Abstract: A method for producing a fluoropolymer which method includes polymerizing a perfluoromonomer in an aqueous medium in the presence of a polymer (1) to obtain a fluoropolymer, wherein the content of a polymerized unit derived from the perfluoromonomer in the fluoropolymer is 90 mol % or more based on all polymerized units of the fluoropolymer, the polymer (1) is a polymer of a monomer (1) represented by the general formula (1): CF2?CF—O—R-(Rf-SO3M)m, a polymerized unit (1) derived from the monomer (1) in the polymer (1) is 50% by mass or more based on all polymerized units of the polymer (1), and the content of a dimer and a trimer of the monomer (1) in the polymer (1) is 1.0% by mass or less based on the polymer (1).

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer rotatable in a rotation direction and forming a developing range, a holder, and an entrance seal. The holder has a facing face facing the developer bearer upstream from the developing range in the rotation direction, a support face defining a part of an outer face of the developing device, and a relay face extending from one end of the support face to one end of the relay face connected to the facing face to form an acute tip portion closer to the developing range than the one end. The entrance seal has a free end projecting from the one end as a cantilever, and a length of the entrance seal from a tip of the free end of the entrance seal to the one end is shorter than a length of the relay face from the acute tip portion to the one end.

Abstract: An image forming system includes image forming apparatuses connected to a network, a managing device connected to the network and being communicable with the image forming apparatuses, and user terminals communicable with the network. The image forming apparatuses are respectively connected to local area networks in the network. Each image forming apparatus is set to any of a normal mode, a sleep mode with power consumption less than the normal mode and an energy saving mode with power consumption less than the sleep mode. The managing device counts the number of the user terminals connected to the same local area network as the image forming apparatus and, if the counted number is less than a threshold value, transmits an energy saving shift instruction to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus sets to the energy saving mode, if receiving the energy saving shift instruction from the managing device.

Abstract: An image forming system includes image forming apparatuses connected to a network, a managing device connected to the network and being communicable with the image forming apparatuses, and user terminals communicable with the network. The image forming apparatuses are respectively connected to local area networks in the network. Each image forming apparatus is set to any of a normal mode, a sleep mode with power consumption less than the normal mode and an energy saving mode with power consumption less than the sleep mode. The managing device counts the number of the user terminals connected to the same local area network as the image forming apparatus and, if the counted number is less than a threshold value, transmits an energy saving shift instruction to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus sets to the energy saving mode, if receiving the energy saving shift instruction from the managing device.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of improving the convenience of standard functions that are used often. A storage unit stores correlated-operation information, in which correlated operations that are correlated with a document-placement plate and the contact glass respectively as document placement locations, is registered for each user. A correlated-operation-executing unit references correlated-operation information of a user authenticated by a user-authenticating unit. The correlated-operation-executing unit executes a correlated operation correlated with placement of a document on the document-placement plate when a placement-detecting sensor detects placement of a document on the document-placement plate. The correlated-operation-executing unit executes a correlated operation correlated with placement of a document on the contact glass when an open/closed-detecting sensor detects opening/closing of a pressure plate.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of improving the convenience of standard functions that are used often. A storage unit stores correlated-operation information, in which correlated operations that are correlated with a document-placement plate and the contact glass respectively as document placement locations, is registered for each user. A correlated-operation-executing unit references correlated-operation information of a user authenticated by a user-authenticating unit. The correlated-operation-executing unit executes a correlated operation correlated with placement of a document on the document-placement plate when a placement-detecting sensor detects placement of a document on the document-placement plate. The correlated-operation-executing unit executes a correlated operation correlated with placement of a document on the contact glass when an open/closed-detecting sensor detects opening/closing of a pressure plate.

Abstract: A power supply device includes: a DC-DC converter that includes a switching element, a coil, a capacitor and a controller which controls the turning on and off of the switching element; a detection circuit to which an output voltage of the DC-DC converter is input and which outputs a detection signal whose level is changed depending on whether or not the output voltage is less than a reference voltage; and a power supply control circuit which stops the DC-DC converter when the number of times the level of the detection signal is changed within a predetermined detection period is equal to or more than a specified number of times.

Abstract: A vehicle input device for reducing the number of input operation keys of input operation devices that are arranged in a vehicle to control an operation of a large number of controlled apparatuses arranged in the vehicle is provided. An entry key for unlocking or locking a vehicle door is positioned to be movable in a specific input operation direction with respect to a housing fixed inside the vehicle. When the entry key is moved in the input operation direction, the movement is detected, whereby the entry key itself is used as an input operation key for controlling the operation of the controlled apparatuses arranged in the vehicle.

Abstract: A power supply device includes: a DC-DC converter that includes a switching element, a coil, a capacitor and a controller which controls the turning on and off of the switching element; a detection circuit to which an output voltage of the DC-DC converter is input and which outputs a detection signal whose level is changed depending on whether or not the output voltage is less than a reference voltage; and a power supply control circuit which stops the DC-DC converter when the number of times the level of the detection signal is changed within a predetermined detection period is equal to or more than a specified number of times.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an interface section, a data storage section, an input section, an authentication section, and an image forming section. The interface section receives a print job from a terminal device. The print job is assigned terminal identification information that identifies the terminal device. The data storage section stores the print job. In accordance with whether or not the authentication section positively authenticates a user before a specified time elapses from the interface section receiving the print job, the interface section outputs the print job stored by the data storage section to the image forming section or the terminal device, and the data storage section deletes the print job stored.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an interface section, a data storage section, an input section, an authentication section, and an image forming section. The interface section receives a print job from a terminal device. The print job is assigned terminal identification information that identifies the terminal device. The data storage section stores the print job. In accordance with whether or not the authentication section positively authenticates a user before a specified time elapses from the interface section receiving the print job, the interface section outputs the print job stored by the data storage section to the image forming section or the terminal device, and the data storage section deletes the print job stored.

