JP5501582B2 - Mounting unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mounting unit such as a controller or a cartridge that can be mounted to a connector provided in an electronic device such as a portable game machine through a slot.

  In general, a portable game machine is provided with a connector on which a cartridge in which a game program is recorded and a mounting unit such as a controller that enables an input operation different from buttons provided on the game machine can be mounted. An insertion port is provided in the side surface portion of the portable game machine, and the mounting unit can be connected to the connector by inserting the mounting unit into the insertion port.

  Some connectors provided in portable game machines are provided in consideration of compatibility with mounting units (cartridges, controllers) used in other game machines. For example, when an improvement is made to a portable game machine and a new portable game machine is developed, the cartridge or controller used in the previous portable game machine is replaced with the new portable game machine. So that the same shape of the insertion port and connector are provided. Thereby, the cartridge and controller provided for the old portable game machine can be utilized also in a new portable game machine without wasting it.

Patent Document 1 describes a cartridge for an information recording medium whose shape changes. In the cartridge of Patent Document 1, a first plate member and a second plate member sandwiched between a disk-shaped information storage medium and disposed substantially parallel to the medium surface, and a first member that surrounds the periphery of the disk-shaped information recording medium, and A connecting member for connecting the second member, and the interval between the first member and the second member is changed.
JP 2007-213667 A

  Usually, the mounting unit is formed in a size that looks best and is easy to operate when mounted on a portable game machine. For example, in the case of a cartridge, it is configured to be sized to be connected to a connector in the housing at a position where the entire cartridge is inserted from the insertion slot, so that the cartridge does not protrude from the game machine housing and looks good.

  However, when the portable game machine is improved as described above, the size of the entire case may be reduced, and the depth from the insertion port to the connector inside the case may be shortened. In this case, when the mounting unit for the old portable game machine is mounted on the new portable game machine, the size of the entire mounting unit is configured to match the size of the old portable game machine. The entire unit cannot be stored, and a part protrudes outside the housing. Also, in the case of the controller, the entire insertion portion to be inserted into the insertion slot is not accommodated, and there is a risk that the knob provided on the controller and the game machine main body are separated from each other and the operability is impaired.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to attach it so that it looks good and can be easily operated for any of a plurality of game machines having different depths from the insertion port to the connector. An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting unit that can do this.

The present invention is a mounting unit that is mounted to a connector provided in an electronic device through an insertion port, and is within a certain range with respect to the first housing and the first housing that is inserted into the insertion port. A second housing that is detachably mounted; a locking means that locks the second housing inserted into the first housing; and the first housing. An operation member operable by a player outside the housing of the electronic device when the second housing is inserted into the first housing, and the housing surface of the first housing and the A range in which the second housing is inserted with respect to the first housing can be adjusted so that the housing surface of the electronic apparatus is in close contact with the housing surface .

According to the present invention, the mounting unit is configured by the first housing and the second housing, and by providing the locking means for fixing the position so that the second housing can be inserted into and removed from the first housing , It becomes possible to attach to any of a plurality of game machines having different depths from the insertion port to the connector provided in the game machine so as to be attractive and easy to operate.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a game machine 10 and a mounting unit (controller 12) that can be mounted on the game machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The game machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting an upper housing 20 and a lower housing 21 by a hinge mechanism. A first display 23 is stored in the upper housing 20, and a second display 24 is stored in the lower housing 21. Further, the upper housing 20 is formed with a sound release hole for releasing sound from the speaker to the outside.

  The lower housing 21 is provided with a button 25 including an A button, a B button, an X button, a Y button, and a cross button 26 as input devices. In addition, a power switch, a start switch, a select switch, and the like are provided. Further, the game machine 10 is equipped with a touch panel on the screen of the second display 24 as a further input device.

