Abstract: A hydrogen sensor includes a thin film layer formed on a top surface of a planar optical transmission medium, and a catalyst layer formed on a top surface of the thin film layer. A first interface is created between the planar optical transmission medium and the thin film layer. A substrate is joined to a bottom surface of the planar optical transmission medium so that a second interface is created between the planar optical transmission medium and the substrate. On entering a first end portion of the planer optical transmission medium, light from a light source is spread by an entrance section, and the spread light is transmitted inside the planar optical transmission medium to a second end portion by being reflected by the first and second interfaces alternately. Light exiting from the second end portion is transmitted to an optical sensor by an exit light-collecting section.

Abstract: In a hydrogen gas detection device, light emitted from a light source is irradiated onto a hydrogen sensor whose reflectance (optical reflectance) varies upon contact with hydrogen gas, and the light transmitted through the hydrogen sensor or reflected by a reflective film of the hydrogen sensor is received by an optical sensor. On the basis of the signal output from the optical sensor and indicative of the amount of light received, the hydrogen gas detection device detects leakage of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor includes a thin film layer formed over a substrate of resin or the like, and a catalyst layer formed on a surface of the thin film layer. When contacted by leaked hydrogen gas, the catalyst layer quickly hydrogenates the thin film layer through its catalytic action, thereby causing a change in optical reflectance of the thin film layer. The hydrogen sensor includes a protective film formed at least either between the substrate and the thin film layer or on a surface of the catalyst layer.

Abstract: In a hydrogen sensor (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d), a thin film layer (12) is formed over a substrate (11) and a buffer layer (13) is formed over the thin film layer (12). Further, over the buffer layer (13) is formed a catalyst layer (14) which, by being contacted by hydrogen gas, hydrogenates the thin film layer (12), thereby changing optical reflectance of the thin film layer (12). A constituent of the thin film layer (12) diffusing into the catalyst layer (14) combines with a constituent that has diffused from the buffer layer (13) into the catalyst layer (14), so that oxidation of the catalyst film layer (14) is prevented. Consequently, oxidation of the catalyst layer (14), etc. caused by repetition of hydrogenation of the thin film layer (12) is prevented, and therefore, decrease in hydrogen detection sensitivity of the hydrogen sensor (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) is restrained.

Abstract: A hydrogen-gas concentration sensor comprises a substrate, and a plurality of hydrogen detecting films formed on the substrate, adjacent to one another. The hydrogen detecting films have a thin film layer, and a catalyst layer formed on the thin film layer. Each catalyst layer, when in contact with a hydrogen gas, exerts photocatalysis to hydrogenate each thin film layer reversibly and causes the electric resistance value thereof to change reversibly. The individual thin film layers have different sensitivities of a change in the hydrogen gas concentration vs. a change in the resistance value and different hydrogen gas concentration measurement ranges. The hydrogen-gas concentration sensor measures the hydrogen gas concentration with a thin film layer having a high sensitivity when the hydrogen gas concentration is low, and measures the hydrogen gas concentration with a thin film layer having a wide measurement range when the hydrogen gas concentration is high.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas visualization device comprises a hydrogen sensor having a thin film layer formed on the surface of a substrate and a catalyst layer formed on the surface of the thin film layer which, when contacted by hydrogen gas contained in an atmosphere, hydrogenates the thin film layer and thereby changes the optical reflectance of the thin film layer, and one or more sensor faces provided with the hydrogen sensor. The hydrogen gas visualization device visualizes, on the sensor faces, the distribution of hydrogen gas contained in the atmosphere contacting the hydrogen sensor and thereby visualizes the existence and flow of the hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor includes a thin film layer formed on a top surface of a planar optical transmission medium, and a catalyst layer formed on a top surface of the thin film layer. A first interface is created between the planar optical transmission medium and the thin film layer. A substrate is joined to a bottom surface of the planar optical transmission medium so that a second interface is created between the planar optical transmission medium and the substrate. On entering a first end portion of the planer optical transmission medium, light from a light source is spread by an entrance section, and the spread light is transmitted inside the planar optical transmission medium to a second end portion by being reflected by the first and second interfaces alternately. Light exiting from the second end portion is transmitted to an optical sensor by an exit light-collecting section.

Abstract: A speed change operation apparatus for a vehicle can comprise an operating lever for performing speed change operation of a transmission of a vehicle by a pivotal operation of the operating lever. An operating knob can be secured on the tip end of the operating lever and adapted to be gripped by a driver of vehicle. A push knob can be mounted on the operation knob and adapted to be actuated by a driver to descent a lock-pin rod arranged within the operating lever. The push knob can be outsert-molded by soft resin at its first portion abutting the lock-pin rod when the push knob is actuated or at its second portion abutting the operating knob after the actuation of the push knob.

Abstract: In a hydrogen gas detection device, light emitted from a light source is irradiated onto a hydrogen sensor whose reflectance (optical reflectance) varies upon contact with hydrogen gas, and the light transmitted through the hydrogen sensor or reflected by a reflective film of the hydrogen sensor is received by an optical sensor. On the basis of the signal output from the optical sensor and indicative of the amount of light received, the hydrogen gas detection device detects leakage of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: An electric power generation device includes a cell body and a secondary electric power generator. The cell body has an electrolyte, a fuel electrode and an air electrode. The secondary electric power generator is joined to at least one of the fuel and air electrodes and includes P- and N-type thermoelectric conversion members. With the electric power generation device, the cell body generates electric power at temperatures higher than or equal to an power generation start temperature, and at the same time, the P- and N-type thermoelectric conversion members joined to the cell body and functioning as a thermocouple produce electric power by utilizing the Seebeck effect.

Abstract: A speed change operation apparatus for a vehicle for performing speed change operation of a transmission of a vehicle by a pivotal operation of an operating-lever shaft can comprise a body adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and an operating-lever shaft pivotally supported on the body. A metal core member can be rotated by pivotal operation of the operating-lever shaft. Coils can be arranged along a pivotal trajectory of the core member and can have a voltage applied thereto. Shift positions of the operating-lever shaft can be detected by variations of voltage caused by movement of the core member in the coils.

Abstract: A shifting apparatus for an automatic transmission of a vehicle has a shift lever; a push knob (1d) operable in a pushing manner; an erroneous operation preventing window (12); a rod lock pin (1c) adapted to be lowered by the pushing down operation of the push knob (1d); and a lock mechanism operated by the descending motion of the rod lock pin (1c) to release the engagement with the erroneous operation preventing window (12) in order to enable the swing motion of the shift lever (1) from the predetermined position. The lock mechanism includes a pivot member pivotable around a pivot shaft on the shift lever (1) and normally urged toward a side limiting the swing motion of the shift lever (1). The pivot member has a first branch (8b) adapted to engage and disengage the erroneous operation preventing window (12) according to its pivot motion.

Abstract: A transmission control apparatus for an automobile to be arranged on or near an instrument panel of a vehicle comprising: a bracket for supporting a control lever unit for speed-change operation; a plate secured to the bracket; a shaft passed through both the bracket and the plate for rotatably supporting the control lever unit therearound; a first shock absorbing portion adapted to be broken when a shock load exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the control lever unit in order to absorb the shock load and to release the support of the shaft from the bracket or the plate; and a second shock absorbing portion adapted to be deformed by the shaft released from the bracket and displaced together with the control lever unit over a predetermined stroke in order to continuously absorb the shock load.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a shifting apparatus for a vehicle transmission which can easily adjust the initial load and the following shock load over a predetermined stroke with keeping the static strength of the shock absorbing members.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a rotary shift selecting apparatus for a vehicle capable of obtaining excellent operability while securing the liquid-proof ability. A rotary shift selecting apparatus for a vehicle comprising a base body 21 mounted to a vehicle frame, and a rotor 23 rotatably mounted to a supporting shaft 22 fixed to the base body 21 for selecting shift, wherein an annular fitting portion 24 which is coaxial of said supporting shaft 22 is formed between said base body 21 and said rotor 23, and an annular seal material 25/26 is interposed between said fitting portion 24 and a passing-through portion of said supporting shaft 22 of said rotor 23.

Abstract: A plug comprising a cover portion for covering an opening of an aperture; elastically deflectable legs extending from the under side of the cover portion; and anchoring nails laterally projecting from the legs for engaging the edge of the aperture characterized in that each of the legs is provided with at least one projections laterally extending therefrom in same direction as that of the anchoring nail formed on the corresponding leg beyond the tip of the anchoring nail.

Abstract: In a column shift device, a pivot is secured to a shift piece on which a shift lever is supported. A support bore, in which the pivot is rotatably fitted, is provided in a bracket, so that the shift piece can be turned around the pivot to any of a plurality of shift positions. Turning slide surfaces each having a diameter larger than an effective length of the pivot are formed on those opposed surfaces of the bracket and the shift piece which abut against each other in the axial direction of the pivot. Much of load applied to the shift piece is borne by the turning slide surfaces. Thus, even if a relatively short pivot is used, the shift piece can be supported stably on the bracket, and the column shift device can be made compact.

Abstract: A column shift device for an automatic transmission includes a bracket, and a shift piece turnably connected to the bracket through a first pivot. A shift lever is turnably connected to the shift piece through a second pivot located on a plane substantially perpendicular to the first pivot. A shift link is pivoted on the bracket for operation in association with the turning movement of the shift lever about the first pivot to control the automatic transmission. In the device, a spherical joint member is slidably fitted over an outer periphery of an arm shaft fixedly provided on the shift piece and is slidably engaged in a rectilinear guide groove defined in a shift link. When the shift piece is turned about the first pivot, the joint member is moved rectilinearly along the guide groove. Thus, even if the turning angle of the arm shaft is constant, the turning stroke provided to the shift link by the joint member can be increased.

Abstract: A ball joint connects a swinging shaft and a bell-crank provided on a change lever for transmitting a swinging movement of the change lever in a select direction to the bell-crank. The ball joint includes a ball having a pair of flat surfaces for defining a width smaller than the maximum diameter of the ball, a ball hole which is formed at one end of the bell-crank and in which the ball is rotatably fitted, a shaft hole which formed in the ball so as to open through both the flat surface and in which the swinging shaft of the change lever is slidably fitted. A rotation of the ball in the ball hole permits a relative swinging movement between the swinging shaft and the bell-crank. A sliding movement of the swinging shaft in the shaft hole permits an axial displacement of the swinging shaft with respect to the bell-crank.

Abstract: Main and subsidiary levers 24 and 25 forming a change lever are intersected and coupled to each other to form a T-shape. A pair of hemispherical bodies forming a fulcrum member are formed, at their coupled end surfaces, with supporting recesses extended in three directions and fitted to outer peripheral surfaces of the intersected main and subsidiary levers. With this arrangement, it is possible to reliably and easily mount the spherical fulcrum member to the change lever.