Cable holding device and electronic device comprising such cable holding device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable holding device for an electronic device (21) such as a surveillance camera and an electronic device comprising such a cable holding device, the cable holding device comprising a base member (2) and an attachment member (3) which can be releasably attached to the base member (2). The base member (2) is provided with a channel (6), the channel being configured to receive a cable (16) and being arranged in a surface (7) of the base member (2), the surface being configured to face the attachment member (3) in an assembled state in which the attachment member (3) of the cable holding device is attached to the base member (2). The channel (6) extends between a cable inlet (8) and a cable outlet (13), the attachment member (3) being provided with a narrow opening (11), the narrow opening being configured to extend in a direction across the channel (6) in an assembled state of the cable holding device, so that the cable outlet (13) of the channel (6) is defined at the intersection of the channel (6) and the narrow opening (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cable holding device and an electronic device comprising such a cable holding device. Background Art

[0002] Electronic devices such as surveillance cameras are often provided with cables for power and / or data transmission.

[0003] The cable may be fixedly attached to the electronic device, for example by soldering the cable to a circuit board housed inside the electronic device. Alternatively, the cable may be provided with a connector that is attached by being pressed to a corresponding connector of the circuit board.

[0004] During handling of the electronic device, such as assembly, installation, or use, a cable may be disconnected from the electronic device, for example by pulling or twisting the cable. This is particularly true for electronic devices in the form of surveillance cameras, which may include several parts to be assembled, may be mounted in difficult-to-access locations, such as ceilings or walls, and may be configured to rotate and / or tilt during use.

[0005] To address this problem, it is known to clamp the cable to ensure a reliable connection. However, such clamping of the cable may expose the cable to stresses that may damage the cable.

[0006] Other related prior art solutions can be found in US2020 / 0026163A1 or KR20120098337A. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved cable retention device and an electronic device including such a cable retention device. Another object is to provide such a cable retention device, which prevents the cable from being accidentally disconnected from the electronic device while avoiding exposing the cable to stress during assembly, installation and / or use.

[0008] In order to achieve at least one of the above objects and other objects that will become apparent from the following description, a cable holding device and an electronic device having the following features are provided according to the present invention. Preferred embodiments will become apparent from the following.

[0009] More specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable retaining device for an electronic device such as a surveillance camera, comprising a base member and an attachment member that can be loosely attached to the base member, wherein the base member is provided with a channel, the channel is configured to receive a cable and is arranged in a surface of the base member, the surface is configured to face the attachment member in an assembled state in which the attachment member of the cable retaining device is attached to the base member, wherein the channel extends between a cable entrance and a cable exit, and wherein the attachment member is provided with a narrow opening, the narrow opening is configured to extend in a direction across the channel in the assembled state of the cable retaining device, so that the cable exit of the channel is defined at the intersection of the channel and the narrow opening.

[0010] Hereby, an improved cable retention device is provided.

[0011] A base member that may form part of an electronic device is provided with a channel extending between a cable inlet and a cable outlet. Thus, when assembling the electronic device including the base member, a cable of the electronic device extending from inside the electronic device may be arranged so that it is received by the channel.

[0012] The attachment member can be releasably attached to the base member and is provided with a slot.Therefore, even in the case where the free end of the cable is provided with a connector, the cable can be inserted into the slot of the attachment member.

[0013] When the attachment member is attached to the base member, the slot is configured to extend in a direction across the channel, thereby defining a cable outlet at the intersection. Therefore, in the assembled state of the cable retaining device, a cable received by the channel can leave the cable retaining device at the cable outlet.

[0014] Thus, a cable retaining device can be used to secure a cable by arranging the cable so that it is received by a channel and then attaching the attachment member to a base member with the cable inserted into the narrow opening of the attachment member. The cable enters the channel via a cable entrance and leaves the channel via a cable exit formed at the intersection between the channel and the narrow opening. In this way, the configuration of the cable retaining device makes it possible to arrange the cable as an extension having a first bend at the cable entrance and a second bend at the cable exit. Such a device makes it possible to secure the cable by friction clamping. Friction clamping can allow a limited amount of movement of the cable, but is still sufficient to secure the cable to prevent unintentional disconnection of the cable. Therefore, the fixing of the cable is not fixed, and the limited freedom of movement of the cable reduces the risk of damaging the cable during use.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the cable entrance may face a recess provided in a peripheral portion of the base member, which recess is open in the transverse direction of the base member. Providing a recess near the cable entrance is conducive to arranging the cable in the channel. Thereby, in the case where a connector is provided at the free end of the cable, the channel can easily receive the cable. The attachment member may further be provided with a protrusion, which is configured to be received by the recess of the base member in the assembled state of the cable retaining device, so that a cable lead-in portion extending away from the surface of the base member is formed. The formation of the cable lead-in portion extending away from the surface makes it possible to arrange the cable to have an extension with a bend before entering the channel via the cable entrance, thereby further strengthening the friction clamping that fixes the cable in the cable retaining device.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the cable entry may be arranged in a peripheral portion of the base member.Providing the cable entry in the peripheral portion facilitates arranging the cable extension received in the channel to have a bend in order to improve frictional fixation of the cable.

[0017] According to yet another embodiment, the intersection defining the cable outlet may be arranged in a central portion of the base member. Providing a cable outlet in the central portion of the base member facilitates cable management in the case where the cable holding device is associated with a movably arranged electronic device. For example, for an electronic device in the form of a surveillance camera provided with a rotatable, pan-and-tilt optical unit, a cable outlet in the central portion of the base member may minimize cable movement of the cable during operation.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the channel may have a straight extension and the throat may have a straight extension, and wherein the throat may cross the channel at an angle equal to or greater than 90° in the assembled state of the cable retention device. The arrangement of the channel and the throat at an angle of at least 90° enables the formation of a cable outlet without sharp corners that could damage the cable.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the slot may extend between a side edge of the attachment member and a slot end, the slot end being configured to coincide with an intersection defining a cable outlet in an assembled state of the cable retention device. Thereby, the length of the slot may be minimized, thereby improving the structural integrity of the attachment member. The slot end may be arranged with a radius R1. Arranging the slot end with a radius may ensure that a cable outlet having a shape that is advantageous for a cable arranged in the cable retention device is formed.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the channel may extend between the cable inlet and a channel end configured to coincide with the intersection defining the cable outlet in the assembled state of the cable retaining device. Thus, a structure is provided which gives clear guidance on how to arrange the cables in the cable retaining device.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the cable entry may be arranged with a radius R2. Providing a radius at the cable entry facilitates arranging a cable having an extension with a bend at the cable entry, thereby improving frictional fixation of the cable.

[0022] According to yet another embodiment, the attachment member may be configured for snap-fit ​​attachment to the base member.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment, the base member may be made of a metallic material.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device, comprising a cable and a cable holding device according to the above, wherein the cable extends from the inside of the electronic device to the outside of the electronic device, wherein a channel of the cable holding device receives the cable having an extension, the extension comprising a first bend at the cable entrance and a second bend at the cable exit.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the electronic device may be a surveillance camera.

[0026] In general, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless otherwise explicitly defined herein. All references to "a / the [element, device, part, means, step, etc.]" are to be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, part, means, step, etc., unless otherwise explicitly stated. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals will be used for similar elements, and in which:

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view of a base member of a cable retention device.

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an attachment member of a cable retention device.

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cable retention device in an assembled state.

[0031] Figure 4 For along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0032] Figure 5 A top plan view of a cable retention device.

[0033] Figures 6a to 6d are perspective views illustrating steps for assembling a cable retention device.

[0034] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an electronic device including a cable retention device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided to be thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to the skilled person.

[0036] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A base member 2 and an attachment member 3 of a cable holding device 1 for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention are respectively illustrated. Figure 3 The cable retention device 1 is shown in the assembled state.

[0037] The attachment member 3 is releasably attachable to the base member 2 and, in the illustrated embodiment, is provided with circumferentially arranged protrusions 4 configured to engage circumferentially arranged openings 5 ​​in the base member 2 for snap-fit ​​attachment of the attachment member 3 to the base member 2 .

[0038] The base member 2 may be made of a metal or a polymer material. The attachment member 3 may be made of a metal or a polymer material. The base member 2 and the attachment member 3 may be made of the same type of material, or alternatively of different types of materials.

[0039] The base member 2 may be made of a metallic material and configured to act as a heat sink for electronic equipment associated with the cable retention device 1 .

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the base member 2 has a substantially circular shape and is provided with a channel 6 arranged in a surface 7 which is configured to face the attachment member 3 in the assembled state of the cable holding device 1. The channel 6 extends between a cable inlet 8 and a channel end 9. In the embodiment shown, the channel 6 has a straight extension. The cable inlet 8 is arranged in a peripheral portion of the base member 2 and is provided with a radius R2, which is Figure 4 It is more clearly shown in Figure 4 For along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0041] The channel 6 is configured to receive a cable (not shown) and has a depth and width suitable for receiving the cable.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the cable entrance 8 of the channel 6 faces a recess 10 provided in a peripheral portion of the base member 2. The recess 10 is open in a lateral or outward direction of the base member 2. Providing a recess 10 open in a lateral direction makes it possible to arrange a cable at the cable entrance by inserting it through the recess 10. This can facilitate the handling of cables provided with connectors at their free ends.

[0043] The attachment member 3 is provided with a slot 11 extending from a side edge of the attachment member 3 to a slot end 12 .

[0044] The slot 11 is configured to receive a cable. The slot 11 extends from the side edge of the attachment member 3 and is therefore open in an outward or lateral direction. Therefore, even if the free end of the cable is provided with a connector, the cable can be easily received by the slot 11.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the throat 11 has a straight extension.

[0046] The throat end 12 is provided with a radius R1.

[0047] In the assembled state of the cable holding device 1 , the slot 11 is configured to extend in a direction transverse to the channel 6. At the intersection of the channel 6 and the slot 11 , a cable outlet 13 is defined, which is configured to allow a cable to leave the channel 6.

[0048] The radius R1 of the throat end 12 ensures the formation of a cable outlet 13 having a shape that reduces the risk of damaging a cable leaving the cable holding device 1 via the cable outlet 13 .

[0049] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 1 and 12. The cable outlet 13 is illustrated in the embodiment shown, and in the embodiment shown, the intersection and therefore the cable outlet 13 coincides with both the channel end 9 and the throat end 12. However, it should be understood that this is not necessarily the case, and the channel 6 and / or throat 11 may extend beyond the intersection. The cable outlet 13 may be arranged in a central portion of the base member 2.

[0050] In the assembled state of the cable retaining device 1, the slot 11 may cross the channel 6 at an angle A equal to or greater than 90°. Thereby, a more precise positioning of the cable at the cable outlet 13 may be achieved. In the assembled state of the cable retaining device 1, the arrangement of the channel 6 and the slot 11 at an angle A of at least 90° also enables a cable outlet 13 without sharp corners to be formed, thereby reducing the risk of damaging the cable leaving the channel 6 via the cable outlet. Reference is now also made to Figure 5The top plan view of the cable retaining device 1 illustrates a slot 11 that crosses the channel 6 at an angle A of approximately 120°. The channel 6 is shown by a dashed line. It will be appreciated that an angle less than 90° results in a cable outlet having sharp corners, which may cause damage to cables exiting the channel via the cable outlet.

[0051] The attachment member 3 further comprises a tab or protrusion 14 which is configured to be received by the recess 10 of the base member 2 in the assembled state of the cable holding device 1. The protrusion 14 is arranged at the side edge of the attachment portion 3 and extends in a downward / outward direction. When the protrusion 14 is received by the recess 10, a cable lead-in 15 is formed which extends away from the surface 7 of the base member 2. The cable lead-in 15 leading to the cable inlet 8 of the channel 6 enables the cable received by the channel 6 to have an extension with a bend before the cable inlet 8.

[0052] In the current reference Figures 6a to 6d In FIG. 1 , the use of the above-described cable holding device 1 for fixing a cable 16 is illustrated.

[0053] Figure 6a Shown is a base member 2 and a cable 16. The cable 16 is provided with a first connector 17 at a first free end 18 of the cable 16 and with a second connector 19 at a second free end 20 of the cable 16. The first connector 17 may be connected to an electronic device (not shown).

[0054] The cable 16 is moved so that a portion of the cable 16 is arranged at the cable entrance 8 of the channel 6, and the movement of the cable is facilitated by the recess 10 open in the lateral direction. More specifically, providing the recess 10 open in the lateral direction makes it possible to arrange the cable 16 at the cable entrance by inserting it through the recess 10.

[0055] exist Figure 6b In FIG. 1 , the cable 16 has been inserted into the slot 11 of the attachment member 3 . From this figure, the formation of an extension of the cable 16 can be observed, which has a first bend at the cable entry 8 and a second bend at the cable exit 13 .

[0056] exist Figure 6c , the attachment member 3 has been rotated to align the protrusion 4 of the attachment member 3 with the opening 5 of the base member 2 , and also to align the protrusion 14 of the attachment member 3 with the recess 10 of the base member 2 .

[0057] exist Figure 6d, the attachment member 3 has been releasably attached to the base member 2. More specifically, the attachment member 3 has been moved toward the base member 2 so that the protrusion 4 of the attachment member 3 engages the opening 5 of the base member 2 so as to attach the attachment member 3 to the base member 2 by snap fit, while the protrusion 14 is received by the recess 10 so as to form the cable lead-in 15. As a result, the cable 16 is pushed into the channel 6 of the base member 2, the cable 16 having an extension including a first bend at the cable entry 8 and a second bend at the cable exit 13. Thereby, a friction clamp is established to fix the cable 16. The friction clamp may not be absolute, and a small degree of movement of the cable 16 may be allowed. This small degree of movement may reduce the risk of damaging the cable 16 during use.

[0058] exist Figure 7 , an electronic device 21 in the form of a surveillance camera is shown. The electronic device 21 comprises a cable retaining device 1 of the type described above. More specifically, a base member 2 of the cable retaining device 1 is attached to a housing 22 of the electronic device 21. In the embodiment shown, an opening 5 in the base member 3 is used to attach the base member 2 to the housing 22, and when the attachment member 3 is snap-fit ​​attached to the base member 2, the protrusion 4 of the attachment member 3 is configured to also ensure that the base member 2 is attached to the housing 22.

[0059] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Therefore, several modifications and variations are conceivable within the scope of the invention, which is specifically defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cable holding device for an electronic device (21), the electronic device (21) comprising a cable (16) extending from an interior of the electronic device to an exterior of the electronic device, the cable holding device comprising: a base member (2) and an attachment member (3) releasably attachable to the base member (2), wherein the base member (2) is provided with a channel (6) configured to receive a cable (16) and arranged in a surface (7) of the base member (2), the surface (7) of the base member (2) being configured to face the attachment member (3) in an assembled state in which the attachment member (3) of the cable holding device is attached to the base member (2), The channel (6) extends between a cable inlet (8) and a cable outlet (13), the channel (6) being configured to receive the cable (16) having an extension, the extension comprising a first bend at the cable inlet (8) and a second bend at the cable outlet (13), wherein the cable inlet (8) faces a recess (10) provided in a peripheral portion of the base member (2), the recess (10) being open in a lateral direction of the base member (2), wherein the attachment member (3) is provided with a protrusion (14) which is configured to be received by the recess (10) of the base member in the assembled state of the cable retaining device so as to form a cable lead-in (15) extending away from the surface (7) of the base member (2), and The attachment member (3) is provided with a slot (11) which, in the assembled state of the cable retaining device, is configured to extend in a direction transverse to the channel (6) so that the cable outlet (13) of the channel (6) is defined at the intersection of the channel (6) and the slot (11).

2. The cable holding device according to claim 1, wherein the cable inlet (8) is arranged in a peripheral portion of the base member (2).

3. The cable holding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intersection defining the cable outlet (13) is arranged in a central part of the base member (2).

4. The cable retention device according to claim 1 , wherein the channel ( 6 ) has a straight extension and the slot ( 11 ) has a straight extension, and wherein the slot ( 11 ) in the assembled state of the cable retention device crosses the channel ( 6 ) at an angle (A) equal to or greater than 90°.

5. A cable retention device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slot (11) extends between a side edge of the attachment member (3) and a slot end (12), and the slot end (12) is configured to coincide with the intersection defining the cable outlet (13) in the assembled state of the cable retention device.

6. The cable retention device according to claim 5, wherein the slotted end (12) is arranged to have a radius (R1).

7. A cable retention device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the channel (6) extends between the cable inlet (8) and a channel end (9), and the channel end (9) is configured to coincide with the intersection defining the cable outlet (13) in the assembled state of the cable retention device.

8. The cable retention device according to claim 7, wherein the cable entry opening (8) is arranged to have a radius (R2).

9. The cable retaining device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment member (3) is configured for snap-fit ​​attachment to the base member (2).

10. The cable holding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base member (2) is made of a metal material.

11. The cable retaining device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic device is a surveillance camera.

12. An electronic device, comprising a cable (16) and a cable holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cable (16) extends from the interior of the electronic device to the exterior of the electronic device, wherein the channel (6) of the cable holding device receives the cable (16) having an extension, the extension comprising a first bend at the cable inlet (8) and a second bend at the cable outlet (13).

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device is a surveillance camera.

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