Abstract: A thermal type air flow meter, which detects a flow rate of air flowing in an air passage, includes a sensor portion having a heating element in an air passage, a temperature control unit. The temperature control unit includes a first arm serially connecting a first resistive element and a heater temperature detection resistor which detects a temperature of the heating element, a second arm serially connecting a second resistive element and an air temperature detection resistor which detects a temperature of air flowing in the air passage, and a voltage supply unit which supplies first and second voltages respectively to the first and second arms. The voltage supply unit includes a voltage adjusting portion which can adjust at least one of the first and second voltages such that the detection temperature difference between the heater temperature detection resistor and the air temperature detection resistor becomes constant.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device mountable on a surface of a movable body includes a transmitting portion for transmitting a transmitting wave, a receiving portion for receiving a reflected wave from an obstacle, a distance calculating portion, a direction calculating portion, a distance storing portion, a direction storing portion, a distance change calculating portion, a direction change calculating portion, and a determining portion. The determining portion determines a shape of the obstacle and a relative position of the obstacle to the movable body based on a direction of the obstacle calculated by the direction calculating portion, the amount of distance change calculated by the distance change calculating portion, and the amount of direction change calculated by the direction change calculating portion.

Abstract: A transmission and reception device is located at a predetermined height on a movable object and directed toward an outside. The transmission and reception device includes a transmission unit for repeatedly transmitting sensing waves at a predetermined interval and a reception unit for receiving reflective waves of the sensing waves from a detected object. A peak value detecting unit detects peak values of the received reflective waves and stores the detected peak values. A difference arithmetic unit calculates a difference in the detected peak values with movement of the movable object closer to the detected object. An object determination unit determines the detected object to be a near-road-surface obstacle, which is close to a road surface, when the difference is a negative value. The object determination unit determines the detected object to be an other obstacle than the near-road-surface obstacle when the difference is a positive value.

Abstract: A thermal type air flow meter, which detects a flow rate of air flowing in an air passage, includes a sensor portion having a heating element in an air passage, a temperature control unit. The temperature control unit includes a first arm serially connecting a first resistive element and a heater temperature detection resistor which detects a temperature of the heating element, a second arm serially connecting a second resistive element and an air temperature detection resistor which detects a temperature of air flowing in the air passage, and a voltage supply unit which supplies first and second voltages respectively to the first and second arms. The voltage supply unit includes a voltage adjusting portion which can adjust at least one of the first and second voltages such that the detection temperature difference between the heater temperature detection resistor and the air temperature detection resistor becomes constant.

Abstract: A ultrasonic device detecting a direction to an object includes: a transmitting element of a ultrasonic wave; first and second receiving elements; a diffraction wave phase detector; an initial phase memory for an initial phase of a diffraction wave; a sound speed detector; a phase correction amount calculator calculating a phase shift caused by a sound speed change and calculating a phase correction amount based on the phase of the diffraction wave, the initial phase and the phase shift; a phase correction element correcting a phase of the reflection wave based on the phase correction amount; and a direction detector for detecting the direction to the object based on a difference between corrected phases of the reflection wave received by the first and second receiving elements, a distance between the first and second receiving elements, and a wavelength of the transmission ultrasonic wave corresponding to a sound speed.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device mountable on a surface of a movable body includes a transmitting portion for transmitting a transmitting wave, a receiving portion for receiving a reflected wave from an obstacle, a distance calculating portion, a direction calculating portion, a distance storing portion, a direction storing portion, a distance change calculating portion, a direction change calculating portion, and a determining portion. The determining portion determines a shape of the obstacle and a relative position of the obstacle to the movable body based on a direction of the obstacle calculated by the direction calculating portion, the amount of distance change calculated by the distance change calculating portion, and the amount of direction change calculated by the direction change calculating portion.

