JP7148789B2 - Wireless LAN adapter - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to wireless LAN adapters. More particularly, it relates to a wireless LAN adapter provided in a refrigerator such as an air conditioner.

A monitoring system using a wireless LAN device instead of a wired LAN device is known in order to centrally monitor a plurality of distributed refrigeration units by a central server (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . A wireless LAN adapter that constitutes such a wireless LAN device usually has electronic components housed in a box-shaped casing made of synthetic resin. Further, one surface of the casing is provided with operation buttons and a display section for displaying the operating state of the wireless LAN adapter.

JP 2004-297461 A

Electronic parts are vulnerable to water such as condensed water, and such water enters the casing through the gap between the operation button and the edge of the opening for the operation button formed on the one surface of the casing. often intrusive. If the intruded water comes in contact with electronic components, the functions of the wireless LAN adapter may be impaired.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless LAN adapter capable of suppressing entry of foreign matter such as water into the casing.

A wireless LAN adapter (hereinafter also simply referred to as "adapter") according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes:
(1) A wireless LAN adapter in which electronic components are accommodated in a casing,
one face of the casing has accessible operation buttons or a display,
Foreign matter intrusion suppression for suppressing foreign matter from entering the casing through a clearance between the operation button and an edge of the opening for the operation button formed on the one surface or from the display unit. has a department.

Since the adapter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes the foreign object entry suppression portion, the gap between the operation button and the edge of the opening for the operation button formed on one surface of the casing is prevented from Alternatively, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the casing from the display section.
In this specification, the term "foreign matter" means anything that may interfere with the operation of the adapter, and includes not only water such as condensed water but also dust floating in the air.
Further, "accessible" means that a user of the wireless LAN adapter or a person who maintains the wireless LAN adapter can perform operations such as pressing an operation button on the one surface of the casing. Yes, it does not include cases where operation becomes possible only after removing the casing.

An adapter according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes:
(2) A wireless LAN adapter in which electronic components are accommodated in a casing,
The casing comprises a pair of half-split members fitted together,
A foreign matter entry suppressing portion is provided for suppressing entry of foreign matter into the casing through a gap between the mating surfaces of the casing.

Since the adapter according to the second aspect of the present disclosure includes the foreign matter entry suppressing portion, it suppresses the entry of foreign matter into the casing through the gap between the mating surfaces of the casing formed by fitting the pair of half-split members together. can do.

(3) In the adapter of (1) or (2), the foreign matter entry prevention section may be a membrane member. In this case, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the casing by covering the gap or the like with a film member.

(4) In the adapter of (3) above, the film member is preferably transparent or translucent. In this case, even when there are a plurality of operation buttons, it is possible to easily identify the type of the operation button and the display of characters.

(5) In the adapter of (1) above, the foreign matter entry suppression section may be a membrane member of a membrane switch that covers the operation button in an operable state. In this case, by covering the operation button with the film member of the membrane switch, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the casing through the above-described gap while ensuring the operability of the operation button.

(6) In the adapter of (1) above, the foreign matter entry prevention portion may have a labyrinth structure formed between the operation button and the edge of the opening. In this case, by providing a labyrinth structure between the operation button and the edge of the opening, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the casing through the gap between the operation button and the edge of the opening.

(7) In the adapter of (1) above, the foreign matter entry suppressing portion may be an O-ring arranged in a groove formed at the edge of the opening. In this case, by providing an O-ring in the groove formed in the edge of the opening, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the casing through the gap between the operation button and the edge of the opening.

The air conditioner of the present disclosure is
(8) An adapter according to any one of (1) to (7) above.
Since the air conditioner of the present disclosure is provided with the foreign object entry suppression unit, the clearance between the operation button and the edge of the opening for the operation button formed on one surface of the casing or the display It is possible to suppress foreign matter from entering the casing from the portion.

1 is an exploded perspective explanatory view of one embodiment of an adapter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the adapter shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of another embodiment of the adapter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of still another embodiment of the adapter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of one embodiment of an adapter according to the second aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of the adapter shown in FIG. 5;

The adapter of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective explanatory view of one embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the adapter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the adapter shown in FIG. The adapter 1 is provided in an air conditioner (not shown) and used when the air conditioner is monitored by a central server.
The adapter 1 includes a casing 2 and a printed circuit board 3 housed within the casing 2 . The casing 2 has a box shape and is made of synthetic resin. The casing 2 is composed of a pair of half-split members 2a and 2b, and the casing 2 is configured by fitting the fitting portions 4a and 4b of the pair of half-split members 2a and 2b to each other.

