Abstract: This invention provides novel 4H-quinolizin-4-one compounds which exhibit a selective inhibitory activity against IgE-antibody formation, and have utility for treatment of diseases associated with IgE formation in mammals, such as allergic bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, hypersensitiveness, and the like.

Abstract: The life expectancy of a mechanical structure that undergoes repeated loading is estimated by determining the maximum crack length on the surface of the structure. The maximum length of the cracks on the surface of the structure is related to the life ratio of the structure, wherein the life ratio is a ratio of the number of loads the structure has undergone to the number of loads the structure will undergo until failure. An optical system is used to measure the crack length of the cracks on the surface of the structure being inspected. A statistical distribution of greatest length cracks for a sampling of areas within a larger area can be made. Apparatus is provided to statistically process such distribution data to obtain a statistically estimated maximum length crack for the larger area. The maximum crack length determination can be used to estimate the life expectancy of the structure from the relationship between crack length and life ratio.

Abstract: The position detector comprises a semiconductor layer of i type amorphous silicon layer and a P type amorphous silicon layer is formed on one surface thereof and an N type amorphous layer is formed on the opposite surface. A transparent resistance layer is formed on one surface of the semiconductor layer. Collector electrodes are provided at the sides of the resistance layer for deriving out a position signal.

Abstract: In a power-assisted steering system including an electrically operated bypass valve mounted on a hydraulic power cylinder and disposed within a bypass passage between opposite fluid chambers of the cylinder to permit bypass flow passing therethrough in its energized condition, an electric control apparatus includes a first sensor arranged to detect a travel speed of the vehicle for producing a first electric signal indicative of the vehicle speed, a second sensor arranged to detect a rotation speed of a prime mover of the vehicle for producing a second electric signal indicative of the rotation speed of the prime mover, a microcomputer responsive to the first and second electric signals for determining an optimum steering effort in relation to each value of the electric signals on a bais of predetermined respective functions of the vehicle speed and the rotation speed of the prime mover and for producing an electric control signal indicative of the optimum steering effort.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension includes a variable damping effectiveness type shock absorber, which has an actuator and according to selective actuation thereof can be set to first, second, or third conditions which respectively cause the shock absorber to provide minimum, medium, or maximum damping effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a steering angle and a steering angular velocity of a steering mounted in a vehicle. The apparatus has a sensor mounted on a steering column tube, and a disc secured onto the outer periphery of a steering shaft. The steering column tube has a projecting form in which a luminescent element and a light receiving element are provided. The projecting form is designed not to contact with the disc.

Abstract: An air suspension system which includes an air spring provided between a car body and a suspension arm for adjusting the car height by changing the volume of the air spring. The air spring includes a diaphragm and an air piston formed to contact with the diaphragm. The air piston has a plurality of wall portions arranged longitudinally. Each wall portion is different in its external shape from the portion adjacent thereto. The external shapes of the air piston includes a combination of at least two shapes of the group including a straight cylindrical shape, a tapered shape converging downward and a tapered shape diverging downward.

Abstract: A piezoelectric pick-up device for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, which comprises a metal case mounted on an internal combustion engine cylinder wall or the like, a mounting metal rod projecting from the inner bottom surface of the metal case into the interior thereof, a piezoelectric element and a weight disposed in the case interior and fitted on the mounting rod, the piezoelectric element being electrically coupled to the metal case, a cap-like cover fittedly covering the weight or the entirety of the piezoelectric element and the weight, and a molding material filling the case interior. The cap-like cover is made of an elastic material or a hard material.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the height of a vehicle provided with an air suspension system capable of adjusting the vehicle height and having two air chambers capable of being communicated with and shut off from each other. The method comprises the steps of shutting off temporarily one air chamber from the remaining one and supplying the compressed air to the other air chamber when the vehicle height is to be increased. The supply of the compressed air is carried out at the same time as or prior to the shutting-off.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for detecting the center of a steering angle in a vehicle.This device comprises a steering angle sensor provided on a vehicle steering mechanism for electrically detecting a steering angle, a temporary storing portion for temporarily storing a center value calculated in response to an output from the sensor through a first switch, a comparison circuit for comparing the center value stored in the temporary storage portion with an output from the steering angle sensor to ON-OFF operate the first switch, a center storage portion for taking out the center value in the temporary storage portion through a second switch to store the same, and a distance measuring portion controlled by the comparison circuit, for ON-OFF operating the second switch after a lapse of a predetermined running distance upon ON-operation of the first switch, the aforesaid center storage portion including an integration circuit having a resistor and a capacitor.

Abstract: A shock absorber control system controls vehicle shock absorbers by bringing them selectively into a softer dampening mode or a harder dampening mode in response to operation of a steering wheel of a vehicle. The shock absorbers are changed from the softer to the harder dampening mode only when the vehicle speed is higher than a reference vehicle speed and the steering wheel is turned at an angular velocity greater than a predetermined reference angular velocity. The angular velocity of rotation of the steering wheel is used as a parameter to select one of the softer and harder dampening modes only when the vehicle wheel has been angularly moved beyond a certain reference angle dependent on the vehicle speed. Therefore, no unwanted switching between the softer and harder dampening modes takes place when the steering wheel is angularly moved back and forth through relatively small angles. The harder dampening mode continues for a preset interval of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a rotating angle and an angular velocity of a rotation member, such as a steering column mounted in a vehicle, and a method of assembling it. The apparatus has a disc secured onto an outer peripheral portion of a steering shaft, and a sensor mounted on a steering column tube. The steering column tube has a projecting form into which a luminescent element and a light receiving element are provided. The projecting form is designed not to contact with the disc.

Abstract: A shock absorber control unit for differentiating a damping force of a shock absorber mounted in a vehicle. The control unit is designed to increase the damping force of the shock absorber on the condition that a operator rotates a steering wheel from a neutral position to a steered position, and to maintain the normal damping force of the shock absorber on the condition that the driver steers the steering wheel from the steered position to the neutral position.