阅读说明：本技术 取向装置、磁记录介质的制造方法和磁记录介质 (Orientation device, method for manufacturing magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording medium ) 是由 中塩栄治 佐久间英年 松谷修平 西山英俊 佐佐木纯 于 2019-03-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：[目的]提供诸如能够增加传输路径中磁场强度的取向装置的技术。[技术手段]根据本技术内容的取向装置包括传输路径、永磁体部和磁轭部。传输路径允许其上已经形成有包含磁性粉末的磁性涂覆膜的基部沿着传输方向穿过传输路径。永磁体部包括多个第一永磁体和多个第二永磁体,所述多个第二永磁体与在垂直于传输方向的垂直方向上横跨传输路径而与所述多个第一永磁体相对,使得相反的磁极彼此面对,永磁体部通过向穿过传输路径的基部上的磁性涂覆膜施加磁场来对磁性粉末进行垂直取向。磁轭部由软磁材料制成,并且连接到多个第一永磁体的与传输路径侧相对的一侧上的磁极,以及连接到多个第二永磁体的与传输路径侧相对的一侧上的磁极。([ Objective ] to provide a technique such as an orienting device capable of increasing the magnetic field strength in a transmission path. [ technical means ] an orientation device according to the present technology includes a transmission path, a permanent magnet portion, and a yoke portion. The conveyance path allows the base on which the magnetic coating film containing the magnetic powder has been formed to pass through the conveyance path in the conveyance direction. The permanent magnet section includes a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposing the plurality of first permanent magnets across the conveyance path in a vertical direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction such that opposite magnetic poles face each other, the permanent magnet section vertically orienting the magnetic powder by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base portion passing through the conveyance path. The yoke portion is made of a soft magnetic material, and is connected to a magnetic pole on a side of the plurality of first permanent magnets opposite to the transmission path side, and to a magnetic pole on a side of the plurality of second permanent magnets opposite to the transmission path side.)

1. An orientation device, having:

a conveyance path that passes through a base portion, on which a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder is formed, along a conveyance direction;

a permanent magnet section including a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposed to each other with opposite magnetic poles across the transport path in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the permanent magnet section vertically orienting the magnetic powder by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base passing through the transport path; and

a yoke portion made of a soft magnetic material and connected to a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the transmission path side among the plurality of first permanent magnets and a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the transmission path side among the plurality of second permanent magnets.

2. The orientation device of claim 1, wherein

The perpendicular component of the magnetic field in the transmission path is 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic coating film.

3. The orientation device of claim 1, wherein

The yoke portion has a first yoke portion that supports the plurality of first permanent magnets from a side opposite to a transmission path side, a second yoke portion that supports the plurality of second permanent magnets from a side opposite to the transmission path side, and a third yoke portion that connects the first yoke portion and the second yoke portion.

4. The orientation device of claim 3, wherein

Assuming that a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and the vertical direction is a width direction, a minimum thickness of the first yoke portion in the vertical direction, the thickness of the second yoke portion in the vertical direction, and the thickness of the third yoke portion in the width direction is T, a residual magnetic flux density of the first and second permanent magnets is Bmag, a width of the first and second permanent magnets is Wm, and a saturation magnetic flux density of the yoke portion is Byoke, a relationship of Bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T is satisfied.

5. The orientation device of claim 1, further comprising:

a drying section that dries the magnetic layer coating film in a state where the magnetic powder of the magnetic layer coating film is vertically oriented by the magnetic field from the permanent magnet section.

6. The orientation device of claim 5, wherein

The drying section has a plurality of air blowing openings that blow an air flow for drying the magnetic coating film into the conveyance path.

7. The orientation device according to claim 6, wherein the orientation device has a first region in the conveyance path where the plurality of blow openings are not provided in the conveyance direction, and a second region in the conveyance path where the plurality of blow openings are provided.

8. The orientation device according to claim 7, wherein the first region is a partial region on an upstream side in the transport direction, and the second region is a region on a downstream side other than the partial region on the upstream side.

9. The orientation device of claim 8, wherein

Of the plurality of first permanent magnets and the plurality of second permanent magnets, the permanent magnets located in the second region are arranged with a predetermined gap in the transport direction, respectively, and

the plurality of air blowing ports are provided at positions corresponding to the gaps.

10. The orientation device of claim 6, wherein

The drying part also has a plurality of air inlets for sucking and discharging the air flow in the conveying path to the outside of the conveying path.

11. The orienting device of claim 10, wherein

The plurality of air blowing openings are provided to blow out the air flow toward the vertical direction, and

the plurality of suction ports are provided to suck the airflow in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the perpendicular direction.

12. The orienting device of claim 11, wherein

The air suction ports are arranged in the middle of the air blowing ports in the transmission direction.

13. The orientation device of claim 1, wherein

The alignment device is configured by arranging a plurality of cells in a transport direction, the plurality of cells being thin in the transport direction, and

each unit includes a first permanent magnet, a second permanent magnet, and a yoke unit portion constituting a part of the yoke portion.

14. The orienting device of claim 13, wherein

A magnet fixing plate for fixing the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet to the yoke unit portion is interposed between units adjacent to each other in the transporting direction.

15. The orienting device of claim 14, wherein

The thickness of the magnet fixing plate is more than 2mm and less than 5 mm.

16. The orienting device of claim 14, wherein

The magnet fixing plate includes a magnetic portion and a non-magnetic portion.

17. The orienting device of claim 16, wherein

In the magnet fixing plate, a portion corresponding to a face perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet is the non-magnetic portion.

18. The orienting device of claim 16, wherein

The yoke unit has a first yoke unit part supporting the first permanent magnet from a side opposite to the transmission path side, a second yoke unit part supporting the second permanent magnet from a side opposite to the transmission path side, and a third yoke unit part connecting the first yoke unit part and the second yoke unit part, and

in the magnet fixing plate, a portion corresponding to the third yoke unit portion is the magnetic portion.

19. A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, the method comprising:

passing a base formed with a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction in a conveyance path in an orientation device having the conveyance path formed along the conveyance direction, a permanent magnet section including a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposing each other with opposite magnetic poles across the conveyance path and the plurality of first permanent magnets in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a yoke section made of a soft magnetic material and connecting a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the conveyance path side in the plurality of first permanent magnets and a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the conveyance path side in the plurality of second permanent magnets; and

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base portion passing through the transport path by the permanent magnet portions, thereby vertically orienting the magnetic powder.

20. A magnetic recording medium manufactured by:

passing a base formed with a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction in a conveyance path of an orientation device having the conveyance path formed along the conveyance direction, a permanent magnet section including a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposing each other with opposite magnetic poles across the conveyance path and the plurality of first permanent magnets in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a yoke section made of a soft magnetic material and connecting a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the conveyance path side among the plurality of first permanent magnets and a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the conveyance path side among the plurality of second permanent magnets; and

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base portion passing through the transport path by the permanent magnet portions, thereby vertically orienting the magnetic powder.

Technical Field

The present technical disclosure relates to a technique such as an orienting device that orients magnetic powder particles contained in a magnetic coating film.

Background

In recent years, magnetic recording media have been widely used for various purposes such as storage of electronic data items. In general, a magnetic recording medium includes a film-shaped base, a nonmagnetic layer formed on the base, and a magnetic layer formed on the nonmagnetic layer.

For example, the magnetic layer is formed as follows. First, a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder particles and being in a wet state is formed on a nonmagnetic layer. Then, while the magnetic coating film is kept in a wet state (in a state where the magnetic powder particles can move to some extent), a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic coating film. By this, the individual magnetic powder particles are aligned in one direction. Next, the magnetic coating film is dried and cured in a state where the individual magnetic powder particles have been aligned in one direction. In this way, a magnetic layer is formed.

The process of aligning the individual magnetic powder particles in one direction by applying a magnetic field (aligning the magnetization easy axis in one direction) is generally called an orientation process. Heretofore, a longitudinal orientation treatment of orienting magnetic powder particles in the longitudinal direction of the planar direction of a magnetic coating film has been employed. Meanwhile, in recent years, in order to meet the demand for high-density recording of data items, a perpendicular-orientation type magnetic recording medium has received attention. In this perpendicular orientation type magnetic recording medium, a perpendicular orientation process of orienting magnetic powder particles in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the magnetic coating film is performed.

As the magnet used in the longitudinal orientation process, an electromagnet is generally used. Meanwhile, as a magnet used in the vertical alignment process, a permanent magnet is generally used in many cases (for example, refer to patent document 1 and patent document 2 below).

The permanent magnets of each of the orienting devices disclosed in patent documents 1 and 2 are arranged in a plurality of pairs such that opposite magnetic poles face each other across the conveyance path. Then, while the support on which the magnetic coating film has been formed is transported through the transport path, the magnetic coating film is vertically oriented by the permanent magnets.

Reference list

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2011-138565

Patent document 2: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2011-containing 138566 official edition

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

In order to orient the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film sufficiently perpendicularly, it is necessary to increase the magnetic field intensity in the transport path. However, the techniques disclosed in patent documents 1 and 2 have problems such as difficulty in increasing the magnetic field strength.

In view of the above, the present technical disclosure aims to achieve the object of providing a technique such as an orienting device capable of increasing the magnetic field strength in a transmission path.

Means for solving the problems

An orientation device according to the present technology includes a transmission path, a permanent magnet portion, and a yoke portion.

The conveyance path allows the base on which the magnetic coating film containing the magnetic powder has been formed to pass along the conveyance direction.

A permanent magnet section including a plurality of first permanent magnets, and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposed to the plurality of first permanent magnets across the conveyance path in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction such that opposite magnetic poles face each other, the permanent magnet section vertically orienting the magnetic powder particles by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base passing through the conveyance path.

The yoke portion is made of a soft magnetic material, and is connected to magnetic poles on a side of the plurality of first permanent magnets opposite to the transmission path side, and to magnetic poles on a side of the plurality of second permanent magnets opposite to the transmission path side.

In the alignment device, a perpendicular component of the magnetic field in the transmission path may be 1.0 times or more a coercive force of the magnetic coating film.

In the orientation device, the yoke portion may include a first yoke portion that supports the plurality of first permanent magnets from a side opposite to a transmission path side of the plurality of first permanent magnets, a second yoke portion that supports the plurality of second permanent magnets from a side opposite to a transmission path side of the plurality of second permanent magnets, and a third yoke portion that couples the first yoke portion and the second yoke portion to each other.

In the orientation device, the relationship may be satisfied: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T, where T is a smallest thickness of thicknesses of the first yoke portion in a vertical direction, the second yoke portion in the vertical direction, and each of the third yoke portions in a width direction, the width direction is a direction perpendicular to the transmission direction and the vertical direction, Bmag is a residual magnetic flux density of the plurality of first permanent magnets and the plurality of second permanent magnets, Wm is a width of each of the plurality of first permanent magnets and the plurality of second permanent magnets, and Byoke is a saturation magnetic flux density of the yoke portions.

The orientation device may further include a drying section that dries the magnetic layer coating film in a state where the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic layer coating film have been oriented perpendicularly by the magnetic field from the permanent magnet section.

In the orientation device, the drying section may include a plurality of air blowing ports to allow an air flow for drying the magnetic coating film to be blown out into the conveyance path.

In the orientation device, the orientation device may include, in the transport path, a first region where the plurality of blow openings are not provided in the transport direction, and a second region where the plurality of blow openings are provided in the transport direction.

In the alignment device, the first region may be a partial region on an upstream side in the transport direction, and the second region may be a region on a downstream side other than the partial region on the upstream side.

In the orientation device, each of the plurality of first permanent magnets and the plurality of second permanent magnets positioned in the second region may be arranged with a predetermined gap in the transport direction, respectively, and the plurality of air blowing ports may be provided at positions corresponding to the gap.

In the orienting device, the drying part may further include a plurality of suction ports for allowing the air flow in the conveying path to be sucked and discharged to the outside of the conveying path.

In the orientation device, the plurality of blow ports may be provided to allow the air flow to blow toward a vertical direction, and the plurality of suction ports may be provided to allow the air flow to be sucked in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the vertical direction.

In the orientation device, each of the plurality of air blowing ports may be provided at an intermediate position between corresponding two of the plurality of air blowing ports in the conveying direction.

In the alignment device, the alignment device may be constituted by a plurality of units that are thin in the transport direction and are aligned in the transport direction, and each of the plurality of units may include a first permanent magnet, a second permanent magnet, and a yoke unit portion that constitutes a part of the yoke portion.

The orientation device may further include a magnet fixing plate interposed between the units adjacent to each other in the transport direction for fixing the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet to the yoke unit portion, the units among the plurality of units being present.

In the alignment device, the magnet fixing plate may have a thickness of 2mm or less and 5mm or less.

In the orientation device, the magnet fixing plate may include a magnetic portion and a non-magnetic portion.

In the orientation device, in the magnet fixing plate, a portion corresponding to a surface of the first and second permanent magnets perpendicular to the transport direction may be the non-magnetic portion.

In the alignment device, the yoke unit may include a first yoke unit part supporting the first permanent magnet from a side opposite to a transfer path side of the first permanent magnet, a second yoke unit part supporting the second permanent magnet from a side opposite to a transfer path side of the second permanent magnet, and a third yoke unit part coupling the first and second yoke unit parts to each other, and

a portion of the magnet fixing plate corresponding to the third yoke unit may be the magnetic portion.

The method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium according to the present technology includes: passing a base portion on which a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder has been formed through a conveyance path along a conveyance direction in the conveyance path of an orientation device constituted by the conveyance path formed along the conveyance direction, a permanent magnet portion including a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposed to the plurality of first permanent magnets across the conveyance path in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction such that opposite magnetic poles face each other, and a yoke portion made of a soft magnetic material and connected to a magnetic pole on a side of the plurality of first permanent magnets opposite to the conveyance path side and connected to a magnetic pole on a side of the plurality of second permanent magnets opposite to the conveyance path side, and

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base passing through the transport path by the permanent magnet portions, thereby vertically orienting magnetic powder particles.

The magnetic recording medium according to the present technical matter is manufactured by:

passing a base portion having formed thereon a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder through a conveyance path along a conveyance direction in the conveyance path of an orientation device constituted by the conveyance path formed along the conveyance direction, a permanent magnet portion including a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposing the plurality of first permanent magnets across the conveyance path in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction such that opposite magnetic poles face each other, and a yoke portion made of a soft magnetic material and connected to the magnetic poles on a side of the plurality of first permanent magnets opposing the conveyance path side and to the magnetic poles on a side of the plurality of second permanent magnets opposing the conveyance path side, and

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base portion passing through the transport path through the permanent magnet portion, thereby vertically orienting the magnetic powder particles.

The invention has the advantages of

As described above, according to the present technical disclosure, a technique such as an orienting device capable of increasing the magnetic field strength in a transmission path can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view of a magnetic recording medium.

