Assembling device

The assembly device simplifies the alignment and fitting of a tube member into a cap by using a guide groove and sliding roller to align and fit the components, addressing the complexity of coaxial alignment and frictional forces.

JP2026036425APending Publication Date: 2026-03-05TOYOTA BOSHOKU KK
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-20
Publication Date
2026-03-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The assembly of a tube member into a cap is complicated due to the need for precise coaxial alignment and overcoming frictional forces between the seal member and the cap, making the process cumbersome.

Method used

An assembly device with a slide section, first and second support sections, and a fitting section that utilizes a guide groove with an inclined portion to align and fit the tube member into the cap, facilitated by a sliding roller that adjusts the vertical position of the support sections.

Benefits of technology

The device simplifies the assembly process by temporarily aligning and fitting the tube member into the cap, reducing the complexity and effort required for precise alignment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide an assembling device capable of easily performing work for fitting and assembling a first member and a second member different from each other.SOLUTION: With the forward movement of the slide portion 80, the sliding rollers 95 of the first support portion 90 slide on the inclined portions 123 of the guide portions 120, so that the first support portion 90 approaches the second support portion 100 from below and the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 are temporarily assembled, and the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 are disposed at positions aligned below the fitting portion 130 in a state where the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 are temporarily assembled. The fitting portion 130 presses the cap 31 supported by the second support portion 100 from above to fit the flow path member 40 supported by the first support portion 90 into the cap 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ion exchanger connected to a cooling circuit of a fuel cell. This ion exchanger includes a housing provided with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe through which a coolant flows, and a cartridge detachably attached to the housing.

[0003] The cartridge includes a cap and a tube member. The cap is cylindrical with a closed upper end. The tube member is cylindrical and extends vertically inside the cap. A ring portion is formed at the upper end of the tube member, protruding in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tube member. The outer periphery of the ring portion is fitted inside the cap. An annular seal member is attached to the outer periphery of the ring portion to seal between the tube member and the cap. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-74687 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When assembling a tube member to a cap, the worker must first position the tube member with the attached seal member and the cap coaxially, then fit the tube member into the cap. The worker must then insert the tube member into the cap against the frictional force generated between the seal member and the cap, and then fit the tube member to the correct position relative to the cap. This can make the assembling process of the tube member to the cap complicated.

[0006] This problem is not limited to when a tube member is fitted into a cap constituting an ion exchanger cartridge and assembled, but also occurs when various members are fitted into other members and assembled. For this reason, it is desired to easily perform the work of fitting and assembling a first member and a second member that are different from each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An assembling device for solving the above problem is an assembling device that assembles a first member by fitting it into a second member, and includes: a slide section that slides in a horizontal direction; a first support section that is connected to the slide section so as to be able to reciprocate in a vertical direction relative to the slide section and supports the first member; a second support section that is connected to the slide section and supports the second member at a position in the vertical direction different from a position at which the first support section supports the first member; a guide section having a guide groove; and a fitting section that presses the first member supported by the first support section or the second member supported by the second support section from one side in the vertical direction to fit the first member into the second member, and the first support section is configured to The guide groove is provided with a sliding roller that slides within the guide groove to determine the vertical position of the first support part, and the guide groove has an inclined portion that extends at an angle with respect to the sliding direction so that the guide groove is positioned to one side in the vertical direction as it moves toward one side in the sliding direction of the sliding part, and as the sliding part moves to one side in the sliding direction, the sliding roller slides within the inclined portion, so that the first support part comes close to the second support part in the vertical direction and the first member and the second member are temporarily assembled, and when the first member and the second member are temporarily assembled, the first support part and the second support part are positioned so that they are aligned vertically with the fitting part.

[0008] According to the above configuration, as the slide portion moves toward one side in the sliding direction, the sliding roller of the first support portion connected to the slide portion slides along the inclined portion of the guide groove. As a result, the first support portion moves vertically adjacent to the second support portion, temporarily assembling the first member supported by the first support portion and the second member supported by the second support portion. As the slide portion moves, the first support portion and the second support portion are positioned vertically aligned with the fitting portion when the first member and the second member are temporarily assembled. Therefore, by moving the slide portion toward one side in the sliding direction and then operating the fitting portion, the first member can be fitted into the second member and assembled. This facilitates the assembly of the first member and the second member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an ion exchanger according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the cartridge of the ion exchanger of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an assembly device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing a slide portion, a first support portion, and a second support portion of the assembly device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly device when the sliding roller is positioned at the extension portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly device when the sliding roller is positioned at the inclined portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly device when the first support portion is positioned rearward of the second support portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly device when the first support portion and the second support portion are aligned in the vertical direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly device when the sliding roller is positioned in the receiving portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly device just before the fitting portion presses the cap. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly device when the fitting portion is pressing the cap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of an assembly device will be described below with reference to FIGS. The assembly device 60 is a device that assembles the flow path member 40 by fitting it into the cap 31 that constitutes the cartridge 30 of the ion exchanger 10. The cap 31 is an example of a "housing."

[0011] (Overall configuration of ion exchanger 10) 1, the ion exchanger 10 is connected to a cooling circuit (not shown) through which coolant flows for cooling a vehicle fuel cell. The ion exchanger 10 removes ions contained in the coolant.

[0012] The ion exchanger 10 includes a case 20 and a cartridge 30. The cartridge 30 is configured to be detachable from the case 20. (Configuration of Case 20) The case 20 has a storage section 21, an inlet pipe 22, and an outlet pipe .

