Abstract: A shaft coupling mechanism 1 for an electric power steering apparatus includes a coupling base body 3 coupled to a rotating shaft 2; a coupling base body 5 coupled to a steering shaft 4 serving as a rotating shaft; and a pair of rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 which are disposed between the rotating shaft 2 and the steering shaft 4 by means of both coupling base bodies 3 and 5 and transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft 2 to the steering shaft 4.

Abstract: A shaft coupling mechanism 1 for an electric power steering apparatus includes a coupling base body 3 coupled to a rotating shaft 2; a coupling base body 5 coupled to a steering shaft 4 serving as a rotating shaft; and a pair of rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 which are disposed between the rotating shaft 2 and the steering shaft 4 by means of both coupling base bodies 3 and 5 and transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft 2 to the steering shaft 4.

Abstract: Orientation degree and smoothness of a substrate surface better than those of conventional ones are provided in a textured substrate for epitaxial thin film growth. The present invention is a textured substrate for epitaxial film formation, including a crystal orientation improving layer made of a metal thin film of 1 to 5000 nm in thickness on the surface of the textured substrate for epitaxial film formation having a textured metal layer at least on one surface, wherein differences between orientation degrees (?? and ??) in the textured metal layer surface and orientation degrees (?? and ??) in the crystal orientation improving layer surface are both 0.1 to 3.0°. Further, when another metal different from the metal constituting this textured substrate crystal orientation improving layer is added equivalent to a thin film which is 30 nm or less, and subsequently is subjected to heat treatment, the smoothness of that surface can be improved.

Abstract: A part feeding device capable of preventing the adhesive surface of a top tape from being exposed even if a pleat line is displaced and easily and collectively removing the top tape collected by winding on a reel body and a part feeding method, the device comprising a top tape transfer part (1) having raising rollers (6) raising the top tape (104) a specified amount by generally 90° with the adhesive surfaces thereof at both ends facing inside, a folding rollers (5) folding the raised top tape by falling on the unraised top tape, and a tape delivery part (18) feeding the folded top tape at a specified pitch, wherein the reel body collecting the peeled top tape can collectively push out the group of the wound top tape in the axial direction.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member (58) includes: a spherical annular base member (56) defined by a cylindrical inner surface (52), a partially convex spherical surface (56), and end faces (54, 55); and an outer layer (57) formed integrally with the partially convex spherical surface (53) of the spherical annular base member (56). The spherical annular base member (56) includes a reinforcing member (5) made from a compressed metal wire net (4) and a heat-resistant material filling meshes of the metal wire net (4) of the reinforcing member (5), integrated with the reinforcing member (5) in mixed form, and containing expanded graphite and an organic phosphorus compound. The outer layer (56) includes a heat-resistant material constituted by a heat-resistant sheet member (6) containing expanded graphite and an organic phosphorus compound, and a reinforcing member constituted by a metal wire net (4) integrated with the heat-resistant material in mixed formed.

Abstract: A shaft coupling mechanism 1 includes a coupling base body 3 coupled to a rotating shaft 2; a coupling base body 5 coupled to a steering shaft 4; rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 which are disposed between the rotating shaft 2 and the steering shaft 4 through the both coupling base bodies 3 and 5 and transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft 2 in an R direction to the steering shaft 4; an intermediate interposed member 8 disposed between the rotation transmitting members 6 and 7; and a coupling means 9 for coupling the rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 to each other.

