Abstract: In an apparatus producing hydrogen gas by the decomposition reaction of water using photocatalyst, its miniaturization is achieved while suppressing the decrease of production efficiency of hydrogen gas as low as possible or improving the efficiency. The apparatus 1 comprises a container portion 2 receiving water W; a photocatalyst member 3 immersed in the water, having photocatalyst which generates excited electrons and positive holes when irradiated with light, causes a decomposition reaction of the water and generates hydrogen gas; a light source 4 emitting the light irradiated to the photocatalyst member; and a heat exchange device 7 conducting waste heat of the light source to the water in the container portion; wherein the water to be decomposed on the photocatalyst member in the container portion is warmed by the waste heat of the light source by the heat exchange device.

Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting device includes a light source which is installed at an end of an instrument panel of a vehicle. Light emitted from the light source propagates from the instrument panel toward a door panel, and is projected on a surface of a door trim of the door panel. A decorative pattern element is installed on a light emitting side of the light source. As light from the light source passes through the decorative pattern element, the light can create a pattern on a surface of the door trim. Because the light source is installed on the instrument panel spaced from the door trim rather than on the door trim itself, light can be projected on a large area of the door trim. Furthermore, an impressive feature of a decorative pattern which changes in accordance with a door opening angle can be achieved.

Abstract: A control device is configured to control an engine to be started and stopped such that when a hybrid vehicle is required to output a vehicular required power smaller than an engine starting threshold value the control device operates to stop the engine and use only a motor generator to cause the vehicle to travel and when the vehicular required power exceeds the threshold value the control device operates to start the engine and use both the engine and the motor generator to cause the vehicle to travel. The engine starting threshold value is set to be higher when at least one of an amount of lifting the intake valve and a working angle on the intake valve controlled by a VVL device provided to the engine is small than when at least one of the amount and the angle is large.

Abstract: If an amount of fuel is not increased and a direct injection air-fuel ratio learning has not been completed, fuel injection from a port fuel injection valve is stopped without executing EGR, fuel injection control is executed such that the fuel injection occurs only from an in-cylinder fuel injection valve, and the direct injection air-fuel ratio learning is executed. If the amount of the fuel is increased, the fuel injection from the port fuel injection valve is stopped without executing EGR and air-fuel ratio feedback control, and an engine and an EGR valve are controlled such that fuel injection occurs only from the in-cylinder fuel injection valve.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a charging unit for externally charging a power storage unit with electric power received from an external power supply, and an electric power generation unit capable of generating electric power from drive force received from an engine. The power storage unit is configured to be internally chargeable with electric power received from the electric power generation unit. The vehicle travels in selected one of EV priority mode restricting internal charging of the power storage unit and HV priority mode controlling internal charging such that a state of charge of the power storage unit is kept within a predetermined range. When a predetermined operating condition is satisfied while the vehicle is traveling, a control apparatus generates an operation request to the engine. The control apparatus changes the operating condition of the engine depending on whether the mode is EV priority mode or HV priority mode.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating journey destinations is disclosed. The system comprises a conversion module, a frequency module, a metric module, a quality module and a summary module. The conversion module converts a set of driver history data to a set of learning parameters. The frequency module analyzes the set of learning parameters and current journey data to generate estimated journey data describing one or more potential journeys. The metric module analyzes the estimated journey data and the set of current status data to determine one or more metrics associated with the estimated journey data. The quality module determines one or more quality scores associated with the estimated journey data. The summary module determines one or more status summaries and one or more estimate summaries. The summary module associates the one or more status summaries and the one or more estimate summaries with the estimated journey data.

Abstract: In a vehicle remote operating system remotely operating a host vehicle VM from a portable terminal 200, a main control unit 112 of an ECU 110 of an in-vehicle device 100 determines an dispatch position of the host vehicle VM on the basis of a parking position of the host vehicle VM and a position of a user U who intends to board the host vehicle VM. Due to this, it becomes possible to dispatch the host vehicle VM according to the parking position of the host vehicle VM and the position of the user U, and convenience is improved in dispatch operation and boarding of the host vehicle VM.

