An armature of a rotary electric machine composed of an armature core, an armature winding and a shaft is manufactured in the following manner. A conductor bar including plural conductors connected in line is formed, and each conductor is cut out from the conductor bar. The conductor in a straight shape is inserted into each slot of the armature core, and then both side portions of the conductor are bent at substantially right angle so that the side portions are positioned along axial end surfaces of the armature core. The side portions are further skewed and electrically connected to form the armature winding. An outer surface of the side portions circularly arranged on the axial end surface of the armature core is used as a commutator surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an armature of a rotary electric machine such as a direct current motor and to the armature manufactured by that method.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, it has been becoming more important to develop automotive parts that are light in weight and small in size to reduce fuel consumption in an automobile vehicle and thereby to cope with the problem of global warming. One example of a light and small motor, which was invented by one of inventors of the present invention, is disclosed in JP-B2-2924605. In the armature of this motor, a conventional commutator is eliminated, and a commutator formed by part of the conductors disposed in an armature core is utilized. A pair of conductors consisting of an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each formed in a U-shape, is inserted in each slot formed in an armature core. Ends of the conductors are electrically and mechanically connected to thereby form an armature winding.
In the armature disclosed in JP-B2-2924605, however, the conductors are formed in a U-shape before they are inserted into the slots, and conductor portions disposed along the axial end surfaces of the armature core have to be skewed relative to the radial direction. The conductor has to be formed one by one using a complex transfer press, and therefore it has been difficult to further enhance the manufacturing speed. Further, it has not been easy to insert conductors, each having a U-shape and skewed ends, into the slots of the armature core. Therefore, there has been a certain limit in enhancing manufacturing speed in an automated assembling line.

Method of manufacturing armature of rotary electric machine


The present invention provides a process for producing compounds useful as raw materials for various fluororesins in high yields in few steps from inexpensive and readily available starting materials.

Perfluorodiacyl fluorides compounds are important precursors for production of monomeric starting materials for heat-resistant and chemical-resistant fluororesins. For example, CF2═CF—O(CF2)3COOCH3, CF2═CF—OCF2CF(CF3)O(CF3)3COOCH3, CF2═CF—O(CF2)3CH2COOCH3 and the like are known as perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers) having a carboxyl group in the molecule useful as starting monomers for ion exchange membranes (JP-A-52-153897).
These perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers) are produced via perfluoro diacyl fluorides (J. Fluorine Chem., 94, 65-68 (1999)). In particular, the starting monomer for mechanically strong ion exchange membranes, CF2═CF—O(CF2)3COOCH3, is derived from FCO(CF2)2O(CF2)2COF or FCOCF(CF3)O(CF2)2COF.
It is known that diacyl fluorides are generally produced by the following method using iodine and fuming sulfuric acid.CF2═CF2+I2→ICF2CF2IICF2CF2I+CF2═CF2→ICF2CF2CF2CF2IICF2CF2CF2CF2I+SO3→FCOCF2CF2COF
The present inventors proposed a process for producing perfluoro(diacyl fluorides) from diols by fluorination with fluorine in a liquid phase (liquid phase fluorination) (WO02/4397).
On the other hand, for fluorination of C—H into C—F, fluorination with elemental fluorine is known.
For production of compounds having fluorinated vinyl groups at both ends, it is proposed to treat a compound having CF2═CF— at one end and having —COF at the other end with chlorine gas or the like to add halogen atoms to CF2═CF—, thermally decompose the terminal —COF into CF2═CF— and then restore CF2═CF—by dehalogenation (JP-A-1-143843).
However, conventional processes for producing perfluorodiacyl fluoride compounds from tetrafluoroethylene have a problem of the economical disadvantage of the expensive starting material. Further, there are problems of corrosion of the equipment resulting from use of iodine and fuming sulfuric acid and difficulty in handling the reaction reagents.

Process for producing perfluorodiacyl fluorinated compounds

Abstract: The following compound (1) and the following compound (2) are reacted to form the following compound (3), then the compound (3) is fluorinated in a liquid phase to form the following compound (4), and the ester bonds in the compound (4) are dissociated to form the compound (5), or the compound (5) and the compound (6).HOCH2-Q-O—(CH2)3—OH,  (1)CRBCOX,  (2)RBCOOCH2-Q-O—(CH2)3—OCORB,  (3)RBFCOOCF2-QF-O—(CF2)3—OCORBF,  (4)FCO-QF-O—(CF2)2—COF,  (5)RBFCOF.  (6)


A blood pressure information display device for calculating a blood pressure value based on a pulse wave amplitude through the oscillometric method and the like, and displaying the calculated blood pressure value as blood pressure information performs a process of changing a magnitude of a specified pulse wave amplitude of a plurality of extracted pulse wave amplitudes according to the operation by a user (medical staff) when a predetermined instruction is input. A predetermined algorithm is applied to the plurality of pulse wave amplitudes reflecting the change to calculate a reference blood pressure value, and the calculated reference blood pressure value is displayed as the blood pressure information.

In the blood pressure measurement with the oscillometric method, the compressing pressure, that is, the cuff pressure of the cuff wrapped around a predetermined site (e.g., upper arm) of the living body is gradually changed in speed to extract the vibration component generated at the cuff in the process, that is, the amplitude of the cuff pulse wave (pressure pulse wave). The blood pressure is calculated based on the change of the extracted pulse wave amplitude with respect to the cuff pressure.
In a general electronic sphygmomanometer of the oscillometric method, pressure control as well as pulse wave signal analysis, blood pressure calculation, and blood pressure display are automatically carried out. While the cuff pulse wave is being measured, the pulse wave information not preferable in the calculation of the blood pressure sometimes get mixed as noise due to the movement (body motion) of the body, the vibration of the outer environment, and the physiological state such as irregular heart beat.
In the conventional electronic sphygmomanometer, devisal is made such as removing or correcting the unnecessary pulse wave information with a unique algorithm. However, when automatically detecting noise and automatically correcting the pulse wave amplitude, the noise may not be completely removed and may become an error, or an appropriate correction may not necessarily be performed. Furthermore, whether or not the noise is really removed cannot be recognized since the correction algorithm of the pulse wave amplitude is unknown to the user.
Patent document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-236617) proposes easily determining the appropriateness of the measurement state by displaying information on the corrected (smoothed) pulse wave amplitude. Patent document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-272689) proposes making the determination on whether or not the reliable blood pressure value is obtained during the blood pressure measurement by displaying the normalized pulse wave amplitude in a graph during the blood pressure measurement.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-236617
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-272689

Blood pressure information display device, blood pressure information display system, blood pressure information display method, and recording medium recorded with blood pressure information display program


An optical frequency-division multiplexer includes: a first optical coupler configured to receive a first wavelength-division multiplexed light obtained by wavelength-division multiplexing a first carrier light and a first monitor light and split the first carrier light and the first monitor light from each other; an optical modulator configured to optically modulate the split first carrier light using a signal including a first data signal so as to multiplex the first data signal with the first carrier light; a receiver configured to receive a branched part of the split first monitor light and demodulate a second data signal from the first monitor light; and a second optical coupler configured to couple a remaining part of the split first monitor light and the first carrier light with which the first data signal has been multiplexed.

In future optical networks, a large volume of information will be transmitted using existing optical fiber communication systems, and processing such as multiplexing and demultiplexing of a signal light, add and drop of a signal light, wavelength conversion, and switching, etc. will be used in a device such as an optical relay node and the like which will be provided at a point located far from a terminal apparatus. At that time, it will be effective to realize an optical network with the low power consumption in order to multiplex, demultiplex, and transmit information while reducing the number of conversion operations between an optical signal and an electrical signal as much as possible.
However, under these circumstances, at an optical relay node and the like in an optical network, conversion between an optical signal and an electrical signal is performed in the same way as in a terminal apparatus. In such a case, the transmitted optical signal is converted to an electrical signal first, the electrical signal is electrically processed, and then, the electrical signal is converted to an optical signal again. In this case, the circuit configuration is complicated and a larger amount of power is used in order to compensate for a loss due to photoelectric conversion.
On the other hand, in order to control an optical network, various types of information are monitored in real time at each point throughout the entire network, and effective network control is performed on the basis of a monitor signal. Also, in future information networks, the volume of information of each of various monitor signals is likely to increase considerably. Optical processing which does not employ photoelectric conversion allows an operation with a sufficiently broad band to be performed, as compared to processing of an electrical signal, regardless of the volume of information, and is, therefore, effective. Furthermore, a technology which enables efficient multiplexing and propagation of information existing at each point is very important in realizing a power conserving, flexible optical network.
Currently, for example, for transmitting monitor information, when monitor information is transmitted as an electrical signal separately from an optical signal, or even when monitor information is transmitted as optical information, a method in which electrical information is converted to optical information, and then, is written into a header part of a signal or the like, or a method using a dedicated optical wave, etc. is used.

