Abstract: An electricity storage device includes a stack of bipolar electrodes each including a steel sheet, and a plating layer provided on a surface of the steel sheet. The plating layer includes a base nickel-plating layer provided on the surface of the steel sheet, and a surface nickel-plating layer provided on the base nickel-plating layer, and having a surface roughness greater than that of the base nickel-plating layer.

Abstract: An electricity storage device includes a stack of bipolar electrodes each including a steel sheet, and a plating layer provided on a surface of the steel sheet. The plating layer includes a base nickel-plating layer provided on the surface of the steel sheet, and a surface nickel-plating layer provided on the base nickel-plating layer, and having a surface roughness greater than that of the base nickel-plating layer.

Abstract: A fiber bundle arranging device is provided that laminates fiber bundle layers formed of a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is engaged with arranged pins to have straight parts. The device includes a press roller and a first moving device. The press roller includes a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion of the press roller depresses the straight parts of the fiber bundle engaged with the pins toward the roots of the pins in the vicinity of the pin. The first moving device moves the press roller in the arrangement direction of the pins such that the peripheral portion sequentially intersects the straight parts of the fiber bundle.

Abstract: A cylinder 40 made of a magnetic material is fixed to an introduction pipe 34. An annular connection projection 401 is provided on the cylinder 40 and a disk 42 is connected to the connection projection 401 with an annular permanent magnet 43. The permanent magnet 43 is fixed to the disk 42 and connected to a distal end surface of the connection projection 401 by a magnetic force. A guide pipe 31 is fixed to the disk 42. The guide pipe 31 and the introduction pipe 34 are connected to each other in series by a connection portion 49 having the cylinder 40, the permanent magnet 43, and the disk 42. A fiber bundle F that is guided via a guide roller 33 is fed to an introduction hole 341 and a guide hole 311.

Abstract: A connection pipe 40A is fit in an introduction pipe 34A. A guide groove 342 extends on the side of the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction. A guide screw 41 is screwed on the peripheral face of the connection pipe 40A to penetrate through a peripheral wall of the connection pipe 40A. A distal end of the guide screw 41 enters the guide groove 342. The distal end of the guide screw 41 is movable in the Z-axis direction in the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A is movable relative to the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction within the range of the length of the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A and the guide pipes 31A are moved in the Z-axis direction with an air cylinder 43. Accordingly, when fiber bundles are arranged using a plurality of guide pipes, the guide pipe is prevented from being caught by a fiber bundle drawn out of another guide pipe.

Abstract: A connection pipe 40A is fit in an introduction pipe 34A. A guide groove 342 extends on the side of the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction. A guide screw 41 is screwed on the peripheral face of the connection pipe 40A to penetrate through a peripheral wall of the connection pipe 40A. A distal end of the guide screw 41 enters the guide groove 342. The distal end of the guide screw 41 is movable in the Z-axis direction in the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A is movable relative to the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction within the range of the length of the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A and the guide pipes 31A are moved in the Z-axis direction with an air cylinder 43. Accordingly, when fiber bundles are arranged using a plurality of guide pipes, the guide pipe is prevented from being caught by a fiber bundle drawn out of another guide pipe.

Abstract: A fiber bundle arranging device is provided that laminates fiber bundle layers formed of a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is engaged with arranged pins to have straight parts. The device includes a press roller and a first moving device. The press roller includes a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion of the press roller depresses the straight parts of the fiber bundle engaged with the pins toward the roots of the pins in the vicinity of the pin. The first moving device moves the press roller in the arrangement direction of the pins such that the peripheral portion sequentially intersects the straight parts of the fiber bundle.

Abstract: A guide roller 34 includes a cylindrical portion 44 fixed to a support shaft 341, flanges 45, 46 provided at he axial ends of the cylindrical portion 44, a plurality of columnar contact bars 47 extending between the flanges 45, 46. The contact bars 47 are annularly arranged about a rotational axis 340 of the guide roller 34. A fiber bundle F is wrapped around the guide roller 34 so as to contact some of the contact bars 47. The contact bars 47 form a circumferential guide surface S, which contacts the fiber bundle F, about the rotational axis 340. A plurality of through holes 451, 461 are formed in the flanges 45, 46.

