Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes an engine configured to be mounted to a vehicle, a drive shaft mechanically connected to the engine as to drive the vehicle, a first power connecting-disconnecting unit connected to one of the drive shaft and the engine, a motor generator mechanically connected to the one of the drive shaft and the engine via the first power connecting-disconnecting unit, a second power connecting-disconnecting unit connected to the motor generator, and a supercharger mechanically connected to the motor generator via the second power connecting-disconnecting unit. The vehicle drive device can retrieve regenerative electric power efficiently.

Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes an engine configured to be mounted to a vehicle, a drive shaft mechanically connected to the engine as to drive the vehicle, a first power connecting-disconnecting unit connected to one of the drive shaft and the engine, a motor generator mechanically connected to the one of the drive shaft and the engine via the first power connecting-disconnecting unit, a second power connecting-disconnecting unit connected to the motor generator, and a supercharger mechanically connected to the motor generator via the second power connecting-disconnecting unit. The vehicle drive device can retrieve regenerative electric power efficiently.

Abstract: An electromotive drive system including a small motor and a small-capacity battery more effectively improves the fuel economy of an engine-driven vehicle. An electromotive drive system includes: a motor for driving a vehicle; a battery storing electrical energy to rotate the motor; an inverter; a converting mechanism transmitting rotation of the motor to a drive shaft at a predetermined conversion ratio independently of a conversion ratio at which an engine is driven; and a control unit controlling an operation of the inverter. The control unit is configured so that upper vehicle speed limits, to which the motor is allowed to operate, can be set separately during powering and during regeneration, respectively.

Abstract: An engine starting device includes a high-voltage power storage unit, a DC/DC converter electrically connected to the high-voltage power storage unit, a first switch electrically connected to the DC/DC converter, a second switch electrically connected to the first switch at a node, a low-voltage power storage unit electrically connected to the second switch, a starter configured to start up the engine, and a controller. The controller is configured to, for starting up the starter, control the DC/DC converter to allow the DC/DC converter to output electric power of the high-voltage power storage unit to the starter and to start rotating the starter at a certain time point by turning on the first switch while turning off the second switch.

Abstract: An electromotive drive device including a small motor and a small-capacity battery more effectively improves the fuel economy of an engine-driven vehicle. An electromotive drive device includes: a motor for driving a vehicle; a battery storing electrical energy to rotate the motor; an inverter; a converting mechanism transmitting rotation of the motor to a drive shaft at a predetermined conversion ratio independently of a conversion ratio at which an engine is driven; and a control unit controlling an operation of the inverter. The control unit is configured so that upper vehicle speed limits, to which the motor is allowed to operate, can be set separately during powering and during regeneration, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle hybrid system includes a transmission mechanically coupled with an engine, a drive shaft mechanically coupled with the transmission, a rotation-transmitting part coupled with the drive shaft, a power connecting-disconnecting part coupled with the drive shaft via the rotation-transmitting part, a motor generator mechanically coupled with the power connecting-disconnecting part, and a directional power transmission part for transmitting power in a direction from the motor generator to the engine to drive the engine and for not transmitting power in a direction from the engine to the motor generator to drive the motor generator. This vehicle hybrid system has high efficiency.

Abstract: An electromotive drive device including a small motor and a small-capacity battery more effectively improves the fuel economy of an engine-driven vehicle. An electromotive drive device includes: a motor for driving a vehicle; a battery storing electrical energy to rotate the motor; an inverter; a converting mechanism transmitting rotation of the motor to a drive shaft at a predetermined conversion ratio independently of a conversion ratio at which an engine is driven; and a control unit controlling an operation of the inverter. The control unit is configured so that upper vehicle speed limits, to which the motor is allowed to operate, can be set separately during powering and during regeneration, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire condition detection apparatus capable of detecting the condition of a tire with a high degree of precision. The tire condition detection apparatus detects the tire condition of a pneumatic tire fixed to a wheel, and has a vibration input section that inputs predetermined vibration to the tire, a frequency information acquisition section that acquires frequency information of the tire when the predetermined vibration is input, and a tire condition estimation section that extracts a resonance frequency of the tire from the acquired frequency information, and calculates a spring constant when the tire is modeled using an outer moment of inertia, an inner moment of inertia, and a spring constant of elastic force acting therebetween, from the extracted tire resonance frequency.

Abstract: A drunk driving detection system to be incorporated in a vehicle includes a steering wheel, a film, a pair of contact detection electrodes, an alcohol sensor, and a control circuit. The steering wheel is provided with an opening in a portion to be grasped by a driver. The film is liquid-impermeable and air-permeable, and covers the first opening. The contact detection electrodes are provided on the film. The alcohol sensor is provided in a space in communication with the opening. The control circuit is connected to the contact detection electrodes and the alcohol sensor, and measures the resistance between the contact detection electrodes. When the resistance is within a predetermined range, the control circuit determines that the driver is in contact with the film and detects an alcohol drinking condition of the driver based on the output from the alcohol sensor.

Abstract: An integrated control interface is provided for the driver of the vehicle. The control interface employs a plurality of multi-functional switches located proximate to the driver in combination with a display that provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by each switch. A control module receives control signals from the switches and initiates control of the applicable vehicle subsystem function in response thereto.

