Abstract: A first signal is obtained by detecting speed of wheels of a vehicle to indicate the wheel speed. On the other hand, a second signal is obtained by detecting longitudinal acceleration to directly indicate longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. A third signal indicating the change rate of the wheel speed is obtained by differentiating the first signal by time. The third signal is sensitive to a small convex or concave of the road surface but not sensitive to a longitudinal inclination of the road surface. The second signal is not sensitive to a small convex or concave of the road surface but is sensitive to a longitudinal inclination of the road surface. Then, a fourth signal is obtained from the second signal by filtering low frequency components off therefrom, while a fifth signal is obtained from the third signal by filtering high frequency components off therefrom. Then, a final longitudinal acceleration signal is obtained by composing the fourth and fifth signals together.

Abstract: A power source monitoring apparatus for monitoring a state of a subject power source which consists of at least one of a plurality of electric power sources in an electric system wherein a load device having at least one electrically operated load is electrically connected to the power sources, the monitoring device apparatus a detecting portion which detects a voltage and/or a current of at least one of the load device and the plurality of electric power sources, and a diagnosing device which diagnoses the subject power source for an abnormality on the basis of an output of the detecting portion, while the electric system is placed in a power supply state wherein an electric power is permitted to be supplied from only the subject power source to the load device.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus which controls a steering torque to move the vehicle toward a line desired by a driver or appropriate for circumstances of the vehicle. The vehicle steering control apparatus recognizes a lane on which a vehicle is moving, and controls a steering torque of the vehicle so that the vehicle moves along the lane. A plurality of reference lines, which extend along the lane and are arranged parallel to each other in a direction of a width of the lane, are set. A target moving line is selected from among the plurality of reference lines in accordance with a state of movement of the vehicle. A steering torque is generated for shifting a moving line of the vehicle toward the target moving line.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus switches the braking mode from an auto-braking mode to a manual braking mode when a braking operation is carried out. The braking control apparatus includes a mode switching delay unit for delaying the time at which the braking mode is switched to the manual mode from the start time of the braking operation.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus which controls an amount of assist to a power assist mechanism so as to improve a steering characteristic of a vehicle. A steering torque detecting unit detects a steering torque transmitted to a steering mechanism and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected steering torque. An amount of assistance provided to the steering effort is controlled by a control unit based on the detection signal supplied by the steering torque detecting unit. The detection signal transmitted to the controlling unit is adjusted by an adjusting unit so that a hysteresis characteristic is provided to a relationship between a steering wheel torque applied to a steering wheel and the steering torque transmitted to the steering mechanism.

Abstract: For automatic steering control by simultaneously turning a steering shaft and a steering wheel, an apparatus prevents automatic turning torque from being transmitted to the steering wheel when a driver operates the steering wheel and allows the steering wheel to turn freely. A V-shaped recess is formed on the side of the steering wheel, and a ball is provided on the side of the steering shaft. The ball is pushed by a spring toward the steering wheel and positioned within the V-shaped recess during automatic steering to connect the steering wheel with the steering shaft, thereby transmitting the turning torque. When torque which is equal to or exceeding a prescribed value is applied to the steering wheel, the ball is separated from the V-shaped recess to interrupt the transmission of the turning torque, and the steering wheel can be turned freely.

Abstract: A unit for smoothly switching from auto-drive to manual drive for a vehicle provided with an auto-drive mode. To perform auto-drive, an auto-drive ECU controls steering wheel, brake, and accelerator actuators in accordance with signals from a route recognition/obstruction check sensor, a GPS and the like. When an interface (switch) for switching to the manual drive is operated, the auto-drive ECU evaluates running stability/instability in accordance with signals from various running safety devices and sensors for detecting a variation in vehicle state, and if the vehicle is in an instable state, prohibits a shift to the manual drive, even when the vehicle is running on a straight road.

Abstract: A mechanical safety breaker for disengaging a mechanical connection between two mechanical members at a time when a force transmitted through the connection of the two members exceeds a predetermined value is provided by employing an overload breaker element made of a ceramic. A ceramic breaker element provides a long time stabilized fracture performance particularly when the load applied thereto is of a repetitive nature.

Abstract: A system installed on a steering mode switchable vehicle, for allowing a smooth mode shift from an automatic steering mode to a manual steering mode. During the automatic steering mode, a differential motor is activated to drive a tire drive mechanism, and a lock mechanism is operated to lock a steering wheel. In order to shift from the automatic steering mode to the manual steering mode, an ultrasonic motor, disposed at the coupling portion of the steering wheel and a steering shaft, is activated so that only the steering wheel is turned to make its turning amount coincide with the actual steering angle. Only after the detection of the angle coincidence are the ultrasonic motor and the differential motor turned off and the lock mechanism released. The steering mode is then shifted to the manual steering mode.

Abstract: An auto-drive control unit which can switch a vehicle provided with an auto-drive mode from the auto-drive mode to a manual drive mode at a desired point. Based on detection signals from various types of sensors, an auto-drive controller controls an actuator to perform auto-drive. A changeover switch is provided to switch between the auto-drive and manual drive. The current position of the vehicle is detected by a GPS, and the controller calculates the time to reach the desired point. According to a shifting time to complete the shift to the manual drive, timing for operating the changeover switch is determined, and a message is shown on a warning display to urge a driver to operate the switch. When it is judged that the changeover cannot be completed in time, the controller forcedly decelerate the vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a filament of improved light transmission having a sheath-core composite structure formed of a methyl methacrylate polymer core material and a fluorine-containing polymer sheath material. The light transmitting filament is characterized in that the methyl methacrylate polymer core material is prepared by the specific procedure of continuous bulk polymerization and subsequent removal of volatile contents, wherein the polymerization is performed in a continuously and thoroughly stirred reaction vessel at a low catalyst concentration and a relatively high temperature and with improved conversion. The light transmitting filament possesses an absorption coefficient (k) of no greater than 6 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.3 cm.sup.-.sup.1.

Abstract: A durably antistatic polyester composition comprising a polyethylene terephthalate-based polyester and an antistatic agent including a phosphorous acid triester derivative therein containing a polyalkylene oxide chain in the molecule.