Abstract: A tube joint including a joint body having a tube connection mechanism at one end and a coupling member coupled integrally with the other end of the joint body, where the tube connection mechanism is provided with a packing surrounding an outer surface of a tube to be inserted to function as a seal, and a stopper member for fixing the packing to prevent sliding movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive device for one or more series-connected cold cathode fluorescent lamps having an electrical terminal at each end. The drive device has a piezoelectric transformer for converting by means of the piezoelectric effect a primary ac input applied to primary electrodes to a secondary ac output, which is removed from secondary electrodes; a drive arrangement for applying the primary ac input to the primary electrodes; and a brightness control circuit for controlling brightness. The drive device is configured so that the end electrical terminals of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp can be connected between the two secondary electrodes. The brightness control circuit detects the phase difference between the secondary ac output and the primary ac input. When the detected phase difference is greater than a specified phase difference, the drive arrangement reduces the power of the primary ac input applied to the primary electrodes.

Abstract: A method and unit for driving a small high-efficiency piezoelectric transformer allowing a cold-cathode tube to have stable luminance by detecting only an active current flowing in the cold-cathode tube based on a phase difference between an output current and voltage of the piezoelectric transformer, removing a reactive current caused by stray capacitance formed between the cold-cathode tube and a reflector, and accurately controlling driving of the piezoelectric transformer so that a constant active current is detected.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for driving a cathode discharge tube such that the discharge starting voltage can be lowered by simple construction. At the start of lighting a cathode discharge tube light, AC voltage applied to the cathode discharge tube is raised at a speed slower than a rise speed of the cathode discharge tube. By lighting the cathode discharge tube in this way, the lighting start voltage can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of driving a piezoelectric transformer and a power source apparatus using the same. For a circuit for driving a piezoelectric transformer which steps up a voltage input from a primary electrode by a piezoelectric effect to output the stepped up voltage from a secondary electrode, the gradient (linear differential value) of a step-up ratio at the piezoelectric transformer is detected, and the detected gradient is used to control the driving frequency for the piezoelectric transformer so that the driving frequency approaches to the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric transformer.

Abstract: The piezoelectric transformer of the present invention has a piezoelectric element 109 mainly formed of a piezoelectric material, primary electrodes 101U and 101D which are formed on the piezoelectric element 109 and to which a voltage is applied, a secondary electrode 102 which is formed on the piezoelectric element 109 and from which a voltage higher than the voltage applied to the primary electrode is output, and a sensor electrode 103 which is formed on the piezoelectric element 109 and from which a voltage lower than the output voltage of the secondary electrode is output.

Abstract: A driving method and a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer are capable of driving the piezoelectric transformer with high driving efficiency independently of an impedance change of a load such as a cold cathode tube by corresponding to the characteristic variance of the piezoelectric transformer, thereby also suppressing mechanical damage to be imposed on the piezoelectric transformer itself even if the load changes abruptly. The piezoelectric transformer is driven with a predetermined first frequency, and a power supply for a load connected to the secondary side of the piezoelectric transformer is started, and when an impedance of a load changes and reaches a predetermined impedance during the power supply, the driving frequency of the piezoelectric transformer is changed without a sweep from the first frequency to a predetermined second frequency.

Abstract: A method and unit for driving a small high-efficiency piezoelectric transformer allowing a cold-cathode tube to have stable luminance by detecting only an active current flowing in the cold-cathode tube based on a phase difference between an output current and voltage of the piezoelectric transformer, removing a reactive current caused by stray capacitance formed between the cold-cathode tube and a reflector, and accurately controlling driving of the piezoelectric transformer so that a constant active current is detected.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer has;a rectangular plate having a principal direction coinciding with a longitudinal direction or a lateral direction, said plate being made of a piezoelectric material;one set of primary electrodes which are formed on faces of said rectangular plate, respectively, said faces being opposed to each other in a thickness direction; andone set of secondary electrodes which are formed on said rectangular plate, whereinat least one of said primary electrodes covers a center portion of said rectangular plate with respect to said principal direction, and is disposed so as not to overlap with end portions of said rectangular plate with respect to said principal direction,each of said secondary electrodes consists of a single electrode member, andan AC voltage applied between said primary electrodes causes said rectangular plate to produce such a mechanical vibration of a half wave length that said rectangular plate expands and contracts in said principal direction, thereby outputting a volta

Abstract: A process of forming burned patterns and a burning pattern sheet for use in the process are disclosed, the process comprising forming patterns composed of a burning ink on one surface of a tacky member composed of a flexible base material and an adhesive layer or between both the layers, adhering the tacky member to an article through the adhesive layer, and burning the assembly to form a burned pattern product fixed to the surface of the article.

Abstract: A sheet for formation of a burned pattern and a burning label are disclosed. The sheet comprises a shape retaining layer comprising an organic binder and glass powder which is retained in a sheet form by the organic binder, the shape retaining layer further comprising mica powder covered with an oxide type ceramic compound.

Abstract: A dual type exhaust system is used in an automobile having an internal combustion engine with transversely mounted front and rear rows of cylinders. Two exhaust pipe assemblies extend from the front and rear rows of cylinders, respectively, toward the back of the car body. The two assemblies are arranged side by side in a space formed in a floor panel. The exhaust pipe assemblies are, respectively, provided with catalytic converters offset in a lengthwise direction of the car body with respect to the space relative to each other so as to be arranged in a straight line in the space.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle has a tilt mechanism for adjusting the height of a steering wheel. The steering wheel can be tilted through a larger angular range while the vehicle is parking but is inhibited from being tilted out of a smaller angular range included in the larger angular range while the vehicle is running.

Abstract: A steering system for use in an automotive vehicle includes a steering shaft inclined at a fixed angle with respect to a vehicle body, an air bag module securely mounted on one end of the steering shaft, and a steering wheel pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the steering shaft. The steering wheel can be tilted relative to the steering shaft.