JPH0590769A - Case connection structure for equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] The first case and the second case, which are to be coupled to each other, are first moved in a direction perpendicular to each other and then in a direction horizontal to each other so that the two cases are mutually connected. Electrical and mechanical coupling and holding of the. [Structure] Engagement ridges that engage with one of the guide mechanisms on the first case corresponding to the guide mechanisms on the second case, and engagement grooves that engage with the engagement ridges on the other. And the engaging projections are engaged with the engaging grooves by moving the joining surfaces of the first and second cases in a direction perpendicular to the joining surfaces, and The second case is moved in parallel along the guide mechanism to hold the first and second cases in a united state, and
It also makes electrical connections and holds.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a case connecting structure of equipment such as a video tape recorder main body and a tuner or a video tape recorder and a battery box, and particularly to an operation and an electric operation for holding and holding the case by engaging means. The present invention relates to an improvement in a bond structure capable of reaching a bond at one time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Devices such as portable video tape recorders are required to be miniaturized. For this reason, generally, a part having a function not required for carrying is made into a separate structure, and the main body part is miniaturized. When the devices having separate structures are combined and used as described above, they are stacked or arranged side by side, and electrical connection between them is generally performed by a cable.
Therefore, the work for connecting and disconnecting is troublesome. It is also inconvenient to carry both devices.

Therefore, it is conceivable to make the case of the device detachable so that the connector can be fitted when the case of the device is united. FIG. 1 shows a generally conceivable case coupling structure. In the figure, 1 and 2 indicate the first and second cases. The case 1 stores, for example, a video tape recorder or an audio tape recorder, and the case 2 stores, for example, a tuner, a battery, or the like.

Surfaces 1a and 2a of the cases 1 and 2 are joint surfaces, and connectors 3a and 3b are attached to the joint surfaces 1a and 2a. Connector 3a when connecting cases 1 and 2
And 3b are fitted to each other to achieve electrical connection, and the fastening metal fitting 4 holds the united state of the cases 1 and 2.

[0005]

In the case of such a structure, when the cases 1 and 2 are joined, the work of joining the cases 1 and 2 is performed while performing the alignment for fitting the connectors 3a and 3b. Must-have. It is difficult to align the connectors 3a and 3b when the number of pins of the connector increases. Further, the alignment work must be performed while supporting the case 1, which is a very difficult work. Moreover, if the weight of the case 1 whose alignment is incomplete is applied between the connectors 3a and 3b, the connector 3
Unnecessary force is applied to a and 3b, which may cause an accident that damages the connector. Further, it is necessary to fasten them by a fastening metal fitting 4 which is separate from the coupling structure and hold them together.

The present invention is intended to provide a case coupling structure which does not require alignment of connectors while supporting one case.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a connector is attached to one end of each of the first and second cases on the side to be joined to each other, and the first and second cases should be connected to each other in advance. The surfaces can be joined to each other, and in the joined state, the work of aligning the shaft cores for fitting the connector can be automatically achieved. A guide mechanism for guiding the second cases to each other is provided, and the first and second guide mechanisms are provided along the guide mechanism.
The connector is automatically set to the fitted state by moving the second cases to each other, and when the connector is put into the fitted state, the first and second cases are held in the joined state. It is configured to.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the other case is placed on the one case, the axial center alignment of the connector is automatically performed, and the cases are simply moved by shifting the positions of the cases relative to each other along the axial center. The united state is maintained, and the electrical connection is completed. Therefore, the joining and separating work can be greatly simplified.

[0009]

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 1 indicates the first case and 2 indicates the second case. First
As in the case of FIG. 1, the case 1 of FIG. 1 accommodates, for example, a video tape recorder main body or an audio tape recorder main body. Further, the second case 2 is assumed to accommodate a tuner, a battery, or the like. The bottom of the first case 1 and the second
The upper surface of the case 2 is referred to as a joint surface, and a case where the joint surfaces 1a and 2a are combined to form the case 1 and the case 2 can be united together is shown.

In the present invention, the connectors 3a and 3b are provided on the joint surface side of the first and second cases 1 and 2. The connectors 3a and 3b are inserted and removed in the joining surfaces 1a and 2
Attach to cases 1 and 2 so that the direction is parallel to the surface of a. In this example, the connector 3 attached to the first case 1
The case where a is a male connector and the connector 3b attached to the second case 2 is a female connector is shown.

The case 1 has a joining surface 1 at the end of the joining surface 1a.
A surface 1b lower than a is formed, and the male connector 3a is attached to this surface 1b. The insertion / removal opening is mounted outward in the mounting direction of the male connector 3a. Further, the joint surface 2a of the case 2
The female connector 3b is attached to the end of the above by projecting it onto the joint surface 2a. The female connector 3b is attached so that the insertion / removal opening is inward from the end of the case 2.

When the case 1 is put on the case 2, the connector 3 is attached to the joint surfaces 1a and 2a of the cases 1 and 2.
Positioning for matching the fitting axis of a and 3b,
An alignment guide mechanism for guiding the case 1 in the axial direction of the connectors 3a, 3b is provided. In this example, as a positioning guide mechanism, protrusions 5a and 5b are formed on both sides of the joint surface 2a of the case 2 as shown in FIG. 3, and the side faces of the case 1 are regulated by the protrusions 5a and 5b, and the connector 3a The case where the axes of 3b are aligned is shown.

Engaging pieces 7 which form engaging means for connecting the cases 1 and 2 are formed on the ridges 5a and 5b. As shown in FIG. 2, four engaging pieces 7 are formed at a distance W in the longitudinal direction of the case 2 so that two engaging pieces 7 are formed on each side. The engaging pieces 7 are formed so as to project inward from the tips of the respective protrusions 5a and 5b. Further, notches 8 are formed in the front and rear of the engagement piece 7, and the formation of the notches 8 allows the ridges 5a and 5b in the portion where the engagement piece 7 is formed to have flexibility.

On the other hand, a cutout groove 9 (see FIG. 4) is formed in the first case 1 to receive the protrusions 5a and 5b formed in the second case 2. The notch groove 9 further includes the second case 2
An engagement groove 11 is formed to receive the engagement piece 7 formed in 1. Similar to the engaging piece 7, the engaging groove 11 is formed with a distance W, and the forming position of the engaging groove 11 is displaced from the forming position of the engaging piece 7 in the second case 2 by a certain amount on the connector 3a side. To be selected. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the formation position of the engagement groove 11 is shifted by S on the connector 3a side. The engagement groove 11 includes the first case 1 and the second case.
The engagement piece 7 is guided in a direction orthogonal to the joint surface 1a so that the joint surfaces 1a and 2a of the case 2 can reach the joint with each other. A groove 12 for guiding and engaging and retaining the engaging piece 7 in a direction parallel to the joint surface 1a is formed on the upper end side of the engaging groove 11. Therefore, the shape of the engaging groove 11 is an L-shaped cross section that is continuous in the direction orthogonal to the joint surface and in the direction parallel to the joint surface. The length of the groove 12 in the sliding direction is selected to be equal to the amount S of displacement between the positions of the engaging piece 7 and the engaging groove 11.

A male connector 3a attached to the first case 1
The insertion / removal port is attached outward from the end of the case 1 as described above. Therefore, the structure is such that the insertion / removal opening of the connector 3a is opened at the end of the case 1. For this reason, the male contact 13 of the connector 3a is exposed. Therefore, in this example, the movable cover 14 that covers the male contact 13 of the male connector 3a is provided.