The adapter 1 has two accessible operation buttons 6a, 6b and a display opening 7 on one side 5 of the casing 2, the front side in FIG. 1 and the upper side in FIG. ing.
The operation buttons 6a and 6b are composed of protrusions 9a and 9b that protrude outward from the casing 2 through openings 8a and 8b formed in one surface 5 of the casing 2, and the protrusions 9a and 9b inside the casing 2. Base portions 10a and 10b formed integrally with the protrusions 9a and 9b are provided at the side ends. The operation buttons 6a and 6b are urged by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown) so that the tips of the projecting portions 9a and 9b protrude from the one surface 5 by a predetermined distance.

Switch portions 11a and 11b such as microswitches are arranged on the printed circuit board 3 at positions corresponding to the operation buttons 6a and 6b. The tips of the switches 12a and 12b of the switch portions 11a and 11b are in contact with the lower surfaces of the base portions 10a and 10b, respectively. In this embodiment, the operating portion of the adapter 1 is configured by the operating buttons 6a and 6b and the switch portions 11a and 11b. Alternatively, the ends of the switches 12a and 12b of the switch portions 11a and 11b may protrude outward from the casing 2 through the openings 8a and 8b formed in the one surface 5 of the casing 2. FIG. In this case, the tip portion of each switch 12a, 12b constitutes an "accessible operation button" in this specification.

A cover 13 made of a transparent synthetic resin film or sheet is provided on the back side of the display opening 7 (the back side of the one surface 5 of the casing 2 ) so as to cover the display opening 7 . A display 14 made of an LED or the like is arranged on the printed circuit board 3 at a position corresponding to the display opening 7 or the cover 13 . A user of the adapter 1 can visually recognize the state of lighting, blinking, etc. of the display member 14 through the display opening 7 of the casing 2 and the cover 13 . In this embodiment, the display portion of the adapter 1 is composed of the display opening 7 , the cover 13 and the display body 14 . It should be noted that the tip of the display body 14 may be arranged in the display opening 7 without providing the cover 13, or may be configured to protrude from the display opening 7. FIG.

In this embodiment, one surface 5 of the casing 2 is provided with a film member 15 serving as a foreign matter entry suppressing section that covers the operation buttons 6 a and 6 b and the display opening 7 . The film member 15 covers the operation buttons 6a and 6b in an operable state, and is an element constituting a switch called a membrane switch. The film member 15 is made of a film made of synthetic resin such as polyester. Although the thickness of the film member 15 is not particularly limited in the present disclosure, it can usually be about 25 to 50 μm from the viewpoint of operability and strength of the operation buttons 6a and 6b. The film member 15 is a transparent or translucent film so that the user can easily identify the type of the operation buttons 6a and 6b by visually recognizing the operation buttons 6a and 6b and the display of characters or the like in the vicinity thereof. It is

By covering the operation buttons 6a and 6b and the display opening 7 with the film member 15, the operation buttons 6a and 6b and the openings 8a and 8b for the operation buttons 6a and 6b formed on the one surface 5 of the casing 2 are formed. It is possible to prevent water such as condensed water and foreign matter such as dust floating in the air from entering the casing 2 through the clearance S between the edge of the casing 2 . The display opening 7 is sealed on the back side of the one surface 5 of the casing 2 by the cover 13, but due to poor adhesion of the cover 13 or the like, a gap is formed between the cover 13 and the back surface of the one surface 5. Even if such a foreign matter occurs, since the display opening 7 is covered with the film member 15, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from entering the casing 2 through the gap.

The wireless LAN adapter 1 is attached to the air conditioner as described above, but in the case of a commercial indoor unit, for example, the wireless LAN adapter 1 may be installed above the ceiling. In this case, the wireless LAN adapter 1 may be arranged with the one surface 5 of the casing 2 facing upward, depending on the installation situation at the site. That is, in indoor units for commercial use, it may be difficult to arrange the wireless LAN adapter in the recommended posture according to the manual.
When the one surface 5 of the casing 2 faces upward, water such as dew condensation water easily enters the casing 2 through the clearance S described above, and this water is stored in the casing 2. However, in the wireless LAN adapter 1 according to this embodiment, by covering the operation buttons 6a and 6b and the display opening 7 with the film member 15, It is possible to prevent water such as condensed water and foreign matter such as dust floating in the air from entering the casing 2 . It should be noted that the fact that the one surface 5 of the casing 2 may be arranged in an upward orientation also applies to a wireless LAN adapter according to an embodiment, which will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing a modification of the present embodiment. In the modification shown in FIG. 3, a labyrinth structure is employed as the foreign matter entry suppressing portion instead of the film member 15 shown in FIGS. In addition, in this modified example, the same reference numerals are given to elements or members common to the embodiment shown in FIGS.
The base portions 10a and 10b of the operation buttons 6a and 6b are formed with convex portions 20, while the edge portions 21 of the openings 8a and 8b facing the base portions 10a and 10b. A concave groove 22 into which the convex portion 20 can enter is formed on the surface 21a of the portion 21 on the inner side of the casing 2. As shown in FIG. A labyrinth structure is formed by the convex portion 20 and the concave groove 22 . By adopting such a labyrinth structure, water such as condensed water or the like enters the casing 2 from the clearance S between the operation buttons 6a and 6b and the edges of the openings 8a and 8b for the operation buttons 6a and 6b. Intrusion of foreign matter such as dust floating in the air can be suppressed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing another modification of the present embodiment. In the modification shown in FIG. 4, an O-ring 30 is employed as the foreign matter entry suppressing portion instead of the film member 15 shown in FIGS. In addition, in this modified example, the same reference numerals are given to elements or members common to the embodiment shown in FIGS.
The O-ring 30 is arranged in a groove 31 formed in the edges 21 of the openings 8a, 8b for the operation buttons 6a, 6b, more specifically, in the surfaces 21b of the edges 21 facing the openings 8a, 8b. ing. By arranging an O-ring 30 on the surface 21b of the edge portion 21 facing the projecting portions 9a and 9b of the operation buttons 6a and 6b, the operation buttons 6a and 6b and the openings 8a and 8a for the operation buttons 6a and 6b, respectively. It is possible to prevent water such as condensed water and foreign matter such as dust floating in the air from entering the casing 2 through the gap S between the edge 21b of the edge 8b.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view of one embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the adapter according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of the adapter shown in FIG. The adapter 41 according to this embodiment is different from the adapter 1 shown in FIGS. The point is that the film member 45 is adopted. Therefore, in this embodiment, elements or members common to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

The film member 45 is made of a film having a shape capable of covering at least the mating surfaces 42 of the pair of half members 2 a and 2 b that constitute the casing 2 . The film member 45 of the present embodiment is a rectangular transparent film with four corners cut out, which covers not only the mating surface 42 but also the operation buttons 6a and 6b provided on one surface 5 of the casing 2 and the display opening 7. made of film. The film member 45 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyester, and its thickness is not particularly limited in the present disclosure. It can be ˜50 μm.

By covering the mating surface 42 of the casing 2 with the film member 45 , it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the casing 2 through the clearance of the mating surface 42 . This embodiment is effective when the adapter 41 is installed in a ceiling space or the like with the mating surface 42 of the casing 2 facing upward (including not only directly upward but also obliquely upward). The mating surface 42 of the casing 2 normally has a pair of half-split members 2a and 2b in close contact with each other with almost no gap, but it is conceivable that there may be a slight gap due to manufacturing tolerances. In this case, if water such as condensed water exists on the mating surface 42, the water may enter the casing 2 due to surface tension. However, in the present embodiment, since the mating surface 42 is covered with the film member 45 , it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as condensed water from entering the casing 2 through the mating surface 42 . Even if the pair of half-split members 2a and 2b are in close contact with each other and there is almost no gap between the mating surfaces 42, there is a slight gap microscopically. The term "mating surfaces" in the present disclosure includes such mating surfaces having only a slight gap.

The wireless LAN adapters 1 and 41 described above can be used by being attached to an indoor unit (not shown), which is an air conditioner, for example. In this case, for example, the wireless LAN adapters 1 and 41 are connected to the circuit board in the indoor unit via a harness, and can communicate with a central server via the Internet, which is a router and electric communication line. The server remotely controls the operation of the indoor unit, and remotely monitors the operation data (set temperature, room temperature, outside temperature, etc.) and operation time of the indoor unit.

[Other Modifications]
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, not only the sides of the casing on which the mating surfaces exist, but also the surfaces of the casing having the operation buttons and the like are covered with the film member. It can also be covered.

Reference Signs List 1: Wireless LAN adapter 2: Casing 2a: Casing half member 2b: Casing half member 3: Printed circuit board 4a: Fitting part 4b: Fitting part 5: One surface 6a: Operation button 6b: Operation button 7 : Display opening 8a: Opening 8b: Opening 9a: Projection 9b: Projection 10a: Base portion 10b: Base portion 11a: Switch portion 11b: Switch portion 12a: Switch 12b: Switch 13: Cover 14: Display 15: Film member 20 : Projection 21 : Edge 21a : Side 21b : Surface 22 : Concave groove 30 : O-ring 31 : Groove 41 : Adapter 42 : Mating surface 45 : Membrane member

Claims (2)

A wireless LAN adapter (41) in which electronic components are accommodated in a casing (2),
The casing (2) comprises a pair of half members (2a, 2b) fitted together,
A foreign matter entry suppression unit that suppresses foreign matter from entering the casing (2) through the gap of the mating surface (42) of the casing (2),
The foreign matter entry suppression unit is a transparent or translucent film member (45),
At least one half member (2a) of the pair of half members (2a, 2b) has a display portion on one surface (5) different from the mating surface (42),
A wireless LAN adapter (41), wherein the film member (45) covers the mating surface (42) and the entire surface of the one surface (5) including the display section. An air conditioner comprising the wireless LAN adapter ( 41 ) according to claim 1.

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