Abstract: A vehicle input device for reducing the number of input operation keys of input operation devices that are arranged in a vehicle to control an operation of a large number of controlled apparatuses arranged in the vehicle is provided. An entry key for unlocking or locking a vehicle door is positioned to be movable in a specific input operation direction with respect to a housing fixed inside the vehicle. When the entry key is moved in the input operation direction, the movement is detected, whereby the entry key itself is used as an input operation key for controlling the operation of the controlled apparatuses arranged in the vehicle.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes: a battery cell stack obtained by stacking a plurality of battery cells; and a cover case surrounding an outside of the battery cell stack, in which a resin is poured between the battery cell stack and the cover case, achieving a waterproof structure of making the battery cell stack waterproof. This allows prevention of water entering from an outside, thereby preventing unintentional electric conduction or corrosion. A gap between the battery cell stack and the cover case is also eliminated to prevent the harmful influence on the battery cell stack due to condensation inside the cover case.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a battery cell stack (5) constructed of a plurality of stacked, rectangular battery cells, and a cooling pipe (60) disposed in a thermally coupled state over one surface of the battery cell stack (5), the cooling pipe (60) being adapted to perform a heat exchange with the battery cell stack (5) by allowing a refrigerant to flow inside the pipe, wherein a plurality of rows of the cooling pipes (60) are spaced apart from each other over the one surface of the battery cell stack (5), and a resin member is placed between the spaced-apart cooling pipes (60) such that the one surface of the battery cell stack (5) is covered in a sealed state.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a battery assembly, a box-shaped cover case, a cooling plate, and a waterproof sheet. The battery assembly includes rectangular battery cells arranged side by side. The cover case has an opening. Exterior surfaces of the battery assembly are covered with surfaces of the cover case other than the opening. The cooling plate is thermally coupled to one surface of the battery assembly through the opening. Coolant flows through the cooling plate whereby transferring heat from the battery assembly to the coolant. The waterproof sheet covers the one surface of the battery assembly. Gaps between the battery assembly and the cover case are filled with a sealing material so that a sealing layer is interposed between them. The waterproof sheet is fastened by the sealing layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a projector capable of efficiently cooling an optical element while decreasing the generation of noise as much as possible. A projector P includes a main body 1 provided with a light source 2, an optical element 4 (liquid crystal panels 5, 6 and 7, polarization plates 8A, 8B and a prism 25) which processes (modulates) light emitted from this light source 2 in accordance with image information and a projection lens 9 which projects a modulated projection optical image onto a screen, and further includes a cooling apparatus 10 in which a compressor 12, a radiator 14, a capillary tube 16 (a pressure reducing unit) and an evaporator 18 provided in the main body 1 constitute a refrigerant circuit, and air subjected to heat exchange between the air and the evaporator 18 is supplied to the liquid crystal panels 5, 6 and 7 to cool the panels.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, an environment detecting unit and a control unit. The charging unit includes a charger and a static eliminator. The charger contacts with a surface of the photoreceptor and charges the surface to a first voltage. The static eliminator contacts with the surface and discharges the surface to a second voltage. The environment detecting unit detects an environmental data. The control unit controls the first voltage based on the environmental data.

Abstract: There is disclosed a projector which supplies air cooled by a cooling unit to an optical element group, whereby the occurrence of dew condensation is prevented. The projector includes a cooling apparatus 11 disposed in a main body 1 and functioning as the cooling unit; a sealed or substantially sealed duct 30 through which cold air cooled by a cooler 18 of the cooling apparatus 11 is circulated and supplied to an optical element group 5 to cool the optical element group; an outside air introduction port 32 and an air discharge port 33 which function as a ventilation unit for introducing outside air into this duct 30 to discharge the air from the duct 30, dampers 34 and 35 for opening and closing these ports; and a controller C functioning as a control unit for controlling the dampers 34 and 35 to execute a ventilating operation in the duct 30.

Abstract: There is disclosed a projector capable of efficiently cooling an optical element while decreasing the generation of noise as much as possible. A projector P includes a main body 1 provided with a light source 2, an optical element 4 (liquid crystal panels 5, 6 and 7, polarization plates 8A, 8B and a prism 25) which processes (modulates) light emitted from this light source 2 in accordance with image information and a projection lens 9 which projects a modulated projection optical image onto a screen, and further includes a cooling apparatus 10 in which a compressor 12, a radiator 14, a capillary tube 16 (a pressure reducing unit) and an evaporator 18 provided in the main body 1 constitute a refrigerant circuit, and air subjected to heat exchange between the air and the evaporator 18 is supplied to the liquid crystal panels 5, 6 and 7 to cool the panels.

Abstract: Provided is a cooling apparatus, which has its cooling ability improved by liberating the thermal energy of a coolant from expansion means to the outside. The cooling apparatus includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a capillary tube and a blower fan. Moreover, a portion of the capillary tube corresponding to that expansion means is arranged to abut against the casing of the blower fan. Here, the portion of the capillary tube is arranged so helically or spirally as to abut against the upper face of the casing of the blower fan. Thus, the heat can be dissipated from the capillary tube to the casing of the blower fan.