EP1216629A1 - Terminal unit for a personal computer and a partition wall with electrical installation for such a unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection unit (11) with a moveable base plate (13) for holding a computer (PC) has a closed area (17) in which excess cable lengths and connectors are stored. A transfer wall (19) has appropriate power, network and peripheral connection sockets (20). The computer can easily be connected to the transfer wall.

Description

The invention is on the one hand a connection unit for a workstation computer and on the other hand a space-separating that can be used particularly advantageously for such a connection unit Electrical Installation transfer wall.

From DE 198 54 272 C1 a connection unit of the type one is movable into one Desk container built-in laptop docking station known to be - above one Slides to accommodate currently unused personal peripherals - via spiral cable to a transmission unit to an interface on a side wall of the container from which a wireless interface is located on the side of the desk can be contacted. An employee who works in the field, for example, is in A container equipped in this way is provided to a so-called office container station. For temporary work in the back office with access to its databases he moves the container assigned to him personally to a free one Desk and closes his laptop wirelessly via the integrated docking station to the office display device and data network. This can create desk workplaces can be saved without taking away the feeling of the employee with personal tools to be equipped. However, for the function of such a system the container is operated in a certain relation to the desk and the The desk itself with its wireless interface to the container into the data network of the company. In addition, the container must be at the desk at least to the unregulated supply network, usually also in practice an additionally required regulated network can be connected, which means free cable routing from at least one mains socket on the rear wall of the container and manual Limited accessibility to appropriately positioned wall or floor outlets. Such a multi-use workplace therefore does not leave any variable office architecture realize.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the variable office so often cited real only exists in its set-up phase. Once the numerous cable and Pipe connections for the initial installation can be laid about a free movement there is no longer any question of another arrangement of the desks: if one does not want to provoke unattractive and accident-prone stumbling loops, he can furnished and optimally connected to wall or floor outlets only still move marginally. Should be next to a desk oriented at the wall outlet a file container can be set up later, then the connection wiring fits if not because the previous connection is changed, while the next following outlet for power and data lines in the grid dimension of the partition far more than the width of the additional container is, so that considerable distances can be bridged again by disruptive loose cable routing are. But it is also unsatisfactory that even the one that was initially carefully installed Work place soon loops of loose cable runs that are aesthetically and traffic-technically disruptive occur because of installation changes or post-installations because of the tight space conditions are no longer integrated in the cable runs of the initial installation can be; especially in the office furniture industry, the trend towards smaller cable ducts Cross-section on or under the rear edge of the worktop and even for the whole No need for expensive installation aids such as cable ducts in particular is. That is why extraordinary ambitions are required, the power and data cables Do not hang loose from additional devices that have been put into operation afterwards to let, but to integrate in proper cable routing.

Given the tangle of cables on the back of one today usually on the floor it is particularly critical to see the office computer under the workplace, that the individual connectors usually arranged on the edges of plug-in cards are difficult to reach. On the other hand, power cables are intended for reasons of heat loss and data cables to avoid data interference as firmly as possible. The contradicts the accessibility of the sockets on the back of the computer case under the tangle of cables to be found there. Careless handling of the Sockets can easily break cables, damage PCBs or connector defects, serious, but difficult to find malfunctions.

In particular, these dangers cannot be excluded by the fact that according to DE 38 27 748 C2 with a movable PC work table - with shelves one above the other arranged storage areas for the computer, for the keyboard including monitor and for the Printer - on this back of the rack directly behind the computer case a narrow one Protective cage for plugs and cables is arranged, which is one above the computer, below the worktop with the monitor, and fastened socket strip with switch.

According to DE 37 05 442 A1, the wiring problem should be solved in a work area a furnishing system for IT systems can be solved, in which the various power supply and data transmission lines through support elements with accessible from above Mains and data sockets as well as - together to form shelf-like structures connectable - support elements and then to special, to be laid in the room Floor elements are to be connected. The associated multiplication of the in the Mechanical mounts integrated electrical connectors is particularly detrimental to the security and reliability of data streams; and one Of course, shelf elements bound to floor elements in no way promote the possibility of one permissive redesign of the workplace environment after its initial setup.

Recognizing the circumstances of the beginning, especially with regard to the various Connection requirements for workstations, actually not at all variable offices, however, the present invention is based on the task of a connection unit to specify for workstation computers, which the optical and technical Disadvantages of loose cable routing with loop formation due to the ease of handling avoids necessary provision of excess lengths and yet alongside a new, substantial one Flexibility in the spatial layout of the computer offering equipment everything also protects the sensitive plug-in points directly on the back of the Opened.

