Abstract:
An acceleration sensor that suppresses fluctuations in the offset voltage and with an enhanced temperature characteristic is provided. The acceleration sensor comprises an weight that is formed in the center of a semiconductor substrate; a frame that is formed at the circumference of the weight; a beam or diaphragm that connects the weight and frame; a detection element that is formed on the beam or diaphragm and which detects bending of the beam or diaphragm that corresponds with the applied acceleration; and a lead that is formed on the beam or diaphragm and which guides the detection output of the detection element to a pad that is provided on the frame, wherein a dummy lead comprising a plurality of dot patterns which are at least electrically independent of the lead formed on the beam or diaphragm is formed on the beam or diaphragm.
Abstract:
An acceleration sensor with reduced noise that resolves the problem of stress arising from a difference in thermal expansion coefficients is provided. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration in three-axis directions in a three-dimensional coordinate system, and includes a frame having four sides that is integrally formed by a semiconductor substrate; a weight portion that is positioned within the frame; and four beam portions, corresponding with each of the four sides, one end of which is connected to the weight portion to support the weight portion and the other end of which is connected to the center of the corresponding side of the four sides, wherein a detection element that detects flexure of the beam portions that corresponds to the acceleration acting on the weight portion is formed on each of the four beam portions; a pair of joint portions that are formed with a gap there between are formed on each of the four sides of the frame; and the gap between the pair of joint portions formed on one side has a predetermined length with the center of the one side as the point of symmetry.
Abstract:
An inertial sensor includes a sensing portion having a weight supported by beams, the weight being a movable portion, and a weight stopper that limits a movable range of the weight, the weight stopper being arranged in a vicinity of the weight with a given clearance and being a part of a substrate for the inertial sensor processed with MEMS techniques.
Abstract:
An image fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material includes a pair of rotatable members for forming a nip through which the recording material is passed; and bias voltage applying source for applying a bias voltage to at least one of the rotatable members, wherein the bias voltage is automatically changed in accordance with change of an ambient condition.
Abstract:
A game machine displays a movie in which at least one object moves in a predetermined area. The game machine includes an attribute management data storage device that stores attribute management data for managing a plurality of types of attributes. And the game machine specifies at least one holes to be assigned with any one of attributes in the predetermined area, select an attribute to be assigned to the hole by lottery from attributes, assigns the attribute selected to the hole, and generates in a game, change corresponding to the attribute assigned to the hole when the object reaches the hole on the movie.
Abstract:
An image sensor unit includes: a light source including a light-emitting surface that emits light; a substantially rod-shaped light guide including a light emitter that linearizes the light from the light source and irradiates a sheet; an image sensor that receives light from the sheet and converts the light into an electric signal; a light condenser focusing the light from the sheet onto the image sensor; a circuit board on which the light source and the image sensor are mounted; and a frame accommodating the light guide, the light condenser and the circuit board. The light condenser and the light emitter of the light guide are disposed substantially parallel to each other. The center line of the light-emitting surface of the light source is disposed nearer the optical axis of the light condenser than the center line of the light emitter.
Abstract:
An inertial sensor such as an acceleration sensor or gyro can have superior impact resistance by regulating displacement of a weight portion in the direction of an upper limit. The sensor includes a sensor portion that has a fixing part, a weight portion the height of which is a predetermined size shorter than that of the fixing part, and a beam portion that links the weight portion and the fixing part; a plate-like first stopper portion that covers the weight portion and is bonded to the fixing part with clearance of a predetermined size from the weight portion; and a flat, plate-like second stopper portion that is connected to the fixing part via a bump of a predetermined height on the side opposite the first stopper portion.
Abstract:
An inertial sensor comprising a sensing portion having a weight hung by beams extending from a frame, the weight being a movable portion. The beams include distortion portions partially arranged therein, and the distortion portions are arranged to avoid edges on which stresses applied to the beams are concentrated. Roots of the beams are not formed at right angle in connecting to the weights or the frame. The roots of the beams have wider angles. It is thus possible to dissipate areas on which stresses are concentrated and improve the impact resistance without sacrificing the sensor sensitivity. Both high sensor sensitivity and the impact resistance are obtainable in accordance with the present invention.
Abstract:
A charging device includes a charging member contactable to a member to be charged. A bias source includes an AC source and a DC source and is effective to apply a bias voltage to the charging member. The bias voltage is provided by a superposing a constant current controlled AC voltage and a constant voltage controlled DC voltage. When a DC voltage is applied between the charging member and the member to be charged, the following equation is satisfied..vertline.(applied voltage V)-(charge voltage V.sub.D of the member to be charged).vertline.=.vertline.(charge starting voltage V.sub.TH).vertline..The charge starting voltage is a DC voltage at a level which the member to be charged starts charging when only a DC voltage is applied between the member to be charged and the charging member. When the above relationship is used in the AC voltage application, the charge voltage V.sub.D oscillates in the charge region with a center of DC voltage V.sub.DC. Since the peak-to-peak voltage of the oscillating voltage required for uniform charging changes with ambient conditions, it is necessary to compensate for this change. The electric current supplied to the charging member by the oscillating component provided by the AC source is controlled to be constant. Since the charge potential of the member to be charged is determined by the DC voltage component, it is charged to a constant potential by supplying a constant DC voltage level. Therefore, the DC voltage source of the bias voltage effects a constant voltage control.
Abstract:
A game machine displays a movie in which at least one object moves in a predetermined area. The game machine includes an attribute management data storage device that stores attribute management data for managing a plurality of types of attributes. And the game machine specifies at least one holes to be assigned with any one of attributes in the predetermined area, select an attribute to be assigned to the hole by lottery from attributes, assigns the attribute selected to the hole, and generates in a game, change corresponding to the attribute assigned to the hole when the object reaches the hole on the movie.