Unit cover

Abstract

To provide a unit cover capable of suppressing a reduction in the visibility of a light emitted by an operation display light.SOLUTION: A first cover member 41 of a unit cover 40 comprises a resin plate main body part 42. In the main body part 42, an open part 44 for an input and output part, surrounding an input and output part 20 so as to expose a terminal connection part 22 to an outside is formed, and a plurality of light guide open parts 45 which allow visual recognition of rays of light from a plurality of operation display lights 30 from the outside are formed. The open part 44 for the input and output part and the plurality of light guide open parts 45 open in the same surface of the main body part 42. In the main body part 42, a communication part 46 using each of the plurality of light guide open parts 45 and the open part 44 for the input and output part as a series of open parts is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a unit cover used for an input / output unit.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an input / output module as an example of an input / output unit, in which a number of operation indicator lights are provided in a row on the front surface of a casing. In the input / output module, a terminal block protrudes from the front surface of the main body casing. A display panel is fitted to the front surface of the input / output module. The display panel has a function of displaying the state of the input / output signal of the input / output module by the blinking of a plurality of operation indicator lights. The plurality of operation indicator lights are provided with a pitch.

[0003] In the display panel as described above, each of the plurality of operation indicator lights may be visually recognized through a light guide hole provided in the display panel. Further, a casing such as that of Patent Document 1 is generally made of resin manufactured by injection molding.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in a resin casing manufactured by injection molding, a weld line may be formed around the light guide hole, which may reduce the visibility of light passing through the light guide hole.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The unit cover for solving the above problems is used in an input / output unit comprising an input / output section formed by arranging multiple terminal blocks with terminal connection sections in parallel, and an operation indicator light for displaying the operating status of the input / output section, wherein the operation indicator light is arranged in parallel along the input / output section, and the unit cover comprises a resin plate body, the body having an input / output section opening that surrounds the input / output section to expose the terminal connection section to the outside, and multiple light guide openings that make the light of each of the multiple operation indicator lights visible from the outside, the input / output section opening and the multiple light guide openings opening on the same plane of the body, the multiple light guide openings arranged along the input / output section opening, and the body having a communication section that connects each of the multiple light guide openings to the input / output section opening as a series of openings.

[0007] Regarding the unit cover, the main body portion has two openings for the input / output section, and the two openings for the input / output section are formed with a partition wall in between, and each of the plurality of light guide openings may be formed facing each of the two openings for the input / output section from the opening edge opposite to the partition wall portion.

[0008] With respect to the unit cover, when the main body is viewed from the thickness direction, the input / output opening is an elongated hole with its longitudinal side extending in the first direction, and if the direction along the surface of the main body and perpendicular to the first direction is taken as the second direction, when the main body is viewed from the thickness direction, each of the plurality of light guide openings may have a first opening edge and a second opening edge that extend linearly in the second direction for the same length from the input / output opening and are parallel to each other, and a third opening edge that connects the tips of the first opening edge and the second opening edge and extends linearly in the first direction.

[0009] With respect to the unit cover, when viewing the main body from the plate thickness direction, the lengths of the first opening edge and the second opening edge may be longer than the length of the third opening edge. The unit cover comprises a first cover member and a second cover member assembled to the first cover member, the first cover member having the main body as a top plate and a peripheral wall extending from the outer edge of the top plate, and the second cover member having a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall, and the input / output unit may be housed in the housing space defined by the first cover member and the second cover member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the decrease in visibility of the light emitted by the operation indicator light. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view showing the input / output unit and unit cover. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the input / output unit and unit cover. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the input / output unit as seen from the first cover member. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the first cover member. [Figure 5] This is a partially enlarged view showing the first cover member. [Figure 6] This is a partially enlarged view showing the first cover member equipped with a sheet. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the flow of molten resin during injection molding. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the flow of molten resin during injection molding in a comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Below, one embodiment of the unit cover will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. <Input / Output Devices> As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the input / output device 100 includes an input / output unit 10 and a unit cover 40. The input / output device 100 may include a sheet 50 provided on the unit cover 40.

[0013] <Input / output unit> The input / output unit 10 includes a plurality of substrates 11, two input / output parts 20 mounted on one substrate 11, and a plurality of operation indicator lights 30.

[0014] Each of the plurality of substrates 11 has a long rectangular plate shape. Let the direction in which the long side of the substrate 11 extends be the first direction X. Let the direction in which the short side of the substrate 11 extends be the second direction Y. The first direction X and the second direction Y are orthogonal.

[0015] The input / output part 20 includes a plurality of terminal blocks 21. In this embodiment, the input / output part 20 includes 32 terminal blocks 21. However, the number of terminal blocks 21 in the input / output part 20 can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the input / output unit 10.

[0016] Each of the plurality of terminal blocks 21 has a long rectangular block shape. Each of the plurality of terminal blocks 21 has a terminal connection part 22 on the upper surface. Therefore, the input / output part 20 is formed by arranging a plurality of terminal blocks 21 having terminal connection parts 22 in parallel. Wiring for input and wiring for output are connected to the terminal connection part 22. The plurality of terminal blocks 21 are arranged with the plate thickness direction of each terminal block 21 coinciding with the first direction X of the substrate 11. And one input / output part 20 is formed by 32 terminal blocks 21 arranged in the first direction X. The input / output part 20 has a shape close to a rectangular parallelepiped. The parallel direction in which the plurality of terminal blocks 21 are arranged coincides with the first direction X. The two input / output parts 20 are arranged at intervals in the second direction Y of the substrate 11. The two input / output parts 20 are parallel to each other.

[0017] The operation indicator light 30 indicates the operation state of the input / output part 20 by blinking. The operation indicator light 30 is made of an LED. Note that the operation indicator light 30 may be formed of a light-emitting member other than an LED.

[0018] The plurality of operation indicator lights 30 are arranged on the substrate 11 closer to the end in the second direction Y than each input / output unit 20. The plurality of operation indicator lights 30 are arranged along the input / output unit 20 in the parallel direction of the terminal block 21, that is, in the first direction X. In the present embodiment, 16 operation indicator lights 30 are arranged side by side in the first direction X along one input / output unit 20. One operation indicator light 30 is provided corresponding to a pair of two terminal blocks 21. One operation indicator light 30 is arranged side by side in the second direction Y with respect to a pair of terminal blocks 21. For this reason, among the plurality of operation indicator lights 30 arranged in a line in the first direction X, the intervals between the operation indicator lights 30 are widened every other one. Note that the number of operation indicator lights 30 is changed according to the number of terminal blocks 21.

[0019] <Unit cover> The unit cover 40 is used to protect the input / output unit 10. The unit cover 40 includes a first cover member 41 and a second cover member 61. The first cover member 41 and the second cover member 61 are made of resin. The first cover member 41 and the second cover member 61 are manufactured by injection molding.

[0020] The first cover member 41 includes a main body portion 42 that serves as the top plate of the first cover member 41, and a peripheral wall 43 that extends in a square tube shape from the outer edge of the main body portion 42. The main body portion 42 is a rectangular resin plate. The direction in which the long side of the main body portion 42 extends is defined as the first direction. Since the first direction of the main body portion 42 coincides with the direction in which the long side of the substrate 11 extends, the first direction of the main body portion 42 is described as [first direction X]. The direction in which the short side of the main body portion 42 extends is defined as the second direction. Since the second direction of the main body portion 42 coincides with the direction in which the short side of the substrate 11 extends, the second direction of the main body portion 42 is described as [second direction Y].

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the main body 42 has two input / output openings 44 and a plurality of light guide openings 45. The two input / output openings 44 and the plurality of light guide openings 45 open on the surface of the main body 42. In other words, the two input / output openings 44 and the plurality of light guide openings 45 open on the same plane of the main body 42.

[0022] Furthermore, the main body portion 42 has a communication portion 46 formed by a series of openings: one input / output opening 44 and multiple light guide openings 45. The main body portion 42 also has a partition wall portion 42a in the area between the two input / output openings 44. When viewed from the thickness direction of the main body portion 42, the partition wall portion 42a has an elongated rectangular shape. Therefore, the main body portion 42 has two input / output openings 44, and the two input / output openings 44 are formed side by side in the second direction Y, with the partition wall portion 42a in between.

