EP0660342B1

EP0660342B1 - Noise absorbing device

Info

Publication number: EP0660342B1
Application number: EP94919876A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takayuki Osada; Fumishiro Tsuda; Norio Saito; Takeji Ihara; Yoshio Wagatsuma; Hitoshi Moriya
Original assignee: NEC Tokin Corp
Current assignee: Tokin Corp
Priority date: 1993-07-08
Filing date: 1994-07-08
Publication date: 2002-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-08
Also published as: EP0660342A4; CN1112381A; KR100321234B1; DE69431785T2; HK1001661A1; EP0660342A1; KR950703199A; JP3654304B2; CN1052097C; SG47449A1; WO1995002253A1; DE69431785D1; JPH07122433A

Description

Technical Field

This invention relates to a noise absorbing device having a cylindrical magnetic core, for preventing radiation noise or induction noise from a cable connected to an electronic apparatus.

Background Art

Generally, in order to prevent radiation noise or induction noise from a signal cable connected between electronic apparatuses and a power supply cable, noise absorbing devices each comprising a split-type cylindrical magnetic core and a core holder receiving the magnetic core therein are attached to such cables. The split-type cylindrical magnetic core comprises a pair of core pieces formed by dividing a cylindrical magnetic core into halves along a cylindrical center axis, the core being for receiving a cable to extend therethrough. The core holder has a structure such that the pair of core pieces are received therein and the pair of core pieces received therein are brought into tight contact with each other. The core holder is made of an insulating material having elasticity, such as nylon.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one example of a conventional noise absorbing device of the type described. Referring to Fig. 1, a core holder 10 comprises a pair of

holder segments

11 and 12 with receiving recesses. The

holder segments

11 and 12 receive a pair of core pieces 20 (only one being illustrated in Fig. 1) with their inner concave surfaces 21 of a semicircular section turned upward, respectively. The pair of core pieces 20 are formed by dividing a cylindrical magnetic core into halves along a cylindrical center axis. Each of the

holder segments

11 and 12 has a configuration and a size such that the core piece 20 is received therein with its lip portions 23 outwardly exposed. Each holder segment has four opening edges two of which extend in parallel to the center axis of the magnetic core. At the respective opening edges 24, each of which is one of the above-mentioned two parallel opening edges, the

holder segments

11 and 12 are integrally coupled to each other by hinge portions 19 to be foldable. Semicircular notches 13 in conformity with the shape of the inner concave surface 21 of the core piece 20 are formed in the opening edges perpendicular to the center axis of the magnetic core.

Two engaging projections 14 project from a side wall of the holder segment 12. On the other hand, two engaging tabs 15 project from a side wall of the holder segment 11 in correspondence to the engaging projections 14. Protruding pieces 16 are formed on inner walls of the

holder segments

11 and 12 at positions slightly below the semicircular notches 13. The protruding pieces 16 have inclined surfaces. End faces of the core pieces 20 slide along the inclined surfaces of the protruding pieces 16 to be easily received in the

holder segments

11 and 12. Two cantilever springs 17 (only one being illustrated in Fig. 1) having projections at their top ends are formed in a bottom of each of the

holder segments

11 and 12.

With the core pieces 20 received in the pair of

holder segments

11 and 12, respectively, the core holder 10 of the above-mentioned structure is attached to a power supply cable (not shown) in the following manner. The signal cable or the power supply cable is extended on the inner concave surfaces 21 of the core pieces 20 and the semicircular notches 13, and opening faces of the

holder segments

11 and 12 are butted against each other, then, the engaging tabs 15 being engaged with the engaging projections 14.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the core holder 10 after being assembled. The signal cable or the power supply cable is not illustrated. Referring to Fig. 2, the core pieces 20 are fixed to the

holder segments

11 and 12 by bringing the protruding pieces 16 into contact with the end faces of the core pieces 20. In addition, the lip portions 23 of the pair of core pieces 20 are kept in tight contact with each other by cooperation of the four cantilever springs 17.

In order to reliably fix the core pieces 20 by the protruding pieces 16 in the holder 10, it is necessary to realize the axial length of the core pieces 20 and the distance between the protruding pieces 16 opposite to each other with high accuracy. However, it is difficult in mass-production to insure the high accuracy of these dimensions.

In view of the above, an approach has been tried to reliably fix the core pieces 20 without requiring such a high dimensional accuracy as mentioned above. For example, as depicted by a dash-and-dot line in Fig. 1, the

holder segments

11 and 12 are provided with vertical grooves 18 formed at both sides of each of the protruding pieces 16. Those portions including the protruding pieces 16 are rendered movable so that a freedom is given to the distance between the protruding pieces 16 opposite to each other. There is another approach with respect to the core piece 20 where engaging recesses 22 are formed at opposite ends of the inner concave surface 21 of each core piece 20 for insertion of the top ends of the protruding pieces 16 as depicted by a dash-and-dot line in Fig. 1.

The size of the protruding pieces 16 must be selected small so that a clamping force required to clamp the core pieces 20 is smaller than a pressing force of the cantilever springs 17 and that the core pieces 20 are easily loaded into the

holder segments

11 and 12. As a consequence, when the core pieces 20 are inserted into the

holder segments

11 and 12, the protruding pieces 16 can not bear the pressing force during insertion and is damaged. Because of a complicated structure including the protruding pieces 16 and the cantilever springs 17, injection molding of the holder 10 often suffers from molding failure such as short mold.

From JP 5-50 705 U a noise absorbing device is known. The device comprises a pair of core pieces and a pair of holder segments to receive the pair of core pieces. Each of the core pieces is provided with a pair of lip portions. The pair of holder segments is coupled by a hinge. A pair of end holes is provided in opposite end walls of the holder segments. A pair of elastic pieces is fixed in recesses for receiving the core pieces.

From GB 2 252 876 A a noise absorbing device is known wherein a split magnetic core is received in a split case with a press-fit spring engaged and interposed therebetween.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an noise absorbing device having a holder of a strong and simple structure free from a damage during assembly or use wherein the drop out of core pieces from holder segments can be prevented.

This object is solved by a noise absorbing device as set forth in claim 1.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is given in claim 2.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one example of a conventional noise absorbing device. Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the conventional noise absorbing device in a used state, taken along a line A'-A' in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a noise absorbing device useful for understanding this invention but not representing it. Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of a provisional assembly of the noise absorbing device illustrated in Fig. 3 which is fixedly press fitted into a holder segment, taken along a line A-A in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transversal sectional view of the noise absorbing device illustrated in Fig. 3 which is in an assembled condition, taken along a line B-B in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 shows another example of an elastic piece used in the noise absorbing device illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 shows a modification of the elastic piece used in the noise absorbing device illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 8 shows still another example of the elastic piece used in the noise absorbing device illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a noise absorbing device according to an embodiment of this invention. Fig. 10 is a partial sectional side view of a provisional assembly of the noise absorbing device illustrated in Fig. 9 which is fixedly press fitted into a holder segment, taken along a line A-A in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a side view of the noise absorbing device illustrated in Fig. 9 in an assembled state, as viewed in an axial direction. Fig. 12 shows another example of an elastic piece used in the noise absorbing device illustrated in Fig. 9.

Mode for Embodying the Invention

Now, description will be made as regards of an embodiment of this invention with reference to the drawing. In Figs. 3 through 12 hereafter used in connection with this invention, same or similar parts as those of the conventional example are designated by like reference numerals in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to Fig. 3, which does not illustrate an embodiment according to the invention but is useful for understanding the same, a core holder 10 comprises a pair of

holder segments

11 and 12 made of insulating resin and having receiving

recesses

111 and 121, like the conventional device illustrated in Fig. 1. The

holder segments

11 and 12 receive a pair of core pieces 20 (only one being illustrated in Fig. 3) with their inner concave surfaces 21 of a semicircular section turned upward, respectively. The pair of core pieces 20 are formed by dividing a cylindrical magnetic core into halves along a cylindrical center axis. Each of the

holder segments

11 and 12 has a configuration and a size such that the core piece 20 is received with its lip portions 23 outwardly exposed.

Holder segments

11 and 12 have opening edges and are integrally coupled by hinge portions 19 at their opening edges 24 extending in parallel to the center axis of the magnetic core, so as to be put into butt contact with each other. Semicircular notches 13 in conformity with the shape of the inner concave surface 21 of the core piece 20 are formed in the opening edges perpendicular to the center axis of the magnetic core. Two engaging projections 14 project from a side wall of the holder segment 12. On the other hand, two engaging tabs 15 corresponding to the engaging projections 14 project from a side wall of the holder segment 11. The above-mentioned structure is similar to that of the conventional example.

An elastic piece 31 made of plastic, rubber, elastic metal, a foaming material, or the like is attached to each core piece 20. The elastic piece 31 comprises a strip body 32 and engaging portions formed at opposite ends thereof. Each engaging portion comprises an upwardly extending portion and an engaging piece 33 inwardly extending therefrom. The strip body 32 has a length equal to or slightly greater than the axial length of the core piece 20 and is arcuately curved upwards to provide elasticity. Thus, it serves as a spring plate.

The elastic piece 31 is attached so that the engaging portions at the opposite ends thereof are engaged with opposite end portions of the core piece 20. In this state, the engaging pieces 33 are engaged with engaging recesses 22 formed at the inner peripheries of the opposite end portions of the core piece 20. Thus, the core piece 20 is clamped, at inner and outer peripheral surfaces thereof, by the engaging portions at the opposite ends of the elastic piece 31.

An assembly of the core piece 20 and the elastic piece 31 attached thereto is press fitted into each of the receiving

recesses

111 and 121 of the

holder segments

11 and 12.

In this event, the elastic piece 31 exerts an elastic force such that the core piece 20 is pushed up by the strip body 32 outwardly from each of the

holder segments

11 and 12. In other words, the core piece 20 is subjected to the elastic force to slightly protrude from the opening edges of each of the

holder segments

11 and 12. When one of the

holder segments

11 and 12 receiving the core pieces 20 is rotated around the hinge portions 19 to bring the

holder segments

11 and 12 into butt contact with each other, the lip portions 23 of the pair of core pieces 20 are put into press contact with each other.

As is obvious from Fig. 3, the engaging portions at the opposite ends of the elastic piece 31 are outwardly expanded as they extend upwardly from the strip body 32. This structure serves to give a spring property to the engaging portions also.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the core piece 20 is manufactured to be smaller than each of the receiving

recesses

111 and 121 of the

holder segments

11 and 12. If it is assumed that, during an assembling process, the elastic piece 31 in the assembly of the core piece 20 and the elastic piece 31 attached thereto is not press fitted into each of the receiving

recesses

111 and 121 of the

holder segments

11 and 12, the assembly is dropped when the holder segment is turned upside down. On the contrary, the engaging portions at the opposite ends of the elastic piece 31 in the assembly are outwardly expanded within each of the receiving

recesses

111 and 121 to be brought into press contact with the internal walls of each of the receiving

recesses

111 and 121. As a consequence, when the

holder segments

11 and 12 are turned upside down during the assembling process, the assemblies are prevented from being dropped from the receiving

recesses

111 and 121. The assembly of the core piece 20 and the elastic piece 31 attached thereto is fixed, by press fit, to each of the receiving

recesses

111 and 121 of the

holder segments

11 and 12. If such press fit is slightly tightened, the engaging portions at the opposite ends of the elastic piece 31 may be formed perpendicular to the strip body 32.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly of the core piece 20 and the elastic piece 31 attached thereto which is fixedly press fitted into the holder segment 11 (the holder segment 12 being omitted). Fig. 5 is a transversal sectional view of the noise absorbing device according to this invention in an assembled state. Referring to Fig. 4, the core piece 20 is held by the elastic piece 31 within each of the

holder segments

11 and 12 and slightly projects from the opening edges of each of the

holder segments

11 and 12. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the

holder segments

11 and 12 are closed by rotation around the hinge portions 19. When the engaging projections 14 are engaged with the engaging tabs 15, the core pieces 20 forced by the elastic pieces 31 to slightly project are pushed down against the elastic force of the elastic pieces 31. The pair of core pieces 20 are brought into press contact with each other by the elastic force against such push-down force.

Fig. 6 shows an elastic piece according to another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 6, an elastic piece 31' has a strip body 32' of a corrugated shape. This shape provides a spring property greater than that of the arcuate shape in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 shows a modification of the elastic piece 31 illustrated in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 7, the modification of the elastic piece 31 has a protrusion 34 formed at an intermediate portion of the strip body 32. In this case, it will be understood that a hole adapted for insertion of the protrusion 34 is formed at the outer periphery of the core piece 20.

Fig. 8 shows an elastic piece according to still another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 8, the elastic piece has, at one end of the strip body 35 alone, an engaging portion to be engaged with the core piece 20. In this embodiment, a corrugated projection 36 is formed on the outer surface of the engaging portion. An engaging piece 37 has a length longer than that of the engaging piece 33 illustrated in Fig. 3.

Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are an exploded perspective view, a partial vertical sectional view, and an axial side view of a noise absorbing device according to an embodiment of this invention, respectively. In these figures, same or similar parts as those of the foregoing noise absorbing device are designated by like reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to Figs. 9 through 11, in the noise absorbing device, notches 13' of a semi-elliptical shape slightly smaller than the inner concave surface 21 of the core piece 20 are formed at longitudinal opposite ends of each of the

holder segments

11 and 12. By provision of such notches in the

holder segments

11 and 12, a cable having a nonuniform diameter can be reliably clamped by the

holder segments

11 and 12.

At the longitudinal opposite ends of the

holder segments

11 and 12, engaging holes 51 are formed to be engaged with end portions 62 of elastic pieces 60 which will be described below.

Each elastic piece 60 made of a material similar to that of the elastic piece 31 mentioned above comprises a strip body 61, opposite end portions 62, and engaging portions including upwardly extending portions upwardly extending from the end portions 62 and engaging pieces 63 inwardly extending from the upwardly extending portions.

The end portions 62 of the elastic pieces 60 are engaged with the engaging holes 51 of the

holder segments

11 and 12. This prevents drop-off of the assembly of the core piece 20 and the elastic piece 60 from each of the

holder segments

11 and 12 and dislocation of contact surfaces of the pair of core pieces 20. In order to remove the assembly from each of the

holder segments

11 and 12, disassembling is easily carried out by inserting a penpoint or the like into each engaging hole 51 of the pair of

holder segments

11 and 12 in an opened state.

Each engaging hole 51 may have any shape engageable with the end portion 62 of the elastic piece 60, for example, a depression instead of a through hole.

Fig. 12 is another example of an elastic piece used in the noise absorbing device illustrated in Figs. 9 through 11. Referring to Fig. 12, an elastic piece 60' has a strip body 61' of a convex shape. Accordingly, a spring property is greater than that of the elastic piece 60 of an arcuate shape illustrated in Fig. 9.

Effect of the Invention

A noise absorbing device according to this invention has a structure in which the elastic piece is interposed between the core piece of the magnetic core and the holder segment. Because the holder segment itself has no complicated structure such as the protruding piece and the cantilever spring, it is possible to avoid a manufacturing failure and a damage of the holder during assembly and use.

Furthermore, the holder segment may be provided with the engaging holes formed at the opposite ends perpendicular to the center axis of the magnetic core. The opposite end portions of the elastic piece clamping the core by clamping portions are engaged with the engaging holes. With this structure, the following effect is obtained.

Since the engagement by the above-mentioned engaging structure is strong, the core piece is free from possibility of dropping out of the holder segment. The condition of the contact surfaces of the pair of core pieces is kept constant so that dislocation of the core pieces is avoided. It is therefore possible to prevent deterioration of the characteristic of the core that is important for the noise absorbing device. Although the engagement of engaged parts is strong, it is possible to easily remove the core piece by pressing the elastic piece through the engaging hole by the use of a pen or the like. Thus, handling is easy.

The notches having a semi-elliptical shape smaller than the inner concave surface or the inner cylindrical surface of the core piece may be formed at the opening edges of the holder segment that are perpendicular to the center axis of the magnetic core. With this structure, it is possible for the holder segment to reliably hold a cable having various diameters.

Industrial Applicability

The noise absorbing device according to this invention is adapted to prevent radiation noise or induction noise from a cable connected to an electronic apparatus.

Claims

A device arranged to absorb radiation or induction noise from a cable, comprising:

a pair of core pieces (20, 20) formed by dividing a cylindrical magnetic core into halves by a dividing plane including the cylindrical center axis, said core being adapted to receive therethrough an extension of said cable connected to an electronic apparatus;

a pair of holder segments (11, 12) each having an opening to a core receiving recess (111, 121) and being adapted to receive one core piece (20, 20) in said core receiving recess (111, 121);

each of said core pieces (20, 20) having a configuration and a size including an axial core length smaller than each of said core receiving recesses (111, 121),

each of said core pieces (20, 20) being provided with a pair of lip portions (23, 23) having lip surfaces determined by said dividing plane, and with an inner surface (21) connecting said lip surfaces, wherein in said inner surface (21) a pair of engaging recesses (22, 22) are formed at peripheries of opposite end portions of the core piece (20, 20);

said holder segments (11, 12) being coupled by a hinge (19) to enable abutting contact with each other and being capable of being closed together with their openings in face to face relationship so that said core pieces (20, 20) form a cylindrical core shape with said cable extending therethrough, each of said holder segments (11, 12) being provided with opposite end walls disposed perpendicularly to said cylindrical central axis, an end hole (51, 51) being formed in each of said opposite end walls so as to be adjacent to the bottom of said holder segment (11, 12), and a notch (13', 13') being formed in each opposite end wall; and

an elastic piece (60, 60; 60', 60') being fixed in each of said core receiving recesses (111, 121) to hold and to prevent said core pieces (20, 20) from falling out of their respective core receiving recess (111, 121) ;

wherein each of said elastic pieces (60, 60; 60', 60') is made of deformable and elastic material and comprises a strip body (61, 61') which has at least one curved portion protruding towards said opening to the core receiving recess (111, 121) of the holder segment (11, 12) and which has a length not less than said axial core length, said strip body (61, 61') having a pair of opposite ends (62, 62; 62', 62') engaged with and extending into said end holes (51, 51) so as to prevent the elastic piece (60, 60') from falling out of its respective holder segment (11, 12);
a columnar portion being angularly bent at each of said opposite ends (62, 62) and extending from said respective opposite end (62, 62) towards said opening; and
an engaging piece (63, 63; 63', 63') extending from the upper end of each of said columnar portions towards each other and engaging each with one of said engaging recesses (22, 22) of said inner surface (21) so that when a core piece (20) is introduced into its respective holder segment (11, 12) said curved portion of said strip body (61, 61') is pressed by said core piece (20) so as to be expanded and thereby press said columnar portions onto edge portions of said end holes (51, 51) and the respective distances between said columnar portions and the respective distances between said engaging pieces (63, 63; 63', 63') are reduced to effectively clamp said core piece (20) in an axial direction thereof;
whereby said core pieces (20, 20) are held in said holder segments (11, 12) so that said lip portions (23, 23) protrude from said holder segments (11, 12) through said openings, respectively;
whereby when said holder segments (11, 12) are closed onto each other, said core pieces (20, 20) are respectively displaced from the protruding position towards the inside of said core receiving recesses (111, 121) and are forced against each other by reaction of each of said strip bodies (61, 61; 61', 61') as it is deformed;
and whereby said lip portions (23, 23) of said core pieces (20, 20) are brought into abutting contact with each other so that said core pieces (20, 20) complete said cylindrical core shape in cooperation with each other.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said notches (13, 13; 13', 13') have a semielliptical shape and clamp said cable in cooperation with each other when said holder segments (11, 12) are closed onto each other.