Abstract: A fuel pipe is mounted to a vehicle body. A detection electrode is immersed in fuel, which flows through the fuel pipe. A grounding electrode is in a tubular member and is located outside the detection electrode. An affixing member affixes the fuel pipe and the grounding electrode in a state where the fuel pipe and the grounding electrode are electrically isolated from each other. A detection circuit detects a capacitance between the detection electrode and the grounding electrode according to a specific inductive capacity of fuel, which flows between the detection electrode and the grounding electrode. A conductive shield portion extends from an end of the grounding electrode and extends between the detection electrode and the fuel pipe. The end of the grounding electrode is immersed in fuel, which flows through the fuel pipe.

Abstract: A main locking mechanism locks a phase at a main locking phase, at which an intake valve is closed at timing later than a bottom dead center, by inserting a main locking member into a main locking hole. A sub locking mechanism locks a phase at a sub locking phase advanced more than the main locking phase by inserting a sub locking member into a sub locking hole. A movable body disposed in the main locking hole reciprocates between an open position and a blocking position of the main locking hole. During a warm start of an engine, a driving source maintains the movable body at the open position at which the inserting of the main locking member into the main locking hole is maintained. In contrast, during a cold start of the engine, the driving source drives the movable body to the blocking position at which the main locking member is removed from the main locking hole.

Abstract: A fuel property sensor includes an external electrode, an internal electrode, a temperature detecting device, a holder portion, a sealing portion. The external electrode includes a passage portion and a projecting portion to define a transfer passage through which fuel flows. The internal electrode is disposed in the passage portion of the external electrode. The temperature detecting device detects a fuel temperature. The holder portion holds the temperature detecting device. The holder portion has a bottomed-cylindrical shape and disposed in the transfer passage and the through-hole of the internal electrode, or the holder portion has a cylindrical shape and disposed in the transfer passage. The sealing portion seals the transfer passage and prevents fuel flowing in the transfer passage from leaking outside.

Abstract: A fuel property sensor has an external electrode, an internal electrode, a temperature detecting device, a holder portion, a sealing portion, and a calculation unit. The external electrode includes a passage portion and a projecting portion. The internal electrode is disposed in the passage portion of the external electrode at a predetermined distance from an inner wall of the passage portion and the internal electrode. The temperature detecting device detects a fuel temperature. The holder portion is disposed in the projecting portion of the external electrode and holds the temperature detecting device therein, and the holder portion and the projecting portion define a transfer passage. The sealing portion insulates the external electrode and the holder portion from each other, and prevents fuel flowing in the transfer passage from leaking outside. The calculation unit calculates fuel properties and electrical characteristics of fuel flowing between the external electrode and the internal electrode.

Abstract: A fuel property sensor includes an electrode portion, a first thermistor, a second thermistor, and a circuit portion. The electrode portion detects an electrostatic capacity varied according to an ethanol concentration in fuel as a fuel characteristic. The first thermistor is disposed in a flowing area inside the electrode portion, where the fuel flows through. The second thermistor is disposed in a non-flowing area where no fuel flows through. The circuit portion which computes the ethanol concentration based on the electrostatic capacity, a first detection value detected by the first thermistor, and a second detection value detected by the second thermistor. Thus, a fuel temperature can be properly detected, and a detection accuracy of the fuel characteristic can be improved.