Abstract: A fuel cell includes a main body which is formed by stacking a cathode layer, an electrolyte layer, and an anode layer, in which the surface of one of the cathode and anode layers serves as a first main surface, and the surface of the other layer serves as a second main surface; a first current collector in contact with the first main surface; and a second current collector in contact with the second main surface. As viewed in a thickness direction, at least a portion of the boundary of a second region of the second current collector corresponding to the second main surface is located within a first region of the first current collector corresponding to the first main surface, and the remaining portion is located within the first region or on the boundary of the first region.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer device includes an intermediate transfer member, intermediate transfer member support members, and two frame members each including first and second positioning members each having a positioning portion. At least one of the frame members satisfies a condition L1:L2=2.85:x 0?x?1, where L1 is the length of a line segment connecting an intersection point to the positioning portion of one of the positioning members on a side opposite to a side toward which a line of action of a force applied by a second-transfer unit is inclined and L2 is the length of a line segment connecting the intersection point to the positioning portion of the other of the positioning members on the side toward which the line of action is inclined, the intersection point being an intersection of the line of action and a line segment connecting the positioning portions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image to be formed on a recording medium. The image formed by the image forming unit has a size larger than a size of the recording medium that is transported, the image forming unit causing the image to adhere to the entire area of the recording medium. A width of the image in a direction substantially orthogonal to a transporting direction of the recording medium increases from a front end toward a rear end of the recording medium in the transporting direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: A transport device includes an endless belt having a recording-medium transport surface provided with multiple holes; stretching members between which the endless belt is stretched so as to be able to revolve; and a suction unit provided inside the endless belt. The suction unit has an opening having a larger width than the endless belt. The opening is exposed at both sides of the endless belt in the width direction. The suction unit draws air through the opening to cause the recording medium to stick to the endless belt.

Abstract: Provided is a novel protein phosphatase inhibitor. The protein phosphatase inhibitor contains, as an active ingredient, a silicon compound represented by the following general formula (1) or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; X represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group having 3 to 36 carbon atoms or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; and n represents an integer of 0 or 1.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a first support member that supports a wound member, an endless transferred body being wound around the wound member; a second support member that supports a transfer member, the transfer member and the wound member pinching the transferred body and a recording medium, the transfer member causing a developer image on the transferred body to be transferred onto the recording medium; a coupling portion that couples the second support member to the first support member so that an angle of the second support member is changeable relative to the first support member; and an urging portion that is provided at the first support member and urges the second support member in a direction in which the transfer member presses the wound member.

Abstract: A developer-conveying apparatus is provided, the developer-conveying apparatus including: a conveying member that has a rotational axis rotatably set in a container and a blade formed around the rotational axis, the conveying member conveying a developer along the rotational axis by rotation; and a static eliminating member set in the container and eliminating static electricity of the developer in the container by being brought into contact with the developer.

Abstract: A powder container includes a housing including a container chamber, a rotation member extending in an axial direction, and a sealing member. The housing includes a first wall portion having a first hole into which an end portion of the rotation member is inserted. The rotation member includes a second wall facing a part of the first wall portion around the first hole with a distance therebetween. The sealing member has a second hole through which the rotation member extends, is interposed between the part of the first wall portion around the first hole and the second wall portion, and includes a foam member that is contractible and a pair of sheet members respectively contacting the part of the first wall portion around the first hole and the second wall portion and having a friction coefficient lower than the foam member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image to be formed on a recording medium. The image formed by the image forming unit has a size larger than a size of the recording medium that is transported, the image forming unit causing the image to adhere to the entire area of the recording medium. A width of the image in a direction substantially orthogonal to a transporting direction of the recording medium increases from a front end toward a rear end of the recording medium in the transporting direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer device includes an intermediate transfer member, intermediate transfer member support members, and two frame members each including first and second positioning members each having a positioning portion. At least one of the frame members satisfies a condition L1:L2=2.85:x 0?x?1, where L1 is the length of a line segment connecting an intersection point to the positioning portion of one of the positioning members on a side opposite to a side toward which a line of action of a force applied by a second-transfer unit is inclined and L2 is the length of a line segment connecting the intersection point to the positioning portion of the other of the positioning members on the side toward which the line of action is inclined, the intersection point being an intersection of the line of action and a line segment connecting the positioning portions.

Abstract: A powder container includes a housing including a container chamber, a rotation member extending in an axial direction, and a sealing member. The housing includes a first wall portion having a first hole into which an end portion of the rotation member is inserted. The rotation member includes a second wall facing a part of the first wall portion around the first hole with a distance therebetween. The sealing member has a second hole through which the rotation member extends, is interposed between the part of the first wall portion around the first hole and the second wall portion, and includes a foam member that is contractible and a pair of sheet members respectively contacting the part of the first wall portion around the first hole and the second wall portion and having a friction coefficient lower than the foam member.

Abstract: Provided is a novel protein phosphatase inhibitor. The protein phosphatase inhibitor contains, as an active ingredient, a silicon compound represented by the following general formula (1) or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; X represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group having 3 to 36 carbon atoms or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; and n represents an integer of 0 or 1.

Abstract: An electric bike includes a wheel driving apparatus. The wheel driving apparatus includes an electric wheel drive motor which drives a wheel, a gap changer which changes a gap length in the wheel drive motor, and a motor control unit which controls the wheel drive motor and the gap changer. The motor control unit calculates a target gap length for the gap changing motor in the gap changer based on an accelerator opening-degree signal, a rotation speed, a q-axis electric-current command value, a power source voltage, and a voltage utilization rate. Then, a feedback control is provided to the gap changer based on a difference value between the target gap length and the actual gap-length. A good vehicle characteristic is obtained without being affected by individual variability or operating environment of the electric motor through efficient drive of the electric motor from a low-speed range through a high-speed range.

Abstract: A developer-conveying apparatus is provided, the developer-conveying apparatus including: a conveying member that has a rotational axis rotatably set in a container and a blade formed around the rotational axis, the conveying member conveying a developer along the rotational axis by rotation; and a static eliminating member set in the container and eliminating static electricity of the developer in the container by being brought into contact with the developer.

Abstract: An electric bike includes a wheel driving apparatus. The wheel driving apparatus includes an electric wheel drive motor which drives a wheel, a gap changer which changes a gap length in the wheel drive motor, and a motor control unit which controls the wheel drive motor and the gap changer. The motor control unit calculates a target gap length for the gap changing motor in the gap changer based on an accelerator opening-degree signal, a rotation speed, a q-axis electric-current command value, a power source voltage, and a voltage utilization rate. Then, a feedback control is provided to the gap changer based on a difference value between the target gap length and the actual gap-length. A good vehicle characteristic is obtained without being affected by individual variability or operating environment of the electric motor through efficient drive of the electric motor from a low-speed range through a high-speed range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an endless intermediate transferring belt to which a toner image is transferred; a reference position marking member that is formed on a surface of the intermediate transferring belt, and that shows a reference position in a circumferential direction of the intermediate transferring belt; a detecting unit that detects the reference position marking member; and a control unit that controls the intermediate transferring belt to stop at a position where the reference position marking member is exposed to outside in a case where an outer cover is opened.

Abstract: A motor driven vehicle includes an electric motor that drives wheels through a power source and an electric motor control unit that drives the electric motor. When a voltage of the power source is a predetermined value or greater, the electric motor control unit controls the electric motor such that rotational speed-torque characteristics that the electric motor has are maintained when the voltage of the power source is at the predetermined value.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a motor, a first controller that controls the motor, a chargeable battery supplying electric power to the motor, a second controller connected to the battery that controls electric charge for the battery and electric discharge from the battery and a first communication path that communicates between the first controller and the second controller. The first and the second controllers each includes a mutual actuating unit for actuating the other controller via the first communication path in response to actuation of the first or second controller.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a boosting operation includes detecting that a boosting operation has been carried out for making a current value of an electric motor larger than a normal full open throttle value, detecting that an electric motor has not rotated, detecting that a predetermined time period has elapsed since the detection that the electric motor has not rotated; and after the detection that the predetermined time period has elapsed, controlling the current value of the electric motor to be equal to or smaller than a limit value that is smaller than the normal full open throttle value.

Abstract: A motor driven vehicle includes an electric motor that drives wheels through a power source and an electric motor control unit that drives the electric motor. When a voltage of the power source is a predetermined value or greater, the electric motor control unit controls the electric motor such that rotational speed-torque characteristics that the electric motor has are maintained when the voltage of the power source is at the predetermined value.