Abstract: A steering wheel grip detection device includes a series circuit including an inductance element, a thermostat incorporated into a steering wheel, and a heater incorporated into the steering wheel; an electrostatic sensor circuit that detects a grip of the steering wheel by means of an electric or electromagnetic field; and a voltage detecting circuit that detects an open/closed state of the thermostat.

Abstract: A steering wheel heater device including: a heating wire; a power line connected in series to the heating wire, for supplying the heating wire with power; a ground line connected in series to the heating wire; a lead-out wire connected to a point along a wiring pattern formed of the heating wire; and a contact detection circuit electrically connected to the wiring pattern formed of the heating wire through the lead-out wire, wherein a portion of the wiring pattern is connected in series between the ground line and the contact detection circuit.

Abstract: An electrostatic steering wheel hold detection device includes: a first heater element located in a steering wheel, and has one end electrically connected to a power source; an inductor—that is electrically connected to an other end of the first heater element; a second heater element that is included in the steering wheel, and has one end electrically connected to the other end of the first heater element via the inductor; and a sensor circuit that is electrically connected to a connection point between the first heater element and the inductor, and detects, from a change in capacitance at the connection point, whether or not the steering wheel is held. An other end of the second heater element is electrically connected to a ground. The second heater element is located lower than the first heater element in the steering wheel when the steering wheel is in a neutral position.

Abstract: A heater device includes: a base member; a heater wire; and a sensor which measures capacitance of the heater wire, wherein the heater wire forms a first wiring pattern and a second wiring pattern connected in series, the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern each include N wire blocks, the N wire blocks included in the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern are disposed in a manner that arrangement of the N wire blocks included in the first wiring pattern and arrangement of the N wire blocks included in the second wiring pattern are reversed in the circumferential direction of the rim and facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction, and a sum of sensitivity of the sensor to capacitance of a pair of wire blocks facing each other is substantially equal to that of another pair.

Abstract: A grip sensor includes: a plurality of capacitive detectors which are disposed in a grip of a steering wheel of a vehicle, and output values which vary according to whether a human body is in contact; and a controller which determines, at a preset timing, a reference value to be subtracted from the values output from the plurality of capacitive detectors, to determine whether the human body is in contact, wherein the controller identifies, from among values output from the plurality of capacitive detectors at the preset timing, one or more values each having an absolute value smaller than a first threshold, and determines, as the reference value, one of the one or more values identified or an average of the one or more values identified.

Abstract: A steering wheel grip detection device includes a series circuit including an inductance element, a thermostat incorporated into a steering wheel, and a heater incorporated into the steering wheel; an electrostatic sensor circuit that detects a grip of the steering wheel by means of an electric or electromagnetic field; and a voltage detecting circuit that detects an open/closed state of the thermostat.

Abstract: An electrostatic steering wheel hold detection device includes: a first heater element located in a steering wheel, and has one end electrically connected to a power source; an inductor -that is electrically connected to an other end of the first heater element; a second heater element that is included in the steering wheel, and has one end electrically connected to the other end of the first heater element via the inductor; and a sensor circuit that is electrically connected to a connection point between the first heater element and the inductor, and detects, from a change in capacitance at the connection point, whether or not the steering wheel is held. An other end of the second heater element is electrically connected to a ground. The second heater element is located lower than the first heater element in the steering wheel when the steering wheel is in a neutral position.

Abstract: A heater device includes: a base member; a heater wire; and a sensor which measures capacitance of the heater wire, wherein the heater wire forms a first wiring pattern and a second wiring pattern connected in series, the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern each include N wire blocks, the N wire blocks included in the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern are disposed in a manner that arrangement of the N wire blocks included in the first wiring pattern and arrangement of the N wire blocks included in the second wiring pattern are reversed in the circumferential direction of the rim and facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction, and a sum of sensitivity of the sensor to capacitance of a pair of wire blocks facing each other is substantially equal to that of another pair.

Abstract: An electrostatic grip detection device includes a base material, a heater wire, a sensor wire, and a detection unit. The heater wire is formed in the base material. The sensor wire is formed in the base material, and has a first end electrically connected to the heater wire and a second end opened. The detection unit is electrically connected to at least one of the heater wire and the sensor wire, and senses a change in electrostatic capacitance of at least one of the heater wire and the sensor wire.

Abstract: A steering wheel heater device including: a heating wire; a power line connected in series to the heating wire, for supplying the heating wire with power; a ground line connected in series to the heating wire; a lead-out wire connected to a point along a wiring pattern formed of the heating wire; and a contact detection circuit electrically connected to the wiring pattern formed of the heating wire through the lead-out wire, wherein a portion of the wiring pattern is connected in series between the ground line and the contact detection circuit.

Abstract: A grip sensor includes: a plurality of capacitive detectors which are disposed in a grip of a steering wheel of a vehicle, and output values which vary according to whether a human body is in contact; and a controller which determines, at a preset timing, a reference value to be subtracted from the values output from the plurality of capacitive detectors, to determine whether the human body is in contact, wherein the controller identifies, from among values output from the plurality of capacitive detectors at the preset timing, one or more values each having an absolute value smaller than a first threshold, and determines, as the reference value, one of the one or more values identified or an average of the one or more values identified.

Abstract: There is provided a gas detector capable of detecting hydrogen concentration and humidity independently in the environment containing both hydrogen and water vapor. The gas detector comprises a high-temp exothermic detector unit and a low-temp exothermic detector unit provided with themosensitive resistors of different self-heating temperatures. The gas detector converts gas-level outputs produced by the high-temp exothermic detector unit and the low-temp exothermic detector unit responsive to the hydrogen concentration and humidity into electric signals, and outputs them after computing electrically levels of the hydrogen concentration and humidity contained in a gas introduced into the two detector units through a gas intake opening.

Abstract: There is provided a gas detector capable of detecting hydrogen concentration and humidity independently in the environment containing both hydrogen and water vapor. The gas detector comprises a high-temp exothermic detector unit and a low-temp exothermic detector unit provided with themosensitive resistors of different self-heating temperatures. The gas detector converts gas-level outputs produced by the high-temp exothermic detector unit and the low-temp exothermic detector unit responsive to the hydrogen concentration and humidity into electric signals, and outputs them after computing electrically levels of the hydrogen concentration and humidity contained in a gas introduced into the two detector units through a gas intake opening.

Abstract: A gas concentration detector is provided which is easily applicable to a fuel cell system and capable of measuring the concentration of carbon monoxide without depending on the flow of test gas while performing an action of refreshment when the concentration of carbon monoxide is relatively high and also producing no abrupt change in the its current output. The gas concentration includes an electrolytic membrane having a hydrogen ionic conductivity, a detecting electrode having a first catalyst and contacting with one side of the electrolytic membrane, a counter electrode having a second catalyst and contacting with other side of the electrolytic membrane, a first collector plate, and a second collector plate.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide sensor having a fast response performance without leakage of object gas to an exterior atmosphere is presented. The sensor includes: a proton conductive electrolyte film; two electrodes having catalysts and being disposed at opposite sides of the proton conductive electrolyte film; a positive electrode current collector plate, where a gas passage having a gas inlet and outlet is formed, with the gas passage contacting one of electrodes; a negative electrode current collector plate having plural holes contacting the other of the electrodes; a direct-current power source having positive and negative terminals connected to the positive and negative electrode current collector plates, respectively; and a current detecting unit for detecting a current that varies depending on a concentration of carbon monoxide in an object gas, containing hydrogen, flowing in the gas passage.

Abstract: An inclination sensor having excellent rotational performance, longlasting stability and high sensing precision. The inclination sensor comprises a pendulum (10) rotatably attached to a case (1) of a fixed body secured to an attached member, a magnetic flux-generating means (11) attached to the pendulum (10), reed switches (4a) and (4b) attached to part of the case (1) corresponding to the locus along which the magnetic flux-generating means (11) moves, and a flange portion (12) which is a damping body being nonmagnetic and electrically conductive and disposed in the case (1) along the locus of the movement of the magnetic flux-generating means (11).

Abstract: The pendulum assembly comprises a permanent magnet disposed in the vicinity of a pendulum, a U-shaped yoke by which most of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet is gathered and passes through, and a rotation shaft. The direction of axis of the rotation shaft is parallel to the direction of magnetic poles of the permanent magnet. Eddy current brakes are inserted into the spaces between one of the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet and one of the ends of the yoke, and between the other magnetic pole the magnet and the other end of the yoke. This construction achieves a more compact and shorter tilt sensor which is resistant to disturbances such as geomagnetism and other magnetic fields and vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an inclination angle sensor that can be mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, resistant to external disturbances such as vibrations, superior in rotational performance, and small in size. In order to achieve the object, an inclination angle sensor of the present invention includes: a non-magnetic and electrically conductive weight (1); a rotary shaft (2) fixed to the weight (1); a bearing (3) for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft (2); a frame (4) for securing the bearing (3); one or two combinations of reflection type photo-interrupter (6) consisting of a light-receiving element (27) and a light-emitting element (26) for varying signal in response to a movement of the weight (1); a flange part (7) provided to outstretch from an outer perimeter of the weight in parallel to or in a manner to form a predetermined angle with the rotary shaft (2); and a magnet (8) fixed to the frame (4) in a manner produce magnetic flux primarily toward the flange part (7).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an inclination sensor that has a superior rotational performance and long term stability, and is high in detecting accuracy. In order to achieve the above object, the inclination sensor of the present invention comprises a pendulum (10) mounted rotatably relative to a case (1) of a fixing body to be fixed to a mounting body, a magnetic flux generation means (11) mounted on the pendulum (10), reed switches (4a) and (4b) mounted on a part of the case (1) corresponding with a rotational path of the magnetic flux generation means (11), and a flange part (12) having nonmagnetic and electrically conductive properties defining a damping body arranged on the case (1) along the rotational path of the magnetic flux generation means (11).

Abstract: In order to present a temperature sensor which works stable also in a high temperature condition showing only a small deviation in the resistance value of thermistor, the invented temperature sensor comprises a heat resisting cap (5) made of a metal, a thermistor (1) housed inside the heat resisting cap (5) and at least more than one lead wire (4) which is electrically connected with the thermistor (1) and is pulled out of said heat resisting cap (5), said heat resisting cap (5) being formed with an alloy containing Ni—Cr as the main ingredient.