Connection structure of unit equipment

Abstract

To make it possible to suppress a load applied to a connector.SOLUTION: A connection structure of unit equipment 10 includes a one-face-side connection component 16A that extends from a top surface 14A of a first unit housing 12A, which is one of one face of the first unit housing 12A or one face of a second unit housing 12B, and can be arranged along a top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B, which is the other of the one face of the first unit housing 12A or the one face of the second unit housing 12B. The connection structure of the unit equipment 10 includes a one-face-side guide groove 100 that is provided on the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B, which is the other one face, and that guides a one-face-side protrusion 18A provided on the one-face-side connection component 16A during connection and extends along an insertion / removal direction 20 of connectors (142, 144, 146, 148).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure for unit equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 shows a connection structure of unit devices.

[0003] When connecting adjacent unit devices, this connection structure for unit devices aligns a boss provided on a side surface of one unit device with an alignment portion provided on a side surface of the other unit device, and the connection structure connects the connector of one unit device to the connector of the other unit device.

[0004] In this state, the connecting structure rotates the connecting fittings provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the other unit device, and hooks of the connecting fittings are hooked onto the hooking projections of the one unit device, thereby connecting the one unit device to the other unit device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-267424 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] This connection structure for unit devices causes rattling in the unit devices when the connecting fittings are removed, which can result in a large load being placed on the connectors when connecting or disconnecting the unit devices to each other.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to make it possible to suppress the load applied to the connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A connecting structure for unit devices in one embodiment of the present invention is a connecting structure in which, when a first unit housing of a first unit device and a second unit housing of a second unit device arranged adjacent to each other are connected, a connector provided on a side portion of the first unit housing and a connector provided on a side portion of the second unit housing are connected, the connecting structure comprises a one-face-side connecting component extending from one of the one face of the first unit housing or the one face of the second unit housing and capable of being arranged along the other of the one face of the first unit housing or the one face of the second unit housing, and a one-face-side guide groove provided on the other face that guides a one-face-side protrusion provided on the one-face-side connecting component when connected and extends along the insertion / removal direction of the connector. Effect of the Invention

[0009] In this embodiment, the one-face-side connecting component extends from one of the one face of the first unit housing or the one face of the second unit housing, and the other face has a one-face-side guide groove extending in the insertion / removal direction of the connector for guiding the one-face-side protrusion of the one-face-side connecting component.

[0010] When the first and second unit housings are brought close to each other, the one-side projection of the one-side connecting part provided on one side is guided along the one-side guide groove provided on the other side in the insertion / removal direction of the connector, and the connector of the first unit housing and the connector of the second unit housing are connected to each other.

[0011] On the other hand, when the adjacent first and second unit housings are moved away from each other, the one-face projection of the one-face connecting part provided on one face is guided in the insertion / removal direction of the connector along the one-face guide groove provided on the other face, and the connector of the first unit housing and the connector of the second unit housing are separated from each other.

[0012] In this way, the connecting structure of the unit equipment can regulate the movement of the first unit housing and the second unit housing in the direction of insertion / removal of the connectors when the first unit housing and the second unit housing are moved relative to each other to insert and remove the connectors of both unit housings.

[0013] Here, if the unit housings can move in any direction when they are moved closer to or farther apart, for example, the first unit housing may move in a diagonal direction relative to the insertion / removal direction of the connector. In contrast, the unit device connection structure can restrict the movement of both unit housings in the insertion / removal direction of the connector when they are moved closer to or farther apart. Therefore, compared to the case where the first unit housing can move in a diagonal direction relative to the insertion / removal direction of the connector, the unit device connection structure can suppress the load generated on the connector.

[0014] This makes it possible to prevent problems caused by the load applied to the connector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection structure of unit devices according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a main part of the second unit housing. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the connecting part. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the connecting part. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an insertion hole of a connecting part. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a main part of a connecting part. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts, showing a state in which the head of the screw inserted through the insertion hole of the connecting part is in contact with a metal plate. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the unit equipment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the unit device as viewed from the left. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts showing the connecting portion between adjacent unit housings. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the unit device as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of the unit device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cross section of the unit device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view showing the left side of the unit device. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a force is applied to the first unit housing and the second unit housing that are connected in a direction in which they move away from each other. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a connection portion between the connector of the first unit housing and the connector of the second unit housing. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the connector of the first unit housing and the connector of the second unit housing. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the protrusions provided on the connecting parts and the guide grooves provided on the top plate. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a first modified example of a connecting part. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a second modified example of the connecting part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a connection structure of the unit device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection structure of the unit device 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a main part of the second unit housing 12B.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, adjacent unit devices 10 (10A, 10B) are connected by a connection structure of the unit devices 10 according to this embodiment.

[0019] An example of the unit devices 10 (10A, 10B) to be connected is an observation device that digitally processes and stores measured signals. An example of the observation device is a multi-channel data logger used in battery charge / discharge tests. By connecting unit devices 10 (10A, 10B) that are composed of data loggers, it is possible to increase the number of measurable channels.

[0020] (connected structure) 1 and 2 show a state in which the first unit housing 12A of the first unit device 10A and the second unit housing 12B of the second unit device 10B are connected by the connection structure of the unit device 10 according to this embodiment. In the connected state in which both unit housings 12A and 12B are connected, connectors (142, 144) on the side surface of the first unit housing 12A are connected to connectors (146, 148) on the side surface of the second unit housing 12B (see FIG. 2).

[0021] The connection structure of the unit device 10 includes a one-face side connection part 16A that extends from a top surface 14A as one surface of the first unit housing 12A and can be arranged along a top surface 14B as one surface of the second unit housing 12B. The connection structure of this unit device 10 includes a one-face side guide groove 100 (see FIG. 8) that is provided on the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B and guides a one-face side protrusion 18A provided on the one-face side connection part 16A during connection. The one-face side guide groove 100 extends along the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148).

[0022] The connection structure of the unit device 10 also includes an other-side connecting part 16B that extends from a bottom surface 22A as the other side of the first unit housing 12A and can be arranged along a bottom surface 22B as the other side of the second unit housing 12B. The connection structure of the unit device 10 also includes an other-side guide groove 120 (see FIG. 11) that is provided on the bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B and guides an other-side protrusion 18B provided on the other-side connecting part 16B during connection. The other-side guide groove 120 extends along the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148).

[0023] In this embodiment, the first unit housing 12A of the first unit device 10A and the second unit housing 12B of the second unit device 10B are connected by the connection structure of the unit device 10, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the connection structure of the unit device 10 in this embodiment can connect three or more unit devices 10.

