JP2001007556A - Cap for opening and closing, and apparatus body using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a cap structure of low load and high durability in the case of repeated use and long term use. SOLUTION: In order to insert or extract a connection member 3 of the external apparatus side in the direction rectangular to the side wall of an electronic apparatus 1, an end portion 10b of a cap member 10 is transformed outside the side wall of the apparatus body 1 opposite to the force fitted to the apparatus, when the end portion 10b of the cap member 10 is taken out. The cap member 10 is turned in the horizontal direction (arrow mark A direction) to the side wall of the apparatus body 1 setting a fixing shaft part 12 as the center. As a result, the cap member 10 is prevented from abutting against the connection member 3, so that deformation applying a large load to the cap member 10 is not generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in various devices such as portable devices to protect, drip-proof, dust-proof, etc., when an opening for connecting to external devices by terminals and connectors is not used. And a device main body using the cap.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a cap mounting portion of a conventional portable electronic device, wherein 1 is a device main body of the electronic device, 2 is a connection member on the electronic device side, and 3 is an external device side. The connection member 4 has an opening 5 in the device main body 1 provided so that the connection end 2a of the connection member 2 on the electronic device side is open to the outside. A mounting projection 6 with a groove 6a to be fixed is integrally formed and protruded from the other end 5b. When the cap is closed, the mounting projection 6 is located in the opening 4 and fitted to the connection end 2a of the connection member 2 on the electronic device side. The projection 7 is a cap member made of an elastic material protrudingly provided.

In the conventional structure, as shown in FIG. 8, when a connection member 3 such as a terminal or a connector of an external device is inserted into or removed from the connection member 2 of the electronic device in the direction of arrow C, a cap member is inserted. 5, the other end 5b is largely deformed in the direction of arrow B around the one end 5a side to which the mounting projection 6 is fixed to the device main body 1, and the other end 5b side is separated from the opening 4 by a two-dot chain line. In the state shown, the insertion and removal work is performed.

[0004]

In the conventional cap mounting structure, as shown in FIG. 9, when the connecting member 3 of the external device is inserted into and removed from the connecting member 2 on the electronic device side, the cap member is removed. 5 is fixed to the device main body 1, the other end 5 a of the cap member 5 is fixed.
It is necessary to make b be largely deformed in the direction of arrow B and attach and detach it, and a large load is generated on the entire cap member 5 due to large bending, which causes a problem with durability such as a shortened life due to repeated use.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the connection member 3 of the external device is connected to the connection member 2 of the electronic device in the structure shown in FIG. While maintaining the state, the elastic member comes into contact with the connecting member 3 of the external device and warps. For this reason, even when the connection member 3 of the external device and the connection member 2 of the electronic device are being connected, the entire cap member 5 maintains a state in which a high load due to large bending is generated. There will be problems with durability, such as a reduction in the service life due to the period and continuous use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cap for closing an opening which has a structure of low load and high durability when used repeatedly and for a long period of time, and a device body using the cap. Aim.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a cap according to the present invention covers an opening in a cap for closing an opening provided in a part of a device body. The cap portion and a mounting shaft portion in which the cap body is loosely fitted into a cap mounting hole provided in the device main body so that the cap body can rotate substantially horizontally with respect to the side surface of the device main body, are integrally formed by a flexible member. This configuration does not require large bending when attaching and removing the cap, and reduces the amount of deformation with low load using horizontal rotation with respect to the side of the device body. A highly durable cap structure is realized.

Further, according to the above configuration, even when the connection portion on the external device side and the connection portion on the device main body side are connected, the cap is rotated in the horizontal direction with respect to the side surface of the device main body, and the connection is established. This makes it easier to release the cap to a position where it does not come into contact with the external parts, avoiding a large bending state due to contact with the connection part on the external device side as in the past, A highly durable structure with reduced noise is realized.

Further, in the apparatus body using the cap according to the present invention, a groove for accommodating the cap body is formed on the side surface, and the vicinity of the cap mounting hole of the groove is formed into an arc shape substantially matching the arc shape of the end of the cap body. With this configuration, the holding of the cap main body is ensured, and the rotation of the cap main body is performed smoothly.

