Abstract: A ventilation apparatus of an internal combustion engine of the invention ventilates a chain chamber by recirculating blow-by gas to an intake passage through a blow-by gas recirculation pipe and introducing air into the chain chamber through an air introduction pipe. The air introduction pipe is secured to a head cover wall portion which corresponds to a portion of a head cover wall which defines the chain chamber.

Abstract: A controller controls an electric motor such that a pulsation compensation torque corresponding to a pulsation component of a torque of an internal combustion engine, which appears in a drive shaft, is supplied to the drive shaft as a damping torque for suppressing vibrations of a hybrid vehicle. A determination is made as to whether a torque of the electric motor, excluding the pulsation compensation torque, is smaller than a predetermined value. When it is determined that the torque excluding the pulsation compensation torque is smaller than the predetermined value, the controller selects one mode having a highest energy efficiency of the hybrid vehicle from among a plurality of modes, and controls the internal combustion engine and the electric motor based on the selected mode.

Abstract: A damping force control device for controlling damping forces of shock absorbers by a control device, which is configured to to estimate first vertical speeds at the positions of wheels based on the vertical accelerations of a vehicle body at the positions of the wheels, to estimate second vertical speeds of the vehicle body caused by driver's driving operation based on driving operation amount of the driver, to calculate target damping forces by subtracting products of damping coefficients of the ride comfort control and second vertical speeds from the sums of products of the damping coefficients of the ride comfort control and first vertical speeds and products of damping coefficients for controlling posture change of the vehicle body and the second vertical speeds, and to control damping coefficients of the shock absorbers based on the target damping forces.

Abstract: A recliner including a ratchet and a guide mounted in an axial direction, and a lock mechanism configured to lock relative rotation between the ratchet and the guide by meshing in a radial direction, the lock mechanism including a plurality of poles which is configured to be supported in a circumferential direction by the guide and has outer circumferential teeth configured to mesh with inner circumferential teeth formed on the ratchet as the poles are pushed outwards in the radial direction to be moved, the plurality of poles including a specific pole, wherein the specific pole includes a pressing portion configured to contact a restraint portion of the guide from an inner side in the radial direction so as to be restrained from moving in the circumferential direction as the specific pole is pushed outwards in the radial direction by an operating cam to be moved.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises an ammonia supplier which includes a storage unit configured to store a precursor of ammonia or ammonia (reducing agent or the like), and a controller programmed to carry out output restriction control as such control that an output of the internal combustion engine is restricted to be not more than a predetermined output such that a NOx purification rate brought about by the storage reduction NOx catalyst is within an allowable range if an amount of the reducing agent or the like stored in the storage unit is less than a predetermined storage amount.

Abstract: A fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell 20, gas supply systems 30, 40, which supply gases to the fuel cell 20, and a controller 60, which controls the gas supply systems 30, 40. During a non-operation period of the fuel cell 20, the controller 60 controls the gas supply systems 30, 40 to carry out the scavenging treatment. If the scavenging treatment is interrupted by an operation performed by a user, then the controller 60 controls the gas supply systems 30, 40 and restarts the scavenging treatment after a predetermined time elapses from the interruption.

Abstract: A collision avoidance apparatus includes an obstacle detection unit to detect an obstacle ahead of a vehicle; an approaching object detection unit to detect an approaching object approaching the vehicle from behind the vehicle; and an electronic control unit to calculate a collision time until the vehicle collides with the obstacle, based on the distance and relative speed of the obstacle, and starts a drive support to avoid a collision with the obstacle when the vehicle speed is a lower limit speed or greater, and the collision time is a threshold or less. When there is a likelihood for the object to collide with the vehicle from behind the vehicle, the electronic control unit lowers the lower limit speed, and/or starts drive support when the collision time is the threshold or less, even when the vehicle speed is less than the lower limit speed.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat shell; a seat pad disposed on a support surface of the seat shell, the support surface being configured to support a seated occupant; an airbag device held at an outer side of a side portion of the seat shell in its width direction, the airbag device being configured to be deployable on the side of the seated occupant; and a seat cover held taut on the outside of the seat pad. The seat cover covers an outer peripheral surface of the seat pad and an outer peripheral surface of the airbag device. The seat cover comes around behind a rear surface of the seat shell and the seat cover is engaged with the rear surface of the seat shell. The rear surface is on the opposite side of the seat shell from the support surface.

