Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator that rotates and includes an inner face. A pressure rotator is disposed opposite the fixing rotator and rotates. A nip former sandwiches the fixing rotator together with the pressure rotator to form a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The nip former includes an outer face disposed opposite the inner face of the fixing rotator. The inner face of the fixing rotator and the outer face of the nip former sandwich a lubricant. At least one of the inner face of the fixing rotator and the outer face of the nip former includes a projection having a volume smaller than 0.3 ml/m2 and a recess having a spatial volume greater than 0.08 ml/m2. The volume and the spatial volume are three-dimensional surface roughness parameters, respectively, defined by the International Organization for Standardization 25178 standard in an initial state before the fixing rotator rotates.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator that rotates and a fixing device cover. The fixing device cover includes an interior face that is disposed opposite the rotator, a first aperture that is disposed opposite the rotator, and a recess that surrounds the first aperture and extends in a gravity direction. A frame is interposed between the interior face of the fixing device cover and the rotator. The frame includes a second aperture that is disposed opposite the rotator and the first aperture. A rib is mounted on the frame and extends from the second aperture toward the interior face of the fixing device cover.

Abstract: A timing signal generation device includes: an output terminal that outputs a standard signal; a first standard signal generation unit that generates a first standard signal based on a reference signal input from outside; a second standard signal generation unit that generates a second standard signal based on a signal output from an oscillator; and a control unit that switches the standard signal output from the output terminal from the first standard signal to the second standard signal based on prior information indicating that accuracy of the reference signal deteriorates.

Abstract: A fixing device that includes a rotatable endless fixing member, a fixing heat source which heats the fixing member, a pressure member provided on the outside of the fixing member and facing the fixing member, a nip forming member provided inside the fixing member and forming a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressure member, a nip forming support member for supporting the nip forming member, a high-thermal-conductive member provided between the fixing member and the nip forming member, an adhesive provided between the high-thermal-conductive member and the nip forming member. The thermal conductivity of the adhesive is larger than the thermal conductivity of the nip forming member and lower than the thermal conductivity of the high-thermal-conductive member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless fixing rotator, a heater, a nip formation pad, and a pressure rotator. The heater is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. The nip formation pad is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator that is slidable over the nip formation pad. The pressure rotator is configured to press against the nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed while being sandwiched between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The nip formation pad includes a base and a thermal equalizer having a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of the base. The nip formation pad has a nip face opposite the fixing nip. The thermal equalizer is disposed in at least part of the nip face.

Abstract: A switch may include a movable board and a pole board having an inner surface on which a fixed contact point is exposed, the inner surface facing the movable board. A movable contact point may be supported by the movable board and may include a plurality of contact pieces making resilient contact with the inner surface of the pole board. The switch may also include an output terminal corresponding to the fixed contact point. The movable contact point and the fixed contact point may come in contact with each other when a position of the movable contact point is changed via a displacement of the movable board. The fixed contact point and the output terminal may be connected via a board having a disconnection detection circuit. The board may be enclosed in an insulating seal material.

Abstract: Provided is a thin-film laminate structure of mixed ionic-electronic conductive electrolyte and electrode which, when used as a solid oxide cell electrolyte, enables the ionic transference number to be increased even without using a costly noble metal. The laminate structure of mixed ionic-electronic conductive electrolyte and electrode comprises a dense electrolyte layer (1), a porous electrolyte layer (2), and a porous electrode (3). The dense electrolyte layer (1) has a film thickness of 1 to 15 ?m and a relative density of 95 to 100 vol %, and contains a first oxide having mixed ionic-electronic conductivity. The porous electrolyte layer (2) is laminated on the dense electrolyte layer (1), has a film thickness of 1 to 10 ?m and a relative density of 30 to 90 vol %, and contains a second oxide having mixed ionic-electronic conductivity. The porous electrode (3) is laminated on the porous electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and a pressure rotator that is disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A nip former is disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing rotator and disposed opposite the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The fixing rotator slides over the nip former. A flange supports the fixing rotator at both lateral ends of the fixing rotator in a longitudinal direction of the fixing rotator. The nip former includes a base and a thermal conductor that has a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the base. The base is greater than the thermal conductor in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rotator. The base includes a groove that is disposed outboard at least from the thermal conductor in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rotator.

Abstract: An electrolyte of a solid oxide cell is required to be capable of suppressing both gas cross-leak and electron leak. In addition, it is important from the viewpoint of a reduction in material costs and in the electric resistance of the electrolyte that the electrolyte is made into a thin film and that no expensive noble metal is used. The present invention provides a thin-film-shaped proton conducting electrolyte capable of suppressing both gas cross-leak and electron leak, a solid oxide cell using the proton conducting electrolyte, and a manufacturing method for the proton conducting electrolyte and the solid oxide cell. A proton conducting electrolyte using an oxide material having proton conductivity is provided. The proton conducting electrolyte includes a first portion containing Me (Me=at least any one of Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu), and a second portion different in Me content from the first portion.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator that is flexible, endless, and rotatable. A heater heats the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator is disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A nip former defines a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A support supports the nip former. The nip former includes a back face that contacts the support and has a nonlinear shape in a longitudinal direction of the nip former.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator and a pressure rotator that is disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A nip former is disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing rotator and disposed opposite the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The fixing rotator slides over the nip former. A flange supports the fixing rotator at both lateral ends of the fixing rotator in a longitudinal direction of the fixing rotator. The nip former includes a base and a thermal conductor that has a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the base. The base is greater than the thermal conductor in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rotator. The base includes a groove that is disposed outboard at least from the thermal conductor in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rotator.

Abstract: An aerobic exercise assistance apparatus 1 includes an input/output unit 131 that, under control by a control unit, gives a user a question and accepts an input of an answer from the user to the question while the user performs the aerobic exercise. The control unit controls the load application driving unit 110, 120 to change the load applied by the load application driving unit 110, 120, based on a correct answer ratio of the user for the question and timing of the answer to the question by the user.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator that is flexible, endless, and rotatable. A heater heats the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator is disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A nip former defines a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A support supports the nip former. The nip former includes a back face that contacts the support and has a nonlinear shape in a longitudinal direction of the nip former.

Abstract: A composite particle powder includes an electron-conducting material and an ion-conducting material that are agglomerated together; the composite particle powder having a volume-based 50% particle diameter (D50) of 0.1 to 2.0 ?m in particle size distribution measurement, a volume-based D75/D25 of 1.1 to 2.2 in particle size distribution measurement, D50 and a BET specific surface that satisfy the following: (I) 0.1 ?m?D50?0.5 ?m, larger than 20 m2/g and 200 m2/g or less; (II) 0.5 ?m<D50?0.9 ?m, larger than 4 m2/g and 50 m2/g or less; (III) 0.9 ?m<D50?1.3 ?m, larger than 2.5 m2/g and 30 m2/g or less; and (IV) 1.3 ?m<D50?2.0 ?m, larger than 2 m2/g and 20 m2/g or less; and an ion-conducting material content of 35 to 75 mass %. A low electrode resistance can be provided using the material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that includes a heater to heat a fixing rotator, an opposed rotator to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, and at least one rotary body to convey a recording medium to the fixing nip. A controller rotates the fixing rotator in a forward direction to fix a toner image on the recording medium. The controller stops the heater and rotates the fixing rotator in a predetermined rotation direction when a failure occurs while the fixing device is activated. The controller determines that the predetermined rotation direction is the forward direction or a backward direction according to the at least one rotary body that sandwiches the recording medium, if the fixing nip and the at least one rotary body sandwich the recording medium simultaneously when the failure occurs while the fixing device is activated.

Abstract: A switch may include a movable board and a pole board having an inner surface on which a fixed contact point is exposed, the inner surface facing the movable board. A movable contact point may be supported by the movable board and may include a plurality of contact pieces making resilient contact with the inner surface of the pole board. The switch may also include an output terminal corresponding to the fixed contact point. The movable contact point and the fixed contact point may come in contact with each other when a position of the movable contact point is changed via a displacement of the movable board. The fixed contact point and the output terminal may be connected via a board having a disconnection detection circuit. The board may be enclosed in an insulating seal material.