Abstract: A molded article selected from the group consisting of (1) a sheet or a film, (2) a thermoformed article, (3) a stretched film, wherein the molded article is made of a polyester resin composition containing a polyester resin and a polyester-based plasticizer represented by the following formula (I): R1O—CO—R2—CO—[(OR3)mO—CO—R2—CO—]nOR1 (I), wherein R1 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkylene group having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, m is the number of from 1 to 6, and n is the number of from 1 to 12, with proviso that all the R2's may be identical or different, and that all the R3's may be identical or different.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, a target rotational speed and a target torque or a target operation point of an engine are set to a predetermined optimal efficiency rotational speed and a predetermined optimal efficiency torque that enable the engine to be operated efficiently when the engine is operated while a state of charge of the battery is equal to or more than a control-center state of charge after a start of a driving of the vehicle. Then, the engine and motors are controlled so that the engine is operated at the target operation point and a torque equivalent to a torque demand is output to a ring gear shaft or an axle.

Abstract: A vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a charge-discharge system CDS. The charge-discharge system includes the vehicle 10, an electric power cable 20, a plug-in station 30, a HEMS 40, and a commercial power supply 50. In a state where the connector 21 of the electric power cable 20 is connected with the inlet of the vehicle 10, an electric power is discharged/supplied from the vehicle electric storage device 11 to an external electric load (e.g., external electric storage device 41). Further, the vehicle electric storage device 11 is capable of being charged by the external power supply 50 through the electric power cable 20. A control device 12 of the vehicle 10 obtains/detects a permissible current value of the electric power cable 20, based on a specific signal (control pilot signal) which is transmitted through a CPLT terminal of the connector 21 before it starts the discharge to the external electric load from the vehicle electric storage device 11.

Abstract: A molded article selected from the group consisting of (1) a sheet or a film, (2) a thermoformed article, (3) a stretched film, wherein the molded article is made of a polyester resin composition containing a polyester resin and a polyester-based plasticizer represented by the following formula (I): R1O—CO—R2—CO—[(OR3)mO—CO—R2—CO—]nOR1 (I), wherein R1 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkylene group having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, m is the number of from 1 to 6, and n is the number of from 1 to 12, with proviso that all the R2's may be identical or different, and that all the R3's may be identical or different.

Abstract: A vehicle 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a charge-discharge system CDS. The charge-discharge system includes the vehicle 10, an electric power cable 20, a plug-in station 30, a HEMS 40, and a commercial power supply 50. From the HEMS 40 to the vehicle 10, a request for charge to charge an electric storage device 11 and a request for discharge to allow an external electric load to use an electric power of the electric storage device 11 are transmitted. When a request is changed from the request for charge to the request for discharge, or vice versa, the vehicle 10 realizes a charge-discharge stop state in which neither a charging operation nor a discharging operation is performed without directly changing from the charging operation to the discharging operation, or vice versa.

Abstract: An operating mode of a charging/supplying system in which a vehicle is connected with a first external device or a second external device via a connecting portion used in common in a charging mode in which an electric storage device installed on the vehicle is charged with electric power from the first external device and a supplying mode in which electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the second external device, and which is operable in a selected one of the charging mode and the supplying mode, is identified. More specifically, a plurality of detection values are detected from at least one electric connection channel provided between the vehicle and the first external device or the second external device via the connecting portion, and it is determined whether the operating mode of the charging/supplying system is the charging mode or the supplying mode, based on a combination of the plurality of detection values.

Abstract: A feeding connector that connects a vehicle with an external power receiving device when electric power is fed from the vehicle to the power receiving device is allowed to be fitted to a connecting portion to which a charging connector that connects the vehicle with an external feeding device is fitted when an electric storage device installed on the vehicle is charged with electric power from the feeding device, and, when the feeding connector is in a particular condition of fit with the connecting portion, an impedance of a particular signal path provided in the feeding connector falls within an impedance range for feeding which is set as a range of impedance different from an impedance range for charging which is set as a range of impedance of a signal path provided in the charging connector and corresponding to the particular signal path. A method for identifying the feeding connector, a system for identifying the feeding connector, and a feeding system using the feeding connector are also provided.

Abstract: In a charging system for a vehicle for charging a power storage device, including the vehicle having the power storage device, and a charging cable for transmitting electric power supplied from an external power supply outside of the vehicle to the power storage device, charging information about charging performed by a charging device is set based on a signal generated by operation of an operation switch provided on a charging connector. This configuration can improve operability during charging.

Abstract: A resin composition containing: an ester compound including a carboxylic acid ester obtained by using (1) a monohydric alcohol having an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; (2) a dicarboxylic acid having an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and (3) a dihydric alcohol having an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, the ester compound having an acid value of 1.00 mgKOH/g or less, a hydroxyl value of 5.0 mgKOH/g or less, and a number-average molecular weight of from 300 to 700; and an aliphatic polyester. Since the resin composition of the present invention inhibits the generation of volatile compounds, the resin composition can be suitably used in various industrial applications, such as daily sundries, household electric appliance parts, and automobile parts.

