A zoom lens includes: a first lens group having positive refracting power; a second lens group having negative refracting power; a third lens group having positive refracting power; a fourth lens group having positive refracting power; and a fifth lens group having positive refracting power arranged in this order from an object side toward an image side, wherein when the zoom lens undergoes zooming operation from a wide-angle end toward a telescopic end, the first lens group moves away from the second lens group toward an object to be imaged, the third lens group approaches the second lens group toward the object, and the fourth lens group approaches the third lens group toward the object, and the zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1)4.5<100×D(T,2−3)/fW<15  (1).

In recent years, the market of digital cameras and other imaging apparatus has been growing significantly, and users has been demanding diverse features of digital cameras and other imaging apparatus. Examples of the users' demands include high image quality, compactness, thin profile, which have been typical demands, a large magnification factor, a small f-number, and a wide imaging angle of an imaging lens, which are now greatly desired.
Among a variety of zoom lenses accommodated in an imaging apparatus, what is called a positive lead-type zoom lens, in which a lens group closest to an object has positive refracting power, is typically advantageous because a large zoom magnification factor is achieved and the optical system having a small f-number across the zoom range can be designed. A positive lead-type zoom lens is therefore employed in many cases where a high magnification factor, such as a zoom magnification factor higher than 10 times, is required.
An example of such a high-magnification, positive lead-type zoom lens is a zoom lens formed of five lens groups having positive refracting power, negative, positive, positive, and positive arranged in this order from the object side to the image side (see JP-A-2007-286446 and JP-A-2005-345968, for example).


A vibration isolating coupler for isolating torsional vibration in a drill string includes a first coupler portion including a first annular wall having an external surface and an internal surface defining a first central bore portion and a second coupler portion disposed within the first central bore portion. The second coupler portion includes a second annular wall having an external surface section and an internal surface section defining a second central bore portion, and a plurality of connecting elements extending from the internal surface of the first annular wall through the second annular wall across the second central bore portion and connecting with the internal surface of the second annular wall.

Boreholes are drilled deep into the earth for many applications such as carbon dioxide sequestration, geothermal production, and hydrocarbon exploration and production. In all of the applications, the boreholes are drilled such that they pass through or allow access to a material (e.g., a gas or fluid) contained in a formation (e.g., a compartment) located below the earth's surface. Different types of tools and instruments may be disposed in the boreholes to perform various tasks and measurements.
In operation, the downhole components may be subject to vibrations that can impact operational efficiencies. For example, severe vibrations in drill strings and bottom hole assemblies can be caused by cutting forces at the bit or mass imbalances in downhole tools such as mud motors. Vibrations may take the form of stick/slip vibrations and high frequency torsional oscillations (HFTO). HFTO vibrations typically occur at frequencies above 50 Hz and may be localized to a small portion of the drill string. Typically, HFTO have high amplitudes at the bit. Impacts from such vibrations can include, but are not limited to, reduced rate of penetration, reduced quality of measurements, and excess fatigue and wear on downhole components, tools, and/or devices.

Vibration isolating coupler for reducing high frequency torsional vibrations in a drill string


A power converting device includes a main switch, a synchronous rectifier switch, a rectifier-filter circuit which outputs an output voltage, and a synchronous rectifier control circuit which includes a sampling circuit coupled to the rectifier-filter circuit for outputting a voltage variation signal, a differential amplifier circuit that outputs an amplified signal by adding the output voltage and an offset voltage to the voltage variation signal attenuated thereby, and a comparison circuit that compares the amplified signal with the output voltage so as to output a trigger signal, such that the synchronous rectifier switch is turned on when the main switch is turned off, and is turned off prior to conduction of the main switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a power converting device, more particularly to a power converting device which adopts a synchronous rectifier circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional forward power converter, a main switch is disposed at the primary side thereof, and a rectifier circuit which is composed of rectifier diodes is disposed at a secondary side thereof. However, a considerable energy loss is incurred from conduction of the rectifier diodes. Therefore, referring to FIG. 1, a synchronous rectifier switch (MOS transistor switch) Q2 is usually adopted to replace the rectifier diodes at the secondary side of a transformer T1 of an existing forward power converter, and a synchronous rectifier controller 6 is used to control conduction and non-conduction of the synchronous rectifier switch Q2.
The existing synchronous rectifier controller 6 is able to operate in one of a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and a continuous conduction mode (CCM) in response to a requirement for different loads of the forward power converter. For example, a conventional synchronous rectifier controller of a model number SG6203 is able to detect the voltage drop at the synchronous rectifier switch Q2, and to detect a magnitude of a current associated with the synchronous rectifier switch Q2, so as to control the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 to become non-conductive upon detecting that the magnitude of the current drops to zero. However, the aforementioned control method is only suitable for the DCM.
In the CCM, since the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 is required to be switched to non-conduction before an output current (i.e., a current flowing through the synchronous rectifier switch Q2) drops to zero, the synchronous rectifier controller of the model number SG6203 is incapable of operating in the CCM by means of detecting the magnitude of the current through the synchronous rectifier switch Q2. Therefore, the SG6203 still requires an RC (resistor-capacitor) trigger to forcibly turnoff the synchronous rectifier circuit Q2. However, owing to the RC time constant of the RC trigger, the aforementioned solution is not suitable for a situation where a load varies rapidly.
Furthermore, a conventional synchronous rectifier controller of a model number STSR30 utilizes an up counter and a down counter of a digital circuit to calculate most recent duty cycles of the main switch Q1 and the synchronous rectifier switch Q2. The most recent duty cycles thus calculated are adapted to serve as next duty cycles of the main switch Q1 and the synchronous rectifier switch Q2, such that the STSR30 is able to operate in the DCM and the CCM.
On the other hand, a conventional synchronous rectifier controller of a model number FAN6204 applies the volt-second balance principle, and calculates charge time and discharge time of a timing capacitor so as to control conduction times of the main switch Q1 and the synchronous rectifier switch Q2. Specifically, when the main switch Q1 is conductive, the timing capacitor is charged until the main switch Q1 becomes non-conductive, and subsequently, the timing capacitor starts to discharge, causing the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 to become conductive until the timing capacitor discharges completely. In this way, the FAN6204 is able to operate in the DCM and the CCM.
All of the aforesaid synchronous rectifier controllers of model numbers SG6203, STSR30, and FAN6204 utilize the charging and discharging of a capacitor for counting or for determining the conducting time and non-conducting time of switches. Nevertheless, the capacitor takes a response time to charge and discharge, such that when the load varies rapidly, for example, referring to FIG. 2, within a time interval t1 when the load varies from a heavy load to a light load, the synchronous rectifier controller may not catch up with switching changes of the main switch Q1 because it takes time for the capacitor to charge and discharge. The synchronous rectifier switch Q2 may thus not be turned off (i.e., non-conductive) in time, so that the main switch Q1 at the primary side may become conductive at the time the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 is not yet turned off. In this situation, the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 has to sustain an instantaneous high voltage generated by a secondary winding according to induction of an electromagnetic field from a primary winding. At the same time, since the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 is still conductive, when an output current ILO drops to zero, a reverse current Ir occurs as a result of an output capacitor Co discharging toward an output inductor Lo and the synchronous rectifier switch Q2, such that a voltage spike Vsp is generated between a drain terminal and a source terminal of the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 at the instant when the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 is turns off. The synchronous rectifier switch Q2 may be damaged by the voltage spike Vsp if voltage tolerance thereof is insufficient.
This reverse current Ir not only occurs when the load varies rapidly, but also occurs at the moment when the power converter is started up or shut down. When the power converter is started up or shut down, the output current ILO, may have a moment of zero current, such that the synchronous rectifier switch Q2 may be damaged by the voltage spike Vsp, if not turned off in time. A synchronous rectifier forward converter including a reverse current suppressor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,589,982. The synchronous rectifier switch thereof is adapted to be turned off earlier than shutdown of the synchronous rectifier forward converter so as to eliminate or suppress the reverse current. However, the synchronous rectifier forward converter disclosed in the U.S. patent is also incapable of preventing generation of the reverse current under the condition that the load varies rapidly.

Power converting device and synchronous rectifier control circuit


A process for the high-speed rotary application of a liquid coating agent onto a substrate, wherein the process comprises the steps:

The present invention relates to a process for the high-speed rotary application of liquid coating agents, wherein the coating agents are formed from at least two liquid components during the course of high-speed rotary application.
When producing liquid coating agents, various liquid components must often be mixed together which, depending upon the viscosity and/or density of the liquid components to be mixed, may cause difficulties. A further complicating factor may arise if there is also a significant difference in the proportions by volume to be mixed of such components. This problem will immediately become clear as shown in the following examples. For example, it may be very problematic to mix a large volume of a highly fluid, low-density component with a small volume of a relatively viscous, high-density component, or a large volume of a highly fluid, high-density component with a small volume of a relatively viscous, low-density component.
The process according to the invention described below provides a surprisingly efficient solution to the above-described problems. The process eliminates the mixing problem from the coating production stage and instead relocates the mixing operation to the coating application stage and there overcomes the above described problems. The quality of the coatings obtained with the process according to the invention is very high.
A first embodiment of the invention relates to a process for the high-speed rotary application of a liquid coating agent onto a substrate, wherein the process comprises the steps:
(a) directly supplying at least two, preferably only two, liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent to at least one high-speed rotary atomizer,
(b) high-speed rotary atomizing the components directly supplied in step (a) to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer and
(c) applying the material atomized in step (b) onto a substrate,
wherein at least one of the components used in step (a) differs from at least one further component used in step (a) with regard to density by 0.05 to 2 g/cm3 and/or with regard to flow time (DIN EN ISO 2431, DIN 4 cup, 20xc2x0 C.) by 15 to 150 seconds.
The second embodiment of the invention relates to a process for the high-speed rotary application of a liquid coating agent onto a substrate, wherein the process comprises the steps:
(a) preparing a premix from at least two, preferably only two, liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent,
(b) supplying the premix from step (a) to at least one high-speed rotary atomizer,
(c) high-speed rotary atomizing the premix supplied in step (b) to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer and
(d) applying the material atomized in step (c) onto a substrate,
wherein at least one of the components used in step (a) differs from at least one further component used in step (a) with regard to density by 0.05 to 2 g/cm3 and/or with regard to flow time (DIN EN ISO 2431, DIN 4 cup, 20xc2x0 C.) by 15 to 150 seconds.
In the first embodiment, the coating agent is formed and applied from at least two liquid components virtually in a single operation. The at least two liquid components are directly supplied to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer, for example, via a T-piece which is arranged immediately upstream from the feed orifice of the high-speed rotary atomizer(s) or is a component of the high-speed rotary atomizer(s). During coating of a substrate, the at least two liquid components are supplied to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the liquid coating agent, for example, using suitable metering devices, such as, for example, gear pumps.
In the second embodiment of the process according to the invention, the at least two liquid components are not directly supplied to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer. Instead, the process comprises the additional, preceding step of producing a premix from components, as are directly supplied to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer in step (a) of the first embodiment. Before application, the coating agent is initially prepared by mixing at least two liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent to form a premix, after which it is supplied to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer and only then is it atomized and applied. Relative to the degree of mixing in the premix, the degree of mixing is increased on atomization and/or application. Premixing may proceed either continuously or discontinuously, but continuous premixing is preferred for the purposes of industrial mass-production coating. Continuous premixing may here be achieved in conventional manner, for example, by means of a multicomponent mixing unit, in particular, a two-component mixing unit, for example, a conventional static mixer, such as, a Kenics mixer, as is conventionally used in automotive original coating. During coating of a substrate, the at least two liquid components are supplied to the multicomponent mixing unit in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the liquid coating agent, for example, using suitable metering devices, such as, for example, gear pumps.
The term xe2x80x9cpremixxe2x80x9d used in connection with the second embodiment refers to the mixture of the at least two liquid components of the liquid coating agent with a greater or lesser degree of mixing or homogenization which varies as a function of the nature of the premixed components. The term xe2x80x9cpremixxe2x80x9d is intended to relate to the mixture which is fed into the high-speed rotary atomizer(s) and does not mean the mixture after having entered the bell dish of the rotary atomizer(s).
In both embodiments of the process according to the invention, at least two, preferably no more than four, but preferably only two, liquid components are used in step (a) in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent. With regard to the quantity ratio, it is generally the case that the proportion by volume of the component with the largest proportion by volume is at most one hundred times, preferably at most ten times, as large as the proportion by volume of the component with the smallest proportion by volume.
The coating agent, i.e. the atomized material obtained in step (b) of the first embodiment or in step (c) of the second embodiment, is applied onto the substrate by high-speed rotary application, preferably by electrostatically-assisted high-speed rotary application. In the case of electrostatic support, the coating agent may be charged directly by means of the high-speed rotary bell or by external charging. The coating agent may be applied in one or more spray passes to any substrate, such as, for example, automobile bodies or body parts. The high-speed rotary atomizer(s) may be passed by means of an automatically controlled machine or a coating robot over the substrate surfaces to be coated.
Examples of high-speed rotary atomizers include conventional rotary bells suitable for the application of liquid coatings and are made of metal, for example, aluminum, titanium or refined steel, wherein the circular spray edges of the atomizers have a diameter of, for example, 5 cm to 12 cm. Examples of such rotary bells include the ECO-M bell (manufactured by Dxc3x9cRR GmbH, Bietigheim Bissingen, Germany) or the G1 atomizer (manufactured by ABB Flexible Automation, Friedberg, Germany). The spray edges of the rotary bells may be unserrated, but are preferably serrated, and more preferably straight-, cross- or diagonally-serrated.
The circumferential velocity of the spray edge lies in the range of 3,000 to 25,000 m/min, preferably 10,000 to 25,000 m/min.
For the preferred range of the circumferential velocity of the spray edge of 10,000 to 25,000 m/min, this means that, if the spray edge has, for example, a diameter of 6.5 cm, the rotational speed (measured as revolutions per minute) will be in the range from, for example, 50,000 to 120,000 mxe2x88x921, or if the spray edge has, for example, a diameter of 5 cm, the rotational speed will be in the range from, for example, 65,000 to 156,000 minxe2x88x921. In each case, the preferred range of 10,000 to 25,000 m/min for the circumferential velocity of the spray edge is 10% to 150% higher than is used in the art for the rotary atomizing application of liquid coating agents.
In the present invention the outflow rate of the coating agent lies in the conventional range of 50 to 1,000 ml/min of coating agent per high-speed rotary atomizer.
Furthermore, it may be advantageous to operate the shaping air normally used in high-speed rotary atomization with large amounts of air of, for example, 100 to 600 l/min per high-speed rotary atomizer.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is assumed that the liquid components supplied directly to the high-speed rotary atomizer(s) in step (a) of the first embodiment or the premix supplied in step (b) of the second embodiment undergo highly effective homogenization, for example, in the form of fine dispersion of components or constituents of components of the coating agent, on the bell dish and/or on the spray edge during the actual atomization process and/or during the path to the substrate surface to be coated and/or when contacting the substrate surface.
At least one of the two components used in step (a) of both embodiments differs from at least one further component used in step (a) with regard to density by 0.05 to 2 g/cm3, preferably by 0.1 to 1.5 g/cm3 and/or with regard to flow time (DIN EN ISO 2431, DIN 4 cup, 20xc2x0 C.) by 15 to 150 seconds, the difference in flow time being a measure for the difference in viscosity. Absolute values for the density of the components used in step (a) of both embodiments are, for example, in the range from 0.8 to 3 g/cm3. Pigment pastes containing a large proportion of high-density pigments, for example, a barium sulfate paste, are here examples of components with densities in the upper range of values. Binder dispersions or solutions are in the lower range of density values, for example, from 0.8 to 1.1 g/cm3. Absolute values for the flow time of the components used in step (a) of both components are in the range from, for example, 3 to 180 seconds. While the flow times of binder dispersions or solutions are, for example, in the range from 5 to 15 seconds, pigment pastes, for example, exhibit flow times in the range from 60 to 100 seconds. A difference between the flow times of at least one component and at least one further component used in step (a) in the range close to the lower limit of 15 seconds relates to the case of components used in step (a) which have flow times in the lower range of values. In the event that only components having flow times in the upper range of values are used in step (a), the difference between their flow times may be close to the lower limit of 15 seconds, but will conventionally be larger, although they will, of course, not reach the range close to the upper limit of 150 seconds.
The liquid coating agents to be applied using the process according to the invention may comprise non-aqueous or aqueous coating agents. Accordingly, the at least two liquid components used in step (a) of both embodiments of the process according to the invention may be comprised of one of a variety of combinations of liquid and conveyable, in particular pumpable, components including: (1) at least to non-aqueous components and without aqueous components, (2) at least one aqueous component and at least one non-aqueous component, (3) at least two aqueous components and without non-aqueous components, or (4) at least two non-aqueous components, water and without aqueous components. During the preparation of an aqueous coating agent in cases (2) and (3), water may be added if desired, for example, in order to obtain a particular solids content or a particular viscosity. In cases (2) and (3), the added water should not be regarded as one of the components of the aqueous coating agent. In all three cases (2), (3) and (4), the added water should not be confused with an aqueous component.
In the case of both non-aqueous and aqueous coating agents, the at least two liquid components used in step (a) of both embodiments of the process according to the invention may each comprise per se ready-to-apply coating agents which differ from one another, for example, with regard to the pigmentation thereof. They may, for example, comprise various pigmented mixing paints, for example, mixing paints of a different color shade, from a paint mixing system which, depending upon the nature of the pigmentation thereof and the desired pigmentation of the liquid coating agent to be applied, are used in a quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the liquid coating agent. One or more, per se ready-to-apply, unpigmented clear coat paints may also be present as constituents of the paint mixing system and accordingly be used in combination with one or more pigmented mixing paints.
In the preferred case of only two liquid components, for example, two differently pigmented, liquid coating agents may be used in step (a) of both embodiments of the process according to the invention. For example, when preparing primer surfacer coating layers, which many automotive manufacturers apply in non-chromatic color shades, it is possible in this manner to provide primer surfacer coatings of a very wide range of shades of grey for specific car bodies from a white primer surfacer coating agent and a black primer surfacer coating agent. This is, for example, of particular interest when it is desired to adapt the color of the primer surfacer to the color shade of the base coat or top coat which is to be applied as the following coating layer.
Alternatively, it is equally possible for the at least two liquid components used in step (a) of both embodiments of the process according to the invention to comprise components, at least one of which is not a per se ready-to-apply coating agent. The liquid coating agent may, for example, be formed by combining pigmented and/or unpigmented semi-finished products or by combining a per se ready-to-apply coating agent in the form of a pigmented, for example, white pigmented coating base or unpigmented coating base (clear coat), with at least one pigment paste (tinting paste). The at least one pigment paste may here, for example, be member of a series of pastes comprising variously pigmented pigment pastes.
The combination of an aqueous coating base component containing a hydroxy-functional binder with a non-aqueous polyisocyanate crosslinking component is, however, explicitly excluded from the components used in step (a) of the second embodiment of the invention.
The liquid coating agents contain water and/or organic solvent. Examples of organic solvents that may be used in the coating agents include glycol ethers, such as, butyl glycol, butyl diglycol, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, and ethylene glycol dimethylether; glycol ether esters, such as, ethyl glycol acetate, butyl glycol acetate, butyl diglycol acetate, and methoxypropyl acetate; esters, such as, butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, and amyl acetate; ketones, such as, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, and isophorone; alcohols, such as, methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol; aromatic hydrocarbons, such as, xylene, Solvesso 100 (mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons with a boiling range from 155xc2x0 C. to 185xc2x0 C.), Solvesso 150 (mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons with a boiling range from 182xc2x0 C. to 202xc2x0 C.) and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
The liquid coating agents contain at least one binder and optionally at least one paste resin. Non-aqueous coating agents contain binders dissolved and/or dispersed in organic solvents. Aqueous coating agents contain binders dissolved in water and/or in aqueously dispersed (emulsified and/or suspended) form. The binders may be physically drying, oxidatively drying or chemically self- or externally crosslinking. In the case of externally crosslinking binders, the coating agent may also contain crosslinking agents for the binders. Corresponding binders or binder/crosslinking agent systems are known to the person skilled in the art and require no explanation.
The liquid coating agents may contain at least one conventional color- and/or special effect-imparting, organic or inorganic pigment and/or at least one extender. Examples are carbon black, titanium dioxide, iron oxide pigments, azo pigments, perylene pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, aluminium pigments, mica pigments, talcum, and kaolin.
In addition to organic solvent(s) and/or water, binder(s), crosslinking agent(s) and pigment(s) and/or extender(s) the liquid coating agents may optionally also contain reactive diluents and/or conventional coating additives, such as, for example, neutralizing agents, levelling agents, dyes, light stabilizers, antioxidants, rheology control agents, antsettling agents, antifoaming agents, adhesion promoting substances, and catalysts.
The application process according to the invention may be used in the field of industrial coating with liquid coatings, in particular, in the production of coatings in automotive body and automotive body part original coating, for example, in the production of primer surfacer, color- and/or special effect-imparting base coat, top coat or clear coat layers. The coating layers prepared by the process according to the invention are of elevated quality.
The following examples illustrate the invention.

