Abstract: An approaching vehicle detection apparatus mounted to a subject vehicle includes a ranging device for detecting a distance to a different vehicle based on receipt of an infrared light reflected by the different vehicle, a communication device for exchanging an infrared signal with the different vehicle when the different vehicle approaches the subject vehicle within a first vehicle-to-vehicle distance, and a ranging synchronization device for making transmission timing of the infrared light differ from the subject vehicle to the different vehicle based on the signal of the communication device.

Abstract: An occupant protection device includes (i) an electronic control unit having a control board, (ii) a parallel connection bus having two lines, (iii) multiple satellite sensors connected to the parallel connection bus, (iv) a squib connected to the parallel connection bus, and (v) an accident prevention diode located close to the squib. The control board includes an interface and a processor. Each of the satellite sensors includes a distributed system interface which is located between the two lines. The parallel connection bus is supplied with a sensor drive voltage. The electronic control unit starts to operate at least one of the occupant protection portions based on a result of the collision determination by the control board.

Abstract: An occupant protection device includes (i) an electronic control unit having a control board, (ii) a parallel connection bus having two lines, (iii) multiple satellite sensors connected to the parallel connection bus, (iv) a squib connected to the parallel connection bus, and (v) an accident prevention diode located close to the squib. The control board includes an interface and a processor. Each of the satellite sensors includes a distributed system interface which is located between the two lines. The parallel connection bus is supplied with a sensor drive voltage. The electronic control unit starts to operate at least one of the occupant protection portions based on a result of the collision determination by the control board.

Abstract: In a control system for a dual-stage airbag firing system, a series circuit of first and second switching elements and a series circuit of third and fourth switching elements are connected in parallel between high and low voltage power lines, the circuit node between the switching elements of each series circuit being connected to a corresponding one of a pair of output terminals. When an impact is received, the first and fourth switching elements are exclusively activated to generate a forward voltage across the output terminals, causing a forward current to flow in the firing system so that its first stage is exclusively fired. Subsequently, the third and second switching elements are exclusively activated to generate a reverse voltage across the output terminals in a direction opposite to the forward voltage, causing a reverse current to flow in the firing system so that its second stage is fired.

Abstract: An airbag electrical control unit mounted in a vehicle includes a position detecting circuit that detects a current position of the vehicle; a computing circuit that computes impact that the vehicle undergoes using a signal from a sensor; and a notifying circuit that notifies a previously designated recipient of a notification data that includes the detected current information alone or both the detected current position and the computed impact. Here, a traveling mode that addresses a traveling-period trouble generated while the vehicle is traveling and a parking mode that addresses a parking-period trouble generated while the vehicle is being parked are switched into each other.

Abstract: In a control system for a dual-stage airbag firing system, a series circuit of first and second switching elements and a series circuit of third and fourth switching elements are connected in parallel between high and low voltage power lines, the circuit node between the switching elements of each series circuit being connected to a corresponding one of a pair of output terminals. When an impact is received, the first and fourth switching elements are exclusively activated to generate a forward voltage across the output terminals, causing a forward current to flow in the firing system so that its first stage is exclusively fired. Subsequently, the third and second switching elements are exclusively activated to generate a reverse voltage across the output terminals in a direction opposite to the forward voltage, causing a reverse current to flow in the firing system so that its second stage is fired.

Abstract: An airbag electrical control unit mounted in a vehicle includes a position detecting circuit that detects a current position of the vehicle; a computing circuit that computes impact that the vehicle undergoes using a signal from a sensor; and a notifying circuit that notifies a previously designated recipient of a notification data that includes the detected current information alone or both the detected current position and the computed impact. Here, a traveling mode that addresses a traveling-period trouble generated while the vehicle is traveling and a parking mode that addresses a parking-period trouble generated while the vehicle is being parked are switched into each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a condition of burning in an internal combustion engine includes a spark plug and an ignition coil. The ignition coil has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding is connected to the spark plug. An ion current sensing resistor is connected to a low voltage side of the secondary winding of the ignition coil for sensing an ion current. A diode is connected in parallel with the primary winding of the ignition coil. A switching element is connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil. The switching element is movable into and out of an on state. A suitable device is operative for resisting a current flowing through the diode when the switching element is in the on state.

Abstract: An IGBT driving circuit includes an IGBT connected in series with a primary winding of an ignition coil and a current detecting resistor. A transistor is connected to the gate of the IGBT to apply a gate voltage in response to an ignition signal. A comparator compares a voltage produced across the current detecting resistor with a comparison voltage. An NPN transistor connected to the gate of the IGBT turns on and off in response to the comparison result of the comparator to adjust the gate voltage. The gate voltage is fed back to the detection terminal side of the comparator for oscillation suppression through an oscillation suppressing resistor. A charge/discharge control resistor is connected between the gate of the IGBT and the oscillation suppressing resistor and a diode is connected in parallel with the charge/discharge control resistor, so that the electric current flowing to the IGBT is maintained constant.

Abstract: In an ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine, an ECU produces an ignition signal to an igniter/coil circuit with an igniter and ignition coil, which in turn sends back a monitor signal for ignition failure determination in the ECU. The ignition signal and the monitor signal are sent through a single signal line. The monitor signal is produced based on a primary current or a secondary current of the ignition coil.

Abstract: In an ignition coil in which an air gap portion is provided at a portion of an iron core forming a closed magnetic circuit, which includes an exciting part iron core having a primary coil and a secondary coil wound therearound, and a strong permanent magnet is inserted in the air gap portion, the closed magnetic circuit is constructed to have the iron core and permanent magnet provided with respective suitable shapes, dimensions, properties, etc. so as to make most of the characteristics of the strong permanent magnet, thereby drastically reducing the size and weight of the ignition coil. Further, a concrete improvement of the construction of the closed magnetic circuit of the ignition coil is attained to assure excellent magnetoelectric conversion performance of the ignition coil.

Abstract: In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine which is operable in synchronism with rotation of the engine to switch on and off a primary current in an ignition coil and applies to a spark plug a high voltage induced in the ignition coil secondary winding upon the off switching, a Zener diode is connected to the low-voltage side of the ignition coil secondary winding in order to prevent a secondary voltage induced upon the on switching of the primary current from being applied to the spark plug.