Drainage unit and housing of precision instrument

Abstract

This drainage unit comprises: a drainage channel that extends in a first direction and that has a cavity section formed therein; a first drainage hole that extends in a second direction, which is a direction intersecting the first direction, and that communicates the cavity section of the drainage channel and the outside of the drainage channel; and a second drainage hole that extends in a third direction, which is a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and that communicates the cavity section of the drainage channel and the outside of the drainage channel.

Description

Drainage units and precision equipment housings

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drainage unit and a housing for a precision instrument.

[0002] In recent years, devices used in various environments have been designed to operate appropriately while taking into consideration the influence of the surrounding environment and the installation position. For example, projectors intended for outdoor use require structures for dustproofing, waterproofing, drainage, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses the configuration of an electrical junction box with drainage capabilities.

[0003] JP 2013-66332 A

[0004] The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above-described conventional situation, and aims to provide drainage and waterproofing functions suited to the environment in which precision equipment is used.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a drainage unit comprising: a drainage channel extending in a first direction and having a hollow portion formed therein; a first drainage hole extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and connecting the hollow portion of the drainage channel to the outside of the drainage channel; and a second drainage hole extending in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction and connecting the hollow portion of the drainage channel to the outside of the drainage channel.

[0006] The present disclosure also provides a housing for a precision machine, the housing having a frame portion arranged along an edge portion of the housing and having a hollow portion formed therein, a joint portion arranged at a corner portion of the housing and forming a space through which the hollow portion of the frame portion communicates, a first drainage hole that connects the hollow portion of the frame portion to the interior of the housing and extends along a first direction, and a second drainage hole that connects the hollow portion of the frame portion to the interior of the housing and extends along a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the joint portion provides a gap between the space and the outside of the housing.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions suited to the environment in which precision equipment is used.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a precision device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating water intrusion into the precision device; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a drainage mechanism for a housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a frame section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating drainage by a frame section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] (Background to the Contents of Each Embodiment) In recent years, precision instruments designed for various indoor and outdoor environments have become widespread. Examples of precision instruments include projectors, which are video projection devices. For example, if a projector is designed to be installed and used outdoors, it may be exposed to rain or the like, and water may enter the device. Precision instruments designed for use in such environments require a structure that prevents water from entering the device (waterproof structure) and a structure that properly drains water that has entered the device to the outside (drainage structure).

[0010] For example, a projector is an example of a precision machine, and such a device can be installed and used in various positions, such as ceiling-mounted or portrait orientation. Patent Document 1 discloses the configuration of an electrical connection box with waterproofing and drainage functions, but the drainage direction is limited and the installation position of the device is not fully considered. Therefore, if the configuration of Patent Document 1 is applied as is, it may not be possible to provide sufficient drainage function depending on the installation position of the precision machine.

[0011] Therefore, as one embodiment of the present disclosure, a structure having waterproofing and drainage functions will be described assuming precision machinery installed in environments where it may be affected by water, both indoors and outdoors. In this example, a projector will be used as an example of the precision machinery, but the precision machinery is not limited to this. It is clear that the structure according to the present disclosure can be applied to any precision machinery that may be affected by water when used indoors or outdoors.

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, detailed descriptions of embodiments specifically disclosing a drainage unit and a precision equipment housing according to the present disclosure will be provided. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0013] First Embodiment [Device Configuration] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a projector 100 as a precision device according to this embodiment. In the following description, a three-dimensional coordinate system consisting of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis is shown, and these axes correspond to each other in each drawing. The orientation of each axis and the position of the origin are merely examples, and are not intended to be limiting. In the example of FIG. 1 , the projector 100 is shown as being placed with the legs 106 facing downwards (floor-mounted), but the projector 100 is not limited to this type of installation. For example, the projector 100 may be placed upside down with the legs 106 facing upwards (ceiling-mounted), or may be placed vertically with the legs 106 facing horizontally (portrait).

[0014] The projector 100 according to this embodiment is composed of a housing 101 having a shape with chamfered edges. The housing 101 is provided with a window 102 through which light passes when projecting an image, ventilation holes 105 through which air passes when dissipating heat, and legs 106. The housing 101 is further provided with joints 112 at the corners and frame sections 104 at the edges. A protective cover 103 is attached to the surface of the joint section 112. The configurations of the joint section 112 and frame section 104 will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, for convenience, the configuration around the frame section 104 having a drainage function provided in the housing 101 may also be collectively referred to as a drainage unit.

[0015] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining water intrusion into projector 100 according to this embodiment. Projector 100 is equipped inside with waterproof section 110 having a waterproof structure that minimizes water intrusion, and heat exchange section 111 for adjusting the temperature inside projector 100. Components such as a control section, a power supply section, an optical system, and a light source are arranged in waterproof section 110. Heat exchange section 111 is equipped with heat dissipation components such as a part with air-cooling fins (including a heat exchanger, a heat sink with a heat pipe, etc.), a liquid-cooling radiator, and a fan.

