Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic component provides a wide area which can be used for forming elements on the surface of a mother substrate and effectively produces an electronic component having excellent performance characteristics. At least a portion of the mother substrate is cut by using a blade having a shape in which a portion thereof butted against the boundary (shoulder) between the electrode arrangement surface and the cut end surface of the mother substrate or a portion which becomes the boundary (shoulder) is inclined at a predetermined angle to form an inclined surface at the boundary (shoulder) or the portion which becomes the boundary (shoulder) so as to expose a part of an electrode at the inclined surface.

Abstract: A variable inductor device has at least two coils. The at least two coils are disposed on an insulating substrate with an inductance adjusting element located therebetween. The inductance adjusting element is electrically connected at one end to a tap center electrode. The at least two coils are electrically connected to each other via the inductance adjusting element. The inductance adjusting element is grooved and horizontal paths of the inductance adjusting element are sequentially disconnected one by one by, for example, a laser beam. The inductances are thus varied. It is therefore possible to provide a variable inductor device in which the area required for mounting the device on a printed circuit board is decreased and the inductances are stably adjusted while keeping the inductances balanced.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine has a catalyst arranged in the exhaust system, for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the engine. An ECU controls operation of the engine, based on at least one predetermined control parameter, and detects a temperature state of the catalyst at the start of the engine. The at least one predetermined control parameter is changed, based on the detected temperature state of the catalyst, after the start of the engine.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor deterioration-detecting system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of groups of cylinders groups, an exhaust system having a plurality of exhaust passages extending, respectively, from the cylinder groups, and catalytic converters arranged in the exhaust system, and a plurality of upstream oxygen sensors arranged, respectively, in the exhaust passages at locations upstream of the catalytic converters, includes a single downstream oxygen sensor arranged in a confluent portion of the exhaust passages at a location downstream of the catalytic converters, for detecting the mixed air-fuel ratio of exhaust gases emitted from the cylinder groups.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, and an air-fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the catalytic converter calculates an air-fuel ratio correction amount by means of proportional control and integral control based on an output from the air-fuel ratio sensor, and controls an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine, based on the air-fuel ratio correction amount. A control frequency at which the air-fuel ratio control is carried out is increased when deterioration of the catalytic converter is detected.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, a first air-fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the catalytic converter, and a second air-fuel ratio sensor arranged downstream of the catalytic converter, calculates an air-fuel ratio control variable, based on an output from the second air-fuel ratio sensor. An air-fuel ratio correction amount is calculated based on an output from the first air-fuel ratio sensor and the air-fuel ratio control variable. The air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine is controlled based on the air-fuel ratio correction amount. The air-fuel ratio control variable is corrected in the rich direction such that the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied to the engine becomes richer, when deterioration of the catalytic converter is detected.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine calculates an air-fuel ratio feedback control parameter by proportional-integral control using a proportional factor and an integral factor, based an output signal from a second air-fuel ratio sensor arranged in an exhaust passage at a location upstream of a catalytic converter. An air-fuel ratio correction amount is calculated based on the air-fuel ratio feedback control parameter and an output signal from a first air-fuel ratio sensor arranged in the exhaust passage at a location upstream of the catalytic converter. An inversion period of the output signal from the second air-fuel ratio sensor is measured, and the proportional factor is changed according to the inversion period measured.