An apparatus for treating workpieces comprises a treatment chamber enclosing a treatment zone for workpieces. A conveyor guides workpieces through the chamber. Said conveyor comprises drive elements located outside the chamber, and a carrier arm, extending through a slot along the conveyor""s path of motion, in a wall of the chamber. A sealing arrangement comprises a first set of spring strips, which overlap laterally and are attached on one side of the slot to the wall, and an opposing second set of spring strips attached on the other side of the slot to the wall. In a resting position, the end zones of the spring strips overlap. Two deflecting devices, which move together with the carrier arm by the conveyor, open the sealing arrangement proximate the carrier arm by resiliently bending apart the spring strips. After passage of the carrier arm, the spring strips return to a sealing position.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of workpieces comprising a treatment chamber, a conveyor and a sealing arrangement.
2. Background Art
The industrial treatment of large numbers of workpieces, especially for surface treatment but also for drying workpieces, has long preferentially been performed with apparatuses which continuously or discontinuously guide the workpieces through a treatment zone with the aid of a conveyor, because such apparatuses have an elevated capacity and may readily be incorporated into a production line. The treatment zone is here located in a treatment chamber, which frequently takes the form of a booth, the walls and ceiling of which divide the external atmosphere from the internal atmosphere of the treatment chamber and in particular prevent any escape of the treatment medium and optionally heat from the treatment chamber. Hereafter and in the claims, the term xe2x80x9cwallsxe2x80x9d will be used for simplicity""s sake to denote not only the walls strictly speaking but also the ceiling.
The treatment medium may comprise a treatment liquid, as is the case for example when coating workpieces or in preparative processes for coating. The treatment medium may, however, in principle also comprise gases, vapours or liquid or powder mists, as are present in spray booths, for example.
A second function of the treatment chamber walls is to prevent dirt from entering the treatment zone from outside. Care is in particular taken to ensure that those components of the conveyor which may possibly release contaminants, in particular the drive components, are arranged outside the treatment chamber. In order to carry the workpieces, such conveyors must comprise a carrier arm which extends through one wall of the treatment chamber and on the inner end of which the workpieces are held. To this end, the treatment chamber wall must comprise a slot which extends along the conveyor""s path of motion and which is closed by a separate sealing arrangement. This sealing arrangement is designed such that it opens locally in the area of the carrier arm.
In known apparatuses of the above-stated type, resilient sealing lips are used as the sealing arrangements, but such lips are not always reliable.
DE 198 48 946 C2 describes a different treatment apparatus of this type. In this latter apparatus, the sealing arrangement comprises a plurality of segmented sealing elements arranged adjacent to one another which overlap in the lateral direction and are pivoted about swivel pins to permit passage of the carrier arm. Such swivel pins are, however, not always desired.
The object of the present invention is accordingly to develop an apparatus of the above-stated type in such a manner that the slot between the two wall portions is reliably sealed, the sealing arrangement nevertheless operating reliably while requiring little maintenance.
Said object is achieved by an apparatus for the treatment of workpieces comprising a treatment chamber, a conveyor, a sealing arrangement, and a first and second deflecting device. The treatment chamber comprises at least one wall and comprises the treatment zone for the workpieces. The conveyor, which guides the workpieces through the treatment chamber, further comprises: at least one conveyor element outside the treatment chamber; and at least one carrier arm, which extends through a slot, extending along the conveyor""s path of motion, in the at least one wall of the treatment chamber. The sealing arrangement seals the slot in the at least one wall of the treatment chamber. The sealing arrangement is capable of being opened in each case locally in the vicinity of the carrier arm to allow passage of the carrier arm. Further the sealing arrangement comprises a plurality of mobile sealing elements.
Additionally, the sealing arrangement further comprises a first set of springs, which overlap laterally and are attached in an area remote from the slot to a portion lying on one side of the slot of the at least one wall of the treatment chamber and a second set of spring strips, which overlap laterally and are attached in an area remote from the slot to a portion lying on the other side of the slot of the at least one wall of the treatment chamber. In their resting position, the mutually facing end zones of the spring strips belonging to the first set and of the spring strips belonging to the second set overlap resiliently.
The first deflecting device is provided which is movable by the conveyor together with the carrier arm and, when moved, engages beneath the first set of spring strips and bends them out resiliently in such a manner that the carrier arm can pass through the first set of spring strips. Similarly, the second deflecting device is provided which is movable by the conveyor together with the carrier arm and, when moved, bends out the second set of spring strips resiliently in such a manner that the carrier arm can pass through the second set of spring strips.
Thus, according to the invention, no parts which move as a whole are used as the sealing element. Opening of the sealing arrangement is based solely on resilient flexing of the spring strips. The deflecting devices are designed such that, when they are moved together with the carrier arm, they bend the upper and lower spring strips apart in the manner of a plough, so permitting passage of the carrier arm. The spring strips subsequently automatically return to their sealing resting position. In the event that workpiece treatment involves exposure to liquid, the inclination of the spring strips belonging to the two sets may in each case be selected and maintained such that any sprayed liquid which impinges on the spring strips flows back into the interior of the treatment chamber.
The spring strips preferably consist of spring steel, stainless steel or an optionally reinforced plastic.
Preferably, a shield is provided, which is movable together with the carrier arm and covers that zone of the sealing arrangement in which the spring strips are bent out of their resting position. This shield thus provides additional protection from treatment medium, in particular treatment liquid, escaping from the area of the sealing arrangement which is opened locally in the vicinity of the carrier arm.
The deflecting devices are preferably strips of sheet metal which are bent in such a manner that their surface extends everywhere approximately parallel to the areas of the spring strips lying thereagainst. In this manner, the deflecting devices have a guidance action which causes little wear and generates little noise.
It is furthermore convenient for the deflecting devices to be guided such that they lie against the spring strips everywhere at approximately the same distance from the edges thereof. The distance between that point on the spring strips at which the deflecting devices engage and the edge of the spring strips at which they are attached thus remains approximately constant everywhere.
A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is one in which the slot between the first portion and the second portion of the wall of the treatment chamber is additionally closed on the outside by a bellows and a deflector is provided, which is movable with the carrier arm and comprises at least one sloping face, against which one edge of the bellows rests locally and which displaces the edge of the bellows in such a manner that the carrier arm can pass through the bellows.
The bellows are preferably used where a maximally good, even gas-proof, separation is desired between the external atmosphere and the internal atmosphere of the treatment chamber. The bellows is still more capable than the sealing arrangement consisting of spring strips of preventing the escape of vapours, mists and condensates; gas leakage losses can be kept so low that it is possible to maintain a different pressure within the treatment chamber than in the external atmosphere or in the zone between the spring strips and the bellows.
Finally, it is particularly convenient if the deflecting devices are configured symmetrically with regard to a plane perpendicular to the direction of conveying in such a manner that they are effective in both the forwards and backwards direction of the conveying motion.
The treatment chamber may, for example, be a booth in which the workpieces are surface treated, in particular coated, wherein the wall in which the slot is located is a substantially vertical wall of the booth.
In this case, it may be particularly favourable if the spring strips belonging to the different sets are bent out in different directions by the deflecting devices.
The treatment chamber may, however, also in particular be the chamber of a dryer or oven, wherein the wall in which the slot is located is the ceiling of the dryer or oven chamber. In this case, the primary function of the sealing arrangement is to insulate the dryer or oven chamber thermally and to prevent the escape of the hot internal atmosphere and the penetration of cold ambient air.
In this case, it is frequently favourable if the spring strips belonging to the different sets are bent out in the same direction by the deflecting devices.

