Abstract: A speaker comprising a diaphragm including a first layer defining a coil receiving opening therein, and a second layer attached to the first layer and traversing the coil receiving opening. The speaker further comprises a coil having an end extending into the coil receiving opening and abutting against a surface of the second layer that traverses the coil receiving opening. Thus, transmission efficiency between the coil and diaphragm is improved, which improves the audio quality of the speaker.

Abstract: A speaker comprising a diaphragm including a first layer defining a coil receiving opening therein, and a second layer attached to the first layer and traversing the coil receiving opening. The speaker further comprises a coil having an end extending into the coil receiving opening and abutting against a surface of the second layer that traverses the coil receiving opening. Thus, transmission efficiency between the coil and diaphragm is improved, which improves the audio quality of the speaker.

Abstract: A spark plug includes: a metallic shell having a through hole extending in a direction of an axis; a cap covering an opening in the metallic shell; a melt portion formed between the cap and the metallic shell to join the cap and the metallic shell to each other; and a gap extending from a specific space which is surrounded by the metallic shell and the cap to the melt portion and interposed between the metallic shell and the cap.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a vibration part configured to generate an acoustic vibration, a tube having a cavity that faces the vibration part, and at least one open tube connected to the tube via a first open end and a second open end. A length of the at least one open tube is an integer-fold of substantially a half of a wavelength of a standing wave produced in the tube. The first open end is positioned substantially at an anti-node of the standing wave produced in the tube.

Abstract: A spark plug includes: a metallic shell having a through hole extending in a direction of an axis; a cap covering an opening in the metallic shell; a melt portion formed between the cap and the metallic shell to join the cap and the metallic shell to each other; and a gap extending from a specific space which is surrounded by the metallic shell and the cap to the melt portion and interposed between the metallic shell and the cap.

Abstract: In a walking assistance device (10) that can transmit the power generated by a power generator (26, 28) to a femoral part of a user, a swing arm (60, 62) is attached to an output member of the power generator at a base end thereof, and is connected to a femoral support plate (68, 70) at a free end thereof via a pivot joint (64). The pivot joint includes a spherical projection (100) provided on the free end of the swing arm and a socket (112) provided on the femoral support plate, the socket defining a spherical recess (110) configured to receive the spherical projection to permit a tilting movement of the femoral support plate at least in two directions with respect to the free end of the swing arm. Thereby, the femoral support plate is enabled to accommodate the build and/or the movement of the femoral part of the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a sensor stack of thin films including a free layer; a hard bias structure comprising a first foundation layer, a second foundation layer formed on the first foundation layer and a hard bias layer formed above the second foundation layer, wherein portions of the first and second foundation layers positioned along a side wall of the sensor stack have a discrete island structure. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a vibration part configured to generate an acoustic vibration, a tube having a cavity that faces the vibration part, and at least one open tube connected to the tube via a first open end and a second open end. A length of the at least one open tube is an integer-fold of substantially a half of a wavelength of a standing wave produced in the tube. The first open end is positioned substantially at an anti-node of the standing wave produced in the tube.

Abstract: A speaker, including: a casing having a baffle plate; and a sound source fixed to the baffle plate of the casing, wherein at least one cutout is formed in the baffle plate, the at least one cutout having a configuration in which a width of the at least one cutout increases with an increase in a distance from the sound source.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a sensor stack of thin films including a free layer; a hard bias structure comprising a first foundation layer, a second foundation layer formed on the first foundation layer and a hard bias layer formed above the second foundation layer, wherein portions of the first and second foundation layers positioned along a side wall of the sensor stack have a discrete island structure. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a robot capable of appropriately adjusting a position and the like of a main body in view of executing a specified task involving an interaction with a target object. While the position and posture of the main body (10) are being controlled according to a second target path, the robot (1) moves from a first specified area to a second specified area and stands there. In this state, a second position deviation (=the deviation of the position of the main body from a second target path) and a second posture deviation (=the deviation of the posture of the main body from a second target posture) are determined. According to the determination result, the second target path is corrected so that the subsequent position deviation and the like may be smaller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to prevent a head characteristic from being deteriorated by re-deposition or damage which occurs when a sensor film is etched, a track width is narrowed, and the head characteristic is stabilized. According to one embodiment, when it is assumed that the thickness of the sensor film on an air bearing surface is T, and a distance between an end of a medium layer that is interposed between a free layer and a pinned layer which comprise the sensor film and an end of the sensor film lowest portion, a relationship of 1.2×T?X?2.5×T is satisfied, and the ends of a pair of magnetic films which are in contact with both sides in the track-width direction through an insulator do not exist in the track central portion from the free layer end.

