Abstract: The vehicular advertisement display device includes a processor. The processor is configured to display advertisement information on a display unit provided on an outer surface of the vehicle main body. The processor is also configured to reduce power consumption of the vehicle based on the vehicle state.

Abstract: The vehicle travel request device includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire travel request information related to a travel request of a vehicle, and transmit the travel request information to the vehicle based on the acquired information. Further, the processor is configured to acquire travel history information of the vehicle and determine an incentive based on the travel request information and the travel history information.

Abstract: A disaster information notification device has a processor. The processor acquires disaster information from at least either a server or sensors installed in a vehicle, and, upon acquiring disaster information, activates a predetermined on-board device installed in the vehicle so as to communicate the disaster information to a surrounding area.

Abstract: An advertisement management apparatus for a vehicle includes a processor. The processor acquires image information on a captured image around a vehicle having an outer surface on which advertisement information is displayable, and the processor detects a predetermined motion of a person around the vehicle from the image information thus acquired and estimates a reaction of the person to the advertisement information.

Abstract: A method for controlling an insect pest with vibrations, including a step of determining a frequency range and an amplitude range of vibrations in a habitat medium of an insect pest that induce or suppress a specific behavior of the insect pest, and a step of controlling the insect pest behavior by applying vibrations in the frequency range and amplitude range once or two or more times in the insect pest habitat medium.

Abstract: A method for controlling an insect pest with vibrations, including a step of determining a frequency range and an amplitude range of vibrations in a habitat medium of an insect pest that induce or suppress a specific behavior of the insect pest, and a step of controlling the insect pest behavior by applying vibrations in the frequency range and amplitude range once or two or more times in the insect pest habitat medium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sintered compact includes the steps of preparing an alloy powder having a composition represented by Expression 1: RTW (where, R is at least one kind of rare earth metal, T is at least one kind of transition metal, and w defines a relation of 1<w<4), sintering the alloy powder in a vacuum atmosphere or an atmosphere containing gas with a molecular weight of 30 or less, and processing the alloy powder by a hot isostatic pressing. The sintered compact has a high density, and reduces deteriorations in its sintered compact properties such as magnetostrictive properties in an air atmosphere at high-temperatures.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a magnetostrictive element, capable of assuredly producing a magnetostrictive element by powder metallurgy. In a container for sintering 10, a compact 100 is sintered into a magnetostrictive element having a composition of SmFe2 while held by a support 20 of SmFe2 or Nb stable during the sintering step. The support 20 is composed of particles coming into contact with the compact 100 at multiple points, to control fusion-bonding between the support 20 and the compact 100 to a limited extent.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus according to the present invention is comprised of a magnetostrictive element section disposed between respective one ends of rotating rods which have the one ends thereof arranged on the same axis in a state connected to each other such that they are unrotatable relative to each other but at the same time are movable toward and away from each other, the rotating rods being rotatable about the axis in unison with each other, an urging means for urging the rotating rods to cause them to be closer to each other to thereby bring the respective one ends of the rotating rods into intimate contact with ends of the magnetostrictive element section, respectively, a magnetic field-applying means for generating a magnetic field for use in adjusting the length of the magnetostrictive element section to apply the magnetic field to the magnetostrictive element section, a pressure-detecting means for detecting pressure generated in the rotating rods in the direction of the axis, and a control s

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a giant magnetostrictive rod 12 of a columnar shape which is made of a giant magnetostrictive member, and vibration plates 14 and 16 which are made of plate members having a larger diameter than that of the giant magnetostrictive rod 12 and are adhered and fixed to end surfaces in an axial direction of this giant magnetostrictive rod 12. The ultrasonic transducer can efficiently transmit ultrasonic vibration by expansion and contraction of the magnetostrictive rod in spite of a small and simple structure.

Abstract: Restoring magnetostriction characteristics without causing fusion of rod. By performing heat treatment on a giant magnetostrictive material within the temperature range of 750 to 860° C., working distortion is removed while bleeding of an R-rich phase on a rod surface is prevented.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus according to the present invention is comprised of a magnetostrictive element section disposed between respective one ends of rotating rods which have the one ends thereof arranged on the same axis in a state connected to each other such that they are unrotatable relative to each other but at the same time are movable toward and away from each other, the rotating rods being rotatable about the axis in unison with each other, an urging means for urging the rotating rods to cause them to be closer to each other to thereby bring the respective one ends of the rotating rods into intimate contact with ends of the magnetostrictive element section, respectively, a magnetic field-applying means for generating a magnetic field for use in adjusting the length of the magnetostrictive element section to apply the magnetic field to the magnetostrictive element section, a pressure-detecting means for detecting pressure generated in the rotating rods in the direction of the axis, and a control s

Abstract: A torque sensor includes a substantially tubular giant magnetostrictive member, a shaft passing through the inner bore of the giant magnetostrictive member and capable of transmitting torque to the giant magnetostrictive member, and a detection coil for detecting changes in the magnetic permeability or remnant magnetization of the giant magnetostrictive member. Torque changes of the shaft are detected as changes in the magnetic permeability or remnant magnetization of the giant magnetostrictive member, based on the deformation of the giant magnetostrictive member. The torque sensor enables a reduction in the number of components and costs, as well as detection of torque changes with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A pressure sensor 10 includes a casing 12 configured to be able to be filled with a fluid 16 such as a liquid or a gas, in which at least part of a surface contacting this fluid 16 is formed of a giant magnetostrictive member 18 made of a giant magnetostrictive element, and detecting means for detecting a change in magnetic permeability or an amount of remanent magnetization attributable to expansion and contraction of the giant magnetostrictive member 18 based on a pressure change of the fluid 16 filled in this casing 12. The pressure sensor 10 can detect pressure at high sensitivity and high accuracy in a short time while achieving miniaturization of a device at the same time.

Abstract: A contraction type actuator 10 is provided which can efficiently and evenly apply a bias magnetic field to a magnetostrictive rod to obtain a large contraction amount, while having a small and simple structure. In the contraction type actuator 10, a giant magnetostrictive rod 12 flexibly expands and contracts by controlling the strength of a magnetic field applied by a magnet coil 14. A bias magnet comprises a first bias magnet 16 and a second bias magnet 18. The fist bias magnet 16 in an approximately cylindrical shape is coaxially disposed around the giant magnetostrictive rod 12. The second bias magnet 18 is disposed in the inner space 16A of the first bias magnet 16, and is polarized in the direction of drawing a part of a magnetic field generated by the first bias magnet 16 into the inner space 16A.

Abstract: A weight sensor 10 having a simple structure and yet being capable of detecting load or pressure of an object to be measured in a short time and with high sensitivity and high precision. The sensor includes a first rotating shaft 14 vertically and rotatably supported on a stage 12, a second rotating shaft 18 axially and coaxially connected to the first rotating shaft 14 with a magnetostrictive member 16 interposed therebetween for rotatably supporting an object 20 to be measured, and a pickup coil 28 for detecting changes in magnetic permeability or remnant magnetization of the magnetostrictive member 16. Load or pressure of the object 20 is detected as the changes in magnetic permeability or remnant magnetization, which are caused by extension and contraction of the magnetostrictive member 16.

Abstract: In the step of sintering a compact that is finally to be a magnetostrictive element, when the temperature in a furnace is elevated, the atmosphere in the furnace is evacuated by a vacuum pump to keep the pressure in the furnace at negative pressure in a temperature range that allows thermal decomposition of hydride present in the compact to release hydrogen gas to accelerate release of hydrogen from the compact.

Abstract: In a speaker core (10) and a speaker unit using the same, a counter-mass (18), which utilizes the masses of a receiver circuit (31), a battery (32) and a case (33), is provided on one end side of a vibrator (12), and a vibration generated by using a drive coil (13) to drive the vibrator (12) to perform expanding/contracting movements is effectively transmitted to a diaphragm (20) positioned on the other end of the vibrator (12).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a magnetostrictive element which can give an anisotropic magnetostrictive element from a starting material containing Sm and a transition metal element. The method produces an anisotropic magnetostrictive element by compacting the starting powder in a magnetic field to produce a compact, and sintering the compact to produce a sintered body having a composition of SmFe2. It is preferable that the starting powder is produced by mixing a first alloy for the main phase of the magnetostrictive element with a second alloy having a lower melting point than the first alloy. It is recommended that the first alloy has a larger particle size than the second alloy.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive actuator includes: a driving unit composed of generally plate-like positive and negative magnetostrictive elements laminated in a direction of thickness, being arranged generally in parallel with a drive surface of a driven member; a driving coil for applying a magnetic field to the driving unit longitudinally, being arranged around an outer periphery of the driving unit; and a pair of bias magnets for applying a bias field to the driving unit longitudinally, being capable of transmitting a displacement of the driving unit to the driven member. The magnetostrictive actuator is capable of miniaturization and space saving as compared to heretofore, and can produce a greater amount of displacement.