A wiper assembly (100) is provided, comprising a wiper arm (110), a wiper blade (120), and a coupling device (130) configured to enable connection of the wiper blade (120) to the wiper arm (110), wherein the coupling device (130) comprises a first part (140) being connected to one of said wiper arm (110) or said wiper blade (120), and a second part (150) being connected to the other one of said wiper arm (110) or said wiper blade (120). The first part (140) comprises an engaging section (142) being configured to provide an axial fixation of the first part (140) relative the second part (150), and at least one recess (144) configured to provide a rotational fixation of the first part (140) relative the second part (150), and wherein the second part (150) comprises a receiving section (152) configured to receive the engaging section (142) of the first part (140), a locking device (160) arranged radially outwards of said first part (140) and comprising at least one radial protrusion (162) configured to fit with said recess (144) of the first part (140), and a wall (170) surrounding said locking device (160), wherein said wall (170) comprises a constricted section (172) whereby an inner wall (174) of said constricted section (172) is configured to press the radial protrusion (162) radially inwards when the constricted section (172) is axially aligned with the radial protrusion (162).

Vehicles are normally provided with wipers being controlled to remove any unwanted substance, such as rain, snow, ice, etc. from a windshield of the vehicle. Typically the vehicle is also provided with a wiper washing system being configured to discharge a washing liquid onto the window.
A wiper assembly includes a wiper arm and a wiper blade being connected thereto. A motor is driving the wiper arm to pivot, whereby the wiper blade sweeps over the window to remove any substance. For obtaining good cleaning results the wiper blade is provided with a rubber member extending along the wiper blade. Although the rubber blade provides good contact with the window it will eventually wear out, thus requiring replacement of the rubber member. Due to various reasons the rubber member is fixed to the wiper arm, whereby such replacement requires complete removal and replacement of the entire wiper arm.
Different connections between the wiper arm and the wiper blade have been proposed; preferably such connection should not only provide a reliable and robust connection of the wiper blade to the wiper arm, but also allow for an easy and intuitive operation in order for an ordinary vehicle owner to perform the replacement. A common connection includes providing the end of the wiper arm with a U-shape being configured to snap into mating flanges of the wiper blade. Although this connection provides a robust assembly, it is quite difficult to manoeuvre. This problem is quite significant for large vehicles, such as trucks. In such cases the connection between the wiper arm and the wiper blade cannot be accessed from the ground, but instead the person mounting a new wiper blade must climb onto the truck. Hence one hand is preferably used to hold on to the truck, leaving only one hand left for manoeuvring the wiper blade replacement.
Another solution for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm is described in EP2815932. This document teaches a wiper assembly having a wiper blade and a wiper arm. The arm and the blade comprise a first and a second adapter element for mounting the blade to the arm. The first adapter element is at one end connected to the wiper blade and at the opposite end connected to the second adapter element, while the second adapter element is at its opposite end connected to the wiper arm.
Various drawbacks are associated with the prior art solutions described above. For example, a user should preferably be able to mount and dismount the wiper blade using one hand only. Additionally, a wiper assembly should preferably provide immediate feedback that a robust connection is established.
An improved wiper assembly, as well as a coupling device for such wiper assembly would therefore be desirable.


The present invention relates to an immunological method and, more particularly, a method for measuring cell-mediated immune reactivity (CMI) in mammals based on the production of IP-10. The invention further discloses an assay and a kit for measuring CMI to an antigen using whole blood or other suitable biological samples. The methods of the present invention are useful in therapeutic and diagnostic protocols for human, livestock and veterinary and wild life applications, thus the invention further relates to a method for diagnosing an infection in a mammal.

