Cable fixture and electronic device

A cable fixture including a first pressing member that includes a first plate portion facing a first outlet and a first connector of a first cable plugged into the first outlet, and a second plate portion bent from the first plate portion to one side in a facing direction between the first plate portion and the first outlet; and a supporting member configured to support the first pressing member and capable of fixing the second plate portion at a position where the first plate portion abuts on the first connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-39453, filed on Mar. 5, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed herein are related to a cable fixture and an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

There is a known technique to suppress a connector or plug of a cable connected to an outlet from falling off from the outlet, and also there is another known technique to keep connection with an outlet. For example, there is a known technique in which a mounting tool is provided around an inlet into which a plug of an alternating current (AC) cord is plugged, and the plug that has been plugged into the inlet and the mounting tool around the inlet are fixed by using a fixture locked to the mounting tool. Furthermore, there is another known technique in which a plate member is set on a rear surface of an attachment plug of a power cable connected to an outlet, the plate member is fixed to the outlet side by screwing, and the attachment plug is pressed to the outlet side. As the related art, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-187334, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-157458, and the like are disclosed.

A cable having a connector of any size (a size or depth in a plug/unplug direction with respect to an outlet) may be connected to the outlet. In the related art, there may be a case where it is desirable to prepare a fixture for each cable in accordance with a size of a connector of the cable, and install the prepared fixture in order to connect and fix the connector of the cable to an outlet. Alternatively, there may be a case where it is desirable to employ a common fixture and limit a cable to be used is to those having connectors of the same size and fixable by the common fixture. Considering the above, it is desirable to provide a cable fixture by which a connector of any size may be fixed to an outlet.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the embodiments, a cable fixture including a first pressing member that includes a first plate portion facing a first outlet and a first connector of a first cable plugged into the first outlet, and a second plate portion bent from the first plate portion to one side in a facing direction between the first plate portion and the first outlet; and a supporting member configured to support the first pressing member and capable of fixing the second plate portion at a position where the first plate portion abuts on the first connector.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIG. 1andFIGS. 2A and 2Bare diagrams to describe a first exemplary cable fixture according to a first embodiment.FIG. 1andFIGS. 2A and 2Beach schematically illustrate a side view of a main portion of the exemplary cable fixture.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, an electronic device1has a power cable2connected in order to supply power from another electronic device to the electronic device1or supply power from the electronic device1to another electronic device. The electronic device1includes a main body1band an outlet1aprovided in the main body1b. The power cable2includes: an electric wire portion2bhaving an electric wire covered; and a connector2aprovided at one end (root covered portion2c) of the electric wire portion2b. The power cable2is connected to the electronic device1when the connector2ais plugged into the outlet1ain a direction D1approaching the outlet1a. The power cable2is detached from the electronic device1when the connector2acurrently plugged into the outlet1ais pulled out from the outlet1ain a direction D2away from the outlet1a.

The electronic device1having the power cable2connected is provided with a cable fixture3A as illustrated inFIG. 1, for example. The cable fixture3A includes a pressing member4and a supporting member5that supports the pressing member4.

The pressing member4includes: a plate portion4a(an example of a first plate portion) facing the outlet1aand the connector2aplugged into the outlet1a; and a plate portion4b(an example of a second plate portion) bent from the plate portion4a. InFIG. 1, the example is provided for the plate portion4bthat is bent in the direction D2from an end of the plate portion4afacing the outlet1aand the connector2a, and extends in the direction D2. As described later, in the pressing member4, the plate portion4afacing the outlet1aand the connector2ais made to abut on the connector2a, and the plate portion4bbent from the plate portion4ais fixed at the abutment position. Thus, the pressing member4functions to suppress the connector2afrom coming off from the outlet1a.

For the pressing member4, various kinds of materials having predetermined rigidity are used, and in a state where the plate portion4ais made to abut on the connector2aand the plate portion4bis fixed at the abutment position as described above, the various kinds of materials may suppress the connector2afrom coming off from the outlet1a. For example, a resin material is used for the pressing member4. Besides, for the pressing member4, a metal material, a ceramic material, a carbon material, or a composite material including fibers or cloth of a carbon material and a glass material, and a resin material may be used.

For the pressing member4, one kind of material may be used, or two or more kinds of materials may be used. For the pressing member4, for example, the same kind of material may be used for the plate portion4aand the plate portion4b, or different kinds of materials may be used for the plate portion4aand the plate portion4b. For the pressing member4, a single-layer plate using one kind of material or a laminated plate using one kind of material or two or more kinds of materials may also be used. The pressing member4may not be desired to have an entirely uniform thickness. For example, the plate portion4aand the plate portion4bof the pressing member4may have the same thickness, or the plate portion4aand the plate portion4bmay have different thicknesses. The rigidity of the pressing member4or rigidity of the plate portion4aand plate portion4bmay be adjusted in accordance with the kind of material and the thickness of the pressing member4or the kinds of materials and the thicknesses of the plate portion4aand the plate portion4b.

The supporting member5is provided at a fixed position with respect to the outlet1aof the electronic device1, and supports the pressing member4. The supporting member5includes a supporting tool6and a supporting tool7which sandwich the plate portion4bof the pressing member4from both sides of the supporting member5. The supporting tool6includes a plate portion6b(an example of a third plate portion) facing one surface4baof the plate portion4bof the pressing member4. The supporting tool7includes a plate portion7b(an example of a fifth plate portion) facing the other surface4bbof the plate portion4bof the pressing member4. The plate portion4bof the pressing member4is sandwiched between the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6and the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7.

The supporting member5may fix the plate portion4bof the pressing member4in a state where the plate portion4bof the pressing member4is sandwiched between the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6and the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7. For example, the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6and the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7are fixed by screwing or the like while sandwiching the plate portion4bof the pressing member4therebetween. Thus, the sandwiched plate portion4bis fixed, and the pressing member4is fixed. Before fixing the plate portion4b, the plate portion4bof the pressing member4is slidable in the directions D1and D2(facing direction between the plate portion4aof the pressing member4, the connector2a, and the outlet1a) along the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6or the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7, or along these plate portions while the plate portion4bis sandwiched between these plate portions.

For the supporting tools6and7, various kinds of materials capable of supporting the pressing member4and having predetermined rigidity are used. For example, a metal material is used for the supporting tools6and7. Besides, for the supporting tools6and7, a metal material, a ceramic material, a carbon material, or a composite material including fibers or cloth of a carbon material and a glass material, and a resin material may also be used.

For each of the supporting tools6and7, one kind of material may be used or two or more kinds of materials may be used. For example, a single-layer plate using one kind of material or a laminated plate using one kind of material or two or more kinds of materials may also be used for the supporting tool6. For the supporting tool7, a single-layer plate using one kind of material or a laminated plate using one kind of material or two or more kinds of materials may be used. The rigidity of each of the supporting tools6and7may be adjusted in accordance with the kind of material and the thicknesses of each of the supporting tools6and7. When the plate portion4bof the pressing member4is slid along the plate portion6bor the plate portion7bor along both of the plate portions facing the plate portion4bof the pressing member4, frictional force may be adjusted in accordance with the kind of material of the supporting tool6or the supporting tool7or the kinds of materials of both of the supporting tools (at least surface materials of these supporting tools).

In the cable fixture3A, the plate portion4bof the pressing member4is slid in the directions D1and D2along the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6or the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7or along both of these plate portions, thereby changing a position of the plate portion4aof the pressing member4facing the connector2a. As a result, a distance between the connector2aand the plate portion4aof the pressing member4is changed. InFIG. 1, such displacement of the pressing member4by the sliding of the plate portion4bis indicated by a thick arrow. Here, inFIG. 1, a state when the pressing member4(represented by a solid line) at a certain position is slid in the direction D1is indicated by a chain line P1, and a state when the pressing member4is slid in the direction D2is indicated by a dotted line P2, respectively. For example, the plate portion4bof the pressing member4is slid such that the plate portion4aabuts on the connector2a(the electric wire portion2bor a stepped portion from the root covered portion2cof the electric wire portion2b) of the power cable2. Then, the plate portion4bis fixed at the abutment position (in the state indicated by the chain line P1) by the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6and the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7which sandwich the plate portion4b.

