Linked Unit

Abstract

To provide a connection type unit that can easily expand and contract a case itself when the size of an electronic apparatus housed in the case is desired to be changed.SOLUTION: A connection type unit is formed by connecting a plurality of functional modules 12 each consisting of an electronic apparatus and a central case 21 that houses the electronic apparatus. Each central case has an opening that opens the entire surface in a connecting direction, and has a structure in which the central cases are connected to each other via a covering member 31 that is a connecting member attached to the opening. An electronic board 33, which is the electronic apparatus, has a terminal portion 35 that conducts electricity and / or communicates by contacting adjacent electronic boards inside the case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection type unit formed by connecting a plurality of modules each constituted by an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] A connection type unit in which a plurality of modules each constituted by an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device are connected is conventionally known as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1. Such a connection type unit is attached in series on a rail member, and has an advantage that the number of modules can be increased or decreased as needed, and the type of electronic device incorporated in the case can be changed.

[0003] The case constituting the module of this Patent Document 1 has an opening on the upper surface so that an electronic substrate can be inserted from above, but the other surfaces are surrounded by walls. Therefore, the size of the case is constant, and there is a problem that when it is desired to change the size of the electronic device housed in the case, the case itself has to be changed to a larger case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems and provide a connection type unit that can be easily scaled when it is desired to change the size of the electronic device housed in the case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The above measures were taken to solve the problems mentioned above. This invention The linked unit is formed by linking together multiple modules, each module consisting of an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device, and the case has an opening that fully opens the surface in the direction of connection. And, By being attached to the opening, the covering member partitions the space inside the case. The covering members are provided and connected to each other. This method is characterized by the linking of multiple cases.

[0007] In addition, Electronic equipment is an electronic circuit board, and has terminals that conduct electricity and / or communicate by making contact with other electronic circuit boards inside adjacent cases. The aforementioned The covering member can have a structure that includes a hole for exposing the terminal portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The connecting unit of the present invention has a structure in which the case for housing the electronic device has an opening that fully opens on the surface in the direction of connection, so that the internal space of the case can be expanded by connecting the cases together. For this reason, it is easy to accommodate changes in the size of the electronic device to be housed in the case. Other effects of the present invention will be described along with the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an external perspective view of the connected unit of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the cases connected by bringing their openings into contact with each other. [Figure 3] This is a functional module that connects the cases via a covering member, and an exploded perspective view thereof. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view from the opposite side of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the case connected via an integrated covering member. [Figure 6]This is a perspective view showing a functional module connected between a base module and an end module via a covering member. [Figure 7] This perspective view shows an example where central cases are directly connected to each other, and both ends are connected to adjacent modules via covering members. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of a connected unit in which each module is connected via a covering member. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the connected state using the extension member. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of a connecting unit using an extension member. [Figure 11] This is an exploded perspective view showing a modified version of the joint. [Figure 12] This is an exploded perspective view showing other variations of the joint. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (Overall structure) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the connected unit according to the embodiment. Base modules 11, functional modules 12, end modules 13, etc., are mounted in series on the rail member 10, in close contact with each other by mounting members 14. As shown in the figure, the base modules 11 and end modules 13 are positioned at both ends, and the functionality of the connected unit can be expanded by inserting the required number of functional modules 12 between them. The connected unit of this embodiment is intended for use in connection with sensors and measuring instruments, but its applications are not limited to this.

[0012] (Each module) The base module 11 has at least one of the functions such as a function of communicating with an external device, a function of being powered by the external device and supplying power to other modules, a function of communicating with other modules (a function of transmitting a signal to the function module 12 or receiving data from the function module 12), a function of calculating, storing, and analyzing data obtained from connected sensors and measuring devices, and data received from the function module 12.

[0013] The end module 13 has a termination resistor and is for efficiently performing energization and communication between the modules constituting the connection type unit. In addition, it may have the same functions as the function module 12.

[0014] The function module 12 is connected to sensors and measuring devices and has at least one of the functions such as a function of acquiring and storing data related to events detected or measured by the sensors and measuring devices, a function of calculating, a function of analyzing, and a function of communicating with other modules (a function of transmitting the acquired data and the calculated and analyzed data to the base module 11 or receiving a signal from the base module 11).

