Identification system for electrical and electronic equipment enclosures

Abstract

When using a system that allows specifying the processing of the enclosure, the goal is to make it easier to recognize the three-dimensional situation of the areas where processing is possible and areas where processing is prohibited. [Solution] An electrical and electronic equipment housing box identification system comprising: a housing database 231 containing information on the shape of the housing; an area database 232 containing information indicating the machinable area or machinable area of ​​the housing; a calculation means 22 capable of identifying a housing from the information contained in the housing database using information input by a user; and an output means capable of displaying an outline drawing of the identified housing on a monitor 31. The calculation means is capable of identifying information on the machinable area or machinable area of ​​the identified housing from the area database, and is configured to output an outline drawing to the monitor so as to indicate the machinable area or machinable area on multiple surfaces of the identified housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a specific system for a box for housing electric and electronic devices.

Background Art

[0002] A box for housing electric and electronic devices having a number of products in a housing is known. The housing of the box for housing electric and electronic devices has various variations in its use, structure, size, etc., and there are also various variations in the products to be attached. Also, the products to be attached are manufactured by a number of manufacturers. In contrast, as described in Patent Document 1, a system has been developed that allows customers and input operators to access a server prepared by a manufacturer through a communication line and select and order a housing with an optimal specification. More specifically, the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 enables the customer who purchases the housing to make arrangements such as specifying the hole shape on the surface of the housing. In this system, the processable area and the processing prohibited area of the housing are displayed. Also, for example, it can automatically determine whether a specified hole can be installed at a specified position, and if it cannot be installed, it can display that processing cannot be performed. By using this system, the customer can arrange the housing by themselves, so it becomes easier for the customer to obtain a desired housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004] Incidentally, users of this system specify the enclosure they wish to purchase, then select one of the six faces of the enclosure from the six-view drawings to which they want to perform drilling or other modifications. They then determine the areas where drilling or other modifications are possible and impossible based on the selected plan view and side view. As a result, it was sometimes difficult to understand the relationship with the other faces, making it hard to determine whether the specified modifications were possible. Furthermore, because the display uses plan views and side views, it was difficult for those unfamiliar with six-view drawings to intuitively grasp the three-dimensional relationships, such as the areas where drilling or other modifications were possible. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The inventors of this invention have attempted to solve this problem by diligently considering this point. The problem that this invention aims to solve is to make it easier to recognize the three-dimensional situation of the machinable area and the machinable area when using a system that allows specifying the processing of the housing, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the system for identifying electrical and electronic equipment enclosures comprises: an enclosure database containing information on the shape of the enclosure; an area database containing information indicating the machinable or non-machinable areas of the enclosure; a calculation means capable of identifying an enclosure from the information contained in the enclosure database using information input by a user; and an output means capable of displaying an outline drawing of the identified enclosure on a monitor, wherein the calculation means is capable of identifying information on the machinable or non-machinable areas of the identified enclosure from the area database, and is capable of outputting an outline drawing to the monitor so as to indicate the machinable or non-machinable areas on multiple surfaces of the identified enclosure.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferable to have either size information used to output the length of the machinable or non-machinable area to the monitor, separate from the information indicating the machinable or non-machinable area, or to have information used to output the length of the machinable or non-machinable area to the monitor incorporated into the information indicating the machinable or non-machinable area, so that the length of the machinable or non-machinable area corresponding to the surface of the external shape drawing of the housing output to the monitor can be visually confirmed on the monitor.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable to have a display change mechanism that allows switching between displaying the machinable area or the machinable area and not displaying it.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable to have a configuration that allows information to be input to specify the placement of holes or equipment on the machinable area in the external shape drawing of the housing, which displays multiple sides, and that allows the information of the specified placement to be stored in a storage means.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable to have a configuration that allows information to be input to specify the placement of holes or equipment on the machinable area in the outline drawing of the housing, which displays multiple sides, and that allows the specified placement information to be used to indicate the placement of holes or equipment in other drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In this invention, when using a system that allows specifying the processing of the housing, it becomes possible to easily recognize the three-dimensional situation of the machinable area and the area where processing is prohibited. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the system configuration in an embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of an image that appears on the monitor after a user enters the model number of the enclosure they wish to purchase. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of creating an area sheet that represents areas where machining is possible or prohibited. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a method for creating a perspective view of a housing that allows the machinable area to be visually identified. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of switching from a state where the machinable area of ​​the enclosure is visible to a state where it is not. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of combining an outline drawing with a region sheet indicating the machinable area. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of combining an outline drawing with a region sheet indicating areas where machining is prohibited. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of combining an outline drawing, a region sheet indicating the machinable area, and a size information sheet. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of combining an outline drawing with a machinable area sheet that includes dimensions. [Figure 10] This diagram shows whether or not information about the specified hole drilling location can be stored. ○ indicates that it can be stored, and × indicates that it cannot. [Figure 11] This diagram shows an example of the procedure for reflecting a specified position on the perspective view of the enclosure onto the front view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the invention. The system for identifying electrical and electronic equipment enclosures of this embodiment comprises an enclosure database 231 containing information on the shape of the enclosure, an area database 232 containing information indicating the machinable area or the area where machinable is prohibited from being processed of the enclosure, a calculation means 22 capable of identifying an enclosure from the information contained in the enclosure database 231 using information input by a user, and an output means capable of displaying an outline drawing of the identified enclosure on a monitor 31. The calculation means 22 can identify information on the machinable area or the area where machinable is prohibited from being processed for the identified enclosure from the area database 232, and can output an outline drawing to the monitor 31 so as to indicate the machinable area or the area where machinable is prohibited from being processed on multiple surfaces of the identified enclosure. Therefore, when using a system that can specify the processing of the enclosure, it becomes possible to easily recognize the three-dimensional situation of the machinable area or the area where machinable is prohibited from being processed.

