Showing papers by "Toyota published in 1988"

Composite material containing a layered silicate

Abstract: A composite material comprising a resin other than polyamide resin and a layered silicate dispersed therein, said layered silicate having a layer thickness of 7 to 12 Å and an interlayer distance of 30 Å or above. Owing to the layered silicate uniformly dispersed in the resin matrix, the composite material is superior in mechanical characteristics and heat resistance. It also has good water resistance and chemical resistance.

Process for producing composite material

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for producing a composite material composed of a polymer and the layered silicate constituting the clay mineral being connected to the polymer through ionic bonding. The process comprises contacting a layered clay mineral with a swelling agent in the presence of a dispersion medium, thereby forming a complex, mixing said complex containing said dispersion medium with a monomer, and polymerizing said monomer contained in said mixture. The process permits the economical and efficient production of a composite material in which the layered silicate is uniformly dispersed.

Swelling behaviour of montmorillonite by poly-6-amide

Abstract: A B S T RA C T : Intercalated compounds of montmorillonite and poly-6-amide were prepared by heating mixtures of ~-caprolactam and 5, 10, 15 and 30 wt% of montmorillonite, cationexchanged with NH~(CH2)I 1COOH, at 250 ~ in a nitrogen atmosphere, and examined by Xray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and elemental analysis. ~-caprolactam was polymerized to poly-6amide by the heat treatment. The mean number-average molecular weight decreased from 3.6 x 104 to 0.8 x 104 with increasing montmorillonite content. TEM showed that considerable swelling had taken place subsequent to polymerization and that the clay layers were uniformly distributed in the final clay/poly-6-amide products. Both XRD and TEM showed that the basal spacing of the compound increased from 51 A to 210 A with increasing polyamide content. The driving force for the swelling was considered to be a combination of the polymerization energy of ~-caprolactam and the attractive interaction between the interlayer cation and e-caprolactam.

Composite material and process for producing the same

Abstract: Provided herein is a composite material which comprises a polyamide-containing resin, a layered silicate dispersed therein, and a substance such as polyamine which controls the crystalline structure or molecular structure of the resin. The composite material has improved mechanical strength and toughness and high clarity or transparency.

Electronic controlled fluid suspension system

Abstract: An electronic controlled suspension system detects a load on the fluid actuators and calculates a torsional load on the vehicle. Responsive to the calculated torsional load, corrective control is executed on the fluid flow to and from the fluid actuators, eliminating torsional load on the vehicle. Therefore, the driving characteristic is prevented from changing due to an unbalanced load on the vehicle. On the other hand, the electronic controlled suspension system detects a vehicle's cornering state. Responsive to the cornering state detected, control signals are output to increase the roll stiffness distribution to the front wheels. As a result, the roll stiffness distribution to the front wheels while the vehicle is about to corner becomes larger than that while the vehicle is steadily cornering. Responsive to the control signals, the vehicle attitude is controlled by supplying and discharging fluid to and from fluid actuators. Consequently, when the vehicle is just starting to corner, laterally moving load is controlled, and quick-responsive steering is realized.

Diamond-like carbon films prepared by pulsed-laser evaporation

Abstract: Diamond-like carbon thin films were prepared by pulsed-laser evaporation In this method a carbon target was irradiated by a XeCl laser with a power density of 3×108 W/cm2 and carbon atoms, together with a small number of ions, were produced Deposition rates and film properties changed sensitively with substrate temperature The films deposited at 50°C were diamond-like, having reasonable hardness, high refractive index (21–22 at 633 nm), optical transparency in the infrared, electrical resistivity of 108 Ω cm and chemical inertness (no dissolution in a HF∶HNO3 solution) The band gap measured from optical absorption was 14 eV Raman spectrum and infrared absorption, whose features varied with the substrate temperature, were also measured The films were amorphous and no crystallinity was observed, as confirmed by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy Hydrogen atoms were incorporated in the films with a typical H/C ratio of 03 The application of a negative bias to the substrate modified the deposition due to the presence of ions

