A water dispenser of a refrigerator which includes a reservoir for storing water, and which is positioned in a pocket, a holding member for supporting the pocket, a valve assembly for supporting the holding member, and an opening section for operating the valve assembly. The holding member is inserted into the holding member upside down. The valve assembly includes an outlet conduit screw-coupled to the reservoir, through which the water contained in the reservoir is exhausted. The outlet conduit is opened and closed by a packing member, and the packing member is moved upward and downward by the valve rod. The valve rod is moved upward by a lever of the opening section. The lever has a dispensing head which is provided on an upper surface thereof with a pair of opening protrusions. Also, a stopper obstructs the lever so that the lever cannot pivot. The water dispenser is simple in structure, increases efficient space use of the refrigerating compartment door, is convenient to use, and can be cleanly maintained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water dispenser of a refrigerator, and more particularly to a valve assembly of a water dispenser.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A water dispenser or beverage dispenser is an implement for automatically dispensing drinking water or beverages, which is installed in a house, an office, or a public lot for domestic or commercial use. Valve assemblies of beverage dispensers which are available for commercial business, usually employ actuators, and one of such actuators is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,849 issued to Credle, Jr. on Apr. 19, 1994.
A water dispenser is also utilized in a house or an office. Recently, various kinds of beverage dispensers have been suggested to be installed to refrigerators. A refrigerator is an appliance for storing a variety of foodstuffs in freezing and/or refrigerating temperatures in order to maintain freshness of the foodstuffs for a long period of time. The refrigerator is generally provided with compartments for storing foodstuffs, i.e., freezer and refrigerating compartments for storing foodstuffs in freezing and refrigerating temperatures respectively. The freezer and refrigerating compartments are supplied with cooling air, which are cooled by an evaporator of the refrigerator.
The cooling air is directly supplied by a fan to the interior of the freezer compartment from the evaporator. Some of the cooling air is supplied to the interior of the refrigerating compartment, and some to the interior of the refrigerating compartment. The temperature of the cooling air is a little raised so as to be a refrigerating one, as it flows through a duct internally formed to the refrigerator to be supplied to the refrigerating compartment. The freezer and refrigerating compartments are respectively installed with doors at their front sides to allow foodstuffs to be put in and taken out.
In addition, an amount of drinking water is stored in the interior of the refrigerating compartment. The water is filled up in a reservoir provided in the refrigerating compartment. In order for a user to drink the water stored within the refrigerating compartment, the door should be opened to take out the container filled with the drinking water. However, the refrigerating efficiency of the refrigerator is lowered by frequently openings of the door of the refrigerating compartment.
Recently, in order to overcome the above-mentioned efficiency problem, water dispensers have been suggested, in which drinking water can be taken out from refrigerating compartments, even without opening the door of the refrigerating compartments. FIG. 1 shows a conventional water dispenser 100 of a refrigerator disclosed in Korean Utility Model Laid-Open No. 92-4897. As shown in FIG. 1 the valve assembly 110 installed inside of a door 10 includes a valve body 120 having an inlet 122 connected to a reservoir (not shown) installed to the inner side of the compartment door 10 and an outlet 124 penetrating through the lower surface thereof, a valve spool 130 for opening and closing the outlet 124, a valve cap 140 for closing an upper portion of the valve body 120, and a lever 150 for moving the valve spool 130 upward and downward by pivoting motions thereof.
The valve spool 130 includes the valve rod 134 which is connected to the lever 150 by a hinge 132 so as to move upward and downward by the pivoting motions of the lever 150, a packing member 136 which is attached to the lower end of the rod 134 to close the outlet 124 of the valve body 120 when the lever 150 is released, and a spring 138 which is installed between the lower surface of the valve cap 140 and the packing member 136 to exert a biasing force upon the rod 134. The inlet 122 of the valve body 120 communicates with the inner side of the door 10, and is connected to the reservoir attached to the inner side of the door 10. The water contained in the reservoir is introduced into the interior of the valve body 120 through the inlet 122, and the inlet 122 is always filled with the water.
When a user grips a cup 20 and pushes the lever 150 by the cup 20 in order to drink the water contained in the reservoir, the lever 150 is pivoted to move the rod 134 upward by overcoming the biasing force of the spring 138, thereby opening the outlet 124. Then, the water contained in the reservoir flows through the outlet 114 and fills the cup 20 positioned below the outlet 114.
For sanitary reasons, a disposable cup such as a paper cup or a paper-envelope cup is generally used as a cup for the water dispenser. However, since the paper cup 20 is made of a soft material, it is apt to be deformed when the lever 150 is pushed by means of the paper cup 20. Therefore, the user usually push the lever 150 by the hand which grips the paper cup 20. In that case, however, it has a disadvantage that the hand is also apt to be wet with the water dropping from the outlet 124 of the valve assembly 110. Further, the large space occupied by the valve assembly 110 to be connected to the reservoir of the refrigerating compartment impair the space efficiency of the refrigerating compartment. In addition, deposits which make filthy the water contained in the reservoir can be formed in the inner surface of the inlet 122 of the valve body 120 over time.
A water dispenser which is directed to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Laid Open No. 95-33940. As shown in FIG. 2, the water dispenser 200 includes a reservoir 210 for storing water, a dispensing panel 220 in which the reservoir 210 is positioned upside down, a dispensing port 230, a lever 250 for operating the dispensing port 230.
A spout 212 for filling water thereinto is formed in the reservoir 210 and is engaged with a cap 214. A valve 216 is mounted in the cap 214 such that, when the valve 216 is opened, the water contained in the reservoir 210 is exhausted through the spout 212. The spout 212 of the reservoir 210 is inserted into the connecting hole 222 of the dispensing panel 220. The interior of the connecting hole 222 is maintained filled with the water.
Fixed to the lower end of the connecting hole 222 is a fixing plate 232 in which a plurality of first dispensing holes 234 is formed, and positioned below the fixing plate 232 is an moving plate 236 in which a plurality of second dispensing holes 238 is formed. The first dispensing holes 234 communicate with the second dispensing holes 238 by the movement of the moving plate 236, and the water contained in the reservoir 210 is exhausted outside the reservoir 210.
A biasing spring 240 is installed at one side of the moving plate 236, and exerts a biasing force on the moving plate 236. The moving plate 236 is moved by the biasing force so that the first and second dispensing holes 234 and 238 are closed to stop the outflow of the water. The moving plate 236 is moved by a lever 250 installed at one side thereof. The lever 250 is pivotally mounted to the inner side of the dispensing panel 220 by means of a hinge 252. By the pivotal movement of the lever 250, the moving plate 236 is moved so as to connect the first and second holes 234 and 238, overcoming the biasing force of the biasing spring 240. Provided at the inner side of the moving plate 236 is a dispensing port 230 which provides a water flowing path in the interior of the reservoir 210.
When the lever 250 is pushed by a cup or with a hand, the lever 250 is pivoted. Then, the moving plate 236 is moved, overcoming the biasing force of the biasing spring 240. As a result, the first and second holes 234 and 238 come to communicate with each other so that the water contained in the reservoir 210 drops.
However, in the water dispenser 200, the fixing plate 232 and the moving plate 236 are needed to be sealed, when the first and second holes 234 and 238 are closed. In case the fixing plate 232 and the moving plate 236 are not sealed, the water contained in the reservoir 210 is leaked between the fixing plate 232 and the moving plate 236. Therefore, a considerable amount of friction forces are generated between the fixing plate 232 and the moving plate 236, and a large force is needed to pivot the lever 250. Further, the dispenser 200 is apt to be filthy due to the deposits formed in the connecting holes 222.


A motorcycle tire is provided in the tread portion with first inclined main grooves and second inclined main grooves which are arranged alternately in the tire circumferential direction while inclining in opposite directions. The first inclined main grooves extend from a first tread edge toward a second tread edge across the tire equator and terminate at the respective second inclined main grooves which extend from the second tread edge toward the first tread edge across the tire equator and terminate at the respective first inclined main grooves which are respectively next to the above-said first inclined main grooves. A first region, which is delimited by the first tread edge, two of the first inclined main grooves and one of the second inclined main grooves, is provided with blocks whose ground contacting top surfaces have vertices each having an angle of not less than 45 degrees.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-60436 discloses a motorcycle tire wherein the tread portion is provided with a block tread pattern which can satisfy both of off-road performance and on-road performance.
This tread portion is however, liable to wear unevenly because the block tread pattern includes blocks whose ground contact surfaces have vertices of relatively small angles, from which uneven wear starts, therefore improvement is required.


A vehicle communication system mounted in the vehicle and a portable fob for carrying by a user are provided. The vehicle communication system comprises a trigger generator, an LF transmitter for broadcasting an LF wakeup signal, and an RF transmitter for broadcasting a UHF status message including vehicle status data. The vehicle communication system broadcasts a challenge signal after the LF wakeup signal. The portable fob comprises an LF receiver responsive to the LF wakeup signal, a fob controller for determining response data, and an RF transmitter for broadcasting a UHF response signal incorporating the response data. The portable fob further comprises an RF receiver for receiving the vehicle status data, a visual display for visually reproducing the vehicle status data, and a manual input key for activating the fob controller to generate a remote control message. The RF transmitter in the portable fob broadcasts a UHF control signal incorporating the remote control message. The vehicle communication system further comprises an RF receiver responsive to the UHF control signal and a base controller for initiating a corresponding remote control function in response to the UHF control signal.