[0014] Using the system of this embodiment, a user can operate terminal 3 to access server 2 provided by the seller, define the specifications of the enclosure, and place an order with the seller. To enable this, in the example shown in Figure 1, server 2 is equipped with output / display means 21, calculation means 22, and storage means 23.

[0015] The output / display means 21 can be used as an output means that enables the display of predetermined content on the monitor 31. More specifically, the output / display means 21 can be used to transmit information to a connected terminal 3 (such as a PC or tablet) via the internet and to display predetermined content on the monitor 31 provided on the terminal 3. In addition, a processing means 22, such as a processor, is used to determine the information to be output to the terminal 3 using the information sent from the terminal 3 to the server 2. Furthermore, various types of information are stored in the storage means 23 so that specific output can be produced using the information sent from the terminal 3. The terminal 3 is also equipped with input means 32 and movement means 33 used for input.

[0016] In the example shown in FIG. 1, there are provided a housing database 231 having housing shape information, an area database 232 having information indicating a processable area or a process-prohibited area of the housing, a parts database 233 storing parts to be installed in the housing and hole shape data for part mounting, and a shape pattern database 234 storing a hole shape pattern to be processed in the housing. These databases may be provided so as to be distributed among a plurality of storage media, or may be provided together in one storage media. The information provided in each database can be extracted using the input means 32 and the target selection means 221.

[0017] The housing database 231 of the embodiment includes drawing data such as an external view and six-side views of the housing. Also, in the housing database 231 of the embodiment, information is managed for each product number for standard housings. The information associated with the product number includes information such as dimensions, drawing data, and price. However, the housing database 231 may be configured to include information other than standard housings. For example, it may be configured to include information about housings created in the past.

[0018] The area database 232 of the embodiment may be configured to include information as an area sheet indicating areas such as a processable area or a process-prohibited area on the surface of the housing, but is not necessarily limited to this example. In the area database 232 of the embodiment, various information is associated with the product number.

[0019] The parts database 233 of the embodiment includes information about parts that can be attached to the housing and information about a processing / placement prohibited area that is an area where processing and placement cannot be performed around the parts.