[0024] In addition, in this embodiment, the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B are connected using the one-side connecting part 16A and the other-side connecting part 16B, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in this embodiment, the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B may be connected using either the one-side connecting part 16A or the other-side connecting part 16B.

[0025] In this embodiment, the one-surface connecting part 16A protruding from the right side surface 42A of the first unit housing 12A extends toward the second unit housing 12B, and the one-surface protrusion 18A of the one-surface connecting part 16A is guided by the one-surface guide groove 100 of the second unit housing 12B. However, this embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, the one-surface connecting part 16A protruding from the left side surface 90B of the second unit housing 12B may extend toward the first unit housing 12A, and the one-surface protrusion 18A of the one-surface connecting part 16A may be guided by the one-surface guide groove 100 formed in the first unit housing 12A.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the top surfaces 14A, 14B of the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B are connected to each other by the one-surface connecting part 16A, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, for example, the front surfaces 28A, 28B of the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B or the back surfaces 30A, 30B of the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B may be connected to each other by the one-surface connecting part 16A.

[0027] In this embodiment, the other side connecting part 16B protruding from the right side surface 42A of the first unit housing 12A extends toward the second unit housing 12B, and the other side projection 18B of the other side connecting part 16B is guided by the other side guide groove 120 of the second unit housing 12B. However, this embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, the other side connecting part 16B protruding from the left side surface 90B of the second unit housing 12B may extend toward the first unit housing 12A, and the other side projection 18B of the other side connecting part 16B may be guided by the other side guide groove 120 formed in the first unit housing 12A.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the bottom surfaces 22A, 22B of the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B are connected to each other by the other-side connecting part 16B, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, for example, the front surfaces 28A, 28B or the rear surfaces 30A, 30B of the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B may be connected to each other by the other-side connecting part 16B.

[0029] Next, each part of the connection structure of the unit device 10 according to this embodiment will be specifically described.

[0030] (Connecting parts) The one-side connecting part 16A and the other-side connecting part 16B described above are configured in the same manner, and the connecting parts 16 constituting the one-side connecting part 16A and the other-side connecting part 16B will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the connecting part 16. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the connecting part 16. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an insertion hole 56 of the connecting part 16. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of the main part of the connecting part 16. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing a state in which the head of the screw inserted through the insertion hole 56 of the connecting part 16 is in contact with the metal plate 46.

[0032] 3, the connecting part 16 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The connecting part 16 is large enough to protrude from the right side surface 42 of the unit housing 12 when fixed to the top surface 14 (14A, 14B) or the bottom surface 22 (22A, 22B) of the corresponding unit housing 12 (see FIGS. 8, 9, 11, and 12).

[0033] The connecting part 16 is formed by insert molding a metal plate 46 as a one-side metal plate or an opposite-side metal plate into a resin part 44 made of synthetic resin.

[0034] The metal plate 46 constitutes the one-surface side metal plate when the connecting part 16 is used as the one-surface side connecting part 16A, and constitutes the other-surface side metal plate when the connecting part 16 is used as the other-surface side connecting part 16B.

[0035] The resin portion 44 covers the front surface 82 side (see FIG. 4) of the metal plate 46, and the metal plate 46 is exposed on the back surface 80 of the connecting part 16 (see FIG. 3).

[0036] (Cylindrical part) A pair of cylindrical portions 48 are integrally formed in the connecting part 16 at the portion of the metal plate 46 fixed to each unit housing 12 (12A, 12B). A fixing screw 50 is inserted into each cylindrical portion 48, and each fixing screw 50 is screwed into a screw hole 51 (see FIG. 10) in the top surface 14 or the bottom surface 22 of the corresponding unit housing 12. In this way, the connecting part 16 is fixed to the corresponding unit housing 12.

[0037] In a fixed state in which the connecting part 16 is fixed to the corresponding unit housing 12 , the cylindrical portion 48 is electrically connected to the metal top surface 14 or bottom surface 22 of the corresponding unit housing 12 .

[0038] (protrusion) The protrusion 18 constituting the one-side protrusion 18A or the other-side protrusion 18B provided on the connecting part 16 is composed of a screw protrusion 18-1 as the one-side screw protrusion 18-1A or the other-side screw protrusion 18-1B provided at both longitudinal ends of the connecting part 16 (see Figure 8).

[0039] The protrusion 18 constitutes a one-side protrusion 18A when the connecting part 16 is used as a one-side connecting part 16A, and constitutes a other-side protrusion 18B when the connecting part 16 is used as a other-side connecting part 16B. The screw protrusion 18-1 constitutes a one-side screw protrusion 18-1A when the connecting part 16 is used as a one-side connecting part 16A, and constitutes a other-side screw protrusion 18-1B when the connecting part 16 is used as a other-side connecting part 16B (see FIG. 8).

[0040] Furthermore, the protrusion 18 constituting the one-surface side protrusion 18A or the other-surface side protrusion 18B is configured to include a contact protrusion 18-2 as the one-surface side contact protrusion 18-2A or the other-surface side contact protrusion 18-2B provided in the middle of both screw protrusions 18-1, 18-1 (see FIG. 8).

[0041] The contact protrusion 18-2 constitutes a one-side contact protrusion 18-2A when the connecting part 16 is used as a one-side connecting part 16A, and constitutes a other-side contact protrusion 18-2B when the connecting part 16 is used as an other-side connecting part 16B (see Figure 8).

[0042] (Screw protrusion) The screw projection 18-1 is formed with an insertion hole 56 constituting a one-surface insertion hole 56A or an other-surface insertion hole 56B into which a stepped screw 54 as a one-surface screw or an other-surface screw is inserted (see FIG. 8).

[0043] The stepped screw 54 constitutes a one-surface side screw when the connecting part 16 is used as the one-surface side connecting part 16A, and constitutes a other-surface side screw when the connecting part 16 is used as the other-surface side connecting part 16B.

[0044] The insertion hole 56 forms a one-surface side insertion hole 56A when the connecting part 16 is used as a one-surface side connecting part 16A, and forms an other-surface side insertion hole 56B when the connecting part 16 is used as an other-surface side connecting part 16B (see FIG. 8).

[0045] 4, the stepped screw 54 includes a head 60, a cylindrical portion 62 extending from the head 60, and a threaded portion 64 extending from the cylindrical portion 62. An outer diameter 66 of the cylindrical portion 62 is smaller than a nominal diameter 68 of the threaded portion 64.

[0046] The screw projection 18-1 is made of synthetic resin and is integral with the metal plate 46, and the screw projection 18-1 is integral with the resin portion 44.

[0047] 4, a cylindrical portion 72 is formed in the resin portion 44 covering the front surface 82 of the metal plate 46. The cylindrical portion 72 extends toward the back surface 80 along the inner peripheral surface of an opening 70 provided in the metal plate 46. The space inside the cylindrical portion 72 constitutes an insertion hole 56, and the insertion hole 56 passes through the connecting part 16.

[0048] The cylindrical portion 72 has a large diameter at a portion that protrudes toward the rear surface 80 of the metal plate 46, and this large diameter portion constitutes a screw projection 18-1 (see FIG. 3).

[0049] The insertion hole 56 is formed with a small diameter portion 76 constituting the one-surface side small diameter portion or the other-surface side small diameter portion having a small inner diameter dimension 74, and a large diameter portion 78 having an inner diameter dimension larger than that of the small diameter portion 76. The small diameter portion 76 is formed inside the opening 70 provided in the metal plate 46, in a portion on the front surface 82 side of the metal plate 46.

[0050] The small diameter portion 76 constitutes a one surface side small diameter portion when the connecting part 16 is used as a one surface side connecting part 16A, and constitutes an other surface side small diameter portion when the connecting part 16 is used as a other surface side connecting part 16B.

[0051] The inner diameter dimension 74 of the small diameter portion 76 is smaller than the nominal diameter 68 of the stepped screw 54. The inner diameter dimension of the large diameter portion 78 is larger than the nominal diameter 68 of the stepped screw 54. When the threaded portion 64 of the stepped screw 54 is screwed into the small diameter portion 76, a female thread is formed in the small diameter portion 76. When the threaded portion 64 passes through the small diameter portion 76, the cylindrical portion 62 of the stepped screw 54 is located in the small diameter portion 76. The stepped screw 54 is allowed to move in the axial direction within the range in which the cylindrical portion 62 is located in the small diameter portion 76. In this state, the threaded portion 64 of the stepped screw 54 abuts against the threaded portion formed in the small diameter portion 76, thereby preventing the stepped screw 54 from falling off the connecting part 16.

[0052] 5 and 6, the metal plate 46 is formed with three slits 84 extending radially outward from the opening 70. As a result, when the metal plate 46 is insert-molded into the resin part 44, the synthetic resin flows along the slits 84, making it easy to form the tubular part 72 along the inner circumferential surface of the opening 70.

[0053] A countersunk hole 86 is formed on the outer periphery of the insertion hole 56 that opens into the resin portion 44 of the connecting part 16. At the bottom of this countersunk hole 86, a part of the metal plate 46 is exposed.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, when the stepped screw 54 is screwed into the unit housing 12, the head 60 of the stepped screw 54 screwed into the unit housing 12 comes into contact with the metal plate 46 exposed in the countersink 86, and the metal plate 46 and the unit housing 12 are electrically connected.

[0055] (Contact protrusion) 3, the contact protrusion 18-2 is integrally formed with the metal plate 46. The contact protrusion 18-2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the tip surface of the contact protrusion 18-2 constitutes a contact surface 88 as a one-side contact surface 88A or an other-side contact surface 88B that can electrically contact the top surface 14 or the bottom surface 22 of the unit housing 12 (see FIG. 8).

[0056] The contact surface 88 constitutes a one-side contact surface 88A when the connecting part 16 is used as a one-side connecting part 16A, and constitutes an other-side contact surface 88B when the connecting part 16 is used as an other-side connecting part 16B (see FIG. 8).

[0057] (Unit equipment) The first unit device 10A and the second unit device 10B have the same configuration, and the unit devices 10 constituting the first unit device 10A and the second unit device 10B will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 14.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the unit device 10. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the unit device 10 as viewed from the left. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts showing the connecting portion of adjacent unit housings (12A, 12B). FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the unit device 10 as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. 12 is a view showing a vertical cross section of the unit device 10. FIG. 13 is a view showing a horizontal cross section of the unit device 10. FIG. 14 is a side view showing the left side surface 90 of the unit device 10.

[0059] (Unit housing) 8, the unit housing 12 of the unit device 10 is formed into a rectangular shape from a metal plate. The unit housing 12 has a rectangular bottom surface 22, a front surface 28 extending from the front edge of the bottom surface 22, and a back surface 30 extending from the rear edge of the bottom surface 22. The unit housing 12 also has a left side surface 90 extending from the left edge of the bottom surface 22, a right side surface 42 extending from the right edge of the bottom surface 22, and a top surface 14 as one surface connecting the upper edges of the front surface 28, the back surface 30, the left side surface 90, and the right side surface 42.

[0060] 8 and 9, a one-face-side fixing part 94 is provided in the right-side area of ​​the top surface 14 of the unit housing 12, and a one-face-side connecting part 16A made of the connecting part 16 is fixed to the one-face-side fixing part 94 with a metal fixing screw 50. A part of the one-face-side connecting part 16A extends from the right side surface 42 while being fixed to the top surface 14 of the unit housing 12.

[0061] A one-face recess 98 is formed in the left region of the top surface 14 of the unit housing 12, for positioning a part of the one-face connecting part 16A extending from the unit housing 12 arranged to the left. A one-face guide groove 100 is formed in the one-face recess 98, which guides the one-face protrusion 18A provided on the one-face connecting part 16A during connection and extends along the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148).

[0062] (Guide groove on one side) The one-surface-side guide groove 100 includes a pair of one-surface-side screw projection guide grooves 100-1 in which the one-surface-side screw projections 18-1A of the one-surface-side connecting component 16A are guided. The one-surface-side guide groove 100 also includes a one-surface-side contact projection guide groove 100-2 in which the one-surface-side contact projections 18-2A of the one-surface-side connecting component 16A are guided.

[0063] At the bottom of the one-face-side screw-projection guide groove 100-1, there is provided a one-face-side screw-insertion portion 102 into which the stepped screw 54, which is the one-face-side screw of the one-face-side screw projection 18-1A, is screwed in with the one-face-side screw projection 18-1A of the one-face-side connecting component 16A being arranged. The one-face-side screw-insertion portion 102 is integrally formed with the top surface 14.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, when the one-face side connecting part 16A is screwed into the one-face side screwing portion 102 of the second unit housing 12B with the stepped screw 54, the one-face side contact surface 88A of the one-face side contact protrusion 18-2A is in electrical contact with the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B.

[0065] 8 and 11, an other-surface fixing part 110 is provided in the right-side region of the bottom surface 22 of the unit housing 12, and an other-surface connecting part 16B made of the connecting part 16 is fixed to the other-surface fixing part 110 with a metal fixing screw 50. The other-surface connecting part 16B extends from the right side surface 42 while being fixed to the bottom surface 22 of the unit housing 12.

[0066] An other-side recess 112 is formed in the left region of the bottom surface 22 of the unit housing 12, for positioning a part of the other-side connecting part 16B extending from the unit housing 12 disposed adjacent to the left. The other-side recess 112 guides the other-side protrusion 18B provided on the other-side connecting part 16B during connection (see FIG. 8), and has an other-side guide groove 120 formed therein that extends along the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148).

[0067] (Guide groove on other side) The other surface side guide groove 120 includes a pair of other surface side screw projection guide grooves 120-1 in which the other surface side screw projections 18-1B of the other surface side connecting part 16B are respectively guided (see FIG. 8). The other surface side guide groove 120 also includes an other surface side contact projection guide groove 120-2 in which the other surface side contact projection 18-2B of the other surface side connecting part 16B is guided.

[0068] At the bottom of the other-side screw-projection guide groove 120-1, there is provided an other-side screw-in portion 122 into which the stepped screw 54 as the other-side screw of the other-side screw projection 18-1B of the other-side connecting part 16B is screwed in with the other-side screw projection 18-1B being disposed (see FIGS. 8 and 11). The other-side screw-in portion 122 is integrally formed with the bottom surface 22.

[0069] (internal structure) 12, a main board 130 on which an electronic circuit is configured is provided inside the unit housing 12. The main board 130 extends along the left side surface 90 and the right side surface 42, and has a size ranging from the front surface 28 side to the rear surface 30 side.

[0070] 13, inside unit housing 12, sub-board 132 is provided along rear surface 30. The aforementioned connectors (146, 148) arranged on the left side surface of unit housing 12 are provided in an area on the left side of sub-board 132. The aforementioned connectors (142, 144) arranged on the right side surface of unit housing 12 are provided in an area on the right side of sub-board 132.

[0071] (connector) As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 13, the connectors (146, 148) located on the left side surface are composed of a power female connector 146 located on the top surface 14 side, and a signal female connector 148 located on the bottom surface 22 side. The connectors (142, 144) located on the right side surface are composed of a power male connector 142 located on the top surface 14 side, and a signal male connector 144 located on the bottom surface 22 side.

[0072] A high voltage and a large current are applied to power supply male connector 142 and power supply female connector 146. Power supply male connector 142 and power supply female connector 146 are configured as DIP type connectors in which each terminal is soldered while being inserted into a through hole in sub-board 132.

[0073] Furthermore, the signal male connector 144 and the signal female connector 148 transmit electrical signals. Examples of the transmitted electrical signals include digital signals and analog signals. The signal male connector 144 and the signal female connector 148 are configured as SMD type connectors in which each terminal is soldered to a printed wiring formed on the sub-board 132.

[0074] The signal male connector 144 and the signal female connector 148 are more suitable for high-speed data transmission than the power male connector 142 and the power female connector 146. On the other hand, the signal male connector 144 and the signal female connector 148 have lower fixing strength to the sub-board 132 than the power male connector 142 and the power female connector 146.

[0075] The power male connector 142 can be connected to the power female connector 146, and the signal male connector 144 can be connected to the signal female connector 148. Thus, by arranging the unit devices 10 adjacent to each other and connecting them, the power male connector 142 of one unit device 10 is connected to the power female connector 146 of the other unit device 10. Also, the signal male connector 144 of one unit device 10 is connected to the signal female connector 148 of the other unit device 10.

[0076] 2 and 13, the terminals of the male power connector 142 and the terminals of the female power connector 146 are electrically connected by printed wiring provided on the sub-board 132. This allows the unit housing 12 to relay power between the unit housing 12 connected to the left side portion and the unit housing 12 connected to the right side portion.

[0077] Furthermore, the terminals of the signal male connector 144 and the terminals of the signal female connector 148 are electrically connected by printed wiring provided on the sub-board 132. This allows the unit housing 12 to relay electrical signals between the unit housing 12 connected to the left side portion and the unit housing 12 connected to the right side portion.

[0078] (Guide structure) 8, guide walls (150, 152) are provided on the right side surface 42 of the unit housing 12. The guide walls (150, 152) include a power supply guide wall 150 provided on the outer periphery of the power supply male connector 142, and a signal guide wall 152 provided on the outer periphery of the signal male connector 144.

[0079] The power supply guide wall 150 includes a power supply guide body 150A extending along the longitudinal direction of the power supply male connector 142. The power supply guide wall 150 also includes a power supply one-side extension portion 150B extending from an edge of the power supply guide body 150A on the top surface 14 side toward the back surface 30 side. The power supply guide wall 150 also includes a power supply other-side extension portion 150C extending from an edge of the power supply guide body 150A on the bottom surface 22 side toward the back surface 30 side. As a result, the power supply guide wall 150 surrounds the power supply male connector 142 and is formed in a U-shape that opens toward the back surface 30 side.

[0080] The signal guide wall 152 includes a signal guide body 152A extending along the longitudinal direction of the signal male connector 144. The signal guide wall 152 also includes a signal one-side extension portion 152B extending from an edge of the signal guide body 152A on the top surface 14 side toward the back surface 30 side. The signal guide wall 152 also includes a signal other-side extension portion 152C extending from an edge of the signal guide body 152A on the bottom surface 22 side toward the back surface 30 side. As a result, the signal guide wall 152 surrounds the signal male connector 144 and is formed in a U-shape that opens toward the back surface 30 side.

[0081] 9 and 14, insertion portions (160, 162) into which the guide walls (150, 152) are inserted in the connected state are provided on the left side surface 90 of the unit housing 12. The insertion portions (160, 162) include a power insertion portion 160 and a signal insertion portion 162.

[0082] The power supply insertion portion 160 is configured as an opening formed in the left side surface 90 of the unit housing 12. Inside the power supply insertion portion 160, a female power supply connector 146 is disposed.

[0083] A power supply guide body edge 164 is provided on the edge of the power supply insertion portion 160, which corresponds to the power supply guide body 150A of the power supply guide wall 150. A power supply guide body receding wall 166 is formed on the power supply guide body edge 164, which recedes inward.

[0084] The signal insertion portion 162 is configured as an opening formed in the left side surface 90 of the unit housing 12. Inside the signal insertion portion 162, the signal female connector 148 is disposed.

[0085] A signal guide body edge 168 corresponding to the signal guide body 152A of the signal guide wall 152 is provided on the edge of the signal insertion portion 162. A signal guide body receding wall 172 receding inward is formed on the signal guide body edge 168.

[0086] (Guide function) Next, the guide function in the connection structure of the unit devices 10 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0087] Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a force F is applied to the coupled first unit housing 12A and second unit housing 12B in a direction in which they move away from each other. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a connection portion between the connector (144) of the first unit housing 12A and the connector (148) of the second unit housing 12B.

[0088] 15 and 16, when both connected unit devices 10A, 10B are removed from the front faces 28A, 28B, a force F is applied to the first unit housing 12A or the second unit housing 12B in a direction in which the front faces 28A, 28A of the unit housings 12A, 12B move away from each other. Then, at least one of the first unit housing 12A or the second unit housing 12B is rotated about an abutment point 170 between an end of the first unit housing 12A on the rear face 30A side and an end of the second unit housing 12B on the rear face 30B side (see FIG. 16).

[0089] When at least one of the unit housings 12A, 12B is rotated, the signal male connector 144 and the signal female connector 148 are relatively displaced in a cross direction 174 that crosses the insertion / removal direction 20 of both connectors 144,148.

[0090] At this time, the relationship between the signal guide wall 152 and the signal insertion portion 162 is configured so that the signal guide main body 152A of the signal guide wall 152 abuts against the signal guide main body rearward wall 172, which is the inner wall surface of the signal insertion portion 162, before the relative displacement 185 (see Figure 17) of the two connectors 144, 148 in the intersecting direction 174 exceeds the allowable amount that allows displacement in the intersecting direction 174.

[0091] When the signal guide main body 152A of the signal guide wall 152 abuts against the signal guide main body rearward wall 172 of the signal insertion portion 162, the rotation of both unit housings 12A, 12B is prevented. As a result, a rotation prevention state 176 is formed in which the rotation of both unit housings 12A, 12B about the abutment point 170 is prevented.

[0092] Here, the allowable amount of displacement in the intersecting direction 174 is, for example, a floating amount 186 that can maintain the electrical connection between each connector 144, 148 and the printed wiring even if the signal female connector 148, whose terminals are soldered to the printed wiring of the sub-board 132, is displaced in the intersecting direction 174 (see Figure 17).

[0093] (Rotation prevented state) This rotation-blocked state 176 will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0094] Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the connector (144) of the first unit housing 12A and the connector (148) of the second unit housing 12B. Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the protrusion 18 (18-1A) provided on the connecting part 16 and the guide groove (100-1) provided in the top surface 14.

[0095] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, a distance 182 from a contact point 180 where the signal male connector 144 of the first unit housing 12A and the signal female connector 148 of the second unit housing 12B meet on the front side 28 to the abutment point 170 of both unit housings 12A, 12B is, as an example, approximately 23 mm (see Figure 16).

[0096] Moreover, the mating length 184 between the signal male connector 144 and the signal female connector 148 when the signal male connector 144 is mated with the signal female connector 148 is, for example, about 2 mm.

[0097] The floating amount 186 by which the signal male connector 144 or the signal female connector 148 can be displaced in the intersecting direction 174 is set to, for example, 0.5 mm (see FIG. 17).

[0098] In this case, when both unit housings 12A, 12B are rotated around the abutment point 170 by a predetermined angle α of approximately 1.27 degrees, the signal guide body 152A of the signal guide wall 152 abuts against the signal guide body rear wall 172 of the signal insertion portion 162, resulting in a rotation prevention state 176 (see Figure 16).

[0099] As shown in FIG. 18, if the distance 192 from the center 190 of the one-face side screw protrusion 18-1A arranged on the front surface 28 side of the one-face side connecting part 16A to the abutment point 170 of both unit housings 12A, 12B is set to approximately 127 mm, for example, the gap dimension 194 from the one-face side screw protrusion 18-1A to the wall surface of the corresponding one-face side screw protrusion guide groove 100-1 is set to approximately 0.2 mm, for example.

[0100] In this case, when both unit housings 12A, 12B are rotated by a predetermined angle α of approximately 1.27 degrees around the abutment point 170, the one-side screw protrusion 18-1A abuts against the wall surface of the one-side screw protrusion guide groove 100-1 at the abutment point 196, so that the aforementioned rotation prevention state 176 is formed.

[0101] The relationship between the other-side screw projection 18-1B of the other-side connecting part 16B and the other-side screw projection guide groove 120-1 is also configured in the same manner as described above.

[0102] (Action and Effects) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0103] The connection structure of the unit device 10 in this embodiment is a connection structure in which, in a connection state in which the first unit housing 12A of the first unit device 10A and the second unit housing 12B of the second unit device 10B arranged adjacent to each other are connected, connectors (142, 144) provided on the side portion of the first unit housing 12A are connected to connectors (146, 148) provided on the side portion of the second unit housing 12B. The connection structure of the unit device 10 includes a one-surface-side connection part 16A that extends from a top surface 14A of the first unit housing 12A, which is one of the surfaces of the first unit housing 12A or the second unit housing 12B, and can be arranged along a top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B, which is the other of the surfaces of the first unit housing 12A or the second unit housing 12B. The connection structure of the unit equipment 10 is provided on the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B, which is the other surface, and is equipped with a one-surface guide groove 100 that guides the one-surface protrusion 18A provided on the one-surface connecting part 16A during connection and extends along the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148).

[0104] According to this configuration, one-surface-side connecting component 16A extends from top surface 14A of first unit housing 12A. Also, one-surface-side guide groove 100 for guiding one-surface-side protrusion 18A of one-surface-side connecting component 16A extends in insertion / removal direction 20 of connectors (142, 144, 146, 148) on top surface 14A of second unit housing 12B.

[0105] When the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B are brought close to each other, the one-face side protrusion 18A of the one-face side connecting part 16A provided on the top surface 14A of the first unit housing 12A is guided along the one-face side guide groove 100 provided on the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B in the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148). Then, the connectors (142, 144) of the first unit housing 12A and the connectors (146, 148) of the second unit housing 12B are connected to each other.

[0106] On the other hand, when the adjacently arranged first unit housing 12A and second unit housing 12B are moved away from each other, the one-face side projection 18A of the one-face side connecting part 16A provided on the top surface 14A of the first unit housing 12A is guided along the one-face side guide groove 100 provided on the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B in the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148). Then, the connectors (142, 144) of the first unit housing 12A and the connectors (146, 148) of the second unit housing 12B are moved away from each other.

[0107] In this way, the connecting structure of the unit equipment 10 can regulate the movement of the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B in the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148) when the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B are moved relative to each other to insert or remove the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148) of both unit housings 12A, 12B.

