Cable fastener device and container for electronic device equipped with the same

Abstract

A cable fastener device comprises: a base (11) that can be fixed to a container (100) of an electronic device or is integral with the container (100); the base (11) is penetrated by a channel (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (A) between its two channel ends; the channel (12) has an upper opening (13) facing (106) a bottom (14) of the channel (12); a cover (15) configured to close the upper opening (13) to prevent the cable from escaping; a coupling device configured to lock the cover (15) to the base (11) in a closed position, in which the cover (15) engages the upper opening (13) to close it; and a sealing member (16) configured to engage the channel (12) so as to block the channel (12) when the sealing member is inserted into the channel (12) and the upper opening (13) is closed by means of the cover (15) to prevent water and / or dust from passing through the channel (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable fastener device and a container for electronic devices equipped with the cable fastener device.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a cable clamping device which is suitable for being integrated in a housing for an electronic device and for achieving a degree of protection of IP54 according to the international standard IEC 60529 for the housing in which it is integrated.

[0003] The cable fastening device in question effectively blocks dust and spray water from passing through the cable fastening device when it is in place. Background Art

[0004] In the field of appliances comprising refrigerated display units such as vending machines for drinks and / or food, or refrigerated cabinets for bottles, it is known that these appliances are equipped with a refrigeration machine provided with an electronic controller which, in addition to controlling the operating speed of the refrigeration machine, can also control operating functions of the appliance itself, such as lighting or ventilation of a display compartment provided in the appliance.

[0005] Typically, these devices have a housing that houses a controller near the bottom of the housing.

[0006] A conventional controller has a housing that houses the electronic device, thereby protecting the electronic device from dust, dirt, and moisture.

[0007] Today, there is an urgent need to improve the effectiveness of protecting electronic devices from dust and water spray.

[0008] One particularly critical part of the controller with regard to the possibility of dust and / or water penetrating the housing is the cable opening which connects the electronics to the general equipment and operating members of the refrigeration machine.

[0009] The problem underlying the present invention is to meet the above requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The main task of the present invention is to create a cable fastener device and a container for an electronic device comprising the same, which solve this problem by resolving the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventional controllers.

[0011] As part of this task, the object of the present invention is to propose a cable fastening device and a container for an electronic device comprising the same, which cable fastening device and the container have significantly increased sealing against dust and water compared to conventional solutions.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to create a cable fastener device and a container for an electronic device comprising the same, which are simple, easy to use and durable.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable fastener device and a container for electronic devices including the same, which maintain a high degree of sealing against dust and water mist as the number and size of cables using the cable fastener device change.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable fastening device and a housing for an electronic device comprising the same, which are suitable for achieving a degree of protection of IP54 according to the international standard IEC 60529.

[0015] This task, as well as these and other objects that will appear more fully below, are achieved by a cable fastening device according to embodiments of the invention and a container for an electronic device comprising the same.

[0016] Detailed features of the cable fastening device and the container for an electronic device including the cable fastening device according to the present invention are given in the embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a cable fastening device and a container for an electronic device comprising the same, shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] - Figure 1 A perspective view of a cable fastener device according to the present invention is shown.

[0019] - Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the cable fastener device in FIG.

[0020] - Figure 3 and Figure 4 Shown Figure 1 1 and 2. A perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a cable fastener device in two configurations thereof during use.

[0021] - Figure 5 and Figure 6 A partially exploded view and an assembled perspective view of a container for electronic devices according to the present invention are respectively shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] With reference to the above drawings, the cable fastener device includes:

[0023] a base 11 which can be fixed to a housing 100 for an electronic device or be integral with the housing 100; a channel 12 passing through the base 11, the channel 12 extending in the longitudinal direction A between its two channel ends 12a, 12b; the channel 12 has an upper opening 13 facing a bottom 14 of the channel 12;

[0024] - a cover 15 configured to close the upper opening 13 to prevent the cable from escaping from the upper opening 13;

[0025] - coupling means configured to lock the lid 15 to the base 11 in the closed position, which Figure 4 and Figure 6 , shown by way of non-limiting example, wherein a cover 15 engages the upper opening 13 to close it;

[0026] A sealing member 16 configured to engage the channel 12 and thereby block the channel 12 when the sealing member 16 is inserted into the channel 12 and closes the upper opening 13 by means of the cover 15 , thereby preventing water and / or dust from passing through the channel 12 .

[0027] The base 11 may comprise two side walls 17 and 18 projecting from opposite edges of the bottom 14 so as to laterally delimit the channel 12 delimited at the bottom by the bottom 14 .

[0028] In particular, the base 11 may have a flat surface extending along the longitudinal direction A and defining the bottom 14 .

[0029] The side walls 17 and 18 may extend perpendicularly relative to the bottom 14 from two opposite lateral edges of the bottom 14 .

[0030] In other words, the channel 12 may have a U-shaped cross-section, wherein the bottom 14 may extend transversely to the direction of extension A between the side wall 17 and the side wall 18 .

[0031] The free ends 17 a and 18 a of the side walls 17 and 18 laterally delimit the upper opening 13 of the channel 12 .

[0032] The extension of the bottom 14 transversely to the direction of extension A is preferably greater than the extension of the side walls 17 and 18 in a direction transversely to the direction of extension A, in order to ensure the security of the cable fastener device.

[0033] The channel 12 may be sized to receive a plurality of cable portions such that the plurality of cable portions pass through the channel 12 from a first channel end 12a of the channel 12 to a second channel end 12b of the channel 12 .

[0034] Coupling means can be arranged at free ends 17 a , 18 a of the side walls 17 and 18 remote from the bottom 14 .

[0035] Generally, in a possible embodiment of the present invention, the coupling device may include:

[0036] - teeth 19, 20 and 21, and

[0037] Seats 22 , 23 , 24 which can be engaged by the teeth 19 , 20 and 21 .

[0038] The teeth 19 , 20 and 21 may protrude inside the channel 12 and the seats 22 , 23 , 24 may be correspondingly provided on opposite sides 25 , 26 of the cover 15 , as shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures.

[0039] Alternatively, for example, the teeth 19 , 20 and 21 may project from opposite sides 25 , 26 of the cover 15 , and the seats 22 , 23 , 24 may be provided inside the channel 12 .

[0040] However, the teeth 19, 20 and 21 and the seats 22, 23, 24 can be positioned so that: after the cover 15 is positioned in the upper opening 13, the teeth 19, 20 and 21 are aligned with the seats 22, 23, 24, and the teeth 19, 20 and 21 and the seats 22, 23, 24 can be engaged with each other by sliding the cover 15 along the longitudinal direction A.

[0041] For example, the seats 22, 23, 24 may have an L-shaped extension so as to be engaged by the teeth 19, 20 and 21 during a double movement of the cover 15, the double movement comprising:

[0042] - an insertion movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base 14, and

[0043] - A locking movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction A.

[0044] This makes it easy to couple the cover 15 to the base 11 and, at the same time, stabilizes such coupling.

[0045] The teeth 19, 20 and 21 and / or the seats 22, 23, 24 can be inclined relative to the longitudinal direction A or in particular relative to the bottom 14, so that after the cover 15 slides along the longitudinal direction A so that the teeth 19, 20 and 21 and the seats 22, 23, 24 engage with each other, the cover 15 is guided close to the bottom 14 by the interaction of the teeth 19, 20 and 21 and the seats 22, 23, 24 to compress the sealing member 16 toward the seats 22, 23, 24.

[0046] In other words, the teeth 19 , 20 and 21 and / or the seats 22 , 23 , 24 may define an inclined guide or cam to guide the lid 15 towards the bottom 14 , thereby compressing the sealing member 16 , when the lid 15 is brought into the closed position.

[0047] The sealing member 16 may extend along the extension direction B and may have a shape transverse to the extension direction B that is substantially complementary to the shape of the cross section of the channel 12 transverse to the longitudinal direction A of the channel 12 .

[0048] The teeth 19 , 20 and 21 may comprise three pairs of teeth, wherein the teeth of each pair face each other in the channel 12 .

[0049] In the accompanying drawings, the teeth of each pair of teeth are indicated by the same reference numerals and, correspondingly, the seatings as well.

[0050] With particular reference to the above figures, the selected pair of teeth 19 , 20 and 21 may extend significantly into the channel 12 transversely to the channel, thereby improving retention of the cable in the channel 12 .

[0051] This selected pair of teeth is indicated by reference numeral 21 in the accompanying drawings.

[0052] In practice, operationally, the cable inserted into the channel 12 can be inserted under the teeth 21 of the selected pair of teeth, and the teeth 21 of the selected pair of teeth preferably define a channel for inserting the cable under them in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction A, wherein the channel preferably has a sufficient width for the cable to pass through, that is, the width is greater than the total transverse dimension of the cable, for example, the channel can have a width of about 0.5 cm to 1 cm.

[0053] The teeth 19, 20 and 21 can have a substantially parallelepipedal form and, as mentioned above, the seats 22, 23, 24 can be defined by an L-shaped groove to allow the corresponding tooth 19, 20 or 21 to enter the L-shaped groove first by an insertion movement of the cover 15 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom 14 and then by a locking movement performed by sliding the cover in the longitudinal direction A.

[0054] As mentioned above, the channel 12 may have a predominantly rectangular cross-section and, likewise, the sealing member 16 may have such a rectangular form.

[0055] The sealing member 16 and the channel 12 may have a generally parallelepipedal form.

[0056] In the plane, the sealing member 16 can have a cross-shaped form, in particular, the sealing member 16 can have two lateral extensions 16a transverse to the extension direction B, and the cover 15 can have two recesses 15a, which are suitable for being engaged by the lateral extensions 16a of the sealing member 16, so that the sealing member 16 is maintained against the cover 15 to allow both the sealing member 16 and the cover 15 to be manipulated as a unit.

[0057] The sealing member 16 preferably has said shape which is oversized compared to said cross section of the channel 12 in order to allow a positive coupling between the sealing member 16 and the channel 12 in an interfering manner, thereby optimizing the sealing against water and dust.

[0058] In particular, the dimensions of the sealing member 16 can be designed such that: after the sealing member 16 is inserted into the channel 12, the connection of the cover 15 to the upper opening 13 requires and allows the sealing member 16 to be compressed in the channel 12 with the extension direction B parallel to the longitudinal direction A.

[0059] In this way, functionally, when the cover 15 is closed over the upper opening 13 , the cover 15 compresses the seal 16 by expanding the sealing member 16 into the channel 12 to occupy the entire non-cable portion of the channel 12 , thereby preventing the passage of water and / or dust.

[0060] The sealing member 16 may be made of an elastomeric material, which may be a foamed elastomeric material, for example, which may include or consist of polychloroprene or ethylene propylene diene monomer, EPDM for short, preferably with a Shore OO hardness between 20 and 30.

[0061] In particular, depending on the implementation requirements of the invention, the sealing member 16 can be made of an open-cell elastomeric foam material, thereby achieving better adaptability of the sealing member 16 to the cable, or of a closed-cell material, in order to ensure the impermeability of the sealing member 16, or again, the sealing member 16 can include an outer layer of an open-cell elastomeric foam material with a core of a closed-cell elastomeric foam material. A container 100 for an electronic device (not shown) is also an object of the present invention.

[0062] The container 100 delimits an inner compartment for electronic devices and, according to an aspect of the invention, comprises at least one cable fastener device as described above.

[0063] The container 100 may include two complementary parts 101 and 102, wherein the first part 101 of the parts 101 and 102 includes a first edge 104, and the second part 102 of the parts 101 and 102 includes a second edge 105, which is opposite in shape to the first edge 104 to be connected to the first edge 104 according to a shape connection.

[0064] The first part 101 and the second part 102 can be coupled and decoupled to each other at edges 104 and 105, thereby switching from a closed configuration to an open configuration, in which the inner compartment is enclosed by the container 100, and in which the inner compartment is accessible from the outside of the container 100.

[0065] The base 11 of the cable fastener device may be divided into two parts 11a and 11b, a first part 11a of the parts 11a and 11b being integral with or fixed to the first edge 104 and a second part 11b of the parts 11a and 11b being integral with or fixed to the second edge 105.

[0066] The cable fastener arrangement may include:

[0067] a first tooth 19 , or first seating, fixed to or integral with the first portion 11 a of the base 11 ;

[0068] - second teeth 20 and 21 , or second seatings, fixed to or integral with the second portion 11 b of the base 11 .

[0069] Correspondingly, the cover 15 may have third seats 22 , 23 , 24 or third teeth, respectively, to engage the first teeth 19 or first seats, and the second teeth 20 and 21 or second seats, respectively, to lock the cover 15 to the base 11 .

[0070] The container 100 may further include a third component 103; wherein:

[0071] The first part 101 has a face 106 provided with an electrical connection 107 connectable to an electronic device, for connecting a cable to the electronic device housed in the housing 100 via the electrical connection 107 ;

[0072] The third part 103 is shaped to be coupled or decoupled with said first part 101 according to the operating direction C.

[0073] The third component 103 may be configured such that, after the third component 103 is coupled to the first component 101 , the third component 103 covers the face portion 106 to enclose the electrical connector 107 .

[0074] The cable fastener device may be provided on an operating wall 109 of the container 100 , extending from the face portion 106 according to the operating direction C.

[0075] The third component 103 may include at least one compression element 108 that protrudes to engage the cover 15 when the third component 103 is coupled to the first component 101 to hold the cover 15 against the base 11 .

[0076] Preferably, the tooth 21 of the selected pair of teeth is located at a position of the channel 12 remote from the face 106 , at which position the first component 101 is coupled to the second component 102 .

[0077] Furthermore, the cover 15 preferably has an edge 27 adapted to resiliently couple with the tooth 21 of the selected tooth pair when the teeth 19 , 20 and 21 engage the seats 22 , 23 , 24 , thereby holding the cover in the closed position of the upper opening 13 .

[0078] Advantageously, the cover 15 also has a retaining lip 28 which is preferably U-shaped to couple with the end wings 108a of the compression element 108 when the third component 103 is coupled to the first component 101 along the operating direction C, thereby retaining the cover 15 in the closed position.

[0079] Sealing gaskets (not shown) may be provided between the first component 101 and the second component 102 and / or between the second component 102 and the third component 103 to ensure water and / or dust tightness.

[0080] From a functional point of view, the installation of a control device according to the present invention comprising an electronic device housed in a housing 100 can provide for the connection of a cable to an electrical connector 107 by means of a pin and then refolding the cable to insert it into one or more of the channels 12 provided on the operating wall 109.

[0081] In particular, inserting the cable into the channel 12 may provide for inserting the cable under the teeth 21 , which will hold the cable in place while the operator arranges closure of the upper opening 13 by means of the cover 15 .

[0082] This can be achieved by pressing the sealing member 16 together with the cover 15 into the channel 12 so that the sealing member deforms elastically and thus intrudes into the free space of the channel 12 above the cables.

[0083] Locking the cover by means of the above-described insertion and subsequent locking movement allows the cables to be retained in the channel 12 while also sealing against water and dust.

[0084] The third component 103 may then be coupled to the other two components 101 and 102 , with the compression element 108 engaging the cover 15 by pressing the cover 15 into place and engaging the retaining lip portion 28 of the cover 15 .

[0085] The locking movement is preferably in a direction in which the cover 15 moves away from the face 106 .

[0086] In this way, when the third part 103 is closed onto the second part 102 , the end wings 108 a of the compression element 108 engage the retaining lip 28 of the cover 15 , thereby engaging the retaining lip 28 with the teeth 19 , 20 , 21 in the seats 22 , 23 , 24 .

[0087] Structurally, the first channel end 12a can be adjacent to the face 106, while the second channel end 12b can be away from the face 106; the seating portions 22, 23, 24 are configured so that the teeth 19, 20, 21 must slide in a direction from the first channel end 12a toward the second channel end 12b to lock.

[0088] Thus, it has been shown how the invention achieves the set tasks and objects.

[0089] In particular, the cable fastening device according to the invention and the container for an electronic device comprising the same significantly improve the sealing against dust and water compared to conventional solutions, while being simple, easy to use and durable.

[0090] Furthermore, the cable fastening device and the housing for electronic devices comprising the same according to the present invention maintain a high degree of sealing against dust and water spray regardless of the number and size of cables using the cable fastening device, thereby achieving a protection level of IP54 according to the international standard IEC 60529.

[0091] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of protection of the appended claims.

[0092] Moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0093] In practice, the materials used, as well as the forms and dimensions as appropriate, may vary according to the requirements of the particular case and the background art.

[0094] In case the constructions and technical features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by symbols or reference signs, these symbols or reference signs are used only for the purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves, and therefore, these symbols or reference signs do not in any way constitute a limitation on the interpretation of each element identified by the symbols or reference signs merely as an example.

Claims

1. A container (100) for an electronic device, said container (100) delimiting an inner compartment of the electronic device and said container (100) comprising at least one cable fastener device, in, The cable fastener device comprises: - a base (11) capable of being fixed to a container (100) of an electronic device or being integral with the container (100); the base (11) being penetrated by a channel (12), the channel (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (A) between its two channel ends; the channel (12) having an upper opening (13) facing a bottom (14) of the channel (12); - a cover (15) configured to close the upper opening (13) to prevent the cable from escaping from the upper opening (13); - coupling means configured to lock the cover (15) to the base (11) in a closed position in which the cover (15) engages the upper opening (13) to close the upper opening (13); a sealing member (16) configured to engage the channel (12) so as to block the channel (12) when the sealing member (16) is inserted into the channel (12) and the upper opening (13) is closed by means of the cover (15), thereby preventing water and / or dust from passing through the channel (12); And wherein the container (100) comprises two complementary parts (101, 102), wherein a first part (101) of the parts comprises a first edge (104), and a second part (102) of the parts comprises a second edge (105), the second edge (105) being opposite in shape to the first edge (104) so as to be coupled to the first edge (104) according to a shape coupling; the first part (101) and the second part (102) are capable of being coupled to and disconnected from each other at the edges The cable fastener device is provided with a first portion (11a) and a second portion (11b) connected to the first edge (104) to switch from a closed configuration to an open configuration, in which the inner compartment is closed by the container (100) and in which the inner compartment is accessible from the outside of the container (100); the base (11) of the cable fastener device is divided into two parts (11a, 11b), a first part (11a) of the parts (11a, 11b) being fixed to the first edge (104) or being integral with the first edge (104), and the parts (11a, The second portion (11b) in 11b) is fixed to the second edge (105) or is integral with the second edge (105).

2. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein The base (11) comprises two side walls (17, 18) which project from opposite edges of the bottom (14) to laterally delimit the channel (12), which is delimited at the bottom by the bottom (14); the coupling means are arranged at free ends (17a, 18a) of the side walls (17, 18) remote from the bottom (14).

3. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein The sealing member (16) extends along a direction of extension (B) and has a shape transverse to the direction of extension (B) that is complementary to a cross-section of the channel (12) transverse to the longitudinal direction (A).

4. The container (100) according to claim 3, wherein: The sealing member (16) and the channel (12) have the form of a parallelepiped, and the sealing member (16) has a shape that is oversized relative to the cross-sectional dimensions of the channel (12) to allow the sealing member (16) to be shape-coupled in the channel (12) in an interfering manner.

5. The container (100) according to claim 3, wherein: The dimensions of the sealing member (16) are designed so that, after the sealing member (16) is inserted into the channel (12), the connection of the cover (15) to the upper opening (13) requires the sealing member (16) to be compressed in the channel (12) when the extension direction (B) is parallel to the longitudinal direction (A).

6. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein The coupling device comprises teeth (19, 20, 21) and seatings (22, 23, 24) capable of being engaged by the teeth (19, 20, 21); the teeth (19, 20, 21) protrude from opposite sides (25, 26) of the cover (15) or the teeth (19, 20, 21) protrude inside the channel (12), and the seatings (22, 23, 24) are arranged inside the channel (12) or on the opposite sides (25, 26) of the cover (15). the teeth (19, 20, 21) and the seating portions (22, 23, 24) being positioned such that, after the cover (15) is positioned in the upper opening (13), the teeth (19, 20, 21) are aligned with the seating portions (22, 23, 24), and the teeth (19, 20, 21) and the seating portions (22, 23, 24) can be engaged with each other by sliding the cover (15) along the longitudinal direction (A).

7. The container (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The teeth (19, 20, 21) and / or the seatings (22, 23, 24) have an inclination relative to the longitudinal direction (A) so that: after the cover (15) slides along the longitudinal direction (A) so that the teeth (19, 20, 21) and the seatings (22, 23, 24) engage with each other, the cover (15) is guided to approach the bottom (14) by the interaction of the teeth (19, 20, 21) and the seatings (22, 23, 24) to compress the sealing member (16) toward the bottom (14).

8. The container (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The container (100) comprises: - a first tooth (19, 20, 21) or a first seat (22, 23, 24), which is fixed to the first part (11a) of the base (11) or is integral with the first part (11a) of the base (11); - a second tooth (19, 20, 21) or a second seat (22, 23, 24), which is fixed to the second part (11b) of the base (11) or is integral with the second part (11b) of the base (11); The cover (15) is provided with a third seating portion (22, 23, 24) or a third toothed portion (19, 20, 21) respectively, so as to engage the first toothed portion (19, 20, 21) or the first seating portion (22, 23, 24) and the second toothed portion (19, 20, 21) or the second seating portion (22, 23, 24) respectively through the third seating portion (22, 23, 24) or the third toothed portion (19, 20, 21), thereby locking the cover (15) to the base (11).

9. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein The container (100) includes a third component (103); wherein: - the first part (101) has a face (106) provided with an electrical connection (107) connectable to an electronic device, in order to connect a cable to the electronic device housed in the housing (100) via the electrical connection (107); - the third component (103) is shaped to be coupled or decoupled with the first component (101) according to the operation direction (C); the third component (103) is configured so that: after the third component (103) is coupled with the first component (101), the third component (103) covers the face portion (106) to close the electrical connection (107); The cable fastener device is arranged on an operating wall (109) of the container (100), and the operating wall (109) extends from the face (106) according to the operating direction (C); the third part (103) includes at least one compression element (108), and the at least one compression element (108) protrudes to engage the cover (15) when the third part (103) is coupled to the first part (101), thereby keeping the cover (15) against the base (11).

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