In the cable fixture3A, the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6and the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7in the supporting member5are provided at fixed positions with respect to the outlet1aof the electronic device1. The plate portion4bof the pressing member4is slid along such a supporting member5, and then fixed. Thus, the plate portion4aof the pressing member4is fixed at the position where the plate portion4aof the pressing member4abuts on the connector2aof the power cable2. The connector2ais pressed in the direction D1by the plate portion4aof the pressing member4that is fixed by the abutment on the connector2a, and the movement of the connector2ain the direction D2is restricted. Thus, the connector2ais suppressed from coming off from the outlet1a. As a result, power failure caused by the connector2acoming off from the outlet1ais suppressed.

As described above, the cable fixture3A has the mechanism in which the pressing member4is displaced and fixed by using the supporting tools6and7. Therefore, as illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, even when a size L1or L2(the size in the directions D1and D2) of the connector2ato be plugged into the outlet1ais changed, the position of the pressing member4is adjusted in accordance with the size L1or L2, and the plate portion4aof the pressing member4may be made to abut on the connector2a. As a result, the connector2ahaving the size L1or the size L2is pressed by the pressing member4, and the connector2ahaving any of these sizes may be suppressed from coming off from the outlet1a. According to the cable fixture3A, the connector2aof any size that is to be plugged into the outlet1ais pressed to the outlet1aside, and it may be possible to suppress the connector2afrom coming off from the outlet1aand reduce the power failure caused by the coming-off of the connector2a.

FIG. 3is a diagram to describe a second exemplary cable fixture according to the first embodiment.FIG. 3schematically illustrates a side view of a main portion of the exemplary cable fixture.

The electronic device1having the power cable2connected may be provided with a cable fixture3B as illustrated inFIG. 3, for example. The cable fixture3B illustrated inFIG. 3includes the pressing member4having a plate portion4bthat is bent from an end of the plate portion4ain the direction D1and extending in the direction D1. The plate portion4afaces the outlet1aand the connector2aplugged into the outlet1a. Such a plate portion4bextending in the direction D1of the pressing member4is sandwiched between the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6and the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7of the supporting member5provided at a fixed position with respect to the outlet1a. The plate portion4bof the pressing member4is fixed at a predetermined position by being slid along the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6or the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7or along both of these plate portions in a state where the plate portion4bis sandwiched between these plate portions.

In the cable fixture3B, the plate portion4bof the pressing member4is slid in the directions D1and D2along the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6or the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7or along both of the plate portions. Thus, the plate portion4aof the pressing member4is displaced as indicated by a thick arrow inFIG. 3. Here, inFIG. 3, a state when the pressing member4(indicated by a solid line) at a certain position is slid in the direction D1is indicated by a chain line P1, and a state when the pressing member4is slid in the direction D2is indicated by a dotted line P2, respectively. For example, the plate portion4bof the pressing member4is slid such that the plate portion4aabuts on the connector2a(the electric wire portion2bor the stepped portion from the root covered portion2cof the electric wire portion2b) of the power cable2. Then, the plate portion4bis fixed at the abutment position (in the state indicated by the chain line P1) by the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6and the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7which sandwich the plate portion4b.

In the cable fixture3B, the plate portion6bof the supporting tool6and the plate portion7bof the supporting tool7in the supporting member5are provided at the fixed position with respect to the outlet1aof the electronic device1. The plate portion4bof the pressing member4is slid along such a supporting member5, and then fixed. Thus, the plate portion4aof the pressing member4is fixed at the position where the plate portion4aof the pressing member4abuts on the connector2aof the power cable2. The connector2ais pressed in the direction D1by the plate portion4aof the pressing member4that is fixed by the abutment on the connector2a, and the movement of the connector2ain the direction D2is restricted. Thus, the connector2ais suppressed from coming off from the outlet1a. As a result, the power failure caused by the connector2acoming off from the outlet1ais suppressed.