[0023] The main body portion 42 includes a first defining edge 44a, a second defining edge 44b, a third defining edge 44c, and a fourth defining edge 44d that define the opening 44 for the input / output section. The first defining edge 44a and the second defining edge 44b extend linearly in the first direction X and are opposite to the second direction Y. The first defining edge 44a and the second defining edge 44b extend parallel to each other in the first direction X. The length of the first defining edge 44a is longer than the lengths of the third defining edge 44c and the fourth defining edge 44d. Therefore, when the main body portion 42 is viewed from the plate thickness direction, the opening 44 for the input / output section is an elongated hole with its longitudinal side extending in the first direction X. More specifically, when the main body portion 42 is viewed from the plate thickness direction, the opening 44 for the input / output section is an elongated rectangular hole with its longitudinal side extending in the first direction X. The direction that runs along the surface of the main body 42 and is perpendicular to the first direction X is the second direction Y. The second direction Y is the direction in which the shorter side of the main body 42 extends.

[0024] The third and fourth stroke edges 44c and 44d extend linearly in the second direction Y and face the first direction X. The third and fourth stroke edges 44c and 44d extend parallel to each other in the second direction Y. The input / output opening 44 is defined by the first stroke edge 44a, the second stroke edge 44b, the third stroke edge 44c, and the fourth stroke edge 44d.

[0025] The first defining edge 44a extends linearly along the partition wall 42a. The first defining edge 44a connects the first end of the third defining edge 44c and the first end of the fourth defining edge 44d in a straight line. A virtual line L is set parallel to the first defining edge 44a and extending along the second defining edge 44b. The virtual line L connects the second end of the third defining edge 44c and the second end of the fourth defining edge 44d in a straight line. The second defining edge 44b is an edge along the virtual line L and is formed in the portion that is not connected to the multiple light-guiding openings 45. When the virtual line L is viewed as the second defining edge 44b, the input / output opening 44 is rectangular in shape.

[0026] Between the two input / output openings 44, the third boundary 44c is located on the first straight line M1 extending in the second direction Y, and the fourth boundary 44d is located on the second straight line M2 extending in the second direction Y. In other words, the two input / output openings 44 have the same dimensions in the first direction X.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the light guide opening 45 is a rectangular shape with its longitudinal side extending in the second direction Y when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body 42. The main body 42 comprises a first opening edge 45a, a second opening edge 45b, and a third opening edge 45c that define the light guide opening 45. The first opening edge 45a and the second opening edge 45b extend linearly from the input / output opening 44 in the second direction Y for the same length and are opposite to the first direction X. The first opening edge 45a and the second opening edge 45b are parallel to each other.

[0028] When the main body 42 is viewed from the thickness direction, the length of the third opening edge 45c is shorter than the length of the first opening edge 45a and the length of the second opening edge 45b. In other words, when the main body 42 is viewed from the thickness direction, the lengths of the first opening edge 45a and the second opening edge 45b are longer than the length of the third opening edge 45c. The third opening edge 45c connects the tip of the first opening edge 45a and the tip of the second opening edge 45b and extends linearly in the first direction X. The base ends of the first opening edge 45a and the second opening edge 45b are connected to the second defining edge 44b. Also, the base ends of the first opening edge 45a and the base ends of the second opening edge 45b are separated in the first direction X. Therefore, the light guide opening 45 is in communication with the input / output opening 44 at the base ends of the first opening edge 45a and the base ends of the second opening edge 45b. When the main body 42 is viewed from the thickness direction, the light guide opening 45 is U-shaped.

[0029] When the imaginary line L is viewed as a straight line connecting the base end of the first opening edge 45a and the base end of the second opening edge 45b, each of the light-guiding openings 45 is a rectangular shape defined by the first opening edge 45a, the second opening edge 45b, the third opening edge 45c, and the imaginary line L. More specifically, each of the light-guiding openings 45 is a rectangular shape extending in the second direction Y with a constant opening width. Each of the multiple light-guiding openings 45 is formed in the input / output opening 44 facing the input / output opening 44 from the second defining edge 44b, which is the opening edge opposite the partition wall 42a.

