Abstract: It is objective of the invention to provide a highly reliable control apparatus and method which reduces the amount of calculation required for both learning of an input/output relationship and actual control as well as prevent inappropriate outputs from being generated for inputs which have been never learned. According to one aspect of the invention, pairs of an input pattern vector for learning and a target output are distributed to a class based on the target output. Then, a correspondence between each element of the input pattern vector for learning and the target output is learned only in that class, and a distribution function is calculated for distributing a new input pattern vector for learning to that class. After the completion of this learning, the distribution function is used to determine which class a new input pattern vector detected by a sensor belongs to. Finally, an output is calculated according to the learning result of that class.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stacked body, a negative and positive terminal plates stacked on opposite ends of the stacked body, insulators disposed outside the terminal plates, and the end plates disposed outside the end plates. The insulator includes a first insulator plate, a second insulator plate, and a third insulator plate. Bypass passages are formed on the first insulator plate and the third insulator plate for discharging water in an oxygen-containing gas and water in a fuel gas.

Abstract: A memory rewriting system for a vehicle controller is provided. The system comprises a vehicle controller and an external rewriting device. A vehicle controller comprises a rewritable memory storing first security data. The first security data is used to determine whether rewriting to the rewritable memory is permitted. The rewriting device transfers new security data to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller deletes the first security data and writes the new security data into the rewritable memory. Rewriting the new security data is performed by a program stored in a non-rewritable memory. Thus, the security data that is used to determine whether rewriting to the rewitable memory is permitted is rewritten with the new security data. Therefore, if the existing security data stored in the vehicle controller is invalidated, the security feature of the vehicle can be recovered. The vehicle may includes an anti-theft system.

Abstract: A grip includes a grip body to be fitted on a mounting portion. The grip body includes an inner piece, an outer casing mounted on the inner piece, and a resin member fitted on the inner piece so as to be exposed through an opening, such as a hole or a cutout provided in the outer casing. The resin member is inserted in the outer casing so as to be partly exposed through the opening, and the inner piece is then inserted in the resin member fitted in the outer casing.

Abstract: A pressing apparatus includes a lower die (24) fixed to a lower plate (11), and first and second plate (11), and first and second upper die punches (33 and 34) capable of being lifted and lowered along with an upper plate (12). The first upper die punch (33) supported by a spring (49) is capable of being lifted and lowered relative to the second upper die punch (34). The upper plate (12) is lifted and lowered, while intermittently feeding a band-shaped work (W) one pitch by one pitch from the right to the left along an upper surface of the lower die (24), thereby pressing the work (W) to form grooves in the work (W) continuously. When the groove is formed in the work (W) by pressing the work (W) by the second upper die punch (34), the groove formed at the last time by pressing the work (W) by the second upper die punch (34) is retained and positioned between the first upper die punch (33) and the lower die (24).

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for a vehicle for reducing the trouble occuring when the clutch capacity becomes insufficient due a modification to the vehicle, such that of increasing the engine output or the exhaust gas quantity. The clutch weight of the centrifugal clutch is assembled by stacking a set of five sheets of clutch weight component members, three of which have similar structures. Each clutch weight component member is composed of two formed portions, the portions formed by baking two kinds of sintered metallic powders differing in specific gravity. Portions away from a fulcrum of inclination are formed by baking the sintered metallic powder having a larger specific gravity. Portions near the fulcrum of inclination are formed by baking the sintered metallic powder having a smaller specific gravity. As a result, the center of gravity of the clutch weight is positioned near a tip portion of the weight.

Abstract: A device for monitoring around a vehicle capable of detecting objects present around the vehicle based on an image captured by at least one infrared camera member provided with the vehicle. The device includes a binary object extraction unit which subjects a gray scale image of the image captured by the infrared camera member to a binary thresholding method, and extracts a binary object from the gray scale image; a gray scale object extraction unit which extracts a gray scale object, a range of the gray scale object including the binary object, from the gray scale image based on change in luminance of the gray scale image, and a pedestrian determination unit which sets a search area in an area including the gray scale object, and recognizes a pedestrian in the gray scale image based on a luminance variance in the search area.