  Further, the lower housing 21 is provided with an insertion port 27 for housing the mounting unit on the front side surface. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the controller 12 is shown as a mounting unit. The insertion slot 27 can be mounted not only with the controller 12 but also with a cartridge recording a game program or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the controller 12 shown in FIG. 2A is a plan view of the controller 12, and FIGS. 2B and 2C are side views of the controller 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the controller 12 includes a main body 30 (first housing) and a mounting portion 32 (second housing). A control knob 33 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 30. The control knob 33 is operated by the player and is attached so as to be rotatable. The controller 12 is provided with a function of outputting an operation control signal corresponding to the amount of rotation with respect to the control knob 33 to the game machine 10.

  The mounting portion 32 is a portion that is inserted into the insertion port 27 of the game machine 10. The attachment portion 32 is attached to the main body portion 30 so as to be insertable / removable within a certain range. That is, in the controller 12, the length from the end of the main body 30 to the tip of the mounting portion 32 is variable in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of the controller 12 shown in FIG. 3A is a side sectional view, and FIG. 3B is a plan sectional view (a state in which the mounting portion 32 is extended).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the mounting portion 32 is inserted into the main body portion 30 in a state where it can be inserted and removed. The main body 30 stores a mechanism that is driven by an operation of a control knob 33 provided on the upper portion of the housing, and the mounting portion 32 is provided below the main body 30 where the mechanism is stored. Inserted into the designated space.

The mounting portion 32 stores a first substrate 42, and the main body portion 30 stores a second substrate 44. The first substrate 42 and the second substrate 44 are connected by a flexible cable 46. Has been. The first substrate 42 is fixed to the mounting portion 32 by, for example, screwing, and moves as the mounting portion 32 is inserted into and removed from the main body portion 30. The second substrate 44 is disposed so as to be displaced in the vertical direction from the first substrate 42.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 3A, the second substrate 44 is disposed below the first substrate 42. Accordingly, the first substrate 42 and the second substrate 44 overlap each other as the mounting portion 32 is inserted into the main body portion 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, a terminal 47 is provided at the tip of the first substrate 42. The terminal 47 is electrically connected to a connector provided inside the casing of the game machine 10 (in the back of the insertion hole 27) when the mounting portion 32 is inserted into the insertion hole 27 of the game machine 10.

  Further, the controller 12 is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the mounting portion 32 inserted with respect to the main body portion 30 to fix the position. 3B includes a positioning structure 48 (48a, 48b) provided in the mounting portion 32 and an engaging member 49 (49a, 49b) provided in the main body portion 30. .

  Positioning structures 48a and 48b are respectively provided on both side portions of the mounting portion 32 toward the outside. In the positioning structures 48a and 48b, a plurality of engaging portions are formed along the insertion direction of the mounting portion 32. Engagement members 49a and 49b are provided on both side surfaces of the main body 30 inward. The engaging members 49a and 49b fix the position of the mounting portion 32 by engaging with any of the engaging portions formed in the positioning structures 48a and 48b.

  Since the positioning structure 48 and the engaging member 49 are engaged so as to be disengaged by a predetermined weight or more, the engaging portion of the positioning structure 48 that engages the engaging member 49 is changed. The length of the mounting portion 32 can be adjusted. Accordingly, the length from the main body 30 to the tip of the mounting portion 32 can be arbitrarily adjusted according to the length from the insertion port 27 of the game machine 10 to which the controller 12 is mounted to the connector.

  FIG. 3C is a view showing a state in which the length of the mounting portion 32 protruding from the main body portion 30 is shortened by housing the mounting portion 32 in the main body portion 30 than in the state of FIG. is there. As shown in FIG. 3C, the positions of the engaging portions of the positioning structures 48a and 48b with which the engaging members 49a and 49b are engaged are changed.

  3B and 3C, the mounting portion 32 can be positioned in multiple stages according to the positions of the plurality of engaging portions provided in the positioning structure 48. A locking mechanism that allows the mounting portion 32 to be positioned only at a position according to the game machine 10 in which the controller 12 is used may be provided. For example, when used in two types of game machines 10 having different lengths from the insertion opening 27 to the connector, the mounting portion 32 is positioned at two locations according to each game machine 10 (engaged with the positioning structure 48). The member 49 may be locked).

  Moreover, although the locking mechanism is comprised by the positioning structure 48 and the engaging member 49, the locking mechanism of another shape may be provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the engagement member 49 is engaged with any one of the plurality of engagement portions provided in the positioning structure 48, thereby enabling a plurality of stages of positioning. It is also possible to provide a locking mechanism that can continuously adjust the position where the mounting portion 32 is inserted.

4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a state in which the controller 12 is mounted on the game machine 10.
FIG. 4A shows a state in which the controller 12 is attached to the game machine 10 having a long length from the insertion slot 27 to the connector. In this case, the mounting portion 32 is extracted from the main body portion 30 and adjusted to the length from the insertion port 27 to the connector for positioning. Then, the game machine housing 10a and the main body 30 can be brought into close contact (or close proximity) by mounting from the insertion port 27 with the length of the mounting portion 32 adjusted .

FIG. 4B shows a state in which the controller 12 is mounted on the game machine 10 in which the length from the insertion slot 27 to the connector is shorter than that shown in FIG. In this case, the mounting portion 32 is inserted into the main body portion 30 and is positioned by adjusting the length from the insertion port 27 to the connector. Then, by mounting from the insertion port 27 with the length of the mounting portion 32 adjusted , the game machine housing 10b and the main body 30 are brought into close contact (or close proximity) as in the case of FIG. It can be made into the state made into.

  As described above, the controller 12 in the present embodiment is configured such that the mounting portion 32 can be inserted into and removed from the main body portion 30 within a certain range, and the position of the mounting portion 32 can be fixed by the locking mechanism. Therefore, even if the length from the insertion port 27 provided in the game machine 10 to the connector provided in the housing is different as shown in FIGS. The length of the part 32 can be adjusted and attached. Therefore, since the main body 30 of the controller 12 can be brought into close contact (or close proximity) with the casing of the game machine 10, it is possible to make it look good and be easy to operate.

Next, an example in which the mounting unit is the cartridge 50 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the cartridge 50. 5A is a plan view of the controller 12, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are side views of the controller 12.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the cartridge 50 includes a first housing 51 and a second housing 52. The entire cartridge 50 is inserted into the insertion port 27 of the game machine 10 from the second housing 52 side. Similar to the controller 12, the second housing 52 is attached to the first housing 51 so that it can be inserted and removed within a certain range. In other words, the entire length of the cartridge 50 is variable in the direction of insertion into the insertion slot 27 by adjusting the length of the second casing 52 protruding from the first casing 51.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the cartridge 50 shown in FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second housing 52 is extended, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second housing 52 is contracted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, for example, two sheets of the first substrate 54 and the second substrate 55 are accommodated in the housing of the cartridge 50, and the first substrate 54 and the second substrate 55 are connected by the flexible cable 56. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, a terminal 57 is provided at the tip of the first substrate 54. The terminal 57 is electrically connected to a connector provided inside the casing of the game machine 10 (in the back of the insertion slot 27) when the second casing 52 is inserted into the insertion slot 27 of the game machine 10. .

  Further, the cartridge 50 is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the second casing 52 inserted into the first casing 51 and fixing the position. 6A includes a positioning structure 58 (58a, 58b) provided in the second housing 52 and an engaging member 59 (59a, 59b) provided in the first housing 51. It is configured.

  Positioning structures 58a and 58b are respectively provided on both side portions of the second housing 52 toward the outside. In the positioning structures 58 a and 58 b, a plurality of engaging portions are formed along the insertion direction of the second housing 52. Engaging members 59a and 59b are provided on both side surfaces of the first casing 51 inward. The engaging members 59a and 59b fix the position of the second housing 52 by engaging with any of the engaging portions formed in the positioning structures 58a and 58b.