The solution to this problem is according to the combination of features of claim 1 The main thing to see behind the computer is a storage space for generous excess cable lengths provided. The workstation computer is used to avoid interfering with the computer placed on a load-bearing base plate, on which the storage space behind him is delimited. The base plate is preferably standing on the floor or on an installation wall suspended movable to position the computer if necessary in the area around the workplace or slightly change together with its relocation to be able to, for example, with regard to the location of the nearest wall or Floor outlets for building cabling.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the base plate is preferred the longer of the two legs part of an L-shaped structure, which with its behind the storage space, or even limit it to the rear, in this case the shorter leg next to the current position of the workplace is hung in a wall bracket at a clear distance from the floor. It needs this shorter L-leg should not be designed as a full-surface wall; he can also be represented by housing corner pillars, which, for the rest of the attachment of Serve the side walls of the free and storage spaces behind the computer. In any case, it remains Environment of the computer installation is easy to care for, because it is hung under the wall Connection unit can be wiped through without device parts or cable loops to disturb; because the cable connections from the storage space to the devices the immediately adjacent workplace runs more or less along the partition horizontally, at least by the shortest route. The feeding of the energy and data lines into the connection unit attached to the partition wall next to the workstation takes place in a manner known as such e.g. from a false ceiling or from a ceiling channel system of the open space and then along the side through the hollow interior through the double-walled partition or its hollow pillars where the Exit the cable above the room floor from the partition and - preferably along a curve to avoid kinks due to too small radii (especially with fiber optic data cables) - from the back or preferably from below into the Run the connection unit into it. The base plate is expediently along the partition moveable, preferably movable in a rail system suspended on the partition, to position the computer easily if necessary to the described adapt spatial changes in the environment of the workplace or for certain Working temporarily to the side without being able to do this from the To have to pull out storage space to pull out excess cable lengths to the workplace devices.

The actual storage space for excess cable lengths on the base plate is sufficient clear distance from the back of the computer, namely sufficient for one any necessary handling directly at its rear-located slots. To theirs The side and top walls bridging the storage space are easier to reach the connection unit, as I said, easy to remove without tools.

It is even more advantageous to insert points in the wall of the storage space facing the computer for heavy current, weak current, telecommunications and data lines as well as for the peripheral devices to be connected to the computer (such as keyboard, ball or Mouse pointing device, monitor, printer, scanner and / or modem) to be provided, which then in turn are connected directly to the computer with correspondingly short cables. Now the user does not need direct access to the slots on the back of the To take more computers themselves, so the plug-in locations there are after the initial configuration no longer mechanically stressed. The free space there is expediently closed by side walls and lids, which are not readily and, for example, cannot be removed without the right tools - because Handling of the user is now limited to the mechanically less sensitive, laid on the rear transfer wall of the storage space and through it easily accessible plug points.

So when feeding into workstations and when connecting to their peripheral devices unsightly and accident-prone loose loops of cables and cables that are too long Avoid cables and on the other hand the computer and thus the workplace According to the invention, the computer stands for a mobility that was not readily available until now on a preferably on the floor of the work area or along wall rails on a positioning or installation wall movable connection unit with a Storage space for the excess lengths of cables and wires that are plugged into this space be guided in a transfer wall, which preferably on the other hand to the Connections of the computer is detachably wired, with outlet of the cables and wires to peripheral devices preferably in the upper area for manual access the slots easy to open storage space.

However, the invention also relates to a, as a partition between free space and storage space for such as standing and movable according to the main application or how described above along a partition e.g. slidably suspended connection unit certain or usable ones, as described below, in particular with electrical installation articles equipped, transfer wall as such, for which an independent protection is claimed. This transfer wall for a PC connection unit is with passages for line connections that should not have any separation points, and otherwise with Sockets equipped for the connection between the computer and peripherals and the network, after the installation of the transfer wall in the connection unit through its storage space can be reached manually for excess cable lengths.

Fig.1 in Seitenansicht eine unter dem Arbeitsplatz verfahrbar stationierte Rechner-Anschlußeinheit bei abgenommenen Seitenwänden der beiden hinter dem Rechner aufeinanderfolgenden Frei- und Stauräume,

Fig.2 eine frontseitige Ansicht der als Übergabezentrum ausgestatteten Rückwand des Stauraumes,

Fig.3 eine gemäß Fig.1 ausgestattete Anschlußeinheit, die aber nicht auf dem Boden sondern längs Wandschienen verfahrbar ist, und

Fig.4 eine gegenüber Fig.2 abgewandelt bestückte Stauraum-Rückwand.

With regard to further features and modifications as well as their advantages, reference is made to the further claims, as well as to the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the solution according to the invention, which is not fully drawn to scale in the drawing. In the drawing shows

1 is a side view of a computer connection unit which can be moved under the work station with the side walls of the two free and storage spaces behind the computer removed,

2 shows a front view of the rear wall of the storage space equipped as a transfer center,

3 shows a connection unit equipped according to FIG. 1, but which is not movable on the floor but along wall rails, and

4 shows a modified storage space rear wall compared to FIG.

The connection unit according to the invention sketched in a side view in FIG. 1 of the drawing 11 for a workstation PC essentially consists of a stable elongated Base plate 13 for receiving e.g. next to an office supplies container under the Worktop 14 of a desk or the like work place 15. At a clear distance a space 16 behind the workstation PC rises on the base plate 13 a storage space 17 for excess cable lengths between a rear end wall 18 and a transfer wall 19 located opposite it towards the workstation PC. The transfer wall 19 is equipped with various plug points 20, for example (see FIG. 2) with power strips 20.1, 20.2 for separate access to regulated and unregulated Mains voltages that are fed in at device plugs 21.1 or 21.2 and at sockets (if necessary on socket groups of different standards) 22.1, 22.2 Are available. In addition, the transfer wall 19 with low-current connectors 20.3 for data and control signal lines, e.g. for connecting a mouse or trackball, Keyboard 23, monitor 24, printer, scanner and the like. stocked. For easy manual access to the plug points 20 in the storage space 17 are the side walls 25 and cover 26 easily and in particular without tools removable from the walls 18-19, approximately because it is held there only by means of magnetic or textile adhesive connections or are positively hung in keyholes. The same applies to the free space 16 on the back of the workstation PC, although more often there Operations to be carried out manually, for example when exchanging devices for changed configuration specifications should be required. Better for functional reliability and durability However, the connector, which is usually arranged on the edges of circuit boards, if there is no mechanical stress due to manual switching requirements occur because all fixed and especially pluggable cable connections from the back of the workstation PC with the initial installation firmly to the central Transfer wall 19 are guided. Then the free space can 16 auxiliary devices like a power supply or record a modem because there between the transfer wall 19 and the back of the workstation PC no longer has to be handled after the initial configuration. Therefore this free space 16 is expediently closed more securely than the storage space 17, for example with screws 27, which can only be loosened using a special tool.

For the routing of cables or lines that - as in the case of a power line 28 - Expediently not in the free space 16 behind the workstation PC to the transfer wall 19, but about out in the storage space 17 on sockets 20 is in the Transfer wall 19, a slot 29 preferably open at the top, in order to be saved here removed cover 26 these cables etc. regardless of the diameter of their connectors easy to sink in from above. A corresponding slot 29 is in the Base plate 13 firmly connected end wall 18 to lead the cables through if possible provided just below the rear edge of the worktop 14, as illustrated in Fig.1. For line connections that have no interruption in the form of a plug in tolerate the transfer wall 19, in particular how the main data line 30 with its Plug 31, and for the supply lines 32, in particular the mains voltages to the plug points 20.1, 20.2 in the storage space 17, are in the end or transfer walls 18, 19 below the respective slots 29 cleared passages 33 which are used to carry out the Connectors assembled cables and wires usually wider than those mentioned Slots 29 are further up in the walls 18, 19.

On the back of the base plate 13 is in the example shown with a Docking profile 34 for the cable outlet end of a commercially available articulated armored duct 35 equipped for cable bundling and as step protection. The channel 35 leads the cables and wires from the storage space 17 of the connection unit 11 to a wall duct or as outlined underfloor outlet space 36 and from there into the building wiring. This outlet space 36 should be of generous dimensions so as not to be excessively long only in the storage space 17 but without a line break in the form to be able to insert a slot here. An uninterruptible feed is especially important for the functional reliability of fast data lines 30, as in that own utility model 2 99 19 831, whereupon the full content of the supplementary disclosure of the invention is referred.

Since the excess lengths of the connecting and connecting lines are now in the outlet on the building side 36 and on the device side in the storage space 17 of the connection unit 11 according to the invention , the workstation PC now also turns backwards - often on the visible side on the visitor side, for example a desk or similar work place 15 - a good impression. Since the room-side access to the connection unit 11 is tight the bottom of the storage space 17 and the access for external peripheral devices in the storage space are located close below the worktop 14, there are no free, accident-prone and messy wire loops more. But above all, the workplace is 15 despite the energy and data technology connection to the house installation, it is now really mobile, because he can together with the computer connection unit 11 depending on the here (and in the Exhaust space 36) inserted excess lengths now shifted by significant distances, too after the initial installation without any intervention in the configuration, it is completely different in the room be positioned. In the interest of this spatial planning flexibility, but also for easier access to the transfer wall 19 through the temporarily open on the side Storage space 17 through, the connection unit 11 according to Figure 1 is expedient movable on the floor of the work space and therefore below its base plate 13 equipped with wheels 37.

The connection unit according to the invention sketched again in longitudinal section in FIG. 3 of the drawing 11 for a workstation PC essentially represents an L-shaped one Formation, the longer leg as a stable elongated base plate 13 manually good accessible under or next to a desk or the like 15 den Computer PC carries. In the clear distance of a free space 16 behind the workstation PC rises again on the base plate 13, the storage space 17 for excess cable lengths.

The latter is rearward through the shorter L-leg in the form of an end wall 18 and limited to the free space 16 by a partition, which is used as an electrical installation Transfer wall 19 is designed. For this, as already described, it is different Sockets 20 equipped (see Fig. 4). In addition, fuses 23 and main switch 24 may be provided on the transfer wall 19 to separate this as a complete manageable high and low current interface. For its light manual Accessibility on the part of the storage space 17 is its side walls and lid 26 again easy and especially without having to use tools from the Walls 18-19 or removable from supporting corner pillars.

For line connections that do not have an interruption in the form of a plug in the transfer wall 19 tolerated, in particular the main data line 30, is in the transfer wall 19 below the slot 29, however, a wider passage 33 saved, so that an approximately H-shaped together with the slot 29 located above it according to FIG View of the transfer wall 19 with the wide yoke shifted downwards.

The PC connection unit 11 according to Figure 3 can in a mounting grid in a partition 40 be hung behind the workplace 15 at a clear distance above the floor 41. However, it is preferably movable laterally on a horizontally running mounting rail 42 hung and placed below against a support rail 43, the one above with Slats hung horizontally extending, slot-shaped wall passages 44 are attached to the partition 40. The partition 40 is in this embodiment two shells between the floor 41 and an installation duct running under the ceiling 45 clamped. Through their cavity 46, i.a. the mentioned Network and data lines 28, 30 from the installation channel 45 through the passage 44 and in the shortest possible arc under the connection unit through a slot 47 on the rear Edge of the base plate 13 to the transfer wall 19 or if necessary (namely in the case the data line 30) without a separation point at its passage 33 directly to the computer PC. Such an uninterruptible supply is primarily for the functional reliability faster data lines 30 important, as in our own utility model 2 99 19 831 and explained in more detail in the main application, whereupon the complete content is to be supplemented Invention disclosure is referred. Similar to one provided in the floor there Excess storage space is available here in the cavity 46 of the partition 40 available.

Claims (10)

Connection unit (11) with a movable base plate (13) for receiving a Workstation computer (PC) in front of a storage space (17) for excess lengths of cables and Lines, at least some of which are connected to one with plug-in points (20; mains plug-in points 20.1 / 2 with device plugs 21.1 / 2 and sockets 22.1 / 2; or low-current plug-in points 20.3) equipped transfer wall (19) are guided, which the storage space (17) of a space (16) behind the workstation (PC) separates. Connection unit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transfer wall (19) and / or an opposing end wall (18) of the storage space (17) are equipped with open slots (29) for the passage of cables and lines. Connection unit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the slot (29) in the end wall (18) opens to a removable cover (26) on the storage space (17). Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workstation computer (PC) is connected at least with the majority of its connections to the transfer wall (19). Connection unit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in contrast to the storage space (17) , the free space (16) is not readily accessible manually without tools. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer wall (19) is equipped with plug-in points (20) of different networks and standards, accessible through the storage space (17). Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a docking profile (34) for a flexible channel (35) to an outlet space (36) for excess lengths of cables and lines of the building installation. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (13) as a leg is part of an essentially L-shaped arrangement, the other leg of which is located at the end of the storage space (17) remote from the free space (16) for hanging in Wall brackets on a partition (40) is equipped. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be moved on the floor or along a wall rail suspension. Transfer wall (19) for a connection unit (11) according to one of the preceding claims, in front of a free space (16) for receiving a workstation computer (PC) is determined and behind the free space (16) via a storage space (17) for excess lengths of cables and wires (28, 30), which - insofar as they are disconnected are permissible and desirable - at installation facilities on both rooms (16, 17) separating transfer wall (19) can be connected.

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