Storage case

Abstract

Provided is a storage case that can suppress clogging of a component take-out port with components accommodated thereinside or staying of components dropped from the component take-out port below the component take-out port. A storage case 1 comprises: a case body 2 having therein an accommodation space 6 capable of accommodating components 5; a component take-out port 18 that is provided to the case body 2 and has an inside opening 19 opened to the accommodation space 6 side and an outside opening 20 opened to the outside of the case body 2; a first slope 21 that is provided in the accommodation space 6 and extends toward the inside opening 19; and a second slope 24 that extends from the inside opening 19 toward the outside opening 20 so that the components 5 can be guided from the inside opening 19 to the outside opening 20.

Description

Storage case

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage case for electronic components.

[0002] Conventionally, when mounting electronic components on a circuit board, a mounting device is used to mount the electronic components in a predetermined position on the circuit board. Such a mounting device requires that the electronic components be supplied individually. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a case in which a plurality of loose electronic components are stored together and the electronic components are dropped into a feeder by their own weight from an outlet at the bottom.

[0003] JP 2009-295618 A

[0004] In this type of case, depending on the feeder configuration, electronic components may be dropped from an outlet formed in the bottom of the case, or may be dropped by gravity from an outlet formed in the side wall of the case. In the case of a case with an outlet formed in the side wall, if the feeder vibrates the case to cause electronic components to fall from the outlet by their own weight, there is a risk that the outlet will become clogged with electronic components or that electronic components that have fallen from the outlet will remain below the outlet. If such problems occur, electronic components will not be able to be smoothly supplied to the mounting device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a storage case that can prevent parts stored inside from clogging the part removal port, or prevent parts that fall from the part removal port from remaining below the part removal port.

[0006] The storage case of the present invention comprises a case body having an internal storage space capable of storing components, a component removal opening provided in the case body and having an inner opening that opens toward the storage space and an outer opening that opens to the outside of the case body, a first inclined surface provided within the storage space and extending toward the inner opening, and a second inclined surface extending from the inner opening toward the outer opening so that the components can be guided from the inner opening to the outer opening.

[0007] According to the present invention, a storage case can be provided that can prevent components stored inside from clogging the component removal port or prevent components that fall from the component removal port from remaining below the component removal port.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the interior of a storage case according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged portion of the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a portion of the interior of the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the component outlet of the storage case is closed with a cover member. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a portion of the interior of the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the component outlet of the storage case is open. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged portion of a storage case according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged portion of a storage case according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a side view showing the interior of a storage case according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view showing the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged portion of the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The storage case 1 of the first embodiment includes a case main body 2, a shutter mechanism 3, and a slide member 4.

[0011] 1, 2, and 3 indicate the left-right direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction of the storage case 1 when the storage case 1 is set in a feeder (not shown) that vibrates the storage case 1. In the left-right direction X, X1 indicates the left, X2 indicates the right, in the front-rear direction Y, Y1 indicates the front, Y2 indicates the rear, and in the up-down direction Z, Z1 indicates the top, and Z2 indicates the bottom. The left-right direction X, front-rear direction Y, and up-down direction Z are also similarly applied in FIGS. 4 to 8. In the following description, the left-right direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction are based on the directions indicated by the arrows.

[0012] The case body 2 has a generally rectangular shape in side view with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction Y and a flat box shape with a thin thickness in the left-right direction X. The case body 2 is hollow and has an internal storage space 6 capable of accommodating components 5. In the illustrated example, the case body 2 has a first member 7 located on the left side X1 and a second member 8 located on the right side X2. The first member 7 has a generally rectangular box shape in side view with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction Y and is open to the right side X2. The second member 8 has a generally rectangular box shape in side view with its longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction Y and is open to the left side X1. The case body 2 is assembled by joining the first member 7 and the second member 8 with the right end of the first member 7 and the left end of the second member 8 in contact with each other. This forms an internal storage space 6 capable of accommodating multiple components 5 within the case body 2.

[0013] The components 5 are individually housed in the housing space 6. The components 5 housed in the housing space 6 are, for example, electronic components. The electronic components are generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped. The longitudinal length of the electronic components is 1.2 mm or less. The electronic components are, for example, but not limited to, capacitors or inductors.

[0014] 1 shows the inside of the second member 8 in a state in which the first member 7 is omitted from the case body 2. In the following description, the first member 7 and the second member 8 will not be described separately unless necessary, but will be described as being configured in a state in which the first member 7 and the second member 8 are joined together. The case body 2 has an outer wall portion 9, a first inclined portion 10, and a second inclined portion 11.

[0015] The outer wall 9 surrounding the storage space 6 has an upper wall 12, a bottom wall 13, a front wall 14, a rear wall 15, a left wall 16, and a right wall 17. The upper wall 12 is located on the upper side of the storage case 1. The upper wall 12 is generally plate-shaped and extends in the front-to-rear direction Y with its plate surface facing the up-down direction Z. The bottom wall 13 is located on the lower side of the storage case 1. The bottom wall 13 is generally plate-shaped and extends in the front-to-rear direction Y with its plate surface facing the up-down direction Z. The front wall 14 is located on the front side of the storage case 1. The front wall 14 is generally plate-shaped and extends in the up-down direction Z with its plate surface facing the front-to-rear direction Y. The rear wall 15 is located on the rear side of the storage case 1. The rear wall 15 is generally plate-shaped and extends in the up-down direction Z with its plate surface facing the front-to-rear direction Y. The left wall 16 is located on the left side of the storage case 1, on the side of the first member 7. The left wall 16 is generally plate-shaped, and extends in the up-down direction Z with its plate surface facing the left-right direction X. The right wall 17 is located on the right side of the storage case 1, on the side of the second member 8. The right wall 17 is generally plate-shaped, and extends in the up-down direction Z with its plate surface facing the left-right direction X.

[0016] A component removal opening 18 is provided in the outer wall 9 of the case body 2, through which components 5 in the storage space 6 are ejected to the outside of the case body 2. In the first embodiment, the component removal opening 18 is provided in the lower part of the front wall 14 of the case body 2. The component removal opening 18 has a generally rectangular shape in front view and penetrates the case body 2 in the front-rear direction Y. The component removal opening 18 has an inner opening 19 that opens toward the storage space 6 and an outer opening 20 that opens to the outside of the case body 2. The inner opening 19 is formed on the inner surface of the front wall 14 of the outer wall 9. In the illustrated example, the rear end of the lower end of the inner opening 19 is curved rearward Y2 in side view. The distance between the lower edge of the inner opening 19 and the lower surface of the bottom wall 13 of the case body 2 is, for example, 6 mm. The outer opening 20 is formed on the outer surface of the front wall 14 of the outer wall 9. The lower edge of the outer opening 20 is located at a lower corner located on the front side of the case body 2. The distance between the lower edge of the outer opening 20 and the lower surface of the bottom wall 13 of the case body 2 is, for example, 3 mm. The component removal opening 18 is not limited to a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and may be, for example, a generally circular or elliptical shape when viewed from the front.

[0017] The first inclined portion 10, which divides the storage space 6 into upper and lower sections, is located between the left wall 16 and the right wall 17 within the storage space 6. The first inclined portion 10 is generally plate-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction Y with its plate surface facing the up-down direction Z. The first inclined portion 10 extends from the rear wall 15, which is on the opposite side of the front wall 14 where the component removal opening 18 is formed, toward the inner opening 19. The first inclined portion 10 slopes downward from the rear wall 15 toward the inner opening 19. That is, the rear end of the first inclined portion 10 is located at the uppermost position, and the front end of the first inclined portion 10 is located at the lowermost position. The upper plate surface of the first inclined portion 10 configured as described above is a first inclined surface 21. Therefore, the first inclined surface 21 extends within the storage space 6 so as to aim at the front wall 14, which is located in front of the first inclined surface 21. Specifically, the first inclined surface 21 is provided in the storage space 6 and extends toward the inner opening 19. In the illustrated example, the front end of the first inclined portion 10 extends to the lower edge of the inner opening 19, so the first inclined surface 21 extends toward the lower edge of the inner opening 19.

[0018] As described above, the first inclined portion 10 extends from the rear wall portion 15 toward the front wall portion 14. Therefore, the storage space 6 is divided by the first inclined portion 10 into an upper space 22 on the upper side where the components 5 are stored, and a lower space 23 located below the upper space 22. The inner opening 19 of the component removal opening 18 opens into the upper space 22. Because the first inclined surface 21 is inclined so that the components 5 stored in the storage space 6 can slide off, the multiple components 5 stored in the upper space 22 can be guided to the component removal opening 18 via the first inclined surface 21 by vibrating the case body 2.

[0019] The second inclined portion 11 is provided outside the storage space 6, between the left wall portion 16 and the right wall portion 17. The second inclined portion 11 is generally plate-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction Y with its plate surface facing the up-down direction Z. The second inclined portion 11 extends toward the outer surface of the front wall portion 14 located in front of the first inclined portion 10. Specifically, the second inclined portion 11 extends from the inner opening 19 toward the outer opening 20. The second inclined portion 11 slopes downward from the inner opening 19 toward the outer opening 20. That is, the rear end of the second inclined portion 11 is located at the uppermost position, and the front end of the second inclined portion 11 is located at the lowermost position. The upper plate surface of the second inclined portion 11 configured as described above is the second inclined surface 24. Therefore, the second inclined surface 24 extends from the inner opening 19 toward the outer opening 20. In the illustrated example, the second inclined surface 24 is part of the inner surface of the component removal opening 18, which is a through-hole. Specifically, the front end of the second inclined portion 11 corresponds to the lower edge of the outer opening 20, and the rear end of the second inclined portion 11 corresponds to the lower edge of the inner opening 19. Therefore, the second inclined surface 24 extends from the lower edge of the inner opening 19 toward the lower edge of the outer opening 20. In this case, the second inclined surface 24 extends from the inner opening 19 to the outer surface of the outer wall 9. Specifically, the second inclined surface 24 extends to the outer surface of the corner between the front wall 14 and the bottom wall 13.

[0020] As described above, the components 5 housed in the storage space 6 are guided to the inner opening 19 of the component removal port 18 via the first inclined surface 21. The second inclined surface 24 is inclined so that the components 5 guided to the inner opening 19 by the first inclined surface 21 can slide down, and therefore, by vibrating the case body 2, the components 5 can be guided from the inner opening 19 to the outer opening 20. The components 5 guided to the outer opening 20 are then ejected to the outside of the case body 2 via the outer opening 20.

[0021] The second inclined surface 24 may be flat, curved, or have multiple flat surfaces with different inclination angles. In the first embodiment, the second inclined surface 24 is flat. In the first embodiment, the second inclined surface 24 forms an angle of 45° with respect to the horizontal plane. The angle of the second inclined surface 24 is not limited to 45° with respect to the horizontal plane, and preferably forms an angle of 40° to 90° with respect to the horizontal plane. In contrast, the first inclined surface 21 forms an angle of 5° with respect to the horizontal plane. The angle of the first inclined surface 21 is not limited to 5° with respect to the horizontal plane, and preferably forms an angle of 3° to 10° with respect to the horizontal plane. As such, since the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 24 with respect to the horizontal plane is larger than the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 21 with respect to the horizontal plane, the second inclined surface 24 is inclined more than the first inclined surface 21.

[0022] The second inclined surface 24 is in a state where sliding of the component 5 is not hindered by grooves or scratches that occur during the formation of the storage case 1. In this embodiment 1, the surface roughness Ra of the second inclined surface 24 is 2.0 μm. The surface roughness Ra of the second inclined surface 24 is not limited to 2.0 μm, and is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less. The surface roughness Ra of the first inclined surface 21 is, for example, 2.0 μm. In this embodiment 1, the surface resistance value of the second inclined surface 24 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 ９ ~10 １３ It is preferably Ω / sq.

[0023] The case body 2 has an upper gripping portion 25 and a rear gripping portion 26. The upper gripping portion 25 is provided at both front and rear end portions of the upper side of the case body 2. The upper gripping portion 25 located on the front side has a concave shape recessed toward the rear Y2, while the upper gripping portion 25 located on the rear side has a concave shape recessed toward the front Y1. The rear gripping portions 26 are provided at both top and bottom end portions of the rear side of the case body 2. The upper rear gripping portion 26 has a concave shape recessed toward the downward Z2, while the lower rear gripping portion 26 has a concave shape recessed toward the upward Z1. The upper gripping portion 25 and the rear gripping portion 26 are grasped by a robot hand, for example, when the storage case 1 is transported by the robot hand.

[0024] The case body 2 has a plurality of claws for detachably mounting the storage case 1 on a vibrating feeder. In the first embodiment, a first claw 27, a second claw 28, and a third claw 29 are provided on the bottom wall 13 of the case body 2 at intervals in the front-to-rear direction Y. The first claw 27, the second claw 28, and the third claw 29 are integrally molded with the case body 2. The first claw 27 and the second claw 28 are configured as T-slots that form an inverted T-shape in vertical cross section when viewed from the front. The third claw 29 is a generally L-shaped plate when viewed from the side, and extends downward Z2 from the bottom wall 13 of the case body 2 and then backward Y2.

[0025] The shutter mechanism 3 opens and closes the component outlet 18 of the case body 2. Typically, the shutter mechanism 3 has a cover member 30 and a guide portion 31 for the cover member 30. Fig. 5 is a side view showing a portion of the interior of the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the component outlet of the storage case closed by the cover member. Fig. 6 is a side view showing a portion of the interior of the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the component outlet of the storage case open.

[0026] The cover member 30 slides to open and close the component access opening 18 of the case body 2. The cover member 30 is a long, thin, strip-shaped film member that extends continuously from the bottom wall portion 13 to the front wall portion 14. The cover member 30 is slidable along its extension direction. The cover member 30 is made of a material such as PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). Note that the material of the cover member 30 is not limited to PET, and any material may be used as long as it has a certain degree of rigidity and is flexible enough to bend. The thickness of the cover member 30 made of such a film-like material is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The width of the cover member 30 in the left-right direction X is slightly larger than the width of the component access opening 18 in the left-right direction X. Therefore, the cover member 30 can cover the component access opening 18 without any gaps. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , an opening 32 having substantially the same shape as the component access opening 18 is provided at the front end of the cover member 30.

[0027] The guide portion 31 of the cover member 30 is provided on the case main body 2. The guide portion 31 guides the sliding movement of the cover member 30. In the first embodiment, the guide portion 31 includes a lower guide portion 33 and an upper guide portion 34 provided on the case main body 2. The cover member 30 is slidable along the lower guide portion 33 and the upper guide portion 34. The lower guide portion 33 is disposed in front of the bottom wall portion 13 in the Y1 direction, and the upper guide portion 34 is disposed above the component removal opening 18 in the Z1 direction. The cover member 30 slides generally horizontally along the lower guide portion 33 and in the up-down direction Z along the upper guide portion 34. The lower guide portion 33 and the upper guide portion 34 form a passage that slidably holds the cover member 30 while maintaining the surface direction of the cover member 30 aligned with the left-right direction X.

[0028] The lower guide portion 33 includes a first lower guide portion 35 disposed below the component removal opening 18 in the Z2 direction and a second lower guide portion 36 disposed behind the first lower guide portion 35 in the Y2 direction. The second lower guide portion 36 is formed by a convex portion 37 provided at the front end of the first inclined portion 10 and the bottom wall portion 13. The convex portion 37 has a generally rectangular block shape and protrudes downward in the Z2 direction from the first inclined portion 10. A gap is formed in the front-to-rear direction Y between the lower surface of the convex portion 37 and the upper surface of the front end 38 of the bottom wall portion 13. The first lower guide portion 35 is formed by the front end 38 of the bottom wall portion 13, the rear end of the second inclined portion 11, and the front end of the first inclined portion 10. The front end 38 of the bottom wall portion 13 curves upward in the Z1 direction and is located forward in the Y1 direction of the first inclined portion 10. The front end 38 of the bottom wall portion 13 is provided with the second inclined portion 11. The second inclined portion 11 extends obliquely downward Z2 from the front end portion 38 of the bottom wall portion 13. A gap is formed between the rear end portion of the second inclined portion 11 and the front end portion of the first inclined portion 10.

[0029] The cover member 30 passes through the gap between the convex portion 37 and the bottom wall portion 13. As a result, the cover member 30 can be slid in the front-to-rear direction Y directly above the bottom wall portion 13 by the second lower guide portion 36. The cover member 30 also slides along the front end portion 38 of the bottom wall portion 13, which is curved upward Z1, and slides through the gap between the front end portion of the first inclined portion 10 and the rear end portion of the second inclined portion 11. As a result, the cover member 30 is curved upward Z1 at an angle of approximately 90° from the horizontal direction by the first lower guide portion 35, and is converted into a posture extending in the up-down direction Z.

[0030] As described above, a gap that functions as the passage hole 39 through which the cover member 30 passes is formed between the front end of the first inclined portion 10 and the rear end of the second inclined portion 11. Therefore, the second inclined portion 11 is not formed continuously with the first inclined portion 10. In other words, it can be said that the second inclined surface 24, which is the upper surface of the second inclined portion 11, is disposed at the end of the first inclined surface 21, which is the upper surface of the first inclined portion 10, via the passage hole 39 through which the cover member 30 passes.

[0031] The upper guide portion 34 includes a guide slit 40 formed in the front wall portion 14 in the up-down direction Z above the component removal opening 18 in the Z1 direction. The guide slit 40 has an opening 41 that opens downward in the Z2 direction. The cover member 30 is inserted into the guide slit 40 from the downward Z2 direction through the opening 41. When inserted into the guide slit 40, the cover member 30 can slide in the up-down direction Z along the guide slit 40.

[0032] 1, 5, and 6, the case body 2 is provided with a slide member 4 that slides the cover member 30. The slide member 4 is located rearward Y2 from the second lower guide portion 36 of the guide portion 31. The slide member 4 slides the cover member 30 to open and close the component outlet 18.

[0033] The bottom wall 13 of the case body 2 has a protruding plate 42 extending in the front-rear direction Y so that the slide member 4 can be disposed on the case body 2. The protruding plate 42 is formed by protruding a portion of the bottom wall 13 of the case body 2 downward Z2. The protruding plate 42 has a long hole 43 extending in the front-rear direction Y. The long hole 43 penetrates the protruding plate 42 in the up-down direction Z. A plate-shaped plate 45 is disposed above the protruding plate 42 Z1 so as to form a predetermined space 44 between the protruding plate 42 and the plate-shaped plate 45. The plate-shaped plate 45 is disposed above the protruding plate 42 Z1 with its plate surface facing the up-down direction Z. The plate 45 is disposed approximately parallel to the protruding plate 42. The plate 45 is molded integrally with the bottom wall 13. Specifically, the plate 45 extends upward Z1 from the bottom wall 13 and then extends forward Y1. The space 44 is surrounded by the protruding plate portion 42, the plate portion 45, the left wall portion 16, and the right wall portion 17. The slide member 4 is disposed within this space 44 so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction Y. A front convex portion 46 is provided at the front end of the plate portion 45, and a rear convex portion 47 is provided at the rear end of the plate portion 45. The front convex portion 46 and the rear convex portion 47 protrude downward Z2 from the plate portion 45.

[0034] The slide member 4 is a rectangular plate piece that is long in the front-rear direction Y. An operation hole 48 that penetrates the slide member 4 in the up-down direction Z is formed in the slide member 4. As shown in FIG. 3 , the operation hole 48 in this embodiment 1 is an elliptical long hole whose major axis direction is along the front-rear direction Y. The operation hole 48 is not limited to an elliptical shape and may be rectangular, for example. The operation hole 48 communicates with the long hole 43 in the case main body 2 and is exposed to the outside through the long hole 43. Note that the slide member 4 may not be configured to be provided with the operation hole 48.

[0035] A slit 49 extending in the front-rear direction Y is formed in approximately the center of the slide member 4 in the up-down direction Z. The slit 49 is open at least to the front Y1 of the slide member 4, but not to the rear Y2. The slit 49 may also be open to the left and right sides X1, X2 of the slide member 4. The rear end of the cover member 30 is inserted into this slit 49. The rear end of the cover member 30 is inserted into the slit 49 from a front end opening 50 of the slit 49. The slide member 4 is slidable relative to the cover member 30 when the cover member 30 is inserted into the slit 49.

[0036] The length of the slit 49 in the front-rear direction Y is preferably approximately 90% of the length of the slide member 4 in the front-rear direction Y. In this case, the length of the thick portion in the front-rear direction Y between the rear end of the slit 49 and the rear end face of the slide member 4 is approximately 10% of the length of the slide member 4 in the front-rear direction Y. The length of the slit 49 in the front-rear direction Y is not limited to this, but is required to be long enough to keep the rear end of the sliding cover member 30 inserted into the slit 49 at all times.

[0037] The slide member 4 includes a first plate-shaped portion 51 disposed below the slit 49, i.e., on the outside of the slit 49 in the case body 2, and a second plate-shaped portion 52 disposed above the slit 49, i.e., on the inside of the slit 49 in the case body 2. The slide member 4 is integrally molded. The rear end of the cover member 30 inserted into the slit 49 is disposed between the lower (outer) first plate-shaped portion 51 and the upper (inner) second plate-shaped portion 52.

[0038] The slide member 4 is disposed within the space 44 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction Y. The front-rear direction Y here is the sliding direction of the cover member 30. The slide member 4 is guided by the protruding plate portion 42, the plate portion 45, the left wall portion 16, and the right wall portion 17 of the bottom wall portion 13, so that it is movable in the front-rear direction Y relative to the case body 2. The structure for guiding the slide member 4 in the front-rear direction Y is not limited to this. For example, the structure for guiding the slide member 4 may be a structure in which flange-shaped plate pieces provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the slide member are inserted into grooves provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right wall portions, and the slide member slides in the front-rear direction Y.

[0039] A front recess 53 opening upward in the Z1 direction is provided at the front end of the upper surface of the slide member 4, i.e., the upper surface of the second plate-shaped portion 52. A rear recess 54 opening upward in the Z1 direction is provided at the rear end of the upper surface of the second plate-shaped portion 52. The front recess 53 and the rear recess 54 are groove-shaped recesses extending in the left-right direction X.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a state in which the slide member 4 has slid forward Y1 from approximately the center of the space 44 in the front-to-rear direction Y. As the slide member 4 slides forward Y1, the front end of the slide member 4 comes into contact with the front convex portion 46 of the plate portion 45. As the slide member 4 further slides forward Y1 from this state, the plate portion 45 elastically deforms upward Z1, causing the front convex portion 46 to ride up onto the front end of the slide member 4 and then enter the front concave portion 53 of the slide member 4. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the front convex portion 46 of the plate portion 45 is engaged with the front concave portion 53 of the slide member 4. With the front convex portion 46 engaged with the front concave portion 53 in this manner, sliding of the slide member 4 in the forward Y1 direction is restricted.

[0041] 5 shows a state in which the slide member 4 has slid rearward Y2 from approximately the center of the space 44 in the front-to-rear direction Y. As the slide member 4 slides rearward Y2, the rear end of the slide member 4 comes into contact with the rear convex portion 47 of the plate portion 45. As the slide member 4 further slides rearward Y2 from this state, the plate portion 45 elastically deforms upward Z1, causing the rear convex portion 47 to ride up onto the rear end of the slide member 4 and then enter the rear concave portion 54 of the slide member 4. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the rear convex portion 47 of the plate portion 45 is engaged with the rear concave portion 54 of the slide member 4. With the rear convex portion 47 engaged with the rear concave portion 54 in this way, sliding of the slide member 4 rearward Y2 is restricted.

[0042] When the front convex portion 46 of the plate portion 45 engages with the front concave portion 53 of the slide member 4, and when the rear convex portion 47 of the plate portion 45 engages with the rear concave portion 54 of the slide member 4, the operator of the slide member 4 can feel a click. In the following description, the position when the front convex portion 46 of the plate portion 45 engages with the front concave portion 53 of the slide member 4 may be referred to as the front end position of the slide member 4, and the position when the rear convex portion 47 of the plate portion 45 engages with the rear concave portion 54 of the slide member 4 may be referred to as the rear end position of the slide member 4.

[0043] As described above, the rear end of the cover member 30 is inserted into the slit 49 of the slide member 4 through the front end opening 50. With the cover member 30 inserted into the slit 49, the slide member 4 is slidable in the front-to-rear direction Y relative to the cover member 30. That is, the cover member 30 and the slide member 4 are slidable relative to each other in the front-to-rear direction Y, which is the sliding direction of the cover member 30. In other words, the cover member 30 and the slide member 4 are slidable independently in the front-to-rear direction Y, independently and without interlocking with each other. With the cover member 30 inserted into the slit 49, the first plate-shaped portion 51 of the slide member 4 overlaps the outer side of the cover member 30, and the second plate-shaped portion 52 overlaps the inner side of the cover member 30.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cover member 30 of the storage case 1 is slid forward Y1. Specifically, the cover member 30 is in a closed position, closing the component access opening 18 of the case body 2. When the cover member 30 is in the closed position, the opening 32 of the cover member 30 is located above the component access opening 18 (Z1). Therefore, the component access opening 18 of the case body 2 is closed by a portion of the cover member 30 below the opening 32. When the cover member 30 closes the component access opening 18, providing a distance between the lower edge of the opening 32 of the cover member 30 and the upper edge of the component access opening 18 ensures reliable closure of the component access opening 18. More preferably, setting the distance between the lower edge of the opening 32 of the cover member 30 and the upper edge of the component access opening 18 to 3.9 mm or more ensures more reliable closure of the component access opening 18. When the cover member 30 is in the closed position, a gap is maintained between the front end of the cover member 30 and the upper end of the guide slit 40. The length of this gap in the vertical direction Z is preferably at least 0.6 mm. By ensuring a gap between the front end of the cover member 30 and the upper end of the guide slit 40, it is possible to prevent the cover member 30 from coming into contact with the case body 2 and being deformed.

[0045] The slide member 4 of the storage case 1 is located at a front end position with the front convex portion 46 engaged with the front concave portion 53. When the slide member 4 is located at the front end position, a gap is secured between the rear end of the cover member 30 and the rear end of the slit 49. The length of this gap in the front-to-rear direction Y is preferably at least 0.3 mm. By securing a gap between the rear end of the cover member 30 and the rear end of the slit 49, it is possible to prevent the cover member 30 from coming into contact with the slide member 4 and becoming deformed. When the slide member 4 is located at the front end position, the first plate-shaped portion 51 and the second plate-shaped portion 52 overlap the cover member 30.

[0046] As described above, the cover member 30 and the slide member 4 can independently slide in the front-rear direction Y without interlocking with each other. Here, if the slide member 4 is slid backward Y2 to the rear end position while the cover member 30 is in the closed position, the cover member 30 does not slide backward Y2 together with the slide member 4. Therefore, even if the slide member 4 slides backward Y2, the component removal opening 18 of the case body 2 remains closed by the cover member 30. At this time, the rear end of the cover member 30 is secured to be inserted into the slit 49. The length of the portion of the cover member 30 inserted into the slit 49 in the front-rear direction Y, i.e., the distance between the rear end of the cover member 30 and the front end of the slit 49, is preferably at least 1 mm. Ensuring a sufficient distance between the rear end of the cover member 30 and the front end of the slit 49 prevents the cover member 30 from coming off the slide member 4.

[0047] When the cover member 30 is in the closed position and the slide member 4 is in the front end position, and the slide member 4 is slid rearward Y2 together with the cover member 30 to the rear end position, the opening 32 of the cover member 30 coincides with the component outlet 18 of the case body 2. This allows the component outlet 18 of the case body 2 to be opened. More preferably, when the component outlet 18 is opened, a gap of approximately 11.6 mm is secured between the front end of the cover member 30 and the upper end of the guide slit 40, thereby preventing the cover member 30 from coming into contact with the case body 2 and deforming.

[0048] The cover member 30 of the storage case 1 having the above configuration can be opened, for example, as follows. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the operation pin 55 is inserted into the operation hole 48 of the slide member 4 through the elongated hole 43 of the case body 2, and then penetrates the cover member 30 with the operation pin 55. As a result, the operation pin 55 is inserted into the operation hole 48 of the slide member 4 while penetrating the cover member 30 in the vertical direction Z. From this state, the operation pin 55 is moved along the elongated hole 43 of the case body 2 in the opening direction of the cover member 30, i.e., backward Y2. As a result, the slide member 4 and the cover member 30 become integrated, and the slide member 4 and the cover member 30 slide backward Y2 in unison. When the slide member 4 is slid to the rear end position, the opening 32 of the cover member 30 aligns with the component outlet 18 of the case body 2. This opens the component outlet 18 of the case body 2. The elongated hole 43 of the case body 2 has a length that allows the operation pin 55 to slide until the component removal opening 18 is opened.

[0049] When the cover member 30 is a film member having a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, the operating pin 55 can easily break through the cover member 30. The cover member 30 is exposed to the outside through the operating hole 48 of the slide member 4 and the elongated hole 43 of the case body 2. In this case, the cover member 30 does not have any parts such as holes, protrusions, or recesses that can serve as handholds, so its flat underside is exposed to the outside. Therefore, to slide the cover member 30, it is necessary to take the trouble of breaking through the cover member 30 with the operating pin 55. By making the cover member 30 difficult to operate in this way, the storage case 1 is configured so that the component removal opening 18 cannot be easily opened.

[0050] A through hole for passing the operation pin 55 may be formed in advance in the cover member 30. In this case, the operation pin 55 is inserted into the operation hole 48 of the slide member 4 via the elongated hole 43 of the case body 2, and is also inserted into the through hole of the cover member 30. From this state, the component removal opening 18 of the case body 2 can be opened by operating the operation pin 55 as described above. By providing a through hole in the cover member 30 in this way, the effort of breaking through the cover member 30 with the operation pin 55 can be eliminated.

[0051] To make it difficult to operate the cover member 30, the cross-sectional shape of the operation hole 48 of the slide member 4 may be complex or special. In this case, only an operation pin having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the operation hole can be inserted into the operation hole, making it difficult to operate the cover member 30. Examples of the shape of the operation hole that can make it difficult to operate the cover member 30 include a cylindrical cross-sectional shape or a star-shaped cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, by configuring the slide member so that it can only be operated with an operation pin of a special shape, it is possible to make it difficult to operate the cover member 30. For example, the slide member may be configured so that it can only be operated with a crank-shaped operation pin.

[0052] Next, the operation of ejecting the components 5 from the storage case 1 to the outside will be described. To eject the components 5 from the storage case 1 to the outside, a feeder that vibrates the storage case 1 is used. The storage case 1 is placed on the feeder via the first claw 27, the second claw 28, and the third claw 29. When the storage case 1 is placed on the feeder, the protrusions on the feeder engage with the recesses 56 formed on the left and right walls 16, 17 of the storage case 1. When the storage case 1 is placed on the feeder, the feeder vibrates the storage case 1, ejecting the components 5 from the storage case 1 to the outside via the first inclined surface 21 and the second inclined surface 24. When ejecting the components 5 from the storage case 1, the component removal opening 18 is opened as described above.

[0053] Specifically, components 5 in the storage space 6 slide down the first inclined surface 21 and are carried to the inner opening 19 of the component outlet 18. Components 5 that reach the inner opening 19 of the component outlet 18 slide down the second inclined surface 24 and are carried to the outer opening 20 of the component outlet 18. Components 5 carried to the outer opening 20 of the component outlet 18 are ejected to the outside of the storage case 1 through the outer opening 20. Note that the method for ejecting components 5 from the storage case 1 is not limited to the method using a feeder. For example, the storage case 1 may be tilted so that the component outlet 18 opens downward Z2, and the component outlet 18 may be opened as described above.

[0054] In the configuration of the storage case 1 of the first embodiment, a passage hole 39 through which the cover member 30 passes is provided between the first inclined surface 21 and the second inclined surface 24. When a component 5 is removed from the storage case 1, the cover member 30 is slid rearward Y2. At this time, the passage hole 39 between the first inclined surface 21 and the second inclined surface 24 is blocked by the cover member 30. Therefore, when a component 5 is removed from the storage case 1, the component 5 does not fall into the passage hole 39 between the first inclined surface 21 and the second inclined surface 24.

[0055] In the case of storage case 1 of the first embodiment, storage case 1 has first inclined surface 21 and second inclined surface 24. Therefore, storage case 1 of the first embodiment can prevent components 5 from clogging component outlet 18 when components 5 are ejected from storage case 1, and can prevent components 5 that have fallen from component outlet 18 from remaining below component outlet 18 at position Z2.

[0056] In the case of the storage case 1 of this embodiment, the second inclined surface 24 extends from the inner opening 19 to the outer surface of the outer wall 9 of the storage case 1. Therefore, with the storage case 1 of this embodiment, the components 5 ejected from the component outlet 18 can be guided further forward Y1, which more reliably prevents the components 5 that fall from the component outlet 18 from remaining below the component outlet 18 in the Z2 area.

[0057] Next, a storage case 1a according to embodiment 2 will be described. In embodiment 2, the characteristic features will be described, and the matters described in embodiment 1 will not be described. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of a part of the storage case according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0058] The second inclined surface 24 may be flat, curved, or have multiple flat surfaces with different inclination angles. In the second embodiment, the second inclined surface 24 is curved. Therefore, the second inclined portion 11 has a curved plate shape. Specifically, the second inclined portion 11 has a plate shape that bulges downward in an arc shape in the Z2 direction. Since the second inclined surface 24 is the upper plate surface of the second inclined portion 11, it has a curved surface shape that bulges downward in an arc shape in the Z2 direction.

[0059] The end of the second inclined portion 11 on the inner opening 19 side is located at the lower edge of the inner opening 19, and the end of the second inclined portion 11 on the outer opening 20 side is located at the lower edge of the outer opening 20. Therefore, the second inclined surface 24 extends from the lower edge of the inner opening 19 toward the lower edge of the outer opening 20 while curving to bulge downward Z2. In this case, the second inclined surface 24 extends from the lower edge of the inner opening 19 to the outer surface of the outer wall 9 of the case main body 2. In the illustrated example, the second inclined surface 24 extends to the outer surface of the corner between the front wall 14 and the bottom wall 13. In the illustrated example, the end of the second inclined surface 24 on the inner opening 19 side extends vertically downward Z2 from the inner opening 19, and the end of the second inclined surface 24 on the outer opening 20 side forms an angle of 5° with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0060] In the case of the storage case 1a of the second embodiment, the storage case 1a has a first inclined surface 21 and a curved second inclined surface 24. Therefore, according to the storage case 1a of the second embodiment, the components 5 can be moved more quickly from the inner opening 19 to the outer opening 20.

[0061] Next, a storage case 1b according to embodiment 3 will be described. In embodiment 3, the characteristic features will be described, and the matters described in embodiment 1 will not be described. Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of a part of the storage case according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0062] The second inclined surface 24 may be flat, curved, or have multiple flat surfaces with different inclination angles. In the third embodiment, the second inclined surface 24 has multiple flat surfaces with different inclination angles. In the illustrated example, the second inclined surface 24 has two flat surfaces with different inclination angles. Therefore, the second inclined portion 11 has an inner inclined portion 57 and an outer inclined portion 58.

[0063] The inner inclined portion 57 has a generally rectangular plate shape and extends in the front-to-rear direction Y with its plate surface facing the up-down direction Z. The inner inclined portion 57 extends from the inner opening 19 toward the outside of the case body 2. The inner inclined portion 57 is inclined downward from the inner opening 19 toward the outside of the case body 2. In the illustrated example, the inner inclined portion 57 forms an angle of 5° with respect to the horizontal. The outer inclined portion 58 has a generally rectangular plate shape and extends in the front-to-rear direction Y with its plate surface facing the up-down direction Z. The outer inclined portion 58 extends from the front end of the inner inclined portion 57 toward the outside of the case body 2. The outer inclined portion 58 is inclined downward from the front end of the inner inclined portion 57 toward the outside of the case body 2. The outer inclined portion 58 is inclined more than the inner inclined portion 57. In the illustrated example, the outer inclined portion 58 forms an angle of 50° with respect to the horizontal. In the third embodiment, it is preferable that the inner inclined portion 57 and the outer inclined portion 58 have different thicknesses. Specifically, the inner inclined portion 57 has a greater thickness than the outer inclined portion 58.

[0064] The second inclined surface 24 is the upper plate surface of the second inclined portion 11. Therefore, the second inclined surface 24 has a planar inner inclined surface 59 which is the upper surface of the inner inclined portion 57, and a planar outer inclined surface 60 which is the upper surface of the outer inclined portion 58. The outer inclined surface 60 is inclined more than the inner inclined surface 59. The length of the outer inclined surface 60 in the front-rear direction Y is greater than the length of the inner inclined surface 59 in the front-rear direction Y.

[0065] The end of the inner inclined portion 57 on the inner opening 19 side is located at the lower edge of the inner opening 19, and the end of the outer inclined portion 58 on the outer opening 20 side is located at the lower edge of the outer opening 20. Therefore, the second inclined surface 24 extends from the lower edge of the inner opening 19 toward the lower edge of the outer opening 20 while bending so as to protrude upward Z1. In this case, the second inclined surface 24 extends from the lower edge of the inner opening 19 to the outer surface of the outer wall portion 9 of the case main body 2. In the illustrated example, the second inclined surface 24 extends to the outer surface of the corner between the front wall portion 14 and the bottom wall portion 13.

[0066] As described above, the plate-shaped second inclined portion 11 is curved because it has two inclined surfaces 59, 60 with different inclination angles. Therefore, according to the storage case 1b of the third embodiment, the space in which the components 5 can reside can be reduced, preventing the components 5 from accumulating in that space. This makes it easier to remove the components 5 from the storage case 1b. Furthermore, during molding of the storage case 1b, it is possible to prevent resin from concentrating at the corner between the front wall portion 14 and the bottom wall portion 13. Furthermore, according to the storage case 1b of the third embodiment, it is possible to increase the strength of the corner between the front wall portion 14 and the bottom wall portion 13 in the left-right direction X. Here, the second inclined portion 11 is plate-shaped. Therefore, a recess 61 provided in the bottom wall portion 13 is located behind the second inclined portion 11 (Y2). The recess 61 is groove-shaped, opening downward (Z2), and extends in the left-right direction X. When forming the storage case 1b by injection molding or the like, if the recess 61 is filled with resin, the corner between the front wall 14 and the bottom wall 13 may be deformed during the cooling process of the injection molding. Therefore, the recess 61 is formed in the storage case 1b. As a result, the second inclined portion 11 is formed in a plate shape as described above. If the second inclined portion 11 were plate-shaped, the strength of the corner between the front wall 14 and the bottom wall 13 would be reduced. Therefore, to prevent this reduction in strength, the second inclined portion 11 is bent as in the third embodiment. Furthermore, the inner inclined portion 57 is thicker than the outer inclined portion 58. In other words, in the third embodiment, the rear end of the second inclined portion 11 is thicker than the rear end of the second inclined portion 11, which is one of the two portions that constitute the passage hole 39 through which the cover member 30 passes. Therefore, the storage case 1b of the third embodiment can increase the strength of the guide portion 31.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0068] For example, in the first, second, and third embodiments, the second inclined surface 24 is either flat, curved, bulging downward Z2, or has two flat surfaces with different inclination angles. However, this is not limited to these. For example, the second inclined surface may be curved, bulging upward Z1, or may have both a flat portion and a curved portion. The second inclined surface 24 may be configured to slope downward Z2 from the first inclined surface 21 without rising upward Z1 or extending horizontally. It is preferable that the end of the second inclined surface 24 on the outer opening 20 side is located at least halfway between the opening edge of the inner opening 19 and the opening edge of the outer opening 20.

[0069] <1> A storage case comprising: a case body 2 having an internal storage space 6 capable of storing a component 5; a component removal opening 18 provided in the case body 2, the component removal opening 18 having an inner opening 19 that opens toward the storage space 6 and an outer opening 20 that opens to the outside of the case body 2; a first inclined surface 21 provided within the storage space 6 and extending toward the inner opening 19; and a second inclined surface 24 that extends from the inner opening 19 toward the outer opening 20 so that the component 5 can be guided from the inner opening 19 to the outer opening 20. <2> A storage case comprising: a case body 2 having an internal storage space 6 capable of storing a component 5; a component removal opening 18 provided in the case body 2 and having an inner opening 19 that opens toward the storage space 6 and an outer opening 20 that opens to the outside of the case body 2; a first inclined surface 21 provided within the storage space 6 and extending toward the inner opening 19; a shutter mechanism 3 that can open and close the component removal opening 18; and a second inclined surface 24 that extends from the inner opening 19 toward the outer opening 20 so that the component 5 can be guided from the inner opening 19 to the outer opening 20. <3> A storage case comprising: a case body (2) having an internal storage space (6) capable of accommodating a component (5); an inner opening (19) provided in an outer wall (9) of the case body (2) and opening toward the storage space (6); and an outer opening (20) opening to the outside of the case body (2), the inner opening (19) being provided in the outer wall (9) of the case body (2) and opening toward the storage space (6); a component removal opening (18) having a lower edge of the outer opening (20) located at a lower corner of the case body (2); a first inclined surface (21) provided in the storage space (6) and extending toward the inner opening (19); a cover member (30) that slides to open and close the component removal opening (18); a guide portion (31) provided on the case body (2) and guiding the sliding movement of the cover member (30); and a second inclined surface (24) extending from the lower edge of the inner opening (19) toward the lower edge of the outer opening (20) so as to guide the component (5) from the inner opening (19) to the outer opening (20). <4> A storage case according to <1> or <2>, wherein the second inclined surface (24) extends from the lower edge of the inner opening (19). <5> A storage case described in <3>, in which the second inclined surface 24 is arranged at the end of the first inclined surface 21 via a passage hole 39 through which the cover member 30 passes.<6> The storage case according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the second inclined surface 24 is flat, curved, or has a plurality of flat surfaces with different inclination angles. <7> The storage case according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the second inclined surface 24 forms an angle of 40° or more and 90° or less with respect to the horizontal plane. <8> The storage case according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the second inclined surface 24 has a surface roughness Ra of 0.5 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less. <9> The second inclined surface 24 has a surface resistance of 10. ９ ~10 １３ <10> The storage case according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the component removal opening 18 is provided in the outer wall portion 9 of the case body 2, the outer opening 20 is formed on the outer surface of the outer wall portion 9, and the second inclined surface 24 extends from the inner opening 19 to the outer surface of the outer wall portion 9.

[0070] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Storage case 2 Case body 3 Shutter mechanism 5 Component 6 Storage space 9 Outer wall 18 Component removal opening 19 Inner opening 20 Outer opening 21 First inclined surface 24 Second inclined surface 30 Cover member 31 Guide portion 39 Pass-through hole

Claims

1. A storage case comprising: a case body having an internal storage space capable of storing components; a component removal port provided in the case body, the component removal port having an inner opening that opens toward the storage space and an outer opening that opens to the outside of the case body; a first inclined surface provided within the storage space and extending toward the inner opening; and a second inclined surface extending from the inner opening toward the outer opening so that the component can be guided from the inner opening to the outer opening.

2. A storage case comprising: a case body having an internal storage space capable of storing components; a component removal opening provided in the case body and having an inner opening that opens toward the storage space and an outer opening that opens to the outside of the case body; a first inclined surface provided within the storage space and extending toward the inner opening; a shutter mechanism that can open and close the component removal opening; and a second inclined surface that extends from the inner opening toward the outer opening so that the components can be guided from the inner opening to the outer opening.

3. A storage case comprising: a case body having an internal storage space capable of storing components; an inner opening provided on an outer wall of the case body and opening toward the storage space, and an outer opening opening to the outside of the case body, with a component removal opening whose lower edge is located at a lower corner of the case body; a first inclined surface provided within the storage space and extending toward the inner opening; a cover member that opens and closes the component removal opening by sliding; a guide portion provided on the case body and guiding the sliding movement of the cover member; and a second inclined surface extending from the lower edge of the inner opening toward the lower edge of the outer opening so that the component can be guided from the inner opening to the outer opening.

4. A storage case according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second inclined surface extends from a lower edge of the inner opening.

5. A storage case according to claim 3, wherein the second inclined surface is disposed at the end of the first inclined surface via a passage hole through which the cover member passes.

6. A storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second inclined surface is either flat, curved, or has a plurality of flat surfaces with different inclination angles.

7. A storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second inclined surface forms an angle of 40° or more and 90° or less with respect to the horizontal plane.

8. A storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second inclined surface has a surface roughness Ra of 0.5 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less.

9. The second inclined surface has a surface resistance of 10 ９ ~10 １３ 9. The storage case according to claim 1, wherein the resistance is Ω / sq.

10. A storage case as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the component removal opening is provided on the outer wall portion of the case body, the outer opening is formed on the outer surface of the outer wall portion, and the second inclined surface extends from the inner opening to the outer surface of the outer wall portion.

Images