Fixtures and storage devices

Abstract

This fixing device comprises: a case body that has an accommodation space for accommodating an object to be fixed on the inside of circumferential wall parts standing from a bottom wall part; a pair of retaining parts that are rotatably connected to the case body and bridge over an upper opening of a circumferential wall part on the opposite side of the bottom wall part; and a connecting part that connects the distal rotational ends of the pair of retaining parts. The circumferential wall parts include a front wall part and a rear wall part opposing each other across the accommodation space. The pair of retaining parts have curved surfaces protruding into the accommodation space, and the proximal rotational end sides thereof are connected to the rear wall part by a hinge part. The connecting part has a lock claw that engages with the front wall part from the inside of the accommodation space.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to fixation devices and storage devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a protector that holds a hard disk drive (HDD) between a first outer shell and a second outer shell that are placed face-to-face. The protector includes: a buffer disposed on the inner surface of each of the first and second outer shells and that contacts the surface of the HDD when the first outer shell and the second outer shell are placed face-to-face; a locking mechanism that locks the first outer shell and the second outer shell in the face-to-face state; an attachment member provided on either or both of the first and second outer shells and used when attaching the protector to another object while holding the HDD; and a displacement suppression member that is movable from a first position to a second position and that, at the first position, does not press the HDD held between the first and second outer shells, but presses the held HDD against one side of the first and second outer shells at the second position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 3408774 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The protector of Patent Document 1 requires a total of four locking portions—two fixed arms, each with one locking hole, and one locking body with two locking protrusions—to be locked or unlocked from the base, making the attachment and detachment of the protected object to the protector cumbersome. Furthermore, the need for a separate locking body from the base increases the number of parts and increases material costs. Furthermore, because the locking body presses the center of the top surface of the protected object toward the base (one side) with a single pressing portion, there is a risk that the top surface of the protected object will separate from the buffer body of the fixed arms, potentially causing rattling due to vibration and resulting in unstable attachment.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to easily attach and detach an object to be fixed, and to achieve stable fixation of the object to be fixed with low material costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a hard disk drive fixing device comprising: a case body having a storage space for storing an object to be fixed inside a peripheral wall portion that stands up from a bottom wall portion; a pair of parallel retaining portions that are rotatably connected to the case body and span an upper opening of the peripheral wall portion opposite the bottom wall portion; and a joint portion that connects the rotating tips of the pair of parallel retaining portions, wherein the case body has a front wall portion and a rear wall portion where the peripheral wall portion faces each other across the storage space, the pair of retaining portions have curved surfaces that protrude into the storage space, and the rotating base ends are connected to the rear wall portion by a hinge portion, and the joint portion is configured to have a locking claw that engages with the front wall portion from inside the storage space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the object to be fixed can be easily attached and detached, and stable fixation of the object to be fixed can be achieved with low material costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a hard disk drive fixing device according to a first embodiment in which a hard disk drive is housed in an unlocked state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device shown in FIG. 1 with the hard disk drive removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device, seen from one side wall, with the retaining portion locked to the case body and in a fixed state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device in a fixed state with the retaining portion engaged with the case body, as seen obliquely from the front of the front wall portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the first embodiment in which the hard disk drive is accommodated in the unlocked state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the first embodiment in which the hard disk drive is housed in a fixed state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the first embodiment in which the hard disk drive is housed in a fixed state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a hard disk drive fixing device according to a modified example in which the hard disk drive is removed. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device shown in FIG. 9 with the hard disk drive removed. [Figure 11] 11 is an enlarged view of the second hinge portion of the hard disk drive fixing device shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second hinge portion of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the modified example, seen from outside the rear wall portion. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the second hinge portion of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the modified example, seen from outside the rear wall portion. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the second hinge portion of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the modified example, seen from outside the peripheral wall portion. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device in a disengaged state where the retaining portion is not engaged with the case body. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device in an unlocked state where the retaining portion is not locked to the case body, as viewed from outside the front wall portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, detailed descriptions of embodiments specifically disclosing the fixation device and storage device according to the present disclosure will be provided. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0010] In the following first embodiment, a hard disk drive fixing device for fixing a fixed object (for example, a hard disk drive; the same applies hereinafter) will be described as an example of a fixing device according to the present disclosure. Note that the fixed object fixed by the fixing device does not have to be limited to a hard disk drive.

[0011] 1 is a plan view of a hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the first embodiment in which a hard disk drive 15 is accommodated in an unlocked state. The hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the first embodiment is mounted on, for example, a housing (not shown) of a storage device 13. The storage device 13 is built into, or externally connected to, a PC (Personal Computer) or audiovisual equipment, for example.

[0012] The storage device 13 according to the first embodiment includes a hard disk drive fixing device 11 and a hard disk drive 15 (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) fixed to the hard disk drive fixing device 11. The hard disk drive fixing device 11 is fixed to a housing (not shown) of the storage device 13.

