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A dynamic and hydraulic analysis on common-rail injectors using Bond Graph Simulation Program (BGSP) was made. BGSP is based on the Bond Graph method of hydraulic system modeling, which has an advantage in handling multi-energy domains such as common-rail fuel injection system. After the verification of BGSP, analysis was made on a few concepts of common-rail injectors. Pressure traces of the control chamber for each injector concept was obtained. Through these analysis, the key phenomena were identified. Although the optimization has not been done yet, compatibility between initial injection rate shaping and rapid closing on a common-rail fuel injector was discussed. As a result, common-rail injectors with a “variable inlet orifice” concept have better compatibility.

Anodizing is applied to improve the durability and the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy parts of engines and car bodies. Generally, anodic oxide film is formed using direct current anodizing (DCA). However, in the case of anodizing high silicon aluminum alloy cast parts, it is difficult to derive uniform film thickness distribution. Furthermore, it takes a long treatment time which causes low productivity. In this study, the authors have developed an anodizing method by using high-frequency switching anodizing (HSA) to solve these problems. The growth process of anodic oxide film is susceptible to the metallographic structure. Thus, the typical DCA application to the high silicon aluminum alloy produces a non-uniform film thickness, while HSA has the potential to form uniform film without being affected by metallographic structure. Moreover, the current density of HSA is higher than that of DCA which reduces treatment time to 1/5 as the film formation enhances.

The anodic oxide films are formed to improve the corrosion resistance on aluminum alloy that used as the parts of engines and car bodies. Because these films are porous structure, it is necessary to seal the pores to further improve the corrosion resistance. The pores are sealed with hydrated alumina by treating the films in boiling water or solution that added sealing additives. These hydration sealing has a problem that energy consumption is large because of long sealing time and high temperature of solution. In this study, the authors have developed a new sealing treatment (Lithium sealing) using a lithium hydroxide solution to solve above problem. Lithium sealing mainly sealed the pores with lithium aluminate double salt (LiH(AlO2)2·5H2O). This salt was rapidly formed in strong alkaline solution at room temperature, so that the sealing time was reduced to about 1/10 compared with the conventional sealing.

Liquid Crystal Display panels have been applied to automotive instrument clusters for many years. As a result of the stringent automotive environmental and viewing conditions, most applications have featured the transmissive negative display mode (dark background, transmissive on segment). Technologies for improvement of visibility, electrical interconnect, and backlighting have developed rapidly and are still being explored to achieve further improved performance. Additionally, processing concepts and in-process automation have developed to the point that long term reliability and consistent high quality is currently achievable.

The development of a long life rolling element bearing for use under severe conditions is fundamental and important technology from an economic and environmental standpoint. Previously, NTJ2 was developed as a semi-heat resistant long life bearing steel, using silicon as an alloying element to enhance its heat resistance and life. It is thought, though, that the demand for a bearing material that can withstand higher temperatures and have a longer life than NTJ2 will be needed in the future. Thus, a new heat resistant, long life material called STJ2 was developed optimizing the alloying elements in the silicon-alloyed bearing steel. The new steel has good dimensional stability to 250°C, long life and is very resistant to surface damage.

The particulate matters (PM) containing in the exhaust gas through a CI engine affects strongly the human health. Thus, it is very significant to measure the mechanism of PM itself generation for actualization of a clean CI engine. On the standpoint mentioned above, the authors carried out the experiments of the characteristics of PM generated from a small high speed DI CI engine with a single cylinder. The variables were the equivalence ratio, the injection timing, the EGR rate and the sort of fuel. As a result, the effect of experimental condition on the distribution of PM is clear through experiments.

In front wheel drive cars (FWD) with transversely mounted engines, engine mounting is closely related to idle shake. For this reason, in the early design stage, consideration of the natural frequency of the engine mount system and idle shake simulation has been made primarily using the finite element model. However, these approaches do not have good accuracy. In the prototype stage, only mount rates can be controlled because modifications of mount locations are nearly impossible. This paper describes a method to find the optimum mount system. In this method, optimum locations and rates of mounts are automatically found through consideration of engine motion and body dynamic characteristics. Also, applying this to a four-cycle diesel engine with four mounts, the design method of mounts are discussed.