Sheet Metal Part Positioning With Z-Shaped Opening Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional image forming apparatus assembly, sheet metal parts require precise alignment, and deviations or shape dispersion can lead to interference during assembly, necessitating complex configurations like bending protruding portions to facilitate insertion, which increases part size.
Innovation Solution
A part positioning mechanism that uses convex and concave portions on the edges of openings and protruding portions to sandwich and position sheet metal parts without increasing part size, allowing for flexible orientation and insertion even with deviations, using a Z-shaped hole and protruding portion configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the gap between the protruding portion and the hole is designed to be small for accurate positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but assembly becomes difficult when deviations or shape dispersion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a bent portion that extends in a direction different from the plate thickness direction, creating a new dimensional approach for alignment. This bent portion serves as a guide that can accommodate deviations in the plate thickness direction while maintaining precise positioning through the protruding portion's insertion into the hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent portion performs a preliminary alignment function before the protruding portion is fully inserted into the hole. By providing a guide structure that pre-aligns the components, the system ensures that even if deviations occur during assembly, the protruding portion can still be accurately positioned without interference.
2Ease of operation
If the bent portion is added to the protruding portion to facilitate insertion, then assembly ease is improved, but the size of the part increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bent portion is designed to extend only partially from the protruding portion, providing alignment assistance only in the specific region where deviation occurs. This localized approach ensures that the part size increase is minimized while still achieving the assembly ease benefit where needed.
3Ease of operation
If the protruding portion is made larger to accommodate deviations, then assembly ease is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented into two distinct components: the bent portion that handles alignment and accommodation of deviations, and the protruding portion that provides precise positioning through insertion into the hole. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a part positioning mechanism configured to insert a protruding portion constituting a part of a second sheet metal part into an opening formed in a first sheet metal part. The first contact portion which contacts the first convex portion of the first sheet metal and the second contact portion which contacts the second convex portion of the first sheet metal are disposed to be shifted in an orthogonal direction which intersects orthogonally with the plate thickness direction and an insertion direction for the protruding portion. The edge of the opening of the first sheet metal part has a first edge which is distant from the protruding portion increases from the first convex portion to the second convex portion, and a second edge which is distant from the protruding portion increases from the second convex portion to the first convex portion.