Abstract: An information providing device capable of more adequately providing information regarding excretion is provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, the information providing device includes a processor. The processor acquires a first signal and a second signal. The first signal is obtained from an excretion sensor to detect excretion of a user. The second signal is obtained from a sleep sensor to detect a sleep state of the user. The processor outputs a notification signal for notifying the excretion when the first signal includes first information corresponding to a fact that the user is excreting, and the second signal includes second information corresponding to a fact that the user is awake. The processor does not output the notification signal in a first mode when the first signal includes the first information and, the second signal does not include the second information.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a base element extending in an axial direction and a first magneto elastic active region representing a first longitudinal section of a surface of the base element. The first longitudinal section extends in the axial direction and is magnetized in a first circumferential direction. The sensor device further comprises a first magnetic field sensor overlapping with the first longitudinal section, and a second magnetic field sensor disposed at a distance with respect to the first magnetic field sensor along the axial direction and overlapping with the first longitudinal section.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the actual torque being applied by an impact tool to a shaft of a fastener is disclosed, wherein an equation having a set of parameters that represent the time-amplitude curve of the individual pulses produced by the impact tool are used to correlate the impact tool pulses and the residual torque in the fastener without requiring knowledge of the torque of the fastener joint.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer element is formed by rotating an integral region of a shaft about an axis in the presence of a magnetic source. An annulus of magnetization results in having its magnetization in the axial direction. The exterior magnetic field emanated by the annulus exhibits respective axial magnetic profiles of its axially and radially directed components which have an axial shift under torque. The direction of profile shift depends on the rotational direction of the shaft while magnetization proceeds. A pair of regions exhibiting opposite shift directions provide signals in which torque-dependent shift is separated from axial displacements of the shaft. An annulus of magnetization may be non-uniform with angle about the shaft axis. Measures to prevent eddy currents generated in the rotting region of the shaft under magnetization are disclosed as we “sweet spots” for sensor placement to mitigate non-uniformity effects.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer element (22) is formed by rotating an integral region of a shaft (20) about an axis (A—A) in the presence of a magnetic source (30). An annulus (42) of magnetisation results in having its magnetisation in the axial direction. The exterior magnetic field (40) emanated by the annulus (42) exhibits respective axial magnetic profiles of its axially and radially directed components (FIGS. 7 and 8) which have an axial shift under torque. The direction of profile shift depends on the rotational direction of the shaft (20) while magnetisation proceeds. A pair of regions (122a, 122b: 242, 244) exhibiting opposite shift directions provide signals in which torque-dependent shift is separated from axial displacements of the shaft (FIG. 22, FIG. 24). An annulus (42) of magnetisation may be non-uniform with angle about the shaft axis. Measures to prevent eddy currents generated in the rotating region of the shaft under magnetisation are disclosed as are “sweet spots” (230) for sensor placement (FIG.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer element is formed in a portion (22) of a shaft (20) by an axially-oriented magnetic source (30) comprising a U-shape permanent magnet or electromagnet assembly, the gap (g) between the poles of which is small compared to the pole width (w). The source (30) is brought up to the continually rotating shaft (20) from a distance (D1) to a position closely proximate (D2) the shaft (20) and then retracting the source (30). With an electromagnet the mechanical movement may be emulated by controlling the energising of the electromagnet. An annular, surface-adjacent zone of axially-directed magnetisation is created whose external detectable field (40) has a distribution in the axial direction which shifts axially under applied torque. An axial or radial component may be sensed as a measure of torque. A method of preparing the shaft for magnetisation (magnetic-cleansing) and a post-magnetisation procedure is disclosed.