Apparatuses and methods for making reinforcement structures are provided. In one example, an apparatus for making a reinforcement structure includes a rigid mandrel and a flexible bladder. The flexible bladder at least partially surrounds the rigid mandrel for supporting a reinforcement structure-forming material during fabrication of the reinforcement structure. The flexible bladder is configured to apply a force to the reinforcement structure-forming material in a direction opposite the rigid mandrel in response to a pressure differential between inside and outside of the flexible bladder.

There are many parts for which reinforcement structures are desired. For example, in the commercial and military transportation industries, aircrafts typically include reinforcement structures configured as or as part of fuselages, ailerons, elevators, rudders, winglets, horizontal tails, wings, empennages, and the like; and automotive vehicles typically include reinforcement structures configured as or as part of vehicle body structures, doors, hoods, pillars, roofs, bumpers, and the like.
Reinforcement structures often include an outer skin(s) and one or more internal features, such as ribs, spars, webs, or the like, that are used to help stiffen and strengthen the reinforcement structure. The internal features are attached to the outer skin(s) or other portion(s) of the reinforcement structure using fixing devices such as metal screws, rivets, bolts, and nuts. Consequently, manufacturing reinforcement structures using such fixing mechanisms is quite time consuming and expensive. In addition, the fixing devices, internal features, and/or other portions of the reinforcement structure are typically made of metal, which adds weight to the reinforcement structure and which does not have the highest strength/stiffness to weigh ratio, such as compared to fiber reinforced composite materials.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide apparatuses and methods for making a reinforcement structure that are time- and cost-efficient to manufacture. Moreover, it is desirable to provide apparatuses and methods for making a reinforcement structure that is made of a relatively high strength and stiffness but lightweight material. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the various embodiments described herein will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.


The present application discloses a data transmission method, including: configuring, by a first network element, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) reordering time for a terminal; sending, by the first network element, the PDCP reordering time of the terminal to a second network element; sending, by the first network element, a PDCP data packet of the terminal to the second network element, where the PDCP reordering time of the terminal is used to determine a transmission priority of the PDCP data packet of the terminal on the second network element. According to embodiments of the present application, a data packet loss can be reduced.

A Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) splitting technology is a technology in which a PDCP layer is used as an anchor, data packets on a bearer are split at a protocol layer below the PDCP layer, and the data packets are sent to a terminal by using different air interfaces.
In the technology, after data of a same terminal is processed at the PDCP layer, obtained PDCP data packets may be split to different network elements for processing and sent to the terminal. After receiving the data packets, the terminal aggregates the data packets at the PDCP layer. In the foregoing process, there is a difference between processing speeds of the different network elements, and a delay is generated during data interaction. Therefore, moments at which the split data packets arrive at the terminal are often different, and this may result in a packet loss.

Data transmission method, apparatus, and system for packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) data packets


An excitation circuit of a probe for measuring and recovering the signal emitted in return by this latter in an NMR spectrometric apparatus, connecting the probe under conditions defined by switching elements forming a portion of the circuit, to a high frequency excitation signal generator by a portion of the line or emission line, and by a portion of the line or reception line, to a receiver for acquiring and using signals emitted by the probe as a function of the specimen to be analyzed which it contains, a device being provided to carry out or verify the tuning of the measuring probe with the excitation signal generator, associated with the circuit. The device includes a directive coupler, mounted to the portion of the emission line.

The present invention relates to the field of NMR analysis apparatus, particularly the frequency agreement of measuring probes of these apparatus under conditions of analysis to be carried out, and has for its object a device or mounting of circuits for frequency tuning of an NMR probe.
NMR spectrometric apparatus (nuclear magnetic resonance) is comprised principally of a high frequency signal generator, a measuring probe disposed in the field of a magnet of high homogeneity and stability, and a receiver.
The principle of operation of an NMR measurement consists in exciting the specimen placed in the measuring probe, by high frequency impulse, then recording the response as to frequency. The spectral information contained in this latter permits an analysis of the molecular structure of the specimen.
A conventional circuit arrangement for excitation of such a probe S and the signal emitted in return by this latter and received by a suitable receiver R, normally preceded by a preamplifier (PREAMP), is shown schematically in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
Before any measurement, the user must first make sure that the measuring probe is well tuned to the working frequency used for carrying out the measurement. This means that the high frequency wave must be absorbed by the probe without energy reflection.
To this end, modern spectrometers are provided with a scanning device which permits visualizing the proportion of the energy reflected by the probe as a function of the frequency, this preliminary measurement or more particularly its graphic representation, is generally called the image of the mode of measurement probe (see FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings).
An arrangement used at present to verify the tuning of the measuring probe is shown in FIG. 3. It comprises a high frequency switching element (in general a PIN diode shown in FIG. 3 at D4) inserted between the probe S and the receiver R, so as to give to this latter either the image of the energy reflected by the probe, or a suitable load (50 OHMS) having no reflection. By vectorial subtraction of the two images (image of the probe and image of the reference), the real reflection profile of the probe undergoing test is deduced.
This necessary mathematical processing operation has several drawbacks. Thus, the radiation swept as to frequency is inserted toward the probe but also toward the receiver, which gives rise to a stationary wave phenomenon which should be corrected by measurement of the suitable reference load (50 OHMS). This arrangement also has the drawback of requiring the presence of a switching element upstream of the receiver, which impairs its sensitivity.
Moreover, it is also known to use a reference line, so as to be able to carry out a correction of the image of the probe by a reference image.
An arrangement using this solution is particularly described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,710 (see FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings) and permits, relative to the mentioned arrangement conventionally used, to be free from any supplemental switching element.
The use of the arrangement of this document consists in directing the high frequency wave into two separate channels after which the image of the probe S or the reference image is recorded.
During acquisition of the reference image, one of the existing switching diodes D3 is passive. The swept signal passes through the reference route, as reflected on D3 and supplies the preamplifier (PREAMP) preceding the receiver R.
The reference channel is particularly calibrated in the factory as to the amplitude and phase such that the signal received by the receiver R will be identical to that which would have been received if the measuring probe had been replaced by a suitable load.
This reference image is to a certain extent the ideal image to be sought. By the other channel, the image of the probe is measured as in the conventional arrangement mentioned above, and the final image is obtained by vectorial subtraction of the two images.
The drawback of this last arrangement is that it requires a complex circuitry, resulting in complicated assembly, to ensure good balancing of the two channels as to amplitude and phase. This arrangement is also very limited as to the passing band.

Circuit for the excitation and recovery of the signal emitted by a probe in an NMR spectrometric apparatus


There is provided a method of manufacturing an Ni-base superalloy which enables a uniform coat of a glass lubricant to be maintained even after heated to hot forging temperature. The method of manufacturing an Ni-base superalloy in which a forging stock containing an Ni-base superalloy, coated with a lubricant, is subjected to hot forging includes: a preliminary oxidation step of previously generating a Cr oxide coating film having a film thickness of 0.5 to 50 μm on the forging stock thereby to obtain a preliminarily oxidized material; a lubricant coating step of coating the preliminarily oxidized material with a glass lubricant containing borosilicate glass as a main component thereby to obtain a material to be forged; and a hot forging step of hot forging the material to be forged thereby to obtain a hot forged material.

Members used in airplanes and power generation turbines include an Ni-base superalloy represented by 718 alloy which is excellent in corrosion resistance and high temperature strength. The crystal grains and the precipitation strengthening phase of the superalloy used in the above-described members of airplanes and power generation turbines are adjusted in size by hot forging and heat treatment. As a result, this superalloy has excellent high temperature strength.
Among these, for example, a turbine disk is a large-sized rotor having a complicated shape. In addition, fatigue strength, among strength properties, is particularly regarded as important. Therefore, in a hot forging step, securement of the shape of a large-sized product and containment of fine crystal grains in the endoplastic surface are required to be achieved by near-net-shape closed die forging. Crystal grains become finer by sufficiently promoting recrystallization at the temperature range which allows for the precipitation of pinning particles. Accordingly, an extraordinarily large forming load is required for balancing both of shape and quality in the closed die forging of a large-sized rotating member. However, realistically, a limit exists in press load capabilities.
Therefore, a lubricant is applied on a forging stock during hot forging. The main effect of a lubricant is the operation of reducing the frictions between a forging stock and a die. This effect is achieved by forming a continuous lubrication coating film on a forging stock while maintaining an optimum viscosity of a lubricant during hot forging. In order to manufacture a large-sized forged product within the range of press load capabilities, the role of a lubricant in reducing a forming load becomes important.
The invention of this hot forging method with a lubricant is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-6-254648 (Patent Literature 1).

