Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for detecting the failure of a device without depending on A computer. A movable body position detecting device includes: a movable body (shift lever) that has a cylindrical magnet fixed thereto and is provided so as to be tiltable; first and second GMR sensors that are provided so as to face a circumferential surface of the magnet and detects the inclination of the magnet in the orthogonal direction; a third GMR sensor that is provided so as to face the circumferential surface of the magnet and has a detection surface which is not parallel to detection surfaces of the first and second GMR sensors; and a determining circuit (an adding circuit and a comparing circuit) that determines whether at least one of the first to third GMR sensors is out of order on the basis of values detected by the first and second GMR sensors and a value detected by the third GMR sensor.

Abstract: A battery device has a plurality of batteries connected in series. Each of the batteries includes a thermally responsive switch, a first conductive plate connected to a first terminal of the thermally responsive switch, a second conductive plate connected to a common terminal of the thermally responsive switch, and a third conductive plate which functions as a bypass when it is connected to a second terminal of the thermally responsive switch. In normal operation, the thermally responsive switch is in contact with the first fixed contact of the movable contact such that the first and second conductive plates are electrically connected. When the battery heats up abnormally, exceeding a maximum permissible temperature, the bimetal strip is inverted such that the movable contact comes into contact with the second fixed contact and thus the second and third conductive plates become electrically connected.

Abstract: A game machine input device for inputting signals to a game machine using a computer includes a sticklike controller, a first bevel gear disposed on the side of one end of the controller, a pair of second bevel gears placed opposed to each other with teeth thereof meshed with teeth of the first bevel gear, and a pair of driving sources respectively connected to the second bevel gears to independently turn the second bevel gears.

Abstract: In a controller, a control member includes a stick portion to be manipulated with the hand, and a spherical portion, which are integrally formed. The control member is provided with a coil spring for urging the spherical portion, and a magnetic attracting member for attracting the control member opposite from the urging direction. When the control member is urged by the urging means, the spherical portion is held by a friction member so as to increase the load on the control member. In contrast, when the control member is attracted by the magnetic attracting member, the spherical portion is separated from the friction member so as to decrease the load on the control member.

Abstract: A pickup unit which includes a first chassis having mounted thereon a spindle motor for use in disc rotation and a DC motor serving as a drive source, and a second chassis having a disc clamper and a driving force transmission gear. The first and second chassises are combined in such a manner that they can be opened and closed around a rotary shaft. A drive shaft of the DC motor is provided with a worm gear, and an intermediate gear meshing with the worm gear is provided on the second chassis to transmit a driving force to the driving force transmission gear, and at the same time. the axis of the drive shaft of the DC motor is placed in line with the axis of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: According to this invention, a recording/reproducing device includes a DC motor for driving cam plates in the horizontal direction, a sensor for detecting positions of the cam plates in the horizontal direction, and a horizontal cam groove portion which is formed on at least one end portion of the cam grooves and with which the cam pins of the pickup unit are brought into contact. The cam plates are driven in the horizontal direction by the DC motor, the cam pins of the pickup unit are brought into contact with the horizontal cam groove portion, and, at this time, initialization of the cam plates is performed by causing the sensor to detect the positions of the cam plates in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A first and second rotary members are supported on a holder 3 secured to a main chassis of disk drive apparatus. The first rotary member includes a detecting portion. The second rotary member includes a contact portion that moves in and out of the insertion path of a disk cartridge to be inserted into the holder. When the disk cartridge is being inserted, an opening-and-closing pin opens the shutter of the disk. Through the detecting portion, the opening shutter rotates the first rotary member, which then rotates the second rotary member to thereby move the contact portion of the second rotary member out of the insertion path of the disk cartridge, allowing the disk cartridge to be inserted. If the shutter fails to open when the disk cartridge is being inserted, the contact portion of the second rotary member will remain in the insertion path and block the insertion of the disk cartridge.