Method for pickling products made of steel, characterized in that within the pickling bath Fe3+ is present, directly added in a controlled concentration, or produced in the pickling bath itself by adding an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide, ozone, permanganates. persulphates and oxygen.

The present invention relates to a method for pickling steels and, more specifically , carbon steels, magnetic steels (containing Si) and stainless steels with a chrome content lesser or equal to 15% (i.e. AISI 409), wherein the Fe3+ ion is used as an additive in the bath to increase the reaction kinetics.
In order to realise an efficient pickling process of the carbon steels, class whereto also magnetic steels containing Si belong, hydrochloric (HCl) or sulphuric (H2SO4) acid is normally used, or mixtures thereof, at a temperature that generally varies between 60 and 75xc2x0 C. For stainless steels with a low chrome level, e.g. AISI 409 of the ferric class, analogous baths can be adopted as well.
The main reaction of pickling, to allow the removal of the scale of thermal oxide, is the dissolution (through oxidation) of the iron base according to the anodic half-reaction:
Fexe2x86x92Fe2++2e.xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
The corresponding cathodic half-reaction in acid environment is the ion H+reduction that develops hydrogen:
2H++2exe2x86x92H2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
Therefore, the resulting total reaction is:
Fe+2H+xe2x86x92Fe2++H2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(3)
As is known from the study of electro-chemical reactions, the kinetics thereof is strongly influenced by the values of the electrode potential.
An additive of oxidising species is added to the pickling bath, enabling to obtain a more noble electrode potential of the steel to be pickled, thereby allowing higher reaction kinetics.
The species preferred as oxidant is the Fe3+ ion.
The possibility of obtaining a more noble potential of the steel to be pickled derives from the fact that the added ferric ions Fe3+ behave as oxidant (being reduced to Fe2+ ions) with respect of the steel (Fe) that is to be pickled according to reaction (1) (that derives from the reversible electrochemical potential scale: Erev=xe2x88x92447 mV SHE for the Fe2+/Fe couple; Erev=+771 mV SHE for the Fe3+/ Fe2+ couple).
Therefore, the Fe3+ ion is capable of being reduced to Fe2+ ion during the pickling process, according to the cathodic half-reaction below:
Fe3+xe2x86x92Fe2++exe2x80x83xe2x80x83(4)
Also the cathodic half-reaction (4) occurs at the same time of the anodic half-reaction (1). The resulting reaction (1)+(4) therefore is:
Fe+2Fe3+xe2x86x923Fe2+xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(5)
When the Fe3+ ion is present as an additive the reactions (3) and (5) occur at the same time, with an increase of the global iron (Fe) dissolution kinetics.
The working electrode potential Ew results, in this case by effect of the addition of the oxidising species (Fe3+) in the bath, more noble than the potential in absence of additions.
The amount of Fe3+ ion that has to be added must balance the amount of Fe3+ ion consumed in the cathodic reaction(4).
A good stirring of the bath further improves the pickling kinetics, allowing the depolarisation of the total cathodic reaction resulting from the sum of the reactions (2) and (4) that would tend, without stirring, towards diffusion control conditions.
In EP 0792949A1 a pickling process for steel products is disclosed in which the concentration of Fe+3 ions is comprised in the range 1-300 g/l by oxidation of the Fe+2 ions obtained during the pickling.
According to the present invention, the Fe3+ ion can after all be added directly, e.g. as ferric chloride or ferric sulphate. However, it can be obtained in the bath by the addition of other oxidants, particularly H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), ozone or permanganates. In fact, once added to the pickling bath those oxidants come to contact with a solution already rich in Fe2+ (due to the primary pickling reaction (1) the bath is always rich in Fe2+ ions) and induce the oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+. Even oxygen alone, added in conditions of stirring by air bubbling, or admixed in an external reactor with the pickling solution, works as an oxidising agent capable of producing Fe3+.
A preferred embodiment of the method described here according to the invention is that of obtaining Fe3+electro-chemically, sending the pickling solution as anolyte in an electrolytic cell, and carrying out an anodic oxidation of the Fe2+ ion that, as aforestated, is always present in the bath, according to the reaction:
Fe2+xe2x86x92Fe3++e.xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(6)
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for pickling steel products, wherein in the pickling bath Fe3+ is present in a concentration comprised in the range 6-60 g/l, directly added or produced in the pickling bath itself by the addition of an oxidising agent selected from the group comprising: hydrogen peroxide, ozone, permanganates, persulphates, and oxygen.
Advantageously, the obtained increase of the pickling kinetics is a function of the added Fe3+ concentration that is maintained in the pickling bath itself, thereby improving also the productivity of the industrial lines.
A further advantage, according to the invention, lies in the fact that the maintenance and/or the control of the Fe3+ ions concentration in the pickling bath allows a strict control of the most critical parameter of the process (that is the potential redox value of the system) with further advantages on the final quality of the product as well.
According to the present invention, continuous pickling lines of carbon and/or magnetic steels can be employed advantageously also for the pickling of stainless steels with a  less than 15% Cr content. This result was made possible by the fact that, according to the present invention, the Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio is employed as a control parameter of the reaction kinetics, jointly with the acid concentration control. In fact, when it is desired to use the same carbon and magnetic steels production line for the stainless steels, e.g. of the AISI 409 type, the presence and the maintenance of appropriate Fe3+ concentration values allows in any case to widely control the pickling kinetics, for the carbon steels as well as for the stainless ones, thereby making possible the combined utilisation of these production lines.
Advantageously, the method according to the invention proves to be compatible with the possible presence of corrosion inhibitors, normally employed to avoid drawbacks of carbon steels over-pickling.
Furthermore, always according to the present invention, it is possible to pickle these abovementioned steel types without resorting to mechanical processes of descaling such for instance as peening.
A further object of the present invention is to provide different embodiments, as hereinafter specified, of the method for the direct production of the oxidant Fe3+ within the pickling bath:
(i) direct addition of Fe3+ as reactant (for instance: ferric chloride or sulphate);
(ii) addition of oxidants for the production Fe3+ by oxidation of the Fe2+ ion present in the bath to Fe3+;
(iii) oxidation of the Fe2+ ion in an electrolytic cell present in the bath itself to Fe3+.
According to the third embodiment, the same pickling solution itself (composed of aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid and/or sulphuric and, optionally of phosphoric acid) constitutes the cell anolyte, the oxidising agent to be added as additive being the ferric ion produced at the anode by oxidation of the ferrous ion present within the bath.
The catholyte is preferably composed of an aqueous solution of hydrochloric and/or sulphuric acid. Also the catholyte is preferably sent out continuously into the pickling solution, to reintegrate the HCl or the H2SO4 that is consumed during the pickling reaction.
According to the method of the invention, an electro-chemical cell of the membrane type is preferably employed as shown in FIG. 1.
The use of a cell to generate the oxidising species Fe3+, according to the third embodiment, is more advantageous in respect of a method wherein oxidants are directly added. A remarkable saving in operation cost is obtained, on account of the higher cost of the oxidising reactants themselves.
Furthermore, some reactants entail stability problems within the bath, or may cause, if not opportunely measured, the development of chlorine from the hydrochloric acid bath.
The pickling bath according to the present invention has a temperature preferably comprised in the range 45-85xc2x0 C.
The pickling solution is an aqueous solution of hydrochloric and/or sulphuric acid and optionally of phosphoric acid, with the composition hereinafter expressed as percent by weight:
free HCl from 0 to 250 g/l ( greater than 100 g/l if alone);
free H2SO4 from 0 to 250 g/l ( greater than 100 g/l if alone);
free H3PO4 from 0 to 100 g/l;
Fetot=(Fe2++Fe3+) greater than 50 g/l;
Fe3+ (additive) from 5 to 60 g/l;
Furthermore, products containing iron (steels) whereto the method of the present invention can be applied are selected from the group comprising:
carbon steels, rolled or anyhow hot or cold worked, Particularly low carbon steels and carbon steels with a low, medium or high content of alloying elements;
magnetic steels (containing Si or Si and Al);
stainless steels with a low ( less than 15%) Cr content, as, particularly, AISI 409.
The present invention will be more clearly illustrated in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given as a non limiting example, with reference to the annexed figure.
The addition of the Fe3+ ion as oxidant if performed according to the methods as per the embodiments (i) and (ii) is carried out by the introduction of the reagent into the bath in stechiometrically calculated amounts and considering the yields, both automatically and manually.
According to the invention, in the method of the embodiment (iii), an electro-chemical cell is employed.
According to this method an electro-chemical treatment of the solution is carried out, whereby it is directly obtained in situ formation and the control at the appropriate concentration levels of the oxidising species Fe3+, originated by the Fe2+ species anyhow contained within the bath.
The control of the Fe3+ ions concentration within the pickling bath and/or of the Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio is obtained in an easy way by the setting and the regulations of the operative parameters of the cell.
Hereinafter, the principles and criteria for the construction of a Fe3+ producing electro-chemical cell are defined.
a) Anolyte
The pickling solution itself is employed, continuously circulated (but a discontinuous treatment as well can be foreseen) from the bath by pumping;
b) Anodic Reaction
The anodic half-reaction which occurs in the cell is:
Fe2+xe2x86x92Fe3+e.xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(6)
Regulating the cell flow the reaction (6) kinetics is controlled, and it becomes therefore possible to keep steady at the desired level the concentration of the oxidising additive Fe3+ in the pickling solution.
c) Catholyte
It was found that the most convenient way consists in utilising as catholyte a hydrochloric and/or sulphuric acid solution, that is sent to the bath according to the Fact that the specific pickling process foresees the in-bath utilisation of hydrochloric or sulphuric acid or mixtures thereof. In principle, however, any catholyte whatsoever may be utilised, or even directly the pickling solution, if the catholyte in this case is sorted out as exhausted.
d) Cathodic Reaction
The cathodic reaction, for ease of description referred only to the hydrochloric acid, is:
2H++2exe2x86x92H2(cathodic half-reaction)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
e) Anodic Control
Regarding the control of the anodic current flow inside the electrolytic cell two alternatives are effective:
e.1) Potenziostatic Cell Control
Operating with an electrode potential( greater than 771 mV SHE) that allows the oxidation reaction (6); regarding the maximum value it is advisable to choose a maximum value that does not allow (or anyhow limits to values that are not excessive) oxygen development, according to the following reaction:
O2+4H++4exe2x86x922H2O (Erev=+1229 mv SHE)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(7)
Theoretically, the preselected potential E finally lies within the range 771-1229 mV SHE. In practice it can prove useful to set it at values even relatively higher than 1229 mV (e.g. 1600), exploiting the fact that the oxygen development reaction occurs at a certain overvoltage and the kinetics involved may be negligible.
e.2) Galvanostatic Control
This control is simpler (more cost-effective) to realise in a plant, but the abovementioned advantages might be lost.
f) Membranes
Different commercial membranes may be used, that differ in efficiency, employ temperature, duration, dimension.
The electrochemical cell considered, tested in a pilot plant, gave the following performances, that are reported hereinafter, merely by way of exemplification:
current efficiency: greater than 95%
cell potential (xcex94V at terminals)≅2V
specific power≅b 5W/dm2
anodic current density≅5A/dm2
consumption per mole of Fe3+ produced  less than 0.1 kWh
Subsequently, preliminary lab tests were carried out, demonstrating that higher than standard weight losses are obtained by employing Fe3+ additioned solutions. Finally, experimental results were verified in industrial processes.
Further, the method of the invention is applicable for pickling products made of titanium and alloys thereof.


