Abstract: A hand pattern switch device recognizes a hand pattern from an image of a hand in an image pickup zone and detects a hand motion. One of controlled objects is selected based on the recognized hand pattern and/or hand motion. In accordance with the selected object, a mode of detection of operation information based on hand motion is changed. In a moved distance detecting mode, a moved distance of the hand in the zone is detected as operation information, and in a stop time detecting mode, a stop time of the hand at a stop position to which the hand has been moved in the zone is detected as operation information. The image pickup zone is at a location which is located laterally to a steering wheel and to which a driver can extend his/her arm without changing a driving posture.

Abstract: A permanent magnet type rotor comprises an inner member 2 having an outer ring portion 21; an approximately annular outer member 1 having soft magnetism and an inner circumference contacting with an outer circumference of the outer ring portion; and plural permanent magnets 3 disposed at equal intervals on the outer circumference of the outer member toward the circumferential direction. At least one of the inner member 2 and the outer member 1 is made from a sintered material, and the inner member 2 and the outer member 1 are mutually sintered and bonded. Thickness and weight of a dynamotor itself can be reduced and high output and high efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (E) includes a crankshaft (5), and a bearing cap (8) supporting the crankshaft (5) for rotation. Permanent magnets (20) serving as magnetic field creating members are attached to the balance weights (W1a to W6a) formed integrally with the webs (W1 to W6) of the crankshaft (5). Coils (21) are attached to the bearing cap bodies (A1 to A4) of the bearing cap (8). The permanent magnets (20) and the coils (21) form electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6). A small gap can be formed and maintained between the permanent magnets (20) and the corresponding coils (21) with reliability without entailing substantial increase in the size of the internal combustion engine. The electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6)are controlled according to the operating mode of the internal combustion engine so as to serve as electric motors or generators.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay comprises an electromagnetic relay main body in which a plurality of fixed contact terminals are attached to a plate portion made of an insulating material and a cover into which the electromagnetic relay main body is inserted. A plate portion made of an insulating material and having a plurality of fixed contact terminals attached thereto includes a first engagement portion at the position in which a plurality of fixed contact terminals are isolated from each other and the cover includes at its inner wall surface a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion.

Abstract: An insulating paste composition for rib formation which comprises an insulating material, an organic binder, a light-absorbing substance, and an organic solvent. A rib pattern is formed by sandblasting an insulating layer formed of the composition using a lithographically formed resin pattern mask. The composition forms an antireflective insulating layer which can provide a rib pattern excellent in cross-sectional contour and dimensional precision.

Abstract: A housing includes upper and lower holders in which a number of compact discs are stored. An arm is provided so that the proximal end may turn around a vertical shaft in the housing, and the distal end of the arm holds one of the compact discs in the upper holder. The arm turns sideward through an opening of the housing, and lowers along the vertical shaft to transfer the compact disc to a tray which is drawn from a printer. The compact disc is printed in the printer, held by the end of the arm again and transferred to the lower holder in the housing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (E) includes a crankshaft (5), and a bearing cap (8) supporting the crankshaft (5) for rotation. Permanent magnets (20) serving as magnetic field creating members are attached to the balance weights (W1a to W6a) formed integrally with the webs (W1 to W6) of the crankshaft (5). Coils (21) are attached to the bearing cap bodies (A1 to A4) of the bearing cap (8). The permanent magnets (20) and the coils (21) form electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6). A small gap can be formed and maintained between the permanent magnets (20) and the corresponding coils (21) with reliability without entailing substantial increase in the size of the internal combustion engine. The electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6)are controlled according to the operating mode of the internal combustion engine so as to serve as electric motors or generators.

Abstract: When an electromagnetic relay connects a movable contact to a normally open contact N/O, direct current flows through direct current motor and thereby the direct current motor is driven. When the electromagnetic relay connects the movable contact to a normally closed contact N/C, the rotation of the direct current motor is braked. A plurality of normally open contacts N/O are connected in series in the passage of direct current obtained when the electromagnetic relay connects the movable contact to the normally open contact N/O.

Abstract: An insulating paste composition for rib formation which comprises an insulating material, an organic binder, a light-absorbing substance, and an organic solvent. A rib pattern is formed by sandblasting an insulating layer formed of the composition using a lithographically formed resin pattern mask. The composition forms an antireflective insulating layer which can provide a rib pattern excellent in crosssectional contour and dimensional precision.

Abstract: A housing includes upper and lower holders in which a number of compact discs are stored. An arm is provided so that the proximal end may turn around a vertical shaft in the housing, and the distal end of the arm holds one of the compact discs in the upper holder. The arm turns sideward through an opening of the housing, and lowers along the vertical shaft to transfer the compact disc to a tray which is drawn from a printer. The compact disc is printed in the printer, held by the end of the arm again and transferred to the lower holder in the housing.

Abstract: A battery temperature regulating apparatus efficiently controls the charging temperature of a battery assembly which serves as a power source to energize a propulsive motor on an electric vehicle to run on a road. A fluid jacket is disposed in heat exchange relationship with the battery assembly and supplied with a coolant to regulate the temperature of the battery assembly with a radiator or an electric heater for allowing the battery assembly to be charged in a temperature range from 20.degree. C. to 35.degree. C., for example, which is optimum for the charging of the battery assembly. The battery temperature regulating apparatus can maintain the optimum temperature range more reliably than a conventional apparatus which regulates the temperature of the battery assembly as it is charged with a forced flow of hot air or cool air, and can reduce the electric energy consumption to 1/3 of that of the conventional apparatus.

Abstract: A battery discharge gas control system, which releases a hydrogen gas generated from the battery assembly when the battery assembly is charged and discharged, is capable of keeping the battery structure highly resistant to water or humidity. The battery discharge gas control system has a battery having a gas release port, a passage connected to the gas release port, a control valve connected to the passage, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the passage, and a control circuit for opening the control valve to release a gas generated by the battery from the passage, depending on the pressure in the passage as detected by the pressure sensor. During a period of time in which no hydrogen gas is generated or a generated hydrogen gas is not plenty enough to be released while the battery is being charged or discharged, the passage is closed for thereby keeping the battery structure highly resistant to water or humidity.

Abstract: The remover solution of the invention comprises (A) from 35 to 80% by weight of an alcoholic solvent such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, (B) from 10 to 40% by weight of an organic solvent which is a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent, e.g., 1,2-dichlorobenzene and methylene chloride, an ether solvent, e.g., tetrahydrofuran, or an aromatic solvent, e.g., benzene and xylene, and (C) from 0.1 to 25% by weight of a quaternay ammonium compound such as tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide and trimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium hydroxide. Different from conventional remover solutions which only can swell cured photoresist compositions, the inventive remover solution has a power to completely dissolve a cured photoresist layer to give a quite satisfactory result in the removing works of patterned photoresist layers in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A current detecting device for detecting current flowing in a first electric wire arranged close to a second electric wire having a portion extending in a predetermined direction. The device comprises: a portion of the first electric wire extending at right angles to the second electric wire; a magnetic core arranged around the above portion of the first electric wire, the magnetic core having an axis thereof extending at right angles to the above portion of the second electric wire; and a magnetic-to-electric transducer associated with the magnetic core for generating an electric signal indicative of the intensity of a magnetic field generated around the above portion of the first electric wire by current flowing in the first electric wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a neutral state of a transmission gear of a vehicle detects an engine rotational speed, a vehicle speed, and a condition in which the engine output power is transmitted to the transmission gear through a clutch. The apparatus judges that the transmission gear is in the neutral state when a ratio between the engine rotational speed and the vehicle speed is in any one of predetermined ranges. The apparatus also judges that the transmission gear is in the neutral state when a variation of the ratio between the engine rotational speed and the vehicle speed within a predetermined time period is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A temperature of an internal combustion engine is sensed when the engine is started and elapsed time from engine start is also sensed. Engine intake air temperature is estimated on the basis of the sensed engine temperature and sensed elapsed time. The operation of the engine is controlled in accordance with the estimated engine intake air temperature.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation method which controls the valve opening of an exhaust gas recirculating valve to values appropriate to operating conditions of an automotive vehicle and an internal combustion engine installed therein, to thereby regulate the amount of exhaust gas recirculated from an exhaust passage to an intake passage in the engine. It is determined whether the vehicle is in a predetermined starting condition, and the valve opening of the exhaust gas recirculating valve is set to a first value when the vehicle is not in the predetermined starting condition, otherwise to a second value smaller than the first value. Preferably, the determination of whether the vehicle is in the predetermined starting condition is made based on the rotational speed of the engine and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal spark-advance control device for an ignition system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a base plate which rotates at a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the engine; a timing plate which is rotatably supported on the base plate; a spring for biasing the timing plate in a certain direction; a centrifugal weight which is pivoted to the base plate at a point spaced from the center of gravity of the centrifugal weight and which is provided with a cam surface for rotatably driving the timing plate in an opposite direction against the biasing force of the spring by cooperating with a corresponding cam follower surface provided in the timing plate; a spark generating device coupled to the timing plate for generating ignition sparks in synchronism with the rotational angle of the timing plate; a mass member attached to the timing plate by way of an elastic member.

Abstract: An air intake side secondary air supply system for an internal combustion engine is provided with an open-close valve in an air intake side secondary air supply passage which is provided in addition to an air intake side secondary air supply passage for an air/fuel ratio control. The open-close valve is opened only when an amount of the secondary air through the passage for the air/fuel ratio control is higher than a predetermined level. In addition to the provision of the open-close valve, the opening of an open-close valve or a linear type solenoid valve wich is provided in the secondary air supply passage for controlling the air/fuel ratio is reduced, so that the valve operates in a range where the linearity of the operation of the valve is good. Thus, the accuracy of the air/fuel ratio control is improved especially when the amount of the secondary air is large.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of producing a foamed plastic insulated conductor. This process comprises the steps of forming a foamed insulation on a conductor wire by means of a gas injecting extruder and passing said conductor wire having said foamed insulation through telescopic cooling trough means including a movable trough to be adjusted in its position relative to a head of said gas injecting extruder so as to obtain a given value of a capacitance of the foamed plastic insulated conductor in accordance with an electrical signal from a capacitance monitor to detect a value of said capacitance of the foamed plastic insulated conductor. The process of the invention is characterized by further comprising the steps of detecting the position of the movable trough adjacent to its critical or limit positions and adjusting the injection rate of the foaming gas so as to move the movable trough to the middle position of the range of movement thereof.