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Recently, Solid State Relay (SSR) using Power MOSFET or Intelligent Power Switch (IPS) has been increasingly used in automobile industries. Comparing with the mechanical relay, SSR offers relatively higher switching speed and reliability by its non-contact structure and self-protection function. Because of these outstanding features, SSR is often used in engine and safety control systems. A new SSR system for rear lamp control, which can offer higher levels of power line protection against overcurrent than conventional fuses. The SSR system has been developed utilizing Power MOSFET with a built-in overheat protection circuit (PW-MOS), high precision Current Sensing Resistor and newly developed Driver IC. The system functions and verification results on major issues are described as well as the future goals of such SSRs.

High visibility electronic analog instruments with the blackface lens, lighting up pointers, and back lit dials are used in increasing number for automotive instrumentation. Now, we have developed a new instrument called Optical Space-Vision Instrumentation incorporating the above electronic analog instrument with virtual image by double reflection mechanism. The purpose of this development is to reduce reading time through far-focus and to improve visibility through high contrast. As part of this instrumentation, we also developed a new pointer that uses fluorescent material without a light-emitting element. This paper describes the construction and the engineering technology associated with this instrumentation. According to our test results, this instrument has realized a shorter reading time and higher contrast.

Virtual instruments for motor vehicles are already used on several car models to improve visibility and reduce the size of display devices (by utilizing the optical enlargement technique). The merits of a virtual instrument are gradually recognized. The performance of a conventional virtual instrument allows a display distance of approximately 80 mm and an enlargement factor of 1.3 times. Better results would be obtained if the performance is further improved. The virtual instrument which has been developed by us improves these features to 200 mm and 1.5 times, respectively, by using an optical design which is different from a conventional system. The present paper describes the result of evaluation of visibility, structure and design technique for the new virtual instrument.