Cable fixing structure for electronic devices

Abstract

To provide a cable fixing structure of an electronic device which can prevent disconnection of a cable during cable rebinding work.SOLUTION: A cable fixing structure of an electronic device includes a pair of first wall parts 15 which are erected on a lower case 3 (a housing component) forming a housing of an electronic device and spaced apart from each other in a direction in which a cable extends. A tip of the first wall part 15 includes a cable placement part 17 which is formed so that the cable may be placed thereon. The first wall parts 15 include a pair of second wall parts 18 which are erected so as to extend from the cable placement part 17 to the opposite side of the lower case 3 and arranged side by side in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the cable extends. A space S1 having a width such that binding band may pass therethrough is formed between the pair of first wall parts 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable fixing structure for an electronic device that fixes a cable using a cable tie. Background Art

[0002] A large number of cables are wired inside a housing that constitutes a main device of a telephone or the like. Usually, these plurality of cables are bundled and arranged with a cable tie or the like at a location such as a substrate that does not interfere with components. In some cases, cables are bundled only with a cable tie as described above, but as in Patent Document 1, there is a configuration where a cord fixing tool and a plurality of cables are bundled with a cable tie, and the cord fixing tool is fixed to the housing to fix the cables relative to the housing. As in Patent Document 2, there is also a configuration where a structure for fixing the cable and the cable tie to the housing is formed, and the cable is attached to a predetermined position.

[0003] In the cable fixing structures described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when performing cable wiring work, a construction worker can complete the wiring work simply by positioning the cable at a predetermined position and fixing it with a cable tie, so the workability of the wiring work is good. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-144464 Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent No. 4042654 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, there are many situations where it's necessary to unbundle and re-bundle cables, such as when wiring mistakes are noticed after cables are installed, or when additional equipment is added and new cables are needed. In such cases, reusable cable ties, that is, cable ties that can be loosened even after being tightened, would be ideal. However, this type of cable tie costs about three times more than ordinary cable ties that cannot be loosened, making their use impractical. Therefore, in many cases, the fixed cable ties are cut and the cables are bundled with new cable ties. In such cutting operations, workers often use wire cutters, but there was a problem with damaging the cables with the tips of the cutters. "Damaging" here includes damaging the tubing covering the cable, even if it doesn't result in the cable being cut or damaged. While such damage doesn't affect the cable's functionality, damaging the appearance of the cable on equipment installed at the customer's site is unacceptable. Therefore, workers had to be extremely careful to avoid damaging the cables while cutting, resulting in very poor work efficiency.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide a cable fixing structure for electronic equipment that can prevent cable breakage during cable re-bundling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve this objective, the cable fixing structure for electronic equipment according to the present invention comprises: a pair of first wall portions erected on a housing component constituting the housing of the electronic equipment and spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the direction in which the cable extends; a cable mounting portion formed at the tip of the first wall portion on which the cable can be placed; and a pair of second wall portions erected on the first wall portion so as to extend from the cable mounting portion toward the opposite side from the housing component and arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the cable extends, with a space of a width that allows a cable tie to pass through between the pair of first wall portions.

[0008] The present invention relates to a cable fixing structure for the electronic device, wherein the cable mounting portion is spanned between the pair of first wall portions, the mounting surface on which the cable is placed on the cable mounting portion is formed by a convex curved surface in which the central part in the direction in which the cable extends protrudes from both ends toward the opposite side from the housing component, and the radius of curvature of the mounting surface described above may be greater than or equal to the allowable bending radius of the cable.

[0009] In the cable fixing structure for the electronic device, the cable mounting portion may be provided on both sides of the first wall portion so as to sandwich the second wall portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the cable fixing structure according to the present invention, the cable can be fixed to the second wall portion by bundling the cable placed on the cable mounting portion with a cable tie. When adding a cable, for example, a pair of wire cutters are inserted between the pair of second wall portions to cut the cable tie. At this time, one of the second wall portions of the pair is located between the cable and the wire cutters, so the cable will not be damaged by the wire cutters. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cable fixing structure that can prevent cable breakage during the cable re-bundling process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device with a portion of the casing cut away. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first cable support. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the first cable support. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view of the first cable support. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the first cable support. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first cable support. [Figure 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where a cable is placed on the cable placement portion of the first cable support body. [Figure 8] Fig. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state where a cable is fixed to the first cable support body with a binding band. [Figure 9] Fig. 9 is a front view of the first cable fixing structure for explaining the procedure of cutting a binding band. [Figure 10] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the second cable support body and a part of the lower case. [Figure 11] Fig. 11 is a front view of the second cable support body. [Figure 12] Fig. 12 is a side view of the second cable support body. [Figure 13] Fig. 13 is a plan view of the second cable support body. [Figure 14] Fig. 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the second cable support body. [Figure 15] Fig. 15 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the second cable support body, shown with the second wall portion broken away. [Figure 16] Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a state where a cable is placed on the cable placement portion of the second cable support body. [Figure 17] Fig. 17 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state where a cable is fixed to the second cable support body with a binding band. [Figure 18] Fig. 18 is a front view of the second cable fixing structure for explaining the procedure of cutting a binding band. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the cable fixing structure for an electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 18. The electronic device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is configured by housing various electronic components (not shown) inside a housing 2. The housing 2 includes a box-shaped lower case located on the lower side in Fig. 1, and an upper case that closes the opening of the lower case. The lower case 3 constitutes a "housing component" as defined in this invention and includes a first cable fixing structure 11 and a second cable fixing structure 12 to which cables 5 to 7 are secured by cable ties 8.

[0013] (Description of the first cable fixing structure) The first cable fixing structure 11 consists of a first cable support 13 integrally formed with the lower case 3 and a cable tie 8 for fixing the cable 5 to the first cable support 13. The second cable fixing structure 12 consists of a second cable support 14 integrally formed with the lower case 3 and cable ties 8 for fixing cables 6 and 7 to the second cable support 14. When indicating direction in the following description of the first and second cable fixing structures 11 and 12, the direction in which cables 5 to 7 extend will be referred to as the front-to-back direction of the fixing structure for convenience, and the direction perpendicular to the direction in which cables 5 to 7 extend and parallel to the direction in which the wall surface 3a of the lower case 3 extends will be referred to as the left-to-right direction of the fixing structure for convenience.

[0014] Of the first and second cable fixing structures 11 and 12, the first cable support 13 used in the first cable fixing structure 11, which is depicted in the upper left of Figure 1, has a pair of first wall portions 15, 15 erected on the lower case 3, as shown in Figure 2. Each of these first wall portions 15 is formed in a plate shape and extends in a direction away from the lower case 3 and in the left-right direction of the fixing structure. Furthermore, one first wall portion 15 and the other first wall portion 15 are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction of the fixing structure. This predetermined distance is a distance through which a cable tie 8 can be passed. That is, a space S1 with a width that allows a cable tie 8 to be passed is formed between the pair of first wall portions 15.

[0015] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a reinforcing wall 16 is provided spanning between the pair of first wall sections 15. The fracture location in Figure 6 is the position indicated by the line VI-VI in Figure 5. One first wall section 15 and the other first wall section 15 are connected to each other via the reinforcing wall 16. The reinforcing wall 16 is formed such that its height protruding from the lower case 3 is lower than that of the first wall sections 15.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the tip of the first wall portion 15 is formed with a cable mounting portion 17, which is a flat surface on which a cable 5 can be placed, and a pair of second wall portions 18 that protrude from the cable mounting portion 17 on the opposite side from the lower case 3. The cable mounting portion 17 is formed on one side of the first wall portion 15 in the left-right direction of the fixed structure. The second wall portions 18 are formed on the other side of the first wall portion 15 in the left-right direction of the fixed structure, and are plate-shaped and extend in the front-rear direction. The pair of second wall portions 18 are arranged side by side at a predetermined distance apart in the left-right direction of the fixed structure. As a result, a space S2 is formed between the pair of second wall portions 18. As shown in Figure 3, a through hole 19 is formed between these second wall portions 18 and the reinforcing wall 16 described above, through which the first cable fixing structure 11 penetrates in the left-right direction of the fixing structure.

[0017] As shown in Figure 4, a projection 15a is provided between the pair of second wall sections 18 in the first wall section 15, projecting from the cable mounting section 17 toward the side opposite to the lower case 3. The projection 15a functions as a reinforcing member that reinforces the second wall section 18 against loads applied to the fixed structure in the left-right direction.

[0018] To secure the cable 5 to the lower case 3 using the first cable fixing structure 11, first, the cable 5 is placed on the cable mounting section 17 as shown in Figure 7. Then, as shown in Figure 8(A), the tip of the cable tie 8 is inserted between the first wall sections 15 and led out to the opposite side of the first wall section 15 through the through hole 19 between the reinforcing wall 16 and the second wall section 18. After that, as shown in Figure 8(B), the cable tie 8 is wrapped around the cable 5 and the second wall section 18 and tightened to secure the cable 5 to the second wall section 18.

[0019] After the cable 5 is fixed to the lower case 3 by the first cable fixing structure 11, if, for example, the cable 5 needs to be replaced or a new cable added, the portion of the cable tie 8 that spans the pair of second wall portions 18 is cut with, for example, wire cutters 20, as shown in Figure 9. At this time, the tip of the wire cutters 20 can be inserted into the space S2 between the pair of second wall portions 18, so the cable tie 8 can be easily cut with the wire cutters 20. Also, when cutting the cable tie 8 with the wire cutters 20, one of the pair of second wall portions 18 is located between the cable 5 and the wire cutters 20, so the cable 5 will not be damaged by the wire cutters 20. After cutting the cable tie 8 in this manner, remove the cable tie 8 to open the cable mounting section 17, and then rewire the cable 5 or add a new cable. Therefore, the first cable fixing structure 11 can prevent the cable from being cut during the cable re-bundling process.

[0020] (Explanation of the second cable fixing structure) The second cable support 14 used in the second cable fixing structure 12, which is depicted in the lower right of Figure 1, comprises a pair of first wall portions 21 erected on the lower case 3, as shown in Figure 10. The first wall portions 21 are positioned adjacent to the cable insertion opening 22 formed in the lower case 3 in the front-rear direction of the fixing structure. In the following description, the direction in which the first wall portions 21 are located relative to the cable insertion opening 22 will be referred to as the rear of the fixing structure.

[0021] The first wall portion 21 is formed in a plate shape that extends in a direction away from the lower case 3 and in the left-right direction of the fixing structure. A pair of first wall portions 21 are arranged so as to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction of the fixing structure. A space S3 with a width that allows a cable tie 8 to pass through is formed between the pair of first wall portions 21. A reinforcing wall 23 is provided between these pairs of first wall sections 21, as shown in Figures 11, 13, and 14. The fracture location in Figure 14 is the position indicated by the line XIV-XIV in Figure 13. This reinforcing wall 23 connects one first wall section 21 to the other first wall section 21. The length of the reinforcing wall 23 in the direction away from the lower case 3 is shorter than the length of the first wall section 21 in the direction away from the lower case 3.

[0022] As shown in Figure 11, of the pair of first wall portions 21, the front first wall portion 21 closer to the cable insertion opening 22 is formed such that its length protruding from the lower case 3 is shorter than that of the rear first wall portion 21. As shown in Figure 12, a pair of second wall sections 24 are provided in the center of the first wall section 21 in the left-right direction of the fixed structure. In addition, cable mounting sections 25 are provided on both sides of the first wall section 21 in the left-right direction of the fixed structure, sandwiching the second wall sections 24.

[0023] As shown in Figure 11, the cable mounting section 25 is spanned between a pair of first wall sections 21 and extends in the front-to-back direction of the fixing structure, with the front side of the fixing structure being closer to the lower case 3 than the rear side. Furthermore, the mounting surface 25a of this cable mounting section 25 on which the cables 6 and 7 are placed is formed by a convex curved surface in the center of the front-to-back direction of the fixing structure (the direction in which the cables 6 and 7 extend), with both ends (front and rear) protruding away from the lower case 3. The radius of curvature R of this mounting surface 25a (see Figure 11) is greater than or equal to the allowable bending radius of the cables 6 and 7.

[0024] As shown in Figure 10, the second wall portion 24 is formed in a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction of the fixing structure and protrudes from the first wall portion 21 on the side opposite to the lower case 3. The pair of second wall portions 24 are arranged side by side at a predetermined distance apart in the left-right direction of the fixing structure. As a result, a space S4 is formed between the pair of second wall portions 24. As shown in Figure 11, a through hole 26 is formed between these second wall portions 24 and the reinforcing wall 23 described above, through which the second cable fixing structure 12 penetrates in the left-right direction of the fixing structure.

[0025] As shown in Figure 15, the second wall portion 24 in this embodiment is formed to have a U-shaped cross-section. The fracture location in Figure 15 is the position indicated by the line XV-XV in Figure 11. More specifically, as shown in Figure 15, the second wall portion 24 in this embodiment has a main plate portion 24a extending in the front-rear direction of the fixed structure, and thickened portions 24b projecting from the main plate portion 24a toward the other second wall portion 24 at both ends of the main plate portion 24a in the front-rear direction of the fixed structure. These thickened portions 24b function as reinforcing members that reinforce the second wall portion 24 against loads applied to the fixed structure in the left-right direction.

[0026] To secure the cables 6 and 7 to the lower case 3 using the second cable fixing structure 12, first, as shown in Figure 16, the cables 6 and 7 are placed on the two cable mounting sections 25 of the second cable support 14. If there are only a few cables, it is sufficient to place them on only one of the cable mounting sections 25. The cables 6 and 7 shown in Figure 16 are passed through the cable insertion opening 22 of the lower case 3. Then, as shown in Figure 17(A), the tip of the cable tie 8 is inserted between the first wall sections 21 and led out to the opposite side of the first wall section 21 through the through hole 26 between the reinforcing wall 23 and the second wall section 24. The break position in Figure 17(A) is the position indicated by the line XVII-XVII in Figure 11. After that, as shown in Figure 17(B), the cable tie 8 is wrapped around the cables 6 and 7 and the second wall section 24 and tightened to secure the cable 5 to the second wall section 24.

[0027] After the cables 6 and 7 are fixed to the lower case 3 by the second cable fixing structure 12, if, for example, the cables need to be replaced or additional cables are to be added, the portion of the cable tie 8 that spans the pair of second wall portions 24 is cut with, for example, wire cutters 20, as shown in Figure 18. At this time, the tip of the wire cutters 20 can be inserted into the space S4 between the pair of second wall portions 24, so the cable tie 8 can be easily cut with the wire cutters 20. When cutting the cable tie 8 with wire cutters, one of the pair of second wall portions 24 is located between the cable and the wire cutters, so the cable will not be damaged by the wire cutters. After cutting the cable tie 8 in this manner, remove the cable tie 8 to open the cable mounting section 25, and then rewire cables 6 and 7 or add new cables. Therefore, the second cable fixing structure 12 also prevents the cable from being cut during the cable re-bundling process.

[0028] The cable mounting portion 25 of the second cable support 14 used in the second cable fixing structure 12 is spanned between a pair of first wall portions 21. The mounting surface 25a of the cable mounting portion 25 on which the cable is placed is formed by a convex curved surface in which the central part in the direction in which the cable 6,7 extends protrudes from both ends toward the opposite side from the lower case 3. The radius of curvature R of the mounting surface 25a is greater than or equal to the allowable bending radius of the cable 6,7. Therefore, since the radius of curvature of the bent portion of the cable 6,7 fixed to the lower case 3 by the second cable fixing structure 12 is greater than the allowable bending radius, it is possible to prevent the cable 6,7 from being bent too tightly and causing a decrease in performance.

[0029] The cable mounting portion 25 of the second cable support 14 is provided on both sides of the first wall portion 21, sandwiching the second wall portion 24. As a result, multiple cables 6 and 7 can be fixed in one place, allowing for efficient wiring of the cables 6 and 7. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1...Electronic device, 2...Housing, 3...Lower case (housing component), 5-7...Cable, 8...Cable tie, 11...First cable fixing structure, 12...Second cable fixing structure, 21...First wall section, 24...Second wall section, 25...Cable mounting section, 25a...Mounting surface, S1, S3...Space.

Claims

1. A pair of first wall portions are erected on the housing components that constitute the housing of the electronic device, and are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the direction in which the cable extends, A cable mounting portion is formed at the tip of the first wall portion so as to be able to place a cable, The first wall portion is erected so as to extend from the cable mounting portion toward the opposite side from the housing component, and comprises a pair of second wall portions arranged at a predetermined interval toward the side opposite to the side in which the cable mounting portion is formed, in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the cable extends. A space of a width that allows a cable tie to pass through is formed between the pair of first wall portions. A cable fixing structure for electronic equipment, characterized in that a groove-shaped space extending in the direction in which the cable extends is formed between the pair of second wall portions.

2. In the cable fixing structure for electronic equipment according to Claim 1, The cable mounting section is spanned between the pair of first wall sections, The mounting surface on which the cable is placed in the cable mounting portion is formed by a convex curved surface in which the central part in the direction in which the cable extends protrudes from both ends toward the opposite side from the housing component. A cable fixing structure for electronic equipment, characterized in that the radius of curvature of the mounting surface is greater than or equal to the allowable bending radius of the cable.

3. In the cable fixing structure for electronic equipment according to claim 1 or claim 2, The cable fixing structure for electronic equipment is characterized in that the cable mounting portions are provided on both sides of the first wall portion so as to sandwich the second wall portion.

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