The invention relates to a method and a measuring system (16) for determining the alignment of a first pulley (10) of a belt drive (12) with respect to a second pulley (14) of the belt drive (12), whereby the measurement system (16) includes a laser light emitting device (18) and a laser light recording device (20), and whereby the method includes Steps A to F.

Known methods and measurement systems for determining the alignment of the pulleys of a belt drive serve to determine or record the possible deviation from a desired target adjustment or target alignment of the pulleys with one another and/or in order to undertake corresponding corrections to the determined alignment of the pulleys against one another.
Known methods and measurement systems for determining the alignment of the pulleys to each other allow a precise determination of the orientation to the degree if the belt drive or the pulleys themselves satisfy certain boundary conditions. So it is necessary in the case of, known solutions in which a laser is placed against the pulley's running surface or lateral surface which extends circumferentially around the rotational axis of the first pulley, that a certain minimum distance between the laser and the receiver and also between the two pulleys is maintained, in particular, to achieve an acceptable level of measurement accuracy for the measurement or recording of a so-called horizontal angle displacement.
Such solutions are known, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,115 B1, US 2003/0051354 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,297, U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,738 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,294 and DE 102 06 162 A1.
Known solutions in which the laser and the receiver are respectively placed flush against one of the two opposite disk surfaces of the respective pulley, only operate with sufficiently high measurement accuracy when the disk surfaces are very planar and level. Manufacturing technology-related deviations from a planar or a level structure of the pulley surfaces may, however, take on a magnitude that makes it impossible to work with such a laser and receiver due to high measurement inaccuracy. Solutions in which a laser and a receiver are positioned flush against the disk surfaces of the pulleys, for example, are known from DE 100 64 814 A1.
Underlying Task
The goal of the invention is to provide a method and a measuring system for determining the orientation of a first pulley of a belt drive in respect to a second pulley of a belt drive with which the alignment can be determined with great precision without the precision being restricted or severely limited as a consequence of the structure of the belt drive or the pulleys.
This goal is achieved according to the invention with a method with the features of Claim 1 and with a measurement system with the features of Claim 9.
The method according to the invention for determining the alignment of a first pulley of a belt drive in respect to a second pulley of a belt drive occurs by means of or by using a measurement system.
The measurement system comprises a laser light-emitting device and a laser light recording device.
The laser light-emitting device comprises a laser with a beam axis which is able to pivot around a laser pivot axis that is perpendicular to the beam axis of the laser. Furthermore, the laser is able to pivot around an adjustment axis of the laser light-emitting device that is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the laser.
The perpendicular orientation or perpendicular alignment of the laser pivot axis to the adjustment axis refers to the fact that the laser pivot axis may intersect with the adjustment axis but does not have to intersect with it, whereby, if the two axes do not intersect, these may form a common intersection point due to a translational displacement, and then may enclose a right angle. This applies not only with respect to these axes but subsequently to any axes when dealing with a perpendicular orientation or a perpendicular alignment.
The laser light recording device comprises a laser light sensor with a planar measuring field whereby the measuring field is a coordinate system having an X1 coordinate axis and a Y1 coordinate axis that is perpendicular to the X1 axis, whereby the laser light sensor is set up so as to record on the measuring field the X1 and Y1 coordinates of a laser light spot of the laser light beam that strikes the measuring field.
The laser light sensor can be any laser light sensor that is equipped with a level measuring field. A preferred embodiment is a laser light sensor which features several row sensors to form the measuring field. The X1 and Y1 coordinates recorded by the laser light sensor can be transmitted in the form of analogue or digital signals through a signal transmission path—also wirelessly—e.g. through an evaluation device, such as e.g. a computer, for example in the form of a laptop or a tablet, for further analysis. In particular, the laser light sensor may be a PSD sensor (PSD is an abbreviation for "Position Sensitive Device").
The method comprises the following steps:
(A) locating a laser light-emitting device in an arbitrary position on the second pulley, whereby the laser light emitting device is located on the second pulley so that the laser pivot axis is parallel to the rotational axis of the first pulley or the second pulley.
(B) locating a laser light recording device in or at a position on the second pulley, which is at a distance from the position of the laser light emitting device, whereby the laser light recording device is located in such a way at the second pulley that the Y1 coordinate axis of the measuring field is parallel to the rotational axis of the second pulley, the X1 coordinate axis features a desired spatial orientation or spatial alignment, and the centre of the coordinate system features a predefined axial distance to the second pulley.
(C) alignment of the direction of the laser light beam emitted by the laser light emitting device at a right angle to the rotational axis of the second pulley by means of pivoting the laser around the adjustment axis, and recording the Y1 coordinate of the laser light spot on the measuring field by means of the laser light sensor upon irradiation of the measuring field with the aligned laser beam,
(D) location of the laser light recording device in or at least one position on the first pulley, whereby the laser light recording device is arranged in such a way on the first pulley that the Y1 coordinate axis of the measuring field is parallel to the rotational axis of the first pulley, the X1 coordinate axis shows a desired spatial orientation or spatial alignment and the centre of the coordinate systems shows a predefined axial distance from the first pulley.
(E) Irradiating of the measuring field with the aligned laser light beam of the laser from the laser light emitting device—with the laser light beam whose direction was aligned in accordance with Step C of the method—and recording of the X1 and Y1 coordinates of the laser light spots on the measuring field, whereby the measuring field is irradiated in at least one position by means of pivoting the laser around the laser pivot axis, so that the X1 and Y1 coordinates are recorded by at least three laser light spots on the measuring field, and
(F) Determination of the orientation of the first pulley in relation to the second pulley on the basis of the recorded X1 and Y1 coordinates of the laser light spots in at least one position and of the Y1 coordinates recorded in Step C.
Steps A and B are used to prepare step C of the method according to the invention, in which the direction of the laser light beam emitted by the laser of the laser light-emitting device is aligned by pivoting the laser around the adjustment axis at a right-angle to the rotational axis of the second pulley. In this way, a laser light reference plane can be created for the second pulley in the manner of a pivot plane by pivoting the laser around the laser pivot axis. Following the completed alignment, this pivot plane is then oriented at a right angle to the rotational axis of the second pulley and/or parallel to each of the two opposite disk surfaces of the second pulley.
For example, in order to create an arrangement in which the measuring field of the laser light recording device in Step C can be struck by the laser light beam, the laser of the laser light emitting device can be pivoted at a right angle to the beam axis of the laser's oriented laser pivot axis, whereby a desired or set pivot adjustment of the laser can preferably be locked around the laser pivot axis or is configured in a locked position. The lock here can be realized in any manner, e.g. in the form of a friction lock or a form lock.
As a result of the fact that in Step B, the laser light recording device is located in such a way on the second pulley that the Y1 coordinate axis of the measuring field is oriented parallel to the rotational axis of the second pulley, the X1 coordinate axis features a desired spatial orientation or alignment to the second pulley, and the centre of the coordinate system features a predefined axial distance from the second pulley, the spatial position of the coordinate system of the measuring field and/or the spatial position of the measuring field at or in the chosen position on the second pulley is defined exactly, and/or the spatial position of the measuring field relative to the second pulley is determined exactly since the position of the laser light recording device at the second pulley is specified or known. Accordingly, in step D as well, the definition of the coordinate system is carried out relative to the first pulley.
The desired spatial orientation or arrangement of the X1 coordinate axis can be realized in any conceivable way. In particular, a desired orientation of the X1 coordinate axis or a desired arrangement of the X1 coordinate axis relative to the first and/or second pulleys and/or relative to the rotational axis of the first and/or second pulley, such as by pivoting around the pivot axis of the laser light recording device, can be set in such a way that the pivot axis is oriented parallel to the Y1 coordinate axis of the measuring field. Preferably, the measuring field can be locked in the pivot position chosen for creating the desired alignment of the X1 coordinate axis.
Using the Y1 coordinates of the laser light spot that was recorded on the measuring field in Step C by the laser light sensor by irradiating the measuring field with the aligned laser light beam—the laser light beam which is orientated or arranged at a the axial distance of the laser light beam or the laser light reference plane from the second pulley can also be determined arranged in such a position on the second pulley that the Y coordinate axis of the measuring field is oriented parallel to the rotational axis of the second pulley, and the centre of the coordinate system shows a predefined axial distance to the second pulley. As a result it is possible, by using the Y-coordinate of the laser light spot as determined in Step C and the pre-defined axial distance, to determine or calculate, the distance of the laser light beam or the laser light reference plane to the second pulley.
After the preparatory steps A through C, steps D and E are intended to actually record the relative orientation of the two pulleys to one another. For this purpose, in Step D, the laser light recording device—after it has been removed from the second pulley—is arranged in at least one position in the already described manner to the first pulley, whereby preferably a predefined axial distance to the first pulley can be chosen which corresponds to the predefined axial distance to the second pulley as per Step B. Maintaining the predefined or specified distance can be achieved, in particular, by providing a spacer at the laser light recording device which allows a predefined or predetermined axial distance to be maintained in such a way that the spacer ensures, when arranging the laser light recording device in the position on the second pulley or at least in one position at the first pulley, that this predefined axial distance is maintained. Preferably, a predefined axial distance from the first pulley should be chosen which corresponds to the predefined axial distance to the second pulley as per Step B, which provides the advantage, among others, that this reduces the work involved in determining the alignment of the first pulley relative to the second pulley. Furthermore, it is advantageous to not undertake any re-adjustments that may lead to errors.
