JP2014095844A - Component positioning mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a component positioning mechanism capable of reliable and easy positioning without using a detection function requiring image processing, and an image forming apparatus assembled by using the component positioning mechanism.SOLUTION: A component positioning mechanism includes a first metal sheet component 1A having a hole 101, and a second sheet metal component 1B having protrusion 201, which is inserted into the hole 101 to position the first sheet metal component 1A and second sheet metal component 1B. Convex parts at the tip of the protrusion 201 are inserted into a space between the tips of convex parts inside the hole 101, and the protrusion 201 is guided into an engagement state with the hole 101 along the contour of the hole 101 in the course of the insertion and eventually held by the convex parts of the first sheet metal component 1A, so as to complete the positioning.

Description

  The present invention relates to a component positioning mechanism, for example, a component positioning mechanism used when assembling an image forming apparatus such as a printer or an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral).

  When assembling parts made of sheet metal (for example, a frame of a printer or MFP), positioning by dowels and dowel holes (size is about 1 to 5 mm in diameter) or positioning by slits and protrusions is usually performed. If these positioning operations are performed by a person, the positions of the sheet metal part to be assembled and the sheet metal part to be assembled may be shifted. For this reason, the position of both is visually confirmed, and then positioning is performed by, for example, a dowel and a dowel hole while holding and checking the position of the parts. Completion of positioning is also performed by a person making a visual decision or recognizing the touch at the time of matching with a finger.

  In order to improve the positioning operation, a positioning structure is known in the past in which the protruding portion of the other sheet metal part is inserted into the hole of one sheet metal part so that the protruding part is clamped at three points inside the hole ( For example, see Patent Document 1.) An example is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14A is a plan view showing one sheet metal part 10A, and FIG. 14B is a plan view showing the other sheet metal part 10B. Inside the hole 11 of the sheet metal part 10A, protrusions 12, 13, and 14 are provided for sandwiching the sheet metal part 10B. On the other hand, the sheet metal part 10B is formed with a protruding portion 21 that is sandwiched when inserted into the hole 11 of the sheet metal part 10A. The position of the sheet metal part 10B is such that, when the insertion of the protruding part 21 into the hole 11 is completed, the width of the hole 11, the width of the protruding part 21, the distance between the tips of the protrusions 12, 13, and 14 and the plate of the sheet metal part 10B. It is determined by the thickness t.

JP 2008-116619 A

  Also in the positioning structure as shown in FIG. 14, when the protruding portion 21 of the sheet metal part 10B is inserted into the hole 11 of the sheet metal part 10A, it is necessary to confirm the position in advance by visual observation or corresponding means. Otherwise, the protruding portion 21 may interfere with the protrusions 12 to 14.

  When automating the assembly of parts, it is difficult to automate positioning regardless of the positioning configuration described above. In other words, if the conventional positioning operation is to be automated, the position must be detected by a sensor to perform image processing necessary for positioning, etc., and the position of the component must be corrected before assembly. As a result, the cost of the apparatus is greatly increased. Further, the dowel and the dowel hole interfere with each other, the slit and the projection interfere with each other, or the protruding portion 21 of the sheet metal part 10B interferes with the protrusions 12 to 14 of the sheet metal part 10A. There is also a fear.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is a component positioning mechanism that enables reliable and easy positioning without using a detection function that requires image processing or the like, and An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus assembled using the same.

In order to achieve the above object, the component positioning mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention is the first sheet metal by inserting a protrusion made of a part of the second sheet metal part into a hole formed in the first sheet metal part. A component positioning mechanism for positioning the component and the second sheet metal component,
A hole formed in the first sheet metal part has a shape inscribed in a rectangle, and one long side of the two long sides of the rectangle is protruded from the edge of the hole toward the inside. One or more parts are provided, and the other long side is provided with two or more convex parts protruding inward from the edge of the hole,
The short side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole so as to be in contact with all the convex portions is longer than the thickness of the second sheet metal part,
The long side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole so as to be in contact with all the convex portions is longer than the width of the base of the protruding portion,
Two or more protrusions and one or more recesses are formed at the tip of the protrusion,
The protrusion at the tip of the protrusion is inserted into a space between the tip of the protrusion on one side of the rectangle inscribed by the hole and the tip of the protrusion on the other side, and the protrusion is inserted into the hole in the insertion process. In this case, the positioning is performed by being guided to the mating state with respect to the hole while being held along the contour of the first sheet metal and finally being sandwiched by the convex portions of the first sheet metal part. .

