Abstract: Provided is a fuel tank system wherein the liquid levels of fuel in two fuel storage portions can be equally maintained, and the fuel amount in each fuel tank can be estimated with a high degree of accuracy. The fuel tank system is provided with a fuel tank in which a main tank portion and a subsidiary tank portion are formed; a siphon tube which extends from the main tank portion to the subsidiary tank portion, to transfer fuel from one tank portion to the other tank portion; and an electronic control unit (ECU) for determining whether or not the fuel is transferred via the siphon tube (in the transfer state). The ECU determines that the fuel is in the transfer state when the change rate of a sender signal is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (VF_th).

Abstract: The present invention provides a driving mode changing device. The driving mode changing device includes a storage unit for storing three or more driving modes including a normal mode and other modes, an input unit for selecting and inputting an arbitrary one from among the driving modes, and a control unit for changing setup of a plurality of driving control devices installed in a vehicle according to the driving mode input from the input unit. The input unit includes one operating member. The operating member is biased from a stationary position when no operation is performed so as to enable a push operation, and simultaneously biased from the stationary position to a predetermined turned position so as to enable a turn operation.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel tank system wherein the liquid levels of fuel in two fuel storage portions can be equally maintained, and the fuel amount in each fuel tank can be estimated with a high degree of accuracy. The fuel tank system is provided with a fuel tank in which a main tank portion and a subsidiary tank portion are formed; a siphon tube which extends from the main tank portion to the subsidiary tank portion, to transfer fuel from one tank portion to the other tank portion; and an electronic control unit (ECU) for determining whether or not the fuel is transferred via the siphon tube (in the transfer state). The ECU determines that the fuel is in the transfer state when the change rate of a sender signal is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (VF_th).

Abstract: The present invention provides a driving mode changing device. The driving mode changing device includes a storage unit for storing three or more driving modes including a normal mode and other modes, an input unit for selecting and inputting an arbitrary one from among the driving modes, and a control unit for changing setup of a plurality of driving control devices installed in a vehicle according to the driving mode input from the input unit. The input unit includes one operating member. The operating member is biased from a stationary position when no operation is performed so as to enable a push operation, and simultaneously biased from the stationary position to a predetermined turned position so as to enable a turn operation.

Abstract: A vehicle meter unit has a control unit and a controller area network (CAN) constituting a communications network. On-vehicle systems such as an engine control system, anti-lock braking system and electric power steering system are also provided with CANs and fault diagnostic functions for decentralized control. Faults in the systems are displayed in fault codes through the control unit on a liquid crystal display on which the indications of an odometer and trip recorder are displayed.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials are classified into those which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function directly disposed on the surface of a base and those which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer has a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through an amorphous binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles. A lower layer of the photocatalytic layer is embedded in the binder layer such that an intermediate layer is formed between the binder layer and the photocatalytic layer, the intermediate layer including components of the binder and photocatalytic layers in varying concentrations therethrough.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: An antimicrobial solid material having a satisfactory antimicrobial activity for a long term against sewage in any form of circulating, static and flowing waters or contacting portions thereof and a utilizing method thereof are provided. An antimicrobial solid material as one embodiment of the present invention comprises both of an antimicrobial metal ion and an antimicrobial metal in a metal state. In general, it is believed that antimicrobial metal ions have a potent antimicrobial effect when they exist in a liquid to be treated with a certain concentration or more, but they are rapidly released and exhausted so that their antimicrobial effects cannot last long. On the other hand, it is believed that the antimicrobial metal in a metal state does not have a prompt effect, but exhibits a certain bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect continuously for a long term.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials are classified into those which have a photocatalytic layer 2 with a photocatalytic function directly disposed on the surface of a base 1 and those which have a photocatalytic layer 2 with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base 1 through a binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer 2 are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer 2 may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.