[0013] The accommodation portion 21 has a cylindrical shape that opens upward. An internal thread (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the accommodation portion 21. The inlet pipe 22 and the outlet pipe 23 are connected to the lower part of the storage section 21. The inlet pipe 22 and the outlet pipe 23 are oriented in opposite directions. The cooling water flowing through the cooling circuit flows into the cartridge 30 housed in the storage section 21 through the inlet pipe 22. The outlet pipe 23 allows the cooling water in the cartridge 30 to flow out into the cooling circuit.

[0014] (Configuration of cartridge 30) The cartridge 30 includes a cap 31, a flow path member 40, a lid member 45, and an ion exchange resin R. The cap 31 is cylindrical and opens downward. The cap 31 is housed in the housing portion 21. The flow path member 40 forms a flow path inside the cap 31 through which cooling water flows. The lid member 45 covers the opening of the cap 31. The ion exchange resin R is filled inside the cap 31. The cap 31, the flow path member 40, and the lid member 45 are formed of a thermoplastic resin material such as polyamide (PA), for example.

[0015] The cap 31 has a top wall 32 and a peripheral wall 33. The top wall 32 is circular in plan view. The peripheral wall 33 protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the top wall 32. A male thread 34 that meshes with the female thread of the accommodating portion 21 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 33. By screwing the cap 31 onto the accommodating portion 21, the cartridge 30 is detachably attached to the case 20.

[0016] A plurality of bosses 35 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 33. The bosses 35 extend in the vertical direction and protrude outward from the opening of the cap 31. Each boss 35 is cylindrical. The tip of each boss 35 protrudes downward beyond the lower end of the peripheral wall 33.

[0017] An exhaust hole 36 penetrating the peripheral wall 33 is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall 33 below the male thread 34. The exhaust hole 36 has a circular cross section. The exhaust hole 36 faces the inner peripheral surface of the storage section 21. The exhaust hole 36 has the function of discharging air inside the cartridge 30 to the outside when the cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 20 in which the coolant is stored during replacement of the cartridge 30. Discharging air from the exhaust hole 36 prevents the coolant from overflowing from the case 20 during replacement of the cartridge 30.

[0018] A joint surface 33a that surrounds the exhaust hole 36 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 33. The joint surface 33a is recessed relative to the other portions of the peripheral wall 33. A first mesh member 50 that covers the exhaust hole 36 is joined to the joining surface 33a. The first mesh member 50 is joined to the joining surface 33a by, for example, vibration welding or ultrasonic welding. The first mesh member 50 has a circular shape. The first mesh member 50 is formed from a thin metal plate such as stainless steel. The mesh size of the first mesh member 50 is set to allow the passage of cooling water while preventing the passage of the ion exchange resin R.

[0019] A seal groove 37 is formed around the entire outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 33 above the male thread 34. An annular first seal member 55 is attached to the seal groove 37. The first seal member 55 provides a seal between the outer circumferential surface of the cap 31 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing portion 21. The first seal member 55 is made of an elastic material.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flow path member 40 has a pipe portion 41, an annular portion 42, and a plurality of first ribs 43. The pipe part 41 has a cylindrical shape and extends vertically in the center of the interior of the cap 31. An upper end of the pipe part 41 has a gap between it and the top wall 32. The lower end of the pipe part 41 passes through the lid member 45.

[0021] The annular portion 42 is annular and surrounds the upper end of the pipe portion 41. The annular portion 42 is fitted into the interior of the upper end of the cap 31. The first ribs 43 connect the outer peripheral surface of the pipe portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 42 at multiple locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the pipe portion 41 .

[0022] An annular second seal member 56 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 42. The second seal member 56 provides a seal between the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 42 and the inner circumferential surface of the cap 31. The second seal member 56 is made of an elastic material.

[0023] The second mesh member 51 is integrated with the flow path member 40 by insert molding. The second mesh member 51 is disk-shaped. The second mesh member 51 is integrated with the flow path member 40 so as to be flush with the annular portion 42 and the lower surfaces of the plurality of first ribs 43. The second mesh member 51 is formed from a thin metal plate such as stainless steel. The mesh size of the second mesh member 51 is set to allow the passage of cooling water while preventing the passage of the ion exchange resin R.

[0024] An annular third seal member 57 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the pipe portion 41. The third seal member 57 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner annular portion 46, which will be described later. The third seal member 57 is made of an elastic material.

[0025] The cover member 45 has an inner annular portion 46, an outer annular portion 47, and a plurality of second ribs 48. The inner annular portion 46 has an annular shape that surrounds the lower end of the pipe portion 41. The inner annular portion 46 protrudes in the same direction as the boss 35 from the surface of the cover member 45 where a through-hole 49 (described later) opens, i.e., from the underside of the cover member 45.

[0026] The outer annular portion 47 is annular and surrounds the inner annular portion 46. The outer annular portion 47 is fitted inside the lower end portion of the cap 31. The outer annular portion 47 has a plurality of through holes 49 that penetrate the outer annular portion 47 in the up-down direction and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0027] 1, the boss 35 of the cap 31 is inserted into the through-hole 49. The tip of the boss 35 is formed into a dome shape by heat caulking. This fixes the lid member 45 to the cap 31.

[0028] The second ribs 48 connect the outer peripheral surface of the inner annular portion 46 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer annular portion 47 at multiple locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the inner annular portion 46 . An annular fourth seal member 58 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the outer annular portion 47. The fourth seal member 58 provides a seal between the outer peripheral surface of the outer annular portion 47 and the inner peripheral surface of the cap 31. The fourth seal member 58 is made of an elastic material.

[0029] The third mesh member 52 is integrated with the cover member 45 by insert molding. The third mesh member 52 is disk-shaped. The third mesh member 52 is integrated with the cover member 45 so as to be flush with the lower surface of the cover member 45. The third mesh member 52 is formed from a thin metal plate such as stainless steel. The mesh size of the third mesh member 52 is set to allow the passage of cooling water while preventing the passage of the ion exchange resin R.

[0030] The ion exchange resin R is filled in the space inside the cap 31 around the pipe portion 41 and between the annular portion 42 and the lid member 45. Most of the cooling water that flows into the inside of the case 20 from the inlet pipe 22 passes through the third mesh member 52 integrated with the lid member 45, and reaches the region inside the cap 31 that is filled with the ion exchange resin R. As the cooling water passes through the ion exchange resin R, ions are removed from the cooling water by ion exchange with the ion exchange resin R. After passing through the ion exchange resin R, the cooling water passes through the second mesh member 51 integrated with the flow path member 40, and then flows into the inside of the pipe portion 41 through the opening at the upper end of the pipe portion 41. Thereafter, the cooling water flows into the inside of the outlet pipe 23 from the lower end of the pipe portion 41, and then flows out of the outlet pipe 23 into the cooling circuit.

[0031] (Overall configuration of assembly device 60) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the assembly device 60 includes a base 70, a slide portion 80, a first support portion 90, a second support portion 100, two holding portions 110, a guide portion 120, and an engaging portion 130. The slide portion 80 is attached to the base 70 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. The first support portion 90 is connected to the slide portion 80 so as to be reciprocable in the up-down direction relative to the slide portion 80. The first support portion 90 supports the flow path member 40. The second support portion 100 is connected to the slide portion 80 so as to be movable in the sliding direction relative to the slide portion 80. The second support portion 100 supports the cap 31 at a position above the position at which the first support portion 90 supports the flow path member 40. The two holding portions 110 hold the second support portion 100 when the slide portion 80 moves. The guide portion 120 guides the up-down movement of the first support portion 90 when the slide portion 80 moves. The fitting portion 130 presses the cap 31 supported by the second support portion 100 from above toward the flow path member 40 supported by the first support portion 90 to fit the flow path member 40 into the cap 31.

[0032] The assembling device 60 is a device that assembles the flow path member 40, to which the second seal member 56 is attached, by fitting it into the cap 31 when the slide portion 80 and the fitting portion 130 are operated by an operator.

[0033] (Configuration of base 70) 3, the base 70 is a rectangular plate having long and short sides. A plurality of legs 71 are attached to the underside of the base 70.

[0034] An oval slit 72 extending in the long side direction of the base 70 is formed in the center of the base 70 . Two long support blocks 73 are fixed to the upper surface of the base 70. The two support blocks 73 are arranged on both sides of the slit 72 in the direction of the short side of the base 70. A first guide rail 74 extending along the support block 73 is fixed to the upper surface of each support block 73. The support block 73 and the first guide rail 74 extend parallel to the slit 72.

[0035] A first stopper 75 and a second stopper 76 are fixed to the upper surface of the base 70. The first stopper 75 and the second stopper 76 are disposed on both sides of the slit 72 in the long side direction of the base 70, respectively.

[0036] Two third stoppers 77 are fixed to the upper surface of the base 70. The two third stoppers 77 are arranged on both sides of the two first guide rails 74 in the short side direction of the base 70.

[0037] (Configuration of slide portion 80) 4, the sliding portion 80 has a base plate 81 that extends parallel to the base 70. The base plate 81 is substantially U-shaped in a plan view.

[0038] The slide portion 80 has four first guide blocks 82 fixed to the four corners of the underside of the base plate 81. Each first guide block 82 is slidably engaged with the first guide rail 74. The first guide blocks 82 slide along the first guide rail 74, thereby allowing the slide portion 80 to slide relative to the base 70. During assembly work using the assembly device 60, the slide portion 80 is moved to one side in the sliding direction by the worker.

[0039] Hereinafter, the sliding direction of the sliding portion 80 will be simply referred to as the "sliding direction," and the width direction of the sliding portion 80, which is perpendicular to both the sliding direction and the up-down direction, will be simply referred to as the "width direction." In addition, in the sliding direction, the side on which the sliding portion 80 moves forward will be referred to as the "front," and the side on which the sliding portion 80 moves backward will be referred to as the "rear." The sliding direction coincides with the long side direction of the base 70. The width direction coincides with the short side direction of the base 70.

[0040] A handle is provided at the rear end of the base plate 81 to be operated by an operator when sliding the slide portion 80. The slide portion 80 has two second guide rails 83 extending parallel to the slide direction. The two second guide rails 83 are fixed to both ends of the upper surface of the base plate 81 in the width direction.

[0041] 5, the sliding portion 80 has a first restricting member 84 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the rear end portion of the base plate 81. When the sliding portion 80 moves backward, the first restricting member 84 comes into contact with the first stopper 75 from the front, thereby restricting the rearward movement of the sliding portion 80.

[0042] The sliding portion 80 has a second restricting member 85 that protrudes downward from the underside of the front end portion of the base plate 81. When the sliding portion 80 moves forward, the second restricting member 85 comes into contact with the second stopper 76 from behind, thereby restricting the forward movement of the sliding portion 80 (see FIG. 9). The first restricting member 84 and the second restricting member 85 are provided on the same straight line in the sliding direction.

[0043] The sliding portion 80 has a fixed block 86 and two substantially cylindrical bushings 87. The fixed block 86 is fixed to a portion of the lower surface of the base plate 81 between the first restricting member 84 and the second restricting member 85. The two bushings 87 are fixed to the fixed block 86 at an interval in the sliding direction. The bushings 87 pass through the fixed block 86 in the up-down direction and are disposed in the slits 72.

[0044] (Configuration of the first support portion 90) The first support part 90 includes a first mounting plate 91 and a first support jig 92. The first mounting plate 91 has a rectangular shape that is long in the sliding direction in a plan view. The first mounting plate 91 is disposed at a position that is biased rearward from the center of the base plate 81 in the sliding direction. The first support jig 92 protrudes upward from the center of the first mounting plate 91. The first support jig 92 is cylindrical. The first support jig 92 has an accommodation space that accommodates the flow path member 40. The upper end surface of the first support jig 92 supports the annular portion 42 of the flow path member 40 from below.

[0045] The first support part 90 includes two first support columns 93, a connecting part 94, and a sliding roller 95. The two support columns are fixed to the underside of the first mounting base at a distance from each other in the sliding direction. The first support column 93 extends linearly downward from the first mounting plate 91. The two first support columns 93 are slidably inserted into two bushings 87, respectively. As each first support column 93 slides within the bushing 87, the first support jig 92 moves back and forth in the vertical direction relative to the sliding part 80. The connecting part 94 connects the lower ends of the two first support columns 93. The sliding roller 95 protrudes from one side in the width direction from a portion of the connecting part 94 between the two first support columns 93. The sliding roller 95 is rotatable around a central axis extending in the width direction. The sliding roller 95 rotates and slides on the inner surface of a guide groove 121 (described later) as the slide portion 80 moves, thereby defining the position of the first support portion 90 in the up-down direction.

[0046] (Configuration of second support part 100) The second support part 100 includes a second mounting plate 101 and a second support jig 102. The second mounting plate 101 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the width direction in a plan view. The second mounting plate 101 has a through hole 101a that penetrates the second mounting plate 101 in the vertical direction. The second support jig 102 is approximately cylindrical. The second support jig 102 has an accommodation space that accommodates the cap 31. The second support jig 102 is fixed to the second mounting plate 101 while inserted into the through hole 101a. The second support jig 102 has a protruding portion 103 that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the lower end of the second support jig 102 toward the inner circumferential side along the entire circumference. The protruding portion 103 supports the lower end surface of the peripheral wall 33 of the cap 31 from below. The inner diameter of the protruding portion 103 is smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 33 of the cap 31. When the lower end surface of the peripheral wall 33 of the cap 31 is supported by the protruding portion 103 , each boss 35 of the cap 31 is located on the inner circumferential side of the protruding portion 103 .

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the second support part 100 includes four second support columns 104, two connecting blocks 105, and two held parts 106. The four second support columns 104 are fixed to the four corners of the underside of the second mounting plate 101. The second support columns 104 extend linearly downward from the second mounting plate 101. Each connecting block 105 connects two second support columns 104 that are spaced apart in the sliding direction. The two held parts 106 are fixed to the two connecting blocks 105, respectively. Each held part 106 protrudes from one connecting block 105 to the opposite side of the other connecting block 105 in the width direction. The held parts 106 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the width direction.

[0048] The second support part 100 includes two magnetic bodies 107. The two magnetic bodies 107 are fixed to the rear end surfaces of the two connecting blocks 105, respectively. The magnetic bodies 107 are, for example, metal plates whose thickness direction is the sliding direction.

[0049] The second support part 100 has two second guide blocks 108 fixed to the lower surfaces of the two connecting blocks 105, respectively. Each second guide block 108 is slidably engaged with the second guide rail 83. As the second guide blocks 108 slide along the second guide rail 83, the second support part 100 moves relative to the sliding part 80 in the sliding direction.

[0050] (Configuration of holding part 110) The two holding parts 110 are fixed to portions of the upper surface of the base 70 on opposite sides in the width direction, sandwiching the two first guide rails 74. The holding parts 110 protrude upward from the base 70. The holding parts 110 have magnets 111 that protrude forward from the upper ends of the holding parts 110. The magnets 111 hold the second support part 100 by being attracted to the rear surfaces of the held parts 106.

[0051] The holding portion 110 is configured to hold the second support portion 100 when the sliding portion 80 moves so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the extension portion 122 described below. By the holding portion 110 holding the second support portion 100, the sliding portion 80 and the second support portion 100 can move relative to each other in the sliding direction when the sliding portion 80 moves.

[0052] (Configuration of release unit 88) The sliding portion 80 has two release portions 88 that press the second support portion 100 to release the second support portion 100 from the two holding portions 110. The two release portions 88 protrude upward from both widthwise ends of the rear end portion of the base plate 81. The release portions 88 are disposed behind the rear end portion of the second guide rail 83. The release portions 88 have magnets 89 that protrude forward from the upper ends of the release portions 88. As the sliding portion 80 advances, the magnets 89 press forward the magnetic body 107 of the second support portion 100 that is held by the holding portions 110. The magnets 89 press forward the magnetic body 107 while attracted to the magnetic body 107. When the magnets 89 press the magnetic body 107 forward, the holding of the second support portion 100 by the holding portions 110 is released. More specifically, the attraction between magnet 111 of holding portion 110 and held portion 106 is released.

[0053] (Configuration of guide unit 120) 5, the guide portion 120 is fixed to the lower surface of the base 70. The guide portion 120 is in the form of a flat plate with its thickness direction in the width direction, and extends parallel to the slit 72.

[0054] The guide portion 120 has a guide groove 121 in which the sliding roller 95 slides. The guide groove 121 has an extending portion 122, an inclined portion 123, and a receiving portion . The extension portion 122 extends linearly in the sliding direction.

[0055] The inclined portion 123 is continuous with the front end of the extending portion 122. The inclined portion 123 extends at an angle with respect to the sliding direction so that the further forward in the sliding direction the inclined portion 123 is positioned, the higher it is.

[0056] The receiving portion 124 is continuous with the front end portion of the sliding portion 80. The receiving portion 124 extends linearly in the sliding direction. The length of the receiving portion 124 in the sliding direction is shorter than the length of the extending portion 122 in the sliding direction. The receiving portion 124 has an inner surface that receives, from below, the load acting on the sliding roller 95 when the fitting portion 130 fits the flow path member 40 into the cap 31.

[0057] (Configuration of fitting portion 130) 3, the fitting portion 130 is attached to a frame 140 fixed to the upper surface of the base 70. The fitting portion 130 is disposed above the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100. The fitting portion 130 is disposed above the receiving portion 124 when viewed from the width direction.

[0058] The fitting part 130 has a pressing part 131 that presses the top wall 32 of the cap 31 from above. The fitting part 130 is configured so that the pressing part 131 connected to the lower end of the rod 132 moves up and down when an operating lever 134 connected to the rod 132 via a link 133 is operated.

[0059] (Operation of the assembly device 60) Next, an example of a procedure in which an operator assembles the flow path member 40 to the cap 31 using the assembly device 60 will be described.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, the worker first positions the slide portion 80 so that the sliding roller 95 is located at the rear end of the extension portion 122, and then places the flow path member 40 and the cap 31, to which the second seal member 56 is attached, on the first support jig 92 and the second support jig 102, respectively.

[0061] 6, the operator then advances the sliding portion 80 so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the extending portion 122 toward the inclined portion 123. At this time, the first support portion 90 moves in the sliding direction together with the sliding portion 80 without moving relative to the sliding portion 80. Furthermore, the second support portion 100 does not move relative to the base 70 because it is held by the holding portion 110.

[0062] When the sliding portion 80 advances so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the extending portion 122 toward the inclined portion 123, the first support portion 90 moves from a position located rearward of the second support portion 100 to a position aligned with the second support portion 100 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 5, when the first support portion 90 is located rearward of the second support portion 100, the entire first support portion 90 does not overlap with the second support portion 100 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 6, when the first support portion 90 is aligned with the second support portion 100 in the vertical direction, the central axis of the first support portion 90 and the central axis of the second support portion 100 coincide with each other in the vertical direction.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , when the sliding portion 80 advances to a position where the first support portion 90 is aligned with the second support portion 100 in the vertical direction, the releasing portion 88 is attracted to the magnetic body 107 of the second support portion 100, which is held by the holding portion 110. At this time, both the releasing portion 88 and the holding portion 110 are attracted to the second support portion 100 from behind. When the sliding portion 80 advances further in this state, the releasing portion 88 presses the second support portion 100 forward via the magnetic body 107, thereby releasing the attraction between the holding portion 110 and the held portion 106. In other words, the second support portion 100 transitions from a state where it is attracted only to the holding portion 110 to a state where it is attracted only to the releasing portion 88. As a result, when the sliding portion 80 moves with the releasing portion 88 attracted to the second support portion 100, the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 do not move relative to each other.

[0064] As described above, when the sliding portion 80 moves so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the inclined portion 123 and the receiving portion 124, the sliding portion 80 restricts the relative movement in the sliding direction between the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100. At this time, the sliding portion 80 allows the relative movement in the up-and-down direction between the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100.

[0065] Next, the worker advances the slide portion 80 so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the inclined portion 123 toward the receiving portion 124. At this time, the slide roller 95 moves upward along the inclined portion 123, and therefore the first support portion 90 moves upward relative to the slide portion 80. As a result, the flow path member 40 supported by the first support portion 90 is inserted from below into the inside of the cap 31 supported by the second support portion 100. Then, as the slide roller 95 moves to the front end portion of the inclined portion 123, the cap 31 placed on the second support jig 102 is pushed up by the flow path member 40. At this time, the lower end surface of the peripheral wall 33 of the cap 31 rises from the protruding portion 103.

[0066] Here, before the flow path member 40 is assembled to the cap 31, the diameter of the second seal member 56 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the upper end of the cap 31. Therefore, even if the flow path member 40 rises inside the cap 31, the cap 31 is pushed up by the flow path member 40, and the flow path member 40 does not reach the correct assembly position with respect to the cap 31. Therefore, as the slide portion 80 advances, the sliding roller 95 slides within the inclined portion 123, causing the flow path member 40 to rise and the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 to be provisionally assembled.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 9, the worker then advances the slide portion 80 so that the sliding roller 95 slides forward within the receiving portion 124. As a result, the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 move horizontally while the flow path member 40 is temporarily assembled to the cap 31. At this time, the second restricting member 85 comes into contact with the second stopper 76 from behind. Furthermore, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, the held portion 106 comes into contact with the third stopper 77 from behind. As a result, the sliding roller 95 stops at the front end of the receiving portion 124.

[0068] 9 and 10, by positioning the sliding roller 95 at the front end of the receiving portion 124, the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 are positioned side by side below the fitting portion 130. That is, the temporarily assembled flow path member 40 and cap 31 are positioned below the fitting portion 130. At this time, the pressing portion 131 is positioned above and away from the cap 31.

[0069] 11, the worker then operates the operating lever 134 of the fitting portion 130 to lower the pressing portion 131. As a result, the cap 31 is pressed from above by the pressing portion 131, and the cap 31 moves downward relative to the flow path member 40. As a result, the flow path member 40 is fitted and assembled to the cap 31.

[0070] From the above, the operator can assemble the flow path member 40 to the cap 31 by advancing the slide portion 80 so that the sliding roller 95 slides continuously over the extension portion 122, the inclined portion 123, and the receiving portion 124, and then operating the fitting portion 130.

[0071] Although not shown in the drawings, the procedure after the completion of assembling the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 will now be described. The operator first operates the operating lever 134 to raise the pressing portion 131, and then moves the slide portion 80 backward so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the inclined portion 123. As a result, the first support portion 90 moves downward so as to move away from the flow path member 40 assembled inside the cap 31.

[0072] As the sliding portion 80 moves further backward so that the sliding roller 95 moves toward the front end of the inclined portion 123, the held portion 106 is attracted to the holding portion 110. At this time, the second support portion 100 is attracted to both the releasing portion 88 and the holding portion 110. As the sliding portion 80 moves further backward in this state, the releasing portion 88 moves in a direction away from the magnetic body 107 while the held portion 106 is held by the holding portion 110, and therefore the attraction between the releasing portion 88 and the magnetic body 107 is released.

[0073] Next, in preparation for the next assembly operation, the worker moves the slide portion 80 backward until the slide roller 95 is positioned at the rear end of the extension portion 122. As a result, the first support portion 90 moves rearward relative to the second support portion 100.

[0074] Finally, the worker removes the cap 31 to which the flow path member 40 is attached from the second support jig 102. Note that the worker may remove the cap 31 from the second support jig 102 regardless of the position of the slide portion 80, as long as the pressing portion 131 has been raised.

[0075] <Operation of this embodiment> As the slide portion 80 advances, the sliding rollers 95 of the first support portion 90 connected to the slide portion 80 slide on the inclined portions 123 of the guide grooves 121. As a result, the first support portion 90 approaches the second support portion 100 from below, and the flow path member 40 supported by the first support portion 90 and the cap 31 supported by the second support portion 100 are temporarily assembled. Then, as the slide portion 80 advances, the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 are positioned side by side below the fitting portion 130 with the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 temporarily assembled.

[0076] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The assembly device 60 includes a slide portion 80, a first support portion 90, a second support portion 100, a guide portion 120, and a fitting portion 130. The slide portion 80 slides in the horizontal direction. The first support portion 90 is connected to the slide portion 80 so as to be able to reciprocate up and down relative to the slide portion 80. The second support portion 100 is connected to the slide portion 80 so as to be able to move relative to the slide portion 80 in the sliding direction. The guide portion 120 has an inclined portion 123 that extends at an angle with respect to the sliding direction so as to be positioned higher as it moves forward in the sliding direction. The fitting portion 130 presses the cap 31 supported by the second support portion 100 from above, thereby fitting the flow path member 40 supported by the first support portion 90 into the inside of the cap 31. The first support portion 90 has a sliding roller 95 that slides within the inclined portion 123 as the slide portion 80 moves, thereby determining the position of the first support portion 90 in the up-down direction.

[0077] According to the above configuration, after the slide portion 80 is advanced, the fitting portion 130 is operated, whereby the flow path member 40 can be fitted into and assembled with the cap 31. Therefore, the assembling work of the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 can be easily performed.

[0078] (2) When the slide portion 80 moves so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the extension portion 122 toward the inclined portion 123, the first support portion 90 moves from a position located rearward of the second support portion 100 to a position aligned with the second support portion 100 in the vertical direction.

[0079] According to the above configuration, the slide portion 80 moves so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the extending portion 122 in a direction away from the inclined portion 123, and thus the first support portion 90 is positioned rearward of the second support portion 100. Therefore, compared to when the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 are aligned in the vertical direction, it is easier to arrange the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 on the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100, respectively. Furthermore, the slide portion 80 moves so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the extending portion 122 in a direction approaching the inclined portion 123, and thus the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 are aligned in the vertical direction. Then, as the slide roller 95 slides within the inclined portion 123, the first support portion 90 approaches the second support portion 100 from below, and the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 are provisionally assembled. Therefore, the assembly work of the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 can be performed smoothly.

[0080] (3) The slide portion 80 has a release portion 88 that is aligned with the first support portion 90 in the vertical direction and that releases the hold of the second support portion 100 by the holding portion 110 by pressing the second support portion 100 held by the holding portion 110 forward.

[0081] According to the above configuration, by advancing the slide portion 80, the holding of the second support portion 100 by the holding portion 110 is released. As a result, when advancing the slide portion 80 while maintaining the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 aligned in the vertical direction, it is not necessary to perform a separate operation to release the holding of the second support portion 100 by the holding portion 110. Therefore, the operation of assembling the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 can be performed smoothly.

[0082] (4) The release portion 88 has a magnet 89 that presses the second support portion 100 and is attracted to the second support portion 100 . According to the above configuration, the release portion 88 presses the second support portion 100 forward while being attached to the second support portion 100. Therefore, even after the holding portion 110 releases the holding of the second support portion 100, the release portion 88 remains attached to the second support portion 100. This makes it possible to suppress changes in the relative positions in the horizontal direction between the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 when the slide portion 80 moves so that the slide roller 95 slides within the inclined portion 123. Therefore, the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 can be easily assembled.

[0083] (5) The sliding portion 80 moves so that the sliding roller 95 slides within the receiving portion 124 in a direction away from the inclined portion 123, so that the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 are positioned in a position aligned vertically with the fitting portion 130.

[0084] According to the above configuration, when the fitting portion 130 fits the flow path member 40 into the cap 31, the receiving portion 124 receives the load acting on the sliding roller 95, thereby making it possible to prevent a shortage of the pressing force of the fitting portion 130 acting on the flow path member 40 and the cap 31. Therefore, the flow path member 40 and the cap 31 can be suitably assembled.

[0085] (6) The assembly device 60 is a device that assembles the flow path member 40 by fitting it to the cap 31 that constitutes the cartridge 30 of the ion exchanger 10 . According to the above configuration, the assembling device 60 can be embodied as a device that fits and assembles the flow path member 40 to the cap 31 of the cartridge 30 of the ion exchanger 10.

[0086] (7) The holder 110 has a magnet 111 that is attracted to the second support 100 to hold the second support 100 . According to the above configuration, the function of the holding portion 110 to hold the second support portion 100 can be easily realized.

[0087] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0088] The assembling device 60 is not limited to a device that assembles the flow path member 40 by fitting it to the cap 31. The assembling device 60 can also be embodied as a device that assembles a first member and a second member that are different from each other by fitting them together. In this case, at least one of the first member and the second member may be made of a material other than a resin material, such as a metal material.

[0089] The guide groove 121 does not have to have the receiving portion 124. In this case, the inclined portion 123 may receive the load acting on the slide roller 95. The assembly device 60 may also include a receiving member that supports the first mounting plate 91 from below and thereby receives the load acting on the first support portion 90.

[0090] The release portion 88 may have an engagement portion that engages with the second support portion 100 instead of the magnet 89. In short, the release portion 88 may be anything that can position the second support portion 100 relative to the first support portion 90 after releasing the second support portion 100 from the holding portion 110.

[0091] The release portion 88 does not have to have the magnet 89. In this case, the release portion 88 only needs to press the second support portion 100, and does not have to position the second support portion 100.

[0092] The sliding portion 80 does not have to have the release portion 88. In this case, for example, after the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 are aligned in the vertical direction, an operator may manually release the holding of the second support portion 100 by the holding portion 110. Furthermore, the holding portion 110 may be electrically controlled so that the holding of the second support portion 100 by the holding portion 110 is released after the first support portion 90 and the second support portion 100 are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0093] The holding part 110 may have an engaging part that engages with the second support part 100 instead of the magnet 111. In short, the holding part 110 may be anything that can position the second support part 100.

[0094] The extending portion 122 may extend in a direction intersecting with the inclined portion 123, for example, it may extend at an angle to the sliding direction. The guide groove 121 may not have the extending portion 122. In this case, the second support portion 100 may be vertically aligned with the first support portion 90 and connected to the slide portion 80 so as to be immovable relative to the slide portion 80. In this case, the holding portion 110 and the releasing portion 88 may be omitted.

[0095] The assembly device 60 may be a device that assembles the flow path member 40 by fitting it from above into the cap 31 that opens upward. In this modified example, the second support part 100 supports the cap 31 at a position lower than the position at which the first support part 90 supports the flow path member 40. The inclined part 123 extends at an angle with respect to the sliding direction so as to be positioned lower as it moves forward in the sliding direction. As the sliding part 80 advances, the first support part 90 approaches the second support part 100 from above, and the cap 31 and the flow path member 40 are temporarily assembled. In this case, the fitting part 130 may press the flow path member 40 from above, or may press the cap 31 from below.

[0096] The first support part 90 may support the cap 31 as the first member, and the second support part 100 may support the flow path member 40 as the second member. In this modification, as the sliding part 80 advances, the cap 31 approaches the flow path member 40 from below, and the cap 31 and the flow path member 40 are temporarily assembled. In this case, it is preferable that the fitting part 130 presses the flow path member 40 from above.

[0097] The operations of the slide portion 80 and the fitting portion 130 may be electronically controlled. In this case, the operator does not need to directly operate the slide portion 80 and the fitting portion 130. <Additional Notes> The above embodiment includes the configurations described in the following supplementary notes.

[0098] [Appendix 1] An assembling device that assembles a first member by fitting it into a second member, the assembling device comprising: a slide section that slides in a horizontal direction; a first support section that is connected to the slide section so as to be able to reciprocate in a vertical direction relative to the slide section and supports the first member; a second support section that is connected to the slide section and supports the second member at a position in the vertical direction different from a position at which the first support section supports the first member; a guide section having a guide groove; and a fitting section that presses the first member supported by the first support section or the second member supported by the second support section from one side in the vertical direction to fit the first member into the second member, the guide groove has an inclined portion that extends at an angle with respect to the sliding direction so as to be positioned to one side in the vertical direction as it approaches one side in the sliding direction of the sliding part, the sliding roller slides within the inclined portion as the sliding part moves to one side in the sliding direction, so that the first support part approaches the second support part in the vertical direction, and the first member and the second member are temporarily assembled, and in a state where the first member and the second member are temporarily assembled, the first support part and the second support part are positioned so as to be aligned with the fitting part in the vertical direction.

[0099] [Appendix 2] The assembly device according to [Appendix 1], further comprising: a holding part that holds the second support part when the slide part moves, the second support part being connected to the slide part so as to be movable relative to the slide part in the sliding direction, the guide groove having an extending part that extends from an end of the inclined part on the other side opposite to the one side in the sliding direction in a direction intersecting the inclined part, the holding part being configured to hold the second support part when the slide part moves so that the sliding roller slides within the extending part, and the first support part being configured to move from a position located on the other side of the second support part in the sliding direction to a position aligned with the second support part in the up-down direction when the slide part moves so that the sliding roller slides within the extending part toward the inclined part.

[0100] [Appendix 3] The assembly device described in [Appendix 2], wherein the slide portion has a release portion that is aligned with the first support portion in the vertical direction and that releases the second support portion held by the holding portion by pressing the second support portion held by the holding portion to one side in the slide direction.

[0101] [Appendix 4] The assembly device according to [Appendix 3], wherein the release portion has a magnet that is attracted to the second support portion and presses against the second support portion. [Appendix 5] The assembly device described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 4], wherein the guide groove extends linearly in the sliding direction from an end of the inclined portion on one side of the sliding direction, and has a receiving portion that receives a load acting on the sliding roller when the fitting portion fits the first member into the second member, and the sliding portion moves so that the sliding roller slides within the receiving portion in a direction away from the inclined portion, so that the first support portion and the second support portion are positioned in a position aligned vertically with the fitting portion.

[0102] [Appendix 6] An assembly device described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 5], wherein the second member is a cartridge housing that is detachably attached to a case of an ion exchanger and contains ion exchange resin inside, and the first member is a flow path member that forms a flow path through which cooling water flows inside the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] R...Ion exchange resin 10...Ion exchanger 20…case 30...Cartridge 31...Cap (second member) 40...flow path member (first member) 60...Assembling device 80...Slide section 88...Release section 89...Magnet 90...First support part 95...Sliding roller 100...Second support part 110...Holding part 120…Information Department 121...Guide groove 122...Extension part 123…Slope part 124...Receiving part 130...Mating part

Claims

1. An assembly device that assembles a first member by fitting it into a second member, a sliding portion that slides horizontally; a first support portion connected to the slide portion so as to be reciprocable in the up and down direction relative to the slide portion and supporting the first member; a second support portion connected to the slide portion and supporting the second member at a position different in the up-down direction from a position at which the first support portion supports the first member; a guide portion having a guide groove; a fitting portion that presses the first member supported by the first support portion or the second member supported by the second support portion from one side in the up-down direction to fit the first member into the second member, the first support portion includes a slide roller that slides in the guide groove in accordance with the movement of the slide portion to define the position of the first support portion in the up-down direction, the guide groove has an inclined portion that extends inclined with respect to the sliding direction so as to be positioned on one side in the up-down direction as it approaches one side in the sliding direction of the sliding portion, As the slide portion moves to one side in the sliding direction, the slide roller slides within the inclined portion, so that the first support portion approaches the second support portion in the vertical direction, and the first member and the second member are temporarily assembled, and in a state in which the first member and the second member are temporarily assembled, the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged in a position aligned with the fitting portion in the vertical direction. Assembly equipment.

2. a holding portion that holds the second support portion when the sliding portion moves, the second support portion is connected to the slide portion so as to be movable relative to the slide portion in the sliding direction, the guide groove has an extension portion that extends from an end of the inclined portion on the other side opposite to the one side in the sliding direction in a direction intersecting the inclined portion, the holding portion is configured to hold the second support portion when the sliding portion moves so that the sliding roller slides within the extension portion, When the sliding portion moves so that the sliding roller slides within the extending portion toward the inclined portion, the first support portion moves from a position located on the other side of the second support portion in the sliding direction to a position aligned with the second support portion in the up-down direction. The assembly device according to claim 1 .

3. the slide portion includes a release portion that is aligned with the first support portion in the up-down direction and that presses the second support portion held by the holding portion toward one side in the slide direction to release the second support portion from the holding portion. The assembly device according to claim 2 .

4. the release portion has a magnet that is attracted to the second support portion and presses the second support portion. The assembly device according to claim 3 .

5. the guide groove extends linearly in the sliding direction from an end of the inclined portion on one side of the sliding direction, and has a receiving portion that receives a load acting on the sliding roller when the fitting portion fits the first member into the second member, The slide portion moves so that the slide roller slides in the receiving portion in a direction away from the inclined portion, whereby the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged in a position aligned with the fitting portion in the vertical direction. The assembly device according to claim 1 .

6. the second member is a housing of a cartridge that is detachably attached to a case of the ion exchanger and that contains an ion exchange resin therein; The first member is a flow path member that forms a flow path through which cooling water flows inside the housing. The assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Ion exchanger

    JP2021074687A