Abstract: A discharge device for a vehicle includes a discharging circuit that connects a second capacitor and a discharging resistor in parallel through activation of a forced connection device. When a collision of the vehicle is detected, the discharge device forcibly stops electricity supply from the storage battery to the electric circuit including the second capacitor, and activates the forced connection device to forcibly discharge the second capacitor. A pair of connecting terminals of the forced connection device are arranged to be pressed against each other with an insulating member disposed therebetween. The forced connection device includes a gas generator for generating combustion gas directed to the insulating member. When an abnormality is detected, the forced connection device short-circuits the connecting terminals with each other through activation of the gas generator. The second capacitor and the discharge device are provided integrally.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is equipped with an outside air introduction assembly 104 functioning to introduce the outside air into a radiator 92 in an engine cooling system during driving, as well as with an outside air introduction assembly 114 functioning to introduce the outside air into an engine 22 during driving. The motor vehicle is also equipped with shutter plates 106 capable of regulating the amount of the outside air to be introduced by the outside air introduction assembly 104, as well as with shutter plates 116 capable of regulating the amount of the outside air to be introduced by the outside air introduction assembly 114.

Abstract: A precision machining apparatus and a precision machining method capable of carrying out grinding with accuracy by performing switching control, for example, on a device for rotating a grinding wheel according to grinding stages through the amount of movement and constant pressure changed stepwise. To a second pedestal 3 supporting a rotary device 6b for rotating a grinding wheel b, an actuator 5 and a feed screw mechanism 4 constituted by at least a feed screw 41 and a nut 42 are attached. In a rough grinding stage, the movement of the rotary device 6b and the second pedestal 3 is adjusted through a predetermined amount of movement of the nut 42. In a super-precision grinding stage, the movement of the rotary device 6b and the second pedestal 3 is adjusted by pressure control using stepwise a plurality of pneumatic actuators 5a, 5b differing in pressure performance. An attitude control device 7 is interposed between a first pedestal 2 and a rotary device 6a for rotating an object a to be ground.

Abstract: A retaining tube having a substantially equilateral hexagonal shape is accommodated in an accommodation recess formed in a bottom frame of a seat rest. An inflator serving as a gas generation source is accommodated in the retaining tube. The retaining tube is contained in an air bag made of cloth. The inflator is cylindrical and fastened by screws to the bottom wall of the accommodation recess. A support surface, which is one of the six planes configuring the peripheral surface of the retaining tube, extends parallel to the upper surface of the support wall. The support surface is arranged at a position slightly lower than the upper surface. The support surface faces the lower surface of the seat cushion.

Abstract: An inverter unit for vehicle (20) is formed in such a manner that a capacitor module (40) is stacked on the upper portions of a main inverter circuit module (32) and a sub inverter circuit module (34) so as to connect the corresponding external terminals by a bolt (66). Here, by matching a positive electrode terminal (44) and a negative electrode terminal (46) of the capacitor module (40) with a positive side electrode terminal (45) and a negative side electrode terminal (47) of the main inverter circuit module (32), and at the same time by matching a positive electrode terminal (48) and a negative electrode terminal (50) of the capacitor module (40) with a positive side electrode terminal (49) and a negative side electrode terminal (51) of the sub inverter circuit module (34), responsible terminals are connected with this bolt (66) each other.

Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery having a battery case made of a plurality of prismatic cell cases coupled together via partition walls, electrode plate groups, and collectors bonded to lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate groups. In at least one side wall of the battery case is formed openings at locations corresponding to the partition walls such as to open to the cell cases on both sides of the partition walls. Pairs of conductive connection plates are connected to each other through the partition walls and formed with connection pieces that face the openings. The collectors are connected together via the conductive connection plates, i.e., they are connected to the connection pieces after the electrode plate groups are encased in the cell cases, and the openings are sealed by sealing plates in a manner that separates the cell cases.

