JP7161691B2 - cabinet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to cabinets.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a cabinet provided with opening assist means for assisting opening of a drawer in accordance with a user's switch operation. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a configuration is known in which a drawer door is provided with a switch for activating opening assist means for assisting opening of the drawer.

Japanese Patent No. 5202322

However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, since signals are transmitted wirelessly from the starter switch to the opening assisting means, it is conceivable to employ means such as a battery for power supply to the starter switch. When a battery is used, it is necessary to replace the battery as the battery becomes exhausted, resulting in poor usability.

Also, when trying to supply power to the start switch via electrical wiring from the power supply unit provided on the fixed frame located behind the drawer in order to secure storage space, the electrical wiring expands and contracts or bends in conjunction with the opening and closing of the drawer. As a result, it becomes difficult to handle the wiring, and the usability is not excellent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cabinet with auxiliary opening means that is easy to use even when electric power is supplied from a power supply unit provided on a fixed frame to a starter switch through electric wiring.

A cabinet according to a first aspect of the invention comprises a fixed frame, a drawer movably provided on the fixed frame, opening assist means provided on the fixed frame for assisting opening of the drawer, and the fixed frame. a start switch provided on the body for activating the opening auxiliary means by operating a portion exposed to the outside of the cabinet; A power supply unit that supplies electric power to the auxiliary opening means and the starter switch, and electrical wiring that electrically connects the auxiliary opening means and the starter switch.
According to the first invention, the wiring can be easily routed without being affected by the opening/closing operation of the drawer. The wiring is on the fixed side and is inconspicuous even when the drawer is opened, so it does not spoil the appearance. It is not necessary to bury the wiring so that it is invisible and that it does not come into contact with other parts. A battery associated with the wireless connection between the start switch and the opening auxiliary means is not required, and the trouble of replacing the battery is also eliminated. It is possible to configure without a start switch in the movable part, and it is possible to eliminate the need for expansion, contraction or bending of electric wiring, and contacts that are electrically connected only when the drawer is closed, so it is low cost and excellent in reliability. Further, since the starter switch is provided on the fixed frame but has a portion exposed to the outside, the operation by the user is facilitated.
In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the start switch is provided between the lower surface of the top plate of the fixed frame and the upper surface of the door of the drawer.
According to the second invention, by providing the start switch between the lower surface of the top plate and the upper surface of the door of the drawer, visibility from above is suppressed, and the presence of the start switch is not conspicuous, and the design is excellent. .
According to a third invention, in the second invention, the front end of the start switch is substantially flush with the front end of the top plate or positioned behind the front end of the top plate.
According to the third invention, when viewed from above, the front end of the start switch does not protrude forward beyond the front end of the top plate, and the start switch can be concealed by suppressing visibility from above. You can further increase your sexuality.
In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the starter switch is provided on a component extending in the direction of the frontage of the fixed frame and has a width substantially equal to the width of the frontage.
According to the fourth invention, the user can operate the start switch from any position in the left-right direction. No need to move left or right. That is, it can be operated with a short flow line and is convenient to use.
In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the starting switch also serves as a frontage reinforcing member.
According to the fifth aspect, it is not necessary to provide a frontage reinforcing member such as a horizontal rail as a separate member in order to increase the strength of the cabinet.
In a sixth aspect based on the fourth or fifth aspect, the start switch has a sensor that generates an electric signal when touched.
According to the sixth invention, even if the starter switch is provided over the frontage direction, the operation of the starter switch does not become heavy and can be operated without burden.
In a seventh aspect based on any one of the first to sixth aspects, the drawer has a first drawer and a second drawer positioned below the first drawer, and A start switch is provided between the lower surface of the first door of the first drawer and the upper surface of the second door of the second drawer.
According to the seventh invention, even if the start switch for the second drawer is provided at a position where it can be grasped intuitively, the presence of the start switch for opening the second drawer is not conspicuous, and the design is excellent. .

