Frame and electronic device

Abstract

A frame body which houses a circuit board (3) has an upper case (1) and a lower case (2). The upper case (1) has an abutting portion (17) which abuts against one face (3a) of the circuit board (3). The lower case (2) has an abutting portion (51) which abuts against the other face (3b) of the circuit board (3) to sandwich the circuit board (3) between the abutting portion (17) and the abutting portion (51). The lower case (2) has an extension portion (25a) which extends in a sandwiching direction of the circuit board (3) involved by the abutting portion (17) and the abutting portion (51) and has the abutting portion (51) at a front end. The extension portion (25a) has an engaging portion (53) which engages with the upper case (1) at a middle portion in the sandwiching direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame for housing a circuit board on which electronic components are mounted and to an electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, frames with an upper housing and a lower housing are known for holding circuit boards on which electronic components are mounted. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a frame having an upper housing and a lower housing, wherein a rib is formed in the upper housing to abut against one side of the circuit board, and an elastic support portion is formed in the lower housing, the elastic support portion having a protrusion to abut against the other side of the circuit board, and the circuit board is clamped by the rib of the upper housing and the elastic support portion of the lower housing.

[0003] In the frame described in Patent Document 1, a recess is formed in an elastic support portion having a protrusion that abuts against the other side of the circuit board. This recess engages with a locking claw provided on the upper housing, and the lower housing and the upper housing are connected. The elastic support portion described in Patent Document 1 has a movable portion with a groove formed at its lower part, allowing it to move in the vertical direction relative to the upper and lower housings. The aforementioned protrusion is formed on the upper surface of this movable portion. As described above, in the frame described in Patent Document 1, the upper housing and the lower housing engage with each other and clamp the circuit board.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-058780

[0005] However, in the elastic support portion described in Patent Document 1 above, a protrusion that abuts against the circuit board is formed on the upper surface of the movable portion that moves in the vertical direction through the formation of the groove, thus complicating the structure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to obtain a frame that simplifies the construction of two housings that clamp and engage with each other for holding a circuit board.

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues and achieve the objective, the frame of the present invention houses a circuit board and includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing has a first abutting portion that abuts against one surface of the circuit board. The second housing has a second abutting portion that abuts against the other surface of the circuit board, clamping the circuit board between the second and first abutting portions. The second housing has an extension that extends in the clamping direction of the circuit board involved by the first and second abutting portions, and has a second abutting portion at its front end. The extension has an engaging portion that engages with the first housing at a midway point in the clamping direction.

[0008] The effects of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the following effect is achieved: the construction of two housings that clamp and engage with each other for holding the circuit board is simplified. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the frame of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a front view of the frame of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a side view of the frame of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the extension portion of the lower housing according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 6 It is along Figure 2 The sectional view shown is VI-VI.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the first connection process between the upper and lower housings according to Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the second connection process between the upper and lower housings according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the connection process between the upper and lower housings according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 10 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of XX shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The frame and electronic equipment involved in the embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Implementation method 1.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the frame of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This is a front view of the frame of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 This is a side view of the frame of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4This is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1. (The image contains...) Figures 1-4 Several accompanying figures, including [list of figures], are labeled with XYZ axis coordinates to facilitate understanding. Furthermore, in [list of figures]... Figures 1-4 The accompanying figures, including those for the electronic device, use the Z-axis to represent the vertical direction, the X-axis to represent the horizontal direction, and the Y-axis to represent the front-back direction.

[0023] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the electronic device 100 according to Embodiment 1 has an upper housing 101 and a lower housing 2. The upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are formed of synthetic resin or the like. The upper housing 1 is an example of a first housing, and the lower housing 2 is an example of a second housing.

[0024] The upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are connected to each other by a snap-fit ​​mechanism, as described later. A circuit board 3 is housed within the internal space of the frame 101 formed by the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2, and various electronic components are mounted on both sides of the circuit board 3. Additionally, as... Figure 4 As shown, a terminal block 31 is mounted on the circuit board 3. The circuit board 3 is held by the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2.

[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, the circuit board 3 is positioned at the midpoint of the vertical direction within the frame 101. As described above, by positioning the circuit board 3 at the midpoint of the vertical direction within the frame 101, areas on both sides of the circuit board 3 are provided for mounting various electronic components.

[0026] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the upper housing 1 is rectangular and box-shaped with an opening on its lower surface. The upper housing 1 has: a top wall 10; a left side wall 11 and a right side wall 12 extending downwards from the left and right ends of the top wall 10; and a front wall 13 and a rear wall 14 extending downwards from the front and rear ends of the top wall 10. Figure 4 As shown, an opening 13a for a connector is formed in the front wall 13. In addition, although not shown, an opening for a connector is also formed in the left side wall 11.

[0027] Two concave engaging portions 15 are formed on both the left side wall 11 and the right side wall 12. These concave engaging portions 15 are formed by through holes that pass through the left side wall 11 and the right side wall 12. Furthermore, in... Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the middle, the two engaging parts 15 formed on the left side wall 11 are located in a position that cannot be observed because they are blocked by the ceiling wall 10 and the front wall 13.

[0028] like Figure 4As shown, the lower housing 2 has: a square-shaped bottom wall 20; a left side wall 21 and a right side wall 22 that extend upward from the left and right ends of the bottom wall 20; and a front wall 23 and a rear wall 24 that extend upward from the front and rear ends of the bottom wall 20.

[0029] The bottom wall 20 has multiple extensions 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d that extend upward toward the circuit board 3, and have a locking portion 53 at the middle of each extension that engages with the upper housing 1. The multiple extensions 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d have the same shape, but are arranged in different orientations on the bottom wall 20. Hereinafter, unless each of the multiple extensions 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d is individually distinguished, they will sometimes be referred to as extension 25.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the extension portion of the lower housing according to Embodiment 1. (See diagram for example.) Figure 5 As shown, the extension 25 has a snap-fit ​​portion 40 and ribs 41a and 41b.

[0031] The latching part 40 extends vertically and horizontally, forming a thin plate shape. The latching part 40 has a locking part 53 at its midpoint that engages with the locking part 15 of the upper housing 1.

[0032] The engaging portion 53 is formed in a convex shape in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the latching portion 40. The engaging portions 53 of the extensions 25a and 25b are formed in a convex shape in the right direction, and the engaging portions 53 of the extensions 25c and 25d are formed in a convex shape in the left direction.

[0033] The engaging portion 53 includes: a vertical surface 53a extending to the right or left; and an inclined surface 53b inclined downward and extending to the right or left. The engaging portion 53 can easily enter the engaging portion 15 through the inclined surface 53b, and the vertical surface 53a restricts the engagement and disengagement of the engaging portion 15 and the engaging portion 53.

[0034] Like the latching part 40, the rib 41a extends vertically and is formed into a thin plate shape with the front-to-back direction as the thickness direction. The rib 41a is connected to one end of the latching part 40 in a manner that protrudes in the opposite direction to the protrusion direction of the engaging part 53. When viewed from the vertical direction, the latching part 40 and the rib 41a are connected in an L-shape.

[0035] The base end of the rib 41a is fixed to the bottom wall 20, and the front end has an abutment portion 51a that abuts against the lower surface of the circuit board 3. This abutment portion 51a includes a flat surface 511 and an arcuate surface 512. The arcuate surface 512 of the abutment portion 51a is formed as a curved surface at the corner of the abutment portion 51a, and appears arcuate when viewed from the front-rear direction. The abutment portion 51a is positioned in the left-right direction away from the latching portion 40 within the rib 41a. Furthermore, the arcuate surface 512 is formed in the left-right direction at the corner of the abutment portion 51a closer to the latching portion 40 than the flat surface 511.

[0036] Like the latching part 40, the rib 41b extends vertically and is formed into a thin plate shape with the front-to-back direction as the extension direction. The rib 41b is connected to the other end of the latching part 40 in a manner that protrudes in the opposite direction to the protrusion direction of the engaging part 53. When viewed from the vertical direction, the latching part 40 and the rib 41b are connected in an L-shape.

[0037] The base end of the rib 41b is fixed to the bottom wall 20, and the front end has an abutting portion 51b that abuts against the lower surface of the circuit board 3. The abutting portion 51b, like the abutting portion 51a, includes a flat surface 511 and an arcuate surface 512.