Land vehicle navigation system

Abstract: A land vehicle navigation system is adapted to display the present position of a vehicle by receiving signals from a combination of satellites under the global positioning navigation system. The present position of the vehicle is displayed on a screen, superposed over map data. To obtain the best global positioning data, the combination of satellites is selected in connectio with the visibility. To perform the positive reception of signals from the satellites as the vehicle is running in an urban area, data relating to the building height around the area can be obtained from a geographical information section including data indicative of the map and the building height distribution with respect to the area to determine the visibility.

Determining surface orientation by projecting a stripe pattern

Abstract: A method is presented for determining the surface orientations of an object by projecting a stripe pattern on to it. Assuming orthographical projection as a camera model and parallel light projection of the stripe pattern, the method obtains a 2 1/2-D representation of objects by estimating surface normals from the slopes and intervals of the stripes in the image. The 2 1/2-D image is further divided into planar or singly curved surfaces by examining the distribution of the surface normals in gradient space. A simple application to finding a planar surface and determining its orientation and shape is shown. The error in surface orientation is discussed. >

Exhaust emission control device for a diesel engine

Abstract: An exhaust emission gas control device having a first filter trapping particulates contained in an exhaust gas, and a second filter removing offensive odor components in the exhaust gas. The first filter is a honeycomb type having a cordierite substrate on which τ-alumina is coated. The second filter is provided downstream of the first filter, and is formed by an ion-exchange of copper on a synthetic zeolite rich in silica to form copper ions thereon.

Apparatus for controlling steering of wheels of a vehicle

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling steering of wheels of a vehicle comprises a control means, a driving means, and an actuator means. The control means comprises a feed forward signal operating means, a feed back signal operating means for generating signals for variables representing vehicle behaviors and output from a vehicle ' behavior sensor, and a control signal operating means for calculating a difference or sum of the signals output ,from the feed forward and feedback signal operating means. The feed forward signal operating means comprises Ia steering angle signal circuit, a steering angular velocity signal operating circuit, a steering angle signal operating circuit having a first coefficient circuit for multiplying a steering angle signal with a coefficient, and an adder for adding the outputs from the steering angle signal circuit, the steering angle signal operating circuit, and the steering angular velocity operating circuit. A behavior correction capacity against a side wind or disturbance is very high, and a steering system can be controlled to shorten the response time for changes in vehicle behaviors with respect to a steering input, thereby providing optimal steering. The control means further comprises a gain changing means to supply optimal coefficients to the feed forward and feedback signal operating means.

Thermosetting highly foaming sealer and method of using it

Abstract: A thermosetting highly foaming sealer of this invention contains an unvulcanized rubber, a vulcanizing agent, a softener and an inorganic filler. It is bonded on one of two parallel planes forming a gap, and is vulcanized and foamed by heating to fill up the gap. A feature of the thermosetting highly foaming sealer is that it comprises a first sealing member bonded on one of two parallel planes before heating, foaming and expanding from 1 to 2 times of original volume thereof when vulcanized by heating, and a second sealing member laminated on the first sealing member foaming and expanding 6 times or more of original volume thereof when vulcanized by heating. Accordingly, the thermosetting highly foaming sealer of this invention can securely fill the gap without running down or slipping off even when it is provided on a vertical plane, thereby preventing dusts and water from intruding from environment. The thermosetting highly foaming sealer thus shows a good rustproofing capability as well.

Locking apparatus for shift lever in automatic transmission

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shift locking apparatus for blocking a shifting movement unless a special operation is conducted such as the depression of a foot brake by an operator, when a shift lever of an automatic transmission is moved from a specified shift position of a parking "P" and the like to another shift position, wherein when releasing of the shift lock is conducted by an electrically operated actuator such as a solenoid, the shift lock can be released by use of a key for a vehicle even in a condition where the electrically operated actuator is not used. The operation of a key cylinder by use of the key of the vehicle by the operator causes the shift lock to be released, ensuring that the operator can move the shift lever to any other shift position, thereby permitting the vehicle to be moved even if there is some trouble such as electrical trouble.

