Abstract: An optical device includes, in sequence, a surface formed of a metal oxide, a samarium oxide-containing layer in contact with the surface formed of a metal oxide, and a magnesium fluoride-containing layer in contact with the samarium oxide-containing layer so as to suppress optical absorption resulting from high-rate sputter deposition of a magnesium fluoride-containing layer on a surface formed of a metal oxide.

Abstract: A light source position detection apparatus (10) has a condensing lens (32) that condenses light emitted from the sun, an image pickup device (33) that receives the light condensed by the condensing lens (32), and a CPU (21) that detects the position of the sun based on per-pixel light reception information received by the image pickup device (33), and the CPU (21) changes the shutter speed of the image pickup device (33) and adjusts the quantity of the light received by the image pickup device in response to the quantity of light emitted from the sun. The light source position detection apparatus (10) can detect the position of a light source with high accuracy, and can detect the position of the light source with high accuracy even when the light source is hidden behind clouds, for example.

Abstract: A light source position detection apparatus (10) has a condensing lens (32) that condenses light emitted from the sun, an image pickup device (33) that receives the light condensed by the condensing lens (32), and a CPU (21) that detects the position of the sun based on per-pixel light reception information received by the image pickup device (33), and the CPU (21) changes the shutter speed of the image pickup device (33) and adjusts the quantity of the light received by the image pickup device in response to the quantity of light emitted from the sun. The light source position detection apparatus (10) can detect the position of a light source with high accuracy, and can detect the position of the light source with high accuracy even when the light source is hidden behind clouds, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plain bearing for internal combustion engines, in which a back metal layer is lined with a bearing alloy layer made of an aluminum-base bearing alloy which has a Vickers hardness (Hv) of from not less than 40 to not more than 160. The bearing alloy layer includes a lubricative surface layer which has a thickness of not more than 10 ?m and contains a solid lubricant. The maximum concentration of an element contained in the solid lubricant is not less than 5 mass %.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch includes a clutch weight in a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of an input member for enabling friction fitting to an inside of a clutch housing. The clutch weight is turnably supported by a drive plate. A grooved portion is provided on a clutch weight in a position that is opposite to a drive plate. At least one end of grooved portion is closed and is formed in a turning direction of the clutch. A damping rubber supported by the drive plate abuts against an inside face of the grooved portion. The damping rubber is held in the grooved portion in a compressed state by being compressed between the drive plate and the clutch weight. The centrifugal clutch so configured effectively inhibits vibration of a clutch weight when the clutch is let in, and minimizes both the parts required and man-hours for assembly.

Abstract: To provide a power unit capable of contributing to simplifying the procedure for fitting the electric motor for speed change use and the starter motor to shorten the motor wiring to facilitate the wiring and for concentrating the mass. A power unit includes a unit case which is journaled in a front part to a pivot shaft and a belt-driven continuously variable transmission is provided together with an internal combustion engine. An electric motor for transmission and a starter motor are provided together and supported by the unit case. The electric motor and the transmission are arranged to be adjoining each other on the same side as the pivot shaft in a side view. The electric motor for transmission is arranged in a position closer to the pivot shaft than the starter motor.

Abstract: To provide a power unit capable of contributing to simplifying the procedure for fitting the electric motor for speed change use and the starter motor to shorten the motor wiring to facilitate the wiring and for concentrating the mass. A power unit includes a unit case which is journaled in a front part to a pivot shaft and a belt-driven continuously variable transmission is provided together with an internal combustion engine. An electric motor for transmission and a starter motor are provided together and supported by the unit case. The electric motor and the transmission are arranged to be adjoining each other on the same side as the pivot shaft in a side view. The electric motor for transmission is arranged in a position closer to the pivot shaft than the starter motor.

Abstract: A belt continuously variable transmission apparatus having a case which includes a power transmission case (which is part of a crankcase of an engine), a power transmission case cover, and an actuator cover assembled forwardly of the power transmission case cover (displaced forwardly on a vehicle body). The actuator cover is formed as a separate member from the power transmission case cover, and supports a motor for driving a movable part of a driving pulley. In addition, the actuator cover covers a gear system. The actuator cover is integrated with a cover of the water pump. The resulting configuration improves the assembling of the actuator cover of the belt continuously variable transmission apparatus.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch includes a clutch weight in a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of an input member for enabling friction fitting to an inside of a clutch housing. The clutch weight is turnably supported by a drive plate. A grooved portion is provided on a clutch weight in a position that is opposite to a drive plate. At least one end of grooved portion is closed and is formed in a turning direction of the clutch. A damping rubber supported by the drive plate abuts against an inside face of the grooved portion. The damping rubber is held in the grooved portion in a compressed state by being compressed between the drive plate and the clutch weight. The centrifugal clutch so configured effectively inhibits vibration of a clutch weight when the clutch is let in, and minimizes both the parts required and man-hours for assembly.

Abstract: A slide bearing for internal combustion engines, comprising a slide layer including a lubricant outer layer in which a solid lubricant is contained, and wherein the lubricant outer layer contains an element which is contained in the solid lubricant, at a maximum concentration of not less than 5 mass % in the lubricant outer layer, and at least a solid lubricant gathered particle is formed on a surface of the lubricant outer layer, the solid lubricant gathered particle being a particle of the solid lubricant formed by gathering a plurality of primary particles, the solid lubricant gathered particle having a long side of not less than 20 ?m but less than 100 ?m in terms of surface visual field of the lubricant outer layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sliding member including an overlay layer made of a Bi based alloy comprising Cu as an essential element and at least one element selected from the group of Sn and In, wherein the Bi based alloy comprises 0.1 to 10 mass % of Cu and 0.5 to 10 mass % in total of the at least one element selected from the group of Sn and In.

Abstract: A multilayer aluminum-base alloy bearing formed by bonding a bearing alloy layer made of an aluminum-base alloy to a steel back metal through an intermediate layer made of an aluminum-base alloy, the intermediate layer being composed of two layers, that is, a lower layer and an upper layer, the lower layer in contact with the steel back metal being lower in hardness than the upper layer. Since the lower layer is soft, it is excellent in bonding property for the back metal, and since the upper layer is hard, it withstands a load exerted on the bearing alloy layer.

Abstract: A Bi base material of which a Miller index (202) face has the index of orientation of not less than 30% and in which the (202) face has the index of orientation assuming a maximum value as compared with those of other faces forms a minute structure and has a surface which is not a mirror finished surface but a fine, irregular surface on which minute and uniform projections in the form of a triangular pyramid or a quadrangular pyramid congregate. Therefore, the surface easily retains oil thereon to be improved thereby in oil wettability, as a result of which an improvement in anti-seizure is achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-layered Al-base bearing consisting of a steel back layer, an intermediate Al alloy layer and an Al-base bearing alloy layer which contains one or more elements selected from the group of Cu, Zn, Mg and Si, and which is bonded to the steel back layer via the intermediate Al alloy layer. The bearing is subjected to solution treatment at a temperature of not lower than 400° C. The intermediate Al alloy layer has a sub-layer being in direct contact with the steel back layer, and at least one sub-layer positioned closer than the former sub-layer to the Al-base bearing alloy layer. The former sub-layer consists of an Al alloy contains 2 to 8 mass % Si, and has a thickness proportion of 5 to 25% to the entire thickness of the intermediate Al alloy layer.

Abstract: An overlay layer is formed on a bearing alloy layer via an intermediate layer. The overlay layer consists of Bi or a Bi alloy, and 0.05 to 25 vol % of hard particles. While the overlay layer is made of Bi or a Bi alloy, wear resistance thereof can be improved by adding the hard particles.

Abstract: The shift response in a V-belt type automatic transmission is improved using a double cogged V-belt having an endless core wire embedded portion in which core wires are embedded, a lower cog formed portion provided over the inner circumference of the core wire embedded portion, and an upper cog formed portion provided over the outer circumference of the core wire embedded portion, as a V-belt for transmitting power from a drive pulley device to a driven pulley device. Each of the core wires is formed from aramid fibers, and the ratio (W/T) of the width W of the V-belt to the thickness T of the V-belt is set to 2.5 or less.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plain bearing for internal combustion engines, in which a back metal layer is lined with a bearing alloy layer made of an aluminum-base bearing alloy which has a Vickers hardness (Hv) of from not less than 40 to not more than 160. The bearing alloy layer includes a lubricative surface layer which has a thickness of not more than 10 ?m and contains a solid lubricant. The maximum concentration of an element contained in the solid lubricant is not less than 5 mass %.

Abstract: A belt continuously variable transmission apparatus having a case which includes a power transmission case (which is part of a crankcase of an engine), a power transmission case cover, and an actuator cover assembled forwardly of the power transmission case cover (displaced forwardly on a vehicle body). The actuator cover is formed as a separate member from the power transmission case cover, and supports a motor for driving a movable part of a driving pulley. In addition, the actuator cover covers a gear system. The actuator cover is integrated with a cover of the water pump. The resulting configuration improves the assembling of the actuator cover of the belt continuously variable transmission apparatus.

Abstract: An aluminum bearing-alloy containing 1.5 to 8 mass % of Si is provided, in which there can be observed Si grains on the sliding surface of the aluminum bearing-alloy. A fractional area of the observed Si grains having a grain size of less than 4 ?m is 20 to 60% of a total area of all the observed Si grains. Another fractional area of the observed Si grains having a grain size of from 4 to 20 ?m is not less than 40% of the total area of all the observed Si grains.

Abstract: There is provided a sliding member comprising a bearing alloy layer and an overlay layer bonded to the bearing alloy layer which overlay layer is made of Bi having a crystal grain density of 50 to 300 pieces/100 ?m2. The overlay layer may be made of a Bi-base alloy containing Cu or Ag. The sliding member further comprises a conforming layer provided on the overlay layer in a case where the overlay layer is made of the Bi-based alloy.