Tuberculosis
The discovery of mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific immunodominant antigens has led to a significant new avenue for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Early work had shown the potential to replace the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) by a test that assayed the in vitro production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) by T cells in response to defined MTB antigens. Around the same time, a major advance was the discovery of the highly immunogenic antigens, early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) and TB7.7 that improved specificity significantly. These antigens are encoded within the region of difference 1 (RD1) of the pathogen and are consequently absent from all Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine strains and most non-tuberculous mycobacteria (exceptions include Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium marinum Mycobacterium szulgai). IFN-γ responses to overlapping peptides of the RD1 encoded antigens ESAT-6, CFP-10, TB7.7 form the basis for the detection of MTB infection in two licensed and commercially available tests.
QuantiFERON-TB Gold (Cellestis Limited, Carnegie, Victoria, Australia), a whole blood enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) has European CE mark approval and recently received American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the detection of both latent TB infection and disease.
T-SPOT.TB (Oxford Immunotec, Oxford, UK), an enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) that uses peripheral blood mononuclear cells has European CE mark approval and was approved for use in Canada in 2005. T-SPOT.TB only uses ESAT-6 and CFP10.
However, the limitations of the currently available tests are:                1) The sensitivity may be impaired in immunosuppressed individuals (such as HIV positive or patients receiving immunosupressing medication),        2) In some situations a relatively large volume of blood is necessary (3 ml per QuantiFERON test and 8 ml for the T-SPOT.TB), which may limit its use in infants and severely ill and anaemic children,        3) The tests do not discriminate between active, latent and recent infection        4) The tests have not been demonstrated to be able to predict who will progress from recent or latent TB to active TB.
Most of the test limitations are due to measurement of the effect parameter IFN-γ at very low levels, close to the limit of even the most sensitive method (in the QuantiFERON test down to 0.35 IU/ml (17.5 pg/ml) and in the T-SPOT.TB 5 spots/field). Decreasing cut-off to enhance sensitivity will eventually result in impaired specificity of the tests. A recent publication based on the QuantiFERON test has shown that that repeated testing of people with test results in the lower range of IFN-γ varies around the cut-off level which underlines the potential risk of false positive and false negative results of the QuantiFERON (QFT) test (Pai, M. et al).
To overcome the evident fragility of the tests, sensitivity could be improved by using additional M. tuberculosis specific antigens and this has been done in the third generation of the QuantiFERON tests (QFT), the QuantiFERON In tube test (QFT-IT) which now comprises an additional antigen named TB7.7(p4) and potentially sensitivity is improved, but it still depends on measurements at very low IFN-γ levels.
This approach has been tried by others, i.e. recently is was shown that the Monokine Induced by IFN-γ (MIG/CXCL9) was specifically expressed in vitro after stimulation with M. tuberculosis specific antigens (ESAT-6/CFP10) and PPD. The sensitivity of CXCL9, however was very low and lower than that of IFN-γ. Another smaller study based on intracellular cytokine cytometry in CD4+ T cells following ESAT-6 stimulation, tested if expression of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 or the activation marker CD40L could distinguish TB from non-TB disease. None of these markers were found to be comparable or superior to IFN-γ (Abramo C, et al) (Hughes, A. et al).
Yet no sensitive and specific markers to replace IFN-γ for diagnosis of TB infection have been identified in the presently published literature. Various have disclosed IP-10 in connection to infections, but not as a marker in the diagnosis of infection with a prior antigen stimulation.
Chlamydia
The diagnosis of genital chlamydial infections evolved rapidly from the 1990s. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transcription mediated amplification (TMA), and the DNA strand displacement assay (SDA) now are the mainstays. The most commonly used and widely studied chlamydia NAATs in the US and many other industrialized countries are Aptima (Gen-Probe), Probe-Tec (Becton-Dickinson), and Amplicor (Roche). The Aptima Combo II assay tests simltaneously for C. trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the cause of gonorrhea. NAAT for chlamydia may be performed on swab specimens collected from the cervix (women) or urethra (men)
At present, the NAATs have regulatory approval only for testing urogenital specimens. The NAATs have largely replaced culture, the historic gold standard for chlamydia diagnosis, and the non-amplified probe tests, such as Pace II (Gen-Probe). The latter test is relatively insensitive, successfully detecting only 60-80% of infections in asymptomatic women, and occasionally giving falsely positive results. Culture remains useful in selected circumstances and is currently the only assay approved for testing non-genital specimens.
Chlamydia diagnosis is thus based on complicated and resource demanding technology such as PCR, not readily available in the developing world. A fast and easy technology would improve diagnostic measures for this important disease,
CA 2,478,138 discloses that elevated blood levels of the chemokine CXCL10 polypeptide are associated with respiratory illnesses (e.g. SARS, influenza and community-acquired pneumonia) and are useful in diagnosis of patients. Methods are provided for diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from respiratory illnesses.
WO 05/091969 discloses markers for TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopaties) that are present prior to formation of detectable pathological prion protein are useful to detect this infection prior to clinical signs. IP-10 is just one of several markers disclose and this application does not disclose any antigen stimulation.
US2004-038201 discloses distinct gene expression programs activated in response to different pathogens in macrophages. IP-10 is again just one in many markers mentioned and this application does not disclose any antigen stimulation.
Annalisa Azzurri et al. discloses IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 and pentraxin 3 plasma levels are tools for monitoring inflammation and disease activity in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection. The article shows that IP-10 plasma level is spontaneously increased in patients with TB, again this reference does not disclose any antigen stimulation.
WO 03/063759 discloses a method of identifying a heat shock protein (Hsp) derived peptide useful for diagnosis or therapy. The effect of the compounds of this invention was tested on pheripheral blood monocytes by measuring the IP-10 level in response to subsequent stimulation with LPS. Direct stimulation with the test compounds without subsequent stimulation with LPS, did not give rise to an increase in the IP-10 level.
WO 07/039400 discloses a method and kit for the diagnosis of Immune Restoration Syndrome which is associated with tuberculosis (TB-IRS) in patients infected with tuberculosis as well as HIV/TB co-infected patients. In order to diagnose TB-IRS the inventors detected the level of Th1 response against PPD and/or a 16 KDA protein in comparison to the Th1 response against ESAT-6, CFP-10, 85B (negative control) and used a rise in the Th1 response as an indicative of TB-IRS.
To overcome the problems of impaired sensitivity and low levels of detectable IFN-γ by the currently available tests using antigen stimulation, the present inventors suggest the use of an alternative biomarker than IFN-γ.


The present disclosure discloses an image super-resolution reconstruction method, comprising the steps of: performing an edge detection on low-resolution images to be processed to obtain edge pixel frames, amplifying the edge pixel frames so that each amplified image is the double of the original edge pixel frame in size in both horizontal direction and vertical direction, without changing the detected edge pixel information, and compensating for the interpolated interpolation pixels according to different pixel edges to obtain a high-resolution image. The method can ensure the definition and integrity of the edges, and enhance the contrast without degrading image quality. At last, the previous interpolation pixels are compensated according to optimized rules, during which influences of edge pixels and surrounding pixels are comprehensively considered, so as to eliminate the sawtooth phenomenon of the output image.

With the increasing market demand, higher-end display equipment is needed in the field of high-end display particularly. Display resolution and display equipment dimension are gradually increased from the initial 480P kinescope televisions to subsequent display equipment with resolutions of 720P, FHD (full high definition), 2K, 4K, 8K, and the like.
In order to reduce the cost for running system and improve image quality, super resolution (SR) algorithms become current mainstream algorithms in the field of high-end display (for example, 4K2K), which means an operation for recovering low-resolution images or image sequences into high-resolution images.
The super resolution algorithms, which are technologies for enhancing the resolution of an image or a video, are designed for obtaining a clear high-resolution (HR) image from one or more low-resolution (LR) images by virtue of a corresponding algorithm. That is, the SR algorithms aim at causing the resolution of the output image or video to be higher than the resolution of any input image or any frame of the input video. The obtained HR image here means that the image has a high pixel density, and can provide more details.
However, with respect to actual product applications, most of the present SR algorithms have the defect of a high calculated amount, resulting in increased cost and low practicability, no that the present SR algorithms do not be applied to commercial video products. On the other hand, simple and rapid SR algorithms such as an adjacent substitution algorithm, a bilinear interpolation algorithm, a Hermite interpolation algorithm, and a Canny interpolation algorithm may cause the defects of sawtooth, blurring and the like on images.
Therefore, one of the tasks dedicated in the industry is to solve the above problems, so that the defects of sawtooth on an output image are obviously alleviated by a simple and fast algorithm, and thus the cost is reduced.

Image super-resolution reconstruction system and method

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A scale apparatus is provided for weighing material moving on a conveyor belt supported by an idler assembly. The apparatus includes a load cell support and a load cell having a base and a contact portion extending upwardly away from the base. The base of the load cell is configured to bend in response to a vertical force being applied to the contact portion to generate an output signal proportional to the force. The load cell is non-responsive to horizontal forces. The load cell is coupled to the load cell support, and the load cell support is coupled to a conveyor frame to suspend the load cell below the conveyor belt. The apparatus further includes an idler support for supporting the idler assembly. The idler support is coupled to the contact portion of the load cell. The idler support applies a downwardly directed force to the contact portion of the load cell to bend the base of the load cell in response to material moving on the conveyor belt over the idler support to change the output signal generated by the load cell in proportion to the weight of the material. The magnitude of the force applied by the idler support changes as the weight of the material moving over the idler support changes.

The present invention relates to a scale apparatus for weighing materials moving on a conveyor belt. More particularly, the present invention relates to a scale apparatus that can be easily incorporated into existing conveyor systems.
It is often desirable to measure the mass flow rate of material moving on a conveyor belt. By combining the weight of the material and the speed of the conveyor belt, a continuous indication of the mass flow rate of the material moving on the conveyor belt can be generated. Various types of devices are known for measuring the weight of material moving on a conveyor belt.
It is known to provide load cells situated below a conveyor belt to generate an output signal proportional to the weight of a load moving across a conveyor belt. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,478,830; 3,439,761; 3,785,447; 3,924,729; 4,682,664; 4,788,930; 4,463,816; and 4,557,341. Conventional belt scales are often large, bulky devices which are expensive and often hard to install. Therefore, many conventional belt scale devices are too expensive for many businesses to purchase and install. Smaller businesses also have a need for reliable measurement of the weight or mass flow of material on a conveyor. For instance, concrete facilities and farming or grain handling facilities often need to know the amount of material moving on a conveyor. The present invention provides an accurate yet inexpensive scale apparatus that can be easily incorporated into existing belt conveyor systems.
According to the present invention, a scale apparatus is provided for weighing material moving on a conveyor belt supported by an idler assembly. The apparatus includes a load cell support and a load cell. The load cell includes a base and a contact portion extending upwardly away from the base. The base of the load cell is configured to bend in response to a vertical force being applied to the contact portion to generate an output signal proportional to the force. The load cell is non-responsive to horizontal forces. The belt scale apparatus also includes means for coupling the load cell to the load cell support and means for coupling the load cell support to a conveyor frame to suspend the load cell below the conveyor belt. The apparatus further includes an idler support for supporting the idler assembly and means for coupling the idler support to the contact portion of the load cell. The idler support applies a downwardly directed force to the contact portion of the load cell to bend the base of the load cell in response to material moving on the conveyor belt over the idler support to change the output signal generated by the load cell in proportion to the weight of the material. The magnitude of the force applied by the idler support changes as the weight of the material moving over the idler support changes.
In one embodiment of the invention, the load cell support is formed to include a central aperture therein for receiving the contact portion of the load cell therethrough. In another embodiment, the load cell support includes a top surface, and the means for coupling the load cell to the load cell support includes a first fastener for coupling a first end of the load cell to the top surface of the load cell support and a second fastener for coupling a second end of the load cell to the top surface of the load cell support. First and second shims are located between the load cell and the top surface of the load cell support adjacent the first and second ends of the load cell, respectively, to elevate the load cell above top surface of the load cell support to permit the base of the load cell to bend. The top surface of the load cell support is formed to include a recessed portion located below the load cell to permit further bending of the load cell.
According to another aspect of the invention, the idler support includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A fastener extends through the aperture in the idler support for coupling the load cell to the bottom surface of the idler support. The bottom surface of the idler support is formed to include a recessed portion positioned over the contact portion of the load cell.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the base of the load cell is formed to include a plurality of notched sections therein to increase the flexibility of the base. The load cell includes a plurality of strain gauges. One strain gauge is located below each of the plurality of notched sections for generating the output signal in response to bending or deflection of the base.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the belt scale apparatus further includes means for adjusting the level of the load cell support relative to the conveyor frame. The adjusting means preferably includes means for independently adjusting the level of a first end of the load cell support relative to a first side of the conveyor frame and a second end of the load cell support relative to a second side of the conveyor frame. In one embodiment, the means for coupling the load cell support to the conveyor frame includes a first coupler plate for coupling a first end of the load cell support to a first side of the conveyor frame and a second coupler plate for coupling a second end of the load cell support to a second side of the conveyor frame. The means for adjusting the level of the load cell support relative to the conveyor frame illustratively includes at least one shim configured to be selectively positioned between the first coupler plate and the first end of the load cell support, between the first coupler plate and the first side of the conveyor frame, between the second coupler plate and the second end of the load cell support, or between the second coupler plate and the second side of the conveyor frame. By selectively placing the shims, the position of the load cell idler station can be adjusted so that it is aligned with idler roller stations both upstream and downstream from the load cell idler station on the conveyor frame. The shims can be selectively placed either to raise or to lower the load cell support on either side of the attachment of the load cell support to the conveyor frame.
The belt scale apparatus of the present invention is easily installed into existing conveyor systems without substantial modification of the conveyor system. The present invention therefore advantageously provides an inexpensive yet accurate belt scale apparatus for weighing materials passing over the apparatus on a conveyor belt.
Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.


A system for calculating an output of a multi-stage forming process using a model of the forming process with which the output of the forming process is determined as a function of properties of the forming process. Selected properties of the forming process are determined using a neural network-based information processing arrangement.

To influence a final thickness profile of a rolled strip in a mill train having a plurality of roll stands, the influence on the thickness profile of the rolled strip must be distributed among several roll stands. For a suitable influence, values for the final thickness profile of the rolled strip after the individual roll stand must be available. Because it is difficult and expensive to measure the thickness profile of a rolled strip, the thickness profile of the rolled strip is usually measured at a single location. For example, the thickness profile of a rolled strip (p.sub.i) downstream from the individual roll stands, and ultimately the final thickness profile, i.e., the thickness profile downstream from the final roll stand, can be determined by repeated use of the relationship: ##EQU1## In equation (1), k.sub.i is calculated as follows: ##EQU2## Such calculations are discussed in "High-Accuracy and Rapid-Response Hot Strip Mill," TECHNO Japan, Vol. 20, No. 9, September 1987, pp. 54-59. In the above equations, P.sub.i-1 is the thickness profile of the rolled strip upstream from the roll stand; h.sub.i-1 is the strip thickness upstream from the roll stand; h.sub.i is the strip thickness downstream from the roll stand; .pi..sub.i is a load roll nip profile; D.sub.i is a working roll diameter; b is the thickness of the rolled strip; and c.sub.i1 and c.sub.i2 are model parameters. The factor k.sub.i is determined from analytical relationships, which take into account certain properties of the roll stand and the rolling stock.
A disadvantage of such a formulation is that the equations (2) and (3) are only approximately valid. Furthermore, the model parameters c.sub.i1 and c.sub.i2 are unknown and must be determined experimentally. This often leads to an inadequate determination of the thickness profile

System for calculating an output of a multi-stage forming process


A method for vehicle diagnostic knowledge delivery comprising receiving a search request from a user system and accessing a database of case records in response to the search request. Each of the case records includes a case-record number attribute, a set of vehicle-description attributes, a set of bookkeeping attributes, a set of system attributes, a set of symptom attributes, and a set of action attributes. The method further comprises searching the database of case records for a case record responsive to the search request. If a case record responsive to the search request is located, it is transmitted to the user system.

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle diagnostic knowledge delivery and in particular, to a method of verifying the content of vehicle repair case records and delivering them to vehicle technicians for assistance in vehicle diagnostics and repair.
The conventional diagnosis and repair process for most vehicles is based on the experience of individual service technicians. The knowledge of a service technician may be supplemented with paper-based information, such as service manuals, describing the structure and operation of the vehicle. Each automotive repair shop may have one or more expert service technicians that assist the less skilled or less experienced service technicians in performing diagnosis and repair procedures. Typically, the scope of diagnosis and repair performed by a single automotive repair shop is limited. Therefore, the amount of knowledge acquired by the expert technicians located at each automotive repair shop may be limited to the specific repairs that have been performed at the automotive repair shop in the past. This may affect the ability of a particular automotive repair shop to diagnose and repair a vehicle in an expeditious manner if they have not previously performed the particular diagnosis and repair.
Many automotive repair shops, including car dealerships and independent repair shops, have some form of access to a central computer for repair advice and assistance. These systems typically include information that is created by engineers who have designed and manufactured the vehicle (e.g., service manuals). These systems may be useful in diagnosing and repairing a vehicle but may contain so much information that in some cases it may become cumbersome for the service technician to utilize them for simple repairs. In addition, the information may not be updated based on field experience with both the diagnosis and repair procedures.
In one survey, service technicians were asked to rank sources of service information in terms of usefulness during the diagnostic and repair process. The result was the following list, in rank order beginning with the most useful:                1. Technician's own experience;        2. Experience of other technicians;        3. Service Manuals, Bulletins;        4. Preliminary Bulletins;        5. Technical Assistance Center (TAC) hot line (many respondents complained that TAC calls take too much time); and        6. Service Manager/ Shop Foreman.Currently, these various information sources are not integrated. In addition, these information sources are not always accessible to service technicians in the time frame or format required.


An electroless deposition system and electroless deposition stations are provided. The system includes a processing mainframe, at least one substrate cleaning station positioned on the mainframe, and an electroless deposition station positioned on the mainframe. The electroless deposition station includes an environmentally controlled processing enclosure, a first processing station configured to clean and activate a surface of a substrate, a second processing station configured to electrolessly deposit a layer onto the surface of the substrate, and a substrate shuttle positioned to transfer substrates between the first and second processing stations. The electroless deposition station also includes various fluid delivery and substrate temperature controlling devices to perform a contamination free and uniform electroless deposition process.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to an electroless deposition system for semiconductor processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Metallization of sub-100 nanometer sized features is a foundational technology for present and future generations of integrated circuit manufacturing processes. More particularly, in devices such as ultra large scale integration-type devices, i.e., devices having integrated circuits with several million logic gates, the multilevel interconnects that lie at the heart of these devices are generally formed by filling high aspect ratio, i.e., greater than about 25:1, interconnect features with a conductive material, such as copper. At these dimensions, conventional deposition techniques, such as chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition, cannot be used to reliably fill interconnect features. As a result, plating techniques, i.e., electrochemical plating and electroless plating, have emerged as promising processes for void free filling of sub-100 nanometer sized high aspect ratio interconnect features in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. Additionally, electrochemical and electroless plating processes have also emerged as promising processes for depositing other layers, such as capping layers.
However, with regard to electroless plating processes, conventional electroless processing systems and methods have faced several challenges, such as accurately controlling the deposition process and the defect ratios in the resulting deposition layers. More particularly, conventional systems have suffered from poor substrate temperature control, as the resistive heaters and heat lamps used on conventional electroless cells have not consistently provided a uniform temperature across the surface of the substrate, which is critical to the uniformity of electroless deposition processes. Additionally, conventional electroless systems have not implemented control over the environment inside the electroless deposition chamber, which has recently been shown to have a substantial impact on defect ratios.
Also, due to environmental and cost-of-ownership (CoO) concerns it may desirable to reduce the waste of expensive electroless plating processing chemicals by reducing the required flow to get sufficient uniform coverage on the receiving surface of the substrate. Since the speed and uniformity with which the electroless processing solutions are delivered to the substrate surface can affect the deposition process results, an apparatus and method is needed to uniformly deliver the various processing solutions. It is also desirable to control the substrate temperature by use of conduction and convective heat transfer on the backside of the substrate when a liquid is in contact with, and flowing between, the substrate and a supporting base plate member.
Further, a functional and efficient integrated platform for electroless deposition processes capable of depositing uniform layers with minimal defects has not been developed. As such, there is a need for an integrated electroless deposition apparatus capable of depositing uniform layers having minimal defects.

Apparatus for electroless deposition of metals onto semiconductor substrates


A parking assistance device includes an overhead image generation unit generating an overhead image from a captured image obtained by capturing an image around a towing vehicle, a towing determination unit determining whether a towed vehicle is towed, an overhead image display range setting unit selecting a trimming range from a plurality of display ranges at least including a first display range and a second display range wider than the first display range, and a display image generation unit generating an overhead image for display by trimming the trimming range of the overhead image, and a display image including the overhead image for display on which the towing vehicle is superimposed. The overhead image display range setting unit selects the first display range when the towing vehicle does not tow the towed vehicle, and selects the second display range when the towing vehicle tows the towed vehicle.

A parking assistance device for assisting parking of a vehicle has been known. The parking assistance device generates, for example, an overhead image in which a viewpoint is converted from a plurality of captured images around a vehicle captured by a plurality of imaging devices directed in different directions, and displays a display image including the overhead image on a display device. When such a parking assistance device is mounted on a towing vehicle that tows a towed vehicle, an area around the vehicle is blocked by the towed vehicle, and an area seen by the overhead image is narrow. Therefore, the parking assistance device that generates the overhead image by the captured image in which the area blocked by the towed vehicle is small among the plurality of captured images is disclosed.


A laser scanning apparatus is provided with a laser diode that is driven to emit a laser beam, a scanning optical system that scans the laser beam emitted by the laser diode on a surface to be scanned, and a controller that drives the laser diode by supplying electrical current to the laser diode. The controller supplies an extra electrical current to the laser diode only at an initial stage of driving of the laser diode so as to cancel an effect of a rising delay of its output intensity.

The present invention relates to a laser scanning device that emits a scanning laser beam which is modulated in accordance with video signal or the like.
A laser scanning device has been widely employed in imaging apparatuses. Typically, the laser scanning device is configured such that a laser beam emitted by a laser diode is deflected using a polygonal mirror to scan a predetermined angular range. While the laser beam is deflected, emission of the beam of the laser diode is ON/OFF modulated in accordance with a video signal or the like. The scanning beam is incident on a surface such as a photosensitive surface to be scanned, which surface is moved in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, thereby a two-dimensional latent image being formed on the surface.
In such a laser scanning device, in order to compensate for an individual difference of light emission characteristics so that density thickness of the formed image is standardized, the output intensity of the laser diode is feed-back controlled. For this purpose, the laser scanning device is provided with an automatic power control (hereinafter referred to as an APC) circuit, which controls a driving current supplied to the laser diode in accordance with the intensity of the laser beam.
Recently, the laser scanning device is required to achieve a high-speed and high-quality imaging operation. In particular, as the imaging speed increases, a rising edge characteristic (i.e., a shape of the rising edge of the waveform representing the intensity of the laser beam) of the laser diode which is turned ON and OFF in accordance with an imaging pattern is required to be improved.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show a waveform of a driving current supplied to a laser diode, and a waveform showing the intensity of the laser beam emitted by the laser diode when the driving current shown in FIG. 9A is supplied. Generally, immediately after the driving current is supplied to the laser diode, the intensity of the laser diode does not respond to the driving current, and thus the rising edge of the waveform showing the intensity of the output laser beam inclines as shown in FIG. 9B. This delaying period tx (i.e., a delay from when the driving current is applied until the output intensity corresponds to the applied driving current) will be referred to as a rising delay hereinafter.
Due to the rising delay, an entire light amount (i.e., the quantity obtained by integrating the output intensity of the laser beam with respect to a time) is lower than an ideal case where the output intensity immediately corresponds to the applied driving current. When such a phenomenon occurs, since the entire light amount is lower than necessary, toner applied to the latent image is reduced, and thus, the image pattern exhibits insufficient density thickness. Further, the sharpness of the edge of the image pattern may be deteriorated.
In order to cope with the problem described above, there has been an improvement in which the level of the driving current is increased as indicated in FIG. 9C, in which a hatched area represents the increased current level. It should be noted that the light amount corresponding to the hatched area corresponds to the light amount lowered by the rising delay. With this configuration, even though the rising delay occurs, the entire light amount becomes sufficient.
FIG. 9D shows the same configuration as shown in FIG. 9C except that the light emitting period is longer. In this case, the increased amount (i.e., the hatched area in FIG. 9D) is much greater than the lowered light amount due to the rising delay, and the entire light amount during the light emitting period becomes larger than necessary. In this case, the density thickness of the image pattern may be too thick, and the consumption of the toner increases.
It may be possible to compensate for the lowered light amount due to the rising delay if the increased intensity level is varied depending on the light emitting period. However, such a control is very complicated to apply to the laser scanning device, and may not meet the requirement for the high-speed and high-quality imaging.


A quantization control method used in a video encoding which encodes a video image and performs control for making an encoding bit rate approach a predetermined target bit rate. The quantization control method includes measuring a differential amount of code between a target amount of code and an amount of generated code; determining whether or not a predetermined condition has occurred; determining, when it is determined that the condition has occurred, a variation for an amount of feedback which increases or decreases a quantization step size, and changing the amount of feedback based on the determined variation; and increasing or decreasing the quantization step size based on the measured differential amount of code and the changed amount of feedback. If there are a plurality of the predetermined conditions, a final variation for the amount of feedback may be determined by applying a specific operation to variations for the amount of feedback, which are determined for the individual conditions.

In many video encoding methods, the amount of generated code varies depending on the character of an input image. Therefore, an encoding bit rate control technique is required for controlling the amount of generated code and keeping a constant encoding bit rate.
The amount of generated code closely relates to the quantization step size, and the amount of generated code is controlled by varying the quantization step size.
In test model 5 (abbreviated as "TM5") of MPEG-2, code amount control is performed using a relationship between the quantization step size and the amount of generated code (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
Below, the code amount control in TM5 of MPEG-2 will be explained.
In TM5 of MPEG-2, code amount control is performed using a unit called GOP (group of pictures), which may include I, P, and B pictures having different picture types such as I, P, and B picture types.
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the code amount control in TM5 of MPEG-2.
As shown in the flowchart, in the code amount control of TM5 in MPEG-2, in the first step S401, a complex index Xx for each picture type (x=i, p, b (which respectively correspond to I, P, and B pictures)) is computed by the following formula:Xx=Sx·<Qx>
In the above formula, x indicates the picture type, Sx indicates the amount of code generated for an image which has the same picture type as the present image and was encoded most recently, and <Qx> indicates an average of the quantization step size in the relevant encoding.
Generally, the code amount Sx is in inverse proportion to the quantization step size Qx. Therefore, computation of the complex index Xx gives a relationship between the amount of generated code and the quantization step size.
In the next step S402, a target amount Tx of code (x=i, p, b) for each picture type is computed by the following formulas.
                    [                  Formula                                                              1                ]                                                                                T            i                    =                      R                          1              +                                                                    N                    p                                                                          X                    p                                                                                X                    i                                                                          K                    p                                                              +                                                                    N                    b                                                                          X                    b                                                                                X                    i                                                                          K                    b                                                                                T            p                    =                      R                                          N                p                            +                                                                    N                    b                                                                          K                    p                                                                          X                    b                                                                                X                    p                                                                          K                    p                                                                                T            b                    =                      R                                          N                b                            +                                                                    N                    p                                                                          K                    b                                                                          X                    p                                                                                X                    b                                                                          K                    p                                                                                Formula                                                            (          1          )
Here, R indicates the amount of code allocated to the relevant GOP, Np indicates the number of P pictures in the GOP, Nb indicates the number of B pictures in the GOP, and Kp and Kb are constants.
The above formulas show that in order to set the target code amount Ti, P pictures are converted to I pictures in accordance with Xp/Xi, B pictures are converted to I pictures in accordance with Xb/Xi, and the target code amount Ti is computed based on the converted values, the numbers Np and Nb of pictures, and the amount R of code allocated to the GOP.
In order to set the target code amount Tp, B pictures are converted to P pictures in accordance with Xb/Xp, and the target code amount Tp is computed based on the converted value, the numbers Np and Nb of pictures, and the amount R of code allocated to the GOP.
In order to set the target code amount Tb, P pictures are converted to B pictures in accordance with Xp/Xb, and the target code amount Tb is computed based on the converted value, the numbers Np and Nb of pictures, and the amount R of code allocated to the GOP.
In the next step S403, based on the target code amount Tx set above for the pictures, the quantization step size for a small block as an encoding target is determined.
The quantization step size is computed based on an amount dx(j) of occupation of a virtual buffer and a reaction parameter r, by using the following formula.
                    [                  Formula                                                              2                ]                                                                                Q            x                                          (            j            )                          =                                                            d                x                                                          (                j                )                                      ·            31                    r                                    Formula                                                            (          2          )
A virtual buffer used only for computing the quantization step size is set for each picture type, and the amount dx(j) of occupation thereof is updated by the following formula.
                    [                  Formula                                                              3                ]                                                                                d            x                                          (            j            )                          =                                            d              x                                                  (              0              )                                +                                    G              x                                                  (                              j                -                1                            )                                -                                                    T                x                            ·                              (                                  j                  -                  1                                )                                                    MB              cnt                                                          Formula                                                            (          3          )
In the above formula, Gx(j) indicates the total amount of code generated until the j-th small block in the encoding target picture is encoded, and MBcnt indicates the number of small blocks in the relevant picture. The reaction parameter is computed by following formula.
                    [                  Formula                                                              4                ]                                                            r        =                              2            ⋆            Bitrate                    Picture_rate                                    Formula                                                            (          4          )
In step S403 using the above-described method, the quantization step size Qx(j) assigned to a small block as the encoding target is determined based on the amount dx(j) of occupation of the virtual buffer and the reaction parameter r.
In the next step S404, each small block is subjected to quantization and encoding by using the determined quantization step size Qx(j).
In the next step S405, after encoding of one picture is completed, average <Qx> of the quantization step size is computed.
In the next step S406, (after encoding of one picture is completed,) the actual amount Sx of generated code is measured.
Based on the measured amount Sx of generated code and the computed average quantization step size <Qx>, in step S401 again, the complex index Xx for each picture type is updated.
In accordance with the above method, in TM5 of MPEG-2, a target amount of code is assigned to each picture when encoding the picture, thereby controlling the amount of generated code.
The above control method provides a stable operation if characteristics of the relevant video do not considerably change, and there is no overflow or underflow of a decoder buffer.
However, actual control must consider a scene change or the state of the decoder buffer.
For example, if a very simple scene continues in a static image such as telop, the quantization step size decreases very much. If an image (of a landscape, etc.) having a fine texture then appears, the image having a fine texture is encoded using a very small quantization step size, which causes an explosive increase in the amount of generated code and thus failure in the bit-rate control.
Accordingly, in a known proposed method, after detecting a scene change, the quantization step size is changed to a predetermined value (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In this method, when a scene change has been detected, an initial value (of the quantization step size) defined for scene change is compared with a quantization step size computed through a rate control, and the larger quantization step size is used for the quantization.
In accordance with the above method, when a scene change has been detected, the quantization step size can be controlled, thereby preventing an explosive increase in the amount of generated code.    Non-Patent Document 1: MPEG-2, Test Model5(TM5), Doc.ISO/IECJTC1/SC29/WG11I/NO400, Test Model Editing Committee, pp. 59-63, Apr., 1993.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H06-113271.

Quantization control method and apparatus, program therefor, and storage medium which stores the program

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A tip turbine engine provides increased efficiency while eliminating or reducing the number of axial compressor stages by moving the core airflow inlet aft of the fan. As a result, the core airflow entering the core airflow inlet is the fan exhaust, which is already at an increased pressure. A portion of the fan exhaust is guided radially inward, then axially forward and then radially outward through compressor chambers in the hollow fan blades for further, centrifugal compression.

The present invention relates to a tip turbine engine, and more particularly to a tip turbine engine with a core airflow inlet aft of a bypass fan.
An aircraft gas turbine engine of the conventional turbofan type generally includes a forward bypass fan, a low pressure compressor, a high pressure compressor, a combustor, a high pressure turbine, and a low pressure turbine, all located along a common longitudinal axis. The low and high pressure compressors are rotatably driven to compress entering air to a relatively high pressure. This high pressure air is then mixed with fuel in the combustor, where it is ignited to form a high energy gas stream. This gas stream flows axially aft to rotatably drive the high pressure turbine, which rotatably drives the high pressure compressor via a high spool shaft. The gas stream leaving the high pressure turbine is expanded through the low pressure turbine, which rotatably drives the forward bypass fan and the low pressure compressor via a low spool shaft.
Although highly efficient, conventional turbofan engines operate in an axial flow relationship. The axial flow relationship results in a relatively complicated elongated engine structure of considerable longitudinal length relative to the engine diameter. This elongated shape may complicate or prevent packaging of the engine into particular applications.
A recent development in gas turbine engines is the tip turbine engine. Tip turbine engines include hollow fan blades through which core airflow flows, such that the hollow fan blades operate as centrifugal compressor chambers. Compressed core airflow from the hollow fan blades is mixed with fuel in an annular combustor, where it is ignited to form a high energy gas stream which drives the turbine that is integrated onto the tips of the hollow bypass fan blades for rotation therewith as generally disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.: 20030192303; 20030192304; and 20040025490. The tip turbine engine provides a thrust-to-weight ratio at least equivalent to conventional turbofan engines of the same class, but within a package of significantly shorter length.
In some tip turbine engine designs, core airflow may be compressed by an axial compressor before entering the hollow fan blades for further, centrifugal compression. The axial compressor may include an axial compressor rotor with one or more stages of radially-extending compressor blades. Increasing the number of stages of compressor blades increases the compression of the core airflow and the efficiency of the engine, but increases the overall length and weight of the engine and the number of parts.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Tip turbine engine with reverse core airflow


An apparatus for aligning an optical element of an optical actuator. The optical actuator moves a guide between a retracted and an extended position relative to an actuator body. The actuator body has a channel, or through-opening, in which the mirror guide moves. In one embodiment, the channel has a two flat surfaces that form a portion of a v-groove in the channel. In the extended position, the guide contacts a stop pin, or stopper, and the two flat surfaces in the through-opening, thereby holding the guide in a position defined by the line of contact between the stop pin and an angled surface of the guide and a pair of parallel contact lines where the guide contacts the two flat surfaces in the through-opening.

1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to optical switch actuators. More particularly, this invention pertains to an actuator body and a mirror guide that interact to ensure a repeatable alignment over a wide temperature range and over time.
2. Description of the Related Art
In fiber optic networks, light signals are transmitted along optical fibers to transfer information from one location to another. Optical switches are used to selectively couple light from an input fiber to an output fiber. Optical fibers typically have very small cross-sections and narrow acceptance angles within which light entering the fiber must fall to promote efficient propagation of the light along the fiber. As such, optical switches must transfer light with precise alignment.
One type of electromechanical optical switch operates by moving a mirror while maintaining the optic fibers and optical pathway stationary. In response to electrical signals, a relay arm moves a mirror into and out of an optical pathway. The relay arm moves the mirror substantially parallel to its reflective surfaces. The travel of the relay arm along that axis is limited by stops that determine the position of the mirror. The relay arm is constrained at the stops by only a single contact point, thereby allowing inaccuracies in the radial position due to rotation of the arm. Examples of such switches include U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,030, issued to Lee on Jul. 21, 1992, entitled "Fiber Optic Switch Having a Curved Reflector," and U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,719, issued to Lewis on Nov. 8, 1977, entitled "Fiber Optics Electro-Mechanical Light Switch."
One problem with such a switch is that the relay mechanism may not be able to provide the accuracy and precision in positioning the mirror that may be required by some optical switching networks. Accuracy is the ability to achieve a desired position with any given movement. Precision is the ability to repeatedly achieve the same position over a number of movements, regardless of where that position is located. Because the movement of the relay arm is constrained by only a single point of contact with the stopper, the switch may only be able to provide accurate alignment along a single axis (in the direction of the arm's movement). The use of a single contact point may result in position inaccuracies due to the freedom of the relay arm to rotate about additional axes. Furthermore, relay mechanisms are typically constructed of materials that may be susceptible to significant wear from component contact through repeated use. Such material wear may lead to problems with precise placement of the optical element over time, in addition to position inaccuracies.
Another problem with electromechanical switches is that they use a large electromechanical actuator that may not permit the placement of mirrors in the packing density that may be required for multiple switch arrays.
Other types of systems use electromagnetic actuators, for example, disk drive systems. These systems typically use actuators to position drive components over different regions of a disk. One problem with such electromagnetic actuators is that they require a control servo loop in order to operate. With a servo loop, the position component must be actively adjusted to maintain proper positioning. As such, actuators of this type are unable to repeatedly return components to the same position when actuated, without the use of an active control loop. This adds complexity to a system's design and, thereby, may undesirably increase its cost.
One example of an optical switch actuator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,429, titled "Electromechanically controlled optical element," issued to Carberry, et al., on Aug. 12, 2003. Another example of an optical switch actuator is disclosed in United States Published Application 2003/0206682, titled "Optical switch actuator." Still another example of an optical switch actuator is disclosed in United States Published Application 2003/0128915, titled "Fiber optic switch actuator."


A cardiac rhythm management apparatus and system may include a first sensor to sense an atrial respiration signal, a second sensor to sense a ventricular respiration signal, and a measurement module capable of being communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors to monitor the atrial and ventricular respiration signals and to select a resulting signal as an indication of respiration. An article may cause a machine to implement a method which includes measuring a second signal responsive to a first signal, measuring a third signal responsive to a first signal, determining a respiration-to-cardiac ratio associated with each one of the second and third signals, and providing a resulting signal including a selected portion of a selected one of the second and third signals as an indication of respiration.

One task that arises during the use of cardiac rhythm management devices, including pacemakers, is that of sensing respiration. Determining the occurrence of respiration can be used to synchronously adapt pacing or defibrillation to the respiratory cycle.
The ability to operate in synchronism with a respiration signal can be used to advantage in many areas, including but not limited to respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), defibrillation energy thresholds, and minute ventilation. For example, research indicates that pacing without RSA requires a higher number of beats to accomplish the same volume of oxygen delivery. Thus, proper synchronization can improve the efficiency of pulmonary gas exchange. Other research shows that synchronizing a defibrillation shock with expiration may decrease the defibrillation threshold. Finally, an improved respiration signal might provide a greater ventilation-to-cardiac component for more accurate baseline minute ventilation measurement in cases where the ventilation signal is significantly smaller than the cardiac component.
Conventional methods of sensing respiration involve measuring the impedance which arises between a ventricular lead tip electrode and an indifferent electrode on a pulse generator header. The signal obtained includes a constant component, a respiratory component, and a cardiac stroke component. The respiration component is then separated from the other components by filtering, which creates a time delay between the actual occurrence of respiration and provision of the extracted signal. The delay reduces the ability to fashion therapy according to the synchronous ideal. However, if respiratory signal quality can be improved, the need for filtering might be reduced or even eliminated, allowing cardiac therapy modification to occur in a more truly synchronous fashion.

Respiration signal measurement apparatus, systems, and methods


An electric power steering system is proposed in which it is possible to inspect function of switches connected to a motor.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electric power steering system for controlling steering of a vehicle and, more particularly, to a fail-safe.
2. Background Art
In electric power steering system for controlling steering of a vehicle, control is sometimes suspended by its fail-safe function when any trouble occurs. This control suspension secures steering performance of the vehicle by suspending turning operation of steering wheel with a motor and switching the operation to manual operation mode by the driver. As a specific example of the control suspension, an electric current flowing to the motor which outputs an auxiliary torque is interrupted not only by suspending a motor driving circuit but also by opening a relay for supplying a power in order to interrupt the power supply. However, there is a possibility that contact point of this relay is welded and does not open, and therefore it is necessary to inspect the function of the relay. Japanese Patent No. 2715473 proposes a method for detecting the relay welding.
Described below is such a problem of relay welding with reference to FIG. 8. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 is a torque sensor for detecting a steering torque. Numeral 2a is means for calculating controlled variable, which calculates an auxiliary torque on the basis of the torque information and outputs a control signal, and is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as CPU). Numeral 13 is an interface circuit 1 which transmits this-torque information to the CPU 2a. Numeral 3 is a motor which is arranged in the steering system and generates the auxiliary torque, and is driven by switching elements 4 to 7. Numeral 8 is a first driving circuit mainly composed of the switching elements 4 to 7. Numeral 9a is a second driving circuit for driving the switching elements 4 to 7 according to a control signal from the CPU 2a. Numeral 10a is a voltage monitoring circuit which detects voltages at two ends of the motor 3, and the outputs therefrom are inputted to the CPU 2a as E1 and E2. Numeral 20 is a relay which supplies a power to the motor 3 and the switching elements 4 to 7, and is driven by a switch driving circuit 21 depending on a signal from the CPU 2a.
Described now is how to detect welding of the relay 20. First, contact point of the relay 20 is opened in advance by the switch driving circuit 21. The switching element 4 or 5 is driven, and the CPU 2a inputs the result from the voltage monitoring circuit 10a. In this case, the voltage monitoring circuit is an inverter circuit comprising a transistor element, and each driving mode thereof is shown in FIG. 9.
When the switching element 4 is turned on and the element 5 is turned off, both of the signals of E1 and E2 are high (hereinafter referred to as H) under normal condition. All other cases indicate an abnormal condition. In the same manner, when the switching element 4 is turned off and the element 5 is turned on, both of the signals of E1 and E2 are H under normal condition, and all other cases indicate an abnormal condition. FIG. 9 clearly shows that the contact point of the relay is welded except under normal condition. However, the driving circuit 9a, voltage monitoring circuit 10a, and others are under normal condition.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publication (unexamined) No. 62-231871 proposes that a relay is interposed also between the driving circuit and the motor (hereinafter referred to as motor relay). FIG. 10 is a block diagram in which a motor relay 12 is connected in series to the motor 3. Diodes are inserted in parallel between the switching elements 4 to 7. Even if the relay 20 (hereinafter referred to as power supply relay) is opened, the motor is rotated when the driver turns the steering wheel, and a regenerative current flows by means of these diodes. Therefore, in case where one of the switching elements is short-circuited and broken, there arises a condition of different load in the turning direction of the steering wheel depending on the turning direction of the steering wheel or the motor, and this obstructs smooth turning of the steering wheel. To cope with this, the motor relay 12 is added.
It may be obvious to combine the foregoing two inventions, however, actual control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU) is further provided with a fail-safe function, and this brings about a problem in that it is impossible to easily inspect the motor relay. For example, in consideration of any trouble in the CPU 2a, means for inhibiting drive of the motor (hereinafter referred to as motor drive inhibiting means) is required other than the CPU. Such motor drive inhibiting means has made it difficult to inspect the relay. In other words, it is certainly possible to inspect the motor relay so long as the motor drive inhibiting means is in a motor driving condition. But when the motor drive inhibiting means is in a motor drive inhibiting condition, the switching elements are not driven even if the motor relay is inspected and it is impossible to judge whether or not the motor relay is in malfunction.
This problem is now described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10. Drive inhibition circuit 18g acts so that the driving circuit 9a may become inoperative in a case where the steering wheel is little turned, i.e., when torque is little produced. A switching element for left turning is suspended during a clockwise turning, while a switching element for right is suspended during a counterclockwise turning. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relation between the torque and the output of the torque sensor. The switching element 4 or 7 for clockwise turning is suspended when the torque is smaller than Tq2, and the switching element 5 or 6 is suspended when the torque is larger than Tq1. Less torque is produced in a range from v2 to v1 in torque sensor output voltage. It is therefore unnecessary to drive the motor 3 in this range. Accordingly, the drive inhibition circuit 18g, which acts so that the driving circuit 9a may become inoperative, is added in addition to the CPU 2a. More specifically, the drive inhibition circuit 18g in FIG. 10 judges whether or not the torque sensor output voltage is within v1 and v2 through comparison using two comparators 18b, 18c.
When the torque sensor output is larger than v1, a transistor 18d is turned on and the switching element 5 or 6 is turned off. On the other hand, when the torque sensor output is smaller than v2, the circuit is connected so that the transistor 18e may be turned on and the switching element 4 or 7 may be turned off. When the drive inhibition circuit 18g is working, i.e., when the transistor 18d or 18e is turned on, the switching elements 4, 5 or 6, 7 still remain in the off condition even if the CPU 2a outputs a control signal. Therefore, it is impossible to inspect the motor relay 12 in this condition.
As described above, the conventional system has a problem in that the drive inhibition circuit obstructs inspection of the relay and the relay cannot be easily inspected.
The present invention was made to resolve the above-discussed problems and has an object of providing an electric power steering system in which the fail-safe function is improved making it possible to detect a trouble.
An electric power steering system according to the invention, which possesses torque detecting means for detecting a steering torque, controlled variable calculating means for calculating a controlled variable, by which a motor conducts steering of a vehicle, on the basis of the torque information from the torque detecting means, and driving means for driving the motor by switching elements upon receiving the controlled variable, comprises: drive restricting means for restricting drive which restricts at least a part of operation of the driving means on the basis of the torque information separately from the controlled variable calculating means; first switching means which is arranged between the motor and drive means for connection and disconnection; and voltage monitoring means for monitoring terminal voltage of the motor;
wherein the controlled variable calculating means operates at least a part of said driving means for driving and inspects function of the first switching means on the basis of voltage information from the voltage monitoring means in a case where it is judged that the drive restricting means is suspending its operation or that the function is partly restricted on the basis of magnitude and direction of the torque or condition of the drive restricting means.
As a result, the system has an advantage of precisely inspecting the function of the first switching means even if the system possesses the drive restricting means.
It is preferable that the controlled variable calculating means is connected with the drive restricting means and inspects the function of the first switching means in a case where the operation of the drive restricting means is suspended or partly restricted on the basis of information from the drive restricting means. As a result, the system has an advantage of easily inspecting the function of the switching means.
An electric power steering system according to the invention, which possesses torque detecting means for detecting a steering torque, controlled variable calculating means for calculating a controlled variable, by which a motor conducts steering of a vehicle, on the basis of torque information from the torque detecting means, and driving means for driving the motor by switching elements upon receiving the controlled variable, comprises: drive inhibiting means for inhibiting drive which inhibits at least a part of operation of the driving means on the basis of the torque information separately from the controlled variable calculating means; first switching means which is arranged between the motor and drive means for connection and disconnection; voltage monitoring means for monitoring terminal voltage of the motor; and invalidating means for temporarily invalidating operation of the drive inhibiting means;
wherein the controlled variable calculating means operates the driving means and inspects function of the first switching means on the basis of voltage information from the voltage monitoring means during the period when the invalidating means is suspending the operation of the drive inhibiting means.
As a result, the electric power steering system according to the invention has an advantage of precisely inspecting the function of the first switching means even if the system possesses the drive inhibiting means.
It is preferable that, in the electric power steering system according to the invention, the invalidating means invalidates the drive inhibiting means by controlling a power supply of the torque detecting means.
As a result, the electric power steering system according to the invention has an advantage of easily invalidating the drive inhibiting means at any time.
It is also preferable that, in the electric power steering system according to the invention, the invalidating means invalidates the drive inhibiting means by controlling a signal from the torque detecting means.
As a result, the electric power steering system according to the invention has an advantage of easily invalidating the drive inhibiting means at any time.
It is also preferable that, in the electric power steering system according to the invention, the invalidating means invalidates the output signal of the drive inhibiting means by controlling the drive inhibiting means.
As a result, the electric power steering system according to the invention has an advantage of easily invalidating the drive inhibiting means at any time.
It is also preferable that, in the electric power steering system according to the invention, the function of the first switching means is inspected by inspecting whether the first switching means is capable of being disconnected and/or connected based on the relation between the drive of the switching elements of the driving means and the voltage monitored by the voltage monitoring means.
As a result, the electric power steering system according to the invention has an advantage of easily inspecting the function of the switching means.
It is also preferable that, in the electric power steering system according to the invention, the system has second switching means for supplying or disconnecting a power to the motor, and the controlled variable calculating means inspects whether the second switching means is capable of being disconnected and/or connected.
As a result, the electric power steering system according to the invention has an advantage of easily inspecting the function of the second switching means.
It is also preferable that, in the electric power steering system according to the invention, the system has second switching means for supplying or disconnecting a power to the motor and pseudo power supply means for supplying a pseudo power supply which is connected in parallel to the second switching means, and in a case where the controlled variable calculating means inspects the function of the first switching means, a power source is supplied from the pseudo power supply means.
As a result, the electric power steering system according to the invention has an advantage of adding electric current restriction and preventing induction of a secondary trouble even in a case where a trouble occurs downstream the second switching means.
It is also preferable that, in the electric power steering system according to the invention, the system has alarming means for alarming the driver in a case where the function of the first switching means is judged abnormal.
As a result, the electric power steering system according to the invention has an advantage of alarming the driver of the trouble or failure.

Abstract: An electric power steering system having a CPU 2 for calculating a control amount for controlling a motor 3 corresponding to a steering torque 1 and a driving circuit 8 for driving the motor 3, comprises a first switch 12 connected in series with the motor 3, a voltage monitoring circuit 10 for monitoring motor voltage, and a drive restricting circuit 11 for restricting operation of the driving circuit 8 besides the CPU 2, and in which the CPU 2 inspects function of the first switch 12 from drive of the driving circuit 8 and results detected by the voltage monitoring circuit 10 when it is judged that the driving circuit 8 is not restricted from a situation of the steering torque 1 or the drive inhibiting circuit 11.