[0030] The light guide openings 45 are arranged in the main body 42 closer to the end of the second direction Y than the input / output openings 44. Multiple light guide openings 45 are arranged in the first direction X along each input / output opening 44. In this embodiment, 16 light guide openings 45 are arranged in the first direction X along one input / output opening 44. Multiple light guide openings 45 arranged in a row are spaced apart by two openings.

[0031] The connecting section 46 connects the light guide opening 45 and the input / output opening 44 at the second defining edge 44b of the input / output opening 44. The connecting section 46 is located on a virtual line L. The connecting section 46 forms a series of openings with multiple light guide openings 45 and input / output openings 44. Assume that the second defining edge 44b is formed along the entire virtual line L, and that the light guide opening 45 is a rectangular shape defined by the first defining edge 44a, the second defining edge 44b, the third defining edge 44c, and the virtual line L. In this case, if a part of the virtual line L is cut off to form the connecting section 46, a light guide opening 45 that communicates with the input / output opening 44 is formed.

[0032] The series of openings for the input / output section 44 and the multiple light-guiding openings 45 are comb-shaped when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body 42. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, bolt insertion holes 47 are formed at the four corners of the main body portion 42. The bolt insertion holes 47 penetrate the main body portion 42 and the peripheral wall 43 in the thickness direction.

[0033] The peripheral wall 43 comprises a first wall 43a, a second wall 43b, a third wall 43c, and a fourth wall 43d. Each of the first wall 43a, the second wall 43b, the third wall 43c, and the fourth wall 43d is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The first wall 43a and the second wall 43b face each other in the second direction Y, while the third wall 43c and the fourth wall 43d face each other in the first direction X. The longitudinal sides of the first wall 43a and the second wall 43b extend in the first direction X. The longitudinal sides of the third wall 43c and the fourth wall 43d extend in the second direction Y.

[0034] Multiple recesses 49 are formed on the inner surfaces of the first wall 43a and the second wall 43b. Each recess 49 is connected to a light-guiding opening 45. The recesses 49 extend across the entire vertical length of the first wall 43a and the second wall 43b.

[0035] The main body portion 42 is equipped with ribs 48. The ribs 48 are frame-shaped and protrude from the surface of the main body portion 42. The ribs 48 are recessed inward at the four corners of the main body portion 42 so as to align with the bolt insertion holes 47.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sheet 50 is provided on the surface of the main body 42. The sheet 50 is attached to the surface of the main body 42 inside the ribs 48. The sheet 50 has a shape close to a rectangle with recessed corners. The direction in which the long side of the sheet 50 extends coincides with the first direction X of the substrate 11 and the main body 42. For this reason, the first direction of the sheet 50 is described as [first direction X]. The direction in which the short side of the sheet 50 extends coincides with the second direction of the substrate 11 and the main body 42. For this reason, the second direction of the sheet 50 is described as [second direction Y].

[0037] The sheet 50 has two elongated holes 51 and a plurality of display holes 52. The sheet 50 includes a first hole-forming edge 51a, a second hole-forming edge 51b, a third hole-forming edge 51c, and a fourth hole-forming edge 51d that form the elongated holes 51. The first hole-forming edge 51a and the second hole-forming edge 51b extend linearly in the first direction X and are opposite to the second direction Y. The first hole-forming edge 51a and the second hole-forming edge 51b are parallel to each other.

[0038] The third hole-forming edge 51c and the fourth hole-forming edge 51d extend linearly in the second direction Y and are opposite to the first direction X. The third hole-forming edge 51c and the fourth hole-forming edge 51d are parallel to each other. The elongated hole 51 is defined by the first hole-forming edge 51a, the second hole-forming edge 51b, the third hole-forming edge 51c, and the fourth hole-forming edge 51d. The elongated hole 51 is a rectangular hole with its longitudinal side extending in the first direction X.

