Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a pressurized gaseous fuel source, a control valve for regulating the amount of gaseous fuel supplied from the pressurized gaseous fuel source, and an intake passage in which the gaseous fuel, the amount of which has been regulated by the control valve, is mixed with intake air and supplied to the engine as an air-fuel mixture. An ECU of the control system controls the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture to be supplied to the engine by regulating the amount of the gaseous fuel through the control valve, and various sensors detect operating conditions of the engine. The ignition timing of the engine is calculated based on the detected operating conditions, and when the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture is in a predetermined lean limit region, the output of the engine is controlled by correcting the ignition timing.

Abstract: A data transmission system for automotive vehicles in which messages are transmitted by circulating a transmission right signal among a plurality of electronic control units, by a token passing method. Each of the electronic control units judges that the right to transmit a message to the network bus has been acquired when it is determined that the transmission right signal has not been circulated for a predetermined time period, and at the same time an idle state of the network bus has been detected. If a collision of the transmitted message with any other message is detected, the above process is repeated after the lapse of a waiting time period specific to the electronic control unit which judged that the right to transmit a message had been acquired.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation control system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage extending between the intake system of the engine and the exhaust system thereof, and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve for controlling the flow rate of exhaust gases to be recirculated through the exhaust gas recirculation passage. The system further includes an ECU which calculates a desired air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine, based on engine operating conditions detected by engine operating parameter sensors, and also a desired valve opening of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve, based on engine operating conditions detected by the operating parameter sensors and the calculated desired air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic mixture in the form of granulates, encompassing a nitrogen-generating substance, an inorganic oxidizing medium and a binder constituted of silicone rubber. Also disclosed is a process for the production of this pyrotechnic mixture, as well as a gas generator for an airbag which contains the pyrotechnic mixture as a propellent charge. The pyrotechnic mixture is in the form of granulates for a propellent charge which generates a non-toxic gas, encompassing the nitrogen-generating substance, especially an alkali metal azide or earth alkali metal azide, an inorganic oxidizing medium consisting of alkali metal nitrate and/or alkaline earth metal nitrate and silicone rubber.

Abstract: An ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine is associated with a fuel injection amount control system for calculating an amount of fuel to be supplied to the engine, based on operating conditions of the engine, correcting the calculated amount of fuel, based on an adherent amount of fuel adhering to the inner wall surface of the intake passage, and a carried-off amount of fuel to be carried off from the adherent fuel into each combustion chamber of the engine, and injecting the corrected fuel amount into the intake passage. The ignition timing control system comprises an ECU which detects whether the engine has been recovered from a fuel cut state to a fuel supply state, and calculates ignition timing of the engine, based on operating conditions of the engine detected by engine operating parameter sensors, including pressure within the intake passage.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine calculates an amount of fuel to be supplied to the engine based on load on the engine, and estimates an amount of fuel adhering to an inner wall surface of an intake passage of the engine and an amount of fuel carried off the fuel adhering to the inner wall surface of the intake passage, based on an adherent fuel-determining parameter indicative of a fuel transfer characteristic of the engine. The amount of fuel to be supplied to the engine is corrected based on the amount of fuel adhering to the inner wall surface of the intake passage and the amount of fuel carried off the fuel adhering to the inner wall surface of the intake passage to determine a corrected amount of fuel supplied to the engine. The corrected amount of fuel to be supplied to the engine is injected into the intake passage. The timing of the fuel injection is controlled based on the adherent fuel-determining parameters.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor deterioration-detecting system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of groups of cylinders groups, an exhaust system having a plurality of exhaust passages extending, respectively, from the cylinder groups, and catalytic converters arranged in the exhaust system, and a plurality of upstream oxygen sensors arranged, respectively, in the exhaust passages at locations upstream of the catalytic converters, includes a single downstream oxygen sensor arranged in a confluent portion of the exhaust passages at a location downstream of the catalytic converters, for detecting the mixed air-fuel ratio of exhaust gases emitted from the cylinder groups.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine controls an amount of fuel supplied to the engine. Operating conditions of the engine, including engine rotational speed and intake pressure, are detected. Also detected is a valve opening of a recirculation control valve arranged in an exhaust recirculation passage, for controlling recirculation of exhaust gases. An amount of recirculation gas is determined based on a detected value of the valve opening of the recirculation control valve. A fuel supply amount is calculated based on the engine rotational speed and the intake pressure. The fuel supply amount is corrected based on the amount of recirculation gas determined.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage extending between the intake system and the exhaust system, for recirculating part of exhaust gases emitted from the engine, an EGR valve for controlling a flow rate of exhaust gases to be recirculated through the exhaust gas recirculation passage, and an ECU which detects an operating condition of the EGR valve, and calculates an amount of fuel to be injected, based on operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine detects a central value of an output from a first exhaust gas component concentration sensor arranged in an exhaust passage at a location upstream of a catalytic converter and having an output characteristic which is substantially proportional to the concentration of a component in the exhaust gases. The central value is corrected based on the output from the first exhaust gas component concentration sensor, when an output from a second exhaust gas concentration sensor arranged downstream of the catalytic converter falls within a predetermined range. The output from the first exhaust gas component concentration sensor is corrected based on the corrected central value. An air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine is corrected based on the corrected output value from the first exhaust gas component concentration sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic system for an internal combustion engine which detects abnormalities of input/output objects used in controlling operation of the engine when the engine is in respective predetermined operating conditions, and carries out respective predetermined fail-safe actions when abnormalities of the input/output are detected. When an abnormality of the input/output objects was detected on the last occasion and has also been detected on the present occasion, and at the same time it is determined that a change in the operating environment of the engine has occurred between when the abnormality was detected on the last occasion and when it has been determined on the present occasion, occurrence of the abnormality is finally determined.

