Methods are provided for the automated detection of micro-objects in a microfluidic device. In addition, methods are provided for repositioning micro-objects in a microfluidic device. In addition, methods are provided for separating micro-objects in a spatial region of the microfluidic device.

A calibration apparatus is configured to calibrate a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor is configured to measure an object and comprises a sensing element positioned adjacent to the object. The calibration apparatus comprises an estimation device and a calibrator. The estimation device is configured to estimate at least one of a gap between the sensing element and the object and a temperature of the object to obtain at least one of an estimated gap and an estimated temperature, based on geometric information, an excitation signal and an output signal of the magnetostrictive sensor, and geometric information of the object. The calibrator is configured to reduce an effect on the output signal of the magnetostrictive sensor imposed by variations in the at least one of the gap and the temperature, based on the at least one of the estimated gap and the estimated temperature, to obtain a calibrated output signal.

A cooling device of an internal combustion engine includes a control valve that regulates the flow of a cooling liquid in a circulation circuit, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to have the following functions: controlling driving of a motor of the control valve; determining whether or not the shifting speed of a valve body of the control valve has decreased rapidly; calculating a motor torque based on an effective voltage applied to the motor; deriving a collision factor based on a smoothed angular speed value; and when the electronic control unit determines that the shifting speed of the valve body has decreased rapidly, calculating a rapid-decrease-caused stress so as to become larger as a product of the motor torque and the collision factor becomes larger.

A cooling device of an internal combustion engine includes a control valve that regulates the flow of a cooling liquid in a circulation circuit, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to have the following functions: controlling driving of a motor of the control valve; determining whether or not the shifting speed of a valve body of the control valve has decreased rapidly; calculating a motor torque based on an effective voltage applied to the motor; deriving a collision factor based on a smoothed angular speed value; and when the electronic control unit determines that the shifting speed of the valve body has decreased rapidly, calculating a rapid-decrease-caused stress so as to become larger as a product of the motor torque and the collision factor becomes larger.

The present invention achieves a force sensor in which an electrode, element, and/or the like connected to a strain gauge can be suitably attached to a strain element. The force sensor includes: a strain element including an arm portion that is deformable under an external force; and a strain gauge attached to the arm portion. The strain element includes a projection that sticks out from the arm portion in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the arm portion.

The present invention achieves a force sensor in which an electrode, element, and/or the like connected to a strain gauge can be suitably attached to a strain element. The force sensor includes: a strain element including an arm portion that is deformable under an external force; and a strain gauge attached to the arm portion. The strain element includes a projection that sticks out from the arm portion in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the arm portion.

The present invention improves the reliability of a force sensor in terms of mechanical troubles. The force sensor includes: a primary bridge circuit that includes a first strain gauge group disposed on a first main face of a strain element and that is configured to detect a component, in a specific direction, of a force exerted on a strain element; and a secondary bridge circuit that includes a second strain gauge group disposed on a second main face of the strain element and that is configured to detect a component of a force in the same direction as the specific direction.

The present invention improves the reliability of a force sensor in terms of mechanical troubles. The force sensor includes: a primary bridge circuit that includes a first strain gauge group disposed on a first main face of a strain element and that is configured to detect a component, in a specific direction, of a force exerted on a strain element; and a secondary bridge circuit that includes a second strain gauge group disposed on a second main face of the strain element and that is configured to detect a component of a force in the same direction as the specific direction.

An engagement guarantee system uses a gamification method and includes a sensor configured to sense vehicle data from a vehicle tag attached to a vehicle, to sense tool data from a tool tag attached to a tool, and to transmit the sensed data to a server A controller is configured to receive the vehicle data and the tool data from the server, to transmit an engagement torque corresponding to the vehicle to the tool, and to receive an engagement result from the tool An analyzer is configured to receive the engagement result from the controller, to analyze the engagement result, and to transmit an analyzed result to a display unit. The display unit is configured to display the analyzed result transmitted from the analyzer.

An engagement guarantee system uses a gamification method and includes a sensor configured to sense vehicle data from a vehicle tag attached to a vehicle, to sense tool data from a tool tag attached to a tool, and to transmit the sensed data to a server A controller is configured to receive the vehicle data and the tool data from the server, to transmit an engagement torque corresponding to the vehicle to the tool, and to receive an engagement result from the tool An analyzer is configured to receive the engagement result from the controller, to analyze the engagement result, and to transmit an analyzed result to a display unit. The display unit is configured to display the analyzed result transmitted from the analyzer.