Apparatus for the treatment of workpieces


An n-type layer of a light-emitting device has a structure in which a first n-type layer, a second n-type layer and a third n-type layer are sequentially laminated in this order on a sapphire substrate, and an n-electrode composed of V/Al is formed on the second n-type layer. The first n-type layer and the second n-type layer are n-GaN, and the third n-type layer is n-InGaN. The n-type impurity concentration of the second n-type layer is higher than that of the first n-type layer and the third n-type layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a group III nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device in which the contact resistance of an n-electrode is reduced, and a method for producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a structure of a group III nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device, a structure is widely known in which an n-type layer is exposed by etching a group III nitride compound semiconductor layer and an n-electrode is formed on the exposed n-type layer.
It is shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-191635 that the contact resistance of an n-type layer can be reduced and the occurrence of cracks in the n-type layer can be suppressed by forming the n-type layer in such a way that it has a two-layered structure comprising, in order from a substrate, a first layer and a second layer, by making the n-type impurity concentration of the second layer higher than that of the first layer, and by forming an n-electrode on the second layer.
In addition, it is shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-332292 that the current diffusivity can be improved by forming an n-type layer in such a way that it has a three-layered structure comprising, in order from a substrate, a first layer, a second layer and a third layer, by making the n-type impurity concentration of the second layer, which is a middle layer, higher than that of the other two layers. It is shown that an n-electrode is formed on the first layer or the second layer.
Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-244568, a method for controlling etching depth is shown in which an etching marker layer is made of a group III nitride compound semiconductor containing In, and the etching depth is controlled by detecting the change in the spectrum of plasma light emission of In.
In order to reduce the contact resistance of an n-electrode, it is desirable that the impurity concentration of an n-type layer be high. However, when the impurity concentration is high, deterioration of translucency, surface flatness and crystallinity is likely to occur. Therefore, it is desirable that the thickness of a layer having a high impurity concentration be as small as possible.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-191635, the above-described background is taken into consideration and an n-type layer is formed in such a way that it has a two-layered structure comprising a first layer and a second layer, in which the n-type impurity concentration of the second layer is higher, and an n-electrode is formed on the second layer. However, with regard to the second layer described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-332292, it cannot be said that the impurity concentration and the thinness of the second layer are sufficient to reduce the contact resistance.
Further, in a structure described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-332292, though the thickness of the second layer having a high impurity concentration is reduced, the n-electrode is not always formed on the second layer, and consequently, the structure does not always have low contact resistance. In addition, in the structures shown in embodiments 1 to 3 in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-332292, the thicknesses of the second layers are equal to or less than 1% of the thicknesses of the third layers. In dry etching, which is a common method for exposing n-type layers, it is almost impossible to stop etching in a condition where the second layer is exposed, in view of the fact that an etching rate of an etching device varies (usually ±3 to 10%) over a substrate surface and among substrates.
Because of these problems, there has been a need for a structure in which an n-type layer having a high impurity concentration and that is as thin as possible is provided, and in which etching can be stopped without fail in a condition where the n-type layer is exposed.

Group III nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device and method for producing the same


A navigation system, portable information processing device and its control program, data server, information processing server, navigation method, traveling route establishing method, information providing method, and area information providing method are disclosed having a portable terminal (10,54,210) to read out code data, indicative of area information of a destination and routed spots, from a print product (112,114). The code data are converted into area information and stored in a storage unit (23,66,72, 123,223,232,323), from which particular area information is retrieved and transmitted to an on-vehicle navigation device (30,58,104,230) by which a traveling route of the vehicle is established on the basis of area information to guide the vehicle to the destination.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to navigation system for vehicles and, more particularly, to a navigation system for a vehicle, a data server, a traveling route establishing method and an information providing method to be carried out with the navigation system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In related art, on-vehicle navigation devices have been widely in use to guide a vehicle along a traveling route in accordance with an operational input made by a user. Attempts have been heretofore been made to realize the on-vehicle navigation device through the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) that provides the current position of the vehicle whereby when a destination and routed spots are input by the user, the on-vehicle navigation device operates to establish an optimum traveling route starting from the current position of the vehicle and the destination via the routed spots to allow the vehicle to properly be guided with a desired map being displayed over a display unit.
With the on-vehicle navigation device set forth above, it has been a usual practice for the user to input the destination and routed spots in various ways, such as a first way of retrieving the destination and routed spots while scrolling a map provided over the display unit and designating the destination and routed spots on the map, and a second way of causing a list of names of principal points to be displayed over the display unit to allow a desired destination and routed spots to be selected from the list.

Navigation system, data server, traveling route establishing method and information providing method


The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and system for determining and displaying the service level of a digital television broadcast signal. A digital television receiver receives a digital television broadcast signal. The digital television broadcast signal includes a data test stream composed of a plurality of data packets. A service level determiner is used to determine a service level of the digital television broadcast signal based upon a loss of data packets from the data test stream (i.e. the error rate). The service level determiner additionally causes a representation of the service level to be displayed as a service level diagnostic indicator on a display device, such as a television. The service level diagnostic indicator can be updated at predetermined intervals to allow a user to place their antenna in a best service level position to receive the best service level as indicated by the service level diagnostic indicator.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to communication systems. In particular, the invention relates to determining and displaying the service level of a digital television broadcast signal.
2. Description of Related Art
Digital Television ("DTV") is a broadcast technology that will transform television, as we now know it. Particularly, DTV is a new "over-the-air" digital television system that will be used by the nearly 1600 local broadcast television stations in the United States. The DTV standard is based on the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) Digital Television Standard A/53 (ATSC Doc. A/53, Sep. 6, 1995). With DTV, television pictures, sound, and new data services will be transmitted digitally, rather than as an analog signal. The increased capabilities and new services of DTV are made possible through the use of digital compression techniques that allow more information to be transmitted in the same amount of spectrum used by an existing television channel. The data rate of the DTV signal within the standard 6 MHz broadcast television channel is 19.44 Mbps. This allows for the transmission of programs with very high resolution and sound quality, much better than currently available analog broadcast technology, allowing for movie-quality picture and CD-quality sound and a variety of other enhancements. For example, DTV permits transmission of television programming in new wide screen, high resolution formats known as high definition television (HDTV). In addition, the new DTV television system allows transmissions in standard definition television (SDTV) formats that provide picture resolution similar to existing television service. Not only will broadcasters be able to broadcast at least one high definition HDTV program, they may also simultaneously transmit SDTV programs using a single television channel.
The DTV system also makes possible the delivery of digital data services to a television and/or computer alone, or simultaneously with, television and audio programming. Of particular interest, beyond the transmission of audio/visual (A/V) information (i.e. the television program), is that these digital broadcast signals from the television networks include additional data that may carry any number of valuable assets. Particularly, the data portion of the digital broadcast signal may carry Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) content (e.g. graphics, video, text, audio, and other types of data) and Streaming Internet Protocol (IP) data (e.g. graphics, video, text, audio, and other types of data). Using this data transmission capability, it will be possible for broadcast stations to send additional data content such as publications (e.g. a local "electronic newspaper"), news, music, program schedules, computer software, or virtually any other type of information/data, at the same time that they transmit regular television programming or in lieu of television programming.
For example, a television network may transmit a financial news show (i.e. the A/V information from the digital broadcast signal) with an announcer talking about what happened to the stock market during the day, simultaneously, the broadcast station can transmit digital data (e.g. graphics, video, text, audio, and other types of data), such as streaming stock quotes, information about a company—e.g. a news story or a picture of the company headquarters, graphs, cartoons, or virtually any type of information, for example, in a window under the announcer. The DTV system also provides the flexibility to support the introduction of new services in the future, as technology and viewer interests continue to develop.
For the compression of video signals, the ATSC DTV Standard requires conformance with the main profile syntax of the Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG)-2 video standard. Employing this standard, the amount of data needed to represent television pictures is reduced using a variety of tools, including a motion compensated discrete cosine transform (DCT) algorithm and bi-directional-frame (B-frame) prediction. For the compression of audio signals, conformance with the ATSC DTV Standard A/52 (ATSC Doc.A/52, Dec. 20, 1995) is required, which specifies the Digital Audio Compression (AC-3) Standard. The AC-3 perceptual coding system, which was developed by Dolby Labs, can encode a complete main audio service which includes left, center, right, left surround, right surround, and low frequency enhancement channels into a bit stream at a rate of 384 kilobits per second (kbps).
The service multiplex and transport layer of the ATSC DTV Standard is a compatible subset of the MPEG-2 systems standard that describes a means of delivering a digital data stream in fixed-length "packets" of information. Each packet contains only one type of data: video, audio or ancillary (e.g. data). There is no fixed mix of packet types, which further helps provide flexibility. Channel capacity can be dynamically allocated in the transport layer, under the direct control of the broadcaster. The ATSC DTV Standard has been optimized for terrestrial digital television delivery, where channel bandwidth is limited and transmission errors and data loss are likely. Within the transport layer, the packets of video, audio, closed captioning and any other data associated with a single digital television program are combined using a mechanism to ensure that the sound, pictures and closed captioning information can be synchronized at the receiver. Data describing multiple television programs (e.g. program guide information), or unrelated data for other purposes, are also combined in the transport layer.
A problem with Digital Television (DTV) is that present methods to accurately tune a digital receiver, by determining the best position of the antenna (indoor or outdoor), to receive the "best service level" of a DTV broadcast signal are inadequate. The "best service level" corresponds to the digital receiver receiving the greatest amount of the actual data packets (video, audio, or data) contained within the digital broadcast signal, as possible.
For example, a user can attempt to utilize a video component of the digital broadcast signal to determine the "best service level", but this is very imprecise. Under this scenario, a user when trying to find the best reception for a certain channel, will tune to a channel and adjust their antenna (indoor or outdoor) until what they believe is the "best" video is displayed. The user may adjust their antenna in one direction and find that the video becomes blocky or chunky (indicating missing data packets) and then turn the antenna in the other direction and the video appears to more complete. However, there is no way for the user to be objectively sure that they are indeed getting the "best service level" (i.e. that the greatest amount of data packets of the digital broadcast signal are actually being received) for the best video picture possible. A user could try to tune an antenna based purely on an audio component but this is even more complicated and problematic than the video case.
Moreover, if a viewer wants to obtain a pure data broadcast that has no visual or audio component to use for adjusting their antenna, it is virtually impossible for the user to determine the "best service level", or any sort of service level, to ensure that they are actually receiving the data packets of the digital broadcast signal. Unfortunately, presently, users do not have adequate ways to be objectively sure that they are indeed getting the "best service level" such that they are receiving the greatest amount of data packets of the digital broadcast signal as possible.
Some solutions to determine the degree of service level have been previously utilized with satellite broadcasts. These solutions include using "Signal Strength" and Signal/Noise (Carrier/Noise) ratios. For example, most satellite receivers use "Signal Strength" to identify the best antenna position. However, just because the best signal is found, this does not necessarily mean that the "best service level" has been found. Particularly, although these two solutions may provide an adequate indicator of service level, these solutions are problematic in that neither multi-path interference or other interference patterns can be detected utilizing these solutions. For example, many multi-path interference issues arise with satellite transmissions that utilize 8 VSB (vestigial sideband) and COFDM (Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) standards. Moreover, these two solutions are only indicators of what the actual data packet error rate (i.e. the data packet loss over time) is. They only measure signal strength and not true transport quality. Accordingly, they do not directly measure the actual data packet error rate and thus the "true" service level.

