Abstract: An electrically driven power steering apparatus utilizes an electric motor as a drive source and produces an assisting torque which depends on the magnitude of a torque applied from steering mechanisms for assisting in the operation of a steering system. When an abnormality in the torque applied or a locking of the motor is detected, the energization of the motor is interrupted as is a system which transmits the assisting torque. In this manner, the application of a relative force to the steering system from the electric drive mechanism is blocked, thus positively preventing the vehicle from being steered against the intent of a driver as a result of influencs of any abnormal operation of the electric drive mechanism upon the steering system. Whenever the energization of the motor and the assisting torque transmission system are interrupted, the force required for the steering operation will be equivalent to a manual steering.

Abstract: A motor assisted steering apparatus has its wheels oriented with respect to a car body in response to a combination of a steering force which is supplied by a manual operation and a driving force developed by an electric motor which is energized in accordance with the steering force. The existence of an abnormality is annunciated when the relationship between the manual steering force and the operational condition of the motor deviates from a predetermined relationship. For example, the existence of an abnormality is annunciated when the motor is energized even though a steering wheel is not substantially operated, when the motor is energized for rotation in a direction which causes the wheels to be turned to the left even though the steering wheel is turned to the right or vice versa.

Abstract: An electrically driven power steering apparatus develops an assisting steering force to be applied to a steering system in accordance with a driving force detected, by detecting a driving force which is applied to a steering system from steering means and allowing an electric motor of an electric drive mechanism to be energized at a higher power level when the driving force detected is of an increased magnitude and at a reduced power level when the detected driving force is of a reduced magnitude. A voltage output from an onboard power supply is monitored, and when the voltage is below a given value, the motor is energized at a power level which is less than the energization power level which corresponds to the detected driving force. In this manner, a degradation of the onboard battery is prevented which would result from the operation of the electrically driven power steering apparatus when the battery voltage is low or when the charging power is insufficient.

Abstract: A control device for a driven member includes a first input member connected to a manual member, an output member connected to a driven member, a middle member connected to the first input member through a first spring and having a first portion to be engageable therewith and a second portion to be engageable with the output member thereby to transmit the movement of the first input member to the output member through the middle member. The device further includes a second input member for moving the output member in operative and inoperative directions of the driven member and an actuator actuating the second input member wherein when the second input member is actuated by the actuator to move the output member in a direction where the driven member returns to the original position, the movement of the first input member will not affect the movement of the output member.

Abstract: A torque detector is provided, which functions in such a manner that as torque is applied between an input shaft and an output shaft, an angular displacement is produced between the input shaft and the output shaft, this angular displacement is converted into an axial displacement by means of a torque-axial displacement converting mechanism to bend a cantilever fixed between a housing and the torque-axial displacement converting mechanism, by means of a strain gage attached to the cantilever the deformation of the cantilever is converted into a change of electric resistance, and by causing a current to flow through the strain gage the torque applied between the input shaft and the output shaft is converted into a voltage.

Abstract: An actuator for controlling the pressure in an internal space defined by a spring-biased diaphragm and a housing by solenoid valve. The internal space is selectively communicated with a negative pressure port or an atmospheric pressure port through a first solenoid valve. The pressure in the internal space is determined by the ratio of a time period in which it is communicated with the negative pressure port to a time period in which it is communicated with the atmospheric pressure port, and the position of the diaphragm is determined accordingly. Another solenoid valve for releasing negative pressure is included for safety. To the housing fixed are a microcomputer for receiving status signals from a vehicle speed sensor, clutch ON/OFF sensor, brake ON/OFF sensor, etc. to generate a solenoid valve opening and closing signal, and a printed board incorporating an electrical driver adapted to energize the solenoid valve in response to said signal.

Abstract: An automobile speed control system is provided with a speed signal generator circuit for generating first electrical signal indicative of actual automobile speed and a desired automobile signal supply circuit for supplying a second electrical signal indicative of the desired automobile speed. The first and second signals are compared to provide a throttle valve control signal and an alarm circuit including an audible and/or visual alarm is provided to warn the driver when the actual automobile speed exceeds a pre-set speed.