Process for the high-speed rotary application of liquid coating agents

Abstract: (a) direct supply of at least two liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent to at least one high-speed rotary atomizer or preparation of a premix from at least two liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent and supply of the premix to at least one high-speed rotary atomizer,

Abstract: (b) high-speed rotary atomization of the components directly supplied in step (a) or of the premix supplied in step (a) to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer and

Abstract: (c) application of the material atomized in step (b) onto a substrate,


The presence of occult blood in feces is detected using device including a liquid tight packet containing a sheet of absorbent material impregnated with a liquid solution that reacts with feces to produce a color change when blood is present. The packet is opened manually by tearing the packet apart to access the sheet absorbent material, which is then used to collecting a sample of feces on the impregnated sheet of absorbent material.

The inventor in U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,584 disclosed a device for testing the presence of occult blood in feces using the following reactants: (1) a solution of guaiac material and (2) hydrogen peroxide. This device holds the two types of reactants used in this test in separate chambers that are broken to mix the reactants together on an absorbent material at the time the test is preformed. A blue color appearing on the absorbent material indicates the presence of occult blood in feces.

Device for and method of testing occult blood in feces


A bicycle wheel rim includes a plurality of connectors each having a spoke engaging hole for connecting with a spoke, and two protrusions extend from two ends of each connector. A plurality of holes are defined through each protrusion and a plurality of loops extend through the holes of the connectors which are arranged as a circle. Each protrusion has a recess defined in an inside thereof so as to be engaged with a tire. The loops and the connectors are made by carbon fiber or compound material.

The present invention relates to a bicycle wheel rim which is composed of a plurality of connectors and carbon-fiber loops are connected between the connectors so as to form a light and durable rim.
A conventional bicycle wheel rim generally made of metal such as steel or aluminum and tire is engaged to the rim. A plurality of spokes are connected to the rim and a hub of the wheel so as to maintain the rim in proper shape. The metal made rim is not satisfied by the customers because it is too heavy. Some rim manufacturers try to make the rim by carbon fiber which is light and durable, they make two semi-circular parts by carbon fiber and the two parts are then connected with each other to form a circular rim. The only difference is that the material is changed from metal to carbon fiber and not too much weight is saved. Furthermore, it is difficult to well connect the two parts so that the rim is less strong enough and the tire is easily to be disengaged from the rim when applied by an impact.
The present invention intends to provide a rim that is composed of a plurality of connections and loops are connected between the connectors. The connectors and the loops may both be made by carbon fiber.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle wheel rim which comprises a plurality of connectors which are arranged as a circle and each have a spoke engaging hole so as to be engaged with a spoke. Two protrusions or flange extend from two ends of each connector and a plurality of holes are defined through each protrusion. A plurality of loops extend through the holes of the connectors and each protrusion has a recess defined in an inside thereof so as to be engaged with a tire.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.


A device for stretching regions of tissue has at least one first plate-like body and at least one second plate-like body. At least one pulling thread joins the plate-like bodies. One tensioning device is arranged on at least one of the plate-like bodies and is connected to the pulling thread for applying a tensile force to the pulling thread. A guidance serves for guiding the at least one pulling thread during a movement of the at least two plate-like bodies towards one to another.

The invention relates to a device for stretching regions of tissue.
The stretching of tissue, in particular of skin tissue, is a process that is often carried out in surgery, in particular in plastic surgery.
Apart from stretching skin, stretching of connective tissue, tendons, muscles and also of vessels takes place.
In dermatological surgery, in particular in plastic-reconstructive surgery, stretching of the skin on both sides of lesions is required before the removal of the lesion.
The excision or removal of lesions sometimes involves the removal of skin tumours, birthmarks or moles or else scars over a large surface area.
If such a lesion is relatively large in area, it cannot be removed by a single intervention, since the regions of the skin around the lesion must be greatly stretched, the stretching producing a restoring force which disturbs the healing of the wound or has the tendency to tear open again the usually sewn site of the operation. Therefore, so-called serial excisions have been used in the past. This means that initially only parts of a lesion are removed. Time until the surrounding skin has stretched back is then allowed to pass, which generally takes months, in order then to remove a further part of the lesion and also the scar of the previous operation.
This procedure is not only very laborious but also, for the patient, involves corresponding repeated stress and strain, risks, costs and, for example, incapacity to work.
So-called tissue expanders that are implanted under the surrounding skin have been developed. Once the wound has healed, the tissue expander is gradually filled with liquid transcutaneously. The "water balloon" created in this way stretches out the surrounding skin. After some weeks, the expander can be removed. The lesion is thereby excised and the defect is covered with the skin obtained by expansion.
Such tissue expanders are very expensive and can only be used once. The procedure has a high risk of infection, since a foreign body that often punctures and has to be refilled has to be implanted under the skin. Frequent appointments with highly specialized doctors are thereby necessary, for the operation and for filling the tissue expanders. The filled balloon is clearly visible and restricts the private and professional life of the patient for weeks.
DE 103 49 953 B4 discloses a device for fixing and tensioning at least one pulling thread for applying a neovagina. This device comprises a plate-like base body on which at least one fixing element for fixing the at least one pulling thread under tension is arranged, the fixing element being assigned a spring, the first end of which is fixed to the base body. For the tensioning of the at least one pulling thread, the fixing element can be turned about an axis of rotation, a locking device being provided for the fixing element, by means of which device the fixing element can be locked at least in a direction of rotation opposite the direction of rotation for tensioning the at least one pulling thread. The free end of the pulling thread, or optionally a number of pulling threads, is joined to a plastic olive or so-called phantom. These exert a continuous pressure on the vaginal dimple by way of the tensile force, whereby a neovagina is formed within several days.
It is an object of the present invention to achieve rapid tissue stretching within a short time using the minimally invasive surgical technique.


