Abstract: A fixing unit or device that can be used in an image forming apparatus includes a first heater element that is formed of a material that increases in electrical resistance with increases in temperature. A controller of the fixing unit is configured to vary a duty ratio of electric power applied to the first heater element during a start-up operation in which the temperature of the first heater element is raised to a target operating temperature. By varying the duty ratio during the start-up operation, changes in the resistance of the first heater element with the heating can be compensated. For example, the duty ratio can be increased during the course of the start-up to achieve the target operating temperature faster.

Abstract: A turning method for turning a steered wheel of a vehicle includes detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel; detecting an actual turning angle. The actual turning angle is an actual turning angle of the steered wheel. The method includes calculating a target turning angle of the steered wheel according to the detected steering angle. The method includes calculating a turning force command value to cause the actual turning angle to coincide with the target turning angle, based on a difference between the actual turning angle and the target turning angle. The method includes delaying a phase of the turning force command value with respect to the detected steering angle; and generating turning force to turn the steered wheel in accordance with the turning force command value having a phase delayed.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire control method is provided for a steer-by-wire system mounted in a vehicle that is equipped with an engine and a battery. The steer-by-wire control method stores a deviation angle between a steering angle and a turning angle in a non-volatile memory of the steer-by-wire system as a readable value when an ignition switch is switched from ON to OFF. The steer-by-wire control method further reads the deviation angle from the non-volatile memory when the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON. The steer-by-wire control method further prohibits further reading of the deviation angle from the non-volatile memory after reading the deviation angle from the non-volatile memory and after reading the deviation angle from the non-volatile memory and after starting the steer-by-wire control.

Abstract: A relay control method is provided for controlling an in-vehicle motor that includes a steering angle main control module. The main control module has a power supply relay is connected to a battery, a motor drive circuit connected to a fixed contact of the power supply relay via a bus bar, and a phase relay connected to the motor drive circuit via a bus bar. The motor drive circuit contacts a heat radiation part that has a higher thermal conductivity than the power supply relay. After the ignition is turned off and with the switches for the power supply relay and the phase relay remaining in the on state, a motor energization control is performed for maintaining a rotation stop state in the motor for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the switch of the power supply relay is switched to off.

Abstract: A relay control method is provided for controlling an in-vehicle motor that includes a steering angle main control module. The main control module has a power supply relay is connected to a battery, a motor drive circuit connected to a fixed contact of the power supply relay via a bus bar, and a phase relay connected to the motor drive circuit via a bus bar. The motor drive circuit contacts a heat radiation part that has a higher thermal conductivity than the power supply relay. After the ignition is turned off and with the switches for the power supply relay and the phase relay remaining in the on state, a motor energization control is performed for maintaining a rotation stop state in the motor for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the switch of the power supply relay is switched to off.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire control method is provided for a steer-by-wire system mounted in a vehicle that is equipped with an engine and a battery. The steer-by-wire control method stores a deviation angle between a steering angle and a turning angle in a non-volatile memory of the steer-by-wire system as a readable value when an ignition switch is switched from ON to OFF. The steer-by-wire control method further reads the deviation angle from the non-volatile memory when the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON. The steer-by-wire control method further prohibits further reading of the deviation angle from the non-volatile memory after reading the deviation angle from the non-volatile memory and after reading the deviation angle from the non-volatile memory and after starting the steer-by-wire control.

Abstract: Problem: To provide a shield and an eye protection method where it is possible to improve the convenience of handling. Resolution Means: A shield (1) for protecting the eyes of a user wearing a non-woven mask (2) is provided with an attachment section (E1) formed on a lower edge section (12) side of the shield (1), overlapping with the non-woven mask (2), and attached to the non-woven mask (2), and with an eye protection section (E2) formed on an upper edge section (11) side of the shield (1) and capable of protecting the eyes of the user, a linking section (20), which is fixed to be able to be attached and detached to and from the non-woven mask (2), being formed on the attachment section (E1).