Abstract: A ramp system includes: a ramp main body provided in a door opening and configured to be able to advance from a vehicle floor toward a road surface; a ramp-state detection device configured to detect an advancing-retracting state of the ramp main body; a display device configured to display an image in a display area observable from an operator seat; and a UI controller configured to control display on the display device. The UI controller causes the display device to display a state image including an image indicative of the advancing-retracting state.

Abstract: A sheet feed unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet feed unit body and a sheet cassette. The sheet feed unit body includes a first frame and a first contact face provided on the first frame. The sheet cassette, which is withdrawable from the sheet feed unit body, includes a second frame, a second contact face provided on the second frame, and a separator. The second contact face is attached to the first contact face when to set the sheet cassette at a position in the sheet feed unit body. The separator is inserted between the first contact face and the second contact face to separate the sheet cassette and the sheet feed unit body, and is disengaged from the first contact face and the second contact face to set the sheet cassette at the position in the sheet feed unit body.

Abstract: A sheet feed unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet feed unit body and a sheet cassette. The sheet feed unit body includes a first frame and a first contact face provided on the first frame. The sheet cassette, which is withdrawable from the sheet feed unit body, includes a second frame, a second contact face provided on the second frame, and a separator. The second contact face is attached to the first contact face when to set the sheet cassette at a position in the sheet feed unit body. The separator is inserted between the first contact face and the second contact face to separate the sheet cassette and the sheet feed unit body, and is disengaged from the first contact face and the second contact face to set the sheet cassette at the position in the sheet feed unit body.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an abutting member arranged at a position between an upstream side of a fixing roller and a downstream side of a heating roller in a moving direction of a fixing belt so as to abut against the fixing belt and expand a fixing region. The fixing device may also include a first supporting member and a second supporting member, which supports the fixing belt, etc., with respect to the first supporting member. An angle, formed between an approaching direction of a sheet-like recording medium and a line tangential to an upstream end of the fixing region in the moving direction of the fixing belt, is set equal to 20° or larger.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an abutting member arranged at a position between an upstream side of a fixing roller and a downstream side of a heating roller in a moving direction of a fixing belt so as to abut against the fixing belt and expand a fixing region. The fixing device may also include a first supporting member and a second supporting member, which supports the fixing belt, etc., with respect to the first supporting member. An angle, formed between an approaching direction of a sheet-like recording medium and a line tangential to an upstream end of the fixing region in the moving direction of the fixing belt, is set equal to 20° or larger.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium includes a heating roller, a fixing roller, an endless fixing belt extended around at least the heating roller and the fixing roller and configured to be heated by the heating roller, a pressing roller disposed opposite to the fixing roller via the fixing belt, a temperature detecting member configured to detect a surface temperature of the heating roller, and a control device configured to control a surface temperature of the fixing belt at a predetermined temperature based on a surface temperature of the heating roller detected by the temperature detecting member. The temperature detecting member contacts a circumferential surface of the heating roller where the fixing belt is not extended around, such that the temperature detecting member is held in a low frictional relation to the circumferential surface of the heating roller.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an abutting member arranged at a position between an upstream side of a fixing roller and a downstream side of a heating roller in a moving direction of a fixing belt so as to abut against the fixing belt and expand a fixing region. The fixing device may also include a first supporting member and a second supporting member, which supports the fixing belt, etc., with respect to the first supporting member. An angle, formed between an approaching direction of a sheet-like recording medium and a line tangential to an upstream end of the fixing region in the moving direction of the fixing belt, is set equal to 20° or larger.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device having contacts for a charge sweeping component or the like, with which increases in dark current can be suppressed while increases in contact resistance and the production of alloy spikes can be prevented, and a method for manufacturing this device. A solid-state imaging device has a charge accumulator for producing and accumulating signal charges when light is received, and a charge transfer component for transferring these signal charges, including a conductive layer 18 formed on a substrate 10, such as a silicon layer or metal wiring; an insulating film 21 formed over the conductive layer 18; an opening CH formed over the insulating film 21 and leading to the conductive layer 18; and a wiring layer 34 composed of aluminum containing copper in an amount between 0.4 and 5 wt %, formed at least inside the opening CH contiguously with the surface of the conductive layer 18.

Abstract: Object: To provide a solid-state imaging device having contacts for a charge sweeping component or the like, with which increases in dark current can be suppressed while increases in contact resistance and the production of alloy spikes can be prevented, and to provide a method for manufacturing this device.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an abutting member arranged at a position between an upstream side of a fixing roller and a downstream side of a heating roller in a moving direction of a fixing belt so as to abut against the fixing belt and expand a fixing region. The fixing device may also include a first supporting member and a second supporting member, which supports the fixing belt, etc., with respect to the first supporting member. An angle, formed between an approaching direction of a sheet-like recording medium and a line tangential to an upstream end of the fixing region in the moving direction of the fixing belt, is set equal to 20° or larger.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium includes a heating roller, a fixing roller, an endless fixing belt extended around at least the heating roller and the fixing roller and configured to be heated by the heating roller, a pressing roller disposed opposite to the fixing roller via the fixing belt, a temperature detecting member configured to detect a surface temperature of the heating roller, and a control device configured to control a surface temperature of the fixing belt at a predetermined temperature based on a surface temperature of the heating roller detected by the temperature detecting member. The temperature detecting member contacts a circumferential surface of the heating roller where the fixing belt is not extended around, such that the temperature detecting member is held in a low frictional relation to the circumferential surface of the heating roller.

Abstract: A steering device is mounted in a limited space in a small engine compartment, thereby providing improved efficiency for assembly on production lines and improved vehicle maintenance. A steering column extends upward diagonally from in front of an engine into a driver's cabin. When seen from above the vehicle, the steering column extends from the front of the engine to driver's cabin through a space formed between the engine and a side member of a chassis frame. A steering shaft and a middle shaft of the steering column are connected via a joint, which passes along the side of the engine. The joint has a pair of tightening bolt holes, and serrations. Both shafts also have serrations mating with the serrations on the joint. One of the bolts is loosely fitted into one of the bolt holes during installation. A flat cavity on one of the joining shafts receives the loosely fitted tightening bolt. The flat cavity permits limited in and out motion of the joint for setting the final position of the joint.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image carrying member bearing an electrostatic image wherein the electrostatic image is visualized into a toner image by a developing device. The image carrying member is arranged for transferring the toner image to an intermediate transfer element while the image carrying member and intermediate transfer element are moving at a usual speed corresponding to the speed of movement of the image carrying member during toner image development. Multiple such toner images of different colors may be transferred in this manner to form multi-color images superimposed on the intermediate transfer element for subsequent transfer to a recording medium, usually paper.

Abstract: A glass ceramic substrate is formed on a glass ceramic insulating layer with a conductor connecting a plurality of circuit patterns which are to be independent of each other as to electrical function. Baking the glass-ceramic insulating layer with the conductor, and opening by cutting after baking, forms a plurality of independent circuits with improved electrical resistance between them.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image carrying member bearing an electrostatic image wherein the electrostatic image is visualized into a toner image by a developing device. The image carrying member is arranged for transferring the toner image to an intermediate transfer element while the image carrying member and intermediate transfer element are moving at a usual speed corresponding to the speed of movement of the image carrying member during toner image development. Multiple such toner images of different colors may be transferred in this manner to form multi-color images superimposed on the intermediate transfer element for subsequent transfer to a recording medium, usually paper.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a cathode-ray tube having an electron gun in which a voltage-dividing resistor is disposed, metal straps are disposed on the right and left of the electron gun. When metal deposited films for stabilizing a potential are formed on the inner wall of a neck portion of corresponding portions or the like by a radio-frequency heating means, metal deposited films of substantially the same thickness can be formed.

Abstract: An image generating device is provided with a control mechanism which controls an exit paper delivery speed after an image has been fixed to a form. The exit paper delivery speed is changed depending on information detected about the process of generating the image to prevent the form from being delivered with wrinkles. The information detected includes size of paper intervals between forms, length of forms, and whether the image generating process is a repeat copying or continuous form feeding process.

Abstract: An implosion-resistant band on a screen panel of a cathode-ray tube body has a metallic band element having a plurality of corners, and a plurality of holders mounted respectively on the corners. Each of the holders includes a flange held against and welded to one of the corners, an attachment arm bent from one edge of the flange, and a stack retainer extending from an opposite edge of the flange and offset out of contact with the metallic band element. The retainer has a central recess opening away from the attachment arm.