Abstract: An image-taking apparatus which captures object light to take an image includes: an optical device through which the object light is transmitted; an image pickup device which generates an image signal representing an object image; and a cleaning section which is deformed by receiving a predetermined stimulus, the cleaning section being brought into contact with, and being separated from, the optical device and/or the image pickup device to clean substances attached to the contact portion. The apparatus further includes: a stimulus application section which applies the stimulus to the cleaning section; and a control section which controls the deformation of the cleaning section by controlling the stimulus applied from the stimulus application section, and which thus causes the cleaning section to clean the contact portion.

Abstract: In a high-mounted double wishbone suspension device, an arm portion extending upward from a knuckle main body portion, through which an axle runs, is provided with a tie rod connection portion. A tie rod for turning a wheel is connected to the tie rod connection portion. The distance between the axle and the tie rod connection portion is increased to effectively suppress knuckle lateral vibration centered on the axle by the tie rod. Therefore, it is possible to reduce road noise without increasing the number of components or the weight. In particular, since the tie rod is connected to a joint provided on a lower face of the tie rod connection portion, it is possible to minimize vertical positional change of the tie rod, while suppressing lateral vibration of the knuckle by raising the position of the tie rod connection portion, whereby the arrangement can be easily applied to a conventional vehicle merely by replacing the knuckle alone.

Abstract: An optical controller has a lens to be driven, a holding section which holds the lens and is movable in a driving direction of the lens, a polymer actuator which drives the holding section in the driving direction by expanding and contracting in response to application and release of a voltage, and a control section which controls a position of the lens by controlling application and release of a voltage with respect to the polymer actuator.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a ternary signal that receives a binary input-control signal and a binary reset signal and outputs a ternary signal. The circuit includes first to third transistors, each source terminal thereof is respectively connected to the three power supplies, and a sequential circuit that outputs control signals controlling the transistors. The sequential circuit outputs control signals that make the first and the third transistors be switched in a complementary manner in an initial state, and make the second and the third transistors be switched in a state that it is released from the initial state.

Abstract: A driver circuit is provided for preventing generation of a pass-through current in a CMOS output unit even if a power supply voltage VDD supplied from a low voltage power supply drops below a recommended operating power supply voltage. The driver circuit includes a level shift unit having PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors, and a CMOS output unit having a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor. The source, drain and gate of one PMOS transistor are respectively connected to a high voltage power supply, a first contact and a second contact. The source, drain and gate of a second PMOS transistor are respectively connected to a high voltage power supply, the second contact and the first contact. The source of one NMOS transistor is grounded, the drain thereof is connected to the first contact, and the gate thereof receives a low voltage signal. The source of a second NMOS transistor is grounded, the drain thereof is connected to the second contact, and the gate thereof receives a low voltage signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layout of a multi-channel semiconductor integrated circuit and provides a layout of a semiconductor integrated circuit having ternary circuits in order to increase a degree of integration in the semiconductor integrated circuit and stabilize the output characteristics. A ternary circuit is formed by arranging a second high-side transistor, a diode, a second level shift circuit on one hand, and a low-side transistor, a first high-side transistor, a first level shift circuit, and a pre-driver on the other, so that each of the cells are arranged in a row and an output bonding pad is placed between the second high-side transistor and the low-side transistor, where a cell width of the first level shift circuit, second level shift circuit and pre-driver corresponds to a cell width of the low-side transistor.

Abstract: In a high-mounted double wishbone suspension device, an arm portion extending upward from a knuckle main body portion, through which an axle runs, is provided with a tie rod connection portion. A tie rod for turning a wheel is connected to the tie rod connection portion. The distance between the axle and the tie rod connection portion is increased to effectively suppress knuckle lateral vibration centered on the axle by the tie rod. Therefore, it is possible to reduce road noise without increasing the number of components or the weight. In particular, since the tie rod is connected to a joint provided on a lower face of the tie rod connection portion, it is possible to minimize vertical positional change of the tie rod, while suppressing lateral vibration of the knuckle by raising the position of the tie rod connection portion, whereby the arrangement can be easily applied to a conventional vehicle merely by replacing the knuckle alone.

Abstract: The collector, emitter, and base of a bipolar transistor circuit are connected to a high side power supply terminal, the drain of a level shift transistor, and a floating power supply terminal, respectively. When a high side output transistor is on, the floating power supply terminal is at the potential of a high potential power supply terminal. The high side power supply terminal is at a potential higher than the potential of the floating power supply terminal by a constant voltage. Turning the level shift transistor on, its drain potential drops below the potential of the floating power supply terminal; The base current flows through the bipolar transistor circuit and the drain potential of the level shift transistor is clamped near the potential of the floating power supply terminal; The bipolar transistor circuit is turned on and its collector current supplies the drain current of the level shift transistor.

Abstract: A vibration damper little depending on temperature, capable of damping plural resonance vibrations over a wide frequency region as well as damping a specific frequency vibration is provided. The vibration damper comprises a housing formed of a rigid material, having an internal space and fixed to a vibration transmitting member, an elastic body inserted in the internal space not bonded thereto with a gap in a direction of vibration of the housing, and a weight integrally supported by the elastic body so as not to touch the housing. The elastic body and the weight form a dynamic damper.

Abstract: A vibration damper little depending on temperature, capable of damping plural resonance vibrations over a wide frequency region as well as damping a specific frequency vibration is provided. The vibration damper comprises a housing formed of a rigid material, having an internal space and fixed to a vibration transmitting member, an elastic body inserted in the internal space not bonded thereto with a gap in a direction of vibration of the housing, and a weight integrally supported by the elastic body so as not to touch the housing. The elastic body and the weight form a dynamic damper.

Abstract: This invention provides a power conversion apparatus capable of improving the power factor of the power supply and making the harmonic component of the power supply match or very closer to the IEC standard, and an air conditioner using the same.