Abstract: In a malfunction detection mode, a controller is configured to compare an output of a phase-detector obtained when controlling to input an oscillation signal to only the phase-detector, with an output of the phase-detector obtained when controlling to input the oscillation signal to both of a transmitter and the phase-detector. If a change (difference) of signal levels of the outputs is equal to or more than a prescribed threshold, the controller determines that there is no malfunction in the transmitter and a receiver. If the change of the signal levels is less than the prescribed threshold, the controller determines that there is a malfunction in the transmitter or the receiver.

Abstract: In a malfunction detection mode, a controller is configured to compare an output of a phase-detector obtained when controlling to input an oscillation signal to only the phase-detector, with an output of the phase-detector obtained when controlling to input the oscillation signal to both of a transmitter and the phase-detector. If a change (difference) of signal levels of the outputs is equal to or more than a prescribed threshold, the controller determines that there is no malfunction in the transmitter and a receiver. If the change of the signal levels is less than the prescribed threshold, the controller determines that there is a malfunction in the transmitter or the receiver.

Abstract: A moving object detection system is provided with an existence detection part, an integrating part and an existence judgment part. Based on first and second detection signals, the existence detection part calculates a rotation angle of each transition factor that is obtained from the first and second detection signals and rotates around the origin in a two-dimensional coordinate system. The existence detection part is configured so that the rotation angle becomes less than 90 degrees. The integrating part integrates each rotation angle to obtain an integrated angle. The existence judgment part judges whether or not a moving object approaching or leaving a receiver of the device exists in a detection area based on the integrated angle and a threshold angle.

Abstract: A proximity sensor has an oscillation circuit, an amplitude measurement circuit, a control circuit and a signal processing circuit. The oscillation circuit has an LC resonant circuit and an oscillation control circuit that is configured to supply an electric current to the LC resonant circuit to generate oscillating voltage across the LC resonant circuit. The amplitude measurement circuit is configured to produce an amplitude signal corresponding to the amplitude of the oscillating voltage. The control circuit is configured to set the negative conductance of the oscillation control circuit to a critical value by which the LC resonant circuit can oscillate based on the amplitude signal. The signal processing circuit is configured to produce a distance signal corresponding to the distance between an object and the sensing coil based on a parameter associated with the negative conductance.

Abstract: A moving object detecting apparatus includes: a transmitting/receiving unit for radiating an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflective wave reflected from an object present in a monitoring space; a phase detection circuit for mixing reference signals with a reflective signal and obtaining a pair of Doppler signals each having an amplitude depending on a phase difference from the reference signal, each of the Doppler signals having a different phase from each other; a rotation angle calculation unit for calculating a rotation angle; a cumulative addition unit for accumulating the rotation angle; and a comparison unit for comparing the accumulated rotation angle with a threshold value. In the moving object detecting apparatus, a single ultrasonic vibrator is commonly used in the transmitting unit and the receiving unit.

Abstract: A moving object detecting apparatus includes: a transmitting/receiving unit for radiating an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflective wave reflected from an object present in a monitoring space; a phase detection circuit for mixing reference signals with a reflective signal and obtaining a pair of Doppler signals each having an amplitude depending on a phase difference from the reference signal, each of the Doppler signals having a different phase from each other; a rotation angle calculation unit for calculating a rotation angle; a cumulative addition unit for accumulating the rotation angle; and a comparison unit for comparing the accumulated rotation angle with a threshold value. In the moving object detecting apparatus, a single ultrasonic vibrator is commonly used in the transmitting unit and the receiving unit.

Abstract: A proximity sensor has an oscillation circuit, an amplitude measurement circuit, a control circuit and a signal processing circuit. The oscillation circuit has an LC resonant circuit and an oscillation control circuit that is configured to supply an electric current to the LC resonant circuit to generate oscillating voltage across the LC resonant circuit. The amplitude measurement circuit is configured to produce an amplitude signal corresponding to the amplitude of the oscillating voltage. The control circuit is configured to set the negative conductance of the oscillation control circuit to a critical value by which the LC resonant circuit can oscillate based on the amplitude signal. The signal processing circuit is configured to produce a distance signal corresponding to the distance between an object and the sensing coil based on a parameter associated with the negative conductance.

Abstract: A moving object detection apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a detection portion, a binary conversion portion and a judgment portion. The transmitter emits energy waves with a first frequency to a detection area. When receiving incoming energy waves from the detection area, the receiver generates an electric signal corresponding to the incoming energy waves. The detection portion obtains a detection signal from a reference signal with the first frequency and the electric signal. The binary conversion portion compares the detection signal with a conversion threshold signal to obtain a binary signal. The judgment portion judges whether or not a moving object approaching or leaving the receiver exists in the detection area based on the binary signal.

Abstract: A moving object detection system is provided with an existence detection part, an integrating part and an existence judgment part. Based on first and second detection signals, the existence detection part calculates a rotation angle of each transition factor that is obtained from the first and second detection signals and rotates around the origin in a two-dimensional coordinate system. The existence detection part is configured so that the rotation angle becomes less than 90 degrees. The integrating part integrates each rotation angle to obtain an integrated angle. The existence judgment part judges whether or not a moving object approaching or leaving a receiver of the device exists in a detection area based on the integrated angle and a threshold angle.

Abstract: A moving object detection apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a detection portion, a binary conversion portion and a judgment portion. The transmitter emits energy waves with a first frequency to a detection area. When receiving incoming energy waves from the detection area, the receiver generates an electric signal corresponding to the incoming energy waves. The detection portion obtains a detection signal from a reference signal with the first frequency and the electric signal. The binary conversion portion compares the detection signal with a conversion threshold signal to obtain a binary signal. The judgment portion judges whether or not a moving object approaching or leaving the receiver exists in the detection area based on the binary signal.

Abstract: A flexure transducer element used in an acceleration sensor for sensing an acceleration applied thereto and the method of making the same. The flexure transducer element comprises a frame, a sheet member, a weight, and a support member.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor element constitutes a piezoresistance type acceleration sensor in which an acceleration sensor chip including a cantilever structure of mass and beam parts and a piezoresistor formed on the beam part is mounted on a main lead which is slanted for positioning the piezoresistor and the center of gravity of the mass part substantially on the same horizontal plane in a mounted state of the sensor. The element thereby improves the reliability and assures such property as other-axis sensitivity of the sensor at the time of shipment.

Abstract: A matrix relay is formed with a plurality of latching relays arranged in a matrix and mounted on a base of an electrically insulative material. Each of the latching relays comprises an excitation coil, permanent magnet, a pair of first and second fixed contacts, and an armature carrying a pair of first and second movable springs each providing movable contacts. The armature is magnetically coupled to the excitation coil so as to be movable in response to energization of the coil by current of selective polarity between close and open positions of the fixed and movable contacts. A plurality of the armatures of the latching relays arranged in a row of the matrix are assembled into a single armature block to be mounted on the base as a single unit. The armature block comprises a single pair of first and second supporting members made of an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electrostatic relay comprises at least one fixed base having a fixed electrode and an actuator frame having a movable electrode. The fixed base carries a pair of fixed contacts insulated from the fixed electrode. The movable electrode carries a movable contact insulated from the movable electrode. The movable electrode extends along the fixed electrode and is pivotally supported at its one longitudinal end relative to the fixed base so as to pivot between two contacting positions of closing and opening the movable contact to and from the fixed contacts. The movable contact is formed at the other longitudinal end of the movable electrode. A control voltage source is connected across the fixed electrode and the movable electrode to generate a potential difference therebetween for developing an electrostatic force by which the movable electrode is attracted toward said fixed electrode to move into one of the two contacting positions.

Abstract: An electrostatic relay essentially comprises a fixed electrode with a fixed contact insulated therefrom, a movable electrode plate with a movable contact insulated therefrom, and a fixed pair of oppositely charged electrets. The movable electrode plate is pivotally supported at a pivot in a cantilever fashion or a seesaw fashion, and also to move about the pivot axis relative to the fixed electrode between two rest positions of closing and opening the contacts. A control voltage source is connected across the fixed electrode and the movable electrode plate to generate a potential difference therebetween. The electrets are disposed adjacent the movable electrode plate to generate electrostatic forces attracting and repelling the movable electrode plate, respectively, when the movable electrode plate is charged to a given polarity. That is, the attracting and repelling forces are cooperative to produce a torque for moving the movable electrode plate in one direction from one of the rest positions to the other.

Abstract: A switching system for selectively distributing a laser beam from a laser source to one of a plurality of welding stations for laser welding thereat. The system includes a first optical fiber directing the laser beam therethrough, and a pair of second optical fibers leading to the welding stations, respectively. A switching device connects the first optical fiber selectively to one of the second optical fibers so as to pass the laser beam to the corresponding welding station for enabling the laser welding thereat. The switching device comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and holding input ends of the second optical fibers in parallel relation with the longitudinal axis, a carrier supporting an output end of the first optical fiber and linearly movable together therewith within the housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the output end of the first optical fiber comes into and out of closely end-to-end facing relation to the input ends of the second optical fibers.

Abstract: A relay driving circuit for a latch-in type magnetic relay having an excitation coil, generating a set current and a reset current of opposite polarity for the coil. A capacitor is provided between the input terminals of the circuit in series with the coil. A set switch is connected in series with the coil and the capacitor, and a reset switch is connected across the series combination. An input voltage level detector is provided to make the set switch conductive, thereby applying the input voltage to the excitation coil and the capacitor to provide the set current. As the input voltage decreases below the trigger level, the detector makes the reset switch conductive to allow the capacitor to discharge current in the opposite direction through the excitation coil.

Abstract: An I/O relay interface module for mounting a plurality of relays which are adapted to be connected to individual external I/O devices to be controlled or monitored by a central controller. The I/O module comprises a plurality of relay sockets for detachably receiving the relays, respectively, and a terminal section including wire terminals internally connected to the relays through the sockets for connection between the relays and the external devices. An I/O connector is provided on the I/O module for connection with the central controller to receive therefrom control signals for energizing the relays for control of the associated devices or transmit to the central controller monitor signals from the relays as indicative of the operation of the associated devices.

Abstract: An improved magnetic actuator mechanism suitable for dot printing mechanisms for use in a wire matrix dot printer. The present magnetic actuator mechanism comprises an armature movable between a reset position and an actuated position, a permanent magnet for attracting the armature toward the reset position, and an electromagnet which, when energized, generates in the armature a magnetic flux opposite to and larger than the magnetic flux generated therein by the permanent magnet. The armature is thus moved to the actuated position by the turn of the magnetization direction in the armature when the electromagnet is energized.