Abstract: An interlock device using locks to prevent manual actuation of a switch having a handle inlet, and to allow the switch to be actuated manually in a certain sequence of operations determined by using keys for the locks, thereby enabling the switch to pass from a first switching position to a second switching position, the device comprising a first lock and a second lock each operable by means of at least one key capable of being withdrawn from the corresponding lock or of being engaged in said lock only when the lock is in its locked position, a set of cams whose rotation is tied to actuation of the switch and which act on the bolts of said locks to prevent the first lock from being operated so long as the second switch is not in its second switching position and to prevent the second lock being operated by its key as soon as the second switch no longer occupies its first switching position, both locks being disposed in such a manner that their respective bolts, when in the advanced position, close the handle

Abstract: A metal film with high melting point containing such nitrogen as titanium nitride is disposed on the interface between an amorphous carbon fluoride film and a metal. A structure is obtained from the function of a nitrogen-containing metal film with high melting point which prevents fluorine dispersion, to prevent such problems as the reaction of a metal and fluorine at heating process and the following falling or swelling of the metal film can be solved. In addition, the heating process possible to introduce in the manufacturing steps allow to complete the LSI making process of a practical multilayer wiring structure on the basis of a low dielectric constant of amorphous carbon.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising 100 parts by weight of an isobutylene polymer having been masticated in an organic solvent with a radical generator and 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of at least one release control agent selected from the group consisting of an alcohol having a molecular weight of 90 to 300 and an oxygen atom content of 8.5% or more or a derivative thereof and a carboxylic acid having a molecular weight of 70 to 400 and an oxygen atom content of 11% or more or a derivative thereof; and a surface protecting material having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprising the adhesive. The adhesive has well-balanced characteristics in initial adhesion, retention of initial adhesion, and weather resistance.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus has a torque sensor which, if the torsion of a torsion bar is within a predetermined angle, linearly outputs a detection signal converted by a first conversion ratio with respect to the torsion, and if the torsion has exceeded the predetermined angle and is within a limit angle, the torsion sensor outputs a detection signal converted by a second conversion ratio which is lower than the first conversion ratio. Further, if the detection signal has exceeded an upper threshold or dropped below a lower threshold, which thresholds being set outside the range of the detection signal outputted from the torsion sensor in its normal state in which the torsion of the torsion bar is within the limit angle, a determination is made that an abnormality has occurred in the torsion sensor.

Abstract: A distributed feedback semiconductor laser (DFB laser) in which light feedback is performed by using a diffraction grating, and in which influence of external feedback noises can be decreased to suppress fluctuation of an optical output. The DFB laser comprises a diffraction grating structure portion which constitutes a resonator and which is divided into a plurality of regions along the longitudinal direction of the resonator, and one or more phase shift portions each disposed between adjacent regions of the diffraction grating structure portion, wherein total phase shift obtained by all of the phase shift portions has a quantity corresponding to &lgr;/n, where &lgr; is an oscillation wavelength, and n is an integer larger than 4 (n>4). The total phase shift may have a quantity corresponding to a value within a range between &lgr;/5 and &lgr;/8.

Abstract: Sputtering method and apparatus for forming a coating on both sides of a flat substrate or on the entire surface of a bulky substrate without involving rotation of the substrate. At least one pair of sputtering cathodes each having a target attached thereto are arranged in a film-forming chamber capable of controlling a vacuum atmosphere with their target sides facing each other, and a substrate is disposed in front of the targets. A voltage is applied to the sputtering cathodes in such a manner that the polarity alternates between the sputtering cathodes making the pair to induce a glow discharge between the sputtering cathodes. The target on each sputtering cathode is thereby sputtered and deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: An aqueous liquid preparation, which has a pH of from 3 to 5 and comprises (R)-(−)-3-methyl-3-methyl -sulfonyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]butan-2-ol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and an injection for intravenous administration comprising the aqueous liquid preparation.

Abstract: The hardness of the outer peripheral surface of a small-diameter portion 47 and one side surface of a collar portion 52, which respectively rub against a belleville spring 39a, is set at HRc45 or higher, thereby enhancing the wear resistance of these surfaces. On the other hand, the hardness of a fastening tubular portion 51 is set at HRc3O or lower, thereby making it difficult for the fastening tubular portion 51 to be damaged or cracked when it is fastened.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus comprising a switching power module (1) for conducting power conversion in a switching manner, a plurality of smoothing capacitors (6A) for smoothing a direct-current power supply output to be applied to the switching power module (1), and a switching power module connecting wiring board (19) for establishing connection of the smoothing capacitor (6A) to the switching power module (1). A ceramic capacitor is used as the smoothing capacitors (6A). The smoothing capacitors (6A), a smoothing capacitor case (23) accommodating the ceramic capacitors and the switching power module connection wiring board (19) are integrated structurally with each other to construct a smoothing capacitor assembly (24). This smoothing capacitor assembly (24) is connected to the switching power module (1).

Abstract: A thermal transfer material is provided which has a support on which a light-to-heat conversion layer and an image forming layer are provided, wherein a smoothster value of the surface of the image forming layer is no more than 2 mmHg, and a center line average surface roughness Ra thereof is in a range of 0.03 to 0.2 &mgr;m. Also provided is a laser thermal transfer recording method in which the thermal transfer material and a thermal transfer image receiving material are laminated to each other to produce a laminate. Further provided is a laser thermal transfer recording method in which the thermal transfer material and a thermal transfer image receiving material are laminated to each other to produce a laminate, the laminate is irradiated with a multi-mode semiconductor laser, the thermal transfer material and the thermal transfer image receiving material are peeled from each other, and an image is thereby formed on the thermal transfer image receiving material.

Abstract: A passenger detection system comprises an antenna electrode which is provided to the dashboard of a car, an oscillation circuit for generating a high frequency low voltage oscillation signal in order to generate a weak alternating electric field around the antenna electrode, a current detection section for detecting a transmission current which passes between the oscillation circuit and the antenna electrode depending on the weak alternating electric field which is generated around the antenna electrode, a phase difference detection section for detecting the phase difference between the oscillation signal supplied from the oscillation circuit and an output signal which is supplied to the antenna electrode, and a control circuit for judging the presence or absence of a passenger seated on the seat based on the detected phase difference and judging the distance between the passenger and the dashboard based on the detected transmission current.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission system for soliton signals with wavelength multiplexing in which the bit times of the various channels &lgr;1 to &lgr;n of the multiplex are substantially synchronous, at least at one point. At least one saturable absorber is located at this point. The channels can be made synchronous by an appropriate selection of wavelengths, or by using optical delay lines, or the like. The saturable absorber then modulates the intensity of the soliton signals in the various channels of the multiplex. It is possible to use a clock for remotely driving the saturable absorber. The invention also relates to a corresponding transmission method. The invention makes it possible to transmit over long distances without using active components.

Abstract: An optical reader which enables optical codes to be read on objects carried on a supporting plane which is provided with a conveyor for moving the objects along a feeding direction. The apparatus comprises a laser beam scanner, a data processing unit connected to the scanner, a first scanner for generating at least a first scan in a first scan plane, so as to measure the instantaneous distance of at least one point on the surface of each of said objects from the scanner, a second scanner for generating a plurality of second scans in a second scan plane, different from the first, so as to read the optical code on the object; and a data processing unit for adjusting the laser beam focal setting according to the distance measured with the first scan.

Abstract: A folding mobile phone with incorporated antenna is disclosed. A folding mobile phone comprises a first and second housings connected by a hinge mechanism each other. A first conductive film is incorporated with the first housing, and a second conductive film is incorporated with the second housing. When the mobile phone is in an open position a monopole antenna is constituted by the first and second conductive films, when the mobile phone is in a closed position the second conductive film acts as a ground plane.

Abstract: Parameters of a robot is displayed on a display device of an operation terminal in a manner that parameters having been changed and parameters having not been changed of all the parameters are displayed in a distinguished manner such that the background color of the parameters having been changed differs from that of other data.

Abstract: An aqueous-dispersing composition of a crosslinkable fluorine-containing resin which comprises an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing seed polymer (B) obtained by seed-polymerizing a non-fluorine-containing monomer containing a non-fluorine-containing monomer (a) having carboxyl group and/or acetoacetyl group and a reactive &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated group, in an aqueous medium in the presence of particles of a fluorine-containing polymer (A) and a polyvalent metal compound capable of metal crosslinking.

Abstract: An optical fiber-fixing structure of a ferrule is provided. The ferrule is fitted on an optical fiber having a conductor exposed from a sheath by an end processing, so that the ferrule is bonded and fixed to the optical fiber. The ferrule includes a larger inner-diameter and a smaller inner-diameter receiving portion for respectively receiving the sheath and the conductor, and the receiving portions extend continuously through the ferrule from one end to the other end. Grooves and protuberances are formed at the larger inner-diameter receiving portion. The protuberances provide a reduced inner diameter, being defined by distal ends of the protuberances, which is smaller than that of the sheath of the optical fiber, so that the sheath is provisionally fixed relative to the receiving portion in a press-fitted condition.

Abstract: A magnetic detector having high productivity is provided by producing a connector and a base as separate units, electrically interconnecting them, forming a cut-out portion in a press-in portion of the base, and injecting a thermosetting resin adhesive into a whole case. The case also has a recess portion that prevents excess injected resin from leaking to the outside of the case. The structure of the base also allows for easier injection of resin and simplified connection of the magnetic resistance element to the base.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon cable in which the edge fibers are protected from experience excessive stress from impact of the like during manufacturing, installation and use. The cable includes an optical fiber ribbon having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel including edge fibers respectively located on opposite edges of the ribbon and interior fibers located between the edge fibers; and an optical fiber jacket surrounding the ribbon and defining a first space between said jacket and each of the edge fibers and a second space, contiguous with said first space, between said jacket and the interior fibers. The width of said first space adjacent the edge fibers is greater than a width of said second space adjacent the interior fibers.

Abstract: A rolling bearing contains no more than 0.3 wt % of nitrogen in a grinding allowance portion after carbonitriding and hardening heat treatments, contains from 0.9 wt % (inclusive) up to 1.6 wt % (inclusive) of carbon and from 0.05 wt % (inclusive) up to 0.3 wt % (inclusive) of nitrogen in the surface layer of the finished part and has a nitrogen gradient of no more than 0.5 wt %/mm in the surface layer of the finished part. The rolling bearings are improved in grinding efficiency and which have their rolling life extended significantly.