Abstract: A shift sensor includes a movable member, four movable contacts, seven fixed contacts, and two power supply terminals. Each of the movable contacts is fixed to the movable member and pivoted to a position corresponding to a shift position. Each of the fixed contacts outputs a shift signal when it is brought into conduction with a power supply terminal by coming into contact with any of the movable contacts. The fixed contacts are arranged such that the number of shift signals that differ between shift positions is three or more, between the shift positions of P, R, N, D, and B, except for between the D and B positions.

Abstract: A wall flow type particulate filter is arranged inside the exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine where combustion is performed under an excess of oxygen. The particulate filter carries a solid acid. The solid acid has a Hammett acidity function smaller than ?0.83 and larger than ?12 in the standard state. To remove the ash from the particulate filter, ash atomization processing for rendering the state of the particulate filter a state where the exhaust gas which flows into the particulate filter is lowered in concentration of oxygen and the particulate filter is raised in temperature is temporarily performed.

Abstract: A warning device for a vehicle to start a warning at an optimum timing depending on a position at which an object passes near the vehicle. The warning device has a warning part for warning a driver of a presence of the object that will pass near the vehicle. The warning device has a timing changing part for changing a timing of starting the warning via the warning part according to a size of an allowance space from the vehicle to an expected passing position at which the object is expected to pass near the vehicle.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a segment coil includes i) bending a wire assembly in which a plurality of conducting wires are twisted together in a manner such that the conducting wires are able to slide with respect to one another, and ii) compression molding the bent wire assembly.

Abstract: Problem In an air intake structure for an internal combustion engine 1 where a compressor impeller 22 of a turbocharger 20 is disposed in an air intake passage (4) of the internal combustion engine 1, not to prevent an ice clump 15 from appearing on an inner wall surface of the air intake passage (4), but prevents this ice clump 15 from colliding with the compressor impeller 22, especially, a vane 22a of the compressor impeller 22 when the ice clump 15 formed on the inner wall surface of the air intake passage (4) peels off. Solution A capture member 30 is provided upstream side with respect to the compressor impeller 22 in the air intake passage (4). The capture member 30 is configured to capture an ice clump 15 formed at an inner wall surface of the air intake passage (4) when the ice clump 15 peels off.

Abstract: A surface-treated mold that includes a mold, a metal layer that is provided on a surface of the mold and contains at least one metal selected from nickel, chromium, tungsten and brass, and a carbon film that is provided on a surface of the metal layer, wherein the metal layer contains carbon, and the carbon concentration in the metal layer is higher between the boundary with the carbon film and the center of the metal layer than that between the boundary with the mold and the center of the metal layer.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut tower bracing system includes a first suspension strut tower and a second suspension strut tower spaced from the first strut tower. At least one wall extends between and interconnects the first strut tower to the second strut tower. At least one strut tower brace is attached to the wall and spaced from the first and second strut towers. The strut tower brace includes a first support member having a first end and an opposite second end, and a second support member attached to the first support member at location spaced inward from the first and second ends of the first support member. The second support member is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the first support member so as to form a generally Y-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A pipe with a rib includes a pipe portion, and a rib portion formed inside the pipe portion. The rib portion includes a plurality of bent portions in accordance with bending of the pipe portion.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and a temperature-adjusted unit includes: a compressor that circulates the refrigerant; a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and outside air; an expansion valve that reduces a pressure of the refrigerant; a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air; a cooling passage that forms a path for the refrigerant to flow between the heat exchanger and the expansion valve; and a heating passage that forms a path for the refrigerant to flow between the expansion valve and the heat exchanger. The temperature-adjusted unit is disposed to be capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the cooling passage and to be capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heating passage.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat structure member including a seat back and a seat cushion; and a support member configured to support the seat structure member and fastened to a vehicle compartment structural body, wherein the support member is a flat plate member which elongates in a longitudinal direction and has a convex bead portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the support member, wherein the bead portion includes a first bead portion and a second bead portion, and a stress concentrating portion of the support member, to which stress is configured to concentrate when vehicle collision occurs, is interposed between the first bead portion and the second bead portion, and wherein the stress concentrating portion of the support member includes a weakened portion configured to promote breakage of the support member.

Abstract: A wall flow type particulate filter is arranged inside the exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine where combustion is performed under an excess of oxygen. The particulate filter carries an ash atomization agent. To remove the ash from the particulate filter, ash atomization processing for rendering the state of the particulate filter a state where the exhaust gas which flows into the particulate filter is lowered in concentration of oxygen and the particulate filter is raised in temperature is temporarily performed.

Abstract: A system for controlling gear changes in a vehicle. The system includes a steering wheel and a detent mechanism having an idle location, a first location, and a second location, the detent mechanism is coupled to the steering wheel. The system also includes a paddle shifter coupled to the steering wheel and the detent mechanism, the paddle shifter having an idle position with no associated function when the paddle shifter is in the idle location, a first operating position with an associated first function when the paddle shifter is in the first location, and a second operating position with an associated second function when the paddle shifter is in the second location. The associated first function is different from the associated second function.

Abstract: A turbine housing includes an outer housing member, which has a proximal housing portion and a distal housing portion, and an inner housing member, which is provided inside the outer housing member and has a shroud surface that faces a turbine wheel in an axial direction. A distal portion of the inner housing member serves as a slide portion slidable in the axial direction. Further, a proximal portion of the inner housing member is fixed to the proximal housing portion at a part closer to a distal side than a proximal portion of the proximal housing portion. Further, a scroll portion is formed by the inner housing member and a proximal scroll portion of the proximal housing portion located closer to a proximal side than the inner housing member.

Abstract: A light filter assembly for an automotive vehicle that includes a central plate or a sleeve with at least one filter attached to by a fastener. The filter has a substantially triangular shape with at least one curved edge, and can rotate about the fastener in a plane parallel to the central plate or sleeve.

Abstract: A particle size distribution creating method includes a particle size range determining step, an integrating step of integrating the frequency of appearance of particles within the particle size range determined in the particle size range determining step, a division point determining step of determining particle sizes that provide division points, using the integral of the frequency of appearance obtained in the integrating step, and a typical point determining step of determining the minimum particle size, maximum particle size and the particle sizes of the division points as typical points.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte solution containing a gas-forming additive, and a current interrupt device. The gas-forming additive includes a first additive and a second additive. The first additive is bicyclohexyl, and the second additive is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of biphenyl, cyclohexylbenzene, o-terphenyl, m-terphenyl and p-terphenyl.

Abstract: A vehicle operation device includes a touch operation display (10); a presentation display (20) that is arranged farther from a driver's seat than the touch operation display and that displays a plurality of information items; and a processing device (30) that, in response to a predetermined selection operation on the touch operation display (10), erases a display of one information item, selected from the plurality of information items displayed on the presentation display (20), from a screen on the presentation display (20) and that displays an operation screen, corresponding to the erased information item, on the touch operation display (10).

Abstract: A wall flow type particulate filter (24) adapted to be arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine in which combustion is performed in an excess of oxygen carries a solid acid. The solid acid has an acid strength which is higher than the acid strength of sulfurous acid and lower than the acid strength of sulfuric acid.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an SiC single crystal includes a crucible for accommodating an Si—C solution and a seed shaft having a lower end surface where an SiC seed crystal (36) would be attached. The seed shaft includes an inner pipe that extends in a height direction of the crucible and has a first passage. An outer pipe accommodates the inner pipe and constitutes a second passage between itself and the inner pipe and has a bottom portion whose lower end surface covers a lower end opening of the outer pipe. One passage of the first and second passages serves as an introduction passage where coolant gas flows downward, and the other passage serves as a discharge passage where coolant gas flows upward. A region inside the pipe that constitutes the introduction passage is to be overlapped by a region of not less than 60% of the SiC seed crystal.

Abstract: A system for controlling gear changes in a vehicle. The system may include at least one primary paddle shifter coupled to the steering wheel and/or the steering column. The system also includes at least one auxiliary paddle shifter coupled to the steering wheel, the steering column and/or the at least one primary paddle shifter. The primary paddle shifter may engage a primary function, such as one sequential gear shift up or down and the auxiliary paddle shifter may engage a secondary function, such as an optimal gear shift up or down.

Abstract: An information processing device includes a storage device that stores information, and a controller that adjusts a consumption of read time of reading information to be read per unit data amount according to the priority of the information to be read from the storage device and a permitted read time during which read of information from the storage device is permitted. The permitted read time varies according to the processing time of another control different from the control of the read.

Abstract: A system for activating and deactivating a gear change in a vehicle. The system including a steering wheel, first and second paddle shifters coupled to the steering wheel or column, a switch having an activate state and a deactivate state and coupled to the steering wheel, a center console, an instrument panel, or an integrated display, and a locking mechanism connected to the first and second paddle shifters to inhibit movement or functioning of the first and second paddle shifters when the switch is in the deactivate state and to allow movement or functioning of the first and second paddle shifters when the switch is in the activate state as a stand-alone lock out method or integrated with an electronic lock out method.

Abstract: A tibia pad has: a right foot placement portion having a right side horizontal portion formed horizontally and on which a passenger's right heel is placed, and a right side inclined portion formed at a vehicle front side of this right side horizontal portion and inclined with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction to head toward a vehicle upper side while heading toward a vehicle front side; a pair of groove portions formed, at least in a bottom surface of the right side horizontal portion at the right foot placement portion, to extend along the vehicle longitudinal direction and to lined-up in a vehicle transverse direction; and a step portion formed at a transition portion between the right side horizontal and the right side inclined portions, and positioned between a rear and a front side ribs are formed at the right side horizontal and the right side inclined portions, respectively.

Abstract: A seat portion is pivotally mounted to a seat back at a main pivot point. A striker pin is mounted to the seat portion. The striker pin includes a free end. A bracket is further connected to the main pivot point wherein the bracket includes a main body. The bracket further includes an arm extending away from the main body. The arm extends away from the main body to support the free end of the pin to further support the striker pin during a latched construction. The main body of the bracket and the arm of the bracket support the free end of the pin during rotation of the seat portion towards the seat back from a down position to an up position allowing for a fixed latch on the seat back to engage with the pin of the seat portion.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a solid electrolyte layer having flexibility, in which ion conductivity is inhibited from decreasing. The present invention attains the above-mentioned object by providing a solid electrolyte layer including a sulfide solid electrolyte material not having cross-linking sulfur substantially and a branched polymer for binding the above-mentioned sulfide solid electrolyte material.

Abstract: A disc brake device includes: a disc rotor rotating around a rotational axial line; a friction pad facing a friction surface of the disc rotor; a caliper capable of pressing the friction pad to the friction surface of the disc rotor; a mounting provided with the caliper; and a caliper slide mechanism supporting the caliper on the mounting in a manner enabling slide movement via a slide pin inserted in a guide section provided in a hole section of the caliper or the mounting, in which the caliper slide mechanism has a variable mechanism making a permissible swing angle of the slide pin with respect to a slide movement direction variable in response to a braking action along with slide movement of the caliper. Accordingly, the disc brake device and the caliper slide mechanism can provide an effect of reducing noises.

Abstract: Method of producing a rare earth magnetic alloy ribbon by rapid solidification using a rotary roll comprising: a step of preparing a rare earth magnetic alloy melt inside of a nozzle which faces said rotary roll, a step of applying a discharge pressure to said rare earth magnetic alloy melt in said nozzle, and a step of causing the discharge pressure to fall from a value at the time of start of discharge to a value which is required for sustained discharge at the instant that said rare earth magnetic alloy melt starts to be discharged from said nozzle. Preferably, the discharge pressure which is loaded on the melt surface inside the nozzle is made to increase from the sustained discharge pressure in accordance with the decrease in the amount of melt in the nozzle.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, inside an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) an exhaust purification catalyst (13), and a particulate filter (14) are arranged. If the hydrocarbon feed valve (15) feeds hydrocarbons by a period of within 5 seconds, a reducing intermediate is produced inside the exhaust purification catalyst (13). This reducing intermediate is used for NOx purification processing. When the stored SOx should be released from the exhaust purification catalyst (13), the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is made rich, the reducing intermediate built up on the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is made to be desorbed in the form of ammonia, and the desorbed ammonia is used to make the exhaust purification catalyst (13) release the stored SOx.

Abstract: A hook that constitutes a locking device is pushed and rotated in accordance with movement of a striker that moves into a recessed portion of a base plate, and the striker S is sandwiched between the hook and the recessed portion. As the hook rotates, a pole rotates under bias force to a position at which the pole is engaged with the hook, so as to restrict rotation of the hook for returning to the initial position. The hook, when placed in the initial position, is held in a condition in which a corner portion of the hook is pressed under bias force against a stopper face of the pole, such that the hook is inhibited from rotating. The stopper face is curved in the shape of an arc drawn about a first support shaft that supports the pole.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system, including a motor generator; a gear group having a plurality of gears; and a motor cooling circuit for cooling the motor generator. The system further includes a lubricating circuit for lubricating the gear group; a cooler circuit in which an oil cooler is provided; and an oil pump that supplies oil to each circuit. The motor cooling circuit is arranged in series with and downstream of the cooler circuit, and the lubricating circuit is arranged parallel to the cooler circuit with respect to the oil pump.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, an upstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (23), hydrocarbon feed valve (15), exhaust purification catalyst (13), and the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (24) are arranged in an engine exhaust passage in that order from the upstream side. If hydrocarbons are fed from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15), the air-fuel ratio which is detected by the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (24) changes to the rich side from the reference air-fuel ratio which is detected when hydrocarbons are not fed from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15). The amount of hydrocarbons which are fed from the hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and which slip through the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is detected from the air-fuel ratio difference between the air-fuel ratio detected by the upstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (23) and the reference air-fuel ratio detected by the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor (24).

Abstract: A retractable vehicle seat in which a seat main body disposed on a vehicle floor is flipped up laterally, so as to be retracted in a vehicle interior side wall of which the upper portion is inwardly inclined, may include a connection mechanism that is configured to rotatably connect the seat main body to a support stand. The connection mechanism includes a four-link mechanism having a stationary link integral with the support stand, an intermediate link integral with the seat main body, and a first link and a second link that connect these two links. The second link is configured to increase an angle between the first link and the intermediate link as the seat main body is flipped up.

Abstract: A slider rail is provided in the back face of the seat back of a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat is formed of a framework having a plurality of frame members. The slide rail forms a guide path along which a slider is moved. The slide rail is attached outside the framework to a side portion (side frame member) of the seat back and extends in a longitudinal direction of the seat back, and overlaps with the side frame member in a front-rear direction of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A air-fuel ratio control apparatus, applied to an internal combustion engine having a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine, includes a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor (oxygen concentration cell type oxygen concentration sensor) disposed at a position downstream of the catalyst, and air-fuel ratio control means for controlling, based on an output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine so as to change an air-fuel ratio of a catalyst inflow gas. Further, the air-fuel ratio control means controls the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied to the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including a braking force applying device of a hydraulic type, capable of applying a braking force to each of a plurality of wheels. A hydraulic pressure controlling device controls a hydraulic pressure of the braking force applying device such that each of the wheels is not locked. A hydraulic pressure increasing or decreasing period changing device changes an increasing or decreasing period of the hydraulic pressure controlled by the hydraulic pressure controlling device. A controlling device controls the hydraulic pressure increasing or decreasing period changing device to change the increasing or decreasing period of the hydraulic pressure corresponding to each of the wheels in contact with a road surface having a high road surface friction coefficient, from that where a left-right braking force difference is not generated, to where the left-right braking force difference is generated by the hydraulic pressure controlling device.

