Abstract: An assembly removable structure includes an assembly including a connectable member and attached to and removed from a receiving member of an apparatus body in a first direction, a connection member disposed on the apparatus body to be movable forward and backward in a cross direction that crosses the first direction, a switch member operated independently of a lid member and switching the connection member between a first position and a second position, the lid member rendering the receiving member open and closed, a restricting member that moves with an operation from a restriction position, at which the restricting member restricts the assembly from being removed from the receiving member, to a release position, at which the restricting member releases the assembly, and a blocking device restricting an operation of moving the restricting member to the release position when the switch member is switched to the first position.

Abstract: An assembly removable structure includes an assembly that includes a connectable member and that is attached to and removed from a receiving member of an apparatus body in a first direction, a connection member disposed on the apparatus body to be movable forward and backward in a cross direction that crosses the first direction, the connection member being connected to the connectable member while being in a projecting state, a switch member operated independently of a lid member and capable of switching the connection member between a first position, in which the connection member is connected to the connectable member, and a second position, in which the connection member is removed from the connectable member, the lid member rendering the receiving member open and closed, and a holding device that holds the switch member in the second position when the assembly is removed from the receiving member.

Abstract: An assembly removable structure includes an assembly that includes a connectable member and that is attached to and removed from a receiving member of an apparatus body in a first direction, a connection member disposed on the apparatus body to be movable forward and backward in a cross direction that crosses the first direction, the connection member being connected to the connectable member while being in a projecting state, a switch member operated independently of a lid member and capable of switching the connection member between a first position, in which the connection member is connected to the connectable member, and a second position, in which the connection member is removed from the connectable member, the lid member rendering the receiving member open and closed, and a holding device that holds the switch member in the second position when the assembly is removed from the receiving member.

Abstract: An assembly removable structure includes an assembly including a connectable member and attached to and removed from a receiving member of an apparatus body in a first direction, a connection member disposed on the apparatus body to be movable forward and backward in a cross direction that crosses the first direction, the connection member being connected to the connectable member while being in a projecting state, a switch member operated independently of a lid member and capable of switching the connection member between a first position, in which the connection member is connected to the connectable member, and a second position, in which the connection member is removed from the connectable member, and a restricting device that restricts removal of the assembly attached to the receiving member, the restricting device switching the switch member from the second position to the first position with an operation of the restriction.

Abstract: An assembly removable structure includes an assembly including a connectable member and attached to and removed from a receiving member of an apparatus body in a first direction, a connection member disposed on the apparatus body to be movable forward and backward in a cross direction that crosses the first direction, a switch member operated independently of a lid member and switching the connection member between a first position and a second position, the lid member rendering the receiving member open and closed, a restricting member that moves with an operation from a restriction position, at which the restricting member restricts the assembly from being removed from the receiving member, to a release position, at which the restricting member releases the assembly, and a blocking device restricting an operation of moving the restricting member to the release position when the switch member is switched to the first position.

Abstract: An assembly removable structure includes an assembly including a connectable member and attached to and removed from a receiving member of an apparatus body in a first direction, a connection member disposed on the apparatus body to be movable forward and backward in a cross direction that crosses the first direction, the connection member being connected to the connectable member while being in a projecting state, a switch member operated independently of a lid member and capable of switching the connection member between a first position, in which the connection member is connected to the connectable member, and a second position, in which the connection member is removed from the connectable member, and a restricting device that restricts removal of the assembly attached to the receiving member, the restricting device switching the switch member from the second position to the first position with an operation of the restriction.

Abstract: A method for producing rare-earth magnets is provided in which, when a slurry 2 having a rare-earth-compound powder dispersed therein is applied to sintered magnet bodies 1 and dried to apply the powder thereto, the magnet bodies 1 are accommodated and conveyed in holding pockets 42 of a conveyance drum 4 which rotates in a state of being partially immersed in the slurry 2, and, as a result, the magnet bodies 1 are immersed in the slurry 2, withdrawn from the slurry 2, and dried to apply the powder to the sintered magnet bodies 1. According to this production method, the powder can be uniformly and efficiently applied, wastage of the rare-earth compound can be effectively suppressed, and a reduction in the surface area of equipment for performing an application step can also be achieved.

Abstract: When sintered magnet bodies 1 are held in a jig 2 having a rotational axis in the vertical direction, immersed in a slurry 41 to apply the slurry thereto, rotated in conjunction with the jig to remove the surplus slurry on the surface of each of the sintered magnet bodies by centrifugal force, and subsequently dried to cause the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies to be coated with a powder, the slurry is applied while the sintered magnet bodies are held such that no portion of any of the outer surfaces forming the contours of the sintered magnet bodies is orthogonal to the direction of the centrifugal force. As a result, the rare-earth-compound powder can be uniformly applied to the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies.

Abstract: When a slurry s obtained by dispersing a rare-earth-compound powder in a solvent is applied to sintered magnet bodies m, and dried to remove the solvent in the slurry and cause the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies to be coated with the powder, and the sintered magnet bodies coated with the powder are heat treated to cause the rare-earth element to be absorbed by the sintered magnet bodies, the sintered magnet bodies m are warmed or heated before the slurry s is applied. As a result, the rare-earth-compound powder can be efficiently and uniformly applied to the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies.

Abstract: A coating tank 1 provided with a net belt passage opening is prepared, a slurry obtained by dispersing a rare-earth-compound powder in a solvent is continuously supplied to the coating tank 1 to cause the coating tank 1 to overflow, and a plurality of sintered magnet bodies 10 are arranged on a net belt conveyor 5, continuously conveyed horizontally thereon, and passed through the slurry in the coating tank 1 via the net belt passage opening, to apply the slurry to the sintered magnet bodies. The slurry is subsequently dried to continuously apply the powder to the plurality of sintered magnet bodies. As a result, the rare-earth-compound powder can be uniformly applied to the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies, and the application operation can be performed extremely efficiently.

Abstract: A sintered magnet body is held in a grounded jig exhibiting excellent electrical conductivity, a rare-earth-compound powder is charged and sprayed on the sintered magnet body to electrostatically coat the sintered magnet body with the powder, and thus apply the powder to the sintered magnet body. The sintered magnet body having the powder applied thereto is heat treated to produce a rare-earth magnet. As a result, the rare-earth-compound powder can be uniformly applied to the surface of the sintered magnet body, and the application operating can be performed extremely efficiently.

Abstract: When a slurry in which a rare-earth-compound powder is dispersed is applied to sintered magnet bodies 1 and dried to apply the powder thereto, the sintered magnet bodies 1 are conveyed by a conveyer 2 and made to pass through the slurry 4 to apply the slurry to the sintered magnet bodies 1. Furthermore, a plurality of push-up members 51, which pass through insertion holes 22 provided in a conveyor belt 21, and protrude above the conveyor belt, are used to temporarily push up the sintered magnet bodies 1, and temporarily separate the conveyor belt 21 and the sintered magnet bodies 1. As a result, the slurry can be efficiently applied, even mass production can be suitably dealt with, and the slurry can be uniformly and reliably applied to the entire surface of each of the sintered magnet bodies.

Abstract: A fixed beam 2 along which magnet-body holding sections 22 are consecutively provided is disposed so as to pass through a slurry 1. Sintered magnet bodies m placed in the magnet-body holding sections 22 by movable beams 3 are conveyed by repeating an operation in which the sintered magnet bodies m are moved to the following magnet-body holding sections 22. While being conveyed, the sintered magnet bodies m are passed through the slurry 1 to apply the slurry thereto, and are subsequently dried to remove a solvent in the slurry and affix a powder in the slurry thereto, and, as a result, the powder is continuously applied to the plurality of sintered magnet bodies. Accordingly, a rare-earth-compound powder can be uniformly applied to the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies, and the amount of the slurry taken from a coating tank can be reduced to effectively decrease wasteful consumption.

Abstract: When a slurry 41 obtained by dispersing a rare-earth-compound powder in a solvent is applied to sintered magnet bodies 1, and dried to remove the solvent in the slurry and cause the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies to be coated with the powder, and the sintered magnet bodies coated with the powder are heat treated to cause the rare-earth element to be absorbed by the sintered magnet bodies, the sintered magnet bodies having had the slurry applied thereto are dried by being irradiated with near infrared radiation having a wavelength of 0.8-5 ?m, to remove the solvent in the slurry, and cause the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies to be coated with the powder. As a result, the rare-earth-compound powder can be uniformly and efficiently applied to the surfaces of the sintered magnet bodies.

Abstract: An attachment structure for an attachable body includes an attachable body, a connecting unit, a first regulating device, and a second regulating device. The attachable body is attachable to an apparatus body and has a leading end and a trailing end in an attachment direction in which the attachable body is attached to the apparatus body. The connecting unit is provided on a leading end side of the attachable body in the attachment direction. The connecting unit is connected to the apparatus body. The first regulating device regulates a movement of the attachable body in the attachment direction from a trailing end side. The second regulating device is provided at a position closer to the connecting unit than to the first regulating device in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the attachment direction. The second regulating device regulates the movement of the attachable body.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first support portion that supports an endless belt, and relatively moves with respect to a rotating body to press the endless belt against the rotating body, a second support portion that supports the first support portion to be relatively movable, a first member that is supported in the endless belt by the second support portion, a second member that is supported in the endless belt to be capable of approaching and being separated from the first support portion, a first biasing member that is provided in the first support portion, and biases the second member to a rotating body side, a second biasing member that is provided in the second support portion, and biases the first support portion to the rotating body side, and a switching portion that switches between a first state and a second state.

Abstract: An attachment structure for an attachable body includes an attachable body, a connecting unit, a first regulating device, and a second regulating device. The attachable body is attachable to an apparatus body and has a leading end and a trailing end in an attachment direction in which the attachable body is attached to the apparatus body. The connecting unit is provided on a leading end side of the attachable body in the attachment direction. The connecting unit is connected to the apparatus body. The first regulating device regulates a movement of the attachable body in the attachment direction from a trailing end side. The second regulating device is provided at a position closer to the connecting unit than to the first regulating device in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the attachment direction. The second regulating device regulates the movement of the attachable body.

Abstract: A fixing device includes first to third support portions, first and second members, first and second biasing members, and a switching portion. The first support portion presses an endless belt against a rotating body. The second member is supported in the endless belt so as to be separable from the first support portion. The first biasing member biases the second member to a rotating body side. The second support portion supports the first support portion. The third support portion supports the second support portion, rotates the first support portion in a direction of approaching the rotating body by pressing the first support portion to the rotating body side at a first position, and is separated from the first support portion at a second position. The second biasing member biases the second support portion to the rotating body side. The switching portion switches between first and second states.

Abstract: A transport device includes: a first rotational member; a second rotational member that forms a nip with the first rotational member; a guide member that guides the medium in a predetermined direction; a changing part that supports the second rotational member so as to be rotatable and that moves the second rotational member to change a nip state between the second rotational member and the first rotational member; and an interposed member supported by the changing part and nipped between the first rotational member and the guide member, the interposed member including, in an intersecting direction intersecting a direction in which the interposed member is nipped, multiple portions having different thicknesses, the interposed member being nipped at any one of the multiple portions, while being moved in the intersecting direction in accordance with the movement of the second rotational member.

Abstract: A transport device includes: a first rotational member; a second rotational member that forms a nip with the first rotational member; a guide member that guides the medium in a predetermined direction; a changing part that supports the second rotational member so as to be rotatable and that moves the second rotational member to change a nip state between the second rotational member and the first rotational member; and an interposed member supported by the changing part and nipped between the first rotational member and the guide member, the interposed member including, in an intersecting direction intersecting a direction in which the interposed member is nipped, multiple portions having different thicknesses, the interposed member being nipped at any one of the multiple portions, while being moved in the intersecting direction in accordance with the movement of the second rotational member.