A neuropsychological assessment includes cards having a first indicium on a top face and an index indicium on a bottom face. A display includes an arrangement of images, each image corresponding to one of the first indicia, the image number fewer than or equal to the card number. A receptacle has depressions for holding a card, each having an aperture therethrough positioned commensurate with the index indicium's location. At least some of the depressions are positioned analogously to the display arrangement. A trial is administered by revealing the display to an examinee. The display is removed from examinee view, and the examinee is instructed to reproduce the arrangement of the images by selecting a card having a first indicium corresponding to an image and placing the selected card within a selected depression on the receptacle in a position that corresponds to a position of the corresponding image on the display.

Neuropsychological assessments can be given to individuals to test several aspects of cognitive development. An exemplary assessment that has been used in the past included cards having abstract designs on a top face and a card identifier on a bottom face. The examinee, as part of the assessment, is asked to reproduce a previously viewed pattern by placing some of the cards onto a flat grid. The assessment was scored by recording the card identifiers corresponding to the cards used and their relative positions on the grid.
A problem that existed with this assessment was the excessive amount of time it took for an examiner to record the card identifiers and positions, since each card had to be turned over individually. Another problem was the tendency for an examinee to be inexact with card placement. Yet a further problem was the possibility for the examinee to place more than one card in a single grid cell.

Spatial memory assessment and associated methods


An industrially highly useful CNT separation method is provided whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be efficiently separated and purified in large quantities in a short time period from CNTs containing these carbon nanotubes, using inexpensive equipment and in simple steps, and whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be separated at low cost. The CNT separation method includes adding a CNT dispersion to a powder-charged separation vessel to selectively adsorb the semiconducting CNTs to the powder, and eluting the semiconducting CNTs adsorbed to the powder after collecting the metallic CNTs.

CNTs have excellent electrical characteristics and mechanical strength along with other superior properties, and have been actively researched and developed as an ultimate novel material. CNTs are synthesized by using various methods, including a laser vaporization method, an arc discharge method, and a chemical vapor deposition method (CVD method). However, CNTs produced by using any of the currently available synthesis methods are obtained as a mixture of metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs.
Because either one of the metallic and semiconducting properties is often used in actual use, separation and purification of only the metallic or semiconducting CNTs from a CNT mixture is an urgent and important research subject.
There are reports of separating metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs. However, all of these reports pose problems in industrial production of metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs, as follows. (1) The separation involves complicated steps, and cannot be automated; (2) the separation is time consuming; (3) mass processing is not possible; (4) expensive equipment and chemicals are required; (5) only one of the metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs are obtained; and (6) the collection rate is low.
Examples of the currently available methods include a method in which CNTs dispersed with a surfactant are subjected to dielectrophoresis on microelectrodes (Non-Patent Document 1), a method in which amines are used as the dispersant in a solvent (Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3), and a method for selectively burning semiconducting CNTs with hydrogen peroxide (Non-Patent Document 4). However, these techniques also have the foregoing problems. Particularly, the final material is limited to metallic CNTs, and the collection rate is low.
Other methods includes a method in which a mixture of semiconducting CNTs and metallic CNTs is dispersed in a liquid to selectively bind the metallic CNTs to particles, and in which the metallic CNTs attached to the particles are removed to separate the semiconducting CNTs (Patent Document 1), a method in which CNTs treated with a nitronium ion-containing solution are filtered and heat treated to remove the metallic CNTs contained in the CNTs and to obtain semiconducting CNTs (Patent Document 2), a method using sulfuric acid and nitric acid (Patent Document 3), and a method in which CNTs are selectively separated by migration under applied electric field to obtain semiconducting CNTs confined within a narrow electric conductivity range (Patent Document 4).
These techniques also have the foregoing problems. Particularly, the resulting final material is limited to semiconducting CNTs, and the collection rate is low.
There is also a method in which CNTs dispersed with surfactants are separated into metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs by density-gradient ultracentrifugal separation (Non-Patent Document 5). This technique is also problematic, because the method uses a very expensive ultracentrifugal separator, and requires a long time for the ultracentrifugal separation procedure. Further, because the ultracentrifugal separator can only be increased to a certain size, more than one ultracentrifugal separator needs to be installed in parallel, and accordingly automation and other processes are difficult.
In another method, separation is achieved by ion-exchange chromatography using a CNT-nucleic acid complex of CNTs attached to nucleic acid molecules (Patent Document 5). A problem of this method, however, is that it requires an expensive synthetic DNA, and that the collection rate and purity are poor because of the moderate separation accuracy.
Further, there is a report directed to separating metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs under electric field after causing protonation in different extents for different CNTs by adjusting the pH or ion strength of a CNT solution prepared by dispersing the CNTs with a surfactant (Patent Document 6). However, in this method, a pretreatment step needs to be performed before separation with the use of a strong acid for the pH and ion-strength adjustments of a suspended nanotube mixture. The method thus inevitably involves strict step control, and does not successfully separate metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs (Patent Document 6, Example 4).
As described above, all of the conventional methods are insufficient for overcoming the foregoing problems, and there is a need for developing a method based on new ideas whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be separated from CNTs.
The present inventors have worked on a novel method that differs from any of the conventional methods for separating metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs, and completed the inventions below (Patent Documents 7 to 9, and Non-Patent Documents 6 to 8). These inventions all use gels, and desirable separation was confirmed particularly when an agarose gel was used. It was found for the first time that separation of metallic and semiconducting CNTs is possible by agarose gel electrophoresis that uses a solution of CNTs dispersed in a surfactant (Patent Document 7, Non-Patent Document 6). The present inventors also invented a high-yield separation method whereby nearly all CNTs are separated into metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs by the electrophoresis of CNTs not in the solution state but in the solidified state in a gel (CNT-containing gel) (Patent Document 8, Non-Patent Document 6). It was also found that the separation using the CNT-containing gel is also possible by applying physical means such as centrifugation, freezing-thawing-squeezing, diffusion, and permeation, instead of using electrical means such as electrophoresis (Patent Document 9, Non-Patent Document 7). This technique allows CNTs to be inexpensively separated in larger quantities and more easily than the techniques that use electrophoresis. In all of the techniques above, separation is achieved by the selective adsorption of the semiconducting CNTs to the gel, and requires dissolving the gel for the collection of the semiconducting CNTs adsorbed to the gel. The present inventors have developed a technique that uses an appropriate eluant for the CNT collection, without dissolving the gel (Non-Patent Document 8). Particularly, the continuous separation method that takes advantage of the adsorption and desorption based on the chromatography technique enables the adsorbed CNTs to be collected in the solution state, and the gel to be directly reused. Further, the technique is highly desirable, because it allows the separation to be automated, and improves the purity of the separated CNTs. However, while the gel can be repeatedly used in this separation method, fast separation requires increasing the surface area with the use of fine gel particles, and using spherical and uniform gel beads to provide space between the gel particles for the passage of the solution. Such fine gel beads of a uniform shape are often expensive, and alternative materials are strongly needed.

Method and material for inexpensively separating carbon nanotubes, and separation vessel

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


A biasing structure for biasing a locking pawl-equipped operation rod in a given direction is described. A slit is formed in a rear end of the operation rod. A spring retainer is integrally provided by a bracket through which the operation rod is rotatably connected to a movable rail. The spring retainer includes a rearwardly projected portion whose one surface faces toward a rear end portion of the operation rod and a recess which is formed in a base part of the projected portion and faces toward the rear end portion of the operation rod. A coil spring includes a multi-turned major portion, a front straight portion tangentially extending from a front end of the major portion and a rear straight portion extending radially inward from a rear end of the major portion. Upon assembly of the coil spring, the major portion thereof is disposed on the rear end portion of the operation rod with the front straight portion put in the recess and with the rear straight portion put in the slit while being twisted about its axis against a biasing force produced by the spring. The surface of the rearwardly projected portion is sized and arranged to support the front straight portion of the coil spring when the coil spring is about to be properly assembled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to an automotive seat slide device which can slide the seat to a desired fore-and-aft position relative to a vehicle floor, and more particularly to a locking mechanism for the seat slide device so that the seat can be locked at the desired position. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a biasing structure for biasing a locking pawl operation rod of the lock mechanism in a locking direction.
2 Description of the Prior Art
In order to clarify the task of the present invention, one conventional biasing structure of a lock mechanism in an automotive seat slide device will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.
In FIG. 10, there is shown a seat 7 for a motor vehicle, to which the seat slide device 1 is practically applied. The seat 7 generally comprises a seat cushion 5 and a seatback 3. The seat slide device 1 is arranged below the seat cushion 5 to permit the seat 7 to slide forward "F" and rearward "R" relative to a vehicular floor (not shown).
As will be understood from FIG. 9, the seat slide device 1 generally comprises two laterally spaced slide units 9 (only the right side unit is shown) and a lock mechanism 11 incorporated with the right slide unit 9.
As is understood from FIG. 9, each slide unit 9 comprises a lower rail 17 which is secured to a vehicle floor (not shown) through front and rear mounting brackets 13 and 15, and an upper rail 19 which is axially slidably engaged with the lower rail 17. The upper rail 19 has the seat 7 mounted thereon.
The lock mechanism 11 comprises an operation rod 21 which extends along the upper rail 19 and is rotatable about its axis. That is, the operation rod 21 is rotatably held by the upper rail 19 through front and rear brackets 26 and 27. As shown, the rear bracket 27 includes two spaced bearing portions 29a and 29b by which a relatively rear part of the operation rod 21 is rotatably held. Within a space defined between the two bearing portions 29a and 29b, there is arranged a locking pawl 23 that is secured to the operation rod 21 to rotate therewith. A pawl proper of the locking pawl 23 is denoted by numeral 23a in the drawing. The operation rod 21 has a normally bent front part 21a that is equipped with a handle 35.
The lock mechanism 11 further comprises an elongate plate 31 extending along the lower rail 17 and is secured to the same. The elongate plate 31 is formed with a plurality of aligned locking openings 33 with which the locking pawl 23 (more specifically, the pawl proper 23a) is selectively engageable.
A biasing structure is incorporated with the operation rod 21 to bias the same in a direction to achieve the locked engagement of the locking pawl 23 with one of the locking openings 33. The biasing structure employs a biasing spring 25 of coil type, which is disposed about a rear end portion of the operation rod 21. The detail of this conventional biasing structure will be described hereinafter.
When the lock mechanism 11 is in a locked condition as shown in FIG. 9, the locking pawl 23 is kept engaged with one of the locking openings 33 under the force of the biasing spring 25. In this condition, the upper rail 19 (thus, the seat 7 mounted thereon) is locked at a certain fore-and-aft position relative to the lower rail 17 (that is, the vehicle floor).
Thus, when the handle 35 is turned upward in the direction f the arrow "A" in FIG. 9 against the force of the biasing spring 5, the locking pawl 23 is released from the locking opening 33 canceling the locked condition of the lock mechanism 11. Under this released condition, the upper rail 19 is permitted to freely move relative to the lower rail 17.
FIG. 11 is an illustration for explaining the biasing structure of the lock mechanism 11. For clarification of the drawing, the locking pawl 23 secured to the operation rod 21 is not illustrated. As is described hereinabove, the biasing spring 25 is a coil spring disposed about the rear end portion 21b of the operation rod 21 to bias the same in the locking direction, that is, in a direction of the arrow "B" in FIG. 9.
As shown, the biasing spring 25 comprises a multi-turned major portion 25a, a cranked arm portion 25b which projects forward from a front end of the major portion 25a and an inwardly bent portion 25c, which is bent radially inward from a rear end of the major portion 25a. The rear end of the operation rod 21 is formed with an axially extending slit 37.
The biasing spring 25 is properly assembled, when the multi-turned major portion 25a is deeply disposed on the rear end portion 21b of the operation rod 21, the inwardly bent portion 25c is put in the slit 37 and the cranked arm portion 25b is put on an upper surface of the bracket 27, while being twisted by a certain degree against a force produced by the spring 25. When the biasing spring 25 is properly assembled, as described, the operation rod 21 is biased in the direction of a arrow "B", that is, in the direction to achieve the locked engagement between the locking pawl 23 and one of the locking openings 33.
For properly assembling the biasing spring 25, the following assembling steps have been employed, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to FIG. 14C. It is to be noted that FIGS. 12A, 13A and 14A are plan views of the biasing structure of FIG. 11, FIGS. 12B, 13B and 14B are side views of the biasing structure and FIGS. 12C, 13C and 14C are bottom views of the biasing structure.
First, as is seen from FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C, the biasing spring 25 is loosely put on the rear end portion of the operation rod 21 and slightly turned about the same, and then slightly slid toward the bracket 27 to such a position as to establish a shallow engagement of the inwardly bent portion 25c with the slit 37. In this condition, the cranked arm portion 25b is still separated from s the bracket 27, as is seen from FIGS. 12A and 12C. Then, as is seen from FIG. 12B, with the inwardly bent portion 25c kept shallowly engaged with the slit 37, the cranked arm portion 25b is turned or raised in a direction of the arrow "C" against a biasing force produced by the spring 25. Then, as is seen from FIGS. 13A and 13C, with the cranked arm portion 25b kept raised, the biasing spring 25 is slid toward the bracket 27. During this, the inwardly bent portion 25c of the spring 25 slides in the slit 37 keeping the engagement therebetween. When, as is seen from FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C, the biasing spring 25 is slid to the frontmost position, the cranked arm portion 25b is released to be put on an upper surface of the bracket 27. In this condition, the inwardly bent portion 25c assumes the deepest position in the slit 37.
Finally, as is best seen from FIGS. 14B and 14C, the slit-provided rear end of the operation rod 21 is caulked to form a caulked end "D". With this caulked end "D", the inwardly bent portion 25c of the spring 25 is tightly retained in the deepest position of the slit 37, and thus the biasing spring 25 is assuredly retained on the operation rod 21.
However, due to its inherent construction, the above-mentioned biasing structure has the following drawback. That is, in order to retain the biasing spring 25 on the operation rod 21, it is inevitably necessary to caulk the slit-provided rear end of the operation rod 21. As is known, this caulking process is troublesome and thus lowers the assembling efficiency of the biasing structure and thus that of the seat slide device.

Biasing structure of lock mechanism in automotive seat slide device


The invention relates to a container arrangement comprising a plurality of connected containers, each for storing an automated storage and retrieval system. A coupling arrangement connects and aligns connected containers side-by-side. The containers may be intermodal containers. The invention also relates to a method for providing such an arrangement.

A mobile container such as an intermodal container or shipping container is a container for storage of goods that can be transported by e.g. train, ship, plane and truck and further which can be used across these different means of transport.
Intermodal containers are used worldwide to store and transport goods efficiently and securely around the world. They are often referred to by different names, such as cargo container, ISO container and shipping container.
Intermodal containers occur in many different standardized sizes and are often made of steel or aluminum. The dimensions of an intermodal container may vary from 2.4 to 17.1 m in length, from 2.2 to 2.5 m in width and from 2.2 to 2.9 m in height.
Table 1 shows examples of dimensions and net loads of some of the most common standardized types of intermodal containers.
TABLE 1Dimensions and net loads of intermodal containers.20′ 40′ 45′ high-cube containercontainercontainersExternallength~6.1m~12.2m~13.7mdimensionswidth~2.4m~2.4m~2.4 mheight~2.6m~2.6m~2.9 mInteriorlength~5.9m~12.0m~13.6mdimensionswidth~2.4m~2.4 m~2.4mheight~2.4m~2.4 m~2.7mDoor openingwidth~2.3m~2.3 m~2.3mheight~2.3m~2.3m~2.6 mInternal volume~33.1m3~67.5 m3~86.1 m3Net load~28,200kg~26,200 kg~25,600kg
The intermodal containers can bundle cargo and goods into larger, unitized loads, that can be easily handled, moved, and stacked, and that will pack tightly in a ship or yard. Intermodal containers share a number of construction features to withstand the stresses of intermodal shipping, to facilitate their handling and to allow stacking. Further, they may be identifiable through individual unique ISO 6346 reporting marks.
Different connection means or devices are known from the prior art to connect intermodal containers. WO 2011/094835 A1 discloses a fastening assembly attached to the outer surface of the containers to be connected allowing the containers to be easily disconnected from each by a user, since no screws are used in the fastening assembly. The fastening assembly comprises bosses welded to the containers to be connected for fastening a plate thereto and locking the plate to the bosses using, for example, an L-bolt.
However, none of the prior art documents aim to connect intermodal containers in a side-by-side arrangement that facilitates high precision alignment of the containers relative to one another.
An object of the present invention is to provide a container arrangement comprising a plurality of containers (such as intermodal containers) connected in a side-by-side arrangement which facilitates high precision alignment of the containers relative to one another.
A second object is to provide a method for connecting a plurality of containers.


An audio monitor system that includes a pair of in-ear monitors, each of which includes a connector and a corresponding detachable cable, is provided. Each connector may include a two pin jack assembly and each detachable cable may include a corresponding two pin plug assembly. Preferably, each plug assembly of each detachable cable includes a hooded member. More preferably, a portion of the hooded member covers a portion of the corresponding connector, thus effectively sealing the plug/connector assembly from contamination. Even more preferably, interlocking members are included on each hooded member and each corresponding connector, the interlocking members preventing accidental decoupling of the cable from the connector. The plug and connector assemblies may include means for insuring that a desired pin polarity is maintained during cable coupling.

In-ear monitors, also referred to as canal phones, are commonly used to listen to both recorded and live music. A typical recorded music application would involve plugging the in-ear monitors into a music player such as a CD player, flash or hard drive based MP3 player, home stereo, or similar device using the monitors' headphone jack. Alternately, the monitors can be wirelessly coupled to the music player. In a typical live music application, an on-stage musician wears the monitors in order to hear his or her own music during a performance. In this case, the monitors are either plugged into a wireless belt pack receiver or directly connected to an audio distribution device such as a mixer or a headphone amplifier.
In-ear monitors are quite small and are normally worn just outside the ear canal. As a result, the acoustic design of the monitor must lend itself to a very compact design utilizing small components. Some monitors are custom fit (i.e., custom molded) while others use a generic "one-size-fits-all" earpiece.
Although both in-ear monitors and headphones offer the user the ability to hear a source in stereo, the source being either recorded or live audio material, in-ear monitors offer significant advantages. First, in-ear monitors are so small that they are practically invisible to people that are at any distance from the user, a distinct advantage to a musician who would like to discretely achieve the benefits of headphones on-stage (e.g., improved gain-before-feedback, minimization/elimination of room/stage acoustic effects, cleaner mix through the minimization of stage noise, etc.). Second, due to their size, in-ear monitors have little, if any, effect on the mobility of the user (e.g., musician, sports enthusiast, etc.). Third, in-ear monitors can more easily block out ambient sounds than a set of headphones, thus allowing them to operate at lower sound pressure levels than typical headphones in the same environment, thereby helping to protect the user's hearing.
Although a variety of in-ear monitors have been designed, a failure of any component within the audio monitor system (e.g., earpiece, cable, diaphragm, etc.) requires the replacement of the complete monitor set. As many in-ear monitor systems are quite expensive, both due to the manufacturing costs of the miniature diaphragms and armatures used therein and the use of custom molded earpieces, replacing a set of in-ear monitors can be prohibitively costly. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an in-ear monitor system that provides the user with greater capabilities to either replace, or upgrade, specific system components. The present invention provides such an in-ear monitor system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium, a fixing roller and a heating roller support a fixing belt. A pressing roller presses against the fixing roller via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressing roller. A tension roller presses against the fixing belt to apply tension to the fixing belt. A primary heat source heats the fixing belt, and is disposed along an outer face of the fixing belt opposite the heating roller. A secondary heat source is provided inside the tension roller to supply deficient heat not provided by the primary heat source.

1. Field of the Invention
Example embodiments generally relate to a fixing-device, and more particularly, to a fixing device using induction heating and an image forming apparatus using the fixing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Related-art image forming apparatuses, such as copiers, printers, facsimile machines, or multifunction printers having at least one of copying, printing, scanning, and facsimile functions, typically form a toner image on a recording medium (e.g., a sheet) based on image data using electrophotography. Thus, for example, a charger charges a surface of an image carrier; an optical writer emits a light beam onto the charged surface of the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier according to the image data; a development device develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer (e.g., toner) to form a toner image on the image carrier; the toner image is then transferred from the image carrier onto a sheet; and finally, a fixing device applies heat and pressure to the sheet bearing the toner image to fix the toner image on the sheet, thus forming the toner image on the sheet.
In order to save energy, one example of the fixing device includes an induction heater to heat a heating roller or a fixing belt that applies heat to a sheet bearing a toner image to fix the toner image on the sheet. The induction heater provides a higher heat exchange rate than a halogen heater, for example, and thereby decreases a time period needed for the fixing device to heat up to a proper fixing temperature after the fixing device is powered on.
In a high-speed image forming apparatus for forming an image at a high speed, the fixing device is upsized to provide a longer fixing nip at which heat and pressure are applied to a sheet bearing a toner image. The upsized fixing device has a larger heat capacity and thereby uses more heat. Therefore, in order to heat the upsized fixing device up to the proper fixing temperature quickly, power is cut off to devices other than the fixing device included in the image forming apparatus in order to be able to supply more power to the fixing device.
More specifically, the induction heater uses an inverter to generate a high-frequency current, which in turn requires that the inverter needs to be larger to generate more power, and accordingly, the induction heater coil needs to be larger as well. At the same time, however, the maximum electric power consumption available to the image forming apparatus varies depending on the country where it is used. When the image forming apparatus is manufactured to correspond to the largest maximum electric power consumption available for all destination countries, the induction heater is upsized, thus increasing the size of the image forming apparatus overall at a time when market demands favor more compact image forming apparatuses

Fixing device using induction heating and image forming apparatus using the fixing device


A mounting apparatus includes a mounting rack and an electronic device. The mounting rack includes a frame. An interface is defined in the frame. The frame includes a securing member. An electronic device is inserted in the mounting rack from front to back. The electronic device includes a back wall. The back wall is adjacent to the frame and defines a port for receiving a cable. The cable is secured to the securing member and inserted into the interface of the frame.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a mounting apparatus for an electronic device for arranging cables of the electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
A server system is a computer system that provides essential services across a network. Many cables are needed in the server system for transferring signals or providing power. Usually, the cables are not arranged in a well-ordered manner. It is inconvenient for the users to distinguish the cables from each other and which cables are for what purpose.

Mounting apparatus for electronic device


A slush machine which is capable of selectively providing a slush state or hot drink. The machine includes a main body casing, a refrigerating cycle apparatus including a compressor installed in the main body machine, a condenser connected with the compressor, a capillary tube connected with the condenser, and a cylindrical evaporator drum mounted above the main body casing, which evaporator drum is the equivalent of an evaporator, wherein one side of the evaporator drum being connected with the capillary tube and the other side of the same being connected with the compressor, a drink source container installed above the main body casing and in which the evaporator drum is installed, scrapers formed to contact with inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the evaporator drum and drivingly engaged with a rotary shaft, a driving member for rotating the rotary shaft to which the scrapers are engaged, a discharging member formed in a lateral side of the drink source container for discharging a drink therethrough, and a heating member mounted in the drink source container for heating the drink therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slush machine, and in particular to an improved slush machine which is capable of selectively providing a slush state or hot drink.
2. Description of the Background Art
As shown in FIG. 1, the background art slush machine includes a compressor 2 installed in a casing 1, a condenser 3 connected with the compressor 2, and a capillary tube (not shown) connected with the condenser 3.
In addition, there are further provided a cooling fan 4 installed beside the condenser 3 for cooling the condenser 3, and a driving motor 5 installed in an inner upper portion of the casing 1.
A drink source container 6, in which a drink source is filled, has a predetermined volume and is installed above the casing 1, and a cylindrically formed evaporator drum 7, which is the equivalent of an evaporator, is installed in an inner lower portion of the drink source container 6.
Here, the compressor 2, condenser 3, the capillary tube(not shown) and the evaporator drum 7 installed in the drink source container 6 forms a refrigerating cycle.
In addition, a rotary shaft 8 is connected with a transmission apparatus (not shown) covered by a transmission apparatus casing 14 and is longitudinally installed within the evaporator drum 7, and spiral scrapers 9 are connected with the rotary shaft 8, respectively, one of which is spacedly inserted into the evaporator drum 7 and the other one of which is spacedly inserted onto the same, so that the scrapers 9 rotatably contact with the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the evaporator drum 7, respectively.
In addition, a driving member is installed in a lower portion of the drink source container 6 for rotating the scraper 9 connected with the rotary shaft 8 by rotating the rotary shaft 8, and a discharge member is engaged to another lower portion of the drink source container 6 for discharging the drink source from the drink source container 6 to the outside.
The driving member and discharge member will now be explained in more detail.
The driving member includes a driving motor 5 installed in an inner upper portion of the main body casing 1, a transmission apparatus (not shown) connected with the driving motor 5 and installed in a lower portion of the drink source container 6 for transmitting a driving force to the rotary shaft 8, to which the scraper 9 is attached, by varying the rotation speed of the driving motor 5, and a transmission apparatus casing 14 for covering the transmission apparatus (not shown).
In addition, the discharge member includes a discharge port 6a formed in a lower portion of the drink source container 6, a discharge tube 10 communicating with the discharge port 6a, a piston 11 upwardly and downwardly reciprocating within the discharge tube 10 for opening/closing the discharge port 6a, a linear spring 13 elastically connected with the piston 11, and a discharge lever 12 connected with the linear spring 13 for downwardly and upwardly moving the piston 11.
Since the slush machine includes a refrigerating cycle apparatus therein, a slush state fruit juice or various kinds of slush state drink are made by the refrigerating cycle apparatus.
The operation of the background art slush machine will now be explained.
First, after a drink source is filled into the drink source container 6, when an electric power is supplied to the apparatus, the refrigerating cycle apparatus is operated. Ice is formed on the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the evaporator drum 7 which is the equivalent of the evaporator. The rotary shaft 8 connected with the scraper 9 contacting with the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the evaporator drum 7 is rotated by the driving motor 5. At this time, the scraper 9 rotates and contacts with the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the evaporator drum 7 for thus scrapping the ice formed on the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the evaporator drum 7.
The scraper 9 continuously scraps the ice formed on the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the evaporator drum 7, and the thusly scraped ice is mixed with the drink source in the drink source container 6, thus producing a slush state drink.
When discharging the thusly produced slush state drink, the discharge lever 12 beside the drink source container 6 is downwardly pulled. At this time, the piston 11 is upwardly moved, and then the discharge port 6a is opened, so that the slush state drink in the drink source container 6 is discharged through the discharge port 6a and the discharge tube 10 communicating with the discharge port 6a.
However, since the conventional slush machine is capable of generating only a slush state cool drink, it is generally used in summer. Namely, it is not used in winter, so that it is difficult to maintain the slush machine in winter, whereby the applicable range of the slush machine is limited.


An optical integrator having characteristics to reduce effects of manufacturing errors of many minute refraction surfaces integrally formed by, for example, etching on an illumination intensity distribution. An optical integrator (8) comprising an integrally formed plurality of first minute refraction surfaces (80a) and an integrally formed plurality of second minute refraction surfaces (80b). A parameter β satisfies conditions, |β|<0.2 (where β=(γ−1)3·NA2/Δn2), where a refracting power ratio φa/φb between φa, a refracting power of the first minute refraction surfaces and φb, a refracting power of the second minute refraction surfaces is γ, numerical aperture on an emission side of the optical integrator is NA, and a difference between a refraction index of a medium on a light entrance side of the second minute refraction surfaces and a refraction index of a medium on a light emission side of the second minute refraction surfaces is Δn.

In a typical exposure apparatus of this kind, a light beam emitted from a light source enters a fly's eye lens. Then, a secondary light source constructed from many light sources is formed on the rear side focal surface thereof. A light beam from the secondary light source is limited through an aperture stop arranged in the vicinity of the rear side focal surface of the fly's eye lens, and then, enters a condenser lens. The aperture stop limits a shape or a size of the secondary light source to a desired shape or a desired size according to desired illumination conditions (exposure conditions).
A light beam condensed by the condenser lens illuminates in a state of superimposition a mask in which a given pattern is formed. Light passing through the pattern of the mask forms an image on a wafer through a projection optical system. Thereby, the mask pattern is projected and exposed (transferred) on the wafer. The pattern formed on the mask is highly integrated. Therefore, in order to correctly transfer this fine pattern on the wafer, it is essential to obtain a uniform illumination intensity distribution on the wafer.
In the exposure apparatus having the foregoing construction, it is necessary to set minute lens elements constructing the fly's eye lens as much as possible in order to improve uniformity of the illumination intensity distribution. Further, it is necessary to form the secondary light source in the shape close to a desired shape in order to avoid light amount loss in the aperture stop. Therefore, for example, it is thinkable that a size of the minute lens element constructing the fly's eye lens is set very small, that is, a micro fly's eye lens is used.
The fly's eye lens is constructed by arranging many lens elements vertically and horizontally and densely. Meanwhile, the micro fly's eye lens is constructed by integrally forming many minute refraction surfaces. That is, the fly's eye lens is constructed by combining and densely arranging many single polished lens elements. Meanwhile, the micro fly's eye lens is constructed by forming many minute refraction surfaces on, for example, a parallel plane glass plate by applying MEMS technique (lithography plus etching and the like).
Therefore, the fly's eye lens can be manufactured by checking refraction surface shapes of polished lens elements, selecting lens elements meeting standards, and using only lens elements having a high-precisely formed refraction surface. However, in the micro fly's eye lens, all minute refraction surfaces are required to be concurrently manufactured by etching through which is hard to obtain a quality surface shape compared to polishing. Therefore, a straight pass ratio thereof becomes considerably lower than that of the fly's eye lens.
In view of the foregoing problem, it is an object of the invention to provide an optical integrator having characteristics to reduce the effects of manufacturing errors of many minute refraction surfaces integrally formed by etching or the like on an illumination intensity distribution. Further, it is another object of the invention to provide a highly efficient illumination optical device capable of illuminating an irradiated surface under desired illumination conditions by using the optical integrator, wherein the effects of the manufacturing errors of the minute refraction surfaces on the illumination intensity distribution are reduced. Further, it is still another object of the invention to provide an exposure apparatus and an exposure method capable of performing good projection exposure under good illumination conditions by using the highly efficient illumination optical device capable of illuminating the irradiated surface under the desired illumination conditions.

Optical integrator, illumination optical device, exposure apparatus, and exposure method


Apparatus for exercising the abdominal muscles includes a flexible substrate that substantially conforms to a user's abdomen, with a tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on one side of the flat or contoured surface, for adhering the exercise apparatus to the user's abdomen, and a system for attaching additional weight to the apparatus for providing increased resistance. The pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) allows the exercise apparatus to adhere to the user's abdomen, and enables releasable attachment, such that the apparatus can be attached and detached from the abdomen repeatedly, and can be reused. Optional weights are attached to the apparatus to increase resistance, as desired. While on his/her hands and knees, the user contracts the stomach muscles and pulls his/her abdomen with the attached apparatus inward toward the spine, thus exercising the abdominal muscles.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of exercise equipment. More particularly, the invention pertains to equipment or apparatus for exercising the muscles of the stomach or abdomen, and particularly the Transverse Abdominus muscles.
2. Description of Related Art
As a result of over-eating or pregnancy, among other possible causes, the muscles of the abdomen may become stretched and weakened, allowing the abdominal wall to be distended typically resulting in a common characteristic, known colloquially as "pot belly".
There are a number of already existing devices that are intended to strengthen or exercise the muscles of the abdomen. Some such devices are intended to aid in exercising the Rectus Abdominus, which are the vertically aligned outer-most muscles used, for example, in sit-ups and crunches. Examples of such devices include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,520, 6,712,742, and 5,913,757.
The middle two layers of abdominal muscles are referred to as the External Oblique and Internal Oblique muscles. These muscles allow the abdomen to twist and bend to the side. Examples of devices intended to aid in exercising these muscles include those that are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,669,610 and 5,269,737.
The innermost abdominal muscles are referred to as the Transverse Abdominus muscles. These latter muscles wrap around the stomach and act as a girdle to prevent distention thereof. Several known devices attempt to focus exercise on these particular muscles, but these known devices either offer no substantial resistance to contracting or pulling the stomach in toward the spine, such as, for example, the device described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,913, or fail to provide substantial resistance in the opposite direction (e.g., extending or pushing the stomach outwardly away from the spine), such as those devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,775,148 and 4,824,105.
One of the preferred exercises used extensively by postpartum therapists, among others is specifically intended to target and strengthen the Transverse Abdominus, and entails having a patient assume a prone upright position on their respective hands and knees, and then contract or pull the stomach in towards the spine either for a prolonged count or for a number of repetitions. To make such exercises as productive as possible, there exists a need for an exercise device which offers resistance to contraction or pulling in of the Transverse Abdominus muscles.


A silsesquioxane-containing composition comprising a silsesquioxane resin and an oxaamine of formula (II) (see description), products prepared therefrom, photoresist compositions comprising the silsesquioxane-containing composition and a photoacid generator, products prepared therefrom, methods of making and using same, and manufactured articles and semiconductor devices containing same.

Critical features of many opto/electronic devices include patterns or integrated circuits (ICs). Patterns and ICs may be made by transferring a pattern from a photoresist layer to a substrate such as a semiconductor material or an electrically conductive metal. The photoresist layer comprises a photoresist composition comprising a light-sensitive material. The pattern in the photoresist layer is formed using photolithography with ultraviolet (UV) light and transferred using etching.
In order to make new opto/electronic devices more powerful, smaller and faster, these patterns or ICs must be manufactured in smaller and finer feature sizes (finer resolutions). One way to enable finer pattern resolutions is to use shorter wavelengths of light. Trends are shortening the wavelength from 365 nanometers (nm) to 248 nm (KrF) to 193 nm (ArF). Eventually wavelengths may be 157 nm (F2) and/or extreme ultraviolet light (EUV) at 13 nm. A photoresist composition that is useful at a particular wavelength, however, may fail to react at shorter wavelengths. Another way is to form a multilayer resist instead of a single layer resist. As patterns become finer and thus pattern aspect ratios become greater, single layer resists are at risk of collapse. For a given thickness of a photoresist layer, a multilayer resist may enable patterns with higher aspect ratios. Still another way is to formulate a photoresist composition to be chemically amplifiable, which helps counteract weaker responses at shorter wavelengths of light. Typically, a combination of these ways is used.
A chemically-amplifiable photoresist composition comprises a photoresist polymer that is acid sensitive and a small amount of a photoacid generator. The acid-sensitive photoresist polymer comprises macromolecular chains that bear pendant acid-sensitive groups, sometimes called acid dissociable groups, acid cleavable groups, or acid labile groups. The photoacid generator (PAG) itself is not an acid, but the PAG is a compound that absorbs light of a certain wavelength and produces a product acid in situ. Some chemically-amplifiable photoresist compositions may be further formulated with one or more optional additives that enhance desired properties or inhibit undesired properties of the composition. Examples of such additives are an acid-cleavable dissolution inhibitor, a crosslinking agent (e.g., in negative photoresist compositions), a solvent, a dye, a sensitizer, a stabilizer (e.g., shelf-life stabilizer), an acid-diffusion controlling agent, a coating aid such as a surfactant or an anti-foaming agent, an adhesion promoter, and a plasticizer.
A variety of incumbent chemically-amplifiable photoresist compositions are known. Some are based on organic polymers comprising acid-sensitive groups. Others are based on organosiloxane polymers comprising acid-sensitive groups. Not all incumbent compositions enable use of shorter wavelengths of light or produce satisfactory patterns.
Incumbent silsesquioxane resins with acid cleavable groups are mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,992 B2 to R. Soorlyakumaran, et al. ("SOORLYAKUMARAN"). SOORLYAKUMARAN mentions, among other things, fluorocarbinol- and/or fluoroacid-functionalized silsesquioxane polymers and copolymers for use in lithographic photoresist compositions. SOORLYAKUMARAN also mention a composition wherein the fluorocarbinol- and/or fluoroacid-functionalized silsesquioxane polymer is a copolymer of a fluorocarbinol-functionalized silsesquioxane monomer and a silsesquioxane monomer substituted with an acid cleavable group. The composition may further comprise additives such as an acid-cleavable dissolution inhibitor, a crosslinking agents, a solvent, dyes, sensitizers, additives used as stabilizers and acid-diffusion controlling agents, coating aids such as surfactants or anti-foaming agents, adhesion promoters, and plasticizers. Examples of the additives used as stabilizers and acid-diffusion controlling agents are compounds with varying basicity. These may include nitrogenous compounds such as aliphatic primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, cyclic amines such as piperidines, pyrimidines, morpholines, aromatic heterocycles such as pyridines, pyrimidines, purines, imines such as diazabicycloundecene, guanidines, imides, amides, and others.
Incumbent silsesquioxane resins with acid cleavable groups are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,625,687 B2 to S. Hu, et al. ("HU1"); U.S. Pat. No. 8,088,547 B2 to S. Hu, et al. ("HU2"); U.S. Pat. No. 8,148,043 B2 to S. Hu, et al. ("HU3"); and U.S. Pat. No. 8,524,439 B2 to S. Hu, et al. ("HU4"). HU1, HU2, HU3, and HU4 independently describe, among other things, a silsesquioxane resin that contains (HSiO3/2) units and (RSiO3/2) units wherein R is an acid dissociable group. The acid dissociable group (R) can be described by the formula —(R3)g-L-(R3)h—C(R5)(R6)—(R4)kZ or the general formula —(R3)f-L-(R3)g—C(R5)(R6)—(R4)hZ. HU3 also mentions a silsesquioxane-based composition comprising the silsesquioxane resin and an organic base additive selected from bulky tertiary amines, imides, amides and polymeric amines. The organic base additive contains an electron-attracting group with the provision that the organic base is not 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin. Some of the organic base additives contain an oxo (═O) group. The composition of HU4 includes 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin. Other additives may be used in the photoresist composition, including one or more of solvents, acid generators, surfactants, dissolution inhibitors, cross-linking agents, sensitizers, halation inhibitors, adhesion promoters, storage stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, coating aids, plasticizers and others.
Some incumbent resins face challenges to achieving satisfactory structural features and performance. For example, most incumbent silsesquioxane resins have low thermal stability (i.e., low glass transition temperatures, Tg). They also are difficult to configure with other properties including fine pattern resolution, high light sensitivity, and wide process latitude (tolerance for changing process conditions). Some incumbent silsesquioxane resins outgas during UV light exposure (e.g., at 193 nm). Some incumbent composition contain additives that hurt their performance.

Silsesquioxane resin and oxaamine composition


An apparatus for etching optical servo tracks on a magnetic storage disk comprises optics for generating a beam of light for etching the servo tracks and a spindle for rotating the disk in proximity to the optics. The device further comprises a center pin at the center of rotation of the spindle and an alignment pin which is off-center of the spindle. A disk to be etched is placed on the spindle with the center pin through a center hole in the disk hub. A pressurized gas nozzle directs bursts of pressurized gas toward the edge of the disk to rotate the disk until an alignment hole in the disk hub engages the alignment pin.

So-called "floppy" disk memory systems for "desk top" sized computers are well known in the art. Such systems employ magnetic storage disks having a diameter of either 5.25 inches or 3.50 inches. Conventional magnetic storage disks for floppy disk drives have a track density ranging from forty-eight (48) to one hundred thirty-five (135) tracks per inch (TPI). In contrast, optical storage disks for optical memory systems achieve track densities greater than 15,000 TPI. The greater track density of optical disks is achieved by the use of optical servos that maintain fine positioning of the optical read/write head over the data tracks on the disk. Typically, concentric optical servo tracks are pre-recorded on the optical disk to guide the servo mechanism.
New advances in barium-ferrite magnetic media have allowed bit densities of magnetic storage disks to exceed the bit densities of optical disks. However, as mentioned above, track densities of magnetic media (48-135 TPI) are many times less than their optical counterparts. This limits the overall capacity of magnetic disks as compared to optical disks. Conventional magnetic disk systems employ a magnetic servo mechanism and magnetically pre-recorded servo tracks on the disks to guide the read/write head. Magnetic servo systems cannot provide the fine positioning that optical servo systems can provide.
Recently, floppy disk systems have been developed that combine magnetic disk recording techniques with the high track capacity optical servos found in optical disk systems. Such a system is described in AN INTRODUCTION TO THE INSITE 325 FLOPTICAL(R) DISK DRIVE, Godwin, in a paper presented at the SPIE Optical Data Storage Topical Meeting (1989). Essentially, an optical servo pattern is pre-recorded on a magnetic floppy disk. The optical servo pattern typically consists of a large number of equally spaced concentric tracks about the rotational axis of the disk. Data is stored in the magnetic "tracks" between the optical servo tracks using conventional magnetic recording techniques. An optical servo mechanism is provided to guide the magnetic read/write head accurately over the data between the optical servo tracks. By utilizing optical servo techniques, much higher track densities are achievable on the relatively inexpensive removable magnetic medium.
As mentioned, the optical servo pattern typically consists of a large number of equally spaced concentric tracks about the rotational axis of the disk. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,123, each track may be a single continuous groove (FIG. 3), a plurality of equally spaced circular pits (FIG. 8), or a plurality of short equally spaced grooves or stitches (FIG. 9). Various methods and systems exist for inscribing the optical servo tracks on the magnetic medium.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,039, entitled "High Track Density Magnetic Media with Pitted Optical Servo Tracks and Method for Stamping the Tracks on the Media," discloses a method for "stamping" the servo tracks on the magnetic medium. Essentially a master stamping disk is produced bearing a template of the optical servo pattern. This master disk is then pressed against the magnetic floppy disk under a pressure of several tons per square inch. The significant amount of pressure transfers the servo track pattern from the master disk to the floppy.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,451, entitled "Optical Servo for Magnetic Disks," discloses a method of providing optical servo information on a magnetic medium consisting of a multi-layer film. The optical servo tracks are formed on the multi-layer film by laser heating the structure to cause a reaction or interdiffusion to occur between layers. The reaction produces a reflectivity contrast of about eight percent (8%) between exposed and unexposed areas. Other methods for preparing the servo tracks are mentioned including contact printing, embossing, and lithography.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,123, entitled "Magnetic Information Media Storage with Optical Servo Tracks," discloses a preferable method and apparatus for etching the pattern on a disk using a focused beam of light. The magnetic disk is placed on a platen/spindle assembly and rotated. A beam of light is focused to a small spot on the spinning disk. The focussed beam has sufficient intensity to ablate the disk surface at the point of incidence, thereby reducing the reflectivity of the surface at that point. The beam can be left on during an entire revolution to produce a continuous groove or can be modulated on and off through one revolution to produce a stitched pattern. This method has several advantages. First, the intensity of the focussed beam of light can be adjusted for different types of magnetic media. Secondly, different stitched patterns can be etched simply by varying the on-off time of the beam or by varying the speed of rotation of the disk. Additionally, there is no need to produce a master disk, as with the stamping method.
As mentioned above, the optical servo pattern often comprises a number of equally spaced concentric optical servo tracks about the rotational axis of the disk. A single disk may have as many as 900 concentric servo tracks. Additionally, each optical servo track may be a continuous groove, or alternatively, may comprise a plurality of equally spaced stitches. When a stitched pattern is employed, the number of stitches in each optical servo track may exceed 1600 with each track having the same number of stitches. It is crucial for proper servo positioning that every stitch be sufficiently detectable by the servo optics. As mentioned, a preferred method of producing a stitched pattern is by focusing a beam of light on a rotating disk and modulating the beam on and off. The beam, when incident upon the surface of the disk and properly focused, has sufficient intensity to etch the surface thereby creating a stitch having reduced reflectivity.
Magnetic disks of this type are engaged and centered in disk drives by a stamped, metal central hub to which the disk is attached with adhesive. This hub has a center rectangular hole through which the center pin is engaged and a skewered rectangular hole off of the disk center through which an alignment pin fits. During the etching of the servo tracks, it is necessary that the magnetic disk be correctly aligned with respect to these holes, so that the servo tracks will be laid down accurately for proper optical reading during operation of the disk drive.

Pneumatic hub locking device for etching optical servo tracks on magnetic disks


An ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic microphone having a circular vibration surface, a substantially cylindrical cushion unit where the ultrasonic microphone is inserted, and a case unit which has a fitting portion provided with a cylindrical engagement hole therein. The cushion unit and the fitting portion are respectively provided with cushion-side guide portions and fitting-side guide portions which are to be engaged with each other, so that the cushion unit is axially guided to be inserted into the fitting portion and restricted from circumferentially rotating. The cushion unit has cushion-side engagement portions, which are engaged with case-side engagement portions of the fitting portion and capable of bending toward a diametrically inner side of the cushion unit in the insertion of the cushion unit into the fitting portion.

Generally, in an obstacle detection device for a vehicle, an ultrasonic sensor is attached to a bumper of the vehicle to send an ultrasonic wave to a rear side of the vehicle or a corner side thereof. When the ultrasonic wave is reflected by an obstacle and received by the ultrasonic sensor, the obstacle is detected.
The ultrasonic sensor is provided with a cylindrical ultrasonic vibrator, which is arranged in a cylindrical hole portion of a case unit. A cylindrical cushion member is disposed between the case unit and the ultrasonic vibrator to absorb a vibration caused by the ultrasonic vibrator. In this case, a circular vibration surface is formed at a front end of the ultrasonic vibrator, which is provided with a piezoelectric device.
When the piezoelectric device is energized, the vibration surface can be excited to vibrate by the piezoelectric device due to a piezoelectricity effect. Thus, the ultrasonic wave is sent. When the ultrasonic wave having been sent is reflected and received by the piezoelectric device, the piezoelectric device will generate a voltage due to a counter-piezoelectricity effect. In this case, the directivity of the ultrasonic vibrator in a horizontal direction is generally same with that in a vertical direction.
On the other hand, in the case where the vibration surface of the ultrasonic vibrator is formed to have an ellipse shape, the directivity of the ultrasonic vibrator in the horizontal direction can become different from that in the vertical direction so that the performance of the ultrasonic vibrator is improved. Considering that it is preferable for the vibration surface of the ultrasonic vibrator to have a circular shape, the ultrasonic vibrator (which directivity in horizontal direction is different from that in vertical direction) having the circular vibration surface is presented, for example, referring to JP-2002-238095A.
In this case, the outer surface of the cylindrical ultrasonic vibrator is partially flattened, so that the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the ultrasonic vibrator can be properly discerned when being mounted.
When the cushion member (in which ultrasonic vibrator is inserted) is inserted into the hole portion of the case unit, protrusion portions which are arranged at an outer surface of the cushion member will be engaged with concave portions which are formed at a surface of the hole portion of the case unit. Thus, the cushion member is circumferentially positioned and restricted from rotating.
However, in this case, the cushion member is constructed to tightly contact the hole portion of the case unit. When the cushion member is inserted into the hole portion of the case unit, the protrusion portions which are to be inserted in the concave portions are not provided with a clearance to readily enter the hole portion. Therefore, the operation performance in an insertion of the cushion member into the hole portion is impaired. That is, the insertion operation of the cushion member is troublesome.


A disk apparatus has a tilting mechanism including an insulating resin cap that is attached in such a way as to cover an end portion of a metallic shaft and that has insulation performance, a metallic adjusting screw attached to a chassis in such a way as to abut against a bottom surface of the insulating cap attached to the shaft for moving the end portion of the shaft in an upward/downward direction, a resin shaft receiving pedestal that is attached to the chassis and that supports the end portion of the shaft movably in an upward/downward direction, and a metallic leaf spring that is attached to the shaft receiving pedestal, that abuts against an upper surface of the insulating cap attached to the shaft and that pushes the insulating cap in such a way as to press the insulating cap attached to the shaft against the adjusting screw.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disk apparatus, and more particularly to a disk apparatus having an optical pickup enabled to move in a radial direction of a disk.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, various disk apparatuses each having an optical pickup enabled to move in a radial direction of a disk have been known (see, for example, JP-A-2001-101673, JP-A-2001-344789, and JP-A-1-287875).
JP-A-2001-101673 discloses a disk apparatus adapted so that a tilt-angle of an optical pickup around one of guide rails, to which the optical pickup is attached, with respect to a disk is adjusted by upwardly and downwardly moving the optical pickup along the other guide rail through the use of an adjusting screw, and that the optical pickup is moved along the two guide rails in a radial direction of the disk.
JP-A-2001-344789 discloses a disk apparatus adapted so that a tilt-angle of an optical pickup with respect to a disk is adjusted by tilting a movable chassis, to which a guide shaft for supporting the optical pickup is attached, around a predetermined axis through the use of plural gears, and that the optical pickup is moved along the guide shaft in a radial direction of the disk.
JP-A-1-287875 discloses a disk apparatus adapted so that insulating tape is wound around each of attachment parts of a shaft for supporting an optical pickup, which are attached to a frame, to there by prevent electrical noises being transmitted from the frame to the optical pickup through the shaft, and that the optical pickup is moved along the shaft in a radial direction of the disk.
FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a disk drive portion of a related disk apparatus having an optical pickup enabled to move in a radial direction of a disk. FIG. 6 is a side view, taken from a direction of an arrow 150 shown in FIG. 5, which illustrates the disk drive portion of the related disk apparatus shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustrating a movable chassis of the related disk drive portion shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the movable chassis shown in FIG. 7 taken along line 170—170 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the movable chassis shown in FIG. 7 taken along line 180—180 shown in FIG. 7.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in a disk drive portion of a related disk apparatus, a chassis 101 formed of a metallic plate material is provided at the bottom thereof. A disk motor 102, on which a disk is placed, for rotating the disk is fixedly mounted on this chassis 101. A movable chassis 101a formed of a metallic plate material is provided above the chassis 101 in such a way as to be spaced by a predetermined distance from the chassis 101. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a first metallic shaft 103a and a second metallic shaft 103b are attached to this movable chassis 101a in such a manner as to be parallel with each other.
An optical pickup 103 is supported by the first shaft 103a and the second shaft 103b in such a way as to move in a direction of an arrow A shown in FIG. 5 (that is, in a radial direction of a disk). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a displacement motor 105 for displacing the optical pickup 104 is attached to the bottom surface of the movable chassis 101a. This displacement motor 105 has a drive shaft 105a on which a gear is formed. The optical pickup 104 is engaged with the drive shaft 105a of this displacement motor 105.
One of end portions of the first shaft 103a is attached to a resin shaft support member 106 provided on the bottom surface of the movable chassis 101a, as shown in FIG. 7. The other end portion of the first shaft 103a is fixedly attached to a first shaft fixing resin member 106, which is provided on the bottom surface of the movable chassis 101a, by a metallic fixing member 113, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The metallic fixing member 113 is screwed to the metallic chassis 101a by the metallic screw 114.
Both end portions of the second shaft 103b are fixedly attached to a second shaft fixing resin member 106b provided on the bottom surface of the movable chassis 101a by a metallic washer 115, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. The metallic washer 115 is screwed to the metallic movable chassis 101a together with the second shaft fixing member 106b by a metallic screw 116.
A support projection member 117 having a semispherical end portion is attached to the bottom surface of an end portion that the movable chassis 101a has at a side, at which the first shaft 103a is installed, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7. A support receiving member 118 having a conical (or spherical) support surface is provided at a place, which corresponds to the support projection member 117, in the chassis 101, as shown in FIG. 6. The semispherical end portion of the support projection member 117 is supported by the support receiving member 118 in such a way as to move by simultaneously contacting the spherical support surface of the support receiving member 118. A pressing member 119 constituted by a leaf spring is attached to the chassis 101 in such a manner as to downwardly pressing the support projection member 117 attached to the movable chassis 101a. This pressing member 119 is provided so as to prevent the support projection member 117 from the support receiving member 118.
A first tilting mechanism 107a is provided at an end portion that the movable chassis 101 has at a side at which the second shaft 103b is installed, as shown in FIG. 5. This first tilting mechanism 107 is provided so as to tilt the movable chassis 101a so that the end portion of the movable chassis 101a upwardly and downwardly moves around the support projection member 117. The first tilting mechanism 107a has a projection member 120a, a projection receiving member 120b, a holder 120c, and an adjusting screw (not shown).
An end portion of the projection member 120a is hemispherically formed and attached to the bottom surface of the movable chassis 101a in such a way as to downwardly protrude therefrom. The projection receiving member 120b is provided in such a way as to support the projection member 120a from below so that the projection member 120a is movable. The holder 120c is attached to the chassis 101 and provided in such a way as to support the projection receiving member 120b so that the projection receiving member 120b can upwardly and downwardly move. The adjusting screw (not shown) is engaged with the chassis 101 and provided in such a way as to abut against the bottom surface of the projection receiving member 120b. Also, the adjusting screw (not shown) is provided in such a way as to be able to upwardly and downwardly move by being turned.
As shown in FIG. 5, a hook member 121 is provided in the vicinity of each of the first tilting mechanism 107a of the movable chassis 101a and the support projection member 117. Hook receiving members 122, with which the hook members 121 engage, are provided at places corresponding to the hook members 121 of the chassis 101, respectively. Each of these hook receiving members 122 is shaped so that the hook member 121 can engage therewith in such a way as to have a predetermined play therefrom. The hook member 121 and the hook receiving member 122 prevent the distance between the movable chassis 101a and the chassis 101 from becoming equal to or more than a predetermined distance.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a second tilting mechanism 107b is provided in the disk drive portion. This second tilting mechanism 107b has a tilt motor 123a, a drive transmission gear 123b, an intermediate gear 123c, a cam gear 123d, a cam-gear projection member 123e, and a spring member 123f. The tilt motor 123a is fixedly attached to the chassis 101. The drive transmission gear 123b is attached to a drive shaft of the tilt motor 123a. The intermediate gear 123c meshes, with the drive transmission gear 123b and the cam gear 123d. A cam portion 123g having a predetermined slope shape is formed on the top surface of the cam gear 123d, as shown in FIG. 6. The cam gear projection member 123e is attached to the movable chassis 101g and provided in such a way as to abut against the cam portion 123g. The spring member 123f is attached to the chassis 101 and pushes the cam gear projection member 123e against the cam portion 123g of the cam gear 123d.
Next, an operation of the first tilting mechanism 107a of the disk drive portion of the related disk apparatus is described hereinbelow by referring to FIG. 5. First, the adjusting screw (not shown) abutting against the bottom surface of the projection member 120a is turned. Thus, the adjusting screw (not shown) is moved upwardly or downwardly. This is accompanied by an upward or downward movement of the projection receiving member 120b. Thus, an end portion of the movable chassis 101a, at which the projection member 120a is provided, is moved upwardly or downwardly. Consequently, the movable chassis 101a is upwardly or downwardly tilted around the support projection member 117.
An operation of the second tilting mechanism 107b of the disk drive portion is described hereinbelow by referring to FIGS. 5 and 6. The cam gear 123d is turned by transmitting drive from the tilt motor 123a thereto through the drive transmission gear 123b and the intermediate gear 123c. When the cam gear 123d is turned, the cam gear projection member 123e is upwardly and downwardly moved along the slope shape of the cam portion 123g. Consequently, the movable chassis 101a, on which the cam gear projection member 123e is provided, is upwardly or downwardly tilted around the support projection member 117 and the projection member 120a.


With an infant or child placed in a child's car-seat in a motor vehicle, any rising of the driver from the driver's seat after the control apparatus of the invention has been energized, provides an alarm to alert the driver of leaving the infant or child unattended in the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to children's car-seats, in general, and to the protection of infants and young children seated therein, in particular.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is almost nothing more tragic than the negligently caused death of an infant or young child—except, perhaps, where the death results from the carelessness of its own parent. As will be appreciated, more and more of these negligent deaths have recently been caused by a parent's forgetfulness in leaving the infant or child behind in a locked car during warm weather months. Understandably, no degree of remorse can bring the offspring back to life—and the degree of guilt felt by the forgetful parent is incalculable. Instances have in fact been reported in which the resulting death generated such feelings as to lead to the destruction of the parent's marriage, especially where it was so difficult for conception to take place, or for the child to be adopted to begin with.

Car-seat occupied baby-on-board indicator alarm


The disclosure relates to a method for imaging by a medical X-ray device. In order to enable a reduction of an X-ray dose during imaging, the method includes: determining a viewing parameter of a viewer with reference to a future display of an image recorded by the X-ray device, determining a recording parameter set including an X-ray dose at least partially in dependence on the viewing parameter, and recording an image by the X-ray device using the recording parameter set.

An X-ray device, for example, an interventional X-ray system, is frequently used to produce fluoroscopic images in order to monitor treatment steps. These images, known as working images, are frequently not stored at all. For example, during fluoroscopy, a medical object, (e.g., a catheter), may be introduced into a body region, (e.g., into the hepatic artery). A physician performing the treatment sees fluoroscopic images from the fluoroscopy on a screen.
In this context, U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,887 A and German Patent Application No. DE 10 2016 219 708 A1, for example, disclose filter members for X-ray devices that are embodied to concentrate X-rays from the X-ray device onto a region of interest of a patient's body. German Patent Application No. DE 10 2016 122 004 A1 relates to a method for displaying images recorded by a digital surgical microscope system. The recorded image is reproduced on a display unit, wherein the magnification of the image is set using situative parameters. Herein, the situative parameters may relate to a distance between the display unit and the viewer.

Method for dose reduction in an X-ray device taking account of a later display; imaging system; computer program; and data carrier


A heat insulating member is disposed, enclosing a reaction tube, and a heat source is provided through a heat linearing member disposed above the reaction tube and between the reaction tube and the heat insulating member. The reaction tube is made of quartz and has a transparent portion formed in the top thereof and its neighboring thereof, and an opaque portion in the rest part of the reaction tube. In a heat treatment, when heat rays are radiated from the heat source through the heat linearing member, the heat rays pass through the transparent portion of the reaction tube to heat a wafer, but those of the heat rays reflected on the heat insulating member are blocked by the opaque portion of the reaction tube. A heat ray quantity to be passed into the reaction tube can be controlled, whereby high intra-surface temperature uniformity of the wafer can be secured, and as a result high processing yields can be obtained.

The present invention relates to a processing apparatus for processing an object to be processed.
The conventional semiconductor device fabrication process includes oxidation processing by which the surface of silicon of a device is oxidized at a high temperature to form an oxide film (insulating film), diffusion processing by which a silicon layer with an impurity layer formed on the surface thereof is heated to thermally diffuse the impurity in the silicon layer, and other processing.
As a heat treatment apparatus for such oxidation and diffusion, a batch vertical heat treatment apparatus is known. In forming, e.g., an oxide film for a capacitance insulating film and a gate oxide film, and diffusion of impurity ions, qualities, film pressure and diffusion depths of the films are much affected by thermal budgets in cases that the films are jointed very thin, and the junctions are shallow.
As an improvement of the above-described batch heat treatment furnace a sheet heat treatment apparatus in which wafers are carried one by one on holding means into the reaction tube to a set position and quickly heated there is being studied. Such sheet heat treatment apparatus will be explained with reference to the schematic view of FIG. 7.
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 represents a reaction tube of transparent quartz glass, and wafer holding means 11 is disposed vertically movable in the reaction tube 1. A heat insulating member 12 encloses the reaction tube 1 on the outside thereof. Above the reaction tube 1 there is provided a heater 14 in the form of a resistance heater through a heat linearing member 13 made of, e.g., an SiC (silicon nitride) plate. Reference numeral 15 denotes a processing gas feed pipe. Reference numeral 16 indicates an exhaust pipe. Reference numerals 17a-17c represent a water jacket.
In such sheet heat treatment apparatus, essentially one sheet of wafer W is first mounted on wafer holding means 11 by carrying means in a transfer chamber below the reaction tube 1, and the wafer holding means 11 is lifted to a set position. On the other hand, the heat linearing member 13 is heated by the heater 14, and the wafer W is heated to a prescribed temperature by radiation of the heat linearing member 13. A processing gas is fed through the processing gas feed pipe 15 for, e.g., oxidation. The reacted processing gas is discharged through the exhaust pipe 16 out of the system. The reaction tube 1 and the heat insulating member are water-cooled by water supplied to the water jackets 17a -17c.
In this sheet heat treatment apparatus, the heating source for the wafer W is the plate-shaped heat linearing member 13, but in addition to heat rays radiated from the heat source directly to the wafer W, heat rays which are reflected on the inside wall of the heat insulating member 12 and radiated to the wafer W are also present. The apparatus is designed by considering only heat rays which are radiated from the heat source directly to the wafer W opposed to the heat source are considered in connection with a distance between the wafer W and the heat source, a heat quantity of the heat source, etc., whereby high uniformity of intra-surface temperature distribution of the wafer W can be secured.
Actually, however, heat rays reflected on the heat insulating member 12 are radiated to the wafer W, which makes the apparatus design very difficult to secure high uniformity of intra-surface temperatures of the wafer W. This sets a limit to improvement of the intra-surface temperature uniformity. On the other hand, as devices are increasingly integrated, patterns of the devices are more micronized, and the layers are made increasingly thinner. There is a tendency that the wafer size is increased from 6 inches to 8 inches and to 12 inches. For example, very thin films as thin as 50 .ANG. are formed on devices. In such case, some .ANG.-film thickness deflections are problems. Thus, such processing requires very high intra-surface temperature uniformity. The above-described heat treatment apparatus has found it difficult to meet the above-described requirement especially as wafers have larger diameters. A problem is consequent inevitable lower yields.

Thermal processing apparatus having a reaction tube with transparent and opaque portions


The invented spray valve DEFINES two orifices that generate respective spray patterns. Preferably, the spray patterns are each conical in shape and coaxially configured so that the inside spray pattern is enveloped by the outside spray pattern. The spray valve includes two bias units that urge respective orifices to close, in a direction contrary to pressure exerted by a pressurized fluid supplied to the spray valve, that urges the orifices to open. The bias units are independently adjustable to control the amount by which each orifice is urged to close so that the proportional variation of the orifice opening size to a given variation in the fluid flow rate through the orifice, or equivalently, the fluid pressure differential across each orifice, maintains the continuity of the spray patterns over a broad range of fluid flow rates. The bias units thus allow adjustment so that the spray patterns can be maintained relatively thin or film-like with a uniform, continuous, and uninterrupted surface area so that the spray pattern surface area is maximized. The relatively large surface area of the spray pattern is useful in a variety of technologies, including fluid deaeration and purification. Advantageously, the spray valve defines the first and second orifices with relatively few parts to economize on the amount of material needed to manufacture the spray valve. The invention also includes related methods.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to an apparatus and methods for spraying fluid in a dual cone spray pattern with high uniformity over a range of fluid flow rates. The apparatus and methods are useful in a variety of technologies including fluid deaeration and purification.
2. Description of the Related Art
In various technologies, fluid is required to be sprayed in a continuous, thin film with a relatively large surface area. For example, to reduce corrosion and increase the useful life of boiler systems and the like, the incoming boiler feedwater is deaerated to remove noncondensable gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, that are highly reactive and therefore corrosive, particularly at the elevated operating temperatures present in boiler systems. Deaeration of the feedwater in such boiler systems is thus important to reduce corrosion to extend the useful life of the boiler system. In addition, due to the relatively high pressures and temperatures present in boilers, deaeration can be important for the prevention of a catastrophic failure or rupture of the boiler system and the attendant danger such failure would pose to a person or property in the vicinity of the boiler.
To deaerate the feedwater, before introduction to the boiler system, the feedwater is sprayed into relatively pure steam that is depleted in noncondensable gases. Because the solubility of the noncondensable gases in the feedwater depends on the partial pressure of each gas in the atmosphere surrounding the feedwater, the pure steam draws the noncondensable gases out of the fluid. In addition, the solubility of many noncondensable gases including oxygen and carbon dioxide, is inversely proportional to the temperature, so the heating action of the steam upon the feedwater further causes the feedwater to release dissolved gases. The steam thus deaerates the feedwater by heating and reducing the solubility of the noncondensable gases in the feedwater.
The manner of spraying the feedwater into the steam is an important factor in accomplishing deaeration. The desired spray pattern should be generated from a spray valve in a relatively thin, continuous conical pattern allowing the steam to act uniformly over the maximum possible area of the feedwater spray pattern. Moreover, the spray valve should be capable of generating its spray pattern for a broad range of feedwater flow rates. In addition, the area of the sprayed feedwater pattern should be as large as possible to maximize the area upon which the steam can act to deaerate the sprayed feedwater. Although more than one spray valve can be used to increase the feedwater flow rate into a given space, because the spray patterns of adjacent spray valves will interfere with one another to cause the spray pattern to be nonuniform, there is a limit as to how closely the spray valves can be placed. Also, the use of a greater number of spray valves adds significantly to the deaerator's cost. Therefore, it would be desirable to produce a spray valve and methods that generate a highly uniform spray pattern with an enhanced fluid surface area over a broad range of fluid flow rates, with relatively few parts and thus at a reduced cost, relative to previous spray valves.

Adjustable dual cone spray pattern valve apparatus and related methods


The present invention provides a safety cap system with a pressure and temperature activated external locking cum unlocking means for an automotive cooling system to prevent accidental removal of the safety cap. The safety cap further uses a torque overriding mechanism to ensure an effective closure and removal torque.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a safety cap system with an external locking and unlocking element for an automotive cooling device, to prevent premature unlocking of the safety cap under abnormal pressure and temperature conditions. The present invention specifically relates to a safety cap with a torque overriding arrangement and a pressure and temperature controlled sensor to provide an effective locking and unlocking of the safety cap and a method thereof.
2. Description of the Background Art
With the advent of engines with increased horsepower, smaller radiators and higher thermostat opening temperatures, much more heat is accumulated in the engines of cars and other vehicles of today. These vehicles include trucks, LCVs, MCVs, vans, cars, snowmobiles, marine engines, off-road vehicles and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles have less engine surface to dissipate the heat into the atmosphere than older type of engines. To contain the excess heat build-up problem, the pressurized cooling system was developed. The radiator or any other safety-caps in these pressurized systems function to provide a safe opening so that liquid or any other suitable medium can be vented out and to maintain the desired system pressure.
Pressurized vessels are often provided with a closure cap or a valve which, when removed, allows the tank to release pressure and be filled with refilling coolant.
However, the premature removal of the closure cap subsequent to the pressurized vessel involves a sudden release of pressure when the cap is removed. This sudden release of pressure creates a dangerous situation resulting in expulsion of some liquid and steam from within the tank.
During operation, when an engine becomes very hot, the engine cooling fluid can reach a temperature as high as 118 to 129° C. and pressure levels as high as 110–117 kPa. (USA-NHTSA—Federal Register Vol 66 No.108 Jun. 1, 2001/Proposed rules). Under such high temperature and pressure conditions, the sudden release of pressure upon removal of the closure cap, subsequent to the pressurization of the reservoir is also dangerous to the effect that it may result in the cap of the cooling device getting blown off. In effect, the cap may become a dangerous projectile or a missile, thereby exposing the persons in the vicinity to the threat of serious bodily injuries, should the cap blow off the cooling device during the unscrewing operation and also spraying the persons close to the cooling device with the hot fluid or steam that is ejected.
Some of the conventional pressure cap units are so designed that once the pressure increases in the system it is capable of being removed when the cooling device is in hot condition. Under this condition the user is exposed to the risk of being injured by the highly pressurized cap and getting scalded from the steam jet that emerges out of the cooling device.
There have been numerous instances where the high-pressure steam or hot liquid is ejected out from the engine cooling system during cap removal process, thereby causing serious bodily injuries.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,049 teaches an internal thermally locking radiator cap for fitting on the filler neck flange of an automotive radiator, which prevents the radiator cap from becoming detached from the filler neck flange when the radiator is hot. The cap uses a bi-metallic strip captured on the top surface of the radiator cap and having an end that goes through the opening of the radiator cap and engages the filler neck flange to lock the cap in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,677 discloses a radiator cap with a safety plate or wire made of memory alloy. The safety plate or wire bends downward under ambient temperature. High temperature water in the radiator causes the safety plate to extend out due to the memory characteristic of the alloy and the safety plate thus presses against the neck of the filling hole.
One such provision to remove the excess pressure conditions before the cap is removed completely was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,425, wherein a radiator cap with sealing members is disclosed. However, the product covered under the above said patent has the following limitation that a user of this cap, while closing the cap, does not seem to receive any feedback to indicate that the cap has reached its desired torque limit; as result the cap can be tightened below the desired limits resulting in high installation torque and high removal of torque further leading to inconvenience to the operator using the cap. The tightening of the cap may result in improper seating of the small o-ring, which further leads to ineffective sealing thereby leading to pressure and coolant loss.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,717 discloses a closure cap without a ratcheting with an internal locking means with a temperature controlled element to prevent unscrewing of the cap when the heat in the reservoir is in excess levels. Further, an exclusive and special reservoir is required for the closure cap of this design. In addition, the instant design may not be adaptable to radiator application because of lack of controlled vent path and also due to loss of coolant.
In addition, closure caps of an engine cooling device, functioning on the basis of temperature sensing can fail to actuate the sensor if an end user tries to locally cool the cap by pouring cold water on the heated cap or the cap may fail to cooperate if a snow falls on the cap when the hood is kept opened for cooling.

Safety-cap system for an engine cooling device and a method


An anti-lock hydraulic control device is composed of a front-wheel brake and rear-wheel brake for effecting brake control through a hydraulic system which is connected with a master cylinder and circulates hydraulic fluid; a front-wheel side control valve and rear-wheel side control valve between the master cylinder and front-wheel brake, and master cylinder and rear-wheel brake respectively; a reserve between the front-wheel side control valve and rear-wheel side control valve; a proportioning valve between the master cylinder and rear-wheel side control valve; and a pump connected to the reserve and provided with a discharge opening connected between the proportioning valve and the rear-wheel control valve. When anti-lock control starts, the pump operates and discharges hydraulic fluid to the rear-wheel side control valve, thus increasing rear-wheel brake fluid pressure, and so avoiding the problem of insufficient braking power in the rear-brakes during anti-lock control, and increasing braking efficiency.

The present invention relates to an anti-lock hydraulic control device, and more particularly to providing more suitable hydraulic distribution to the front-wheel and rear-wheel brakes, and improving braking efficiency.
Anti-lock hydraulic devices are conventionally provided with a proportioning valve (hereinafter abbreviated to "P-valve") for reducing output fluid pressure in proportion to inlet fluid pressure.
The P-valve has the function of appropriately setting distribution between rear-wheel brake fluid pressure and front-wheel brake fluid pressure, so as to prevent the car losing stability due to the rear wheels locking before the front wheels. The P-valve is therefore essentially unnecessary if an anti-lock hydraulic control device is installed.
However, the imbalance in braking power between the front wheels and rear wheels means that the anti-lock hydraulic control device is actuated to lock at the earliest stage even if the coefficient is relatively high, i.e., the condition of deaccelerating speed being small. Thus to prevent discomfort associated with noise and vibrations generated when the anti-lock hydraulic control device functions at an early stage, notwithstanding road-surface conditions which make locking less likely to occur in the first place, and to prevent the car losing stability when the anti-locking device is faulty and the rear wheels lock before the front wheels, P-valves are often provided in spite of the provision of anti-lock hydraulic control devices.
FIG. 6 shows an example of an anti-lock hydraulic control device with P-valves as described above.
The anti-lock hydraulic device is constructed of X-circuit. The front-wheel brakes 1A, 1B and the rear-wheel brakes 2A, 2B on the left and right sides have anti-locking devices (ABS devices) 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D respectively, and P-valves 4A, 4B are disposed between the rear-wheel brakes 2A, B and the master cylinder 5.
The pressure detection holes 6a, 6b in the respective P-valves 4A, 4B are connected with the outlet side of the master cylinder 5 of the other circuit. It is not always necessary to provide the holes 6a, 6b, and it may be employed a P valve having no-function of failure detection. To prevent the rear wheels from locking before the front wheels, the P-valves 4A, 4B are constructed so as to reduce the fluid pressure of the rear-wheel brakes 2A, 2B in proportion to the fluid pressure of the front-wheel brakes 1A, 1B, in accordance with the outlet side pressure of the master cylinder 2 detected by means of the pressure detection holes 6a, 6b; and in addition, should a defect arise, to cancel the proportional decompression of the P-valves 2A, 2B of the other circuit and increase the fluid pressure of the rear-wheel brakes 2A, 2B.
As in an anti-lock hydraulic control device such as that described above the rear wheels are generally most likely to lock when, apart from the driver, the car is unladen (i.e. when empty), the characteristics of the P-valves are set accordingly.
However, the ideal distribution of fluid pressure to the front-wheel and rear-wheel brakes when the car is carrying goods and passengers (i.e. when laden) calls for greater distribution to the rear-wheel side than when the car is empty. Thus with hydraulic distribution set for when the car is empty, braking force distributed to the rear wheels is unduly low compared with the ideal braking force.
In such circumstances, the subsequently overloaded front wheels have a tendency to lock before the deceleration of the car, which could be achieved if the ideal distribution was originally provided can be reached, and the anti-locking device goes into operation. If the driver then presses the brake pedal further, the rear-wheel brakes can immediately be increased. However, as it is generally believed that the operation of the anti-locking device is a warning that the brakes have been applied too hard, drivers often do not press the brake pedal any harder.
With the anti-lock hydraulic control device shown in FIG. 6, anti-locking control is actuated only in the front-wheel brakes, as rear-wheel brake fluid pressure is controlled by the P-valve. There is thus insufficient braking power in the rear-wheel brakes, which in turn results in insufficient braking power for the whole car; and so despite the installation of an anti-lock hydraulic control device, there is the problem that the braking distance increases.
An example of a means of solving the above problem is the anti-lock brake system described in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 3-47185. In this example, the brake pressure of the other brake circuit is detected by means of pressure detection holes. When said pressure is low, a P-valve with the function of suppressing the ordinal proportional decompression function of the P-valve (i.e. a defect-countering P-valve) is used to suppress the proportional decompression function which detected anti-lock control being actuated in the front-wheel brakes of the other circuit, and the brake pressure of the rear-wheel brakes is increased.
Use of a defect-countering P-valve in the anti-lock brake system described above leads inevitably to increases in size and cost, as compared with use of a normal P-valve. In addition, the defect-countering P-valve is constructed so that rear-wheel brake pressure rises suddenly when anti-lock is actuated on the front-wheel side. There is thus the possibility that the rear wheels may lock suddenly and stability be lost.


User interfaces that enable monitoring of the configuration and status of computing systems are disclosed. The user interfaces may summarize data collected from a plurality of computing systems. The data may be summarized by flagging collected information that does not match a set of reference information or the collected information from other systems. The flags may be presented at a variety of levels of granularity, and the presence of a flag at one level of granularity may indicate the presence of a flagged item at any lower level of granularity. A dynamic hierarchical user interface provides a user with a high level overview of system status, as well as the ability to drill down to identify specific system information that does not adhere to a specified configuration.

Organizations often manage multiple computing systems simultaneously. In many cases, several of the computing systems work together to accomplish a similar task. Examples include similarly or identically configured servers amongst which work is split using load balancing techniques. In other cases, each computing system performs a unique task. As the number of computing systems being managed grows, ensuring that configuration changes are made to all relevant systems becomes increasingly difficult. For example, ensuring that a hotfix is applied to all relevant computing systems may involve reviewing a large amount of information. Similarly, monitoring the status of the various systems, such as each system's health, becomes more difficult as the number of systems grows.

User interface for large scale system monitoring