Abstract: A method for testing a precursor of a secondary cell with high reliability and high efficiency to judge the precursor to be acceptable or defective. The current flowing when a test voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes is measured before an electrolyte is placed between the electrodes. If a current the current value of which exceeds a predetermined reference current value (13) is detected during the time from the start of application of a voltage to a normal secondary cell precursor until the current becomes constant, the precursor is determined to be defective.

Abstract: A method for testing a precursor of a secondary cell with high reliability and high efficiency to judge the precursor to be acceptable or defective. The current flowing when a test voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes is measured before an electrolyte is placed between the electrodes. If a current the current value of which exceeds a predetermined reference current value (13) is detected during the time from the start of application of a voltage to a normal secondary cell precursor until the current becomes constant, the precursor is determined to be defective.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery capable of storing and releasing lithium reversibly includes a collector, and a negative electrode material layer arranged on the collector. The negative electrode material layer contains a thin-film negative electrode material capable of storing and releasing lithium reversibly, and lithium non-storing portions containing a lithium non-storing material are arranged on at least one selected from the group consisting of a surface and an inside of the negative electrode material layer. In this way, a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery capable of suppressing the deformation accompanying charging and discharging is provided.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery of the present invention includes: a positive electrode containing a positive active substance capable of reversibly occluding and releasing lithium; a negative electrode containing a negative active substance capable of reversibly occluding and releasing lithium; and an electrolyte having lithium conductivity, wherein the positive active substance contains an oxide including lithium and transition metal, and a composition ratio among the lithium, the transition metal and oxygen in the oxide is in at least one selected from the following states:

Abstract: There is provided a solid electrolytic capacitor including an anode body formed of a valve-action metal with a dielectric oxide coating layer formed on its surface, a cathode body, and an electroconductive polymer layer disposed between the anode body and the cathode body. The electroconductive polymer layer contains a softener for softening the electroconductive polymer layer, so that a solid electrolytic capacitor is provided that has small variations in characteristics, a lower equivalent series resistance (ESR), and an excellent high frequency property. In addition, when the anode and cathode of a solid electrolytic capacitor including an electroconductive polymer as a solid electrolyte are joined to each other, a lower ESR can be obtained under a lower pressure, and the electroconductive polymer layer can be prevented from being peeled off.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a battery case that is not corroded easily even at the time of over-discharging is provided. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a battery case serving as a negative electrode terminal, and a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator and a nonaqueous electrolyte that are enclosed in the battery case. The positive electrode and the negative electrode respectively include an active material that stores and releases lithium reversibly. The battery case includes a case formed of a metal plate having iron as a principal component and a metal layer formed at least in a part of an inner surface of the case, and the metal layer includes a metallic element M that dissolves in the nonaqueous electrolyte at a lower potential than iron and at a higher potential than lithium.

Abstract: There is provided a solid electrolytic capacitor including an anode body formed of a valve-action metal with a dielectric oxide coating layer formed on its surface, a cathode body, and an electroconductive polymer layer disposed between the anode body and the cathode body. The electroconductive polymer layer contains a softener for softening the electroconductive polymer layer, so that a solid electrolytic capacitor is provided that has small variations in characteristics, a lower equivalent series resistance (ESR), and an excellent high frequency property. In addition, when the anode and cathode of a solid electrolytic capacitor including an electroconductive polymer as a solid electrolyte are joined to each other, a lower ESR can be obtained under a lower pressure, and the electroconductive polymer layer can be prevented from being peeled off.

Abstract: There is provided a solid electrolytic capacitor including an anode body formed of a valve-action metal with a dielectric oxide coating layer formed on its surface, a cathode body, and an electroconductive polymer layer disposed between the anode body and the cathode body. The electroconductive polymer layer contains a softener for softening the electroconductive polymer layer, so that a solid electrolytic capacitor is provided that has small variations in characteristics, a lower equivalent series resistance (ESR), and an excellent high frequency property. In addition, when the anode and cathode of a solid electrolytic capacitor including an electroconductive polymer as a solid electrolyte are joined to each other, a lower ESR can be obtained under a lower pressure, and the electroconductive polymer layer can be prevented from being peeled off.

