Targeting an insect pest having a carboxylic acid compound as a pheromone substance, provided is a sustained release pheromone preparation enabling a high amount of pheromone to be released during the control period. More specifically, provided is a sustained release pheromone preparation, comprising: a carboxylic acid compound to be released, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer membrane through which the carboxylic acid compound can permeate, wherein the preparation is targeted for an insect pest having the carboxylic acid compound as a pheromone substance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sustained release pheromone preparation which releases a sex pheromone substance into air to control an insect pest having a carboxylic acid compound as a pheromone substance by mass trapping or mating disruption.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is important for establishing a control technology with pheromone to sustainedly release a sufficient amount of pheromone from an attraction source to attract wild insect pests with respect to the mass trapping, and to maintain a sufficient amount of pheromone to cause mating disruption in an entire region to be controlled with respect to the mating disruption. Because an insect pest generally emerges over a long period of time, typically from spring to autumn, sustained release of a pheromone substance from a sustained release pheromone preparation comprising the pheromone substance makes the mass trapping or the mating disruption possible over the entire period of emergence. Thus, to establish a pheromone-based control technology, development of a sustained release pheromone preparation for the insect pests to be controlled is very important.
In order to release a constant amount of an active component over a long period time, a sustained pheromone preparation is in form of a sealed container, wherein the container includes a cap, a small tube, a laminate envelope and a capsule and is made of a material having an ability to control a release amount. The material includes rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing 90% by weight or greater of ethylene repeating units, and polyvinyl chloride (JP 11-069936A). Among them, polyolefin-based plastics, which typically include polyethylene, are available in various grades with different properties so that they come in a broad range of selection as a material. The polyolefin-based plastics are also widely used so that they are inexpensive. Further, the polyolefin-based plastics excel in moldability and can be molded in various ways such as extrusion molding, film molding, stretch molding and injection molding. The polyolefin-based plastics excel in mechanical strength, particularly in mechanical strength at low temperature so that they can be suitably used during a time of low temperature period or in a low temperature region. Moreover, aldehyde or acetate compounds, which are contained by most of the pheromone substances for the insect pests in Lepidoptera, can be comprised by a sustained release pheromone preparation with a polyethylene membrane and result in a control effect (JP 57-009705A).

Sustained release pheromone preparation targeting insect pest having carboxylic acid as pheromone substance


Dual mode SAL/IR imaging seekers are described herein. In some embodiments, a dual-mode SAL/IR imaging seeker described herein includes a focal plane array (FPA), an objective optical assembly providing a common optical path to the FPA for incident laser radiation of a first wavelength band and incident ambient radiation of a second wavelength band non-overlapping with the first wavelength band, a first optical filter operable to selectively pass the incident laser radiation to the FPA in a transmissive mode and selectively block the incident laser radiation from the FPA in a non-transmissive mode and a second optical filter assembly operable to selectively pass the incident ambient radiation to the FPA in a transmissive mode and selectively block the incident ambient radiation from the FPA in a non-transmissive mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optical tracking and imaging systems and, in particular, to optical tracking and imaging systems for weapon guidance.
2. Description of Related Art
Semi-active laser (SAL) detection or tracking systems are used by the military to support precision laser-guided weapons. With a SAL system, a narrow laser beam of energy is produced and transmitted toward a target. The laser radiation is typically generated and transmitted from a laser target designator (LTD) manned by a forward observer. The forward observer directs the laser radiation to the selected target, thereby designating the target. The SAL seeking system of the laser guided weapon, remotely located from the target and designator, can detect the laser radiation reflected from the target and assists in guiding the weapon to the target. A significant disadvantage to weapon delivery techniques using SAL systems is the requirement the forward observer maintain laser target designation until weapon impact for acceptable accuracy.
In view of this disadvantage, contrast imaging seekers are available for precision guided weapon delivery. Such imaging seekers rely on automatic target tracking algorithms that distinguish an image of the target from background clutter under ambient lighting. The ability to passively track the target through imaging precludes active target designation by a forward observer. However, passively acquiring targets is difficult, often requiring highly sophisticated automatic target acquisition/recognition (ATA/ATR) algorithms with demanding processing resources. Moreover, passive imaging systems can encounter significant tracking problems when the target undergoes rapid changes in illumination.
Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for systems and methods that allows for improved tracking. There also remains a need in the art for such systems and methods that are easy to make and use. The present invention provides a solution for these problems.


To cut or separate a workpiece, having a plain or curved surface, a jet-like fluid cutting medium is used. The cutting medium is ejected from a nozzle under high pressure and is directed towards the workpiece. The cutting medium is directed towards the surface of the workpiece not exactly perpendicularly, but with an angle deviation of between 0.1 and 0.3 degrees. An apparatus for performing such a cutting operation comprises a tube with a nozzle at its end through which the cutting medium is ejected. The nozzle is swivelably supported and the tube may be adjusted in X- and Y-direction such that the desired cutting angle may be controlled. In order to catch the fluid cutting jet, there is provided a grating assembly with an uneven surface which comprises apertures and is provided with a protective layer. The surface of the grating assembly is composed of strip portions forming the boundaries of grooves or channels which are filled with gravel or glass granules. The apparatus can be used for a dry cutting operation as well as for an underwater cutting operation.

The present invention refers to an apparatus for cutting a plain, curved or arched workpiece by means of a beam-shaped fluid cutting medium ejected under high pressure out of a nozzle. This apparatus comprises a nozzle provided at the end of a tube-like member and means for providing a high-pressure fluid jet escaping from the nozzle.
It is well known in the prior art to cut or separate workpieces in a touchless method by means of a fluid jet, a gas jet or a laser beam, said jet or beam being directed towards the workpiece to be cut and being moved along a desired path. Probably the most common apparatus of this kind are the water jet cutting apparatus which use a water jet ejected from a nozzle under a pressure of up to 4000 bar. Thereby, it is possible to cut different kinds of workpieces, e.g. styropor, wood, fabrics, leather, rubber, textiles and many more.
It is also known in the prior art to admix an abrasive medium to this fluid jet, e.g. quartz, glass dust, corundum etc. in order to be able to cut harder materials like metal, glass, stone and the like.
According to the prior art, it has been taught to direct the fluid jet exactly perpendicularly towards the surface of the workpiece to be cut in order to get an exact and clean cut edge. This perpendicular position had to be maintained during the entire cutting process, even if the movement of the cutting jet is controlled by a CAD-machine.
However, experience has shown that this is not true; in this manner, it is not possible to achieve a cleanly cut edge. Particularly, the edges of the cut workpieces are not exactly cut, are irregularly and do not extend exactly perpendicularly to the plain surface of the workpiece.
As can be seen from FIG. 1, for example, in cutting a plate-like workpiece 1 by means of a fluid jet-like cutting medium 2 being ejected from a nozzle 3, it is not possible to achieve an exactly cut edge surface 4 because, as a result, the angle 5 is smaller or larger than 90.degree. with reference to the surface 6 of the workpiece 1. This situation is schematically shown in FIG. 1. However, if it is required to very exactly cut a workpiece, the aforementioned disadvantages occur particularly aggravatingly. If, for example, precisely shaped parts have to be cut out of a workpiece according to a complicated shape which, thereafter, have to be inserted into correspondingly negative shaped workpieces or which have to be assembled with other precise workpieces, it is of paramount importance that the cut edges exactly run perpendicularly with regard to the workpieces.
For example, if cut-out parts, e.g. letters, are to be inserted into corresponding cut-outs of a base plate in order to manufacture inlays or high relief printings, the cut edges of the letters are allowed to be inclined inwards, but not outwards. With other words, deviations from the perpendicular direction can be tolerated in one, but only in one direction and not in the other direction. However, according to the prior art, deviations from the perpendicular direction of the cut edge surface can not be avoided because no reliable and economic method exists to provide an exactly perpendicular and clean cut edge.
The only method to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages known in the prior art was to drastically reduce the cutting speed during the cutting or separating process. A cut edge surface which is practically usable can be achieved, according to the prior art, if the theoretically possible cutting speed, depending on the material to be cut and on the cutting medium used, is not really exploited, but considerably reduced. However, such a proceeding results in a considerably loss of efficiency with the consequence that the final product becomes much more expensive. The reason is that the very expensive cutting apparatuses can not be used according to their theoretical possibilities.
The fluid jet discharged from the nozzle under high pressure is directed towards the top surface of the workpiece to be cut and the fluid jet nozzle is moved along a predetermined cutting path over the surface of the workpiece under the influence of a computerized control unit. The fluid jet cuts the workpiece and escapes from the workpiece at the rear side thereof. Since the fluid cutting jet, even after having cut the workpiece and escaping from the rear side thereof, comprises a very high residual energy, it is necessary to absorb said residual energy.
It has already been proposed in the prior art to provide a water-filled pool behind or below the workpiece to be cut in which the fluid cutting jet is caught. Thereby, the water-filled pool must have a thick and resistant wall because the fluid cutting jet impinges upon the walls of the water-filled pool. Particularly if an abrasive is admixed to the fluid cutting jet, it has not been possible to avoid that the wall of the water-filled pool is damaged or even destroyed.
In order to avoid damage or destruction of the wall, it has been proposed in the prior art to provide a bed of balls, comprising a tub filled with balls consisting of chromium steel or glass. Basically, such a design has proven to work well, but has the disadvantage that it is quite large and, consequently, heavy and expensive. Furthermore, a recycling of the abrasive is difficult to perform or even impossible.


In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first high frequency power of a first frequency is applied to a processing gas to generate a plasma of the processing gas, a second high frequency power of a second frequency smaller than the first frequency is applied to a substrate to be processed. Further, a to-be-etched layer disposed under a resist film having a pattern of openings is etched by using the resist film as a mask, the to-be-etched layer being disposed on a surface of the substrate. In addition, dimensions of openings formed in the to-be-etched layer are controlled by varying an applied power of the first high frequency.

Conventionally, in forming a circuit pattern in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, there is employed a photolithography technique wherein a desired pattern is transcribed through a light-exposure, a development processing and the like by using a photoresist. In other words, by applying such a photolithography technique, a mask can be formed by molding a resist film made of a photoresist on a desired pattern and, e.g., a plasma etching can be performed by using the mask, so that recessed/protruded portions of a predetermined pattern are formed in a layer underlying the resist film.
In such a photolithography technique, there is a limit to its spatial resolution due to a relationship between the resolution and a wavelength of light used in the light-exposure, and it is difficult to form in the resist film openings of a dimension less than the limit to the resolution.
To that end, there has been proposed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2002-110654 a technique for forming grooves or openings of a width less than the limit to the resolution in the photolithography technique. In such a technique, after forming a resist film by using the photolithography technique, a polymer layer is formed on the entire surface of a substrate by, e.g., CVD. Then, there remains only a polymer layer on a sidewall of the resist film left after performing an anisotropic etching on the polymer layer. Thereafter, an etching process is performed by using a mask having openings whose diameter becomes smaller due to the polymer layer remaining on the sidewall of the resist film, so that there are formed openings such as grooves or holes of a width less than the limit to the resolution in the photolithography technique.
Further, in the photolithography technique, there has also been known a technique using a bottom anti-reflection coating ("BARC") for preventing a generation of a standing wave due to multi-interference in a resist film. Moreover, there has been proposed in, e.g., WO 03/007357 A1 a technique for forming wirings of a line width narrower than that of the pattern of the initial resist film, by plasma-etching the BARC by using a gas containing CF4 gas and O2 gas to trim transversely the BARC and the resist film.
Among the above-described techniques, by employing the technique wherein the BARC and the resist film are transversely trimmed, it is possible to form wirings of a line width narrower than that of the resist pattern. However, for example, in case openings are formed in an underlying layer by etching, it is impossible to make the diameter of the openings smaller than that of the openings in the resist film.
Further, in the method wherein a polymer layer is formed on the entire surface of a substrate by, e.g., CVD and, then, only the polymer layer remains on a sidewall of the resist film left after performing an anisotropic etching on the polymer layer, there are required the polymer layer forming process, the anisotropic etching process and the like to be performed, so that the number of processes to be performed increases, thereby decreasing the productivity.

Method for preventing striation at a sidewall of an opening of a resist during an etching process


A fluid treatment housing system for fluid filter elements including a first housing member, a second housing member and an interchangeable mounting plate on which one or more filter elements are mounted. The mounting plate may be a substantially flat plate or a basket type structure to accommodate various inside-out and outside-in filter elements. Additionally, more than one mounting plate may be used in a single system so that the system can include both pre and post fluid treatment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a fluid treatment apparatus having interchangeable fluid treatment elements. More specifically, it relates to a filter housing that can be adapted to accommodate different filter elements within a housing unit, including accommodating both inside-out and outside-in flow filters in a single housing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Filters for removing impurities from fluid are well known and are used in many applications. For example, fluid treatment arrangements may be used to remove particulate matter from oil or water. Typically, filter elements are utilized with a particular size, capacity and fixed number within a fluid treatment arrangement.
However, the prior art presents an inherent inflexibility on the part of the filtering system to adapt to different conditions. This may render the treatment system incapable of use for different applications. Also, many fluid treatment arrangements include multiple treatment elements. In many such applications where the number of treatment elements may be quite large the housing is very expensive, especially when fabricated from alloy materials.
Existing filter housings are incapable of adapting to changes in service conditions that may necessitate a change in the direction of fluid to be treated, or the like. Compounding this problem is an inability on the part of present housings to accommodate treatment elements with different flow characteristics from a variety of element manufacturers.

Filter housing with interchangeable filter mounting plate


A golf club head with low and high density zones designed to provide specific densities for use in various parts of the club head to achieve maximum volume and properties within specific weight goals. The low and high density zones may be formed from laminates having different equivalent densities than the layers used to form the laminates.

Golf club designers are constantly manipulating the shape, size, and materials used to manufacture clubs in an effort to maximize performance. For example, fairway woods and hybrids typically have a similar overall mass as a driver, but less than half the volume of a driver. In particular, modern drivers are approximately 460 cc, whereas modern fairway woods range from approximately about 150 to 180 cc. Therefore, manufacturers typically use stainless steel materials for fairway woods and hybrids since the high density of steel provides a desirable mass distribution for the smaller head size. However, the smaller size of the face in fairway woods and hybrids makes it difficult to achieve maximum coefficient of restitution when using stainless steel because the elastic modulus is relatively high, and the face must remain a certain thickness in order not to compromise the durability.
While other lower density materials such as titanium or aluminum-based materials may be used to make the fairway wood, which increases the COR of the club head because of the lower modulus of the material, the low density of the material necessitates additional mass that must be added to meet the target head weight. Indeed, to achieve desirable mass properties in fairway woods, much of the discretionary mass is driven both toward the perimeter and low on the sole with the use of weights hidden within the club head. When made from titanium, the weights must be large and incorporated on the sole to keep the center of gravity (COG) as low as possible. However, the moment of inertia (MOI) (the resistance to twisting of any golf club head when the golf ball is impacted off center) may suffer with such a design and the large concentrated mass in the center of the sole may lead to acoustic issues. While other materials may be used for the weights, the bonding of non-titanium weights to a titanium-based club head is difficult to achieve with dissimilar metals. Alternatively, manufacturers have attempted to use higher density materials such as steel to form the sole of the otherwise titanium-based club head. However, creating a robust metallurgical bond around the perimeter of the steel plate is highly problematic.
Other types of clubs have similar issues. In fact, as drivers have increased in volume, their MOIs have also increased providing "larger sweet spots" and more forgiveness on off-center hits. However, when the volume is maximized through spatially distributing the mass in all three orthogonal orientations, the COG is positioned substantially rearward from the front face of the golf club head and high, which renders shots struck off-center from the sweet spot of the golf club head undesirable as a result of the increase in backspin. And, when weight members are attached to manipulate the COG, the club may become heavy and unwieldy, possibly to the point of limiting a golfer's swing speed and adversely affecting the golfer's swing mechanics. Similarly, efforts to manipulate the distribution of material in a club head with low and high density materials in various portions of the club head may impact the COR of the club head depending on how the material is distributed in the club head.
It would be advantageous to a provide materials for golf clubs that maximize the internal mass distribution and volume of the club head depending on the shape, size, and performance requirements of the particular club head. In addition, it would be beneficial to minimize the elasticity on the face to increase COR while still using a face material that has high strength since the face is a high stress area. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for materials that are capable of being joined to each other via conventional or unconventional methods. The present invention provides materials, golf club heads including the materials, and methods of making the golf club heads that includes the materials to achieve the proper balance between mass distribution and club head performance.


A wafer comprising a GaAs substrate and an AlGaAs layer deposited thereon is rotated in a spin etching process. To the GaAs substrate of the rotating wafer, there is supplied an ammoniacal etching solution for selectively etching the GaAs substrate to form a groove therein. The ammoniacal etching solution comprises a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and aqueous ammonia, the volume ratio of hydrogen peroxide and aqueous ammonia being in the range from about 20 to 60. While the GaAs substrate is being selectively etched by the ammoniacal solution, the rotational speed of the wafer is progressively increased stepwise or continuously. The etching solution whose volume ratio of hydrogen peroxide and aqueous ammonia is in the range from about 20 to 60 is suitable for the formation of a deep groove in the GaAs substrate. The rotational speed of the GaAs substrate is progressively increased stepwise or continuously to progressively increase centrifugal forces applied to the GaAs substrate for thereby expelling a substance, which is generated in reaction with the etching solution, off the GaAs substrate. Since such a substance is prevented from being deposited on the GaAs substrate, the etching process progresses uniformly without an etching failure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device having an AlGaAs layer and a GaAs layer which are successively deposited on a GaAs substrate, the AlGaAs layer being used as an etching stopper layer to allow a deep groove to be etched in the GaAs layer.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
It is known from Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 61-153537, for example, that the drain current of a field-effect transistor which comprises a piezoelectric semiconductor such as GaAs varies when a stress is applied to the field-effect transistor. There have been developed and put to use semiconductor sensors for detecting external forces such as pressures or accelerations based on such property of field-effect transistors. Those semiconductor sensors include cantilever- and diaphragm-type semiconductor sensors for higher detection sensitivity.
One conventional cantilever-type semiconductor sensor has an AlGaAs layer, a GaAs buffer layer, and a GaAs active layer which are successively deposited on a GaAs layer. A substantially central region of the GaAs substrate is etched away to form a thin flexible region where a field-effect transistor is disposed.
The GaAs substrate is etched according to a spin etching process in which an ammoniacal etching solution is supplied to the GaAs substrate while it is rotating.
The spin etching process is suitable for etching a semiconductor substrate such as a GaAs substrate to a small depth that is about several microns.
However, if the GaAs substrate is to be partly etched by the spin etching process to form a relatively deep groove which may be 500 microns deep, then the following problem occurs:
When the GaAs substrate is etched while it is rotating at a relatively low speed of 200 rpm or lower, for example, the etching solution tends to remain in the groove as the depth of the groove becomes larger. Therefore, a substance such as of a gallium oxide is generated in reaction with the etching solution and deposited in the corners of the groove, and the deposit prevents the GaAs substrate from being further etched.
Etching the GaAs substrate to form a deep groove requires an etching solution having a high etch rate to be used for a shortened etching time. However, the higher the etch rate, the greater the amount of a substance generated in reaction with the etching solution per unit period of time. The generated substance forms a deposit in the groove, resulting in an etching failure.
The relationship between rotational speeds of the semiconductor substrate and yields was experimentally assessed, and the results of the experiment are shown in Table 1 below. In the experiment, hydrogen peroxide containing aqueous ammonia was used as an etching solution. The yields are indicated by the percentage of acceptable cantilever-type semiconductor sensors (FIG. 1) of desired configuration each having a thin flexible region formed by partly etching away a GaAs substrate.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Rotational speed (rpm) Yield (%) ______________________________________ 60 2 200 5 300 12 500 20 ______________________________________
As the rotational speed of the semiconductor substrate increases, the yield also increases. However, no sufficient yield can be achieved because the yield is only 20% at the rotational speed of 500 rpm. The yield is low for the reason that as the rotational speed of the semiconductor substrate increases, the etching solution tends to flow as a localized flow.
Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 63-62235 discloses a method of selectively etching a GaAs substrate or a GaAs layer with an AlGaAs layer used as an etching stopper. According to the disclosed etching method, an aqueous solution of a mixture of 28% by weight of aqueous ammonia (NH.sub.4 OH) and 30% by weight of hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2) at a mixture ratio ranging from 1:750 to 1:1500 is used as an etching solution.
With the mixture ratio between aqueous ammonia and hydrogen peroxide ranging from 1:750 to 1:1500, however, the etching speed is low and it is time-consuming to selectively etch the GaAs substrate or layer to a large depth.

Method of fabricating semiconductor device


The present invention provides a surface mount electronic module that is compatible with high-temperature processing in a reflow furnace or the like. This electronic module comprises a housing, an electronic device that comprises a printed circuit board and electronic components electrically connected to the printed circuit board and mounted within the housings, and a lead-frame comprising leads each having an inner end electrically connected to the printed circuit board within the housing and an outer end protruding from the housing. The inner ends of the leads are elastically pressed against said printed circuit board to thereby form an electrical connection with the printed circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a surface mount module used in mobile communications equipment, various sensors and the like.
2. Description of the Background Art
As electronic equipment becomes thinner and more compact, various electronic components mounted therein must be also made thinner and more compact. Consequently, conventional through-hole mount technology is commonly replaced with surface mount technology which permits such electronic components to be made both thinner and more compact.
In contrast, for electronic components used in automobiles, through-hole mount technology is still often used in a variety of types of modules that are adopted for use in-vehicle optical transport systems.
For example, the in-vehicle network standard known as Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST), which has been adopted mainly in Europe, employs through-hole mount two-core bidirectional fiber-optic modules in which two plastic optical fiber (POF) cores are employed for data communications (e.g., see "MOST Gaiyō [MOST Overview]," Nikkei Electronics No. 741, pp. 108–122, Apr. 19, 1999).
FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a light-emitting side bidirectional fiber-optic module (optical mini-jack module) constituting a through-hole mount two-core bidirectional fiber-optic module. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the light-receiving side bidirectional fiber-optic module (optical mini-jack module).
First, the constitution of the light-receiving side bidirectional fiber-optic module will be described. In FIG. 8, numeral 80 denotes a fiber-optic jack-type plug which is connected to an optical mini-jack module 60; 61 denotes a housing for the optical mini-jack module 60, having an opening 61a on its front surface into which the tip of the fiber-optic jack 80 is inserted and connected, the opening being connected at its rear end to a chamber 61b formed in the housing; and 62 denotes a light-emitting device disposed within the chamber 61b so that it faces the end surface of the fiber-optic jack 80.
Further, numeral 63 denotes a lead-frame of the light-emitting device 62; 64 denotes a light-emitting IC that converts an electrical signal representing logic levels into a signal used to drive the light-emitting device; 65 denotes an LED which is a light-emitting device that converts a modulated electrical signal into an optical signal, with the IC 64 and the LED 65 each being disposed on the lead-frame 63, and wired. Numeral 67 denotes an encapsulating resin that is transparent to visible light, and that is used to encapsulate as a unit the light-emitting IC 64 and LED 65. A portion of the surface of the encapsulating resin 67 facing the end surface of the fiber-optic jack 80 is recessed, and a convex lens 67a is also formed as a unit with the resin 67 upon the recessed surface. Each of the leads of the lead-frame 63 has one end that is provided in the interior of the housing 61, with another end 63a protruding from the outside wall of the lower surface of the housing 61 to be used as an input/output connector. Hereinbelow, an end of each of the leads of the lead-frame 63 provided within the housing 61 is referred to as an inner end, while the other end of the same lead that protrudes from the outside wall of the lower surface of the housing 61 is referred to as an outer end. Numeral 90 denotes a substrate to which the fiber-optic module is mounted. When the fiber-optic module is mounted, outer ends of the leads are inserted into holes in the substrate 90 and joined to the bottom side of the substrate using a solder 69.
There now follows a description of the constitution of the light-receiving side fiber-optic module shown in FIG. 9. The only difference in constitution from the light-emitting side is that the light-receiving side fiber-optic module has, in place of the light-emitting device 62, a light receptor 72 that comprises a photodiode (PDi), which converts an optical signal to an electrical signal, and an IC that amplifies the logic level of the electrical signal. The remainder of the constitution is identical to that on the light-emitting side, and identical constituent elements are denoted by corresponding names and numerals, and detailed description of such elements is therefore omitted.
The electrical signal input from the outer end 63a of the light-emitting device 62 is converted to light by the IC 64 and LED 65. The light emitted by the LED 65 passes through the encapsulating resin 67, is condensed by the convex lens 67a, enters the fiber-optic jack 80 and is sent to a communicating party via the optical fiber connected to the jack. On the other hand, an optical signal sent from the communicating party and arriving through the optical fiber enters the light receptor 72 from the fiber-optic jack 80, is condensed by the convex lens 67a, passes through the encapsulating resin 67, is input to the IC 74, converted to an electronic signal and output from the outer end 63a.


An on-line type moisture measuring system for powdered or granular materials wherein the moisture content of the materials is repeatedly measured by supplying a dehumidified and dried air each time the materials are sampled for measuring and thereafter automatically discharged. The system is comprised of a combination of sampling means and a moisture measuring apparatus. The sampling means samples a fixed amount of the materials from a material storage container and pneumatically transports the sampled materials. The moisture measuring apparatus includes dehumidified and dried air supply means for heating, dehumidifying and supplying air, material weighing means for weighing the sampled materials, a vaporization treatment chamber having an airtight vaporizer with a heater in which the materials received in a sample boat are heated while the dehumidified and dried air is fed as a carrier gas, a moisture measuring chamber including a moisture meter for measuring the water quantity of the materials based on the reaction of a Karl Fischer reagent by receiving the vapor generated in the vaporizer together with the carrier gas, and an arithmetic operation unit for calculating the moisture content of the sampled materials based on the water quantity measured by the moisture measuring chamber and the weight value measured by the material measuring means.

1. Background of the Invention
The present invention is related to an improvement of an on-line moisture measuring apparatus wherein powdered or granular materials including inorganic materials such as pelletized resins and ceramics are automatically sampled and the moisture content thereof is automatically measured.
2. Prior Art
Generally, keeping moisture content of resin materials constant in order to maintain good quality of the resin products created a most important problem because with an inappropriate moisture content of the resin materials to be supplied into a molding machine defects such as a silver line or void are caused. Therefore, resin materials are usually dried by the use of a hopper dryer prior to being supplied into the molding machine. However, before the resin materials are fed into the hopper dryer, they are apt to absorb moisture in the air while being stored in a silo or a tank of intermediate stage for a fixed period of time after a kraft bag or a flexible container which is used to carry resin materials is opened. Accordingly a fixed heating temperature and a fixed heating time are set for the hopper dryer, which are based on an estimated moisture content of the resin materials. But such a conventional method for drying resin materials by the use of a hopper dryer leaves further room for improvement in saving labor.
On the other hand, a titration analysis using a Karl Fischer reagent has been conventionally known as a method for titrating and analyzing the moisture content of resin materials. A moisture meter has been developed in which titration analysis by a Karl Fischer reagent is performed by means of a coulometric method, a volumetric method, and a colorimetric method, whereby a high accuracy can be obtained.
Considering the above, an on-line moisture control method and the system has been proposed by the present inventors in JP-A-3-63558 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 557,865 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,692 and EPC Patent Publication 0411848) wherein powdered or granular materials such as resin materials are automatically sampled and their moisture content is measured by means of a Karl Fischer reagent employing inert gas as a carrier gas.
However, the invention employed inert gas such as nitrogen gas as a carrier gas for a Karl Fischer reagent. Therefore, a gas cylinder containing inert gas should be regularly exchanged and pipings were increased and complexed. Furthermore, a gas cylinder should be frequently exchanged when the system was used many times and consequently the consumption of inert gas increased. Therefore, the invention leaves further room for improvement from the view point of maintenance.

On-line type moisture measuring system for powdered or granular materials


A web roll (A) is positioned on a winding apparatus which includes a belt (B). An electric drive motor (C) drives the belt (B) roll (A) during winding and unwinding of the web. An ultrasonic signaling device (D) directs a signal downwardly towards the web roll and receives a return signal indicative of the size of the web roll for controlling the operation of the electric drive motor which rotates the web roll in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

This invention relates to an improvement in web roll control mechanisms such as apparatus for unwinding a web such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/816,173, entitled WEB UNWINDING APPARATUS AND METHOD, filed Jan. 2, 1992, and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,418.
When unwinding a web from a web roll wound upon a core roll it is desirable to control the winding apparatus so as to slow down the unwinding operation especially when the web is about to run out and the web roll is therefor relatively small. At that juncture, due to the action of the looped belt moving in one direction, the web roll has a tendency to rock back and forth in such a way as to limit the usefulness of detectors utilizing horizontally disposed light beams and the like for controlling the speed of the unwinding. It is also possible that at some point, determined by web roll size, it may become desirable to reverse the belt let off and to wind a certain amount of the web so that accurately determining roll size becomes important.
While the web roll control and method hereof is described in connection with a belt let off of the type illustrated in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 07/816,173, it may be desirable to utilize such in connection with determining the size of web rolls and the like in other configurations.


A spindle characterization system for characterizing performance of a spindle used in an industrial machine includes a machine base for providing a mounting and support surface and having a recessed portion. The spindle characterization facility includes a table base assembly for supporting the spindle disposed within the recess portion and the table base assembly has a table top and height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the table top. The spindle characterization system also includes a spindle mounting mechanism having a top portion mounted to the spindle and a bottom portion mounted to the table top, and a spindle forcing assembly operatively connected to the spindle, and the spindle forcing assembly generates an axial load, radial load and a torque that is applied to the spindle to simulate a machine tool load. The spindle characterization facility further includes a programmable controller operatively connected to the spindle forcing assembly for providing computerized numeric control, and a computer system in communication with the programmable controller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to spindles for industrial machines and, more specifically, to a system for characterizing performance of a spindle used in an industrial machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Industrial machines are frequently used in production environments, such as automotive vehicle production. It is especially important that these industrial machines provide reliable performance to avoid costly production delays due to machine malfunction. Machine spindle failures are a known contributor to machine downtime in a production facility. In the past, various methods have been used to increase the reliability, predictability and maintainability of the industrial machine. For example, the performance of a major component of the industrial machine, such as the spindle, has heretofore been evaluated within a test environment. These tests are typically performed under steady state conditions at a single operating speed, and could only verify a few characteristics of the spindle. While steady state testing may adequately characterize certain features of the spindle, it is not a sufficient indicator of long-term performance within a particular manufacturing environment.
In addition, environmental factors, such as vibration, temperature or coolants, may affect the performance and reliability of machine components. One approach is to monitor major machine components, in order to isolate a suspect component. However this approach is an inadequate indicator of long-term machine performance. Another approach is characterization of the machine components, structure, tooling and workpiece as an integral system. An example of such an approach is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,894, to Seth et al., xe2x80x9cSystem and Method For Machining Process Characterization Using Mechanical Signature Analysisxe2x80x9d the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. While this method works well, it does not provide for characterization of a particular component, such as a spindle, during the design phase for that component.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a spindle characterization system to test and measure the performance characteristics of a spindle under dynamic load and environmental conditions similar to those encountered in a production environment.
Accordingly, the present invention is a spindle characterization system for characterizing performance of a spindle used in an industrial machine. The spindle characterization system includes a machine base for providing a mounting and support surface and having a recessed portion. The spindle characterization system also includes a table base assembly for supporting the spindle disposed within the recess portion, and the table base assembly includes a table top and height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the table top. The spindle characterization system further includes a spindle mounting mechanism having a top portion mounted to the spindle and a bottom portion mounted to the table top, and a spindle forcing assembly operatively connected to the spindle, and the spindle forcing assembly generates an axial load, radial load and a torque that is applied to the spindle to simulate a machine tool load. The spindle characterization facility includes a programmable controller operatively connected to the spindle forcing assembly for providing computerized numeric control, and a computer system in communication with the programmable controller.
One advantage of the present invention is that a spindle characterization system is provided that verifies the performance of a spindle under environmental conditions similar to a production environment. Another advantage of the present invention is that spindle characteristics are determined under oscillatory, radial, axial and torsional loads replicating machining loads occurring under actual machining operations. Still another advantage of the present invention is that numerous spindle characteristics, including dynamic stiffness, vibration, and thermal characteristics, can be analyzed under a variety of operating conditions. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the analysis of the spindle""s characteristics can be used in enhancing the design of the spindle, to improve the operating performance of the spindle within a manufacturing environment. Still yet another advantage of the present invention is that performance verification of a spindle tested by the system enhances the robustness and reliability of spindle designs. A further advantage of the present invention is that the system includes a test stand base that has increased dynamic stiffness, so as not to influence the integrity of the spindle characterization.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A posture improvement device is provided, in which a predetermined amount of tension in a belt around the wearer's waist closes a switch and activates a buzzer, vibration motor, or other indicating means in a belt buckle of said belt. Means are provided to adjust the amount of tension required to achieve said closing of said switch. By maintaining sufficient tautness in his or her abdominal and lower back muscles, the wearer can maintain the tension in the belt below the predetermined threshold level, and correspondingly maintain desired improved posture. Conversely, slouching or relaxation of said muscles closes said switch and signals the wearer to improve his or her posture.

This invention relates to posture improvement devices, and particularly to signalling devices of the character that are utilized to indicate poor posture. The signalling device of my invention is useful for several purposes, including assisting a person to improve his posture, strengthen his abdominal and back muscles, achieve a more desirable waistline, and improve his breathing mechanics, among others.
Good posture benefits a person's appearance as well as his general health. In addition, good posture may be effective to prevent or correct certain back ailments. In particular, contracting one's abdominal and lower back muscles generally results in good posture and improves one's appearance by reducing one's waistline.
Thus, desirable posture is integrally related to the strength and utilization of a person's abdominal and back muscles. Improvement of one's posture can therefore be directly related to the development and exercise of those muscles.
In addition to or as an alternative to active, focused exercises to accomplish the desired and beneficial muscle development, it has been found that signalling devices can be worn on certain areas of the human body to alert the wearer when the relevant muscles are excessively relaxed or when the wearer's posture otherwise needs to be improved. Utilized properly, such devices enable a person to "train" his abdominal and back muscles to maintain good posture.
Prior art signalling devices are directed to the aforesaid desirable result but have significant shortcomings. Illustrative of the cumbersome, inconvenient nature of such prior art devices are the devices of U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,541 to Hall, U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,480 to Janness, U.S. Pat. No. 3,908,279 to Yoslow et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,733 to Celest et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,168 to Miller et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,625 to Fraser et al. These devices involve substantial modifications or additions to normal articles of clothing, and appear to cause some discomfort or at least to be significantly noticeable to the wearer. For example, the mechanism of Hall requires numerous restrictive straps enwrapping the wearer's torso. By way of further example, the device of Miller utilizes a harness cable extending around the longitudinal axis of the body from the pubis to the scapula.
It further appears that the foregoing prior art devices may be detected by persons observing the wearer, which is an undesirable aspect in some, if not most, circumstances.


A hinge device of a portable terminal couples a body and a folder of the portable terminal and enables rotation of the folder with respect to the body. The hinge device includes a cylindrical hinge housing having an open end, a closed end, and a suspending block that projects from a peripheral surface of the cylindrical hinge housing and extends longitudinally between the open end and the closed end; a hinge shaft having a disk and an angular block projecting from the disk, disposed along a hinge axis, the disk being housed in the cylindrical hinge housing and the angular block protruding through the open end of the cylindrical hinge housing; a hinge cam, disposed outside the cylindrical hinge housing, having a concave block disposed along the hinge axis in opposition to the angular block of the hinge shaft, to engage in a sliding motion in conjunction with the angular block; and a conical compression coil spring, disposed between the closed end of the cylindrical hinge housing and the disk of the hinge shaft, to press the hinge shaft against the hinge cam. The conical compression coil spring is compressible into a plane, so that the space required for installing and assembling the hinge device in the portable terminal can be reduced. When the hinge housing is combined with the folder of a foldable terminal, the hinge cam is combined with the body of the foldable terminal. Combining the hinge housing with the folder and the hinge cam with the body obviates the need for an axis of a conventional hinge cam, which combines the hinge device with the body, thus enabling the miniaturization of the hinge device and a portable terminal using the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to portable terminals such as cellular telephones, PCS (personal communication service) telephones, or PDA (personal digital assistant) telephones, and in particular, to a hinge device for such a portable terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a portable terminal 100 according to a known art, showing in particular a foldable terminal. As shown in the drawing, the portable terminal 100 includes a body 110 and a folder 120. The body 110 is provided with an antenna device 111 on the top end and a battery 113 on the rear surface. On the surface facing the folder 120, the body 110 is typically provided with a transmission block (not shown) having a keypad and a microphone. The folder 120 is typically provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD), for displaying terminal status information and related data, and a receiving block (not shown) including a speaker device.
The folder 120 is combined with the body 110 to be rotatable by a hinge device, typically providing approximately 150 degrees of rotation for opening and closing. The same hinge device may be adopted equally to a portable terminal having a flippable or foldable folder.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional cut-away view showing a portion of a portable terminal adopting a conventional hinge device 200, and FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of the hinge device 200 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinge device 200 includes a hinge shaft 220 mounted inside a hinge housing 210, a hinge cam 230, a spring cap 240, and a hinge spring 250. The hinge device 200 is housed in a center hinge arm C1. The hinge shaft 220 is combined with a side hinge arm S1 of the body 110.
The hinge device 200 imparts sufficient biasing force to the folder 120 to cause the folder to open automatically, i.e. without applying additional force manually, when the folder is brought to an angle greater than a predetermined angle. At the same time, the hinge device 200 also imparts a biasing force causing the folder to close automatically when the folder is brought to an angle less than the same predetermined angle. This automatic opening and closing is achieved by the operation of the hinge spring 250, which provides the engaging force that causes the surface of an angular block 223 of the hinge shaft 220 to press against the surface of a concave block 231 of the hinge cam 230. Here, the predetermined angle is approximately 35 to 45 degrees.
One side of the hinge housing 210 is a semicircular, curved surface, and the other side is a planar surface, which facilitates assembly. The hinge housing 210 has a first open end 211 for receiving the hinge shaft 220. A guide groove 215 is formed in the planar surface of the hinge housing 210, extending longitudinally from the first open end 211. A pair of suspending grooves 217 are formed on either side of the hinge housing 210.
The hinge shaft 220 has at a D-shaped axis 221 formed at one end, with the angular block 223 being formed at the other. The D-shaped axis 221 has a recessed surface 225 formed on one side. The position of the recessed surface 225 on the D-shaped axis 221 with respect to the orientation of the angular block 223 determines the predetermined (i.e. opening/closing) angle of the folder 120. The axial length of the recessed surface 225 determines insertion depth of the hinge shaft 220 into the side hinge arm S1. The hinge shaft 220 is inserted into the hinge housing 210, with the D-shaped axis 221 projecting through a second open end 213.
The hinge cam 230 engages the angular block 223 of the hinge shaft 220, such that the concave block 231 meets and slides along the surface of the angular block 223. A pair of rises 233a and 233b are formed on either side of the concave block 231. The other end of the hinge cam 230 has a spring-fixing projection 235 and a hinge cam rib 237, which is inserted in the guide groove 215 of the hinge housing 210, enabling a rectilinear motion of the hinge cam 230 along the guide groove 215.
The spring cap 240 includes a pair of suspension jaws 241 to suspend the spring cap 240 in the suspending grooves 217 of the hinge housing 210, a cap rib 243 for inserting in the guide groove 215 of the hinge housing 210, and a fixing projection 245 to fix the spring cap 240 to the center hinge arm C1 of the folder 120.
The hinge spring 250 is installed between the hinge cam 230 and the spring cap 240 for pressing the hinge cam 230 firmly against the hinge shaft 220.
In the conventional hinge device of a portable terminal as described above, the numerous components of the hinge device have limited miniaturization. That is, the hinge shaft, hinge cam, and hinge spring are all housed within the hinge housing, and each component requires a minimum amount of space. Accordingly, further miniaturization of portable terminals adopting such a hinge device is hindered.

Hinge device for portable terminal using the same


A method for applying a matting layer to a radiation-sensitive layer of a printing plate precursor is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) providing a matting composition comprising a polymer and a solvent, wherein the matting composition has a solid content of more than 10% and no more than 50% by weight based on the total composition; and (b) spraying the matting composition on the radiation-sensitive layer using an electrostatically aided rotary atomizer having a bell speed of more than 10,000 rpm, wherein the distance between the bell and the radiation-sensitive layer to be coated is less than 30 cm. The printing plate precursor may be in the form of a moving web. The method of the present invention can be used for matting any kind of radiation-sensitive layer of conventional positive and negative working lithographic printing plate precursors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for matting the radiation-sensitive layer of a printing plate precursor. In particular, this invention relates to a method for spray coating a matting layer on the radiation-sensitive layer of a printing plate precursor wherein the method excludes the necessity of a dampening step, drying step or both after the spray coating.
2. Background Information
Lithographic printing plates are prepared from plate precursors by imagewise exposing the precursor to radiation such as UV light and a subsequent developing step. Conventionally, the imagewise exposure is done in a vacuum frame; under a glass plate a mask is put on top of the precursor and the exposure is done through the mask. The vacuum removes the air and allows a close contact between the mask and plate precursor. In the case of a positive working printing plate precursor, the radiation-sensitive layer comprises a quinonediazid compound which releases nitrogen during exposure; the nitrogen is also removed by the vacuum.
When the surface of the printing plate precursor is too smooth gas can remain between the mask and precursor thus preventing close contact and causing undercutting, i.e. fine elements get lost or shifted in the tonal value after exposure and development. It is therefore preferred that the surface of the light-sensitive layer is roughened. This can, for instance, be done through dusting the surface before exposure to radiation. However, such a procedure usually results in irregularly roughened surfaces so that irregular copy results are obtained. The producers of radiation-sensitive elements such as printing plate precursors therefore make efforts to develop products which already have a rough surface. There are several methods for putting small protrusions on the surface of the printing plate to prevent the inclusion of air. This treatment of the precursor is called matting. Matting can be done by either incorporating particles into the radiation-sensitive coating solution or by using an additional treatment step after applying the radiation-sensitive coating and drying it. The first method is lacking mainly because fine filters cannot be used on the radiation-sensitive coating solution because these would remove the particles out of the coating solution. Therefore, an additional step after the coating step (i.e. radiation-sensitive coating) is advantageous. Another advantage is that the particles are insoluble in the developer and can cause sludging whereas the post-treatment can use polymers which are easily soluble in the developer.
The matting may, for instance, be done by a powder application as described in DE-A-29 28 396. The drawback of this method is that the powder must be a polymer which has to be melted by an oven process for adhesion, which restricts the choice of polymer because of the required low Tg. These polymers are usually not developer soluble.
The preferred matting method is one which is described for instance in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,626,484 and 4,781,941. This method comprises the steps of spraying an aqueous solution of polymer by use of an electrostatically supported high speed bell followed by dampening and then drying.
Furthermore, EP-A-545458 describes a spraying method without mentioning dampening and drying. Spraying is done on a web which moves slowly, i.e. at a line speed of up to 10 m/min in order to obtain a dry matting layer. The abundance of time by the low line speed might allow air drying without an oven. However, modern line web speeds are at least four times as fast and the required length for an oven grows with the speed. For aqueous solutions infrared dryers are used frequently.
DE-A-43 35 425 describes a printing plate precursor which is matted by spraying-on a dispersion of a resin; subsequently, the plate requires infrared-drying or convection air drying.
The necessity of dampening and/or drying, of course, is not economical due to the need for additional equipment and the prolonged time for producing the precursor.
Besides the additional need of energy for a drying oven the saving of line spacexe2x80x94i.e., no dampening nor drying sectionxe2x80x94is an important factor: the compactness provides room for additional and/or improved other process steps. In addition to these advantages in production the plate quality and the yield can be improved as well. For instance the cosmetic appearance is free from vapor pattern and there are no droplets of dripping water, a problem which is associated with the vaporization process, especially during machine start-up. The heat of an oven step can cause an additional strain to the coating, especially in case of negative working plates.
Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a single step process for matting a printing plate precursor by spraying a matting layer on the radiation-sensitive layer of the precursor without the need for post-dampening, post-drying, or both. In addition, the process should be applicable to high web speed production lines.
The above object is achieved by a process in which a matting composition having a solid content of more than 10% by weight and no more than 50% by weight is spray-coated on the radiation-sensitive layer of a printing plate precursor using an electrostatically aided rotary atomizer with a bell having a distance of less than 50 cm from the radiation-sensitive layer of the printing plate precursor to be coated and a bell speed of more than 10,000 rpm.
The process of the present invention can be used for matting any kind of radiation-sensitive layer of conventional positive and negative working lithographic printing plate precursors. The term xe2x80x9cconventional plate precursorxe2x80x9d refers to precursors which are imaged by exposing through a mask. Digitally imageable plate precursors (for instance thermo plates) are directly imaged by means of a laser without the use of a mask and therefore do not need a matting layer. In the case of positive working plate precursors, scattered light is often used for exposure and therefore especially positive plate precursors need a matting layer. Printing plate precursors which can be matted by the process of the present invention are for instance described in EP-A-0 544 264, GB-A-2081919 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,595 which are all incorporated herein by reference. However, the presently claimed process is not limited to these printing plate precursors.
As the matting composition to be sprayed on the radiation-sensitive layer of a printing plate precursor any known matting composition can be used as long as the solid content of the composition is adjusted to more than 10% by weight and less than 50% by weight based on the total composition. Hereafter the term xe2x80x9csolid contentxe2x80x9d refers to the amount of polymer or polymers in the composition. The composition comprises at least one polymer (or copolymer) and at least one solvent. The composition has to meet the following requirements: (1) the polymer has to be soluble in the solvent; (2) the polymer has to be soluble in the alkaline developer which will be used for developing the imagewise-exposed printing plate precursor later; (3) the polymer should not have a negative effect on the print-out; (4) the composition should dry in air; (5) the matting layer obtained should be hard but not brittle; (6) the matting layer obtained should not be sticky at high humidity; and (7) the matting layer obtained should not adhere to the radiation-sensitive layer to such a degree that rolling up of the web causes tearing out of the radiation-sensitive layer.
Suitable solvents are water, lower aliphatic alcohols, aqueous ammonia and mixtures thereof. The use of lower alcohols improves the drying properties; however lower alcohols are not preferred due to their inflammability. The most preferred solvent is water.
Suitable polymers are water-soluble polymers such as polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polymethacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, soluble amides, soluble carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, soluble polymers of maleic anhydride, soluble polymers of vinylether, polyvinylacetate and copolymers and mixtures thereof, as well as copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and salts thereof. Suitable polymers are for instance described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,484, EP-A-0 545,458, DE-A-43 35 425 and EP-A-0092794. which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferred polymers are salts of styrene/acrylic acid copolymers, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylacetate and salts of methyl methacrylate-methacrylate-acrylic acid terpolymers.
The polymers preferably have a weight average molecular weight in the range of about 1,000 to about 250,000, more preferably about 2,000 to about 20,000.
It is essential for the present invention that the solid content of the composition to be sprayed on is more than 10 wt % based on the total composition but no more than 50 wt %, preferably about 15 to about 35 wt %, more preferably about 18 to about 25 wt %. If the solid content is 10 wt % or less, the drying speed of the matting layer is not sufficient. If the solid content is higher than 50 wt %, the composition is not sprayable because: (1) of the high viscosity of the solution; or (2) the droplets dry before they reach the web to be matted, consequently do not adhere and make the surface appear dusty.
The weight average molecular weight and the polymer content preferably is controlled such that the viscosity of the matting composition is about 2 to about 20 mPaxc2x7s, more preferably about 5 to about 15 mPaxc2x7s.
The matting composition may optionally also contain at least one member selected from the group consisting of commonly used antifoaming agents like polysiloxanes and commonly used yellow dyes absorbing in the range of about 350 to 450 nm; the yellow dyes act as UV-absorbers. The antifoaming agents are used in an amount of 0 to about 0.5% by weight, while the yellow dyes are used in an amount of 0 to about 5% by weight based on the total composition.
For applying the matting composition, any commonly used electrostatically aided rotary atomizer can be used. Suitable atomizers are for instance disclosed in xe2x80x9cGlasurit-Handbuch Lacke und Farbenxe2x80x9d (C. R. Vinconte Verlag) which is incorporated herein by reference. Useful atomizers are for instance commercially available from the companies De Vilbiss and ESB. The bell diameter is usually in the range of about 20 to 100 mm; most commonly used is a bell diameter of about 40 to 70 mm. The term xe2x80x9cbellxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to the electrostatic spray bell cup employed in electrostatically aided rotary atomizers, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,003,784 and 6,003,785, and as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.
For the process of the present invention it is essential that the distance between the bell (more precisely that part of the bell where the matting solution is released) and the surface to be spray-coated is less than 50 cm; preferably, the distance is about 10 to 40 cm, more preferably about 15 to 30 cm, most preferably about 15 to 20 cm. Commonly, it is preferred to have a relatively large distance, e.g. about 80 to 100 cm, to obtain a large atomizing cone. However, for the present invention the distance has to be less than 50 cm to avoid the situation where the produced droplets have already dried before they reach the surface of the web to be matted.
Furthermore, it is important that the rotation speed of the atomizer (bell speed) is more than 10,000 rpm, preferably in the range from about 15,000 to 60,000 rpm, more preferably in the range from about 25,000 to 40,000 rpm, most preferably about 30,000 rpm. By controlling the bell speed to be more than 10,000 rpm, it is possible to produce droplets having a diameter within a narrow range, for instance within the range of about 5 to 20 xcexcm.
According to the process of the present invention it is possible to use two atomizers, i.e. two bells which simultaneously release the matting solution.
By controlling the bell to surface distance, the bell speed, and the solid content of the matting composition as described above, it is possible to produce a matting layer at a high web speed (also called line speed), for instance about 15 to about 100 m/min, preferably about 20 to about 60 m/min, more preferably about 30 to 40 m/min. Such a high web speed is possible since the matting layer dries immediately. Another advantage of the process according to the present invention is that no drying step (for instance in an oven or by air convection) is necessary, resulting in time and cost savings. The absence of a drying step also means that the web is not kept at an elevated temperature after the drying of the radiation-sensitive layer which is carried out before the matting step. To the contrary, it is preferred that the web is cooled down to a temperature of about 20 to 30xc2x0 C. (for instance by use of a cooling roll) before spraying on the matting composition.
The electrostatic potential preferably lies in the range of about 5 to 100 kV, more preferably about 20 to 80 kV, most preferably about 20 to 40 kV.
Advantageously, to obtain an immediately dried matting layer by the present process, it is not necessary to work at elevated cabin temperature; a temperature of about 20xc2x0 C. is sufficient. Furthermore, it is not necessary to reduce the cabin humidity. Immediate drying is also achieved at a humidity of about 50 to 70%.
The following examples are meant to describe the invention in more detail without limiting the invention in any way.

Spray coating matting method for printing plate precursors


A system and method that transmits and displays graphical images among wireless devices in a push-to-talk system. A predefined set of graphical images is stored in a wireless device, and when a user presses a push-to-talk button on the wireless device, the wireless device displays a list of predefined images to the user to select. After the user selects an image, the wireless device transmits an image code associated with the selected image to a server for relaying to every wireless device in a push-to-talk communication group. When a receiving wireless device receives the image code, it retrieves an image corresponding to the image code from the predefined set and displays the image to the user of the wireless device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to wireless telecommunications, and more specifically relates to a system and method for transmitting graphics in a push-to-talk system on a wireless network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Technology advancement has made mobile telephones or wireless communications devices cheap and affordable to almost everyone. As the wireless telephones are manufactured with greater processing ability and storage, they also become more versatile and incorporate many features including the direct radio communication capability between two or more individual handsets. This direct radio communication capability is commonly known as the push-to-talk (PTT) or "walkie-talkie" feature that allows a user with one handset to communicate with a predefined set of members of a group without dialing a destination telephone number.
In a PTT system, a handset uses one single frequency for both upward and downward communications with a remote server, while in a normal wireless communication a wireless telephone uses two frequencies for communicating with the server, one for upward and one for downward communications. The PTT system requires the person who is speaking to press a button while talking and then release it when he is done. Any listener in the group can then press their button to respond. In this manner, the system can determine which direction the signal should be traveling in. When a user makes a call to a receiving party or a group of receiving parties using the PTT system, the user's handset first makes a request to a remote server. The remote server verifies that no other party is using the communication channel and the channel is available then assigns the channel to the user. The user's message is received by the server and the server duplicates the message for each and every receiving party. After the message is transmitted to every receiving party, the channel is released and ready for use by other parties.
The PTT system relies on cellular technology to connect to the recipient devices. Conversely, a normal "walkie-talkie" style two-way radio will only operate if the radios are within a certain distance of each other. Systems using the PTT feature can communicate anywhere within a service area specified by its service provider, typically a large urban area or even nationally.
Generally, a communication through the PTT feature employs a half-duplex channel with limited bandwidth, and a PTT communication centralizes on the audio aspect with no other data capability because of bandwidth limitation. Consequently, the members of the PTT communication group cannot easily express emotions that are indescribable verbally but improve significantly understanding among the members, such as through the relay of "emotions."

System and method for transmitting graphics data in a push-to-talk system


A radio frequency amplifier, for amplifying a radio frequency signal, comprises a plurality of active element groups, each comprising one or more active elements for amplifying a signal, with input terminals of said one or more active elements being combined to form a single input terminal and output terminals of said one or more active elements being combined to form a single output terminal and bias control means for controlling bias conditions of said plurality of active element groups arranged in such a manner that at low power output deterioration of the gain and distortion characteristics of the amplifier is avoided and sufficiently low power consumption can be achieved by switching the bias voltages of each of the active element groups of the high-frequency amplifier individually between an operating voltage and an off voltage.

The present invention relates to a transmitter device, receiver device, and high-frequency amplifier employed in these devices, and is particularly suitable for transmitter devices for carrying out transmission power control or receiving devices for changing receiving power levels.
FIG. 1 shows a typical block structure of a receiving system and a transmitting system for a wireless communications terminal. First, the receiving system is constructed as follows.
Electromagnetic waves received by an antenna 61 are provided to a receiver amplifier 63 by a duplexer 62 after having been converted into a high-frequency electrical signal. A high-frequency electrical signal amplified by the receiver amplifier 63 is made into an intermediate frequency signal by mixing with a local frequency from a local oscillator 65 at a mixer 64. The gain of this intermediate frequency signal is controlled by an intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 66. In particular, the output level of the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 66 is detected by the coupler 68a and the AGC 68 variably controls the gain of the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 66 in response to the detected level so that an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) operation can be carried out for the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 66.
The AGC 68 generates received signal strength information S1 from the output level of the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 66.
The output of the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 66 is demodulated by a demodulator 67 to give a baseband signal. This baseband signal is then provided to a baseband signal processor 69, with a speaker 69a then being driven, and audio being outputted.
The transmission system is constructed as follows. First, the audio signal is converted into an electrical signal by a microphone 69b. This output is then provided to a baseband signal processor 69.
A transmission baseband signal outputted from the baseband signal processor 69 is modulated at a modulator 71 and is then amplified at a prescribed gain at an intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 72. This signal is then mixed with a local frequency from a local oscillator 65 at a mixer 73 to give a high-frequency signal (wireless frequency signal) and is amplified at a radio frequency variable gain amplifier 74. The signal is then amplified at a transmission power amplifier 75, provided to the antenna 61 from a duplexer 62, and is transmitted.
Transmission systems constructed in such a manner that transmission power control is carried out based on received signal strength level information S1 or based on an instruction signal S2 from a remote station such as a base station are common.
For example, an instruction signal S2 included in a receiving signal is provided to a controller 70 after being demodulated at the baseband signal processor 69. The controller 70 then outputs an instruction to a transmission power controller 76 based on the instruction signal S2. The transmission power controller 76 generates transmission power control information S3 based on an instruction from the controller 70 and provides this to the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 72 and the radio frequency variable gain amplifier 74. The gain of the amplifying operation is then set-up at the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 72 and the radio frequency variable gain amplifier 74 based on the transmission power control information S3.
Alternatively, constructions are also known where transmission power control information S3 is generated based on the receiving signal strength level S1 from the AGC 68 and this is then provided to the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 72 and the radio frequency variable gain amplifier 74.
Cases where control of transmission power is carried out using these means on the transmission side are common.
The input signal level to the receiver amplifier 63 is changed at the receiving system depending on the distance to the base station which sent the signal and the base station transmitted signal level. Because of this, the aforementioned AGC control can be used to provide a degree of compatibility with fluctuations in the level of the received signal.
However, in the case of carrying out transmission power control, considering the efficiency for the transmission power amplifier 75 which is the stage following the radio frequency variable gain amplifier 74, there is a problem where there is unnecessary consumption of electric power. Similarly, the operation of the receiver amplifier 63 in response to changes in the receiving signal level strength is not efficient. This problem is described taking the example of the transmission power amplifier 75.
An example of the characteristics of the output power Pout and the Power Added Efficiency PAE for the input power Pin of the transmission power amplifier 75 is shown in FIG. 2.
As can be seen from the drawing, the output power Pout and the Power Added Efficiency PAE increase as the input power Pin increases.
Considering the case where the input power Pin at the transmission power amplifier 75 is lowered due to transmission power control, the Power Added Efficiency PAE is dramatically reduced, as shown in the drawing. For example, the Power Added Efficiency is about 1% when the output is 10 mW, that is 10 dBm and the total power consumption is 1 W. Thus, 990 mW is power dissipated as heat, with there being large room for improvement with regards to lower power consumption.
Technology where a bias voltage or current provided to the transmission power amplifier 75 is controlled in response to transmission power control information S3 is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 1-314431 and Japanese Patent Publication Hei. 6-93631 as high efficiency methods for the transmission power amplifier 75 at the time of low output power.
These related bias control methods are described in the following.
An example is given in FIG. 3 where the efficiency at the time of low transmission output is improved by controlling the gate bias of the transmission power amplifier 75 using this transmission power control information S3 while the gain of the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 72 and the radio frequency variable gain amplifier 74 is controlled based on the transmission power control information S3.
With the transmission power amplifier 75 of this example, the input power Pin is amplified by an FET 81 at a first stage amplifier via a matching circuit 80a before being further amplified at an FET 82 at a second stage amplifier via a matching circuit 80b. The signal is then outputted as the output power Pout via the matching circuit 80c.
Gate voltages Vg1 and Vg2 are provided to the gates of FET 81 and FET 82 via gate resistors Rg1 and Rg2. Drain voltages Vd1 and Vd2 are applied to the drains for FET 81 and FET 82 and drain currents Id1 and Id2 are made to flow via the choke coils Ld1 and Ld2. The sources of the FETs 81 and 82 are connected to ground.
The gate voltages Vg1 and Vg2 are generated by a gate bias control circuit 83. The gate bias control circuit 83 sets up the values for the gate voltages Vg1 and Vg2 based on the transmission power control information S3.
In this example, the drain current Id can be lowered by changing the value of the voltage Vgs across the gate and source from Vg-on to Vg-on1 as shown in the graph of the voltage Vgs across the gate and source versus the drain current Id of FIG. 4.
The case is considered where the gain of the intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier 72 and the radio frequency variable gain amplifier 74 is controlled based on the transmission power control information S3 and the input power Pin for the transmission power amplifier 75 is small, that is the case during low power is considered. The efficiency can be improved during this kind of low power output by having the drain current Id fall by making the value for the gate voltage Vg of the transmission power amplifier 75 change from Vg-on to Vg-on1 because the desired output can be obtained even if the drain current Id falls.
In this case, as can be understood from FIG. 4, when the value of the voltage Vgs across the gate and source is lowered from Vg-on to Vg-on1, the gain is lowered and the distortion characteristic is inferior because the characteristic for the voltage Vgs across the gate and source versus the drain current Id is not the ideal straight line characteristic. Because of this, considering the permitted gain reduction and distortion characteristics, the reduction from the value Vg-on to the value Vg-on1, i.e. the value taken as Vg-on cannot but be set up and in reality, and the reduction width (control scope of the gate voltage of FIG. 4) cannot be made very large. The drain current Id can therefore not be made too low during low transmission output and the achieved efficiency results will be small.
Another example is shown in FIG. 5. In this example, the structure of the transmission power amplifier 75 is almost the same as that in FIG. 2. However, the gate voltages Vg1 and Vg2 are taken to be fixed values and drain voltages Vd1 and Vd2 are generated by a drain bias control circuit 84. The drain bias control circuit 84 sets up voltage values as the drain voltages Vd1 and Vd2 based on the transmission power control information S3.
The drain current can be lowered and low power consumption can be achieved in this case also during low transmission output by lowering the drain voltage Vd1 and Vd2.
As shown in the graph of the gate/source voltage Vgs and the drain current Id of FIG. 6, the drain current is lowered from the drain current Ids-on to Ids-on1 by changing the value of the drain voltage Vd from Vds-h to Vds-1.
However, the actual scope of variation must also be limited in the case of this method because of lowering of the gain and deterioration of distortion characteristics and only a small improvement in efficiency can be achieved (resulting consumption at low power). In particular, in recent years there has been a tendency for the drain voltage Vds to become lower, with the variable scope of the drain bias therefore becoming smaller accordingly.
Further, there is also a method where the examples of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 are combined. Naturally, a dramatic improvement in the efficiency results was not achieved.
These related examples where shown in the drawings with single FET elements as the FETs 81 and 82 of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. However, in reality, the FETs 81 and 82 etc. are constructed as FETs capable of high outputs where a plurality of FET units (FET-1, FET-2, . . . FET-n) are arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. 7.
The structure of these kinds of FET elements when viewed from above is as shown, for example, in FIG. 8.
The signal from the matching circuit 80a of FIG. 7 is inputted to a gate line Gc formed as an upper layer metal layer in FIG. 8. Further, a gate voltage Vg is applied at the gate line Gc via a portion comprising a gate resistance Rg. Eight gate electrodes G1 to G8 are then lead-out from the gate line Gc.
Further, drain electrodes D1 to D4 are formed as lower metal layers, with these drain electrodes D1 to D4 all being connected to a drain line Dc present at the upper metal layer. The drain line Dc is the output line for the FET 81 of FIG. 7.
Moreover, source electrodes S1 to S5 are formed as lower metal layers and are all connected to a source line Sc present at the upper layer metal layer. The source line Sc is then connected to ground.
In this case, drain electrodes and source electrodes are positioned on both sides of each of the gate electrodes G1 to G8. In this way, 8 FET units (FET-1, FET-2 . . . FET-8) are formed.
As the present invention sets out to resolve the aforementioned problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a high-frequency amplifier, transmitting device and receiving device which is simpler and which can achieve dramatically lower power consumption.

High-frequency amplifier, transmitting device and receiving device


A digital encoder for use in both NTSC and PAL systems includes a demultiplexer for separating a time-division color difference signal R-Y/B-Y into color difference signals R-Y and B-Y. The separated color difference signals R-Y and B-Y are converted by a sub-carrier frequency converter into a sub-carrier frequency, and a digital modulator determines levels and phases of the converted color difference signals. A burst generating circuit generates a burst signal after determining a level and phase of the burst signal, and a chroma encoder produces a chroma signal by mixing an output of the digital modulator with the burst signal.

The present invention relates, in general, to the digital processing of signals and, more particularly, to a digital encoder applicable in, for example, cameras for both home and industrial uses.
The recent trend in camera design is to include more digital components. That is, the analog components within a conventional camera are being converted to digital components. Digital cameras have many uses in industry and home and, as an example, such digital cameras are used for surveillance. One component of a digital camera is a digital encoder, which is necessary for processing the digital chrominance and luminance signals and generating a suitable burst signal. However, conventional digital encoders have many drawbacks and disadvantages


An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a transmission assembly extending from a body assembly that is configured to selectively couple to a disposable clamp arm. In some versions the clamp arm may include a tab that is insertable into a slot of an inner member such that actuation of the inner member rotates the clamp arm relative to a blade. In other versions the clamp arm may include a ball recess and the inner member may include a rod and ball. The clamp arm may be configured to snap onto the ball and rod. Alternatively, the clamp arm may include living hinges coupleable to an outer sheath and the inner member. Such living hinges may be unitarily formed with a clamp pad on the clamp arm. Further still, the clamp arm may be part of an end effector configured to couple to the transmission assembly via resilient tabs and slots.

In some settings, endoscopic surgical instruments may be preferred over traditional open surgical devices since a smaller incision may reduce the post-operative recovery time and complications. Consequently, some endoscopic surgical instruments may be suitable for placement of a distal end effector at a desired surgical site through a cannula of a trocar. These distal end effectors may engage tissue in a number of ways to achieve a diagnostic or therapeutic effect (e.g., endocutter, grasper, cutter, stapler, clip applier, access device, drug/gene therapy delivery device, and energy delivery device using ultrasound, RF, laser, etc.). Endoscopic surgical instruments may include a shaft between the end effector and a handle portion, which is manipulated by the clinician. Such a shaft may enable insertion to a desired depth and rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, thereby facilitating positioning of the end effector within the patient.
Examples of endoscopic surgical instruments include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0079874, entitled "Tissue Pad for Use with an Ultrasonic Surgical Instrument," published Apr. 13, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0191713, entitled "Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating," published Aug. 16, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0282333, entitled "Ultrasonic Waveguide and Blade," published Dec. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0200940, entitled "Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating," published Aug. 21, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0015660, entitled "Rotating Transducer Mount for Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments," published Jan. 20, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,461,744, issued Jun. 11, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,176, entitled "Electrosurgical Systems and Techniques for Sealing Tissue," issued Dec. 31, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0087218, entitled "Surgical Instrument Comprising First and Second Drive Systems Actuatable by a Common Trigger Mechanism," published Apr. 14, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,939,974, issued Jan. 27, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Additionally, such surgical tools may include a cordless transducer such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0143797, entitled "Cordless Hand-held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device," published Jun. 4, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,419,757, issued Apr. 16, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In addition, the surgical instruments may be used, or adapted for use, in robotic-assisted surgery settings such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,524, entitled "Robotic Surgical Tool with Ultrasound Cauterizing and Cutting Instrument," issued Aug. 31, 2004.
While several systems and methods have been made and used for surgical instruments, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the technology may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present technology, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the technology; it being understood, however, that this technology is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

Surgical instrument with modular clamp pad


An erasable ink composition contains a water-insoluble polymeric dye obtained by copolymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers at least one of which possesses a dye moiety covalently bonded thereto. The ink is intended for use in any of a variety of marking instruments, in particular, a ball-point pen.

This invention relates to an erasable ink composition and to a marking instrument, e.g., a ball-point pen, containing the composition. More particularly, this invention relates to an erasable ink composition containing a water-insoluble polymer dye component, i.e., a polymer possessing a dye moiety covalently bonded thereto.
Numerous erasable ink compositions are known, e.g., those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,834,823, 3,875,105, 3,949,132, 4,097,290, 4,212,676, 4,227,930, 4,256,494, 4,297,260, 4,329,262, 4,329,264, 4,349,639, 4,357,431, 4,367,966, 4,368,076, 4,379,867, 4,389,499, 4,390,646, 4,391,927, 4,407,985, 4,410,643, 4,419,464, 4,441,928, 4,509,982, 4,525,216, 4,557,618, 4,578,117, 4,596,846, 4,606,769, 4,629,748, 4,687,791, 4,721,739, 4,738,725, 4,760,104, 4,786,198, 4,830,670, 4,954,174, 4,960,464, 5,004,763, 5,024,898, 5,037,702, 5,082,495, 5,114,479, 5,120,359, 5,160,369 and 5,217,255. These inks are formulated by mixing a dye (taken herein to also include "pigment", "colorant", "chromophore" and other terms of similar meaning) with a variety of polymer and liquid carrier/solvent combinations thereby forming a flowable dye/polymer matrix. The polymer component is chosen for its film forming properties and its ability to be readily removed from the substrate to which it is applied, e.g., cellulosic paper, through the abrasive action of an eraser. However, a common problem with these erasable ink compositions concerns the residual dye which remains after erasure. Incomplete erasure may be attributed to inadequate removal of the dye/polymer matrix from the paper substrate and/or migration of dye into the pores of the substrate.

Erasable ink composition containing a polymer dye obtained from ethylenic monomers and marking instrument containing same


A fastener for fastening and/or temporarily fixing a component on a retainer provided with an opening, having two flexible catch pins which are situated at a distance from one another and are each provided with catch lugs in the proximity of their free ends, which project beyond opposing exterior sides of the catch pins and engage behind an edge of the opening after they pass through the opening of the retainer. It is provided that the two catch pins are situated in recesses of a projection.

In the past, electronic components, such as acceleration sensors or electronic control units of motor vehicles, which had to be mounted in a predefined position or orientation, were typically fastened with the aid of two or more screws which were screwed through parallel cylindrical steel sleeves inserted in a plastic housing of the component into corresponding screw holes of a retention plate of the vehicle body used for fastening. For these components, the housing was additionally frequently provided with a molded plastic pin, which was inserted into a corresponding additional hole of the retention plate for the purpose of temporarily fixing the components during the mounting operation, but only fulfilled a subordinate function for the duration of the mounting operation.
Because fastening electronic components of this type using a single screw has been increasingly requested for reasons of cost, the housing of the electronic components has been provided with one or two more robust molded plastic pegs in the place of the plastic pin only used for temporary fixing, which were inserted into complementary holes of the retainer before the screws were screwed into the screw hole, to ensure defined positioning of the component in relation to the retainer and prevent twisting of the component during tightening of the screws.
Recently, it has additionally been requested that the electronic components be engaged with the retainer before the screws are screwed in to allow one-handed mounting of the components. For this catch function, the plastic pegs molded onto the housing, which have only been used as a positioning aid and antirotation device up to this point, may be replaced by fastening clips, as are already used in the motor vehicle sector for other purposes, for example, for fastening door internal panels or similar components. These fastening clips typically have two parallel flexible catch pins situated at a distance from one another and projecting beyond the component, whose free ends are provided with projecting catch lugs on their exterior sides facing away from one another and are pressed together as the catch lugs pass through an appropriately dimensioned opening, before the catch lugs engage behind an edge of the opening on diametrically opposing points after their passage through the opening.
However, the use of fastening clips of this type has disadvantages. Firstly, fastening clips of this type have a relatively low drop resistance, so that one or both catch pins commonly break off as a result of shocks or impacts during transport and mounting, resulting in either the entire electronic component becoming unusable or at least its mounting being made significantly more difficult. Secondly, fastening clips of this type have lower positioning precision than rigid pegs because of the elastic flexibility and the smaller cross-sectional dimensions of the catch pins. Finally, their function as an antirotation device may also be impaired if an excessively high torque is exerted on the component as the screws are tightened, which may result in shearing off of one or even both catch pins of the fastening clip as a result of the smaller cross-sectional dimensions of the catch pins in comparison to rigid pegs.
Proceeding therefrom, the exemplary embodiments and/or exemplary methods of the present invention is based on the objective of improving a fastener of the type cited at the beginning in such a way that it has greater drop and shear resistance and ensures greater positioning precision during mounting.

Fastener for fastening and/or temporarily fixing a component on a retainer provided with an opening, as well as a component having a fastener