Electronic device housing structure

Abstract

To enable the arrangement of a wireless communication unit while maintaining a corrective force of a housing.SOLUTION: A housing 1 includes: a support frame 60 that spans between a right side plate 20 and a left side plate 30; and a front frame 50 that has an L-shape in which a vertical piece portion 50a and a horizontal piece portion 50b are connected, and in which a root portion 50c where the vertical piece portion 50a and the horizontal piece portion 50b are connected is located on the right side plate 20 side. The root portion 50c includes a first fixed portion 51 fixed to a lower end side of the right side plate 20. The horizontal piece portion 50b includes a second fixed portion 52 that extends from the root portion 50c toward the left side plate 30, and is fixed to a lower end side of the left side plate 30. The vertical piece portion 50a includes a third fixed portion 53 that extends upward from the root portion 50c and is fixed to an upper end side of the right side plate 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing structure for an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various electronic devices have been mounted on structures such as vehicles. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose housing structures for accommodating electronic devices. If the vertical and horizontal alignment of each surface of the housing is not maintained, the accuracy of assembly to the structure may deteriorate, or the housing may not be able to be assembled to the structure. Therefore, a method of correcting the housing by attaching a frame around the periphery of the housing has been adopted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 022066 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-129669 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the corrective force of the housing against the frame is required, the area of ​​the frame attached to the housing tends to be large, and the area covered by the frame increases. In electronic devices that have a wireless communication unit with a built-in antenna for short-range wireless communication or the like inside the housing, there is a problem that the wireless communication unit cannot be placed because the radio waves from the wireless communication unit are blocked.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a housing structure for an electronic device that allows for the placement of a wireless communication unit while maintaining the corrective force of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the embodiment, there is provided a housing structure for an electronic device, comprising: right and left side panels arranged to face each other; a bottom chassis located below the right and left side panels, to which the lower ends of the right and left side panels are respectively fixed, defining the distance between the lower ends of the right and left side panels; a support frame extending between the right and left side panels, to which the upper ends of the right and left side panels are respectively fixed, defining the distance between the upper ends of the right and left side panels; and a front frame having an L-shape in which a vertical piece and a horizontal piece are connected, and a base portion where the vertical piece and the horizontal piece are connected is located on the side of one of the right and left side panels, wherein the base portion includes a first fixing portion fixed to the lower end side of one of the side panels, the horizontal piece extending from the root portion toward the other side panel and including a second fixing portion fixed to the lower end side of the other side panel, and the vertical piece extending upward from the root portion and a third fixing portion fixed to the upper end side of one of the side panels. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to arrange the wireless communication unit while maintaining the corrective force of the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the housing structure of an electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the housing structure of the electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the housing structure of the electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the positioning function of the first fixing portion according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the anti-rotation function of the second fixing portion according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The housing structure of an electronic device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the definitions of directions are left-right, front-rear, and up-down. The left-right and front-rear directions correspond to two directions that are orthogonal to the horizontal direction, and the left and right of the left-right direction are the directions when looking from the back to the front. The up-down direction corresponds to the vertical direction. However, these directions are merely used for convenience in describing the housing structure according to this embodiment.

[0010] The housing structure according to this embodiment can be applied to an electronic device mounted on a vehicle, such as the housing 1 of a car navigation device. This car navigation device is mounted, for example, inside the instrument panel of the vehicle, and is attached to the vehicle via brackets or the like attached to both side surfaces of the housing 1 (specifically, right and left side plates 20, 30, which will be described later).

[0011] The housing 1 includes a bottom chassis 10, right and left side panels 20, 30, a rear panel 40, a front frame 50, and a support frame 60. Although some parts are omitted in the drawings, the housing 1 has parts necessary for heat dissipation of electronic devices and parts necessary for mounting a car navigation device.

[0012] The bottom chassis 10 is a member that constitutes the lower part of the housing 1, and is made of sheet metal.

[0013] The right and left edges of the bottom chassis 10 are provided with right and left raised pieces 12, 13 that rise upward. The right and left raised pieces 12, 13 are precisely finished so that the distance between them is a predetermined dimension. In addition, the rear edge of the bottom chassis 10 is provided with a rear raised piece 14 that rises upward.

[0014] The right and left side plates 20, 30 are members that constitute the right and left parts of the housing 1 and are made of sheet metal. The right and left side plates 20, 30 are arranged to face each other. The right side plate 20 is arranged on the right edge of the bottom chassis 10, and its lower end is fixed to the right rising piece 12 with a screw or the like. The left side plate 30 is arranged on the left edge of the bottom chassis 10, and its lower end is fixed to the left rising piece 13 with a screw or the like.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, a flange piece 21 bent toward the left is provided on the front edge of the right side panel 20. The flange piece 21 has a first hole 22, a third hole 23, and an engagement piece 24. The first hole 22 is provided on the lower end side of the flange piece 21 and is used to secure the front frame 50. The third hole 23 is provided on the upper end side of the flange piece 21 and is used to secure the front frame 50. The engagement piece 24 is provided on the upper end side of the flange piece 21 and is used to secure the support frame 60.

