Abstract: A deformable sensor system that can be used for pressure-distribution sensors. The deformable sensor system makes it possible to obtain a pressure distribution with a much higher accuracy, while reducing the number of electrodes. The system utilizes a deformable sensor which can detect deformation as the electric resistivity of the surface increases monotonically as an elastic deformation variation in each of the elastic deformations increases. Based on a voltage being detected by means of a detecting unit, the deformable sensor electric-resistivity variation computing unit computes the variation of the electric resistivity based on the method of least squares with a restriction condition imposed thereon. The system uses such a technology as “EIT” that is based on an inverse-problem theory. At an external-force position computing unit, a position in a pressure-receiving surface, position which receives an external force, is computed based on the computed electric-resistivity variation.

Abstract: A deformation sensor, which has excellent workability and a high degree of freedom in shape design and which can detect deformation and load in a wide area of components and portions, has a main body of sensor, electrodes which are connected to the main body of sensor and can output electric resistances, and a restraining component which restrains elastic deformation of at least a part of the main body of sensor. The main body of sensor has an elastomer, and spherical conductive fillers which are blended into the elastomer at a high filling rate in an approximately single-particle state, and is elastically deformable. In the main body of sensor, as an elastic deformation increases, the electric resistance increases.

Abstract: A first deformation sensor is arranged in a shock transmission member which is built in a vehicle and which constitutes a transmission path of a shock applied from the outside. A second deformation sensor is arranged in an exterior member which is exposed to the outside of a vehicle. Each of the first and second deformation sensors comprises a main body of sensor which has an elastomer and spherical conductive fillers blended in the elastomer in an approximately single particle state and with a high filling rate, and in which an electric resistance increases as an elastic deformation increases, and an electrode which is connected with the main body of sensor and is able to output the electric resistance.

Abstract: A crosslinked elastomer body is composed of an electrically conductive composition comprising an electrically conductive filler and an insulative elastomer (matrix). The electrically conductive filler is in a spherical particulate form and has an average particle diameter of 0.05 to 100 ?m. The electrically conductive filler has a critical volume fraction (?c) of not less than 30 vol % as determined at a first inflection point of a percolation curve at which an insulator-conductor transition occurs with an electrical resistance steeply reduced when the electrically conductive filler is gradually added to the elastomer. A resistance observed under compressive strain or bending strain increases according to the strain over a resistance observed under no strain when the electrically conductive filler is present in a volume fraction not less than the critical volume fraction (?c) in the composition.

Abstract: To provide a deformable sensor system, which makes it possible to obtain a pressure distribution with a much higher accuracy, while reducing the number of electrodes. A deformable sensor 12 comprises an elastic material whose electric resistivity, when all types of elastic deformations are caused therein respectively, increases monotonically as an elastic deformation variation in each of the elastic deformations increases. Based on a voltage being detected by means of a detecting unit 22, the deformable sensor 12's electric-resistivity variation ??(x, y), which minimizes an evaluation Function J of Equation (1) while satisfying a condition of Equation (2), is computed at an electric-resistivity variation computing unit 25 using such a technology as “EIT” that is based on an inverse-problem theory. At an external-force position computing unit 26, a position in a pressure-receiving surface 12a, position which receives an external force, is computed based on the computed electric-resistivity variation ??(x, y).

Abstract: A first deformation sensor is arranged in a shock transmission member which is built in a vehicle and which constitutes a transmission path of a shock applied from the outside. A second deformation sensor is arranged in an exterior member which is exposed to the outside of a vehicle. Each of the first and second deformation sensors comprises a main body of sensor which has an elastomer and spherical conductive fillers blended in the elastomer in an approximately single particle state and with a high filling rate, and in which an electric resistance increases as an elastic deformation increases, and an electrode which is connected with the main body of sensor and is able to output the electric resistance.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing member includes tabular ribs extending in a direction orthogonal to an impact load input direction, and disposed spaced apart in the impact load input direction and parallel to one another; and a load transmitting member connected with width-wise opposite ends of the respective tabular ribs to extend between the tabular ribs on a diagonal with respect to the impact load input direction, for transmitting to each of the tabular ribs an impact load in a form of tensile load directed in a lateral direction, wherein differing levels are established for at least one of: tensile stiffness in the plurality of tabular ribs per se; and transmission efficiency of the tensile load by the load transmitting member, so that load-deformation characteristics of some of the plurality of tabular ribs differ in the impact load input direction.

Abstract: A crosslinked elastomer body is composed of an electrically conductive composition comprising an electrically conductive filler and an insulative elastomer (matrix). The electrically conductive tiller is in a spherical particulate form and has an average particle diameter of 0.05 to 100 ?m. The electrically conductive filler has a critical volume fraction (?c) of not less than 30 vol % as determined at a first inflection point of a percolation curve at which an insulator-conductor transition occurs with an electrical resistance steeply reduced when the electrically conductive filler is gradually added to the elastomer. A resistance observed under compressive strain or bending strain increases according to the strain over a resistance observed under no strain when the electrically conductive filler is present in a volume fraction not less than the critical volume fraction (?c) in the composition.

Abstract: A deformation sensor, which has excellent workability and a high degree of freedom in shape design and which can detect deformation and load in a wide area of components and portions, has a main body of sensor, electrodes which are connected to the main body of sensor and can output electric resistances, and a restraining component which restrains elastic deformation of at least a part of the main body of sensor. The main body of sensor has an elastomer, and spherical conductive fillers which are blended into the elastomer at a high filling rate in an approximately single-particle state, and is elastically deformable. In the main body of sensor, as an elastic deformation increases, the electric resistance increases.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing member includes tabular ribs extending in a direction orthogonal to an impact load input direction, and disposed spaced apart in the impact load input direction and parallel to one another; and a load transmitting member connected with width-wise opposite ends of the respective tabular ribs to extend between the tabular ribs on a diagonal with respect to the impact load input direction, for transmitting to each of the tabular ribs an impact load in a form of tensile load directed in a lateral direction, wherein differing levels are established for at least one of: tensile stiffness in the plurality of tabular ribs per se; and transmission efficiency of the tensile load by the load transmitting member, so that load-deformation characteristics of some of the plurality of tabular ribs differ in the impact load input direction.

Abstract: A vibration damping device including: at least one elastic plate member adapted to be superposed against a surface of a vibrating member to be damped, and having a natural frequency tuned to a frequency band to be damped in the vibrating member; and a positioning member for positioning the elastic plate member with respect to the surface of the vibrating member.

Abstract: A shock absorbing member for vehicle cabin having a molded article of synthetic resin material having a plurality of tabular ribs extending in an impact load input direction, wherein the synthetic resin material has normal temperature elongation at break of 200% or more, yield stress of 20 MPa or more, flexural modulus of 1 GPa or more, ?20° C. elongation at break of 150% or more, and Izod impact strength of 10 kJ/m2 or more.

Abstract: A vibration-damping device for damping vibrations of a vibrative member, which includes a damper mass member having a rigid abutting portion, a spring member for elastically connecting the damper mass member to the vibrative member to cooperate with the damper mass member to constitute a second vibration system whose natural frequency is tuned to a frequency band of the vibrations of the vibrative member, and an independent mass member disposed so as to be opposed to the rigid abutting portion in a vibration input direction with a given gap therebetween without being adhesive to the rigid abutting portion. The independent mass member is independently displaceable relative to and brought into abutting contact directly and elastically with said rigid abutting portion in said vibration input direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic damper for use in a steering system of an automotive vehicle, including a mounting member connectable to a steering column or a steering wheel of the steering system; and a plurality of secondary vibration systems independent of each other, each including a mass member and a spring member for elastically supporting the mass member to the mounting member. One of the plurality of secondary vibration systems has a natural frequency that is tuned to an idling vibration frequency band ranging from about 20 Hz to about 30 Hz, and another one of the plurality of secondary vibration systems has a natural frequency that is tuned to a natural frequency band of the steering system, which is larger than 30 Hz.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic damping device for a steering system of an automotive vehicle, which equipped with a telescopic steering column, including a plurality of mutually independent dynamic dampers, each including a mass member and a spring member for elastically supporting the mass member to the steering column or wheel. At least two of natural frequencies of the plurality of dynamic dampers are tuned to a higher and a lower frequency range in relation to a central value of a range of variation in a natural frequency of the steering wheel due to an expansion or contraction of the telescopic steering column, within the range of vibration in the natural frequency of the steering wheel. Further, a difference between adjacent ones of the natural frequencies of the plurality of dynamic dampers is made held within 10-40% of the central value of the range of vibration in the natural frequency of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber includes a housing, and a shock-absorbing member. The housing has at least one hollow formed therein, is formed of a rigid material, and is fixed to a bone structural member of vehicles. The shock-energy absorbing member is disposed in the hollow of the housing at least, and is formed of a super plastic polymer material. The super plastic polymer material exhibits a tensile breaking elongation of 200% or more, a yield strength of 20 MPa or more with respect to a predetermined strain, and a tensile elastic modulus of 400 MPa or more.

Abstract: Vibration damping device for vehicles includes: a rigid housing member having an accommodation space and fixed to a vibrative member; and an independent mass member having a rigid mass body and an elastic body layer bonded on the outer surface of the rigid mass body. The independent mass member is non-adhesively disposed in the accommodation space such that an outer surface of the independent mass member is opposed to the inner surface of the housing member with a predetermined gap distance therebetween, to thereby permit displacement of the independent mass member relative to the housing member. The independent mass member and the housing member is brought into elastic impact against each other at respective abutting surfaces thereof in at least one vibrational input direction. The elastic body layer has a spherical outer surface so as to facilitate bouncing displacement of the independent mass member within the accommodation space.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration-damping device comprising: a first and a second mounting member disposed in mutually spaced apart relationship with each other and attachable to two members of a vibration system, respectively; and an elastic body disposed between and elastically connecting the first and second mounting members and including a connecting portion adapted to primarily connect the first and second mounting members. The connecting portion has a hollow housing portion in which an independent mass member is accommodated such that the independent mass member is independently displaceable relative to the housing portion without being bonded to the housing portion, and is brought into direct and elastic impact against the housing portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration-damping device comprising an abutting member adapted to be fixedly disposed in a vibrative member and an independent mass member disposed relative to the abutting member such that the independent mass member is displaceable relative to the abutting member while being independent of the abutting member without being adhesive to the abutting member. The independent mass member having an abutting surface that comes into abutting contact directly and elastically with an abutting surface of the abutting member, in which at least one of the abutting surfaces of the abutting member and the independent mass member is provided with a flock coating.

Abstract: A vibration-damping device for damping vibrations of a vibrative member of a vehicle, including: a mass member disposed in the vibrative member such that the mass member is non-adhesive to and is displaceable independent of and relative to the vibrative member; the mass member and the vibrative member being brought into impact against with each other at their abutting portions. At least one of the abutting portions of the mass member and the vibrative member is formed of an elastic member adapted to undergo shear deformation in a direction in which the mass member and vibrative member are brought into impact against each other.