Abstract: An optical operational element which enables a multilayered optical neural network to be constructed without using an optical amplifier is provided. The optical operational element includes: a photothermal conversion unit 30 which converts light energy of input light A into thermal energy; a light intensity variation unit 20 which is in contact with the photothermal conversion unit 30 and which varies, in accordance with a temperature variation accompanying heat generation or heat absorption by the photothermal conversion unit 30, intensity of external light B that is introduced from the outside; and a housing unit 10 which houses the light intensity variation unit 20 and which introduces the external light B from one side and outputs output light C obtained by attenuating intensity of the external light B to the outside on an opposite side to the one side.

Abstract: An analysis method of crystal growth conditions includes a step of calculating an evaluation function on the basis of results obtained by measuring crystals grown under varied crystal growth conditions, a step of performing machine learning of the evaluation function, and a step of obtaining optimum crystal growth conditions from a result of the machine learning, wherein the evaluation function is based on a difference between crystal quality data of an ideal crystal and crystal quality data of the crystal having been grown.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, an exposure device, and a shutter assembly. The exposure device includes a light source configured to expose the photoconductor. The light source is repositionable between a proximity position at a first distance from the photoconductor and a separation position at a second distance from the photoconductor. The first distance is less than the second distance. The shutter assembly is configured to move away from the light source in response to the light source moving toward the proximity position. The shutter assembly is configured to move to cover the optical path of the light source in response to the light source moving toward the separation position.

Abstract: To provide a parking brake apparatus for a saddled vehicle actuated in response to a reverse rotation on a throttle grip which is set in a simplified structure. A parking brake apparatus for a saddled vehicle includes a parking brake caliper configured to restrict a rotation of a rear wheel while the motorcycle is parked; a steering handle configured to steer a front wheel; and a throttle grip mounted on the steering handle and configured to control output of a power unit. The control unit actuates the parking brake caliper by a motor when at least the throttle grip is reversely rotated and the vehicle speed is zero. The throttle grip being reversely rotated is detected according to information from a throttle position sensor which is interlocked with the throttle grip.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, an exposure device, and a shutter assembly. The exposure device includes a light source configured to expose the photoconductor. The light source is repositionable between a proximity position at a first distance from the photoconductor and a separation position at a second distance from the photoconductor. The first distance is less than the second distance. The shutter assembly is configured to move away from the light source in response to the light source moving toward the proximity position. The shutter assembly is configured to move to cover the optical path of the light source in response to the light source moving toward the separation position.

Abstract: A prediction device that predicts an objective variable desired to be predicted in a predetermined environment by using two or more prediction models, the prediction device including: a first prediction model configured to output a characteristic representing a relationship with an event related to the objective variable from a change in a factor of the environment; and a second prediction model configured to output information regarding an amount of change of the objective variable from the characteristic and an explanatory variable characterizing the environment.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler includes a first muffler section having a tubular member made up of an inner pipe to which an exhaust pipe is connected and an outer pipe covering the inner pipe, and a connector connecting the tubular member and a second muffler section to each other, and the second muffler section having an outer shell, a first partition wall, a second partition wall, and a third partition wall. Exhaust gases delivered from the exhaust pipe are discharged from the first muffler section and the second muffler section out of the exhaust muffler. The second muffler section has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the tubular member. The exhaust muffler includes a first expansion chamber, a second expansion chamber, and a third expansion chamber.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler is made up of a plurality of layers including an exhaust passage pipe and expansion chambers, and includes a front assembly and a rear assembly sub-assembled separately from the front assembly. The front assembly includes a front exhaust passage pipe, a front muffler body disposed in covering relation to the outside of the front exhaust passage pipe and cooperating with the front exhaust passage pipe in making up double-walled pipes, and an exhaust valve disposed in the front exhaust passage pipe. The rear assembly includes a rear exhaust passage pipe and a rear muffler body disposed in covering relation to the outside of the rear exhaust passage pipe and cooperating with the rear exhaust passage pipe in making up double-walled pipes. There is thus provided an exhaust device for an internal combustion engine in which the accuracy of a position where the exhaust valve is installed is high.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, in an image forming apparatus, a frame that supports a transfer belt conveying a toner image in a conveyance direction and image forming units aligned along the transfer belt is provided with a dowel hole between the image forming units in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction and is also provided with an elongated hole having a long axis in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction, a dowel between the exposure units of a chassis supporting exposure units in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction is fitted to the dowel hole, and another dowel is inserted into the elongated hole.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an exposure device including a print head that exposes photoreceptor to form a latent image on the photoreceptor, a lifting mechanism that lifts or lowers the print head relative to the photoreceptor, and a biasing member that biases the print head toward the photoreceptor. The lifting mechanism has a lifting holder that holds the print head and is liftable with respect to the photoreceptor. The biasing member is provided between the print head and the lifting holder.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the exposure device includes an exposure head, a holder, a biasing member, a lifting mechanism, a support member, a harness, and a protrusion. The holder supports the exposure head movably in a first direction of approaching the photosensitive drum and a second direction of being spaced from the photosensitive drum. The harness has one end portion connected to the exposure head. The harness is positioned with respect to the support member in a positioning location having a length direction position different from that of the one end portion. The harness has a folding portion formed between the one end portion and the positioning location. The protrusion enters inside of the folding portion to regulate movement of the folding portion of the harness in the first direction or the second direction. The protrusion protrudes from the holder in a third direction intersecting the first direction.

Abstract: An optical operational element which enables a multilayered optical neural network to be constructed without using an optical amplifier is provided. The optical operational element includes: a photothermal conversion unit 30 which converts light energy of input light A into thermal energy; a light intensity variation unit 20 which is in contact with the photothermal conversion unit 30 and which varies, in accordance with a temperature variation accompanying heat generation or heat absorption by the photothermal conversion unit 30, intensity of external light B that is introduced from the outside; and a housing unit 10 which houses the light intensity variation unit 20 and which introduces the external light B from one side and outputs output light C obtained by attenuating intensity of the external light B to the outside on an opposite side to the one side.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler includes a first muffler section connected to an exhaust pipe and a second muffler section connected to the first muffler section. Exhaust gases delivered from the exhaust pipe are discharged from the first muffler section and the second muffler section out of the exhaust muffler. The first muffler section includes a tubular member made up of an inner pipe to which the exhaust pipe is connected and an outer pipe covering the inner pipe, and a connector connecting the tubular member and the second muffler section to each other. The first muffler section has a first expansion chamber defined therein between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The inner pipe houses therein a valve for changing an amount of exhaust gases passing through the inner pipe. The first muffler section includes a curved portion that is curved vertically as viewed in side elevation of the vehicle.

Abstract: To provide a parking brake apparatus for a saddled vehicle actuated in response to a reverse rotation on a throttle grip which is set in a simplified structure. A parking brake apparatus for a saddled vehicle includes a parking brake caliper configured to restrict a rotation of a rear wheel while the motorcycle is parked; a steering handle configured to steer a front wheel; and a throttle grip mounted on the steering handle and configured to control output of a power unit. The control unit actuates the parking brake caliper by a motor when at least the throttle grip is reversely rotated and the vehicle speed is zero. The throttle grip being reversely rotated is detected according to information from a throttle position sensor which is interlocked with the throttle grip.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler includes a first muffler section having a tubular member made up of an inner pipe to which an exhaust pipe is connected and an outer pipe covering the inner pipe, and a connector connecting the tubular member and a second muffler section to each other, and the second muffler section having an outer shell, a first partition wall, a second partition wall, and a third partition wall. Exhaust gases delivered from the exhaust pipe are discharged from the first muffler section and the second muffler section out of the exhaust muffler. The second muffler section has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the tubular member. The exhaust muffler includes a first expansion chamber, a second expansion chamber, and a third expansion chamber.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler is made up of a plurality of layers including an exhaust passage pipe and expansion chambers, and includes a front assembly and a rear assembly sub-assembled separately from the front assembly. The front assembly includes a front exhaust passage pipe, a front muffler body disposed in covering relation to the outside of the front exhaust passage pipe and cooperating with the front exhaust passage pipe in making up double-walled pipes, and an exhaust valve disposed in the front exhaust passage pipe. The rear assembly includes a rear exhaust passage pipe and a rear muffler body disposed in covering relation to the outside of the rear exhaust passage pipe and cooperating with the rear exhaust passage pipe in making up double-walled pipes. There is thus provided an exhaust device for an internal combustion engine in which the accuracy of a position where the exhaust valve is installed is high.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler includes a first muffler section connected to an exhaust pipe and a second muffler section connected to the first muffler section. Exhaust gases delivered from the exhaust pipe are discharged from the first muffler section and the second muffler section out of the exhaust muffler. The first muffler section includes a tubular member made up of an inner pipe to which the exhaust pipe is connected and an outer pipe covering the inner pipe, and a connector connecting the tubular member and the second muffler section to each other. The first muffler section has a first expansion chamber defined therein between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The inner pipe houses therein a valve for changing an amount of exhaust gases passing through the inner pipe. The first muffler section includes a curved portion that is curved vertically as viewed in side elevation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A speaker box structure of an electronic device, includes: a left side speaker box having: a left side wall part; and a first opposed wall part which has a region where a distance in a lateral direction from the left side wall part to the first opposed wall part continuously varies; and a right side speaker box having: a right side wall part; and a second opposed wall part which is opposed to the first opposed wall part in an intermediate part in the lateral direction, and which has a region where a distance in the lateral direction from the right side wall part to the second opposed wall part continuously varies.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an optical scanning apparatus. A housing cover of the optical scanning apparatus includes a light blocking member. The light blocking member blocks stray light of a laser beam emitted from the optical scanning apparatus or blocks a laser beam having a possibility to be the stray light among the laser beams emitted from the optical scanning apparatus.

Abstract: A speaker box structure of an electronic device, includes: a left side speaker box having: a left side wall part; and a first opposed wall part which has a region where a distance in a lateral direction from the left side wall part to the first opposed wall part continuously varies; and a right side speaker box having: a right side wall part; and a second opposed wall part which is opposed to the first opposed wall part in an intermediate part in the lateral direction, and which has a region where a distance in the lateral direction from the right side wall part to the second opposed wall part continuously varies.