Abstract: A heat exchanger includes: a header; flat tubes disposed in line along a longitudinal direction of the header and connected to the header: a refrigerant pipe connected to an introduction space in the header; and a nozzle. When the heat exchanger operates as an evaporator of a refrigerant, the refrigerant is fed through the nozzle from the introduction space to a supply space disposed adjacent to the introduction space in the longitudinal direction of the header. The nozzle is disposed on a side closer to the flat tubes than to the refrigerant pipe. A width of a first zone in the introduction space on the side closer to the flat tubes is smaller than a width of a second zone in the introduction space on a side where the refrigerant pipe is connected.

Abstract: A refrigerant distributor includes a first refrigerant pipe, a plurality of second refrigerant pipes, a body, a first plate, and a second plate. The body is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The body is configured to distribute a refrigerant from the first refrigerant pipe into the second refrigerant pipes or merge the refrigerant flowing from each of the second refrigerant pipes into the first refrigerant pipe. The body has a first surface connected to the first refrigerant pipe and a second surface connected to the second refrigerant pipes. The first plate is joined to the first surface, and has an outer surface exposed to atmosphere and provided with a first sacrificial anode layer for the body. The second plate is joined to the second surface, and has an outer surface exposed to atmosphere and provided with a second sacrificial anode layer for the body.

Abstract: A linear extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of flat-plate shaped first pieces that are connected to each other, and a plurality of second pieces having a cross-sectional U-shaped groove frame shape that are connected to each other. A leading first piece of the plurality of first pieces and a leading second piece of the plurality of second pieces are joined by a head section. The first and second pieces become linearly rigid when the first pieces are joined to an upper part of the second pieces, and the first and second pieces return to a bent state when separated from each other. Protrusion sections that protrude inward are extended in the width direction in a bottom plate of each second piece. Corners of edge parts of the protrusion sections are chamfered.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes: flat pipes disposed in multiple stages in a stage direction corresponding to an up-down direction; and fins that partition a space between adjacent two of the flat pipes into air flow passages through which air flows. Each of the flat pipes includes a passage for a refrigerant inside thereof. The flat pipes are divided into heat exchange paths arrayed in multiple stages in the stage direction. One of the heat exchange paths that includes a lowermost one of the flat pipes is defined as a first heat exchange path. A length of the passage from a first end to a second end of a flow of the refrigerant in each of the heat exchange paths is defined as a path effective length.

Abstract: A robot arm mechanism is capable of preventing a first piece string from colliding with a support column inner wall in the robot arm mechanism having a linear extension and retraction joint. The robot arm mechanism includes a plurality of first pieces that are connected in a string shape and a plurality of second pieces that are connected in a string shape, a feed mechanism section that supports the first and second strings movably forward and backward, a storage section in a square cylinder shape that stores the first pieces and the second pieces, and a guide that guides reciprocating movement of the first pieces between the feed mechanism section and the storage section from outside of the first pieces.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including: a header; flat tubes connected to the header and disposed in line along a longitudinal direction of the header; a first partition that partitions an inner space of the header into a first space on a side where the flat tubes are connected and a second space on a side opposite to the first space; and a second partition that partitions the inner space of the header into a first side and a second side. The first side is one side of the header in the longitudinal direction and the second side is opposite to the first side. The first partition has a common opening. The common opening includes an insertion opening and a refrigerant opening. A refrigerant moves between the first space and the second space via the refrigerant opening. The second partition is inserted into the insertion opening.

Abstract: A robot arm mechanism has a plurality of link sections. The plurality of link sections are connected by a plurality of joints. The plurality of link sections are respectively covered with covers. The respective covers are supported by push-button switches or pressure sensors. When a worker or the like touches any of the covers, the push button switch or the pressure sensor that supports the cover is turned on. Thereby, contact to any of the covers by the worker or the like is detected. Contact of the worker or the like can be detected in a wide range.

Abstract: A proximity sensor apparatus has a detection electrode that forms an electrostatic capacitance between the detection electrode and an object to be detected. The detection electrode is fitted to an electrode base plate. The detection section detects electrostatic capacitance based on output of the detection electrode. The electrode base plate is supported by a push-button switch. When the object to be detected approaches the detection electrode, the electrostatic capacitance changes. Approach of the object to be detected can be detected by a change in electrostatic capacitance. When the object to be detected contacts the detection electrode, the push-button switch is turned on. The push-button switch is turned on, and thereby contact of the object to be detected can be detected.

Abstract: A dishwashing system includes: a dishwasher that washes tableware contained in a dishwashing rack, inside a washing chamber; a carry-in stand for placing the dishwashing rack that is to be carried into the washing chamber on; a carry-out stand for placing the dishwashing rack that is carried out from the washing chamber on; and a robot device including a robot arm mechanism. The carry-in stand and the dishwasher are arranged within a movable range of the robot arm mechanism. The robot arm mechanism transfers the dishwashing rack from the carry-in stand to the washing chamber, and also operates the dishwasher.

Abstract: A robot arm mechanism is capable of preventing a first piece string from colliding with a support column inner wall in the robot arm mechanism having a linear extension and retraction joint. The robot arm mechanism includes a plurality of first pieces that are connected in a string shape and a plurality of second pieces that are connected in a string shape, a feed mechanism section that supports the first and second strings movably forward and backward, a storage section in a square cylinder shape that stores the first pieces and the second pieces, and a guide that guides reciprocating movement of the first pieces between the feed mechanism section and the storage section from outside of the first pieces.

Abstract: A linear extension and retraction mechanism that is mounted in a robot arm mechanism includes: a plurality of first pieces having a flat plate shape which are bendably connected to each other at front and rear end faces; a plurality of second pieces having a groove shape which are bendably connected to each other at front and rear end faces of a bottom part, with the first and second pieces becoming linearly rigid when superposed, and the first and second pieces returning to a bent state when separated from each other; a head section which joins a leading first piece of the plurality of first pieces and a leading second piece of the plurality of second pieces; and a sending-out mechanism section including a plurality of rollers and for firmly superposing the first and second pieces and supporting the first and second pieces movably to front and rear. At least one groove section that extends from front to rear is formed in the surfaces of the first and second pieces that contact the rollers.

Abstract: A linear extension and retraction mechanism includes: a plurality of first pieces coupled together bendably; a plurality of second pieces coupled together bendably; a plurality of rollers adapted to join together the first pieces and the second pieces, forming a columnar body, and support the columnar body movably back and forth; a drive gear adapted to move the first pieces and the second pieces back and forth; and a motor unit adapted to generate power for rotating the drive gear. On a surface on a side where each of the first pieces is joined to a corresponding one of the second pieces, the first piece includes a linear gear to be meshed with the drive gear as well as a protrusion installed by protruding toward the second piece side. At least one third piece is bendably connected to a rearmost one of the plurality of first pieces.

Abstract: In a robot arm mechanism, a column section is rotatably supported on a base, a rise/fall section is placed on the column section, an arm including expansion and contraction properties is supported by the rise/fall section to be capable of raising and lowering, and a wrist section to which an end effecter is fittable is mounted to a tip of the arm. In the rise/fall section, an intake port is provided in a front part and an exhaust port is provided in a rear part, separately, and in the wrist section, an intake port is provided at a side close to the end effecter, and an exhaust port is provided at a side far from the end effecter, separately.

Abstract: In a robot arm mechanism, a column equipped with a turning joint is supported on a base stand, a rise/fall section equipped with a rise/fall joint is placed on the column, a linear extension and retraction mechanism equipped with a linearly extendible and retractable arm is provided on the rise/fall section, and the arm is equipped at a tip with a wrist section fittable with an end effector. The wrist section is made up of a combination of a roll joint used to swing the end effector, a pitch joint used to tilt the end effector back and forth, and a yaw joint used to axially rotate the end effector. At least two of the joints are each equipped with a mechanical stopper mechanism adapted to limit motion to within a mechanical operating range and with a safety stopper mechanism adapted to limit motion to within a safe range of movement narrower than the mechanical operating range.

Abstract: A linear extension and retraction mechanism includes a plurality of flat-plate shaped first pieces that are connected to each other, and a plurality of second pieces having a cross-sectional U-shaped groove frame shape that are connected to each other. A leading first piece of the plurality of first pieces and a leading second piece of the plurality of second pieces are joined by a head section. The first and second pieces become linearly rigid when the first pieces are joined to an upper part of the second pieces, and the first and second pieces return to a bent state when separated from each other. Protrusion sections that protrude inward are extended in the width direction in a bottom plate of each second piece. Corners of edge parts of the protrusion sections are chamfered.

Abstract: A robot arm mechanism includes first and second parallel link mechanisms connected in cascade. A first drive motor used to drive the first parallel link mechanism is installed in an upper part of a column. A second drive motor used to drive the second parallel link mechanism is also installed in the upper part of the column. Rotation of the second drive motor is transmitted to the second parallel link mechanism via a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a first pulley pivotally supported coaxially with a pivot shaft at a rear end of a first link, a second pulley pivotally supported coaxially with a pivot shaft at a front end of the first link, and a transmission belt looped over the first and second pulleys.

Abstract: Biocompatible nanoparticles 1 which entrap a bioactive substance and whose surface is positive-charge-modified are electrically adhered to a balloon portion 9 of a catheter main body 5 through a negatively charged resin layer 11, and thus a nanoparticle layer 12 is formed. After the catheter main body 5 is indwell in vivo, the nanoparticles 1 are gradually eluted from the nanoparticle layer 12 and are effectively delivered to cells.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device includes a case that forms a storage space for storing a component and that includes an open section at a first surface, a display module that is stored in the open section of the case and that includes a display surface for allowing information to be displayed thereon adjacent to the first surface, a plate that is fixed to an inner surface of the case and that partitions the storage space into a space for storing the display module and a space for storing a component other than the display module, a panel that covers the open section of the case and that supports the display module such that the display module is sandwiched between the panel and the plate, and an adhesive that adheres the panel and a surrounding region of the open section of the case.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device includes a face panel provided on an exterior of a housing, a sensor module that detects that the face panel is touched, where the sensor module is provided on a more inward side of the housing than the face panel, a light-emitting unit provided with a light-emitting member that emits light when the sensor module detects that the face panel is touched, where the light-emitting unit is provided on a more inward side of the housing than the sensor module, and a connection unit that makes an electrical connection between the sensor module and the light-emitting unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell to consume a fuel and generate electric power; a feeder for feeding a circulating fluid including the fuel to the cell; a collector for collecting the circulating fluid including unconsumed fuel from the cell; a first channel connecting the cell with the collector; a second channel connecting the collector with the feeder; and a third channel connecting the feeder with the cell. A mass ratio M2/M1 is less than or equal to 20 ppm in terms of hexadecane, where M1 is a total mass of the collector and the first, second and third channels, and M2 is a mass of organic substances eluted into the circulating fluid or an equivalent therefor, while the collector and the first, second and third channels are immersed in the circulating fluid or equivalent at a temperature TH1 for a certain time.