Abstract: There is provided a solid electrolytic capacitor including an anode body formed of a valve-action metal with a dielectric oxide coating layer formed on its surface, a cathode body, and an electroconductive polymer layer disposed between the anode body and the cathode body. The electroconductive polymer layer contains a softener for softening the electroconductive polymer layer, so that a solid electrolytic capacitor is provided that has small variations in characteristics, a lower equivalent series resistance (ESR), and an excellent high frequency property. In addition, when the anode and cathode of a solid electrolytic capacitor including an electroconductive polymer as a solid electrolyte are joined to each other, a lower ESR can be obtained under a lower pressure, and the electroconductive polymer layer can be prevented from being peeled off.

Abstract: A voltage detection circuit for comparing an input voltage against a reference voltage, the reference voltage being derived from the threshold voltage of a semiconductor active device which forms a portion of the voltage detection circuit. To make the detection circuit substantially independent of ambient temperature changes, it is constructed as an integrated circuit and includes devices for producing a temperature dependent voltage equal to but of opposite sign to the temperature sensitive voltage component of the reference voltage. The two temperature sensitive voltages cancel each other to thereby permit a temperature independent voltage comparison.

Abstract: A comparator circuit provided with a hysteresis characteristic comprises an amplifier comparing an input voltage with a reference voltage, a voltage-clamping circuit clamping the output voltage of the amplifier at a first stabilized voltage or at a second stabilized voltage in response to the comparison output of the amplifier, and a feedback circuit generating a first feedback voltage or a second feedback voltage as the reference voltage in response to the output voltage level of the amplifier, whereby the hysteresis voltage of the comparator circuit is substantially independent of the variation in a power supply voltage for actuating the comparator circuit.

Abstract: For protection of an output switching transistor used in a pulse signal output circuit, the present invention provides a first detector for detecting over-current flowing through the output switching element, a second detection circuit for producing a detection signal in response to detection of over-current by the first detector in excess of a predetermined rate, and a protection circuit protecting the output switching element by suppressing the current flowing therethrough in response to the detection signal. The protection circuit may suppress the current flowing through the output switching element by both the output of the over-current detector and the detection signal.

Abstract: A hysteresis circuit has first and second input terminals and an output terminal. An input signal is supplied to the first input terminal, while the second input terminal receives a reference voltage. Control electrodes of first and second transistors are connected to the first and second input terminals. The two transistors are interconnected to form a differential amplifier having an output which is supplied to a phase-inversion amplifier. The output of the phase-inversion amplifier is fed to the output terminal. The load impedances of both the first and second transistors are varied depending upon the output condition of the output terminal. For example, when the output terminal is in one output condition, a third transistor is turned on and a fourth transistor is turned off. When the output terminal is in an opposite output condition, the conduction conditions of the third and fourth transistors are reversed.

Abstract: A power amplifier whose bias voltage changes depending on the power supply voltage comprises a first amplifier with an input terminal and a feedback terminal. A second amplifier amplifies the output of the first amplifier, and the output of the second amplifier is fed back to the feedback terminal of the first amplifier. A bias circuit is connected between the power supply terminals and provides a bias to the input terminal of the first amplifier. The bias circuit includes a series connection of a first constant voltage generating device, a first resistor, a second resistor, and a parallel connection of a second constant voltage generating device and a third resistor. The input terminal of the first amplifier is biased by a voltage depending on the voltage at a connection point between the first and second resistors.

Abstract: A power amplifier having first and second amplifiers each including an output stage consisting of series connections of collector-emitter paths of first and second output transistors connected between power supply terminals is disclosed. Each first and second transistor is driven alternately in response to an input signal fed through an input terminal, and each output transistor is provided with an over-current detector circuit. Protective circuits are responsive to the detection outputs of the detector circuits to protect the corresponding output transistors. The output terminals of the power amplifier are respectively connected to the common junction of the first and second output transistors of the first and second amplifiers, and a load such as a speaker is connected between the output terminals. Circuits are provided to apply the outputs of the over-current detector circuits in one amplifier to the corresponding protective circuits in the other amplifier, and vice versa.