Abstract: The electric dust collecting apparatus comprises a plurality of discharge electrodes that are disposed in an exhaust flow passage, a ground electrode that constitutes at least a part of an inner wall surface of the exhaust flow passage, and a voltage applying device that is configured to apply voltage selectively from a common power supply to each of the plurality of discharge electrodes. The plurality of discharge regions, each of which includes at least one discharge electrode, are provided in the exhaust flow passage and an electrode-to-electrode distance between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode is different in each of the plurality of discharge regions. The voltage applying device applies voltage to the discharge electrode for each discharge region, and changes the discharge region where voltage is applied to the discharge electrode in accordance with exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicular air cleaner. It is an object to provide a DOR system which can utilize a purifying function of an ozone purifying element containing an activated carbon for a long period of time. As shown in A1 and A2 of FIG. 5, in the activated carbon at an initial state, an ozone purification rate is almost the same as the same wind velocity even when a temperature condition is different, even though the ozone purification rate is changed when the wind velocity is changed. After the endurance test, the ozone purification rate is increased even at the same wind velocity when the temperature becomes high as shown in B1 and B2 of FIG. 5. Thus, the temperature condition difference affects the ozone purification rate more as the deterioration o the activated carbon continues.

Abstract: An exhaust gas control apparatus includes a dust collection device, an oxidation treatment device, and an ECU. The dust collection device applies a DC voltage between a charging electrode and a counter electrode, and collects particulate matter on an oxidation substrate. The ECU estimates a distribution of a deposition amount of the particulate matter deposited on the oxidation substrate in a flow direction of exhaust gas, based on input information including at least a flow rate of exhaust gas and a mass of particulate matter in exhaust gas, setting information including at least an electric field intensity between the charging electrode and the counter electrode, and history information on the oxidation treatment. The ECU carries out the oxidation treatment when the deposition amount of at least a part of the deposited particulate matter exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: An exhaust gas control apparatus includes a dust collection device, an oxidation treatment device, and an ECU. The dust collection device applies a DC voltage between a charging electrode and a counter electrode, and collects particulate matter on an oxidation substrate. The ECU estimates a distribution of a deposition amount of the particulate matter deposited on the oxidation substrate in a flow direction of exhaust gas, based on input information including at least a flow rate of exhaust gas and a mass of particulate matter in exhaust gas, setting information including at least an electric field intensity between the charging electrode and the counter electrode, and history information on the oxidation treatment. The ECU carries out the oxidation treatment when the deposition amount of at least a part of the deposited particulate matter exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A malfunction detection device is provided for a power generator that includes a thermoelectric transducer module including, as a plurality of thermoelectric transducers, a plurality of semiconductor single crystals in which the band gap energy of an intrinsic semiconductor part is lower than the band gap energies of an n-type semiconductor part and a p-type semiconductor part. The malfunction detection device performs a malfunction detection of the power generator on a transducer-to-transducer basis. According to this malfunction detection process, the temperatures at three points of the thermoelectric transducer are detected or estimated. An estimated electromotive voltage is calculated on the basis of the temperatures at three points that are defected or estimated. A malfunction of the power generator is detected when the absolute value of the difference between the estimated electromotive voltage and an actual electromotive voltage is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

Abstract: Particulate matter in exhaust is treated with a novel configuration. An exhaust purifying apparatus of the present invention includes a flow generating device and a treatment device. The flow generating device includes a discharge electrode arranged inside of a tubular outer shell forming a flow passage in which exhaust containing the particulate matter flows. The discharge electrode is configured to generate the flow of the particulate matter from the discharge electrode side to the outer shell side by voltage application. The treatment device includes a space defining member and a treatment electrode. The space defining member is arranged between the discharge electrode and the outer shell to define a treatment space between the outer shell and the space defining member, and is configured to allow the inflow of the particulate matter into the space. Upon treating the particulate matter, the voltage application is performed to the treatment electrode.

