Metal Frame Hook Fitted Portion Prevents Sheet Metal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal frames for image forming apparatuses lack a mechanism to prevent unintended movement and separation of sheet metals, leading to deterioration of position accuracy when subjected to external forces.
Innovation Solution
A metal frame design featuring a first support member with a slit portion, a second support member arranged at an interval, and a beam member connecting them, where the beam member includes a facing portion and a fitted portion with a hook shape to securely engage with the slit portion, preventing movement in the opposite direction of the insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sheet metals are assembled by inserting a protrusion portion into an opening portion with bulging portions for positioning, then position accuracy in the insertion direction and orthogonal direction is improved, but the sheet metals can still separate in the direction opposite to insertion when unintended force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional connection approach by using a hook-shaped fitted portion that engages from the rear surface of the support member. Instead of relying on front-side positioning structures, the hook portion extends through the slit portion and hooks onto the rear surface, creating a reverse-direction engagement that prevents separation in the opposite direction to insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook-shaped fitted portion acts as an intermediary element between the beam member and the support member. It provides a mechanical bridge that transfers and distributes forces, enabling the beam member to be securely connected to the support member while preventing unintended separation through its engagement with the rear surface of the support member.
2Ease of operation
If the width of the fitted portion is made equal to or less than the width of the slit portion to allow fitting, then ease of assembly is improved, but the connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a third dimension to the connection by utilizing the rear surface of the support member. The hook-shaped fitted portion extends in the plate thickness direction and hooks onto the rear surface, creating engagement in multiple dimensions. This multi-dimensional engagement maintains connection strength while allowing the width in the vertical direction to be equal to or less than the slit portion width for easy assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A metal frame of an image forming apparatus includes a connecting member which is a metal plate and which connects first and second spaced apart support members which are constructed to support an image forming unit of the an image forming apparatus. The connecting member includes a first facing portion which faces a first region of the first support member around a slit portion thereof, and a fitted portion which is supported by an inner peripheral surface of the slit portion and is fitted into the slit portion in a plate thickness direction of the fitted portion. A width of the fitted portion in a direction vertical to a plate thickness direction of the first support member and the plate thickness direction of the fitted portion in the slit portion is less than or equal to a width of the slit portion in the vertical direction. The fitted portion includes a hook portion having a hook shape and a second facing portion which faces a second region which is provided on a rear surface of a surface of the first support member on which the first region is provided, and which is adjacent to the slit portion in the vertical direction with a gap.