Abstract: A power supply system includes a fuel cell and a battery connected in parallel. A DC-DC converter is connected to the battery. A maximum output ratio of the fuel cell and the battery is set to be in a range where the output of the fuel cell is within 65 to 80% of the total output. Accordingly, electric power loss owing to conversion performed by the DC-DC converter is reduced to achieve a high energy efficiency.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a buried gate-type semiconductor device in which its gate interval is minimized so as to improve channel concentration thereby realizing low ON-resistance, voltage-resistance depression due to convergence of electrical fields in the vicinity of the bottom of the gate is prevented and further prevention of voltage-resistance depression and OFF characteristic are achieved at the same time. A plurality of gate electrodes 106 each having a rectangular section are disposed in its plan section. The interval 106T between the long sides of the gate electrodes 106 is made shorter than the interval 106S between the short sides thereof. Further, a belt-like contact opening 108 is provided between the short sides of the gate electrode 106, so that P+ source region 100 and N+ source region 104 are in contact with a source electrode.

Abstract: When the absolute values of the negative voltage V− and the positive voltage V+ of a rectangular wave to be applied to the three phase coils of the motor driven using a rectangular-waved voltage are different, time T1 and time T2 for the rectangular wave are adjusted such that the area A representing the absolute value of a time integration value of the negative voltage V− and the area B representing the absolute value of a time integration value of the positive voltage V+ becomes equal to each other. With this adjustment, the average voltage of the rectangular wave becomes of value 0, so that a DC component current is prevented from flowing into the three phase coils of the motor.

Abstract: A flexible lustered product used in automobiles. The flexible lustered product includes a base material made of resin. A base coat layer is formed on at least a portion of a surface of the base material by applying a coating. The base coat layer has a glass transition point that is at least −30° C. and at most 0° C. The base coat layer includes a silane coupling agent having a mercapto group. A metal film layer is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the base coat layer. The metal film layer is anticorrosive and has a thickness that is at least 150 Å and at most 800 Å. The metal film layer is formed by a plurality of metal particles disposed in contact with one another so as to define a grain boundary between adjacent metal particles. A top coat layer is formed on at least a portion of a surface of the metal film layer by applying a coating.

Abstract: In a state where a gas barrier sheet (10) having a gas barrier layer is held between a heat plate (12) and a pressing plate, the gas barrier sheet is disposed between two molds together with a sub tank (44) and a separator (46) constituting attachment parts, the molds are then closed and a resin is injection-molded forming a resin layer (36). A method for manufacturing a resin container by melt-adhering an intermediate molded product (38) and another intermediate molded product (38) constituting a pair therewith by heating with a heat plate (12) thereafter, and a resin container manufactured by this manufacturing method.

Abstract: In a gearshift control apparatus for an automatic transmission wherein the torque capacity of a release side clutch is gradually lowered, and the torque capacity of an engagement side clutch is gradually raised, whereby the release side clutch and the engagement side clutch are changed-over to effect a clutch-to-clutch gearshift; control means issues two control commands to the engagement side hydraulic control mechanism in a term which extends until an inertia phase begins since start of the gearshift control. A first hydraulic pressure command (D1) is issued for a predetermined time period. The first hydraulic pressure command (D1) is variable for adjusting the timing of the changeover between the clutches. The second hydraulic pressure command (D2) succeeding the first one is issued until the inertia phase begins. The second hydraulic pressure command is variable for adjusting the torque capacity of the engagement side clutch at the changeover.

Abstract: A steel for machine structural use which realizes excellent fracture splitability and fatigue strength in its as-hot forged formed articles, and which comprises, based on weight, 0.2 to less than 0.35% of C, 0.1 to 1.1% of Si, 0.1 to less than 0.3% of Mn, 0.01 to 0.2% of P, 0.01 to 0.2% of S, greater than 0.2 to 0.5% of V, 0.01 to 0.1% of Ti, 0.005 to 0.02% of N and the balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities. The steel further comprises, if necessary, one or at least two of the following elements in the following amount or amounts: 0.005 to 0.05% of Al and/or 0.05 to 0.5% of Nb, 0.1 to 0.5% of Cr and 0.1 to 0.5% of Mo.