Metal Frame Position Accuracy via Anti-Action Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal frames for image forming apparatuses lack a mechanism to prevent unintended movement and separation of metal plates, leading to deterioration of position accuracy when subjected to external forces.
Innovation Solution
A metal frame configuration that includes a first support, a second support, and a connecting third support with through-holes and insertion portions, where the distance between the tip of the insertion portion and the facing surface is smaller than the plate thickness, preventing movement in the opposite direction by engaging protrusions and facing surfaces to restrict separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If metal plates 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 metal plates can separate in the opposite direction to insertion when unintended force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a restriction portion that prevents separation in the opposite direction before unintended forces can cause the metal plates to separate. The restriction portion creates a preliminary countermeasure against the potential harmful movement, ensuring that even when external forces are applied, the plates cannot separate because the restriction portion blocks the opposite-direction movement path.
2Device complexity
If only protrusion and opening portions are used for assembly, then the structure remains simple, but position accuracy deteriorates when external forces are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connection interface into distinct functional portions: a protrusion portion for insertion positioning, opening portions for receiving the protrusion, and a restriction portion for preventing separation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring position accuracy under external forces through the specialized restriction portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A metal frame of an image forming apparatus includinga first support which includes a first metal plate;a second support; anda third support which includes a second metal plate,wherein either the first metal plate or the second metal plate includes a through-hole formed in a surface portion,the other of the first metal plate and the second metal plate includesan insertion portion,a first facing portion configured to face a first surface of the surface portion, anda second facing portion configured to face a second surface of the surface portion, andwherein in the plate thickness direction of the surface portion, a distance between a tip portion of the insertion portion of the one metal plate and the second facing portion is smaller than a plate thickness of the surface portion of the other metal plate.