Abstract: A locking cable for use in an antitheft device adapted to give warning in response to a change in a photo signal transmitted through an optical fiber longitudinally extending through the locking cable. The locking cable comprises a core portion including the optical fiber, a reinforcing layer concentrically disposed around the core portion and including at least one electric conductor and a plurality of reinforcing members, and a flexible hollow protective member as an outermost layer covering the electric conductor and reinforcing members in contact with the protective member. If required, a further reinforcing layer may be interposed between the core portion and the first-mentioned reinforcing member, which includes a plurality of second reinforcing members. A holder holding an end of the optical fiber and a photoelectric element in face-to-face relation to each other is axially movably arranged within a plug connected to an end of the locking cable.

Abstract: An alloy for use in an exhaust valve of an automotive vehicle is disclosed, which consists of C: 0.01-0.15%, Si.ltoreq.2.0%, Mn.ltoreq.0.5%; Cr: 15-25%, Mo: 0.4-3.1% and W: 0.2-3.8% so that (Mo+1/2W) is 0.5 to 5.0%, Nb+Ta: 0.3-3.0%, Ti: 1.5-3.5%, Al: 0.5-2.5%, B: 0.001-0.02%, Fe.ltoreq.5% and the balance of Ni or Ni+Co.

Abstract: A vehicular anti-theft system which combines a mechanical key and an electronic key involving a code light signal. A light emitting element is provided in a casing attached to a base end of the shank of the mechanical key while a light receiving element is provided adjacent to an open end of the key hole so that the conventional action of fitting the key shank into the key hole causes the transmission of a code light signal between these elements. Advantageously, the light emitting element can be additionally equipped with the function of locking and unlocking a vehicle door so that the user can obtain the benefits of both a remote control entry system and a highly effective anti-theft engine start system.

Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of an internal combustion engine. A memory has stored therein a plurality of basic values of a control amount by which the operation of the engine is to be controlled, and which conform to at least one operating parameter of the engine, as well as at least one correction value for correcting the basic values. When each of first and second conditions is detected under which the operation of the engine is required to be controlled by respective different amounts, ones of the basic values are read from the memory, which corresponds to the value of the at least one operating parameter. When a predetermined one of the first and second conditions is detected, the at least one correction value is read from the memory, by which the read basic values are corrected by the read correction value. The operation of the engine is controlled by control amounts based upon the corrected basic values.

Abstract: To the end of eliminating the problems arising from substantially rigid connection between a front wheel set and a rear wheel set in a four-wheel drive vehicle, there is provided a power transmission system in which a torque-dependent power transmission device is provided between the front wheel set and the rear wheel set so that both the wheel sets are substantially rigidly connected to each other in a low torque range and rotational power is transmitted only from the front wheel set to the rear wheel set in a high torque range. The power transmission device of this kind can be conveniently formed by a parallel combination of a one-way clutch and a torque limiter.

Abstract: A fuel supply control system for an internal combustion engine comprises a start detecting device for detecting a starting condition of the engine, and a starting fuel supply device for supplying an amount of fuel required for starting the engine which corresponds to an output generated from a device for detecting an engine temperature, when the start detecting device detects the starting condition of the engine. A timer is associated with the start detecting device for counting time elapsed from the time the start detecting device detects the starting condition of the engine and generating an output corresponding to the elapsed time. A fuel decreasing device is responsive to respective outputs from a throttle opening sensor and the timer, for decreasing the amount of fuel for starting the engine, supplied by the starting fuel supply device.

Abstract: A method of effecting feedback control of the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture being supplied to an internal combustion engine, to bring the air-fuel ratio to desired values by correcting a fuel quantity to be supplied to the engine by means of a correction coefficient which varies in response to output from an exhaust gas concentration sensor, when the engine is operating in an air-fuel ratio feedback control region. An average value of values of the correction coefficient obtained is calculated while the engine is operating in the feedback control region. The calculated average value is corrected in dependence on a temperature of the engine and the feedback control is initiated by using the corrected average value as an initial value of the correction coefficient when the engine has shifted into the feedback control region from the another region. The calculated average value is corrected to such a value as to make the air-fuel ratio leaner as the engine temperature is lower.

Abstract: A filter medium for filtration of a fluid to flow therethrough from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof, said filter medium comprising a substrate having a density gradient wherein the density is high on the upstream side and low on the downstream side of the substrate.

Abstract: An idling speed control system for controlling idling rotational speed of an internal combustion engine. A vacuum-operated actuator having a diaphragm defining a vacuum chamber controls opening and closing of a throttle valve in response to pressures supplied from a change-over control valve to the vacuum chamber. The change-over control valve selectively supplies the vacuum chamber with a first control pressure for opening the throttle valve and a second control pressure for closing same. An electronic control unit generates an on-off control pulse signal having a pulse repetition period corresponding to rotational speed of the engine, one of on-period or off-period of the on-off control pulse signal having a predetermined constant value, and supplies the change-over control valve with the on-off control pulse signal.

Abstract: A microcomputer includes an interrupt signal generator for supplying a CPU with an interrupt signal at predetermined time intervals, and a monitoring timer reset by a reset signal generated by the CPU in response to the interrupt signal. An abnormality is sensed on the basis of expiration of time in the monitoring timer. A flag for resetting the monitoring timer during a first processing started by the interrupt signal is stored in a memory device connected to the CPU, and the CPU generates the reset signal in response to the stored flag during a second processing having a priority lower than that of the first processing.

Abstract: A method of controlling the supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine after starting, wherein an initial value of a fuel increment is set to a value dependent upon a temperature of the engine after starting thereof, the fuel increment is progessively decreased from the set initial value thereof at a predetermined rate, and a fuel quantity corrected by the decreased fuel increment is supplied to the engine. A temperature of the intake system of the engine is sensed. The above predetermined rate of decrease of the fuel increment is set to a larger value as the sensed temperature of the intake system is higher. Preferably, when the sensed temperature of the intake system is higher than a predetermined value corresponding to the boiling point of fuel, the predetermined rate of decrease of the fuel increment is set to a larger value than that to which it is set when the sensed temperature is lower than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of detecting abnormality in an air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine, the air-fuel ratio control system having a proportional control valve arranged in an air supply passage for supplying secondary air therethrough to the engine and controlled in response to an output signal from an oxygen concentration sensor arranged in an exhaust system of the engine in a manner such that its valve opening varies in proportion to the magnitude of driving current supplied thereto. A circuit is provided which includes a first transistor, the proportional control valve, and a second transistor arranged in the order mentioned and serially connected with each other between a power source for supplying a predetermined voltage and ground. A value of voltage at a predetermined location in said circuit is sensed while the first and second transistors are in predetermined states of conduction and non-conduction.

Abstract: A fuel supply control method for an internal combustion engine, including the steps of effecting after-start fuel increasing control wherein an initial value of a fuel increment is set to a value dependent upon a temperature of the engine upon generation of a predetermined control signal immediately after the start of the engine, the fuel increment is progressively decreased from the set initial value in synchronism with subsequent generation of the predetermined control signal, and a fuel quantity corrected by the progressively decreased fuel increment is supplied to the engine, and effecting air-fuel ratio feedback control, which is executed on condition that a predetermined feedback control condition is fulfilled after the start of the engine, wherein a correction coefficient is set to a value dependent upon the concentration of an ingredient in engine exhaust gases, sensed by an O.sub.2 sensor, and a fuel quantity corrected by the set correction coefficient is supplied to the engine.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve used in controlling the amount of supplementary air supplied to an internal combustion engine to control the idling operation thereof is controlled by a current controller. The actual value of current flowing through the electromagnetic valve is compared with a predetermined value when a control signal, which is applied to the controller to regulate the opening of the electromagnetic valve, and the actual value of the current do not exhibit a predetermined correlation. It is determined whether an abnormality in the current controller is a disconnection or a short circuit based on whether the actual value of the current is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: In a transmission for an automotive vehicle, a control system is provided for controlling a direct-coupling mechanism for mechanically engaging input and output members of a hydraulic power transmission mechanism of the transmission. The control system includes a first sensor for detecting the value of a first parameter indicative of the engine load, and a control mechanism adapted to compare the value of the first parameter detected by the first sensor with a predetermined reference value for selectively engaging and disengaging the input and output members with and from each other through the direct-coupling mechanism. A second sensor detects the value of a second parameter indicative of the vehicle speed, and a reference value setting device sets the predetermined reference value to a value dependent on the value of the second parameter detected by the second sensor.

Abstract: A method of controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine at acceleration, wherein a quantity of fuel to be supplied to said engine is increased by the use of a accelerating fuel increment set in response to at least the valve opening speed of a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage of the engine. The accelerating fuel increment is set in response to a parameter value representative of engine load as well as to the valve opening speed of the throttle valve, whereby the fuel quantity is increased by an amount optimal for the engine load, to improve accelerability and emission characteristics of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel injection control method for an internal combustion engine wherein synchronous fuel injection is effected in synchronism with control pulses generated at predetermined crank angle positions of the engine corresponding to suction strokes of respective engine cylinders to supply the engine with a quantity of fuel required for operating conditions of the engine, and when the engine is operating in a predetermined acceleration condition, asynchronous fuel injection is effected independently of the above control pulses to supply the engine with an additional quantity of fuel. The quantity of fuel to be supplied by the synchronous fuel injection is decreased by a predetermined amount immediately after the asynchronous fuel injection is effected. The predetermined amount of fuel corresponds to the quantity of fuel to be supplied by the asynchronous fuel injection.

Abstract: An idling speed control system for controlling idling rotational speed of an internal combustion engine. A vacuum-operated actuator having a diaphragm defining a vacuum chamber controls opening and closing of a throttle valve in response to pressures suppliedfrom a change-over control valve to the vacuum chamber. The change-over control valve selectively supplies the vacuum chamber with a first control pressure for opening the throttle valve and a second control pressure for closing same. An electronic control unit generates an on-off control pulse signal having a pulse repetition period corresponding to rotational speed of the engine, one of on-period or off-period of the on-off control pulse signal having a predetermined constant value, and supplies the change-over control valve with the on-off control pulse signal.

Abstract: A method of effecting feedback control of the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine to a first predetermined value, by correcting a basic fuel supply quantity by the use of a correction coefficient variable in response to the output of an exhaust gas ingredient concentration sensor, when the engine is operating in a predetermined feedback control region. A predetermined engine low-load operating region outside the predetermined feedcback control region is defined by at least one parameter representing load on the engine. When the engine enters the predetermined low-load operating region, the correction coefficient is gradually decreased until the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture is increased to a second predetermined value leaner than the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine in response to operating conditions thereof. First and second groups of basic fuel quantity values are set beforehand as a function of a first engine operation parameter including at least the engine rotational speed, the basic fuel quantity values of the second group being each larger than a corresponding one of those of the first group for the same first engine operation parameter value. When it is determined from a detected second engine operation parameter value indicative of engine load that the engine is operating in a predetermined high load condition, one basic fuel quantity value of the second group is selected that corresponds to a detected first engine operation parameter value, and corrected by a fuel increment based upon a detected engine temperature value and the detected second engine operation parameter value. A fuel quantity is set on the basis of the corrected one basic fuel quantity and supplied to the engine.