Method of manufacturing Ni-base superalloy


A skateboard has ball rollers rotatably mounted within cavities at the bottom of the body of the skateboard. A plurality of ball bearings mounted within the cavity contact the roller ball and rotate as the roller ball rotates. A plurality of round islands or mounts are located adjacent to each roller ball for receiving a side guide or a side plug which control the pitching and steering of the body of the skateboard. Each is detachably connected to the mount depending on the desired length. A glide plate is provided over the cavities at the bottom of the body for providing a sliding surface. Air passages are provided from the front end and the back end of the skateboard to each cavity for cooling the ball bearings located within. Circular cover plates fixed to the body over the glide plate and over both the mounts and the roller balls such that each roller ball partially extends through the cover plate and that the side guide and the side plug protrude therein. A conical cleaner is provided adjacent each roller ball for contacting the roller ball in order to clean debris from the roller ball.

The present invention relates in general to skateboards and in particular to a new and useful skateboard using a plurality of ball rollers.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,379,454 and 3,310,320 disclose a ball supported skateboard with one or more spherical balls for traveling over the ground or floor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,735 discloses the use of bearing rings to allow a greater degree of movement and rotation. These patents do not disclose a construction, including a glide plate and side guides for use in controlling the movement of the skateboard.


In one embodiment, a client device configured to remotely access a desktop hosted by a server system determines an event related to a user input for a desktop operation directed to the desktop. The client device receives a plurality of updates to a desktop graphical user interface (GUI) from the desktop hosted by the server system. Then, the client device correlates the event to an update in the plurality of updates to the desktop GUI based on a rule in a set of rules correlating events to updates. A metric is monitored for the update and information measured for the metric is stored.

The term "virtual desktop infrastructure" (VDI) refers to a system that, among other things, uses a remoting protocol to connect a client device over a network to a remote desktop running on a server system (e.g., a host). The term "remote desktop" or "desktop" refers to an instance of an operating system or application that runs remotely to the user, e.g., on the server system in a remote datacenter. One aspect of a remote desktop is its graphical user interface (GUI), which is displayed on the client device. As the remote desktop runs on the server system, the content (and hence the appearance) of its GUI may change in response various factors including input from the client device (i.e., mouse clicks) or changes caused by an application running in the remote desktop on the server system (e.g., streaming video applications). These changes in the remote desktop's appearance are transmitted by the server system as image content to the client device using the remoting protocol.
One aspect of assessing the performance of a virtual desktop deployment is understanding the quality of the end-user experience. This quality will depend on, for example, the amount of latency a user perceives as he/she is interacting with his/her desktop. Understanding this quality is particularly important in large scale (e.g., enterprise) deployments since users in these deployments typically connect to their desktops under a variety of different network conditions, and since a particular server system may host many (e.g., tens, hundreds, or more) desktops that share server resources. Both of these factors (varying network conditions and high desktop-to-server consolidation ratio) increase the likelihood that users will experience poor performance at some point during their remote desktop sessions.
When creating the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deployment, a customer may first perform sizing studies to understand the infrastructure required to support a desired number of desktops running a typical workflow for the customer. The sizing analysis provides the customer with an understanding of the number of server systems required to run the desktops, the size and type of the storage hierarchy required to support the desktops, the appropriate network environment, and wide area network (WAN) accelerators required for acceptable remote access to the desktops. The sizing studies may involve running automated workloads across multiple desktops to examine the impact of these desktops on the infrastructure. The automated workloads may be static pre-defined workloads or may be customizable to represent the workflow that may be anticipated for the customer. Also, the sizing studies may vary from a range of a simple study (e.g., looking at a number of desktops that can be supported by a single processor core and then extrapolating the results) to a more elaborate test including multiple server systems running a large number of desktops.
The above sizing analysis may analyze the performance of the VDI deployment in a testing environment. This may allow the test some leeway in monitoring the user experience. For example, random events may be injected into the workflow, such as a mouse event to open up an application is injected and then the response time for a corresponding application to open may be monitored. Additionally, the test may insert certain information, such as watermarks, into windows or videos that facilitate the measuring of the remote desktop response. Such measurement techniques are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,831,661, 8,166,107, and 8,347,344, which are wholly incorporated herein by reference. However, when the VDI deployment moves to a live deployment, randomly injecting events or visually altering images may not be possible. For example, users will not tolerate images they are viewing to be altered or have random events injected for test purposes. Thus, known methods for measuring the user experience in a test environment cannot be used in a live deployment.
Additionally, the live VDI deployment may have a workflow that is different from the workflow used in the sizing study. For example, in the live deployment, users may perform various events, such as checking personal e-mails or watching videos from the Internet, which differ from the expected load on the live VDI deployment in an unpredictable way. Also, the VDI workloads evolve over time in a way that cannot be predicted from a sizing study, such as new applications may be introduced to the live VDI deployment, application versions may change, or workflow habits may change, which all potentially impact how each user's remote desktop loads the live VDI deployment.
Because of the above issues, customers, when sizing the live deployment, often leave "headroom" in the deployment. For example, if the deployment is determined based on the sizing study to be able to support 100 users, the customer may configure the live deployment to support only 90 users. This builds in a headroom equivalent to the workload of 10 users that may allow the live VDI deployment to handle any differences from the workload tested in the sizing study. By running the VDI infrastructure under capacity, any resource utilization spikes or any medium-term changes in workflow may be accommodated, but this also underutilizes available resources.

Passive monitoring of live virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deployments


A projector, includes: a light source device; an optical device that modulates a light beam irradiated from the light source device in accordance with image information; and a projection optical device that projects the light beam modulated by the optical device. The optical device includes: an optical element optically converting the light beam incident thereon and emitting the converted light beam; and a heat-conducting member that is connected with the optical element in a heat transferable manner to cool the optical element. The heat-conducting member includes a heat pipe having: a tube; a capillary structure provided in the tube; and a coolant housed in the tube, the coolant circulating in the tube to transfer heat in the heat-conducting member. An optical-element-side connecting portion of the optical element to be connected with the heat-conducting member and a heat-conducting-member-side connecting portion of the heat-conducting member to be connected with the optical-element-side connecting portion are configured to be in a surface-contact when the connecting portions are connected to each other.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an optical device and a projector.
2. Related Art
There have been known projectors including an optical modulator that modulates a light beam irradiated from a light source in accordance with image information and a projection optical device that projects the light beam modulated by the optical modulator in an enlarged manner.
As the optical modulator, an optical modulating element (a liquid crystal panel) in which liquid crystal is sealed between a pair of substrates are generally used. On a light incident side and a light emitting side of the optical modulating element, an incident-side polarizer and an irradiation-side polarizer which transmit a light beam having a predetermined polarization axis are respectively disposed.
In the projector that includes optical elements such as the optical modulating element, the incident-side polarizer and the irradiation-side polarizer, heat absorption of the light beam from the light beam source by a liquid crystal layer, a black matrix, wiring and the like often causes temperature rise in the optical modulating element and heat generation in the polarizer.
Accordingly, for the projector that accommodates the above-described optical elements, a technique for cooling the optical elements using a heat pipe has been suggested (see, for instance, a patent document JP-A-2001-312002).
In the technique disclosed in the document, the heat pipe is disposed at a position spaced from the optical elements such as a liquid crystal panel and a cooling fin is in thermal contact with a heat-absorbing portion (an evaporating portion) of the heat pipe. Heat in air in the vicinity of the optical elements such as the liquid crystal panel is transferred to the cooling fin. The heat in the cooling fin is absorbed by the heat pipe, transferred to a heat releasing portion (a condensing portion) of the heat pipe to be released.
However, since the technique disclosed in the document cools the optical element via the air, thermal resistance in the heat transfer from the air to the evaporating portion (the cooling fin) of the heat pipe is large, so that it is difficult to lower the temperature of the air. As a result, the optical elements cannot be efficiently cooled.


Disclosed is a high efficiency video coding (HEVC) encoding device including a candidate group updater configured to select a plurality of representative modes as a candidate group from among intra-prediction modes and update the candidate group using a plurality of minimum modes selected from the candidate group, the plurality of representative modes each representing a range where there is an optimal mode, and an optimal mode selector configured to select any one mode as an optimal mode from among a plurality of minimum modes selected from the updated candidate group.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) encoding technology, and more particularly, to an HEVC encoding device and a method for determining an intra-prediction mode using the same.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Recently, the development of digital TVs (DTVs), mobile devices, various on-line video streaming services, and the like facilitates an access to multimedia content, thereby increasing the demand for high-definition images. Accordingly, high-performance video compression technology is needed to send high-definition images.
High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is a video compression standard having a compression performance two times that of H.264/AVC which is an existing video compression standard. However, the HEVC has a high computational complexity. Recently, research for reducing the computational complexity of the encoder without performance degradation is needed for real-time processing. In particular, motion estimation occupies 70%˜80% of the amount of computation in an HEVC encoder, and thus has been a main research field for reducing the computational complexity.
A conventional mode determination algorithm segments a coding unit (CU) from a depth 0 to a depth 3, performs prediction at a prediction unit (PU) level, and determines the size of the CU having an optimal cost function. Because such a method performs PU level prediction for blocks in all cases and calculates a cost function, a computational complexity is increased. Accordingly, a new mode determination method having a low computational complexity is needed.
The related art is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2014-0043014, published on Apr. 8, 2014 and entitled "Method and Apparatus for Image Encoding."

HEVC encoding device and method for determining intra-prediction mode using the same

AJOU UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION


The invention relates to a device for reading out at least one especially flexible imaging plate. The readout device comprises a reader for reading out information stored on the imaging plate, and a transport device having at least one drive means for transporting the imaging plate relative to the reader along a guide means on the transport path. The shape of the transport path is adapted to the shape of a readout area of the reader. At least one substantially solid support for the imaging plate is provided. The shape and dimension of the support are adapted to the shape of the transport path. When the imaging plate is transported together with the support, the imaging plate does not come into contact with the drive means. The invention also relates to the support for the imaging plate.

Imaging plates are normally used instead of X-ray films for storing, for example, medical image information, in particular X-ray image information. The image information is read from imaging plates by means of special reading devices, in particular flatbed scanners or drum scanners. For the purpose of readout, the imaging plate is scanned point-by-point, line-by-line or block-by-block by means of a laser beam, and the image information radiated from the imaging plate is acquired by means of an appropriate optical detector and analysed by means of a computer unit. Following readout of the image information, the latter can be erased and the imaging plate reused.
For the purpose of scanning it is known, in the case of conventional readout devices, for the imaging plate to be transported on a transport path by means of a drive means, with its read side containing the image information, along a readout region of the scanner, the laser beam simultaneously tracing the read side of the imaging plate perpendicularly relative to the direction of transport. The image information acquired by means of the detector is acquired jointly with the position of the laser beam on the imaging plate, and assigned to a corresponding image point of the imaging plate.
The profile of the imaging plate is adapted to the shape of the readout region as the imaging plate is transported along the latter. For example, this is a cylindrical shape in the case of drum scanners, or a flat shape in the case of flatbed scanners.
During transport in the readout device, the imaging plate is unprotected, with the result that it is subject to premature wear, particularly in the form of scratches, particularly in the region of drive wheels and/or guide rails. This significantly reduces the number of times that the imaging plates can be reused.
The present invention is directed to addressing these and other matters.

Device for reading out especially flexible imaging plates


A display apparatus may include a display unit that includes a bottom chassis made of metal, a metal stand to support the display unit, a fixing bracket that is fixed to the bottom chassis and the stand, and an insulating member that electrically separates the fixing bracket and the bottom chassis. Because the fixing bracket and the bottom chassis are electrically separated from each other via the insulating member, electromagnetic noise that is generated in the bottom chassis may be prevented from being transmitted to the stand despite the stand being mounted on the fixing bracket.

1. Field
Apparatuses consistent with example embodiments relate to a display apparatus having a display unit and a stand supporting the display unit.
2. Description of Related Art
A display apparatus, such as a television (TV), a monitor, and/or the like, is an apparatus that receives an image signal to provide, for display, via a screen. Display apparatuses may include a display unit that is configured to display information via a screen, and a stand that is configured to support the display unit. Display apparatuses have been developed in such a way that the display apparatuses include large display units and stands having a slim appearance. As such, display apparatuses tend to use stands made of a metal material to permit support of large display units.


A method for the separation of organic or metallo-organic substances from salts by reverse osmosis is provided. The membranes used are asymmetric acetyl cellulose membranes modified by covalently bonded residues of reactive dyestuffs containing ionizable groups. The diameter of the pores on the surface of the membrane is 5 to 100 A.

It is known that asymmetric membranes can be used for the separation of ionogenic substances from, for example, aqueous solutions. The performance of such a separation, also called reverse osmosis, depends on the one hand on the nature and size of the pores, especially those of the membrane surfaces, and on the other hand on the nature and the molecular size of the ionogenic substance, i.e. the ions. The known asymmetric membranes are practically uncharged, as they do not have any ionizable groups.
Asymmetric membranes consist of a supporting main layer and of a covering layer or skin which is on one side thereof and which is usually between 1/2.mu. and 3.mu. thick. The size of the pores in the skin is important for the properties of the membrane as a separator.
Membranes with ionizable groups are also known, for example those derived from polyvinylsulfonic acids. They allow, however, even water to permeate only slowly and are permeable either for cations or anions, depending on the membrane charge, and are not asymmetric. They are used especially as ion exchange membranes in electro-dialysis.

Reverse osmosis separation process using porous asymmetric acetyl cellulose membrane


A clamp structure which is provided with at least one pair of plastically deformable ear-like folds located on opposite sides of a center longitudinal cut in the clamping band and spaced in the circumferential direction by such a distance that they can be plastically deformed simultaneously by the use of a pincer-like tool. The pincer-like tool includes two sets of jaw-like members spaced from one another so as to permit simultaneous engagement of the two ear-like folds of a respective pair. The pincer-like tool may thereby have a relatively fixed center member forming a relatively fixed jaw-like member and two pivotally supported jaw-like members operable to be actuated toward one another. In the alternative, the pincer-like tool may include two sets of jaw-like members pivotally connected with each other whose points of pivotal connection are coupled with each other as also corresponding jaw-like members to assure movement in unison. By simultaneously plastically deforming the two ear-like folds while maintaining their relative position in the circumferential direction, a clamp structure can be realized devoid of any gaps, discontinuities or steps that might otherwise be a source of leakage.

Hose clamps made from tubular stock with one or more plastically deformable, so-called "Oetiker" ears, as disclosed in my prior U.S. Patents 2,614,304 and 3,082,498 have been used with great success for more than three decades. In order to bridge the gap which remains underneath the "Oetiker" ear after contraction thereof, insert rings as disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,669 or insert members as disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,463 have been used. Such insert members were also used with open clamps mechanically interconnected at overlapping band end portions, as disclosed in FIG. 12 of my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,348. Though these insert rings, respectively, insert members also proved quite successful, they entailed the disadvantage of increased costs in manufacture and assembly and additionally exhibited steps in the areas of overlap with the clamping band. These steps were of lesser significance with the relatively soft hose materials made from rubber or rubber-like materials as used heretofore. However, with the advent of plastic, relatively thin hose materials having a high degree of hardness, however, even slight steps with the use of relatively thin band material for the insert rings or insert members represent a possible source of leakage.
My prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,314 in which the open band ends were connected with each other by a special type of riveted connection, proposed to bridge the gap underneath the so-called "Oetiker" ear by a continuation of the inner band end, terminating ahead of a step in the outer band portion. However, a discontinuity still existed at the end of the inner band portion. The German Gebrauchsmuster (DE-GM) 75 41 277.0 suggested for an open clamp with a riveted or welded connection of the overlapping band ends, a tongue-like extension in the inner band portion commencing within the area of the welded connection and engaging into a pressed-out groove in the outer band portion beginning directly at the leg of the ear opposite the welded connection. In addition to other drawbacks, the clamp disclosed in this German Gebrauchsmuster entailed the significant disadvantage that the gap underneath the ear was bridged by an only narrow tongue-like extension that offered limited resistance to outward deflection into the gap underneath the ear in the presence of temperature and/or pressure fluctuations.
To provide a completely satisfactory internal clamping surface devoid of any gap, discontinuity or step over the entire circumference of the clamp, clamp structures are disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,299,012 and 4,315,348 in which the end of an overlapped inner band portion is provided with a tongue-like extension adapted to engage in a tongue-receiving means provided in the outer band portion and commencing at a step. The tongue-receiving means may thereby be in the shape of a central pressed-out channel beginning at a first step-like portion which brings the remaining lateral band portions to the radial height of the channel and terminating in a second step-like portion located in a direction away from the ear-like structure or other tightening means. In the alternative, the tongue-receiving means is constituted by an aperture commencing within the area of the step-like portion and extending a certain distance in the circumferential direction away from the ear-like structure or other tightening means. Clamp structures utilizing the inventions of the two last-mentioned patents have proved immensely commercially successful. However, in case of clamp structures made from tubular endless stock, they still require an insert member underneath the ear, though such insert member may be provided with tongue-like extensions engaging in tongue-receiving means as described in these two last-mentioned patents.
The British Patent 1,064,048 discloses a clamp, intended to provide a continuous circle for surrounding a flexible tube to avoid an interruption which could result in squeezing out and pinching the tube during tightening. To that end, this patent suggested in one embodiment the use of a double ring formation for the main loop consisting of two superimposed convolutions of similar diameter made as a helical winding from a single length of wire with the loops provided at diametrically opposite ends with tightening loops. In another embodiment of this patent, the double ring formation for the main loop is made from two separate and similar members each including a main loop superimposed one on the other and welded together in such a manner that the tightening loops are disposed opposite one another. Apart from cost considerations, the clamp of this patent also entails drawbacks from an installation point of view, not to mention the fact that the two loops made of wire-like material do not offer a substantially flat internal clamping surface. Moreover, another serious drawback of the clamp disclosed in this patent resides in the fact that the two tightening loops cannot be closed at the same time with one and the same tool.
The European Patent 0 296 918 discloses an open clamp in which the overlapping band portions are mechanically connected by a hook and anchoring arrangement unable to provide any elastic yielding to compensate for changes in temperature and pressure as assured by so-called "Oetiker" ears. To impart some elastic compensating capability to the clamp disclosed in this patent, the patent proposes the use of tensional spring elements which are located on opposite sides of a longitudinal cut in the center of the band and spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. The arrangement described in this European patent is to assure that the tightening continuity be maintained over the entire periphery of a soft tube regardless of the deformation of the undulations represented by the tensional spring elements, owing to their spaced circumferential spacing on the two sides of the longitudinal cut in the band. However, this patent does not deal with those problems peculiar to clamps provided with plastically deformable "Oetiker" ears in which the gap underneath the ear that itself assures an elastic compensation for temperature and/or pressure changes, must be bridged in such a manner as to avoid a gap, discontinuity or step, and at the same time offer such a resistance as to preclude the hose from being squeezed into the remaining gap. Such resistance can be assured only by the full band width bridging the gap underneath the ear.

Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparate-fabrik


An arrangement in a steering and propulsion system for a planing type motorboat. The boat is provided with means for adjusting the trim position. The steering characteristics of the boat are improved by providing the steering mechanism with a sensor for detecting rudder displacement. The sensor is connected to the trim position adjustment means via a microprocessor for recording the degree of steering displacement and is adapted to trim down the bow of the boat in the water when a certain steering displacement is exceeded.

Planing motorboats are normally driven at relatively high speeds. The difference in speed compared to sailing boats and other non-planing motorboats is therefore appreciable. Since the steering characteristics for planing boats differ somewhat from conventional boats, inexperienced helmsmen experience difficulties at such high speeds. Near-accidents can have many different causes within the common expression "poor seamanship". It would however be desirable if the steering characteristics of planing motor boats were more similar to those of conventional boats.
When executing a turn with a planing boat, what normally happens, without going too deeply into the hydrodynamic factors which come into play, is the following:
If the rudder is moved to e.g. the right, the bow of the boat does not immediately turn towards the desired direction. The rudder blade, or the propulsion unit in the case where steering and propulsion are integrated, generates a side force to the left. The stern is not however moved immediately out to the left since the boat's inertia provides resistance. During the start of the turning manoeuvre it can be said that the rudder skids in the water. The side forces gradually start to take effect so that the stern is drawn to the left, whereby the longitudinal extension of the boat begins to deviate from the original course. The angular deviation implies that water pressure is exerted on the head of the boat from the side so that the bow and the stern move in different directions, i.e. the turn has now commenced. The effect of this procedure is normally that the boat first moves a little to the left of the original course before the right turn occurs.
It is easy to recognise that two fast moving, planing boats on a direct collision course can meet with problems if avoiding manoeuvres are not initiated in time. These steering problems arise on many planing boats, irrespective of whether they are provided with propeller or waterjet drive, integral or separate rudder and propulsion.


A sheet stacking device includes a plurality of endless belts spaced from one another and rotating at a predetermined speed toward a sheet shipping container mounted at a loading position. A sheet held against the belt by vacuum pulled between the belts moves along a movement path into a wall of the container. The belts continue to rotate to align the sheet relative to the container; afterward plungers move the sheet downward away from the belts onto the backwall of the container to stack same.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of and apparatus for handling articles and, more particularly, stacking glass sheets.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art and Technical Problems
The prior art teaches various techniques and equipment for handling articles e.g. sheets. Typical article handling and stacking apparatuses are taught in
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. Nos. U.S. Pat. Nos. ______________________________________ 3,008,747 3,445,313 3,377,223 3,480,160 3,395,915 3,907,127 3,431,010 3,970,341 ______________________________________
In general, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,008,747; 3,431,010 and 3,970,341 teach pulling a vacuum through cups and/or cylinders to secure sheet thereto. The drawback with using vacuum cups and/or cylinders of the type taught in the above-mentioned patents for handling or stacking sheets is that the procedure is slow because only one sheet can be handled at a time.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,377,223; 3,445,313; 3,480,160; and 3,907,127 teach vacuum conveyors for handling and/or stacking sheets. In general, a vacuum is pulled through an endless porous belt to maintain the sheet against the belt. As the belt moves, the sheet is displaced along a sheet movement path toward a release or stacking position. When the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the release position the vacuum is broken to release the sheet either by urging the sheet away from the belt or shutting off the vacuum. A limitation with the above type apparatuses is that the sheet must be released from the belt when the sheet is in the predetermined release position. For example, when the sheet is released from the belt and moves along a trajectory path into the stacking position, a quick release can result in the sheet falling short of the stacking position and a late release can result in the sheet passing over the stacking position. When the stacking apparatus is of the type having the leading edge of the sheet moving into a stop and thereafter the sheet is released, a late release can damage the sheet because the belt urges the sheet forward but the stop prevents movement of the sheet. An additional problem with a late release is that the belt moves over the surface of the stationary sheet marring same. An early release can result in a non-uniform sheet stack which is difficult to secure for handling.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,915 teaches a sheet handling device having a plurality of spaced moving belts moving over a perforated plate. A vacuum is pulled through the plate between the belts to urge the sheet against the moving belts. Although the apparatus eliminates the problem of marring the sheet surface when the sheet engages a stop, there are no provisions for providing a uniform stack of sheets. For example, as the sheet is released, an air cushion between the recently released sheet and stack allows the sheet to freely move sideways, forward and backwards resulting in a non-uniform stack. Providing aligning members to align the stacked sheet e.g. as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,127 compensates for but does not solve the non-alignment problem.
It would be advantageous therefore to provide a method of and apparatus for handling and stacking sheets that does not have the drawback of the prior art.


A vehicle door standing pillar sash includes a first member and a second member combined together, the first member comprising a glass run holding portion that has a recessed shape opened toward a window opening side, the second member comprising a bag-shaped portion that protrudes toward a vehicle inner side with respect to the glass run holding portion; a pair of opposed portions formed at a bottom part of the glass run holding portion, the pair of opposed portions including the first member and the second member, the first member and the second member being opposed to each other; and a protruding portion provided on one of the pair of opposed portions, the protruding portion protruding toward the other of the pair of opposed portions, the protruding portion laminated and bonded to the other of the pair of opposed portions by welding.