In step E, the irradiation of the measuring field is performed with the laser light or the laser light beam of the laser of the laser light-emitting device whose direction has been aligned as per Step C, and the recording of the X1 and Y1 coordinates of the light spots that are forming on the measuring field, whereby the measuring field can be irradiated in at least one position by pivoting the laser around the laser pivoting axis in such a way that the X1 and Y1 coordinates of at least three laser light spots can be recorded on the measuring field. During the irradiation of the measuring field with the laser light or the laser light beam of the laser of the laser light emitting device, the laser light emitting device remains in its position on the second pulley and the alignment of the direction of the laser light beam made in Step C is maintained. The only movement that is made is the pivoting of the laser around the laser pivot axis in order to irradiate the measuring field with the laser light beam aligned in Step C, while maintaining the position of the laser light emitting device on the second pulley and while maintaining the set orientation of the laser beam.
Because the X1 and Y1 coordinates are recorded by at least three laser light spots on the measuring field, the position of the above-described laser light reference plane relative to the first pulley can be determined with precision since a plane is clearly defined by three points, and the X1 and Y1 coordinates of these laser light spots are coordinates of at least one coordinate system that is located in a known position relative to the first pulley, because the position in which the laser light recording device is located in step D on the first pulley is known or specified and/or because the actual position is a pre-defined or specified position. In the event that in step D, for example, an arrangement of the laser light recording device is planned in two or three different positions at the first pulley, there would be two or three coordinate systems with a known position in relation to the first pulley.
It is understood that the X1 and Y1 coordinates of the laser light spots can be transformed by coordinate transformation to a single coordinate system which has its origin in a defined position in relation to the first pulley so that the position of the laser light reference plane can be beneficially presented in a simple way in one single coordinate system.
From the position of the above-described laser light reference plane relative to the first pulley, one can then also determine the orientation of the first pulley with respect to the second pulley by including or using the distance of the laser light reference plane to the first pulley (see also above), whereby the alignment comprises the position of the laser light reference plane relative to the first pulley and the distance of the laser light reference plane to the second pulley and/or which is characterized by the position of the laser light reference plane relative to the first pulley and the distance of the laser light reference plane to the second pulley.
In light of the above, the method includes Step F for determining the alignment of the first pulley with respect to the second pulley on the basis of the recorded X1 and Y1 coordinates of the laser light spots in at least one position and the Y1 coordinate recorded in step C, whereby the recorded X1 and Y1 coordinates of the laser light spots are the X1 and Y1 coordinates recorded in Step E.
Somewhat more detailed or alternatively, the method can also include the following Step F: Determining the alignment of the first pulley with respect to the second pulley on the basis of the recorded X1 and Y1 coordinates of the laser light spots and the position of the measuring field's coordinate system (or the location of the origin of the measuring field's coordinate system) relative to the first pulley in at least one position or in at least one predetermined position on the first pulley and on the basis of the Y1 coordinate determined in Step C. Thus one can determine the position of the measuring field's coordinate system relative to the first pulley in at least one position of the laser light recording device at the first pulley from the coordinates of this position in a pulley coordinate system of the first pulley, which has a predefined position or specified position in relation to the first pulley, or which has a coordinate system that is fixed to the first pulley. In order to define the position of the laser light recording device on the pulley, one could, for example, use an arbitrary body point on the laser light recording device, whose coordinates in the pulley coordinate system define the position of the laser light recording device.
Accordingly, the respective position of the laser light emitting device may be defined at the respective pulley. In particular, one can very simplistically use the coordinates of the centre of the measuring field's coordinate system in the pulley coordinate system to define the position of the laser light recording device on the pulley.
Altogether, using the above-described methods, one can then determine the alignment of the first pulley in relation to the second pulley with high precision, without significantly limiting the precision due to the design of the belt drive or the pulleys. In particular, because of the fact that in Step C the direction of the laser light beam is aligned at a right angle to the rotational axis of the second pulley, manufacturing-related deviations from a planar or level design of the disk surfaces are irrelevant—completely in contrast to current solutions in which a laser and a receiver are placed flush against the disk surfaces of the pulleys. The alignment of the direction of the laser light beam at a right angle to the rotational axis of the second pulley can be realized in any conceivable manner. So it would be possible, for example, to align the laser light beam at a right angle to a stop rod in the form of a round rod or a rod in the form of a circular cylinder, with its lateral surface being placed flush against the side surface or the continuous running surface of the pulley in order to provide a parallel orientation to the rotational axis. As a result of this, one would beneficially no longer be dependent on one of the two opposing disk surfaces, which may deviate quite strongly from an ideal planar design. Above all, due to the available alignment functionality of the laser, this method can be used very flexibly for very different belt drives.
It is particularly preferable that the laser of the laser light-emitting device is a point laser. Using a point laser, the method can in particular also be used, due to the beam quality of the point laser, for the alignment of pulleys which have a large distance of, for example 10 meters or more than 10 meters or more than 20 meters, whereby in most belt drives the distances between pulleys are well under 10 meters—most often below 1 meter, so that a very precise determination of the alignment can be made using a point laser.
It is particularly preferable that the laser or point laser may have a beam deviation of less than 0.3 mrad, combined with high focusability.
The arrangement of the laser light recording device in at least one position on the first pulley or in the position on the second pulley can preferably be done using a holding device for the laser light recording device, which is designed in such a way that the laser light recording device is held in an operationally secure position on the first or second pulley. Also, the laser light emitting device may preferably have such a holding device.
Steps A and B of the method may occur concurrently or at least partially at the same time. Steps A and B can be performed sequentially or in reverse order, in such a way that Step B cannot only be done after Step A, but also that Step A can be undertaken after Step B. Steps C, D and E are all carried out after Steps A and B, whereby Step D is done after Step C, and Step E after Step B. Step F is preferably carried out after step E, however, it can also be completed during Step E, in particular if a computer is used to determine the alignment at least at times during Step E.
An axial distance in front and behind is to be understood as a distance in the axial direction, whereby the axial orientation is a parallel direction to the rotational axis of the first or second pulley.
The X1 and Y1 coordinates described above and below or the X2 and Y2 coordinates of the laser light spot of the laser light beam striking the measuring field, or of the laser light spots that form on the measuring field during irradiation with the laser light beam, are, of course, the coordinates of a point, even though the laser light spot always has two-dimensional dimensions on the measuring field. The X1 and Y1 coordinates or X2 and Y2 coordinates of the laser light spot are always to be understood above and below as the coordinates of a point that can be determined from the structure of the surface and/or the light distribution of the laser light spot on the surface. In particular, this point may be, for example, the centroid of the laser light spot. The determination or calculation of the point can preferably be automated by means of a calculation device, such as a computer, on the basis of the digital and/or analogue signals attributed to the respective laser light spot, which are emitted by the laser light sensor. If the laser light sensor is a PSD sensor, the calculation of the centroid can be done, for example, in a known way on the basis of suitable resistance measurements at the sensor corners or the field corners. In calculating the centroid, a surface is analyzed on the respective measuring field. This calculation in a PSD sensor can make it possible to determine movements of a laser light spot on the measuring field in the micron range, so that the size of the laser light spot plays a minor role in a PSD sensor. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the laser light sensor is able to pivot around a pivot axis which has a parallel orientation to the Y1 coordinate axis of the measuring field, whereby the laser light recording device or the laser light sensor in Step D is arranged in three positions separate from one another on the first pulley, and in each position the laser and the laser light sensor are brought into a relative position to one another by pivoting the laser light sensor around the pivot axis, and/or by pivoting the laser around the laser pivot axis so that the laser light beam can strike the measuring field; whereby in each position, the X1 and Y1 coordinates of at least one laser light spot are recorded on the measuring field.
With this preferred embodiment, the laser light recording device is to be attached on the first pulley in three positions that are at a distance from one another, so that in a simple and practical manner, one can record the X and Y coordinates of altogether at least three laser light spots on the measuring field by moving the laser light recording device to the second pulley, these laser light spots are needed to determine the position of the aforementioned laser light reference plane relative to the first pulley. A preferable embodiment here is a pivoting position of the laser light sensor around the rotational axis which can be locked, as well as a pivoting adjustment of the laser around the laser pivot axis which can be locked, so that preferably the measuring field can be irradiated with the laser light beam while the relative position of the laser to the laser light sensor is maintained in an operationally secure fashion.
Preferably, the three positions are located at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction or in the circumferential direction around the rotational axis of the first pulley and/or the three positions are chosen such that the centre of the coordinate system of the measuring field is located in one of the positions at a distance from the centre of the measuring field in each of the other remaining positions in circumferential direction or in circumferential direction around the rotational axis of the first pulley. Such positions may be beneficially attained in particular by providing suitable retaining devices or holding devices for holding or attaching the laser light recording device at the first pulley with high accuracy and reproducibility.
For an especially beneficial embodiment of the invention, two of the positions are chosen in such a way that a straight connecting line connecting the centre of the coordinate system of the measuring field in the one position with the centre of the coordinate system of the measuring field in the other position, intersects the rotational axis of the first pulley. By providing this geometry, a large distance can be achieved between the two positions, so that ultimately the accuracy of the alignment to be determined in respect of the first pulley can beneficially be increased in reference to the second pulley. The greater the chosen distance is between the respective positions, the smaller is the influence of possible error sources or influencing factors which can limit measurement accuracy, such as, for example, the measurement accuracy of the measuring field.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the centre of the coordinate system is at a distance from the rotational axis in each of the two positions, which corresponds to the diameter of the pulley or 0.8 to 0.95 times the diameter of the pulley. With such a large distance, the alignment of the first pulley with respect to the second pulley can be determined very accurately because the sources of error or influencing factors only have a slight influence. In particular, when using comparably small pulleys with a diameter of less than 80 mm, a distance within the above ranges can be particularly well implemented and is therefore advantageous.
In a practical embodiment of the method, the laser light recording device is located in step D in a position on the first pulley, and the laser of the laser light emitting device is pivoted in Step E in such a way that the laser light spot moves on the measuring field.
Also by using this practical embodiment of the method, the alignment of the first pulley with respect to a second pulley can be very accurately determined, whereby preferably the laser light recording device is to be arranged only in a position on the first pulley, and the minimum of three laser lights spots which are necessary to determine alignment can be formed by simple movement of the laser light spots on the measuring field, whereby this movement of the laser light spot can be created through simple pivoting of the laser around the laser pivot axis.
In a further preferred embodiment, the laser light recording device features a second measuring field with a coordinate system having an X2 coordinate axis and a Y2 coordinate axis which is at a right angle to the X2 coordinate axis, whereby the Y2 coordinate axis of the second measuring field is parallel to the Y1 coordinate axis of the first measuring field, whereby furthermore a beam splitter is provided which splits the laser light beam of the laser light emitting device prior to striking the measuring fields into a first partial beam and a second partial beam, whereby the first partial beam may strike the first measuring field, and whereby the second partial beam may strike the second measuring field, whereby the travel time of the first partial beam to the first measuring field is less than the travel time of the second partial beam to the second measuring field, whereby the beam splitter has a level entry surface and a parallel exit surface, whereby the entry surface is aligned parallel to the Y1 coordinate axis, whereby the first and second measuring field are aligned with respect to the beam splitter in such a manner that when the first partial beam creates a laser light spot in the centre of the coordinate system when irradiating the first measuring field at a right angle to the Y1 coordinate axis, the second partial beam creates a laser light spot in the centre of the coordinate system of the second measuring field when irradiating the second measuring field, whereby as a consequence of the difference in travel time between the two partial beams in a state in which the beam direction of the laser light beam in Step C deviates from the state and or the situation, in which the beam direction is at a right angle to the rotational axis of the second pulley, a difference (or a difference which is not zero) between the Y1 coordinate of the laser light spot on the first measuring field and the Y2 coordinate of the laser light spot on the second measuring field is present, so that in Step C, the laser is pivoted around the adjustment axis until the difference between the Y1 and Y2 coordinates equals zero, or is substantially equal to zero.
This preferred embodiment advantageously facilitates very simple and practical alignment of the direction of the laser light beam of the laser light emitting device at a right angle to the rotational axis of the second pulley in Step C. The laser is only to be rotated around the adjustment axis until the difference between the Y1 and Y2 coordinates is equal to zero or the Y2 coordinate is no longer different than the Y1 coordinate.
The first partial beam is preferably the partial beam that extends continuously through the beam splitter which emerges from the level exit surface or which emerges from the level exit surface in an offset position parallel to the laser light beam while the second partial beam can be the partial beam that is reflected at the two-dimensional entry surface. The reverse constellation is also conceivable, which means that the first partial beam is the reflected partial beam and the second partial beam is the partial beam emerging from the exit surface. In particular, for example, one can also provide at least one further deflection device, such as a mirror, in order to make it possible for the first partial beam to strike the first measuring field and the second partial beam to strike the second measuring field. Furthermore, one can provide, for example, at least one lens to influence or shape the beam path of the partial beams.
The measurement system for determining the alignment of a first pulley of a belt drive with respect to a second pulley of the belt drive comprises a laser light emitting device and a laser light recording device, whereby the laser light emitting device comprises a laser with a beam axis which can be pivoted around a laser pivoting axis that is oriented at a right angle to the beam axis of the laser, whereby the laser is further pivotable around an adjustment axis of the laser light emitting device which is at a right angle to the laser pivot axis of the laser light emitting device, whereby the laser light recording device includes a laser light sensor with a level measuring field, whereby the measuring field has a coordinate system with an X1 coordinate axis and a Y1 coordinate axis perpendicular to the X1 coordinate axis, whereby the laser light sensor is set up to record the X1 and Y1 coordinates of a laser light spot of the laser light beam on the measuring field which strikes the measuring field.
The laser light emitting device is set up to be arranged in a position on a pulley such that the laser pivot axis is oriented parallel to the rotational axis of the pulley. The laser light recording device is oriented in such a way that it can be arranged in a position on a pulley such that the Y1 coordinate axis of the measuring field is oriented parallel to the rotational axis of the pulley, the X axis features a desired spatial arrangement or orientation, and the centre of the coordinate system has a predefined axial distance to the pulley. This alignment of the laser light emitting device and laser light recording device can, for example, be realized by means of a holding device or a retention device of the laser light emitting device or the laser light recording device, for holding or alignment in the respective position on the pulley.
Using the measurement system—it is possible, on the basis of the aforementioned reasons—to determine the alignment of a first pulley of a belt drive in relation to a second pulley of the belt drive with high accuracy without limiting or significantly limiting the accuracy due to the design of the belt drive or the pulleys.
In a practical embodiment of the measuring system, the laser light recording device has a second measuring field with a coordinate system with an X2 coordinate axis and a Y2 coordinate axis which is at a right angle to the X2 coordinate axis, whereby the Y2 coordinate axis of the second measuring field is parallel to the Y1 coordinate axis of the other measuring field, whereby furthermore a beam splitter is provided which splits the laser light or the laser light beam of the laser light emitting device prior to striking the measuring field into a first and a second partial beam, whereby the first partial beam may strike the first measuring field, and the second partial beam may strike the second measuring field, whereby the travel time of the first partial beam to the first measuring field is lower than the travel time of the second partial beam to the second measuring field, whereby the beam splitter has a level entry surface and a parallel exit surface, whereby the entry surface is oriented parallel to the Y1 coordinate axis, whereby the first and second measuring field are oriented in such a way in relation to the beam splitter, that when the first partial beam forms a laser light spot upon irradiation of the first measuring field at a right angle to the Y1 coordinate axis in the centre of the coordinate system of the first measuring field, the second partial beam forms a laser light spot in the centre of the coordinate system of the second measuring field upon irradiation of the second measuring field.
This practical embodiment advantageously allows, in a very simple and practical manner, the alignment of the direction of the laser light beam emitted by the laser light-emitting device at a right angle to the rotational axis of the second pulley. The laser is only to be pivoted around the adjustment axis until the difference between the Y1 coordinate and the Y2 coordinate is equal to zero.
In a preferred embodiment of the measuring system, the laser light emitting device has at least one round rod for flush placement against the lateral surface or cylinder surface of the round rod to at least one continuous surface of the pulley when aligning it in the position of the pulley, whereby the circumferential surface of the pulley extends in the axial direction of the pulley and around a rotational axis, and whereby the longitudinal axis of the round rod is aligned parallel to the laser pivot axis of the laser light emitting device. Using such a round rod or a circular cylindrical rod, the laser light emitting device can be aligned in such a position on the pulley that one can implement a very exact parallel orientation of the laser pivot axis to the rotational axis, which results in a very high degree of precision of the determined alignment of the pulleys. The circumferential surface against which the lateral surface is placed flush can be the running surface or the side surface of the pulley or a partial surface of this. These surfaces are as a rule manufactured much more precisely that any of the two mutually opposite surfaces of the pulley so that alignment by means of these surfaces can be achieved with a great deal of precision when determining the alignment of the pulleys towards one another.
In a further preferred embodiment of the measuring system, the laser light recording device comprises at least one rod for flush placement of the lateral surface or cylindrical surface of the round rod against at least one circumferential surface of the pulley when attaching the same in the position on the pulley, whereby the circumferential surface of the pulley extends in an axial orientation of the pulley and circumferentially around the rotational axis, and whereby the longitudinal axis of the round rod is aligned parallel to the Y coordinate axis of the measuring field.
Using such a round rod or a circular-cylindrical rod, the laser light recording device can be arranged similar to the aforementioned information in a position on the pulley so that a very exact parallel alignment of the Y1 coordinate axis of the measuring field to the rotational axis can be realized, along with providing high accuracy in determining the alignment of the pulleys to one another. In particular, by means of such a round rod, the pivot axis of the laser sensor can advantageously be positioned very close to the edge area of the respective pulley, which beneficially allows for large measurement distances between various positions to be realized which advantageously improves the accuracy of the determined alignment.

Method and measuring system to determine the alignment of a first pulley of a belt drive in relation to a second pulley of the belt drive


An apparatus, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium thereof for recommending an electricity consumption behavior are provided. The apparatus is stored with an appliance efficiency value and an electricity-consuming parameter value for each of a plurality of users. The apparatus generates a plurality of first temporary values by multiplying each of the appliance efficiency values with each of the electricity-consuming parameters, generates a power saving matrix by subtracting each of the electricity-consuming parameters from each of the electricity-consuming parameters individually, generates a changing willingness matrix by the second temporary values, calculates a transform probability matrix by the power saving matrix and the changing willingness matrix, calculates an eigenvalue and an eigenvector of the transform probability matrix, and recommends an electricity consumption behavior according to the eigenvalue and the eigenvector.

Nowadays, the problem of resource shortage has become more and more severe and at the mean time the energy prices increase continuously. Hence, energy management has become a great concern of the public. It is highly desirable to distribute and utilize the energy efficiently through intelligent monitoring, management, and control.
There are two types of energy management, which are energy management at the power-supply side and energy management at the power-consuming side. Energy management at the power-supply side achieves energy management by connecting the conventional power-supply networks and renewable energy sources to an intelligent power management network. In this way, the state of supply and demand can be monitored in real time and adjustments can be made duly to achieve the best effect. The objective of energy management at the power-supply side is to ensure the power-supply quality and to reduce costs for power grid establishing and managing. As to the objective of energy management at the power-consuming side, which places the emphasis on analyzing power consumption information in real time, predicting the future power consumption demand, and managing the power consumption in conjunction with the electricity pricing policy to avoid unnecessary waste. Through the energy management at the power-consuming side, the electricity charge can be reduced and energy saving can be achieved.
Regarding energy management at the power-consuming side, conventional technologies mainly inform users at the power-consuming side of their own electricity consumption behaviors by ranking their electricity consumptions or by holding power saving competitions. In these ways, users can make improvements on their electricity consumption behaviors to save energy. Specifically, in the case of ranking electricity consumptions of users, the power-supply side will notify a user whether his/her electricity consuming amount is too much according to his/her ranking position in terms of the electricity consumption. Thus, the user is reminded of improving his/her electricity consumption behavior to reduce the electricity consuming amount. Regarding holding power saving competition, a favorable electricity charge or other rewards will be provided to a user if his/her electricity consuming amount in this year is less than his/her electricity consuming amount in last year. Hence, electricity consumption behavior can be improved.
Although electricity consumptions of users can be reduced by ranking electricity consumptions of the users, holding power saving competitions, or other ways, the effect is not so evident. The main reason is that the conventional technologies fail in telling the users the explicit way to achieve power saving. Furthermore, users have no idea whether the high electricity consuming amount results from low appliance efficiency or from improper operations. Saving power blindly may lead to loss of due comfort and convenience, which will decrease the willingness of the users for saving energy.
Accordingly, there is still an urgent need in providing a mechanism for recommending an electricity consumption behavior which can inform a user of specific measures to save power.

Apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium thereof for recommending an electricity consumption behavior


A semiconductor light emitting apparatus includes a substrate. A plurality of first electrode wirings are formed on the surface of the substrate. At least one second electrode wiring is formed on the surface of the substrate. A light emitting section is connected between a corresponding one of the plurality of first electrode wirings and the at least one second electrode wiring. The light emitting section includes a plurality of light emitting elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor light emitting apparatus, an image displaying apparatus, a mobile terminal, a head-up display apparatus, an image projector, ahead mounted display apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
An existing semiconductor light emitting apparatus employs a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a one dimensional matrix or a two-dimensional matrix, each LED functioning as a minimum unit of an image, i.e., pixel. For example, the LEDs are integrated on a substrate, and are connected to wirings as first common electrodes and wirings as second common electrodes formed on the substrate. Each chip of LED is at a corresponding pixel position. One way of increasing light power of these LEDs is to increase the amount of injected current. However, larger currents flowing through the LEDs and the first and second wirings will seriously increase heat generated due to electrical resistances thereof. An increased amount of heat causes a decreased internal quantum efficiency of LED chips. Therefore, minimizing heat generation and dissipating heat efficiently are important factors in preventing temperature rise in the apparatus. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-278481 proposes a method for efficiently dissipating heat generated in a semiconductor light emitting apparatus. That is, a heat conductive material is prepared by kneading silicone rubber or epoxy resin with a metal oxide in powder form such as aluminum oxide or iron oxide, and is applied to the LED chips in intimate contact, thereby efficiently dissipating heat generated in the semiconductor light emitting apparatus.
However, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-278481 suffers from the following drawbacks. If the light emitting chips have not a sufficient thickness or the surface of the light emitting chips has very good wettability, the heat conductive material climbs up to the upper surface of the light emitting chips, thereby blocking the light emitted from the light emitting chips, hence a decreased light extraction efficiency. The heat conductive material is usually applied using a dispenser. If the light emitting chips are densely integrated, the dispenser is required to dispense the heat conductive material very accurately. This increases the complexity of the manufacturing process, possibly decreasing the yield of the products.

Semiconductor light emitting apparatus, image displaying apparatus, mobile terminal, head-up display apparatus, image projector, head-mounted display apparatus, and image forming apparatus


A computer system, including a memory a file system for managing files, a file system virtual memory interface for providing an interface between said memory and said file system, comprising a primary abstraction component and three sub-components supporting said primary abstraction component in said file system, wherein said primary abstraction component abstracts said memory for said file system, and a file system stackable storage access mechanism (SSAM) layer for providing an interface between said file system and a device, wherein said SSAM layer has first SSAM abstraction component and a second SSAM abstraction component and wherein said SSAM layer abstracts said device for said file systems.

Computer systems can be generally divided into four components: the hardware level, the application programs, the operating system, and the user level. The hardware level provides the basic computing resources and includes a central processing unit (CPU), memory, and input/output (I/O) devices. The application programs, such as database systems and business programs, define the ways in which these resources are used to solve the computing problems of users. The operating system (OS) controls and coordinates the use of the hardware among the various application programs for the various users. In doing so, one goal of the OS is to make the computer system convenient to use. A secondary goal is to use the hardware in an efficient manner.
The Unix operating system is one example of an OS that is currently used by many enterprise computer systems. Solaris™ (commercially available by Sun Microsystems, Inc., a corporation in Santa Clara, Calif.) is a multitasking, multiprocessing OS providing an enterprise-wide Unix environment. Unix was designed to be a simple time-sharing system, with a hierarchical file system, which supported multiple processes. A process is the execution of a program and may include a pattern of bytes that the CPU interprets as machine instructions (text), data, and a stack. A stack defines a set of hardware registers or a reserved amount of main memory that is used for arithmetic calculations.
Unix includes two separable parts: the system programs and the kernel. Systems programs may include system libraries, compilers, interpreters, shells, and other such programs, which provide useful functions to the user. The kernel is the central controlling program that provides basic system facilities. The kernel creates and manages processes, provides functions to access file-systems, and supplies communications facilities. The kernel is the only part of Unix that a user cannot replace. The kernel also provides the file system, CPU scheduling, memory management, and other operating-system functions by responding to "system-calls." Conceptually, the kernel is situated between the hardware and the user level. System calls are the means for the programmer to communicate with the kernel.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a conventional computer system (100) having a CPU (110), file system (120), memory (160), system controller (150), and applications (170), intercoupled by a bus (101). Further, the file system (120) reads and writes to a block storage device (199) (e.g., a disc) and an Input/Output (I/O) device (130) via one or more device drivers (195).
The prior art system (100) shown in FIG. 1 employs a distributed memory mapping scheme in which physical memory and I/O of the computer system (100) is mapped with hardware descriptors. The computer system (100) implements a shared resource environment which allows such system resources as memory (160) and file system (120) to be shared between applications processes in applications (170). The application processes are able to access virtual memory in memory (160) sometimes with the use of a memory controller (140). The multiple and varied applications (170) often attempt simultaneous access the file-system (120) in the shared environment of the computer system (100).
As distributed systems become prevalent, CPU (or processor) speed, network speed, Random Access Memory (RAM) size, and storage disk size increase along with access to these devices. The interface between the file system (120) and memory (160) therefore becomes important.
Memory requirements of the computer system (100) frequently cannot be met with a single memory device. Often, several memory devices are interconnected to form a memory system. In a memory system, capacity is expanded by increasing the number of words (i.e., multiplexing outputs from two or more memory devices) or by increasing the word length (i.e., placing the outputs of two or more memory devices in parallel) above an attainable single memory device. A memory system with an increased number of words requires address expansion; the memory system requires expanding the number of address bits to which the memory system responds. The number of address bits that a microprocessor provides dictates its memory address space or the range of memory locations it can directly address. Depending upon the size of the memory system, external address decoding logic, in addition to the memory's inputs may also be required for address expansion.
RAM is typically the main memory in many computer systems. When an application (170) initially executes, the application (170) is loaded into RAM, generally from the block storage (199) and the operating system then directs the application (170) to begin execution. Program data also loads into the computer's RAM. As changes are made in the data, the contents of the RAM are altered, and when the user finishes with the application, the revised data is copied back to the block storage (199).
Read Only Memory (ROM) is the part of memory where the basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer typically resides. The BIOS is the interface between the computer hardware and the operating system and applications software. Under normal circumstances, one cannot write to ROM. The computer system (100) includes several memory types (e.g., RAM, ROM, etc.) that access different locations in the memory (160). And in order to have a cohesive memory access to the various applications (170) that execute in the computer system (100), the memory (160) in the computer system (100) typically has a number of memory descriptors, as described in FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a memory descriptor scheme of a distributed computer system. A computer system has unique specific memory descriptors (or page table entries) (214, 215, 216) associated with each instance of an application (170) that access a different type of memory (e.g., Memory 1 (220), Memory 2 (221), Memory 3 (223)). The memory descriptors (214, 215, 216) that define relationships between the applications (170) and main memory identifying specific address ranges (i.e., memory segments (210, 211, 212)) for specific purposes.
Many modern computer systems perform a variety of functions using peripheral devices including block devices, such as disc drives. For the computer's OS to utilize peripheral devices, the OS and the peripheral devices are effectively linked. Peripheral devices and the OS are typically linked by device drivers, which are accessed by the file system using a strategy routine. Device drivers receive I/O commands from file systems associated with the OS. To send such I/O commands to the device drivers, a file system typically reads into or writes out of memory. Thus, with the conventional multiplicity of memory descriptors discussed above, file systems are required to manipulate multiple representations of RAM in order to initiate I/O commands to device drivers.
Conventionally, the memory that a file system needs to read into or write out of takes the form of a buffer or array of buffers (e.g., in kernel or user address space), a page, or a page list. Some forms of direction, such as flags, are used to read a file into or write a file from a user buffer or other memory structure. A buffer read/write ("bread/bwrite") routine can be used to read/write a file from/into a kernel buffer. Similarly, memory page I/O ("pageio") can be used with pages and page lists, and a user I/O ("uio") routine with user buffers. Thus, the file system is required to procure and act on a sizable amount of information regarding the memory to accomplish interactions therewith.
If memory is changed in some way, such as by abstracting or by enlarging the specified page size (for instance, changing from an 8 KByte to a 64 KByte page size), the file system may have corresponding problems. Where memory is abstracted, accessory functions would have to be added, which increases complexity. A routine can conventionally handle memory abstractions by decomposing the abstraction for the file system to access pieces to construct buffer headers to go to a strategy routine. However, this adds complexity, adds task requirements to the file system, and may be slow and inefficient, requiring inordinately intricate code. Alternatively, all device drivers in use with a computer deploying memory abstraction would have to be modified to accept the selected abstraction.

Stackable storage access mechanism for file systems


A deactivation hydraulic valve lifter includes an elongate lifter body having a substantially cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall defines at least one annular pin chamber therein. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine. An elongate pin housing includes a substantially cylindrical pin housing wall and pin housing bottom. The pin housing wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The pin housing bottom defines a radially directed pin bore therethrough. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the inner wall of the lifter body such that the outer surface of the pin housing wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner wall of the lifter body. A plunger having a substantially cylindrical plunger wall with an inner surface and an outer surface is concentrically disposed within the pin housing such that the outer surface of the plunger wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner surface of the pin housing wall. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes two pin members. The pin members are biased radially outward relative to each other. A portion of each pin member is disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby couple the lifter body to the pin housing. The pin members are configured for moving toward each other when the pin chamber is pressurized, thereby retracting the pin members from within the annular pin chamber and decoupling the lifter body from the pin housing.

The present invention relates to hydraulic valve lifters for use with internal combustion engines, and, more particularly, to a lifter-based device which accomplishes cylinder deactivation in push-rod engines.
Cylinder deactivation is the deactivation of the intake and/or exhaust valves of a cylinder or cylinders during at least a portion of the combustion process, and is a proven method by which fuel economy can be improved. In effect, cylinder deactivation reduces the number of engine cylinders within which the combustion process is taking place. With fewer cylinders performing combustion, fuel efficiency is increased and the amount of pollutants emitted from the engine will be reduced. For example, in an eight-cylinder engine under certain operating conditions, four of the eight cylinders can be deactivated. Thus, combustion would be taking place in only four, rather than in all eight, cylinders. Cylinder deactivation is effective, for example, during part-load conditions when full engine power is not required for smooth and efficient engine operation. In vehicles having large displacement push rod engines, studies have shown that cylinder deactivation can improve fuel economy by as much as fifteen percent.
The reliability and performance of the large displacement push rod engines was proven early in the history of the automobile. The basic designs of the large displacement push rod engines in use today have remained virtually unchanged for a period of over thirty years, due in part to the popularity of such engines, the reluctance of the consumer to accept changes in engines, and the tremendous cost in designing, tooling, and testing such engines. Conventional methods of achieving cylinder deactivation, however, are not particularly suited to large displacement push rod engines. These conventional methods typically require the addition of components which do not fit within the space occupied by existing valve train components. Thus, the conventional methods of achieving cylinder deactivation typically necessitate major design changes in such engines.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is a device which enables cylinder deactivation in large displacement push rod engines.
Furthermore, what is needed in the art is a device which enables cylinder deactivation in large displacement push rod engines and is designed to fit within existing space occupied by conventional drive train components, thereby avoiding the need to redesign such engines.
Moreover, what is needed in the art is a device which enables cylinder deactivation in large displacement push rod engines without sacrificing the size of the hydraulic element.
The present invention provides a deactivation hydraulic valve lifter for use with push rod internal combustion engines. The lifter can be selectively deactivated such that a valve associated with the lifter is not operated, thereby selectively deactivating the engine cylinder.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a deactivation hydraulic valve lifter including an elongate lifter body having a substantially cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall defines at least one annular pin chamber therein. The lifter body has a lower end configured for engaging a cam of an engine. An elongate pin housing includes a substantially cylindrical pin housing wall and pin housing bottom. The pin housing wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface. A radially directed pin bore extends through the pin housing bottom. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the inner wall of the lifter body such that the outer surface of the pin housing wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner wall of the lifter body. A plunger having a substantially cylindrical plunger wall with an inner surface and an outer surface is concentrically disposed within the pin housing such that the outer surface of the plunger wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner surface of the pin housing wall. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes two pin members. The pin members are biased radially outward relative to each other. A portion of each pin member is disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby couple the lifter body to the pin housing. The pin members are configured for moving toward each other when the pin chamber is pressurized, thereby retracting the pin members from within the annular pin chamber and decoupling the lifter body from the pin housing.
An advantage of the present invention is that it is received within standard-sized engine bores which accommodate conventional hydraulic valve lifters.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the deactivation pin assembly includes two pin members, thereby increasing the rigidity, strength, and operating range of the deactivation hydraulic valve lifter.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that no orientation of the pin housing relative to the lifter body is required.
A still further advantage of the present invention is that the pin housing is free to rotate relative to the lifter body, thereby evenly distributing wear on the annular pin chamber.
An even further advantage of the present invention is that an external lost motion spring permits the use of a larger sized hydraulic element and operation under higher engine oil pressure.
Lastly, an advantage of the present invention is that lash can be robustly and accurately set to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.

Deactivation roller hydraulic valve lifter


A spread spectrum communication receiver includes a plurality of fingers each including a despreader part, an inverse-orthogonal conversion part and a demodulation part. A channel combining part combines demodulated symbols of the plurality of fingers. A control part controls the plurality of fingers on the basis of orthogonal channel allocation information and channel state information so that the fingers execute a RAKE process when the channel information indicates that data to be transmitted is allocated to one orthogonal channel at a transmitter and the fingers perform parallel demodulation processes then the channel information indicates that data to be transmitted is allocated to a plurality of orthogonal channels at the transmitter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to radio communication systems, and more particularly to a radio communication system which employs the code division multiple access (CDMA). More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a spread spectrum communication receiver which receives spread spectrum signals transmitted by a transmitter in which data to be transmitted is code-division multiplexed using an orthogonal code and is spectrum-spread using the sequence of a PN code (spreading code).
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, data to be transmitted over a plurality of channels is divided and multiplexed before transmission. Examples of the above procedure are the FDM (Frequency Division Multiplex) system, the TDM (Time Division Multiplex) system, and the CDM (Code Division Multiplex) system.
In the CDM system, channels are separately defined by performing an orthogonal conversion using respective orthogonal codes which are spread in the same time-frequency space. It is easily possible to determine and modify, for each channel, the data rate and weighting. For this reason, the CDM system is suitable for hierarchical transmission.
In the field of broadcasting, there has been considerable activity in the development of a digital video signal transmission system in which the channels defined by the CDM system are assigned different weighting values on the transmitter side and a graceful degradation process is carried out on the receiver side, In the graceful degradation process, the channels to be combined are selected according to qualities of the received signals.
In the field of mobile communications, the IS-95 system which is standardized as a CDMA cellular telephone system utilizing direct sequence (DC) spread spectrum is known. In the IS-95 system, a control channel and communication channels are defined by the CDM system. On the transmitter side, control information and speech information are assigned to channels defined by using the orthogonal codes and are then transmitted, On the receiver side, a RAKE process is carried out in which one channel is subjected to a demodulation process using a plurality of fingers (also referred to as branches). The RAKE process is directed to improving the quality of received signals.
A further description will be given of the rake receive process. The RAKE process is inherent in the spread spectrum communication system and enables path diversity reception.
In digital communications such as the spread spectrum communication system, a transmission wave arrives at the receiver, as a direct wave and reflected waves. That is, the receiver directly receives the transmission wave, and receives waves reflected by buildings or the like. Generally, there are many routes (multipath) in which the transmission wave is reflected and then arrives at the receiver. Hence, the receiver receives many signals which propagate along the different radio paths. Such a group of received signals propagated through different (isolated) paths can be called a received multipath signal. The received signals that arrive at the receiver via the different paths have different propagation delay times. Hence, the quality of received signals may decrease due to the interference caused by multipath.
The PN code allocated for the spectrum spreading process at the transmitter is also allocated in order to perform a spectrum despreading process at the receiver. If the PN code allocated at the receiver has a time offset to the received signals propagated along the paths, the cross-correlation will be destroyed. With the above in mind, the following process is employed at the receiver in order to avoid a decrease in the quality of the received signal due to the interference caused by multipath. A despreading part of the receiver gives the PN code a phase offset dependent on the propagation delay time. The despreading part despreads the received multipath signal and produces a despread signal of one path of the received multipath signal which has the propagation delay time corresponding to the given phase offset. That is, the received signals of the other paths of the received multipath signal do not be despread because of less correlation. In this manner, the PN codes are given the phase offsets for the respective received signals of the paths, which can be despread by the respective PN codes given the respective phase offsets. Hence, the received multipath signal can be despread for each isolated path.
Thus, the receiver is equipped with despreading parts provided in parallel. The despreading parts give the PN code the phase offsets corresponding to the propagation delay times of the respective paths. The PN codes thus obtained are allocated in order to despread the received multipath signal, so that the despread symbols can be separately obtained.
The received symbols thus obtained are respectively weighted and are combined at a combining part of the receiver, so that combined demodulated symbols having good quality can be obtained.
As described above, the RAKE process selectively demodulates the received multipath signal having the signals propagating along a plurality of paths, and then combines demodulated symbols. Thus, the RAKE process realizes the path diversity reception.
Generally, a fixed number of channels is allocated to each user in the above-mentioned digital video signal transmission system and the CDMA cellular telephone system. Thus, the demodulator of the receiver is designed to perform the demodulating operation on the given number of channels.
Recently, it has been required that the mobile communications be used to provide not only services directed to transferring speech and low-data-rate data but also advanced services directed to transferring data at a high data rate. Since the conventional system has the fixed number of channels for each user, it is necessary to increase the data rate per channel in order to meet the above requirement. However, in practice, an increase in the data rate is limited to a certain level, and thus the conventional spread spectrum communication system cannot sufficiently realize the high-data-rate data transfer.
Further, a particular attention should be drawn, in the mobile communications, to fading which affects the received multipath signal every moment and degrades the quality of received signal. Data may be lost by fading.

YRP Mobile Telecommunications Key Technology Research Laboratories Co., Ltd.


A tibial prosthesis including a tibial component including a tray having first and second opposing surfaces and a stem extending from the second surface of the tibial component, a tibial conversion module including a receiver portion defining a stem-receiving cavity for slideable engagement with the stem of the tibial component, wherein the stem of the tibial component is positioned within the stem-receiving cavity at a first end of the receiver portion, and an extension peg engaged with the stem-receiving cavity at a second end of the receiver portion that is opposite the first end of the receiver portion.

In general, total knee implants consist of three components: a femoral component, a tibial component, and a patellar component. Tibial components often fall into the categories of either metal-backed (modular) or all-polyethylene (also referred to as "all-poly") tibial components. Metal-backed or modular tibial components often have a metal tray supporting a plastic modular piece that articulates with the femoral component. An all-poly tibial component, as the name implies, is a non-modular one-piece component made entirely of polyethylene plastic.
It has been shown that the long-term results of all-polyethylene tibial components have some advantages over metal-backed tibial components. For example, all-polyethylene components are often cheaper, easier to manufacture, and can exhibit better wear characteristics than metal-backed tibial components. However, in order to add to the stability of the tibial component, such as for revision cases or in cases where there is significant bone loss in the proximal tibia, it can be advantageous to include an extended metal tibial stem or peg in the implant. In many cases, the attachment of such a metal component directly to a polyethylene component can be difficult and may result in unsatisfactory attachment conditions. Thus, it has been known to use a tibial component that includes a polyethylene or other plastic portion with an attached metal backing to allow for attachment of an extended metal tibial stem or peg to the metal backing portion of the tibial component. However, there is a need to provide a knee implant assembly that allows a metal peg to be attached to an all-poly tibial component, thus offering the advantages of both metal-backed and all-poly tibial components.

Tibial component with a conversion module for a knee implant


A ΔΣ modulation circuit that includes a first integrator and second integrator coupled in series, a quantizer coupled to an output of the second integrator, a delay device disposed in a feedback path from an output of the quantizer to an input of the first and second integrators, an adder which generates a difference between an output and an input of the quantizer, and a feedback circuit including a delay device which couples an output of the adder to an output of one of the first and second integrators.

1. Field
Aspects of the embodiments discussed herein relate to a ΔΣ modulation circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
Related art is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-368620, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H7-15281, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-101531, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2004-80430, and the like.


A vehicular mirror system includes a mirror assembly with a mirror casing and a reflective element with a rearward field of view when the mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle. The mirror casing includes a mounting portion that is adapted to mount the mirror casing to the vehicle. At least one user-actuatable selector element is provided at the reflective element for access by a driver of the vehicle. The mirror assembly further includes at least one display element that is actuatable to display at least one image in response to the selector element being actuated.

The interior rearview mirror assembly is a particularly good location in the vehicle cabin to locate an information display or to locate a user interface device, such as a manually actuated button.
However, the driving task for a vehicle is complex. Presentation to, use of and assimilation by the driver of a plurality of input buttons and/or displays is challenging for the driver. Also, the user interface area/display area available at the rearview mirror location is finite, and may not be able to optimally accommodate all the functions, displays and interfaces desired to be located at, on or within the interior rearview mirror assembly. Thus, an objective of this present invention is to provide an interactive rearview mirror assembly that allows the driver to readily and safely access a plurality of displays and functions in a manner that is convenient to the driver and such that the rearview mirror assembly functions well both as a display/interface location and as a rear vision device that provides a rearward field of view adequate for safe driving on a highway.

Interactive automotive rearvision system


The invention relates to a system for cooling and heating, having a first heat exchanger (10) for outputting heat to and extracting it from a heat reservoir (12); a second heat exchanger (14) for extracting heat from and outputting it into a space (16) to be cooled or heated; a compressor (18); an expansion device (20); and means (22, 24) for switchover between a cooling mode and a heating mode; wherein the switchover means (22, 24) are integrated with a module (26). The invention also relates to a method for switching over between a cooling mode and a heating mode.

The invention relates to a system for cooling and heating, having a first heat exchanger for outputting heat to and extracting it from a heat reservoir; a second heat exchanger for extracting heat from and outputting it into a space to be cooled or heated; a compressor; an expansion device; and means for switchover between a cooling mode and a heating mode. The invention also relates to a method for switching over between a cooling mode and a heating mode by means of a system having a first heat exchanger for outputting heat into and extracting it from a heat reservoir, a second heat exchanger for extracting heat from and outputting it into a space to be cooled or heated, a compressor, an expansion device, and means for switchover between a cooling mode and a heating mode.
Systems and methods of this generic type are known, particularly for cooling and heating internal compartments of motor vehicles. Cooling with such systems and methods using an air conditioner built into a motor vehicle has already been known for a long time. Increasingly, however, heating with such systems is also gaining in importance. The reason for this is not least the development of engines with optimized fuel consumption, since in these engines not enough heat is output to the coolant to heat the vehicle comfortably in low-load operation at low temperatures. This is true particularly for direct-injection Diesel engines, which already fundamentally have additional heaters to assure comfort at low temperatures. Motor vehicles with direct gasoline injection will in future also have to be equipped with additional heaters, if a comfortable interior temperature is to be maintained.
Most vehicles in the top price class and increasingly the middle price class as well have an air conditioner as standard equipment. At low ambient temperatures, the components of such an air conditioner can be utilized as a heat pump by reversing the heat circulation. Such a heat pump is distinguished by low energy consumption and spontaneous response performance at high heating capacity. With a view to safety, window de-icing, and passenger comfort, this is an appropriate concept for designing additional heaters for the future.
In FIGS. 5 and 6, two air conditioner circuits are shown; in FIG. 5, a conventional cooling mode is illustrated, while in FIG. 6 a heating mode is shown, with the components additionally required for the heating mode.
In FIG. 5, an air conditioner circuit is shown schematically. A first medium enters a first heat exchanger 110 and flows through a loop 160. The medium outputs heat to the ambient air 162 and thus cools itself. From the heat exchanger 110, a cooled medium emerges. This cooled medium is now passed through an internal heat exchanger 128, whose function will be explained hereinafter. After the medium has emerged from the internal heat exchanger 128, it enters an expansion device 120. The medium cools down sharply by expansion and is then delivered to a second heat exchanger 114. In this heat exchanger 114, the cold medium can cool down warm ambient air or circulating air and can be made available in the form of cold air 164 to a space to be cooled, such as the vehicle interior. In this process, the formation of condensate 166 occurs. The medium, now re-heated and evaporated because of the heat exchange in the heat exchanger 114, emerges from the heat exchanger 114 and then flows through the internal heat exchanger 128 again. After emerging from the internal heat exchanger 128, the medium enters a compressor 118, where by compression it is put at a higher pressure and heated. A heated medium is thus again available, which can enter the first heat exchanger 110 for the purpose of heat exchange. The loop is closed.
The internal heat exchanger 128 serves to increase the capacity of the loop. Thus the medium before entering the expansion device 120 is cooled by the returning medium that has emerged from the second heat exchanger 114, while the returning medium is heated by reflux. As a result of this heat exchange, the proportion of liquid in the fluid upon leaving the expansion device 120 is increased. This increases the efficiency in the loop.
In FIG. 6, a loop is shown which in comparison with FIG. 5 is equipped with additional components. These components are required in order to use the loop for heating a space. Once again, the loop will be described beginning at the inflow of the medium into the first heat exchanger 110. Cold medium enters the heat exchanger 110. In the heat exchanger, the cold medium is heated and evaporated by interaction with the ambient air 162, while the ambient air is cooled down. Depending on the temperature, the formation of condensate or ice 168 can occur. After the medium flows out of the first heat exchanger, it flows via a first valve 170 into the internal heat exchanger 128: After the medium emerges from the internal heat exchanger 128, it flows into the compressor 118, where it is compressed and heated. Once the medium has left the compressor, it flows via a second valve 172 into the second heat exchanger. There, the heated medium can heat cold ambient air or cold circulating air and thus can be available as useful heat 174 to a space to be heated. The medium emerges in the cooled state from the second heat exchanger 114 and then flows into a third valve 176. This third valve 176 directs the flow of the medium to a fourth valve 178, where once again the medium is directed such that it enters the internal heat exchanger 128. After emerging from the internal heat exchanger 128, the medium enters the expansion device 120, where it is cooled by expansion, and then via a valve 178 it is directed into the first heat exchanger again. The loop of the medium is closed.
Once again, the internal heat exchanger 128 serves to increase the capacity. First, the heated medium, which is to be further heated in the compressor 118, is heated in the internal heat exchanger 128 by the returning medium, which in turn flows into the internal heat exchanger from the second heat exchanger 114. Second, this returning medium, before cooling down by expansion in the expansion device 120, is cooled down by the medium entering the heat exchanger, which medium has emerged from the first heat exchanger 110.
It can be seen that to achieve a system which makes both a cooling mode and a heating mode possible, additional components are required. These are in particular the valves 170, 172, 176 and 178, which by means of suitable switchover can form either a heating loop or a cooling loop. Besides the valves 170, 172, 176 and 178, other additional components are necessary, such as supplementary lines, which means a further increase in weight and further complication and expense. Also, because of the greater number of requisite lines and above all connections, the vulnerability to malfunction and in particular the incidence of leaks are increased.

System and method for cooling or heating


A variable gain amplifier may include a gain block, a voltage control block, and a unity gain buffer block. The gain block may include a plurality of amplifiers having a fixed gain. The voltage control block is coupled to the output of the gain block. Moreover, the voltage control block controls, based on control voltages applied to the plurality of amplifiers having fixed gain, current output by the plurality of amplifiers. The unity gain buffer amplifier is coupled to receive the current output by the plurality of amplifiers of the voltage control block. The unity gain buffer amplifier provides an output signal of the variable gain amplifier. Related systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Low noise variable gain amplifiers provide amplification and have low noise. Low noise is a desirable quality of an amplifier. For example, in medical systems (e.g., a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system) or communication systems, low noise amplifiers increase a signal, while introducing low noise. Noise refers to any unwanted aspects of a signal, such as Thermal noise, interference, and the like. Generally, all amplifiers introduce some noise when amplifying a signal. Thus, the challenge to amplifier developers is to implement an amplifier with low noise—introducing into the amplified signal as little unwanted signal as possible. A low noise variable gain amplifier refers to a low noise amplifier that can be varied to provide different amounts of gain. Low noise variable gain amplifiers also face the noted challenges with respect to noise.


In a method for individualized training of hearing aid users a number of hearing training courses are stored in a databank. An individual user profile is acquired in a training device. A transmission of the hearing training data from the databank to the training device and/or vice versa ensues via a data network before or during the implementation of the hearing training. The training thus ensues adapted to the respective user profile by means of one or more individualized hearing training courses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a system for training hearing aid users, having a databank for storing a number of hearing training courses and a training device for acquiring a user profile and for implementing one of the hearing training courses according to the user profile. The present invention is directed to a method for the implementation of such training.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to be able to optimally use a technical product, for example a hearing aid, one usually must first learn how to interact with it. This can occur by means of training, a hearing training in the present case. As used herein hearing training means all processes, methods and measures that can contribute to the hearing aid user getting a greater benefit from the hearing aid (greater satisfaction, higher speech comprehension, etc.). In addition to hearing training in the narrower sense, for example, hearing training also include hearing tactics, acceptance training, technical advice, and changes to the hearing aid settings. In order to be able to implement such training in a suitable way, it must be matched to an individual's prerequisites and needs. These prerequisites and needs represent the individual profile of the user. Parameters of such a profile are, for example, education, experience, time available for learning, expectations and goals with respect to the product and the like. The user profile may change during the training time. Changes particularly derive due to acclimatization, habituation, age, etc.
An individual and adaptive training is usually comparatively complicated and expensive. Particularly in the case of hearing aids, which represent highly individualized products, one teacher per user is usually needed for gaining familiarity with the product. Therefore, no qualitatively high-grade training possibilities are currently available for a broad range of users.
Conventionally, for example, training courses have been available on CD-ROM for hearing aid users. As already mentioned, however, this cannot be individualized training because several hearing aid users usually participate in the course.

System and method for individualized training of hearing aid users


A touch screen of a touch panel includes plural detection column wirings and plural detection row wirings that cross the detection column wirings. Dummy column wirings having a similar configuration to that of the detection column wirings are arrayed at further outer sides of outermost detection column wirings out of the plural detection column wirings. Dummy row wirings having a similar configuration to that of the detection row wirings are arrayed at further outer sides of outermost detection row wirings out of the plural detection row wirings.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a touch panel and a display device including a touch panel.
2. Description of the Background Art
A touch panel that detects a touch of an indicator such as a finger and specifies positional coordinates of the touch is attracting attention as one of excellent user interface means. Touch panels according to various systems such as resistance film systems and electrostatic capacitance systems are commercialized.
As one of electrostatic capacitance systems, there is a PCT (Projected Capacitive Touchscreen) system that can perform touch detection even when a front surface side of a touch screen in which a touch sensor is incorporated is covered with a protection plate like a glass plate having a thickness of about a few millimeters (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H09-511086 (1997), p. 7 line 19 to p. 8 line 4, p. 8 line 23 to p. 9 line 6, p. 13 lines 4 to 12, and see FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, for example). Because this system can have the protection plate arrayed on the front surface, the system has an advantage in that the system has excellent robustness, can detect a touch even when an operator is wearing gloves, and has a long life because there is no moving part.
For example, the touch screen of the touch panel using the PCT system described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H09-511086 (1997) includes a first-series conductive material pattern (a conductor element) formed on a thin dielectric film and a second-series conductive material pattern (a conductor element) formed via an insulating film, as detection wirings for detecting electrostatic capacitances. Between the conductor elements, there is no electric contact, and a plurality of intersections are formed. Materials suited for conductive materials are metal materials such as silver, for example. Visibility becomes a problem in displaying. To reduce visibility, indium tin oxide (ITO) is used. A thin electric wire of 10 μm to 20 μm can be also used in place of a conductive material pattern.
A conductor element that detects electrostatic capacitances is connected to a capacitance control oscillator via an output line and a multiplexer. Outputs of the conductor element are counted by a divider, and are used as capacitance detection data.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-257178 (p. 5 lines 10 to 17, FIG. 4) described below, there is proposed a technique for providing a dummy drawing wiring at a further outer end of an outermost leading line, out of a plurality of leading lines that connect between a detection wiring and a terminal, on a touch screen of a touch panel. On the touch panel, a deviation between a parasitic capacitance of an outermost leading line and a parasitic capacitance of other leading line is suppressed, by applying a predetermined potential to the dummy drawing wiring. With this arrangement, a deviation of detection sensitivities of electrostatic capacitances of detection wirings can be reduced.

Touch panel and display device including the same


A mold, for molding a cylindrical filter having a narrow-pitched mesh structure through resin injection molding, has a cavity divided into sections radially freely attachable/detachable. The sections of the cavity being formed as stacked assemblies bodies each having a number of thin plates, and with edge portions of alternating ones of the thin plates projecting further radially inward than edge portions of interposed alternating ones of the thin plates A core fits in the cavity a defines inside surface of the mesh structure. Air existing between the core and the cavity is externally released from gaps in the stacked thin plates during resin injection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mold for manufacturing a finely meshed plastic filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
To integrally mold a filter having a narrow-pitched mesh structure through injection molding, the gas or air must be completely removed from inside the mold. For the mold core and cavity to achieve this purpose, a porous sintered metal has been conventionally used in which gaps are formed between metal particles. The air inside the mold was externally released from between the metal particles.
On the other hand, the mold disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 1998-193405 is formed with air bleeding guide paths communicating with the cavity.
The drawback to providing the core or cavity with a porous sintered metal is that the porous surface will gradually become blocked with resin, eventually resulting in failure to bleed the air. Moreover, the air bleeding guide paths of the aforementioned patent document are cumbersome to manufacture and likely permit entry of resin therein. And, in any case, the manufacture of the conventional molds has been cumbersome, resulting in a high mold cost.


A miter saw with an optical system for projecting an optical alignment marker onto a workpiece. The miter saw has a base, a turntable rotatably supported by the base, a fence disposed above the base for supporting the orientation of the workpiece located on the base, a support coupled to the rear portion of the turntable, and a cutting apparatus including a blade for cutting the workpiece. The cutting apparatus is pivotally coupled to the support for positioning the blade from a raised position above the workpiece to an operational position for engagement with the workpiece. The light projection system is attached to the cutting apparatus for projecting an optical alignment marker onto the workpiece so that the location at which the blade engages the workpiece is in a selectably adjustable relationship with respect to the position of the optical alignment marker on the workpiece. A belt-driven embodiment of the miter saw has an adjustable pulley system comprising a motor connected to a drive pulley, a blade pulley connected to the blade, the blade pulley being in substantial alignment with the drive pulley, and a belt for connecting the drive pulley with the blade pulley. An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the drive pulley and the blade pulley is provided so that the tension on the drive belt may be adjusted.

In order to align the blade of a prior art miter saw with a cutting line on a workpiece, the operator must typically lower the saw to determine if the blade is aligned with the cutting line. If necessary, the saw is raised and the workpiece is maneuvered to improve the alignment, and the saw-lowering procedure is repeated. When precision cutting is required, this procedure is extremely time-consuming, and the desired precision is often not achieved, resulting in wasted time and material.
Further, miter saw blades have a discreet width. The cutting line, which is generally a pencil mark on the workpiece, also has a discreet width, further complicating alignment. For example, if the blade is centered directly over the cutting line, the cut in the workpiece will be inaccurate by an amount approximately equal to half the width of the blade. Consequently, it is often difficult to determine precisely where the blade will engage the cutting line.
Belt-driven miter saws with fixed center pulley systems are known in the art. While belt-driven miter saws have the advantage of producing less noise and vibration than gear-driven systems, the fixed center pulley systems used on prior art miter saws do not have the capacity to compensate for stretching and wear of the drive belt. Once the drive belt becomes stretched, it must be replaced. Further, the drive belts used on fixed center pulley systems must be manufactured to a close tolerance because there is no capacity in the fixed center pulley systems to adjust for manufacturing variation in the belt. Close tolerance belts tend to be more expensive to manufacture.
Another problem with fixed center pulley drive systems for miter saws is that the blade pulley tends to interfere with the depth of cut possible with the miter saw. Ideally, a miter saw with a 10" diameter blade should be capable of cutting a nominal 2".times.6" (typically having an actual cross-sectional size of 1-1/2".times.5-1/2") workpiece when the blade is oriented at 90 degrees relative to the fence and a nominal 4".times.4" (typically having an actual cross-sectional size of 3-1/2.times.3-1/2") workpiece when the blade is oriented at 45 degrees relative to the fence. However, known blade pulleys tend to be larger than the blade flange used to anchor the blade to the miter saw, thereby reducing the depth of cut possible with the blade. Previous attempts to use small diameter pulleys which that do not interfere with the cutting radius of the blade have resulted in extensive heat buildup on the pulley system, causing accelerated wear of the drive belt and damage to the pulleys.


A method processes a video acquired of a scene by first aligning a group of video images using compressed domain motion information and then solving for a low rank component and a sparse component of the video. A homography map is computed from the motion information to determine image alignment parameters. The video images are then warped using the homography map to share a similar camera perspective. A Newton root step is followed to traverse separately Pareto curves of each low rank component and sparse component. The solving for the low rank component and the sparse component is repeated alternately until a termination condition is reached. Then, the low ranks component and the sparse component are outputted. The low rank component represents a background in the video, and the sparse component represents moving objects in the video.

Background subtraction segments moving objects from the background in a video acquired of a scene. The segmentation of moving objects can be used to determine trajectories of the objects, and to improve object detection and classification.
Background subtraction can be done by statistical motion flow analysis or an algebraic decomposition. Statistical motion flow methods generally utilize Gaussian mixture models (GMM) of image plane motion to determine the motion of the objects.
Algebraic (QR) decompositions model the background scene as a low dimensional subspace. The moving objects are then segmented as error terms in an orthogonal complement of the background space. When the camera is stationary, the dimensional subspace is low rank and methods, such as robust principle component analysis (RPCA), can successfully segment the foreground from the background. When the camera is moving, the low rank structure no longer holds, and adaptive subspace estimation techniques are used to track, the background subspace.

Method for video background subtraction using factorized matrix completion

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.