Patent ID: 7719395

Claim:
A magnetizer for magnetizing a magnet, comprising: a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field to magnetize the magnet in a magnetizing area, wherein a direction of the magnetic field is generally parallel to a magnetization direction of the magnet in the magnetizing area; and a magnetizing yoke that includes at least one magnetizing yoke segment, wherein the magnetizing yoke holds the magnet and is made of a magnetic material, which exhibits a magnetic potential that is generally equal to a magnetic potential of the magnet in the magnetic field at time of magnetizing the magnet, wherein the magnetizing yoke and the magnet substantially fill a three-dimensional area in the magnetizing area, the three-dimensional area being comprised of the magnet, and three-dimensional projected areas of the magnet in the magnetizing area on each of first and second sides of the magnet that are opposite from each other in the magnetization direction of the magnet in the magnetizing; and a total extent of the three-dimensional area, including the three-dimensional projected area on the first side of the magnet plus the three-dimensional projected area on the second side of the magnet, measured in the magnetization direction, is larger than a total extent of the magnet measured in the magnetization direction, and the magnetizing yoke is disposed adjacent to the magnet on each of the first and second sides of the magnet.