Method and apparatus for determining and displaying the service level of a digital television broadcast signal


A piston-type accumulator has: a) an accumulator housing in the form of a cylinder tube (1) made of magnetizable material, which defines an axial direction of the housing; b) a piston (3), which can be axially displaced over a stroke path inside the cylinder tube (1) and which forms a moving separating element that, inside the accumulator housing, separates two working spaces (7 and 9) from one another; c) a magnet arrangement (29, 31, 35), placed on the piston (3) and generating a field on the wall of the cylinder tube (1), and; d) a magnetic field sensor device located on the exterior of the cylinder tube (1) and having at least one Hall sensor (51). The Hall sensor is mounted on the exterior of the cylinder tube (1) and responds to the field generated by the magnet arrangement (29, 31, 35) on the piston (3) to determine the position of the piston (3) along the stroke path.

The fluid component communicates with the hydraulic circulation of the assembly so that the accumulator receives fluid as the pressure rises and the gas is compressed. When the pressure drops, the compressed gas expands and forces the pressurized fluid stored back into the hydraulic circulation. The changes in the volume of gas supply space and liquid supply space result in an appropriate axial movement of the piston inside the accumulator housing.
A prerequisite for flawless behavior of piston-type accumulators is that the gas charging pressure prevailing in the gas supply space has a value adapted to the level of pressure of the fluid component, so that the piston is in a suitable position inside the cylinder housing. The piston may execute the operating movements required in the axial direction between the end positions in the accumulator housing.


A method for producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell by preparing a positive electrode by applying a positive electrode mixture onto a positive electrode core material, the mixture containing a positive electrode active material mainly made of a lithium nickel composite oxide and a binding agent containing polyvinylidene fluoride; measuring the amount of carbon dioxide gas generated when a layer of the positive electrode mixture is removed out of the positive electrode and the layer is heated to 200° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower in an inactive gas atmosphere; selecting a positive electrode satisfying the following formulas:y<(0.27x−51)/1000000(200≦x<400)  formula 1y<57/1000000(400≦x≦1500)  formula 2where x is a heating temperature (° C.) and y is the amount of carbon dioxide gas (mole/g) per 1 g of the lithium nickel composite oxide measured; and preparing the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell by using the positive electrode selected.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement of a method for producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell, and more particularly to a method for producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell using lithium nickel composite oxide as a positive electrode active material.
2) Description of the Related Art
Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cells, for their high energy density and high capacity, are widely used as power sources for mobile appliances. Conventionally, as the positive electrode active material used for the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cells, lithium cobalt composite oxide (LiCoO2), which excels in discharge property, has been used.
However, an increasing need for further enhancement of cell capacity and an increase in cell cost due to rising prices of cobalt have drawn attention to lithium nickel composite oxide LiaNixM1-xO2 (where M is at least one selected from Co, Al, Zr, Ti, Mg, and Mn, 0.9≦a−1.1, and 0.5≦x≦1) as the positive electrode active material of non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cells.
However, the lithium nickel composite oxide still possess problems to be solved, among which are the problem of a decrease in cell capacity and the problem of cell swelling. For example, non-patent document 1 ("Abstracts of Speeches at the 47th Battery Symposium," pp. 326-327) reports that if a lithium nickel composite oxide exposed to atmosphere is used to constitute a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell, cell swelling occurs from high-temperature preservation.
Non-patent document 1 gives a possible cause for such cell swelling as follows. If the lithium nickel composite oxide is exposed to atmosphere, the lithium ions in the lithium nickel composite oxide react with moisture in atmosphere whereby a highly reactive lithium hydroxide is generated, which in turn reacts with carbon dioxide in atmosphere to result in lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). Also, the moisture contained in the atmosphere-exposed lithium nickel composite oxide decomposes LiPF6 serving as electrolytic salt inside the cell to generate hydrofluoric acid (HF). This in turn decomposes the lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), thereby generating carbon dioxide gas inside the cell. The gas generated inside the cell possibly remains between the positive and the negative electrodes to the detriment of the opposing condition thereof, resulting in a decrease in cell capacity.
The generation of lithium hydroxide possibly causes a decrease in cell capacity also in such a respect that the amount of lithium nickel composite oxide that contributes to charge/discharge decreases.
Incidentally, as a method for solving these problems associated with the positive electrode active material, carrying out the whole process of cell production under conditions without exposure to atmosphere, such as in a dry air atmosphere and an inactive gas atmosphere, are contemplated. However, this method causes a significant increase in production cost. Therefore, this method is not practical.
In view of these circumstances, such a method is conventionally employed that tests for cell swelling, a decrease in cell capacity, and the like are carried out after a cell is complete, and when the cell is judged to be unsuitable, all the cells of the same production lot are discarded. However, this method may significantly degrade the production yield, and the decreased production yield causes the problem of raising the price of the complete cell.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for producing positive electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell and method for producing non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell


A power supply plug structure includes a hollow housing, at least two conductive poles, at least two wire connecting members and at least two snap rings. The housing includes a base body. The base body defines an opening. The conductive pole includes a main body and an insertion body connected with the main body. The main body passes through the base body, and is exposed out of the housing. The insertion body is received in the housing. The wire connecting members sleeve on the conductive poles and are positioned outside of the housing. The snap ring sleeves on the main body as the main body is exposed out of the housing and also clamps the main body to hold each conductive pole on the housing.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to plug structures, and particularly, to a power supply plug structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Plugs and chargers and other such electrical charging items have power supply plug structures. A power supply plug structure usually includes a housing, two conductive poles and two connecting wires. The housing is a hollow structure and defines an opening. In a power supply plug structure manufacturing process, two connecting holes are firstly defined through the housing. Then the conductive poles pass through the connecting holes, and are exposed out of the housing. Next, the conductive poles are fixed to the base body by hot melt or similar process. Finally, the connecting wires are fixedly connected with part of the conductive poles which are positioned outside of the housing by soldering. However, the power supply plug structure forms a singular integrated unit after the hot melt and the soldering processes. It is inconvenient to disassemble the housing, the conductive poles and the connecting wires when the power supply plug structure is damaged and needs to be fixed.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


In one embodiment, a method is provided that may include, if a change in configuration of storage occurs during one mode of operation of a device, storing, in the storage, data indicative, at least in part, of resulting configuration of the storage resulting after the change. The device may have a relatively lower power consumption rate while the device is operating in the one mode of operation compared to a relatively higher power consumption rate that the device may have while the device is operating in another mode of operation. Of course, many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment.

In one conventional data storage system, a computer node is coupled to a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID), and includes a processor. The RAID stores RAID configuration data that specifies the storage devices and volumes comprised in the RAID. The processor executes operations that result in data being written into the RAID in accordance with the RAID configuration data stored in the RAID. When the node operates in a relatively low power consumption state, the node may consume power at a relatively lower rate compared to when the node is operating in a relatively higher power consumption state. While the node is operating in this relatively low power consumption state, operations whose execution result in data being written into the RAID are suspended, in order to reduce the amount of power consumed. After the node returns to operating in the relatively higher power consumption state, the execution of these operations may be resumed.
In this conventional system, if one or more of the storage devices and/or volumes are added to or removed from the RAID while the node is operating in the relatively low power consumption state, the RAID configuration data is not changed to reflect the storage device and/or volume addition or deletion. This may result in this RAID configuration data being inaccurate. After the node returns to operating in the relatively higher power consumption state, operations may be executed that result in data being written into the RAID in accordance with this inaccurate RAID configuration data. This may result in corruption of data stored in the RAID.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments of the claimed subject matter, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the claimed subject matter be viewed broadly, and be defined only as set forth in the accompanying claims.

System for storing data within a raid system indicating a change in configuration during a suspend mode of a device connected to the raid system


A communication system is provided for use with a mobile platform. The communication system can be configured to store video data on-board to allow pseudo-live or live broadcasts to be played as the mobile platform traverses a number of broadcasts regions. The mobile platforms can be automobiles, aircraft, boats, ships, trains, or other vehicles. The communication system allows Internet access, movies, and other entertainment and business functions to be performed.

This present invention relates generally to a communication system for a mobile platform. More particularly, the present invention relates to a data delivery system for on-board entertainment and office systems of mobile platforms. In general, on-board entertainment and office systems can be utilized to generate video images and audio content for occupants of a mobile platform. The video images and audio content can be related to movies, telephone conversations, and other entertainment-based or business-based material.
Mobile platforms, such as, automobiles, airplanes, trains, and boats have included on-board entertainment systems. These systems generally provide audio-visual content to a display screen. The audio-visual content can be provided from wireless, off-board sources and from on-board sources. On-board sources can include equipment which plays audio discs, audio tapes, video discs and video tapes.
One type of conventional on-board entertainment system is an aircraft passenger entertainment system. The aircraft passenger entertainment system can provide passengers with audio generated from audio tape players, movies derived from video tape players, and interactive services, such as, games, shopping and telecommunications. With the exception of interactive services related to telecommunication services (air-to-ground telephone calls), the aircraft passenger entertainment system generally utilizes strictly on-board sources (tape players, etc.) to provide content. Utilizing strictly on-board sources does not allow xe2x80x9clivexe2x80x9d programs or time sensitive programs, such as, news, sporting events, and commercial programming to be viewed on the aircraft. Video and audio tapes can take as long as several months to prepare before being available for viewing on the aircraft. Such a delay makes the viewing of sporting events, news programs, commercial television, stock reports, and other time sensitive material undesirable.
Alternatively, on-board entertainment and office systems for mobile platforms can utilize off-board sources. For example, automobiles can include spread spectrum or ultra high frequency (UHF) or very high frequency (VHF) broadcast antennae for receiving specialized or commercial television signals, respectively. In another example, proposed on-board entertainment systems for aircraft utilize digital broadcast satellite systems to provide live or near live video entertainment (television broadcasts) to passengers aboard an aircraft. However, the use of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems as well as UHF and VHF broadcast systems can be problematic as the mobile platform enters and exits zones where the signals cannot be received. For example, transoceanic flights often enter locations which are out of range of the satellite system. Similarly, platform position, geographic considerations, and other electromagnetic radiation blocking phenomenon can prevent a mobile platform from appropriately receiving data from a wireless source.
In addition, direct broadcast satellite systems and other broadcast systems cannot feature content for particular mobile platforms. The same data is received by all mobile platforms within the range of the source. Occupants of aircraft, trains, and ships having particular destinations may wish to receive content related to the destination. The content may even include commercials or advertisements directed toward features associated with the destination of the mobile platform. For example, it is desirable to show advertisements or previews for casinos, conventions, or other attractions associated with the destination. Thus, conventional off-board sources cannot provide audio and visual content directed to occupants of particular mobile platforms.
Further, conventional off-board sources cannot provide content directed to particular types of mobile platforms, such as the type of aircraft. For example, safety messages must be specialized for particular types of aircraft. The same safety message cannot be sent via off-board sources to every aircraft in the fleet.
It is also desirable to provide Internet access to occupants of the mobile platforms. The Internet has become extremely popular and continues to grow at exponential rates. For example, aircraft passengers could utilize the Internet for both business and entertainment purposes. In addition, the Internet is being sought as a necessity for electronic messaging as well as an alternative to television.
Current stand-alone communications systems utilized by most mobile platforms lack the capacity or bandwidth to support true high-speed multi-user Internet browsing. These systems have been optimized for some data uses but are generally used to support low-bandwidth data and voice communications, typically ranging from 2400 bits per second to 19.2 kilobits per second.
Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television systems are in wide use for the delivery of television programming directly to terrestrial homes of viewers. DBS systems operate in the Ku-band frequency range of 11.70 to 12.75 GHz. A DBS system typically consists of a DBS ground station for uplinking the programming, a geosynchronous orbiting transponder satellite for receiving the programming from the ground station on one frequency and downlinking the programming on another frequency, and multiple viewers with dish antennas and DBS receivers for receiving the downlinked programming. Digital compression is used to increase the amount of programming available from a satellite. MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 are the standard compression technologies in use by most DBS systems. A program provider or data source collects the programming data and sends it to the DBS ground station for uplinking to the satellite. Programming may be collected from sources by reception from other satellites, fiber optic lines, or the rebroadcast of digital tape. The programming may include data other than television programming such as Internet services. The data is compressed and encrypted before transmission. The viewer receives the downlink signals from the satellite on a parabolic dish antenna.
The dish antennas are small (typically 18-inches to three feet in diameter) which makes the dish antennas attractive for home use. However, even small dish antennas can be undesirable in certain mobile platform applications due to wind resistance and stability considerations.
A down converter is typically located with the dish antenna and down converts the received signal into an L-band intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The L-band IF signal is sent by cable to the DBS receiver in the home. The DBS receiver decodes, decompresses, amplifies and converts the signal into a viewable TV image.
On-board entertainment and office systems, such as, aircraft systems require the efficient delivery of data such as movies, programs, airline schedules, Internet data, e-mail communications and maps to passengers. This data needs to be updated or replaced so that new in-flight entertainment movies, new safety messages, and other information can be presented in flight. Also, mobile platform data, such as aircraft data from a FOQA (Flight Operations Quality Assurance) system generated in flight needs to be removed from the aircraft and transferred to an appropriate recipient of the data. Heretofore, the updated and new data as well as the aircraft data is manually transported between the aircraft and the terminal.
Thus, there is a need for a mobile platform communication system that offers efficient delivery of data between a mobile platform and a docking area. There is another need for a wireless connectivity between an aircraft and an airport terminal; the wireless connectivity should offer much higher bandwidth than existing low-bandwidth communications systems. There is also a need for a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system for delivering video data for storage on a mobile platform. Further, there is a need for a direct broadcast satellite system that can provide high-speed Internet service to a mobile platform along with DBS television programming simultaneously while using a single small antenna system that can easily be mounted on the mobile platform. Further still, there is a need to utilize excess capacity on a DBS television transponder to provide the modest bandwidth needs for Internet service on mobile platforms. There is also a need for a low-speed, communications channel, such as, an air-to-ground channel, which enables a full interactive Internet capability on a mobile platform.
Even further, there is a need for a communication system that can transfer large amounts of data between a data source and a mobile platform parked in a docking area without hand carrying media containing the data. Further still, there is a need for a communications system that can use existing communications systems, such as, direct broadcast satellites and telephone systems for transfer of data between the data source, the data recipient, and the mobile platform.
Still further, there is a need for a communication system which can provide entertainment directed to passengers of a particular mobile platform while utilizing video signals received from off-board the mobile platform. Even further still, there is a need for a communications system which can adjust to provide a continuous video stream as a mobile platform travels from areas of reception to non-reception. Yet further, there is a need for a communications system which includes receivers which allow video data to be received as the mobile platform travels across the earth.
An embodiment relates generally to a communication system for a mobile platform. The mobile platform is stationary at a docking area. The communication system includes a wireless docking area transceiver, a wireless platform transceiver, and a storage unit. The storage unit is located on the mobile platform. The wireless docking area transceiver provides video data to the wireless platform transceiver while the mobile platform is at the docking area. The storage unit stores the video data for playback in the mobile platform.
Another embodiment also relates to a video system for a mobile platform. The mobile platform is capable of traveling to a docking area which has a first transceiver for providing data representative of video. The video system includes a short-range transceiver configured to receive the data, a storage unit coupled to the short-range transceiver, and a processor coupled to the storage unit. The short-range transceiver stores the data. The processor generates the video in response to the data stored in the storage unit.
Still another embodiment further relates to a communication system for a mobile platform. The communication system includes a wireless docking area transceiver, a first means for transmitting data, a second means for receiving data, and a third means for storing the data received by the second means. At least a portion of the data includes video data. The first means is located at the gate area, and the second means is located at the mobile platform. The third means is located at the mobile platform and stores the data received by the second means.
Yet another embodiment relates to a method of showing video images related to video data on a mobile platform. The mobile platform is capable of traveling to a location. The location has a transmitter. The method includes: electronically receiving the video data from the transmitter with a receiver while the mobile platform is proximate the location, storing the video data on-board the mobile platform, and displaying the video images on-board the mobile platform in accordance with the video data stored on-board the mobile platform.
An embodiment still further relates to a communication system for a mobile platform. The communication system includes a direct broadcast receiver located on the mobile platform and a computer network including at least one terminal on the mobile platform, the terminal providing Internet access through the direct broadcast receiver.
An embodiment also relates to a method of providing Internet service to a mobile platform. The mobile platform includes a direct broadcast receiver located on the mobile platform and computer network. The mobile platform also includes at least one terminal on the mobile platform. The method includes: providing Internet data to the computer network on the mobile platform via the direct broadcast receiver, and providing the Internet data to the terminal.
An embodiment even further still relates to a communication system for a mobile platform. The communication system includes a first receiver circuit disposed on a platform, a second receiver circuit disposed on the platform, and a control circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit. The first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit receive video data. The control circuit selects the video data from the first receiver circuit and the Ku-band receiver circuit to continuously receive the video data as the mobile platform moves from a first zone to a second zone.
An embodiment even further still relates to a method of receiving video data on a mobile platform. The method includes receiving first video data transmitted from a first band-type satellite when the mobile platform is in a first zone for playback on the mobile platform, and receiving second video data transmitted from a second band-type satellite receiver circuit when the mobile platform is in a second zone for playback on the mobile platform. The first zone is in an area where the first video data can be received effectively from the first band-type satellite, and the second zone is in an area where the second data can be effectively received from the second band-type satellite.
An embodiment specifically relates to a communication system for a mobile platform. The mobile platform is stationery at a docking area. The communication system includes a wireless docking area transmitter, a wireless platform receiver unit, and a storage unit. The storage unit is located on the mobile platform. The wireless docking area transmitter provides order wire data to the wireless platform receiver unit. The storage unit stores the order wire data. Video is provided on the mobile platform in accordance with the order wire data.
An embodiment relates to the method of providing electronic browsing services on a mobile platform. The mobile platform includes at least one terminal. The method includes receiving order wire data indicating a default home page from an external source. The method also includes beginning the electronic browsing service at the default home page.
An embodiment also relates to a communication system for a mobile platform. The communication system includes a receiver, a computer network, and a terminal. The computer network is couple with the receiver. The receiver receives in advertising spots indication. The terminal is coupled with the computer network. The computer provides advertising spots that are associated with the advertising spots indication.

Dual receiver for a on-board entertainment system


A digital communication system includes a transmitter and a receiver and communicates on telephone line. Receipt gain of the digital communication system is controlled in accordance with the following. Initialization signals generated at the transmitter and transferred through the hybrid circuit on the telephone line are received for a predetermined time period. An average magnitude value of the initialization signal received during the time period is compared with a reference magnitude value. Receipt gain is controlled according to the difference between the average magnitude value of the receipt signal and a reference value. In this manner, when the system performance is changed according to permissible tolerance of the analog discrete components used in the ADSL system, gain of the gain amplifier is automatically controlled. Thus, the ADSL system can operate with optimal performance under given conditions.

With the widespread popularity of the Internet and personal computers, communication systems with low installation cost and low user fees have been required. As part of the recent establishment of new communication systems, digital subscriber lines and various modifications thereof (e.g., xDSL) that employ twisted pair copper wires that already exist in the telephone lines of every office and every home have become popular.
The term "xDSL" generally refers to numerous types of communication methods that utilize public telephone lines, and include high data-rate DSL (HDSL) for replacing T1 or E1 with twisted-pair copper line, symmetric DSL (SDSL) for transmitting a large amount of data in a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and so forth.
In another type of DSL system, namely the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), the term "Asymmetric" arises from the conditional background that downstream data transmitted from a central office CO to a remote terminal is wider in bandwidth and larger in size when compared to upstream data transmitted from the remote terminal RT to the central office CO. In this case, the downstream data is transmitted from the central office CO to the remote terminal RT. Signal transforming technology used in ADSL includes Carrierless Amplitude Phase modulation (CAP) type systems and Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) type systems. The DMT type was commonly used by Bell Core of U.S.A. at first in 1993 and adopted as a standard of digital transmission at American National Standards Institute (ANSI), European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The DMT type is a method for transferring in parallel by a plurality of narrow band carrier waves. Therefore, the DMT type offers superior noise depression function and inferior interference with other communication lines, as compared to CAP. In addition, ADSL makes high rate data communication available through existing telephone service, and users utilize data communication together with plain old telephone service (POTS). The transmit rate of ADSL is up to 8Mbps for downstream data and 640kbps for upstream data.
The ADSL offers the advantage of using the existing telephone line, while suffering from the disadvantage of being affected by an inferior line environment. Thus, because of the existence of the inferior line environments such as ISDN, HDSL crosstalk and DSL crosstalk, ADSL standards regulate the minimum performance with respect each discrete component at each distance by defining the inferior line environments.
The ADSL is an asymmetric system in which upstream data and downstream data use different frequency bands and interfere with each other. Thus, system performance may be reduced. For example, near-end crosstalk (NEXT) and far-end crosstalk (FEXT) are main causes of reducing system performance of ADSL. The NEXT means that self-transmitting signal affects the receiving terminal, and the FEXT means that downstream data of another central office within an identical bundle affects the receiving terminal. The ADSL system utilizes a telephone line as the data communication medium and includes processes for transmitting and receiving analog signals. The processes for transmitting and receiving are performed in an identical telephone line and utilize an analog filter. However, discrete components consisting of the analog filter for dividing or integrating transmitted and receipt signals have permissible tolerance with respect to given values, such that each analog filter has different characteristics. Different analog filter characteristics mean variation the reflection signals generated by a transmission signal at a receiving terminal. This affects automatic receipt gain control, thereby preventing the system from having optimized performance under given conditions, or inducing system instability.
Conventional automatic receipt gain control determines a maximum value of the received signals and controls a programmable gain amplifier, a scaler, and so on, in order to cause the magnitude of the signal to have a maximum value under given conditions. However, in the case where the characteristic of the analog filter is different from what is used when the maximum value of the receipt signals is determined, the magnitude of the reflected signals, which are generated by the transmission signal at receiving terminal, varies to distort the maximum value of the received signals. That is, the maximum value of the received signals may be judged as being identical to the maximum value defined by the automatic gain control, even though the maximum value of the receipt signals is actually lower. In this case, the system performance is not optimized under the given condition, and is therefore reduced.

Asymmetric digital subscriber line system capable of automatically controlling receipt gain and method thereof


The present invention relates to 2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivatives represented by the formula:

The present invention relates to 2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivatives that are useful as a medicament. In particular, it relates to novel 2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivatives which exhibit treatment effects and/or prevention effects on psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety and its associated diseases, depression, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy; and/or on neurological diseases such as drug dependence, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer""s disease, Huntington""s chorea, Parkinson""s disease, dyskinesia associated with muscular stiffness, cerebral ischemia, cerebral failure, myelopathy, and head trauma.
In recent years, with the repeated cloning of glutamate receptor genes, it has become clear that there are surprisingly many subtypes of glutamate receptors. At present, glutamate receptors are roughly classified into two types: the xe2x80x9cionotropic typexe2x80x9d, in which the receptor has an ion channel type structure, and the xe2x80x9cmetabotropic typexe2x80x9d, in which the receptor is coupled to G-proteins (Science, 258, 597-603, 1992). In addition, ionotropic receptors are classified pharmacologically into three types: NMDA, xcex1-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl isoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA), and kainate (Science, 258, 597-603, 1992). Metabotropic receptors are classified into eight types, type 1 through type 8 (J. Neurosci., 13, 1372-1378, 1993; and Neuropharmacol., 34, 1-26, 1995).
The metabotropic glutamate receptors are classified pharmacologically into three groups. Of these, group 2 (mGluR2/mGluR3) bind with adenylcyclase, and inhibit the accumulation of the Forskolin stimulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) (Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 14, 13 (1993)), and for this reason, it is suggested that the compounds acting on group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors should be useful for the treatment or prevention of acute and chronic psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases.
An object of the present invention is to provide a medicament acting on group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors, which has the treatment effects and/or prevention effects on psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety and its associated diseases, depression, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy; and/or on neurological diseases such as drug dependence, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer""s disease, Huntington""s chorea, Parkinson""s disease, dyskinesia associated with muscular stiffness, cerebral ischemia, cerebral failure, myelopathy, and head trauma.
As a result of a diligent research with regard to 2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivatives and ester derivatives thereof, the present inventors discovered novel 2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivatives and ester derivatives thereof, which act on group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors, and have consequently, completed the present invention.
One mode of the present invention relates to a 2-amino-6-fluoro-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivative represented by the formula [I]:
(wherein, R1 and R2 are the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10 alkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl C1-6 alkyl group, an aryl group, an aryl C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy C1-6 alkyl group, an C1-6 hydroxyalkyl group, a C1-6 alkylthio C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 mercaptoalkyl group, a tetrahydrofuranyl group, or a tetrahydropyranyl group;
in R3 and R4, when R3 is a hydroxyl group, R4 is a hydrogen atom; alternatively, R3 and R4 together form a Cxe2x80x94C single bond),
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Another mode of the present invention relates to a medicament comprising the compound represented by the formula [I] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, and in particular, relates to an agent for treating or preventing psychiatric disorders or neurological diseases, as well as relates to a group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptor modulator.
Another mode of the present invention relates to use of the compound represented by the formula [I] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptor modulator, and for the manufacture of an agent for treating and/or preventing psychiatric disorders and/or neurological diseases.
The terms used in the present invention are defined below. In the present invention, xe2x80x9cCn-mxe2x80x9d means that the group following the xe2x80x9cCn-mxe2x80x9d has a number of carbon atoms n to m.
The C1-10 alkyl group means a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group, examples of which include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, an isobutyl group, a t-butyl group, a pentyl group, an isopentyl group, a 1-ethylpropyl group, a hexyl group, an isohexyl group, a 2-ethylbutyl group, a heptyl group, an isoheptyl group, an octyl group, a nonyl group, a decyl group, and the like.
The C3-8 cycloalkyl group means, for example, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclobutyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, and the like.
The C3-8 cycloalkyl C1-6 alkyl group means, for example, a cyclopropylmethyl group, a cyclobutylmethyl group, a cyclopentylmethyl group, a cyclohexylmethyl group, and the like.
The aryl group means a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, or the like, and preferably means a phenyl group. The aryl C1-6 alkyl group means a straight-chain or branched-chain C1-6 alkyl group substituted with at least one aryl group, and preferably at least one phenyl group. Examples thereof include, for example, a benzyl group, a diphenylmethyl group, a 1-phenylethyl group, a 2-phenylethyl group, and the like.
The C1-6 alkoxy C1-6 alkyl group means a group having a combined structure of a C1-6 alkoxy group and a C1-6 alkyl group. The C1-6 alkoxy group means a straight-chain or branched-chain alkoxy group, examples of which include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, an isopropoxy group, a butoxy group, an isobutoxy group, a t-butoxy group, a pentyloxy group, an isopentyloxy group, or the like. Therefore, examples of the C1-6 alkoxy C1-6 alkyl group include a methoxymethyl group, an ethoxymethyl group, a methoxyethyl group, an ethoxyethyl group, a propoxyethyl group, an isopropoxyethyl group, a butoxyethyl group, an isobutoxyethyl group, a pentyloxyethyl group, an isopentyloxyethyl group, and the like.
The C1-6 hydroxyalkyl group means a C1-6 alkyl group substituted with at least one hydroxyl group. Therefore, examples of the C1-6 hydroxyalkyl group include a 2-hydroxyethyl group, a 3-hydroxypropyl group, a 2,3-dihydroxypropyl group, and the like.
The C1-6 alkylthio C1-6 alkyl group means a group having a combined structure of a C1-6 alkylthio group and a C1-6 alkyl group. The C1-6 alkylthio group means a straight-chain or branched-chain alkylthio group, examples of which include a methylthio group, an ethylthio group, a propylthio group, an isopropylthio group, a butylthio group, an isobutylthio group, a t-butylthio group, a pentylthio group, an isopentylthio group, and the like. Therefore, examples of the C1-6 alkylthio C1-6 alkyl group include a methylthiomethyl group, a 2-methylthioethyl group, and the like.
The C1-6 mercaptoalkyl group means a C1-6 alkyl group substituted with at least one mercapto group. Therefore, examples of the C1-6 mercaptoalkyl include a 2-mercaptoethyl group, a 3-mercaptopropyl group, a 2,3-dimercaptopropyl group, and the like.
In addition, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt in the present invention refers to, for example, a salt with an inorganic acid such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or phosphoric acid; a salt with an organic acid such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, methanesulfonic acid, or benzenesulfonic acid; a salt with an amine such as trimethylamine, or methylamine; or a salt with a metal ion such as sodium ion, potassium ion, or calcium ion.
The compounds represented by the formula [I] have four or five asymmetric carbon atoms. Therefore, the compounds of the present invention can be present as optically active substances, enantiomers thereof, or an enantiomer mixture such as racemic body. That is, the compounds of the present invention include all the optically active substances of the compounds represented by the formula [I], enantiomers thereof, an enantiomer mixture such as racemic body, and a diastereomer mixture. In the formula [I], the compounds, wherein R3 represents a hydroxyl group, and R4 represents a hydrogen atom, are preferable. Furthermore, in the formula [I], the compounds, wherein R1, R2, and R4 represent a hydrogen atom, and R3 represents a hydroxyl group, are more preferable. (1R,2R,3R,5R,6R)-2-amino-6-fluoro-3-hydroxy-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid is particularly preferable. In addition, the compounds of the present invention can be present as various solvates, and hydrates are preferable from the standpoint of applicability as a medicament.
In addition, in the formula [I], if both of R1 and R2 or one of R1 and R2 do not represent a hydrogen atom, that is, in the case of the ester derivatives, the ester derivatives do not act on group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors. However, the ester derivatives are subjected to hydrolysis in vivo, and as a result, they are converted into the carboxylic acids which can act on group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors. Therefore, the ester derivatives function as prodrugs, and for this reason, they are extremely useful compounds.
The compounds of the formula [I] can be produced according to the preparation methods described below (in the following reaction schemes, R1, R2, R3, and R4 have the same meanings as described above).
Step 1: First, Compound (1) is transformed into Compound (2) by means of the reaction with a trifluoromethanesulfonylation agent, such as trifluoroacetic anhydride, N-phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide), or the like, in the presence of a base in an inert solvent.
In this step, as the inert solvent, for example, hydrocarbon type solvents such as benzene, toluene, and hexane; halogen type solvents such as dichloromethane and chloroform; ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; acetonitrile; a mixture of these solvents; or the like can be employed.
In addition, as the base, for example, amines such as triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, diisopropylethylamine, and pyridine; inorganic bases such as potassium hydride and sodium hydride; metal amides such as lithium diisopropylamide and potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide; or metal alcholates such as sodium methoxide and potassium t-butoxide can be employed.
Step 2: Next, Compound (2) is transformed into Compound (3) by means of the reaction with carbon oxide and R2OH in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, and in the presence of organic bases such as triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, diisopropylethylamine, and pyridine, or of inorganic bases such as potassium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, in an inert solvent (see J. Org. Chem. 57, 5979 (1992)).
In this step, the transition metal catalyst means, for example, a palladium (0) reagent, and can be prepared in the reaction system by employing, for example, a divalent palladium such as palladium (II) acetate, and a ligand such as triphenylphosphine or 2,2xe2x80x2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1xe2x80x2-binaphthyl (BINAP). In addition, a palladium (0) catalyst such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) can be directly employed.
In addition, as the inert solvent, for example, hydrocarbon type solvents such as benzene, toluene, and hexane; ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; acetonitrile; a mixture of these solvents; or the like can be employed.
Step 3: Compound (3) is oxidized to synthesize a diol derivative, Compound (4), by means of, for example, a common diol-formation reaction with osmium tetraoxide (see Oxidations in Organic Chemistry, written by Milos Hudlicky) or a chiral cis-dihydroxylation reaction of Sharpless with AD-mix as a reagent (Sharpless AD) described in Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 4(1), 133 (1993), which is incorporated herein by reference.
In this step, as the inert solvent, for example, hydrocarbon type solvents such as benzene, toluene, and hexane; ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; acetonitrile; acetone; N,N-dimethylformamide; water; a mixture of these solvents; or the like can be employed.
Step 4: Compound (4) is reacted with thionyl chloride in the presence of organic bases such as triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, diisopropylethylamine, and pyridine, or of inorganic bases such as potassium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, in an inert solvent, examples of which include hydrocarbon type solvents such as benzene, toluene, and hexane; halogen type solvents such as dichloromethane and chloroform; ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; acetonitrile; a mixture of these solvents; or the like.
Subsequently, the reaction product is oxidized to synthesize Compound (5), in an inert solvent, examples of which include hydrocarbon type solvents such as benzene, toluene, and hexane; halogen type solvents such as dichloromethane and chloroform; ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; acetonitrile; acetone; water; a mixture of these solvents; or the like, by employing a common oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide, OXONE(copyright) (registered trademark of E.I. Dupont De Nemours and Company), or ruthenium trichloride-sodium metaperiodate (see Oxidations in Organic Chemistry, written by Milos Hudlicky).
Step 5: Compound (5) is transformed into Compound (6) by means of the reaction with, for example, sodium azide in an inert solvent, examples of which include ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran; ketones such as acetone; N,N-dimethylformamide; water; a mixture of these solvents; or the like.
Step 6: Compound (6) is transformed into Compound (7) by means of the reaction with a trifluoromethanesulfonylation agent such as trifluoroacetic anhydride, N-phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide), or the like, in the presence of amines such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, and pyridine, or of inorganic bases such as potassium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, in an inert solvent, examples of which include hydrocarbon type solvents such as benzene, toluene, and hexane; halogen type solvents such as dichloromethane and chloroform; ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; acetonitrile; a mixture of these solvents; or the like.
Step 7: Compound (7) is transformed into Compound (8) by means of the reaction with amines such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, pyridine, and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene; inorganic bases such as potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogencarbonate, and sodium hydride; or metal alcholates such as sodium methoxide and potassium t-butoxide, in an inert solvent, examples of which include hydrocarbon type solvents such as benzene, toluene, and hexane; halogen type solvents such as dichloromethane and chloroform; ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; acetonitrile; a mixture of these solvents; or the like.
Step 8: Compound (8) is transformed into Compound (9) by means of a Staudinger reaction with, for example, triethyl phosphite or triphenylphosphine (see Bull. Chem. Soc. Fr., 815 (1985)) or by means of a common reduction reaction of an azide group, utilizing lithium aminoborohydride or the like, described in Reductions in Organic Synthesis, written by Ahmed F. Abdel-Magid, which is incorporated herein by reference, in an inert solvent, examples of which include hydrocarbon type solvents such as benzene, toluene, and hexane; halogen type solvents such as dichloromethane and chloroform; ether type solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; acetonitrile; acetone; water; a mixture of these solvents; or the like.
Step 9: Furthermore, Compound (9) can be transformed into Compound (10) which is the compound of the present invention, by simultaneously or successively converting R1 and R2 of the ester moieties of Compound (9) into hydrogen atoms by means of a common hydrolysis described in PROTECTIVE GROUPS IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS, written by THEODORA W. GREENE and PETER G. M. WUTS, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Step 10: On the other hand, Compound (6) can be transformed into Compound (11) which is the compound of the present invention, by means of hydrogenation in the presence of a metal catalyst such as palladium/carbon or palladium black, in an inert solvent, examples of which include alcohols such as ethanol and methanol; esters such as ethyl acetate; N,N-dimethylformamide; water; a mixture thereof; or the like. In this step, when R1 and R2 represent, for example, a benzyl group, or the like, R1 and R2 are hydrogenated during the hydrogenation of the azide group, so that R1 and R2 can be converted into hydrogen atoms.
Step 11: Subsequently, by converting the ester moieties of Compound (11) into carboxylic acids by means of a common hydrolysis described in PROTECTIVE GROUPS IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS, written by THEODORA W. GREENE and PETER G. M. WUTS, which is incorporated herein by reference, Compound (12) which is the compound of the present invention can be synthesized.
The compounds of the present invention can be formulated into pharmaceutical preparations by combining with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, and/or diluents. As examples of the carriers, excipients, and diluents described above, mention may be made of water, lactose, dextrose, fructose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, starch, gum, gelatin, arginate, calcium silicate, calcium phosphate, cellulose, water syrup, methylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, alkyl parahydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, glycerol, and oils such as sesame oil, olive oil, and soybean oil.
The compounds of the present invention, after being mixed with the carriers, excipients, or diluents, and if necessary, being mixed with additives such as commonly employed fillers, binders, disintegrants, pH regulators, and solubilizers, can be formulated, by means of common formulation technology, into drugs for oral or parenteral administration, especially as group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptor modulators, in the form of, for example, tablets, pills, capsules, granules, powders, liquids, emulsions, suspensions, ointments, injections, and skin plasters. The compounds of the present invention can be administered orally or parenterally to an adult patient in a quantity of 0.01 to 500 mg in a single dose or in divided doses per day, and can be preferably administered orally in view of facility for use and pharmaceutical effects. The dosage can be increased or decreased as appropriate in consideration of the type of disease to be treated and the age, weight, and symptoms of the patient.

Abstract: the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or the hydrates thereof. The compounds of the present invention are useful as a medicament, and in particular, are useful as modulators acting on group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors, having effects for treating and/or preventing psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety and its associated diseases, depression, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy; and/or neurological diseases such as drug dependence, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer""s disease, Huntington""s chorea, Parkinson""s disease, dyskinesia associated with muscular stiffness, cerebral ischemia, cerebral failure, myelopathy, and head trauma.


An apparatus and method for a load balancing system that is resident in line card sub-systems, service processing card sub-systems or other sub-systems of network devices such as routers. In various embodiments of the invention, the load balancing system considers factors in some key system parameters, other than merely internal fabric port speeds, to optimize its mode of operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is generally related to networking equipment and services. More particularly, the invention is related to design and operation of edge routers that support high speed interfaces.
2. Related Art
Packet switching communications networks are viewed logically as having core networks, edge networks and subscriber/access networks. One protocol for transmission of data over such networks is the IP (Internet Protocol) standard. The edge network aggregates the packet traffic received from subscriber/access networks and forwards such traffic to the core networks. The edge networks serve as an interface between subscribers and the core networks, which are the backbone networks that function over long distances such as those networks administered by major telecommunications carriers. Edge networks often contain "routers" which are devices that determine what network path particular packets should take going forward given their intended destination, state of the network, packet size etc. An example of an edge router is shown in FIG. 1. The edge router 100 contains a number of different sub-systems which carry out the various router functions.
In edge routers that require the support of high-speed physical interfaces, such routers should be so designed such that they are capable of supporting the same speeds through out all the sub-systems in the router. Consequently, this puts a requirement on the switch sub-system 120 within the edge router 100, for instance, to support switching ports at the same higher speeds. The edge router 100 is shown having the following subsystems:                Line Card sub-systems 110, 112, 114 and 116;        System controller Card sub-system 132;        Service Processing Card sub-system 134; and        Switch Fabric sub-system 120.
Data grams or data traffic (packets or ATM cells that are reassembled into packets inside the line card subsystems) enters the router 100 through physical ports attached to each Line Card sub-system 110, 112, 114 and 116. Each line card sub-system 110, 112, 114 and 116 consists of at least one primary line card and may consist of other associated components such as daughtercards. Depending on the processing needs, each data gram traverses to other sub-systems, such as other Line Cards sub-systems or Service Processing Card sub-systems before going out of the edge router through a physical port attached to another Line Card. A physical port and line card where the data enters the router 100 are respectively referred to as a router ingress port and an ingress line card. Similarly, a physical port and line card where the data leaves the router 100 are respectively referred to as an router egress port and an egress line card.
The Switch Fabric sub-system 120 provides the connecting path between all the other sub-systems in the router 100. Data packets enter the Switch Fabric sub-system 120 from the Line cards or Service Processing Cards through internal ports called fabric ports which are connected therebetween. Ports where the traffic enter the Switch Fabric sub-system 120 are referred to as ingress fabric ports while ports over which the packets leave the sub-system 120 are referred to as egress fabric ports ("egress fabric ports"). Depending upon the destination sub-system, the Switch Fabric sub-system 120 will switch a packet onto an outgoing egress switch port. A switch fabric sub-system 120 will have at least one ingress switch port and one egress switch port for every type of line card or service processing card whose traffic it will switch to other sub-systems.
Thus, referring again to FIG. 1, the line cards of line card sub-system 112 and line card sub-system 114 are ingress line cards while the line cards of line card sub-system 110 and line card sub-system 116 are egress line cards. The same line card can be ingress or egress with respect to a traffic stream depending upon whether that particular traffic stream is entering or leaving the line card sub system. Ingress line cards accept data traffic over router ingress ports and forward traffic therefrom over ingress fabric ports which ingress to the switch fabric sub-system. Egress line cards accept data traffic from the egress fabric ports and forwards it out of the router over router egress ports.
In order to design a system that supports high-speed interfaces such as OC48c (an optical transport standard providing a transfer rate of up to approximately 2.5 Gigabits/second) and OC192 (an optical transport standard providing a transfer rate of up to approximately 10 Gigabits/second), each of the sub-systems in turn must support handling of packets at the same rate. For the Switch Fabric sub-system 120 to switch traffic at such speeds, each of the ingress and egress fabric ports must also be capable of handling packets at the same rate. Problems with the availability of electrical/electronic components (which comprise the network device sub-systems such as line card sub-system) that support high-speed switch ports and the prohibitiveness of the cost of the resulting design are important in design of such routers and network devices. Some possible solutions to these problems include the use of multiple low speed switch (fabric) ports as a substitute for a single high-speed fabric port. For example, multiple lower speed fabric ports, each of which supports OC12c rate (approximately 622 Megabits/second), can replace a single fabric port that would need to support OC48c or OC192c rates. This approach requires load balancing of traffic from the Line cards and service processing cards and other network sub-systems onto the multiple low speed fabric ports. The load balancing solution must take into consideration that the order of packets belonging to a unique IP source and IP destination must be is maintained with in the system. In a switching sub-system, packet ordering is only maintained for traffic originating from a single fabric port. Thus, the load balancing solution must ensure that packet ordering is maintained when traffic is divided onto multiple ports.
It would be desirable to have a router/network device design load balancing solution that addresses the support of a high-speed physical router port/interface with lower speed ports in router/network device sub-systems such as line cards and service processing cards while still maintaining packet ordering.

Flow based dynamic load balancing for cost effective switching systems


A cooling system for cooling sleeves (2) fixed to a carrier plate (1), by means of a fluid which is passed from a fluid inlet (15) to a fluid outlet (22) by way of fluid conduits (7, 14, 10, 11, 21) supported by means of the carrier plate (1). The fluid conduits (7, 14, 10, 11, 21) include main supply conduits (7) and supply conduits (10, 11) which extend approximately transversely with respect to each other. The supply conduits extend in a mutually parallel relationship and are arranged in pairs in the carrier plate (1) and are connected to a row of sleeves (2) by way of intake (16) and discharge conduits (17). The row of sleeves (2) is so disposed between the supply conduits (10, 11) of a pair such that each sleeve (2) is connected to both supply conduits (10, 11), and fluid communication is interrupted (plug 24) in at least the one supply conduit (10) of the pair substantially at the middle of its longitudinal extent (l).