Abstract: A cylinder 40 made of a magnetic material is fixed to an introduction pipe 34. An annular connection projection 401 is provided on the cylinder 40 and a disk 42 is connected to the connection projection 401 with an annular permanent magnet 43. The permanent magnet 43 is fixed to the disk 42 and connected to a distal end surface of the connection projection 401 by a magnetic force. A guide pipe 31 is fixed to the disk 42. The guide pipe 31 and the introduction pipe 34 are connected to each other in series by a connection portion 49 having the cylinder 40, the permanent magnet 43, and the disk 42. A fiber bundle F that is guided via a guide roller 33 is fed to an introduction hole 341 and a guide hole 311.

Abstract: Thickness direction thread insertion needles (11) each include a proximal end portion (12) and an insertion portion (13), which is formed thinner than the proximal end portion (12) and is selectively inserted in laminated fiber layers (23). The insertion portion (13) includes a distal end and a needle's eye formed close to the distal end. A coating (15) is formed on the insertion portion (13). The coating (16) has a surface roughness of 0.1 ?m or more and 0.7 ?m or less in terms of the center line average roughness Ra, and improves the wear resistance of the insertion portion (13). The thickness direction thread insertion needles (11) are used in producing a three-dimensional fibrous structure.

Abstract: Two flat fiber bundles of non-twisted filaments are arranged in an overlapped relationship or in a parallel and adjoining relationship, and held by a gripper at two points spaced apart from each other in the filament-extending direction. Compressed air is injected from a nozzle to the overlapped portion of the fiber bundles between the holding points at a plurality of positions arranged in the direction transverse to the filament-extending direction to cause the adjacent filaments to be entangled. The nozzle is moved across the fiber bundles while injecting air. Filaments are thus opened and rotated by the injected air, and thus entangled. A fiber bundle joining apparatus includes support sections and a receiving section provided in a base, a gripper cooperating with the support sections to grip overlapped ends of fiber bundles therebetween, a nozzle, and a regulating member to temporarily hold the fiber bundles and to allow the lower fiber bundle to be slackened.

Abstract: Two flat fiber bundles of non-twisted filaments are arranged in an overlapped relationship or in a parallel and adjoining relationship, and held by a gripper at two points spaced apart from each other in the filament-extending direction. Compressed air is injected from a nozzle to the overlapped portion of the fiber bundles between the holding points at a plurality of positions arranged in the direction transverse to the filament-extending direction to cause the adjacent filaments to be entangled. The nozzle is moved across the fiber bundles while injecting air. Filaments are thus opened and rotated by the injected air, and thus entangled. A fiber bundle joining apparatus includes support sections and a receiving section provided in a base, a gripper cooperating with the support sections to grip overlapped ends of fiber bundles therebetween, a nozzle, and a regulating member to temporarily hold the fiber bundles and to allow the lower fiber bundle to be slackened.

Abstract: Two flat fiber bundles of non-twisted filaments are arranged in an overlapped relationship or in a parallel and adjoining relationship, and held by a gripper at two points spaced apart from each other in the filament-extending direction. Compressed air is injected from a nozzle to the overlapped portion of the fiber bundles between the holding points at a plurality of positions arranged in the direction transverse to the filament-extending direction to cause the adjacent filaments to be entangled. The nozzle is moved across the fiber bundles while injecting air. Filaments are thus opened and rotated by the injected air, and thus entangled. A fiber bundle joining apparatus includes support sections and a receiving section provided in a base, a gripper cooperating with the support sections to grip overlapped ends of fiber bundles therebetween, a nozzle, and a regulating member to temporarily hold the fiber bundles and to allow the lower fiber bundle to be slackened.

Abstract: A step portion is provided between a serration portion of a metal-made yoke and a leading end portion thereof. During pressure insertion and joining, an FRP-made cylinder is pressure-inserted to the serration portion in a state that the circularity is enhanced by the step portion. Consequently, the pressure insertion and joining is carried out while making the depth of cut grooves uniform, thereby enhancing concentricity (joining accuracy).

Abstract: A connection yarn inserting apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional fabric. The apparatus inserts connection yarns into a lamination of fiber layers in a direction transverse to each fiber layer. The apparatus has insertion needles for inserting connection yarns into the lamination. The insertion needles are moved between a standby position, where the needles are separated from the lamination, and an operational position, where the needles penetrate the lamination. The lamination is clamped by a pair of opposed pressing members. The pressing members are operated by air cylinders. A stopper can be moved into and away from the moving range of the piston rod of each of the air cylinders. The stopper is actuated by an actuator. When the stoppers in the moving range of the associated piston rod, the stopper limits the stroke of the piston rod. This reduces the time necessary to move the associated piston rod and increases productivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for production of a three-dimensional fabric including laminated fiber layers having a fiber arranged along axial lines and a connection yarn inserted into the fiber layers to connect the fiber layers with each other are described. The fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber while folding the fiber back along the axial lines. The laminated fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber along axial lines, by engaging the fiber to a plurality of restriction members located with a predetermined pitch on a frame so as to surround an area where the connection fiber is inserted into the fiber layers, and then folding the fiber back along the axial lines. A plurality of yarn inserting needles arranged in a series together with the connection fiber are simultaneously thrust into the fiber layers until a holding section of each yarn inserting needle projects outside of the fiber layers to make a loop of the connection yarn at each holding section.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for production of a three-dimensional fabric including laminated fiber layers having a fiber arranged along axial lines and a connection yarn inserted into the fiber layers to connect the fiber layers with each other are described. The fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber while folding the fiber back along the axial lines. The laminated fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber along axial lines, by engaging the fiber to a plurality of restriction members located with a predetermined pitch on a frame so as to surround an area where the connection fiber is inserted into the fiber layers, and then folding the fiber back along the axial lines. A plurality of yarn inserting needles arranged in a series together with the connection fiber are simultaneously thrust into the fiber layers until a holding section of each yarn inserting needle projects outside of the fiber layers to make a loop of the connection yarn at each holding section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded product containing 65 to 95% by weight of a polymer composition and 5 to 35% by weight of an inorganic filler. The polymer composition is a mixture of 45 to 70 parts by weight of a polypropylene resin having a melt flow rare of 10 to 60 g/10 minute and containing 0 to 8% by weight of ethylene, and 30 to 55 parts by weight of an amorphous ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer. The proportion (D) of the filler and that (C) of the copolymer have the relation expressed as D>155-37 lnC. The copolymer is a mixture of 30 to 60% by weight of a high-molecular copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 380,000 to 1,000,000 and 40 to 70% by weight of a low-molecular one having weight-average molecular weight of 150,000 to 330,000. The product has a coefficient of linear expansion not exceeding 5.0.times.10.sup.-5 cm/cm/.degree.C.

Abstract: A long molded article having a skin layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, and a core layer coated with said skin layer which is composed of 30 to 70% by weight of a matrix phase composed of a polypropylene resin and 70 to 30% by weight of one dispersed phase selected from the group consisting of ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymers and styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers. According to the present invention, there can be obtained a long molded article such as a side molding for automobile, which is excellent in attractiveness after mounting, dimensional stability, etc.

Abstract: A glass fiber reinforced resin composition is prepared, the composition consisting essentially of:(1) 45 to 83% by weight of a crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymer exhibiting a melt flow rate of 20 to 100 grams/10 minutes, comprising (i) an ethylene component in an amount of 3 to 12% by weight, and (ii) components having low molecular weights falling within the range of 1,000 to 50,000 in weight average molecular weight and soluble in chloroform at room temperature, in an amount of 0.3 to 3.5% by weight;(2) 2 to 20% by weight of a polypropylene resin modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid derivative; and(3) 15 to 35% by weight of glass fiber. A wheel cap molded from the glass fiber reinforced resin composition has an excellent appearance, impact strength, rigidity, mechanical strength and thermal resistance, and can be manufactured at a low cost.