[0039] Each of the multiple display holes 52 is rectangular when viewed in the thickness direction of the sheet 50. Each of the multiple display holes 52 is positioned closer to the edge of the sheet 50 in the second direction Y than the elongated hole 51. Each of the multiple display holes 52 is positioned away from the elongated hole 51. The sheet 50 includes a closing portion 53 between the elongated hole 51 and the display holes 52 in the second direction Y. The closing portion 53 is a portion that extends over the entire first direction X between the elongated hole 51 and the display holes 52. Therefore, each of the multiple display holes 52 is positioned away from the elongated hole 51 in the second direction Y, with the closing portion 53 in between. In this embodiment, 16 display holes 52 are arranged in the first direction X along one elongated hole 51. The multiple display holes 52 arranged in a row are arranged with the spacing between them widened every two display holes 52.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the elongated holes 51 of the sheet 50 are positioned along the input / output openings 44. The first hole-forming edge 51a of the elongated hole 51 follows the first defining edge 44a of the input / output openings 44. The second hole-forming edge 51b of the elongated hole 51 follows the second defining edge 44b of the input / output openings 44. The third hole-forming edge 51c of the elongated hole 51 follows the third defining edge 44c of the input / output openings 44. The fourth hole-forming edge 51d of the elongated hole 51 follows the fourth defining edge 44d of the input / output openings 44.

[0041] The closure portion 53 of the sheet 50 closes a portion of each of the multiple light guide openings 45 arranged in the first direction X, specifically the portion closer to the input / output opening 44. In each light guide opening 45, the portion not closed by the closure portion 53 overlaps with the display hole 52. In each light guide opening 45, the portion not closed by the closure portion 53 communicates with the outside through the display hole 52.

[0042] The letter 57 is written on the outside of the display hole 52 on sheet 50. The letter 57 represents the number of the operation indicator light 30 corresponding to the display hole 52. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second cover member 61 comprises a bottom wall 62 and side walls 63 extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall 62. The second cover member 61 is box-shaped and opens upward. Inside the second cover member 61, a space is defined by the bottom wall 62 and the side walls 63. The input / output unit 10 is housed in this space within the second cover member 61. The second cover member 61 has female screw holes 61a at the four corners of the side walls 63. The female screw holes 61a open on the upper surface.

[0043] In the input / output device 100, the first cover member 41 and the second cover member 61 are integrated by screwing a bolt 55, which is inserted through a bolt insertion hole 47 in the first cover member 41, into the female threaded hole 61a of the second cover member 61. The unit cover 40 is formed by integrating the first cover member 41 and the second cover member 61. The input / output unit 10 is housed in the housing space defined by the first cover member 41 and the second cover member 61.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the input / output device 100 without the sheet 50 attached, the input / output units 20 are inserted into each input / output unit opening 44. Each terminal connection part 22 of the input / output unit 20 is exposed to the outside of the unit cover 40 through the input / output unit opening 44. Therefore, the input / output unit opening 44 surrounds the input / output unit 20 in order to expose the terminal connection parts 22 to the outside.

[0045] The light guide opening 45 of the first cover member 41 overlaps with the operation indicator lights 30. Each operation indicator light 30 is exposed to the outside of the unit cover 40 through the light guide opening 45. As a result, the operation indicator lights 30 can be seen from outside the unit cover 40 through the light guide opening 45. Therefore, the light guide opening 45 makes the light emitted by the operation indicator lights 30 visible from the outside.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, when the sheet 50 is attached to the surface of the first cover member 41, the input / output unit 20 is inserted into each of the elongated holes 51 in the input / output device 100. Each terminal connection part 22 of the input / output unit 20 is exposed to the outside of the unit cover 40 through the elongated holes 51. Therefore, the elongated holes 51 surround the input / output unit 20 in order to expose the terminal connection parts 22 to the outside.

[0047] The display holes 52 overlap the operation indicator lights 30 through the light guide openings 45. Each operation indicator light 30 is exposed to the outside of the unit cover 40 through the display holes 52. This allows the light emitted by the operation indicator lights 30 to be seen from outside the unit cover 40 through the display holes 52.

[0048] The input / output device 100 is equipped with connection terminals 101 for connecting the input / output unit 10 to external equipment. The connection terminals 101 are exposed to the outside from the second cover member 61. <Details of the first cover component> The first cover member 41 is manufactured by injection molding. Injection molding is a method of forming a molded product by injecting molten resin into a mold having a cavity corresponding to the first cover member 41.

[0049] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 7, the mold 73 for the first cover member 41 includes a core 70 that runs along the defining edges 44a to 44d of the input / output opening 44 and the opening edges 45a to 45c of the light guide opening 45. The core 70 includes one first core portion 71 for forming each input / output opening 44 and a plurality of second core portions 72 for forming each light guide opening 45. Each of the plurality of second core portions 72 is connected to the first core portion 71 and protrudes from the first core portion 71. In other words, the first core portion 71 and the second core portions 72 are formed as a single unit in order to form a communication portion 46 in the first cover member 41. By manufacturing the first cover member 41 using the mold 73 including the core 70, a communication portion 46 is formed in the main body portion 42, and the light guide opening 45 and the input / output opening 44 are formed as a series of openings.

[0050] Here, Figure 8 shows the first cover member 81 and mold 93 of the comparative example. The first cover member 81 of the comparative example does not have a communication portion 46 formed therein, and the light guide opening 82 is not connected to the input / output opening 83. In other words, the light guide opening 82 and the input / output opening 83 are separate and independent openings.

[0051] The core 90 for molding the first cover member 81 of the comparative example comprises a first core portion 91 for forming an input / output opening 83 and a plurality of second core portions 92 for forming a light guide opening 82. The plurality of second core portions 92 and the first core portion 91 are separate.

[0052] When manufacturing the first cover member 81 of the comparative example, the molten resin injected into the mold 93 from the gate 94 of the mold 93 fills the cavity. As shown by arrow Z, the molten resin flows along the surface of the first core portion 91 and the surface of the second core portion 92. At this time, since the second core portion 92 is separated from the first core portion 91, the molten resin enters between the first core portion 91 and the second core portion 92. As a result, the molten resin flows around the second core portion 92, creating a confluence point of the molten resin around the second core portion 92. Then, in the first cover member 81, a weld line 84 is formed around the light-guiding opening 82, which is the confluence point of the molten resin.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, when manufacturing the first cover member 41, the molten resin injected into the mold 73 from the gate 74 of the mold 73 fills the cavity. At this time, as shown by arrow Z, the molten resin flows along the surface of the first core portion 71 and the surface of the second core portion 72, but the second core portion 72 protrudes as a single unit with the first core portion 71. Therefore, the molten resin does not enter between the first core portion 71 and the second core portion 72. Thus, no confluence point of molten resin occurs around the second core portion 72. As a result, the formation of a weld line 84 around the light guide opening 45 in the first cover member 41 can be suppressed.

[0054] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The first cover member 41 is provided with a communication section 46 that connects the input / output section opening 44 and the light guide opening 45 into a single opening. This prevents the formation of a merging point of molten resin around the light guide opening 45 during injection molding of the first cover member 41. As a result, the formation of a weld line around the light guide opening 45 is prevented. Therefore, the reduction in visibility of the light emitted by the operation indicator light 30 in the light guide opening 45 due to the weld line is prevented. Furthermore, the formation of distortion around the light guide opening 45 due to the formation of a weld line is prevented. For this reason, for example, it is easier to prevent damage to the main body 42 caused by contact between the main body 42 and the input / output section 20.

[0055] (2) The first cover member 41 is provided with two input / output openings 44. The light guide openings 45 are formed in each of the two input / output openings 44, facing the input / output openings 44 from the second boundary edge 44b on the side opposite to the partition wall 42a. In other words, the multiple light guide openings 45 are formed closer to the ends of the main body 42 in the second direction Y than to the input / output openings 44. For example, compared to a case where input / output openings 44 are formed on both ends of the main body 42 in the second direction Y, and light guide openings 45 are formed inside them, the reduction in strength on both ends of the main body 42 in the second direction Y can be suppressed.

