Jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a column, device for pressing a column into a cylindrical member using said jig, assembly holding device, and column holding force measuring device

Abstract

In a jig that supports and / or presses the end face of a pillar having an uneven end face, damage to the pillar caused by stress concentration due to contact of the protrusions on the end face of the pillar with the abutment surface of the jig is reduced. [Solution] A plurality of elastic bodies are arranged spaced apart from one another on the surface of a jig that abuts against the end face of a pillar. Preferably, the plurality of elastic bodies are arranged so as not to abut at least the apexes of any protrusions present on the end face of the pillar. When the pillar is composed of an assembly of a plurality of segments extending in the axial direction of the pillar, the plurality of elastic bodies are arranged so that the surfaces of the individual elastic bodies abutting against the end face of the pillar do not extend beyond the end faces of the segments at the end face of the pillar.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a pillar, an apparatus for press-fitting a pillar into a cylindrical member using the jig, an assembly holding apparatus, and a pillar holding force measuring apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a known method for manufacturing a catalytic converter that purifies automobile exhaust gas involves supporting or fixing a columnar catalyst carrier with a buffer member wound around its outer surface, and then lowering a cylindrical member while pressing the columnar catalyst carrier and buffer member into the cylindrical member. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-069027 A) discloses a press-fitting device and press-fitting method for press-fitting a columnar body (carrier) 200, which is supported by a first support member 110 and has a buffer member 300 wound around its outer surface, into the cylindrical member 400 by pressing down the columnar body 200 supported by a second support member 120 from above the columnar body 200 with a press-fitting unit 130, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

[0003] However, in the above-mentioned press-fitting device and press-fitting method, the end face of the columnar body 200 is supported by an integral surface (single surface) of the support base 111 constituting the first support part 110. Therefore, if the end face of the columnar body 200 is not a smooth plane but has projections and recesses, the projections (for example, edges) come into contact with the integral surface of the support base 111, causing stress to act locally, which may cause damage to the columnar body 200 starting from the projections. In particular, the above problem becomes prominent in the carrier of an SCRF (urea selective catalytic reduction filter), which is an assembly made up of multiple segments extending in the axial direction.

[0004] Therefore, in order to alleviate the above-mentioned concentration of stress, it is conceivable to arrange an elastic body 10e (e.g., urethane rubber) on the integral surface of the support member 10, as illustrated in Fig. 8. However, even if the elastic body 10e is arranged on the integral surface of the support member 10, the concentration of stress caused by contact of the protrusions with the integral surface is not eliminated, and damage to the carrier 20 cannot be completely prevented.

[0005] The above-mentioned problem is not limited to the case where a cylinder is pressed into a cylindrical member in the manufacture of a catalytic converter, but is a common problem in various applications that use a jig to support and / or press the end face of a cylinder having an uneven end face. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-069027 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] As mentioned above, in the technical field, there is a need for a technology that can reduce damage to a pillar caused by stress concentration resulting from contact of the convex portions on the end face of the pillar with the abutment surface of the jig, in a jig that supports and / or presses the end face of a pillar having an uneven end face. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a result of extensive research, the inventors have discovered that the above-mentioned problem can be solved by placing multiple elastic bodies spaced apart from one another on the surface of a jig that abuts the uneven end face of a pillar, and supporting or pressing the pillar via these elastic bodies, thereby reducing the concentration of stress caused by the convex parts on the end face of the pillar coming into contact with the abutting surface of the jig.

[0009] Specifically, the jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a pillar according to the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "jig of the present invention") is a jig that abuts against the first end face of a pillar having an uneven first end face to support and / or press the pillar. A plurality of elastic bodies spaced apart from each other are arranged on the first abutment surface, which is the surface that abuts against the first end face.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the jig of the present invention, the column is an assembly of multiple segments extending in the axial direction. Furthermore, each of the multiple elastic bodies abuts against each of the multiple segments of the column. Additionally, second abutment surfaces of the multiple elastic bodies that abut against the first end face of the column abut against the second end face so as not to protrude beyond the second end face, which is the end face of the multiple segments at the first end face.

[0011] As will be described in detail later, the present invention also relates to an apparatus for press-fitting a column into a cylindrical member, an assembly holding apparatus, and a column holding force measuring apparatus, which use the jig of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, in the jig of the present invention, multiple elastic bodies are arranged spaced apart from one another on the first contact surface, which is the surface that contacts the first end face, which is the uneven end face of the pillar. Therefore, when the first contact surface is brought into contact with the first end face of the pillar to support and / or press the pillar, even if some of the elastic bodies are pressed and compressed by the convex parts present on the first end face of the pillar, the elastic bodies expand or deflect in an in-plane direction parallel to the contact surface of the jig of the present invention, thereby alleviating the stress caused by contact with the convex parts. As a result, the jig of the present invention can reduce damage to the pillar caused by stress concentration caused by contact of the convex parts on the end face of the pillar with the contact surface of the jig.

