Abstract: A battery includes a positive plate, a negative plate and an insulative separator disposed between the positive plate and the negative plate. Each of the positive plate and the negative plate has a collector and an electrode layer disposed on a surface of the collector. The electrode layer contains an active material. At least one of the positive plate and the negative plate has cracks in a whole area of the electrode layer thereof or at a part of the electrode layer thereof, the part being away from a connector of the one to be coupled to an electrode at least by a predetermined distance. For example, the cracks are formed by drying the electrode layer at a predetermined drying rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is method for producing a secondary battery, capable of selection of a secondary battery having a defect caused by a micro short-circuit with high accuracy. A step for producing a secondary battery includes an inspection step for selecting the secondary battery having the defect among multiple secondary batteries. In the inspection step, a short circuit resistance is calculated based on capacitances of the multiple secondary batteries calculated before self-discharge inspection, a time required for the self-discharge inspection, first and second reference voltages calculated from open circuit voltages measured before and after the self-discharge inspection in the multiple secondary batteries, and first and second voltages which are open circuit voltages of one selected from the multiple secondary batteries measured before and after the self-discharge inspection.

Abstract: A battery includes a positive plate, a negative plate and an insulative separator disposed between the positive plate and the negative plate. Each of the positive plate and the negative plate has a collector and an electrode layer disposed on a surface of the collector. The electrode layer contains an active material. At least one of the positive plate and the negative plate has cracks in a whole area of the electrode layer thereof or at a part of the electrode layer thereof, the part being away from a connector of the one to be coupled to an electrode at least by a predetermined distance. For example, the cracks are formed by drying the electrode layer at a predetermined drying rate.

Abstract: A battery separator of the invention is obtained by press forming a meltblown nonwoven fabric comprising 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer or a 4-methyl-1-pentene/?-olefin copolymer, the battery separator having an average fiber diameter of 0.8 to 5 ?m, a basis weight of 9 to 30 g/m2, a porosity of 30 to 60%, and a load at 5% elongation in the MD direction (longitudinal direction) of not less than 1.2 (kg/5 cm width). A lithium ion secondary battery of the invention includes the battery separator.

Abstract: A battery separator of the invention is obtained by press forming a meltblown nonwoven fabric comprising 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer or a 4-methyl-1-pentene/?-olefin copolymer, the battery separator having an average fiber diameter of 0.8 to 5 ?m, a basis weight of 9 to 30 g/m2, a porosity of 30 to 60%, and a load at 5% elongation in the MD direction (longitudinal direction) of not less than 1.2 (kg/5 cm width). A lithium ion secondary battery of the invention includes the battery separator.

Abstract: A sliding type sunroof has a pair of rails, a front shoe slidably retained in each rail, and a sunroof panel supported by the front shoe and slidable together with the front shoe for opening the roof of an automobile. A lift down device for the sunroof includes a bracket pivotally connected to the front shoe at a pivot point and having the sunroof panel secured thereto, the sunroof panel being lifted down and placed in a slidable state by turning the bracket about the pivot point.

Abstract: A retractable lamp device for vehicles includes a vehicles includes a vehicle body having a space for accommodating a lamp, a cover member rotatably mounted on the body to open or close the space, a motor for rotating the cover member. The retractable lamp further includes a movable member connected to the motor and an adjusting member for adjusting the surface level of the vehicle body and the cover member from outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A metal in a molten state, which is to be pulverized, is put in a vessel in coexistence with an assistant-powder consisting of a material which has a higher melting point than said metal and is difficult to chemically react with said metal and/or difficult to form a solid solution with said metal. Then, said molten metal and said assistant-powder are mixed thoroughly by stirring. Then, while continuing said stirring, said molten metal and said assistant-powder are slowly cooled until the temperature of the former reaches at least its solidus point to pulverize said metal into a fine powder and to form a composite powder having a structure in which said assistant-powder adheres to said fine powder to cover the entire surface of each particle of said fine powder. And then, said assistant-powder is separated and removed from said composite powder, thereby obtaining a fine powder of said metal.

Abstract: A core metal in a molten state, which is to be pulverized, is put in a vessel in coexistence with a covering powder in a solid state consisting of a material which has a higher melting point than said core metal and is difficult to chemically react with said core metal and/or difficult to form a solid solution with said core metal. Then, said molten core metal and said solid covering powder are mixed thoroughly and uniformly by stirring. Then, while continuing said stirring, said molten core metal and said solid covering powder are slowly cooled until the temperature of the former reaches at least its solidus point to pulverize said core metal into a fine powder and to form a composite powder for powder metallurgy having a structure in which many particles of said covering powder adhere to and cover the entire surface of each particle of said fine powder of said core metal.