Abstract: A four-way valve includes a body and a valve component. The body includes a valve chamber and first to fourth communication channels which communicate with the valve chamber at positions arranged in sequence in a predefined rotational direction and cause the valve chamber to communicate with an outside. The valve component is rotatable in the predefined rotational direction and switches the four-way valve to be in at least one of: a first state in which the first and second communication channels communicate with the first region and the third and fourth communication channels communicate with the third region; and a second state in which the second communication channel communicates with the first region, the third communication channel communicates with the second region, and the first and fourth communication channels communicate with the third region.

Abstract: A flow rate ratio control valve includes a pair of plate springs, each of which applies elastic force in a predetermined direction in accordance with the amount of deformation, a valve body supported by the pair of plate springs to be movable in the predetermined direction, a drive unit which drives the valve body in the predetermined direction in a non-contact state by means of electromagnetic force applied to a region between the pair of plate springs in the predetermined direction, a container in which the plate springs and the valve body are contained, and a damper which is attached to the valve body, defines a sectioned predetermined space in cooperation with an inner surface of the container, and forms a predetermined gap between the damper and the inner surface, the predetermined gap establishing communication in the predetermined direction between the predetermined space and the exterior of the predetermined space.

Abstract: A flow rate ratio control valve includes a pair of plate springs, each of which applies elastic force in a predetermined direction in accordance with the amount of deformation, a valve body supported by the pair of plate springs to be movable in the predetermined direction, a drive unit which drives the valve body in the predetermined direction in a non-contact state by means of electromagnetic force applied to a region between the pair of plate springs in the predetermined direction, a container in which the plate springs and the valve body are contained, and a damper which is attached to the valve body, defines a sectioned predetermined space in cooperation with an inner surface of the container, and forms a predetermined gap between the damper and the inner surface, the predetermined gap establishing communication in the predetermined direction between the predetermined space and the exterior of the predetermined space.

Abstract: An autofocus control method, an autofocus control apparatus and an image processing apparatus all of which can realize stable autofocus control operation by eliminating influences due to optical systems. In calculation of a focus evaluated value of each of sample images respectively acquired at a plurality of focused positions, each of the acquired sample image is subjected to smoothing to reduce a grayscale pattern of brightness due to an optical system, and the focus evaluated value is calculated on the basis of the smoothed sample image. In addition, the focus evaluated value is standardized with the screen average luminance of the sample image, thereby effecting optimization of the evaluated value.