The present invention relates in general to remote convenience and security systems for automotive vehicles, and, more specifically, to a wireless communication system for integrating functions of a two-way remote keyless entry system and a passive entry system.
Remote keyless entry (RKE) systems for vehicles have been in use for many years. These systems provide safety and convenience for a user entering or exiting a vehicle. Some of the typical features offered by these systems allow the user to lock/unlock doors and arm/disarm auto theft systems in a remote manner. In addition, remote starting of the engine and remote control of the climate control temperature setting after starting are commercially available. Typical RKE systems utilize a key fob with a radiofrequency (RF) transmitter which transmits to a base station in the vehicle. When the user is within range, the user actuates a corresponding button on the key fob to send a lock, unlock, or engine start command, for example. Two-way communication is typically implemented in remote start systems so that the user carrying the portable fob can be informed of the status of the vehicle (e.g., engine running status, door lock status, and temperature status). Thus, a two-way fob includes a visual display (e.g., LED indicator lights or an LCD graphical display panel) to convey the information to the user.
One disadvantage of this type of system is that the user must manually actuate the key fob to achieve the desired result. In an attempt to eliminate this disadvantage, passive entry systems, which operate in a hands-free manner, are being introduced. In order to avoid excessive battery consumption by periodic radio transmission from the fob, the approach of the user to the vehicle is usually sensed by the vehicle, which then wakes up the fob to perform a security check before actuating a passive entry function. Is it known, for example, to sense the presence of a user who is attempting entry into a locked vehicle via a particular door by detecting the lifting of the door handle. Using a low frequency (LF) wireless signal, the vehicle then interrogates the area around the door for a key fob containing a valid security ID code.
Passive entry communication operates over a much shorter range than RKE communication (e.g., 1 meter as opposed to 30 meters). Therefore, an LF signal (e.g., 134 kHz) is used for passive entry while a much higher frequency RF signal (e.g., 315 MHz or 433 MHz) is used for RKE since the LF signal decays over a shorter range. In addition, transponders operative at LF frequencies are readily available. As used herein, LF frequencies range from about 30 kHz to about 300 kHz. RF signals used in RKE systems are typically in the UHF band from about 300 MHz to about 3 GHz.
Security ID codes for validating a particular fob for accessing a passive entry function typically include rolling code encryption in order to deter code grabbing and relay attacks by potential thieves. Due to the low frequency signals used by passive entry systems, the exchanging of challenge and response signals used by a rolling code system has transpired using a data rate which is lower than the data rate for performing similar exchanges by RKE systems using RF signals. A slow data rate can result in problems because it is necessary to quickly validate a fob carried by the user after beginning to lift a door handle so that a door unlock mechanism can be activated before the door handle moves beyond an appropriate position.

Integrated passive entry and remote keyless entry system


A duty cycle based AC power control method reduces objectionable voltage fluctuations at a frequency that causes "flicker" by shifting the frequency of actuations of controlled devices to frequencies significantly greater than and/or less than the flicker sensitive frequency. The frequency of actuations may be redistributed (1) by segmenting the devices to provide approximately equal power requirements per actuation, (2) by providing one-half cycle actuation pulses rather than one cycle actuation pulses, and/or (3) by spacing the actuations evenly over a given time period and forcing the aggregate demand to follow a slowly rising/falling envelope. The result is the minimization of power distribution at the flicker frequency.

The present invention relates to AC power control, and more particularly to duty cycle based AC power control with reduced voltage fluctuations in order to satisfy electrical equipment standards and eliminate noticeable "flicker" in other appliances when the electrical equipment imposes voltage fluctuations upon an AC power line.
IEC Standard 1000-3-3 specifies certain tests that electrical equipment connected to an AC line must pass in order to be sold in Europe. In general terms the Standard describes how voltage fluctuations imposed on the AC line by an appliance, due to time-varying power demand, must be limited so as to reduce effects on other devices connected to the line. The canonical example is the visible flickering of incandescent lamps caused by these voltage fluctuations. The Standard defines numerical methods to quantify this flickering, prescribes conditions under which it must be measured, and sets allowable limits for it.
Certain devices, such as phase change ink printers, require various internal subsystems to be maintained at specific values, such as for temperature control. This is done using closed-loop regulation with "continuously variable" load actuation. The continuously variable actuation is simulated by cycle dropping, for example, by connecting loads to the line for full cycles starting at line zero crossings. Cycle dropping also is used to compensate for line voltage so that a given load control loop's output signal values result in the same average power input to the load over the entire line voltage range. For example a load that draws three amperes at one hundred volts to produce 300 watts of power draws six amperes at two hundred volts to produce 1200 watts of power, so the load only needs to be activated one-quarter of the time for the same average power, which reduces the duty cycle in this case to 25% or one out of every four cycles. Also where the loads are of varying sizes and are independently actuated, the active (on) cycles of various heaters occur at random times with respect to each other and the power gets spread across the frequency spectrum like "white" noise. The result is that for multiple loads with multiple demands there can be an appreciable amount of power at the most sensitive "flicker" frequency of 8.8 Hz.
What is desired is a duty cycle based AC power control method with reduced voltage fluctuations that minimizes "flicker" in other devices coupled to the same line voltage.

