JP2012098644A - Rack for projector and projector system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rack for a projector capable of negating the need of wiring work when being moved to a place for use and of optimizing the convenience of the projector, and further to provide a projector system.SOLUTION: A rack 3 for a projector accommodates a projector 2 and is configured so as to be movable. The rack 3 for the projector further comprises: an accommodating section 7 accommodating the projector 2 and being provided with an opening 5C for outwardly projecting incident light emitted from the accommodated projector 2; and a battery 8 for supplying electric power to the projector 2 accommodated in the accommodating section 7. The electric power is hereby supplied to the projector 2 by the battery 8. The projector 2 can be accordingly driven without connecting the projector 2 to an electric power source such as an AC outlet. Therefore, the rack 3 negates the need of wiring work at a place to which the rack 3 is moved and can thereby enhance the convenience of the projector 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector rack and a projector system.

Conventionally, a projector that displays an image by projecting projection light onto a screen or the like is known. In such a projector, the use place and the storage place may be different. For example, in a facility having a plurality of viewing places such as a school and a public institution, theft can be prevented by storing it in a lockable storage when the projector is not used, and the projector can be managed safely. However, in this case, it is necessary to move the projector from the storage location to the usage location each time it is used, and wiring is not convenient.
Thus, there is known a projector rack that can improve convenience even when the projector is moved in this way (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The storage rack (projector rack) described in Patent Document 1 is configured to be able to store a projector and related devices connected to the projector, and is configured to be able to project the projection light of the stored projector to the outside. Thereby, even when the projector is moved as described above, the wiring between the projector and the related device at the movement destination is not necessary by moving the storage rack together.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-116841

  However, the storage rack described in Patent Document 1 is not optimal in terms of convenience because the storage rack needs to be connected to an AC outlet in order to supply power to the stored projector and related equipment.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a projector rack and a projector system that can optimize the convenience of a projector by eliminating the wiring work when moving to a place of use.

  The projector rack according to the present invention is a projector rack that can accommodate and move a projector, the projector is accommodated therein, and an accommodating portion provided with an opening for projecting projection light of the accommodated projector to the outside; And a battery for supplying electric power to the projector housed in the housing portion.

  In the present invention, since power is supplied from the battery to the projector housed in the housing portion, the projector can be driven without being connected to a power source such as an AC outlet. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform wiring work at the destination, and convenience can be improved.

  The projector system of the present invention is a projector system including the projector rack, and includes a rack stand for storing the projector rack, and the rack stand is configured to store the battery when the projector rack is stored. And a charging terminal connected to the terminal.

  In the present invention, when the projector is not used, by storing the projector rack in the rack stand, the battery is connected to the charging terminal and can be charged. On the other hand, when the projector is used, the projector rack can be taken out from the rack stand and the projector can be driven by a charged battery. For this reason, since it can charge without making a user conscious of a battery, the burden to a user is reduced and the convenience can be improved.

In the projector system according to the aspect of the invention, the rack stand is set by the setting unit based on a timer that measures time, a setting unit that sets a time zone for charging the battery, and a time measured by the timer. It is preferable to include a charge control unit that charges the battery during a time period.
In the present invention, since the charge control unit charges the battery during the time zone preset by the setting unit, the user can select the time zone desired to be charged and charge the battery. Thereby, it can charge while avoiding the time zone with much power consumption. In addition, if you have a contract that reduces your electricity bill at a time zone such as late-night discount, you can set the battery to charge the electricity during the cheaper time zone. The cost can be reduced.

In the projector system according to the aspect of the invention, the projector rack includes a first locking unit that restricts removal of the projector, and the rack stand includes a second locking unit that regulates removal of the projector rack. It is preferable.
In the present invention, since the projector can be restricted from being taken out of the projector rack by the first locking means, the projector can be prevented from being stolen. In addition, since the removal of the projector rack from the rack stand can be restricted by the second locking means, it is possible to prevent the projector from being stolen together with the projector rack when the projector rack is stored.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a projector system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration of a projector system in the present embodiment. Sectional drawing which looked at the rack for projectors in this embodiment from the side surface. The side view which shows the partial structure of the bottom face part of the rack stand in this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus of the rack stand in this embodiment. The figure explaining operation | movement of the stand for racks in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of projector system]
1 and 2 are diagrams showing the configuration of the projector system 1. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the projector system 1, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the projector system 1.

