Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve favorable performance, low fuel consumption and the reduction of a contaminant in exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine. SOLUTION: An internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable actuation system for intake valves 7 including a chamber C of fluid under pressure interposed between the intake valve 7 and the respective controlling cam, and a solenoid valve 24 whose opening causes the pressure chamber C to discharge such as to determine the rapid closure of the intake valve 7 by an effect of a respective biasing spring means 9, even if a cam may tend to keep the valve open. The variable valve operation system is used in combination by the use of cams controlling the intake valves shaped in such a manner as to give a rise to an intake valve lift profile including a boot C2 at substantially constant lift. Such a boot is provided in the initial part of an intake valve opening cycle in advance with regard to the TDC in the case of a supercharged direct-injection gasoline engine. In the case of a diesel engine, on the contrary, the boot C2 is provided in the final part of the intake valve opening cycle after the BDC. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system of recognizing the sign of velocity of a vehicle to estimate the slope of a road. SOLUTION: A method of estimating the slope of a road is as follows: (a) providing a signal indicating the measurement of the velocity of the vehicle by a velocity sensor means; (b) providing a signal indicating the measurement of the acceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by an acceleration measurement means; (c) processing the velocity measurement signal and the acceleration measurement signal by means of a prescribed mathematical model, thereby determining an estimated value of the slope of the road; (d) processing the velocity measurement signal, the acceleration measurement signal and the estimated value of the slope, thereby determining the sign of the velocity of the vehicle; and (e) repeating operations (a) to (d) recursively according to a predetermined rule, in which the sign of the velocity determined in operation (d) of a specific recursive step is used as an additional input for operation (c) of the successive recursive step to renew the estimated value of the slope of the road. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rearview mirror unit for an automobile which has an extremely simple structure and reduced whole dimension, and allows unit installation to the automobile to be simplified. SOLUTION: An outer rearview mirror for the automobile is provided with an electric switching device shiftable to a plurality of positions in which electric supply to a plurality of shape memory wires (10) for controlling the swing of a reflection plate (9) of a mirror is controlled. The electric switching device has a single control lever (7) which is projected from a support body and shiftable to a plurality of positions, and is located in a position corresponding to a base of the mirror inside a cabin of the automobile when the mirror is mounted. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multicylinder engine provided with a hydraulic system for variable actuation of the valves, which enables easy control of operation of the engine according to different strategies. SOLUTION: The engine, in particular, achieves low levels of consumption and reduced harmful exhaust emissions by excluding selected cylinders and controlling combustion by a means adjusting effective compression ratio with operation accompanied by variable engine arrangement in a modular way and by a means controlling recirculation of exhaust gas at intake. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light projection module, an optical device for the module, and an optical assembly for a vehicle front part, having a plurality of the modules. SOLUTION: The light projection module 1, 1', 1'' and 1''' includes a light source 10, a flat support plane 21, 21', 21'' and 21''', in which a light source is disposed to reflecting light only from a side of a surface, and a system for reflecting the light emitted from the light source. The light reflecting system, extending to a side of the supporting plane, has a recess facing to the support plane and a curved reflecting plane 25, 25', 25'', 25''' for reflecting light coming from the light source through the main direction that is parallel to the light source support plane. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shape memory actuator of bistable type. SOLUTION: This shape memory bistable actuator is movably installed on a fixed support structure 2, and comprises an element 3 having a middle position called a dead point and two end positions. A spring means 7 forces to return the movable element 3 to either of the end positions according to what portion the dead point is present. A shape memory means 5 is installed to move the movable element 3 from either of the end positions against the action of the spring means 7 until it passes over at least the dead point. Since the movable element is advanced to a new specified working position and, even if the shape memory means is non-active, the spring means is installed at that position to hold the shape memory means, when the movable element is passed over the dead point, the operation of the shape memory means 5 is stopped. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-functional bumper capable of working not only as a function of detecting a collision with a passer but also as a series of additional functions having a relatively simple structure of low cost. SOLUTION: This automobile bumper is equipped with a plurality of piezoelectric elements 200 and 300. The piezoelectric elements are connected to an electric controller 400, the electric controller is programmed so as to operate at least one piezoelectric element, and hence at least one piezoelectric element or piezoelectric element group exhibits a different function in a different state in an operation of the automobile. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
The system comprises control devices (CS) arranged to implement a stop-start function in which, during a stop stage, the internal combustion engine ( 1 ) is disconnected from the electric machine ( 4 ) and from the transmission system ( 2 ) and is switched off in first predetermined operating conditions of the vehicle (V) and then, in a subsequent start stage, is automatically restarted by an electric machine ( 4 ), operating as a motor, and is then reconnected to the transmission system ( 2 ).