Optical frequency-division multiplexer, optical communication system, and optical frequency-division multiplexing method


A deployable wireless communications system includes memory, an antenna, and a processor connected to the memory and the antenna. The processor is configured to execute instructions to control the antenna to provide a deployable wireless network to wireless communications devices and to provide access for the wireless communications devices to the deployable wireless network according to profiles of each of the plurality of wireless communications devices stored in the memory. The system further includes an import service executable by the processor to import into the memory a profile carried by a wireless communications device. The profile is to provide access for the wireless communications device to the deployable wireless network.

Deployable systems are often used to facilitate communications in emergencies or other incidents, during which normal communications infrastructure may not be functioning correctly. A typical deployable system may be transported to the scene of an emergency or other incident and may be used by first responders or other individuals at the scene. Deployable systems are useful in incident management and may reduce the impact of an incident when used effectively.
Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Profiles in deployable wireless communications systems


A system for removing covers from shipping cassettes that are used to ship computer disk media unlatches the covers and separates them from the cassette in a single fixture position. A movable fork unlatches a top cover from a bottom cover while the cassette is rotated off of the bottom cover. This action unlatches and separates the two covers allowing the removal of the bottom cover from the cassette in one motion. The top cover is then easily lifted off of the bottom cover.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to efficiently handling the packaging of products and, in particular, to an improved system, method, and apparatus for removing the covers from shipping containers of computer disk media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a typical shipping container or cassette 11 for holding a plurality of workpieces 12 (e.g., computer disk media) is shown. The cassette 11 has a main body 13 that engages and supports the workpieces 12 therein. The cassette 11 has open upper and lower ends that are covered by upper and lower lids or covers 15, 17, respectively. The upper and lower covers 15, 17 wrap around the body 13 to engage each other via interlocking tabs 19 and flexible clasps 21. One paired set of the tabs 19 and clasps 21 are located on each end of the cassette 11. When the three pieces of cassette 11 are mounted together (i.e., the body 13 and two covers 15, 17), the workpieces 12 located therein are protected from damage during shipping. The tabs 19 engage small slots in the clasps 21 to capture the body 13 therebetween. A small recess 23 is located between each clasp 21 and the end wall of the lower cover 17. In addition, the cassette 11 has pockets 25 located to the left and right of each of the clasps 21.
The three components that form cassette 11 are disassembled by bending the two clasps 21 outward or away from tabs 19, and then lifting upper cover 15 and (optionally) lowering lower cover 17 away from body 13. The workpieces 12 are then physically exposed while seated in the body 13 and ready for removal therefrom via the open upper end of the body 13.
Historically, the covers 15, 17 have been manually removed from the body 13. However, manual removal of the covers 15, 17 on a large volume basis is a probable source of repetitive motion injury to the operators. FIG. 14 depicts a prior art fixture 31 for removing the covers 15, 17 from body 13. This fixture 31 requires the cassette 11 to be mounted at a first position 33 to unlatch the tabs 19 from the clasps 21, and then moved to a second position 35 to remove the lower cover 17 from body 13. Unfortunately, this prior art design is a potential source of cover breakage (e.g., tabs 19 and clasps 21) and requires multiple hand motions to unlatch the covers before they are removed from the cassettes. Moreover, the end features on fixture 31 tend to force clasps 21 to reengage the tabs 19 and thereby prevent efficient disassembly of the components. Although this solution is workable, an improved solution would be desirable. For example, a reduction in the amount of hand motion would reduce operator fatigue. In addition, means for ensuring that the tab 19 is bent outward away from clasp 21 before the lower cover 17 is removed would prevent breakage of the tab 19.

System, method, and apparatus for removing covers from shipping containers

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV


A method for ensuring that modules to be connected to an apparatus comprising a processor are of a specific type, includes providing these modules with a code circuit capable of outputting one or more code words on request. When a module has been connected to the system, the processor of the apparatus reads one or more of the code words from the code circuit of the module, compares the read code word or words with reference code words stored in the apparatus, and rejects the module if the read code word or words do not correspond to the reference code words. A large number of different code words are stored in the code circuit of the specific type, and the code circuit is moreover adapted such that a code word can be output correctly only after the lapse of a prefixed period of time, which is considerably longer than a normal output time determined by the implementation of the code circuit, after a previous output of a code word.