In some examples, a device can include a display coupled to a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism applies a first force in a first direction, an enclosure coupled to the display with the locking mechanism, and a spring mechanism coupled to the enclosure and the locking mechanism to prevent a tension level between the display and the enclosure from exceeding a tension threshold, wherein the spring mechanism applies a second force in a second direction.

A computing device can allow a user to utilize computing device operations for work, education, gaming, multimedia, and/or other uses. Computing devices can be utilized in a non-portable setting, such as at a desktop, and/or be portable to allow a user to carry or otherwise bring the computing device with while in a mobile setting. These computing devices can include display devices to display images.

Spring mechanisms for display enclosures

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A system and method of determining unprocessed items which is used to verify an item count based upon the number of radio frequency identification labels that have responded with their label information. The system includes an imaging system for producing image information about items in a container, and a computer for receiving label information from a radio frequency identification label reader following interrogation of a number of radio frequency identification labels on the items in the container, for producing a first count of the items from label information obtained from the number of radio frequency identification labels, for producing a second count of the items in the container from the image information, and for comparing the first count to the second count to produce a third count of the items not processed by the radio frequency identification label reader.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provides an alternative to bar code reader technology for distinguishing and recording items for purchase. RFID may result in labor savings to retailers, since it may obsolete conventional methods of identifying items.
One proposed method of processing items with RFID labels is to read the RFID labels in batch. For example, the processing method would include reading RFID labels on items while the items remain in a shopping cart, palette, or packaging.
Technical limitations make this method of processing impractical. Numerous materials, including metals and liquids, can shield radio frequency (RF) energy. RFID labels can be damaged. Finally, RFID labels may be defective due to low yield rates.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method of determining unprocessed items.

System and method of determining unprocessed items


Disclosed is a bucket applied in a vending machine, including a bucket body, a first driving mechanism and a second driving mechanism. The bucket body includes an inner cavity and two ports in communication with the inner cavity respectively. The two ports are arranged at an interval in a first preset direction. The first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism are arranged at an interval in the bucket body in a second preset direction, and are respectively configured to detachably mate with a dispensing assembly of a storage column of the vending machine, to provide power to the dispensing assembly. Also disclosed is a vending machine including multiple storage columns and the aforementioned bucket.

The Vending Machine (VEM) is a machine that can automatically deliver the commodity according to the cash put in. The vending machine is common for commercial automation. The vending machine is not limited by time or place, and it can save manpower and facilitate transactions.
The bucket of the related vending machine is generally equipped with a driving mechanism. When the bucket is opposite to the set storage column, the driving mechanism is in transmission connection with the dispensing assembly of the storage column, and the dispensing assembly pushes the commodity in the storage column into the bucket. However, the internal space of the vending machine is generally wasted due to the structural constraint of the related bucket.

Shandong New Beiyang Information Technology Co., Ltd.


Reduction of parasitic coupling capacitances which are otherwise formed between conventional NMOS transistor N type drain regions and the transistor's substrate and well regions is described by using a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and forming the NMOS transistor on a semiconductor (Si) substrate having a buried insulator forming a deep, lightly doped N type subsurface region beneath the conventional surface drain region (but not the source region) which contacts the buried insulator.

An MOS transistor which combines selected features of prior art MOS devices made on bulk silicon is illustrated in the prior art drawings of FIGS. 1-6. It should be noted that no such device probably exists in all the details shown in these drawings. Instead, the surface geometry has been made as close as possible to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, in order to emphasize the similarities and dissimilarities between the "prior art" structure and the present invention.
The transistor is an NMOS type transistor and consists of an N-doped or P-doped silicon single crystal bulk substrate 12, which is part of a wafer 15 (only a portion of which is shown) and upon which a thin P-doped epitaxial film 9 is deposited by well-known techniques such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
Islands of device regions are formed in the film 9 by converting the volume around the device regions into thick regions of what is called field oxide 4.
The epitaxial film 9 is commonly grown to be the same type as is the choice for the base wafer 12 and then is converted to P-type (if necessary) for the P-well (or body) as required to operate the NMOS transistor. The transistor is formed by a source region 2 a drain region 1 a polysilicon gate 3, polysilicon oxide spacers 5a thin gate oxide 5, a polysilicon interconnect to the drain 6 a silicide strap 7 for contacting the drain to its polysilicon interconnect 6 and body contact opening 8 to body 9. Thick field oxide regions 4 are shown as the result of a trench and refill process in FIGS. 1-5, while FIG. 6 shows the corresponding cross-section of the conventional NMOS drain (taken along V--V of FIG. 2) if made with a conventional LOCOS process Note that in FIG. 6, the interface wall 100 of the field oxide 40 is tapered. FIG. 3 is cross section III--III illustrating the inclusion of lightly doped region 13 around each of the source and drain regions as this is a common practice with contemporary manufacturing techniques for NMOS transistors.
The thick field oxides 4 enable conductive interconnect pathways (not shown) on the surface of the wafer to pass from one MOS transistor to another on the wafer without causing surface inversion in the wafer's silicon-to-oxide interface. Should this field oxide not be amply thick charge inversion in the silicon surface directly below these interconnect pathways will occur which result in the creation of undesired MOS transistor conducting channels which pass electrical currents between pairs of MOS transistors as a function of the voltage difference applied between the interconnect pathways and the silicon surface regions.
Present-day fabrication methods commonly use a field oxide for separating transistors. The field oxide has a thickness greater than the minimum thickness at which the maximum applied integrated circuit operating voltage difference will not cause charge inversion in the silicon surface below any pathway interconnecting transistors. The basis for this determination are well understood by those skilled in the art, and are dependent on silicon surface doping concentrations and of course, electric field strengths in the surface oxides which are directly proportional to applied voltage and inversely proportional to field oxide thickness.
In addition to field oxides conventional MOS transistors also require a thin oxide gate layer 5 to separate the polysilicon gate electrode 3 from the source region 2 and drain region 1 on either side of the gate 3.
In all cases of known process implementations the field oxides are thicker than the oxides 5 used to form the gates of the MOS transistors themselves Of course it is in these gate oxide regions where a conducting "channel" in the silicon surface is desired This difference in oxide thicknesses thereby enables the circuit designer to precisely determine the physical location of each MOS transistor's conducting channel while permitting the interconnection of a plurality of transistors together over field oxides without creating a network of undesired conducting channels which are function of the final transistor-to-transistor layout. As a result designers are able to utilize design automation systems to fully predict the performance of a proposed design before the chip layout is done which greatly simplifies the design process for circuits requiring more than 100 transistors.
Two advanced methods for forming thick field oxides are employed: local oxidation of silicon or LOCOS or the formation of oxide-filled trench regions between transistors. LOCOS is more commonly employed. Both methods customarily use a heavy concentration of P type dopant (such as boron) to (a) assist in the rapid formation of thick field oxides, and (b) to electrically stabilize the silicon-to-oxide interface for the purpose of reducing leakage currents of any P-N junctions which meet these interfaces. The use of boron in this manner enables the reduction of separation distances between devices, as well as minimizing leakage currents in P-N junctions. These leakage currents become primary considerations for power dissipation minimization for integrated MOS circuits requiring greater than 100,000 transistors.
It is with these very-large-scale-integrated (VLSI) circuits that either LOCOS or trench-type oxidations are employed to prevent undesired conduction between pairs of transistors. Either of these oxidations use a P type dopant in the process which results in the formation of a heavily-doped P type or P+ layer 10 between the thick field oxide and the epitaxial film 9.
In the case of NMOS transistors, this P type layer 10 creates a P-N junction to the heavily-doped N type regions or N+ commonly used for the NMOS source 2 and drain 1 regions. This N to P junction is required to stabilize a VLSI circuit for low leakage currents and is commonly formed in the prior art methods and defines the dominant coupling capacitance of each N+ source and drain region to the NMOS transistor's P type body region.


Techniques for displaying market depth information for a financial instrument including a plurality of bid and ask order metrics at corresponding prices of the market instrument and associated time information. A graphical representation of the market depth information, with axes corresponding to time and price, is aligned with color gradients corresponding to one or more metrics including, for example, bid and ask order volume, order count, or order consideration, generated based on the market depth information. The graphical representation of the market depth information and the color gradients are displayed using a display device.

The disclosed subject matter relates to techniques for displaying market depth information.
Traders engaged in the trading of market instruments can utilize software products that provide various graphical user interfaces to display market price data, execute orders and monitor status of different market conditions. Market instruments can include anything that can be traded in some quantity for a particular price. For example, a market instrument may be goods or financial products (e.g., stocks, bonds, futures, currency, commodities, or other financial instruments). Market instruments may be "real" and listed on an exchange or "synthetic," such as a combination of real products.
Electronic trading of market instruments has been embraced as the means for buying and selling instruments in various market exchanges throughout the world. Traders can communicate with host computers of the market exchanges or other intermediary host computers coupled with the exchanges via personal computer or mobile device. Electronic trading allows for display of information regarding market instruments received from the host computer which can impact the decision making process of the trader with regard to placing trade orders.
The speed at which traders can competitively place an order can be important. For example, a trader engaged in electronic trading may decide to wait or fill an order based on the information made available to them through the electronic trading application. Even a marginal increase in speed during such process can yield significant returns for traders. Conversely, a failure to competitively fill an order in a timely manner can potentially result in significant monetary losses accumulated over time.
Traders engaged in electronic trading often process and absorb voluminous market information made available to them while trading. Certain exchanges can be fast-paced, fluid environments where price, quantity, and other market criteria constantly fluctuate within a short period of time. One type of information about a market instrument that can be important to a trader is known as market depth (i.e., the quantities of the market instrument available at particular prices). Certain conventional techniques for display of market depth information, such as tables or charts that depict the current market depth and change as new trade orders are placed on the exchange, can be cumbersome and difficult to read. Such conventional techniques can fail to provide a display of market depth that is sufficient to identify unusual trading patterns. Additionally, such conventional techniques can fail to provide a display of market depth history, which can be beneficial in certain decisions to trade a market instrument—for instance, that information can help traders to avoid submitting orders at prices for which large volumes already exist in the market, as trading ahead of these would have a considerably greater chance of execution
Accordingly, there is a need for improved techniques for the display of market depth to provide advantages to a trader, including, for example, the identification of unusual trading patterns, and/or the display of historical market depth for a market instrument.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for trading with market depth information


A conveyor belt cleaner system comprising a platen positioned transversely of the conveyor belt; a steam chamber transversely disposed over a first portion of the conveyor belt, the steam chamber including a tubular steam header; a vacuum chamber adjacent the steam chamber and disposed over a second portion of the conveyor belt, the vacuum chamber having an outlet connectable to a source of vacuum; a first wiper in wiping contact with the conveyor belt defining an entrance to the steam chamber; a second wiper having a discontinuous wiping surface defining a septum between the vacuum and steam chambers; a third wiper defining an exit from the vacuum chamber; and apparatus including a rotatable bolt cooperative with the steam header to vary the width of steam application from the steam header onto the conveyor belt in accordance with a width of conveyor belt presented to the conveyor belt cleaner system.

The present invention is directed to the art of cleaning commercial conveyor belts.
In the prior art, conveyor belts used in various commercial activities are known to become soiled, typically with spillage from materials being conveyed or treated on the belt. It becomes desirable and necessary from time to time to clean at least the working upper surface of the belt. This is conveniently accomplished by installing a cleaning device in the path of the belt and allowing the belt to pass through the cleaning device, perhaps several times, if necessary, until the extraneous material is removed.
Conveyor belts may be divided into two categories, a) discontinuous chain-type belts formed of discrete metal or plastic elements in an articulated surface, and b) continuous belts formed of a flexible material such as plastic or fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,476 to Handy discloses and claims a portable cleaning system for cleaning a moving item such as an escalator or conveyor belt. The system comprises an overhead steam jet assembly slidably mounted on transverse rails for motion transverse to the direction of motion of the escalator or conveyor belt. The transverse rails are disposed between width-adjustable end pieces that rest on stationary outer members of the escalator or conveyor belt.
A shortcoming of this system is that the entire width of the belt cannot be cleaned simultaneously but rather by successive passes of the steam jet assembly over the belt. A further shortcoming is that a mechanism must be provided to drive the steam jet assembly in a transverse direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,248,975 to Handy discloses and claims a portable cleaning system for cleaning a moving item such as an escalator or conveyor belt. The system comprises an overhead steam jet assembly slidably mounted on transverse rails for motion transverse to the direction of motion of the escalator or conveyor belt. The transverse rails are disposed between width-adjustable end pieces that rest on stationary outer members of the escalator or conveyor belt.
As in the Handy '476 patent, the entire width of the belt cannot be cleaned simultaneously but rather requires and relies upon successive passes of the steam jet assembly transversely over the belt. A further shortcoming is that a mechanism must be provided to drive the steam jet assembly in a transverse direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,150,623 to Handy discloses and claims a cleaning apparatus comprising a connection part permitting connection to a supply of cleaning fluid, and a rotatable member rotatably movable relative to the connection part, the rotatable member being in a form of a disc with an opening within the disc in connection with the connection part to receive cleaning fluid therefrom, with one or more outlets extending from the opening in the disc, to an exterior of the disc, to supply cleaning fluid to an area or item to be cleaned, wherein the rotatable member is made of a plastics material, and wherein the rotatable member is driven by a gear provided on the rotatable member and the gear is drivable by a motor.
A shortcoming of this system is that the rotatable disc requires a gear transmission and electric motor, increasing the complexity of the cleaning mechanism.
The present invention is directed to a system for cleaning the working surface of continuous belts formed of a flexible material such as plastic or fabric, using application of steam, surface wipers, and vacuum. Numerous commercial systems exist in the prior art for performing this task, e.g., the KHD Brushless Belt Cleaning System; the Therma-Kleen Conveyor Belt Cleaner; the Amerivac-Houdini Belt Cleaning System; the Electrosteam-Belt Cleaning System; the Dupray Belt Cleaning System; and the Mekini Belt Cleaning System. All of these and other prior art systems function in the same basic way: by spreading steam across the upper surface of the moving belt, then wiping the belt surface and steam-softened material with at least one transverse wiper blade, and finally vacuuming residual water and debris from the belt surface.
Such systems can be successful in performing these cleaning steps on a conveyor belt of a specified width, wherein the steam is distributed at substantially the full width of the belt. However, a common problem arises when applying a system designed for a first belt width to cleaning of a belt having a second and narrower width wherein the steam application occurs on both the belt surface and on the fixed conveyor frame and belt backing elements outboard of the moving belt. Such steam overspray results in undesirable condensation and water pooling on conveyor frame surfaces outboard of the belt, which eventually requires corrective measures which may include stopping the conveyor and the cleaning process to mop up the excess water.
What is needed in the art is a conveyor belt cleaning system wherein the width of steam application may be adjusted to accommodate belts of various widths, thereby making such a system significantly more versatile than prior art belt cleaning systems.

Portable brushless conveyor belt cleaner system


A heat exchanger includes: a pillar shaped honeycomb; an inner cylindrical member; an outer cylindrical member arranged on a radially outer side of the inner cylindrical member such that a part of the outer cylindrical member forms a flow path for a second fluid; an upstream cylindrical member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion, the upstream cylindrical member being located on a side of a first end face of the honeycomb structure, and an end portion of the flange portion being connected to the inner cylindrical member and/or the outer cylindrical member; and a downstream cylindrical member having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion, the downstream cylindrical member being located on a side of a second end face of the honeycomb structure, and an end portion of the flange portion being connected to the inner cylindrical member and/or the outer cylindrical member.

Recently, there is a need for improvement of fuel economy of motor vehicles. In particular, a system is expected that worms up a coolant, engine oil and an automatic transmission fluid (ATF: Automatic Transmission Fluid) at an early stage to reduce friction losses, in order to prevent deterioration of fuel economy at the time when an engine is cold, such as when the engine is started. Further, a system is expected that heats an exhaust gas purifying catalyst in order to activate the catalyst at an early stage.
A such systems, for example, there is a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a device that exchanges heat between a first fluid and a second fluid by allowing the first fluid to flow inside and the second fluid to flow outside. In such a heat exchanger, for example, the heat can be effectively utilized by exchanging the heat from the first fluid having a higher temperature (for example, an exhaust gas) to the second fluid having a lower temperature (for example, cooling water).
In Patent Literature 1, the applicant of the present application proposes a heat exchanger including: a pillar shaped honeycomb structure having partition walls that define a plurality of cells extending from a first end face to a second end face to form flow paths for a first fluid, and an outer peripheral wall; an inner cylindrical member fitted to the outer peripheral wall of the honeycomb structure; and an outer cylindrical member arranged on a radially outer side of the inner cylindrical member with a distance such that at least a part of the outer cylindrical member forms a flow path for a second fluid. In the heat exchanger having such a structure, a pressure loss can be reduced by increasing a cross-sectional area of the pillar shaped honeycomb structure in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction. On the other hand, since this heat exchanger is connected to an exhaust pipe through which the first fluid flows, it is required to provide a connecting portion corresponding to a size of the exhaust pipe.