The movable cover 14 can be constituted by a plate having a hole through which the male contact 13 and the coaxial connector 15 can pass. This plate is elastically biased by the biasing force of the spring so as to cover the tip of the male contact 13, and even if the conductor comes into contact with the connector 3a from outside, the conductor comes into contact with the contact 13 and a short circuit occurs between the contacts 13. The structure is designed to prevent such damage.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the connector 3a.
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 16 denotes an insulating body that constitutes the connector 3a. Springs 17 are attached to both sides of the insulating body 16,
The cover 17 is biased toward the outside by the spring 17. Both ends of the cover 14 are, for example, insulating bodies 16
It engages with the groove formed in the above, and is prevented from coming off at the end of this groove.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 14 slightly protrudes from the joint surface 1a of the first case 1, and the protruding portion is housed in the groove 18 formed in the second case 2 to connect the case 1 to the connector 3b. Cover 1 when moving toward
The structure is such that 4 does not slidably contact the joint surface 2b, and the end of this groove 18 is slightly projected from the surface of the insertion / removal port of the connector 3b. The cover 14 is brought into contact with the protruding portion 19 and the cover 1
4 is retracted against the biasing force of the spring 17. Protruding part 19
Is formed integrally with the case 2, and the cover 14 is provided with the connector 3b.
It has a structure that does not come into direct contact with. Cover 1 like this
It is possible to prevent an unreasonable force from being applied to the connector 3b by making the connector 4 not directly contact the connector 3b. Therefore, even if the connector 3b is used, for example, in a state where it is attached to the printed circuit board, it is possible to prevent the printed circuit board from being forced.

According to the case connecting structure of the present invention described above, the connecting and disconnecting operations of the case 1 and the case 2 are as follows. To connect the case 1 and the case 2, the engagement groove 11 having an L-shaped cross section of the first case 1 is aligned with the engagement piece 7 of the second case 2, and the first case 1 is attached to the second case. Place it on Case 2. At this time, the engagement piece 7 moves in the engagement groove 11 in a direction orthogonal to the joint surfaces 1 a and 2 a, that is, in the joining direction, and reaches a position facing the groove 12. Engaging piece 7
Is engaged with the engaging groove 11, the first case 1 is
The ridges 5a and 5b formed on the case 2 are used for positioning, and the axes of the connectors 3a and 3b are aligned.

By pushing the first case 1 toward the connector 3b, the first case 1 slides while keeping the axes of the connectors 3a and 3b aligned. When the cover 14 covering the connector 3a comes into contact with the projecting portion 19, the cover 14 retracts. When the cover 14 retracts, the cover 14
The contact 13 and the coaxial connector 15 are projected from the hole formed in, and the respective tips are fitted into the contact receiving holes of the connector 3b, and the electrical connection is completed.

In this way, the electrical connection is achieved by the connectors 3a and 3b, and at the same time, the engaging piece 7 is guided by the groove 12 of the engaging groove 11 so that the engaging piece 7 and the groove 12 are fitted together.
When the engaging piece 7 fits into the groove 12, the first and second cases 1
And 2 are in an integrated holding state. When the first and second cases 1 and 2 are combined and the holding state is released to separate them, a force is applied to the case 1 and the case 2 in the direction of pulling out the connectors 3a and 3b. By this force, the fitting between the connectors 3a and 3b is released, and at the same time, the engaging piece 7 comes out of the groove 12 and the groove 11
Reach the position. When the case 1 is lifted in this state, the engagement piece 7 can be pulled out from the groove 11 to separate the cases 1 and 2.

Another embodiment of the essential part of the present invention is shown in FIG. That is, the main part of the present invention is the first and second cases 1.
And a guide mechanism for sliding the cases 1 and 2 relative to each other while maintaining the positioned state. The positioning guide mechanism shown in FIG. 6 has a joint surface 2 of the case 2.
A hole 21 is formed in a, and a slit 22 constituting a guide mechanism is formed from this hole 21. Further, on the bottom surface of the first case 1, a plate 23 having a size that can be inserted into the hole 21,
A ridge 24 that supports the plate 23 and fits into the slit 22.
To form. By forming, for example, four sets of the structures including the combination of the hole 21, the slit 22 and the plate 23, and the ridge 24, it is possible to perform the alignment operation by the hole 21 and the plate 23. Slit 2
2 and the ridge 24 can guide the user. The alignment guide mechanism described in FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG.
The alignment guide mechanisms described in 1. are examples,
It is easy to understand that various other structures are possible.