A head-up projection system is disclosed. The head-up projection system comprises a mounting member and a portable projector. The mounting member has a receptacle, and the mounting member is mounted on a roof of a vehicle. The portable projector is detachably installed in the receptacle of the mounting member and configured to connect with a mobile communication and computing device with a navigation function for displaying a navigation information image in the vehicle from the mobile communication and computing device.

In recent years, navigation system is widely used to guide a traveler to a desired destination. Usually, a global positioning system (GPS) transceiver and a navigation database are employed in the navigation system for obtaining the location of the traveler. Then, the position of the traveler is compared to a desired destination by a central processing unit of the navigation system, and visual and audio indications for guiding the traveling routes to the desired destination can be provided to the traveler via the display and loudspeaker of the navigation system.
In order to facilitate the use of a navigation system in vehicle, a head-up display (HUD) system can be employed for displaying the navigation information to the driver. The head-up display system projects a virtual image onto a specific area of the windshield that is reflected at eye level with the driver. By using the head-up display system, the driver doesn't need to look away from the road to obtain the navigation information. Consequently, the driving safety is enhanced.
US patent application publication No. US 20120191342A1 has disclosed an information displaying system for use with a vehicle head-up display. Referring to FIG. 1, the head-up display system 1 includes a liquid crystal panel 10 and a backlight unit 12 arranged at the rear side of the liquid crystal panel 10. The liquid crystal panel 10 is installed inside of an instrument panel 10a in front of a driver seat so that it can display a driving information image. The backlight unit 12 is used as a light source for irradiating light on the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The head-up display system 1 further includes an optical unit 14 arranged at the front side of the liquid crystal panel 10 and a reflection mirror 16 installed at the front side of the optical unit 14 at a specific angle. The optical unit 14 is used to enlarge or reduce the driving information image appearing on the liquid crystal panel 10 and to adjust the focal distance of the driving information image projected through the optical unit 14 toward the windshield 18 of the vehicle. Therefore, the driving information image can be displayed on the windshield 18.
However, the optical devices of the conventional head-up display system are installed inside of the instrument panel in front of a driver seat. It is hard for the driver or operator to self install the head-up display system in the vehicle, and the cost of installing the head-up display system in the vehicle is relatively high. In addition, the conventional head-up display system installed in the vehicle can only be used to display driving information image when the vehicle is in use. However, when the vehicle isn't in use, the head-up display system are turned off and can't be taken away from the vehicle to provide various presentation or image display functions outside the vehicle. Furthermore, the conventional head-up display system projecting the light directly upon the specific area of the windshield usually requires a coating material that significantly decreases the transparency of the windshield. As a result, the conventional head-up display system is restricted to limited region upon the windshield.
In addition, the image resolution of the conventional head-up display system doesn't conform to the practical requirements, and the image size projected on the specific area of the windshield can't be well controlled and may be smaller than the specific area of the windshield. Furthermore, the driving information image projected from the conventional head-up display system can only be displayed at the specific area of the windshield, and the conventional head-up display system can't adjust or change the image display height of the driving information image according to the eyes positions of various drivers.
Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved head-up projection system for displaying navigation information to obviate the drawbacks encountered from the prior arts.


An imaging device utilizes click count fragmentation to provide separate click counts for service and billing purposes. Click count fragmentation maintains uninterrupted service counts and derives from service counts billing counts that more accurately reflect the number of pages generated that are usable by a customer. Billing counts may be paused, resumed, reset and displayed by authorized personnel via a local or remote imaging device interface. Accesses of billing counts by authorized personnel may be recorded in an audit trail.

The present invention relates to imaging device click counts and, more particularly, to a method and system for click count fragmentation in which separate imaging device click counts are maintained for service and billing purposes.
Imaging devices, such as multifunction printers (MFPs), maintain click counts that track the number of pages generated by individual imaging functions, for example, the number of pages printed, scanned, copied and foxed. Known click counts are often used for both service and billing purposes. On the service side, click counts may be used to determine service times and/or warranty expiration for an imaging device. On the billing side, click counts may be used by an owner of an imaging device as a basis for billing a customer who has leased the imaging device for imaging activities, for example, printing, scanning, copying and foxing.
Use of known click counts for billing purposes has had certain shortcomings. First, known click counts cannot easily be reset. There is typically no reset option available on any local or remote imaging device interface and click counts are only reset in exceptional circumstances, such as when an MFP engine is replaced. Therefore, the owner must record the click counts at the end of each billing cycle in order to establish a baseline for determining how many pages are generated by individual imaging functions during the next billing cycle. Second, known click counts run uninterrupted and thus often go out-of-sync with the number of generated pages that are usable by the customer for business or personal use. For example, when an MFP is being serviced, service personnel may print test pages to check if the MFP is working properly. These test pages add to the printing click count even though they are not usable by the customer. Still, it is important to maintain an uninterrupted click count that includes test pages for determining service times and/or warranty expiration for the MFP.

Imaging device with click count fragmentation


A hydroelectric power system can include: a first level including a drain system, the drain system including a bell siphon coupled to a mixed flow turbine and a cross flow turbine, the drain system configured to provide a path way for a working fluid to flow from the bell siphon, through the mixed flow turbine, and through the cross flow turbine; and a second level below the first level, the second level for receiving the working fluid from the cross flow turbine of the drain system of the first level.

Global demands for power are increasing at a tremendous rate. By some estimates, doubling roughly every few years; yet the worlds natural resources, such as fossil fuels, are rapidly being depleted. The development of other sources such as new steam or nuclear plants are impeded.
New sources of nonpolluting power are urgently in need. The primary sources of power are hydroelectric, the so-called fossil fuels, natural gas and nuclear plants. Aside from regulatory restraints, the most common restraints with current power generation methods stem from highly restricted environmental input requirements of the systems.
Solar, for instance must be deployed in locations with adequate sunlight. Any material limit in the amount of sunlight received by the solar system will necessarily limit the energy output of the photovoltaic system.
Wind turbines, likewise, must be erected in locations with regular forceful wind. When the wind stills, the power stops.
Geothermal power requires access to high temperatures under the surface of the ground. Sufficiently high temperatures are only economical accessible in a remarkably few locations world-wide.
The least offensive of these renewable power sources, from a pollution standpoint, is hydroelectric. However, today hydroelectric makes up less than percent of the total power output in the United States.
Although only a small percent of the world's total hydroelectric potential has been utilized, the remaining sources are not readily exploitable and cannot make a very large contribution toward satisfying the growing power demand.
Current hydroelectric power is made by damming up rivers and only generating energy when the water is at acceptable levels. This severely limits the geographic locations where hydroelectric power systems can be deployed. Further, even where rivers can be effectively dammed, rainfall can limit the ability of a hydroelectric plant to generate energy.
Solutions have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any complete solutions, and solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. Thus, there remains a considerable need for devices and methods that can provide regular electric power and operate with less reliance on geographic location and environmental inputs.


Provided are an inlet for an electronic tag comprising an insulating film, antennas each made of a conductor layer and formed over one surface of the insulating film, a slit formed in a portion of each of the antennas and having one end extending toward the outer edge of the antenna, a semiconductor chip electrically connected with each of the antennas via a plurality of bump electrodes, and a resin for sealing the semiconductor chip therewith; and a manufacturing process of the inlet. By the present invention, formation of a thin and highly-reliable inlet for a non-contact type electronic tag can be actualized.

