Abstract: A seat occupant sensor for use in automotive occupant restraint systems. The sensor has a sensing plate cantilevered by a stationary part installed on a vehicle body to be bent upon application of a weight load of an occupant on a seat. The sensor is equipped with a stopper mechanism which works to stop the sensing plate from bending out of a predetermined range in which the sensing plate is allowed to undergo a maximum bending stress within a bending stress limit of the sensing plate, thereby avoiding undesirable deflection or fracture of the sensing plate.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a motor, a torque sensor, and a motor resolver. The motor generates an assisting force to reduce the steering force of the steering wheel. The torque sensor detects the steering torque of the steering wheel. The motor resolver detects the rotational angle of the motor. An electronic control unit (ECU) detects the absolute position of the steering wheel based on a detection signal Rt sent from a second resolver of the torque sensor and a detection signal Rm sent from a motor resolver. As a result, the cost is reduced and the absolute position of the steering wheel is accurately detected.

Abstract: A shear test apparatus for testing a shear characteristic of a curved panel is provided. The shear test apparatus includes a frame made up of first and second curved side bearing members for bearing a pair of curved sides of the curved panel and first and second flat side bearing members for bearing a pair of flat sides of the curved panel. The second curved side bearing member has an arm extending in a direction perpendicular to the face of the curved panel. The arm has an external force loading point in a position coincident with the center of shear of the curved panel, to prevent twisting of the curved panel.

Abstract: A flowmeter includes a measuring tube, an ultrasound transducer, an ultrasound waveguide and a seal. The ultrasound transducer connects outside the measuring tube to the ultrasound waveguide, the ultrasound waveguide protruding at least partly into the measuring tube, in such fashion that ultrasound waves generated by the ultrasound transducer can be transferred to the ultrasound waveguide and, conversely, ultrasound waves received by the ultrasound waveguide can be transferred to the ultrasound transducer, The seal is positioned between the ultrasound waveguide and the measuring tube. This reduces cross coupling while at the same time enhancing the flow pattern.

Abstract: A device for measuring mechanical properties of an elastic body, comprising: at least two contacts adapted to contact a surface of an elastic body to be measured, at least one of said contacts being a movable contact; a drive section for moving said movable contact; a control section for controlling an action of said drive section; a detecting section for detecting a stress generated by the movement of said contact as an electric signal; and a processing section for processing the electric signal for the stress detected by said detecting section and an amount of movement of said movable contact, wherein the action of said contacts making contact with the surface of said elastic body includes a closing action of the two of the contacts and a stationarily holding action after the closing action.

Abstract: A load detection structure provided between a vehicle seat and a support leg element to be fixed on a floor. The load detection structure includes a strain plate member pivotally provided within the support leg element and connected at the one end portion thereof with the vehicle seat. Such one end portion is sandwiched between two reinforcement plates, whereas another portion of the strain plate member is formed with an half hinge portion extending transversely thereof. A hinge plate having a half hinge portion is attached to that another end portion, thus defining a through-bore therein, and a hinge pin is inserted in the through-bore, so that the hinge or pivot point of the strain plate member is made small in heightwise thickness. Upper and lower stopper pieces for limiting vertical deflection of the strain plate member are formed in each of two vertical walls of the support leg element.