Abstract: A speaker system is installed in a helmet, and includes a pair of piezoelectric speakers, frames supporting the speakers around the peripheral edges thereof, and laminated films for protecting the piezoelectric film speakers. Each of the frames has its longer sides curved with a radius of curvature of 210 mm to 360 mm in order to support the piezoelectric film speakers in a curved state similarly to the frame.

Abstract: A communications system incorporating a plurality of vehicle mounted web cams that collect video information and transmit the video information together with other local information via a wireless network to a server. The video streams from the web cams and associated information are available to users on a internet web page. Each camera has a specific identifier to permit users to access the video of specific individual cameras. Optimization software permits users to take virtual trips along predetermined routes. The system also permits sequential access to multiple video feeds from desired locations. Multiple alternative one way and two way video communication methods taking advantage of the network of mobile web cams are described.

Abstract: Before a phosphoric acid fuel cell generates electric energy, a cathode is supplied with a hydrogen gas (fuel gas) and air (oxygen-containing gas) to cause a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. At this time, the hydrogen and the oxygen are caused to react with each other under a condition in which the concentration of phosphoric acid at the time the amount of water produced by the reaction (liquid water) for reducing the concentration of phosphoric acid and the amount of water evaporated from phosphoric acid are in equilibrium is equal to or greater than a reference phosphoric acid concentration which is capable of keeping the fuel cell at a desired performance level. The temperature of an electrolyte electrode assembly of the fuel cell is increased by the heat which is generated by the reaction.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a pair of separators and a plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies between the separators. The electrolyte electrode assemblies has a small circular disk shape. Eight electrolyte electrode assemblies are arranged along an inner circle and eight electrolyte electrode assemblies are arranged along an outer circle concentric with a circular hole. Each of the separators includes a plurality of plates stacked together. A fuel gas channel for supplying a fuel gas to anodes of the electrolyte electrode assemblies, an oxygen-containing gas channel for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to cathodes of the electrolyte electrode assemblies are formed between the plates.

Abstract: A lanthanum oxide (La2O3) powder, a germanium oxide (GeO2) powder, and a strontium carbonate (SrCO3) powder are mixed in a ratio so that a composition of the obtained composite oxide LalXm(AO4)6?n(ZO4)nOp satisfies 8?l+m<10, 0?m?2, 0?n?2 and 0?p?2. Thenafter, the materials are formed and sintered to prepare an oxide ion conductor. The crystalline structure of LalXm(AO4)6?n(ZO4)nOp belongs to the apatite type structure. The conduction of oxide ion occurs when O2? 14 occupying the 2a site of the apatite type structure moves along the c-axis direction.

Abstract: In an apparatus for generating and managing production processing structure in a production management system of a factory, the structure of factory made up of the names or other identifiers of process points obtained by subdividing the factory production line is hierarchically registered in the storage device of the management computer (server; S200), the terminal computers and devices used in production are registered as terminal devices (S202), and tasks (from among tasks generated in advance and stored in the disk of the management computer) for achieving the operation or processing to be implemented at the process points are selected for each process point and registered in the order of execution (S204), while linking the terminal devices with definition information that correlates them, once the terminal computers are activated, the registered tasks are executed by the management computer (server) based on the definition information thus registered, so that the production record information is accumulat

Abstract: Coils in respective poles are all wound in the same shape. The coils are wound such that one of the winding ends in a predetermined layers, for a single turn, is passes to an adjacent layer, or single turns at the winding ends in a predetermined layer are wound to different adjacent positions, whereby the cross-sectional shape of the coils is unsymmetrical. The coils are wound such that part of each coil crosses or contacts an intermediate line bisecting the angle formed between the axes of the coils.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control apparatus for a plant, which can suppress excessive correction for a spiky disturbance being applied and maintain a good controllability, when controlling the plant, which is a controlled object, with the self-tuning regulator. A detected equivalent ratio KACT is input to a high-pass filter 33, and a high-pass filter output KACTHP is input to a parameter adjusting mechanism 42. The parameter adjusting mechanism 42 calculates a corrected updating vector (KID·d?(k)) by multiplying an updating component d? of a model parameter vector by a correction coefficient KID, and adds the corrected updating vector to a preceding value ?(k?1) of the model parameter vector, to thereby calculate a present value ?(k). The correction coefficient KID is changed from “1.0” to a value near “0” upon detection of the spiky response where an absolute value of the high-pass filter output KACTHP increases.

Abstract: A vehicular occupant restraint system includes an airbag, an inflator, and a seat belt system including a shoulder belt and a pre-tensioner. The airbag is disposed in a folded state along an upper edge of a door opening of a vehicle body. When the vehicle is involved in a side collision, the airbag is inflated by a gas generated by the inflator so that it is deployed into a curtain shape along an inner face of a side of an occupant compartment. Unlike conventional pre-tensioner systems that only tension a seatbelt when the vehicle is involved in a front collision, the pre-tensioner of the present invention also applies a tension to the shoulder belt of the seat belt system when the vehicle is involved in a side collision.

Abstract: A lubricating system for a power unit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. A static oil hydraulic type non-stage transmission is disposed on a left lateral side of a crankshaft, and a lubricating oil tank is formed integrally with a main body of the internal combustion engine and is disposed on a right lateral side opposite to the side of the transmission, with the crankshaft therebetween.

Abstract: There are provided a control device, a control method, a control unit, and an engine control unit, which are capable of controlling a controlled object with relatively large phase delay and dead time, while attaining elimination of lag in control timing between the input and output of the controlled object and improvement of control accuracy at the same time. A state predictor calculates a deviation (output deviation) between an output from an oxygen concentration sensor and a predetermined target value at a predetermined deviation calculation period. Then, a DSM controller calculates a target air-fuel ratio for converging the output from the oxygen concentration sensor to the predetermined target value, according to the calculated deviation, based on any one of a ? modulation algorithm, a ?? modulation algorithm, and a ?? modulation algorithm at a predetermined calculation period shorter than the predetermined deviation calculation period.

Abstract: Each of separators for sandwiching a plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies includes a pair of plates. A fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel are formed between the plates. A fuel gas supply hole extends through the separators for supplying a fuel gas, and discharge passages are formed around the fuel gas supply hole. The discharge passages extend through the separators for discharging an exhaust gas. The separator has a fuel gas distribution passage for connecting the fuel gas supply hole and the fuel gas channel.

Abstract: A communication system for communicating between two occupants riding on the same vehicle, or between the driver and the fellow passenger. A helmet that each occupant wears is provided with a microphone and a speaker, respectively. The external contacts of microphone and the speaker are exposed toward the outside of the magnet-side socket, which is one of the sockets of the magnet connector. Each cable extending from the communication unit is provided at the tip with a magnetic-body-side socket, which is the other socket of the magnet connector. The helmet and the cable are connected electrically and mechanically via the magnet connector including the magnet-side socket and the magnetic-body-side socket, which constitutes a pair. The communication unit is connected to the magnet-body-side socket for communicating voices in which a relatively large physiological sound cannot be transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting an optical component has a reference beam unit for emitting a reference laser beam L whose optical axis has established, and an optical axis unit detecting the optical axis and focal point of a reflected beam La from a parabolic mirror to which the reference laser beam L is applied. The optical axis unit comprises first and second pinhole plates spaced a given distance from each other and having respective small holes defined therein.

Abstract: There are provided an artificial joint device that can realize an artificial limb enabling twisting motion without a drive source, and when with the drive source, reduce the size and costs of the device, and a parallel linkage that can realize the device. The linkage connects a foot portion and a mounting plate spaced from each other. A fixed link has one end fixed to the plate, and the other end connected to the foot portion via a ball joint, making the angle of the fixed link relative to the foot portion changeable in any direction. Expansible links extend between the foot portion and the plate in an expansible/contractible manner and each have opposite ends connected to the plate and the foot portion via respective upper and lower ball joints, making respective angles thereof relative to the foot portion and the plate changeable in any direction.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle 1 in which a transmission 14 is connected via a first clutch 13 to an internal combustion engine 11 and a first motor 12 that are coupled in series to front wheels Wf, a second motor 16 which is a three-phase brushless DC motor is connected to the transmission 14 via a second clutch 15. When the vehicle in an idling stop state of the internal combustion engine 11 is to be started, a motor output control portion 18 calculates a torque which is required of the second motor 16 in accordance with the inclination angle of the road surface on which the vehicle is traveling, and also a continuous energization time period T1 of a stator winding of one phase in the second motor 16.

Abstract: A vehicle door open-close device which makes it possible to achieve a reduction in numbers of parts and also make the deflection width size of a member 5 small, to thereby allow an effective use of a vehicle compartment to be aimed at, is produced, comprising a driving mechanism positioned inwardly from a door opening, an operation transfer mechanism to connect this driving mechanism and the vehicle door, the operation transfer mechanism being equipped with a slider member reciprocatingly and linearly moving by the aid of the driving means, and a link member connecting this slider member and the vehicle door, wherein the link member is rotatably connected to the slider member and the vehicle door, and the link member includes a straight portion and a curved portion outwardly and protrudingly curved away from a center of rotation of the vehicle door, and a straight portion 5b formed in substantially straight line in a connection part 8.

Abstract: A model's ZMP (full-model's ZMP) is calculated using a dynamic model (inverse full-model) 100c2 that expresses a relationship between a robot movement and floor reaction, a ZMP-converted value of full model's corrected moment about a desired ZMP is calculated or determined based on a difference (full-model ZMP's error) between the calculated model's ZMP and the desired ZMP, whilst a corrected desired body position is calculated or determined. Since the robot posture is corrected by the calculated ZMP-converted value and the corrected desired body position, the corrected gait can satisfy the dynamic equilibrium condition accurately.

Abstract: A grip heater control apparatus (7) capable of increasing the opportunities to enable a heater (2) to warm a grip (1) while suppressing a voltage drop of a battery (10), the grip heater control apparatus comprising a heater (2) for generating heat by means of electric power supplied from the battery (10), the heater being provided in a grip (1) of a steering handle of a vehicle having a generator (9) for generating electricity interlocking with the rotation of an engine as a propulsive source and the battery (10) charged by the generator (9), and a heater control unit for controlling the electric energy supplied to the heater (2) from the battery (10), wherein a revolutions detecting unit is provided for detecting the number of revolutions of the engine or the generator (9) and the heater control unit includes a unit for determining an upper limit on the upper limit electric energy supplied to the heater (2) depending on the detected number of revolutions.

Abstract: A console for vehicle capable of stably carrying goods during the travel of the vehicle, with improved convenience in accordance with sorts of goods to be carried. A console for vehicle 30 is detachably attached to a folding seat 10 in a manner covering a rear surface of a seat back 14 with a front surface of the seat back 14 being folded to face a seat portion 12. The console for vehicle 30 includes a first recess 36 for storage of goods with an opening on a top side; and a lid body 36 for opening and closing the first recess 36. The lid body 36 includes an upper lid portion and a lower lid portion, with the former being slidable relative to the latter.

Abstract: A door visor for a vehicle comprising a visor portion which extends from the front end of a window sash of the vehicle to the rear end of the window sash, and protrudes outward and downward of the vehicle from the top end of the window sash of the vehicle, a protrusion body extending in the vertical direction of the visor portion and protruding toward the vehicle from the inner surface of the visor portion, and provided approximately in parallel to the vertical direction of the rear end of the window sash and the vertical direction of the rear end of a window glass.

Abstract: A cooling method for a fuel cell using a heat exchanger is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ion exchanger in a circulation system for the cooling fluid; decreasing ion concentration in the cooling fluid by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the ion exchanger when the temperature of the cooling fluid is below a thermostat operating temperature; distributing a portion of the cooling fluid discharged from the fuel cell, mixing the portion of the cooling fluid returning from the heat exchanger with another portion of the cooling fluid whose ion concentration has been decreased in the previous step, and returning the cooling fluid mixture to the fuel cell, when the temperature of the cooling fluid is approaching the thermostat operating temperature; and cooling the fuel cell by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the heat exchanger after the temperature of the cooling fluid reaches the thermostat operating temperature.