[0016] Heat exchanger 111 is provided with a configuration for circulating air to adjust the temperature inside projector 100. For this reason, vent holes 105 and 107 are provided in housing 101 around heat exchanger 111. Depending on the installation position of projector 100, water such as rain may enter from the outside through vent holes 105 and 107.

[0017] Housing 101 of projector 100 according to this embodiment has a configuration that suppresses the influence of water that has entered in this way on waterproof section 110 and also properly discharges water regardless of the installation position.

[0018] [Drainage Mechanism] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the drainage mechanism in the housing 101 of the projector 100 according to this embodiment. Here, a part of the inside of the housing 101 is shown as an example. Frame portions 104 are provided at each edge portion of the housing 101. In the case of the rectangular projector 100 shown in Fig. 1, eight frame portions 104 are provided. Furthermore, joint portions 112 are provided at the corners of the housing 101.

[0019] The frame portion 104 has a hollow interior, which functions as a drainage path. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the frame portion 104 is provided with drainage holes 113 and 114 so that water from inside the housing 101 flows into the frame portion 104. The drainage holes 113 and 114 are configured to communicate with a hollow portion 117 in the frame portion 104. In other words, the interior of the housing 101, particularly the space where the heat exchanger 111 is disposed, is configured to communicate with the hollow portion 117 of the frame portion 104 via the drainage holes 113 and 114.

[0020] A drain hole 113 and a drain hole 114 are defined as a pair, and multiple pairs may be provided in one frame part 104. In the example of Fig. 3, multiple pairs of drain holes 113 and 114 are provided in corner positions within the area where the heat exchange part 111 is located. The pairs of drain holes 113 and 114 may be provided in any position on the frame part 104.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the frame portion 104 provided in the housing 101. FIG. 4 shows a cross section at a position other than the drainage hole. The frame portion 104 has a hollow portion 117 provided therein. The frame portion 104 is also connected to an internal wall 116 provided in the housing 101 via an attachment portion 115 of the frame portion 104. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the frame portion 104 is also connected to an external wall of the housing 101 via the attachment portion 115. The external wall of the housing 101 corresponds to the surface portion of the projector 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, etc.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure for draining water that has entered the housing 101 through the frame portion 104. FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the frame portion 104, showing the location of the drain holes. In this embodiment, the drain holes 113 and 114 are installed so that their discharge direction is 90 degrees. Note that this angle is merely an example, and the installation angle is not limited to this as long as the structure promotes drainage. Therefore, the configuration is not limited to a perpendicular configuration, and these may be configured to intersect in accordance with the drainage direction. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the drain holes 113 and 114 are located at the same position in the Z-axis direction, but this is not a limitation. Depending on the structure of the housing 101, the pairs of drain holes 113 and 114 may be positioned so that they are offset in the Z-axis direction.

[0023] Furthermore, it is desirable that the length and tip shape of drainage holes 113, 114 are configured so that water in cavity 117 of frame portion 104 does not flow back into housing 101. In the example of Fig. 5, drainage holes 113, 114 each have a brim that protrudes toward cavity 117 in frame portion 104. In addition, for example, a valve for preventing backflow may be provided at the tip of drainage holes 113, 114.

[0024] 2, the space inside the housing 101 where the waterproof unit 110 is installed and the space where the heat exchange unit 111 is installed may be clearly separated, and it may not be expected that water will enter the space where the waterproof unit 110 is installed. In such a configuration, taking into consideration waterproofing and dustproofing, the space where the waterproof unit 110 is installed may be configured so that the pair of drainage holes 113 and 114 is not provided.

[0025] For example, suppose that projector 100 is installed as shown on the left in Fig. 5 and water W has accumulated inside housing 101. In this case, water flows into cavity 117 in frame 104 via drainage hole 113. The water that has flowed into cavity 117 then flows toward the rear or front in the Z-axis direction in Fig. 5 and into joint 112 located at the corner of housing 101.

[0026] The left side of Fig. 5 shows an example in which the installation position of the projector 100 is different. In this example, the projector 100 is installed by rotating it 90 degrees clockwise around the Z axis from the left side of Fig. 5. In this case, water flows into the cavity 117 in the frame portion 104 through the drainage hole 114. The water that has flowed into the cavity 117 further flows toward the back or front in the Z axis direction in Fig. 5 and into the joint portion 112 located at the corner of the housing 101.

[0027] 6 shows an example of the configuration around the joint part 112 provided on the housing 101. Protective covers 103 are installed at the corners of the housing 101, and the joint part 112 is disposed inside the protective cover 103. A certain space is provided between the joint part 112 and the protective cover 103, and the configuration is such that water can flow in from the cavity 117 of each of the frame parts 104 on three sides.

[0028] 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining drainage around the joint part 112. In Fig. 7, water flows into the joint part 112 from the cavities 117 in the frame parts 104 on the upper side, the rear side, and the right side of the joint part 112 through the gap G. Furthermore, water is discharged downward, i.e., toward the outside of the housing 101, from the gap provided between the joint part 112 and the protective cover 103.

[0029] In this embodiment, by providing eight frame portions 104 at the edge portions of housing 101 and four joint portions 112 at the corner portions, it is possible to properly drain water no matter what position projector 100 is installed in. Note that if the installation position of projector 100 is limited to floor installation, ceiling mounting, vertical installation, or installation with window portion 102 facing downward, the number and arrangement of frame portions 104 and joint portions 112, the shapes of drainage holes 113 and 114, and the angle between them may be adjusted accordingly.

[0030] In this embodiment, the drainage path of the projector 100 is not largely exposed to the outside, which prevents the intrusion or adhesion of substances other than water, such as insects, dust, dead leaves, etc., and can prevent these from interfering with drainage.

[0031] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the material of each part constituting the housing 101 according to this embodiment. For example, the frame 104 and the protective cover 103 may be made of the same material, or may be made of different materials.

[0032] As described above, the drainage unit (e.g., 103, 104, 112) according to this embodiment includes a drainage channel (e.g., 104) extending in a first direction and having a hollow portion (e.g., 117) formed therein, a first drainage hole (e.g., 113) extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and connecting the hollow portion of the drainage channel to the outside of the drainage channel, and a second drainage hole (e.g., 114) extending in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions and connecting the hollow portion of the drainage channel to the outside of the drainage channel. The above configuration makes it possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions that are suited to the environment in which precision equipment is used.

[0033] Furthermore, the housing (e.g., 101) of the precision machine (e.g., 100) according to this embodiment includes a plurality of drainage units. This configuration allows the housing of the precision machine to provide drainage and waterproofing functions suited to the environment in which the precision machine is used.

[0034] The projector according to the present embodiment also includes a plurality of drainage units. This configuration allows the projector housing to provide drainage and waterproofing functions suited to the environment in which the projector is used.

[0035] Furthermore, the housing (e.g., 101) of the precision machine (e.g., 100) according to this embodiment includes a frame portion (e.g., 104) arranged along the edge of the housing and having a cavity (e.g., 117) formed therein, joint portions (e.g., 103, 112) arranged at the corners of the housing and forming a space connecting the cavity of the frame portion, a first drainage hole (e.g., 113) connecting the cavity of the frame portion to the interior of the housing and extending along a first direction, and a second drainage hole (e.g., 114) connecting the cavity of the frame portion to the interior of the housing and extending along a second direction different from the first direction, and the joint portion provides a gap between the space and the outside of the housing. This configuration makes it possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions suited to the environment in which the precision machine is used.

[0036] In addition, in the precision machinery housing according to this embodiment, the frame portion is arranged along three directions of the edge portion of the housing, and gaps in the joint portion are provided in each of the three directions. This configuration makes it possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions uniformly regardless of the installation position of the precision machinery.

[0037] In addition, in the housing for a precision machine according to this embodiment, the frame portion is arranged along three directions at the edge of the housing, and the joint portion forms a space so as to communicate with each of the hollow portions of the frame portion arranged along the three directions. This configuration makes it possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions uniformly regardless of the installation orientation of the precision machine.

[0038] In addition, in the housing for the precision machine according to this embodiment, the frame portion is provided with a plurality of pairs of first and second drainage holes. This configuration makes it possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions uniformly regardless of the installation position of the precision machine.

[0039] In the precision machinery housing according to this embodiment, the first drain hole and the second drain hole each have a structure for preventing backflow of water from the cavity of the frame, which makes it possible to provide a structure that prevents backflow of water when draining, regardless of the installation position of the precision machinery.

[0040] Furthermore, the precision machine according to this embodiment is a projector that can be installed in at least any of the following positions: floor-standing, ceiling-suspended, and vertical. This configuration makes it possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions for the projector regardless of the installation position.

[0041] <Other Embodiments> Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents may be made within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above may be combined in any manner as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0042] Furthermore, in this specification, expressions such as "first" and "second" are used for convenience to distinguish from other elements, and are not intended to be interpreted as being limited to specific components. Therefore, it is clear that these terms can be interpreted appropriately depending on the configuration, etc., of the present disclosure.

[0043] (Additional Notes) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following technologies. (Technology 1) A drainage unit comprising: a drainage channel extending in a first direction and having a hollow portion formed therein; a first drainage hole extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and connecting the hollow portion of the drainage channel to the outside of the drainage channel; and a second drainage hole extending in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions and connecting the hollow portion of the drainage channel to the outside of the drainage channel. The above configuration makes it possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions suited to the usage environment of precision equipment.