A door sash (door frame), which forms a window frame in a vehicle door, is constituted as an elongated member having a certain cross-sectional shape obtained by roll forming or press forming of a metal material. In general, the door sash includes a design portion located on the vehicle outer side, a hollow portion that protrudes toward the vehicle inner side with respect to the design portion, and a connection portion that connects the design portion and the hollow portion to each other. A glass run insertion portion for inserting a glass run, which is an elastic member configured to hold an edge portion of door glass, thereinto is formed in a region surrounded by the design portion, the hollow portion, and the connection portion. A standing pillar sash, which is one member constituting the door sash and protrudes upward from a door panel, may be constituted by combining two or more elongated members in terms of the fact that the width of the design portion or the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion needs to gradually change (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2010-105531). For example, there has been known a standing pillar sash constituted by combining a first member having a channel-shaped cross-section surrounding the glass run insertion portion and a second member that forms a protruding portion of the hollow portion protruding to the vehicle inner side. This configuration enables the cross-sectional shape of each portion in the second member to gradually change relatively easily by forming the first member to have a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape by roll forming of a metal plate and forming the second member as a metal plate pressed component.
For forming a standing pillar sash by combining the two members as described above, the first member and the second member are laminated at the connection portion and bonded together by spot welding. The first member and the second member are each an elongated member, and hence precision control thereof is difficult. It can therefore be difficult to precisely laminate the first member and the second member at the connection portion with high precision and reliably bond the first member and the second member together by welding.
The present invention has been made in view of the problem described above, and it is an object thereof to provide a standing pillar sash for a vehicle door that is capable of bonding two members together by precisely combining laminated parts thereof, and a manufacturing method contributing to an improvement in productivity of the standing pillar sash.
The present invention provides a vehicle door standing pillar sash comprises a first member and a second member combined together, the first member comprising a glass run holding portion that has a recessed shape opened toward a window opening side, the second member comprising a bag-shaped portion that protrudes toward a vehicle inner side with respect to the glass run holding portion; a pair of opposed portions formed at a bottom part of the glass run holding portion, the pair of opposed portions including the first member and the second member, the first member and the second member being opposed to each other; and a protruding portion provided on one of the pair of opposed portions, the protruding portion protruding toward the other of the pair of opposed portions, the protruding portion laminated and bonded to the other of the pair of opposed portions by welding.
The protruding portions are preferably formed in a plurality of regions the positions of which are different from one another in a longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash.
It is preferred that the protruding portion formed at the bottom part of the glass run holding portion and the other of the pair of opposed portions be laminated on each other along a direction connecting the vehicle inner side and a vehicle outer side and be bonded together, and at a position facing the window opening, an edge portion of the glass run holding portion of the first member and an edge portion of the bag-shaped portion of the second member be laminated on each other along the direction connecting the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side and be bonded together by welding.
In the standing pillar sash, in the case where the protruding portion and the other of the pair of opposed portions are bonded together by laser welding, the protruding portion is preferably provided to the first member as a shape that is not brought into contact with a glass run inserted in the glass run holding portion. Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which a weather strip is supported on a rear side of the glass run holding portion, the protruding portion is preferably provided to the second member as a shape that is not brought into contact with the weather strip. These configurations can reduce the fear in that a burr created by laser welding may interfere with the glass run or the weather strip.
As a detailed configuration of the first member, it is preferred that the first member include a first design portion located on the vehicle outer side, a vehicle inner-side portion located on the vehicle inner side, and a first connection portion connecting the first design portion and the vehicle inner-side portion to each other, and that the glass run holding portion be a portion surrounded by the first design portion, the vehicle inner-side portion, and the first connection portion. It is preferred that the second member be configured such that a second design portion located on the vehicle outer side with respect to the bag-shaped portion and the bag-shaped portion be connected to each other via the second connection portion. Of these portions, the first connection portion and the second connection portion constitute a pair of opposed portions formed at the bottom part of the glass run holding portion.
The present invention relates also to a method for manufacturing the standing pillar sash having the configuration described above. First, the manufacturing method includes irradiating a bonded portion at which the protruding portion and the other of the pair of opposed portions with laser light from the window opening side to bond the first member and the second member to each other by fusion.
In addition, a bonded portion at which an edge portion of the glass run holding portion and an edge portion of the bag-shaped portion are preferably laminated on each other be irradiated with laser light from the window opening side to bond the first member and the second member together by fusion. Consequently, the two bonded portions can be welded through irradiation of laser light from the same direction, and the work efficiency can be remarkably improved.
The edge portion of the glass run holding portion and the edge portion of the bag-shaped portion are preferably irradiated with laser light continuously along a linear region along the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash.
One of the first member and the second member on the side where the protruding portion is preferably provided be formed by roll forming of a metal material, and the protruding portion is preferably formed by press forming.
The vehicle door standing pillar sash according to the present invention described above facilitates precise control of the first member and the second member by bonding the first member and the second member together by welding at the protruding portion provided at the opposed portion of the first member and the second member at the bottom part of the glass run holding portion, and enables the first member and the second member to be precisely and reliably bonded together.
Furthermore, as the method for manufacturing a standing pillar sash, the bonding of the first member and the second member at the bottom part of the glass run holding portion is achieved by laser welding involving applying laser light from the window opening side, and the bonding of the first member and the second member at the edge portion of the glass run holding portion and the edge portion of the bag-shaped portion is also achieved by similar laser welding from the window opening side. Consequently, production efficiency can be improved.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, one embodiment of the present invention is now described. In the embodiment, the present invention is applied to a standing pillar sash 27 of a door sash 14 constituting an automobile front seat door 10 (hereinafter referred to as "door 10") illustrated in FIG. 1 and the manufacture of the standing pillar sash 27. The door 10 is a front seat side door on the right side (the right side when looking ahead from a driver's seat). In the following description, the side of the door sash 14 facing a window opening 16 is referred to as "inner peripheral side", and the opposite side facing a vehicle body opening portion is referred to as "outer peripheral side". Furthermore, the expressions of directions, such as front, rear, upper, lower, vehicle inner side, and vehicle outer side, mean the directions based on the body of an automobile to which the door 10 is mounted.
The door 10 includes a metal door frame assembly 11 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 and a metal door panel 12 the schematic shape of which is indicated by the virtual line in FIG. 1. The door frame assembly 11 includes the door sash 14 that is formed into a frame shape above the door panel 12, a hinge bracket 30 and a lock bracket 31 that are connected to a lower portion of the door sash 14, and an elongated belt reinforcement 32 that is connected to the hinge bracket 30 and the lock bracket 31 and provided to extend in the anterior-posterior direction. Door glass (not illustrated) is raised and lowered in the window opening 16 surrounded by an upper edge portion of the door panel 12 (upper edge portion of the belt reinforcement 32) and an inner edge portion of the door sash 14.
A glass run 15 (FIG. 5) made of an elastic material is provided to an inner peripheral portion of the door sash 14 facing the window opening 16, and an edge portion of the door glass is held by the glass run 15. More specifically, the glass run 15 includes a frame portion 15a having a U-shape cross-section, a pair of first lips 15b provided at an intermediate part in the frame portion 15a, and a pair of second lips 15c provided at inner peripheral-side end portions of the frame portion 15a. When the door glass enters between the paired first lips 15b and the paired second lips 15c, each of the lips is elastically deformed to hold the door glass elastically. Furthermore, a cover portion 15d that protrudes from a base end portion of the vehicle inner-side second lip 15c toward the vehicle inner side is formed to the glass run 15. The cover portion 15d is an elastically deformable cantilever protruding portion the base end portion of which is connected to the frame portion 15a and the distal end of which is a free end portion. The cover portion 15d has a curved (arched) shape that is convex toward the inner peripheral side of the door sash 14. The first lips 15b, the second lips 15c, and the cover portion 15d in FIG. 5 are illustrated as the shapes in the free state before elastic deformation. A plurality of support protruding portions 15e are formed on an outer surface of the frame portion 15a of the glass run 15 so as to protrude therefrom.
A weather strip 25 (FIG. 5) made of an elastic material is supported to an outer peripheral portion of the door sash 14. The weather strip 25 includes a leg portion 25a, a hollow contact portion 25b that protrudes from the leg portion 25a toward the outer peripheral side, and an extended cover portion 25c provided to extend from a boundary part between the leg portion 25a and the hollow contact portion 25b toward the vehicle outer side. The hollow contact portion 25b has a tube shape with a hollow inside, and is elastically deformable. The extended cover portion 25c is an elastically deformable cantilever protruding portion the distal end of which is a free end portion. The extended cover portion 25c has a curved (arched) shape that is convex toward the outer peripheral side of the door sash 14. The hollow contact portion 25b and the extended cover portion 25c in FIG. 5 are illustrated as the shapes in the free state before elastic deformation.
The door sash 14 includes a front sash 17 constituting a front edge portion of the door sash 14, an upper sash 18 forming a door upper edge portion, and a standing pillar sash 27 provided to extend upward from a rear portion of the door panel 12. An upper end portion of the front sash 17 and a front end portion of the upper sash 18 are welded together, and a rear end portion of the upper sash 18 and an upper end portion of the standing pillar sash 27 are welded together at a door corner portion. When the door 10 is closed to the vehicle body (not illustrated), the upper sash 18 is located along a door opening portion of a roof panel of the vehicle body, and the hollow contact portion 25b of the weather strip 25 is elastically deformed to be brought into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the door opening portion.
The door panel 12 includes an inner panel located on the vehicle inner side and an outer panel located on the vehicle outer side. Lower parts of the front sash 17 and the standing pillar sash 27 are inserted between the inner panel and the outer panel. The hinge bracket 30 is fixed to a part of the front sash 17 that is inserted into the door panel 12, and the lock bracket 31 is fixed to a part of the standing pillar sash 27 that is inserted into the door panel 12, so that front and rear end portions of the belt reinforcement 32 are fixed to the hinge bracket 30 and the lock bracket 31, respectively. Note that the belt reinforcement 32 is constituted as an assembly formed by combining a plurality of members, and a sub bracket of the belt reinforcement 32, which is formed separately from the main body portion elongated in the anterior-posterior direction, is fixed to the lock bracket 31.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the standing pillar sash 27 alone. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the standing pillar sash 27 is formed by combining an outer member (first member) 28 and an inner member (second member) 29. The outer member 28 is formed as an elongated member illustrated in FIG. 4 by roll forming of a plate-shaped iron-based material (for example, SUS) while the material is conveyed in a certain direction with a conveying device (not illustrated). The inner member 29 is formed as an elongated member illustrated in FIG. 4 by press forming of the same material as that of the outer member 28.
The outer member 28 and the inner member 29 are bonded together by laser welding described later. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the standing pillar sash 27 passing through the bonded region of the outer member 28 and the inner member 29. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shapes of the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 at a general cross-sectional part of the standing pillar sash 27 other than the bonded region are illustrated as virtual cross-sections S28 and S29, respectively.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the outer member 28 includes a vehicle outer-side portion (first design portion) 40 located on the vehicle outer side, a vehicle inner-side portion 41 located on the vehicle inner side so as to be opposed to the vehicle outer-side portion 40, and an inner peripheral connection portion (first connection portion) 42 that connects the vehicle outer-side portion 40 and the vehicle inner-side portion 41 to each other. The outer member 28 forms a glass run holding portion 43 surrounded by these portions. The glass run holding portion 43 is a recess opened toward the inner peripheral side, and the glass run 15 is inserted inside the glass run holding portion 43. An inner peripheral-side end portion of the vehicle outer-side portion 40 is subjected to hemming processing so as to be folded toward the vehicle inner side. When the glass run 15 is attached to the glass run holding portion 43 after the door sash 14 is completed, the support protrusion 15e of the glass run 15 is engaged with the hemming-processed portion and retained (FIG. 5). Furthermore, engagement recesses 41a and 41b that are shaped to protrude toward the vehicle inner side are formed in the vehicle inner-side portion 41, and the support protrusions 15e of the glass run 15 are engaged with the engagement recesses 41a and 41b and retained (FIG. 5). In addition, a folded portion 44 that is bent at substantially right angles toward the vehicle inner side is formed at an inner peripheral-side end portion of the vehicle inner-side portion 41. Protruding portions 45 that protrude toward the outer peripheral side are formed on an inner peripheral connection portion 42. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the state in which the glass run 15 is attached, a clearance space Q1 is formed between a bottom part of the frame portion 15a of the glass run 15 and the protruding portion 45 due to the offset shape of the protruding portion 45 with respect to the inner peripheral connection portion 42. The protruding portions 45 are provided at certain intervals in a plurality of regions (four regions in the embodiment) the positions of which are different from one another in the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27. As described above, the outer member 28 is formed by roll forming of a plate-shaped metal material. The cross-sectional shape of the outer member 28 is different only in the regions where the protruding portions 45 are formed, and hence the protruding portions 45 may be formed by press forming after the basis shape (general cross-sectional shape) of the outer member 28 is formed by roll forming.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the inner member 29 includes a vehicle outer-side portion (second design portion) 50 located on the vehicle outer side, a vehicle inner-side portion 51 located on the inner peripheral side with respect to the vehicle outer-side portion 50 and located on the vehicle inner side, an inner peripheral portion 52 that protrudes from an inner peripheral-side edge portion of the vehicle inner-side portion 51 toward the vehicle outer side, an outer peripheral portion 53 that protrudes from an outer peripheral-side edge portion of the vehicle inner-side portion 51 toward the vehicle outer side, and an outer peripheral connection portion (second connection portion) 54 that connects the outer peripheral portion 53 and the vehicle outer-side portion 50 to each other. The vehicle inner-side portion 51, the inner peripheral portion 52, and the outer peripheral portion 53 form a bag-shaped portion 55 shaped to protrude toward the vehicle inner side. An outer peripheral-side end portion of the vehicle outer-side portion 50 is subjected to hemming processing so as to be folded toward the vehicle inner side. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the bag-shaped portion 55 has a smaller protruding amount toward the vehicle inner side at an inserted part inserted into the door panel 12 than at an exterior part protruding from the door panel 12, and includes a gradually changing portion 55a having a cross-sectional shape gradually changing from the exterior part to the inserted part.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the weather strip 25 is attached after the door sash 14 is completed, the leg portion 25a is supported on the outer peripheral portion 53 of the inner member 29. Although not illustrated, a holding member configured to hold the leg portion 25a is separately fixed to the inner member 29. The extended cover portion 25c of the weather strip 25 covers the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral connection portion 54 of the inner member 29, and a distal end portion of the extended cover portion 25c, which is a free end, is brought into contact with the vicinity of a boundary between the outer peripheral connection portion 54 and the vehicle outer-side portion 50. As understood from FIG. 5, in the state in which the weather strip 25 is attached, the extended cover portion 25c having a curved shape that is convex toward the outer peripheral side is separated away from the outer peripheral connection portion 54 to form a clearance space Q2.
The standing pillar sash 27 constituted by combining the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 described above is roughly divided into a hollow portion 19 located on the vehicle inner side, a connection portion 20 extending from the hollow portion 19 toward the vehicle outer side, and a design portion 21 located on the vehicle outer side.
The hollow portion 19 has a closed cross-sectional shape obtained by closing the vehicle outer side of the bag-shaped portion 55 of the inner member 29 with the vehicle inner-side portion 41 of the glass run holding portion 43 of the outer member 28. Specifically, the vehicle inner-side portion 41 and the bag-shaped portion 55 constitute the hollow portion 19. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 are laminated on each other at the hollow portion 19 on the inner peripheral side facing the window opening 16, thereby constituting a first bonded portion K1. More specifically, the folded portion 44 provided at an inner peripheral-side edge portion of the glass run holding portion 43 of the outer member 28 and a vehicle outer-side edge portion of the inner peripheral portion 52 of the bag-shaped portion 55 of the inner member 29 are laminated on each other along a direction connecting the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side, thereby forming the first bonded portion K1.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the glass run 15 is attached to the door sash 14, the cover portion 15d of the glass run 15 protrudes from the glass run holding portion 43 to cover the inner peripheral side of the first bonded portion K1. The cover portion 15d having a curved shape that is convex toward the inner peripheral side is separated away from the first bonded portion K1 to form a clearance space Q3.
The connection portion 20 is constituted by the inner peripheral connection portion 42 of the outer member 28 and the outer peripheral connection portion 54 of the inner member 29. In the general cross-sectional parts (S28, S29) of the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner peripheral connection portion 42 and the outer peripheral connection portion 54 are separated away from each other, and the protruding portion 45 that protrudes from the inner peripheral connection portion 42 of the connection portion 20 abuts on the outer peripheral connection portion 54 to constitute a second bonded portion K2. At the second bonded portion K2, the protruding portion 45 and the outer peripheral connection portion 54 are laminated on each other along the direction connecting the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side.
Note that the direction connecting the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side at the first bonded portion K1 or the second bonded portion K2 means that the laminated metal plates are arranged to be oriented substantially from the vehicle inner side to the vehicle outer side (or from the vehicle outer side to the vehicle inner side), and includes a configuration having a slight inclination component to the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side. For example, at the first bonded portion K1, the folded portion 44 and the inner peripheral portion 52 are each inclined to gradually protrude toward the inner peripheral side of the standing pillar sash 27 as approaching the vehicle outer side from the vehicle inner side. Furthermore, at the second bonded portion K2, the protruding portion 45 and the outer peripheral connection portion 54 are each inclined to gradually protrude toward the outer peripheral side of the standing pillar sash 27 as approaching the vehicle outer side from the vehicle inner side. In other words, the laminated metal plates are required to have a positional relation so as to be bonded by fusion through irradiation of laser light from the inner peripheral side of the standing pillar sash 27 at a laser welding step described later.
The design portion 21 is constituted by a vehicle outer-side portion 40 of the outer member 28 and a vehicle outer-side portion 50 of the inner member 29. As illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, a part of the design portion 21 corresponding to the exterior of the standing pillar sash 27 has a width that becomes larger from an upper part to a lower part, and a part of the design portion 21 to be inserted into the door panel 12 is mostly cut. The width gradually changing shape of the design portion 21 can be obtained by forming the vehicle outer-side portion 50 of the inner member 29 with the maximum width and then cutting the vehicle outer-side portion 50.
In a process of manufacturing the standing pillar sash 27, the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 prepared as separate members are bonded together by laser welding in a state of being combined as illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 5. The regions where the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 are fixed to each other by laser welding are the first bonded portion K1 (laminated parts of folded portion 44 and inner peripheral portion 52 in the hollow portion 19) and the second bonded portion K2 (laminated parts of the protruding portion 45 and the outer peripheral connection portion 54 in the connection portion 20 (bottom part of the glass run holding portion 43)). Each of the first bonded portion K1 and the second bonded portion K2 has a structure in which two metal plates are laminated on each other along the direction connecting the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side. Furthermore, the first bonded portion K1 is located on the vehicle inner side with respect to the glass run holding portion 43, and the second bonded portion K2 is located at the bottom part of the glass run holding portion 43. The position of the first bonded portion K1 and the position of the second bonded portion K2 are shifted from each other in the direction connecting the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side. Thus, in the state in which the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 are assembled to each other, both the first bonded portion K1 and the second bonded portion K2 are arranged so as to face the inner peripheral side of the standing pillar sash 27 (so as to be viewable from the window opening 16 side).
In the state in which the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 are set with the positional relation described above, as illustrated in FIG. 5, laser light is applied to the first bonded portion K1 and the second bonded portion K2 from a laser light exit portion LW (torch) placed on the inner peripheral side (window opening 16 side) of the standing pillar sash 27, thereby performing laser welding. Both of the first bonded portion K1 and the second bonded portion K2 are located at positions that can be irradiated with laser light from the inner peripheral side of the standing pillar sash 27, and hence the first bonded portion K1 and the second bonded portion K2 can be collectively laser-welded at a common welding step. A laser welding device may employ either a configuration in which a swinging common laser light exit portion LW is used to weld both the first bonded portion K1 and the second bonded portion K2 or a configuration including two laser light exit portions LW corresponding to the first bonded portion K1 and the second bonded portion K2.
Three modes of laser welding at each of the bonded portions K1 and K2 are illustrated in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8. In any mode, the protruding portions 45 to be welded are present at certain intervals in the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27 as the second bonded portions K2, and accordingly the regions where the metal plates are fusion-bonded by laser welding correspond to a plurality of welded regions W2 that are present at certain intervals in the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27. FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 illustrate welding examples of forming a substantially circular (spot-like) welded region W2 at a substantially central position of the protruding portion 45.
At the first bonded portion K1, the folded portion 44 and the inner peripheral portion 52 to be welded together are continuously laminated on each other in the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27, and hence there is a degree of freedom of setting of a fusion-boning region of the metal plates in the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27. FIG. 6 is an example in which a linear welded region W1-1 is continuously formed along the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27 by laser welding. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are examples in which a plurality of welded regions W1-2 and W1-3 are discontinuously (at certain intervals) formed along the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27 by laser welding, respectively. The welded region W1-2 in FIG. 7 is a linear region that has some length in the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27, and the welded region W1-3 in FIG. 8 is a circular (spot-like) region similar to the welded region W2.
In any of the modes in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, laser welding is performed by spiral welding in which the laser light exit portion LW is operated to swing so as to enlarge a spiral fusion region, thereby achieving rigid fixation in each welded region. In the case of welding the linear regions such as the welded regions W1-1 in FIG. 6 and the welded regions W1-2 in FIG. 7, spiral welding can be continuously performed to form the linear welded regions. On the premise that sufficient bonding strength is obtained, laser light can be applied with a simple linear trajectory including no rotational operation, which improves the productivity.
As described above, with the method for manufacturing the standing pillar sash 27 in the present embodiment, the bonded portions K1 and K2 of the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 are laser-welded at a series of work steps by laser light irradiation from one direction (window opening 16 side). Consequently, production efficiency of the standing pillar sash 27 can be remarkably improved as compared with a manufacturing method involving bonding each of the bonded portions K1 and K2 at separate steps such as arc welding and spot welding.
The first bonded portion K1 is a region covered with the cover portion 15d of the glass run 15 inserted in the glass run holding portion 43. Even when laser welding is performed in any of the modes in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, welding marks in the welded regions W1-1, W1-2, and W1-3 do not appear on the exterior in the completed state of the door 10. The second bonded portion K2 is a region the inner peripheral side of which is covered with the frame portion 15a (bottom part of frame portion 15a) of the glass run 15 inserted in the glass run holding portion 43 in the completed state of the door 10 and the outer peripheral side of which is covered with the extended cover portion 25c of the weather strip 25 in the completed state of the door 10. Welding marks in the welded region W2 do not appear on the exterior, either.
Furthermore, even if a burr is created in a laser-welded region (a burr is liable to be created mainly on the side opposite to the laser light irradiation direction), a welding burr created at the first bonded portion K1 is less liable to damage the glass run 15 because the cover portion 15d of the glass run 15 has an arched shape that is not brought into contact with the first bonded portion K1 but forms the clearance space Q3. Furthermore, at the second bonded portion K2, laser welding is targeted at the protruding portion 45, which is formed by partially offsetting the inner peripheral connection portion 42 constituting the bottom part of the glass run holding portion 43 toward the outer peripheral side so that the inner peripheral connection portion 42 is not brought into contact with the frame portion 15a of the glass run 15 (so that the clearance space Q1 is formed), and hence there is no fear in that a burr created on the protruding portion 45 by welding comes into contact with the glass run 15 to damage the glass run 15. In addition, the extended cover portion 25c of the weather strip 25 has an arched shape that is not brought into contact with the outer peripheral connection portion 54 of the inner member 29 constituting the second bonded portion K2 but forms the clearance space Q2, and hence there is no fear in that a welding burr created on the outer peripheral connection portion 54 comes into contact with the weather strip 25 to damage the weather strip 25. Consequently, a finishing (deburring) step after laser welding can be omitted or simplified, which contributes to a further improvement in productivity of the standing pillar sash 27.
In the case of combining the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 together, at the second bonded portion K2, the protruding portion 45 that partly protrudes from the inner peripheral connection portion 42 is brought into abutment with the outer peripheral connection portion 54. Thus, precise control of the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 is facilitated, and the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 can be reliably brought into abutment with each other in the welding target region. For example, if there is a precision error between the outer member 28 and the inner member 29, a gap that is larger than a minimum clearance set on design may be generated between the inner peripheral connection portion 42 and the outer peripheral connection portion 54. In the case of the configuration in which the entire inner peripheral connection portion 42 is brought into abutment with the outer peripheral connection portion 54 unlike the configuration in the present embodiment (configuration without protruding portion 45), the region where the gap is generated cannot be controlled and hence the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 may be welded together in the gap-generated region as a target. In this case, there is a fear in that a welding defect may occur. In order to prevent a welding defect, it is necessary to take countermeasures such as clamping a welding target region of the inner peripheral connection portion 42 and the outer peripheral connection portion 54 with a force stronger than that at a general welding step. On the other hand, by providing the protruding portion 45 in a welding target region, the abutment on the outer peripheral connection portion 54 and the welding region for the outer peripheral connection portion 54 can be easily controlled, and the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 can be reliably welded together at the second bonded portion K2 without being affected by some precision errors.
On the basis of the configuration and the manufacturing method described above, as illustrated in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, the shapes of the outer member 28 or the inner member 29 at the first bonded portion K1 or the second bonded portion K2 may be different. Note that, in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the shapes of the glass run 15 and the weather strip 25 are common to those in the above-described embodiment, and illustration thereof is omitted.
In a first modification illustrated in FIG. 9, the shape of the outer member 28 at the first bonded portion K1 is different. At an inner peripheral-side end portion of the vehicle inner-side portion 41 of the outer member 28, the shape different from the engagement recess 41a in the above-described embodiment is set as an engagement portion for the support protrusion 15e of the glass run 15. Specifically, similarly to the engagement recess 41a, a portion that is offset to the vehicle inner side with respect to the vehicle inner-side portion 41 is extended to a position in contact with the inner peripheral portion 52 of the inner member 29, a region in contact with the inner peripheral portion 52 is bent at substantially right angles toward the vehicle inner side to form a folded portion 46, and a portion continuous to the folded portion 46 is bent at substantially right angles to the outer peripheral side (direction to bottom part of the glass run holding portion 43) to form a folded portion 47. An end portion of the folded portion 47 is subjected to hemming processing so as to be folded toward the vehicle inner side, and the support protrusion 15e (not illustrated in FIG. 9) of the glass run 15 is engaged with the hemming-processed portion. Then, a vehicle outer-side end portion of the inner peripheral portion 52 of the inner member 29 is laminated on the folded portion 46 of the outer member 28 to constitute the first bonded portion K1.
Also in a second modification illustrated in FIG. 10, the shape of the outer member 28 at the first bonded portion K1 is different. On the vehicle inner-side portion 41 of the outer member 28, an inclined portion 48 that obliquely protrudes toward the vehicle inner side and a folded portion 49 formed by bending an end portion of the inclined portion 48 toward the vehicle outer side are formed as an inner peripheral-side end portion continuous to the engagement recess 41a. A vehicle outer-side end portion of the inner peripheral portion 52 of the inner member 29 is laminated on the folded portion 49 of the outer member 28 to constitute the first bonded portion K1.
In a third modification illustrated in FIG. 11, the shapes of the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 at the second bonded portion K2 are different. In the outer member 28, a protruding shape such as the protruding portion 45 is not formed, and the inner peripheral connection portion 42 has a flat shape. On the other hand, a protruding portion 56 that protrudes toward the inner peripheral side is formed on the outer peripheral connection portion 54 of the inner member 29, and the protruding portion 56 is brought into abutment with the inner peripheral connection portion 42 to constitute the second bonded portion K2. Similarly to the protruding portions 45 illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8, a plurality of the protruding portions 56 are formed at certain intervals at positions that differ from one another in the longitudinal direction of the standing pillar sash 27. As understood from the present modification, the protruding portion may be formed on either the inner peripheral connection portion 42 of the outer member 28 or the outer peripheral connection portion 54 of the outer member 29 in terms of precision control and welding workability at the second bonded portion K2.
In FIG. 11, the shapes of the glass run 15 and the weather strip 25 in part adjacent to the second bonded portion K2 are different from those in the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. The weather strip 25 includes, in place of the extended cover portion 25c in FIG. 5, an extended cover portion 25d that has a shape substantially parallel to the outer peripheral connection portion 54 of the inner member 29. The protruding portion 56 constituting the second bonded portion K2 is shaped to protrude (offset) toward the inner peripheral side, and hence a clearance space Q4 can be formed between the protruding portion 56 and the flat-shaped extended cover portion 25d, thereby preventing a burr formed on the protruding portion 56 by welding from coming into contact with the weather strip 25 to damage the weather strip 25. Furthermore, an offset bottom portion 15f that is raised toward the inner peripheral side is formed on the frame portion 15a of the glass run 15 at a position facing the inner peripheral connection portion 42 of the outer member 28. When the offset bottom portion 15f is formed, a clearance space Q5 can be formed between the offset bottom portion 15f and the flat-shaped inner peripheral connection portion 42, thereby preventing a burr formed on the inner peripheral connection portion 42 by welding from coming into contact with the glass run 15 to damage the glass run 15.
In the above, the method in which two kinds of the bonded portions K1 and K2 in the outer member 28 and the inner member 29 constituting the standing pillar sash 27 are laser-welded has been described. Each portion of the door frame assembly 11 can also be laser-welded to improve the productivity of the entire door frame assembly 11. For example, bonding of the front sash 17 and the upper sash 18, bonding of the upper sash 18 and the standing pillar sash 27, bonding of the front sash 17, the hinge bracket 30, and the front end portion of the belt reinforcement 32, bonding of the standing pillar sash 27, the lock bracket 31, and the rear end portion of the belt reinforcement 32, and bonding of other such regions can be achieved by laser welding. By placing the components of the door frame assembly 11 collectively on a certain jig and sequentially laser-welding the portions described above while moving the laser light exit portion, the productivity of the entire door frame assembly 11 including the standing pillar sash 27 is significantly increased.
While the present invention has been described on the basis of the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and modifications and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the illustrated embodiments are applied to a standing pillar sash for a front seat side door of an automobile and a manufacturing method therefor, but the present invention is applicable also to standing pillar sashes for a rear seat door or other doors and a manufacturing method therefor.
In the standing pillar sash 27 in the illustrated embodiments, the outer member 28 is a roll formed product and the inner member 29 is a press formed product. However, the method for manufacturing each member constituting the standing pillar sash 27 is not limited thereto. For example, the inner member 29 may be a roll formed product.
As described above in detail, in the present invention, in the vehicle door standing pillar sash constituted by combining the first member including the glass run holding portion that has the recessed shape opened toward the window opening and the second member including the bag-shaped portion that protrudes toward the vehicle inner side with respect to the glass run holding portion, the pair of opposed portions at which the first member and the second member are opposed to each other are formed at the bottom part of the glass run holding portion, and the protruding portion is provided on one of the pair of opposed portions, the protruding portion protruding toward the other opposed portion so as to be laminated and bonded to the other opposed portion by welding. Consequently, the laminated parts of the two members constituting the vehicle door standing pillar sash can be precisely combined and bonded together, thus contributing to improvements in productivity and quality of the vehicle door. Furthermore, the bonded portion formed at the bottom part of the glass run holding portion in the standing pillar sash (laminated parts of the protruding portion and the opposed portion) and the bonded portion formed in the region facing the window opening (laminated parts of the edge portion of the glass run holding portion and the edge portion of the bag-shaped portion) are irradiated with laser light from the window opening side to bond the first member and the second member together by fusion. Consequently, the productivity of the vehicle door can be improved.

