JP7487540B2 - Support Structure and Electronics - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a support structure and an electronic device.

Known examples of electronic devices installed in vehicles include car navigation systems and car audio devices equipped with display panels. In such electronic devices, the device body is stored and fixed in the console panel of the vehicle, and the display is installed so that it appears on the outside of the console panel (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2018-171952 A JP 2019-218024 A

For example, in electronic devices whose displays are larger than the device body housed in the console panel, the display is positioned so that it protrudes outward from the front of the console panel. In such electronic devices, if a user places their hand on the part that protrudes outward from the front of the console panel, more load than necessary may be applied, and it is necessary to ensure that the device body is strong enough to withstand that load.

The present invention aims to provide a support structure and electronic device that can improve mounting strength.

To achieve the above object, one embodiment of the support structure of the present invention includes a fixing part that is integrally formed with a panel frame located on the front side of the device, has an abutment surface that extends to the rear side and in the width direction, and has a plurality of fixing holes that penetrate the abutment surface, a pair of support parts that fix the device to the mounting body, and a connecting part that is provided between each of the support parts and connects each of the support parts, and the connecting part is provided so as to be able to contact the abutment surface, and has a claw part that can be inserted into the fixing hole and protrudes from the contact part with the abutment surface.

To achieve the above object, an electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with the above support structure.

This invention can improve the strength of the attachment.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view showing the electronic device and the support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear assembly perspective view showing an electronic device and a support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial rear view showing an electronic device and a support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4) showing the electronic device and the support structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded rear perspective view showing another example of an electronic device and a support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Below, a detailed description of a form for carrying out the invention (hereinafter, referred to as an embodiment) will be given with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

Figure 1 is a front perspective view showing an electronic device according to this embodiment.

In the following description, each direction is defined when the electronic device (device) 1 for vehicles is mounted in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle. Here, the surface that faces the driver's seat side, which is parallel to the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling straight, is called the "front surface", and the surface that faces the windshield side in front of the vehicle is called the "back surface (also called the rear surface)". The direction in which the front surface and the back surface face each other is called the front-rear direction and is the X-axis direction. In addition, the surface that faces the left hand as viewed from the driver's seat side, which is horizontally perpendicular to the front-rear direction, is called the "left surface", and the surface that faces the right hand is called the "right surface". The direction in which the left surface and the right surface face each other is called the width direction and is the Y-axis direction. The up-down direction is the direction that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the surface that faces upward is called the "upper surface", and the surface that faces downward is called the "lower surface". The direction in which the upper surface and the lower surface face each other is called the up-down direction and is called the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the front-rear direction, the width direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal in three dimensions.

The electronic device 1 is, for example, an AV-integrated car navigation system or car audio. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 has a main body unit 2 and a panel unit 3.

The main body 2 is a housing with an open front and the top, bottom, right, left, and back surfaces sealed with sheet metal. Therefore, the main body 2 has a top plate 2A, a bottom plate 2B, a right plate 2C, a left plate 2D, and a back plate 2E, all of which are made of sheet metal.

The panel unit 3 is installed on the front surface of the main body unit 2. The panel unit 3 is fixed to the front surface of the main body unit 2 and is integrally formed with the main body unit 2. The panel unit 3 has a panel frame 3A and a display 3B.

The panel frame 3A covers the front surface of the main body 2 and is made of synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the panel frame 3A is larger than the main body 2 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The panel frame 3A is larger than the main body 2 at least on its upper side.

Display 3B is small in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of panel frame 3A, and is stored inside panel frame 3A in the width direction and vertical direction. Display 3B is configured, for example, as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. Although not shown in the figure, outside display 3B in the width direction and vertical direction and inside panel frame 3A in the width direction and vertical direction, there are operation buttons for performing various operations on electronic device 1.

Figure 2 is an exploded rear perspective view showing the electronic device and support structure according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is an assembled rear perspective view showing the electronic device and support structure according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a partial rear view showing the electronic device and support structure according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view A-A in Figure 4) showing the electronic device and support structure according to this embodiment.

The electronic device 1 has a support structure. The support structure is used to fix and support the main body 2 of the electronic device 1 to the vehicle, which is the mounting body. The support structure has a fixing part 4, a support part 5, and a connecting part 6.

The fixing portion 4 is disposed below the upper end of the panel frame 3A and above the top plate 2A of the main body 2. The fixing portion 4 is integrally formed from the same synthetic resin as the panel frame 3A. The fixing portion 4 is formed in a plate shape and is provided on the rear surface of the panel frame 3A so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction) and cover the top surface side of the top plate 2A of the main body 2. The fixing portion 4 is also provided extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction). The fixing portion 4 is formed smaller than the panel frame 3A and larger than the main body 2 in the width direction.

The fixed portion 4 also has an abutment surface 4Aa. The abutment surface 4Aa is configured as the lower surface of a step portion 4A formed by recessing a plate-like portion downward in the fixed portion 4. In this embodiment, the step portions 4A are formed in a total of four locations in the width direction of the fixed portion 4: two locations at both ends and two locations between the two ends. The abutment surface 4Aa forms a flat surface on the lower surface of the step portion 4A that extends to the back surface and extends in the width direction.

The fixing portion 4 also has fixing holes 4Ab. The fixing holes 4Ab are formed so as to penetrate the abutment surface 4Aa in the step portion 4A of the fixing portion 4. The fixing holes 4Ab are formed in one place in each of the step portions 4A at both ends of the fixing portion 4, and in two places in each of the step portions 4A between the two ends, all of which are formed to be the same rectangular shape and size and are arranged side by side in the width direction.

The support parts 5 are for fixing the main body 2 of the electronic device 1 to the vehicle, which is the mounting body 100 (see FIG. 5). The support parts 5 are formed of metal. A pair of the support parts 5 are provided in the width direction of the main body 2, and are provided along the right face plate 2C and the left face plate 2D. The support parts 5 are fixed to the mounting body 100, and are fixed to the right face plate 2C and the left face plate 2D of the main body 2, respectively, thereby fixing the main body 2 of the electronic device 1 to the mounting body 100. Each support part 5 is formed in a plate shape so as to fit along the right face plate 2C and the left face plate 2D of the main body 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, each support part 5 is provided so that the upper end portion extends above the upper face plate 2A of the main body 2 in a state in which the main body 2 is fixed. Each support part 5 has a support piece 5A that is bent and extends in opposite directions in the width direction at the upper end portion. The support piece 5A has an upper surface 5Aa formed along the width direction (Y-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and the upper surface 5Aa is formed with a screw hole 5Ab into which a fixing screw (not shown) is screwed, and a protrusion 5Ac that protrudes upward.

The connecting portion 6 is provided between the support portions 5 to connect the support portions 5. The connecting portion 6 is made of metal. The connecting portion 6 is formed in a plate shape with an upper surface 6a and a lower surface 6b along the width direction (Y-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and is formed continuously in the width direction. The lower surfaces 6b at both ends of the connecting portion 6 are formed to follow the upper surfaces 5Aa of the support pieces 5A of each support portion 5, and an insertion hole 6c that matches the screw hole 5Ab and a fitting hole 6d into which the protrusion 5Ac is fitted are formed. A fixing screw that is screwed into the screw hole 5Ab is inserted into the insertion hole 6c. The head of the fixing screw inserted into the insertion hole 6c abuts against the upper surface 6a, fixing the connecting portion 6 to the support portion 5. The protrusion 5Ac fits into the fitting hole 6d, positioning the insertion hole 6c and the screw hole 5Ab to match.

The connecting portion 6 also has a claw portion 6e. The claw portion 6e is formed by cutting and raising a part of the plate-like connecting portion 6. A plurality of claw portions 6e are provided in a line in the width direction. In this embodiment, the claw portions 6e are provided in six positions in a line in the width direction. Each claw portion 6e is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing hole 4Ab of the fixing portion 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the claw portion 6e is inserted into the fixing hole 4Ab of the fixing portion 4 in a state in which the main body 2 of the electronic device 1 is fixed to the mounting body 100 by each support portion 5 and the connecting portion 6 is fixed to each support portion 5 with a fixing screw. Also, at this time, the connecting portion 6 is arranged so that the upper surface 6a faces and can come into contact with the abutment surface 4Aa of the fixing portion 4.

In addition, the connecting portion 6 has a rib 6f whose front side is bent downward. The rib 6f reinforces the connecting portion 6.

In this way, the support structure of this embodiment includes a fixing part 4 that is formed integrally with the panel frame 3A located on the front side of the electronic device 1, has an abutment surface 4Aa that extends to the rear side and in the width direction, and has a plurality of fixing holes 4Ab that penetrate the abutment surface 4Aa, a pair of support parts 5 that fix the electronic device 1 to the mounting body 100, and a connecting part 6 that is provided between each support part 5 and connects each support part 5, and the connecting part 6 is provided so as to be able to contact the abutment surface 4Aa and has a claw part 6e that can be inserted into the fixing hole 4Ab.

5, when the electronic device 1 of this embodiment is fixed to the mounting target 100, the main body 2 is fixed to each support part 5 arranged on the rear side of the opening 100a of the mounting target 100, and the fixing part 4 and the connecting part 6 are arranged on the rear side of the opening 100a. In the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, the panel frame 3A provided on the front side is larger than the main body 2 at least on the upper side. Therefore, when the electronic device 1 is fixed to the mounting target 100, the panel frame 3A protrudes from the opening 100a to the front side and is arranged to protrude further forward than the front surface 100b of the mounting target 100. In this form of electronic device 1, the user who is a passenger in the vehicle can place his or her hand on at least the upper side of the panel frame 3A.

The load applied by the user to the panel frame 3A acts on the electronic device 1 as a load that moves the panel frame 3A to the front side or the bottom side. When the panel frame 3A moves to the front side, the fixing part 4 integral with the panel frame 3A also moves to the front side. Then, in the support structure of this embodiment, the claw part 6e of the connecting part 6 abuts against the inner edge of the fixing hole 4Ab, so that the load is transmitted to the support part 5 via the connecting part 6 and is received by the mounting body 100, thereby restricting excessive movement of the fixing part 4 to the front side. Also, when the panel frame 3A moves to the bottom side, the fixing part 4 integral with the panel frame 3A also moves to the bottom side. Then, in the support structure of this embodiment, the upper surface 6a of the connecting part 6 abuts against the abutment surface 4Aa of the fixing part 4, so that the load is transmitted to the support part 5 via the connecting part 6 and is received by the mounting body 100, thereby restricting excessive movement of the fixing part 4 to the bottom side.

In this way, the support structure of this embodiment can ensure the strength to withstand loads such as when a user puts their hand on the panel frame 3A, improving the strength of the installation.

In addition, in the support structure of this embodiment, the fixing portion 4 is provided on a step portion 4A in which the abutment surface 4Aa and the fixing hole 4Ab are formed close to the upper surface 6a, which is the contact portion with the connecting portion 6. Therefore, when the panel frame 3A moves to the front side, the claw portion 6e that can be inserted into the fixing hole 4Ab is formed protruding from the upper surface 6a, which is the contact portion with the abutment surface 4Aa, so that the protruding root portion of the claw portion 6e of the connecting portion 6 abuts against the inner edge of the fixing hole 4Ab. As a result, the support structure of this embodiment can ensure greater strength to withstand loads such as when a user puts their hand on the panel frame 3A, and can further improve the strength of the attachment.

In addition, by providing the support structure described above, the electronic device 1 of this embodiment can ensure the strength to withstand loads such as when a user places their hand on the panel frame 3A, thereby improving the strength of the attachment.

Figure 6 is an exploded rear perspective view showing another example of an electronic device and support structure according to this embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 described above, the fixing holes 4Ab are formed as elongated holes extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and are arranged in a straight line in the same direction, and the claws 6e inserted into the fixing holes 4Ab are also arranged in a straight line in the same direction as plates extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction). In another example shown in FIG. 6, the fixing holes 4Ab' instead of the fixing holes 4Ab are formed as elongated holes extending diagonally in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and are arranged in a line in the width direction, and adjacent holes in the width direction are arranged in a V-shape with the inclination reversed. In another example shown in FIG. 6, the claws 6e' instead of the claws 6e are arranged so that they can be inserted into the fixing holes 4Ab', and are formed as plates extending diagonally in the width direction and the front-rear direction and are arranged in a line in the width direction, and adjacent holes in the width direction are arranged in a V-shape with the inclination reversed.

This other example support structure makes it easier to resist loads applied to the panel frame 3A in the width direction and diagonal directions in the front-to-rear direction from the driver's seat or passenger seat when, for example, the electronic device 1 is located in the center of the console panel of the vehicle between the driver's seat and the passenger seat.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electronic device 3A Panel frame 4 Fixing portion 4A Step portion 4Aa Contact surface 4Ab, 4Ab' Fixing hole 5 Support portion 6 Connection portion 6a Top surface 6e, 6e' Claw portion 100 Mounting object

Claims (2)

a fixing portion having a contact surface formed integrally with a panel frame located on a front surface of the device, extending to a rear surface and extending in a width direction, and having a plurality of fixing holes penetrating the contact surface;
A pair of support parts for fixing the device to a mounting body;
A connecting portion provided between each of the support portions and connecting each of the support portions;
Including,
The connecting portion is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the abutment surface, and a claw portion is formed which is able to be inserted into the fixing hole ,
A support structure in which the fixing portion has a contact surface and a fixing hole provided in a stepped portion formed by recessing a plate-like portion toward the contact portion with the connecting portion . An electronic device comprising the support structure according to claim 1 .

Images