[0015] In order to exhibit the above various functions, each module is composed of an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device. The structure of the case, which is the main part of the present invention, will be described in detail later. The electronic device acquires data related to events detected or measured by connected sensors and measuring devices and performs operations such as calculation, determination, storage, analysis, and communication, and is an electronic substrate on which electronic components are mounted or a device provided with the electronic substrate.

[0016] Here, the event means (1) natural phenomena such as earthquakes, lightning, rain, wind, and snow that affect electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes such as distribution boards, switchboards, and high-voltage power receiving facilities, their attached equipment, and buildings such as houses and factories, and (2) the state of the internal environment of the electrical and electronic equipment storage box, the state of the electrical and electronic equipment housed therein, disasters occurring in the electrical and electronic equipment storage box, etc. However, it is not limited to these as shown below.

[0017] Examples of sensors and measuring instruments include, in case (1), boxes for housing electrical and electronic equipment and their accessories, earthquake sensors and seismic sensors for detecting earthquakes affecting buildings, lightning sensors for measuring lightning, rain sensors for detecting rain, rain gauges for measuring rainfall, anemometers for measuring wind speed, snowfall sensors for measuring snow, and snow depth sensors for measuring snow depth. In case (2), examples include thermometers, hygrometers, illuminance sensors and barometric pressure sensors for understanding the internal environment of the boxes for housing electrical and electronic equipment. Furthermore, examples of sensors for understanding the state of electrical and electronic equipment housed in boxes include current sensors, voltage sensors, and power sensors for measuring current, voltage, and power supplied to electrical and electronic equipment, temperature sensors and infrared sensors for measuring heat generation inside electrical and electronic equipment and terminals, discharge event detection sensors for detecting spark discharges occurring in terminals and electrical wiring of electrical and electronic equipment, vibration sensors for detecting abnormal vibrations of electrical and electronic equipment, and fire detectors, smoke sensors, odor sensors, and heat sensors for detecting electrical accidents and electrical fires occurring inside the boxes for housing electrical and electronic equipment. In addition, the sensors may be human presence sensors or motion sensors that detect the movement of people inside a building or the movement of small animals that have entered a box for housing electrical and electronic equipment.

[0018] As described above, the events detected by the electronic equipment housed in the linked unit of this embodiment may be any events related to the electrical and electronic equipment housing box, its accessories, or the building, and the measuring unit may be any unit that can measure data related to those events.

[0019] Electrical and electronic equipment refers to items that are housed inside or mounted outside the electrical and electronic equipment enclosure, such as circuit breakers, terminal blocks, wires, disconnectors, circuit breakers, switches, transformers, reactors, capacitors, measuring instruments, sensors, communication equipment, display equipment, lighting equipment, heating and cooling equipment, and ventilation equipment. Of course, the sensor module of the present invention is also included. Attached equipment includes not only electrical and electronic equipment but also items outside the scope of electrical and electronic equipment, such as handles, hinges, gaskets, and grommets. In other words, attached equipment includes all equipment attached to the electrical and electronic equipment enclosure, whether inside or outside.

[0020] The various functions described above are performed by electronic devices housed inside each module. These electronic devices are basically mounted on an electronic circuit board, and power supply and communication between modules are achieved by making contact between terminals mounted on the electronic circuit board. As explained below, each module is directly or indirectly connected to form a linked unit, but the structure is such that physical and electrical connections, i.e., connections for power supply and communication, are made simultaneously by the terminals of each module making contact with each other.

[0021] (case) The structure of the case, which is the main component of the present invention, is described below. The case houses electronic equipment inside. In the present invention, the case has an opening that opens completely on the surface in the connecting direction. However, since the base module 11 and the end module 13 are located at the ends, their cases are end cases 32 that have an opening on only one surface in the connecting direction. In contrast, the case of the functional module 12 is a central case 21 that has openings on both surfaces in the connecting direction. The central case 21 is a frame shape surrounded by walls on the top, bottom, left, and right.