[0013] The hard disk drive 15 has a generally rectangular top and bottom (not shown) and is a flat hexahedron with the sides in the height direction of the housing of the hard disk drive 15 being sufficiently smaller than the other sides. The hard disk drive 15 houses a storage medium such as a magnetic disk inside a box-shaped casing (not shown) with an open top. The top opening of the casing housing the storage medium is closed by a cover member 17. The hard disk drive 15 has a protrusion 19 on the top surface that protrudes depending on the shape of the storage medium housed therein. In other words, the top surface of the hard disk drive 15 does not have to be flat. The hard disk drive 15 comes in at least two different sizes with different heights.

[0014] 2 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 from which the hard disk drive 15 has been removed. The hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the first embodiment can be manufactured as a molded product including a case body 21, a pair of retaining portions 23, and a joint portion 25. The hard disk drive fixing device 11 can be integrally molded by injection molding using polypropylene as the material, for example. However, the molding method is not limited to this.

[0015] The case body 21 has an accommodation space 27 for accommodating the hard disk drive 15 inside a peripheral wall portion 31 that stands up from a bottom wall portion 29. That is, the case body 21 functions as a holding portion that holds the periphery of the hard disk drive 15. The bottom wall portion 29 is formed in a quadrangle in a plan view. In the first embodiment, the bottom wall portion 29 is rectangular. Screw holes 33 are drilled in the four corners of the bottom wall portion 29 for screwing the case body 21 to a housing (not shown) of a storage device.

[0016] The peripheral wall 31 has a front wall 35 and a rear wall 37 that face each other with the storage space 27 in between. The front wall 35 and the rear wall 37 are provided along the long sides of the rectangular bottom wall 29. The ends of the front wall 35 and the rear wall 37 are connected by a pair of parallel side walls 39. The pair of parallel side walls 39 are provided along the short sides of the rectangular bottom wall 29. In other words, in the case main body 21, the front wall 35, the rear wall 37, and the pair of parallel side walls 39 rise from each side of the quadrangular bottom wall 29 to form the peripheral wall 31.

[0017] The inner wall surface 41 of the peripheral wall 31 is provided with a plurality of ribs 43 that protrude into the storage space 27 and come into contact with the object to be fixed. The ribs 43 are formed in the shape of small plates that extend in the height direction (for example, the depth direction in FIG. 1 ) on the inner wall surface 41 of the peripheral wall 31 and have a thickness perpendicular to the height direction. The corners of the upper ends of the ribs 43 that protrude into the storage space 27 are cut off to form inclined guide surfaces for smoothly inserting the hard disk drive 15 into the storage space 27. For example, two ribs 43 are provided on the inner wall surface 41 of the rear wall 37, four on the inner wall surface 41 of the front wall 35, three on the inner wall surface 41 of one side wall 39, and two on the inner wall surface 41 of the other side wall 39. The number and positions of the ribs 43 are not limited to these.

[0018] The case body 21 has a plurality of (for example, four) ventilation holes 45 in the bottom wall portion 29. The ventilation holes 45 open the storage space 27 to the outside (i.e., the inside of the housing of the storage device in which the hard disk drive fixing device 11 is mounted). As an example, the ventilation holes 45 are formed in a rectangular shape or the like, and a total of four ventilation holes 45 are arranged, two along the long sides and two along the short sides of the bottom wall portion 29. The ventilation holes 45 provided in the bottom wall portion 29 are formed with an opening area that is approximately 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the area of ​​the bottom wall portion 29. Note that the opening area of ​​the ventilation holes 45 is not limited to approximately 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the above-mentioned area.

[0019] Ventilation holes 45 are also formed in corners 47 where the bottom wall 29 and the peripheral wall 31 intersect. More specifically, ventilation holes 45 are drilled in each of the four corners 47 where the four sides of the bottom wall 29 intersect with the peripheral wall 31. The ventilation holes 45 provided in the corners 47 are formed across the bottom wall 29 and the peripheral wall 31 by cutting out a portion of each of the bottom wall 29 and the peripheral wall 31. In the case body 21 according to the first embodiment, the ventilation holes 45 formed in the corners 47 are slit-shaped and extend along each side.

[0020] A pair of ribs 43 are spaced apart from each other in the ventilation hole 45 provided in the corner 47 between the bottom wall 29 and the front wall 35. A locking claw of the joint 25, which will be described later, is inserted into the gap sandwiched between the pair of ribs 43.

[0021] 3 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device 11, seen from one side wall, with the retaining portions 23 engaged with the case body 21 and in a fixed state. The pair of retaining portions 23 are rotatably connected to the case body 21. In the fixed state (i.e., the retaining portions 23 are engaged with the case body 21; the same applies below), the pair of retaining portions 23 have curved surfaces 49 that protrude into the storage space 27. That is, the retaining portions 23 have an arch shape that spans the rear wall 37 and the front wall 35, and in the fixed state, the convex portion of the arch shape of the curved surfaces 49 contacts and presses the hard disk drive 15 toward the bottom wall 29, thereby holding the hard disk drive 15. The curvature (R value) of the curved surfaces 49 of the pair of retaining portions 23 is set so that the convex portion of the arch shape can contact and hold the hard disk drive 15 even when the height of the assumed hard disk drive 15 is at its lowest.

[0022] Each of the retaining portions 23 is connected to the rear wall portion 37 by a hinge portion 51 having a thin portion on the rotation base end side. The pair of hinge portions 51 are arranged, for example, near both ends of the rear wall portion 37 in the longitudinal direction. The retaining portions 23 are rotated around the hinge portions 51 so as to span between the rear wall portion 37 and the front wall portion 35. The pair of retaining portions 23 span across the upper opening of the peripheral wall portion 31 on the opposite side from the bottom wall portion 29. Each of the retaining portions 23 is formed in the shape of a strip that is long in the direction spanning between the rear wall portion 37 and the front wall portion 35.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, cushioning material 53, which comes into contact with the object to be fixed, is attached to at least a portion of bottom wall portion 29 and pressing portion 23. Cushioning material 53 can be formed from an elastic sheet material of a predetermined thickness. Cushioning material 53 has, for example, an adhesive layer on the adhesive surface. In embodiment 1, cushioning material 53 is formed in a rectangular shape on the front and back sides of bottom wall portion 29, following each of side wall portions 39. Cushioning material 53 is attached to the entire surfaces of the pair of pressing portions 23 that face bottom wall portion 29. Cushioning material 53 may be made of, for example, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, or the like.

[0024] 4 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device 11, viewed obliquely from the front of the front wall 35, in a fixed state with the retaining portions 23 locked to the case body 21. The joint 25 connects the rotating tips of the pair of parallel retaining portions 23. The joint 25 has a locking claw 55 that locks to the front wall 35 from inside the accommodation space 27. In the fixed state, the joint 25 can be locked to the front wall 35 of the case body 21 via the locking claw 55. The front wall 35 of the case body 21 has a recessed portion 57 cut out in a concave curve from the top, at the portion that locks to the locking claw 55. A similar recessed portion 57 is formed on the rear wall 37.

[0025] The joint 25 is substantially parallel or parallel to the front wall 35 when the retaining portion 23 spans between the rear wall 37 and the front wall 35. The joint 25 has a locking plate 59 in the center along the front wall 35, hanging down at a right angle from the rotating tip of the retaining portion 23 and positioned inside the front wall 35. The locking claw 55 is provided at the lower end of the surface of the locking plate 59 that faces the front wall 35. In addition, the joint 25 has locking plate connecting portions 61 on both sides that sandwich the locking plate 59, which are offset to the outside of the front wall 35. The pair of locking plate connecting portions 61 connect the rotating tips of the respective retaining portions 23 to both sides of the locking plate 59.

[0026] In the hard disk drive fixing device 11, the locking claw 55 is inserted into the ventilation hole 45 formed in the corner 47 between the bottom wall 29 and the front wall 35. The locking claw 55 inserted into this ventilation hole 45 is engaged (locked) with the lower end surface of the front wall 35. The ventilation hole 45 formed in the corner 47 where the bottom wall 29 and the front wall 35 intersect is sized to include a flexible space when the locking claw 55 of the joint 25 engages with the front wall 35.

[0027] Next, the operation of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0028] The hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the first embodiment includes a case body 21 having an accommodation space 27 for accommodating an object inside a peripheral wall 31 that stands up from a bottom wall 29, a pair of parallel retaining portions 23 rotatably connected to the case body 21 and spanning an upper opening of the peripheral wall 31 on the opposite side from the bottom wall 29, and a joint 25 connecting the rotating tips of the pair of parallel retaining portions 23. The peripheral wall 31 has a front wall 35 and a rear wall 37 that face each other across the accommodation space 27. The pair of retaining portions 23 have curved surfaces 49 that protrude into the accommodation space 27, and their rotation base ends are connected to the rear wall 37 by hinges 51. The joint 25 has a locking claw 55 that engages with the front wall 35 from inside the accommodation space 27.

[0029] 5 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the first embodiment in which a hard disk drive is accommodated in an unlocked state. In the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the first embodiment, the case main body 21 has a bottom wall 29 and a peripheral wall 31. The peripheral wall 31, which stands upright from the bottom wall 29, surrounds the hard disk drive 15 placed on the bottom wall 29. A pair of parallel retaining portions 23 are rotatably connected to the case main body 21 and bridge an upper opening of the peripheral wall 31 on the opposite side from the bottom wall 29. The pair of parallel retaining portions 23 are connected at their rotating tips by a joint 25. In the hard disk drive fixing device 11, the case main body 21, the retaining portions 23, and the joint 25 are integrally molded from a resin material or the like.

[0030] 6 is a front view of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the first embodiment, in which a hard disk drive is accommodated in a fixed state. The joint 25 connecting the rotation tips of the pair of retaining portions 23 has a locking claw 55. When the retaining portions 23 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 are rotated around the hinge portion 51, the locking plate portion 59 of the joint 25 is positioned inside the front wall portion 35, and the locking plate connecting portions 61 on both sides of the locking plate portion 59 are positioned outside the front wall portion 35. The locking claws 55 at the hanging ends of the locking plate portion 59 positioned inside the front wall portion 35 lock onto the front wall portion 35 from inside the storage space 27. As a result, the pair of retaining portions 23 are simultaneously fixed to the case body 21.

[0031] 7 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the first embodiment, in which a hard disk drive is accommodated in a fixed state. In the hard disk drive fixing device 11, the retaining portions 23 are fixed to the case body 21, and the curved surfaces 49 of the retaining portions 23 protrude into the accommodation space 27. As a result, the top surface of the hard disk drive 15 accommodated in the accommodation space 27 is pressed against the curved surfaces 49 of the pair of retaining portions 23 by a force Fp acting in the direction of gravity against them. That is, the movement of the hard disk drive 15 in a direction parallel to the bottom wall 29 is restricted by the peripheral wall 31, and the hard disk drive is firmly fixed to the hard disk drive fixing device 11 by being sandwiched between the bottom wall 29 and the retaining portions 23 in the housing height direction.

[0032] In this hard disk drive fixing device 11, a joint 25 connecting a pair of retaining parts 23 is provided at the rotating tip of the retaining parts 23, so that by simultaneously rotating the pair of retaining parts 23 and engaging the locking claw 55 of the joint 25 with the front wall part 35, the pair of retaining parts 23 can be fixed to the case body 21 with the locking claw 55 at one location. Also, by releasing the engagement of the locking claw 55 at one location with the front wall part 35, the fixation by the pair of retaining parts 23 can be released all at once. In this way, in the hard disk drive fixing device 11, the hard disk drive 15 can be easily attached and detached with a single touch, compared to conventional fixing structures in which the locking and unlocking operations are performed individually at multiple locations.

[0033] Furthermore, since the case body 21, the pair of clamping parts 23, and the joint part 25 connecting the rotating tips of the pair of clamping parts 23 are integrally molded from a resin material, only one molding die is required, compared to the conventional fixed structure that requires separate parts, and the cost of the parts can be reduced.

[0034] Furthermore, the pair of parallel retaining portions 23 can simultaneously press two spaced apart points of the hard disk drive 15 toward the bottom wall portion 29, making it possible to fix the hard disk drive 15 more stably than with the conventional fixing structure in which the center of the top surface of the hard disk drive 15 is pressed at one point.

[0035] Furthermore, when the object to be fixed is a hard disk drive 15, the retaining portions 23 can press on both sides of the casing of the hard disk drive 15 that sandwich the disk rotation shaft, thereby preventing malfunction of the hard disk drive 15 caused by applying a pressure load to the disk rotation shaft, which is generally located in the center of the casing. Furthermore, since the casing is held down by a pair of spaced-apart retaining portions 23, the product display label 63 affixed to the center of the top surface of the casing can be made more visible.

[0036] Furthermore, in the hard disk drive fixing device 11, a cushioning material 53 that comes into contact with the object to be fixed is attached to at least a part of the bottom wall portion 29 and the pressing portion 23.

[0037] In this hard disk drive fixing device 11, cushioning material 53 is attached to the bottom wall 29 and the retaining portion 23. The cushioning material 53 is attached to at least a portion of the bottom wall 29 and the retaining portion 23 that contact the hard disk drive 15. In other words, the cushioning material 53 is present in the portions of the bottom wall 29 and the retaining portion 23 that contact the hard disk drive 15. Note that, in consideration of ease of attachment, the cushioning material 53 may be attached to all the portions that do not contact the hard disk drive 15.

[0038] The cushioning material 53 attenuates vibrations and shocks transmitted between the hard disk drive fixing device 11 and the hard disk drive 15. This allows the hard disk drive fixing device 11 to suppress malfunctions such as seek caused by vibrations of the hard disk drive itself or external vibrations and shocks.

[0039] In addition, the hard disk drive fixing device 11 has a bottom wall portion 29 formed in a rectangular shape, and ventilation holes 45 that open the storage space 27 to the outside are drilled in the bottom wall portion 29 and in four corners 47 where the four sides of the bottom wall portion 29 intersect with the peripheral wall portion 31.

[0040] In this hard disk drive fixing device 11, the bottom wall 29 is formed in a rectangular shape. The case body 21 has ventilation holes 45 (see FIG. 2) formed in the rectangular bottom wall 29. The case body 21 also has ventilation holes 45 formed in four corners 47 where the four sides of the bottom wall 29 intersect with the peripheral wall 31. This allows the air in the storage space 27 that has been warmed by the hard disk drive 15 to be discharged not only from the upper opening of the peripheral wall 31 but also from the bottom wall 29 and the peripheral wall 31.

[0041] Whether the hard disk drive fixing device 11 is used horizontally with the bottom wall portion 29 parallel to the mounting surface, or vertically with the bottom wall portion 29 perpendicular to the mounting surface, it is possible to intake and exhaust air in the storage space 27 through natural convection (i.e., hot air can be exhausted from the upper ventilation hole 45 and low-temperature outside air can be introduced into the storage space 27 through the lower ventilation hole 45), thereby efficiently cooling the hard disk drive 15.

[0042] Furthermore, the hard disk drive fixing device 11 has a plurality of ribs 43 on the inner wall surface 41 of the peripheral wall portion 31 that protrude into the accommodation space 27 and come into contact with the hard disk drive 15 .