Abstract: An automobile speed control system has a comparator circuit for issuing a speed difference signal when there is a difference between an automobile speed signal indicative of an automobile speed and an automobile speed setting signal indicative of a desired speed setting, an actuator responsive to the speed difference signal for adjusting the opening of a throttle valve to change the speed of an automobile in order to eliminate the speed difference signal, a cancel switch for cancelling a constant-speed travel mode of the automobile, a resume switch for resuming the constant-speed travel mode which has been cancelled, a timer circuit energizable for a prescribed interval of time in response to operation of the resume switch while the automobile is running in the constant-speed travel mode, and an acceleration signal generator circuit for generating an acceleration signal in response to operation of the resume switch while the timer circuit is in operation, whereby the acceleration signal can be produced to inc

Abstract: An automobile speed control system which is capable of running at a speed which is the same as the desired memorized speed and which will be maintained constant even during momentary voltage interruptions in the system, is comprised of a discharge device such as a diode which is arranged between one end of a grounded capacitor in an integrating circuit and a line which supplies a voltage higher than that of said one end of the capacitor when a voltage power source is normal. When the voltage of the voltage power source drops, the terminal voltage of the capacitor decreases slowly and the electric charge of the capacitor is discharged. When the voltage of the voltage power source rises again, the circuit operates in the same manner as the operation thereof when the power switch is closed and the memorized automobile speed is not changed from the prior memorized speed.

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve having a housing defining an inner chamber with at least one inlet port and one outlet port disposed in communication with the chamber is provided with a solenoid operated valve arrangement within the chamber for alternately moving two valve elements into and out of engagement with the inlet and outlet ports. The valve elements are mounted on a common elastic support member which is mounted for pivotal movement and each valve element is provided with a sealing surface which is inclined relative to the elastic support plate so that when a valve element is brought into engagement with the valve seat of a respective port, the sealing surface of the valve element will be disposed in flush parallel engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: In an electrical speed sensor for generating an electrical signal proportional to the rotational speed of a vehicle wheel, a first shaft is rotatably mounted and is adapted to be operatively interconnected with an output shaft of the vehicle transmission. The first shaft carries a rotor of magnetic material which is cooperable with a stationary rotor of magnetic material to provide an output signal indicative of the rotational speed. A second shaft is rotatably mounted at a fixed angle relative to the first shaft in operative driven engagement therewith. The rotatable core of a speedometer cable is coupled to one end of the second shaft for rotation therewith to operate the vehicle speedometer.

Abstract: A speed range control system setting an automatic transmission at a proper speed range in accordance with throttle opening and vehicle traveling speed. The system detects a sudden fall in the level of a vehicle speed signal under the anomalous conditions such as disconnection of a vehicle speed signal line or slippage of wheels due to emergency braking, and then sets the automatic transmission at a safety speed range. After setting at the safety speed range, the speed range of the automatic transmission is set in accordance with the throttle opening and vehicle traveling speed after counting a predetermined number of vehicle speed signal pulses generated in conjunction with rotation of a drive shaft.

Abstract: A constant speed driving device has an ejector for supplying negative pressure to an actuator which controls the engine's throttle valve. The ejector includes a diffuser communicating with the engine intake manifold downstream of the throttle valve and a nozzle communicating through a pressure responsive control valve with the intake conduit upstream of the throttle valve and downstream of the supercharger. A negative pressure suction port of the ejector communicates with the negative pressure inlet port of the actuator. The constant speed control device is capable of supplying, even in the operation of the supercharger, a sufficiently increased negative pressure to the actuator for operating the throttle valve without the need to provide a vacuum pump.

Abstract: A speed sensor device incorporates a reed switch which is controlled by the changes in the density of the magnetic flux in response to the displacement of a permanent magnet. The device comprises at least one permanent magnet positioned on a rotational shaft, a reed switch opened and closed in response to the rotational displacement of the permanent magnet, an elastic member protecting the periphery of the reed switch, a body member being made of a material having excellent electric conduction and receiving the reed switch, a supporter being in a thin plate form and also being made of a material having excellent electric conduction, and a projection formed on the supporter serving to secure the supporter to the body member.

Abstract: In a turbocharged, carbureted internal combustion engine, a safety control system including a vacuum motor responsive to vacuum created in one barrel of the carburetor to control fluid flow through a second barrel in the carburetor and a vacuum control valve responsive to turbocharger output fluid pressure for communicating air at atmospheric pressure to the vacuum motor to reduce fluid flow through the second barrel of the carburetor when the output fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A speed control system of a motor vehicle for constantly maintaining a selected speed having an internal combustion engine which includes a turbocharger having a compressor wheel and electronically controlled fuel injectors which includes a vacuum actuator provided with a vacuum chamber having a first inlet port for inducting vacuum pressure, a second inlet port for inducting atmospheric air and further including a throttle valve and diaphragm which controls the throttle valve in accordance with vacuum pressure in the vacuum chamber, a member for generating a signal in accordance with the difference between the selected speed of the motor vehicle and actual speed of the motor vehicle, a modulating valve for controlling the first inlet port and the second inlet port by the signal delivered from the signal member to thereby modulate the vacuum pressure within the vacuum chamber, an intake manifold, a first passage communicated with the first inlet port and the intake manifold, a second passage communicated with

Abstract: The pressure modulating valve assembly includes a solenoid coil, a yoke having curved support surfaces extending from one end of the coil to the other, and a resilient non-magnetic valve support having at least one valve secured thereto and a pair of attaching legs secured to the yoke in overlying relation relative to the curved support surfaces. An armature of magnetic material is secured to the valve support at a central portion thereof spaced from the point of attachment of the valve support to the yoke. A spring normally biases the armature in a direction away from the solenoid coil so that upon energization of the coil the solenoid support and the armature secured thereto are subjected to a rolling motion along the curved surfaces of the yoke to provide a friction free connection between the yoke and the combined armature and valve support.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly having a valve member, disposed in a casing, movable between first and second positions for controlling communication between an inlet port and an outlet port provided in the casing which includes an armature of magnetic material operatively connected with the valve member, a leaf spring fixed at a first end thereof to the armature and biasing the valve member to the first position, a spring retainer having a first end portion which retains a second end of the leaf spring and which is stationarily fixed at a second end portion thereof to the casing, a stationary core of magnetic material mounted in the casing and operatively engageable with the armature and a mechanism acting on the stationary core and the armature for rotating the armature towards the stationary core whereby the valve is moved to the second position and an adjusting mechanism connected to the casing for adjusting tensioning of the leaf spring.

Abstract: Vehicle constant speed driving apparatus including a solenoid of a releasing valve for directing atmosphere into a hydraulic actuator when the releasing valve solenoid releases a constant speed driving which is in ON-condition (not causing ON-OFF repeated operation) in order to isolate an interior chamber of the hydraulic actuator from the atmosphere during the constant speed driving, and a modulator valve solenoid located adjacent to a releasing valve solenoid so that both solenoids are held in a substantially same thermal condition.

Abstract: A control system for an automobile air conditioner including an air blend door for adjusting the output of the air conditioner, a vacuum actuator including a hermetic chamber and a control member, the control member being connected to control the air blend door proportionally to the pressure within the chamber, a vacuum modulator including a first valve for exhausting air from the chamber to a vacuum reservoir, a second valve for emitting air from atmosphere to the chamber and a restriction member arranged at the entrance side of the chamber, a control circuit for providing a first electrical driving signal for operating the first valve so as to open and a second electrical driving signal for operating the second valve so as to open proportionally to the difference between a selected temperature within the automobile and the actual temperature within the automobile, an integrating circuit for providing integrated outputs of the first electrical driving signal and the second electrical driving signal with a ti