In the above description, the ridges 5a and 5b forming the alignment guide mechanism and the engaging piece 7 forming the engaging means are formed in the second case 2, and the groove 11 and the groove 12 are formed in the first case. Although the case of forming No. 1 has been described, these relationships may be completely reversed. Further, according to the present invention, it is easy to apply not only to the electrical connection and the connector but also to a connecting member that generally makes the electrical connection.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, the work of uniting and holding the first and second cases 1 and 2 and the electric connecting work can be performed at the same time. Moreover, the second
The state where the first case 1 is placed on the case 2 described above, that is, the engaging piece 7 is engaged with the groove 11 to join the joint surfaces 1a and 2a of the case 1 and the case 2 to each other, The axes of 3a and 3b are aligned. Therefore, by sliding the case 1 toward the connector 3b in that state, the case 1 and the case 2 slide while being guided by the protrusions 5a and 5b and keeping the axial centers of the connectors 3a and 3b aligned. , The mating of the connectors 3a and 3b can be reached.
At the same time, the first case 1 and the second case 2 are structurally united and held. That is, at this time, as described above, the engagement piece 7 enters the horizontal groove 12 of the engagement groove 11 having an L-shaped cross section, slides while being guided thereby, and finally joins with this. The first case 1 and the second case 2 are maintained in this united state.

Therefore, no particular work is required to match the shaft centers of the connectors 3a and 3b, and anyone can easily connect and hold the cases 1 and 2 and electrically connect them.
Further, in the first case 1 and the second case 2, since the insertion / removal openings of the connectors 3a and 3b are exposed to the outside, the connectors connected to the cables can be inserted into the connectors 3a and 3b. Therefore, it can be operated as a cable connection type device.

Further, according to the present invention, since the cover 14 is provided on the male connector 3a, it is possible to prevent the external conductor from coming into contact with the contact 13 of the male connector 3a. Therefore, the contacts 13 of the connector 3a are not short-circuited by the contact of the external conductor. Therefore, a highly reliable coupling structure can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a conventional case coupling structure.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first case to which the invention is applied, as seen from the position where the connector can be seen from the front.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the second case to which the invention is applied, as seen from a position where the connector can be seen from the front.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic structure of a male connector used for the case coupling structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the main part of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st case 2 2nd case 1a Joining surface 2a Joining surface 3a Connector 3b Connector 5a Projection | protrusion line 5b which comprises an alignment guide mechanism 5b Projection 7 which comprises an alignment guide mechanism 7 Engagement piece which comprises an engagement means 11 engaging groove 12 groove forming engaging means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Tsunoda 1-34 Kitakuhoji, Yao City, Osaka Prefecture Hosiden Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first case and a second case having surfaces to be joined to each other and adapted to be moved in parallel when joining the joining surfaces, and the first case with respect to the second case. The first case is aligned and is provided at both ends of the second case parallel to the parallel movement direction of the second case.
And a guide mechanism for guiding the second case to each other, and the first mechanism corresponding to the guide mechanism on the second case.
A plurality of engaging protrusions that engage with each other on one of the guide mechanisms on the case, and a plurality of engaging grooves that engage with the plurality of engaging protrusions on the other, respectively. By moving each joint surface of the second case in a direction perpendicular to the joint surface, the plurality of engagement protrusions are engaged with the plurality of engagement grooves, and the first and second cases are Engaging means for holding the first and second cases in a united state by being moved in parallel along the guide mechanism, and the surfaces to be joined to each other of the first and second cases, the guide mechanism And is provided at a position different from the above engaging means,
In a case coupling structure for a device or the like, which comprises means for making an electrical connection by holding the first and second cases in a combined state by the engagement means, the shape of the engagement groove is the vertical direction. And a case-connecting structure for equipment, which has an L-shaped cross section that is continuous in the horizontal direction.