cabinet

Abstract

To provide an enclosure having a wide range of selection of members capable of fixing a cover without increasing the size of an apparatus.SOLUTION: An enclosure 10 includes a case 20, and a cover 30 covering a first area 20a of the case 20. In the case 20, a first hole 24 formed in the first area 20a and having an inner thread formed therein, a second hole 26 communicating a second area 20b not covered with the cover 30, with the first hole 24, and a guide plate 25 provided inside the second hole 26 are formed. In the cover 30, a third hole 31 overlapped with the first hole 24 in a state of covering the first area 20a is formed. In the guide plate 25, a guide face 25a facing an inlet side of the first hole 24 inclines toward the second hole 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing including a case and a cover.

Background Art

[0002] There is a housing including a case and a cover that can open and close a partial region of the case (for example, Patent Document 1). Such a housing may be used as an outer shell of an electronic device. In the region covered by the cover, there may be provided functional parts that do not need to be operated during normal operation, such as a power switch and an insertion port for an external storage device. If such functional parts are accidentally operated, there is a possibility that a malfunction may occur in the electronic device. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the cover from being opened during normal operation.

[0003] For example, in order to prevent the cover from being opened, the cover is fixed to the case with screws, or the cover is fastened to the case with a string-like fastening member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] A

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a housing in which the cover can be fixed to the case with screws, if the operator closing the cover only has a fastening member on a string and does not have a screw, the cover cannot be fixed. In a housing in which the cover can be fixed to the case with a string-like fastening member, if the operator closing the cover only has a screw and does not have a string-like fastening member, the cover cannot be fixed. That is, in the case of a housing that can fix the cover only with either a screw or a fastening member, if the operator does not have a member suitable for the fixing method, the cover cannot be fixed.

[0006] In this case, if the cover is to be secured with screws, holes must be formed in the cover and the case for the screws to pass through. If the cover is to be secured with a string-like fastening member, holes must be formed in the cover and the case for the string-like fastening member to pass through.

[0007] Therefore, to prevent a situation where a worker is unable to secure the cover because they do not possess a suitable fastening material, it is conceivable to form both screw holes and string-like fastening material holes in the cover and case.

[0008] However, by forming both screw holes and string-like fastening member holes in the cover and case, the area of ​​the hole formed within a portion of the area covered by the cover becomes larger, which can result in the inability to place necessary functional components or the device becoming larger in order to accommodate the necessary functional components.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a housing that can increase the options for components that can secure the cover while preventing the device from becoming larger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The housing according to the present invention comprises a case and a cover that covers a first region of the case, wherein the case has a first hole formed in the first region and having internal threads formed therein, a second hole that connects the first hole to a second region not covered by the cover, and a guide plate provided inside the second hole, the cover has a third hole that overlaps with the first hole while covering the first region, and the guide plate has a guide surface facing the entrance side of the first hole that is inclined toward the second hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a housing that can increase the options for materials that can fix the cover while preventing the device from becoming larger. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of an electronic device equipped with a housing according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a magnified front view of section A shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a magnified front view of section A shown in Figure 1, with the cover removed. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the housing cut along the BB line shown. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the housing cut along the BB line, illustrating the use of screws for fastening. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the housing cut along the BB line, illustrating the use of screws for fastening. [Figure 7] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure cut along the BB line, illustrating the use of wire locks for fastening. [Figure 8] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure cut along the BB line, illustrating the use of wire locks for fastening. [Figure 9] This is a close-up front view of the third hole into which the cable tie is inserted. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A housing according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0014] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an electronic device including a housing according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view of the A portion shown in FIG. 1. The electronic device 1 is, for example, a PLC (Programable Logic Contoroller). The electronic device 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 includes a case 20 and a cover 30. The case 20 has a box shape and constitutes the outer shell of the electronic device 1. Electronic components and the like (not shown) are housed inside the case 20.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged front view of the A portion shown in FIG. 1, showing a state where the cover is removed. The cover 30 covers a first region 20a, which is a part of the outer surface of the case 20. In Embodiment 1, the first region 20a is provided on the front surface of the housing 10.

[0016] In the first region 20a, there are provided function parts such as switches including a power switch 21 for switching on / off the power of the electronic device 1 and a reset switch 22 for resetting the operation of the electronic device 1, and an insertion port 23 into which an external storage device can be inserted. Most of the function parts provided in the first region 20a are operated at the start of operation or during maintenance of the electronic device. If these function parts are accidentally operated during normal operation, there is a risk of malfunction in the operation of the electronic device. Therefore, the first region 20a is covered with the cover 30, and the cover 30 is fixed to the case 20 so that it cannot be easily removed.

[0017] Next, the structure and method for fixing the cover 30 to the case 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a first hole 24 is formed in the first region 20a of the case 20.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the housing cut along the B-B line shown in FIG. 2. An internal thread is formed on the inner surface of the first hole 24. The internal thread may be formed directly on the case 20 or may be formed by embedding a nut.