[0016] A flange piece 31 bent toward the right is provided at the front edge of the left side plate 30. The flange piece 31 has a second hole portion 32 and an engagement piece 33. The second hole portion 32 is provided at the lower end of the flange piece 31 and is used to secure the front frame 50. The engagement piece 33 is provided at the upper end of the flange piece 21 and is used to secure the support frame 60. The distance from the lower end of the left side plate 30 to the engagement piece 33 is formed to be equal to the distance from the lower end of the right side plate 20 to the engagement piece 24.

[0017] In addition, when fixing the right and left side plates 20, 30 to the right and left raised pieces 12, 13, a fixing method that performs positioning and rotation prevention functions using tongue pieces and hole portions described below may be applied.

[0018] The rear plate 40 is a member that constitutes the rear of the housing 1 and is made of sheet metal. The rear plate 40 is disposed on the rear edge of the bottom chassis 10, and its lower end is fixed to the rear rising piece 14 with a screw or the like.

[0019] The front frame 50 is provided at the front of the housing 1. The front of the housing 1 is open and is partially closed by the front frame 50. The front frame 50 is fixed to the right and left side plates 20, 30, respectively.

[0020] The front frame 50 has an L-shape with a vertical piece 50a and a horizontal piece 50b connected, and is made of sheet metal. A root portion 50c, where the vertical piece 50a and the horizontal piece 50b connect, is located on the right side plate 20 side of the right and left side plates 20, 30. The vertical piece 50a extends upward from the root portion 50c. The horizontal piece 50b extends laterally from the root portion 50c toward the left side plate 30.

[0021] 3 and 4, the base portion 50c includes a first fixing portion 51. The first fixing portion 51 has a tongue-like shape that extends rearward. The first fixing portion 51 is inserted into a first hole 22 provided in the right flange piece 21, and is thereby fixed to the lower end side of the right side plate 20.

[0022] 3 and 5, the horizontal piece 50b includes a second fixing portion 52. The second fixing portion 52 has a tongue-like shape that extends rearward. The second fixing portion 52 is inserted into a second hole 32 provided in the left flange piece 31, and is thereby fixed to the lower end side of the left side panel 30.

[0023] 3, the vertical piece 50a includes a third fixing portion 53. The third fixing portion 53 has a tongue-like shape that extends rearward. The third fixing portion 53 is inserted into a third hole 23 provided in the right flange piece 21, and is thereby fixed to the upper end side of the right side plate 20.

[0024] The front frame 50 has a stiffening structure that reinforces the rigidity of the base portion 50c. Specifically, the upper edge 50ca of the base portion 50c is finished in a shape that slopes from the vertical piece 50a toward the horizontal piece 50b, and the width of the base portion 50c is increased. In addition, a convex portion 50cb is provided from the base portion 50c to the horizontal piece 50b, which is formed by drawing so that part of the frame surface is raised in a convex shape.

[0025] The support frame 60 is provided at the front of the housing 1 and is positioned higher than the lateral piece 50b of the front frame 50. The front of the housing 1 is partially closed by the support frame 60. The support frame 60 is fixed to the right and left side plates 20, 30.

[0026] The support frame 60 extends so as to bridge between the right and left side plates 20, 30. The support frame 60 is formed from sheet metal.

[0027] In this embodiment, the support frame 60 is a bracket that fixes a unit 100, which constitutes part of the navigation device, inside the housing 1. The unit 100 is, for example, a disk unit that reads disks such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), or a hard disk unit that includes a hard disk. By using the bracket for fixing the unit as the support frame 60, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and simplify the structure. Furthermore, since the number of parts provided in the front part of the housing 1 can be reduced, it is possible to suppress areas where radio waves are blocked.

[0028] The support frame 60 includes a right-side engagement groove 61. The right-side engagement groove 61 is configured as a notch provided on the right side of the lower edge of the support frame 60. The right-side engagement groove 61 is fixed to the upper end side of the right-side side plate 20 by engaging with the engagement piece 24 provided on the right-side flange piece 21.

[0029] The support frame 60 includes a left-side engagement groove 62. The left-side engagement groove 62 is configured as a notch provided on the left side of the lower edge of the support frame 60. The left-side engagement groove 62 is fixed to the upper end side of the left-side side plate 30 by engaging with an engagement piece 33 provided on the left-side flange piece 31.

[0030] The right and left engagement grooves 61, 62 are formed with high precision so that the distance between them is a predetermined dimension.

[0031] The correction function of the housing 1 achieved by the housing structure according to this embodiment will now be described. First, as shown in Figure 3, the lower ends of the right and left side plates 20, 30 are fixed to the right and left rising pieces 12, 13, respectively. The spacing between the right and left rising pieces 12, 13 is finished with a certain precision, so the precision of the spacing between the lower ends of the right and left side plates 20, 30 is guaranteed.

[0032] Furthermore, the engagement piece 24 provided on the upper end of the right side plate 20 engages with the right engagement groove 61 of the support frame 60. Similarly, the engagement piece 33 provided on the upper end of the left side plate 30 engages with the left engagement groove 62 of the support frame 60. The spacing between the right and left engagement grooves 61, 62 is finished with a constant precision, ensuring the precision of the spacing between the upper ends of the right and left side plates 20, 30. In addition, the distance from the lower end of the right side plate 20 to the engagement piece 24 is set to be equal to the distance from the lower end of the left side plate 30 to the engagement piece 33.

[0033] This relationship ensures that the right and left side plates 20, 30 are parallel to one another.

[0034] Next, as shown in FIG. 4 , the tongue-shaped first fixing portion 51 is formed to be wide in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the first hole portion 22 into which the first fixing portion 51 is inserted is formed to be an opening shape that is wide in the left-right direction. In this case, a downwardly protruding convex portion is formed on the upper edge portion 22a of the first hole portion 22, and an upwardly protruding convex portion is formed on the lower edge portion 22b of the first hole portion 22. The distance between the upper edge portion 22a and the lower edge portion 22b is formed to be equal to or slightly larger than the thickness of the first fixing portion 51 in the up-down direction. In addition, the distance between the right edge portion 22c and the left edge portion 22d of the first hole portion 22 is formed to be equal to or slightly larger than the left-right width of the first fixing portion 51.

[0035] By inserting the first fixing portion 51 into the first hole 22, the first fixing portion 51 is fixed to the lower end side of the right side panel 20. Then, with the first fixing portion 51 inserted into the first hole 22, the upper and lower edge portions 22a, 22b of the first hole 22 restrict up-and-down movement of the first fixing portion 51. Similarly, the right and left edge portions 22c, 22d of the first hole 22 restrict left-and-right movement of the first fixing portion 51. As a result, the first fixing portion 51 exerts a positioning function in the up-and-down and left-and-right directions, restricting the position of the front frame 50 in the up-and-down and left-and-right directions.

[0036] The front frame 50 is only restricted in its position in the up-down and left-right directions, and is therefore permitted to rotate about the first fixing portion 51. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 5, the tongue-shaped second fixing portion 52 is formed to be wide in the up-down direction. In this case, the distance between the upper edge 32a and the lower edge 32b of the second hole portion 32 into which the second fixing portion 52 is inserted is formed to be equal to or slightly larger than the up-down width of the second fixing portion 52.

[0037] By inserting the second fixing portion 52 into the second hole portion 32, the second fixing portion 52 is fixed to the lower end side of the left side panel 30. When the second fixing portion 52 is inserted into the second hole portion 32, the upper and lower edges 32a, 32b of the second hole portion 32 restrict vertical movement of the second fixing portion 52. As a result, the second fixing portion 52 functions as a rotation stopper, restricting rotation of the front frame 50.

[0038] The height of the first hole 22 and the height of the second hole 32 are set to match each other when the right and left side plates 20, 30 are fixed to the bottom chassis 10. Therefore, by fixing the first and second fixing parts 51, 52, the horizontal position of the lateral piece 50b of the front frame 50 is ensured.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the third fixing portion 53 is inserted into the third hole 23. This fixes the third fixing portion 53 to the upper end side of the right side panel 20. The front frame 50 is pre-formed so that the line connecting the first fixing portion 51 and the second fixing portion 52 is perpendicular to the line connecting the first fixing portion 51 and the third fixing portion 53. Since the horizontal piece 50b of the front frame 50 is guaranteed to be horizontal, inserting the third fixing portion 53 into the third hole 23 also ensures that the right side panel 20 is vertical. As described above, since the right and left side panels 20, 30 are parallel to each other, it is guaranteed that the right and left side panels 20, 30 are each perpendicular to the bottom chassis 10.

[0040] As described above, according to the housing structure of this embodiment, by providing the front frame 50 and the support frame 60, the housing 1 can be accurately corrected. In this case, the open area on the front side of the housing 1 is not entirely covered by the frame, but is only partially covered by the front frame 50 and the support frame 60. Therefore, the front area of ​​the housing 1 can be partially opened. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a wireless communication unit 150 having a built-in antenna for wireless communication can be disposed near the left side panel 30, between the front frame 50 and the support frame 60. This allows the wireless communication unit 150 to be disposed in an area that is not affected by radio waves.

[0041] Therefore, according to the housing structure of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a housing structure for an electronic device that allows the wireless communication unit 150 to be disposed while maintaining the corrective force of the housing 1.

[0042] In this embodiment, the front frame 50 has a stiffening structure that reinforces the rigidity of the base portion 50c. This structure ensures high rigidity for the front frame 50, allowing the housing 1 to be properly straightened.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first fixing portion 51 provided on the base portion 50c has a positioning function that restricts the position of the front frame 50 in the up-down and left-right directions. The second fixing portion 52 provided on the lateral piece portion 50b has a rotation stop function that restricts rotation of the front frame 50 around the first fixing portion 51. This allows the front frame 50 to be fixed horizontally.

[0044] The first fixing portion 51 is a reference for maintaining horizontality and verticality and performs a positioning function. Conversely to the method described in this embodiment, the first fixing portion 51 provided on the base portion 50c can be provided with a rotation prevention function, and the second fixing portion 52 can be provided with a positioning function. However, since the first fixing portion 51 on the base portion 50c also ensures perpendicularity with respect to the third fixing portion 53, providing the rotation prevention function to the first fixing portion 51 may result in failure to ensure perpendicularity with respect to the third fixing portion 53. On the other hand, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the first fixing portion 51 on the base portion 50c performs a positioning function, and the second fixing portion 52 on the side of the lateral piece 50b performs a rotation prevention function, thereby ensuring perpendicularity with respect to the third fixing portion 53. This allows for effective correction of the housing 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, a bracket that fixes the unit 100 inside the housing 1 is used as the support frame 60. However, a dedicated part may be used as the support frame 60 without using a bracket. However, by using a bracket, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the weight. Furthermore, since the number of parts provided in the front part of the housing 1 can be reduced, it is possible to suppress the area where radio waves are blocked.

[0046] The embodiment described above in detail is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0047] Although the housing structure according to the present embodiment has been described with reference to a car navigation device as an example of an electronic device, the present embodiment is not limited to this and can be widely applied to electronic devices mounted on vehicles. Furthermore, the housing structure according to the present embodiment is not limited to electronic devices mounted on vehicles, but can also be applied to electronic devices mounted on various objects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 chassis 10 Bottom Chassis 12, 13, 14 Rising pieces 20 Right side panel 21 Right flange piece 22 1st hole 23 3rd hole 24 Right-hand engaging piece 30 Left side panel 31 Left flange piece 32 2nd hole 33 Left engagement piece 40 Rear plate 50 Front Frame 50a Vertical piece 50b Horizontal piece 50c base 51 1st fixed part 52 Second fixed part 53 Third fixed part 60 Support Frame 61 Right side engagement groove 62 Left side engagement groove

Claims

1. Right and left side plates arranged to face each other; a bottom chassis located below the right and left side plates, to which lower ends of the right and left side plates are fixed, defining a gap between the lower ends of the right and left side plates; a support frame extending between the right and left side plates, with upper ends of the right and left side plates fixed thereto, and defining the distance between the upper ends of the right and left side plates; a front frame having an L-shape with a vertical piece and a horizontal piece connected thereto, the base portion where the vertical piece and the horizontal piece are connected being located on one of the right and left side plates; the base portion includes a first fixing portion fixed to a lower end side of the one side plate, the horizontal piece portion extends from the root portion toward the other side plate and includes a second fixing portion fixed to a lower end side of the other side plate, The vertical piece portion extends upward from the base portion and includes a third fixing portion fixed to an upper end side of the one side plate. Housing structure for electronic devices.

2. The front frame has a stiffening structure that reinforces the rigidity of the base portion. The housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 1.

3. the electronic device includes a communication unit for wireless communication; The communication unit is disposed near the other side plate and between the front frame and the support frame.

3. The housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 1.

4. the first fixing portion is fixed to a lower end side of the one side plate to regulate a position of the front frame in the up-down direction and the left-right direction; The second fixing portion is fixed to the lower end side of the other side plate, thereby restricting rotation of the front frame around the first fixing portion. The housing structure for an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the first fixing portion has a tongue shape that is inserted into a first hole portion that is formed in the one side plate, When the first fixing part is inserted into the first hole part, the upper and lower edge parts of the first hole part restrict the up-down movement of the first fixing part, and the right and left edge parts of the first hole part restrict the left-right movement of the first fixing part, the second fixing portion has a tongue shape that is inserted into a second hole portion that is provided in the other side plate, When the second fixing portion is inserted into the second hole portion, upper and lower edges of the second hole portion restrict vertical movement of the second fixing portion.

5. The housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 4.

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