[0056] (3) The light guide opening 45 is U-shaped, formed by connecting the first opening edge 45a, the second opening edge 45b, and the third opening edge 45c. In other words, when the main body 42 is viewed from the plate thickness direction, the light guide opening 45 is a rectangular shape that extends in the second direction Y with a constant width. This makes it easy to mold the light guide opening 45. In addition, the visibility of the operation indicator light 30 through the light guide opening 45 can be kept constant in the second direction Y.

[0057] (4) The light guide opening 45 is a rectangular shape with its longitudinal side extending in the second direction Y. Therefore, even if there is a misalignment of the operation indicator light 30 in the second direction Y relative to the light guide opening 45, depending on the arrangement of the operation indicator light 30 and the way the input / output unit 10 is housed, the operation indicator light 30 can be positioned to face the light guide opening 45.

[0058] (5) The first cover member 41 is integrated with the second cover member 61 to form the unit cover 40. The first cover member 41 is provided with a communication section 46 that connects the input / output section opening 44 and the light guide opening 45 into a series of openings, thereby preventing a decrease in the visibility of the operation indicator light 30 in the light guide opening 45. Therefore, even in the unit cover 40 equipped with the first cover member 41, a decrease in the visibility of the operation indicator light 30 housed in the unit cover 40 can be prevented. Furthermore, the unit cover 40 can protect the input / output unit 10 from all directions.

[0059] (6) The sheet 50 has an elongated hole 51 and a plurality of display holes 52. The plurality of display holes 52 are arranged away from the elongated hole 51 in the second direction Y. The sheet 50 is provided with a closing portion 53 between the elongated hole 51 and the display holes 52 in the second direction Y. By attaching the sheet 50 to the main body 42, the base end of the light guide opening 45 can be closed by the closing portion 53. This makes the light guide opening 45 narrower, thereby suppressing the diffusion of light from the operation indicator light 30. As a result, the decrease in visibility of the operation indicator light 30 through the light guide opening 45 can be suppressed.

[0060] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically. ○The unit cover 40 may consist only of the first cover member 41. In this case, the input / output unit 10 is covered by the main body 42 and peripheral wall 43 of the first cover member 41.

[0061] ○When viewing the main body 42 from the thickness direction, each of the light guide openings 45 does not have to be rectangular. For example, when viewing the main body 42 from the thickness direction, each of the light guide openings 45 may be square, and when viewing the main body 42 from the thickness direction, the length of the first opening edge 45a and the length of the second opening edge 45b may be shorter than the length of the third opening edge 45c. In short, as long as the operation indicator light 30 can be seen from the outside, the shape of the light guide openings 45 may be changed as appropriate.

[0062] ○The main body 42 may have only one input / output opening 44, or it may have three or more. Multiple light guide openings 45 are connected to each input / output opening 44 by a connecting section 46.

[0063] ○When viewing the main body 42 from the thickness direction, the input / output opening 44 does not have to be rectangular. For example, when viewing the main body 42 from the thickness direction, the input / output opening 44 may be elliptical or a long, narrow hexagon. In short, as long as it can enclose the input / output section 20, the shape of the input / output opening 44 may be changed as appropriate.

[0064] ○As long as the light guide opening 45 is a series of openings with the input / output opening 44, the shape of the main body 42 when viewed from the thickness direction may be changed as appropriate. For example, when the main body 42 is viewed from the thickness direction, the light guide opening 45 may be keyhole-shaped or elliptical.

[0065] ○The multiple light guide openings 45 may each have a different shape, or among the multiple light guide openings 45 arranged in a row, some of the light guide openings 45 may have the same shape, while the remaining light guide openings 45 may have different shapes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] X...First direction, Y...Second direction, 10...Input / output unit, 20...Input / output section, 21...Terminal block, 22...Terminal connection section, 30...Operation indicator light, 40...Unit cover, 41...First cover member, 42...Main body, 42a...Partition wall, 43...Surrounding wall, 44...Opening for input / output section, 45...Light guide opening, 45a...First opening edge, 45b...Second opening edge, 45c...Third opening edge, 46...Communication section, 61...Second cover member, 62...Bottom wall, 63...Side wall.

