JP2013207114A - Housing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a housing that does not generate a gap between fitting surfaces of a front case and a rear case even when shift occurs in thickness and planar directions of the fitting surfaces, thereby producing excellent waterproofness.SOLUTION: A housing 10 is formed by fitting a front case 1 and a rear case 2 with an elastic sealing member 20 interposed therebetween. The front case 1 is provided with a continuous groove 5 on a fitting surface thereof, and the rear case 2 is provided with a continuous protrusion 6 on a fitting surface thereof, and the protrusion 6 is allowed to be inserted into the groove 5 when fitting both of the cases 1 and 2. A sealing member 20 includes a base part 20B and a sealing part 20A that extends away from the base part 20B in an inclined direction, and the base part 20B is secured on the outer peripheral side surface of the protrusion 6 or the outer peripheral side surface of the groove 5. When inserting the protrusion 6 into the groove 5, the sealing part 20A of the sealing member 20 is pushed against the opposite surface to make the front case 1 and the rear case 2 be in a waterproof state.

Description

  The present application relates to a housing having a waterproof structure that seals a fitting portion so that moisture does not enter the inside of the housing.

  In recent years, portable electronic devices such as portable wireless devices, cellular phones, and portable terminals have become widespread. Since such portable electronic devices are often used outdoors, the casings of these electronic devices may have a waterproof structure. The casing (case) of an electronic device usually has a two-part structure in which a cover is placed on the casing body. Various types of waterproof structures for the casing are known in which a sealing member is sandwiched between the mating surfaces of the cover that covers the casing with respect to the casing so that water droplets do not enter the inside of the casing. . For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a drip-proofing structure for a cover that covers a housing of an electronic device such as a mobile phone.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of a casing 10 of a portable electronic device, for example, a mobile phone, on which a seal member equivalent to the seal member described in Patent Document 1 is mounted. 2 and 3 cover the casing 10 shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as a first cover member or front case) 1 and a casing body (hereinafter referred to as a second cover member or rear case in the present application). The case is shown divided into 2). Reference numeral 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 indicates a fitting portion of the front case 1, and reference numeral 4 indicates a fitting portion of the rear case 2.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a cross section taken along the line XX of the housing 10 shown in FIG. An annular groove 5 is formed in the fitting portion 3 of the front case 1. The annular groove 5 in this example is a tapered groove having a bottom surface that is narrower than the width of the opening. A seal member 7 having a rectangular cross section formed of an elastic body such as an elastomer is attached to the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5. On the other hand, the fitting portion 4 of the rear case 2 is provided with an annular ridge 6 inserted into the fitting portion 3 of the front case 1. In a state where the fitting portion 3 of the front case 1 is fitted to the fitting portion 4 of the rear case 2, the side surface of the ridge 6 is in close contact with the seal member 7 attached to the inclined surface of the groove 5. And water does not enter from the fitting portions 3 and 4 of the front case 1.

JP 2005-143138 A

  However, in the waterproof structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the sealing member is pressed and deformed from the thickness direction of the housing and the case to perform sealing, as shown in FIG. 5 due to the repulsive force of the deformed sealing member. The front case 1 sometimes floated from the rear case 2. When the front case 1 is lifted from the rear case 2, the fitting state of the seal member 7 and the rear case 2 changes, and a gap is easily formed between the seal member 7 and the rear case 2, and the adhesion is impaired. There was a problem of ending up. That is, in the case of surface contact of the seal member, if there is a variation in the size or the like, the contact may be insufficient and the adhesion may be impaired.

  Therefore, the object of this application is that the seal member attached to the fitting surface of the housing that attaches the second case member as a cover to the first case member is strong when the first and second case members are fitted together. It is an object of the present invention to provide a housing having a waterproof structure that does not generate repulsive force and has excellent sealing performance.

  The housing of this application that achieves the above object is a housing formed by fitting the first and second case members with the elastic seal member interposed therebetween, and the first case member has its fitting surface. The second case member has a ridge that is continuously formed on the mating surface and inserted into the groove when the first and second case members are mated. A seal member is inserted between the outer peripheral surface side surface of the ridge and the side surface of the groove facing the ridge, and is fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the ridge or the outer peripheral side surface of the groove; It is characterized by including a seal portion that extends obliquely in a direction away from the base portion.

It is a top view which shows the housing | casing of portable electronic equipment. It is a front view which shows the state which divided | segmented the housing | casing of portable electronic equipment into the housing body and the cover. It is a right view which shows the state which divided | segmented the housing | casing of portable electronic equipment into the housing body and the cover. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken along a line XX in FIG. 1 illustrating a structure of a fitting portion between a cover and a housing body of the portable electronic device illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining a problem in the structure of the fitting part of the cover and the casing body of the portable electronic device shown in FIG. 4. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the sealing member pinched | interposed between the front case and rear case of a portable electronic device of this application, and a front case and a rear case. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the Z section of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member of a 1st Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member of a 2nd Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member of a 3rd Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member of a 4th Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member of a 5th Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional shape of the sealing member of a 6th Example. It is sectional drawing before the assembly of the portable electronic device which shows the seal member of the 2nd Example attached to the front case and rear case of a portable electronic device of this application, and a rear case. It is sectional drawing in the middle of the assembly of the portable electronic device which shows the seal member of the 2nd Example attached to the front case and rear case of a portable electronic device of this application, and a rear case. It is sectional drawing after the assembly of the portable electronic device which shows the seal member of the 2nd Example attached to the front case and rear case of a portable electronic device of this application, and a rear case. It is sectional drawing before the assembly of the portable electronic device which shows the sealing member of the 2nd Example attached to the front case of a portable electronic device of this application, a rear case, and a front case. It is sectional drawing in the middle of the assembly of the portable electronic device which shows the seal member of the 2nd Example attached to the front case of a portable electronic device of this application, a rear case, and a front case. It is sectional drawing after the assembly of the portable electronic device which shows the seal member of the 2nd Example attached to the front case of a portable electronic device of this application, a rear case, and a front case.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail based on specific examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated to the same structural member as the structural member of the housing | casing demonstrated in FIGS.

  FIG. 6 shows only the casing 10 of the portable electronic device of the present application, and the portable electronic device is, for example, a multi-function mobile phone. The housing 10 includes a front case 1 positioned on the upper side, a rear case 2 positioned on the lower side, and a seal member 20 sandwiched between the front case 1 and the rear case 2. The shape of the front case 1 and the rear case 2 in plan view is a rectangle, and the seal member 20 is also rectangular in plan view. A cross section of the seal member 20 at the Z portion is shown in FIG.

  As shown in the partially enlarged sectional view of FIG. 7, the seal member 20 includes a base portion 20B and a seal portion 20A extending obliquely outward from the base portion 20B. The seal member 20 is made of an elastic body such as an elastomer or natural rubber. Generally, the seal member 20 is inserted into a mold when the front case 1 or the rear case 2 is injection-molded, and is integrally injection-molded into the front case 1 or the rear case 2 so that the base portion 20B is the front case 1 or the rear case 2. Attached to.

  8 to 13 show the cross-sectional shapes of the first to sixth embodiments of the seal member 20. The seal member 21 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is formed by extending the seal portion 21A at an angle of 45 ° from one end of the base portion 21B. Further, the seal member 22 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is formed by extending the seal portion 22A from one end of the base portion 22B at an angle of 30 °. When the angle of the seal portion 20A with respect to the base portion 20B exceeds 45 ° when the seal portion 20A is extended from one end of the base portion 20B of the seal member 20, an external force toward the base portion 20B is applied to the seal member 20A. It becomes difficult to fold. Therefore, the angle of the seal portion 20A with respect to the base portion 20B is preferably within 45 °.

  10 and 11 show the cross-sectional shapes of the seal members 23 and 24 of the third and fourth embodiments. The seal member 23 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is formed by bending one end of a base portion 23B and extending the seal portion 23A at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the base portion 23B. ing. The seal member 24 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is formed by bending one end of a base portion 24B and extending the seal portion 24A at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the base portion 24B at the end of the curved portion. ing.

  12 and 13 show the cross-sectional shapes of the seal members 25 and 26 of the fifth and sixth embodiments. The sealing member 25 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is that the sealing portion 21A of the first embodiment is formed by extending the sealing portion 25A at an angle of 45 ° from the middle instead of one end of the base portion 25B. And different. The seal member 26 of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is that the seal portion 26A is formed by extending at an angle of 30 ° from the middle instead of one end of the base portion 26B. And different.

  Here, the first embodiment when the front case 1 is fitted to the rear case 2 to which the seal member 22 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. The operation of the seal member 22 in the casing 10 will be described.

  FIG. 14 shows a casing 10 of a portable electronic device including a front case 1 and a rear case 2, and the seal member 22 of the second embodiment is attached to the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the ridge 6 of the rear case 2. 2 shows a state before assembly of the portable electronic device. The seal member 22 of the second embodiment has a base portion 22B attached to the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the ridge 6, and the seal portion 22A opens obliquely downward from the base portion 22B on the distal end side of the ridge 6. It is in the state. The seal member 22 of the second embodiment can be attached to the slope on the outer peripheral side of the ridge 6 of the rear case 2 when the rear case 2 is injection molded.

  FIG. 15 shows the second embodiment in which the front case 1 approaches the rear case 2 from the state shown in FIG. 14 and the front end of the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1 is attached to the rear case 2. The state which contact | abutted to the seal part 22A of the seal member 22 is shown. When the front case 1 further approaches the rear case 2 from this state, the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 is deformed by being pushed by the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1, and approaches the base portion 22B side.

  In FIG. 16, the front case 1 further approaches the rear case 2 from the state shown in FIG. 15, and the protrusion 6 of the rear case 2 is completely inserted into the groove portion 5 of the front case 1 so that the front case 1 becomes the rear case 2. It shows a state of being fitted to. In this state, the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 is deformed by being pressed by the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1, and is closest to the base portion 22B side. In the state shown in FIG. 16, the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 overlaps the base portion 22B. However, in the state where the front case 1 is fitted to the rear case 2, the space between the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 and the base portion 22B. There may be gaps.

  That is, in the case 10 of the first embodiment, when the front case 1 is fitted to the rear case 2, the seal portion 22A and the base portion 22B of the seal member 22 are not crimped and there is a gap between them. Alternatively, the seal portion 22A and the base portion 22B are overlapped. Therefore, the force that the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1 receives from the seal member 22 is only the restoring force that the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 returns to the state shown in FIG. It is not the repulsive force that occurs when the base 22B is compressed. Therefore, a strong force that lifts the front case 1 from the rear case 2 is not applied to the slope on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1, and the restoring force of the seal portion 22 </ b> A to return to the original state is applied. The slope on the outer peripheral side and the seal portion 22A are sealed. Therefore, in the housing | casing 10 of 1st Example, the problem that adhesiveness is impaired does not arise easily.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, the second embodiment in which the front case 1 is fitted to the rear case 2 to which the seal member 22 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is attached. The operation of the seal member 22 in the casing 10 will be described. In the housing 10 of the second embodiment, the seal member 22 is attached to the front and case 1 side.

  FIG. 17 shows a casing 10 of a portable electronic device including a front case 1 and a rear case 2, and the seal member 22 of the second embodiment is attached to the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1. 2 shows a state before assembly of the portable electronic device. The seal member 22 of the second embodiment has a base portion 22B attached to the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5, and the seal portion 22A is opened obliquely upward from the base portion 22B on the opening side of the groove 5. It has become. The sealing member 22 of the second embodiment can be attached to the slope on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1 when the front case 1 is injection molded.

  FIG. 18 shows a second embodiment in which the front case 1 approaches the rear case 2 from the state shown in FIG. 17 and the tip of the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the ridge 6 of the rear case 2 is attached to the front case 1. The state which contact | abutted to the seal part 22A of the seal member 22 is shown. When the front case 1 further approaches the rear case 2 from this state, the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 is deformed by being pushed by the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the protrusion 6 of the rear case 2, and approaches the base portion 22B side.

  In FIG. 19, the front case 1 further approaches the rear case 2 from the state shown in FIG. 18, and the protrusion 6 of the rear case 2 is completely inserted into the groove portion 5 of the front case 1. It shows a state of being fitted to. In this state, the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 is deformed by being pushed by the outer peripheral slope of the protrusion 6 of the rear case 2, and is closest to the base portion 22B side. In the state shown in FIG. 19, the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 overlaps the base portion 22B. However, in the state where the front case 1 is fitted to the rear case 2, the seal member 22 is interposed between the seal portion 22A and the base portion 22B. There may be gaps.

  That is, in the case 10 of the second embodiment, when the front case 1 is fitted to the rear case 2, the seal portion 22A and the base portion 22B of the seal member 22 are not crimped and there is a gap between them. Alternatively, the seal portion 22A and the base portion 22B are overlapped. Therefore, the force that the inclined surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1 receives from the seal member 22 is only the restoring force that the seal portion 22A of the seal member 22 returns to the state shown in FIG. It is not the repulsive force that occurs when the base 22B is compressed. Therefore, a strong force that lifts the front case 1 from the rear case 2 is not applied to the slope on the outer peripheral side of the groove 5 of the front case 1, and the restoring force of the seal portion 22 </ b> A to return to the original state is applied. The slope on the outer peripheral side and the seal portion 22A are sealed. Therefore, in the housing | casing 10 of a 2nd Example, the problem that adhesiveness is impaired does not arise easily.

  The embodiment in which the seal member 22 of the second embodiment is used for the casing 10 of the first and second embodiments has been described above. The casing 10 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 to 13. Similar effects can be obtained even when the seal members 21, 23 to 26 of other embodiments are used. That is, in the seal member in the housing of the present application, since the seal portion has a tongue shape, the seal portion has a degree of freedom with respect to the variation of the inclined surface, and the contact state can be stabilized.

  As described above, the case 10 of the portable electronic device has been described as a specific example of the case having the waterproof structure of this application. However, the case having the waterproof structure of this application is not limited to the portable electronic device. It may be a box that wants to protect the interior from moisture.

  The present application has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof. For easy understanding of the present application, specific forms of the present application are appended below.

(Additional remark 1) It is the housing | casing formed by fitting the 1st and 2nd case member on both sides of an elastic seal member,
The first case member includes a groove formed continuously on the fitting surface,
The second case member includes a protrusion that is continuously formed on the fitting surface and is inserted into the groove when the first and second case members are fitted.
The seal member is inserted between a side surface on the outer peripheral surface side of the ridge and a side surface of the groove facing the ridge, and is fixed to the side surface on the outer peripheral side of the ridge or the side surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove. A housing comprising a base and a seal portion extending obliquely in a direction away from the base.
(Additional remark 2) The said seal | sticker part is extended | stretched from the said base at an angle within 45 degrees with respect to the said base, The housing | casing of Additional remark 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.
(Additional remark 3) In the additional remark 1 or 2 characterized by the base part of the said sealing member being fixed to the side surface of the outer peripheral side of the said protrusion, and the said seal part being extended outside from the front-end | tip part side of the said protrusion. The enclosure described.
(Supplementary note 4) The supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein a base portion of the seal member is fixed to an outer peripheral side surface of the groove, and the seal portion is extended inward from an opening side of the groove. Enclosure.
(Additional remark 5) The distance from the front-end | tip part of the said sealing member to the side surface inside the said protrusion is larger than the width | variety of the opening part of the said groove | channel, The housing | casing of Additional remark 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

(Additional remark 6) The width | variety from the front-end | tip part of the said sealing member to the side surface inside the said groove | channel is smaller than the width | variety of the said protrusion, The housing | casing of Additional remark 4 characterized by the above-mentioned.
(Additional remark 7) The said seal | sticker part is extended | stretched from the end of the said base, The housing | casing in any one of Additional remark 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned.
(Additional remark 8) The said seal | sticker part is extended | stretched from the middle of the said base, The housing | casing in any one of Additional remark 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned.
(Supplementary note 9) The casing according to supplementary note 3, wherein the seal member is an elastomer and is integrally formed by injection molding on an outer peripheral side surface of the protrusion of the second case member.
(Additional remark 10) The said sealing member is an elastomer, The housing | casing of Additional remark 4 characterized by being integrally formed by the injection molding on the outer peripheral side surface of the said groove | channel of the said 1st case member.

1 First housing (front case)
2 Second housing (rear case)
3, 4 Fitting portion 5 Groove 6 Projection 7 Seal member 10 Portable device casing 20 Seal member 20A Seal portion 20B Base portion 21-26 Seal members of first to sixth embodiments

Claims (6)

A housing formed by fitting the first and second case members with a seal member interposed therebetween,
The first case member includes a groove formed continuously on the fitting surface,
The second case member includes a protrusion that is continuously formed on the fitting surface and is inserted into the groove when the first and second case members are fitted.
The seal member is inserted between a side surface on the outer peripheral surface side of the ridge and a side surface of the groove facing the ridge, and is fixed to the side surface on the outer peripheral side of the ridge or the side surface on the outer peripheral side of the groove. A housing comprising a base and a seal portion extending obliquely in a direction away from the base.   The casing according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion extends from the base portion at an angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the base portion.   3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein a base portion of the seal member is fixed to a side surface on an outer peripheral side of the ridge, and the seal portion extends outward from a distal end side of the ridge. body.   3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein a base portion of the seal member is fixed to an outer peripheral side surface of the groove, and the seal portion extends inward from an opening side of the groove.   The housing according to claim 3, wherein a distance from a tip portion of the seal member to an inner side surface of the protrusion is larger than a width of the opening of the groove.   The housing according to claim 4, wherein a width from a front end portion of the seal member to an inner side surface of the groove is smaller than a width of the protrusion.

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