JPH06171662A - Movable member displacement spring and front structure of controller using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cover/uncover a case opening by means of a cover, by stabely holding the cover in the position of the case of a controller. CONSTITUTION:In a spring 13, a hole 17 which is fitted on the support shaft 27 of a case 25 is provided at one end of a U-shaped connecting piece 15, and a support piece 19 which is fitted in the inserting hole 33 of a cover 31 and a suppressor piece 21 which nips the cover 31 are integrally provided at the other end. The spring 13 holds the cover 31 in the position of the case 25, and covers/uncovers an opening 25c by its displacement. When the spring 13 is displaced, the end of the cover 31 is pressed to the U-shaped connecting piece 15 of the spring 13, so that it pushes it wide and slides. When the opening 25c is covered and uncovered, the spring 13 returns to its original shape.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spring for displacing a movable member and a front structure of a control device using the same, and particularly to a control device such as a programmable controller formed by arranging a plurality of control devices. And a spring for displacing a movable member suitable for use in the front structure of the control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a control device such as a programmable controller or a system controller for controlling a manufacturing line by a computer is provided with a plurality of flat control devices 3a, 3b, 3c on a supporting base plate 1 as building blocks. It is known that they are arranged in a shape. These control devices 3a, 3b, 3c are referred to as "alias modules", which are configured by accommodating electronic circuits and the like in an independent flat box-shaped case, and are used for input / output control or communication control of digital signals and analog signals. Main function module 3 such as input / output module 3a for performing, CPU module for performing arithmetic processing, etc.
b, a power supply module 3c that supplies power to each of these modules from a commercial power supply or the like.

These modules 3a, 3b, 3c are
Removably connected and fixed to a plurality of support connectors (hidden and invisible) attached to the support base plate 1, and electrically connected to each other by signal lines (hidden and invisible) formed on the support base plate 1. They are connected and collectively form a programmable controller or the like in one unit. In each module, for example, the input / output module 3a, the connector 5 and the terminal block 7 are arranged on the front side, facing outward.
It can be connected to an external device (not shown). further,
A display unit 9 is formed on the upper portion of the front surface of each of the modules 3a, 3b, and 3c and lights up according to the operation.

For example, the display section 9 of the input / output module 3a
Although not shown, a number is transparently printed on the front surface of the case according to the number of input / output points, and the light emitting element is switched from inside the case according to the input / output state to drive light emission, and the corresponding input / output number is displayed. It is designed so that it is displayed as if it is floating.

[0005]

However, the modules 3a, 3b and 3c having the above-mentioned structure have the following problems to be improved. That is, each module 3a,
In 3b and 3c, in addition to the connector 5 and the terminal block 7, there are necessary switches and connectors which are not frequently used depending on their functions, although they are usually not used frequently. For example, in the input / output module 3a,
A connector for inputting a program created by the management computer, mode switching means for normal operation mode and program mode, etc. are required.

In the main function module 3b, a reset means for resetting a CPU that has run away due to a failure or the like,
In addition to device address setting means for communication with the host computer, operation mode selecting means for selecting various functions are required. In this way, each module 3a, 3
Although switches and connectors are required as switching means, setting means, and selecting means in b and 3c, these are placed on the front side like the connector 5 and the terminal block 7 already arranged in each module 3a, 3b, and 3c. If they are arranged, a large number of connectors and terminal blocks are arranged in a limited space, connection workability is deteriorated, erroneous connections are likely to occur, and it is necessary to reduce the number of input / output points of the connectors and terminal blocks. If an attempt is made to secure the required number of input / output points, the control device itself becomes large.

Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 13, an opening 11 is formed on the side surface of the case of each module 3a, 3b, 3c.
Is provided, and from the support base plate 1 to each module 3a, 3b,
It is possible to remove 3c and switch an internal switch (not shown) from the opening 11, but the operation is troublesome. In this way, each module 3a, 3b, 3
It has been desired to provide some means, such as some switching means, setting means, and selecting means, which are not often used in normal operation, on the front surface of the case without narrowing the space of the front surface of c.

The present invention is based on the conventional modules 3a, 3
As a result of diligent examination of the front structures of b and 3c, the display part 6 was focused on, and it was completed by paying attention to the point that the above problems can be solved by making this part a movable opening mechanism. It is widely applicable to the displacement of members. The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a movable member displacement spring that can stably support a movable member on a fixed member and is unlikely to damage the movable member even when displaced. Further, the present invention provides a front structure of a control device in which the front part of the control device can be widely used and a function which is rarely used can be operated from the front side and the operability is improved.

