Abstract: A high-pressure fuel pump device of the invention includes a plunger-type high-pressure pump unit (31) configured to pressurize fuel as a plunger (43) thereof makes reciprocating motion, a diaphragm-type supply pump unit (33) configured to suck in fuel in a fuel tank (11) and supply the fuel to the high-pressure pump unit as a diaphragm (87) thereof oscillates in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the plunger, and a fuel return unit (34) provided in the supply pump unit and configured to return, to the fuel tank, surplus fuel that is not sucked into the high-pressure pump unit.

Abstract: An automatic transmission 20 includes: a Simpson type complex planetary gear train 25 including single pinion type first and second planetary gears 21 and 22 and single pinion type third and fourth planetary gears 23 and 24; first through fourth clutches C1 to C4; and first and second brakes B1 and B2. A first carrier 21c of the first planetary gear 21 is coupled to an input shaft 20i. A first ring gear 21r of the first planetary gear 21 is selectively connected to an output shaft 20o by the first clutch C1.

Abstract: There is a need to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus capable of highly accurately analog-to-digital converting an analog voltage output from a pixel circuit. The solid-state imaging apparatus supplies a counter code to an integral A/D converter. The counter code CD includes 3-phase clock signals and gray signals. The clock signals each have a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 8 and allow phases to shift from each other by specified cycle. The gray signals linearly increase count values at a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 4. The counter code reverses only the logical level of a signal when a count value changes. A count value error can be limited to a minimum.

Abstract: Provided is a technique which can properly invert a plurality of substrates at a time. To achieve this object, a substrate inverting apparatus includes: a support mechanism which supports a plurality of substrates in a state where the substrates are stacked vertically in a spaced-apart manner in a horizontal posture; and a clamping and inverting mechanism which clamps the plurality of substrates supported by the support mechanism respectively and inverts the plurality of substrates at a time. In the support mechanism, support members which support the substrate are moved to a standby position from a support position while being moved downward away from the center of the substrate as viewed in the vertical direction. On the other hand, in the clamping and inverting mechanism, clamping members which clamp the substrate are moved to a near position from a remote position by a clamping member drive part and are elastically biased by an elastic member toward side surfaces of the substrate at the near position.

Abstract: A fluid temperature adjustment device that includes a circulation flow path that circulates the cooling water in one direction between the engine and the radiator; a first flow path branched from the circulation flow path at a location downstream of the engine and upstream of the radiator; a second flow path branched from the circulation flow path at a location downstream of the radiator and upstream of the engine; a third flow path that communicates with a cooling water outlet of the heat exchanger and that is merged with the circulation flow path at a location downstream of the radiator and upstream of the engine; and a switching valve that selectively communicates between one of the first and second flow paths and a cooling water inlet of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A tire contact state estimation method includes: an information acquisition step of acquiring information of the tire; a correlation strength calculation step of calculating a first correlation strength between the rotational velocity and the braking and driving force, and also calculating a second correlation strength between the slip angle and the generated lateral force; a change detection step of detecting whether the first correlation strength has increased or decreased by a first threshold or more with respect to a predetermined first reference value, and also detecting whether the second correlation strength has increased or decreased by a second threshold or more with respect to a predetermined second reference value; and an estimation step of estimating at least two of the following: a condition of a road surface in contact with the tire, a tire internal pressure state, and a tire abrasion state.

Abstract: Linking parts are formed on one end of a first resin composite member and on one end of a second resin composite member in order to bond the ends together. For example, the linking parts may be wavy parts containing concave portions and convex portions. In this case, the wavy parts initially are heated and softened. Then, in a molding unit, respective pairs of confronting convex portions are overlapped with each other, and respective pairs of confronting concave portions are utilized to form a non-overlapping space. The overlapped convex portions are pressed and crushed, such that a base thermoplastic resin and fibers contained therein flow toward the non-overlapping space. Thereafter, the thermoplastic resin is cooled and hardened, whereby the first resin composite member and the second resin composite member are bonded integrally to obtain a resin composite structure.

Abstract: A substrate treatment apparatus includes a turntable, a rotative drive unit, a holding pin provided on the turntable, a protection disk for covering a lower surface of a substrate, and a magnetic levitation mechanism that levitates the protection disk from the turntable. The protection disk is vertically movable relative to the turntable between a lower position and an adjacent position above the lower position and close to a lower surface of the substrate. The magnetic levitation mechanism includes a protection disk permanent magnet and an annual guard permanent magnet held by a splash guard. When a guard drive mechanism moves up the splash guard, the protection disk is levitated from the turntable and held at the adjacent position by a magnetic repulsive force generated between the permanent magnets.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a drum cartridge including an image bearing member, a developing cartridge including a developing unit for developing the image formed on the image bearing member, and a cartridge mounting member to which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are detachably mountable. In addition, a transferring unit transfers a visualized image on the image bearing member onto the recording material fed along a feeding path, and an opening and closing cover is provided across the feeding path from the image bearing member. A path of removing the detachable developing cartridge is accessed by opening the opening and closing cover and extends across the feeding path so as to permit the developing cartridge to pass through the feeding path without removing the drum cartridge.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image pickup device including ADCs that can be arranged in a limited space. The potential of a pixel signal outputted through a vertical readout line is held at a node. A plurality of capacitors are capacitively coupled to the node at which the pixel signal is held. The potential of the node is decreased in a stepwise manner by sequentially switching the voltages of the counter electrodes of the capacitors by the control of transistors. A comparator compares the potential of the node with the potential of the dark state of the pixel, and determines the upper bits of a digital value when the potential of the node becomes lower than the potential of the dark state. Following this, the conversion of the lower bits of the digital value is started. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of each ADC and arrange each ADC in a limited space.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for adjusting the relative speed between an input and output member. The transmission being configured with four planetary gears, the first having first to third rotary elements, the second having fourth to sixth rotary elements, the third having seventh to ninth rotary elements, the fourth having tenth to twelfth rotary elements. Three couplings between (i) first and sixth rotary elements, (ii) second and fifth rotary elements, and (iii) eighth and twelfth rotary elements. Three clutches are provided between (i) the second coupling and input member, (ii) third coupling and input member, and (iii) seventh rotary element and input member. Three brakes are provided at (i) the fourth rotary element, (ii) third coupling element, and (iii) tenth rotary element. The output member is connected to the third rotary element.

Abstract: First and second composite members each containing first discontinuous fibers of fiber length La, are placed such that end surfaces thereof face each other at an interval of first length L1. Ends of the first and second composite members are melted over a second length L2 from the end surfaces. A connecting member containing second discontinuous fibers of fiber length Lb, is melted and placed to bridge a space between the ends, to form a stack. The stack is pressed, whereby the melted connecting member and the melted end portions flow into the space between the end surfaces to form a mixture portion. The mixture portion is cooled and solidified to produce a fiber-reinforced resin bonded body. The first length L1 is equal to or more than ½ of the fiber length Lb, and the second length L2 is equal to or more than the fiber length La.

Abstract: A rotating member provided on an end of a stretching member is rotatable around a rotating axis inclined with respect to the shaft of the stretching member. In order that, when a belt end winds around the rotating member, the belt end winds around an outer side of an entry position where the belt end enters the rotating member, an outer circumferential surface of the rotating member in an area in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the belt is inclined with respect to a belt contact surface.

Abstract: There is a need to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus capable of highly accurately analog-to-digital converting an analog voltage output from a pixel circuit. The solid-state imaging apparatus supplies a counter code to an integral A/D converter. The counter code CD includes 3-phase clock signals and gray signals. The clock signals each have a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 8 and allow phases to shift from each other by specified cycle. The gray signals linearly increase count values at a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 4. The counter code reverses only the logical level of a signal when a count value changes. A count value error can be limited to a minimum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a sheet feeding portion configured to feed a sheet to a sheet conveying path; an image forming portion configured to form an image on the sheet; a sheet discharging portion configured to discharge the sheet; a sheet re-conveying path configured to guide the sheet on which the image has been formed to the sheet conveying path again; an original feeding portion configured to feed an original; an original feeding path configured to guide the original to the sheet re-conveying path; an image reading portion configured to read an image of the original; an original discharging path configured to guide the original guided along the sheet re-conveying path to an original discharging portion; and an original conveying portion configured to convey the original which has been guided along the original feeding path toward the original discharging path.

Abstract: An airbag of a side airbag apparatus includes an upstream inflation portion, which inflates by inflation gas, and deploys frontward at a side of a vehicle seat. An opening is provided at a wall portion of the upstream inflation portion. A pressure regulator valve closes before an occupant is restrained by the upstream inflation portion, thereby restricting the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion from flowing through the opening. Upon the occupant restraint, the pressure regulator valve cancels the restriction in response to a change in a tensed state of the dividing portion by an external force applied due to the restraint. A tear seam that connects valve body portions of the pressure regulator valve delays the opening time of the pressure regulator valve upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion relative to the opening time set only by the pressure regulator valve.

Abstract: A fuel evaporative gas treatment device for a fuel tank is used in a motorcycle including a combustion engine with a supercharger. The fuel evaporative gas treatment device includes a canister which contains an adsorbent for adsorbing fuel evaporative gas from the fuel tank, a communication passage which communicates between an air intake passage for the combustion engine and the canister, and a check valve provided on the communication passage. The check valve blocks fluid flow from the air intake passage to the canister and permits fluid flow from the canister to the air intake passage.

Abstract: A fuel tank is disposed between a head pipe and a rider's seat of a motorcycle. A combustion engine is disposed below the fuel tank, and a canister is disposed between the head pipe and the fuel tank. A check valve is disposed on a communication pipe unit which connects the canister and an air intake passage. Both ends of the first communication pipe are supported by the combustion engine through a throttle body and the check valve, respectively.

Abstract: An automatic transmission that shifts power applied to an input member and outputs the shifted power to an output member, the automatic transmission including a first planetary gear mechanism, a third planetary gear mechanism, a compound planetary gear mechanism, a first clutch, a second clutch, a third clutch, a fourth clutch a first brake, and a second brake.

Abstract: There is provided a projection-type display apparatus which solves the problem that when an amount of electric power applied to light sources is adjusted, the amount of electric power involved in the cooling of LEDs becomes greater than necessary. Coolers (107R, 107G, 107B) cool light sources (103R, 103G, 103B). Light sensor (111) detects the brightness of a surrounding area. Light case temperature detectors (112R, 112G, 112B) detect case temperatures which are the temperatures of cases of light sources (103R, 103G, 103B). Light source forward voltage detectors (113R, 113G, 113B) detect forward voltages of light sources (103R, 103G, 103B). Light source forward current detectors (114R, 114G, 114B) detect forward currents of light sources (103R, 103G, 103B). Adjuster (117) adjusts the amount of cooling power of coolers (107R, 107G, 107B) based on the forward voltage, the forward current, and the case temperatures.