Abstract: A liquid residual-amount detecting device includes an optical sensor having a pair of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion; and a plurality of liquid cartridges, each having a containing portion, a float disposed in the containing portion, and a light shielding portion displaced on a path that crosses an optical path of detection light in synchronization with displacement of the float, wherein the light shielding portions each having a size such that a light amount of the detection light, which the light receiving portion receives, cannot be made smaller than a predetermined light amount by alone; and wherein when the float is at a highest position, they are disposed to be aligned in a direction crossing the optical path so as to shield the optical path, and the light amount, which the light receiving portion receives, is made smaller than the predetermined light amount.

Abstract: In a toric lens comprising a toric surface having a fine uneven structure, the fine uneven structure includes a plurality of holes, the plurality of holes have a hole depth H and a surface opening diameter ?t which satisfy an expression of 0.3?H/?t?0.6, and (a) the plurality of holes have a hole structure having a cylindrical shape on a bottom surface side and a circular truncated cone shape having an opening diameter increasing toward a surface side, or (b) an angle ? formed between an opening portion and the surface of the plurality of holes satisfies 78°???85°.

Abstract: A liquid residual-amount detecting device includes an optical sensor having a pair of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion; and a plurality of liquid cartridges, each having a containing portion, a float disposed in the containing portion, and a light shielding portion displaced on a path that crosses an optical path of detection light in synchronization with displacement of the float, wherein the light shielding portions each having a size such that a light amount of the detection light, which the light receiving portion receives, cannot be made smaller than a predetermined light amount by alone; and wherein when the float is at a highest position, they are disposed to be aligned in a direction crossing the optical path so as to shield the optical path, and the light amount, which the light receiving portion receives, is made smaller than the predetermined light amount.

Abstract: In a toric lens comprising a toric surface having a fine uneven structure, the fine uneven structure includes a plurality of holes, the plurality of holes have a hole depth H and a surface opening diameter ?t which satisfy an expression of 0.3?H/?t?0.6, and (a) the plurality of holes have a hole structure having a cylindrical shape on a bottom surface side and a circular truncated cone shape having an opening diameter increasing toward a surface side, or (b) an angle ? formed between an opening portion and the surface of the plurality of holes satisfies 78°???85°.

Abstract: Provided are an optical element and a method of producing an optical element in which sufficient adhesion with an upper layer can be secured without damaging spectral characteristics. The production method includes the step of forming a first structural body in which a space part and a structural part are alternately and repeatedly arranged, the step of forming an etching stopper layer on an upper part of the structural part, and the step of forming a second structural body on the etching stopper layer by etching.

Abstract: A two-rear-wheel electric vehicle configured to lean its vehicle body frame when turning includes a vehicle body frame, a pair of right and left rear arms, a battery, and a shock absorber. The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe, a front inclined portion, a bottom portion, and a rear inclined portion. The front inclined portion extends obliquely downward and rearward from the head pipe. The bottom portion includes a front support portion that supports a front end portion of the shock absorber. The bottom portion extends rearward in a front-back direction of the vehicle from a rear end portion of the front inclined portion. The rear inclined portion includes a battery support portion, and extends obliquely upward and rearward from a rear end portion of the bottom portion. A swing shaft is positioned rearward of the front support portion and below the battery support portion.

Abstract: A two-rear-wheel electric vehicle configured to lean its vehicle body frame when turning includes a vehicle body frame, a pair of right and left rear arms, a battery, and a shock absorber. The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe, a front inclined portion, a bottom portion, and a rear inclined portion. The front inclined portion extends obliquely downward and rearward from the head pipe. The bottom portion includes a front support portion that supports a front end portion of the shock absorber. The bottom portion extends rearward in a front-back direction of the vehicle from a rear end portion of the front inclined portion. The rear inclined portion includes a battery support portion, and extends obliquely upward and rearward from a rear end portion of the bottom portion. A swing shaft is positioned rearward of the front support portion and below the battery support portion.

Abstract: An optical element having a three-dimensional structure which can function in a visible range and can improve adherence at a structural interface of the element, and a method of manufacturing the optical element. The optical element includes a substrate, and at least a first layer and a second layer on the substrate are manufactured such that each of the first layer and the second layer has a repetition structure of spaces and structural parts at a pitch equal to or less than a wavelength of visible light, and at an interface between the first layer and the second layer, overlapped structures are provided in which the repetition structure of the first layer and the repetition structure of the second layer overlap in a stack direction of the layers.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing an optical element, including: forming a frame portion on a substrate and forming a structural body in a space portion surrounded by the frame portion to thereby form a first optical member; disposing a second optical member on the first optical member in a reduced pressure environment to form an optical element in which the space portion is sealed in a pressure-reduced state; and exposing the optical element to the atmosphere to thereby bring the structural body and the second optical member into close contact with each other by a differential pressure between the atmosphere and the space portion sealed in the pressure-reduced state. Accordingly, it is possible to, when the optical element is bonded, suppress damage to the optical element during the bonding and further improve the function and strength of the optical element without use of an adhesive.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing an optical element having a structure, which is represented by a one-dimensional lattice, with high yield with the use of a sol-gel material. A titanium based sol-gel material is applied onto a substrate (1), and then is subjected to vacuum drying to form a titania sol layer (2) corresponding to a dried sol-gel film. Onto the titania sol layer (2), a line-and-space structure is transferred by embossing using a mold (3), and then the mold (3) is separated. Thus, a titania sol layer (4) having the structure is formed. Next, heating is performed to accelerate the dehydration condensation reaction of the sol-gel material to cure the sol-gel material, and thus a titanium oxide structure portion (5) having the line-and-space structure is formed.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical element having a three-dimensional structural part that can resolve problems associated with deterioration of optical characteristics that is caused by variations in the element shape in the conventional process and poor endurance caused by insufficient joining strength and the optical element produced by the method are provided. A method for producing an optical element configured by joining at least a first optical member and a second optical member formed from an oxide material includes the processes of forming a refractive index periodic structural part with a period equal to or less than a visible light wavelength on at least one of the first optical member and the second optical member, forming a joining layer composed of an oxygen-deficient oxide on the first optical member and the second optical member, tightly joining the first optical member and the second optical member by the joining layer, and oxidizing the joining layer after the tight joining.

