The invention provides a power transmitting system for a small boat, such as a water jet propulsion craft, and more particularly, an improved arrangement for connecting an engine output shaft to a propulsion unit input shaft. Also provided is an arrangement for balancing an engine within the craft against undesirable operational forces tending to render the craft unstable. The connecting assembly includes a coupling arrangement utilizing elastomeric vibration dampening members. One of the dampening members possesses a high degree of elasticity, while another of the dampening members possesses a low degree of elasticity. A durable, yet efficient vibration dampening coupling arrangement, which is additionally able to act as a universal joint, is thereby achieved. The engine balancing arrangement includes a flywheel which rotates in response to the crankshaft assembly of the engine. The flywheel is weighted, and rotates in a direction opposite to that of the crankshaft assembly, so that a rotational momentum is achieved by the flywheel to offset undesirable rotational forces created by the crankshaft assembly

This invention relates to an engine and a power transmitting system for a small boat, such as a water jet propulsion craft, and more particularly to an improved arrangement for connecting an engine output shaft to a propulsion unit input shaft and an arrangement for balancing the engine within the craft against undesirable operational forces tending to render the craft unstable.
The use of water jets for propulsion units in a wide variety of watercraft is well known. One of the more popular types of such watercraft is a small, single rider unit that is designed to be operated by a rider sitting in a straddle fashion and wearing a swimming suit. With this type of unit, the engine should be mounted at a generally forward location so as to improve the balance of the unit and provide sufficient room for the rider. However, it is also desirable for the water jet to be placed at the rear of the watercraft, and this means that its impeller is spaced a substantial distance from the driving engine. As a result, the drive shaft is very long and it is normally the practice to support the drive shaft by axially spaced bearings. There are often difficulties, however, in radially aligning the bearings, drive shaft, engine output shaft and impeller assembly. Unless properly aligned, the drive unit can cause undesirable vibrations which may be transmitted to the hull of the watercraft and cause discomfort to an operator.
When connecting an engine output shaft to an impeller shaft, it has been known to interpose a vibration dampening rubber coupling in order to prevent any rotational vibration of the output shaft from being transmitted from the engine to the impeller shaft. Also, it has been known, to divide the impeller shaft of the propulsion unit into two halves, a forward half and a rearward half, to be connected together through a key or spline coupling. Such a coupling is often journaled for rotation within a vertically extending bulkhead wall separating the engine compartment from the impeller assembly compartment. The coupling is journaled within a bearing assembly at the bulkhead wall. The bearing assembly is often provided with an elastomeric vibration dampening member between itself and the bulkhead wall in order to prevent engine vibrations from being transmitted to the hull.
While it is often desirable to utilize a soft rubber coupling between the engine output shaft and the impeller shaft, or a soft elastomeric mounting arrangement between the bulkhead wall and the bearing assembly rotatably journaling the power transmitting shaft arrangement, in order to maximize vibration dampening; the softness of the dampening members which may in fact be employed has been limited in order to secure a sufficient durability for such members. Thus, it has been unavoidable that some rotational vibration and engine vibration are transmitted to the craft's hull.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an improved arrangement for connecting an engine output shaft to a watercraft propulsion unit.
It is further an object of this invention to provide for improved vibration isolation capability in an elastomerically dampened coupling and support arrangement for the power transmitting shaft system of a small watercraft which also possesses a high degree of durability.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a durable, vibration dampened coupling and support arrangement for the power transmitting shaft system of a small watercraft which is capable of efficiently transmitting power from the craft's engine to the propulsion unit.
It has been known that reciprocating internal combustion engines give rise to numerous unbalanced forces that can cause vibration. The reciprocation of a piston within a cylinder generates one inertial force in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the piston. This inertial force is exerted upon the crankshaft and can cause vibrations unless balanced. In addition to these forces, it is a common practice in multiple cylinder engines to offset one cylinder and connecting rod from that of an adjacent bank. This is frequently done so that the connecting rods can cooperate with a single throw of the crank. When offset connecting rods are employed, a force couple is exerted on the crankshaft in addition to the force mentioned above. Of course, such force couples also can give rise to vibrations and shakes if not appropriately balanced.
It is well known to employ counterweights on the crankshaft throws so as to balance the inertial forces generated by the reciprocation of the pistons. In many instances, it is difficult or impossible to provide sufficient counterweighting directly on the crankshaft so as to dampen all such forces. This problem is particularly acute when the engine is extremely compact, which is always desirable. Additionally devices must be employed to balance the force couples. All of this balancing arrangement can often be extremely complicated and cumbersome.
A related problem involves the rotational momentum achieved by a crankshaft assembly of an engine when such forces are not adequately counterbalanced. Such rotational momentum can be imparted to an associated vehicle, such as a jet propelled watercraft, thereby tending to destabilize the craft during its operation upon a body of water.
It is, therefore, still a further object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified balancing arrangement for an internal combustion engine.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a simple and compact balancing arrangement which will counter rotational forces of a crankshaft assembly which would otherwise tend to destabilize a watercraft during operation.


A continuously adjustable rotation device includes a base, a first connection element combined with the base, a ring buckle, a transmission disc, a second connection element, and a rotation controller. The transmission disc is formed on the contacting portion of the base, forming an inclination angle and contacting the second connection element for transmission of force. By using the rotation controller, one can select a rotation direction by properly contacting with the transmission disc. When the rotation direction is selected, the second connection element and the transmission disc then drive the first connection element to rotate in the designated direction. One can thus perform a continuously adjustable rotation. Therefore, no alignment is needed when assembling the rotation device, which will enhance the production yield and lower the manufacturing cost.

The present invention relates generally to a continuously adjustable rotation device, and more particularly to a rotation device that is easy to assemble and can perform precise rotational movements, thereby improving the rotational alignment and lowering the manufacturing cost thereof. The continuously adjustable rotation device of the present invention is applicable to many products that require the performance of rotational motions.
Rotational mechanism is normally applied to products that perform single directional or double directional rotations. For example, the rotational mechanism is commonly seen in a ratchet wrench, a shaft for adjusting the illuminating angles of a lamp, a positioning shaft for adjusting the angle formed between a seat and a seat back, etc. Some conventional rotational mechanisms employ a ratchet wheel or a ratchet to incorporate with a positioning element. Other rotational mechanisms employ the incorporation between a concave portion and a protrusive point, or the incorporation between an elastic element and steel balls, so as to obtain a single directional or a double directional rotational operation and positioning. However, these rotational mechanisms are restricted to sectional positioning. In other words, only at certain rotational angles can the rotational mechanism be securely positioned. One can not continuously adjust the rotational motion and position the rotational mechanism at any desirable rotated angle.
One possible solution to the aforementioned drawbacks is disclosed in the Published Taiwanese New Utility Model Patent No. 527989, entitled "Continuously Adjustable Ratchet Wrench." In this conventional art, the continuously adjustable ratchet wrench includes a slanted continuously adjustable disc base disposed at the bottom portion of a wrench body. The slanted frictional surface faces upward, which contacts a continuously adjustable rotational mechanism for transmission of force. The continuously adjustable rotational mechanism includes a spherical disc, a slanted continuously adjustable disc, and a combining shaft. The combining shaft is thrust into the spherical disc and the slanted continuously adjustable disc, and is combined with the slanted continuously adjustable disc base. Further, a C-shaped buckle and a pushing rod mechanism are employed to select the rotation direction and to control the rotation. When one rotates the combining shaft to an angle, the spherical disc, the slanted continuously adjustable disc and the slanted continuously adjustable disc base perform frictional rotational motion with the combining shaft along the contact surface. In addition, the pushing rod and the elastic element of pushing rod mechanism are pushed to move backward in response to the compression of the slanted continuously adjustable disc. Furthermore, the pushing rod of the pushing rod mechanism is pushed outward due to the elastic force from the elastic element after the combining shaft is rotated to a certain angle, thereby tightly pushing the slanted continuously adjustable disc to securely position the rotated angle.
However, the fabrication of the slanted continuously adjustable disc base and the slanted continuously adjustable rotational mechanism requires the use of high precision equipment and highly accurate alignment assembly process. Therefore, the yield of manufacturing is significantly lower than expected and the cost thereof is much higher. Moreover, the rotational operation can not guarantee that the slanted surfaces are properly contacted with each other.


A computer has an internal chassis with a variety of electronic components. The chassis is mounted within an enclosure having a ventilation port for exhaust air on a lower surface. A diffuser is mounted to the lower end of the enclosure. The diffuser has a series of openings and baffles which align with the ventilation port for directing the flow of exhaust air away from either side of the computer. The diffuser also allows for full containment of hot or flaming parts to satisfy safety codes. In addition, a pedestal is detachably coupled to the diffuser and is configured to enhance the air flow performance of the diffuser.

Electronic computers house a variety of electronic components such as printed circuit boards, an internal modem, connectors, a ventilation fan, a power supply and the like. Each of these components is mounted to a chassis which is located inside an external housing or enclosure. The enclosure also protects the exposed components from physical contact and shields the components from electromagnetic interference.
Typically, enclosures for computer towers have a base which is flush mounted with a desk or floor support surface. Because of this geometry and a safety code requirement for hot or flaming parts to avoid contact with the support surface, the lower surface of the enclosure is not vented. Instead, the ventilation fan typically exhausts air through a port along upper or side surfaces of the enclosure. Although these designs are workable, an improved ventilation system for computers is desirable.

Cooling air diffuser for computer enclosure

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus for forming a solder bump on a substrate including a supporter configured to support the substrate to be provided thereon, a housing surrounding the supporter, a cover defining a manufacturing space in combination with the housing and including an edge heating zone along a perimeter thereof, the manufacturing space surrounding the supporter, and an oxide remover supply nozzle configured to supply an oxide remover to the manufacturing space may be provided.

The inventive concepts relate to apparatuses and/or methods of manufacturing a solder bump, and more particularly, to apparatuses and/or methods of manufacturing a solder bump, which decrease product defects and enhance productivity.
Fluxless solder bumps using no flux may be applied to wafer level packages. In solder bump reflow apparatuses for reflowing the solder bumps, particles can be easily deposited therein and dropped onto a substrate which is to be processed, thereby causing product defects.

Apparatus and method of manufacturing solder bump


An electronically controlled back pressure regulator comprises an analysis device having a vent coupled to the analysis device through a vent path, a pressure sensor coupled to the vent path, a proportional valve coupled to the vent path, the proportional valve configured to controllably alter pressure in the analysis device, and an electronically controlled closed-loop controller configured to control a flow through the vent based on a signal from the pressure sensor and an electronically controlled pressure setpoint.

Many analysis applications, such as gas chromatography, require a regulated pressure of a fluid in order to obtain accurate and repeatable measurements. For example, when preparing to deliver a gaseous sample into an analysis column of a gas chromatograph, the sample is first collected in what is referred to as a "sample loop," and then, under the control of a gas sampling valve, directed (also referred to as "injected") into the analysis column of the chromatograph. When loading the sample fluid in the sample loop, the amount of a gaseous sample is dependent upon many factors, one of which is the pressure of the fluid in the sample loop. Changes in the ambient pressure (also referred to as barometric pressure) affect the amount of sample molecules contained in the sample volume, resulting in variability of the absolute amount of compounds detected by the chromatographic analysis.
Further, because the sample loop is typically vented to ambient pressure, the absolute amount of molecules contained in the sample loop is less than if the sample loop were at an elevated pressure. This results in a smaller amount of molecules being injected into the chromatographic column for analysis, thus limiting the accuracy of the analysis. Further, because the sample loop is at a relatively low gauge pressure compared to the inlet pressure of the chromatograph into which the sample is injected, there is a resulting pressure and flow disturbance when the contents of the sample loop are injected into chromatograph. This pressure and flow disturbance further reduces the accuracy of the chromatographic analysis.
Prior solutions include the implementation of a mechanical absolute back pressure regulator and pressure accumulator, in which the mechanical pressure regulator becomes the reference for all flows within the chromatograph. However, drawbacks of such a system include the requirement that the mechanical back pressure regulator be frequently calibrated off-line from the system, a lack of programmability and adjustability. Also, because all flows in such a system are referenced to a mechanical pressure regulator, and because mechanical pressure regulators are sensitive to flow, variations in the flow through the regulator, which affect the actual pressure in the system, can manifest as noise on the analysis output, further reducing the accuracy of the analysis.
Further, because all flows in such a system travel through the absolute pressure regulator, any sample components that become chemically active when ionized (e.g., by a flame ionization detector) will likely react and corrode portions of the regulator, thus reducing regulator service life. Further, as the regulator ages due to mechanical drift or as a result of the chemicals passing through the regulator, the results of the analysis will become less reliable.
Accordingly, a need exists for a back pressure regulator in a chromatographic analysis system that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings.

Electronically controlled back pressure regulator


An electronic apparatus includes: a housing; a motherboard that is accommodated in the housing; a first daughterboard that is accommodated in the housing; a second daughterboard that is accommodated in the housing; a host controller that is mounted on the motherboard; a bridge controller that is mounted on the first daughterboard and electrically connected to the host controller; a first chip that is mounted on the first daughterboard and electrically connected to the bridge controller; and a second chip that is mounted on the second daughterboard and electrically connected to the bridge controller.

1. Field
One embodiment of the invention relates to a technique related to an electronic apparatus that is installed with a plurality of circuit boards.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic apparatuses, such as portable computers, may be installed with a daughterboard on which a chip such as a graphic chip is mounted in addition to a motherboard on which a host controller is mounted. When a plurality of such daughterboards are installed, a bridge controller that branches a signal from the host controller is mounted on the motherboard, and a plurality of connectors for connection of a daughterboard, corresponding to the number of the daughterboards, are provided.
An example of an electronic apparatus including a motherboard and a plurality of daughterboards is disclosed in JP-A-2006-100419. A plurality of connectors to which the daughterboards are to be connected are provided in the motherboard in correspondence with the number of the daughterboards.
An electronic apparatus may be provided with an alternative model that is obtained by partially design-changing a standard model. The present inventor considers, for example, providing a model that is installed with a single daughterboard, while providing a model that is installed with multiple daughterboards.
If the motherboard is designed to be capable of the number of daughterboards as described in the document JP-A-2006-100419, it is necessary to change the motherboard in accordance with the number of daughterboards when a model in which the number of daughterboards is changed is provided. The change of the motherboard increases a burden in design changes of an electronic apparatus.


The thermostructural composite material is produced by forming a fibrous preform made from refractory fibers coated with a sizing agent. The preform is densified by a refractory matrix, in particular ceramic, while a carbon interphase is provided between the fibers and the matrix. The fibrous preform is made from refractory fibers coated with a sizing agent of the type that leaves behind a carbon residue upon thermal decomposition. The carbon interphase is produced by the thermal degradation of the sizing agent, occurring for example after the preform is made. The sizing agent is chosen among phenolic, acrylic and cellulose resins, and in particular carboxymethylcellulose.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a thermostructural composite material, involving the steps of making a fibrous preform from refractory fibers, and densifying the preform with a refractory matrix while providing a carbon interphase between the fibers and the matrix.
A thermostructural composite material consists of a fibrous preform and a matrix which, together provide high mechanical characteristics that can be maintained at elevated temperatures.
The process according to the invention can be applied to any type of fibrous preform. The latter can be made by packing short fibers, e.g. to provide a felt, or by winding fibers. The texture can also comprise a superposition or winding of one-dimensional (1D) plies or two-dimensional (2D) plies made from strands, cables or threads, each consisting of an assembly of fibers. It is also possible to use three-dimensional (3D) preforms, such as those obtained by needling superimposed or wound plies, or by three-dimensional weaving.
Refractory fibers forming the preform are chosen among those fibers that can withstand a temperature of at least 800.degree. C. in an atmosphere that is non-reactive for the fiber, without modification or fundamental deterioration. Examples of such fibers include carbon fibers and ceramic fibers (silicon carbide, alumina, zirconia or the like).
As to the refractory material forming the matrix, any refractory ceramic composition of the oxide, carbide, boride, nitride type or the like, as well as carbon, may be used.
The invention is more particularly aimed at composite materials having a ceramic or part-ceramic matrix, known as CMCs. These materials are employed in applications that require high-mechanical properties, such as in the manufacture of engine or jet components, or structural parts of space vehicles exposed to substantial heating effects.
In a CMC, the matrix in itself has a low breaking strain and tensile strength, a high susceptiblity to kirving, owing to its ceramic nature. In order to obtain a material that is resistant to shocks and crack propagation, the fiber-to-matrix link must be made weak, so that any crack arriving at the fiber-matrix interphase cannot continue across the fiber and cause the latter to break.
On the other hand, it is known that if high mechanical properties are to be obtained, and in particular a high resistance to flexing, then the bond between the fibers and the matrix must be rather high, in order to ensure that forces are transmitted to the fibers of the reinforcement.
2. Prior Art
A good compromise between these seemingly conflicting requirements has been found by interposing an intermediate coating, or interphase, between the fibers and the matrix. Such an interphase has a small thickness and a shear resistance which is lower than that of the matrix. Accordingly, when a crack in the matrix reaches the region of the fiber, the strains at the bottom of the crack will be released by the interphase. This interphase may e.g. be formed from a material having a laminar structure, such as laminar pyrolytic carbon or boron nitride, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,503.
According to the method taught in that document, the interphase is deposited on the fibers by chemical vapor deposition within the preform, before depositing in the matrix. This makes it necessary to carry out at least one operation between the steps of making the preform and forming the matrix. It will be noted that such operations involving chemical vapor deposition are generally long and require complex installations.

Process for the manufacture of a thermostructural composite material having a carbon interphase between its reinforcement fibers and its matrix


An image recognition device includes: a luminance image generator and a distance image generator that generate a luminance image and a distance image, respectively, based on an image signal of an imaging target object output from a photoreceptor element; a target object recognition processor that extracts a target-object candidate from the luminance image using a machine learning database; and a three-dimensional object determination processor that uses the distance image to determine whether the extracted target-object candidate is a three-dimensional object. If it is determined that the target-object candidate is not a three-dimensional object, the target-object candidate extracted from the luminance image is prevented from being used, in the machine learning database, as image data for extracting a feature value of a target object.

For determining the presence or absence of an obstacle in the path of a moving unit such as a vehicle, object detection systems using an imaging device such as a camera have been developed.
PTL 1 discloses an object detection technique in which a terminal device mounted on a vehicle provisionally detects a target-object candidate from an image captured by an in-vehicle camera and transmits only an image containing the candidate object to a server, which then investigates the received image to recognize the target object. According to this technique, objects in images can be accurately separated from the background of the images to efficiently collect images of a detected target object even if the brightness of images in a video varies. The data traffic between the terminal device and the server can also be reduced. PTL 1 also discloses using machine learning to recognize the target object.
In a technique disclosed in PTL 2, the outline of a target object is captured with a stereo camera, and multiple points on the detected target object are specified for measuring distances to the target object. The distances between the camera and the specified points are compared to determine whether the target object is a three-dimensional object, and if so, an image for a left eye and an image for a right eye are generated for stereoscopic display.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A liquid crystal apparatus comprises: a liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization and causing a state change accompanied with a polarity inversion thereof within a response time. Drive means sequentially selects scanning signal lines each in a scanning selection period and applies data signal voltages to the pixels along an associated scanning signal line, wherein the scanning selection period for a scanning signal line is shorter than the response time for the liquid crystal at a pixel on the scanning signal line thus being liable to leave a remaining portion of polarity inversion to reach a desired state change, and the data signal voltage applied to the pixel is set to include a compensation voltage for compensating for a voltage decrease caused by the remaining portion of polarity inversion.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal apparatus for effecting an active matrix drive by using a liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization.
At present, most of liquid crystal display apparatus for use in monitors of liquid crystal television sets, word processors and personal computers principally employ a TN (twisted nematic) mode or an STN (super twisted nematic) mode using a nematic liquid crystal as a display mode.
In the case of using such a TN or STN mode for multiplex driving scheme, however, an increase in the number of scanning signal lines is liable to lower a contrast. Even if a drive waveform is optimized in order to provide practical display qualities, the number of scanning signal line has been restricted to ca. 400-500 lines at best.
In order to sole such a problem that display qualities are lowered with an increased number of scanning signal lines in a liquid crystal display mode (TN or STN mode), there has been proposed an active matrix (display) mode using a plurality of switching devices or devices, such as MIM (metal-insulator-metal) devices or TFTs (thin-film-transistors), disposed in a matrix form on a substrate.
In this case, however, a nematic liquid crystal used as a liquid crystal material therefor shows a slow response speed of several hundred msec particularly for gradation display signals, thus failing to follow high-speed motion display. As a result, it is difficult to provide sufficient display qualities. Further, in the above-mentioned TN (or STN) mode, liquid crystal molecules cause switching between a state where they are twisted and in parallel with a substrate and a state where they are perpendicular to the substrate, thus resulting in a large viewing angle-dependence based on its principle.
On the other hand, there have been developed display devices using a liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization, such as a ferroelectric or chiral smectic liquid crystal, in view of, e.g., a higher-speed responsiveness and a wider viewing-angle characteristic when compared with those of the TN or (STN) mode using the nematic liquid crystal.
For example, as a display device using a liquid crystal showing ferroelectricity, there has been proposed a surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal display device as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) 56-107216, wherein multiplex driving scheme is practiced according to a simple matrix mode utilizing bistability of liquid crystal molecules. However, this driving scheme fails to continuously change a resultant transmittance since it performs two-value (binary) driving using bistable states of liquid crystal molecules, thus not facilitating gradational display. For this reason, there have been proposed various gradational display methods using, e.g., pixel division, time-division display, and image processing.
Further, there have been proposed active matrix driving schemes utilizing a high-speed responsiveness and a wide view-angle characteristic of a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal. For example JP-A 5-100208 discloses a method of effecting gradational display by performing active matrix driving of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal assuming three stable states and JP-A 9-68728 discloses a gradational display method using an active matrix driving scheme and a thresholdless-antiferroelectric liquid crystal (TL-AFLC).
However, in the case of the active matrix driving scheme using a chiral smectic liquid crystal (e.g., a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal), an effective voltage applied to the liquid crystal is substantially lowered to cause image-quality deterioration as described in, e.g., (1) A full-color thresholdless Antiferroelectric LCD exhibiting wide viewing angle with fast response time, T. Yoshida et al., SID (Society for Information Display) 97 DIGEST, pp. 841-844, and (2) Voltage-holding properties of thresholdless Antiferroelectric liquid crystals driven by active matrices, T. Saishu et al., SID 96 DIGEST, pp. 703-706. More specifically, in the case where an antiferroelectric (or ferroelectric) liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization is driven (i.e., subjected to switching) by using an active element or device (e.g., TFT), an inversion of the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal causes a lowering in holding voltage to substantially decrease a voltage applied to the liquid crystal, thus resulting in a deterioration in image qualities, such as a low contrast.
The lowering in holding voltage leading to inferior image qualities will be simply described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 3-5.
FIG. 4 shows an equivalent circuit of one pixel portion of a liquid crystal device using a liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization (in this instance, the TL-AFLC as described in the above document (1) is used), and FIG. 3 shows a V-T (voltage-transmittance) curve as an optical response characteristic of the liquid crystal device using the TL-AFLC when a low-frequency triangular waveform is applied.
Referring to FIG. 4, the equivalent circuit includes a TFT 14, a liquid crystal capacitance (Clc) 31, a storage capacitance (Cs) 32, a spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal (Ps) 50, a storage capacitance electrode 30 and a common electrode 42. The TFT 14 includes a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode and supplies a voltage to the liquid crystal through the drain electrode. The storage capacitance (Cs) 32 for holding a voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer at the time of xe2x80x9cOFFxe2x80x9d state of the TFT 14 is disposed in parallel with the liquid crystal capacitance (Clc) 31.
FIGS. 5A-5D show drive waveforms applied to the pixel (shown in FIG. 4) and an optical response (transmittance) of the liquid crystal. More specifically, FIG. 5A shows a voltage waveform of a scanning selection signal applied to a scanning signal line (gate line) connected to the gate electrode of the TFT 14. FIG. 5B shows a data signal voltage waveform applied to a data signal line (source line) connected to the source electrode of the TFT 14. FIG. 5C shows a voltage waveform applied to the liquid crystal layer (portion) of the pixel concerned. FIG. 5D shows a transmittance of the pixel.
Referring to FIG. 5A, a gate voltage Vg as a signal for placing the gate of the TFT 14 in an xe2x80x9cONxe2x80x9d state is periodically applied in every selection period Ton. In synchronism with the gate voltage Vg, a source voltage (data signal voltage) Vs is applied to the source electrode, thus being supplied to the liquid crystal layer via the drain electrode of the TFT 14 (FIG. 5B). The source voltage Vs has a polarity which is inverted periodically in order to prevent a deterioration of the liquid crystal due to an asymmetrical voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer. Referring to FIG. 5C, a voltage Vpix applied to the liquid crystal layer is applied in a selection period Ton so that the Vpix has a polarity which is opposite to that in a period immediately before the selection period Ton. The liquid crystal starts to transfer its alignment state to that depending on the polarity of the voltage Vpix applied to the liquid crystal layer in the selection period Ton. If the response time of the liquid crystal is sufficiently shorter than the Ton, the transfer of the liquid crystal is continued to a (subsequent) non-selection period Toff by a voltage based on a storage capacitance. The liquid crystal used has a spontaneous polarization, so that a voltage decrease (lowering) (corresponding to xcex94V) is caused by the spontaneous polarization when the direction thereof is inverted (FIG. 5C). As a result, the liquid crystal is finally placed in an alignment state corresponding to the voltage Vpix including the voltage drop xcex94V. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5D, an optical response of the liquid crystal is also continued to the non-selection period Toff.
As described above, in order to obtain a desired optical (display) state, it is necessary to effect a drive in view of the voltage drop due to the spontaneous polarization. The voltage drop phenomenon is, however, affected by the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal, driving voltage, storage capacitance, liquid crystal capacitance, etc., thus leading to such a problem that a desired gradational data is not accurately displayed.
A principal object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal apparatus having solved the above problems caused by the voltage decrease based on inversion of a spontaneous polarization of a liquid crystal.
A specific object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal apparatus capable of improving image qualities, particularly for gradational display, such as a contrast, while retaining a high-speed responsiveness at the time of effecting display by driving a liquid crystal device using a liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization according to an active matrix driving scheme.
According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal apparatus, comprising:
a liquid crystal device including an active matrix substrate, a counter substrate disposed opposite thereto, and a liquid crystal disposed between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate; said active matrix substrate having thereon a plurality of scanning signal lines, a plurality of data signal lines intersecting the scanning signal lines, a plurality of switching devices each disposed at an intersection of the scanning signal lines and the data signal lines and connected to an associated one of the scanning signal lines, and a plurality of pixel electrodes each connected via one of the switching devices to an associated one of the data signal lines and form a pixel together with the liquid crystal thereat for applying a data signal voltage to the liquid crystal at the pixel; said liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization and causing a state change accompanied with a polarity inversion thereof within a response time, and
drive means for sequentially selecting the scanning signal lines each in a scanning selection period and applying data signal voltages to the pixels along an associated scanning signal line, wherein the scanning selection period for a scanning signal line is shorter than the response time for the liquid crystal at a pixel on the scanning signal line thus being liable to leave a remaining portion of polarity inversion to reach a desired state change, and the data signal voltage applied to the pixel is set to include a compensation voltage for compensating for a voltage decrease caused by the remaining portion of polarity inversion.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a liquid crystal apparatus, comprising:
a liquid crystal device including an active matrix substrate, a counter substrate disposed opposite thereto, and a liquid crystal disposed between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate; said active matrix substrate having thereon a plurality of scanning signal lines, a plurality of data signal lines intersecting the scanning signal lines, a plurality of switching devices each disposed at an intersection of the scanning signal lines and the data signal lines and connected to an associated one of the scanning signal lines, and a plurality of pixel electrodes each connected via one of the switching devices to an associated one of the data signal lines and form a pixel together with the liquid crystal thereat for applying a data signal voltage to the liquid crystal at the pixel; each pixel being provided with a storage capacitance disposed in parallel with the liquid crystal, and said liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization and causing a state change accompanied with a polarity inversion thereof within a response time, and
drive means for sequentially selecting the scanning signal lines each in a scanning selection period and applying data signal voltages to the pixels along an associated scanning signal line, wherein the scanning selection period for a scanning signal line is shorter than the response time for the liquid crystal at a pixel on the scanning signal line thus being liable to leave a remaining portion of polarity inversion to reach a desired state change, and the liquid crystal device and the drive means are set to satisfy the following conditions:
Vs2xe2x89xa7{xcex94Qxc3x97M/(Clc+Cs)}+Vs1xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(12)
wherein Vs2 is a data signal voltage (volt) applied to one pixel, Vs1 is a voltage (volt) for providing writing data for the pixel based on a voltage-transmittance characteristic of the liquid crystal, xcex94Q is an amount (C) of inversion of the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal, Clc is a liquid crystal capacitance (F) at one pixel, Cs is a storage capacitance (F) at one pixel, and M is a proportion of the remaining portion of polarity inversion in a scanning selection period for one scanning signal line.
According to the present invention, there is further provided a liquid crystal apparatus, comprising:
a liquid crystal device including an active matrix substrate, a counter substrate disposed opposite thereto, and a liquid crystal disposed between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate; said active matrix substrate having thereon a plurality of scanning signal lines, a plurality of data signal lines intersecting the scanning signal lines, a plurality of switching devices each disposed at an intersection of the scanning signal lines and the data signal lines and connected to an associated one of the scanning signal lines, and a plurality of pixel electrodes each connected via one of the switching devices to an associated one of the data signal lines and form a pixel together with the liquid crystal thereat for applying a data signal voltage to the liquid crystal at the pixel; each pixel being provided with a storage capacitance disposed in parallel with the liquid crystal, and said liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization and causing a state change accompanied with a polarity inversion thereof within a response time, and
drive means for sequentially selecting the scanning signal lines each in a scanning selection period and applying data signal voltages to the pixels along an associated scanning signal line, wherein the scanning selection period for a scanning signal line is shorter than the response time for the liquid crystal at a pixel on the scanning signal line thus being liable to leave a remaining portion of polarity inversion to reach a desired state change, and the liquid crystal device and the drive means are set to satisfy the following conditions:
1/(nxe2x88x921) greater than A(2Psxc3x97S)/V0(Clc+Cs)ave,
wherein n represents the number of gradational levels per one period; A is represented by the following equation:
A={(Clc+Cs)maxxe2x88x92(Clc+Cs)min}/(Clc+Cs)ave,
where (Clc+Cs)max represents a maximum of the sum (Clc+Cs) of a liquid crystal capacitance Clc (F) at one pixel and a storage capacitance Cs (F) at one pixel, (Clc+Cs)min represents a minimum of (Clc+Cs) and (Clc+Cs)ave represents an average of (Clc+Cs); Ps represents a spontaneous polarization (C/cm2) per unit area of the liquid crystal; S represents a pixel electrode area (cm2) at one pixel; and V0 represents a saturation voltage (volt) for the liquid crystal providing a maximum transmittance.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


The invention relates to the storage of contaminated material under a water layer, in particular the storage of bottom ash. The invention provides for this purpose a method for storing a contaminated material under a water layer, comprising the processing steps of supplying the contaminated material, supplying ground material, mixing the contaminated material with the ground material and arranging the mixture of contaminated material and ground material in or under a retention layer situated under a water layer, and wherein the mixture is not in contact with the water layer, and the retention layer comprises ground material. The invention also provides an installation for storing contaminated material and a composition comprising the contaminated material.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and installation for storing contaminated material. The invention relates particularly to the storage of contaminated material under wet conditions. The invention further relates to a composition suitable for storing contaminated material, particularly for storing bottom ash under wet conditions.
Description of Related Art
Several tens of millions of tons of contaminated material are generated every year by waste processing plants. This material is usually disposed of as building material in the road construction industry, for instance as filler material mainly in embankments for and as elevations under motorways or in the construction of sound bathers. Such material is also used as landfill covering.
The application of contaminated filler material is however limited by the danger of leaching of heavy metals, sulphates and chlorides, which can result in contamination of the groundwater. For this reason the storing of contaminated materials at a landfill site is subject to strict requirements, especially when these materials can come into contact with drinking water or recreational water basins. A further increase in the applicability of contaminated material would be very useful to industry, government authorities and social organizations.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved method and installation for storing contaminated material.


Methods and systems for building arbitrary motor controllers are described. An example motor controller may include multiple motor power boards connected in a stacked configuration and coupled in parallel. Each motor power board may include one or more power transistors and one or more gate drivers having an input terminal coupled to a control signal connector and an output terminal coupled to a gate terminal of the one or more power transistors. The example motor controller may also include a power bus connector coupled, in parallel, to a respective output terminal of each of the multiple motor power boards. Further, the example motor controller may include a control system coupled to the control signal connector and configured to selectively enable a set that includes one or more of the multiple motor power boards based on an output power requirement.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Motor controllers are devices or groups of devices that function to control the operation of an electric motor. A motor controller connected to a motor may start or stop the motor, select forward or reverse on the motor, select or regulate the speed of the motor, and regulate or limit the torque of the motor, among other functions. A motor controller may include a switch or set of switches to connect a motor to a power supply. The switch(es) may have several different positions or combinations to select different electrical connections. When selected, the different electrical connections may cause the motor to operate in various ways, such to start or stop, or to forward or reverse, as noted above. Further, rapid switching of the electrical connections, such as by a pulse width modulated signal, may vary the speed of the motor.
Some motor controllers use metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) as switches to control operations of the motor. Motor controllers may use a particular type of MOSFET known as a power MOSFET, some of which are designed to handle the significant power levels that may be associated with motor operation. To increase the power handling capability of a motor controller, the motor controller may include multiple power MOSFETs that are connected in parallel. Then, a power amplifier known as a gate driver may drive the parallel MOSFETs.

Methods and apparatuses for selectively controlling motor power boards


Disclosed is a quick fastening quick releasing nut-and-bolt assembly in which the bolt has finger elements disposed along the bolt's longitudinal axis. The finger elements have sets of accurate thread segments matable with complimentary sets of radially inward facing arcuate thread segments on the inner diameter of a nut. The nut's inner diameter includes smooth semi-cylindrical surfaces circumferentially alternated with the nut's sets of thread segments. The nut has a central core body sliding upon radially inner surfaces of the finger elements so as to keep the finger elements in bearing relation with the nut's inner diameter. The assembly has a first, unlocked configuration in which the bolt's thread segments face the smooth surfaces on the nut's inner diameter. The assembly has a second, fastening configuration where the bolt's thread segments are engaged with the nut's thread segments.

My invention lies within the art of threaded fastener construction and related to the art of high speed attachment devices.
More specifically, my invention is a quick-engagement fastener assembly in which a bolt or screw has finger elements extending away from a head. The finger elements have circumferentially spaced sets of arcuate thread segment matable with complimentary sets of radially inward facing thread 'segments of a nut or other internally threaded member. The nut's inner diameter has smooth semi-cylindrical surfaces circumferentially between the nut's sets of thread segments. In the nut is a generally cylindrical core body bearing against radially inner surfaces of the finger elements and holding the finger elements against the nut's inner diameter. In the fastener assembly's unlocked configuration, the bolt's thread segments can slide axially along the smooth surfaces on the nut's inner diameter. In the assembly's locked configuration, the bolt's thread segments engage the nut's thread segments and a lock device inhibits release of the ass, from the locked configuration.


A liquid applying member and a tool are provided. The liquid applying member includes an applying roller which can stably apply an unstabilizing liquid to a transfer paper. The tool is referable for manufacturing the applying roller. A large number of recess portions independent from each other are provided on a circular circumferential surface of the applying roller for applying the unstabilizing liquid which unstabilizes an attachment state between the toner and the transfer paper to the transfer paper having a toner image formed thereon. The recess portion can be formed by pressing the rotating tool constructed with a roller member made of a material harder than that of the surface portion of the applying roller and provided with projecting portions formed on a circular circumferential surface thereof, so as to engage with the recess portions having a target shape of the applying roller to the raw material of the applying roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid applying member of an image forming substance removing apparatus, in particular, a liquid applying member for applying an unstabilizing liquid, which makes unstable the attaching state between an image forming substance and an image carrier, onto an image carrier in a reproducing apparatus for reproducing the image carrier, which removes the image forming substance from the image carrier having an image made of the image forming substance formed on the surface thereof constructed with fiber material.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, from the viewpoint of effective utilization of natural resources, there have been proposed heretofore various sorts of reproducing methods of reproducing the image carrier by removing the image forming substance from the image carrier in order to reuse the image carrier and various sorts of apparatuses for accomplishing the above.
As to such technologies, for instance, refer to the published specifications of Japanese Laid-open Patent publication Nos. 1-10157/1989, 2-55195/1990, 4-4472/1992, 4-82983/1992, and 4-300395/1992.
In particular, in order to remove only the image forming substance without comparatively damaging the image carrier, the present applicant has already proposed a method of and an apparatus for holding on the image carrier at least one sort of water or water solution selected from the group consisting of water solution containing water, water solution containing surface active agent, water solution containing water-soluble polymer, and water solution containing surface active agent and water-soluble polymer as an unstabilizing liquid; heating the image forming substance on the image carrier so as to fuse or soften that substance; bringing a peeling-off member capable of demonstrating a sticking force larger than the sticking force between the image carrier and the image forming substance into contact with the image carrier; and peeling off and removing the image forming substance from the image carrier when the peeling-off member is separated from the image carrier. (For instance, refer to Japanese Patent Application No. 4-25591/1992 and Japanese Patent Application No. 5-239075/1993.)
Furthermore, although there exist some methods of employing a roller-shaped liquid applying member, dipping into the solution, and non-contact applying by use of the ink jet, etc., as a method of applying the unstabilizing liquid, the above-mentioned methods of employing a liquid applying member are profitable from the viewpoints of design margin, cost reduction, quality stabilizing, etc.
Hereupon, the amount of applying the unstabilizing liquid needed for reproducing the above-mentioned image carrier differs in accordance with the sort of the image carrier, the sort of the unstabilizing liquid, and the condition at the time of the peeling-off treatment; and further the amount varies in the wide range of 1%-50% of the image carrier's weight. For instance, since weight of general paper is about 5 g, the amount of applied unstabilizing liquid needed for reproducing the general (ordinary) paper of A4 size varies widely in the range of 0.05 g-2.5 g.
In such a way, since the amount of the applied unstabilizing liquid needed for the purpose varies in a wide range, there was a fear of impossibility of applying a needed amount of the unstabilizing liquid depending on the sort of the image carrier in the case of employing the above-mentioned roller-shaped liquid applying member.
In such a situation, conventionally, there was a proposal of making the circumferential velocity of the liquid applying member larger than the transporting speed of the image carrier, for instance, by raising the rotation speed of the liquid applying member, in order to increase the amount of applying of the liquid by use of the above roller-shaped liquid applying member. (For instance, refer to the contents of the above described published specification of the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 7-92667/1995.)
On the other hand, there is a fear of causing a problem in that, when the rotation speed of the liquid applying member is raised up as mentioned before, the rear edge portion of the image carrier is rapidly transported and thereby the image carrier is broken and paper jamming occurs, and further the liquid applying amount becomes insufficient contrary to the initial aim.

Liquid applying member and a tool for manufacturing that member


A vehicle body rear structure includes a rear parcel provided between left and right vehicle body side parts, a parcel cross member bonded to the rear parcel and constituting a first closed cross section, and a parcel member and parcel support bonded to the first closed cross section and constituting the main section of a second closed cross section. The first closed cross section is configured from the rear parcel and the parcel cross member. Furthermore, the first closed cross section continues through the main section of the second closed cross section to the left vehicle body side part.

Certain vehicle body rear structures have a rear parcel provided between left and right vehicle body side parts, the trunk and the passenger compartment being partitioned by the rear parcel, and a closed cross section being provided in a front end part of the rear parcel (see Patent Literature 1, for example). This closed cross section is provided across left and right wheel houses, and left and right end parts are located at the tops of the left and right wheel houses. The left and right end parts are made to open upward, and these openings are thereby located at the tops of the left and right wheel houses. Forming these openings in the left and right end parts ensures space for attaching a damper (a shock absorber) to the tops of the left and right wheel houses.
However, in the vehicle body rear structure of Patent Literature 1, the left and right end parts are located at predetermined gaps from the left and right vehicle body side parts because the left and right end parts of the closed cross section are made to open upward. Therefore, it is difficult for a load to be suitably (efficiently) transferred between the left and right vehicle body side parts and the closed cross section (the rear parcel), in which regard there is room for improvement.
Additionally, in certain vehicle body rear structures, a first reinforcement is provided to a wheel house, a second reinforcement is provided to the first reinforcement, a damper base (a damper bracket) is supported by the second reinforcement, and the top part of a damper (a shock absorber) is provided on the damper base (see Patent Literature 2, for example). In this vehicle body rear structure, the rigidity and strength of the damper base can be ensured by reinforcing the damper base using the first reinforcement and second reinforcement.
There is demand for further increasing the rigidity and strength of the damper base in order to suitably support the top part of the damper with the damper base. However, as in the vehicle body rear structure of Patent Literature 2, it is difficult to sufficiently increase the rigidity and strength of the damper base in accordance with demand by combining only single reinforcing members such as the first reinforcement or the second reinforcement.
Other known examples of vehicle body rear structures include those in which a linking gusset extends rearward in the vehicle body from the top part of a rear wheel house along a rear wall part, and a rear pillar reinforcement extends upward from the top part of the rear wheel house along a side wall part up to a rear pillar (see Patent Literature 3, for example). In this vehicle body rear structure, the rigidity and strength of the rear wheel house can be ensured by reinforcing the rear wheel house with the linking gusset and the rear pillar reinforcement.
To comply with the demand to further increase the rigidity and strength of the rear wheel house, it is conceivable to cause loads to be transferred from the top part of the rear wheel house to the rear parcel. The rear parcel is usually provided to a vehicle body rear structure as a member for partitioning the trunk and the passenger compartment.
Recently rear parcels have tended to be placed in a high position in order to guarantee a larger trunk space of a vehicle body rear structure. Locating the rear parcel in a high position causes the rear parcel to be set comparatively far from the rear wheel house. It is therefore difficult to further improve the rigidity and strength of the rear wheel house (i.e. the vehicle body rear part) due to the fact that loads are transferred from the top part of the rear wheel house to the rear parcel.


Disclosed is an organic light-emitting display device preventing an infiltration of oxygen, moisture, etc. The organic light-emitting display device of the present invention comprises: a first substrate comprising a pixel region wherein a pixel is formed and a non-pixel region excepting the pixel region; a second substrate opposed and bonded to the first substrate in one region comprising the pixel region; a frit positioned between the non-pixel region and the second substrate to bond the first substrate and the second substrate; and at least one metal line formed on the first substrate to be overlapped with a portion of the frit, wherein the side of the metal line is bent and formed at a predetermined angle in the intersecting region overlapped with the frit.

1. Field
The present invention relates to display technologies, and more particularly to an organic light-emitting display device.
2. Discussion of Related Technologies
In general, an organic light-emitting display device comprises a first substrate, and a second substrate opposing the first substrate and a sealing structure. The sealing structure combines the first and second substrates, which in combination form an enclosed space. The sealing structure often is made of a material such as epoxy. The organic light-emitting display device further includes an array of organic light-emitting diodes within the enclosed space.
However, since the organic light-emitting diodes include organic materials, it may be vulnerable to moisture. Further, since one or more electrically conductive lines formed in the array are made of metallic materials, the lines may be easily oxidized by oxygen contained in the air, which can deteriorate their electrical characteristics and light-emitting characteristics of the display device. To prevent this, moisture absorbent can be mounted within the enclosed space as an approach.
However, mounting the moisture absorbent in the display device is not without problems. As an alternative or in addition, more hermetic sealing can be introduced using glass frit substituting a conventional sealant. U.S. Pat. No. 6,998,776 discloses glass frit to encapsulate an organic light-emitting device.


Remote enclosure systems have now been designed that meet the following goals: a) consolidate electrical terminations in one system; b) pre-terminate AC and DC equipment loads before site installation; c) provide multiple access points for facilitating equipment repair and installation; d) are easily configurable and expanded through the use of a modular frame design that accommodates a variety of customized side panels or the attachment of a variety of expansion cabinets; e) are aesthetically functional given the cable entry and routing structure; f) provide exceptional thermal management and g) reduce problems inherent in conventional electronic setups. Remote enclosure systems contemplated generally include: a) a frame system further comprising at least two side panels; b) at least one door coupled to the frame system; c) a cable management top assembly coupled to the frame system; d) at least one removable radio frequency (RF) management system.

The telecommunications and data communications industries have grown exponentially in the last 5 to 8 years partly because both industries have been able to expand their customer base from customers that are close to the center of operations/transmissions to customers who are located a significant distance from the center of operations/transmissions. Expansion of data transmissions to customers located at significant distances from the center of operations is facilitated by remote sites that are portable and smaller than the center of operations site. Both industries include those utilities and industries that provide one-way and two-way data transmission and transportation. The telecommunications industry also includes wireless communications, wire-based communications and combinations thereof. Wireless communications includes infrared, satellite, antennae, etc. Wire-based communications includes fiber optic cable, conventional cable, coax cable, shielded and unshielded twisted pair cable, etc.
Remote sites usually contain electrical and telecommunications wiring and components, such as batteries, antennae, circuit boards, keypads and other related components that in many cases can be fragile, relatively inaccessible and certainly sensitive to the elements and other environmental conditions. Therefore, these remote sites should be enclosed or otherwise contained in a protective enclosure system.
The remote sites should be monitored to identify system failures, such as surge suppression modules, air conditioners and fans, power reciters, batteries and other alarmed user equipment. Additionally, the monitoring shall report site changes, such as cabinet intrusion, temperature and humidity changes. The remote sites should also be environmentally controlled, such as with air conditioning, heating, and humidity control, so that the electrical and telecommunications components do not break down, short out or otherwise degrade leading to poor performance of the components or products.
Also, the remote site should be easy to access. A remote enclosure system or protective enclosure system is the industry choice for protecting and accessing components and other instrumentation at a remote site. (see Prior Art FIG. 1) In Prior Art FIG. 1, the conventional remote enclosure system 10 comprises side panels 50, doors 70 with handles 78 and an additional component 76, such as an air conditioner unit or base power supply. Conventional enclosure systems are configured as a cabinet arrangement and are either built to standard specifications then modified on-site or are built to custom specifications—which presents manufacturing/assembly line issues and problems.
Often times, in conventional remote enclosure systems, some components will be easy to access, swap out and repair; but other components will be difficult, if not impossible, to access without moving other components around or removing them altogether. The process of repairing, replacing or accessing difficult to access components can be made more difficult depending on the site location of the remote enclosure system and the environmental conditions surrounding the remote enclosure system.
Remote enclosure systems also present other layers of complexity when reviewing the viability of a remote site. If the remote site is small or otherwise constrained, the remote enclosure must be sufficiently small and accessible. If the remote site is in an area where there are environmental challenges, such as severe heat, rain, snow or extreme cold—the remote enclosure system should be able to withstand the environmental challenges, while being easy to access and easy with which to work.
Based on the drawbacks, disadvantages and cost issues of conventional remote enclosure systems, it would be useful to develop and implement a remote enclosure system that a) consolidates electrical terminations in one system; b) pre-terminates AC and DC equipment loads before site installation; c) provides multiple access points for facilitating equipment repair and installation; d) is easily configurable and expanded through the use of a modular frame design that accommodates a variety of customized side panels or the attachment of a variety of expansion cabinets; e) is aesthetically functional given the cable entry and routing structure; f) provides exceptional thermal management and g) reduces problems inherent in conventional electronic setups.

Remote enclosure systems and methods of production thereof


The present disclosure concerns an adjustable bed facility including a system for executing a computer-based safety-action during a motor-actuated adjustable bed position adjustment, comprising an adjustable bed facility comprising a computer-based controller, an actuator, and a sensor, the computer-based controller providing control of adjustable bed position adjustments, the actuator configured to adjust a height of the adjustable bed facility upon receiving a height-adjustment command from the computer-based controller, and the sensor for determining an actuator action parameter measured value of the actuator, the computer-based controller in communicative connection with the sensor to monitor and compare the motor action parameter measured value to an actuator action parameter normal operation value range, and when the controller determines the monitored motor action parameter measured value is outside the range of the actuator action parameter normal operation value range the controller sends a safety-action command to the actuator.

1. Field
This invention relates to the field of adjustable beds, and more specifically to pressure sensors associated with adjustable beds.
2. Description of the Related Art
Adjustable furniture, including chairs, couches, beds, and other furniture, may contain at least one section of component of which a user may control a feature or attribute, such as the position, vibration, motion, or the like of that section or component. The user may typically adjust the bed by using a control, which may be an on-furniture controller or a remote controller, to move an adjustable section in one or more directions of movement. Additionally, the adjustable furniture may include various types of mattresses, cushions, pillows, or similar elements to cushion the furniture for the user, and the furniture may allow for vibration, heating, cooling, or other action related to one or more of the sections.
A typical adjustable bed may consist of a wood decking for each of the sections of the bed connected together with hinges to allow the various positions between the sections. There are actuators connected between the bed frame and the wood decking for moving the adjustable sections into user-desired positions. The adjustable bed may have a "wall hugging" feature that maintains a consistent distance between the mattress and the wall as the bed is adjusted. Some adjustable beds may use wooden or plastic slats to support the mattress instead of a solid wood platform.
The adjustable bed may have at least one actuator to position the adjustable bed sections. In some cases, there is one actuator to position more than one, such as positioning both the thigh and foot sections with one actuator. There may also be more than one actuator for each adjustable section.
Hospitals have used adjustable beds for many years to provide comfortable and medically required positions, and many home users have adjustable furniture because of a medical issue and therefore require certain positions, movements, or settings (such as vibration, heating, cooling or the like) to aid recovery, positioning to relieve discomfort as a result of pain, or the like. These users, whether at home or in a medical environment such as a hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, or long-term care facility, may, because of these issues, spend significant amounts of time in bed, and some users may be confined to spending long periods of time in or on furniture. With aging populations in many countries, such as the United States, more and more users face such confinement.
Associated with the trend for users to spend more time in sedentary positions, such as in bed, is a trend toward increasing use of technology in home and medical environments, including in rooms where users have adjustable furniture. Such technology includes increasingly sophisticated computer and networking technology, entertainment technology, information technology, and the like. While many existing adjustable beds provide the basic requirements of moving sections to positions that are required by a user, a need exists for adjustable furniture that works in better association with other technologies that are capable of being deployed in the environments in which the furniture is used.

System and method of a bed with a safety stop


In an image forming apparatus, toner primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt is secondarily transferred at a first nip area formed by a secondary transfer roller and a transfuse roller, onto the transfuse roller, at pressure of 5.3 N/cm2 to 20 N/cm2 and at a driving speed ratio of the intermediate transfer belt and the transfuse roller of 1.02 to 1.04, and the toner sufficiently heated and melted in the process of conveyance from the first nip area to a second nip area formed by the transfuse roller and a pressure roller is thirdly transferred and fixed to a recording medium P at the second nip area, at pressure of 13.3 N/cm2 to 33.3 N/cm2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus according to an electrophotographic process.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image formation according to the electrophotographic process is widely employed in copying machines, printers, facsimile apparatuses and so on. In image formation according to the electrophotographic process, a photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer which is formed on a surface thereof and contains a photoconductive substance is used. After the surface of the photoreceptor is uniformly charged by giving electric charges, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed through various image forming processes, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner supplied from a developing device to be a toner image, and the resultant toner image is transferred and fixed to a recording medium such as a recording sheet.
In order to improve the quality of an image transferred and fixed to a recording medium, and improve transfer efficiency that is a ratio of the amount of toner transferred onto a recording medium to the amount of toner of a toner image formed on a photoreceptor, various transfer methods and fixing methods have been proposed up to now.
As an example of such transfer methods can be given a transfer method comprising the steps of: transferring a toner image formed on a photoreceptor onto a primary transfer medium; transferring the toner image transferred to the primary transfer medium to a secondary transfer medium having a heat source inside; and transferring and fixing the toner image transferred to the secondary transfer medium to a recording sheet that is a recording medium (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 63-34572 (1988).
According to the technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572, it is possible, by preheating toner on the secondary transfer medium, to sufficiently heat the toner before transferring to a recording medium. According to the technique, by making the temperature of the toner reach the neighborhood of a critical interface temperature on the secondary transfer medium, and then transferring and fixing the toner to a recording medium, namely, a recording sheet at a fixing nip area, it is possible to secure a fix level at a relatively low fixing temperature even in a high-speed system machine. Moreover, according to the technique, adoption of a non-electric field transfer system (a thermal transfer system using heat) makes it possible to increase transfer efficiency at the time of transferring a toner image from the primary transfer medium to the secondary transfer medium as compared with a case where a conventional electric field transfer system is adopted, and makes it possible to obtain an image of higher quality with less toner scattering.
However, the technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572 has a problem as described below. In the technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572, a silicone RTV (room temperature vulcanizable) belt having good surface smoothness is used as the primary transfer medium, and a heating roller having a diameter of 120 mm provided with silicone RTV on an aluminum (Al) core metal having a halogen lamp inside is used as the secondary transfer medium.
In the technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572, toner is transferred from the photoreceptor belt to the primary transfer medium, from the primary transfer medium to the secondary transfer medium, and from the secondary transfer medium to a recording sheet. In a case where silicone RTV is used as a material of a surface layer of the transfer medium, when toner is transferred from the primary transfer medium to the secondary transfer medium by thermal transfer, the toner is likely to stick and remain on the silicone RTV surface of the primary transfer medium, and division of toner, namely, toner offset occurs at a nip area between the photoreceptor belt and the primary transfer medium, because toner releasability of silicone RTV is insufficient.
In a case where division of toner, namely, toner offset occurs, part of the toner remains on the primary transfer medium, and toner for forming a toner image later gets short, with the result that there arises a problem such that image quality decreases. Moreover, also when a toner image is transferred from the secondary transfer medium to a recording sheet, because of the insufficient releasability, toner offset occurs, and toner remains on the secondary transfer medium, with the result that there arises a problem such that image quality significantly decreases.
To solve such a problem of decrease in image quality due to toner offset in an ordinary fixing system, it is necessary to apply a liquid having releasability such as silicone oil to the silicone RTV in order to increase toner releasability. However, in a so-called two-stage transfusing system as disclosed in JP-A 63-34572 that thermally transfers from the photoreceptor belt to the primary transfer medium and then from the primary transfer medium to the secondary transfer medium and thereafter transfers and fixes to a recording sheet, there is an adverse effect by application of the silicone oil, that is a problem of oil contamination of the photoreceptor belt and a developing portion with the silicone oil.
The cause of the above is that due to contact of the primary transfer belt and the photoreceptor belt with each other, the oil reaches the photoreceptor belt from the primary transfer medium and adversely affects formation of an electrostatic latent image and formation of a toner image at the time of development. Further, since the oil also reaches the inside of a development tank through the photoreceptor belt, there is also a problem such that a failure in development is induced.
There is another adverse effect such that due to existence of the silicone oil having good releasability at a nip area between the primary transfer medium and the secondary transfer medium, the secondary transfer medium acquires high releasability from the silicone oil, and thermal transfer of toner from the primary transfer medium to the secondary transfer medium in a good condition is impossible. That is to say, there is a problem such that a thermal transfer property is significantly impaired.
In the technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572, in order to avoid the problems resulting from use of the oil, a release agent that gives releasability is added into a developer. By adding a release agent into a developer, it is possible to realize an oilless system that allows transferring and fixing without applying silicone oil to a transfer medium and a fixing roller. However, in the case of adopting the oilless system, it is usual to form the surfaces of the transfer medium and the fixing roller with tubes made of a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (abbreviated to PFA) or coat the surfaces with PFA. In the case of using a developer to which a release agent is added and obtaining desired releasability, it is actually difficult to use a surface material other than PFA.
Since the silicone RTV illustrated as an example of the material of the surface layers of the primary and secondary transfer mediums in the technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572 has poor releasability, it is presumed that decrease in image quality due to the poor releasability occurs on the primary transfer medium or on the secondary transfer medium even if a developer into which a release agent is added is used.
Further, the technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572 also has a problem as described below from the perspective of power saving.
At present, by the request for improvement of image formation efficiency, a color copier, a multifunction peripheral and so on are required to have a process speed of about 200 mm/sec to 400 mm/sec in general. However, generally, in the case of using the high-speed process as described above, the maximum power consumption far exceeds 1.5 kVA (100V, 15 A) that is an allowable limit of electric power of a commercial power source. Therefore, it becomes necessary to prepare a large-capacity power source when using a high-speed process machine in an ordinary office, home and so on.
Power consumption of a fixing portion forms the largest proportion in the details of power consumption of an image forming apparatus, and it is necessary to set a fixing temperature high in order to prevent occurrence of toner offset when continuously printing a plurality of sheets at a high speed, with the result that the power consumption tends to further increase.
Further, since the number of sheets of image formation per unit time is large in the case of the high-speed process, heat of the surface of the fixing roller is removed by recording sheets while the recording sheets are continuously passing, the temperature of the surface of the fixing roller rapidly decreases, and it takes long hours before the temperature returns to a predetermined fixing temperature. In short, there is a problem of so-called decrease of a heat follow-up property.
A conventionally used fixing system is a system in which after a toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet by the electrostatic action in a transfer portion, a recording sheet is conveyed to a nip area formed between a pair of heated rollers (a roller pair that is composed of a fixing roller having a halogen lamp inside to heat and a pressure roller pressing and contacting the fixing roller, and that forms a nip between the rollers), and toner is melted and fixed to the recording sheet at the nip area. In this system, increase of the heat follow-up property against decrease of the fixing temperature while sheets are continuously passing is attempted by making a rubber layer of the surface of the fixing roller thin, or selecting a lamp of high wattage as the heating lamp installed in the fixing roller.
Accordingly, in the high-speed process machine, in order to sufficiently fix while satisfying an offset property, a heat source of high wattage is installed, heating efficiency is increased by making a diameter of the fixing roller large, and a fixing nip width is secured by winding an endless belt serving as a pressure member on the fixing roller so as to abut.
The technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572 adopts a method of using the heating roller having a large diameter of 120 mm as the secondary transfer medium that transfers and fixes transferred toner to a transfer sheet. In a case where the heating roller has a large diameter of 120 mm, a space between the halogen lamp and the Al core metal serving as a roller core metal is too large, and hence, heat transfer efficiency is bad, and it takes much time to increase the temperature. Further, since a surface area of the secondary transfer medium is large, the amount of heat radiated from the secondary transfer medium into the air is large, and heating loss is large. Accordingly, use of a large-diameter roller as in the technique disclosed in JP-A 63-34572 runs counter to energy saving because loss of electric power increases, and causes a problem such that the aim of adoption of a transfuse system to fix at a high speed with small power consumption is not fully achieved.
Further, since a time required for transfer of a toner image is short in the high-speed process, transfer efficiency is as low as 85% to 95%, the efficiency of use of toner is bad, and the amount of waste toner is large, which leads to a lot of waste. Therefore, in the high-speed process, it is desired to increase transfer efficiency and decrease waste toner production.

Image forming apparatus with increased transfer efficiency


A method and an apparatus for generating a polarized light beam to be projected onto an object plane are provided. A converging or diverging light beam (18) is generated. The converging or diverging light beam is projected through a member (22, 52) comprising an uniaxial birefringent material, the uniaxial birefringent material having a symmetry axis essentially parallel to the optical axis (12) of the light beam, and the member being placed at a distance from the object plane. Thereby, it is possible to create, for example a radially polarized beam that can be used for various optical purposes, e.g. for optical data reading/writing or for microscopy.

In many optical systems small details are to be resolved by a light beam. For example, in an optical disk drive the data is read out by focusing a beam of wavelength λ and numerical aperture NA onto the data layer and measuring the amount of light that is reflected back into the aperture of the lens. The same principle is applied in scanning microscopes. The smallest resolvable detail in these systems is of the order λ/NA. In conventional imaging systems, such as an optical lithography apparatus, the NA of the objective lens determines the resolution in much the same way as for a scanning microscope. For all these systems it holds that for small to moderate NA the polarization of the light beam does not play a very significant role. However, for large NA the polarization state is highly relevant for the resolving properties of the system. Conventionally, the polarization is taken to be uniform across the pupil of the system, and either linear or circular. A non-uniform polarization state alters the distribution of light close to the focal point. For example, a beam with a radially oriented linear polarization across the pupil is reported to result in a relatively narrow focal spot (cf. R. Dorn, S. Quabis, and G. Leuchs, Sharper focus for a radially polarized light beam, Physical Review Letters, Volume 91, 233901, 2003). When such a radially polarized beam is further modified by blocking the central part of the pupil (so-called apodization) the polarization state across the focal spot is substantially linear and oriented along the optical axis of the system. This stands in contrast to low NA imaging with a uniform linear polarization where the polarization state across the focal spot is substantially linear and oriented perpendicular to the optical axis. Thus, providing radially polarized light beams within an optical system allows for novel kinds of imaging.
According to prior art, radially polarized beams are difficult to produce. For example, it is required to modify the laser, or to introduce segmented wave plates and clean-up optical filters, or to use complicated computer generated diffractive elements.
An object of the present invention is to provide a light beam with a desired linear polarization across the pupil with simple means, and particularly with a radially oriented linear polarization across the pupil.

Method and apparatus for generating radically and/or azimuthally polarized light beams


A male connector having an electrostatic discharge (ESD) function includes a metal portion, an insulating portion and a cable. The metal portion is inserted into a female connector. One end of the insulating portion is connected to the metal portion and another end of the insulating portion is connected to the cable. The cable includes a plurality of sub-cables and a grounded metal layer. The metal layer surrounds the sub-cables, and is in electrical contact with the metal portion. Static electricity on the metal portion is conducted to ground via the metal layer.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure generally relates to a male connector, and more particularly to a male connector of a universal serial bus (USB) having an electrostatic discharge (ESD) function.
2. Description of the Related Art
A USB connector is used to connect between two electronic components, such as computers and servers, and transmits signals between the two electronic components. The USB connector includes a male connector and a female connector that are respectively connected to different electronic components. The male connector is inserted into the female connector so as to form a signal transmission channel between the two electronic components. Generally, when the male connector is inserted into the female connector, a metal shell of the male connector is generally accommodated within the female connector. However, integrity of signal transmission between the two connectors may be influenced by static electricity on the metal shell.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Male connector and electronic device with electrostatic discharge function


An integrated circuit package-on-package system includes: providing a base substrate having a central opening; attaching a bottom die below the base substrate partially covering the central opening, the bottom die connected through the central opening to a top surface of the base substrate; attaching a top die above the base substrate partially covering the central opening; attaching external conductive interconnections to a base bottom surface of the base substrate; and molding an encapsulant leaving the external conductive interconnections partially exposed.

Across all sectors, industries, and geographies, demands continue for the electronic industry to provide products that are lighter, faster, smaller, multi-functional, more reliable, and more cost-effective. In order to meet these expanding requirements of so many and varied consumers, more electrical circuits need to be more highly integrated to provide the demanded functions. Across virtually all applications, there continues to be growing demand for reducing size, increasing performance, and improving features of integrated circuits.
The seemingly endless restrictions and requirements are no more visible than with products in our daily lives. Smaller and denser integrated circuits are required in many portable electronic products, such as cell phones, portable computers, voice recorders, etc. as well as in many larger electronic systems, such as cars, planes, industrial control systems, etc.
As the demand grows for smaller electronic products with more features, manufacturers are seeking ways to include more features as well as reduce the size of the integrated circuits. However, increasing the density of integration in integrated circuits may be expensive and have technical limitations. Though technology continues its growth to once unimagined extents, practical limits of individual integrated circuits do exist.
To meet these needs, three-dimensional type integrated circuit packaging techniques have been developed and used. Packaging technologies are increasingly using smaller footprints with more circuits in three-dimensional packages. In general, package stacks made by stacking packages and stacked chip packages made by stacking chips in a package have been used.
In integrated circuit packaging, in addition to component reduction, surface mount technology has demonstrated an increase in semiconductor chip density on a single substrate or board, resulting from more compact designs and footprint and a significant increase in integrated circuit density. However, greater integrated circuit density is becoming significantly limited by the space available for the mounting of semiconductor dice on a carrier substrate.
Stack semiconductor packages are advanced packaging technology, which is characterized by stacking a plurality of chips in a single package structure, so as to desirably multiply operational performances and memory capacity for semiconductor packages.
However, when stacking a plurality of chips in a single package structure, the bonding wires may be subject to wire sagging or sweeping due to strong mold-flow impact of a molding compound. Wire sweep would cause electrical contact or short circuit between adjacent bonding wires or between bonding wires and chips, causing damage to the stacked semiconductor package.
Moreover, when stacking multiple chips on top of each other, different sets of bonding wires extend laterally to reach different areas on the substrate outside the underlying chips. This increases the occupied area on the substrate.
Furthermore, the wire loops of the bonding wires bonded to the overlying chip are adapted in elevation to allow the wire lateral extension to reach farther than the bonding wires bonded to the underlying chip. This increases the height or the thickness of the stacked integrated circuit packages.
In the Board on Chip (BOC) assembly, a first semiconductor device may be attached active face down on the surface of a substrate with bond wires extending through a substrate opening from bond pads on the bottom of the substrate to central bond pads on the active surface of the semiconductor device. A second similar semiconductor device is bonded back-to-back on the first semiconductor device. The central bond pads on the second semiconductor device require long bond wires to connect to the substrate at the periphery of the second semiconductor device. An encapsulant is used to cover the bond wires to prevent contamination.
A method for forming stacked semiconductor device assemblies, which enables the use of shorter bond wires, and a substrate smaller relative to the size of the semiconductor devices has been long sought. Similarly, a method for further reducing the overall height (thickness) of the BOC stacked structure has been long sought.
Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures, adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Integrated circuit package-on-package system with central bond wires


A wire-wound coil includes a core, electrodes, and a wire. The core includes a winding core for winding the wire and a pair of flanges. A depression is formed on the inner lower portion of each of the flanges. The depression has a curved surface that curves inward in a direction from the inner wall to the outer wall of the flange and smoothly connects with the peripheral wall of the winding core. The end portions of the wire are extended along the curved surfaces and the tips of the end portions are bonded to the electrodes. The end portions are in an unstressed state and prevent the generation of tension caused by the contraction of a coating agent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wire-wound coil including a wire that is wound around a winding core with wire ends connected to electrodes provided on flanges and to a method for manufacturing the wire-wound coil.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a known wire-wound coil. FIG. 17 is a side view of a known wire-wound coil in which the coating agent has entered and accumulated in rounded corners R.
As illustrated in FIG. 16, the wire-wound coil includes a core 100 having a winding core 102 around which a wire 101 is wound and flanges 103. The ends of the wire 101 are connected to electrodes 104 provided on peripheral walls of the flanges 103. A portion is removed from each of the flanges 103 to form rounded corners R 103a.
In the above-described core 100, a space is created between the end portion 101a of the wire 101 and the rounded corner R 103a of the flange 103, and a coating agent C used for coating the wire-wound coil accumulates in this space, as illustrated in FIG. 17A. If the coating agent C accumulated in this space contracts due to a temperature change, end portions 101a of the wire 101 are pulled towards the surface of the flanges 103 by the contracted coating agent C, as described in FIG. 17B. This may cause the wire 101 to break. Similarly, the wire 101 may break because of expansion of the coating agent C.
A known wire-wound coil that prevents the wire 101 from breaking due to contraction and expansion of the coating agent C by inhibiting the entry and accumulation of the coating agent C into the area around the end portions 101a of the wire 101 is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-151837.
FIG. 18 is a side view of a known wire-wound coil having a structure for preventing breakage of the wire. As illustrated in FIG. 18, inclined surfaces 103b are provided on the flanges 103 of the core 100 of the known wire-wound coil. The end portions 101a of the wire 101 are arranged along the inclined surfaces 103b such that the tips are connected to the electrodes 104.
In this manner, the space between the end portion 101a and the flanges 103 is eliminated. Consequently, the entry and accumulation of the coating agent C into the area around the end portions 101a of the wire 101 is eliminated so as to prevent breakage of the wire 101 due to contraction and expansion of the coating agent C.
Similar wire-wound coils in which the end portions of the wire are disposed along the sidewalls of the flanges to prevent breaking of the wire are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2002-329618, 2002-170717, and 2003-243221.
However, the above-described known wire-wound coils have the problems described below.
FIGS. 19A and 19B are side views of a wire-wound coil wherein a coating agent has entered and accumulated between the wire-wound coil and a substrate.
As illustrated in FIG. 19A, a space is created between the lower side of the known wire-wound coil and a substrate 200. Therefore, when the wire-wound coil is coated, the coating agent C tends to enter and accumulate in this space. If the coating agent C accumulates in this space, the end portions 101a of the wire 101 are pulled toward the substrate 200 when the coating agent C contracts and, consequently, the end portions 101a of the wire 101 break, as illustrated in FIG. 19B.
If the wire-wound coil is a wire-wound coil using two wires, such as a common mode choke coil, the flanges 103 have to be divided such that the two wires can be connected to electrodes 104a and 104b, as illustrated in FIG. 20. To completely separate the electrodes 104a and 104b, a groove B is provided between the electrodes 104a and 104b. End portions 101a-1 and 101a-2 of the two wires are disposed along inclined surfaces 103b-1 and 103b-2, respectively, and connected to the electrodes 104a and 104b, respectively. For this wire-wound coil, the coating agent C may enter and accumulate in the groove B and cause the end portions 101a-1 and 101a-2 to break when contraction or expansion of the coating agent C occurs.
This problem cannot be solved even when a wire-wound coil according to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2002-329618, 2002-170717, and 2003-243221 is used.

Wire-wound coil and method for manufacturing the same