Electronics enclosure and protective cover

Abstract

To provide an electronic device housing capable of both providing sufficient fitting and holding power to the housing and easy removal.SOLUTION: An electronic device housing includes a housing consisting of a peripheral wall side plate portion and a bottom plate portion closing an opening on its bottom surface, and has a recess extending from the peripheral wall side plate portion to the bottom plate portion, with a first engagement portion on the peripheral wall side plate portion of the recess and a second engagement portion on the bottom plate portion of the recess, and a protective cover having a shape that fits into the recess and having a first mating portion and a second mating portion that are inserted into the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively, and the first engagement portion has a convex structure consisting of an extension portion extending from the periphery of the tip of the first mating portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing and a protective cover for an electronic device such as a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] When assembling and fitting two or more parts in the housing of an electronic device, a commonly known method is to use a fitting structure with a snap-fit ​​shape. After two parts are fitted together, if a load is applied in the normal direction to a specific point on the snap-fit ​​shape surface of one of the parts, the part will deform and the fitting state will be released, making it possible to separate, i.e., remove, the two parts.

[0003] For example, as a conventional technique, a structure has been proposed for an electrical device storage case, which includes a snap-fit ​​mechanism for attaching a cover to a case body (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP2016-146432A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the above-mentioned conventional technology is applied to a protective cover having an L-shaped cross section (called an L-shape), the fitting retention force is weak because the fitting structure is used only on the horizontal or vertical surface side of the L-shape, and the protective cover may unintentionally come off from the housing when the electronic device is accidentally dropped, etc. Also, providing snap fits on the four corners causes problems with the ease of removal.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, and has an object to provide an electronic device housing and a protective cover that can achieve both a strong engagement and retention force with the housing and ease of removal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electronic device housing of the present invention comprises a housing consisting of a peripheral wall side plate portion and a bottom plate portion closing an opening on its bottom surface, the housing having a recess extending from the peripheral wall side plate portion to the bottom plate portion, the housing having a first engagement portion on the peripheral wall side plate portion of the recess and a second engagement portion on the bottom plate portion of the recess, and a protective cover having a shape that fits into the recess and having a first mating portion and a second mating portion that are inserted into the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively, the first mating portion having a convex structure consisting of an extension portion extending from the periphery of the tip of the first mating portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction.

[0008] The protective cover of the present invention is a protective cover for a housing which comprises a peripheral wall side plate portion and a bottom plate portion which closes an opening on its bottom surface, has a recess extending from the peripheral wall side plate portion to the bottom plate portion, has a first engagement portion on the peripheral wall side plate portion of the recess and a second engagement portion on the bottom plate portion of the recess, and is an L-shaped recess having an L-shaped cross section, wherein the protective cover has an L-shape with an L-shaped cross section that fits into the L-shaped recess, and has a first fitting portion and a second fitting portion which are inserted into the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively, and the first fitting portion has a convex structure consisting of an extension portion which extends from the periphery of the tip of the first fitting portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a structure for an electronic device housing and a protective cover that achieves both a strong engagement retention force with the housing and ease of removal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic perspective view showing a housing of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a housing of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the housing of the embodiment with a protective cover removed, as viewed from the lower case side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a protective cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the protective cover taken along line xx in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the joined upper and lower cases taken along line xx in FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the protective cover of the electronic device housing of the embodiment fits into the L-shaped recesses of the upper case and the lower case. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the protective cover of the electronic device housing of the embodiment fits into the L-shaped recesses of the upper case and the lower case. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic device housing (joined upper and lower cases and a protective cover) taken along line xx in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 11 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a modification in which an outlet recess at a lower part of the outlet of the fitting hole of the upper case of the electronic device housing of the embodiment is removed from the above embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a modified example in which the fitting projection extension portion at the tip of the fitting projection of the protective cover for the electronic device housing of the embodiment is further enlarged than in the above embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic device housing (joined upper and lower cases and a protective cover) taken along line xx in FIG. 1, and an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a fitting projection extension portion at the tip of a fitting projection of the protective cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a housing for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, in the embodiment, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0012] (Configuration Description) Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a housing 10 of an electronic device of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the housing 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the housing 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is composed of an upper case 11a and a lower case 11b that are fitted together, and a protective cover 12. For ease of explanation, the directions of the orthogonal XYZ coordinate axes as shown in the figure are defined as XYZ directions, which are the front and back directions (Z directions) from the front to the back of the housing 10, and are defined as left and right horizontal (X direction) and up and down vertical (Y direction) when viewed from the front of the protective cover 12 of the housing 10.

[0013] 1 and 2, the upper case 11a has a generally rectangular cylindrical box shape in a plan view, with four peripheral wall side plates standing upright from the top surface. The lower case 11b functions as a bottom plate that closes the opening at the bottom surface of the upper case 11a. The housing 10 is not limited to a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be a cylindrical or prismatic box shape.

[0014] The upper case 11a and the lower case 11b are provided at their openings with complementary opening stepped portions (not shown) that can fit into each other. They are fitted and joined together at their openings, and as shown in Fig. 1, an accommodation space is defined inside the upper case 11a and the lower case 11b that can accommodate a circuit board PCB including electronic components such as a connector for a memory card (SD card / SIM card) and the like.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the housing 10 with the protective cover 12 removed, as viewed from the lower case 11b side.

[0016] 2 and 3, upper case 11a and lower case 11b with protective cover 12 removed have recesses RCS extending from their peripheral side plate portions to parts of the front surfaces of their bottom plate portions. The recesses RCS are formed as L-shaped recesses that are connected at the corners of housing 10 and have an L-shaped cross section. Protective cover 12 has an L-shape with an L-shaped cross section that fits into the opposing recess RCS, and is configured so that this L-shaped protective cover 12 fits into the recess RCS and spans upper case 11a and lower case 11b.

[0017] In the recess RCS of the peripheral wall side plate of the upper case 11a, two mating holes PTO (first mating portions) are formed side by side horizontally as first engagement portions, sandwiching a functional opening MMO to be protected, such as an insertion / removal port for a memory card.

[0018] In the recess RCS of the bottom plate of the lower case 11b, snap-fit ​​holes SFO as second engagement portions and auxiliary holes SSO as auxiliary engagement portions are formed side by side in the horizontal direction. The snap-fit ​​holes SFO and the auxiliary holes SSO are disposed on the inner side of their respective guide grooves GG.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the protective cover 12. As shown in FIG.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the protective cover 12 has a vertical portion 12E extending vertically to cover and protect the functional opening MMO of the upper case 11a, and a horizontal portion 12H extending horizontally from the corner of the lower end of the vertical portion 12E along the recess RCS of the bottom plate portion of the lower case 11b.

[0021] The vertical portion 12E of the protective cover 12 is provided with two fitting projections PT (first fitting portions) that protrude horizontally and are formed so as to fit respectively into two fitting holes PTO of the recess RCS of the upper case 11a.

[0022] The horizontal portion 12H of the protective cover 12 has a horizontally protruding snap-fit ​​protrusion SF (second fitting portion) formed to fit into the snap-fit ​​hole SFO of the recess RCS of the lower case 11b. The horizontal portion 12H also has a horizontally protruding auxiliary protrusion SST formed to fit into the auxiliary hole SSO. When the protective cover 12 fits into the L-shaped recess RCS of the upper case 11a and the lower case 11b, the fitting protrusion PT becomes two convex structures biased in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall side plate portion.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the protective cover 12 taken along line xx in FIG.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the snap-fit ​​projection SF of the horizontal portion 12H of the protective cover 12 is provided with a hook portion SF1 at its tip end, which has an engagement portion facing downward. The hook portion SF1 has a tip end with a triangular cross section. The snap-fit ​​projection SF has a horizontally extending and elastically deformable leaf spring portion SF3 between the horizontal portion SF2 and the hook portion SF1, which extend horizontally from the corner portion as its base end. That is, in this embodiment, the lower end portion SFL of the hook portion SF1 of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO is hooked onto the side surface of the edge of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO (snap-fit ​​fastener mode). This allows the snap-fit ​​projection SF to be detachably engaged with the snap-fit ​​hole SFO.

[0025] The fitting protrusion PT of the protective cover 12 has a convex structure of a fitting protrusion extension part PTE that extends from the peripheral edge of the tip of the fitting protrusion PT in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, for example, downward (toward the lower case 11b of the bottom plate part). The fitting protrusion extension part PTE is a semi-cylindrical side surface having a semi-circular convex cross-sectional shape at the tip edge of the fitting protrusion PT. The fitting protrusion extension part PTE of this semi-cylindrical side surface extends perpendicular to the insertion direction of the fitting protrusion PT.

[0026] The fitting projection PT of the protective cover 12 has a length higher than the length of the fitting hole PTO so that the fitting projection extension portion PTE engages with the outlet recess EXR (see FIG. 6) below the outlet of the fitting hole PTO of the upper case 11a.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the joined upper case 11a and lower case 11b taken along line xx in FIG.

[0028] Each of the two fitting holes PTO of the recess RCS of the upper case 11a has a length shorter than the length of the fitting protrusion PT of the protective cover 12 so that the fitting protrusion extension portion PTE at the tip of the fitting protrusion PT engages with the outlet recess EXR at the lower part of the outlet.

[0029] The hook portion SF1 (see FIG. 5) of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO enters between the hole lower surface SFOL and the hole upper surface SFOU of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO in the recess RCS of the lower case 11b via the guide groove GG.

[0030] (Explanation of operation) 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing how the protective cover 12 fits into the L-shaped recesses RCS of the upper case 11a and the lower case 11b. Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing 10 (joined upper case 11a and lower case 11b and protective cover 12) taken along line xx in Fig. 1.

[0031] First, as shown in FIG. 7, the snap-fit ​​projection SF of the protective cover 12 is inserted so that the hook portion SF1 on the tip side thereof faces the snap-fit ​​hole SFO via the guide groove GG of the lower case 11b.

[0032] 8, the snap-fit ​​projection SF of the protective cover 12 advances further, and the lower end SFL of the hook portion SF1 at the tip side comes into contact with the edge of the bottom surface SFOL of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO, the hook portion SF1 is lifted upward, and the snap-fit ​​projection SF advances while elastically deforming. At the same time, the fitting projection PT of the protective cover 12 is inserted by its fitting projection extension portion PTE sliding along the bottom surface of the fitting hole PTO of the upper case 11a.

[0033] Next, as shown in Fig. 9, the lower end SFL of the hook portion SF1 of the protective cover 12 climbs over the hole upper surface SFOU of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO, the elastic deformation of the snap-fit ​​protrusion SF is released, and the lower end SFL of the hook portion SF1 is hooked onto the edge side surface continuing to the hole lower surface SFOL of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO. At the same time, the fitting protrusion PT of the protective cover 12 is fixed by its fitting protrusion extension PTE engaging with the exit recess EXR at the lower part of the exit of the fitting hole PTO of the upper case 11a. In this way, the protective cover 12 fits into the recesses RCS of the upper case 11a and the lower case 11b (see Fig. 1).

[0034] Furthermore, when removing protective cover 12 after it has been closed, the leaf spring portion SF3 (see Figure 5) next to the hook portion SF1 of the snap-fit ​​protrusion SF can be pressed upward while being pulled, so that the lower end portion SFL of hook portion SF1 of protective cover 12 remains raised and clears the bottom surface SFOL of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO, thereby releasing protective cover 12.

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, by using a fitting structure of the fitting projection extension part PTE with a snap-fit ​​shape on the horizontal part 12H on the horizontal surface side of the L-shaped protective cover 12 and a concave-convex shape on the vertical part 12E on the vertical surface side, it is possible to increase the fitting retention force while maintaining the ease of removal. According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the protective cover 12 from coming off when an unintended impact is given to the electronic device, such as when the user unintentionally drops the electronic device.

[0036] (Variation 1) 10 is an enlarged partial perspective view (however, only the wall of the recess RCS of the upper case 11a facing the protective cover 12) showing a modification in which the exit recess EXR at the bottom of the exit of the fitting hole PTO of the upper case 11a is removed from the above embodiment. The fitting-projection extension PTE at the tip of the fitting projection PT of the protective cover 12 is the same as in the above embodiment, but by further reducing the wall thickness WTH (see FIG. 6) of the opposing recess RCS of the upper case 11a and setting the length of the fitting hole PTO of the upper case 11a to the height up to the fitting-projection extension PTE of the fitting projection PT, it is possible to omit the exit recess EXR at the bottom of the exit of the fitting hole PTO.

[0037] (Variation 2) 11 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a modified example in which the fitting projection extension PTE at the tip of the fitting projection PT of the protective cover 12 is further enlarged than in the above embodiment (however, only the wall of the recess RCS of the upper case 11a facing the protective cover 12 is shown). The wall thickness WTH of the recess RCS of the upper case 11a is the same as in the above modification example 1, but in addition to the fitting projection extension PTE at the tip of the fitting projection PT of the protective cover 12, a second fitting projection extension PTE2 is added in the direction away from the side of the protective cover 12. The fitting projection extension PTE in the above embodiment is effective against downward pressure on the protective cover 12, but by adding the second fitting projection extension PTE2, removal of the protective cover 12 is further hindered by pressure in the left and right directions on the protective cover 12 as well.

[0038] (Specific examples) By further satisfying the dimensional and material conditions A, B, C, D, and E shown in FIG. 12 from this fitted state, the fitting retention force can be improved while maintaining the ease of removal. When the dimensions A, B, C, D, E, and F below are specified, the necessary dimensional conditions are expressed by the following formulas (1) to (5).

[0039] (Dimensional conditions) A: The upper gap dimension between the fitting hole PTO of the upper case 11a and the fitting protrusion PT of the protective cover 12 B: The gap dimension at the bottom between the fitting hole PTO of the upper case 11a and the fitting projection PT of the protective cover 12 C: Radius dimension of the fitting projection extension portion PTE having a semicircular convex cross-sectional shape at the tip of the fitting projection PT of the protective cover 12 CB: Vertical displacement of the mating projection extension part PTE within the mating hole PTO D: Radius dimension of outlet recess EXR having a circular arc-shaped concave cross-sectional shape at the bottom of the outlet of the fitting hole PTO of the upper case 11a having a complementary shape to the fitting protrusion extension portion PTE E: The upper gap dimension between the snap-fit ​​hole SFO of the lower case 11b and the snap-fit ​​protrusion SF of the protective cover 12 (when engaged) F: Engagement dimension between the snap-fit ​​protrusion SF and the edge of the snap-fit ​​hole SFO (when engaged) (1) A=B (2) 0.1≦CB≦0.2 (3) C≦0.4 (4) E>F (5) 0.3 <F<0.4 (Unit: mm).

[0040] (Material conditions) Thermoplastic synthetic resin is used as the material of the upper case 11a and the lower case 11b of the housing 10 and the protective cover 12. Examples of general-purpose plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC). Engineering plastics can also be used for the housing 10. The upper case 11a and the lower case 11b and the protective cover 12 may be formed using a metal material, or may be formed using an insert molding method that integrates metal and resin. In the embodiment, the upper case 11a (peripheral wall side plate portion) and the lower case 11b (bottom plate portion) are described as being made of separate members that fit together, but the present invention also includes a case in which the upper case 11a (peripheral wall side plate portion) and the lower case 11b (bottom plate portion) are integrated and an additional lid is used for the upper opening.

[0041] By providing a fitting structure with a snap-fit ​​shape and a concave-convex shape, when fitting an L-shaped protective cover to a housing, the fitting retention force can be increased while maintaining ease of removal. This makes it possible to prevent the protective cover from coming off when an unexpected impact force is applied to the electronic device, such as when it is dropped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10…Housing 11a…Upper case 11b…Lower case 12…Protective cover PT…Mating protrusion (first mating part) PTO…Fitting hole (first engagement part) SF…Snap fit protrusion (second fitting part) SFO...Snap fit hole (second engagement part) PTE: Mating projection extension

Claims

1. a housing including a peripheral wall side plate portion and a bottom plate portion closing an opening on a bottom surface of the housing, the housing having a recess extending from the peripheral wall side plate portion to the bottom plate portion, the housing having a first engagement portion on the peripheral wall side plate portion of the recess and a second engagement portion on the bottom plate portion of the recess; a protective cover having a shape that fits into the recess and having a first fitting portion and a second fitting portion that are inserted into the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively; an electronic device housing, wherein the first fitting portion has a convex structure formed of an extension portion extending from a peripheral edge of a tip of the first fitting portion in a direction intersecting with an insertion direction;

2. 2. The electronic device housing according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion extends toward the bottom plate portion.

3. 2. The electronic device housing according to claim 1, wherein the second fitting portion is engaged with the second engagement portion in the form of a snap-fit ​​fastener.

4. 2. The electronic device housing according to claim 1, wherein the first fitting portion has two protruding structures biased in a circumferential direction of the peripheral wall side plate portion.

5. 4. The electronic device housing according to claim 3, wherein the recess has an opening in the peripheral wall side plate portion that is protected by the protective cover.

6. 2. The electronic device housing according to claim 1, wherein the bottom plate and the peripheral side plate are separate members that fit together.

7. The electronic device housing of claim 1, characterized in that the cross-section of the recess extending from the peripheral wall side plate portion to the bottom plate portion is an L-shaped recess, and the protective cover has an L-shape such that the cross-section that fits into the L-shaped recess is L-shaped.

8. A protective cover for a housing, comprising a peripheral wall side plate portion and a bottom plate portion closing an opening on a bottom surface of the peripheral wall side plate portion, having a recess extending from the peripheral wall side plate portion to the bottom plate portion, a first engagement portion on the peripheral wall side plate portion of the recess and a second engagement portion on the bottom plate portion of the recess, the cross section of the recess extending from the peripheral wall side plate portion to the bottom plate portion being an L-shaped recess, the protective cover has an L-shape having an L-shaped cross section that fits into the L-shaped recess, and has a first fitting portion and a second fitting portion that are inserted into the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, respectively; A protective cover characterized in that the first fitting portion has a convex structure consisting of an extension portion extending from the peripheral edge of the tip of the first fitting portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction.

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