Abstract: An electronic odo/trip meter for automobiles has a display for displaying a travel distance, a counter for enumerating the travel distance data, a non-volatile memory which is provided in the counter so as to prevent elimination of the travel distance data, and a control circuit which controls data transfer and includes a first detection circuit for detecting voltage-drop of a power supply and a second detection circuit for detecting resumption of the power supply. In the device according to the invention, the travel distance data of the counter can be stored in the non-volatile memory only when the first detection circuit detects a drop in the power supply, and the travel distance data of the non-volatile memory can be transferred into the counter only when the second detection circuit detects the resumption of the power supply.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder 2 cycle engine having n cylinders has fuel injected and ignited at (n-1).times.360/n crank angle intervals. This induces the situation wherein combustions occur in each cylinder at n-1 cycle intervals. This provides at least one piston stroke for each cylinder during in which no combustion takes place and fresh air is pumped through the combustion chamber in a manner to scavenge residual combustion gases therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling a vehicle speed to a desired cruise speed are disclosed in which a vehicle speed sensor which output an analog quantity corresponding to a current vehicle speed is provided, a vehicle speed determining circuit which derives the current vehicle speed on the basis of the analog quantity derived from the vehicle speed sensor and determines whether the derived current vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed above which the cruise speed control run is appropriate is furthermore provided independently of a control unit of the system. When the vehicle speed determining circuit outputs a determination signal indicating that the current vehicle speed is below the predetermined speed and the control unit outputs a predetermined control command signal, a power supply line connected to a throttle valve actuator is, at first, interrupted. Then, the power supply to the control unit is interrupted.

Abstract: A suspension control system for automotive vehicles automatically adjusts the damping strength of variable shock absorbers or other dampers in accordance with road surface conditions as recognized by frequency analysis of a vehicle height or vibration sensor signal. The sensor signal reflects vertical displacement of the vehicle body from the road surface and includes high-frequency components due solely to displacement of the wheels or unsprung mass relative to the road surface and low-frequency components due to displacement of the vehicle body or sprung mass. The sensor signal is filtered into these separate frequency bands, the amplitude of each of which is compared to a corresponding reference level.

Abstract: For use on automobiles, the invention provides a compact device for measuring the concentration of a nitrogen oxide in a combustion gas such as an exhaust gas of an internal combustion gas. The device has an ion pumping cell using an oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte to adjust the partial pressure of oxygen in a gas diffusion chamber and a sensor such as an oxygen concentration cell using a solid electrolyte to detect the partial pressure of oxygen in the chamber. The pumping cell or the concentration cell is provided with a catalyst which decomposes the nitrogen oxide in the diffusion chamber only when the partial pressure of coexisting oxygen is sufficiently low.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for a fuel tank includes a baffle frame formed with an opening and a baffle member installed in the opening. The baffle member is formed from a mass of synthetic resin strings which are joined collectively into a sponge-like structure.

Abstract: A vibration damping device disposed between a vibrating body such as an internal combustion engine and a base such as a vehicular chassis, comprises an accelerometer which is mounted on the vibrating body and detects an acceleration in the vertical direction of the vibrating body, and a control unit which controls the viscosity of rheopectic fluid within a flow restricting member disposed in the damping device in response to an acceleration signal from the accelerometer. The control unit operates in such a manner that, when the control unit receives an acceleration signal whose value is smaller than a preset value, voltage is applied to the electrodes disposed in the flow restricting member and as a result the dynamic damping effect is gained.

Abstract: Wall surfaces which define essentially circular recesses are constructed to deflect the flow of burning gases from a swirl chamber in a manner to either tighten the swirl formed therein or to improve the initial splitting of the frame in a manner which increases the amount of gases which are induced to undergo swirling in the recesses.

Abstract: An automatic air conditioning system for automotive vehicles with a variable displacement compressor comprises a sensor for detecting an intake air temperature, defined by a temperature of air flowing through an evaporator, placed just behind the evaporator, an intake pressure sensor for detecting an intake manifold pressure, and a CPU for determining whether the cooling requirements of the evaporator are satisfied on the basis of the intake air temperature compared to a predetermined value. The CPU controls the compressor in such a manner that the discharge volume of refrigerant discharged from the compressor is decreased only when the cooling requirements are met. Thus, the automatic air conditioning system prevents uncomfortably warm conditioned air from being discharged through a vent door under acceleration conditions.

Abstract: An air-bag device includes an air-bag proper mounted to a center pad of a steering wheel, the air-bag proper having therein upper and lower portions with respect to a condition wherein the air-bag proper is practically expanded; an inflator having gas blow openings exposed to the interior of the air-bag proper, the inflator generating gases which are to be blown into the air-bag proper through the gas blow openings; a trimmed cover covering the air-bag proper in a folded up condition; an ignitor for actuating the inflator to generate the gases; and a unique structure for restricting a flowing of the gases toward the upper part of the air-bag proper.

Abstract: An intake manifold for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine of the type wherein blow-by gas and/or EGR gas is supplied to engine cylinders. The intake manifold comprises a plurality of branch runners each of which has a flange section fixedly secured to a cylinder head of the engine. A rib section integrally bridges the flange sections of the adjacent branch runners and is formed therein with a gas passage through which blow-by gas or EGR gas flows. The gas passage is communicated with the intake air passages of the adjacent branch runners so that the blow-by gas or EGR gas is uniformly distributed into the adjacent branch runners.