Reinforcing Mechanism by Small Diameter Fiber in Short Fiber Composite

Abstract: Influence of fiber diameter on the mechanical properties of short fiber composite was studied by using smaller diameter fibers than conventional ones. Strength and toughness of the composite reinforced with the small diameter fibers were improved, compared to those of the composite reinforced with the conventional ones, except for extremely small diameter fibers. Thus, there exists the maximum value for the strength and toughness for the optimum fiber diameter. This result indicates that there is an optimum condition for the reinforcing effectiveness by the small diameter fibers. In order to analyze the reinforc ing mechanism by the small diameter fibers, fracture mechanism of the composite was studied by an acoustic emission analysis, in-situ SEM observation of failure process, and observation of plastic deformation of the matrix. As a result, initiation and propagation of microcracks occurring at fiber/matrix interface were found to be strongly suppressed by using the small diameter fibers, compared wit...

XYZ coordinates measuring system

Abstract: An XYZ coordinates measuring system has a slit light source for projecting a slit light beam onto the surface of a work to be measured with a predetermined angle. Furthermore a television camera takes a light line formed on the surface of the work by the slit light beam to generate an output video signal. A coordinate measuring circuit has a look-up table for previously storing the interrelationship between the horizontal and vertical imaging positions of the light line and the XYZ coordinates on the surface of the actual work. The coordinate measuring circuit is adapted to process the video signal to detect the horizontal and vertical imaging positions Ks and Ls of the light line and to output the XYZ coordinates on the surface of the work from the look-up table, depending on the detected horizontal and vertical imaging positions Ks and Ls, the XYZ coordinates on the surface of the work can thus be real-time measured along the light line.

Production control system for mixed production line

Abstract: The present invention provides a production control system of enhanced efficiency which is adapted to a mixed production line wherein products having different specifications are mass produced by assembling different parts on a common assembly line. This system is used in a factory wherein different products are required for steps of production. As a result, a production control plan can be scheduled in consideration of part transport times between production factories. To this end, the production control system corrects for the required number, transport time, and final production plan schedule. The final production plane schedule is adapted to establish a production ratio that is an integral number in each of feed cycles in a revolution of the assembly line. To this end, unreserved areas are provided in the feed cycles.

Semiconductor pressure sensor

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor having a diaphragm formed over the surface of a semiconductor substrate by thin film forming technique is provided The sensor comprises: a sacrificial film including a vanishable portion covering a pressure receiving region on the major surface of the semiconductor substrate and a diaphragm support portion covering the periphery of the pressure receiving region, the vanishable portion having an isotropic etching property along the pressure receiving region and the diaphragm support portion having an etching-resistant property; an insulation diaphragm film having an etching-resistant property formed on the major surface of the semiconductor substrate over the sacrificial film; at least one etching solution inlet port formed through the insulation diaphragm film to reach the vanishable portion of the sacrificial film; a reference pressure chamber formed by etching and removing at least the vanishable portion of the sacrificial film with an etching solution poured through the inlet port; and at least one strain gauge formed on the insulation diaphragm film in place at the pressure receiving region The peripheral region of the movable diaphragm can be formed into a flat configuration without any stepped structure Thus, the semiconductor pressure snesor has an improved characteristics

A fuel injector for an engine

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a piston (8) actuated by a piezoelectric element (9). A pressure control chamber (15) is formed between the piston (8) and the top face of the needle (3) and connected to a high pressure fuel source via a fuel passage (18) having a restricted flow area. The pressure control chamber (15) is filled with fuel under pressure. The rear face of the piston (8), which is positioned opposite to the pressure control chamber (15), is exposed to a high pressure fuel chamber (27) filled with fuel under pressure. The driving force acting on the piston due to the pressure of fuel in the pressure control chamber (15) is cancelled by the driving force acting on the piston (8) due to the pressure of fuel in the high pressure fuel chamber (27).

A steel having good wear resistance

Abstract: A steel having good wear resistance which contains 0.55-1.10% of C, up to 2.0% of Si, up to 2.0% of Mn, 12.0-25.0% of Cr and particularly suitable as a material for piston rings or rocker arms. Further addition of 0.05-1.10% of Al to the above steel gives a steel improved in properties for spheroidization of carbides and uniformization of carbide particle size, leading to further enhancement of wear resistance. If required 0.20-2.0% of Ni may be added to the steels, whereby corrosion resistance, toughness and hardenability are improved. An addition of at least one of 0.2-3.0% of Mo, 0.1-1.5% of V and 0.05-0.70% of Nb to the steels improves high-temperature strength and surface hardness. The steel is surface treated by gas nitriding of the like in a surface area for sliding contact with an opponent member.

Exhaust gas purifying apparatus built-in to a muffler for a diesel engine

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus comprising a first and a second casings having expansion chambers, respectively, a third casing arranged between the first and second casings to form a passage therebetween, an inlet pipe introducing the exhaust gas into the first expansion chamber, and an outlet pipe discharging the exhaust gas from the second expansion chamber, whereby a muffler is constituted. The apparatus also comprises a filter arranged in the third casing to trap particulates in the exhaust gas, and a heater arranged adjacent to the filter on the side of the second expansion chamber to burn the particulates deposited on the filter, to regenerate the filter. A flow control unit, comprising a bypass and a valve therein, is arranged such that the exhaust gas normally flows through the filter and the heater, and when the filter is regenerated, at least a part of the exhaust gas flows in reverse through the heater and the filter. This exhaust gas purifying apparatus is built-in to the muffler.

Device for preventing outflow of a fuel vapor from a fuel tank

Abstract: A device for preventing an outflow of a fuel vapor from a fuel tank comprising a breather pipe which connects the upper interior of the fuel tank to a charcoal canister. A float-valve assembly is mounted on the upper wall of the fuel tank. This assembly comprises a breather passage connected to the charcoal canister via the breather pipe, a normally closed solenoid valve arranged in the breather passage, and a float normally allowing the breather passage to be open to the interior of the fuel tank. When the replenishment of the fuel tank is carried out, the solenoid valve is opened to feed fuel vapor in the fuel tank into the charcoal canister.

Air-fuel ratio feedback control system including at least downstreamside air-fuel ratio sensor

Abstract: In an air-fuel ratio feedback control system including at least one air-fuel ratio sensor downstream of a catalyst converter provided in an exhaust gas passage, an actual air-fuel ratio is controlled in accordance with the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor. When the engine is transferred from an open loop control state such as a fuel cut-off state or an OTP incremental state to an air-fuel ratio feedback control state for a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor, the speed of changing an air-fuel ratio correction amount in accordance with the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor is at a conventional speed before the switching of the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor, but thereafter (only immediately after the switching of the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor or for a predetermined time period), this speed is increased.

Wet clutch device

Abstract: A wet clutch device for selectively transmitting the rotation of a rotatable pulley to a driven shaft which rotatably supports the pulley. The wet clutch device includes an oil chamber which encloses a predetermined amount of oil and which is defined by the pulley and a cover which is secured to the pulley, driving clutch plates which are axially movably supported by the pulley in the oil chamber, driven clutch plates which are axially movably supported by the driven shaft in the oil chamber to selectively come into engagement with, and disengagement from corresponding driving clutch plates, and actuating device for bringing the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates into engagement with each other.

Double air-fuel ratio sensor system having improved exhaust emission characteristics

Abstract: In a double air-fuel sensor system including two air-fuel ratio sensors upstream and downstream of a catalyst converter provided in an exhaust gas passage, an actual air-fuel ratio is adjusted in accordance with the outputs of the upstream-side and downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensors. Also, when the output of the upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor is in an abnormal state, an alarm is generated.

Torque detecting apparatus

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus for measuring the amount of magnetostriction of a rotary magnetic material which transmits torque by means of a magnetic sensor, and detecting the transmitted torque on the basis of the measured amount of magnetostriction The apparatus comprises a magnetic sensor for measuring the amount of magnetostriction of the rotary magnetic material, a demagnetization coil which is opposed to the rotary magnetic material so as to restore the rotary magnetic material magnetized by a disturbing magnetic field to the state of zero magnetization, a demagnetization circuit for applying an oscillating current to the demagnetization coil so as to generate in the rotary magnetic material a periodic damping oscillating magnetic field having the maximum value larger than the coercive force of the rotary magnetic material; and a trigger circuit for outputting a drive timing signal for the demagnetization circuit The transmitted torque is detected without being influenced by a disturbing magnetic field

Engine control system

Abstract: An engine control system having an oxygen density sensor arranged in an intake system at a position downstream of a throttle valve for detecting the amount of air newly introduced into the engine. The sensor is a limit electric current detection type capable of detecting a continuously changing density of the oxygen. An amount of fuel to be injected is calculated in accordance with the output level of the sensor by using mapped data of the output level of the sensor signal. A precise detection of new air is made possible while maintaining the advantages of the known D-J system. An ignition timing also may be calculated by the signal from the oxygen sensor.

Role of Hypovolemia in Dialysis‐Induced Hypotension

Abstract: Blood volume was measured continuously during hemodialysis using the authors' hematocrit continuous measurement system in an attempt to determine any relationship between dialysis-induced hypotension with acute onset and blood volume. Hypotension resulted approximately 3 h into dialysis in the present study. This point in time was that at which blood volume was more than 5% above the minimum level during the dialysis treatment, and in some patients it was more than 10% over the minimum level of blood volume. At the time dialysis-induced hypotension occurred or before, there was no sharp decrease in blood volume nor any change in the plasma refilling rate. This suggested that this hypotension is caused by a sudden breakdown of the blood pressure support mechanism compensating for decreased blood volume.

Variable compression-ratio control device for an internal combustion engine

Abstract: A variable compression ratio control device includes a mechanism for varying a compression ratio of an engine in response to engine driving conditions, at least between a higher stage and a lower stage, a compression ratio detecting sensor for detecting a current compression ratio, a sensor fault detecting unit for detecting a malfunction of the compression ratio detecting sensor, and a fail-safe unit for lowering and fixing the compression ratio when the sensor fault detecting unit detects a malfunction of the compression ratio detecting sensor.

Vehicle braking system capable of preventing rock-back motion of driver/passenger upon vehicle stopping

Abstract: A braking system for a motor vehicle, including a wheel cylinders provided on wheels of the vehicle for braking the wheels with braking pressures corresponding to an operation of a brake operating member, a speed detector for detecting a running speed of the vehicle, a stop control device for lowering the braking pressures of the wheel cylinders when the detected vehicle speed falls below a predetermined reference value, and thereby reducing an amount of rock-back of the vehicle driver/passenger upon stopping of the vehicle, a slope determining device for determining whether a road on which the vehicle is running is a level road, an uphill or a downhill, and a device for determining a pressure-decrease pattern in which the braking pressures of the wheel cylinders are lowered by the stop control device, according to a result of the determination by the slope determining device.

Wear resisting copper base alloys

Abstract: A copper base alloy exhibits improved wear resistance particularly at elevated temperatures, which consists essentially of, in percent by weight, 10-40% of Ni, 1-7% of Si, 0.5-5% of B, 1-20% of Cr, and the balance of Cu, wherein particles of at least one of chromium boride and chromium silicide having a size of about 0.1 to about 50 μm are evenly dispersed in a copper-nickel base matrix. The alloy may further contain W, Mo or Fe and/or a high-melting carbide such as WC and TaC.