Abstract: The control device is configured to communicate with another device via a communication network, and comprises: a key acquisition unit configured to acquire, from a key distribution server via the communication network, an encryption key with a life period for performing encrypted communication with the another device; an encrypted communication processing unit configured to perform the encrypted communication with the another device using the encryption key within the life period; a server state detection unit configured to detect a key acquisition disabled state where acquisition of the encryption key by the key acquisition unit is disabled; and a life extension unit configured to perform extension processing for extending the life period if the key acquisition disabled state is detected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of preventing discharged sheet adhesion while lowering degradation of productivity. A print unit prints an image on a sheet based on a print job. A fixing unit fixes the image primed on the sheet to the sheet. The sheet to which the image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray. A counter counts discharged sheet number that is the number of sheets discharged to the discharge tray during a continuous print operation. A controller controls the print unit so as to lower productivity that is discharging sheet number per unit time in response to increase in the discharged sheet number counted by the counter and so as to recover the productivity in a case where the sheets discharged to the discharge tray are removed in a state where the productivity is lowered.

Abstract: The printer includes an image forming unit which forms an image on a sheet and a media sensor which detects a characteristic of the sheet. If the characteristics of the sheet do not support automatic double-sided printing, the printer forms an image on the first side of the sheet and discharges the sheet to an FD sheet discharge portion or an FU sheet discharge portion. After discharging the sheet, the printer instructs a user to place the discharged sheet on a cassette or a manual feed tray. If the sheet having the image formed on the first side is placed on the cassette or the manual feed tray, the printer forms an image on a second side of the sheet.

Abstract: Rack bar 10 for transmitting a steering operation to steered wheels while converting a rotational movement of a pinion shaft rotatably connected to a steering wheel into an axial movement, the rack bar being formed by conducting a die forging process on a material having an approximately circular cross section. A pair of face width-enlarged portions 15 is provided at both ends that rack teeth 14 have in face width direction. With this, it becomes possible to ensure face width dimension W of rack teeth 14 larger than outer shape S of a circular cross section of rack main body 13 (material), which results in an improvement of a contact gear ratio between the pinion teeth and the rack teeth.

Abstract: The printer includes an image forming unit which forms an image on a sheet and a media sensor which detects a characteristic of the sheet. If the characteristics of the sheet do not support automatic double-sided printing, the printer forms an image on the first side of the sheet and discharges the sheet to an FD sheet discharge portion or an FU sheet discharge portion. After discharging the sheet, the printer instructs a user to place the discharged sheet on a cassette or a manual feed tray. If the sheet having the image formed on the first side is placed on the cassette or the manual feed tray, the printer forms an image on a second side of the sheet. In this manner, the printer can perform the double-sided printing even if the sheet does not support the automatic double-sided printing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of preventing discharged sheet adhesion while lowering degradation of productivity. A print unit prints an image on a sheet based on a print job. A fixing unit fixes the image primed on the sheet to the sheet. The sheet to which the image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray. A counter counts discharged sheet number that is the number of sheets discharged to the discharge tray during a continuous print operation. A controller controls the print unit so as to lower productivity that is discharging sheet number per unit time in response to increase in the discharged sheet number counted by the counter and so as to recover the productivity in a case where the sheets discharged to the discharge tray are removed in a state where the productivity is lowered.

Abstract: Rack bar 10 for transmitting a steering operation to steered wheels while converting a rotational movement of a pinion shaft rotatably connected to a steering wheel into an axial movement, the rack bar being formed by conducting a die forging process on a material having an approximately circular cross section. A pair of face width-enlarged portions 15 is provided at both ends that rack teeth 14 have in face width direction. With this, it becomes possible to ensure face width dimension W of rack teeth 14 larger than outer shape S of a circular cross section of rack main body 13 (material), which results in an improvement of a contact gear ratio between the pinion teeth and the rack teeth.

Abstract: Polymer Insulator which is characterized by a rode having on its outer surface an umbrella-like housing or insulator layer and having end portions which are formed so as to freely expand with at least one splitting groove; a fixture having a mounting hole in which the end portion of the rod is inserted and which has an inner surface tapering inwards against which the outer surface of said rod abuts in its expanded state; and a wedge fixed in said mounting hole, the wedge being inserted into a splitting groove formed in the end portion of the rod when the end portion of said rod is mounted into said mounting hole of said fixture, the top end of the wedge having an engaging portion which is held in the splitting groove thereby to cause the whole wedge to engage in the splitting grove.