Abstract: A medical apparatus includes (i) a coupling unit including a coupling portion connected to a driving source, (ii) a bending unit including a linear member connected to a bending portion, (iii) a first operation portion movable to a fixation position in which the linear member is fixed to the coupling portion and to an attachment-detachment position, (iv) a lock member movable to a lock position in which the lock member restricts detachment of the bending unit from the coupling unit and to an unlock position, and (v) a second operation portion that moves the lock member to the unlock position. Detachment of the bending unit from the coupling unit is allowed in a state in which the bending unit is attached to the coupling unit, in which the first operation portion is in the attachment-detachment position, and in which the lock member is in the unlock position.

Abstract: A medical system 1A includes a medical apparatus 1 that includes a continuum robot including a catheter 11 and a base unit 200, at which the catheter 11 is provided, and a support base 2 that detachably supports the medical apparatus 1. The support base 2 includes a slider 2a. A coupling portion 200k provided with an engagement portion 200a is attached to the base unit 200. The coupling portion 200k has a U-shape, and ends thereof that sandwich an opening of the U-shape are attached and fixed to the base unit 200 at a position closer to the catheter 11 and a position farther from the catheter 11. The engagement portion 200a to be engaged with the slider 2a is disposed at a lower portion of the coupling portion 200k. Accordingly, a first space 200i is formed between the base unit 200 and the engagement portion 200a.

Abstract: Provided are an inspection method, a classification method, a management method, a steel material production method, a learning model generation method, a learning model, an inspection device, and steel material production equipment that can both improve detection accuracy and reduce processing time. The inspection method is an inspection method of detecting surface defects on an inspection target, the inspection method including: an imaging step (S1) of acquiring an image of a surface of the inspection target; an extraction step (S3) of extracting defect candidate parts from the image; a screening step (S4) of screening the extracted defect candidate parts by a first defect determination; and an inspection step (S5) of detecting harmful or harmless surface defects by a second defect determination using a convolutional neural network, the second defect determination being targeted at defect candidate parts after the screening by the first defect determination.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a developing unit, a supporting frame, a retainer and a sheet member. The image carrier unit includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image with toner. The supporting frame supports the image carrier unit and the developing unit in an attachable and detachable manner. The retainer is supported by the supporting frame in a turnable manner, and positions the image carrier unit and the developing unit to the supporting frame by being turned upward. The sheet member closes a gap between the supporting frame and the retainer. The sheet member has an upper section supported by the retainer and a lower end section supported by the supporting frame, and at least one of the upper end section and the lower end section is configured to be detachable.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a developing unit, a supporting frame, a retainer and a sheet member. The image carrier unit includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image with toner. The supporting frame supports the image carrier unit and the developing unit in an attachable and detachable manner. The retainer is supported by the supporting frame in a turnable manner, and positions the image carrier unit and the developing unit to the supporting frame by being turned upward. The sheet member closes a gap between the supporting frame and the retainer. The sheet member has an upper section supported by the retainer and a lower end section supported by the supporting frame, and at least one of the upper end section and the lower end section is configured to be detachable.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a connection mechanism in electrical contact with a contact. The connection mechanism includes a terminal member, a power supplying member, an insulating member, and a holding member. The terminal member makes contact with the contact. The power supplying member feeds electric power to the contact via the terminal member and urges the terminal member toward the contact. The insulating member covers the terminal member. The holding member holds the terminal member covered with the insulating member. The terminal member, at a tip end portion of it that projects from the holding member, makes contact with the contact. The insulating member covers at least an entire region, except a contact portion with the contact, of the terminal member that projects from the holding member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a toner supplying portion including a first attachment portion; and a waste toner collecting portion including a second attachment portion. A toner container includes a positioning member and a compatible key. The first attachment portion includes a first engaging portion configured to position the toner container to a first attachment position. The second attachment portion includes a second engaging portion configured to position the toner container to a second attachment position. The first engaging portion and the positioning member are formed in a shape that allows the toner container of a type corresponding to the first attachment portion to be selectively attached to the first attachment portion. The second engaging portion is formed in a shape that allows the positioning member to be engaged with a toner container of any one of a plurality of types.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, a light guide, a light guide cover, and a unit frame. The light guide is in a bar form and, while guiding light that has entered from the light source along the axial direction, sends forth the light. The light guide cover holds the light guide. The light guide cover is attached to a unit frame. The light guide cover includes a main body portion and a plurality of light guide holding portions provided along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion and holding the light guide at a plurality of places, and a plurality of guide engaging portions provided along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion. The unit frame has a cover fitting face to which the light guide cover is fitted and a plurality of cover guides with which a plurality of guide engaging portions engage respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a connection mechanism in electrical contact with a contact. The connection mechanism includes a terminal member, a power supplying member, an insulating member, and a holding member. The terminal member makes contact with the contact. The power supplying member feeds electric power to the contact via the terminal member and urges the terminal member toward the contact. The insulating member covers the terminal member. The holding member holds the terminal member covered with the insulating member. The terminal member, at a tip end portion of it that projects from the holding member, makes contact with the contact. The insulating member covers at least an entire region, except a contact portion with the contact, of the terminal member that projects from the holding member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a toner supplying portion including a first attachment portion; and a waste toner collecting portion including a second attachment portion. The toner container includes a positioning member and a compatible key. The first attachment portion includes a first engaging portion configured to position the toner container to the first attachment position. The second attachment portion includes a second engaging portion configured to position the toner container to the second attachment position. The first engaging portion and the positioning member are formed in a shape that allows the toner container of the type corresponding to the first attachment portion to be selectively attached to the first attachment portion. The second engaging portion is formed in a shape that allows the positioning member to be engaged with a toner container of any one of a plurality of types.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, a light guide, a light guide cover, and a unit frame. The light guide is in a bar form and, while guiding light that has entered from the light source along the axial direction, sends forth the light. The light guide cover holds the light guide. The light guide cover is attached to a unit frame. The light guide cover includes a main body portion and a plurality of light guide holding portions provided along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion and holding the light guide at a plurality of places, and a plurality of guide engaging portions provided along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion. The unit frame has a cover fitting face to which the light guide cover is fitted and a plurality of cover guides with which a plurality of guide engaging portions engage respectively.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a developing device, a unit support frame, and a developing holder. The developing holder is provided on the unit support frame, and holds the developing device such that the developing device is swingable in a direction that allows the developer carrier to get nearer to or further separate from the image carrier. The developing holder includes a driving gear and a pair of swinging shaft parts. The driving gear transmits motive power to the developing device. The pair of swinging shaft parts have a rotational axis extending parallel to an axial direction of the developer carrier and are supported rotatable relative to the unit support frame. An axial distance between the pair of swinging shaft parts is longer than a distance from a rotational center of the driving gear to a rotational center of the swinging shaft parts.

Abstract: An image forming unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the developing device with toner. The toner replenishing unit includes an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a toner conveyance unit. The upper toner container and the lower toner container are disposed in a staggered manner in an apparatus body.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a developing device, a unit support frame, and a developing holder. The developing holder is provided on the unit support frame, and holds the developing device such that the developing device is swingable in a direction that allows the developer carrier to get nearer to or further separate from the image carrier. The developing holder includes a driving gear and a pair of swinging shaft parts. The driving gear transmits motive power to the developing device. The pair of swinging shaft parts have a rotational axis extending parallel to an axial direction of the developer carrier and are supported rotatable relative to the unit support frame. An axial distance between the pair of swinging shaft parts is longer than a distance from a rotational center of the driving gear to a rotational center of the swinging shaft parts.

Abstract: A development device includes a rotational member and a housing. The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing. The lower housing has an opened upper face. The upper housing has an opened lower face. A first edge portion around the opened upper face has a recess, a first contact face and a first opposite face. The first contact face is formed inside the recess. The first opposite face is formed outside the recess. A second edge portion around the opened lower face has a protrusion, a second contact face and a second opposite face. The protrusion is fitted into the recess. The second contact face comes into contact with the first contact face. The second opposite face opposes the first opposite face. The first and second contact faces are higher than the first and second opposite faces. The recess and the protrusion are adhered with an adhesive.

Abstract: A development device includes a rotational member and a housing. The rotational member rotates around an axis. In the housing, the rotational member and a toner are stored. The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing. The lower housing has a concave first storage part having an opened upper face. The upper housing has a concave second storage part having an opened lower face. The first storage part has a first edge portion around the opened upper face. The first edge portion has a first contact face. The second storage part has a second edge portion around the opened lower face. The second edge portion has a second contact face coming into contact with the first contact face. The first contact face and the second contact face are contained in a single plane along respective entire circumferences.

Abstract: A development device includes a rotational member and a housing. The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing. The lower housing has an opened upper face. The upper housing has an opened lower face. A first edge portion around the opened upper face has a recess, a first contact face and a first opposite face. The first contact face is formed inside the recess. The first opposite face is formed outside the recess. A second edge portion around the opened lower face has a protrusion, a second contact face and a second opposite face. The protrusion is fitted into the recess. The second contact face comes into contact with the first contact face. The second opposite face opposes the first opposite face. The first and second contact faces are higher than the first and second opposite faces. The recess and the protrusion are adhered with an adhesive.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer carrier, a housing, a layer thickness regulating member and an attachment member. The developer carrier carries a developer developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, the developer carrier rotating around an axis. The housing stores the developer carrier and the developer, and has an opening through which the developer carrier is exposed. The layer thickness regulating member is disposed so as to form a gap between the layer thickness regulating member and the developer carrier and regulates a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier. The attachment member is made of a material has the same thermal expansion property as the layer thickness regulating member. The layer thickness regulating member is fixed to the attachment member using only an adhesive.