Abstract: A bodily acupressure and massage article includes: a main member defined by an elongate bottom, an arched top formed in accordance with a top arc radius, a substantially flat front, a substantially flat rear, and arched sides each formed in accordance with a side arc radius and extending from the arched top; a first protrusion downwardly, outwardly extending from a first end of the elongate bottom and semi-circularly formed in accordance with a first protrusion arc radius; and a second protrusion downwardly, outwardly extending from a second end of the elongate bottom and semi-circularly formed in accordance with a second protrusion arc radius, where the top arc radius is larger than the respective side arc radiuses, and the side arc radiuses are each larger than the respective first and second protrusion arc radiuses.

Abstract: Disclosed are a conductive ring assembly, a conductive device and a wind turbine. The conductive ring assembly includes a sun gear, a ring gear and one or more planet gear. The sun gear is located in the ring gear, and the sun gear and the ring gear are coaxially arranged. The one or more planet gear is engaged between the sun gear and the ring gear. The planet gear is conducted with the sun gear and the ring gear at the same time, so that an electrical signal is transmitted between the sun gear and the ring gear by means of the one or more planet gear. The conductive ring assembly uses a planet gear structure for communication data transmission to improve the interference resistance of the conductive ring assembly.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a base material, a fixing-cover and conductive terminals. The base material has first contact-pads and second contact-pads. The fixing-cover is disposed on a first surface and exposes the first contact-pads. The fixing-cover has a clamp portion. The terminals are disposed on the second contact-pads, wherein a first end of each the terminal extends out of the fixing-cover. A second end leans against the fixing-cover. A central portion is located between the two ends, wherein the bottom of the central portion bulges and contacts the corresponding second contact-pad, and the two ends can swing relatively to the base material around the bottom of the central portion as the pivot. The central portion has a positioning portion formed in direction facing the opening and the positioning portion is embedded in the opening.

Abstract: A rotary terminal mechanism in which a first electroconductive ring is inserted, under a slightly collapsed state, between the circular internal peripheral surface of a first outside electrode and the circular external peripheral surface of a first inside electrode that are arranged concentrically. The first electroconductive ring is kept contacting the first outside electrode and the first inside electrode by the elastic restoring force. When the first outside electrode and the first inside electrode rotate relatively, the first electroconductive ring rolls along the circular internal peripheral surface and the circular external peripheral surface while being kept pressed against these surfaces by the elastic force. Consequently, electrical connection is formed constantly between them even if the first outside electrode and the first inside electrode rotate relatively. A rotary terminal mechanism of simple structure requiring fewer components and being advantageous to miniaturization can thereby be attained.

Abstract: Rotary electrical connector comprising a ring-shaped outside terminal having a circular inner circumference portion, a ring-shaped inside terminal having a circular outer circumference portion, which is concentric with the inner circumference portion of the ring-shaped outside terminal; and a rotatable ring-shaped connection terminal electrically connecting the outside terminal with the inside terminal; wherein the connection terminal elastically deforms along a radial direction thereof, an outer circumference portion of the connection terminal abutting the inner circumference portion of the outside terminal and the outer circumference portion of the inside terminal.

Abstract: A wire accommodating apparatus includes a cylindrical portion around which a wire connected to a signal transmission part is wound; a number of wire holding portions which incline externally from the bottom of the cylindrical portion and are disposed pivotably; and a fixed portion formed in the cylindrical portion so as to project downward, passing through an attachment hole of a to-be-mounted member, and fixed therein.

Abstract: A contact structure in a cable winding reel is disclosed which maintains rotary contact between two cables connected, at one-side ends thereof, to electric/electronic appliances, namely, one cable which is wound on a rotating body, and the other cable which is maintained in a fixed state without being wound, thereby enabling transmission of electricity and signals between the cables. A cable winding reel is also disclosed, wherein the contact structure is implemented in a well-known cable winding reel structure.

Abstract: A multifunction modular electronic apparatus for performing information technology and telecommunications functions comprises a first module (101) for performing a plurality of first functions; a second module (102) having substantially the same physical dimensions as the first module for performing second functions; and a hinging mechanism (103, 104, 105) for enabling the two modules to be mechanically coupled, to rotate relative to each other over a full range of 360 degrees while remaining stably mechanically coupled in any intermediate position over the range, and to be fully separated from each other.

Abstract: A roll-ring conductive wheel is used to conduct electricity between the inner and outer races of rotating or moving parts. The conductive wheel is a thin-walled metal cylinder with a plurality of spokes connecting the outer cylindrical wall to a central hub. The preferred spokes are arcuate and the wheel is made flexible so that it can be compressed to an elliptical shape between the inner and outer conductive races for good electrical contact and to absorb slight deflections or gap variations between the races. The conductive wheel can have other shapes depending on the configuration of moving parts, such as a truncated cone shape for conical or wedge-shaped races.

Abstract: A signal transfer assembly that is configured to transfer one or more electrical signals between two or more conductive paths that are rotating relative to one another includes two substrates or more substrates and one or more interface assemblies. The substrates each include one or more conductors on one or more surfaces. Each interface assembly is disposed between two substrates and is configured to allow relative rotation between the two substrates. Each interface assembly also electrically couples selected ones of the conductors on each of the substrates together, thereby allowing electrical signals to pass through the assembly.

Abstract: A hinge connector comprising an insulative connector housing (10) having a predetermined shape, a through hole extending through the connector housing, a receiving chamber defined in the through hole, and an elastic contact member (30) having electric conductivity and a rotatable contact member (50) that are received in the receiving chamber, wherein the elastic contact member (30) is elastically contacted at one end thereof with the rotatable contact member (50), and projects at the other end out of the through hole to form an external contact. This hinge connector is mounted on the main body housing (90) of an electronic device, a circuit board (70) is connected to a cover body, and the contact member (50) is disposed to make rotation contact with the pattern on the circuit board. Such arrangement provides a hinge connector wherein the contact smoothly rotates even if the contact pressure on the circuit board is increased, and good contact can be maintained.

Abstract: A slip plate assembly (40) for supplying electrical current under rotational and translational force applications, includes a housing (39) and at least one draw unit (70). While subjected to rotational and translational forces, each draw unit (70) disposed within the housing (39) supplies electric current from a power source (not shown) to a receiving system (90). Each draw unit (70) includes a first electroplate (71), a second electroplate (72), and a plurality of rolling members (76) positioned within a gap (85) formed between the first and second electroplates (71, 72). In traversing this gap (85), each rolling member of the plurality of rolling members (76) contacts the first and second electroplates (71, 72) to create an electrical circuit path therebetween. Each draw unit (70) further includes a support spacer (78) and a resilient element (77).

Abstract: The present invention is full-rotational freedom conductor assembly for conducting electricity between a pair of coaxial electrically conductive members. The conductive members are provided with complementary, planar tracks and are relatively rotatable about a common axis thereof. The invention includes a pair or pairs of opposing coupler halves having a planetary axis, with track-adapted profiles. The pairs of coupler halves are rotatably confined between the tracks enabling electrical contact between the tracks of the conductive members. The invention further includes a force source located at least partially between the coupler halves. The force source applies force to each of the coupling halves in a direction substantially parallel to the second common axis. The force is applied to the pairs of coupler halves in a manner that enables the coupler halves to be flexibly retained between the tracks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell power generation system and method, which can realize, at least at one of time periods before start of and after end of power generation, a purging of an atmosphere of a fuel gas flow channel without using nitrogen. Further, it provides a fuel cell power generation system and method, in which a highly dense carbon monoxide can be prevented from flowing into the fuel cell.

Abstract: An alternator adapted for use with a motor vehicle includes rotor assembly and a stator assembly, which may be like the rotor and state assemblies of brush-type alternators, and also a contact assembly that includes two relatively low-friction, electrically conductive, ball bearing assemblies that are adapted to conduct the DC exciting current for the alternator and that are electrically isolated from each other. Each ball bearing assemblies include inner and outer races that are electrically connected to each other by a plurality of bearing balls and by electrically conductive grease which is packed about the balls. The inner race of each ball bearing is rotatably secured to the rotary shaft of the rotor assembly and is connected to electrical leads which, in turn, are connected with the rotor assembly. The outer race of each ball bearing is fixed relative to the rotary shaft and is connected with a storage battery.

Abstract: The present invention is full-rotational freedom conductor assembly for conducting electricity between a pair of coaxial electrically conductive members. The conductive members are provided with complementary, planar tracks and are relatively rotatable about a common axis thereof. The invention includes a pair or pairs of opposing coupler halves having a planetary axis, with track-adapted profiles. The pairs of coupler halves are rotatably confined between the tracks enabling electrical contact between the tracks of the conductive members. The invention further includes a force source located at least partially between the coupler halves. The force source applies force to each of the coupling halves in a direction substantially parallel to the second common axis. The force is applied to the pairs of coupler halves in a manner that enables the coupler halves to be flexibly retained between the tracks.

Abstract: A steering column interconnector having a first plate with a center hole for the steering column and a first plurality of conductive rings, a second plate having a center hole for the steering column and a second plurality of conductive rings, a third plate having a center hole for the steering column and a plurality of apertures for rotatably positioning conductive rollers, and a plurality of conductive rollers, each conductive roller being rotatably positioned within an aperture of the third plate.

Abstract: An electrical pittingproof rolling bearing having an insulating film is provided which is not creep-deformed under a bearing load even if used for a long time at high temperature and in which the bearing interference is stable with time under such severe use conditions. An insulating film formed on the surface of a bearing ring comprises a resin having a compression permanent strain of 2% or less under heating/pressurizing conditions in which a pressure of 20 MPa is applied for 24 hours at 120° C. Also, the insulating film is formed from a resin composition containing 30-80 vol % of a polyphenylene sulfide resin and 5-65 vol % of a polyamide-imide resin, and 5-50 vol % of insulating inorganic materials. Preferably, the insulating film is formed to cover at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring and the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring, and the side faces of at least one of the inner and outer rings.

Abstract: An electrical signal coupling device and more particularly, a rotary signal coupler suitable for use in transmitting electrical signals between transducers mounted on a shaft and wiring which is fixed relative to the structure in which the shaft is rotatably mounted. The coupling device includes a first part mounted on a rotary shaft and a second part mounted on the shaft in juxtaposition to the first part. The first and second parts include respective first and second conductors for electrically coupling the parts. The coupling device also includes means for maintaining a predetermined and substantially constant annular gap between the first and second parts and means, disposed on the second part, for preventing rotation of the second part as the first part rotates with the shaft.

Abstract: A brushless slip ring includes a housing, a plurality of annular spaces disposed in the housing and spaced apart along a common longitudinal axis, and a cageless assembly of electrically conductive spherical balls freely rotatably disposed in each of the spaces. Each of the spaces is formed between radially inner and outer electrically conductive surfaces of a rotor and stator, respectively, and a pair of axially spaced retainer rings. The spherical balls conduct electrical current between the outer and inner surfaces. The balls are rigid and harder than the inner and outer surfaces and are arranged in an annular row. The balls occupy substantially the entire circumference of the space and are freely circumferentially movable relative to one another within the space for making contact with one another.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rolling electrical contact assembly which is very similar to an anti-friction bearing. The contact has an inner and outer race made of a conductive material. A set of conductive rollers roll around in the space between the races. A cage (insulating) keeps the rollers in proper spaced relationship. The outer race is stationary and is composed of segments having V-shaped spaces between the segments and is connected to an electrical cable, and the inner race which rotates on a shaft is connected by a cable carried by the shaft to a suitable current destination. The segments of the outer race are spring loaded to improve the contact conductivity between the rollers and the inner and outer races.

Abstract: A multi-channel band-gear system for a rotary joint has a ring gear assembly with a conducting ring band in electrical contact with corresponding conducting bands of a set of intermediary planetary gears, which in turn are in electrical contact with a conducting sun band of a sun gear assembly. The ring band is formed with a plurality of conducting segments which are electrically insulated from each other and positioned angularly in a circumferential direction of the ring gear, such that separate electrical power/signal channels are formed across the rotary joint. In a preferred embodiment having continuously connected channels, the ring band has four conducting segments at 90.degree. intervals, the sun band has two conducting segments at 180.degree. intervals, and three planetary bands are in rolling electrical contact at 120.degree. intervals between the ring band segments and the sun band segments, forming two continuously connected channels in a single layer of the band-gear system.

Abstract: A flexible band-gear system has an ring gear assembly with bands in electrical contact with and a ring gear in mechanical engagement with corresponding bands and gears of planet gear assemblies which are in turn in electrical contact and geared engagement with a sun gear assembly mounted to a rotating shaft. Electrical power and/or an electrical signal can thus be conducted across a rotating joint which also transfers mechanical power. The flexible band-gear system can also be used in linear applications to transfer electrical power/signal via rolling contact with a linear band. The geared aspect of the system simplifies axial alignment and maintains the relative positions (within the ring annulus) of the planet gears. Electrical power and signal capacity can be varied with the number of planet gears in the system. Multiple channels are added using segmented contact bands and/or multiple contact band layers.

Abstract: An interconnector electrically unites a rotatable air bag with a stationary air bag sensor. The interconnector has a hub rotatably associated with a housing to define a radial space including one or more complementary first and second electrically conductive rings. The rings are united with one or more connectors to complete the electrical pathway from the sensor to the air bag.

Abstract: A sensor rotating apparatus for allowing a sensor to have a sensing angle of 360 degrees includes a drive motor, first and second reduction gear assemblies for reducing the rotational power of the motor, a sensor turntable for rotating a sensor using the reduced rotational power of the motor, a hub for rotatably supporting the sensor turntable, a rotating shaft for rotating at the same time of rotation of the sensor turntable and transmitting a sensing signal of the sensor to a control circuit unit, a bearing assembly for supporting rotation of the rotating shaft and being electrically connected to input terminals of the rotating shaft, and a support member for preventing the bearing assembly from undesirable separation from the rotating shaft due to the rotational force of the shaft.