  Since the positioning structure 58 and the engaging member 59 are engaged so as to be disengaged by a predetermined weight or more, the engaging portion of the positioning structure 58 that engages the engaging member 59 is changed. The length of the second housing 52 can be adjusted. Therefore, the cartridge 50 including the first casing 51 and the second casing 52 is inserted in the insertion slot 27 in the entire insertion slot 27 according to the length from the insertion slot 27 of the game machine 10 to which the cartridge 50 is mounted to the connector. The length can be adjusted arbitrarily.

  6B shows the length of the second housing 52 protruding from the first housing 51 by housing the second housing 52 in the first housing 51 than in the state of FIG. 6A. It is a figure which shows the state which shortened. As shown in FIG. 6B, the positions of the engaging portions of the positioning structures 58a and 58b with which the engaging members 59a and 59b are engaged are changed.

  6A and 6B, the second housing 52 can be positioned in multiple stages according to the positions of the plurality of engaging portions provided in the positioning structure 58. However, a locking mechanism that allows the second housing 52 to be positioned only at a position that matches the game machine 10 in which the cartridge 50 is used may be provided. For example, when used in two types of game machines 10 having different lengths from the insertion opening 27 to the connector, the second housing 52 is positioned at two locations according to each game machine 10 (on the positioning structure 58). The engaging member 59 may be locked).

  Moreover, although the locking mechanism is comprised by the positioning structure 58 and the engaging member 59, the locking mechanism of another shape may be provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the engagement member 59 is engaged with any of the plurality of engagement portions provided in the positioning structure 58 to enable the positioning in a plurality of stages. It is also possible to provide a locking mechanism that can continuously adjust the position where the second housing 52 is inserted with respect to 51.

  7 and 8 are views showing the positional relationship between the first substrate 54 and the second substrate 55 accommodated in the housing of the cartridge 50. FIG. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view seen from the insertion direction of the insertion port 27 of the cartridge 50. FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view seen from the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first housing 54 is accommodated in the second housing 52, the second substrate 55 is accommodated in the first housing 51, and the first substrate 54 is accommodated. And the second substrate 55 are connected by a flexible cable 56. The first substrate 54 is fixed with respect to the second casing 52, and moves in accordance with the insertion / extraction of the second casing 52 with respect to the first casing 51. The second substrate 55 is disposed so as to be shifted in the vertical direction from the first substrate 54. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second substrate 55 is disposed below the first substrate 54. Therefore, as the second housing 52 is inserted into the first housing 51, the first substrate 54 and the second substrate 55 (a part thereof) overlap each other as shown in FIG. 8B. It has become.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views for explaining a state where the cartridge 50 is mounted on the game machine 10.
FIG. 9A shows a state where the cartridge 50 is mounted on the game machine 10 having a long length from the insertion slot 27 to the connector. In this case, the second housing 52 is extracted from the first housing 51, and is positioned by adjusting the length from the insertion port 27 to the connector. Then, by mounting the second housing 52 from the insertion port 27 in a state where the length of the second casing 52 is taken, almost the entire cartridge 50 can be inserted from the insertion port 27.

  FIG. 9B shows a state where the cartridge 50 is mounted on the game machine 10 in which the length from the insertion slot 27 to the connector is shorter than that shown in FIG. 9A. In this case, the second housing 52 is inserted into the first housing 51, and is positioned by adjusting the length from the insertion port 27 to the connector. Then, by mounting the second housing 52 from the insertion port 27 in a state where the length of the second casing 52 is taken, almost the entire cartridge 50 can be inserted from the insertion port 27 as in the case of FIG. it can.

  In this manner, in the cartridge 50 according to the present embodiment, the second housing 52 can be inserted into and removed from the first housing 51 within a certain range, and the position of the second housing 52 can be fixed by the locking mechanism. 9A and 9B, even if the length from the insertion port 27 provided in the game machine 10 to the connector provided in the housing is different as shown in FIGS. In any case, the length of the second casing 52 can be adjusted and mounted. Therefore, regardless of the game machine 10, almost the entire cartridge 50 can be always housed in the case of the game machine 10, so that the appearance is good and the cartridge 50 is not protruded from the case. It becomes possible to avoid obstructing.

  Note that the controller 12 and the cartridge 50 described above have a configuration in which two substrates are housed in the housing, but may have a configuration in which three or more substrates are housed. Further, even when the number of stored substrates is one, the second casing (the mounting portion 32 and the second casing 52) can be inserted into and removed from the first casing in the first casing. If the space in the range is secured, the size can be reduced by storing the second housing in the first housing using the space.

  Further, in the above description, the case where the controller 12 and the cartridge 50 are mounted on the game machine 10 has been described. However, even when the controller 12 and the cartridge 50 are stored in a dedicated case or the like, they can be stored in a reduced size state. Therefore, it is possible not to take the storage space of the mounting unit.

  In the above description, the mounting portion 32 (second housing) with respect to the main body portion 30 (first housing) is simply engaged with the positioning structure 48 (48a, 48b) and the engaging member 49 (49a, 49b). However, a fixing mechanism for fixing the engaged state between the positioning structure 48 and the engaging member 49 may be further provided. For example, a button for pressing the engaging members 49a and 49b against the positioning structures 48a and 48b is provided on the side surface of the main body 30. By pressing this button from both side surfaces of the main body 30, the engaging member 49 can be fixed so as not to move in a state where the engaging member 49 is engaged with the engaging portion of the positioning structure 48.

  Thereby, even when the connection state between the terminal 47 and the connector provided in the game machine 10 is firm, the engagement state between the positioning structure 48 and the engagement member 49 is released when the controller 12 is detached. It can be avoided.

  In the above description, the controller 12 and the cartridge 50 used by being mounted on the portable game machine 10 are described. However, the present invention is applicable to other electronic devices other than the game machine 10. Similarly to the game machine 10, the present invention can be applied to various mounting units that are mounted on the connector through an insertion slot (slot).

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the game machine 10 and a mounting unit (controller 12) that can be mounted on the game machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the controller 12 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a controller 12 shown in FIG. 2. The figure for demonstrating the state which attached the controller 12 to the game machine 10. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a cartridge 50. The figure which shows the internal structure of the cartridge 50 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the cartridge 50 as viewed from the insertion direction of the insertion port 27. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view seen from a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the insertion port 27 of the cartridge 50. The figure for demonstrating the state which mounted | wore the game machine 10 with the cartridge 50. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game machine, 12 ... Controller, 20 ... Upper housing, 21 ... Lower housing, 23, 24 ... Display, 25 ... Button, 26 ... Cross button, 27 ... Insert, 30 ... Main part, 32 ... Mounting part, 33 ... Control knob, 40 ... Shaft, 42, 54 ... First substrate, 44, 55 ... Second substrate, 46, 56 ... Flexible cable, 47, 57 ... Terminal, 48 (48a, 48b) ... Positioning structure, 49 ( 49a, 49b) ... engaging member, 50 ... cartridge, 51 ... first casing, 52 ... second casing.

Claims (4)

A mounting unit that is mounted through a slot into a connector provided in an electronic device,
A first housing;
A second housing that is inserted into the insertion port and is detachably mounted within a certain range with respect to the first housing;
Locking means for locking the second housing inserted into the first housing;
An operation member that is provided in the first housing and is operable by a player outside the housing of the electronic device when the second housing is inserted into the first housing; Equipped,
The range in which the second housing is inserted into the first housing can be adjusted so that the housing surface of the first housing and the housing surface of the electronic device are in close contact with each other. Mounting unit.   A first substrate and a second substrate are disposed in the first and second housings so as to be shifted in the vertical direction, and the second housing is inserted into the first housing. The mounting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate overlap each other. The locking means is
A positioning structure formed with a plurality of engaging portions provided in the second housing, and an engaging member that engages with any of the engaging portions of the positioning structure provided in the first housing. The mounting unit according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit is configured. The operation member is a knob provided on an upper portion of the first housing,
A mechanism unit that is driven by the operation of the knob is housed in the first housing.
The mounting unit according to claim 1, wherein the second housing is inserted below a position where the mechanism unit is stored with respect to the first housing.

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