Duty cycle based AC power control with reduced voltage fluctuations


An architecture for providing hardware compression/decompression with ECC to data flow in a computer system utilizes a hardware implementation of the compression/decompression circuit in a peripheral adapter of one of many peripheral devices. Error correction coding is provided by software in the host RAM. The compression/decompression circuit can be located in the periphery and can service a number of peripheral devices. The CPU and DMA controller in the host computer are capable of providing concurrent processing for hard disk operation, peripheral control (such as a tape or a modem), compression/decompression of data, and error correction coding of the compressed data. This significantly speeds up the performance of the computer system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the compression and decompression of data and, more particularly, to the compression and decompression of data in combination with error correction coding (ECC) in a computer peripheral environment.
2. Statement of the Problem
Two basic architectural approaches to the compression/decompression (CD) of data involving ECC are conventionally available.
In FIG. 1, a first prior art computer configuration is shown. A host computer 10 is interconnected with the conventional input/output (I/O) channel 20. Also connected is a disk 30 which is interconnected through a disk adapter 40 to the I/O channel 20. A peripheral device 50 connected through a peripheral adapter 60 also accesses the I/O channel 20. Internal to the host computer 10 is a host RAM 70 which contains the application program data buffers 74 and the application program 78. The host RAM 70 is connected to the I/O channel 20 over an I/O data bus 22 and an I/O control bus 24. Host computer 10 also contains CPU circuitry 80 which is connected to the I/O channel over the data bus 22 and the control bus 24. Finally, the host computer contains a direct memory access (DMA) controller 90 which also accesses the I/O control bus 24 and an I/O data bus 22. In this prior art approach, the disk 30 could, for example, correspond to the hard disk internal to the computer 10. The hard disk 30 has an application program file 31 and other files. The disk 30 delivers control signals over bus 32 and data signals over bus 34 to the disk adapter 40. The disk adapter 40 has disk adapter circuitry 42 and a disk adapter RAM 44 for providing the communications between the host computer 10 and the disk 30. This is a conventional architecture and the transfer of data between the host computer 10 and the disk 30 occurs in an uncompressed format without error correction.
The peripheral 50 could be any suitable peripheral such as, for example, a tape backup or another disk. The peripheral 50 communicates with its peripheral adapter 60 over a control bus 52 and a data bus 54. In the peripheral adapter 60 is a compression/decompression (CD) co-processor 62 which communicates over a control and data bus with a compressor/decompression RAM 64. The CD co-processor 62 also communicates over a bus with ECC RAM 66 which is under the control of an ECC co-processor 65. The ECC co-processor 65 communicates with the ECC RAM 64 over control and data buses. Finally, the ECC RAM 64 delivers compressed ECC data over bus 67 to a peripheral interface (PI) 68 which delivers the compressed ECC data over the data bus 54 to the peripheral device 50. In this prior art approach, the peripheral adapter 60 utilizes separate co-processors 62 and 65 with associated RAM 64 and 66 to accomplish the compression/decompression and error correction coding activities. This is an expensive approach to compression/decompression and ECC since for each peripheral device 50, different co-processors 62 and 65 would have to be utilized. Even for one peripheral device 50, the expense is undesirable.
In FIG. 1, the following data flow occurs. The host computer 10 delivers data from the application program data buffers RAM 74 over the I/O data bus 22 and into the peripheral adapter 60. This is delivered into the CD co-processor 62. The algorithm for performing compression and decompression is found in the CD co-processor 62 and RAM 64 and is used by the co-processor in the compression/decompression process. The second transfer occurs from the CD co-processor 62 to the ECC RAM 66 wherein the ECC co-processor 65 provides error correction coding to the data in the RAM 66. The third transfer is from the ECC RAM 66 to the peripheral interface 68. The third transfer transfers the compressed ECC data. Finally, the fourth transfer delivers the compressed ECC data from the peripheral interface 68 over the data bus 54 to the peripheral device 50. Of course, decompression occurs opposite to the above transfer and data flow.
In the prior art approach of FIG. 1, the disk 30 contains the application program module 31 which is loaded into the host RAM 70 by the host computer 10. The CPU 80 and/or the DMA controller 90 controls the first data transfer from the host RAM 70 to the peripheral adapter 60. It is to be expressly understood that in some embodiments, the CD co-processor 62, CD RAM 64, ECC co-processor 65, and ECC RAM 66, could be moved to the peripheral device 50.
In FIG. 2, a conventional approach is shown wherein both compression/decompression and ECC are performed in software.
In FIG. 2, similar numerical references of FIG. 1 are used to identify similar components. However, in this environment, the host RAM 70 also includes compression/decompression RAM 75, compression/decompression program RAM 77, ECC RAM 76, and ECC program RAM 72. This is all software which is loaded internally to the host RAM 70 from disk 30 where the CD program module 33 and ECC program module 35 reside along with the application program module in the application's program file 31. Hence, when it is desired to deliver compressed ECC data to the peripheral device 50, the application program file in disk 30 is conventionally loaded into the appropriate section 74 of RAM 70 (as shown in FIG. 2). The transfer of data occurs in the following sequence. The first transfer involves the delivery of data from the application program data buffers RAM 74 over the data bus 22 in the I/O channel and into the CD program RAM 77 where it is compressed by the CD algorithm. After compression, the second transfer is the transfer of the data from the CD program RAM 77 onto the I/O data bus 22 for delivery into the ECC RAM 76 where error correction coding occurs under direction of the algorithm in the ECC program RAM 72. The third transfer is from the ECC RAM 76 over the I/O data bus 22 to the peripheral adapter 60. This transfer is a transfer of compressed ECC data. The first two transfers are conventionally under control of the CPU 80. The third transfer is conventionally under control of either the CPU 80 or the DMA controller 90. The peripheral interface 68 then communicates the compressed ECC data to the peripheral device 50. Again, decompression occurs in the reverse sequence.
FIG. 1 represents a prior art approach wherein both compression/decompression and ECC occur in hardware external electrically to the host computer 10. As mentioned, the requirement for separate hardware in each peripheral adapter (or peripheral) became expensive. The prior art approach of FIG. 2 reduces the expense by placing both the compression/decompression and ECC activities as software internally in the host RAM of the host computer. The software modules are located in the disk 30. Hence, upon calling up the application program file 31, the CD and ECC modules are downloaded from the disk 30 into the host RAM 70. While the prior art approach of FIG. 2 achieved the goal of reducing the hardware expense associated with the approach of FIG. 1, it did not provide an optimum solution. The compression/decompression software program degraded overall data transfer speed to an unacceptable level. For example, when the host computer is a 286 chip operating at 8 MHz to compress 40.5 mega-bytes of data to a 1 megabit/sec tape drive, the software compression approach of FIG. 2 takes approximately 20-25 minutes whereas the hardware compression circuit of FIG. 1 takes approximately 7-9 minutes. The CPU 80 was required to implement the compression/decompression process and, therefore, a substantial time penalty occurred. In applications where time was not a factor, the prior art approach of FIG. 2 fully satisfied the cost reduction need of FIG. 1.
A need exists for performing compression/decompression and ECC in an architectural arrangement that not only reduces the expense of FIG. 1 (i.e., external CD and ECC hardware), but also reduces the time problems associated with doing compression/decompression in the prior art approach of FIG. 2 (i.e., CD and ECC performed by internal software). An optimum architectural arrangement would reduce the cost associated with FIG. 1 and substantially speed up the compression/decompression activity of FIG. 2.
3. Results of Patentability Search
A patentability search was directed towards the solution of the above stated problem. The results of that search are set forth below.
______________________________________ INVENTOR PATENT NO. ISSUE DATE ______________________________________ Iida 4,408,301 10-4-83 Reitsma 4,622,585 11-11-86 Cotton et al 4,688,108 8-18-87 Hamilton et al. 4,897,717 1-30-90 Janku 4,902,881 2-20-90 O'Brien et al. 4,929,946 5-29-90 Hamilton et al. 4,951,139 8-21-90 ______________________________________
U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,301 sets forth a picture information filing system wherein data from a character pattern generator and picture scanning device is compressed onto a magnetic tape. The data from the magnetic tape is then decompressed for a picture display or a picture element memory.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,585 sets forth a compression/decompression system for transmitting and receiving compressed picture information that is arranged in rows and columns of pixels. The data which is scanned in is compressed and may be selectively stored in an optical disk, magnetic disk, or RAM. The compressed data from storage is then delivered through a decompressor into a CRT or printer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,108 pertains to a high resolution graphic system for a video/teleconferencing system. Again, data from a scanner is compressed and delivered into memory. The compressed data from memory is delivered through a decompressor for display.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,717 sets forth a computer base video compression system which utilizes a subsystem in the host computer to compress video images. The '717 patent utilizes a special circuit in its compression system. A frame grabber is used to input and output analog information from a memory internal to the frame grabber. That memory is connected to a second memory in the special circuit which enables a fast transfer of data from one memory to the other memory. The memory in the special circuit then provides the information to a compression unit which delivers compressed data to the host memory. Likewise, the compressed data in the host memory can be transferred back into memory in the special circuit which accesses a decompression unit for delivery of decompressed data to the frame grabber. The '717 approach utilizes fast transfer rates. U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,139 is related to the '717 patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,881 relates to a parallel process communication terminal network wherein a high speed co-processor is used to implement a data compression/decompression algorithm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,946 pertains to an adaptive data compression apparatus including run length and coding for a tape drive system. This corresponds to the prior art approach of FIG. 1 wherein data compression and decompression occurs on the peripheral adapter between the peripheral device and the host.
None of the above patented approaches solve the specific problem set forth above of providing an optimal design configuration involving use of error correction coding and wherein the expense of the FIG. 1 prior art approach is reduced and the time to perform compression/decompression is reduced

Compression/decompress with ECC data flow architecture


A method and system for automatic magnetic resonance (MR) volume composition and normalization is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of MR volumes is received. A composite MR volume is generated from the plurality of MR volumes. Volume normalization of the composite MR volume is then performed to correct intensity inhomogeneity in the composite MR volume. The volume normalization of the composite MR volume may be performed using template MR volume or without a template MR volume.

The present invention relates to composition and normalization of magnetic resonance (MR) volume data, and more particularly, to automatic composition and normalization of MR volume data.
Magnetic Resonance (MR) is a well known technique for imaging internal structures of a human body. MR scanners are used to scan portions of the human body, resulting in MR volume representing the scanned portions of the body. In some cases, a set of MR volumes covering the whole or part of a body of the patient are obtained using multiple scans. It is then necessary to generate a composite MR image of the patient's body, referred to as a composite MR volume.
Whole-body images in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be generated by combining multiple volumes, also called volume composition. The individual volumes that are being combined have a certain overlap with each other. The overlapping voxels provide the basic information for the composition.
Combining multiple volumes results in generation of the composite MR volume that may include a plurality of the intensity inhomogeneity (IIH) or intensity non-uniformity regions. IIH refers to the slow intensity variation of the same tissue over the volume. This artifact can be due to patient movements, radio-frequency non-uniformity, static-field inhomogeneity, etc. IIH is present in the individual volumes before volume composition is performed. Automated image analysis methods such as those in CAD systems can benefit from an IIH correction step, since IIH could have negative impact on the image analysis algorithm. The presence of IIH can reduce the accuracy of image segmentation and registration, hence decreasing the reliability of subsequent quantitative measurement. IIH has previously been considered in the context of a single volume (before volume composition).

System and method for automatic magnetic resonance volume composition and normalization


Disclosed is a multi-layered test strip device for receiving whole blood on which a test for a suspected analyte is performed. The test confirms the presence, absence, or the amount of analyte, if present. The multi-layered device comprises two outside support layers between which are, in descending order relative to the horizontal plane, a) a spreading screen having defined characteristics, b) a separating layer which removes red blood cells at least partially via a red blood cell binding agent, and c) a membrane reagent layer; wherein the screen and each layer is in close and contiguous contact with the layer which follows it, and wherein at least one of layers a), b), and c) is conditioned by a pre-treatment.. The screen can have openings of from 10-200 microns. The blood cell binding agents are antibodies to red blood cells, chemical agents, or lectins. The separating layer has screen opening of preferably 20-200 microns.

