Abstract: An electric razor including an actuator, an outer cutter and an inner cutter. The actuator has a first vibrator and a second vibrator. The outer cutter and the inner cutter are respectively supported at the first vibrator and the second vibrator so that the cutters can slide against each other. The actuator vibrates the first vibrator and the second vibrator so that the vibrators slide in reciprocation toward opposite directions to each other. Even though vibration of the first vibrator is interrupted by external force through the outer cutter, the second vibrator relatively vibrates so as to slide in reciprocation with respect to the first vibrator and therefore it is easy to meet specified shaving performance.

Abstract: An electronic ballast includes a microprocessor which is programmed to read a voltage value corresponding to an output of the electronic ballast, output a signal which controls an amount of power outputted by the electronic ballast in accordance with the voltage value, read an external voltage value, and select one of a trimming mode and a normal mode as an operating mode based on the external voltage value. The microprocessor is also programmed, when operating in the trimming mode, to set an internal reference value, compare the voltage value corresponding to the output of the electronic ballast with the internal reference value, trim an amount of power outputted by the electronic ballast to a resistor corresponding to an impedance of a High Intensity Discharge lamp by adjusting the signal based upon the comparison, and store a result of the signal adjustment.

Abstract: A method and system for timely transferring electronic mail message over a communication network such as the Internet to a communication terminal to be transferred in accordance with a transfer trigger condition attached to the electronic mail message in advance, the trigger condition being specified by event information such as the movement and the operation of household appliance, living facility or positional information of specific terminal unit or other signals detected on the communication network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for decomposing a plastic so as to recycle useful substances therefrom as raw materials for a similar plastic. In particular, the present invention provides a method for decomposing a plastic, comprising the step of treating a thermosetting resin comprising a polyester and its crosslinking moiety, with subcritical water of a temperature lower than the thermal decomposition temperature of the thermosetting resin. According to the present invention, the thermosetting resin can be decomposed into a polyhydric alcohol, a polybasic acid and a compound comprising an acid residue derived from the polyester and a residue derived from the crosslinking moiety, without causing a random decomposition of the thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A compact memory card adapter, which improves connection reliability with an antenna circuit and ensures communication distance when a memory card with a non-contact communication function is inserted therein. The adapter is formed with a base made of an electrical insulating material, a plurality of contacts arranged on an inner surface of the base so as to electrically contact an I/O connecting terminal and an antenna connecting terminal of the memory card inserted in the adapter, and an antenna circuit formed on an outer surface of the base. The contact connectable to the antenna connecting terminal of the memory card has a spring piece at its one end, which elastically contacts the antenna connecting terminal of the memory card, and the other end inserted into a through hole formed in the base to make an electrical connection with the antenna circuit.

Abstract: A light detecting element 1 including an element formation layer 22 which contains a well region 31. A surface electrode 25 is formed on the layer 22 through an insulating layer 24. The region 31 contains an electron holding region 32. The region 32 contains a hole holding region 33. The layer 24 contains a control electrode 26 facing the region 33 through the layer 24. Electrons and holes are generated at the layer 22. There are two selected states. In one state, by controlling each electric potential applied to the electrodes 25, 26, electrons are gathered at the region 32, while holes are held at the region 33. In another state, recombination is stimulated between the electrons and the holes. After the recombination, the remaining electrons are picked out as received light output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to condensation products of silicic acid derivatives usable especially in optical waveguides and particularly to a condensation product obtained by condensing a silane diol compound (A) of the general formula (1): R12Si(OR2)2 (1) wherein R1 represents a group having at least one aromatic group and having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and R2 represents hydrogen (H which may also be a heavy hydrogen D), with a modified silane compound (B) of the general formula (2): R3Si(OR4)3 (2) wherein R3 represents an organic group having at least one C?C double bond; and R4 represents a group of CnH2n+1 (n=a number of 1 or 2), in the molar ratio 1.1 to 1.4:1 [(A):(B)], and to a process for producing the same condensation product, as well as to an optical waveguide device fabricated using the same condensation product.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance is provided in order to prevent hair between a vibrating portion and a backing portion from spreading widely by ultrasonic vibration of the vibrating portion. The vibrating portion comprises a vibrator and an ultrasonic vibration horn. The horn has a contact end brought into contact with the hair and a mounting end on which the vibrator is mounted, and amplifies and transmits the ultrasonic vibration of the vibrator mounted on the mounting end to the contact end. The horn is formed so that amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration in both sides of the center of the contact end is larger than that in the center.

Abstract: An electrode calking apparatus that enables to fix electrodes 2 at positions distant a predetermined distance on a shape memory alloy wire 1 in a condition that the shape memory alloy wire 1 is heated to a temperature recovering an original shape is provided.

Abstract: This electromagnetic switching device comprises an electromagnetic device 1 in which a movable core 15 comes into contact with or separates from a fixed core 14 in response to energization of an excitation coil 11 wound around a coil bobbin 10, a contact device 2 with a fixed contact 21 and a movable contact which comes into contact with or separates from the fixed contact in conjunction with a movement of the movable core 15 of the electromagnetic device, and a boxy case 3 configured to house the electromagnetic device and the contact device.

Abstract: An electrostatic atomizing device is provided, which is capable of increasing the generation of a fine mist, while suppressing abnormal discharge and the generation of ozone. This electrostatic atomizing device is equipped with a plurality of atomizing electrodes, to which a high voltage is applied by a single high voltage generating circuit, counter electrodes disposed so as to face the atomizing electrodes; and a liquid transfer means for transferring a liquid (e.g., water) to each of the atomizing electrodes. The atomizing electrodes are connected in parallel to the high voltage generating circuit, and a resistive element for suppressing discharge current is inserted between the high voltage generating circuit and each of the atomizing electrodes.

Abstract: A charging device includes a charging unit; a detection unit for detecting a temperature and a temperature increasing rate of a rechargeable battery; a controller for controlling the charging unit to supply a charging current to the rechargeable battery; and a compensating unit for setting a value of the first threshold to be greater if the temperature of the rechargeable battery at the time of mounting the rechargeable battery on the charging device is equal to or smaller than a second threshold and smaller if otherwise. The charging unit stops supplying the charging current to the rechargeable battery if the temperature increasing rate is equal to or greater than a first threshold.

Abstract: A piezoelectric-driven diaphragm pump is comprised of a driving unit (1) having a driving diaphragm (12) and a first housing (11), a replaceable driven unit (2) having a driven film (241) and a second housing (21), and a fixing unit (3) for fixing the driven unit (2) to the driving unit (1). A vibration transmitting face (14) of the driving diaphragm (12) from which displacement of the driving diaphragm (12) is transmitted to the driven film (241) and a vibration transmitted face (241a) of the driven film (241) to which the displacement of the driving diaphragm is transmitted are not parallel to a reference plane (11b) of the first housing (11) which faces the second housing (21), and the vibration transmitting face (14b) of the driving diaphragm (12) contacts with entire of the vibration transmitted face (241a) of the driven film (241). Thereby, the displacement of the driving diaphragm (12) is efficiently transmitted to the driven film (241), so that a capacity of a pump room (25) can be varied largely.

Abstract: A hammer drill includes a motor; a spindle rotatingly driven by the motor and holding an output bit; a motion conversion member for converting rotational movement of the motor to reciprocating movement; a striker reciprocatingly driven by the motion conversion member for applying an axial striking force to the output bit; a striking-motion-releasing mechanism for releasing the striking force applying action exercised by the striker; and a tightening-torque adjusting clutch for interrupting the transfer of the rotational force to the output bit by increasing a load torque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic light emitting element comprising: a first light emitting unit comprising a light emitting layer between a pair of electrodes; and a second light emitting unit comprising a light emitting layer between a pair of electrodes. In the organic light emitting element, one electrode of the two pairs of electrodes which is positioned on the outermost side has light reflective properties, and the other electrodes have light transmission properties, while a light-transmitting insulating layer is provided between the first and second light emitting units. The insulating layer is formed in a thickness to prevent light emitted by the light emitting layer of the light emitting unit without the light reflective electrode from interfering with other lights, or formed to have properties of scattering the emitted light.

Abstract: An OLED driver for driving at least one organic electroluminescence element and lighting apparatus equipped with the driver. The driver has a direct-current power source and a dimmer. The source alternately applies first voltage and second voltage across the element. The first voltage is approximately equal to drive voltage of the element. The second voltage is lower than the first voltage and higher than barrier voltage of the element. The dimmer controls the source so as to change a ratio of a first term to a second term to dimm the element. The first term is a period of time for which the first voltage is applied across the element. The second term is a period of time for which the second voltage is applied across the element.

Abstract: An electrostatic atomizer comprising a discharge electrode, a counter electrode, a cooling source, a high voltage power supply and a voltage detector. The cooling source cools the discharge electrode to form thereon dew as water. The power supply applies high voltage for discharge across the electrodes. The detector detects voltage between the electrodes. The power supply includes a control device and a voltage stabilizing device that are opposite to each other in temperature characteristic. The control device operates to pick up the voltage detected with the detector via the voltage stabilizing device, and to adjust the high voltage applied across the electrodes through feedback control so that the voltage corresponds to specified discharge voltage.

Abstract: A dual wiring system with easy exchangeability of a function unit is provided. A gate device is mounted in a wall surface of a structure, and connected to both of an electric power line and an information line previously installed in the structure. The function unit has at least one of functions for supplying electric power from the electric power line, outputting information from the information line and inputting information into the information line when connected with the gate device. The function unit has a module connector comprised of an electric power connector and an information signal connector, which is detachably connected to a module port of the gate device comprised of an electric power port and an information signal port. To further improve function expandability, an additional function unit can be detachably connected to the function unit.

Abstract: This relates to a sleep apnea test sensor assembly (20) comprising multiple sensors to be used for diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome, and a test equipment (30) comprising the same. The respective sensors each associate sensing data measured by a respective sensing section with time data of a clock unit, and store them in a storage unit so as to allow the sensing section to perform sensing at a predetermined period in response to a clocking operation of the clock unit, and set time of the clock unit in response to a synchronous signal input from outside. The respective sensors operate physically independently of each other, but can measure sensing data with the synchronization in time therebetween being secured, enabling accurate diagnosis of SAS.

Abstract: In a liquid discharge control apparatus which uses a piezoelectric type diaphragm pump, an accumulator having a liquid accumulation cavity and a movable member is communicated to an outlet of the diaphragm pump. In discharge operation of the diaphragm pump, a quantity of the liquid in the liquid accumulation cavity is rapidly increased, and the movable member is elastically deformed so as to increase of the volume of the liquid accumulation cavity. Alternatively, in suction operation, when a back stream of the liquid occurs, the quantity of the liquid in a path communicated to the outlet of the diaphragm pump is decreased due to the back stream. The decrease of the liquid can be compensated by the decrease of the volume of the liquid accumulation cavity of the accumulator. Thereby, variation of the quantity of the liquid discharged from the outlet of the accumulator is reduced and the liquid can be discharged, smoothly.