JP2001351733A - Electronic apparatus with connector cover - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a connector from being pulled out, while protecting the connector and a connecting part to be engaged with the connector. SOLUTION: A casing 2 for storing an electronic apparatus equipped with at least one more connecting member 3 to which a designated connector 10 can be connected, while having an opening part 2a for attaching and detaching the connector 10 and the connecting member 3 is provided. The connecting member 3 is disposed, so that the connecting direction of the connector 10 turns toward the inside of the casing 2 from the opening part 2a. A connector cover 5, which is freely openable and comprises a flat body, is provided in the opening part 2a, and a locking mechanism 7 by which the case 2 and the connector cover 5 mutually engaged with each other is provided in the case 2 and the connector cover 5. When the connector 10 is connected to the connecting member 3, the connector cover 5 is provided to cover the connector 10, and is provided adjacent to it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, and more particularly, to an electronic apparatus having a connector for retaining the connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector for connection has been widely known as one used for electrically connecting electronic devices and the like. For example, the connector is disconnected when data is exchanged between the electronic devices, so that the electronic device cannot operate normally. For this reason, various measures have been taken to prevent the connector from coming off. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
There is a connector cover disclosed in 00-48902.

As a connector that can be prevented from falling off by the connector cover disclosed in this publication, a frame that is substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction can be moved to the front surface of one of the male and female connectors. A connector that can be provided and hooked to a mating connector by moving the frame is shown.

[0004] In this case, the connector cover is provided with a connector enclosing portion capable of enclosing the connector in the main body of the connector cover. A restraining frame housing is provided. In this connector cover, the connector inner packet portion and the frame housing portion are arranged offset from each other in the moving direction of the frame, and the connector inner packet portion and the frame housing portion are formed in a U-shaped cross section. Further, a hook-shaped projection is provided at the U-shaped tip of the connector inner packet part. The main body of the connector cover is formed so that it can be attached to the connector through the opening of the connector inner packet part. For this reason, the connector cover is attached to the connector to limit the movement of the frame, thereby preventing the connector from coming off.

[0005]

However, the connector cover disclosed in the above publication is provided separately from a connector or, for example, an electronic apparatus equipped with a connector on the other side of the connector. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the connector cover is lost when the connectors are not connected. The connector cover is a connector cover for retaining a connector provided with a latching mechanism (frame), and cannot function as a retaining for a connector not equipped with a latching mechanism. There was an inconvenience.

[0006] A connector not equipped with this latching mechanism is mainly a plug-and-play (a setting required when an electronic device or the like is connected to each other, for example, when an extension board or the like is added to the electronic device). The purpose is to automatically perform the operation, that is, to use the function simply by connecting the connector. For this reason, this connector is not equipped with a locking mechanism that complicates the work of attaching and detaching the connector.

[0007] However, a connector not equipped with this locking mechanism has a disadvantage in that, for example, if a cable extended from the connector is pulled by mistake, the connector easily comes off. In addition, even if the connector is provided with a locking mechanism as described in the above-mentioned publication at the expense of some attaching / detaching workability to prevent the connector from being removed, this time, when the cable is pulled by a certain force or more. There is a disadvantage that the cable or the connector is damaged.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to remedy the disadvantages of the prior art, to prevent the connector from coming off, and to effectively prevent damage to the connector and the cable extended from the connector. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device with a connector cover.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object,
According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one connection member capable of connecting a predetermined connector is provided therein, and a housing for electronic device storage having an opening for attaching and detaching the connector and the connection member is provided. ing. Here, the connection member is provided so that the connection direction of the connector is directed from the opening of the housing to the inside of the housing. An opening and closing connector cover made of a plate-like body is provided at the opening of the housing, and a locking mechanism that allows the housing and the connector cover to be engaged with each other is provided on the housing and the connector cover. I have. In the connection state between the connector and the connection member, the connector cover is covered by the connector and is located near the connector.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the connector cover is closed, the connection member and the connector can be protected from dust and dirt.
The damage of the connection member and the connector can be prevented.
Further, by opening the connector cover, the connector can be attached and detached. Further, when the connector cover is closed, the connector can be locked by the connector cover even if a pulling force is applied to the connector, so that the connector can be prevented from falling off. That is, the connection member and the connector can be protected by the connector cover, and the connector can be prevented from coming off.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device with the connector cover according to the first aspect, the notch corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cable extending from the connector in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cable. Is formed.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to functioning equivalently to the first aspect of the present invention, the cable can be led out of the housing. Further, the connector cover can be easily opened and closed even when the connector is connected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device with the connector cover according to the second aspect, the cutout portion of the connector cover is formed up to the vicinity of a portion of the cable extending from the connector.

Therefore, according to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to functioning equivalently to the above-described second aspect, the cable can be effectively led out of the housing without detouring the cable. it can.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device with the connector cover according to the first, second or third aspect, the connector cover is provided rotatably with respect to the housing.

Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the above-described first, second, or third aspect of the present invention, the connector cover having a function of preventing the connector from being pulled out is opened and closed. Irrespective of this, it can be provided integrally with the housing, so that loss of the connector cover (retainer) can be prevented. In addition, the connector can be effectively prevented from falling off.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device with the connector cover according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, the locking mechanism is provided on one of the housing and the connector cover. And an engaging member provided on the other side for engaging with the magnetic body.

Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to functioning equivalently to the above-described first, second, third or fourth aspect, the connector cover can be easily opened and closed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device with the connector cover according to the fifth aspect, the magnetic force of the locking mechanism having the magnetic material is maintained until a predetermined pulling force is applied to the connector. The locking state between the housing and the connector cover is maintained, and the locking state between the housing and the connector cover is released when a force equal to or greater than the predetermined pulling force is applied.

For this reason, the invention according to claim 6 functions in the same manner as the invention described in claim 5 and also, when the cable is pulled and a pulling force is applied to the connector, for example. The locked state between the connector cover and the connector can be released. That is, it becomes possible to unplug the connector and open the connector cover. This allows
The connector and the cable can be effectively prevented from being damaged.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device with the connector cover according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, the connector cover is formed in a curved shape.

For this reason, the invention according to claim 7 functions in the same manner as the invention described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and the cable has a predetermined connector removal force or more. When the locking force between the housing and the connector cover is released by the urging force, the pressing force of the connector can be absorbed by the entire connector cover, so that the load on the connector cover can be reduced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device with the connector cover according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh aspect, a connector cover is provided for each connection member.

For this reason, the invention according to claim 8 functions in the same manner as the invention described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 above, and also includes only the portions that require connector connection. The connector cover can be opened and closed.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Reference numeral 1 shown in FIG. 1 indicates an electronic apparatus with a connector cover according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 with a connector cover includes a housing 2 for housing electronic devices, and two connection members 3 inside the housing 2 to which a predetermined connector 10 can be connected. . FIG. 1 shows a state in which one of two connector covers 5 to be described later is closed, so that one connecting member 3 is not shown.

Further, the housing 2 is provided with a substantially rectangular opening 2a for attaching and detaching the connector 10 and the connection member 3.
The housing 2 is provided with a connector cover 5 made of a plate-like body that engages with the opening 2a. Here, the connection member 3 is provided so that the connection direction of the connector 10 is directed from the opening 2a to the inside of the housing 2. Further, the connector cover 5 in the present embodiment is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and in a curved shape, and is provided one for each of the two connection members 3.

The connector cover 5 has a pivot shaft 5a at one end and a locking mechanism 7 described later at the other end.
Is provided. For example, in the present embodiment, the engaging members 7b are provided at both ends of a notch 5b described later. In this case, the housing 2 is provided with a rotation support shaft holding portion (not shown) that engages with the rotation support shaft 5a, and further, a magnetic body 7a that engages with the engagement member 7b is provided. . As a result, the connector cover 5 can be rotated freely with respect to the housing 2 and the connector cover 5 can be rotated.
Irrespective of the open / closed state of the housing 2 can be provided integrally with the housing 2. Further, when the connector cover 5 is closed, the connector cover 5 can be locked to the housing 2.

In this embodiment, the connector cover 5
The turning support shaft 5a and the turning support shaft holding portion are set so that the turning shaft can be turned 90 degrees or more from the closed state. Thereby, attachment and detachment of the connector 10 and the connection member 3 can be facilitated.

When the connection member 3 and the connector 10 are connected and the connector cover 5 is closed, as shown in FIG.
And close to it. For example, a slight gap is provided between the connector cover 5 and the connector 10 such that the two do not abut each other.

Thus, even if the pull-out force is applied to the connector 10 by pulling the cable 11 extended from the connector 10, the connector 10 can be locked by the connector cover 5, and the connector 10 can be locked. It can be prevented from falling off. Since the connector cover 5 is covered by the connector 10, that is, since the connector 10 does not protrude from the housing 2, the connection member 3 and the connector 10 can be protected from dust and dirt.
The damage of the connection member 3 and the connector 10 can be prevented. Further, the appearance of the device is not impaired.

Further, a cable 11 is connected from the connector 10.
Is provided, the connector cover 5 has a cutout 5b corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cable 11 in a direction perpendicular to the axis.
Is formed near the portion of the cable 11 extending from the connector 10. Thereby, the cable 11 can be led out of the housing 2 without imposing a burden such as bending.

Here, the locking mechanism 7 for locking the connector cover 5 to the housing 2 will be described.

The locking mechanism 7 is, as described above,
And an engaging member 7b made of, for example, an iron plate, which is provided on the connector cover 5 and is engaged with the magnetic body 7a. Thereby, opening and closing of the connector cover 5 can be easily performed.

Further, the locking mechanism 7 maintains the locked state between the housing 2 and the connector cover 5 until a predetermined pulling force is applied to the connector 10 by pulling the cable 11. When a force equal to or greater than a predetermined withdrawal force is applied, the magnetic force is set so as to release the locked state between the housing 2 and the connector cover 5. Thereby, the connector 10 can be pulled out and the connector cover 5 can be opened,
The connector 10 and the cable 11 can be effectively prevented from being damaged. Here, the locking mechanism 7 includes the connector cover 5
Alternatively, the magnetic member 7a may be configured by disposing the engaging member 7b in the housing 2.

Further, since the connector cover 5 is formed in a curved shape as described above, the predetermined connector 10
The pressing force of the connector 10 can be absorbed by the entire connector cover 5 when the locking state between the housing 2 and the connector cover 5 is released by applying a force equal to or greater than the pulling force. Thereby, the load on the connector cover 5 can be reduced.

Subsequently, the end of the connector cover 5 (excluding the end on the side of the rotation support shaft 5a) has a bulging portion (not shown) extending from the end face of the end toward the outside of the housing 2. May be formed. Thereby, the connector cover 5 can be easily opened.

In the present embodiment, two connector covers 5 are provided corresponding to the two connection members 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connector cover 5 is not limited to this.
It may be set as a connector cover made of a single plate-like body corresponding to the shape of a.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
And FIG.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
This is a curved connector cover 5 exemplified in the first embodiment described above, which is formed in a flat plate shape (connector cover 15).

Here, the connector cover 15 is formed in a flat plate shape as described above, and when the connecting member 3 and the connector 10 are connected and the connector cover 5 is closed, as shown in FIG. The connector cover 5 is covered by and close to the connector 10. Then, similarly to the first embodiment, a rotation support shaft 15a is provided at one end thereof,
A notch 5b corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cable 11 in a direction perpendicular to the axis is formed up to the vicinity of a portion of the cable 11 extending from the connector 10.

