Abstract: In an automatic transmission according to the present invention, a coast brake cutoff valve is arranged between a range-pressure-producing manual valve and shift valves and, when changed over, selectively feeds oil to hydraulic engine brake servomotors. An engine brake solenoid valve is on/off controlled by a shifting output signal from a CPU, whereby the coast brake cutoff valve is selectively changed over. A lockout valve is arranged between the coast brake cutoff valve and the manual valve and is connected to one of shifting solenoid valves. The automatic transmission can therefore be operated without trouble even when an electrical problem occurs in the shifting solenoid valves and/or the engine brake solenoid valve.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a transmission unit and driving wheels. The transmission unit includes a planetary gear unit and a one-way clutch, so that each output rotary speed of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is changed. The planetary gear unit includes three elements: a ring gear, a sun gear and a carrier having at least one pinion. When the vehicle is in an under-drive cruising state, the first element of the planetary gear unit, which does not rotate, is connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine, the second element of the planetary gear unit, which rotates at a relatively high, speed, is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor, and the third element of the planetary gear unit, which rotates at relatively lower speed, is connected to the output shaft of the transmission unit.

Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic transmission, includes: a plurality of frictional engagement elements adapted to be hydraulically engaged for setting a plurality of gear stages; and a shift lever for switching between an automatic mode, in which a gear stage is set on the basis of the running state of a vehicle, and a manual mode in which a gear stage is selected by manipulating the shift lever. A shift detector detects that a gear stage should be selected for the shift in the manual mode state and a shift start timing adjuster, if the shift in the manual mode state is detected, the switching rate of the frictional engagement elements which are switched for executing the detected shift.

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 continuous V-belt transmission comprising: a primary pulley and a secondary pulley individually including two sheaves supported on shafts and made axially movable relative to each other; a belt made to run on the two pulleys; mechanical actuators individually including first members and second members for moving the movable sheaves of the two pulleys on the basis of the relative rotations of the two members: and pressure regulating mechanisms for applying an axial force corresponding to a transmission torque to at least one of the pulleys. In an unshifted state, the rotations of the pulleys are transmitted from the externally threaded portions integrated with the movable sheaves to the carriers of the planetary gear mechanisms so that they are transmitted through the ring gears to toe internally threaded portions on the basis of the sun gears being stopped. At this time, the externally threaded portions and the internally threaded portions are rotated integrally with the pulleys at the same r.p.m.

Abstract: A driving force controller for an electric motor vehicle which suppresses changes in behavior of a vehicle when a right or left driving wheel experiences trouble and detects vehicle conditions to independently control the driving force of each wheel so as not to deviate from a predetermined range. The driving force controller computes a driving force for each wheel in accordance to a demand value for driving force and a detected vehicle traveling condition to drive each wheel independently by electric motors. Motor drivers control the motors so that each motor generates power corresponding to the value of driving force computed therefor. A driving demand detector detects the value of driving force demanded for the vehicle and a vehicle condition detector detects a traveling condition of the vehicle. Wheel driving condition detectors detect conditions at the wheels.

Abstract: In a linkage through which a manual selector is connected to a manual valve are a power unit and a connecting/disconnecting mechanism. In "P", "R", and "N", the connecting/disconnecting mechanism is connected and the power unit is made inoperative, whereby a movement of the manual selector is mechanically transmitted directly to the manual valve. In other shifts including manual shifts, the connecting/disconnecting mechanism is disconnected and the manual valve is operated directly by the power unit in accordance with positions of the selector lever.

Abstract: A vehicle has a rotary magnetic field member which is rotatably supported at a position near the surface of a roadway along which the vehicle runs and rotatingly driven by a driving device. The rotary magnetic field member has magnetic poles of different polarities alternately arranged around its circumference. The vehicle also has an electrical power collector for receiving electrical power from an electrical power supply associated with the roadway. The received electrical power is supplied under the control of a controller to the driving device thereby rotatably driving the rotary magnetic field member. The rotary magnetic field member when rotated relative to the roadway made of an electrically conductive non-magnetic material, forms a varying magnetic field in cooperation with the roadway, thereby generating propulsion force for propelling the vehicle and force for suspending the vehicle, so that the vehicle is propelled in a floating state.

Abstract: A drive unit for an electric motor vehicle includes first and second electric motors having characteristics which achieve high efficiencies in different operational regions. A common motor shaft receives output torques from both of the first and second motors, which output torque are then transmitted to a drive wheel. Sensors are provided for sensing a travelling condition of the vehicle and the rotational speeds of the first and second motors. Request torque, i.e. that torque required for the travel of the vehicle, is determined in accordance with the detected travelling condition of the vehicle. The determined request torque is distributed to the first and second motors in accordance with the detected rotational speeds to govern the output torques of the first and second motors.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a vehicular automatic transmission includes a first servomotor, actuated by hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic pressure source, for engaging or releasing frictional engagement elements of the transmission; a second servomotor, actuated by the hydraulic pressure, for applying an engine brake; a manual valve and a shift valve, both connected between the hydraulic pressure source and the first and second servomotors, for controlling the hydraulic pressure; a cut-off valve interposed in a line extending between the manual valve and the shift valve; a solenoid valve for controlling the cut-off valve; and an electronic controller for receiving as inputs vehicular running conditions and a gear-shift mode and for outputting solenoid signals to control the shift valve and the cut-off valve responsive to the inputs. The controller outputs a solenoid signal to the cut-off valve to control communication between the manual valve and the shift valve through the line.

