A light emitting device and a light receiving device are in a bare chip form and are a light emitting device of surface emitting type and a light receiving device of surface receiving type having an electrode on an opposite surface of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion respectively, the light emitting device, the light receiving device, and an optical waveguide are mounted on one surface of a flexible printed wiring board body, the light emitting portion of the light emitting device, an optical waveguide core, and the light receiving portion of the light receiving device are arranged substantially coaxially, and the light emitting device and the light receiving device are mounted in such a way that a light emitting/receiving direction is substantially 90° with respect to an orthogonal direction of a surface of the flexible printed wiring board body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical and electrical mixed flexible printed wiring board including an optical waveguide having flexibility and a method of mounting a light receiving/emitting device thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, miniaturization and higher performance of electronic devices are increasingly promoted and demands for ever-denser circuit boards are growing. Thus, circuit boards are made denser by converting a single-sided circuit board into a double-sided circuit board or multi-layer circuit board having at least three layers.
As part thereof, a hybrid multilayer circuit board as described, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 2631287 (Page 4, FIG. 5) is widely used mainly in small electronic devices such as notebook computers, digital cameras, mobile phones, and game machines. The hybrid multilayer circuit board has a configuration in which multilayer circuit boards or hard circuit boards on which various electronic components are mounted are connected by a flexible cable portion integrating a separate flexible printed wiring board or a flexible flat cable via a connector or the like.
Particularly, the amount of information of these devices is increasing and the signal transmission speed at which such information is transmitted tends to become increasingly faster. The transmission speed of personal computers has shifted to the transmission standard of 6 Gbps in 2010 to 2011 and it is becoming increasingly important to take transmission losses in lines into consideration.
Further, to transmit a pulse signal at high speed, the signal amplitude voltage of a signal source tends to become lower, making correct signal transmission more vulnerable to spike noise originating externally or internally. A board performing high-speed signal transmission needs a characteristic impedance matched transmission line, which makes transmission losses less tolerable.
It is necessary to take noise resistance measures of transmission lines and inside devices against the above spike noise and a shield needs to be formed for the transmission lines. Thus, the transmission line becomes thicker and it may be difficult to ensure flexibility of a hinge connecting the display of a notebook computer or the like and the keyboard. Accordingly, the application of high-speed signal transmission by an optical signal using an optical fiber commercially used in the field of long-distance transmission is examined for small devices to solve problems of losses and noise resistance to transmit an electric signal at high speed.
Further, a transmission line combining an organic polymeric optical waveguide having flexibility with a flexible printed wiring board to be able to apply to the above hinge portion or the like is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-58923 (Page 17, FIG. 11) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-286777 (Page 13, FIG. 5).
However, a transmission line combining a flexible printed wiring board made of a resin material of low elastic modulus and heat resistance and a polymeric optical waveguide is subject to tight constraints of the method and conditions for mounting an optical device that emits or receives light. It is also necessary to align each member, to form a 45° mirror to the polymeric optical waveguide, and to protect the optical path and mirror surface and thus, complex processes are needed and it is structurally difficult to manufacture the transmission line with high yields at low cost.
From the above, a structure that enables the manufacture of an optical and electrical mixed flexible printed wiring board including an optical waveguide at low cost with stability is desired.
FIGS. 4A to 4E are structural sectional views schematically showing a conventional an optical and electrical mixed flexible printed wiring board including an optical waveguide described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-286777.
That is, a light emitting device 102 including an electrode portion 102a and a light emitting portion 102b and a light receiving device 103 including an electrode portion 103a and a light receiving portion 103b are mounted on one surface of a flexible printed wiring board 101 at predetermined intervals.
The flexible printed wiring board 101 is provided with optical path holes 104, 104 drilled toward the rear surface separately corresponding to the light emitting portion 102b and the light receiving portion 103b and a polymeric optical waveguide 105 having flexibility is pasted to the opposite surface of the double-sided flexible printed wiring board 101 via an adhesive 106.
A mirror portion 107 is formed on an extension line of a core 105a of the optical waveguide 105. A relatively cheap VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting LASER [emitting light in a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor wafer substrate]) is used as the light emitting device 102 and a photo diode having sensitivity at wavelength 850 nm is used as the light receiving device 103 by fitting to the wavelength 850 nm of VCSEL.
The electrode portions 102a, 103a of the light emitting device 102 and the light receiving device 103 are provided on the side of the light emitting portion 102b and the light receiving portion 103b respectively and are mounted on the flexible printed wiring board 101 by the flip chip bonding method by using a solder bump 109.
The light emitting device 102 and the light receiving device 103 are mounted, as shown in FIGS. 4B to 4E, according to the following procedure. The mounting procedure is the same for the light emitting device 102 and the light receiving device 103 and thus, the light emitting device 102 and the light receiving device 103 are denoted as a light emitting/receiving device 123 below.
i) The light emitting/receiving device 123 is recognized by a camera 111 such as a CCD before pickup (see FIG. 4B).
ii) Two opposed side faces of the light emitting/receiving device 123 are picked up by a pickup tool 112 to move from a tray stocking the light emitting/receiving device 123 into a mounting apparatus (here, a flip chip bonder) (see FIG. 4C).
iii) The pickup tool 112 reversely rotates by 180° so that the light emitting/receiving device 123 is passed to a suction nozzle 113 for mounting (see FIG. 4D).
iv) The light emitting/receiving device 123 is sucked by the suction nozzle 113, recognized by a camera 114 (see FIG. 4E), and moved to a mounting stage before being mounted on a board.
It is necessary to protect the lower space of the light emitting device 102 and the light receiving device 103, the inside of the optical path hole 104, and the mirror portion 107 and each is sealed by using a transparent sealing resin 108. If the refractive index of the sealing resin 108b is high, the mirror portion 107 does not function as a mirror and thus, it is also necessary to form a metallic thin film by the sputter process, the evaporation method or the like in the mirror portion 107. Both of the flexible printed wiring board 101 and the optical waveguide 105 have flexibility and so can be bent.
In the conventional structure, the optical axes of the light emitting portion 102b, the optical path hole 104 on the side of the light emitting device 102, the mirror portion 107, the optical waveguide 105, the optical path hole 104 on the side of the light receiving device 103, and the light receiving portion 103b need to be with accuracy up to 30 to 50 μm to be able to transmit an optical signal with stability and it is very difficult to attain such accuracy when a flexible printed wiring board whose dimensions are likely to expand or contract is used.
In addition, optical transmission losses increase in the resin portion sealed in the lower space of the light emitting/receiving device 123 and inside the optical path hole 104 and thus, it is necessary to increase power applied to the light emitting device 102 for signal transmission, which is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of decreasing power consumption.
In contrast, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-26508 (Page 16, FIG. 1) describes an optical transmission module that does not form a mirror in an optical waveguide, but problems are posed in the following points.
FIG. 5A is a structural sectional view showing the structure of an optical transmission module that does not form a mirror in a conventional optical waveguide described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-26508.
A light emitting device 202 and a light receiving device 203 are of end face entry/emission type, which is more expensive than a light emitting device of surface emitting type such as VCSEL. Also in this case, a solder bump 209 is used for mounting and it is difficult to attain accuracy of position in the direction of bump height with respect to an optical waveguide 205. If estimated conservatively, the position fluctuates in units of 10 μm. The method of ensuring the accuracy of position in the XY directions is described, no description is found regarding the Z direction.
As the method of ensuring the accuracy of position in the XY directions, cutting the position of the optical waveguide 205 in the XY directions by laser after the light emitting device 202 and the light receiving device 203 are mounted is described. According to this method, because the shape of the sidewall of the optical waveguide 205 is not good, which increases losses, and the processing accuracy of position by laser is at least a few μm or more, losses are also caused here. In addition, the process is complex.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-10837 (Page 18, FIG. 6) describes an optical transmission module that uses a light emitting device of surface emitting type and does not form a mirror in an optical waveguide, but problems are posed in the following points.
FIG. 5B is a structural sectional view schematically showing the structure of an optical transmission module that uses a light emitting device 302 and a light receiving device 303 of conventional surface emitting type described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-10837 and does not form a mirror in an optical waveguide 305 and FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of a light emitting device mounting portion.
The light emitting device 302 and the light receiving device 303 use devices of surface emitting type and surface receiving type and the device is connected to a sub-mount board 309 and when the sub-mount board 309 is mounted on a base 310, an optical axis L is adjusted to be directed in the horizontal direction.
There are three pending problems with this approach.
The substantial thickness of a light emitting portion 302b and a light receiving portion 303b is made thicker by using the sub-mount board 309, making it difficult to make the thickness as an optical transmission module thinner.
When connecting the light emitting device 302 and the light receiving device 303 to the sub-mount board 309, it is recommended not to use sealing of resin at this point for convenience in subsequent processes, though at least one of two electrodes is connected by wire bonding 308. If the recommendation is followed, however, the wire 308 may be broken before the sub-mount board 309 is mounted on the base 310 and sealed, which is not preferable.
When connecting the light emitting/receiving devices 302, 303 to the sub-mount board 309, at least one of two electrodes in each device is connected by wire bonding and thus, the distance between the light emitting/receiving portions 302b, 303b and the end face of the optical waveguide 305 increases by the loop of the wire 308 and transmission losses are also caused here, which is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of decreasing power consumption.
Because the accuracy of the optical axis L of the light emitting device 302 and the light receiving device 303 changes depending on mechanical accuracy of the end face of the sub-mount board 309, it is necessary to work on the outer shape of the sub-mount board 309 with high accuracy, increasing the cost of producing the sub-mount board 309.
When a sealing medium 307 is used for fixing, the optical axis L of the light emitting device 302, the light receiving device 303, and the optical waveguide 305 connected to the sub-mount board 309 is aligned and then fixed by the sealing medium 307 at a time and there are two pending problems with this approach.
First, it is disclosed that the alignment may be active or passive, if active alignment should be performed in the configuration, it is necessary to pass a current while the wire 308 is exposed on the sub-mount board 309 and there is still the possibility of breaking of the wire 308 and alignment is considered to be practically difficult.
For passive alignment, the optical axis L needs to be fitted to the predetermined alignment and targets and if an alignment mark is created on the optical device side, recognition from the direction of the optical axis L is needed, which is difficult to implement. For alignment from the surface direction, it is difficult to define the height of the light emitting portion 302b and the light receiving portion 303b of the light emitting device 302 and the light receiving device 303 and the height of the optical waveguide 305. From the above, it is necessary to allow for a certain level of position deviations, which is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of decreasing power consumption.
The method is considered to be valid only if, after the optical axis L being aligned, sealing is done at a time while the optical axis L is held, but how to temporarily fix the sub-mount board 309 and the optical waveguide 305 is not sufficiently described and no description of addition of an adhesive layer is found, which makes the implementation thereof difficult.
Thus, replacing a light emitting device and a light receiving device of an optical transmission module like Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-26508 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-10837 in which no mirror is formed by a device having electrodes on the surface opposite to the light emitting/receiving portion can be considered, but no suitable small device is found, making it difficult to realize a thin optical transmission module.
For example, an LED package as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-294496 (Page 3, FIG. 1) is available, but even a small-sized package has large dimensions of the length 1.6 mm×width 0.8 mm×thickness 0.25 mm and the thickness of an optical transmission module mounted with the package becomes 0.8 mm so that the optical transmission module cannot be made thin and small.

