Abstract: An optical scale, a method for manufacturing an optical scale, and an optical encoder. The optical scale includes a plurality of wires provided thereon so that the wires do not intersect each other and each of the tangential directions of the respective wires changes continuously. The optical encoder includes the optical scale, a light source, an optical sensor, and a computing unit. The optical sensor includes a first polarizing layer that splits incident light that is light source light from the light source passed through or reflected on the optical scale and being incident on the first polarizing layer to a first polarization direction, a second polarizing layer that splits the incident light to a second polarization direction, a first photoreceiver that receives first polarized light split by the first polarizing layer, and a second photoreceiver that receives second polarized light split by the second polarizing layer.

Abstract: There are provided an angle detection apparatus configured to correct an error included in angle information output from a multipolar angle detector, a motor having the angle detection apparatus, a torque sensor, an electric power steering apparatus, and a vehicle. A multiplication circuit (12) generates digital electrical angle information (?ed) from analog angle information output from a multipolar optical encoder (11), a first differentiator 30 differentiates the electrical angle information (?ed) to operate an electrical angular velocity (?ed), a first discontinuity correction circuit (31) carries out processing of correcting a discontinuity of an angular velocity in a temporal change for the electrical angular velocity (?ed), and a digital filter (32) carries out correction processing of reducing a high-frequency noise component for an electrical angular velocity (?edc) corrected by the first discontinuity correction circuit (31).

Abstract: The torque detection apparatus detects torque using torsion of a torsion bar. The torque detection apparatus includes a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft connected with a torsion bar in which torsion is produced when torque is applied, at least one optical scale that moves with rotations of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, at least one optical sensor that is paired with the optical scale, and detects the polarization of transmissive light or reflected light, the polarization varying depending on a position where light source light is passed through or reflected on the optical scale, and a computing unit that computes a relative rotational angle of the optical scale with respect to the optical sensor, and computes rotational displacements of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft.

Abstract: A target substance capturing device includes a supporting member to place and support a metal-film coated structure that captures a target substance, and including at least two holes opening at portions different from a portion where the metal-film coated structure is placed, a holding member that puts the metal-film coated structure in between the holding member and the supporting member, and including an opening portion that overlaps with the holes of the supporting member, and a portion that captures the target substance in the metal-film coated structure placed on the supporting member, and a covering member having transparency, and covering the opening portion of the holding member.

Abstract: A target substance capturing device includes a reflection surface on which a plurality of non-flat portions is arrayed, the reflection surface capturing a target substance, and reflecting irradiated light. The plurality of non-flat portions are arranged in an array, the array includes a plurality of unit arrays in which the plurality of non-flat portions are arranged such that each one center of the non-flat portions superposes a position of a vertex in an M-time symmetrical figure, and the plurality of unit arrays is arranged such that each one center of gravity of the M-time symmetrical figure superposes a position of an intersection of an N-time symmetrical lattice pattern, where M is an integer of two or more, and N is an integer of two or more and different from M.

Abstract: The torque detection apparatus detects torque using torsion of a torsion bar. The torque detection apparatus includes a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft connected with a torsion bar in which torsion is produced when torque is applied, at least one optical scale that moves with rotations of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, at least one optical sensor that is paired with the optical scale, and detects the polarization of transmissive light or reflected light, the polarization varying depending on a position where light source light is passed through or reflected on the optical scale, and a computing unit that computes a relative rotational angle of the optical scale with respect to the optical sensor, and computes rotational displacements of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft.

Abstract: An optical sensor, an optical encoder, a torque detection apparatus, and an electric power steering apparatus less affected by fluctuations in the amount of detected light and with an improved resolution are provided. The optical sensor includes a first polarizing layer that splits incident light to light with a first polarization direction, a first photoreceiver that receives first polarized light split by the first polarizing layer, a second polarizing layer that splits the incident light to light with a second polarization direction, and a second photoreceiver that receives second polarized light split by the second polarizing layer. The first photoreceiver and the second photoreceiver are positioned alternatingly and spaced uniformly with each other.

Abstract: An optical scale, a method for manufacturing an optical scale, and an optical encoder less affected by fluctuations in the amount of detected light and with an improved resolution are provided. The optical scale includes a plurality of wires provided thereon so that the plurality of wires do not intersect each other and each of the tangential directions of the respective wires changes continuously. The optical encoder includes the optical scale, a light source, an optical sensor, and a computing unit.

Abstract: A target substance detecting apparatus includes a photonic crystal biosensor configured to include a photonic crystal, which has a reflection surface including concave portions and convex portions formed regularly on its surface, covered by a metal film, and reflecting light irradiated to the reflection surface; an optical detecting unit configured to irradiate parallel light to the reflection surface, and to detect reflected light of the parallel light reflected on the reflection surface; and a processing unit configured to obtain a wavelength at an extreme value of the reflected light detected by the optical detecting unit, and to detect at least whether the target substance is present or not based upon a shift of the obtained wavelength at the extreme value.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes an outer ring (11), an inner ring (12), rolling elements (13) disposed between the two rings, and a seal (15) attached to one of the outer ring and the inner ring and extending toward the other ring. A temperature sensor is fitted to the seal, and hence a temperature of the seal contacting with a rotary wheel can be directly measured. Accordingly, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor rapidly rises, this implies that some inconvenience might occur, and necessary countermeasures such as immediately stopping an apparatus using the bearing apparatus can be taken before the explicit inconvenience occurs.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes an outer ring (11), an inner ring (12), rolling elements (13) disposed between the two rings, and a seal (15) attached to one of the outer ring and the inner ring and extending toward the other ring. A temperature sensor is fitted to the seal, and hence a temperature of the seal contacting with a rotary wheel can be directly measured. Accordingly, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor rapidly rises, this implies that some inconvenience might occur, and necessary countermeasures such as immediately stopping an apparatus using the bearing apparatus can be taken before the explicit inconvenience occurs.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus including a rolling bearing having an outer race (11), an inner race (12) and a rolling member (13) disposed between two races, and a thermal sensor (TS) measuring an internal temperature of the rolling bearing. Wiring from the thermal sensor extends to outside via a through-hole (lid) formed in a component of the bearing apparatus, and hence the thermal sensor can be disposed in a desired position with excellent flexibility of wiring extension, and can measure a temperature in the desired position of the bearing. The thermal sensor, which can be constructed thin in a small size having the flexibility, can be therefore incorporated in whatever portion of the bearing and can improve a characteristic of detecting an abnormal temperature with a high response of the temperature detection.

Abstract: A battery pack to be externally attached to a system body of a portable computer contains a plurality of batteries in two rows. A groove is formed on that portion of the top of the battery pack which correspond to the region between the rows of batteries. A hinge unit for swingably supporting a display unit is provided on the rear end of the system body of the computer in a manner such that it is partially housed in the groove of the battery pack. With this arrangement, the computer is reduced in thickness. The battery pack, which is connected to the rear end of the system body, is rotatable relatively to the system body. During use of the computer, therefore, a keyboard can be slightly declined toward a user by rotating the battery pack to raise the rear end of the system body.

Abstract: A battery pack to be externally attached to a system body of a portable computer contains a plurality of batteries in two-rows. A groove is formed on that portion of the top of the battery pack which correspond to the region between the rows of batteries. A hinge unit for swingably supporting a display unit is provided on the rear end of the system body of the computer in a manner such that it is partially housed in the groove of the battery pack. With this arrangement, the computer is reduced in thickness. The battery pack, which is connected to the rear end of the system body, is rotatable relatively to the system body. During use of the computer, therefore, a keyboard can be slightly declined toward a user by rotating the battery pack to raise the rear end of the system body.

Abstract: A battery pack to be externally attached to a system body of a portable computer contains a plurality of batteries in two rows. A groove is formed on that portion of the top of the battery pack which correspond to the region between the rows of batteries. A hinge unit for swingably supporting a display unit is provided on the rear end of the system body of the computer in a manner such that it is partially housed in the groove of the battery pack. With this arrangement, the computer is reduced in thickness. The battery pack, which is connected to the rear end of the system body, is rotatable relatively to the system body. During use of the computer, therefore, a keyboard can be slightly declined toward a user by rotating the battery pack to raise the rear end of the system body.

Abstract: In an automatic tool change system in a combined machining lathe, with rotational and planar movements of a tool change arm, tools are replaced with each other between magazine pots and first and second tool holders which are mounted to a turret so as to be directed to a rotation axis direction of the turret and to a rotation plane direction of the turret, respectively. A tool grasp part of the tool change arm includes first holding claws for inserting and withdrawing a tool into and from the first tool holder and second holding claws for inserting and withdrawing a tool into and-from the second tool holder. At a tool exchange position, each magazine pot is pivoted between a first exchange position where the magazine pot takes an attitude parallel to the first tool holder and a second exchange position where the magazine pot takes an attitude face to face with the second tool holder.

Abstract: A television receiver employs a liquid crystal display panel mounted in a unit which can be set into either a closed position in which the display panel is disposed within a recessed portion of the case of the television set, and an opened position in which ambient light passes through the display panel to be reflected from a mirror towards the viewer. In conjunction with this arrangement, operating control members are positioned to facilitate one-hand operation of the receiver, and the largest circuit components and batteries are positioned with respect to the display panel and control members such as to minimize the overall size of the receiver.

Abstract: A liquid crystal television receiver has a first housing containing a television receiving circuit, a mirror mounted on an upper portion thereof, and a battery for driving the television receiving circuit, a second housing containing a liquid crystal display panel, and a third housing containing a light emitting element. The first, second and third housings are pivotally connected with each other at rear portions thereof, respectively.

Abstract: A tuning device has a dial drum rotatably supported in a frame, and a rheostat operatively connected to the dial drum. A knob is disposed in alignment with the dial drum. The dial drum has an outer toothing formed on the periphery thereof. A drive gear is secured to the knob, and a reduction gear train is disposed between the drive gear and the outer toothing for transmitting the rotation of the drive gear to the dial drum.

Abstract: A tuning device has a dial drum rotatably supported in a frame, and a rheostat operatively connected to the dial drum. A knob is disposed in alignment with the dial drum. The dial drum has an outer toothing formed on the periphery thereof. A drive gear is secured to the knob, and a reduction gear train is disposed between the drive gear and the outer toothing for transmitting the rotation of the drive gear to the dial drum.