Abstract: The present invention is directed to a master cylinder provided with an annular seal member (S1) having an annular groove of U-shaped cross section formed on its one end face, and a substantially annular seal retainer (30) for restricting at least axial movement of the seal member, and including a substantially annular lifted wall portion (31) formed to extend axially into the U-shaped annular groove of the seal member, and a substantially annular step portion (32) formed on an inner periphery of the lifted wall portion, for contacting an open end face of the seal member. The seal retainer is reduced in diameter by radial pressing force produced when it is received in a cylinder bore (1), and restored when the pressing force is released. The seal member is placed in an annular hold groove (1d), and the seal retainer is received from an open end of the cylinder bore to be placed in an annular transfer groove (1b), with the seal retainer reduced in diameter.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for applying a braking force to a wheel of a vehicle which can detect an air-containing in a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic brake device includes a hydraulic pressure generating device for generating and outputting a hydraulic pressure in accordance with a brake operational amount, a wheel cylinder operated by the hydraulic pressure directly or indirectly supplied from the hydraulic pressure generating device for applying a braking force to a vehicle wheel, a brake operational amount detection device for detecting the brake operational amount, a pressure sensor for detecting an output hydraulic pressure outputted from the hydraulic pressure generating device, and a controller for detecting an air-containing in a hydraulic circuit by a response time relating to a rise of the output hydraulic pressure detected by the pressure sensor relative to a start of a rise of the brake operation amount detected by the brake operational amount detection device.

Abstract: In a gas-liquid separation device in a vibrator engine according to the present invention, a crank chamber and a rocker chamber communicate with each other through an oil delivery passage, and a push rod chamber and the crank chamber communicate with each other through an oil chamber and an oil discharge port. Oil mist generated in the crank chamber flows into the rocker chamber through the oil delivery passage, as the oil discharge port begins to resist the flow. The mist flows into the push rod chamber after the mist is made into liquid for lubrication of parts to be lubricated. Thus, the oil is returned to the crank chamber from the oil delivery passage through the rocker chamber, the push rod chamber, and the oil chamber to form a circulating path.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake apparatus includes a hydraulic pressure generator which generates a power pressure irrespective of operation of a brake pedal and a regulation valve which regulates the power pressure to a predetermined pressure corresponding to an operation force of the brake pedal and outputs it to an output chamber. A master cylinder generates a master cylinder pressure in a master cylinder chamber by forward movement of the master cylinder piston and a wheel brake cylinder is operated by the master cylinder pressure to apply braking force to a vehicle wheel. An auxiliary piston is located backward the master cylinder piston to define an auxiliary pressure chamber between the master cylinder piston and the auxiliary piston and to move the master cylinder piston forward by an auxiliary pressure in the auxiliary pressure chamber. A pressure modulating device decreases the predetermined pressure outputted from the output chamber to supply the auxiliary pressure to the auxiliary pressure chamber.

Abstract: A reflective layer for reflecting light incident from a second substrate side and transmitting through a second electrode made of ITO or the like is formed above a first substrate, a switching element provided for each pixel, and an insulating film covering the switching element, the reflective layer being insulated from the switching element. A first electrode having a work function similar to the second electrode and made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO is formed more proximate to a liquid crystal layer than is the reflective layer and is connected to the switching element. The thickness of the first electrode is set to 100 Å or less or in a range approximately from 750 Å to 1250 Å.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for a vehicle includes an auxiliary piston having an effective cross-sectional area larger than that of a master piston, and a pressure transmitting chamber provided between the large diameter portion and the master piston. The auxiliary piston is operatively associated with the assisting operation of an assisting device. A valve mechanism hydraulically closes the pressure transmitting chamber when the actuation of the master piston is assisted by the assisting device through the auxiliary piston and establishes hydraulic communication between the pressure transmitting chamber and a reservoir of the master cylinder when the master piston is not actuated by the assisting device.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure generator which generates and outputs a power pressure irrespective of brake pedal operation, a regulation valve which regulates the power pressure to a predetermined pressure corresponding to the brake pedal operation force and outputs the predetermined pressure, and a master cylinder having a master cylinder pressure chamber and an auxiliary pressure chamber connectable to an output side of the regulation valve. The master cylinder is operated by auxiliary pressure in the auxiliary pressure chamber to generate a master cylinder pressure corresponding to the auxiliary pressure. A wheel brake cylinder is operated by the master cylinder pressure to apply braking force to a wheel. A pressure modulation device is disposed in a pressure passage connecting the output side of the regulation valve to the auxiliary pressure chamber to modulate the auxiliary pressure to a pressure less than the predetermined.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a brake operating member, a hydraulic pressure generating source, a regulating valve, a master cylinder having first and second pistons, a pressure detecting means connected to a second pressure chamber for detecting a brake hydraulic pressure outputted from the second pressure chamber, a brake operating amount detecting means for detecting an operating amount of the brake operating member, and a judging means for judging a hydraulic pressure condition of first and second hydraulic systems respectively connected to first and second chambers based upon the brake hydraulic pressure detected by the pressure detecting means relative to the operating amount of the brake operating member detected by the brake operating amount detecting means.

Abstract: A master cylinder includes a cylinder housing having a cylinder bore, a seal cup disposed inside the cylinder bore, and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder bore in sliding contact with the seal cup and defining a pressure chamber in cooperation with the housing and the seal cup. The piston includes a connecting passage which fluidly connects the pressure chamber with an atmospheric pressure chamber when the piston is in a retracted position. The seal cup cuts off fluid communication between the pressure chamber and the atmospheric pressure chamber through the connecting passage when the piston moves in its axial direction by a prescribed distance from its retracted position. The connecting passage is a stepped hole having a first end portion with a small diameter which communicates with the pressure chamber and a second end portion with a large diameter which opens onto an outer peripheral surface of the piston.

Abstract: An apparatus has a printer unit, a scanner unit, a front cover that opens upward in the direction of the back surface and forms a transport path of scanner paper discharged by the scanner unit, and mounting members provided on the front cover for detachably mounting the scanner unit in such an attitude that the main scanning direction becomes horizontal. Furthermore, as the need arises, the apparatus may have a scanner paper tray member rotatably connected to the front cover at a location higher than the mounting members for feeding scanner paper to the scanner unit.

Abstract: On a first substrate, a TFT which is a switching element is provided for each pixel, and above an insulating film covering this TFT, a reflective layer which is insulated from the TFT and which reflects light entering a second substrate and transmitting through a second electrode made of ITO is formed. Further, a first electrode having a work function similar to that of the second electrode and made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO is formed closer to a liquid crystal layer than the reflective layer, and this first electrode is connected with the TFT. With this configuration, the liquid crystal layer can be symmetrically AC driven by the first and second electrodes. A reliable connection between the first electrode and the TFT is provided through a connection metal layer made of a refractory metal.

Abstract: On a first substrate are formed a TFT provided to each pixel, an insulating film which covers the TFT, and a reflective layer which is provided on the insulating film so as to be insulated from the TFT and reflects light incident from a second substrate side. The reflective layer is covered with a passivation film on which a first electrode made of a transparent conductive material, such as ITO having the work function equivalent to a second electrode, is formed and connected to the TFT. The passivation film covering the reflective layer prevents the reflective surface of the reflective layer from deteriorating in reflection properties during a process for connecting the TFT and the first electrode. Further, the first and second electrodes having similar characteristics can symmetrically AC drive the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: An LCD apparatus having a liquid crystal layer sealed between a first substrate having a first electrode and a second substrate having a second electrode, wherein the first substrate comprises a reflective layer formed only in a subregion within a pixel region, for reflecting light. A transparent conductive material is used for the first electrode and the first electrode made of the transparent conductive material is layered to cover a transmissive region within a pixel region and over the reflective layer in a reflective region within the pixel region to directly cover the reflective layer.

Abstract: In a gas-liquid separation device in a vibrator engine according to the present invention, a crank chamber and a rocker chamber communicate with each other through an oil delivery passage, and a push rod chamber and the crank chamber communicate with each other through an oil chamber and an oil discharge port. Oil mist generated in the crank chamber flows into the rocker chamber through the oil delivery passage, as the oil discharge port begins to resist the flow. The mist flows into the push rod chamber after the mist is made into liquid for lubrication of parts to be lubricated. Thus, the oil is returned to the crank chamber from the oil delivery passage through the rocker chamber, the push rod chamber, and the oil chamber to form a circulating path.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for a vehicle includes a master cylinder having a master piston and an auxiliary piston for assisting the actuation of the master piston. The vehicle hydraulic brake device also includes a first valve mechanism for hydraulically closing a first pressure transmitting chamber when the actuation of the master piston is assisted by an assisting device, a second valve mechanism for hydraulically closing a second pressure transmitting chamber after the pressure in the first pressure transmitting chamber reaches a predetermined value, and for hydraulically connecting the second pressure transmitting chamber with the first pressure transmitting chamber when the master piston is not actuated by the assisting device.

Abstract: A scanner-equipped apparatus includes a combination of a base unit such as a printer unit, personal computer or word processor incorporating a printer unit and a scanner unit. The printer unit and the scanner unit can operate as automatic sheet feeder type apparatus, respectively. The scanner unit can be used as a handy scanner in the state detached from the base unit. The basic unit and the scanner unit are disposed substantially in upstanding posture in parallel with each other, wherein the scanner unit is removably combined with the base unit so that the scanner unit can be used as the handy scanner. A sheet transporting path for the scanner is formed between confronting surfaces of the base unit and the scanner unit. The sheet feeding mechanism for the scanner unit is so implemented as to be used intact as a driving mechanism for the handy scanner. The scanner-equipped apparatus can be realized inexpensively in a simplified mechanical structure while ensuring enhanced manipulatability.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for applying a braking force to a wheel of a vehicle which can detect an air-containing in a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic brake device includes a hydraulic pressure generating device for generating and outputting a hydraulic pressure in accordance with a brake operational amount, a wheel cylinder operated by the hydraulic pressure directly or indirectly supplied from the hydraulic pressure generating device for applying a braking force to a vehicle wheel, a brake operational amount detection device for detecting the brake operational amount, a pressure sensor for detecting an output hydraulic pressure outputted from the hydraulic pressure generating device, and a controller for detecting an air-containing in a hydraulic circuit by a response time relating to a rise of the output hydraulic pressure detected by the pressure sensor relative to a start of a rise of the brake operation amount detected by the brake operational amount detection device.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake apparatus includes a brake member, a master cylinder generating brake hydraulic pressure, and a master piston movable in response to operation of the brake member. A closed chamber is defined by the master piston and a power piston is disposed behind the master piston. A power chamber is defined by the power piston rearwardly of the power piston. An auxiliary hydraulic pressure source generates power hydraulic pressure and a pressure regulating device regulates the output power hydraulic pressure and feeds it to the power chamber. A reaction force member is disposed in a front end portion of the power piston and is exposed towards the closed chamber. A retaining device maintains the reaction force member exposed towards the closed chamber, with the rearward reaction force of the master piston being transmitted to a front end portion of the power piston while bypassing the reaction force member.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake apparatus includes a hydraulic pressure generator which generates a power pressure irrespective of operation of a brake pedal and a regulation valve which regulates the power pressure to a predetermined pressure corresponding to an operation force of the brake pedal and outputs it to an output chamber. A master cylinder generates a master cylinder pressure in a master cylinder chamber by forward movement of the master cylinder piston and a wheel brake cylinder is operated by the master cylinder pressure to apply braking force to a vehicle wheel. An auxiliary piston is located backward the master cylinder piston to define an auxiliary pressure chamber between the master cylinder piston and the auxiliary piston and to move the master cylinder piston forward by an auxiliary pressure in the auxiliary pressure chamber. A pressure modulating device decreases the predetermined pressure outputted from the output chamber to supply the auxiliary pressure to the auxiliary pressure chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic braking pressure generating apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure generator for generating a predetermined hydraulic pressure irrespective of a braking operation of a brake operation member and for outputting the predetermined hydraulic pressure, an input member moved in response to the brake operation member, a first elastic member for transmitting a brake operation force applied to the input member and for applying a stroke corresponding to the brake operation force to the input member, a regulation valve connecting to the first elastic member and for regulating the outputted hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic pressure generator in response to the brake operation force transmitted through the first elastic member and for outputting a regulated hydraulic pressure and a second elastic member connecting the regulation valve and for urging the regulation valve toward its initial position.