Abstract: A touch sensor with a sensor surface insulated with respect to ground potential, the sensor surface being connected via a measuring resistor to an a.c. voltage generator, and the voltage across the measuring resistor being used as a difference measuring signal. At least one touch sensor can advantageously be integrated in a sanitary fitting and used to control solenoid valves on water feeds of the fitting. An operating element of the fitting is used as a sensor surface and is connected via a connecting cable to control electronics of the sensor. A method of detecting a touch on an electrically conductive surface, a capacitive touch sensor being used which detects the complex conductance of a human body. The touch detection is carried out by measuring and evaluating a current flow in the direction from the sensor to the person who touches the sensor surface and/or in the direction from the person into the sensor.

Abstract: In a seat belt retractor, when a collision predicting signal is generated from a collision predicting device, a motor rotates counterclockwise, and a pawl is thereby raised via a lever so as to move to a position contacting saw-blade teeth of a ratchet gear. In this state, when a rotational force is applied in the seatbelt-extraction direction, the rotation is prevented. On the other hand, the rotation in the seatbelt-retraction direction can be performed by pushing down the pawl with a diagonal portion of the saw-blade tooth of the ratchet gear.

Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus has an anolyte compartment 17 having an anode 11, a catholyte compartment 18 having a cathode 12, concentrating compartments 15, and desalting compartments 16. The concentrating compartments 15 and the desalting compartments 16 are alternately formed between the anolyte compartment 17 and the catholyte compartment 18 by alternately arranging a plurality of anion-exchange membranes 13 and a plurality of cation-exchange membranes 14. The desalting compartments 16 are filled with ion-exchanger and the concentrating compartments 15 are filled with ion-exchanger, activated carbon, or electric conductor. Electrode water flows into the anolyte compartment 17 and the catholyte compartment 18. Concentrated water is introduced into the concentrating compartments 15. Raw water is fed into the desalting compartment 16 to produce the deionized water from the desalting compartment 16.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a dust removing device which enables dust having stuck to its filters to be automatically removed without fail and prevents the removed dust from sticking again to the filters is to be provided. It is equipped with a sliding device 6 (motor 6) for sliding in a prescribed direction filters 5 arranged between an air intake port 121 and a heat exchanger 3, and with cleaners 7 to remove dust having stuck to the filters 5, automatically cleans the filters 5 and prevents the removed dust from being brought out of the cleaners 7.

Abstract: A card ejector comprises a frame (10) having a support section (11) for guiding and supporting a removable card (C) and a guide plate (23) extending substantially parallel to said support section (11) and having a guiding slot (24); an ejector lever (39) provided on said frame (10) for ejecting the card (C); a first push rod (31) made of a flat metal sheet and provided in parallel to said guide plate (30) for sliding therealong upon depression; a second push rod (32) made of a flat metal sheet and provided in parallel to said guide plate (23) for transmitting a force from said first push rod (31) to said ejector lever (39); and a cam member (40) provided behind said first rod (31) so as to face said second rod (32) for engagement with said guiding slot (24) such that when said first rod (31) is depressed, said second rod (32) pushes said ejector lever (39) for rotation, thereby pushing said card (C) for ejection.

Abstract: An automobile has a head protection device including a curtain-type airbag, wherein a distribution pipe inside the airbag does not interfere with any of projecting members on a peripheral side portion of a vehicle ceiling so that the airbag can be easily installed. The head protection device further includes an inflator for spouting gas into the pipe along a side rail of a vehicle body. The airbag are positioned not to interfere with a belt anchor stalk and a striker mounting bracket. To correspond this, the pipe inserted in the airbag is provided with a curved portion.

Abstract: A card connector (21) for electrically connecting a card (22) to a circuit board (46), includes a housing (23) having a rear end into or from which the card (22) is inserted or removed, a plurality of terminals (25) provided in the housing, each terminal having a first end connected to a surface of the circuit board (46) and a second end brought into contact with a contact of the card (22), and at least one reinforcing member (27, 65, and 73) installed in a front wall (26 and 64) of the housing (23) within a range between outermost terminals (25) so that the reinforcing member (27, 65 and 73) withstands a force in the forward direction applied to the front wall (26 and 64).

Abstract: A method of connecting a terminal to a conductor comprises the steps of mating the terminal with the conductor through a thin stud of the terminal projecting from a base of the termina, giving ultrasonic vibration to the base of the terminal and the conductor to join the terminal and the conductor laminate at mating portion. The method further comprises the step of crushing a portion of the stud projecting above the conductor by giving a pressure without the ultrasonic vibration to the portion of the stud, thus to caulk the terminal to the conductor.

Abstract: A card connector (41) for electrically connecting a card (1) and a circuit board (90) includes a housing (42) for accommodating the card (1), a metal plate (64) forming a part of a wall (47) of the housing (1), and at least one metal piece (78, 79) provided along the metal plate (64_such that the metal piece (78, 79) is able to contact with and separate from the metal plate (64) to form at least one switch (91, 92). No wall (47) is necessary at the position of the metal plate (64) so that the thickness of the wall (47) is minimized.

Abstract: An installation structure for a camera includes a frame having an installation hole, and a bolt having a through hole therein. The bolt passes through the installation hole and fixed to the frame. A camera body is fixed to the frame through the bolt, and a cable of the camera passes through the hollow screw portion. The bolt may be integrally formed with the camera. Further, the camera may be fixed with the bolt via a variable angle installation member to adjust a viewing angle of the camera.

Abstract: In a detector for spectrometry attached to an integrating sphere, a plurality of detection elements having different spectral sensitivity characteristics is arranged side by side in the same plane on a base, and a side cover is provided such that the detection elements receive light. Thus, the measurement light is directly irradiated to the respective detection elements. Accordingly, the detector for spectrometry has a fast response speed and is excellent in the sensitivity characteristics in a wide wavelength region in the near-infrared area.

Abstract: A pulse signal generator comprises a magnetic element (1) capable of producing large Barkhausen jumps; a generating unit for generating a magnetic field, which is changed by the object to be detected (5) to cause the magnetic element to produce the large Barkhausen jumps; the generating unit consists of a pair of elongated magnet/yoke combinations (3,6 and 4,7) provided on opposite sides of the magnetic element (1) such that their poles are oriented in opposite directions, forming a detecting area at an end thereof (3A, 4A); a detecting unit (2) for detecting the large Barkhausen jumps to produce a corresponding pulse signal; the magnetic element (1) having a first length between a second length of the magnet/yoke combinations and a half of the second length and provided toward the detecting area; and an adjusting yoke (8) movable along one of the elongated magnet/yoke combinations (3, 6).

Abstract: A container holder for holding a container therein is formed of a box member having an opening, and a lid member for opening and closing the opening of the box member. Axial plates extend from end portions of the lid member. Engaging projections are formed on the axial plates or the side surfaces of the box member to project toward the side surfaces or the axial plate, and guide dent sections with bottom surfaces are formed on the outer side surfaces of the box member or the axial plates for engaging the engaging projection therein.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes a noise filter; a bridge rectifying circuit; a smoothing capacitor; a primary winding of a transformer and a switching element; and a control circuit for controlling the switching element. Further, the first reactor and the first diode are connected sequentially in series between one output terminal of the bridge rectifying circuit and one terminal of the smoothing capacitor. The second reactor and the second diode are connected in series between a node that mutually connects the first reactor and the first diode and a node that mutually connects the primary winding and the switching element.

Abstract: A semiconductor device inspecting apparatus includes a chamber, a stage situated in the chamber for placing a semiconductor device thereon, a femtosecond laser apparatus, and an electron microscope. The femtosecond laser apparatus includes a laser generating section for generating laser beams disposed outside the chamber, and a laser optical system for introducing the laser beams generated at the laser generating section into the chamber. The laser generating section generates femtosecond width pulse and a strength so that the semiconductor device on the stage is cut by the laser beams introduced inside the chamber. The electron microscope is disposed inside the chamber for observing the semiconductor device cut by the laser beams.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is disposed above an image forming apparatus and forms a storage space to store sheets together with the image forming apparatus. The image reading apparatus includes a platen glass, a reading device to read an original placed on the platen glass, a housing having a protruding portion mounted on the image forming apparatus, and an original feeding device to feed the original to the platen and to discharge the same from the platen. This improves the operability of setting the original and taking out the sheet with an image formed thereon, the apparatus more compact in the height direction and lighter in weight, and stability.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical connector for a flat cable, wherein the connector has at least one terminal (2) inserted into a receiving slot (3) of a box-shaped housing (1) from a side of the housing and having upper and lower arms (4 and 5), comprises the step of inserting the terminal into the receiving slot in a manner that the upper arm and lower arms are guided by inner surfaces of upper and lower walls of the housing, respectively, while the lower arm is deflected toward the upper arm and then deflected back to its original shape at a time of insertion to a predetermined position.