The present invention relates to an inlet for a non-contact type electronic tag, particularly to a technique effective when applied to thinning and reliability increase of the inlet for an electronic tag.
A non-contact type electronic tag is a device capable of storing desired information in a memory circuit of a semiconductor chip and from the tag, the necessary information is read by means of microwaves.
One example of such a non-contact type electronic tag is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10(1998)-13296 (Patent Document 1). The electronic tag has a microwave receiving antenna formed of a lead frame on which a packaged semiconductor chip has been sealed with a resin.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10(1998)-13296

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A railing system includes a set of vertically disposed baluster assemblies and a plurality of railing members. The baluster assemblies include a lower base member receiving a pair of opposing vertical plates. Each of the pairs of plates have opposing aligned pairs of throughbores, each pair movably holding therein one of a set of insert members. Railing members each slide through adjacent pairs of insert members to form a wall of spaced apart railing members. Each railing member passes through the insert members in each of the baluster assemblies and the insert members holding the railing member pivot to align member throughbores at an angle from horizontal that is dependent upon a vertical difference of adjacent ones of the fixed base members.

Most current systems require posts or balusters to be accurately drilled at the proper angle and frequency required to achieve the desired spacing and slope. This is very difficult and expensive—requiring expertise and experience and expensive equipment.
Some attempts at providing a simplified railing system are as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 210,526, issued Dec. 3, 1878, to Hanson, and titled IRON-FENCE, discloses an iron fence consisting of two channel shaped railings with the tongues of cylindrical picket holding members inserted in the channels. Pickets are held externally in the cylindrical picket holding members.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,772,159, issued Aug. 5, 1930, to Roth, and titled RAIL CONNECTION, discloses in FIGS. 5 and 6 spheres mounted in the ends of balusters and attached to rails at any angle by means of screws passing through the rails and the spheres. U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,749, issued Oct. 11, 1983, to Zieg, and titled VARIABLE PITCH RAILING AND SYSTEM, discloses a railing system in which the ends of balusters are fitted with segments of spheres. The segments of spheres fit into complementary shaped arcuate openings formed in the rails and the ends of the balusters are confined by elongated molding. Thus, the balusters can be rotated to almost any degree.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,814, issued Nov. 14,2000, to Perrot, and titled DEVICE FOR MOUNTING HANDRAIL ELEMENT ON A POST IN PARTICULAR FOR PRODUCING A STAIRCASE AND A SET PROVIDED THEREFOR, discloses in pertinent aspects a railing system similar to that of the '749 patent above.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,143, issued Oct. 9, 2001, to Valentine, and titled COUPLING SPOOL, discloses a railing system in which a spool is slid internally of a rail until it is aligned with an opening formed in the rail. A picket is inserted into the spool and is attached to the spool by welding, bonding, or other attachment methods to secure the picket in the rail. The picket can then be rotated within the rail as guided by the spool.
All of the above are relatively complicated and/or expensive.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a railing system for stairs, ramps, or balconies that offers adjustable angle capability and ease of installation for, for example, wire, cable, pipe, rod, or the like.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system that captures members of metal, plastic, glass, tubes (round, oval, or multi-sided), or composite, or the like at pre-determined spacing with holes formed in the members. The holes are of proper diameter to permit the members to pass therethrough with the members rotated as required to the desired slope.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide holes that are oversized with the desired hole diameter achieved with varying bushings.
Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.


An arrangement (10) for monitoring and adjusting a control of an electromedical implant (12) by means of an external control and evaluation unit (14) is made up of the electromedical implant, the external control and evaluation unit and a central, autarchically runnable evaluation logic means (30) which controls the activities of a telemetry unit (16) and a memory unit (34), which is connected to a clock and timer unit (42) and which on the basis of certain communicated data ascertains control sequences and control parameters for monitoring and adjusting the implant and co-ordinates the transmission thereof to the implant. An expert system (ES) may be adapted to assess all monitoring and adjusting tasks on a patient-individual basis.

Electromedical implants such as cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators have proven to be an extraordinarily successful instrument for the electrotherapy of bradycardiac and tachycardiac rhythm disturbances. In that respect the task of implants of that kind is not restricted just to merely delivering electrical pulses to the atrium or ventricle myocardium in order there to trigger off depolarization. Rather, modern pacemakers and defibrillators involve sensors and evaluation circuits which permit controlled or regulated frequency adaptation, adaptation of pulse amplitude, pulse width and AV-time for therapy optimization purposes. In that way the aim is for the cardiovascular system of the patient to be modeled as closely as possible on the natural regulating mechanism, in terms of its reaction to physical or psychic loading (frequency- or rate-adaptive cardiac pacemaker).
Electromedical implants at the present time involve a modular design for achieving that aim. Such an implant generally includes elements such as a central control logic, a sensor arrangement for detecting body functions and for intracardial signal recording in the myocardium of the right atrium or ventricle, electrodes anchored in the myocardium, including a circuit for regulating pulse delivery, an energy source for the operating voltage, and a clock and timer unit. It will be appreciated that the specified individual components can be adapted variably to a high degree in respect of their design configuration to the respective conditions prevailing. Therefore the individual components and the appropriate combinations thereof will not be described in detail here as they are known.
Just for reasons relating to circuitry engineering it has been found appropriate for the functions of the implant to be limited to control of the pulse delivery and intracardial signal recording. More extensive tasks such as for example monitoring and optimizing the control itself can generally only be implemented to a very limited degree. That is not only due to the fact that the implementation of such complex control circuits in the limited structural space of the implant encounters at the present time the viable limits thereof. Rather, such a complex control circuit would also result in a markedly increased level of energy consumption so that the service life of the implant would be curtailed. Also, in general a defective control logic system cannot check and re-set itself. For those reasons it has been found appropriate for the electromedical implant and also an external programming device each to be provided with a transmitter and receiver. The telemetry units of the two components provides for the execution of bidirectional data exchange which includes stimulation and diagnostic parameters or recorded intracardial signal and operating parameters respectively.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,043 to Imran shows by way of example such an external programming device which provides for evaluation of the transmitted intracardial signals and communicates stimulation parameters to the implant. A disadvantage here is that the external electrical stimulator is an essential part of the control of the implant and, in the event of failure thereof, the implant can continue to operate at best in a predetermined basic configuration.
DE 37 22 829 C2 describes a method in which an implantable electromedical device can communicate with an external programming device, with the transmission of encoded signals. The external programming device generally comes temporarily into contact with the implant, in which case the operating mode and parameters which determine pulse triggering are communicated to an internal programming part of the implant or modified. In that arrangement the external programming device is so designed that it does not communicate with the implant independently but rather only after a given task has been predetermined for it by the programmer (generally the doctor). In practice such programming devices are correspondingly simplified in respect of their technical structure. They essentially consist of the transmitting and receiving unit and numerous interfaces, by way of which peripheral units can be connected. There is no provision for autarchical control. Accordingly the patient has to stay in the clinic in the procedure involving programming, optimization and implementation of an exercise stress test, in which respect he is additionally impeded by extensive cabling. As is known, the unusual surroundings result in what is referred to as the white coat effect in which the cardiovascular system of the patient is precisely not subject to everyday conditions and thus optimization of the stimulation effect is made difficult or entirely prevented.

Arrangement for and method of monitoring, calibrating and optimizing a control of an electromedical implant

Biotronik Mess- und Therapiegeraete GmbH & Co.


The present disclosure provides a capacitive in-cell touch panel and a display apparatus, wherein touch sensing electrodes are set on a color filter substrate, a common electrode layer connected as a whole plane on a TFT array substrate is divided into strips to be used as touch driving electrodes, and metal driving electrodes directly electrically connected to the corresponding touch driving electrodes are set on the TFT array substrate so as to reduce resistance of the touch driving electrodes. The embodiments of the disclosure can save the production cost and improve the production efficiency. Moreover, the touch function and the display function are driven in a time division manner, and thus the production cost can be further reduced, and the picture quality and touch accuracy can be enhanced.

With fast development of display technology, touch panels have been widely used in human life. At present, touch panels can be divided, in terms of structure, into Add-on mode touch panel, On-Cell touch panel and In-Cell touch panel. The Add-on mode touch panel is formed by manufacturing a touch panel and a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen separately and bonding them together to be a liquid crystal display screen with a touch function, so the Add-on mode touch panel has disadvantages of higher cost, lower light transmission rate, thicker modules, etc. The In-Cell touch panel is formed by embedding touch electrodes of a touch panel inside a liquid crystal display screen, so in the in-cell touch panel, the thickness of module can be reduced and the production cost of the touch panel can also be largely reduced, and thus the in-cell touch panel is a favorite choice for various panel manufactories.
At present, an existing capacitive in-cell touch panel is implemented by adding additional touch scanning lines and touch sensing lines directly on an existing thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate, that is, two layers of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) strip electrodes are manufactured on the surface of the TFT array substrate which are in two different planes, wherein the Indium Tin Oxide strip electrodes on one layer cross those on the other layer. The two layers of indium tin oxide strip electrodes are used as the touch driving lines and the touch sensing lines respectively, and an induction capacitor is formed on each point at which the two layers of ITO strip electrodes intersect in different planes. An operational process of the capacitive in-cell touch panel includes detecting a voltage signal coupled across the induction capacitor through a touch sensing line when a touch driving signal is applied on an ITO strip electrode as the touch driving line; during such a process, when a human body touches the touch panel, an electrical filed of the human body will affect the induction capacitor, such that the capacitance of the capacitor will change and in turn the voltage signal coupled through the touch sensing line will change, so the position of a touch point can be determined according to variation of the voltage signal.
In the structure of the above capacitive in-cell touch panel, a new film layer is added on the existing TFT array substrate, such that the structure of the resultant TFT array substrate is relative complicated, since a new process is incorporated in the manufacture of the TFT array substrate, the production cost increases. In addition, in the structure of the above capacitive in-cell touch panel, two driving chips (IC) are simultaneously adopted for implementing touch driving and display driving respectively, so the production cost is also higher.

