Abstract: A power supply cut off apparatus is provided in which a DC power supply voltage supplied from a main power supply is converted into an AC current by an inverter of a driver, and brushless DC motors are driven by the converted current, during normal operation. In the normal operation, an abnormal state of an electrical vehicle, such as collision, is detected by a plurality of sensors, and collision detection signals are supplied to a diagnosis section. The diagnosis section determines whether an actual collision has occurred or detects a state in which a collision is unavoidable on the basis of the collision detection signals and, as a result, supplies a power cutoff signal to a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker cuts off the output of power supply voltage from the main power supply to the driver using relays.

Abstract: A manual speed selector of an automatic vehicle transmission, having a manual valve capable of being changed over by a shift lever, and shift valves capable of being changed over by controlling a plurality of solenoid valves. Hydraulic pressure is supplied to or discharged from frictional engagement devices by the changeover of the shift valves to automatically shift the transmission. The shift lever can be moved between an automatic shift mode position and a manual shift mode position, and a transitive position is provided between these two mode positions. At the transitive posion, the manual valve is set in a position such as to enable supply of hydraulic pressure to the frictional engagement devices. At the transitive position also, the transmission can be set in neutral state. In the manual shift mode the solenoid valves can be selectively turned on or off to effect engine braking.

Abstract: A manual speed selector of an automatic vehicle transmission in which a line pressure is supplied from a manual valve capable of being changed over a shift lever to control solenoid valves so as to selectively supply hydraulic pressure to frictional engagement devices by shift valves. The shift lever can be moved between an automatic shift mode position and a manual shift mode position, and a transitive position is provided between these two mode positions. At the transitive position, the manual valve is set in a position such as to enable supply of hydraulic pressure, and the transmission can be set in a neutral state by controlling the solenoid valves. If the preceding shift lever position is neutral, the neutral state can be maintained or, when the shift lever is in the transmissive position, the neutral state can be set according to the time for which the shift lever is continuously placed in the transitive position and to the vehicle speed.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle having a front- and rear-wheel engaging mechanism designed to enable differential limiting means provided between the front and rear wheels to be controlled over the range from the direct coupling position to the disengaged position through the slip region by the control of the degree of engagement. The vehicle is provided with engaging means for driving the front- and rear-wheel engaging mechanism at a set degree of engagement, detecting means for detecting a running condition, and control means for setting a degree of engagement to control the engaging means. The control means has reference data concerning degrees of engagement respectively corresponding to various running conditions, and sets a degree of engagement selected from the reference data in accordance with the detected running condition. Thus, it is possible to engage the front- and rear-wheel engaging mechanism in such a manner as to prevent the occurrence of tight corner braking while avoiding slipping.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle having a front- and rear-wheel engaging mechanism designed to enable differential limiting means provided between the front and rear wheels to be controlled over the range from the direct coupling position to the disengaged position through the slip region by the control of the degree of engagement. The vehicle is provided with engaging means for driving the front- and rear-wheel engaging mechanism at a set degree of engagement, wheel acceleration detecting means, reference acceleration detecting means, and control means for controlling the engaging means by setting a degree of engagement on the basis of the result of a comparison between the detected acceleration of rotation of the wheels and the detected reference acceleration.

Abstract: An optical rotary encoder is provided with a pair of corrective light-emitting and light-receiving elements in addition to a pair of light-emitting and light-receiving elements that are for producing an output in dependence upon the relative rotation of two slitted disks. A corrective reference voltage is produced from the output of the corrective light-emitting and light-receiving elements and an output conforming to the relative rotation is produced with the reference voltage serving as a threshold. If the amount of light produced by the light-emitting element decreases or if the amount of light reaching the light-receiving element is reduced due to a decrease in light transmission through the medium in which the encoder is used, the corrective reference voltage changes accordingly so that accurate output pulses conforming to the relative rotation are obtained at all times.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a center differential mechanism which allows a difference in rotating speed between front and rear wheels so as to absorb a difference in turning radius developed between the front and rear wheels when the vehicle is cornering, and a center differential clutch for limiting differential action of the center differential mechanism. The control apparatus has front-wheel torque sensor provided on a front-wheel drive shaft. When a negative torque is sensed on the front-wheel side while the vehicle is traveling with a restraint placed upon the differential action of the center differential mechanism, the restraint is reduced or removed automatically. This prevents occurrence of a tight corner braking phenomenon and permits the function of the center differential mechanism to fully manifest itself. The vehicle is kept in a stable and safe traveling condition in which driving force is fully utilized.