[0009]

In order to solve such a problem, a first structure of the present invention is to rotatably mount a first mounting portion which is fitted in a supporting portion of a fixing member, and the fixing member. A second mounting portion that supports a movable member that is displaced relative to the movable member, and a U-shaped connecting portion that connects and supports the first and second mounting portions and that has a spring property, and supports the movable member on the fixed member. A sliding member for displacing a movable member, wherein when the movable member is displaced from the first fixed position to the second fixed position, the fixed member slides under pressure on the second mounting portion side of the connecting portion. It is a piece. A second configuration of the present invention is a front surface part of a control device case as a fixed member having a partial opening, and a cover as a movable member partially covering the opening. A movable member displacing spring that supports the cover and deforms the cover to be displaced to open and close the opening of the cover on the front surface.

Further, according to the present invention, as a spring for displacing a movable member, a first mounting portion which is rotatably mounted by being fitted into a supporting portion of a front surface portion of a control device case and a second mounting portion which supports the cover thereof. And a U-shaped connecting portion having a spring property for connecting and supporting the first and second mounting portions, the cover is supported on the front surface portion, and the cover is attached to the first portion.
When displacing between the fixed position and the second fixed position, it is preferable that the second mounting portion side of the connecting portion is a sliding piece on which the end of the front surface portion is pressed and slid. Further, the present invention may have a configuration in which the lid is attached to and detached from the side surface side of the control device case.

[0011]

In the first structure of the present invention having such means, the movable member displacement spring supports the movable member on the fixed member, and the movable member displacement spring rotates and moves with respect to the fixed member. When the member is displaced from the first fixed position to the second fixed position, the fixed member is pressed against the second mounting portion side of the connecting portion of the movable member displacing spring to expand the movable member and move the movable member. The displacement fulcrum of the member slides. Also,
In the second configuration of the present invention, the cover is supported by the movable member displacement spring on the front surface of the control device case, and when the cover is displaced, the movable member displacement spring elastically opens and closes the opening of the control device case. To be done.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a movable member displacing spring (hereinafter abbreviated as a spring) having a first structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a module as a fixing member using the spring. It is sectional drawing which shows the example which supports the cover as a movable member in a case. 1 and 2, the spring 1
3 is, for example, a polyamide resin molded, has a fitting hole 17 as a first attachment portion at one end of a U-shaped connection piece (connection portion) 15, and a second attachment portion at the other end. The elongated support piece 19 and the restraining piece 21 are integrally provided, and the U-shaped connecting piece 15 can be elastically expanded. A notch 23 is formed in a part of the fitting hole 17, a support shaft 27 protruding from a module case 25 (abbreviated as a case in the figure) described later is fitted in the fitting hole 17, and the spring 13 is a module. The case 25 is rotatably attached.

The support piece 19 is formed to project laterally from the other end of the connecting piece 15 and to be folded back in a U-shape or a hairpin shape. The pieces 21 are formed in the vicinity of the support piece 19 at a slight interval. The support piece 19 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the folding piece is pressed into the insertion holes 33 formed in the upper and inner corners of the vertically arranged box-shaped cover 31 in a narrowed state, and is connected to the insertion hole 33. The projection 31 is engaged with the joint hole 35 to support the cover 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the holding piece 21 sandwiches the wall 33a for forming the insertion hole 33 between the holding piece 21 and the support piece 19 to ensure reliable support. The operation of the spring 13 thus configured will be described later.

Next, the front structure of the control device using the above-mentioned spring 13 which is the second structure of the present invention will be described. Inside the cover 31 supported by the spring 13, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a post 39 that supports an auxiliary substrate 37 described below is provided between the insertion holes 33, and the tip 39a of the post 39 is provided. It's getting thinner. A U-shaped slit 41 is formed below the column 39 (a piece facing the piece on which the engagement hole 35 is formed). A locking hole 43 is formed near the tip of the piece in which the engagement hole 35 is formed in the cover 31, and an engagement piece 45 is projected from the tip of the lower facing piece. Reference numeral 32 in FIGS. 2 and 5 is a scratching portion for scratching a fingertip or the like as described later.