Abstract: Provided are an optical element and a method of producing an optical element in which sufficient adhesion with an upper layer can be secured without damaging spectral characteristics. The production method includes the step of forming a first structural body in which a space part and a structural part are alternately and repeatedly arranged, the step of forming an etching stopper layer on an upper part of the structural part, and the step of forming a second structural body on the etching stopper layer by etching.

Abstract: An optical element having a three-dimensional structure which can function in a visible range and can improve adherence at a structural interface of the element, and a method of manufacturing the optical element. The optical element includes a substrate, and at least a first layer and a second layer on the substrate are manufactured such that each of the first layer and the second layer has a repetition structure of spaces and structural parts at a pitch equal to or less than a wavelength of visible light, and at an interface between the first layer and the second layer, overlapped structures are provided in which the repetition structure of the first layer and the repetition structure of the second layer overlap in a stack direction of the layers.

Abstract: An optical element having a three-dimensional structure which can function in a visible range and can improve adherence at a structural interface of the element, and a method of manufacturing the optical element. The optical element includes a substrate, and at least a first layer and a second layer on the substrate are manufactured such that each of the first layer and the second layer has a repetition structure of spaces and structural parts at a pitch equal to or less than a wavelength of visible light, and at an interface between the first layer and the second layer, overlapped structures are provided in which the repetition structure of the first layer and the repetition structure of the second layer overlap in a stack direction of the layers.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing an optical element, including: forming a frame portion on a substrate and forming a structural body in a space portion surrounded by the frame portion to thereby form a first optical member; disposing a second optical member on the first optical member in a reduced pressure environment to form an optical element in which the space portion is sealed in a pressure-reduced state; and exposing the optical element to the atmosphere to thereby bring the structural body and the second optical member into close contact with each other by a differential pressure between the atmosphere and the space portion sealed in the pressure-reduced state. Accordingly, it is possible to, when the optical element is bonded, suppress damage to the optical element during the bonding and further improve the function and strength of the optical element without use of an adhesive.

Abstract: An electric bicycle having a front cover unit for housing a controller having an indicator is provided. The front cover unit is attached to the body of the electric bicycle substantially near a steering shaft. The controller can be attached to an interior portion of the front cover unit. The indicator can be attached to the controller and can be exposed through a window in the front cover unit. The front cover unit can comprise a front surface cover member and a rear surface cover member. The front surface cover member can be attached to and detached from the rear surface cover member. The rear surface cover member can have a first recessed portion having a first window for exposing the indicator and a second recessed portion having a second window for exposing a power switch.

Abstract: A relative position detection device is designed with multiple Hall Effect sensors. In one embodiment, the multiple Hall Effect sensors comprise two different types of Hall Effect sensors. The two different types can be linear and digital. The output of the sensors is used to determine the position an accelerator control, such as a twist grip, and to control an engine or motor in accordance with the operator demand evidenced by the position of the accelerator control.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical element having a three-dimensional structural part that can resolve problems associated with deterioration of optical characteristics that is caused by variations in the element shape in the conventional process and poor endurance caused by insufficient joining strength and the optical element produced by the method are provided. A method for producing an optical element configured by joining at least a first optical member and a second optical member formed from an oxide material includes the processes of forming a refractive index periodic structural part with a period equal to or less than a visible light wavelength on at least one of the first optical member and the second optical member, forming a joining layer composed of an oxygen-deficient oxide on the first optical member and the second optical member, tightly joining the first optical member and the second optical member by the joining layer, and oxidizing the joining layer after the tight joining.

Abstract: A rotary electric machine capable of optionally adjusting output characteristic and an electric motor vehicle using the rotary electric machine are provided. A rotary electric machine is constituted with: a rotary shaft 220; a rotor 40 connected to the rotary shaft 220; a stator 31 placed opposite the rotor 40; a stepping motor 60 serving as an adjusting motor for adjusting the position of the rotor 40 relative to the stator 31 in the rotary axis direction; and a movable member 47 or the like that is engaged to the rotor 40 and converts the rotation of the adjusting motor 60 into the displacement of the movable member 47 in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 220.

Abstract: A rotary electrical machine includes a rotational shaft supported by a housing for rotation about an axis, a rotor coupled with the rotational shaft, and a stator fixed to the housing and oriented to face the rotor. A rotor position changing mechanism moves the rotor in an axial direction of the rotational shaft using a portion of a torque transmitted between the rotational shaft and the rotor as a driving force. The rotor position changing mechanism controls the strength of the magnetic field between the rotor and the stator by moving the rotor toward or away from the stator.