[0044] (Technology 2) A housing for precision machinery, comprising a plurality of drainage units according to Technology 1. This configuration makes it possible for the housing for precision machinery to provide drainage and waterproofing functions suited to the environment in which the precision machinery is used.

[0045] (Technology 3) A projector including a plurality of drainage units according to Technology 1. This configuration makes it possible to provide the housing of the projector with drainage and waterproofing functions suited to the environment in which the projector is used.

[0046] (Technology 4) A housing for a precision machine, comprising: a frame portion disposed along an edge portion of the housing and having a cavity formed therein; joint portions disposed at corners of the housing and forming a space with which the cavity of the frame portion communicates; a first drainage hole that connects the cavity of the frame portion to the interior of the housing and extends along a first direction; and a second drainage hole that connects the cavity of the frame portion to the interior of the housing and extends along a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the joint portion provides a gap between the space and the outside of the housing. This configuration makes it possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions that are suited to the environment in which the precision machine is used.

[0047] (Technology 5) The housing according to Technology 4, wherein the frame portion is arranged along three directions of an edge portion of the housing, and the gap in the joint portion is provided in each of the three directions. With this configuration, it is possible to uniformly provide drainage and waterproofing functions regardless of the installation orientation of the precision machinery.

[0048] (Technology 6) The housing according to Technology 4, wherein the frame portion is arranged along three directions at an edge portion of the housing, and the joint portion forms the space so as to communicate with each of the hollow portions of the frame portion arranged along the three directions. With this configuration, it is possible to uniformly provide drainage and waterproofing functions regardless of the installation orientation of the precision machinery.

[0049] (Technology 7) The housing according to any one of Technology 4 to Technology 6, wherein the frame portion is provided with a plurality of pairs of the first drainage hole and the second drainage hole. With this configuration, it is possible to uniformly provide drainage and waterproofing functions regardless of the installation orientation of the precision machinery.

[0050] (Technology 8) The housing according to any one of Technology 4 to Technology 7, wherein the first drainage hole and the second drainage hole each have a structure for preventing backflow of water from the cavity of the frame portion. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a configuration that prevents backflow of water when draining, regardless of the installation posture of the precision machine.

[0051] (Technology 9) The housing according to any one of Technology 4 to Technology 8, wherein the precision machine is a projector that can be installed in at least any of floor-standing, ceiling-suspended, and vertical orientations. With this configuration, it is possible to provide drainage and waterproofing functions for the projector regardless of the installation orientation.

[0052] The present disclosure is useful as a drainage unit and a housing for precision equipment.

[0053] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Projector 101: Housing 102: Window 103: Protective cover 104: Frame 105: Ventilation hole 106: Legs 107: Ventilation hole 110: Waterproof part 111: Heat exchange part 112: Joint 113: Drainage hole 114: Drainage hole 115: Mounting part 116: Internal wall 117: Cavity

Claims

1. A drainage unit comprising: a drainage channel extending in a first direction and having a hollow portion formed therein; a first drainage hole extending in a second direction that is a direction intersecting the first direction and connecting the hollow portion of the drainage channel to the outside of the drainage channel; and a second drainage hole extending in a third direction that is a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction and connecting the hollow portion of the drainage channel to the outside of the drainage channel.

2. A precision machinery housing comprising a plurality of drainage units according to claim 1.

3. A projector comprising a plurality of drainage units according to claim 1.

4. A housing for a precision machine, comprising: a frame portion arranged along an edge of the housing and having a hollow portion formed therein; a joint portion arranged at a corner of the housing and forming a space with which the hollow portion of the frame portion communicates; a first drainage hole that connects the hollow portion of the frame portion to the interior of the housing and extends along a first direction; and a second drainage hole that connects the hollow portion of the frame portion to the interior of the housing and extends along a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the joint portion provides a gap between the space and the outside of the housing.

5. The housing according to claim 4, wherein the frame portion is arranged along three directions at the edge portion of the housing, and the gap at the joint portion is provided in each of the three directions.

6. The housing according to claim 4, wherein the frame portions are arranged along three directions at the edge portions of the housing, and the joint portions form the spaces so as to communicate with the respective hollow portions of the frame portions arranged along the three directions.

7. The housing according to claim 4, wherein the frame portion is provided with a plurality of pairs of the first drainage hole and the second drainage hole.

8. The housing according to claim 4, wherein the first drainage hole and the second drainage hole each have a structure for preventing backflow of water from the cavity of the frame portion.

9. The housing according to claim 4, wherein the precision machine is a projector that can be installed in at least any of the following positions: floor-standing, ceiling-suspended, and vertical.

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