Auxiliary substrate 3 supported inside the cover 31
As shown in FIG. 6, 7 has a shape that can be inserted into the inside of the cover 31, has a hole 37a that fits into the tip 39a of the column 39 and a projection 37b that fits into the slit 41, and has a plurality of light-emissions not shown. The light emitting element plates 47 having the elements gathered thereon are placed at a predetermined interval, and the holes 37a are provided in the support columns 3
The projection 37b is fitted into the slit 41, and the light emitting element plate 47 is housed so as to face the front surface side of the cover 31 at the tip portion 39a of 9 (see FIG. 8 described later). As shown in FIG. 7, the module case 25 is formed by molding a synthetic resin into a flat box shape, the bottom of the box is the front panel 25a, and the open side is the back side. 49 etc. are inserted. An opening 25c extending to the top plate 25b is formed in an upper portion of the front panel 25a of the vertically arranged module case 25, and an insertion hole 25d into which a connector 65 described later is fitted is formed in the front panel 25a. .

Both opposing side walls 2 of the module case 25
On the inner side of 5e, a support shaft 27 is provided so as to be opposed to and near the top plate 25b and the opening 25c, and the fitting hole 17 of the spring 13 described above is fitted therein. The support shaft 27 is divided into two halves from the tip, and the tip has a slightly larger diameter, so that the fitting hole 17 of the spring 13 is elastically fitted and is hard to come off. Top plate 2 of module case 25
A locking piece 51 is projected from a position facing the opening 25c in 5b and can be locked in the locking hole 43 of the cover 31. In addition, one side wall 25e of the module case 25
A lid 53 is attached to the, but details will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing a state in which the cover 31 is supported on the module case 25 by the spring 13 of the present invention, the engaging piece 45 is engaged with the front panel 25a, and the opening 25c is closed by the cover 31. It is a figure. Although only one spring 13 is visible in FIG. 8, it is actually supported by the pair of springs 13 fitted to the pair of support shafts 27 as shown in FIG. However, spring 13
Is arbitrary. In FIG. 8, the flexible board 55 extends from the auxiliary board 37 housed in the cover 31 into the module case 25, and the auxiliary board 37 is connected to the circuit board 49 via the connector 57 fixed to the circuit board 49.

The circuit board 49 has a dip switch 59 for setting an operation mode, a rotary switch 61 for setting a device address for communicating with the host computer, and a reset switch 63 for resetting the CPU.
Is arranged at a position where it can be seen through the opening 25c as shown in FIG. Next, the operation of the above-described spring 13 of the present invention will be described together with the operation of the front structure of the control device. First, FIG.
When a fingertip (not shown) is applied to the scratching portion 32 of the cover 31 and pulled toward the front in the state shown in FIG. 3, the engaging piece 45 is disengaged from the front panel 25a, and the spring 13 is centered on the support shaft 27. Rotate.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 11A, the tip of the top plate 25b of the module case 25 is pressed against the support piece 19 side of the connecting piece 15 of the spring 13 to expand the connecting piece 15.
When the cover 31 is further opened so as to be pulled up, as shown in FIG.
As shown in B, the top plate 25b slides while pressing the connecting piece 15 to further expand it. That is, the support piece 19 of the connecting piece 15
The side functions as the sliding piece 15a. And FIG.
As shown in C, the cover 31 is located above the top plate 25b of the module case 25 and is placed between the connecting pieces 15 and the top plate 25.
When b is accommodated, the connecting piece 15 returns to its original shape, and the cover 31
Is supported on the upper side of the top plate 25b, and the opening 25c of the front panel 25a of the module case 25 is opened.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the circuit board 4
Since the DIP switch 59, the rotary switch 61, and the reset switch 63 on the 9 can be seen through the opening 25c, they can be operated from the front panel 25a side. When the cover 31 is tilted and pulled down, the state returns to the state of FIG. 8 through the operation reverse to that described above, and the opening 25c of the front panel 25a of the module case 25 as shown in FIG.
Is blocked by.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 65 is a connector for external connection, and reference numeral 67 is printed on the cover 31, or on a display name plate (not shown) arranged between the cover 31 and the light emitting element plate 47. It is a printed number for display. In the displacement operation of the cover 31, in the displacement process from the first fixing position that closes the opening 25c of the module case 25 to the second fixing position that opens the opening 25c, the tip of the top plate 25b of the module case 25 causes the spring 13 to move. The fulcrum is a point where it is pressed against the connecting piece 15 to expand it, and this fulcrum is not slid and fixed, and both springs 13 return to their original shapes at the first and second fixed positions.