[0020] The shape pattern database 234 of the embodiment includes information about the shape of holes that can be processed in the housing and information about a processing / placement prohibited area that is an area where processing and placement cannot be performed around the holes.

[0021] In this embodiment, the image displayed on the monitor 31 of terminal 3 is, for example, as shown in Figure 2. In the example shown in Figure 2, the input information for the housing is displayed. This display is performed using the input information display means 211. Examples of input information include dimensions and part numbers, but other items may also be used. The outline drawing of the selected housing can also be displayed. The outline drawing of the housing is displayed using the housing image display means 212. In addition, the cost of the selected housing and processing, and the cost of parts can be displayed. This display is performed using the estimated price display means 213.

[0022] The example shown in Figure 2 illustrates the image displayed on the monitor 31 after the user enters the part number of the enclosure they wish to purchase. In this example, AAA-001 is entered as the part number. In this example, this part number represents one of the standard products included in the enclosure database 231. With the part number entered, the monitor 31 displays the price without any modifications or alterations. Alternatively, instead of a part number, dimensions can be entered to display the corresponding enclosure or an enclosure similar to the entered information. In this case, the corresponding enclosure or a similar enclosure will be selected from the enclosure database 231.

[0023] When the enclosure is identified by input to terminal 3, an image of the enclosure's external shape is displayed on monitor 31. In the example shown in Figure 2, the display shows the external shape with the front, side, and top visible, but it is also possible to display it with only two sides visible. For example, a display that shows only the front and side.

[0024] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 2, not only is the external shape of the enclosure displayed, but the machinable area of ​​the enclosure is also shown in a way that makes it easy to understand. In this example, the area with diagonal lines is the machinable area.

[0025] Here, we will explain the areas where processing is permitted. The enclosure body and doors, which make up the enclosure, are formed by processing work such as bending and welding of sheet metal. If holes are drilled or equipment is installed in close proximity to the areas where bending and welding have been performed, there is a risk of compromising the strength of the enclosure body or doors, or causing the holes to deform. For this reason, processing prohibited areas are set on the enclosure. Processing prohibited areas are also set in areas that may affect the installation of components such as handles, hinges, and gaskets.

[0026] In this embodiment, to set such prohibited machining areas, logic for prohibited machining areas is set for each component, such as the housing, door, and other components. For example, the logic is to set the area within 20 mm in both the vertical and horizontal directions from the outer outline of the housing as a prohibited machining area. Furthermore, a region setting means 224 combines the prohibited machining areas of the housing, door, and components to set a prohibited machining area that includes these elements (see Figure 3). On the surface of the housing, the area other than the prohibited machining area set in this way is the area that can be machined.

[0027] In this embodiment, a region sheet indicating the machinable area identified in this way is set. Of course, regardless of whether or not a region sheet indicating the machinable area is set, a region sheet indicating the machinable area may also be set. To create such a region sheet, the identification system for electrical and electronic equipment housing boxes of this embodiment is provided with a region sheet generation means 222. Note that the region sheets may be generated in advance for each housing and stored in a region sheet database, and used as needed.

[0028] As can be understood from the above description, the machinable area and the non-machinable area are two sides of the same coin. Therefore, the explanation of examples where a non-machinable area is designated will be largely omitted below, and the explanation will mainly focus on examples where a machinable area is designated.

[0029] When adding a machinable area to the image of the enclosure's exterior, information representing the machinable area is added to the information representing the exterior image (see Figure 4). This information can be added to or omitted from the information representing the exterior image. Conceptually, this is like adding or omitting a sheet indicating the machinable area to each side of the enclosure.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal 3 is equipped with a display changing means 214 that allows the machineable area to be hidden after it has been marked (see Figure 5). This makes it easier to use because the appearance can be changed. To do this, the information about the machineable area that has been added to the information representing the image of the outer shape may be removed, or the information about the machineable area may be included but not displayed on the monitor 31.

[0031] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to have a configuration that includes a display changing means 214 that allows switching between displaying the machinable area or the machinable area and not displaying it.

[0032] Although it differs from the example used here, it is also possible to store separate images of the enclosure's external shape and an image of the enclosure's external shape and the machinable area integrated together, and switch between them. Furthermore, since the machinable area is linked to each enclosure, it is designed to allow for part number management.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 4, the machinable area is applied to all six sides of the housing. However, it is difficult to view all six sides at once, even when viewing the housing at an angle. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply the machinable area to all six sides, but it is possible to apply it to two or more sides. Furthermore, if the housing image can be rotated, the viewable side can be changed. For this reason, it is preferable to make the housing image rotatable.

[0034] However, while the image of the enclosure cannot be rotated, it is possible to prepare multiple images of the enclosure and switch between them or display them simultaneously to allow users to check the machineable area on four or more sides.

[0035] Furthermore, if the information about the enclosure image and the information about the machinable area have different file extensions, the range of use and operating environment will be limited, resulting in a lack of convenience. Therefore, it is preferable that the information about the enclosure image and the information about the machinable area have the same file extension. In addition, it is preferable that both the information about the enclosure image and the information about the machinable area be able to represent three dimensions: up and down, left and right, and front and back.

[0036] Here, we will explain an example of attaching information about the machinable area to the image information of the housing. In the example shown in Figure 6, reference points are set for both the outline drawing and the area sheet of the housing, and by using the area sheet joining means 223 to align them, the outline drawing and the area sheet can be aligned. In this embodiment, information about the machinable area, which also contains three-dimensional information, is attached to the image information of the housing, which contains three-dimensional information. In terms of coordinates, the reference points (X1, Y1, Z1) of the image information of the housing and the reference points (X2, Y2, Z2) of the machinable area information are aligned by making them coincide.

[0037] In this alignment process, the information of the machinable area may be moved to align with the information of the casing image, or the information of the casing image may be moved to align with the information of the machinable area. Furthermore, by performing the same operation as described above, information of the machinable-prohibited area can be added to the casing image information (see Figure 7).

[0038] By the way, in the display shown in Figure 2, the dimensions of the machinable area cannot be determined by looking at the monitor 31. Therefore, in this embodiment, the dimensions of the machinable area can be displayed on the monitor 31. To make this possible, a size information sheet containing dimensional information is combined with the housing image diagram and the area sheet (see Figure 8). In this example, a size information sheet with the same file extension as the information showing the housing image diagram and the information representing the area is prepared, and these are combined and displayed. Of course, it is also possible to include the dimensional information in the area sheet without using a size information sheet.

[0039] In the example shown in Figure 8, the size information is made visible using arrows and text, but other methods may be used to make the size information visible. Figure 9 shows an example of how the size information is displayed when it is included in the area sheet. In any case, making the area size information visible makes it easier to understand what kind of processing can be applied. Note that the output of size information is not limited to the area. For example, the size information of the enclosure may also be output.

[0040] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to either provide size information used to output the length of the machinable or non-machinable area to the monitor 31, separate from the information indicating the machinable or non-machinable area, or to incorporate information used to output the length of the machinable or non-machinable area to the monitor 31 into the information indicating the machinable or non-machinable area, so that the length of the machinable or non-machinable area corresponding to the surface of the outer shape drawing of the housing output to the monitor 31 can be visually confirmed on the monitor 31.

[0041] Incidentally, it is preferable to enable the specification of hole positions retrieved from the shape pattern database 234 and the placement of equipment and welding components retrieved from the parts database 233 on the outline drawing of the housing showing multiple faces. In other words, it is preferable to enable the specification of the placement of elements that require processing on the outline drawing showing multiple faces.

[0042] Furthermore, it is preferable to enable the storage of the locations of holes, equipment, and welded members specified on the area sheet in the storage means 23 on the server 2. In particular, it is preferable to enable the storage of the locations of holes and equipment. As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to enable the input of information to specify the placement of holes or equipment on the machinable area in the outline drawing of the housing showing multiple faces, and to enable the storage of the information of the specified placement in the storage means 23.

