Abstract: Provided is an actuator for scanning detecting light, comprising an optical element for emitting detecting light, a moveable part supporting the optical element, a sheet spring having a fixed end and a moveable end supporting the moveable part; and drive means for driving the moveable part so as to scan the detecting light. Thus, a spring-mass system is formed in which the moveable part retaining the optical device acts as the mass, and the first order resonant frequency of the system may be selected so as to be higher than the operating frequency (scanning frequency). A bearing for a sliding part is not required, and the resistance loss can be thereby eliminated. These factors contribute to a favorable responsiveness. Also, by properly designing the sheet spring, a lighter and more compact design is enabled than would be possible with the conventional arrangement.

Abstract: Provided is an actuator for scanning detecting light, comprising an optical element for emitting detecting light, a moveable part supporting the optical element, a sheet spring having a fixed end and a moveable end supporting the moveable part; and drive means for driving the moveable part so as to scan the detecting light. Thus, a spring-mass system is formed in which the moveable part retaining the optical device acts as the mass, and the first order resonant frequency of the system may be selected so as to be higher than the operating frequency (scanning frequency). A bearing for a sliding part is not required, and the resistance loss can be thereby eliminated. These factors contribute to a favorable responsiveness. Also, by properly designing the sheet spring, a lighter and more compact design is enabled than would be possible with the conventional arrangement.

Abstract: A tire inflation pressure monitoring apparatus comprises a reference magnet fixed to a wheel, a movable magnet whose position shifts depending on the inflation pressure of a tire, and a magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetism of the magnets. The reference magnet can be moved in the axial direction of the wheel by means of a position adjusting mechanism. Thus, a relative distance from the reference magnet to the movable magnet can be adjusted to a fixed value (e.g., zero) at the time of calibration. An electric circuit section is stored with a computation formula or a map indicative of the relationships between outputs of the magnetic sensor and minimum distances from the magnets to the magnetic sensor. In detecting the inflation pressure of the tire, data associated with the minimum distances from the magnetic sensor to the magnets are obtained according to the computation formula or map on the basis of the outputs obtained by means of the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic suspension system used in a vehicle, includes a cylindrical, hollow main housing having opposite first and second ends, with an oil chamber in the interior thereof; a rod axially slidable in the main housing through the first end and having an outer end portion located outside of the main housing; a cylindrical, hollow sub housing having opposite open and closed ends; a connecting passage connecting the main housing oil chamber with the open end of the sub housing, and being connected between the second end of the main housing and the open end of the sub housing; a metal bellows arranged coaxially within the sub housing so as to expand and contract axially therein, and having a closed free end and an open end sealed to the open end of the sub housing; a second oil chamber defined by an inner wall of the metal bellows, and communicating with the main housing oil chamber through the connecting passage; a damping device disposed within the sub housing and including an orifice which connects the

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic suspension system used in a vehicle, includes a cylindrical, hollow main housing having opposite open and closed ends, with an oil chamber in the interior thereof; a rod axially slidable in the main housing through the open end and having an outer end portion located outside of the main housing, an oil passage extending axially therethrough; a damping device mounted on the rod and including an orifice which connects the oil chamber with the oil passage; a cylindrical, hollow sub housing having opposite open and closed ends; a connecting passage connecting the oil passage with the open end of the sub housing, and being connected between the outer end portion of the rod and the open end of the sub housing; a metal bellows arranged coaxially within the sub housing so as to expand and contract axially therein, and having a closed free end and an open end sealed to the open end of the sub housing; a second oil chamber defined by an inner wall of the metal bellows, and communicating with the main

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic suspension system used in a vehicle, includes a cylindrical, hollow main housing having opposite open and closed ends, with an oil chamber in the interior thereof; a rod axially slidable in the main housing through the open end and having an outer end portion located outside of the main housing, an oil passage extending axially therethrough; a damping device mounted on the rod and including an orifice which connects the oil chamber with the oil passage; a cylindrical, hollow sub housing having opposite open and closed ends; a connecting passage directly connecting the oil passage with the open end of the sub housing, and being connected between the outer end portion of the rod and the open end of the sub housing; a metal bellows arranged coaxially within the sub housing so as to expand and contract axially therein, and having a closed free end and a open end sealed to the closed end of the sub housing; a second oil chamber defined by an outer wall of the metal bellows, and an inner well of t

Abstract: A rod is inserted in a first cylinder. A first oil chamber is defined by the inner surface of the first cylinder. The rod can be reciprocated with a first stroke. A second cylinder is coupled to the first cylinder by a connecting member. A metal bellows is housed in the second cylinder. A gas chamber is defined by the inner surface of the bellows. A second oil chamber is defined by the outer surface of the bellows and the inner surface of the second cylinder. The bellows contracts with a second stroke corresponding to the first stroke of the rod. The first and second oil chambers communicate with each other via an oil path formed in the connecting member. A valve seat is arranged on an end wall of the second cylinder. A valve body is fixed to the bellows so as to oppose the valve seat. If the bellows expands farther than the second stroke when a gas is supplied into the gas chamber, the valve body is brought into contact with the valve seat.

Abstract: In a car suspension system according to the present invention, a cylinder assembly comprises a cylinder housing and a rod fitted therein for axial reciprocation. An oil chamber and a gas chamber are defined inside the cylinder assembly, and the capacity of the gas chamber changes as the cylinder housing and rod reciprocate relative to each other. A damping force-generating mechanism is provided in the oil chamber. A metal bellows is contained in the cylinder assembly so as to be coaxial with the cylinder housing. The bellows can extend and contract in the axial direction of the cylinder housing. Having a sealed internal space, the bellows divides the oil and gas chambers completely. Thus, when the rod reciprocates in the axial direction, relative to the cylinder housing, the bellows extends and contracts axially.

Abstract: A cylinder piston apparatus according to the present invention comprises a cylinder housing having an oil chamber therein, and a rod fitted in the cylinder housing. A piston-shaped partition member is arranged in the cylinder assembly. The oil chamber is divided into first and second oil chambers by the partition member. The partition member is provided with a valve housing, which has an outside circulation hole capable of communicating with the second oil chamber. A rotary valve is fitted in the valve housing. The valve has an inside circulation hole, which is situated at a position corresponding to the outside circulation hole, and can communicate with the first oil chamber. A stepping motor for driving the rotary valve is housed in a motor-holding chamber which is defined inside the cylinder assembly. The motor-holding chamber is filled with oil, so that the motor is immersed in the oil.

Abstract: A suspension system according to the present invention comprises a cylinder piston mechanism and a sub-tank. A main gas chamber is defined inside the cylinder piston mechanism, while a sub-gas chamber is defined inside the sub-tank. An oil chamber, filled with oil, and an oil passage are arranged between the main and sub-gas chambers. The oil passage is opened and closed by means of a control valve, which has a rotating valve plug for controlling the oil flow. When the control valve is open, the main and sub-gas chambers change their respective capacities simultaneously as a rod reciprocates. When the valve is closed, only the main gas chamber changes its capacity as the rod reciprocates. The control valve is provided with a spring-constant changing orifice and a damping-force changing orifice, whereby the spring constant and damping force of the system are changed simultaneously, in accordance with the rotational position of the valve plug.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension apparatus comprising a body with an internal space and capable of contraction and expansion within which a gas chamber and an oil chamber are formed, an auxiliary container having therein a gas chamber, a channel with a valve connecting the gas chamber in the body and gas chamber defined in the auxiliary container, and a restriction member mounted in the oil chamber having a contrable orifice which allow passage for the working oil occupied with the orifice therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the friction between the leaf springs of a laminated leaf spring assembly comprises a clamping mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder mechanism, a hydraulic control mechanism and a detecting mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a guide member and a press member. The guide member and the press member hold and clamp the laminated leaf spring assembly. The detecting mechanism detects the values of the predetermined factors of a body supported by the laminated leaf spring assembly and supplied signals representative of the values to the pressure reducing valve. According to the signals from the detecting mechanism the pressure reducing valve controls the pressure of the liquid supplied to the cylinder of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism.