Abstract: A structure and method for enabling a passive vehicle occupant restraint to be activated at the earliest possible timing, irrespective of a type of a collision. A floor sensor measures a deceleration G applied to the length of a vehicle and outputs the deceleration as the measurement G. An arithmetic unit carries out a predetermined arithmetic operation on the measurement G output from the floor sensor, so as to determine a function f(G). A conditional activation unit has a variation pattern of a threshold value T that varies with a variation in velocity v of a non-stationary object. The conditional activation unit reads a threshold value T corresponding to an input velocity v from the variation pattern and compares the threshold value T with the value of the function f(G). In case that the value of the function f(G) exceeds the threshold value T, an activation signal A is input to a driving circuit.

Abstract: An activating apparatus of passive safety device having squibs, each for activating a passive safety device for protecting a passenger, current controllers for controlling an electric current supplied from an on-vehicle power supply to the squibs in the event of a crash and for controlling an electric current supplied from an off-vehicle power supply that is connected at the time of disposal of the passive safety devices, to the squibs, and a driver for outputting a driving signal to the current controllers to supply the electric current from the on-vehicle power supply or the off-vehicle power supply to the squibs, thereby activating the passive safety devices. The driver disables outputting of the driving signal based on the crash to the current controllers at the time of disposal of the passive safety devices.

Abstract: A floor sensor 32 measures a deceleration G applied to the length of a vehicle and outputs the deceleration as the measurement G. An arithmetic unit 58 carries out a predetermined arithmetic operation on the measurement G output from the floor sensor 32, so as to determine a function f(G). A conditional activation unit 60 has a variation pattern of a threshold value T that varies with a variation in velocity v of a non-stationary object. The conditional activation unit 60 reads a threshold value T corresponding to an input velocity v from the variation pattern and compares the threshold value T with the value of the function f(G). In case that the value of the function f(G) exceeds the threshold value T, an activation signal A is input to a driving circuit 34. A satellite sensor 30 outputs an ON signal when a deceleration of not less than a predetermined reference value is applied to the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display system for a theft-preventing apparatus mounted on a vehicle, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display system in which a display device can be commonly used for two kinds of theft-preventing apparatuses. A security ECU (20) outputs a continuous lighting signal when set to a waiting state, and stops outputting the signal in a cautioning state. An immobilizer ECU (22) outputs a blinking signal to a light-emitting device (50) only when the cautioning state is set. Accordingly, the light-emitting device (50) is turned off when both the security apparatus and the immobilizer apparatus are set to a resting state. Additionally, the light-emitting device (50) is continuously lighted when the security apparatus is in the waiting state. Further, the light-emitting device (50) is being blinked when the security apparatus is not set to the waiting state and the immobilizer apparatus is set to the cautioning state.

Abstract: A vehicle antitheft system and method which effect re-registration and erasure of codes without using a tool used exclusively for such purposes. By the time T1 seconds has elapsed from the time a master key, in which a code is registered, is inserted into a key cylinder, turning an ignition switch from off to on is repeated five times. When opening and closing of a door is repeated six times and the ignition switch is turned off and the key is removed from the key cylinder in the next T2 seconds, a mode is changed to a master key code registration mode. When a master key whose code is to be registered is inserted into the key cylinder within T3 seconds from the time when a master key in which a code is registered is removed from the key cylinder, and the ignition switch is turned on within T4 seconds, an identification code to be registered is read from a transponder. When T5 seconds has elapsed, the read identification code is registered in the memory as a registered code.

Abstract: A diagnosing apparatus for use in a vehicle is disclosed. A microcomputer operates according to either a first mode or a second mode. The second mode being used for the diagnosis requiring a higher precision than the diagnosis according to the first mode. A first program for detecting the malfunction of a control system and a second program having a higher detection precision than the first program is stored in a memory. The operation mode of the microcomputer is selected in accordance with an extent of the malfunction. The diagnosis according to the first program and the second program are executed when the first mode and the second mode are selected, respectively. An operation status of the control system is detected by sensors the diagnosis is performed in the second mode. The diagnosis mode is forcibly returned to the first mode from the second mode when the status detected by the detecting means matches with a predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A plurality of air-fuel ratio sensors having a temperature characteristic are disposed in an exhaust passage in an engine, with heaters respectively provided in the sensors. The heaters generate heat when energized. An electronic control unit controls the energization of each heater in accordance with the driving conditions of the engine and the temperature condition of the exhaust passage, thereby controlling the amount of generated heat of each heater. As a result, the temperature of each sensor is controlled. When driving conditions allow an interruption to the energization of the individual heaters, the electronic control unit forcibly stops the energization of all the heaters for a predetermined period of time regardless of the energizing status of each heater.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an exhaust system and an oxygen sensor fitted to the exhaust system including a sensor element and an electrically powered heater for heating the sensor element. A method is disclosed for controlling the power supplied to the heater by determining a target value therefor according to engine operational parameters, by applying a smoothing correction to the target value to produce an actual value, and by supplying power to the heater in an amount according to this actual power value. The smoothing may be done by time-smoothing, and may be done by performing the calculation repeatedly in a cycle and by setting the actual power value amount equal to a function of this target power value and of values of this actual power value amount determined in previous cycles. This function may take the form of a weighted average, and as a special case such a weighted average may use only the actual power value amount determined in the previous cycle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an exhaust system and an oxygen sensor fitted to the exhaust system including a sensor element and an electrically powered heater for heating the sensor element. A method for controlling the electrical power supplied to the heater properly and quickly heats up the sensor element after engine starting from the cold condition. At the time of starting up the engine it is determined whether or not the temperature of the engine is less than a certain value. If so, the heater is provided with electrical power to the maximum practicable amount, for a certain time interval after the engine is started up. Thereby, during engine heating up operation, the temperature of the sensor element is brought up to its minimum proper operating temperature as quickly as practicable, and accordingly it is ensured that engine performance and the quality of exhaust gas emissions at the time of such engine warming up operation are good. A system is also described for implementing this method.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine wherein feedback control of the air-fuel ratio is carried out in accordance with the concentration of a specific composition in the exhaust gas, so that the air-fuel ratio is close to an aimed air-fuel ratio, the atmospheric pressure is detected, and the aimed air-fuel ratio is varied in accordance with the detected atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The oxygen sensor has a solid electrolytic element made of an oxygen ion-conducting metal oxide. This element is formed in a cup shape, closed at one end and opened at its other end. The outer peripheral surface of the element is exposed to exhaust gas, and the inner peripheral surface of the element is exposed to the atmosphere. A first electrode is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the element, and a second electrode is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the element. An electrically insulating layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the element except where the first electrode is disposed. A metal lead of thin film, connected to the first electrode, is formed on the insulating layer. Further, a retaining lead connected to the first electrode is formed on the metal lead. This retaining lead is formed by densely sintering a conductive material and a binding material.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an exhaust system and an oxygen sensor fitted to the exhaust system including a sensor element and an electrically powered heater for heating the sensor element. A method is disclosed for controlling the power supplied to said heater by restricting it to be less than a predetermined value. This restriction may be done by controlling the value of a relatively steady current flowing through said heater, or alternatively may be done by supplying an intermittent voltage to said heater and by controlling the duty factor of said intermittent voltage. The power supplied to said heater may be determined by detecting the current flowing through said heater, or may be determined by detecting the voltage across said heater and the current flowing through said heater. Thereby, during engine heating up operation, the temperature of the heater element is raised as quickly as practicable, without any risk of over quick heating of the heater occurring, which might lead to damage thereto.

Abstract: Electric current supply to an actuator is ON-OFF controlled in such a manner that fuel supply quantity is made to be zero on condition that an engine rotation speed reaches a rotation speed less than a predetermined one in a low rotation region and a starter switch is turned OFF, whereby overrun of an engine and reckless run of a vehicle are prevented when a rotation sensor is in an abnormal condition.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor according to the present invention comprises a tumbler-shaped solid electrolytic element formed of an oxygen-ion-conductive metal oxide. A first electrode and a lead electrically connected thereto are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the element which is exposed to exhaust gas. A second electrode is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the element which is exposed to the atmosphere. The element is held by a ring-shaped metallic holder. The holder and the first electrode are electrically insulated from each other. A conductive metallic pipe member is disposed between the element and the holder. One end of the pipe member is electrically connected to the lead by means of a conductive metal ring. A partition wall extends integrally from one end of the pipe member, defining between its inner surface and the other peripheral surface of the element a space for housing the conductive metal ring between the pipe member and the lead.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an exhaust system and an oxygen sensor fitted to the exhaust system including a sensor element and an electrically powered heater for heating the sensor element. A method is disclosed for controlling the air/fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine, by, when the voltage of the power supply to the heater has dropped below a first predetermined value and thereafter has remained below a second predetermined value higher than the first predetermined value for longer than a predetermined time period, controlling the air/fuel ratio according to engine operational parameters by an open loop form of control with no account being taken of the output signal of the oxygen sensor, and otherwise controlling the air/fuel ratio according to these engine operational parameters by a closed loop form of control taking into account the output signal of the oxygen sensor so as to obtain an optimum air/fuel ratio for the engine by a feedback control process.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an exhaust system and an oxygen sensor fitted to the exhaust system including a sensor element and an electrically powered heater for heating it. The power supplied to the heater is controlled by determining a target value for it according to operational parameters of the engine, and by controlling the mean power in a time interval as follows: the voltage applied to the heater and the current flowing through it are detected, an intermittent voltage is supplied to the heater, and the duty ratio of the intermittent voltage is controlled so that the product of the heater voltage and the heater current is substantially equal to the target power, with the detection of the voltage supplied to the heater synchronized with the energization of the heater. A system is also described for implementing this method.

Abstract: Clutch operation signal issued in operational association with depression of a clutch pedal are taken as answer-back signals into an electronic control unit (ECU), a starter start command signal is issued in response to one of these answer-back signals. Additionally, a clutch upper switch and a clutch lower switch, which constitute a clutch sensor and are connected in series to each other, are inserted into a starter relay driving system, so that start due to mistaken operation and the like of ECU can be avoided.

Abstract: An engine of a motor vehicle is automatically stopped under predetermined conditions and automatically restarted under other predetermined conditions. The engine is restarted by a starter which is driven in response to an engine start signal. In automatically restarting the engine, the engine start signal is generated when restart conditions are fulfilled and a starter command is generated in a microcomputer. An operation of a clutch pedal is one of the restart conditions. The clutch pedal is provided therearound with a lower switch and an upper switch to detect an amount of a depression of the clutch pedal. The starter command is masked for a predetermined period of time starting from the time when the upper switch is turned OFF from the upper switch has been ON.

Abstract: In automatically stopping or restarting an engine on a basis of detecting an operational state of each component of a vehicle with the engine mounted thereon, judgement as to whether first condition of setting the function of allowing the engine to automatically stop and restart, second condition of automatically stopping the engine after the function is set and third condition of automatically restarting the engine after the function is set are fulfilled or not, respectively, is made by "and" of a plurality of signals including at least two or more signals out of a signal indicating an engine rotational speed, a signal indicating the generating condition of an alternator and a third signal indicating readiness or unreadiness for starting of the vehicle.

Abstract: An engine is automatically stopped under predetermined conditions, thereafter, automatically restarted under other predetermined conditions, and a primary check indicating device for indicating abnormal conditions in various components of a vehicle is forcedly turned OFF at least when the engine is automatically stopped. The primary check indicating device includes, for example, a charge warning lamp for indicating abnormality in the generating condition, an oil pressure lamp for indicating abnormality in the pressure of lubricating oil and an exhaust gas temperature lamp for indicating abnormality in the temperature of exhaust gas.