Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory including a plurality of memory cells; and a controller. The controller is configured to perform a multi-step write operation to write multi-bit data with respect to each of target memory cells through a first programming to set a first threshold voltage and then a second programming to set a second threshold voltage. The controller, during the multi-step write operation, determines a time period elapsed from a first time at which the first programming with respect to a first memory cell of the target memory cells has been performed, and varies a second time at which the second programming with respect to the first memory cell is performed based on whether the time period is greater than a first threshold.

Abstract: A memory controller receives first, second, and third data by first, second, and third reads, specifying a first address, and respectively specifying first, second, and third read voltages higher in this order. The controller instructs a memory to execute a fourth read specifying a fourth read voltage lower than the first read voltage and the first address when a first difference between a first-value-bit count of the first data and an expected value is smaller than a second difference between a first-value-bit count of the third data and the expected value. The memory controller instructs the memory to execute a fifth read specifying a fifth read voltage higher than the third read voltage and the first address when the first difference is larger than the second difference.

Abstract: A method of producing a rack is proposed, which comprises aligning a first bar piece, an intermediate piece and a second bar piece in order along a common axis; carrying out a first process in which the first and second bar pieces are stationarily held while showing a predetermined intersection angle between the first rack teeth on the first bar piece and the second rack teeth on the second bar piece; and carrying out a second process in which each of the first and second bar pieces and the intermediate piece are brought into contact with each other at mutually facing ends and subjected to a relative rotation therebetween for a friction welding thereby to join the first bar piece, the intermediate piece and the second bar piece together by the friction welding.

Abstract: An electric power steering device includes a rack bar; a pinion shaft meshing with the rack bar; a worm wheel provided on the pinion shaft; a worm shaft meshing with the worm wheel; an electric motor provided on the worm shaft; a first housing accommodating at least a part of the rack bar and the pinion shaft and includes a first bolt boss formed with a through-hole; a second housing; and a bolt. The second housing includes a worm-wheel accommodating portion accommodating the worm wheel, and a second bolt boss provided to have a shorter distance to the first housing than that of the worm-wheel accommodating portion, and formed with a female-threaded portion. The second bolt boss is opposed to the first bolt boss to cause the female-threaded portion to be continuous with the through-hole of the first bolt boss. The bolt fastens the first housing to the second housing.

Abstract: An electric power steering device includes a rack bar; a pinion shaft meshing with the rack bar; a worm wheel provided on the pinion shaft; a worm shaft meshing with the worm wheel; an electric motor provided on the worm shaft; a first housing accommodating at least a part of the rack bar and the pinion shaft and includes a first bolt boss formed with a through-hole; a second housing; and a bolt. The second housing includes a worm-wheel accommodating portion accommodating the worm wheel, and a second bolt boss provided to have a shorter distance to the first housing than that of the worm-wheel accommodating portion, and formed with a female-threaded portion. The second bolt boss is opposed to the first bolt boss to cause the female-threaded portion to be continuous with the through-hole of the first bolt boss. The bolt fastens the first housing to the second housing.

Abstract: The present invention, which is aimed at providing a method for manufacturing a clad material that can be used for the anode cases and cathode cases of button-type microbatteries and other miniature electronic devices requiring the use of comparatively thin, drawable sheets, allows the difference between r values, or Lankford values (which characterize the plastic anisotropy between the rolling/bonding direction of a clad material and a direction at a prescribed angle to the rolling/bonding direction) to be reduced by preforming cold rolling at a reduction of 30% or lower in addition to performing a conventional method for manufacturing a clad material, making it possible to substantially enhance the mechanical strength of the clad material and to mass-produce clad materials that have low reduction anisotropy.

Abstract: A fluid pump has a rotary pressure generator means rotatingly driven by a power unit, such as an automotive engine, and variable of output pressure depending upon rotation speed of the power unit. The pressurized fluid output from the pressure generator means is supplied to a high pressure chamber which is connected to an external hydraulic device, such as an automotive steering device, via a high pressure path and a supply line. The supply line is connected to a high pressure path via a pressure regulating path. The pressure regulating path is so designed as to provide flow resistance which increases according to increasing of the fluid pressure supplied to the supply line from the high pressure path. This makes pressure variation gradient at the supply line smaller than that in the high pressure path.

Abstract: A variable discharge pump comprises a plurality of pumping units, each pumping unit including an outlet port discharging a particular volumetric discharge of working fluid, a plurality of outlet passages respectively communicating the outlet ports of each of the pumping units. Each of the outlet passages includes a supply passage provided for supplying the working fluid to a driven apparatus and a reflux passage provided for returning the working fluid to a working fluid reservoir, both being branched from the outlet passage.