Abstract: A flange is formed at an upper edge of a lower arm, and the strength of an upper portion of the lower arm is set to be greater than the strength of a lower portion thereof. A fragile portion is formed in a longitudinally intermediate portion of the lower arm, and when an impact of a predetermined value or greater is applied in the rearward direction of the vehicle during a rear collision of the vehicle, the lower arm is adapted to absorb the impact by undergoing deformation beginning at the fragile portion. In addition, with respect to the load applied to the seat back from the rear by luggage or the like during a front collision of the vehicle, the deformation of the lower arm can be effectively suppressed by the flange.

Abstract: A supporting structure of a pedal device for a vehicle is provided in which displacement of the stepping surface of the pedal device can be controlled at the time when an external force of a predetermined value or greater is applied from the front of the vehicle. An elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle is formed at the intermediate portion of a pedal supporting portion. A clevis pin is inserted into the elongated hole at the front end portion thereof. A bush, which is away from the elongated hole due to the application of load, is mounted to the other remaining portion of the elongated hole. A bush stopper is provided at the rear side of the bush such that, when an external force of a predetermined value or greater is applied from the front of the vehicle, due to the bush stopper, the bush is away from the elongated hole.

Abstract: A supporting structure of a pedal device for a vehicle includes a pedal bracket and a displacement controlling device. The pedal bracket is fixed to a vehicle body and supports a rotating shaft portion of a suspended-type pedal device for a vehicle. The displacement controlling device transmits an external force of a predetermined value or greater to the rotating shaft portion supported by the pedal bracket at a time when the external force is applied to a front portion of a vehicle, and controls displacement of a stepping surface of the pedal device such that the rotating shaft portion is moved substantially toward a rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A supporting structure of a pedal device for a vehicle including a pedal bracket and a displacement controlling device. The pedal bracket includes side plates and a rotating shaft portion disposed between the side plates. An assembly is provided proximate to the rotating shaft for holding the rotating shaft between the side plates. The assembly is provided within an elongated hole located on the side plates. A pedal support portion is provided about the rotating shaft portion and extends downward to a stepping surface. The pedal bracket is fixed to the vehicle. The displacement controlling device includes the side plates and a push plate disposed on the outside surfaces of the side plates. The push plates are coupled to the rotating shaft by the assembly. The push plates are guided within the elongated holes of the side plates when an external force of a predetermined value or greater is applied to the vehicle.

Abstract: A pedal support structure for a vehicle which can control the displacement of the pad of a vehicle pedal when an external force greater than a predetermined value acts on the vehicle from the front side thereof. The support structure includes a link support for supporting a swing-center shaft of a swing link connected to a brake booster, and a pedal support for supporting a rotation-center shaft of a brake pedal. The link support is connected to the pedal support in a separable manner. The swing link and the brake pedal are connected with each other via a connecting link such that a first connecting pin is located on the front side with respect to a line connecting the rotation-center shaft and the swing-center shaft. Accordingly, when an external force greater than the predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the link support separates from the pedal support while turning, so that the distance between the rotation-center shaft and the swing-center shaft is increased.

Abstract: There is provided a measuring apparatus for alcohol contained in an exhalation, the measuring apparatus measuring concentration of alcohol with a high accuracy in a short time. An alcohol sensor is provided inside an air passage to measure concentration of alcohol contained in air passing through the air passage. The alcohol sensor has a sensing element for sensing alcohol and a heating element for heating the sensing element. A suction pump is provided to the air passage so as to suction air from an inlet of the air passage. The sensing element is situated inside an air trapping chamber so that the air flowing through the air passage does not directly hit the sensing element.

Abstract: In order to reduce select shock the engine load is monitored and if the level is above a predetermined at the time the shift lever is moved from a range wherein torque is not transmitted through the transmission (e.g. neutral or park ranges) to a range wherein torque transmission is enabled (viz., D, I, II, R), the level of hydraulic line pressure is reduced by a predetermined amount for a predetermined period to temporarily reduce the engagement force.