1. Field Of The Invention
This invention is directed to test strip devices and to analytical methods in which they are used. More specifically, this invention relates to test strip devices for determining the presence, absence and/or the amount of a substance in a liquid especially a biological liquid, and most especially blood. The invention includes strips for both clinical chemistry assays and immunoassays. This system accomplishes analysis of samples containing blood cells and other particulate matter with neither the prior separation of the solids from the sample, nor the requirement that excess sample be wiped away from the sample application site.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
The prior art contains an enormous amount of literature directed to analytical test strip devices ranging from simple layered devices of fibrous and non-fibrous materials to multilayered devices of mixed forms of layers such as fibrous and non-fibrous, synthetic or natural materials. Irrespective of the general form taken by the various test strips of the art, they tend to function by allowing the applied sample to migrate to a reaction site where the analyte of interest in the sample reacts with appropriate reactants. The evidence of the reaction is then viewed with the naked eye or through the detection of emitted energy under stimulation such as with a fluorometer, geiger counter, reflectometer, or the like. Some of the earlier systems described are those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,061,523 to Free, 3,552,925 to Fetter, 607,093 to Stone, 3,092,465 to Adams, and 3,630,957 to Rey.
In the Free patent a chemistry reagent system for colormetric determination of glucose in biological samples is described. A solid phase test strip is pre-treated with the reactants and thereafter contacted with a sample suspected of containing glucose. The intensity of color developed as a result of the reaction is compared to a control for an indication of the glucose level in the sample.
Fetter discloses a method and device for separating the whole blood sample into its liquid component and its red blood cell and other color forming component by pre-treatment of his test strip with water soluble salts. These salts separate the plasma from the red blood cells so that the plasma is free to wick into the test element.
In Fetter, the same element can be used for both the separating reagents and the reactants specific for the analyte of interest. The whole blood sample would be applied to one side of the strip held horizontally. After adequate penetration of the sample into the test strip, it would be inverted and any color change observed on the bottom of the strip.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,607,093 to Stone describes a liquid permeable membrane having within its matrix, a dry chemistry reagent system. Use of the Stone device requires the physical wiping of excess blood at the sample site of the membrane for removal of cells and other materials.
Lange U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,842 describes a test strip incorporating a dry chemistry reagent system in which a sample receptive surface of an indicator reagent layer is covered by a fine mesh. The indicator layer can be supported upon a colorless and transparent support. The addition of the fine mesh to this test element reportedly results in enhancement in speed and uniformity of distribution of sample upon the surface of the indicator layer. This uniformity of distribution also reportedly results in substantial improvement in reproducibility of result.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,335 describes a series of multilayered analytical elements suitable for performing chemical analysis of whole blood samples. They al contemplate the application of test samples either directly, or from a spreading layer, onto a reagent layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,306 (to Figueras), describes a multi-layered analytical element analogous to that of the Clement patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,001 to Pierce et al., describes a multi-layered analytical element (of the type described in both Clement and Figueras--previously discussed) incorporating a unique spreading layer. The spreading layer of the Pierce patent is described as an essentially "non-fibrous" material.
The above are only a small sample of various relevant pieces of prior art which relate to the analysis of blood and other liquids. Generally, a multilayer device is encountered, although single layered devices are used as well. More recently there have been single layered membranes used without any separating layers, but these generally allow red blood cells to come through to the reaction site.


A system and method are provided for a folded cascode amplifier circuit that includes a first order high-pass filter coupled to a first bias voltage, a first input signal and a second input signal, the first input signal and the second input signal defining a differential input signal and the first order high-pass filter arranged to establish a first bias output and a second bias output. To amplify the full-spectrum content of the input signal, the amplifier circuit includes a full-spectrum content amplifier coupled between the first input signal, the second input signal and a current source. To amplify the high-frequency content of the input signal to achieve equalization, the amplifier circuit includes a high-frequency content amplifier coupled to the first bias output and the second bias output, the high-frequency content amplifier arranged to amplify the high-frequency content of the differential input signal to achieve equalization.

With reference to prior art FIG. 1, an amplifier 10 is often used as the input buffer of the receiver to amplify an incoming differential signal 15. The role of a differential amplifier is to sense changes in its differential input signal while rejecting changes in its common mode, or average, input signal. Removing the common mode component allows the differential amplifier to support relatively large voltage swings and effectively reject noise appearing on both input signals of a differential circuit.
Transmission channels typically exhibit low-pass and other filter effects that distort the transmitted signal, resulting in transmission errors at the receiver. Receiver equalization is known in the art to boost the voltage sensitivity of the receiver to the attenuated frequencies of the transmitted signal, thereby flattening the frequency response of the communication channel.
The prior art teaches employing an amplifier with de-emphasis to achieve equalization by compensating for the low pass characteristics of the transmission channel. The prior art amplifier 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 employs de-emphasis to achieve receiver equalization.
With reference to FIG. 1, ignoring the body effect of the M1 20 and M2 25 transistors of the amplifier 10, the gain of the amplifier can be derived as:
                              H                                (            s            )                          =                                            V              out                                      V              in                                =                                                    g                                  m                                                                                1                                                                          R                L                                                    1              +                                                g                                      m                                                                                1                                                                                R                    s                                                        2                                                              (                                              1                        +                                                                              sR                            s                                                                                C                            s                                                                                )                                                                                Equation                                                  1
Where gm1 is the transconductance of M1/M2. The impedance of capacitor (Cs) 35 decreases with an increase in frequency. As a result, the amplifier gain is higher at higher frequencies than at lower frequencies due to the less equivalent regeneration impedance of Rs 30 and Cs 35. At low frequency, Equation 1 can be re-written as:
                              H                                (            s            )                          ≈                                            2                                            R                L                                                    R              s                                                                                (                                          If                                                                                g                                          m                                                                                1                                                        ·                                      R                    s                                                              >>              1                        )                                              Equation                                                  2
For a given power, the maximum gain of the amplifier that can be achieved is gm1·RL at high frequency and the minimum gain of the amplifier that can be achieved is
      2              R      L            R    s  at low frequency.
As such, the prior art amplifier 10 de-emphasizes the low frequency content of the signal to achieve equalization at the receiver. As such, some power is wasted due to the de-emphasis of the signal.
In light of the above, a need exists in the art for an improved amplifier that is power efficient in achieving equalization.

Folded-cascode amplifier with adjustable continuous time equalizer


The caulking device for the metal plate for the tape reel of the present invention in which a plurality of bosses 14 formed on one end surface of the tape reel 10 are inserted in a plurality of boss holes 22 formed on the metal plate 20, and the bosses 14 projected from the boss holes 22 are caulked to fix the metal plate 20 to the one end surface of the tape reel 10, wherein the front end surface 3a of the welded horn 3 is formed in a flat state, and is formed in a plane shape capable of simultaneously being brought into contact with all the bosses 14.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a caulking device for a metal plate for a tape reel in which the metal plate for the tape reel is fixed to one end surface of the tape reel.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 8, a conventional tape reel 110 is composed by a disk-like upper flange 111, a cylindrical hub 112 around which a tape is wound, and a lower flange 113 integrally formed with the hub 112 and having the same diameter as that of the upper flange 111 (refer to Patent Reference 1).
The upper flange 111 has, at the central position, a locking portion 111A recessed from the upper surface of the upper flange 111 having the same size as the end surface of the hub 112. Three boss holes 114 are respectively formed away equally from the central position on the locking portion 111A. On the other hand, the three bosses 116 are integrally formed at the positions corresponding to the boss holes 114 on the end surface of the hub 112. When the upper flange 111 and the lower flange 113 are assembled, the boss 115 of the hub 112 is inserted in the boss hole 114 of the upper flange 111, and the front end of the boss 115 projected from the upper surface of the upper flange 111 is welded by an ultrasonic welder 120.
As shown in FIG. 9, the welded horn 121 of the ultrasonic welder 120 used at this time is composed so that the front end surface of the welded horn 121 has a molding portion 125 composed by a hemispherical notch portion 125A and a protrusion 125B whose the central portion is projected. When the boss 115 formed on the hub 112 is caulked to the locking portion 111A of the upper flange 111 by using the welded horn, as shown in FIG. 9, the front end of the boss 115 is formed in the shape of the molding portion 125, and a caulking portion 115A is formed. The caulking portion 115A prevents the upper flange 111 from falling out from the boss 115, and the upper flange 111, a hub 112 and the lower flange 113 are integrated.
Herein, the front end of the welded horn 121 is bit into the locking portion 111A of the upper flange 111 by the braking error of the welded horn 121, and the surface of the locking portion 111A may be curled, and risen. The welded horn 121 described in Patent Reference 1 has a melting guide portion 127 having a tapered outer peripheral end edge of the front end surface, and prevents overflowing resin from flowing in the upper direction of the upper flange 111.
[Patent Reference 1]
Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. H9-320234 (paragraphs 0018, 0019, FIG. 2)
However, in a tape cartridge including such a tape reel 110, a metal plate is fixed to one end surface of the tape reel 110 for chucking the tape reel 110 in a tape drive. In this case, when the metal plate is fixed to one end surface of the tape reel 110 by using the conventional welded horn 121 to caulk the boss 115, a problem exists in that the front end of the welded horn 121 contacts with the surface of the metal plate by the braking error of the welded horn 121, and the metal plate or the welded horn 121 is damaged.
When a molding portion 125 is formed at the front end of the welded horn 121, and the caulking part 115A is formed at the front end of the boss 115, it is necessary to adjust the positions (phases) of the boss 115 and welded horn 121 correctly. That is, after the tape reel 110 is installed at a predetermined position, it is necessary to rotate the tape reel 110 in the axial surrounding direction, and adjust the phases of the boss 115 and welded horn 121. It is considered that a protrusion portion for adjusting the phases is provided on the tape reel 110 so as to adjust the phases correctly and easily, and a recessed portion is formed on the installing base of the tape reel 110. However, since the phase adjusting work itself cannot be omitted, the improvement in working efficiency is limited. A reel feed mechanism to the installing base is complicated at the time of automating the manufacturing process of the tape reel 110, and thereby a reduction in the cost of equipment is hindered.
The present invention has been accomplished so as to solve these problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a caulking device for a metal plate for a tape reel wherein it is unnecessary to adjust the phases of a boss of the tape reel and welded horn at the time of manufacture (caulking) without bringing a front end surface of the welded horn into contact with the surface of a metal plate.

Caulking device for metal plate for tape reel


Wireless communications devices are adapted to perform retransmissions of data blocks. A wireless communications device can be adapted to transmit a plurality of data blocks to a receiving device. When the plurality of data blocks are transmitted, the wireless communications device can initiate a block timer associated with a round trip time for communications between the wireless communications device and the receiving device. When, prior to expiration of the block timer, a transmission is received with an indication that at least one data block was not successfully received, the wireless communications device can retransmit the unsuccessful data block. On retransmission, the block timer is restarted. If another transmission is received prior to expiration of the restarted block timer, the wireless communications device can ignore any indication of unsuccessful receipt associated with the retransmitted data block. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be accessed by various types of access terminals adapted to facilitate wireless communications, where multiple access terminals share the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such wireless communications systems include code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) systems and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.
As access terminals and network devices communicate over an air interface in a wireless communications system, data is typically divided into smaller packets (or data blocks). Data may also be encoded for transmission with an error detection code so that the receiver can detect erroneous or lost packets and thereby request retransmission. In various wireless communications systems, ACK/NACK messages are sent by the receiving device to the transmitting device to indicate whether there was an error in the transmission detected by the receiver. An acknowledgment (ACK) can indicate that the identified packet has been successfully received. A negative acknowledgment (NACK) can indicate an error in the transmission detected by the receiver. In response to a NACK message, the transmitter may retransmit the relevant packet(s).

Methods and devices for facilitating data retransmissions in wireless communication systems


