Abstract: A battery charging control method is disclosed, which can reduce the charging time a low-temperature battery without providing an additional heating system. The method includes executing a first pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature T is lower than a first predetermined temperature (e.g., 0° C.), wherein the amount of charging is equal to the amount of discharging; and switching from the first pulsed charging and discharging operation to a second pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature exceeds the first predetermined temperature, wherein in the second pulsed charging and discharging operation, the amount of discharging is less than the amount of charging. Therefore, it is possible to accomplish not only heating but also charging. When the battery temperature T exceeds a second predetermined temperature (e.g., 10° C.), a normal charging operation is performed.

Abstract: A battery charging control unit which controls electric power and supplies it to a battery via a charger. The battery charging control unit includes: a charging capacity insufficiency detection unit, a charging capacity restoring determination unit, and a supplemental charging unit. The charging capacity insufficiency detection unit detects an insufficiency in charging capacity of the battery based on the previous charging condition of the battery. The charging capacity restoring determination unit determines if the insufficiency in charging capacity of the battery will be restored by carrying out a supplemental charging process on the battery.

Abstract: A battery charging control method is disclosed, which can reduce the charging time a low-temperature battery without providing an additional heating system. The method includes executing a first pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature T is lower than a first predetermined temperature (e.g., 0° C.), wherein the amount of charging is equal to the amount of discharging; and switching from the first pulsed charging and discharging operation to a second pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature exceeds the first predetermined temperature, wherein in the second pulsed charging and discharging operation, the amount of discharging is less than the amount of charging. Therefore, it is possible to accomplish not only heating but also charging. When the battery temperature T exceeds a second predetermined temperature (e.g., 10° C.), a normal charging operation is performed.

Abstract: A reduction in charging time is achieved while suppressing any deterioration in the lifetime of the battery. A battery temperature increase margin is determined from the battery temperature at charge commencement and the upper limit value of the battery temperature. Moreover, the target charging capacity is determined from the initial state of charge at charge commencement and the target state of charge at charge completion. Furthermore, a value of an upper limit of the battery temperature increase is determined from these. Then, the battery charge current maximum value is set by map referral based on the value of an upper limit of the battery temperature increase such that the temperature of the battery during charging does not exceed the upper limit value. A driver performs the battery charging using a charge current value that has been set on the basis of the battery charge maximum value.

Abstract: A battery charging control unit which controls electric power and supplies it to a battery via a charger. The battery charging control unit includes: a charging capacity insufficiency detection unit, a charging capacity restoring determination unit, and a supplemental charging unit. The charging capacity insufficiency detection unit detects an insufficiency in charging capacity of the battery based on the previous charging condition of the battery. The charging capacity restoring determination unit determines if the insufficiency in charging capacity of the battery will be restored by carrying out a supplemental charging process on the battery.

Abstract: In a battery charging device, an ECU (30) has: an ordinary charge control section (34) adapted to charge a battery (12) in an ordinary charge mode; an under charge control section (36) adapted to charge a battery (12) in an under charge mode; and mode switching controller (38) which switch the output paths of the ordinary charge control section (34) and the under charge control section (36), thereby to select one of the charge modes.

Abstract: To transfer an image signal from a electronic camera head to a personal computer, a PC card provides the interface between the camera head and the personal computer. The PC card is removably attached to the personal computer. As instructed by the personal computer, the PC card operates the camera head, sets its states, writes image data into a memory, reads the image data from the memory for transmission to the personal computer, generates control signals for a light refracting member, and informs the personal computer of the state of the camera head.

Abstract: A protective frame for a stroller including a seat portion, a pair of armrest poles disposed on opposite sides of the seat portion, a pair of retaining bodies releasably attached to the armrest poles, respectively, a pair of rigid pole bodies coupled to the retaining bodies, respectively, and a joint mechanism for joining ends of the pole bodies together, and for being detachable into two separate joint portions.

Abstract: A remote operation mechanism for a stroller is disclosed in which a fail-safe mechanism is reset to its initial position so as to be interlocked for every remote operation without fail, to thereby be able to automatically lock preventing operation of the system. The remote operation mechanism for a stroller includes a frame, an opening/closing operation lever having an end operable for ascending and descending along the frame, a pulley rotatable so as to be interlocked with the ascending/descending operation of the operation lever, a lock plate, an ascension regulating plate, a lock plate reset spring, a stopper formed on the lock plate and an operating projection formed on the pulley, wherein the operating projection abuts against the back of the lock plate.

Abstract: A mechanism for reclining a back of a sitting part of a baby carriage as well as head protection plate attached to the back. The mechanism includes an engagement member disposed on a rear of the back and having a plurality of notches arranged vertically with respect to one another; a support rod pivotally coupled to opposite sides of the seat and extending across the rear of the back, the support rod being pivotable up and down with respect to the back; and a stopper attached to the support rod and having an engagement rod attached thereto which is engageable with the notches of the engagement member. The engagement rod is movable up and down along the back in correspondence with the pivotable movement of the support rod such that the back is supported at a selected position by engaging the engagement rod is one of the notches.

Abstract: A caster mechanism for a carriage having foot rods a, b includes a stopper mechanism 3 fixedly secured to a lower end of each foot rod. A wheel support mechanism 2 is rotatably positioned below the stopper mechanism, and includes an engagement bracket 1 extending parallel to the stopper mechanism. The engagement bracket has an engagement fitting portion 12 formed at a first end of an arm plate 11 having a predetermined length. The stopper mechanism also has an actuating lever 8 at a first end of a base plate 34 having a predetermined length, which is adapted to turn upwardly and downwardly about an end thereof. An engagement member 7 adapted to turn up and down in operative association with the actuating lever is positioned below the first end of the base plate. The engagement member and the engagement fitting portion are simultaneously engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: A mechanism for attaching the protective bar (1) of a baby carriage to the armrest bars (2) thereof. The mechanism includes fitting juts (3) respectively provided in the armrest bars at opposite ends thereof and engaged in fitting holes (5) provided in the protective bar and engagement bolts (4) rotatably inserted into the bolt holes (11) of the armrest bars and into the bolt holes (61) of the juts so that the protective bar is detachably attached to the armrest bars. Each of the bolts has a head (41) at a butt end thereof and an engagement pin (43) at an opposite tip end of the bolt so that the longitudinal axis of the pin is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bolt. Each of the bolt holes (61) has peripheral openings at one end thereof so that the pin can be passed through the openings and each of the juts has projections (63) at the peripheral portion of the bolt hole (61) near the other end thereof so that the projections are engaged with the pin to hold the bolt.

Abstract: A linear motor type monorail conveying apparatus is disclosed including a pair of carriers adapted to ride on the monorail and a load bar positioned beneath the monorail connection the pair of carriers. A linear induction motor is carried by the load bar with the secondary member of the linear motor mounted on the lower surface of the monorail structure and the primary member formed as an integral part of the linear motor and spaced slightly beneath and parallel to the secondary member.

Abstract: A stoppage-maintaining device for maintaining a baby carriage either in a folded or an unfolded state. The handle bar is pivotally connected to a rear leg by a pivoting stoppage-maintaining bar. The stoppage-maintaining bar has two concave grooves on two surfaces which are alternately engageable, as the bar rotates, with a protrusion on an upper end of a stopper sliding on the rear leg. Also, extending upwardly from the stopper is an engagement plate which, when overlapped with an elastic plate on the rear leg, prevents the rotation of the stoppage-maintaining bar from its unfolded state. The engagement plate is biased toward the elastic plate.

Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying articles along a predetermined path of travel having a running rail on opposite sides of the path of travel. A bus bar is below said running rails. A self-propelled carrier has driving wheels to roll on the running rails. The wheels are rotated by a single electric motor which receives power from the bus bar. Cover members overhang the running rails and wheels during operation, and interlock with the rail support member so that the cover may be readily removed by disengaging the interlock.

Abstract: A combination baby carriage and shopping cart in which the main baby carriage part comprises foldable front and rear leg bars and a handle bar. A soft basket is supported by a U-shaped frame pivoting at its front on the baby carriage. The rear of the basket has a folding panel or belt which, when folded, is attachable at its middle to an upper portion of the baby carriage backrest so as to collapse the basket.

Abstract: Conveying equipment provided with a conveying vehicle guided by a single overhead rail without the necessity of an auxiliary rail due to the wheel and vehicle body unit construction which enables stable running of the vehicle. The equipment of the invention employs only one rail, thereby being simple in construction and extremely convenient for a non-permanent installation or a conveying equipment whose route is frequently changed, and also made remote-controllable by photo signals in simple operation.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor comprising a monorail and a carrier supported on the monorail. In the illustrated embodiment, the monorail is generally I-shaped in cross section and the carrier comprises two carriages spaced apart along the monorail having a roller adapted to ride on the top of the monorail and guide rollers adapted to engage the sides of the monorail to provide lateral stability. The two carriages are interconnected by a load beam pivotally mounted on vertical pins in each of the carriages. One of the carriages carries a drive motor for advancing the carrier along the rail and the other of the carriages provides an electrical pick-up device for taking power from trolley lines mounted on the monorail and supplying power to the drive motor.