Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seal mechanism, including: a plate spring having a main body portion which has a curved shape and a pair of hook portions which are formed by bending the main body portion; and a seal member having a seal surface and a pair of projecting portions which are formed on an opposite side of the seal surface to catch the hook portions.

Abstract: In an idle stop system for an engine mounted in a vehicle, when it is determined predetermined stop conditions are met, the engine is automatically stopped. During the engine stop, when it is determined that predetermined restart conditions are met, the engine is automatically restarted. Further, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the restart of the engine. When it is determined that the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the clutch mechanism is controlled into the connection thereof at and after a time instant when it is determined that the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Hence, the connected state of the clutch mechanism is realized after a controlled delay.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle, where the vehicle includes control means for stopping an engine automatically when a stopping condition is met, and restarting the engine after the automatic stoppage of the engine, when a predetermined restarting condition is met, a braking device that is actuated to apply braking force to a drive wheel, and a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices involved in operations of the vehicle. The apparatus includes abnormality detection means for determining whether or not there exists an abnormality in at least one of the vehicle-mounted devices, and fail-safe means for, when during the automatic stoppage of the engine it is determined by the abnormality detection means that there exists an abnormality in at least one of the vehicle-mounted devices, restarting the engine forcibly. The apparatus enables the user to take suitable measures in the presence of an abnormality in the vehicle-mounted devices.

Abstract: The apparatus is for estimating a state of charge of a rechargeable battery charged by a vehicle-mounted power generation apparatus capable of generating a variable output voltage. The estimating apparatus includes a detecting function of detecting a charging/discharging current of the rechargeable battery, and an estimating function of making an estimation of the state of charge on the basis of relationship data defining the relationship among the output voltage, the state of charge, and a convergence value to which the charging/discharging current converges through transient behavior thereof in a state where variation of the output voltage is below a predetermined value after the output voltage is changed.

Abstract: A system is installed in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a clutch. The system restarts, according to at least one engine restart condition is met, the internal combustion engine that has been automatically controlled for stop thereof. The system includes a restart-condition determiner configured to determine that, as the at least one engine restart condition, an operation of the clutch is started by a driver of the vehicle for shifting the second state to the first state. The system includes a state detector configured to detect an operated state of the clutch during the clutch is shifted from a disengagement state to an engagement state. The system includes a restart controller configured to determine whether to enable or disable the restart of the internal combustion engine according to the operated state of the clutch detected by the state detector.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle, where the vehicle includes control means for stopping an engine automatically when a stopping condition is met, and restarting the engine after the automatic stoppage of the engine, when a predetermined restarting condition is met, a braking device that is actuated to apply braking force to a drive wheel, and a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices involved in operations of the vehicle. The apparatus includes abnormality detection means for determining whether or not there exists an abnormality in at least one of the vehicle-mounted devices, and fail-safe means for, when during the automatic stoppage of the engine it is determined by the abnormality detection means that there exists an abnormality in at least one of the vehicle-mounted devices, restarting the engine forcibly. The apparatus enables the user to take suitable measures in the presence of an abnormality in the vehicle-mounted devices.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seal mechanism, including: a plate spring having a main body portion which has a curved shape and a pair of hook portions which are formed by bending the main body portion; and a seal member having a seal surface and a pair of projecting portions which are formed on an opposite side of the seal surface to catch the hook portions.

Abstract: The apparatus, which is for estimating a state of charge of a rechargeable battery charged by a vehicle-mounted power generation apparatus capable of generating a variable output voltage, includes a first function of quantifying charging/discharging history of the rechargeable battery, and a second function of performing estimation of a state of charge of the rechargeable battery on the basis of a parameter which indicates a charging/discharging current of the rechargeable battery when variation of the output voltage of the vehicle-mounted power generation apparatus is below a predetermined value, and the quantified charging/discharging history, while eliminating an effect which polarization of the rechargeable battery due to the charging/discharging history has on the charging/discharging current before the variation of the output voltage becomes below the predetermined value.

Abstract: In a proposed apparatus and method, constant-voltage charge is performed with an in-vehicle secondary battery immediately after start of a vehicle or during running of the vehicle. A quantity relevant to polarization caused in the battery immediately after start of the constant-voltage charge is calculated using data of the charge current. It is determined whether or not a change rate of the calculated polarization-relevant quantity is less than a given threshold. When the change rate is less than the given threshold, a plurality of data of the charge current sampled and held during a predetermined period of time are acquired. A value of the charge current to be accumulated until the charge current reaches a given final value is calculated using the plurality of data of the charge current. The internal electric state of the battery is estimated based on the accumulated value of the charge current.

Abstract: A system is installed in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a clutch. The system restarts, according to at least one engine restart condition is met, the internal combustion engine that has been automatically controlled for stop thereof. The system includes a restart-condition determiner configured to determine that, as the at least one engine restart condition, an operation of the clutch is started by a driver of the vehicle for shifting the second state to the first state. The system includes a state detector configured to detect an operated state of the clutch during the clutch is shifted from a disengagement state to an engagement state. The system includes a restart controller configured to determine whether to enable or disable the restart of the internal combustion engine according to the operated state of the clutch detected by the state detector.

Abstract: In an idle stop system for an engine mounted in a vehicle, when it is determined predetermined stop conditions are met, the engine is automatically stopped. During the engine stop, when it is determined that predetermined restart conditions are met, the engine is automatically restarted. Further, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the restart of the engine. When it is determined that the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the clutch mechanism is controlled into the connection thereof at and after a time instant when it is determined that the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Hence, the connected state of the clutch mechanism is realized after a controlled delay.

Abstract: In a proposed apparatus and method, constant-voltage charge is performed with an in-vehicle secondary battery immediately after start of a vehicle or during running of the vehicle. A quantity relevant to polarization caused in the battery immediately after start of the constant-voltage charge is calculated using data of the charge current. It is determined whether or not a change rate of the calculated polarization-relevant quantity is less than a given threshold. When the change rate is less than the given threshold, a plurality of data of the charge current sampled and held during a predetermined period of time are acquired. A value of the charge current to be accumulated until the charge current reaches a given final value is calculated using the plurality of data of the charge current. The internal electric state of the battery is estimated based on the accumulated value of the charge current.

Abstract: The apparatus is for estimating a state of charge of a rechargeable battery charged by a vehicle-mounted power generation apparatus capable of generating a variable output voltage. The estimating apparatus includes a detecting function of detecting a charging/discharging current of the rechargeable battery, and an estimating function of making an estimation of the state of charge on the basis of relationship data defining the relationship among the output voltage, the state of charge, and a convergence value to which the charging/discharging current converges through transient behavior thereof in a state where variation of the output voltage is below a predetermined value after the output voltage is changed.

Abstract: The apparatus, which is for estimating a state of charge of a rechargeable battery charged by a vehicle-mounted power generation apparatus capable of generating a variable output voltage, includes a first function of quantifying charging/discharging history of the rechargeable battery, and a second function of performing estimation of a state of charge of the rechargeable battery on the basis of a parameter which indicates a charging/discharging current of the rechargeable battery when variation of the output voltage of the vehicle-mounted power generation apparatus is below a predetermined value, and the quantified charging/discharging history, while eliminating an effect which polarization of the rechargeable battery due to the charging/discharging history has on the charging/discharging current before the variation of the output voltage becomes below the predetermined value.

Abstract: An inside space of a starter motor having a motor, a magnetic switch and a reduction gear train is ventilated through a ventilation passage formed in the starter motor. The ventilation passage includes a labyrinth passage formed at a portion connecting a front housing containing the reduction gear and a center housing containing the motor and the magnetic switch. The labyrinth passage connecting a motor chamber and a switch chamber prevents brush dusts generated in the motor chamber from being scattered in the other spaces. Grease splash from the gear train does not enter into the ventilation passage separated the gear train. Thus, the ventilation passage well functions for a long time without being clogged with the grease, brush dusts or the mixture thereof.

Abstract: An inside space of a starter motor having a motor, a magnetic switch and a reduction gear train is ventilated through a ventilation passage formed in the starter motor. The ventilation passage includes a labyrinth passage formed at a portion connecting a front housing containing the reduction gear and a center housing containing the motor and the magnetic switch. The labyrinth passage connecting a motor chamber and a switch chamber prevents brush dusts generated in the motor chamber from being scattered in the other spaces. Grease splash from the gear train does not enter into the ventilation passage separated the gear train. Thus, the ventilation passage well functions for a long time without being clogged with the grease, brush dusts or the mixture thereof.