Abstract: A vehicle comprises a bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction and a shock absorbing member fixed to a front face of the bumper reinforcement and extending in the vehicle width direction along the bumper reinforcement. The shock absorbing member comprises a base portion extending vertically along the front face of the bumper reinforcement and a projection portion extending forward from a lower end portion of the base portion and being resiliently-downward deformable relative to the base portion. Thus, the vehicle comprising the shock absorbing member provided in front of the bumper reinforcement with the leg-flicking function for the pedestrian protection can be provided.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction and a shock absorbing member fixed to a front face of the bumper reinforcement and extending in the vehicle width direction along the bumper reinforcement. The shock absorbing member comprises a base portion extending vertically along the front face of the bumper reinforcement and a projection portion extending forward from a lower end portion of the base portion and being resiliently-downward deformable relative to the base portion. Thus, the vehicle comprising the shock absorbing member provided in front of the bumper reinforcement with the leg-flicking function for the pedestrian protection can be provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a production method for a ubiquinone powder for use in preparations, including Step 1 of compression molding a ubiquinone crystal powder at a linear molding pressure of from 0.6 to 2.5 tons/cm to obtain a compressed fragment; and Step 2 of grinding the compressed fragment obtained in Step 1 to obtain a powder; and a ubiquinone powder for use in preparations, which is obtained by the subject production method. According to the subject production method, it becomes possible to provide a ubiquinone powder for use in preparations for medicines and health foods, which has a high bulk density, a small angle of repose and excellent handling properties and fluidity, without using an additive such as an excipient, a binder and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are a production method for a ubiquinone powder for use in preparations, including Step 1 of compression molding a ubiquinone crystal powder at a linear molding pressure of from 0.6 to 2.5 tons/cm to obtain a compressed fragment; and Step 2 of grinding the compressed fragment obtained in Step 1 to obtain a powder; and a ubiquinone powder for use in preparations, which is obtained by the subject production method. According to the subject production method, it becomes possible to provide a ubiquinone powder for use in preparations for medicines and health foods, which has a high bulk density, a small angle of repose and excellent handling properties and fluidity, without using an additive such as an excipient, a binder and the like.

Abstract: Controller 40 receives accelerator opening and brake depressing amounts, and the output of an ammeter 30 and voltmeter 32 as inputs. In response to the state of these input signals, the controller 40 determines the timing to detect the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 10 and detects the SOC of the battery 10. That is, it is first judged that the SOC is not more than a predetermined value if the voltage of the battery 10 is not more than a predetermined value when the accelerator opening is not more than a predetermined value. It is next judged that the SOC is not more than a predetermined value if the voltage of the battery 10 is not more than a predetermined value when the brake is depressed beyond a certain degree. In these cases, the engine 24 is driven to cause a generator 22 to perform generation of electricity to charge the battery 10.

Abstract: A motor continuously drives rear wheels during medium and low-speed running, while an engine drives front wheels in a high-speed running area. In this case, transfer of an engine-generated driving force to wheels is controlled by a transmission. In a medium- or low-speed running area, the engine is used only for power generation and engine-driven running is not carried out.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus for a series hybrid vehicle. The series hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a generator, a battery and a motor. The generator is activated by electricity from the engine so as to drive the motor. The battery is charged by the electricity from the generator, being discharged so as to provide a voltage to the motor. In other words, the motor is also activated by discharging electricity from the battery. There are three modes for activating the motor, i.e. a mode for activating the motor only by the battery, a mode for activating it only by the generator, and a mode for activating it both by the battery and the generator. The motor activating modes will be selected depending upon a required motor output. An output voltage of the generator is determined so as to derive the required output according to the selected mode. The generator is of a type which can output a voltage according to a field current.

Abstract: Controller 40 receives accelerator opening and brake depressing amounts, and the output of an ammeter 30 and voltmeter 32 as inputs. In response to the state of these input signals, the controller 40 determines the timing to detect the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 10 and detects the SOC of the battery 10. That is, it is first judged that the SOC is not more than a predetermined value if the voltage of the battery 10 is not more than a predetermined value when the accelerator opening is not more than a predetermined value. It is next judged that the SOC is not more than a predetermined value if the voltage of the battery 10 is not more than a predetermined value when the brake is depressed beyond a certain degree. In these cases, the engine 24 is driven to cause a generator 22 to perform generation of electricity to charge the battery 10.

Abstract: When voltage at the main battery 10 is lowered, an EV-ECU 36 instructs a starting motor 24 to rotate to actuate an engine 26 for the initiation of power generation. At that time, the starting motor receives electric current mainly from a power capacitor 34, while an auxiliary battery 22 is connected to the ECU 36 and an ECU 38 so that supply voltages at the ECU's 36 and 38 can be kept at a predetermined level irrespective of the drive of the starting motor 24. Also, when the upstream voltage of the auxiliary battery 22 is found to be less than a predetermined value through a comparator 40, the drive of the starting motor is not effected. This configuration prevents the voltage at the auxiliary battery 22 from continuing to be lowered due to the drive of the starting motor 24 in the case where the power capacitor 34 is in a poorly charged state.