Heat exchanger and method for producing same


A deformable mirror comprises i) an electrically insulative substrate having a substantially plane front face, ii) a first stage comprising at least two plane electrodes placed at chosen places on top of said front face of the substrate, iii) a first layer of electro-active material placed in contact with the front face of the electrodes of said first stage and adapted to be deformed locally under the action of a chosen local difference of electric potential, iv) an electrically conductive reflecting layer, defining a ground electrode connected to an electric ground and placed on top of the front face of said first electro-active layer, and v) first electric power supply circuits each connected, on the one hand, to said electric ground and, on the other hand, to at least one of the electrodes of said first stage in such a manner as to impose locally, on command, a chosen potential difference adapted to deform locally an area of the first electro-active layer placed substantially in line with said electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns the field of optical instruments with high, or even very high, resolution.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As the man skilled in the art knows, certain optical instruments have geometrical aberrations that it is increasingly imperative to compensate the higher the required resolution.
At least two solutions have been proposed for compensating these geometrical aberrations.
A first solution consists in using liquid crystals to vary the index of the glass under the action of an electric field. The drawback of this solution resides in the fact that it generates chromatic aberrations, to the extent that it is difficult to apply to multi-spectrum instruments or to instruments with a wide spectral band.
A second solution consists in using deformable (or active) mirrors. Here it is a question of controlling the deformation of the reflecting surface of a mirror at the level of a pupil of the observation instrument whose geometrical aberrations must be compensated.
Thus the University of Delft has proposed placing, at a chosen distance from a substrate including a printed circuit on which are defined electrodes connected to electrical power supply circuits, a suspended reflecting membrane connected to the ground of said electrical power supply circuits. By placing an electrode at a chosen electrical potential, the suspended reflecting membrane is drawn toward that electrode and is therefore deformed.
This solution has at least two drawbacks.
A first drawback is due to the integration of the membrane onto its support. The stresses of fixing the flexible membrane to the circular mount in effect generate deformations that must be minimized mechanically and that may reappear under the effect of temperature variations or local temperature gradients.
A second drawback is due to the electrostatic force applied by the actuators (or electrodes) to the membrane. In effect, this electrostatic force being proportional to the square of the applied voltage (V2), the actuators can exert on the membrane only a traction force that tends to move it toward them. It is consequently necessary to apply an offset voltage to move the plane of the membrane closer to the plane of the electrodes in such a manner as to attempt to create bosses on the membrane by locally relaxing the traction force. This solution imposes using a portion of the actuation capacity of the electrodes. Because of its high curvature, a peripheral ring of the mirror can therefore no longer be used to correct aberrations, which induces a reduction of the usable area. Furthermore, in the event of power supply failure, and therefore disappearance of the offset voltage, the displacement of the reflecting membrane and its curvature variation change the setting of the instrument, which may render the image unusable.
No known solution providing entire satisfaction, an object of the invention is therefore to improve on the situation.

Mirror with local deformation by thickness variation of an electro-active material controlled by electrical effect


The rotating parts of swivels and other sharp protruding parts of a fishing rig are protected against picking up weeds or other debris by covers which are secured to the fishing lien and constructed and arranged to surround said parts.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to fishing rigs and, more particularly, to fishing rigs of the type used in ocean, bay, stream or lake fishing and provided with lures.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fishing rigs of the indicated type are generally provided with a hook having a lure attached thereto and connected on the end of a leader line by a swivel, the other end of the leader line being connected to the fishing line by another swivel. A connector clip, or catch, is usually used to connect the eyelet at the upper end of the hook to the swivel at the lower end of the leader line. In the use of this prior art fishing rig, there are provided a number of sharp protruding parts, some of which rotate as the fishing rig is moved through the water, whereby these parts can easily pick up weeds, grass and other debris during fishing. A fishing rig entangled with a substantial amount of this debris will not attract fish and may give a false indication of a "bite". This is particularly a problem in the case of the trolling or casting type of fishing. Since the fisherman has to spend a considerable amount of time removing the weeds and other debris picked up by these parts of the fishing rig, this time is wasted and taken away from the actual fishing.


An inspection method and an inspection system of a terminal metal fitting which can securely judge the good or bad of the fastening condition of an electric wire by a crimping piece of the terminal metal fitting is provided. The inspection system 1 of the terminal metal fitting has an illuminating lamp 4, a CCD camera 5, a dark box 6, and a control unit 7. The CCD camera 5 is arranged at a position of the light thrown from the illuminating lamp 4 and reflected by crimping pieces 212a,212b of a pressure welding terminal 200 not entering the CCD camera 5. The dark box 6 covers the illuminating lamp 4, an object side 5a of the CCD camera 5, and the pressure welding terminal 200. The control unit 7 makes a binary processing on an image of a wire connecting portion 204 taken by the CCD camera 5. The control unit 7 is provided on each of the crimping pieces 212a,212b and judges the good or bad of the crimping condition on the basis of an area in black in an inspection area in the binary image of at least some part of the crimping piece.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an inspection method and an inspection system of a terminal metal fitting for judging the good or bad of the fastening condition of an electric wire by a crimping piece of the terminal metal fitting.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wiring harness is arranged on a motor vehicle in order to supply electric power from power source such as a battery to onboard equipment such as various kinds of lamps or motors. The above wiring harness has a plurality of electric wires, a pressure welding terminal as a terminal metal fitting attached to an end portion of each electric wire, and a connector housing accommodating the pressure welding terminal.
The above pressure welding terminal has a wire connecting portion which it is electrically connected to the above electric wire and fastens it. The above wire connecting portion has a wall carrying the above electric wire, a pressure welding portion pressure-welded to the above electric wire and a crimping piece. The pressure welding portion has a pair of press-fit blades to press the electric wire therebetween.
The electric wire is pressed into a pair of press-fit blades, the above press-fit blades cut into a sheathing portion of the electric wire and are put into contact with a core wire, and then the above pressure welding portion is electrically connected to the electric wire. Crimping pieces are stood on respective edges of the above wall. The crimping pieces each are bent toward the above wall, and the electric wire placed on the above wall is fastened by the crimping pieces.
The above-described pressure welding terminal is inserted in a terminal accommodating groove of the connector housing of insulative synthetic resin, and the electric wire is pressed between press-fit blades. When the electric wire is pressed into press-fit blades, a well-known pressure welding apparatus is used.
The above pressure welding apparatus has a pressure welding blade of metal and a pair of guides to guide the pressure welding blades. First, the wire connecting portion is sandwiched between the guides. Subsequently, the pressure welding blade presses the electric wire into press-fit blades and bends the crimping pieces toward the above wall.
With respect to the above prior art pressure welding apparatus, however, when the electric wire is pressed into press-fit blades, that is, when the electric wire is pressure-welded to the wire connecting portion, the above guide is likely to get out of position, and therefore the pressure welding blade is not often put into contact with the crimping piece.
And, when the connector housing has a plurality of pressure welding terminals in parallel, if the guide makes a position divergence, the above pressure welding blade would be put into contact with a crimping piece of the adjoining pressure welding terminal instead of the aiming pressure welding terminal. In this case, the crimping piece of the adjoining pressure welding terminal is reversely bent outwardly, thereby not fastening the electric wire.
And, a visual inspection has been conventionally carried out in order to judge the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece of the pressure welding terminal. In the visual inspection, a defective could be judged to be a non-defective by skill level of a worker, and a judgement of the good or bad would be different at every worker, thereby judging a defective to be a non-defective. This caused an assembly of a defective on the wiring harness.
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention to provide an inspection method and an inspection system of a terminal metal fitting which can securely judge the good or bad of the fastening condition of an electric wire by a crimping piece of the terminal metal fitting.
In order to achieve the above object, as a first aspect of the present invention, an inspection method of a terminal metal fitting having an wire connecting portion having a wall carrying an electric wire and a crimping piece bent toward the wall so as to fasten the electric wire between the crimping piece and the wall comprises the steps of: illuminating the wire connecting portion fastened to the electric wire; binary-processing an image of the wire connecting portion illuminated; calculating an area less than or not less than a threshold value in image information obtained by the binary processing; and judging good or bad of a fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece on a basis of the area.
As a second aspect of the present invention, an inspection system of a terminal metal fitting having an wire connecting portion having a wall carrying an electric wire and a crimping piece bent toward the wall so as to fasten the electric wire between the crimping piece and the wall comprises: a light source to illuminate the wire connecting portion; an image-taking means to take an image of the wire connecting portion; a dark box, with a dark inner surface, to cover at least an object side of the image-taking means, the light source, and the terminal metal fitting for preventing outer light from shining on the wire connecting portion; and a judging means to binary-process an image of the wire connecting portion illuminated by the light source and judge good or bad of a fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece on a basis of an area less than or not less than a threshold value in image information obtained by the binary processing, wherein the image-taking means and the light source are arranged so that the light thrown from the light source and reflected by the crimping piece does not enter the image-taking means, and a sheathing portion of the electric wire is a light color.
As a third aspect of the present invention, based on the second aspect, the image-taking means faces the wall of the wire connecting portion to which the electric wire is fastened, and the light source is arranged at a position of making an angle xcex8 between a line connecting the light source with the crimping piece and a direction of the electric wire fastened to the wire connecting portion so that the light thrown from the light source and reflected by the crimping piece does not enter the image-taking means.
As a fourth aspect of the present invention, based on the third aspect, the light source is arranged at a position of making the angle xcex8 of not more than 45 degrees.
As a fifth aspect of the present invention, an inspection system of a terminal metal fitting having an wire connecting portion having a wall carrying an electric wire and a crimping piece bent toward the wall so as to fasten the electric wire between the crimping piece and the wall comprises: a light source to illuminate the wire connecting portion; an image-taking means to take an image of the wire connecting portion; a judging means to binary-process an image of the wire connecting portion illuminated by the light source and judge good or bad of a fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece on a basis of an area less than or not less than a threshold value in image information obtained by the binary processing, wherein the image-taking means and the light source are arranged so that the light thrown from the light source and reflected by the crimping piece enters the image-taking means.
As a sixth aspect of the present invention, based on the fifth aspect, the image-taking means faces the wall of the wire connecting portion to which the electric wire is fastened, and the light source faces the wall of the wire connecting portion, to which the electric wire is fastened, near the image-taking means so that the light thrown from the light source and reflected by the crimping piece enters the image-taking means.
As a seventh aspect of the present invention, based on any one of the second to sixth aspects, the judging means judges good or bad of a fastening condition of the electric wire on a basis of an area less than or not less than a threshold value in an inspection area in the image of the wire connecting portion taken by the image-taking means, the inspection area being provided for each crimping piece and including at least partial image of the crimping piece.
As an eighth aspect of the present invention, based on the seventh aspect, the inspection area is positioned over a longitudinal axis of the electric wire fastened to the wire connecting portion.
According to the above-described structures of the present invention, the following advantages are provided.
(1) Because the intensity of the reflected light of the terminal metal fitting and the electric wire is different when the wire connecting portion is illuminated, the crimping piece and the electric wire can be distinguished by binary-processing the image of the crimping piece. Because states of the crimping pieces, that is, standing perpendicularly to the wall, being bent outwardly of the wire connecting portion, and being bent inwardly toward the wall while fastening the electric wire, can be easily distinguished, the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece can be easily judged. Therefore, on the basis of an area not less than or less than the threshold value in the binary image, the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece can be securely judged.
(2) Viewing from the image-taking means, the dark inner surface of the dark box is reflected in the crimping piece and the sheathing portion of the electric wire is a light color. Therefore, when the image of the wire connecting portion obtained by the image-taking means is binary-processed, the electric wire securely becomes xe2x80x9cnot less than the threshold valuexe2x80x9d and the crimping piece securely becomes xe2x80x9cless than the threshold valuexe2x80x9d. Therefore, the electric wire and the crimping piece can be more securely distinguished. Therefore, on the basis of an area not less than or less than the threshold value in the binary image, the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece can be more securely judged.
(3) The light source is arranged at a position of making an angle between the line connecting the light source with the crimping piece and the direction of the electric wire fastened to the wire connecting portion. Therefore, because the light thrown from the light source and reflected by the crimping piece does not securely enter the image-taking means, when the image of the wire connecting portion obtained by the image-taking means is binary-processed, the electric wire and the crimping piece can be more securely distinguished. Therefore, on the basis of an area not less than or less than the threshold value in the binary image, the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece can be still more securely judged.
(4) The light source is arranged at a position of the angle of not more than 45 degrees. Therefore, because the light thrown from the light source and reflected by the crimping piece does not securely enter the image-taking means, when the image of the wire connecting portion obtained by the image-taking means is binary-processed, the electric wire and the crimping piece can be more securely distinguished. Therefore, on the basis of an area not less than or less than the threshold value in the binary image, the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece can be still more securely judged.
(5) The image-taking means and the light source are arranged so that the light thrown from the light source and reflected by the crimping piece enters the image-taking means. Therefore, when the image of the wire connecting portion obtained by the image-taking means is binary-processed, the electric wire securely becomes xe2x80x9cless than the threshold valuexe2x80x9d and the crimping piece securely becomes xe2x80x9cnot less than the threshold valuexe2x80x9d. Therefore, the electric wire and the crimping piece can be more securely distinguished. Therefore, on the basis of an area not less than or less than the threshold value in the binary image, the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece can be more securely judged.
(6) The image-taking means and the light source face the wall of the wire connecting portion, and the light source is arranged near the image-taking means. Therefore, because the light thrown from the light source and reflected by the crimping piece securely enters the image-taking means, when the image of the wire connecting portion obtained by the image-taking means is binary-processed, the electric wire and the crimping piece can be more securely distinguished. Therefore, on the basis of an area not less than or less than the threshold value in the binary image, the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece can be still more securely judged.
(7) The judging means judges the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping pieces on the basis of an area, corresponding to each crimping piece, of not less than or less than the threshold value in the inspection area. Therefore, the fastening condition of the electric wire can be more unerringly judged than a case of providing one large inspection area over a plurality of crimping pieces.
(8) Because the inspection area is positioned over the center of the electric wire, an area not less than the threshold value and an area less than the threshold value of the inspection area sensitively vary according to the good or bad of the crimping piece. Therefore, the electric wire and the crimping piece can be still more securely distinguished. And, on the basis of an area not less than or less than the threshold value in the binary image, the good or bad of the fastening condition of the electric wire by the crimping piece can be still more unerringly and securely judged.
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Inspection method and inspection system of a terminal metal fitting


Disclosed are methods for treating immune disorders using inhibitors of Hom-1. The inhibitors include an RNAi agent containing the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.

The immune system defends the human body against pathogen infection, cellular transformation, and physical/chemical damage. Its dysfunction, either overactive or underactive, leads to various disorders. The dysfunction can be caused by aging, development defects, diseases, and medical treatment (e.g., chemotherapy or immuno-suppression). There is a need for drugs and reagents for treatment and diagnosis of immune disorders.

Treatment of immune disorders with Hom-1 inhibitors


A method for automatically enabling closed captioning in video conferencing when a heavy accent is detected from a current speaker is provided. Language background and/or ethnicity information is received as a user preference. An acceptable accent level is determined according to the user preference. An audio signal of a speaker speaking in a language is received. A pronunciation of the speaker in the audio signal is compared with standard pronunciation for the language. An accent level of the speaker is determined, and the accent level of the speaker is compared to the acceptable accent level. If the comparison determines that the accent level of the speaker does not comply with the acceptable accent level, closed captioning in enabled for the audio signal. If the comparison determines that the accent level of the speaker complies with the acceptable accent level, closed captioning is not enabled for the audio signal.

1. Field of the Invention
Exemplary embodiments relate to speech recognition technology, and more particularly to automatically enabling closed captioning when accents are detected.
2. Description of Background
With today's advanced technology, communicating across the globe with people who speak different languages is already part of our lives. Sometimes, when people need to conduct conference calls across different countries, they need to communicate through one language (e.g., English) if simultaneous interpreter service is not provided.
However, since people may have different accents when their native language is not English, it could be difficult to understand each other sometimes. Prior art techniques to solve this problem include converting speech to an accent of choice.
A method to address issues when a speaker is communicating with an accent would be beneficial.

Method to automatically enable closed captioning when a speaker has a heavy accent

International Business Machines Corporation


A water dispenser for small animals or pets is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a base seat, a pad body, a trigger rod, a rim pad, a press tube and a clip. The trigger rod is slanting, and a gap is formed between the rim bottom and the pad which allows water to flow for drinking by any small animal kept in a cage.

