Abstract: A gripping mechanism includes an inclined surface, a rolling element, and a facing gripping part. The inclined surface is a surface inclined to a vertical direction. The rolling element freely rolls obliquely upward and downward on the inclined surface. The facing gripping part is arranged to face the inclined surface and forms an opening space with an end of the inclined surface, the opening space being narrower than a diameter of the rolling element. The rolling element includes: a core member forming a core of the rolling element; an annular member that is provided around the core member and has elasticity; and a plurality of ribs each of which is interposed between an outer periphery of the core member and an inner periphery of the annular member, and forms a gap between the core member and the annular member.

Abstract: In a structure body, a lower-layer portion includes four first column portions, a bottom frame portion, and a first partition frame portion, an upper-layer portion includes four second column portions, a top frame portion, and a second partition frame portion. The bottom frame portion is welded to lower end portions of the first column portions. The first partition frame portion is welded to upper end portions of the first column portions. The second column portions are formed to continue to the lower-layer portion and vertically extend on extension lines of the first column portions. The top frame portion is welded to upper end portions of the second column portions. The second partition frame portion is welded to the second column portions at a position between the first partition frame portion and the top frame portion. Each of the first column portions is thicker than each of the second column portions.

Abstract: The present invention offers a network management technique that can realize effective acquisition of various data transmitted from terminals, while reducing the network congestion. In a network management system including a plurality of terminals that can transmit data, a plurality of destination devices that perform respective predetermined processes based on the data, a relay device arranged between them, and a management device communicable with the terminals, the destination devices, and the relay device, the management device receives a request regarding required data from the destination devices; and, in response to the request, instructs to integrate data items that are to be relayed to individual destination devices.

Abstract: As a means for artificially inducing functional endosperm in a seed plant without fertilization, provided is a nucleic acid molecule that contains a base sequence encoding a polypeptide capable of inducing endosperm development, said nucleic acid molecule being to be transferred into the genome of the seed plant and expressed therein so as to induce endosperm development in the seed plant without fertilization.

Abstract: A charge control device for an in-vehicle battery includes a control unit that obtains a neglect resistance increase rate as a reversible resistance component based on an SOC of the battery and a temperature of the battery when the battery is not charged/discharged, and that obtains a permissible charge current value to the battery based on the obtained neglect resistance increase rate.

Abstract: An image forming unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the developing device with toner. The toner replenishing unit includes an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a toner conveyance unit. The upper toner container and the lower toner container are disposed in a staggered manner in an apparatus body.

Abstract: A charge control device for an in-vehicle battery includes a control unit that obtains a neglect resistance increase rate as a reversible resistance component based on an SOC of the battery and a temperature of the battery when the battery is not charged/discharged, and that obtains a permissible charge current value to the battery based on the obtained neglect resistance increase rate.

Abstract: An assembly apparatus assembles a first component and a second component. The assembly apparatus includes a gripping section, a correcting section, and a driving section. The gripping section grips the first component. The correcting section corrects positional shift of the first component relative to the second component. The driving section drives the correcting section. The correcting section includes a first mechanism connected to the gripping section and a second mechanism connected to the driving section. The first mechanism has a first tapered portion on a surface opposite to the gripping section. The second mechanism has a second tapered portion on a surface opposite to the driving section. The second tapered portion has a substantially identical shape to the first tapered portion. The first tapered portion is placed on the second tapered portion.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism includes a holder, a gripping roller, and a lever. The gripping roller is housed within the holder and grips an object between the roller and an inner surface of the holder. The lever releases gripping of the object by pushing the gripping roller upward. Preferably, the holder includes two plate sections which support a weight of the gripping roller. An opening is located between the two plate sections. The opening receives insertion of the object. One of the two plate sections is inclined relative to a vertical direction.

