Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes a coupling, which varies the distribution ratio of torque to the front wheels and the rear wheels. The distribution ratio of torque to the front wheels and the rear wheels is determined by the engaging force of the coupling. An ECU sets first to third determination threshold values for the opening degree of a throttle valve of an engine in accordance with the detected vehicle speed. The ECU determines whether the vehicle is in a steady driving state by comparing the detected throttle opening degree with the set first to third determination threshold values and controls the engaging force of the coupling in accordance with the determination result. Thus, the steady driving state of the vehicle is correctly determined.

Abstract: A muffler comprises a case having opposed ends closed; a partition structure installed in the case to constitute a sound silencing path; inlet and outlet pipes incorporated with the sound silencing path; and a sound shielding wall structure installed in the case to constitute a part of the sound silencing path.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle is provided with a drive power transmission device for controlling the connection degree of a front wheel axle driven by an engine with a rear wheel axle. A drive power distribution control device is responsive to a vehicle speed, a rotational difference between front wheels driven by the front wheel axle and rear wheels driven by the rear wheel axle, a throttle opening degree signal and the like and controls the drive power transmission device. The drive power distribution control device includes a vehicle starting judgment means for judging whether the vehicle is beginning to start or not and at the starting of the vehicle, controls the transmission rate of the drive power transmission device in dependence on the state or manner in which the vehicle is beginning to start.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has front wheels and rear wheels driven by an engine, and a coupling for changing the distribution ratio of torque to the front wheels and the rear wheels. An ECU determines whether engine braking is being applied based on the vehicle speed V and the throttle opening degree Od. When determining that engine braking is being applied, the ECU temporarily performs the engine braking related control. The ECU controls the engaging force of the coupling such that the distribution ratio of torque to the front wheels and the rear wheels is changed to a more equalized state in the engine braking related control than that before the engine braking related control is started. Accordingly, the fixing force of the front wheels and the rear wheels is temporarily increased without delay when engine braking is applied.

Abstract: A muffler comprises a case having opposed ends closed; a partition structure installed in the case to constitute a sound silencing path; inlet and outlet pipes incorporated with the sound silencing path; and a sound shielding wall structure installed in the case to constitute a part of the sound silencing path.

Abstract: A drive-force distribution controller for a four-wheel-drive vehicle in which drive force produced by an engine is transmitted directly to front or rear wheels and is transmitted to the remaining wheels via a torque distribution clutch, and the engagement force of the torque distribution clutch is controlled in accordance with traveling conditions of the vehicle. The controller includes a calculation unit for calculating variation per unit time in rotational speed difference between the front wheels and the rear wheels; and a control unit for controlling the engagement force such that the engagement force increases as the variation per unit time in the rotational speed difference increases.

Abstract: A vehicle has a transmission apparatus that changes the distribution of power transmitted from a power source to a plurality of wheels. The method for distributing power of the vehicle includes detecting the temperature of a part located on a power transmission path between the power source and a wheel to which power is transmitted from the power source through the transmission apparatus, the heat of the part being increased as the power distribution ratio is increased; determining that the current state is a specific state in which the detected temperature reaches a previously set first reference temperature; and controlling the transmission apparatus to lower the power distribution ratio to the wheel from the transmission apparatus when the current state is determined to the specified state.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes a coupling, which varies the distribution ratio of torque to the front wheels and the rear wheels. The distribution ratio of torque to the front wheels and the rear wheels is determined by the engaging force of the coupling. An ECU sets first to third determination threshold values for the opening degree of a throttle valve of an engine in accordance with the detected vehicle speed. The ECU determines whether the vehicle is in a steady driving state by comparing the detected throttle opening degree with the set first to third determination threshold values and controls the engaging force of the coupling in accordance with the determination result. Thus, the steady driving state of the vehicle is correctly determined.

Abstract: A power distribution control apparatus determines a command value that corresponds to the driving state of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, and a coupling device that changes the power distribution to the front wheels and the rear wheels. The control apparatus detects the differential rotation speed between the average rotation speed of the front wheels and the average rotation speed of the rear wheels. The control apparatus estimates the exothermic energy generated in the coupling device based on the product of the differential rotation speed and the command value. The control apparatus determines an optimum drive mode for the four-wheel drive vehicle based on the estimated exothermic energy and for selecting map data corresponding to the determined drive mode. The control apparatus determines the command value that corresponds to the driving state by using the map data.

Abstract: Disclosed are a flame-retardant polycarbonate resin composition comprising, as the essential ingredients, (A) a polycarbonate resin, (B) a specific styrenic resin, and (C) a specific phosphate compound, and its moldings. Containing no halogen, the resin composition and its moldings have good flame retardancy, impact strength, heat-resistant stability, thermal aging resistance, and wet heat resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a convenient living information guidance system, which is easily used for a resident of an apartment house, and reduces the load of management work for a management company of the apartment house, and includes such a shopping function that a dealer providing commodities or services can carry on more effective business.

Abstract: A drive force transmission apparatus includes a housing connected to one of two shafts that are rotatable relative to each other, a rotary shaft rotatably supported by the housing and connected to the other shaft, and a multiple disc clutch composed of a plurality of outer plates engaged with the housing in the rotational direction and a plurality of inner plates engaged with the rotary shaft in the rotational direction. The multiple disc clutch transmits rotational torque between the housing and the rotary shaft through frictional engagement between the outer plates and the inner plates. The apparatus also includes a pressure generation mechanism for generating a pressure corresponding to a rotational-speed difference between the housing and the rotary shaft and for applying the generated force to the multiple disc clutch via a piston.

Abstract: A new and unique saddle-riding type motorcar having four wheels comprising two front wheels and two rear wheels, wherein each of the front and rear wheels has a balloon tire mounted thereon and only the front wheels are rotatably supported on axles in such a manner as to turn in both directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the motorcar and the latter is steered by steering the front wheels by means of a bar handle constituting a steering mechanism.