JP2019053881A - Housing connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connecting structure of a housing capable of reducing the size of each housing and the size of the housing at the time of connection and reducing the manufacturing cost of the housing. SOLUTION: A connecting member 10 for connecting two housings 1A and 1B is provided, and each housing 1A and 1B has an insertion hole 3 into which the connecting member 10 is inserted and a locking claw arranged in the insertion hole 3. A portion 4 is provided, and the connecting member 10 has a claw receiving portion 14 that is inserted into the insertion holes 3 of the housings 1A and 1B and is locked to the locking claw portions 4 of the housings 1A and 1B, respectively. It was provided in two places. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection structure that connects housings.

  A housing that stores electronic components, batteries, and the like may be connected to a plurality of housings for function expansion, battery capacity expansion, and the like. As a conventional case connecting structure, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. Patent Document 1 shows a structure in which two housings are directly connected and a structure in which the two housings are connected using a connecting member.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the connection structure using the connection members connects the two housings 50A and 50B using the two connection members 70A and 70B.

  A male side locking part 51 and a female side locking part 61 are provided on both side surfaces of the respective casings 50A, 50B.

  The male side locking part 51 protrudes from one side surface of each housing 50A, 50B. The male side locking part 51 has a pair of left and right slide guide walls 52 and a locking protrusion 53 provided between the pair of slide guide walls 52.

  The female side latching part 61 is protrudingly provided on the other side surface of each housing 50A, 50B. The female locking portion 61 includes a pair of left and right rail walls 62, an elastic deflection plate portion 63 provided between the pair of rail walls 62, and a claw portion 64 provided on the elastic deflection plate portion 63.

  Each of the connecting members 70A and 70B has a male side locking part 51 and a female side locking part 61 on the same surface. The male side locking part 51 and the female side locking part 61 of the connecting members 70A and 70B have the same configuration as that of the casings 50A and 50B. The same components in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the casings 50A and 50B, and description thereof is omitted.

  One connection procedure for connecting the two casings 50A and 50B with the connecting members 70A and 70B will be described.

  First, the two casings 50A and 50B are arranged so that the male side locking part 51 of one casing 50A and the female side locking part 61 of the other casing 50B are juxtaposed on the same side surface.

  Next, the connection between the male side locking part 51 and the female side locking part 61 on one surface side of the one connecting member 70A and the two casings 50A, 50B is locked. Moreover, between the other side connection member 70B and the male side latching | locking part 51 and the female side latching | locking part 61 of the other surface side of two housing | casing 50A, 50B is latched.

  In the locking operation between the male locking portion 51 and the female locking portion 61, the pair of left and right slide guide walls 52 are inserted into the pair of left and right rail walls 62. Then, the locking projection 53 interferes with the claw portion 64 during the slide insertion process, but the elastic deflection plate portion 63 is bent and deformed inward (in the recess direction), and insertion of the locking projection 53 is allowed. When the locking projection 53 gets over the claw portion 64, the elastic bending plate portion 63 is elastically restored and deformed, and the locking projection 53 and the claw portion 64 are locked.

JP 2003-257300 A

  However, in the connection structure using the conventional connection members 70A and 70B, the male locking portion 51 and the female locking portion 61 protrude from the side surfaces of the casings 50A and 50B. 50B increases in size. Further, since the connecting members 70A and 70B also protrude from the housings 50A and 50B, the sizes of the housings that are connected and combined are increased.

  When the molds for the respective casings 50A and 50B are manufactured, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the casings 50A and 50B is increased because the molds are also enlarged.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the connection structure of the cases that can reduce the size of each case and the size of the case at the time of connection and can reduce the manufacturing cost of the case. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention includes a connecting member that connects two housings, and each housing is provided with an insertion portion into which the connecting member is inserted and a locking portion disposed in the insertion portion, and the connection The member is provided with two opposing locking portions that are respectively inserted into the insertion portions of the respective housings and are respectively engaged with the locking portions of the respective housings. It is the connection structure of.

  According to the present invention, since the two housings are provided with the insertion portions and the locking portions are disposed in the respective insertion portions, the locking portions do not protrude from the outer surface of each housing. Accordingly, each housing size is reduced. In a state where the housings are connected, the connecting member can be inserted into the insertion portion of each housing, so that the combined housing size can be reduced. Since each case size can be reduced, when each case is manufactured as a mold, the case mold can be reduced in size, and the manufacturing cost of each case can be reduced.

It is a perspective view before connection of a housing | casing and a connection member which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. The 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a perspective view of a connection member, (b) is the BB sectional drawing of (a). 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a)-(d) is a perspective view which shows each connection process of two housing | casing. 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a)-(c) is a perspective sectional view which shows the connection process of a connection member and a housing | casing. 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a)-(c) is sectional drawing which shows the connection process of a connection member and a housing | casing. (A)-(c) is sectional drawing which shows each modification of the rattle suppression part of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The 2nd Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a perspective view of a connection member, (b) is a principal part perspective sectional view of a housing | casing. It is a perspective sectional view showing each 2nd embodiment of the present invention and showing each connection process of a connection member and a case. FIGS. 3A and 3B show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a connecting member, and FIG. It is a perspective sectional view showing each 3rd embodiment of the present invention and showing each connection process of a connection member and a case. FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a main part of a housing, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the connection structure of a housing | casing which shows a prior art example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the casing connection structure according to the first embodiment connects two casings 1 </ b> A and 1 </ b> B using a pair of connecting members 10. Each housing 1A, 1B accommodates electronic components, batteries, and the like.

  One housing 1A has an upper surface as a connection surface 2a and a lower surface as a surface 2b opposite to the connection surface 2a. The other housing 1B has a lower surface as a connecting surface 2a and an upper surface as a surface 2b opposite to the connecting surface 2a. An insertion hole 3 which is a pair of insertion portions is provided at the left and right symmetrical positions of the housings 1A and 1B. Each insertion hole 3 is a rectangular hole and opens to the connection surface 2a and the opposite surface 2b.

  In each insertion hole 3, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, a locking claw portion 4 as a locking portion and an elastic arm portion 5 as a backlash suppressing portion are provided.

  The locking claw portion 4 is supported in a cantilevered state on the inlet side of the insertion hole 3. The locking claw part 4 changes in the direction which makes the protrusion amount in the insertion hole 3 small by elastic deformation.

  The elastic arm portion 5 is disposed on the insertion back side with respect to the locking claw portion 4. The elastic arm portion 5 is formed of a pair of diagonally inclined linear arm portions 5a supported on the housings 1A and 1B, respectively, and a circular arc arm portion 5b connecting the tips of the pair of linear arm portions 5a. The elastic arm portion 5 is a double-supported arm, and the position of the arc arm portion 5b is shifted to the insertion back side when the pair of linear arm portions 5a and the like are bent and deformed.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 3, each connecting member 10 includes a back wall 11, a pair of side walls 12 protruding from the left and right ends of the back wall 11, and a center that connects the pair of side walls 12 at the center in the vertical direction. And a connecting wall 13. Each connecting member 10 is formed in a size that can be inserted into the insertion holes 3 of the housings 1A and 1B with almost no gap.

  The back wall 11 of the connecting member 10 is provided with a claw receiving portion 14 which is a mating side locking portion at two places in a vertically symmetrical position. Each claw receiving portion 14 has a tapered surface 14a (shown in FIG. 3B) that gradually increases from the lower end or the upper end of the connecting member 10 toward the center, and the rear end of the tapered surface 14a is a vertical surface 14b. (Shown in FIG. 3B).

  Next, one connection procedure for connecting the two casings 1A and 1B with the connecting member 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4A, the connecting members 10 are inserted into the respective insertion holes 3 opened in the connecting surface 2 of one housing 1A.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 6 (a), the tip of the claw receiving portion 14 of the connecting member 10 first strikes the locking claw portion 4. When the connecting member 10 is further inserted into the insertion hole 3 from this state, the locking claw portion 4 is elastically deformed and insertion of the connecting member 10 is allowed. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the lower end surface of the connecting member 10 (the lower end surface of the claw receiving portion 14) abuts against the arc arm portion 5 b of the elastic arm portion 5. When the connecting member 10 is further inserted into the insertion hole 3 from this state, the elastic arm portion 5 is elastically deformed and the arc arm portion 5b is gradually displaced downward, and further insertion of the connecting member 10 into the insertion hole 3 is performed. Is acceptable. And if the nail | claw receiving part 14 of the connection member 10 gets over the latching claw part 4 by the side of the housing | casing 1A, the latching claw part 4 will bend and will return-deform.

  Thereafter, when the insertion of the connecting member 10 into the insertion hole 3 is stopped, the elastic arm portion 5 is elastically deformed. As shown in FIGS. 5 (c) and 6 (c), the connecting member 10 is moved to a position where the claw receiving portion 14 is locked to the locking claw portion 4 by the elastic return deformation of the elastic arm portion 5 and the claw. The receiving portion 14 is locked to the locking claw portion 4 in a state where it receives the elastic return force of the elastic arm portion 5. In other words, the claw receiving portion 14 is sandwiched between the locking claw portion 4 and the elastic arm portion 5. The other connecting member 10 is similarly connected to the lower housing 1A. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4B, the lower housing 1A and the two connecting members 10 are connected.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the two connecting members 10 fixed to the lower casing 1A are inserted into the insertion holes 3 of the upper casing 1B, respectively. Then, the locking claw portion 4 is locked to the claw receiving portion 14 of each connecting member 10 by the same operation as described above. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4D, the upper housing 1B and the two connecting members 10 are connected. As described above, the lower casing 1 </ b> A and the upper casing 1 </ b> B are connected via the pair of connecting members 10.

  As described above, the housing connecting structure according to the first embodiment includes the connecting member 10 that connects the two housings 1A and 1B, and the connecting member 10 is inserted into each housing 1A and 1B. Insertion holes 3 and locking claws 4 disposed in the insertion holes 3 are provided, and the connecting members 10 are inserted into the insertion holes 3 of the respective casings 1A and 1B, respectively. Claw receiving portions 14 that are respectively engaged with the locking claw portions 4 are provided at two locations.

  As described above, the insertion holes 3 are provided in the two casings 1A and 1B, and the locking claws 4 are disposed in the insertion holes 3, so that the locking claws 4 are formed from the outer surfaces of the casings 1A and 1B. Does not protrude. Accordingly, each housing size is reduced. Housing 1A. In the state where 1B is connected, the connecting member 10 can be inserted into the insertion hole 3 of each case 1A, 1B as in this embodiment, so that the combined case size is reduced. Since each case size can be reduced, when manufacturing each case 1A and 1B as a metal mold, the molds of the cases 1A and 1B can be reduced in size, and the manufacturing cost of the cases 1A and 1B can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, each insertion hole 3 is an insertion hole 3 that opens in the connection surface 2a of each housing 1A, 1B. Therefore, when the two casings 1A and 1B are connected, the insertion hole 3 is not exposed to the outside, and the connecting member 10 is not visible from the outside.

  In the first embodiment, the locking portion is an elastically deformable locking claw portion 4, and each counterpart locking portion is allowed to be inserted into the insertion hole 3 due to the elastic deformation of the locking claw portion 4. This is a claw receiving portion 14 to which the locking claw portion 4 is locked by elastic return deformation of the locking claw portion 4.

  In the first embodiment, each housing 1A, 1B is a backlash suppressing portion that biases the claw receiving portion 14 in the locking direction in a state where the locking claw portion 4 is locked to the claw receiving portion 14. An elastic arm portion 5 is provided. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent backlash in the connecting direction between the one housing 1A and the connecting member 10 and backlash in the connecting direction between the other housing 1B and the connecting member 10. Thereby, the backlash of the connection direction between two housing | casing 1A, 1B can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment, the backlash suppressing portion is the elastic arm portion 5 that is elastically deformed during the insertion process of the connecting member 10 into the insertion hole 3. Therefore, the backlash in the connecting direction between the two housings 1A and 1B can be reliably prevented by the elastic return force of the elastic arm portion 5.

  7A to 7C show modified examples of the backlash suppressing unit. The elastic arm portion 5 which is the backlash suppressing portion of FIG. 7A is formed by a single linear arm portion 5a having an oblique inclination and a horizontal arm portion 5c connected to the tip of the straight arm portion 5a. The elastic arm portion 5 that is the backlash suppressing portion of FIG. 7B is formed of two linear arm portions 5a that are inclined obliquely. The elastic arm portion 5 that is the backlash suppressing portion of FIG. 7C is formed of two diagonally inclined linear arm portions 5a and a rectangular frame arm portion 5d that connects the tips of the two linear arm portions 5a. Yes.

(Second Embodiment)
8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the first embodiment, the second embodiment is different in the configuration of the backlash suppressing portion and in that an excessive insertion preventing portion of the connecting member 10 is provided.

  The backlash suppressing portion is formed by a leaf spring portion 6 disposed in the insertion hole 3. The leaf spring portion 6 is a cantilever spring having a root portion supported on the housing 1A (1B) side. The leaf spring portion 6 is supported on the same surface of the insertion hole 3 as the locking claw portion 4. The distal end side of the leaf spring portion 6 is located on the insertion locus of the insertion distal end surface of the claw receiving portion 14 of the connecting member 10.

  The excessive insertion preventing portion is formed by a restricting protruding wall 7 disposed on the insertion back side of the leaf spring portion 6 of the insertion hole 3. The restricting protruding wall 7 protrudes from the surface of the insertion hole 3 facing the locking claw portion 4 and the leaf spring portion 6. The restricting protruding wall 7 is located on the insertion locus of the back wall 11 of the connecting member 10.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the connecting operation between the connecting member 10 and the housing 1A (1B) will be described. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the connecting member 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 3, the claw receiving portion 14 is inserted to a position over the locking claw portion 4 due to elastic deformation of the locking claw portion 4. Then, the latching claw portion 4 is bent and restored and returned to a position where it can interfere with the claw receiving portion 14 of the connecting member 10. When the connecting member 10 is further inserted into the insertion hole 3 from this state, the tip of the claw receiving portion 14 is inserted while pressing the leaf spring portion 6. When the connecting member 10 abuts against the restricting protruding wall 7, further insertion is prevented. Thereby, excessive deformation of the leaf spring portion 6 due to excessive insertion of the connecting member 10 is prevented.

  When the insertion of the connecting member 10 is stopped at a position where the connecting member 10 abuts against the restricting protrusion wall 7 or a position in front thereof, the leaf spring portion 6 is elastically deformed. The connecting member 10 is moved to a position where the claw receiving portion 14 is locked to the locking claw portion 4 by the elastic return deformation of the leaf spring portion 6 and the claw receiving portion 14 receives the elastic return force of the leaf spring portion 6. Is locked to the locking claw portion 4. In other words, the claw receiving portion 14 is sandwiched between the locking claw portion 4 and the leaf spring portion 6. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8 (9), the housing 1A (1B) and the connecting member 10 are connected.

  As mentioned above, also in this 2nd Embodiment, for the same reason as the said 1st Embodiment, each housing | casing size becomes small. Housing 1A. In the state where 1B is connected, the connecting member 10 can be inserted into the insertion hole 3 of each case 1A, 1B as in this embodiment, so that the combined case size is reduced. Since each case size can be reduced, when manufacturing each case 1A and 1B as a metal mold, the molds of the cases 1A and 1B can be reduced in size, and the manufacturing cost of the cases 1A and 1B can be reduced.

  The backlash suppressing portion is a leaf spring portion 6 that is elastically bent and deformed in the process of inserting the connecting member 10 into the insertion hole 3. Therefore, the backlash in the connecting direction between the two housings 1A (1B) can be reliably prevented by the elastic return force of the leaf spring portion 6.

  A restricting protruding wall 7 is provided as an excessive insertion preventing portion. Accordingly, the connecting member 10 can be inserted only up to the position where the insertion tip of the connecting member 10 abuts against the restricting projection wall 7, so that excessive deformation of the leaf spring portion 6 can be prevented.

(Third embodiment)
10 and 11 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In 3rd Embodiment, compared with the said 2nd Embodiment, the structure of a play suppressing part and an excessive insertion prevention part is different.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the backlash suppressing portion and the excessive insertion preventing portion include a pair of spring receiving portions 15 protruding from the insertion tip of the connecting member 10 and on both outer sides of the claw receiving portion 14, and a locking claw. It is formed from a leaf spring portion 6 supported on a surface opposite to the surface on which the portion 4 is supported. The distal end side of the leaf spring portion 6 is located on the insertion locus of the pair of spring receiving portions 15.

  That is, the pair of spring receiving portions 15 and the leaf spring portion 6 serve as the backlash suppressing portion and the excessive insertion preventing portion.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the connecting operation between the connecting member 10 and the housing 1A (1B) will be described. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the connecting member 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 3, the claw receiving portion 14 is inserted to a position over the locking claw portion 4 due to elastic deformation of the locking claw portion 4. Then, the locking claw portion 4 bends and returns and returns to a position where it can interfere with the claw receiving portion 14 of the connecting member 10. When the connecting member 10 is further inserted into the insertion hole 3 from this state, the connecting member 10 is inserted while the pair of spring receiving portions 15 presses the leaf spring portion 6.

  The leaf spring portion 6 can be elastically deformed and deformed only up to a position where the tip of the leaf spring portion abuts against the surface of the insertion hole 3. Therefore, the connecting member 10 can be inserted only to a position where the tip of the leaf spring portion 6 abuts against the surface of the insertion hole 3. Thereby, the excessive insertion of the connection member 10 is controlled.

  If the insertion of the connecting member 10 is stopped at a position where the leaf spring portion 6 cannot be elastically deformed and deformed (a position where the tip of the leaf spring portion 6 abuts against the surface of the insertion hole 3) or a position in front of it, the leaf spring portion 6 is elastic. Return deformation. The connecting member 10 is moved to a position where the claw receiving portion 14 is locked to the locking claw portion 4 by the elastic return deformation of the leaf spring portion 6 and the claw receiving portion 14 receives the elastic return force of the leaf spring portion 6. Is locked to the locking claw portion 4. In other words, the claw receiving portion 14 is sandwiched between the locking claw portion 4 and the leaf spring portion 6. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11B, the housing 1A (1B) and the connecting member 10 are connected.

  As mentioned above, also in this 3rd Embodiment, each case size becomes small for the same reason as the said 1st Embodiment. Housing 1A. In the state where 1B is connected, the connecting member 10 can be inserted into the insertion hole 3 of each case 1A, 1B as in this embodiment, so that the combined case size is reduced. Since each case size can be reduced, when manufacturing each case 1A and 1B as a metal mold, the molds of the cases 1A and 1B can be reduced in size, and the manufacturing cost of the cases 1A and 1B can be reduced.

  In the third embodiment, the insertion of the connecting member 10 into the insertion hole 3 can be performed only up to the position where the leaf spring portion 6 hits the surface of the insertion hole 3. Deformation can be prevented.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In 4th Embodiment, compared with the said 1st Embodiment, the structure of a backlash suppression part is different.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the backlash suppressing portion is formed by a biasing member 20 disposed in the insertion hole 3 after the casing 1A is molded. The urging member 20 is a cushion, a spring, or the like. FIG. 11 conceptually shows the biasing member 20.

  That is, in the said 1st Embodiment, the backlash suppression part was integrally molded at the time of metal mold | die shaping | molding of the housing | casing 1A. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the backlashing portion 20 is separated from the casing 1A after the molding of the casing 1A without molding the backlash suppressing portion in the molding of the casing 1A. To do.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, the mold structure of the casings 1A and 1B can be further simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the casings 1A and 1B can be further reduced.

(Other)
In each of the above embodiments, the locking claw portion 4 of each housing 1A, 1B is formed so as to be elastically deformed, and the claw receiving portion 14 of the connecting member 10 is formed so as not to be elastically deformed. The claw portion 4 may be formed so as to be elastically deformed, and the claw receiving portion 14 may be formed so as not to be elastically deformed. Moreover, you may form so that both the latching claw part 4 and the nail | claw receiving part 14 may elastically deform together. Further, the locking portion and the other-side locking portion do not have to have a claw shape, and may be any structure that is locked to each other by insertion of the connecting member 10 into the insertion hole 3.

  In each said embodiment, although the backlash suppression part is provided in each housing | casing 1A, 1B side, you may provide a backlash suppression part in the connection member 10 side. If the backlash suppressing portion is provided on the connecting member 10 side, the mold structure of each casing 1A, 1B is further simplified, and the structure of each casing 1A, 1B itself is simplified.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the case where two cases 1A and 1B are connected has been described. However, the connection structure of the present invention can also be applied to a case where three or more cases are connected.

  In each said embodiment, although the insertion part is the insertion hole 3 opened to the connection surface 2a, the groove part opened to the connection surface 2a may be sufficient.

1A, 1B Housing 2a Connecting surface 3 Insertion hole (insertion part)
4 Locking claw (locking part)
5 Elastic arm part (backlash control part)
6 Leaf spring (backlash suppression)
10 Connecting member 14 Claw receiving part (mating side locking part)
20 Biasing member (backlash control part)

Claims (6)

A connecting member for connecting two housings;
Each casing is provided with an insertion portion into which the connecting member is inserted and a locking portion disposed in the insertion portion,
The coupling member is provided with two mating locking portions that are respectively inserted into the insertion portions of the housings and are respectively locked with the locking portions of the housings. Case connection structure. It is the connection structure of the housing | casing of Claim 1, Comprising:
Each said insertion part is an insertion hole opened to the connection surface of each said housing | casing, The connection structure of the housing | casing characterized by the above-mentioned. It is the connection structure of the housing | casing of Claim 1 or Claim 2, Comprising:
The locking part is an elastically deformable locking claw part,
Each of the mating locking portions is a claw receiving portion that is allowed to be inserted into the insertion portion by elastic deformation of the locking claw portion, and that the locking claw portion is locked by elastic return deformation of the locking claw portion. A connecting structure for a housing, characterized in that It is the connection structure of the housing | casing in any one of Claims 1-3,
At least one of the housings and the connecting member has a backlash suppressing portion that urges the claw receiving portion in the locking direction in a state where the locking claw portion is locked to the claw receiving portion. A connecting structure for a housing, which is provided. It is the connection structure of the housing | casing of Claim 4, Comprising:
The connection structure of a housing | casing characterized by the said backlash suppression part being an elastic arm part which elastically bends and deforms in the insertion process of the said connection member to the said insertion hole. It is the connection structure of the housing | casing of Claim 4, Comprising:
The connection structure of a housing | casing characterized by the said backlash suppression part being a leaf | plate spring part which deforms elastically and deforms in the insertion process of the said connection member to the said insertion hole.

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