Abstract: A vehicle with a noncontact drive mechanism includes a magnetic propelling device 7 for generating a propelling force derived from magnetic induction of an eddy current within a reaction plate 4 laid on a road surface, without contact between the magnetic propelling device and the reaction plate; a flux changing device 13 for changing magnetic flux of the magnetic propelling device; a chassis supporting device for holding a chassis with respect to the road surface; and running-direction control devices 3, 5 for controlling the direction of running of the vehicle. The vehicle is adapted to run by generating a magnetic force in noncontact with the reaction plate.

Abstract: A shifter with a manual speed selecting mechanism for a vehicular automatic transmission. The shifter includes a stationary member mounted on a vehicle body; a rocking retainer supported in a manner to rock on a first axis extending through and fixed by the stationary member, for transmitting motion of a shift lever to the automatic transmission. The shift lever is supported for rotation on the first axis and on a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, and is brought into and out of engagement with the rocking retainer when rotated on the second axis. A switch is provided for detecting the position of the shift lever. A lock plate is supported on the rocking retainer for bringing the rocking retainer into and out of engagement with the stationary member when actuated by the rotation of the shift lever on the second axis.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus has an input unit (1), a CPU (2), a display unit (3) and a memory unit (4), the memory unit (4) being a memory such as a CD-ROM in which network data of geographical points, namely destinations and present locations, and information are stored in advance. Also stored are map data (10), an intersection list (11), a destination list (12), road data (13) and a region name list (14), etc. When a destination is designated by an input from the input means (1), the CPU (2) performs an exchange with a program, stored in a ROM (9a), in order to set information for travel to the destination by course exploration in accordance with each geographical point stored in the memory unit (4). This information is stored in a memory such as a RAM (9b). In an embodiment, the RAM (9b) is provided with a non-volatile area for storing departure-point data (east longitude, north latitude, etc.).

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 navigation apparatus, in which guidance information for travel to a desired destination is outputted upon inputting the desired destination, has an input unit for inputting a desired destination, a memory unit for storing guidance information and destination information, and a display unit for outputting the guidance information and input information from the input unit, characterized in that the destination information has region name data and information data related to regions, and information data relating to a region is obtained by inputting the region name from the input unit. When input of the name of a prefecture, city or town for which a destination has not been specified is selected, a course search routine is executed in which a prefecture name list, city name list and town name list are retreived in order by the entry of prefecture name, city name and town name, the storage addresses of an intersection list and landmark list are obtained and an intersection at the destination is set.

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 display system in a navigation apparatus according to the invention has course searching means (13) for searching out an optimum course based on position information, node data (21), intersection data (19) and road data (23), and scale ratio setting means (15), wherein the scale ratio of a displayed map is set in conformity with distance between a present position and a destination, and roads are selectively displayed on a display unit (31) in conformity with the scale ratio.Further, the invention has a data processing controller (46) for performing processing based on a departure intersection entered at an input unit (43), a display unit for displaying, based on the results of processing, an intersection diagram comprising the departure intersection, a peripheral road network and landmarks, and touch keys (35) such as a verification key for displaying direction of travel on the displayed intersection map, and a rotation instruction key for rotating and displaying the intersection diagram.

Abstract: A position input system for a vehicular navigation apparatus includes an input unit for inputting a desired destination and a present position, a memory unit for storing desired destination information and map information, and a display unit for outputting the desired destination information and map information in response to input information from the input unit. The map information is indicative of intersections and a geographical point located between intersections and possessing useful guidance information. A desired destination and present position are capable of being inputted by setting the useful guidance information between a road leading to and a road leading from the geographical point. This makes it possible to enter position simply and accurately. Positions are precise since they are selected from pre-stored information relating to geographical locations. Vehicle direction can also be inputted in accurate fashion where parking lot exits and intersections are concerned.

Abstract: A navigating apparatus which outputs information for guidance to a destination comprises an input device (1) for inputting a destination and a present position, a memory (4) in which guidance information is stored, an arithmetic unit (2) for determining optimum guidance information from the information input from the input device (1) and a display (3) for indicating the guidance information, the memory (4) having data of a plurality of parking lots at least in a destination and the arithmetic unit (2) serving to select the plurality of parking lots and guide the driver along the courses thereto in the destination. This apparatus enables the driver to go to a nearby parking lot by exploration of a course to the next parking lot at the shortest distance and guidance thereto even if a certain parking lot is full of cars in a destination.

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 by a shift lever to control a plurality of 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 supply hydraulic pressure to set a neutral state based on the control of the solenoid valves. The shift lever can be immediately moved from this position to directly select any speed in the automatic shift mode or the manual shift mode. The above solenoid valves, a hydraulic control solenoid valve and a lock-up clutch engaging solenoid valve are controlled to enable rapid shifting in the manual shift mode as well as smooth shifting in the automatic shift mode.