Abstract: A SiC semiconductor device includes: a SiC substrate; a SiC drift layer on the substrate having an impurity concentration lower than the substrate; a semiconductor element in a cell region of the drift layer; an outer periphery structure including a RESURF layer in a surface portion of the drift layer and surrounding the cell region; and an electric field relaxation layer in another surface portion of the drift layer so that the electric field relaxation layer is separated from the RESURF layer. The electric field relaxation layer is disposed on an inside of the RESURF layer so that the electric field relaxation layer is disposed in the cell region. The electric field relaxation layer has a ring shape.

Abstract: An SiC semiconductor device is provided, which comprises: a substrate made of silicon carbide and having a principal surface; a drift layer made of silicon carbide and disposed on the principal surface; an insulating layer disposed on the drift layer and including an opening; a Schottky electrode contacting with the drift layer through the opening; a termination structure disposed around an outer periphery of the opening; and second conductivity type layers disposed in a surface part of the drift layer, contacting the Schottky electrode, surrounded by the termination structure, and separated from one another. The second conductivity type layers include a center member and ring members. Each ring member surrounds the center member and is arranged substantially in a point symmetric manner with respect to the center member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that can realize an image having adequate image quality, density and color, without provoking excessive consumption of a developer and reduction in productivity. Image formation is performed by forming a latent image on an image carrier based on image information, then developing and transferring the latent image. An image for adjustment on a portion is formed other than a portion on which the latent image is formed on the image carrier. The density of the image for adjustment is detected. Image density is adjusted based on the density of the detected image for adjustment. Image formation control is executed whereby density is adjusted when an image is formed. A printing rate that indicates the percentage of the image formation to a sheet used for image formation is calculated. When the printing rate is determined to be within a set range, the image formation control is executed at a set frequency.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming unit which forms an image as a toner image on a printing medium, a first fixing unit which fixes, on the printing medium, the toner image formed by the image forming unit, a second fixing unit arranged at a position different from the first fixing unit and used when a larger amount of heat is necessary for fixing the toner image on the printing medium, and a changing unit which changes the sequence of image formation by the image forming unit when the second fixing unit is used during image formation.

Abstract: In an image forming system having an image forming apparatus main body for forming an image on a sheet and a sheet processing apparatus having a processing portion for processing sheets received from the image forming apparatus main body, sheets are conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus during an operation before starting of an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus main body or interruption of the image forming operation, and the sheet processing apparatus performs a calibrating operation on respective processing portions using the sheets received from the image forming apparatus main body.

Abstract: Positioning projections for engaging recesses in an outer peripheral surface of a mating member project from an inner peripheral surface of a grommet, and the position of a minimum inside diameter portion of each positioning projection after being fitted to the mating member is offset from interference of a jointing member. In a case where the positioning projections are formed in front of a sealing projection, a larger cylindrical portion is absent around their outer peripheries. Therefore, the enlargement of the diameter of the grommet during fitting to the mating member is not restricted, resistance during fitting is alleviated, and the positioning projections are engaged in the recesses with large elastic reaction force. Hence, a click feel is excellent.

Abstract: A motor-driven wheel includes a wheel disc, a wheel hub, a knuckle, a hub bearing, a constant-velocity joint, an in-wheel motor, and a spring. The center of swing of the constant-velocity joint is placed closer to the outside of the vehicle relative to the hub bearing. Since such components of the constant-velocity joint as an inner race, balls and a cage are placed differently in position from the hub bearing, the hub bearing can be reduced in diameter. An outer race of the constant-velocity joint is integrated with the wheel hub into a single part and has an opening facing the outside of the vehicle. Since the opening is large and shallow, the work of installing the cage, balls and inner race and securing them with a snap ring is facilitated.

Abstract: A propeller shaft having high wear resistance is provided. The propeller shaft has a spline shaft and a spline sleeve meshing with each other, and a DLC coating is applied to any one of the spline shaft and the spline sleeve. The DLC coating has surface roughness Ra of 0.5 ?m or smaller.

Abstract: The clamping band is capable of reducing a diameter with an ordinary tool or without the tool and improving working efficiency of clamping object members. The clamping band comprises: a first hook including a first projection, which can be engaged with the tool, and a second projection, which prevents rotation of a ring-shaped band member when a lever is pressed onto an external member; a second hook for engaging with the tool, the second hook being outwardly projected from the band member and located close to a position on which the lever is laid; and a clipping member for clipping and holding the lever in a laid state, the clipping member being located close to buckles.

Abstract: A motor-driven wheel includes a wheel disc, a wheel hub, a decelerator, a knuckle, a hub bearing, a constant-velocity joint, an in-wheel motor, and a spring. Since the decelerator is placed closer to the outside of the vehicle relative to the hub bearing, the space where the in-wheel motor is to be mounted can readily be secured. Further, balls are arranged along a spherical external surface of an outer race and the outer race is supported swingably in the axial direction. Thus, even when a great axial force is exerted, the axial force can be endured. The outer race can be supported swingably and rotatably with respect to the wheel hub.

Abstract: In a constant velocity universal joint including a double roller type roller unit, a cylindrical surface is formed in a radially outer surface of the outer roller; a flat engagement surface which is engaged with the cylindrical surface is formed in each of the guide grooves of the outer joint member; and the cylindrical surface satisfies following two equations, W1>PCR (1?cos ?)/2+?3R3+?2R1, W2>3PCR (1?cos ?)/2??3R3+?2R1wherein W1, W2: a length from a center of the cylindrical surface to each of axially both end portions; PCR: a distance from an axis of the inner joint member to a center of the convex sphere of each of the leg shafts; ?: a required maximum joint angle; R1, R3: radii of the cylindrical surface and the concave sphere, respectively; and ?2, ?3: friction coefficients between the inner roller and the outer roller, and between the convex sphere and the concave sphere, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a SiC substrate; a silicide layer disposed on the SiC substrate; and a carbide layer disposed on the silicide layer. The silicide layer includes a first metal, and the carbide layer includes a second metal. The first metal is Ni or Ni alloy, and the second metal is Ti, Ta or W. The device provides excellent ohmic contact and high quality surface metallization construction.

Abstract: A Birfield joint with an increased angle is provided. The joint includes an outer race having a root portion connected to a shaft and an opening portion receiving a counterpart member. A groove is formed at the outer race so as to extend from the root portion to the opening portion. The joint further includes a ball that can roll along the groove and that contacts to the groove at a contact. The groove is formed such that a contact angle is smaller as nearer to the opening portion away from the root portion.

Abstract: A power distribution apparatus of high reliability and long life and that can be reduced in size. A differential gear identified as a power transmission mechanism includes a drive shaft, a diff case provided with an opening that opens towards the drive shaft, constant velocity universal joints connected to the drive shaft, and side gears connected to drive shafts via the constant velocity universal joints. Outer races of the constant velocity universal joints are formed at the end of drive shafts. Inner races of the constant velocity universal joints are formed at side gears. The outer races are arranged so as to block an opening.

Abstract: It is determined whether a low density area in which pixels having density less than a predetermined density exist in succession is included in an image signal or not, and if the low density area exists, an image is formed by irradiating the laser light in a first condition for a pixel to be interested in each pixel area within the low density area and irradiating the laser light in a second condition being different from the first condition for other pixels in the pixel area. In this way, it is possible to improve reproducibility of a highlight area in a high resolution image and improve reproducibility of characters and line images or the like.

Abstract: The clamping band is capable of reducing a diameter with an ordinary tool or without the tool and improving working efficiency of clamping object members. The clamping band comprises: a first hook including a first projection, which can be engaged with the tool, and a second projection, which prevents rotation of a ring-shaped band member when a lever is pressed onto an external member; a second hook for engaging with the tool, the second hook being outwardly projected from the band member and located close to a position on which the lever is laid; and a clipping member for clipping and holding the lever in a laid state, the clipping member being located close to buckles.

Abstract: A motor-driven wheel includes a wheel disc, a wheel hub, a knuckle, a hub bearing, a constant-velocity joint, an in-wheel motor, and a spring. The center of swing of the constant-velocity joint is placed closer to the outside of the vehicle relative to the hub bearing. Since such components of the constant-velocity joint as an inner race, balls and a cage are placed differently in position from the hub bearing, the hub bearing can be reduced in diameter. An outer race of the constant-velocity joint is integrated with the wheel hub into a single part and has an opening facing the outside of the vehicle. Since the opening is large and shallow, the work of installing the cage, balls and inner race and securing them with a snap ring is facilitated.

Abstract: A motor-driven wheel includes a wheel disc, a wheel hub, a decelerator, a knuckle, a hub bearing, a constant-velocity joint, an in-wheel motor, and a spring. Since the decelerator is placed closer to the outside of the vehicle relative to the hub bearing, the space where the in-wheel motor is to be mounted can readily be secured. Further, balls are arranged along a spherical external surface of an outer race and the outer race is supported swingably in the axial direction. Thus, even when a great axial force is exerted, the axial force can be endured. The outer race can be supported swingably and rotatably with respect to the wheel hub.

Abstract: Positioning projections for engaging recesses in an outer peripheral surface of a mating member project from an inner peripheral surface of a grommet, and the position of a minimum inside diameter portion of each positioning projection after being fitted to the mating member is offset from interference of a jointing member. In a case where the positioning projections are formed in front of a sealing projection, a larger cylindrical portion is absent around their outer peripheries. Therefore, the enlargement of the diameter of the grommet during fitting to the mating member is not restricted, resistance during fitting is alleviated, and the positioning projections are engaged in the recesses with large elastic reaction force. Hence, a click feel is excellent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition comprising a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (A) and a substituted 9,10-anthraquinone (B) having a substituent at at least one of the 2-, 3-, 6- and 7-positions and showing a percent weight loss when stood with heating at 250° C. for 60 minutes of not more than 5% and a multilayer structure including the resin composition as an intermediate layer. This multilayer structure is superior in appearance, oxygen barrier property, further forming stability, resistance to pinholes, adhesion between layers and the like, and is useful for packaging of foods such as meat, ketchup, soybean paste, beer and the like.