Abstract: When the amount of charge of a temporary battery exceeds a predetermined amount of charge, a solar ECU31 constitutes a charge controller pumps up and boosts power stored in the battery collaborating with a solar charger of a power supply portion, and carries out pumping charge in a main electric storage. While the solar ECU31 carries out the pumping charge, the power supply portion solar charger supplies the generated power from an in-vehicle solar cell to solar ECU31 when the power generated by the in-vehicle solar cell is a predetermined power or less, and supplies the generated power from an in-vehicle solar cell to solar ECU31 and main battery when the power generated by the in-vehicle solar cell is larger than the predetermined power. Even where the pumping charge is being carried out, the power which the in-vehicle solar cell is continuously generating can be used without being discarded futilely.

Abstract: A predetermined relationship among various loading states, stability factor (Kh) of a vehicle and lateral acceleration (Gy) of the vehicle is stored in a storage device (30A) as a reference relationship (i.e. a map). Information regarding a lateral acceleration (Gy) of the vehicle is acquired using a lateral acceleration sensor (40). An estimated value of the stability factor (Kh) of the vehicle is calculated on the basis of vehicle travelling data when turning. A loading state of the vehicle is estimated on the basis of the area in which the estimated value of the stability factor and the lateral acceleration of the vehicle which is at the same point in time as the vehicle travelling data which were provided for the calculation of the estimated value belong in the reference relationship.

Abstract: Provided is a powder supply device for a secondary battery which can always supply a fixed amount of powder with high accuracy without being influenced by a state of the powder. In addition, provided is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode body, which includes the powder supply device and can efficiently manufacture an electrode body. The powder supply device includes a rotor which makes powder fall into an opening, and a mesh body which covers the lower end of the opening. Uneven portions or projecting portions are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor. The rotor is rotatably supported in a storing portion. The gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor and the inner surface of the storing portion so that they are spaced apart. The mesh body is arranged away from the outer circumferential surface of the rotor.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine, capable of carrying out oxidation removal of PM deposited in a filter as a whole in an efficient manner, includes a filter arranged in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and having an oxidation catalyst supported in at least an upstream side portion thereof, and a heating device arranged so as to be able to heat the upstream side portion of the filter irrespective of oxidation reaction heat of the oxidation catalyst, wherein when filter upstream regeneration processing to oxidize and remove deposition PM in the upstream side portion of the filter is carried out by controlling a heating device, an amount of decrease of the upstream side deposition PM by the filter upstream regeneration processing is reflected on an amount of filter PM deposition in the ordinary filter regeneration processing which oxidizes and removes the deposition PM in the entire filter by means of oxidation reaction heat of unburnt fuel generated by

Abstract: A cathode-side gas flow path of a cell that forms part of a fuel cell is formed by a first expanded metal arranged on a gas inlet side, and a second expanded metal arranged on a downstream side. The first expanded metal is such that mesh is arranged in a straight line, and gas that flows on a gas diffusion layer side is separated from gas that flows on a separator side. The gas flowrate on the gas inlet side is reduced, so the amount of produced water that is carried away is reduced. As a result, the gas inlet side is inhibited from becoming dry at high temperatures.

Abstract: A touch operation detection apparatus includes a touch pad that has an operation surface touchable by an operator's body, and has a plurality of electrostatic sensors incorporated therein each of which detects electrostatic capacitance that is variable according to a touch on the operation surface; a number-of-touched-point determination part that determines whether there are a plurality of touched points at which touches are made on the operation surface of the touch pad based on signals from the electrostatic sensors; and a sensitivity adjustment execution part that executes a sensitivity adjustment concerning the touch on the operation surface of the touch pad when the number-of-touched-point determination part determines that there are the plurality of touched points.

Abstract: A voltage conversion control apparatus is a voltage conversion control apparatus which controls a voltage converter having an upper switching element and a lower switching element, and has a calculating device which calculates duty ratio such that output current of an electricity storage apparatus reaches target value and the duty ratio is within predetermined allowable range; a limit relaxing device which relaxes at least one of upper limit value and lower limit value of the allowable range on the basis of magnitude relationship between predetermined threshold value and current deviation which is obtained by subtracting the output current from the target value; and a controlling device which controls the upper switching element and the lower switching element to perform a switching control on the basis of the duty ratio which is calculated by the calculating device.

Abstract: An illuminating device includes a detecting section configured to detect a vehicle height of a forward vehicle running in front of a vehicle; and a control section configured to control an illuminating range of a head lamp of the vehicle according to the vehicle height.

Abstract: In a motor lock determination device (1), a lock determination on an electric motor (7) is performed such that: a first detection value (PI), which is a detection value (P) of a refrigerant pressure sensor (17) during a stop of an electric fan (5), is detected, and a second detection value (P2), which is a detection value (P) of the refrigerant pressure sensor (17) after the electric fan (5) is driven for a first predetermined time (?), is detected; when the second detection value (P2) is equal to the first detection value (PI) or more than the first detection value (PI), it is determined that a motor lock occurs; and when the second detection value (P2) is less than the first detection value (PI), it is determined that no motor lock occurs.

Abstract: The fuel pressure sensor abnormality diagnosis apparatus diagnoses that a fuel pressure sensor is abnormal in the case where, because a state where a detected value of the fuel pressure sensor is less than a target value occurs, a fuel discharge amount of a fuel pump is increased, and as a result, the fuel discharge amount reaches its maximum amount, and even if a predetermined period has elapsed since the fuel discharge amount reaches its maximum amount, the detected value is less than the target value.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a main electrode; a peripheral electrode; an insulating protective film; a surface metallic layer; and a solder layer, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes: a first region of a first conductive-type in contact with the main electrode on a main contact surface; a second region of a first conductive-type in contact with the peripheral electrode on a peripheral contact surface; and a third region of a second conductive-type provided under the first region, under the second region, and circumferentially outward of the second region, and a circumferentially-outward end of the metallic layer and a circumferentially-outward end of the solder layer are located more circumferentially inward than the circumferentially-outward end of the peripheral electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor element, a terminal and a solder outflow prevention part. The semiconductor element is fixed on one side of the substrate via a first solder layer. The terminal that is fixed on the one side of the substrate via a second solder layer. The solder outflow prevention part is formed between the semiconductor element and the terminal in the one side of the substrate and is configured to prevent the first solder layer and the second solder layer from outflowing. A distance between the solder outflow prevention part and the semiconductor element is longer than a thickness of the first solder layer.

Abstract: A door structure includes (i) a door panel including a first wall provided with a hinge member, a second wall, and a first bent part provided between the first wall and the second wall, (ii) a first reinforcing plate including a first part joined to the first wall, a second part joined to the second wall, and a corner part provided between the first part and the second part, and (iii) a second reinforcing plate including a third part joined to the first part, a fourth part joined to the second part, and an intermediate part provided between the third part and the fourth part. The first reinforcing plate and the second reinforcing plate are configured such that a closed space is provided between the first reinforcing plate and the second reinforcing plate.

Abstract: A semiconductor control device includes a switching element including a main element, and a sense element connected in parallel with the main element; and a control circuit configured to bias a sense electrode of the sense element by a negative voltage, and to detect a leakage current of another switching element connected in series with the main element. The control circuit biases the sense electrode by the negative voltage, for example, so as to turn on the sense element, without turning on the main element.

