JPH0228280B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a case coupling structure for devices such as a video tape recorder main body and a tuner, or a video tape recorder and a battery box, and particularly relates to the operation of coupling the cases together by an engaging means and the electrical coupling. The present invention relates to an improvement in the bonding structure that can achieve both of these functions at once.

<Conventional Description> For example, devices such as portable video tape recorders are required to be made smaller. For this reason, in general, parts with functions that are not required when being carried are made into separate structures to reduce the size of the main body.

When devices having separate structures are used in combination, they are stacked or placed side by side, and electrical connections between them are generally made by cables. Therefore, the work for combining and separating is troublesome. Moreover, it is inconvenient to carry both devices.

For this reason, the case of the device is designed to be detachable.
It is conceivable to create a structure in which the connectors can be fitted together when the device cases are combined.

FIG. 1 shows a generally considered case connection structure.

In the figure, 1 and 2 indicate the first and second cases.
Case 1 stores, for example, a video tape recorder or an audio tape recorder, and case 2 stores, for example, a tuner or battery.

In cases 1 and 2, surfaces 1a and 2a are the joint surfaces,
Connectors 3a and 3b are attached to the joint surfaces 1a and 2a. When the cases 1 and 2 are connected, the connectors 3a and 3b are fitted together to achieve electrical connection, and the cases 1 and 2 are kept in the combined state by the fastening metal fittings 4.

In such a structure, when connecting cases 1 and 2, it is necessary to perform the work of joining cases 1 and 2 while performing alignment for fitting connectors 3a and 3b. Connector 3
It is difficult to align a and 3b as the number of pins in the connector increases. In addition, the alignment work is done in case 1.
This is quite a difficult task as it has to be done while supporting the person. Furthermore, if the weight of the case 1 is applied between the connectors 3a and 3b while the alignment is incomplete, unreasonable force will be applied to the connectors 3a and 3b, which may cause an accident that may damage the connectors.

<Objective of the Invention> The present invention aims to provide a case coupling structure that supports one case but does not require connector alignment.

<Summary of the Invention> In the present invention, a connector is attached to a position different from the guide mechanism and the engagement means on the surfaces of the first and second cases to be connected to each other, and the first and second cases are connected to each other in advance. In such a joined state, the work of aligning the axis for mating of the connector can be automatically achieved, and furthermore, 1. A guide mechanism for mutually guiding the second case is provided, and the connector is configured so that the connector automatically becomes a mating state by moving the first and second cases mutually along this guide mechanism. The structure is such that the first and second cases are held together when they are in a fitted state.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when one case is placed on top of the other, the axes of the connectors are automatically aligned, and simply by shifting the positions of the cases along the axis, the cases are combined. , and the electrical connections are also completed. Therefore, the work of combining and separating can be greatly simplified.

<Detailed Description of the Invention> FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, 1 indicates the first case and 2 indicates the second case. The first case 1 stores, for example, a video tape recorder body or an audio tape recorder body, as in the case of FIG. Further, it is assumed that the second case 2 houses a tuner, a battery, etc. The bottom surface of the first case 1 and the top surface of the second case 2 are herein referred to as joint surfaces, and these joint surfaces 1a and 2
A case is shown in which cases 1 and 2 can be combined by combining a.

In this invention, connectors 3a and 3b are provided on the joining surfaces of the first and second cases 1 and 2. These connectors 3a and 3b are attached to the cases 1 and 2 so that their insertion and removal directions are parallel to the joining surfaces 1a and 2a. In this example, the first case 1
The connector 3a attached to the
The case where the connector 3b attached to the case 2 is a female connector is shown.

A surface 1b lower than the joint surface 1a is formed at the end of the joint surface 1a in the case 1, and a male connector 3a is attached to this surface 1b. The male connector 3a is installed with the insertion/extraction port facing outward. Furthermore, case 2
Connect the female connector 3b to the end of the joint surface 2a of the joint surface 2a.
Install it so that it protrudes above a. The female connector 3b is installed so that its insertion/extraction opening faces inward from the end of the case 2.

The joint surfaces 1a and 2a of cases 1 and 2 are used for positioning so that the mating axes of connectors 3a and 3b match when case 1 is placed on case 2, and for aligning case 1 with connectors 3a and 3b. An alignment guide mechanism for guiding in the axial direction is provided. In this example, the joint surface 2a of the case 2 is used as the alignment guide mechanism.
As shown in FIG. 3, protrusions 5a and 5b are formed on both sides of the case 1, and the sides of the case 1 are restricted by the protrusions 5a and 5b, so that the axes of the connectors 3a and 3b are aligned. shows.

Engagement pieces 7 constituting engagement means for coupling the cases 1 and 2 are formed on the protrusions 5a and 5b. As shown in FIG. 2, the engagement pieces 7 are arranged in a total of four pieces, two on each side, spaced apart by a certain distance W in the longitudinal direction of the case 2.
Form individuals. The engaging pieces 7 are formed to protrude inwardly from the tips of the respective protrusions 5a and 5b. Furthermore, notches 8 are formed at the front and rear of the engaging piece 7, and the formation of the notches 8 allows the protrusions 5a and 5b in the portion where the engaging piece 7 is formed to have flexibility.

On the other hand, the first case 1 has notched grooves 9 (fourth
(see figure). This notch groove 9 further has a second
An engagement groove 11 is formed to receive the engagement piece 7 formed on the case 2. The engagement grooves 11 are formed apart from each other by a distance W in the same manner as the engagement pieces 7, and their formation positions are shifted by a certain amount toward the connector 3a from the formation positions of the engagement pieces 7 in the second case 2. Select the location. In this example, as shown in FIG.
1 is formed by shifting the formation position by S toward the connector 3a side. The engaging groove 11 guides the engaging piece 7 in a direction perpendicular to the joining surface 1a so that the joining surfaces 1a and 2a of the first case 1 and the second case 2 can be joined to each other. A groove 12 is formed on the upper end side of the engagement groove 11 to guide and engage the engagement piece 7 in a direction parallel to the joint surface 1a. This groove 12
The length dimension in the sliding direction is selected to be equal to the displacement amount S between the positions of the engagement piece 7 and the engagement groove 11.

The insertion/extraction opening of the male connector 3a attached to the first case 1 is attached facing outward from the end of the case 1 as described above. Therefore, the insertion/extraction opening of the connector 3a is opened and visible at the end of the case 1. For this reason, the structure is such that the male contacts 13 of the connector 3a are exposed, so this example shows a case where a movable cover 14 is provided to cover the male contacts 13 of the male connector 3a.

The movable cover 14 can be constituted by a plate having holes through which the male contacts 13 and the coaxial connector 15 can pass. This plate is elastically biased by the biasing force of the spring to a position covering the tip of the male contact 13, and the conductor is applied from the outside to the connector 3a.
Even if the conductor contacts the contact 13,
The structure is such that the contacts 13 are prevented from being short-circuited.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the connector 3a. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 16 indicates an insulating body constituting the connector 3a. Spring 17 on both sides of insulating body 16
is attached, and a spring 17 presses and biases the cover 14 outward. Both ends of the cover 14 engage, for example, in grooves formed in the insulating body 16,
It is prevented from coming off at the end of this groove.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 14 slightly protrudes from the joint surface 1a of the first case 1, and this protruding portion is accommodated in the groove 18 formed in the second case 2, and the case 1 is directed toward the connector 3b. The structure is such that the cover 14 does not come into sliding contact with the joint surface 2b when the connector is moved, and the terminal end of the groove 18 is made to slightly protrude from the surface of the insertion/extraction opening of the connector 3b. The cover 14 is brought into contact with this protrusion 19, and the cover 14 is moved back against the biasing force of the spring 17. The protrusion 19 is formed integrally with the case 2, so that the cover 14 does not come into direct contact with the connector 3b. By structuring the cover 14 so that it does not come into direct contact with the connector 3b, it is possible to prevent excessive force from being applied to the connector 3b. Therefore, even if the connector 3b is used while attached to a printed circuit board, for example, it is possible to prevent excessive force from being applied to the printed circuit board.

<Operation of the Invention> According to the case coupling structure according to the present invention described above, the coupling and detachment operations of the case 1 and the case 2 are as follows.

To connect cases 1 and 2, align the engagement groove 11 of the first case 1 with the engagement piece 7 of the second case 2, and place the first case 1 on top of the second case 2. I'll ride it. At this time, the engaging piece 7 is inserted into the engaging groove 1 in a direction perpendicular to the joint surfaces 1a and 2a, that is, in the joining direction.
1 and reaches a position facing the groove 12.
When the engagement piece 7 is engaged with the engagement groove 11, the first case 1 is connected to the protrusion 5a formed on the second case 2.
5b and the connectors 3a and 3b
The axes of are aligned.

By pushing the first case 1 toward the connector 3b, the first case 1 slides while keeping the axes of the connectors 3a and 3b aligned. When the cover 14 placed over the connector 3a comes into contact with the protrusion 19, the cover 14 retreats. When the cover 14 is retracted, the contacts 13 and the coaxial connector 15 protrude from the holes formed in the cover 14, and their tips fit into the respective contact storage holes of the connector 3b, completing the electrical connection.

In this way, the electrical connection is achieved by the connectors 3a and 3b, and at the same time the engaging piece 7 is inserted into the groove 1.
2, the engaging piece 7 and the groove 12 fit together. When the engagement piece 7 is fitted into the groove 12, the first and second cases 1 and 2 become integrated.

When the first and second cases 1 and 2 are released and separated from each other, a force is applied to the cases 1 and 2 in the direction of pulling out the connectors 3a and 3b. This force causes the connectors 3a and 3b to be uncoupled, and at the same time, the engagement piece 7 slips out of the groove 12 and reaches the position of the groove 11. By lifting case 1 in this state, engaging piece 7 can come out of groove 11 and cases 1 and 2 can be separated.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, the work of combining the first and second cases 1 and 2 and the work of electrical connection can be performed simultaneously. However, the first case 1 is placed on the second case 2, that is, the engaging piece 7 is engaged with the groove 11, and the joint surfaces 1a and 2a of the cases 1 and 2 are joined. By doing so, the axes of the connectors 3a and 3b are aligned. Therefore, by sliding the case 1 toward the connector 3b in this state, the cases 1 and 2 will be guided by the protrusions 5a and 5b and will slide while keeping the axes of the connectors 3a and 3b aligned. However, it is possible to achieve fitting between the connectors 3a and 3b.

Therefore, there is no particular need to align the axes of the connectors 3a and 3b, and anyone can easily install the case 1.
and 2 can be combined and electrically connected.

Further, in the first case 1 and the second case 2, the insertion/extraction openings of the connectors 3a and 3b are exposed to the outside, so that connectors connected to cables can be inserted into these connectors 3a and 3b. Therefore, it can also be operated as a cable-connected device.

Furthermore, in this invention, a cover 14 is provided on the male connector 3a.
Since the contact 13 of the male connector 3a is
This prevents external conductors from coming into contact with the Therefore, the contacts 13 of the connector 3a are not short-circuited due to contact with an external conductor.
Therefore, a highly reliable bonding structure can be provided.

<Other Embodiments of the Invention> Other embodiments of essential parts of the invention are shown in FIG. 6 and below. In other words, the essential parts of the present invention reside in a structure for positioning the first and second cases 1 and 2, and a guide mechanism for sliding the cases 1 and 2 relative to each other while maintaining the positioned state.

The positioning guide mechanism shown in FIG. 6 has a hole 21 formed in the joint surface 2a of the case 2, and from this hole 21 a slit 22 forming the guide mechanism. Furthermore, a plate 23 of a size that can be inserted into the hole 21 and a protrusion 24 that supports this plate 23 and fits into the slit 22 are formed on the bottom surface of the first case. By forming, for example, four sets of the combinations of holes 21, slits 22, plates 23, and protrusions 24 on both cases 1 and 2, alignment can be performed using the holes 21 and plates 23. The guide operation can be performed by the slit 22 and the protrusion 24. It is easy to understand that the alignment guide mechanisms described in FIGS. 1 to 4 and the alignment guide mechanism illustrated in FIG. 6 are examples, and that various other structures are possible.

In addition, in the above description, the protrusion 5 constituting the alignment guide mechanism
a, 5b and the engagement piece 7 constituting the engagement means in the second
Although a case has been described in which the grooves 11 and 12 are formed in the first case 2 and the grooves 11 and 12 are formed in the first case 1, these relationships may be completely reversed.

Further, according to the present invention, the electrical connection is not limited to connectors, but can easily be applied to connection members that generally perform electrical connection.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a conventional case coupling structure, Fig. 2 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. A front view of the second case as seen from a position where the connector is visible from the front, FIG. 5 is a sectional view for explaining the general structure of a male connector used in the case coupling structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention. FIG. 1: first case, 2: second case, 1a,
2a: Joint surface, 3a, 3b: Connector, 5a, 5
b: Projection forming the alignment guide mechanism, 7: Engagement piece forming the engagement means, 12: Groove forming the engagement means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. First and second cases having surfaces to be joined to each other and configured to be moved in parallel when joining the joining surfaces; and the first case is connected to the second case. a guide mechanism arranged at both ends of the first and second cases parallel to the parallel movement direction of the second case, and guiding the first and second cases to each other; and an engaging protrusion that engages with either one of the guide mechanism on the second case and the first guide mechanism that corresponds to the guide mechanism, and an engagement groove that engages with the engagement protrusion on the other side. are respectively provided, and by moving each joint surface of the first and second cases in a direction perpendicular to the joint surface, the engaging protrusion is engaged with the engaging groove, and the first and second cases are respectively provided with By moving the second case in parallel along the guide mechanism, the first case
an engaging means for holding the first and second cases in a combined state; and an engaging means provided at a different position from the guide mechanism and the engaging means on the sides of the first and second cases to be joined to each other, and and a connector that performs electrical connection by holding the second case in a combined state by the above-mentioned engaging means.