Abstract: To provide catalyst particles that can exhibit high activity. Catalyst particles, which are alloy particles formed from platinum atoms and non-platinum metal atoms, each alloy particle having a main body that constitutes a granular form; and a plurality of protrusions protruding outward from the outer surface of the main body, in which the main body is formed from a non-platinum metal and platinum, the protrusions are formed from platinum as a main component, and the aspect ratio (diameter/length) of the protrusions is higher than 0 and lower than or equal to 2.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a primary fuel supply passage for supplying fuel, plural fuel cell stacks each uses a solid oxide fuel cell and that are provided in line on the primary fuel supply passage and includes at least a first fuel cell stack and a second fuel cell stack, a first reformer that is provided on an upstream side from the first fuel cell stack on the primary fuel supply passage and reforms the fuel by utilizing endothermic reforming reactions, a second reformer that is provided between the first fuel cell stack and the second fuel cell stack on the primary fuel supply passage and reforms the fuel by utilizing endothermic reforming reactions and exothermic methanation reactions, and a secondary fuel supply passage connected between the first fuel cell stack and the second reformer.

Abstract: In a transmission control device, a controller determines failure of a rotation sensor. A hydraulic control circuit and the controller variably control a speed ratio of a variator. The hydraulic control circuit and the controller variably control a gear position of a sub-transmission mechanism, and in a case where the failure is determined, fix the gear position of the sub-transmission mechanism to first speed. The hydraulic control circuit and the controller fix the gear position of the sub-transmission mechanism to the first speed during a vehicle stop in a case where the gear position of the sub-transmission mechanism upon a determination of the failure is second speed.

Abstract: A waste gate valve (7) of a turbocharger (3) is fully opened during idling after warm-up is completed in order to reduce exhaust resistance. However, during idling in an engine cold state when a cooling water temperature (TW) is below a threshold value (TW1), the waste gate valve (7) is open-loop controlled to an intermediate opening degree that is smaller than full opening. An ignition timing is delayed (retarded) for catalyst warm-up. When the cooling water temperature (TW) reaches (t3) the threshold value (TW1), the opening degree of the waste gate valve (7) is set to full opening. When an accelerator opening degree (APO) becomes large (t4) before warm-up is completed, the limitation of the opening degree is released.

Abstract: Selection solenoid valve (75) controls engagement/disengagement of travel clutch (31, 32) in synchronization with a selecting operation of selector lever (90) that selects a range position of belt-type continuously variable transmission (CVT). Selection solenoid valve abnormality diagnosing unit (Sa) is configured to, when performing a selecting operation from no-drive range to drive range, if a time required for travel clutch (31, 32) to be judged to be engaged from a start of selection of the drive range is less than a predetermined time, judge selection solenoid valve (75) to be a maximum hydraulic pressure side abnormality. When performing the selecting operation of drive range?no-drive range?drive range, if a selecting operation speed condition indicating that a no-drive range selection time is shorter than a setting time (Tth) is satisfied, execution of abnormality diagnosis of selection solenoid valve (75) is not permitted. With this configuration, misjudgment is prevented.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration recovery device in a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly configured to include an electrolyte membrane and anode and cathode catalysts between which the electrolyte membrane is sandwiched from both sides and anode and cathode separators respectively including an anode gas flow channel and a cathode gas flow channel, the membrane electrode assembly being sandwiched between the anode and cathode separators. The catalyst deterioration recovery device recovers performance decreased by adsorption of carbon monoxide to the anode catalyst. The catalyst deterioration recovery device includes a recovery control unit configured to supply at least a part of oxygen to be supplied to the cathode gas flow channel to the anode catalyst via the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: An antifouling structure of the present invention is produced by impregnating a base having a porous structure layer including micropores with a non-volatile liquid. A relationship between an average opening diameter of the micropores and the number of the micropores per unit area of the porous structure layer satisfies the following formula (1). The non-volatile liquid retained in the porous structure layer can be sufficiently utilized, and antifouling property can be exhibited for a long time. Average Opening Diameter (nm)×Number of Micropores/100 (nm2)>0.

Abstract: A temperature abnormality detection method for a power conversion apparatus basically includes a detecting a first power converter temperature, a second power converter temperature and a cooling water temperature and then determining a presence of an abnormality in a preceding stage power converter based on a first temperature difference between the first power converter temperature and the cooling water temperature. The abnormality detection method further includes determining a presence of an abnormality in a subsequent stage power converter based on a second temperature difference between the second power converter temperature and an added temperature that is obtained by adding to the loss component of the preceding stage power converter converted to a temperature to the cooling water temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle control method capable of suppressing an increase in the frequency of stopping and restarting of the engine when the braking device is activated at the self-driving mode. When the operation mode is set as self-driving, the braking device is activated in accordance with a system deceleration request to keep an actual vehicle-speed at a target vehicle-speed or change the actual vehicle-speed at the target vehicle-speed or lower depending on environment surrounding the vehicle. Further, a braking amount is estimated, the braking amount is a magnitude of a braking force generated from the activated braking device. When the braking amount is an engine-stopping enabling threshold or more, enabling stopping is allowed. When the braking amount is less than the engine-stopping enabling threshold, enabling stopping is not allowed.

Abstract: A mobile body has a reflection control layer that reflects light in a wavelength region of sunlight or in a wavelength region of infrared radiation formed on a surface thereof. A mainstream outside the mobile body is heated by the reflected light to reduce air resistance of the mobile body. A refractive index of the reflection control layer is a value outside a range between a refractive index of a body-side substance and a refractive index of air. A thickness of the reflection control layer is equal to or larger than a value obtained by dividing 187.5 nanometers by a refractive index of the reflection control layer, and equal to or smaller than a value obtained by dividing 275,000 nanometers by a refractive index of the reflection control layer.

Abstract: Provided are a carbon powder which can provide a catalyst exhibiting high performance and a catalyst. A carbon powder for fuel cell comprising carbon as a main component, which has a ratio (B/A) of an area B of peak 1 to an area A of peak 0 of more than 0 and 0.15 or less, wherein the area A represents an area of peak 0 at a position of 2?=22.5° to 25° as observed by XRD analysis when the carbon powder for fuel cell is subjected to heat treatment at 1800° C. for 1 hour in an inert atmosphere, and the area B represents an area of peak 1 at a position of 2?=26° as observed by XRD analysis when the carbon powder for fuel cell is subjected to heat treatment at 1800° C. for 1 hour in an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A parking assistance method including: setting a target parking position of a vehicle on the basis of a circumferential situation of the vehicle detected by a circumferential situation detection sensor; determining a communication situation between an operation device configured to receive an operation by an operator outside the vehicle and transmit an instruction signal corresponding to the operation and a communication device mounted on the vehicle and configured to receive the instruction signal; limiting the operation for manually adjusting the target parking position in the operation device depending on the communication situation; transmitting, when the target parking position is adjusted, the instruction signal for moving the target parking position to the communication device; and parking the vehicle by the automatic driving in the target parking position moved depending on the instruction signal received at the communication device.

Abstract: A trim panel is attached to an inboard surface of a door structure and includes an armrest and an armrest retaining structure. A portion of the trim panel defines an armrest opening with the armrest installed through the armrest opening. The armrest has an outboard portion with an outer peripheral flange that overlays a portion of an outboard surface of the trim panel. The armrest retaining structure is attached to the outboard surface of the trim panel at location adjacent to the armrest opening. The armrest retaining structure retains the armrest in position relative to the trim panel. The armrest retaining structure is further configured to release the armrest for movement in an outboard direction upon application of a predetermined first level of force to the armrest.

Abstract: A cooling device for an electrical machine, which is intended to be mounted in a mobile assembly, the device including a dielectric liquid reservoir mounted to a casing in a leak-tight manner, and including a discharge conduit for dielectric liquid extending into the reservoir from a discharge hole of the casing at one end of the reservoir toward an opposite end of the reservoir.

Abstract: An oil supply device for an internal combustion engine includes: a variable displacement pump (1) that varies a discharge pressure at which oil is discharged; an oil passage (2) through which the oil discharged from the pump (1) flows; an oil filter (3) and an oil cooler (4) each of which is arranged in the oil passage (2); a bypass passage (5) connected to the oil passage (2) and bypassing the oil cooler (4); and a bypass valve (6) that opens and closes the bypass passage (5) according to a pressure of the oil. The bypass valve (6) is operated to control the flow of the oil through the oil cooler 4 as the discharge pressure of the pump (1) is adjusted according to operating conditions of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A drive device of the present invention includes: an electric motor including a cooling channel; a power conversion unit that converts electric power from a power supply and outputs electric power to be supplied to the electric motor; and a supporting member fixed to the electric motor with the power conversion unit mounted on the supporting member. The supporting member includes a cooling channel connected to the cooling channel of the electric motor.

Abstract: A bell cup (3) of a rotary atomization-type coating device (1) is provided. This device has a rotary shaft (13) and a feed tube (15) inserted in the rotary shaft. The bell cup is fitted to a tip end part of the rotary shaft and has a coating material spreading surface (31) on an inner surface of the bell cup. The feed tube discharges a coating material to the coating material spreading surface. The coating material spreading surface includes a region extending from a predetermined position on a proximal end side to a distal end edge. The region is constituted of a convex curved surface toward an extension of the rotary shaft. The outermost surface of at least part (31B) of the coating material spreading surface is covered by a diamond-like carbon film (50) free from silicon at least on its outermost surface.

Abstract: In a control method for internal combustion engine for forming a stratified air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber and performing stratified combustion by injecting fuel at least once each time between an intake stroke and the first half of a compression stroke and in the second half of the compression stroke, spark ignition is started by flowing a relatively large discharge current into the ignition plug when flow energy around the ignition plug is increased by energy of a fuel spray injected in the second half of the compression stroke and, thereafter, the discharge current is made relatively smaller and discharged for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A method controls a continuously variable transmission including: an oil pump disposed in an oil passage between a primary oil chamber and a secondary oil chamber to control a flow of oil from the secondary oil chamber to the primary oil chamber; and an oil supply source to supply oil to the secondary oil chamber, and the method includes: calculating a secondary hydraulic-pressure command value based on a required primary hydraulic pressure that is a pressure in the primary oil chamber required to transmit an input torque to an output side; and controlling the oil supply source in accordance with the secondary hydraulic-pressure command value.

Abstract: A unit cell including a cell body, an electrode tab (an anode side electrode tab and a cathode side electrode tab) and a sealing member (laminate film). The cell body includes a power-generating element and is formed into a flat shape. The anode side electrode tab and the cathode side electrode tab extend out from the cell body. The sealing member (laminate film) includes a sheet-shaped metal layer and a sheet-shaped insulating layer that covers and insulates the metal layer from both sides to sandwich and seal the cell body. In the sealing member, an exposed end portion of a metal layer is spaced from a surface of the insulating layer, while bending at least a portion of an outer edge.

Abstract: A fuel cell FC includes a cell structure 1 in which an anode electrode layer 11, an electrolyte layer 13 and a cathode electrode layer 15 are stacked. The anode electrode layer 11 is arranged in the middle, and has an electrode reacting part 11 having a thermal expansion coefficient greater than a thermal expansion coefficient of the electrolyte layer, and an outer peripheral part 113 arranged adjacent to the electrode reacting part 111 on an outer periphery of the electrode reacting part 111, the outer peripheral part 113 having a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than the thermal expansion coefficient of the electrode reacting part 111. The fuel cell FC is arranged on the anode electrode layer side of the cell structure 1, and further includes a metallic supporting plate 2 that supports the cell structure 1.

Abstract: To provide a negative electrode for a lithium ion battery in which a volume change of a silicon-based negative electrode active material due to charging and discharging is small, and a production method therefor. Provided is a method for producing a negative electrode for a lithium ion battery, the method including a step of forming a coating film on a current collector or a separator by using a slurry containing a negative electrode active material composition, which contains a silicon-based negative electrode active material and a carbon-based negative electrode active material, and a dispersion medium, in which the method further includes a step of doping the silicon-based negative electrode active material with lithium ions and a step of doping the carbon-based negative electrode active material with lithium ions before or after the step of forming the coating film and before assembling a lithium ion battery, and the method does not substantially include a step of drying the coating film.

Abstract: An interest level detection unit configured to detect a level of interest of an occupant in a travel state of an automatic driving vehicle, a manual driving characteristic learning unit configured to learn manual driving characteristics based on the travel state of the automatic driving vehicle, and an automatic driving characteristic setting unit configured to set automatic driving characteristics based on a surrounding state of the automatic driving vehicle, an interest level determination unit configured to determine the occupant's level of interest in the vehicle travel and a driving characteristic setting unit configured to set the driving characteristics based on the manual driving characteristics learned in the manual driving characteristic learning unit when the level of interest is determined to be high and set the automatic driving characteristics set by the automatic driving characteristic setting unit when the level of interest is determined to be low.

Abstract: The magnet cutting device includes a pair of supporting portions spaced apart by a predetermined distance and configured to support the magnet from a bottom side, a blade configured to press the magnet supported by the pair of supporting portions from an upper side of the magnet, and a magnet supporting tool arranged between the pair of supporting portions to support the magnet from the bottom side of the magnet. A surface of the magnet supporting tool to be held in contact with the magnet is shaped such that a central part of an upper end is higher than the upper ends of the pair of supporting portions and an end part of the upper end is lower than the upper ends of the pair of supporting portions when the magnet is placed on the surface, the upper end having a slope connecting the central part and the end part.

Abstract: A vehicle fan shroud de-icing assembly includes a vehicle radiator, a fan shroud installed to the radiator, a fan and a heat providing member. The fan is installed to the fan shroud adjacent to the radiator and is configured to selectively move air between heat transferring fins of the radiator. The heat providing member is attached to one of the radiator and the fan shroud. The heat providing member is positioned and configured to provide heat to the fan shroud and/or radiator in order to melt ice, show and shush retained within the fan shroud or on surfaces of the radiator.

Abstract: A surface treatment device includes a vacuum blast head, an air curtain-forming unit and an auxiliary air injection unit. The vacuum blast head includes an injection nozzle and a suction hole. The injection nozzle injects a polishing agent used for blast treatment on a surface of a material to be treated. The suction hole sucks up the injected polishing agent with suction air. The air curtain-forming unit injects air toward the surface of the material to be treated to form an air curtain that surrounds the injected polishing agent. The auxiliary air injection unit injects auxiliary air between the air curtain and the suction air toward the material to be treated at a lower pressure than the air that forms the air curtain.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells stacked via separators, each one of which cells has a solid electrolyte plate interposed between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The separator is constituted of an uneven member that includes a first abutting portion, a second abutting portion, and a connecting portion, the first abutting portion abuts on one fuel cell of the two adjacent fuel cells, the second abutting portion abuts on the other fuel cell, and the connecting portion connects the first abutting portion to the second abutting portion. At least one abutting portion of the first abutting portion or the second abutting portion has a section modulus greater than a section modulus of the connecting portion.

Abstract: The antifouling structure according to the present invention includes an antifouling liquid and a microporous layer, and the antifouling liquid is retained on a surface and in an interior of the microporous layer. Further, the antifouling liquid is a hydrocarbon-based oil or a silicone-based oil; the microporous layer includes, on the surface side thereof, a liquid retention part retaining the antifouling liquid and, in the interior thereof, a liquid extrusion part exhibiting lower affinity with the antifouling liquid than the liquid retention part; the film thickness of the liquid retention part is 1/100 to 1/50 of the film thickness of the liquid extrusion part; both feedability of the antifouling liquid onto the surface of the antifouling structure and retainability of the antifouling liquid can be achieved; and an antifouling film exhibiting self-repairability over a long term can be formed on the surface.

Abstract: According to a control method for a hybrid vehicle that is caused to run by a drive motor as a load being supplied with electric power of a battery and electric power generated by an electric generator, a total distance to empty is calculated on the basis of a shortage of a generating power output of the electric generator with respect to a required running power output and an amount of charge remaining in the battery. Specifically, a length of time for which the shortage of the generating power output of the electric generator with respect to the required running power output is covered by the amount of charge remaining in the battery is calculated, and a distance that the hybrid vehicle can run for this length of time is set as a total distance to empty.

Abstract: A power control system that includes a power generation device that generates low-voltage power, a high-voltage battery that is charged with power generated by the power generation device, an external load that receives power from the high-voltage battery and a power converter that is connected between the power generation device and the high-voltage battery. The power converter includes an insulating power converter.

Abstract: A method of controlling the hybrid vehicle in which electric power of the battery and electric power generated by an electric generator are supplied to a drive device, a running load of the drive motor is estimated on the basis of the driver's requirement, and a first distance to empty that allows for running in a state where the estimated running load is fulfilled is calculated on the basis of an amount of charge remaining in the battery and an amount of fuel remaining used to drive the fuel cell. Then, a required running distance is estimated on the basis of the driver's requirement, and, on the basis of the first distance to empty and the required running distance, a necessary energy replenishment operation is notified to the driver.

Abstract: A power supply system P is provided with a fuel cell 1 and a battery unit 2 connected to the fuel cell 1. The battery unit 2 is provided with a first battery 21 connected to the fuel cell 1 so as to supply power to an auxiliary machine 12 of the fuel cell 1 and to be able to be charged with generated power of the fuel cell 1, a second battery 22 connected to the auxiliary machine 12 of the fuel cell 1 through a path p4 different from that of the first battery 21 so as to be able to supply power, and switchers R1, R2 configured to switch the power supply source to the auxiliary machine 12 of the fuel cell 1 between the first battery 21 and the second battery 22.

Abstract: The electric vehicle control method is a control method that includes the motor that gives braking force or driving force to a vehicle in accordance with an accelerator operation, by which the braking force is controlled when an accelerator operation amount is smaller than a given value and the driving force is controlled when the accelerator operation amount is the given value or larger. The electric vehicle control device estimates disturbance torque that acts on the motor as resistance component relating to a gradient and executes correction by which the braking force or the driving force is increased or decreased so as to cancel the resistance component in accordance with a disturbance torque estimated value Td. Then, on a downhill road at a given gradient or more, a correction amount of the braking force or the driving force is reduced.

Abstract: A power supply system comprising: power storage device (1); a fuel cell (2) connecting to the power storage device (1); an auxiliary machine (4) of the fuel cell, the auxiliary machine (4) operating in a range corresponding to a voltage across the fuel cell (2); a voltage converter (3) inserted along a first line between the fuel cell (2) and the power storage device (1). The power supply system further comprising an auxiliary machine power supplying device (5) inserted between the voltage converter (3) and the power storage device (1), the power supply device for the auxiliary machine (5) being configured to supply power from at least one of the fuel cell (2) and the power storage device (1) to the auxiliary machine (4); and a switch (6) inserted along a second line different from the first line between the fuel cell (2) and the auxiliary machine (4), the switch (6) being configured to supply power to the auxiliary machine (4).

Abstract: According to a control method of controlling a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a solid oxide fuel cell that is supplied with an anode gas and a cathode gas to generate electric power, a fuel processor that at least reforms fuel to generate the anode gas and supplies the generated anode gas to the fuel cell, and a combustor that combusts the supplied fuel to perform warming of the fuel processor, the method is conducted when warming is performed at least at starting-up of the system.

Abstract: A cell structure for a fuel cell including: power generation cell assemblies each including a power generation cell which includes a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched therebetween and is configured to generate power by using supplied gases; a separator configured to separate the adjacent power generation cell assemblies from each other; a sealing member disposed between an edge of a corresponding one of the power generation cell assemblies and an edge of the separator and configured to retain any of the gases supplied to the power generation cells between the corresponding power generation cell assembly and the separator; and a heat exchange part disposed adjacent to the sealing member and configured to perform temperature control of the sealing member by using any of the gases supplied to the power generation cells.

Abstract: Provided is control method for hybrid vehicles capable of suppressing an increase in the frequency of mode switching while suppressing a decrease in the regenerative amount when the hybrid vehicle is set at the self-driving mode. The control method for hybrid vehicles that change an operation mode of the vehicle between HEV mode and EV mode in accordance with the size of a target drive force. When the manual-driving mode is set, the target driving force is calculated based on a vehicle-speed (VSP) and a driver's driving operation (APO), and when self-driving is set, the target driving force is calculated based on a target vehicle-speed and an actual vehicle-speed.

Abstract: A transmission controller gives an engagement instruction to a forward clutch so that the forward clutch is engaged when a rotation speed of the engine becomes a target engine rotation speed set on the basis at least of a vehicle speed and a speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission after the engine is started, if a cancellation request for a sailing-stop control is made during execution of the sailing-stop control, and the continuously variable transmission is downshifted before the forward clutch is engaged, if the target engine rotation speed when the cancellation request for the sailing-stop control is made is less than a first predetermined value.

Abstract: During automated or autonomous travel control of a subject vehicle, when a road section including at least one of a curve and a narrow road is present ahead of the subject vehicle and another vehicle is traveling in an adjacent lane to the traveling lane for the subject vehicle, inter-vehicle distance control is executed in which the subject vehicle is controlled to travel with an inter-vehicle distance that is set such that the subject vehicle and the other vehicle do not travel side by side when the subject vehicle travels in the road section.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a first structural member extending in a vehicle lateral direction and a second structural member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The second structural member is connected to the first structural member. An off-center impact structure is connected to at least one of the first structural member and the second structural member. The off-center impact structure has a curved contact surface. The curved contact surface is laterally spaced from the other of the first structural member and the second structural member.

Abstract: A vehicle seatback assembly includes a cavity disposed in a seatback of a vehicle and a storage system. The storage system is movable between a first position in which the storage system is stowed in the cavity and a second position in which the storage system extends from the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle periphery information verification device comprises: an obstacle detecting unit configured to detect an obstacle; an arranging unit configured to arrange a travelable region in which a vehicle is travelable and the detected obstacle on a map; an action determining unit configured to determine an action of a host vehicle by using information on the arranged obstacle; a judging unit configured to judge whether the arranged obstacle is arranged in the travelable region; and a prohibiting unit configured to prohibit the action determining unit from determining the action of the host vehicle when the obstacle is determined to be not arranged in the travelable region.

Abstract: A method for controlling a non-contact electric power supply system in which an electric power receiving coil mounted on a host vehicle is opposed to an electric power transmitting coil set on a ground, the non-contact electric power supply system supplying electric power from the electric power transmitting coil to the electric power receiving coil in a non-contact manner and, when a moving object is detected in a detection region around the electric power receiving coil or the electric power transmitting coil during the electric power supply, stopping or reducing the electric power supply, the method including: determining whether another vehicle is parked around the host vehicle; and expanding, when determining that the other vehicle is parked, the detection region as compared to when not determining that the other vehicle is parked.

Abstract: An assistance device for driving in a traffic lane for a motor vehicle includes a module for determining at least one input variable chosen from among variables related to the vehicle and variables related to the traffic lane, a module for producing a correction instruction according to the input variable, and an assistance module capable of implementing a driving assistance action according to the correction instruction. The input variable includes a lateral position of the vehicle in the traffic lane and a lateral deflection speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An antifouling structure precursor, comprising: a modification layer that contains a modifier having a perfluoropolyether chain; and an oxide layer that has a surface entirely covered with the modification layer, wherein the modification layer has an uneven film thickness and comprises a comparatively thick area and a comparatively thin area that is dispersed in the comparatively thick area, and a coverage rate of covering the oxide layer with the comparatively thick area is equal to or greater than 10%. An antifouling structure, comprising: an antifouling structure precursor; and a lubricant oil on a surface of the antifouling structure precursor.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus includes a tire supporting structure, a force applying device, a force measuring device and a controller. The tire supporting structure is configured to retain a tire. The force applying device is attached to the tire supporting structure and is configured to selectively apply a static force to the tire with the tire retained by the tire supporting structure. The force measuring device is attached to the tire supporting structure and is configured to measure the static force applied to the tire applied by the force applying device. The controller is electronically connected to the force applying device and the force measuring device. The controller is configured to receive force measurements from the force measuring device and selectively operate the force applying device to apply a predetermined level of static force to the tire for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An electrode for improving the durability of a battery includes a current collector and an active material layer. The current collector has a conductive resin layer including a polymer material and a conductive filler. The electrode further includes a conductive member, which is in electrical contact with the conductive filler, between the current collector and the active material layer.

Abstract: A short circuit detection device has a voltage sensor and a control unit. The voltage sensor detects a voltage of a secondary battery. The control unit determines whether a first voltage value of the voltage of the secondary battery discharging to a load is below a threshold value. Upon determining the first voltage value is below the threshold value, the control unit adjusts the load to reduce the current that flows from the secondary battery to the load. The control unit then determines whether a second voltage value of the voltage of the secondary battery after the adjustment of the load is less than the first voltage value. Upon determining the second voltage value is less than the first voltage value, control unit recognizes that an internal short circuit of the secondary battery has occurred.

Abstract: A low-pressure casting mold includes at least upper and lower molds 4U, 4L forming a cavity 3 and sprue pieces 8, 9 that have cylindrical shapes and that are disposed at different positions of the lower mold 4L. The sprue pieces 8, 9 include sprues 8A, 9A open to the cavity 3 and basins 8B, 9B, and the basins 8B, 9B have different volumes according to the position of the sprue pieces in the lower mold 4. Equalization of the solidification time of molten metal at the sprues 8A, 9A is achieved along with the less influence on the structure of the lower mold 4L and a stalk and the improved flexibility in apparatus design.