Abstract: A receptacle includes a pair of spare terminals that are located on both sides of a plurality of receptacle terminals in a longitudinal direction and are short-circuited. A plug includes a pair of relay electrodes that respectively come in contact with the pair of spare terminals when the plug is connected to the receptacle. A connector inspection instrument includes a conduction detecting circuit and a pair of terminal support portions supporting a pair of inspection terminals, and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism supports one or both of the pair of terminal support portions in such a way as to displace the one or both of the pair of terminal support portions in a width direction to narrow or widen an interval between the pair of inspection terminals.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism includes an inclined surface, a rolling element, and a facing gripping part. The inclined surface is a surface inclined to a vertical direction. The rolling element freely rolls obliquely upward and downward on the inclined surface. The facing gripping part is arranged to face the inclined surface and forms an opening space with an end of the inclined surface, the opening space being narrower than a diameter of the rolling element. The rolling element includes: a core member forming a core of the rolling element; an annular member that is provided around the core member and has elasticity; and a plurality of ribs each of which is interposed between an outer periphery of the core member and an inner periphery of the annular member, and forms a gap between the core member and the annular member.

Abstract: A battery includes at least an electrode group including a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a protection layer. The separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector, a positive electrode mixture layer, and a positive electrode tab. The positive electrode mixture layer is disposed on a surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode tab is electrically connected to the positive electrode current collector. The protection layer covers a surface of the positive electrode tab. A volume resistivity of the protection layer is within a range of one to 100 times a volume resistivity of the positive electrode mixture layer.

Abstract: An assembly apparatus is for assembling a first member and a second member. The assembly apparatus includes a first gripping section, a second gripping section, and a driving section. The first gripping section includes a contact member and an elastic member. The second gripping section includes a contact member and an elastic member. The driving section drives the first and second gripping sections. The driving section drives the first and second gripping sections such that the contact member of the first gripping section and the contact member of the second gripping section make contact with the second member. The first and second gripping sections grip the second member through the two elastic members urging the respective contact members. The driving section drives the first and second gripping sections such that the first member and the second member are assembled.

Abstract: An image forming unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the developing device with toner. The toner replenishing unit includes an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a toner conveyance unit. The upper toner container and the lower toner container are disposed in a staggered manner in an apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the developing device with toner. The toner replenishing unit includes an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a toner conveyance unit, and a replenishment control unit. The upper toner container and the lower toner container are disposed in a staggered manner in an apparatus body. When the upper toner container becomes empty, the replenishment control unit controls the toner replenishing unit so as to replenish the developing device with the toner from the lower toner container.

Abstract: An assembled battery includes a cell group. The cell group includes a plurality of cells connected in series. Each of the plurality of cells is a lithium-ion battery. The cell group includes: at least one of a first cell or a second cell; and at least one third cell. The first cell includes a positive electrode active material containing a lithium-nickel composite oxide. The second cell includes a negative electrode active material containing a lithium-titanium composite oxide. The third cell includes a positive electrode active material containing a lithium iron phosphate. A voltage of the assembled battery is within a range of 11.8 V to 14.5 V in a case where an SOC of the assembled battery is within a range of 20% to 80%.

Abstract: An image forming unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the developing device with toner. The toner replenishing unit includes an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a toner conveyance unit, and a replenishment control unit. The upper toner container and the lower toner container are disposed adjacently to each other in a vertical direction in an apparatus body. When the upper toner container becomes empty, the replenishment control unit controls the toner replenishing unit so as to replenish the developing device with the toner from the lower toner container.

Abstract: An image forming unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the developing device with toner. The toner replenishing unit includes an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a toner conveyance unit, and a replenishment control unit. The upper toner container and the lower toner container are disposed adjacently to each other in a vertical direction in an apparatus body. When the upper toner container becomes empty, the replenishment control unit controls the toner replenishing unit so as to replenish the developing device with the toner from the lower toner container.

Abstract: An image forming unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the developing device with toner. The toner replenishing unit includes an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a toner conveyance unit, and a replenishment control unit. The upper toner container and the lower toner container are disposed adjacently to each other in a vertical direction in an apparatus body. When the upper toner container becomes empty, the replenishment control unit controls the toner replenishing unit so as to replenish the developing device with the toner from the lower toner container.

Abstract: An image forming unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the developing device with toner. The toner replenishing unit includes an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a toner conveyance unit, and a replenishment control unit. The upper toner container and the lower toner container are disposed adjacently to each other in a vertical direction in an apparatus body. When the upper toner container becomes empty, the replenishment control unit controls the toner replenishing unit so as to replenish the developing device with the toner from the lower toner container.