JP3114657U - Network equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network device capable of easily confirming names of devices connected to each port and having a clean appearance.
A transparent panel is installed on the upper surface of a switching hub. One end of the transparent panel 14 is engaged with the switching hub 1 so as to be rotatable. The transparent panel 14 can be detached from the switching hub 1 by being pulled in the upper surface direction by the user. A name plate is sandwiched between the transparent panel 14 and the plate base 15. The name plate can describe the name of the connection destination device or the like at a location corresponding to each port 11, whereby the user can easily confirm the name of the device or the like connected to each port.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a network device to which many cables are connected.

In general, a network device (for example, a switching hub) includes a plurality of connection ports, and an information processing apparatus or the like is connected to each port via a cable. Each port is provided with an LED or the like for communication status confirmation. When a cable is connected to each port, the LED is lit, and the user can confirm that an information processing apparatus or the like is connected to the port. Also, a switching hub has been proposed that, when communicating via this port, changes the lighting mode of the LED according to the communication state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-191785

  However, the switching hub as described above has the following problems.

  In a switching hub having a large number of ports, when a large number of cables are connected, it is difficult to determine which information processing apparatus is connected to each port. In such a state, for example, when one of the connected information processing devices has a problem and the device is disconnected from the network, the user cannot easily determine from which port the cable should be removed. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time and effort for the work. If a cable of a port different from the port to which the information processing apparatus is connected is mistakenly removed, there is a problem in that the apparatus to which the removed cable is connected is hindered.

  To deal with this problem, it is common to wrap a tape with the name of the connection device on each cable. However, it takes time to wrap the tape, and the tape wrapped around the cable is not visible. However, the appearance was unsightly.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a network device in which names of devices and the like connected to each port can be easily confirmed and the appearance is neat.

  The invention according to claim 1 is formed by connecting a plurality of network communication ports arranged in front of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing along the front side of the upper surface of the casing, and connecting the plurality of network communication ports. A plate base that holds a name plate for displaying the tip, and a transparent cover that covers the plate base and that can be opened and closed with the end on the front side or the end on the opposite side as a fulcrum with respect to the housing Or a translucent panel.

  In this device, a plurality of network communication ports are provided on the front side of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped network device. On the side where the network communication port is installed, a transparent (or translucent) panel is installed on the upper surface. One end of the transparent panel is slidably engaged with the network device, and a name plate is sandwiched between the network device and the transparent panel. For example, the name of a device connected to each port is written on this name plate. Thereby, the names of devices and the like connected to each port can be easily confirmed.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the above-mentioned invention, wherein the panel has a projecting portion projecting toward the housing at a fulcrum of the front-side end or the opposite end. The projecting portion has a hole portion that slidably engages, and the projecting portion has a hook-shaped portion further projecting in the outer direction of the panel perpendicular to the projecting direction at the tip portion, and the hole portion. Has a hook portion engaged with the hook-like portion.

  In this device, at one end portion of the transparent panel, there is a protruding portion that protrudes in the network device internal direction, and a tip-shaped portion that protrudes further in a direction orthogonal to the tip end. A hook portion that engages with the hook-like portion is installed inside the network device, whereby the transparent panel is slidably engaged with the network device. Accordingly, when the panel is rotated by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) or more, the panel is detached from the housing, and there is no possibility of being broken even if the user accidentally rotates the panel too much.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the above device, the plate base is formed below the upper surface of the housing by a thickness of the panel, and the upper surface of the panel is flush with the upper surface of the housing. The plate base and the casing so as to be, and has a small convex portion on the abutting surface of the casing on the opposite end to the end serving as the fulcrum, It has a recessed part or a hole part which engages with the said small convex part in the abutting surface with a housing | casing panel, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In this device, a small convex portion is provided on the side surface of the end portion opposite to the end portion having the protruding portion of the transparent panel. The housing of the network device is provided with a recess (or hole) in which the small protrusion is engaged. As a result, the transparent panel does not easily open regardless of the orientation of the network device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, names of devices and the like connected to each port can be easily confirmed, and the appearance is neat.

  Hereinafter, a switching hub which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switching hub. 2 is a front view of the switching hub, and FIG. 3 is a top view of the switching hub.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the switching hub 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 10 made of a material such as resin, and a plurality of (in the figure, eight) ports 11 for connecting LAN cables and a power cable. A power connector 12 to be connected is provided. FIG. 1A is a perspective view from the front right side of the switching hub 1, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view from the back left side of the switching hub 1. The port 11 and the power connector 12 are installed in front of the switching hub 1 as shown in the front view of FIG. In FIG. 2, the lower side perpendicular to the paper surface is the rear surface of the switching hub 1, and the upper side perpendicular to the paper surface is the front surface. A LAN cable is connected to the plurality of ports 11, and a plurality of information processing apparatuses and the like are connected via the LAN cable.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the switching hub 1 includes a plurality of LEDs 13 and a transparent panel 14 on the upper surface. Several LED13 is installed in the back direction among the upper surfaces of the switching hub 1, and the transparent panel 14 is installed in the front direction among the upper surfaces of the switching hub 1. FIG. The transparent panel 14 is not limited to being completely transparent, but includes a case where it is translucent. The plurality of LEDs 13 are respectively installed corresponding to the ports 11 and display the connection state and communication state of the ports. For example, if a LAN cable is connected to the port and connected to an information processing apparatus or the like, the LED 13 is always lit. When data is transmitted / received to / from a connected information processing apparatus or the like, the LED 13 is blinked. This display mode is controlled by a control unit (not shown) built in the switching hub 1. In this switching hub 1, an example in which the LED 13 is installed on the rear surface of the switching hub 1, that is, in the direction opposite to the port 11 has been described. It may be installed.

  The transparent panel 14 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic and is a thin plate-like panel that covers the housing 10 from the front side to the center of the upper surface of the switching hub 1 as shown in FIG. Of the transparent panel 14, the front end is locked to the switching hub 1 so as to be rotatable about the end.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the switching hub 1 in a state where the transparent panel 14 is opened. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the rear left side of the switching hub 1. In a state where the transparent panel 14 is opened, a half of the upper surface of the switching hub 1 in the front direction, that is, a portion covered when the transparent panel 14 is closed is referred to as a plate base 15. In the present embodiment, a name plate for displaying the connection destination of the port 11 is placed on the plate base 15.

  The transparent panel 14 has a protruding portion 14A on the left and right side surfaces of the end portion of the upper surface of the switching hub 1 so that the user can easily grasp it with a finger or the like. The transparent panel 14 can be opened by the user pulling the protruding portion toward the top surface of the switching hub 1.

  The plate base 15 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, and has a cutout portion 15 </ b> A at a part of the right end portion and the left end portion in the front direction of the switching hub 1. The cutout portion 15A is a portion where the above-described transparent panel 14 is locked. This locking portion will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a locking portion of the transparent panel. In the drawing, the right side of the drawing is the front surface of the switching hub 1, and the upper side of the drawing is the upper surface of the switching hub 1.

  The plate base 15 is positioned lower than the upper surface of the housing 10 by the thickness of the transparent panel 14. When the transparent panel 14 contacts the plate base 15, the upper surface of the housing 10 and the upper surface of the transparent panel 14 are flush with each other. . The central portion of the upper surface of the switching hub 1 where the transparent panel 14 and the housing 10 are in contact is recessed in a cylindrical shape on the inner side. This is because the upper surface of the housing 10 and the upper surface of the transparent panel 14 are formed exactly flush with each other. Even if it is not, it is made to look the same as the upper surface of the appearance by denting the central portion, and is not limited to this shape. Similarly, the upper surface and the lower surface in the back direction are also recessed inwardly, but are not limited to this shape.

  The transparent panel 14 has an end in the front direction and an end in the back direction (end near the center of the upper surface of the switching hub 1) curved along the shape of the plate base 15 in the lower surface direction. The transparent panel 14 has a protruding portion 14B that protrudes toward the plate base 15 at an end in the front direction. Furthermore, it has the hook-shaped part 14C which protrudes in the outer direction (front direction in the state which contacted the switching hub 1) of the panel at the front-end | tip of the protrusion part 14B at right angles to a protrusion direction. Moreover, it has overhang | projection part 14D projected in the side surface direction (front direction of the switching hub 1 in the state which contacted the plate stand 15) in the corner | angular part of the edge part of the front direction, and this overhang | projection part 14D contacts the upper surface of the end of the switching hub 1.

  The plate base 15 has a cutout portion 15A, and the protruding portion 14B is inserted into the cutout portion 15A. Further, the plate base 15 has a front end of the switching hub 1 bent in an L-shape downward, and a tip thereof is connected to the housing 10. The plate base 15 has a hook portion 15B that engages with the hook-shaped portion 14C on the inner surface of the front side of the switching hub 1. The transparent panel 14 can be fixed to the upper surface of the plate base 15 by engaging the hook-shaped part 14C with the hooking part 15B.

  Further, the transparent panel 14 has an end in the back direction curved along the shape of the upper surface of the switching hub 1 (plate base 15), and has a convex portion 14E at the tip thereof. The housing 10 has a recess (or hole) 10A with which the protrusion 14E engages. Since the concave portion 10A is engaged with the convex portion 14E of the transparent panel 14, and the end portion in the front direction of the transparent panel 14 is engaged with the hook-shaped portion 14C and the hook portion 15B as described above, switching is performed. The transparent panel 14 is not easily detached from the hub 1 in any direction. Here, since the convex portion 14D and the concave portion 10A are slidably engaged, the transparent panel 14 can be opened from the plate base 15 when the user lifts the transparent panel 14 in the upper surface direction.

  Since the transparent panel 14 has the shape as described above, when the rear end is lifted in the upper direction, the transparent panel 14 can be rotated by opening the front end of the switching hub 1 as a fulcrum. it can. Here, when the user rotates the transparent panel 14 by a predetermined angle or more (for example, 90 degrees or more), the hook-like portion 14C of the transparent panel 14 comes off from the hooking portion 15B, and the protruding portion 14B of the transparent panel 14 is notched. The transparent panel 14 can be removed from the switching hub 1 by being pulled out from 15A. The user can remove the transparent panel 14 and replace the name plate placed on the plate base 15.

  In addition, although the transparent panel 14 and the switching hub 1 are described so as to be combined at the left and right ends, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be combined in the vicinity of the center in the front direction.

  As described above, the transparent panel 14 does not easily come off when the switching hub 1 is directed in any direction, and when the user pulls the switching hub 1 in the upper surface direction, the transparent panel 14 rotates around one end as a fulcrum. And since it remove | deviates from the switching hub 1 more than a predetermined angle, even if a user accidentally rotates a panel too much, there is no possibility of breaking.

  In the switching hub 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the following name plate is placed on the plate base 15 and the transparent panel 14 is closed and sandwiched. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a name plate. In FIG. 6, the vertical direction of the paper is vertical and the horizontal direction is horizontal. FIG. 6A shows a white plain nameplate. The name plate 16A has a width that is substantially the same as the horizontal width of the switching hub 1, and is approximately half the vertical width of the switching hub 1 (the length from the front to the back in the top view of FIG. 3). Has a vertical width. Moreover, the upper direction of the paper surface of the left and right end portions of the name plate 16A has a cutout shape. That is, the name plate 6 </ b> A has a shape along the top surface shape of the plate base 15.

  FIG. 5B shows a name plate on which a number corresponding to each port is printed. The name plate 16B has the same shape as the name plate 16A, but is printed with numbers corresponding to the respective ports 11 installed on the front surface of the switching hub 1 shown in FIG. Each number is printed at equal intervals so as to correspond to the installation position of the port 11. A separator line is printed between the numbers. Note that the right end of the name plate does not have a corresponding port (a position corresponding to the power connector 12). For example, as in the name plate 16B shown in FIG. Or a plain empty space.

  The user gives names (names of users of connection destination devices) of devices connected to each port 11 via a LAN cable to a plain white name plate 16A or a name plate 16B on which a number is printed. By describing, it is possible to easily determine which information processing device is connected to each port. The name plate printing example is not limited to the above. For example, it may be printed upside down like a name plate 16C shown in FIG. By placing the name plate 16C on the plate base 15 and sandwiching it between the transparent panels 14, the visibility of the user is improved when the switching hub 1 is faced vertically downward (surface on which the port 11 is installed). .

  The name plate can be applied as follows. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an application example of the name plate. As shown in the figure, the name plate 17 has a larger width than the name plate 16A and the name plate 16B. The width of the space for printing each number is the same as that of the name plate 16B. As shown in the figure, the name plate 17 prints numbers 1 to 5 in order from the left, then prints numbers 4 to 6 on the right side, and numbers 5 to 7 and 6 to 8 on the right side. And print. Further, numbers 7 and 8 are printed on the right side. The right end is an empty space or the like as in the name plate 16B.

  After performing such printing, the nameplate 17 is valley-folded at a dividing line in which the number increases toward the right side (for example, a dividing line between numbers 4 → 5), and the number decreases toward the right side. When folded in a line (for example, a dividing line between numbers 5 and 4), a bellows-like name plate is obtained. Here, since the dividing line whose number increases toward the right side has two portions showing the same number, if one portion is valley-folded and the other portion is flattened without valley-folding, this line The name plate 17 has the same shape as that of the name plate 16B, and the numbers 1 to 8 are displayed in order from the left. The user writes the name of the device or the like connected to each port 11 via a LAN cable in the space where each number is printed.

  When the name plate 17 changes the above-described valley fold location, the location exposed on the surface is changed, and a different location printed with the same number is displayed. Therefore, when a user wants to change the name of a device or the like described in each number, the name is displayed by writing a new name in a different place where the same number is printed without erasing the description. Can be changed.

  As described above, the switching hub of the present embodiment describes the name of the device connected to each port 11 on the name plate, and is connected to each port by being sandwiched between the plate base 15 and the transparent panel 14. It is possible to easily confirm the names of the devices that are used.

  Moreover, the switching hub of this embodiment has the following characteristics. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the switching hub. As shown in the figure, a plurality (two in the figure) of magnets 18 are installed on the lower surface of the switching hub 1. The magnet 18 has a substantially circular shape, and has a screw hole for fixing to the lower surface of the switching hub 1 at the center. The magnet 18 may be fixed with a screw from the lower surface side of the switching hub 1 or may be fixed with a screw from the inner surface side of the switching hub 1. Moreover, it is not restricted to the example fixed with a screw. For example, in FIG. 8, one magnet 18-1 is fixed by being sandwiched between a plurality of engaging portions 19 provided on the inner surface (housing inner surface) of the switching hub 1 and the lower surface of the switching hub 1. .

  The magnet 18 has an S pole on one side and an N pole on the other side. Here, in FIG. 8, one magnet 18-1 has the S pole surface facing the lower surface of the switching hub 1, and the magnet 18-2 has the N pole surface facing the lower surface of the switching hub 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower surfaces of the two switching hubs 1 can be adsorbed, and the two units can be installed together. In addition, the lower surfaces of the two switching hubs are hidden, and the appearance looks smart. Further, since the width of the side surface of the switching hub is increased, as shown in FIG. 9, the stability is increased when the switch is placed vertically (either one of the left and right side faces downward). Of course, even with a single switching hub, the magnet 18 can be used to attach the lower surface to a steel desk or the like. In addition, as long as the said magnet 18-1 and the magnet 18-2 have the mutually opposite pole exposed to the lower surface of the switching hub 1, any of N pole and S pole may face the lower surface.

  Next, another example of the transparent panel will be described. In the present invention, the transparent panel may be configured as follows. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of another switching hub. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the switching hub as viewed from the front right side, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the switching hub as viewed from the back left side. FIG. 11 is a front view. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the switching hub 2 includes five ports 11 and a power connector 12 similar to the switching hub 1. Further, a transparent panel 24 is provided instead of the transparent panel 14. The switching hub 2 has the same function as the switching hub 1 as a network device, and is different only in the number of ports.

  The transparent panel 24 has the same structure as that of the transparent panel 14, but has a protrusion that is inserted into the inner surface of the housing in the center of the upper surface (back direction) instead of the front direction of the switching hub 1. The other end of the transparent panel 24 is curved so as to follow the shape of the front end of the switching hub 1. In this transparent panel 24 as well, the further tip of the projecting portion has a hook-like portion that further protrudes in the orthogonal direction, and is hooked on the hook portion on the inner surface of the switching hub 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, the switching hub 2 has a structure in which the transparent panel opens in the opposite direction with respect to the switching hub 1 (the front direction opens). Of course, the structure of the transparent panel 24 may be applied to the 8-port switching hub 1. Since the transparent panel opens from the front direction of the switching hub and the rear direction is combined, even if the front direction of the switching hub is installed vertically downward, the transparent panel does not open by gravity.

  As described above, the switching hub according to the present embodiment has a transparent panel on the upper surface, and one end of the transparent panel is pivotably engaged so that the name is defined between the transparent panel and the upper surface of the switching hub. It has a structure that can sandwich the plate. By describing the connection destination device name of each port on the name plate, the connection destination device name can be easily confirmed. Further, since the transparent panel has a structure that can be removed when the user pulls it in the upper surface direction, the name plate can be replaced by a simple operation, and there is no possibility that the transparent panel will be broken even if the user rotates it too much.

  Although the switching hub has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be a router or the like, for example.

Perspective view of switching hub Front view of switching hub Top view of switching hub The perspective view of the switching hub 1 in the state which opened the transparent panel 14 The figure explaining the joint part of a transparent panel Figure showing an example of a nameplate Figure showing an example of nameplate application Bottom view of switching hub Diagram with switching hub adsorbed Perspective view of another switching hub Front view of another switching hub

Explanation of symbols

1-switching hub 11-port 12-power connector 13-LED according to the present invention
14-transparent panel 15-plate base 16-name plate 18-magnet

Claims (3)

A plurality of network communication ports arranged in front of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing;
A plate base that is formed along the front side of the upper surface of the housing and holds a name plate that displays connection destinations of the plurality of network communication ports;
A transparent or translucent panel that covers the plate base and is locked so as to be openable and closable with an end on the front side or an end on the opposite side to the housing;
A network device characterized by comprising: The panel has a projecting portion projecting toward the housing at a fulcrum of the front end or the opposite end, and the housing has a hole in which the projecting portion is slidably engaged. Part
The protruding portion has a hook-like portion further protruding in the outer direction of the panel perpendicular to the protruding direction at the tip portion, and the hole portion has a hooking portion that engages with the hook-like portion. The network device according to claim 1. The plate base is formed below the upper surface of the housing by the thickness of the panel,
The panel is in contact with the plate base and the housing so that the upper surface is flush with the upper surface of the housing,
Having a small convex part on the abutting surface with the case at the end opposite to the end serving as the fulcrum;
The network device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a concave portion or a hole portion that engages with the small convex portion on a face to be abutted with the housing panel.

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