Abstract: A method for promoting crystallization of a biodegradable resin composition, including the step of melt-kneading a raw material containing ethylenebis 12-hydroxystearic amide having an amine value of 1.0 mg KOH/g or less and a biodegradable resin. Since the biodegradable resin composition obtainable by the method for promoting crystallization of the present invention has favorable crystallization velocity, a time period required upon molding the composition is shortened, whereby a molded article can be produced productively. The biodegradable resin composition can be suitably used in, for example, in various industrial applications, such as daily sundries, household electric appliance parts, and automobile parts.

Abstract: A resin composition containing: an ester compound including a carboxylic acid ester obtained by using (1) a monohydric alcohol having an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; (2) a dicarboxylic acid having an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and (3) a dihydric alcohol having an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, the ester compound having an acid value of 1.00 mgKOH/g or less, a hydroxyl value of 5.0 mgKOH/g or less, and a number-average molecular weight of from 300 to 700; and an aliphatic polyester. Since the resin composition of the present invention inhibits the generation of volatile compounds, the resin composition can be suitably used in various industrial applications, such as daily sundries, household electric appliance parts, and automobile parts.

Abstract: An EV priority switch is configured to allow a user to request a change between an EV priority mode and an HV mode. If an SOC of a power storage device is less than a first threshold value when the change to the HV mode is requested from the EV priority switch during the EV priority mode, an ECU changes the running mode to attain the HV mode and controls the SOC to be close to the SOC at the moment of a request for the change to the HV mode. If the SOC is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the ECU maintains the EV priority mode. If the SOC reaches a second threshold value less than the first threshold value, the ECU forcefully changes the running mode to attain the HV mode.

Abstract: A conversion adaptor enables utilization of a standardized charge cable used when a power storage device mounted on an electrically-powered vehicle is charged by a power source provided outside of the vehicle as a universal cable for transmitting electric power to electric loads having different plug shapes that are respectively standardized from one region to another. Conversion adaptor includes a primary side connector unit configured to be connectable to a connector of charge cable, a secondary side connector unit configured so as to have a plug of an electric load, such as a home electric appliance, connected thereto, and a manipulating unit for manipulating a CCID of charge cable so that relays are switched off when connector of charge cable is connected to first connector unit.

Abstract: First and second converters are connected in parallel to positive and negative lines, respectively. When a required power is smaller than a reference value, an ECU controls the first and second converters such that one of the first and second converters operates and the other stops. When the required power is equal to or larger than the reference value, the ECU controls the first and second converters such that both the first and second converters operate.

Abstract: An energy gauge includes a first section indicating a remaining amount of fuel, a second section indicating a remaining amount of stored electric power and a baseline. The first section and the second section extend to the right and left with respect to the baseline. A sub-section indicating the remaining amount of fuel and a sub-section indicating the remaining amount of stored electric power are displayed continuously and integrally across the baseline, commonly starting from the baseline. The first section and the second section are arranged at the right and left sides, respectively, with respect to the baseline in correspondence with the positions at which a fuel inlet and a charging inlet are disposed.

Abstract: An electric power unit for a vehicle mounted on a vehicle includes a base battery, a boost converter that converts the voltage supplied from the base battery to a target voltage to supply electric power to an inverter, an electric power line that connects the inverter with the boost converter, and a first battery and a second battery whose respective positive electrodes are connected with a node provided on the electric power line to supply electric power to the inverter.

Abstract: A charging system includes a locking device locking a connector provided at the end of a cable in the state where the connector is connected to an inlet provided in a vehicle; a release button for releasing locking by the locking device; a switch generating a signal indicating that the connector and the inlet are connected; a horn; and an ECU. In response to the operation of the release button, the switch stops generation of the signal. The ECU controls charging of a power storage device and detects whether the signal is issued or not. In the case where the ECU detects that generation of the signal is stopped during charging of the power storage device, the ECU causes the horn to issue an alarm.

Abstract: In a charging system for a vehicle for charging a power storage device, including the vehicle having the power storage device, and a charging cable for transmitting electric power supplied from an external power supply outside of the vehicle to the power storage device, charging information about charging performed by a charging device is set based on a signal generated by operation of an operation switch provided on a charging connector. This configuration can improve operability during charging.

Abstract: A pneumatic tires (20FL, 20FR, 20RL, 20RR) each having a plurality of air chambers disposed therein along a tread width direction. An internal pressure control device (100) includes a sensor unit (120) configured to inform a controller (110) that the four-wheel automobile (10) is going as being displaced in the leftward or rightward direction; and the controller (110) configure to change the internal pressures of the plurality of air chambers on the basis of the instruction outputted from the sensor unit (120).

Abstract: A method for promoting crystallization of a biodegradable resin composition, including the step of melt-kneading a raw material containing ethylenebis 12-hydroxystearic amide having an amine value of 1.0 mg KOH/g or less and a biodegradable resin. Since the biodegradable resin composition obtainable by the method for promoting crystallization of the present invention has favorable crystallization velocity, a time period required upon molding the composition is shortened, whereby a molded article can be produced productively. The biodegradable resin composition can be suitably used in, for example, in various industrial applications, such as daily sundries, household electric appliance parts, and automobile parts.