Optical and electrical mixed flexible printed wiring board and method of mounting light receiving/emitting device thereof


An integrated circuit memory comprising redundancy circuits with batteries of fuses to store the addresses of defective memory elements to be replaced by redundancy elements. The circuit used to read the state of the fuse comprises a current-voltage converter constituted by an inverter and a transistor. To prevent uncertainty over the state of the fuse when the power is turned on, two additional inverters in series are used between the outputs of the first inverter and the gate of a feedback transistor. These inverters are highly asymmetrical in opposite directions. This avoids the need for a power-on-reset circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to memories made in the form of integrated circuits and more particularly to memories that include redundancy circuits.
An integrated memory comprises numerous memory cells in rows and columns on a very small surface area and a technical defect in one cell leads to the discarding of the entire memory. This is prevented by using redundancy circuits that are put into operation if a defect is observed when the memory is being tested.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Most usually, the memory will include several replacement rows or several replacement columns (or several rows and several columns at a time). Each replacement row or column can replace a defective row or column of the memory.
However, the replacement should be transparent to the user, i.e. the user should be capable of applying the address of the defective row or column to the input of the memory in order to read or write at this address just as if it were not defective. The address of the defective rows or columns is therefore recorded inside the integrated circuit; when the user presents a defective row or defective column address to the input of the memory, it is the internal circuits of the memory that recognize it as being one of the defective addresses recorded, and that route the electrical signals towards the replacement columns. The user plays no role in this process.
To record the defective addresses, devices broadly designated as "fuses" have been used and are still used: a fuse defines a piece of binary information according to its state (blank or programmed); for each defective address to be registered, a battery of several fuses is used, equal in number to the number of bits used to define an address. For an address of p bits, there is a battery of p fuses. The state, whether intact or programmed, of the different fuses of a battery defines an address of p bits. If there are N redundancy rows or columns, i.e. if it is desired that it should be possible to replace N defective rows or columns by replacement rows or columns, then N batteries are needed.
When there is need for a replacement element to replace a defective element, the address of this defective element is stored in a battery of fuses, and a validation fuse associated with this battery is "burned out" or "fused" to indicate that it is effectively used to define an operation of replacement.
The fuses may be physical fuses (for example an open circuit element that is converted into a short-circuit when it is fused, or the reverse); or again, as is more frequent now, the fuses may be non-volatile memory elements such as UPROM (unerasable programmable read-only memory) transistors. These transistors are electrically programmed and can no longer be erased. The blank state of the transistors corresponds to an original state of the "fuse"; the programmed state of the transistor corresponds to a "fused" state of the fuse.
FIG. 1 shows a part of a prior art redundancy circuit. This part is designed to store an address bit of a defective element and to compare the stored bit with a corresponding bit of the received address; the comparison of the received address and of the stored address defines whether there is any reason to put the redundancy into operation. There are therefore as many circuits like that of FIG. 1 as there are bits in the address of the defective element to be replaced.
The defective address bit is stored in a fuse consisting herein of an UPROM type floating-gate transistor TGF. The state of this transistor, whether blank or programmed, defines the value of the stored bit. A reading voltage VL is applied to the control gate of this transistor. If the transistor TGF has remained in the blank state (not programmed), it means that the stored address bit is a zero bit. In this case, the transistor TGF is conductive in the presence of the reading voltage VL. If, on the contrary, the transistor TGF has been programmed, the stored address bit is a 1; in this case, the transistor remains off despite the reading voltage VL.
A current-voltage converter constituted by a P channel transistor T1 and two inverters I1 and I2 is used to read the current flowing in the transistor TGF to determine whether it is on or off. This converter gives a logic 0 voltage level if the transistor TGF is on, hence if the stored bit is 0 and a logic 1 voltage level if the transistor TGF is off, hence if the stored bit is 1.
An exclusive-OR gate X1 receives, firstly, the output of the converter (output of I2) and, secondly, a bit A of the addressed received at a given instant by the memory. As indicated here above, if the applied address comprises p bits, then there are p circuits identical to that of FIG. 1, each circuit making a comparison between a received address bit Ai and a same-order i stored address bit. It is only if there is a bit-to-bit coincidence between the received address and the stored address that the redundancy will be put into operation.
If the received address bit is identical to the stored bit, the exclusive-OR element gives a logic 0. If not, it gives a 1. It is only if all the outputs of exclusive-OR elements corresponding to the different bits are at 0 that the redundancy should be put into operation. A NOR element, not shown, receives all the outputs S of the exclusive-OR elements and delivers a logic 1 only if all its inputs are simultaneously at 0. It furthermore receives an additional input corresponding to a validation fuse, this input being at 0 only if the validation fuse has been programmed.
More specifically, the current-voltage converter (T1, I1, I2) has a first inverter I1, the input of which is connected to a circuit node N1 which is the drain of the transistor TGF. The output of the inverter I1 is connected to the gate of a P channel transistor T1, the source of which is at a positive supply voltage Vdd and the drain of which is connected to the node N1. The relative dimensions of the transistor T1 and of the transistors constituting the inverter I1 make it possible to adjust the current thresholds that prompt the switching over of the inverter I1 in one direction or in another. The inverter I2, cascaded with the output of the inverter I1, is optional. In the present case, it inverts the output logic level of the inverter I1 to define a logic 0 level when the transistor TGF is blank and conductive.
Finally, to finish the description of FIG. 1, a transistor T2, controlled by a logic signal PW, is connected between the supply Vdd and the node N1. The signal PW is created by a power-on-reset circuit (not shown). This signal is conventionally generated some instants after the power is reset in the integrated circuit. It is used to establish a logic 1 level unambiguously at the node N1 after the power-on-reset operation when the transistor TGF is in a programmed state (hence a non-conductive state despite the reading voltage VL). Indeed, in this case, when the power is turned on again, the node N1 is floating (with TGF non-conductive). At the outset, its potential may be close to zero. This takes the output of the inverter I1 to 1 and confirms that the transistor T1 is off. The node N1 therefore remains floating and has no reason to tend towards 1 which, however, it should do to represent the programmed state of the transistor TGF. This is all the truer as there are substantial parasitic capacitances between the node N1 and the ground. To prevent this, the signal PW makes the transistor T2 unambiguously conductive for a brief instant, after the power has been reset, thus taking the node N1 to 1. The output of the inverter I1 goes to 0 and makes the transistor T1 conductive, then confirming the state 1 of the node N1 even after the disappearance of the signal PW.
One of the aims of the present invention is to avoid the need to use a power-on-reset signal PW. The circuit that produces this signal is indeed difficult to devise. It occupies much space and consumes substantial current.
In one approach, a capacitor has been placed between the output of the inverter I1 and the ground. If this capacitor is discharged at the power-on-reset operation, then it will tend to keep the transistor T1 conductive for a certain period of time during the power-on-reset operation and the node N1 will therefore have the time to rise to 1 by means of the transistor T1, after which the situation will be normal. Experience has shown that this approach is not satisfactory, firstly because the capacitor is bulky and secondly because it is difficult to adjust this capacitor in the technology of integrated circuits. There are uncertainties about its value and hence about its operation.
This is why, according to the invention, there is proposed a circuit that provides a satisfactory solution to this problem, especially by eliminating the need for a power-on-reset signal PW, in achieving this goal without downgrading the other characteristics of the circuit.
According to the invention, it is proposed to eliminate the transistor T2 and to place two additional inverters in series between the output of the inverter I1 and the gate of the transistor T1, each of these two additional inverters comprising two highly asymmetrical transistors, and the asymmetry being in the opposite direction for the two inverters.
This asymmetry is in a direction that tends to facilitate the operation of turning on the transistor T1 of the current converter.

