Abstract: A liquid-crystal light-amount adjusting device in which the effective power of driving pulses for acceleration is optimized to improve response characteristics of optical transmittance, a method of driving the apparatus, and a camera including the apparatus. The liquid-crystal light-amount adjusting device according to the present invention includes a driving-pulse generating circuit (16) for generating driving pulses having pulsed voltages, a liquid-crystal light-amount adjusting unit (12) for changing the optical transmittance of a liquid crystal according to pulse shapes of the driving pulses, and a microcomputer (19) for controlling frequencies and duty ratios of the driving pulses.

Abstract: A power output apparatus capable of generating power from at least an electric motor to a drive shaft includes a pattern storing unit that stores a plurality of output characteristic patterns in which power is generated to the drive shaft, a pattern selecting unit that selects one of the output characteristic patterns stored, and a drive controller that controls driving of the electric motor so that power that is within a range of the selected output characteristic pattern is generated to the drive shaft. The power output apparatus may also be controlled to operate the motor in a dash mode that allow motor output to exceed rated values for short periods of time to increase drivability.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a motor as drive power sources has a transmission between the engine and a vehicle drive wheel, that changes drive power transmission by selecting from a plurality of gear speeds. The control apparatus detects the drive power requested for the vehicle drive wheel and, as a result, sets a gear speed of the transmission to cause the engine to operate in a predetermined high-efficiency operation state, such that any difference between the requested vehicle drive power and the engine output is compensated by either a drive operation of the motor, or a regenerative operation of the motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine-operating-characteristic changing device operable between a first and a second operating state and including a locking device for locking the changing device in the first operating state in which a compression ratio of an intake air of an internal combustion engine is maintained at a value higher than that in the second operating state, the method including steps of determining whether there is a possibility that the engine-operating-characteristic changing device is locked in the first operating state by the locking device, where the changing device should not be placed in the first operating state, and if it is determined that there is the possibility, implementing a preventive operation to prevent the locking unit from locking the changing device in the first operating state.

Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a plurality of driving power sources for transmitting torque to a wheel, and a starter for starting a first driving power source of the plurality of diving power sources. The first driving power source is stopped when a prescribed stopping condition is satisfied, and the stopped first driving power source is started by the starter when a prescribed restarting condition is satisfied. When the startability of the first driving power source has been degraded, stopping of the first driving power source is inhibited even when the prescribed stopping condition is satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical dimmer device and its driving method applicable to, for example, an image pickup unit and a display unit. In the present invention, when a control signal for stop adjustment is changed from its current value of stop adjustment (±VX1) to a larger value (±VY1) (when the light transmissivity of a positive type liquid crystal is raised, or when the light transmissivity of a negative type liquid crystal is lowered), the control signal is temporarily varied to an intermediate value (±VZ1) which is still larger than the larger value (±VY1). The energy of the still larger value (±VZ1) and a time during which that varied value is applied are determined in accordance with predetermined values. By doing so, it is possible to make a response speed when changing the light transmissivity extremely faster and thus attain a response time of, e.g. one field period of time or less required for a stop mechanism of video camera.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a power train that includes an engine and a motor generator that generates power to a wheel. Furthermore, a clutch is disposed in a power transmission path from the engine to the wheel includes a driving power controller for controlling power generated from the motor generator to the wheel when the clutch fails.

Abstract: The priority sequence in a control of adjusting the drive power with respect to a vehicle drive power request is set in the sequence of: (1) an engine output increase, (2) a motor output increase, and (3) a gear speed change in a gear ratio increasing direction. More specifically, a gear speed of a least gear ratio is selected within such a range that an engine revolution speed higher than or equal to a predetermined lower limit revolution speed is attainable. A requested drive power is achieved singly by an engine output with the gear speed selected. When the requested drive power is not achievable singly by the engine output, the requested drive power is achieved by the engine output and a motor output. When the requested drive power is not achievable by the engine output and the motor output, the gear speed is changed in a gear ratio increasing direction.

Abstract: In a vehicle equipped with a motor generator and a starter, if an ignition key has been switched from OFF to ON, preferably an engine is started by using the starter. However, if the temperature T of the engine is high (B≦T), the engine is started by the motor generator. When the engine is restarted after automatic stop thereof, preferably the engine is started by using the motor generator. However, if the temperature T of the engine is low (T≦A), the engine is started by using the starter. The engine is started by suitably selecting between the starter and the motor generator, whereby it becomes possible to improve responsive characteristics and startability and abate oscillatory noise.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle drive system, an output shaft of an internal combustion engine is connected to a first motor generator and a wheel drive shaft through a power distribution mechanism, and the wheel drive shaft is connected to a second motor generator. The hybrid vehicle drive system is provided with a device that increases the torque of the wheel drive shaft separately from the second motor generator when the internal combustion engine is cranked by the first motor generator.

Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle drive method and system includes an internal combustion engine that includes an output shaft, a first electric motor/generator connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via a power distribution mechanism, a wheel drive shaft connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via the power distribution mechanism, a second electric motor/generator connected to the wheel drive shaft, and a transmission located on at least one of the wheel drive shaft and a connecting portion of the second electric motor/generator with the wheel drive shaft.

Abstract: An output state detecting apparatus is arranged to detect a reaction torque of a motor and detect an output state of an internal-combustion engine from the reaction torque. The apparatus comprises an internal-combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal-combustion engine to generate electric power, torque detecting means for detecting a reaction torque of this generator, and output state detecting means for detecting an output state of the internal-combustion engine. The output state detecting means detects the output state of the internal-combustion engine, based on the reaction torque of the motor detected by the torque detecting means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method determine a state of a power train that includes a power transmission apparatus that is configured to transmit power of a first driving power source to an input side of a second driving power source via a clutch and a transmission, and is capable of changing a torque capacity of the clutch and a gear ratio of the transmission. The apparatus and method determine a state of the clutch or the transmission based on a revolution speed of the first driving power source and information indicating a state of the second driving power source, e.g., a revolution speed of the input side of the second driving power source.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine-operating-characteristic changing device operable between a first and a second operating state and including a locking device for locking the changing device in the first operating state in which a compression ratio of an intake air of an internal combustion engine is maintained at a value higher than that in the second operating state, the method including steps of determining whether there is a possibility that the engine-operating-characteristic changing device is locked in the first operating state by the locking device, where the changing device should not be placed in the first operating state, and if it is determined that there is the possibility, implementing a preventive operation to prevent the locking unit from locking the changing device in the first operating state.

Abstract: In a vehicular engine control apparatus, the engine is stopped upon fulfillment of a predetermined stopping condition even in the case where the shift position of the vehicle is a running position, and the engine is restarted afterwards upon fulfillment of a predetermined starting condition. The predetermined starting condition is switched depending on whether the detected shift position is a running position or a non-running position. This reduces a sense of incongruity or unpleasantness caused to the driver in stopping and starting an engine during operation of a vehicle and thereby improves driveability of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control apparatus is used to control a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a stepwise variable transmission capable of automatic speed shifting, a clutch disposed between the internal combustion engine and the stepwise variable transmission for discontinuing and establishing power transfer to and from the stepwise variable transmission, an electric motor, etc. The control apparatus calculates a timing of the stepwise variable transmission starting an automatic shifting operation, and gradually decreases the torque assist based on the motor torque Tm of the electric motor prior to the start of the shifting operation, so as to reduce the stepped change in the drive torque that occurs when the engine torque Te is eliminated upon disengagement of the clutch during the shifting operation. This operation of the control apparatus also gentles or reduces the gradient of torque change. The shock at the time of shifting is thus reduced.

Abstract: The exhaust gas purification device according to the present invention utilizes two NOx absorbents in order to remove NOx from the exhaust gas of an engine operated at a lean air-fuel ratio. The NOx absorbents are disposed, in series, in the exhaust passage of the engine and a nozzle for supplying a reducing agent is disposed in the exhaust passage at a position between the two NOx absorbents. Further, the device includes switching valves for changing the direction of the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas passage. When the switching valves are set to direct the exhaust gas flow to one direction, the exhaust gas first flows through one of the NOx absorbents (first NOx absorbent), and after passing through the first NOx absorbent, the reducing agent is supplied to the exhaust gas before it flows into the other NOx absorbent (second NOx absorbent). Thus, the first NOx absorbent absorbs NOx in the exhaust gas, and the NOx absorbed by the second NOabsorbent is released from the second NOx absorbent.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a motor vehicle detects a catalyst temperature during fuel cut. If the catalyst temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, the control apparatus almost completely opens a throttle valve and increases an amount of intake air to thereby reduce pumping loss. If the catalyst temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the throttle valve is almost completely closed. Thereby it becomes possible to reduce pumping loss of the engine while preventing an excessive decrease in catalyst temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a plurality of driving power sources for transmitting torque to a wheel, and a starter for starting a first driving power source of the plurality of diving power sources. The first driving power source is stopped when a prescribed stopping condition is satisfied, and the stopped first driving power source is started by the starter when a prescribed restarting condition is satisfied. When the startability of the first driving power source has been degraded, stopping of the first driving power source is inhibited even when the prescribed stopping condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method determine a state of a power train that includes a power transmission apparatus that is configured to transmit power of a first driving power source to an input side of a second driving power source via a clutch and a transmission, and is capable of changing a torque capacity of the clutch and a gear ratio of the transmission. The apparatus and method determine a state of the clutch or the transmission based on a revolution speed of the first driving power source and information indicating a state of the second driving power source, e.g., a revolution speed of the input side of the second driving power source.