Therefore, the movable member displacement spring 13 of the present invention is used.
Stably fixes the cover 31 at the first fixing position that closes the opening 25c of the module case 25 and the second fixing position that opens the opening 25c, and the center of displacement does not become the support shaft 27, and the displacement thereof Since the rotation fulcrum slides without being fixed in the process of 3, no large stress is applied to the fixed portion of the spring 13 and the spring 13 is less likely to be damaged. Moreover, since no great stress is applied to the cover 31 during the displacement process, the cover 31 is also less likely to be damaged. Further, when the cover 31 is displaced from the position where it closes the opening 25c to the position where it is opened, if the rotation axis is the same, the flexible substrate 55 changes in length, which causes stress. Is a sliding piece 1
Since it moves by 5a, stress is less likely to be applied to the flexible substrate 55, and the durability of the flexible substrate 55 can be maintained. The spring 13 of the present invention can be widely applied to a structure in which a fixed member is displaceably supported in addition to the structure in which the cover 31 is supported by the module case 25 described above.

In the front structure of the present invention using the spring 13, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the cover 31 can be easily displaced with a fingertip, and the opening 25 of the module case 25 is formed.
Since c can be opened, it is possible to arrange the switching means such as the switches 59, 61, 63, etc., which are not normally used, and which are rarely used, the selecting means, the setting means, etc., inside the cover 31. Therefore, in a normal operating state, the switches 59, 61, and 63 are not visible, and the erroneous connection with the original connector 65 or the terminal block does not occur and the connection workability does not deteriorate. Moreover, the cover 31 is displaced to open the opening 25c of the module case 25, so that the switches 59, 61, 63 and the like which are less frequently used can be easily operated from the front side.

By the way, the above-mentioned module case 25
There is also a configuration in which the cover 31 is not displaced. In such a configuration, the spring 13 is not used, and the locking hole 4 of the cover 31 is used.
3 and the engaging piece 45, the locking piece 5 of the module case 25
1 and the edge of the opening 25c can be locked or engaged to fix the module case 25, and the module case 25 itself has an advantage that it can be shared with the structure using the spring 13. However,
Some modules may have many functions and lack input / output connectors, but in such a case, it is possible to additionally arrange connectors in the opening 25c with the cover 31 itself removed.

Further, in the above-described front structure of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, one side wall 25e of the module case 25 has a large-diameter rectangular opening 25.
f is formed so that the internal circuit board 49 can be seen, and a plurality of engagement holes 25g are formed on the side opposite to the front panel 25a (rear side). The circuit board 4
Illustration of the support structure 9 is omitted. Opening 2 of the side wall 25e
As shown in FIG. 12, the lid 53 that fits in the 5f has the engaging hole 2
A plurality of protrusions 53a that fit in with 5g are projected, and a U-shaped engagement claw 53 that engages with a portion facing the opening 25f on the side opposite to the engagement hole 25g (on the front panel side).
b. Reference numeral 53c is an engagement groove that engages with a portion facing the opening 25f.

Then, the lid 53 fits the protrusion 53a into the engaging hole 25g of the module case 25 and the engaging claw 5
If the engagement groove 53c is engaged with the module case 25 in a state where the space between 3b is narrowed, the opening 25f can be closed, and if the space between the engagement claws 53b is narrowed, the lid 53 is removed from the module case 25. It can be removed. As described above, in the module configuration with the lid, the internal unit (that is, the internal mechanism or circuit) is protected during the normal operation like the module with the case, and it is necessary to directly touch and operate the internal unit for maintenance or the like. In some cases, it can be easily dealt with by simply removing the lid 53.

Further, depending on the module, after the program software is tested by the management computer, the program is written in the ROM and the circuit board 49 in the module is tested.
In such a case, a module with a lid is advantageous, and holding it makes it easy to replace an electronic component such as a relay having a relatively short life. On the other hand, as a conventional module, there are a case type in which the internal unit is screwed from the front side and the screw is taken out to remove the internal unit during maintenance or ROM replacement, and an open type in which the side part is left open. there were. Although the case-type module holds the internal unit, etc. by the case, it is difficult to maintain or replace the ROM, etc. The open-type module can easily maintain or replace the ROM, but the internal unit is easily damaged and handled. The above caution was necessary, and it was necessary to improve any of the configurations. In this respect, the module structure with the lid of the present invention solves this problem.

[0028]

As described above, the spring, which is the first structure of the present invention, has the first mounting portion which is fitted into the fixed member and is rotatably mounted, and the second mounting portion which supports the movable member. A spring connecting portion for connecting and supporting the first and second mounting portions, and moving the movable member from the first fixed position to the second connecting portion.
Since the second mounting portion side of the connecting portion is made into a sliding piece on which the fixed member slides in pressure contact when displaced to the fixed position, the movable member can be stably supported by the fixed member. Even if the movable member is displaced, it is difficult to damage it. Further, in the front structure of the control device which is the second configuration of the present invention, the cover is supported on the front part of the control device case by the movable member displacement spring, and the partial opening formed in the front part is formed in the movable member. Since the cover is opened and closed by the displacement of the displacement spring due to deformation, it is possible to place switches and other connectors and terminal blocks that are rarely used on the back side of the cover, allowing the front part of the control device to be widely used. It is possible to improve convenience and operability on the front side. Particularly, in the second structure using the spring of the first structure, the cover can be easily and stably supported on the front surface of the case of the control device, and the partial opening formed in the front surface can be easily covered by the cover. It can be opened and closed easily and does not damage the case or cover. Further, with the configuration in which the lid is attachable / detachable to the side surface side of the control device case, maintenance and replacement work of component parts are easy and damage to the device itself can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a spring having a first configuration of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the spring of FIG. 1 together with a fixed member and a movable member (a cross section taken along the line II-II of FIG. 4, which is partially shown in a plane).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a movable member (cover) which constitutes an embodiment of the front structure which is the second structure of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the movable member (cover) of FIG.
VI-VI cross section).

5 is a bottom view showing the movable member (cover) of FIG.

6 is a perspective view showing an auxiliary substrate accommodated in the movable member (cover) of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fixing member (module case) that constitutes the front structure that is the second configuration of the present invention.

8 is a sectional view (partially shown in plan view) showing a state in which the movable member (cover) and the fixed member (module case) of FIGS. 3 and 7 are connected by a spring.

9 is a front view of relevant parts showing the vicinity of the opening of the fixing member (module case) of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which an opening of a fixed member (module case) is closed by a movable member (cover).

FIG. 11 is a main-portion cross-sectional view illustrating an opening / closing operation of a movable member (cover).

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a lid of a fixing member (module case).

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support base plate 3a, 3b, 3c Module (control device) 5, 57, 65 Connector 7 Terminal block 9 Display part 11, 25c, 25f Opening 13 Spring (moving member displacement spring) 15 Connecting piece (connecting part) 17 Fitting hole (first mounting portion) 19 Support piece (second mounting portion) 21 Holding piece 23 Notch portion 25 Module case 25a Front panel 25b Top plate 25d, 33 Insertion hole 25e Side wall 25g, 35 Engagement hole 27 Support shaft 29, 37b, 53a Protrusion 31 Cover 32 Scratch portion 33a Forming wall 37 Auxiliary substrate 37a hole 39 Strut 39a Tip portion 41 Slit 43 Locking hole 45 Engaging piece 47 Light emitting element plate 49 Circuit board 51 Engaging piece 53 Lid 53b Engaging claw 53c Engaging groove 55 Flexible substrate 59 DIP switch (switching, setting or selecting means that is used less frequently) 61 rotary switch (infrequently used switching, setting or selection means) 63 reset switch (infrequently used switching, setting or selection means) 67 printed number

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first mounting portion that is rotatably mounted by being fitted into a supporting portion of a fixed member, a second mounting portion that supports a movable member that is displaced with respect to the fixed member, and the first and the second mounting portions. A U-shaped connecting portion for connecting and supporting the second mounting portion and having a spring property, and supporting the movable member on a fixed member, the movable member displacing spring from the first fixed position to the first fixed position. A spring for displacing a movable member, wherein the fixed member serves as a sliding piece on which the fixed member slides in pressure contact with the second mounting portion side of the U-shaped connecting portion when the fixed member is displaced to the fixed position 2. 2. A front surface portion of a control device case as a fixed member, which has a partial opening, a cover as a movable member covering the opening, and the front portion supporting the cover. And a spring for displacing a movable member that deforms together with the displacement of the cover to open and close the opening, and a front structure of the control device. 3. The movable member displacing spring includes a first mounting portion rotatably mounted on a support portion of a front surface portion of the control device case, and a second mounting portion supporting the cover. And a U-shaped connecting portion that connects and supports the first and second mounting portions and has a spring property, supports the cover on the front surface portion, and fixes the cover at a first fixing position and a second fixing position. 3. The front structure of the control device according to claim 2, wherein when displacing between the positions, the U-shaped connecting portion serves as a sliding piece on which the end of the front portion slides in pressure contact with the side of the second mounting portion. 4. The front structure of the control device according to claim 2, wherein a detachable lid is fitted on a side surface of the control device case.