An electric linear motion actuator includes planetary rollers mounted between the radially inner surface of an outer ring member and the radially outer surface of a rotary shaft, and a carrier rotatable about the rotary shaft and including radially movable roller shafts rotatably supporting the respective planetary rollers. Elastic rings each having circumferentially separate ends are each wrapped around the roller shafts to radially inwardly bias the roller shafts, thereby bringing the respective planetary rollers into elastic contact with the radially outer surface of the rotary shaft. Each elastic ring is prevented from rotating relative to the roller shafts, thereby preventing one of the roller shafts from being axially aligned with the gap between the circumferential separate ends, causing the elastic ring to be radially compressed and thus making it impossible for the elastic rings to radially bias the roller shafts.

An electric linear motion actuator of this type includes a motion convertor mechanism which converts the rotary motion of the rotor shaft of an electric motor to a linear motion of an axially movable driven member.
Known motion convertor mechanisms used in this type of electric linear motion actuators include a ball-screw mechanism and a ball-ramp mechanism. These motion convertor mechanisms can increase power to some extent but cannot increase power to such an extent as required in an electric disk brake system.
Thus in an electric linear motion actuator using one of the above-mentioned motion convertor mechanisms, a speed reduction mechanism such as a planetary gear mechanism is additionally provided to increase driving force. Such a separate speed reduction mechanism adds to the complexity and the size of the electric linear motion actuator.
The applicant of the present invention has already proposed in JP 2009-197863A an electric linear motion actuator which is free of this problem, and which can sufficiently increase power without the need for a separate speed reduction mechanism and thus can be used in an electric disk brake system, of which the linear motion stroke is relatively small.
The electric linear motion actuator disclosed in JP 2009-197863A includes a rotary shaft rotated by an electric motor, an outer ring member provided around the rotary shaft, a plurality of planetary rollers mounted between the rotary shaft and the outer ring member, and a carrier rotatable about the rotary shaft and rotatably supporting the planetary rollers. When the rotary shaft rotates, the planetary rollers revolve around the rotary shaft while rotating about their respective axes due to frictional contact between the rotary shaft and the planetary rollers. A helical rib is formed on the radially inner surface of the outer ring member which engages in helical grooves or circumferential grooves formed in the radially outer surfaces of the respective planetary rollers such that the outer ring member and the carrier move in the axial direction relative to each other when the rotary shaft is rotated.
It is troublesome and thus costly to mount the planetary rollers between the radially outer surface of the rotary shaft and the radially inner surface of the outer ring member with an interference fit. Thus, in the electric linear motion actuator disclosed in JP 2009-197863A, the carrier supports roller shafts on which the respective planetary rollers are rotatably supported so as to be radially movable, and the roller shafts are all radially inwardly biased by elastic members, thereby elastically pressing the planetary rollers against the radially outer surface of the rotary shaft.
The elastic members used in the electric linear motion actuator disclosed in JP 2009-197863A are C-shaped rings each mounted around the roller shafts while kept in contact with the roller shafts to radially inwardly bias the roller shafts. The C-shaped rings are inexpensive but have the following problem to which no solution has yet been found.
Since the C-shaped rings each have circumferentially separate ends, when the roller shafts rotate even slightly about their respective axes due to rotation of the planetary rollers about their axes, the C-shaped rings move in the direction of the circle circumscribed about the roller shafts due to contact with the roller shafts, so that the C-shaped rings rotate in this direction until, eventually, one of the roller shafts radially aligns with and fits into the gap between the circumferentially separate ends of each C-shaped ring. This causes the C-shaped rings to radially shrink by their own elasticity. Once the C-shaped rings radially shrink, the C-shaped rings cannot press the planetary rollers against the radially outer surface of the rotary shaft any more, which in turn makes it impossible to transmit the rotation of the rotary shaft to the planetary rollers. In this state, the rotary shaft simply idles and the function of the electric linear motion actuator is lost.

Electric linear motion actuator and electric disk brake system


A fuel additive system of a fuel delivery system of a vehicle includes an additive tank assembly, and a dosing unit in communication with the additive tank assembly to control the amount of additive dosed to the fuel tank. The additive tank assembly includes a pressurized tank of generally torispherical or ellipsoidal shape, a tank conduit with one end in communication with a sump in the pressurized tank and an opposite end extending out of the pressurized tank, and a valve in communication with the tank conduit near the opposite end thereof and being normally closed under pressure from the pressurized tank. The dosing unit includes a housing having an inlet passage in communication with the tank conduit, and a valve actuator in the inlet passage to displace the valve of the additive tank assembly to an open position once the dosing unit is assembled to the additive tank assembly.

For a diesel engine-powered vehicle, it is useful to supply the engine with fuel having a precise amount of fuel additives for improving one or more performance characteristics of the vehicle. For example, it is often desirable to supply a diesel engine with an additive that improves the environmental performance of the vehicle. Typically, the additives are mixed with fuel during the fuel production process in an oil refinery. But it is increasingly desirable to provide a vehicle with a fuel delivery system having an on-board fuel additive system. Such an additive system permits a particular vehicle to have its own customized composition of fuel additives, and enables a measured quantity of the fuel additive to be introduced into the fuel tank, such as in response to a quantity of fuel being added to the fuel tank.
Unfortunately, many current fuel additive systems are unnecessarily complex, not easily serviceable, and/or may provide erratic dosing. For example, some fuel additive systems include additive tanks having electric pumps mounted therein, filler caps, vents, pressure relief valves, and complex mounting arrangements. Other additive systems are mounted inside the fuel tank and either cannot be removed for servicing or require removal of the entire fuel tank from the vehicle. Still other additive systems provide additive dosing based predominantly on estimates of pressure by way of temperature measurements. In conclusion, such additive systems may be somewhat unreliable in dosing accuracy, and complicated in design and time-consuming to service and, thus, unnecessarily expensive to buy and maintain.

Fuel additive dosing system, apparatus, and method


An exciter system (1, 2) able to communicate information between an exciter unit (10) and one or more remote units (12) or between multiple exciter units (10). The exciter units (10) may include wireless type exciter devices, such as optimum exciters (14), or they may include wired equivalent type exciter devices, such as direct connect exciters (16). The exciter devices (14, 16) inject or extract RF currents (24) in the metallic framework (22) of a vehicle. The remote units (12) couple electromagnetic fields (26) with the metallic framework (22) of the vehicle. The information is exchanged with the exciter devices (14, 16) by communications equipment (20) that modulates or demodulates the RF currents (24) and/or electromagnetic fields (26) with the information. As the RF currents (24) and/or electromagnetic fields (26) reach everywhere within, on and in close proximity to the vehicle the information is communicated throughout.

It is desirable to communicate information between various locations within and around vehicles, including but not limited to cars, trucks and tractor-trailers, trains, ships and planes. Traditionally, this has been obtained by installing conductive wires between points. More recently, optical cable has somewhat similarly been employed in this role. Traditional wireless technologies in the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands are also used.
Unfortunately all of these prior art systems have disadvantages. Wire and optical cable consume appreciable material and require routing between the various locations using the information, often entailing considerable design complexity. The conventional wireless technologies also often entail considerable design complexity, both to ensure that the integrity of the information is maintained against corrupting influence from outside the vehicle as well as to ensure that the energy being used to communicate the information does not become a corrupting influence on other systems.
These concerns are exacerbated in the context of vehicles. Firstly, a vehicle has particular structure. It has compartments, that is, spaces or cavities. These include large compartments, which are here termed "major compartments." For example and without limitation, in a common automobile the major compartments are the engine or under-hood compartment, the passenger compartment, and the trunk or boot. In a common freight-hauling truck the major compartments are the engine compartment, driver/passenger compartment, and the cargo area. In common vehicles the glove box or other interior storage areas, for instance, are not major compartments. As a generalization, physical access to the major compartments of a vehicle is usually available. In contrast, physical access to the other compartments of a vehicle often is problematical.
Secondly, a vehicle is mobile by its very nature. Its systems therefore have the ability to be corruptingly influenced or to become a corrupting influence in highly varying and very difficult to predict manners. For an example, consider the traditional wireless technologies in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands. If a vehicle employing these is brought near sensitive electronic equipment it may cause disruption of that equipment. Conversely, the very same vehicle may itself be severely disrupted if brought near high powered electronic equipment. These concerns complicate information communication within (which we will regard here as including attached to the outside of) and in close proximity to vehicles.
Accordingly, what is needed are better systems for communications within and near to vehicles. Such systems should preferably have the capability for a single transmission to reach all of the vehicle compartments, as well as the near proximity outside the vehicle, without the use of repeaters or multiple physical access points.

Exciter-excitation system and methods for communications


Disclosed herein are catch basin grate covers comprising a frame; a grate; a heating element in thermal communication with the grate cover; and a power source in electric communication with the heating element. Also disclosed are catch basin grate covers comprising a frame; a grate; means for heating the grate cover; and means for supplying power to the means for heating. Also disclosed are methods of preventing the clogging of a catch basin grate cover due to ice, the method comprising applying electricity to the heating element of the above grate cover, whereby the resulting heat from the heat element causes the ice to thaw, thereby unclogging the catch basin grate cover.

A catch basin is a basin that on one side is open to the elements, and on another side connects with a sewer or drainage system. Typically, catch basins are located at a low point in a drainage plane, for example in a park, or at a street corner, or where a street has a dip. Water from the rain, snow, or irrigation flows into the catch basin and drains through the sewer system. Normally, a catch basin is covered by a grated plate that prevents large debris, such as tree branches or garbage, to fall into the catch basin and clog the drainage system. During the cold winter months, water on or around the grated plate freezes and prevents the normal drainage of melted snow. This causes for water to accumulate and freeze over the grated plate, which poses a danger to anyone walking or driving in the affected area. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a mechanism to prevent the catch basin grate from freezing in winter.


A clothes washing machine has a motor which includes a stator, and a rotor disposed around the stator. The rotor includes a disk-shaped plate having radial blades disposed on an upper surface thereof. The blades are situated beneath the stator and generate a flow of turbulent cooling air along the stator in response to rotation of the rotor.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor of a clothes washing machine.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Generally, a clothes washing machine includes a main body defining an outer configuration thereof, a water tub installed within the body, and a spin basket and blade mounted within the water tub. A power system for driving the spin basket and blade is mounted under the water reserving basket.
The power system typically comprises a motor, a power transmission system, and a belt for connecting the motor to the power transmission system. This will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 6.
As shown in the drawing, a conventional power system comprises a power transmission system 100 having a drive motor (not shown). The power transmission system 100 comprises a hollow dehydrating (spin-dry) shaft 101 and a laundering shaft 102 inserted into the hollow dehydrating shaft 101. The laundering shaft 102 is divided into upper and lower halves, with a planetary gear unit 103 being disposed therebetween. The planetary gear unit 103 changes a rotating speed of the power transmission system 100.
A brake band 104 and a brake lever 105 are disposed beside the dehydrating shaft 101 to brake the rotation of the dehydrating shaft 101, for suppressing an idle rotation of the spin basket 110. A one-way bearing 106, permitting the dehydrating shaft 101 to rotate in only one direction, is mounted on an outer circumference of the dehydrating shaft 101. In addition, a clutch spring 107 and a clutch lever 108 for transmitting/interrupting power from the motor to the dehydrating shaft 101 or the laundering shaft 102 are mounted under the one-way bearing 106. A pulley 109 on which a belt (not shown) is engaged is mounted on a lower end of the laundering shaft 102.
In this conventional power transmission system 100, torque of the motor is selectively transmitted to either a rotating blade 111 or to both the blade 111 and the spin basket 110 through the clutch spring 107, thereby performing the washing and dehydrating operations respectively. To achieve this, it is necessary that the clutch spring 107 has a high degree of tensile strength to enable the transmission or interruption of torque from the motor to either the dehydrating shaft 101 or the laundering shaft 102, both of which are rotated at a high speed. However, the manufacturing process for such a spring having high tensile strength is complicated, and, as a result, manufacturing costs are increased.
In addition, the brake band 104 for preventing the spin basket 110 from idling rotationally during the washing operation is, when it brakes the spin basket 110 in one direction, subjected to high resistance against force generated when the spin basket 110 is acted on by a water current within the water tub. The above described one-way bearing 106 must be used as a result, making the structure complicated and increasing manufacturing costs. Finally, an unpleasant noise is generated during the braking operation of the brake band.
As described above, the conventional power system of a washing machine is complicated with regard to the arrangement of parts for performing the washing, dehydrating and braking operations, making it difficult to manufacture the same and increasing manufacturing costs. In addition, because of the large number of parts needed for this complicated arrangement, much space is required which, in turn, acts to increase the overall size of the washer.
To solve the above described problems, in recent years, a direct-coupled washing machine in which the power transmission system is directly connected to the motor has been developed. A brushless direct current motor is used for the direct-coupled washing machine. The brushless direct current motor is reversible and capable of increasing and decreasing the rotating speeds. The brushless direct current motor is designed to operate by electromagnetic induction between a stator and magnets mounted on a rotor.
However, when the motor is operated, variable magnetic force acts on a core of the stator, generating an eddy current and causing loss of hysteresis by the change in magnetizing force. The eddy current and hysteresis loss results in a heating of the stator, and, if the stator becomes over-heated, the driving efficiency of the motor deteriorates, reducing the life span of the motor.

Heat dissipating blades for a motor of a washing machine


A sensor having an array of photo sensitive elements for acquiring images of the passenger compartment in a motor vehicle and a circuit for processing the signals corresponding to the images generated by said photo sensitive elements. The processing circuit is configured according to a cellular neural network processing architecture of the image signals and can generate an output signal indicating the decision on whether to deploy an airbag to which the sensor is associated or to control the explosion of the airbag. Preferably, the photo sensitive array and the processing circuit are comprised on a single integrated component, preferably implementing CMOS technology.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to airbag systems and, more particularly to an optical sensor for automobile "smart" airbag systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Airbags are fitted on practically all new cars. Airbags are devices that are currently acknowledged as being effective in reducing road accident mortality for both drivers and passengers.
While performing this safety function, however, it has been reported that airbags can sometimes injure users.
Typically, an airbag inflates in approximately 0.06 seconds, at an inflation speed which can also be in the order of 320 km/h (200 mph). This rapidity in deployment is essential, since a typical car crash lasts for approximately 0.125 seconds. The vehicle occupants who are not protected can collide with the structures of the passenger compartment before the collision comes to an end. In other words, this second crash or collision occurs while the first crash or collision is still in progress.
Usually, airbags are deployed by means of a gas generator that produces the volume of gas required by means of a rapid combustion of a compound (usually sodium based). This combustion is extremely fast and can, in actual fact, be compared to a small, contained explosion.
Airbag deployment is usually controlled by a processor which, according to the signals received from respective sensors, determines whether to deploy the airbag considering the severity of the accident or not. This occurs on the basis of algorithms that account for the change in vehicle speed and, in the most recent systems, on other factors related to the conditions in which the rapid vehicle deceleration occurs.
The sensors used as usually linear accelerometers, which number and characteristics are adapted according to factors such as the position of the airbag and its function (e.g., front airbag, side airbag, etc.).
As mentioned above, there are situations in which the airbags can cause negative effects. As experience in the use of airbags is being accumulated, the knowledge of such negative effects, which in some cases can have very serious consequences, is being developed.
Usually, the most negative effects are found in relation to individuals who are very close to the airbag when it is deployed. This situation can occur, particularly, to short occupants, children and, in general, to passenger compartment occupants who are either not wearing seat belts or wearing seat belts incorrectly or setting in relatively unusual positions when airbag expansion starts.
These situations can involve, for example, drivers who sit very close to the steering wheel or infants travelling in restraint systems fitted on the front seats, also facing backwards.
The need to improve the functional characteristics of airbags to ensure the protection of all occupants, regardless of their height or build, or whether they are wearing seat belts or not, has also been officially expressed by organizations such as the NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the USA. This need particularly refers to the risks to which children, specifically infants, are exposed.
In this perspective, newly designed airbag systems (currently called "smart" airbags) are being developed. These systems, for example, use a weight sensor to trigger the airbag only when a corresponding minimum weight is detected in the corresponding seat. This solution also avoids possible useless deployment of the airbag located in the position corresponding to the seat destined to be occupied by the passenger sitting next to the vehicle driver when this seat is empty.
For example, CTS Corporation has recently developed a number of weight sensors based on film resistors capable of being used in the context of these airbag systems.
There are other systems which, in order to reduce the risks to which the occupants who are too close to the airbag when it is deployed are exposed, regulate the deployment speed of the airbag according to the severity of the collision, particularly by detecting the position of the person immediately before starting airbag deployment or by reducing the deployment force if the person risks being injured.
Usually, the operation of these systems is based on the integration of data from various sensors, such as weight sensors, roll-over sensors, seat belt sensors, side crash sensors and crash intensity sensors, etc. The characteristics of the collision and the position of the occupants determine which airbags to trigger. There are also more complex systems that also control the restraint system (in terms of energy and time) according to the data received from the sensors.
Various different solutions have been presented in patent literature as specifically concerned the detection of the position of occupants in the vehicle passenger cabin.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,226 describes a system comprising a shift sensor for signalling the distance between the position of the airbag and the person. For this purpose, an infrared sensor is fitted in the upper part of the passenger cabin over the person.
Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,698 describes a system with image sensor and processor. The sensor is a photo detector array sensor with lens assembly and the processor capable of processing the image thus obtained to acquire the occupancy status of the passenger seat area in the passenger cabin.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,876 a system is described for detecting occupancy in the passenger compartment, particularly to inhibit the deployment of the airbag when no occupant is present. The respective sensor presents a front sensing region and a rear sensing region, which can be evaluated separately.
Moreover, WO-A-94/22693 describes a position sensor employing ultrasound, microwave or optical technology, so to ensure a long sensing time before the occupant crashes into the airbag.
Finally, Ep-A-0 781 589 describes the use of a crash sensor adapted to provide a first signal, a retention system comprising an optical image sensor destined to generate a second signal and a controller, which provides a third signal and an activation system.


Dashboard panel, partitioning between an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, includes a reinforcing frame structure or connection member that extends, through the interior space of the dashboard panel, to linearly interconnect a horizontal rear end portion of each of left and right front side frames and a front end portion of a corresponding one of left and right side sills.

Among the conventionally-known front vehicle body structures are ones employed in vehicles where an engine is oriented transversely in an engine compartment. In the front vehicle body structures of that type, left and right side regions of a dashboard panel, which functions as a partition wall between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment, are each formed in an arch shape to provide a wheel arch section; parts of these left and right wheel arch sections arcuately project into left and right side regions of the passenger compartment, in order to not interfere with steering movement of tires of left and right road wheels.
One example of such front vehicle body structures is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-67082 (JP 2004-067082 A), where a front section of the passenger compartment is surrounded by pipe members in order to transmit a load, applied from front side frames, to left and right front pillars (commonly known as A-pillars) and left and right side sills. More specifically, the front vehicle body structure disclosed in JP 2004-67082 A includes: the dashboard panel (end wall) disposed between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment; left and right front side members connected to the dashboard panel; left and right side sills disposed on left and right outer sides of the vehicle body; left and right front pillars (A-pillars) projecting upward from the left and right side sills; and a vehicle body floor extending from the dashboard panel and spanning between the left and right side sills.
Load input from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment (cabin) comprises one from upper members and one from lower side frames, and these input is primarily due to vibration of front wheels transmitted via component parts of suspensions, such as dampers. For a load input via the front side frame, there is a need to increase rigidity of the dashboard because the dashboard panel functions as a reacting point or surface against such a load input.
However, if a reinforcing member, such as a cross member or pipe member, is provided outside the wheel arch sections of the dashboard panel in the front vehicle body structure, the reinforcing member would interfere with the front wheels (tires) and thus create layout limitations in the front section of the vehicle body. Thus, it is difficult to provide such a reinforcing member outside the wheel arch sections. If, on the other hand, such a reinforcing member is provided inside the passenger compartment, the space inside the passenger compartment would be sacrificed.


A cross-coupled low-distortion voltage-current conversion circuit has transistors T1 to T6. At least one of the transistors has parallel connections of two or more transistors. By arbitrarily setting the number of parallel connections of the transistors T1 to T6, the current distributions of the circuits are optimized while maintaining the conventional low-distortion operation. The invention finds applications in amplifiers and mixers that need to be operated with low distortion and low power consumption. The invention provides a cross-coupled low-distortion voltage-current conversion circuit that has freedom of design and improved performance without increasing power consumption over the entire circuit.

The present invention generally relates to voltage-current conversion circuits, and more particularly to a voltage-current conversion circuit that realizes low distortion and low power consumption in the transconductance stage (or gm stage). The present invention also relates to an amplifier, mixer circuit, and mobile appliance, all of which utilize this voltage-current conversion circuit.
The digital terrestrial television broadcasting (ISDB-T) in Japan uses one segment (430 kHz) for mobile appliances. To make the function of receiving the digital terrestrial television broadcasting carried out by ICs (integrated circuits) and to incorporate the ICs into battery-driven mobile terminals, low power consumption, size reduction, immunity to interferences, and low distortion of the receiving tuner are important considerations.
In a low-IF (Intermediate Frequency) receiver system with a function of image rejection, the mixer circuit is one of the most important blocks. Conventionally, mixer circuits have a transconductance stage, that is, a voltage-current conversion circuit that amplifies input signal voltage V and converts it into current signal I, as shown in FIG. 10. When RF (Radio Frequency) input signals (RF,RFB) are inputted into transistors T1 and T2 (the voltage of a small signal between VBE1 and VBE2: Vin=Vin+−Vin−), currents Iout3 and Iout4 respectively represented by the following formulas (1) and (2) flow. It is noted that Iout3+Iout4=ISS.
                    [                  Mathematical                                                              Formula                                                              I                ]                                                                      I                      out                                                                          3                          =                                                            I                SS                                          exp                                                                                V                                      i                                                                                n                                                                    V                  T                                                                    (                              1                +                                  exp                                                                                V                                              i                                                                                n                                                                                V                      T                                                                                )                                =                                    I              SS                                      (                              1                +                                  exp                                                                                -                                              V                                                  i                                                                                n                                                                                V                      T                                                                                )                                                          (        1        )                                          I                      out                                                                          4                          =                              I            SS                                (                          1              +                              exp                                                                                V                                          i                                                                                n                                                                            V                    T                                                                        )                                              (        2        )
According to this prior art, formulas (1) and (2) contain non-linear terms (exp), which means occurrence of distortion.
Also conventionally used is a voltage-current conversion circuit with cross-coupling as shown in FIG. 11. This voltage-current conversion circuit has first transistor T1 and second transistor T2 into which input signals (RF, RFB) are inputted from a base, third transistor T3 whose collector is connected to the emitter terminal of first transistor T1, and fourth transistor T4 whose collector is connected to the emitter terminal of second transistor T2. The bases of third and fourth transistors T3 and T4 are cross-coupled to each other's collectors. Resistor R7 is provided between the emitters of third and fourth transistors T3 and T4. In this voltage-current conversion circuit, when RF is inputted into transistors T1 and T2, currents Iout3 and Iout4 respectively represented by the following formulas (3) and (4) flow.
                    [                  Mathematical                                                              Formulas                                                              II                ]                                                                      I                      out                                                                          3                          =                              I            SS                    -                                    V                              i                                                                                n                                                    R              7                                                          (        3        )                                          I                      out                                                                          4                          =                              I            SS                    +                                    V                              i                                                                                n                                                    R              7                                                          (        4        )
These formulas do not contain non-linear terms (exp), and therefore linearity improves. However, this circuit presents the problem of unstable operation upon input of high-frequency signals into first transistor T1 and second transistor T2 (the problem including unexpected oscillations with the base and collector in a common-mode with each other).
In the mixer circuit, there is a trade-off relationship between low distortion and low power consumption of the transconductance stage (or gm stage) (amplifier). To solve the above problem, non-patent document 1 discloses a technique of low distortion of a transconductor with cross-coupling, as shown in FIG. 12.
Referring to FIG. 12, transconductance stage (or gm stage) s100 has first transistor T1 and second transistor T2. Respective collectors are connected to respective power source terminals, and input signals (RF, RFB) are inputted into first and second transistors T1 and T2 from respective bases. Transconductance stage (or gm stage) s100 also has third transistor T3 whose collector is connected to the emitter terminal of first transistor T1, and fourth transistor T4 whose collector is connected to the emitter terminal of second transistor T2. The bases of third and fourth transistors T3 and T4 are cross-coupled to each other's collectors. Transconductance stage (or gm stage) s100 further has fifth transistor T5 that shares the base and emitter with third transistor T3 and acquires a current signal from the collector, and sixth transistor T6 that shares the base and emitter with fourth transistor T4 and acquires a current signal from the collector. Third transistor T3 and fifth transistor T5 (fourth transistor T4 and sixth transistor T6) constitute a current mirror. The current mirror ratio here is 1:1. Resistor R7 is provided between the emitters of fifth and sixth transistors T5 and T6 (T3 and T4), emitter terminals 1 and 2 of these transistors are respectively provided with constant current sources Iin1 and Iin2.
Transconductance stage (or gm stage) s100 amplifies input signal voltage Vin and converts it into a current signal.
In transconductance stage (or gm stage) s100 shown, since the currents that flow through transistors T1 and T3 (T2 and T4) are equal, the following formulas (5) and (6) are obtained.
[Mathematical Formula III]VBE1+VBE4=VBE2+VBE3  (5)VBE1=VBE3, VBE2=VBE4  (6)
When RF is inputted into transistors T1 and T2 (the voltage of a small signal between VBE1 and VBE2:Vin=Vin+−Vin−), RF signal Vin is directly fed into resistor R7, so that a signal current represented by formula (7) flows across resistor R7.
                    [                  Mathematical                                                              Formula                                                              IV                ]                                                                      i                      R            7                          =                              υ                          i                                                                                n                                            R            7                                              (        7        )
Currents Iout3 and Iout4 are respectively represented by formulas (8) and (9).
                    [                  Mathematical                                                              Formula                                                              V                ]                                                                      I                      out                                                                          3                          =                              1            2                                          (                                          I                SS                            -                                                υ                                      i                                                                                n                                                                    R                  7                                                      )                                              (        8        )                                          I                      out                                                                          4                          =                              1            2                                          (                                          I                SS                            +                                                υ                                      i                                                                                n                                                                    R                  7                                                      )                                              (        9        )
These do not contain non-linear terms (e.g., ln and exp) similar to the conventional principles as (3),(4), and current mirror structures based on conventional cross-coupled principle, provide for low distortion operation. Transconductances gm 3 and gm 4 are as represented by formula (10) obtained by differentiating formulas (8) and (9).
                    [                  Formula                                                              VI                ]                                                                      gm                                                              3                =                              gm                                                                          4                    =                      1                          2                                            R                7                                                                        (        10        )
As an example of a conventional IQ mixer, patent document 1 and non-patent document 2 propose a quadrature mixer as shown in FIG. 13.
In this figure, the transconductance stage (or gm stage) will be referred to as Gm, and the SW (switch) stage of I or Q as SW_I or SW_Q. High-frequency signal RF and its inversed signal will be respectively referred to as RF and RFB, local signal and its inverse signal respectively as LO_I (LO_Q) and LO_IB (LO_QB), and intermediate-frequency signal IF (intermediate frequency) and its inversed signal respectively as IF_I (IF_Q) and IF_IB (IF_QB).
Referring to FIG. 13, quadrature mixer q100 has: I switching portion SW_I that generates, from the first signal (RF, RFB) and the second signal (LO_I, LO_IB), a third signal (IF_I, IF_IB) as the product; and Q switching portion SW_Q that generates, from the first signal (RF, RFB) and the fourth signal (LO_Q, LO_QB), a fifth signal (IF_Q, IF_QB) as the product. Transconductance stage (or gm stage) Gm, which amplifies the first signal (RF, RFB) and inputs the amplified signal into switching portions SW_I and SW_Q as a current signal, is common.
The operation of mixer circuit q100 will be described referring to FIG. 13. I mixer (Gm−SW_I) and Q mixer (Gm−SW_Q) multiply high-frequency signal RF, which is a received signal, respectively by local signal LO_I and local signal LO_Q and carry out frequency conversion. As the multiplication results, the mixers respectively generate intermediate-frequency signal IF_I and intermediate-frequency signal IF_Q.
By making input transconductance stage (or gm stage) Gm common, not only the number of elements are decreased, but there is a possibility of a decrease in power by half, low distortion, and low noise, compared with two independent Gilbert cell mixers.
Further, with the quadrature mixer, when the local signal has a sine wave or triangular wave, a point of intersection of quadrature signals I, IB, Q, and QB appears at π/2 intervals, even though IQ balance of the local signals are not good, as shown in FIG. 14(b). Owing to this IQ mutual interference, output phase errors caused by local signals can be relaxed However, when input is in a square wave as shown in FIG. 14(a), the points of intersection become vague, making it impossible to amend output phase errors. Since the image rejection ratio (the ratio of the desired wave to the interfering wave) is determined by the output phase error and amplitude error of the mixer, in recent years the quadrature mixer has been referred to in literature of various types as an image rejection mixer with the function of amending phase errors.
Patent document 2 discloses a mixer circuit as shown in FIG. 15. Mixer circuit m100 has transconductance stage (or gm stage) Gm, switching portion SW that carries out frequency conversion, and current paths Ip1 and Ip2. Bypass currents Ip1 and Ip2 enable independent optimization of the operation currents of switching portion SW and transconductance stage (or gm stage) Gm.
Patent document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,059
Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-129407
Non-patent document 1: Hidehiko Aoki "Introduction to Functional Circuit Design of ICs" CQ Publishing, 1992.
Non-patent document 2: Jackson Harvey and Ramesh Harjani "Analysis and Design of an Integrated Quadrature Mixer with Improved Noise Gain and Image Rejection" IEEE International Symposium Circuits and Systems vol. IV pp. 786-789 May 2001.
However, the structure of the transconductance stage (or gm stage) shown in FIG. 12 has such a current relationship that Iout3:Iout5=Iout4:Iout6=1:1, and a current of approximately half Iin1 (Iin2) flows through Iout3 (Iout4). This restricts freedom of design; when reducing distortion and improving gain by increasing the currents for transistors T5 and T6, which are central to differential amplification operation, the circuit configuration requires an approximately twice as much current as the currents that flow through optimized transistors T5 and T6. Thus, power consumption cannot be prevented from increasing.

Voltage-current conversion circuit, amplifier, mixer circuit, and mobile appliance using the circuit


Provided are a method and apparatus for displaying energy flow in a hybrid vehicle. The present invention adds a function, which displays breakdown and abnormal state information on modules and is not provided by an energy flow displaying function of the existing hybrid vehicle, to the energy flow displaying function, thus removing inconvenience of the existing energy flow displaying function that cannot check information on breakdown and abnormal states of a vehicle.

The supply of hybrid vehicles, which include both a combustion engine and a battery engine of an electric vehicle to considerably improve fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of noxious gases emitted compared to the existing vehicles, is recently increasing.
Presently-developed hybrid vehicles provide an energy (or power) flow displaying screen that shows a flow of energy circulating between modules of each of the hybrid vehicles in the form of animations so as to take a glance, for aiding a driver's economical driving.
The energy flow displaying screen displays an engine module, a motor module, a battery module, and energy flow lines connecting therebetween in the form of animations, and visually provides an energy flow state through graphics processing such as changing the colors or shapes of the energy flow lines.
However, the related art energy flow displaying screen displays only an energy flow state, and cannot realize a function that displays the breakdowns and abnormal states of respective modules.
For example, if the function of displaying the breakdowns and abnormal states of respective modules is added to the related art energy flow displaying screen, a driver can easily recognize information on the breakdown and abnormal state of a vehicle, and thus can economically drive the vehicle and moreover prepare for the breakdown and abnormal state of the vehicle.
However, the function in which the energy flow displaying screen displays visual information on the breakdown and abnormal state of a vehicle is not yet implemented.

Method and apparatus for displaying energy flow in hybrid vehicle


The present disclosure relates to a method of providing prolonged analgesia to a mammal in need thereof. Specifically, the current disclosure is directed to a method of treating pain in a mammal for a prolonged period of time using a single high dose of a buprenorphine formulation.

Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic thebaine derivative which acts as a partial μ-opioid receptor agonist and κ-opioid receptor antagonist—an opioid. Opioid receptors are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. As a result of the partial agonist activity of buprenorphine at μ-opioid receptors, buprenorphine has a powerful analgesic effect—approximately twenty to forty times more potent as morphine.
Buprenorphine is available in various dosage forms, including sublingual and other oral formulations as well as parenteral dosage forms. The treatment of certain mammals, such as cats and dogs, with a sublingual medication that relies on continuous exposure to the oral mucosa of the mammal's mouth can be difficult to administer, resulting in poor pain control for the mammal. In addition, parenteral dosage forms may be given to mammals by several different routes of administration. Specifically, buprenorphine may be administered intravenously ("IV") and intramuscularly ("IM"). The dosage varies depending on the route of administration. For example, when administered IV, the buprenorphine dose generally ranges from approximately 0.01-0.02 mg/kg of mammal body weight. See U. Krotscheck, D. V. M, D M Boothe D. V. M., and A A Little, D. V. M, Pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine following intravenous administration in dogs, AJVR, Vol. 69, No. 6, June 2008. Similarly, the dosing of buprenorphine for IM administration also ranges from approximately 0.01-0.02 mg/kg of mammal body weight. See L S Slingby, P M Taylor, and A E Waterman-Pearson, Effects of two doses of buprenorphine four or six hours apart on nociceptive thresholds, pain and sedation in dogs after castration, THE VETERINARY RECORD, Nov. 18, 2006, pp. 705-711; and S Dobbins, N O Brown, F S Shofer, Comparison of the Effects of Burprenorphine, Oxymorphone Hydrochloride, and Ketoprofen for Postoperative Analgesia After Onychectomy or Onychectomy and Sterilization in Cats; JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ANIMAL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION; Vol. 38, November/December 2002, pp. 507-514. Subcutaneous ("SQ") administration of buprenorphine has also been disclosed at doses up to approximately 0.02 mg/kg of mammal body weight. See P V Steagall et al., Effects of subcutaneous methadone, morphine, buprenorphine or saline on thermal and pressure thresholds in cats; JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS, 2006, Vol. 29, pp. 531-537.
Regardless of the route of administration, all forms of administration of buprenorphine are known to require dosing of the mammal every 2-8 hours for adequate pain control, depending on the route of administration and the pain threshold of the mammal. However, continuous administration of buprenorphine to the mammal by injection can be difficult to perform and stressful to the mammal, further complicating the pain control process. Companion animals, in particular, can be difficult to medicate, so analgesics that provide 24 hours of effect after a single dose would be advantageous. According to CVM-FDA policy, new veterinary pain medications are required to provide 72 hours of post-operative analgesia. Currently, no veterinary product is approved by CVM-FDA that will provide 24 hours of analgesia following a single injection, and can be administered for three consecutive days.
Additionally, the use of higher doses of buprenorphine would be expected to result in adverse effects to the mammal. Specifically, adverse effects associated with high dose buprenorphine include excessive sedation, respiratory depression, excessive salivation, and nausea. Due to the seriousness of such effects, commercially available buprenorphine products, such as the Vetergesic® buprenorphine injection, warns that dosing should not exceed to 10-20 micrograms per kg (0.01-0.02 mg/kg) for analgesia in dogs and cats, repeated if necessary after 2-6 hours.
Extended-release buprenorphine formulations have been developed to prolong the duration of pain control in a mammal. Injectable extended-release formulations, for example, include injectable microparticles, polymer matrix systems, fat emulsions, microspheres, and oil in water emulsions. However, the manufacturing of such formulations is complex and costly, and typically incorporates the use of organic solvents which could introduce potential toxicity if not completely removed. Additionally, it can be difficult to achieve sterility of microparticles and other oil solutions because terminal sterilization is not always possible. It is also difficult to appropriately control the release of a drug such as buprenorphine in an injectable dosage form in order to achieve the desired onset and duration of analgesic effects in the target species. Therefore, it would be desirable to have compositions and less complex methods of providing prolonged pain control to a mammal while minimizing the number of administrations/doses that must be given to the mammal.

High dose buprenorphine compositions and use as analgesic


A complex consisting of galectin-3 and chondroitin oligosaccharide and methods for seperating and detecting the chondroitin oligosaccharide in a sample using the immobilized complex.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a galectin-glycosaminoglycan complex and a method for controlling galectin activity.
2. Brief Description of the Background Art
The following abbreviations are used in this specification.    Gal: Galactose residue:    GlcNAc: N-Acetylglucosamine residue    NeuAc: N-Acetylneuraminic acid residue    GalNAc: N-Acetylgalactosamine residue    GlcA Glucuronic acid residue    6S: Sulfate group retained at the C6 position    α2-3: α2-3 Glycosidic linkage    β1-4: β1-4 Glycosidic linkage    β1-3: β1-3 Glycosidic linkage
Galectin is a general name for an animal lectin family proposed in 1992 (Barondes, S. H. et al., Cell, 76, 597-598 (1994)). Galectin are required to have binding specificity for β-linked galactose residue (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "β-galactoside") and to have an amino acid primary sequence which characterizes the galectin family. As mammalian galectins, it has been proposed to call them by adding numbers in order of discovery (in order of register to GenBank). In accordance with this system, galectins 1 to 15 (kinds) have so far been found in mammals, and it is considered that they have their physiological functions in the living bodies by binding to various galactose-containing carbohydrates. Respective kinds of galectin have slightly different binding (recognizing) specificities for various galactose-containing oligosaccharide chains.
A total of 12 kinds of human-derived galectin families have so far been identified (Douglas N. W. Cooper, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1572, 209-231 (2002)). That is, they are galectin-1 to 4 (Gal-1 to 4), galectin-7 to 10 (Gal-7 to 10) and galectin-12 (Gal-12). The members constituting this family are further divided into 3 subtypes based on their structures (Hirabayashi, J. et al., Glycobiology, 3, 297-304 (1993)).
Each of galectin-1, -2, -7 and -10 has a single carbohydrate recognizing region (carbohydrate-recognition domain; CRD) consisting of approximately from 130 to 140 amino acid residues, and belongs to the prototype. Galectin-3 has an amino-terminal domain, a type which is different from the carboxy-terminal CRD, and is the only one chimeric type. Each of galectin-4, -8, -9 and -12 has two CRDs connected via a linker peptide and is classified into a tandem repeat type.
Each of the prototype and chimeric type galectins has one CRD, and galectin-1, -2 and -3, and probably galactin-7 and -10 too, among them form a dimmer/multimer (polymer) and have a multivalent binding function, so that it is considered that they have a function to crosslink a complex carbohydrate (glycoconjugate).
Glycosaminoglycan is the carbohydrate moiety of proteoglycan among representative glycoconjugates (glycoprotein, glycolipid and proteoglycan) which are present as an extracellular matrix component and the like in the living bodies (JP-A-4-80201, JP-A-4-80202, JP-A-9-30979, JP-A-5-236951). About 10 kinds such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate and the like are known as the glycosaminoglycan, and they have a characteristic common structure, namely an alternate repeating structure of N-acetylhexosamine and uronic acid (or galactose).
Frontal affinity chromatography (hereinafter sometimes referred to as FAC) is known as a method which can determine affinity between a biomaterial such as an enzyme or lectin and a substrate analog or oligosaccharide chain with high sensitivity and high accuracy.
FAC is a technique of affinity chromatography using liquid chromatography. In the FAC, in general, a column to which a certain molecule was immobilized is prepared, and a molecule to be interacted therewith is labeled with a fluorescent material and flowed as the solvent. When the elution front end (front) observed by a fluorescence detector is delayed than the case of unbinding molecule, the intermolecular affinity is determined by using the fact that degree of the delay is proportional to the intermolecular affinity (Seikagaku, 76(3), 256-268 (2004)).
In JP-A-2004-215612 and JP-A-2003-189874, binding of galectin to carbohydrates which are found in the "glycoprotein" and "glycolipid" among glycoconjugates is analyzed by making use of the FAC techniques, by eluting fluorescence-labeled carbohydrates through a galectin-immobilized column.

Galectin-glycosaminoglycan complex and method for controlling galectin activity

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology


The compound of the formula ##STR1## and its tautomer are obtained from cultures of Eupenicillium sp. The compound has antifungal activity.

The present invention is concerned with a novel compound (hereinafter referred to as Xanthofulvin) of the formula I, ##STR2## or a salt thereof.
Xanthofulvin also occurs in a tautomeric form of the formula ##STR3##
The term Xanthofulvin as used herein refers to both the enol form and the diketo tautomer.


A tape supplying and taking up apparatus is capable of use with either large or small size tape cassettes containing reels which can be of different diameters and rotated with a high degree of accuracy by reel spindles of simple structure. Each tape cassette for use with the apparatus has a shutter of the slide type for closing access holes in the bottom wall of the cassette casing.. Each of the reel spindles has a large size cassette receiving portion for receiving a tape reel of a large size tape cassette coaxial with a small size cassette receiving portion for receiving a tape reel of a small size tape cassette. The small size cassette receiving portion is smaller in diameter and disposed at a higher position than the large size cassette receiving portion. The diameter of a lower end of a reel spindle engaging hole provided in each reel hub of the small tape cassette is smaller than the outer diameter of the small size cassette receiving portion of the reel spindle. The reel spindle engaging hole of the large size tape cassette has, at a lower end portion thereof, an escape portion which is greater in diameter than the outer diameter of the small size cassette receiving portion of the reel spindle but smaller than the outer diameter of the large size cassette receiving portion and such escape portion is higher than the height of the small size tape receiving portion.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a tape supplying and taking up apparatus and tape cassettes for use therewith, and more particularly is directed to a tape supplying and taking up apparatus for selective use with two types of cassettes having different large and small sizes.
2. Description of the Related Art
A tape supplying and taking up apparatus is known in which two types of tape cassettes of different large and small sizes can be used. One example of a conventional tape supplying and taking up apparatus of the type mentioned is a tape supplying and taking up apparatus employed in certain video tape recorders of the so-called compatible type in which a standard tape cassette for the so-called VHS system and a small size tape cassette, commonly called a C-cassette, can be selectively used.
A VHS standard tape cassette and a C-cassette have certain structural features in common, in that the tape reels and the access holes formed in the bottom wall of the cassette casing for exposing reel spindle engaging holes of the tape reels have the same diameters in both cases. The diameters of the tape reels and of the access holes are determined by the need to maintain accurate rotation of the reels in a VHS standard tape cassette. As a result of the foregoing, in the C-cassette which is of relatively small size, the tape reels are of unnecessarily large diameter so that space is wasted within the cassette casing and only undesirably limited amounts of tape can be accommodated in the C-cassette. Further, the relatively large diameter tape reels require correspondingly large access holes in the bottom wall of the cassette casing, and such large access holes in the bottom wall of the small C-cassette casing are not readily closed by means of a shutter of the kind used on tape cassettes for a digital audio tape recorder.

Tape supplying and taking up apparatus and tape cassettes for use therewith


The disclosure is directed to method for manufacturing an electro-optical device. In one example, a method comprises forming a plurality of scribe lines in a substrate; forming cracks in the substrate which pass from the scribe lines through the substrate; and forming a plurality of dicing lines in the substrate along the scribe lines and the cracks. In one example, the dicing lines are formed at a depth that is less than a thickness of the substrate. This abstract is intended only to aid those searching patents, and is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims in any manner.

The disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing an electro-optical device with which a plurality of electro-optical panels are manufactured by attaching a first substrate to a second substrate and dividing the attached substrates into a plurality of sections.
In an electro-optical device such as a light-transmissive liquid crystal device, a liquid crystal panel which is an electro-optical panel configured by filling liquid crystal between two substrates formed of glass substrates or quartz substrates may be contained in a packaging case.
The liquid crystal device can be made to display an image by arranging switching elements such as thin-film transistors (TFTs) and pixel electrodes on one substrate of the liquid crystal panel in a matrix, arranging counter electrodes on the other substrate, and varying an optical response of a liquid crystal layer interposed between both substrates in accordance with an image signal.
A TFT substrate on which the TFTs are arranged and a counter substrate which faces the TFT substrate may be separately manufactured. The TFT substrate and the counter substrate may be formed by laminating a semiconductor thin film, an insulating thin film or a conductive thin film having a predetermined pattern on, for example, a quartz substrate. The semiconductor thin film, the insulating thin film or the conductive thin film may be formed by repeatedly performing a film forming process and a photolithography process.
The TFT substrate and the counter substrate may be attached with high precision (for example, an alignment error of 1μ or less) in a panel assembling process. In this panel assembling process, for example, alignment films which align liquid crystal molecules along the surface of the substrate are formed on surfaces of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate, both of which contact the liquid crystal layer.
Thereafter, the alignment films are subjected to a rubbing process for determining the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules when a voltage is not applied. Next, in a liquid crystal dropping method, a seal material formed of an adhesive is formed on edges of a plurality of TFT substrates configured in a large substrate and a predetermined amount of liquid crystal is dropped onto liquid crystal filling regions of the TFT substrates surrounded by the seal material.
Next, in the large substrate assembling method, a first large plate including the plurality of TFT substrates and a second large plate including the plurality of counter substrates are attached to each other using the seal material or the adhesive for temporary fixation such that the TFT substrates and the counter substrates face each other. Thereafter, the attached substrates (hereinafter, referred to as a structure) are divided into a plurality of sets of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate which face each other and have a chip shape.
Next, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) for connecting an electronic device such as a projector to a liquid crystal device may be connected to an external connection terminal of the TFT substrate and, as a result, a liquid crystal panel is manufactured.
Thereafter, the liquid crystal panel is contained and fixed in a packaging case such that a liquid crystal device is manufactured. The manufactured liquid crystal device is provided in an electronic device such as a projector.
Examples of a method of dividing the structure into the plurality of sets of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate having the chip shape include a dicing process with excellent workability, high processing accuracy and outer shape accuracy necessary for the divided TFT substrate and counter substrate.
However, if the substrate is divided by passing a blade through the counter substrate in a thickness direction using the dicing process, a wiring line such as an external connection terminal or a driver circuit formed on the TFT substrate may be damaged by the blade, and consequently the manufacturing yield may deteriorate.
Accordingly, a method of dividing the structure into the plurality of sets of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate having the chip shape by a scribe/break process has been generally suggested and used.
In the scribe/break process, first, scribe lines are formed at division positions of the first large substrate including the plurality of TFT substrates and the second large substrate including the plurality of counter substrates using a scribe cutter by a scribe process.
Next, cracks passing through the substrates are generated in the thickness direction of the first large substrate and the second large substrate along the scribe lines by a break process of pressing the positions of the substrates facing the scribe lines, that is, the position of the second large substrate, including the plurality of counter substrates, facing the scribe line of the first large substrate after the scribe line has been formed on the first large substrate including the plurality of TFT substrates and the position of the first large substrate facing the scribe line of the second large substrate after the scribed line has been formed on the second large substrate. Finally, the structure is divided into the plurality of sets of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate having the chip shape using the generated cracks.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-98632 discloses a technology for preventing division portions of the TFT substrate or the counter substrate of the liquid crystal panel after division from being damaged due to the pressure applied from the scribe cutter to the structure in the scribe process by including a jig member for supporting the substrate in a scribe device for performing the scribe process in the scribe/break process.
However, in the method of dividing the structure into the plurality of sets of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate having the chip shape by the scribe/break process, it may be difficult to form the scribe lines in a straight line shape in plan view with respect to the division positions of the first large substrate including the plurality of TFT substrates and the second large substrate including the plurality of counter substrates. That is, after the scribe process, the scribe lines may be formed on the large substrates so as to have a zigzag shape in plan view.
When the cracks are generated along the scribe lines by the break process, it is difficult to vertically generate the cracks in the thickness direction of the substrates at all the division positions.
The division end faces of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate of the liquid crystal panel after the division has been performed by the scribe/break process may vary in shape in plan view and may vary in shape in the thickness direction according to the division positions. For example, the cross-sectional shapes of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate formed by the division end faces may vary. Thus, it is difficult to ensure the outer shape accuracy necessary for the TFT substrate and the counter substrate.
As a result, when the liquid crystal panel is contained in the packaging case, for example, when the opposite end faces of the counter substrate are brought into contact with opposite walls of a containing chamber of the packaging case and the liquid crystal panel is contained in the containing chamber, the liquid crystal panel may become misaligned in the packaging case due to a counter substrate having a different cross-sectional shape and thus the manufacturing yield of the liquid crystal device may decrease.

Method of manufacturing an electro-optical device


There are provided an electrode assembly, a battery cell including the electrode assembly, and a device including the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a combination of two or more electrode units having the same width and different lengths, wherein the electrode units are stacked so that a stepped portion is formed between the electrode units, and electrodes having different polarities face each other at an interface between the electrode units.

Demand for secondary batteries has markedly increased with the development and increasing usage of mobile devices, and particularly, secondary batteries having high energy density, high operating voltages, easy-to-store characteristics, and relatively long lifespans are widely used as power sources in various electronic products such as mobile devices.
Generally, secondary batteries such as lithium secondary batteries are formed by disposing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte in a battery case and sealing the battery case. Secondary batteries may be classified as cylindrical, prism, and pouch type batteries according to the shapes thereof, and lithium ion batteries, lithium ion polymer batteries, and lithium polymer batteries according to the types of electrolytes used therein. Demand for thin prism or pouch type batteries has increased as the size of mobile devices has decreased, and particularly, pouch type batteries are noteworthy due to being relatively lightweight.
Electrode assemblies accommodated in battery cases may be classified into jelly-roll (wound), stacked, and stacked/folded (combination) types according to the structures thereof. Generally, jelly-roll type electrode assemblies may be manufactured by coating metal foil used as a current collector with an electrode active material, pressing the metal foil, cutting the metal foil into a band having a desired width and length, separating positive and negative electrodes using a separation film, and winding the separation film in a spiral shape. Stacked type electrode assemblies may be manufactured by vertically stacking a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode. Stacked/folded type electrode assemblies may be manufactured by placing respective electrode stacks having a single electrode or a structure of a negative electrode/a separator/a positive electrode on a long sheet of separation film, and folding the separation film.
However, in the related art, electrode assemblies are usually manufactured by stacking unit cells or electrodes having the same size and thus have limited shapes. Therefore, there are many limitations in terms of battery designs. To address such limitations, methods of manufacturing batteries having stepped portions by using electrodes or unit cells having different sizes have been introduced. However, since such batteries having stepped portions are manufactured by cutting positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates into different sizes to form unit cells having different sizes and stacking the unit cells, the thicknesses of layers of the batteries are limited to multiples of the thicknesses of the unit cells, and thus the degree of design freedom of the batteries is relatively low.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned technique of the related art only discloses a simple idea of changing the design of a battery by cutting positive and negative electrodes into desired sizes and stacking the positive and negative electrodes. That is, a specific method of manufacturing batteries having practically useful battery characteristics is not disclosed. For example, although unit cells of a battery having a stepped portion have no individual operational errors, the unit cells may have overall operation errors, according to the stacked structure of the unit cells, or the electrical capacity of the battery having a stepped portion may be very low as compared with the capacity of a battery having the same volume. In addition, as charging and discharging cycles are repeated, interfaces between layers of the battery having a stepped portion may swell excessively, lowering the lifespan of the battery and making it difficult to use the battery practically. However, in the related art, batteries having stepped portions are not designed with the prevention of such problems in mind.
Therefore, high-capacity, durable electrode assemblies that can be variously designed according to the shapes of devices in which the electrode assemblies are to be used, and the development of batteries using such electrode assemblies is needed.

Electrode assembly including electrode units having the same width and different lengths, and battery cell and device including the electrode assembly


A method for forming a STI of a semiconductor device includes steps of sequentially forming a pad oxide film and a pad nitride film on the semiconductor device and carrying out a pattern process PR; etching the pad oxide film and the nitride film and carrying out a cleaning process; selectively growing epitaxial silicon; and carrying out liner oxidation on the epitaxial silicon and carrying out CMP so as to form an oxidation fill and STI.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for forming shallow trench isolation (STI) of a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a method for easily forming a top rounded corner during the STI process when manufacturing a transistor of a semiconductor device so as to enhance junction leakage and isolation characteristics.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, as semiconductor devices become more highly integrated and miniaturized while having higher speeds, more improved junction leakage and insulation characteristics are demanded.
FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram showing a conventional process for forming a STI in a conventional semiconductor device. Referring to FIG. 1, an oxide film and a nitride film are successively deposited on a silicon substrate S1. Then, a pattern is formed on the nitride film, the nitride film and the oxide film are etched, and then silicon used for the STI is etched. Thereafter, a filing oxide film S3 is formed and a trench is deposited on a liner oxide film S2. Subsequently, chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) is performed and the nitride film is removed so as to form the STI. In this case, and as recognized by the present inventor, if the top corner of the liner oxide film S2 is not rounded after etching the silicon used for STI and completing the formation of the liner oxide film, a current is concentrated to a portion which is not rounded, thereby causing a problem of unacceptably high leakage characteristics.
As recognized by the present inventor an anomaly in a voltage characteristic of certain transistors is described as a "double hump" characteristic. The present inventor was able to associate this double hump characteristic with the lack of rounded edges at the top corner of the liner oxide film S2.

Method for forming STI of semiconductor device


A data bus network interface module for enabling reception and transmission of application messages to/from at least one host processing module of an integrated digital signal processing device via a data bus network is described. The data bus network interface module being arranged to receive at least one data bus message from at least one remote network node via the data bus network, read an identifier field of the received at least one data bus message, and make data content of the received at least one data bus message available to at least one debug module if the identifier field comprises an identifier value defined for debug use.

It is known to provide microcontroller units (MCUs) with comprehensive debug capabilities to assist in the debug of end applications. Such debug capabilities may include run control and trace of core, read/write access to memories and registers, etc. Access to these debug capabilities is conventionally provided via dedicated debug interfaces, for example based on specialised standards such as IEEE 1149.1 JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) and/or IEEE-ISTO 5001 Nexus.
Such specialised interfaces are optimised for debug use and provide good debug functionality. Such interfaces may also be used for end applications where provision has been included to allow tool access to the required interface signals. This requirement for access to interface signals purely for debug use conflicts with pressure to minimise the number of signals made available at the MCU; the pressure to minimise the number of signals being due to the need to increase reliability, and to reduce cost and size. For applications where the MCU is potted in an epoxy compound, this problem of requiring access to interface signals for debug use is amplified since there is no easy way to access debug signals even if the electronic control unit that contains the MCU is opened.
In an attempt to avoid the need for additional signals to be made available purely for debug use, it is known to enable standard non-debug interfaces that are used for application traffic to also be used for debug use. For example, monitor type software may be run on one or more processing cores to support such debug use of standard non-debug interfaces. However, a problem with this approach is that it involves the use of processing and memory resources in order to run the monitor type software, which itself may affect the operation of an application that is being debugged. In addition, there is the possibility that the actual application fault that is to be debugged could itself cause the monitor code to stop executing correctly.

Data bus network interface module and method therefor


A hearing protection earplug having a shell worn at least in part in a user's ear canal, an active unit having an acoustic output transducer and an arrangement for producing output audio signals for said output transducer, and a detachable connection of the active unit to said shell, the shell including a sound passage extending between an outer opening of said shell and an inner sound output opening of said shell and having a valve mechanism which is moveable, upon connecting said active unit to said shell, from a closed position acoustically closing said sound passage into an open position acoustically opening said sound passage, said valve mechanism being biased towards said closed position when said active unit is removed from said shell, and wherein said output transducer is acoustically connected to said sound output opening via said sound passage when said active unit is connected to said shell.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hearing protection earplug comprising a removable active unit, to a use of such an earplug and to a method for manufacturing such an earplug. The invention further relates to a hearing protection system comprising an earplug and a plurality of removable active units.
2. Description of Related Art
US 2003/0112990 A1 relates to a hearing protection earplug comprising a customized shell with an outer shape adapted to the inner shape of the user's outer ear and ear canal. The shell comprises a sound passage extending through the earplug, with the outer end of the sound passage being provided with a slit membrane which closes the sound passage whenever engaged by a remote instrument such as a microphone of a measurement device. The shell further comprises a receptacle for an insert member which may be a communication element, i.e. an active unit, comprising a microphone and a speaker, and which may be releasably engaged within the receptacle of the shell. The receptacle communicates with a second sound passage extending through the earplug.
US 2002/0080979 A1 relates to a hearing protection earplug comprising a soft shell, i.e. a shell made of a relatively resilient material which is capable of adapting its outer shape to the inner shape of the user's outer ear and ear canal, into which soft shell an electronic module, i.e. an active unit, may be inserted in a detachable manner for enabling exchange of the soft shell. The electronic module comprises a microphone, a signal processing unit and a speaker for providing for an active hearing protection function.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,965 relates to a hearing protection earplug comprising a soft shell and an active unit which is screwed into the shell. The active unit includes a microphone, a signal processing unit and a speaker, with the speaker communicating with a sound passage extending through the shell.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,687,377 B2 relates to a hearing protection earplug comprising a shell with a sound measurement channel which extends through the shell and which terminates at an opening at the outer end of the shell. A remote device such as a sound measurement device may be temporarily inserted into the outer opening of the sound measurement passage.
US 2003/0037989 A1 relates to an earplug comprising a customized shell which is provided with a receptacle into which a hearing aid module comprising a microphone, a signal processing unit and a speaker may be releasably inserted for allowing exchange of the shell. The speaker of the hearing aid module communicates with a sound passage extending through the shell.
It is an object of the invention to provide for a hearing protection earplug which allows for a highly flexible use by enabling the user to select between different functions in a simple and easy manner. It is a further object of the invention to provide for a manufacturing method and a use of such an earplug and for a hearing protection system comprising such an earplug.

Hearing protection earplug and use of the same


Overall system performance improvements resulting from improvements to individual system components may be predicted by analyzing the effects of artificial performance degradations inserted into the individual components. Measuring and analyzing a negative overall system effect caused by negative changes to an individual component may predict a positive overall system performance improvement resulting from an improvement to the individual component of similar magnitude to the inserted negative changes. System performance prediction may be used to analyze and predict system performance changes related to various computing resources, such as execution time (speed), memory usage, network bandwidth, file I/O, and/or disk storage space, among others. Additionally, by comparing predicted system performance improvements resulting from potential improvements to various components of a software system, the individual components may be ranked according to the amount of improvement required to realize the predicted system performance improvements.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention related to the field of software performance analysis and more particularly to software system performance prediction by linear component perturbation.
2. Description of the Related Art
The performance of a software system is generally determined by the complex interaction of a large number of software components. Traditionally, in order to understand how to improve the performance of a system, a "critical path" through the system would normally have to be determined. In general, however, this is difficult or impossible due to the complex, non-linear, nature of the problem.
One of the major challenges facing any attempt at improving the performance of a complex software system is determining where to apply the effort. It is a relatively simple matter to determine which parts of the system are used by a given industry standard benchmark (e.g. SPECweb99, Netbench, TPC-C, etc.). It is quite another matter to determine how much the performance of that benchmark depends on each individual system component. In many cases, simple "microbenchmarks" are developed that test a single component of the system's behavior in seclusion. However, it is highly likely that component changes that have a significant impact in a microbenchmark will show little or no benefit for the larger, more complicated industry standard benchmark. In other words, changes that improve the performance of a single component may have little effect on a system's overall performance.


A hinge assembly includes a hinge member joined to a vehicle door. A cam member is disposed about a portion of the hinge member, and the cam member has a protrusion. A casing is joined to a body portion of the vehicle, and the casing has an aperture along an axis. The aperture is configured to receive a portion of the cam member therein, and the casing has a slot including a first detent configured so the protrusion of the cam member moves along the slot. A biasing member urges the cam member in a direction to move the door to a closed position. When the door is rotated to an open position, the protrusion moves along the slot to an engaged position with the first detent such that the door is maintained in the open position until the door is moved to disengage the protrusion from the first detent.

Door hinges may be both functional and aesthetic. A JEEP® Wrangler, for example, includes exposed door hinges that contribute to the aesthetics of the vehicle. Regarding functionality, a hinge allows a vehicle door to be opened and closed relative to a vehicle body. Further, utilizing the door hinge, the door may be separated from the vehicle. In some instances, it is desirable for the door to remain open in one or more positions until it is desired to return the door to a closed position.


The invention relates to a method for coating spark plug threads with a polytetrafluoroethylene mixture comprising the steps of (a) bringing the spark plug to room temperature of 21° C. to 26° C. (70° F. to 79° F.); (b) mixing the polytetrafluoroethylene mixture thoroughly and filtering the material through a 100-mesh stainless steel screen (0.146 mm openings); (c) applying a minimum dry film thickness of 20 microns to 30 microns (0.8 mil to 1.2 mil) to the spark plug thread; and (d) baking the spark plug for 15 minutes at a metal temperature of 232° C. to 260° C. (450° F. to 500° F.).

Spark plugs operate at high temperatures and are prone to "seizing" in an engine and becoming adhered to the surrounding aluminum or stripping.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that finds numerous applications. The best known brand name of PTFE is Teflon™ by DuPont Co.
PTFE is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware.
PTFE has been used as a thread seal tape in plumbing applications, as well as for coating armor-piercing bullets to prevent the increased wear on the firearms' rifling. Some car owners have used PTFE tape to wrap around spark plugs with limited success. PTFE, like all polymeric materials, deteriorates over time when exposed to certain temperature levels. In this application, where the PTFE is attached to an operating spark plug in a stationary engine application, the continuous exposure to elevated operating temperatures will accelerate PTFE's loss of electrical insulation capabilities.
Using PTFE tape also has the disadvantage that the PTFE tape will burn off and turn to dust and foul the threads.
It would be advantageous to have a method of coating spark plug threads with a PTFE mixture to avoid the disadvantages of using a PTFE tape.

Method for coating spark plug threads with a polytetrafluoroethylene mixutre


An FM signal generator generates a frequency-swept FM signal, which is radiated as a beam from a transmission and reception antenna. The transmission and reception antenna is angularly moved by an antenna actuator to scan the beam. An echo signal reflected from a target and a signal related to the frequency-swept FM signal are mixed into a beat signal, whose frequency spectrum is analyzed by a frequency analyzer. A target detector determines the distance up to the target based on the frequency spectrum of the beat signal. A BPF processor comprises a bandpass filter which extracts a frequency component corresponding to the distance up to the target from the beat signal. A bearing calculator compares the level of a signal that has passed through the BPF processor with a threshold level to determine a bearing and a width of the target.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FM-CW) radar system for scanning a beam transmitted from a radar antenna, and more particularly to an FM-CW radar system which is capable of accurately detecting both the bearing and width of a target.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,409 discloses a time-division multiplex radar system having a plurality of antennas arranged for radiating beams having substantially the same radiation patterns in overlapping relation to each other. The beam radiated from one of the antennas is reflected by a target, and the echo signal is received by another of the antennas, such that the radar system is functionally equivalent to a radar system configuration which has a virtual antenna added between each pair of adjacent ones of the existing antennas. The disclosed time-division multiplex radar system is capable of detecting a target highly accurately in a wide angular range with the limited number of antennas.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,010 reveals a multibeam radar apparatus having a multibeam transmitting and receiving means, a reception level storing means for successively detecting and storing the intensities of reflected waves from targets that are received in respective transmission and reception channels and the distances up to the targets, a multibeam pattern storing means for generating and storing a multibeam pattern matrix or its inverse matrix representing the squares of directivities of the transmitted beams and corresponding to the transmission and reception channels, and an inversely processing means for arranging the stored reception levels of substantially the same distance into rows or columns corresponding to the transmission and reception channels, and processing the reception levels based of the multibeam pattern matrix or its inverse matrix to calculate corrected values of the reception levels of the transmission and reception channels. The revealed multibeam radar apparatus can detect a number of reflective sources distributed in a two-dimensional space with high resolution according to a deconvolution process.
Conventional multibeam FM-CW radar apparatus have their bearing resolution depending on the number of multiple beams. Since the number of multiple beams is limited by the structure of antennas, it is desirable to detect the bearing of a target and the width thereof in a scanning direction highly accurately without increasing the number of multiple beams.
It would be possible for beam-scanning FM-CW radar apparatus to divide a beat signal into each scanning direction and frequency-analyze the beat signal for determining the distance to and the bearing of a target. However, since the frequency-analyzing process would be time-consuming if the number of divided beat signals were increased for increased bearing resolution, it is desirable to detect the bearing of a target and the width thereof in a scanning direction highly accurately without increasing the number of divided beat signals.

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar system