Abstract: An electronic volume device of an invention includes a common volume I/O 371 for receiving an i-th common volume level Dcom[i] (i=1 to N) on a common scale of N steps, a volume converter 373 for converting the Dcom[i] into a j-th unique volume level Dvol[j] on a unique scale of n steps; and a volume controller 372 for controlling an electronic volume based on the unique volume. The volume converter 373 includes a volume memory for storing an offset between the Dcom[i] and the Dvol [j] and a volume controller that controls at least one of the Dvol[j] and the offset such that the received Dcom agrees with the sum of the Dvol[j] and the offset and controls the Dvol[j] on a higher priority than the offset.

Abstract: A trim operating lever device is disclosed which can downwardly or vertically swing a nozzle capable of adjusting the jet direction of jet water. When the trim operating lever is gripped with a finger of the hand which is gripping the steering handle, a lever of the lever lock means can be substantially simultaneously operated with the finger, to effect locking. Therefore, the number of operations by the left hand necessary for swinging the nozzle is reduced. Also, because the trim operating lever makes it possible to enlarge the operating force, the nozzle can be swung quickly.

Abstract: A current detector used in a control system for controlling a motor for driving a vehicle is disclosed, which does not require an especially accurate power circuit, and an accurate measurement result can be obtained by using a cheap power circuit whose accuracy is relatively low. The current detector comprises a detector for outputting a voltage corresponding to a target current, wherein the detector has a current detecting element for detecting the target current; an amplifier for amplifying and outputting the output from the detector; an analog-digital converter for converting the output from the amplifier to a digital data; and a power circuit for supplying an output voltage to both the detector and the analog-digital converter.

Abstract: In an electric parking lock device having a motor for generating a drive force for engagement and release of a parking lock pawl from a parking lock gear in response to a command output from a selector switch. A compression spring if used for applying a force so as to release the parking lock pawl from the parking lock gear. A shift arm is provided on a side which is closer to an input end of the parking lock pawl than to the compression spring, whereby when driving of the parking lock pawl in a lock releasing direction is effected, the motor side and the parking lock pawl side are connected directly, while when driving the parking lock pawl in a lock effecting direction, the compression spring is interposed between the motor side and the parking lock pawl, so that a manual lock release operation can be performed within a range where the compression spring is allowed to be deflected irrespective of the state of the motor.

Abstract: A humidification system for a fuel cell includes a humidifier having a bundled plurality of tube type hollow thread members made of a water permeable membrane. The humidifier transfers a water content contained in a discharge gas, which is emitted from a fuel cell, to a supply gas, which is supplied to the fuel cell, when one of the discharge gas and the supply gas is passed through the inside of the tube type hollow thread members and the other one of the discharge gas and the supply gas is passed through between the tube type hollow thread members. Manometers P1, P2, P3, and P4 detect a difference in pressure of the supply gas and the discharge gas, respectively, between an upper stream side and a down stream side of the humidifier. A determination unit determines a generation of clogging in the humidifier based on detection signals from the manometers.

Abstract: After confirmation that a user is an authorized user by bringing a user certification into proximity to a user discrimination device, following the guidance of a touch panel display device, a desired two wheeled electric vehicle is selected. A key is retrieved from a key supply device, and a battery is retrieved from a battery supply device. Thereafter, the battery is installed in the two wheeled vehicle in a parking apparatus, and using the key, the two wheeled electric vehicle is unlocked and used.

Abstract: A plurality of shift control valves for independently controlling the supply of hydraulic oil to, and the discharge thereof from, a plurality of hydraulic engaging elements are divided into a first group of shift control valves which establish a predetermined-speed transmission train and a second group of shift control valves corresponding to the other hydraulic engaging elements. A fail-safe valve is interposed between an oil supply passage which is connected to a hydraulic pressure source and the second group of speed change control valves. The fail-safe valve is switched to a closed position in a condition in which the hydraulic oil is supplied to all of such plurality of hydraulic engaging elements as are not to be engaged at the same time, whereby the oil supply passage is connected only to the first group of shift control valves. Each of the first group of shift control valves is provided with an oil chamber for urging it toward an oil supply position.

Abstract: A flange portion formed on an inner periphery of a flywheel is facet-fitted to an end of a crankshaft. A spline piece is facet-fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the flywheel. The flange portion of the flywheel and a flange portion of the spline piece are commonly fastened to the end of the crankshaft by bolts. An upper end of a driving shaft is spline-fitted at a point into a driving shaft coupled portion of the spline piece which is accommodated in an internal hole in the crankshaft. Thus, in coaxially coupling the flywheel and the driving shaft to the end of the crankshaft, it is possible to make such a coupled area compact and to reduce vibration by an accurate centering thereof.

Abstract: An upper intake pipe and a lower intake pipe interconnecting a left bank and a throttle body are disposed along a left side of a V-shaped multi-cylinder engine having a vertically placed crankshaft. The lower intake pipe is disposed by utilizing a waste space which is defined between a starter motor and an oil filter, while the oil filter is disposed by utilizing a waste space which is defined between the upper and lower intake pipes. Thus, it is possible to rationally dispose the intake pipes and other auxiliaries on a side of an engine block to reduce the size of the engine for the outboard engine system.

Abstract: A device capable of suction-adhering to a surface and moving therealong includes a pressure receiver, a partitioning device mounted on the pressure receiver and defining a pressure reduction space in cooperation with the pressure receiver and the surface, and a pressure reducing device for discharging a fluid from the pressure reduction space to decrease the pressure inside the pressure reduction space. The partitioning device includes a lip portion extending along the surface. A plurality of contacting devices are disposed at intervals at the part other than the outer peripheral edge portion in that opposing face of the lip portion of the partitioning device which is located opposite to the surface. The outer peripheral edge portion in the opposing face of the lip portion is brought into contact with the surface. At the same time, at the part other than the outer peripheral edge portion in the opposing face of the lip portion, the contacting devices are brought into contact with the surface.

Abstract: A misfire-detecting system detects a misfire occurring in an internal combustion engine. A value of sparking voltage for discharging a spark plug of the engine is detected. A differentiating circuit differentiates the detected value of the sparking voltage. A misfire-determining circuit compares the differential value of the sparking voltage with a predetermined value, and determines, based upon a result of the comparison, whether a misfire has occurred in the engine.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler for an internal combustion engine including an outer shell containing two halves made of synthetic resin material, a metallic inner pipe extending through the parting plane between the two halves via a tubular extension extending integrally from the two halves, and an outer sleeve which is fitted onto the tubular extension, preferably by using a bayonet mount structure, for securely joining the two halves at its one end and forming an air-tight seal in cooperation with the part of the inner pipe extending out of the tubular extension at its other end. An arrangement is provided for accommodating a relative displacement between the other end of the outer sleeve and the inner pipe for avoiding the generation of thermal stress due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the outer shell and the inner pipe made of different materials.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering device in a four-wheel-steerable vehicle includes a rod member having opposite ends coupled to tie rods for turning rear wheels, an electric motor, and a screw mechanism for converting rotation of the electric motor to axial motion of the rod member. The stator and rotor of the electric motor are disposed coaxially with the rod member, the motor and the screw mechanism being juxtaposed with respect to each other in the axial direction of the rod member. The screw mechanism comprises a threaded portion on the rod member and a nut engaging the threaded portion, the nut being axially pre-loaded.

Abstract: An automatic transmission comprising a planetary gear mechanism having a first gear driven from a drive shaft, a second gear engagable with the first gear to transmit speed change output to a driven shaft, and a third gear engagable with the second gear to control the operation thereof. A centrifugally operated clutch operates to directly connect the first gear and second gear when the rotational speed of the driven shaft exceeds a predetermined value, and a ratchet type one-way clutch is disposed between the third gear and a fixed construction member to permit rotation of the third gear in the same direction as that of said drive shaft but prevent rotation in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A four wheel drive vehicle with an anti-lock braking system comprising front and rear axles coupled together by a power transmission assembly capable of transmitting the braking force acting upon the front wheels to the rear wheels. A power unit is drivingly connected to the power transmission assembly. A hydraulic braking system controls the hydraulic pressure applied to each wheel brake and an anti-lock control system controls the hydraulic braking pressure such that the braking pressure is reduced when a wheel is about to become locked. The anti-lock control system includes a front wheel control section to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the front wheel brakes and a rear wheel control section to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the rear wheel brakes. The front wheel and rear wheel control sections are connected so that in cases where the braking force acting upon the front wheels is transmitted to the rear wheels, i.e.