Claims

1. An input / output section formed by arranging multiple terminal blocks equipped with terminal connection sections in parallel, A unit cover used in an input / output unit comprising: an operation indicator light for displaying the operating status of the input / output unit, wherein a plurality of operation indicator lights are arranged in the parallel direction along the input / output unit, It comprises a resin plate body and a peripheral wall extending in a rectangular tubular shape from the outer edge of the body, The main body includes, An opening for the input / output section is formed to surround the input / output section in order to expose the terminal connection section to the outside, Multiple light-guiding openings are formed to make the light from each of the aforementioned operation indicator lights visible from the outside. The input / output opening and the plurality of light guide openings are located on the same plane as the main body, and the plurality of light guide openings are arranged along the input / output opening. The main body is provided with a communication section that connects each of the multiple light-guiding openings and the input / output section opening to form a series of openings. The aforementioned peripheral wall comprises a first wall and a second wall, Multiple recesses are formed on the inner surfaces of the first and second walls of the peripheral wall. Each recess is connected to the light-guiding opening via the communication portion and extends across the entire thickness direction of the first and second walls. The surface of the main body is provided with a sheet, The sheet has an elongated hole, a plurality of display holes, and a closing portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole. The unit cover is characterized in that the elongated holes are arranged to communicate the input / output openings with the outside, the display holes are arranged to communicate the light guide openings with the outside, and the closing portion is arranged to close a portion of each light guide opening near the input / output opening.

2. An input / output section formed by arranging multiple terminal blocks equipped with terminal connection sections in parallel, A unit cover used in an input / output unit comprising: an operation indicator light for displaying the operating status of the input / output unit, wherein a plurality of operation indicator lights are arranged in the parallel direction along the input / output unit, It has a main body made of resin plate, The main body includes, An opening for the input / output section is formed to surround the input / output section in order to expose the terminal connection section to the outside, Multiple light-guiding openings are formed to make the light from each of the aforementioned operation indicator lights visible from the outside. The input / output opening and the plurality of light guide openings are located on the same plane as the main body, and the plurality of light guide openings are arranged along the input / output opening. The main body is provided with a communication section that connects each of the multiple light-guiding openings and the input / output section opening to form a series of openings. The series of openings for the input / output section and the plurality of light guide openings are comb-shaped when the main body is viewed from the plate thickness direction. The surface of the main body is provided with a sheet, The sheet has an elongated hole, a plurality of display holes, and a closing portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole. The unit cover is characterized in that the elongated holes are arranged to communicate the input / output openings with the outside, the display holes are arranged to communicate the light guide openings with the outside, and the closing portion is arranged to close a portion of each light guide opening near the input / output opening.

3. The main body has two openings for the input / output section, and these two openings for the input / output section are separated by a partition wall. The unit cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of light-guiding openings is formed facing the input / output opening from the opening edge opposite to the partition wall portion in each of the two input / output openings.

4. When the main body is viewed from the thickness direction, the input / output opening is an elongated hole with its longitudinal length extending in the first direction, and the direction along the surface of the main body and perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the second direction, The unit cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, when the main body is viewed from the plate thickness direction, each of the plurality of light guide openings has a first opening edge and a second opening edge that extend linearly in the second direction for the same length from the input / output opening and are parallel to each other, and a third opening edge that connects the tips of the first opening edge and the second opening edge and extends linearly in the first direction.

5. The unit cover according to claim 4, wherein, when the main body is viewed from the thickness direction, the lengths of the first opening edge and the second opening edge are longer than the length of the third opening edge.

6. The unit cover comprises a first cover member and a second cover member assembled to the first cover member. The first cover member is equipped with the main body as a top plate, The second cover member comprises a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the outer edge of the bottom wall, The unit cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input / output unit is housed in a housing space defined by the first cover member and the second cover member.

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