Abstract: The battery control apparatus of the present invention is provided for a hybrid vehicle with a combustion engine for outputting driving force, an electric motor for generating a force for assisting the output from the engine, and a power storage unit (battery) for supplying power to the motor and for storing energy regenerated by the motor acting as a generator when the assisting force is not required. The battery control apparatus comprises: a remaining battery charge calculator for calculating remaining battery charge; a battery temperature measuring device (temperature sensor) for measuring the temperature of the battery; a charging permitting device for permitting charging when the remaining battery charge, which was calculated by the remaining battery charge calculator, is equal to or below a predetermined value; and a charging/discharging controller for setting the predetermined value, based on the temperature of the battery measured by the battery temperature measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, which is capable of improving the time of continuous availability for use of the battery by controlling the amount of charge/discharge in accordance with a change in the voltage characteristic of the battery. The hybrid vehicle comprises a combustion engine for outputting driving force of the vehicle, an electric motor for generating a force for assisting the output from the engine, and a battery for supplying power to the motor and for storing energy regenerated by the motor acting as a generator when the assisting force is not required.

Abstract: Detected values of a voltage and a current of a battery which are supplied from a voltage and current detector are stored in a memory at a plurality of times while the battery is being discharged. A regression line calculator determines an internal resistance and an open-circuit voltage (non-load voltage or electromotive force) of the battery based on the detected values stored in the memory. Even when the battery is in use with the voltage and the current frequency varying while it is being discharged, a memory effect on the battery can be determined from a reduction in the open-circuit voltage and a deterioration of the battery can be determined from an increase in the internal resistance.

Abstract: A secondary battery is charged with a large current after a time when a voltage across the secondary battery becomes equal to or greater than a decision value while the secondary battery is being charged, until a primary differential of the voltage reaches a decision value which is a threshold for the primary differential which is established depending on the temperature of the secondary battery. When the primary differential reaches the decision value at a time, the charging of the secondary battery with the large current is finished. By monitoring the quadratic differential, it is possible to distinguish an increase in the voltage in an initial charging period from an increase in the voltage in a terminal charging period. After an increase in the voltage in terminal charging period is detected, the end of the charging process is decided based on the decision value of the primary differential of the voltage.

Abstract: A fuzzy membership function modeling device in which membership functions, represented as geometric shapes or forms, and inference rules, represented in an If . . . Then format, are stored for access by a processor for making fuzzy inference of a control value for a controlled object. Also stored are parameters that are required to shift the membership functions or change their shapes and target inference values. In operation, corresponding membership functions and inference rules are fetched and an inference result generated. A comparison is made between the stored target value and the inference result value and a difference determined. If the difference is outside a predetermined or selected range, on the basis of stored parameters, the membership function is shifted or the shape thereof is changed by an incremental amount and the inference process is again executed.

Abstract: A fuzzy membership function modeling device in which membership functions, represented as geometric shapes or forms, and inference rules, represented in an If . . . Then format, are stored for access by a processor for making fuzzy inference of a control value for a controlled object. Also stored are parameters that are required to shift the membership functions or change their shapes and target inference values. In operation, corresponding membership functions and inference rules are fetched and an inference result generated. A comparison is made between the stored target value and the inference result value and a difference determined. If the difference is outside a predetermined or selected range, on the basis of stored parameters, the membership function is shifted or the shape thereof is changed by an incremental amount and the inference process is again executed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the traveling of a mower comprising means for detecting the conveying state of cut grass in a shooter, and means for decelerating the traveling speed of the working machine while continuing the mowing work by the cutter and the feeding of an air flow to the shooter if the conveying state is more degraded than a jam prevention judgment criterion on the basis of the detection signal of the conveying state detector means. The conveying state of grass in the shooter is detected based on the density or amount of cut grass passing through the shooter per unit time, and the mower is decelerated while maintaining the rotation of the cutter blade for mowing and/or the feeding of the air flow into the shooter if the density exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A threshold value can be adjusted according to the condition of the grass to be cut; for example, high, degree of overgrowth, degree of dry or wet of the grass.

Abstract: A transmission type light sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the exit of a shooter, which has the exit thereof positioned above a grass-bag opening, and the fullness of the grass-bag is detected when the light blocking state of the sensor continues longer than a predetermined time. A light emitting portion and a light receiving portion of the light sensor are positioned opposite to each other so that their optical axes are in coincidence, and they are firmly attached to both ends of a light sensor mounting member. The light sensor consists of a light sensor main body which is placed at one side of a cover, and a retroreflective board placed at the side of the cover opposite to the light sensor main body for reflecting incident light from the light emitting portion in the direction of incidence.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a cutter device which includes lower and upper cutter blades coupled to a rotatable shaft drivable by an engine and substantially horizontally rotatable in a direction. The lower cutter blade has a distal end region including a cutting edge facing in the direction of rotation. The upper cutter blade extends substantially parallel to the lower cutter blade, and has a distal end region including a cutting edge facing in the direction of rotation and positioned forwardly of the cutting edge of the lower cutter blade. The width of the distal end region of the lower cutter blade is larger than the width of the distal end region of the upper cutter blade. The distal end regions of the lower and upper cutter blades extend substantially parallel to each other and are vertically spaced from each other, with an air passage defined therebetween.

Abstract: A cutter and housing assembly for a lawn mower has a cutter having a plurality of blades disposed dispersely as viewed in plan, and a cutter housing accommodating the cutter therein and having at least an upper panel and a side grass clipping discharge outlet. The upper panel has an elevated panel portion which defines a grass clipping discharge passage. The elevated panel portion is spaced from lower ends of the blades by a distance ranging from 120 mm to 140 mm, and is higher than the upper panel by a distance ranging from 0 mm to 20 mm.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus has a transparent plate on which a document may be located. The document is then scanned by a scanner which includes electronic solid state light generation means e.g. LEDs which illuminate the document, with the light reflected from the document being detected by a detector. An electronic signal corresponding to an image of the document may then be transmitted to a remote location. Alternately, the facsimile apparatus may be used to copy the document. Cut paper sheets are withdrawn from storage and an image printed thereon by a heat transfer system in which a film of ink is selectively heated. Paper on which an image has been printed is then received on the upper surface of the storage. The facsimile apparatus may also have a document transporter for moving a document past the scanner with the scanner fixed.