  The component positioning mechanism according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the contour of the convex portion of the first sheet metal component is arcuate.

  The component positioning mechanism according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the contour of the convex portion of the first sheet metal component is triangular.

  The component positioning mechanism according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the contour of the convex portion at the tip of the projection of the second sheet metal component is arcuate.

  The component positioning mechanism according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the contour of the convex portion at the tip of the protrusion of the second sheet metal component is triangular.

  The component positioning mechanism according to a sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the contour of the concave portion at the tip of the projection of the second sheet metal component is arcuate.

  A component positioning mechanism according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the contour of the recess at the tip of the projection of the second sheet metal component is triangular.

  The component positioning mechanism according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the component positioning mechanism according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, between the tip of the convex portion on one side of the rectangle inscribed by the hole and the tip of the convex portion on the other side. In this space, there is a rectangular space having a long side having the same length as the short side of the rectangle inscribed by the hole.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component positioning mechanism comprising: a first sheet metal component and a second sheet metal component inserted into a hole formed in the first sheet metal component; A component positioning mechanism for positioning,
A hole formed in the first sheet metal part has a shape inscribed in a rectangle, and two or more convex portions projecting inward from the edge of the hole are provided on the long sides of the two sides of the rectangle. And
The short side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole so as to be in contact with all the convex portions is longer than the thickness of the second sheet metal part,
The long side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole so as to be in contact with all the convex portions is longer than the width of the base of the protruding portion,
One or more protrusions are formed at the tip of the protrusion,
The protrusion at the tip of the protrusion is inserted into a space surrounded by the tip of the protrusion on the long side of the rectangle inscribed by the hole and the two long sides of the rectangle inscribed by the hole. The projection is guided to the mating state with respect to the hole while being along the outline of the hole, and is finally clamped by the convex portion of the first sheet metal part, so that the positioning is performed. It is characterized by that.

  The component positioning mechanism according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the ninth aspect, the contour of the convex portion of the first sheet metal component is an arc.

  The component positioning mechanism according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the ninth aspect, the contour of the convex portion of the first sheet metal component is triangular.

  The component positioning mechanism according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the contour of the convex portion at the tip of the protrusion of the second sheet metal component is arcuate.

  The component positioning mechanism according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the contour of the protrusion at the tip of the protrusion of the second sheet metal component is triangular.

  The component positioning mechanism according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the component positioning mechanism according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the hole is inscribed in a space surrounded by a convex portion on the long side of the rectangle in which the hole is inscribed. A rectangular space having an edge having the same length as the short side of the rectangle exists.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is assembled using the component positioning mechanism according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects of the present invention.

  According to the component positioning mechanism of the present invention, the protrusion of the second sheet metal component is inserted into the hole having the convex portion of the first sheet metal component, and the protrusion is guided to the mating state with respect to the hole while following the outline of the hole. In the process, the hole center and the protrusion center are aligned. Therefore, reliable and easy positioning is possible without using a detection function that requires image processing or the like. And since it becomes easy to position a sheet metal part by an automatic machine, automatic assembly of an image forming apparatus or the like can be realized at low cost. Even when a person performs the assembly work, the workability can be improved and the assembly time can be shortened without increasing the cost.

The perspective view which shows the component positioning mechanism which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The external view which shows the 1st specific example of the 1st sheet metal part which comprises 1st Embodiment. The external view which shows the 1st specific example of the 2nd sheet-metal component which comprises 1st Embodiment. The top view for demonstrating the relationship between the hole of the 1st sheet metal component in 1st Embodiment, a circumscribed rectangle, and an inscribed rectangle. FIG. 6 is an external view for explaining a correspondence example of component deviation in the first embodiment. The top view for demonstrating the tolerance | permissible_range of the component gap in 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the 2nd specific example of the 1st, 2nd sheet metal component which comprises 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the 3rd specific example of the 1st, 2nd sheet metal component which comprises 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the 4th specific example of the 1st, 2nd sheet metal component which comprises 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the 5th specific example of the 1st, 2nd sheet metal component which comprises 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the 1st specific example of the 1st, 2nd sheet metal component which comprises 2nd Embodiment. The top view which shows the combination of the 2nd specific example of the 1st sheet metal component which comprises 2nd Embodiment, and the 1st specific example of a 2nd sheet metal component. The top view which shows the combination of the 2nd specific example of the 1st sheet metal component which comprises 2nd Embodiment, and the 3rd specific example of a 2nd sheet metal component. The top view which shows an example of the component positioning mechanism conventionally known.

  Hereinafter, a component positioning mechanism and the like embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the embodiment, specific examples, and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted as appropriate.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a component positioning mechanism according to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show first and second sheet metal components 1A and 1B (first specific example) constituting the mechanism, respectively. In this component positioning mechanism, the first sheet metal part 1B (FIG. 2) is inserted into the hole 101 formed in the first sheet metal part 1A (FIG. 2) by inserting a protrusion 201 made of a part of the second sheet metal part 1B (FIG. 3). The positioning of the component 1A and the second sheet metal component 1B is performed. FIG. 1A shows a state immediately before the protrusion 201 is inserted into the hole 101 in the positioning operation, and FIG. 1B shows a state where the protrusion 201 is fitted into the hole 101. . 2A is a perspective view of the first sheet metal part 1A, FIG. 2B is a plan view of the first sheet metal part 1A, FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the second sheet metal part 1B, and FIG. B) is a plan view of the second sheet metal part 1B.

  In the first sheet metal part 1A (FIG. 2), the positioning hole 101 is formed as described above. The hole 101 has a shape inscribed in a rectangle. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the hole 101 has a shape that circumscribes the rectangle P <b> 1, and the center of the hole 101 that is the center of the circumscribed rectangle P <b> 1 or a reference position of the hole 101 (for example, the hole 101 Is a portion whose dimensions are defined from the reference position of the first sheet metal part 1A in terms of design). The reference position of the first sheet metal part 1A (in the design of the first sheet metal part 1A) Dimensional standard of the above or a point that becomes a dimensional standard when being processed (for example, dowel center, pin hole center, butting angle, etc.). .

  Of the two sides corresponding to the long side of the circumscribed rectangle P <b> 1 of the hole 101, a convex portion 102 is provided on one side 105 side so as to protrude inward from the edge of the hole 101. The tip of the convex portion 102 is formed so as to be located at the center of the circumscribed rectangle P1. In the present embodiment, the convex portion 102 has a semicircular shape (the contour has an arc shape), but these may be oval, triangular, or trapezoidal. Of the two sides corresponding to the long side of the circumscribed rectangle P1 of the hole 101, two convex portions 103 and 104 are provided on the other side 106 side so as to protrude inward from the edge of the hole 101. ing. The contours of the convex portions 103 and 104 are substantially arc-shaped, but are not limited thereto.

  The sides 105 and 106 have portions where the convex portions 102, 103, and 104 are not formed. That is, in the sections 107 and 108 between the convex portion 102 on one side of the hole 101 and the convex portions 103 and 104 on the other side, the convex portions 102, 103, and 104 are formed in the opposing direction of the long side of the circumscribed rectangle P1. There are parts that are not. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a hole is formed in the space between the tip of the convex portion 102 on one side of the circumscribed rectangle P1 inscribed with the hole 101 and the tips of the convex portions 103 and 104 on the other side. The sections 107 and 108 are configured by the existence of a rectangular space P3 having a long side having the same length as the short side of the circumscribed rectangle P1 in which 101 is inscribed.

  As described above, the positioning projection 201 is formed on the second sheet metal part 1B (FIG. 3). Two protrusions 202 and 203 are formed at the tip of the protrusion 201, and a recess 204 is formed at an intermediate position between the protrusion 202 and the protrusion 203. In addition, a slope shape that continuously slopes from the convex portion 202 toward the root 205 of the protruding portion 201 is formed, and similarly, a slope that continuously slopes from the convex portion 203 toward the root 206 of the protruding portion 201. A shape is formed. In the present embodiment, the convex portions 203 and 202 have an arc shape, but may have an oval shape or a triangular shape.

  The protrusions 202 and 203 of the second sheet metal part 1B are inserted into the positions of the sections 107 and 108 (FIGS. 2B and 4) of the first sheet metal part 1A when the protrusion 201 is engaged with the hole 101. Are arranged to be. The concave portion 204 of the second sheet metal part 1B is arranged so that the convex part 102 of the first sheet metal part 1A is inserted from the tip position when the protrusion 201 is engaged with the hole 101.

  The notches 207 and 208 (FIG. 3B) of the second sheet metal part 1B are obtained when the first sheet metal part 1A and the second sheet metal part 1B are in a combined state as shown in FIG. 1B. This is an escape portion for ensuring that the parts come into contact with each other. In addition, in order to securely and smoothly engage the protrusion 201 with the hole 101, the bases 205 and 206 of the protrusion 201 of the second sheet metal part 1B (FIG. 3B) include the plate of the first sheet metal part 1A. A linear region having a thickness equal to or greater than that is formed.

  The long side of the rectangle P <b> 2 (FIG. 4) inscribed in the hole 101 so as to be in contact with all the convex portions 102 to 104 is longer than the root width of the protruding portion 201. That is, the base width W (FIG. 3B) of the protrusion 201 of the second sheet metal part 1B is slightly shorter than the width of the long side of the inscribed rectangle P2 of the hole 101 of the first sheet metal part 1A. The accuracy of the combination is determined by this dimensional difference. Moreover, the short side of the rectangle P2 (FIG. 4) inscribed in the hole 101 so as to contact all the convex portions 102 to 104 is longer than the thickness of the second sheet metal part 1B. That is, the short side dimension of the inscribed rectangle P2 of the hole 101 of the first sheet metal part 1A is slightly larger than the sheet thickness of the second sheet metal part 1B, and the mating accuracy is determined by this dimensional difference. Yes.

  Next, positioning and mating operations of the first sheet metal part 1A and the second sheet metal part 1B will be described. From the state at the start of mating shown in FIG. 1 (A), first, convex portions 202 and 203 at the tips of the projections 201 of the second sheet metal part 1B are placed at the center of the hole 101 of the first sheet metal part 1A (FIG. 3). Insert. At this time, if the tips of the two convex portions 202 and 203 are inserted into a portion where the height of the hole 101 is wide (the rectangular space P3 of the sections 107 and 108), the position of the second sheet metal part 1B is the first sheet metal part. Even if it deviates within the space range of the hole 101 of 1A, it can be in a state where positioning and fitting are possible. When insertion is performed from this state to the insertion completion position shown in FIG. 1B by weakening the force for holding the second sheet metal part 1B, the protrusion 201 fits into the hole 101 while following the outline of the hole 101. You are guided to a state.

  Ultimately, the first and second sheet metal parts 1A and 1B are positioned by holding the protrusion 201 between the convex parts 102 to 104 of the first sheet metal part 1A. That is, when the inscribed rectangle P2 (FIG. 4) of the hole 101 and the cross section of the projection 201 of the second sheet metal part 1B coincide with each other, the second sheet metal is joined to the first sheet metal part 1A. The component 1B can be positioned.

  For example, when the insertion of the second sheet metal part 1B is shifted to the upper left side with respect to the position of the first sheet metal part 1A and the insertion is started, the left convex portion 202 and the root 205 of the second sheet metal part 1B are The connecting slope is inserted along the left short side of the hole 101 of the first sheet metal part 1A, and the position of the second sheet metal part 1B moves while shifting to the right as the insertion proceeds. Then, the concave portion 204 of the second sheet metal part 1B reaches the state along the convex part 102 of the first sheet metal part 1A, and the position of the second sheet metal part 1B is automatically moved to the center part of the hole 101 to determine the position and position. The match state is complete.

  In addition, when the insertion of the second sheet metal part 1B is shifted to the lower left side with respect to the position of the first sheet metal part 1A and the insertion is started, the left convex portion 202 and the root 205 of the second sheet metal part 1B are moved. The connecting slope is inserted along the left short side of the hole 101 of the first sheet metal part 1A, and the position of the second sheet metal part 1B moves while shifting to the right as the insertion proceeds. Then, the convex part 202 of the second sheet metal part 1B reaches the state along the convex part 103 of the first sheet metal part 1A, and the position of the second sheet metal part 1B is automatically moved to the center part of the hole 101 to be positioned and The combined state is complete.

  Even when the second sheet metal part 1B is displaced to the upper right side and the lower right side with respect to the first sheet metal part 1A, the second sheet metal part 1B is located on the upper left side and the lower left side with respect to the first sheet metal part 1A as described above. In the same manner as in the case of displacement, positioning and combining operations are performed. In the fitting completion state, the convex portion 102 rides on the protruding portion 201, and the protruding portion 201 is sandwiched between the upper convex portion 102 and the lower convex portions 103 and 104.

  By the way, in an apparatus composed of sheet metal parts, a structure is often formed by combining a plurality of sheet metal parts. In that case, the positional deviation of the components increases cumulatively due to processing errors, mounting errors, and the like. Therefore, there is a possibility that a deviation of about 1 mm, for example, in the vertical and horizontal directions may occur in the part position on the assembled side with respect to the normal position. When a person performs assembly work of parts while taking into account such misalignment, visually check the hole position, move the part to be assembled to the position of the shifted hole, determine the mating position, and install it. Need to do. If this operation is to be automated, the hole position of the part to be assembled is confirmed by image processing or the like, and the position of the part to be assembled held by a robot or the like is corrected and combined. There is a need.

  FIG. 5 shows a correspondence example of component displacement in the present embodiment. As shown in the front view of FIG. 5A and the perspective view of FIG. 5B, a structure 501 formed by combining a plurality of sheet metal parts (product: image forming apparatus such as a printer, copier, MFP, etc.) ), The first sheet metal part 1A is attached at a position shifted by a dimension D with respect to the positioning reference point 502 of the structure 501 due to the accumulation of part tolerances. May be performed. As a result, the position of the hole 103 of the first sheet metal part 1A is also shifted by the dimension D from the normal position.

  The deviation amount D is an amount indicating the deviation of the center of the hole 101 from the attachment reference position of the structure 501 and varies due to processing errors of parts and accumulated assembly errors. For example, when it is assumed that the structure 501 is placed on a jig or an assembly device and the second sheet metal part 1B is automatically attached, the attachment position of the second sheet metal part 1B is determined with respect to the attachment reference position of the structure 501. Therefore, at the time of actual assembly, the position of the first sheet metal part position 1A varies by the amount of deviation D. Note that the dimension D may occur not only in the illustrated direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5A) but also in the height direction of the structure 501 (up-down direction in FIG. 5A).

  According to the present embodiment, the fitting can be performed even if there is the above variation. That is, when the dimension D is, for example, about ± 1 mm, the component positioning mechanism according to the present embodiment is configured in the hole 101 of the first sheet metal component 1A even if the position of the first sheet metal component 1A is displaced. The play space and the shape of the protrusion 201 of the second sheet metal part 1B can be engaged and positioned without confirming the position of the first sheet metal part 1A. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the allowable range of positional deviation of the first sheet metal part 1A is [the height h of the hole 101 of the first sheet metal part 1A−the thickness of the second sheet metal part 1B. t], and in the width direction, [the straight section width W1 of the first sheet metal part 1A1-the interval W3 between the convex portions 202 and 203 of the second sheet metal part 1B].

  Note that, in the side 105 (FIGS. 2B and 4) on which one convex portion 102 is formed, as shown in FIG. 6, the convex portions 202 and 203 interval W3 of the second sheet metal part 1B and the convex portion. The difference between the width 102 and the root width W2 is preferably substantially the same as [the straight section width W1 of the first sheet metal part 1A1-the interval W3 between the convex portions 202 and 203 of the second sheet metal part 1B]. Further, when the second sheet metal part 1B is inserted into the first sheet metal part 1A, the arc radius of the convex part 102 of the first sheet metal part 1A and the convex part of the second sheet metal part 1B so that the mating proceeds smoothly. It is desirable that the arc radii of 202 and 203 and the recess 204 are substantially the same.

  According to the component positioning mechanism of the present embodiment, the protruding portion 201 of the second sheet metal component 1B is inserted into the hole 101 having the convex portions 102 to 104 of the first sheet metal component 1A, and the protruding portion 201 is the contour of the hole 101. The center of the hole 101 and the center of the protruding portion 201 are aligned in the process of being guided to the mating state with respect to the hole 101 while being along. Therefore, reliable and easy positioning is possible without using a detection function that requires image processing or the like. Since the sheet metal parts 1A and 1B can be easily positioned by an automatic machine, automatic assembly of an image forming apparatus or the like can be realized at low cost. Even when a person performs the assembly work, the workability can be improved and the assembly time can be shortened without increasing the cost.

  The contours of the convex portions 102 to 104 of the first sheet metal part 1A may be arc-shaped or triangular, and the contours of the convex portions 202 and 203 at the tips of the protrusions 201 of the second sheet metal component 1B may be arc-shaped or triangular, The contour of the recess 204 at the tip of the protrusion 201 of the second sheet metal part 1B may be arcuate or triangular. 7 to 10 show first and second sheet metal parts 2A to 5A and 2B to 5B (second to fifth specific examples) applicable to the present embodiment.

  The contours of the convex portions 102 to 104 formed on the edge of the hole 101 of the first sheet metal part 2A shown in FIG. 7A are triangular, and the protrusion of the second sheet metal part 2B shown in FIG. 7B. The contours of the convex portions 202 and 203 and the concave portion 204 at the tip of the portion 201 are triangular. The contours of the convex portions 102 to 104 formed at the edge of the hole 101 of the first sheet metal part 3A shown in FIG. 8A are semicircular arcs, and the second sheet metal part shown in FIG. The contours of the convex portions 202 and 203 and the concave portion 204 at the tip of the 3B protruding portion 201 are triangular with R. As shown in FIG. 8A, there are gaps 103a and 104a between the convex portions 103 and 104 and the short side of the circumscribed rectangle P1. The first sheet metal part 2A shown in FIG. 7 (A) and the second sheet metal part 3B shown in FIG. 8 (B) are combined, or the first sheet metal part 3A shown in FIG. 8 (A) and FIG. 7 (B). Or a second sheet metal part 2B shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a section (corresponding to sections 107 and 108 in FIG. 2B and FIG. 4) in which the protrusion 201 of the second sheet metal part 4 </ b> B is inserted is configured at the edge of the hole 101. You may comprise so that it may come to the outer side of the convex parts 102-104. Further, in the first and second sheet metal parts 2A and 2B shown in FIG. 7, the convex portions 102 to 104 formed at the edge of the hole 101, and the convex portions 202 and 203 and the concave portion 204 at the tip of the protruding portion 201 are plane-symmetric. Although it has a shape, it is not limited to this. That is, the tolerance for positioning may appear symmetrically on the left and right of the component, or appear asymmetrically on the left and right of the component. For example, as in the first and second sheet metal parts 5A and 5B shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the protrusions 102 to 104 formed at the edge of the hole 101 and the protrusion at the tip of the protrusion 201 202 and 203 and the recessed part 204 are good also as an asymmetrical shape.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 11 shows first and second sheet metal parts 6A and 6B (first specific example) constituting the part positioning mechanism according to the second embodiment. In this component positioning mechanism, a protrusion 401 made of a part of the second sheet metal part 6B (FIG. 11B) is inserted into the hole 301 formed in the first sheet metal part 6A (FIG. 11A). Thus, the first sheet metal part 6A and the second sheet metal part 6B are positioned. 11A is a plan view of the first sheet metal part 6A, and FIG. 11B is a plan view of the second sheet metal part 6B.

  In the first sheet metal part 6A (FIG. 11A), the positioning hole 301 is formed as described above. The hole 301 has a shape inscribed in a rectangle. That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, the hole 301 has a shape that circumscribes the rectangle P1, and the center of the hole 301 that is the center of the circumscribed rectangle P1 or a position that serves as a reference for the hole 301 (for example, , The sides of the hole 301, the corners, etc. The design indicates a part whose dimensions are defined from the reference position of the first sheet metal part 6A.) The reference position of the first sheet metal part 6A (the first sheet metal part 6A). (This is the point that becomes the dimensional standard for design or the dimensional standard for processing. For example, the center of the dowel, the center of the pin hole, the corner of the abutment, etc.) Has been.

  Two protrusions 302, 303; 304, 305 are provided on two sides corresponding to the long side of the circumscribed rectangle P1 of the hole 301 so as to protrude from the edge of the hole 301 toward the inside. In the present embodiment, the convex portions 302 to 305 have a semicircular shape (the contour has an arc shape), but these may be an oval shape, a triangular shape, or a trapezoidal shape. Further, a trapezoidal space P4 surrounded by the tips of the convex portions 302 to 305 exists inside the hole 301 of the first sheet metal part 6A.

  As described above, the positioning projection 401 is formed on the second sheet metal part 6B (FIG. 11B). One protrusion 402 is formed at the tip of the protrusion 401. In addition, continuous slopes 402 a and 402 b are formed on the contour from the convex portion 402 toward the roots 405 and 406 of the protruding portion 401. Further, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 402 has an arc shape, but may have any of an oval shape, a triangular shape, and a trapezoidal shape.

  The convex portion 402 of the second sheet metal part 6B is disposed so as to be inserted into the trapezoidal space P4 inside the hole 301 of the first sheet metal part 6A when the protrusion 401 is engaged with the hole 301. In the present embodiment, the convex portion 402 is arranged so as to be inserted into the center of the trapezoid space P4, but this is not limited as long as the convex portion 402 is inserted into the trapezoid space P4. That is, the design is such that the center of the hole 301 and the apex of the convex portion 402 coincide with each other, but the apex of the convex portion 402 may be configured to exist within the range of the width of the trapezoid space P4. The trapezoidal space P4 is a space in which the apex of the convex portion 402 is inserted during the fitting operation. If the apex of the convex portion 402 is outside the trapezoidal space P4, the centripetal space P4 may not be centered during fitting.

  The notches 407 and 408 (FIG. 11B) of the second sheet metal part 6B ensure that the parts come into contact with each other when the first sheet metal part 6A and the second sheet metal part 6B are in the combined state. It is the escape part. Further, in order to securely and smoothly engage the protrusion 401 with the hole 301, the roots 405 and 406 of the protrusion 401 of the second sheet metal part 6B have a first sheet metal part as shown in FIG. A linear region having a thickness of 6A or more is formed.

  The long side of the rectangle P <b> 2 (FIG. 11A) inscribed in the hole 301 so as to contact all the convex portions 302 to 305 is longer than the root width of the protruding portion 401. That is, the root width W (FIG. 11B) of the protrusion 401 of the second sheet metal part 6B is slightly shorter than the width of the long side of the inscribed rectangle P2 of the hole 301 of the first sheet metal part 6A. The accuracy of the combination is determined by this dimensional difference. Further, the short side of the rectangle P2 inscribed in the hole 301 so as to contact all the convex portions 302 to 305 (FIG. 11A) is longer than the thickness of the second sheet metal part 6B. The height of the trapezoid space P4 inside the 6A hole 301 is slightly larger than the plate thickness of the second sheet metal part 6B, and the mating accuracy is determined by this dimensional difference.

  Next, positioning and combining operations of the first sheet metal part 6A and the second sheet metal part 6B will be described. First, the convex part 402 of the front-end | tip of the projection part 401 of the 2nd sheet metal component 6B is inserted in the center part of the hole 301 of 6A of 1st sheet metal parts. At this time, since only one protrusion 402 is formed at the tip of the protrusion 401, in the space surrounded by the tips of the protrusions 302 to 305 including the trapezoid space P4 and the long side of the circumscribed rectangle P1, If the tip of the convex part 402 is inserted, even if the position of the second sheet metal part 6B is displaced within the space range of the hole 301 of the first sheet metal part 6A, it can be positioned and engaged. From this state, the second sheet metal part 6B is pressed against the first sheet metal part 6A until the insertion is completed. At this time, when the insertion is performed by weakening the force for holding the second sheet metal part 1 </ b> B, the protruding portion 401 is guided to the mating state with respect to the hole 301 along the outline of the hole 301.

  Ultimately, the first and second sheet metal parts 6A and 6B are positioned by holding the projection 401 between the convex parts 302 to 305 of the first sheet metal part 6A. That is, the inscribed rectangle P2 (FIG. 11A) of the hole 301 and the cross section of the projection 401 of the second sheet metal part 6B are brought into a state of being matched with each other, so that the first sheet metal part 6A is joined. The second sheet metal part 6B can be positioned. In the configuration of the present embodiment, the allowable positional deviation between the first sheet metal part 6A and the second sheet metal part 6B is [the height of the hole 301 of the first sheet metal part 6A−the second sheet metal part in the height direction]. 6B], and in the width direction, [base width W of protrusion 401−short side width Wd of trapezoidal space P4]. Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, a short side of the circumscribed rectangle P1 in which the hole 301 is inscribed in a space surrounded by the convex portions 302 to 305 on the long side of the circumscribed rectangle P1 in which the hole 301 is inscribed, The presence of the rectangular space P5 having sides of the same length constitutes the above-described positional deviation allowable range.

  According to the component positioning mechanism of the present embodiment, the protruding portion 401 of the second sheet metal component 6B is inserted into the hole 301 having the convex portions 302 to 305 of the first sheet metal component 6A, and the protruding portion 401 is the contour of the hole 301. The center of the hole 301 and the center of the protrusion 401 are aligned in the process of being guided into the mating state with respect to the hole 301 along the line. Therefore, reliable and easy positioning is possible without using a detection function that requires image processing or the like. And since it becomes easy to position the sheet metal parts 6A and 6B by an automatic machine, automatic assembly of an image forming apparatus or the like can be realized at low cost. Even when a person performs the assembly work, the workability can be improved and the assembly time can be shortened without increasing the cost.

  The contour of the convex portions 302 to 305 of the first sheet metal part 6A may be arcuate or triangular, and the contour of the convex portion 402 at the tip of the protrusion 401 of the second sheet metal part 6B may be arcuate or triangular. Further, the convex portions 302 to 305 are arranged at the four corners of the circumscribed rectangle P1 described above, or two convex portions are formed at the tip of the protruding portion 401 of the second sheet metal part 7B, and one concave portion is formed therebetween. May be.

  12 and 13 show first and second sheet metal parts 7A and 7B (second and third specific examples) applicable to the present embodiment. In the first sheet metal part 7A, convex portions 302 to 305 are arranged at the four corners of the circumscribed rectangle P1. Two protrusions 402 and 403 are formed at the tip of the protrusion 401 of the second sheet metal part 7B, and a recess 404 is formed at an intermediate position between the protrusion 402 and the protrusion 403. Even if the first sheet metal part 7A and the second sheet metal part 6B are combined as shown in FIG. 12, or the first sheet metal part 7A and the second sheet metal part 7B are combined as shown in FIG. , The same effect as when the second sheet metal parts 6A and 6B are used (FIG. 11) can be obtained.

1A-5A 1st sheet metal part 1B-5B 2nd sheet metal part 101 Hole 102-104 Convex part 105,106 Side 201 Protrusion part 202,203 Convex part 204 Concave part 6A, 7A 1st sheet metal part 6B, 7B 2nd sheet metal part 301 Holes 302 to 305 Protruding part 401 Protruding part 402, 403 Convex part 404 Concave part 501 Structure (image forming apparatus)
502 Positioning reference point P1 circumscribed rectangle P2 inscribed rectangle P3 rectangular space P4 trapezoid space P5 rectangular space

Claims (15)

A component positioning mechanism for positioning a first sheet metal part and a second sheet metal part by inserting a protrusion formed of a part of the second sheet metal part into a hole formed in the first sheet metal part,
A hole formed in the first sheet metal part has a shape inscribed in a rectangle, and one long side of the two long sides of the rectangle is protruded from the edge of the hole toward the inside. One or more parts are provided, and the other long side is provided with two or more convex parts protruding inward from the edge of the hole,
The short side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole so as to be in contact with all the convex portions is longer than the thickness of the second sheet metal part,
The long side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole so as to be in contact with all the convex portions is longer than the width of the base of the protruding portion,
Two or more protrusions and one or more recesses are formed at the tip of the protrusion,
The protrusion at the tip of the protrusion is inserted into a space between the tip of the protrusion on one side of the rectangle inscribed by the hole and the tip of the protrusion on the other side, and the protrusion is inserted into the hole in the insertion process. In this case, the positioning is performed by being guided to the mating state with respect to the hole while being held along the contour of the first sheet metal and finally being sandwiched by the convex portions of the first sheet metal part. Component positioning mechanism.   The component positioning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the contour of the convex portion of the first sheet metal component is arcuate.   The component positioning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the contour of the convex portion of the first sheet metal component is triangular.   The component positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a contour of a convex portion at a tip end of the protruding portion of the second sheet metal component is an arc shape.   The component positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a contour of a convex portion at a tip end of the projecting portion of the second sheet metal component is triangular.   The component positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contour of the concave portion at the tip of the protruding portion of the second sheet metal component is an arc shape.   The component positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a contour of a concave portion at a tip of the protruding portion of the second sheet metal component is triangular.   A rectangular space having a long side having the same length as the short side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole in a space between the tip of the convex part on one side of the rectangle inscribed with the hole and the tip of the convex part on the other side. The component positioning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the component positioning mechanism is present. A component positioning mechanism for positioning a first sheet metal part and a second sheet metal part by inserting a protrusion formed of a part of the second sheet metal part into a hole formed in the first sheet metal part,
A hole formed in the first sheet metal part has a shape inscribed in a rectangle, and two or more convex portions projecting inward from the edge of the hole are provided on the long sides of the two sides of the rectangle. And
The short side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole so as to be in contact with all the convex portions is longer than the thickness of the second sheet metal part,
The long side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole so as to be in contact with all the convex portions is longer than the width of the base of the protruding portion,
One or more protrusions are formed at the tip of the protrusion,
The protrusion at the tip of the protrusion is inserted into a space surrounded by the tip of the protrusion on the long side of the rectangle inscribed by the hole and the two long sides of the rectangle inscribed by the hole. The projection is guided to the mating state with respect to the hole while being along the outline of the hole, and is finally clamped by the convex portion of the first sheet metal part, so that the positioning is performed. A component positioning mechanism characterized by that.   The component positioning mechanism according to claim 9, wherein a contour of the convex portion of the first sheet metal component is arcuate.   The component positioning mechanism according to claim 9, wherein a contour of the convex portion of the first sheet metal component is triangular.   The component positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a contour of a convex portion at a tip end of the projecting portion of the second sheet metal component is an arc shape.   The component positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the contour of the convex portion at the tip of the protruding portion of the second sheet metal component is triangular.   The rectangular space having a side having the same length as the short side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole exists in the space surrounded by the convex portion on the long side of the rectangle inscribed in the hole. The component positioning mechanism according to any one of 9 to 13.   An image forming apparatus assembled using the component positioning mechanism according to claim 1.

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