Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a road data memory, current position sensor that detects a current position of a vehicle and a camera that takes a picture of the road ahead of the current position. At least one indicator line such as a lane dividing line on the road is shown in the picture. The picture changes as the vehicle moves forward along the road, during which increase in width of the indicator line or increase of distance between two indicator lines may be detected. By such detection, the vehicle position with respect to the indicator line is determined, the result of which is incorporated into control operation of an automatic transmission, for example.

Abstract: A vehicle control system comprising a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of a vehicle; a road situation storage device for storing road structures and conditions; a recommended gear stage determining device for determining a recommended gear stage of an automatic transmission on the basis of the vehicle speed and the road structures and conditions; a present position detecting device for detecting the present position of the vehicle; a present position recognizing device for recognizing the present position of the vehicle, as detected by the present position detecting device; a control content selecting device for evaluating at least one of the present position detecting device and the present position recognizing device to select the control content on the basis of the evaluation result; and a speed change processing device for changing the speed in accordance with the control content selected by the control content selecting device.

Abstract: A vehicle control device controls an automatic transmission by utilizing road information stored in a navigation system unit. In response to the road information stored in a data memory, the upper-limit of a shiftable transmission speed range is determined, thereby allowing shift-change only within the restricted transmission range. The actual down-shift is carried out after confirming a decelerating operation by the driver, such as release of the accelerator pedal, thereby providing favorable transmission control in conformity with the driver's intention.

Abstract: A vehicle control system comprising a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of a vehicle; a recommended gear stage determine device for determining a recommended gear stage of an automatic transmission based on the vehicle speed and road situation; an upper limit gear stage set device for setting an upper limit gear stage on the basis of the recommended gear stage; and a shift device for changing the speed at the upper limit gear stage. The recommended gear stage determine device includes a suppress device for suppressing the number of determinations of the recommended gear stage at a corner.

Abstract: There is provided control over transmission stages which suppresses unnecessary shifts to a higher speed based on road information stored in a navigation system to allow smooth acceleration. An intersection ahead of the vehicle in the traveling direction is detected based on the road information stored in the navigation system and, when the vehicle is decelerated as it approaches the intersection, an optimum transmission stage for acceleration is selected in advance in accordance with the speed of the vehicle by predicting the acceleration to be performed when exiting the intersection. This eliminates the need for a shift to a lower speed before effecting acceleration by pressing the accelerator and thereby ensures smooth acceleration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle control system that controls an automatic transmission by utilizing road information stored in a navigation system unit. In response to the road information stored in a data memory, the upper-limit of a shiftable gear ratio range is determined, thereby allowing change of the gear ratio only within the restricted range. The actual downshift is carried out in response to initiation of a decelerating operation by the driver, such as release of the accelerator pedal, which prevents unnecessary upshift and provides favorable transmission control in conformity with the driver's intention.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism connecting and disconnecting an output shaft of an internal combustion engine and an input shaft of a transmission unit includes a first clutch assembly coupled to the input shaft of the transmission unit and a second clutch assembly coupled to an output shaft of the engine. A torque conduction member is provided between the first and second clutch assemblies for rotation relative to the two clutch assemblies. The torque conduction member has a first connecting surface for engaging the first clutch assembly and a second connecting surface for engaging the second clutch assembly. The contacting force at the first connecting surface is stronger than that at the second connecting surface, when a predetermined load is applied to the two connecting surfaces in succession.

Abstract: First and second refrigerating circuits respectively cause first and second adsorbing bodies to alternately adsorb and release first and second coolants. In the first refrigerating circuit, when the first adsorbing body is heated, it releases the first coolant. The released first coolant is cooled, and discharged through an expansion valve so that a part of the first coolant is liquefied. The resultant latent heat of vaporization can be utilized to cool an object to be cooled. Thereafter, the first coolant is adsorbed when the first adsorbing body is cooled. In the second refrigerating circuit, when the second adsorbing body is heated, it releases the second coolant. The released second coolant is cooled by a liquefied-gas-type cooler, and discharged through an expansion valve so that a part of the second coolant is liquefied. The resultant latent heat of vaporization is utilized to cool the first adsorbing body of the first refrigerating circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle has a rotary magnetic field member which is rotatably supported at a position near the surface of a roadway along which the vehicle runs and rotatingly driven by a driving device. The rotary magnetic field member has magnetic poles of different polarities alternately arranged around its circumference. The vehicle also has an electrical power collector for receiving electrical power from an electrical power supply associated with the roadway. The received electrical power is supplied under the control of a controller to the driving device thereby rotatably driving the rotary magnetic field member. The rotary magnetic field member when rotated relative to the roadway made of an electrically conductive non-magnetic material, forms a varying magnetic field in cooperation with the roadway, thereby generating propulsion force for propelling the vehicle and force for suspending the vehicle, so that the vehicle is propelled in a floating state.

Abstract: A vehicle with a noncontact drive mechanism includes a magnetic propelling device 7 for generating a propelling force derived from magnetic induction of an eddy current within a reaction plate 4 laid on a road surface, without contact between the magnetic propelling device and the reaction plate; a flux changing device 13 for changing magnetic flux of the magnetic propelling device; a chassis supporting device for holding a chassis with respect to the road surface; and running-direction control devices 3, 5 for controlling the direction of running of the vehicle. The vehicle is adapted to run by generating a magnetic force in noncontact with the reaction plate.