Abstract: A semiconductor acceleration sensor, including a semiconductor substrate, in which a mounting portion is formed in the substrate, and first and second cantilevered beams are formed in the substrate in opposite sides of the mounting portion so that these three members are aligned along a straight line, and in which a weight is formed at an end of the first cantilevered beam, and first and second strain sensing devices are formed in approximately the same layout in surface portions of the first and second cantilevered beams, respectively.

Abstract: A vertical power MOS transistor, in which a gate oxide film is formed over partial areas of a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, which functions as a drain, a channel region having a second conductivity type formed in the substrate, and a source region having the first conductivity type, formed in the channel region, and a gate electrode is formed on the gate oxide film, in which an insulating film covers the gate electrode, and a source electrode is formed on the insulating film, and in which an ohmic contact electrode is formed on portions of a source region an a channel region, and a coupling member connects the ohmic contact electrode with the source electrode to separate the source electrode from the gate electrode edge portion.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a semiconductor device which is mounted onto a metallic wiring layer formed on a surface portion of a metal printed circuit board, in which bonding portions defined by substantially square etched holes are formed in a portion of the metallic wiring layer contacting a bonding material interposed between the metallic wiring layer and the body of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A power MOSFET is provided with a protective circuit including a monitor MOSFET whose drain is connected with the drain of the power MOSFET, a monitor resistor connected betwen the sources of the power and monitor MOSFETs, and a monitor transistor for decreasing a gate voltage of the power MOSFET when a voltage across the monitor resistor exceeds a predetermined level representing a dangerous condition of the device.

Abstract: An ignition distributor is disclosed for use in an internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders each fitted with an ignition plug. The distributor includes a plurality of fixed electrodes disposed in circumferential spaced relationship and electrically connected to the respective ignition plugs. A rotor electrode is provided which is electrically connected to a power source and rotatable to successively face the fixed electrodes with a narrow gap with rotation of the engine thereby distributing power to the respective ignition plugs. At least either of the rotor electrode and each of the fixed electrodes has its facing surface formed of conductive and insulating materials combined.

Abstract: A noise suppressor is disclosed for an automotive vehicle control system including a digital computer and a power unit for supplying power to the digital computer. The noise suppressor comprises an inductor connected in series with a power line extending from the power unit and capacitors each connecting each of signal lines extending from the digital computer with ground. The inductor and capacitors are enclosed in a metal casing.

Abstract: A vehicle speed sensing device comprises a Doppler radar unit for producing a Doppler signal related to the vehicle speed and producing a speed signal from the Doppler signal, a first section for extracting noise components in the Doppler signal and producing a noise detection signal, and a second section for producing an output signal of the vehicle sensing device. The device output is the speed signal from the Doppler radar unit when the noise detection signal is absent while the device output is null or a speed signal having an amplitude identical with that of the speed signal just before the appearance of the noise detection signal when the noise detection signal is present.

Abstract: A Doppler radar speed sensor including an antenna section and a sensor section is mounted on the underside of the automobile undercarriage. A recess for accommodating the Doppler radar speed sensor is formed in part of the underside of the automobile undercarriage within a rectangle surrounded by the wheels, and the Doppler radar speed sensor is mounted fully within the recess. This structure prevents the sensor from being damaged in an unfavorable environment or external vehicle devices from being interfered with by the leakage of the unrequired radar wave. For size reduction, the Doppler radar speed sensor is provided with a metal casing integrated with a slotted waveguide antenna. The slot array of the antenna is formed in one side of the metal casing, so that the metal casing, makes up part of the slot array antenna.

Abstract: A plasma jet ignition plug wherein a film of semiconductor or a semiconductor oxide defines together with a first rod-shaped electrode and a second electrode a plasma cavity.

Abstract: In a Doppler radar system for measuring the velocity of a vehicle, such as an automobile, in order to lessen interference with external electric wave appliances, such as radios and televisions, caused by transmitting microwaves, one of the higher harmonics generated from a mixer diode driven by the fundamental waves of a local oscillator is selected by a filter for transmission and is used as the transmission output wave, whereby the power of the transmission waves is remarkably reduced in comparison with the mixer driving power.

Abstract: A distributor for internal combustion engines is disclosed, in which at least the spark discharge portion of the rotor electrode and/or each of the fixed electrodes is made of an alloy containing silicon, thus suppressing the generation of radio noise.

Abstract: A plasma jet ignition system wherein a plasma jet energy storage system is designed as an add-on system, which is used in conjunction with a conventional ignition system which provides the basic spark timing and high voltage trigger signal to plasma jet ignition plugs. The plasma jet energy storage system is connected to the plasma jet ignition plugs via steering diodes. Each of the steering diodes has an anode terminal directly connected to one of the plasma jet ignition plugs.

Abstract: A current supply circuit for electronic equipment of an automotive vehicle having an additional relay being energized by the ignition switch at its starter position. In this starter position, the relay is operated and the battery current is directly supplied to the electronic equipment at the time of starting the vehicle to avoid abrupt decrease of the source voltage.