Abstract: Reduction of time and labor required for manually disentangling the bundle of cloths to some extent beforehand. A cloths separating device for disentangling a bundle of cloths consisting of a plurality of cloths tangled with one another includes: a cloths pick-up mechanism which holds a part of cloths on a cloths transport conveyor and picks the part of cloths, in a hanging state, obliquely upward; a pair of upper and lower compression conveyors, whose entrance is located so as to face a middle part of the cloths picked up in a hanging state, the clearance between the compression conveyors becoming narrower from the entrance toward an exit; and a cloths push-in mechanism which pushes the middle part of the cloths into the entrance of the compression conveyors.

Abstract: Provided is a center device that enables a navigation device to conduct guidance according to a route on the basis of the latest map information, without imposing a heavy load on a communication network. The center device calculates a guide route as a center route on the basis of the latest of the map information and information received from the navigation device, specifies the map information that is available to the navigation device, and calculates a guide route as a navigation route on the basis of the specified map information and the information received from the navigation device. On the basis of the center route and the navigation route, the center device specifies, from the map information, different map information necessary for the navigation device to give guidance on the center route, and transmits the specified map information to the navigation device.

Abstract: A map difference data delivery system includes a map difference data delivery device and a map data holding device. The map difference data delivery device stores map difference data representing a difference between before and after version update and delivers the map difference data. The map difference data includes map elements updated in the version update and dependent map elements by dating back to update of map elements corresponding to a different version. The dependent map elements are map elements that have a dependent relationship and need to be previously updated to avoid conflict with other map elements when updated. The map difference data delivery device groups data of the dependent map elements that have a dependent relationship in the same version.

Abstract: A map difference data distribution system includes a map difference data distribution device including a map difference data storage unit storing map difference data items and a distribution unit distributing map difference data items, and a map data maintaining device including update unit updating map data based on map difference data items. The map difference data storage unit traces the updated data items and data items having dependent relationships with the updated data items back to the different version updates, and stores the data items as map difference data items. The map difference data distribution device includes a non-updated data extraction unit extracting non-updated data items from the map data maintaining device, a grouping unit grouping the data items in dependent relationships, and a distribution data generation unit generating distribution data by arranging grouped records of non-updated data items from higher priority of map element under specified communication traffic volume.

Abstract: Reduction of time and labor required for manually disentangling the bundle of cloths to some extent beforehand. A cloths separating device for disentangling a bundle of cloths consisting of a plurality of cloths tangled with one another includes: a cloths pick-up mechanism which holds a part of cloths on a cloths transport conveyor and picks the part of cloths, in a hanging state, obliquely upward; a pair of upper and lower compression conveyors, whose entrance is located so as to face a middle part of the cloths picked up in a hanging state, the clearance between the compression conveyors becoming narrower from the entrance toward an exit; and a cloths push-in mechanism which pushes the middle part of the cloths into the entrance of the compression conveyors.

Abstract: Provided is a center device that enables a navigation device to conduct guidance according to a route on the basis of the latest map information, without imposing a heavy load on a communication network. The center device calculates a guide route as a center route on the basis of the latest of the map information and information received from the navigation device, specifies the map information that is available to the navigation device, and calculates a guide route as a navigation route on the basis of the specified map information and the information received from the navigation device. On the basis of the center route and the navigation route, the center device specifies, from the map information, different map information necessary for the navigation device to give guidance on the center route, and transmits the specified map information to the navigation device.

Abstract: Provided is a reliable switch having a contact surface that is prevented from being roughened. To solve the problem, there is provided a switch including a plurality of switching units 2 and 3 each including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode that is disposed to be opposed to the fixed electrode and is closed or opened with respect to the fixed electrode, the switch being characterized in that the switching units 2 and 3 each make or break a current to be applied to the switch, the switching units 2 and 3 are electrically connected in series to each other, and the switching units 2 and 3 are each configured such that a first switching unit 3 is first closed, and then a second switching unit 2 is closed.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for automatically creating stopping rates of vehicles at signal-equipped intersections. A signal-equipped intersection to be subjected to specifying of stopping rates at signal-equipped intersections is selected from a signal-equipped-intersection information storage unit as a target intersection, a pass-through-intersection extraction that extracts a signal-equipped intersection that was passed-through just before reaching the target intersection as a pass-through intersection is conducted according to a prescribed rule, driving-history data of a probe car is classified for each of the routes that start from the pass-through intersection and pass through the target intersection, and the rate at which the probe car stopped at the target intersection is specified as a stopping rate, for each of the classified routes.

Abstract: A driving characteristics detector includes: a driving information obtaining element for obtaining driving information, which relates to a driving condition of a vehicle; and a driving characteristics determining element for determining driving characteristics of a driver of the vehicle based on the driving information. The driving information includes vehicle speed relating information, which relates to at least one of a vehicle speed, acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle. A driving unit section is defined as a section from the vehicle starts to go until the vehicle stops. The driving characteristics determining element determines the driving characteristics based on the vehicle speed relating information in each driving unit section.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for automatically creating stopping rates of vehicles at signal-equipped intersections. A signal-equipped intersection to be subjected to specifying of stopping rates at signal-equipped intersections is selected from a signal-equipped-intersection information storage unit as a target intersection, a pass-through-intersection extraction that extracts a signal-equipped intersection that was passed-through just before reaching the target intersection as a pass-through intersection is conducted according to a prescribed rule, driving-history data of a probe car is classified for each of the routes that start from the pass-through intersection and pass through the target intersection, and the rate at which the probe car stopped at the target intersection is specified as a stopping rate, for each of the classified routes.

Abstract: A vacuum switchgear has a vacuum valve including a movable conductor connected to an insulating rod, and a fixed conductor connected to a bus bar or to a load cable, a vacuum chamber encasing the vacuum valve, an insulating envelope covering the vacuum chamber, the outer surface thereof being covered with an electro-conductive layer thereby to earth the envelope, and an insulating lid gas-tightly fitted to the insulating envelope. The lid has an insulating bushing through which an insulating rod penetrates, the insulating rod being connected to an operating mechanism, wherein the insulating rod except a portion exposed from the bushing is gas-tightly confined in insulating gas atmosphere formed between the insulating envelope and the insulating lid.

Abstract: A driving characteristics detector includes: a driving information obtaining element for obtaining driving information, which relates to a driving condition of a vehicle; and a driving characteristics determining element for determining driving characteristics of a driver of the vehicle based on the driving information. The driving information includes vehicle speed relating information, which relates to at least one of a vehicle speed, acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle. A driving unit section is defined as a section from the vehicle starts to go until the vehicle stops. The driving characteristics determining element determines the driving characteristics based on the vehicle speed relating information in each driving unit section.

Abstract: A reliable, compact vacuum switchgear is provided at an inexpensive cost. The vacuum switchgear comprises a switch 1 having a fixed electrode 12 and a movable electrode 13 connectable to and disconnectable from the fixed electrode 12, another switch 2 having a fixed electrode 22 and a movable electrode 23 connectable to and disconnectable from the fixed electrode 22, conductors 3 connected to the fixed electrodes 12, 22 of the switches 1, 2, earth switches 4 connected to the conductors 3, a mold section 7 formed by molding the conductors 3 and the earth switches 4 with resin, and a vacuum container 8 accommodating the switches 1, 2 and disposed on the mold section 7.

Abstract: A vacuum switchgear comprising: a vacuum valve comprising a movable conductor connected to an insulating rod, and a fixed conductor connected to a bus bar or to a load cable, a vacuum chamber encasing the vacuum valve, an insulating envelope covering the vacuum chamber, the outer surface thereof being covered with an electro-conductive layer thereby to earth the envelope, an insulating lid gas-tightly fitted to the insulating envelope, the lid having an insulating bushing through which an insulating rod penetrates, the insulating rod being connected to an operating mechanism, wherein the insulating rod except a portion exposed from the bushing is gas-tightly confined in insulating gas atmosphere formed between the insulating envelope and the insulating lid.

Abstract: There is disclosed an FED (field emission display) capable of supplying an anode voltage, which is a high voltage, to an anode substrate with high reliability. A high voltage introduction button is sealed to a sealing plate, in which a contact spring is attached to the high voltage introduction button by spot welding. The high voltage introduction button has a flat portion connected to the contact spring, a sealing portion sealed to the glass substrate, and an external terminal to be connected to an external power source. The contact spring contacts an anode terminal of an anode substrate with an appropriate contact pressure, by a spring force from an arm portion of the contact spring. The anode terminal is formed of a conductive film containing metal particles.

Abstract: A reliable, compact vacuum switchgear is provided at an inexpensive cost. The vacuum switchgear comprises a switch 1 having a fixed electrode 12 and a movable electrode 13 connectable to and disconnectable from the fixed electrode 12, another switch 2 having a fixed electrode 22 and a movable electrode 23 connectable to and disconnectable from the fixed electrode 22, conductors 3 connected to the fixed electrodes 12, 22 of the switches 1, 2, earth switches 4 connected to the conductors 3, a mold section 7 formed by molding the conductors 3 and the earth switches 4 with resin, and a vacuum container 8 accommodating the switches 1, 2 and disposed on the mold section 7.

Abstract: A vacuum switching apparatus for automatically performing a series of breaking and disconnecting operations includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrode mounted in a vacuum vessel. The movable electrode is sequentially movable between a closing position, an opening position and a disconnecting position. After the movable electrode passes through the opening position located between the closing position and the disconnecting position, the between-electrode opening speed of the movable electrode is reduced by a decelerating means. With this configuration, it is possible to move the movable electrode from the closing position to the disconnecting position without lowering the breaking performance, and hence to automatically perform a series of breaking and disconnecting operations.

Abstract: A dielectric gas produced at the time of current interruption is exhausted into an exhaust structure 1 through an opening 8 formed on a fixed-side support member 6 combined with a fixed arcing contact 4. The exhaust structure 1 has an enlarged portion with a gas flow cross section formed at least before a position at 1/2 of the overall length of the exhaust structure 1 that is uniformly enlarged toward the rear of the exhaust structure 1 with respect to the joint between the exhaust tube 1 and the fixed-side support member 6. As a result, the gas is immediately exhausted into the exhaust structure 1 and the interelectrode insulation recovery performance is ensured.

Abstract: A puffer type gas breaker is provided, in which high-temperature gas, heated by an electric arc produced immediately after a large current is broken, is quickly discharged to enhance inter-pole dielectric performance. A fixing portion for fixing an arc contact is provided in a cylindrical exhaust pipe for exhausting the high-temperature gas heated by an electric arc produced between poles immediately after a large current is broken. A rectifying member or members is provided in the fixing portion of the cylindrical exhaust pipe. An exhaust port or ports is formed in the fixing portion of the cylindrical exhaust pipe, and a shield is disposed around the outer periphery of the exhaust port or ports.

Abstract: A transformer station includes a plurality of power transmission lines receiving electric power, a bus bar connected to the power transmission lines, a transformer connected to the bus bar to transform voltage of the electric power supplied from the bus bar, and breakers between one of the power transmission lines and the bus bar and between the transformer and the bus bar. The breakers are aligned along an imaginary line extending substantially parallel to the bus bar.