Abstract: An object is to provide a battery module with higher energy density. A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells each including a layered body and an exterior body, in which a first periphery of each of any general battery cells arranged in a layered direction of the layered bodies includes a first bend that is coupled to a first bottom surface formed on a circumference of the exterior body and that bends toward one side in the layered direction, and a first extension extending from the first bend toward the one side in the layered direction, and the first extension includes a first region extending from the first bend to another end in the layered direction of the next battery cell, and a second region extending from the other end in the layered direction of the next battery cell toward the one side in the layered direction.

Abstract: A film forming apparatus (10) includes a mask body (34) configured to expose inner surfaces (14a) of cylinder bores (14), and mask an inner surface (16a) of a crankcase (16). The mask body (34) includes a main body portion (104), a sealing member (106) and a biasing member (108). The main body portion (104) is configured to stretch and contract, and includes a first tubular member (100) and a second tubular member (102) configured to have an insert structure at least part of which is slidable along an axial direction. The main body portion (104) can stretch and contact in a state where at least one end in the axial direction thereof contacts an inner surface of a cylinder block (12). The sealing member (106) is interposed between sliding surfaces of the first tubular member (100) and the second tubular member (102). The biasing member (108) is configured to resiliently bias the first tubular member (100) and the second tubular member (102) in a stretching direction of the main body portion (104).

Abstract: A film forming apparatus (10) includes a mask body (34) configured to expose inner surfaces (14a) of cylinder bores (14), and mask an inner surface (16a) of a crankcase (16). The mask body (34) includes a main body portion (104), a sealing member (106) and a biasing member (108). The main body portion (104) is configured to stretch and contract, and includes a first tubular member (100) and a second tubular member (102) configured to have an insert structure at least part of which is slidable along an axial direction. The main body portion (104) can stretch and contact in a state where at least one end in the axial direction thereof contacts an inner surface of a cylinder block (12). The sealing member (106) is interposed between sliding surfaces of the first tubular member (100) and the second tubular member (102). The biasing member (108) is configured to resiliently bias the first tubular member (100) and the second tubular member (102) in a stretching direction of the main body portion (104).

Abstract: In an internal-combustion engine cylinder block, a SiC interlayer and a DLC film are formed on an inner wall of a cylinder bore. Expressions (1)-(3) are satisfied when T1 is the film thickness of the SiC interlayer and T2 is the film thickness of the DLC film. (1) T1?0.2 ?m. (2) T1<T2. (3) T1+T2?7 ?m. Preferably, 0.2 ?m?T1?1 ?m, and 7 ?m?T1+T2?13 ?m.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon-coated member of which the surface can be simply coated with a DLC coating film to achieve sufficient friction reduction. The carbon-coated member is formed by coating a DLC coating film on an internal sliding part of a cylindrical member. The DLC coating film has a hardness of 3.0 to 10.0 GPa, and a kurtosis Rku of 27.0 or less.

Abstract: A magnestostrictive torque sensor detects rotating torque applied to a rod-shaped rotating shaft to work around the rotating shaft based on a change in magnetic characteristics of a magnetostrictive film formed on a surface the rotating shaft so as to extend around a full circumference thereof in a circumferential direction. The magnetostrictive film is formed continuously in an axial direction at a portion on the rotating shaft in the axial direction thereof. The magnetostrictive film has on the continuously formed area a first magnetostrictive film portion and a second magnetostrictive film portion having magnetic anisotropies which are opposite to each other and a third magnetostrictive film portion which is formed between the first and second magnetostrictive film portions. A first detection coil, a second detection coil and a third detection coil are provided for the first magnetostrictive film portion, the second magnetostrictive film portion and the third magnetostrictive film portion, respectively.

Abstract: A plating apparatus includes a plating tank for storing a plating liquid, and applies a magnetic alloy plating to a shaft-shaped member immersed in the plating liquid by using the shaft-shaped member as a cathode. The plating apparatus further includes a rotable member configured to rotate the shaft-shaped member as a rotary shaft; annular shielding tools mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped member; a plating liquid discharge nozzle including plating liquid discharge ports which are provided to face the shaft-shaped member so as to avoid the shielding tools; and an anode provided around the shaft-shaped member and the plating liquid discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A magnestostrictive torque sensor 10 detects rotating torque applied to a rod-shaped rotating shaft 11 to work around the rotating shaft based on a change in magnetic characteristics of a magnetostrictive film formed on a surface the rotating shaft so as to extend around a full circumference thereof in a circumferential direction. The magnetostrictive film 14 is formed continuously in an axial direction at a portion on the rotating shaft in the axial direction thereof. The magnetostrictive film 14 has on the continuously formed area a first magnetostrictive film portion 14A and a second magnetostrictive film portion 14B having magnetic anisotropies which are opposite to each other and a third magnetostrictive film portion 14C which is formed between the first and second magnetostrictive film portions.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor having a rotating shaft on which at least one magnetostrictive film is formed, and has such a structure that the rotating shaft has small diameter portions and large diameter portions positioned on both end sides of the small diameter portions, and a length in an axial direction of the small diameter portion is determined in relation to a coil width of an induction heating coil to be used at a high frequency heating step and one magnetostrictive film is formed in the small diameter portion.

Abstract: For forming an annular magnetostrictive coat on an outer peripheral surface of a rotational shaft associated with a magnetostrictive torque sensor, a magnetostrictive-coat forming method comprises a step of fitting a cylindrical masking jig over the outer peripheral surface of the rotational shaft and securing the masking jig to the outer peripheral surface, a step of placing the rotational shaft in a plating tank to thereby form the magnetostrictive coat by plating on the outer peripheral surface, and a step of detaching the masking jig from the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A plating apparatus includes a plating tank for storing a plating liquid, and applies a magnetic alloy plating to a shaft-shaped member immersed in the plating liquid by using the shaft-shaped member as a cathode. The plating apparatus further includes a routable member configured to rotate the shaft-shaped member as a rotary shaft; annular shielding tools mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped member; a plating liquid discharge nozzle including plating liquid discharge ports which are provided to face the shaft-shaped member so as to avoid the shielding tools; and an anode provided around the shaft-shaped member and the plating liquid discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetostrictive torque sensor having low nonuniformity of sensitivity characteristics. The residual austenite content in the rotating shaft of the torque sensor is measured first. A magnetic film is subsequently subjected to a heat treatment under heat treatment conditions that are different for each of the measured residual austenite contents, and magnetic anisotropy is imparted.

Abstract: For forming an annular magnetostrictive coat on an outer peripheral surface of a rotational shaft associated with a magnetostrictive torque sensor, a magnetostrictive-coat forming method comprises a step of fitting a cylindrical masking jig over the outer peripheral surface of the rotational shaft and securing the masking jig to the outer peripheral surface, a step of placing the rotational shaft in a plating tank to thereby form the magnetostrictive coat by plating on the outer peripheral surface, and a step of detaching the masking jig from the rotational shaft.

Abstract: For forming an annular magnetostrictive coat on an outer peripheral surface of a rotational shaft associated with a magnetostrictive torque sensor, a magnetostrictive coat forming method comprises a step of fitting a cylindrical masking jig over the outer peripheral surface of the rotational shaft and securing the masking jig to the outer peripheral surface, a step of placing the rotational shaft in a plating tank to thereby form the magnetostrictive coat by plating on the outer peripheral surface, and a step of detaching the masking jig from the rotational shaft.

Abstract: For forming an annular magnetostrictive coat on an outer peripheral surface of a rotational shaft associated with a magnetostrictive torque sensor, a magnetostrictive-coat forming method comprises a step of fitting a cylindrical masking jig over the outer peripheral surface of the rotational shaft and securing the masking jig to the outer peripheral surface, a step of placing the rotational shaft in a plating tank to thereby form the magnetostrictive coat by plating on the outer peripheral surface, and a step of detaching the masking jig from the rotational shaft.

Abstract: For forming an annular magnetostrictive coat on an outer peripheral surface of a rotational shaft associated with a magnetostrictive torque sensor, a magnetostrictive-coat forming method comprises a step of fitting a cylindrical masking jig over the outer peripheral surface of the rotational shaft and securing the masking jig to the outer peripheral surface, a step of placing the rotational shaft in a plating tank to thereby form the magnetostrictive coat by plating on the outer peripheral surface, and a step of detaching the masking jig from the rotational shaft.

Abstract: The magnetostrictive torque sensor is a magnetostrictive torque sensor 10 having a rotating shaft 11 on which at least one magnetostrictive film 14A or 14B is formed, and has such a structure that the rotating shaft 11 has small diameter portions 11e and 11f and large diameter portions 11b, 11c and 11d positioned on both end sides of the small diameter portions, and a length in an axial direction of the small diameter portion is determined in relation to a coil width of an induction heating coil RC to be used at a high frequency heating step and one magnetostrictive film is formed in the small diameter portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetostrictive torque sensor compriseis the steps of forming magnetostrictive films on a rotating shaft of a magneto-strictive torque sensor, creating magnetic anisotropy in the magnetostrictive films formed in the magnetostrictive film formation step, and demagnetizing the rotating shaft. The demagnetization step is provided in any of the stages after the magnetostrictive film formation step, and comprises initializing the remanent magnetism created in the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetostrictive torque sensor having low nonuniformity of sensitivity characteristics. The residual austenite content in the rotating shaft of the torque sensor is measured first. A magnetic film is subsequently subjected to a heat treatment under heat treatment conditions that are different for each of the measured residual austenite contents, and magnetic anisotropy is imparted.

Abstract: A composite nickel and copper alloy plating film (3) containing nickel and copper. Nickel is of high wear resistance and a nickel alloy improves the wear resistance of the film. Copper is of high corrosion resistance and a copper alloy improves the corrosion resistance of the film. The film may further contain self-lubricating particles and hard particles which ensure its wear resistance and lubricating property to a further extent.