[0022] In order to construct the linked unit of the present invention, the cases must be placed in close contact with each other on the rail member 10, and for this to be possible, the cases must be connected to each other. Possible structures for connecting the cases to each other include a direct connection structure and an indirect connection structure with a connecting member interposed therebetween.

[0023] Direct connection structures for cases include a structure in which an engaging part such as a claw is provided on one case and a receiving part such as a hole is provided on the other case to bring the openings together and engage the engaging part with the receiving part; a structure in which the openings of adjacent cases are brought together and connected with fasteners such as screws; and a structure in which cases are connected using a connecting part provided on one of the surfaces of the cases. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a sliding engaging part 23 is provided on the outside of the side wall 22 of the central case 21, and a structure is adopted in which the openings of adjacent cases are brought together and connected. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, a claw-shaped locking part 24 and a receiving part 25 may be provided on the outside of the side wall 22, and a structure may be adopted in which the openings of adjacent cases are brought together and connected. In addition, recesses 28 and protrusions 29 are formed on the top plate 26 and bottom plate 27, and they are fitted together to regulate the position in the width direction.

[0024] In this way, by using a structure that directly connects the cases, a modular unit can be constructed with a small number of parts, consisting of end cases 32 and a central case 21, allowing for flexible adjustment of the internal space size. Furthermore, by providing end cases 32 and central cases 21 of different shapes and sizes, the degree of freedom in the internal space size can be further increased. Also, because the openings are in contact with each other, the size is the sum of the sizes in the connection direction, preventing the overall size from becoming unnecessarily large.

[0025] The minimum size of the connected unit is achieved by directly connecting the end modules 13 to the base module 11, that is, by connecting the end cases 32 together. Furthermore, by adding a central case 21 between them, the internal space of the connected unit can be freely expanded.

[0026] (Covering material) Next, an example of an indirect connection structure with a connecting member interposed will be described. In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, a covering member 31, which is a type of connecting member, is placed over the opening of the central case 21, covering the opening. By covering the opening of the case with the covering member 31, the internal space of the case is partitioned, and a single module is formed. In the central case 21 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the case is closed and the internal space is partitioned by covering the openings on both sides in the connecting direction with the covering member 31. However, as shown in Figure 5, in the end case 32, the case is closed and the internal space is partitioned by covering the opening formed on one side with the covering member 31.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, an electronic circuit board 33, which is an electronic device, is housed inside the case. The electronic circuit board 33 is equipped with a wire connection section 34 and a terminal section 35. An opening 36 for wire connection is formed in the top plate 26 of the case, allowing the wires connected to the aforementioned sensors and measuring instruments to be connected to the wire connection section 34 through this opening 36. The terminal section 35 is made by bending and shaping an elastic leaf spring and is used to connect to adjacent modules for power supply and / or communication.

[0028] Since it is necessary to conduct power and communicate with adjacent modules, the covering member 31 has holes 37 formed in it to expose the terminal portion 35. In order to minimize the reduction in waterproof and dustproof performance, it is preferable that the shape of the holes 37 conforms to the shape of the terminal portion 35 and that there are no gaps.

[0029] The covering member 31 is a plate-like body sized to cover the opening of the case. One covering member 31 has vertical recesses 38 on both the left and right sides, which interlock with the vertical protrusions 39 on both the left and right sides of the other covering member 31, thereby connecting the two covering members 31 together. However, as described regarding the connection between cases, it goes without saying that the connection structure is not limited to this. In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connection is in the order of case ⇒ covering member ⇒ covering member ⇒ case. However, these two covering members 31 may be integrated as shown in Figure 5, and the cases may be connected by a single covering member 31.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable that the covering member 31 has a structure in which at least a part of it is inserted into the opening of the case, and that when the cases are connected via the covering member 31, the openings of the cases come into direct contact with each other, and that the covering member 31 is not exposed when the cases are connected.

[0031] Figure 6 shows a functional module 12 connected between a base module 11 and an end module 13 via a covering member 31. Figure 7 shows an example in which central cases 21, 21 are directly connected to each other, and both ends are connected to adjacent modules via a covering member 31. Furthermore, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connected unit in which each module is connected via a covering member 31. As shown in this figure, an electronic circuit board 33 is housed in the internal space of each case, and the terminal portion 35 is in contact with the terminal portion 35 of the adjacent module through the hole 37 of the covering member 31. As shown in Figure 8, according to the present invention, if it is desired to change the size of the electronic device housed in the case, the case itself can be easily expanded or contracted.

[0032] (Expansion member) In addition to the covering member 31 described above, an expansion member 40, shown in Figure 9, can also be used as a connecting member. The expansion member 40 has a frame shape with openings on both sides in the connecting direction, similar to the central case 21, and expands the case in the connecting direction by connecting to the opening of the case. This expands the internal space of the case as shown in Figure 10, making it possible to store electronic devices across multiple cases, and enabling the storage of large electronic devices. Note that there is no significant structural difference between the expansion member 40 and the central case 21, so they can be used interchangeably. These covering member 31 and expansion member 40 have the same connecting structure and can be attached to the case interchangeably. In other words, by making the covering member 31 and expansion member 40 interchangeable with the case, the internal space of the case can be freely changed, and it is possible to easily accommodate the size of electronic devices to be stored in various cases.

[0033] (modified version) In the embodiment described above, the engaging portion 23 was exposed on the side of the case. However, as shown in Figure 11, a flat protective plate 41 is provided on the outside of the side wall of the case, and the connection to one case is made by engaging a locking portion 24 formed on its inner surface with a locked portion 25 formed on the outside of the side wall of the case. The connection to the other case is made by engaging a block-shaped locking portion 42 formed on the inner surface of the protective plate 41 with a groove-shaped locked portion 43 formed on the outside of the side wall of the case, as shown in Figure 12. These locking portions 24 and 42 and the locked portions 25 and 43 may be connected by sliding them. This structure has the advantage of allowing cases to be connected with a single touch.

[0034] (summary) As explained above, if the cases are connected directly or via the extension member 40, the internal space of the connected unit can be made from the end case 32 of the base module 11 to the end case 32 of the end module 13, thereby increasing the size of the internal space. Furthermore, as a minimum unit, the size of the internal space can be adjusted using only the end case 32 and the central case 21 (or extension member). On the other hand, if the cases are connected via the covering member 31, a connected unit is formed by connecting multiple modules, each containing electronic equipment with different functions in a closed case. Therefore, by adding or replacing modules, a connected unit with the desired functions can be obtained. Also, if any module malfunctions, the malfunction of the connected unit can be resolved by replacing only that module.

[0035] Furthermore, a connected unit can be constructed by combining a structure that directly connects cases, or a structure that connects them via an expansion member 40, with a structure that connects them via a covering member 31. For example, small electronic devices can be housed in a module formed by covering the opening of one case with a covering member 31, while large electronic devices can be housed in a module formed by covering the openings of a case that is directly connected to multiple cases (either by connecting central cases 21 to each other, or by connecting a central case 21 to an end case 32) with a covering member 31.

[0036] As described above, the linked unit of the present invention has the advantage of being able to easily expand or contract the internal space of the case according to the size of the electronic device housed in the case. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10 Rail members 11 Base Modules 12 Function Modules 13 End Modules 14 Mounting components 21 Central Case 22 Side wall 23 Engaging part 24 Claw-shaped locking part 25 Locked part 26 Top plate 27 Bottom plate 28 recesses 29 Convex part 31 Covering member 32 End Cases 33 Electronic circuit boards 34 Wire connection section 35 Terminal section 36 Aperture 37 Hole 38 recesses 39 Convex part 40 Expansion Member 41 Protective plate 42 Block-shaped locking part 43 Groove-shaped locking portion

Claims

1. A linked unit formed by connecting multiple modules, each consisting of an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device, The case has an opening that fully opens the surface in the direction of connection, A connecting unit characterized by having covering members that are attached to the opening to partition the space inside the case, and by connecting the covering members to each other to connect multiple cases.

2. The connecting unit according to Claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an electronic circuit board and has terminal portions that conduct electricity and / or communicate by contacting each other with other electronic circuit boards inside adjacent cases, and the covering member has holes for exposing the terminal portions.

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