Showing papers by "Toyota published in 1999"

Exhaust gas purification device for an internal combustion engine

Abstract: A converter containing a NOx absorbing and reducing catalyst is disposed in the exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. The upstream half portion (portion of the inlet side) of the substrate of the NOx absorbing and reducing catalyst in the converter carries the oxygen storage component that absorbs oxygen in the exhaust gas when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is lean and releases the absorbed oxygen when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing in is rich in addition to carrying the NOx absorbing and reducing catalyst. After NOx is absorbed by the NOx absorbing and reducing catalyst as a result of operating the engine at a lean air-fuel ratio, the engine is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio, so that NOx is released from the NOx absorbing and reducing catalyst and is purified by reduction. Here, oxygen is released from the oxygen storage component carried by the upstream half portion of the substrate and is reacted with the H 2 and CO components in the exhaust gas, so that the temperature of the NOx absorbing and reducing catalyst is raised within short periods of time due to the heat of reaction. Therefore, the catalyst exhibits increased activity and the NOx absorbing and reducing catalyst exhibits improved NOx purification capability.

Preparation and mechanical properties of polystyrene–clay hybrids

Abstract: Polystyrene–clay hybrids (PSCHs) were prepared by melt blending a styrene vinyloxazoline copolymer with organophilic clay. In the PSCHs, the silicate layers of the clay were delaminated and dispersed homogeneously to the nanometer level. The moduli of the PSCHs were higher than that of the PS copolymer. For example, the tensile modulus of the PSCH with 5 wt % clay was 1.4 times higher compared to that of the PS copolymer. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 3359–3364, 1999

An exhaust gas purification device for an internal combustion engine

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an exhaust gas purification device for an engine having an exhaust passage, the device comprising a catalyst arranged in the exhaust passage and having an upstream end and a downstream end, a purification ratio of exhaust gas by the catalyst becoming more than a predetermined ratio when a temperature of the catalyst is within a predetermined temperature range, cooling means for cooling the upstream end of the catalyst, heating means for heating the downstream end of the catalyst, and control means for controlling the cooling means and the heating means to maintain the temperature of a portion of the catalyst, which portion is positioned between the upstream end and the downstream end, in the predetermined temperature range.

Drive control system for hybrid vehicles

Abstract: A drive control system for a hybrid vehicle in which an internal combustion engine is selectively coupled through a clutch mechanism to a power transmission line coupled to an electric motor. The drive control system comprises: motoring device for coupling the engine to the power transmission line to rotate the engine, with the feed of a fuel to the engine being stopped when the hybrid vehicle is driven to run by the output of the electric motor, by controlling the clutch mechanism in an applied state. Thus, it is possible to start the engine even at a low speed of the hybrid vehicle and to prevent the deterioration in the riding comfort, as might otherwise be caused by the fluctuation in a driving torque.

Expression of Human Growth Hormone by the Eukaryotic Alga, Chlorella

Abstract: A method to use Chlorella to express a recombinant heterologous protein that can be recovered from the extracellular medium has been developed. Plasmids are constructed with an extracellular secretion signal sequence inserted between a promoter region and a gene for human growth hormone (hGH). The plasmids also contain a Kanr region which confers resistance to the antibiotic G418. Protoplasts are prepared by enzymatic treatment, and the plasmid is introduced by incubation of the protoplasts with polyethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide. Cells are then grown in the presence of G418, and the medium is collected from 6 days after transfection. hGH is measured by immunoassay, and values for expressed hGH of about 200-600 ng/ml are obtained.

High efficiency and high concentration in photovoltaics

Abstract: In this paper, we present the state-of-the-art of multijunction solar cells and the future prospects of this technology. Their use in terrestrial applications will likely be for concentrators operating at very high concentrations. Some trends are also discussed and we present a cost calculation showing that highly efficient cells under very high concentration would be able to produce electricity at costs competitive with electricity generation costs for some utilities.