[0019] A plate-shaped guide plate 25 is formed inside the first hole 24 to block the hole. The side of the guide plate 25 facing the entrance side of the first hole 24 is the guide surface 25a. The guide plate 25 is formed to be so thin that it will break if pressed with a hard material. The function of the guide surface 25a will be explained in detail later. The case 20 and the guide plate 25 are made of, for example, resin.

[0020] Two first grooves 24a are formed on the outer edge of the first hole 24. The first grooves 24a are formed opposite each other in a front view, with the center of the first hole 24 in between. The front view in this embodiment can also be described as viewing the case 20 along the central axis of the first hole 24. The first grooves 24a extend from the front surface of the case 20 toward the inside of the first hole 24, then curve toward the bottom surface to reach the second hole 26.

[0021] The case 20 has a second hole 26 that connects the first hole 24 to a second region 20b, which is an area of ​​the outer surface of the case 20 that is not covered by the cover 30. In other words, the second region 20b is a different region from the first region 20a. In this embodiment, the second region 20b is the bottom surface of the case 20.

[0022] The guide surface 25a of the guide plate 25, which is installed inside the first hole 24, is formed to be inclined toward the second hole 26.

[0023] The cover 30 has a third hole 31 that overlaps with the first hole 24 when the cover 30 covers the first region 20a. Two second grooves 31a are formed on the outer edge of the third hole 31. The second grooves 31a are formed opposite each other in a front view, with the center of the third hole 31 in between. The second grooves 31a are formed to penetrate the front and back surfaces of the cover 30. Furthermore, the second grooves 31a are formed in a position that overlaps with the first groove 24a when the cover 30 covers the first region 20a.

[0024] Next, the method for fixing the cover 30 to the case 20 will be described. In the electronic device 1 equipped with the housing 10 according to Embodiment 1, fixing can be done using screws or using a string-like fastening member.

[0025] Figures 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the housing cut along the BB line shown in Figure 2, illustrating the use of screws for fastening.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, when fixing with a screw 41, with the first region 20a covered by the cover 30, the screw 41 is inserted into the third hole 31 of the cover 30. The tip of the screw 41 contacts the guide surface 25a of the guide plate 25 inside the first hole 24. Here, as shown in Figure 6, by pushing the screw 41 further, it is possible to pierce the guide plate 25 and insert the screw 41 deeper. When the screw 41 is screwed in, the external thread formed on the screw 41 and the internal thread formed in the first hole 24 engage, fixing the cover 30 to the case 20.

[0027] A wire lock is an example of a string-like fastening member. Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of the housing cut along the BB line shown in Figure 2, illustrating the fastening method using a wire lock.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, when fixing with the wire lock 42, with the first area 20a covered by the cover 30, one end of the wire lock 42 is inserted into the third hole 31 of the cover 30. One end of the wire lock 42 contacts the guide surface 25a of the guide plate 25 inside the first hole 24. Because the wire lock 42 is flexible, by pushing the wire lock 42 in, as shown in Figure 8, one end of the wire lock 42 moves along the guide surface 25a and enters the second hole 26. Then, one end of the wire lock 42 pops out from the opening on the bottom side of the second hole of the case 20. By fixing the one end of the wire lock 42 that popped out of the second hole 26 and the other end that popped out of the first hole 24, the cover 30 is fixed to the case 20.

[0029] Cable ties are also exemplified as string-like fastening members. Figure 9 is a partially enlarged front view of the third hole into which a cable tie is inserted. The cable tie 43 is a member formed from a thin sheet of resin into a string shape. As shown in Figure 9, even if the width of the cable tie 43 is larger than the diameters of the third hole 31, the first hole 24, and the second hole 26, the cable tie 43 can be inserted into the third hole 31, the first hole 24, and the second hole 26 because the second groove 31a and the first groove 24a are formed. Also, the cable tie 43 inserted into the third hole 31 is guided by the first groove 24a and the second groove 31a and pops out of the second hole 26. In this state, the cover 30 is fixed to the case 2 by inserting one end of the cable tie 43 into the retaining part formed at the other end.

[0030] If the width of the cable tie 43 is smaller than the diameters of the third hole 31, the first hole 24, and the second hole 26, it will not fit into the second groove 31a and the first groove 24a, and therefore will not be guided by the second groove 31a and the first groove 24a to protrude from the second hole 26. However, since one end of the cable tie 43 contacts the guide surface 25a of the guide plate 25 in the same way as the wire lock 42, the one end is guided by the guide surface 25a and protrudes from the second hole 26. Therefore, even if the width of the cable tie 43 is smaller than the diameters of the third hole 31, the first hole 24, and the second hole 26, the cover 30 can be fixed to the case 2. Also, if it is anticipated that a cable tie with a width smaller than the diameters of the third hole 31, the first hole 24, and the second hole 26 will be used, the first groove 24a and the second groove 24b do not need to be formed.

[0031] As described above, in the housing 10 according to this embodiment, the cover 30 can be fixed with screws 41 or with a string-like fastening member by utilizing one first hole 24 formed in the first region 20a of the case 20. Therefore, while increasing the options for the members to which the cover 30 can be fixed, the area occupied by the holes for fixing the cover 30 in the first region 20a can be reduced compared to the case where holes for fixing with screws 41 and holes for fixing with string-like fastening members are provided separately in the first region 20a. This prevents the number of functional parts provided in the first region 20a from being limited in order to provide separate holes for fixing the cover 30, and prevents the first region 20a from being enlarged and the housing 10 from becoming larger by providing separate holes for the necessary functional parts and holes for fixing the cover.

[0032] Furthermore, a guide plate 25 is formed inside the first hole 24, and the guide plate 25 is provided with a guide surface 25a that is inclined toward the second hole 26. This allows one end of the fastening member to be advanced toward the exit of the second hole 26 and to be reliably ejected to the outside through the second hole 26. This makes it possible to easily fasten using a string-like fastening member.

[0033] Furthermore, since the guide plate 25 can be pierced by the tip of the screw 41, the presence of the guide plate 25 does not interfere with the fixing using the screw 41.

[0034] Furthermore, since the second groove 31a and the first groove 24a are formed in the third hole 31 and the first hole 24, the cover 30 can be secured using a cable tie 43 that has a width greater than the diameter of the third hole 31 and the first hole 24.

[0035] Furthermore, since the first groove 24a extends to the bottom end of the second hole 26, the cable tie 43 fitted into the first groove 24a is guided by the first groove 24a and reliably pops out of the second hole 26.

[0036] Furthermore, the second groove 31a is formed in the third hole 31 formed in the cover 30, making it easier for an operator attempting to secure the cover 30 to visually understand that it can also be secured with a cable tie 43.

[0037] Furthermore, if the diameters of the first hole 24 and the second hole 26 are greater than the distance D between the bottoms of the second groove 31a formed in the third hole 31, then it is not necessary to form the first groove 24a in the first hole 24.

[0038] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the second region 20b is the bottom surface of the case 20, but it is not limited to the bottom surface as long as it is adjacent to the surface on which the first region 20a is formed. For example, if the first region 20a is provided on the front surface, as in the housing 10 according to this embodiment, the surface on which the second region 20b, where the second hole 26 is formed, is provided may be the side surface or the top surface.

[0039] 〔others〕 Some examples of the combinations of technical features that will be disclosed are listed below.

[0040] (1) A housing comprising a case and a cover covering a first region of the case, wherein the case has a first hole formed in the first region and having internal threads formed therein, a second hole connecting a second region not covered by the cover to the first hole, and a guide plate provided inside the second hole, and the cover has a third hole formed therein that overlaps with the first hole when covering the first region, and the guide plate has a surface facing the entrance side of the first hole that is inclined toward the second hole.

[0041] (2) The housing according to (1), wherein a first groove is formed on the edge of the first hole at positions that are opposite to each other on either side of the center of the first hole when viewed along the central axis of the first hole.

[0042] (3) The housing according to (1), wherein a second groove is formed on the edge of the third hole at positions that are opposite to each other on either side of the center of the third hole when viewed along the central axis of the third hole.

[0043] (4) The housing according to (2), wherein a second groove is formed on the edge of the third hole at positions opposite to each other on either side of the center of the third hole when viewed along the central axis of the third hole, and the first groove and the second groove overlap when viewed along the central axis of the third hole.

[0044] (5) The housing according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first region is provided on the front of the case and the second region is provided on the bottom of the case. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 Electronic equipment 10 cabinets 20 cases 20a First area 20b Second area 21 Power switch 22 Reset switch 23 Insertion opening 24 The first hole 24a First groove 25 Information board 25a Guide surface 26 The second hole 30 Cover 31 The third hole 31a Second groove 41 screws 42 Wire lock 43 Cable ties

Claims

1. The case and, A housing comprising a cover that covers a first area of ​​the case, The case is formed with a first hole in the first region and having internal threads, a second hole connecting the first hole to a second region not covered by the cover, and a guide plate provided inside the second hole. The cover has a third hole formed therein that overlaps with the first hole while covering the first region. The aforementioned guide plate is a housing in which the guide surface facing the entrance side of the first hole is inclined toward the second hole.

2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein a first groove is formed on the edge of the first hole at positions that are opposite to each other on either side of the center of the first hole when viewed along the central axis of the first hole.

3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein a second groove is formed on the edge of the third hole at positions that are opposite to each other on either side of the center of the third hole when viewed along the central axis of the third hole.

4. A second groove is formed on the edge of the third hole at positions that are opposite to each other on either side of the center of the third hole when viewed along the central axis of the third hole. The housing according to claim 2, wherein the first groove and the second groove overlap when viewed along the central axis of the third hole.

5. The first region is provided on the front of the case, The housing according to claim 1, wherein the second region is provided on the bottom surface of the case.

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