Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a rotational phase is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an input member provided so as to be rotatable, an output member co-axially provided with the input member so as to be rotatable, a planetary gear mechanism co-axially provided with the input member and the output member for connecting the input member with the output member, the planetary gear mechanism including three elements, namely a sun gear, a planetary carrier supporting planetary gears and a ring gear, a drive apparatus connected with one of the three elements of the planetary gear mechanism for shifting a rotation phase, the drive means including two members which are rotatable with respect to each other. One of the input member and the output member is connected with the ring gear, and the other of the input member and the output member is connected with the planetary carrier. The two members of the drive apparatus is co-axially provided with the planetary gear mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle drive control system performs a speed control, in which the vehicle is controlled to travel at a desired cruising speed, and a distance control, in which the vehicle is controlled to keep a safe distance from a vehicle ahead of the vehicle with the drive control. The system is equipped with a feature in which a speed of the preceding vehicle is estimated when a range finder, which monitors a distance from the preceding vehicle, loses sight of the preceding vehicle during the distance control so as to establish a target cruising speed which the subject vehicle ought to attain according to the estimated speed of the preceding vehicle.

Abstract: A traveling control system for a motor vehicle includes a detector for detecting an object which exists in front of the motor vehicle to follow a vehicle traveling ahead. The system further includes a first course determination device for estimating a first course on which the motor vehicle will travel hereafter, an identification device for identifying an first target vehicle among the objects existing on the first course, and a second course estimation device for estimating, based on the first target vehicle, a second course on which the motor vehicle will travel hereafter at least while the first target vehicle is outside of the first course. The identification device identifies a second target vehicle among vehicles which travel on the first or second courses while the first target vehicle is outside of the first course.

Abstract: In a vehicle which sets a target vehicle-interval distance, and can execute auto-cruise control for controlling the vehicle speed so as to maintain the target vehicle-interval distance, when the auto-cruise control is not executed, a vehicle-interval distance to be set by a driver is detected together with the vehicle speed at that time. A plurality of sets of the vehicle speed and vehicle-interval distance data are accumulated, and the relationship between the vehicle speed and the vehicle-interval distance is calculated. Upon execution of the auto-cruise control, a vehicle-interval distance corresponding to the vehicle speed at that time is obtained from the calculated relationship, and the obtained vehicle-interval distance is set to be the target vehicle-interval distance.

Abstract: A particular engine control system is used with an engine equipped with an automatic transmission. The automatic transmission is changeable between an economy operation mode, in which the automatic transmission is placed more frequently in higher gears so as to create a travel mode giving priority to fuel economy, and a power operation mode, in which the automatic transmission is placed more frequently in lower gears so as to create a travel mode giving priority to powerful running. The system controls the engine so as to provide a gentle increase in engine output in the economy mode.