The invention concerns a method and system to ensure that modules to be connected to an apparatus comprising a processor are of a specific type, wherein modules of the specific type are provided with a code circuit capable of outputting one or more code words on request, and wherein the processor of the apparatus, when a module has been connected to the system, reads one or more of said code words from the code circuit of the apparatus, compares the read code word or words with reference code words stored in the apparatus, and rejects the module if the read code word or words do not correspond to the reference code words.
The invention also concerns a module capable of being connected to such an apparatus, and a code circuit as well as a storage medium for storage of data and for use in such a system.
Many technical systems comprise an apparatus to which a plurality of modules may be connected. Typically, it may e.g. be an electronic device comprising a central control unit to which a plurality of external printed circuit cards may be connected depending on the use. The electronic device may e.g. be a network element in a telecommunications network or a control system for a manufacturing process.
Other examples of such modules may be battery packet for a mobile telephone a component or a spare part which may be connected to the electrical system in a car or to the car in general, or a probe for a measuring instrument.
Such systems have the advantage that the technical solution may be composed of individually selected modules.
For several reasons, when a module is connected to the system, it may be expedient to be able to detect whether the other module is a specific type. It may e.g. be a matter of checking that the connected module is supplied by the supplier who has also supplied the main system, since this is the only way to ensure that the system operates as specified by the supplier. This may e.g. be the case where problems for measuring instrument, are calibrated for each individual measuring instrument, and where it may thus be essential to ensure that the correct probe is connected.
In respect of high-technology products, extension modules and spare parts for the products are produced in large numbers. However, it happens frequently that other suppliers make copies having the same function as the original products, but at a lower price. It may be expedient for a manufacturer of the original products to protect himself against copy products, partly because reliability and quality might be impaired when the original modules are replaced by copy modules, and partly because of the loss of earnings from the sale of the original products.
It is known to prevent interconnection of such elements by various physical obstacles, which, however, are generally easy to imitate by a copy manufacturer.
Further, the art in the software field includes a large number of methods for access control and limitation of copying of e.g. discs or CD-ROM with programs such as e.g. games. These methods, however, are not suitable for preventing connection of hardware modules to e.g. an electronic apparatus.
Known are also electronic systems in which a code circuit on a module must apply a code word before the module will be accepted by the main system, as is known also from e.g. payment cards in financial systems.
When mechanical and electronic systems can be physically accessed, however, it will frequently be possible to expose details of the structure and thereby evade the methods which just permit combination with certain modules. In the case of the code word which has to be applied by the module, it will e.g. be possible to find the code word by outputting it in the same manner as is done in the original system. Thus, all that needs to be done is to obtain a sample of the original module, and then the code word of this module may be read and copy modules may be manufactured with the same code word.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,653 a system in which a confidential code is introduced to a memory card to get access to the memory of the card is known. On the card the introduced code is compared to a reference code and only in case of a match between the introduced code and the reference code access is provided to the memory. A built-in time delay ensures that a certain time must pass between each attempt at introducing a code. In this manner it is ensured that an unauthorized user cannot just try with a high number of different codes in a short time. By systems of the above described type, in which modules are connected to an apparatus, this system does not, however, provide any security, because an unauthorized card can just read the code word used by an authorized card and subsequently use the same code word, since only one reference code is used. Therefore, the system can be cracked by a simple interception.
A similar system is used according to EP 379 333 in which a finger print of a person is compared with a reference finger print stored in digital form on a credit card. Also here, a single reference code that can be uncovered by interception is used, and therefore also this system does not provide sufficient security in the systems mentioned above.
WO 86/03864 discloses a system for establishing connection between a computer terminal and a main computer. Instead of a usual code word or pass word this system uses a new random code word each time a connection between a given terminal and the main computer is to be established. Before termination of a connection the terminal generates a new code word, which is sent to the main computer in which it is stored. It is also stored in the terminal itself. Next time this terminal wishes a connection to the main computer it must be able to provide exactly this code word to the main computer. In this way it is ensured that an unauthorized terminal cannot just intercept the code word from an authorized terminal and subsequently use the same code word itself. However, this system only ensures that the main computerxe2x80x94when the system has been initialed and is in normal usexe2x80x94only accepts communication with a terminal to which it has communicated before. When a terminal is connected to the computer for the first time the security procedure must be by-passed and, therefore, the security is totally dependent on the person taking care of the connection of new terminals to the system. Therefore, this principle cannot be used in the situations mentioned above and with which the present invention is concerned.
Another principle that attempts to overcome the risk of interception of a code word is known from DE 44 11 780. Here, the code word is changed dependent on the actual time. A user introduces on a terminal or a module a primary code word which is then converted into a corresponding secondary code word. This code word is combined with a time signal representing the actual time, which is received from a radio transmitter, and the result is used as address to a ROM device of e.g. 32 kbytes. The content of the selected address is transmitted to the receiver unit which has a similar ROM device and knows the correct secondary code word. Also here the known secondary code word is combined with the actual time signal to form an address to the ROM device and the resulting content must correspond to that received from the terminal. As the actual time signal is changed all the time a code word that is intercepted can only be used for a very short time, i.e. until the time signal is changed. This could e.g. happen every 6 minutes. However, this principle has the drawback that if an unauthorized user once knows the principle he only has to get access to an authorized unit and then copy the ROM device, which can be done in a very short time. With a copy of the original ROM device the unauthorized module can without any difficult generate correct code words. It is also a drawback with this principle that the central apparatus as well as each unit or module must be provided with a radio receiver for the time signals and also must be placed in a location where these signals can be received.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a method and a system which ensure that only modules of the specific type can be connected to the system, and in which the incorporated code circuits are impossible to copy with a reasonable period of time.
This is achieved according to the invention by a method wherein a large number of different code words is stored in the code circuit on modules of the specific type, and wherein the code circuit is moreover so adapted that a code word can be output correctly only after the lapse of a prefixed period of time, which is considerably longer than the normal output time determined by the implementation of the code circuit, after a previous output of a code word.
When ensuring on one hand that a large number of code words is present and on other hand that a considerable period of time has to elapse between each time a code word can be output, then it will take an extremely long time to output and thus copy the contents of the code circuit. Thus copying of the code circuit has been made impossible in practice.
In an expedient embodiment, the code circuit on each module comprises an addressable storage in which one of said code words is stored on each storage address.
The code word of a given storage address in said storage is allowed to be the same for all the modules, it is ensured that the same code circuit may be used on all the modules, and that it therefore suffices to store one set of reference code words in the apparatus. A particularly expedient embodiment is obtained when the reference code are formed by a code circuit like the code circuits arranged on the modules. It is hereby ensured in a simple manner that it will be just as different to copy the code words from the apparatus as for the individual modules.
When moreover, the apparatus is adapted to read code words from the same storage address or addresses on each module at start, it is ensured that the apparatus need only read code words from its own code circuit or its own reference table once, since the same answer is to come from all the modules. This will save some time particularly in the situation where the apparatus contains a code circuit like that of the modules, since, otherwise, the apparatus would have to wait said period of time between each output from its own code circuit.
As mentioned, the invention moreover concerns a module which may be used in a system and a method as described above.
Either, the code circuit of the module may comprise means for calculating code words from a bit pattern consisting of a plurality of digital input signals, or it may comprise an addressable storage in which one of said code words is stored on each storage address. In the latter case, the addressable storage may expediently be of ROM type.
The code circuit is adapted to receive an address consisting of a large number of bits and to calculate, from this, a modified address consisting of a smaller number of bits, and the number of storage addresses is adapted such that the smaller number of bits is just sufficient to address all the storage addresses, it is ensured that the copying time will be extremely great even with a storage of a limited size, since, seen from the outside, the storage appears to have a number of bit positions which corresponds to the large number of bits. Thus, if e.g. a 32-bit address is used, which is modified to a 16-bit address in the code circuit, a storage circuit of 64 kbytes will look like a storage circuit of 232 bytes, and, if the preselected period of time is e.g. one second, it will take 232 seconds, which corresponds to more than 136 years, to output and thereby to copy the contents of the code circuit.
In particular when the code circuit is adapted to receive an address consisting of a large number of bits, it may be advantageous to adapt the code circuit to receive said address in serial form.
The means necessary for determining the prefixed period of time may be positioned internally in the code circuit. This ensures that there is no possibility of affecting the period of time from the outside, nor is it thus possible to increase the output rate. On the other hand, the components required for this will take up space on the code circuit itself. Alternatively, the code circuit may comprises means for determining the prefixed period of time by counting a plurality of clock periods for a clock signal which is supplied to the code circuit. Component space may hereby be saved in the code circuit; but it will be possible to increase the output rate by increasing the frequency of the external clock signal. However, this may be counteracted in a simple manner by selecting a clock frequency which is close to the maximum clock frequency at which the circuit can operate. If it is attempted to output the code words with an even higher frequency, the circuit will merely stop operating. A lower frequency will correspondingly mean a lower output rate.
In an expedient embodiment, the code circuit is implemented as a customer-specified integrated circuit (ASIC), which comprises the addressable storage as well as the means for determining the prefixed period of time. This improves the possibility of preventing others from outputting and thereby copying the contents of the code circuit within a reasonable period of time.
Either the means ensuring that a code word can be output correctly only if a prefixed period of time after a previous output has elapsed, may be adapted simply not to apply a code word if output is requested before the lapse of said period of time, or where such output is requested, they may be adapted to output one or more wrong code words. The latter possibility makes it even more difficult to perform unauthorized output of the contents of the code circuit.
Further, the code circuit may be adapted such that a code word can be output correctly also only if said period of time has elapsed from the start of the module concerned. This ensures that also the first output can only take place after said time delay.
Finally, as mentioned, the invention also concerns a code circuit for the storage of a plurality of code words and a storage medium for the storage of data and for use in a system as well as a method as described above. Such a storage medium is adapted such that data can be output correctly from the storage medium only after the lapse of a predefined period of time, which is considerably longer than a normal output time determined by the implementation of the storage medium, after a previous output of data.

Method and system for ensuring connection of a module to an electronic apparatus


A microlens having pliability is disclosed, which comprises a layer of a polymer composition having the thickness gradually changed, the layer of the polymer composition being formed by exposing to light a layer of a photo-reactive composition selected from (i) compositions containing a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerizable initiator or (ii) compositions containing a photopolymerizable polymer. A process for producing the microlens is also disclosed.

Hitherto, there have been known lenses having a small diameter of about 0.5 to 3.0 mm, such as a selfoc lens used in a copying machine and an optical fiber for optical comminucation, which have not been called microlens.
A selfoc lens is a hard lens exhibiting no pliability, and an optical fiber is not a plane lens though it has pliability. In the case of forming an image on an image receiving material, therefore, the original is not read as a whole at once but linearly, taking a long time to read the whole image of the original. Further, when an image on a curved surface of the original is formed on a plane surface, a hard lens such as a selfoc lens cannot form the image from all portions of the original. Furthermore, an image formation on a square surface using a tube shaped light source encounters the problem that the image at the periphery of the square surface becomes fuzzy.

Microlens and process for producing same


The invention relates to a servo drive comprising an electromechanical energy converter, which has a rotatably mounted disc rotor for generating a torque and a stepping up mechanism that is connected downstream of the disc rotor, for coupling the disc rotor to an output element and for stepping up the torque that acts on the disc rotor and comprising a locking mechanism that locks a rotational displacement of the output element, when a torque is introduced on the output side. According to the invention, the locking mechanism comprises a coil spring which can be radially expanded and compressed and which extends around the outer periphery of the stepping up mechanism.