Abstract: A transmission and reception device is located at a predetermined height on a movable object and directed toward an outside. The transmission and reception device includes a transmission unit for repeatedly transmitting sensing waves at a predetermined interval and a reception unit for receiving reflective waves of the sensing waves from a detected object. A peak value detecting unit detects peak values of the received reflective waves and stores the detected peak values. A difference arithmetic unit calculates a difference in the detected peak values with movement of the movable object closer to the detected object. An object determination unit determines the detected object to be a near-road-surface obstacle, which is close to a road surface, when the difference is a negative value. The object determination unit determines the detected object to be an other obstacle than the near-road-surface obstacle when the difference is a positive value.

Abstract: A ultrasonic device detecting a direction to an object includes: a transmitting element of a ultrasonic wave; first and second receiving elements; a diffraction wave phase detector; an initial phase memory for an initial phase of a diffraction wave; a sound speed detector; a phase correction amount calculator calculating a phase shift caused by a sound speed change and calculating a phase correction amount based on the phase of the diffraction wave, the initial phase and the phase shift; a phase correction element correcting a phase of the reflection wave based on the phase correction amount; and a direction detector for detecting the direction to the object based on a difference between corrected phases of the reflection wave received by the first and second receiving elements, a distance between the first and second receiving elements, and a wavelength of the transmission ultrasonic wave corresponding to a sound speed.

Abstract: 1st to nth pairs of transistors (n=an odd number) are connected in parallel, and each pair of transistors has an upper transistor and a lower transistor connected in series. A point between the upper transistor and the lower transistor of a preceding pair of transistors is connected to a gate of the lower transistor of a subsequent transistor, and the point between the upper transistor and the lower transistor of nth pair of transistors is connected to the gate of the first lower transistor. A capacitor is inserted between the lower transistor and a direct power source. A current regulating circuit connected to gates of the upper transistors, wherein the current regulating circuit supplies a gate voltage to each gate of the each upper transistor.

Abstract: Sensor equipment includes: a sensor device having a sensing portion; and an electric connection portion coated with an electric insulation member. The electric connection portion electrically connects an external circuit and the sensor device. The electric insulation member is a thin film disposed on the electric connection portion. In the sensor equipment, the insulation member is made of the deposition film, which is not deteriorated with time. Therefore, the insulation member does not flow out from the connection portion. Accordingly, detection sensitivity of the sensor equipment is prevented from reducing.

Abstract: Two heat generating resistors are formed on a substrate in the upstream side with respect to an air flow direction and two other heat generating resistors are formed in the downstream side. A thermometer resistor for detecting a temperature in the intake manifold is formed on the substrate. A bridge circuit is formed of the heat generating resistors. A temperature of the four heat generating resistors is controlled to be at a predetermined temperature by balancing a bridge circuit constituted of the thermometer resistor or the like with a differential amplifier and a transistor. When air flows, electric potentials of the intermediate terminals in the bridge circuit change. A flow quantity and a flow direction of the air are calculated by detecting the electric potential difference.

Abstract: 1st to nth pairs of transistors (n=an odd number) are connected in parallel, and each pair of transistors has an upper transistor and a lower transistor connected in series. A point between the upper transistor and the lower transistor of a preceding pair of transistors is connected to a gate of the lower transistor of a subsequent transistor, and the point between the upper transistor and the lower transistor of nth pair of transistors is connected to the gate of the first lower transistor. A capacitor is inserted between the lower transistor and a direct power source. A current regulating circuit connected to gates of the upper transistors, wherein the current regulating circuit supplies a gate voltage to each gate of the each upper transistor.

Abstract: A sensor device is composed of a sensor element having a sensing portion, and a signal-outputting portion mounted on a substrate. The sensor element is also mounted on the substrate via a resilient material. The sensor element is electrically connected to the signal-outputting portion through a bonding wire. The work consisting of the sensor element, signal-outputting portion and the substrate is held in a molding die, and the work is molded with an insulating material, while keeping the sensing portion exposed outside of the insulating material. A depressed portion of the molding die, in which the sensor element is accommodated in the molding process, has substantially no clearance relative to the sensor element, and the sensor element is led to the depressed portion by resiliency of the material bonding the sensor element to the substrate. Therefore, no burs are formed on the sides of the sensor element in the molding process.

Abstract: In a thermal-type flow rate sensor, a mold material is formed to integrally cover a predetermined range including a circuit chip, connecting parts of connecting wires with a flow rate detecting chip and the circuit chip, and connecting parts of connecting wires with the circuit chip and a lead portion, to expose a part of the flow rate detecting chip to a measured fluid. The flow rate detecting chip is located in a groove portion of a support member to have a clearance with the groove portion and to form a cavity part inside a thin wall portion of the detecting chip. The cavity part communicates with an outside through a communicating portion that includes the clearance, and the clearance is blocked by a filler at least at a portion positioned in the predetermined range. Therefore, the filler prevents the mold material from entering the clearance in the mold forming.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor chip having a pressure receiving surface formed on one surface of the sensor chip, a first case having one end portion at which the sensor chip is provided, a second case attached to the one end portion of the first case to cover the sensor chip. The second case is provided with a pressure introducing passage for introducing the pressure to the sensor chip, and a wiring board is provided at the one end portion of the first case to have a surface facing toward the pressure introducing passage. In the pressure sensor, the sensor chip is electrically connected with the surface of the wiring board through bumps by a flip-chip bonding such that the pressure receiving surface faces the surface of the wiring board, and an insulating member is provided to seal a connection portion of the bumps.

Abstract: In a heat-radiation type flow sensor, a heater resistor is connected to a fixed resistor in series with a transistor. An electrical potential between the heater resistor and the transistor is supplied to an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier. A reference voltage is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. An output potential of the operational amplifier is supplied to a base of the transistor. Since the electrical potential between the heater resistor and the transistor is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier, the airflow sensor includes only a negative feedback circuit. Thus, the airflow sensor exhibits strong endurance against electromagnetic interferences.

Abstract: Two heat generating resistors are formed on a substrate in the upstream side with respect to an air flow direction and two other heat generating resistors are formed in the downstream side. A thermometer resistor for detecting a temperature in the intake manifold is formed on the substrate. A bridge circuit is formed of the heat generating resistors. A temperature of the four heat generating resistors is controlled to be at a predetermined temperature by balancing a bridge circuit constituted of the thermometer resistor or the like with a differential amplifier and a transistor. When air flows, electric potentials of the intermediate terminals in the bridge circuit change. A flow quantity and a flow direction of the air are calculated by detecting the electric potential difference.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor chip having a pressure receiving surface formed on one surface of the sensor chip, a first case having one end portion at which the sensor chip is provided, a second case attached to the one end portion of the first case to cover the sensor chip. The second case is provided with a pressure introducing passage for introducing the pressure to the sensor chip, and a wiring board is provided at the one end portion of the first case to have a surface facing toward the pressure introducing passage. In the pressure sensor, the sensor chip is electrically connected with the surface of the wiring board through bumps by a flip-chip bonding such that the pressure receiving surface faces the surface of the wiring board, and an insulating member is provided to seal a connection portion of the bumps.

Abstract: In a thermal-type flow rate sensor, a mold material is formed to integrally cover a predetermined range including a circuit chip, connecting parts of connecting wires with a flow rate detecting chip and the circuit chip, and connecting parts of connecting wires with the circuit chip and a lead portion, to expose a part of the flow rate detecting chip to a measured fluid. The flow rate detecting chip is located in a groove portion of a support member to have a clearance with the groove portion and to form a cavity part inside a thin wall portion of the detecting chip. The cavity part communicates with an outside through a communicating portion that includes the clearance, and the clearance is blocked by a filler at least at a portion positioned in the predetermined range. Therefore, the filler prevents the mold material from entering the clearance in the mold forming.

Abstract: In a heat-radiation type flow sensor, a heater resistor is connected to a fixed resistor in series with a transistor. An electrical potential between the heater resistor and the transistor is supplied to an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier. A reference voltage is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. An output potential of the operational amplifier is supplied to a base of the transistor. Since the electrical potential between the heater resistor and the transistor is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier, the airflow sensor includes only a negative feedback circuit. Thus, the airflow sensor exhibits strong endurance against electromagnetic interferences.