[0013] Other objects, other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention which will be given with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a jig (first jig) that supports and / or presses the end face of a pillar body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a jig (second jig) that supports and / or presses the end face of a pillar according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]10 is a map illustrating the flatness of an end face of a cylinder formed by an assembly of multiple segments extending in the axial direction of the cylinder. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a jig (third jig) that supports and / or presses the end face of a pillar body according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of press-fitting a pillar having a cushioning member disposed on its outer surface into a cylindrical member by a pillar-pressing device (fourth device) for a pillar into a cylindrical member that uses a jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of the pillar according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a press-fitting device according to the invention described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 7] 7A to 7C are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a process of press-fitting a set of a catalyst carrier and a buffer member into the inside of a cylindrical member using the press-fitting device illustrated in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an assembly of a plurality of axially extending segments supported by a support member having an elastic body disposed on an integral surface thereof. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a jig (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "first jig") for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a columnar body according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <composition> The first jig is a jig that abuts against the first end face of a pillar having an uneven first end face to support and / or press the pillar. A plurality of elastic bodies spaced apart from one another are arranged on the first abutment surface that abuts against the first end face.

[0017] The configuration of the first jig (e.g., shape, size, mechanical properties, material, etc.) is designed appropriately depending on, for example, the configuration of the pillar to be supported and / or pressed by the first jig (e.g., shape, size, weight, mechanical properties, material, etc.). Furthermore, the configuration of the elastic body (e.g., number, shape, size, mechanical properties, material, etc.) is designed appropriately depending on, for example, the stress acting on the elastic body when the first jig supports and / or presses the target pillar. Specific examples of materials that make up the elastic body include elastomers such as urethane rubber.

[0018] Furthermore, multiple types of materials may be combined, or the same or different types of materials with different properties (e.g., hardness and / or elastic modulus) may be combined, for example, in layers or concentrically. Furthermore, a cavity may be provided inside the elastic body, and the cavity may be filled with a fluid, as in a liquid-filled rubber vibration-isolating support device. In addition, multiple types of elastic bodies with different structures may be combined and arranged on the first contact surface. In other words, as long as the desired deformation characteristics can be achieved, there are no particular limitations on the type and / or properties of the material constituting the elastic body, or the structure and / or shape of the elastic body.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the first jig. Fig. 1(a) is a schematic side view when observed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of a columnar body to be supported and / or pressed by the first jig 11, and Fig. 1(b) is a top view of the first jig 11. Note that Fig. 1 is intended solely to illustrate the configuration of the first jig, and Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) do not necessarily match each other, for example, in terms of the arrangement of component parts.

[0020] Although not shown, the first end face 21s, which is the end face on the lower side as viewed in the drawing of the pillar 21 illustrated in Fig. 1, has unevenness. Therefore, as described at the beginning of this specification, if an attempt is made to support and / or press the pillar 21 by bringing a jig having a flat and hard contact surface according to the conventional technology into contact with the first end face 21s, the convex portion on the first end face 21s will come into contact with the contact surface of the jig, causing stress to act locally, and there is a risk that the pillar 21 will be damaged starting from the convex portion.

[0021] Furthermore, even if an elastic body is arranged to continuously cover the entire contact surface of the jig as shown in Figure 8 in order to alleviate the above-mentioned stress concentration, the concentration of stress caused by contact of the protrusions with the contact surface is not eliminated, and damage to the carrier cannot be completely prevented. This is thought to be because the elastic body is continuously present around the elastic body at the location locally pressed and compressed by the protrusions on the end face of the column, making it difficult for the elastic body at that location to sufficiently expand or deflect in the in-plane direction parallel to the contact surface of the jig, and as a result, the stress caused by contact with the protrusions cannot be sufficiently alleviated.

[0022] 1, in the first jig 11, a plurality of elastic bodies 11e spaced apart from one another are arranged on the first contact surface 11s of the first jig 11, which is the surface that abuts against the first end face 21s of the pillar 21. In this way, the elastic bodies 11e arranged on the first contact surface 11s of the first jig 11 do not continuously cover the entire surface of the first contact surface 11s as shown in FIG. 8, but are arranged as a plurality of elastic bodies spaced apart from one another. In other words, there are gaps between the plurality of elastic bodies 11e arranged on the first contact surface 11s of the first jig 11. In other words, there are no adjacent elastic bodies 11e around the elastic body 11e that is present at a location that is locally pressed and compressed by a protrusion present on the first end face 21s of the pillar 21. Therefore, the elastic body 11e, which is locally pressed and compressed by the convex portion present on the first end face 21s of the pillar 21, can expand or bend in an in-plane direction parallel to the contact surface 11s of the first jig 11. As a result, the first jig 11 can relieve stress caused by contact with the convex portion present on the first end face 21s of the pillar 21.

[0023] <effect> As described above, the first jig has a plurality of elastic bodies spaced apart from one another on the first contact surface, which is a surface that contacts the first end face, which is the uneven end face of the pillar. Therefore, when the first contact surface is brought into contact with the first end face of the pillar to support and / or press the pillar, even if some of the elastic bodies are pressed and compressed by the convex parts present on the first end face of the pillar, the elastic bodies expand or bend in an in-plane direction parallel to the contact surface of the first jig, thereby alleviating the stress caused by contact with the convex parts. As a result, the first jig can reduce damage to the pillar caused by the concentration of stress caused by the convex parts on the end face of the pillar coming into contact with the contact surface of the jig.

[0024] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a pillar body according to a second embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "second jig") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] As mentioned at the beginning of this specification, the end face (first end face) of the pillar that is supported and / or pressed by the jig may not be a smooth plane but may have irregularities. In such cases, a convex part on the first end face of the pillar comes into contact with the face of the jig that abuts against the first end face of the pillar (first abutment face), causing stress to act locally, which may cause the pillar to break starting from the convex part.

[0026] As described above, the first jig has a plurality of elastic bodies spaced apart from one another arranged on the first contact surface that contacts the first end surface of the pillar. Therefore, even if some of the elastic bodies are pressed and compressed by the convex portions present on the first end surface of the pillar, the elastic bodies can expand or bend in an in-plane direction parallel to the contact surface of the first jig, thereby alleviating the stress caused by contact with the convex portions.

[0027] However, even when multiple elastic bodies spaced apart from one another are arranged on the first contact surface as described above, if the apex of a convex portion on the first end face comes into contact with the surface of the elastic body abutting the first end face (the second contact surface), further localized stress acts on the elastic body, potentially causing damage to the columnar body starting from the apex of the convex portion. This is thought to be because, microscopically, the material constituting the elastic body is continuously present around the compressed area of ​​the elastic body that is compressed by the apex of the convex portion on the first end face of the columnar body. This makes it difficult for the compressed area to sufficiently expand or deflect in an in-plane direction parallel to the contact surface of the jig, and as a result, the stress caused by contact with the convex portion cannot be sufficiently alleviated. In other words, there is a risk of very localized damage to the columnar body due to a mechanism similar to that occurring when an elastic body is arranged that continuously covers the entire first contact surface of the jig, as described at the beginning of this specification.

[0028] <composition> Therefore, the second jig is the first jig described above, which is a jig that supports and / or presses the end face of a pillar, characterized in that multiple elastic bodies are arranged so as not to abut against the apex of the convex portion present on at least the first end face.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the second jig. The first end surface 22s of the columnar body 22 illustrated in FIG. 2 has unevenness. In the first jig 11 illustrated in FIG. 2(a), similar to the first jig 11 illustrated in FIG. 1, multiple elastic bodies 11e spaced apart from one another are arranged on the first contact surface 11s. Therefore, since other elastic bodies 11e are not continuously present around the elastic body 11e at a location locally pressed and compressed by a convex portion present on the first end surface 22s of the columnar body 22, the elastic body 22e at that location can expand or bend in an in-plane direction parallel to the first contact surface 11s of the jig 11. As a result, compared to a jig in which elastic bodies are arranged so as to continuously cover the entire contact surface as illustrated in FIG. 8, stress concentration on the contact surface of the elastic body 11e due to contact of the convex portion can be alleviated.

[0030] However, as illustrated in FIG. 2(a), when the apex 22t (see the area surrounded by the thick solid line circle) of the convex portion constituting the unevenness on the first end face 22s of the column 22 contacts the elastic body 11e, further localized stress acts on the elastic body 11e. As described above, microscopically, the material constituting the elastic body 11e is continuously present around the pressed area of ​​the elastic body 11e that is locally pressed and compressed by the apex 22t of the convex portion on the first end face 22s of the column 22. This makes it difficult for the pressed area to sufficiently expand or deflect in an in-plane direction parallel to the contact surface 11s of the jig 11, and as a result, the stress caused by contact with the convex portion cannot be fully alleviated. As a result, there is a risk of the column 22 being damaged locally by a mechanism similar to that described above when an elastic body continuously covers the entire first contact surface 11s of the jig 11.

[0031] 2(b), multiple elastic bodies 12e are arranged so as not to abut against at least the apexes 22t of the protrusions present on the first end face 22s of the columnar body 22. Therefore, in the second jig 12, the extremely localized stress generated by the apexes 22t of the protrusions coming into contact with the abutment surfaces of the elastic bodies 12e as described above is not applied to the elastic bodies 12e. As a result, the second jig 12 can reduce the risk of the columnar body 22 being damaged starting from the apexes 22t.

[0032] <effect> As described above, in the second jig, the multiple elastic bodies are arranged so as not to abut on at least the apexes of the convex portions present on the first end face of the pillar. Therefore, in the second jig, the extremely localized stress generated by the apexes of the convex portions contacting the abutment surfaces of the elastic bodies as described above does not act on the elastic bodies. As a result, the second jig can reduce the risk of the pillar being damaged starting from the apexes of the convex portions present on the first end face of the pillar.

[0033] Third Embodiment Hereinafter, a jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a pillar body according to a third embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "third jig") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0034] As mentioned at the beginning of this specification, in an SCRF (urea selective catalytic reduction filter) or the like, a cylindrical support is formed by an assembly of multiple segments extending in the axial direction. At the end faces of such a cylindrical support, the end faces of the segments are not flush, and steps are formed at the boundaries between the segments, which can cause unevenness on the end face. Therefore, in order to arrange multiple elastic bodies so that they do not abut on the apexes of the convex portions present at least on the first end face of the cylindrical support, as in the above-mentioned second jig, it is preferable to arrange the multiple elastic bodies so that the abutting surfaces of the multiple elastic bodies do not cross the boundaries between the segments.

[0035] <composition> Therefore, the third jig is the second jig described above, which is a jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a pillar, characterized in that the pillar is formed by an assembly of multiple segments extending in the axial direction of the pillar, and the multiple elastic bodies are arranged so that second abutment surfaces, which are surfaces of the multiple elastic bodies that abut against the first end face of the pillar, do not protrude from the second end faces, which are end faces of the multiple segments at the first end face.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a map illustrating the flatness of the end face of a cylinder formed by an assembly of multiple segments extending in the axial direction of the cylinder. The cylinder illustrated in FIG. 3(a) and the cylinder illustrated in FIG. 3(b) have different distributions of flatness (irregularities) on the end face of each segment. However, in both cylinders, it can be seen that there is a difference in height between the edge of each segment's end face and the edge of the end face of an adjacent segment. Due to this difference in height, a step is formed at the boundary between adjacent segments, resulting in irregularities on the first end face of the cylinder. Therefore, the vertices of the protrusions that make up the irregularities on the first end face of the cylinder are mainly located on the edge portions of the multiple segments that make up the assembly of the cylinder.

[0037] On the other hand, as mentioned in the explanation of the second jig, in order to reduce the risk of the pillar being damaged starting from the apex of the convexity due to extremely localized stress being generated when the apex of the convexity on the first end face of the pillar comes into contact with the abutment surface of the elastic body, it is preferable to arrange multiple elastic bodies so that they do not come into contact with at least the apex of the convexity on the first end face of the pillar.

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the third jig. Figure 4(a) is a schematic side view of the column to be supported and / or pressed by the third jig 13, as observed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the column, and Figure 4(b) is a top view of the third jig 13. The straight lines drawn in a grid pattern in Figure 4(b) represent the edges of multiple segments that make up the column 23. Note that Figure 4, like Figure 1 referred to in the explanation of the first jig, is intended solely to illustrate the configuration of the third jig, and Figures 4(a) and 4(b) do not necessarily match each other, for example, in terms of the arrangement of component parts.

[0039] In the third jig 13 illustrated in FIG. 4, the multiple elastic bodies 13e are arranged so that second contact surfaces 13es, which are surfaces of the multiple elastic bodies 13e that contact the first end face 23s of the column 23, do not extend beyond the second end face 23es, which is the end face of the multiple segments at the first end face. Meanwhile, as described above, the apexes 23t of the convex portions that constitute the unevenness on the first end face 23s of the column 23 are located at the edges of the multiple segments that constitute the assembly of the column 23. Therefore, the third jig 13 more reliably prevents the elastic bodies 13e from contacting the apexes 23t of the convex portions on the first end face 23s of the column 23. As a result, the third jig 13 more reliably reduces the risk of the column 23 being damaged starting from the apexes 23t of the convex portions on the first end face 23s of the column 23.

[0040] As described above, in the third jig 13, the multiple elastic bodies 13e are arranged so that the second contact surfaces 13es, which are surfaces of the multiple elastic bodies 13e that contact the first end surfaces 23s of the columnar bodies 23, do not extend beyond the second end surfaces 23es, which are the end surfaces of the multiple segments at the first end surface 23s. In other words, the second contact surfaces 13es of each elastic body 13e contact a region other than the edge portions (and their vicinity) of the second end surfaces 23es of each segment, i.e., the central portions (and their vicinity) of the second end surfaces 23es. Therefore, the second contact surfaces 13es of the elastic bodies 13e do not contact regions where the highest portions (peaks of the convex portions) or lowest portions (low points of the concave portions) of each segment are primarily located, but rather regions that are intermediate in height, lower than the peaks of the convex portions and higher than the bottoms of the concave portions. As a result, the amount of expansion or deflection of the elastic body 13 in the in-plane direction parallel to the first contact surface 13s of the third jig 13 can be reduced.

[0041] From the viewpoint of reducing the stress acting on each elastic body 13e (reducing the surface pressure) when supporting and / or pressing the pillar 23, it is preferable that the second abutment surface 13es of the elastic body 13e abuts over a wide area against all of the plurality of segments constituting the pillar 23. However, the second end faces 23es of the segments located on the periphery of the pillar 23 among the plurality of segments constituting the pillar 23 are smaller and have more diverse shapes than the second end faces 23es of the segments located outside the periphery of the pillar 23 (i.e., the central portion and its vicinity). It is technically possible to employ elastic bodies 13e having second abutment surfaces 13es having shapes corresponding to the second end faces 23es of the segments having such smaller and more diverse shapes, which is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the surface pressure acting on each elastic body 13e as described above.

[0042] As described above, in order to support and / or press the second end faces 23es of segments having smaller and more diverse shapes with the elastic body 13e, it is necessary to prepare elastic bodies 13e having second abutment surfaces 13es having shapes corresponding to the second end faces 23es of such segments. However, preparing elastic bodies 13e having second abutment surfaces 13es having shapes corresponding to the second end faces 23es of segments having smaller and more diverse shapes in this way may result in various disadvantages, such as an increase in the manufacturing cost of the jig 13, an increase in storage space for the wide variety of elastic bodies 13e, and an increase in the effort required to select and arrange the appropriate elastic bodies 13e due to the increased number of options for elastic bodies 13e when using the jig 13.

[0043] 4(b), among the multiple regions facing the second end faces 23es of the multiple segments constituting the pillar 23, there are regions where the elastic bodies 13e are not arranged in regions facing the segments located on the periphery of the pillar 23. In this way, as long as the stress (or surface pressure) acting on each elastic body 13e when supporting and / or pressing the pillar 23 can be kept within an appropriate range, the first abutment surface 13s facing the segments located on the periphery of the pillar 23 may have regions where the elastic bodies 13e are not arranged.

[0044] <effect> As described above, in the third jig, the elastic bodies are arranged so that the second abutment surfaces, which are surfaces of the elastic bodies that abut on the first end face of the column, do not extend beyond the second end faces, which are the end faces of the segments at the first end face. Therefore, the third jig more reliably prevents the elastic bodies from contacting the apexes of the convex portions present at the edge portions of the segments that make up the column assembly. As a result, the third jig more reliably reduces the risk of the column being damaged starting from the apexes of the convex portions present at the first end face of the column.

[0045] Fourth Embodiment Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an apparatus for pressing a cylinder into a tubular member (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "fourth apparatus") using a jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of the cylinder according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0046] As stated at the beginning of this specification, the present invention relates not only to jigs (jigs of the present invention) that support and / or press the end faces of pillars according to the present invention, including the first to third jigs described above, but also to a device for pressing a pillar into a tubular member using the jigs of the present invention.

[0047] <composition> Therefore, the fourth device has a configuration basically similar to that of the press-fitting device illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, in which the support base 111 constituting the first support part is replaced with any of the first to third jigs described above.

[0048] More specifically, the fourth device is a press-fitting device comprising a first support section, a second support section, and a press-fitting section. The first support section has a support base that supports a pillar from below, with a buffer member disposed on its outer surface, in an orientation in which the axial direction of the pillar is parallel to the vertical direction. Typically, the support base is a pedestal-shaped member having a top surface corresponding to the lower end surface of the pillar. The second support section supports a tubular member above the pillar supported by the first support section in an orientation in which the tubular member is coaxial with the pillar. Naturally, the second support section must be configured to be able to hold the lower opening of the tubular member facing the combination of the pillar and the buffer member, and not to interfere with the press-fitting of the combination of the pillar and the buffer member into the interior of the tubular member.

[0049] The press-fitting unit drives the pillar supported by the first support unit and the cylindrical member supported by the second support unit so that they approach each other in the vertical direction, thereby press-fitting the set of the pillar and the buffer member into the cylindrical member. The configuration of the press-fitting unit is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to drive the pillar supported by the first support unit and the cylindrical member supported by the second support unit so that they approach each other in the vertical direction, thereby press-fitting the set of the pillar and the buffer member into the cylindrical member.

[0050] Typically, the press-fitting unit can bring the pillar supported by the first support unit and the pillar supported by the second support unit closer to each other in the vertical direction by pressing the pillar supported by the first support unit downward from the upper side of the pillar supported by the first support unit (the side opposite the pillar supported by the first support unit) using a pressing member driven by an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder. Alternatively, the press-fitting unit can bring the pillar supported by the first support unit and the pillar supported by the second support unit closer to each other in the vertical direction by pressing the first support unit upward from the lower side of the support base (the side opposite the pillar supported by the second support unit).

[0051] Specific examples of devices that include an assembly formed by pressing a pillar having a buffer member disposed on its outer surface into the interior of a cylindrical member as described above include catalytic converters and exhaust treatment devices such as diesel exhaust treatment devices.

[0052] In the case of a catalytic converter, the pillar corresponds to a catalyst carrier made of, for example, a ceramic honeycomb structure. The catalytic converter may also be an electrically heated catalyst (EHC), a purification member equipped with a heating element that generates heat by passing electricity through a pair of electrodes to heat the exhaust purification catalyst, and in this case, the pillar may be the heating element. Meanwhile, in the case of a diesel exhaust treatment device, the pillar corresponds to a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The shape of these pillars is generally cylindrical or columnar, but may also be, for example, an elliptical or rectangular pillar.

[0053] The buffer member is also referred to as a "buffer mat" or "retaining member." Specific examples of materials for forming the buffer member include inorganic fibers such as alumina-based fibers and alumina-silica-based fibers, as well as inorganic fibers to which a resin binder has been added. Specific examples of resins used as binders include acrylic rubber, nitrile rubber, polyvinyl alcohol, and acrylic resin. Thermally expandable vermiculite can also be used as the buffer member. Depending on the application of the assembly, a wire mesh or the like made of woven thin metal wires can also be used as the buffer member. Furthermore, multiple types of buffer members made of different materials may be used in combination; for example, a circular retainer or the like may be used in combination with the buffer member.

[0054] The cylindrical member is typically made of a metal such as stainless steel, and its shape (e.g., inner diameter, outer diameter, length, and wall thickness) is determined so that a column having a buffer member disposed on its outer surface can be housed inside the cylindrical member, with the buffer member sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and the outer surface of the column.

[0055] However, the configurations of the pillar, buffer member, and cylindrical member are not limited to those described above, and an appropriate configuration (e.g., material, shape, etc.) is selected depending on the usage environment and usage conditions in the application of the assembly made of these members.

[0056] Furthermore, the support base of the first support portion is configured by any one of the first to third jigs described above.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of press-fitting a pillar having a cushioning material disposed on its outer surface into a cylindrical member by a fourth device. Note that in Fig. 5, only the third jig 13 serving as a support stand among the components constituting the fourth device is depicted in order to clearly illustrate the process of press-fitting a pillar having a cushioning material disposed on its outer surface into a cylindrical member by the fourth device.

[0058] 5(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the pillar 23, with the cushioning material 30 wound around its outer surface, is supported from below by a third jig 13 as a support base constituting a first support section, with the axial direction of the pillar 23 parallel to the vertical direction (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 5). As described above, in the third jig 13, the multiple elastic bodies 13e are arranged so that second abutment surfaces, which are surfaces of the multiple elastic bodies 13e that abut against the first end face of the pillar 23, do not protrude from the second end face, which is the end face of the multiple segments of the first end face.

[0059] Next, (b) of Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a tubular member 40, which is indicated by a second support part (not shown) in a position coaxial with the pillar 23 above the pillar 23 supported by a third jig 13 as a support base provided by the first support part, is driven toward the pillar 23 by a drive mechanism (not shown) (see the black arrow), and the pillar 23, with a buffer member 30 wrapped around its outer surface, begins to be pressed into the tubular member 40.

[0060] At this time, the column 23 is pressed toward the first contact surface of the third jig 13 due to the frictional force acting between the buffer member 30 and the tubular member 40. However, as described above, in the third jig 13, the multiple elastic bodies 13e are arranged so that the second contact surfaces, which are the surfaces of the multiple elastic bodies 13e that contact the first end surface of the column 23, do not protrude from the second end surface, which is the end surface of the multiple segments at the first end surface. Therefore, since the elastic bodies 13e are reliably prevented from contacting the apexes of the convex portions present at the edge portions of the multiple segments that make up the column 23, the fourth device can press-fit the set of the column 23 and buffer member 30 into the inside of the tubular member 40 while reliably reducing the risk of the column 23 being damaged starting from the apex of the convex portion present at the first end surface of the column 23.

[0061] Furthermore, as is clear from the above description of the first jig and the second jig, even when the first jig or the second jig is used as the support base that constitutes the first support part of the fourth device, the effects achieved by each jig make it possible to press the combination of the pillar and the buffer member into the inside of the tubular member while reliably reducing the risk of the pillar being damaged due to the convex parts that constitute the unevenness present on the first end face of the pillar.

[0062] <effect> As described above, in the fourth device, the support base that supports the pillar from below is composed of any one of the above-mentioned jigs 1 to 3. Therefore, with the fourth device, it is possible to press-fit the combination of the pillar and the buffer member into the inside of the tubular member while reliably reducing the risk of the pillar being damaged due to the convex portions that constitute the unevenness present on the first end face of the pillar.

[0063] Fifth Embodiment Hereinafter, an assembly holding device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "fifth device") using a jig that supports and / or presses the end face of a pillar body according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0064] As described above, specific examples of devices including an assembly formed by pressing a pillar having a buffer member disposed on its outer surface into a cylindrical member include exhaust treatment devices such as catalytic converters and diesel exhaust treatment devices. In the manufacturing process of such exhaust treatment devices, the end face of the pillar serving as a catalyst carrier or filter may be supported as a reference surface, and the assembly including the pillar may be subjected to secondary processing, or the end face of the pillar may be pressed to adjust the position of the pillar in the assembly.

[0065] When the assembly is subjected to the above-mentioned treatments, it is necessary to hold the assembly accurately in a predetermined posture and position, and the end face of the pillar may be used as a reference surface for holding the assembly or as a surface for supporting and / or pressing with a jig. Even when supporting and / or pressing the end face of the pillar in this way, as mentioned above, if the end face of the pillar is not a smooth plane but has projections and recesses, there is a risk that the projections (e.g., edges) will come into contact with the contact surface of the jig, causing local stress to act, and the pillar may be damaged starting from the projections.

[0066] It is also preferable to use a jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a pillar according to the present invention (the jig of the present invention) as a member for supporting and / or pressing the end face of the pillar in order to hold the assembly formed by the pillar and the buffer member arranged on the outer surface of the pillar in a predetermined posture and position as described above.

[0067] <composition> Therefore, the fifth device is an assembly holding device that holds an assembly formed by a set of a pillar and a buffer member disposed on the outer surface of the pillar housed inside a cylindrical member by abutting an abutting member against the first end face of the pillar. In the fifth device, the abutting member is constituted by any of the first to third jigs described above.

[0068] Although not specifically shown, as described above, in the fifth device, any of the first to third jigs described above is used as a contact member to support and / or press the end face of the pillar, thereby holding the assembly in a predetermined posture and position. Therefore, even if there are irregularities on the end face (first end face) of the pillar that contacts the contact member, the elastic body arranged on the contact surface of the contact member expands and bends, thereby alleviating stress caused by contact with the protrusions.

[0069] <effect> As a result of the above, the fifth device can reliably reduce the risk of the pillar being damaged due to the convex portions that constitute the unevenness present on the first end face of the pillar, while making it possible to hold an assembly formed by a set of a pillar and a buffer member arranged on the outer surface of the pillar housed inside a tubular member in a predetermined posture and position.

[0070] Sixth Embodiment Hereinafter, a cylinder holding force measuring device (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "sixth device") using a jig that supports and / or presses the end face of a cylinder according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0071] For example, methods for clamping and holding a buffer member between a columnar body such as an exhaust purification catalyst and a cylindrical member and holding the columnar body at a predetermined position inside the cylindrical member by the restoring force of the buffer member include methods using a press-fit method, a sizing method, etc. Details of the press-fit method and the sizing method are well known to those skilled in the art, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0072] If the force (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "retention force") that keeps the pillar held in place inside the tubular member due to the restoring force of the buffer member that is clamped and held between the pillar and the tubular member as described above is insufficient, there is a risk that the pillar will shift position inside the tubular member or fall off from the tubular member when using an assembly that includes the pillar. Therefore, from the perspective of ensuring the quality, durability, etc. of such an assembly, it is necessary to ensure that the retention force for the pillar inside the tubular member is sufficiently high.

[0073] The method for measuring the holding force of a pillar inside a cylindrical member is well known to those skilled in the art, and therefore a detailed explanation will be omitted here. In summary, the measurement method involves fixing the cylindrical member of an assembly, in which the pillar is held in a predetermined position inside the cylindrical member by the restoring force of a buffer member held between the pillar and the cylindrical member, with a clamp or the like, pressing the end face of the pillar with a pressing member of a predetermined shape, and measuring the holding force of the pillar in the assembly based on the pressing force as the pillar moves in the pressing direction.

[0074] Even in the above case, as mentioned above, if the end face of the pillar is not smooth and flat but has projections and recesses, the projections (for example, edges) may come into contact with the contact surface of the jig, causing localized stress and potentially damaging the pillar from the projection. Therefore, it is preferable to use the jig for supporting and / or pressing the end face of a pillar according to the present invention (the jig of the present invention) as a pressing member for pressing the end face of the pillar to measure the holding force of the pillar in this assembly.

[0075] <composition> Therefore, the sixth device is a pillar holding force measuring device that measures the holding force of a pillar in an assembly formed by housing a set of a pillar and a buffer member disposed on the outer surface of the pillar inside a cylindrical member, based on the pressing force when the pillar moves in the pressing direction by pressing the first end face of the pillar with a pressing member. In the sixth device, the pressing member is constituted by any of the first to third jigs described above.

[0076] Although not specifically shown, as described above, in the sixth device, one of the first to third jigs described above is used as a pressing member to press the end face of a pillar held inside a cylindrical member, and the holding force of the pillar in the assembly is measured based on the pressing force when the pillar moves in the pressing direction. Therefore, even if there are irregularities on the end face (first end face) of the pillar that abuts the pressing member, the elastic body arranged on the abutting surface of the pressing member will expand and deflect, thereby alleviating the stress caused by contact with the protrusions.

[0077] <effect> As a result, the sixth device can measure the holding force of a cylinder in an assembly formed by a combination of a cylinder and a buffer member disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder housed inside a tubular member, while reliably reducing the risk of the cylinder being damaged due to the convex portions that constitute the unevenness present on the first end face of the cylinder.

[0078] For the purpose of explaining the present invention, several embodiments having specific configurations have been described above, sometimes with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these exemplary embodiments, and it goes without saying that appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the claims and the matters described in the specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 11, 12, 13... Jig 11s,12s,13s…1st contact surface 11e, 12e, 13e...Elastic body 13es…Second contact surface 21,22,23...Column 21s,22s,23s…1st end surface 22t, 23t...the apex of the convex part 23es…Second end surface 30...Buffer material 40...Cylindrical member

Claims

1. A pillar having a first end face that is an uneven end face; a first support part having a support base that supports the pillar from below in an orientation in which the axial direction of the pillar, having a buffer member disposed on the outer surface thereof, is parallel to the vertical direction; a second support portion that supports a tubular member above the pillar supported by the first support portion in a position coaxial with the pillar; a press-fitting section that drives the pillar supported by the first support section and the cylindrical member supported by the second support section so as to approach each other in the vertical direction, thereby press-fitting the set of the pillar and the buffer member into the cylindrical member; A press-fitting device comprising: The column is constituted by an assembly of a plurality of segments extending in the axial direction of the column, the support base of the first support portion is configured by a jig that abuts against the first end surface and supports and / or presses the columnar body, a plurality of elastic bodies spaced apart from one another are disposed on a first contact surface, which is a surface of the jig that contacts the first end surface; the plurality of elastic bodies are arranged so as not to come into contact with vertices of convex portions constituting the concave-convex portions present at least on the first end surface; 1. A device for press-fitting a columnar body into a cylindrical member.

2. A device for pressing a column into a cylindrical member as described in claim 1, the plurality of elastic bodies are arranged so that second contact surfaces, which are surfaces that contact the first end surfaces of the plurality of elastic bodies, do not protrude from second end surfaces, which are end surfaces of the plurality of segments at the first end surface; 1. A device for press-fitting a columnar body into a cylindrical member.

Images