Similar to the above-described cable fixture3A (FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B), the cable fixture3B (FIG. 3) has the mechanism in which the pressing member4is displaced and fixed by using the supporting tools6and7. Therefore, even in a case where the size of the connector2ato be plugged into the outlet1a(size in each of the directions D1and D2) is changed, the position of the pressing member4is adjusted in accordance with the size of the connector2a, and it may be possible to suppress the connector2afrom coming off from the outlet1a. With the cable fixture3B also, the connector2aof any size to be plugged into the outlet1ais pressed to the outlet1aside, and it may be possible to suppress the connector2afrom coming off from the outlet1aand reduce the power failure caused by the coming-off of the connector2a.

In the description of the first embodiment, the example in which the cable fixture3A or the cable fixture3B is applied to the connector2aof the power cable2to be connected to the outlet1aof the electronic device1is described. Besides, the cable fixture3A and the cable fixture3B are applicable not only to the connector2aof the power cable2but also to connectors of various kinds of cables to be connected to outlets of various kinds of electronic devices.

Second Embodiment

For example, a description will be provided for connection between a power cable and an electronic device mounted on a rack and used in a data center or the like, and a cable fixture that suppresses coming-off of the power cable.

First, the description will be provided with reference toFIGS. 4 to 7for exemplary connection between a power cable and an electronic device mounted on a rack, and an exemplary cable fixture (comparative example).

FIG. 4is a view illustrating respective examples of an electronic device mounted on the rack, power cables connected to the electronic device, and a cable fixture.FIG. 4schematically illustrates a perspective view of a main portion including the respective examples of the electronic device, the power cables connected thereto, and the cable fixture.

Here, a power distribution unit (PDU) is exemplified as an example of the electronic device. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, a PDU100is fixed and mounted by screwing at a predetermined place of a frame210of a rack200. The PDU100includes a main power cable300to supply power to this PDU100. The PDU100includes a plurality of outlets.FIG. 4illustrates, for example, the PDU100including two blocks110each including so-called quadruple outlets in which four outlets are provided in parallel (continuously arranged) (eight outlets in total). In the PDU100illustrated inFIG. 4, four power cables310are connected to one block110including the quadruple outlets (eight power cables in total in the two blocks110).

Each power cable310has one end provided with a connector, and when the connector is plugged into each of the outlets of the PDU100, the power cable is connected to the PDU100. Each power cable310has the other end connected to another electronic device (not illustrated) mounted on the rack200. The PDU100is supplied with power from the main power cable300, and the power is distributed and supplied to another electronic device from the PDU100through each power cable310. In the example ofFIG. 4, a cable fixture400is provided in each block110including the quadruple outlets in order to suppress coming-off of each connector of each power cable310plugged into each outlet of the PDU100.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare diagrams illustrating an exemplary outlet.FIGS. 6A and 6Bare diagrams illustrating an exemplary connector.FIG. 5Aschematically illustrates a side view of a main portion of the exemplary outlet.FIG. 5Bschematically illustrates a front view of the main portion of the exemplary outlet when viewed from a side where the connector is plugged.FIG. 6Aschematically illustrates a side view of a main portion of the exemplary connector.FIG. 6Bschematically illustrates a front view of the main portion of the exemplary connector when viewed from a side plugged into the outlet.

The PDU100includes, for example, an outlet111as illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the outlet111includes a recess111aand three terminals111bprovided in the recess111a. Four of such outlets111are provided in parallel in the block110of the PDU100as described above.

One end (root covered portion312c) of an electric wire portion312of each power cable310is provided with a connector311as illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B, for example. As illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the connector311includes an inserting portion311ato be plugged into the recess111aof the outlet111. As illustrated inFIG. 6B, the connector311has three terminals311bprovided inside the inserting portion311a. The terminals311bare connected to the three terminals111bof the outlet111, respectively. Such a connector311is plugged into each of the four outlets111provided in parallel in the block110of the PDU100as described above.

