Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a head part with an ejection port configured to eject ink, a discarded-ink tank configured to collect ejected or absorbed ink in order to restore a function of the ejection port, and a sensing device configured to sense the discarded ink collected in the discarded-ink tank, the sensing device including an absorber configured to absorb the ink and an optical sensor configured to sense the light received from the absorber is disclosed, wherein the apparatus uses ink having a characteristic such that the discarded ink is accumulated in a mountain-like shape in the discarded-ink tank, and the absorber is arranged at the location, at which discarded ink can be absorbed when a mountain top of the discarded ink accumulated in a mountain-like shape reaches a predetermined height so that the discarded ink flows along a slope of the discarded ink accumulated in a mountain-like shape to the absorber.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage configured to movably scan, and including a recording head configured to discharge ink droplets and a sub tank configured to supply ink to the recording head; a main tank configured to supply the ink to the sub tank via a tube; a negative pressure detector configured to detect a state of a negative pressure in the sub tank; a count unit configured to count a number of scans conducted by the carriage; and a control unit configured to cause the negative pressure detector to detect the state of the negative pressure in the sub tank to return the negative pressure in the sub tank to a normal state based on a detection result obtained by the negative pressure detector when the number of scans carried out by the carriage as counted by the count unit reaches a predetermined scan count.

Abstract: A distance sensor for vehicles is provided which includes a sensor device and an electric connector for an electrical connection between the sensor device and a mating connector. The connector includes at least one first terminal pin and at least one second terminal pin. The first terminal pin has a first section leading to the sensor device and a second section extending toward an inlet opening of the connector. The second terminal pin has a first section leading to the sensor device and at least two branched second sections extending toward the inlet opening of the connector. Specifically, the second terminal pin is shaped to provide two-pin plugs, thereby permitting the size of the connector to be reduced, which facilitates ease of installation of the distance sensor to, for example, a bumper of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A distance sensor equipped with a mount for mounting the sensor in a mount hole of a bumper of a vehicle. The mount includes a casing with a sensor holder, a bezel, and a resin-made retainer. The bezel is made up of a cylindrical member joined to the sensor holder and a flange having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the mount hole. The retainer includes an annular base joined to the bezel, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions extend from ends of the arms radially outward of the base and serve to establish a snap-fit on a peripheral edge of the mount hole, thereby nipping a wall of the bumper between the protrusions and the flange tightly to secure the distance sensor to the bumper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which air or dust does not enter a recording liquid tube when an ink cartridge is changed is disclosed. An engine unit, in which an image forming section and a sub scanning direction paper carrying section are integrated as one unit, is removably attached to an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, an ink cartridge storing section, in which an ink cartridge is removably stored, is integrated into the engine unit, and is changed together with the engine unit. In addition, a carriage, the recording liquid tube, and the ink cartridge storing section are removed as one unit from the engine unit.

Abstract: The object is to fabricate a novel organic semiconductor element which can effectively utilize the main-chain conduction of a conjugated high molecular compound having semiconductor-like properties. Provided is an electronic element which contains, as components, a pair of electrodes which is formed on a substrate, a mesoporous film in which tubular mesopores, which are orientation controlled in one direction, are formed, the mesoporous film being formed between the electrodes so as to be in contact with the electrodes, a conjugated high molecular compound held in the tubular mesopores, and a third electrode which is electrically insulated from the conjugated high molecular compound and is in contact with the mesoporous film.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which air or dust does not enter a recording liquid tube when an ink cartridge is changed is disclosed. An engine unit, in which an image forming section and a sub scanning direction paper carrying section are integrated as one unit, is removably attached to an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, an ink cartridge storing section, in which an ink cartridge is removably stored, is integrated into the engine unit, and is changed together with the engine unit. In addition, a carriage, the recording liquid tube, and the ink cartridge storing section are removed as one unit from the engine unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print head to eject droplets, a subtank to supply ink to the print head, a main tank to supply the ink to the subtank, a supply pump to supply the ink from the main tank to the subtank, a pump driver to drive the supply pump, an amount sensor to sense an ink amount in the subtank and output a signal when the ink amount in the subtank is at a predetermined level, and a unit to drive and control the pump driver, which is configured to decrease an ink supply rate of the supply pump in response to the signal outputted by the amount sensor and to stop the supply pump when predetermined time has passed after the signal is outputted by the amount sensor.

Abstract: An obstacle detection apparatus includes first and second ultrasonic sensors, a control part, and a warning device for warning in accordance with a distance between at least one of the ultrasonic sensors and an obstacle. The control part sets the first ultrasonic sensor to a transmitting and receiving mode while setting the second ultrasonic sensor to a receiving mode, and then sets the first ultrasonic sensor to the receiving mode while setting the second ultrasonic sensor to the transmitting and receiving mode. Each of the ultrasonic sensors has a reception sensitivity to a reflected wave reflected by the obstacle. Each of the ultrasonic sensors includes a reception sensitivity control portion configured to increase the reception sensitivity when the receiving mode is set compared with when the transmitting and receiving mode is set.

Abstract: A structured material characterized in having, on a substrate, a layer having tubular pores positioned uniaxially parallel to the interface of the substrate and the layer and supporting a conductive polymer material having a function of a surfactant therein. A method for producing the above structure material characterized by the steps of providing a substrate having the anisotropy on a surface, applying a solution containing a surfactant having a functional group for polymerization in the molecular structure, a solvent therefor, and a solute different from the surfactant to the substrate, and a step of standing for a predetermined time for causing the surfactant to assemble in a predetermined direction based on the anisotropy of the substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus provides an improved printing speed and improved convenience of use. A recording head discharges droplets of a recording liquid onto a paper so as to form an image on the paper. A belt conveyance mechanism has a belt onto which the paper is electrostatically attached. The paper attached onto the belt is conveyed in a direction perpendicular to a carding direction of the paper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit configured to form an image on a recording medium, and a guide device configured to guide the printing unit to be drawn in a direction perpendicular to a recording medium conveying direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. Thus, because the printing unit can be drawn out from the main body of the apparatus, maintenance work to the printing unit can be easily performed in a state that the printing unit has been drawn out from the apparatus.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus provides an improved printing speed and improved convenience of use. A recording head discharges droplets of a recording liquid onto a paper so as to form an image on the paper. A belt conveyance mechanism has a belt onto which the paper is electrostatically attached. The paper attached onto the belt is conveyed in a direction perpendicular to a carding direction of the paper.

Abstract: The object is to fabricate a novel organic semiconductor element which can effectively utilize the main-chain conduction of a conjugated high molecular compound having semiconductor-like properties. Provided is an electronic element which contains, as components, a pair of electrodes which is formed on a substrate, a mesoporous film in which tubular mesopores, which are orientation controlled in one direction, are formed, the mesoporous film being formed between the electrodes so as to be in contact with the electrodes, a conjugated high molecular compound held in the tubular mesopores, and a third electrode which is electrically insulated from the conjugated high molecular compound and is in contact with the mesoporous film.

Abstract: A mesostructured film is provided having a structure in which surfactant molecular assemblies are regularly arranged three-dimensionally. A polymer compound thin film is formed on the substrate surface through spin coating or the like, and a rotating roller wrapped with a cloth is pressed against the polymer film for rubbing in one direction. The polymer material includes polyimide, polyamide, and polystyrene. The substrate includes a silica glass substrate and a silicon substrate. The mesostructured film can be formed by retaining the substrate in an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, silicon alkoxide, and acid. After being retained in the solution, the substrate is heated at about 60 to 120° C. for several hours to several days for reaction. The surfactant includes C18H37(OCH2CH2)20OH and C16H33 (OCH2CH2)20OH. The alkoxide included tetraethoxysilane, tetramethoxysilane, and tetrapropoxysilane. Hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, or sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic sensor attachment structure which provides coincidence between a center of the ultrasonic-sensor and that of a through-hole in a simple way, and which restricts unwanted-vibration-transmission between a wall-member of a movable-body and an ultrasonic-transducer without spoiling design. According to the structure, the sensor, which includes the ultrasonic-transducer, a case receiving the ultrasonic-transducer and a vibration-insulation-member for vibration-transmission-suppression, is attached to the wall-member having the through-hole, so that an oscillation-surface is exposed to an outer-surface side through the through-hole. The ultrasonic-sensor is fixed by a fixation-member so that the oscillation-surface and an outer-surface of the wall-member are on a substantially same plane.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage configured to movably scan, and including a recording head configured to discharge ink droplets and a sub tank configured to supply ink to the recording head; a main tank configured to supply the ink to the sub tank via a tube; a negative pressure detector configured to detect a state of a negative pressure in the sub tank; a count unit configured to count a number of scans conducted by the carriage; and a control unit configured to cause the negative pressure detector to detect the state of the negative pressure in the sub tank to return the negative pressure in the sub tank to a normal state based on a detection result obtained by the negative pressure detector when the number of scans carried out by the carriage as counted by the count unit reaches a predetermined scan count.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor has a sensor body and a bezel having a metal spring attached on a side wall thereof for installation on a vehicle component. A free end of the metal spring is positioned to protrude from a through hole of the side wall, is pressed by a portion of the sensor body that is inserted in a hollow space of the bezel, and is pushed back by an opening face of the sensor body. In this manner, the bezel is firmly attached on the component and the sensor body is firmly attached on the bezel.

Abstract: In an image forming device comprising an image forming part forming an image on a recording sheet, a sheet ejection part provided above the image forming part and stacking the recording sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming part, and an image reading part provided above the sheet ejection part and reading an image of an original document, the sheet ejection part is provided with a cover which is capable of being opened or closed to the sheet ejection part.

Abstract: A structural analysis program which enables easy structural analysis in accordance with a finite element method based on data representing a two-dimensional shape. A two-dimensional model of a structure is produced in response to a manipulation input which designates a material arrangement pattern and a thickness of each layer of the structure. A three-dimensional model is produced by adding the designated thickness of each layer to the material arrangement pattern of the layer so as to make the material arrangement pattern three-dimensional and stacking the three-dimensionalized material arrangement pattern of each layer. A finite element model is produced by dividing the three-dimensional model into a plurality of voxels. The computer performs structural analysis based on the produced finite element model. Thereby, an analysis result of a multilayer structure defined by the two-dimensional model is obtained.