Comparison of electro-optic effect between stoichiometric and congruent LiNbO3

Abstract: Comparison of the electro-optic (EO) effect between stoichiometric and congruent lithium niobate (LiNbO/sub 3/) crystals has been investigated using the Mach-Zehnder interferometer at 0.633 /spl mu/m wavelength. Anisotropic changes of EO coefficients, r/sub 33/ and r/sub 13/ have been found between the stoichiometric and congruent LiNbO/sub 3/ crystals. The measured r/sub 33/ value in the stoichiometric LiNbO/sub 3/ is at least 20% larger than that of LiNbO/sub 3/ with congruent composition whereas the r/sub 13/, coefficient of stoichiometric LiNbO/sub 3/ is the same as that of congruent LiNbO/sub 3/.

Control device for restarting engine of vehicle

Abstract: A control device for restarting an engine of vehicle wherein determination is made on whether a quick pressure increase control is executable. When the quick pressure increase control is determined to be non-executable, the engine torque is reduced as compared to a case where the quick pressure increase control is executable. Further, the engine torque is set at a value when the engine speed is equivalent to an idle speed. Also, when the engine torque is reduced, the brake pressure hold electromagnetic valve is maintained at a hold state. This reduces an engagement shock upon engagement of the clutch and prevents the deterioration of clutch durability, in the case where the quick pressure increase control immediately after restart of the engine is non-executable.

Fuel cell system capable of reducing electric power loss

Abstract: A fuel cell system minimizes the power loss that may occur in a conduction passage during supply of electric power from a fuel cell (36) to a load. A bypass (48) connects between the input of a DC/DC converter (38) and the output thereof, and therefore supplies power generated by the fuel cell (36) to an inverter (44), bypassing the DC/DC converter (38). A changeover switch (37) selectively changes the connection of the output of the fuel cell (36) between the connection to the input of the DC/DC converter (38) and the connection to the bypass (48). When the fuel cell (36) is connected to the DC/DC converter (38), the power from the fuel cell (36) is supplied to the inverter (44) or a battery (40) via the DC/DC converter (38). When the fuel cell (36) is connected to the bypass (48), the power from the fuel cell (36) is supplied to the inverter (44), bypassing the DC/DC converter (38). A cutoff switch (41) disconnects the output of the battery (40) from a connecting line. That is, the cutoff switch (41) disconnects the battery (40) from the inverter (44), the bypass (48) and the like when turned off. When turned on, the cutoff switch (41) connects the battery (40) to those components.

Airbag apparatus for head-protecting

Abstract: In a head-protecting airbag apparatus where an airbag body inflated in a curtain configuration is mounted in a folded state along a roof side rail across at least a center pillar, the airbag body includes an upper portion folded in a bellows, and a lower portion subjected to one of turning-back performed toward an occupant compartment inner side and rolling-up performed towards the occupant compartment inner side. Accordingly, even when there is a vehicle occupant compartment inner side protrusion such as a slip joint in a vehicle, the airbag body is inflated and expanded so as to cover the vehicle occupant compartment inner side protrusion from the above or ride on the same. As a result, the lower portion of the airbag body is hard to be caught up by the vehicle occupant compartment inner side protrusion, thereby improving a expanding performance of the airbag body.

Proposal of Skill-Assist: a system of assisting human workers by reflecting their skills in positioning tasks

Abstract: In the social context of an aging workforce in the labor intensive manufacturing sector, we discuss an assistance system for older workers (mainly in their 40's and 50's) who have excellent skills though their physical ability to perform iterative tasks at a constant speed with high quality over one eight hour shift has declined. "Skill-Assist" which is proposed in this paper is a new type of assisting system which varies its mechanical impedance to give workers who have been working under the lifetime employment system a sense of achievement in being again able to accomplish the skilled tasks they were capable of when younger. This paper discusses the control algorithm of Skill-Assist based on variable impedance control. First, a criterion for varying the impedance of Skill-Assist in response to task condition variations is explained. Second, impedance patterns experimentally determined to be desirable are discussed. These patterns are those required to produce a good subjective operational feel when maneuvering Skill-Assist and precise positioning based on the criterion for varying the impedance. Finally, the control algorithm of Skill-Assist is presented. This algorithm is estimated based on the subjective operational feel, physical stress, and productivity of one selected iterative positioning task.

Separator for fuel cell, fuel cell incorporating the same, and method of production of the same

Abstract: An inexpensive and corrosion resistant metal-made gas separator includes a base formed by joining formed stainless steel base sheets face to face. The base carries on each of opposite surfaces thereof a first coating layer formed by plating with tin. The base is also coated with a second coating layer of a thermal expansion graphite. When incorporated into a fuel cell, the separator contacts gas diffusion electrodes that are formed from a carbon material similar to the carbon material of the second coating layer, so that the contact resistance is reduced. The first coating layer is formed after a passive state coating is removed from the stainless steel surface, so that an increase in the internal resistance of the separator caused by the passive state coating is substantially prevented.

Means for estimating charged state of battery and method for estimating degraded state of battery

Abstract: Means for estimating the charged state of a battery, capable of accurately estimating an SOC even though the battery repeats charging/discharging in short cycles The charging/discharging current Ib measured by current sensing means (10) is integrated, and pseudo-SOC estimating means estimates a pseudo-SOC Electromotive force estimating means (16) estimates the open voltage Voc from the pseudo-SOC Voltage change estimating means (18) estimates the voltage change Vr due to the internal resistance from the charging/discharging current Ib Dynamic voltage change estimating means (20) estimates the voltage change Vdyn due to the change of the charging/discharging current An adder (22) adds the Voc, Vr, and Vdyn to calculate an estimated voltage Vest of the battery SOC correction calculating means (26) calculates the correction of the SOC for equalizing the estimated voltage Vest to the measured voltage Vmes measured by voltage sensing means (12), and an adder (28) adds the correction to the pseudo-SOC to estimate the SOC of the battery

Engine start control system

Abstract: An engine start control system includes a starter and a motor generator capable of starting an engine. The engine start control system further includes a controller that determines the rotational resistance of the crankshaft based on cooling water temperature of the engine or viscosity of the engine oil, and then selects the starting mode of the engine by a starter motor and a motor generator based on the determination. Consequently, the startability of the engine is improved according to the state of the vehicle.

Impact energy absorbing structure in upper vehicle body portion and impact energy absorbing member

Abstract: An impact absorbing member is provided that can absorb impact energy in an upper vehicle body portion. The member may be provided in n interval between a vehicle body structural member and an interior trim spaced from the structural member. The energy absorbing member is a hybrid pipe having a metal foil core member and sheets laminated on opposite surfaces of the core member, each sheet being formed from a material other than metal. The core member and the sheets on the opposite surfaces of the core member are shaped so that the hybrid pipe has protruded portions and recessed portions that are contiguous in a direction of an axis of the hybrid pipe. Various configurations are provided to adjust and control energy absorbing characteristics of the energy absorbing member.

Collision discriminating apparatus for vehicles

Abstract: A collision discriminating apparatus for vehicles having a collision detection device mounted on a part of the vehicle to detect the deformed amount of a collided portion deformed by collision of a collision object against the vehicle, and a collision object presuming device for presuming what object collided against the vehicle on the basis of the deformed amount of the collided portion detected, and the vehicle speed when the vehicle collided.

Permanent magnet motor

Abstract: A rotor piece has a plurality of holes 12. Each hole holds therein a plurality of substantially divided permanent magnets 14 that are arranged in a circumferential direction. Therefore, each permanent magnet is small and the flow passage of eddy currents becomes narrow, so that the magnitude of eddy currents becomes small. The total eddy currents in all the permanent magnets is also reduced, so that the eddy current loss can be reduced and the heat generation of the motor can be reduced. Adjacent ones of the substantially divided permanent magnets may be interconnected at portions thereof. One or more of the substantially divided permanent magnets 14 in one or more holes may be ferrite magnets, with other permanent magnets being rare-earth magnets.

Output state detector for internal combustion engine

Abstract: An output state detector for internal combustion engine which detects a torque reaction of a motor so as to detect the output state of an internal combustion engine from the torque reaction, comprising the internal combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal combustion engine so as to generate power, a torque detecting means detecting a torque reaction of the generator, and an output state detecting means detecting the output state of the internal combustion engine, wherein the output state of the internal combustion engine is detected based on the torque reaction of the motor detected by the torque detecting means.

Robust H/sup /spl infin//-output feedback control of decoupled automobile active suspension systems

Abstract: H/sup /spl infin//-output feedback control is applied to the control of automobile active suspensions based on a dynamic model of the full vehicle. The output feedback control is desirable from the viewpoint of implementation in the sense that it reduces the number of measurements drastically compared with state feedback used currently in suspension control. In this paper, the authors show that a linearized model can be block-decoupled by a similarity transformation, which reduces the controller complexity significantly. The uncertainties of the vehicle model are properly taken into account in the derivation of the H/sup /spl infin// controller. The controller is actually implemented in a commercial car, and the performance is evaluated both by simulations and experiments. The performance obtained proves to be quite satisfactory.

Structure for placement of head protecting air bag apparatus

Abstract: A guide plate 45 is placed at a guiding and holding member 42 which is fixed to a region of an inner panel 34 adjacent to the upper end portion 49A of a B pillar garnish. The guide plate 45 has a base end portion 45A which extends from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle exterior side. The base end portion 45A is fixed to the guiding and holding member 42. The cross sectional configuration of the guide plate 45 when viewed from the vehicle front is formed in a substantial U shape which surrounds the folded air bag body and whose opening portion faces the outer side of the vehicle interior. When the air bag body is expanded, the guide plate 45 is extended as well so as to cover the upper end portion 49A of the center pillar garnish 49. As a result, the air bag body can expand more smoothly, and the displacement of the center pillar garnish from the vehicle body can be prevented.

Controller for hybrid vehicle wherein one and the other of front and rear wheels are respectively driven by engine and electric motor

Abstract: A controller for controlling a hybrid front-and-rear-drive automotive vehicle including a front wheel and a rear wheel an engine, an electric generator operated by the engine, and an electric motor operable with an electric energy generated by the electric generator, and wherein one and the other of the front and rear wheels is driven by the engine and the electric motor, respectively, the controller includes an electric energy storage device, and a cooperative energy supply device for supplying an electric current from the electric energy storage device to the electric motor, concurrently with a supply of an electric energy from the electric generator to the electric motor, to operate the electric motor for driving the other of the front and rear wheels.

Rotating vehicle seat

Abstract: With respect to a rotating seat for a vehicle, for example, for the elderly or the handicapped, the known art requires two operations of moving a seat body forward and rotating it to a door opening, and is thus poor in usability. Further, if the seat is positioned to the front such that the seat can be rotated at that position, the space close to occupant's feet is sacrificed. It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a rotating vehicle seat having excellent usability without sacrificing the space close to occupant's feet. A rotating vehicle seat of the present invention includes a rotating support base 10 for rotatably supporting a seat body 2, a longitudinal support base for supporting and moving the rotating support base in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a coupling arrangement means 6, 38 disposed between the seat body 2 and the longitudinal support base for coupling the rotational movement and the longitudinal movement of the seat body.

Spark-assist type self-ignition engine

Abstract: An engine comprising a spark plug and a fuel injector in a combustion chamber and a temperature sensor used to judge if the gas temperature in the combustion chamber is a temperature at which self-ignition occurs when a spark is generated. Based on this judgement, a valve timing device is used to control the opening timing of the intake valve and maintain the gas temperature at a temperature at which self-ignition occurs when a spark is generated.

Wheel balance weight

Abstract: It is possible to provide a wheel balance weight in which a peel-off paper can easily be peeled off when assembling it to a wheel. The wheel balance weight includes a belt-shaped weight, an adhesive tape portion having a tape front surface fixed to a rear surface of the weight, and a peel-off paper covering the tape rear surface. By adjusting the width of the adhesive tape portion and the peel-off paper, the peel-off paper can easily be picked up. In the wheel balance weight, the peel-off paper cannot be peeled off easily before assembly work and the peel-off paper can easily be picked up upon assembling. Accordingly, it is easy to handle the wheel balance weight and workability when assembling the wheel balance weight into the wheel is improved.

Critical role of foreground stimuli in perceiving visually induced self-motion (vection)

Abstract: The effects of a foreground stimulus on vection (illusory perception of self-motion induced by a moving background stimulus) were examined in two experiments. The experiments reveal that the presentation of a foreground pattern with a moving background stimulus may affect vection. The foreground stimulus facilitated vection strength when it remained stationary or moved slowly in the opposite direction to that of the background stimulus. On the other hand, there was a strong inhibition of vection when the foreground stimulus moved slowly with, or quickly against, the background. These results suggest that foreground stimuli, as well as background stimuli, play an important role in perceiving self-motion.

Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine

Abstract: An exhaust purifying apparatus purifies an unburnt gas component, such as unburnt hydrocarbon (HC), discharged from an internal combustion engine without fail and prevents the unburnt hydrocarbon from being discharged into the atmosphere. In order to achieve this, the exhaust gas purifying apparatus is provided with a plurality of exhaust passages connected to the internal combustion engine. A joint exhaust passage is formed by merging the exhaust passages and an exhaust gas flows through the joint exhaust passage. An adsorption/desorption unit is provided in each of the exhaust passages for adsorbing an unburnt gas component contained in the exhaust gas that flows through each of the exhaust passages at a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature. The adsorption/desorption unit desorbs the adsorbed unburnt gas component at a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature. A desorption/adjustment mechanism synchronizes timing of the unburnt gas component desorbed from the adsorption/desorption units into the exhaust purifying units.

Phase equilibria in TiB2-Reinforced high modulus steel

Abstract: An application of thermodynamic calculations to the phase equilibria in TiB2-reinforced high modulus steel (HMS) is described. Titanium diboride (TiB2) has been verified as the best reinforcement for improving isotropic Young’s modulus of steels. The TiB2 particles can be synthesized in-situ in a ferrite matrix using a combination of ferrotitanium and ferroboron powders. The calculations reveal that impurities, such as oxygen, could promote the iron boride (Fe2B) formation in a Fe-TiB2 pseudobinary system, especially for the HMS processed through this powder metallurgical technique. Modification of the steel matrix of HMS by an addition of ferrite formers is encouraged based on the calculated (Fe-TiB2)-X diagrams that show no significant change in the stability of TiB2. In the development of HMS with an Fe-Cr matrix, the phase constitution was predicted successfully, and the highest Young’s modulus is reached with a proper control of titanium content.

Synchronized coast downshift control for hybrid vehicles

Abstract: A drive control system for a hybrid vehicle for preventing a delay in the application of a one-way clutch in a transmission and an application shock. In this drive control system, an electric motor and an internal combustion engine are coupled to the input side of a transmission having at least one gear stage to be set by applying a one-way clutch. The drive control system comprises: a detector for detecting a coasting state in which the one-way clutch is released in a deceleration state set with the gear stage; and an input speed raising device for driving the electric motor when the coasting state is detected, so that the input speed of the transmission may approach the synchronous speed which is the product of the gear ratio of the gear stage to be set by applying the one-way clutch and the output speed of the transmission.

Brake fluid pressure control device

Abstract: A brake fluid pressure control device controls brake fluid pressures through control of fluid pressure control valves operated in accordance with control signals from, for example, a computer. Signal lines for supplying control signals to control circuits controlling coils of linear valve devices for some wheels (e.g., front-left and rear-right wheels) are connected to a brake ECU by a connector, and signal lines for supplying control signals to the control circuits controlling coils of linear valve devices for other wheels (e.g., front-right and rear-left wheels) are connected to the brake ECU by a different connector. Thus, even if one of the connectors starts operating abnormally, it is possible to supply control signals via the signal lines connected by the other connector and control linear valve devices for some of the wheels (e.g., a pair of diagonally located wheels).