For example, the three terminals111bon the outlet111side are male terminals, and the three terminals311bon the connector311side are female terminals. The three terminals111bon the outlet111side may be female terminals, and the three terminals311bon the connector311side may be male terminals.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare diagrams illustrating an exemplary cable fixture. Each ofFIGS. 7A and 7Bschematically illustrates a side view of a main portion of the exemplary cable fixture.

As illustrated inFIG. 7A, the cable fixture400includes, for example: a plate portion411facing an outlet111of the PDU100and a connector311of the power cable310plugged into the outlet111; and a plate portion412and a plate portion413which are bent toward the PDU100side from the plate portion411. The cable fixture400is connected and fixed to the frame210of the rack200or the PDU100mounted thereon. The electric wire portion312of the power cable310is drawn out through an opening414(FIG. 4) provided on the plate portion411facing the outlet111and the connector311. In the example ofFIG. 7A, the plate portion411of the cable fixture400is positioned in a manner in which the plate portion411faces the connector311plugged into the outlet111(the electric wire portion312or a stepped portion from the root covered portion312cof the electric wire portion312). Thus, the connector311is suppressed from coming off from the outlet111. As a result, power failure is suppressed in the electronic device that receives the power supply from the PDU100through each of the power cables310.

In the cable fixture400as illustrated above inFIG. 7A, the position of the plate portion411is fixed with respect to the outlet111. Therefore, in a case of using the power cable310including the connector311having a size that may be fitted between the outlet111and the plate portion411at the time of plugging the connector into the outlet111, the cable fixture400may effectively suppress the connector311from coming off from the outlet111. However, each of the power cables310connectable to the PDU100may include a connector311having a size having a varied value, such as a size L as illustrated above inFIG. 6A, for example.

Here, a case of using one cable fixture400as illustrated above inFIGS. 4 and 7Afor each block110including the quadruple outlets as illustrated above inFIG. 4will be discussed. In this case, it may be desired to use, for the quadruple outlets111of the one block110, connectors311all having the same size. Additionally, each connector311may be desired to be fitted between each outlet111and each plate portion411at the time of plugging each connector311into each outlet111. Therefore, a kind of the power cable310to be connected to the PDU100is limited to power cables that respectively include the connectors311all having the same size.

It may also be technically possible to provide a cable fixture400in accordance with a size of each connector311for each pair of an outlet111and a connector311to be plugged into the outlet111. However, in this case, it may be desirable to separately prepare, for each connector311to be plugged into each outlet111, a cable fixture400in accordance with a size of each connector311as illustrated inFIG. 7B, for example. Moreover, it may be desirable to perform installation work for the prepared cable fixture400for each connector311to be plugged into each outlet111.

As another method, it is conceivable to provide a cable clamp in the vicinity of an outlet of a PDU such that a connector of a power cable currently plugged into an outlet is fixed by using this cable clamp. However, in such a method, it may be desirable to secure an installation area for the cable clamp in the vicinity of each of outlet, and it may be difficult to arrange a plurality of outlets in parallel at a narrow pitch. When the plurality of outlets is provided in parallel while securing the installation area for the cable clamp in the vicinity of each of the outlets, a pitch between the outlets is broadened. Therefore, the number of outlets that may be provided in the PDU may be reduced. For example, the number of electronic devices connected to the PDU and capable of supplying the power from the PDU may be reduced. Furthermore, in a case of upsizing the PDU in order to secure the number of outlets while securing the installation area for the cable clamp in the vicinity of each of outlets and broadening the pitch between the outlets, the number of electronic devices that may be mounted on a rack together with the PDU may be reduced.

Considering the above points, a configuration as illustrated inFIGS. 8 to 10is employed as a cable fixture in the second embodiment.

FIGS. 8 to 10are diagrams to describe an exemplary cable fixture according to the second embodiment.FIG. 8schematically illustrates a side view of a main portion of the exemplary cable fixture.FIG. 9schematically illustrates a top view of the main portion of the exemplary cable fixture.FIG. 10schematically illustrates a front view of the main portion of the exemplary cable fixture.