Fig. 2 is a view showing a manufacturing apparatus of the magnetic recording medium.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the orientation device viewed from the transport direction.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view showing the permanent magnet of the orienting device viewed in the conveying direction.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a-a' shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view showing a drying part of the orientation apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a unit of the orienting device.

Fig. 8 is a side view showing the orientation device.

Fig. 9 is an image depicting a state before magnetic powder particles are vertically oriented and a state after magnetic powder particles are vertically oriented.

Fig. 10 is a view showing a calculation model for calculating the magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit.

Fig. 11 depicts an image of the magnetic circuit obtained from the calculation model shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a graph showing a relationship between the magnetic field intensity (vertical component) in the transmission path and the squareness ratio in the vertical direction of the measurement sample.

Fig. 13 is a table showing specific numerical values and the like obtained by experiments.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the thickness of the yoke portion.

Fig. 15 is a table showing an example of a change in thickness of a yoke portion and a comparative example.

Fig. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between the height Hw of the transmission path and the magnetic flux density in the transmission path when the thickness of the yoke portion is greatly increased (300 mm).

Fig. 17 is a table showing an example and a comparative example in which the heights Hw of the transmission paths are both 24 mm.

Fig. 18 is a table showing an example of the change in the distance X and a comparative example.

Fig. 19 is a view showing a state in which a hot air flow is blown out through the air blowing port.

Fig. 20 is a graph showing a comparison between the case where the position of each of the inlets is set to the intermediate position between the respective two air blowing openings in the conveying direction and the case where the positions of the inlets are set to the positions respectively corresponding to the air blowing openings in the conveying direction.

Fig. 21 is a graph showing magnetic flux density in the vertical direction in the transmission path when the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are offset from each other in the transmission direction.

Fig. 22 shows a table of an example and a comparative example in which the thickness of the dummy magnet fixing plate is varied.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged view of the magnet fixing plate viewed in the width direction.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged view of another magnet fixing plate viewed in the width direction.

Fig. 25 is a view showing a state in which the fitting portion is provided to the L-shaped second fixing member.

Fig. 26 is a graph illustrating a comparison between a comparative example in which a yoke portion is not provided in an orienting device and an embodiment of the present technology in which a yoke portion is provided in an orienting device.

Fig. 27 is a graph showing an example in which the interval between the permanent magnets in the conveyance direction is increased in the comparative example in which the yoke portion is not provided in the orientation device.

Detailed Description

Now, embodiments of the present technical content are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

< Structure of magnetic recording Medium 1 >

First, the configuration of the magnetic recording medium 1 is described. Fig. 1 is a side view of a magnetic recording medium 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the magnetic recording medium 1 is formed in a strip shape that is long in its longitudinal direction.

The magnetic recording medium 1 is configured to be capable of recording a signal at a shortest recording wavelength of, for example, 96nm or less. The shortest recording wavelength may be set to 75nm or less, or to 60nm or less. Alternatively, the shortest recording wavelength may be set to 50nm or less. The magnetic recording medium 1 is advantageously used in a recording apparatus (not shown) including a ring head as a magnetic head for recording signals.

As shown in fig. 1, the magnetic recording medium 1 includes a base 11, a nonmagnetic layer 12 provided on one major surface of the base 11, a magnetic layer 13 provided on the nonmagnetic layer 12, and a backing layer 14 provided on the other major surface of the base 11. Note that the backing layer 14 does not necessarily have to be provided, that is, the backing layer 14 may be omitted.

[ base part 11]

The base 11 is a nonmagnetic support that supports the nonmagnetic layer 12 and the magnetic layer 13. The base 11 has a long film shape. The upper limit value of the average thickness of the base 11 is set to, for example, 4.2 μm or less. Note that the upper limit value of the average thickness of the base 11 may be set to 3.8 μm or less, or to 3.4 μm or less.

When the upper limit value of the average thickness of the base 11 is 4.2 μm or less, the recording capacity of a single magnetic tape cartridge (cartridge) can be increased to be higher than that of the ordinary magnetic recording medium 1. Note that the magnetic tape cartridge is a cartridge capable of rotatably accommodating therein the rolled magnetic recording medium 1. For example, the cartridge conforms to the LTO (linear tape open) standard.

The average thickness of the base 11 is calculated as follows. First, a magnetic recording medium 1 having a width of 1/2 inches was prepared, and the magnetic recording medium 1 was cut into a length of 250 mm. Thus, a sample was prepared. Then, the layers other than the base 11 of the sample (i.e., the nonmagnetic layer 12, the magnetic layer 13, and the backing layer 14) were removed with a solvent such as MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) or dilute hydrochloric acid.

Next, a laser holographer produced by Mitsutoyo Corporation (Mitsutoyo Corporation) was used as a measuring device to measure the thickness of the sample (base 11) at five or more positions. The values thus measured are simply averaged (arithmetic mean). In this way, the average thickness of the base 11 is calculated. Note that the location of the measurement is randomly selected in the sample.

For example, the base 11 includes at least one of polyester, polyolefin, cellulose derivative, vinyl resin, or other polymer resin. When the base 11 contains two or more of these materials, the two or more materials may be mixed with each other, copolymerized with each other, or laminated with each other.

Examples of polyesters include at least one of the following: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBN (polybutylene naphthalate), PCT (polycyclohexyldimethylbutylene terephthalate), PEB (polyethylene paraoxybenzoate) or polyethylene bisphenoxycarboxylate.

Examples of polyolefins include at least one of PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene). Examples of the cellulose derivative include at least one of the following: cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, CAB (cellulose acetate butyrate) or CAP (cellulose acetate propionate). Examples of the vinyl resin include at least one of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride).

Examples of other polymer resins include at least one of the following: PA (polyamide or nylon), aromatic PA (aromatic polyamide or aromatic polyamide), PI (polyimide), aromatic PI (aromatic polyimide), PAI (polyamideimide), aromatic PAI (aromatic polyamideimide), PBO (polybenzoxazole such as ZYLON (trademark)), polyether, PEK (polyetherketone), polyetherester, PES (polyethersulfone), PEI (polyetherimide), PSF (polysulfone), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PC (polycarbonate), PAR (polyarylate), or PU (polyurethane).

[ magnetic layer 13]

The magnetic layer 13 is a recording layer for recording a servo signal and a data signal. The magnetic layer 13 contains magnetic powder, a binder, conductive particles, and the like. The magnetic layer 13 may further contain additives such as a lubricant, a polishing agent, and a preservative, as necessary. The magnetic layer 13 has a surface having a large number of void (pore) portions. These numerous pore portions retain lubricant. For example, a large number of void portions are provided in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic layer 13.

The thickness of the magnetic layer 13 is set to, for example, 35nm or more and 90nm or less. By setting the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 to 35nm or more and 90nm or less in this way, the electromagnetic conversion characteristics can be improved.

The thickness of the magnetic layer 13 can be calculated as follows, for example. First, a test sample was prepared by machining the magnetic recording medium 1 thinly and perpendicularly with respect to the main surface of the magnetic recording medium 1. Then, the cross section of the test sample was observed under a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) under the following conditions.

Equipment: TEM (H-9000 NAR by Hitachi, Ltd.)

Acceleration voltage: 300kV

Magnification: 100,000 times

Next, using the TEM image obtained, the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 was measured at least ten or more positions in the length direction of the magnetic recording medium 1. The values thus measured are then simply averaged (arithmetic mean). In this way, the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 was calculated. Note that the locations of the measurements were randomly selected in the test sample.

(magnetic powder)

The magnetic powder includes a powder containing nanoparticles of epsilon-iron oxide (hereinafter, simply referred to as "epsilon-iron oxide particles"). The epsilon-iron oxide particles can produce high coercive force even in the form of fine particles. The epsilon-iron oxide contained in the epsilon-iron oxide particles is oriented in the thickness direction (perpendicular direction) of the magnetic recording medium 1.

Each epsilon-iron oxide particle has a spherical, substantially spherical, cubic, or substantially cubic shape. Since the epsilon-iron oxide particles each have such a shape, when epsilon-iron oxide particles are used as the magnetic powder, the contact area of each particle in the thickness direction of the magnetic recording medium 1 can be reduced to be smaller than that when hexagonal plate-like barium ferrite particles are used as the magnetic powder. Thereby, aggregation of particles can be suppressed. Therefore, the dispersibility of the magnetic powder particles can be increased, and a more satisfactory SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) can be achieved.

The epsilon-iron oxide particles each have a core-shell type structure. Specifically, each of the epsilon-iron oxide particles has a core portion and a shell portion of a double-layer structure disposed around the core portion. The shell portions of the double-layered structure include a first shell portion disposed around the core portion and a second shell portion disposed around the first shell portion.

The core comprises epsilon-iron oxide. For example, the epsilon-iron oxide contained in the core is composed of epsilon-Fe₂ O₃The crystals being made up of a main phase, or of a single phase of epsilon-Fe₂O₃And (4) preparing.

The first shell portion covers at least a portion of an exterior periphery of the core portion. The first shell portion may partially cover an outer periphery of the core, or may cover an entire outer periphery of the core. When the entire surface of the core portion is covered by the first shell portion, exchange coupling between the core portion and the first shell portion may be sufficiently performed. Thereby, the magnetic characteristics can be improved.

The first shell portion (or referred to as soft magnetic layer) includes a soft magnetic body such as, for example, alpha-Fe, a Ni-Fe alloy, or a Fe-Si-Al alloy. α -Fe can be obtained by reducing the epsilon-iron oxide contained in the core 21.

The second shell portion is an oxide film as an oxidation resistant layer. The second shell portion comprises alpha-iron oxide, aluminum oxide, or silicon oxide. The alpha-iron oxide comprises, for example, Fe₃O₄、Fe₂O₃Or FeO. When the first shell portion includes α -Fe (soft magnetic body), α -iron oxide may be obtained by oxidizing α -Fe included in the first shell portion 22 a.

When each epsilon-iron oxide particle has the first shell portion as described above, the value of the coercive force Hc of its own core portion can be kept high to ensure thermal stability, and at the same time, the coercive force Hc of the entirety of each epsilon-iron oxide particle (core-shell particle) can be adjusted to a coercive force Hc suitable for recording.

In addition, as described above, when the epsilon-iron oxide particles each have the second shell portion, exposure of the epsilon-iron oxide particles to the atmosphere can be suppressed during and before the step of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium 1. This can suppress the deterioration of the characteristics of the epsilon-iron oxide particles due to rust or the like on the particle surface. Therefore, the deterioration of the characteristics of the magnetic recording medium 1 can be suppressed.

The average particle diameter (average maximum particle diameter) of the magnetic powder particles is set to, for example, 22nm or less. Alternatively, the average particle diameter is set to, for example, 8nm or more or 12nm or more.

The average aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of the magnetic powder particles is set to, for example, 1 or more and 2.5 or less. The average aspect ratio may be set to 1 or more and 2.1 or less, or to 1 or more and 1.8 or less. When the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder particles falls within a range of 1 or more and 2.5 or less, aggregation of the magnetic powder particles can be suppressed. In addition, in the step of forming the magnetic layer 13, the electric resistance applied to the magnetic powder particles when the magnetic powder particles are vertically oriented can be suppressed. Therefore, the perpendicular orientation characteristic of the magnetic powder particles can be improved.

The average particle diameter and the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder particles were calculated as follows. First, a sheet is prepared by processing the magnetic recording medium 1 to be a measurement object, for example, by FIB (focused ion beam) technique, and then the cross section of the sheet is observed under TEM. Then, fifty e-iron oxide particles were randomly selected in the TEM image taken, and the long axis length DL and the short axis length DS of each e-iron oxide particle were measured.

Note that the major axis length DL refers to the largest distance (referred to as the maximum feret diameter) among the distances between pairs of parallel lines drawn at each angle that are tangent to the outside of the profile of each epsilon-iron oxide particle. Meanwhile, the minor axis length DS is the largest one of the lengths of the epsilon-iron oxide particles in the direction orthogonal to the major axis of the epsilon-iron oxide particles.

In the case described herein, each epsilon-iron oxide particle has a double-layered shell. However, each of the e-iron oxide particles may have a shell portion of a monolayer structure. In this case, the shell portion has a similar configuration to the first shell portion. Note that, as described above, from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration of the characteristics of the epsilon-iron oxide particles, it is further advantageous that the epsilon-iron oxide particles each have a double-layer structural shell portion.

In the above case, each of the epsilon-iron oxide particles has a core-shell structure. Meanwhile, each of the epsilon-iron oxide particles may contain an additive instead of the core-shell structure, or each of the epsilon-iron oxide particles may have both the core-shell structure and the additive.

In this case, a part of Fe in each of the e-iron oxide particles is substituted by the additive. Further, when each of the epsilon-iron oxide particles contains an additive, the coercive force Hc of each of the epsilon-iron oxide particles as a whole can be adjusted to a coercive force Hc suitable for recording. Therefore, the ease of recording can be increased. Usually, a metal element other than iron is used as the additive. The additive may be a trivalent metal element, or may be at least one of Al, Ga, or In.

Specifically, the epsilon-iron oxide containing the additive is epsilon-Fe_2-xM_xO₃Crystal (note that "M" is a metal element other than iron, such as Al, Ga or InOne less, and "x" is, for example, 0 < x < 1).

The magnetic powder may comprise a nanoparticle powder containing hexagonal ferrite (hereinafter referred to simply as "hexagonal ferrite particles"). The hexagonal ferrite particles each have, for example, a hexagonal plate shape or a substantially hexagonal plate shape.

The hexagonal ferrite contains, for example, at least one of Ba, Sr, Pb, or Ca. In particular, the hexagonal ferrite may be, for example, barium ferrite or strontium ferrite. The barium ferrite may further contain at least one of Sr, Pb, or Ca in addition to barium. The strontium ferrite may further contain at least one of Ba, Pb, or Ca in addition to Sr.

More specifically, the hexagonal ferrite has the general formula MFe₁₂O₁₉The average composition of (1) wherein "M" is a metal such as at least one of Ba, Sr, Pb, or Ca. "M" may be a combination of Ba and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Sr, Pb, and Ca. Alternatively, "M" may be a combination of Sr and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Ba, Pb, and Ca. In the general formula, part of Fe may be replaced with other metal elements.

When the magnetic powder contains a powder of nanoparticles of hexagonal ferrite, the average particle diameter of the magnetic powder particles is set to, for example, 50nm or less. The average particle diameter of the magnetic powder particles may be 10nm to 40nm, or 15nm to 30 nm. When the magnetic powder contains a powder of hexagonal ferrite particles, the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder particles falls within the same range as the above range.

Note that the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder particles is calculated as follows. First, a sheet is prepared by processing the magnetic recording medium 1 to be measured, for example, by FIB technique, and then the cross section of the sheet is observed under TEM. Then, fifty magnetic powder particles oriented at an angle of 75 degrees or more with respect to the horizontal direction in the TEM image obtained were randomly selected, and the maximum plate thickness DA of each magnetic powder particle was measured. Next, the measured maximum plate thicknesses DA of the fifty magnetic powder particles are simply averaged (arithmetic mean). In this way, the average maximum plate thickness DAave is calculated.

After that, the surface of the magnetic layer 13 of the magnetic recording medium 1 was observed under TEM. Then, fifty magnetic powder particles in the TEM image taken were randomly selected, and the maximum plate diameter DB of each magnetic powder particle was measured. Note that the maximum plate diameter DB refers to the maximum distance (referred to as the maximum feret diameter) among the distances between pairs of parallel lines that are tangent to the outside of the outline of each magnetic powder particle, drawn at each angle.

Next, a simple average (arithmetic mean) is performed on the measured maximum plate diameters DB of fifty magnetic powder particles. In this way, the average maximum plate thickness DBave is calculated. Thereafter, the average aspect ratio (DBave/DAave) of the magnetic powder particles is calculated from the average maximum plate thickness DAave and the average maximum plate thickness DBave.

The magnetic powder may comprise nanoparticle powder containing Co-containing spinel ferrite (hereinafter referred to simply as "cobalt ferrite particles"). Each cobalt ferrite particle typically has uniaxial anisotropy. Each of the ferrite cobalt particles has, for example, a cubic shape or a substantially cubic shape. The Co-containing spinel ferrite may further include at least one of Ni, Mn, Al, Cu, or Zn in addition to Co.

The Co-containing spinel ferrite has, for example, an average composition represented by the following formula (1).

Co_xM_yFe₂O_Z...(1)

(Note that in formula (1), "M" is a metal such as at least one of Ni, Mn, Al, Cu, or Zn, "x" is a value in the range of 0.4. ltoreq. x.ltoreq.1.0., "y" is a value in the range of 0. ltoreq. y.ltoreq.0.3. Note that "x" and "y" satisfy the relationship of (x + y). ltoreq.1.0. "z" is a value in the range of 3. ltoreq. z.ltoreq.4. some of Fe may be replaced with other metal elements.)

When the magnetic powder contains a powder of cobalt ferrite particles, the average particle diameter of the magnetic powder particles is, for example, 25nm or less or 23nm or less. When the magnetic powder contains a powder of cobalt ferrite particles, the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder particles falls within the same range as the above range. Further, the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder particles was calculated in the same manner as described above.

(Binder)

As the binder, for example, a resin having a structure obtained by a crosslinking reaction of a polyurethane resin, a vinyl chloride resin, or the like is used. For example, other resins may be appropriately mixed with the binder according to physical properties required for the magnetic recording medium 1. In general, the resin to be mixed may be of any type as long as it is a resin that is generally used in the magnetic recording medium 1 of the application type.

Examples of the binder include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer, vinyl chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, acrylate-vinylidene chloride copolymer, methacrylate-vinyl chloride copolymer, methacrylate-ethylene copolymer, polyvinyl fluoride, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, polyamide resin, polyvinyl butyral, cellulose derivatives (cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, Cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose propionate, and nitrocellulose), styrene butadiene copolymer, polyester resin, amino resin, synthetic rubber, and the like.

Further, as examples of the thermosetting resin or the reactive resin, a phenol resin, an epoxy resin, a urea resin, a melamine resin, an alkyd resin, a silicone resin, a polyamine resin, a urea-formaldehyde resin, and the like can be cited.

Further, in order to increase the dispersibility of the magnetic powder particles, for example, -SO₃M，-OSO₃M, -COOM and P ═ O (OM)₂The polar functional group of (a) is introduced into each of the above-mentioned adhesives. Note that "M" in the formula is a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal such as lithium, potassium, or sodium.

Further, the polar functional group may, for example, have-NR 1R2 or-NR 1R2R3⁺X^-And a side chain type polar functional group having a terminal group of>NR1R2⁺X^-Main chain type polar functional group of (1). Note that, in the formula, R1, R2, and R3 are hydrogen atoms or hydrocarbon groups, and X^-Is halogen element ion of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc., or inorganic or organic ion. Further, as other examples of the polar functional group, there may be mentioned-OH-SH, -CN and epoxy groups.

(Lubricant)

For example, the lubricant contains a compound represented by the following general formula (1) and a compound represented by the following general formula (2). When the lubricant contains these compounds, the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface of the magnetic layer 13 can be particularly reduced. This can further improve the traveling performance of the magnetic recording medium 1.

CH₃(CH2)_nCOOH...(1)

(Note that, in the general formula (1), "n" is an integer selected from 14 to 22.)

CH₃(CH₂)_pCOO(CH₂)_qCH₃...(2)

(Note that in the general formula (2), "p" is an integer selected from 14 to 22 inclusive, and "q" is an integer selected from 2 to 5 inclusive.)

(additives)

The magnetic layer 13 may further contain aluminum oxide (α -, β -or γ -alumina), chromium oxide, silicon oxide, diamond, garnet, silicon carbide, boron nitride, titanium carbide, silicon carbide, titanium oxide (rutile-type or anatase-type titanium oxide), or the like as nonmagnetic reinforcing particles.

[ nonmagnetic layer 12]

The nonmagnetic layer 12 contains nonmagnetic powder and a binder. When necessary, the non-magnetic layer 12 may contain additives such as electric particles, lubricants, curing agents, and preservatives.

The thickness of the nonmagnetic layer 12 is set to, for example, 0.6 μm to 2.0 μm, or 0.8 μm to 1.4 μm. The thickness of the nonmagnetic layer 12 may be calculated by a method similar to the method of calculating the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 (such as TEM). Note that the magnification of the TEM image is appropriately adjusted according to the thickness of the nonmagnetic layer 12.

(non-magnetic powder)

The non-magnetic powder contains, for example, at least one of inorganic powder particles or organic powder particles. Further, the nonmagnetic powder may contain a carbon material such as carbon black. Note that as the nonmagnetic powder, one material may be used alone, or two or more materials may be used in combination. Examples of the inorganic powder particles include metals, metal oxides, metal carbonates, metal sulfates, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal sulfides, and the like. As examples of the shape of each particle of the non-magnetic powder, various shapes such as a needle shape, a spherical shape, a cubic shape, and a plate shape can be exemplified.

(Binder)

The binder is the same as that described above for the magnetic layer 13.

[ backing layer 14]

The backing layer 14 comprises a non-magnetic powder and a binder. If necessary, the backing layer 14 may contain additives such as lubricants, curing agents, and antistatic agents. As the nonmagnetic powder and the binder, the same materials as those used for the nonmagnetic layer 12 described above are used.

(non-magnetic powder)

The average particle diameter of the nonmagnetic powder particles is set to, for example, 10nm to 150nm, or 15nm to 110 nm. The calculation of the average particle diameter of the nonmagnetic powder particles is the same as the calculation of the average particle diameter D of the magnetic powder particles described above. The non-magnetic powder may contain non-magnetic powder particles having a particle size distribution of 2 or more.

The upper limit value of the average thickness of the backing layer 14 is set to, for example, 0.6 μm or less. By setting the upper limit value of the average thickness of the backing layer 14 to 0.6 μm or less, the thicknesses of the nonmagnetic layer 12 and the base 11 can be kept large even when the magnetic recording medium 1 has an average thickness of 5.6 μm. Therefore, the traveling stability of the magnetic recording medium 1 in the recording apparatus can be maintained. The lower limit of the average thickness of the backing layer 14 is set to, for example, 0.2 μm or more.

The average thickness of the backing layer 14 is calculated as follows. First, a magnetic recording medium 1 having a width of 1/2 inches was prepared, and the magnetic recording was performedThe media 1 is cut to a length of 250 mm. The samples were prepared in this manner. Next, the thickness of the sample was measured at five or more positions using a laser holographer produced by Mitsutoyo Corporation (Mitsutoyo Corporation) as a measuring device. The values measured here are simply averaged (arithmetic mean). In this manner, the average thickness t of the magnetic recording medium 1 is calculated_T[μm]. Note that the locations of the measurements were randomly selected in the sample.

Thereafter, the backing layer 14 of the sample is removed by a solvent such as MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) or dilute hydrochloric acid. Then, the thickness of the sample was measured again at five or more positions using the above-described laser hologram meter, and the values measured here were simply averaged (arithmetic mean). In this manner, the average thickness t of the magnetic recording medium 1 from which the backing layer 14 was removed was calculated_B[μm]. Note that the locations of the measurements were randomly selected in the sample. Next, the average thickness t of the backing layer 14_b[μm]Calculated by the following equation.

T_b[μm]＝t_T[μm]-t_B[μm]

The backing layer 14 has a surface provided with a large number of projections. A large number of projections are provided to form a large number of void portions in the surface of the magnetic layer 13 in a state where the magnetic recording medium 1 has been rolled up. The plurality of void portions are formed, for example, by a plurality of nonmagnetic particles protruding from the surface of the backing layer 14.

In the case described herein, a large number of void portions are formed in the surface of the magnetic layer 13 by transferring a large number of projections provided on the surface of the backing layer 14 into the surface of the magnetic layer 13. However, the method of forming the large number of pore portions is not limited thereto. For example, a large number of void portions in the surface of the magnetic layer 13 can be formed by changing, for example, the type of solvent contained in the magnetic layer coating material and the drying conditions of the magnetic layer coating material.

[ average thickness of magnetic recording Medium 1]

The upper limit value of the average thickness (average total thickness) of the magnetic recording medium 1 is set to, for example, 5.6 μm or less. The average thickness may be set to 5.0 μm or less, or to 4.4 μm or less. When the magnetic recording medium 1 is flatMean thickness t_TBelow 5.6 μm, the recording capacity of the tape cartridge 21 can be increased to be higher than that of the ordinary magnetic recording medium 1. The lower limit of the average thickness of the magnetic recording medium 1 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 3.5 μm or more.

The average thickness of the magnetic recording medium 1 was calculated by the above-described process of calculating the average thickness of the backing layer 14.

[ coercive force Hc ]

The upper limit value of the coercive force Hc in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic recording medium 1 is set to, for example, 2,000Oe or less. The upper limit value of the coercive force Hc may be set to 1,900Oe or less, or 1,800Oe or less.

The lower limit value of the coercive force Hc measured in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic recording medium 1 is set to, for example, 1,000Oe or more. In this case, demagnetization due to magnetic flux leakage of the recording head can be suppressed.

For example, the coercive force Hc is calculated as follows. First, a measurement sample is cut out from a long magnetic recording medium 1, and an M-H loop of the entire measurement sample is measured in the length of the measurement sample (the traveling direction of the magnetic recording medium 1) using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Then, the coating layers (the nonmagnetic layer 12, the magnetic layer 13, and the backing layer 14) are removed using acetone, ethanol, or the like to leave only the base 11 as a background-corrected sample.

Next, using the VSM, the M-H loop of the base 11 was measured in the longitudinal direction of the base 11 (the traveling direction of the magnetic recording medium 1). Thereafter, the M-H loop of the base 11 is subtracted from the M-H loop of the entire measurement sample. Thus, a background corrected M-H loop is obtained. Then, the coercive force Hc was calculated from the obtained M-H loop. Note that all these M-H loops are measured at 25 ℃. Further, when the M-H loop is measured over the length of the magnetic recording medium 1, "demagnetization field correction" is not performed.

[ Squareness Ratio ]

The squareness ratio S1 in the perpendicular direction (thickness direction) of the magnetic recording medium 1 is set to, for example, 65% or more. The squareness ratio S1 may be set to 70% or more, or 75% or more. When the squareness ratio S1 is 65% or more, the perpendicular orientation characteristic of the magnetic powder particles is sufficiently high. This can further improve the SNR.

For example, the squareness ratio of S1 is calculated as follows. First, a measurement sample was cut out from a long magnetic recording medium 1, and an M-H loop of the entire measurement sample corresponding to the thickness direction of the magnetic recording medium 1 was measured using VSM. Then, the coating (such as the nonmagnetic layer 12, the magnetic layer 13, and the backing layer 14) is removed using acetone, ethanol, or the like to leave only the base 11 as a background-corrected sample.

Next, using the VSM, an M-H loop of the base 11 corresponding to the thickness direction of the base 11 was measured. Thereafter, the M-H loop of the base 11 is subtracted from the M-H loop of the entire measurement sample. Thus, a background corrected M-H loop is obtained. The squareness ratio S1 (%) is calculated by substituting the saturation magnetization ms (emu) and the residual magnetization mr (emu) of each obtained M-H loop into the following equation. Note that all these M-H loops are measured at 25 ℃. Further, when the M-H loop is measured in the perpendicular direction of the magnetic recording medium 1, "demagnetization field correction" is not performed.

Squareness ratio S1 (%) (Mr/Ms) × 100

The squareness ratio S2 in the length (traveling direction) of the magnetic recording medium 1 is set to, for example, 35% or less. The squareness ratio S2 may be set to 30% or less, or to 25% or less. When the squareness ratio S2 is 35% or less, the perpendicular orientation characteristic of the magnetic powder particles is sufficiently high. This can further improve the SNR.

The squareness ratio S2 was calculated in the same manner as the squareness ratio S1 except that the M-H loop was measured in the length direction of the magnetic recording medium 1 and the base 11.

[ coefficient of kinetic Friction ]

Herein, in a data recording apparatus (not shown), the coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface of the magnetic layer 13 and the magnetic head in a state where the tension that has been applied to the magnetic recording medium 1 is 1.2N is represented by μ_AAnd (4) showing. Further, the coefficient of dynamic friction between the surface of the magnetic layer 13 and the magnetic head in a state where the tension having been applied to the magnetic recording medium 1 is 0.4N is represented by μ_BAnd (4) showing. In this case, these dynamic friction coefficients μ_AAnd mu_BRatio of (u)_B/μ_A) Is set to, for example, 1.0 or more and 20 or less. In this case, the variation in the friction coefficient due to the tension fluctuation during the travel of the magnetic recording medium 1 can be reduced. Therefore, the travel of the magnetic recording medium 1 can be stabilized.

Further, in the data recording apparatus, the value of the 5 th run in the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface of the magnetic layer 13 and the magnetic head in the state where the tension having been applied to the magnetic recording medium 1 was 0.6N was defined by μ₅And (4) showing. Further, the value of the 1000 th travel of the coefficient of dynamic friction is represented by μ₁₀₀₀And (4) showing. In this case, these values μ 5 and μ₁₀₀₀Ratio of (u)₁₀₀₀/μ₅) The setting is, for example, 1.0 to 2.0. Alternatively, the ratio (. mu.) is₁₀₀₀/μ₅) The setting is 1.0-1.5. When ratio (μ)₁₀₀₀/μ₅) When the amount is 1.0 to 2.0, the change in the friction coefficient due to the multiple traveling can be reduced. Therefore, the travel of the magnetic recording medium 1 can be stabilized.

< manufacturing apparatus 100>

[ general configuration of manufacturing apparatus 100 and configuration of each part ]

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus 100 of the magnetic recording medium 1. For example, the magnetic recording medium 1 is basically manufactured by an application step, a rolling step, and a cutting step. The manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus used in the applying step.

As shown in fig. 2, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a control device 21 that controls the entire manufacturing apparatus 100. Further, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes, in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the base 11, a feed roller 22, a first applying device 23, a first drying device 24, a second applying device 25, an orienting device 26, a third applying device 27, and a second drying device 28, and a take-up roller 29. Note that, although not shown, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of guide rollers for guiding the conveyance of the base 11.

The control device 21 is a computer such as a PC (personal computer) or the like, which comprehensively controls all other devices in the manufacturing apparatus 100. The control device 21 includes, for example, a control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, and the like. A control unit including, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) executes various processes in accordance with a program stored in a storage unit.

The storage unit includes a nonvolatile memory that records various data items and various programs, and a volatile memory that serves as a work area of the control unit. The various programs may be read from a portable recording medium such as an optical disk and a semiconductor memory, or may be downloaded from a server device on a network. The communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with all other devices in the manufacturing apparatus 100 and, for example, communicate with a server apparatus.

The feed roller 22 rotatably supports the roller body 15, and the roller body 15 is formed by winding the base 11 around the roller body 15. The feed roller 22 can be gradually fed to the base 11 by driving and rotating the roller body 15.

The first application device 23 is configured to be capable of applying a nonmagnetic layer coating material (in a wet state) containing nonmagnetic powder to one main surface (upper surface) of the base 11 at a certain film thickness. By applying the nonmagnetic layer coating material onto the base 11, a nonmagnetic coating film in a wet state is formed on the base 11.

The first drying device 24 is configured to be able to dry the non-magnetic coating film formed on the base 11. The first drying device 24 is capable of blowing hot air flows (air flows) from the upper and lower sides perpendicular to the in-plane direction toward the base 11 on which the nonmagnetic coating film has been formed. By blowing a hot air current to the nonmagnetic coating film, the nonmagnetic coating film is dried and cured. Note that the nonmagnetic coating film is converted into the nonmagnetic layer 12 by drying and curing the nonmagnetic coating film.

The second applying device 25 is configured to be able to apply a magnetic layer coating material (in a wet state) containing magnetic powder onto the nonmagnetic layer 12 at a film thickness on the base 11 on which the nonmagnetic layer 12 has been formed. By applying the magnetic layer coating material onto the nonmagnetic layer 12 (on the base 11), a magnetic coating film in a wet state is formed on the nonmagnetic layer 12.

The orientation means 26 vertically orients the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film formed on the nonmagnetic layer 12 (on the base 11) (orients the easy magnetization axis of the magnetic powder particles in the vertical direction). Further, the orienting device 26 dries and cures the magnetic coating film in a state where the magnetic powder particles have been oriented vertically. By drying and curing the magnetic coating film, the magnetic coating film is converted into the magnetic layer 13. Note that the specific configuration of the orientation device 26 is described in detail below.

The third application device 27 is configured to be able to apply the backing layer coating material (in a wet state) to the other main surface of the base 11 with a film thickness. By applying the backing layer coating material onto the base 11, a backing layer coating film under a wet condition is formed on the base 11.

The second drying device 28 is configured to be able to dry the backing layer coating film formed on the base 11. The second drying device 28 is capable of blowing hot air flows (air flows) from the upper side and the lower side perpendicular to the in-plane direction toward the base 11 on which the backing layer coating film has been formed. The backing layer coating film is dried and cured by blowing a hot air stream toward the backing layer coating film. Note that by drying and curing the backing layer coating film, the backing layer coating film is transformed into the backing layer 14.

The take-up roller 29 is configured to be able to take up the base 11 on which the nonmagnetic layer 12, the magnetic layer 13, and the backing layer 14 have been formed, that is, the magnetic recording medium 1. The roll body 16 of the magnetic recording medium 1 is formed by winding up the magnetic recording medium 1 with the take-up roll 29.

Note that the roller body 16 of the magnetic recording medium 1 formed by the take-up roller 29 is transferred to a subsequent rolling step in which the surface of the magnetic layer 13 is smoothed by a rolling process. The magnetic recording medium 1 having undergone the rolling process is rolled up. Then, in this state, a heating treatment is performed on the magnetic recording medium 1 (from the viewpoint of satisfactory transfer characteristics, typically, heating is performed at 55 ℃ or more and 75 ℃ or less, and heating is performed for 15 hours or more and 40 hours or less). Thereby, a large number of projections on the surface of the backing layer 14 are transferred into the surface of the magnetic layer 13. Thus, a large number of void portions are formed in the surface of the magnetic layer 13.

Next, the rolled magnetic recording medium 1 is moved to a cutting step and cut into a predetermined width (e.g., a width of 1/2 inches). In this way, a desired magnetic recording medium 1 (such as the magnetic recording medium 1 to be accommodated in a tape cassette) is obtained.

Note that the magnetic layer coating material used in the second application device 25 is prepared by kneading and dispersing magnetic powder, a binder, a lubricant, and the like into a solvent. Further, the nonmagnetic layer coating material used in the first application device 23 is prepared by kneading and dispersing nonmagnetic powder, a binder, a lubricant, and the like into a solvent. Further, the backing layer coating material used in the third coating device 27 is prepared by kneading and dispersing a binder, a nonmagnetic powder, and the like into a solvent. For preparing the magnetic layer coating material, the non-magnetic layer coating material and the backing layer coating material, for example, the following solvents, kneading devices and dispersing devices may be used.

As examples of the solvent used for preparing the coating material, ketone-based solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and cyclohexanone; alcohol-based solvents such as methanol, ethanol, and propanol; ester-based solvents such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, propyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and ethylene glycol acetate; ether-based solvents such as diglyme, 2-ethoxyethanol, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; aromatic hydrocarbon-based solvents such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenated hydrocarbon-based solvents such as dichloromethane, vinyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and chlorobenzene; and the like. These solvents may be used alone or in combination as appropriate.

As examples of the kneading apparatus for producing the coating material, there can be cited kneading apparatuses such as a continuous biaxial kneader, a continuous biaxial kneader capable of dilution in a plurality of steps, a kneader, a pressure kneader, and a roll kneader. As examples of the dispersing device for preparing the coating material, dispersing apparatuses such as roll mills, ball mills, horizontal sand mills, vertical sand mills, spike mills, pin mills, tower mills, pearl mills ("DCP mills" such as manufactured by masschinenfabrik gustavueirich GmbH & co.

[ alignment device 26]

Fig. 3 is a view of the orienting device 26 viewed in the conveying direction. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in which the permanent magnet 31 of the orientation means 26 is viewed in the transport direction. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a-a' shown in fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a view showing the drying section 60 of the orienting device 26.

The right-hand portion of fig. 6 shows the orienting device 26 viewed from the interior of the transport path 40 downwards, while the left-hand portion of fig. 6 shows the orienting device 26 viewed from the interior of the transport path 40 to the left. Note that, in fig. 5 and 6, a magnet fixing plate 80 described below is not shown.

In the description of the orientation device 26, the direction in which the base 11 is transported is referred to as a transport direction (Y-axis direction). Further, a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the base 11 to be conveyed is referred to as a vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Further, a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the vertical direction is referred to as a width direction (X-axis direction).

Further, in the description of the orientation device 26, the terms "front" and "rear" are used as terms indicating the direction of the upstream side and the direction of the downstream side of the conveyance direction, respectively. Further, the terms "right" and "left" are used as terms indicating directions viewed from the upstream side of the conveyance direction, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the entire width Wo (width direction: X-axis direction) of the alignment device 26 is set to about 1000 mm. In addition, in the present embodiment, the entire height Ho (vertical direction: Z-axis direction) of the orientation means 26 is set to about 400mm, and the entire depth Do (transport direction: Y-axis direction) of the orientation means 26 is set to about 800 mm.

Note that, here, in order to facilitate understanding of the present technical contents, specific values are set for the orientation device 26, the size of each member of the orientation device 26, the number of these members, and the like. Meanwhile, these values are merely examples and thus may be changed as appropriate.

As shown in fig. 3 to 6, the orienting device 26 includes a transfer path 40, a permanent magnet portion 30, a yoke portion 50, and a drying portion 60.

(Transmission path 40)

The transport path 40 is disposed through the orienting device 26 along the transport direction (Y-axis direction). This conveyance path 40 allows the base 11 on which the magnetic coating film containing the magnetic powder has been formed to pass along the conveyance direction.

The width (width direction: X-axis direction) of the transfer path 40 is set to be slightly larger than the width of the base 11 on which the magnetic coating film has been formed, and the width of the transfer path 40 is set to be about 700mm, for example. Further, the height Hw (vertical direction: Z-axis direction) of the transfer path 40 is set to, for example, about 24mm (this height Hw is equal to the distance Hw. in the vertical direction between the magnetic poles of the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b described later facing each other. furthermore, the depth (transfer direction: Y-axis direction) of the transfer path 40 is equal to the entire depth of the orienting means 26, and the depth of the transfer path 40 is set to, for example, about 800 mm.

(permanent magnet part 30)

The first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b of the permanent magnet part 30 include a plurality of first permanent magnets 31a and a plurality of second permanent magnets 31b, respectively. The plurality of first permanent magnets 31a and the plurality of second permanent magnets 31b are opposed to each other across the conveyance path 40 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) such that the opposite poles face each other. The permanent magnet sections 30 apply a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base 11 passing through the conveyance path 40 so as to vertically orient the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film.

Note that, here, unless it is necessary to make a particular distinction between the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b, these magnets are simply referred to as permanent magnets 31.

The plurality of first permanent magnets 31a are arranged on the upper side (the magnetic coating film side of the base 11) with respect to the conveyance path 40 in the vertical direction. Meanwhile, the plurality of second permanent magnets 31b are arranged on the lower side (the side of the base 11 opposite to the magnetic coating film) with respect to the conveyance path 40 in the vertical direction.

The first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b are each arranged such that their magnetization directions are oriented toward the vertical direction. Further, in the first permanent magnet 31a, the transmission path 40 side is the S pole, and the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side is the N pole. Meanwhile, in the second permanent magnet 31b, the transmission path 40 side is the N pole, and the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side is the S pole. A pair of first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b facing each other is formed symmetrically with respect to an X-Y plane (horizontal plane).

In this embodiment, a gap Hw in the vertical direction between the magnetic poles of the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b facing each other (height Hw of the transmission path 40: see fig. 4) is set to about 24 mm.

In this embodiment, the width Wm (width direction: X-axis direction) of each of the first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b is set to about 650 mm. Note that the width Wm is set to a size substantially the same as the width of the base 11, or to a size slightly larger than the width of the base 11.

Further, in this embodiment, the height Hm (vertical direction: Z-axis direction) of each of the first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b is set to about 50 mm. Further, in this embodiment, the depth Do (transport direction: Y-axis direction) of each of the first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b is set to about 50 mm.

Note that, as understood from the description, each of the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b has a shape that is long in the width direction (X-axis direction) and short in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and the transmission direction (Y-axis direction). In this embodiment, the permanent magnet section 30 includes a plurality of first permanent magnets 31a and a plurality of second permanent magnets 31b, each of the plurality of first permanent magnets 31a and the plurality of second permanent magnets 31b is long in the width direction and is arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport direction.

In this embodiment, the number of the first permanent magnets 31a and the number of the second permanent magnets 31b are each set to fourteen (i.e., fourteen rows in the conveyance direction). In other words, the permanent magnet section 30 includes a total of 28, i.e., 2 × 14 permanent magnets 31.

Note that, herein, when individual permanent magnets of the permanent magnets 31 are specifically distinguished in the transport direction, these individual permanent magnets are referred to as a first row of permanent magnets 31, a second row of permanent magnets 31.

The first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b each include a plurality of permanent magnet elements 32. In this embodiment, the permanent magnets 31 each include two permanent magnet elements 32, the two permanent magnet elements 32 are stacked in the vertical direction such that opposite magnetic poles face each other, and they are arranged in thirteen pairs of lines in the width direction with no gap therebetween. In other words, in this embodiment, the permanent magnets 31 each include a total of twenty-six (═ 2 × 13) permanent magnet elements 32 of two stages in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and thirteen columns in the width direction (X-axis direction).

In this embodiment, the width Wme (width direction: X-axis direction) of each permanent magnet element 32 is set to about 50mm, and the height Hme (vertical direction: Z-axis direction) of each permanent magnet element 32 is set to about 25 mm. Further, in this embodiment, the depth Dme (transport direction: Y-axis direction) of each permanent magnet element 32 is set to about 50 mm.

Note that the width Wm of each of the first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b is approximately three times the width Wme of each of the permanent magnet elements 32 (50mm × 13 — 650 mm). Further, the height Hm of each of the first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b is approximately twice the height Hme of each of the permanent magnet elements 32 (25mm × 2 ═ 50 mm). Further, the depth Dm of each of the first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b is equal to the depth Dme of each of the permanent magnet elements 32 (Dm Dme).

In the case described here, the permanent magnet elements 32 are stacked in two stages in the vertical direction. However, the permanent magnet elements 32 may be one step in the vertical direction (for example, the permanent magnet elements 32 each having a height set to 50mm may be one step).

(yoke 50)

The yoke portion 50 is made of a soft magnetic material. The yoke portion 50 is connected to a magnetic pole (N pole) of the plurality of first permanent magnets 31a on the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side, and is connected to a magnetic pole (S pole) of the plurality of second permanent magnets 31b on the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side.

In this way, the yoke portion 50 forms a magnetic path together with the plurality of first permanent magnets 31a and the plurality of second permanent magnets 31 b. The yoke portion 50 has a function of a so-called return yoke (return yoke) that forms a loop of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 31.

The width (width direction: X-axis direction), height (vertical direction: Z-axis direction), and depth (transmission direction: Y-axis direction) of the yoke portion 50 are equal to the width Wo, height Ho, and depth Do of the entire orientation device 26, which are set to, for example, about 1000mm, about 400mm, and about 800mm, respectively.

Examples of the soft magnetic material used for the yoke portion 50 include iron, silicon iron, permalloy (permalloy), sandlast (sendust), permendur, electromagnetic stainless steel, amorphous magnetic alloy, and nanocrystalline magnetic alloy. Note that the material used for the yoke portion 50 may be any type of soft magnetic material.

The yoke 50 includes a first yoke portion 51, a second yoke portion 52, and a pair of third yoke portions 53. The first yoke portion 51 supports the plurality of first permanent magnets 31a from the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side. The second yoke portion 52 supports the plurality of second permanent magnets 31b from the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side. The pair of third yoke portions 53 are interposed between the first yoke portion 51 and the second yoke portion 52, and couple these yoke portions 51 and 52 to each other.

The first yoke portion 51 and the second yoke portion 52 each have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a small thickness (vertical direction: Z-axis direction). The pair of third yoke portions 53 each have a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a surface on the transmission path 40 side in the width direction (X-axis direction) is recessed. The recess has a shape in which a central portion in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is recessed deepest. Note that the pair of third yoke portions 53 may each be formed in a simple rectangular parallelepiped shape.

In the pair of third yoke portions, one end side of one of the third yoke portions 53 in the width direction of the first yoke portion 51 and the second yoke portion 52 is inserted between the bottom surface of the first yoke portion 51 and the top surface of the second yoke portion 52. Further, in the pair of third yoke portions, the other of the third yoke portions 53 is inserted between the bottom surface of the first yoke portion 51 and the top surface of the second yoke portion 52 at the other end side in the width direction of the first yoke portion 51 and the second yoke portion 52.

The first yoke portion 51 and the third yoke portion 53 are connected and fixed to each other by a connecting portion such as a bolt 5. Similarly, the second yoke portion 52 and the third yoke portion 53 are connected and fixed to each other by a connecting portion such as a bolt 5.

(drying section 60)

The drying section 60 (specifically, refer to fig. 6) dries and cures the magnetic coating film in a state where the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film have been vertically oriented by the magnetic field from the permanent magnet section 30. The drying section 60 includes a plurality of blowing openings 61 and a plurality of suction openings 62, the blowing openings 61 allowing a hot air flow (air flow) for drying the magnetic coating film to be blown into the transfer path 40, and the suction openings 62 allowing the hot air flow (air flow) in the transfer path 40 to be sucked and then discharged to the outside of the transfer path 40.

A plurality of blow openings 61 provided through the first yoke portion 51 and the second yoke portion 52 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) are provided to allow a hot air flow to be blown out in the vertical direction (refer also to fig. 19). The plurality of blow ports 61 are connected to a device such as a compressor or a pump (not shown). By driving the device, a hot air flow is forcibly blown into the conveyance path 40 through the plurality of blowing ports 61.

The air blowing ports 61 provided through the first yoke portion 51 allow the hot air flow to blow downward in the vertical direction so as to blow the hot air flow vertically toward the magnetic coating film side of the base 11. Meanwhile, the air blowing ports 61 provided through the second yoke portion 52 allow the hot air flow to be blown upward in the vertical direction so as to blow the hot air flow vertically toward the side opposite to the magnetic coating film side of the base 11.

The plural blow ports 61 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction. Specifically, the plurality of air blowing openings 61 are provided in the region between the permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction. Further, in each region between the permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other, a plurality of air blowing openings 61 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction.

Note that, in this embodiment, the plurality of air blowing openings 61 are not provided in all regions between the permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction among the permanent magnets 31. Specifically, a plurality of air blowing openings 61 are provided in a region between the sixth row of permanent magnets 31 and the seventh row of permanent magnets 31, a region between the seventh row of permanent magnets 31 and the eighth row of permanent magnets 31, … …, a region between the thirteenth row of permanent magnets 31 and the fourteenth row (last row) of permanent magnets 31, and a region on the rear side with respect to the fourteenth row of permanent magnets 31.

Meanwhile, the plurality of air blowing ports 61 are not provided in the region between the first row of permanent magnets 31 and the second row of permanent magnets 31, the region between the second row of permanent magnets 31 and the third row of permanent magnets 31, … …, and the region between the fifth row of permanent magnets 31 and the sixth row of permanent magnets 31.

In other words, in this embodiment, the orientation device 26 includes, in the conveyance path 40, an orientation region (first region) in which the plurality of blow openings 61 (the dryer 60) are not provided in the conveyance direction (Y-axis direction) and an orientation drying region (second region) in which the plurality of blow openings 61 (the dryer 60) are provided in the conveyance direction.

The orientation region is a partial region on the upstream side in the conveyance direction in the conveyance path 40, and is a region in which the magnetic powder particles that have entered the magnetic coating film on the base 11 of the conveyance path 40 are oriented substantially perpendicularly by the permanent magnet sections 30. Meanwhile, the orientation drying region is a region on the downstream side except for a partial region on the upstream side. The orientation drying zone is a zone in which the magnetic powder particles that have been substantially vertically oriented in the orientation zone are held in a substantially vertically oriented state by the permanent magnet sections 30, while the magnetic coating film is dried and cured by the drying section 60.

In other words, in this embodiment, the orientation treatment is performed in two stages of the orientation zone and the orientation drying zone.

Fig. 9 depicts a state before the magnetic powder particles are vertically oriented and a state after the magnetic powder particles are vertically oriented. In a state where the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 31 is not applied to the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film, the magnetic powder particles have random orientations as shown in the left part of fig. 9. Meanwhile, once the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 31 is applied to the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film, as shown in the right part of fig. 9, the posture of the magnetic powder particles changes (the magnetic powder particles are movable because the magnetic coating film is held in a wet state by the solvent). Thereby, the magnetic powder particles are uniformly oriented in the vertical direction, and thus the magnetization easy axis is oriented in the vertical direction.

In the orientation region, as shown in the right part of fig. 9, the magnetic powder particles are substantially vertically oriented. Then, in the orientation drying zone, a state in which the magnetic powder particles have been oriented vertically is maintained, while the magnetic coating film is dried and cured.

In this embodiment, the orientation region is defined as a region corresponding to the first to sixth rows of permanent magnets 31 to 31. Meanwhile, the orientation dry region is defined as a region corresponding to the seventh row permanent magnets 31 to the fourteenth row permanent magnets 31.

In this embodiment, the orientation zone is defined as a zone corresponding to six rows of permanent magnets 31, and the orientation dry zone is defined as a zone corresponding to eight rows of permanent magnets 31. In other words, the ratio of the orientation regions and the orientation drying regions is set to 6: 8 based on the number of rows of the permanent magnets 31. Meanwhile, the ratio is not limited to 6: 8, and may be appropriately changed (note that, typically, the value of the orientation dry region is larger than that of the orientation region).

Note that in this embodiment, since the air blowing openings 61 are provided, the interval between two permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other in the sixth row to the fourteenth row is larger than the interval between two permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other in the first row to the sixth row.

A plurality of air inlets 62 provided through the third yoke portion 53 in the width direction (X-axis direction) are provided to allow a hot air flow (air flow) to be drawn in the width direction. The plurality of suction ports 62 are connected to a device such as a compressor or a pump (not shown). By driving the device, the hot air flow in the transfer path 40 is forcibly discharged to the outside of the transfer path 40 through the plurality of suction ports 62.

The plurality of suction ports 62 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction (Y-axis direction). The positions of the plural suction ports 62 in the conveying direction are set in association with the positions of the plural blow ports 61 in the conveying direction. Specifically, in this embodiment, the air inlets 62 are each provided at an intermediate position between the two corresponding air outlets 61 in the conveying direction. By arranging the suction port 62 at these positions, the hot air flow in the transfer path 40 can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the orienting device 26.

Further, the height positions in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the plurality of suction ports 62 are set in relation to the height positions in the vertical direction of the base 11 conveyed through the conveyance path 40. Specifically, in this embodiment, the height position of the suction port 62 is set to a height equal to the height position of the base 11 conveyed through the conveyance path 40. By arranging the suction port 62 at these positions, the hot air flow in the transfer path 40 can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the orienting device 26.

(Unit 70 and magnet fixing plate 80)

Here, the orientation device 26 includes a plurality of cells 70 that are thin in the conveyance direction and are aligned along the conveyance direction. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the unit 70. The upper part of fig. 7 shows a state when the magnet fixing plate 80 is attached to the unit 70, and the lower part of fig. 7 shows a state after the magnet fixing plate 80 is attached to the unit 70.

As shown in fig. 7, the unit 70 includes one first permanent magnet 31a and one second permanent magnet 31b, and a yoke unit portion 71 constituting a part of the yoke portion 50.

The yoke unit portion 71 is connected to the magnetic pole (N pole) of the first permanent magnet 31a on the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side, and is connected to the magnetic pole (S pole) of the second permanent magnet 31b on the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side, so as to form a magnetic circuit together with the first permanent magnet 31a portion 30 and the second permanent magnet 31 b.

The depth (transmission direction: Y-axis direction) of the yoke unit portion 71 is set to, for example, about 50mm, which is set to be about equal to the depth Dm (transmission direction) of each of the first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31 b. Note that the width (width direction: X-axis direction) and height (vertical direction: Z-axis direction) of the yoke unit portion 71 are equal to those of the yoke portion 50, which are set to, for example, about 1,000mm and about 400mm, respectively.

The yoke unit portion 71 includes a first yoke unit portion 72 constituting a part of the first yoke portion 51, a second yoke unit portion 73 constituting a part of the second yoke portion 52, and a pair of third yoke unit portions 74 constituting a part of the pair of third yoke portions 53.

The first yoke unit portion 72 supports the first permanent magnet 31a from the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side. The second yoke unit portion 73 supports the second permanent magnet 31b from the side opposite to the side of the transmission path 40. The pair of third yoke unit portions 74 couple the first yoke unit portion 72 and the second yoke unit portion 73 to each other.

The magnet fixing plate 80 is a member for fixing the first permanent magnet 31 and the second permanent magnet 31b to the yoke unit portion 71. The thickness of the magnet fixing plate 80 is usually set to 2mm or more and 5mm or less.

The magnet fixing plate 80 includes a first fixing member 81 for fixing the first permanent magnet 31a to the first yoke unit part 72, and a second fixing member 82 for fixing the second permanent magnet 31b to the second yoke part 52. Further, the magnet fixing plate 80 includes a third fixing member 83 and a fourth fixing member 84 provided on the front surface side of the yoke unit portion 71, and a fifth fixing member 85 and a sixth fixing member 86 provided on the rear surface side of the yoke unit portion 71.

The first fixing member 81 and the second fixing member 82 are each formed in a U shape as viewed from the width direction. The first fixing member 81 and the second fixing member 82 have the same configuration except that their orientations when attached to the yoke unit portion 71 are different from each other.

The width (width direction: X-axis direction) of the first fixing member 81 is set to be approximately equal to the width Wm of the first permanent magnet 31 a. Further, the height (vertical direction: Z-axis direction) of the first fixing member 81 is set to be approximately equal to a value obtained by adding the height Hm of the first permanent magnet 31a to the thickness (vertical direction) of the first yoke unit portion 72. Similarly, the width (width direction: X-axis direction) of the second fixing member 82 is set approximately equal to the width Wm of the second permanent magnet 31 b. Further, the height (vertical direction: Z-axis direction) of the second fixing member 82 is set to be approximately equal to a value obtained by adding the height Hm of the second permanent magnet 31b to the thickness (vertical direction) of the second yoke unit portion 73.

The first fixing member 81 is attached to the unit 70 in the following manner: the first fixing member 81 is held in close contact with and covers a part of the front surface of the first yoke unit portion 72, the entire front surface, bottom surface and rear surface of the first permanent magnet 31a, and a part of the rear surface of the first yoke unit portion 72. The second fixing member 82 is attached to the unit 70 in the following manner: the second fixing member 82 is held in close contact with and covers a part of the front surface of the second yoke unit portion 73, the entire front surface, top surface and rear surface of the second permanent magnet 31b, and a part 0 of the rear surface of the second yoke unit portion 73.

The first fixing member 81 and the second fixing member 82 are each made of a non-magnetic material (in other words, the first fixing member 81 and the second fixing member 82 are each a non-magnetic portion). By forming the first fixing member 81 and the second fixing member 82 with a non-magnetic material in this way, it is possible to prevent the permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction from being bridged.

Note that in the magnet fixing plate 80, as long as at least the portions covering the front and rear surfaces of the permanent magnets 31 are made of a non-magnetic material, it is possible to prevent the permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction from bridging.

The third to sixth fixing members 83, 84, 85, and 86 each have a function of closing a gap between the cells 70, which is formed by attaching the first fixing member 81 and the second fixing member 82 to the cells 70. The third to sixth fixing members 83, 84, 85, and 86 have the same configuration except that their attachment orientations with respect to the yoke unit portion 71 are different from each other.

The third to sixth fixing members 83, 84, 85, and 86 are shaped so that regions on the front and rear surfaces of the yoke unit portion 71 that cannot be covered by the first and second fixing members 81 and 82 can be covered.

The third fixing member 83 is attached to the unit 70 so as to cover the entire front surface of the left one of the third yoke unit portions 74 and the areas of the front surfaces of the first and second yoke unit portions 72 and 73 that are not covered by the first and second fixing members 81 and 82.

The fourth fixing member 84 is attached to the unit 70 so as to cover the entire front surface of the one third yoke unit portion 74 on the right side, and the areas of the front surfaces of the first and second yoke unit portions 72 and 73 that are not covered by the first and second fixing members 81 and 82.

The fifth fixing member 85 is attached to the unit 70 so as to cover the entire rear surface of the left one of the third yoke unit portions 74 and the regions of the rear surfaces of the first and second yoke unit portions 72 and 73 which are not covered by the first and second fixing members 81 and 82.

The sixth fixing member 86 is attached to the unit 70 so as to cover the entire rear surface of the one third yoke unit portion 74 on the right side, and the regions of the rear surfaces of the first and second yoke unit portions 72 and 73 that are not covered by the first and second fixing members 81 and 82.

The third to sixth fixing members 83, 84, 85, and 86 are each made of a (soft) magnetic material (in other words, the third to sixth fixing members are each a magnetic portion). By forming the third to sixth fixing members 83, 84, 85, and 86 with a (soft) magnetic material in this way, it is possible to prevent the magnetic flux from being saturated in the third yoke unit portion 74 (third yoke portion 53).

Note that, in the magnet fixing plate 80, as long as at least the portion corresponding to the third yoke unit portion 74 is made of a (soft) magnetic material, the magnetic flux can be prevented from being saturated in the third yoke unit portion 74 (third yoke portion 53).

As shown in the lower part of fig. 7, after the magnet fixing plate 80 is attached to the unit 70, the plurality of units 70 to which the magnet fixing plate 80 has been attached are aligned in the transport direction and connected to each other. In this way, the orientation device 26 is assembled.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the orientation device 26. As shown in fig. 8, the magnet fixing plate 80 is interposed between the units 70 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction.

Here, in order to distinguish the respective cells 70 from each other, the cells 70 are referred to as a first row cell 70, a second row cell 70, … …, and a fourteenth row cell 70 in order from the upstream side in the conveying direction. The first to fourteenth row units 70 include first to fourteenth rows of permanent magnets 31, respectively.

First, focusing on the first row unit 70 to the sixth row unit 70, between each pair of units 70 adjacent to each other, the respective two magnet fixing plates 80 are inserted (the magnet fixing plate 80 upstream of the unit 70 and the magnet fixing plate 80 downstream of the unit 70). Note that, as described above, the thickness of each magnet fixing plate 80 is set to 2mm or more and 5mm or less. Therefore, the interval between each pair adjacent to each other in the first to sixth rows of the units 70 (the interval between each pair adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction in the first to sixth rows of the permanent magnets 31) is set to 4mm or more and 10mm or less.

Next, focusing on the sixth row units 70 to the fourteenth row units 70, between each pair of units 70 adjacent to each other, not only the respective two magnet fixing plates 80 but also the drying unit 90 are inserted. The drying unit 90 is a member through which the air blowing port 61 of the drying part 60 is provided. The drying unit 90 is for example made of a (soft) magnetic material.

The depth (conveying direction: Y-axis direction) of the drying unit 90 was set to about 10 mm. Therefore, the interval between each pair adjacent to each other in the sixth to fourteenth rows of the units 70 (the interval between each pair adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction in the sixth to fourteenth rows of the permanent magnets 31) is set to 14mm or more and 20mm or less.

Note that the suction port 62 of the drying section 60 is provided through each of the sixth to fourteenth row units 70 in the width direction (X-axis direction).

(magnetic circuit)

Next, a magnetic circuit to be formed by the yoke portion 50 and the permanent magnet 31 will be described. Fig. 10 is a view showing a calculation model 26' for calculating the magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. In this calculation, Maxwell 3D by ANSOFT was used as software.

The magnetic path formed by the yoke portion 50 and the permanent magnet 31 is bilaterally symmetric with respect to the orienting device 26. Therefore, the model corresponding to the left half of the orientation device 26 is used as the calculation model 26'.

It is assumed that an NdFeB boron magnet (neodymium magnet) is used as the permanent magnet 31 and the residual saturation magnetic flux density of the permanent magnet 31 is set to 1.23T. For each of the permanent magnets 31 (in one row), a plurality of permanent magnet elements 32 of 50mm × 50mm × 50mm (width × height × depth) linearly arranged in the width direction are included. Further, a gap Hw in the vertical direction between the magnetic poles facing each other of the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b (height Hw of the transmission path 40: see fig. 4) is set to 24 mm.

Further, assuming that SS400(JIS (japanese industrial standards): general structural rolled steel) made of iron is used as the material of the yoke 50, the residual saturation magnetic flux density of the yoke 50 is set to 1.7T, and the magnetic permeability of the yoke 50 is set to 2000.

Further, the spacers 6 simulating the magnet fixing plate 80 and the drying unit 90 are arranged between the units adjacent to each other in the conveying direction among the units 70.

Fig. 11 is an image depicting the magnetic circuit obtained from the calculation model 26' shown in fig. 10. In fig. 11, the direction of the arrow indicates the magnetic field direction, and the length of the arrow indicates the magnetic field strength. As shown in fig. 11, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 31 makes one revolution via the yoke portion 50 to form a magnetic circuit.

In this embodiment, a material (soft magnetic material) used as a material of the yoke portion 50 has a high magnetic permeability, and thus a magnetic flux penetrates through the yoke portion 50. Therefore, the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 can be increased in the vertical direction. Thereby, the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film on the base 11 passing through the conveyance path 40 can be oriented substantially vertically.

(magnetic field intensity in transmission path 40)

Next, the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 (between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet facing each other) is described. In order to orient the magnetic powder particles sufficiently vertically, it is necessary to set the magnetic field strength (vertical component) in the conveyance path 40 to a value or more. The inventors of the present technical disclosure performed an experiment to calculate this value.

First, as the orientation device 26 used in this experiment, a device capable of changing the distance between the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b in the vertical direction was prepared. This device is capable of changing the magnetic field strength (vertical component) in the transmission path 40 by changing the distance between the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31 b.

An NdFeB magnet (neodymium magnet) is used as the permanent magnet 31. Further, polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of 6 μm was used as the base 11, and a magnetic coating film containing barium ferrite particles was applied to this base 11. The coercive force of the magnetic powder (coercive force of the magnetic coating film) was set to 3,000Oe, and the conveyance rate of the base 11 was set to 1 m/s.

In a state where the conveyance of the base 11 has stopped, the measurement sample is cut from the base 11 existing in the conveyance path 40. Then, the magnetization curve in the vertical direction of the measurement sample is measured with a vibrating sample magnetometer. Note that demagnetization field correction is performed on the measured magnetization curve.

Fig. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the strength of the magnetic field (vertical component) in the transmission path 40 and the squareness ratio in the vertical direction of the measurement sample. Fig. 13 is a table showing specific numerical values and the like obtained by experiments.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, in comparative example 1, the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was as low as 2.8T, and the rectangular ratio in the vertical direction of the measurement sample was as low as 0.68. In other words, in comparative example 1, the magnetic field strength was low, and therefore the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film were not sufficiently vertically oriented.

In comparative example 1, the ratio of the magnetic field strength to the coercive force of the magnetic powder (magnetic field strength/coercive force of the magnetic powder) was set to 0.9. In other words, when the magnetic field strength in the conveyance path 40 is 0.9 times the coercive force of the magnetic powder, the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film cannot be oriented sufficiently perpendicularly.

Meanwhile, as in embodiments 1 to 5, as the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 gradually increases from 0.31T to 0.42T, 0.6T, 0.8T, and 0.95, the squareness ratio in the vertical direction of the measurement sample changes from 0.82 to 0.83, and 0.83, respectively.

From this result, it is conceivable that the squareness ratio of the measurement sample in the vertical direction reaches saturation (0.83) when the magnetic field strength reaches a certain value due to a gradual increase in the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40.

In example 1, the value of the squareness ratio in the vertical direction of the measurement sample was 0.82, which is sufficiently close to the saturation value (0.83). Therefore, the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film are sufficiently vertically oriented. In other words, when the magnetic field strength (vertical component) in the transport path 40 is 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder (magnetic field strength/coercive force of the magnetic powder), the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film can be sufficiently vertically oriented.

Further, in examples 2 to 5, the rectangular ratios in the vertical direction of the measurement samples were all 0.83, that is, saturation had occurred. In other words, the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film are oriented substantially vertically. Therefore, when the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 is 1.4 times or more, 2.0 times or more, 2.7 times or more, and 3.2 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder, the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film can be further sufficiently vertically oriented.

(thickness of yoke 50, etc.)

Next, the thickness of the yoke portion 50 is described. Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the thickness of the yoke portion 50.

As shown in fig. 14, the thickness of the first yoke portion 51 (first yoke unit portion 72) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is denoted by T1, and the thickness of the second yoke portion 52 (third yoke unit portion 74) in the vertical direction is denoted by T2. Further, the thickness (thinnest portion) of each third yoke portion 53 (third yoke unit portion 74) in the width direction (X-axis direction) is denoted by T3. Note that although the thickness T1 of the first yoke portion 51 and the thickness T2 of the second yoke portion 52 are equal to each other in the present embodiment, these thicknesses may be set to be unequal to each other.

In this case, as described above, the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 31 passes through the yoke portion 50. Therefore, unless the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 are sufficiently set, there is a risk that the magnetic field is saturated in the yoke portion and the magnetic field leaks to the outside of the yoke portion 50.

As a result, there is a risk that the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 (between the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31 b) is reduced. Furthermore, there is a risk that the magnetic field leaking outside the orientation device 26 has an adverse effect on the peripheral devices, such as an adverse effect on the bearing lubrication performance. Furthermore, magnetic fields leaking outside the orientation device 26 have an effect on safety (such as attracting a work tool to the orientation device 26).

As a countermeasure, the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 need to be increased to the extent that the magnetic field in the yoke is not saturated.

Specifically, the minimum thickness among the thickness T1 of the first yoke portion 51, the thickness T2 of the second yoke portion 52, and the thickness T3 of each of the three yoke portions 50 is denoted by T. The residual magnetic flux density of the permanent magnet 31 is represented by Bmag, and the saturation magnetic flux density of the yoke portion 50 is represented by Byoke. Further, the permanent magnets 31 each have a width Wm (width direction: X-axis direction), and the cells 70 each have a depth Du (transmission direction: Y-axis direction) (refer to FIG. 8).

Note that although the thickness T3 of each third yoke portion 53 is smallest among the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the present embodiment, the thickness T1 of the first yoke portion 51 or the thickness T2 of the second yoke portion 52 may be set to be smallest.

Magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 31Represented by the following equation (1).

In each of the third yokes (1)

At the same time, the maximum passing magnetic flux in the yoke part 50Represented by the following equation (2).

In each of the third magnets (2)

The yoke portion 50 is left-right symmetrical, and thus the magnetic path is formed left-right symmetrical (see fig. 11). Thus, the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 31The condition of not leaking to the outside is represented by the following inequality (3).

By substituting equations (1) and (2) into inequality (3), we have established

Bmag×Du×Wm<2×Byoke×Du×T

Bmage <2 Φ yoke is called yoke (4).

Therefore, the thickness T is set to satisfy the relationship: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T. By satisfying such a relationship, the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 can be prevented from being lowered, and in addition, the magnetic field can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the orientation device 26.

Fig. 15 is a table showing examples and comparative examples in which the thickness T of the yoke portion 50 varies.

In embodiment 6, an NdFeB magnet (neodymium magnet) is used as the permanent magnets 31, and the width Wm of each permanent magnet 31 is set to 150 mm. Further, SS400 having a saturation magnetic flux density of 1.7 Byoke is used as the material of the yoke portion 50. Further, the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 is set to 55 mm. Further, the minimum magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the conveyance path 40 (between the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31 b) was 0.8T, and the coercive force of the magnetic powder was set to 3,000 Oe.

In embodiment 6, the magnetic field strength in the transportation path 40 (between the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31 b) is set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder. Further, since the relationship of Bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T is satisfied, the strength of the leakage magnetic field from the yoke 50 is as low as 9 Oe.

In comparative example 2, the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 was set to 40mm, which was smaller than that in example 6. Other conditions were the same as in example 6. In comparative example 2, since the thickness T was set to be smaller than that in example 6, the relationship: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T.

Therefore, in comparative example 2, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 is 0.72T, which is smaller than the value (0.8T) in example 6. In comparative example 2, although the magnetic field strength between the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b is set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder, the leakage magnetic field strength from the yoke portion 50 is as high as 1,050 Oe.

In comparative example 3, the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 was set to 20mm, which is much smaller than that of comparative example 2. Other conditions were the same as in example 6. In comparative example 3, the relationship is also not satisfied: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T.

Therefore, in comparative example 3, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 is 0.7T, which is even smaller than the value (0.72T) in comparative example 2. In comparative example 2, although the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder, the leakage magnetic field strength from the yoke portion 50 was as high as 2,080 Oe.

In example 7, permalloy having a saturation magnetic flux density Byoke of 1.0 is used as the material of the yoke portion 50. Further, the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 is set to 90 mm. Further, the minimum strength of the magnetic field (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 is 0.8T. Other conditions were the same as those in example 6.

In example 7, the magnetic field strength in the conveyance path 40 was set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder. Further, the relationship is satisfied: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T, and therefore the strength of the leakage magnetic field from the yoke 50 is as low as 10 Oe.

Note that when permalloy is used as the material of the yoke portion 50 as in embodiment 7, the thickness T needs to be set larger than that when SS400 is used as the material of the yoke portion 50 as in embodiment 6. This is because the saturation magnetic flux density Byke (1.0) of permalloy is lower than the saturation magnetic flux density Byke (1.7) of SS 400.

In comparative examples 4 and 5, the minimum thicknesses T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 were set to 75 and 40mm, respectively, each of which was smaller than that in example 7. Other conditions were the same as in example 7. In comparative examples 4 and 5, since the thicknesses T are each set to be smaller than that in example 7, the relationship: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T.

Therefore, in comparative examples 4 and 5, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was 0.6T and 0.5T, respectively, each of which was smaller than the value (0.8T) in example 7. In comparative examples 4 and 5, although the magnetic field strengths in the transmission path 40 were each set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder, the leakage magnetic field strengths from the yoke 50 were as high as 1,150Oe and 2,130Oe, respectively.

In embodiment 8, the width Wm of each permanent magnet 31 is set to 650mm, and the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 is set to 240 mm. Further, the minimum intensity magnetic field (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 is 0.8T. Other conditions were the same as in example 6.

In embodiment 8, the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder. Further, the relationship is satisfied: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T, and therefore the strength of the leakage magnetic field from the yoke 50 is as low as 6 Oe.

In comparative examples 6 and 7, the minimum thicknesses T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 were set to 200mm and 150mm, respectively, each of which was smaller than that in example 8. Other conditions were the same as in example 8. In comparative examples 6 and 7, since the thicknesses T are each set to be smaller than that in example 8, the relationship: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T.

Therefore, in comparative examples 6 and 7, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was 0.7T and 0.6T, respectively, each of which was smaller than the value (0.8T) in example 8. In comparative examples 6 and 7, although the magnetic field strengths in the transmission paths 40 were each set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder, the leakage magnetic field strengths from the yoke 50 were as high as 1,180Oe and 2,150Oe, respectively.

In embodiment 9, the width Wm of each permanent magnet 31 is set to 650mm, and permalloy having a saturation magnetic flux density Byoke of 1.0 is used as the material of the yoke portion 50. Further, the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 is set to 400 mm. Further, the minimum magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 is 0.8T. Other conditions were the same as those in example 6.

In example 9, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder. Further, the relationship is satisfied: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T, and therefore the strength of the leakage magnetic field from the yoke 50 is as low as 5 Oe.

In comparative examples 8 and 9, the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 was set to 350mm and 255mm, respectively, each of which was smaller than that in example 8. Other conditions were the same as in example 9. In comparative examples 8 and 9, since the thicknesses T are each set to be smaller than that in example 9, the relationship: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T.

Therefore, in comparative examples 8 and 9, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was 0.6T and 0.5T, respectively, each of which was smaller than the value (0.8T) in example 9. In comparative examples 8 and 9, although the minimum magnetic field strengths in the transmission paths 40 were each set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder, the intensities of the leakage magnetic fields from the yoke 50 were as high as 1,100Oe and 2,230Oe, respectively.

Fig. 16 is a graph showing the relationship between the height Hw of the transmission path 40 and the magnetic flux density in the transmission path 40 when the thickness of the yoke portion 50 is greatly increased (300 mm).

As shown in fig. 16, when the height Hw of the transmission path 40 is increased (refer to fig. 4), the magnetic flux density at the center position (vertical direction) of the transmission path is gradually decreased.

As shown in fig. 16, when the height Hw of the transmission path 40 is 24mm, the magnetic flux density at the center position (vertical direction) of the transmission path is 0.8T

Fig. 17 is a table showing the embodiment and the comparative example, in which the height Hw of the transmission path 40 is 24mm each. Note that the height Hw of the transmission path 40 in fig. 15 described above is set to 5 mm.

In this case, the height Hw of the transfer path 40 in fig. 17 is set to 24mm so that, for example, the base 11 is transferred through a sufficient space. As a result, when the thickness T of the yoke portion 50 is sufficiently increased, the magnetic flux density at the center position (vertical direction) of the transmission path is 0.8T (8,000 Oe).

When the height Hw of the transmission path 40 varies, the value of Bmag (residual magnetic flux density Bmag of the permanent magnet 31) in the inequality Bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T varies due to the influence of the demagnetizing field. In other words, even when the residual magnetic flux density Bmag of the permanent magnet 31 is 1.23T, there may be a case where the magnetic flux density in the yoke portion 50 does not reach the saturation magnetic flux density Byoke. This is because, when the height Hw of the transmission path 40 increases, the magnetic flux that should advance in the vertical direction in the transmission path 40 advances toward the third yoke portion 53 side and enters the third yoke portion 53.

In embodiment 10, an NdFeB magnet (neodymium magnet) is used as the permanent magnets 31, and the width Wm of each permanent magnet 31 is set to 150 mm. Further, SS400 having a saturation magnetic flux density Byoke of 1.7 was used as the material of the yoke portion 50. Further, the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 is set to 40 mm. Further, the minimum magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 was 0.8T, and the coercive force of the magnetic powder was set to 3,000 Oe.

In embodiment 10, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder. Further, the relationship is satisfied: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T, and therefore the strength of the leakage magnetic field from the yoke 50 is as low as 10 Oe.

In comparative examples 10 and 11, the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 was set to 30mm and 20mm, respectively, each of which was smaller than that in example 10. Other conditions were the same as in example 10. In comparative examples 10 and 11, since the thicknesses T are each set to be smaller than that in example 10, the relationship: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T.

Therefore, in comparative examples 10 and 11, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was 0.72T and 0.6T, respectively, each of which was smaller than the value (0.8T) in example 10. In comparative examples 10 and 11, although the minimum magnetic field strengths in the transmission paths 40 were each set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder, the leakage magnetic field strengths from the yoke 50 were as high as 1,120 and 2,180Oe, respectively.

In embodiment 11, the width Wm of each permanent magnet 31 is set to 650mm, and the minimum thickness T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 is set to 160 mm. Further, the minimum magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 is 0.8T. Other conditions were the same as in example 10.

In example 11, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder. Further, the relationship is satisfied: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T, and therefore the strength of the leakage magnetic field from the yoke 50 is as low as 10 Oe.

In comparative examples 12 and 13, the minimum thicknesses T of the thicknesses T1, T2, and T3 in the yoke portion 50 were set to 120mm and 100mm, respectively, each of which was smaller than that in example 11. Other conditions were the same as in example 11. In comparative examples 12 and 13, since the thicknesses T are each set to be smaller than that in example 11, the relationship: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T.

Therefore, in comparative examples 12 and 13, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 was 0.6T and 0.5T, respectively, each of which was smaller than the value (0.8T) in example 11. In comparative examples 12 and 13, although the minimum magnetic field strengths in the transmission paths 40 were each set to 1.0 times or more the powder coercive force of the magnetic powder, the leakage magnetic field strengths from the yoke portion 50 were as high as 1,080Oe and 2,020Oe, respectively.

In this case, the height Hw of the conveyance path 40 in fig. 17 is set large so that sufficient space is provided for the base 11 to convey through, or for performing maintenance, cleaning, or the like. Meanwhile, even in the case where the height Hw of the transmission path 40 is increased, as described in embodiment 10 and embodiment 11, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 can be set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder, and the thickness T of the yoke portion 50 can be reduced to some extent.

(how to prevent the magnetic flux from directly advancing toward the third yoke portion 53)

Now, referring back to fig. 14, the distance in the width direction (X-axis direction) between the permanent magnet 31 and the third yoke portion 53 is denoted by X. Note that the distance X is a distance in the width direction of the permanent magnet 31 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in the vicinity of the magnetic pole on the transmission path side.

When the distance X is excessively small, the magnetic flux that should advance in the vertical direction in the transmission path 40 may advance toward the third yoke portion 53 side and enter the third yoke portion 53. Therefore, the distance X needs to be set to a certain distance or less.

Fig. 18 is a table showing an example of the change in the distance X and a comparative example.

In all of the examples and comparative examples of fig. 18, an NdFeB magnet (neodymium magnet) was used as the permanent magnet 31, and the coercive force of the magnetic powder was set to 3,000 Oe.

In comparative example 14 and examples 12 to 14, the height Hm of the permanent magnet 31 was uniformly set to 25 mm. Meanwhile, in comparative example 14 and examples 12 to 13, the values of the distance X and "distance X/height Hm" (the ratio of the distance X to the height Hm of the permanent magnet 31) are not equal to each other.

Specifically, in comparative example 14 and examples 12 to 14, the distances X were set to 4mm, 5mm, 10mm and 25mm, respectively. Further, in comparative example 14 and examples 12 to 14, the values of "distance X/height Hm" were set to 0.16, 0.2, 0.4, and 1.0, respectively.

In comparative example 14, since the values of the distance X and "distance X/height Hm" are small, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 is as low as 0.28T (the magnetic flux directly enters the third yoke portion 53). Meanwhile, in examples 12 to 14, since the values of the distance X and "distance X/height Hm" are large, sufficient values of the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path of 0.31, 0.75, and 0.75 are obtained, respectively.

In comparative examples 15 and 16 and examples 15 to 17, the height Hm of the permanent magnet 31 was set to 50mm, which was larger than the height Hm in comparative example 14 and examples 12 to 14. In comparative examples 15 and 16 and examples 15 to 17, although the heights Hm of the permanent magnets 31 were set equal to each other (50mm), both the values of the distance X and "distance X/height Hm" were not equal to each other.

Specifically, in comparative examples 15 and 16 and examples 15 to 17, the distances X were set to 4mm, 8mm, 10mm, 25mm and 50mm, respectively. Further, in comparative examples 15 and 16 and examples 15 to 17, the values of "distance X/height Hm" were set to 0.1, 0.16, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0, respectively.

In comparative examples 15 and 16, since the values of the distance X and "distance X/height Hm" are small, the minimum magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 is as low as 0.27T and 0.28T, respectively (the magnetic flux directly enters the third yoke portion 53). Meanwhile, in embodiments 15 to 17, since the values of the distance X and "distance X/height Hm" are large, sufficient values of the minimum magnetic field strength of 0.31, 0.75, and 0.75 in the transmission path 40 are obtained, respectively.

Note that, as understood from the above description, it is only necessary that the value of "distance X/height Hm" be 0.2 or more. In this case, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the magnetic flux that should advance in the vertical direction in the transmission path 40 from advancing to the third yoke portion 53 side and from entering the third yoke portion 53. Thereby, the magnetic field strength in the transmission path can be prevented from being lowered.

(position of suction port 62)

As described above, in this embodiment, all the suction ports 62 are provided in the width direction, and in the conveying direction, these suction ports 62 are each provided at an intermediate position between the corresponding two blowing ports 61. First, the flow of the hot air flow (air flow) when the suction port 62 is disposed at these positions is described.

Fig. 19 is a view showing a state in which a hot air flow is blown out through the air blowing port 61. As shown in fig. 19, the hot air flow blown out of each of the air blowing openings 61 provided through the first yoke portion 51 and the second yoke portion 52 is blown vertically toward and dries the base 11, and then is branched into two branches. One of the two branches of the flow of hot air flows toward the upstream side in the conveying direction (Y-axis direction) while further drying the base 11 along the upstream side. At the same time, the other of the two branches of the flow of hot air flows in the conveying direction toward the downstream side while further drying the base 11 along the downstream side.

The air blowing ports 61 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction. Therefore, in the air blowing ports 61 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction, the hot air flow blown out by the upstream one of the adjacent air blowing ports 61 and branched to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and the hot air flow blown out by the downstream one of the adjacent air blowing ports 61 and branched to the upstream side in the conveying direction collide with each other at an intermediate position (a center position (conveying direction) in the corresponding one of the permanent magnets 31) between the upstream one of the adjacent air blowing ports 61 and the downstream one of the adjacent air blowing ports 61.

Each of the suction ports 62 is provided at a position between the corresponding two blow ports 61 in the conveying direction, i.e., a position where the hot air flows collide with each other. Therefore, the hot air currents colliding with each other at the intermediate position between the respective two blow ports 61 are efficiently sucked into the suction port 62, flow in the width direction, and then are discharged to the outside of the orientation device 26.

By effectively discharging the hot air flow through the suction port 62 in this way, the concentration of the solvent (solvent in the magnetic coating film) evaporated by drying in the conveyance path 40 can be reduced. This improves the evaporation property of the solvent and enables more efficient drying. As a result, even when the amount of solvent contained in the magnetic coating film is large, or even when the film thickness of the magnetic coating film is large, the magnetic coating film can be dried easily. Further, the drying may be performed at a low temperature at which the magnetic coating film shrinks little.

Fig. 20 is a graph showing a comparison between the case where the position of each of the inlets 62 is set at an intermediate position between the corresponding two of the outlet openings 61 in the conveying direction and the case where the position of the inlet 62 is set at positions respectively corresponding to the outlet openings 61 in the conveying direction. In fig. 20, the horizontal axis represents the thickness of the magnetic coating film, and the vertical axis represents the squareness ratio in the vertical direction (magnetic layer 13) after the magnetic coating film is dried.

As shown in fig. 20, in the case where the suction ports 62 are arranged at positions in the conveying direction respectively corresponding to the air blowing ports 61 (reference numeral □), the rectangular ratio in the vertical direction of the magnetic layer 13 gradually decreases as the thickness of the magnetic coating film increases. This is because the hot air flow cannot be efficiently sucked in due to improper position of the suction port 62 (or because the branch of the hot air flow cannot further perform drying by moving along the base 11), and therefore drying is insufficient when the magnetic coating film is thick.

Meanwhile, in the case where each of the air inlets 62 is arranged at an intermediate position between the corresponding two air inlets 61 in the conveying direction (reference numeral ·), even when the thickness of the magnetic coating film is increased, the value of the squareness ratio in the perpendicular direction of the magnetic layer 13 does not change. This is because since the suction port 62 is appropriately positioned, it is possible to efficiently suck in the hot air flow (or since the branch of the hot air flow performs suction after further performing drying by moving along the base 11), and therefore drying can be sufficiently performed even when the magnetic coating film is thick.

The results in fig. 20 also show that drying can be performed efficiently by setting the position of each of the suction ports 62 to an intermediate position between the corresponding two of the blow ports 61 in the conveying direction.

(symmetry of the permanent magnets 31 of the pair facing each other with respect to the X-Y plane)

Incidentally, as described above, in this embodiment, the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b facing each other are formed in plane symmetry with respect to the X-Y plane (horizontal plane).

Meanwhile, since the air blowing ports 61 are arranged between the sixth to fourteenth rows of permanent magnets 31 to 31, a predetermined interval is secured in the conveyance direction between the sixth to fourteenth rows of permanent magnets 31 to 31. Therefore, there is a risk that the magnetic field intensity generated by the permanent magnet 31 is reduced at a portion corresponding to the interval in the transmission path 40.

As a countermeasure, it is conceivable that if the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b are offset from each other in the conveying direction, the magnetic field strength generated by the permanent magnets 31 can be prevented from decreasing at these portions.

Fig. 21 is a graph showing the magnetic flux density in the vertical direction in the transmission path 40 when the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b are offset from each other in the transmission direction.

As shown in fig. 21, when the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b are offset from each other in the conveying direction (formed asymmetrically with respect to the X-Y plane), the magnetic field generated in the conveying path 40 contains not only a component in the vertical direction but also a component in the conveying direction.

Note that the component in the vertical direction of the magnetic field and the component in the conveyance direction are calculated under the same conditions as those of the above-described comparative example 10 except that the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b are offset from each other in the conveyance direction (refer to fig. 17). As a result, the component of the magnetic field in the direction of propagation is 1/2 that is the component of the magnetic field in the perpendicular direction.

Thus, the results obtained demonstrate that such an orientation device 26 is an unsuitable vertical orientation device, since the perpendicularity of the magnetic field is not perfect. As a result, it was found that in the appropriate vertical orientation device 26, the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b facing each other are formed in plane symmetry with respect to the X-Y plane (horizontal plane) so that the magnetic field to be generated contains only a component in the vertical direction.

Meanwhile, when the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b facing each other are formed plane-symmetrically with respect to the X-Y plane (horizontal plane), problems such as attenuation of the magnetic field at the portion corresponding to the air blowing port 61 in the conveyance path 40 are not yet solved. However, if the magnetic field strength (vertical component) is 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic powder at these portions in the transmission path 40, the problem can be solved (see fig. 12 and 13).

(thickness of magnet fixing plate 80)

In this case, a case is assumed where the above-described units 70 are stacked in the transport direction and brought into close contact with each other without interposing the magnet fixing plate 80. In this case, the permanent magnets 31 repel each other, and a repulsive force is generated between the permanent magnets 31 positioned at the center in the transfer direction and the yoke unit portions 71. Therefore, even when the permanent magnet 31 and the yoke unit portion 71 are held in close contact with each other, the permanent magnet 31 is separated from the yoke unit portion 71.

Next, assume a case where a dummy magnet-fixing plate (not shown) is inserted between the units 70. These dummy magnet fixing plates are identical to the above-described magnet fixing plate 80, except that neither the first fixing member 81 nor the second fixing member 82 includes a portion covering the permanent magnet 31. No dummy magnet fixing plate fixes the permanent magnet 31 to the yoke unit portion 71.

Fig. 22 is a table showing examples and comparative examples in which the thickness of the dummy magnet fixing plate is varied.

In fig. 22, the interval between the units 70 in the transmission direction is changed by changing the thickness of the dummy magnet fixing plate. In all the embodiments and comparative examples in fig. 22, an NdFeB magnet (neodymium magnet) is used as the permanent magnet 31, and the thickness T (of the thinnest portion) of the yoke portion 50 is set to 150 mm.

In fig. 22, a case where the magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 is less than 7,000Oe is represented by "x", a case where the magnetic field strength is 7,000Oe or more is represented by "o", and a case where the magnetic field strength is 9,000Oe or more is represented by "x". Further, regarding the attraction force of the yoke portion 50, the case where the permanent magnet 31 is separated from the yoke unit portion 71 is indicated by "x", and the case where the permanent magnet 31 remains fitted to the yoke unit portion 71 without being separated from the yoke unit portion 71 is indicated by "o". Further, the case where the permanent magnet 31 is firmly fitted to the yoke unit portion 71 is denoted by "excellent".

In examples 18 to 20, the thicknesses of the dummy magnet fixing plates were set to 2mm, 3mm and 5mm, respectively. In these embodiments 18 to 20, the magnetic field strengths (vertical directions) in the transmission path 40 are each set to a certain value or more, and the permanent magnets 31 are not separated from the yoke unit portions 71.

Meanwhile, in comparative example 21, the thickness of the dummy magnet fixing plate is set to 1mm, and therefore the interval between the units 70 in the conveying direction is small. In this case, although the magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 is set to a specific value or more, the attraction force between the permanent magnet 31 and the yoke unit portion 71 is low, and the permanent magnet 31 is separated from the yoke unit portion 71.

Further, in comparative examples 22 and 23, the thicknesses of the dummy magnet fixing plates were set to 7mm and 10mm, respectively, and therefore the interval between the units 70 in the conveying direction was large. In these cases, although the permanent magnet 31 is not separated from the yoke unit portion 71, the magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 does not reach a certain value or more.

In other words, by setting the thickness of each magnet fixing plate 80 to 2mm or more and 5mm or less, the permanent magnet 31 can be prevented from being separated from the yoke unit portion 71, and the magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the transmission path 40 can be maintained at a certain value or more.

(shape of magnet fixing plate 80)

Fig. 23 is an enlarged view of the magnet fixing plate 80 as viewed in the width direction. Fig. 24 is an enlarged view of another magnet fixing plate 90 viewed in the width direction.

The magnet fixing plate 80 shown in fig. 23 is the same as the magnet fixing plate 80 shown in fig. 7. The magnet fixing plate 90 shown in fig. 24 includes an L-shaped first fixing member (non-magnetic: partially magnetic) and an L-shaped second fixing member 92 (non-magnetic: partially magnetic).

Further, the magnet fixing plate 90 includes a third fixing member ((soft) magnetism) and a fourth fixing member ((soft) magnetism) covering the front surface (or the rear surface) of the yoke unit portion 71. Meanwhile, the magnet fixing plate 90 does not include fifth and sixth fixing members covering the rear surface (or the front surface) of the yoke unit portion 71.

In the magnet fixing plate 90, a surface (front surface or rear surface) of one side of the unit 90 in the conveying direction is not covered with the magnet fixing plate 90. Therefore, the distance between the units 70 is equal to the thickness of the magnet fixing plate 80 (note that, in the case shown in fig. 23, the distance between the units 70 is equal to "the thickness of the magnet fixing plate 80 × 2" as described above).

In each of the L-shaped first fixing member and the L-shaped second fixing member 92 each made substantially of a non-magnetic material, a portion 93 covering the magnetic pole on the transmission path 40 side of the permanent magnet 31 is made of a (soft) magnetic material. By covering the magnetic poles on the transmission path 40 side of the permanent magnet 31 with the magnetic material in this way, the magnetic field in the transmission path 40 can be prevented from being attenuated.

Meanwhile, in each of the L-shaped first and second fixing members 92, the portion 94 covering the front surface (or the rear surface) of the permanent magnet 31 is made of a non-magnetic material, so that it is possible to prevent the magnetic field from bridging between the permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other in the transmission direction.

In the exemplary case described herein, the L-shaped first and second fixing members 92 are each made in part of a magnetic material. However, the entirety of each of the L-shaped first fixing member and the L-shaped second fixing member 92 may be made of a non-magnetic material. Also, in the U-shaped first fixing member 81 and the U-shaped second fixing member 82 shown in fig. 23, the portion covering the magnetic poles on the transmission path 40 side of the permanent magnet 31 may be partially made of a (soft) magnetic material.

The L-shaped first fixing member and the L-shaped second fixing member 92 may each include a fitting portion 95 (the same applies to the U-shaped first fixing member 81 and the U-shaped second fixing member 82). Fig. 25 is a view showing a state in which the fitting portion 95 is provided to the L-shaped second fixing member 82.

The fitting portion 95 is coupled to the second fixing members 92 (or the first fixing members) adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. As shown in fig. 25, the fitting portion 95 includes a protruding portion 96 of the second fixing member 92 (or the first fixing member) disposed on the upstream side, and a recessed portion 97 of the second fixing member 92 (or the first fixing member) disposed on the downstream side.

The protruding portion 96 is provided so as to protrude toward the downstream side in the conveying direction, and the recessed portion 97 is provided so as to be recessed toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. The projection 96 and the recess 97 are provided at positions corresponding to each other at a height position close to the conveyance path 40 in the vertical direction.

< effects >

As described above, in this embodiment, the yoke portion 50 is provided in the orienting device 26. The yoke portion 50 made of a soft magnetic material is connected to the magnetic poles on the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side of the plurality of first permanent magnets 31a, and to the magnetic poles on the side opposite to the transmission path 40 side of the plurality of second permanent magnets 31 b. Further, the yoke portion 50 forms a magnetic path together with the plurality of first permanent magnets 31a and 31b and the second permanent magnets 31 b.

Fig. 26 is a graph showing a comparison between a comparative example in which the yoke portion 50 is not provided in the orientation device 26 and the embodiment in which the yoke portion 50 is provided in the orientation device 26. Note that in this comparative example, the magnet fixing plate 80 and other components are not provided.

As shown in fig. 26, in the case of the comparative example in which the yoke portion 50 is not provided (refer to a broken line), the magnetic field in the transmission path 40 is attenuated near the center in the transmission direction by the influence of the demagnetizing field. Therefore, in the comparative example, a large magnetic field cannot be generated in the transmission path 40 without increasing the height Hm of each of the permanent magnets 31. In the comparative example, the polarities of the magnetic fields are reversed in the vicinity of the entrance and the vicinity of the exit of the transmission path 40. In the comparative example, such reversal of the magnetic field polarity can be prevented by increasing the interval between the permanent magnets 31 in the transmission direction.

Fig. 27 is a graph showing an exemplary case in which the interval between the permanent magnets 31 in the conveying direction is increased in the comparative example in which the yoke portion 50 is not provided in the orienting device 26.

As shown in fig. 27, in the comparative example, when the interval in the transporting direction between the permanent magnets 31 is increased, the inversion of the magnetic field polarities in the vicinity of the entrance and the vicinity of the exit of the transporting path 40 is prevented. However, in the comparative example, the magnetic field in the transmission path 40 remains attenuated in the vicinity of the center of the transmission direction.

Returning to fig. 26, in this embodiment in which the yoke portion 50 is provided (refer to a solid line), there occurs no problem that the magnetic field in the transmission path 40 attenuates near the center in the transmission direction. Therefore, a magnetic field sufficiently high and uniform in the transmission direction (also in the width direction) can be generated. Further, even when the height Hm of each permanent magnet 31 is small, such a strong and uniform magnetic field can be generated.

Further, in this embodiment in which the yoke portion 50 is provided, it is also possible to prevent the reversal of the magnetic field polarity in the vicinity of the entrance and the vicinity of the exit of the transmission path 40.

Further, in the case of the permanent magnet type alignment device 26 as in the present embodiment, the cost can be reduced to be lower than that of the electromagnetic type alignment device (the electromagnet required for vertical alignment is large and very expensive). Further, in this embodiment, a plurality of permanent magnet elements 32 are arranged to form each permanent magnet 31 which is relatively small, and therefore, the cost can be further reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the perpendicular component of the magnetic field in the transmission path 40 is set to 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic coating film (magnetic powder). Thereby, the magnetic powder particles in the magnetic coating film can be oriented substantially vertically.

Further, in this embodiment, the thickness T (of the thinnest portion) of the yoke portion 50 is set so as to satisfy the relationship: bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T. Thereby, the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 can be prevented from being lowered, and in addition, the magnetic field can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the orientation device 26.

Further, in this embodiment, the magnetic coating film can be dried efficiently by the drying section 60 including the plurality of air blowing openings 61 and the plurality of air suction openings 62. In particular, in this embodiment, since each of the suction ports 62 is arranged at an intermediate position between the corresponding two of the blow ports 61 in the conveying direction, the drying can be further effectively performed.

Further, in this embodiment, in the conveyance path 40, an orientation region (first region) in which the plurality of blow openings 61 are not provided in the conveyance direction and an orientation and drying region (second region) in which the plurality of blow openings 61 are provided in the conveyance direction are provided. Further, an orientation region is set as a component region on the upstream side in the conveyance direction, and an orientation and drying region is set as a component region on the downstream side other than the component region on the upstream side.

Thus, after the magnetic powder particles have been sufficiently vertically oriented in the orientation region, the magnetic coating film can be dried and cured in the orientation and drying region while maintaining the state in which the magnetic powder particles have been vertically oriented.

Further, in this embodiment, the orientation device 26 includes a plurality of units 70, the plurality of units 70 being thin in the conveyance direction, being arranged in the conveyance direction, and including the first permanent magnet 31a, the second permanent magnet 31b, and the yoke unit portion 71. Thereby, the orientation device 26 can be easily assembled.

Further, in this embodiment, each unit 70 is provided with a magnet fixing plate 80 for fixing the first permanent magnet 31a and the second permanent magnet 31b to the yoke unit portion 71. Thereby, the permanent magnet 31 can be prevented from being separated from the yoke unit portion 71.

Further, the magnet fixing plate 80 is interposed between units adjacent to each other in the transfer direction among the units 70. Further, the thickness of the magnet fixing plate 80 is set to 2mm or more and 5mm or less. By setting the thickness of the magnet fixing plate 80 to 2mm or more and 5mm or less so that the interval between the units 70 adjacent to each other in the transporting direction is adjusted, the permanent magnet 31 can be prevented from being separated from the yoke unit portion 71, and the magnetic field strength (vertical direction) in the transporting path 40 can be maintained at a certain value or more.

Further, in this embodiment, the portions of the magnet fixing plate 80 corresponding to the front and rear surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the conveying direction) of the first and second permanent magnets 31a and 31b are non-magnetic portions. Thereby, the permanent magnets 31 adjacent to each other in the transport direction can be prevented from bridging each other.

Further, in this embodiment, a portion of the magnet fixing plate 80 corresponding to the third yoke unit portion 74 is a magnetic portion. Thereby, in the third yoke unit portion 74 (third yoke portion 53), the magnetic flux can be prevented from being saturated.

In addition, in this embodiment, the value of "distance X/height Hm" is set to 0.2 or more. Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the magnetic flux that should advance in the vertical direction in the transmission path 40 from advancing to the third yoke portion 53 side and entering the third yoke portion 53. Thereby, the magnetic field strength in the transmission path 40 can be prevented from being lowered.

< modifications >

The present technology can also adopt the following configurations.

(1) An orientation device, having:

a conveyance path that passes through a base portion, on which a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder is formed, along a conveyance direction;

a permanent magnet section including a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposed to each other with opposite magnetic poles across the transport path in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the permanent magnet section vertically orienting the magnetic powder by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base passing through the transport path; and

a yoke portion made of a soft magnetic material and connected to a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the transmission path side among the plurality of first permanent magnets and a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the transmission path side among the plurality of second permanent magnets.

(2) The aligning apparatus according to (1), wherein

The perpendicular component of the magnetic field in the transmission path is 1.0 times or more the coercive force of the magnetic coating film.

(3) The aligning apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein

The yoke portion has a first yoke portion that supports the plurality of first permanent magnets from a side opposite to a transmission path side, a second yoke portion that supports the plurality of second permanent magnets from a side opposite to the transmission path side, and a third yoke portion that connects the first yoke portion and the second yoke portion.

(4) The aligning apparatus according to (3), wherein

Assuming that a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and the vertical direction is a width direction, a minimum thickness of the first yoke portion in the vertical direction, the thickness of the second yoke portion in the vertical direction, and the thickness of the third yoke portion in the width direction is T, a residual magnetic flux density of the first and second permanent magnets is Bmag, a width of the first and second permanent magnets is Wm, and a saturation magnetic flux density of the yoke portion is Byoke, a relationship of Bmag × Wm < Byoke × 2T is satisfied.

(5) The orienting device according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising:

a drying section that dries the magnetic layer coating film in a state where the magnetic powder of the magnetic coating film is vertically oriented by the magnetic field from the permanent magnet section.

(6) The aligning apparatus according to (5), wherein

The drying section has a plurality of air blowing openings that blow an air flow for drying the magnetic coating film into the conveyance path.

(7) The orientation device according to (6), wherein the orientation device has a first region in the conveyance path where the plurality of blow openings are not provided in the conveyance direction, and a second region in the conveyance path where the plurality of blow openings are provided.

(8) The alignment device according to (7), wherein the first region is a partial region on an upstream side in the conveyance direction, and the second region is a region on a downstream side other than the partial region on the upstream side.

(9) The aligning apparatus according to (8), wherein

Of the plurality of first permanent magnets and the plurality of second permanent magnets, the permanent magnets located in the second region are arranged with a predetermined gap in the transport direction, respectively, and

the plurality of air blowing ports are provided at positions corresponding to the gaps.

(10) The aligning device according to any one of (6) to (9), wherein

The drying part also has a plurality of air inlets for sucking and discharging the air flow in the conveying path to the outside of the conveying path.

(11) The aligning apparatus according to (10), wherein

The plurality of air blowing openings are provided to blow out the air flow toward the vertical direction, and

the plurality of suction ports are provided to suck the airflow in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the perpendicular direction.

(12) The aligning apparatus according to (11), wherein

The air suction ports are arranged in the middle of the air blowing ports in the transmission direction.

(13) The aligning device according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein

The alignment device is configured by arranging a plurality of cells in a transport direction, the plurality of cells being thin in the transport direction, and

each unit includes a first permanent magnet, a second permanent magnet, and a yoke unit portion constituting a part of the yoke portion.

(14) The aligning apparatus according to (13), wherein

A magnet fixing plate for fixing the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet to the yoke unit portion is interposed between units adjacent to each other in the transporting direction.

(15) The aligning apparatus according to (14), wherein

The thickness of the magnet fixing plate is more than 2mm and less than 5 mm.

(16) The aligning apparatus according to (14) or (15), wherein

The magnet fixing plate includes a magnetic portion and a non-magnetic portion.

(17) The aligning apparatus according to (16), wherein

In the magnet fixing plate, a portion corresponding to a face perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet is the non-magnetic portion.

(18) The aligning apparatus according to (16) or (17), wherein

The yoke unit has a first yoke unit part supporting the first permanent magnet from a side opposite to the transmission path side, a second yoke unit part supporting the second permanent magnet from a side opposite to the transmission path side, and a third yoke unit part connecting the first yoke unit part and the second yoke unit part, and

in the magnet fixing plate, a portion corresponding to the third yoke unit portion is the magnetic portion.

(19) A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, the method comprising:

passing a base formed with a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction in a conveyance path in an orientation device having the conveyance path formed along the conveyance direction, a permanent magnet section including a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposing each other with opposite magnetic poles across the conveyance path and the plurality of first permanent magnets in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a yoke section made of a soft magnetic material and connecting a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the conveyance path side in the plurality of first permanent magnets and a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the conveyance path side in the plurality of second permanent magnets; and

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base portion passing through the transport path by the permanent magnet portions, thereby vertically orienting the magnetic powder.

(20) A magnetic recording medium manufactured by:

passing a base formed with a magnetic coating film containing magnetic powder through a conveyance path in a conveyance direction in a conveyance path of an orientation device having the conveyance path formed along the conveyance direction, a permanent magnet section including a plurality of first permanent magnets and a plurality of second permanent magnets opposing each other with opposite magnetic poles across the conveyance path and the plurality of first permanent magnets in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a yoke section made of a soft magnetic material and connecting a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the conveyance path side among the plurality of first permanent magnets and a magnetic pole on a side opposite to the conveyance path side among the plurality of second permanent magnets; and

applying a magnetic field to the magnetic coating film on the base portion passing through the transport path by the permanent magnet portions, thereby vertically orienting the magnetic powder.

List of reference numerals

26 orientation device

30 permanent magnet part

31 permanent magnet

40 transmission path

50 magnetic yoke part

60 drying section

70 unit

80. 90 magnetic fixing plate

100 manufacturing equipment