The invention relates to servo drivers for motor vehicles.
Servo drivers for motor vehicles comprise an electromechanical (more particularly electromagneto-mechanical) energy converter having a rotatably mounted disc rotor for generating torque; a stepping up mechanism connected on the output side of the disc or rotor for coupling the disc rotor to an output element while simultaneously stepping up (more particularly in the form of a so-called reduction) of the torque acting on the disc rotor; as well as a locking mechanism which under the action of torque introduced on the output side into the servo drive locks a rotational movement of the output element and prevents the transfer of torque introduced on the output side over to the drive side, i.e., to the disc rotor.
The term "disc rotor" herein means a flat armature disc whose diameter is clearly greater than the height thereof (axial extension).
"Locking" a (rotational) movement of the output element means that when torque is introduced on the output side, only a slight restricted movement of the output element is to be possible to the extent required for activating the locking mechanism, but no substantial movement of the output element beyond that. In other words, any (rotational) movement of the output element is prevented insofar as it substantially exceeds a restricted movement required for actuating or shifting (activating) the locking mechanism; more particularly the locking mechanism is to prevent the output element from being able to rotate freely (around several revolutions) under the action of torque introduced on the output side, as is the case when torque is introduced on the drive side (through the disc rotor). The energy connected with the introduction of torque on the output side is thereby taken up, for example, by the locking mechanism.
The locking mechanism need not for this engage on the output element itself but can, for example, also act on a gear element of the stepping up mechanism. Decisive is only that torque introduced on the output side is blocked at some suitable point of the servo drive so that it cannot trigger any significant adjusting movement of the elements of the servo drive (more particularly not the output element).
The stepping up mechanism can, in the limiting case, also have a transmission ratio of 1:1 and then acts purely as a coupling mechanism for transferring torque between the disc rotor and the output element; in this case it can simply be formed by coupling elements mounted on the disc rotor (more particularly on its periphery) which act to transfer force or torque to the output element.
By introducing torque into the servo drive "on the output side" is meant introducing torque through an element which is mounted on the output side of the output element, thus which (seen from the drive side, i.e., from the disc rotor) lies in the force or torque flow behind the output element, such as e.g., a cable drum which as a constituent part of an adjusting mechanism of a window lifter is mounted behind the output element and is driven through same.
Servo drives are particularly suitable for adjusting adjustable parts in motor vehicles. For this the corresponding adjusting part of the motor vehicle is coupled to the output element of the servo drive. When using the servo drive in a vehicle window lifter for raising and lowering a window pane the output element of the servo drive can be connected, by way of example, to a cable drum about which is looped the drive cable which acts as the draw means for the vehicle window lifter. The servo drive then serves to generate a rotational movement of the cable drum connected to the output element and which in turn causes a movement of the drive cable which serves as the draw means through which the window pane is raised and lowered for adjustment.
By using a so-called disc rotor, i.e. an armature disc in the electromechanical energy converter, which on the basis of the electro-motorized principle provides the torque required for actuating the output element, a flat construction of the servo drive is sought corresponding to the small space which is normally available in motor vehicle doors for housing the servo drive. By means of the stepping up mechanism provided between the disc rotor and the output element, particularly when using the servo drive for adjusting adjustable parts in motor vehicles, a so-called reduction thereby takes place, i.e., the output element rotates at a lower speed than the disc rotor and consequently provides a greater torque for adjusting the corresponding adjustable part, such as e.g., a window pane.
With adjusting systems of this kind it is of great importance that torque introduced on the output side is not transferred to the drive side or leads to no substantial rotational movement on the output element. Thus, for example, it is to be prevented that a window pane of a motor vehicle can be lowered if a sufficiently large force is exerted on the window pane itself. If the transfer of such torque introduced on the output side to the drive side of the servo drive is not prevented, then the window pane could be lowered by forces applied to the window pane itself whereby the disc rotor would rotate along a direction which corresponds to a lowering of the window pane.
It is known to prevent such a return action of adjusting forces applied on the output side to the drive side through a self-locking design of the drive system. This has the drawback, however, that the efficiency of the servo drive is reduced.
A further possibility lies in using additional locking mechanisms which when introducing torque on the output side into the servo drive are activated and hereby act on an element of the servo drive so that the latter is locked and transfer of torque to the drive side is prevented. However the problem here is that the additional locking mechanisms take up additional space and therefore stand in the way of the smallest possible compact construction of the servo drive in the axial direction.

Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co Kg, Coburg


The width of a charge storage electrode and a control electrode in the column direction is set to be wider above an element isolation region than that above a channel region. Therefore, the capacitance between the control electrode and the charge storage electrode can be increased to improve the coupling ratio in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device. Also, a first interconnection layer is equal in height above the control electrode and above the channel region, so that patterning of the first interconnection layer can be carried out easily and precisely.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device that allows writing and erasing electrically, and more particularly, to improvement of a structure of a flash memory.
2. Description of the Background Art
A flash memory is known that allows data writing arbitrarily and electric erasure of the written information charge.
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a structure of a general flash memory. Referring to FIG. 27, a flash memory includes a memory cell matrix 100 arranged in rows and columns, an X address decoder 200, a Y gate 300, a Y address decoder 400, an address buffer 500, a write circuit 600, a sense amplifier 700, an input/output buffer 800, and a control logic 900.
Memory cell matrix 100 includes internally a plurality of memory transistors arranged in the matrix. X address decoder 200 and Y gate 300 are connected to select a row and column in memory cell matrix 100.
Y address decoder 400 applying information for selection of a column is connected to Y gate 300. Address buffer 500 for storing address information temporarily is connected to X address decoder 200 and Y address decoder 400.
Write circuit 60 for carrying out a write operation at the time of data input and sense amplifier 700 for determining "0" and "1" by the current value at data output are connected to Y gate 300. Input/output buffer 800 for temporarily storing respective output data is connected to write circuit 600 and sense amplifier 700.
Control logic 900 for controlling the operation of the flash memory is connected to address buffer 500 and input/output buffer 800. Control logic 900 carries out control according to a chip enable signal, an output enable signal, and a program signal.
FIG. 28 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing schematically the structure of memory cell matrix 100 of FIG. 27. Referring to FIG. 28, a matrix structure is formed where a plurality of word lines WL.sub.1, WL.sub.2, . . ., WL.sub.i extending in the row direction are orthogonal to a plurality of bit lines BL.sub.1, BL.sub.2, . . ., BL.sub.j extending in the column direction.
At the crossing of each word line and each bit line, a memory transistor Q.sub.11, Q.sub.12, . . ., Q.sub.ij each having a floating gate is arranged. The drain region of each memory transistor is connected to each bit line.
The source region of each memory transistor is connected to each of source lines S.sub.1, S.sub.2, . . . The source regions of memory transistors belonging to the same row are connected to each other as shown in the drawing.
FIG. 29 is a sectional view of one memory transistor forming the above-described flash memory. This flash memory is referred to as a stacked gate type flash memory.
FIG. 30 is a plan view showing a plane structure of a conventional stacked gate type flash memory. For the sake of simplicity, a first conductive layer 10, an interlayer insulating film 12, and a bit line 13 described afterwards are not indicated in FIG. 30.
FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the flash memory of FIG. 30 in the direction of the arrow of line X--X.
The structure of a conventional stacked gate type flash memory will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 29-31.
On the main surface of a p type semiconductor substrate 1, (m.times.n) charge storage electrodes 3 of polysilicon arranged in a matrix of m rows and n columns are arranged with a first insulating film 2 of SiO.sub.2 therebetween.
An element isolation region 4 is formed between each column across over two adjacent rows of charge storage electrodes 3. On charge storage electrode 3, m control electrodes 6 of polysilicon corresponding to each row is formed with a second insulating film 5 of SiO.sub.2 therebetween.
An n type drain region 7 having an impurity concentration of 5.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3 and a sheet resistivity of 80 .OMEGA./.quadrature. is formed in the region surrounded by element isolation region 4 and charge storage electrode 3 from the main surface of semiconductor substrate 1 to a predetermined depth. On the main surface of semiconductor substrate 1 outside charge storage electrode 3 sandwiching drain region 7, an n type source region 8 having an impurity concentration of 1.times.10.sup.21 cm.sup.-3 and a sheet resistivity of 50 .OMEGA./.quadrature. and in a predetermined depth is formed.
On the main surface of semiconductor substrate 1, a third insulating film 9 is foraged to cover charge storage electrode 3 and control electrode 6, and to partially overlap drain region 7.
On drain region 7, a first interconnection layer 10 of polysilicon is provided that is formed along the sidewall of the third insulating film 9 and that is electrically connected to drain region 7. A second interconnection layer 11 of a refractory metal material such as tungsten is provided extending upwards in first interconnection layer 10 above drain region 7.
Second interconnection layer 11 is connected to a bit line 13 formed on an interlayer insulating film 12 covering third insulating film 9 and first interconnection layer 10.
The operation of a stacked gate type flash memory of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. 29.
In a writing operation, a voltage V.sub.j of the level of 3-7 V is applied to n type drain region 7. A voltage V.sub.g of the level of 9-13 V is applied to control gate electrode 6. n type source region 8 and p type semiconductor substrate 1 are maintained at ground potential.
Here, a current of several 100 .mu.m flows across the channel of the memory transistor. Electrons accelerated in the proximity of drain region 7 among the electrons flowing from source region 8 to drain region 7 become electrons having high energy in this area. Some of these electrons having such high energy pass over the boundary of the energy barrier between oxide film 2 and silicon substrate 1 to be injected to charge storage electrode 3 as shown by the arrow A in the drawing.
Therefore, the threshold voltage V.sub.th of the memory transistor is increased when electrons are stored in charge storage electrode 3. The state where this threshold voltage V.sub.th becomes higher than a predetermined value corresponds to the written state of "0".
In an erasing operation, a voltage V.sub.s of the level of 7-13 V is applied to n type source region 8. Control electrode 6 and p type semiconductor substrate 1 are maintained at ground potential. n type drain region 7 is opened. The electrons in charge storage electrode 3 pass through the thin gate oxide film 2 by tunneling phenomenon as shown in the arrow B in the drawing due to an electric field caused by voltage V.sub.s applied to n type source region 8.
Therefore, the threshold voltage V.sub.th of the memory transistor is decreased due to electrons drawn from charge storage electrode 3. The state where threshold voltage V.sub.th is lower than a predetermined value is referred to as the erased state of "1".
Because source region 8 in each memory transistor is connected as shown in FIG. 28, all memory cells can be erased by one time by this erase operation.
In a reading operation, a voltage V.sub.G ' of a level of 5 V and a voltage V.sub.D ' of a level of 1-2 V are applied to control gate electrode 6 and n type drain region 7, respectively. Here, determination is made whether current flows across the channel region in a memory transistor, i.e. determination is made of the above described state of "0" and "1" on the basis of whether the memory transistor is ON or OFF.
A method of manufacturing a stacked gate type flash memory of the above structure will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 32-46. FIGS. 32-46 are sectional views of a conventional stacked gate type flash memory having the sectional view of FIG. 1, showing the sequential manufacturing steps thereof.
Referring to FIG. 32, a first insulating film 2 of an oxide film is formed in the thickness of approximately 100 .ANG. on a p type semiconductor substrate 1. On first insulating film 2, a first polysilicon layer 3 of approximately 1000 .ANG. in thickness is formed by a CVD method to be patterned to a predetermined configuration.
A second insulating film 5 is formed on first polysilicon layer 3. Second insulating film 5 has a multilayered film of 3 layers. Second insulating film 5 includes an oxide film 5a of approximately 1000 .ANG., and a nitride film 5b of approximately 100 .ANG. thereupon by a CVD method. Then, an oxide film 5c of approximately 100 .ANG. is formed on nitride film 5b to complete second insulating film 5.
A second polysilicon layer 6 of approximately 2500 .ANG. in thickness is formed on second insulating film 5. An oxide film 9 is formed on second polysilicon layer 6. A resist film 71 having a pattern shown in FIG. 34 is formed on oxide film 9. FIG. 33 is a sectional view of the flash memory of FIG. 34 in the direction of the arrow of line Z--Z.
Referring to FIG. 33, oxide film 9, second polysilicon layer 6, second insulating film 5, and first polysilicon layer 3 are sequentially etched anisotropically using resist film 71 as a mask to form a charge storage electrode 3 and a control electrode 6. The etching process is carried out so that the width of charge storage electrode 3 and control electrode 6 in the column direction are identical.
Referring to FIG. 35, resist film 71 is removed. Then, a resist film 72 is formed on semiconductor substrate 1 which becomes a source region. Using resist film 72, charge storage electrode 3 and control electrode 6 as a mask, arsenic is introduced to the surface of semiconductor substrate 1 under the condition of 35 keV and 5.0.times.10.sup.14 cm.sup.-2 to form a drain region of an n type impurity region having an impurity concentration of 5.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3 and a sheet resistivity of 80 .OMEGA./.quadrature..
Referring to FIG. 36, resist film 72 is removed. Then, the surface of drain region 7 is covered with a resist film 73. Using resist film 73, charge storage electrode 3, and control electrode 6 as a mask, arsenic is introduced to the surface of semiconductor substrate 1 under the condition of 35 keV and 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-2 to form a source region 8 of an n type impurity region having an impurity concentration of 1.times.10.sup.21 cm.sup.-3 and a sheet resistivity of 50 .OMEGA./.quadrature..
Referring to FIG. 37, resist film 73 is removed. Then, an oxide film 9 is formed on semiconductor substrate 1. Oxide film 9 is etched anisotropically to be removed. As a result, a sidewall insulating film 9 of an oxide film is formed as shown in FIG. 38.
Referring to FIG. 39, an oxide film 9 is formed again on the surface of semiconductor substrate 1. Referring to FIG. 40, a resist film 74 is formed having an opening only above drain region 7. Using resist film 74 as a mask, oxide film 9 on drain region 7 is removed by etching.
Referring to FIG. 41, a polysilicon 10 is deposited on the surface of semiconductor substrate 1. On polysilicon 10, a resist film 75 is formed so as to cover drain region 7.
Referring to FIG. 42, polysilicon 10 is etched anisotropically to be removed. This results in a first interconnection layer 10 that is electrically connected to drain region 7 and that is formed along the sidewall of sidewall insulating film 9.
Referring to FIG. 43, an interlayer insulating film 12 is deposited on the surface of semiconductor substrate 1 by TEOS or the like. A wet reflow at approximately 900.degree. C. is carried out for 30 minutes to planarize the surface of interlayer insulating film 12. As a result, an interlayer insulating film 12 having the surface planarized is formed as shown in FIG. 44.
Referring to FIG. 45, a resist film 76 having a pattern in which a predetermined hole is formed above drain region 7 is provided on interlayer insulating film 12. Using resist film 76 as a mask, interlayer insulating film 12 is removed by anisotropic etching to form a contact hole 11a.
Referring to FIG. 46, a second interconnection layer 11 of refractory metal such as tungsten is formed inside contact hole 11a. Then, a bit line 13 is formed on interlayer insulating film 12. Thus, a stacked gate type transistor memory is completed.
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device represented by the above described stacked gate type flash memory has problems set forth in the following.
Low voltage is required by improvement of the "coupling ratio" represented by the capacitance between control electrode 6 and charge storage electrode 3 (referred to as C.sub.CF hereinafter) and the capacitance between charge storage electrode 3 and semiconductor substrate 1 (referred to as C.sub.FS hereinafter) as shown in FIG. 47. The coupling ratio is defined as: EQU C.sub.CF /(C.sub.FS +C.sub.CF) (1)
For example, in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device with a coupling ratio of 0.5, a voltage of 5 V is applied to charge storage electrode 3 when the voltage applied to control electrode 6 is 10 V.
By setting a coupling ratio of 0.7, a voltage of approximately 7 V is to be applied to control electrode 6 when a voltage of 5 V of charge storage electrode 3 is required to achieve a low voltage.
Also, a stepped portion is generated in first interconnection layer 10 above control electrode 6 formed above drain region 7 and above element isolation region 4 as shown in FIG. 48, in the above-described nonvolatile semiconductor memory device.
This stepped portion is the cause of the problem that is difficult to form a first interconnection layer 10 of a desired configuration in the processing step thereof.
In the worst case, an adjacent first interconnection layer 10 may become conductive in the region above element isolation region 4 (the region indicated by the arrow F in the drawing) as shown in FIG. 48.

Nonvolatile semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing thereof


A method and circuit for sensing multi states of a NAND memory cell by varying source bias, at a constant gate voltage, preferably zero volts, generating a memory cell current in response to the source bias, and sensing the memory cell state.

A conventional NAND EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read only memory) array block is formed by a series of floating gate transistors coupled in series between a select drain transistor and a select source transistor. The select drain transistor is coupled to a data transfer line called bit line (BL) and the select source transistor is coupled to a source line. Each floating gate transistor is a memory cell having a floating gate which is programmed and erased using techniques well known to one skilled in the art. The memory cell transistors are floating gate MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors).
Conventionally, prior to programming the floating gate of a memory cell is biased to a negative voltage relative to the substrate by storing electrons into the floating gate. A floating gate of a memory cell is then programmed by turning the select source and drain transistors off to isolate the series of memory cells, biasing a control gate at the programming voltage, and grounding the body region. The substrate is biased, while the control gate is grounded, thereby driving the electrons from the floating gate back into the substrate.
Each NAND memory cell can be programmed into one of several states which can be designated, for example as follows:
(0,0) denotes an erased state; PA1 (0,1) denotes a partially erased state; PA1 (1,0) denotes a partially programmed state; and PA1 (1,1) denotes a programmed state.
Currently, several reference voltages (Vref1, Vref2 and Vref3) are applied to NAND memory cells for sensing the state of a memory cell. The reference voltage and the state of the memory cell determine a cell current in a sensing circuit. For example a memory cell is conductive when erased, and hence pulls down the sense node. If the memory cell is programmed then it is not conductive and the sense node is pulled up. The state of the memory cell can be determined by analyzing the variation in the current in the sensing circuit caused by applying a reference voltage. "A Non-Volatile semiconductor memory device for storing multivalue data and readout/write-in method" is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,751,634. (Itoh). Similar to the method described above, in Itoh, reference voltages are applied at individual memory cells during data writing and data readout time, generating memory cell current in response to the reference voltages. The variation in memory cell currents provide the state of the memory cell. The disadvantage of Itoh is that when high reference voltages are applied to a memory cell, the reference voltage may cause disturbance in memory cells adjacent to the memory cell that is sensed at a given time.
Another method to sense the state of a NAND memory cell is by applying an external bias current at 0v and evaluating a cell current generated in response to the external bias current. The disadvantage of such a method is that only two states (0,0) and (1,1) can be sensed.
Therefore, what is desired is a circuit and a method that efficiently senses the levels of a multi state NAND memory cell without causing significant disturbance to memory cells adjacent to the memory cell sensed at any given time.

