Abstract: A structure (1) for reflecting light uses at least two materials having different refractive indices. The structure (1) for reflecting light includes a first material (2) having light transmittance, and a plurality of fine structures (3) made of a second material, placed within the first material (2), with regularity sufficient to express reflection functions of light based on diffraction and scattering actions.

Abstract: A coloring structure includes a surface layer placed on a base with light transparency and containing transparent brilliant members, each brilliant member including an alternate lamination of at least two polymers having different refractive indexes, and controlling interfered light resulting from reflection and interference produced by the alternate lamination and transmitted light other than interfered light and passing through the alternate lamination. The brilliant members may dispersedly be contained in the base.

Abstract: A flat optical-interference-functional fiber formed by alternately laminating individually independent layers of polymers having different refractive indices in parallel with the major axis direction of its flat cross section, characterized in that (a) the ratio (SP ratio) of the solubility parameter value (SP1) of high refractive index polymer to the solubility parameter value (SP2) of low refractive index polymer is in the range of 0.8≦SP1/SP2≦1.1, and a fibrous structure using the fiber. According to the present invention, there are provided a fiber which has high color development intensity based on optical interference and forms clear color; and a fibrous structure thereof.

Abstract: An optical recording medium 10 comprises a substrate 1, first protective layer 2, interfacial layer 3, recording layer 4, second protective layer 5, light absorbing and heat generating layer 6, third protective layer 7, reflection layer 8 and a protective film 9 laminated in order. The light absorbing and heat generating layer 6 is a metal layer or an alloy layer containing more than one element out of Ge, Sn, Pb, Cr, Ti, In, Si, Cd, Se, W, Mo, Zr, Nb, Zn and Hf, so that a reflectivity of the optical recording medium 10 and an optical modulation factor, which is an optical modulation factor in a phase changing state of crystalline or amorphous, in the recording layer 4 can be always maintained in high. Accordingly, a recording sensitivity of the recording layer 4 in the optical recording medium 10 can be increased without deteriorating a characteristic such as reflectivity and jitter.

Abstract: A color-developing composite short fiber having a length of 0.01 to 100 mm is obtained by cutting a color-developing short fiber capable of reflecting visible rays and interfering therewith consisting of two or more kinds of polymer compounds having different refractive indices which are laminated alternately, while a color-developing structure is formed by binding particles of the short fiber one another, dispersing the short fiber in or mixing it with other materials to be bound therewith or adhering the short fiber on the surface of a support. Further, a color-developing composite short fiber having a length of 0.

Abstract: A color-developing composite short fiber having a length of 0.01 to 100 mm is obtained by cutting a color-developing short fiber capable of reflecting visible rays and interfering with visible rays consisting of two or more kinds or polymer compounds having different refractive indices which are laminated alternately. A color-developing structure is formed by binding particles of the short fiber to one another, dispersing the short fiber in a mixture with other materials or adhering the short fiber on the surface of a support. Further, a color-developing composite short fiber having a length of 0.01 to 100 mm is obtained by cutting a color-developing composite fiber comprising two or more polymer compounds having different refractive indices which are laminated alternately forming a layer capable of reflecting visible rays and interfering therewith and a layer capable of reflecting invisible rays and interfering therewith.

Abstract: A coating structure includes a color base, a first coating layer placed on the color base, and transparent brilliant members contained in the first coating layer, each brilliant member including an alternate lamination of at least two polymers having different refractive indexes and controlling interference light resulting from reflection and interference produced by the alternate lamination and transmitted light other than interference light. The coating structure is provided with a coloring mechanism for producing at least an interference color resulting from reflection and interference of an incident source spectrum produced by the brilliant members, a first object color resulting from direct action of the spectrum with the color base, and a second object color resulting from action of the spectrum transmitting through the brilliant members with the color base. Mixing of the three colors causes a hue varying with the angle.

Abstract: A fiber structure with a cross section having x-axis and y-axis directions includes an alternate lamination including a first portion having a refractive index na and a thickness da and a second portion adjacent to the first portion and having a refractive index nb and a thickness db, wherein when 1.0≦na<1.8, 1.3≦nb≦1.8, and 1.01≦nb/na≦1.80, a primary peak wavelength &lgr;1 which is equal to 2(nada+nbdb) is given by &lgr;1≧0.78 or 1.6 (&mgr;m).

Abstract: A coloring structure includes a light-reflecting base, a brilliant layer placed on the base, and transparent brilliant units contained in the brilliant layer, each brilliant unit including an alternate lamination of at least two polymers having different refractive indexes, the lamination producing interfered light resulting from reflection and interference of light and transmitted light resulting from transmission of light, each brilliant unit controlling interfered and transmitted lights. The coloring structure is provided with a coloring mechanism for producing at least an interference color resulting from interfered light, a first object color resulting from reflection of transmitted light produced by the base, and a second object color resulting from reflection of incident light produced by the base without striking any brilliant units.

Abstract: A fiber structure includes alternate lamination including a predetermined number of a first portion having a refractive index na and a thickness da, and a second portion adjacent to the first portion and having a refractive index nb and a thickness db, wherein when the refractive index na is given by 1.3≦na, and a ratio nb/na is given by 1.01≦nb/na≦1.20, a reflection peak wavelength &lgr; is equal to 2(nada+nbdb). Such fiber structure is used in a textile.

Abstract: A minute structure for producing a color comprises a first coloring part for producing a color with first wavelengths in the visible light area by physical actions such as reflection and Interference. The first coloring part includes lamellas disposed in layers at predetermined intervals. A second coloring part is disposed adjacent to the first coloring part for absorbing a part of light with second wavelengths in the visible light area and reflecting the rest of light. The second coloring part contains a coloring matter.

Abstract: A color exhibition structure comprising a number of minute granular substances dispersed in a transparent substance. The materials of the transparent and granular substances are selected in such a manner as to exhibit a visible color produced by reflection and scattering of a light incident on the color exhibition structure. Alternatively, the color exhibition structure may comprise a number of minute granular substances dispersed in at least one of first and second layers laminated alternatively. The materials of the first and second layers and the granular substances are selected in such a manner as to exhibit a visible color produced by reflection, interference and scattering of a light incident on the color exhibit structure.

Abstract: A fiber with a cross section having x-axis and y-axis directions includes an alternate lamination including a predetermined number of a first portion and a second portion adjacent thereto, which have different optical characteristics, and a clad arranged around the alternate lamination.

Abstract: A cable steering device in which the steering torque of a steering wheel is transmitted to wheels by a driven pulley provided in a driven pulley housing, cables, a follower pulley provided in a follower pulley housing and a gear box, and a power steering motor for assisting in the generation of the steering torque is provided in the follower pulley housing and not in the gear box.

Abstract: In a wire-type steering device in which a steering wheel and a gear box are connected to each other by wires, one end of each inner cable of two Bowden wires are wound around a driving pulley which is mounted on a rotary shaft of a steering wheel. The inner cables are inserted through the inside of outer tubes fixed at their corresponding ends to a driving pulley housing. The direction of drawing of the Bowden wires from the driving pulley housing is offset at an angle .alpha. in a forward direction of a vehicle body relative to a plane perpendicular to the rotary shaft 12, thereby preventing the Bowden wires from being exposed inside of a vehicle compartment, and/or from interfering with an instrument panel and the like.

Abstract: A cable steering device is provided such that it can be easily and reliably confirmed whether an inner cable of a Bowden cable is precisely wound around a pulley housed in a housing. Two inner cables are wound around a helical groove defined in an outer peripheral surface of a driven pulley connected to a steering wheel through a driven shaft. An opening is defined in a driven pulley housing enclosing the driven pulley, so that when the steering wheel is assembled to the driven shaft by a spline, it can be confirmed from the outside that the two inner cables have been wound precisely in two turns around the driven pulley.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle is provided in which each of the inner cables of two Bowden wires has one end thereof wound around and fixed to a driving pulley provided on a rotary shaft of a steering wheel, and the other end thereof is connected to a follower pulley. Spring sheets provided at end of outer tubes of the Bowden wires, are biased by springs and are connected to differential transformers. When a difference in tension corresponding to steering torque is generated between the two inner cables, the spring sheets are moved relative to each other, and a steering torque is determined based upon the amount of relative movement detected by the differential transformers. Thus, the steering torque inputted to the steering wheel can be correctly detected, while eliminating the influence of friction of the Bowden wires.

Abstract: The invention relates to a minute structure for showing an interference color having a certain wavelength within a visible light region, by reflection and interference of a natural light incident on the minute structure. The minute structure has: a laminated portion including a plurality of first layers having a first refractive index and a plurality of second layers having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index; and a stray-light absorbing member. The first and second layers are alternately placed on top of each other. The stray light has wavelengths other than the certain wavelength and is formed by transmittance of the natural light through the laminated portion, reflectance of the natural light by the laminated portion and/or scattering of the natural light by the laminated portion. The invention further relates to a fabric for showing the interference color.

Abstract: A composite polymer fiber is produced employing at least two polymer compounds according to a process for producing a composite polymer fiber including the steps of supplying at least two polymer compounds; forming a belt flow by arranging alternately unmixed strips of the polymer compounds supplied; and injecting the belt flow after it is compressed such that the thickness of the belt flow may be longer than the width thereof and that multiple layers of the polymer compounds may be parallel to the longer axis of the fiber. According to this process, there is obtained a fiber having a multilayered structure, in which the thickness of each layer can be controlled with optical accuracy since the multilayered structure is formed in one step, and also having a rectangular cross section in which each layer in the fabric is oriented parallel to the longer axis of the fiber, so that the layers can be easily oriented, when woven into a fabric, in such a direction as to obtain high-intensity coherent beams of light.

Abstract: A cable-type steering device is provided in which a sterring wheel and a gear box are connected to each other by wires, wherein a pulley to which wires are connected can be easily assembled to housings, while maintaining the enire length of the wire at a necessary minimum. A housing is divided into a first housing half and a second housing half. In assembling a pully having inner cables of Bowden wires previously wound therearound into the housing, collars mounted at ends of outer tubes of the Bowden wires are fixed in such a manner that they are sandwiched between a wire supporting groove in the first housing half and a lid portion of the second housing half.