Abstract: A utilization index IDX is calculated based on one or more parameters (the number of times of charging/the number of trips, total battery charger connection time/total vehicle stop time, total EV traveling distance/total HV traveling distance, total EV traveling time/total HV traveling time, total EV traveling distance/total traveling distance, total EV traveling time/total traveling time, total charge amount/total fuel supply quantity) obtained based on a ratio of an EV traveling utilization level to an HV traveling utilization level or a total traveling utilization level, and the utilization index IDX is stored. Since the utilization index IDX is calculated such that as each parameter is larger, utilization of charging of a battery by a battery charger is performed more sufficiently. Accordingly, the utilization index IDX can be used as an index that offers more accurate determination regarding a utilization status of the battery charging.

Abstract: When a use index indicative of a degree of use of external charging is less than a threshold, an electronic control unit determines that the degree of use of external charging is low, and executes a charging guide control to promote the use of external charging at the time of parking at a battery charging point, such as at home or in a battery charging station, where the external charging is performable. Hereby, it is possible to promote a driver to use external charging at the time of parking at the battery charging point. As a result, the use of external charging can be promoted.

Abstract: The number of opportunities where external charging of a vehicle parked in a residential parking space or a charging station in a predetermined period is available is counted as the number of opportunities, and the number of times of the external charging performed in the opportunities in the same predetermined period is counted as the number of times of charging. The number of times of charging is then divided by the number of opportunities to calculate and store a charging frequency. Since the charging frequency is a ratio of the number of times that the external charging was performed to the number of opportunities where the external charging is available in the predetermined period, the ratio is used as an index that can offer more accurate determination regarding an external charging utilization status. As a result, various processing to promote external charging can be executed more properly.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank, a motor, a battery, a charger, and a notification mechanism. The battery is configured to supply electric power to the motor. The charger is configured to carry out external charging that charges the battery by use of electric power from an external power source. The notification mechanism is configured to notify, to an outside of the vehicle, information on a use index indicative of a degree of use of external charging in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: determining whether an insulation resistance Ri is smaller than a threshold value Ri(0); if the insulation resistance Ri is smaller than the threshold value Ri(0), determining whether there is electric leakage between a vehicular body and an EHC and whether there is a possibility that there is electric leakage at a location other than a location between the vehicular body and the EHC; and if there is electric leakage between the vehicular body and the EHC, performing heating control.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a first transport device, a second transport device, a first guide member, and a second guide member. The first transport device transports a sheet. The second transport device is disposed downstream of the first transport device in a transport direction and transports the sheet. The first guide member is disposed between the first and second transport device such that the second transport device is closer to the first guide member than the first transport device and guides the sheet to the second transport device. The second guide member is disposed between the first and second transport device such that the first transport device is closer to the second guide member than the second transport device and guides the sheet to the first guide member while curving the sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electrically heated catalyst configured to purify exhaust gas of the engine, and a controller configured to control energizing power to the electrically heated catalyst. The controller is configured to determine the energizing power based on a vehicle speed of the vehicle and an acceleration of the vehicle, when energizing the electrically heated catalyst before the engine is started.

Abstract: To provide a catalytic converter that reduces non-uniformity of temperature of a catalyst support and that can approach a uniform temperature distribution, and a structural body for supporting a catalyst that structures this catalytic converter. At a catalyst support, gradually decreasing width portions, at which a width thereof gradually decreases toward electrode centers, are formed at regions where electrodes, are contactingly disposed, as seen in a cross-section orthogonal to a direction in which exhaust flows. The width is shorter than a length of a center line at a given position. Heat generation and heat dissipation of the catalyst support are balanced overall.

Abstract: In a plug-in hybrid vehicle that includes an EHC, an ECU eliminates a sulfur poisoned state by supplying external electric power to the EHC when it is necessary to eliminate a state in which adhesion to a catalyst in the EHC degrades a function of the catalyst and external charging is being performed. On the other hand, when it is necessary to eliminate the sulfur poisoned state, the external charging is not being performed, and operation of an engine is permitted, the sulfur poisoned state is eliminated by operating the engine.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has a catalyst support that is heated due to supply of electricity, and a pair of electrodes that are disposed so as to contact an outer periphery of the catalyst support as seen in an orthogonal cross-section that is orthogonal to a direction in which exhaust flows. By making a volume resistivity of the electrodes be higher than that of electricity supplying portions of external cables that are connected to the electrodes respectively and are for supplying current to the electrodes, heat generated at the electrodes is provided to the catalyst support, and a generated heat amount of the catalyst support in vicinities of the electrodes is made to be large as compared with a generated heat amount at an inner portion of the catalyst support.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an EHC (electrical heated catalyst), a first MG (motor generator) generating a counter electromotive force at the time of vehicle collision, a battery, a PCU (power control unit) having a converter and an inverter performing power conversion between the battery and the first MG, and an ECU. The PCU is connected to the battery through an SMR (system main relay). The EHC is connected between the converter and the inverter through EHC relay. The ECU determines whether or not vehicle collision has occurred. When the vehicle collision has occurred, the ECU opens the SMR to electrically separate the battery and the PCU and closes the EHC relay to electrically connect the EHC and the first MG, so that the counter electromotive force generated in the first MG at the time of vehicle collision is consumed at the EHC.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and a motor-generator for running the vehicle, includes: a power storage device to be supplied to the motor-generator; a current leakage detection circuit detecting a decrease in insulation resistance, the current leakage detection circuit being electrically connected to a negative electrode of the power storage device; an electrical heated catalyst device; and a power supply device that converts electric power from the power storage device into energization power of the electrical heated catalyst device by a power conversion path passing through an insulating mechanism. The power supply device includes a switching device. The switching device is opened when the electrical heated catalyst device is energized, and is closed when the decrease in insulation resistance of the electrical heated catalyst device is detected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming member; a heating member; an opposing member that opposes the heating member; an urging member having one end attached to a first support member that supports the opposing member, the urging member urging the opposing member so that the opposing member presses a recording medium against the heating member; a moving member that moves from a closed position to an open position, a space accommodating the heating and opposing members being closed when the moving member is at the closed position and opened when the moving member is at the open position; and a cancelling member to which the other end of the urging member is attached and that is rotatably attached to a second support member that supports the heating member, the cancelling member rotating from the closed position to cancel a pressing force with which the recording medium is pressed.

Abstract: An EHC is configured to electrically heat a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas from an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine mounted on an electrically-powered vehicle, when a current passes through the EHC. A charger converts AC electric power supplied from an external power supply to a charging port into charging power of a power storage device by a power conversion path including an insulating transformer. The EHC is electrically connected to power lines which are provided on the primary side of the insulating transformer on the power conversion path, and to which a DC voltage is output. In a case where the EHC is operated when the vehicle travels, the charger converts the electric power from the power storage device into the DC voltage output to the power lines connected to the EHC, by a part of inverse conversion of power conversion at the time of external charging.

Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: determining whether an insulation resistance Ri is smaller than a threshold value Ri(0); if the insulation resistance Ri is smaller than the threshold value Ri(0), determining whether there is electric leakage between a vehicular body and an EHC and whether there is a possibility that there is electric leakage at a location other than a location between the vehicular body and the EHC; and if there is electric leakage between the vehicular body and the EHC, performing heating control.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electrically heated catalyst configured to purify exhaust gas of the engine, and a controller configured to control energizing power to the electrically heated catalyst. The controller is configured to determine the energizing power based on a vehicle speed of the vehicle and an acceleration of the vehicle, when energizing the electrically heated catalyst before the engine is started.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle in which at least two shift ranges can be selected for a single running direction includes an engine, a motor generator, an EHC raising the temperature of a catalyst for cleaning up an exhaust gas from the engine, and an ECU. While the vehicle is running, if the engine is stopped and, of the two shift ranges, a shift range where larger decelerating force is produced by regenerative braking of the motor generator has been selected, the ECU causes the EHC to raise the temperature of the catalyst using electric power generated by the motor generator.

Abstract: In a plug-in hybrid vehicle that includes an EHC, an ECU eliminates a sulfur poisoned state by supplying external electric power to the EHC when it is necessary to eliminate a state in which adhesion to a catalyst in the EHC degrades a function of the catalyst and external charging is being performed. On the other hand, when it is necessary to eliminate the sulfur poisoned state, the external charging is not being performed, and operation of an engine is permitted, the sulfur poisoned state is eliminated by operating the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: an engine; an EHC (electrically heated catalyst) electrically heated for purifying exhaust gas of the engine; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the EHC; and an ECU that controls the EHC in temperature. The ECU performs a first estimation process and a second estimation process to estimate the temperature of the EHC and accordingly controls electric power applied to energize the EHC, the first estimation process being performed to estimate the temperature of the EHC based on an output of the temperature sensor before the engine starts, the second estimation process being performed to estimate the temperature of the EHC based on the temperature of the exhaust gas emitted by the engine after the engine is started.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an EHC (electrical heated catalyst), a first MG (motor generator) generating a counter electromotive force at the time of vehicle collision, a battery, a PCU (power control unit) having a converter and an inverter performing power conversion between the battery and the first MG, and an ECU. The PCU is connected to the battery through an SMR (system main relay). The EHC is connected between the converter and the inverter through EHC relay. The ECU determines whether or not vehicle collision has occurred. When the vehicle collision has occurred, the ECU opens the SMR to electrically separate the battery and the PCU and closes the EHC relay to electrically connect the EHC and the first MG, so that the counter electromotive force generated in the first MG at the time of vehicle collision is consumed at the EHC.