Abstract: At the time of automated driving, a plurality of vehicle running paths which show changes along with time of a speed and advancing direction of the vehicle are generated based on the information on the surroundings of the vehicle which is detected by an external sensor. At the time of a manual driving mode, the running paths of the vehicle at the different driving scenes are stored as specific vehicle running paths which show the driving characteristics of the driver. At the time of automated driving, when the driving scene becomes a driving scene for which the specific vehicle running path is stored, a vehicle running path close to the stored specific vehicle running path is selected from among the plurality of generated vehicle running paths, and the vehicle is automatically driven along this selected vehicle running path.

Abstract: A power generator includes thermoelectric transducers configured so that the band gap energy of an intrinsic semiconductor part disposed between an n-type semiconductor part and a p-type semiconductor part is lower than each band gap energy of the n-type semiconductor part and the p-type semiconductor part. The power generator is used in a vehicle that includes an exhaust pipe serving as a heat supplier. The thermoelectric transducers are supplied with heat from the exhaust pipe through an insulating member. The thermoelectric transducers are installed in such a manner that a portion of the surface of the intrinsic semiconductor part is in contact with the surface of the insulating member (heat supply surface).

Abstract: A power generator includes thermoelectric transducers configured so that the band gap energy of an intrinsic semiconductor part disposed between an n-type semiconductor part and a p-type semiconductor part is lower than each band gap energy of the n-type semiconductor part and the p-type semiconductor part. The power generator includes a thermoelectric transducer module including a transducer stack formed by a plurality of thermoelectric transducers and a housing that houses the transducer stack. Each of the thermoelectric transducers of the thermoelectric transducer module is installed in an exhaust pipe in such a manner that an end face of the n-type semiconductor part or the p-type semiconductor part on a side opposite to the intrinsic semiconductor part is opposed to the flow of exhaust gas. A part of the housing on the upstream side of exhaust gas flow is a shield configured to cover the end face of each thermoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A power generator for a vehicle equipped with a heat generating apparatus comprises a thermoelectric transducing module, a load apparatus, a current regulator and a control unit. The thermoelectric transducing module is placed on a part where exhaust heat generated from the heat generating apparatus is transmitted, and comprises a semiconductor single crystal that has an n-type semiconductor part, a p-type semiconductor part and an intrinsic semiconductor part located therebetween, the intrinsic semiconductor part having a narrower band gap than those of the n-type semiconductor part and the p-type semiconductor part. The load apparatus composes an electric circuit in cooperation with the thermoelectric transducing module. The current regulator is installed in the electric circuit and varies an electric current that is applied to the electric circuit from the thermoelectric transducing module.

Abstract: A power generator includes thermoelectric transducers configured so that the band gap energy of an intrinsic semiconductor part disposed between an n-type semiconductor part and a p-type semiconductor part is lower than each band gap energy of the n-type semiconductor part and the p-type semiconductor part. The power generator is used in a vehicle that includes an exhaust pipe in which exhaust gas that supplies heat to the thermoelectric transducers flows. The thermoelectric transducers are installed in the exhaust pipe in such a manner that the surface of the intrinsic semiconductor part is opposed to the flow of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: At the time of automated driving, a plurality of vehicle running paths which show changes along with time of a speed and advancing direction of the vehicle are generated based on the information on the surroundings of the vehicle which is detected by an external sensor. At the time of a manual driving mode, the running paths of the vehicle at the different driving scenes are stored as specific vehicle running paths which show the driving characteristics of the driver. At the time of automated driving, when the driving scene becomes a driving scene for which the specific vehicle running path is stored, a vehicle running path close to the stored specific vehicle running path is selected from among the plurality of generated vehicle running paths, and the vehicle is automatically driven along this selected vehicle running path.

Abstract: An automatic driving system for a vehicle includes an external sensor and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to estimate whether the vehicle peripheral information detected by the external sensor allows the vehicle to keep a vehicle target speed set on the basis of a vehicle travel plan or temporarily does not allow the vehicle to keep the vehicle target speed. The electronic control unit is configured to, when it is estimated that the vehicle peripheral information temporarily does not allow the vehicle to keep the vehicle target speed, generate a plurality of vehicle travel plans during a travel duration for which it is estimated that the vehicle peripheral information temporarily does not allow the vehicle to keep the vehicle target speed, and select one of the plurality of vehicle travel plans, which provides a lowest fuel consumption of an engine.

