Abstract: An apparatus for predicting road shape comprises a map data reading unit for reading map data, a clothoid curve calculating unit for calculating a clothoid curve corresponding to a corner area based on the aforementioned map data, and a fitting unit for adjusting the aforementioned clothoid curve to the corner area.

Abstract: Arrival of a vehicle at a particular location is estimated, a suspension control value for the particular location is determined, the wheel suspensions are controlled based on the determined suspension control value, and suspension control is suitably executed before the vehicle arrives at the particular location. The suspension control apparatus includes a position detector for detecting present position of the vehicle, a navigation unit for producing particular location data, suspension units, having suspension characteristics capable of control, disposed with each of the wheels, and a control unit which estimates the arrival of the vehicle at the particular location, and controls the suspension units in a manner suitable for the particular point in advance of arrival of the vehicle at that particular point.

Abstract: The invention provides a suspension control apparatus for a vehicle which can execute a suspension control suitable even for a rough road by executing the suspension control based on an actual road surface profile, while taking various vehicle states (weight, speed, etc.) into consideration, and learning the road surface profile. The suspension control apparatus has a vertical acceleration sensor for detecting a vertical acceleration of the vehicle, and a control unit for determining a road surface profile by estimating waves and irregularities in the road surface based on the vertical acceleration of the vehicle detected by the vertical acceleration sensor, and determining a suspension control value based on the thus determined road surface profile.

Abstract: A light distribution control apparatus which is less affected by an error in a navigation function, and conducts a proper light distribution. An illuminated area and a glare quantity are controlled according to a determination on a traveling region of a vehicle (an expressway, a general road, or an urban region), and an illuminating direction is controlled according to a determination on a road shape. On the other hand, a navigation processor determines reliabilities of current position detection, and a vehicle position based on road data, and determines a reliability of the road shape and a reliability of the traveling region. A base illuminated area and a medium glare are selected when the reliability of the traveling region is low, an illuminated area according to the traveling region is selected and the glare quantity is decreased when the reliability is medium, and an illuminated area and a glare quantity according to the traveling region are selected when the reliability is high.

Abstract: A light distribution control apparatus which is less affected by an error in a navigation function, and conducts a proper light distribution. An illuminated area and a glare quantity are controlled according to a determination on a traveling region of a vehicle (an expressway, a general road, or an urban region), and an illuminating direction is controlled according to a determination on a road shape. On the other hand, a navigation processor determines reliabilities of current position detection, and a vehicle position based on road data, and determines a reliability of the road shape and a reliability of the traveling region. A base illuminated area and a medium glare are selected when the reliability of the traveling region is low, an illuminated area according to the traveling region is selected and the glare quantity is decreased when the reliability is medium, and an illuminated area and a glare quantity according to the traveling region are selected when the reliability is high.

Abstract: A sliding roof in which a panel for closing and opening a roof opening is supported with front and rear stays slidable through guides. The front stay is slidable along a first guide provided on a roof frame, and the rear stay is interposed between the first guide and a second guide provided on the underside surface of the panel, so as to be slidable relative to at least either guide. At least one of the front stay, the rear stay and the first guide are formed such that, as the front stay approaches the rear stay with the panel caused to move rearwardly of the vehicle body, a support point of the front stay supporting the panel is raised to be higher relative to a support point of the rear stay supporting the panel.

Abstract: A sliding roof in which a panel for closing and opening a roof opening is supported with front and rear stays slidable through guide means arranged on both sides of the opening. Portions of the guide means, supporting at least the rear stays, have front ends thereof hinged to a frame defining the opening and rear ends thereof being liftable, whereby the rear stays become elevated when the rear ends of the portions are lifted. Also, each of the rear stays has a rearwardly extending section which, when the sliding roof panel has been completely moved rearwardly, is located over a section of the vehicle roof adjacent a rear edge of the opening.

Abstract: A sliding roof in which a panel for closing and opening a roof opening is supported with front and rear stays slidable through guide means arranged on both sides of the opening. Portions of the guide means, supporting at least the rear stays, have front ends thereof hinged to a frame defining the opening and rear ends thereof liftable by means of rocker-type lever. The rocker-type lever is tilted by a tilting mechanism arranged below a region of the vehicle roof adjacent a rear edge of the opening.

Abstract: A sliding roof including a frame defining an aperture in an automobile roof, a guide rail disposed on the frame on each side of the aperture, a panel movable for opening and closing the aperture, a lifting and lowering device disposed on the frame adjacent to a rear edge of the aperture for lifting and lowering a rear portion of the panel, and a front stay supporting a front portion of the panel and slidable along the guide rail. The sliding roof also includes a transmission member connected to the front stay and the lifting and lowering device for transmitting a drive force to the front stay and the lifting and lowering device, and a lost motion mechanism interposed between the transmission member and the front stay for preventing the drive force from being transmitted from the transmission member to the front stay while the lifting and lowering device is being driven by the transmission member.

Abstract: A sliding roof in which a panel for closing and opening a roof opening is supported with front and rear stays slidable through guides. The front stay is slidable along a first guide provided on a roof frame, and the rear stay is interposed between the first guide and a second guide provided on the underside surface of the panel, so as to be slidable relative to at least either guide. At least one of the front stay, the rear stay and the first guide are formed such that, as the front stay approaches the rear stay with the panel caused to move rearwardly of the vehicle body, a support point of the front stay supporting the panel is raised to be higher relative to a support point of the rear stay supporting the panel. Also, the front stay is arranged to be located transversely adjacent the rear stay when the sliding roof panel has been moved completely rearwardly.

Abstract: A sliding roof device for a vehicle having a roof with an opening being disposed therein and including a sliding roof operatively positioned to close the opening in the roof of the vehicle, the sliding roof having an upper face and a lower face. A roof frame is provided with frame side guide rails which are mounted on the roof frame. Slide stays are secured to the lower face of the sliding roof. Moving members are attached to the slide stays and are operatively positioned to be movable back and forth along the frame side guide rails wherein upwardly tilting a rear portion of the sliding roof and displacing the sliding roof to a roof back position with the moving members being guided along the frame side guide rails varies the angle of inclination of the sliding roof relative to said frame side guide rails.