Standing pillar sash for vehicle door, and method for manufacturing standing pillar sash for vehicle door


A valve unit is switchable to an open position at which an outside of an exterior portion and an inner cavity communicate with each other and a closed position at which a communication between the outside of the exterior portion and the inner cavity is blocked in an endoscope. In the endoscope, an electric power is supplied to a drive force generation section only when a connection portion of an universal cord is connected to a peripheral device, and the drive force generation section generates a drive force to drive the valve unit by a supply of the electric power. The valve unit moves from the closed position to the open position by the drive force generated by the drive force generation section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endoscope and an endoscope system in which the endoscope is used.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an endoscope is subjected to a cleaning processing by, for example, a cleaning liquid and a sterilization processing by, for example, heat sterilization (autoclave sterilization) after use, and is reused. When cleaning the endoscope, it is necessary to prevent the inflow of the cleaning liquid into an inner cavity formed inside an exterior portion of the endoscope. When a pressure difference is produced between the outside of the exterior portion (an operating room) and the inner cavity due to the sterilization, it is necessary to cause the outside of the exterior portion to communicate with the inner cavity before the start of use and keep the pressure (atmospheric pressure) outside the exterior portion and the pressure in the inner cavity uniform. If the pressure outside the exterior portion and the pressure in the inner cavity are uniform, the operation force amount of the endoscope is not great during the use of the endoscope, and the breakdown of the endoscope caused by the pressure difference is effectively prevented.
From the above perspective, the endoscope is provided with a valve unit to switch the communication state between the outside of the exterior portion and the inner cavity. The valve unit is switched to a closed position to block the communication between the outside of the exterior portion and the inner cavity at the time of cleaning. Before the start of the reuse of the endoscope after sterilization, the valve unit is switched to an open position at which the outside of the exterior portion and the inner cavity communicate with each other. For example, an endoscope in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-157484 is provided with a cap attachment portion to which a sterilization cap is attached at the time of sterilization, and the valve unit is located in the vicinity of the cap attachment portion. In this case, the valve unit is kept at the closed position at the time of cleaning. The sterilization cap is attached to the cap attachment portion when sterilization is conducted, and the sterilization cap is detached from the cap attachment portion after the sterilization. When the sterilization cap is detached from the cap attachment portion, press force is applied to the valve unit from the sterilization cap, and the valve unit is switched from the closed position to the open position.
In an endoscope of Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-33547, the valve unit is provided in a light source connector (connection portion) of a universal cord. In an endoscope system in which this endoscope is used, a rod protruding toward the light source connector is provided in a light source unit (peripheral device) to which the light source connector is separably connected. Before the start of use after sterilization, the light source connector of the universal cord is connected to the light source unit. As a result, press force is applied to the valve unit from the rod, and the valve unit is switched from the closed position to the open position.