[0043] In this case, it is preferable that if the element to be placed is outside the machinable area, it cannot be stored in the storage means 23 (see Figure 10). If the placement of the element cannot be stored, subsequent processing such as orders cannot be performed, thus preventing work that assumes inappropriate processing.

[0044] Incidentally, even when specifying the placement of holes or equipment on an outline drawing of a housing showing multiple views, it is preferable to allow users to confirm these specifications using other drawings. For example, it is preferable to be able to roughly specify the locations of holes, etc., using an outline drawing of a housing showing multiple views, and then adjust the placement by looking at another drawing. Alternatively, users may be able to confirm the more accurate positional relationships by looking at a drawing separate from the outline drawing of the housing showing multiple views.

[0045] In any case, it is preferable to make the arrangement information specified for the enclosure's outline drawing available for use in other drawings to indicate the placement of holes or equipment, so that the situation can be confirmed by looking at a drawing other than the outline drawing of the enclosure which shows multiple views. For example, it is preferable to make the specified arrangement information available for use in front views, side views, top views, etc., to indicate the placement of holes or equipment. For example, by selecting the tab labeled "Hole Machining" as shown in Figure 2, a front view, etc., is displayed, and the positions of the holes specified on the outline drawing are reflected in that drawing.

[0046] In other words, it is preferable to have a system for identifying electrical and electronic equipment enclosures that allows information to be input to specify the placement of holes or equipment on the machineable area in the outline drawing of the enclosure showing multiple sides, and that makes the specified placement information available to indicate the placement of holes or equipment in other drawings.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the display on the monitor 31 can be switched by selecting the tab labeled "Options". When the tab labeled "Options" is selected, the display will show options for changing components that make up the housing, such as the handle, circuit board, hinges, ground terminal, and drawing holder, as well as changing the door configuration (reverse door, double door, etc.).

[0048] Furthermore, it is preferable that the enclosure image be designed to reflect the changes made as described above.

[0049] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be made into various forms. For example, Figure 2 shows a display that allows an overview of input items, housing image, and estimated price, but these may be displayed separately depending on the size of the monitor. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 22 Calculation means 23 Memory means 31 monitors 231 Cabinet Database 232 Region Databases

Claims

1. A casing database containing information about the shape of the casing, A region database containing information indicating the areas of the enclosure that can be processed or areas that cannot be processed, A calculation means capable of identifying a housing from the information stored in the housing database using information entered by the user, An output means capable of displaying the outline drawing of the identified enclosure on a monitor, A specific system for housing electrical and electronic equipment, comprising: The calculation means can identify information about the machinable area or the machinable area for a specified enclosure from the area database. A system for identifying electrical and electronic equipment enclosures that can output an outline drawing to a monitor, indicating the areas that can be processed and areas that cannot be processed on multiple surfaces of the identified enclosure.

2. In addition to information indicating the machinable area or the area where machinable work is prohibited, the system also includes size information used to output the length of the machinable area or the area where machinable work is prohibited to a monitor. Does the information indicating the machinable area or the machinable area include information used to output the length of the machinable area or the machinable area to the monitor? One of the following has been done: The identification system for housing electrical and electronic equipment boxes according to claim 1, wherein the length of the machinable area or the machinable area corresponding to the surface of the external shape drawing of the housing output to the monitor can be visually confirmed on the monitor.

3. The identification system for electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes according to claim 2, further comprising a display changing means that enables switching between displaying and not displaying a machinable area or a machinable area.

4. A system for identifying electrical and electronic equipment housing boxes according to claim 2 or 3, which enables input of information to specify the placement of holes or equipment on a machineable area in an external drawing of a housing showing multiple sides, and enables storage of the specified placement information in a storage means.

5. A system for identifying electrical and electronic equipment housing boxes according to claim 2 or 3, which enables input of information to specify the placement of holes or equipment on a machineable area in an outline drawing of a housing showing multiple sides, and makes the specified placement information available to indicate the placement of holes or equipment in other drawings.

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