Intercom equipment

Abstract

To provide an intercom device in which water inflow from a microphone unit to the inside of a body case can be prevented more than an existing intercom device.SOLUTION: A cover microphone hole 11 opened in a make-up cover 4 and a case microphone hole 12 opened in a front case 2 are vertically dislocated in a front view, and the case microphone hole 12 is not exposed in the cover microphone hole 11. It thus becomes possible to effectively prevent water from entering a body case from the outside of the make-up cover 4 through the case microphone hole 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intercom device provided with a microphone unit that allows a visitor to talk with a resident, for example. Background Art

[0002] Conventional general intercom devices are provided with a microphone unit for a call between a visitor and a resident, for example. Particularly in intercom devices such as an intercom slave unit installed outdoors, water intrusion from the microphone unit into the main body case is a problem. Therefore, an intercom device in which the microphone unit is provided with a structure for suppressing water intrusion has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-197967 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In intercom devices, suppression of water intrusion from the microphone unit still remains a problem to be solved, and a more effective intrusion suppression structure is required.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an intercom device that can more reliably suppress water intrusion from the microphone unit into the main body case than conventional ones. Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present AkiraAn intercom device comprising a main body case formed by assembling a front case and a rear case, and a decorative cover assembled to cover the front of the main body case, wherein a cover microphone hole opened in the decorative cover and a case microphone hole opened in the front case are offset when viewed from the front, and the case microphone hole is not exposed inside the cover microphone hole. It is like this, and also, A gasket is attached to the front of the case to fill the gap between the main case and the decorative cover. Occasionally, The cover microphone hole and the case microphone hole are characterized by being surrounded by a gasket on the top and both sides. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the cover microphone hole opened in the decorative cover and the case microphone hole opened in the front case are offset when viewed from the front, so that the case microphone hole is not exposed inside the cover microphone hole. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent water from entering the main body case from the outside of the decorative cover through the case microphone hole. Also , book A gasket is attached to the front of the main case to fill the gap between the main case and the decorative cover. The gasket also surrounds the top and both sides of the cover microphone hole and the case microphone hole, which more effectively prevents water from entering the main case from the outside of the decorative cover, while not obstructing drainage downwards from the cover microphone hole and the case microphone hole. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing the intercom handset from the front. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the front view with the decorative cover removed. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view diagram of a disassembled intercom unit. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view diagram showing the previous case from the front. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view diagram showing the front case from the rear. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view diagram showing the microphone and microphone circuit board from the front. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view diagram showing the microphone and microphone circuit board from the rear. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the area near the microphone in the cross-section along line AA in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail, based on the drawings, an intercom sub-unit that is one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the intercom sub-unit 1 from the front. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the unit with the decorative cover 4 removed, viewed from the front. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the intercom sub-unit 1 in a disassembled state. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front case 2 from the front. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front case 2 from the rear. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the microphone 17 and microphone circuit board 16 from the front. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the microphone 17 and microphone circuit board 16 from the rear. Figure 8 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the microphone section 10 in the cross-section along line AA in Figure 1.

[0011] The intercom sub-unit 1 comprises a main unit case assembled from a front case 2 positioned at the front and a rear case 3 positioned at the rear, and a decorative cover 4 fitted to cover the main unit case from the front. A camera unit 5 for capturing images of the area in front of the intercom sub-unit 1 is provided on the upper front of the intercom sub-unit 1. Furthermore, a microphone unit 10 for communication is provided to the right of the camera unit 5 on the front of the intercom sub-unit 1. In addition, below the camera unit 5 on the front of the intercom sub-unit 1 is a name display unit 7 that can display the resident's name, etc., and also functions as a speaker unit for communication and a night light, as well as a call button 8 that visitors operate when calling the resident. The intercom sub-unit 1 is installed on the wall of the entrance of the dwelling unit, etc. When the call button 8 is operated by a visitor, it calls the intercom master unit (not shown) installed inside the dwelling unit, and activates the camera unit 5 to capture an image of the area in front of the intercom sub-unit 1, including the visitor. Furthermore, when an answering operation is performed on the intercom master unit, such as pressing the answer button, the microphone unit 10 and the speaker unit are activated, enabling communication with the intercom master unit.

[0012] Now, let's describe the microphone unit 10, which is the main component of the present invention. The decorative cover 4 has a front cover plate 4a that covers the front of the front case 2, and a cover microphone hole 11, which is one of the elements that make up the microphone section 10, is provided at a location slightly to the right on the upper front of the front cover plate 4a. The cover microphone hole 11 is formed into an elongated hole that is long in the vertical direction.

[0013] Furthermore, the front surface of the front case front plate 2a of the front case 2, which is covered by the cover front plate 4a, is provided with a case microphone hole 12 and a drainage groove 13, which are elements that make up the microphone section 10. The case microphone hole 12 is positioned to the right of the cover microphone hole 11 when the decorative cover 4 is attached to the front case 2, so as not to overlap with the cover microphone hole 11 in the front-to-back direction. The drainage groove 13 is for draining water droplets that would accumulate in the case microphone hole 12 downwards. The drainage groove 13 is a recessed area that is recessed towards the rear, and extends vertically downwards from the case microphone hole 12, so as to overlap with the cover microphone hole 11 in the front-to-back direction, similar to the case microphone hole 12. In addition, the depth of the drainage groove 13 in the front-to-back direction gradually decreases from the case microphone hole 12 downwards. That is, the back surface of the drainage groove 13 is an inclined surface that gradually protrudes forward from the downwards.

[0014] Furthermore, a gasket 30 is attached to the front surface of the case front panel 2a. The gasket 30 is molded into a gate shape when viewed from the front, with a left side, an upper side, and a right side, opening downwards, and surrounds the upper and left and right sides of the case microphone hole 12 and the drainage groove 13. When the decorative cover 4 is assembled to the front case 2, the cover microphone hole 11 is also surrounded by the gasket 30 (that is, the left side of the gasket 30 is positioned to the left of the cover microphone hole 11, and the upper side of the gasket 30 is positioned above it), and the gasket 30 fills the space between the front case 2 and the decorative cover 4. Therefore, the gasket 30 prevents water from entering the microphone section 10 from above and on both sides, and does not obstruct drainage from the case microphone hole 12 and the drainage groove 13. It also does not obstruct the transmission of sound to the microphone 17, as will be described later.

[0015] Further, inside the main body case, a microphone substrate 16 having a microphone 17 mounted on a front surface thereof is installed as one of the elements constituting the microphone unit 10. Also, a microphone cap 15, which is one of the elements constituting the microphone unit 10, is attached to the microphone 17. The microphone cap 15 is a synthetic resin member integrally provided with a cap portion 18 that accommodates the microphone 17, a waterproof piece 19 protruding outward from the cap portion 18, and a positioning protrusion 20 that can penetrate the microphone substrate 16.

[0016] The cap portion 18 is configured such that a forwardly recessed recess is provided on a rear surface of a block body whose front and rear end faces are formed into an oblong shape elongated in the vertical direction, and the microphone 17 can be accommodated in the recess. Also, a cap microphone hole 21 and a sound collecting groove 22 are provided on the front surface of the cap portion 18. The cap microphone hole 21 is opened at a position upper on the front surface of the cap portion 18, and communicates with the recess that accommodates the microphone 17. The sound collecting groove 22, which is a space for transmitting sound to the microphone 17 from the outside, is formed as a recess recessed toward the rear side, and extends from the cap microphone hole 21 to the lower end of the front surface of the cap portion 18. On the other hand, the waterproof piece 19 is provided around the outer peripheral edge of the rear end of the cap portion 18, and protrudes outward in the radial direction from the center of the cap portion 18 in a flange shape. Also, the positioning protrusion 20 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the waterproof piece 19 on the lower side of the cap portion 18, and can be inserted into a positioning hole 23 bored in the microphone substrate 16. Note that reference numeral 24 denotes a screwing portion for screwing the microphone substrate 16 to the rear surface of the front case plate 2a of the front case 2. Also, the microphone substrate 16 is connected via a cable (not shown) to a main substrate 29 that controls main operations of the intercom slave unit 1 (operations related to calling with the intercom master unit and transmitting video).

[0017] In addition, on the rear surface of the case front plate 2a of the front case 2, a microphone holding cylinder 14, which is one of the elements constituting the microphone unit 10, is provided to project rearward. The microphone holding cylinder 14 is formed into a long elliptical cylindrical shape elongated in the same vertical direction as the cap portion 18 of the microphone cap 15, and the cap portion 18 can be inserted therein in a state where the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 18 is brought close to the inner surface of the microphone holding cylinder. Further, the case microphone hole 12 is located at the lower end inside the microphone holding cylinder 14, and when the cap portion 18 is inserted into the microphone holding cylinder 14, the case microphone hole 12 is positioned in front of the sound collecting groove 22. Furthermore, fixing bosses 28, 28 for screwing the microphone substrate 16 are provided in the vicinity of the microphone holding cylinder 14 on the rear surface of the case front plate 2a.

[0018] Regarding the assembly of the microphone unit 10 as described above, first, the microphone cap 15 is attached to the microphone 17. At this time, if the positioning protrusion 20 is inserted through the positioning hole 23, the microphone 17 is automatically housed in the cap portion 18. Further, when the microphone cap 15 is attached, the rear surface of the waterproof piece 19 is brought into contact with the surface of the microphone substrate 16. Next, the cap portion 18 is inserted into the microphone holding cylinder 14 from the rear of the front case 2, and the microphone substrate 16 is screwed to the fixing bosses 28, 28 in this state. Then, the front surface of the waterproof piece 19 is pressed against the rear end of the microphone holding cylinder 14, so that the waterproof piece 19 is sandwiched from the front and rear by the microphone holding cylinder 14 and the microphone substrate 16. Finally, after assembling the rear case 3 to assemble the main body case, adhering the packing 30 to the front surface of the case front plate 2a, and then assembling the decorative cover 4, the assembly of the microphone unit 10 is completed.

[0019] In the microphone unit 10 assembled in this manner, the cover microphone hole 11 and the case microphone hole 12 are offset horizontally when viewed from the front, so that the case microphone hole 12 is not exposed inside the cover microphone hole 11. Also, the case microphone hole 12 and the cap microphone hole 21 are offset vertically when viewed from the front, so that the cap microphone hole 21 is not exposed inside the case microphone hole 12. Furthermore, the voice of visitors, etc., travels from the cover microphone hole 11 through the space enclosed by the packing 30, the case microphone hole 12, the sound collection groove 22, and the cap microphone hole 21 to reach the microphone 17 inside the cap unit 18.

[0020] In the intercom sub-unit 1 having the above configuration, a synthetic resin microphone cap 15 is attached to the microphone 17, which has a cap portion 18 for housing the microphone 17 and a flange-shaped waterproof piece 19 protruding outward from the cap portion 18. A cap microphone hole 21 is provided in the cap portion 18, while a case microphone hole 12 is provided in the front plate 2a of the front case 2. A cylindrical microphone holding cylinder 14 surrounding the case microphone hole 12 is provided on the rear surface of the front plate 2a, which protrudes to the rear, and fixing bosses 28, 28 are provided to which the microphone substrate 16 is fixed. By fixing the microphone substrate 16 to the fixing bosses 28, 28 with the cap portion 18 inserted into the microphone holding cylinder 14, the waterproof piece 19 is sandwiched from the front and rear by the rear end of the microphone holding cylinder 14 and the surface of the microphone substrate 16. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent water from entering the main case, especially outside the microphone holding cylinder 14, through the case microphone hole 12. Furthermore, since a waterproof effect can be expected simply by inserting the cap portion 18 into the microphone holding cylinder 14 and fixing the microphone circuit board 16, there is no need to sandwich a sheet material as in conventional methods, and assembly work is also easy.

[0021] Furthermore, the cover microphone hole 11 in the decorative cover 4 and the case microphone hole 12 in the case front plate 2a are offset horizontally when viewed from the front, so that the case microphone hole 12 is not exposed inside the cover microphone hole 11. In addition, the case microphone hole 12 and the cap microphone hole 21 on the front of the cap portion 18 are offset vertically when viewed from the front, so that the cap microphone hole 21 is not exposed inside the case microphone hole 12. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent water from reaching the microphone 17, resulting in an extremely waterproof intercom sub-unit 1.

[0022] Furthermore, a packing 30 is attached to the front surface of the case front plate 2a, which is molded into a front-view gate shape with a left side, top side, and right side that open downwards, filling the gap between the front case 2 and the decorative cover 4, and surrounding the upper and left and right sides of the cover microphone hole 11, the case microphone hole 12, and the drainage groove 13. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent water from entering the main case through the case microphone hole 12, and the drainage downwards from the cover microphone hole 11, the case microphone hole 12, and the drainage groove 13 is not obstructed.

[0023] In addition, a concave sound-collecting groove 22 extending in a predetermined direction from the cap microphone hole 21 is provided on the front surface of the cap portion 18, and the case microphone hole 12 is positioned in front of the sound-collecting groove 22 when the cap portion 18 is inserted into the microphone holding cylinder 14. Therefore, the voice of visitors, etc., can be efficiently transmitted from the case microphone hole 12 through the sound-collecting groove 22 and the cap microphone hole 21 to the microphone 17.

[0024] Furthermore, the intercom equipment according to the present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and the overall configuration of the intercom equipment, as well as the waterproof configuration of the microphone section, can be modified as necessary without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0025] For example, in the above embodiment, the cover microphone hole and the case microphone hole are offset from left to right when viewed from the front, but it is also possible to offset them vertically when viewed from the front, such as by opening the case microphone hole above the cover microphone hole, and the offset between the cover microphone hole and the case microphone hole can be modified as appropriate in the design. Similarly, the case microphone hole and the cap microphone hole may be configured to be offset horizontally rather than vertically when viewed from the front, and the design can be modified as appropriate to determine how the case microphone hole and the cap microphone hole are offset. In fact, the cap microphone hole may even be configured to be exposed inside the case microphone hole.

[0026] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the presence or absence of gaskets and the presence or absence of sound-collecting grooves in the microphone cap can be modified as needed. In addition, although the above embodiment describes an intercom sub-unit, which is an example of an intercom device, the present invention can be suitably applied to other intercom devices such as intercom master units and multi-unit entrance units, as long as they are equipped with a microphone unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 1. Intercom handset (intercom equipment), 2. Front case (main unit case), 3. Rear case (main unit case), 4. Decorative cover, 10. Microphone section, 11. Cover microphone hole, 12. Case microphone hole, 13. Drainage channel, 14. Microphone retaining tube, 15. Microphone cap, 16. Microphone circuit board, 17. Microphone, 18. Cap section, 19. Waterproof piece, 20. Positioning projection, 21. Cap microphone hole, 22. Sound collection groove, 23. Positioning hole, 24. Screw fastening section, 28. Fixing boss, 30. Gasket.

Claims

[Claim 1] An intercom device comprising a main body case formed by assembling a front case and a rear case, and a decorative cover assembled to cover the front of the main body case, wherein a microphone is installed inside the main body case, The cover microphone hole in the decorative cover and the case microphone hole in the front case are offset from each other in a front view, so that the case microphone hole is not exposed inside the cover microphone hole. A gasket is attached to the front of the main body case to fill the gap between the main body case and the decorative cover. An intercom device characterized in that the above-ground and left-right sides of the cover microphone hole and the case microphone hole are surrounded by the aforementioned packing.

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