Abstract: The economic efficiency estimation apparatus of the rechargeable battery and the economic efficiency estimation method thereof according to the present invention estimate an economic efficiency index correlated with a full-charge capacity and a charge/discharge energy quantity of a secondary battery, by using a voltage difference between a discharge voltage, which is precalculated, and a charge maximum voltage.

Abstract: Container connector includes a base in which a flow path is formed, an engagement section disposed on a circle set to the base, a guiding section disposed continuously with the engagement section, and having a guide surface formed as a curved surface to guide the container to the engagement section and facing a side of an axis of the circle, and an arm provided in the base, and movably supporting the guiding section in a direction toward the axis of the circle and a direction away from the axis.

Abstract: Connection equipment includes an equipment connector comprising a first connecting section, a first liquid flow path that communicates with a equipment, and a first valve that is to open and close the first liquid flow path, a container connector comprising a second connecting section, a second liquid flow path that communicates with the container, and a second valve that is to open and close the second liquid flow path, and a lock mechanism that locks the equipment connector and the container connector in a state where the first liquid flow path is in communication with the second liquid flow path, and that unlocks the connectors in a state where the first valve and the second valve are closed.

Abstract: A lock mechanism includes an engaged section of a second member and an engagement member of a first member. The engagement member includes an operating section, a fulcrum section configured to contact the second member in a state in which the operating section is pressed, an engaging section engaging with the engaged section, a deformation section configured to be bent to move the engaging section when the operating section is pressed, and a fixing section fixed to the edge of a hole.

Abstract: The economic efficiency estimation apparatus of the rechargeable battery and the economic efficiency estimation method thereof according to the present invention estimate an economic efficiency index correlated with a full-charge capacity and a charge/discharge energy quantity of a secondary battery, by using a voltage difference between a discharge voltage, which is precalculated, and a charge maximum voltage.

Abstract: Container connector includes a base in which a flow path is formed, an engagement section disposed on a circle set to the base, a guiding section disposed continuously with the engagement section, and having a guide surface formed as a curved surface to guide the container to the engagement section and facing a side of an axis of the circle, and an arm provided in the base, and movably supporting the guiding section in a direction toward the axis of the circle and a direction away from the axis.

Abstract: Connection equipment includes an equipment connector comprising a first connecting section, a first liquid flow path that communicates with a equipment, and a first valve that is to open and close the first liquid flow path, a container connector comprising a second connecting section, a second liquid flow path that communicates with the container, and a second valve that is to open and close the second liquid flow path, and a lock mechanism that locks the equipment connector and the container connector in a state where the first liquid flow path is in communication with the second liquid flow path, and that unlocks the connectors in a state where the first valve and the second valve are closed.

Abstract: To improve image quality upon preventing abrasion traces from strongly forming on a surface of a fusing member, an invented fusing device has a pressure member, a fusing member movably arranged as faced with the pressure member, and a contact element arranged in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fusing member, with the surface roughness of the fusing member of 1.0 to 4.0 [?m]. When the fusing member is moved in contact with the contact element, the contact element rubs a surface of the fusing member, but in the fusing member, the portion in contact with the contact element and the portion not in contact with the contact element become about equal in the surface roughness with the above surface roughness.

Abstract: To improve image quality upon preventing abrasion traces from strongly forming on a surface of a fusing member, an invented fusing device has a pressure member, a fusing member movably arranged as faced with the pressure member, and a contact element arranged in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fusing member, with the surface roughness of the fusing member of 1.0 to 4.0 [?m]. When the fusing member is moved in contact with the contact element, the contact element rubs a surface of the fusing member, but in the fusing member, the portion in contact with the contact element and the portion not in contact with the contact element become about equal in the surface roughness with the above surface roughness.

Abstract: A medium thickness detecting apparatus detects the thickness of a recording medium. A displacement section is disposed in a transport path through which a recording medium passes. When the recording medium passes the displacement section, the displacement section displaces in a direction substantially normal to the surface of a recording medium. An amplifying section amplifies a displacement of the displacement section by a predetermined factor. A thickness determining section outputs a signal representative of an amplified value of the displacement. The displacement section may be one of two rollers between which the recording medium passes, and displaces upward when the recording medium passes between the two rollers. Alternatively, the displacement section my be positioned to sit on a stage provided in the transport path such that the displacement section is pushed away from the stage when the recording medium passes between the displacement section and the surface.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image recording apparatus incorporates a fixing unit in which a toner image deposited on a print medium is fused by heat under pressure. The fixing unit includes a fixing member and a separator plate. The fixing member is in pressure contact with a pressure member. The separator plate that is disposed close to the fixing member and has a longitudinal portion extending in a direction transverse to a transport path of the print medium. The separator plate has a mid portion of the longitudinal portion. The mid portion has resiliency to extend away from the transport path and a guide member that pushes the mid portion of the separator plate to maintain the entire longitudinal portion flat so that mid portion is prevented from extending away from the transport path.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image recording apparatus incorporates a fixing unit in which a toner image deposited on a print medium is fused by heat under pressure. The fixing unit includes a fixing member and a separator plate. The fixing member is in pressure contact with a pressure member. The separator plate that is disposed close to the fixing member and has a longitudinal portion extending in a direction transverse to a transport path of the print medium. The separator plate has a mid portion of the longitudinal portion. The mid portion has resiliency to extend away from the transport path and a guide member that pushes the mid portion of the separator plate to maintain the entire longitudinal portion flat so that mid portion is prevented from extending away from the transport path.

Abstract: A medium thickness detecting apparatus detects the thickness of a recording medium. A displacement section is disposed in a transport path through which a recording medium passes. When the recording medium passes the displacement section, the displacement section displaces in a direction substantially normal to the surface of a recording medium. An amplifying section amplifies a displacement of the displacement section by a predetermined factor. A thickness determining section outputs a signal representative of an amplified value of the displacement. The displacement section may be one of two rollers between which the recording medium passes, and displaces upward when the recording medium passes between the two rollers. Alternatively, the displacement section my be positioned to sit on a stage provided in the transport path such that the displacement section is pushed away from the stage when the recording medium passes between the displacement section and the surface.

Abstract: When the surface temperature of a heating roller exceeds a predetermined temperature, bearings that rotatably support the heating roller melt. Thus, a pressuring roller causes the heating roller to move toward a temperature detecting device. Thus, the heating roller comes in contact with the temperature detecting device. Consequently, when a defect takes place, the warm-up time after the temperature detecting device works until the power to the heater is shut off can be reduced. In addition or in the alternative, an electrode plate has edges electrically contacting and connecting the heater in the heating roller and a power supply. As the heating roller moves, electrical contact between the heater and the electrode plate is broken and the power from the power supply to the heater is disconnected. As a result, an electrophotographic printing apparatus can be prevented from getting defective, thereby improving the reliability thereof.

Abstract: A printer 1 provided integrally with an image reading unit 2 which comprises a handy scanner 3 for reading a draft and an automatic draft feeder 4 on which the handy scanner 2 is detachably mounted for automatically conveying the draft wherein a draft jammed in the image reading unit 2 can be easily removed and a scanner hopper 31 is provided over the automatic draft feeder 4 to be turnable about a shaft 32 thereof. A tip end portion 31b of the scanner hopper 31 is urged upward by a spring 36 and a rear end 31a of the scanner hopper 31 is positioned close to the shaft 27 of a separating roller 9. The handy scanner 3 is fixedly positioned to the automatic draft feeder 4 by way of latches 23 and 24.