Abstract: A vehicle steering controller includes a turning unit which is mechanically separated from a steering unit, which receives the steering input, and turns the road wheels corresponding to the steering input. The controller also includes a reaction force motor that applies a steering reaction force corresponding to the turning state of the turning unit to the steering unit, a hands-off detection sensor that detects whether the steering unit is in the hands-off state, and a steering reaction force correction component that reduces the steering reaction force from that in the hands-on state when the hands-off state is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control device is provided that suppresses changes in the steering force accompanying the shock transmitted from the road surface during the steering wheel return operation. The vehicle steering device is a steer-by-wire steering device where a steering wheel receiving the steering input which is transmitted electronically to the steering unit which turns steered road wheels of the vehicle. The steering reaction force correction (Gf×F) corresponding to road surface reaction force F is applied to the steering wheel. The device includes a turn/return sensor that senses turn/return of the steering wheel, and during return of steering wheel, road surface reaction force feedback gain Gf is made smaller than the initial turning.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a steerable vehicle includes a steering unit, an operating unit, a backup unit, and a control unit. The backup unit selectively connects/disconnects the steering unit and the operating unit. The control unit is operable in two control modes including an SBW mode and a PS mode. In the SBW mode, the control unit separates the steering unit from the operating unit; controls a steer angle of the vehicle in accordance with a manual steering effort; and switches the control mode from the SBW mode to the PS mode when an SBW-to-PS mode switch condition is satisfied, the SBW-to-PS mode switch condition including a condition that the steer angle is larger than or equal to a first threshold angle. In the PS mode, the control unit connects the steering unit and the operating unit; controls an assist steering effort to boost the manual steering effort.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering input section having at least a steering wheel to which steering input is applied, and a steering output section having at least a steering rack shaft and operatively associated with left and right steered wheels for steering the steered wheels by steering-rack-shaft movement produced by a steering force determined based on the steering input and transmitted directly or indirectly to the steering rack shaft. The steering rack shaft is split into left and right movable rack shaft portions. Also provided is a steer angle converter enabling a differential rack stroke between left and right rack strokes of the left and right movable rack shaft portions. The steer angle converter is constructed by at least one of a variable-pitch dual rack arrangement and a dual taper-pulley arrangement of a cable back-up mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a component and material traceability control apparatus for controlling manufacturing lot identification information of any of a component and material constituting a product manufactured according to a process where a manufacturing apparatus with not less than one component and material reserve unit picks up a needed amount out of the component and material reserved in the component and material reserve unit and manufactures the product, and the component and material traceability control apparatus is equipped with at least a processing unit, a memory unit used as a work area by the processing unit, a manufacturing performance information memory unit, a component and material supply performance information memory unit, and a manufacturing lot trace information memory unit.

Abstract: We have discovered a “human adiponectin ELISA kit”, which can specifically measure adiponectin in human blood serum (or blood plasma) or in extracted fluid from lipocytes or culture supernatant fluid. After fractioning human serum by use of gel filtration column, each fraction was measured by the present kit, and as a result, adiponectin immunity activity was detected as a plurality of peaks at above 670 kD of molecular weight. From the results, it is presumed that adiponectin is present in the blood as a polymer or forms a complex with polymer proteins.

Abstract: In a variable ratio steering system of a vehicle with a variable steering ratio mechanism varying a steering ratio R of steering wheel angle ?S to road wheel steer angle ?W at steered road wheels, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor, a steering ratio control unit controls the steering ratio according to a fixed steering ratio characteristic when the steering wheel angle ?S is less than or equal to a predetermined angle ?1 substantially corresponding to a neutral position of a steering wheel. Conversely when the steering wheel angle ?S is greater than the predetermined angle ?1 substantially corresponding to the neutral position of the steering wheel, the steering ratio control unit controls the steering ratio according to a vehicle-speed dependent steering ratio characteristic that a steering angle versus road wheel steer angle characteristic varies depending on a vehicle speed value.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a component and material traceability control apparatus for controlling manufacturing lot identification information of any of a component and material constituting a product manufactured according to a process where a manufacturing apparatus with not less than one component and material reserve unit picks up a needed amount out of the component and material reserved in the component and material reserve unit and manufactures the product, and the component and material traceability control apparatus is equipped with at least a processing unit, a memory unit used as a work area by the processing unit, a manufacturing performance information memory unit, a component and material supply performance information memory unit, and a manufacturing lot trace information memory unit.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a component and material traceability control apparatus for controlling manufacturing lot identification information of any of a component and material constituting a product manufactured according to a process where a manufacturing apparatus with not less than one component and material reserve unit picks up a needed amount out of the component and material reserved in the component and material reserve unit and manufactures the product, and the component and material traceability control apparatus is equipped with at least a processing unit, a memory unit used as a work area by the processing unit, a manufacturing performance information memory unit, a component and material supply performance information memory unit, and a manufacturing lot trace information memory unit.