Abstract: A posture control system for a mobile robot. When an unexpected external force acts, the system is configured to control and stabilize the posture of the robot driving an arm link such that, in response to a first external force that is a component in a predetermined direction of an unexpected external force, a second external force acts on the arm link in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. With this, when the mobile robot receives a reaction force, even if the posture becomes unstable or the robot receives an unexpected reaction force, it becomes possible to preserve the dynamic balance and to maintain a stable posture.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for assembling a power transfer apparatus for selectively changing the speed of the output shaft relative to the speed of the input shaft. The method includes assembling an oil pump driving pin to the output shaft, assembling an oil pump sub-assembly, assembling a planetary carrier sub-assembly to the pump cover of the oil pump sub-assembly, assembling a clutch sub-assembly to the planetary carrier, assembling a transmission brake to the clutch sub-assembly in such a manner that the brake inner hub is coupled with the clutch piston, inserting the input shaft so as to fit in the first sun gear at the first spline and the clutch sub-assembly at the second spline, respectively and assembling a front case sub-assembly having bearings for rotatably bearing the input shaft and an actuator for actuating the transmission brake to the differential.

Abstract: A mechanic skill managing system includes a first database storing an average operation time for every kind of check/repair, the average operation time being a time required for an average mechanic with an average skill to complete the check/repair, and a second database storing a skill value indicative of skill of a mechanic, both of which are connected to a processor. The processor calculates the skill value of the mechanic based on a difference or a ratio between the average operation time stored in the first database and an actual operation time spent by the mechanic to actually complete the check/repair, and registers the skill value in the second database. Thus, the skill of the mechanic can be grasped accurately and can be applied to various operations.

Abstract: A transmission operating apparatus A mainly includes: a forward/backward direction sensor 3 which detects positions of a shift lever 1 manipulated by the driver; an operation mode selecting switch 7 which selects one of two operation modes to be manipulated by the shift lever 1; a forward/backward manipulation reaction force actuator 9; and a controller 4. The controller 4 further includes: an operation panel setting section 4A which virtually sets an operation panel corresponding to the operation mode selected by the operation mode selecting switch 7; a reaction force control section 4B which sets a reaction force corresponding to the position of the shift lever 1 in accordance with the operation panel; and a transmission control section 4C which controls a transmission 6 based on the position of the shift lever 1 in relation to the operation panel.

Abstract: An air bag apparatus for side crash, includes an acceleration sensor, an inflater and an air bag. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration in a side direction larger than a predetermined value to generate a detection signal. The inflater generates a gas in response to the detection signal. The air bag is folded initially, and expands with the gas. The air bag includes a main section and a protrusion section which is provided at a tip portion of the main section such that an inner space of the protrusion section is connected with an inner space of the main section. The protrusion section has at least one opening from which the gas is spouted. The air bag further includes at least one partition provided in an inner space of the air bag.

Abstract: In a fuel cell assembly typically with a plurality of cells each including an electrolyte layer (2), a pair of gas diffusion electrode layers (3, 4), and a pair of flow distribution plates (5), the electrolyte layer (2) comprises a frame (21) and electrolyte (22) retained in the frame; and the flow distribution plates and frames are made of materials having similar thermal expansion properties so that the generation of thermal stress between the frames of the electrolyte layers and the corresponding flow distribution plates can be avoided, and the durability of the various components can be ensured. By joining each flow distribution plate with the corresponding frame by anodic bonding or using a bonding agent along a periphery thereof, the need for a sealing arrangement such as a gasket or a clamping arrangement can be eliminated, and this contributes to the compact design of the assembly.

Abstract: A temporary operation path is set by connecting a plurality of welding points in a virtual space generated by a computer to investigate whether an end effector can be operated along the temporary operation path. If the operation cannot be operated, a path to avoid interference with a workpiece is set automatically while extracting a portion in which the workpiece exists in the internal space surrounded by the end effector in order to set a narrow-area operation path for withdrawing the end effector from a welding point. Next, in order to set a wide-area operation path for making movement between withdrawing points, a template operation is applied, in which the end effector is moved by a prescribed distance in a prescribed direction.

Abstract: An improved two-step replication process for fabrication of porous metallic membranes is provided. A negative of a porous non-metallic template is made by infiltration of a liquid precursor into the template, curing the precursor to form a solid negative, and removing the template to expose the negative. Metal is deposited to surround the exposed negative. Removal of the negative provides a porous metallic membrane having pores which replicate the pores of the original template membrane. The negative is kept immersed in a liquid at all times between removing the template and depositing the metal. This immersion eliminates damage to the negative that would be incurred in drying the negative out between these processing steps. Another aspect of the invention is metallic membranes prepared according to the preceding method. For example, metallic membranes having pores smaller on one side than on the other side of the membrane are provided.

Abstract: In an image output calibrating system for cameras, a camera is supported so as to be directed at a plurality of different angles, and a light source is placed in front of the camera. A control unit associates the pan and tilt angles of the camera with corresponding positions of an image of the light source on the imaging device so that the relationship between each point on the object and the corresponding point on the image of the object formed on the imaging device of the camera can be identified. For initially placing the light source on the optical center line of the camera, the light source may be mounted on a carriage unit that can move the light source in three different directions.

Abstract: A front grill impact-absorbing structure has a load-transmitting member (90) which retreats together with a front grill (30) when a collision force (F1) acts on the front grill from the front. By the load-transmitting member retreating together with the front grill, the collision force is transmitted to a water-cooled engine radiator (20) inside an engine compartment (11). In the initial state of the collision, the radiator absorbs the collision force and moderates the collision force.

Abstract: A cooling method for a fuel cell using a heat exchanger is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ion exchanger in a circulation system for the cooling fluid; decreasing ion concentration in the cooling fluid by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the ion exchanger when the temperature of the cooling fluid is below a thermostat operating temperature; distributing a portion of the cooling fluid discharged from the fuel cell, mixing the portion of the cooling fluid returning from the heat exchanger with another portion of the cooling fluid whose ion concentration has been decreased in the previous step, and returning the cooling fluid mixture to the fuel cell, when the temperature of the cooling fluid is approaching the thermostat operating temperature; and cooling the fuel cell by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the heat exchanger after the temperature of the cooling fluid reaches the thermostat operating temperature.

Abstract: A first hemming mold unit (20) and a second hemming mold unit (30), are installed in a single pressing machine. The first hemming mold unit (20) performs partial bending of an edge (95) of a workpiece (93; 96). The workpiece (93; 96), having undergone the partial bending, is transferred to the second hemming mold unit (30). the second hemming mold unit (30) performs remaining necessary bending of the edge of the workpiece (93; 96). Here, predetermined bending of the edge (95) of the workpiece (93; 96) can be completed within the single pressing machine only by downward movement of upper molds (24, 34) of the first and second hemming mold units (20, 30), without having to use a cam and cam driver.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a blade member for an airplane which is simple in structure, and moreover is excellent with respects to weight, aerodynamic performance, cost, strength and durability. A vane of a double-slotted flap includes: an outer skin area surrounded by a first outer skin, a second outer skin, a leading edge and a trailing edge each having a predetermined wall thickness. Front and rear reinforcing areas are provided that extend in a span direction within the outer skin area and are connected to the first outer skin and the second outer skin. The outer skin area and the reinforcing areas are integrally formed by wire electrical discharge-machining. The first outer skin and the second outer skin respectively have thickened portions thicker than the other portions, and the trailing edge is formed to have a thickness which is approximately zero. This blade member can be simplified in structure, leading to reductions in the number of parts, number of assembling steps and weight.

Abstract: In a two-wheeled motor vehicle in which a front fork including a pair of telescopic fork legs disposed on opposite sides of a front wheel, and a top bridge and a bottom bridge which connect upper cases of the fork legs to each other at two points vertically spaced apart from each other, is steerably supported by a head pipe at a front end of a vehicle body frame assembly, and a steering handlebar is connected to an upper end of the front fork, part-mounting fixtures (45L, 45R) for supporting a front part (37) disposed in front of the steering handlebar (22) are detachably mounted on the upper cases (32) of the front fork (21). Thus, the front part can be mounted easily with an increase in degree of freedom of the disposition thereof.

Abstract: A starter motor is prevented from being rotated together with an engine after the start of a engine. When motor speed exceeds the cranking speed after the start of the engine, a speed judging section 36 judges that the starter motor is rotated together with the engine. A current-supply stopping section 38 commands to stop energizing a motor 3a in response to the judge. After the electricity supply is stopped, if the rotation speed is reduced to a value close to the cranking speed, judging section 36 outputs a signal to cancel the current-supply stopping commands from the current-supply stopping section 38. The detection of the motor speed is also continued even after the ignition, and if the speed is further increased, the speed detection is stopped. If the speed is increased to a value showing complete explosion, the speed judging section 36 switches the relays to a generator.

Abstract: A speech communication apparatus which is used with a microphone being fixed to a predetermined position in the vicinity of the mouth in such a manner as to prevent the transmission of uncomfortable noise such as sneezing, coughing or throat-clearing noise to a partner. There is provided a speech communication apparatus including a speech communication microphone, a speaker and a communication unit for amplifying an output signal from the speech communication microphone, the speech communication apparatus includes the communication unit having an amplifier for amplifying an input signal and outputting the input signal so amplified, and a controller for controlling the gain of the amplifier in response to an excessive input signal, wherein the controller controls the gain of the amplifier such that a reproduced sound of an excessive input signal is reduced to a predetermined level only for a predetermined period of time when the excessive input signal is detected.

Abstract: A driving power control device for a hybrid vehicle controls the engagement state of a lockup clutch so that high efficiency in regeneration is obtainable. The driving power control device for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor-generator as power sources, an automatic transmission disposed between the power sources and driving wheels with an intervening torque converter having a lockup clutch, and an ECU for controlling selection of the power sources and for controlling a slip ratio of the torque converter. In this control device, a target slip ratio of the torque converter, which corresponds to a target amount of regeneration that is retrieved using regeneration amount determining factors, is obtained by executing a feedforward control operation using friction torque determining factors, and the slip ratio is controlled in a feedback manner based on the difference between the target slip ratio and the actual slip ratio.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to measure a lateral displacement amount of a vehicle accurately in a short time on a bench testing machine without damaging a vehicle body and tires. Respective rollers 1F, 1R on which respective wheels WF, WR of the vehicle A are placed respectively are made movable in a lateral direction. In a state in which the respective wheels WF, WR are rotating at a predetermined speed, lateral forces (cornering forces) acting on the respective rollers 1F, 1R are detected by respective detectors 3. Then, a yaw angle speed when the vehicle A is brought into a state of steady circular turning is calculated based on the lateral forces acting on the respective rollers 1F, 1R and the lateral displacement amount is calculated from the yaw angle speed.

Abstract: A fuel injection system and method for injecting fuel for an internal combustion engine having fuel injection valves arranged on the upstream side and downstream side from the throttle valve respectively which consistently supplies an adequate quantity of fuel into the combustion chamber without fuel adhering to or remaining at the throttle valve, even when the throttle valve is abruptly enclosed. Based on plural parameters including the throttle opening ?TH and the engine speed NE, the system includes means for determining the injection quantity of each of the upstream and downstream fuel injection valves, means for detecting a rate of change ??TH of the throttle opening in the injection-valve closing direction, means for stopping fuel injection of the upstream fuel injection valve when the rate of change ??TH is large, and means for reducing the injection quantity from the downstream fuel injection valve when the fuel injection of the upstream injection valve is stopped.

Abstract: An improved metal alloy fuel cell electrocatalyst composition containing platinum, rhodium, molybdenum, and nickel iron or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An operator opens the tail gate, and stretches his/her arm through the tail gate to make the seat back fall down forward. Then, the operator can pull the pull fitting to make both the seat back and the seat cushion turn over backward so as to be received in the storage concave portion. Accordingly, this design allows an operator to perform the rear seat rearrangement in a very easy posture from the outside of a car.