JPH09148755A - Housing for electronic gear and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote automation of a housing assembly process by saving the space and securing high-reliability of an electronic gear further making a cable attaching work unnecessary. SOLUTION: A housing contains at least electronic circuit boards 8, 9. In this case, further the injection molded housing body to build in at least electric circuit boards 8, 9 and connectors 24 to 27 to connect at least an electronic circuit board to this housing body are saliently buried besides cable connected to these connectors are provided with cables 22, 23 with connectors burried inside the housing body, the connectors 24 to 27 are buried in the positions of the housing body surface corresponding to the positions to build in the electronic boards 8, 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic equipment casing used for electronic equipment such as a computer and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to an electronic equipment casing having an improved wiring system between electronic circuit boards incorporated in the casing. And a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent advances in computer technology have been remarkable. Along with this, the forms of computer bodies of personal computers and workstations are diversifying, and not only so-called desktop type but also various types of computers such as laptop type, book type, notebook type, monitor integrated type are manufactured. It has become.

In each of these forms of computers, a desktop type mainly uses a metal casing, and a laptop type, a book type, a notebook type, and a monitor-integrated type are mainly injection-molded with a resin such as plastic. The body is being used.

On the other hand, there is a remarkable progress in the product assembling technology of these devices, and in the assembly of not only computers such as personal computers but all kinds of electronic devices, P
Most processes such as CB (electronic circuit board) installation are automated.

However, at present, regarding the cable (also referred to as a harness) connection between PCBs, the cable is flexible and has poor formability, and it is difficult to accurately determine the position of the cable in the housing. Is very difficult to automate.

Therefore, assembling of the cable is manually performed as described below. FIG. 5 shows a PCB inside a device using such an electronic device casing.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the assembly of the cable connection between them.

First, the PCB 42 and the PCB 43 are attached and fixed to the housing 41 by the assembly up to the previous step. Next, such a fixed PCB42
On the other hand, the cable 44 is connected manually from above via a connector 44c2 provided at the end thereof. The other end of the cable 44 is an external connector 44c1.

Further, the cable 45 is connected to the PCB 42.
Is manually connected via a connector 45c1 provided at one end thereof, and similarly, a connector 45c2 provided at the other end of the cable 45 is manually connected to the fixed PCB 43 from above.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional housing assembling method, since the indeterminate and flexible cable is assembled from above, it is difficult to automatically assemble the cable, and thus the electronic assembly is difficult. There has been a problem that labor saving and cost reduction cannot be achieved by promoting automatic assembly of the device casing.

Further, in a small computer such as a book type or a notebook type as described above, it is necessary to incorporate advanced functions in a limited space, so how space can be saved and the space in the housing can be effectively used. It has become a serious problem how to use it.

Further, since the space for installing the parts is running out, it is considered that the wiring cable may exert a bad influence by pressing other parts in the housing. It is difficult to place parts with high reliability in a limited space.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and the first purpose thereof is to save space.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a housing for an electronic device that can ensure high reliability of the electronic device.

A second object of the present invention is to save space and ensure high reliability of electronic equipment, and further, to promote automation of the case assembly process by eliminating the cable assembling work. An object of the present invention is to provide a housing for an electronic device that can be manufactured. A third object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a housing for an electronic device, which can save space and ensure high reliability of the electronic device.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a housing for electronic equipment in which a cable for connecting at least an electronic circuit board is embedded in advance inside. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an electronic equipment housing incorporating at least an electronic circuit board, an injection-molded housing body and at least the electronic circuit board are connected to the surface of the housing body. The connector has a connector projectingly embedded therein, and the cable connected to the connector comprises a cable with a connector embedded in the housing body, and the connector is provided at a position on the surface of the housing body corresponding to a position where the electronic circuit board is incorporated. It is an embedded electronic device housing.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the first step of arranging a cable for connecting an electronic circuit board in a mold for manufacturing the housing body, and the housing body in which the cable is arranged. A second step of injecting a molding material into a mold for manufacturing to mold a housing main body with a cable embedded therein.

Further, the invention corresponding to claim 4 is:
In the invention corresponding to claim 3, in the case of embedding a cable with a connector, it is a method of manufacturing a housing for an electronic device, in which a connector portion is arranged so as to project from a mold for manufacturing a housing body.

