MOUNTING STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONAL UNIT

• US 20120163907A1
• Filed: 11/18/2011
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: MATSUI, Masao
• Granted Patent: US 8,992,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/348
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/02 Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1619 Frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/168 for the transfer unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7005 Lugged member, rotary engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7009 Rotary binding cam or wedge

Abstract

The mounting structure includes a pair of first shape portions, a pair of second shape portions, and a pair of third shape portions. The pair of first shape portions are opposed to each other to define therebetween a passage which allows the component to be inserted into and withdrawn from the mounting structure therethrough. The pair of second shape portions are opposed to each other to define therebetween a space which allows the component inserted through the passage between the pair of first shape portions to rotate therein. The pair of third shape portions come into engagement with the engagement arms when the component positioned between the pair of second shape portions is rotated through a predetermined angle. The pair of third shape portions are opposed to each other and incorporated in the pair of second shape portions.

Claims

1. A mounting structure for mounting thereon a component having opposite sides formed with respective engagement arms, comprising:

a pair of first shape portions opposed to each other to define therebetween a passage which allows the component to be inserted into and withdrawn from the mounting structure therethrough;

a pair of second shape portions opposed to each other to define therebetween a space which allows the component inserted through the passage between the pair of first shape portions to rotate therein; and

a pair of third shape portions which come into engagement with the engagement arms when the component positioned between the pair of second shape portions is rotated through a predetermined angle, the pair of third shape portions being opposed to each other and incorporated in the pair of second shape portions, wherein;

the pair of first shape portions are configured to allow the component to pass through the passage only when the engagement arms are positioned to project in a vertically upward and downward direction from the component;

the pair of second shape portions are configured to prevent the component from coming off the mounting structure through any other way than the passage defined between the pair of first shape portions; and

the pair of third shape portions are configured to release the engagement with the engagement arms when the component is reversely rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the component performed during the insertion of the component.

2. The mounting structure according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of fourth shape portions which guide the engagement arms during a period in which the component inserted through the passage between the pair of first shape portions is rotated through the predetermined angle and during a period in which the component is reversely rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the component performed during the insertion from a position in which the engagement arms are in engagement with the pair of third shape portions up to a position in which the engagement arms become positioned to project in the vertically upward and downward direction from the component, the pair of fourth shape portions being opposed to each other and incorporated in the pair of second shape portions.

3. The mounting structure according to claim 1, further comprising a fifth shape portion which comes into contact with a downstream end portion of the component inserted through the passage between the pair of first shape portions which is positioned on a downstream side in the direction of the insertion of the component, the fifth shape portion being incorporated in the pair of second shape portions.

4. The mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein:

each of the engagement arms has elasticity; and

the pair of third shape portions come into pressure contact with the respective engagement arms when the component inserted through the passage between the pair of first shape portions is rotated through the predetermined angle.

5. The mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the component is a coupler pair comprising first and second couplers which are detachably coupled to each other and which are located at an intermediate portion of an electrical wiring line associated with an electrical part.

6. The mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein the coupler pair is free to be positioned downstream of the pair of first shape portions in a direction in which the coupler pair is withdrawn from the mounting structure.

7. A functional unit comprising:

a mounting structure as recited in claim 1 for mounting thereon a component having opposite sides formed with respective engagement arms;

an electrical part;

a housing supporting the electrical part; and

the component mounted on the mounting structure, the mounting structure being provided on the housing.