Abstract: The present invention provides a serum separating device and an apparatus for use in serum separation which is capable of completely separating serum and clot during the separation of a blood sample into serum and clot by means of a centrifugal separation operation.

Abstract: Adverse effects due to electrostatic force between a semiconductor substrate and a movable electrode are avoided with a new structure. A movable electrode of beam structure is disposed at a specified interval above a p-type silicon substrate. Fixed electrodes, each composed of an impurity diffusion layer, are disposed on both sides of the movable electrode on the p-type silicon substrate; these fixed electrodes are self-aligningly with respect to the movable electrode. The movable electrode is displaced in accompaniment to the action of acceleration, and acceleration is detected by change (fluctuation) in current between the fixed electrodes generated by means of this displacement. Additionally, an electrode for movable electrode upward-movement use is disposed above the movable electrode, a potential difference is given between the movable electrode and the electrode for movable electrode upward-movement use, and attractive force of the movable electrode to the silicon substrate is alleviated.

Abstract: This invention aims at providing a novel semiconductor accelerometer comprising a smaller number of substrates and a production method thereof.An insulating film is formed on a main plane of a P-type silicon substrate, and a beam-like movable electrode is formed on the insulating film. Fixed electrodes are then formed on both sides of the movable electrode in self-alignment with the movable electrode by diffusing an impurity into the P-type silicon substrate, and the insulating film below the movable electrode is etched and removed. There is thus produced a semiconductor accelerometer comprising the P-type silicon substrate 1, the movable electrode 4 having the beam structure and disposed above the P-type silicon substrate 1 with a predetermined gap between them, and the fixed electrodes 8, 9 consisting of the impurity diffusion layer and formed on both sides of the movable electrode 4 on the P-type silicon substrate 1 in self-alignment with the movable electrode 4.

Abstract: A semiconductor yaw rate sensor, which can be structured easily by means of an IC fabrication process, such that a yaw rate detection signal due to a current value is obtained by means of a transistor structure and a method of producing the same is disclosed. A weight supported by beams is disposed at a specified interval from a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and movable electrodes and excitation electrodes are formed integrally with the weight. Fixed electrodes for excitation use are fixed to the substrate in correspondence to the excitation electrodes. Along with this, source electrodes as well as drain electrodes are formed by means of a diffusion layer on a surface of the substrate at positions opposing the movable electrodes, such that drain current changes in correspondence with displacement of the movable electrodes by means of Corioli's force due to yaw rate, and the yaw rate is detected by this current.

Abstract: Upon a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, if an inertial body moves a predetermined amount against the urging force of a return spring, the trigger means will be released from engagement with the firing pin. Under the urging force of a spring, the firing pin is released from engagement with the trigger means, strikes and ignites a detonator so as to activate the actuator. The trigger means will not move until the inertial body has moved by the predetermined amount. Only after the inertial body has moved the predetermined amount, will the trigger means start to move suddenly and quickly. Therefore, friction at the time the inertial body engages the trigger means is kept constant. The stable operation of the sensor is thereby assured.

Abstract: A preloader for use in a webbing retractor for retracting an occupant-restraining webbing forcibly onto a takeup shaft at the time of a sudden deceleration of a vehicle. The preloader includes a angular shaft rotating integrally with the takeup shaft; a deformable member disposed around the angular column shaft; and a wire connected to the deformable member and wound therearound. The wire is tightly wound around the deformable member at the time of a sudden deceleration of the vehicle, thereby causing the deformable member to undergo deformation and engage with the angular shaft. The angular shaft is hence rotated integrally with the deformable member so as to positively rotate the takeup shaft in a taking-up direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus used in a centrifugal separating step for sample preparation in the field of clinical chemistry. Especially, the invention relates to a separating apparatus used for isolating a serum fraction from a freshly isolated blood sample without contamination with a clot fraction. A serum separating apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising an elastic body in the form of a cylindrical tube and a ball which can fitted to an opening of the elastic body and by positioning at a boundary of said fractions after the centrifugation.

Abstract: A webbing drive apparatus for a seat belt system which is adapted to fasten a webbing, that is retained by a wire, around a seat occupant of a vehicle or cancelling the application thereof by taking up the wire onto an outer periphery of a rotating drum or paying out the wire from the outer periphery. A guide portion for accommodating and guiding the movement of the paid-out wire is provided in a cover for covering the drum. Accordingly, the wire, when paid out, is moved along the guide section.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a slip joint in which the slip joint serves to support a vehicle webbing in such a manner that the webbing is movable in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle and is pivotally supported by a support member attached to a vehicle body, so that an extension of a line running in a direction of a resultant force of a webbing takeup force and a webbing pulling-out force passes through the portion where the slip joint is pivotally supported by the support member. The moment which is produced by the resultant force and which acts on the slip joint is therefore eliminated or reduced.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration of at least predetermined magnitude. The sensor has a first lever capable of swinging when acceleration of at least predetermined magnitude occurs, and a second lever capable of swinging to come into contact with the first lever when vertical acceleration of at least predetermined magnitude occurs so as to limit the swinging of the first lever. Therefore, the first lever is prevented from swinging when vertical acceleration of at least predetermined magnitude occurs.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor has a lever which is swung by the movement of a mass body that is held in a holding member in such a manner as to be movable relative thereto when an acceleration of a predetermined magnitude or greater acts on the holding member in the horizontal direction. The sensor also has a transmission member which is swung by the movement of the mass body and of which the swinging causes the lever to swing, and a prevention member which prevents any upward movement of the transmission member. Therefore, even when the mass body is affected by an acceleration acting in the vertical direction, any affection of the acceleration is prevented from being transmitted to the lever via the transmission member.

Abstract: A winding apparatus for winding up a webbing is used with an automatic seat belt arrangement in which one end of the webbing is automatically moved and applied to a person sitting in a seat. If it is sensed that nobody uses the webbing, a lever is engaged with a gear wheel which is rotated integrally with a winding shaft for winding up the webbing therearound by means of an urging force, and thus the winding shaft is prevented from being rotated by the urging force in the direction in which the winding shaft winds up the webbing therearound. Accordingly, if nobody uses the webbing, the tension which is applied to the one end of the webbing is cancelled.

Abstract: In a webbing retractor used for a seatbelt system protecting an occupant in an emergency situation of a vehicle, a locking wheel is rotated, following a rotation of a webbing takeup shaft, and a locking means prevents the takeup shaft from webbing-unwinding rotation when lag in rotation of the locking wheel occurs relative to the takeup shaft in the emergency situation of the vehicle. Opposed to the locking wheel is a control means which can be biased selectively in either direction of approach to the locking wheel or direction of separation therefrom in accordance with a webbing-winding amount and a webbing-unwinding amount.Accordingly, the webbing retractor can be used properly as an Automatic Locking Retractor and an Emergency Locking Retractor at need.

Abstract: In a webbing retractor, a spring member is caused to abut on a webbing takeup shaft to be rotated together therewith by a frictional force between the takeup shaft and the spring member within a range defined by rotation restricting means, locking means for preventing a webbing unwinding rotation of the takeup shaft is put in a released situation when the spring member is rotated in a direction of a webbing unwinding, and the locking means is put a locking situation when the spring member is rotated in a direction of a webbing winding. Accordingly, an occupant can be put in a surely restrained situation by the webbing when the webbing is wound on the takeup shaft in a slight amount after the webbing is worn on the occupant, though the webbing retractor has a simple construction.

Abstract: A webbing retractor for winding an occupant restraining webbing in an emergency of a vehicle, wherein one end of one of resilient members, which are serially connected to each other, is connected to a takeup shaft, and, when a vehicle door is closed, a locking device is adapted to lock connecting portions of the resilient members, whereby bias of one of the resilient members is prevented from acting on said takeup shaft to lighten a takeup force, thereby relieving the oppressive feeling applied to the occupant.