A non-residential door latch comprised of a serpentine rigid bar. Mounting plates for locating the bar through a typical gate such that a downwardly curving portion of the bar is exposed on one side of the gate to form a handle while an inwardly curving portion of the bar is exposed on the opposite side of the gate to form a striker. Horizontal movement of the handle creates a corresponding vertical movement of the striker. An "L" shaped support bracket incorporates an elongated slot which fits over the end of the striker and limits the vertical movement of the striker. A latch bracket mounted to the gate post incorporates an elongate slot, open at one end into which the striker falls and is captured.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward the field of latching mechanisms, more specifically to a latching mechanism for use with fence gates and the like.
2. Discussion of Known Art
While the essence of a gate latch is comprised of a striker bar and plate, many variations are possible and such potential variations have been the subject of considerable inventive ingenuity over the years.
It is apparent that movement of the striker bar or the striker plate or both may be implemented in a latch to effect closure and release and inventors have experimented with each with mostly limited success.
Many of the currently available gate latches utilize a fixed bar and movable striker of the pivotal curved hook type. While such devices are operable they suffer from several disadvantages including breakage and "freezing" of the movable hook due to rust build up. The fixed bar type latches usually incorporate a bar which has one or more moderately sharp bends. This can lead to fatigue cracking and eventual breakage of the bar following repeated gate slamming.
An additional shortcoming of the currently available latches is that, for the most part, they contain many moderately squared and obtrusive edges which can lead to snagging of clothing and the like and presents the potential for personal injury.
According to one aspect the present invention relates to a gate latch apparatus comprising:
a generally S shaped solid bar having one half of the S twisted to lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the other half; PA1 means for mounting the bar through a gate so that a downwardly curving portion of the bar is exposed on one side of the gate and an inwardly curving portion of the bar is exposed on the opposite side of the gate and whereby horizontal movement of the downwardly curving portion of the bar results in corresponding vertical movement of the inwardly curving portion of the bar; PA1 means for limiting the vertical movement of the inwardly curving portion of the bar; and PA1 means for latching the inwardly curving portion of the bar so that the gate is secured to a gate post. PA1 a generally S shaped rigid bar having a first curved end of the S twisted at substantially ninety degrees to the opposite curved end of the S; PA1 means for threading the bar through a gate so that the respective curved portions of the bar are exposed on an inside surface and an outside surface of the gate; and PA1 means for engaging one curved end of the bar to a gate post so that the gate is securely fixed to the gate post.
According to another aspect the present invention relates to a latch mechanism comprising: