Abstract: A combined-operation type switching apparatus which is downsized and exhibits excellent operability. An operation unit is rotatably and slidably held by a housing. An operation ring is also rotatably held by the housing. The operation ring is rotated together with the operation unit only when the operation unit is pressed. A drive unit is movably supported by a shaft of the operation unit via a spring. A push switch (swell) actuated by pressing the drive unit and rotation detecting switches (projections) actuated by rotating a drive rod of the operation ring are placed inside the housing. A first pair of rotation detecting switches is actuated by rotation of the operation unit when the operation unit is not pressed. The push switch and a second pair of rotation detection switches are actuated by pressing the operation unit such that the operation unit slides along its axis toward the push switch, and then rotating the operation unit.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a pair of substrates each having an electrode on one side thereof and a liquid crystal layer filled in a space between the paired substrates wherein the paired substrates, respectively, have, on a side contacting the liquid crystal layer, a pattern embossed layer which is made of a material having a refractive index relative to an ordinary ray substantially equal to that of a liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer. The pattern embossed layers of the respective substrates are so arranged as being fitted with each other when contacted with each other. The method for making such a device as set out above is also described along with a liquid crystal device having irregularities formed on a pair of substrates. The irregularities are made of a material whose dielectric constant is substantially equal to that of the liquid crystal substance used.

Abstract: To realize a high-quality and high-speed printing which can sufficiently comply with high definition, a thermal head having a high heat resistance and excellent thermal responsivity comprises a high thermal conductivity substrate, a heat accumulating layer formed on the surface of the substrate, a plurality of heater elements formed on the surface of the heat accumulating layer in line, a common electrode and an individual electrode energizing each of the heater elements, and a protective layer formed so as to cover the heat accumulating layer, the heater elements and the electrodes, wherein a stress-resistant layer composed of an insulating high-modulus ceramic is provided on the surface of the heat accumulating layer.

Abstract: A clock spring connector having a high reliability of the connection and excellent workability of the assembly, said clock spring connector being capable of reducing noise. A flexible cable is wound on the outer cylindrical unit of a first housing and the inner cylindrical unit of a second housing so that the directions of the windings are opposite to each other, and a spacer disposed between the outer and inner cylindrical units rotates following the U-shaped turned-back portion of the flexible cable. An elastic tongue piece is disposed along the portion extending from the inner cylindrical unit, of the flexible cable and formed to be curved so that the tongue piece is located between the inner cylindrical unit and the spacer when no load is applied thereto.

Abstract: A soft magnetic alloy thin film includes a fine crystalline phase and an amorphous phase. The fine crystalline phase includes an average crystalline grain size of 10 nm or less in diameter and has body-centered cubic structure mainly composed of Fe. The amorphous phase has a nitrogen (N) compound as the main composition and occupies at least 50% of the structure of the thin film. An element M is incorporated at least in the amorphous phase, and includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, W, and rare earth metal elements. A plane-type magnetic device is made using this thin film.

Abstract: A disk drive particularly a disk drive into which a disk cartridge containing a magnetic disk as an information recording medium is loaded when used. A flexible printed circuit board mounting circuit parts for a spindle motor thereon is used as board and fixed to a back yoke, thereby constituting the spindle motor. A lower cover is provided with an opening, the flexible printed circuit board is interposed between a chassis and the lower cover, and the back yoke is assembled by being inserted into the opening of the lower cover. When the disk cartridge is inserted, it is obliquely inserted so that the disk cartridge will not strike against any magnetic heads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor, and more particularly to a motor having means for detecting an index position. A rotor yoke of the motor is provided with a recess having a width greater than the width of each pole of a rotating magnet. Substantially the whole of one pole of the rotating magnet and a part of another pole adjacent to the one pole on the downstream side in terms of rotation of a rotor are exposed to the recess. The magnetic flux from the magnet exposed to the recess is detected by a Hall element disposed in opposition to the outer circumference of the rotor, thereby specifying the index position.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus (bar code reader) including a plurality of light emitting elements, each light emitting element emitting light in different directions onto an information recording surface which has a linear recording (bar code pattern) printed thereon. A light receiving element receives reflected light from the information recording surface and generates a recording medium read signal which is transmitted to a signal processing section for converting the recording medium read signal into a display signal. The recording medium read signal is also transmitted to a regular reflection detection section. When the regular reflection detection section detects the occurrence of a regular reflection condition from the recording medium read signal, the regular reflection detection section transmits a regular reflection detection signal to a driving controlling section which controls light emission from the plurality of light emitting elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape cassette which requires a small operating space for the attachment and detachment thereof and suitable for use in a thin-type printing apparatus suitable for an integral association with various types of apparatuses. The tape cassette is mounted in a tape printing apparatus equipped with a printing head and a head driving mechanism for driving this printing head and includes a tape-type recording medium accommodated in a cassette body, wherein a cam surface is provided on the surface of the cassette body, the cam surface being adapted to drive the head driving mechanism of the tape printing apparatus when the tape cassette is attached to the tape printing apparatus.

Abstract: A lighted knob including a knob body provided with light transmission holes, and nameplates through at least a part of which the light from light sources passes. And in a part of the nameplates are formed incorrect assembly preventive light sections; and on a part of the peripheral edge of the translucent sections are formed shield sections, so that the incorrect assembly preventive light sections will not be shielded unless the specific nameplates are attached to specific translucent sections.

Abstract: A thermal printer capable of producing labels, in addition to printing on normal paper. The printer includes a switching unit for switching between a label making mode and a normal printing mode. In the label making mode, characters are printed onto a receptor tape using a special label-making ink ribbon cassette. In the normal printing mode, a normal ink ribbon cassette is substituted for the special label-making cassette.

Abstract: A light image is made irregular at an incident part of a fiber, influence of displacement of the fiber against a couping efficiency is reduced and evaluation of a lens can be carried out as usual. A light source is arranged at the optical surface side 14 of the lens 12 to be used, a focusing is formed at the second optical surface 15, the evaluation of the lens 12 is carried out by checking whether or not the surface aberration at the focusing position is less than the predetermined value. At this time, when the lens 12 is used in the optical device, the light source 1 is arranged with the second optical surface 15 being applied as a short focal point side and then the incident part for the fiber 3 is arranged with the first optical surface 14 being applied as the long focal point side.

Abstract: A pulse voltage doubler circuit for doubling the voltage of output pulses from a microcomputer or the like operating on a low voltage, the doubled output being used on drive a load connected to the microcomputer. The pulse voltage doubler circuit comprises: an inverter circuit having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a first and a second power terminal; a capacitor interconnecting the first and second power terminals of the inverter circuit; and a diode connected interposingly between the first power terminal and a power source. The input terminal of the inverter circuit is connected to the power source, the second power terminal is supplied with an input signal from the microcomputer, and the output terminal is connected to the load which is illustratively an MOSFET gate.

Abstract: A clock spring connector including a movable housing rotatably connected to a fixed housing, the movable housing and fixed housings defining an annular cable accommodating area therebetween. A spacer is movably housed in the cable accommodating area. A ribbon cable is housed in the cable accommodating area and includes a first portion wound in a first direction on the fixed housing, a turned-back (U-shaped) portion extending through an opening in the spacer, and a second portion wound in a second direction on the movable housing. The spacer includes a plurality of rollers and raised portions located in gaps formed between each of the rollers, except for the opening through which the turned-back portion is passed, thereby preventing the erroneous threading of the cable when the clock spring connector is assembled.

Abstract: A switch including a breaker, the size and cost of which can be reduced is provided, the switch including a breaker having a structure such that a mechanical switch for turning an electric circuit on/off includes a breaker for interrupting the electric circuit. Moveable contacts arranged to approach and move apart from fixed contacts are elastically urged in a direction where the moveable contacts move apart from the fixed contacts. When the breaker is set, the moveable contacts are located apart from the fixed contacts in such a manner that a short distance is maintained. By switching the mechanical switch on, a solenoid is operated to bring the moveable contacts into contact with the fixed contacts. When the breaker is operated, the elastic urging force is suspended to move the moveable contacts apart from the fixed contacts for a distance longer than a distance for which the moveable contacts are located apart from the fixed contacts when the mechanical switch is switched off.

Abstract: A thermal head which can effectively use a thin film ribbon as an ink ribbon, and take a relatively long edge distance. The thermal head has its object to maintain transferring property of the ink to a recording medium and to maintain high printing quality for a long period of time. A heating portion is formed from the top of a heat insulating layer to a slope of the common electrode side of the heat insulating layer, and a gap is formed on the common electrode. The ink ribbon is pressed into contact with the recording medium at a portion of low-temperature of the top of portion of the heat insulating layer falling outside the center portion of the heating portion where a pressure of the printer to the platen is mainly applied.