Multi state sensing of NAND memory cells by varying source bias


First and second guide members 53 and 54 are fixed to a reinforcing member 9, while a pedal bracket 17 is provided with first and second abutment parts 41 and 42 for guiding the pedal bracket 17. When the pedal bracket 17 is moved backward due to automobile collision, the first abutment part 41 abuts against and slides along the first guide member 53, and then the second abutment part 42 abuts against and slides along the second guide member 54 after the first abutment part 41 has finished sliding along the first guide member 53. Thus, the position of the pedal bracket 17 is changed using both the guide members 53 and 54.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to operating pedal support structures disposed behind dashpanels of automobiles.
(2) Background Art
Generally, when an automobile collision (in particular, a forward collision) is about to occur, a driver brakes the automobile by stepping on a brake pedal in order to avoid this collision. Nevertheless, in many cases, the automobile does not stop and causes the collision with the driver stepping on the brake pedal.
In such a forward collision, a front body crushes while absorbing collision energy, and an engine disposed within an engine room moves backward while pushing a dashpanel that is located behind the engine to serve as a partition between the engine room and a cabin. In the front body, a brake master cylinder is provided in front of the dashpanel, and is connected via an operating rod to a brake pedal located behind the dashpanel. Thus, with the backward movement of the dashpanel (and the master cylinder), the brake pedal is also pushed and moved backward via the operating rod. As a result, a foot space for a driver becomes narrow, which brings about the situation where a steering column for supporting a steering wheel or other members are likely to interfere with a foot of the driver stepping on a pedal portion (i.e., a stepped-on portion) of the brake pedal.
Therefore, in order to reduce the impact that acts upon the foot of the driver, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient foot space when the dashpanel is deformed as described above. Specifically, if the movement of the pedal portion of the brake pedal toward the rear of the automobile body can be suppressed upon backward movement of the dashpanel, a large foot space can be maintained below a driver's seat irrespective of the deformation of the dashpanel.
In consideration of this, U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,971 discloses an automotive pedal support structure in which a pedal portion of an operating pedal such as a brake pedal is moved relatively toward the front of an automobile body when a dashpanel is deformed toward a cabin.
In this automotive pedal support structure, the operating pedal is supported to a pedal bracket fixed to the dashpanel such that the operating pedal can be swung forward and backward. And this automotive pedal support structure is provided with: a fastening mechanism for fastening the pedal bracket to the automobile body so that the pedal bracket can be detached toward the rear of the automobile body; and a guide mechanism for changing the position of the pedal bracket to cause the relative movement of the pedal portion of the operating pedal toward the front of the automobile body when the pedal bracket is moved relatively toward the rear of the automobile body.
This guide mechanism includes: a guide member fixed to a reinforcing member extended in a widthwise direction of the automobile body within an instrument panel; and an abutment member fixed to the pedal bracket. The abutment member is fastened to the guide member so as to be detachable backward, and is slidable on and in surface contact with a guide surface formed at the guide member. The guide surface is inclined to become lowered toward the rear of the automobile body.
Therefore, upon relative movement of the pedal bracket toward the rear of the automobile body caused by automobile collision, the abutment member of the pedal bracket starts sliding along the guide surface of the guide member. At the time when the abutment member has slid a predetermined distance, the fastening of the abutment member to the guide member, which is achieved by the fastening mechanism, is loosened. Then, the abutment member continues to slide along the guide surface, thus changing the position of the pedal bracket so as to cause the relative movement of the pedal portion of the operating pedal toward the front of the automobile body.
The front-side region of the guide surface is gently inclined so as to smoothly loosen the fastening of the abutment member to the guide member and so as not to increase a collision load applied to the reinforcing member, while the rear-side region of the guide surface is steeply inclined so as to greatly change the position of the pedal bracket.
However, the above-described pedal support structure requires a longitudinally elongated large-sized guide member whose guide surface varies in inclination. Nevertheless, a large number of interior trim articles such as meters and the like exist within an instrument panel that is provided with the guide member, and therefore, it is difficult to ensure a longitudinally enlarged installation space for the guide member.


Aircraft, aircraft wings and associated shear ties are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first panel coupled to a second panel to define a wing box; a rib disposed chordwise within the wing box; and a stringer disposed spanwise within the wing box immediately adjacent at least one of the first panel or the second panel, the rib including a shear tie including first and second legs extending in opposite directions, the first and second legs to be coupled to at least one of the first panel, the second panel, or the stringer.

Many aircraft include wings. In some examples, these wings include ribs for structural stability and/or other reasons. To couple the ribs to the panels of the wings, in some examples, shear ties are used.
The figures are not to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.


A circuit includes a voltage converter converting a source voltage to a supply voltage at a first node as a function of a feedback voltage at a feedback node. A first output path is coupled between the first node and a second node. Feedback circuitry compares the voltage at the second node to first and second overvoltages, and selectively couples the second node to the feedback node based thereupon. Impedance circuitry is coupled between the first node and a third node. A light emitting diode (LED) chain is coupled to the third node, and is selectively turned on and off as a function of the selective coupling of the second node to the feedback node by the feedback circuitry.

Some smart lighting devices, such as LED smart bulbs, are equipped with wireless modules which act as a transceiver to receive commands, as well as a microcontroller to control operation of the individual LED elements. Typically, the individual LED elements are powered by a main power supply, and the transceiver and microcontroller are powered by a separate auxiliary power supply.
Since there is a great commercial desire for these LED smart bulbs to be relatively low cost, as well as to consume a minimal amount of power, it is necessary for these power supplies to be capable of keeping power consumption low while also being inexpensive to produce, yet capable of meeting the requirements of the smart light system, such as providing for dimming functionality.
Therefore, development of power supplies capable of meeting these requirements is necessary.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Driving circuit using buck converter capable of generating sufficient voltage to power a LED circuit and associated auxiliary circuitry in a normal mode of operation, and insufficient to power the LED circuit but sufficient to power the associated auxiliary circuitry in an off mode of operation


A microphone apparatus including a vacuum-tube amplifier amplifying an electric signal converted from an acoustic signal includes a thermo-ionic cooling element having two surfaces, in which a first surface is in contact with the vacuum-tube amplifier for absorbing the heat generated from the vacuum-tube amplifier and the absorbed heat is radiated to the exterior from the second surface.

Microphone apparatus of the type including vacuum tubes used for converting a sound signal to an electric signal have been produced and used in the past. In most of these microphones the vacuum tubes have now been replaced with semiconductors, however, such vacuum-tube microphones are still used to provide a delicate tone quality different than the tone quality provided by semiconductor microphones.
One problem that occurs with the vacuum-tube type microphone apparatus is that the vacuum tube heats the interior of the microphone housing, so that the temperatures of the electric parts contained in the microphone housing are increased. Because these electric parts all have different specific heats, the electric parts exhibit different temperatures as they are being heated to a steady-state temperature. For this reason, the temperature dependant characteristics of the electric parts cannot be stabilized until the temperatures of all of the electric parts are stabilized.
Another problem is that during vacuum tube operation, thermions are emitted from the cathode with increasing plate temperature because of plate losses and heat radiation from the heater. The potential between the plate and the cathode accelerates the thermions toward the plate, and the accelerated thermions collide with the plate to emit secondary electrons so that the space between the grid and the plate becomes filled with stray electrons. Such stray electrons impede the electron flow from the cathode toward the plate and result in noise in the plate current. The stray electrons flow toward the wall surface of the glass envelope of the vacuum tube and thereby charge the glass envelope. When the electrons are further attracted, gases are emitted to reduce the extent of vacuum within the glass envelope of the vacuum tube, so as to impede the electron flow from the cathode toward the plate. As a result, noise is introduced onto the plate current.
A third problem is that the vacuum tube is subject to thermal failure and/or mechanical breakage, because the glass envelope is heated to such a high temperature.


A rotary air valve for a motor vehicle air conditioning, heating and ventilation system has a spring biased floating valve mounted on a rotary valve frame. The floating valve is spring biased radially outward against the interior of the case so that arcuate ribs at opposite ends thereof remain engaged in internal grooves in the case to provide sealing at these locations while the other oppositely arranged edges of the valve are contacted by seals that are mounted within the case on opposite sides of the openings controlled by the valve.

In rotary air valves such as used in motor vehicle air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, the periphery of the rotary air valve which may also be called a door is required to seal against the surrounding generally cylindrical case in a consistent manner Moreover, the movement of the valve between positions should be with a minimum of effort. However, the peripheral sealing surface of the valve normally has sliding contact as compared with the twoface contact of a flapper valve. This makes it difficult to control the contact pressure between the seal surfaces while minimizing the effort required to move the valve. Typically, seal materials are selected such as plastic foam, felt, wool pile, and rubber in combination with various retainers in an attempt to control the contact pressure between the seal surfaces. However, the complexity of such combination designs requires added space, is costly and still gives inconsistent sealing and frictional characteristics at various climatic conditions. For example, the different expansion characteristics between the valve, case and seals at temperature extremes causes inconsistent seal performance particularly at low temperatures where it is possible for the valve to freeze in position The functional problem of the rotary valve in turn causes high control lever efforts and potential overload of the valve's operating mechanism.
One solution to the above problems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 4,683,913 and entails a certain geometrical relationship between the valve seal assembly and the case's sealing surfaces that establishes a predeterminable, consistently controlled contact pressure along the peripheral sealing arrangement. In this arrangement, instead of having the curved sealing surface on the valve case be concentric with the valve axis, it has a fixed radius of curvature whose axis is offset from that of the valve. As a result, there is an eccentric kind of relative motion such that the valve is rotatable to and from its closed position moving toward and away from but not along the seals with the sealing eventually being accomplished during the final stages of closure. And while this solution has proven generally satisfactory, the valve, case and seals require close tolerances to establish the desired sealing force completely along the length of the seal.


