Abstract: Provided is a driving force control apparatus (10) configured to control driving forces applied to four wheels by controlling a driving force application apparatus (in-wheel motors (16FL to 16RR) and friction braking apparatus (24)) configured to apply driving forces to front left and right wheels (12FL and 12FR) and rear left and right wheels (12RL and 12RR) independently. The driving force control apparatus (10) is configured to: calculate vehicle body speeds Vj at positions of the four wheels, vertical loads Fzj of the four wheels, and a driving force Fx required by a driver (S30 to S50); calculate, based on those values, target driving forces Fxj for the four wheels to set tire sliding vectors of the four wheels to be the same (S60); and control the driving force application apparatus such that the driving forces of the four wheels are equal to corresponding target driving forces, respectively (S70).

Abstract: Provided is a driving force control apparatus (10) configured to control driving forces applied to four wheels by controlling a driving force application apparatus (in-wheel motors (16FL to 16RR) and friction braking apparatus (24)) configured to apply driving forces to front left and right wheels (12FL and 12FR) and rear left and right wheels (12RL and 12RR) independently. The driving force control apparatus (10) is configured to: calculate vehicle body speeds Vj at positions of the four wheels, vertical loads Fzj of the four wheels, and a driving force Fx required by a driver (S30 to S50); calculate, based on those values, target driving forces Fxj for the four wheels to set tire sliding vectors of the four wheels to be the same (S60); and control the driving force application apparatus such that the driving forces of the four wheels are equal to corresponding target driving forces, respectively (S70).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a stretched film, the method including: (a) a first step of stretching a long-length pre-stretch film in a diagonal direction at a stretch ratio B1 to obtain a long-length intermediate film; and after the first step, (b) a second step of performing free uniaxial stretching of the intermediate film in a flow direction at a stretch ratio B2 while continuously conveying the intermediate film to obtain a long-length stretched film, wherein the stretch ratios satisfy B1>B2.

Abstract: A load-applying device is provided that includes a spiral spring that is formed from a thin strip that is wound multiple times in a spiral shape; a movable body; and a fixing member. The spiral spring is disposed between the movable body and the fixing member, in a manner capable of performing a diameter reduction operation and a diameter expansion operation, and an outer-circumference part of the spiral spring contacting the movable body and the fixing member directly, or indirectly.

Abstract: A connector includes: a first terminal that is electrically conductive and includes a first contact portion being plate shaped and including a first teeth portion with one of surfaces thereof forming a plurality of continuous concavo-convex shapes, and a first base portion joined to the first contact portion and connected to one of connection targets; and a second terminal that is electrically conductive and includes a second contact portion including a second teeth portion with one of surfaces thereof forming a plurality of continuous concavo-convex shapes, the second teeth portion being engageable with the first teeth portion, and a second base portion that is joined to the second contact portion and connected to the other one of the connection targets, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other by engagement between the first teeth portion and the second teeth portion.

Abstract: A contact terminal interposed between two contact targets so as to provide electrical conduction between the two contact targets includes: a first conductive member including a salient portion composed of a plurality of inclined surfaces, and a first contact portion that is provided at an end different from the salient portion and contacts an electrode of one of the contact targets; and a second conductive member including a second contact portion that has a curved shape and contacts an electrode of another one of the contact targets, a plurality of elastic portions each of which extends in a band shape along the curved shape from the second contact portion and is elastically deformable, and sliding contact portions each of which is provided at a leading end of one of the elastic portions and slidably contacts a corresponding one of the inclined surfaces.

Abstract: A temperature sensing element includes a thermistor composed of Si-base ceramics and a pair of metal electrodes bonded onto the surfaces of the thermistor. The metal electrodes contain Cr and a metal element ? having a Si diffusion coefficient higher than that of Cr. A diffusion layer is formed in a bonding interface between the thermistor and each metal electrode, the diffusion layer including a silicide of the metal element ? in a crystal grain boundary of the Si-base ceramics. A temperature sensor including the diffusion layers is provided. Owing to the diffusion layers, the temperature sensor ensures heat resistance and bonding reliability and enables temperature detection with high accuracy in a temperature range, in particular, of from ?50° C. to 1050° C.

Abstract: A control unit controlling torque of four motors capable of independently driving respective wheels, and setting a predetermined reference torque to the four motors based on first information from a driver input, and includes a distributed torque limitation mode wherein at least one of first motors from the four motors are controlled at a torque acquired by distributing a first distributed torque to the predetermined reference torque through addition to the predetermined reference torque based on second information of vehicle motion state; at least one of second motors different from the first motors are controlled at a torque acquired by distributing a second distributed torque to the predetermined reference torque through subtraction from the predetermined reference torque; and the first and second distributed torque are limited to prevent a torque acting direction from changing before and after the distribution through addition and the distribution through subtraction.

Abstract: A tensioner having a simplified structure, using engaging teeth having increased strength and reduced backlash, constructed from a reduced number of parts, reduced in cost, and having increased design freedom. A tensioner comprises: a tubular member (1) having engaging teeth (1b) formed thereon; one or more engaging elements (2) having formed thereon engaging teeth (2a) engaging with the engaging teeth (1b); and a shaft member (3) provided inside the tubular member (1) and having an engaging-element receiving section (3c) or an engaging-element supporting section which receives the engaging elements (2) of the tubular member (1). Either the tubular member (1) or the shaft member (3) functions as an advancing member which is moved by urging force in an advancing and retracting manner.

Abstract: A connector includes: a first terminal that is electrically conductive and includes a first contact portion being plate shaped and including a first teeth portion with one of surfaces thereof forming a plurality of continuous concavo-convex shapes, and a first base portion joined to the first contact portion and connected to one of connection targets; and a second terminal that is electrically conductive and includes a second contact portion including a second teeth portion with one of surfaces thereof forming a plurality of continuous concavo-convex shapes, the second teeth portion being engageable with the first teeth portion, and a second base portion that is joined to the second contact portion and connected to the other one of the connection targets, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other by engagement between the first teeth portion and the second teeth portion.

Abstract: A contact terminal interposed between two contact targets so as to provide electrical conduction between the two contact targets includes: a first conductive member including a salient portion composed of a plurality of inclined surfaces, and a first contact portion that is provided at an end different from the salient portion and contacts an electrode of one of the contact targets; and a second conductive member including a second contact portion that has a curved shape and contacts an electrode of another one of the contact targets, a plurality of elastic portions each of which extends in a band shape along the curved shape from the second contact portion and is elastically deformable, and sliding contact portions each of which is provided at a leading end of one of the elastic portions and slidably contacts a corresponding one of the inclined surfaces.

Abstract: A tensioner has a cylindrical member having multiple locking teeth, one or multiple locking pieces having locking teeth to be engaged with the locking teeth, and a locking piece receiving part to receive the aforementioned locking pieces. A shaft member is disposed inside the cylindrical member, and either the cylindrical member or the shaft member constitutes a thrust member that can be driven forward and backward by a biasing force. A ratchet mechanism allows the thrust member to move forward by the locking pieces riding over the locking teeth of the cylindrical member as they move in a reduced-diameter direction and constrains retraction of the thrust member by the locking pieces engaging with the locking teeth of the cylindrical member as they move in an increased-diameter direction. The locking teeth are all thread-like teeth having a lead angle.

Abstract: Provided is a hinge that can be manufactured easily in a short time. The hinge rotatably connects a first member and a second member, and is provided with two brackets that are rotatable against each other and mounted to the first member and the second member, respectively, and a friction-torque-generating member that generates friction torque by directly or indirectly pressing the two brackets against each other. A first of the two brackets is configured from an integral structure that includes a shaft part that passes through the second bracket and supports the rotation, and a mounting part that is mounted to the first member or the second member, with the shaft part and the mounting part being produced from a plate material.

Abstract: Provided is a hinge device which, both before and after the change of friction torque, maintains the friction torque, and is prevented from axial lengthening. A shaft member is rotatably supported by a stationary-side bracket, a cam member is axially movable, with its rotation being restricted by the shaft member, a biasing element applies a bias in the direction toward the place where the cam member and the bracket contact each other to generate friction torque, and a convex portion and a concave portion are formed on the cam member and the bracket, respectively, to be fitted to each other. Either the convex portion and/or the concave portion is/are shaped such that the torque changes according to the rotation angle of the shaft member, and the biasing element has the inflection point of a spring constant between the maximum and minimum values of the torque.

Abstract: A connector includes a first and a second terminals and a fixing member that fixes the first and the second terminals by covering periphery thereof in a state where the first and the second terminals are aligned in the direction extending into the rod-shape and overlap with each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first and the second terminals are aligned, wherein a cut-out portion of the first terminal faces a peripheral portion or a cut-out portion of the second terminal in the overlapping state, and at least parts of outer edges of a facing part have a same shape on the section along the direction perpendicular to the direction extending into the rod-shape.

Abstract: A conductive film comprises a phosphide particle coated film formed by attaching raw material particles including phosphide particles comprising a compound of Ti and/or Fe, and P to a surface of a substrate material. This conductive film exhibits good corrosion resistant conductivity, and can be easily formed at low costs because of comprising the phosphide particle coated film. A corrosion-resistant conduction film comprises an iron-containing titanium phosphide layer containing Ti, Fe and P as essential basic elements. A corrosion-resistant conduction material having this corrosion-resistant conduction film on a surface of a substrate exhibits good corrosion resistance or conductivity. This corrosion-resistant conduction material can be obtained, for example, by a process comprising a plating step of forming an Ni plating layer on a surface of a Ti-based material substrate and a nitriding step of applying nitriding treatment to the Ti-based material substrate after the plating step at not more than 880 deg.

Abstract: One cycle is corrected every charging/discharging cycle in accordance with a cycle deterioration accelerating coefficient. The corrected one cycles are accumulated. A storage period is corrected in accordance with a storage deterioration accelerating coefficient every hour. The corrected storage periods are accumulated. In the storage period, a rechargeable battery is stored with the terminal voltage higher than a predetermined voltage. A deterioration coefficient is obtained as the product of a cycle deterioration coefficient calculated in accordance with the accumulated cycle number, and a storage deterioration coefficient calculated in accordance with the accumulated value of the storage periods (Step S42). If the deterioration coefficients falls within the range 0.3 to 0.7 (Step S43, 44: NO), the setting voltage in constant-voltage and constant-current charging operation is decreased from 4.2 to 4.1 V (S45). If it is smaller than 0.3 (S43: NO, S44: YES), the setting voltage is decreased to 3.8 V (S46).

Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus is disclosed that suppresses intrusion of oil mist into a negative pressure introducing inlet of an automatic cock and that, thereby, improves the degree of freedom of disposition. The negative pressure introducing inlet of the automatic cock is connected to a crankcase through a negative pressure communication path. The automatic cock is opened by a negative pressure generated in the crankcase and, thereby, a fuel supply path is opened that is for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine. The negative pressure communication path communicates with the air cleaner through a purge path that branches from the negative pressure communication path at a halfway point of the negative pressure communication path. The point at which the purge path branches from the negative pressure communication path is set to be at the lowest position of the negative pressure communication path to be able to collect the oil mist intruding from the crankcase.

Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus that opens a fuel supply path using a negative pressure in a crankcase of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A negative pressure introducing inlet of an automatic cock is connected to the crankcase of the internal combustion engine through a negative pressure communication path. A negative pressure generated in the crankcase opens an automatic cock and, thereby, the fuel supply path is opened that is to supply fuel from a fuel tank to the internal combustion engine. The negative pressure communication path communicates with a communication opening of an air cleaner through a purge path that branches from the negative pressure communication path at a halfway point thereof. The communication opening is disposed on a cleaning chamber that is formed in an air cleaner such that air filtered by an air filter flows into the communication opening.

Abstract: A temperature sensing element includes a thermistor composed of Si-base ceramics and a pair of metal electrodes bonded onto the surfaces of the thermistor. The metal electrodes contain Cr and a metal element ? having a Si diffusion coefficient higher than that of Cr. A diffusion layer is formed in a bonding interface between the thermistor and each metal electrode, the diffusion layer including a silicide of the metal element ? in a crystal grain boundary of the Si-base ceramics. A temperature sensor including the diffusion layers is provided. Owing to the diffusion layers, the temperature sensor ensures heat resistance and bonding reliability and enables temperature detection with high accuracy in a temperature range, in particular, of from ?50° C. to 1050° C.