[0043] In this hard disk drive fixing device 11, the hard disk drive 15 placed on the bottom wall 29 of the case body 21 is surrounded by the peripheral wall 31. The front wall 35, rear wall 37, and pair of side wall 39 that make up the peripheral wall 31 each have a rib 43 (see FIG. 2) protruding from the surface facing the storage space. The hard disk drive 15 contacts the rib 43, thereby restricting movement parallel to the bottom wall 29. A gap corresponding to the protruding rib 43 is secured between the inner wall surface 41 of the peripheral wall 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the hard disk drive 15. This allows the hard disk drive 15 to dissipate heat effectively from the outer peripheral surface facing the inner wall surface 41 of the peripheral wall 31. The hard disk drive fixing device 11 allows heat to be dissipated from almost the entire outer surface of the hard disk drive 15 accommodated in the storage space 27 of the case body 21. As a result, malfunctions caused by heat buildup and high temperatures in the hard disk drive 15 can be suppressed.

[0044] In addition, the ventilation hole 45 formed in the corner 47 where the bottom wall portion 29 and the front wall portion 35 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 intersects includes a flexible space when the locking claw 55 of the joint portion 25 engages with the front wall portion 35.

[0045] In this hard disk drive fixing device 11, when fixing the hard disk drive 15, the joints 25 connecting the rotational ends of the pair of retaining parts 23 are rotated in a direction approaching the front wall 35. When the locking claws 55 provided on the engaging plates 59 of the joints 25 of the pair of retaining parts 23 are engaged with the front wall 35, the curved surfaces 49 of each of the pair of retaining parts 23 protrude into the storage space 27.

[0046] When a hard disk drive 15 is housed in the housing space 27, the curved surface 49 presses the top surface of the hard disk drive 15 with a force Fp. Because the hard disk drive 15 is placed on the bottom wall 29, an upward reaction force Fr (see FIG. 7) acts from the hard disk drive 15 on the retaining portion 23 that is pressing against the hard disk drive 15. This reaction force Fr causes the retaining portion 23 to elastically deform in a direction that reduces the curvature of the curved surface 49. An elastic restoring force is accumulated in the elastically deformed retaining portion 23 in a direction that increases the curvature of the curved surface 49. This elastic restoring force causes the locking claw 55 to lock with a strong locking force against the bottom end of the front wall 35.

[0047] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 7. The elastic restoring force accumulated in the retaining portion 23 due to the elastic deformation of the curved surface 49 includes a component force Fs in the direction pressing the locking plate portion 59 of the joint portion 25 against the front wall portion 35. This also biases the locking claw 55 provided on the locking plate portion 59 in the direction of locking with the front wall portion 35, resulting in a more secure lock.

[0048] Here, the hard disk drives 15 come in at least two sizes, each with a different height from the bottom wall 29. The curved surface 49 of the retaining portion 23 that protrudes into the storage space 27 is formed with a protrusion amount that allows it to press against the top surface of the hard disk drive 15, even in the case of a short hard disk drive 15. Therefore, when a tall hard disk drive 15 is stored in the storage space 27, the curved surface 49 of the retaining portion 23 deforms more significantly. In other words, a greater elastic restoring force is accumulated in the retaining portion 23 in the direction pushing up the retaining portion 23. Tall hard disk drives 15 have a greater mass than short hard disk drives 15. In the hard disk drive fixing device 11, if a heavy hard disk drive 15 is fixed, a greater locking force acts on the locking claw 55. In other words, the locking force can be increased according to the mass of the hard disk drive 15.

[0049] Furthermore, when the locking claw 55 is inserted into the inside of the front wall 35, it contacts the inner wall surface 41 of the front wall 35 and deflects the locking plate 59 in a direction away from this inner surface. When the locking claw 55 enters the ventilation hole 45 and reaches the lower end of the front wall 35, the locking claw 55 enters and engages with the lower surface of the front wall 35 and simultaneously abuts against the inner wall surface 41 of the front wall 35. Therefore, the locking plate 59 deflects and protrudes toward the storage space by the amount of the locking claw 55 until it reaches the lower end of the front wall 35. The ventilation hole 45 has a size that allows it to receive the locking plate 59 deflected toward the storage space. In other words, the ventilation hole 45 is formed to include a flexible space when the locking claw 55 engages with the front wall 35.

[0050] As a result, the hard disk drive fixing device 11 makes effective use of the ventilation holes 45 for cooling the hard disk drive 15, and enables the joint portion 25 to be locked to the front wall portion 35 without forming any other shaped portion. In other words, the ventilation holes 45 formed in the corner portions 47 between the bottom wall portion 29 and the front wall portion 35 serve both as a cooling means for the hard disk drive 15 and as a locking means for the locking claws 55.

[0051] The storage device 13 according to the first embodiment includes a hard disk drive fixing device 11 and a hard disk drive, which is an object to be fixed to the hard disk drive fixing device 11.

[0052] In the storage device 13 according to the first embodiment, the hard disk drive 15 is placed on the case body 21 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 attached to the housing, and the hard disk drive 15 can be easily attached and detached simply by rotating the pair of retaining portions 23, the rotation base ends of which are connected to the rear wall portion 37 via the hinge portion 51. The pair of retaining portions 23 can be rotated simultaneously by using the joint portion 25 that connects the rotation tips of the pair of retaining portions 23. In addition, since the hard disk drive fixing device 11 of the storage device 13 is simply configured as a single member, the material cost can be reduced. Furthermore, in the storage device 13, the hard disk drive fixing device 11 can secure the hard disk drive 15 without rattle, i.e., achieve stable fixation, by the pressing and clamping between the pair of retaining portions 23 and the bottom wall portion 29 and the fitting structure of the peripheral wall portion 31 (side wall portion 39, front wall portion 35, and rear wall portion 37).

[0053] Therefore, according to the hard disk drive fixing device 11 of the first embodiment, the object to be fixed can be easily attached and detached, and the object can be stably fixed with inexpensive material costs.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the storage device 13 of the first embodiment, the hard disk drive 15 can be easily attached and detached, and the hard disk drive 15 can be stably fixed with inexpensive material costs.

[0055] <Modification> Modified examples of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those described in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, in the modified examples having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, the number, position, size, and shape of the components (for example, ribs 43, ventilation holes 45, or screw holes) are merely examples and are not limited to these. In the modified examples, the cushioning material 53 will be omitted from illustration and description.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a hard disk drive fixing device according to a modified example in which the hard disk drive is removed.

[0057] Each of the retaining portions 23 is connected to the rear wall 37 by a second hinge portion 70, which is an example of a hinge portion. The pair of second hinge portions 70 are disposed, for example, near both longitudinal ends of the rear wall 37. The second hinge portion 70 has a pair of connecting portions 82 at both ends, centered around a central hollow portion 83. Note that the positional relationship between the central hollow portion 83 and the pair of connecting portions 82 in the second hinge portion 70 is an example and is not limited thereto. The retaining portions 23 are rotated around the pair of connecting portions 82 as fulcrums, thereby spanning the rear wall 37 and the front wall 35. The pair of retaining portions 23 span the upper opening of the peripheral wall 31 on the opposite side of the bottom wall 29. Each of the retaining portions 23 is formed in a strip shape that is long in the direction spanning the rear wall 37 and the front wall 35.

[0058] Next, the configuration of the second hinge portion will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device shown in Figure 9 with the hard disk drive removed. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the second hinge portion of the hard disk drive fixing device shown in Figure 10.

[0059] The second hinge portion 70 extends along the rear wall portion 37 in the direction toward the bottom wall portion 29 from the upper end of the rear wall portion 37 (that is, the end portion of the rear wall portion 37 opposite the bottom wall portion 29).

[0060] The second hinge portion 70 has a second protrusion 81 and a first contact surface 85 between the connecting portion 82 and the central hollow portion 83 .

[0061] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second hinge portion of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the modified example, seen from outside the rear wall portion.

[0062] The first contact surface 85 is a surface that extends from the upper end of the rear wall 37 to the side opposite the storage space 27. When the first contact surface 85 is a curved surface, the first contact surface 85 extends from the upper end of the rear wall 37 to the side opposite the storage space 27 and downward (i.e., from the upper end of the rear wall 37 toward the bottom wall 29 of the case body 21). Note that the first contact surface 85 is not limited to a curved surface, and may be formed as a flat surface, or may be formed as both a flat surface and a curved surface.

[0063] The pair of second protrusions 81 are provided, for example, to protrude from the first contact surface 85 on either side of the central hollow portion 83. Each second protrusion 81 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long from the upper end of the rear wall portion 37 in the direction opposite to the storage space 27.

[0064] The pressing portion 23 has a connecting portion 82, a central hollow portion 83, and a pair of second contact surfaces 87 at the end opposite the joint portion 25. The second contact surfaces 87 are surfaces provided at the end of the pressing portion 23 opposite the joint portion 25. The central hollow portion 83 is provided at the end of the pressing portion 23 opposite the joint portion 25 and is formed by partially cutting out the end of the pressing portion 23 opposite the joint portion 25 in the direction of the joint portion 25. The pair of second contact surfaces 87 are formed outside the central hollow portion 83, sandwiching the central hollow portion 83 therebetween. The pair of connecting portions 82 are formed outside the respective second contact surfaces 87, with the central hollow portion 83 as the center. Note that the positional relationship between the connecting portion 82, the second contact surfaces 87, and the central hollow portion 83 is merely an example and is not limited thereto. Note that the central hollow portion 83 may be omitted from the pressing portion 23.

[0065] The recess 84 is formed in the second contact surface 87. The recess 84 is formed by cutting out a portion of the second contact surface 87 on the contact portion 86 side. The recess 84 is formed at a position where it engages with the second protrusion 81 when the retaining portion 23 is rotated in the direction covering the case main body 21. Note that the recess 84 and the second protrusion 81 may be omitted from the hard disk drive fixing device 11.

[0066] The contact portion 86 is a surface where the first contact surface 85 and the second contact surface 87 come into slidable contact when the retaining portion 23 rotates in the direction covering the case main body 21. The first contact surface 85 and the second contact surface 87 may be in line contact at the contact portion 86.

[0067] Next, the operation of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the above-mentioned modified example will be described. Figure 13 is a front view of the second hinge portion of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the modified example, seen from outside the rear wall portion.

[0068] When the retaining portion 23 rotates around the connecting portion 82 as an axis in the direction covering the case main body 21 and the first contact surface 85 and the second contact surface 87 come into contact with each other, a force Fk acts on the contact portion 86, which is the contact surface, from the retaining portion 23 in the direction of the case main body 21. In other words, the first contact surface 85 is pressed by the second contact surface 87 with the force Fk. When the second contact surface 87 presses the contact portion 86 with the force Fk, a reaction force Fu acts on the contact portion 86 in the direction from the case main body 21 to the retaining portion 23. In other words, the second contact surface 87 receives the reaction force Fu from the first contact surface 85.

[0069] The pair of retaining portions are fixed to the case body 21 by the locking claws 55 engaging with the front wall portion 35 from inside the accommodation space 27 (see FIG. 4). On the other hand, when the locking plate portion 59 is inserted into the front wall portion 35 from outside the accommodation space 27, the second contact surface 87 receives a reaction force Fu from the first contact surface 85, causing the retaining portion 23 to rotate about the second hinge portion 70 in a direction opening from the case body 21, and the locking claws 55 enter a disengaged state where they are not engaged with the front wall portion 35 (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

[0070] The first contact surface 85 and the second contact surface 87 may come into contact with each other by the recess 84 and the second protrusion 81 coming into contact with each other, rather than by the contact portion 86. When the recess 84 and the second protrusion 81 come into contact with each other, a force (not shown) directed from the second protrusion 81 toward the recess 84 acts on the contact surface between the recess 84 and the second protrusion 81, resulting in a disengaged state.

[0071] 14 is a perspective view of the second hinge portion of the hard disk drive fixing device according to the modified example, seen from the outside of the peripheral wall portion. When the retaining portion 23 rotates in the direction covering the case body 21, the retaining portion 23 and the case body 21 come into contact with each other at the contact portion 86.

[0072] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device in a disengaged state where the retaining portion is not engaged with the case body.

[0073] In the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to FIG. 15, the retaining portion 23 rotates in the direction covering the case main body 21 with the second hinge portion 70 as the rotation axis, and is in an unlocked state.

[0074] In the unlocked state, a force of gravity Fg acts on the retaining portion 23. When the retaining portion 23 is in the unlocked state, the joint 25 on the rotation tip side is higher from the mounting surface of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 than the second hinge portion 70 on the rotating base side, as viewed from the side wall 39 of the case body 21. In other words, when the retaining portion 23 is in the unlocked state, it is inclined in the direction of the inclination SL, as viewed from the side wall 39 of the case body 21.

[0075] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the hard disk drive fixing device in an unlocked state where the retaining portion is not locked to the case body, as viewed from outside the front wall portion.

[0076] The hard disk drive fixing device 11 shown in Figure 16 is in an unlocked state. When the hard disk drive fixing device 11 is in an unlocked state, the locking plate portion 59 and the recessed portion 57 come into point contact at two points, the first end point 91 and the second end point 92. As a result, in the unlocked state, the locking plate portion 59 does not enter the inside of the storage space 27 of the front wall portion 35. In other words, when in the unlocked state, the pressing portion 23 is inclined when viewed from the side wall portion 39 of the case body 21. As a result, in the hard disk drive fixing device 11, the locking plate portion 59 can be prevented from entering the inside of the storage space 27 of the front wall portion 35 in the unlocked state.

[0077] As described above, the second hinge part 70 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example has a contact part 86 in which a first contact surface 85, which is a surface extending from the upper end of the rear wall part 37 to the side opposite the accommodation space 27, and a second contact surface 87 provided at the end of the pressing part 23 opposite the joint part 25 are in slidable contact. This allows the pressing part 23 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 to rotate smoothly around the second hinge part 70 as an axis.

[0078] Furthermore, in the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example, when the locking claw 55 is inserted outside the front wall portion 35, a reaction force from the first contact surface 85 toward the second contact surface 87 acts on the contact portion 86, and the joint portion 25 enters an unlocked state where it is not locked to the front wall portion 35. This allows the manufacturer, transporter, user, etc., to easily determine whether the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example is in an unlocked state. This prevents the retaining portion 23 from accidentally moving during production, transportation, or use of the hard disk drive fixing device 11, which could damage the hard disk drive fixing device 11. For example, transporting the hard disk drive fixing device 11 in an unlocked state can prevent damage to the retaining portion 23 or the second hinge portion 70, etc.

[0079] Furthermore, the case body 21 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example has a recessed portion 57 formed by cutting out a concave curved line from the top at approximately the center of the front wall 35. The joint 25 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 has a locking plate 59 that connects the rotating tips of the pair of pressing portions 23. When the joint 25 is in the unlocked state, the locking plate 59 comes into point contact with the recessed portion 57 at two points. This prevents the locking plate 59 from entering the inside of the storage space 27 when the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example is in the unlocked state.

[0080] Furthermore, the first contact surface 85 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example is a curved surface, which allows the first contact surface 85 and the second contact surface 87 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example to slide smoothly against each other.

[0081] Furthermore, when the restraining portion 23 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example is in the unlocked state, the joint portion 25 on the tip end side of the rotation is higher from the mounting surface of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 than the second hinge portion 70 on the base end side of the rotation when viewed from the side wall portion 39 of the case body 21. This allows the manufacturer, transporter, user, etc. to easily determine the unlocked state of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example.

[0082] The second hinge portion 70 of the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example is composed of a recessed portion 84 provided at the end of the retaining portion 23 on the rear wall portion 37 side, and a second protrusion portion 81 provided to protrude from the rear wall portion 37 of the case body 21 on the opposite side of the storage space 27. As a result, the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example can be put into an unlocked state by abutting the recessed portion 84 and the second protrusion portion 81.

[0083] Furthermore, in the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example, when the locking claw 55 is inserted outside the front wall 35 and the recess 84 and the second protrusion 81 come into contact, a reaction force from the second protrusion 81 toward the recess 84 acts on the contact surface where the recess 84 and the second protrusion 81 come into contact, and the joint 25 enters an unlocked state where it is not locked to the front wall 35. As a result, in the hard disk drive fixing device 11 according to the modified example, the manufacturer, the transporter, the user, etc. can easily determine whether or not the hard disk drive fixing device 11 is in an unlocked state.

[0084] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0085] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2022-080371) filed on May 16, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Industrial Applicability]

[0086] The present disclosure is useful as a fixing device and a storage device that allows for easy attachment and detachment of an object to be fixed and achieves stable fixing of the object with low material costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 11 Hard disk drive fixing device 13 Storage device 15 Hard disk drive (fixed object) 21 Case body 23 Retaining part 25 Joint 27 Containment Space 29 Bottom wall 31 Peripheral wall section 35 Front wall 37 Rear wall 41 Inner wall surface 43 Ribs 45 ventilation holes 47 Corner 49 Curved Surface 51 Hinge part 53 Cushioning material 55 Locking Claw

Claims

1. The device comprises a case body having an accommodation space for accommodating an object to be fixed inside a peripheral wall part that stands up from a bottom wall part, a pair of pressing parts that are rotatably connected to the case body and bridge an upper opening of the peripheral wall part on the opposite side to the bottom wall part, and a joint part that connects the rotating tips of the pair of pressing parts together, The peripheral wall portion has a front wall portion and a rear wall portion that face each other across the storage space, The pair of pressing portions have curved surfaces that protrude into the accommodation space, and rotation base ends thereof are connected to the rear wall portion by hinge portions, The joint portion has a locking claw that engages with the front wall portion from inside the accommodation space. Fixation device.

2. A cushioning material that comes into contact with the object to be fixed is attached to at least a portion of the bottom wall portion and the pressing portion. The fixation device of claim 1 .

3. The bottom wall portion is formed in a quadrilateral shape, Ventilation holes that open the storage space to the outside are formed in the bottom wall portion and in four corners where four sides of the bottom wall portion intersect with the peripheral wall portion.

3. The fixation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A plurality of ribs are provided on an inner wall surface of the peripheral wall portion so as to protrude into the accommodation space and come into contact with the object to be fixed. The fixation device of claim 3.

5. The ventilation hole formed at the corner where the bottom wall portion and the front wall portion intersect includes a flexible space when the locking claw of the joint portion engages with the front wall portion. The fixation device of claim 3.

6. The hinge portion has a contact portion where a first contact surface, which is a surface extending from an upper end of the rear wall portion to a side opposite to the storage space, and a second contact surface provided at an end of the pressing portion opposite to the joint portion are in slidable contact with each other. The fixation device of claim 1 .

7. When the locking claw is inserted into the outside of the front wall portion, a reaction force from the first contact surface toward the second contact surface acts on the contact portion, and the joint portion enters a disengaged state where it is not engaged with the front wall portion. The fixation device of claim 6.

8. the case body includes a recessed portion formed by cutting out an upper portion of the front wall portion in a concave curved shape at a substantially central portion of the front wall portion, The joint portion includes a locking plate portion that connects the rotation tips of the pair of holding portions, When the joint portion is in the unlocked state, the locking plate portion comes into point contact with the recessed portion at two points.

8. The fixation device of claim 7.

9. the first tangent surface is a curved surface; The fixation device of claim 6.

10. When the retaining portion is in the unlocked state, the joint portion on the rotation tip end side is positioned higher from the mounting surface of the fixing device than the hinge portion on the rotation base end side, as viewed from the side wall direction of the case body.

8. The fixation device of claim 7.

11. The hinge portion is configured by a recess provided at an end of the pressing portion on the rear wall portion side, and a protrusion provided on the rear wall portion of the case main body so as to protrude on the opposite side of the storage space. The fixation device of claim 1 .

12. When the locking claw is inserted into the outside of the front wall portion and the recess and the protrusion come into contact with each other, a reaction force from the protrusion to the recess acts on the contact surface where the recess and the protrusion come into contact, and the joint is placed in a disengaged state where it is not engaged with the front wall portion. The fixation device of claim 11.

13. A fixing device according to claim 1; a storage medium that is the object to be fixed to the fixing device, storage device.

Images