members having one side surfaces which are formed with recesses for making contact with spherical surfaces of the trunnions and the other side surfaces which are formed with flat surfaces to make contact with the sliding surfaces, wherein the pair of slipper members are provided slidably with respect to the sliding surface and the spherical surface of the trunnion.

Abstract: An agent apparatus increases security, and can make responses suited to individuals, thereby increasing convenience. The agent apparatus comprises an individual recognition unit which recognizes individuals who use a vehicle; a memory unit which stores agent data corresponding to each individual recognized by the individual recognition unit; a selection unit which selects agent data corresponding to a specific individuals recognized by the individual recognition unit from the agent data stored in the memory unit; and a response unit which responds to the individual based on the agent data selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: A continuously variable hydrostatic transmission in which a fixed displacement hydraulic pump and a variable displacement hydraulic motor are disposed on a drive axle, and connected via a closed hydraulic circuit. The continuously variable hydrostatic transmission shifts gears by changing the inclination angle of a movable swashplate provided for the variable displacement the hydraulic motor. The continuously variable hydrostatic transmission may perform a correction control, where the movable swashplate is moved to the TOP side, and the maximum value of the shift amount is obtained. Then, the movable swashplate is moved to the LOW side, and the minimum value is obtained. By storing the maximum and minimum values, correction data is derived. After that, the TOP and LOW transmission gear ratios are determined on the basis of the correction data.

Abstract: A cooling passage is formed to have a helical configuration so that a flow rate of a cooling medium supplied to the cooling passage is controlled to be in an optimum cooling region. Accordingly, the contact surface area and the cooling volume of cooling water are decreased respectively. Further, it is possible to stably obtain an optimum casting quality with ease.

Abstract: A projection is formed on the outer circumference of an annular member and a stopping member is attached to a cylinder head supporting a camshaft thereon. A side surface of the projection comes into contact with a side surface of the stopping member to restrain a decompression cam from turning when the camshaft rotates in the normal direction. The stopping member does not apply any pressure to the annular member in a radial direction and the annular member does not exert any force on the camshaft. Consequently, frictional resistance against the rotation of the camshaft can be reduced and a loss in the output of the engine can be suppressed.

Abstract: A vent hole disposed in a retainer, which supports an inflator and an air bag of an air bag device, is opened and closed by a control valve including a plate-shaped valve member. The valve member of the control valve includes a body reinforced by a flange, and a piezoelectric element operates as an actuator affixed to a hinge portion provided at one end of the body. The piezoelectric element is supplied with an electric current and is contracted to bend the hinge portion, whereby the vent hole is opened by movement of the body. The piezoelectric element is provided on the hinge portion of the valve member and hence, the size of the piezoelectric element can be reduced, whereby the amount of expensive piezoelectric element used can be reduced to contribute to a reduction in cost, as compared with a case in which the piezoelectric element is superposed on the entire valve member of the valve member.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring battery voltage is provided that can detect battery voltage with high accuracy, and also can be miniaturized with cost and noise reduced. The apparatus comprises: a capacitor which is charged to the voltage of each module, switches which connect and disconnect this capacitor and the module, a voltage follower which outputs the voltage across the capacitor, and switches which connect and disconnect the voltage follower and the capacitor. For the aforementioned switches, photo MOSFETs are used. Furthermore, to prevent discharge from the capacitor, a voltage follower is installed. Therefore, by using not a complicated circuit but inexpensive and simple elements, a low cost and miniaturized apparatus for measuring battery voltage is realized.

Abstract: When a continuous casting is carried out while applying an electromagnetic agitating force to a molten metal of an aluminum alloy composition, the molten metal of the aluminum alloy composition has an Fe content in a range of 0.75% by weight ≦Fe<2% by weight. Thus, a hard Fe-based intermetallic compound can be crystallized as a primary crystallized product, and an acicular intermetallic compound can be pulverized and finely divided by cooperation of the hard Fe-based intermetallic compound with the electromagnetic agitating force.

Abstract: A plug cap and a method for attaching the plug cap which prevents the occurrence of depressions on a spark plug screw thread and in a cylindrical section of the plug cap. The plug cap includes a spring pin having a straight section which engages a groove in the conductive cylindrical section of the plug cap. The plug cap also has an identifying part on its exterior which indicates the direction in which the straight section is oriented. The plug cap is installed on the spark plug in a way which orients the straight section of the spring pin in a direction parallel to the principle vibration axis of the engine. The base of the plug cap groove may also be cut to a width which dampens the effect of vibrations causing translation of the straight section within the groove. The groove sidewalls may be angled to aid in removal of the plug cap.

Abstract: Either the front wheels and rear wheels of a front wheel- and rear wheel-drive vehicle are driven by an engine and the other thereof are driven by an electric motor. The electric motor is operated when the vehicle starts. A driving torque detecting circuit detects a driving torque of wheels to be driven by the engine. Control circuit prohibits the operation of the electric motor when the driving torque to be detected at vehicle start-up exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electrically operated parking brake apparatus that includes a ball screw mechanism driven by an electric motor so as to move a nut member along a screw-threaded shaft. Two Bowden cables, for example, are connected to left and right ends of an equalizer supported on the nut member via an upper support shaft and a lower support shaft for transmitting brake operation force to wheel brakes. Since an axis of the upper and lower support shafts provided at positions facing each other across the screw-threaded shaft for swingably supporting the equalizer on the nut member passes through the center of the screw-threaded shaft, and a line connecting portion where the pair of Bowden cables are connected to the equalizer passes through the center of the screw-threaded shaft, the application of an unbalanced load to the screw-threaded shaft is prevented.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a compact and lightweight outboard engine and to prevent its output loss by preventing or minimizing lubricant oil staying in a crank chamber while the engine is driven in a tilt-up condition. For this purpose, the outboard engine (1) mounted to a boat stern by a mounting device having a tilt shaft comprises an engine (2) including a flywheel (56) positioned at a lower end portion of a vertically extending crankshaft, and an oil pan positioned below the flywheel (56). An upper wall of a flywheel chamber (59) accommodating the flywheel 56 is made up of a bottom wall of a crank chamber made of a crankcase (30), etc., and a bottom wall (30a) of the crankcase (30) forming a front portion of the engine body (3) has a return oil path 71 formed forward of an inner circumferential wall surface (60e) of a circumferential wall (60) of the flywheel chamber (59) and having inflow openings (71a, 71b) through which lubricant oil flows from the crank chamber.

Abstract: A control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle is provided, capable of charging the battery device when the state of charge of the battery device tends to decrease and the initial state of charge of the battery device is reduced by a predetermined amount. The present device comprises a lower limit threshold value setting device S060, an upper limit threshold value setting device for setting the lower limit and upper limit threshold values of the discharge amount of the battery device, a mode setting device S054 for increasing the state of charge when the state of charge is reduced to the lower limit threshold value, a mode setting release device S062 for releasing the mode setting changed by the mode setting device, and a discharge depth detecting device S063 for detecting the discharge amount of the present state of charge by comparison with the initial state of charge. The threshold value for determining whether it is necessary for the motor to assist the engine is modified depending upon the discharge depth.

Abstract: A connecting indentation or protrusion section is formed on one end section of an arm member of a lever, and by pressing one end section of a shaft pipe member to a indentation or protusion of the arm member the two members are engaged. The two members are integrally formed by fillet welding to from a clutch control lever for a motorcycle.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an outboard engine that can be decreased in size and weight by decreasing the size and weight of a connecting portion between an engine body and a mount case that are united together via a pump body of an oil pump. For this purpose, the outboard engine comprises an engine having a crankshaft (36) extending vertically, a flywheel 56 provided on the crankshaft (36) below the engine body, an oil pump (58), and a flywheel chamber (59) defined by a pump body (65) of the oil pump (58) united to coupling walls 61, 62 of the engine body to accommodate the flywheel 56; and a mount case (4) having a support wall 64 for uniting the engine body. The engine body is united with its coupling walls (61, 62) to the support wall (64) via an outer circumferential wall (63) of the pump body (65) such that the coupling walls (61, 62), outer circumferential wall (63) and support wall (64) overlap in the direction of a rotation axis of the crankshaft (36).

Abstract: In an outboard marine drive with an internal combustion engine having a vertically extending crankshaft and an oil pan located below a cylinder block, a sidewall of the cylinder block is provided with an insertion hole of an oil level gauge so that the oil level gauge can pass through the insertion hole into the oil pan. Such a configuration can minimize the length of the oil level gauge and allow an easy handling of the same, to thereby facilitate oil level inspection work.

Abstract: In an outboard marine drive, an engine is supported on an engine mount case, and an under cover made of plastic material having a lower end attached to the engine mount case defines an open upper end which engages an open lower end of an engine cover also made of plastic material. A metallic stay member having a lower end fixedly attached to the engine mount case which is typically made of cast aluminum alloy and an upper end fixedly supporting a support rail reinforces the open upper end of the under cover. Thus, the essential part is reinforced by a metallic member, and the required mechanical strength can be achieved while minimizing the increase in weight. The upper end of the stay member may be used for attaching a latch unit for securing the engine cover to the under cover or the engine mount case.