Abstract: A drunk driving detection system to be incorporated in a vehicle includes a steering wheel, a film, a pair of contact detection electrodes, an alcohol sensor, and a control circuit. The steering wheel is provided with an opening in a portion to be grasped by a driver. The film is liquid-impermeable and air-permeable, and covers the first opening. The contact detection electrodes are provided on the film. The alcohol sensor is provided in a space in communication with the opening. The control circuit is connected to the contact detection electrodes and the alcohol sensor, and measures the resistance between the contact detection electrodes. When the resistance is within a predetermined range, the control circuit determines that the driver is in contact with the film and detects an alcohol drinking condition of the driver based on the output from the alcohol sensor.

Abstract: An integrated control interface is provided for the driver of the vehicle. The control interface employs a plurality of multi-functional switches located proximate to the driver in combination with a display that provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by each switch. A control module receives control signals from the switches and initiates control of the applicable vehicle subsystem function in response thereto.

Abstract: An integrated control interface is provided for the driver of the vehicle. The control interface employs a plurality of multi-functional switches located proximate to the driver in combination with a display that provides an indicia of the vehicle function controlled by each switch. A control module receives control signals from the switches and initiates control of the applicable vehicle subsystem function in response thereto.

Abstract: There is provided a gas detector capable of detecting hydrogen concentration and humidity independently in the environment containing both hydrogen and water vapor. The gas detector comprises a high-temp exothermic detector unit and a low-temp exothermic detector unit provided with themosensitive resistors of different self-heating temperatures. The gas detector converts gas-level outputs produced by the high-temp exothermic detector unit and the low-temp exothermic detector unit responsive to the hydrogen concentration and humidity into electric signals, and outputs them after computing electrically levels of the hydrogen concentration and humidity contained in a gas introduced into the two detector units through a gas intake opening.

Abstract: A torque detector capable of detecting an amount of torque, rotation angle and rotational speed with high resolution. First rotor and second rotor are retained individually in bearings, and they each have a gear on periphery thereof. First magnet and second magnet have pairs of magnetic poles, and disposed to ends of the first rotor and the second rotor respectively. First and second magneto-sensitive elements for detecting magnetic fields produced by the first and the second magnets are placed along an axial direction of the first and the second rotors in a manner to face the first and the second magnets respectively with a predetermined space. An input shaft and an output shaft are in engagement to the first and the second rotors respectively with gears, and the output shaft is connected to the input shaft.

Abstract: There is provided a gas detector capable of detecting hydrogen concentration and humidity independently in the environment containing both hydrogen and water vapor. The gas detector comprises a high-temp exothermic detector unit and a low-temp exothermic detector unit provided with themosensitive resistors of different self-heating temperatures. The gas detector converts gas-level outputs produced by the high-temp exothermic detector unit and the low-temp exothermic detector unit responsive to the hydrogen concentration and humidity into electric signals, and outputs them after computing electrically levels of the hydrogen concentration and humidity contained in a gas introduced into the two detector units through a gas intake opening.

Abstract: A torque detector capable of detecting an amount of torque, rotation angle and rotational speed with high resolution. First rotor and second rotor are retained individually in bearings, and they each have a gear on periphery thereof. First magnet and second magnet have pairs of magnetic poles, and disposed to ends of the first rotor and the second rotor respectively. First and second magneto-sensitive elements for detecting magnetic fields produced by the first and the second magnets are placed along an axial direction of the first and the second rotors in a manner to face the first and the second magnets respectively with a predetermined space. An input shaft and an output shaft are in engagement to the first and the second rotors respectively with gears, and the output shaft is connected to the input shaft.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor is characterized by having electrodes constituting an exciting unit for providing a vibrator with vibration, an electrode constituting a means for detecting a vibration level of the vibrator, an electrode constituting a first detection means for detecting Coriolis' force generated responsive to an angular rate, a second detecting electrode for detecting a signal of reverse polarity to that of the first detecting electrode, a driving circuit for taking as an input a signal from the electrode for detecting the vibration level and outputting a signal to the electrodes, and a first detection circuit and a second detection circuit for taking respective inputs of detected signals from the first detecting electrode and the second detecting electrode.

Abstract: An integral bimorph angular rate sensor is formed by directly bonding two tuning fork members in the thickness direction to enhance the detecting sensitivity of the angular velocity sensor. The individual tuning fork members are formed from a single crystalline piezoelectric material such as quartz and are bonded in the crystal axis direction as to establish a piezoelectric phenomenon wherein the piezoelectric materials of the bonded tuning fork members have inverse polarities in their width or thickness directions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of a driving operation of an angular rate sensor employing a tuning fork oscillator made of single crystalline piezoelectric material such as quartz. In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a tuning fork oscillator assembled directly has driver electrodes and detector electrodes provided on a first main surface, a second main surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface of a arm, respectively. The oscillator also has a driver electrode, a monitor electrode, and detector electrodes provided on a first main surface, a second main surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface of the other arm thereof, respectively. A driving voltage is supplied from a driving power source so that the two driver electrodes may be equal in the polarity while the polarity of the driver electrode is opposite to that of the driver electrodes.