Abstract: An electrode plate precursor on which an active material layer is formed by applying an active material onto at least one surface of a current collector in a lengthy belt shape by means of a die comprising a paste storing part where a paste containing the active material is accumulated and a discharge flow path discharging the above paste from the paste storing part. A plan view configuration of the discharge flow path is adjusted by adjusting a plan view configuration of thin plate-like members that are arranged respectively on both end portions of the discharge flow path so that the active material layer formed in the process has a uniform thickness throughout the entire length in the width direction of the electrode plate precursor.

Abstract: An electrode plate precursor on which an active material layer is formed by applying an active material onto at least one surface of a current collector in a lengthy belt shape by means of a die comprising a paste storing part where a paste containing the active material is accumulated and a discharge flow path discharging the above paste from the paste storing part. A plan view configuration of the discharge flow path is adjusted by adjusting a plan view configuration of thin plate-like members that are arranged respectively on both end portions of the discharge flow path so that the active material layer formed in the process has a uniform thickness throughout the entire length in the width direction of the electrode plate precursor.

Abstract: A production method of the present invention includes steps of: (a) obtaining a first electrode plate precursor 1 by applying an electrode active material onto at least one of surfaces of a long strip-shaped current collector so as to form an active material layer, (b) rolling an electrode plate precursor so that the active material layer has a predetermined thickness, and (c) obtaining plural strips of electrode plates by cutting the rolled electrode plate precursor to a desired width. In the step (a), non-application portions onto which an active material is not applied are formed on both edges of the electrode plate precursor in the width direction. The step (d) of removing the non-application portions is carried out simultaneously with the step (c). Accordingly, it is possible to improve production efficiency and reduce material losses by decreasing quality defects that occur in the step of rolling the electrode plate precursor.

Abstract: In a self-check method of a four-wheel steering drive system, a relay downstream current upon ON/OFF of a relay is checked to check a state of said relay. Forward and reverse rotation control signals of a duty ratio of 0% are supplied to a predetermined combination of switching elements constituting an H bridge circuit to check if a current obtained from the predetermined combination of switching elements is an overcurrent, thereby checking a state of the H bridge circuit. When the rear wheels are turned to a target rear wheel position with reference to a present rear-wheel position, whether or not a difference between the target rear-wheel position and an actual rear-wheel position is set to be a predetermined value or less within a predetermined period of time is checked, thereby checking a state of a steering motor and a rear-wheel steering mechanism.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a window panel at the lower edge portion thereof is provided with a ridge portion extending widthwise along the window panel to form a groove between the ridge portion and the lower edge portion of the window panel.