(a) Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water dispenser structure, and in particular, a water dispenser which can self-dispense water to animals or pets kept within a cage or the like. The water dispenser is easily mounted at the exterior of the cage keeping the animals.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a conventional water dispenser for pets such as dogs, cats or birds. The dispenser comprises a water container 1 which contains a limited supply of water. In application, the water 2 has to be constantly added to the dispenser. It is common for people to be too busy to add water 2 or to forget to add water 2 for the small animal 4. Occasionally, one of the dispensers may not fill with sufficient water 2 and the animals may die. To add water to all dispensers of the cage 3 is laborious and time consuming. This is very inconvenient. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water dispenser for small animal which mitigates the shortcomings of the conventional water dispenser for animals.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water for small animals or pets comprising a base seat, a pad body, a trigger rod, a rim pad, a press tube, and a clip, characterized in that the clip, further comprises a front clip board, a rear clip board and an upper mounting, the base seat is hollow and is provided with external threads, one side of the base seat is provided with an engaging head for connection to a tube connected to a water supply, and the other side of the base seat is a recess section being provided with inner threads, the pad body is positioned within the recess section and the pad body is provided with at least a through hole, the upper end and the side of the base seat external threads and is engaged with the protrude edge of the press tube, which is screwed to the base seat to form as a unit, the protruded edge and the recess section of the base seat are sealed, the press tube is hollow and has a notch at one end, and the other end of the tube is provided with external threads and the protruded edge is provided with a protruded seat having a rim pad, the trigger rod is installed on the center of the press tube, one end of the trigger tube is provided with a ring bottom which is sealed respectively with the pad body and the rim bottom to stop the flow of water, whereby, if the trigger rod is slanting, a gap is formed between the in bottom and the pad which allows water to flow to be drunk by any small animal kept in a cage.
Yet another further object of the present invention is to provide a water dispenser for small animals or pets which dispenses water automatically and is conveniently operated. The dispenser saves time and it is not laborious to add water into the dispenser and thus, the dispenser subsequently reduces the fatality of the small animals kept in a cage.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a water dispenser for small animals or pets, wherein the dispenser is clip at the exterior of the cage, facilitating adjustment and supplying of water.
The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the preset invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numeral refer to identical or similar parts.

Water dispenser for small animals or pets


The present invention relates to a light device projecting a light beam along a principal lighting axis, by means of at least one light source, the light device also comprising at least one reflector, a frame and a shield. The shield is able to move in rotation about an axis of rotation and has an “active” edge composed of a set of distinct portions, at least part of one of the portions of the said portions taking part in the production of at least two different cutoffs of the light beam emitted by the said light source.

The aim of the invention is essentially to propose a solution for obtaining, from a relatively simple light device of the elliptical type, various light beams corresponding to various cutoff lines satisfying various standards and/or regulations, in particular without having recourse to a multitude of shields.
The field of the invention is, in general terms, that of lighting devices of the motor vehicle light type. In this field, various types of light device are known, amongst which there are essentially:                side lights, with low intensity and range;        passing, or dipped-beam, lights, with greater intensity and range on the road of around 70 metres, which are used essentially at night and where the distribution of the light beam is such that it makes it possible not to dazzle the driver of a passing vehicle;        long-range headlights, and auxiliary lights of the long range type, where the area of vision on the road is around 200 metres, and which must be switched off when passing another vehicle in order not to dazzle its driver;        fog lights.
In addition, a type of improved light is known, referred to as dual-function lights, which combine the functions of dipped lights and long-range lights: for this purpose, it is possible for example to dispose inside the dual-function light a removable shield consisting for example of a metallic plate, able to move on demand from a first position in which it does not obscure the light beam produced by the light source of the light, the range of the light then corresponding to that of main-beam lights, and a second position in which it obscures part of the light beam produced by the light source of the light, the range of the light then being limited to that of dipped lights. The light must, in the second position, generate a beam with a regulatory cutoff corresponding to a dipped beam, the form of the cutoff being given by the form of the shield intercepting part of the light beam. This type of design is principally used in light devices of the elliptical type.
However, the conventional light devices which have just been mentioned, more particularly those which are used as dipped lights, produce light beams which are open to improvement when these light devices are used in certain conditions.
Thus, when a vehicle is on a motorway, it is judicious to concentrate the light flux of the dipped light at the optical axis of the light device, in order to make the beam produced carry a little further. On the contrary, when a vehicle is travelling in town, it is not necessary to make the light beam carry as far as on clear roads.
Thus, in addition to the conventional main light functions, in particular dipped and main beam, various improvements have progressively appeared. Thus elaborate functions or advanced functions have been seen to develop which slightly modify the positioning of the cutoff of the light beam produced, amongst which there are in particular:                a function known as Town Light in English, standing for town beam. This function provides a slight reduction in the range of the light device, possibly by providing a broadening of the beam of the dipped beam type;        a function known as Motorway Light in English, standing for motorway light. This function provides an increase in the range of a dipped light.
In addition, it must be recalled that, for countries where the traffic travels on the right, the cutoff line of a beam of the dipped type is symmetrical, with respect to a vertical central axis, with that observed in countries where the traffic travels on the left. FIG. 1 depicts, by way of example and schematically, four projections on a planar surface of the various light beams that have just been mentioned. The planar projection surface is disposed facing the light device in question, perpendicular to its optical axis. The darkened part of these projections corresponds to an absence of light in this part, the part left white corresponding to a normal illumination by means of the light device in question. Thus there have been shown a first cutoff 101, corresponding to a dipped beam in traffic on the right, a second cutoff 102 corresponding to a motorway beam in traffic on the right, a third cutoff 103 corresponding to a town beam or fog light, a fourth cutoff 104 corresponding to a dipped beam in traffic on the left, a fifth cutoff 105 corresponding to a motorway beam in traffic on the left and a sixth cutoff 106 corresponding to a main beam.
It is therefore sought to propose light devices which are capable of modifying the cutoff of the light beam that they produce, so as to be able to propose alternatively in particular the six beams shown in FIG. 1.
To this end various solutions have been proposed in the prior art.
A first solution, described in the document U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,990, consists of a light device provided with a movable screen for in particular vertical sliding in order to form on demand a beam with a particular cutoff.
A second solution, described in the European patent application EP 1 197 387, describes the use, in each light device of the dipped beam type, of a plate, approximately square in shape, in rotation on itself, the axis of rotation being inclined with respect to a main lighting axis. Each side of the plate makes it possible to obtain a light beam corresponding to a particular cutoff when the side in question is brought, by rotation of the plate, facing the light source of the light device in question.
However, with these two solutions, the changes in position of the screens or movable plates in order to pass from a first beam having a first cutoff to a second beam having a second cutoff take place by means of awkward transition phases with a modification disturbing the light distribution below the cutoff line. Moreover, the first solution requires a particularly complex and high-precision mechanism.
One object of the invention is to respond to all the problems that have just been mentioned. To this end, in the invention, it is proposed to use a shield rotationally moving about a substantially vertical axis, or one inclined with respect to the vertical. Part of the shield terminates in a so-called "active" edge (that is to say the edge which will determine the light/dark limit of the light beam emerging from the light), the shape of which defines the cutoff of the beam of the light device in which the shield is disposed. It is a case generally of the top edge of the shield, "top" having to be understood in the light of the shield mounted in the light in the operating position in the vehicle. In order to be able to offer a large number of distinct cutoffs by means of the same shield moving in rotation, it is proposed, in the invention, that certain sectors of the "active" top part of the shield make their contribution in the production of several cutoffs.
To this end, in the invention, a clever succession of shapes is proposed, defining the active or top edge terminating the shield, so that at least part of one of these shapes can be used in the production of at least two beams, having different cutoffs, preferably corresponding to two consecutive positions of the shield considering the rotation movement of the shield about the vertical axis.


A method for generating a profile for a user based on the user's behaviour and altering a setup of at least one computer program based on the generated user profile. The generic user profile for a user may be updated to include information from a similar user (e.g., a user having similar preferences). Using information from similar users allows for a generic user profile to be generated using information extracted from applications (e.g., both social media and games) and/or based on the behaviour of connections (e.g., social media contact, etc.). The generated generic user profile may be used to change the set-up for applications (e.g., executed/stored on the user's mobile device).

The stakes to compete in computer related applications (Apps) and the game market are extremely high. Today end users expect that Apps are free to download. App developers have to make revenues by using other ways such as advertising or in-app purchase. The cost for an App developer to acquire a user is expensive and most of the budget is typically spent on advertising.
For developers it is essential to spend their acquisition budget on the right users. Therefore it is important to have a good profile of a potential user and to be able to detect when there is a potential opportunity to get the end user's attention.
In addition, traditional profiling of the users is very static and does not necessarily fit well with a real user behaviour or actions. For example when a user finds a new type of game, the skill level might change from experienced to beginner if the user starts to play games within a new genre. These distinctions are very essential and distributing those in real-time helps developers and advertising networks (Ad network) to make correct decisions. Hence, there is a need for improving profiling of users of Apps.
A single user may have several Apps downloaded on an electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, etc. and each App uses separate user profiles. This can make it a hassle for users to handle and update the profiles for the different applications.

System and method for providing generic user profiles based on user behaviour