Abstract: A method of detecting deterioration of a three-way catalyst of an internal combustion engine comprises the steps of (1) obtaining a first signal and a second signal based on respective signals outputted from a pre-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor and a post-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor at least one of when the fuel supply to the engine is increased and when the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted, (2) comparing a waveform of a signal outputted from the pre-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor with a waveform of a signal outputted from the post-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor, based on the first and second signals while the engine is in a predetermined stable operating condition, and (3) determining from results of the comparison whether or not the three-way catalyst is deteriorated.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, and an air-fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the catalytic converter calculates an air-fuel ratio correction amount by means of proportional control and integral control based on an output from the air-fuel ratio sensor, and controls an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine, based on the air-fuel ratio correction amount. A control frequency at which the air-fuel ratio control is carried out is increased when deterioration of the catalytic converter is detected.

Abstract: A small junction box, for connecting a wire harness, comprises a power receptacle 14, a power supply connector 18, and at least one optional connecting socket 13. They are electrically connected with each other. The small junction box is detachably connected to a power receptacle of another junction box body through the power supply connector 18.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, a first air-fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the catalytic converter, and a second air-fuel ratio sensor arranged downstream of the catalytic converter, calculates an air-fuel ratio control variable, based on an output from the second air-fuel ratio sensor. An air-fuel ratio correction amount is calculated based on an output from the first air-fuel ratio sensor and the air-fuel ratio control variable. The air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine is controlled based on the air-fuel ratio correction amount. The air-fuel ratio control variable is corrected in the rich direction such that the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied to the engine becomes richer, when deterioration of the catalytic converter is detected.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a first and second groups of cylinders and first and second catalytic converters arranged respectively in first and second exhaust systems extending from the respective cylinder groups, includes first and second upstream oxygen sensors upstream of the catalytic converters, and a single downstream oxygen sensor downstream of the catalytic converters. The air-fuel ratios of air-fuel mixtures supplied into the first and second cylinder groups are controlled by the use of first and second air-fuel ratio control amounts based on outputs from the respective first and second upstream oxygen sensors and the downstream oxygen sensor, when the engine is in a predetermined operating condition.

Abstract: A device for detecting deterioration of a catalyst temperature sensor which detects the temperature of a three-way catalyst arranged in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, judges that the sensor has deteriorated when the difference between the actual output value from the catalyst temperature sensor and a reference value based on predetermined engine operating parameters exceeds a predetermined value while the engine is in a predetermined operating condition.

Abstract: An evaporative fuel emission control system for an internal combustion engine has a canister connected to a fuel tank of the engine. The canister temporarily stores evaporative fuel generated from the fuel tank. The evaporative emission control system also includes a purging passage connecting the canister and a portion of an intake passage at a location downstream of a throttle valve arranged in the intake passage. An amount of evaporative fuel is increased which is generated from the fuel tank. In a preferred form, the system includes a second fuel tank arranged between the first-mentioned fuel tank and the canister. Evaporative fuel is increased by evaporating fuel in the second fuel tank.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine controls purging of evaporative fuel into the intake pipe of the engine. A first control valve is arranged in a communication passage communicating between a charcoal canister and the intake pipe, for supplying the evaporative fuel to the engine at a flow rate dependent on load on the engine. A second control valve is arranged in a bypass passage bypassing the first control valve for supplying the evaporative fuel to the engine at a predetermined flow rate. When a temperature of the engine is below a predetermined value, the first control valve is closed and at the same time the second control valve is made open, to thereby supply the evaporative fuel to the engine at the predetermined i.e. small flow rate. For a predetermined time period after the engine has been warmed up, the first and second control valves are controlled in the same manner. When the engine is idling as well, the same control of the two valves is carried out.

Abstract: An electric connection terminal can prevent electric ereosion caused in some equipment made of an aluminum material and attached to a car body for electric conduction of the equipment through the terminal such as an earth bracket which connects an earth line to the car body. The terminal comprises a first attaching member (1) made of an aluminum material and having a connecting portion (4) of a car body at the top end and a coupling portion (6A) at the bottom end, a second attaching member (2) made of a brass material and having a connecting portion (5) of an earth line at the top end and a coupling portion (6B) at the bottom end, and a water-proof layer (3) molded by a plastic resin for interconnecting said coupling portions (6A, 6B) of said first and second attaching members (1, 2) by embedding said portions (6A, 6B) in the plastic resin.