The projector system 1 is used together with the projector 2 (FIG. 3) to improve convenience such as movement and storage of the projector 2.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the projector system 1 includes a projector rack 3 (hereinafter abbreviated as “rack 3”) and a rack stand 4 (hereinafter abbreviated as “stand 4”). With. FIG. 1 shows a state where the rack 3 is not stored in the stand 4, and FIG. 2 shows a state where the rack 3 is stored in the stand 4.

[Configuration of projector rack]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rack 3 as seen from the side.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rack 3 includes a rack body 5 and casters 6.
The rack body 5 is configured in a box shape, and houses the projector 2 therein as shown in FIG. The rack body 5 includes a housing part 7, a battery 8, a power supply terminal 9, an operation part 10, and a handle 11.

The accommodating portion 7 is a portion where the projector 2 is accommodated.
As shown in FIG. 3, the housing portion 7 includes a wall 5 </ b> A that forms the outer shape of the rack body 5 and a partition wall 5 </ b> B that partitions the internal space of the rack body 5, and a space Ar in which the projector 2 is housed. Forming. The accommodating portion 7 is configured such that the projector 2 can be taken in and out through an opening / closing door 12 provided on the wall 5 </ b> A of the rack body 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing portion 7 has a first restriction mechanism 13 as a first locking means for restricting removal of the projector 2. The first regulating mechanism 13 regulates the removal of the projector 2 by regulating the opening / closing of the door 12. Specifically, a cylinder lock can be used as the first restriction mechanism 13.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the accommodating portion 7 includes an opening 5 </ b> C, and a light-transmitting plate 14 made of a glass plate or the like is fitted into the opening 5 </ b> C. Thereby, the accommodating part 7 can project the projection light from the projector 2 onto a screen or the like (not shown) outside the rack 3 via the light transmitting plate 14 in a state where the projector 2 is accommodated, and further, the opening The projector 2 cannot be taken out via 5C.

The battery 8 is a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery or a lithium ion battery. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery 8 is connected to the projector 2 and supplies power to the projector 2.
The power terminal 9 is a terminal for charging the battery 8, is connected to the battery 8, and protrudes from the outer surface of the rack body 5.

The operation unit 10 is for operating the projector 2 housed in the housing unit 7.
The operation unit 10 includes, for example, a power button for switching the projector on and off, input buttons such as a menu key for performing various settings of the projector, a determination key, and a cursor key, and an operation signal corresponding to the operation of each button. The projector 2 is configured to be able to operate by transmitting to the projector 2.

Here, the projector 2 in the present embodiment is configured to be remotely operable by performing wireless communication with an external device such as a remote controller (not shown) or a PC (personal computer), and the operation unit 10 includes these remote controllers. Like the PC, the projector 2 can be operated by performing wireless communication with the projector 2.
The handle 11 is a portion that is gripped by the user when the rack 3 is moved.
The casters 6 are provided at the four corners of the bottom surface of the rack body 5. As a result, the rack 3 is configured such that the user can easily move by gripping the handle 11.

[Configuration of rack stand]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stand 4 includes a bottom surface portion 4A in contact with the floor F (FIG. 2), a top surface portion 4B disposed to face the bottom surface portion 4A, and the bottom surface portion 4A and the top surface portion 4B. A connecting portion 4C that connects between the ends and is in contact with the wall W (FIG. 2) of the building is provided, and is configured in a substantially U shape (C shape) as viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 2, the stand 4 stores the rack 3 between the bottom surface portion 4A and the top surface portion 4B.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface portion 4A has a flat surface 15 on which the rack 3 is placed on the top surface portion 4B side. In addition, an inclined surface 16 is provided at the end of the plane 15 that is away from the connection portion 4C, and the distance from the floor F decreases as the distance from the connection portion 4C increases. Thereby, the stand 4 has a configuration in which the rack 3 movable by the casters 6 can be easily moved from the floor F and stored.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the bottom surface portion 4 </ b> A of the stand 4.
The bottom surface portion 4A is provided with a second restriction mechanism 17 as a second locking means for restricting removal of the stored rack 3. The second restriction mechanism 17 includes a pedal 18, an elastic member 19, and a lock member 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pedal 18 is formed in a plate shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction D of the rack 3 when the rack 3 is stored along the flat surface 15. It inclines so that it may protrude from the plane 15 to the top | upper surface part 4B side as it approaches. As shown in FIG. 4, the pedal 18 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis A extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction D and parallel to the plane 15, and on the connection portion 4 </ b> C side. The end portion is configured to be able to project and retract from the plane 15.

  The elastic member 19 is configured by a coil spring, and is disposed on the connection portion 4C side with respect to the rotation axis A of the pedal 18, one end is fixed to the floor side of the bottom surface portion 4A, and the other end is fixed to the lower surface of the pedal 18. Has been. In the state where no load is applied to the pedal 18, as shown in FIG. 4, the end of the pedal 18 on the connection portion 4 </ b> C side protrudes from the plane 15 by the elastic force of the elastic member 19.

  The lock member 20 is formed in a plate shape like the pedal 18, and is positioned on the connection portion 4 </ b> C side with respect to the rotation axis A of the pedal 18, and is rotatable about a rotation axis B extending in parallel to the rotation axis A. It is configured. The lock member 20 regulates the rotation of the pedal 18 by having the tip portion abuts against the lower surface of the pedal 18 at a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4. The lock member 20 is configured to be regulated at a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4 or a position indicated by a two-dot chain line. When restricted at the position indicated by the solid line, the rotation of the pedal 18 is restricted as described above, and when restricted at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the rotation of the pedal 18 is not restricted. Specifically, as a configuration for restricting the position of the lock member 20, a cylinder lock can be adopted as in the first restriction mechanism 13 described above.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting portion 4 </ b> C is a portion that charges the battery 8 when the rack 3 is stored in the stand 4. The connection portion 4 </ b> C is provided with a charging terminal 21 that is connected to the power supply terminal 9 of the rack 3 when the rack 3 is stored in the stand 4. The charging terminal 21 is connected to the power cable 22, and the connection plug 23 at the end of the power cable 22 is connected to an AC outlet 24 at a predetermined position in the building through the charging terminal 21 and the power terminal 9. The battery 8 can be charged.
As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting portion 4 </ b> C is fixed to a wall surface of the building by a fixing member 25 such as a mounting screw.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a setting unit 26 is provided on the top surface portion 4B.
The setting unit 26 sets (inputs) a time zone in which the user charges the battery 8 (for example, a time zone such as 11:00 pm to 7:00 am). For example, the setting unit 26 includes setting buttons such as a cursor key and an enter key, and is configured so that the time zone can be set by the setting button.
The stand 4 includes a control device 27 (FIG. 5), and the time zone set by the setting unit 26 is input to the control device 27 as time zone data.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 27 of the stand 4.
The control device 27 includes a timer 28, a storage unit 29, a charge control unit 30, and a switch 31.
The timer 28 measures time. Specifically, the timer 28 measures the current time and outputs the measured current time to the charge control unit 30 as time data.
The storage unit 29 is configured by a storage element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), for example, and stores the time zone data set (input) by the setting unit 26.

The charge control unit 30 is configured by an integrated circuit such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), for example, and controls the storage unit 29, the switch 31, and the like. The charging control unit 30 generates a control signal according to time data input from the timer 28 and time zone data read from the storage unit 29, and outputs the generated control signal to the switch 31.
Specifically, when it is determined from the time data and the time zone data that the current time is the time zone for charging, the charging control unit 30 generates a control signal for controlling the switch 31 to turn on, and the current time is When it is determined that it is not the time period for charging, a control signal for controlling the switch 31 to be turned off is generated.

  The switch 31 is disposed between the connection plug 23 and the charging terminal 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and controls the state of charge by the charging terminal 21. That is, the switch 31 switches on or off the power supplied to the charging terminal 21 in accordance with the control signal output from the above-described charging control unit 30.

[Projector system operation]
The projector system 1 operates as follows.
In the state where the rack 3 is taken out from the stand 4, as shown in FIG. 1, the rack 3 can be easily moved by the caster 6, and the user can grab the handle 11 and freely move it to the use place. be able to. At this time, since electric power is supplied from the battery 8 to the projector 2, the projector 2 can be driven even at the destination use location. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the projection light of the projector 2 is transmitted through the translucent plate 14, so that an image can be displayed on a screen or the like while the projector 2 is housed in the housing portion 7.

  When the rack 3 is stored in the stand 4, the rack 3 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 1 toward the stand 4. Thereby, the caster 6 of the rack 3 climbs the inclined surface 16, and the rack 3 moves on the bottom face part 4A. At this time, as described below, the stored rack 3 is restricted by the second restriction mechanism 17 from moving.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the stand 4 (the operation of the second restriction mechanism 17).
When the rack 3 moves to the connecting portion 4C side, the caster 6 approaches the pedal 18 as shown in FIG. Further, when the rack 3 moves, the caster 6 moves onto the pedal 18, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the elastic member 19 contracts due to the weight of the rack 3, and the inclination angle of the pedal 18 with respect to the plane 15 is increased. Get smaller.

  When the rack 3 further moves, the caster 6 passes the pedal 18 and the rack 3 is stored in the stand 4 as shown in FIG. At this time, the pedal 18 protrudes from the plane 15 by the elastic force of the elastic member 19 and restricts the movement of the caster 6 in the direction in which the rack 3 is taken out (the direction from the right side to the left side in FIG. 6C). Note that the movement of the caster 6 in the direction in which the rack 3 is stored (the direction from the left side to the right side in FIG. 6C) and the vertical movement of the rack 3 are as shown in FIG. It is regulated by fitting into the charging terminal 21.

  When the rack 3 is stored in the stand 4, the battery 8 is charged under the control of the control device 27 described above. In order to store the rack 3 so as not to be stolen, the lock member 20 may be restricted to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4 as described above. As a result, even if the rack 3 is forcibly pulled in the take-out direction (in the direction from the right side to the left side in FIG. 2) so as to ride on the second restricting mechanism 17, the upper end of the rack 3 is the top surface portion 4B of the stand 4. The rack 3 cannot be taken out. When the rack 3 is taken out, the lock member 20 is restricted to the position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 so that the pedal 18 can be rotated, and the user only has to push the pedal 18 down with a foot or the like.

The embodiment described above has the following effects.
Since power is supplied from the battery 8 to the projector 2 housed in the housing portion 7, the projector 2 can be driven without being connected to a power source such as an AC outlet 24. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform wiring work at the destination, and convenience can be improved.

  When the projector 2 is not used, by storing the rack 3 in the stand 4, the power supply terminal 9 connected to the battery 8 is connected to the charging terminal 21, and the battery 8 can be charged. On the other hand, when the projector 2 is used, the rack 3 can be taken out from the stand 4 and the projector 2 can be driven by the charged battery 8. For this reason, since charging to the battery 8 can be performed without making the user aware of it, the burden on the user is reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  Since the charging control unit 30 charges the battery 8 during the time zone preset by the setting unit 26, the user can select the time zone desired to be charged and charge the battery 8. Thereby, it can charge while avoiding the time zone with much power consumption. Also, if the electricity bill is contracted to reduce the electricity bill depending on the time zone such as late-night discount, charging is performed by setting the battery 8 to be charged during the cheap electricity bill time zone. Electricity costs can be reduced.

  Since the removal of the projector 2 from the rack 3 can be restricted by the first restriction mechanism 13, it is possible to prevent the projector 2 from being stolen. Further, since the removal of the rack 3 from the stand 4 can be restricted by the second restriction mechanism 17, it is possible to prevent the projector 2 from being stolen together with the rack 3 when the rack 3 is stored.

  Since the projector 2 accommodated in the accommodating portion 7 of the rack 3 can be operated by the operation portion 10 of the rack 3, compared with the case where the projector 2 is operated by wireless communication using a remote controller, a PC, or the like that is separate from the rack 3. The operation signal can be reliably supplied to the projector 2.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
For example, each component constituting the rack 3 and each component constituting the stand 4 are not limited to being arranged at the positions described in the above-described embodiments. As an example, by disposing the opening / closing door 12 on the side of the rack 3 where the power supply terminal 9 is provided, the opening / closing door 12 can be hidden in the retracted state, and the antitheft effect of the projector 2 can be enhanced.

In the above embodiment, the translucent plate 14 is fitted into the opening 5C. However, the translucent plate 14 may be omitted if the projector 2 cannot be taken in and out through the opening 5C. The position and shape of the opening 5C are not limited to those shown in FIG.
In the above embodiment, the first locking means is configured by the first regulating mechanism 13 and the second locking means is configured by the second regulating mechanism 17, but the first locking means is the projector 2 from the rack 3. The second locking means only needs to be able to regulate the removal of the rack 3 from the stand 4. Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration of restricting the movement of the opening / closing door 12 and the lock member 20 using a cylinder lock has been illustrated, but these can also be restricted by electronic control.
In the said embodiment, although the thing of substantially U shape was illustrated as the stand 4 by the side view, the shape of the stand 4 is not restricted to this. For example, the stand 4 may have a box shape in which walls are provided on both side surfaces so that the stored rack 3 does not come off from the side surface. In this case, for example, a pedal in which the second restricting mechanism 17 operates in conjunction with a position (specifically, a position where the inclined surface 16 is provided) at which the user can operate the rack 3 in the stored state. Etc., the user can operate the second restricting mechanism 17. The second restricting mechanism 17 itself may be installed on the side of the caster 6 (the caster 6 shown on the left side in FIG. 2) that is far from the connecting portion 4C.

In the above-described embodiment, the setting unit 26 is provided on the top surface 4B of the stand 4, but the setting unit 26 may not be provided, and instead the ceiling 4 of the stand 4 is visible so that the operation unit 10 of the rack 3 can be seen by the user. The surface portion 4B may be cut out. In this case, for example, the operation unit 10 is provided with a button having a function equivalent to that of the setting unit 26, and the time zone data set by the operation unit 10 is sent from the rack 3 to the stand 4 through a terminal attached to the power supply terminal 9. It is good also as a structure. As described above, the operation unit 26 may be included in the operation unit 10 of the rack 3.
In the said embodiment, although electric power was supplied from the AC outlet 24 with respect to the charging terminal 21, supply of the electric power to the charging terminal 21 is not restricted to this. For example, the structure which supplies the electric power obtained by the solar cell or the fuel cell to the charging terminal 21 may be sufficient.

In the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 4C is connected to the wall W and the stand 4 is fixed. For example, the bottom surface portion 4A may be fixed to the floor F with a connection bolt or the like. If the stand 4 is too heavy to move, fixing the stand 4 to the wall W or the floor F may be omitted.
In the embodiment, the projector 2 can be operated from the operation unit 10 by wireless communication. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the projector 2 and the operation unit 10 may be connected by wire and operated by wired communication. Good.

  The present invention can be used for projectors used in presentations and home theaters.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Projector system, 2 ... Projector, 3 ... Projector rack, 4 ... Rack stand, 5C ... Opening, 7 ... Storage part, 8 ... Battery, 13. ..First restriction mechanism (first locking means), 17 ... second restriction mechanism (second locking means), 21 ... charge terminal, 26 ... setting unit, 28 ... timer, 30: Charge control unit.

Claims (4)

A projector rack that can accommodate and move a projector,
A housing in which the projector is housed and an opening for projecting the projection light of the housed projector to the outside;
A projector rack, comprising: a battery for supplying power to the projector housed in the housing portion. A projector system comprising the projector rack according to claim 1,
A rack stand for storing the projector rack;
The rack stand is
A projector system comprising: a charging terminal connected to the battery when the projector rack is stored. The projector system according to claim 2,
The rack stand is
A timer that measures time,
A setting unit for setting a time zone for charging the battery;
A projector system comprising: a charge control unit that charges the battery during a time period set by the setting unit based on a time measured by the timer. In the projector system according to claim 2 or 3,
The projector rack is
A first locking means for restricting removal of the projector;
The rack stand is
A projector system comprising: a second locking means for restricting removal of the projector rack.

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