Electronic Component Locking Structure for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic component attachment structures in image forming apparatuses require numerous parts and operation steps, leading to increased production costs and reliability issues due to insufficient rigidity, causing components to potentially detach under force.
Innovation Solution
An electronic component attaching structure featuring a pair of first locking pieces and a second locking piece, with a first locking hole and second locking hole in the attachment portion, allowing for secure engagement and preventing disengagement by utilizing elastic deformation and contact with the peripheral edges of the holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If locking pieces are made integrally formed on casings to reduce parts, then production cost is reduced, but rigidity of locking pieces becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking pieces (first locking pieces and second locking pieces) that are integrally formed on the casing. This segmentation allows each locking piece to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining the benefit of integral formation, thus reducing overall parts count while ensuring sufficient rigidity through proper structural design of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pieces are designed with asymmetric cross-sectional shapes and varying thicknesses. The first locking pieces have different dimensional characteristics than the second locking pieces, allowing each to be optimized for its specific locking function. This asymmetric design enables the integrally formed structure to achieve sufficient rigidity in critical areas while maintaining cost-effectiveness through integral formation.
2Reliability
If locking pieces are made with high rigidity to prevent deformation, then reliability of fixing is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pieces exhibit local quality variations with different sections having different thicknesses and rigidity characteristics. The portions requiring high rigidity (such as the engagement sections with the attachment portion) are designed with greater thickness and structural reinforcement, while other sections maintain adequate but lower rigidity. This localized optimization ensures reliable fixing where needed while minimizing overall material usage and production cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pieces utilize composite structural design combining different material properties or structural configurations within a single integrally formed component. By strategically designing the internal structure and cross-sections of the locking pieces, the invention achieves high rigidity in critical areas without requiring expensive materials throughout the entire component, thus maintaining cost-effectiveness while ensuring reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple locking pieces are used to enhance rigidity, then reliability of attachment is improved, but number of parts and operation steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking pieces (first locking pieces and second locking pieces) are integrally formed as a single unified structure on the casing. This merging approach provides the reliability benefits of multiple locking points while eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly operations for each locking piece, thus reducing the number of parts from a manufacturing and assembly perspective while enhancing attachment reliability.
4Ease of operation
If locking pieces are designed to be elastically deformable for insertion, then ease of attachment is improved, but rigidity becomes insufficient to prevent disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pieces are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow elastic deformation during the insertion phase to facilitate easy attachment, while maintaining sufficient rigidity in the engaged state to prevent disengagement. The structural design enables the locking pieces to transition from a flexible state during insertion to a rigid locked state, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigidity parameter of the locking pieces is optimized to allow controlled elastic deformation within a specific range during insertion, while maintaining overall structural rigidity sufficient to prevent disengagement. By carefully controlling the material properties and geometric parameters of the locking pieces, the invention achieves both ease of attachment through elastic deformation and sufficient strength to maintain reliable fixation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This structure reduces the number of parts and operation steps, enhances the rigidity of the locking mechanism, and reliably prevents the electronic component from coming off, even under pulling forces, thus lowering production costs and improving reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the locking pieces are elastically deformed in the pressed directions. Upon completely passing the locking hole, the both locking claws are restored to their initial positions by their elastic restoring forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure is provided to reduce cost for attaching an electronic component and to prevent disengagement of the component. This structure has first locking pieces opposed to each other in a first direction. Second locking pieces are distanced from the first locking pieces in a direction normal to the first direction and project from the component. The attachment portion has first and second locking holes for locking the first and second locking pieces. The first locking hole includes an insertion portion to permit insertion of both first locking pieces, and locks for receiving the first locking pieces from the insertion portion in the second direction. The locks hinder removal of the first locking pieces. The second locking piece contacts an edge of the second locking hole to hinder both first locking pieces from moving into the insertion portion from the locking portions of the first locking hole.