A motor control system has a rotary member, a motor for imparting a torque to the rotary member, a motor driving circuit for supplying power to the motor, and a drive control circuit for controlling a motor current supplied to the motor. An upper limit value of the motor current supplied to the motor is set so as to be variable. At the start of the motor, the drive control means controls the motor current by using the upper limit value as a set value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor control system and a vacuum pump equipped with the motor control system, and more particularly to a motor control system capable of shortening the starting time of a turbo molecular pump and a vacuum pump equipped with the motor control system.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a result of recent developments in electronics, there is a rapidly increasing demand for semiconductor devices, such as memories and integrated circuits.
Such semiconductor devices are manufactured by doping semiconductor substrates of a very high purity with impurities to impart electrical properties thereto, by stacking together semiconductor substrates with minute circuit patterns formed thereon, etc.
In order to avoid the influences of dust in the air, etc., such operations must be conducted in a chamber in a high vacuum state. To evacuate the chamber, a vacuum pump is generally used; in particular, a turbo molecular pump, which is a kind of vacuum pump, is widely used since it involves little residual gas, allows maintenance with ease, etc. Further, a semiconductor manufacturing process involves a number of steps in which various process gasses are caused to act on a semiconductor substrate, and, the turbo molecular pump is used not only to create a vacuum state in the chamber but also to evacuate such process gases from the chamber.
Further, in electron microscope equipment, a turbo molecular pump is used to create a high vacuum state in the chamber of the electron microscope in order to prevent refraction of the electron beam, etc. due to the presence of dust or the like.
Further, a turbo molecular pump is used in a movable simple vacuum chamber, or in order to place a flat panel display manufacturing apparatus in a vacuum state.
Such a turbo molecular pump is composed of a turbo molecular pump main body 100 for sucking and evacuating gas from the chamber of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus or the like, and a control device 200 for controlling the turbo molecular pump main body.
FIG. 7 shows the construction of a turbo molecular pump.
In FIG. 7, the turbo molecular pump main body 100 has an inlet port 101 formed at the upper end of a round outer cylinder 127. On the inner side of the outer cylinder 127, there is provided a rotary member 103 in the periphery of which there are formed radially and in a number of stages a plurality of rotary vanes 102a, 102b, 102c, . . . consisting of turbine blades for sucking and evacuating gases.
Mounted at the center of this rotary member 103 is a rotor shaft 113, which is floatingly supported and position-controlled by, for example, a 5-axis control magnetic bearing.
An upper radial electromagnet 104 consists of four electromagnets arranged in pairs in the X- and Y-axes. In close proximity to and in correspondence with the upper radial electromagnet 104, there is provided an upper radial sensor 107 consisting of four electromagnets. The upper radial sensor 107 detects a radial displacement of the rotor shaft 113, and transmits a displacement signal to the control device 200.
In the control device 200, the upper radial electromagnet 104 is excitation-controlled through a compensation circuit with a PID adjustment function (not shown in the drawings) based on the displacement signal obtained through detection by the upper radial sensor 107, thus adjusting the upper radial position of the rotor shaft 113.
The rotor shaft 113 is formed of a high magnetic-permeability material (such as iron), and is attracted by the magnetic force of the upper radial electromagnet 104. This adjustment is conducted independently in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.
Further, a lower radial electromagnet 105 and a lower radial sensor 108 are arranged in the same way as the upper radial electromagnet 104 and the upper radial sensor 107, adjusting the lower radial position of the rotor shaft 113 in the same manner as the upper radial position thereof.
Further, axial electromagnets 106A and 106B are arranged so as to sandwich from above and below a circular metal disc 111 provided in the lower portion of the rotor shaft 113. The metal disc 111 is formed of a high magnetic-permeability material, such as iron.
Further, below the rotor shaft 113, there is provided an axial sensor 109 for detecting an axial displacement signal of the rotor shaft 113. An axial displacement obtained through detection by the axial sensor 109 is transmitted to the control device 200.
Based on the displacement signal obtained through detection by the axial sensor 109, the control device 200 excitation-controls the axial electromagnets 106A and 106B. At this time, the axial electromagnet 106A attracts the metal disc 111 upwardly by magnetic force, and the axial electromagnet 106B attracts the metal disc 111 downwardly.
In this way, the magnetic bearing appropriately adjusts the magnetic force applied to the rotor shaft 113, thereby magnetically levitating the rotor shaft 113 and retaining it in a non-contact fashion.
Further, there is provided a motor 121, which is a so-called brush-less motor. The motor 121 is equipped with an RPM detecting sensor, a motor current detecting sensor, a motor temperature detecting sensor, etc. described below, and, on the basis of detection signals from these sensors, the RPM, etc. of the rotor shaft 113 are controlled by the control device 200. The construction of the control system for the motor 121 will be described in detail below.
Formed on the rotor shaft 113 are the rotary vanes 102a, 102b, 102c, . . . . There are arranged a plurality of stationary vanes 123a, 123b, 123c, . . . , with a slight gap being between them and the rotary vanes 102a, 102b, 102c, . . . . Further, in order to downwardly transfer through collision the molecules of the exhaust gas, the rotary vanes 102a, 102b, 102c, . . . are respectively inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to planes perpendicular to the axis of the rotor shaft 113. Similarly, the stationary vanes 123 are respectively inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to planes perpendicular to the axis of the rotor shaft 113, and are arranged so as to protrude toward the interior of the outer cylinder 127 and in alternate stages with the rotary vanes 102.
Further, one ends of the stationary vanes 123 are supported while being inserted into recesses between a plurality of stationary vane spacers 125a, 125b, 125c, . . . stacked together. The stationary vane spacers 125 are ring-like members formed of a metal, such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel, or copper, or an alloy containing such metals as components.
Further, in the outer periphery of the stationary vane spacers 125, the outer cylinder 127 is secured in position with a slight gap therebetween. At the bottom of the outer cylinder 127, there is arranged a base portion 129, and, between the stationary vane spacers 125 and the base portion 129, there is arranged a threaded spacer 131. In the portion of the base 129 which is below the threaded spacer 131, there is formed an exhaust port 133, which communicates with the exterior.
The threaded spacer 131 is a cylindrical member formed of a metal, such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel, or iron, or an alloy containing such metals as components, and has on the inner peripheral surface thereof a plurality of spiral thread grooves 131a. The direction of the spiral thread grooves 131a is determined such that, when the molecules of the exhaust gas move in the rotating direction of the rotary member 103, these molecules are transferred toward the exhaust port 133.
Further, in the lowermost portion of the rotary member 103 connected to the rotary vanes 102a, 102b, 102c, . . . , there is provided a rotary vane 102d, which extends vertically downwards. The outer peripheral surface of the rotary vane 102d, is cylindrical, and protrudes toward the inner peripheral surface of the threaded spacer 131 so as to be in close proximity to the threaded spacer 131 with a predetermined gap therebetween.
Further, the base portion 129 is a disc-like member constituting the base portion of the turbo molecular pump main body 100, and is generally formed of a metal, such as iron, aluminum, or stainless steel. The base portion 129 physically retains the turbo molecular pump main body 100, and also functions as a heat conduction path, so that it is desirable to use a metal that is rigid and of high heat conductivity, such as iron, aluminum, or copper, for the turbo molecular pump main body 100.
When, in this construction, the rotor shaft 113 is driven by the motor 121 and rotates together with the rotary vanes 102, an exhaust gas from a chamber is sucked in through the inlet port 101 by the action of the rotary vanes 102 and the stationary vanes 123.
Then, the exhaust gas sucked in through the inlet port 101 flows between the rotary vanes 102 and the stationary vanes 123, and is transferred to the base portion 129. At this time, the temperature of the rotary vanes 102 rises due to the friction heat generated when the exhaust gas comes into contact with the rotary vanes 102, conduction of the heat generated in the motor 121, etc, and this heat is transmitted to the stationary vanes 123 side by radiation or conduction due to the gas molecules, etc. of the exhaust gas. Further, the stationary vane spacers 125 are bonded together in the outer periphery, and transmit to the exterior the heat received by the stationary vanes 123 from the rotary vanes 102, the friction heat generated when the exhaust gas comes into contact with the stationary vanes 123, etc.
The exhaust gas transferred to the base portion 129 is sent to the exhaust port 133 while being guided by the thread grooves 131a of the threaded spacer 131.
In the above-described example the threaded spacer 131 is arranged in the outer periphery of the rotary vane 102d, and the thread grooves 131a are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the threaded spacer 131. However, conversely to the above, the thread grooves may be formed in the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary vane 102d, and a spacer with a cylindrical inner peripheral surface may be arranged in the periphery thereof.
Further, in order that the gas sucked in through the inlet port 101 may not enter the electrical section formed by the motor 121, the lower radial electromagnet 105, the lower radial sensor 108, the upper radial electromagnet 104, the upper radial sensor 107, etc., the periphery of the electrical section is covered with a stator column 122, and a predetermined pressure is maintained in the interior of the electrical section with a purge gas.
For this purpose, piping (not shown in the drawings) is arranged in the base portion 129, and the purge gas is introduced through the piping. The purge gas thus introduced flows through the gaps between a protective bearing 120 and the rotor shaft 113, between the rotor and stator of the motor 121, and between the stator column 122 and the rotary vanes 102 before being transmitted to the exhaust port 133.
Here, the turbo molecular pump main body 100 requires control based on individually adjusted specific parameters (e.g., the specification of the model and the properties corresponding to the model). To store these control parameters, the turbo molecular pump main body 100 has an electronic circuit portion 141.
The electronic circuit portion 141 is formed by a semiconductor memory, such as EEP-ROM, an electronic component for the access thereto, such as a semiconductor device, a substrate 143 for the mounting thereof, etc. The electronic circuit portion 141 is accommodated in the lower portion near the center of the base portion 129 constituting the lower portion of the turbo molecular pump main body 100, and is closed by a hermetic bottom cover 145.
Incidentally, for enhanced reactivity, the process gas may be introduced into the chamber in a high temperature state. When it reaches a certain temperature by being cooled at the time of evacuation, such process gas may be solidified to precipitate a product in the exhaust system. Then, when such process gas is cooled and solidified in the turbo molecular pump main body 100, it adheres to the inner wall of the turbo molecular pump main body 100 and is deposited thereon. For example, when SiCl4 is used as the process gas in an Al etching apparatus, a solid product (e.g., AlCl3) is precipitated when the apparatus is in a low vacuum state (760 [torr] to 10−2 [torr]) and at lower temperature (approximately 20[° C.]), and adheres to and is deposited on the inner wall of the turbo molecular pump main body 100 as can be seen from a vapor pressure curve.
When precipitate of the process gas is deposited inside the turbo molecular pump main body 100, the deposit narrows the pump flow path, which leads to a deterioration in the performance of the turbo molecular pump main body 100. For example, the above-mentioned product is likely to solidify and adhere to the portion near the exhaust port, in particular, near the rotary vanes 102 and the threaded spacer 131, where the temperature is low.
To solve this problem, there has been conventionally adopted a control system (hereinafter referred to as TMS (temperature management system)), in which a heater (not shown in the drawings), an annular water cooling tube 149, etc. are wound around the outer periphery of the base portion 129 or the like, and in which a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermistor) (not shown in the drawings) is embedded, for example, in the base portion 129, the heating by the heater and the cooling by the water cooling tube 149 being controlled based on a signal from the temperature sensor so as to maintain the base portion 129 at a fixed, high temperature (set temperature).
Here, a conventional motor control system will be described. FIG. 8 shows the construction of the conventional motor control system.
In FIG. 8, a motor control system 300 is equipped with the motor 121 on the turbo molecular pump main body 100 side.
Further, the motor 121 is equipped with an RPM detecting sensor 124 on the stator side thereof. The RPM detecting sensor 124 is arranged so as to surround the rotor shaft 113, and consists, for example, of a semiconductor Hall sensor. The RPM detecting sensor 124 detects the rotating magnetic flux density of the motor 121, thereby detecting the RPM of the rotor shaft 113.
Further, the motor 121 has on the stator side thereof three-phase motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W. These motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W are also arranged so as to surround the rotor shaft 113. Further, the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W are equipped with motor current detecting sensors 128 (only one of which is shown in the drawing), and the motor current detecting sensors 128 detect motor current Im flowing through the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W.
Further, the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W are connected to a motor driving circuit 220 on the control device 200 side.
A DC voltage is supplied to the motor driving circuit 220 from a power source 230 (In the drawing, the + side will be referred to as a positive pole 230a, and the − side will be referred to as a negative pole 230b). The motor driving circuit 220 is equipped with inverter circuits 222 (only one of which is shown in the drawing) respectively corresponding to the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W, and power is supplied to the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W through the inverter circuits 222. Each of these inverter circuits 222 is composed, for example, of two transistors 222a and 222b for one motor winding 126U.
Further, a drive signal is input to the motor driving circuit 220 from a drive control circuit 210. By this drive signal, the power supplied from the inverter circuits 222 to the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W is controlled. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the drive control circuit.
In FIG. 9, input to the drive control circuit 210 are detection signals from the RPM detecting sensor 124 and the motor current detecting sensors 128. These detection signals are input to a comparator 212.
Further, a command signal is input to the comparator 212 from a reference value setting circuit 214, and this command signal is a signal indicating, for example, a reference RPM.
The comparator 212 compares, for example, the reference RPM indicated by the command signal with the detection signal from the RPM detecting sensor 124 to effect PID compensation, and, further, compares this output signal as a current command value with the detection signals from the motor current detecting sensors 128 to effect PID compensation. Thereafter, the comparator 212 outputs this output signal to a PWM control circuit 216.
The comparator 212 is equipped with a current limiter circuit (not shown in the drawings), and this current limiter circuit performs control based on the comparison result output to the PWM control circuit 216 such that the motor current Im supplied to each of the inverter circuits 222 and the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W does not exceed a fixed upper limit value.
Then, based on the comparison result from the comparator 212, the PWM control circuit 216 performs pulse width control (PWM control) on the drive signal.
In this construction, the relationship between the motor current Im supplied to the inverter circuits 222 and the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W and the rotating speed ω of the rotor shaft 113 is as expressed by Equation 1.
                    E        =                              L                                      (                              ΔIm                                  Δ                                                                                t                                            )                                +                      R            ·            Im                    +                      K                                                                          ω                                              Equation                                                  1
In Equation 1, L and R are the inductance component and the resistance component, respectively, of the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W, and K is the counter electromotive force constant of the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W; E is the drive voltage supplied from the inverter circuits 222.
Further, the relationship of Equation 1 is also apparent from the equivalent circuit for the inverter circuits and the motor windings shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, a power source 251 corresponds to the drive voltage E supplied from the inverter circuits 222. An inductance 252 and a resistor 253 respectively correspond to the inductance component L and the resistance component R of the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W. Further, an AC power source 254 corresponds to the counter electromotive force Kω generated in the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W with the rotation of the rotor shaft 113.
The drive voltage E supplied from the inverter circuits 222 is of a fixed value, and the inductance component L, the resistance component R, and the counter electromotive force constant K of the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W are also values peculiar to the motor 121.
Thus, the motor current Im that can be supplied to the inverter circuits 222 and the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W is theoretically in conformity with Equation 1. In particular, the magnitude of the motor current Im when the rotating speed ω of the rotor shaft 113 is a rated RPM is referred to as the rated rotation current value Ir.
Here, when the rotor shaft 113 is to be rotated at the start of the turbo molecular pump, the RPM of the rotor shaft 113 and the reference RPM indicated by the command signal are compared with each other in the comparator 212, and PID compensation is effected. Further, a current command value, which is the output result thereof, and the motor current Im flowing through the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W are compared with each other to effect PID compensation.
Then, upon receiving this output result, the PWM control circuit 216 outputs a PWM-controlled drive signal to the inverter circuits 222 in the motor driving circuit 220, whereby power is supplied to the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W from the motor driving circuit 220, and an AC voltage is generated in the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W. Further, a torque corresponding to the motor current Im at this time is generated in the rotor shaft 113.
At the start of the turbo molecular pump, a large current value is generated as the current command value in the comparator 212; however, the comparator 212 is equipped with a current limiter circuit, with the motor current Im supplied to the inverter circuits 222 and the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W being controlled so as not to exceed an upper limit value set in this current limiter circuit. The upper limit value set in this current limiter circuit is the above-mentioned rated rotation current value Ir.
In this regard, at the start of the turbo molecular pump, the RPM of the rotor shaft 113 is less than the rated RPM, so that the counter electromotive force Kω is also less than the counter electromotive force Kω at rated rotation. Thus, at the start of the turbo molecular pump, according to the relationship of Equation 1, it is theoretically possible to supply a current value of not less than the rated rotation current value Ir, with the motor current being Im. However, to operate the inverter circuits 222 and the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W reliably and safely in the range of the RPM of the rotor 113 from zero to the rated RPM, there is set, as the upper limit value set in the current limiter circuit, the rated rotation current value Ir, which is the motor current Im when the rotor shaft 113 is at rated RPM, to allow a leeway in terms of safety.
Here, FIG. 11A shows the relationship between the starting time of the turbo molecular pump and the RPM of the rotor shaft 113, and FIG. 11B shows the relationship between the RPM of the rotor shaft 113 at this time and the motor current Im. The rated RPM of the rotor shaft 113 is approximately 37000 (rpm).
In FIG. 11A, the turbo molecular pump is started at time 0, and approximately 10 minutes thereafter, the RPM of the rotor shaft 113 attains the rated RPM. The time it takes the RPM of the rotor shaft 113 to reach the rated RPM is referred to as the starting time of the turbo molecular pump.
In FIG. 11B, from immediately after the starting of the turbo molecular pump until the RPM of the rotor shaft 113 reaches a level near the rated RPM, the motor current Im remains fixed. This is due to the fact that the motor current Im supplied to the inverter circuits 222 and the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W is controlled so as to be within a range not exceeding the upper limit value (the rated rotation current value Ir) set in the current limiter circuit.
Thereafter, when the RPM of the rotor shaft 113 reaches a level near the rated RPM, the motor current Im is reduced in accordance with a signal that has under gone PID compensation. During this period, the drive torque imparted to the rotor shaft 113 may be small, so that the quantity of electricity supplied from the motor driving circuit 220 to the motor windings 126U, 126V, and 126W is reduced or the supply is stopped, with the result that the motor current Im is smaller than that immediately after the starting of the turbo molecular pump.
Incidentally, in the conventional motor control system 300, at the start of the turbo molecular pump, a current value Ir at rated rotation is set as the upper limit of the motor current Im thereof, so that no torque in excess of the current value Ir at rated rotation is imparted to the rotor shaft 113, and the starting of the turbo molecular pump cannot be said to be quick enough.
The shipment of the turbo molecular pump involves a process in which the starting and stopping of the turbo molecular pump is repeated in order to inspect and evaluate the same; since the starting of the turbo molecular pump is slow, there is a fear of the production period for the turbo molecular pump becoming rather long.
Further, also when, in a case in which the turbo molecular pump is used for a movable simple vacuum chamber, the turbo molecular pump is re-started, due to its slow starting, there is a fear of the vacuum degree in the chamber being reduced, resulting in a reduction in the service life of the material and measurement filament.
Further, from now on, a flat panel display will tend to increase in size, and the turbo molecular pump will also tend to increase in size in order to improve the vacuum performance of the manufacturing apparatus for such a large flat panel display. Thus, in a turbo molecular pump equipped with the conventional motor control system 300, there is a fear of its starting becoming still slower.

Motor control system and vacuum pump equipped with the motor control system


A system includes an ultrasound probe comprising an ultrasound transducer, a first motor configured to rotate the ultrasound transducer around a horizontal axis to scan a plane, and a second motor configured to rotate the ultrasound transducer around a vertical axis to move to a different plane. The system further includes a controller unit configured to select a number of scan planes for an interlacing scan to scan a volume of an area of interest in a patient's body using the ultrasound probe; select an interlacing factor for the interlacing scan; divide the scan planes into groups of scan planes based on the interlacing factor; and perform the interlacing scan by controlling the first motor and the second motor, wherein the first motor moves in a first direction for at least some of the scan planes and in a second direction for other ones of the scan planes.

An ultrasound probe may generate ultrasound signals using a transducer, such as, for example, a piezoelectric transducer or a capacitive transducer, which converts electrical signals into ultrasound energy and which converts ultrasound echoes back into electrical signals. Ultrasound probes are typically used to identify a target organ or other structures in the body and/or determine features associated with the target organ/structure, such as the size of the organ/structure or the volume of fluid in the organ. In order for an ultrasound to properly scan a target organ/structure, the ultrasound probe may need to perform scans in multiple planes to generate a volume scan. Performing scans in multiple planes may present various challenges.

Generalized interlaced scanning with an ultrasound probe


A gear position in an automotive gearbox is detected on the basis of measuring a value indicative of the speed of a rotating shaft between an engine and the gearbox, and a value indicative of the speed of an output shaft from the gearbox, and calculating a quotient of these two speeds. If for a predetermined period of time the quotient is between upper and lower limits about a quotient value pertaining to the respective gear position, it is decided that a gear position obtains. Through information about a selected split position of a split gear it is as possible gear position rule out all gear positions which do not correspond to the selected split position, thereby enabling said upper and lower limits to be raised and lowered respectively for the remaining gear positions which correspond to the selected split position.

The invention relates to a device and a method for detection of gear position in an automotive gearbox. It is applicable in principle to any desired engine with associated gearbox, but the case hereinafter described to illustrate and exemplify the invention is that where such a device is arranged in a motor vehicle, more particularly in a bus or a truck.
For a number of different reasons it is important for an arrangement for controlling an engine which is adapted to powering a load in the driveline, i.e. the power transmission path, downstream from a gearbox, to have knowledge about the extent to which a gear position is established and which gear position it is. For example, a protection for a clutch arrangement for disengaging the gearbox from the engine only becomes disconnected when a gear position has been detected, with the result that the engine can then be controlled to deliver the torque which the vehicle driver or engine operator requires. This cannot take place until a gear position has been reliably detected.
In some transmissions, different gear positions may also tolerate different amounts of torque, in which case it is important to know, preferably as quickly as possible, which gear position the gearbox is in, in order to spare sensitive parts of the transmission.
Information about a gear position can also be used, e.g. as regards trucks, for weight estimation, i.e. for calculating how much a truck weighs. It is important that this be done during the acceleration phase, and it has been found that the most reliable results are achieved through measurements made when a gear position has just been reached, since this is the time when the torque delivered by the engine and acceleration can best be measured.
In all the above-mentioned cases it is desirable to detect as quickly as possible that a gear position obtains.
For detection of gear position in an automotive gearbox, there are known devices of the type based on detecting the respective speeds of the driveline upstream from the clutch and downstream from the gearbox and calculate a quotient of these speeds and comparing this quotient with values of such a quotient determined for each gear position of the gearbox. It is thus decided that a gear position obtains if for a predetermined period of time this quotient is between upper and lower limits about the quotient value pertaining to the respective gear position.
Such a device is previously known, e.g. from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,921,135 and 4,320,381. Even if those devices function reliably, it is desirable, for the reasons indicated above, to increase their speed and also, if possible, the reliability of their detection of gear position.
The former is of particular importance in the case of a motor vehicle, since the driver may be irritated by having to wait for a clutch protection to be disengaged, e.g. when starting the vehicle.
It should be noted that the invention is directed at detection of gear positions in automotive gearboxes which comprise a so-called split gear for defining at least two gear positions, so-called split positions, relating to each gear position otherwise defined by the gearbox.

Device and method for detection of a gear position in an automotive gearbox


An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to composite materials and, more particularly, relates to the forming of a composite workpiece by inductively heating the workpiece and applying pressure thereto.
2) Description of Related Art
Composite materials typically include a fibrous material such as graphite that is impregnated with a matrix material. The fibrous material is generally strong and stiff and is held in place by the matrix material, which can be formed of a thermoplastic resin, a thermoset resin, or a metal. In combination, the fiber and matrix can provide a strong, stiff, lightweight material, which can also have specific dimensional properties. Examples of composite materials include alumina-, boron-, or silicon carbide-based fibers provided in a weave, braid, or non-woven arrangement and combined with a matrix formed of Ultem® polyetherimide (PEI) resin, a registered trademark of General Electric Company, or other thermoplastic resins such as poly ether-ether ketone (PEEK) or poly phenylene sulphide (PES). Composites can also include a matrix formed of metal, such as titanium or aluminum, or a graphite composite with an insert of titanium or aluminum metal foil to create a fiber-metal composite laminate.
According to one conventional method of manufacturing a composite member, tapes of the fibrous material that are preimpregnated with the matrix material are disposed on a mandrel or mold that defines the desired shape of the finished member. The preimpregnated tapes are then heated on the mandrel and consolidated against the mandrel. This method is generally time consuming, and often results in wasted materials such as the plaster mandrel.
Alternatively, composite laminates can be manufactured as a flat sheet, and subsequently formed to the desired shape. For example, the flat sheet can be inserted between one or more metal tools with contoured surfaces that define the desired shape of the sheet. The tools are heated, for example, using an oven or other heating device. Thermal energy is conducted from the tools to the composite sheet to heat the sheet to a forming temperature at which the tools can mold, or urge, the sheet to the desired shape. The tools are cooled with the formed composite sheet therebetween, and the sheet is then removed. The time and energy required for heating and cooling the tools adds to the expense of the manufacturing process.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved apparatus and method for forming a composite material. The apparatus and method should be capable of heating and cooling the composite material quickly to a temperature sufficient for consolidation, and preferably should not require that large supporting tool members be heated and cooled during each cycle.


Provided is a method for manufacturing an electrode for fuel cells which can manufacture an electrode having superior electric power generation characteristics by enlarging the contact area of a polymer electrolyte with catalyst particles to increase the area of the three-phase interface, resulting in improvement of availability of the catalyst particle surface. According to the method for manufacturing an electrode for fuel cells of the present invention, an electrode for fuel cells is obtained by: binding catalyst particles and porous carbon particles to a base material to form a catalyst porous structure; preparing an electrolyte precursor mixture containing a polymerizable electrolyte precursor represented by (R1O)3Si—R2—SO3H (wherein, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R2 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms), a polymerizable spacer precursor represented by (R3O)mSiR4n (wherein, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R4 represents —(CH2)x—(CF2)y—CF3), and a solvent; impregnating the catalyst porous structure with the electrolyte precursor mixture to form a catalyst-electrolyte precursor complex; and performing a copolymerization reaction of the aforementioned compounds in the complex to form a water-insoluble polymer electrolyte layer containing a copolymer.

Fuel cells allow a fuel capable of producing a proton (for example, hydrogen) to be electrochemically reacted with an oxidizing agent containing oxygen (for example, air), to generate electric power.
Cathode electrodes of fuel cells are configured by supporting precious metal catalyst particles having a small particle size on electrically conductive porous fine powders such as carbon fine powders. Upon operation of fuel cells, concomitantly with electron transfer from the electrically conductive fine powders to the catalyst particles, protons move from the electrolyte membrane to the catalyst particles, and thus a catalytic reaction of the electrons, gaseous oxygen and the protons proceed on the catalyst particle surfaces to produce water.
The reaction center where the catalytic reaction occurs is generally referred to as three-phase interface. The area of this three-phase interface is an effective area of the catalyst particles with which the protons can be efficiently in contact, and as this area becomes greater, availability of the catalyst is improved, leading to improvement of the cell performances.
For manufacturing electrode for fuel cells, a method has been proposed in which a polymer electrolyte is mixed by stirring with electrically conductive fine powders supporting catalyst particles to cover the catalyst particle surface with the polymer electrolyte (see, for example, Patent Document 1, paragraph No. 0002).
However, in such a catalyst layer formed by mixing the electrically conductive fine powders supporting the catalyst particles with the polymer electrolyte material by stirring, the catalyst surface is embedded in the polymer electrolyte material, and thus problems based on a small area of the three-phase interface do occur.
In this respect, in order to expose the catalyst particles on the uppermost surface, a method of forming an electrode has been proposed which comprises forming a porous electrode layer supporting catalyst fine particles, and thereafter applying a dispersion liquid of a polymer electrolyte on the electrode layer (see, for example, Patent Document 2, paragraph Nos. 0008-0011).
As the electrolyte membrane for fuel cells and the electrolyte layer in the electrode, perfluorosulfonic acid based polymer electrolyte typified by Nafion® (manufactured by Du Pont Kabushiki Kaisha, trade name) has been generally used.
Since these polymer electrolyte materials have a great particle size in the dispersion solvent, they do not fill small air spaces contained in the porous electrode layer. Thus, the electrolyte material does not reach the vicinity of the catalyst fine particles, and as a result, the problems based on a small area of the three-phase interface have not been solved yet.
As additional other polymer electrolyte materials, hydrocarbon polymer based sulfonic acid electrolytes, and polysiloxane based sulfonic acid electrolytes have been reported (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4). Alternatively, electrolyte materials using inorganic oxide particles modified with an ionic functional group such as a sulfonic acid group on the surface have been also proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 5).
Since these polymer electrolyte materials have a great particle size in a dispersion solvent, they do not fill small air spaces contained in the porous electrode layer. Thus, the electrolyte material does not reach the vicinity of the catalyst fine particles, and as a result, the problems based on a small area of the three-phase interface have still not been solved.
Accordingly, there have been problems of a small effective area of the catalyst particles as a result of the small area of the three-phase interface since the contact area of the catalyst fine particles with the electrolyte material is not sufficient.

Electrode for fuel cells and method for manufacturing the same, and fuel cell using the same


The present invention relates to a new and improved retaining device designed to hold articles in a top or bottom dishwasher rack preventing them from dislodging during a wash cycle. The device comprises a substantially rectangular net member attached to a window shade type roller assembly. The roller assembly may be removably attached to any side of a top or bottom dishwasher rack. The net member has a substantially centrally located aperture for receiving a dishwasher water tower allowing the device to be easily used to retain items placed in a lower dishwasher rack. The net member also has one or more mesh storage pockets on a side thereof allowing additional lightweight articles to be stored therein. Longitudinal stainless steel reinforcement strips are provided on the net member allowing it to be easily retracted within the roller assembly and allowing it to more tightly engage articles stored in the dishwasher rack.

Lightweight articles such as plastic lids, spoons, bowls, baby bottles and similar devices are often placed in either the upper or lower dishwasher rack. Often these articles will become dislodged from the dishwasher rack due to high pressure streams of water being upwardly projected thereagainst. When these articles become displaced during the wash cycle, they often become filled with water preventing them from being rinsed properly usually requiring them to be washed again. Sometimes the dishes fall near the heating element on the bottom of the dishwasher and are melted. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a retaining device that can be used on either the top or bottom dishwasher rack and which also has a plurality of storage pockets thereon for securing items such as lids and silverware thereby increasing the capacity of the dishwasher.


A load cell comprises a column elastic body 11; a circle bore 12 formed on a center portion of a first end surface 11a of the column elastic body 11, a bottom wall of which constitutes a load acting surface 13; an annular concave groove 15 formed on a second surface 11b of the column elastic body 11 being coaxial with the circle bore 12, a bottom portion of which constitutes a strain occurrence portion 18, a outer portion of which constitutes a fixing portion 16 of thick cylinder configuration; and Strain gages stuck on the strain occurrence portion. A distance "y" from the load acting surface 13 to a surface of the strain occurrence portion 18 is 0.2 to 2 times shortest distance "e" from a center axis of the column elastic body to the strain gages.

Present invention relates to a compressive-type load cell used in load detecting apparatuses for industrial use such as a hopper scale and a tank scale and to a load detecting apparatus provided with the load cell.
FIG. 11A shows an example of a conventional diaphragm type load cell 1 which is attempted to thin.
A circle bore 3 is formed on a lower surface 2a of a short column elastic body 2. A bottom wall of the circle bore 3 constitutes a strain occurrence portion 4. Strain gages 5 are stuck on a lower surface of the strain occurrence portion 4. These strain gages 5 are connected with each other to constitute a well-known Wheatstone bridge (not shown). Numeral 6 denotes a diaphragm which closes the circle bore 3. On the other hand, a load acting portion 7 of short column configuration is projected upwardly from a center portion of an upper surface of the strain occurrence portion 4.
When a compressive load "W" is applied to a load acting surface 7a constituted by an upper end of the load acting portion 7, the strain occurrence portion 4 is deformed according to the value of the compressive load "W".
Deformation quantity of the strain occurrence portion 4 is detected as variation of output level of the Wheatstone bridge circuit comprising the strain gages 5. The value of the compressive load "W" is measured on the basis of the variation.
However, as shown in FIG. 11A, since load transmission paths "p" from the load acting surface 7a to the each strain gage 5 are parabolic curve without turn-back portion, the length of the load transfer path "p" is short. Thus, when an action axis "L.sub.W " is shifted to a center axis "L.sub.C " of the load cell 1, the shift of the action axis "L.sub.W " has large influence to the deformation quantity of the strain acting portion 4, thereby measurement error may occur.
Further, since the load acting portion 7 of the load cell 1 is projected from the center potion of the strain occurrence portion 4, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, when a lateral load "F" which is orthogonal to the compressive load "W" is applied to the load acting portion 7, bending moment "M" (M=F*L: "L" is a distance form load to a neutral axis plan of the strain acting portion 4) is applied to the strain occurrence portion 4. This bending moment "M" may cause measurement error.
As described above, in the conventional load cell 1, there is high possibility to cause measurement error and it is difficult to execute load measuring with high accuracy.