Abstract: In a power IC device, a surface layer channel CMOS transistor and a trench power MOS transistor are formed on the same chip. In one embodiment, a source region of the trench power MOS transistor is arranged at the same level as a gate electrode of the surface layer channel CMOS transistor. Thus, the power IC device and a method for manufacturing the power IC device are provided for reducing manufacturing cost in the case of forming the trench power MOS transistor and the surface layer channel CMOS transistor on the same chip.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a power IC device is disclosed containing a power MOS transistor with a low ON resistance and a surface channel MOS transistor with a high operation speed. There is also provided a method of manufacturing such a device. A chip has a surface of which the planar direction is not less than ?8° and not more than +8° off a silicon crystal face. The p-channel trench power MOS transistor includes a trench formed vertically from the surface of the chip, a gate region in the trench, an inversion channel region on a side wall of the trench, a source region in a surface layer of the chip, and a drain region in a back surface layer of the chip. The surface channel MOS transistor has an inversion channel region fabricated so that an inversion channel current flows in a direction not less than ?8° and not more than +8° off the silicon crystal direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a power IC device is disclosed containing a power MOS transistor with a low ON resistance and a surface channel MOS transistor with a high operation speed. There is also provided a method of manufacturing such a device. A chip has a surface of which the planar direction is not less than ?8° and not more than +8° off a silicon crystal face. The p-channel trench power MOS transistor includes a trench formed vertically from the surface of the chip, a gate region in the trench, an inversion channel region on a side wall of the trench, a source region in a surface layer of the chip, and a drain region in a back surface layer of the chip. The surface channel MOS transistor has an inversion channel region fabricated so that an inversion channel current flows in a direction not less than ?8° and not more than +8° off the silicon crystal direction.

Abstract: In a power IC device, a surface layer channel CMOS transistor and a trench power MOS transistor are formed on the same chip. In one embodiment, a source region of the trench power MOS transistor is arranged at the same level as a gate electrode of the surface layer channel CMOS transistor. Thus, the power IC device and a method for manufacturing the power IC device are provided for reducing manufacturing cost in the case of forming the trench power MOS transistor and the surface layer channel CMOS transistor on the same chip.

Abstract: An airbag device according to the present invention includes an airbag folded and housed in the shape of folded-up body, and an airbag wrapping member for keeping the folded-up configuration of the airbag. The folded-up body is formed by bringing both ends of the airbag close to a base line, such that the folded-up body is symmetric with respect to the base line. The wrapping member includes a breakable portion in a region above the base line. The breakable portion includes a plurality of apertures each of which is located across the base line as to extend toward both sides from the base line, and connecting portions for connecting adjacent apertures into a larger opening upon breakage. The connecting portions disposed by the side of both ends of each of the apertures are located in opposite sides of the base line. The wrapping member further includes two cut-out portions in edges of a cover portion in a direction along the base line.

Abstract: The airbag of the present invention is formed by sewing up a set of base cloths with a sewing thread into a bag shape inflatable with inflation gas. The sewing thread is impregnated with a lubricant containing less than 30 weight percent silicone oil. The lubricant content of the sewing thread is in a range of 1.0 to 2.0 weight percent.

Abstract: An airbag device according to the present invention includes an airbag folded and housed in the shape of folded-up body, and an airbag wrapping member for keeping the folded-up configuration of the airbag. The folded-up body is formed by bringing both ends of the airbag close to a base line, such that the folded-up body is symmetric with respect to the base line. The wrapping member includes a breakable portion in a region above the base line. The breakable portion includes a plurality of apertures each of which is located across the base line as to extend toward both sides from the base line, and connecting portions for connecting adjacent apertures into a larger opening upon breakage. The connecting portions disposed by the side of both ends of each of the apertures are located in opposite sides of the base line. The wrapping member further includes two cut-out portions in edges of a cover portion in a direction along the base line.

Abstract: A steering wheel horn switch includes two contact members and a support member, which supports the contact member and is formed from a light metallic material, and the contact member and the support member are electrically conducted to each other in such a manner to form a horn operating circuit. An electric conductor having electrical conductivity, which is higher than the electrical conductivity of the support member, is disposed between the contact member and the support member in such a way as to come in contact with both the contact member and the support member. The electric conductor is in contact with the support member so that the contact area therebetween is larger than the contact area between the contact member and the support member in the case when the contact member is singly brought into contact with the support member, or so that the electric conductor is brought into contact with the support member by being pushed by the support member.

Abstract: A horn switch includes a stationary member, a movable member, a spring and a connecting bolt. The stationary member has a stationary contact and is supported on a steering wheel body The movable member has a movable contact and is arranged above the stationary member. The connecting bolt allows downward movements of the movable member and prescribes a distance of the movable contact from the stationary contact. The connecting bolt is provided with a head and a shank. The head abuts against an underside of the stationary member. The shank extends upward from the head to be fastened to a threaded hole in the movable member. Prior to fastening, the connecting bolt is temporarily fixed to the stationary member by latch legs. The latch legs latch a lower surface of the head in a manner to permit the connecting bolt to be fastened to the movable member.

Abstract: An air bag wherein a peripheral wall portion on one side opposite to an opening for introducing an inflation gas is put on the side of a peripheral wall portion having the opening and flattened. The peripheral edges around the opening are folded together closer to the opening side at the first stage. Peripheral edges on the end portion side thus folded around the opening are folded at the second stage in such a manner as to set the peripheral edges closer to the opening side whereby to house the air bag in a casing. The region of an air bag cover which is positioned above and substantially closer to a center of the air bag thus folded up is thick-walled so that the region thereof may protrude downward from the periphery of the air bag.

Abstract: It is a steering wheel horn switch that has two contact members and a support member, which supports the contact member and is formed from a light metallic material, and that the contact member and the support member are electrically conducted to each other in such a manner as to be able to form a horn operating circuit. An electric conductor having electrical conductivity, which is higher than that of the support member, is disposed between the contact member and the support member in such a way as to come in contact with both the contact member and the support member. The electric conductor is in contact with the support member so that the contact area therebetween is larger than the contact area between the contact member and the support member in the case when the contact member is singly brought into contact with the support member, or so that the electric conductor is brought into contact with the support member by being pushed by the support member.

Abstract: A horn switch includes a stationary member, a movable member, a spring and a connecting bolt. The stationary member has a stationary contact and is supported on a steering wheel body. The movable member has a movable contact and is arranged above the stationary member. The connecting bolt allows downward movements of the movable member and prescribes a distance of the movable contact from the stationary contact. The connecting bolt is provided with a head and a shank. The head abuts against an underside of the stationary member. The shank extends upward from the head to be fastened to a threaded hole in the movable member. Prior to fastening, the connecting bolt is temporarily fixed to the stationary member by latch legs. The latch legs latch a lower surface of the head in a manner to permit the connecting bolt to be fastened to the movable member.

Abstract: A steering wheel including a pad portion mounted on a boss portion, a ring portion supported on the boss portion via spokes, a horn button mounted on an upper surface of the pad portion, and a display portion of a luminous display device. The display portion is mounted on a part of the pad portion close to the driver's side, and the horn button is mounted on the part of the pad portion close to a front window of a vehicle. Only the part of the pad portion on which the display portion is mounted is inclined toward the driver's side so that the front window does not fall within a light projecting region of said display portion. The luminous display device includes a translucent light-dissipation plate mounted in an opening of a reflection chamber. The thickness of the dissipation plate becomes progressively smaller away from a main light-emitting element provided within the reflection chamber. A sub light-emitting element is mounted below a character plate and disposed close to the reflection chamber.

Abstract: A gauge for detecting both the temperature and surface level of a fluid within a container. The gauge includes an elongated casing which extends into the fluid. A float which rises and falls with the fluid surface is slidably coupled to the casing and carries a magnet. A support member positioned within the casing carries both a sensor for determining the position of the magnet and a sensor for measuring the fluid temperature. The surface level of the fluid can be determined from the position of the magnet. A heat conducting element thermally couples the temperature detecting sensor to the fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the support member takes the form of a printed board. In a separate preferred aspect, the temperature and magnet detecting sensors are reed switches which are vertically spaced apart yet aligned in parallel to minimize interference.

Abstract: A steering wheel comprising a pair of sun gears set facing each other, each sun gear comprising a wheel portion having an inner surface and a rim portion protruding along the outer circumference of the wheel portion, slip rings mounted on the inner surface of the wheel portions, and contact pins, that make sliding contact with the slip rings on the wheel portions, provided between the sun gears.

Abstract: An ultrasonic level gauge that measures the level of a test surface inside a tank. A guiding pipe guides the ultrasonic wave transmitted by an ultrasonic transceiver to the test surface, and guides the ultrasonic wave reflected by the test surface back to the ultrasonic transceiver. An extended portion that extends the propagation distance of the ultrasonic wave guided by the guiding pipe may be provided on the basal portion of the guiding pipe. In this case, the ultrasonic transceiver is provided at the opening at the end of the extended portion. Also, a helical portion or a slanting portion may be provided in the guiding pipe to make the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic transceiver enter the test surface in a slanting direction.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly including an insulated base having a surface; a plurality of segmented slip rings having surfaces, disposed separately on the insulated base along a circular line such that they are mutually insulated; a plurality of contact pins that make sliding contact with the segmented slip rings along the circular line, and are set facing the surfaces of the segmented slip rings; and interposing pieces provided between the adjacent segmented slip rings such that the contact pins can move smoothly across the segmented slip rings.