An improved footwear structure having an upper and a sole, associated to such upper. The footwear structure also having fitting means, which are associated to such upper and such sole for accommodating the internal volume of such footwear structure to the size of a user's foot by means of co-operating resilient deformations of such upper and such sole.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a footwear structure, which is particularly suitable for leisure or sports activities.
2. Background Art
It is notorious that a basic requirement for a footwear structure consists of the fact that it should be counter-shaped as far as possible to the shape of the user's foot in order to obtain a comfortable fit. To achieve this aim, it is usual fabricate articles of footwear in different sizes. Of course, this fact entails the drawback that the higher is the multeplicity of different sizes available for a certain article of footwear, the higher are the production, storage and transportation costs related to such article of footwear and the higher is the difficulty in accomplishing an efficient logistic management of the production and distribution stocks.
Additionally, if the user has an increasing foot size, such as a child, a given footwear article is not likely to fit the user's foot comfortably for very long. In some cases, such footwear article is barely worn before it no longer fits the user's foot. To prevent this, such footwear article can be bought in a larger size. But in this case, the user may slide frontward and backward inside the footwear structure with a reduced comfort.
Other reasons for variation of the foot size may include, for example, weight gain, weight loss, water retention or diseases. In this case, a footwear structure of a certain size could be no more comfortable for the user, who is thus obliged to buy another more comfortable article of footwear.
In order to solve this kind of problems, several adjustable fit footwear articles have been conceived.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,251, it is disclosed a shoe, which includes an expansible liner that comforms to the user's foot of different sizes. The main drawback of this known solution consists of its intrinsic complexity, which very likely entails relatively high production costs. Moreover, while the upper of the shoe is somehow deformable, the size of the sole remains unchanged. This fact could reduce user's comfort, particularly if the shoe is used for sports activities. In fact, if a user with larger foot size wears the shoe, the shoe sole could be no more able to guarantee a suitable support for the user's foot.
In patent application No. TV99U000057, it is disclosed an inner sports shoe for use in ski boots, skates or the like, which comprises two separate elements interconnected by a resiliently deformable intermediate element. The main drawback of this type of sports shoes consists of the fact that they are not in itself suitable for walking. In fact, they generally comprise comprises an upper and a sole, possibly one with each other, fabricated in soft fabrics, since they are basically conceived for being associated to a rigid shell.
Other examples of adjustable fit footwear articles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,614 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,385. In these solutions, adjustable means, which can be operated by the user, are adopted to change the size of the footwear article. Also, these footwear structures have the drawback of being provided with a relatively complex structure, thereby entailing relatively high production costs.


A semiconductor memory device includes memory cells, redundant cells, a redundancy repair control circuit and a test mode control circuit. Each of the memory cells is assigned a unique address to be accessed by a corresponding address. The redundant cells are replaceable with the memory cells. The redundancy repair control circuit replaces predetermined memory cells among the memory cells with the redundant cells. The test mode control circuit invalidates an operation of the redundancy repair control circuit and assigns an additional unique address to the redundant cells so that all of the memory cells and the redundant cells are accessible during a test mode.

The present invention relates to a method for testing a semiconductor memory device and to a semiconductor memory device, particularly to a method for testing a semiconductor memory device having a plurality of memory cells, each of them assigned a unique address beforehand, redundant cells equivalent to the memory cells and replaceable with the memory cells, and a redundancy repair function mode for replacing a predetermined memory cell with the redundant cell, and a semiconductor memory device applicable to the method.
A semiconductor memory device is provided with a memory array having a plurality of memory cells (so-called cells) two-dimensionally arranged. Even a single defective memory cell (hereafter, it is called defective cell) is in the memory array, and then the device is turned to be a defective piece. On this account, the semiconductor memory device is generally provided with a redundant memory having a plurality of spare memory cells (so-called redundant cells) arranged beforehand for replacing a defective cell generated at fabrication process steps with a redundant cell to improve fabrication yields (so-called redundancy repair). This replacement is conducted by the row or column in which a word line or bit line in the redundant memory is selected instead of selecting a word line or bit line corresponding to a defective cell in the memory cells. Hereafter, selecting a word line in the redundant memory instead of a word line in the memory cells is referred to as row replacement, and selecting a bit line in the redundant memory instead of a bit line in the memory cells is referred to as column replacement. Traditionally, in a semiconductor memory device (device) having a redundancy repair function, access first has been made to each of the memory cells inside the address space of the device, that is, inside the cell area, and an operation test has been conducted to verify each of the memory cells to be normal or not. When the operation test has found a defective cell, row replacement or column replacement has been performed as described above to replace the defective cell with a redundant cell, and the operation test has been again conducted. Then, device chips verified to be normal at the first test and device chips verified to be normal at the retest have been cut out of a wafer for packaging.
However, according to this method, a redundant cell will not be verified to be defective or not until it is replaced with a defective cell. Therefore, there has been a problem that redundancy repair cannot be done when the replaced redundant cell may be defective.
In addition, it is also possible that redundant cells are replaced at arbitrary addresses in the cell area so as to be accessible to the redundant cells, and then the redundant cells also undergo the operation test to replace normal redundant cells with defective cells in the memory array. However in this case, the operation test for the cells and the operation test for the redundant cells are conducted independently. Thus, there has been a problem that the time required for the tests is prolonged.

Semiconductor memory device having a test circuit


A system for noninvasively measuring blood alcohol concentration using light includes one or more emitters each configured to emit light in the near infrared or infrared light spectrum at one or more wavelengths that respond to varied chromophore concentrations of ethanol and water in blood of a human subject. One or more detectors is configured to detect light emitted at the one or more wavelengths and output a representation of a photoplethysmography (PPG) waveform for one or more of the one or more wavelengths. A processing subsystem is coupled to the one or more emitters and the one or more detectors. The processing subsystem is configured to determine a measure of an amplitude of the representation of the PPG waveform for each of the one or more wavelengths and determine the blood alcohol concentration by referencing the measured amplitude for each of the one or more wavelengths to a molar absorptivity plot which indicates a measure of the absorption or scattering at alcohol and water solutions ranging between a solution of 100% alcohol and a solution of 100% water.

There has been significant research concerning the benefits and detriments of consuming alcoholic beverages, Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) has long been linked to a reduction in driver safety and competency leading to a higher frequency of automobile accidents. See Connor et al., The Contribution of Alcohol to Series Car Crash Injuries, Epidemiology, Vol. 15, Number 3, May 2004, incorporated by reference herein. Studies have shown that the slightest amount of alcohol in a driver's system (e.g., about 0.01%) can significantly increase the severity of automobile accidents. See Louwerens, et al., The Relationship Between Drivers' Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and Actual Driving Performance During High Speed Travel, Dept. of Clinical Psychiatry, State University Hospital of Groningen, the Netherlands, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., (1987).
Alcohol consumption and BAC may also have a noticeable physiological effect on the human body. One well known medical condition which may be caused by alcohol abuse is cirrhosis of the liver where the death rate correlates with the volume of daily alcohol consumption. It is also well known that excessive alcohol consumption may also result in cognitive decline. Excessive alcohol consumption may also increase the death rate associated with vehicle accidents which result from impaired decision making and coordination. Excessive alcohol consumption may also cause cancer of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, liver, and colorectal region, See Fuchs et al. The Authors Reply, Oct. 19, 1995, Vol. 333, No. 16, incorporated by reference herein.
The studies discussed above have also found benefits of consuming alcoholic beverages in moderation. One benefit found was a reduction in the death rate of major cardiovascular conditions, possibly due to a reduction in blood pressure brought on by alcohol consumption. Studies have also shown a few drinks of an alcohol beverage per day may be beneficial but becomes increasingly detrimental as more drinks are consumed.
Similarly, researchers have found that high alcohol consumption (e.g., about 60 grams of alcohol per day) may increase the risk of stroke and reducing alcohol consumption (e.g., about 12 grams per day) may reduce the risk of stroke. See Reynolds et al., Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Stroke. A Meta-Analysis, journal of the American Medical Association, Feb. 5, 2003, Vol. 289, No. 5, incorporated by reference herein. Many other diseases and conditions follow may follow this trend.
As is well known, responsible use of alcohol consumption can easily turn into abuse. In response, communities, law enforcement agencies, and researchers have a vested interest in the ability to monitor BAC to determine the state of inebriation and to understand the side effects and consequences of alcohol consumption. As physiological monitoring devices become commonplace for individual users, e.g., wearable smart devices, such as the Fitbit®, the Apple® watch, and the like, this trend will likely carry to individuals desiring to monitor their own BAC for social, safety, and rehabilitation purposes.
For nearly a century, since the estimation of blood alcohol content through breath ltd analysis was first discovered, there has been a need for a convenient and accurate way to measure BAC. Conventional systems and methods which use near infrared spectroscopy to evaluate BAC are typically large, bulky, cumbersome systems typically only available as table-top systems and use broad near-infrared spectrum, e.g. about 1250 nm to about 2500 nm. Driven by a desire to reduce the impact driving fatalities related to alcohol intoxication, there has been significant strides in creating various conventional technologies to measure BAC of drivers.
However, to date, there has been little focus or effort on providing a wearable system and method to continuously and noninvasively monitor BAC in an accurate, precise, and discreet manner. This is especially true in a clinical setting where the full impact of short term and long term alcohol consumption and use on physiological, psychological and social wellness is understood only at a high level.
Thus, there is a need for a small, compact system and method for noninvasively and accurately measuring BAC that can be configured as a wearable device on a user to allow clinicians to fully understand the impact of short term and long-term alcohol consumption and use on overall health and for individuals to accurately and immediately monitor their own BAC.

System and method for noninvasively measuring blood alcohol concentration using light


A method is provided for transmitting and/or receiving files via a facsimile machine or computer fax modem. Electronic binary files residing on a computer, for example executable files, word processing files, database files and other types of files are converted to a machine readable binary bitmap in the form of a black and white bar code. Preferably the converted file is encrypted before being transmitted and printed. A receiving computer fax modem or facsimile machine can then print the file for later retransmission or storage, or a computer fax modem can reconstruct the file so that it can be used and/or executed after being received.

A common type of telecopier comprises a facsimile modem. Such a modem forms part of a personal computer or a computer network and provides telecopier functionality--sending electronic "telecopies" and receiving same. Electronic telecopies can be printed or transmitted to a telecopier. Some facsimile software provides optical character recognition to convert electronic telecopies (images) into electronic text. A facsimile modem is similar to a telecopier and can receive telecopies from a telecopier or transmit telecopies to a telecopier; however, a facsimile modem may lack a scanner or a printer.
A common method of transmitting electronic binary files uses a modem and a common communications protocol such as X-Modem or Z-Modem. In order to employ such a common communication protocol, a certain level of sophistication is desirable. Further, user intervention at both a transmitting and a receiving end are generally necessary.
In an attempt to overcome these problems, networks have been created. Such networks provide file copying and file access on a "server"--a central computer with electronic file storage. Such servers often pose the greatest security risk to computer networks and as such, dial up access to servers connected to a computer network is often limited or unavailable. Alternatively, where dial up access is provided, confidential information is not accessible and is not to be transferred using the server.
The use of telecopiers commonly referred to as facsimile machines is wide spread. Whereas several years ago, telecopiers were to be found in up-scale businesses and document based businesses, telecopiers can now be found in homes, hotels, small offices, brief cases, cars, personal digital assistants, and mailbox service stores. Telecopier transmissions can be sent via phone lines or via cellular and other wireless technologies.
The widespread use of telecopiers and facsimile modems has resulted in a general acceptance and understanding of their use. One such use of telecopiers is to transmit the content of physical documents and notes. These documents may be handwritten, those received from other sources or those which a sender does not wish a receiver to acquire as electronic text (or where the user does not know how to send an electronic file). These documents may be personal and/or confidential. Unfortunately, when the receiving telecopier is located at a hotel or in a mailbox service store, such confidentiality is lost. Further, when the document is to be sent from a mailbox service provider, the document is visible to said provider and to others using the service. Also, when a telecopy is transmitted to a facsimile modem residing in a server, such a telecopy is may be subject to unauthorized retrieval.
Presently, many offices have files stored electronically and on paper which are difficult to manage and, more importantly, are not truly equivalent. From the electronic files, a copy of the paper documents is generated through printing; however, from the paper documents, it is time consuming and difficult to generate electronic files. Further, it is often desirable to limit access to paper files. This is currently done using physical locking mechanisms. The disadvantages become apparent when access to some files is to be provided to several people while other files are only accessible to a subset and further files to a different group of people. File systems of this type are difficult to secure and often requires a person to maintain security.
Telecopiers have several conveniences over other forms of communication. A telecopy is a physical document likened to a letter. A telecopier can be programmed to send telecopies on a delayed schedule; this allows a user to take advantage of less expensive communication times. A telecopier receives telecopies absent user intervention. This last convenience is significant. Further, a telecopier functions independent of other electronic devices.
Many companies and individuals use telecopiers which are common to more than one person. Such telecopiers are often accessible to a number of people and may even be located in public areas. The ability to send a secure telecopy to such a telecopier is desirable.
In an attempt to overcome this problem, an apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,563 by Pomerantz. The apparatus scrambles the visible telecopy to render it more difficult to read. Alignment indications are also transmitted with the scrambled telecopy in order to facilitate accurate re-assembly. Such scrambling suffers from several disadvantages. First, it suffers from data loss, printing errors, feed problems, and communication errors which are further aggravated by subsequent scanning, copying, telecopying. Second, it is applicable only to visual gray scale images.
In a further attempt to overcome this problem, an apparatus and method is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,321,749 and 5,398,283 by Virga. The method comprises encrypting a bitmap of the image to be transmitted and transmitting the encrypted information as a series of marks indicative of "ones" and "zeros." From these marks, the encrypted bitmap is reconstructed, decrypted and capable of being printed as a telecopy. Alignment marks are placed at opposing ends of each line to compensate for misaligned transmissions. Such a telecopy is neither legible nor decipherable. Such scrambling suffers from several disadvantages. First, it suffers from data loss, printing errors, feed problems, and communication errors which are further aggravated by subsequent scanning, copying, telecopying. Second, it is applicable only to visual gray scale images.
It would be advantageous to provide means of storing electronic files as printed documents.
Further, it would be advantageous to provide means of sending electronic files from a facsimile modem to a telecopier or to another facsimile modem.

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry through the Communications Research Centre


The mechanism avoids the rate variations due to the effect of gravitation on a regulating organ of a timepiece whose regulating organ includes a sprung balance and an escape wheel mounted onto a platform. The platform includes a counterweight and is mounted so as to freely rotate about at least a first axis relative to a plate of the movement so that this platform will rotate about the first axis under the effect of terrestrial gravitation. This mechanism includes a wheelwork with a driving kinematical chain linking the escape wheel to a barrel system of the timepiece, and a corrective kinematical chain compensating the movements and speed of the platform relative to the plate, so that these movements of the platform will not perturb the chronometry of the timepiece.

Regulating systems called tourbillons are known where the regulating organ, that is, the sprung balance, is mounted into a carriage rotating about one, two, or three orthogonal pivoting axes permanently driven by a clockwork movement, e.g., a third wheel.
It is the main disadvantage of such systems that rotation of said carriage permanently consumes energy even when this is not necessary, e.g., at night with the watch laid down flat and the sprung balance horizontal.
Moreover, the movements of the carriage may theoretically provide a statistical compensation for the rate variations. While the watch is worn at the wrist, though, it undergoes chance movements, and the rate variations cannot be compensated in full by the constant regular movements imposed upon the sprung balance by the rotating carriage.
From the document EP 1 615 085, a seat correction mechanism for a sprung balance regulating mechanism is known that is held horizontally by counterpoise action. The sprung balance is supported by a platform integral with a counterpoise mounted so as to rotate about a first axis, and pivoted within a carriage mounted so as to rotate about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first one. The escape wheel of the regulating organ meshes with a drive wheel integral with the first axis and forming the output of a first epicycloidal gear train (called "differential" in said document) with three conical planetary wheels, and thus with two conical gears. The inputs of this differential are a corrective first kinematical chain and a driving second kinematical chain, itself attached to the output of a second epicycloidal gear train (called once more "differential" in said document) that has as its input the barrel wheel and a second corrective kinematical chain meshing with a wheel integral with the carriage. In this second differential, three more conical planetary wheels and thus two more conical gears are used, making a total of at least six conical gears for the wheelwork of the mechanism. It should also be noted that all wheels of the first corrective kinematical chain are pivoted on the platform, either concentrically to its axis of rotation or about a fixed axis that is parallel to the latter. In similar fashion, all the wheels of the second corrective kinematical chain are pivoted on the carriage, either concentrically to its axis of rotation or about a fixed axis that is parallel to this axis.
According to document EP 1 615 085, this mechanism effectively allows the regulating organ to be kept in a horizontal plane whatever the position of the watch, solely by the effect of gravity.
However, a major disadvantage of this mechanism consists in the complexity of its wheelwork containing two corrective kinematical chains and a large number of conical gears, particularly so in its epicycloidal gear trains, which causes important power losses and hence necessitates a heavy counterpoise and a large power reserve. Moreover, since all the wheels of these corrective kinematical chains are pivoted on the platform or on the carriage, the weight of this unbalanced system is large, which detracts from the stabilizing effect of the counterpoise.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Mechanism to avoid rate variations due to gravitation in a sprung balance regulating organ, and timepiece provided with such a mechanism


A liquid discharge head including an energy generating element configured to generate energy required for discharging a liquid, a substrate having the energy generating element formed thereon, and an orifice member provided on the substrate and including a plurality of discharge ports facilitating discharging the liquid and a plurality of flow paths communicating respectively with the plurality of discharge ports. The orifice member is constituted by a first resin forming a portion connected to at least the substrate and a second resin connected to the first resin and forming the plurality of discharge ports, and the first resin includes a silane material in a larger amount than the second resin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head, and more particularly, to an ink jet recording head performing recording by discharging ink and a method of producing the ink jet recording head.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an ink jet recording head, the one having a configuration as shown in FIG. 8F has been known. The ink jet recording head has a substrate 51 on which an ink discharge energy generating element 53 capable of being constituted by a heat element or the like, for generating energy for discharging ink is formed. In the substrate 51, an ink supply port 64 for supplying ink from outside is formed as a through hole. On the substrate 51, there is connected a member forming an ink discharge port 61 disposed so as to correspond to the ink discharge energy generating element 53 and an ink flow path 65 through which communication is established from the ink supply port 64 to the ink discharge port 61.
As a method of producing such ink jet recording head, a production method including the steps of forming an ink flow path pattern with a soluble resin, and coating the soluble resin with a coating resin layer (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,606). The coating resin contains an epoxy resin in a solid form at room temperature. The soluble resin layer can be removed by being dissolved after the formation of the coating resin layer, whereby a desired ink flow path is formed. According to such production method, a minute distance between the ink discharge energy generating element and the ink discharge port can be set with high precision and excellent reproducibility, whereby an ink jet recording head capable of performing high-quality recording can be provided.
Further, in such ink jet recording head, an insulating film is generally formed as a protective film for the ink discharge energy generating element and the like on the substrate. Further, in a case of using a heat element for the ink discharge energy generating element, an anti-cavitation layer such as a Ta film is provided. In connecting a resin forming the ink flow path to such substrate, there is known a method of interposing an adhesion enhancing layer made of a polyether amide resin so as to enhance the adhesion with respect to the substrate (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,606).
FIGS. 8A to 8F are cross-sectional schematic views showing basic production steps of an exemplary recording head adopting such prior art in a time series.
In a stage shown in FIG. 8A, a plurality of ink discharge energy generating elements 53 are formed on the surface of the substrate 51, and coated with a protective film 55. Further, on the surface of the substrate 51, a sacrifice layer 54 to be used in a later step of forming an ink supply port 64 is formed, and the back surface of the substrate 51 is entirely coated with a SiO2 film 52.
After that, as shown in FIG. 8B, front and back surfaces of the substrate 51 are coated with the polyether amide resin to form an adhesion enhancing layer 56 and a back surface patterning layer 57, and cured by baking. Then, the polyether amide resin layers are patterned. The patterning can be performed by applying a positive resist by spin coating or the like, exposing the resist to light, followed by developing, and removing the polyether amide resin layer by dry etching or the like, using the positive resist as a mask.
Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the front surface is coated with a positive resist, followed by patterning, whereby a nozzle flow path molding material 58 is formed. Then, as shown in FIG. 8D, the molding material 58 is coated with a coating photosensitive resin (CR) 59 by spin coating or the like. An ink discharge port 61 is formed by exposing the coating photosensitive resin 59 to UV-light, Deep UV-light, or the like, followed by developing and patterning. A water repellent material 60 is formed on the coating photosensitive resin 59 by lamination or the like of a dry film.
Next, as shown in FIG. 8E, a protective material 62 is applied by spin coating or the like, and the front and side surfaces of the substrate 51 with the molding material 58, the coating photosensitive resin 59, and the like formed thereon are coated with the protective material 62. Further, the SiO2 film 52 on the back surface of the substrate 51 is etched, using the polyether amide resin 57 as a mask. As a result, a Si surface is exposed to be an etching initiation surface 63 for forming the ink supply port 64.
Next, as shown in FIG. 8F, the ink supply port 64 is formed in the substrate 51. The ink supply port 64 is formed by performing chemical etching, for example, anisotropic etching with a strong alkaline solution such as TMAH with respect to the substrate 51. When the anisotropic etching is performed from the back surface, an etching region reaches the sacrifice layer 54 on the surface, whereby the formation of the ink supply port 64 is completed. Next, the back surface patterning layer 57 and the protective material 62 are removed. Further, the molding material 58 is eluted from the ink discharge port 61 and the ink supply port 64, whereby the ink flow path 65 is formed.
In recent years, an increase in density has been required in the ink jet recording head, and there has been a demand for further refined ink flow path pattern. On the other hand, in the above-mentioned prior art, the ink flow path pattern is formed by patterning the molding material 58, and in connecting the coating photosensitive resin 59 onto the substrate 51, the adhesion enhancing layer 56 is interposed so as to enhance the adhesion therebetween. According to such production method, a finished dimension tolerance for both the molding material 58 and the adhesion enhancing layer 56 need to be considered for setting the ink flow path pattern. This restricts an increase in fineness of the ink flow path pattern. Further, there is a possibility that the finished tolerance of the adhesion enhancing layer 56 and the molding material 58 may influence compositively the adhesion and discharge performance of the coating photosensitive resin 59 and the substrate 51.
Further, according to a conventional production method, a material of a member forming a flow path wall is the same as that of a member forming a discharge port. Therefore, in selecting the material, there is a trade-off relationship as the following. That is, use of a material enhancing the adhesion with respect to the substrate becomes disadvantageous to the formation of the discharge port, and in contrast, when a material advantageous for the formation of the discharge port is selected, the adhesion with respect to the substrate is degraded.

Liquid discharge head and method of producing the same


A seal protector for protecting material packed with metal strapping and a strapping seal from damage by the strapping seal and a method of forming the seal protector. The seal protector is formed from a piece of foldable crush resistant material into which an H-shaped cut is made. The cut forms flaps which fold over to contact the top surface of the material and are glued in that position, creating a seal protector with two different thickness levels and an opening.

The present invention relates to the field of packaging. Specifically it relates to the packaging of steel with metal strapping and strapping seals.
To hold coils of steel together, the steel industry uses metal strapping which must necessarily be fastened together at its ends in order to form a solid band. For this purpose, a strapping seal is used. The steel closure process and the strapping seal can damage the coiled steel if the strapping seal contacts the coiled steel. Currently, in the industry, several products designed to elevate the strapping seal from the coiled steel exist. However, the inventor knows of no prior art that either teaches or shows the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a prior art square piece of fiberboard having an opening at its center, and also having one set of its sides raised. This configuration does protect the steel in other packages when they are stacked atop or beneath the original package if the metal strapping crosses the thinner part of the board and the strapping seal is over the center opening.
For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a prior art square piece of fiberboard having a square die-cut opening at its center. The metal strapping is positioned so that the strapping seal crosses the fiber board over its center opening. This configuration provides protection of the coil of steel from the strapping seal. It does not protect the steel in other packages stacked beneath or atop the original package.
Both prior art forms use fiberboard ranging in thickness from 0.2 inch to 0.45 inch (0.51 to 1.14 centimeters). In both prior art forms, the material removed to form the center opening is discarded.
The present invention does not discard the material usually removed from the center of the seal protectors. Instead, the present invention uses a single H-shaped cut which does not fully cut out the center material. It folds the center material outwardly to form the second raised section of the invention. Because of this innovation, materials are fully used, which translates to cost savings. There is no waste.
Unlike the prior art, the center material folds outward to form a layer twice as thick as the original. Because of this, a material thinner than the prior art material will suffice to provide enough separation of the metal strapping and strapping seal from the coiled steel, to prevent damage to the coiled steel.
The present invention provides a cost effective product which will perform all of the functions of the previous art forms. It fully uses all material, cutting down on waste and cost.

Seal protector for use with strapping and method for forming the seal protector


A fold-up step ladder having individually and independently fold-down steps that are deep recessed in their fold-down position, so that a person standing on the ladder can lean into and between the ladder frame defined by front and rear side rails and reach closer, with less obstruction and likelihood of injury, to an adjacent vertical wall or work object. Each step is supported upon the side rails of the ladder by an extension arm and a pair of right-angle flanges attached to respective side rails of the ladder frame. The flange bracing allows for support of over-sized steps, which in turn provides the standing person with a greater support and sure-footed feeling, as well as reduced fatigue upon the ladder.

The use of ladders, extensions, and scaffolding to reach objects extending above the height of an individual is as old as antiquity itself. The ladder arts are filled with many variations of extension assemblies. Many ladder assemblies illustrate fold-up ladders and ladders having fold-away steps.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,876, issued to Peacock, on Jul. 19, 1988, for FOLDABLE TAIL GATE STEP ASSEMBLY, a small, fold-up ladder assembly is shown. The small ladder is intended to be used as a mounting platform at the back, or tail gate, of a truck or other vehicle. The ladder is foldable about its mid-section, and has fold-away steps. The steps individually fold away into the frame by means of a slot and pin arrangement. The pin is carried at the end portion of the step and rides within the slot of an extension member as the step is caused to be folded into the frame.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,596,521, issued to Bell, on May 13, 1952 for STEPLADDER, a small stepladder is shown, wherein all the steps of the ladder are folded away simultaneously when the frame of the ladder is folded down. In its folded state, all of the steps project slightly above the frame surface.
A small step ladder, called Little Jumbo, featuring foldable steps and frame, is sold by Wing Enterprises, Inc. of Springville, Utah. This ladder has steps that simultaneously fold into the frame when the frame is collapsed, similar to the aforementioned ladder described by Bell.
The present invention features a full-length step ladder whose steps individually fold away into the frame. The invention differs from the previously described ladders in several important ways:
(a) the step ladder of this invention has steps that individually fold below the frame. This is a very useful feature when climbing the ladder, since a person can lean into the frame and obtain added reach to a wall or adjacent work surface without discomforting or injuring his or her shins; PA1 (b) the sides of each step are rotationally anchored to the middle of the frame, so that the steps are indented to the frame in the fold-away position and do not project beyond the frame surface in the step operative position. This feature is very useful in providing a smooth, lean profile. The indenting of the steps also allows one to step or lean further into the ladder, thus providing safer footing and a longer reach towards an adjoining vertical work surface; PA1 (c) each step is braced in its extended position by a right-angled flange. These flange braces provide greater internal support for the steps, so that the steps can be designed larger than normal steps of a step ladder. The larger steps provide better support and thus, less fatigue, than do conventional step ladder rungs; and they also provide a feeling of sure-footed stepping when one places a foot thereupon; PA1 (d) unlike its predecessors, the ladder of this invention is full-sized. Prior art ladders of the folding step variety usually extend or rise only a few feet from the ground. This limitation is owing to the outwardly-projecting, fold-away steps which interfere with each other. By contrast, the ladder of the present invention has inwardly-projecting and recessed steps that allow the ladder to be built with full-length extension or height and no step interference for the worker's shins.

Full-length step ladder with large, fold-away steps


A valve actuating system determines a shape of its jam nut surface as a function of a resultant force on a ball stud exerted by a rocker arm on the ball stud during operation of the valve train. The contact surface of the jam nut, which is pressed against an associated surface of the head of an engine, is a conical surface with an included angle that is generally twice the magnitude of an angle between a resultant force on the ball stud and a central axis of the ball stud and its associated jam nut. Certain accommodations can be made in order to reduce the cost of the system that would occur if perfect mathematical preciseness with a most preferred embodiment of the present invention is employed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to an engine valve system and, more particularly, to a valve lash adjustment nut that is configured to reduce the likelihood of wear that would otherwise degrade the positional accuracy of the valve actuation apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Those skilled in the art of internal combustion engines are familiar with many different techniques and devices that can be used to control or adjust valve lash. Some valve trains for internal combustion engines utilize a mechanical lash adjustor which consists of a threaded ball stud and a jam nut to inhibit rotation of the ball stud and the resulting degradation of positional accuracy that can be caused by inadvertent rotation of the ball stud. In some applications, the ball stud and jam nut are made from high strength steel and the portion of the internal combustion engine head with which they interface is typically provided with an insert made of steel or another hard material. Variations of valve trains and lash adjustment mechanisms have been developed and improved over many years.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,096,750 which issued to Bouvy et al. on Jul. 9, 1963, describes an overhead camshaft engine valve mechanism. It has a simplified valve train construction in which rocker shafts are eliminated and simple inexpensive valve train elements are employed between conventional camshaft lobes and each engine valve stem.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,080, which issued to Saruta et al. on Oct. 6, 1970, describes a device for driving poppet valves of an engine. A low noise device for driving poppet valves of an overhead cam engine is described. The valves are actuated by rocker arms selectively rotated by cams. A bias spring is provided for each rocker arm so as to keep the rocker arm always in contact with the cam.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,355, which issued to Bergmann et al. on Feb. 12, 1974, describes a mechanical lash adjustor for overhead cam engines. The mechanism is intended for use as a direct replacement for a hydraulic lash adjustor in overhead cam engines. It includes a stud threaded into an insert and having means at one end for supporting a rocker arm. The insert is designed to fit directly into an opening provided in a conventional engine head.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,345, which issued to Walter on May 28, 1985, describes an adjustable ratio rocker arm. Adjustments to the amount of valve lift in an engine are readily made by corresponding adjustments to the location at which a cam actuated push rod contacts the push rod side of the valve actuating rocker arm. The device provides an accurate and rapid means for adjusting the push rod contact position by slotting the push rod side of the rocker arm and fitting a square adjustment plate against a fixed index on top and bottom surfaces of the push rod side.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,772, which issued to Burandt on Jan. 27, 1987, describes a valve actuating apparatus for minimizing the need for lash adjustment. A cam unit and a follower are configured so that the surfaces between which lash is measured are for all intent and purposes removed or segregated from the surfaces used for effecting valve movement. The modified interaction between the cam and the surface the cam bears against compensates for reduction in valve lash.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,025, which issued to Caya et al. on Jul. 8, 1997, describes an internal combustion engine which includes a cast cylinder head having as-cast alignment ribs that align a squared-off fulcrum in the rocker assembly. The rocker arm also has two substantially flat surfaces that engage the planar sides of the fulcrum to minimize lateral movement of the rocker arm.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,799, which issued to Wynveen et al. on Jun. 10, 2008, discloses a method for monitoring the operating condition of an engine valve system. A system is provided for monitoring changes in the operation of a valve system of an engine. An accelerometer provides vibration related signals that are obtained by a microprocessor or similarly configured device and compared to a reference or baseline magnitude. The obtaining step can comprise the steps of measuring, filtering, rectifying, and integrating individual data points obtained during specific windows of time determined as a function of the rotational position of the crankshaft of the engine. These windows in time are preferably selected as a function of the position of exhaust or intake valves as they move in response to rotation of cams of the valve system.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,363,893, which issued to Rohe et al. on Apr. 29, 2008, describes a system for variable valvetrain actuation. An electromechanical variable valvetrain actuation system for controlling the poppet valves in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is described. The system varies valve lift, duration, and phasing in a dependent manner for one or more banks of engine valves. A rocker subassembly for each valve or valve pair is pivotally disposed on a control shaft between the cam shaft and the roller finger follower. The control shaft may be displaced about a pivot axis outside the control shaft to change the angular relationship of the rocker subassembly to the cam shaft, thus changing the valve opening, closing, and lift.
The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the description of the present invention.
In engines with aluminum cylinder heads that do not use a steel insert, there can be insufficient strength in the aluminum threads for proper retention at the jam nut to head interface. As a result, during each valve event, the jam nut to head interface can slip from side to side. As a result, the contact surfaces of the jam nut and head can become worn as a result of abrasion. This wear can loosen the contact between the jam nut and the engine head, resulting in a change in valve lash. If the contact surfaces of the jam nut and engine head are perpendicular to the central axis of rotation of the jam nut, the arrangement is particularly sensitive to wear of either or both of these contacting surfaces as a result of relative movement between them that can result from vibration caused by repetitive valve events. It would therefore be significantly beneficial if the wear of the jam nuts could be decreased or completely inhibited.


An apparatus configured to, based on first imagery (301) of at least part of a body of a user (204), and contemporaneously captured second imagery (302) of a scene, the second imagery comprising at least a plurality of images taken over time, and based on expression-time information indicative of when a user expression of the user (204) occurs, provide a time window (303) temporally extending from a first time (t−1) prior to the time (t) of the expression-time information, to a second time (t−5) comprising a time equal to or prior to the first time (t−1), the time window (303) provided to identify at least one expression-causing image (305) from the plurality of images of the second imagery (302) that was captured in said time window, and provide for recordal of the at least one expression-causing image (305) with at least one expression-time image (306) comprising at least one image from the first imagery (301).

Electronic devices are becoming more and more ubiquitous, with users interacting with electronics in many different ways. For example, people carry portable electronic devices with them in the form of smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, smart-watches and e-book readers.
It is common for electronic devices, such as smartphones or other portable electronic devices, to comprise at least two cameras. A first camera may be configured to point towards the user and is typically mounted on the front of the device (termed a front facing camera) and a second camera may be configured to point away from the user and is typically mounted on the back of the device (termed a rear facing camera). In one or more examples, both the first and second cameras may be used to capture still images or video imagery contemporaneously for generation of composite images or video content comprising content captured from both cameras.
The listing or discussion of a prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects/examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues.

Apparatus and method for associating images from two image streams


An electric vehicle includes drive systems, a control apparatus that controls the drive systems, and wheels. Each drive system includes a motor and an inverter coupled by wires. The wires of the drive systems are coupled by first bypass lines. Each inverter converts direct current power supplied from a corresponding power supply into alternating current power and supplies the alternating current power to the corresponding motor. Each motor drives the corresponding wheel. When an abnormality occurs in the supply of the alternating current power from the inverter to the motor in one drive system, the control apparatus performs control (i) to stop the supply of the alternating current power from the inverter of the one drive systems, and (ii) to supply the alternating current power supplied from the inverter to the motor in another drive system, to the motor of the one drive system via the first bypass lines.

The disclosure relates to an electric vehicle.
For example, there is an electric vehicle configured to convert direct current (DC) power supplied from a power supply into alternating current (AC) power by an inverter, to supply the AC power to a motor, and to travel by driving wheels with the motor.
In the disclosure, the term "electric vehicle" refers to a vehicle capable of traveling by driving wheels with a motor. Examples of the electric vehicle include (i) an electric vehicle, in a narrow sense, using a battery as a power supply, (ii) a so-called fuel cell vehicle using a fuel cell as a power supply, and (iii) a so-called hybrid vehicle including a prime mover such as an engine, in addition to a motor.
In such an electric vehicle, when an abnormality occurs in supply of the AC power from the inverter to the motor due to a malfunction of the power supply or the inverter, the electric vehicle may behave abnormally, for example, the wheels do not rotate or abnormal torque is generated by rotation of the wheels.
To address the above matters, a Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-192254 discloses a technique that, when an abnormality occurs in supply of AC power from an inverter to a motor in an electric vehicle, appropriately stops the electric vehicle by simultaneously turning off all the inverters and stopping rotation of all wheels at the same time.


Systems and method are described for receiving, by a computing platform, information about a first user of a shared mobility service, generating, based on the information about the first user, a first user profile comprising one or more first user attributes, comparing the one or more first user attributes to one or more second user attributes of a second user profile associated with a second user of the shared mobility service, and based on the comparison, causing a vehicle carrying the second user to pick up the first user.

Today, shared mobility programs differentiate on service (e.g., some highlight safety, some highlight speed of pickup, etc.). These platforms are introducing pooling services to pick up more than one individual going in similar directions. This is the vision for increased efficiency on the road, and shared mobility platforms that plan to transition into autonomous platforms may use pooling as a mechanism to develop future autonomous routing.

Shared mobility service passenger matching based on passenger attributes


A general purpose computer operating system is run using a real time operating system. A real time operating system is provided for running real time tasks. A general purpose operating system is provided as one of the real time tasks. The general purpose operating system is preempted as needed for the real time tasks and is prevented from blocking preemption of the non-real time tasks.

This invention relates to real-time operating systems, and, more particularly, to running a real-time operating system with a general purpose operating system.
General purpose computer operating systems "time-share" programs to optimize use of the machine or response time, or some other mix of objectives. Such programs cannot be used for control of instruments, robots, machine tools, communication devices, or other machinery that requires operation at "hard" real-time, i.e., precise timing where deadlines cannot be missed, because the systems are designed to optimize average performance of application programs at the expense of predictability. Performing the above tasks requires real-time support in the operating system: an ability to schedule tasks at precise intervals, no matter what other system tasks may be active. But real-time support can only be offered if the operating system can ensure (1) low interrupt latency (fast response) and (2) fully pre-emptive task switching. Low interrupt latency means that whenever a hardware device or the clock signals the processor, the operating system will execute a "handler" program within a short and bounded interval of time. Fully preemptive task switching means that whenever a high-priority real-time task is scheduled, it can be executed no matter what other tasks are currently executing.
An exemplary need is a controller for an instrument that measures electrical discharges in thunderstorms. It is desirable to read data from the instruments periodically, buffer and then write the data to disk, generate a graphical display of the data either locally or over the network, and possibly accept data from other instruments over the network. Only the first of these tasks requires hard real-time; the remainder are standard programming tasks for which a general purpose operating system is well suited.
Another exemplary need is the control of a liquid fueled rocket mounted on a test platform. There is a need to sample and display data on numerous channels, update a remote real-time display, accept emergency shutdown commands, and perform routing control operations. Again, most of the requirements are for conventional operating systems services, but there are hard real-time components that need reasonably precise scheduling. For example, the shutdown sequence must be precisely timed and cannot be delayed by lower priority tasks without spectacular and unwelcome results.
It is possible to design a special purpose operating system to support real-time, but this is an enormously complex, expensive and error-prone process that produces a system that needs a large continuing investment to remain current. In addition, there is substantial ongoing development effort and it is desirable to maintain compatibility with these developments, which are generally done by others.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to operate a real-time operating system, or executive, and retain the capabilities offered by a general purpose operating system.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Adding real-time support to general purpose operating systems


A method measures the conductivity (σ) of a liquid or paste electrophotographic toner by providing two parallel plane conductive plates with a uniform separation (d) between the plates to form a space between the plates; filling the space between the plates with liquid or paste electrophotographic toner; applying an alternating current voltage of at least 100V between the plates across the liquid or paste toner; measuring as data the current passing through an external component into the plates; adjusting the data to remove current contributions attributable to impurity ions; sending adjusted data to a processor; and determining the conductivity from the adjusted data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of electrophotgraphy, particularly liquid toned electrophtotoconductive imaging, and to a novel method of determining the charge per mass and liquid toner conductivity values contemporaneously for liquid toner in production.
2. Background of the Art
Electrophotography forms the technical basis for various well-known imaging processes, including photocopying and some forms of laser printing. Electrophotographic imaging processes typically involve the use of a reusable, light sensitive, temporary image receptor, known as a photoreceptor, in the process of producing an electrophotographic image on a final, permanent image receptor. A representative electrophotographic process involves a series of steps to produce an image on a receptor, including charging, exposure, development, transfer, fusing, and cleaning, and erasure.
Electrophotographic imaging is an established technology in a wide variety of imaging environments, not the least of which is desktop printing in black-and-white and full color. The technology advantageously uses liquid toner materials (also referred to as inks) in the production of high quality images. These liquid toners must be developed first on a lab scale and then be scaled up to mass production. Current liquid electrophotographic toner development processes require that multiple accurate measurements be taken for each new liquid toner formulation. Currently each test must be performed separately. Additionally, there are often impurities in the liquid toner that contribute to false or inaccurate analytical readings. The electrophysical nature of the electrophotographic process is itself well understood, as follows.
The prior art developing apparatus which is shown in FIG. 1 comprises a vessel 1 for a supply of dielectric fluid 2. The fluid 2, in turn, contains a dispersion of positively and negatively charged toner particles 3.
The vessel 1 further contains two spaced-apart electrodes 4 and 5 which dip into the supply of fluid 2. The electrode 4 is provided with at least one but preferably two or more suitable clamping elements 6 and 7 which can removably receive and hold a sheet-like carrier 8 of latent electrostatic images. For example, the sheet 8 which is shown in FIG. 1 can be inserted from above so that its lower edge rests on the clamp 7 and each of its lateral marginal portions is partially held by a discrete clamp 6. The latent image on the sheet 8 in the vessel 1 faces the electrode 5.
The electrode 4 is connected with a measuring resistor R1 by conductors 9 and 11. The other electrode 5 is connected with the resistor RI by a conductor 10. A further conductor 12 connects the conductors 9, 11 with the ground.
The toner particles 3 which are dispersed in the dielectric fluid 2 include negatively as well as positively charged particles, particularly at the start of a developing operation. The image bearing portions of the sheet 8 are negatively charged, and such negative charges are compensated for by positive charges on the adjacent portions of the electrode 4. The just mentioned positive charges on the electrode 4 are mirror images of negative (image) charges on the sheet 8. In the course of electrophoretic development, the negative image on the sheet 8 attracts positive toner particles 3 from the fluid 2, i.e., such positively charged toner particles 3 travel toward the adjacent surface of the clamped sheet 8 whereby the positive charges of the thus attracted particles 3 are neutralized by the negative charges on the image bearing portions of the sheet 8. The mirror symmetrical positive charges of the electrode 4 are thereby free to travel toward the electrode 5 to attract the negatively charged toner particles 3 in the fluid 2 and to cause them to advance in the fluid 2 toward and onto the electrode 5. These negatively charged toner particles 3 are neutralized when they reach the electrode 5.
It will be noted that, in the course of electrophoretic development process, there develops a current which flows between the electrodes 4, 5 and causes a voltage drop at the measuring resistor R1. The current flows until the entire electrostatic latent image on the sheet 8 is discharged as a result of deposition of toner particles 3 thereon. As shown in FIG. 2, a relatively high current i′0 develops in immediate response to insertion of a fresh electrostatically charged sheet 8 into the vessel 1, and such current rapidly decreases to a value i0 during the initial interval of time subsequent to insertion of a fresh sheet 8. The decrease of current from i0 to i1 is more gradual during the next-following interval of time (t1). The current i1 which flows after elapse of the interval T1 can be fairly approximately defined as follows:i(t)=i0 . . . e−t/96 .
The relationship with the neutralized charge on the sheet 8 can be established by ascertaining the area below the curve I of FIG. 2. The amount of charge (Q) can be ascertained by integration of the current function as follows:Q=integral[i0 . . . e−t/τ. . . dt]The extent to which the latent image on the sheet 8 is developed corresponds to the ratio of the area A (between the curve I and the abscissa and ordinate of FIG. 2) and the area A1 (which is bounded by the ordinate, abscissa up to the point t1, and the curve I). The area A is indicated by simple hatching, and the area A1 is indicated by criss-cross hatching. The areas A and A1 can be calculated by standard mathematic means. The ratio of the areas A1/A (i.e., the intensity or extent of development of the sheet 8) can be ascertained as is well understood in the art (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,347).
As regards the ascertainable ratio of the momentary value i1 of the current flowing between the electrodes 4, 5 and the initial value i0 of such current, there exists the following relationship:i1/i0=1−A1/A=1−extent or degree of development.The curve I of FIG. 2 further shows that the actually achieved peak voltage at the start of the development closely approximates that which corresponds to the theoretically possible peak current value i′0 if one insures that, at the start of the developing operation, the developing fluid is supplied to the exposed surface of the sheet 8 as rapidly as possible and in the form of a laminar stream. For example, this can be achieved by resorting to a dipping device for the sheet 8 or by resorting to a fluid recirculating arrangement, e.g., an arrangement of the type shown in FIG. 1. The preceding equations are valid provided that, based on a uniform rinsing speed at the start of the developing operation, the ratio i′0/i0 remains at least substantially constant. That is, the toner density stays approximately the same and the voltage drops due to toner build up and current flow through the resistor is small.
FIG. 1 shows that, in order to ascertain the momentary value of the current which flows between the electrodes 4, 5 in the course of the electrophoretic developing operation, as well as to interrupt the developing operation when the desired degree or extent of development is reached, one can resort to the following circuit:
The conductor 10 which connects the electrode 5 with the measuring resistor R1 is further connected with the input of an amplifier V1 by means of a further conductor 13. The purpose of the amplifier V1 is to change the voltage (corresponding to current which is represented by the curve I of FIG. 2) to a voltage having a different (higher) amplitude. The two voltages are schematically shown to the left and above and to the right and below the amplifier V1 The amplitude-modified voltage is transmitted to one input of a comparator circuit K via conductor 14, and to a peak value storing circuit Sp via conductor 15. The circuit Sp stores the maximum voltage value (i.e., the initially transmitted voltage impulse), and its output transmits a constant voltage signal (schematically shown to the right of the circuit Sp) having an amplitude which corresponds to the peak value.
The voltage signal at the output of the circuit Sp is transmitted to an adjustable multiplying circuit V2, R2 and the intensity of such signal is reduced (as shown to the left of the component R2) to an extent corresponding to the desired degree of development of the sheet 8. The voltage signal (reference signal) of reduced intensity is transmitted to the left-hand input of the comparator circuit K via conductor 16. The conductors 17, 18 connect the output of the circuit Sp with the components V2, R2 of the multiplying circuit, and the conductor 19 connects the outputs of the components V2, R2.
The circuit K compares the momentary value (transmitted via conductor means 14) of the voltage at the resistor R1 with the somewhat reduced peak value (i.e., with the reference value) which is transmitted via conductor 16. Since the voltage at the resistor R1 is proportional to the current which flows between the electrodes 4 and 5, a relay S is energized at the exact moment when a certain preselected current i1 flows between the electrodes 4 and 5. The relay S is respectively connected to the ground (via conductor 12) and to the comparator circuit K by conductors 21 and 20. The energized relay S actuates a switch 22 at the time t.sub.1 so that the conductor 23 for the switch 22 can transmit a signal which starts the reversible motor 24M of a pump 24 in a first direction. The pump 24 then rapidly causes the fluid 2 to flow from the vessel 1 into a reservoir 27 and to thus complete the developing operation. The motor 24M is preferably a tandem motor, and it causes the pump 24 to convey the fluid 2 in the opposite direction (from the reservoir 27 into the vessel 1) when the switch 22 opens and the relay S closes a switch 29 in a conductor 31 connecting the relay S with the motor 24M. The reference characters 25, 26 respectively denote the conduits which connect the pump 24 with the vessel 1 and reservoir 27. The velocity with which the pump 24 can transfer the fluid 2 from the vessel 1 into the reservoir 27 is preferably sufficiently high so that the development of latent image on a sheet 8 which is clamped to the electrode 4 is terminated almost instantaneously, i.e., after elapse of the interval t.sub.1 following the start (t V0) of the developing operation.
The interval t1 determines the discussed ratio A1/A and hence the degree of development of the image on the sheet 8 in the vessel 1. To start the development of image on the next sheet 8, the relay S actuates a switch 28 which is mechanically or otherwise coupled to the aforementioned switch 29. The latter causes the conductor 31 to transmit a signal which starts the motor 24M in reverse, i.e., the fluid 2 is pumped from the reservoir 27 into the vessel 1. The switch 28 is connected with the relay S by a conductor 30 which forms part of the holding circuit of the relay. Such holding circuit is broken when the motor 24M is operated in reverse. The inflow of fluid into the vessel 1 is preferably rapid so that the development of image on the freshly introduced sheet 8 can begin practically instantaneously.
Because the electrophotographic toning process is so critically dependent in liquid toner electrophoresis and transfer, the ambient and varying properties of the liquid toner become very important, as well as the mere physical volume of toner remaining in the supply container. Processes and apparatus have therefore been developed to alert the user automatically when the properties and/or volume of the toner fail to meet requirements.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,948 (Lawson et al.) describes how changes occurring in the electrical conductivity of liquids are used to process image-wise exposed radiation-sensitive devices to measure the deterioration in effectiveness of the liquids. This deterioration is compensated for by varying the processing conditions, such as temperature, time, scrubbing action and processing liquid composition, in accordance with the change in conductivity. The reference uses an apparatus for processing image-wise exposed radiation sensitive plates which apparatus comprising (i) a container for processing liquid, (ii) a means of moving the plates along a path through the apparatus so that they are contacted by the processing liquid under given processing conditions, (iii) a means for measuring the electrical conductivity of the processing liquid and for producing an output signal in dependence on said conductivity, and (iv) a means of varying the processing conditions in dependence on said output signal, wherein said means of varying the processing conditions includes a variable speed motor for driving the plate moving means and controlled by said output signal so that the period of time for which the plates are in contact with the processing liquid is dependent on the conductivity.
Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/285,385, filed Oct. 31, 2002 (and which is herein incorporated by reference for its complete technical disclosure) describes a method for determining the concentration of toner solids present or remaining in any quantity of liquid solvent. One embodiment of the invention involves a series of steps. An electrical signal generator is electrically connected to a first electrode. A second electrode, attached or electrically connected to a detecting device, is positioned at a prescribed gap distance (e.g., between 0.005 inches and 0.250 inches) from the first electrode. The two electrodes are submerged in a liquid printing ink (in the practice of the invention in an electrophotographic imaging system, within the toner cartridge), maintaining the prescribed gap distance from one another. The signal generator then transmits an alternating current electrical signal (AC signal) or a direct current signal (DC signal) having a known amplitude to the first electrode. The direct current signal may be pulsed, and the receiving/signaling system may respond to the lack of pulses over a period of time to indicate depleted toner. The second electrode then receives any residual signal that is transmitted or propagates across the prescribed gap distance. The amplitude of the received signal is either detected at an acceptable intensity or determined to be absent or below the acceptable level, and a warning is generating based on whether the signal is received at the acceptable level or not received at an acceptable level (the unacceptable level including no signal received). Additionally, decisions may be made based on the amplitude of the received signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,620 (Hagiwara) describes a toner concentration measuring method and apparatus by which the concentration of toner in solvent can be detected with a simple construction without being influenced by a variation of the conductivity caused by a variation of the amount of ions in the solvent. A stepped dc voltage is applied from a high dc voltage generation section between a pair of electrodes placed in solvent, and very weak current which flows in a circuit formed from the pair of electrodes is measured by a current measuring section. The solvent between the pair of electrodes is replaced into an equivalent circuit, and a capacitance of the equivalent circuit is calculated in accordance with a circuit equation to determine the amount of ions in the solvent. Further, in accordance with a function expression wherein the ion amount and a resistance of the equivalent circuit are used as parameters, a toner concentration from which an influence of a variation of the amount of ions in the solvent is eliminated is determined.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,406 (Yamaguchi) describes a toner concentration detecting apparatus, which can detect a toner concentration of a developer without being influenced by ions, is provided. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed face to face with a developer between the electrodes. First, a voltage of a first power supply is applied to the electrodes. After a designated time, by switching means, a voltage of a second power supply, whose polarity is different from the first power supply, is applied to the electrodes. By using a changing of current flowing between the electrodes caused by the difference between the transferring speed of toner particles and that of ions after switching the polarity of the power supply, a toner concentration calculating means calculates the toner concentration of the developer by using a table showing the relation between a peak value by the toner particles and the toner concentration. With this, the toner concentration can be calculated accurately. The toner concentration detecting apparatus, comprises: a first electrode and a second electrode which are disposed face to face with a developer between said electrodes; two power supplies, either one of which applies a voltage to said first electrode and said second electrode at one time; a switching means which switches polarity of said power supplies by switching from one power supply to the other power supply, after one power supply applied a voltage to said first electrode and said second electrode for a designated time; a detecting means which detects current flowing between said first electrode and said second electrode, at the time after applying voltage to said first electrode and said second electrode and after switching the polarity of said power supplies; and a calculating mean s which calculates a toner concentration of said developer, based on detected current values due to both ion and toner particles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,700 (Caruthers) describes a toner developability sensor and method sense toner developability of liquid ink in an ink reservoir of a liquid ink image forming system. The toner developability sensor includes a power supply, a first electrode having at least one surface in contact with the liquid ink and connected to the power supply, and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode. When a potential difference is applied between the first and second electrodes, a developed toner layer is formed on the first electrode. A sensor senses at least one characteristic of the developed toner layer formed on the first electrode. The sensor detects characteristics of the developed toner layer that are directly related to the developability of the toner. The toner developability sensor that measures toner developability of a liquid ink contained in an ink tank, the liquid ink comprising toner particles suspended in a carrier medium, comprises: a power supply; a first electrode having at least one surface in fixed contact with the liquid ink in the ink tank and connected to the power supply; a second electrode disposed in the ink tank and having at least one surface in contact with the liquid ink and spaced from the first electrode, wherein, when a potential difference is applied between the first and second electrodes, a developed toner layer is formed on the first electrode; and a sensor that senses at least one characteristic of the developed toner layer formed on the at least one surface of the first electrode.
Alternative efficient methods of determination of operational parameters that are important for gauging the life and performance quality of liquid toner reserves are still desirable. This system may be used independently of imaging apparatus as an off-line testing system.

System and method for measuring charge/mass and liquid toner conductivty contemporaneously


This disclosure teaches a magnet valve, having a valve insert and a tappet which is guided movably via a tappet guide in the valve insert and which is braced via a restoring spring on a valve body, and the restoring spring acts between a first contact face of the tappet and a second contact face on the valve body. According to the invention, fixation means which define a position of the restoring spring relative to the tappet and the valve body are disposed on the second contact face of the valve body.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to an improved magnet valve of the type used, for example, in hydraulic fluid systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional magnet valve, in particular for a hydraulic unit, which is used for instance in an antilock brake system (ABS) or a traction control system (TCS) or an electronic stability program system (ESP system), is shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen from FIG. 1, besides a magnet unit 5 with a cover disk 12, the conventional magnet valve 20, which is open when without current, includes a valve cartridge that in turn includes a capsule 6, a valve insert 1, a tappet 2, a restoring spring 3, and an armature 7. In the production of the magnet valve 20, the capsule 6 and the valve insert 1 of the valve cartridge are joined together by pressing, and by means of a sealing weld 8, the valve cartridge is sealed off hydraulically from the atmosphere. In addition, the valve insert 1 absorbs the pressure forces that occur in the hydraulic system and carries them via a calked flange 9 to a calking region, not shown, on a fluid block. In addition, the valve insert 1 receives the so-called valve body 4, which includes a valve seat 10 into which the tappet 2 plunges in sealing fashion, in order to perform the sealing function of the magnet valve 20. The tappet 2 includes an axial guide face 2.1, a spring guide 2.2, onto which the restoring spring 3 is slipped and guided radially inward in the short region of the spring guide 2.2, a tappet cone 2.3, a transition region 2.4, and a tappet dome 2.5, which plunges in sealing fashion into the valve insert 1. As also seen from FIG. 1, the tappet 2 and the restoring spring 3 are guided in the valve insert 1; the tappet 2 is guided in a tappet guide 11, and the restoring spring 3 is guided radially from inside and centered on one end on the spring guide 2.2 of the tappet 2 and rests on the first contact face 2.1 of the tappet 2, and on the other end rests, axially guided, on the valve body 4 on a second contact face 4.1. No provision for further fixation or centering of the restoring spring 3 at its installation site is provided. The flow path of the fluid through the magnet valve extends via the restoring spring 3, so that the spring force of the restoring spring 3 is operative in the region of the flow forces which because of the flow are capable of acting on the turns of the restoring spring 3. If the order of magnitude of the spring force and the order of magnitude of the stiffness of the restoring spring 3 are within the range of the forces of the flow acting on the spring turns, then an unwanted influence on the spring behavior can occur from the flow. Hence the restoring spring 3 may for instance lift from its contact with the valve body 4, which may be associated with a corresponding (force) action on the valve tappet 2 and an unwanted influence on the valve function. Moreover, the unguided portion of restoring spring can be laterally deflected or shifted, so that contact and hence frictional forces can occur between the valve insert 1 and the tappet 2. Because of the frictional forces generated, the valve behavior can be adversely affected, and the tappet 2 may be damaged by the spring ends, which may have burrs on them.

Magnet valve having fixation means for the return spring mounted on the valve seat


A completion assembly includes tubing that defines an axis that extends from a distal shoe end to a proximal uphole end where the tubing includes: a washdown shoe; a plug seat configured to receive a plug that hinders flow through the washdown shoe; a screen; a fluid loss control device that permits, in an exterior space, flow of fluid in an uphole direction and that hinders flow of fluid in a downhole direction; a circulation valve that is actuatable to permit flow of fluid from an interior space to the exterior space; a formation isolation valve that is actuatable to form a flow barrier in the interior space; a packer that is actuatable to extend radially outwardly from the tubing to form an annular flow barrier in the exterior space; and a barrier component that is actuatable to form a flow barrier in the interior space of the tubing.

For purposes of forming a well to extract a hydrocarbon based fluid (oil or natural gas) from a subterranean, hydrocarbon-bearing geologic formation, or to inject water into or around a subterranean, geologic formation, for example, among one or more other purposes, a bore can be drilled into the formation. In such an example, completion (e.g., a system of tubes, valves to regulate flow of fluid, etc.) may be installed in to a bore. In various instances, two or more runs, or trips, into the bore may be utilized for installing completion equipment. For example, a first run may involve running a lower completion to a distal portion of a bore. At a subsequent time, an upper completion may be run into the bore, for example, to provide tubing, mechanisms, etc., for example, to connect the lower completion to a hydrocarbon removal point or wellhead location. In field operations, each trip into a bore adds to cost and complexity of completing a well.


Disclosed is a process for producing 2-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl) acetanilide which comprises reacting 3,4-difluorobenzotrifluoride with acetamide in the presence of a base in an aprotic polar solvent or in a mixture of an aprotic polar solvent and an aprotic non-polar solvent.

The so-far known processes for producing 2-fluoro-4(trifluoromethyl)acetanilide as described in J. Org. Chem., 50, 4576 (1985) and EP-A-0246061 may be illustrated as follows: ##STR1##
However, these processes are not necessarily satisfactory for the commercial production of 2-fluoro-4(trifluoromethyl)acetanilide. That is to say, trifluoromethyl hypofluorite is hardly available because of the necessity of special fluorine-handling techniques, while xenon difluoride is an expensive reagent and the fluorination therewith is not very regioselective, hence the purity of the product is not good. Furthermore, these processes give only low yields and cannot be said to be advantageous from the commercial standpoint,

Process for producing 2-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl) acetanilide


A P.sup.- layer (51) is formed between a P base layer (43) and an N.sup.- layer (42) so as to be in contact with the P base layer (43), facing an insulating film (46) of a trench (45) with the N.sup.- layer (42) between. In the configuration, a depletion layer extends to the P.sup.- layer (51) to relieve an electric field at a tip end portion of the trench (45) and a channel length can be lessened. Therefore, it is possible to provide an insulated gate semiconductor device of high breakdown voltage and low On-resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an insulated gate semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a device structure to prevent a reduction in breakdown voltage of a power semiconductor device which has a trench MOS gate where a channel is formed in a surface of a trench buried in a semiconductor substrate, and to a method of manufacturing the device.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated gate semiconductor device in a background art. Referring to this figure, now a vertical MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) transistor (hereinafter referred to as "UMOS") of a trench-gate structure will be discussed as an example. This UMOS is used for low breakdown voltage of 200 V or below, for example, used for an electrical equipment system of an automobile.
FIG. 50 shows an N.sup.+ substrate 1, an N.sup.- layer 2, a P base layer 3, an N.sup.+ source region 4, a trench 5, a gate insulating film 6, a gate 7, an interlayer insulating film 8, a source electrode 9, a drain electrode 10 and a channel region 11. Reference character L represents a spacing between the adjacent trenches.
Next, an operation of the UMOS will be discussed. When a prescribed drain voltage V.sub.DS is applied across the source electrode 9 and the drain electrode 10 and a prescribed gate voltage V.sub.GS is applied across the source electrode 9 and the gate 7, the channel region 11 of the P base layer 3 in the vicinity of the gate insulating film 6 is inverted to N type, thus forming a path for electric charges, i.e., a channel. The channel produces continuity between the source and drain, and the resistance of the UMOS produced at this time is called an ON-resistance.
In an On state, that is, a state where there is continuity between the source and drain, if the gate voltage V.sub.GS applied across the source electrode 9 and the gate 7 is changed to 0 V or a negative voltage, i.e., reverse bias, the gate is turned off and the channel region 11 of N type is inverted again to P type, entering an OFF state where there is no continuity between the source and drain. Thus, the control over the gate voltage V.sub.GS makes it possible to control a current flow between the source and drain, and therefore the UMOS can be used as a power switching device.
The drain voltage V.sub.DS applied to the UMOS when the gate is in the OFF state is referred to as a breakdown voltage of a device. The breakdown voltage of a device is generally determined by an impurity concentration and thickness of the N.sup.- layer 2 and in the case of the UMOS, further depends on a structure of a surface region of the device. Especially in the UMOS of trench structure, since the trench 5 protrudes into the N.sup.- layer 2 through the P base layer 3, the breakdown voltage of the device is dependent on the condition of a tip portion of the trench 5 protruding into the N.sup.- layer 2.
FIG. 51 is a simulation graph showing an electric field of the UMOS of trench structure. In the simulation, it is assumed that the impurity concentration of the N.sup.- layer 2 is 1 .OMEGA.cm and the thickness from a surface of the P base layer 3 to a bottom surface of the N.sup.- layer 2 is 8.5 .mu.m. The upper-left rectangular portion of FIG. 51 represents a portion of trench structure.
As can be seen form FIG. 51, when the drain voltage V.sub.DS is applied to the UMOS, a depletion region extends from the P base layer 3 to the N.sup.- layer 2, but the equipotential lines form loops to be discontinuous at the portion where the trench 5 protrudes into the N.sup.- layer 2, indicating that the electric field becomes stronger at the tip end portion of the trench 5. The breakdown voltage of the device depends on the electric field strength at the tip end portion.
The breakdown voltage of the device, which is dependent on a condition of the tip end portion of the trench 5, undergoes a more strict situation when the gate voltage V.sub.GS is changed into the reverse bias.
Specifically, the sum of the drain voltage V.sub.DS applied to the UMOS and the reverse-biased gate voltage V.sub.GS is applied to the tip portion of the trench 5 protruding into the N.sup.- layer 2. Accordingly, the breakdown voltage of the device when the gate voltage V.sub.GS is reversely biased is lower by a reverse-bias of the gate voltage V.sub.GS as compared with the case where the gate voltage V.sub.GS is 0 V.
As a countermeasure for reduction in breakdown voltage of the UMOS having trench structure, for example, a proposed device structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,266.
FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,266. The device has a structure in which a central portion of the P base layer 3 extends deeper than the trench 5 does as shown in FIG. 52. Other structures of the device are the same as that of the background-art UMOS of FIG. 50.
When the drain voltage V.sub.DS is applied to the UMOS of FIG. 52, the depletion region extends from the P base layer 3 to the N.sup.- layer 2 in the same manner as the UMOS of FIG. 50. In the UMOS of FIG. 52, however, since the central portion of the P base layer 3 extends deeper than the trench 5, the equipotential lines form fewer loops at the tip end portion of the trench 5 and a gradual change of the equipotential lines can be found, from those which extend to an adjacent trench to those which enclose the trench 5. Accordingly, the discontinuity of the depletion region at the tip end portion of the trench 5 is relieved and the reduction in breakdown voltage of the device at the tip end portion of the trench 5 can be suppressed.
Furthermore, since the distance from the central portion of the P base layer 3 to the N.sup.+ substrate 1 is shorter than that from the tip end portion of the trench 5 to the N.sup.+ substrate 1, a breakdown occurs at the central portion of the P base layer 3 and the breakdown voltage is dependent on the central portion of the P base layer 3. Accordingly, even if the gate voltage V.sub.GS is reversely biased, it is possible to keep the breakdown voltage of the device from becoming lower by the reverse bias of the gate voltage V.sub.GS.
To ensure the required breakdown voltage of the device, however, in the device structure of the UMOS as shown in FIG. 52, the distance from the central portion of the P base layer 3 to the N.sup.+ substrate 1 should be long, that is, the N.sup.- layer 2 should be thick, since the central portion of the P base layer 3 extends deeper than the trench 5. In the case of the UMOS having a trench structure, a current path is found from the tip end portion of the trench 5 through the channel region 11 to the drain electrode in the ON state, and therefore the N.sup.+ layer 2 of greater thickness causes a higher On-resistance.
In the device structure of the UMOS as shown in FIG. 52, the trench 5 extends deeper than the P base layer 3 at a portion where the trench 5 and the P base layer 3 come into contact although the central portion of the P base layer 3 extends deeper than the trench 5. In order to form the P base layer 3, which is generally obtained by diffusion, the distance between the adjacent trenches 5 requires, at least, the sum of the length of an opening from which the impurity is implanted and twice the depth of the central portion of the P base layer 3, because the impurity is diffused over the same range in vertical and horizontal directions.
An evaluation of the spacing between the adjacent trenches on the basis of a commonly-used device size, assuming that the length of the opening at the central portion of the P base layer 3 is 2 .mu.m, the depth of the trench is 2 .mu.m and the depth of the central portion of the P base layer 3 is 3 .mu.m, determines the spacing L between the trenches to be about 8 .mu.m. As the spacing L between the trenches becomes larger than 8 .mu.m, the ON-resistance of the UMOS becomes higher. A test reveals that the ON-resistance becomes higher by about 0.18 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2 as a cell pitch (the spacing between the central portions of the adjacent trenches) becomes wider by 1 .mu.m.

Insulated gate semiconductor device structure to prevent a reduction in breakdown voltage


The invention provides a floating type brake disc which can absorb a shock applied to a hub from a rotor at a time of running on a punishing road, can improve a heat lowering performance and can widely reduce a number of parts. A brake disc (1) is constituted by a hub (20), a rotor (10) and a ring spring (30). A lot of protrusion portions (11) in a radial direction are provided along a peripheral direction in an inner peripheral edge portion of the rotor (10), the same number of projection portions (21) in an axial direction are provided along the peripheral direction in an outer peripheral edge portion of the hub (20), and the protrusion portions (11) are protruded to an inner side in the radial direction through a gap (22) between the projection portions (21). The ring spring (30) is constituted by an open ring having an approximately L-shaped cross section. A line (30b) in a radial direction of the ring spring is fitted and mounted to a groove (23) in an inner peripheral surface of the projection portion (21) of the hub protruding from the rotor, and an inner peripheral surface of a protrusion portion (12) in the rotor is pressed to an outer side in the radial direction by a line (30a) in the axial direction of the ring spring.

A floating type brake disc is structured by connecting a disc-like aluminum hub, and an annular stainless steel rotor coaxially arranged in an outer side of the hub by an elastic member.
A conventional floating type brake disc is provided with a hub "a" having semicircular recess portions "a1" in an outer peripheral edge portion leaving a space in a circumferential direction, and a rotor "b" having semicircular recess portions "b1" in an inner peripheral edge portion leaving a space in a circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. 21, and is prevented from coming off by butting the recess portion "a1" of the hub "a" to the recess portion "b1" of the rotor "b", inserting a common pin "c" having a flange "c1a" in one end to a circular hole formed by the recess portions "a1" and "b1" via a washer as required, fitting and inserting a disc spring "c2" and a washer "c3" to another end "c1b" of the pin "c", and thereafter expanding another end "c1b" of the pin "c" to an outer side so as to caulk in a disc shape. Thus, the floating type brake disc is structured by floatably connecting the hub "a" and the rotor "b" in a thrust direction. The disc spring "c2" is in contact with the hub "a" and the rotor "b" (refer, for example, to FIG. 2 in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 60-3333).
In order to avoid an interference between a wheel and the brake disc, an outer peripheral edge portion of the hub "a" is generally offset to an outer side in an axial direction (a thrust direction) via an intermediate portion "a2" which is linearly inclined along a radial direction with respect to an inner peripheral mounting portion to a side wheel.
In this conventional brake disc, a floating portion (a connection portion) is prevented from being rattle in the thrust direction by pressing and fixing the rotor to the flange portion of the pin from the thrust direction (a side surface of the rotor) by the disc spring or the like, and is prevented from being rattle in the radial direction by an assistance of the disc spring. A heat generated in the rotor gets away from the connection portion to the aluminum hub.
In the conventional brake disc, since the connection portion between the hub and the rotor by the pin is arranged at seven to ten positions, there is a problem that a number of the parts is much. For example, a seven-axis specification (seven-position connection specification) requires thirty parts (including (pin+disc spring+washer×2)×7+rotor+hub), and a ten-axis specification (ten-position connection specification) requires forty two parts (including (pin+disc spring+washer×2)×10+rotor+hub). Accordingly, an assembling man-hour thereof is increased, and a cost is increased.
In recent years, in connection with a cost reduction, a weight saving and the like, the number of the pins tends to be reduced. In the case that the number of the pins is reduced, there are generated a portion in which the heat of the rotor tends to be discharged, and a portion in which the heat tends to be kept. Accordingly, a thermal stress near a pierce hole formed on a sliding surface of the rotor becomes high, whereby a crack tends to be generated.
Further, in the conventional brake disc, a floating performance and an increase of spring setting load tend to be opposite to each other. Accordingly, the higher a set load (a fixing load) by the spring from the thrust direction is, the more advantageous the rattle prevention in the radial direction is, however, the floating performance in the thrust direction is deteriorated. Further, the disc spring is in contact with the hub and the rotor, however, since the thickness of the hub and the rotor have a dispersion within a tolerance, a deflection of the disc spring has a dispersion within the disc spring.
Further, since a constraint force from the thrust direction is strong, the brake disc is hard to adapt itself to brake pads at a time of being pinched by the brake pads so as to generate a thermal strain. Further, since the rotor is brought into contact with the flange side of the pin on the basis of the constrain from the thrust direction, it is necessary to improve an initial deflection accuracy. If the initial deflection accuracy is low, a part (having a large deflection) of the rotor is in contact with the pad during running (during rotation of the rotor), and a biased abrasion is generated. As a result, when applying the brake, a judder (an abnormal vibration) is caused by the biased abrasion.
In this case, since the brake disc tends to adapt itself to the pads by making the constraint force from the thrust direction weak, the floating performance is improved (the floating performance is improved so as to tend to adapt itself to the pads), however, the rattle in the radial direction tends to be generated. Accordingly, the rotor gives a shock to the pin/hub during running on a punishing road so as to cause a breakage of the hub.
Further, since the load of the brake disc corresponds to a non-suspended load (an unspring weight) applying a great influence to a steering stability of the vehicle, there is a tendency that a weight saving of the brake disc is intended, and a weight saving hole provided in the hub "a" and the rotor "b" is enlarged. However, since it is necessary to secure a certain degree of calorific capacity in the rotor portion, there is a limit to enlarge the weight saving hole. Accordingly, there is a great demand to enlarge the weight saving hole in the hub "a", however, in the case that an area of the rib "a3" between the weight saving holes is reduced by enlarging the weight saving hole in the intermediate portion "a2", a strength in a lateral direction (the thrust direction) of the hub "a" becomes weak, and a strength in a torsional direction becomes weak.
An object of the present invention is to provide a floating type brake disc which can improve a heat lowering performance and can widely reduce a number of parts, taking the conventional problems mentioned above into consideration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a floating type brake disc which can absorb a shock applied to the hub from the rotor at a time of running on the punishing road, in addition to the advantage mentioned above.
The other object of the present invention is to provide a floating type brake disc which can improve a strength in a thrust direction and a torsional direction of the hub even in the case that the weight saving hole of the hub is enlarged, in addition to the advantages mentioned above.