Abstract: Particulate matter in exhaust is treated with a novel configuration. An exhaust purifying apparatus of the present invention includes a flow generating device and a treatment device. The flow generating device includes a discharge electrode arranged inside of a tubular outer shell forming a flow passage in which exhaust containing the particulate matter flows. The discharge electrode is configured to generate the flow of the particulate matter from the discharge electrode side to the outer shell side by voltage application. The treatment device includes a space defining member and a treatment electrode. The space defining member is arranged between the discharge electrode and the outer shell to define a treatment space between the outer shell and the space defining member, and is configured to allow the inflow of the particulate matter into the space. Upon treating the particulate matter, the voltage application is performed to the treatment electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air cleaner for a vehicle. It is an object to provide a DOR system which can favorably suppress deterioration of a function of an ozone purifier containing ozone purifying catalyst and activated carbon. A core part of a radiator 14 includes a fin 20, an activated carbon layer 22, and an ozone purifying catalyst layer 24. The activated carbon layer 22 is made of activated carbon and a binder A for bonding the fin 20 and the activated carbon. The ozone purifying catalyst layer 24 is made of an organometallic complex and a binder B bonding the activated carbon layer 22 and the organometallic complex. The binder B used for the ozone purifying catalyst layer 24 has a larger specific surface area than that of the binder A used for the activated carbon layer 22.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an atmosphere-cleaning device for vehicles that is capable of restoring the function of an ozone purifying body carried by a vehicle component. Mud, dust, snow-melting agents as well as SOx and NOx are scattered into the atmosphere as a result of being swirled up by a preceding vehicle or due to weather and climate conditions. When such extraneous substances adhere or the like to an ozone purifying body, the purification sites thereof are clogged and the ozone purification function deteriorates. Therefore, when a predetermined removal implementation condition is established, control is executed to inject cleaning liquid from an injector to enhance the fluidity of the extraneous substances and wash the extraneous substances away. The function of the ozone purifying body can thereby be restored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air purification device for vehicles and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a DOR (Direct Ozone Reduction) system which suppresses deterioration in purifying function of the ozone purifier. Ozone purification rate of activated carbon correlates with probability that gas is contacted with the radiator. Also, wind velocity of the gas passing through a radiator correlates with car speed. Therefore, the ozone purification rate of the activated carbon correlates with the car speed, The grill shutter 22 is controlled in fully open condition when the car speed is within an area faster than Speed A shown in FIG. 6. When the car speed is slower than Speed A, the grill shutter 22 is controlled in closed condition as shown in FIG. 2 (A).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust system component having excellent properties to be located in an exhaust flow path from an internal combustion engine, particularly, an exhaust system component having an extended use-life. The exhaust system component of the present invention for an internal combustion engine has a self-healing ceramic material and an electric heater for heating the self-healing ceramic material. In particular, the exhaust system component of the present invention is an oxygen sensor having a detection element and an electric heater, wherein the detection element has a solid electrolyte layer, a reference-side electrode layer, an exhaust-side electrode layer, and a diffusion layer and/or a trap layer each composed of a self-healing ceramic material.

Abstract: An air filter unit has a pleated filter medium with a zigzag shape in which a fibrous filter medium has been folded multiple times. The coefficients of linear expansion of the space-supporting members provided in each of the multiple folded spaces of the pleated filter medium are equal to or greater than the coefficient of linear expansion of the metal filter frame of the filter unit. The linear expansion coefficients of first space-supporting members are smaller than the linear expansion coefficient of a second space-supporting member. The first space-supporting members are provided in side portion regions including both side portions positioned at outermost sides of the pleated filter medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second space-supporting member is provided in a central portion region sandwiched between the side portion regions.

Abstract: A vehicle atmosphere purifying apparatus including an ozone purifying body, in which activated charcoal is coated on a core portion of radiators and a condenser, respectively. If water adheres to pores of activated charcoal or areas surrounding the pores, ozone becomes hard to enter mesopores and micropores. Even if ozone enters, an electron becomes hard to donate from the activated charcoal to the ozone. Consequently, the performance of the activated charcoal decreases while water is adhered thereto. When an amount of moisture adhered to activated charcoal is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, moisture desorption control is executed that forcibly heats the activated charcoal to a high temperature to desorb the moisture therefrom.