Abstract: A control valve includes valve elements relatively displaceable in response to a predetermined variable (e.g., a steering torque) to define therebetween two parallel fluid flow paths connected between a fluid source and a fluid reservoir to produce pressure difference in a power cylinder. The control valve comprises a bypass path provided with a variable flow orifice that has an orifice area variable in response to said predetermined variable and an externally controlled variable flow orifice valve that has an orifice area variable in response to a second predetermined variable which is different from the first predetermined variable.

Abstract: A system for automatically controlling a vehicle speed to a desired cruising speed and method therefor are disclosed in which a controlled variable for an actuator for actuating a vehicular engine output to run the vehicle at the desired cruising speed is set using input and output membership functions for deriving an optimum operating variable of the actuator in a fuzzy estimation on the basis of input information on vehicle speed and a target cruising speed, the membership functions being stored in a memory and being correctable on the basis of the input information on the vehicle speed, change rates (control deviation, first-order difference, and second-order difference) of the vehicle speed, and set controlled variable, so that the vehicle speed conincides with the target cruising speed without reduction of control accuracy and without occurrence of overshooting of the controlled variable.

Abstract: An anti-skid brake control system detects wheel acceleration greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set greater than an acceleration threshold which is used for switching operational mode from braking pressure decreasing mode (RELEASE mode) to decreased pressure hold mode (HOLD mode). When the wheel acceleration greater than the predetermined value is detected, the control system provide a delay time for projecting an estimated vehicle speed which is derived on the basis of wheel speed at which a predetermined wheel deceleration is obtained, which estimated vehicle speed is used for deriving a target wheel speed and defines a switching criteria for switching operational mode from braking pressure holding mode for holding brake pressure at decreased level to braking pressure application mode (APPLICATION mode) to increase the braking pressure.

Abstract: A watchdog timer works in concert with special computer program features to monitor program execution and reset the computer in case of malfunction. The computer CPU is programmed to periodically output one of an alternating pair of values to a register which holds the value for a comparator. The output value is compared to a predetermined value equal to one of the alternating output value. When the compared values are equal, the comparator outputs a reset signal to a counter. The counter counts clock pulses and if it counts to its full capacity before being reset by the comparator output, it outputs a reset signal which causes the computer to restart program execution. A second comparator may be provided to compare the alternating values to a reference value equal to the other values. Thus the comparators check for proper output of both signals and reset the counter only in response to receipt of both values.

Abstract: A control system for an automotive suspension system and a power steering system employs a steering operation pattern as a parameter representative of the vehicle traveling condition and vehicular driving characteristics. The control system performs selection of control modes or control characteristics based on the vehicle traveling condition and vehicle driving characteristics.

Abstract: A vibration damping insulator for supporting a structural member on a vehicle chassis. The insulator comprises a first tubular member connected to said structural member, a second tubular member disposed coaxially within the first tubular member and connected to the vehicle chassis, a first elastomeric body interconnecting the first and second tubular members and arranged to undergo shear when the tubular members are displace in one direction and compression when the tubular members are displaced in a second direction relative to each other, a stiffening plate disposed in the first elastomeric body between the first and second tubular members, a vibratable mass, and a second elastomeric body separate from the first elastomeric body and interconnecting the vibratable mass and one of the tubular members. The second elastomeric body and the vibratable mass define a dynamic damper having a resonance characteristic which suppresses transmission of vibration from the structural member to the chassis.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling a vehicle speed to a desired cruise speed are disclosed in which when a vehicular running resistance is derived on the basis of an engine torque and change rate of the vehicle speed with time, the engine torque being derived on the basis of an engine revolutional speed and engine load, a predetermined factor determining the running resistance is derived on the basis of the running resistance. In addition, an absolute value of a difference of the predetermined factor from a previous predetermined factor derived one predetermined calculation period before is compared with a predetermined threshold value, a zero engine driving force command is outputted to an actuator of an engine driving force adjustng mechanism so that the engine driving force adjusting mechanism is actuated to zero the engine driving force to recover gripping forces of drive wheels when the absolute value of the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A system for reproducing stereophonic sound signals to create an appropriate audio sound ambience in various compartments having different reverberation characteristics. The system includes a right-hand loudspeaker for producing a right-channel sound signal, left-hand loudspeaker for producing a left-channel sound signal, and a center loudspeaker for producing a signal derived from a combination of right and left signals. The center loudspeaker generates a sound output of a signal having a predetermined lag time relative to that of the right- and left-speakers to create the suitable audio ambience effect for a listener in accordance with the reverberation characteristics of the compartment.

Abstract: To facilitate program control modification and troubleshooting in a sequence control system in spite of simple processing programs, sequence control processes are linked in a chain fashion. A unit process for activating an actuation member in both forward and reverse directions forms a ring so as to be activated in sequence cyclically, and these unit process rings are linked between an actuation start side activator for the present process and an actuation end side activator for the preceding process, both activated simultaneously whenever one of them is activated. Therefore, any process can be stopped at, restarted and reversed from any process steps in both the forward and reverse directions through the linked actuation start and end side activators, after the automatic operation has been switched to the manual operation or vice versa.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling a vehicle speed to a desired cruise speed are disclosed in which an opening angle of a first throttle valve is adjusted so that the vehicle speed coincides with a target vehicle speed at which the vehicle cruises. The cruise control for the vehicle speed through the first throttle valve is inhibited when an occurrence of a slip on a drive wheel is detected and a traction control by means of a traction controlling system such that a driving force of the vehicle is reduced through a second throttle valve disposed in series with the first throttle valve in an engine intake air passage is executed so that an effective traction control can be achieved without interference of both systems when the vehicle enters on a road surface having a very low friction coefficient.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling ignition timing for a vehicular internal combustion engine in which when the engine is transferred to a transient operating state (accelerated or decelerated), a correction for the basic ignition timing determined according to engine operating conditions is reversed depending on whether the basic ignition timing advance angle exceeds a MBT (Minimum advance for a Best Torque) ignition timing angle such that, on condition that the basic ignition advance angle exceeds the MBT ignition timing angle, the basic ignition timing advance angle is advanced when the engine rotational speed is increased and is retarded when the engine rotational speed is decreased, thus suppressing the generation of shuddering vibrations generated by the engine.

Abstract: A system for controlling the steering angle of the rear steerable wheels of a vehicle senses the front wheel steering angle, the vehicle speed and a manually selected mode signal for a new mode of two driving modes. A microcomputer containing models for the two modes determines a target yaw rate for the selected mode from which is calculated a target rear wheel steering angle to control rear wheel steering. However, the system is prevented from calculating a steering angle for the new mode when it would cause an unsafe abrupt change in vehicle behavior as when the rear wheel steering angle is not nearly zero which is equivalent to the sensed front steering angle, the target yaw rate and the lateral acceleration all being nearly zero.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling fuel combustion for an internal combustion engine in which one of a plurality of maps representing basic control values derived according to the engine operating condition which corresponds to fuel having a high octane number is first and always selected and used for combustion control at an initial state of the engine whenever the engine is started. When the engine is transferred into a predetermined area of the engine operating condition during the use of the map, the ignition timing angle is retarded by a retardation amount upon detection of occurrence of engine knocking and the map is switched to another map which corresponds to fuel having a low octane number. A control value (e.g., ignition timing angle value) is set which controls the combustion state and a parameter associated with the engine combustion state is operated to control the combustion state on the basis of the control value.

Abstract: A vehicular height regulating system monitors a vehicular height level. The monitored height level is compared with upper and lower criteria which are higher than and lower than a predetermined target height level in a given magnitude. The system generally performs height adjustment for rising or lowering the actual vehicular height when the monitored vehicular height is out of a target height range defined by the upper and lower criteria. The system also monitors an a preselected vehicular driving parameter which reflects vehicular running condition. The system adjusts the upper and lower criteria depending upon the monitored vehicular driving parameter.

Abstract: A proportioning valve assembly employs an electromagnetic acuator, such as a proportioning solenoid, associated with a driver circuit. The driver circuit is provided a lead phase circuit for providing a lead phase in supplying a supply current for controlling the valve position of the proportioning valve. Providing appropriate lead time reduces necessity of high gain in attitude change suppression mode operation. Therefore, the response characteristics in pressure adjustment in the shock absorbing mode operation, can be prevented from falling an excessive level.

Abstract: An actively controlled suspension system which can perform precise control of suspension characteristics with satisfactory compensation of phase delay caused in a control system. The actively controlled suspension system which can successfully avoid influence of the shifting of the gravity center of a vehicle body caused by a variation of load on the vehicle. The actively controlled suspension system employs more than one lateral acceleration sensor which are oriented at axially or longitudinally shifted positions to each other. Based on the outputs of respective lateral acceleration sensors, anti-rolling suspension control signals are produced for controlling suspension characteristics of the left- and right-sides of a suspension system.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an engine knocking for an internal combustion engine are disclosed in which an amplification factor of a voltage amplifier for amplifying a knock detection signal derived from a corresponding pressure-responsive sensor is changed according to a fuel characteristic, i.e., octane number of the fuel used for the engine.

Abstract: A knee protector is used in an automotive vehicle equipped with an instrument panel and a steering column which detaches from a mounting portion so as to absorb energy applied to a steering wheel connected to the steering column. The knee protector is arranged within the instrument panel at a location neighboring the steering column and is fixed to the instrument panel. The knee protector has a pair of ribs which extend in a direction essentially perpendicular to the axis of the steering column. The ribs project from one surface of the knee protector and are recessed in the other surface thereof. The ribs serve to reinforce the knee protector and to make deformation of the knee protector easy when a load is applied to the steering wheel in the direction of the axis of the steering column. The knee protector is made of a material which is deformed to absorb impact energy when impact force is applied to the knee protector body.

Abstract: A suspension control system detects acceleration exerted on the vehicular body and close to a predetermined critical value. When the acceleration greater than the predetermined critical value, total stiffness of the suspension system is adjusted to be smaller value to allow attitude change of the vehicle body in a predetermined magnitude. Therefore, rolling or pitching is caused as a sign that traction of the suspension tends to break. This makes a driver to recognize that the vehicular driving condition is near the critical condition.

Abstract: A transmission control system for automobiles having an automatic transmission comprises a hydraulic control circuit including a plurality of valves for locking a gear train itself by engaging a predetermined combination of frictional elements in the gear train upon detecting conditions which would result in sudden acceleration of the vehicle, only when the vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined value. The transmission control system of the invention reliably functions as a safety device for preventing unintended sudden acceleration of the vehicle.