Abstract: A fail-safe steering system for a vehicle, which prevents movable elements of a backup mechanism from being dragged by motions of an associated one of a steering input section and a steering output section under normal operating conditions of the system, is provided. The fail-safe steering system includes two selectively engageable clutch mechanisms operatively connectable between the steering input section and the backup mechanism and between the backup mechanism and the steering output section. The fail-safe steering system also includes a mechanism for keeping the backup mechanism in the neutral condition during backup mechanism being mechanically separated under normal operating conditions of the system.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system is provided with a primary steering system, a backup steering system and a control system that switches from the primary steering system to the backup steering system when a defect is determined in the primary steering system such as a defeat in a steering reaction force actuator. The vehicle steering system has a pair of clutches that mechanically disconnect the steering wheel from the steerable vehicle wheels in normal situations, and connect them when the steering reaction force actuator is determined to be defective. The control system has a steering malfunction detection section that detects a malfunction in the steering reaction force actuator, and a steering control limiting section that limits the control commands to the steering gear unit actuator from when the steering reaction force actuator is determined to be malfunctioning to when both the clutches are connected.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a component and material traceability control apparatus for controlling manufacturing lot identification information of any of a component and material constituting a product manufactured according to a process where a manufacturing apparatus with not less than one component and material reserve unit picks up a needed amount out of the component and material reserved in the component and material reserve unit and manufactures the product, and the component and material traceability control apparatus is equipped with at least a processing unit, a memory unit used as a work area by the processing unit, a manufacturing performance information memory unit, a component and material supply performance information memory unit, and a manufacturing lot trace information memory unit.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a steerable vehicle includes a steering unit, an operating unit, a backup unit, and a control unit. The backup unit selectively connects/disconnects the steering unit and the operating unit. The control unit is operable in two control modes including an SBW mode and a PS mode. In the SBW mode, the control unit separates the steering unit from the operating unit; controls a steer angle of the vehicle in accordance with a manual steering effort; and switches the control mode from the SBW mode to the PS mode when an SBW-to-PS mode switch condition is satisfied, the SBW-to-PS mode switch condition including a condition that the steer angle is larger than or equal to a first threshold angle. In the PS mode, the control unit connects the steering unit and the operating unit; controls an assist steering effort to boost the manual steering effort.

Abstract: In steering apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a turning section that turns steered road wheels is provided, a clutch is installed in a predetermined position in a midway through a steering system from an operation input section to the steered road wheels to link between the operation input section and the steered road wheels, a steering angle of the operation portion is detected, a turning angle is detected, an elastically deformable member is interposed between the operation portion and the turning portion to transmit a steering torque inputted from the operation input section to the steered road wheels when the clutch causes the operation input portion and the steered road wheels to be connected; and an angular deviation between the steering angle detection value and the turning angle detection value developed due to a deformation of the member is calculated.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering input section having at least a steering wheel to which steering input is applied, and a steering output section having at least a steering rack shaft and operatively associated with left and right steered wheels for steering the steered wheels by steering-rack-shaft movement produced by a steering force determined based on the steering input and transmitted directly or indirectly to the steering rack shaft. The steering rack shaft is split into left and right movable rack shaft portions. Also provided is a steer angle converter enabling a differential rack stroke between left and right rack strokes of the left and right movable rack shaft portions. The steer angle converter is constructed by at least one of a variable-pitch dual rack arrangement and a dual taper-pulley arrangement of a cable back-up mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system is provided with a primary steering system, a backup steering system and a control system that switches from the primary steering system to the backup steering system when a defect is determined in the primary steering system such as a defeat in a steering reaction force actuator. The vehicle steering system has a pair of clutches that mechanically disconnect the steering wheel from the steerable vehicle wheels in normal situations, and connect them when the steering reaction force actuator is determined to be defective. The control system has a steering malfunction detection section that detects a malfunction in the steering reaction force actuator, and a steering control limiting section that limits the control commands to the steering gear unit actuator from when the steering reaction force actuator is determined to be malfunctioning to when both the clutches are connected.

Abstract: A fail-safe steering system for a vehicle, which prevents movable elements of a backup mechanism from being dragged by motions of an associated one of a steering input section and a steering output section under normal operating conditions of the system, is provided. The fail-safe steering system includes two selectively engageable clutch mechanisms operatively connectable between the steering input section and the backup mechanism and between the backup mechanism and the steering output section. The fail-safe steering system also includes a mechanism for keeping the backup mechanism in the neutral condition during backup mechanism being mechanically separated under normal operating conditions of the system.

Abstract: In steering apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a turning section that turns steered road wheels is provided, a clutch is installed in a predetermined position in a midway through a steering system from an operation input section to the steered road wheels to link between the operation input section and the steered road wheels, a steering angle of the operation portion is detected, a turning angle is detected, an elastically deformable member is interposed between the operation portion and the turning portion to transmit a steering torque inputted from the operation input section to the steered road wheels when the clutch causes the operation input portion and the steered road wheels to be connected; and an angular deviation between the steering angle detection value and the turning angle detection value developed due to a deformation of the member is calculated.

Abstract: In a variable ratio steering system of a vehicle with a variable steering ratio mechanism varying a steering ratio R of steering wheel angle &thgr;s to road wheel steer angle &thgr;w at steered road wheels, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor, a steering ratio control unit controls the steering ratio according to a fixed steering ratio characteristic when the steering wheel angle &thgr;s is less than or equal to a predetermined angle &thgr;1 substantially corresponding to a neutral position of a steering wheel. Conversely when the steering wheel angle &thgr;s is greater than the predetermined angle &thgr;1 substantially corresponding to the neutral position of the steering wheel, the steering ratio control unit controls the steering ratio according to a vehicle-speed dependent steering ratio characteristic that a steering angle versus road wheel steer angle characteristic varies depending on a vehicle speed value.

Abstract: The manganese complex of the invention is one represented by the formula (1 )[Mn(H.sub.2 NNHCONH.sub.2).sub.3 ](NO.sub.3).sub.2 (1)and showing weight loss of not higher than 1% after heating at 107.degree. C. for 400 hours. The manganese complex has high heat stability and is used as an active component of an air bag gas generating composition. The air bag gas generating composition of the invention contains the above-mentioned manganese complex. The air bag gas generating composition comprising a complex mixture of the manganese complex and magnesium complex of semicarbazide and/or carbohydrazide features a high rate of combustion residue in an inflator.