JPH11168284A - Electronic device housing connection mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] In a housing connection mechanism of an electronic device, a connection operation and a connection release operation can be performed with one touch. SOLUTION: A plurality of engaging projections (locking portions) 11 are provided on a housing 1.
And a single locking plate (locking member) 21 having a plurality of locked portions 22 with which each of the engaging projections 11 can be detachably engaged. The locking plate 21 is slidably supported by the housing 2 so that the locking position at which the engaging projections 11 are engaged with the locked portions 22 and the unlocking position separated therefrom can be taken. An elastic member (biasing member) 25 for biasing the lock member toward the lock position is provided. Further, an inclined surface 22b with which the engagement protrusion 11 abuts is provided on the locked portion 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a housing connecting mechanism, and more particularly, to a housing connecting mechanism for connecting the housings of electronic devices accommodating electronic components therein.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, electronic equipment such as a communication device and a programmable controller (PC) includes a power supply unit,
A plurality of units such as a PU and an I / O port are often used by being mutually connected.

[0003] There are various housing connection methods for connecting the housings of the units to each other.
3 and FIG. 14 show typical ones. In these drawings, only the housing of each unit is shown for convenience of illustration, and electronic components in each unit are omitted.

In FIG. 13, claw members 101 and 102 are provided on the left and right sides of a housing 100, respectively. On the other hand, holes 112 and 113 into which the claw members 101 and 102 of the housing 100 are inserted are formed on a surface 111 of the housing 110 facing the housing 100.

[0005] Lock members 120 and 121 are provided on left and right side portions 114 and 115 of the housing 110, respectively. Each of the lock members 120 and 121 is provided so as to be slidable in the direction of the arrow, respectively, and locks each of the claw members 101 and 102 of the housing 100 inserted into the holes 112 and 113 (one point in FIG. 13). (A dashed line position) and an unlock position (a solid line position in the figure) for releasing the locked state. The opening 118 formed in the facing surface 111 is a hole for inserting a connector.

When connecting the housing 100 and the housing 110, first, the lock members 120 and 121 of the housing 110 are respectively set at the unlocked positions, and from this state, the housing 1 is closed.
The claws 101 and 102 are inserted into the corresponding holes 112 and 113 of the housing 110, and the housings are brought into close contact with each other. Next, the lock members 120 and 121 are moved to the lock position. Thereby, each hole 112, 113
Each of the claw members 101 and 102 is
The housings 100 and 110 are connected to each other by being locked by 0 and 121.

When separating the connected housings 100 and 110, first, each locking member 12 of the housing 110 is separated.
0, 121 are respectively at the unlock position. From this state, the housings 100 and 110 are separated by applying a force in a direction in which the housings 100 and 110 are separated.

Next, in the case shown in FIG.
Lock members 210,
220 are provided. Each locking member 210, 220
Are provided so as to be rotatable in the directions of arrows a and b, and claw members 211 and 221 are provided on the lock members 210 and 220, respectively.
Are provided respectively.

On the other hand, holes 242 and 243 into which the claw members 211 and 221 of the housing 200 are inserted are formed in the surface 241 of the housing 240 facing the housing 200.
The opening 244 formed in the facing surface 241 is a hole for inserting a connector.

When connecting the housing 200 and the housing 240, first, the lock members 210 and 220 of the housing 200 are turned to the unlock position by turning them in the direction of arrow a. The claw members 211 and 221 of the body 200 are
The housings are brought into close contact with each other while being inserted into the corresponding holes 242 and 243 of the forty. Next, each lock member 21
0, 220 is turned in the direction of arrow b to be in the locked position. As a result, each claw member 211, 221
2, 243, and the respective housings 200, 240 are interconnected.

When separating the connected casings 200 and 240, first, the lock members 21 of the casing 200 are separated.
0 and 220 are respectively turned in the direction of arrow a to be in the unlocked position. From this state, a force is applied in a direction in which the respective housings 200 and 240 are separated from each other, whereby
240 are separated.

[0012]

In the above-mentioned conventional configuration,
A total of two lock members are provided on opposite sides of one of the housings, one each for connecting the housings to each other,
The structure is complicated. Further, when connecting the housings, each lock member must be moved to the unlocked position in advance, and when connecting the housings, each lock member must be moved to the lock position. Therefore, the operation is very troublesome. Furthermore, when separating the connected housings, the two lock members must be moved to the unlocked position, which is similarly troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and it is a first object of the present invention to provide a housing connecting mechanism of an electronic device which can have a simplified structure. A second object of the present invention is to provide a housing connecting mechanism of an electronic device that can be easily operated. A third object of the present invention is to enable a connection operation and a connection release operation with one touch.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing connecting mechanism for an electronic device, wherein a plurality of locking portions are provided on a first housing, and each of the locking portions is detachable. A single lock member having a plurality of locked portions that can be engaged is provided on the second housing, and a locked position at which the locking portions engage with the locked portions and a distance from the locked position. The lock member is slidably supported by the second housing so that the lock member can take the lock release position, and an urging member for urging the lock member toward the lock position is provided. I have.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing connecting mechanism for an electronic device, wherein the lock member according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
It has at least one operation unit exposed from the outer surface of the second housing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device casing connecting mechanism according to the first aspect, the locked portion has an inclined surface with which the locking portion comes into contact. I have.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device casing connecting mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention, the urging member is an elastic member disposed in a direction intersecting a sliding direction of the lock member. And a contact portion that contacts the elastic member is provided on the lock member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device casing connecting mechanism according to the fourth aspect, the elastic member is a steel wire.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the housing connecting mechanism for an electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the urging member is an elastic member disposed in a sliding direction of the lock member. And

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device casing connecting mechanism according to the first aspect, the urging member is formed integrally with the lock member.

In the present invention, when connecting the first housing to the second housing, first, the single lock member is moved to the unlock position, and The locking portion is brought closer to each locked portion on the side of the second housing, and the first and second housings are brought into close contact with each other.

Next, when the operator removes his / her finger from the lock member, the lock member slides to the lock position by the urging force of the urging member. And the respective housings are interconnected.

When the first and second housings are separated from each other, a single lock member is moved to an unlocked position, and from this state, a force is applied in a direction to separate the housings. Thereby, each housing is separated.

In this case, the structure can be simplified since the lock member is formed of a single member. Further, at the time of connecting the housings, since the movement of the lock member to the lock position is performed by the urging force of the urging member, it is not necessary for the operator to forcibly move the lock member to the lock position,
This simplifies the operation. Furthermore, when the connected housings are separated from each other, the single lock member may be moved to the unlocked position, which also facilitates the operation.

It is preferable that the lock member has at least one operation portion exposed from the outer surface of the second housing, and the operation of the lock member is facilitated by this operation portion. Further, it is preferable that one operation unit is provided, for example, on the head of the lock member, but one operation unit may be provided on each of the left and right sides of the lock member.

The locked portion of the locking member preferably has an inclined surface with which the corresponding locking portion abuts. In this case, when the locking portion of the first housing is brought closer to the locked portion on the side of the second housing and the first and second housings are brought into close contact with each other, the locking portion becomes The locking portion contacts the inclined surface of the locked portion, and a pressing force from the locking portion acts on the inclined surface. Then, due to this pressing force, the lock member moves to the lock release position against the urging force of the urging member.

When the housings come closer to each other from this state, the locking portion comes off the inclined surface of the locked portion, and as a result, the lock member moves to the lock position by the urging force of the urging member. Thereby, the locking portion engages with the locked portion, and the respective housings are connected to each other.

As described above, by providing the inclined surface with which the locking portion abuts on the locked portion of the locking member, it is not necessary to move the locking member to the unlocking position before connecting the housings. Thereby, the operation is further facilitated, and the connecting operation can be performed with one touch. On the other hand, when separating the connected housings, it is only necessary to move the lock member to the unlocked position,
Similarly, the connection release operation can be performed with one touch.

In the case where the urging member is an elastic member disposed in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the lock member and the lock member has an abutting portion for abutting on the elastic member, the lock member may be locked. When the member moves to the unlock position,
The contact portion of the lock member deforms the elastic member, and the elastic force of the elastic member acts on the lock member via the contact portion.

In this case, a desired elastic force can be obtained while satisfying the requirement for space saving as compared with the case where an elastic member is provided in the sliding direction of the lock member. Furthermore, when the elastic member is made of a steel wire, a large amount of elastic force can be obtained with a small amount of displacement, whereby further space saving can be realized and the housing can be downsized.

The urging member may be formed integrally with the lock member. In this case, the assembling work is easier than in a case where the urging member and the lock member are separately configured.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is an overall perspective view of an electronic device provided with a housing connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 4 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the connection operation of the housing. In these drawings, only the housing of the electronic device is shown for convenience of illustration, and the electronic components inside the electronic device are omitted. Also, in the following description,
Terms in parentheses indicate corresponding terms in the claims.

FIG. 1 shows housings 1 and 2 to be connected. As shown in the drawing, hook-shaped engaging protrusions (locking portions) 11 are provided at four places on a mating surface 10 of the housing 1 with the housing 2. An opening 12 for inserting a connector (not shown) is formed in the mating surface 10.

A lock mechanism 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is provided in the housing 2. This lock mechanism 2
0 is a substantially rectangular locking plate (lock member) 2
1 and an elastic member (biasing member) 25 disposed on the back surface side of the locking plate 21 for applying a biasing force to the locking plate 21.

The locking plate 21 is slidably supported by support pieces 26 in the vertical direction of FIGS. The locking plate 21 is provided with four locked portions 22 corresponding to the respective engagement protrusions 11 of the housing 1.

The locked portion 22 is a hook-like portion 1 of the engagement protrusion 11.
1a (FIG. 3) and the housing recess 1,
2 has an inclined surface 22b with which the tip of the hook-shaped portion 11a abuts during the connecting operation. Holes 21a and 23 into which the hook-shaped portions 11a are inserted are formed in the locking plate 21 and the housing 2, respectively.

The head of the locking plate 21 (operation unit)
The protrusion 21b protrudes from the outer surface of the housing 2. The operation of the locking plate 21 is facilitated by the head 21b. The operating portion of the locking plate 21 may be provided at a position exposed from the left and right sides 2a and 2b (FIG. 2) of the housing 2 by extending the locking plate 21 in the left-right direction.

The elastic member 25 includes the locking plate 21
Are arranged in a direction intersecting with the sliding direction, and both end portions thereof are supported by support pieces 27 and 28. On the back surface side of the locking plate 21, a contact piece (contact portion) 24 that contacts the elastic member 25 is provided.

With this configuration, the locking plate 21
When the head 21b is pushed from above, the contact piece 24
Are adapted to elastically deform the elastic member 25 downward. At this time, the elastic repulsive force from the elastic member 25 acts on the locking plate 21 via the contact piece 24.

As the elastic member 25, a steel wire such as a piano wire, a spring steel wire, or a stainless steel wire is preferable, but a coil spring can also be used. When the elastic member 25 is made of a steel wire, a large amount of elastic force can be obtained with a small amount of displacement, so that space can be saved and the housing can be downsized. Further, since the elastic member 25 is provided in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the locking plate 21, further space saving can be realized, and the size of the housing can be further reduced.

Next, the housing connecting operation according to the present embodiment will be described. When connecting the housing 1 and the housing 2, the engaging projection 11 of the housing 1 and the locked portion 22 of the housing 2 are brought closer to each other, and the hook-shaped portion 11 a of the engaging protrusion 11 is The tip is brought into contact with the inclined surface 22b of the locked portion 22 (see FIG. 4).

When the housings 1 and 2 are further approached from this state, a pressing force from the engaging projection 11 acts on the inclined surface 22b, and the locking force causes the locking plate 21 to gradually move downward. (See the dashed line and the solid line in FIG. 5)
At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the elastic member 25 is bent downward by receiving the pressing force from the contact piece 24, and the locking plate 21 receives the elastic repulsive force from the elastic member 25 upward. Working.

When the housings 1 and 2 are further approached from the state shown in FIG. 5, the locking plate 21 moves further downward to the lowermost unlock position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5). The tip of the hook 11a of the mating projection 11 comes off the inclined surface 22b, and the hook 11a
3 moves further back.

At this time, the locking plate 21
The elastic repulsive force from the elastic member 25 is acting upward,
Due to this elastic repulsion, the locking plate 21 moves to the upper locking position (the position indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 5), and the hook-shaped portion 11a of the engaging projection 11 is inserted into the engaging concave portion 22a of the locked portion 22.
Engage. As a result, the housings 1 and 2 are connected to each other (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In addition, reference numerals 3 and 4 in FIG. 7 indicate substrates respectively disposed in the casings 1 and 2. Reference numeral 5 in FIG. 8 is a DIN rail to which each of the housings 1 and 2 is attached.

Next, when separating the mutually connected housings 1 and 2, first, the operator pushes the head 21b of the locking plate 21 to move the locking plate 21 to the lower unlocked position (FIG. 5). To the position indicated by the two-dot chain line). In this state, when a force is applied in a direction in which the housings 1 and 2 are separated from each other, the engaging projections 11 of the housing 1
, Whereby the casings 1 and 2 are separated from each other.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the housings are connected to each other, the hook-like portion 11a of the engaging projection 11 in one housing is inclined by the inclination of the locked portion 22 in the other housing. Since it is only necessary to apply a force in the direction of bringing the housings closer to each other in the state of being in contact with the surface 22b, the connecting operation can be performed with one touch. Further, when the connected housings are separated from each other, it is only necessary to apply a force in a direction in which the housings are separated from each other with the single locking plate 21 moved to the unlocking position. To perform the connection release operation.

As a result, the unit can be easily incorporated into the operation panel, and the unit can be easily replaced in a narrow place during maintenance.

Further, in this embodiment, the structure is simplified because the locking member is constituted by the locking plate 21 which is a single member.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the locking plate 21 is formed of a substantially rectangular member has been described. However, as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved, the shape of the locking plate 21 is not limited to this. Not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the locking plate 21 may be a substantially H-shaped member having openings 21c and 21d, and various other shapes may be considered.

[ Other Embodiment 1 ] In order to "perform a one-touch connection operation" in the third object of the present invention, the locked portion 22 of the locking plate 21 must be Although the inclined surface 22b is preferably formed, from the viewpoint of achieving the first object of the present invention "to simplify the structure of the housing connecting mechanism", the inclined portion 22 is formed on the locked portion 22. 22b may not be formed.

That is, also in this case, there is no change in that the locking member is constituted by the locking plate 21 which is a single member, and thus the structure is simplified.

In this case, when connecting the casings 1 and 2, first, the head 21b of the locking plate 21
While the locking plate 21 is moved to the unlock position, the housings 1 and 2 are brought close to each other, and the engagement protrusion 11 of the housing 1 is inserted into the hole 23 of the housing 2. After that, the operator removes his / her finger from the head 21b of the locking plate 21.

Then, the locking plate 21 returns to the locked position by the elastic repulsive force of the elastic member 25, and the hook-like portion 11 a of the engaging projection 11 engages with the engaging concave portion 22 a of the locked portion 22 of the locking plate 21. I do. Thereby, the housings are connected.

Further, in this embodiment, the operation is easy because the operator does not need to forcibly move the locking plate 21 to the lock position when connecting the casings.

[ Other Embodiment 2 ] In each of the above embodiments,
Although the example in which the elastic member is disposed in the direction intersecting with the sliding direction of the locking plate 21 has been described, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and as illustrated in FIG. 10 or FIG. It may be provided in the sliding direction of the locking plate 21. In these figures, the same reference numerals as those of the above-mentioned embodiment indicate the same or corresponding parts.

In FIG. 10, the locking plate 21
A notch 21e is formed in a lower part of the locking plate 21 in a vertical direction which is a sliding direction of the locking plate 21, and a coil spring 30 is mounted in the notch 21e. The upper end of the coil spring 30 is in contact with the upper end of the notch 21e, and the lower end is in contact with the recess 2c formed in the bottom of the housing 2.

In this case, when the locking plate 21 is pushed downward, the coil spring 30 contracts, and the elastic repulsive force of the coil spring 30 acts on the locking plate 21 upward through the notch 21e. Has become.

In FIG. 11, the locking plate 21 has a boss 21f. On the other hand, a long hole 29a extending in the up-down direction is formed in the side plate 29 of the housing 2, and the boss 21f is slidably engaged in the long hole 29a in the up-down direction. In the long hole 29a,
A coil spring 32 is mounted. The upper end of the coil spring 32 contacts the boss 21f of the locking plate 21,
The lower end is in contact with the side wall of the long hole 29a.

In this case, when the locking plate 21 is pushed downward, the coil spring 32 contracts, and the elastic repulsive force of the coil spring 32 acts on the locking plate 21 upward through the boss 21f. Has become.

[ Other Embodiment 3 ] In each of the above embodiments,
Although the example in which the elastic member is formed separately from the locking plate 21 has been described, the application of the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG.
And may be integrally formed.

In FIG. 12, the locking plate 21
Is provided with a leaf spring member 35 constituting an elastic member. The leaf spring member 35 includes a pair of left and right leaf spring pieces 35a and 35b and a base 3 formed integrally therewith.
5c. The base 35c is fitted to the lower part of the locking plate 21, and the entire leaf spring member 35 is integrally formed with the locking plate 21.

In the case where the elastic member is formed separately from the locking plate 21 as in each of the above embodiments, the locking plate 21 is incorporated into the housing 2 when the connecting mechanism is assembled. Incorporating components 2
However, when the elastic member is integrally formed with the locking plate 21 as in this embodiment, the locking plate 21 to which the elastic member is attached in advance is attached to the housing 2. Since it is only necessary to incorporate the connecting mechanism inside, the assembling of the connecting mechanism is facilitated.

[0063]

As described above, according to the housing connecting mechanism for electronic equipment according to the present invention, since the lock member is constituted by a single member, the structure can be simplified. Further, according to the present invention, when the housing is connected, the lock member is moved to the lock position by the urging force of the urging member, so that the operator needs to forcibly move the lock member to the lock position. In addition, when the connected housings are separated from each other, it is only necessary to move the single lock member to the unlock position, so that the operation can be easily performed.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing the locked portion of the lock member with the inclined surface with which the locking portion can abut, the operation when connecting the housings is further facilitated. There is an effect that the connecting operation can be performed with one touch. Also, when separating the connected housings, it is only necessary to move the lock member to the unlocked position,
Similarly, the connection release operation can be performed with one touch.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an electronic apparatus including a housing connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a connection operation by the housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a connection operation by the housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a connection operation by the housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a connecting operation by the housing connecting mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a connection operation by the housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a modification of the lock mechanism in the housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a view showing another modification of the lock mechanism in the housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a view showing still another modified example of the lock mechanism in the housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a view showing another modification of the lock mechanism in the housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 13 is an overall perspective view of an electronic device including a conventional housing connection mechanism.

FIG. 14 is an overall perspective view of an electronic device provided with a conventional housing connection mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 11 Engagement protrusion (locking part) 2 Housing 21b Head (operation part) 22 Locked part 22b Inclined surface 24 Contact piece (contact part) 25, 30, 35 Elastic member (biasing member) )

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A housing connecting mechanism for connecting housings of electronic devices to each other, wherein a plurality of locking portions are provided on a first housing, and each of the locking portions is detachable. A single lock member having a plurality of locked portions that can be engaged is provided on the second housing,
The lock member is slidably supported by the second housing so that a lock position where the lock portions engage with the locked portions and an unlock position separated from the lock position can be taken. And a biasing member for biasing the lock member toward the lock position is provided. 2. The electronic device housing coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the lock member has at least one operation portion exposed from an outer surface of the second housing. 3. The electronic device housing coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locked portion has an inclined surface with which the corresponding locking portion abuts. 4. The biasing member is an elastic member disposed in a direction intersecting a sliding direction of the lock member.
The housing connection mechanism for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the lock member includes a contact portion that contacts the elastic member. 5. The mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member is a steel wire. 6. The electronic device housing coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said urging member is an elastic member provided in a sliding direction of said lock member. 7. The housing connection mechanism for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the urging member is formed integrally with the lock member.