Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the amount of slip of a lock-up clutch between pump and turbine impeller of a torque converter or other fluid-filled power transmitting device in a motor vehicle, the lock-up clutch including a piston which is operated by a pressure difference between pressures in two oil chambers on the opposite sides of the piston, and the apparatus including a slip control device for controlling the lock-up clutch according to a slip control output such that the actual slip of the lock-up clutch coincides with a target slip speed, and an output oscillating device for oscillating the slip control output to oscillate the pressure difference without vibrating the piston.

Abstract: A control system for a shift-by-wire automatic transmission, comprises: a first range changing valve for having an input port switched to communicate with a first output port and a second output port; a second range changing valve for causing the first input port connected with the first output port to communicate with two range ports selectively and for causing a second input port connected with the second output port to communicate with at least another of the range ports selectively; and a drive mechanism for switching and operating the first and second range changing valves. Further comprised are: a fail detector for detecting a failure that either of the first range changing valve and the second range changing valve fails to be switched; and a fail controller for outputting an instruction signal to the drive mechanism to change the range by actuating the switchable one of the range changing valves if the fail detector detects the failure.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission according to the present invention, a coast brake cutoff valve is arranged between a range-pressure-producing manual valve and shift valves and, when changed over, selectively feeds oil to hydraulic engine brake servomotors. An engine brake solenoid valve is on/off controlled by a shifting output signal from a CPU, whereby the coast brake cutoff valve is selectively changed over. A lockout valve is arranged between the coast brake cutoff valve and the manual valve and is connected to one of shifting solenoid valves. The automatic transmission can therefore be operated without trouble even when an electrical problem occurs in the shifting solenoid valves and/or the engine brake solenoid valve.

Abstract: A vortex gasket for automotive exhaust system, preferably used with a special flange having a conical seal surface, is formed by spirally overlaying a metal hoop (2) of flat strip, and an inorganic filler (3) of tape form, and annularly spot welding a winding start portion (2a) and a winding end portion (2b) of the hoop (2) to itself. The tape form of the inorganic filler is wider than the flat strip of the metal hoop so that edges of the inorganic filler form seal contact surfaces spaced beyond edges of the metal hoop. When an external force is applied in the axial direction, slipping occurs between the hoop (2) and the filler (3), and the gasket is telescopically deformed in the axial direction, so that the seal contact surfaces 1a, 1b, at sides of the gasket, are formed in a conical shape.

Abstract: A structure of a side portion of a vehicle body having a side outer panel in which a side sill outer member and a pillar outer member are integrally formed. A first enclosed cross-sectional member is formed by a connecting of a side sill inner member and a side sill reinforcing member. Further, the first enclosed cross-sectional member has first connecting members which are formed by a connecting of the side sill reinforcing member and the side sill inner member. A second enclosed cross-sectional member is formed by a connecting of the side sill outer member and the side sill reinforcing member. Moreover, the second enclosed cross-sectional member has second connecting members which are formed by a connecting of the side sill outer member and the side sill reinforcing member. The second connecting members are located outwardly of the first connecting members in the transverse direction of the vehicle body and are apart from the first connecting members.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control apparatus constructed, in an engine of a type storing evaporated fuel generated in a fuel tank in a canister and thereafter drawing off the evaporated fuel to an intake side of an engine through a bleedoff passage, so as to inhibit renewal of an air-fuel ratio learning value when the evaporated fuel concentration is at a predetermined value or higher in case of learning and renewal of an air-fuel ratio in order to make feedback control of the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine. In an apparatus which adsorbs evaporated fuel generated in a fuel tank in a canister and purges the evaporated fuel adsorbed in the canister to an intake side of an internal combustion engine together with air through a purge valve, an air-fuel ratio learning value is renewed in accordance with a deviation between an air-fuel ratio feedback FAF value detected by an oxygen sensor and a FAFSM value obtained by smoothing the FAF value with a large smoothing constant.

Abstract: End portions of elastic fibers are fixed to a holder plate as well as a holder cover constituting a seat surface of a vehicle seat, thereby spanning the elastic fibers. A net-shaped seat portion is thus formed of the elastic fibers. The holder plate and the holder cover are suspended on the elastic fibers in the upper-diagonal direction. The elastic fibers thus strained are overlaid with urethane foam, and a cushion member is formed by a urethane pad. Meanwhile, the holder cover is pulled by a spring in the lower-diagonal direction so as to impart an initial tensile force to the elastic fibers, whereby deflections are eliminated. When an occupant's weight acts on the vehicle seat with the above construction, the vehicle seat deflects downward, with a predetermined deflection curve being drawn. However, both end portions of the elastic fibers are suspended on the elastic fibers in the upper-diagonal direction.

Abstract: A window assembly for a motor vehicle door wherein the outer surface of the window and the outer surface of the door frame are substantially flush with each other. The assembly includes a window pane with at least one bracket secured to the outer surface of an end of the pane and projecting outwardly from that end in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the glass. The assembly also includes a door frame having a vertically positioned guide portion with a guide groove open in the direction of the window pane. A slide piece is secured to the end of the bracket opposite the end secured to the pane and is slidably engaged within the guide groove so that the outer surface of the guide portion is substantially flush with the window pane and the window pane is guided in the vertical direction. Finally, there is a weather strip between the window pane and the door frame which is positioned at the vehicle compartment side of the guide portion.