A liquid crystal display device using a light emitting diode includes a light emitting diode and a radiation plate having an asymmetric shape for making outgoing angle ranges of light exiting from the LED chip different depending on which portion of the asymmetric shaped radiation plate reflected the light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device using a light emitting diode, and more particularly, a liquid crystal display device using a light emitting diode as a light source in the liquid crystal display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as LCD) displays a desired picture on a screen by controlling the transmittance of the light supplied from a backlight unit by using a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix and a plurality of control switches to switch video signals to be supplied to each of the liquid crystal cells. The trend in back light technology is toward miniaturization, thin profile and lightweight. In accordance with this trend, a light emitting diode (LED), which has the advantages of low power consumption, light weight and high luminance, has been suggested for use as a back light unit instead of a fluorescent lamp.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a direct back light unit using a light emitting diode according to a related art. Referring to FIG. 1, a direct back light unit using a LED in a LCD according to a related art comprises a plurality of LED packages 14 generating light, a printed circuit board (PCB) 12 in which a plurality of the LED package 14 is mounted at an identical interval and a diffusion plate 16 diffusing the light emitted from the LED packages 14. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a light emitting diode package shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, each of the LED packages 14 includes a LED chip 22 for generating light, a radiation plate 20, which is formed on the front surface of the LED chip 22 to reflect the light generated from the LED chip 22 outward, and a mold material for packaging the LED chip 22 and the radiation plate 20. The mold material (not shown) surrounds the LED chip 22 and the radiation plate 20 to protect the LED chip 22 and the radiation plate 20. The LED chip 22 generates red light, green light and blue light, or white light as a point light source. Such a LED chip 22 has a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED to generate the red light, green light and blue light, or white light. The radiation plate 20 formed on the front surface of the LED chip 22 has a circular shape. The circular-shaped radiation plate 20 reflect lights emitted by the LED chip with a consistent set angle ranges with respect to all axes of the circular-shaped radiation plate 20.
The PCB 12 is made of metal to disperse heat generated when driving a plurality of the LED chips 22. A controller (not shown) for controlling luminescence of the LED chips 22 is mounted on the PCB 12. The PCB 12 supports the LED chips 22.
The diffusion plate 16 is spaced at a designated interval from the LED package 14 so that the light radiated from the LED package 14 through the diffusion plate 16 onto a liquid crystal panel (not shown) has a uniform distribution. Thus, the diffusion plate 16 directs the light radiated from the LED package 14 toward a liquid crystal panel (not shown) and causes a wide angle range of light incident onto the liquid crystal panel. The diffusion plate 16 includes a transparent resin film whose sides are coated with light-diffusion materials.
FIG. 3A is a front view of the light emitting diode package viewed from a direction A shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3B is a side view of the light emitting diode package viewed from a direction B shown in FIG. 2. As described above, a direct back light unit using the LED in the LCD according to the related art radiates the light, which radiates from the LED packages 14 mounted on a plurality of the PCBs 12, to a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel (not shown). However, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the radiation angle ranges θ1 and θ2 radiated from the LED package 14 have a maximum angle range of 120°. The radiation angle range θ1 at the front surface of the LED package 14 is the same as the radiation angle θ2 at a side surface of the LED package 14. This is because the radiation plate 20 has a circular shape. Accordingly, as the light generated from the LED chip 22 passes through the radiation plate 20, the radiation angle ranges in both dimensions are the same.
FIG. 4A is a side view of the irradiated area on the diffusion plate due to the light radiated from the light emitting diode package shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4B is a plan view of the irradiated area on the diffusion plate due to the light radiated from the light emitting diode package shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a radius (R) of an irradiated area 18 due to the radiated light from the LED package 14 can be determined using EQUATION 1 below.A radius (R) of a irradiated size=H×Tan(θ/2)   [EQUATION 1]In EQUATION 1, H is a height between the LED chip 22 and the diffusion plate 16 and θ is a radiation angle of light passing through the radiation plate 20. Therefore, the irradiated area size (S) can be determined using a EQUATION 2 as below.A irradiated size (S)=π×R2  [EQUATION 2]For example, if a radiation angle is 120° and H is 30 mm, then the irradiated area size 18 irradiated on the rear of the diffusion plate 16 by one of the LED package 14 is calculated as π×(30×Tan(120/2))2, which results in a value of 8432 mm2.
Accordingly, a direct back light unit using the LED in the LCD according to the related art can require a large number of the LED packages 14 depending on the size of LCD. More power is used and more is generated as the number of LED packages increases. Thus, there is a need to reduce the number of the LED packages 14 used for a direct back light unit in a LCD.

Liquid crystal display device using light emitting diode


A connecting device includes a first circuit board having a first conductive pattern on an outer peripheral edge portion thereof, a second circuit board having a second conductive pattern on an outer peripheral edge portion thereof, and a connector having a terminal corresponding to the first and second conductive patterns. The terminal connects the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern when the first and second circuit boards are attached to the connector. Also, a connecting device includes a first circuit board having a first conductive pattern on an edge portion thereof, a second circuit board having a second conductive pattern on an edge portion thereof, and a connector having a first and second faces, the first and second faces have a first and second recess portions respectively. A terminal connects the first and second conductive patterns when the first and second circuit boards are attached to the first and second recess portions respectively.

This invention relates to a connecting device, and more particularly to a connecting device for circuit boards in which an assembling process is simplified by obviating the need for a soldering operation.
Also, this invention relates to a connecting device, and more particularly to a connecting device for circuit boards which enables the design of circuits to be made easily.
In a related connecting device for circuit boards shown in FIGS. 12 to 16, patterns 2 are printed on one aide portion of one circuit board 1, and terminals 4 of a female-type connector 3 are soldered respectively to the patterns 2, so that this connector is fixed to the circuit board. Like the circuit board 1, patterns 6 are provided at one side portion of the other circuit board 5, and terminals 8 or a male-type connector 7 are soldered respectively to the patterns 6, so that the male-type connector 7 is fixed to the circuit board 5.
When the male-type connector 7 is fitted into the female-type connector 3, the one circuit board 1 and the other circuit board 5 are electrically connected together (see, for example, JP-A-2000-260507).
In JP-A-2000-260507, the male-type connector 7 and the female-type connector 3, mounted respectively on the associated circuit boards 1 and 5 by soldering, are fitted together. As a result, the two circuit boards 1 and 5 can be electrically connected together. However, since these connectors 3,7 are mounted respectively on the associated circuit boards 1 and 5 by soldering, the assembling operation is complicated, and this has lowered the efficiency of the circuit board-mounting operation.
Also, in JP-A-2000-260507, each of the male-type connector 7 and the female-type connector 3 is soldered to the patterns formed in a concentrated manner on the one aide portion of the corresponding circuit board, and by fitting the male-type connector 7 and the female-type connector 3 together, the circuit boards 1 and 5 can be electrically connected together. However, the patterns must be formed in a concentrated manner at the one side portion or each circuit board, the design of the circuits has been much limited.


A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material containing a novel magenta dye-forming coupler. The coupler is represented by the following Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R.sub.2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group or a substituted or unsubstituted amino group; provided, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are allowed to bond together so as to complete a ring; Z is a hydrogen atom or a group capable of being split off upon coupling reaction with the oxidized product of a an aromatic primary amine developing agent; and EWG is an electron attractive group having a Hammet's .sigma. p value of more than 0.3. The photographic material has excellent color reproducibility and improved in color forming efficiency and graininess of images.

As for a color reproduction system for making color photographs, a subtractive color system has generally been used. The subtractive color system is to obtain a color image in such a manner that yellow, magenta and cyan dyes are each formed upon coupling reaction of couplers with the oxidized products of a color developing agent produced when silver halides are reduced, by making use of a color developer, in each of blue-sensitive, green-sensitive and red-sensitive emulsion layers which are exposed imagewise to light.
As a magenta color-image forming coupler, a 5-pyrazolone type coupler has popularly been put to practical use and the wide ranging studies thereof have been made so far. However, the dyes formed of the 5-pyrazolone type couplers have caused degradation of color purity, because they have had a undesirable absorption having in the blue region of the spectrum.
To solve the above-mentioned disadvantage, there have been the proposals of various types of couplers such as those of the pyrazolobenzimidazole type, indazolone type, pyrazolotriazole type, pyrazolopyrazole type, and pyrazolotetrazole type.
In fact, the dyes formed of those proposed couplers have been preferable from the viewpoint of color reproduction. In recent years, therefore, pyrazoloazloe type couplers have been put to practical use.
This type of couplers are, however, expensive in production cost and not so satisfactory in characteristics from the viewpoints of color forming efficiency and graininess. It has, therefore, been desired to improve these disadvantages.
On the other hand, there have been well-known compounds, as is described in, for example, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Eng (2) (1983) 191-209. The Theory of The Photographic Process 4 Ed p338. such compounds are capable of reacting with the oxidized products of a developing agent to form an azine dye through a cyclization-reaction so that magenta color may be developed. Such compounds are preferable from the viewpoint of color reproduction because the spectral absorption of the azine dyes themselves are sharp. However, these compounds are serious in color contamination because their color forming efficiencies are low and their color forming reaction does not go all the way. Therefore, a further improvement has been required so far.

Silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material containing novel magenta couplers


The present invention provides an aqueous solution for organ preservation or maintenance, including: a vasodilator in an amount sufficient to maintain vascular homeostasis; D-glucose in an amount sufficient to support intracellular function and maintenance of cellular bioenergetics; magnesium ions in an amount sufficient to support intracellular function and maintenance of cellular bioenergetics; macromolecules of molecular weight greater than 20,000 daltons in an amount sufficient to maintain endothelial integrity and cellular viability; potassium ions in a concentration greater than about 110 mM; and a buffer in an amount sufficient to maintain the average pH of the organ preservation or maintenance solution during the period of organ preservation at about the physiologic pH value. The invention also provides a method of preserving or maintaining an organ, including contacting the organ with the solution.

The invention described herein was made in the course of work under Grant Number HL42507 from the Public Health Service (PHS), Department of Health and Human Services. Accordingly, the United States government has certain rights in this invention.
The present invention relates to a solution for prolonged organ preservation, and more particularly to an aqueous solution for organ preservation or maintenance. The invention also provides a method of preserving or maintaining an organ, comprising contacting the organ with the solution for organ preservation or maintenance.
Throughout this application various patents and publications are referenced and citations are provided in parentheses. The disclosure of these patents and publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.
Adequate preservation of organs intended for transplantation is critical to the proper functioning of the organ following implantation. This invention concerns an organ preservation or maintenance solution that can preserve organs intended for transplantation for periods of time that are longer than the currently best solution available. A longer preservation time is desired to enable cross-matching of donor and recipient to improve subsequent survival, as well as to allow for coast to coast and international transportation of organs to expand the donor and recipient pools. Experimental work for this invention has focused on the heart, but the organ preservation or maintenance solution of the subject invention may be used for other organs, and for tissues and cells, as well.
Many different organ preservation solutions have been designed, as investigators have sought to lengthen the time that an organ may remain extra-corporeally, as well as to maximize function of the organ following implantation. Several of the key solutions that have been used over the years include: 1) the Stanford University solution [see, e.g., Swanson, D. K., et al., Journal of Heart Transplantation, (1988), vol. 7, No. 6, pages 456-467 (mentions composition of the Stanford University solution)]; 2) a modified Collins solution [see, e.g., Maurer, E. J., et al., Transplantation Proceedings, (1990), vol. 22, No. 2, pages 548-550; Swanson, D. K., et al., supra (mention composition of modified Collins solution)]; and 3) the University of Wisconsin solution (Belzer, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,824, issued Jan. 17, 1989). Of those, the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is currently regarded as the best. (See, e.g., Maurer, E. J., et al., supra).
In addition to the composition of the organ preservation or maintenance solution, the method of organ preservation also affects the success of preservation. Several methods of cardiac preservation have been studied in numerous publications: 1) warm arrest/cold ischemia; 2) cold arrest/macroperfusion; 3) cold arrest/microperfusion; and 4) cold arrest/cold ischemia. The first method involves arresting the heart with a warm cardioplegic solution prior to explantation and cold preservation, but this method fails because of the rapid depletion of myocardial energy store during the warm period. The second method, which involves arresting the heart with a cold preservation solution, is better; but continuous perfusion of the heart with preservation solution during the storage period fails because of the generation of toxic oxygen radicals. In addition, the procedure of the second method is cumbersome and does not lend itself to easy clinical use. The third method, first described in Nature in 1972 in a system called "trickle perfusion," is better but also cumbersome. The fourth method of preservation is that of a cold cardioplegic arrest followed by a period of cold immersion of the heart. The fourth method is currently the standard method of cardiac preservation. This fourth method reliably preserves hearts for periods of up to six (6) hours, but less than four (4) hours is considered ideal for this method. Since a longer preservation time is desirable, attempts have been made to improve preservation solutions in such a way as to reliably preserve hearts and other organs for longer periods of time.
Though the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is currently the industry standard of organ preservation solutions, it is limited in the length of preservation time that it provides.

Solution for prolonged organ preservation

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


In a transmitting section, a modulator modulates a first carrier with data o be transmitted, thereby producing a modulated output f.sub.m, a local oscillator generates a local oscillating signal to be used as a second carrier f.sub.LO, a mixer mixes the modulated output and the local oscillating signal, thereby generating waves of different frequencies. These waves include an upper side band wave f.sub.LO +f.sub.m and a lower side band wave f.sub.LO -f.sub.m. A transmitting antenna radiates electromagnetic waves into the air, which includes the waves of different frequencies generated by the mixer. In a receiving section, a receiving antenna receives the electromagnetic waves, a diversity section extracts at least one of the upper side band and lower side band waves f.sub.LO +f.sub.m, f.sub.LO -f.sub.m from the waves of different frequencies received by the receiving antenna, a local oscillator generates a local oscillating signal corresponding to the second carrier, a mixer mixes the one wave extracted by the diversity section and the local oscillating signal generated by the local oscillator, thereby generating an output, and a demodulator extracts a signal corresponding to the first carrier, from the output of the mixer, and demodulates the signal thus extracted, thereby outputting data corresponding to the data transmitted from the transmitting section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a communication system with a diversity scheme, and more particularly to a communication system with an improved diversity scheme which uses weak electromagnetic waves as a medium and in which a transmitting station transmits the same data on carriers having different frequencies.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, radio communication makes use of electromagnetic waves of a specific frequency. Such a communication system is exposed to the influence of interference waves and that of fading. There is a communication system which is free of the influence of interference waves and fading. This system has a diversity scheme, wherein the same data is transmitted on a plurality of carriers of different frequencies.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a known system with a diversity scheme. This system has a transmitting station and a receiving station. In the transmitting station, data D1 is input to a first transmitting section 1 and a second transmitting section 2. The first transmitting section 1 modulates the data D1, superposing it on a first carrier. The second transmitting section 2 modulates the data D1, superposing it on a second carrier. As a result, the first and second transmitting sections 1 and 2 produce two sets of data. The two sets of data are supplied via an antenna combining equipment 3 to an antenna 4, and are transmitted therefrom in the form of two streams of electromagnetic waves. The streams of electromagnetic waves travel through the air. In the receiving station of the communication system, an antenna 6 receives the two streams of electromagnetic waves transmitted from the antenna 4 of the transmitting station. The first stream of electromagnetic waves, i.e., the data D1 superposed on the first carrier, is input to a first receiving section 7. The second stream of electromagnetic waves, i.e., the data D1 superposed on the second carrier, is input to a second receiving section 8. The first receiving section 7 demodulates the first stream of electromagnetic waves into data, whereas the second receiving section 8 demodulates the second stream of electromagnetic waves into data. The data items output by the first and second receiving sections 7 and 8 are compared in terms of their qualities, and one of data of better quality is selected by means of a changeover switch 9 and output therefrom as data D2.
As can be understood from the above, a communication system with a frequency-diversity scheme, however, needs to have a plurality of transmitting sections, a plurality of receiving sections and the antenna combining equipment.

Multi-frequency communication system with an improved diversity scheme

Small Power Communication Systems Research Laboratories Co., Ltd.


Provided is a radiation monitor and the like capable of appropriately measuring radiation. A radiation monitor (100) includes: radiation detection units (11, 12); optical fibers (13p, 13q) that transmit light generated by a plurality of radiation detection elements (11a, 12a) to merge; a light detection unit (14) that converts the light after merging guided to the light detection unit into an electric pulse; a measurement device (15) that calculates a dose rate of radiation based on a count rate of the electric pulses; and an analysis/display device (16). Housings (11b, 12b) include a housing (11b) made of a first material and another housing (12b) made of a second material.

Known types of radiation monitors include semiconductor detectors and the like in addition to so-called gas detection units and scintillation detection units. However, it is difficult to properly measure radiation with any of the above-described types under an environment with a high dose rate. Therefore, as a radiation monitor capable of measuring radiation even under the environment with the high dose rate, for example, a technique described in PTL 1 below is known.
That is, PTL 1 describes a radiation monitor including "a radiation emitting element having a light emitting unit emitting light of an intensity corresponding to a dose rate of incident radiation, . . . , and an electric pulse converter which is connected to the optical fiber and transmits one electric pulse for one photon of the transmitted light".

Radiation monitor and radiation measurement method