An illustration illuminator has a leg arrangement and a frame connected to the leg arrangement and extending upwardly and at a slant rearwardly away from the leg arrangement. A support surface is arranged at the front side of the frame for supporting an illustration to be illuminated. A light assembly is connected to the frame remote from the leg arrangement for illuminating the support surface. The light assembly has lamps emitting light rays and further has a front end with an outlet via which the light rays exit and impinge on the support surface. The light assembly has a reflector arranged relative to the lamps such that the light rays emitted by the lamps pass through the outlet only after having been reflected at least once on the reflector.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an illustration illuminator comprising a leg, a frame projecting upwardly and slightly rearwardly therefrom, wherein the frame comprises a support surface on the front side of the frame, and a light assembly arranged above the frame and illuminating the support surface. Such an illuminator is employed in the graphic design industry in electronic image processing for the purpose of a standardized front illumination of an illustration in order to be able to perform color evaluations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known illustration illuminators comprise a base member which projects, starting at a leg which can be placed onto a support area, in the upward direction and is slightly slanted to the rear. The illustration to be viewed is placed onto the front surface facing the operator. Starting at the base member, above it, an illumination unit is provided which is gallows-shaped and oriented toward the operator. The illustration placed onto the front surface of the base member is illuminated by light emitted by the lamp/lamps of the illumination unit. A disadvantage of this known solution is, in particular, that the illumination of the illustration is not absolutely glare-free and non-dazzling. This is referred to as a non-uniform illumination of the illustration.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an illustration illuminator with which the illustration to be viewed is illuminated significantly more uniformly in comparison to known devices, basically in a glare-free and non-dazzling way.
In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved in that the light assembly comprises a reflector with which the light rays emitted by the lamps pass through the light outlet only after being reflected at least once on the reflector and only then impinge onto the support surface.
The gist of the invention and the important feature in connection with the novel illustration illuminator resides in the light assembly and, in particular, its reflector which makes it possible that no direct light will be emitted by the lamps onto the illustration (specimen) so that the illustration to be viewed and arranged on the support surface is illuminated basically in a glare-free and non-dazzling way and with a uniformness which has been unattainable before.
The novel feature of the light assembly, i.e., its characteristic feature, is primarily that its lamps, at least one, are/is arranged substantially in or behind an imaginary frontal plane which is positioned behind the upper edge of the support surface receiving the illustration and not, as is the case in the prior art, in front of the illustration.
Moreover, it is important that the light assembly cover, provided at its inner surface with a reflective layer, begins at a base which supports the lamps and ends with its forward edge in a frontal plane which is positioned in front of the forward frontal plane of the support surface.
In particular, as a further feature of the configuration, it is provided that the light assembly cover has several successively arranged, and preferably seamlessly connected, sections, wherein the sections, in particular, neighboring sections, have curvatures of different magnitude. The section with the greatest curvature is arranged at the rearward end of the light assembly cover facing away from the viewer, while the significantly more weakly curved light assembly cover section, beginning at the latter, extends to the front edge of the light assembly cover.
Preferably, the curvature of the light assembly cover is selected such that, starting at the planar base, any location on the curved sections of the light assembly cover has a different radius of curvature. In the direction toward the front, i.e., toward the viewer, the lamps of the light assembly are shielded by a screen (screen plate or bar or rail).
The light rays emitted by the lamp or lamps of the light assembly, which are formed to bundles of rays by an inner aperture, which is formed by the upper edge of the screen rail or bar and the area of the strongly curved section of the light assembly cover positioned at a right angle thereto, are reflected at the respective reflective layer of the sections of the light assembly cover at least once, preferably several times.
Only after at least one reflection, preferably two to five reflections, the bundles of rays exit through an outlet or outer aperture, which delimits a ray channel directed toward the support surface, from the light assembly and impinge as directionally oriented, homogenous, indirect light-generating bundles of rays on the support surface.


An anchoring device for anchoring tendons for structural reinforcement. The anchoring device has a longitudinal central axis defining an axial direction. The anchoring device includes an outer barrel and an inner wedge. The outer barrel has a cylindrically or frusto-conically shaped inner surface defining a cylindrically or frusto-conically shaped inner space. The inner wedge has a frusto-shaped outer surface and a coaxial bore. The shaped inner space is configured for allowing the inner wedge to be positioned in the shaped inner space of the outer barrel in the axial direction. The coaxial bore of the inner wedge is configured for receiving a tendon. The inner wedge includes inner and outer portions, the inner portion overlapping the outer portion as seen in a radial direction. The inner and outer portions are separated by a cut configured for increasing the overlap of the inner and outer portions upon exertion of radially compressive forces on the wedge, thereby reducing the circumference of the coaxial bore upon interaction with the outer barrel.

It is well known to use anchoring devices comprising a barrel and a wedge as an anchoring device for tendons, such as steel tendons or fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tendons. The wedge clamps the steel or FRP tendons mechanically using pressure and friction.
WO 2010/047634 A1 discloses an anchoring device comprising a sleeve (1) with an internal conical space and a wedge element (7). The wedge element is provided with grooves (11,12) which has an extent in both axial and radial directions relative to the central axis of the anchoring device.
However, when anchoring FRP tendons due to the strength properties of the FRP tendons fibers in the transverse direction are poor and the mechanical anchorage have to rely on friction using large compressive stresses from the clamping device known anchoring devices may cause problems as high principal stresses acting on the tendons in the loaded end (proximal end) of the anchorage device, where both tensile and compressive forces are represented, often resulting in premature failure.
As the tension stresses on the tendons are high at the proximal end of the anchoring device, it is advantageous to decrease the radial stresses to decrease the principal stresses at the proximal end of the anchoring device.
Furthermore, to increase the capacity of an anchoring system comprising a barrel and a wedge, it is desirable to provide an anchorage device which increases the grip of the tendons without premature failure.


A shifter on a handlebar for operating a derailleur cable of a bicycle derailleur mechanism includes an actuating ring connected to an end of the derailleur cable and received in a frame on the handlebar. A resilient plate extends tangentially from the actuating ring and is engaged with one of dents in the frame. A operation sleeve is mounted to a tube of the frame and connected to the actuating ring so that when rotating the operation sleeve, the actuating ring is rotated and the cable is pulled, while a distal end of the resilient plate is moveably and engaged with one of the dents to provide the rider a clear positioning feature of the gear changing.

A conventional gear shifting device known to applicant is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,291 to Sram Corporation. The patent of Sram Corporation involves so many parts and each of which has a complicated shape which results in manufacturing difficulties and high manufacturing cost. Another known bicycle gear shifting device known to applicant is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,877 to Chen. Chen's patent discloses a gear selector that is installed co-axially to the handlebar and the derailleur cable is wrapped around the tubular portion of the selector. However, the way that the derailleur cable is pulled or released by rotating the tubular portion of the selector cannot provide a clear positioning feature for the rider so that the shifting action could be over-operated or less-operated.
The present invention intends to provide a gear shifter on a handlebar to precisely operate the derailleur cable and the shifter provides a clear positioning feature such that the rider clearly feel the positioning feature by engaging a resilient plate engaged with one of the dents defined in an inside of a frame during rotating the shifter.

Shifter for operating derailleur cable of a bicycle derailleur mechanism

No. 3, Lane 220, Feng-Tung Rd., Feng-Yuan City


A system for automatically processing liquids in open-ended containers. The containers are moved past a plurality of operating stations that carry out the following operations: washing, reagent-adding, incubation, detection, and storage. The operating stations for washing and reagent-addition include vertically and horizontally movable assemblies for operating upon the containers. The containers are carried in groups in individual carrying blocks which are moved throughout the system.

This invention relates to the automatic processing of liquids in open-ended containers for testing purposes, and more particularly provides an automated system for detecting Hepatitis B. Surface antigen (HB.sub.s AG) in human serum or plasma.
Many immunochemical reactions are performed by using what is known as a solid phase or phase separation system. Such analyses place one of the components on a solid support so it may readily be removed from the system during analysis. An example is the detection of HB.sub.s AG, wherein the antibody to HB.sub.s AG is affixed to solid controlled pore glass particles (CPG). Such CPG is mixed in a test tube with a patient's serum. The serum in a diseased patient contains antigen to hepatitis, and under proper conditions the antigen may be made to react with the antibody on the CPG. A typical operation includes the removal of other serum proteins from those hepatitis associated proteins which adhere biologically to the CPG. This separation involves the use of aqueous washes, such as saline or phosphate buffers which allow the extraneous proteins to be removed without disturbing the chemical bond between the antigen and the hepatitis-associated proteins on the CPG. Identification markers or labels are also added in this analysis, but the excess quantity of these reagents usually must be removed also by washing or other phase separation techniques.
In performing a typical hepatitis assay, a patient's serum is incubated or mixed with CPG so that the required chemical reaction takes place. Next, buffer is added to and agitated with the patient's sample, and following agitation the CPG settles to the bottom of the test tube. Following settling, the liquid in the tube is aspirated or otherwise withdrawn, with the CPG remaining in the tube. Such buffer addition-agitation-removal may be repeated a number of times to remove most of the extraneous proteins. To verify the presence of an antigen adhering to the CPG, a label is added to the test tube which may be identified as, for example, by a coloring agent, an enzyme multiplication agent, or radioactive tag or a fluorescent agent incubation of the tagged label with the antibody antigen complex on the CPG forms a "sandwich". After a suitable incubation period, the excess label is removed by a wash in generally a number of washing steps. The material adhering to the CPG in the tube, as a sandwich, yields an indication which may be compared to known positive or negative controls to identify the patient's serum.
The operations outlined above are described in the brochure RIAUSURE.sup..RTM. II published by Electro-Nucleonics Laboratories, Inc. These operations are tedious and require manual dexterity and continued operator attention to be properly carried out. The danger from operator fatigue and mistake, leading to false identification of a sample, is always present. In addition, variations in test parameters can occur from one test to another, leading to varying results.
It is desirable to optimize any immunochemical analysis by choosing proper conditions. While generally it is desirable to decrease the size of the CPG and the serum-carrying container (because the kinetics of the reactions will be faster and more reliable), the reduction of size creates problems in the manual handling of the tests, leading to errors.
The present invention provides for the automating of the HB.sub.s AG test procedure. It proceeds from the RIAUSURE.RTM. procedure of Electro-Nucleonics Laboratories, Inc. That procedure provides agitation and settling according to a programmed time schedule using small ferrite magnets placed inside each of the assay tubes. The test tubes are placed on an electro-magnetic assembly containing field coils energized by a digital counter, producing a varying field causing the magnets to move within the test tube and thereby agitate the serum-buffer-glass system within each tube. At an appropriate time, the magnetic field is deenergized, allowing the magnets to rest at the bottom of the test tubes, leaving a clear, supernatant liquid thereabove. A multiple head aspirater is employed to withdraw the supernatant liquid from the test tubes; a separate multiple head dispenser is used to introduce liquid along the wall of each test tube. The above cycle is completed manually and repeated until the tubes are properly washed. An appropriate label is added manually to each tube.
In the present invention, a card is utilized to hold a number of test tubes (e.g., twenty test tubes). The tubes are open-ended at the top thereof, and are carried by the card so that the bottom portions thereof extend below the card. The card rests on a carrying block, and the lower portions of the containers extend loosely into openings in the block. In this fashion, the test tubes are carried loosely by the block, facilitating later operations, as described below. A number of such blocks are positioned on a support table and are moved thereon in step-wise fashion around the table. Each tube contains a sample of a patient's serum along with magnetic particles, and underlying the table is a series of coils, the magnetic fields from which cause agitation of the magnetic particles and an appropriate mixing of the liquids within the test tubes. The test tube-containing blocks are caused to move in a rectangular pattern around the table in step-wise fashion by moving pins. The positions on the table provide for incubation, washing, label addition, detection, storage, and instrument cleansing. The washing assembly for adding a washing liquid to the test tubes and removing that liquid therefrom utilizes supply and aspirating heads positioned above the test tubes and movable vertically thereover. To process a number of test tubes simultaneously, the supply head includes a number of liquid supply tubes that communicate with a liquid supply manifold within the head. The aspirating head includes a plurality of aspirating tubes communicating with a vacuum chamber within the aspirating head. The aspirating and supply heads are movable vertically with respect to each other. Preferably, the supply tubes extend at an angle with respect to the vertical so as to wash the sides of the test tubes, and terminate within the supply head. The aspirating head is movable to move the aspirating tubes to positions in which they extend through and below the supply head and into the test tubes for aspirating liquid therefrom. To facilitate holding the test tubes, the supply head includes a test tube engaging portion in the lower part thereof for engaging the open ends of the test tubes. That lower portion of the supply head is movable vertically within the supply head and is yieldably biased to a lower position, moving upwardly upon engagement of the supply head with the test tubes. The supply head includes passages therein in which the supply tubes are positioned, and other passages for containing the aspirating tubes from the aspirating head thereabove. These passages terminate in a frusto-conical opening of increasing diameter to facilitate the positioning of the open-ended test tubes therein, facilitated by the loose holding of the test tubes in each carrying block.
Provision is made for washing the aspirating tubes to avoid carryover of contaminants.
Label addition is carried out by a label adding head preferably carrying two syringes, one for each of two rows of test tubes carried in a card. This head is moved vertically and horizontally to receive label and to dispense that label into the test tubes. The syringes are driven so that there is a slight drawing motion after each dispensing operation to prevent droplet leakage from the syringes.
Following passage of the test tubes through the system, the tubes are inspected, for example, by an appropriate radiometric or colorometric test.
The invention will be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description which is to be read in conjunction with the attached drawings.

System for performing immunochemical and other analyses involving phase separation


Provided is a hyperbranched polymer having such a backbone that is readily decomposable by an acid. The hyperbranched polymer is derived from, via reaction, monomers including a monomer (X) and a monomer (Y). The monomer (X) contains three or more hydroxy groups per molecule. The monomer (Y) contains two or more groups represented by General Formula (y) per molecule. The monomer (X) includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cyclodextrins, compounds represented by General Formula (I), pillararenes, compounds represented by General Formula (II), compounds represented by General Formula (III), and compounds represented by General Formula (IV). The monomer (Y) includes a compound represented by General Formula (1). General Formulae (y), (I), (II), (III), (IV), and (1) are expressed as follows:

Large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs) have higher and higher integration densities and are produced at higher and higher speeds in the field of photolithography, which is a fine patterning (microfabrication) technology. Accordingly, resist materials that can provide for the higher integration and higher speed production have been intensively developed. Such resist materials recently mainly require nano-level control of surface smoothness after development and good sensitivity even upon the use of low-power light sources. Resist materials having both of these properties are excellent in resolution, line width roughness (LWR), and sensitivity and are possibly usable typically as resist materials that are used for extreme-ultraviolet radiation (EUV) and enable extremely highly fine patterning.
Exemplary proposed resist materials are resins each including a polymer backbone having carboxy or phenolic hydroxy in side chains, and containing an acid-degradable substituent introduced into the polymer backbone (see Patent Literature (PTL) 1 and PTL 2). The resin disclosed in PTL 1 employs a t-butyl ester group as the acid-degradable substituent. In contrast, the resin disclosed in PTL 2 employs an acetal group as the acid-degradable substituent.

Hyperbranched polymer, process for producing same, and composition

THE SCHOOL CORPORATION KANSAI UNIVERSITY


A spray gun includes a one-piece main body, a trigger, a paint needle operating element coupled to the trigger, a paint needle coupled to the paint needle operating element, and an exchangeable spray agent guiding unit, the inlet region of which is or can be connected to a material supply device for the material to be sprayed, wherein the main body has at least one opening for receiving the exchangeable spray agent directing unit. Also disclosed is a material supply device, a cover, a method for mounting an exchangeable spray agent guiding unit in or on a spray gun having a one-piece main body, and a method for removing an exchangeable spray agent directing unit from or out of a one-piece spray gun.

Conventional spray guns essentially consist of a base body that features a handle and a head section and contains compressed air conduits, a nozzle set, a compressed air connection, a trigger, an air guidance system with an air valve, an air nozzle and a mechanism for adjusting the volume and the pressure of the air flowing through the compressed air conduits, as well as a material guidance system with a paint needle and a mechanism for adjusting the material volume. The spray gun head features a material-conveying region, through which the material to be sprayed flows from a spray medium inlet to a spray medium outlet that is typically realized in the form of a material nozzle. A material supply, for example, in the form of a reservoir or a supply line from an external material storage system is provided at the spray medium inlet. Conventional reservoirs consist, for example, of gravity-feed cups, suction-feed cups or laterally mounted cups. The pressure difference can be produced by means of a material conveying device or by means of air flowing past an opening on the material supply. All free-flowing materials such as, for example, paints, varnishes, adhesives or the like may be considered as spray mediums.
The compressed air required for the spraying process is supplied at the air connection that is arranged on or in the pistol grip. The air valve is opened by actuating the trigger up to a first pressure point. When the trigger is additionally pulled back, the paint needle is retracted from the spray nozzle. The spray medium then respectively flows out of the material nozzle due to the gravitational force or a pressure difference and is atomized by the compressed air exiting the air nozzle.
Spray guns of this type have proven themselves in practical applications for many decades. However, it is disadvantageous that they respectively require careful cleaning of the material-conveying regions after each use and before each material change because clogging of said regions, as well as a contamination of the spray medium, could otherwise occur. In the prior art, this problem is solved by utilizing a material guide in the form of a cartridge, i.e., in the form of an exchangeable insert or exchangeable spray medium guide unit, that preferably consists of a disposable article. For example, DE 3016419 C2 discloses an advantageous spray gun of this type with a holding region and with a head that is equipped with a cartridge, wherein the cartridge features an inlet region for a material-conveying conduit that ends in an outlet region, wherein the inlet region of the cartridge is connected or can be connected to a reservoir for the material to be sprayed, and wherein the cartridge preferably guides at least one material-conveying component of the spray gun. This spray gun has a head that is divided into two parts, and features a rear region with respect to the spraying direction and a front region with respect to [as] the spraying direction. The rear end of the front region of the two-part head is equipped with a plug-type fitting for a cartridge with a tubular material-conveying conduit that extends in the direction of the spray jet, and in the interior of which a nozzle needle or paint needle is respectively arranged. The nozzle needle can be moved back and forward in the direction of the spray jet by means of a lever and spring mechanism such that the material to be sprayed can pass the nozzle arranged in the outlet region. The cartridge is held in the head by means of pin connections. After its use, the pin connections can be disengaged and the two head regions can be pivoted apart from one another such that the cartridge including the paint needle can be removed from the head and then discarded. A new cartridge can then be respectively fixed on or in the spray gun. In this way, cleaning of the material-conveying regions of the spray gun is not required. However, the pin connections are relatively complicated, as well as difficult to manufacture and disengage, and also do not always ensure a flawless operational reliability.
Another spray gun with an exchangeable cartridge is described in DE 10 2004 027 789 A1. The object of this publication is a two-part spray gun, in which each of the two parts features a recess for accommodating an exchangeable paint medium guide unit. The exchangeable paint medium guide unit is inserted into the receptacle of the first gun part. The second gun part is subsequently attached to the first part and fixed with a screw. Due to these numerous preparatory steps, the set-up of the spray gun is very elaborate and time-consuming. The two-part design of the gun furthermore requires immense additional effort during the manufacture because the two gun parts are not identical such that two production lines are required. This increases the manufacturing costs of the spray gun. In addition, it is also difficult to seal the gun cavities relative to the outside air.
Another embodiment of a spray gun with an exchangeable cartridge is disclosed in WO 2009/015260 A2. In this case, the gun essentially also consists of two parts, namely a front and a rear part that are connected to one another by means of a hinge. In order to insert the cartridge, the front part is pivoted downward such that the cartridge receptacle is exposed. After inserting the cartridge, the front part is once again pivoted upward and connected to the rear part by means of a spring-loaded latch. Although this allows a faster insertion of the cartridge into the gun than in the above-described prior art, the quality of the hinge, particularly its accuracy and its stability, is subject to very strict requirements. The manufacturing effort is therefore very high in comparison with a conventional spray gun and the production is associated with substantial additional costs.

Easy-to-clean spray gun, accessories therefor, and mounting and dismounting methods


A pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) signal generator that injects a copy of a pulse into the PAM baseband signal prior to frequency upconversion and power amplification. The pulse comprises a function of, or an extra copy of, a pulse in the PAM baseband signal. The pulse injector analyzes the PAM baseband signal for times when a predetermined threshold is exceeded and forms a pulse that is constructed and arranged to reduce the amplitude of the PAM baseband signal to a desired peak amplitude when the pulse is added to the PAM baseband signal.

Many modern communication systems transmit messages using signals having amplitudes that vary significantly over time. Typically, the power capability of the output device in the transmitter (e.g. the final amplifier) must be selected to accommodate the peak amplitude, or perhaps the amplitude at the 99th percentile, below which 99% of the amplitudes in the signal occur, or perhaps at the 99.9th percentile as another example. In other words, the selection of the output device is governed as much (or more so) by the peak-power requirement as it is by the average power requirement, where the average power is typically the measurement specified directly in the specification document for a communication system. The selection of the output device is governed as much (or more so) by the peak-amplitude requirement as it is by the RMS-amplitude requirement. Therefore, the output device selection requires tradeoffs between accurate reproduction of the signal on the one hand (hereinafter referred to as "communication quality") and, on the other hand, power efficiency, power consumption, size of the output device, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "device efficiency").
Improving the output device efficiency, especially the power efficiency, is highly desirable since transmitters (such as those found in battery operated cellular telephone) have a limited battery source to operate the device. Additionally, improving the device efficiency is beneficial for transmitters constrained by their cooling means, so that thermal damage to the device (e.g., handheld transmitters operating with high duty cycle, or high-power transmitters in base stations in cellular telephone systems) can be prevented. For these applications and others, it is desirable to minimize the ratio between the peak amplitude (or 99th percentile or 99.9th percentile) and the root-mean-square (RMS) amplitude, in order to facilitate efficient power transmission.
One conventional approach to power-efficient transmission is a so-called linear amplifier that operates in a partially linear and partially nonlinear mode, characterized by a phenomenon known as amplitude compression. In this mode, a small input amplitude A gives rise to a larger output amplitudeB=gAwhere g is the small-signal gain of the amplifier. As the input amplitude A increases, the actual gain of the amplifier decreases below g. Thus, the corresponding output amplitude B is not quite as large as it should be. In other words, the amplifier output is not truly proportional to the input. This effectively reduces the peak-to-RMS ratio, which in turn has the benefits of power-efficiency previously described.
A major disadvantage of the linear amplifier approach is that it degrades the signal quality. Typically, some amount of signal quality degradation is accepted in a system design, in exchange for slightly improved power efficiency or reduced heat dissipation. Nonetheless, the conventional (linear amplifier) approach degrades both standard measures of quality, namely an in-band quality measure and an out-of-band quality measure. The in-band quality measure is the RMS error vector magnitude (EVM). A mathematically related measure is RHO which is the normalized cross-correlation coefficient between the transmitted signal and its ideal version. The EVM and RHO relate to the ease with which an intended receiver can extract the message from the transmitted signal. As the EVM increases above zero, or RHO decreases below one, the transmitted signal becomes increasingly distorted compared to the ideal signal. This distortion increases the likelihood that the receiver will make errors while extracting the message.
The out-of-band quality measure is the power spectral density (PSD) of the transmitted signal, or some measure derived therefrom. Of particular interest in the PSD is the degree to which the transmitted signal interferes with other radio channels. In a wireless communications network, to minimize interference with other radio channels, the overall capacity of the network is reduced or limited (e.g., the number of simultaneous users is reduced or limited).
Therefore, any means of reducing the peak-to-RMS ratio must create as little interference as possible (minimal degradation to out-of-band signal quality) while simultaneously maintaining the in-band measure of signal quality (i.e., EVM or RHO) at an acceptable level. The conventional (linear amplifier) approach degrades both out-of-band signal quality and in-band signal quality to reduce peak-to-RMS ratio. In fact, for some signals the conventional (linear amplifier) approach is unable to maintain acceptable quality while delivering the required average power.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to have a PAM signal generator that reduces the peak-to-RMS amplitude ratio of a communications signal to facilitate efficient power transmission and delivery of required average power, while preserving out-of-band signal quality.
It would also be desirable to have a PAM signal generator that modifies pulse amplitude modulated signals to reduce the peak-to-RMS amplitude ratio of the signals without degrading the power spectral density (PSD) of the signals and while simultaneously maintaining the in-band measure of signal quality (i.e., EVM or RHO) at acceptable levels.

Methods and apparatus for reducing peak-to-RMS amplitude ratio in communication signals


A stackable display case for protecting products which are unable to support a compressive load. Such display case provides improved protection of products during shipping and sale. Such display cases are loaded with products, stacked three or more cases high, two per layer, on a pallet at a production facility before being shipped to warehouse style and other retail outlets. Such display cases allow products to be sold directly from pallets and require a minimal amount of manual labor compared to prior art shipping displays. Such display case provides visibility and accessibility from four sides of pallets, and from at least three sides of each display case. Such a display case requires substantially less manual labor at a manufacturing and shipping facility, and almost no manual labor at the point of sale.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a stackable display case for sale of retail products. More specifically, the invention relates to stackable one-piece open top display cases which may be filled, stacked on pallets, and wrapped before shipping them to warehouse retail outlets. Such display cases provide visibility and accessibility from four sides of pallets.
2. Description of Related Art
Millions of dollars are spent each year in packaging products for transportation from manufacturers to retail outlets. Rather than require these products to be removed from containers and individually placed on shelves in a store front, it has long been desirable to ship and sell products directly from pallets. Member-only warehouse clubs provide the buying public, including private individuals and businesses, price savings by selling goods directly from pallets. Club stores often display their goods as delivered from suppliers on shipping pallets and thus reduce their costs by eliminating the labor of unpacking goods from pallets and displaying them for purchasers. Club stores often prefer to deal with suppliers who ship their goods on pallets.
Costs are also reduced by modifying the types and amounts of packaging associated with retail products. However, some products do not easily survive undamaged while being shipped on pallets to retail establishments, especially products which cannot bear compressive loads such as plants, gift baskets, lamps, buckets of cut flowers, stuffed animals, and bags of snack products. These products routinely require special packaging and significant manual labor for retail sale even if sold from pallets. Many packing schemes and packages have been invented to solve the problems associated with getting such products undamaged to consumers while still allowing consumers to easily view and select products.
One solution to this frequent problem has been to ship products in stackable trays or cartons, each comprising several components. FIG. 1 shows an overhead view of a composite of various features and components of trays according to the prior art. With reference to FIG. 1, a prior art tray or carton 102 may have a vertical stacking tab or cleat 104 rising above the top plane of each tray or carton 102. Such tab 104 locks into a corresponding opening (not shown) in the tray 102 stacked above it. Alternatively, a prior art tray 102 may have a foldable glued flap 106 which overlays each corner and is secured to the tray's side by glue, adhesive or other means. Such flaps 106 provide increased strength and support for a compressive load of stacked trays and further protect the goods inside each tray 102. Such foldable flaps 106 may be overly complex to assemble, may not be suitable for trays containing certain products, or may require excessive manual labor.
Another existing alternative is to fold a flap 108 at a corner and lock it onto a tab 110 of a separate strengthening insert 114. A receiving opening 112 in the bottom surface near each corner accepts an insert's tab 110 which protrudes from the top plane of each tray 102. When each insert's tab 110 is interlocked into a receiving opening 112, each tray 102 is less likely to move horizontally relative to another tray 102 and damage the contents of the tray below it. Additional inserts 114 require additional manual labor at assembly.
Yet another existing strengthening means is to insert a top-mounted removable foldable corner insert 118 into each corner of a tray 102. Such removable corner insert 118 may fold over the outside of a tray 102, or may reside completely within a tray 102. One style of free corner insert 120 has a single fold and sits squarely inside each corner. Such a free corner insert 120 may provide some additional strength against compressive loads to a tray, but does not contribute to a container which is substantially open for displaying the contained goods.
In general, assembly, shipping, displaying, and sale of certain products from stackable trays or cartons is complex, and may require substantial manual labor at the point of sale for proper display of such goods, especially where such goods are sold from pallets. With reference to FIG. 1, many trays and cartons have foldable sides 116 which form openings for easily viewing of enclosed goods. Some foldable sides 116 are secured in place by inserting tabs 122 in corresponding openings along side creases 124. Many trays also have openings which serve as carrying handles 126 for convenience. Such openings 126 do not provide sufficient visibility of enclosed goods.
Several patents disclose other improvements to cartons, crates and trays for bundling, shipping, and selling products which cannot support a compressive load. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,152,079 issued to Mott on Mar. 28, 1939 discloses a combination shipping and display carton. After shipping, a perforated section of the package may be removed for display and sale of individual packaged units within the carton. Even though this invention provides a means to stack bundles of individual units, this invention requires manual labor to modify each container to allow for sale of individual units contained within the packages.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,875 issued to Praetorius on Apr. 25, 1967 discloses a similar concept in that a side panel may be removed exposing individual units for sale. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,811 issued to Hardison et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,728 to Sheffer disclose a convertible carton which provides protection for its contents during shipping, and which subsequently may be transformed into an aesthetically pleasing display carton. These inventions may solve alignment and shipping problems, but require substantial manual labor prior to final display and sale of goods even though such packages may be stacked and shipped on pallets. These cartons are not folded from a single blank.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,615 issued to Ott et al. on Oct. 1, 1991 discloses a stackable carton or tray for a single layer of tomatoes. This invention requires separate reinforcing members inserted into tray corners so as to bear the load of other trays; these trays are not formed from a single folded paperboard blank.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,214 issued to Wintermute et al. on Mar. 30, 2004 discloses a stackable display tray which is similarly formed from a blank and multiple additional inserts. Portions of the blank are folded up to create sides and reinforced corners for a multi-sided tray or shell. Angular panels are positioned inside the tray to provide increased stability and support.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,007 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,200 issued to Jensen, Jr., and International Patent Application PCT/US01/26610 disclose an improved crate for stacking and shipping plants. It discloses a crate system consisting of a bottom cap, crate walls, and a top cap. The bottom and top caps are the same size and shape, and are interchangeable. Goods inside the crate are protected from compressive loads, and the crates can be stacked several crates deep. In this invention, the corners and bottom sections are not formed from the same blank. It would be more ideal to have a shipping container comprised of just a bottom and support walls thus eliminating the need for a top piece for every container, tray or carton.
Published International Patent Application PCT/US02/19025 entitled "Stackable Display Container" by Holdsworth, et al., discloses a stackable display container which may be formed from a single blank, shipped flat and assembled without adhesive. Such container has stacking shoulders and reinforced corners. This invention is only open on two sides wherein the other two sides are designed for handles.
None of these inventions adequately solves the problems associated with transporting and selling goods which are sensitive to compressive loads, these goods being sold directly from pallets. Consequently, a need exists for a carton, tray, or display which is easily stackable, and which remains stacked on a pallet in columns during shipping. A need exists for a shipping display which can be easily assembled at a production facility, and which can be used for the sale of goods as initially shipped and displayed on a pallet. A further need exists for a display which can be easily assembled from a single display blank and which has few or no additional parts required for shipping. A further need exists for a tray which may be stacked in columns and shipped on pallets, which allows the contents of the carton or tray to be seen, and which requires little or no additional manual labor for the goods to be sold from pallets. The present invention fills these and other needs as detailed more fully below.


A detection method for detecting blood glucose value and blood hemoglobin value includes the steps: applying a first voltage to a blood sample and obtaining a first blood glucose value; applying a second voltage to the blood sample and obtaining a second blood glucose value; applying a third voltage to the blood sample and obtaining a hematocrit index and a hemoglobin index; transforming the hematocrit index into a hematocrit value and calibrating the second blood glucose value according to the hematocrit value; and transforming the hemoglobin index into a hemoglobin value. The detection method is advantageous for simultaneously detecting the blood glucose and hemoglobin by a single meter with a single strip.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a detection method for simultaneously detecting blood glucose and whole blood hemoglobin of blood sample.
Related Art
With the progress of technology and changes of the human habits, the home health care gets more and more attention. The home health care is not only able to monitor the real-time status of patients, but capable of bringing many inspection items from hospital to patients' home.
Diabetes patients are one of the most common patients to be taken care at home. Generally, in order to effectively control and treat diabetes diseases patients, it is an important step to detect and monitor the blood glucose value of the patients. Besides, over 40% of diabetes patients also have renal dysfunction or renal failure, so it is necessary to monitor the kidney function of the patients earlier before the symptom of renal dysfunction or failure. Once the kidney function is abnormal, the creation of hemoglobin will be sufficiently decreased so as to reduce the hematopoietic function and reduce the amount of hemoglobin. In practice, the detected value of hemoglobin can be a critical index for monitoring the kidney function. According to the above detections, to effectively monitor the diabetes and accompanying renal dysfunction or renal failure in real-time.
Regarding the detection of blood glucose, the home-use or portable blood glucose meters used recently exist greater error value which is usually criticized by most users, and the most influential factors includes the hematocrit (HCT) of blood samples. The effects caused by the difference between hematocrit includes the difference between the stiffness of blood and the differences between the serum volume; the former factor causes further difference of electron transfer efficiency, and the latter factor causes the difference of testing standard. Hence, many kinds of methods used for testing hematocrit of the blood sample are developed in recent years.
The methods recently used for testing the hematocrit include flow velocity method, spectroscopic method, filtration membrane method, and especially the electrochemical method. The electrochemical method uses electrochemical sensor strip to test most substances in the testing solution, and then, compensating the blood glucose with the measured numerical value to make the testing result more close to the real situation of the patients.
However, the electrochemical method still remains some limitation; for example, it needs to use direct current and alternating current alternatively. In addition, the conventional strip structure is too complicated to simplify the manufacturing procedure and to decrease the manufacturing time. Otherwise, the accuracy of the self-testing result by patients is still not enough because of the error of the hematocrit. The accuracy of the blood glucose compensation is also affected by the concentrations of the glucose or interferences in blood samples.
Though, the electrochemical method still has considerable advantages for testing blood glucose and hematocrit, and is placed great hopes for long time. Thus, the electrochemical method might have greater applications while the above problems are overcome. Briefly speaking, the electrochemical method still needs to be improved, especially for the aspect of the testing of the hematocrit and blood glucose compensating. This might have a great influence to the future self-testing blood glucose techniques. In addition, if the detections of blood glucose and hemoglobin can be done with a single procedure in a short time based on the advanced electrochemical technology, the detection time can be sufficiently reduced thereby making the patient a more comfortable detection experience.
Therefore, it is an important subject to provide a detection method for simultaneously detecting blood glucose and whole blood hemoglobin of blood sample by a dual-functional testing strip, which is able to remove the effect on glucose or interferences by the blood glucose value and hematocrit, and to obtain hemoglobin value.

Detection method for detecting blood glucose and hemoglobin of blood sample


A fuel cell including an anode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium and a cathode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium that sandwich an ionically conductive membrane. A sealing material is disposed between the ionically conductive membrane and the anode-side and cathode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium, wherein the sealing material is formed of a material that has a permeability that is less than a permeability of the ionically conductive member. The sealing material may also be formed of a material that is softer than the ionically conductive membrane such that the sealing material may deform and enable an membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell to be subjected to uniform pressures throughout the assembly.

Fuel cells are being developed as a power source for electric vehicles and other applications. One such fuel cell is the PEM (i.e. Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell that includes a so-called "membrane-electrode-assembly" (MEA) comprising a thin, solid polymer membrane-electrolyte having a pair of electrodes (i.e., an anode and a cathode) on opposite faces of the membrane-electrolyte. The MEA is sandwiched between planar gas distribution elements.
In these PEM fuel cells, the electrodes are typically of a smaller surface area as compared to the membrane electrolyte such that edges of the membrane electrolyte protrude outward from the electrodes. On these edges of the membrane electrolyte, gaskets or seals are disposed to peripherally frame the electrodes. Due to the limitations of manufacturing tolerances, however, the seals, MEA, and gas distribution elements are not adequately closely aligned. Due to the misalignment of these elements, failures at the edges the membrane electrolyte can develop and shorten the life span of the fuel cell and decrease the performance of the fuel cell.
Moreover, tensile stresses on the membrane electrolyte that are caused by membrane shrinkage when the membrane electrolyte is cycled from wet to dry conditions, and chemical degradation of the membrane electrolyte due to chemical attack of the electrolyte in the membrane and the electrodes by free radicals produced by reaction of cross-over gases (hydrogen from the anode to the cathode, and oxygen from the cathode to the anode). As such, it is desirable to develop an MEA for a fuel cell that eliminates the above drawbacks.

Edge-protected catalyst-coated diffusion media and membrane electrode assemblies


A compressed-air actuated disk brake is disclosed comprising a caliper which reaches around a brake disk and on one side of which an application device is arranged which, when acted upon by compressed air, actuates at least one adjusting spindle adjustably arranged in a traverse, which adjusting spindle, by way of a pressure element disposed on its brake-disk-side end, acts upon the pressure plate of a brake lining which is disposed on the application side in the caliper to be displaceable with respect to the brake disk, an adjusting device, by acting upon the adjusting spindle(s), keeping the ventilating play, which changes because of the wear of the lining, essentially constant. In order to achieve that, while a high efficiency and a low hysteresis is maintained, the weight can be reduced, it is suggested according to the invention to use a fork-shaped pivoting lever in the case of which two legs extend or fork from the end region of its actuating arm, the semicircular pivot bearing as well as the bearing of the eccentric each being formed by corresponding pairs of bearings in the end regions of the legs.

The invention relates to a compressed-air actuated disk brake according to the preamble of claim 1 which is provided particularly for road vehicles and preferably for commercial vehicles.
Compressed-air actuated or pneumatic disk brakes of the above-mentioned type are known, for example, from German Patent Document DE-OS 37 16 202 as well as German Patent Document DE-OS 40 32 885. In the case of these known disk brakes, a caliper, which is disposed to be displaceable in the axial direction, reaches around a brake disk, in which case a compressed-air actuated brake application device is arranged on one side of the caliper. When the brake application device is actuated, a brake shoe situated on this side of the brake disk presses against the latter, whereupon, because of the reaction forces, the caliper is displaced in the opposite direction and, as a result, presses a brake shoe situated on the opposite side also against the brake disk.
In the case of these known disk brakes, the brake application device comprises a pivoting lever as the actuating element which, by means of an essentially semicircular pivot bearing, is disposed so that it can be swivelled about an axis of rotation which extends in parallel to the plane of the brake disk. The pivoting lever comprises an actuating arm whose end region engages with the pressure piston of a brake cylinder in such a manner that, when compressed air is admitted, a corresponding swivelling of the pivoting lever will take place. On its side facing the brake disk, the pivoting lever rests, by means of an eccentric, approximately in the longitudinal center, against a traverse structure. The traverse extends in parallel to the axis of rotation and is guided to be slidable with respect to the brake disk. At least one adjusting spindle having an external thread is adjustably screwed into a respective assigned internal thread of the traverse. Each adjusting spindle acts, by way of a pressure member disposed on its brake-disk-side end, upon the brake shoe which is disposed in the caliper on the brake application side so that it can be displaced with respect to the brake disk. The brake shoe consists of a brake lining and a metallic pressure plate which is acted upon by the pressure member of the respective adjusting spindle.
In the case of these known disk brakes, it is a basic problem that the weight must be kept as low as possible in order to minimize the unsprung masses of the vehicle. However, particularly the construction of the application device and of the caliper must be as stable and as torsionally rigid as possible in order to ensure good efficiency and a low hysteresis of the brake. It is therefore very difficult to significantly reduce the weight of the brake while maintaining the necessary qualitative characteristics. Thus, it was found, for example, that even the torsional strength of the pivoting lever becomes increasingly important because any torsion will considerably impair the running properties of the lever bearings which has a direct effect on the efficiency and the hysteresis. Pivoting levers used so far, for optimizing the efficiency and the hysteresis, have therefore been constructed to be largely massive and in one piece in order to achieve a torsional strength which is as high as possible.
It is an object of the invention to develop a compressed-air actuated disk brake according in such a manner that, while a high efficiency and a low hysteresis is maintained, a certain weight reduction can be achieved.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by the use a fork-shaped pivoting lever.
Surprisingly, tests have shown that a useful alternative to a massive pivoting lever is the use of a fork-shaped pivoting lever in which two legs extend or fork from the end region of its actuating arm a semicircular pivot bearing and the bearing of the eccentric are in each case formed by corresponding pairs of bearings in the end regions of the legs. Such a fork-shaped lever has a significantly lower weight than a massive pivoting lever so that the overall weight of the disk brake and the unsprung masses are correspondingly reduced. Furthermore, comparatively high savings of material are achieved.
However, in further tests, it was found that, in the case of such fork-shaped pivoting levers, torsional strains may nevertheless occur, specifically in the two legs. As a result, it cannot always be avoided that the (total of four) bearings of the pivoting lever and of the eccentric actuated by it have optimal running properties so that, under certain circumstances, a certain impairment of the hysteresis behavior and of the coefficient of friction will occur.
According to another aspect of the invention according to the teaching of claim 2, which is considered important, this problem is solved by the fact that the arrangement of the two bearings in each leg as well as the course of the two legs is selected such that the theoretical points of the introduction of force of these two bearings (viewed from above) are situated essentially on the center line of the respective leg, as illustrated in the top view in FIG. 3. By means of this measure, it is achieved that the introduction of force does not deviate from the center line of the leg, which has the result that virtually no torsional strains are built up in the fork-shaped pivoting lever. Therefore, no transverse stress is applied to the bearings so that these bearings operate with the optimal coefficient of friction and almost free of any hysteresis.
According to the further development of the invention, the supporting of the eccentric in the pivoting lever may take place by means of a pair of bearings arranged between the eccentric and the traverse and/or by means of a pair of bearings arranged between the eccentric and the pivoting lever, slide bearings being preferably used for these bearings. In contrast, in the case of the two semicircular pivot bearings by means of which the pivoting lever is supported in the brake housing, roller bearings are preferred. However, under certain circumstances, slide bearings may also be used here. In addition, with respect to the optimal bearings, reference is made to German Patent Application DE-OS 42 12 384, which is no prior publication. Reference is made here to the full content of the disclosure of that patent document.
In the following, the invention will be explained in detail by means of embodiments with reference to the drawing.


A baseball bat which includes a handle part formed of metal, metal alloy or filter composite material, and a hitting part formed of wood. The hitting part may be of single-piece construction or may be formed of two or more pieces of wood connected by finger joints.

This invention relates to bats and will have application to a composite baseball bat.
Baseball and softball bats are currently formed of a single piece of turned wood or of cast aluminum. My U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,251 shows a three-piece bat with the individual sections connected by adhesive-filled finger joints.
The predominant bat in organized amateur baseball leagues is made of aluminum. Only wood bats may be used in the professional leagues, both in the minor leagues all the way up to the major leagues. Aluminum bats are used in amateur baseball because of their durability and hitting power.
Unfortunately, the aspiring professional baseball player who attempts to make the transition from the aluminum to the wood bat is often disillusioned. Because of the expanded sweet spot of the aluminum bat, more balls are hit hard than with the traditional wood bat. Also, the relative softness of the wood bat makes the ball spin more than the aluminum bat, which often turns a potential extra base hit into a disappointing foul ball. As a result, many fine hitters, considered good major league prospects in amateur baseball become poor or ordinary hitters when forced to use the wood bat. In many cases, this is due not to an erosion of ability, but an erosion of the player's confidence.


A workpiece to be ground is immersed in a processing solution with abrasive grains suspended therein. The processing solution is contained in an ultrasonic processing tank equipped with an ultrasonic vibrator. Ultrasonic energy is radiated from said ultrasonic vibrator into said processing solution to ground surfaces of the workpiece. The processing solution is drawn from the ultrasonic processing tank, cooled to a temperature lower than a boiling point thereof, deaerated, and then returned to the ultrasonic processing tank.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of ultrasonically grinding surfaces of a workpiece immersed in a liquid by radiating ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic vibrator into the liquid.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Die-cast products such as machine parts have burrs, surface irregularities, and small scratches on their surfaces immediately after they are die-cast. The die-cast products are finalized when these surface imperfections are ground off.
Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 55-90261 discloses a method of finishing a workpiece by removing burrs having a height of about 100 .mu.m from its surfaces or smoothing out relatively large surface irregularities. According to the disclosed method, the workpiece is immersed in a processing liquid containing abrasive grains, and ultrasonic energy is applied to the processing liquid. More specifically, the processing liquid is supplied to a processing tank or chamber equipped with an ultrasonic vibrator, and ultrasonic energy is radiated from the ultrasonic vibrator into the processing liquid in the processing tank to develop cavitation in the processing liquid. The abrasive grains are brought into violent collision with the workpiece surfaces by shock waves that are generated when the cavitation collapses in the processing liquid, thereby grinding the workpiece surfaces.
However, as it has turned out, the disclosed method fails to develop sufficient cavitation when ultrasonic energy is radiated into the processing liquid, and hence the workpiece surfaces cannot fully be ground by the abrasive grains.
Another known method of smoothing out or removing small surface irregularities or scratches from workpiece surfaces is an electrolytic grinding process. According to the electrolytic grinding process, a workpiece such as a metal or semiconductor component and an electrode are immersed as an anode and a cathode, respectively, in an electrolytic solution which may be a mixture of concentrated phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid, and a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode to carry out electrolysis. The surfaces of the workpiece are dissolved by the electrolysis, smoothing out small surface irregularities or scratches having a height or depth ranging from 0.1 to several .mu.m, so that the surfaces are made glossy. However, oxygen produced when the workpiece surfaces are dissolved is applied as bubbles to the workpiece surfaces and covers the workpiece surfaces. As the electrolysis progresses, the oxygen bubbles cover the workpiece surfaces so much that they prevent the workpiece from contacting the electrolytic solution. Then, the electrolysis fails to go on, and the workpiece surfaces are no longer smoothed.

Method of ultrasonically grinding workpiece


A disk drive unit includes a rotor configured to rotate a disk accommodated within a disk accommodating space and set thereon, a fixed body configured to rotatably support the rotor, a fluid dynamic pressure generating part provided between the fixed body and the rotor, and a plurality of ring-shaped members, provided in an overlapping manner along a direction of a rotational axis of the rotor within a space that communicates the disk accommodating space and a gas-liquid interface of the lubricant, and covering a gap between the rotor and the fixed body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disk drive unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
A disk drive unit, such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example, is one type of a rotating device. The disk drive unit may use a fluid dynamic bearing that rotatably supports a disk by providing a lubricant between a rotating body and a fixed body. In the disk drive unit mounted with the fluid dynamic bearing, it may be important, from the standpoint of enabling the use of the disk drive unit for a long time without an operation error, to manage an existing state of the lubricant, such as the amount of lubricant and an interface position of the lubricant, and to prevent scattering and leaking of the lubricant.
In order to accurately and easily confirm the interface position of the lubricant, a fluid dynamic bearing mechanism having a seal member formed by a translucent material has been proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2012-089200, for example. Further, in order to prevent leaking of the lubricant, a fluid dynamic bearing unit having a bearing member formed with a ring-shaped groove to hold the lubricant that is provided to a predetermined lubricant level has been proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2012-087867, for example.
In addition, in order to prevent the scattering and leaking of the lubricant, a disk drive unit having a cap member that covers a gas-liquid interface of a capillary seal part has been proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications No. 2012-089200, No. 2012-087867, No. 2012-163203, and No. 2012-165627, for example.
However, in the disk drive unit having the fluid dynamic bearing, the lubricant may vaporize from the gas-liquid interface and adhere on the disk surface through a gap or the like, and an operation error may occur during a read or a write with respect to the disk. Such disk contamination caused by the vaporized lubricant adhering onto the disk surface may also occur in the configurations proposed in the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications No. 2012-089200, No. 2012-087867, No. 2012-163203, and No. 2012-165627 described above, for example, and cause the operation error of the disk drive unit. Particularly as the storage capacity of the disk drive unit becomes larger, it becomes more and more desirable to suppress adhesion of the lubricant onto the disk surface.

Disk drive unit having gas-liquid interface between fixed body and rotor

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Japan Advanced Technology Co., Ltd.


A fixing apparatus in which at least one temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of a fixing film and at least one temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of a heat generating element are included, and which controls the heat generating element on the basis of the temperature of the fixing film detected by the temperature detecting element and thus achieves temperature controlling of the fixing film, and an image forming apparatus to which the fixing apparatus is applied are disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing apparatus in which a fixing film having an elastic layer and a heat generating means provided so as to affect a non-fixing surface of the fixing film are included, and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser beam printer (hereinafter, called LBP), a printer, a facsimile machine, a microfilm reader printer, a recorder or the like to which the fixing apparatus in question is applied.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a fixing apparatus of a method for (1) forming and bearing an unfixed toner image corresponding to target image information on the surface of a transfer material (paper, print paper, transfer material sheet, electrofax sheet, electrostatic recording sheet, OHP sheet, glossy paper, glossy film, or the like) in a direct transfer method or an indirect transfer method with user of toner made of a heat melting resin or the like by an image forming process means suitable for electrophotographic recording, electrostatic recording, magnetic recording or the like, and (2) performing a heat fixing process to heat and fix the unfixed toner image onto the surface of the transfer material as a permanent fixed image.
The present invention relates to a low-cost and short-risetime (i.e., short-warmup-time) color on-demand fixing apparatus which is used particularly in a color image forming apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, colorization in image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a copying machine and the like advances. As a fixing apparatus which is used in such color image forming apparatuses, a heat roller fixing apparatus which has an elastic layer as the fixing member is well known. Here, FIG. 4 shows one example of the fixing apparatus which uses such a fixing roller having the elastic layer.
A fixing apparatus 101 is structured so that a transfer material P on which an unfixed toner image 105 has been borne can pass a contact nip portion 104 formed between two rollers consisting of a fixing roller 102 and a pressure roller 103 both temperature-adjusted.
When the unfixed toner image 105 passes the nip portion 104, this image is heated and pressed by the fixing roller (hereinafter, simply called roller) 102 and the pressure roller (hereinafter, simply called roller) 103, and thus obtained image is fixed as a finished image on the transfer material P.
Here, thermistors 106a and 106b are respectively in contact with the surfaces of the rollers 102 and 103, whereby the respective rollers 102 and 103 are temperature-adjusted based on the respective temperatures detected by the thermistors 106a and 106b.
Moreover, the rollers 102 and 103 respectively contain halogen heaters (hereinafter, simply called heaters) 107a and 107b at their centers, and radiant energy generated by the heaters 107a and 107b is respectively absorbed by aluminum core metals 108a and 108b provided inside the respective rollers 102 and 103, whereby the rollers 102 and 103 are heated resultingly.
Elastic layers 109a and 109b made of silicon rubber and each having the thickness of 2 mm are respectively provided around the aluminum core metals 108a and 108b, and coating layers 110a and 110b made of excellent separability and heat-resistance resin such as PFA (tetrafluoroethylene.perfluoroalkylether copolymer/tetrafluoroethylene. perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer resin), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene/tetrafluoroethylene resin), FEP (tetrafluoroethylene.hexafluoropropylene copolymer/tetrafluoroethylene.hexafluoropropylene copolymer resin) or the like are respectively provided on the respective outward surfaces of the rollers 102 and 103 to prevent adhesion of toner, paper flour and the like.
In the nip portion 104, the elastic layer is provided on the side of the fixing roller being the fixing member with which the unfixed toner is in contact, because the surface of the toner image is made uniform as much as possible when this image is fixed. However, in the heat roller fixing apparatus having such an elastic layer as this, a heat capacity of the heat roller itself is large, whereby there is a problem that a time (warmup time) necessary to increase the temperature of the fixing roller 102 up to the temperature suitable for fixing the toner image is prolonged. Moreover, there is a problem that costs of the fixing member increase.
Incidentally, a fixing apparatus of film fixing method which is often used in a black-and-white printer or the like is well known as a short-warmup-time fixing apparatus. Here, FIG. 5 shows one example of the fixing apparatus like this.
In a fixing apparatus 201, a fixing film unit 202 which is structured to bring a heater 204 into contact with a transfer material P through a thin fixing film 203 around film guide 207 and thus perform heating is employed as a heating apparatus.
An endless film of heat-resisting resin having the thickness of, e.g., 50 μm or so is used as the fixing film 203, a separation layer (fluorocarbon resin coating layer or the like) having the thickness of 10 μm is formed on the surface of the endless film, and the heater 204 constitutes a resistance heat generating body on a ceramic substrate. A temperature detecting means 209 is in contact with the heater 204 to detect the temperature of the heater 204, whereby the temperature of the heater 204 is controlled by a not-shown control means to become a desired temperature. Besides, any elastic layer is not provided for the fixing film 203 so as to decrease the heat capacity of the fixing film 203.
Numeral 205 denotes a pressure roller which is disposed on the opposite side of the fixing film unit 202 through the transfer material P, thereby constituting a nip portion 206. Thus, an unfixed toner image 105 is fixed as a finished fixed image on the transfer material P by heat and pressure when the transfer material P passes the nip portion 206.
In the fixing apparatus 201 of such a structure, the heat capacity of the fixing film 203 is very small. Therefore, after turning on the power to the heater 204, it is possible to increase the temperature of the nip portion 206 up to a temperature enabling to fix the toner image in a short time.
However, when the fixing apparatus 201 which uses the fixing film 203 having no elastic layer is used as the fixing apparatus of a color image forming apparatus, the surface of the fixing film 203 cannot cope with the surface of the transfer material P, unevenness due to existence/inexistence of a toner layer, unevenness of the toner layer itself and the like. Consequently, a difference in heat applied from the fixing member occurs between the convex portion and the concave portion on the film.
That is, the heat from the fixing member is well transmitted to the convex portion which is sufficiently in contact with the fixing member, but it is hard to transmit the heat from the fixing member to the concave portion as compared with the convex portion. In a color image, because toner layers of plural colors are used and superposed to achieve color mixture, the unevenness on the toner layer is larger as compared with that in a black-and-white image. For this reason, when the fixing member does not include any elastic layer, uneven brightness on the image obtained after the image fixing was performed becomes noticeable, thereby degrading image quality. Also, in a case where an OHP sheet is used as the transfer material, image quality deteriorates due to poor permeability when the image obtained after the image fixing was performed is projected.
Moreover, when a silicon oil or the like is applied to the fixing member having no elastic layer so that the heat is well transferred entirely to the concave and convex portions of the transfer material and the unfixed toner image, a problem that costs increase occurs, and also a problem that the image obtained after the image fixing was performed and the transfer material are sticky with the oil occurs.
Consequently, the fixing apparatus which constitutes a low-cost color on-demand fixing apparatus by applying the fixing film having the elastic layer to the film fixing apparatus as shown in FIG. 5 is known (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 3051085).
However, such a conventional fixing apparatus includes the following problems.
1) The heat conductivity of the silicon rubber or the like used as the elastic layer of the fixing film is not so high, and a response is deteriorated because many members intervene between the surface of the fixing film and the temperature detecting means of the heater, whereby it is hard for the heater temperature detecting means to control the temperature on the surface of the fixing film. Particularly, it is hard for the heater temperature detecting means to detect that the heat on the surface of the fixing film is absorbed by the transfer material P when it passes the fixing apparatus and thus the temperature on the surface of the fixing film decreases, and besides it takes too long to a response in the temperature detecting procedure.
2) In a case where it is intended that in order to control the driving of the heater and thus control the temperature, the temperature detecting means is shifted from the heater portion to the surface of the fixing film, the inside of the fixing film and the like to detect the temperature of the fixing film; it is impossible to detect the temperature of the heater itself.
Consequently, in a case where the heater is energized and the heat is generated in the state that the rotation of the fixing film has stopped due to some reason, the temperature of the heater excessively increases because a temperature rise gradient of the heater is remarkably higher than that at the position of the temperature detecting means of the fixing film, whereby various problems that the heater itself is cracked, a member for holding the heater is melted down, and the like occur.
3) In a case where it is intended that in order to control the driving of the heater and thus control the temperature, only the temperature of the fixing film is detected, particularly, in a case where it is necessary to rapidly increase the temperature of the fixing film, for example, in case of increasing the temperature of the film from a room temperature state to a fixing temperature, the temperature of the heater becomes high when the temperature of the fixing film is increased to a desired temperature, whereby the member for holding the heater and a grease for securing slidableness between the heater and the fixing film deteriorate. Thus, the problem that a torque of the fixing apparatus becomes large due to long-time use. That is, when the torque of the fixing apparatus is large, the fixing apparatus cannot transport a medium in sheet transportation, whereby the fixing film stops and thus a jam occurs.

Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus


A column-mounted shifter for a transmission includes a housing adapted to mount on a steering column and a shaft supported for rotation within the housing. A lever is operably coupled to the shaft and extends radially therefrom. The lever is pivotal between a series of positions corresponding to a series of modes of the transmission. Rotation of the lever causes rotation of the shaft within the housing. A sensor is configured to sense rotation of the shaft and output a signal indicative of the position of the lever. An actuator arrangement is connectable with the shaft and is configured to rotate the lever from one of the positions to another of the positions.

Many vehicles are used over a wide range of vehicle speeds, including both forward and reverse movement. Some types of engines, however, are capable of operating efficiently only within a narrow range of speeds. Consequently, transmissions capable of efficiently transmitting power at a variety of speed ratios are frequently employed. Most vehicles today have an automatic transmission including several modes such as PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE. The driver selects between the different modes using an input, e.g., a shifter, located in the passenger cabin. The transmission includes clutches and brakes operable to create one or more gear ratios associated with one or more of the modes. For example, the transmission may include five forward-drive gear ratios associated with DRIVE, a single reverse gear ratio associated with REVERSE, and one or more neutral states associated with NEUTRAL and PARK.
Referring to FIG. 8, a rotary gear shifter includes a dial that is turned to move the shifter between positions, such as PRND. The shifter is in electronic communication with a transmission and outputs a signal indicating a position of the dial. A controller associated with the transmission and the shifter commands the transmission to shift between various transmission modes according to the signal from the shifter. The shifter includes a mechanism for automatically rotating the dial when the position of the shifter is out of synchronization with the transmission.

Column-mounted electronic transmission shifter


A set of members for a drug delivery device comprises at least two components for the device, wherein both components are provided with a marking, the markings being substantially equivalent or identical. Furthermore, a drug delivery device and a set of drug delivery devices are provided.

Drug delivery devices of similar appearance may be provided for delivering different types of drugs. In particular, a single user may use devices comprising a similar exterior shape for dispensing different drugs. It is desirable that mixing-up different devices and, hence, different drugs is prevented.
A drug delivery device is described in document EP 1 923 083 A1, for example.
Cartridges are generally marked with details of the medicament that they contain, and may be differentiated with a specific color for that medicament. Although the cartridge itself is marked with details of the medicament that it contains, this marking may be difficult to see after the cartridge is loaded into the device, so the user may select the wrong device, and dispense the wrong medicament. It would therefore be advantageous for a reusable drug delivery device to be marked with a medicament differentiation. However, with a differentiated reusable device there is a risk that the user might load a cartridge in the wrong device, and then rely on the differentiation on the device rather than reading the cartridge label, and so dispense the wrong medicament. Alternatively, all detachable parts of the reusable device might be dedicated (or mechanically coded) to each other, but without any differentiation. For example, the cartridge might be coded to the cartridge holder, the cartridge holder to the dose setting mechanism, and the cap to the dose setting mechanism. The risk of a fully dedicated device is that it might be difficult to understand, so the user might apply excessive force to assemble the device, and damage the coding so that a cartridge fits into an incorrect device.

Set of members for a drug delivery device, drug delivery device and set of drug delivery devices


To prevent light leakage and compensate for a step between a display region and a non-display region, a thin film transistor array substrate can include a base substrate having a display region and a non-display region, a plurality of pixel regions defined by gate lines and data lines crossing each other in the display region of the base substrate, a common line corresponding to between adjacent pixel regions, a thin film transistor and a color filter in each pixel region, a first dummy color filter between the adjacent pixel regions, a second dummy color filter in the non-display region on the base substrate, the second dummy color filter being provided at an upper surface thereof with at least one recess, and a protective film over the entire surface of the base substrate to cover the first and second dummy color filters and fill the recess.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor array substrate. More specifically, the present invention relates to a thin film transistor array substrate and a method for manufacturing the same to prevent light leakage and to compensate for a step between a display region and a non-display region.
Discussion of the Related Art
In accordance with the evolution of information-dependent society, demand for display devices has vastly increased. In response to this demand, in recent years, a variety of display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), electro-luminescent displays (ELDs) and vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs) are being researched and some thereof are utilized as displays for various devices.
In general, the liquid crystal display device includes a color filter substrate provided with color filters, a thin film transistor array substrate provided with thin film transistors and a liquid crystal cell formed between the color filter substrate and the thin film transistor array substrate. Specifically, in the display region of the thin film transistor array substrate, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines cross each other to define a plurality of pixel regions and thin film transistors are formed in the respective pixel regions. In addition, color filters formed on the color filter substrate are respectively formed in the pixel regions and light of color corresponding to the color filters are emitted when the thin film transistors are operated.
When a display device is formed by joining the thin film transistor array substrate to the color filter array substrate, light leakage cannot be completely shielded in a non-display region. Accordingly, light leakage is generated in adjacent pixel regions and the non-display region, disadvantageously causing deterioration in display quality.

Thin film transistor array substrate and method for manufacturing the same


Aspects of the present disclosure include a medical device system including an implantable medical device and an external device with three or more electrodes configured to contact a patient's skin. The external device either transmits or receives a test signal to or from the implantable medical device using a plurality of possible receive dipoles, where each possible receive dipole is formed by a pair of electrodes. A signal quality monitor, either at the implantable medical device or at the external device, measures a signal quality for the possible receive dipoles.

IMDs are used to treat patients suffering from a variety of conditions. IMDs can be utilized in a variety of applications such as therapy delivery and monitoring physiological parameters in patients. Some IMDs are designed to generate and deliver electrical pulses to stimulate body tissue, muscles, nerves, brain cells, body fluid, or the like. Uses for IMDs can be found in many different areas of medicine such as cardiology, endocrinology, hematology, neurology, muscular disorders, gastroenterology, urology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, orthopedics, and similar medical subspecialties.
Examples of IMDs used in cardiac applications are implantable pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Such electronic medical devices generally monitor the electrical activity of the heart and provide electrical stimulation to one or more of the heart chambers when necessary. For example, pacemakers are designed to sense arrhythmias, i.e., disturbances in heart rhythm, and, in turn, provide appropriate electrical stimulation pulses at a controlled rate to selected chambers of the heart in order to correct the arrhythmias and restore the proper heart rhythm. The types of arrhythmias that may be detected and corrected by such IMDs include bradycardias (unusually slow heart rates) and certain tachycardias (unusually fast heart rates). Some IMDs monitor the electrical activity of the heart, but do not provide electrical stimulation.
Other IMDS may be used to monitor one or more hemodynamic characteristics of a patient, such as the pressure of blood within a particular vessel or chamber of the heart, the oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient (e.g., arterial blood), the volume of blood supplying a particular tissue site, and the like. Example medical devices that monitor hemodynamic characteristics of a patient include pressure sensors, pulse oximeters, blood flow sensors, hematocrit sensors, and tissue perfusion sensors. The pressure indicated by an implanted pressure sensor may be compared to an external pressure to determine gauge pressure of a body fluid, e.g., blood. One type of pressure sensor is a capacitive pressure sensor. One type of pulse oximeter includes at least one light source that emits light through a portion of blood-perfused tissue of a patient, and an optical detector that senses the emitted light that passed through the blood-perfused tissue. The time-varying optical amplitude measured by the optical detector can be processed, using algorithms known by those skilled in the art, to produce a measure of arterial blood oxygen saturation of the patient.

Determination of dipole for tissue conductance communication


A travel kit for assisting a user to scratch, wash, and apply lotions to hard to reach areas of the body includes a hollow shaft provided with telescopically interfitted rectilinear first, second, and third sections respectively. The kit includes a rectilinear connector, and a plurality of attachments is connected directly to the connector and the distal tip of the third section. The travel kit further includes a mechanism for locking the hollow shaft between compressed and extended positions, a plurality of depressions, an arcuately shaped knob formed in the outer surface of the second and the third sections respectively, a plurality of cylindrical brackets directly attached to the outer surface of the first and second sections respectively, and a tab suitably shaped and sized to reside within an associated one of the outer depressions.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to travel kits and, more particularly, to a travel kit and associated method for assisting a user to scratch, wash, and apply lotions to hard to reach areas of the body.
2. Prior Art
Most consumers recognize the importance of protecting the skin from the sun and strive to heed medical warnings by applying suntan lotion when enjoying the outdoors. As many consumers can attest, however, applying sun block to areas of the body such as the back or behind the shoulders and legs can be quite challenging without the help of a friend or companion. As a result, unprotected skin becomes highly susceptible to sun burn and other serious skin damage. Inadequate coverage can have aesthetic drawbacks as well. Those wishing to achieve a smooth, even tan often find that uneven application of lotions can instead result in blotchy tan lines and unsightly streaks. While those with sunbathing partners have someone to help them apply sunscreen, this is not an option for those sunbathing alone. Concerned with the health and look of their skin, consumers are often faced with the embarrassing prospect of soliciting help from a complete stranger.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,455 to Per-Lee discloses an applicator device for moving a contact surface against a person's back includes an elongated handle and a generally disc-shaped shell formed on one end of the handle. A generally disc-shaped cap is threadably engaged with the shell. The cap can be formed with structure for brushing, massaging, or scratching a person's back, or the cap can detachably hold one of a plurality of contact pads, with each contact pad having a structure and function distinct from the other pads. Unfortunately, this prior art example is not designed for traveling purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,550 to Lessard discloses an arm extender, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a pair of spaced curved extending members which are joined at one end by a connecting member. Further, a bracket for mounting a sponge is pivotally attached to the connecting member. A sponge having an opening is disposed about the bracket and retained thereon by, for example, a Velcro® type attachment. A gripping member is connected between the extending members at a predetermined distance from the free end of the extending members. Also, a strap is provided near the free end of the extending members for securing the arm extender to a person's arm. The strap is secured to at least one of the extending members and wraps about the other extending member forming a loop therebetween whereupon the strap is attached onto itself. During use, the user grips the gripping member with the user's hand and the user's forearm is secured within the loop of the strap. The strap is attached by, for example, a Velcro® type attachment. The extending, gripping and connecting members are preferably comprised of a light weight plastic. Also, the gripping member and the portions of the extending members in contact with the user's forearm may be padded. Unfortunately, this prior art example is not designed for traveling purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,787 to Young discloses a hand held back applicator for spreading emollients on one's back and other body parts, consisting of a curved handle with a grip, attached to a head with an absorbent pad accommodating the emollients. The pad is attached to the head by pressure-sensitive hook-and-loop strips, enabling it to be quickly detached for laundering and later re-attachment, or replacement. A cover which completely encloses the head with pad attached, shields against loss of emollients and permits hygienic storage and packing. Further, the head can be detached from the handle, so that the head, with pad and cover in place, can be stored and transported separate from the handle and grip. Handle and head are made of rigid plastics, the grip of vinyl, and the pad is designed for repeated hygienic hot water-soap washing, dryer cycles, and many re-uses. The dimensions of grip, handle, head and pad are economically selected for best results with maximum comfort and minimum operating cost. Unfortunately, this prior art example is not designed for traveling purposes and does not provide removable attachments for various personal needs.
Accordingly, the present invention is disclosed in order to overcome the above noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need providing a kit that is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, and assists a user to scratch, wash, and apply lotions to hard to reach areas of the body. The travel kit would allow consumers to simply and effectively scratch, wash, and apply lotions to areas of the body that can be difficult to access, whether at home or on the road. The travel kit would be especially beneficial for applying sun block because the extended handle would enable complete coverage of areas such as the back, behind the legs, and the feet, allowing sunbathers to be protected from burning. The present invention is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use.


A bearing arrangement (4), for a rear seat arrangement of a vehicle, includes a bearing pin (5.2) which forms a rotational axis and a rotary bearing (5.3) which can be pushed onto the bearing pin (5.2). The bearing pin (5.2) and the rotary bearing (5.3) each have a mutually corresponding structure which secures the bearing pin (5.2) and the rotary bearing (5.3) against axial and radial movements relative to each other in a use position. The bearing pin (5.2) can be guided through openings (01, 02) of the rotary bearing (5.3) during assembly. The use position, which is secured against axial and radial movements, can be subsequently adjusted by pivoting the bearing pin (5.2) and/or the rotary bearing (5.3). A method for assembling the bearing arrangement (4) is also provided.

Rear seat arrangements for vehicles having a plurality of backrest portions arranged adjacent to one another are generally known from the prior art. The backrest portions in this case are able to be pivoted independently of one another between at least two positions about a rotational axis for producing a folding mechanism. A bearing arrangement is provided for producing the pivoting movement, said bearing arrangement comprising a bearing pin aligned in the direction of the rotational axis and a rotary bearing. When assembling the bearing arrangement, the rotary bearing is pushed onto the bearing pin.

Bearing arrangement for a rear seat arrangement of a vehicle, and method for assembling the bearing arrangement

JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG


An electromagnetic control valve is provided. The control valve includes a housing defining a bore and a fluid passageway having a seat. A valve element is slidably disposed in the bore and is moveable between a first position where a flow of fluid passes by the seat and a second position where a flow of fluid relative to the seat is blocked. A solenoid having an armature is operatively connected with the valve element. The solenoid is operable to move the valve element from the first position to the second position. A biasing assembly is operatively engaged with the valve element and is adapted to move the valve element from the second position towards the first position. The biasing assembly exerts a first force on the valve element during a first predetermined travel distance from the second position and a second force on the valve element during a second predetermined travel distance. The first force is greater than the second force.

Electromagnetic valves are often used in applications that require precise control over a flow of fluid. An electromagnetic control valve typically includes a solenoid that is connected to a valve element, such as, for example, a poppet valve. The solenoid may be energized to move the valve element into and out of engagement with a valve seat to thereby regulate the flow of fluid through the valve. The electromagnetic properties of the solenoid may allow precise control over the position of the valve element relative to the valve seat and, thus, the flow of fluid through the valve. Accordingly, these types of control valves are well suited for use in applications that require precise control over the amount and/or timing of a flow of fluid.
For example, a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine may include an electromagnetic control valve that governs a fuel injection event. In one type of fuel injection system, the control valve is placed in fluid connection with a chamber in a fuel injector body. A cam is used to move a piston in the fuel injector body to exert a force on fuel provided to the chamber. When the control valve is open, the force of the piston acts to move fuel from the chamber through the control valve. Closing the control valve prevents fuel from escaping the chamber and allows the force of the piston to increase the pressure of the fuel. When the fuel reaches an injection pressure, a nozzle valve opens to inject the fuel into a combustion chamber. The fuel injection ends when the control valve opens to thereby allow fuel to escape from the chamber.
To precisely control the fuel injection event, the control valve should move quickly between the open and closed positions. Due to the high pressure of the fuel, the valve element of the control valve may experience significant resistance when moving out of engagement with the valve seat. To quickly overcome the resistance to opening, the control valve may include a device to assist in the opening of the valve.
An example of a device for assisting in the opening of the valve is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,682 to Lewis et al. The described device includes a heavy return spring that is compressed when a solenoid moves the valve element into engagement with the valve seat. When the solenoid is de-energized, the heavy return spring acts to move a coupling member into contact with the valve element to assist in the opening of the control valve. However, after the connecting member impacts the valve element, only a timing spring with a lighter force acts on the valve element to continue moving the valve element to open the control valve.
Typically the force of the timing spring is significantly less than the force of the return spring, which allows the valve to be closed quickly. However, when the valve is opening, forces exerted by the pressurized fuel may overcome the force of the timing spring. This may temporarily delay full opening of the valve. Any delay in the opening of the control valve may cause an undesirable pressure fluctuation or pressure "shelf" in the fuel injection pressure. Any delay in the opening of the control valve may, therefore, result in an unpredictable fuel injection event, which may impact the operation of the engine.
The electromagnetic control valve of the present invention solves one or more of the problems set forth above.