A method and system utilizes a hierarchical bitmap structure to represent deleted data sets. Each level in the hierarchical bitmap structure may have progressively larger size and represent finer granularity of number of data blocks than its parent level. A method in one aspect may comprise allocating a first level bitmap having size equal to a register on a processor, each bit in the first level bitmap representing a plurality of blocks of data in a database, and allocating one or more pointers corresponding to said plurality of bits in the first level bitmap, said one or more pointers being allocated to point to a sub bitmap generated after a data block is deleted but before the index corresponding to the data block is cleaned.

Data warehouse sizes have been growing in leaps and bounds. An important concern is the storage costs associated with it. This is addressed by the periodic archiving of old data, which might be accessed less often or by its summary removal from the database when not needed. Both methods require the mass delete of data from the warehouse. This is also known as Rollout or as Bulk Delete. The space thus freed up is used to make way for new data that is available. For example, a company might have a warehouse of five years of data. At the end of every month it might delete the oldest month of data and bring in data for the latest month.
In the past, such mass deletes were usually performed in a maintenance window when the system load was low such as after midnight. Recent trends indicate users are moving towards a shorter time frame to perform this type of maintenance activities. Customers want their systems to be available all the time, non-stop, even for a warehouse. Also, the amount of data being rolled out is becoming smaller but it is being done more frequently. These factors make an efficient online rollout mechanism very important for a database engine. The efficiency can be measured by various parameters, like, response time of a rollout, the amount of log space used, the number of locks required, the response time of a rollback of the rollout, how quickly the space freed can be reused and what kind of concurrent access to the table is allowed when the rollout is going on.
The conventional delete mechanism employed by database engines generally works horizontally, on a record at a time. In this a record is deleted and the defined indexes are updated one by one to reflect the delete of that record. An example of this is seen in DB2 UDB V7. For mass or multiple record deletes, one iterates over all records to be deleted in a similar fashion. A delete of a record entails logging the activity in a log file and then doing the physical delete from the table. If one has indexes defined on the table then each index update has to be logged and its structure changed to reflect the delete. The index updates are very costly and even if there are only a few defined, they could overwhelmingly dominate the total cost of the delete. Existing works such as "Efficient Bulk Deletes in Relational Databases" ICDE 2001 and "Performance Study of Rollout for Multi Dimensional Clustered Tables in DB2" in EXPDB 2006 show such increase in cost. For example, the latter reports that the response time for a delete jumping from 15 seconds when there were no rid indexes (record-based indexes) on the table to 826 seconds when one index on partkey column was included. The cost of updating the rid index was approx 811 seconds and it dwarfs all others costs.
If the data in the table is clustered and bucketized on some columns or a function of some columns, such that all records in a bucket or cell are of the same value for that column or its function, one could optimize the delete with conditions on these columns by logging the entire delete of the bucket one time only but logging any indexes individually for each record. Consider a table whose logical view is shown in the left cube 102 of FIG. 1. It has data bucketized and clustered on nation, year and itemid. An example rollout on this table is shown in right 104 of FIG. 1. Here a delete happened with conditions on columns year (value 1992) and itemid (value 1), which results in entire buckets being dropped. What is shown at 104 of FIG. 1 is the resultant logical view of the data after the delete. This method is described in "Performance Study of Rollout for Multi Dimensional Clustered Tables in DB2." While this tactic provides some relief, improved method may be desirable when there are a large number of rid indexes (record-based indexes) defined on the table that needs to be updated.
One could have buckets in a table as described previously and have indexes defined on those individual buckets rather than the entire table. So if there are 100 buckets there may be 100 individual indexes defined on these buckets rather than one index for the entire table. In such a case when one deletes a bucket, one could mark the entire bucket and its "local" index as deleted as one log event and save a lot of response time. But having these types of indexes (known as local indexes) has their own limitations and is not always ideal in all cases.
For a table partitioned into a huge number of small buckets, an improved method may be desirable. For example, DB2 supports a feature called Multi Dimensional Clustering (MDC), which allows a table to have as much as (2^31) buckets.
Tandem Non-Stop SQL attempts to solve the problem of updating rid indexes by doing the update of multiple indexes in parallel rather than one after the other. A mechanism for bulk deletes is explained in Gartner, A., Kemper, A., Kossman, D., Zeller, B., "Efficient Bulk Deletes in Relational Databases", Proceedings of the ICDE 2001. The method described, is based on vertical deletes of the base table and any rid indexes defined on it. This is to be contrasted with the conventional method of deleting the table record and updating the rid indexes iteratively for all qualifying records.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0034277 is a method for reporting reception result of packets in mobile communication system. The publication discloses a bitmap structure, which enables the size of a bitmap field containing reception result information to be significantly reduced while fully performing its acknowledgment function. This patent application describes a bitmap scheme for the communication industry.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0207353 describes distribution of identifiers in serverless networks. The method may be useful in and applied to serverless telephony systems. It details a description of a hierarchical bitmap and its specific use. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0036494 describes distribution of identifiers in serverless networks, similar to above for serverless telephony systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,619 describes systems and methods for implementing hierarchical acknowledgement bitmaps in an ARQ protocol. U.S. Pat. No. 6,937,611 describes a mechanism for efficient scheduling of communication flows. A system for servicing communication queues described in that patent may include memory configured to store a hierarchical channel map having a plurality of levels wherein each bit of the lowest level is mapped to a different one of a plurality of communication channels and wherein each bit of each higher level is mapped to a group of bits at the next lower level. The system may include a host adapter configured to maintain the hierarchical bitmap wherein each bit at the lowest level is set if the channel to which it is mapped has a pending communication request and is cleared if not. Each bit of each higher level is set if at least one bit is set in the lower level group to which is mapped and cleared if not. The host adapter may be configured to examine the hierarchical bitmap in order to determine a next one of the communication channels to service. At each level of the hierarchical channel map a service mask may be provided to track which bits have already been traversed at that level. Multiple such service masks may be provided at each level to support different service classes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,758 describes apparatus and method for achieving reduced overhead mutual exclusion and maintaining coherency in a multiprocessor system utilizing execution history and thread monitoring. It describes a mutual-exclusion apparatus for maintaining data coherency while concurrently reading and updating a current generation data element, which could use a hierarchical bitmap.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,900 describes hierarchical bitmap-based memory manager. A hierarchical bitmap-based memory manager maintains a hierarchical bitmap having an entry for each memory block in a memory heap. Each bitmap entry contains a multi-bit value that represents an allocation state of the corresponding memory block. The memory manager manages allocation, deallocation, and reallocation of the memory blocks, and tracks the changes in allocation state via the hierarchical bitmap. Using a two-bit value, the bitmap can represent at most four different allocation states of the corresponding memory block, including a "free" state, a "sub-allocated" state in which the corresponding memory block is itself an allocated set of smaller memory blocks, a "continue" state in which the corresponding memory block is allocated and part of, but not last in, a larger allocation of plural blocks, and a "last" state in which the corresponding memory block is allocated and last in an allocation of one or more memory blocks.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,290 describes easily coalesced, sub-allocating, hierarchical, multi-bit bitmap-based memory manager. A hierarchical bitmap-based memory manager maintains a hierarchical bitmap having an entry for each memory block in a memory heap. Each bitmap entry contains a multi-bit value that represents an allocation state of the corresponding memory block. The memory manager manages allocation, deallocation, and reallocation of the memory blocks, and tracks the changes in allocation state via the hierarchical bitmap. Using a-two-bit value, the bitmap can represent at most four different allocation states of the corresponding memory block, including a "free" state, a "sub-allocated" state in which the corresponding memory block is itself an allocated set of smaller memory blocks, a "continue" state in which the corresponding memory block is allocated and part of, but not last in, a larger allocation of plural blocks, and a "last" state in which the corresponding memory block is allocated and last in an allocation of one or more memory blocks.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,062 describes system and method for utilizing a hierarchical bitmap structure for locating a set of contiguous ordered search items having a common attribute Application. A system and method is provided for locating, within a set of ordered items, N contiguous items having a desired attribute. The system utilizes a hierarchical bitmap structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,162 describes high-speed methods for maintaining a summary of thread activity for multiprocessor computer systems A high-speed method for maintaining a summary of thread activity reduces the number of remote-memory operations for an n processor, multiple node computer system from n.sup.2 to (2n−1) operations. The method uses a hierarchical summary of-thread-activity data structure that includes structures such as first and second level bit masks. The first level bit mask is accessible to all nodes and contains a bit per node, the bit indicating whether the corresponding node contains a processor that has not yet passed through a quiescent state.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,889 describes a method and system for monitoring attributes of files, such as whether a file has been read, in a computer system includes a file index organized into groups, with at least one group including one or more files. This is done using a hierarchical bitmap structure.
Performance Study of Rollout for Multi Dimensional Clustered Tables in DB2, which appeared in EXPDB 2006 relates to bulk deletes. Efficient Bulk Deletes in Relational Databases, ICDE 2001 describes vertical deletes (in contrast to the conventional horizontal delete).

Method and system for utilizing a hierarchical bitmap structure to provide a fast and reliable mechanism to represent large deleted data sets in relational databases

International Business Machines Corporation


This invention relates to a process for separating one (or more) oligomeric or polymeric compound(s) (A) obtained by polymerization of isocyanate monomers (A1) or copolymerization of isocyanate monomers with another polymerizable compound (A2), in particular a polyol, the said compound(s) A having a viscosity (a), from the unconverted monomer(s), this process comprising addition to the said compound(s) (A) of one (or more) compound(s) (B) consisting of the product of polymerization of isocyanate monomers (B1) or of copolymerization of isocyanate monomers with another polymerizable compound (B2), in particular a polyol, the said compound(s) (B) having a viscosity (b) and the ratio of the viscosities b/a being less than 1/1.5, preferably less than 1/2, and co-distillation of (A) and (B), in order to separate the compound(s) (A) from the corresponding unconverted monomers.

The invention relates to a process for reducing the viscosity of compositions resulting from the polymerization of isocyanate monomers or from copolymerization of isocyanate monomers with another polymerizable compound, which generally have a high viscosity at room temperature, and for allowing the separation of the high-viscosity polymerization product from the corresponding isocyanate monomer.
During the preparation of oligomeric or polymeric compounds by polymerization of starting isocyanate monomers, or copolymerization with a compound other than an isocyanate, in particular a polyol, a resulting mixture is obtained which contains the desired oligomer or (pre)polymer and, predominantly, the unreacted monomer(s), which should be separated from the products of higher molar mass.
In particular, during the catalytic cyclotrimerization of isocyanate monomers, in particular of diisocyanate monomers, the resulting mixture contains the isocyanurate, polyisocyanate where appropriate, resulting from the condensation of at least three starting monomers, as well as unconverted monomers.
Now, one of the obstructions to the industrial preparation of (poly)isocyanurate polyisocyanates, in particular those obtained by catalytic cyclotrimerization of cycloaliphatic isocyanates, has up to the present been the separation of the unconverted monomer from the condensation products of higher mass.
The reason for this is that a large number of the compositions, in particular polyisocyanates, obtained after a catalytic (cyclo)trimerization reaction comprise polymerization products which have, at the separation temperatures usually used, a high viscosity or are even solid at these temperatures.
Thus, during the preparation of IPDT (isophorone diisocyanate trimer) which is obtained by catalytic cyclotrimerization of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI or 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane), a mixture of polyisocyanates, in particular containing isocyanurate units, is obtained, which, in the purified state (IPDI content of less than 0.5%), is a solid whose melting point is about 110-115xc2x0 C. and in addition a non-newtonian fluid (viscosity at T greater than 115xc2x0 C. depends on the coefficient of shear). Separation of the IPDI from the crude trimerization mixture in the evaporators used for this purpose, in particular scraped-film evaporators, consequently requires the use of higher temperature levels than in the case of the separation of monomers of polymethylene diisocyanate type from the crude trimerization mixture obtained by polyaddition of these monomers.
In particular, in the final step of evaporation of the IPDIs, it is necessary to work at more than 200xc2x0 C. in order to remove all of the IPDI and to make the IPDT conveyable.
On an industrial scale, such operating conditions require adaptations which increase the duration and cost of the process: change of exchangers, accelerating pump on the IPDT before formulation, line plotting, etc.
In addition, the transportation of purified IPDT remains difficult on account of considerable losses of load, risks of blockage, difficulty in rinsing the lines, greater cross-contamination, etc.
Moreover, there is a need in the coating industry for low-viscosity polyisocyanate compositions which combine a certain number of properties often obtained only by using isocyanates of different nature.
Thus, EP 693,512 describes a polyurethane coating composition comprising a polyisocyanate component and a polyol component, the polyisocyanate component being obtained by mixing:
(A1) from 50 to 95% by weight of a 1,6-diisocyanatohexane-based polyisocyanate lacquer with a viscosity at 23xc2x0 C. of from 100 to 4000 mPa.s; and
(A2) from 5 to 50% by weight of a polyisocyanate containing isocyanurate groups, based on cycloaliphatic diisocyanates.
The polyisocyanate component can be obtained by adding, during the preparation of component A2, compound A1 to the crude reaction mixture at the end of the trimerization reaction and by then removing the excess cycloaliphatic monomers by thin-film distillation.
By virtue of the invention, it has been discovered, surprisingly, that by adding to an oligomer/polymer composition of high viscosity, obtained by polymerization, in particular catalytic (cyclo)trimerization, of starting isocyanate monomers, in particular of diisocyanates, or by copolymerization of these compounds with another polymerizable compound, an amount of less than 50% by weight of the monomer-free mixture of a product with a substantially lower viscosity than that of the high-viscosity oligomer/polymer composition, the viscosity of the polymer/oligomer composition can be reduced substantially, so as to allow separation by distillation (evaporation) of the high-viscosity oligomer or polymer from the unconverted isocyanate monomer(s) and to obtain this oligomer or polymer in high purity comprising less than 1%, preferably less than 0.5%, by weight of the corresponding unconverted isocyanate monomer(s).
In addition, the final compositions containing the mixture of oligomers/polymers of high and low viscosity in the proportions indicated have particularly advantageous application properties for the production of coatings, since some of its properties are better than those obtained with a simple mixture of the two types of polyisocyanate components in the same proportions.
For the purposes of the present invention, the expression high viscosity is intended to mean a viscosity generally of greater than 104 mPa.s at 25xc2x0 C., including compounds which are solid at 25xc2x0 C.
For the purposes of the present invention, the expression low viscosity is intended to mean a viscosity generally of less than 5xc3x97103 mPa.s at 25xc2x0 C. The viscosities are measured according to DIN standard 53019.
More generally, the ratio of the viscosities of the low-viscosity compound to the high-viscosity compound must be less than 1/1.5, preferably less than about 1/2.
The subject of the invention is thus a process for separating one (or more) oligomeric or polymeric compound(s) A obtained by polymerization or polycondensation of isocyanate monomers (A1) with each other or polymerization or polycondensation of isocyanate monomers (A1) with another copolymerizable monomer compound (A2), from the unconverted monomer(s), the said compound(s) A having, in the presence of an amount of monomers (A1 and optionally A2) of not more than 1% by weight, preferably not more than 0.5% by weight, a viscosity (a), this process comprising the following steps:
i) the viscosity of the crude polymerization or poly-condensation mixture containing the said compound(s) A is lowered by adding thereto one or more compound(s) B of viscosity (b) such that b/a is less than 1/1.5, and preferably less than 1/2, in an amount of less than 50% by weight of the mixture A plus B; and
ii) the mixture thus obtained is co-distilled so as to separate the compound(s) (A) and (B) from the unconverted monomers.
(A) and (B) are preferably miscible at the distillation temperature.
A2 is advantageously a polyfunctional monomer compound containing a labile hydrogen, in particular a polyol.
B2 is advantageously a polyfunctional monomer compound containing a labile hydrogen, in particular a monofunctional or polyfunctional alcohol.
(B) can be, in particular, a molecule with a boiling point, expressed in degrees Kelvin, at atmospheric pressure, which is substantially higher, advantageously by at least 20%, preferably by at least 30%, than the highest boiling point of A1 and A2.
(B) is advantageously an oligomeric or polymeric compound obtained by polymerization of isocyanate monomers (B1) or copolymerization of isocyanates (B1) with another polymerizable compound (B2).
(B) can also be a varnish or paint additive such as a xe2x80x9cmar-resistancexe2x80x9d agent, a spreading agent or a surfactant to help disperse A and B in aqueous media, or another additive used to give any property to a composition for preparing coatings.
The compounds A and B can also consist of a mixture of the compounds described above. In particular, A and B can comprise a mixture of polyisocyanates obtained by polymerization of identical or different monomers, and when they comprise copolymers, these can be obtained from mixtures of monomers and comonomers.
It is preferred to select A and B such that they do not react with each other, with the exception of the reactions which take place between the isocyanate functions which they bear, under the conditions of the process.
Advantageously, the molecular weight (Mw) of compound A is not greater than 3000, preferably than 2000 and more preferably than 1500.
Advantageously, the molecular weight (Mw) of compound B is not greater than 10,000, preferably than 5000 and more preferably than 2000.
The isocyanate functions in compounds (A) and (B) can also be totally or partly blocked with a blocking or masking group. Such a blocking or masking group will be selected such that it is not released at the distillation temperature of the (A)/(B) mixture.
An advantageous protecting group is a polyoxyalkylene group, in particular polyoxyethylene.
Advantageously, the low-viscosity compound (B), referred to as the viscosity-reducing product, is a polyisocyanate optionally containing isocyanurate unit(s), obtained by catalytic (cyclo)trimerization of isocyanate monomers or of a mixture of isocyanate monomers, optionally comprising carbamate, biuret, uretdione and/or allophanate groups. Preferably, (B) is the product of (cyclo)trimerization of an aliphatic isocyanate monomer containing a linear or branched alkylene chain, in particular of polymethylene diisocyanate, or of a mixture of aliphatic isocyanate monomers containing a linear alkylene chain with other polyisocyanate monomers, more particularly the isocyanurate polyisocyanate HDT (hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer) obtained by catalytic cyclotrimerization of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), it being possible for the isocyanate function(s) to be temporarily blocked or otherwise.
Compound (B) can be added to the reaction mixture comprising (A) in purified form (at least 99% by weight of oligomers or polymers) or in crude form with the monomers B1 and, where appropriate, B2.
However, it is preferred to add the mixture containing monomers only if the conditions for distilling the monomers B1/B2 from A1/A2 are easy or when the percentage of monomers leaving the distillation is identical or only slightly different from that introduced for the polymerization, advantageously (cyclo)trimerization, reaction.
In general, it is preferred to use a compound (B) corresponding to the following general formulae:
in which R1, which may be identical or different, represent H or an aliphatic hydrocarbon-based chain, preferably a linear C3-C20 alkylene chain, and X1 is chosen from:
R1 being as defined above and Rxe2x80x21 is the aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxycarbon-based residue of a polymer, in particular of a polyol, which is advantageously C3-C50, preferably C3-C30, optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen and/or sulphur atom(s) and optionally comprising aromatic and heterocyclic units in the chain and optionally one or more substituents, in particular arylene or alkyl groups, fluoro or silyl groups, etc.;
n is an integer between 1 and 7.
In general, it is preferred for (B) to represent a true polyisocyanate trimer. The expression xe2x80x9ctrue trimerxe2x80x9d is intended to mean an oligomer comprising an isocyanurate ring and only one, and constituting the product of theoretical cyclocondensation of three moles of isocyanate monomers, preferably diisocyanate monomers, it being possible for triisocyanates also to be suitable, with the exception of compounds originating from the condensation of more than four monomers and/or containing allophanate groups, as well as the oligomers containing isocyanurate units obtained by oligomerization of a polyisocyanate containing an isocyanurate unit.
It is generally preferred for the monomers B1, from which B is obtained, to be isocyanates, preferably diisocyanates or triisocyanates in which at least one, preferably two and, where appropriate, three of the carbon atoms bearing isocyanate functions are not secondary, tertiary or neopentyl carbon atoms.
The best results are obtained for monomers in which the hydrocarbon-based skeleton consists of a polymethylene sequence xe2x80x94(CH2)nxe2x80x94, n advantageously being between 2 and 10.
The oligomeric and/or polymeric compounds described in EP 524,500 and those described in FR 2,613,363 can be used in particular as compound (B).
A preferred compound B is the HDT corresponding to the formula
in which R is xe2x80x94(CH2)6xe2x80x94.
HDT is a known product, obtained by catalytic cyclotrimerization of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), which is fluid at room temperature and has a viscosity of about 2.5 Pa.s at 25xc2x0 C.
In addition, HDT is used in paint formulations in combination with IPDT at IPDT contents generally of less than 50% by weight.
Consequently, its addition during distillation phases does not cause any drawbacks since its presence in the final product is not only generally harmless, but can even be desirable.
The reason for this is that, as indicated above, it has been determined that the polyisocyanate (poly)isocyanurate mixtures obtained after the co-distillation process of the invention make it possible, by polycondensation with polyols, to obtain polyurethane coatings with remarkable and unexpected properties of strength and speed of drying of the films.
The NBDT (norbornane diisocyanate trimer)/HDT and IPDT/HDT and H12MDT/HDT mixtures or the mixtures of other diisocyanate trimers or dimers, of high viscosity, in particular cycloaliphatic ones, with diisocyanate dimers or trimers obtained by mixing and by co-distillation of the two respective compounds makes it possible subsequently to obtain, by polycondensation with polyols, polyurethane films which have properties equivalent to those of the polyurethane coatings obtained with co-trimers prepared by catalytic cyclotrimerization of the same cycloaliphatic diisocyanate monomers with hexamethylene diisocyanate.
Lysine triisocyanate compounds, which are virtually undistillable but represent good viscosity-reducing agents, including their monomer form, are also suitable for the purposes of the invention. They can also be used in partially condensed trimer form, i.e. in the form of the cyclotrimerization mixture comprising true trimers (containing an isocyanurate ring) mixed with the monomers and possibly the dimers (uretdione).
By virtue of the invention, any high-viscosity oligomer or polymer obtained by polymerization or poly-condensation of isocyanate monomers or of a mixture of isocyanate monomers, or copolymerization of isocyanate monomers with another copolymerizable compound, can be separated, by distillation, from the unconverted monomers, at temperatures which are compatible with an industrial process, including oligomers and polymers with a very high viscosity, of greater than 50 Pa.s at 25xc2x0 C., and products which are solid at room temperature.
In general, the best results are obtained:
when B comprises no hydrogen capable of forming a hydrogen bond; or
when B comprises a hydrogen atom capable of forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond (allophanates).
Compound (B) according to the invention can thus be used in particular to reduce the viscosity during the phases of distillation of the following high-viscosity polyisocyanates or mixture of polyisocyanates:
(poly)isocyanurate polyisocyanates, e.g. polymers containing at least one isocyanurate ring, obtained by polycondensation of aliphatic monomers, preferably containing a non-branched chain,
(poly)isocyanurate polyisocyanates comprising carbamate and/or allophanate groups,
polyisocyanates comprising biuret, carbamate and/or allophanate groups,
polyisocyanates comprising uretdione groups, and
polyisocyanate polyurethane prepolymers, obtained by condensation of isocyanate monomers, in particular diisocyanates, with a long-chain polyol, in particular the prepolymers of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,071 obtained by polymerization of polyfunctional polyisocyanates comprising aromatic polyisocyanates such as toluene diisocyanate, tetramethylxylene diisocyanate and diphenylmethane diisocyanate; cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates such as cyclohexane diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, norbornane diisocyanate or 2,5(6) -diisocyanatomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, NBDI), 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane (1,3-BIC), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate or 4,4-dicyclohexylmethanediyl diisocyanate (H12MDI) and cyclohexyl 1,4-diisocyanate; and linear aliphatic polyisocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate, with a polyol preferably having a functionality of greater than 2, more particularly between 2.2 and 4, and a weight-equivalent average weight of between 62 and 10,000, advantageously 62 and 5000, preferably 62 and 2000. Representative examples are trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, trihydroxybutane, ethylene glycol and partially alkoxylated adducts thereof, or polyisocyanate prepolymers comprising various urea, biuret, amide, ester, etc. functions.
These (poly)isocyanate compounds (A) correspond in particular to the following formulae:
in which the groups R2, which may be identical or different, are chosen from an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon-based chain preferably comprising from 2 to 50 atoms, preferably from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, the aliphatic or cycloaliphatic chains optionally being substituted with or interrupted by one or more, preferably C4-C8, arylene groups,
Rxe2x80x22 is the hydrocarbon-based residue generally of a polymer, in particular of a polyol, which is preferably C3-C50, optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen and/or sulphur atom(s) and optionally comprising aromatic and heterocyclic units in the chain and one or more substituents, in particular arylene or alkyl groups, or fluoro or silyl groups, etc.; n is an integer between 1 and 7,
and X is a group chosen from
R2 and Rxe2x80x22 being as defined above.
The high-viscosity compound (A) is advantageously a polyisocyanate isocyanurate or biuret obtained by catalytic (cyclo)trimerization of cycloaliphatic diisocyanates, preferably IPDT, NBDT, H12MDT or 1,3-BDT (1,3-BIC trimer) or of branched aliphatic diisocyanates, for example MPDT (2-methylpentamethylene diisocyanate trimer).
Compound (B) is added to the crude polymerization mixture in a compound (B)/compound (A) weight ratio of between 5/95 and 49/51, preferably between 5/95 and 45/55.
The viscosity-reducing compound (B) can be added to the crude mixture obtained after the polymerization reaction of the starting isocyanate monomers with each other and/or with another compound, in particular a polyol as defined above, directly in the polymerization reactor, or can be added to the resulting crude mixture by in-line mixing before admission into the distillation train, in order then to be co-distilled with the high-viscosity oligomer or polymer which it is desired to separate from the unconverted monomer(s).
The co-distillation temperature is advantageously in the range between 120 and 250xc2x0 C., preferably between 150xc2x0 C. and 210xc2x0 C.
A subject of the invention is also the use of one (or more) oligomeric or polymeric compound(s) (B) of viscosity (b) obtained by polymerization of isocyanate monomers or copolymerization of isocyanate monomers with another polymerizable compound, for the separation of an oligomeric or polymeric compound (A) of viscosity (a), obtained by polymerization of isocyanate monomers or copolymerization of isocyanate monomers with another polymerizable compound, from the corresponding isocyanate monomers, by co-distillation of the said compound(s) (B) and (A), the ratio of the viscosities b/a being less than 1/1.5, preferably less than 1/2, and the amount by weight of compound (B) relative to the mixture (A) and (B) being less than 50%.
A subject of the invention is also a polyisocyanate composition containing one or more isocyanurate functions, comprising:
from 51 to 95% by weight of a first polyisocyanate obtained by (cyclo)trimerization of isocyanate monomers, and optionally another copolymerizable monomer,
from 5 to 49% by weight of a second polyisocyanate obtained by (cyclo)trimerization of isocyanate monomers, and optionally another copolymerizable monomer, in which the ratio of the viscosities of the second polyisocyanate to the first polyisocyanate is less than 1/1.5, preferably less than 1/2, the said composition being obtained by co-distillation of the said first polyisocyanate and of the said second polyisocyanate and being characterized in particular by the presence, in the composition obtained after the distillation, of traces of mixed compounds of the said first polyisocyanate and of the said second polyisocyanate linked by dimeric bridging.
The isocyanate monomers are advantageously diisocyanates or triisocyanates, diisocyanates being preferred.
These compositions make it possible to obtain polyurethane films with excellent properties of mechanical strength and of resistance to bad weather, at the same time as excellent film-drying properties.
The polyisocyanates obtained by the process of the invention are advantageously used as hardeners for the preparation of coatings, in particular polyurethane paints and varnishes, by reacting polyisocyanates with a polyol.
To this end, any type of polyol is suitable.
However, it has been found, surprisingly, that certain polyols provide appreciable advantages when they are reacted with polyisocyanates obtained in accordance with the present invention.
These polyols can be of acrylic or polyester nature.
When a polyol of acrylic nature is used, it is preferred for this polyol to satisfy the following conditions for a solids content (SC) of between 75-80% by weight.
Mw (weight-average molecular weight) not greater than 10,000, advantageously not greater than 5000, preferably not greater than 2000.
Mw is preferably less than 10,0000, advantageously less than 5000, preferably less than 2000.
Mn (number-average molecular weight) not greater than 5000, advantageously not greater than 3000, preferably not greater than 800.
Mn is preferably less than 5000, advantageously less than 3000, preferably less than 800.
Mw/Mn (dispersity ratio) not greater than 5, advantageously not greater than 3, preferably not greater than 2.
Mw/Mn is preferably less than 5, advantageously less than 3, preferably less than 2.
number of OH/molecule greater than or equal to 2, advantageously greater than 2.
For further details, reference may be made to ASTM standard E222.
The Mn and Mw values are advantageously obtained by gel permeation exclusion chromatography taking styrene as standard.
Polyols obtained by polymerization of hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates, in particular hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate and hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylates, are preferred.
The resins sold under the names Joncryl SCX 922 (Johnson Polymers) and Synocure 866 SD (Cray Valley) are most particularly preferred.
When the polyols are of polyester nature, the ones preferred are those with a 100% SC and a viscosity of not greater than 10,000 mPa.s, advantageously not greater than 5000 mPa.s, preferably not greater than 1000 Pa.s, whose Mw is generally between 250 and 8000.
In order to obtain a satisfactory viscosity, it is also possible to add a reactive solvent to the polyol before or after mixing with the polyisocyanate.
Advantageously, an amount of reactive diluent of not greater than 30%, advantageously not greater than 20%, preferably not greater than 10%, by mass relative to the dry mass of the polyol is used.
Considerable advantages in terms of properties of the final coating are already obtained for an amount of reactive solvent of less than 10% by weight. These properties, in particular the speed of drying, the hardness of the coating and the impact strength are also excellent when the amount of reactive solvent is lowered, which includes the absence of reactive solvent.
Another subject of the invention consists of the compositions for simultaneous or successive application, comprising:
a polyisocyanate composition obtained by the process of the invention, and
a polyol as defined above.
The compositions obtained by the process of the invention can be used in particular in aqueous coating formulations, by being placed in suspension, in emulsion or in dispersion, or dissolved by grafting hydrophilic agents or by addition of surfactant compounds.
The compositions of the invention can undergo a reaction of partial or complete temporary masking of the isocyanate functions with one or a mixture of masking agents.
The isocyanate functions can then be restored by applying a physicochemical process such as increasing the temperature, or can be converted or polymerized by applying a physicochemical process such as ultraviolet radiation.
The compositions according to the invention can also be in the form of suspensions.
They can comprise, besides the components described above:
optionally one or more inorganic or organic compound(s) with a pigmentation or filler function, a matt-effect agent or any other additive intended to facilitate the application of the coating or to improve the properties of the coating, such as, for example, a spreading agent, a xe2x80x9ccicatrizingxe2x80x9d agent, etc.,
optionally one or more catalysts,
optionally one or more surface agents to improve the use of the formulation, such as, for example, an agent with a surfactant property, an anti-foaming agent, a solvent, an aqueous solution whose pH is optionally adjusted.
The examples below illustrate the invention.

Method for separating a compound obtained by polymerization of non-transformed monomer isocyanates


A valve drive device has a pair of valves in association with a cylinder and a pair of cams provided on the camshaft to selectively open and close the valves. Each cam has a cam surface and a cam nose. The cam surface has an axially varying radius at the cam nose. A bearing supports the camshaft between the pair of cams. A pair of valve lifters are arranged respectively between the cams and the valves. Each valve lifter has a supporting surface and a cam follower supported on the supporting surface to slidably contact with the cam surface. A moving mechanism moves axially to change the lift amount of the valves, Each cam follower is located farther from the bearing, which is positioned between the pair of cams, than the center of the supporting surface in the axial direction of the camshaft. This results in greater axial movement of the cams and a greater variation of valve lift without placing excessive axial lodes on the camshaft.

The present invention relates to a valve drive device of an engine, and more specifically to a valve drive device in which a cam profile for driving a valve are changed according to the operating conditions of the engine.
As a valve drive device of an engine for automobiles of a DOHC type, various proposals have heretofore been made in which the opening and closing timing or a lift amount of a intake valve or an exhaust valve is changed according to the operating conditions of the engine. In such a valve drive device, the opening and closing timing or the lift amount of the valve is changed according to the operating conditions of the engine whereby the engine characteristics of torque or the like are controlled so as to suit to the current operating conditions.
According to one such valve drive device, a low speed cam and a high speed cam having cam profiles different from each other are provided on a single camshaft. The cam for driving the valve is switched according to the operating conditions of the engine. In this drive device, since there are two independent cams (low speed and high speed), the cam nose radiuses of the cams can differ greatly. Accordingly, the maximum lift amount of the valve can be made sufficiently small for the low speed range of the engine, and sufficiently large for the high speed range. It is therefore easy to obtain the desired engine characteristics for the current speed range.
On the other hand, for example Japanese patent Laid-open No. Hei 3-179116 Publication discloses a valve drive device in which one kind of a cam 40, the cam nose radius of which varies in the axial direction of a camshaft 42, is provided on a single camshaft 42, as shown in FIG. 7. Each cam 40 on the camshaft 42 is moved in the axial direction together with the camshaft 42 by a shaft moving mechanism 41. Each valve 43 is pressed against a cam surface 40a of the cam 40 through a cam follower 45. Two valves 43 neither intake or exhaust valves) are arranged with respect to one cylinder of the engine. Accordingly, the cams 40 are moved in the axial direction together with the camshaft 42 whereby the region of the cam surface 40a in contact with the cam follower 45 changes. As a result, the maximum lift amount of each valve 43 changes. The range of change of the maximum lift amount (hereinafter, referred to as the lift control amount) is determined according to the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the radius of the cam nose.
Accordingly, the lift control amount may be increased by increasing the width W in the axial direction of the cams 40 and increasing the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the radius of the cam noses. However, the camshaft 42 is supported by a journal bearing 44, which is between tho two cams 40. For this reason, the moving amount D in the axial direction of the cams 40 is restricted by the interference of the cams 40 and the bearing 44. Accordingly, the width W and the moving amount D of the cam 40 is restricted.
A large lift control amount may be obtained without increasing the width W and the moving amount D of the cam 40 by increasing the inclination angle .theta. of the cam surface 40a at the cam nose. By doing so, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the radius of the cam nose becomes large.
Alternatively, the width S of a sliding contact surface 45a of the cam follower 45, which is in sliding contact with the cam surface 40a, may be made small. By doing so, the effective range in the axial direction of the cam surface 40a along which the cam follower 45 can be moved becomes relatively large. As a result, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the radius of the cam nose can be effectively utilized. This achieves a large lift control amount without increasing the width W of the cam 40.
However, when the inclination angle e of the cam surface 40a at the cam nose is made large, the axial component of the load on the shaft 42 applied to the camshaft 42 from each valve 43 increases. Accordingly, the driving force of the shaft moving mechanism 41 must be increased, and the moving mechanism 41 becomes large accordingly. Moreover, the increase of the load in the axial direction of the shaft 42 is not preferable for the stabilized driving of the valve 43.
Further, when the width S of the sliding surface 45a of the cam follower 45 is made small, the pressure receiving area of the sliding surface 45a becomes small. Therefore, the surface pressure applied to the sliding surface 45a increases. As a result, the cam follower 45 tends to wear. Further, it is necessary to increase the moving amount D of the cam 40 in order to take advantage of the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the radius of the cam nose. However, since the moving amount D of the cam 40 is restricted, the lift amount is limited.


A volume control system, that can easily check current volume values with respect to volume values settable in a plurality of audio output devices when a volume value representing the volume values of the audio output devices is displayed, is provided. A controller of the volume control system can be connected to the plurality of the audio output devices, and can control the audio output devices. The controller obtains the volume values of the audio output devices and predetermined upper limit volume values stored in the audio output devices, and displays percentages of the volume values with respect to the predetermined upper limit volume values as total volume values. Further, the controller displays values that are determined by multiplying the total volume values and percentages of the predetermined upper limit volume values with respect to prescribed values as the volume values of the audio output devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a controller in a volume control system and an audio output device that can control a volume via the controller.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the following reproducing form (hereinafter, referred to as a network reproducing system) is widely used. In this system, a server that saves contents, an audio output device (hereinafter, referred to as a client) and a device (hereinafter, referred to as a controller) for viewing the contents saved in the server and transmitting an instruction for reproducing the contents in the server to the client are connected to a network. When the controller is operated, the contents in the server is reproduced by the client.
In the network reproducing system, a plurality of clients is connected to the network, and the contents in the server can be reproduced from the plurality of clients by control from the controller. When the clients are audio output devices such as AV amplifiers, volumes of the respective clients can be controlled by the controller. Conventionally, the controller controls volume values of the plurality of clients according to the following method. Smallest values settable in the clients and the controller are 0, and largest values are 100.
It is assumed that a client A, a client B and a client C are connected to the network reproducing system. When volume values of the respective clients are 80, 30 and 40, respectively, an average value of the volume values of the clients is such that (80+30+40)÷3=50. The controller obtains the average value of the volumes of the clients, and stores the average value as a total volume. In the controller, when the user changes the total volume into 52, the volumes of the clients are such that 82=(80+2), 32=(30+2), and 42=(40+2), respectively.
However, when the total volume is the average value of the clients, the user cannot understand how the current volume values of the clients are close to the largest volume values settable in the clients even if a user checks the total volume. For example, even when the total volume is 50, the client A has 80% of the largest volume value (100), and the client B has 30%, and thus these values are greatly different from each other. That is to say, the user cannot directly understand positions of the volume values set for the clients with respect to the largest volume values settable in the clients even if the user checks the total volume.
Change characteristics of audio output levels (amplification degree) at a time when the volume values of the clients are different according to the clients. Further, the largest volume values settable in the clients are not always limited to 100. Therefore, when an increase in the total volume is transmitted to the clients according to the above method and when the clients change the volume values, a level of the rises in the volume varies according to the clients. FIG. 14 illustrates change characteristics of the output levels of the clients A and B. In FIG. 14, a horizontal axis represents the volume values visually recognized by the user on a display section, and a vertical axis represents output values (dB). That is to say, the values in the horizontal axis are transmitted from the controller when the total volume is changed. The largest value of the volume of the client A in FIG. 14 is 100, and the largest value of the volume of the client B is 80. When the volume values of the clients A and B are set to 100 and 80, respectively, an audio signal with the maximum output of 20 dB is output. As is clear from FIG. 14, a percentage of rise in the volume value varies according to the clients. Therefore, for example, when the volume value is changed from 40 into 50 by the control of the controller, since a degree of the rise of the output level of the client B (δB) is larger than a degree of the rise (δA) of the output level of the client A, the user feels acoustic discomfort. In general, the change characteristics of the output levels in FIG. 14 are expressed by curved lines.
The following problem further arises. When the total volume of the controllers is changed while powers of some of the plurality of clients are being set to off, the clients whose power is off cannot receive an instruction for changing the volume values, and the volume values of the clients whose power is set to off are not reflected in the total volume. Further, when the controller is powered off, the volume values of the clients are controlled and then the controller is powered on, the total volume retained in the controller does not obtain a value in which the volume values of the clients are reflected.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,014B1 describes that the volume values of the plurality of clients are controlled from the controller.
However, according to the above technique, the average value of the volume values of the clients is used as a volume of the group. For this reason, when the group volume is controlled, a change rate of the volumes of the clients varies.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-142601 describes that a volume value of an audio adjusting device is set based on the control of the controller.
However, according to the above technique, this document does not describe that the volume values of the plurality of clients are changed from the controller according to output levels of the clients.

Volume control system, controller program of the volume control system, and audio output device of the volume control system


According to the invention, a system for downloading audio or video to a browser is disclosed. The system includes a media server, a content database and a web page. The content database includes the content object, and the content database is linked to the media server. The web page presented to the browser and includes a link to the content object. The link avoids activating an autoplay feature of the browsers should the link be activated.

This disclosure relates in general to network file download and, more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to downloading files using a web browser over a wide area network.
Modern browsers such as INTERNET EXPLORER™ 6 (IE6) by MICROSOFT™ have been optimized to automatically detect the types of downloaded objects off the Internet, for the purposes of selecting the most appropriate application to execute the downloaded content. For example, file extensions for content objects are associated with an application such that download of any file with that extension will automatically activate the associated application to begin playback of the content object. Unfortunately, with auto-detection, end-users maybe subjected to the "Media Bar" autoplay feature within IE6 or some other application that plays the content as it is downloaded. For example, activation of the Media Bar initiates streaming playback and not a download with a "Save As" pop-up menu if the end-user has in the past selected the option to have IE6 auto-play similar items. For example, a left-click on a content object would bring up the Media Bar and begin playback of the content even though the end-user may wish to save the content object for playback at a later time.
When end-users running web browsers, such as IE6, request a multimedia object off a web server on the Internet, the browser has an intelligent monitor or process known as the URL Moniker that analyzes the beginning of the content to determine it's type. Once the browser has determined the content type, it will automatically try to play the content object in the browser's Media Bar or other associated application, if it's of a multimedia type such as a movie or a song that has been previously played with the Media Bar. Further, the autoplay feature does not give the user the ability to choose where the multimedia object is stored.
The media industries seem to be trending toward allowing end-users to 'download' the objects (i.e., music, movies, TV-shows, etc) rather than limiting them to streaming playback of the object while online. The end-user often discovers after clicking on a content object and playing it, that that the song they played can no longer be found on their local system for further playback. The end-user can get trapped in just watching or listening to the media objects without ever saving them to the own local hard drive by left-clicking on the content object.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A small steam generator uses a cylindrical steam generation vessel having a steam generation portion formed to store an amount of water for generating steam and a steam passage portion formed on the upper end of the steam generation portion for spouting steam generated in the steam generation portion. A heater element is disposed within the steam generation vessel, and an induction heating coil is wound around the periphery of the steam generation vessel for energizing the heater element. The heater element is energized by supply of electric power to the heating coil so that steam generated by boiling of the water in the steam generation portion spouts upward from the steam passage. In the steam generator, a steam discharge duct is mounted on the upper end of the steam passage for receiving the steam spouting upward from the steam passage and to discharge it in a lateral direction such that drops of hot water adhered to a ceiling surface of the discharge duct fall and re-circulate back into the steam generation part.

Disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication 1999-094203 is a steam generator adapted for use in a cooking appliance of foodstuffs, which comprises an upright boiler in the form of a vertical cylindrical body provided with an electromagnetic induction heater and connected at its lower end to a header for connection with a water supply system and a drain system, a vertical bypass duct connected at its intermediate portion with a steam discharge pipe laterally extended from the upper end of the cylindrical body of the boiler, and an upstanding pipe connected at its lower end to the header for detecting a level of water in the boiler. In the steam generator, steam introduced into the bypass duct through the discharge pipe spouts upward, and drops of hot water separated from the steam fall in the header and are circulated into the interior of the boiler.
Because in the conventional steam generator, the bypass duct causes drops of hot water contained in the steam to fall in the header connected in common to the water supply system and the drain system, it is difficult to assemble the bypass duct and the upright boiler in a limited space for manufacturing of the appliance in a small size. Because in the conventional steam generator, the interior of the upstanding pipe for detection of the level of water in the boiler is heated, it is likely that a detection sensor disposed in the upstanding pipe would be damaged by heating.


A system for visualizing a medical treatment of a human or animal body part. The system has means for thermal treatment of the body part, means for determining the temperature distribution on the body part, and means for identifying the location of a particular temperature determined on the body part. Further, a method for visualizing the temperature characteristics of a human or animal body part is provided. The method includes the steps of comparing a first temperature distribution data set of the surface of the body part with a second temperature distribution data set of the surface of the body part, wherein the first temperature distribution data set is determined before and the second temperature distribution data set is determined after a thermal treatment of the body part, and visualizing the temperature distribution data sets of the body part.

Known symptoms of infections are pain, redness, swelling and temperature increase of the infected or inflamed part of the body. Despite the local nature of the infection, the symptoms regularly do not occur sufficiently localized to provide localized treatment. Especially when the infection is internal and not on or close to the skin, the symptoms may not reveal the precise location of the core of the infection. Known treatments may have to treat too large an area to be effective, or otherwise cause negative side-effects due to the larger treatment area.
Infrared visualization techniques reveal the temperature increase resulting from the infection but under the circumstances described, the temperature visualization will yield a larger area and not reveal the actual core of the infection.
In order to determine the correct diagnosis of an infection or inflammation, local thermal treatment is preferred over treatments that impact a larger part of the body than only the affected part. The optimal treatment entails the fastest and most effective result to the infected body part, with the least side-effects to the patient.
There is a need for an invention which can determine where an infection or inflammation can be localized with greater certainty in a human or animal body.

System for detection and treatment of infection or inflammation


An ECT-ECU executes a program that includes a step of executing a stepped shift control if cruise control is not being executed during sequential shift control (stepped shift control) and a step of executing stepless shift control in response to cruise control being activated during sequential shift control (stepped shift control).

As automatic transmissions for changing the speed ratio according to drive conditions of a vehicle, belt-drive continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) that continuously change the speed ratio are used.
CVTs can make an efficient use of the engine output, which contributes to improving the fuel economy and the drive performance. Some CVTs in practical use have a metal belt and a pair of pulleys and continuously changes the speed ratio by changing the effective diameters of the pulleys through hydraulic actuation. In such CVTs, a metal loop belt is wound around an input pulley (primary pulley) provided on the input shaft and an output pulley (secondary pulley) provided on the output shaft.
The input pulley and the output pulley each have a pair of sheaves and the width of the groove between the sheaves can be changed seamlessly. By changing the groove width, the pitch radius at each of the input and output pulleys (i.e., the distance from the center of the pulley to where the metal loop belt makes contact in the groove between the sheaves) changes, whereby the speed ratio, the ratio between the rotation speed of the input shaft and that of the output shaft, changes continuously.
More specifically, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for controlling a CVT determines, based on the accelerator operation amount and the vehicle speed, a target engine output required by the driver, and then determines the target rotation speed of the primary pulley so as to achieve the target engine output on an optimum fuel-economy curve. The ECU then shifts the CVT continuously by controlling the hydraulic control circuit of the CVT such that the actual rotation speed of the primary pulley that is detected by a primary pulley rotation speed sensor equals the target rotation speed. On the other hand, an ECU for controlling the engine controls the engine by determining a target engine torque based on the target engine output and the engine speed and controlling the throttle opening degree accordingly. As such, through such control, CVTs can make an efficient use of the engine output, which contributes to improving the fuel economy and the drive performance.
Some control apparatuses for such CVTs have, as well as the stepless shift mode described above, a manual shift mode that enables, like a manual transmission, the driver to manually shift the CVT among a plurality of predetermined speed steps (stepped shift mode, sequential shift mode).
The speed steps for the manual shift mode correspond to predetermined speed ratios of the CVT. In the manual shift mode, the driver can select any of the speed steps regardless of the vehicle speed and the throttle opening degree.
In a vehicle with a CVT having such a manual shift mode, typically, an upshift "+" switch and a downshift "−" switch are provided as selector switches of the shift lever, and in the manual shift mode, the CVT is manually shifted, like a manual transmission, in response to the shift lever being operated, so that the speed ratio changes non-continuously. Such shift control is also called "sequential shift".
To enable such sequential shift with a CVT, for example, speed ratios (1) to (5) are set in advance to provide five speed steps for the manual shift mode, and the speed ratio (N) of the CVT changes sequentially from one speed ratio to the other among the speed ratios (1) to (5) in response to the upshift "+" switch and the downshift "−" switch being operated via the shift lever. The speed ratios (1) to (5) for the manual shift mode correspond to the gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th gears) of a manual transmission.
However, such a manual shift mode of a CVT may cause a problem that the CVT operates in a manner different from that required or expected by the driver. A technology for solving such problem is described in the patent application publication indicated below.
Japanese Patent Application Publication JP-A-2005-140174 describes a control apparatus of a CVT for a vehicle that smoothly switches the shift mode of the CVT from a stepless shift mode to a stepped shift mode without causing uncomfortable feeling of the driver and satisfies the acceleration requests from the driver during the stepped shift mode. This control apparatus controls the speed ratio of the CVT that can continuously changes the speed of rotation output from the internal combustion engine of the vehicle and has a stepless shift mode in which the speed ratio of the CVT continuously change and a stepped shift mode in which the speed ratio of the CVT changes in steps. This control apparatus includes drive condition detecting means for detecting the drive conditions of the vehicle, target speed ratio setting means for setting the target speed ratio in accordance with the detected drive conditions of the vehicle, speed ratio controlling means for controlling the speed ratio of the CVT to the set target speed ratio, shift mode switching means for switching the shift mode between the stepless shift mode and the stepped shift mode, and rotation speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the internal combustion engine. When the shift mode has been switched from the stepless shift mode to the stepped shift mode, the target speed ratio setting means initially uses the speed ratio that was used in the stepless shift mode immediately before the switchover to the stepped shift mode. Then, when the speed of the internal combustion engine reaches a first predetermined value, the target speed ratio setting means changes the target speed ratio to a higher ratio that slows the engine speed down to a second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value. The drive condition detecting means has throttle opening degree detecting means for detecting the opening degree of the throttle valve of the internal combustion engine. The shift mode switching means prohibits the shift mode to be switched to the stepped shift mode when the opening degree of the throttle valve is decreasing during the stepless shift mode.
According to the CVT control apparatus described above, when the shift mode of the CVT has been switched from the stepless shift mode to the stepped shift mode, the target speed ratio is set to the speed ratio used in the stepless shift mode immediately before the switchover to the stepped shift mode. Therefore, the shift mode of the CVT can be smoothly switched from the stepless shift mode to the stepped shift mode and thus the driver does not feel uncomfortable. Then, if the engine speed increases to the first predetermined value according to the acceleration requests from the driver during the stepped shift mode, the speed ratio of the CVT is then changed to a higher ratio that slows the engine speed down to the second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value. In this way, as the engine speed increases, the CVT upshifts, so that the engine speed decreases for a moment and then starts increasing again. As such, in the stepped shift mode, the engine speed does not become constant, thereby satisfying the acceleration requests of the driver appropriately. Further, because the shift mode is prohibited to be switched to the stepped shift mode when the opening degree of the throttle valve is decreasing during the stepless shift mode, that is, when the driver does not intend to accelerate the vehicle, the shift mode can be reliably prevented from changing from the stepless shift mode to the stepped shift mode against the driver's intention.
A vehicle has a cruise control system that automatically controls the engine torque and the speed ratio of the automatic transmission so as to maintain the vehicle speed constant without the accelerator pedal being operated by the driver. When the vehicle comes to an uphill slope during cruise control, the speed ratio of the CVT, in order to prevent the vehicle from slowing down, is increased by downshift so that the drive power increases accordingly.
Similar to the above-described manual shift mode, an automatic shift mode is also known, in which a CVT is automatically shifted using, for example, speed ratios (1) to (5) that have been set as five speed steps and based on specific shift conditions defined by, for example, the relation between the vehicle speed and the throttle opening degree and by the relation between the vehicle speed and the engine speed. Hereinafter, such a shift mode will be referred to as "automatic stepped shift mode" to be distinguished from "automatic stepless shift mode" and "manual stepped shift mode". That is, there are three shift modes for the CVT, "automatic stepless shift mode", "automatic stepped shift mode", and "manual stepped shift mode". In the automatic stepless shift mode, the CVT is continuously shifted. In the automatic stepped shift mode, the CVT is shifted in steps. In the manual stepped shift mode, the CVT is manually shifted (shifted by the driver).
In the automatic stepped shift mode, the speed ratio (N) of the CVT sequentially changes among the speed ratios (1) to (5) in response to an upshift condition coming into effect (like when the upshift "+" switch at the shift lever is operated during the manual stepped shift mode) and in response to a downshift condition coming into effect (like when the downshift "−" switch at the shift lever is operated during the manual stepped shift mode).
In such a CVT, however, after the cruise control switch is turned on during the stepped shift control (i.e., the automatic stepped shift mode or the manual stepped shift ode), the CVT repeatedly upshifts and downshifts among the speed ratios set as the speed steps for stepped shifting as the load on the vehicle changes due to, for example, changes in the grade of the road (e.g., uphill slope) on which the vehicle is traveling. Such repeated shifts are generally called "shift hunting". The cause of such shift hunting is as follows. In the stepped shift control (i.e., the automatic stepped shift mode and the manual stepped shift mode), the drive power is controlled using the speed steps of the CVT according to the throttle opening degree, and therefore, depending upon the speed ratios set as the speed steps for the stepped shift control, the required drive power changes frequently whereby shift hunting occurs, making the driver feel uncomfortable. However, this issue is not addressed in JP-A-2005-140174.

Shift control apparatus and method for continuously variable transmission


A portable illumination apparatus having a sterilizing function, the illumination apparatus including: a lamp unit which includes an illuminating light element on an interior side of the lamp unit; a base coupled to the lamp unit by a hinge; and a sterilizing light element located on the interior side of the lamp unit. When the lamp unit is in a closed position with the base, the lamp unit and the base meet at a boundary section to form a cylinder with a top and a bottom. Also, the boundary section is substantially mirror-symmetrical and at least partially U-shaped such that the lamp unit has a longest height line and a shortest height line. Additionally, the illuminating light element is arranged on or along the longest height line and the hinge is formed about the shortest height line.

Conventional table lamps and desk lamps are commonly constructed with a single illumination unit that sits atop of a stand. Traditionally, the illumination unit was an incandescent filamentous light bulb. More recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have replaced the traditional light bulb as the illumination unit, one reason being the comparatively longer longevity of LEDs compared to light bulbs.
However, many of the conventional lamps are constructed to stand at same location atop of a table or desk, which severely limits their portability. With the advent of portable electronic devices that enables users to work or study at virtually any location, a portable lighting solution is needed for users to continue their work or study anywhere if the need arises. Additionally, if using a pad or paper, it is preferable that any writing implements can be stored to reduce clutter and that this storage is secure. Furthermore, it is preferable that these implements maintained clean, especially when used by children.
Therefore, to solve the above problems, various embodiments of a portable illumination apparatus having a sterilizing function are provided, as there is a need for a device that accomplishes these goals. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

Portable illumination apparatus having stertlizing function


Storage area network (SAN) switches having greater storage capacity to allow greater data logging and storage of larger, more complicated tables for zoning and other table-based applications. A hard disk drive can be included in the switch, with data logging performed to the hard disk drive and with the hard disk drive serving as a second level of virtualization to provide storage of large tables. In a variation, the data logging of the switch, and any other devices on the SAN, can be directed to an area or areas of one or more storage units attached to the SAN.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to storage area networks (SANs), and more particularly to having SAN devices log data to a reserved area on a storage unit in the SAN.
2. Description of the Related Art
As computing power and storage requirements increased, a problem developed relating to properly and cost effectively matching storage and computing resources. Directly connecting the storage units of the computing hosts often resulted in excess storage capacity to ensure that at least enough was present. This was not cost effective. To address this problem storage area networks (SANs) were developed. In a SAN a series of hosts are connected to a series of storage units using a switching network, the switching network being called a fabric. By this architecture storage capacity could be dynamically added and allocated to the hosts.
The fabric is developed using a series of interconnected switches. Properly connecting the switches allows high performance connections between the hosts and the storage unit.
One further requirement of modern computer systems is high reliability, particularly for the hosts, storage units and switches in a SAN, as loss of services of the units could result in large downtime costs or delay in providing the related services. Thus, it is desirable that error logs be kept of each device to aid troubleshooting efforts. But this is complicated in the switches of a SAN because the switches have only very limited long term storage capabilities.
While it was stated above that properly connecting the switches allows high performance, as the SAN grows determining the proper connections becomes extremely difficult. Modern switches include performance monitoring capabilities, but again limited storage capacity has limited the use that can be made of any performance monitoring data.
The configuration of the SAN is further complicated by security features. In many cases it is desirable that certain hosts not be able to have access to certain storage units, or even just areas of storage units. This is accomplished with various zoning techniques, such as those shown in U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 09/426,567 "Method And System For Creating And Implementing Zones Within A Fibre Channel System," by David Banks, Kumar Malavalli, Paul Ramsay, Kha Sin Teow, and Jieming Zhu, filed Oct. 22, 1999 and Ser. No. 10/123,996 "Fibre Channel Zoning By Device Name In Hardware" by Ding-Long Wu, David C. Banks and Jieming Zhu, filed Apr. 17, 2002, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Zoning works by establishing tables of devices allowed to communicate. But these tables can get very large in complicated and/or large networks and the storage capacity of the switches is small. While the second application discloses using a virtual system with a larger table maintained in memory to supplement smaller tables maintained in the hardware, the tables still have a limited size.
It would be desirable to increase the data storage capacity of switches to allow larger tables and to allow much more storage of error or diagnostic data and performance monitoring data for all devices in the SAN to allow better diagnosis and management of the SAN.

Data logging by storage area network devices to a reserved storage area on the network


A stylus for use in the application of a cosmetic includes a wand member having a beveled end with a bevel angle and a second end opposite the beveled end; a cup member having beveled end with the bevel angle and second end opposite the beveled end; a connection member comprising one of a magnet or a metallic material, the connection member being fixably attached to the second end of the cup member; and a protrusion extending from the end face of the second end of the cup member; wherein the wand member and cup member are rotatably connected along an axis of rotation at their respective beveled ends.

As shown in FIG. 17, a conventional nail polish ordinarily comes in a bottle having a cap attached to a shaft with an applicator brush, which is stored in the nail polish. The grip point of traditional nail polish applicators is the cap attached to the end of the applicator shaft opposite of the brush. When the brush is removed from the bottle, it is typically grasped predominantly with the fingertips. Further, the grip point (i.e., the cap) in the conventional system is also distant from the brush head of the applicator and from the shaft. As a result, a common problem with applying nail polish is the lack of adequate fine control of the brush—especially when applying nail polish with a non-dominant hand.
Further, few users of cosmetics are fully ambidextrous. Users typically have a dominant hand (often the right hand) that is more dexterous and capable of finer muscle control than the non-dominant hand (often the left hand). However, self-application of nail polish typically requires use of both the dominant and non-dominant hand of the user. During application, a user's hand may be oriented in a variety of configurations during the process of applying polish to the various fingers on both hands. As such, a conventional stylus structure having only a single rigid configuration is not optimal for use in both the dominant and non-dominant hand and all hand orientations.
There has also been a recent trend to more complex nail polish designs that associated with greater aesthetic and creative design requiring a significant amount of fine control over the application of polish. Associated with these trends are a variety of nail art tools that enable, for instance dotting and fine lines, on the human nail. However, conventional nail polish is sold with a single, fixed brush that is generally accommodated in bottles. As a result, conventional nail polish systems, standing alone, are not well suited for use with modern nail art.
As such, there is a need for improved nail polish applicators that enable fine control of the application of the polish to the nail and that permit efficient use of a variety of brush types. There is also a need for nail polish applicators that are configurable for use in both the dominant and non-dominant hand of a user as well as in various hand configurations.

Stylus for cosmetics, nail polish applicator and systems and kits based thereon


A bypass valve is connected in line with the distribution line of a gas meter and includes a cylindrical housing with an inlet port connected to the distribution line, an outlet port connected to the gas consumer, and a poppet cage defined by two annular seats disposed internally between the two ports and formed with flow apertures. The housing is formed with an auxiliary port disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port. A threaded fitting for connecting to an auxiliary gas source extends through the auxiliary port and connects to the outlet seat of the cage. A cylindrical poppet is slidably disposed within the cage and is biased against the outlet seat by a coil spring interposed between the poppet and the inlet seat.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to servicing gas meters, and more particularly to a bypass valve for providing uninterrupted gas service to a consumer while the gas meter is being serviced.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gas meters are typically installed on the supply line leading to a residential or commercial consumer and are mounted above ground outside the consumer's building. The meters are thus exposed to the elements and over time suffer some degradation. For this reason, as well as to comply with various governmental codes and regulations, meters must be replaced periodically, usually every ten to fifteen years. Replacing a gas meter has always been a problematic task, especially for residential consumers, because numerous appliances such as water heaters and cooking stoves are equipped with pilot lights that are constantly supplied with gas and thus do not come equipped with shut off valves or automatic pilot light ignition devices. For this reason, when a gas meter is changed the gas service is temporarily shut off and all pilot lights inside the consumer's building are extinguished. Following replacement or service of the meter, the pilot lights must be individually reignited once the gas supply is reestablished and before sufficient gas is released to pose any danger. Thus, the consumer must be present or the gas company employee must be able to gain access into the building to reignite the pilot lights any time a meter is serviced or replaced.
One solution to this problem is to continue to supply gas service to the consumer while the meter is being serviced. Various methods have been proposed in a number of different patents to achieve this goal. A particularly cumbersome method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,690 to Petersen, wherein a T-fitting is connected between the gas meter and the consumer. During the change out a plastic bag is placed over the T-fitting, a plug sealing the uncoupled end of the fitting is removed, and a probe connected to a gas supply tank is manipulated through the bag to be coupled with the T-fitting and thus supply gas to the consumer while the line from the meter is sealed off. The method of U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,295 to Magleby employs two T-fittings attached to the inlet and the outlet ports of the gas meter, respectively, so as to allow a bypass tube to be connected to the uncoupled end of each T-fitting and thus allow supply line gas to flow around the meter while it is being serviced. This method requires additional equipment installed such as a second T-fitting and mechanisms for shutting off the flow to the meter and thus is not very cost effective.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,245,257 to Anderson, a T-fitting with an internal two-way valve that can be manually displaced by a plunger to seal off either of two inlets is installed on the distribution side of the gas meter. To service the meter, an uncoupled end of the fitting is unsealed and a plunger assembly including an inlet port connected to an auxiliary gas supply is coupled to the inlet port. The plunger is displaced by pressure from the auxiliary gas supply to move the valve and seal off the inlet from the gas meter. Removing the plug that seals off the uncoupled end of the fitting results in a momentary escape of gas flowing from the meter, with a resultant drop in the gas pressure affecting the consumer gas equipment which may cause the pilot lights to be extinguished and thus defeat the very purpose of the device. A relatively similar arrangement is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,505 to Jiles.
Another method, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,886 to Russell, employs an override valve installed in series with the gas meter distribution line and including a first ball disposed over the valve inlet and a second ball loosely held in a cage interposed in the flow path of the gas supply. A port in the side of the valve is pneumatically connected to the cage to supply auxiliary gas. During normal operation, the gas pressure in the valve drives the first ball out of the valve inlet to allow gas to flow by, and forces the second ball in the cage to move outward to seal off the side port. During a meter change out, an auxiliary supply is connected to the port to provide gas at a pressure exceeding the service line pressure, thus driving the second ball away from the side port and the first ball against the inlet to seal off the gas flow from the meter. This device appears to be adapted for installation in a vertical orientation only, as the first ball appears to require the aid of gravity to correctly position itself over the valve inlet. In addition, the second ball may be manually displaced during normal operation by inserting a screwdriver or similar device, thus allowing the release of the gas from the line and an interruption of service to the user.
Finally, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,300, Winnie et al. propose a bypass valve with a cage similar to the Russell valve, and connected pneumatically to a side port through an elbow fitting. The cage is formed with ports in its side wall and a cylindrical poppet with two flat ends is loosely disposed within the cage to be driven against the elbow fitting inlet by the supply line pressure. When a change out is performed, auxiliary gas at higher pressure than the supply gas is introduced through the elbow fitting to drive the poppet against the other end of the cage and thus seal off the primary gas flow and continue to supply the auxiliary gas to the consumer. Unfortunately, the poppet of this design is prone to freezing, sticking, and jamming in the cage due to factors such as moisture in the line freezing in cold weather, fine dust and other particulates in the line, and the uncontrolled freedom of movement of the poppet within the cage which results in a fluttering motion of the poppet under normal gas flow conditions.
Therefore, the need continues to exist for an apparatus that will ensure a continuous, uninterrupted supply of gas to a consumer while the gas meter is being serviced or replaced and that will successfully withstand the rigors of exposure to the elements, will continue to function without deterioration over extended periods of time, and is configured in a simple, compact, cost effective assembly.


Techniques are provided for forming one or more animation sequences used in animating a graphic. A semantic model of one or more semantic elements corresponding to content data is received. A presentation model of one or more presentation elements corresponding to objects is received. A set of one or more mappings is determined. The set of one or more mappings includes a mapping of each of said semantic elements to one or more presentation elements. The set of one or more mappings are traversed in an ordering in accordance with a selected animation sequence type specifying a set of objects that animate together. One or more animation sequences are built when performing the traversing step using each of the one or more mappings by applying one or more rules in accordance with a particular classification associated with each of the one or more mappings.

Existing application programs operating on documents may provide functionality for animation of diagrams included in the documents. Animation may be characterized as adding a special visual or sound effect to elements in a diagram. For example, an application program may be used in producing slides for a presentation. The presenter may utilize animation when creating diagrams included in the presentation to affect the manner in which the elements included in the diagrams are displayed. Existing applications may allow animation of individual elements, such as objects or shapes, in a diagram. In order to have a same set of animations apply to multiple elements, a user may have to manually specify the animations for each element in a diagram. In the event the user modifies an element included in, or adds an element to, an animated diagram, the user may be required to re-specify the animations for the new or modified element. Additionally, in the event a user switches diagrams, the user may have to respecify any animations for application to individual elements in the new diagram.


An adjustment device for adjusting a windscreen of a vehicle, in particular of a motorcycle, is provided. A windscreen holder is connectable to the windscreen. A carrier structure is fastenable on the vehicle. A slider crank is connected to the carrier structure in a pivotable manner about a first pivot axis and to the windscreen holder in a pivotable manner about a second pivot axis. A linear guide is provided, wherein the windscreen holder is guided by a pivot bearing arrangement in a linearly movable manner in a longitudinal direction of the linear guide and is pivotable about a third pivot axis. The first pivot axis, the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are oriented parallel to one another.

The invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting a windscreen for vehicles, particularly for motorcycles.
Such adjustment devices are known, for example, from German Patent Document DE 39 41 875 C2. For the adjustment of a windscreen of a motorcycle, this arrangement comprises guide rails which are oriented to be inclined in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Sliders, on which the windscreen is, in turn, pivotably held, move in the guide rails. As a result of the differently inclined guide rails, the windscreen can be adjusted in its height as well as in its inclination.
Because of the further development of the arrangement, the sliders of the arrangement tend to get stuck with respect to the guide rails, particularly in the event of an accumulation of dirt and other particles.
In contrast, from German Patent Document DE 44 18 954, a device is known for adjusting a windscreen, which comprises a plurality of guide links which are mutually connected in an articulated manner and which, while forming a four-link mechanism, on one side, are connected with the windscreen and, on the other side, with a vehicle structure. The device may comprise a motor-operated and self-locking drive for moving the windscreen.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an adjustment device which has a construction that is as simple and light as possible and is nevertheless reliable, and can be produced in a cost-effective manner. Simultaneously, the connecting device should be easy to operate for the driver, on the one hand, and should be easily lockable in different positions, on the other hand.
This and other objects are achieved by an adjustment device for adjusting a windscreen of a vehicle, particularly of a motorcycle, having a windscreen holder which is connectable to the windscreen, a carrier structure which is fastenable to the vehicle, a slider crank, in which case the slider crank is pivotable about a first pivot axis connected with the carrier structure and pivotable about a second pivot axis connected with the windscreen holder, and a linear guide, in which case the windscreen holder is guided by a pivot bearing arrangement in a linearly movable manner in a longitudinal direction by the linear guide and is pivotable about a third pivot axis. The first, second and third pivot axis are oriented parallel to one another.
The windscreen holder is therefore connected with the linear guide by way of the pivot bearing arrangement, so that the windscreen holder can be linearly moved in a first longitudinal direction or be displaced along the linear guide. Simultaneously, the pivot bearing arrangement is designed for additionally also pivotably connecting the windscreen holder with the linear guide. This means that the windscreen holder is displaceably and simultaneously pivotably disposed at the linear guide.
The pivot bearing arrangement may either be designed as a partial section of the windscreen holder or be fixedly connected with the latter as a separate element. In addition, the swivel bearing arrangement may include sliding elements for the linear movement.
By use of the described adjustment device, the windscreen can therefore be adapted for the wind and weather protection to a respective driver size or height adjustment of the seat bench. In other words, the described adjustment device combines, in a particularly advantageous manner, a linear guide with a multiarticular pivot arrangement and achieves a mobility of the adjustment device with only three pivot axes and a number of movable components that is as small as possible. In addition, a length compensation is achieved by way of the described linear guide, so that a secure and simple height and inclination adjustment of the windscreen becomes possible, which requires only a small number of components and is therefore distinguished by a lower weight and a simple assembly.
Corresponding to a further embodiment, the adjustment device, in addition, includes a rotary drive for the pivoting of the slider crank about at least the first and/or the second pivot axis. An actuating of the adjustment device takes place, for example, by providing a rotating movement of the rotary drive which causes the pivoting movement of the slider crank, whereby the windscreen connected with the windscreen holder can be moved into the desired position.
Furthermore, the rotary drive may preferably include at least one drive unit, a worm drive rotatably coupled with the drive unit and a gearwheel engaging in the worm gear and non-rotatably coupled with the slider crank.
In this case, the rotary drive is preferably further developed such that a rotating movement provided by the drive unit causes a rotating movement of the worm drive about an axis of rotation of the worm drive. The gearwheel, which is non-rotatably coupled with the slider crank, as a result of its engagement in the worm drive, is also caused to carry out a rotating movement. The gearwheel is also preferably arranged with an axis of rotation coaxial to the first or the second pivot axis, so that the rotating movement of the gearwheel causes a corresponding pivoting of the slider crank about the first and the second pivot axis, respectively.
Particularly advantageously, this further development of the rotary drive or of the entire adjustment device has the effect that the worm drive causes a self-locking of the entire adjustment device which, on the one hand, prevents an unintended adjusting of the windscreen from an adjusted defined position, as, for example, by wind forces during the drive of the vehicle. On the other hand, it becomes possible in a particularly simple manner to adjust the windscreen within the scope of an extent of a movement not only in the respective end positions but continuously in an arbitrary number of intermediate positions and to fix it therein. A separate locking device for the fixing will therefore not be necessary.
Corresponding to a particularly preferred embodiment, the drive unit includes a manually operable handwheel for manually providing the rotating movement of the drive unit. For example, the drive unit may therefore consist of the handwheel which is coaxially constructed on a common shaft with the worm drive. Naturally, other arrangements are also contemplated. In particular, one or more gear positions may be provided between the handwheel and the worm drive for influencing a transmission ratio. The manually operable handwheel permits a particularly fast and comfortable adjustment of the windscreen corresponding to a driver's preference and ergonomic conditions. In addition, weight and installation space advantages are obtained because further additional driving components as well as their energy supply are no longer required.
Furthermore, instead of the handwheel, a motor-driven and/or hydraulically operated drive unit can also be used for providing the rotating movement. However, the particularly simple and light construction of the handwheel embodiment cannot be achieved.
For example, the rotary drive is arranged in a bearing area of the pivotable connection of the slider crank and the carrier structure and/or in a bearing area of the pivotable connection of the subcrank with the windscreen holder. This has the advantage that the rotary drive is disposed or supported in a particularly simple and stable manner, particularly in the event of a manual operation. In principle, there is the risk that the user exercises a high pressure force on the rotary drive, for example, by additionally and at least partially supporting himself on the rotary drive, which could otherwise lead to damage to or to a failure of the rotary drive.
The described linear guide may, for example, have two guide rails essentially oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the windscreen holder, by way of one sliding block respectively of the pivot bearing arrangement, may be linearly movably coupled with one of the two or the several guide rails in a linearly movable as well as pivotable manner.
This means that therefore, in a condition installed in the vehicle, the guide rails point essentially in the driving direction of the vehicle and are arranged parallel to one another. Advantageously, despite their orientation, the guide rails may additionally have an inclination with respect to a horizontal plane. The degree of inclination depends, for example, on the type of vehicle used and may be selected correspondingly.
By means of the described sliding block of the pivot arrangement, the windscreen holder, guided on the guide rail, may slide along in its longitudinal direction and simultaneously be guided by it. Furthermore, as described above, the pivot bearing arrangement with the sliding block may be further developed such that, relative to the guide rail, the windscreen holder can be tilted or pivoted about the third pivot axis. As a result of the displaceability of the sliding block or of the pivot bearing arrangement, the third pivot axis can also be displaced correspondingly.
For example, the pivot bearing arrangement may have a sliding block designed as a ball joint. Thus, the sliding block may, for example, have an essentially spherical body, which is longitudinally slidably fitted onto the guide rail and may be received in a section of the windscreen holder encompassing the ball. The sliding block and the encompassing section together form the pivot bearing arrangement of the windscreen holder.
According to a further embodiment, the windscreen holder has two arm-shaped holding elements, each holding element reaching around a first end and an opposite second end, and one of the sliding blocks of the pivot bearing arrangement respectively being arranged at the first end. The respective holding element in the area of the second end is designed for the pivotable connecting with the slider crank.
Likewise, the windscreen holder may be designed in one piece, for example, by means of a connection of the two arm-shaped holding elements.
A windscreen arrangement for a vehicle is further disclosed which has a windscreen and an adjustment device, the adjustment device being constructed according to the given description and the windscreen holder being connected with the windscreen for adjusting the height and inclination of the windscreen.
In addition, a vehicle with a windscreen arrangement is described, in which the windscreen arrangement is designed according to the given description and the carrier structure is fastened to the vehicle.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Adjustment device for adjusting the position of a windscreen

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft