U.S. patent application number 11/152746 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for board unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to UBER CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Masaharu Morimoto, Osamu Suzue.
Application Number | 20060018105 11/152746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35149084 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060018105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suzue; Osamu ; et
al. |
January 26, 2006 |
BOARD UNIT
Abstract
To provide a board unit having an insertion-extraction handle
locking structure with which a desired locking force can be easily
generated and the locking force is hardly lowered, and which is low
in production cost. An insertion-extraction handle 5 is rotatably
supported by a panel body 4. A spring unit 6 is resiliently held in
a spring receiving hole 45 formed in the panel body 4 and has a
first spring part 61 which, when a stopper part 53 of the
insertion-extraction handle 5 is inserted into the spring receiving
hole 45, applies a resistance to the insertion of the stopper part
53, and which, when the stopper part 53 is extracted from the
spring receiving hole 45, applies a resistance to the extraction of
the stopper part 53. Second spring parts 62 of the spring unit 6
are configured to generate a resistance to removal of the spring
unit 6 which is greater than the resistance to the insertion of the
stopper part 53 between the spring unit 6 and the spring receiving
hole 45 when the stopper part 53 is inserted into the spring
receiving hole 45 and to generate a resistance to removal of the
spring unit 6 which is greater than the resistance to the
extraction of the stopper part 53 between the spring unit 6 and the
spring receiving hole 45 when the stopper part 53 is extracted from
the stopper receiving hole 45.
Inventors: |
Suzue; Osamu; (Osaka,
JP) ; Morimoto; Masaharu; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOGAN & HARTSON L.L.P.
500 S. GRAND AVENUE
SUITE 1900
LOS ANGELES
CA
90071-2611
US
|
Assignee: |
UBER CO., LTD.
|
Family ID: |
35149084 |
Appl. No.: |
11/152746 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/798 ;
361/726; 361/740; 361/754; 361/801 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/1409
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/798 ;
361/801; 361/754; 361/726; 361/740 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/14 20060101
H05K007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 20, 2004 |
JP |
2004-211233 |
Feb 25, 2005 |
JP |
2005-050231 |
Claims
1. A board unit removably attachable to a board housing frame,
comprising: a board body; a panel body for fixedly supporting the
board body, the panel body having a stopper insertion hole; an
insertion-extraction handle rotatably supported by the panel body
having: an operation part, a frame engaging part configured to be
engaged with a part of the board housing frame when the operation
part is rotated to a specific fixed position and to be disengaged
from the board housing frame when the operation part is rotated to
a specific release position, and a stopper part configured to be
inserted into the stopper insertion hole when the operation part is
rotated to the fixed position and to be extracted from the stopper
insertion hole when the operation part is rotated to the release
position; and a spring unit non-fixedly held either in the stopper
insertion hole or on the insertion-extraction handle, the spring
unit having a main spring part which, when the stopper part is
inserted into the stopper insertion hole, applies a prescribed
resistance to the insertion of the stopper part on the
insertion-extraction handle, and which, when the stopper part is
extracted from the stopper insertion hole, applies a prescribed
resistance to the extraction of the stopper part on the
insertion-extraction handle.
2. The board unit of claim 1, wherein the board body is disposed
generally in parallel to the direction in which the board unit is
inserted into or extracted from the board housing frame; wherein
the panel body has: a generally flat side panel disposed generally
in parallel to the board body, and a generally flat front panel
extending from the extraction side end of the side panel in a
direction generally perpendicular to the direction in which the
board unit is inserted into or extracted from the board housing
frame, the stopper insertion hole being formed through the front
panel; wherein the insertion-extraction handle also has: a base
part rotatably supported by the panel body, and a rod part
extending from the base part, the frame engaging part being formed
continuously with the base part, the stopper part being formed on
an intermediate portion of the rod part, the operation part being
formed on the other end of the rod part, the base part being
located substantially inside the front panel, the rod part being
configured to be located outside the front panel and extend
adjacent to and generally parallel to the front panel when the
operation part is in the fixed position, and to be located outside
the front panel and erected from the front panel when the operation
part is in the release position, the stopper part being configured
to be located inside the front panel when the operation part is in
the fixed position, and to be located outside the front panel when
the operation part is in the release position; and wherein the main
spring part of the spring unit is configured to be located inside
the front panel at least when the operation part is in the fixed
position.
3. The board unit of claim 2, wherein the base part of the
insertion-extraction handle is located in a gap between the board
body and the side panel, and the stopper part of the
insertion-extraction handle and the main spring part of the spring
unit are located in the gap at least when the operation part is in
the fixed position.
4. The board unit of claim 1, further comprising urging means for
urging the insertion-extraction handle in the direction in which
the operation part of the insertion-extraction handle is rotated
from the fixed position to the release position.
5. The board unit of claim 1, wherein the spring unit is held in
the stopper insertion hole, the main spring part being configured
to be brought into contact with the stopper part when the stopper
part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and deformed to
generate a resistance to the insertion of the stopper part, and to
be brought into contact with the stopper part when the stopper part
is extracted from the stopper insertion hole and deformed to
generate a resistance to the extraction of the stopper part, the
spring unit also having an insertion hole engaging part which is
non-fixedly engaged with the stopper insertion hole and which is
configured to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit
which is greater than the resistance to the insertion of the
stopper part between the spring unit and the stopper insertion hole
when the stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole,
and to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit which is
greater than the resistance to the extraction of the stopper part
between the spring unit and the stopper insertion hole when the
stopper part is extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
6. The board unit of claim 5, wherein the main spring part and the
insertion hole engaging part of the spring unit are integrally
formed of a plate spring material.
7. The board unit of claim 1, wherein the spring unit is held on
the insertion-extraction handle at a position in the vicinity of
the stopper part, the main spring part is configured to be brought
into contact with an edge of the stopper insertion hole when the
stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and
deformed to generate a resistance to the insertion of the stopper
part, and to be brought into contact with the edge of the stopper
insertion hole when the stopper part is extracted from the stopper
insertion hole and deformed to generate a resistance to the
extraction of the stopper part, the spring unit also having a
handle engaging part which is non-fixedly engaged with the
insertion-extraction handle and which is configured to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the insertion of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
inserted into the stopper insertion hole, and to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the extraction of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
8. The board unit of claim 7, wherein the main spring part and the
handle engaging part of the spring unit are integrally formed of a
plate spring material.
9. The board unit of claim 2, wherein the spring unit is held in
the stopper insertion hole, the main spring part being configured
to be brought into contact with the stopper part when the stopper
part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and deformed to
generate a resistance to the insertion of the stopper part, and to
be brought into contact with the stopper part when the stopper part
is extracted from the stopper insertion hole and deformed to
generate a resistance to the extraction of the stopper part, the
spring unit also having an insertion hole engaging part which is
non-fixedly engaged with the stopper insertion hole and which is
configured to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit
which is greater than the resistance to the insertion of the
stopper part between the spring unit and the stopper insertion hole
when the stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole,
and to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit which is
greater than the resistance to the extraction of the stopper part
between the spring unit and the stopper insertion hole when the
stopper part is extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
10. The board unit of claim 9, wherein the main spring part and the
insertion hole engaging part of the spring unit are integrally
formed of a plate spring material.
11. The board unit of claim 2, wherein the spring unit is held on
the insertion-extraction handle at a position in the vicinity of
the stopper part, the main spring part is configured to be brought
into contact with an edge of the stopper insertion hole when the
stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and
deformed to generate a resistance to the insertion of the stopper
part, and to be brought into contact with the edge of the stopper
insertion hole when the stopper part is extracted from the stopper
insertion hole and deformed to generate a resistance to the
extraction of the stopper part, the spring unit also having a
handle engaging part which is non-fixedly engaged with the
insertion-extraction handle and which is configured to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the insertion of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
inserted into the stopper insertion hole, and to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the extraction of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
12. The board unit of claim 11, wherein the main spring part and
the handle engaging part of the spring unit are integrally formed
of a plate spring material.
13. The board unit of claim 3, wherein the spring unit is held in
the stopper insertion hole, the main spring part being configured
to be brought into contact with the stopper part when the stopper
part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and deformed to
generate a resistance to the insertion of the stopper part, and to
be brought into contact with the stopper part when the stopper part
is extracted from the stopper insertion hole and deformed to
generate a resistance to the extraction of the stopper part, the
spring unit also having an insertion hole engaging part which is
non-fixedly engaged with the stopper insertion hole and which is
configured to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit
which is greater than the resistance to the insertion of the
stopper part between the spring unit and the stopper insertion hole
when the stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole,
and to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit which is
greater than the resistance to the extraction of the stopper part
between the spring unit and the stopper insertion hole when the
stopper part is extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
14. The board unit of claim 13, wherein the main spring part and
the insertion hole engaging part of the spring unit are integrally
formed of a plate spring material.
15. The board unit of claim 3, wherein the spring unit is held on
the insertion-extraction handle at a position in the vicinity of
the stopper part, the main spring part is configured to be brought
into contact with an edge of the stopper insertion hole when the
stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and
deformed to generate a resistance to the insertion of the stopper
part, and to be brought into contact with the edge of the stopper
insertion hole when the stopper part is extracted from the stopper
insertion hole and deformed to generate a resistance to the
extraction of the stopper part, the spring unit also having a
handle engaging part which is non-fixedly engaged with the
insertion-extraction handle and which is configured to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the insertion of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
inserted into the stopper insertion hole, and to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the extraction of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
16. The board unit of claim 15, wherein the main spring part and
the handle engaging part of the spring unit are integrally formed
of a plate spring material.
17. The board unit of claim 4, wherein the spring unit is held in
the stopper insertion hole, the main spring part being configured
to be brought into contact with the stopper part when the stopper
part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and deformed to
generate a resistance to the insertion of the stopper part, and to
be brought into contact with the stopper part when the stopper part
is extracted from the stopper insertion hole and deformed to
generate a resistance to the extraction of the stopper part, the
spring unit also having an insertion hole engaging part which is
non-fixedly engaged with the stopper insertion hole and which is
configured to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit
which is greater than the resistance to the insertion of the
stopper part between the spring unit and the stopper insertion hole
when the stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole,
and to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit which is
greater than the resistance to the extraction of the stopper part
between the spring unit and the stopper insertion hole when the
stopper part is extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
18. The board unit of claim 17, wherein the main spring part and
the insertion hole engaging part of the spring unit are integrally
formed of a plate spring material.
19. The board unit of claim 4, wherein the spring unit is held on
the insertion-extraction handle at a position in the vicinity of
the stopper part, the main spring part is configured to be brought
into contact with an edge of the stopper insertion hole when the
stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and
deformed to generate a resistance to the insertion of the stopper
part, and to be brought into contact with the edge of the stopper
insertion hole when the stopper part is extracted from the stopper
insertion hole and deformed to generate a resistance to the
extraction of the stopper part, the spring unit also having a
handle engaging part which is non-fixedly engaged with the
insertion-extraction handle and which is configured to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the insertion of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
inserted into the stopper insertion hole, and to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the extraction of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
20. The board unit of claim 19, wherein the main spring part and
the handle engaging part of the spring unit are integrally formed
of a plate spring material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Applications No.
2004-211233 (filed Jul. 20, 2004) and No. 2005-50231 (filed Feb.
25, 2005) including the specification, claims, drawings and
abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a board unit, and more
particularly, to a board unit which is removably attachable to a
board housing frame.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] A technology for detachably attaching a circuit board on
which electronic circuit components are mounted such as a print
circuit board to a subrack constituting an electronic apparatus
unit such as a communication device is known (for example, see
"Background Art" in Patent Document 1: International Publication
No. WO03/086039). In this example, a rectangular parallelepiped
subrack 120 has a housing section 121 with an opening 121a on the
front side for housing a plurality of circuit boards as shown in
FIGS. 12A and 12B. In the housing section 121, guide rails 127, . .
. , 127 extend from the opening 121a toward the bottom. Front rails
124 and 124 are provided on the side of the opening 121a in the
upper and lower panels of the subrack 120. Each of the front rails
124 has first handle contact parts 125 and second handle contact
parts 126.
[0006] As shown in FIG. 13, a circuit board 110 has a board
connector 115 on its rear end, which is the right end as viewed in
the drawing. The circuit board 110 has a front panel 111 on its
front end, which is the left end as viewed in the drawing, and a
pair of upper and lower insertion-extraction handles 100 and 100 at
the upper and lower end of the front panel 111.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 14A, each of the insertion-extraction
handles 100 has an lockable part 102 on the rear end removably
lockable with a handle locking part 112 provided on the circuit
board 110, a contactable part 103 having first and second
contactable parts 103a and 103b contactable with the first and
second handle contact parts 125 and 126, respectively, of the front
rail 124 of the subrack 120, and a pivot pin 104, located between
the lockable part 102 and the contactable part 103, rotatably
attached to a handle attaching member 140 provided on the circuit
board 110. Each of the insertion-extraction handles 100 has a
pressing operation part 100 with a first pressing operation part
101a and a second pressing operation part 101b at the front
end.
[0008] When the circuit board 110 is inserted into the subrack 120,
the lockable parts 102 of the insertion-extraction handles 100 are
removed from the handle locking parts 112 as shown in FIG. 14B and
the circuit board 110 is inserted into the subrack 120. Then, the
first pressing operation parts 101a of the insertion-extraction
handles 100 are pressed upward as viewed in FIG. 14B (in the
direction indicated by the arrow R1). The insertion-extraction
handles 100 are thereby rotated about the pivot pins 104, and the
first contactable parts 103a of the insertion-extraction handles
100 are brought into contact with the first handle contact parts
125 of the front rails 124 of the subrack 120. When the
insertion-extraction handles 100 are further rotated, the first
contactable parts 103a are rotated. Then, the circuit board 110 is
moved backward (in the X1 direction in the drawing) with respect to
the subrack 120 and the board connector 115 of the circuit board
110 is inserted into a subrack side connector (not shown) in the
subrack 120. In this state, the lockable parts 102 of the
insertion-extraction handles 100 are engaged with the handle
locking parts 112 as shown in FIG. 14A.
[0009] When the circuit board 110 having inserted into the subrack
120 is extracted therefrom, the second pressing operation parts
101b of the insertion-extraction handles 100 are pressed downward
as viewed in the drawing (the direction indicated by the arrow R2),
that is, in the direction opposite the direction in which the first
pressing operation parts 101a are pressed. Then, the engagement
between the lockable parts 102 and the handle locking parts 112 are
released as shown in FIG. 14B, and the second contactable parts
103b of the insertion-extraction handles 100 and the second handle
contact parts 126 of the front rails 124 of the subrack 120 are
brought into contact with each other. When the insertion-extraction
handles 100 are further rotated, the second contactable parts 103b
are rotated. Then, the circuit board 110 is moved forward, that is,
leftward as viewed in the drawing (in the X2 direction in the
drawing), with respect to the subrack 120 and the board connector
115 of the circuit board 110 can be extracted from the subrack side
connector 123 in the subrack 120.
[0010] The insertion-extraction handles 100 of the circuit board
110 are made of a synthetic resin and so shaped that they can have
resiliency as shown in FIG. 14A. As a result, the lockable parts
102 of the insertion-extraction handles 100 are urged toward the
handle locking parts 112 so that the insertion-extraction handles
100 can be locked to the circuit board 110 with a prescribed
locking force. This configuration prevents the circuit board 110
inserted into the subrack 120 from being easily extracted from the
subrack 120.
[0011] It is, however, difficult to obtain a desired locking force
only by changing the shape of the insertion-extraction handles 100.
Also, the insertion-extraction handles 100 have a problem in
durability. When the insertion and extraction of the circuit board
110 are repeated or the circuit board 110 is left for a long period
of time, the locking force may be lowered because of wear or creep
of the lockable parts 102 and/or the handle locking parts 112.
Further, since the handle locking parts 112 have to be fixedly
provided on the circuit board 110, the production process is
complicated and the production cost is high.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of
the conventional circuit board and it is, therefore, an object of
the present invention to provide a board unit having an
insertion-extraction handle locking structure with which a desired
locking force can be easily generated and the locking force is
hardly lowered, and which is low in production cost.
[0013] A board unit according to the present invention is a board
unit which is removably attachable to a board housing frame. The
board unit has a board body; a panel body for fixedly supporting
the board body, the panel body having a stopper insertion hole; an
insertion-extraction handle rotatably supported by the panel body;
and a spring unit non-fixedly held either in the stopper insertion
hole or on the insertion-extraction handle. The
insertion-extraction handle has an operation part; a frame engaging
part configured to be engaged with a part of the board housing
frame when the operation part is rotated to a specific fixed
position and to be disengaged from the board housing frame when the
operation part is rotated to a specific released position; and a
stopper part configured to be inserted into the stopper insertion
hole when the operation part is rotated to the fixed position and
to be extracted from the stopper insertion hole when the operation
part is rotated to the released position. The spring unit has a
main spring part which, when the stopper part is inserted into the
stopper insertion hole, applies a prescribed resistance to the
insertion of the stopper part on the insertion-extraction handle
and which, when the stopper part is extracted from the stopper
insertion hole, applies a prescribed resistance to the extraction
of the stopper part on the insertion-extraction handle.
[0014] Although the features of this invention can be expressed as
above in a broad sense, the constitution and content of this
invention, as well as the object and features thereof, will be
apparent by reference to the following disclosure taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of a subrack 1 as a board housing
frame, into which a plurality of board units 2 according to one
embodiment of the present invention have been inserted;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a conceptual view for explaining the state of a
board unit 2 inserted into the subrack 1, which corresponds to a
right side view of the subrack 1;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a conceptual view for explaining the state of the
board unit 2 extracted from the subrack 1, which corresponds to a
right side view of the subrack 1;
[0018] FIG. 3A is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 2A in
detail;
[0019] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 2B in
detail;
[0020] FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view for explaining the
state of the board unit 2 inserted into the subrack 1, in which the
illustration of the subrack 1 is omitted;
[0021] FIG. 4B is a partial perspective view for explaining the
state of the board unit 2 extracted from the subrack 1, in which
the illustration of the subrack 1 is omitted;
[0022] FIG. 5A is a right side view of a spring unit 6 as a spring
unit for use in the board unit 2;
[0023] FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of the spring unit 6;
[0024] FIG. 6A is a right side view of a spring unit 66 as another
example of the spring unit for use in the board unit 2;
[0025] FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of the spring unit 66;
[0026] FIG. 7A is a right side view illustrating in detail a part
of a board unit 202 according to another embodiment of the present
invention inserted into the subrack 1;
[0027] FIG. 7B is a right side view illustrating in detail a part
of the board unit 202 extracted from the subrack 1;
[0028] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a spring unit 206 before
being attached to the insertion-extraction handle 5;
[0029] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the spring unit 206 as
viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 8A;
[0030] FIGS. 9A and 9B are views for explaining the procedure for
attaching the spring unit 206 to the insertion-extraction handle
5;
[0031] FIGS. 10A and 10B are views for explaining the state of a
stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 at the time of
being inserted into or extracted from a stopper insertion hole 245
of a panel body 4, which correspond to the cross-section taken
along the line XIA-XIA in FIG. 7A;
[0032] FIGS. 11A and 11B are views for explaining the state of the
stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 at the time of
being inserted into or extracted from the stopper insertion hole
245 of the panel body 4, which correspond to the cross-section
taken along the line XIA-XIA in FIG. 7A;
[0033] FIG. 12A is a front view of a subrack 120, into which
conventional circuit boards 110 will be inserted;
[0034] FIG. 12B is a bottom view of the subrack 120;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a side view of a conventional circuit board
110;
[0036] FIG. 14A is an enlarged side view, partly in section, of an
essential part of the conventional circuit board 110 illustrating
the state of a lockable part of the insertion-extraction handle
engaged with a handle locking part after the insertion of the
circuit board 110 into the subrack 120; and
[0037] FIG. 14B is an enlarged side view, partly in section, of an
essential part of the conventional circuit board 110 illustrating
the state of the lockable part of the insertion-extraction handle
disengaged from the handle locking part.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0038] FIG. 1 is a front view of a subrack 1 as a board housing
frame, into which a plurality of (fourteen, in this drawing) board
units 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention have
been inserted. FIG. 2A is a conceptual view for explaining the
state of a board unit 2 inserted into the subrack 1, which
corresponds to a right side view of the subrack 1. FIG. 2B is a
conceptual view for explaining the state of the board unit 2
extracted from the subrack 1, which corresponds to a right side
view of the subrack 1. FIG. 3A is an enlarged view showing a part
of FIG. 2A in detail. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view showing a part of
FIG. 2B in detail.
[0039] FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view for explaining the
state of the board unit 2 inserted into the subrack 1, in which the
illustration of the subrack 1 is omitted. FIG. 4B is a partial
perspective view for explaining the state of the board unit 2
extracted from the subrack 1, in which the illustration of the
subrack 1 is omitted. FIG. 5A is a right side view of a spring unit
6 as a spring unit for use in the board unit 2. FIG. 5B is a
perspective view illustrating the configuration of the spring unit
6.
[0040] The subrack 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration generally
the same as that of the subrack 120 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. As
shown in FIG. 3B, the subrack 1 has front rails 11, and a handle
hooking part 12 engageable with a frame engaging part 52 of a
hereinafter described insertion-extraction handle 5 is formed
generally at the front end (the X2 side end in the drawing) of each
front rail 11. The subrack 1 has a front face (X2 side face) with
female threaded holes (not shown) for threadedly receiving fixing
screws 7, which will be described later. The board units 2 shown in
FIG. 1 are aligned in parallel to the insertion and extraction
direction (X1-X2 direction) thereof and removably attached to the
subrack 1. As shown in FIG. 2A, the board unit 2 has a board body 3
on which electronic components are mounted, a panel body 4 for
fixedly supporting the board body 3, a pair of upper and lower
insertion-extraction handles 5 supported by the panel body 4 for
rotation (in the Z1 and Z2 directions), a pair of upper and lower
fixing screws 7 for securely fixing the panel body 4 to the subrack
1.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3B, each of the fixing screws 7 has a knob
72 and a threaded part 71 to be threaded into the subrack 1. The
board unit 2 has a pair of upper and lower spring units 6
non-fixedly (resiliently, in this example) held in a pair of upper
and lower spring receiving holes 45, respectively, as stopper
insertion holes formed in the panel body 4. The spring receiving
hole 45 and spring unit 6 on the lower side (Z2 side) are not
shown. In this embodiment, vertically paired components are
vertically symmetric (mirror symmetrical) with each other unless
otherwise stated. Thus, only the component on the upper side (Z1
side) will be described for the sake of convenience.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4B, the panel body 4 has a generally flat
side panel 41 disposed in parallel to the board body 3, a generally
flat front panel 42 extending from the front end (X2 side end) of
the side panel 41 in a direction generally perpendicular to the
side panel 41 (in the Y1 direction), and a folded-back part 43
extending backward (in the X1 direction) from one end (Y1 side end)
of the front panel 42.
[0043] The side panel 41 has a handle pin 44 extending sideward (in
the Y1 direction) from a position close to its front end (X2 side
end) and upper end (Z1 side end). In this example, the handle pin
44 has a large-diameter portion 44a and a small-diameter portion
44b.
[0044] The other end (Y2 side end) of the front panel 42 has a
notch 46 at a position in the vicinity of the handle pin 44 so that
the motion of the insertion-extraction handle 5 cannot be hindered.
The other end (Y2 side end) of the front panel 42 has a generally
rectangular spring receiving hole 45 formed therethrough at a
position slightly lower than (on the Z2 side of) the notch 46.
[0045] The material and configuration of the panel body 4 are not
specifically limited. Preferably, the panel body 4 has a one-piece
body formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate.
[0046] The insertion-extraction handle 5 has a base part 54, a
frame engaging part 52 formed continuously with the base part 54, a
rod part 56 extending from the base part 54, a stopper part 53
formed on an intermediate portion of the rod part 56, and an
operation part 51 formed at the other end of the rod part 56. As
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the insertion-extraction handle 5 has a
generally flat shape with a generally uniform thickness in the
Y1-Y2 direction. That is, the constitutional elements of the
insertion-extraction handle 5 (the base part 54, the frame engaging
part 52, the rod part 56, the stopper part 53 and the operation
part 51) has a generally same thickness (in the Y1-Y2 direction)
and are generally in the same plane.
[0047] A through hole 55 is formed generally at the center of the
base part 54. Since the large-diameter portion 44a of the handle
pin 44 is fitted into the through hole 55, the insertion-extraction
handle 5 is rotatably supported by the side panel 42 of the panel
body 4.
[0048] The frame engaging part 52 has two protrusions and a recess
between the protrusions. When the operation part 51 is rotated to a
specific fixed position (the position shown in FIG. 3A), the frame
engaging part 52 is engaged with the handle hooking part 12 of the
front rail 11 of the subrack 1, and when the operation part 51 is
rotated to a specific release position (the position shown in FIG.
3B), the frame engaging part 52 is disengaged from the handle
hooking part 12.
[0049] The stopper part 53 has an end having a generally heart
shape. When the operation part 51 is rotated to the fixed position
(the position shown in FIG. 3A), the stopper part 53 is inserted
into the spring receiving hole 45, and when the operation part 51
is rotated to the release position (the position shown in FIG. 3B),
the stopper part is extracted from the spring receiving hole
45.
[0050] The material and configuration of the insertion-extraction
handle 5 are not specifically limited. For example, the
insertion-extraction handle 5 may have a one-piece body made of a
resin or formed by stamping a metal plate.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 4B, the board body 3 has a through hole 31
with a diameter generally the same as the external diameter of the
small-diameter portion 44b of the handle pin 44 at a position close
to its front end 32 (X2 side end) and upper end 33 (Z1 side end).
The small-diameter portion 44b of the handle pin 44 is inserted
into the through hole 31 and fixed to the handle pin 44 by a screw
(not shown) or the like. In this embodiment, the board body 3 is
secured to the panel body 4 at board fixing points (not shown)
other than the point where the handle pin 44 is secured.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4B, the board unit 2 has a structure in
which the side panel 41, the base part 54 of the
insertion-extraction handle 5, and the board body 3 are stacked in
this order in the transverse direction (from the Y2 side to the Y1
side). The dimensions of the members are determined such that the
base part 54 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 does not
interfere with the side panel 41 and the board body 3 when it is
rotated about the handle pin 44.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B, the base part 54 of the
insertion-extraction handle 5 is substantially located inside the
front panel 42. The rod part 56 is located outside the front panel
42 and extends adjacent to and generally parallel to the front
panel 42 when the operation part 51 is in the fixed position, and
is located outside the front panel 42 and erected from the front
panel 42 when the operation part 51 is in the release position. The
stopper part 53 is located inside the front panel 42 when the
operation part 51 is in the fixed position, and is located outside
the front panel 42 when the operation part 51 is in the release
position.
[0054] First spring parts 61 (described later) of the spring unit 6
are located inside the front panel 42. Second spring parts 62
(described later) of the spring unit 6 are substantially located
inside the front panel 42 (that is, except linear parts 62c).
[0055] As shown in FIG. 5A, the spring unit 6 has a bridge part 63
(constituted of a bridge plate 63b, and rising pieces 63a extending
generally perpendicular to the bridge plate 63b from both ends of
the bridge plate 63b) having a U-shape in a cross-section (YZ
cross-section) taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
thereof (X1-X2 direction), a pair of upper and lower (Z1 side and
Z2 side) second spring parts 62 as a pair of insertion hole
engaging parts extending forward (in the X2 direction) and slightly
outward (in the Z1 and Z2 directions) from the front ends (X2 side
ends) of the rising pieces 63a of the bridge part 63, and a pair of
upper and lower (Z1 side and Z2 side) first spring parts 61 as a
pair of main spring parts bent inward into a generally U-shape from
the rear ends (X1 side ends) of the rising pieces 63a of the bridge
part 63 and extending forward (in the X2 direction). Each of the
first spring parts 61 has a convex part 61a having a generally
arcuate shape which is convex inward at its front end. That is, as
shown in FIG. 3A, the convex parts 61a have a shape that fits the
outer shape of the stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction
handle 5 and can hold it. Thus, when the stopper part 53 of the
insertion-extraction handle 5 is inserted into the spring receiving
hole 45, the convex parts 61a are brought into contact with the
stopper part 53 and applies a prescribed resistance to the
insertion of the stopper part 53, and when the stopper part 53 is
extracted from the spring receiving hole 45, the convex parts 61a
are brought into contact with the stopper part 53 and applies a
prescribed resistance to the extraction of the stopper part 53.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 5A, the front end of each of the second
spring parts 62 has a convex part 62a having a generally arcuate
shape which is convex outward, a convex part 62b extending from the
convex part 62a and having a generally U-shape which is convex
inward, and a linear part 62c extending outward from the convex
part 62b. To fit the spring unit 6 in the spring receiving hole 45,
U-shaped ends 61b of the first spring parts 61 are inserted into
the spring receiving hole 45 from front (X2 side) to rear (X1 side)
until it reaches the state shown in FIG. 5A. In this state, the
spring unit 6 cannot be removed from the spring receiving hole 45
unless the convex parts 62a are deformed inward against the
resiliency of the second spring parts 62.
[0057] That is, the convex parts 62a are in contact with the upper
and lower edges (Z1 and Z2 side edges) of the rear side (X1 side)
of the spring receiving hole 45 so that the resistance to removal
of the spring unit 6 (resistance to removal of the spring unit 6 at
the time of extraction of the stopper part 53) in the forward
direction (X2 direction) can be greater than a force (force in the
X2 direction) from the stopper part 53 corresponding to the
resistance to the extraction of the stopper part 53. Also, the
linear parts 62c are in contact with the upper and lower edges (Z1
and Z2 side edges) of the front side (X2 side) of the spring
receiving hole 45 so that the resistance to removal of the spring
unit 6 (resistance to removal of the spring unit 6 at the time of
insertion of the stopper part 53) in the backward direction (X1
direction) can be greater than a force (force in the X1 direction)
from the stopper part 53 corresponding to the resistance to the
insertion of the stopper part 53.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 4B, most of the spring unit 6 is located in
a gap in the transverse direction (Y1-Y2 direction) between the
side panel 41 and the board body 3 as in the case with the base
part 54 of the insertion-extraction handle 5. The material and
configuration of the spring unit 6 are not specifically limited.
Preferably, the spring unit 6 has a one-piece body formed by
stamping and bending a thin metal plate for a spring.
[0059] FIG. 6A is a right side view of a spring unit 66 as another
example of the spring unit for use in the board unit 2. FIG. 6B is
a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the spring
unit 66. As shown in FIG. 6A, the spring unit 66 is different from
the spring unit 6 having a pair of first spring parts 61 in that it
has only one first spring part 61. That is, the spring unit 66
shown in FIG. 6A is obtained by removing one of the paired first
spring parts 61, which is the one that is farther from the center
of rotation of the insertion-extraction handle 5 with respect to
the panel body 4, from the spring unit 6 shown in FIG. 5A. The
other configuration of the spring unit 66 is the same as that of
the spring unit 6. The spring unit 66 constituted as described
above can smoothly receive the stopper part 53 which is inserted
through an arc about the handle pin 44 as shown in FIG. 3B.
[0060] The operation to insert the board unit 2 into the subrack 1
will be described. First, the board unit 2 is placed in position in
the subrack 1 as shown in FIG. 3B, and pressed backward (in the X1
direction) along a guide rail (not shown) in the subrack 1. At this
time, the operation part 51 of the insertion-extraction handle 5
has to be rotated in the R2 direction and kept in the release
position (the position shown in FIG. 3B). The insertion-extraction
handle 5 may be urged in the R2 direction by urging means such as a
spring so that the operation part 51 of the insertion-extraction
handle 5 is kept in the release position when the board unit 2 has
been released (extracted).
[0061] When the board unit 2 reaches the bottom of the subrack 1,
the operation part 51 is rotated in the R1 direction until it
reaches the fixed position (the position shown in FIG. 3A). Then,
the frame engaging part 52 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 is
engaged with the handle hooking part 12 of the subrack 1, and the
stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 is resiliently
engaged with the convex parts 61a (see FIG. 5A) of the first spring
parts 61 of the spring unit 6. The operation part 51 of the
insertion-extraction handle 5 is thereby held in the fixed
position. To fix the board unit 2 more securely, the fixing screw 7
is threaded into the subrack 1.
[0062] The operation to extract the board unit 2 from the subrack 1
will be described. When the fixing screw 7 has been tightened, it
is released. The operation part 51 of the insertion-extraction
handle 5 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 3A in the R2
direction. Then, the resilient engagement between the stopper part
53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 and the convex parts 61a
(see FIG. 5A) of the first spring parts 61 of the spring unit 6 are
released and the engagement between the frame engaging part 52 of
the insertion-extraction handle 5 and the handle hooking part 12 of
the subrack 1 is released. When the board unit 2 is extracted
forward (in the X2 direction), the board unit 2 reaches the state
shown in FIG. 3B.
[0063] The invention described above can be understood as
follows.
[0064] That is, a board unit removably attachable to a board
housing frame, comprising: a board body; a panel body for fixedly
supporting the board body, the panel body having a spring receiving
hole; a spring unit held in the spring receiving hole; and an
insertion-extraction handle rotatably supported by the panel body,
the insertion extraction handle having an operation part, a frame
engaging part configured to be engaged with a part of the board
housing frame when the operation part is rotated to a specific
fixed position and to be disengaged from the board housing frame
when the operation part is rotated to a specific release position,
and a stopper part configured to be inserted into the spring
receiving hole when the operation part is rotated to the fixed
position and to be extracted from the spring receiving hole when
the operation part is rotated to the release position; the spring
unit having at least one first spring part which is brought into
contact with the stopper part when the stopper part is inserted
into the spring receiving hole and applies a prescribed resistance
to the insertion of the stopper part and which is brought into
contact with the stopper part when the stopper part is extracted
from the spring receiving hole and apply a prescribed resistance to
the extraction of the stopper part, and second spring parts which
are resiliently engaged with the spring receiving hole and which
are configured to generate a resistance to removal of the spring
unit which is greater than the resistance to the insertion of the
stopper part between the spring unit and the spring receiving hole
when the stopper part is inserted into the spring receiving hole
and to generate a resistance to removal of the spring unit which is
greater than the resistance to the extraction of the stopper part
between the spring unit and the spring receiving hole when the
stopper part is extracted from the stopper receiving hole.
[0065] The present invention constituted as above has the following
technical effects. Since the spring unit is constituted separately
from the insertion-extraction handle, the degree of freedom in
designing and producing the spring unit is high. Thus, a spring
unit which can provide a desired resistance to extraction of the
stopper part and has high durability can be obtained easily. Since
the spring unit is not fixedly secured but resiliently held in the
spring receiving hole, the spring unit is less likely to undergo
excessive stress or uneven wear which may occur when it is fixedly
secured. Thus, the spring unit can have a long service life. Also,
since the spring unit can be fitted in the spring receiving hole
only by inserting it against the resilient force of the second
spring part, there is no need for a process of tacking and so on
and the production cost can be reduced. That is, there can be
obtained a board unit having an insertion-extraction handle locking
structure with which a desired locking force can be easily
generated and the locking force is hardly lowered, and which is low
in production cost.
[0066] FIG. 7A is a right side view illustrating in detail a part
of a board unit 202 according to another embodiment of the present
invention inserted into the subrack 1, which corresponds to FIG. 3A
in the above embodiment. FIG. 7B is a right side view illustrating
in detail a part of the board unit 202 extracted from the subrack
1, which corresponds to FIG. 3B in the above embodiment.
[0067] In the board unit 2 of the above embodiment, the spring unit
6 is held in spring receiving hole 45 as a stopper insertion hole
provided in the panel body 4. In the board unit 202 of this
embodiment, the spring unit 206 is held on the insertion-extraction
handle 5.
[0068] That is, the board unit 202 of this embodiment and the board
unit 2 of the above embodiment are the same in configuration except
for the shape and positions of the spring units. In this
embodiment, the same parts are designated by similar numerals as a
general rule.
[0069] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the spring unit 206 before
being attached to the insertion-extraction handle 5. FIG. 8B is a
perspective view of the spring unit 206 as viewed from an angle
different from that of FIG. 8A. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the symbols X1,
X2, Y1, Y2, Z1 and Z2 indicating the directions are expressed in
correspondence with the state of the stopper part 53 of the
insertion-extraction handle 5 inserted into a stopper insertion
hole 245 of the panel body 4.
[0070] FIGS. 9A and 9B are views for explaining the procedure for
attaching the spring unit 206 to the insertion-extraction handle
5.
[0071] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B are views for explaining the
state of the stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5
at the time of being inserted into or extracted from the stopper
insertion hole 245 of the panel body 4. The positions and shape of
the stopper insertion holes 245 are not specifically limited. In
this embodiment, the positions and the shape of the stopper
insertion holes 245 are the same as those of the spring receiving
holes 45 in the above embodiment.
[0072] In the board unit 202 of this embodiment, the spring unit
206 is held on the insertion-extraction handle 5 at a position in
the vicinity of the stopper part 53 as shown in FIGS. 7A and
7B.
[0073] As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the spring unit 206 has a main
spring part 261 and a handle engaging part 262 integrally formed of
a plate spring material.
[0074] The main spring part 261 has a V-shape with a ridge 261c
extending generally perpendicular to the direction in which the
stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 shown in FIG.
7A is inserted into or extracted from the stopper insertion hole
245 of the panel body 4 (X1-X2 direction). The handle engaging part
262 has a first hook part 262a and a second hook part 262b.
[0075] The first hook part 262a extends from an insertion side (X1
side) foot 261a of the main spring part 261 in the insertion
direction (X1 direction) and is bent into a generally U-shape. As
shown in FIG. 10B, the first hook part 262a prevents the spring
unit 206 from being detached from the insertion-extraction handle 5
in the extraction direction (X2 direction) when the stopper part 53
of the insertion-extraction handle 5 is moved in the X1 direction
and inserted into the stopper insertion hole 245 of the panel body
4.
[0076] The second hook part 262b extends from an extraction side
(X2 side) foot 261b of the mainspring part 261 in the extraction
direction (X2 direction) and bent into a generally U-shape oriented
opposite to the first hook part 262a. As shown in FIG. 11B, the
second hook part 262b prevents the spring unit 206 from being
detached from the insertion-extraction handle 5 in the insertion
direction (X1 direction) when the stopper part 53 of the
insertion-extraction handle 5 is moved in the X2 direction and
extracted from the stopper insertion hole 245 of the panel body 4.
The foot 261a, the foot 261b and the ridge 261c are generally
parallel to each other.
[0077] The spring unit 206 also has a backside part 263 connecting
the ends of the first and second hook parts 262a and 262b opposite
the main spring part 261. That is, the spring unit 206 has the
first hook part 262a, the main spring part 261, the second hook
part 262b and the backside part 263 connected in a loop in this
order.
[0078] In this embodiment, the backside part 263 has a generally
rectangular shape, and one end of the backside part 263 is formed
continuously with the first hook part 262a. The other end of the
backside part 263 is overlapped with the end of the second hook
part 262b. The part where the other end of the backside part 263
and the end of the second hook part 262b are overlapped will be
referred to as "overlapped part 264." At the overlapped part 264,
the other end of the backside part 263 and the end of the second
hook part 262b are not joined and movable relative to each
other.
[0079] The spring unit 206 has a pair of locking pieces 265 for
preventing the spring unit 206 mounted on the insertion-extraction
handle 5 from moving in the longitudinal direction (Z1-Z2 direction
in FIG. 7A) of the rod part 56 of the insertion-extraction handle
5. In this embodiment, the locking pieces 265 extend from
intermediate portions of Z1 side end and Z2 side end of the
backside part 263.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 8B, in the spring unit 206 before being
attached to the insertion-extraction handle 5, the locking pieces
265 are slightly bent at the boundary with the backside part 263 so
that they can be easily bent after the insertion-extraction handle
5 is inserted into the loop-shaped spring unit 6. The bend angle is
so small that the locking pieces 265 do not interfere with the
insertion of the insertion-extraction handle 5.
[0081] To attach the spring unit 206 to the insertion-extraction
handle 5, the insertion-extraction handle 5 is drawn through the
loop-shaped spring unit 206 from the operation part 51 side as
shown in FIG. 9A, and the spring unit 206 is moved generally
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod part 56 to a
position in the vicinity of the stopper part 53.
[0082] Then, the paired locking pieces 265 are bent to clamp a
stopper connection part 57 connecting the rod part 56 and the
stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 from both
sides as shown in FIG. 9B. The spring unit 206 is thereby prevented
from being moved generally parallel to the longitudinal direction
of the rod part 56 of the insertion-extraction handle 5.
[0083] The state of the stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction
handle 5 to which the spring unit 206 has been attached at the time
when it is inserted into the stopper insertion hole 245 of the
panel body 4 will be described. When the insertion-extraction
handle 5 is rotated in the R1 direction from the state shown in
FIG. 7B (which corresponds to the release position) to the state
shown in FIG. 7A (which corresponds to the fixed position), the
main spring part 261 of the spring unit 206 is brought into contact
with an edge 245a (the right end, that is, Y1 side end in this
embodiment) of the stopper insertion hole 245 as shown in FIG.
10A.
[0084] When the insertion-extraction handle 5 is further rotated in
the R1 direction, the main spring part 261 of the spring unit 206
is pressed by the edge 245a of the stopper insertion hole 245 and
resiliently deformed as shown in FIG. 10B. That is, the height (the
dimension in the Y1-Y2 direction) of the main spring part 261 is
lowered. The other end of the backside part 263 and the end of the
second hook part 262b at the overlapped part 264 are not joined but
movable relative to each other so that the main spring part 261 can
be easily deformed as described above.
[0085] The overlapping length (the length in the X1-X2 direction)
of the overlapped part 264 is greater than the distance which the
other end of the backside part 263 and the end of the second hook
part 262b are moved in the X1 or X2 direction relative to each
other when the stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5
is inserted into or extracted from the stopper insertion hole 245
of the panel body 4.
[0086] When the insertion-extraction handle 5 is further rotated in
the R1 direction, it reaches the state shown in FIG. 11A (which
corresponds to the fixed position). In this state, the spring unit
206 is returned to the state before the resilient deformation (the
state same as the state shown in FIG. 10A).
[0087] When the insertion-extraction handle 5 is rotated in the R2
direction from the state shown in FIG. 11A or the state shown in
FIG. 7A (which correspond to the fixed position), the spring unit
206 is resiliently deformed as shown in FIG. 11B and returned to
the state shown in FIG. 10A.
[0088] As described above, when the stopper part 53 of the
insertion-extraction handle 5 is inserted into the stopper
insertion hole 245, the main spring part 261 of the spring unit 206
is brought into contact with the edge 245a of the stopper insertion
hole 245 and generates a resistance to the insertion of the stopper
part 53. Also, when the stopper part 53 is extracted from the
stopper insertion hole 245, the main spring part 261 of the spring
unit 206 is brought into contact with the edge 245a of the stopper
insertion hole 245 and generates a resistance to the extraction of
the stopper part 53.
[0089] The spring unit 206 has a handle engaging part 262 attached
to the insertion-extraction handle 5 non-fixedly (that is, for
movement at a prescribed distance in the direction in which the
stopper part 53 is inserted into or extracted from the stopper
insertion hole 245 (X1 or X2 direction)). When the stopper part 53
is inserted into the stopper insertion hole 245, the first hook
part 262a of the handle engaging part 262 generates a resistance to
removal of the spring unit 206 which is greater than the resistance
to the insertion of the stopper part 53 between the spring unit 206
and the insertion-extraction handle 5. When the stopper part 53 is
extracted from the stopper insertion hole 245, the second hook part
262b of the handle engaging part 262 generates a resistance to
removal of the spring unit 206 which is greater than the resistance
to the extraction of the stopper part 53 between the spring unit
206 and the insertion-extraction handle 5.
[0090] The board unit according to the present invention is a board
unit which is removably attachable to a board housing frame. The
board unit has a board body; a panel body for fixedly supporting
the board body, the panel body having a stopper insertion hole; an
insertion-extraction handle rotatably supported by the panel body;
and a spring unit non-fixedly held either in the stopper insertion
hole or on the insertion-extraction handle. The
insertion-extraction handle has an operation part; a frame engaging
part configured to be engaged with a part of the board housing
frame when the operation part is rotated to a specific fixed
position and to be disengaged from the board housing frame when the
operation part is rotated to a specific release position; and a
stopper part configured to be inserted into the stopper insertion
hole when the operation part is rotated to the fixed position and
to be extracted from the stopper insertion hole when the operation
part is rotated to the release position. The spring unit has at
least one main spring part which, when the stopper part is inserted
into the stopper insertion hole, applies a prescribed resistance to
the insertion of the stopper part on the insertion-extraction
handle and which, when the stopper part is extracted from the
stopper insertion hole, applies a prescribed resistance to the
extraction of the stopper part on the insertion-extraction
handle.
[0091] Since the spring unit is constituted separately from the
insertion-extraction handle, the degree of freedom in designing and
producing the spring unit is high. Thus, a spring unit which can
provide a desired resistance to extraction of the stopper part and
has high durability can be obtained easily. Since the spring unit
is not fixedly secured but non-fixedly held in the stopper
insertion hole or on the insertion-extraction handle, the spring
unit is less likely to undergo excessive stress or uneven wear
which may occur when it is fixedly secured. Thus, the spring unit
can have a long service life. Since there is no need to fixedly
secure the spring unit when it is fitted in the stopper insertion
hole or attached to the insertion-extraction handle, there is no
need for a process of tacking and so on and the production cost can
be reduced.
[0092] That is, there can be obtained a board unit having an
insertion-extraction handle locking structure with which a desired
locking force can be easily generated and the locking force is
hardly lowered, and which is low in production cost.
[0093] In the board unit according to the present invention, the
board body is disposed generally in parallel to direction in which
the board unit is inserted into or extracted from the board housing
frame. The panel body has a generally flat side panel disposed
generally in parallel to the board body, and a generally flat front
panel extending from the extraction side end of the side panel in a
direction perpendicular to the direction in which the board unit is
inserted into or extracted from the board housing frame. The
stopper insertion hole is formed through the front panel. The
insertion-extraction handle also has a base part rotatably
supported by the panel body, and a rod part extending from the base
part. The frame engaging part is formed continuously with the base
part. The stopper part is formed on an intermediate portion of the
rod part. The operation part is formed on the other end of the rod
part. The base part is located substantially inside the front
panel. The rod part is configured to be located outside the front
panel and extends adjacent to and generally parallel to the front
panel when the operation part is in the fixed position, and to be
located outside the front panel and erected from the front panel
when the operation part is in the release position. The stopper
part is configured to be located inside the front panel when the
operation part is in the fixed position, and to be located outside
the front panel when the operation part is in the release position.
The main spring part is configured to be located inside the front
panel at least when the operation part is in the fixed
position.
[0094] Thus, when the operation part of the insertion-extraction
handle is in the fixed position, that is, when the board unit is
housed and fixed in the board housing frame in a normal use state,
the height of the insertion-extraction handle protruded outside the
front panel is low. When such a board housing frame for housing
such board units is used, there can be obtained a compact
electronic apparatus unit whose dimension in the direction in which
the board units are inserted or extracted (depth, for example) is
small in a normal use state.
[0095] The board unit according to the present invention is
characterized in that the base part of the insertion-extraction
handle is located in a gap between the board body and the side
panel, and the stopper part and the main spring part are located in
the gap at least when the operation part is in the fixed
position.
[0096] Thus, the base part of the insertion-extraction handle and
the positions of the stopper part and the main spring part at least
at the time when the operation part is in the fixed position can be
located in the plane of projection of the board body and the side
panel in a direction perpendicular thereto. As a result, there can
be obtained a compact electronic apparatus unit whose dimension in
the direction in which the board units are inserted or extracted
(depth, for example) is small in a normal use state.
[0097] The board unit according to the present invention is
characterized by further comprising urging means for urging the
insertion-extraction handle in a direction in which the operation
part of the insertion-extraction handle is rotated from the fixed
position to the release position.
[0098] Thus, since the board housing frame and the frame engaging
part of the insertion-extraction handle do not interfere with each
other when the board unit is inserted into or extracted from the
board housing frame, the board unit can be easily inserted into or
extracted from the board housing frame.
[0099] In the board unit according to the present invention, the
spring unit is held in the stopper insertion hole. The main spring
part is configured to be brought into contact with the stopper part
when the stopper part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole
and deformed to generate a resistance to the insertion of the
stopper part, and to be brought into contact with the stopper part
when the stopper part is extracted from the stopper insertion hole
and deformed to generate a resistance to the extraction of the
stopper part. The spring unit also has at least one insertion hole
engaging part which is non-fixedly engaged with the stopper
insertion hole and which is configured to generate a resistance to
removal of the spring unit which is greater than the resistance to
the insertion of the stopper part between the spring unit and the
stopper insertion hole when the stopper part is inserted into the
stopper insertion hole and to generate a resistance to removal of
the spring unit which is greater than the resistance to the
extraction of the stopper part between the spring unit and the
stopper insertion hole when the stopper part is extracted from the
stopper insertion hole.
[0100] That is, the spring unit is non-fixedly engaged with the
stopper insertion hole of the panel body by the insertion hole
engaging part, and the engagement is maintained even when the
stopper part of the insertion-extraction handle is inserted into
the stopper insertion hole and extracted from the stopper insertion
hole.
[0101] The board unit according to the present invention is
characterized in that the main spring part and the insertion hole
engaging part of the spring unit are integrally formed of a plate
spring material.
[0102] For example, the spring unit has a bridge part having a
generally U-shape in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the
direction in which the stopper part is inserted into or extracted
from the stopper insertion hole, and constituted of a bridge plate
and rising pieces extending generally perpendicular to the bridge
plate from both ends of the bridge plate. The spring unit has a
pair of insertion hole engaging parts extending obliquely away from
each other from extraction side ends of the paired rising pieces of
the bridge part. The spring unit also has a pair of main spring
parts bent into a U-shape from the insertion side ends of the
paired rising pieces in directions toward each other and extending
in the direction in which the stopper part is extracted.
[0103] Alternatively, the spring unit has a bridge part having a
generally U-shape in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the
direction in which the stopper part is inserted into or extracted
from the stopper insertion hole, and constituted of a bridge plate
and rising pieces extending generally perpendicular to the bridge
plate from both ends of the bridge plate. The spring unit has a
pair of insertion hole engaging parts extending obliquely away from
each other from the extraction side ends of the paired rising
pieces of the bridge part. The spring unit also has a main spring
part bent into a U-shape from the insertion side end of one of the
paired rising pieces and extending between the paired insertion
hole engaging parts in the direction in which the stopper part is
extracted.
[0104] The spring unit can be easily obtained by stamping and
bending a metal plate.
[0105] In the board unit according to the present invention, the
spring unit is held on the insertion-extraction handle at a
position in the vicinity of the stopper part. The main spring part
is configured to be brought into contact with an edge of the
stopper insertion hole when the stopper part is inserted into the
stopper insertion hole and deformed to generate a resistance to the
insertion of the stopper part, and to be brought into contact with
the edge of the stopper insertion hole when the stopper part is
extracted from the stopper insertion hole and deformed to generate
a resistance to the extraction of the stopper part. The spring unit
also has a handle engaging part which is non-fixedly engaged with
the insertion-extraction handle and which is configured to generate
a resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than
the resistance to the insertion of the stopper part between the
spring unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper
part is inserted into the stopper insertion hole and to generate a
resistance to removal of the spring unit which is greater than the
resistance to the extraction of the stopper part between the spring
unit and the insertion-extraction handle when the stopper part is
extracted from the stopper insertion hole.
[0106] That is, the spring unit is non-fixedly engaged with the
insertion-extraction handle at a position in the vicinity of the
stopper part by the handle engaging part, and the engagement is
maintained even when the stopper part of the insertion-extraction
handle is inserted into the stopper insertion hole of the panel
body and the stopper part is extracted from the stopper insertion
hole.
[0107] The board unit according to the present invention is
characterized in that the main spring part and the handle engaging
part of the spring unit are integrally formed of a plate spring
material.
[0108] For example, the main spring part of the spring unit has a
V-shape with a ridge extending generally perpendicular to the
direction in which the stopper part is inserted into or extracted
from the stopper insertion hole. The handle engaging part has a
first hook part extending from an insertion side foot of the main
spring part in the insertion direction and bent into a generally
U-shape for preventing the spring unit from moving in the
extraction direction with respect to the insertion-extraction
handle, and a second hook part extending from an extraction side
foot of the main spring part in the extraction direction and bent
into a generally U-shape oriented opposite the first hook part for
preventing the spring unit from moving in the insertion direction
with respect to the insertion-extraction handle.
[0109] The spring unit can be easily obtained by stamping and
bending a metal plate.
[0110] Description has been made of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention. The terminology employed herein is for the
purpose of illustration but not of limitation. It should be
understood that many changes and modification can be made within
the scope of the appended claims without departing from the scope
and spirit of the present invention. Also, while only typical
embodiments have been described in detail, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made
therein without departing from the novel teaching and advantages of
the present invention. Thus, such modifications are all included in
the scope of the present invention.
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