Abstract: A pressure sensor has a stem in which a pressure introduction hole into which a pressure medium is introduced and a diaphragm deformable according to the pressure of the pressure medium are formed, and a strain detecting element which is arranged on the diaphragm via an insulating film and being configured to output a detection signal according to the deformation of the diaphragm. The strain detecting element is configured to have a portion made of polysilicon. A low doping layer having a higher electrical resistivity than polysilicon and a higher crystallinity than the insulating film is arranged between the insulating film and the strain detecting element.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes: one article discharging apparatus; and another article discharging apparatus, the one article discharging apparatus and the other article discharging apparatus being capable of being combined in a back-to-back manner. The one article discharging apparatus includes: a driving source; an output gear configured to rotate by a driving force from the driving source when a discharging instruction has been given to the one article discharging apparatus; link levers where each link lever is provided rotatably about an axis of the link lever; and a controller configured to perform return processing including rotating the output gear in another direction or one direction to return the output gear to a standby position when the output gear that has been rotated in the one direction or the other direction from the standby position by the discharge instruction does not return to the standby position within a preset time.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes: an article discharging apparatus including a lower pedal and an upper pedal; an out-of-stock detection switch configured to: be turned to a first state when the lower pedal is turned to a second standby attitude; and be turned to a second state when the lower pedal is turned to any attitude other than the second standby attitude; and a controller configured to determine that an article has been dispensed from an article storage passage by the fact that the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state when the article discharging apparatus is driven.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes: one article discharging apparatus; and another article discharging apparatus, the one article discharging apparatus and the other article discharging apparatus being capable of being combined in a back-to-back manner. The one article discharging apparatus includes: a driving source; an output gear configured to rotate by a driving force from the driving source when a discharging instruction has been given to the one article discharging apparatus; link levers where each link lever is provided rotatably about an axis of the link lever; and a controller configured to, when the output gear is rotated from the standby position by the discharging instruction, prohibit stopping of drive of the driving source to allow the rotation of the output gear until a preset prohibited time elapses from starting of the rotation of the output gear even when supply of electric power to the driving source is interrupted.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes an article discharging apparatus, which includes a base, an article storage passage storing articles, a lower pedal, and an upper pedal, an out-of-stock detection switch that is turned to a first state when the lower pedal is in a second standby position and that is turned to a second state when the lower pedal is in a position other than the second standby position; an output member putting the article discharging apparatus in the standby state and drives the article discharging apparatus when the output member rotates from the standby position; and a controller rotating the output member to return the output member to the standby position when the output member rotated from the standby position does not return to the standby position in a preset set time and when the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state in the set time.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes an article discharging apparatus, which includes a base, an article storage passage storing articles, a lower pedal, and an upper pedal, an out-of-stock detection switch that is turned to a first state when the lower pedal is in a second standby position and that is turned to a second state when the lower pedal is in a position other than the second standby position; an output member putting the article discharging apparatus in the standby state and drives the article discharging apparatus when the output member rotates from the standby position; and a controller rotating the output member to return the output member to the standby position when the output member rotated from the standby position does not return to the standby position in a preset set time and when the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state in the set time.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes: one article discharging apparatus; and another article discharging apparatus, the one article discharging apparatus and the other article discharging apparatus being capable of being combined in a back-to-back manner. The one article discharging apparatus includes: a driving source; an output gear configured to rotate by a driving force from the driving source when a discharging instruction has been given to the one article discharging apparatus; link levers where each link lever is provided rotatably about an axis of the link lever; and a controller configured to, when the output gear is rotated from the standby position by the discharging instruction, prohibit stopping of drive of the driving source to allow the rotation of the output gear until a preset prohibited time elapses from starting of the rotation of the output gear even when supply of electric power to the driving source is interrupted.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes: an article discharging apparatus including a lower pedal and an upper pedal; an out-of-stock detection switch configured to: be turned to a first state when the lower pedal is turned to a second standby attitude; and be turned to a second state when the lower pedal is turned to any attitude other than the second standby attitude; and a controller configured to determine that an article has been dispensed from an article storage passage by the fact that the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state when the article discharging apparatus is driven.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes: one article discharging apparatus; and another article discharging apparatus, the one article discharging apparatus and the other article discharging apparatus being capable of being combined in a back-to-back manner. The one article discharging apparatus includes: a driving source; an output gear configured to rotate by a driving force from the driving source when a discharging instruction has been given to the one article discharging apparatus; link levers where each link lever is provided rotatably about an axis of the link lever; and a controller configured to perform return processing including rotating the output gear in another direction or one direction to return the output gear to a standby position when the output gear that has been rotated in the one direction or the other direction from the standby position by the discharge instruction does not return to the standby position within a preset time.

Abstract: A torque sensor for use with an automotive steering system. The sensor includes a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a sleeve cylinder fitted over one of the shafts so as to be rotatable and axially movable, a differential transformer, first and second connector members, a spring, and a torsion bar. The amount of axial movement of the sleeve cylinder is detected by the transformer. The connector members are inclined in opposite directions within a plane parallel to the axis of the shafts. One end of the first connector member is connected to the cylinder, while the other is connected to the driving shaft. One end of the second connector member is connected also to the cylinder, the other being connected to the driven shaft. Torque is transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven shaft via the torsion bar. The spring is mounted between one of the shafts and the sleeve cylinder.