Abstract: A controller including an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit is configured to determine at least one of whether a first absolute value is at least equal to a first threshold and whether a second absolute value is at least equal to a second threshold. When the electronic control unit determines that at least one of the first absolute value and the second absolute value is at least equal to the corresponding threshold, torque capacity of an automatic clutch is controlled such that the automatic clutch is brought into a slipping state. The first absolute value is an absolute value of rotational acceleration of an input shaft of a transmission, and the second absolute value is an absolute value of rotational acceleration of drive wheels.

Abstract: In a vehicle provided with an engine, an EGR cooler for cooling EGR gas recirculated from an exhaust channel of the engine to an intake channel thereof by using a coolant, an electric pump for supplying the coolant to the EGR cooler, and a gas temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the EGR gas temperature at the downstream of the EGR cooler, an ECU acquires a first gas temperature in a normally stable state where the electric pump is rotating, thereafter performs a coolant amount suppressing process to suppress the rotational speed of the electric pump, acquires a second gas temperature in a suppressed stable state after a predefined time has elapsed from the start of the coolant amount suppressing process, and determines that the EGR cooler is abnormal if a difference between the first gas temperature and the second gas temperature is less than a threshold value.

Abstract: The PLC communication system associated with the invention is characterized in that the system comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC), a plurality of processing devices, at least three communication processing nodes provided at the PLC and at the plurality of processing devices respectively to establish communication of the PLC and each of the processing devices and an interconnecting device and a plurality of communication lines for connecting the communication processing nodes with one another to establish data communication among the communication processing nodes. The PLC detects a state of communication failure and a display device displays an abnormal portion in a communication route based on the number of occurrences of the state of communication failure in respective interconnecting device and plurality of communication lines.

Abstract: A system and methods for vehicle build information management in an assembly plant are disclosed. Once example method includes receiving, from a first information source, identification information for at least one vehicle being assembled in the vehicle assembly plant. The method further includes receiving, from a second information source, build instructions describing at least one work process to be performed for the at least one vehicle. The method further includes receiving, from a third information source, inventory information identifying a plurality of components required to comply with the build instructions. Finally, the method further includes sending for display, to a user interface, a visual representation of at least two of the identification information and the build instructions and the inventory information.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle including: a peripheral information detection section that detects peripheral information of a vehicle; a sensing section that senses dirt at the peripheral information detection section; a removal section that removes dirt at the peripheral information detection section; and a control section that controls the removal section to remove the dirt, in at least one of a case in which removal of the dirt by the removal section is instructed or a case in which the dirt is sensed by the sensing section.

Abstract: When reproduction of a filter is required, and a filter temperature is within a first temperature range, an ECU executes a control process including the steps of executing a successive motoring control, determining an intermittent motoring period, an intermittent stopping period, and an intermittence number when the filter temperature is within a second temperature range, and executing an intermittent motoring control.

Abstract: A control device of an engine includes an adjustment mechanism and a controller. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust an intake air amount. The controller is configured to save a first learning value in a volatile storage medium, the first learning value being obtained by learning an operation amount of the adjustment mechanism when the engine is idle. The controller is configured to control the adjustment mechanism according to the first learning value. The controller is configured to save a second learning value in a non-volatile storage medium, the second learning value being equal to the first learning value. The controller is configured to correct the first learning value using the second learning value after the first learning value is cleared.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an inattentive state of an operator of a vehicle and for providing information to the operator of the vehicle by obtaining face images of the operator of the vehicle, obtaining images of an environment of the vehicle, determining one or more areas of interest in the environment of the vehicle based on the images of the environment, obtaining, from a relevance and priority database, relevance and priority values corresponding to the one or more areas of interest, determining a probability of attention of the operator of the vehicle to the one or more areas of interest based on the images of the environment and the relevance and priority values, determining an attention deficiency based on the determined probability of attention and the face images, and providing the information to the operator of the vehicle based on the determined attention deficiency.

Abstract: When a catalyst temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature on a second or subsequent start of an engine since system activation of a vehicle, a catalyst warm-up request is output for the purpose of warming up a catalyst in a catalytic converter. An output limit Wout of a battery is not increased in response to a second or subsequent output of the catalyst warm-up request, while being increased in response to a first output of the catalyst warm-up request. Accordingly, the catalyst warm-up in response to the second or subsequent output of the catalyst warm-up request since the system activation suppresses excessive output of electric power from the battery and thereby suppresses deterioration of the battery. Catalyst warm-up is performed in response to the second or subsequent output of the catalyst warm-up request. This suppresses deterioration of emission.

Abstract: When neutral control is started by placing a CVT drive clutch in a semi-engaged state while a vehicle is decelerating in a state where a second power transmission path is established, a clutch mechanism that is semi-engaged in neutral control while the vehicle is decelerating is changed from the CVT drive clutch to a forward clutch before a stop of the vehicle, so it is possible to continue the neutral control until a stop of the vehicle. At a stop of the vehicle, a power transmission path is already changed to a first power transmission path that establishes a gear ratio (EL) higher than a highest gear ratio (?max) that can be established by the second power transmission path. Thus, right after a stop of the vehicle, it is possible to execute idle stop control.

Abstract: Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell in which heat generation is suppressed. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell according to the invention has a positive electrode including positive electrode active material particles and a negative electrode including negative electrode active material particles. The negative electrode active material particles are carbon-black-adhered carbon-based negative electrode active material particles which are constituted by a carbon material having a graphite structure in at least part thereof and which have carbon black (CB) particles that have adhered to at least part of a surface portion. The positive electrode active material particles are of a hollow structure having a shell and a hollow portion.

Abstract: The vehicle brake pedal device includes a pedal bracket fixed to a partition wall, a brake arm and a coupling arm assembled to the pedal bracket, a clevis and a movable plate assembled to the coupling arm, and a fixed member and a coupling bracket assembled to a vehicle body component. In the event of a front collision of the vehicle, the pedal bracket is moved backward, and the movable plate is brought into abutment against the fixed member to rotate. As a result, a push part of the movable plate is brought into abutment against the clevis, and a breakable part of the clevis is broken so that the clevis and the coupling arm are decoupled from each other. Then, the coupling arm is rotated forward with respect to the pedal bracket.

Abstract: A Schottky barrier diode provided herein includes: a semiconductor substrate; and an anode electrode being in contact with the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes: p-type contact regions being in contact with the anode electrode; and an n-type drift region being in contact with the anode electrode by Schottky contact in a range where the p-type contact regions are not provided The p-type contact regions includes: a plurality of circular regions located so that the circular regions are arranged at intervals between an outer side and an inner side at a contact surface between the semiconductor substrate and the anode electrode; and an internal region located in an inner portion of the circular region located on an innermost side at the contact surface and connected to the circular region located on the innermost side at the contact surface.

Abstract: A battery ECU sets a charge demand power based on the state of a battery and sends the set charge demand power to a power receiving ECU. The power receiving ECU sets a power transmitting/receiving efficiency by performing a gradual changing process of a ratio of an output power of a rectifier to an output power of an AC/DC converter, and sends an output demand power obtained by dividing the charge demand power by the power transmitting/receiving efficiency to a power transmission ECU. The power transmission ECU controls the AC/DC converter and an inverter to control the output power of the AC/DC converter to the output demand power. This enables the battery to be charged with a charging power approximate to the charge demand power. As a result, this provides power transmitting/receiving so as to charge the battery with an adequate charging power.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a controller configured to perform: ignition starting of an engine when a detected crank angle is within a first area in which the ignition starting of the engine may be performed with probability not smaller than a first predetermined value; and the ignition starting of the engine while increasing an engine speed by engaging a clutch to transmit torque of a drive wheel to a crankshaft when the crank angle is within a second area in which the ignition starting of the engine may be performed with probability not smaller than a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value and smaller than the first predetermined value, the instruction is output based on a signal indicating that a braking unit is turned on, and a gear of a transmission is not in neutral.

Abstract: A structure for attaching an oil jet valve includes a bracket secured to an internal combustion engine with a seal member, an attachment concavity extending through the interior of the bracket, an insertion hole extending through the interior of the internal combustion engine, an oil jet valve, a first stepped part formed in the oil jet valve, a second stepped part formed in the attachment concavity, and an interlocking member. The width of a wide part of the first stepped part is less than the width of a narrow part of the second stepped part. The width of the wide part of the first stepped part is less than the width of a portion, of the inner surface of the attachment concavity, that faces the wide part of the first stepped part.

Abstract: A method for producing a SiC single crystal by a solution process is provided, which allows generation of miscellaneous crystals to be reduced. Method for producing a SiC single crystal wherein a crucible has thickness Lu in horizontal direction at same height as liquid level of Si—C solution, and thickness Ld in horizontal direction at same height as bottom inner wall, Ld/Lu is 2.00 to 4.21, and thickness in horizontal direction of crucible monotonously increases between Lu and Ld from Lu toward Ld, wall thickness of crucible is 1 mm or greater, bottom thickness Lb in vertical direction of crucible is between 1 mm and 15 mm, bottom outer wall of crucible has flat section with area of 100 mm2 or greater, depth of Si—C solution from bottom inner wall is 30 mm or greater, and method includes heating and electromagnetic stirring Si—C solution with high-frequency coil.

Abstract: A vehicle-height adjusting system includes: vehicle-height adjusting actuators each for adjusting a vehicle height for a corresponding one of wheels; a pressure medium supplier for supplying a pressure medium from a tank to each of the vehicle-height adjusting actuators; and a vehicle height adjuster for adjusting the vehicle height for each wheel. The vehicle-height adjusting actuators include a left vehicle-height adjusting actuator and a right vehicle-height adjusting actuator. The vehicle height adjuster includes a supply amount controller configured to control the pressure medium supplier such that substantially the same amount of the pressure medium is to be supplied from the tank to the left vehicle-height adjusting actuator and the right vehicle-height adjusting actuator, when at least one of the wheels is in contact with an uneven road surface.

Abstract: A power supply ECU controls a converter to have a first control region in which a voltage is raised as a coupling coefficient is larger, and a second control region in which the voltage is maintained at a rating irrespective of a coupling coefficient. An ECU controls a converter such that an input impedance of the converter attains a prescribed value in the first control region and controls the converter such that received electric power becomes close to a target by changing the input impedance in the second control region.

Abstract: An ECU changes driving force characteristics in accordance with a changeover in mode, such that the vehicle driving torque for the same vehicle speed and the same accelerator opening degree becomes larger during a CD mode than during a CS mode. In changing the driving force characteristics in accordance with the changeover in mode, the ECU executes a slow change process such that the vehicle driving torque approaches a value after the changeover in mode from a value before the changeover in mode as time passes. In this slow change process, the speed of change in the vehicle driving torque in the slow change process is more strictly limited when the changeover in mode is made based on host vehicle position information than when the changeover in mode is made in accordance with the operation of a mode switch.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a floor panel, a battery pack, a battery pack-associated component, a first tray, a first flange portion, a second tray, and a second flange portion. The battery pack is arranged on the first tray. The first tray is arranged on the floor panel of the motor vehicle. The first flange portion is provided on a first peripheral edge. The first peripheral edge is a peripheral edge of the first tray. The battery pack-associated component is arranged on the second tray. The second tray is arranged on the floor panel of the motor vehicle. The second flange portion is provided on a second peripheral edge. The second peripheral edge is a peripheral edge of the second tray. The second flange portion is located above the first flange portion in a vertical direction of the motor vehicle. The second flange portion overlaps with the first flange portion in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle. The first flange portion projects toward the second tray side.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power receiving portion that is mounted below a floor panel and that receives electric power in a contactless manner from a power transmitting portion provided outside the vehicle, an electromagnetic shield that prevents an electromagnetic field from passing through, a power receiving portion cover that allows the electromagnetic field to pass through and covers the power receiving portion, and an undercover that allows the electromagnetic field to pass through and covers the power receiving portion cover.