The device body using the cap according to the present invention has a groove for accommodating the cap body in a side surface of the body,
This groove is formed over the range in which the cap body rotates in the horizontal direction with respect to the side surface of the main body. With this configuration, it is not necessary for the cap body to ride on the step at the peripheral portion of the groove, and Deformation due to riding can be eliminated.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description,
Members corresponding to those described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a cap mounting portion of a portable electronic device for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the cap in the present embodiment. At one end 10a, a mounting protrusion 13 having an enlarged diameter stopper portion 11 which is engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the mounting hole 1a of the device main body 1 and a mounting shaft portion 12 which is loosely fitted into the mounting hole 1a of the device main body 1. Are protruded integrally, and the other end 10
b, a closing projection 7 is provided at the opening 4 of the device main body 1 at the time of closing to fit the connection end 2a of the connection member 2 on the electronic device side to prevent displacement and secure close contact. A cap member made of a flexible member. Cap member 10
In the state of being mounted on the device main body 1, the mounting shaft portion 12 loosely fitted in the mounting hole 1 a is rotatable in the horizontal direction (the direction of arrow A) with respect to the side wall of the device main body 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an end portion 10c at one end 10a of the cap member 10 is formed in an arc shape concentric with the rotation center of the mounting shaft portion 12. on the other hand,
As shown in FIG. 3, a storage groove 15 substantially matching the outer peripheral shape of the cap member 10 is formed in the mounting portion of the cap member 10 on the side surface of the device main body 1 so that the cap member 10 can be accommodated. The vicinity of the mounting hole 1a in the inside 15 is an arc shape 15a substantially matching the arc shape of the end shape 10c of the cap member 10, and with this configuration, the holding of the cap member 10 is more reliably performed by the storage groove 15, and The rotation of the cap member 10 in the horizontal direction is performed smoothly.

In this embodiment, the connection member 3 on the external device side is replaced with the connection member 2 on the electronic device side, and the device body 1
In order to remove and insert the closing projection 7 of the cap member 10 from the opening 4 of the device body 1 and the connection end 2a of the connection member 2 in order to insert and remove it in the direction (arrow C direction) perpendicular to the side wall of the device. Deforms the other end 10b of the cap member 10 outward with respect to the side wall of the device main body 1 against the fitting force of the closing projection 7, and as shown in FIG.
Is rotated in the horizontal direction (the direction of arrow A) with respect to the side wall of the device main body 1 about the mounting shaft portion 12.

For this reason, in the above operation, the cap member 10 is given a small amount of deformation D required for detachment from the device main body 1, and only applies a load for turning in the direction of arrow A. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, even when the connection member 3 on the external device side and the connection member 2 on the electronic device side are in a connected state, the cap member 10 does not abut on both connection members 2 and 3. Even when both connecting members 2 and 3 are being connected, the load can be reduced and the amount of deformation can be reduced as compared with the conventional example, and the life can be extended even after repeated use and long-term use. A configuration with excellent durability is realized.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing an example of the configuration of a rotation support portion between the cap member and the apparatus main body.
The mounting shaft 12 of the cap member 10 is rotatable with respect to the mounting hole 1a of the device main body 1, and the mounting hole 1a and the mounting shaft 12 are easily and reliably positioned.
Are loosely fitted, that is, are rotatably fitted.

In the example of FIG. 5 (a), the shape of the mounting hole 1a of the device main body 1 is made substantially circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the mounting shaft 12 of the cap member 10 is rotatably fitted in the mounting hole 1a. Thus, it is formed in the same circular shape as the mounting hole 1a.

In the example of FIG. 5B, the shape of the mounting hole 1a of the device main body 1 is substantially a regular polygon (a square is shown in the figure).
The sectional shape of the mounting shaft 12 of the cap member 10 is
It has a substantially circular shape inscribed in the mounting hole 1a.

In the example of FIG. 5 (c), the shape of the mounting hole 1a of the device main body 1 is made substantially circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the mounting shaft 12 of the cap member 10 is changed to a substantially regular polygon (inside of the mounting hole 1a). The figure shows a square).

The cap member 5 having the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 requires a large amount of deformation, so that it can be formed only by using soft rubber as a material. Since the amount of deformation of the cap member 10 is small as described above, a synthetic resin or a relatively hard rubber may be used as long as it has flexibility and can be deformed to some extent. Can be.

By using the cap member 10 which is not soft as in the conventional case but is formed from the above-mentioned material having an appropriate flexibility, the cap member 10 itself has a restoring force on the opposite side to the deformation direction. (Force in the direction of arrow E), and therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the closing projection 7 of the cap member 10 is removed from the opening 4 of the device body 1 and the connection end 2 a of the connection member 2. At this time, after the other end 10b of the cap member 10 is deformed outward with respect to the side wall of the device main body 1 (in a two-dot chain line) against the fitting force, the cap member 10 is returned to the original fitted state. When returning, the cap member 10 including the closing convex portion 7 is restored by the restoring force of the cap member 10 itself without being pushed by a hand or the like.
Can be automatically fitted and inserted into the opening 4 of the device main body 1 and the connection end 2a of the connection member 2 on the electronic device side.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an essential part for explaining another embodiment of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention using the cap member having the above-described structure. In the portion, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG.
A storage groove 20 substantially conforming to the outer peripheral shape of the cap member 1 is formed near the mounting hole 1a in the storage groove 20.
In this example, the connection member 3 on the external device side and the connection member 2 on the electronic device side shown in FIG. 4 are in a connected state. At this time, the storage groove 20 having a substantially fan shape is formed so that the cap member 10 does not contact the connection members 2 and 3 and does not run on the outer peripheral step portion 20 b of the storage groove 20.

With such a configuration of the storage groove 20, the cap member 10 can be connected to the outer peripheral step portion 20 of the storage groove 20.
b, it is possible to prevent the cap member 10 from being deformed due to the step of the storage groove as in the prior art, thereby further reducing the load on the cap member 10 and improving the durability. Can be achieved.

[0024]

As described above, according to the cap for closing an opening and the device main body using the cap according to the present invention, a large bending is not required when the cap is attached and detached, and the side of the device main body can be removed. It is possible to attach and detach with low load and low deformation using horizontal rotation,
A highly durable cap structure is realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a mounting portion of a cap member in a portable electronic device for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a cap member according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing a storage groove portion of a cap member in the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cap member is removed when a connection member according to the present embodiment exists.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration example of a rotation support portion between the cap member and the device main body according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of automatic return of the cap member 10 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part for explaining another embodiment of the electronic apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a structure of a mounting portion of the cap in a conventional portable electronic device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cap member is removed when a connection member is present in the conventional example of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Device main body 1a Mounting hole 2 Connection member 4 Opening 7 Closing convex part 10 Cap member 10c End shape 11 Large diameter stopper part 12 Mounting shaft part 13 Mounting convex part 15, 20 Storage groove 15a, 20a Arc shape 20b Outer peripheral step Department

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 3E084 AA05 AA12 CB04 EA02 EB03 FA06 FC01 GA08 GB12 GB14 GB17 HA03 HB01 HD04 JA14 4E360 AB12 AB34 BA08 BA12 BB02 BB03 BB21 BC03 BC06 BC07 BD07 EA12 EA18 EB04 EC05 EC11 EC12 EC23 EC12 EC23 ED29 EE02 FA02 GA02 GA04 GA07 GA08 GA53 GB06 GB26 GB46 GC08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An opening closing cap for closing an opening provided in a part of a device main body, wherein a cap portion covering the opening and a cap mounting hole provided in the device main body are provided with a cap main body. A cap for closing an opening, wherein a mounting shaft portion which is loosely fitted to a side surface of the device main body so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction is integrally formed by a flexible member. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the shape of the cap mounting hole is substantially circular or substantially regular polygonal, the sectional shape of the mounting shaft portion is substantially circular or substantially regular polygonal.
An opening closing cap according to any of the preceding claims. 3. The cap for closing an opening according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member is made of a resin material. 4. The cap for closing an opening according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the cap body provided with the mounting shaft portion has an arc shape concentric with a rotation center of the mounting shaft portion. 5. An apparatus main body using the cap for closing an opening according to claim 4, wherein a groove is formed in a side surface of the main body to accommodate the cap main body, and an arc of an end of the cap main body is formed near the cap mounting hole of the groove. An apparatus body using a cap for closing an opening, which is formed in an arc shape substantially matching the shape. 6. A device body using the cap for closing an opening according to claim 1, wherein a groove for accommodating the cap body is formed on a side surface of the body, and the groove is formed on the side surface of the cap body. A device body using an opening closing cap formed over a range that rotates in the horizontal direction with respect to the device.