Abstract: A challenge is to provide an art to identify mice as individuals from captured images of one or more mice that are doing activity in a predetermined activity range. An image processing device includes an image acquisition unit, a part extraction unit, and an individual identification unit. The image acquisition unit acquires a captured video of a state in which one or more animals are doing activity in a predetermined activity range. An outline detection unit extracts the outlines of the bodies of the one or more animals from each of multiple unit images included in the video. The individual identification unit analyzes the multiple outlines detected from each of the multiple unit images by the outline detection unit, in a time-series manner and identifies the one or more animals as individuals in each of the unit images on the basis of the analysis results. Thus, the challenge is solved.

Abstract: A sealed battery of the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly having a multilayered structure in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator are layered; and a first clip. The positive electrode has a positive-electrode current collection sheet and a positive-electrode active material layer; and the negative electrode has a negative-electrode current collection sheet and a negative-electrode active material layer. The electrode assembly has the following sections: a positive-electrode extended section which is a layered portion of the positive-electrode current collection sheet and extends from the multilayered structure; and a negative-electrode extended section which is a layered portion of the negative-electrode current collection sheet and extends from the multilayered structure.

Abstract: A sealed battery according to the present invention includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator; an electrolyte; a case; a first lead terminal; and a second lead terminal, wherein each of the first and second lead terminals includes an electrode connection section, an external connection section, and a sealing section, the first or the second lead terminal includes a conduction section, the conduction section is provided to be at least partially in contact with an outer surface of the case directly or indirectly, the case has a conductivity or an apparent thermal conductivity of from 10 W/(m·K) to 250 W/(m·K) inclusive, and the electrode assembly and the electrolyte contained in the case have an effective thermal conductivity of from 10 W/(m·K) to 100 W/(m·K) inclusive in a steady state.

Abstract: Provided is a driving device having an electromechanical transducer, a driving member, a moving member and a driving circuit. The driving circuit outputs a driving voltage at a frequency lower than that where the driving speed of the moving member is at maximum, and changes the drive frequency of the driving voltage so that the drive frequency has a negative correlative relationship with the ambient temperature. The change rate of the drive frequency to a change of the ambient temperature in the negative correlative relationship is larger than a change rate of a frequency where the driving speed of the moving member is at maximum to an increase of the ambient temperature, and the change rate permits the driving speed of the moving member to increase when the ambient temperature increases.

Abstract: An electromechanical conversion element having high connection reliability and an actuator equipped with the electromechanical conversion element. The electromechanical conversion element includes: a displacement part capable of expanding and contracting by application of voltage and having electrode forming faces and an adhesion face which are disposed adjacent to each other; and external electrodes on the electrode forming faces, in which lead electrodes for applying voltage to the displacement part are bonded to bonding regions provided in the external electrodes, and a driven member capable of being driven by the expansion and contraction of the displacement part is bonded to the adhesion face by an adhesive. The electromechanical conversion element further includes bleed flow blocking parts on the electrode forming faces at points closer to the adhesion face than ends of the bonding regions located on the same side as the adhesion face.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element 1 as an electromechanical conversion element 1 and a drive device S according to the present invention include step portions 21 which are formed on each of a pair of external electrodes 11, 11 formed on outer peripheral surfaces of a laminated body 10 including a plurality of piezoelectric layers 10a and have a difference in height between the boundary of a connection region 11a for connection to a power supply member for supplying power and end sections 10c of the laminated body 10.

Abstract: A vibratory driving device (1) comprising an electromechanical transducer (3) which causes mechanical displacement according to an applied voltage, a driving shaft (4) which is held so as to be displaced in its axial direction by the electromechanical transducer and which is provided on its surface with two resistive bodies (8) extending in the axial direction and connected to the electromechanical transducer at one end, a movable member (5) which slidably engages on the driving shaft so as to contact with the two resistive bodies to connect electrically the contacted points of the resistive bodies each other, a driving circuit (13) which applies a periodical driving voltage to the electromechanical transducer, and a measuring circuit (15) which measures electric resistance between the two resistive bodies can determine a position of the movable member and has a simplified wiring (7) with low risk of disconnection.

Abstract: An electromechanical conversion element having high connection reliability and an actuator equipped with the electromechanical conversion element. The electromechanical conversion element includes: a displacement part capable of expanding and contracting by application of voltage and having electrode forming faces and an adhesion face which are disposed adjacent to each other; and external electrodes on the electrode forming faces, in which lead electrodes for applying voltage to the displacement part are bonded to bonding regions provided in the external electrodes, and a driven member capable of being driven by the expansion and contraction of the displacement part is bonded to the adhesion face by an adhesive. The electromechanical conversion element further includes bleed flow blocking parts on the electrode forming faces at points closer to the adhesion face than ends of the bonding regions located on the same side as the adhesion face.

Abstract: Provided is a driving device having an electromechanical transducer, a driving member, a moving member and a driving circuit. The driving circuit outputs a driving voltage at a frequency lower than that where the driving speed of the moving member is at maximum, and changes the drive frequency of the driving voltage so that the drive frequency has a negative correlative relationship with the ambient ten aperature. The change rate of the drive frequency to a change of the ambient temperature in the negative correlative relationship is larger than a change rate of a frequency where the driving speed of the moving member is at maximum to an increase of the ambient temperature, and the change rate permits the driving speed of the moving member to increase when the ambient temperature increases.

Abstract: A vibratory driving device (1) comprising an electromechanical transducer (3) which causes mechanical displacement according to an applied voltage, a driving shaft (4) which is held so as to be displaced in its axial direction by the electromechanical transducer and which is provided on its surface with two resistive bodies (8) extending in the axial direction and connected to the electromechanical transducer at one end, a movable member (5) which slidably engages on the driving shaft so as to contact with the two resistive bodies to connect electrically the contacted points of the resistive bodies each other, a driving circuit (13) which applies a periodical driving voltage to the electromechanical transducer, and a measuring circuit (15) which measures electric resistance between the two resistive bodies can determine a position of the movable member and has a simplified wiring (7) with low risk of disconnection.

Abstract: A drive unit being characterized in that a movable object can be prevented from being tilted when the movable object is stopped using a restricting member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element expands and contracts when a pulse voltage is applied. A fixing body is fixed to one end of the piezoelectric element in an expansion-contraction direction. A driving shaft is fixed to the other end of the piezoelectric element in the expansion-contraction direction. A movable body is supported to the driving shaft slidably. When a pulse voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element contracts and expands. Accordingly, the driving shaft oscillates, and the movable body slides along the driving shaft. A material of the driving shaft is fiber reinforced resin complex. A synthetic resin material composing the fiber reinforced resin complex is liquid crystal polymer or polyphenylene sulfide.

Abstract: A driving device of the disclosure has an electromechanical transducer that extends and contracts upon application of voltage thereto and a support member that slidably supports a movable body and is displaced with the electromechanical transducer to which the support member is connected. The disclosed device includes a drive circuit that applies the voltage to the electromechanical transducer is such that the voltage which increases or decreases from a first voltage to a last voltage in a stepped manner and in which at least three values sequentially circulate. A period of time for which the first voltage is applied is changeable. By this method, the movable body is moved with respect to the support member by making a difference between an extension velocity and a contraction velocity.

Abstract: There is provided a drive unit which has high adhesive strength of its components and generates large drive power. The drive unit includes an electromechanical transducer, a driving friction member connected to an end surface of the electromechanical transducer and an engaging member engaging frictionally with the driving friction member. At least one end portion of the electromechanical transducer has a reduced cross-sectional area relative to a middle portion thereof.

Abstract: To provide a driving device, utilizing an electromechanical conversion element, having a driving pulse generating means capable of generating a sawtooth waveform driving voltage with a simple circuit configuration. The driving device includes: an electromechanical conversion element which is connected to the driving pulse generating means and extends and contracts, and one end of which in an extension/contraction direction is fixed; a rod, one end of which is fixed to the other end in an extension/contraction direction of the electromechanical conversion element; and a moving body, frictionally coupled to the periphery of the rod, moving along the rod corresponding to the vibration of the rod due to the extension/contraction of the electromechanical conversion element.

Abstract: A drive unit being characterized in that a movable object can be prevented from being tilted when the movable object is stopped using a restricting member.

Abstract: In a drive apparatus having a vibration-generator including a plurality of electromechanical conversion elements, a plurality of weights located between each of the electromechanical conversion elements, and a rod fixed to one end of an electromechanical conversion element, a mass and a spring constant of each component included in the vibration-generator are determined, so that a relationship of integral multiple is satisfied. Thus, highly efficient driving with taking advantage of the resonance frequencies can be realized, and thus the energy consumption can be saved.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element expands and contracts when a pulse voltage is applied. A fixing body is fixed to one end of the piezoelectric element in an expansion-contraction direction. A driving shaft is fixed to the other end of the piezoelectric element in the expansion-contraction direction. A movable body is supported to the driving shaft slidably. When a pulse voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element contracts and expands. Accordingly, the driving shaft oscillates, and the movable body slides along the driving shaft. A material of the driving shaft is fiber reinforced resin complex. A synthetic resin material composing the fiber reinforced resin complex is liquid crystal polymer or polyphenylene sulfide.

Abstract: A driving device of the invention has an electromechanical transducer that extends and contracts upon application of voltage thereto, a support member that slidably supports a movable body and is displaced with the electromechanical transducer to which the support member is connected, and a drive circuit that applies the voltage to the electromechanical transducer, wherein applied to the electromechanical transducer by the drive circuit is the voltage which increases or decreases from a first voltage to a last voltage in a stepped manner and in which at least three values sequentially circulates, the movable body is relatively moved with respect to the support member by making a difference between an extension velocity and a contraction velocity when the electromechanical transducer extends and contracts upon application of the voltage thereto, and a period of time for which the first voltage is applied is changeable.

Abstract: A drive unit allowing ultraprecise positioning control of a movable member is provided. A drive unit includes an piezoelectric element which expands and contracts upon application of a voltage, a drive shaft fixed to one end of the piezoelectric element along expansion and contraction direction, a movable member which engages with the drive shaft by friction force and is driven along the drive shaft which is oscillated by the expanding and contracting piezoelectric element, and a drive circuit for applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element, in which the drive circuit changes a waveform of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element so that the movable member is switched between high-speed drive and low-speed drive.