Abstract: An apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention determines whether or not platoon vehicles can pass through an intersection, and includes: a calculation unit that calculates a first distance, a second distance, and a third distance described below; and a determination unit that determines whether or not the platoon vehicles can pass through the intersection, based on a result of comparison of the first distance with the second and third distances. First distance: a distance from a stop line of the intersection to a position of a leading vehicle at the present time. Second distance: a distance obtained by subtracting a platoon length from a distance of traveling for a remaining green interval at a vehicle speed at the present time. Third distance: a distance required for the leading vehicle to safely stop before the stop line of the intersection, with the vehicle speed at the present time.

Abstract: A traffic signal control apparatus capable of controlling signal light colors at a target intersection includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire positional information of a tail-end vehicle among platoon vehicles traveling on an inflow road of the target intersection, and a vehicle speed of the platoon vehicles; and a control unit configured to, when the tail-end vehicle cannot pass a stop line of the target intersection by the time a remaining green interval elapses, execute preferential control that allows the platoon vehicles to preferentially pass through the target intersection by extending a clearance interval of the target intersection.

Abstract: A traffic signal control apparatus capable of controlling signal light colors at a target intersection and a downstream intersection, and includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a platoon length of platoon vehicles that are traveling on an inflow road of the target intersection, and an empty space length in a planned traveling route of the platoon vehicles; and a control unit configured to determine whether or not to control the signal light color at the downstream intersection corresponding to the planned traveling route of the platoon vehicles, according to a result of comparison between the platoon length and the empty space length.

Abstract: A traffic signal control apparatus capable of controlling signal light colors at a target intersection includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire positional information of a tail-end vehicle among platoon vehicles traveling on an inflow road of the target intersection, and a vehicle speed of the platoon vehicles; and a control unit configured to, when the tail-end vehicle cannot pass a stop line of the target intersection by the time a remaining green interval elapses, execute preferential control that allows the platoon vehicles to preferentially pass through the target intersection by extending a clearance interval of the target intersection.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention determines whether or not platoon vehicles can pass through an intersection, and includes: a calculation unit that calculates a first distance, a second distance, and a third distance described below; and a determination unit that determines whether or not the platoon vehicles can pass through the intersection, based on a result of comparison of the first distance with the second and third distances. First distance: a distance from a stop line of the intersection to a position of a leading vehicle at the present time. Second distance: a distance obtained by subtracting a platoon length from a distance of traveling for a remaining green interval at a vehicle speed at the present time. Third distance: a distance required for the leading vehicle to safely stop before the stop line of the intersection, with the vehicle speed at the present time.

Abstract: A traffic signal control apparatus capable of controlling signal light colors at a target intersection and a downstream intersection, and includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a platoon length of platoon vehicles that are traveling on an inflow road of the target intersection, and an empty space length in a planned traveling route of the platoon vehicles; and a control unit configured to determine whether or not to control the signal light color at the downstream intersection corresponding to the planned traveling route of the platoon vehicles, according to a result of comparison between the platoon length and the empty space length.

Abstract: An etchant and a method for roughening a copper surface each capable of permitting copper with roughened surface which exhibits acid resistance and permits a copper conductive pattern and an outer layer material to be firmly bonded to each other therethrough in manufacturing of a printed wiring board to simplify the manufacturing. The etchant may contain an oxo acid such as sulfuric acid, peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide and an auxiliary component such as an azole and chlorine. The azole may comprise benzotriazole (BTA). The chlorine may be in the form of sodium chloride (NaCl). The etchant permits a copper surface to be roughened in an acicular manner.

Abstract: A liquid etchant and a method for roughening a copper surface each capable of providing copper with a roughened surface increased in acid resistance regardless of a chlorine ion in a short period of time, to thereby ensure firm adhesion between a copper conductive pattern and an outer layer material during manufacturing of a printed circuit board, resulting in the manufacturing being highly simplified. The liquid etchant includes a main component containing an oxo acid such as sulfuric acid and a peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide. Also, the liquid etchant includes an auxiliary component containing a tetrazole such as 5-aminotetrazole or the like, or a 1,2,3-azole. The liquid etchant permits a copper surface to be roughened in an acicular manner.

Abstract: A liquid etchant and a method for roughening a copper surface each capable of providing copper with a roughened surface increased in acid resistance regardless of a chlorine ion in a short period of time, to thereby ensure firm adhesion between a copper conductive pattern and an outer layer material during manufacturing of a printed circuit board, resulting in the manufacturing being highly simplified. The liquid etchant includes a main component containing an oxo acid such as sulfuric acid and a peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide. Also, the liquid etchant includes an auxiliary component containing a tetrazole such as 5-aminotetrazole or the like, or a 1,2,3-azole. The liquid etchant permits a copper surface to be roughened in an acicular manner.

Abstract: A liquid etchant and a method for roughening a copper surface each capable of providing copper with a roughened surface increased in acid resistance regardless of a chlorine ion in a short period of time, to thereby ensure firm adhesion between a copper conductive pattern and an outer layer material during manufacturing of a printed circuit board, resulting in the manufacturing being highly simplified. The liquid etchant includes a main component containing an oxo acid such as sulfuric acid and a peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide. Also, the liquid etchant includes an auxiliary component containing a tetrazole such as 5-aminotetrazole or the like, or a 1,2,3-azole. The liquid etchant permits a copper surface to be roughened in an acicular manner.

Abstract: An etchant and a method for roughening a copper surface each capable of permitting copper with roughened surface which exhibits acid resistance and permits a copper conductive pattern and an outer layer material to be firmly bonded to each other therethrough in manufacturing of a printed wiring board to simplify the manufacturing. The etchant may contain an oxo acid such as sulfuric acid, peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide and an auxiliary component such as an azole and chlorine. The azole may comprise benzotriazole (BTA). The chlorine may be in the form of sodium chloride (NaCl). The etchant permits a copper surface to be roughened in an acicular manner.

Abstract: An etchant and a method for roughening a copper surface each capable of permitting copper with roughened surface which exhibits acid resistance and permits a copper conductive pattern and an outer layer material to be firmly bonded to each other therethrough in manufacturing of a printed wiring board to simplify the manufacturing. The etchant may contain an oxo acid such as sulfuric acid, peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide and an auxiliary component such as an azole and chlorine. The azole may comprise benzotriazole (BTA). The chlorine may be in the form of sodium chloride (NaCl). The etchant permits a copper surface to be roughened in an acicular manner.

Abstract: An etchant and a method for roughening a copper surface each capable of permitting copper with roughened surface which exhibits acid resistance and permits a copper conductive pattern and an outer layer material to be firmly bonded to each other therethrough in manufacturing of a printed wiring board to simplify the manufacturing. The etchant may contain an oxo acid such as sulfuric acid, peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide and an auxiliary component such as an azole and chlorine. The azole may comprise benzotriazole (BTA). The chlorine may be in the form of sodium chloride (NaCl). The etchant permits a copper surface to be roughened in an acicular manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for calcining raw materials in the form of powder or particles. The gases entrain the particles to spiral upward in the calcining furnace. In an upper throttle chamber the relatively coarse particles which have not been completely calcined are separated from the gas flow and returned into the calcining zone to be calcined again. This pattern of material flow is repeated several times. The calcining efficiency can be improved, so that the furnace can be made small in size. The uniformly calcined particles are discharged from the top of the furnace and introduced into one or more cyclone separators through an outlet duct including a 180.degree. bend section.