According to the cabinet with auxiliary opening means of the present invention, usability can be improved even if electric power is supplied from the power supply unit provided on the fixed frame to the starter switch through electric wiring.

It is a perspective view of the cabinet concerning an embodiment. It is a perspective view of a fixed frame according to the embodiment. It is a schematic cross section of the drawer closed state in the cabinet which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic cross section of the drawer open state in the cabinet which concerns on embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet 1 according to an embodiment.

The cabinet 1 has a fixed frame 10 and drawers 40 and 50 movably provided on the fixed frame 10 . Although the example shown in FIG. 1 shows two drawers, a first drawer 40 and a second drawer 50 located below the first drawer 40, the number of drawers may be one or three or more. may

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fixed frame 10 with the top plate 11 shown in FIG. 1 removed.

The fixed frame 10 has a top plate 11 (shown in FIG. 1), a bottom plate 12 , a back plate 13 and two side plates 14 . The fixed frame 10 has a space surrounded by the top plate 11, the bottom plate 12, the back plate 13, and the two side plates 14, and the drawers 40 and 50 can be stored in the space.

The front surface of the fixed frame 10 is open and an opening 16 is formed. Drawers 40 and 50 are slidably attached to the fixed frame 10 through the opening 16 . The slides of the drawers 40 and 50 are guided by slide rails 17 provided on the inner surface of the side plate 14 .
In the specification of the present application, the term "forward" refers to the direction in which the drawers 40 and 50 are pulled out from the fixed frame 10, and the term "backward" refers to the direction in which the drawers 40 and 50 are retracted into the fixed frame 10. pointing in the direction.

An opening assisting means 30 is provided on the front surface of the back plate 13 . Two opening aids 30 are provided corresponding to the number of drawers 40,50. The opening assistance means 30 has a pushing portion 31 (shown in FIG. 3) for pushing the drawers 40 and 50 out of the fixed frame 10 and assists the opening of the drawers 40 and 50 .
The opening assist means 30 pushes the drawers 40 and 50 forward against the biasing force of the closing assist means that tries to pull the drawers 40 and 50 backward in the vicinity of the drawers 40 and 50 closed position. refers to means.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cabinet 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a drawer closed state in which the drawers 40 and 50 are housed inside the fixed frame 10 .
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drawer open state in which the drawers 40 and 50 are pulled out from the fixed frame 10. As shown in FIG.

Each drawer 40, 50 has a door 21, a back plate 22, a bottom plate 23 and two side plates 24, and is open at the top.

When the drawers 40 and 50 are closed, the opening assist means 30 is positioned between the back plate 13 of the fixed frame 10 and the back plate 22 of the drawers 40 and 50 .

A power supply unit 80 is provided on the front surface of the back plate 13 of the fixed frame 10 . The power supply unit 80 can be connected to a commercial power supply, and converts AC power of the commercial power supply into DC power.

The opening assistance means 30 is connected to a power supply unit 80 by a power supply line 81 and receives power supply from the power supply unit 80 through the power supply line 81 .

The opening assist means 30 is activated by operating the start switch 60 . For example, two starting switches 60 are provided corresponding to two opening assist means 30 . Each start switch 60 has a detector 61 that detects a user's operation. The start switch 60 also has a control section 74 that receives an input of an operation signal from the detection section 61 and outputs a control signal to the opening assistance means 30 .

The detection unit 61 is exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1 so that the user can easily operate it. The detection part 61 of the start switch 60 for assisting the opening of the first drawer 40 is provided between the lower surface of the top plate 11 of the fixed frame 10 and the upper surface of the door 21 of the first drawer 40. there is As described above, the detection unit 61 for assisting the opening of the first drawer 40 has an inverted L shape, and has a surface in contact with the lower surface of the top plate 11 and a surface in contact with the signal line 73 (details will be described later). ,have.
Therefore, even if the detector 61 located between the lower surface of the top plate 11 and the drawer 40 is thinly provided in consideration of design, the connection with the signal line 73 is facilitated.
Further, the detection part 61 of the start switch 60 for assisting the opening of the second drawer 50 is provided between the lower surface of the door 21 of the first drawer 40 and the upper surface of the door 21 of the second drawer 50. It is

The detection part 61 is provided across the frontage direction (the direction connecting the pair of side plates 14 of the fixed frame 10), and also functions as a crosspiece (frontage reinforcing member). It is fixed to the side plate 14 .
The detector 61 preferably also functions as a horizontal beam, but may be attached to the front surface of the horizontal beam and provided with substantially the same width as the width of the opening 16 in the frontage direction.
The substantially same width refers to within ±5 mm of the outer dimension of the pair of side plates 14 of the fixed frame 10 or the inner dimension of the pair of side plates 14 of the fixed frame 10 in the horizontal direction.

A front end 61 a of the detection portion 61 is located behind the front end 11 a of the top plate 11 of the fixed frame 10 . Alternatively, the front end 61a of the detection portion 61 and the front end 11a of the top plate 11 of the fixed frame 10 are substantially flush with each other. That is, the front end 61 a of the detection portion 61 does not protrude forward beyond the front end 11 a of the top plate 11 . The detection part 61 also has a portion exposed to the space behind the opening 16 .
It is preferable that the user does not recognize that the upper surface of the detection unit 61 is exposed to the outside, and substantially flush refers to a dimension within ±3 mm with respect to the front end 11a of the top plate 11 of the fixed frame 10.

The detection unit 61 has, for example, a touch sensor that generates an electric signal when touched by a user. This touch sensor is, for example, an electrostatic sensor whose capacitance changes through the fingertip when the fingertip approaches or touches the detection unit 61 . Alternatively, the touch sensor may be a piezoelectric sensor having a piezoelectric element that converts applied force into voltage.

The detection section 61 of the start switch 60 is electrically connected to the opening assist means 30 through the signal line 73 , the control section 74 and the electrical wiring 75 . These signal lines 73 , controller 74 , and electrical wiring 75 are provided on the side plate 14 of the fixed frame 10 , for example.

The detection section 61 is electrically connected to the control section 74 by a signal line 73 . The control unit 74 is electrically connected to the opening assist means 30 by an electric wiring 75 . The electric wiring 75 serves as both a power line and a signal line. The control unit 74 receives power supply from the power supply unit 80 through the power supply line 81 and the electrical wiring 75 .

An operation signal of the detection unit 61 is transmitted to the opening assisting means 30 through the signal line 73 , the control unit 74 and the electric wiring 75 . The control unit 74 receives the operation signal from the detection unit 61 and sends a control signal for activating the opening assisting means 30 to the opening assisting means 30 .

When the user operates the detection unit 61 (for example, touches the detection unit 61 which is a touch sensor), an operation signal is transmitted to the opening assisting means 30 . Upon receiving this operation signal, the opening assist means 30 is activated. That is, the push-out portion 31 operates to push the back plate 22 in the direction in which the drawers 40 and 50 are pulled out from the fixed frame 10 as shown in FIG.

After the auxiliary opening means 30 is activated, for example, when a predetermined period of time elapses, the push-out portion 31 automatically returns to its original position, and the auxiliary opening means 30 enters an operation standby state.

According to the embodiment, the starting switch 60 and the wiring (the signal line 73 and the electric wiring 75) are provided on the fixed frame 10, which is the element on the fixed side. Easier to handle. Since the wiring is on the fixed side and is inconspicuous even when the drawers 40 and 50 are opened, the appearance is not spoiled. It is not necessary to bury the wiring so that it is invisible and that it does not come into contact with other parts. A battery associated with the wireless connection between the start switch 60 and the opening assisting means 30 is not required, and the trouble of replacing the battery is also eliminated. Since the detection part 61 and the opening assisting means 30 are provided in the fixed part, there is no need for expansion/contraction or bending of the electric wiring or contacts for electrical connection only when the drawer is closed, resulting in low cost and excellent reliability. Further, since the detection section 61 is provided on the fixed frame 10 but is exposed to the outside, the user can easily operate the detection section 61 . According to such an embodiment, it is possible to provide a convenient cabinet with auxiliary opening means.

A detection unit 61 for activating the opening assist means 30 for assisting the opening of the first drawer 40 is arranged in the space between the lower surface of the top plate 11 and the upper surface of the door 21 of the first drawer 40. covers the upper surface side of the detection unit 61 by . The detection unit 61 for activating the opening assist means 30 for assisting the opening of the second drawer 50 is arranged in the space between the lower surface of the door 21 of the first drawer 40 and the upper surface of the door 21 of the second drawer 50. The upper surface side of the detection unit 61 is covered with the door 21 of the first drawer 40 . With such a configuration, the presence of the detection unit 61 is inconspicuous, and the design is excellent.
Furthermore, by arranging the front end 61a of the detection part 61 in the space between the lower surface of the top plate 11 and the upper surface of the door 21 of the first drawer 40, the start switch 60 can be positioned at a height that is easy for the user to operate. can be provided and is excellent in operability.
In addition, by providing the front end 61a of the detection part 61 between the front surface of the top plate 11 and the front surface of the door 21 of the drawer 40, excellent operability is maintained while maintaining design.

In addition, when viewed from above, the front end 61a of the detection portion 61 does not protrude forward beyond the front end 11a of the top plate 11, and the detection portion 61 is hidden by the top plate 11, further enhancing the design. can be done.

Even if the presence of the detection unit 61 is not conspicuous in this way, since the detection unit 61 is provided over the frontage direction, the user can operate from any position in the left-right direction of the detection unit 61. The user does not have to move left or right. That is, it can be operated with a short flow line and is convenient to use.

The detection part 61 also serves as a frontage reinforcing member, so that cost can be reduced by reducing the number of members.

The detection unit 61 may be a push-type switch. In that case, if the push-in type switch is provided over the frontage direction, the operation of pushing in the long switch tends to become heavy. However, by using the touch sensor-type detection unit 61 as in the embodiment, even if the detection unit 61 is provided over the frontage direction, it is possible to operate without burden.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to them, and various modifications are possible based on the technical idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Cabinet, 10... Fixed frame, 21... Door, 30... Opening auxiliary means, 31... Extrusion part, 40, 50... Drawer, 60... Start switch, 61... Detection part, 74... Control part, 80... Power supply unit

Claims (6)

a fixed frame;
a drawer movably provided on the fixed frame;
an opening assisting means provided on the fixed frame for assisting the opening of the drawer;
a start switch provided on the fixed frame, the start switch activating the opening auxiliary means by operating a portion exposed to the outside of the cabinet;
a power supply unit provided on the fixed frame and supplying power to the auxiliary opening means and the starting switch;
an electrical wiring that electrically connects the opening assist means and the starting switch;
with
The starter switch is provided in a part extending in the direction of the frontage of the fixed frame so as to have substantially the same width as the width of the frontage . 2. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein said starting switch is provided between the lower surface of said fixed frame top plate and the upper surface of said drawer door. 3. The cabinet according to claim 2, wherein the front end of said start switch is substantially flush with the front end of said top plate or located behind the front end of said top plate. 2. The cabinet according to claim 1 , wherein said starting switch also serves as a frontage reinforcing member. The cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the start switch has a sensor that generates an electric signal when touched. The drawer has a first drawer and a second drawer located below the first drawer,
6. The starting switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the start switch is provided between the lower surface of the first door of the first drawer and the upper surface of the second door of the second drawer. Cabinet as described.

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