Abstract: Wires (22) electrically connecting solar cells (10) include first wires (22a) and second wires (22b). The first wires (22a) are connected to the first-conductivity-type electrodes (12) of a first one of the solar cells (10) and the second-conductivity-type electrodes (13) of a second one of the solar cells 10 that is adjacent to the first one of the solar cells (10). The second wires (22b) are connected to the second-conductivity-type electrodes (13) of the first one of the solar cells (10) and the first-conductivity-type electrodes (12) of the second one of the solar cells (10). The second wires (22b) are electrically separated by holes (21a) extending through both the second wires (22b) and an insulating base member (21).

Abstract: Wires (22) electrically connecting solar cells (10) include first wires (22a) and second wires (22b). The first wires (22a) are connected to the first-conductivity-type electrodes (12) of a first one of the solar cells (10) and the second-conductivity-type electrodes (13) of a second one of the solar cells 10 that is adjacent to the first one of the solar cells (10). The second wires (22b) are connected to the second-conductivity-type electrodes (13) of the first one of the solar cells (10) and the first-conductivity-type electrodes (12) of the second one of the solar cells (10). The second wires (22b) are electrically separated by holes (21a) extending through both the second wires (22b) and an insulating base member (21).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar battery module according to the present invention includes the steps of forming a solar battery cell (25) on a front-side insulation substrate (22), disposing a sealing member (24) on the front-side insulation substrate (22) on which the solar battery cell (25) is formed, the sealing member (24) having a shape smaller than outer shapes of the front-side insulation substrate (22) and a back-side insulation substrate (23) and having an uneven shape on a side that faces the solar battery cell (25), disposing the back-side insulation substrate (23) on the sealing member (24), sealing the solar battery cell (25) between the front-side insulation substrate (22) and the back-side insulation substrate (23) by applying heat under pressure from above the back-side insulation substrate (23) in vacuum conditions so as to squeeze the uneven portion of the sealing member (24) and bring the sealing member into intimate contact with the solar battery cell (25), and cooling and thereby harde

Abstract: A solar cell module of the present invention includes a solar cell panel having a laminated-glass structure in which a solar cell 18a configured to carry out photoelectric conversion of sunlight is interposed between a light receiving surface glass 18b and a rear surface glass 18c. At least one long supporting member 19 is disposed and secured on a surface of the rear surface glass 18c, along a longitudinal direction of the solar cell panel 18.

Abstract: The serial printer includes a carriage reciprocating in a main scanning direction, a reading sensor mounted in carriage, a timing fence arranged in the main scanning direction, a mechanism preventing movement of carriage in the main scanning direction, and a controlling portion detecting a set condition for image formation in accordance with read data of timing fence from reading sensor for controlling image formation. The controlling portion detects the set condition for image formation in accordance with the read data obtained from the timing fence, so that detection of the set condition for image formation is enabled without increasing the size of an apparatus and cost, or without decreasing a processing efficiency in image formation.

Abstract: An ink jet print head by which ink droplet ejected from all orifices are adapted to have uniform size has the following structure. Each of a plurality of ink chambers divided by partitions is communicated with a common pressure chamber with a first filter interposed. Common pressure chamber is communicated with a common ink feed path with a second filter interposed. Common pressure chamber and each of the ink chambers are covered by a pressure chamber ceiling. On pressure chamber ceiling, a piezo vibrator is provided at a position corresponding to common pressure chamber. A movable wall which is bent and deformed to the side increasing the volume is provided corresponding to each partition. By driving a piezo vibrator, a pressure wave is generated in common pressure chamber, which wave is transmitted to each ink chamber through the first filter. When movable wall is bent and deformed, the pressure wave is absorbed, so that an ink droplet is not ejected.

Abstract: In a method of adjusting record displacement of a serial printer including a recording head which records a plurality of lines at a time in the main scanning direction, a first test pattern which is formed of a plurality of line patterns spaced apart by a prescribed distance is recorded in the main scanning direction, the record sheet is fed by a prescribed amount, and a second test pattern which is formed of prescribed recording patterns is recorded. Based on the positional relations between the first and second test patterns, the feeding amount of the record sheet is adjusted. Since the feeding amount of the record sheet is adjusted based on the positional relations between the first and second test patterns, record displacement in the feeding direction of the record sheet can be adjusted easily, and the cost increase of the serial printer can be suppressed.

Abstract: A serial printer includes a carriage reciprocating in a main scanning direction, a reading sensor mounted in carriage, a timing fence arranged in the main scanning direction, a mechanism preventing movement of carriage in the main scanning direction, and a controlling portion detecting a set condition for image formation in accordance with read data of timing fence from reading sensor for controlling image formation. Controlling portion detects the set condition for image formation only in accordance with the read data of timing fence, so that detection of the set condition for image formation is enabled without increasing the size of an apparatus and cost, or without decreasing a processing efficiency in image formation.

Abstract: In a method of adjusting record displacement of a serial printer including a recording head which records a plurality of lines at a time in the main scanning direction, a first test pattern which is formed of a plurality of line patterns spaced apart by a prescribed distance is recorded in the main scanning direction, the record sheet is fed by a prescribed amount, and a second test pattern which is formed of prescribed recording patterns is recorded. Based on the positional relations between the first and second test patterns, the feeding amount of the record sheet is adjusted. Since the feeding amount of the record sheet is adjusted based on the positional relations between the first and second test patterns, record displacement in the feeding direction of the record sheet can be adjusted easily, and the cost increase of the serial printer can be suppressed.

Abstract: A serial printer includes a carriage reciprocating in a main scanning direction, a reading sensor mounted in carriage, a timing fence arranged in the main scanning direction, a mechanism preventing movement of carriage in the main scanning direction, and a controlling portion detecting a set condition for image formation in accordance with read data of timing fence from reading sensor for controlling image formation. Controlling portion detects the set condition for image formation only in accordance with the read data of timing fence, so that detection of the set condition for image formation is enabled without increasing the size of an apparatus and cost, or without decreasing a processing efficiency in image formation.

Abstract: A sheet with an image formed thereon by an ink jet mechanism is held over the second sheet output tray. Then the sheet being held on the second sheet output tray is pushed out in the direction of discharge of the sheet by means of a rotating sheet discharge arm so that the sheet drops onto the first sheet output tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a developer for developing a latent image on a photoreceptor drum into a visible image and a transfer drum having a position detector, for holding a supplied transfer material at a predetermined position and conveying the transfer material, and a transfer voltage source for supplying a transfer voltage to a conductive base of the transfer drum and output values of the transfer voltage source vary in stages when toners of a plurality of colors are transferred. In the image forming apparatus, when printing is continuously performed on a plurality of transfer materials, the timing where output values of the transfer voltage source are returned to the initial value is synchronized with the timing where the rear end of a transfer material having a maximum length capable of being printed is separated from the photoreceptor drum. As a result, the transfer material attracted by the transfer drum can be surely prevented from being jammed.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes the steps of: causing ink drops to fly from a recording head; attaching the ink drops onto an intermediate transfer element at a recording density of no less than 140 dots/cm.times.140 dots/cm and an amount of ink attached of no more than 3.0.times.10.sup.-4 ml/cm.sup.2 ; and transferring an image formed on the intermediate transfer element onto a recording medium.

Abstract: Cloth is successively conveyed by a supply roller and a take up roller over a platen which opposes an ink jet head selectively jetting ink. The platen has an opening formed at a surface opposing to the ink jet head, and an air suction opening behind the opening of the platen is connected to an air suction unit through an air path. At the time of dyeing, fluff on the surface of the cloth opposing to the ink jet head is sucked and laid down on the surface of the cloth by air suction by the air suction unit, and ink is appropriately jetted to the surface of the cloth from the ink jet head. Therefore, ink jet is not hindered by the fluff on the surface of the cloth at the time of dyeing. Therefore, ink drops can reach the desired position on the surface of the cloth, and satisfactory dyeing without any distortion in patterns is performed.

Abstract: Featured is a fixing device provided in an image forming device that includes a heat roll, a pressurization roll, an application member and a blade member. The heat roll has a surface that is heated to a desired temperature by a heating source and the pressurization roll presses a recorded medium (e.g., a paper sheet) holding an unfixed image to the heat roll. In this way, the unfixed image is fixed to the recorded medium by passing it between the heat roll and pressurization roll. The application member applies a release agent to the heat roll for preventing adherence of the unfixed image held on the recorded medium to the heat roll, where the release agent is impregnated to the application member and applied to the heat roll by capillary action. The blade member controls the application of the release agent so it is uniformly applied to the heat roll and removes excessive release agent to be applied on the heat roll.

Abstract: A photoconductive layer is formed on the entire outer peripheral surface of a light transmissive drum, and a conductive layer is formed on the photoconductive layer and is made up of a plurality of strip-like conductive portions. Provided around the drum are a tank for storing thermo-melting ink, a blade which removes surplus ink on the outer peripheral surface of the drum, a drier for drying the ink filling the gaps between the conductive portions in the conductive layers, a platen roller which presses against the outer peripheral surface of the drum with a sheet of recording paper in between, and a light source which is provided inside the drum, facing the inner peripheral surface thereof. When the light source is selectively operated in accordance with image information, current is made to flow between the conductive portions in the conductive layer via the photoconductive layer at image recording areas, thus causing the ink filling the gap to be transferred to the recording paper.

Abstract: An ink-jet head is provided with a container having an ink-discharge opening in its wall section; a structural element that has peripheral edges at least both ends in one direction of which are secured to the wall faces inside the container, that divides the inside of the container in a fluid-separated state, and that is allowed to be distorted; and a voltage-applying unit for applying a voltage to the structural element. The structural element is constituted of a piezoelectric material, and the shape of the structural element is changed in response to the voltage applied by the voltage-applying unit so that ink is allowed to discharge from the ink-discharge opening. Therefore, the above-mentioned arrangement makes it possible to provide a greater ink-discharging force and ink-discharging speed, while maintaining a small size of the head. Moreover, it is possible to provide an ink-jet head having a good discharging efficiency with long service life.

Abstract: An ink jet recording device includes a recording head for discharging ink to a recording medium, a recording head side coupling portion coupled with a reservoir chamber side coupling portion to receive supply of ink and providing ink to the recording head. The recording head side coupling portion includes a member with an ink passage and a valve device for opening/closing the ink passage. The valve device begins to open during coupling of the reservoir chamber side coupling portion and the recording head side coupling portion, and closes at complete detachment.

Abstract: An ink jet head includes an electroviscous fluid chamber provided at a part of a sidewall of an ink chamber, and having electroviscous fluid sealed therein, an elastic film provided between the ink chamber and the electroviscous fluid chamber for transmitting pressure between the ink chamber and the electroviscous fluid chamber, a pair of electrodes provided at a part of a sidewall of the electroviscous fluid chamber corresponding to the ink chamber for applying an electric field to the electroviscous fluid, a pressure generation device for discharging ink from the ink chamber, and a control device for controlling ink discharge by applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes to alter the viscosity of the electroviscous fluid in response to record information.

Abstract: An ink jet head, having a long life, capable of discharging ink with a strong force and at a high speed is provided at a small size. A container comprises a casing and a nozzle plate covering the upper surface of the casing and an ink discharge opening. A buckling structure is fixed at its longitudinal ends to the bottom surface of the container via an installing member, and its center portion can be deformed upward by buckling. A diaphragm is positioned above the buckling structure with a space therebetween and placed on an inner wall of the casing with its periphery fixed thereto so as to liquid-tightly partition the inside of the container into a space and an ink chamber. A connection member connects the diaphragm and the buckling structure at their center. Electrodes are provided at both ends of the buckling structure to generate thermal stress therein by supplying electric current for buckling and consequently to apply pressure to ink in the ink chamber for discharging.