Abstract: To provide a simply-structured vibration damping device having excellent vibration damping capacity. A vibration damping device is configured to damp torsional vibrations of a rotary member of a hydraulic transmission 1, in which the rotary member is rotated integrally with a drive side impeller 2 or with a driven side impeller 5, and in which the drive side impeller 2 and the driven side impeller 5 are connected with a lockup clutch 26 actuated by fluid pressure.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve 30 includes: a nozzle body 31 provided with a jet hole 32 at an end portion thereof; and a needle 33 slidably arranged within the nozzle body 31, defining a fuel introduction path 34 between the needle 33 and the nozzle body 31, and provided with a seat portion 33a seated on a seated position 31a within the nozzle body 31. The fuel injection valve 30 includes: a rotational flow generation portion 36 formed in an upstream side of the seat portion 33a of the needle 33, and provided with a spiral groove 36a giving a rotational component to a fuel introduced from the fuel introduction path 34; an air introduction path 37 formed inside the needle; and a rotation stable chamber 45 formed at the end portion of the nozzle body 31, the fuel that has passed through the rotational flow generation portion 36 and the air that has passed through the air introduction path 37 being introduced into the rotational stable chamber 45.

Abstract: Providing a control device of a hybrid vehicle capable of reducing a rattling noise without changing an engine rotation speed. If the second electric motor torque TM2 is within the rattling noise occurrence region G, the engine rotation fluctuation suppression control (at least one of the EGR amount suppression control, the self-EGR amount suppression control, the lean-burn control, and the ignition delay control) is provided to suppress the engine rotation fluctuations as compared to during normal running while the second electric motor torque TM2 is out of the rattling noise occurrence region G and, therefore, the engine rotation fluctuations can be suppressed to reduce the a rattling noise without changing an engine rotation speed NE. Thus, the rattling noise can be reduced without giving an uncomfortable feeling to a user due to a change in the engine rotation speed NE.

Abstract: A steering lock driving circuit includes: a microcomputer that, based on a detected condition of a vehicle, outputs one of a lock command for restricting rotation of a steering shaft by a rock member to carry out steering lock and an unlock command for releasing the steering lock; a latch circuit that, when an unlock signal indicating that the lock member is located in an unlock position is input to the latch circuit, holds the unlock signal; an OR circuit to which a logical NOT signal of a signal output from the latch circuit and a parking signal indicating that a shift position is a parking position are input; and an AND circuit to which one of the lock command and the unlock command, a signal output from the OR circuit and a condition coincidence signal generated when information detected from the vehicle satisfies a predetermined condition are input.

Abstract: A composition for use in an electrochemical cell is disclosed wherein the composition includes a clean metal substantially free of impurities and a layer of protective material in contact with the clean metal, wherein the protective material comprises a protective metal component, a multi-component material, a multi-layered component or a combination thereof. Further disclosed is an electrochemical cell including a metal film comprising a clean metal substantially free of impurities. The electrochemical cell may further include an electrolyte and a layer of protective material disposed between the electrolyte and the metal film, wherein the protective material comprises a protective metal component, a multi-component material, a multi-layered component or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage, air-fuel ratio sensors each of which has a solid electrolyte, electrodes which respectively cover the two side surfaces of the solid electrolyte, and a diffusion resistance layer which covers one of electrodes are arranged. In operation, the greater the amounts of deposition of sulfur ingredients at the air-fuel ratio sensors, the smaller the amounts of change of the air-fuel ratios detected by the air-fuel ratio sensor and the longer the time period of change of the air-fuel ratios. The amounts of sulfur poisoning of the air-fuel ratio sensors are detected from the changes of the air-fuel ratios detected by the air-fuel ratio sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with a battery configured so as to be rechargeable, a motor generator configured so as to generate the driving force of the vehicle by use of electric power stored in the battery, a switch configured so as to switch between generation of a command for extending the use period of the battery and stop of generation of the command, and an ECU for controlling the state of charge of the battery. The ECU sets the control range of SOC of the battery. When the switch stops generation of the command, the ECU sets the control range to a first range. Meanwhile, when a command is generated by the switch, the ECU sets the control range to a second range narrower than the first range.

Abstract: A brake system includes a pad having a frictional surface, and a disc having a frictional surface sliding on the frictional surface. The frictional surface includes hard particles supported elastically and a plurality of protrusions arranged along a direction in which the frictional surface slides on the frictional surface, and when the frictional surface slides on the frictional surface, hard particles abut respective protrusions continuously while being displaced in the direction perpendicular to the frictional surface. Thus, wear resistance can be improved Since only the vicinities of the peaks of the hard particles and the vicinities of the peaks of the protrusions abut, the hard particles do not follow irregularities of the frictional surface, and thereby the hard particles and the protrusions repeat point contact. Thus, since the distance between the hard particles and the protrusions is stabilized and the adhesion frictional force is stabilized, a stable frictional force can be obtained.

Abstract: A gas filling system includes a vehicle having a gas tank, and a gas station that supplies the gas tank with gas. The vehicle includes a controller having a filling protocol that specifies a method of control on the gas station side that is used when the gas is filled into the gas tank. The gas station controls filling of the gas into the gas tank according to the filling protocol provided by the controller. A filling protocol specific to the vehicle is used and therefore, it is made possible to perform filling adapted to the gas tank of the vehicle.

Abstract: A SiC semiconductor device includes: a substrate, a drift layer, and a base region stacked in this order; first and second source regions and a contact layer in the base region; a trench penetrating the source and base regions; a gate electrode in the trench; an interlayer insulation film with a contact hole covering the gate electrode; a source electrode coupling with the source region and the contact layer via the contact hole; a drain electrode on the substrate; and a metal silicide film. The high concentration second source region is shallower than the low concentration first source region, and has a part covered with the interlayer insulation film, which includes a low concentration first portion near a surface and a high concentration second portion deeper than the first portion. The metal silicide film on the second part has a thickness larger than the first portion.

Abstract: An operating device (40) for a state-changing element that is an embodiment of the present invention includes a detent mechanism (50) for displacing and positioning displacement members (22, 33) included in a state-changing element (10), an actuator (60) for driving the detent mechanism (50), and a control unit (5) that controls the actuator (60).

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat includes: a planar elastic body that has a frame body provided in a periphery of the planar elastic body, the planar elastic body stretched to the frame body; a cushion member disposed around the planar elastic body; and a backbone member, wherein a supporting surface configured to support a seated person is formed by the planar elastic body and the cushion member, the planar elastic body is assembled to the seat by fixing the frame body to the backbone member, and the cushion member is disposed to be overlaid on the periphery of the planar elastic body at a supporting surface side, the cushion member is covered by a skin material that is attached on the planar elastic body at the supporting surface side.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure brake unit includes a power hydraulic pressure source able to generate, by a supply of power, a high hydraulic independent of a brake operation by a driver; a field system which connects the power hydraulic pressure source with both first and second wheel cylinders, regulates the hydraulic pressure of operating fluid from the power hydraulic pressure source, and applies a common hydraulic pressure to both the first and second wheel cylinders; a separator valve provided so as to be able to cut off the supply of operating fluid to the second wheel cylinder via the first system; and a second system which connects the second wheel cylinder with the power hydraulic pressure source such that operating fluid can be supplied front the power hydraulic pressure source to the second wheel cylinder regardless of weather the separator valve is open or closed.