A preferred embodiment connector includes a catch, a housing, and a locking member. The catch has an end with an engaging member, and the housing has a cavity and a supporting member. The locking member is positioned within the cavity and has a first position and a second position. The cavity and the locking member have a first configuration when the locking member is in the first position, and the cavity and the locking member have a second configuration when the locking member is in the second position. The first configuration is configured and arranged to receive the end of the catch. The second configuration is configured and arranged to engage the end of the catch between the supporting member and the locking member thereby locking the catch, and the supporting member of the housing provides a surface upon which the engaging member exerts force should a fall occur.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, to a connector for use with fall protection assemblies.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various occupations place people in precarious positions at relatively dangerous heights thereby creating a need for fall protection assemblies. Among other things, such assemblies usually include at least one connecting device interconnected between a support structure and a person working in proximity to the support structure. The connecting device includes a connecting element, which is typically connected to a connecting member of a safety harness worn by the user. Obviously, it is important to properly connect the connecting device to the safety harness.
One problem is that it may be difficult to determine which connecting device may be properly connected to which connecting member on the safety harness. Safety harnesses typically include several connecting members for various purposes, such as fall arrest, work positioning, restraint, suspension, rescue, riding, climbing, and connecting tools and other accessories. Although some connecting devices may be properly connected to more than one connecting member on the safety harness, which depends upon the task to be performed by the user, it may be improper to connect the connecting devices to some of the connecting members. There has been no simple way to communicate to the user the purposes of the various connecting members and the connecting devices, and this may be compounded by the complexity of the particular safety harness style, the frequency of use of the safety harness, and the possible language barriers. Therefore, there is a need for a more user-friendly way to determine the proper connections to the safety harness.


An apparatus and method for cleaning a poultry carcass. In one exemplary aspect, a conveyor is applied for conveying the carcass along a track and brush device is positioned next to the track for brushing the carcass exterior, wherein the device is embodied with at least one rotatable drum, and to which drum brush hairs are connected, such that opposite ends of the brush hairs are connected to the drum so as to arrange that the brush hairs form a closed loop with the drum.

A conventional method and apparatus for cleaning a poultry carcass are known from EP-A-1 538 917. In the known method and apparatus, brushing of the poultry carcasses is done after the carcasses are defeathered and eviscerated. This however does not provide a solution to the problem that the poultry carcasses also require cleaning prior to their being processed to prepare for defeathering and evisceration in order to avoid contamination of the water used during the scalding process that precedes defeathering.
A live chicken collects litter and feces at the farm, particularly at biological farms. This litter and feces attaches to the chickens in the form of lumps and is of course required to be removed prior to processing the live chickens to chicken parts or to—except for cooking ready-to-eat meat—to avoid unsanitary conditions which may be detrimental to a person's health.
Despite its lack of imagination, the skilled person bearing knowledge of EP-A-1 538 917 may perhaps consider to brush the poultry at an early stage of its processing while it is still feathered. A problem is, however, that the longhaired bristles of the known apparatus are not equipped to remove the lumps of litter and feces, since during operation the bristles follow a more or less straight line along the poultry carcasses' exteriors without effectively coming into contact with those lumps for their removal.
Another problem of the prior art method and apparatus is that the brush means may deteriorate the outer appearance of the chickens due to scratching.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus with which an effective cleaning of the outside of poultry carcasses can be carried out while the carcasses still bear feathers.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a method and apparatus wherein the cleaning of the poultry exterior does not adversely affect the visual appearance of the poultry.
According to the invention a method and apparatus are therefore proposed having the features of one or more of the appended claims.

Apparatus and method for cleaning a poultry carcass


A latch has a first mode in which the latch functions as a dynamic latch and a second mode in which the latch functions as a static latch. The latch has a feedback circuit that in turn has two parallel switchable loads. The first load is responsive to a data input signal of the latch in the first mode and disabled in the second mode. The second load is responsive to a clock signal in the second mode and disabled in the first mode. The switchable loads being in parallel provides for the ability to select the feedback that is better for the particular mode of operation. The first and second switchable loads can be optimized for the particular mode of operation that will use it.

During debug or a test of a semiconductor, engineers often take snapshots of a circuit that is under test. The snapshots provide insight into the current state of the device and may help to identify a problem by evaluating the data. In order to read out the values of circuit nodes, a circuit needs a way to send these values from latches or other storage devices in the circuit to the outside world. Scannable latches are often used. Previous scannable latches have used a plurality of clock signals to clock data and to implement the scan function. A disadvantage of the prior scannable latches is that the use of multiple clocks requires more power to implement and more signal conductors. Therefore, the implementation of scannable latches was inefficient either from power or size standpoints, or both. Additionally, in integrated circuits that have only a single clock, such multiple clock scannable latches are not useful.
Additionally, known latch circuits typically require careful transistor sizing in order to ensure reliable updating of values in the latch. Without the proper transistor size ratios, a new data value that is opposite from a previously stored value may not be reliably stored.
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

Dynamic scannable latch and method of operation


A light-insulated lamp, methods of preparing such lamp and illuminating systems using lamps therein are provided. The lamp is rendered light-insulated by providing leads with two portions, a first portion inside an envelope and a second portion extends out from a base at an angle of about 90.degree. to the first portion, and encapsulating its base with an opaque plastic material, such as polybutylene terephthalate. The light-insulated lamp in combination with a compressive gasket and filter rings form an illuminating panel system which does not interfere with night vision goggles operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to light insulated lamps, method of preparing such lamps and illuminating systems using such lamps therein. More specifically, the present invention is directed to encapsulating a base of a lamp with leads comprises two portions, a first portion inside an envelope and a second portion extends out from the base and at an angle of about 90.degree. to the first portion, utilizing an opaque plastic material, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The lamp with the encapsulated base, in combination with a compressive gasket and filter ring is then used to obtain an illuminating system having IR sealing at the backside of an instrument panel which does not affect night vision goggle operation.
More specific objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter be made clear or become apparent to those skilled in the art during the course of explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In different applications, it is imperative that illumination, particularly from incandescent lamps, be rigorously controlled. One such application is the utilization of night vision goggles by operators of aircraft. In almost all instances, the instrument panels of aircraft are illuminated by incandescent light which is transmitted through a plastic panel such as molded acrylic plastic. The panel is painted or otherwise coated with opaque material which is then removed from desired spots for transmission of information to the pilot, such as, for example, data, instructional material, frequencies and the like. To provide light in the desired frequency ranges, a filtering element may be utilized so that incandescent radiation of undesired frequencies is eliminated from the acrylic plastic.
It has been found to be a problem that radiation of undesirable frequencies can leak from the incandescent lamp through the backboard with lamps made in accordance with the prior art. Typically, prior art lamps consist of an incandescent lamp with a pair of leads extending therefrom. The leads are then soldered to appropriate .+-. busses on top of the circuit board to provide the desired electrical connection to illuminate the lamp. Irrespective of the attempt to place opaque which materials or the like on the backboard, the light nonetheless leaks through, providing undesirable incandescent radiation at frequencies that sometimes degrade night vision goggles performance.

Light-insulated lamp and illuminating systems


A heat-sensitive recording material comprising a support having thereon a color-developing layer and at least one UV-absorbing layer with a light-transmittance of 70% or less at 400 nm, 5% or less at 370 nm, and 70% or more for entire visible light range, is disclosed.

Recording materials which employ an electron-donating colorless dye and an electron-accepting compound are well known. Examples of such recording materials are pressure-sensitive papers, heat-sensitive papers, light-sensitive heat-sensitive papers, electroconductive heat-sensitive papers, heat-sensitive transfer papers, and the like. These are described in detail, for example, in British Patent 2,140,449, U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,052, U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,920, JP-B-60-23992 (the term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent publication"), JP-A-57-179836 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"), JP-A-60-123556, JP-A-60-123557, and so forth.
In particular, heat-sensitive recording materials have been extensively studied to improve (1) developed color density and color developing sensitivity, and (2) fastness of the color-developing materials.
At the moment, however, heat-sensitive recording materials still have disadvantages in that the non-image portions become colored or the image portions fade due to the action of light after the materials are exposed to sunlight for a long time or are posted in offices for a long term.
Various methods have been investigated to lessen the discoloration of the non-image portions and fading of the image portions. (See JP-A-50-104650, JP-A-58-087093, JP-A-60-203487, JP-A-61-242878 and JP-A-61-193883.) However, satisfactory improvement has not been achieved.


A prosthesis for total knee replacement (TKR) includes: a femoral component having a pair of condylar-bearing surfaces (10,12), a tibial component having a tibial platform (22) with an upstanding abutment (18) located between the condylar-bearing surfaces, and a meniscal component (15) interposed between the condylar-bearing surface and the tibial platform for sliding movement in the anterior-posterior (A-P) direction. The femoral component has an intercondylar projecting surface (20) adapted to contact the upstanding abutment at high degrees of flexion so as to influence the sliding movement of the meniscal component in a posterior direction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a total knee replacement prosthesis. Total knee replacement prostheses involve the surgical removal of the entire natural knee-bearing surfaces and their replacement with artificial femoral and tibial components. The femoral component includes condylar bearing surfaces which, to some extend, mimic the shape of the natural condyles.
2. Discussion of Related Art
The present invention relates to total knee replacement (TKR) prostheses of the three component type in which a floating meniscal component is interposed between the femoral and tibial components. The use of a meniscal component extends the range of movements that can be accommodated, including providing for a greater range of laxity of both sliding and rotational movement.
There are, however, several problems in designing a fully satisfactory TKR. One of these is to provide a high degree of flexion since, otherwise, the pre-operative range of flexion is not achieved and mobility is reduced. A high degree of flexion can be achieved by providing for roll back at maximum flexion. However, this is often achieved by providing for roll back at maximum flexion. However, this is often achieved at the risk of reduced stability. It is also important to achieve stability in extension, e.g. when the patient is standing. These requirements are difficult to achieve in a three component TKR.


This seat of a vehicle is provided with: a center supporting block having a first supporting surface for supporting an occupant; side supporting blocks that are arranged at both sides in the width of the center supporting block, and having a second supporting surface that more protrude than the first supporting surface of the center supporting block; movable supporting blocks each arranged between the center supporting block and the side supporting blocks, and each having a third supporting surface which is flush with the first supporting surface while in an initial state; joining portions each joining between the side supporting blocks and the movable supporting block; and expanding devices that are arranged at a back side of the side supporting blocks, expand the side supporting blocks, and incline the movable supporting blocks with respect to the first supporting surface of the center supporting block.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a seat of a vehicle that can change the shapes and the attitudes thereof in accordance with the physique of an occupant.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional seat of a vehicle is proposed which is provided with a seatback and a seat cushion each having side supporting blocks for supporting the sides of an occupant (for example, Japanese Examined Utility Model Application, Second Publication No. H03-8118).
This seat of a vehicle is provided with the side supporting blocks that protrude more forward than a supporting surface of a center supporting block that supports the occupant, at both sides of the center supporting block. These side supporting blocks support the sides of the shoulders, the hip, the thighs, and the like, of the occupant. Each of the side supporting blocks contains a bag at thereinside that can change the volume thereof. The protruding amounts of skins of the side supporting blocks are adjusted by adjusting the volumes of the bags.
However, in this conventional seat of a vehicle which expands the side supporting blocks by the bags, when the bags are expanded, the skins of the side supporting blocks approach toward the occupant while forming curved surfaces, and the expanded portions make line contacts with the body of the occupant. Therefore, there was a possibility of causing the uncomfortableness to the occupant.
In addition, in this conventional seat of a vehicle, it has been difficult to sufficiently fit the side supporting blocks to the occupant whose body sizes such as the shoulder width or the like is comparatively narrow. On the other hand, in this conventional seat of a vehicle, there has been a possibility of causing the uncomfortableness to the occupant due to excessive restriction from the sides to the occupant whose body size comparatively wide.
The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object of providing a seat of a vehicle that can reliably hold occupants each having different physiques with each other, without causing the uncomfortableness.


Disclosed are methods for formulating a polyisocyanurate foam-forming composition with good low temperature insulation performance. The polyisocyanurate foam-forming composition includes: a) an organic polyisocyanate, b) a polyol composition comprising at least one polyester polyol with a nominal hydroxyl functionality of at least 2.0, c) a blowing agent composition present in an amount sufficient to produce foam having a density of less than 1.85 lb/ft3 and comprising: (1) a hydrocarbon having an atmospheric pressure boiling point of at least 68° F. (20° C.), and (2) water, d) a trimerization catalyst, e) a flame retardant, and f) a silicone surface-active agent. The methods include: (A) evaluating a measured Relative Hydrocarbon Solubility and, optionally, evaluating a measured a Surfactant Water Solubility, a Surfactant Turbidity, or evaluating both the Surfactant Water Solubility and the Surfactant Turbidity; and (B) formulating the polyisocyanurate foam-forming composition with the silicone surface-active agent in light of such evaluation.

Insulation plays an important role in the energy efficiency and environmental impact of building envelopes. In many cases, polyisocyanurate foam is used for building insulation as it has many advantages, such as relatively low installed cost, good fire resistance and high thermal resistance. As a result, it is important to understand the thermal resistance performance of such foam insulation.
In order to allow for a simple, yet consistent methodology to measure and compare thermal performance, North American manufacturers of building envelope thermal insulation test and report the R-value (a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry) of their products in compliance with industry standards. ASTM C518-17, Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus, is an industry method for measuring R-values of building insulation comprised of a cellular plastic insulation that contains gases other than air where the composition of the retained gases change with time. Two other methods referenced in that standard, ASTM C1058 (2010), Standard Practice for Selecting Temperatures for Evaluating and Reporting Thermal Properties of Thermal Insulation, Sections 4-5 and ASTM C1045 (2007), Standard Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Properties under Steady State Conditions, Section 6.2 address respectively the appropriate temperature ranges at which insulation thermal conductivity should be measured based on its intended use and the preferred temperature settings for the apparatus hot and cold plates that should be chosen for accurate measurements.
A problem that has been associated with polyisocyanurate foam building insulation is that, unlike some other insulation materials, it has been reported that such insulation exhibits poorer thermal resistance, i.e., reduced R-value, at low temperatures due to condensation of the gaseous blowing agents contained in the closed cells of the rigid foam. As a result, it would be desirable to provide methods for formulating a polyisocyanurate foam-forming compositions that produce a faced rigid foam laminate having a measured R-value at a temperature of 35° F. (1.7° C.), in some cases, at a temperature of 30° F. (−1.1° C.), 25° F. (−3.9° C.) or even 20° F. (−6.7° C.), that is at least as high as the R-value of the same foam laminate at 75° F. (23.9° C.), when measured according to ASTM C518-17. The present invention was made in view of the foregoing desire.

Methods for formulating polyisocyanurate foam-forming compositions, related polyisocyanurate foam-forming compositions, and foams produced thereby


A power tool is provided including a tool housing in which an electric motor is disposed. The electric motor includes a stator and an armature rotatably received within the stator. The armature has an armature shaft on which a commutator is mounted. The power tool further includes at least one brush assembly disposed around the commutator, the brush assembly including: a brush having two grooves on opposites surfaces therein; a brush holder comprising two support plates arranged defining guiderails that extend into the grooves of the brush to facilitate movement of the brush along a single axis; and a spring contacting the brush that urges the brush radially inwardly along the axis.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Known portable power tools typically have an electric motor received within a housing. One common type of electric motor used in power tools has a rotor, a stator, and brushes. The rotor includes a rotor shaft, laminations mounted on the rotor shaft, armature windings wound in slots in the lamination stack, and a commutator mounted on the rotor shaft and electrically connected to the armature windings. The stator may have field windings wound in laminations, or may have permanent magnets. The brushes are mounted in brush housings, often known as brush boxes, surrounding the commutator. Electric current is supplied from a power source through the brushes to the commutator and then to the armature windings.
The brushes and brush boxes are typically part of a brush assembly(ies). The brush boxes and brushes are disposed diametrically opposite to each other with the commutator disposed therebetween. The brush assembly(ies) includes springs that urge the brushes against the commutator.
FIG. 1 illustrates a half piece 102 of a conventional brush assembly 100. Each piece 102 in this design includes a base member 103 on which a brush box 104 is mounted. The base member 103 has a semi-annular periphery 106. Brush box 104 includes a mounting portion 116, an arm 118 connected to the mounting portion 116 and extending perpendicularly from the base member 103, and a metallic brush box 120. Brush box 104 receives a brush therein. The mounting portion 116 includes a plurality of legs 122 for crimping to corresponding cutout portions 124 in the base member 103 to secure the mounting portion 116 to the base member 103. The spring 101 includes one end connected to the arm 118 and the other end having a contact portion 132. The contact portion 132 is disposed adjacent to the second open end 128 of the brush box 120. When the brush is received in the brush box 120, the contact portion 132 of the spring 101 contacts the brush and urges the brush radially inwardly against the motor commutator.
FIG. 2 depicts the conventional brush assembly 100 including two half pieces 102 inside a power tool. As can be shown in this figure, the brush half pieces 102 are inserted inside a groove 103 of the tool housing. The brush box 120 are arranged around the commutator 34 of the motor 14. Bosses 134 are used to mate the two housing halves together after assembling the half pieces 102 is complete.
The brush assembly 100 depicted herein is for a direct current (DC) cordless power tools. However, similar brush assemblies may be used in alternating current (AC) corded power tools. Further, also the brush box 120 depicted in FIG. 1 mounted on a brush card 102, similar brush boxes are mounted directly into the tool housing around the commutator.
The conventional brush assembly described herein has several disadvantages. First, brush box 120 includes a large amount of metal, which is both expensive and requires a great degree of accuracy in performing procedures such as stamping, bending and crimping the metal components. In addition, the gap between the brush box 120 and the brush is prone to collecting dust and debris over time. This increases the wear on the brush over time and may even cause the brush to jam inside the brush box. A jammed or "hung" brush results in the tool failing during runtime and may even damage the motor commutator. Moreover, since the brush box 120 encloses all four sides of the brush, it limits direct brush exposure to airflow. This can raise the brush box 102 temperature to fairly high levels, particularly in high power applications such as power tools, which can potentially damage the tool housing.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Brush holder for a brush assembly for a power tool motor


Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer program products for accepting a predetermined vocabulary-dependent characterization of a set of audio signals, the predetermined characterization including an identification of putative occurrences of each of a plurality of vocabulary items in the set of audio signals, the plurality of vocabulary items included in the vocabulary; accepting a new vocabulary item not included in the vocabulary; accepting putative occurrences of the new vocabulary item in the set of audio signals; and generating, by an analysis engine of a speech processing system, an augmented characterization of the set of audio signals based on the identified putative occurrences of the new vocabulary item.

Speech processing systems analyze audio streams and can produce outputs such as a transcription or lattice indicating occurrences of phonemes, words, or phrases in the audio stream. Transcriptions are generally linear sequences of units (e.g., words or phonemes). A lattice generally indicates alternative units, each unit spanning an associated interval, allowing alternative transcription hypotheses to be determined from the lattice. Systems often generate multiple transcription hypotheses (e.g., for each word or phrase spoken in the audio stream), usually with some level of confidence attached to each hypothesis.
Speech processing systems generally have a closed set of units, such as a closed word vocabulary or phoneme set. Generally, a speech processing system processes an input and produces a transcript or lattice based on the input in terms of the units in the closed set known to the system. However, in practice, new words, acronyms, names, and other terms are generated in language continuously, and if these terms are not added to the vocabulary of the system, they will not be identified by the speech processing system even if they are spoken in the audio stream. The vocabulary of a speech processing system may also be limited and may not include words specific to a particular field or application (e.g., product names or technical terms). These field-specific words will also not be identified by a speech processing system unless its lexicon is augmented to include such terms. To search for new terms not originally present in the lexicon, the audio stream can be reprocessed by the speech processing system with the new terms added to the vocabulary of the system. As speech processing is a slow and computationally expensive procedure, this process is generally impractical.

Augmented characterization for speech recognition


A display control unit makes a reference to a display off-time table to change automatic turn-off time (automatic interruption time) of a display unit, which is set to a off-timer as the residual capacity of the battery is changed. The off-timer starts measuring the time when no input is performed by the operation of the user. When the measured time reaches the set time, a switch circuit (SW) is switched off so that the backlight of the display unit is turned off.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display control method and a display control apparatus adaptable to electronic equipment which has a display unit and which can be operated by a battery, for example, a portable information processing apparatus including a battery which can electrically be charged and having a display, such as a flat panel display, which can be operated by the battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
A portable information processing apparatus having a display unit and enabled to be operated by a battery has variously been contrived in order to prevent wasteful electric power consumption when operated by the battery.
As one of methods of saving electric power, a so-called automatic display-turn-off function can be employed with which the operation of a mouse or a keyboard is monitored by a timer, and if the mouse and the keyboard is not operated within a predetermined time period, then the display operation is interrupted so as to save electric power.
An automatic display-turn-off function of the foregoing type of the conventional personal computer has been arranged such that the automatic display interruption time, which has been once set, is not changed (a fixed time is set) until the time is again set.
With a small-size electronic equipment, such as a personal computer, if the automatic interruption time is shortened in a case where the electronic equipment is operated by the battery, the usage of the battery can be reduced. On the other hand, the handling facility deteriorates. If the automatic interruption time is elongated, the handling facility is improved. However, the usage of the battery is enlarged.
As described above, since the automatic display-interruption-time has been fixed, the life of the battery and the handling facility for the user cannot easily be adjusted. Moreover, the contents of an intended process and the characteristics of the operation of the user result in different relationship.
A flat panel display of a type, having a backlight, a sidelight or the like, is enabled to save electricity by darkening the brightness of the backlight.
Also control of the display of the foregoing type has been performed such that the brightness, which has been set, is not changed (fixed brightness is set) until it is set again.
Although the usage of the battery of a small-size electronic equipment, such as a personal computer, can be reduced if the brightness is darkened (lowered) in a state where it is operated by a battery, the display cannot easily visually be observed. If the brightness is raised, the display can easily be recognized. However, the usage of the battery is enlarged.
In a case where the brightness of the display is fixed as described above, the life of the battery and easy recognition of the display cannot easily be adjusted. Moreover, the environment of use of the equipment, the environmental illumination, contamination of the surface of the display and lowering of the brightness as the time elapses cause different results to take place.
As a conventional method of saving electricity which is consumed by a display, a display control method is known which has the steps of monitoring the mouse and the keyboard; and interrupting the operation of the display if the mouse or the display is not operated within the time, which has been set previously, so that electricity is saved.
However, the above-mentioned conventional display control involves waste in the electric power consumption because the display is in the display operation state until the set time elapses even if the display is not watched.
If the mouse or the keyboard is not operated during the period in which the display is watched, the display operation is interrupted during watching. Therefore, the operation facility is unsatisfactory.
As a conventional method of saving electricity of a (flat panel type) display, a display control means is known in which the brightness of the backlight is darkened after a set time has elapsed so that electricity is saved.
However, the foregoing conventional display control involves waste in the electric power consumption because the display is in the display state until the set time elapses even if the display is not watched.
As described above, all of the conventional display control means for saving electricity involve waste of electric power consumption, and a satisfactory effect for saving electricity cannot be obtained when the electronic equipment is operated by a battery.

Display control method and display control apparatus adapted to portable data processing equipment provided with a battery-drivable flat panel display


A method comprising: decoding, from a bitstream, a first encoded region of first picture into a first preliminary reconstructed region; forming a first reconstructed region from the first preliminary reconstructed region, wherein the forming comprises resampling and/or rearranging the first preliminary reconstructed region, wherein the rearranging comprises relocating, rotating and/or mirroring; and decoding at least a second region, wherein the first reconstructed region is used as a reference for prediction in decoding the at least second region and the second region either belongs to a second picture and is spatially collocated with the first reconstructed region or belongs to the first picture.

A video coding system may comprise an encoder that transforms an input video into a compressed representation suited for storage/transmission and a decoder that can uncompress the compressed video representation back into a viewable form. The encoder may discard some information in the original video sequence in order to represent the video in a more compact form, for example, to enable the storage/transmission of the video information at a lower bitrate than otherwise might be needed.
360-degree panoramic content cover horizontally the full 360-degree field-of-view around the capturing position of an imaging device. A specific projection for mapping a panoramic image covering 360-degree field-of-view horizontally and 180-degree field-of-view vertically to a rectangular two-dimensional image plane is known as equirectangular projection. In this case, the horizontal coordinate may be considered equivalent to a longitude, and the vertical coordinate may be considered equivalent to a latitude, with no transformation or scaling applied.
The equirectangular panorama format stretches the nadir and the zenith areas. The number of pixels towards the nadir or zenith is proportionally greater compared to that in the equator. This results into unnecessarily large number of pixels being encoded and decoded in the areas close to the nadir and zenith, which in turn increases encoding and decoding complexity and may result into a decreased rate-distortion performance.

Apparatus, a method and a computer program for video coding and decoding


A seat assembly including a seat frame, an armrest pivotally coupled to the seat frame, a stopper, and an engagement member. The armrest pivots between a use position and a drop down position below the use position in a vertical direction. In the use position, the armrest is configured to support an arm of a user. The engagement member contacts the stopper in the use position to inhibit movement of the armrest from the use position toward the drop down position. The engagement member is configured to deform against the stopper upon application of a predetermined force to allow the armrest to move from the use position toward the drop down position.

Traditional seat armrests, such as in a vehicle, may support an occupant's arm in a use position. However, the traditional seat armrests include structural components that may break when a threshold load on the armrest is exceeded. Upon exceeding the threshold load and breakage of the structural components, the armrest would need to be replaced for the armrest to support the occupant's arm in the use position.
Accordingly, a need exists for armrests that may be reset after a threshold weight on the armrest is exceeded.

Seat assemblies having resettable armrests

TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.


The invention is an abnormal combustion detection method for spark-ignition internal-combustion engines. For each engine cycle, a parameter characterizing a distribution of N combustion indicator values, CA10 for example, acquired over N cycles preceding the cycle in progress, is determined while ignoring extreme values. A threshold is defined from this parameter for the combustion indicator. The start of an abnormal combustion is then detected by comparing the combustion indicator with this threshold and the course of the abnormal combustion detected in the combustion chamber is controlled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns the sphere of combustion stage control of internal-combustion engines. The present invention notably relates to a method for detecting an abnormal combustion, of pre-ignition at low speed and high load type, in a combustion chamber of such engines.
It more particularly relates, but not exclusively, to such a method applied to a downsized spark-ignition engine running at very high loads.
2. Description of the Prior Art
This aforementioned type of engine includes at least one cylinder comprising a combustion chamber defined by the inner lateral wall of the cylinder, by the top of the piston that slides in this cylinder and by the cylinder head. Generally, a fuel mixture is contained in this combustion chamber which undergoes compression stage and then a combustion stage under the effect of a spark ignition, by means of a spark plug. These stages are grouped together under the term "combustion stage" in the description hereafter.
It has been observed that this fuel mixture can undergo various combustion types and that these combustion types are the source of different pressure levels, and of mechanical and/or thermal stresses some of which can seriously damage the engine.
The first combustion, referred to as conventional combustion or normal combustion, is the result of the propagation of the combustion of a fuel mixture compressed during a prior engine compression stage. This combustion normally propagates in a flame front from the spark generated at the plug and there is no risk it may damage the engine.
Another combustion type is a knocking combustion resulting from an unwanted self-ignition in the combustion chamber. Thus, after the fuel mixture compression stage, the plug is actuated so as to allow ignition of this fuel mixture. Under the effect of the pressure generated by the piston and of the heat released by the fuel mixture combustion start, a sudden and localized self-ignition of part of the compressed fuel mixture occurs before the flame front resulting from the ignition of the fuel mixture by the spark plug comes near. This mechanism, referred to as engine knock, leads to a local pressure and temperature increase and it can generate, in case it occurs repeatedly, destructive effects on the engine and mainly on the piston.
Finally, another combustion type is an abnormal combustion due to a pre-ignition of the fuel mixture before the spark plug initiates ignition of the fuel mixture present in the combustion chamber.
This abnormal combustion affects engines that are the result of a downsizing operation. This operation is intended to reduce the size and/or the capacity of the engine while keeping the same power and/or the same torque as conventional engines. Generally, this type of engine is essentially of gasoline type and it is highly supercharged.
It has been observed that this abnormal combustion occurs at high loads and generally at low engine speeds, when timing of the fuel mixture combustion cannot be optimum because of engine knock. Considering the high pressures and the high temperatures reached in the combustion chamber as a result of supercharging, an abnormal combustion start can occur sporadically or continuously well before ignition of the fuel mixture by the spark plug. This combustion is characterized by a first flame propagation phase that occurs too soon in relation to that of a conventional combustion. This propagation phase can be interrupted by a self-ignition involving a large part of the fuel mixture present in the combustion chamber, much larger than in the case of engine knock.
If this abnormal combustion takes place repeatedly from engine cycle to engine cycle and starts from a hot spot of the cylinder for example, it is referred to as "pre-ignition". If this combustion occurs suddenly, in a random and sporadic way, it is referred to as "rumble".
The latter abnormal combustion leads to very high pressure levels (120 to 250 bars) and to a thermal transfer increase that may cause partial or total destruction of the moving elements of the engine, such as the piston or the piston rod.
The general methodology for dealing with these abnormal combustion is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1, with first a prevention phase (PP) for limiting to the maximum phenomenon appearance risks, then a detection phase (PD) when prevention is not sufficient to avoid the phenomenon, to determine whether it is pertinent to intervene in the very cycle where pre-ignition was detected by means of a corrective phase (PC).
The detection phase comprises a signal acquisition stage, then a signal processing stage allowing detection of the appearance of pre-ignition at high load, to characterize and to quantify it.
Patent application EP-1,828,737 describes a method for detecting the appearance of pre-ignition at high load, of the rumble type. This method is based on the measurement of a signal relative to the progress of the combustion and a comparison with a threshold signal. The presence of an abnormal combustion of the rumble type in the combustion chamber is detected when the amplitude of the signal significantly exceeds that of the threshold signal. According to this method, the threshold signal corresponds to the amplitude of the signal produced upon knocking combustion or normal (conventional) combustion.
However, according to this method, the detection thus achieved does not allow acting during the cycle of the detection. The corrective actions on this type of pre-ignition can only be carried out after such a phenomenon has occurred, which may seriously harm the engine integrity.
Another method is also described in French Patent 2,897,900. According to this method, action can be taken more rapidly after pre-ignition detection with action during the same cycle as the phenomenon detection cycle. The threshold signal is therefore first calculated, that is before engine operation, then stored in data charts of the calculator referred to as maps.
However, the use of engine maps does not allow detection of any time, that is in real time, the start of such a phenomenon. In fact, detection may occur too late. Furthermore, no quantification of the evolution of the phenomenon can be carried out. Thus, the necessity or not of applying a corrective phase is based only on the comparison of two amplitudes at a given time. Now, such a phenomenon may also start, then stop without causing any damage to the engine, and therefore require no corrective phase.

Abnormal combustion detection method for internal-combustion engines


A vehicle height control system is provided which serves to adjust fluid pressures in actuators disposed between a vehicle body and suspension members supporting wheels respectively for leveling the vehicle body at a standard height. The height control system is operable to deactivate height level control when a vehicle is raised above a standard height level, with a jack for example, during parking for preventing a bottom of the vehicle body from contacting with any protrusions of a road surface by being subsequently jacked down with an extremely decreased height level.

1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates generally to a height control system for a vehicle. More particularly, the invention is directed to deactivate height control when a vehicle body is lifted up with a jack, for example, during parking.
2. Description of The Background Art
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-95307 discloses a height control system for a vehicle utilizing electronically controlled air suspension. The air suspension system includes air chambers filled with compressed air and shock absorbers for adjusting height levels between a vehicle body and wheels respectively. The height level adjustment is accomplished by supplying compressed air from an air source to the air chambers through height control valves or draining the compressed air in the air chambers for leveling the vehicle body at a standard height value.
However, in such a conventional height control system, when a vehicle body is lifted up by external means, for example, with a garage jack, the suspension system concludes that the vehicle body is higher than a standard height value due to variation in vehicular load and then drains the compressed air from air chambers completely to attempt leveling the vehicle body to the standard height value. When the vehicle is jacked down, a vehicle height extremely lower than the standard height value results. Thus, when the vehicle body is jacked down with the lowered vehicle height, a bottom of the vehicle body may actually contact the road surface. Therefore, a vehicle height control system which allows for variation in vehicle height caused by external means has been sought.

Height control system when vehicle is jacked up


An electric trolling motor has a motor body with a propeller, and a vertical shaft extending upward from the motor body. A rudder attachment having forward, rearward and lower portions is secured to the motor. The forward portion is a diagonal blade located between the shaft and a forward end of the body. The rearward portion is a thin rudder which extends between a rearward end of the motor body and the shaft. The lower portion has is mounted to a lower side of the motor body and tapers downward. Tie wraps are used to securely fasten the portions of the rudder attachment to each other and to the trolling motor.

Trolling motors for fishing boats are well known in the art and have been used by fishermen for many years. A typical trolling motor is a small, very low power insulated electric motor body which is mounted on the lower end of a hollow shaft. The electric motor drives a rotatable propeller at the rearward end of the motor body. Electrical wires extend through the shaft to supply power to the motor. The shaft is clamped to a side edge of the boat and is usually pivotable between vertical and horizontal positions. During use, the shaft is vertically aligned so that the motor body is submerged beneath the water. When the trolling motor is not in use, the shaft is pivoted to the horizontal position, parallel to the water so that the motor body is out of the water. Typically, trolling motors are used only in an auxiliary capacity to slowly and quietly maneuver the boat over short distances.
One problem with prior art trolling motors is their diminished capacity to steer the boat at their inherent low speeds. This is due to the small size and shape of the submerged portions of the trolling motor. Although some trolling motors have small fins or rudders, prior art designs lack the ability to adequately steer the boat when precise maneuvers are desired. Boaters are often required to oversteer or accentuate the desired direction of the boat in order to compensate for the lack of steerability. An improved apparatus or method of steering a boat with a trolling motor is needed.


Damage-tolerant, continuous fiber ceramic matrix composites are fabricated to fill the space between the fibers with a powder. The powder particles are heat treated to form a porous framework without shrinkage, which is then strengthened with an inorganic synthesized from a precursor in solution. High particle packing densities is achieved within the fiber preform using a small particle-to-fiber diameter ratio. Filling the interstices with a powder increases the composite density and also limits the size of the crack-like voids within the matrix. The ceramic matrix composite (CMC) has mechanical characteristics similar to those found in wood. It is also affordable and inherently oxidation resistant. The composite is characterized by a heterogeneous distribution of fibers within a porous matrix having a homogeneous, fine porosity. A residual stress from thermal expansion mismatch of the matrix and fibers is created in the composite. The illustrated embodiment uses Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 fibers with either mullite or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 matrices.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the production of ceramic composite materials comprising a fibrous structure embedded in a matrix, and more particularly a structure of silicon carbide fibers in a matrix of ceramic.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Liquid precursor infiltration and pyrolysis can be used for processing ceramics and their composites. See S. J. Glass and D. J. Green, "Surface Modification of Ceramics by Partial Infiltration," Adv. Ceramic Mater., 2, 2, 129-131 (1987); B. R. Marple and D. J. Green, "Incorporation of Mullite as a Second Phase into Alumina by an Infiltration Technique," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 7111!C-471-C-473 (1988); M. D. Sacks and S. D. Vora, "Preparation of SiO.sub.2 Glass from Model Powder Compacts: III, Enhanced Densification by Sol Infiltration," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 71 4!245-49 (1988); B. E. Walker, Jr., R. W. Rice, P. F. Becker, B. A. Bender, and W. S. Coblenz, "Preparation and Properties of Monolithic and Composite Ceramics Produced by Polymer Pyrolysis," Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull., Vol. 62, No. 8, 916-23 (1983); W. C. Tu and F. F. Lange, "Liquid Precursor Infiltration and Pyrolysis of Powder Compacts, I: Kinetic Studies and Microstructure Development," sent to J. Am. Ceram. Soc; W. C. Tu and F. F. Lange, "Liquid Precursor Infiltration and Pyrolysis of Powder Compacts, II: Fracture Toughness and Strength," sent to J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; and W. C. Tu, F. F. Lange and A. G. Evans, "A Novel, Damage-Tolerant Ceramic Composite (Synthetic, High-Temperature Wood)," sent to J. Am. Ceram. Soc.
The precursor is a liquid, comprising metal organic molecules dissolved in an appropriate solvent. The excess solvent is removed by evaporation and the solid precursor molecules are decomposed (pyrolyized) into the desired inorganic with a heat treatment. A powder compact can be infiltrated with a liquid precursor and pyrolyzed to synthesize an inorganic phase within the porous, ceramic. See S. J. Glass and D. J. Green, supra; B. R. Marple and D. J. Green, supra; M. D. Sacks and S. D. Vora, supra; B. E. Walker, Jr., R. W. Rice, P. F. Becker, B. A. Bender, and W. S. Coblenz, supra; and W. C. Tu and F. F. Lange, "Liquid Precursor Infiltration and Pyrolysis of Powder Compacts, I: Kinetic Studies and Microstructure Development," sent to J. Am. Ceram. Soc.
A variety of unique microstructures (graded, multi-phase, partially porous to fully dense, etc.), having unique thermomechanical properties can be fabricated. In addition, the pyrolyized precursor can be used to both increase the relative density and strengthen the powder compact without shrinkage. See, W. C. Tu and F. F. Lange, "Liquid Precursor Infiltration and Pyrolysis of Powder Compacts, I: Kinetic Studies and Microstructure Development," sent to J. Am. Ceram. Soc.
The lack of powder shrinkage during strengthening is an advantage for ceramic composites. Conventional strengthening by densification is constrained by the fibers and leads to the formation of crack-like voids. See, O. Sudre and F. F. Lange, "Effect of Inclusions on Densification: I, Microstructural Development in an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 Matrix Containing a High Volume Fraction of ZrO.sub.2 Inclusions," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 753!519-24 (1992).

Damage tolerant ceramic matrix composites by a precursor infiltration

The Regents of the University of California


An apparatus for generating electron radiation comprises: an elongated, wire-shaped hot cathode to emit electron radiation having an elongated, line-shaped cross section perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the electron radiation; a cathode electrode; an anode electrode with an opening through which the electron radiation emitted from the hot cathode can pass, wherein a voltage applied between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode accelerates electrons emitted from the hot cathode; and a deflecting unit to deflect the electron radiation downstream of the opening of the anode electrode, wherein a cross section of the electron radiation perpendicular to the direction of propagation is changed by the deflecting unit to decease a longitudinal extent of the electron radiation and to increase a transverse extent of the electron radiation such that longitudinal and transverse extents of the electron radiation perpendicular to the direction of propagation are about the same size.

Apparatus for generating electron radiation, which can be used for 3D printing, are known. In particular, an electron beam in this context impinges on a starting material made of a metal bar stock material, as a result of which the starting material melts locally. In this way, the starting material can be deposited at specified locations in a working area in order to construct layer by layer an object that is to be produced.
The drawback with such a process is usually the fact that voltages of up to 100 kV have to be used to accelerate the electrons, so that, when the electrons impinge on the starting material, X-ray radiation with energy of up to 100 key are produced. It is possible to shield against this radiation only with considerable difficulty. Furthermore, the high power density of such electron radiation may lead to problems, because it may result in the partial evaporation of the metallic starting material. In addition, the magnets, which are generally used to deflect the electron radiation, allow only a slow scan speed of the electron beam in the working area.
The problem on which the present disclosure is based is to provide an apparatus that generates less harmful radiation and/or is more appropriate for a 3D printing method. Furthermore, an object is to provide a 3D printing apparatus having such an apparatus.

Apparatus for generating electron radiation and three-dimensional printing apparatus


A lightweight exhaust component cover having a small number of components is disclosed. In the exhaust component cover, an internal plate is formed by bending part of a single plate at both ends, and the internal plate is joined to the inside surface of an external plate.

Mufflers, for example, and other exhaust components extending from an engine include exhaust component covers referred to as noise and heat insulation covers installed particularly in regions prone to sound and heat, such as is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-87078 (JP 2002-087078 A), for example. The exhaust component cover disclosed in JP 2002-87078 A is shown in FIG. 14 hereof.
Referring to FIG. 14, an exhaust component cover 100 is manufactured by joining an internal plate 103 to an external plate 101 via aluminum foil 102, bending one end of the external plate 101 in the direction of the internal plate 103, and then integrally press-forming the external plate 101, the aluminum foil 102, and the internal plate 103 together.
The exhaust component cover 100 manufactured in this manner covers regions of the exhaust component prone to sounds, and muffles noise produced by the exhaust component.
While the engine is operating, the vibration of the engine is transmitted to the exhaust component, and the vibration is further transmitted to the exhaust component cover. This vibration causes self-excited vibration in the exhaust component cover, and also causes so-called radiant noise.
The natural frequency fn of the exhaust component cover 100 is expressed by the equation fn=1/(2π)×(k/m)0.5. The letter k denotes a spring constant whose numerical value differs depending on the material, and the letter m denotes mass.
When the external plate 101 and the internal plate 103 have different thicknesses, the external plate 101 and the internal plate 103 also have different masses in; therefore, the external plate 101 and the internal plate 103 will have different natural frequencies fn, and the vibration can be damped.
However, in order to damp the vibration of the exhaust component cover 100 described above, an external plate 101 and an internal plate 103 of different thicknesses must be prepared, increasing both the weight and number of components.


A foldable child's tricycle and a folding method thereof are provided, wherein the foldable child's tricycle comprises a body frame and a handlebar arranged in the front of the body frame; wherein the body frame includes a head tube, an upper connecting rod assembly, a lower connecting rod assembly, a push rod assembly, and a supporting rod; the upper connecting rod assembly, the head tube, the lower connecting rod assembly, and the supporting rod form a four-bar linkage; the push rod assembly is rotatably connected to the upper connecting rod assembly, and is fixed to or separated from the lower connecting rod assembly via a locking device; when folding, firstly unlocking the locking device; then pulling the push rod assembly upwardly such that the push rod assembly is separated from the lower connecting rod assembly; finally turning over the push rod assembly forwardly, and the folding volume thereof is small.

Generally, an existing child's tricycle includes a front fork, a front wheel arranged at a lower part of the front fork, a handlebar arranged on the front fork and being capable of controlling a steering of the front wheel, a frame body extending in a front-rear direction, a seat arranged on the frame body, rear brackets respectively arranged on two sides of the frame body, and rear wheels respectively arranged on the corresponding rear brackets. However, the frame body of an existing child's tricycle is generally fixed together with a frame head tube which is sleeved on the outside of the handle bar, in such a way that the bracket can not be folded, and can only be presented in a riding state. When the tricycle is carried in outgoing, needs to be deposited or transported, it is inconvenient since the volume of the tricycle is too large, and the cost is high during the transportation.

Foldable child's tricycle and folding method thereof

Jiaxing Xiaohuzi Bike Factory Company Limited


A recliner and travel pillow includes a main body having a flat central portion, a first pocket and a second pocket disposed along either side of the central portion, and a pair of pillow inserts having a size and dimension that is complementary to the first and second pockets. An adjustment unit is disposed along the flat central portion for adjusting a distance between the first and second pockets and a plurality of connectors are disposed within the first and second pockets, functioning to adjust a dimension of the pockets, and to secure the pockets in a closed position.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Although conventional beds are the most common devices for facilitating sleep, millions of people sleep or otherwise rest in a recliner or high backed chair each day. In some instances, the individual has medical issues that require they remain in a generally upright position, while other times the individual is traveling by car, bus or plane, for example where it is not possible to lie down. The strain on the body caused by resting in such upright positions can lead to very serious health concerns, including head and neck misalignment.
For this reason, there are a number of known travel pillows that are designed to cradle the head and neck of the user when sitting in an upright position. These pillows typically include a generally U-shaped member having internally located padding with a uniform thickness throughout. To this end, these pillows are designed to be positioned behind the user's neck, and extend forward across the shoulders. Unfortunately, however this arrangement functions to actively push the head of a user away from the back of the chair in which they are sitting. When this occurs, the user must actively push their head or neck against the pillow, to maintain their head in a somewhat reclined position, thereby causing head and neck strain and potentially serious medical issues over time. Moreover, these devices are typically formed as a "one size fits all" which does not allow a user to customize either the shape or thickness of the pillow to their particular comfort.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a recliner and travel pillow that does not suffer from the drawbacks of the above noted devices.


The present invention relates to a granulate comprising granules made up of 40-99 wt. % of lactose particles and 1-60 wt. % of a binding component that holds together the lactose particles within the granules. Said granules have a mass weighted average diameter of 50-500 μm and said binding component is a solid dispersion or a solid solution of 10-75 wt. % of a cannabinoid in 25-80 wt. % of a lipophilic matrix. The lipophilic matrix contains at least 80 wt. % sucrose fatty acid mono-ester, the fatty acid residue being selected from C8-C18 fatty acids.

Biological availability of pharmaceutical substances taken perorally depends on the extent to which the pharmaceutically active substance is absorbed from the intestinal environment across the intestinal mucosa. Hydrophobic pharmaceutical substances are generally poorly absorbed from the intestinal environment, inter alia because of their poor solubility and/or dispersibility in water.
The biological availability of pharmaceutical substances taken perorally is furthermore greatly dependent on their susceptibility to the so-called first pass effect Substances absorbed from the intestine, before being distributed throughout the body, have to pass the liver first where they may be metabolized immediately. This first pass effect is dependent on the substance. In the case of cannabinoids, examples are known in which more than 90% of the ingested dose is removed from the blood stream during the first pass.
Hence, ingestion or peroral administration of cannabinoids generally results in poor bioavailability.
Accordingly, over the years much effort has been put in the development of pharmaceutical delivery systems for transmucosal administration, especially buccal and sublingual administration of cannabinoids.
For transmucosal administration, it is important that the substance is rapidly released from the delivery system into the aqueous environment covering the mucosal surface so that it can be absorbed across said mucosal tissue. Especially in case a pharmaceutically active substance is poorly water-soluble or water-dispersible, it is a major challenge to formulate a delivery system that will achieve fast release of the pharmaceutically active substance in the fluid surrounding the mucosa so as to enable effective absorption of the pharmaceutically active substance by the mucosal tissue.
WO 2008/033024 A2 describes dosage units for sublingual, buccal or oral administration of water-insoluble pharmaceutically active substances. Example 1 describes the preparation of a monophasic microgranulate comprising Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and sucrose monolaurate in a weight ratio of 1:15 using a dry granulation process. Example 3 of this patent application describes the manufacture of a tabletting powder for direct compression using 50 g of the microgranulate obtained from Example 1 and 17 g of other components including 5 g of lactose and the compression to 7 mm tablets with a total weight of 60 mg. This patent application does not describe peroral administration.
WO 02/064109 A2 describes a pharmaceutical formulation for use in administration of a lipophilic medicament via a mucosal surface, which formulation comprises at least one lipophilic medicament and at least one self emulsifying agent, wherein the formulation, upon hydration, forms an emulsion containing the lipophilic medicament which is capable of adhering to a mucosal surface and allowing controlled release of the medicament. Also described are pharmaceutical formulations in the form of a gel or a compressed tablet for administration of a lipophilic medicament via the sublingual and/or buccal mucosa, wherein the tablet or gel, upon contact with saliva, forms an emulsion containing the lipophilic medicament that adheres reversibly to the sublingual and/or buccal mucosa. Example 6 of the patent application describes the preparation of a tablet for buccal or sublingual administration by dissolving glyceryl monostearate, polysorbate 80, ascorbyl palmitate and α-tocopherol and THC in alcohol, spraying the alcoholic solution onto a powder mix consisting of lactose and soluble starch, evaporating the alcohol, dusting the resulting granulate with talc and compressing to a target tablet weight of 101 mg. WO 02/064109 A2 aims at absorption via the sublingual and/or buccal mucosa since it is stated that medicaments taken perorally, i.e. taken by ingestion, are subject to the so-called first pass effect which would considerably limit the biological availability of the pharmaceutical substance.
WO 2005/004848 A1 relates to solid dispersions comprising tacrolimus and solid surfactant having a hydrophile lipophile balance (HLB) value higher than or equal to about 7. Example 19 describes the preparation of the solid dispersion of tacrolimus. Tacrolimus (30 g) was dissolved in the mixture of ethanol (100 ml) and dichloromethane (50 ml). In the thus obtained solution, sucrose fatty acid ester (HLB=9, 90 g) was dispersed as the drug carrier. The solution was sprayed on lactose (300 g) that was fluidized in a fluid bed granulator, and then dried.
In spite of the attempts to develop suitable buccal or sublingual transmucosal delivery systems, peroral administration is still generally seen as a more convenient mode of administration.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide oral dosage units for peroral delivery of cannabinoid with improved bioavailability.

Granulate containing cannabinoid, method for its manufacture and oral dosage unit comprising such granulate

Abstract: The aforementioned granulate can be processed into oral dosage units in the form of tablets for oral delivery.

Abstract: The invention further provides a method for the manufacture of the granulate.


An artificial socket comprising a composite body of a calcium phosphate compound and an in vivo-absorptive polymeric material. The artificial socket is embedded and secured in the pelvis side of the artificial hip joint. The socket has a configuration of a semi-spherical shell body, and the thickness thereof is thinner than that of a conventional artificial socket and the inner diameter thereof is substantially the same as that of a real socket in a human bone. An artificial hip joint using the artificial socket and a fixing screw suitable for the fixation of the socket in the pelvis are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an artificial socket for use in an artificial hip joint, a fixing screw for securing the artificial socket in an artificial hip joint, and an artificial hip joint using the artificial socket.
2. Description of the Related Art
An artificial hip joint comprises an artificial socket to be embedded and secured in a pelvis, and a stem which is embedded and secured in an upper end of the femur and a tip portion of which stem is provided with an artificial caput capable of being freely rotatably fitted in the artificial socket. Hitherto, a variety of artificial sockets and artificial hip joints, typical examples of which will be described below, have been utilized in the field of orthopedic surgery:
1) a cement bonding-type total artificial hip joint in which a socket and a stem are formed from a plastic material such as polyethylene and a metal material, respectively, and they are bonded with a cementing material such as bone cement, and a cementless bonding-type total artificial hip joint in which no cementing material such as bone cement is used in the bonding of a socket to a stem;
2) a metal-on-metal type total artificial hip joint in which a socket and a caput (bone head) both are formed from a metal material, the socket as a metal cap is supported by a plastic material such as polyethylene, and they are fixed to a human bone with a cementing material such as bone cement; and
3) a ceramic-to-ceramic type total artificial hip joint in which a socket and a caput both are formed from a hard ceramic material, and they are fixed to a human bone with a cementing material such as bone cement.
However, these conventional artificial hip joints have the following problems to be solved.
The cement bonding-type total artificial hip joint has been developed to solve the problems in the artificial caput integrally formed from the caput and stem, both being of a metal material, and thus a socket thereof is also made of an artificial material. As mentioned above, in this type of the artificial hip joint, the socket is formed from polyethylene, the stem is formed from the metal material, and the socket and the stem are secured via the bone cement on the pelvis as a mother base. Since the caput has a small diameter such as about 22 mm and such small diameter limits a movable range of the socket and the caput due to the narrowed latitude of the conformability of the socket with the caput, there is a possibility that a subluxation is caused in the artificial hip joint. Further, there are drawbacks that the deformation of the polyethylene used in the socket can cause loosening and wearing of the hip joint, and that only a low bonding strength can be obtained between the bone cement and the mother base. Furthermore, with regard to use of the artificial hip joint for an extended period of time, there has been made a report that wearing of polyethylene can cause loosening of the joint, because fine powders of the worn polyethylene are distributed around the stem embedded in the femur.
Similar problems are caused in the cementless bonding-type total artificial hip joint using no bonding cement, because the socket of the hip joint is made from polyethylene as in the above-mentioned cement bonding-type artificial hip joint. For this type of the artificial hip joint, deterioration of polyethylene due to its in vivo oxidation can not be avoided. Moreover, there has not been any suggested countermeasure against such wearing of the socket which is caused as a result of the deterioration of polyethylene.
The metal-on-metal type total artificial hip joint has been developed to prevent drawbacks such as reduction of lubricating properties and wearing of polyethylene which are caused due to deformation and oxidative deterioration of polyethylene. For such an artificial hip joint, however, since the socket of the metal material is supported by polyethylene and the joint is bonded through the bone cement to the living body (i.e., the pelvis), it is unable to avoid deterioration of polyethylene due to its in vivo oxidation, and thus the hip joint can not ensure sufficient wear prevention.
The ceramic-to-ceramic type total artificial hip joint is an artificial hip joint in which both of the socket and the caput are formed from hard ceramic material, such as alumina and zirconia. For such a hip joint, since the hard ceramic socket has only an instable strength, it is necessary to largely increase the thickness of the socket in the production of the hip joint. As an essential result, the diameter of the caput used in combination with the socket must be reduced so that it can conform with the configuration of the socket. Further, this hip joint suffers from drawbacks such as a reduced shock-absorbing property than that of the polyethylene-made hip joints and a reduced accuracy in conformation of the socket and the caput than that of the above-mentioned metal-on-metal type artificial hip joint.
In addition to these drawbacks, all the above-described prior art artificial hip joints can not show an adhesion property to the human bone. In particular, for the prior art ceramic-to-ceramic type total artificial hip joint, in order to avoid problems caused due to insufficient strength of the resulting hip joint, it is necessary to remarkably increase a thickness of the socket, in the other words, it is essential to reduce the diameter of the caput in conformity to the increase of the thickness of the socket.

Artificial socket, screw for fixing artificial socket and artificial hip joint


A method for chemical-mechanical planarization of a substrate on a fixed-abrasive polishing pad in which a planarizing solution is dispensed onto the fixed-abrasive polishing pad. The planarizing solution is preferably an abrasive-free planarizing solution that oxidizes a surface layer on the substrate without passing the surface layer into solution, and the fixed-abrasive pad has a substantially uniform distribution of abrasive particles fixedly bonded to a suspension medium. The surface layer of the substrate is then pressed against the fixed-abrasive pad in the presence of planarizing solution, and at least one of the fixed-abrasive pad or the substrate moves relative to the other to remove material from the surface of the substrate. In operation, the planarizing solution forms a rough, scabrous layer of non-soluble oxides on the surface layer that are readily removed by the abrasive surface of the polishing pad. In one embodiment of the invention, the pH of the planarizing solution is controlled to oxidize the material of the surface layer without passing it into solution.

Chemical-mechanical planarization ("CMP") processes remove material from the surface of a wafer or other substrate in the production of semiconductor devices. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a CMP machine 10 with a platen 20, a wafer carrier 30, a polishing pad 40, and a planarization liquid 44 on the polishing pad 40. The polishing pad may be a conventional polishing pad made from a non-abrasive material (e.g., polyurethane), or it may be a new generation fixed-abrasive polishing pad made from abrasive particles fixedly dispersed in a suspension medium. The planarization liquid may be a conventional CMP slurry with abrasive particles and chemicals that remove material from the surface of the wafer, or it may be a solution without abrasive particles. In most CMP applications, conventional CMP slurries with abrasive particles are used on conventional polishing pads, and planarizing liquids without abrasive particles are used on fixed-abrasive polishing pads.
The CMP machine 10 also has an under-pad 25 attached to an upper surface 22 of the platen 20 and the lower surface of the polishing pad 40. In one type of CMP machine, a drive assembly 26 rotates the platen 20 as indicated by arrow A. In another type of CMP machine, the drive assembly reciprocates that platen back and forth as indicated by arrow B. Because the polishing pad 40 is attached to the under-pad 25, the polishing pad 40 moves with the platen.
The wafer carrier 30 has a lower surface 32 to which a wafer 12 may be attached, or the wafer 12 may be attached to a resilient pad 34 positioned between the wafer 12 and the wafer carrier 30. The wafer carrier 30 may be a weighted, free-floating wafer carrier or an actuator assembly 36 may be attached to the wafer carrier 30 to impart axial motion, rotational motion, or a combination of axial and rotational motion (indicated by arrows C and D, respectively).
To planarize the wafer 12 with the CMP machine 10, the wafer carrier 30 presses the wafer 12 face-downward against the polishing pad 40. While the face of the wafer 12 presses against the polishing pad 40, at least one of the platen 20 or the wafer carrier 30 moves relative to the other to move the wafer 12 across the planarizing surface 42. As the face of the wafer 12 moves across the planarizing surface 42, the polishing pad 40 and the planarizing solution 44 continually remove material from the face of the wafer.
One objective of CMP processing is to produce a uniformly planar surface on the semiconductor wafers. The uniformity of the planarized surface is a function of several factors, one of which is the distribution of abrasive particles between the wafer and the polishing pad. Fixed-abrasive polishing pads provide a substantially uniform distribution of particles between the wafer and the polishing pad because the abrasive particles are fixedly dispersed in the pad. CMP slurries with abrasive particles, however, may not provide a uniform distribution of particles because the slurry builds up at the perimeter of the wafer leaving less slurry under other parts of the wafer. Thus, it is desirable to use fixed-abrasive polishing pads.
One problem with using fixed-abrasive polishing pads to remove material from the surface of the wafer is that the fixed-abrasive pads tend to have a relatively low polishing rate compared to conventional pads and slurries. Fixed-abrasive pads are often used without a slurry because conventional planarization slurries with abrasive particles damage the planarizing surface of fixed-abrasive polishing pads. For example, when a wafer is planarized on a fixed-abrasive pad with a conventional abrasive slurry, the abrasive particles in the slurry generally damage the abrasive particles of the polished pad. Thus, it would be desirable to increase the polishing rate of fixed-abrasive pad CMP without damaging the fixed-abrasive pad.
Another problem with fixed-abrasive pad CMP is that defects may accidentally form on the surface of the wafer. As material is removed from the wafer, abrasive particles and other parts of the fixed-abrasive polishing pad may break away and become trapped between the surface of the wafer and the fixed-abrasive polishing pad. When the fixed-abrasive pad is used without a slurry, the detached pieces of the fixed-abrasive polishing pad often scratch the wafer and may damage several die on the wafer. Therefore, it would also be desirable to reduce defects caused by fixed-abrasive polishing pads.

Method for chemical-mechanical planarization of a substrate on a fixed-abrasive polishing pad


A permanent magnet type stepping motor capable of exhibiting increased rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy minimizing a reduction in static torque. The permanent magnet type stepping motor includes a permanent magnet element having n (n: a positive integer of 4 or more) N magnetic poles and n S magnetic poles. A pitch between each adjacent two pole teeth of claw pole type yoke units is set to be constant. Magnetic center-magnetic center pitches between respective adjacent two of the n N magnetic poles and those between respective adjacent two of the n S magnetic poles are not set to be constant at 360xc2x0/n but defined to include two or more different pitches between more than 270xc2x0/n and less than 450xc2x0/n. Also, magnetic center-magnetic center pitches of respective adjacent two of the magnetic poles of the rotor are not set to be constant but defined to include two or more different pitches between more than 135xc2x0/n and less than 225xc2x0/n.

This invention relates to a permanent magnet type stepping motor, and more particularly to a permanent magnet type stepping motor adapted to exhibit increased rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy and minimize a reduction in static torque.
A typical two-phase permanent magnet type stepping motor which has been conventionally known in the art is generally constructed in such a manner as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein FIG. 4 is a development view of the stepping motor and FIG. 5 shows relationship between pole teeth of a stator and magnetic poles of a rotor.
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 designates a rotor including a cylindrical permanent magnet element 7 securely mounted on a cylindrical bushing 5 fixed on a revolving shaft 3. The revolving shaft 3 is supported by two bearings (not shown). The permanent magnet element 7 is constructed into a cylindrical configuration so as to permit n (n: a positive integer of 4 or more) N magnetic poles and n S magnetic poles to alternately appear at equal pitches thereon in a circumferential direction of the revolving shaft 3. The conventional stepping motor also includes a stator 9 arranged on an outer periphery of the rotor 1 while being mounted in a housing (not shown). The stator 9 includes a first claw pole type yoke unit 11 and a second claw pole type yoke unit 25. The first and second claw pole type yoke units 11 and 25 are arranged in juxtaposition to each other in an axial direction of the revolving shaft 3. The first and second claw pole type yoke units 11 and 25 are shifted from each other in the circumferential direction by a distance one quarter (xc2xc) as large as predetermined pitches P between the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet element 7. The first claw pole type yoke unit 11 includes a first yoke 13 and a second yoke 17 respectively including n pole teeth .15 and 19 arranged opposite to the permanent magnet element 7 at a predetermined interval in a radial direction of the revolving shaft 3 and positioned at predetermined pitches P in the circumferential direction. The first claw pole type yoke unit 11 also includes an exciting winding 21 constructed so as to permit the n pole teeth 15 of the first yoke 13 and the n pole teeth 19 of the second yoke 17 to be excited at polarities different from each other, respectively. The exciting winding 21 is wound on a bobbin 23.
The second claw pole yoke unit 25 likewise includes a first yoke 27 and a second yoke 31 respectively including n pole teeth 29 and 33 arranged opposite to the permanent magnet element 7 at a predetermined interval in the radial direction of the revolving shaft 3 and positioned at predetermined pitches P in the circumferential direction. The second claw pole type yoke unit 25 also includes an exciting winding 35 constructed so as to permit the n pole teeth 29 of the first yoke 27 and the n pole teeth 33 of the second yoke 31 to be excited at polarities different from each other, respectively. The exciting winding 35 is likewise wound on a bobbin 37.
In the conventional permanent magnet type stepping motor thus constructed, as shown in FIG. 5, the pitch P between each adjacent two of the pole teeth 15, that between each adjacent two of the pole teeth 19, that between each adjacent two of the pole teeth 29, that between each adjacent two of the pole teeth 33, and that between two magnetic poles of the permanent magnet element 7 are typically set to be identical with each other or to have the same angle.
Unfortunately, the conventional permanent magnet type stepping motor thus constructed is deteriorated in rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy as compared with a hybrid type stepping motor. In order to eliminate such a problem, a variety of techniques were proposed as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 245929/1995, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 245930/1995, Japanese Patent Application laid-Open Publication No. 127024/1998, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 248232/1998 and the like. The techniques proposed are generally constructed so as to vary a configuration of pole teeth or shift one of two yokes from the other yoke at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction of a revolving shaft, to thereby reduce a detent torque, resulting in eliminating the above-described problem. Alternatively, in the proposed techniques, it is employed that a correction pole magnet of a phase opposite to a high frequency contained in electromotive force induced due to relative movement between a rotor and a stator is arranged on a magnetic pole of the rotor to suppress a high-frequency component, to thereby eliminate the problem. In the prior art, pitches between pole teeth of each of yokes of claw pole type yoke units are rendered constant.
As described above, those skilled in the art attempted to solve the above-described problem while rendering the pitches between the pole teeth of each of the yokes of the claw pole type yoke units constant. However, this fails to increase rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy. Also, the conventional rotor having the correction magnetic poles provided thereon causes a problem of substantially reducing a composite or synthesized static torque.
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing disadvantage of the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a permanent magnet type stepping motor which is capable of exhibiting both increased rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy and minimizing a reduction in static torque.
In accordance with the present invention, a permanent magnet type stepping motor is provided. The permanent magnet type stepping motor includes a rotor having a permanent magnet element fixed on a revolving shaft and a stator including two or more claw pole type yoke units juxtaposed to each other in an axial direction thereof. The permanent magnet element is constructed into a cylindrical configuration so as to permit n (n: a positive integer of 4 or more) N magnetic poles and n S magnetic poles to alternately appear at equal pitches thereon in a circumferential direction of the revolving shaft. The claw pole type yoke units each include first and second yokes and an exciting winding. The first and second yokes each include n pole teeth arranged opposite to the permanent magnet element at a predetermined interval in a radial direction of the revolving shaft and positioned at predetermined pitches in the circumferential direction. The exciting winding is constructed so as to permit the n pole teeth of the first yoke and the n pole teeth of the second yoke to be excited at polarities different from each other. The first and second yokes are combined with each other so that the n pole teeth of the first yoke and the n pole teeth of the second yoke are engaged with each other while being kept from being contacted with each other or are alternated with each other while being kept uncontacted with each other.
In the present invention, the respective adjacent two pole teeth of the claw pole yoke unit are arranged at constant pitches. Supposing that a magnetic pole center-magnetic pole center length between each adjacent two magnetic poles of the n N magnetic poles or n S magnetic poles of the rotor is defined to be one pitch (xe2x80x9cpitch between centers of homopolar magnetic polesxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cmagnetic pole center-magnetic pole center pitch between homopolar magnetic polesxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9chomopolar magnetic pole center-magnetic pole center pitchxe2x80x9d) or a sum of magnetic pole widths of the N and S magnetic poles adjacent to each other is defined to be one pitch (xe2x80x9cheteropolar magnetic pole width pitchxe2x80x9d), the pitches are not defined to be constant at 360xc2x0/n but defined to be two or more pitches different from each other which are within a range of between more than 270xc2x0/n and less than 450xc2x0/n. It is a matter of course that a sum of 2n pitches between the respective adjacent two magnetic poles of the 2n magnetic poles is 360xc2x0. Also, magnetic center-magnetic center pitches between the respective adjacent two magnetic poles of the rotor are not defined to be constant at 180xc2x0/n but defined to be two or more pitches different from each other which are between more than 135xc2x0/n and less than 225xc2x0/n.
Basically, the present invention is featured in that the above-described homopolar magnetic pole center-magnetic pole center pitch or heteropolar magnetic pole width pitch and the magnetic center-magnetic center pitch between the adjacent two magnetic poles of the rotor are varied within the above-described angular range while keeping the pitch between the pole teeth of the yokes of the claw pole type yoke unit constant. When the pitch between the pole teeth of each of the yokes of the claw pole type yoke unit is rendered constant as in the prior art, a phase of a partial static torque partially occurring between the pitches or a phase from a viewpoint of an electrical angle is caused to be identical. In the prior art, it is attempted to vary a configuration of the pole teeth to vary characteristics of the partial static torque and a configuration thereof, resulting in approaching a synthesized static torque which is obtained due to synthesis of a plurality of partial static torques to a sinusoidal wave. On the contrary, in the present invention, the pitch between the pole teeth of the two yokes adjacent to each other is rendered constant, whereas the magnetic center-magnetic center pitch between adjacent two magnetic poles of the rotor and the homopolar magnetic pole center-magnetic pole center pitch or heteropolar magnetic pole width pitch is shifted to shift a phase of each of the partial static torques, to thereby approach characteristics of the synthesized static torque to a sinusoidal wave.
Basically, so long as such construction permits characteristics of the synthesized static torque to be approached to a sinusoidal wave or attains a reduction in detent torque and an increase in rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy as compared with the case that the pitch between the magnetic poles of the rotor is constant, a manner of arrangement of the 2n pitches, n homopolar magnetic pole center-magnetic pole center pitch or heteropolar magnetic pole width pitch or a pitch pattern thereof may be varied as desired. Although an arrangement manner or a pitch pattern which leads to the best results has not been found yet, the inventors have found that a variation in pitches within the above-described conditions or ranges permits a specific harmonic component to be reduced or removed, leading to an improvement in characteristics of the synthesized static torque as compared with the prior art. The construction of the present invention that the pitches between the respective adjacent two magnetic poles of the rotor are rendered nonconstant permits a variety of pitch patterns to be employed unless magnetic balance of the stator is highly deteriorated or so long as the magnetic balance is somewhat ensured.
Now, preferred pitch patterns of the rotor which have been found up to date will be exemplified.
In a first pitch pattern, the rotor includes homopolar magnetic poles of n/m (m: a divisor of n other than 1 and n) in each of angular ranges (mechanical angles) of 360xc2x0/n. Also, in the first pitch pattern, a magnetic center-magnetic center pitch between each adjacent two of the n/m homopolar magnetic poles positioned in each of the angular ranges and a magnetic center-magnetic center pitch between each two homopolar poles positioned on each of both sides of adjacent two of the angular ranges are rendered different from each other in order to reduce a detent torque to increase rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy and minimize a reduction in static torque. In order to facilitate design of the permanent magnet type stepping motor and manufacturing thereof when the first pitch pattern is employed, the present invention may be constructed in such a manner that the magnetic center-magnetic center pitch between adjacent two of the n/m homopolar magnetic poles positioned in each of the angular ranges is constant and the magnetic center-magnetic center pitch between each two homopolar poles positioned on each of both sides of adjacent two of the angular ranges is constant.
In a second pitch pattern, the rotor includes n magnetic pole pairs each constituted by two heteropolar magnetic poles adjacent to each other. Also, in the second pitch pattern, respective two sets of magnetic pole pairs which are arranged adjacent to each other at every third interval have heteropolar magnetic pole width pitches defined to be different from those of respective two sets of the remaining magnetic pole pairs arranged adjacent to each other at every third interval.
A variation in pitch between the magnetic poles of the rotor when the above-described first pitch pattern is employed may be carried out using any one of two magnetic pole arrangement manners. In a first magnetic pole arrangement manner, the pitch a is reduced as compared with an equal arrangement pitch (360xc2x0/n). This is referred to as xe2x80x9cshort pitch arrangement mannerxe2x80x9d. In the short pitch arrangement manner, the magnetic center-magnetic center pitch a between each two of the n/m homopolar magnetic poles positioned in each of the angular ranges is defined to be within a range of (90xc2x0/n)[4xe2x88x92m/(nxe2x88x92m)] less than a less than (360xc2x0/n). Also, the magnetic center-magnetic center pitch b between each adjacent two of the magnetic poles positioned on each of both sides of each adjacent two of the angular ranges is defined to be within a range of (360xc2x0/n) less than b less than (450xc2x0/n). In the first arrangement manner, the pitch a is reduced as compared with the conventional pitch 360xc2x0/n and the pitch b is larger than the pitch 360xc2x0/n.
In a second magnetic pole arrangement manner, the pitch a is set to be larger than the equal arrangement pitch 360xc2x0/n. This is referred to as xe2x80x9clong pitch arrangement mannerxe2x80x9d. In the long pitch arrangement manner, the magnetic center-magnetic center pitch a between each adjacent two of the n/m homopolar magnetic poles positioned in each of the angular ranges is defined to be within a range of (45xc2x0/n)[4+m/(nxe2x88x92m)] greater than a greater than (180xc2x0/n) and the magnetic center-magnetic center pitch b between each adjacent two of the homopolar magnetic poles positioned on each of both sides of a boundary between each adjacent two of the angular ranges is defined to be within a range of (180xc2x0/n) greater than b greater than (90xc2x0/n).
In the second magnetic pole arrangement manner, the pitch a is increased as compared with the conventional pitch 180xc2x0/n and the pitch b is smaller than the pitch 360xc2x0/n.
The first and second magnetic pole arrangement manners described above each permit partial static torques occurring at the pitches to be successively shifted to either a negative side or a positive side within an electrical angle of 90xc2x0. This results in a detent torque or a harmonic component being decreased, leading to an increase in rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy.
When a magnetic center is not varied in each of the angular ranges, the pitches a in each of the angular ranges may be varied within the above-described conditions and the pitches b of m in number may be varied within the above-described conditions. Nevertheless, in order to facilitate design of the permanent magnet type stepping motor, the pitches a and b are preferably constant. In this instance, values of the pitches a and b are set so as to meet relationship (nxe2x88x92m)xc3x97a+mxc3x97b=360xc2x0. This not only facilitates design of the permanent magnet type stepping motor and manufacturing thereof but permits rotational angle accuracy and static angle accuracy to be increased.