Abstract: A soft magnetic material according to an aspect of the present invention includes a powder-particle substance having a particle size frequency distribution having a plurality of peak tops. The powder-particle substance is an aggregate of composite particles containing a plurality of soft magnetic metal particles and includes a medium powder-particle substance in which the composite particles have a particle size of 45 ?m or more and less than 300 ?m, and the medium powder-particle substance has an average circularity of 0.7 or more.

Abstract: A vehicle park lock control method is presented with range positions including a P-range position and an N-range position in each of which a driving force is prevented from being transmitted to a driving wheel of a vehicle. A park lock mechanism is activated when in the P-range position. An operator is allowed to select whether or not to cause the park lock mechanism to be activated in response to key-off operation when in the N-range position. In response to continuous shifting of a range selector to one or more specific ones of the range positions, the park lock mechanism is prevented from being activated in response to key-off operation when in the N-range position.

Abstract: An automatic parking control device includes an automatic parking controller that carries out automatic parking control, and a park-by-wire controller in which a park lock is automatically engaged when automatic parking is completed at a target stopping position by the automatic parking control. The park-by-wire controller determines whether a system abnormality would occur, in which the park-by-wire system does not operate normally during the automatic parking control. The automatic parking controller prohibits the starting of the automatic parking control upon determining that the system abnormality would occur before the automatic parking control is started.

Abstract: An automatic parking control device includes an automatic parking controller that carries out automatic parking control, and a park-by-wire controller in which a park lock is automatically engaged when automatic parking is completed at a target stopping position by the automatic parking control. The park-by-wire controller determines whether a system abnormality would occur, in which the park-by-wire system does not operate normally during the automatic parking control. The automatic parking controller prohibits the starting of the automatic parking control upon determining that the system abnormality would occur before the automatic parking control is started.

Abstract: A fail-safe control device is provided for hybrid vehicles which allows a travel distance of a vehicle to be extended in an event of an ON-failure of a second clutch. An integrated controller switches between an HEV mode and an EV mode by controlling a first clutch between an engine and a motor, and a second clutch between the motor and a continuously variable transmission. The integrated controller prohibits the transition from the HEV mode to the EV mode when a clutch failure determination unit detects an ON-failure of the second clutch while the vehicle is traveling in the HEV mode.

Abstract: A fail-safe control device is provided for hybrid vehicles which allows a travel distance of a vehicle to be extended in an event of an ON-failure of a second clutch. An integrated controller switches between an HEV mode and an EV mode by controlling a first clutch between an engine and a motor, and a second clutch between the motor and a continuously variable transmission. The integrated controller prohibits the transition from the HEV mode to the EV mode when a clutch failure determination unit detects an ON-failure of the second clutch while the vehicle is traveling in the HEV mode.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for workpiece installation capable of carrying out workpiece installation operation without a stopping of a rotational motion of a rotatable table member. In the apparatus, rotatable drum is continuously rotated while workpiece carrier member, provided along a circumference of the rotatable drum, for carrying a workpiece from a workpiece supply station to a workpiece installation station, which is capable of spinning on the circumference while carrying the workpiece, is controlled such that the workpiece carrier member spins while the rotatable drum rotates so as to move along a prescribed trajectory which is preferably a cycloidal or quasi-cycloidal trajectory, and that the workpiece is picked up by the workpiece carrier member at a prescribed pick-up position on the workpiece supply station and released at a prescribed installation position on the workpiece installation station.

Abstract: Automatic splicing apparatus includes a first supply containing a first web and a second supply containing a second web. An operable puller is engaged with the first web for withdrawing the same from the first supply and moving the first web along a predetermined path. Cutters are provided for establishing a trailing end on the first web and a leading end on the second web. The presence of the trailing end in the predetermined path is detected and a splicing station is positioned in the path for butt-splicing the leading edge of the second web to the trailing end of the first web in response to detecting the presence of the trailing edge, all without interrupting operation of the puller.