[0018]

Therefore, first, in the electronic device casing according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cable for connecting the electronic circuit board is embedded in advance inside the member constituting the casing.

Therefore, it is not necessary to wire the cable in the container portion of the housing, and the space can be saved. Furthermore, since the cable does not come into contact with other electronic circuit parts or press the parts, the overall reliability of the electronic device can be improved.

Next, in the electronic equipment casing according to the second aspect of the present invention, at least the casing body of the electronic equipment casing incorporating the electronic circuit board is manufactured by injection molding. In addition, a cable with a connector is embedded in the housing body. The connector is embedded so as to project from the surface of the housing body, and at least the electronic circuit board is connected. Further, the position where the connector is embedded corresponds to the position where the electronic circuit board is incorporated.

Therefore, in addition to the same operation and effect as the invention corresponding to claim 1, the connection and mounting and fixing of the electronic circuit board and the cable can be performed easily and surely, so that the cable assembling work becomes unnecessary. It is possible to promote automation of the case assembly process.

Further, in the method for manufacturing the electronic device casing according to the third aspect of the present invention, first, the cable for connecting the electronic circuit board is arranged in the first step. Next, in the second step, the molding material is injected into the mold for manufacturing the housing body in which the cable is arranged, and the housing body having the cable embedded therein is molded.

Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the electronic equipment casing according to the first aspect of the invention. Furthermore, in the method for manufacturing an electronic device casing of the invention according to claim 4, the same operation as the invention according to claim 3 is performed, and when a cable with a connector can be embedded,
The connector portion is arranged so as to protrude from the mold for manufacturing the housing main body. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the electronic device casing according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0024]

【Example】

(1) The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a housing for electronic devices and a housing assembly process when the housing is used.

As shown in FIG. 1A, in the electronic equipment casing 1 of this embodiment, cables 2 and 3 for connection between PCBs or between a PCB and an external connector are preliminarily assembled in the casing. It is embedded in the required position.

The housing 1 is manufactured by injection molding of plastic and is used for assembling a small notebook personal computer. Each cable 2, 3
Has a coating for insulation / protection, and the tip portions 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are stripped of the coating so that they can be electrically connected.

Next, a case assembly using the electronic apparatus case of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, first, connectors 4, 5 and connectors 6, 7 are connected to the tip portions 2a, 2b of the cable 2 and the tip portions 3a, 3b of the cable 3, respectively. Here, the connector 4 is an external connector for the personal computer to send and receive information to and from the outside.

The connectors 4, 5, 6, 7 electrically connected to the cables are fixed to the housing 1 with an adhesive, for example. Note that, in FIG. 1, the electrical connection state in each connector is not shown.

Next, FIG. 1B shows each connector 4, 5,
6 and 7 are fixed to the housing 1, and PCBs 8 and 9 (electronic circuit boards) are connected to these connectors 4, 5, 6, and 7.

At this time, the PCB 8 is provided with the PCB connector 10 for connecting the connector 5 and the PCB connector 11 for connecting the connector 6, and the PCB 9 is provided with the connector 7
A PCB connector 12 for connection and a PCB connector for connecting other connectors (not shown) are provided.

The PCBs 8, 6 and 7 and the PCB connectors 10, 11 and 12 are used to connect the PCBs 8,
9 and each cable 2, 3 will be electrically connected. Since the positions of the connectors 4, 5, 6, 7 are fixed at predetermined positions, this PCB connecting process can be easily automated.

Although not shown in particular, the electronic equipment casing 1 is pre-marked with the positions to which the connectors 5, 6 and 7 are to be adhered, or is formed with insertion grooves so that each connector is It can be fixed in the correct position.

As described above, in the electronic equipment casing according to the present embodiment, the cables 2 and 3 for electrically connecting the PCBs 8 and 9 are embedded in the members constituting the casing 1 at the PCB connectable positions. Therefore, in the case assembly process, connect the connectors 5, 6 and 7 to the cables 2 and 3,
By attaching the CBs 8 and 9, it is possible to save space in the electronic circuit assembly container portion in the housing.

Further, since it is possible to prevent the electronic circuit parts from being pressed or contacted by the cables in the electronic circuit assembly container portion in the housing, it is possible to ensure high reliability of the electronic equipment.

Further, in the case assembly process using the case for electronic equipment of this embodiment, the PCB connectors 10, 11, 12 are inserted and fixed in the connectors 5, 6, 7 fixed to the case. Therefore, P in the case assembly process
The other fixing means of CB becomes unnecessary.

In this embodiment, the case of using the notebook type personal computer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a laptop type, a book type, a notebook type,
It can be applied to various housings such as personal computers manufactured by injection molding such as a monitor-integrated type, housings for workstations, housings for other electronic devices, and the like.

Further, in this embodiment, the material of the casing
As the manufacturing method, the case of the housing manufactured by injection molding of plastic has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a resin such as another synthetic resin or another material that can be injection molded is used. It can be applied to all the cases used. (2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of a housing for electronic equipment and a housing assembly process when the housing is used.
The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device casing 21 according to the present embodiment.
Is composed of cables 22 and 23 with connectors for connection between PCBs or between a PCB and an external cable, etc., which are embedded in positions required for assembling the housing in advance.

The housing 21 is manufactured by injection molding of plastic as in the first embodiment, and is used for assembling a small notebook personal computer.

At the ends of the cable with connector 22 and the cable with connector 23, the connector 2 is attached respectively.
4, 25 and connectors 26, 27 are attached, and these respective connectors are embedded in the housing 1 to the middle, and are installed and fixed at the positions necessary for connecting the PCBs 8, 9.

Here, the connector 24 is an external connector for allowing the personal computer to send and receive information to and from the outside.
Also, the electrical connection state in each connector in FIG. 2 is not shown.

In the case assembly using the case for electronic equipment of the present embodiment configured as described above, the PCB connectors 10, 11, 12 are attached to the connectors 25, 26, 27 as shown in FIG. Plugged in and connected.

In addition, each PCB is connected through these connectors.
The cables 8 and 9 and the cables 22 and 23 with connectors are also electrically connected. Each connector 24, 25, 2
Since the positions of 6, 27 are fixed at predetermined positions, this PCB connecting process can be easily automated.

As described above, in the electronic device casing according to the present embodiment, the cables 22 and 23 with the connector for connecting the PCBs 8 and 9 are provided in the members constituting the casing 11 in the PC.
Since it is embedded in the B connectable position, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained, and in the case assembling process,
By attaching the PCBs 8 and 9 to the connectors 25, 26, and 27 as they are, it is possible to simplify the housing assembling process by eliminating the cable assembling process.

Further, since the irregular cable assembling process is not required, the automation of the case assembly can be promoted. Furthermore, in the case assembly process using the case for electronic device of the present embodiment, the connectors 25, 26, 2
Since the PCB connectors 10, 11 and 12 are inserted and fixed in 7, the other fixing means of the PCB in the case assembly process becomes unnecessary.

In this embodiment, the case of using the notebook type personal computer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a laptop type, a book type, a notebook type,
It can be applied to various housings such as personal computers manufactured by injection molding such as a monitor-integrated type, housings for workstations, housings for other electronic devices, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the material of the housing
As the manufacturing method, the case of the housing manufactured by injection molding of plastic has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a resin such as another synthetic resin or another material that can be injection molded is used. It can be applied to all the cases used. (3) Further, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a method for manufacturing a housing for electronic equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The same parts as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
In FIG. 3, the manufacturing method of the electronic device casing according to this embodiment includes steps (a), (b), (c), and (d).
It consists of four steps.

First, in step (a), a mold 30 for making the casing 1 is prepared. Next, in step (b), the cables 2, 3, 2'used in the housing 1 are temporarily placed in a mold. At this time, the installation position of each cable is set such that each connector connected to the cable can be fixed at an accurate position in the subsequent housing assembly process. Also, although not particularly shown, each cable 2, 3, 2
′ And its tip are fixed so that their positions do not shift even if injection molding is performed in the next step.

Further, in step (c), so-called injection molding is performed by injecting a resin such as plastic. Then, in the step (d), die cutting is performed, unnecessary portions are shaved, and if necessary, connector attachment marking or grooving is performed to complete the electronic device housing 1.

As described above, in the method for manufacturing the electronic device casing according to the present embodiment, injection molding is performed after the cables 2, 3, 2'used in the casing 1 are temporarily placed in the mold. Since the housing is manufactured by using the above, the electronic device housing 1 used in the first embodiment can be easily manufactured.

In this embodiment, the case where plastic is used as the material of the housing has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other synthetic resin or other resin or other material may be used. All injection moldable materials can be used. (4) Furthermore, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a method of manufacturing a housing for electronic equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The same parts as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
In FIG. 4, the manufacturing method of the electronic device casing according to this embodiment includes steps (a), (b), (c), and (d).
It consists of four steps.

First, in step (a), the casing 21
Prepare a mold 40 for making. Next, in step (b), the cables with connectors 22, 23, 22 'used in the housing 21 are temporarily placed in a mold. At this time, the installation position of each cable with a connector is set such that each PCB or the like connected to the cable can be fixed at an accurate position in the subsequent housing assembly process. In addition, although not particularly shown, each connector 24, 25, 26, 27, 24
´ and 25´ are fixed so that their positions do not shift even if injection molding is performed in the next process, and furthermore, the connectors 24, 25, 26, 27, 24 ′ and 25 ′ are blocked by injection molding and cannot be connected. Protect its tip to prevent

Then, in step (c), a resin such as plastic is injected to perform so-called injection molding. Finally, in step (d), die cutting is performed and unnecessary portions are cut off to complete the electronic device casing 21.

As described above, in the method for manufacturing the electronic device casing according to this embodiment, the cables with connectors 22, 23, 22 'used in the casing 21 are temporarily placed in the mold and then injection molded. Since the housing is manufactured by performing the above process, the electronic device housing 2 as used in the second embodiment.
1 can be easily manufactured.

In the present embodiment, the case where plastic is used as the material of the case has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other synthetic resin or other resin or other material may be used. All injection moldable materials can be used. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0058]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the cable is embedded in the housing, it is possible to save space and ensure high reliability of the electronic device. A housing for use can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cable with the connector is embedded in the housing, and the connector embedding position is the mounting position of the PCB. Therefore, the space can be saved and the height of the electronic device can be improved. It is possible to provide a housing for an electronic device that can ensure reliability and further facilitates automation of a housing assembly process without requiring a cable assembling work.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cable is arranged in the mold and then the injection molding is performed. Therefore, it is possible to save space and ensure high reliability of the electronic device. It is possible to provide a method of manufacturing a housing for an electronic device that is enabled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an electronic device casing according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a casing assembly process when the casing is used.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an electronic device casing according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a casing assembly process when the casing is used.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing an electronic device casing according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of manufacturing an electronic device casing according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5: PC in a device using a conventional electronic device casing
Explanatory drawing which shows the assembly of the cable connection between B.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Electronic device housing, 2, 2 ', 3 ... Cable, 4,
5, 6, 7 ... Connector, 8, 9 ... PCB, 10, 11,
12 ... PCB connector, 21 ... Electronic equipment housing, 22,
22 ', 23 ... Cable with connector, 24, 24',
25, 25 ', 26, 27 ... Connector.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A housing for electronic equipment, wherein a cable for connecting at least an electronic circuit board is embedded in advance inside. 2. In an electronic device housing incorporating at least an electronic circuit board, an injection-molded housing body, and a connector for connecting at least the electronic circuit board to a surface of the housing body is projected and embedded, and The cable connected to the connector comprises a cable with a connector embedded in the housing body, and the connector is embedded at a position on the surface of the housing body corresponding to a position where the electronic circuit board is incorporated. A housing for electronic equipment, characterized by. 3. A first step of arranging a cable for connecting an electronic circuit board in a mold for manufacturing the housing body, and molding in the mold for manufacturing the housing body in which the cable is arranged. A second step of injecting a material to mold a casing main body in which the cable is embedded, and a second step of manufacturing the casing for electronic equipment. 4. When embedding a cable with a connector,
4. The method for manufacturing a housing for electronic equipment according to claim 3, wherein the connector portion is arranged so as to project from a mold for manufacturing the housing body.