[0108] For this reason, when both unit housings 12A, 12B are moved closer to or farther away from each other, each unit housing 12A, 12B can be moved in a free direction, and it is possible to suppress the load acting on each connector 142, 144, 146, 148, compared to a case in which, for example, the first unit housing 12A can be moved in a diagonal direction with respect to the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148). As a result, it is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by the load acting on each connector 142, 144, 146, 148, and to improve the durability of each connector 142, 144, 146, 148.

[0109] More specifically, in order to increase the speed of data transmission, the unit device 10 of this embodiment uses SMD type connectors 144, 148. The terminals of the SMD type connectors 144, 148 are soldered to printed wiring formed on the sub-substrate 132. For this reason, the SMD type connectors 144, 148 have a lower fixing strength to the sub-substrate 132 than the DIP type connectors 142, 146, which are soldered while their terminals are inserted into through-holes in the sub-substrate 132.

[0110] In this unit housing 12, if the connectors 144, 148 are inserted and removed obliquely with respect to the insertion and removal direction 20 when repeatedly disconnecting adjacent unit housings 12, a large load is applied to the connectors 144, 148. This can cause problems such as the connectors 144, 148 floating from the sub-board 132.

[0111] Therefore, the unit device 10 restricts each unit housing 12A, 12B from moving in the insertion / removal direction 20 when the unit housing 12 is disconnected, thereby making it possible to prevent malfunctions such as each connector 144, 148 floating away from the sub-board 132.

[0112] Moreover, the connection structure of the unit device 10 in this embodiment includes a plurality of pairs of one-surface side projections 18A (18-1A, 18-2A) and one-surface side guide grooves 100 (100-1, 100-2).

[0113] According to this configuration, it is possible to further restrict the movement of the connectors 144, 148 in the diagonal direction, compared to the case where a single pair of one-face side projection 18A and one-face side guide groove 100 is provided.

[0114] In addition, in this embodiment, the one-face side protrusion 18A has an insertion hole 56 that forms a one-face side insertion hole 56A through which a stepped screw 54, which is a one-face side screw, is inserted, and the one-face side guide groove 100 (100-1) has a one-face side screw-in portion 102 into which the stepped screw 54 is screwed in.

[0115] According to this configuration, by screwing the one-surface side connecting part 16A to the second unit housing 12B, a strong connecting state can be formed.

[0116] In this embodiment, the one-face-side connecting component 16A has a metal plate 46 constituting a one-face-side metal plate electrically connected to one of the faces. The one-face-side projection 18A includes a one-face-side screw projection 18-1A having a one-face-side through-hole 56A through which a stepped screw 54, which is a one-face-side screw, is inserted, and a one-face-side contact projection 18-2A having a one-face-side contact surface 88A formed integrally with the metal plate 46 and capable of electrically contacting the other face. The one-face-side guide groove 100 (100-1) includes a one-face-side screw-in portion 102 into which the stepped screw 54, which is a one-face-side screw, is screwed.

[0117] In this configuration, the stepped screw 54 of the one-face-side connecting part 16A is screwed into the one-face-side screw-in portion 102 of the one-face-side guide groove 100 (100-1). Then, the one-face-side contact protrusion 18-2A of the one-face-side connecting part 16A electrically contacts the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B. As a result, the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B are electrically connected to each other.

[0118] In this manner, by electrically connecting the coupled first unit housing 12A and second unit housing 12B, it is possible to make the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B have the same potential. This makes it possible to improve the electrical shielding properties in the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B that are at the same potential, thereby making it possible to improve noise resistance.

[0119] In this embodiment, the one-surface-side screw protrusion 18-1A is made of synthetic resin and is integrally formed with the metal plate 46 as the one-surface-side metal plate. The one-surface-side insertion hole 56A is provided with a small diameter portion 76 as a one-surface-side small diameter portion having a diameter smaller than the nominal diameter 68 of the stepped screw 54 as the one-surface-side screw.

[0120] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the stepped screw 54 from falling off from the one-face side connecting component 16A by screwing the stepped screw 54 into the small diameter portion 76. This makes it possible to prevent the stepped screw 54 from being lost.

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, compared to a case where a fall-prevention structure is used in which the fall-prevention screw protrudes significantly before being screwed, it is possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of the stepped screw 54 from the unit housing 12. This makes it possible to arrange the unit housing 12 equipped with the one-face-side connecting part 16A having the stepped screw 54 in a space with a height restriction.

[0122] The connection structure of the unit device 10 in this embodiment includes an other-side connecting part 16B that extends from a bottom surface 22A of the first unit housing 12A, which is one of the other surfaces of the first unit housing 12A or the other surface of the second unit housing 12B, and can be arranged along a bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B, which is the other of the other surfaces of the first unit housing 12A or the other surfaces of the second unit housing 12B. The connection structure of the unit device 10 includes an other-side guide groove 120 that is provided on the bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B, which is the other other surface, and that guides an other-side protrusion 18B provided on the other-side connecting part 16B during connection and extends along the insertion / removal direction 20.

[0123] According to this configuration, the other surface side connecting part 16B extends from the bottom surface 22A of the first unit housing 12A. Also, on the bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B, the other surface side guide groove 120 that guides the other surface side protrusion 18B of the other surface side connecting part 16B extends in the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148).

[0124] When the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B are brought close to each other, the other-side protrusion 18B of the other-side connecting part 16B provided on the bottom surface 22A of the first unit housing 12A is guided along the other-side guide groove 120 provided on the bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B in the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148). Then, the connectors (142, 144) of the first unit housing 12A and the connectors (146, 148) of the second unit housing 12B are connected to each other.

[0125] On the other hand, when the adjacently arranged first unit housing 12A and second unit housing 12B are moved away from each other, the other-side projection 18B of the other-side connecting part 16B provided on the bottom surface 22A of the first unit housing 12A is guided in the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148) along the other-side guide groove 120 provided on the bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B. Then, the connectors (142, 144) of the first unit housing 12A and the connectors (146, 148) of the second unit housing 12B are moved away from each other.

[0126] As a result, the one-side protrusion 18A of the one-side connecting part 16A and the one-side guide groove 100 on the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B, and the other-side protrusion 18B of the other-side connecting part 16B and the other-side guide groove 120 on the bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B, can restrict the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B from moving in the insertion / removal direction 20 of the connectors (142, 144, 146, 148).

[0127] Therefore, compared to a case in which the movement of both unit housings 12A, 12B is restricted only by the one-side protrusion 18A of the one-side connecting part 16A and the one-side guide groove 100 on the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B, the movement of both unit housings 12A, 12B in the insertion / removal direction 20 can be further promoted.

[0128] Further, the connection structure of the unit device 10 in this embodiment includes a plurality of pairs of other surface side projections 18B (18-1B, 18-2B) and other surface side guide grooves 120 (120-1, 120-2).

[0129] According to this configuration, compared to the case where a single pair of other-surface projection 18B and other-surface guide groove 120 is provided, it is possible to further restrict the movement of connectors 144, 148 in the diagonal direction.

[0130] In addition, in this embodiment, the other-side protrusion 18B has an insertion hole 56 that constitutes the other-side insertion hole 56B through which the stepped screw 54, which is the other-side screw, is inserted, and the other-side guide groove 120 (120-1) has an other-side screwing portion 122 into which the stepped screw 54 is screwed.

[0131] According to this configuration, by screwing the other surface side connecting part 16B to the second unit housing 12B, a strong connecting state can be formed.

[0132] In this embodiment, the other surface side connecting part 16B has a metal plate 46 constituting an other surface side metal plate electrically connected to one other surface. The other surface side projection 18B includes an other surface side screw projection 18-1B having an other surface side through hole 56B through which a stepped screw 54, which is an other surface side screw, is inserted, and an other surface side contact projection 18-2B having an other surface side contact surface 88B formed integrally with the metal plate 46 and capable of electrically contacting the other other surface. The other surface side guide groove 120 (12-1) includes an other surface side screw-in portion 122 into which the stepped screw 54 is screwed.

[0133] In this configuration, the stepped screw 54 of the other surface side connecting part 16B is screwed into the other surface side screw-in portion 122 of the other surface side guide groove 120. Then, the other surface side contact protrusion 18-2B of the other surface side connecting part 16B comes into electrical contact with the bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B.

[0134] This allows the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B to be electrically connected by the one-surface-side connecting part 16A and the other-surface-side connecting part 16B. This allows the electrical shielding properties of the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B to be further improved.

[0135] In this embodiment, the other-side screw protrusion 18-1B is made of synthetic resin that is integrally formed as the other-side metal plate with the metal plate 46. The other-side insertion hole 56B is provided with a small diameter portion 76 as an other-side small diameter portion having a diameter smaller than the nominal diameter 68 of the stepped screw 54 as the other-side screw.

[0136] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the stepped screw 54 from falling off from the other surface side connecting part 16B by screwing the stepped screw 54 into the small diameter portion 76. This makes it possible to prevent the stepped screw 54 from being lost.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, compared to a case where a fall-prevention structure is used in which the fall-prevention screw protrudes significantly before being screwed, it is possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of the stepped screw 54 from the unit housing 12. This makes it possible to arrange the unit housing 12 equipped with the other-face connecting part 16B having the stepped screw 54 in a space with a height restriction.

[0138] In this embodiment, one surface of the first unit housing 12A is the top surface 14A of the first unit housing 12A, and one surface of the second unit housing 12B is the top surface 14B of the second unit housing 12B. The other surface of the first unit housing 12A is the bottom surface 22A of the first unit housing 12A, and the other surface of the second unit housing 12B is the bottom surface 22B of the second unit housing 12B.

[0139] According to this configuration, the first unit housing 12A and the second unit housing 12B can be connected in a state where they are sandwiched from above and below by the one-surface side connecting part 16A and the other-surface side connecting part 16B. Therefore, even if the unit housing 12 is enlarged to handle high voltage, it is possible to increase the connection strength.

[0140] Furthermore, since the relative movement direction of both unit housings 12A, 12B can be restricted on the top surface 14 side and the bottom surface 22 side, the load acting on the connectors 144, 148 can be further suppressed.

[0141] The connection structure of the unit device 10 of this embodiment includes a signal guide wall 152 serving as a guide wall extending from a right side surface 42A of the first unit housing 12A, which is one of the side surfaces of the first unit housing 12A or the second unit housing 12B. The connection structure of the unit device 10 includes a signal insertion portion 162 that is provided on a left side surface 90B of the second unit housing 12B, which is the other of the side surfaces of the first unit housing 12A or the second unit housing 12B, and into which the signal guide wall 152 serving as a guide wall is inserted in a connected state.

[0142] The connection structure of the unit equipment 10 is such that, when at least one of the first unit housing 12A or the second unit housing 12B is rotated in a direction in which the front face 28A of the first unit housing 12A and the front face 28B of the second unit housing 12B move away from each other, around an abutment point 170 between the end portion on the rear face 30A side of the first unit housing 12A and the end portion on the rear face 30B side of the second unit housing 12B, before a displacement amount 185 of the signal male connector 144, which is the connector of the first unit housing 12A, and the signal female connector 148, which is the connector of the second unit housing 12B, relatively displaced in a cross direction 174 that intersects with the insertion / removal direction 20 exceeds an allowable amount for allowing displacement in the cross direction 174, the signal guide wall 152 abuts against the signal guide main body rearward wall 172, which is the inner wall surface of the signal insertion portion 162, to form a rotation prevention state 176 in which rotation is prevented.

[0143] According to this configuration, even when the first unit housing 12A or the second unit housing 12B is rotated around the abutment point 170 to separate both unit housings 12A, 12B, the displacement 185 of the signal male connector 144 and the signal female connector 148 in the intersecting direction 174 is kept within the allowable range.

[0144] This makes it possible to further reduce the load applied to the signal male connector 144 and the signal female connector 148.

[0145] In addition, the connecting structure of the unit equipment 10 of this embodiment has been described with respect to the connecting part 16 that does not have a biasing function for biasing the shoulder screw 54. However, the connecting part 16 is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured as in the modified example shown below.

[0146] (First Modification) FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a first modified example of the connecting part 200. As shown in FIG.

[0147] A connecting part 200 according to the first modification has a circular step 202 formed on the bottom side of the countersink 86. A circular plate-shaped washer 204 is disposed on the circular step 202. The washer 204 comes into contact with the head 60 of the shoulder screw 54.

[0148] A cylindrical metal spacer 206 is housed inside the circular step portion 202. The metal spacer 206 contacts the metal plate 46 and the washer 204, and sets the metal plate 46 and the stepped screw 54 to the same potential. A coil spring 208 is housed inside the metal spacer 206.

[0149] In this configuration, the connecting part 200 according to the first modified example can cause the head 60 of the stepped screw 54 to protrude from the countersunk hole 86 by the coil spring 208 when the stepped screw 54 is not screwed into the corresponding screw-in portions 102, 122. This makes it possible to improve the operability of the stepped screw 54.

[0150] (Second Modification) FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a second modified example of the connecting part 220. As shown in FIG.