In this case, except for the shape of the connector cover 15, the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Even when the electronic device 1 with the connector cover is configured as described above, the same operation and effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained.

[0043]

As described above, the electronic device with the connector cover according to the present invention can protect the connection member and the connector from dust and dirt when the connector cover is closed. In addition, damage to the connection member and the connector can be prevented. Furthermore, the connector can be locked by the connector cover even when a pulling force is applied to the connector, so that the connector can be prevented from falling off.

Further, by forming the notch in the connector cover, the cable can be led out of the housing without imposing a burden such as bending on the cable.

Further, since the locking mechanism comprises a magnetic member provided on one of the housing and the connector cover and an engaging member provided on the other to engage with the magnetic member, the connector cover is provided. Can be easily opened and closed.

Further, since the magnetic force is used to lock the connector cover to the housing, by appropriately setting the magnetic force, the cable can be pulled to disconnect the connector and open the connector cover. Therefore, damage to the connector and the cable can be effectively prevented.

Subsequently, as described above, when the cable is pulled to disconnect the connector and open the connector cover,
By forming the connector cover in a curved shape, the pressing force of the connector can be absorbed by the entire connector cover, so that the load on the connector cover can be reduced.

Further, a connector cover is provided for each connection member. Thereby, it is possible to open and close the connector cover of only the portion that requires connection of the connector. Further, one connector whose connection state is desired to be maintained may be closed with the connector cover, and the other connector which is frequently removed and inserted may have the connector cover opened.

By using this electronic device with a connector cover, even an existing connector without a locking mechanism can be prevented from coming off. An apparatus can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a connection state between a connector and a connection member according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a connection state between the connector and the connection member according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device apparatus with connector cover 2 Housing 2a Opening 3 Connection member 5, 15 Connector cover 5b, 15b Notch 7 Locking mechanism 7a Magnetic body 7b Engaging member 10 Connector 11 Cable

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4E360 AB45 BA03 BA04 BA12 BB02 BC13 BD02 EC11 EC14 ED24 GA02 GA35 GB22 GB42 GB43 5E021 FA05 FB07 FB14 FC02 FC29 FC36 HC11 HC27 5E087 EE11 FF12 HH04 LL29 LL33 QQ06 RR25RR

Claims (8)

[Claims] An electronic device housing having at least one connection member connectable to a predetermined connector therein and having an opening for attaching and detaching the connector and the connection member; The connection member is disposed such that a connection direction of the connection member is directed from the opening to the inside of the housing. The opening includes an openable / closable connector cover formed of a plate-like body. A locking mechanism that allows the housing and the connector cover to be engaged with each other is provided. When the connector and the connection member are in a connected state, the connector cover is covered by the connector and is located close to the connector. Characteristic electronic equipment with connector cover. 2. The electronic device with a connector cover according to claim 1, wherein a notch corresponding to a cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to an axis of a cable extending from the connector is formed in the connector cover. . 3. The electronic device with a connector cover according to claim 2, wherein the notch of the connector cover is formed up to the vicinity of a portion of the cable extending from the connector. 4. The electronic device with a connector cover according to claim 1, wherein said connector cover is provided rotatably with respect to said housing. 5. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a magnetic body provided on one of the housing and the connector cover, and an engaging member provided on the other side for engaging with the magnetic body. The electronic device with a connector cover according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. 6. A state in which the housing and the connector cover are kept locked until a predetermined pulling force is applied to the connector by using a magnetic force of the locking mechanism having the magnetic material. 6. The electronic device with a connector cover according to claim 5, wherein when the force greater than the force is applied, the locked state between the housing and the connector cover is released. 7. The electronic device with a connector cover according to claim 1, wherein said connector cover is formed in a curved shape. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said connector cover is provided for each of said connection members.
An electronic device with a connector cover according to 6 or 7.