Capacitive incell touch panel and display apparatus

BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A process for forming an aryl-aryl bond comprises the step of reacting an arene hydrocarbon compound with either (1) an organic oxidant selected from the group consisting of a quinone, a quinone imine, a quinone diimine, and a nitroarene, or (2) an oxidizing salt selected from the group consisting of a triarylaminium salt, an oxonium salt, and a nitrosium salt, or (3) a hypervalent iodine compound, each in the presence of a Brönsted or Lewis acid.

Large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have become useful materials and have necessitated synthetic methods to prepare them. Additionally, dimers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have become useful materials and have necessitated improved methods for preparing them. Finally, indenoperylenes and diindenoperylenes have become useful materials and have necessitated synthetic methods for preparing them. In the following publications synthetic details have been provided for preparing indenoperylenes: (a) Schlichting, P.; Rohr, U.; Müllen, K. Liebigs Ann./Reculeil 1997, 395-407. (b) Feiler, L.; Langhals, H.; Polborn, K. Liebigs Ann. 1995, 1229-1244. (c) Debad, J. D.; Morris, J. C.; Lynch, V.; Magnus, P.; Bard, A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 2374-2379. (d) Anotn, U.; Göltner, C.; Müllen, K. Chem. Ber. 1992, 125, 2325-2330. (e) Wehmeier, M.; Wagner, M.; Müllen, K. Chem. Eur. J., 2001, 2197-2205 (f) Bard, A. J.; Magnus, P.; Morris, J. C.; Debad, J. D. J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62, 530-537. Further disclosures describing their utility in OLED applications are found in Patents and applications EP 1,148,109 A2; EP 1,182,244 A1; EP 1,235,466 A2, U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,685, 82452US, 84436US, 84435US, JP 2001-338764-A, JP 2003-104916-A, JP 2002-110353-A; JP 2002-110355-A; JP 2002-110356-A; JP 1998-30295-A; JP 2002-025772-A; JP 2000-86549-A; JP 2002-025773-A; JP 2000-48958-A.
Manz et al report preparations of periflanthene using sodium amide to dimerize and oxidatively cyclodehydrogenate from fluoranthene to give periflanthene.
Bard et al described the preparation of dibenzo{[f,f′]-4,4′,7,7′-tetraphenyl}-diindeno[1,2,3-cd:1′,2′,3′-lm]perylene(A) from 7,12-diphenylbenzo[k]fluoranthene. The critical oxidizing reagent used to achieve the oxidative cyclodehydrogenation to form A was cobalt(III)fluoride. Additionally, Bard, et. al. have demonstrated that the cyclizations can be performed on a small scale using electrochemical techniques.
Müellen et al have used iron(III)chloride to prepare similar indenoperylenes. Mitsui Chemical also reports a similar approach.
Quinones have been reported as organic oxidants with diphenyl disulfides, but only polymeric materials have been isolated (E. Tsuchida, K. Yamamoto, M. Jikei, H. Hiroyuki, Macromolecules, 1990, 930-934). Triarylaminium oxidants have been used (F. Ciminale, L. Lopez, G. Farinola, S. Sportelli, A. Nacci, Eur. J. Org. Chem., 2002, 3850-3854; F. Ciminale, L. Lopez, V. Paradiso, A. Nacci, Tetrahedron, 1996, 13971-13980), but not to form aryl-aryl bonds. Hypervalent iodine compounds have been used to form aryl-aryl bonds (T. Kitamura, Y. Fujiwara, Organic Preparations and Procedures International, 1997, 409-458; A. Varvoglis, Tetrahedron, 1997, 1179-1255), but these processes have been limited to activated arenas.
Most recently TDK has reported the use of a Yamamoto (nickel) coupling strategy to bring on the dimerization of a fluoranthene and subsequent cyclization to an indenoperylene.
Because of the utility of these materials, there is a need to provide a process for preparing these materials in higher yields and with improved purity.

Synthesis for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds


Liquid crystalline compounds are disclosed which have large dielectric anisotropy and relatively low viscosity, and which are represented by formula (1)

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cyclohexane derivatives which are liquid crystalline compounds suitable as a component in a liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal compositions comprising the same and liquid crystal display devices composed of these liquid crystal compositions.
2. Description of Related Art
A liquid crystal display device utilizing an optical anisotoropy and a dielectric anisotropy of a liquid crystal substance is classified into a twisted nematic type (TN type), a super twisted nematic type (STN type), a dynamic scattering type (DS type), a guest-host type (G-H type) and DAP type, in view of a display system. It is also classified into a static drive system, a time rate drive system, an active matrix drive system and 2 cycle drive system, in view of a drive system. Various liquid crystal substances having different properties depending on their application are used for these liquid crystal display devices. As a common property, any liquid crystal substance needs to have a stability to external environmental factors such as moisture, air, heat and light, to exhibit liquid crystal phase within as broad the temperature range as possible focusing on room temperature, to have low viscosity and to make the driving voltage low when the display device is driven. Further, it needs to have the characteristics desired according to each display device, for example, the optimum dielectric anisotropy (xcex94xcex5) and the optimum optical anisotropy (xcex94n).
However, there is no substance which meets such all requirements with a single compound now. The present condition is mixing several to about twenty sorts of liquid crystalline compounds to prepare a liquid crystal composition and using the composition as liquid crystal material. The term xe2x80x9cliquid crystalline compoundxe2x80x9d as used herein refers generically to a compound having a liquid crystal phase and a compound not impairing a liquid crystal phase when mixed with other liquid crystal compounds.
Therefore, it is desirable that liquid crystalline compounds used as a component in the composition have good compatibility each other and also they have good compatibility even at a cryostatic temperature, since the demand to the use under various environment is increasing recently.
In recent years, liquid crystal display device is required with higher quality, especially in a display performance, for example, contrast, display capacity, response time, etc. To meet the requirement, the demand for the display device of an active matrix system represented by a TFT (thin film transistor) system is increasing in display mode fields, mainly television and a view finder.
The display device of STN system has been often used in the display fields such as a pocket phone and a personal computer, because of its low cost, easy manufacturing process while having large display capacity.
The development tendency in recent years in these fields is advanced focusing on a downsizing and portability of a liquid crystal display device as observed in the television and note type personal computer which are portable by downsizing and light saving. The liquid crystal material used in connection with this requires a liquid crystalline compound of low driving voltage, i.e., those capable of providing reduced threshold voltage, and a liquid crystal composition of low driving voltage comprising the same.
The threshold voltage (Vth) is shown by the following formula as known well (H. J. Deuling, et al., Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., 27 (1975) 81).
Vth=xcex7(K/xcex50xcex94xcex5)xc2xd in which K is an elastic constant of liquid crystal material and xcex50 is a dielectric constant in a vacuum. As seen from the above formula, two ways can be considered whether xcex94xcex5 is increased or K is decreased, in order to reduce Vth. However, with the present technology, it is still difficult to control the elastic constant K of liquid crystal material actually. Under the present circumstances, one complies with a demand by using a liquid crystal material of large xcex94xcex5. For such circumstances, liquid crystalline compounds of large xcex94xcex5 have been developed actively.
At present, most liquid crystal compositions used for the display device of TFT system are composed of fluorine-containing liquid crystal materials. The reason is that the display device of TFT system requires the liquid crystal composition capable of providing high voltage holding rate (V.H.R) under low temperature dependence, but there is no other liquid crystalline compound except for fluorine-containing compounds to meet such requirements.
To increase xcex94xcex5 in the liquid crystalline compound, it is effective to maintain a substituent having large dipole moment such as cyano and trifluoromethyl in the terminal group as well known, or to replace 1,4-phenylene in the compound by halogen such as fluorine, so that the direction of a dipole moment may become identical with that of the terminal substituent. However, it has been considered to be difficult to increase only xcex94xcex5, while controlling both an increase in viscosity and a reduction in the temperature range of a liquid crystal phase, since the number of replaced fluorine atom is proportional to the viscosity and the number of replaced fluorine atom is increased with reducing the temperature range of a liquid crystal phase.
In recent years, development of the liquid crystal display, especially using a reflected type TFT system is also active. For this reflected type liquid crystal display, a compound of low xcex94n is required.
As compounds already reported, U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,228 discloses the compound of the following formula (A) and Japanese Patent Kokai 2-233626 discloses the compound of the following formula (B).
in which R represents a straight-chain alkyl.
Among these, the compound of formula (A) is reported to be comparatively stable and highly reliable. However, xcex94xcex5 of the compound (A) is comparatively as small as about 3-5 and also xcex94xcex5 of the liquid crystal composition consisting of only the same is small, which cannot reduce the driving voltage. To make up for this defect, the compound of formula (B) was developed. This compound had large xcex94xcex5 and low viscosity, and could reduce the driving voltage without increasing the viscosity of the liquid crystal composition.
Accordingly, it has been desired to develop a liquid crystal material of large xcex94xcex5 without reducing the liquid crystal phase temperature range, and further of small xcex94n and high stability.
An object of the present invention is to provide a new liquid crystalline compound having large xcex94xcex5 and relatively low viscosity which can overcome the defects of the prior art as mentioned above, a liquid crystal composition comprising said liquid crystalline compound and a liquid crystal display device composed of said liquid crystal composition.
We have investigated various compounds in an effort to solve the aforesaid problems and found new liquid crystalline compounds having more improved characteristics than known liquid crystalline compounds, thus leading to the completion of the present invention.
In the first aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid crystalline compound represented by formula (1)
wherein R1 represents hydrogen or C1-C15 alkyl in which one or more non-adjacent methylene may be replaced by oxygen, sulfur or xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 and one or more hydrogen may be replaced by halogen; R2 represents hydrogen, cyano, halogen or C1-C15 alkyl in which one or more non-adjacent methylene may be replaced by oxygen, sulfur or xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 and one or more hydrogen may be replaced by halogen; L represents halogen or hydrogen; A1, A2, A4 and A5 each independently represent trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene, one or more xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 in the trans-1,4-cyclohexylene may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, one or more xe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 in the 1,4-phenylene may be replaced by nitrogen, and one or more hydrogen in the 1,4-phenylene ring may be replaced by halogen; A3represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene in which one or more xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur; Z1,Z2,Z3 and Z4each independently represent xe2x80x94COOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94OCOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CH2)4xe2x80x94, CH2Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94OCH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CF2Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94OCF2xe2x80x94 or a single bond; Q represents xe2x80x94CF2CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2CF2xe2x80x94; and k, l, m and n each independently represent 0 or 1 with the condition of k+l+m+nxe2x89xa62.
The embodiments of the present compounds include the following cases in formula (1):
k=l=m=n=0,
k+l=1 and m=n=0,
k=l=0 and m+n=1,
k+l=1 and m+n=1,
k=l=0 and m=n=1,
A3 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene,
R2 is fluorine,
A3is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene and R2is fluorine,
k+l =1, m=n=0, A1 or A2 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, A3 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, and Z1 or Z2is a single bond, or
k+l=1, m=n=0, A1 or A2 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, A3 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, Z1 or Z2is a single bond,
and R2and L is fluorine.
In the second aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition which comprises at least one liquid crystalline compound represented by formula (1). In one embodiment of the present second invention, the liquid crystal composition may further comprise as a second component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (2), the compound of formula (3) or the compound of formula (4)
wherein R3, Y1, La, Lb, Z5and Z6 may be identical or different between each formula; R3represents C1-C10 alkyl in which one or more non-adjacent methylene may be replaced by oxygen or xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 and any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Y1 represents fluorine, chlorine, OCF3OCHF2, CF3, CHF2, CH2F, OCF2CHF2or OCF2CHF CF3; La and Lb each independently represent hydrogen or fluorine; Z5 and Z6each independently represent xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CH2)4xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CF2Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94OCF2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 or a single bond; six-membered ring B represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; six-membered ring C represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene in which hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; and in the above compound of each formula, each atom constituting the compound may include its isotope.
In another embodiment of the second invention, the liquid crystal composition may further comprise as a second component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (5) or the compound of formula (6)
wherein R4and R5 each independently represent C1-C10 alkyl in which one or more non-adjacent methylene may be replaced by oxygen or xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 and any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Y2represents xe2x80x94CN or xe2x80x94Cxe2x89xa1Cxe2x80x94CN; six-membered ring E represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; six-membered ring G represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene in which hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; six-membered ring H represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z7 represents xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COOxe2x80x94 or a single bond; Lc, Ld and Le each independently represent hydrogen or fluorine; b, c and d each independently represent 0 or 1; and in the above compound of each formula, each atom constituting the compound may include its isotope.
In further embodiment of the second invention, the liquid crystal composition may further comprise as a second component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (2), the compound of formula (3) and the compound of formula (4) and as a third component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (7), the compound of formula (8) and the compound of formula (9)
R6xe2x80x94(I)xe2x80x94Z8xe2x80x94(J)xe2x80x94Z9xe2x80x94R7xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(7)
R6xe2x80x94(I)xe2x80x94Z8xe2x80x94(J)xe2x80x94Z9xe2x80x94(K)xe2x80x94R7xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(8)

wherein R6, R7, I, J and K may be identical or different between each formula; R6 and R7 each independently represent C1-C10 alkyl in which one or more non-adjacent methylene may be replaced by oxygen or xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 and any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; I, J and K each independently trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z8 and Z9 each independently represent xe2x80x94Cxe2x89xa1Cxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 or a single bond, and in the above compound of each formula, each atom constituting the compound may include its isotope.
In further embodiment of the second invention, the liquid crystal composition may further comprise as a second component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (5) or the compound of formula (6) and as a third component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (7), the compound of formula (8) or the compound of formula (9).
In further embodiment of the second invention, the liquid crystal composition may further comprise as a second component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (2), the compound of formula (3) or the compound of formula (4) and as a third component at least one compounds selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (5) or the compound of formula (6), and as a fourth component at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compound of formula (7), the compound of formula (8) or the compound of formula (9).
In still further embodiment of the second invention, the liquid crystal compositions as recited above may further contain any optically active compound.
In the third aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device composed of any of the present liquid crystal compositions as recited above.
The liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention represented by formula (1) have a partial structure comprising 1,1-difluoroethylene and exhibit excellent characteristics, especially low xcex94n and large xcex94xcex5 as described later by a synergistic effect of the halogen atom or the like substituted on 1,4-phenylene ring.
The compounds of formula (1) are specified by those represented by the following formulae (1a) to (1f).
In these formulae, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, L, R1, R2, Q, Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 represent the same meanings as described above.
Of these specific compounds, the dicyclic compound of formula (1a) (k=l=m=n=0) has large xcex94xcex5, relatively small xcex94n, low viscosity and good compatibility at low temperature. This compound can provide a composition for high-speed response when used as a component of the liquid crystal composition, since it can reduce the viscosity while maintaining xcex94xcex5 of the composition.
The tricyclic compounds, i.e., the compound of formula (1b) (k=1 and l=m=n=0) and the compound of formula (1c) (k=l=n=0 and m=1) and the tetracyclic compounds, i.e., the compound of formula (1d) (k=m=1 and l=n=0) or the compound of formula (1e) (k=l=0 and m=n=1) have large xcex94xcex5, relatively low viscosity and relatively broad temperature range of liquid phase. These compounds are useful for expanding the liquid phase temperature range to a high temperature side while maintaining the dielectric anisotropy of the resulting composition, when used as a component of the liquid crystal composition.
Of the compounds as specifically recited above, preferable examples of the compounds included in those of formula (1b) are more specifically recited by the compounds of the following formulas (1b-1) to (1b-16). Preferable examples of the compounds included in those of formula (1c) are more specifically recited by the compounds of the following formulas (1c-1) to (1c-22). Preferable examples of the compounds included in those of formula (1d) are more specifically recited by the compounds of the following formulas (1d-1) to (1d-20). Preferable examples of the compounds included in those of formula (1e) are more specifically recited by the compounds of the following formulas (1e-l) to (1e-20). Preferable examples of the compounds included in those of formula (1f) are more specifically recited by the compounds of the following formulas (1f-1) to (1f-18).
In the above formulas, R1, R2 and L represent the same meaning as mentioned above, and one or more halogen atoms may be replaced on 1,4-phenylene ring.
Of these compounds as more specifically recited above, the compound of formula (1b-1) especially replaced by fluorine provides larger xcex94xcex5 with the increase in the replacement number of fluorine, and further improves the compatibility at low temperature.
The compound of formula (1b-9) wherein L is fluorine and R2 is trifluoromethoxy exhibits large xcex94xcex5 and also improves the compatibility at low temperature.
The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains at least one of the liquid crystalline compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component. The content of said compound is required to be at least 1% based on the weight of the liquid crystal composition to produce excellent characteristics. Preferred mixing percentage of the first component is 1-50% by weight, more preferably 3-20% by weight.
The liquid crystal compositions of the present invention may be (I) the composition comprising only the first component as mentioned above, but preferably (II) the composition wherein at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds of formulas (2), (3) and (4) is mixed as the second component in addition to the first component; (III) the composition wherein the composition (I) is mixed with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds of formulas (5) and (6) as the second component; (IV) the composition wherein the composition (II) is mixed with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds of formulas (7), (8) and (9) as the third component; (V) the composition wherein the composition (III) is mixed with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds of formulas (7), (8) and (9) as the third component; and (VI) the composition wherein the composition (II) is mixed with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds of formulas (5) and (6) as the third component and further at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds of formulas (7), (8) and (9) as the fourth component. Further, other components can be mixed suitably. For example, an optically active compound may be added as a helical pitch modifier, and known compounds may be mixed for the purpose of regulating threshold voltage, liquid crystal temperature range, xcex94n, xcex94xcex5, viscosity and the like.
Of the second components as mentioned above, suitable examples of the compounds included in the formula (2) can include those represented by the following formulas (2-1) to (2-9). Suitable examples of the compounds included in the formula (3) can include those represented by the following formulas (3-1) to (3-63). Suitable examples of the compounds included in the formula (4) can include those represented by the following formulas (4-1) to (4-15).
In the above formulas, R3 and Y1 have the meanings as mentioned above.
Of these compounds, the compounds of formulas (2) to (4) have positive xcex94xcex5, excellent thermal and chemical stability, which are useful in the preparation of the liquid crystal composition for TFT which requires high reliability such as high voltage holding rate (large specific resistance).
The mixing percentage of said compounds in the present composition is at least 1% by weight, preferably 10-97% by weight, more preferably 40-95% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition, when the liquid crystal composition for TFT is prepared. In that case, the compounds of formulas (7) to (9) may be incorporated.
The compounds of formulas (2) to (4) can be also used in the preparation of liquid crystal composition for STN and TN display mode which drive at low voltage. Preferably, the amount of the compound used in this case is 50% by weight or less based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition.
Of the compounds as recited above, suitable examples of the compounds included in the formula (5) can include those of the following formulas (5-1) to (5-40), and suitable examples of the compounds included in the formula (6) can include those of the following formulas (6-1) to (6-3).
In the above formulae, R4, R5 and Y2 have the meanings as mentioned above.
The compounds of formula (5) or (6) have positive xcex94xcex5 and its large value., and they are used for the purpose of reducing the threshold voltage of the device composed of the resulting composition. Further, these compounds are used for the purpose of improving the steepness in electro-optical characteristic curve, regulating xcex94n and increasing a clear point to broaden a nematic phase range, and they are especially suitable in the preparation of liquid crystal composition for liquid display device driving at low voltage.
These compounds can make the threshold voltage of the liquid crystal composition lower according to an increase in the amount of the compound used, but bringing about an increase in viscosity. As long as the viscosity of the liquid crystal composition satisfies the required physical value, larger amount of the compound used is advantageous from a viewpoint of the driving at low voltage.
Under such circumstances, the amount of the above compound used is at least 1% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition, preferably 10-97% by weight, more preferably 40-95% by weight of the resulting composition. Of the compounds as recited above, suitable examples of the compounds included in the formula (7) can include those of the following formulas (7-1) to (7-11), suitable examples of the compounds included in the formula (8) can include those of the following formulas (8-1) to (8-18), and suitable examples of the compounds included in the formula (9) can include those of the following formulas (9-1) to (9-6).
In the above formulas, R6 and R7 have the same meanings as mentioned above.
The compounds of formulas (7) to (9) are small and close to zero in the absolute value of xcex94xcex5. Of these compounds, the compound of formula (7) is used mainly for the adjustment of viscosity or xcex94n of the resulting liquid crystal composition. The compounds of formulas (8) and (9) are used for increasing a clear point of the resulting composition to broaden a nematic phase range of the composition or adjusting xcex94n.
These compounds can make the threshold voltage of the liquid crystal composition higher according to an increase in the amount of the compound used, but reducing the viscosity. As long as the threshold voltage of the liquid crystal composition satisfies the required physical value, larger amount of the compound used is desirable.
Under such circumstances, suitable amount of the above compound used is not more than 40% by weight, preferably not more than 35% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition, when high reliability is required as in the liquid crystal composition for TFT. When low threshold voltage is required as in the liquid crystal composition for STN and TN display modes, suitable amount of the above compound used is not more than 70% by weight, preferably not more than 60% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition.
Of other components in the composition of the present invention, an optically active compound is added for the purpose of causing a helical structure of liquid crystal composition to adjust necessary twist angle, thereby preventing a reverse twist, except for a special case, for example the case where the component is used in the liquid crystal composition for OCB (Optically Compensated Birefringence) mode.
The optically active compound is extensively selected from known compounds as far as the above purpose is achieved. Preferable examples of optically active compounds can include those of the following formulas (Op-1) to (Op-8).
By addition of these optically active compounds, the pitch length of twist in the resulting liquid crystal composition is adjusted. Preferably, the pitch length of twist is adjusted in the range of 6 to 20 xcexcm for the liquid crystal composition for STN and in the range of 1.5 to 4 xcexcm for the composition for bistable TN mode. In that case, two or more optically active compounds may be added for the purpose of adjusting a temperature dependence of pitch length.
The liquid crystal composition of the present invention can be used in the display device of either field-effect or current-effect type. For Example, it can be used in the display devices of a twisted nematic mode, a twisted nematic mode in combination with an active matrix system, a supertwisted nematic mode and a field-controlled birefringent mode. Further, the present composition can be used as a liquid crystal composition for guest-host (GH) mode by incorporating therein diachronic dyes such as merocyanines, styryls, azo, azomethines, azoxy, quinophthalones, anthraquinones, tetrazines or the like. In addition, it can be used in the display devices which include a device wherein an encapsulated liquid crystal composition is dispersed in a polymer and a device wherein a liquid crystal composition is present in a spongy polymer.
The compounds of the present invention represented by formula (1) can be prepared by selecting usual methods in a synthetic organic chemistry and combining them. For example, methods described in xe2x80x9cOrganic Synthesisxe2x80x9d (John Wiley and Sons, Inc.), xe2x80x9cOrganic Reactionsxe2x80x9d (John Wiley and Sons, Inc.), xe2x80x9cJitsuken Kagaku Kouzaxe2x80x9d (Maruzen Co. Ltd.) or the like may be selected suitably and combined.
For example, Wittig reagent (10) described in xe2x80x9cOrganic Reactions, vol. 14, page 270xe2x80x9d and a ylid compound prepared from a base such as potassium-t-butoxide and alkyl lithium are reacted with cyclohexanone derivative (11) to prepare olefin derivative (12). Subsequently, olefin derivative (12) is reacted with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (abbreviated hereafter as 9-BBN), and followed by oxidation to prepare alcohol derivative (13) which is then converted to ketone derivative (14), for example by Swern oxidation described in xe2x80x9cJitsuken Kagaku Kouzaxe2x80x9d, 4 edn. Vol. 23, page 299. The ketone (14) can be fluorinated with diethylaminosulfurtrifluoride (abbreviated hereafter as xe2x80x9cDASTxe2x80x9d) to prepare a target compound of formula (1) (See, the following Scheme 1);
Alternatively, Grignard reagent prepared from alkyl halide derivative (15) is reacted with aldehyde derivative (16) to prepare alcohol derivative (17) which can be then oxidized and fluorinated in the same manner as mentioned above to prepare a target compound of formula (1) (See, the following Scheme 2).
In the above formulas, A1, A2, A4, A5, R1, R2, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, L, k, l, m and n have the same meanings as mentioned above. Of starting materials as mentioned above, Wittig reagent (10) and alkyl halide derivative (15) can be prepared suitably by the following methods.
Aldehyde derivative (16) is reacted with a ylid compound prepared from methoxymethyltriphenylphosphonium chloride and potassium-t-butoxide to prepare olefin derivative (19). This derivative is hydrolyzed to aldehyde derivative (20) which is then reduced to alcohol derivative (21). This derivative can be halogenated to alkyl halide derivative (22), thus leading to Wittig reagent (10)(See, the following Scheme 3).
Olefin derivative (23) is prepared from cyclohexanone derivative (11) in accordance with conventional method. Olefin derivative (23) is hydrolyzed with an acid such as hydrochloric acid to aldehyde derivative (24) which is then reduced with sodium borohydride to alcohol derivative (25). This derivative can be halogenated with hydrobromic acid to alkyl halide derivative (15-1)(See, the following Scheme 4).
In the above formulas, A1, A2, A4, A5, L, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 R1 R2, k, l, m and n have the same meanings as mentioned above.

Cyclohexane derivatives, liquid crystal compositions comprising the same and liquid crystal display devices

Abstract: wherein R1 represents hydrogen or C1-C15 alkyl in which one or more non-adjacent methylene may be replaced by oxygen, sulfur or xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 and one or more hydrogen may be replaced by halogen; R2 represents hydrogen, cyano, halogen or C1-C15 alkyl in which one or more non-adjacent methylene may be replaced by oxygen, sulfur or xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 and one or more hydrogen may be replaced by halogen; L represents halogen or hydrogen; A1, A2, A4 and A5 each independently represent trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene, one or more xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 in the trans-1,4-cyclohexylene may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, one or more xe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 in the 1,4-phenylene may be replaced by nitrogen, and one or more hydrogen in the 1,4-phenylene ring may be replaced by halogen; A3represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene in which one or more xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur; Z1,Z2,Z3 and Z4 each independently represent xe2x80x94COOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94OCOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94(CH2)4xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2O xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94OCH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CF2Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94OCF2xe2x80x94 or a single bond; Q represents xe2x80x94CF2CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2CF2xe2x80x94; and k, l, m and n each independently represent 0 or 1 with the condition of k+l+m+nxe2x89xa62. Further, liquid crystal compositions comprising at least one liquid crystalline compound of formula (1) and liquid crystal display devices composed of the compositions are disclosed.


A paper holder attached to a computer keyboard including a keyboard, a holder rod pivotally coupled to the keyboard for being rotated to move the holder rod vertically up and down. The holder rod is folded and aligned at the same level of the keyboard, a circular rod base protruded from an inner surface of a main support rod of the holder rod, a long hole disposed on the circular rod base, a groove sequentially disposed on at the bottom of both sides of the long hole and the long hole of the circular rod base protruded from the bottom of the adjusting rod to couple with a locking member for the positioning. A rib correspondingly latched to the groove of the main support rod and disposed on the inner side of the locking member, and pressing against different grooves to drive the adjusting rod to move along the main support rod.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a paper holder attached to a computer keyboard, more particularly to a paper holder comprising a holder rod pivotally coupled with a keyboard for moving the holder rod vertically up and down and being folded and aligned and attached at the same level of the keyboard, an adjusting rod of the holder rod moving along the main support rod for providing different heights to the holder rod for user's viewing, and a retaining tray coupled with the top of the adjusting rod and capable of being rotated in 360 degrees with a latch position at every 90 degrees, such that the holder rod can be folded, aligned, and attached to the keyboard to minimize the space for storing the paper holder at the same level of the keyboard.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, traditional paper holders are usually separated from computer keyboards, and most paper holders have a larger area at the bottom base for keeping the body of the holder rod in balance. However, such arrangement cannot align the holder rod of the paper holder at the same level with the keyboard, and thus occupying more space for the storage.

Paper holder attached to computer keyboards


A fluid-operated combination diaphragm spring brake has a tamper-resistant connection between a head and a flange case which together form a spring chamber housing a power spring. The head has an annular flange and an axial rim, and the flange case has an annular flange and an axial rim, The flanges of the head and the flange case and at least one of the rims of the head and the flange case define an annular recess. A diaphragm is sandwiched between the flanges and substantially fills the annular recess, removing substantially all the air within the annular recess. A welded connection radially adjacent the diaphragm secures head rim to the flange case rim.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to diaphragm spring brake actuators of the type used with air brake systems on vehicles such as trucks. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a spring brake actuator having a tamper-resistant spring chamber.
2. State of the Prior Art
Spring brake actuators are in common use with air brake systems used on trucks, buses, and towed vehicles. Such actuators are typically provided with a service chamber for normally applying and releasing the brakes in response to delivery and exhaust of compressed air, and a spring chamber disposed in tandem with the service chamber for providing parking or emergency brake functions. A spring brake actuator uses spring force to operate a service brake actuator and apply brakes when pressurized air in the spring chamber is reduced below some predetermined level. Air pressure may be reduced in the spring chamber to apply the brakes under the control of the operator or automatically as a result of failure of the pressurized air system. The service chamber and spring chamber are separated by an adapter or flange casing which forms a wall between the two chambers.
In a typical spring brake actuator, a barrel-shaped power spring is used to store energy and to exert the large force required for braking in the event of air pressure failure. Air pressure acting on a diaphragm or a piston is employed to compress the spring and maintain it in its brake release position. When the air is exhausted, the spring acts on the diaphragm, typically an elastomeric diaphragm or a piston, and through an actuating rod exerts the spring force on the service push rod to apply the brakes in the event of a failure of the system air pressure.
The spring brake actuator operates within the spring chamber, which is typically formed by clamping an elastomeric diaphragm between a head (sometimes also known as a spring housing or spring chamber) and the adapter. The power spring is typically compressed within the spring chamber between the head and the diaphragm. The spring has a high spring constant and typically weighs 3 pounds or more, being compressed to a linear length of less than 3 inches from an original uncompressed length in an extended condition of from 9 to 12 inches. With a high spring constant, the spring has a substantial amount of potential energy, exerting a force on the head of from 2,000 to 3,000 pounds.
In previous diaphragm style brake actuators, the brake actuator head is secured to the adapter by means of a band, generally U-shaped in cross section, to clamp mating flanges on the head and adapter with the diaphragm clamped therebetween. Typically the band is formed of sections bolted together for convenient disassembly. Because the power spring is under great pressure, means must be provided to restrain or "cage" the power spring before the spring chamber can be safely disassembled. Failure to properly cage the power spring prior to disassembly and the resulting sudden release of potential energy in the spring can cause the head and adapter to fly apart.
To deter disassembly of the spring chamber, the clamp band has been formed from a continuous ring, deformed over the flanges to form what is commonly termed a sealed brake. Safety is an advantage of a sealed brake. Because it must be deformed to be removed, a sealed brake clamp band or deformed flange deters disassembly of the spring chamber.
The same feature which makes sealed brakes safer also deters future repair, because disassembly is difficult without damaging the brake. If the diaphragm should fail for example, the entire brake actuator may need to be replaced. In any event, reconditioning of a sealed brake is a very difficult procedure.
Other means are used for securing the brake actuator head to the adapter in a tamper-resistant brake. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,918 to Pierce, issued May 31, 1994, discloses a bayonet mount for securing the brake actuator head to the adapter. The brake actuator head and the adapter have complementary axially-extending lips. One of the lips has a series of openings formed therein and in which is received a plug weld to secure the actuator head to the adapter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,716 to Thompson, issued Feb. 15, 1994, discloses the welding of a brake actuator head to an adapter in such a manner so that the weld securing the brake actuator head to the adapter is a sufficient distance from the diaphragm so as not to burn the diaphragm. Specifically, the brake actuator head has an axially-extending flange that overlaps an axially-extending flange of the adapter and extends a sufficient distance from the diaphragm compressed between the actuator head and the adapter so that the heat from the weld formed at the end of the axially-extending flange of the actuator head will not burn the diaphragm.


The battery charger is modular and reconfigurable. It includes charging modular power stages that are configured to receive an alternating current (AC) input and provide a direct current (DC) output for charging a battery. These modular power stages include an inverter coupled to a rectifier circuit that outputs a battery charging current. The modular power stages can also each include a current mode controller coupled to the output of the rectifier circuit and configured to provide a current control signal for the modular power stage, a voltage mode controller coupled to the output of the rectifier circuit and configured to provide a voltage control signal for the modular power stage, and a droop sharing control and configured to ensure current sharing between a plurality of modular power stages under constant voltage operation. A system controller is configured to interface with the modular power stages.

In general, battery charging is a complex electrochemical process in which the discharged electric energy must be replenished from an electric network. The quality of the charging process is critical to the health and longevity of batteries. As such, battery chargers need to be fitted with advanced controls to optimize charging and prolong battery life.
Conventional battery charging is done at low rates that return 60% to 70% of the battery's discharged energy within 6 hours, which brings the battery to about 80% to 90% state of charge (SOC). This is followed by an even lower rate of charge to bring the battery to 100% SOC in two to four hours. In total, a conventional charge cycle typically lasts 8 to 10 hours.
Rapid or fast charging is a new charging scheme that attempts to shorten the recharge time of batteries. Rapid charging greatly reduces the time it takes to bring the battery to a SOC of 80% to two hours or less. This reduction in time is accomplished by charging at a higher rate compared to conventional charging. While conventional charging recharges the battery at a rate of less than 10% to 15% of the amp-hour rating of the battery, rapid charging recharges the battery at a rate greater than 40%, resulting in more than a three-fold reduction in recharge time.
Rapid battery charging systems have been developed and are being offered by a number of manufacturers. However, these rapid charging systems have a number of drawbacks and limitations that have resulted in limited customer acceptance and penetration in the market place.
As a first example of the limitations of known rapid changing systems, most of these chargers are offered in a single power rating, namely 30 kW, 45 kW, or 60 kW. As such, customers with less than 30 kW power requirements, e.g. 10 kW or 20 kW, will have to pay extra for a higher power charging system (30 kW), that they will not be fully utilizing. In addition, customers with a 40 kW or 50 kW requirement settle for lower or higher rated battery chargers, namely 45 kW or 60 kW. This tradeoff makes such chargers more expensive from a customer perspective.
As a second example, all of these charging systems are non-modular and non-reconfigurable. As such, if a user's power needs increase at some point of time, the user would have to buy a new higher power charger to meet such need because the existing charger cannot be easily reconfigured for higher power operation.
As a third example, some of these charging systems support multiport operation but require extensive and complex installations as well as considerable infrastructure expenses, which must be covered by the customers. Typically, a conventional multiport charger consists of a central power server 10 along with a number of charging stations 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The multiport rapid charging system of FIG. 1 requires two levels of power conversion and control. The first is a main power server 10, which processes the AC power from the mains into distributed DC power, while the second are DC/DC charging ports 11 that charge individual battery powered systems (e.g., battery powered vehicles illustrated at 13 in FIG. 1).
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a typical multiport rapid charging system. In the conventional multiport charging system shown in FIG. 2, the main power server 10 can receive power from AC power lines at a 60 Hz transformer 14 which provides lower voltage AC power to an AC/DC converter 16. The converter 16 can be implemented in various ways, such as a passive rectifier followed by a DC/DC converter or as an active SCR rectifier. The converter 16 is controlled by a controller 18 through a gate drive and control 19. The DC output voltage from the converter 16 is applied to DC bus lines 20 that supplies DC power to the individual charging ports 11. Each of the charging ports 11 includes a DC to DC post regulator 22 and an output filter 23, with control being provided by a microprocessor and user interface 24 which receives signals indicating the output voltage and current from sensors 27 and which provides control signals to the regulator 22 through a gate drive and control circuit 28. The main system controller 18 also communicates with the microprocessor controller 24 in each of the individual ports 11 to provide overall system control. If rapid charging is to be available at all charging ports, the rating of the main power server must be quite high. If, however, the rating of the main power server 10 is limited, rapid charging will have to be trimmed when more battery powered systems, such as the vehicles 13, are charged simultaneously. In either case, the complexity and the cost of installing such charging systems are considerable.

Modular and reconfigurable rapid battery charger


A method and system for dampening a stick-slip vibration. The method may comprise determining at least one frequency of a stick-slip vibration; determining mechanical properties of the drilling system; producing a torque signal from a controller having at least a second order; controlling a rotational speed of a top drive from the torque signal produced by the controller; and damping stick-slip vibration of the drilling system. The system may further comprise a drill string and a bottom hole assembly may be connected to the drill string. A drill bit may be connected to the bottom hole assembly and an information handling system may be connected to the drilling system.

Hydrocarbons, such as oil and gas, are commonly obtained from subterranean formations that may be located onshore or offshore. The development of subterranean operations and the processes involved in removing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation are complex. Typically, subterranean operations involve a number of different steps such as, for example, drilling a wellbore at a desired well site, treating the wellbore to optimize production of hydrocarbons, and performing the necessary steps to produce and process the hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.
Subterranean drilling apparatuses such as drill bits, drill strings, bottom-hole assemblies (BHAs), and/or downhole tools may contact the borehole wall in such a way that they become caught or lodged in the borehole wall, causing the drill string to "stick." When the drilling apparatus "sticks," the rotational movement of the drill string is either stopped or severely decreased. Torque is still imparted to the drill string at the surface, despite the drilling apparatus being stuck, causing the drill string to twist. Once the torque applied to the drill string overcomes the force of static friction on the drilling apparatus, the drill string "slips" or releases from the borehole wall. This phenomenon may decrease the lifespan of downhole components, decrease the quality of the borehole, and delay the drilling operation.

Method and system for stick-slip mitigation


A method includes: placing a first physical object at each of a first plurality of locations on a trackpad; while the first object is at each of the first plurality of locations, registering respective first readings from each of a second plurality of force sensors of the trackpad, the first plurality greater than the second plurality; selecting a first plurality of sensitivity parameters for the trackpad based at least in part on the first readings; and providing the first plurality of sensitivity parameters to force sensing circuitry of the trackpad, the force sensing circuitry coupled to the second plurality of force sensors.

Some devices use a trackpad or touchpad to register input from a user to the system. Input can be registered as position information to guide the user in pointing to objects or locations on an accompanying screen. Input can be registered as a force or displacement, to allow the user to click on a displayed object. Some existing trackpads are designed with a hinged surface that pivots along one of its edges, to allow the user to input taps or clicks.


A long life, two filament tungsten halogen lamp having light transmissive envelope, a first filament with a first lead, second lead, filament coil; a second similar filament, and a fill material is disclosed. The filament coil has an increased wire weight, increased over what is commonly used. The fill material comprises a halogen for the tungsten halogen cycle, a getter, and the remainder is approximately equal portions of krypton and xenon. The basic life improvement comes from the heavier tungsten wire weight, combined with the heavier molecular weight of xenon and krypton. The new filament and fill gives a two filament tungsten halogen lamp yielding substantially longer lamp life.

Head lamps should last as long as possible in operation. There are however other requirements that must be met. Cost of the lamp is one consideration. The lamp must produce the necessary amount of light to properly illuminate the road. The light must be spread according to prescribed patterns, so the illuminating source structure must work with existing reflectors and lenses to reproduce the proper patterns. Head lamps require a substantial amount of power and this demand may influence the overall system requirement. To lower the overall cost of the electrical system, lower power requirements for vehicle headlamps is a desirable result. Currently, daylight running headlamps are becoming a recognized safety feature. Running headlamps constantly does not result on average in more lamp failures per lamp hour, but does result on average in more lamp failures per vehicle running hour. There is then a need for increased vehicle headlamp life, without substantially effecting lamp cost, light output or distribution, or vehicle power system

Tungsten halogen lamp with specific fill material, fill pressure, and filament coil parameters


A rolling-element bearing unit includes at least one outer ring and at least one inner ring, and a plurality of rolling elements between the at least one outer ring and the at least one inner ring. The inner ring has a surface, which may be cylindrical, at an axial end region of the rolling-element bearing unit which surface is configured to contact a seal element. A projection extends radially outwardly from the surface at an angle and forms a guide surface facing the plurality of rolling elements.

A known rolling-element bearing unit (see FIG. 1) includes an outer ring 10, an inner ring 12, and a number of rolling elements 14 that contact the outer ring and the inner ring. The inner ring comprises a surface 16 against which a seal element 18 abuts and that is disposed at an axial end region of the rolling-element bearing unit. In order to extend a service life of the rolling-element bearing unit, a new lubricating is effected at relatively short time intervals. A further means for increasing the service life is the use of a larger rolling-element bearing unit.

Rolling-element bearing unit and tapered-roller-bearing inner ring


A golf cart or other personal utility vehicle includes a wheeled platform, a wheeled gooseneck frame detachably secured at the rear of the platform, and a detachable steering handle for turning a powered wheel on the gooseneck frame for steering purposes. A detachable upright post provides support for a conventional golf bag and set of clubs. A forwardly facing occupant seat is detachably mounted to the gooseneck frame, thereby placing the weight of an occupant substantially upon the rear driving and steering wheel. The golf cart provides a mechanized vehicle capable of use on all types of terrain. It can be readily disassembled for storage and transport within the trunk or cargo area of a conventional passenger automobile.

Self-powered golf carts are widely used during recreational use of golf courses. They also find usage as utility vehicles within warehouses, other large commercial buildings and various outdoor areas where personal transport is desired.
A typical golf cart is an electrically powered four-wheel vehicle designed to carry two people and their respective golf bags and clubs. Transporting such golf carts to and from a golf course or other facility normally requires either a trailer, truck or towing hitch. Many such golf carts are powered by gasoline engines, which limit their portability, since the drive train cannot be readily disassembled. Most electrically powered golf carts require heavy rechargeable batteries. They also are not designed for disassembly during normal usage.
The disclosed vehicle was developed to meet the needs of recreational golfers who desire the motorized advantages of a golf cart, but wish to facilitate its transport within a conventional automobile trunk or cargo area. In addition, many users of golf carts would prefer to store the vehicle within a minimum building area when it is not in use. To do this, the vehicle must be capable of being disassembled into relatively lightweight and compact components that can be readily reassembled. Both disassembly and reassembly must be relatively simple and quick to accomplish, without the need of specialized tools or training.
The present invention was designed to meet these needs and to serve as a personal self-powered vehicle, particularly for use on golf courses.


A production efficiency improving apparatus includes a first communicating means for communicating information with a plurality of processing apparatuses that process objects, and a second communicating means for communicating conveyance control information, with a conveyance system comprising conveyance apparatuses for conveying the objects between the plurality of processing apparatuses. A means for predicting, on the basis of information communicated by the first communicating means, the conveying timing at which the processing apparatus needs to send out processed objects, and the conveying timing at which the processing apparatus needs to bring in unprocessed objects. A generating means generates the control information such that the conveyance apparatus will arrive at the processing apparatus that is the destination of the communication of information at the predicted timing predicted by the means for predicting.

A production processing system has been put into a practical use and the production processing system includes: a plurality of processing apparatuses configured to process workpieces; a plurality of conveyance apparatuses configured to convey the workpieces between the plurality of processing apparatuses; a conveyance control unit configured to control the operation of the plurality of conveyance apparatuses; and a production execution control apparatus configured to determine a processing apparatus in which a workpiece should be processed, instruct a recovery destination and a conveyance destination of the workpieces to the conveyance control apparatus and instruct processing contents for the workpieces to the processing apparatuses.
Patent Document 1 discloses a software which includes at least one of: a sequence of communicating with a plurality of processing apparatuses configured to process workpieces; a sequence of communicating with a plurality of conveyance apparatuses configured to convey the workpieces from an arbitrary processing apparatus to another arbitrary processing apparatus among the processing apparatuses; a sequence of communicating with a production instruction apparatus configured to instruct a processing for the workpiece; a conveyance instruction sequence of instructing the movement of the conveyance apparatuses to the conveyance apparatuses using information obtained by communication; and a processing instruction sequence of instructing a processing to be executed to the processing apparatuses using the information.
Also, in Non-Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that the efficiency of conveyance may be improved when a factory production management system (Manufacturing Execute System ("MES")) and a conveyance control system (Material Control System ("MCS")) configured to control a conveyance system (Overhead Hoist Transfer ("OHT")) by receiving various instructions from the MES share information such as, for example, a factory layout. It is also disclosed that, when buffers capable of moving and loading workpieces directly from a carriage of the OHT, for example, overhead buffers ("OHBs") (racks under an OHT rail), are provided and a group of apparatuses of the next process are known in advance, the workpieces may be conveyed to a designated apparatus within a short time by carrying the workpieces to the buffer of the corresponding bay in advance without using a stocker.

Production efficiency improving apparatus, production efficiency improving method, and computer program


A semiconductor device includes a stressed substrate stressed by a first stress, a first stressed channel formed in the substrate and having the first stress, and a first strained gate electrode strained by a first strain generating element. A first strained gate electrode is formed over the first stressed channel, the first strained gate electrode including a first lattice-mismatched layer to induce a second stress to the first stressed channel.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device, and more particularly, to a transistor, a method for fabricating the same, and an electronic device including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electronic device is formed of a plurality of transistors. Recently, scaling-down of transistors is continuously progressed. In correspondence to the scaling-down, a method for improving the performance of transistors is regarded important. For example, driving current may be increased for high speed operations of transistors.

Transistor, method for fabricating the same, and electronic device including the same