Abstract: In order to facilitate rapid automatic set up and adjustment of a robotic assembly arrangement in a manner which produces the required precision, pre-recorded data and expert system software are teamed together and used to set robotic support jigs and move panels into position against the body they are to be attached to. The position of the panels is determined using a laser scanning technique and feedback control used to adjust the robots and associated hardware and move the panel or panels in the case there is a deviation beyond acceptable tolerances in a manner which either reduces or eliminates the deviation.

Abstract: A V-type engine includes first and second camshafts rotatably mounted to cylinder heads, respectively. A first chain drivingly interconnects a crankshaft and the first camshaft, whereas a second chain drivingly interconnects the crankshaft and the second camshaft. First and second tensioners provide the tensions to the first and second chains, respectively. For concealing the first and second chains, the engine has a cover formed with two openings positioned in accordance with the first and second tensioners.

Abstract: In a DOHC engine, a sprocket chamber is formed at the cylinder head at one end thereof, and formed with a lateral opening. A timing chain drivingly interconnects a crankshaft and an idler gear, whereas a camshaft driving chain drivingly interconnects the idler gear and a pair of cam sprockets. A first tensioner is mounted to a cylinder block for adjusting the tension of the timing chain, whereas a second tensioner is mounted to the sprocket chamber for adjusting the tension of the camshaft driving chain. There are provided means for defining an access to the first tensioner.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling a vehicle speed to a desired cruise speed are disclosed in which when the vehicle speed is reduced by a first predetermined value from a set and stored cruise speed at which the vehicle is cruising during the operation of the automatic cruise control, the gear range of a vehicular transmission is shifted down and simultaneously the set and stored cruise speed is updated to reduce the set and stored cruise speed by a second predetermined value so that the vehicle speed coincides with the updated cruise speed. In addition, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the gear range is shifted up and the updated cruise speed is returned to the original cruise speed.

Abstract: A plane patch antenna including patch and earth conductive plate members maintained in spaced-parallel relation to each other. A feeder shaft extends from the patch plate member for electrical connection of the patch plate member to a lead wire. The feeder shaft has a tapered portion extending from the patch plate member toward the earth plate member. The tapered portion has a cross-sectional area decreasing as going away from the patch plate member.

Abstract: A restrictive fluid passageway is defined between an outer sleeve and a bracket to provide fluid communication between a working chamber and a compensation chamber or two compensation chambers. In one embodiment, two compensating chambers are arranged outside of the outer sleeve. In another emboidment, one compensation chamber is arranged within the outer sleeve, and the outer sleeve is constituted by axially separated three sections, i.e., first and second sleeve sections and a spacer section interposed between the first and second sleeve sections. A resilient deformable member and flexible wall member has a pair of axially spaced sealing lips projecting outward from an outer circumferential surface. The sealing lips are interposed between matched ends of the first and second sleeve sections and the spacer section and sealingly contact an inner circumferential surface of the bracket.

Abstract: A protecting structure for a harness arranged over stationary and movable sides of a telescopic steering column comprises a flat, wide harness protector for protecting the harness. The harness protector includes a pair of openings opposing each other in its longitudinal direction to introduce the harness thereinto or to extract the harness therefrom. The harness protector is in itself constructed to telescopically move according to telescopic motion of the steering column when the harness protector is arranged over both of the stationary and movable sides of the steering column. The harness protector includes a harness guide provided midway therebetween for defining two branch harness passageways converged towards the openings to arrange the harness in such a manner as to branch the harness into two harness sections in its transverse direction, thereby allowing the two branched harness sections to move inwardly or outwardly in a transverse direction according to the telescopic motion of the steering column.

Abstract: A digital speedometer includes a pulse counter, a timing pulse generator, an indicator register, a display, and a comparator for comparing the magnitude relationship between a counted value counted by the pulse counter and the memorized value of the indicator register, two counters in addition to the pulse counter, and a plurality of logic circuits. The comparator generates signals indicative of the magnitude relationship between the counted value and the memorized value. The two counters may output a first or second gate signal respectively to the AND gate connected to the indicator register, in response to the signals output from the comparator at a predetermined time cycle depending upon the gate time controlled by the timing pulse generator, in such a manner so as to renew the memorized value with the counted value only when the number of occurrences of the output of the first or second signals reaches a preset number thereof.

Abstract: A rolling bearing arrangement for a turbocharger is comprised of a bearing housing relative to which a rolling bearing is supported. The rolling bearing is securely provided with an outer sleeve which is disposed to surround the periphery of the rolling bearing. The rolling bearing is supported through the outer sleeve on the bearing housing. A first annular space is defined between the outer sleeve and the inner periphery of the bearing housing. An oil inlet opening is opened at the inner periphery of the bearing housing so that lubricating oil is supplied through the oil inlet opening to the first annular space. An oil film damper clearance is formed between the outer sleeve and the bearing housing inner periphery and located adjacent the first annular space in the axial direction of the outer sleeve so that the entire flow of lubricating oil supplied to the first annular space passes through the oil film damper clearance.