Abstract: A magnetic read head having a novel magnetic bias structure that provides improved magnetic biasing for improved free layer robustness and reduced Barkhausen noise. The bias structure includes hard magnetic layer formed over first and second under-layers. At least a portion of the first under-layer is formed as discrete islands of material, and the second under-layer is formed over the first under-layer. The first under-layer has a thickness of 0.25 to 0.75 nm. The novel seed layer structure causes hard magnetic layer to have a magnetic anisotropy that is substantially parallel with the free layer of the sensor stack even in regions adjacent to the sensor stack.

Abstract: In a walking assistance device (10) that can transmit the power generated by a power generator (26, 28) to a femoral part of a user, a swing arm (60, 62) is attached to an output member of the power generator at a base end thereof, and is connected to a femoral support plate (68, 70) at a free end thereof via a pivot joint (64). The pivot joint includes a spherical projection (100) provided on the free end of the swing arm and a socket (112) provided on the femoral support plate, the socket defining a spherical recess (110) configured to receive the spherical projection to permit a tilting movement of the femoral support plate at least in two directions with respect to the free end of the swing arm. Thereby, the femoral support plate is enabled to accommodate the build and/or the movement of the femoral part of the user.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for a mobile robot enabling the mobile robot to move relatively freely even during charging using a wiring member, while preventing occurrence of an inconvenience such as damage to the wiring member, is provided. The charging apparatus includes a charging power source, a control board which controls the charging power source, and a wiring members for use in supplying electric power from the charging power source to a battery mounted on the mobile robot. The wiring member is connected to the mobile robot to follow the movement of the robot. The charging apparatus further includes a detector which detects tension applied to the wiring member. When the wiring members is pulled, an appropriate measure to stop the mobile robot or disconnect the wiring member from the robot is taken in accordance with a signal from the tension detector.

Abstract: A charging system for a walking robot which charges a battery mounted on the walking robot by connecting a power supplying connector provided in a charging station to a power receiving connector in the walking robot, wherein the walking robot is capable of moving without significant restrictions during charging. The charging system includes a lock mechanism for locking the power supplying connector to the power receiving connector. A connector holder holds the power supplying connector detachably, an advancing/retracting mechanism advances and retracts the connector holder in the anteroposterior direction, and a lock operation mechanism performs a lock operation and an unlock operation of the lock mechanism via the connector holder. After an advance of the connector holder, the lock mechanism performs the lock operation to lock the power supplying connector to the power receiving connector. Thereafter, the connector holder is retracted out of the power supplying connector.

Abstract: Provided is a robot capable of appropriately adjusting a position and the like of a main body in view of executing a specified task involving an interaction with a target object. While the position and posture of the main body (10) are being controlled according to a second target path, the robot (1) moves from a first specified area to a second specified area and stands there. In this state, a second position deviation (=the deviation of the position of the main body from a second target path) and a second posture deviation (=the deviation of the posture of the main body from a second target posture) are determined. According to the determination result, the second target path is corrected so that the subsequent position deviation and the like may be smaller.

Abstract: A charging system for a legged mobile robot that facilitates positioning of a robot to be charged and does not put a load on the robot is provided. The charging system includes a battery 2, a power receiving connector 4 and a movable shutter member 5 capable of being opened and closed on a rear cover 3, which are provided on a robot 1, and a holder 21, a power supplying connector 22, a slide mechanism 23, a base plate 25, a charging power supply 26 and the like, which are provided on a charging station 20. The robot 1 performs a predetermined positioning on the base plate 25 and then moves the center of gravity rearward to connect the power receiving connector 4 to the power supplying connector 22. In this step, when the rear cover 3 of the robot 1 is guided by a first guide section 21a of the holder 21, the slide mechanism 23 allows the holder 21 to move horizontally. Thus, even if the robot 1 and the charging station 20 are slightly misaligned with each other, the robot 1 can be easily positioned correctly.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of charging a battery mounted on a robot while allowing the robot to remain stably still in the state of standing on its legs is provided. Driving a first connector backward while it is connected with a second connector would cause a body of the robot to tilt as if being pulled by the first connector. However, it is possible to prevent the posture of the robot from becoming unstable by utilizing the fact that the connected state of first signal terminals and second signal terminals is maintained in that state. The backward driving of the first connector is restricted when a charge control unit is capable of communicating with a control system via the first signal terminals and the second signal terminals. This prevents the undesirable event that the posture of the robot becomes unstable due to the first connector being driven backward unconditionally.

Abstract: For controlling operation of a vehicle-mounted fuel cell stack, a determination is made as to whether consumed electric power, measured during travel of a vehicle, is greater than standard electric power. If so, a generated electric power amount (output) of a fuel cell stack is judged to be great, in which case not only a fan is activated for rotation but also an air allocation mechanism is operated in an opening direction. In an alternative, information of a traveling velocity is also taken into account. Namely, when the fuel cell stack is operated in a vehicle traveling state where the vehicle's traveling velocity does not increase despite an increase in the electric power output from the cell stack, not only the fan is activated for rotation but also the air allocation mechanism is operated in the opening direction, so that a cooling-air flow amount can be increased.