Redundancy fuse reading circuit for integrated memory


A method of registering an image onto a sheet of media on an imaging surface of a printer having a printhead for imaging onto the sheet, comprising: detecting a position of said sheet of media being advanced onto the imaging surface using a first sensor positioned along said media path upstream of the printhead; and firing the printhead at a time based on the detected position and a calibrated distance between the sensor and the printhead.

A media handling subsystem transports a media sheet through a printing apparatus, such as a computer printer, fax machine or copy machine, for imaging. A media sheet is picked from a stack, typically in a tray, then moved along a media path using drive rollers. Along the media path, the media sheet is positioned relative to an imaging mechanism, such as an ink or toner cartridge or printhead, which forms character and/or graphic markings on the media sheet.
For drum based printers, for example, a sheet is fed to the rotating drum by a sheet feeder, and a vacuum captures it and rolls it on to the drum. In scanning-carriage printing systems, such as inkjet printers for example, printheads are typically mounted on a carriage that is moved back and forth across the print media. As the printheads are moved across the print media, the printheads are activated to deposit or eject ink droplets onto the print media to form text and images. The print media is generally held substantially stationary while the printheads complete a "print swath", typically an inch or less in height; the print media is then advanced between print swaths. The need to complete numerous carriage passes back and forth across a page has meant that such printers have typically been significantly slower than some other forms of printers, such as laser printers, which can essentially produce a page-wide image.
The ink ejection mechanisms of inkjet printheads are typically manufactured in a manner similar to the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits. The print swath for a printhead is thus typically limited by the difficulty in producing very large semiconductor chips or "die". Consequently, to produce printheads with wider print swaths, other approaches are used, such as configuring multiple printhead dies in a printhead module, such as a "page wide array". Print swaths spanning an entire page width, or a substantial portion of a page width, can allow inkjet printers to better compete with laser printers in print speed.
One type of printing system utilizes multiple printhead modules that each print a substantial portion of a page width; the modules are on carriages that need to be accurately positioned such that visible print defects are not introduced where the separately-printed portions of the page meet.
In order to ensure accurate media or image registration of the printing system, the print engine needs to correlate reference coordinates in both the drum spin or media advance direction (e.g. X-direction) as well as in the carriage motion direction (e.g. Y-direction). Such reference coordination is needed to register the media according to required print margins (e.g. 2 millimeter (mm) print margin). Furthermore, the print engine needs to know where the media is loaded onto the drum relative to the carriages so as to know where to move the carriages and when to trigger the start of printing.

Method and apparatus for image registration

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A stack type plant-pot is divided into radially extending pot portions by means of partitions. Each plant-pot includes radially extending pot portions of a similar shape. The pot portions are stacked crisscross with those of another plant-pot embodying the present invention, thus providing wider cultivation areas. The plant-pot of the present invention has a wider upper periphery and a narrower lower periphery and has stacking features, for example, an upper stepped portion and a lower extension. With this arrangement, the amount of yield and cultivation may be increased within a limited area.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a plant-pot for cultivation of flowers or farm produce, and more particularly to a stack type plant-pot which comprises radially extending several plant-pot portions which are displaced crisscross when the plant-pots are stacked up to provide wider cultivation spaces.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, a world population has been increased explosively and an industrial construction has been greatly changed. Accordingly, arable land available is in inverse proportion to the population increase. To increase crop output per unit area, various studies about, for example, plant breeding have been made.
A typical plant-pot such as a flower-pot generally is of cylindrical or square shape, wherein the arable space is limited only to the area occupied by the typical plant-pot. Furthermore, since the typical plant-pot is not of a stack type, the cultivation of plants is limited only to a plane surface area which is occupied by the typical plant-pots. Consequently, an increase of the amount of cultivation or crops can not be expected. In addition, in a narrow space, for example small apartment, it is inconvenient to cultivate various kinds of flowering plants by the use of the typical plant-pots and it is confusing to take care of the scattered typical plant-pots.


A shoulder rest for a stringed musical instrument has a carrier for a shoulder-engaging cushion and for two clamping devices which can engage opposite sides of the body of an instrument. One of the clamping devices is adjustably coupled to the carrier for movement toward and away from the other clamping device. The coupling comprises an elongated arm which is provided on the one clamping device and extends longitudinally of the carrier, two annular stops on the carrier, an elastically deformable sleeve-like self-locking bearing between the stops, and an affixing element adjacent the bearing and also located between the stops. The arm extends through the stops, through the bearing and through the affixing element, and the arm can be shifted longitudinally of the carrier by overcoming the resistance of the bearing. Once the arm assumes a desired position, a screw of the affixing element is caused to engage the arm and to fixedly retain it in the selected position. One of the stops is nearer to the one clamping device than the other stop, and the affixing element can be located between the one stop and the bearing. Alternatively, the bearing can be located between the one stop and the affixing element.

The invention relates to improvements in shoulder rests for violins and analogous stringed musical instruments. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in shoulder rests of the type disclosed in commonly owned German Pat. No. 26 04 897 (published Aug. 19, 1976 and granted Jun. 22, 1978), in commonly owned German Auslegeschrift No. 26 59 869 (published Aug. 18, 1977), in commonly owned German Pat. No. 30 33 310 (published Apr. 8, 1982 and granted Jun. 16, 1982) and in corresponding commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,548 (granted Jun. 7, 1983).
The above enumerated commonly owned prior publications disclose shoulder supports wherein a first clamping device is movable toward and away from a second clamping device against the resistance of a self-locking sleeve which maintains the two clamping devices at a selected distance from each other. Reference may be had, for example, to the drawing of German Pat. No. 26 04 897 which shows a self-locking sleeve. The clamping devices can engage selected portions of the body of a stringed musical instrument and are mounted on a carrier which further supports a shoulder-engaging member, e.g., a pad or a cushion. The clamping devices are adjustable to change the distance of the respective portions of the carrier from the body of the musical instrument Such multiple adjustability enables the player to select an optimal position of the pad or cushion relative to the body of the musical instrument. Moreover, the shoulder rest can be affixed to instrument bodies having different sizes and/or shapes. Still further, the shoulder rest can be adjusted to fit the stature of the player, particularly the vertical distance of the clavicle from the chin.
A drawback of presently known shoulder rests is that the mutual spacing of the clamping devices cannot be fixed with a desired degree of reliability. Thus, if the stress upon the adjustable clamping device reaches a certain value, the self-locking sleeve yields and permits a shifting of the movable clamping device toward or away from the other clamping device This can affect the comfort and the quality of play of the person using the musical instrument. Aging of the self-locking sleeve is one of the primary reasons that the useful life of such sleeves is rather limited and that their self-locking action deteriorates with time.
Certain additional conventional shoulder rests are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,747,452 (granted May 29, 1956) to Goldberger and in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,916 (granted Nov. 25, 1969).

Shoulder rest for stringed musical instruments


The present subject matter relates to techniques and equipment for processing mailpieces. The mailpieces have been manufacture on a mailpiece inserter or directly from a printer The manufactured mailpieces are processed on a mail sorter to produce trays of mail that are grouped by zone improvement program. The mailpieces are sorted without a predefined sort scheme loaded on the mail sorter.

Large mail processing facilities, such as letter shops, captive shops and service bureaus use high speed inserters which run at up 22,000 mail pieces per hour. The mailpieces come out of the inserter onto a stacking belt. Individual trays are marked with an edge marker or the first or last mailpiece is offset on the stacker belt. An operator must identify the tray visually and sweep the mail from the stacker belt and place the mailpieces in a mail tray. Since a tray holds approximately 350 mailpieces, the operator will often need to make several sweeps to fill a tray. This process is slow and can introduce errors if the trays are not maintained accurately due to sweeping errors caused by missing the edge mark or disturbing the mail stacked on the belt. Disturbance of the stack can result in losing the offset mailpiece indication for the end or beginning of a tray. The operator is also required to insert the correct tray tag in each mail tray. The stacker belt provides some buffer for the operator but he must average at least a tray per minute. If the operator falls behind, the inserter may have to be stopped, which impacts throughput. A similar problem exits for high speed printers that produce mailpieces such as postcards or self mailers since the output must be correctly swept into trays.
There are significant penalties for not keeping the mailpieces in a tray group together. If mailpieces are in the wrong tray or an incorrect tag is placed on the tray, presort postage discounts maybe lost for the mailing. In addition, no verification is made to ensure that all of the mailpieces have been manufactured and put in the correct tray group. As a result the mailing documentation maybe incorrect and not represent the actual mailing to be provided to the postal authority.
The mail pieces from the inserter or printer can be run on a sorter provided there is a sorter with sufficient sort bins available to meet the presort requirements. Sort schemes to control the sortation process also need to be developed based on the jobs to be run. Generating sort schemes is a highly manual process based on experience or documentation defining the delivery points associated with the mailpieces in the job to be run. Also, depending on the sort scheme and mail makeup, a second pass through the sorter maybe required to meet presort rules for discounted postage.
Hence a need exists for a mail sorter that can process the mail that is manufactured by an inserter or printer. This sorter system sort the mailpieces without a predefined sort scheme and will correct any errors in the grouping of mail pieces in mail trays in accordance with presort groups. In addition, the sorter will verify that all of the mailpieces that were manufactured are accounted for and update the mailing documentation for any discrepancies. These operations can be performed at 40 to 50 thousand mailpieces per hour on a sorter. Another advantage for the sorting approach is throughput gains. The sorter requires a few minutes of setup between jobs since the sort scheme is setup automatically during sortation. Sweeping of the sorter bins is more efficient since fewer bins are used and they a grouped in one area to facilitate sweeping with minimum movement by the operator. One sorter can service multiple inserters or printers and ensure the job accuracy demanded by the postal authority and clients.

Method and system for presort break sorting of mailpieces


There is provided an EL light-emitting device with less uneven brightness. When a drain current of a plurality of current controlling TFTs is Id, a mobility is μ, a gate capacitance per unit area is Co, a maximum gate voltage is Vgs(max), a channel width is W, a channel length is L, an average value of a threshold voltage is Vth, a deviation from the average value of the threshold voltage is ΔVth, and a difference in emission brightness of a plurality of EL elements is within a range of ±n %, a semiconductor display device is characterized in that

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an EL panel in which an EL element formed on a substrate is sealed between the substrate and a cover member. Further, the present invention relates to an EL module in which an IC is mounted in the EL panel. Incidentally, in the present specification, the EL panel and the EL module are generally referred to as a light-emitting device. The present invention further relates to an electronic instrument using the light-emitting device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a technique for forming a TFT on a substrate has been greatly advanced, and application to an active matrix display device has been advanced. Especially, since a TFT using a polysilicon film has an electron field-effect mobility (also called mobility) higher than that of a TFT using a conventional amorphous silicon film, a high speed operation is possible. Thus, control of a pixel, which is conventionally performed by a driving circuit outside a substrate, can be performed by a driving circuit formed on the same substrate as the pixel.
In this sort of active matrix display device, various merits, such as reduction of manufacturing costs, miniaturization of an electro-optic device, improvement of a yield, and reduction of a throughput, can be obtained by forming various circuits and elements on the same substrate.
Further, research of an active matrix type light-emitting device including an EL element as a self-luminous element has been actively carried out. The light-emitting device (EL display) including the EL element is also called an organic EL display (OELD: Organic EL Display) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED: Organic Light-emitting Diode).
The light-emitting device is of a self-luminous type differently from a liquid crystal display device. The EL element has such a structure that a layer (hereinafter referred to as an EL layer) containing an organic compound is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode), and the EL layer has normally a laminate structure. Typically, there is cited a laminate structure "hole transporting layer/light-emitting layer/electron transporting layer" proposed by Tang et al. of Eastman Kodak Company. This structure has a very high luminous efficiency, and most of the light-emitting devices on which research and development has been made at present adopt this structure.
In the EL element, luminescence (Electro Luminescence) generated by application of an electric field is obtained, and it includes an anode layer, an EL layer, and a cathode layer. Luminescence in an organic compound includes light emission (fluorescence) generated when a single excited state returns to a ground state and light emission (phosphorescence) generated when a triplet excited state returns to the ground state, and the EL display of the present invention may use either light emission.
In addition, there may be also adopted a structure in which laminating is made on an anode in the order of a hole injecting layer/a hole transporting layer/a light-emitting layer/an electron transporting layer or a hole injecting layer/a hole transporting layer/a light-emitting layer/an electron transporting layer/an electron injecting layer. The light-emitting layer may be doped with a fluorescent pigment or the like.
In the present specification, all layers provided between a cathode and an anode are generally referred to as an EL layer. Thus, all of the foregoing hole injecting layer, hole transporting layer, light-emitting layer, electron transporting layer, electron injecting layer, and the like are included in the EL layer.
Besides, in the present specification, an element formed of an anode, an EL layer and a cathode is referred to as an EL element.
In a light-emitting device, a plurality of pixels are provided in a matrix form, and each of the plurality of pixels includes a thin film transistor (TFT) and an EL element. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a pixel of a general light-emitting device. A pixel 400 includes a switching TFT 401, a current controlling TFT 402, an EL element 403, a source signal line 404, a gate signal line 405, a power supply line 406, and a capacitor 407.
A gate electrode of the switching TFT 401 is connected to the gate signal line 405. One of a source region and a drain region of the switching TFT 401 is connected to the source signal line, and the other is connected to a gate electrode of the current controlling TFT 402. A source region of the current controlling TFT 402 is connected to the power supply line 406, and a drain region is connected to an anode or a cathode of the EL element 403.
In the case where the anode of the EL element 403 is connected to the drain region of the current controlling TFT 402, the anode of the EL element 403 becomes a pixel electrode, and the cathode becomes a counter electrode. On the contrary, in the case where the cathode of the EL element 403 is connected to the drain region of the current controlling TFT 402, the anode of the EL element 403 becomes the counter electrode, and the cathode becomes the pixel electrode.
Note that, in the present specification, a potential difference between a potential of a pixel electrode and a potential of a counter electrode is called an EL driving voltage, and this EL driving voltage is applied to the EL layer.
Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, the capacitor 407 is provided to be connected to the current controlling TFT 402 and the power supply line 406.
The potential (power source potential) of the power supply line 406 is kept constant. The potential of the counter electrode of the EL element 403 is also kept constant. The potential of the counter electrode has a potential difference from the power source potential to such a degree that the EL element emits light when the power source potential is applied to the pixel electrode of the EL element.
The switching TFT 401 comes to have an on state by a selection signal inputted to the gate signal line 405. Incidentally, in the present specification, that a TFT comes to have an on state means that a drain current of the TFT comes to have a state of more than 0.
When the switching TFT 401 comes to have the on state, a video signal inputted from the source signal line 404 is inputted to the gate electrode of the current controlling TFT 402 through the switching TFT 401. Incidentally, in the present specification, the video signal means an analog signal including image information. Incidentally, that a signal is inputted to the gate electrode of the current controlling TFT 402 through the switching TFT 401 means that a carrier moves through an active layer of the switching TFT 401, and a potential of a video signal is given to the gate electrode of the current controlling TFT 402.
The amount of current flowing through the channel formation region of the current controlling TFT 402 is controlled by a gate voltage Vgs of a potential difference between the gate electrode and the source region of the current controlling TFT 402. Thus, the potential given to the pixel electrode of the EL element 403 is determined by the height of the potential of the video signal inputted to the gate electrode of the current controlling TFT 402. The emission luminance of the EL element (luminance of light emitted from the EL element) is controlled by the height of the potential given to the pixel electrode. That is, the luminance of the EL element 403 is controlled by the potential of the video signal inputted to the source signal line 404 and a gradation display is carried out.
FIG. 5 shows the relation between the emission luminance (cd/m2) of an EL element and the current density (mA/cm2). The relation between the emission luminance of the EL element and the current density is linear. That is, when the current density of the EL element becomes high at a constant rate, the emission luminance of the EL element also becomes high at a constant rate. The current density is determined by a drain current Id of the current controlling TFT 402.
Although it is desirable that TFTs formed in a pixel portion of a light-emitting device have the same characteristics, actually, the characteristics of the respective TFTs are subtly different from one another. Particularly, threshold Vth of a TFT is influenced by a difference in crystallinity of an active layer, an impurity unintentionally mixed in the active layer, and the like. Thus, there has been a case where Vth is different among the TFTs. Incidentally, in the present specification, the active layer means a semiconductor film including a source region, a drain region, and a channel forming region of a TFT.
When the value of the threshold Vth of the TFT becomes different, the value of the drain current Id also becomes different. Expression 1 indicates the relation between the drain current Id and the threshold Vth.
                    Id        =                              1            2                    *          μ          *                      C            o                    *                      W            L                    *                                    (                              Vgs                -                Vth                            )                        2                                              [                  Expression                                                              1                ]
Where, μ (m2/V·sec) indicates a mobility of the TFT, and Co(F/cm2) indicates a capacitance value per unit area of a capacitance (gate capacitance) formed by a gate electrode, an active layer and a gate insulating film of the TFT.
Besides, W and L indicate a channel width and a channel length of a channel forming region of the TFT, respectively, and its position is shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing the TFT, and the active layer includes a channel forming region 601, a source region 602, and a drain region 603. The channel forming region 601 is provided to be sandwiched between the source region 602 and the drain region 603. Although not shown in FIG. 6, there is also a case where an LDD region is provided between the channel forming region 601 and the source region 602 or the drain region 603.
A gate electrode 604 is provided over the channel forming region 601 through a gate insulating film (not shown). Note that in the present specification, the channel forming region 601 is included in a portion of an active layer 600 overlapping with the gate electrode 604 and indicates a portion where a channel is actually formed when a voltage is applied to the gate electrode 604.
The channel length L is a length of the channel forming region in the direction in which a carrier of a free electron or free hole flows. The channel width W is a length of the channel forming region in the direction vertical to the direction in which the carrier flows. Although the TFT shown in FIG. 6 has a single gate structure, in the case of a TFT having a multigate structure such as a double gate structure or a triple gate structure, the channel length L is defined as the sum of lengths of channel forming regions formed under all gate electrodes in the direction in which the carrier flows.
As indicated by the expression 1, when the value of the threshold voltage Vth is varied, the value of the drain current Id is also varied. Thus, if the value of the threshold voltage Vth of the current controlling TFT is different among pixels, even if video signals having the same potential are inputted to the respective pixels, the emission luminance of the EL element becomes different among the pixels. Note that in the present specification, to input a signal to a pixel means to input a signal to a gate electrode of a current controlling TFT through a switching TFT included in the pixel.
If the emission luminance is not uniform in all pixels of the light-emitting device, unevenness of luminance (uneven luminance) appears in an image displayed on the pixel portion and is visually recognized by an observer.
In order to suppress the foregoing uneven luminance, as shown in FIG. 18, a light-emitting device having a structure in which four TFTs are provided in a pixel is devised (SID'98 DIGEST 4.2 "Design of an Improved Pixel for a Polysilicon Active-Matrix Organic LED Display" R. M. A. Dawson etc.).
In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1701 designates a first thin film transistor; 1702, a second thin film transistor; 1703, a third thin film transistor; and 1704, a fourth thin film transistor. The emission luminance of an EL element 1705 is controlled by the first to fourth four thin film transistors.
When the first thin film transistor 1701 comes to have the on state by a selection signal inputted to a gate signal line (G), and the third thin film transistor 1703 comes to have the on state by a signal inputted to a first signal line (AZ), a gate electrode and a drain region of the second thin film transistor 1702 are short-circuited. Since the fourth thin film transistor 1704 is in an off state by a signal inputted to a second signal line (AZB), a gate voltage Vgs of a voltage between the gate electrode and a source region of the second thin film transistor 1702 enters into a subthreshold region determined by a leak current.
Next, the third thin film transistor 1703 comes to have the off state by a signal inputted to the first signal line (AZ). Then, a video signal is inputted to a source signal line (S) and a potential of the video signal is given to the gate electrode of the second thin film transistor 1702 through the first thin film transistor 1701 having the on state. Accordingly, the gate voltage Vgs of the third thin film transistor 1703 becomes a potential obtained by adding the potential of the video signal to the gate voltage Vgs having entered into the subthreshold region.
Next, the first thin film transistor 1701 comes to have the off state by a selection signal inputted to the gate signal line (G). Then, the fourth thin film transistor 1704 comes to have the on state by a signal inputted to the second signal line (AZB). Since a current flowing through the channel forming region of the TFT depends on the value of the gate voltage Vgs of the third thin film transistor 1703, the current having the intensity corresponding to the potential of the video signal is inputted to a pixel electrode of the EL element 1705.
In the case of the light-emitting device having the above structure, in the case where video signals having the same potential are inputted to the source signal line, it is possible to prevent the potential given to the pixel electrode from being varied by the value of the threshold Vth of the second thin film transistor 1702. Thus, the uneven luminance of an image can be suppressed. However, if the number of thin film transistors provided in each pixel is increased, the opening ratio is lowered, and it becomes necessary to increase a current flowing through an EL element in order to obtain constant luminance. If the current flowing through the EL element is increased, deterioration of the EL layer is accelerated, which is not preferable.
Besides, if the number of TFTs provided in a pixel is increased, there is a fear that yield of the light-emitting device itself is lowered.

Abstract: A  =                              2                                                              Id                          μ          *                      C            0                                            A                              (                                          Vgs                                  (                  max                  )                                            -              Vth                        )                    2                      ≦          W      L        ≦                            (                                                    1                +                                  n                  100                                                      -            1                    )                2            *              A                  Δ                                                                          Vth            2                                                              Δ                                                              Vth                              ≦                  (                                            1              +                              n                100                                              -          1                )            *                        A          *                      L            /            W

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


Generalized input for use in a computing environment. The generalized input can include freely mixed input types. The generalized input is received via a user interface. Each expression can include multiple types of input that can be processed as peers, without translation from one input type to another input type prior to parsing. The generalized input can include textual, numerical, graphical, and symbolic input as part an expression. The input can also include programs, scripts, methods, procedures, and the like or any combination thereof.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to generalized input in computing systems. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to generalized input including freely mixed graphical, symbolic, textual and/or numeric input.
2. The Relevant Technology
Software allows users to take advantage of the increasing power of computers for any number of applications. User interfaces often allow users to interact with the software running on the computer by allowing a user to view a representation of input as it is entered for use by the software as well as permitting the user to view a representation of the output on the computer. This is often true in both the use of a computer program as well as in the writing and development of the program and in other uses of a computer.
In order to input commands and/or data for processing, text (such as ASCII characters) is usually entered into the computer. The text is then parsed and compiled into instructions. The instructions are used to build internal data structures that the computer uses to execute the desired commands. The results are then processed as desired and returned as output. The output is interpreted by a graphical user interface and displayed to the user in a chosen format.
Inputting data in conventional system is often limited to the use of textual and numerical elements. For example, conventional programming languages are usually written using text. Programmers are required to express all variables, input, and the like using text such as ASCII characters. These types of programming languages or other input systems cannot function with different types of mixed input. Using a graphic in a text based system likely results in an error or is not understood and cannot be processed. Generally stated, input is typically limited to a class of input such as ASCII characters and many computers or programs are unable to accept a more generalized input that includes freely mixed input types.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some implementations described herein may be practiced.

Receiving and evaluating generalized input


A tolerance compensation fastening apparatus (1) for fastening a first vehicle component (200) to a second vehicle component (300) by way of a bolt (100), the fastening apparatus being set up to compensate for a tolerance within a tolerance compensation range. A fastening system including such a fastening apparatus, as well as to a method for fastening a first vehicle component to a second vehicle component by way of a bolt.

It is the object of the present invention to improve the disadvantages of tolerance compensation fastening apparatuses.
The object is achieved by the independent claims and by individual aspects or overall combinations of the technical matters described here or shown in the figures. Advantageous further developments are defined in the sub claims.
The object is achieved in particular by a tolerance compensation fastening apparatus for fastening a first vehicle component to a second vehicle component by means of a bolt, the fastening apparatus having a longitudinal opening for receiving the bolt, the fastening apparatus having a first compensation unit                which is set up to compensate for a tolerance along the longitudinal direction (y) within a first tolerance compensation range,        and which has, for this purpose, a first component, a movement of the bolt preferably being transmissible to the first component of the first compensation unit, preferably by means of one or multiple friction elements or friction structures of the first or second components, as a result of friction between the one or the multiple friction elements or friction structures and the bolt,        and
a) the first component being mounted on a second component of the fastening apparatus, or
b) the fastening apparatus being preassembled via the first component on the first vehicle component, by the first component being mounted on the first vehicle component, preferably with the result that a first axial end of the fastening apparatus faces or is assigned to the first vehicle component, the first component being movable, in the respective mounted state, preferably as long as no end fixing by means of the bolt is yet effected, in the longitudinal direction (y) on account of the mounting within the first tolerance compensation range, e.g. as a result of displacement or, when there is a threaded mounting, (preferably also) rotation, and therefore having a degree of longitudinal freedom, the fastening apparatus having a second compensation unit                which is set up to compensate for a tolerance along one or more transverse directions (x, z),        and which has, for this purpose, one or more connecting and/or guide elements, by means of which,
in case a), the second component or the first component can be preassembled on the first vehicle component with the result that it can be moved in the direction of the one or more transverse directions (x, z) within a second tolerance compensation range, with the result that a first axial end of the fastening apparatus faces the first vehicle component, or,
in case b), a second component of the fastening apparatus is mounted on the first component or another component of the fastening apparatus with the result that it can be moved in the direction of the one or more transverse directions (x, z) within a second tolerance compensation range,
and the second component therefore has one or more degrees of transverse freedom.
As a result, compensation of tolerances of the vehicle components is possible not only in the longitudinal direction but also in one or a plurality of transverse directions. The maximum tolerance compensation range in the transverse direction is preferably the diameter of the shank section coming to lie in the opening in the fastened state of the fastening apparatus.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the fastening apparatus tapers towards a second axial end of the fastening apparatus, which second axial end lies opposite the first axial end, and starting from a shank section which comes to lie in an opening of the second vehicle component in the fastened state of the fastening apparatus, the tapering of the diameter from the shank section to the first axial end being greater than or equal to the second tolerance compensation range.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the one or the plurality of connecting and/or guide elements are of sprung configuration at least in regions, and the second component is arranged in a rest position substantially in a centered manner with regard to the longitudinal axis. A preferably centered rest position of the apparatus is achieved as a result. By means of resiliently bending the connecting and/or guide elements they are left, insofar as tolerance in the transverse direction is required, for compensation of the tolerance in the transverse direction.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the one or the plurality of connecting and/or guide elements is configured as a flexible, hose-like hollow body with a round or angular cross section. As a result, they can be produced in a space-saving and simple manner.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for the one or the plurality of connecting and/or guide elements to be compressed in the longitudinal direction. As a result, they can also be preassembled fixedly on the apparatus in the pre-mounting position also in the longitudinal direction whereby the assembly in the remounting position is more sturdy and does not wobble around, in particular when, which is preferred, a pretension is applied in the longitudinal direction to the one or the plurality of the connecting and/or guide elements by the bolt when the apparatus is mounted with the result that it/they is/are pressed forward.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the one or the plurality of connecting and/or guide elements is formed at least partially, preferably completely, from foam. Cost-efficient production is possible as a result.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the one or the plurality of connecting and/or guide elements is formed at least partially, preferably completely, by way of a serpentine-like circumferential face which is formed preferably from plastics materials. Alternative cost-efficient production is possible as a result.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the one or the plurality of connecting and/or guide elements is configured at least partially as a spiral spring, preferably with two or more spring flights. These can be produced alternatively in a space-saving and simple manner as a result
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the one or the plurality of connecting and/or guide elements is configured at least partially as a latching retainer. As a result, quick pre-assembly of the fastening apparatus is provided which is also already held together at least partially without the bolt.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first vehicle component and/or the second component have one or a plurality of counter-retainers for retaining the one or plurality of connecting and/or guide elements in a positive locking manner, preferably at least in relation to the one or a plurality of transverse directions.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening apparatus is set up to fix the degree of longitudinal freedom of the first component and/or the one or the plurality of degrees of transverse freedom of the second component in a frictionally locking and/or positively locking manner by means of a pressure force which acts by way of the bolt on the first and/or second component. As a result, the adjusted compensation is fixed particularly well as a result of tightening the bolt.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening apparatus has one or more ribs or prongs which are set up to fix the degree of longitudinal freedom and/or the one or the plurality of degrees of transverse freedom in a frictionally locking and/or positively locking manner. Favorable and simply producible fixing is provided as a result.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first component is mounted in a rotationally movable manner by means of a first thread,                in case a), on the second component of the fastening apparatus in a second thread of the second component, or,        in case b), on the first vehicle component in a second thread of the vehicle component,
and the movement of the bolt which can be transmitted to the first component is a rotation of the bolt.
The first and second threads are preferably concentric to one another. They are preferably also concentric to the longitudinal opening. The rotational direction of the first and second thread is preferably counter the rotational direction of the bolt to be used, particularly preferably is identical. First and second threads are preferably a left-hand thread, particularly preferably a right-hand thread. In a particularly preferable manner, the threads are not mutually self-locking, as a result of which it is possible to dispense with friction elements, as the necessary entrainment of the first component and therefore the transmission of the movement of the bolt is able to be brought about, preferably brought about precisely by the bolt head.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first component is mounted with the result that it can be displaced along the degree of longitudinal freedom by means of a thrust joint,                in case a), on the second component of the fastening apparatus, or,        in case b), on the first vehicle component,
and the movement of the bolt which can be transmitted to the first component is a displacement of the bolt. As a result, it is possible to dispense with friction elements as the necessary entrainment of the first component and therefore the transmission of the movement of the bolt can be brought about, preferably is brought about precisely by the bolt head.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening apparatus has one or more expanding structures which is/are set up to be expanded by way of the pressure force which acts by way of the bolt on the first and/or second component, and thus to block the degree of longitudinal freedom of the thrust joint.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening apparatus has a nut element for fastening the fastening apparatus to an opening of the second vehicle component, the nut element being arranged at a second axial end which lies opposite the first axial end and being set up to be expanded radially by means of the bolt being screwed into the fastening apparatus. As a result, particularly quick mounting is possible from only one side of the second vehicle component.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening apparatus has a nut element for fastening the fastening apparatus to the second vehicle component, the nut element being arranged at a second axial end which lies opposite the first axial end and being set up to be rotated by means of the bolt being screwed into the fastening apparatus from an introduction position into a locked position which is defined by way of a stop. As a result, particularly quick mounting is possible from only one side of the second vehicle component.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the nut element has an elongate cross section, with the result that it can be introduced into an opening of correspondingly elongate shape of the second vehicle component and is therefore set up to transversely undercut the said opening and therefore to lock it in the blocked position, preferably rotated by 90° with respect to the introduction position. As a result, a greater undercut and therefore sturdier fastening is possible than e.g. in the case of a quadratic cross section and 45-degree difference between introduction and blocked position.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the nut element is held in a cage which has a, preferably polygonal, particularly preferably rectangular, preferably quadratic cross section, the nut element having radial projections which, in the introduction position, end radially within the cross section or with an identical radial dimension as the cross section and, in the locked position, project radially beyond the cross section. As a result, the nut part can be preassembled in the apparatus even without a bolt.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cage or another component, preferably the second component, of the fastening device, has one or more preferably helix-like guide curves, preferably as edges of one or more nuts or recesses introduced in the cage, for the axial and/or rotational guidance of the nut element, preferably of one or more of the radial projections.
As a result, the nut element obtains rotational forced guidance by means of the force of the bolt, which, when screwing in the bolt, results in the nut element reliably assuming the blocked position. In addition, when axially two-sided, i.e. helix-like guidance of the radial projections is present (which is the case, for example, with a groove), disassembly is made easier as the bolt can be initially unscrewed somewhat and then, as a result of pressure onto the bolt, the nut element can be reliably moved back again into the introduction position. For this purpose, the cage preferably has a stop which defines the introduction position.
The object is further achieved in particular by a tolerance compensation fastening apparatus for fastening a first vehicle component to a second vehicle component by means of a bolt, the fastening apparatus having a longitudinal opening for receiving the bolt, the fastening apparatus having a first compensation unit                which is set up to compensate for a tolerance along the longitudinal direction (y) within a first tolerance compensation range,        and which has, for this purpose, a first component, a movement of the bolt being able to be transmitted preferably to the first component of the first compensation unit, preferably by means of one or a plurality of friction elements or friction structures of the first or second component as a result of friction between the one or the plurality of friction elements or friction structures and the bolt,        and
a) the first component being mounted on a second component of the fastening apparatus or
b) the fastening apparatus being preassembled via the first component on the first vehicle component, by the first component being mounted on the first vehicle component, preferably with the result that a first axial end of the fastening apparatus faces or is assigned to the first vehicle component,
the first component being movable, in the respective mounted state, preferably as long as no end fixing has been effected yet by means of the bolt, in the longitudinal direction (y) on account of the mounting within the first tolerance compensation range, e.g. as a result of displacement or, when a threaded mounting is present, (also preferably) rotation, and therefore having a degree of longitudinal freedom,
the fastening apparatus having a nut element for fastening the fastening apparatus to an opening of the second vehicle component, the nut element being arranged at a second axial end which lies opposite the first axial end and being set up to be expanded radially by means of the bolt being screwed into the fastening apparatus or to be rotated by means of the bolt being screwed into the fastening apparatus from an introduction position into a locked position which is defined by way of a stop. As a result, particularly quick mounting is possible from only one side of the second vehicle component.
Said fastening apparatus preferably also has individual or each of the features of the aforenamed fastening apparatus.
The object is further achieved in particular by a tolerance compensation fastening apparatus for fastening a first vehicle component to a second vehicle component by means of a bolt, the fastening apparatus having a longitudinal opening for receiving the bolt, the fastening apparatus having a first compensation unit                which is set up to compensate for a tolerance along the longitudinal direction (y) within a first tolerance compensation range,        and which has a first component for this purpose, a movement of the bolt being able to be transmitted preferably to the first component of the first compensation unit, preferably by means of one or a plurality of friction elements or friction structures of the first or second component as a result of friction between the one or the plurality of friction elements or friction structures and the bolt        and
a) the first component being mounted on a second component of the fastening apparatus, or
b) the fastening apparatus being preassembled via the first component on the first vehicle component, by the first component being mounted on the first vehicle component, preferably with the result that a first axial end of the fastening apparatus faces or is assigned to the first vehicle component,
the first component being movable, in the respective mounted state, preferably as long as no end fixing has been effected yet by means of the bolt, in the longitudinal direction (y) on account of the mounting within the first tolerance compensation range, for example as a result of displacement or, when a threaded mounting is present, (also preferably) rotation, and therefore having a degree of longitudinal freedom,
the first component being mounted by means of a first thread in a rotationally movable manner,                in case a), on the second component of the fastening apparatus in a second thread of the second component, or,        in case b), on the first vehicle component in a second thread of the vehicle component,
and the first and second thread being configured in such a way that they do not bring about a self-locking action and therefore form a thrust joint or a push-rotate joint along the degree of longitudinal freedom,
and the movement of the bolt which can be transmitted to the first component being a rotation of the bolt and/or a displacement of the bolt in the longitudinal direction. As a result, simpler, quicker and more precise compensation is possible in the longitudinal direction. It is possible (and is also preferable) to dispense with friction elements as the first component is movable axially to compensate for the tolerance in the longitudinal direction also as a result of the thrusting of the bolt. As a result of tightening the bolt, the rotational position of the first component is fixed in relation to the second vehicle component. As a result, the set tolerance compensation is then also fixed in the longitudinal direction on account of the thread (in contrast to a pure sliding joint as for example in FIGS. 3a, 3b) when the first vehicle component is still expediently connected to the second vehicle component via a point with the result that rotation can no longer take place between the two further vehicle components about the axis defined by the bolt. The connection to the further point is preferably effected by means of a second such tolerance compensation fastening apparatus.
Said fastening apparatus preferably also has individual or each of the features of the aforenamed fastening apparatus.
Two suitable threads are preferably self-locking when the bolt cannot be displaced in an axially rotating manner as a result of axial pressure on the threaded components (for example the bolt). Two suitable threads are preferably not self-locking when the bolt is able to be displaced in an axially rotating manner as a result of axial pressure on the threaded components (for example the bolt).
The object is further achieved in particular by a fastening system comprising a fastening apparatus according to the invention according to the prior description, a first vehicle component, a second vehicle component and a bolt, the second vehicle component having one or more first centering elements, and the first vehicle component having one or more second centering elements which can be brought into contact with the first centering elements, and the correct installation situation being defined preferably with reference to one or a plurality of transverse directions when the first and second centering elements bear against one another.
The first and second centering elements are preferably set up so as to mutually interlock.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the fastening system according to the invention, the fastening system is set up to cut into the fastening apparatus or into the first or the second vehicle component up to a predefined dimension by way of a pressure force which is applied by means of the bolt head of the bolt to the composite structure comprising the vehicle components and the fastening apparatus, or to deform the fastening apparatus or the first or the second vehicle component up to a predefined dimension, with the result that the longitudinal extent of the composite structure comprising the vehicle components and the fastening apparatus is reduced by a predefined dimension, and one or more, preferably all centering elements move away from one another again by a predefined dimension at least in the longitudinal direction.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the fastening system according to the invention, the first vehicle component is a door handle module, and the second vehicle component is a vehicle door with an outer skin and with a cut-out in the outer skin for a door handle of the door handle module, the one or the plurality of first centering elements being arranged at a spacing of less than 1 cm from the edge of the cut-out.
Precise centering of the door handle in the door handle cutout is achieved as a result. The centering elements are preferably flaps which are bent-in directly in the direction of the door interior on the edge of the cutout.
The object is further achieved in particular by a method for fastening a first vehicle component to a second vehicle component by means of a fastening apparatus, preferably a fastening apparatus according to the invention, comprising the following steps:                preassembling of the fastening apparatus on the first vehicle component,        bringing first centering elements of the second vehicle component into contact with second centering elements of the first vehicle component,        fastening of the first vehicle component to the second vehicle component by way of the bolt being screwed into the fastening apparatus, a tolerance being compensated for here along the longitudinal direction (y) within a first tolerance compensation range by means of a first compensation unit of the fastening apparatus, a tolerance being compensated for along one or more transverse directions (x, z) within a second tolerance compensation range by way of the first and second centering elements being brought into contact, and by way of the first vehicle component being fastened to the second vehicle component by way of the bolt being screwed into the fastening apparatus.
In a further method according to the invention, the bolt is tightened at the end of the method and in the process is cut into the fastening apparatus or into the first or the second vehicle component up to a predefined dimension by way of a pressure force which is applied by means of the bolt head of the bolt to the composite structure comprising the vehicle components and the fastening apparatus, or the fastening apparatus or the first or the second vehicle components are deformed up to a predefined dimension, as a result of which the longitudinal extent of the composite structure comprising the vehicle components and the fastening apparatus is reduced by a predefined dimension, and therefore one or more, preferably all centering elements move away from one another again by a predefined dimension at least in the longitudinal direction.

Tolerance compensation fastening apparatuses with extended tolerance compensation and simpler and quicker fastening


An indexing table having a mounting plate, a support plate and a base. The indexing table further has a lifting piston, locating pistons and clamps for clamping the support plate. The indexing table additionally provides a valve to carry out the specific operations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to indexing tables. More particularly, the present invention relates to an indexing table which includes an air-driven clamping mechanism. Even more particularly the present invention discloses an indexing table which includes sequentially configured means for lifting a tabletop, rotationally locating the tabletop, and locking the tabletop in a fixed position.
2. Prior Art
The need for a highly durable indexing table is well illustrated by the common requirement in machine shops of supporting a work-piece at a predetermined angle for performing operations thereupon.
Indexing tables are tables that may be rotated about an axis. In this way, a work-piece, such as an engine block, which is to be machined, may be precisely rotated to accurately position the piece. The use of an indexing table simplifies the process in that the work-piece does not have to be lifted off the table top, rotated, and set back down, especially as some pieces tend to weigh hundreds and even thousands of pounds. Additionally, indexing tables provide an extremely accurate and precise means for rotating and positioning a work-piece to be machined.
Currently produced indexing tables provide a work-piece mounting plate which includes an x-y grid pattern of threaded holes and precision bores. A work-piece is generally set atop the mounting plate and secured thereto via clamps, or the like. The mounting plate is then rotated until the desired rotational position of the piece is achieved.
To facilitate its rotation, the mounting plate is generally lifted by a cushion of air provided by an air compressor. The mounting plate is attached to a base via a pivot pin, or a mounting pin. The air pressure is generally supplied through the base consequently pushing the mounting plate upward. In this configuration, the mounting plate may be rotated about the axis of the pivot pin. It is to be appreciated that many times this pivot pin is damaged or broken because a work-piece on the mounting plate falls over while the mounting plate is being rotated. When this occurs, the indexing table must be disassembled and repaired.
Once the mounting plate appears to be in the appropriate rotational location, an operator then engages the locating mechanism of the indexing table. Currently produced indexing tables include a locating mechanism which is essentially a pivot pin or dowel that slides into an aperture at the bottom of the mounting plate. Because only one pivot pin is used to locate the mounting plate, the accuracy and precision of the locating mechanism is quite limited. A source of pneumatic pressure, such as a compressor, is used to push the pivot pin into the aperture where it is held. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that currently produced indexing tables use the pivot pin or dowel to locate the mounting plate only at 90.degree. intervals. Positioning the mounting plate at other angular intervals currently requires manual location of the mounting plate.
Once the mounting plate has been located, it is then locked into place by the use of a manually operated clamp. Occasionally, an operator will forget to lock the mounting plate into place by tightening the clamp. If this occurs, both the locating pin and the mounting pin may be bent or broken. If the mounting plate is rotated, the locating pin will be bent or broken. If the mounting plate is moved laterally, both the mounting pin and the locating pin will be bent. It is well known in the art that these pins are often bent while a work-piece is being machined upon the mounting plate, rendering the indexing table useless until the pin(s) have been replaced. This can be a time consuming as well as expensive task that requires disassembling the table and repairing it.
Even if the mounting plate is locked down manually, as is the case with currently produced indexing tables, the risk still exists that the support plate may be moved if a work-piece it is supporting falls over, etc. Once again, both the mounting pin and the locating pin may be damaged or destroyed.
Additionally, it is to be appreciated that currently produced indexing tables include several handles, wherein each handle is used for a different purpose. Essentially, one handle is provided to activate the means for lifting the mounting plate and one handle is provided to activate the means for locating the mounting plate at one of the four 90.degree. angle positions. A separate handle is used to manually clamp the mounting plate down to reduce the chance that the mounting plate will be accidentally moved due to any machining or slippage of a work-piece.
Because several different handles are utilized in the operation of currently produced indexing tables, it is well known in the art that operators, from time to time, tend to push the wrong handle. Therefore, if the handle to lift the table top is activated and the table is also locked down, damage can occur to the table itself.
Thus, it is to be appreciated that what is needed is an indexing table that is simpler and safer to operate. Additionally, what is needed is an indexing table that will not break if the table top is shifted because of some machining process taking place thereupon.
It is to the solution of the above presented problems to which the present invention is directed.


A mobile, self-contained system for enhancing plant growth comprising: a mobile structure comprising a plurality of wheels so that the system can be moved; a vessel supported by the structure; a recirculating pump supported by the structure and exterior to the vessel, the pump having a first discharge line and a second discharge line; a generator supported by the structure; a vessel outlet from a bottom portion of the vessel to the pump; and an aerator for injecting air into the first discharge line; wherein the first discharge line extends from the pump directly into the bottom portion of the vessel, such that the contents of the vessel can be recirculated by the pump from the vessel outlet back into the vessel through the first discharge line and the second discharge line extends from the pump and is adapted for discharging contents of the vessel directly into an irrigation system.

There is a need for organic, safe, inexpensive, natural aids for growing plants. Furthermore, there is a need for a single system that can deliver both organic and inorganic nutrients to plants and soil. Natural aids that contain beneficial microorganisms help prevent root and foliar diseases as well as adding nutrients to plants and soil. Such organic aids are becoming more recognized in commercial agriculture as a healthier alternative to pesticides and fertilizers. There is a further need to precisely dilute, mix and deliver nutrient enhanced irrigation water evenly to all plants in a field during regular irrigation cycles in a timely manner.
Attempts to meet some of these needs are described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/024,854, 09/847,893, and 11/224,554 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,972,839. However, each of these attempts has deficiencies such as being bulky, expensive, immobile, and excessively complex.
Therefore, there is a need for a system that overcomes the disadvantages of the existing systems.

System and method for organically enhancing plant growth


A hydraulic vehicle brake includes a housing and first and second brake pistons at least partially located within the housing. The brake pistons are configured to cooperatively press a common friction pad against a rotor of the vehicle brake. Each of the pistons is a hollow piston including a substantially solid piston bottom. A clamp beam laterally spans the piston bottoms of the first and second pistons within the housing. The clamp beam is configured to selectively apply longitudinally directed clamping force upon the pistons. A spindle is selectively driven for rotational motion by an electric motor. The spindle is interposed laterally between the first and second brake pistons within the housing. The spindle is configured to reciprocate the clamp beam longitudinally within the housing responsive to a direction of the rotational motion.

A hydraulic vehicle brake includes a friction pad which can be pressed against a brake disk by at least one brake piston using hydraulic fluid, in order to brake rotation of the brake disk (which is rigidly attached to a corresponding vehicle wheel). To operate the brake, hydraulic fluid is fed under pressure into a hydraulic chamber, a boundary wall of which is formed by the brake piston. The pressure in the hydraulic chamber then leads to a displacement of the brake piston, and thus of the friction pad, towards the brake disk.

Hydraulically assisted electric parking brake


By providing an interconnection structure (1) with strip-shaped elevations (11) which, in a plan view, are preferably asterisk-shaped, the contact face is cleaned during compression and an adhesive can easily flow away. The interconnection structure is very suitable for face-down bonding of drive ICs in a display device.

The invention relates to an interconnection structure for connecting a conductor pattern associated with a substrate in an electrically conducting manner.
The relevant conductor pattern may form part of, for example, a semiconductor substrate (integrated circuit or a discrete semiconducotr element) or of a wiring pattern of, for example, glass, quartz, ceramic material, polyimide or other synthetic.
The invention also relates to a display device in which such an interconnection structure is used.
An interconnection structure of the type described in the opening paragraph, also referred to as a "bump", may be provided on a semiconductor substrate for mounting by means of the so-called flip-chip method (also referred to as face-down bonding). Such a structure is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,120. An IC provided with such bumps is mounted on a glass substrate by means of said flip-chip method. In one of the mounting methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,120 an electrically conducting contact is first obtained between the bump and the conductor track by means of a pressure contact, whereafter the pressure of this contact is maintained by curing a resin layer provided between the substrate and the IC.
Such a mounting method is used, inter alia, in the manufacture of liquid crystal display devices (LCDs) in which ICs are secured by means of said flip-chip method on a substrate of glass or quartz which also forms part of the actual (liquid crystal) display device. Conductor tracks continuing as far as the actual display section are provided with drive voltages via the integrated circuits which contact these conductor tracks by means of said interconnection structures (or bumps).
However, a number of problems may occur. A first problem occurs, for example, when contacting integrated circuits with many bumps, where different types of conductor tracks are present on the substrate, for example, indium tin oxide tracks for driving pixels in addition to, for example, aluminium tracks. A possible difference in thickness between the different types of conductor tracks may give rise to poor or open contacts, notably in the case of pressure contacts.
Moreover, if no special measures are taken, the actual contact of the interconnection structure with, for example, a thin connection conductor may remain limited to a very small area (for example, a projecting point of the bump), which leads to a high contact resistance. This notably occurs when a low pressure is used for contacting, for example, for test purposes. Such high contact resistances may subsist also after mounting.

Interconnection structure with raised perimeter portions