The invention concerns a cooling system for cooling sleeves fixed to a carrier plate, by means of a fluid which is passed from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet by way of fluid conduits supported by means of the carrier plate, wherein belonging to the fluid conduits are main supply conduits and supply conduits which extend approximately transversely with respect thereto, the latter supply conduits extending in mutually parallel relationship and arranged in pairs in the carrier plate and being connected to a row of sleeves by way of intake and discharge conduits, wherein the row of sleeves is so disposed between the supply conduits of a pair that each sleeve is connected to both supply conduits.
It is known for drinking water to be supplied to the end consumer in bottles comprising more or less transparent plastic material, in particular PET. As is known those PET bottles are blow-moulded from preforms which in turn are injection moulded from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PET bottles and correspondingly the preforms of PET are required in large numbers and are produced using correspondingly powerful machines. After the injection moulding procedure the preforms have to be sufficiently cooled in order to permit processing thereof after the injection moulding procedure without damage to the preforms.
In known injection moulding machines the cooling operation is effected by way of sleeves which are fixed to a carrier plate in large numbers. Such tools are known for example from EP-B2-0 283 644. In practice the fluid used is cooling water which is fed to each sleeve by way of intake conduits and which after the cooling operation, in the region of the sleeve, is discharged therefrom again by way of discharge conduits.
So that cooling of a large number of sleeves can be carried out simultaneously in a machine which is as compact as possible, carrier plates have been developed, having a plurality of sleeves secured thereto, with fluid conduits extending in the carrier plate in order to pass the cooling fluid, preferably cooling water, from a fluid inlet for the entire carrier plate, in parallel relationship and more or less at the same time to the sleeves through which the fluid flows for the cooling operation, and to take the fluid out of the sleeves again to a fluid outlet.
Known cooling systems however suffer from serious disadvantages. Although the cooling conduits in the individual sleeves and thus also the intake and discharge conduits at the sleeves are of a small cross-section, nonetheless the individual conduit cross-sections add up considerably when there is a relatively large number of sleeves through which fluid is to flow at the same time. In the case of a known carrier plate of for example 144 sleeves, the surface area which is to be supplied with cooling fluid is about 1,800 mm2. In comparison with that consumption surface area there is cross-sectional area of only about 500 mm2 at the fluid inlet. The area which is to be supplied with fluid at the sleeves is therefore disadvantageously about four times as great as the available entry area for the cooling fluid. That signifies a severe pressure drop from the fluid inlet to the sleeve outlet and in the region of the sleeves there is scarcely still any turbulence, due to the flow speeds being lower as a result of that pressure drop. In the absence of turbulence however the cooling action also falls severely. At the same time the carrier plate may suffer from the disadvantage of flooding because impurities settle in the fluid conduits due to the slow flow and the low pressure and are not flushed away. The transfer of heat between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet is reduced, as a further disadvantage.

Cooling system for sleeves that are fixed to a carrier plate


The invention provides a cathode active material that includes: a particle containing a cathode material capable of absorbing and releasing an electrode reactive material; and a film that is disposed at least partially to the particle and contains a metal salt represented by a formula (1).

In recent years, an advancement in technologies of portable electronic devices is remarkable and electronic devices such as portable telephones and note book computers begin to be acknowledged as fundamental technologies supporting an advanced information society. Research and development of high-functional electronic devices are forwarded energetically and the consumption power of the electronic devices is proportionally increasing. On the other hand, the electronic devices are demanded to operate for a longer time. Accordingly, higher energy density of secondary batteries that are a driving power source is necessarily desired. Furthermore, extension of the cycle life as well is desired from the viewpoint of environmental consideration.
The energy density of a battery is desirable to be higher from the viewpoint of an occupied volume and a weight of a battery incorporated in an electronic device. At the present time, almost all devices incorporate a lithium ion secondary battery because the lithium ion secondary battery has better energy density at high voltages than other battery systems.
Usually, a lithium ion secondary battery uses a lithium transition metal composite oxide such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) in a cathode and a carbon material in an anode and is used at an operation voltage in the range of 4.2 to 2.5 V. A reason why a terminal voltage is raised up to 4.2 V in a unit cell largely depends on excellent electrochemical stability of a non-aqueous electrolyte material and a separator.
In order to make the lithium ion secondary batteries higher in the performance and to expand applications thereof, much research is being performed. As one of the researches, a method of raising a charge voltage is under study. According to the method, the energy density of a cathode active material including lithium cobalt oxide is raised and thereby a lithium ion secondary battery is made larger in capacity.
However, when charge and discharge are repeated at high capacity, there is a problem in that the capacity is deteriorated and thereby a battery lifetime is shortened. Furthermore, when a battery is used under high temperature environment, gas is generated inside of the battery and thereby problems such as leakage and battery deformation are caused.
In this connection, for instance, Japanese Patent No. 3172388 shown below discloses a method where a surface of a cathode is covered with a metal oxide so as to improve the battery characteristics such as the charge-discharge cycle characteristics. Furthermore, Japanese Patent No. 3691279 shown below discloses a method where a surface of a cathode active material is covered with a metal oxide so as to heighten structural stability and thermal stability.
In the surface coating of a cathode active material, effects of improvements in the cycle characteristics or thermal stability owing to the coating forms are being studied as well. For instance, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) Nos. 7-235292, 2000-149950, 2000-156227, 2000-164214, 2000-195517 and 2002-231227 shown below, methods of uniformly coating a lithium transition metal composite oxide are disclosed. Furthermore, in JP-A No. 2001-256979 shown below, a cathode active material where a block of metal oxide is attached onto a metal oxide layer is disclosed.
Elements used in the surface coating as well are studied. For instance, JP-A No. 2002-164053 shown below discloses a cathode active material in which at least one surface-treated layer containing at least two coating elements is coated on a surface of a lithium compound that is a core.
Japanese Patent No. 3054829 shown below discloses a battery having excellent charge-discharge characteristics, which uses a material of which a particle surface is covered with phosphorus (P). JP-A No. 05-36411 shown below discloses a battery having excellent charge-discharge cycle characteristics and large current charge-discharge characteristics, which uses a cathode to which phosphorus (P) is added. Furthermore, Japanese Patent No. 3192855 shown below discloses a method of forming a layer containing boron (B), phosphorus (P) or nitrogen (N). Still furthermore, JP-A Nos. 10-154532, 10-241681 and 11-204145 shown below disclose a method of letting a phosphate compound contain in a cathode.
However, the coating element, coating method and coating form, which are disclosed in Japanese Patent Nos. 3172388 and 3691279 disturb diffusion of lithium ions. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage in that a sufficient capacity is not obtained in a charge-discharge current value in a practical region.
According to the methods disclosed in JP-A Nos. 7-235292, 2000-149950, 2000-156227, 2000-164214, 2000-195517 and 2002-231227, although a high capacity is maintained, it is insufficient to largely improve the cycle characteristics and to suppress the gas from generating. Furthermore, when a cathode active material having a structure where a block of a metal oxide is attached onto a metal oxide layer is prepared according to the method disclosed in JP-A No. 2001-256979, sufficient charge-discharge efficiency is not obtained and a capacity results in largely deteriorating.
The advantage of JP-A No. 2002-164053 is limited only to an improvement in the thermal stability. Furthermore, when a cathode active material is prepared according to a producing method disclosed in JP-A No. 2002-164053, a uniform multilayered layer is formed, and, in particular, a gas is not suppressed from generating but the gas generation is increased on the contrary.
Japanese Patent No. 3054829, JP-A No. 05-36411 and Japanese Patent No. 3192855 intend to improve the cycle characteristics by adding or coating phosphorus to or on the cathode active material. However, the technologies where only an inactive light element is applied to lithium are incapable of obtaining a sufficient reversible capacity.
JP-A No. 10-154532 discloses a technology relating to safeness at the time of overcharging. Furthermore, only by simply mixing a phosphate compound in a cathode, in actuality, a sufficient advantage is not obtained. Similarly, in JP-A Nos. 10-241681 and 11-204145 as well, a phosphate compound is simply mixed in a cathode. Accordingly, a sufficient advantage is not obtained.
As mentioned above, when a cathode active material is modified, the cycle characteristics or thermal stability are improved to some extent, however, a battery capacity tends to be lowered on the other hand. Furthermore, an extent of an improvement in the battery characteristics, which is obtained by the methods described above, is not sufficient and the suppression of gas generated inside of a battery under a high temperature environment is demanded to be further improved.

Cathode active material, cathode therewith and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

Abstract: (R1 represents a (a1+b1+c1) valent group and M1 represents a metallic element. a1, d1, e1 and n each represent an integer of 1 or more and b1 and c1 each represent an integer of 0 or more. However, b1 and c1 satisfy (b1+c1)≧1.), a cathode therewith and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery.