Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes first and second magnetostrictive films mounted on a pinion shaft and having different magnetic anisotropic properties, a first detecting coil disposed in facing relation to the first magnetostrictive film, a second detecting coil disposed in facing relation to the second magnetostrictive film, a transistor, and a detector for detecting a torque applied to the pinion shaft based on a first detected signal representative of a potential at the junction between the first detecting coil and the second detecting coil.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a required torque calculating portion that calculates required drive torque required of the vehicle; a running mode switching portion that switches between a motor running mode and a hybrid running mode according to the calculated required drive torque; a torque distribution control portion that sets the torque distribution between front and rear wheels according to the switched running mode; a gear noise preventing portion that prevents gear noise in a gear mechanism by changing the set torque distribution between the front and rear wheels when a predetermined gear noise producing condition is satisfied; and a drive torque control portion that calculates drive torques of the front and rear wheels based on the calculated required drive torque and the changed torque distribution and controls the torques of the engine and the electric motor.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering apparatus in which a steering gear box for transmitting an operation of a steering wheel to road wheels includes a pinion operatively connected to the steering wheel, a rack bar which has a rack meshing with the pinion, and which is operatively connected to the road wheels, a housing slidably supporting the rack bar, a cylindrical rack guide slidably fitted into a guide hole formed in the housing, and a spring member causing the rack guide to abut on a rear part of the rack bar opposite to the rack by biasing the rack guide. A reaction force, which the rack guide receives from the rack bar, acts on the rack guide in such a way as to cause a rotational moment of the rack guide about an axis different from an axis of the rack guide.

Abstract: An electric steering system includes a steering torque measuring device for measuring a steering torque input into a steering system, a steering speed measuring device for measuring a steering speed of the steering system; a target current computing section for computing a target current based on the steering torque measured by the steering torque measuring device, and a control section for applying a steering power to the steering system by driving a motor according to the target current.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a rotatable shaft rotatably supported by bearings, a magnetostrictive film disposed on the surface of the rotatable shaft, and a detecting coil that detects a change in a magnetic property of the magnetostrictive film. A hollow cylindrical ring is press-fitted over and fixed to the rotatable shaft near the magnetostrictive film, for example, near the right end of the magnetostrictive film.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a single magnetostrictive film disposed on a steering shaft, and first and second coils for detecting changes in a magnetic property of the magnetostrictive film. The single magnetostrictive film includes a first anisotropic region and a second anisotropic region, having respective magnetic anisotropies inverse to each other. The first coil is disposed in confronting relation to the first anisotropic region, whereas the second coil is disposed in confronting relation to the second anisotropic region.

Abstract: Worm gear mechanism includes a driving worm, a torque delivering worm wheel meshing with the worm, and an auxiliary worm wheel superimposed on the torque delivering worm wheel. The auxiliary worm wheel has a pitch diameter greater than that of the torque delivering worm wheel. The auxiliary worm wheel is biased against the driving worm wheel via a biasing member in the form of a leaf spring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for forming a fine pattern with high dry etching resistance and a method for forming the fine pattern. The composition for fine pattern formation containing: a resin containing a repeating unit having a silazane bond; and a solvent as well as a method for fine pattern formation using the same.

Abstract: This magnetostrictive torque sensor includes: a shaft made of a magnetized material; a magnetostrictive portion provided on the shaft at a position distanced for a predetermined length from an end of the shaft; a detection coil that is arranged so as to face the magnetostrictive portion, and detects a change in a magnetic characteristic of the magnetostrictive portion; and a plating made of an nonmagnetic material, that is provided on the end of the shaft.

Abstract: A worm gear mechanism includes a worm, a torque-transmitting worm wheel meshing with the worm, and an auxiliary worm wheel disposed concentrically with the torque-transmitting worm wheel. The auxiliary worm wheel has a pitch circle diameter set to be greater than a pitch circle diameter of the torque-transmitting worm wheel and hence meshes with the worm in a meshing phase different from that of the torque-transmitting worm wheel. A screw thread provided on the worm actually meshes with teeth of the torque-transmitting worm wheel along a length defined as an actual meshing length. The screw thread has an effective length reduced to be approximately equal to the actual meshing length.

Abstract: Provided are a method of evaluating an ion irradiation effect, a process simulator and a device simulator, which allow the influence of ion irradiation on atoms making up a substrate to be evaluated with high accuracy. The method includes irradiating a sample with a beam of ions, and evaluating influence of the ions used for the irradiation on atoms making up the sample, provided that the sample is prepared by alternately and periodically stacking a plurality of thin film layers, and of the plurality of thin film layers, the layer of at least one kind is composed of an isotope layer.

Abstract: An electric steering system includes a device for measuring a steering input into a steering system; a device for measuring a steering speed; a section for computing a target current based on the steering input; and a control section for applying a steering power to the steering system by driving a motor according to the target current, and applying damping to the steering system based on the steering speed. A rate of increase in a damper gain defined when the steering speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is higher than that defined when the steering speed is less than the predetermined value, or the damper gain defined when the steering speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value has a constant value increased in a step form from values of the damper gain defined when the steering speed is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor having a first magnetostrictive film and a second magnetostrictive film, which are both provided on a shaft and have different magnetic anisotropies. A first detection coil and a second detection coil are arranged to face the first magnetostrictive film, and a third detection coil and a fourth detection coil are arranged to face the second magnetostrictive film. The first and second detection coils are wound around the same coil bobbin, while the third and fourth detection coils are wound around another common coil bobbin.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor for detecting a torque includes an operating shaft, magnetically insulating layers, and magnetostrictive films. The operating shaft is adapted to be applied with an external torque. The magnetically insulating layers are formed of a nonmagnetic material and provided on an outer peripheral surface of the operating shaft. The magnetostrictive films are provided on outer peripheral surfaces of the magnetically insulating layers.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor for detecting a torque comprises an operating shaft, a first hollow shaft, a second hollow shaft, a first magnetostrictive film, and a second magnetostrictive film. Torque acts on the operating shaft from the outside. The first and second hollow shafts are fitted and fixed separately on the operating shaft. The first magnetostrictive film is formed on an external peripheral surface of the first hollow shaft while the second magnetostrictive film is formed on an external peripheral surface of the second hollow shaft.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a shaft having a magnetostrictive film; a detection coil for detecting a change in a magnetic property of the magnetostrictive film; and a cutoff circuit for supplying an excitation signal for detecting the change in the magnetic property and inhibiting the excitation signal from being supplied to the detection coil for a predetermined interval from power on. The cutoff circuit cuts off the excitation signal I and its inverted signal to the bridge circuit.

Abstract: A method produces a magnetostrictive torque sensor which detects a steering torque applied to a steering shaft by electrically detecting distortion of magnetostrictive films provided on a surface of the steering shaft. A plating step forms the magnetostrictive film on the surface of the steering shaft, and a heat treatment step heat treats the magnetostrictive film on the steering shaft. During the heat treatment step, hydrogen in the magnetostrictive film is decreased so that a hydrogen desorbing peak around 120° C. disappears when the magnetostrictive film is heated after the heat treatment step.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive mechanical quantity sensor for detecting torque or axial force is disclosed, which sensor comprises a hollow shaft and an operation shaft. The hollow shaft has a magnetostrictive film formed on its outer perimeter surface. The operation shaft is subject to torque or axial force acting from outside and is linked to and fit inside the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A method for producing a magnetostrictive torque sensor which detects steering torque applied to a steering shaft. A magnetostrictive film is formed on the steering shaft and then subjected to heat treatment, which decreases a weight ratio of hydrogen included in the magnetostrictive film. Thermal desorption gas analysis is performed on at least a portion of the magnetostrictive film undergoing the heat treatment step. A portion of the magnetostrictive film having a thickness of 40 ?m or less is heated at a temperature rise rate of 5° C. per minute. A weight ratio of a total amount of hydrogen desorbed from the portion of the magnetostrictive film due to the heat treatment to a weight before the heat treatment is no more than 3 ppm up to 150° C., wherein the weight ratio is no more than 10 ppm up to 300° C., and no more than 15 ppm up to 400° C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a controller of an electric power-assist steering system including a torque detector for detecting a torque applied with a steering wheel that steers a steering system; a steering status determining section for determining a steering status of either “turn” or “return” of a steering wheel; and a motor controlling unit for driving a motor n accordance with a target current value calculated based on at least a torque value from the torque detector and the steering status of either “turn” or “return” of the steering wheel from the steering status determining section, wherein the motor controlling unit sets a target current value right after a time when the steering status is switched between “turn” and “return” to be substantially equal to an actual current value right before a time when the steering status is switched between “turn” and “return”.