Abstract: A shaft coupling mechanism for an electric power steering apparatus includes a coupling base body coupled to a rotating shaft; a coupling base body coupled to a steering shaft serving as a rotating shaft; and a rotation transmitting member which is disposed between the both coupling base bodies and transmits the rotation of the coupling base body in a direction about the axis, i.e., in an R direction, to the coupling base body as rotation in the R direction.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member (58) includes: a spherical annular base member (56) defined by a cylindrical inner surface (52), a partially convex spherical surface (56), and end faces (54, 55); and an outer layer (57) formed integrally with the partially convex spherical surface (53) of the spherical annular base member (56). The spherical annular base member (56) includes a reinforcing member (5) made from a compressed metal wire net (4) and a heat-resistant material filling meshes of the metal wire net (4) of the reinforcing member (5), integrated with the reinforcing member (5) in mixed form, and containing expanded graphite and an organic phosphorus compound. The outer layer (56) includes a heat-resistant material constituted by a heat-resistant sheet member (6) containing expanded graphite and an organic phosphorus compound, and a reinforcing member constituted by a metal wire net (4) integrated with the heat-resistant material in mixed formed.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion type steering apparatus 1 includes a gear case 3 made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and having a hollow portion 2; a steering shaft 6 rotatably supported by the gear case 3 through rolling bearings 4 and 5; a pinion 7 which is rotatably supported in the gear case 3 through the steering shaft 6; a rack bar 9 on which rack teeth 8 meshing with the pinion 7 are formed; and a rack guide 10 which is disposed in the hollow portion 2 inside the gear case 3 and supports the rack bar 9 slidably with respect to its moving direction A.

Abstract: A sliding bearing for a steering column includes: a cylindrical bearing body; flat surfaces formed integrally on an inner peripheral surface of the bearing body; first slits extending from one end face of the bearing body to this side of the other end face of the bearing body; second slits extending from this side of the other end face of the bearing body to the one end face of the bearing body; grooves formed in an outer peripheral surface of the bearing body; and elastic rings which are respectively fitted in the grooves in such a manner as to project from the outer peripheral surface of the bearing body and to reduce the diameter of the bearing body.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member (1) has a seal body (4) in which a heat-resistant material (2) and a reinforcing member (3) made of a metal wire have been compressed to fill meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member (3) with the heat-resistant material (2) such that the heat-resistant material (2) and the reinforcing member (3) are integrally formed in mixed form. The seal body (4) has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface (6) defining a through hole (5); an outer peripheral surface (10) constituted by a partially convex spherical surface (7); and annular end faces (8, 9) respectively provided on a large-diameter side and a small-diameter side of the partially convex spherical surface (7). In the seal body (4), the reinforcing member (3) and the heat-resistant material (2) are respectively contained at a rate of 15 to 80 wt. % and at a rate of 20 to 85 wt. %. The heat-resistant material (2) in the seal body (4) has a density of 1.20 g/cm3 to 2.00 g/cm3.

Abstract: The invention provides a material for sliding contacts that is suitable for a small-sized DC motor used in recent downsized CD players and is excellent in durability. A material for sliding contacts used in a commutator of a small-sized DC motor that consists essentially of 0.01 to 3.0% Ni by weight, 0.01 to 6.0% ZnO by weight and/or 0.01 to 3.0% MgO by weight, furthermore, in some cases, 0.01 to 5.0% Cu by weight, and the balance Ag, in which Ni metal particles, ZnO particles or MgO particles are dispersed in the matrix of Ag.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a commutator or brush material for a small electric DC motor which enables a lengthened operating life of a spindle motor for a DVD controlled using a pulse current. A commutator material for a small electric DC motor in accordance with the present invention is characterized by being composed of 6.0 to 10.0 wt % of Cu, 1.0 to 5.0 wt % of ZnO, and a balance of Ag and in that Cu metal particles and ZnO particles are dispersed in an AgCu matrix. A brush material for a small electric DC motor in accordance with the present invention is characterized by being composed of 0.1 to 5.0 wt % of MgO and a balance of Ag and in that MgO particles are dispersed in an Ag matrix, or is characterized by being composed of 5.0 to 15.0 wt % of Ni and a balance of Pt and in that Ni is dissolved in a Pt matrix.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member 55 has a cylindrical inner surface 52 defining a through hole 51 in a central portion thereof, an outer surface 53 formed in the shape of a partially convex spherical surface, and an annular end face 54 on a large-diameter side of the outer surface 53. In its inner portion extending from the cylindrical inner surface 52 to the outer surface 53 formed in the shape of the partially convex spherical surface, the spherical annular seal member 55 has a reinforcing member 6 made from a compressed metal wire net 5, as well as a heat-resistant material, which contains expanded graphite, phosphorus pentoxide, and a phosphate, fills meshes of the metal wire net 5 of the reinforcing member 6, and is compressed in such a manner as to be formed integrally with the reinforcing member 6 in mixed form.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member (58) includes: a spherical annular base member (56) defined by a cylindrical inner surface (52), a partially convex spherical surface (56), and end faces (54, 55); and an outer layer (57) formed integrally with the partially convex spherical surface (53) of the spherical annular base member (56). The spherical annular base member (56) includes a reinforcing member (5) made from a compressed metal wire net (4) and a heat-resistant material filling meshes of the metal wire net (4) of the reinforcing member (5), integrated with the reinforcing member (5) in mixed form, and containing expanded graphite and an organic phosphorus compound. The outer layer (56) includes a heat-resistant material constituted by a heat-resistant sheet member (6) containing expanded graphite and an organic phosphorus compound, and a reinforcing member constituted by a metal wire net (4) integrated with the heat-resistant material in mixed formed.

Abstract: A part feeding device capable of preventing the adhesive surface of a top tape from being exposed even if a pleat line is displaced and easily and collectively removing the top tape collected by winding on a reel body and a part feeding method, the device comprising a top tape transfer part (1) having raising rollers (6) raising the top tape (104) a specified amount by generally 90° with the adhesive surfaces thereof at both ends facing inside, a folding rollers (5) folding the raised top tape by falling on the unraised top tape, and a tape delivery part (18) feeding the folded top tape at a specified pitch, wherein the reel body collecting the peeled top tape can collectively push out the group of the wound top tape in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat-resistant expanded graphite sheet is characterized in that after an acid-treated graphite material obtained by treating a graphite material with a strong acid is compounded with a powder of an organic phosphorus compound and is agitated and mixed uniformly to obtain a mixture, this mixture is subjected to heating treatment for 1 to 10 seconds at temperatures of 950 to 1200° C. to produce cracked gas, that gaps between graphite layers are expanded by its gas pressure to obtain expanded graphite particles having an expansion rate of 200 to 300 times, and that these expanded graphite particles are subjected to pressure molding.

Abstract: The invention provides a material for sliding contacts that is suitable for a small-sized DC motor used in recent downsized CD players and is excellent in durability. A material for sliding contacts used in a commutator of a small-sized DC motor that consists essentially of 0.01 to 3.0% Ni by weight, 0.01 to 6.0% ZnO by weight and/or 0.01 to 3.0% MgO by weight, furthermore, in some cases, 0.01 to 5.0% Cu by weight, and the balance Ag, in which Ni metal particles, ZnO particles or MgO particles are dispersed in the matrix of Ag.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal member (1) has a seal body (4) in which a heat-resistant material (2) and a reinforcing member (3) made of a metal wire have been compressed to fill meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member (3) with the heat-resistant material (2) such that the heat-resistant material (2) and the reinforcing member (3) are integrally formed in mixed form. The seal body (4) has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface (6) defining a through hole (5); an outer peripheral surface (10) constituted by a partially convex spherical surface (7); and annular end faces (8, 9) respectively provided on a large-diameter side and a small-diameter side of the partially convex spherical surface (7). In the seal body (4), the reinforcing member (3) and the heat-resistant material (2) are respectively contained at a rate of 15 to 80 wt. % and at a rate of 20 to 85 wt. %. The heat-resistant material (2) in the seal body (4) has a density of 1.20 g/cm3 to 2.00 g/cm3.

Abstract: A sliding bearing for a steering column includes: a cylindrical bearing body; flat surfaces formed integrally on an inner peripheral surface of the bearing body; first slits extending from one end face of the bearing body to this side of the other end face of the bearing body; second slits extending from this side of the other end face of the bearing body to the one end face of the bearing body; grooves formed in an outer peripheral surface of the bearing body; and elastic rings which are respectively fitted in the grooves in such a manner as to project from the outer peripheral surface of the bearing body and to reduce the diameter of the bearing body.