Abstract: A driving support apparatus for a vehicle comprises a first determination part which determines whether a likelihood of a collision between an own vehicle and another vehicle exists based on information acquired by an autonomous sensor and outputs a first notification request when a notification for the likelihood of the collision is required, a second determination part which determinates whether the likelihood of the collision based on information acquired by an inter-vehicle communication device and GPS sensor and outputs a second notification request when the notification for the likelihood of the collision is required, a warning determination part which inhibits the output of the second notification request by the second determination part when a time at which starts outputting the second notification request for a notification device by the second determination part has come until the time period from a time treq1 at which starts outputting the first notification request for the notification by the firs

Abstract: A fuel property determination apparatus for an internal combustion engine is applied to an internal combustion engine that is equipped with an ignition plug and an ignition timing controller. An electronic control unit provided in the fuel property determination apparatus executes a determination process of making a determination on a property of a fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine based on an ignition sufficiency ratio, during a predetermined period after startup of the internal combustion engine. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the property of the fuel is heavy when a determination index value that is obtained by subjecting the ignition sufficiency ratio to a smoothing process is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold. The electronic control unit is configured to set a smoothing coefficient to a value corresponding to each of a first period, a second period, and a third period.

Abstract: An information output apparatus includes: a first switching element joined through a solder part, and forming one arm of a power conversion apparatus; a second switching element connected in series with the first switching element, and forming the other arm of the power conversion apparatus; a smoothing capacitor; a measuring unit configured to measure a temperature of the first switching element to output a measured value; an applying unit configured to apply two or more continuous pulses in a state where a potential difference across the smoothing capacitor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the pulses causing the first switching element and the second switching element to simultaneously turn on; an adjusting unit configured to adjust pulse widths of the pulses; and an output unit configured to output information indicating a deterioration of the solder part based on a manner of a change in measured values.

Abstract: A valve device includes: a poppet that is formed in a hollow shaft shape except for a leading end, has a tapered closure part at the leading end and a side hole passing through a wall of the hollow shaft-shaped part, and rotates around a shaft center thereof during opening and closing actions; and a valve seat having a sloped seat surface with which the closure part of the poppet comes into contact when closing the valve device. The closure part of the poppet or the seat surface of the valve seat, whichever has a higher hardness, has a cut mark of the opposite direction from a direction of rotation of the poppet around the shaft center that occurs during the valve closing action.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a rotary electric machine, a filter and an ECU. The engine includes an exhaust passage. The rotary electric machine is a driving source of the vehicle. The filter traps particulate matter flowing through the exhaust passage. The ECU is configured to control the hybrid vehicle in any one of a plurality of control modes. The plurality of control modes include a first control mode and a second control mode. The number of opportunities for the engine to operate when the control mode is the second control mode is larger than the number of opportunities for the engine to operate when the control mode is the first control mode. The ECU is configured to, when the filter is regenerated, control the hybrid vehicle in the second control mode.

Abstract: A braking force (BF) control system includes: a first required BF calculator that calculates, based on a position of the brake pedal, a first required friction BF allocated to the friction brake and a first required regenerative BF allocated to regenerative control of the drive motor; a second required BF calculator that calculates, based on a position of the acceleration pedal, a second required friction BF allocated to the friction brake and a second required regenerative BF allocated to the regenerative control; a regenerative total BF calculation/execution portion that calculates a regenerative total BF based on the first and second required regenerative BFs and performs the regenerative control based on the regenerative total BF; and a friction total BF calculation/execution portion that calculates a friction total BF based on the first and second required friction BFs and controls the friction brake based on the friction total BF.