[0151] In comparison with the first modified example, the connecting part 220 according to the second modified example has an inner diameter of the circular step portion 202 set to approximately the same dimension as the inner diameter of the opening 70 formed in the metal plate 46. In addition, the coil spring 208 is disposed between the small diameter portion 76 formed in the insertion hole 56 and the head 60 of the stepped screw 54.

[0152] It should be noted that the connecting part 220 according to the second modified example does not include the washer 204 and the metal spacer 206 of the first modified example.

[0153] In this configuration, the connecting part 220 according to the second modified example can cause the head 60 of the stepped screw 54 to protrude from the countersunk hole 86 by the coil spring 208 when the stepped screw 54 is not screwed into the corresponding screw-in portions 102, 122. This makes it possible to improve the operability of the stepped screw 54.

[0154] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 10 Unit Equipment 10A First unit equipment 10B Second unit equipment 12 unit chassis 12A First unit housing 12B Second unit housing 14 Top 14A Top 14B Top 16, 200, 220 Connecting parts 16A One-side connecting part 16B Other side connecting part 18-1A One-side screw projection 18-1B Other side screw protrusion 18-2A Contact protrusion on one side 18-2B Contact protrusion on other side 18A One side protrusion 18B Other side protrusion 20 Insertion / extraction direction 22 Bottom 22A Bottom 22B Bottom 42 Right side 46 Metal plate 54 Stepped screw 56 Insertion hole 56A One side insertion hole 56B Other side insertion hole 74 Inner diameter 76 Small diameter section 88 Contact surface 88A One side contact surface 88B Other side contact surface 90 Left side 100 One side guide groove 100-1 One side screw projection guide groove 100-2 One-side contact projection guide groove 102 One side screw-in part 120 Other side guide groove 120-1 Other side screw projection guide groove 120-2 Other side contact protrusion guide groove 122 Threaded part on other side 142 Male power connector 144 Signal Male Connector 146 Female power connector 148 Signal female connector 150 Power supply guide wall 152 Signal guide wall 160 Power supply insertion part 162 Signal Insertion Section 170 Contact point 174 Cross Direction 176 Rotation prevention state 185 Displacement 186 Floating Amount

Claims

1. A coupling structure in which a connector provided on a side surface of the first unit housing and a connector provided on a side surface of the second unit housing are connected in a coupled state in which a first unit housing of a first unit device and a second unit housing of a second unit device that are adjacent to each other are coupled, a one-surface side connecting component extending from one of the one surface of the first unit housing or the one surface of the second unit housing and capable of being arranged along the other of the one surface of the first unit housing or the one surface of the second unit housing; a first-surface guide groove that is provided on the other surface and that guides a first-surface protrusion provided on the first-surface connecting component during connection and that extends along the insertion / removal direction of the connector; A connecting structure for unit equipment comprising:

2. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 1, The first surface side projection and the first surface side guide groove are provided in a plurality of pairs. Connection structure of unit equipment.

3. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 1, the one-surface-side protrusion has a one-surface-side insertion hole through which the one-surface-side screw is inserted, and the one-surface-side guide groove has a one-surface-side screw-in portion into which the one-surface-side screw is screwed; Connection structure of unit equipment.

4. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 1, the one-surface-side connecting component has a one-surface-side metal plate electrically connected to one surface of the one of the connecting components, the one-surface-side projection includes a one-surface-side screw projection having a one-surface-side through-hole through which a one-surface-side screw is inserted, and a one-surface-side contact projection formed integrally with the one-surface-side metal plate and having a one-surface-side contact surface capable of electrically contacting the other one surface, and the one-surface-side guide groove includes a one-surface-side screw-in portion into which the one-surface-side screw is screwed; Connection structure of unit equipment.

5. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 4, the one-side screw projection is made of synthetic resin that is integrally formed with the one-side metal plate, and the one-side insertion hole is provided with a one-side small diameter portion having a diameter smaller than a nominal diameter of the one-side screw; Connection structure of unit equipment.

6. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 1, an other-surface side connecting component extending from one of the other surfaces of the first unit housing or the other surfaces of the second unit housing and capable of being arranged along the other of the other surfaces of the first unit housing or the other surfaces of the second unit housing; an other-surface guide groove that is provided on the other surface of the other of the two connectors and that guides an other-surface protrusion provided on the other-surface connecting component during connection and that extends along the insertion / removal direction; Connection structure of unit equipment.

7. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 6, The second surface side projection and the second surface side guide groove are provided in a plurality of pairs. Connection structure of unit equipment.

8. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 6, the other-surface-side protrusion has an other-surface-side through-hole through which the other-surface-side screw is inserted, and the other-surface-side guide groove has an other-surface-side screw-in portion into which the other-surface-side screw is screwed; Connection structure of unit equipment.

9. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 6, the other surface side connecting component has an other surface side metal plate electrically connected to the other surface of the one of the first and second connecting components, the other surface side projection includes an other surface side screw projection having an other surface side through hole through which an other surface side screw is inserted, and an other surface side contact projection formed integrally with the other surface side metal plate and having an other surface side contact surface capable of electrically contacting the other surface, and the other surface side guide groove includes an other surface side screw-in portion into which the other surface side screw is screwed. Connection structure of unit equipment.

10. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 9, The other-side screw projection is made of synthetic resin that is integrally formed with the other-side metal plate, and the other-side insertion hole is provided with an other-side small diameter portion having a diameter smaller than a nominal diameter of the other-side screw. Connection structure of unit equipment.

11. The unit equipment connection structure according to any one of claims 6 to 10, one surface of the first unit housing is a top surface of the first unit housing, one surface of the second unit housing is a top surface of the second unit housing, the other surface of the first unit housing is a bottom surface of the first unit housing, and the other surface of the second unit housing is a bottom surface of the second unit housing; Connection structure of unit equipment.

12. The unit equipment connection structure according to claim 11, a guide wall extending from one of a side surface of the first unit housing and a side surface of the second unit housing; an insertion portion provided on the other of the side surface of the first unit housing and the side surface of the second unit housing, into which the guide wall is inserted in the connected state; Further equipped with when at least one of the first unit housing or the second unit housing is rotated in a direction in which the front surface of the first unit housing and the front surface of the second unit housing move away from each other about an abutment point between the rear end of the first unit housing and the rear end of the second unit housing, before an amount of relative displacement between the connector of the first unit housing and the connector of the second unit housing in a transverse direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction exceeds an allowable amount for allowing displacement in the transverse direction, the guide wall abuts against an inner wall surface of the insertion portion to form a rotation prevention state in which the rotation is prevented. Connection structure of unit equipment.

Images