Abstract: Provided is a vibration power generation element that can have improved property of piezoelectricity and mechanical robustness, while having a reduced cost. A piezoelectric layer (20) is formed on a substrate (10), which is supported on a support member (11) in a cantilever state, with a dielectric layer (102) interposed there between. A pair of comb electrodes (41, 42) are formed on the piezoelectric layer (20) that include comb portions (412, 422) extending in a direction (i.e., transverse direction) perpendicular to the extension direction (i.e., longitudinal direction) of the substrate 10 and disposed so as to be fitted into one another.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration power generation element that can have improved property of piezoelectricity and mechanical robustness, while having a reduced cost. A piezoelectric layer (20) is formed on a substrate (10), which is supported on a support member (11) in a cantilever state, with a dielectric layer (102) interposed there between. A pair of comb electrodes (41, 42) are formed on the piezoelectric layer (20) that include comb portions (412, 422) extending in a direction (i.e., transverse direction) perpendicular to the extension direction (i.e., longitudinal direction) of the substrate 10 and disposed so as to be fitted into one another.

Abstract: An objective optical system includes a front group FG, an aperture stop S, and a rear group RG in order from an object side. The front group FG includes a first lens L1 having a negative refractive power with a concave surface facing an image side, a meniscus-shaped second lens L2 having a negative refractive power with a convex surface facing the image side, and a third lens L3 having a positive refractive power. The rear group RG includes a fourth lens L4 having a positive refractive power and a fifth lens L5 having a positive refractive power. The fifth lens L5 is a cemented lens. The following Conditional Expression (1) is satisfied: 2.3<f3/f5<20 (1), where f3 is a focal length of the third lens L3, and f5 is a focal length of the fifth lens L5.

Abstract: An objective optical system for endoscope consists of a front group having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop, and a rear group having a positive refractive power. The front group consists of a first lens having a negative refractive power and a second lens having a positive refractive power. The rear group consists of a third lens having a positive refractive power, a cemented lens of a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power. A shape of the second lens is a meniscus shape having a convex surface directed toward an image side. The sixth lens is cemented to a plane parallel plate, and the following conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 1.0<f3/d6<2.8??(1) 1.7<|f1/f1<10??(2).

Abstract: An objective optical system for endoscope consists of a front group having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop, and a rear group having a positive refractive power. The front group consists of a first lens having a negative refractive power and a second lens having a positive refractive power. The rear group consists of a third lens having a positive refractive power, a cemented lens of a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power. A shape of the second lens is a meniscus shape having a convex surface directed toward an image side. The sixth lens is cemented to a plane parallel plate, and the following conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 1.0<f3/d6<2.8 ??(1) 1.7<|f1/f1<10 ??(2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium composite metal oxide containing Li and at least one transition metal element, wherein at least one lithium composite metal oxide particle constituting the lithium composite metal oxide has both hexagonal and monoclinic crystal structures. Further, the present invention also provides a lithium composite metal oxide containing Li, Ni and M (where, M represents one or more kinds of transition metal elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co and Fe), having a diffraction peak (diffraction peak A) at an angle 2? in a range from 20° to 23° in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern of a lithium composite metal oxide which is obtained by powder X-ray diffraction measurement made in the condition that CuK? is used as a radiation source and the measurement range of diffraction angle 2? is in a range from 10° to 90°.

Abstract: A fixing device, including a fixing member; an opposing member contacting the fixing member to form a fixing nip; plural separation assisting members; a contact direction biasing member contacting an end of the auxiliary separation members to the surface of the fixing member; a contact and release switching member switching contacting the end of the auxiliary separation members to the surface of the fixing member and releasing the end of the auxiliary separation members therefrom; a fixing exit guide member guiding a recording medium to a discharge direction and separated from the fixing member by the separation assisting member; a first rotating member near the auxiliary separation members downstream from an end thereof; and a second rotating member guiding a recording medium guided by the fixing exit guide member in the recording medium conveyance direction while rotating.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressurization member connected to a pressing rotary body to press the pressing rotary body against a fixing rotary body; a depressurization assembly interposed between the pressing rotary body and the pressurization member and movable between a reduced pressure position where the depressurization assembly causes the pressurization member to press the pressing rotary body against the fixing rotary body with reduced pressure therebetween and an enhanced pressure position where the depressurization assembly is free from pressure from the pressurization member to cause the pressurization member to press the pressing rotary body against the fixing rotary body with enhanced pressure therebetween; a positioner separatably contacting the depressurization assembly to immovably halt the depressurization assembly at the enhanced pressure position; and a position detector separatably contacting the depressurization assembly to detect the position of the depressurization assembly.

Abstract: A method for producing a lithium mixed metal oxide, which includes mixing a lithium compound, metallic Ni or a compound thereof, and one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ti, Cr and Fe or a compound thereof; and calcining the obtained raw material mixture under an atmosphere of the concentration of carbon dioxide of from 1% by volume to 15% by volume at 630° C. or higher.

Abstract: To provide a lithium manganese composite oxide capable of improving the initial discharge capacity of secondary batteries by removing more Li ions than the conventional lithium manganese composite oxide does when used in the positive electrode used for secondary batteries. A lithium manganese composite oxide having a Li2MnO3 type crystal structure, wherein a part of Li and/or Mn in a lithium manganese oxide represented by a formula Li2MnO3 is substituted by one or more doping elements M selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Si, Ge, Sn, P, Sb and Bi. The above-described lithium manganese composite oxide, wherein the doping elements are P and/or Si. A positive electrode used for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, comprising the above-described lithium manganese composite oxide. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising the above-described positive electrode used for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries.

Abstract: A seal member covers a space between a developing roller and a casing of a developing device. The seal member includes a flexible sheet and a reinforcing member fixed to the sheet. The reinforcing member is fixed to the casing. Notches are provided in the reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the length of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A lithium mixed metal oxide containing Li, Mn and M (M represents at least one metal element, and is free from Li or Mn), and having a peak around 1.5 ? (peak A), a peak around 2.5 ? (peak B), and the value of IB/IA is not less than 0.15 and not more than 0.9 in a radial distribution function obtained by subjecting an extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectrum at K absorption edge of Mn in the oxide to the Fourier transformation, wherein IA is the intensity of peak A and IB is the intensity of peak B.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressurization member connected to a pressing rotary body to press the pressing rotary body against a fixing rotary body; a depressurization assembly interposed between the pressing rotary body and the pressurization member and movable between a reduced pressure position where the depressurization assembly causes the pressurization member to press the pressing rotary body against the fixing rotary body with reduced pressure therebetween and an enhanced pressure position where the depressurization assembly is free from pressure from the pressurization member to cause the pressurization member to press the pressing rotary body against the fixing rotary body with enhanced pressure therebetween; a positioner separatably contacting the depressurization assembly to immovably halt the depressurization assembly at the enhanced pressure position; and a position detector separatably contacting the depressurization assembly to detect the position of the depressurization assembly.

Abstract: A method for producing a lithium mixed metal oxide, which includes mixing a lithium compound, metallic Ni or a compound thereof, and one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ti, Cr and Fe or a compound thereof; and calcining the obtained raw material mixture under an atmosphere of the concentration of carbon dioxide of from 1% by volume to 15% by volume at 630° C. or higher.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a casing including an opening facing the rotary member, a cleaning member disposed at the opening to contact the rotary member to remove a substance adhering thereto, an entrance seal disposed at the opening to prevent leakage of the removed substance through a gap between the opening and the rotary member, a pair of lateral end seals respectively disposed both end portions of the cleaning member as well as the entrance seal in an axial direction of the rotary member, and a compressing member. A first face of each lateral end seal is attached to the casing. The compressing member compresses each lateral end seal by pressing a second face thereof opposite the first face-and presses a third face of the lateral end seal against the casing in a direction in which the lateral end seal is expanded by the compression.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit, arranged opposite to each other along a rotating direction of the photosensitive drum in an enclosure that has an opening opposite to a developing roller of the developing unit. An extended line connecting a tangent line to an outer circumference of the developing roller and a wall of a first end of the enclosure in an axial direction of the developing roller does not intersect with a wall of a second end of the enclosure.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is configured by integrally arranging a fresh toner storing chamber and a residual toner collection chamber. Fresh toner is filled in the fresh toner storing chamber through a fresh toner filling opening. Residual toner is conveyed in the residual toner collection chamber through a residual toner conveying opening. Two residual toner discharging openings are created in the residual toner collection chamber through which the residual toner is discharged.

Abstract: A fixing device, including a fixing member; an opposing member contacting the fixing member to form a fixing nip; plural separation assisting members; a contact direction biasing member contacting an end of the auxiliary separation members to the surface of the fixing member; a contact and release switching member switching contacting the end of the auxiliary separation members to the surface of the fixing member and releasing the end of the auxiliary separation members therefrom; a fixing exit guide member guiding a recording medium to a discharge direction and separated from the fixing member by the separation assisting member; a first rotating member near the auxiliary separation members downstream from an end thereof; and a second rotating member guiding a recording medium guided by the fixing exit guide member in the recording medium conveyance direction while rotating.

Abstract: A toner-collecting device includes a toner-collecting unit, a shaft member, and a guide member. The toner-collecting unit is configured to be detachably attachable. The shaft member is rotatably arranged in the toner-collecting unit. The guide member includes a sliding portion that allows the shaft member to slide while the shaft member is being inserted from one end to an opposite end of the toner-collecting unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus including: a latent image carrier; a latent image writing unit; a development unit; a latent image carrier unit having the latent image carrier; a first positioning protrusion disposed on the latent image carrier unit, the first positioning protrusion being engaged with a groove or a slit of an image forming apparatus body; an abutted portion disposed on the groove or the slit, the abutted portion abutting the first positioning protrusion in order to position the latent image carrier unit in an installation and removal direction; and a second positioning protrusion shifted in the installation and removal direction and disposed on the latent image carrier unit, the second positioning protrusion positioning the latent image carrier unit at a position different from a position of the first positioning protrusion in order to engage the groove or the slit.