[0038] As described above, each extension 25 is an integrated structure of the snap-fit ​​part 40 and the ribs 41a and 41b. The snap-fit ​​part 40 is used to connect the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 by snap-fit, and the ribs 41a and 41b are used to fix the circuit board 3. Therefore, in the frame 101, the construction of the two housings that clamp and engage with each other for the circuit board 3 can be simplified. Hereinafter, when the ribs 41a and 41b are not shown separately, they are sometimes referred to as rib 41, and when the abutting parts 51a and 51b are not shown separately, they are sometimes referred to as abutting parts 51.

[0039] In addition, the ribs 41a and 41b are located in the lower part of the engagement part 53 and their length in the left and right direction is shorter than that in the upper part of the engagement part 53. Therefore, when a force is applied in the left and right direction, the extension 25 is easy to elastically deform in the left and right direction.

[0040] Next, the connection between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2, and the clamping of the circuit board 3 achieved by the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2, will be explained in detail. Figure 6 It is along Figure 2 The sectional view shown is VI-VI.

[0041] like Figure 6As shown, when the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are connected, the engaging portion 53 in the latching portion 40 of the extension 25a is inserted into the engaging portion 15 of the upper housing 1, and the engaging portion 15 and the engaging portion 53 engage. The vertical surface 53a of the engaging portion 53 faces the vertical surface 15a of the right side wall 12 forming the engaging portion 15, and the vertical surface 53a of the engaging portion 53 and the vertical surface 15a of the right side wall 12 are in contact, thereby restricting the release of the connection between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2.

[0042] When the connection between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 is released, the upper housing 1 is moved upward while pressing the engaging part 53 to the left through the opening of the engaging part 15. This releases the engaging state of the engaging part 15 and the engaging part 53.

[0043] Multiple ribs 16 are formed on the inner side of the left side wall 11 and the right side wall 12, extending downward from the top wall 10 of the upper housing 1. At the front end of each rib 16, an abutment portion 17 is formed that abuts against a surface 3a of the circuit board 3. The ribs 16 are formed as thin plates, for example, with the front-to-back direction as the thickness direction.

[0044] With the upper housing 1 and lower housing 2 connected, the abutment portion 17 formed at the front end of the rib 16 abuts against one surface 3a of the circuit board 3, and the abutment portion 51 formed at the front end of the rib 41 of the extension 25a abuts against the other surface 3b of the circuit board 3. Thus, the circuit board 3 is clamped between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2. Figure 6 In the example shown, the flat surface 511 of the abutting portion 51 of the rib 41 abuts against another surface 3b of the circuit board 3.

[0045] Furthermore, the abutment portion 17 elastically deforms in the vertical direction, i.e., the clamping direction, of the circuit board 3 involved in the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2. This allows the circuit board 3 to be stably held in place by the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2. The structure of the abutment portion 17 will be described in detail later.

[0046] Next, the connection process between the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2 will be described. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the first connection process between the upper and lower housings according to Embodiment 1. Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the second connection process between the upper and lower housings according to Embodiment 1. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Along Figure 2 The sectional view corresponding to VI-VI shown is shown.

[0047] like Figure 7As shown, when the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are connected, the upper housing 1 is disposed on the lower housing 2 such that the extension 25a of the lower housing 2 faces the inner wall surface 12a of the right side wall 12 of the upper housing 1. Furthermore, although not shown, Figure 7 In the state shown, the extension 25b of the lower housing 2 is opposite to the inner wall surface 12a of the right side wall 12 of the upper housing 1, and the extensions 25c and 25d of the lower housing 2 are opposite to the inner wall surface of the left side wall 11 of the upper housing 1.

[0048] If from Figure 7 The state shown causes the upper housing 1 to move further downward relative to the lower housing 2, then as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the engaging portion 53 formed in the extension 25a of the lower housing 2 abuts against the inner wall surface 12a of the right side wall 12, so the extension 25a elastically deforms and tilts to the left.

[0049] Additionally, although not shown in the figure, the extension 25b of the lower housing 2 is elastically deformed to the left by the engagement part 53 abutting against the inner wall surface 12a of the right side wall 12, and the extensions 25c and 25d of the lower housing 2 are elastically deformed to the right by the engagement part 53 abutting against the inner wall surface of the left side wall 11.

[0050] When the engaging portion 53 is tilted to the left or right, the abutting portion 51 formed at the front end of the rib 41 is also tilted to the left or right. If the corner of the abutting portion 51 does not have an arc-shaped surface 512, the circuit board 3 may be pushed up due to the corner of the abutting portion 51, applying stress to the circuit board 3. However, an arc-shaped surface 512 is formed at the corner of the abutting portion 51. Therefore, in the frame 101 according to Embodiment 1, the pushing up of the circuit board 3 due to the corner of the abutting portion 51 can be suppressed, thus suppressing the application of stress to the circuit board 3.

[0051] If from Figure 8 The state shown causes the upper housing 1 to move further downward relative to the lower housing 2. The engaging portion 53 formed in the extension 25a of the lower housing 2 moves while abutting against the inner wall surface 12a of the right side wall 12. Figure 6 As shown, the engaging portion 15 is embedded in the right side wall 12 of the upper housing 1. Similarly, the engaging portions 53 formed in the extensions 25b, 25c, and 25d are also embedded in the multiple engaging portions 15 formed in the left side wall 11 and the right side wall 12.

[0052] Therefore, the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 can be connected without the use of screws or other fastening components. Thus, no stress is applied to the circuit board 3 due to screws or other fastening components, and the circuit board 3 can be fixed within the frame 101. Furthermore, as... Figure 6As shown, the circuit board 3 is clamped by the abutting portion 51 formed at the front end of the rib 41 and the abutting portion 17 of the rib 16.

[0053] Next, the contact portion 17 of the rib 16 will be described in detail. Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the connection process between the upper and lower housings according to Embodiment 1. Figure 10 It is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of XX is shown. Furthermore, Figure 9 Is along Figure 2 The diagram corresponding to the sectional view of XX shown.

[0054] like Figure 9 As shown, the abutment portion 17 formed at the front end of the rib 16 of the upper shell 1 is a triangular shape extending in the left-right direction with the apex pointing downwards. The shape of the abutment portion 17 is elastically deformable in the up-down direction, and can also be called a flattened shape. The abutment portion 17 is a triangular prism shape extending in the left-right direction, but it can also be a conical or pyramidal shape, for example.

[0055] exist Figure 9 In the shown state, the abutting portion 51 of the rib 41 is in contact with the other side 3b of the circuit board 3. If from... Figure 9 The state shown causes the upper housing 1 to move further downward relative to the lower housing 2, so that the abutment portion 17 formed at the front end of the rib 16 abuts against a surface 3a of the circuit board 3.

[0056] Then, if the upper shell 1 is moved further downward relative to the lower shell 2, then as Figure 10 As shown, the front end of the abutment portion 17 formed at the front end of the rib 16 is elastically deformed and flattened. Therefore, the circuit board 3 is clamped under the pressure of the abutment portion 51 of the rib 41 and the abutment portion 17 of the rib 16, and the circuit board 3 is stably held by the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2.

[0057] Furthermore, in the frame 101, in the example described above, the extension 25 does not elastically deform in the vertical direction, but rather elastically deforms in the horizontal direction. However, it can also be configured so that the abutting part 51 can undergo the same elastic deformation as the abutting part 17. Alternatively, the shape of the abutting part 51 can be the same as the shape of the abutting part 17. Additionally, the frame 101 can also be a structure in which the shapes of the abutting part 17 and the abutting part 51 are interchanged.

[0058] As described above, the frame 101 according to Embodiment 1 is a frame for housing the circuit board 3, having a lower housing 2 and an upper housing 1. The upper housing 1 is an example of a first housing, and the lower housing 2 is an example of a second housing. The upper housing 1 has an abutting portion 17 that abuts against one surface 3a of the circuit board 3. The abutting portion 17 is an example of a first abutting portion. The lower housing 2 has an abutting portion 51 that abuts against the other surface 3b of the circuit board 3, clamping the circuit board 3 between the abutting portion 17 and the abutting portion 17. The lower housing 2 has an extension portion 25 that extends in the clamping direction of the circuit board 3 involving the abutting portion 17 and the abutting portion 51, i.e., the vertical direction, and has an abutting portion 51 at its front end. The extension portion 25 has an engaging portion 53 that engages with the upper housing 1 at the middle part of the clamping direction. Thus, the frame 101 simplifies the construction of the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 that clamp and engage with each other for the circuit board 3. Therefore, the frame 101 enables cost reduction of the mold and improved assemblability. In addition, by simplifying the construction of the frame 101, stress is not applied to the circuit board 3 due to screw fixing, etc., and the circuit board 3 can be fixed.

[0059] Furthermore, the engaging portion 53 is formed in a convex shape facing a direction orthogonal to the clamping direction of the circuit board 3. The upper housing 1 has a concave engaging portion 15 that engages with the engaging portion 53. As a result, the frame 101 brings the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 close together in the clamping direction of the circuit board 3, thereby enabling easy connection between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2.

[0060] Furthermore, at least one of the contact portion 17 and the contact portion 51 elastically deforms in the clamping direction of the circuit board 3. As a result, the circuit board 3 can be stably held in the frame 101 by the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2.

[0061] Furthermore, at least one of the contact portion 17 and the contact portion 51 has an arc-shaped corner. This prevents excessive stress from being applied to the circuit board 3 and allows the circuit board 3 to be fixed.

[0062] Furthermore, the extension 25 has a plate-shaped latching portion 40, a rib 41a, and a rib 41b. Rib 41a is an example of a first rib, and rib 41b is an example of a second rib. The latching portion 40 extends in the clamping direction of the circuit board 3, and an engaging portion 53 is formed in the middle. Rib 41a is continuous at one end of the latching portion 40 in a direction orthogonal to the clamping direction of the circuit board 3, and extends in the clamping direction of the circuit board 3. Rib 41b is continuous at the other end of the latching portion 40 in a direction orthogonal to the clamping direction of the circuit board 3, and extends in the clamping direction of the circuit board 3. An abutment portion 51 is formed at the front end of each of the ribs 41a and 41b. Thus, the frame 101 simplifies the construction of the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 that clamp and engage the circuit board 3.

[0063] Furthermore, the electronic device 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a frame 101 and a circuit board 3. As a result, the electronic device 100, within the frame 101, simplifies the construction of the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 that clamp and engage the circuit board 3 with each other.

[0064] The structure shown in the above implementation is an example and can also be combined with other known technologies. Without departing from the main idea, parts of the structure can be omitted or modified.

[0065] Explanation of the label

[0066] 1 Upper housing, 2 Lower housing, 3 Circuit board, 3a One side, 3b The other side, 10 Top wall, 11, 21 Left side wall, 12, 22 Right side wall, 12a Inner wall, 13, 23 Front wall, 13a Opening, 14, 24 Rear wall, 15, 53 Engaging part, 15a, 53a Vertical surface, 16, 41, 41a, 41b Ribs, 17, 51, 51a, 51b Abutting part, 20 Bottom wall, 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d Extension part, 31 Terminal block, 40 Snap-on part, 53b Inclined surface, 100 Electronic device, 101 Frame, 511 Flat surface, 512 Arc-shaped surface.

Claims

1. A frame for housing a circuit board, The frame is characterized by having: A first housing having a first abutting portion that abuts against one side of the circuit board; and The second housing has a second abutting portion that abuts against another side of the circuit board, clamping the circuit board between itself and the first abutting portion. The second housing has an extension that extends in the clamping direction of the circuit board by the first abutment and the second abutment, and has the second abutment at its front end. The extension has an engagement portion that engages with the first housing at the midpoint of the clamping direction. The extension has: A plate-shaped latching portion extends in the clamping direction and forms the engaging portion in the middle section; The first rib, which is continuous at one end of the latching portion in a direction orthogonal to the clamping direction, extends in the clamping direction; and The second rib is continuous at the other end of the latching portion in a direction orthogonal to the clamping direction, and extends in the clamping direction. The second abutment portion is formed at the front end of both the first rib and the second rib.

2. The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The engaging portion is convex in a direction orthogonal to the clamping direction. The first housing has a concave engaging portion that engages with the engaging portion.

3. The frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion is elastically deformed in the clamping direction.

4. The frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The corner of at least one of the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion is formed in an arc shape.

5. The frame according to claim 3, characterized in that, The corner of at least one of the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion is formed in an arc shape.

6. An electronic device, characterized in that, have: The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and The circuit board.

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