As illustrated inFIGS. 8 to 10, a power cable20to supply power to another electronic device is connected to a PDU10(electronic device). The PDU10includes outlets11provided in a main body12of the PDU10. Here, for example, the PDU10includes quadruple outlets11(FIGS. 9 and 10). A power cable20is connected to each of the outlets11. For each of the outlets11in the PDU10, an outlet having a configuration as exemplified above inFIGS. 5A and 5Bmay be employed.

Each power cable20includes an electric wire portion22having one end (root covered portion22c) provided with a connector21. For a connector21of each power cable20, a connector having a configuration as exemplified above inFIGS. 6A and 6Bmay be employed. Each power cable20is connected to the PDU10by plugging its connector21into an outlet11in a direction D1approaching the outlet11. The power cable20is detached from the PDU10by pulling out the connector21currently plugged into the outlet11from the outlet11in a direction D2away from the outlet11.

A cable fixture30as illustrated inFIGS. 8 to 10is provided in the PDU10to which the power cables20are connected. The cable fixture30includes pressers40(pressing members) and a dummy support50(supporting member) that supports the pressers40.

One presser40is provided for every pair including: an outlet of the four outlets11of the PDU10; and a connector of the connectors21of the four power cables20plugged into the four outlets (FIGS. 9 and 10). Each presser40includes: a plate portion41(examples of a first plate portion and a seventh plate portion) facing an outlet11and a connector21plugged into the outlet11; and a plate portion42bent from the plate portion41(examples of a second plate portion and an eighth plate portion). Each plate portion42includes: a region42abent from the plate portion41and extending in the direction D2; and a region42bfurther bent from an end in the direction D2of the region42aand facing the outlet11and the connector21. A resin material is used for the presser40. The presser40includes, on a surface of a predetermined area of the plate portion42, a plurality of cutout portions42c(recesses) extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the plate portion42is bent (bent direction). A knob43protruding at a predetermined height is provided on the plate portion42of the presser40. The plate portion41and the plate portion42of the presser40include an opening44(FIG. 10) through which the electric wire portion22leading to the connector21is made to pass.

The dummy support50includes a fixing metal fitting60(supporting tool) and a presser metal fitting70(supporting tool) which sandwich a plate portion42of each presser40from both sides of the plate portion42. One fixing metal fitting60and one presser metal fitting70are provided per a plurality of pressers40. The plate portions42of the plurality of pressers40are sandwiched between a pair including the fixing metal fitting60and the presser metal fitting70(FIGS. 9 and 10). The pressers40are supported by the dummy support50that sandwiches the plate portions42of the pressers40with the fixing metal fitting60and the presser metal fitting70.

The fixing metal fitting60includes: a plate portion62(an example of a third plate portion) facing surfaces40aof the plate portions42of the pressers40; a plate portion61(an example of a fourth plate portion) bent at an end in the direction D2of the plate portion62and facing the outlets11and the connectors21; and a plate portion63bent at a lower end of the plate portion61and extending in the direction D1. The plate portion62and the plate portion61of the fixing metal fitting60include openings64(FIG. 10) through which the electric wire portions22leading to the connectors21are made pass, respectively. For the fixing metal fitting60, a metal material is used, for example. The fixing metal fitting60is fixed to the rack on which the PDU10is mounted, or to the PDU10.

The presser metal fitting70includes: a plate portion72(an example of a fifth plate portion) facing other surfaces40b(opposite surfaces of the surfaces40a) of the plate portions42of the pressers40; and a plate portion71(an example of a sixth plate portion) bent at an end in the direction D2of the plate portion72and facing the outlets11and the connectors21(also facing the plate portion61of the fixing metal fitting60). The plate portion72of the presser metal fitting70includes openings73(FIG. 9) at positions corresponding to the knobs43provided on the respective plate portions42of the pressers40. Each of the openings73has an opening size that allows displacement of a knob43in the directions D1and D2. Each knob43has a height so as to protrude from a surface of the plate portion72through each opening73, for example. The plate portion71of the presser metal fitting70includes openings74(FIG. 10) through which the electric wire portions22leading to the connectors21are made to pass, respectively. A metal material is used for the presser metal fitting70. The presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing.

The plate portions42of the pressers40are sandwiched between the plate portion62of the fixing metal fitting60and the plate portion72of the presser metal fitting70. Since the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing, the plate portions42of the pressers40are sandwiched and fixed between the plate portion72and the plate portion62. Before the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing, a plate portion42of each presser40is slidable in the directions D1and D2(facing direction between a plate portion41of each presser40and a connector21) along the plate portion62of the fixing metal fitting60or along the plate portion62of the fixing metal fitting60and the plate portion72of the presser metal fitting70which are fixed by the screwing. A plate portion41of each presser40abuts on each connector21plugged into a corresponding outlet11(an electric wire portion22or a stepped portion from a root covered portion22cof the electric wire portion22). In the state where the plate portion41of each presser40abuts on each connector21, the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing. Thus, the plate portions42sandwiched between these fittings are fixed, and the positions of the respective presser40are fixed.

For example, each presser40is fixed by sliding its plate portion42in accordance with a size L3of a connector21to be plugged into an outlet11, and adjusting a plate portion41to a position where the plate portion41abuts on the connector21. Here, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the description is provided for the example in which the power cable20including the connector21having the size L3indicated by a chain line, a power cable20including a connector21having a size larger than the size L3, and a power cable20including a connector21having a size smaller than the size L3are connected to the respective outlets11. The cable fixture30is adaptable to fix the connectors21of any size by adjusting the respective pressers40(FIGS. 9 and 10).

The cable fixture30will be further described.

First, a presser40of the cable fixture30will be described.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 12A, 12B, and 12Care diagrams to describe an exemplary presser of the cable fixture according to the second embodiment.FIG. 11Aschematically illustrates a side view of the exemplary presser,FIG. 11Bschematically illustrates a top view of the exemplary presser, andFIG. 11Cschematically illustrates a front view of the exemplary presser.FIG. 12Aschematically illustrates a side view of the exemplary presser before being bent, and each ofFIGS. 12B and 12Cschematically illustrates a side view of the exemplary presser that is bent.

Each presser40of the cable fixture30is formed by using a resin material having predetermined rigidity in a cured state. As illustrated in FIGS.11A to11C, the presser40includes a plate portion41and a plate portion42bent from the plate portion41. Each plate portion41faces: an outlet11of the above-described PDU10; and a connector21of an above-described power cable20plugged into the outlet11. The plate portion41and the plate portion42include an opening44(FIG. 11C) through which an electric wire portion22leading to the connector21is made to pass. The plate portion42includes: a region42abent from the plate portion41; and a region42bfurther bent from the region42a. The plate portion42includes a plurality of cutout portions42cextending in a direction orthogonal to the bent direction. The plate portion42is bent along a place of any cutout portion42camong the plurality of cutout portions42c, and one side of a bent portion becomes the region42a, and the other side of the bent portion becomes the region42b. A knob43is provided on (the region42a) of the plate portion42. The knob43is used to adjust a place to bend the plate portion42along a cutout portion42c.

Before the plate portion42is bent along a cutout portion42c, the presser40is made into an L-shape in the side view as illustrated inFIG. 12A, for example. The L-shape includes the plate portion41and the plate portion42bent from the plate portion41. When the plate portion42is bent along the cutout portion42cat a predetermined place, the plate portion42is made into, for example, a U-shape (or a horseshoe shape) in the side view as illustrated inFIG. 12B or 12C. The U-shape includes: the plate portion41; and the region42aand the region42bof the plate portion42. A distance to the plate portion41from the bent place of the plate portion42, for example, a length of the region42ais adjusted by adjusting the place to bend the plate portion42along the cutout portion42c. For example, when the plate portion42is bent at a place of a cutout portion42crelatively close to the plate portion41from the state as illustrated inFIG. 12A, the presser40having a relatively short distance from the bent place to the plate portion41(the length of the region42a) is obtained as illustrated inFIG. 12B. When the plate portion42is bent at a place of a cutout portion42crelatively far from the plate portion41from the state as illustrated inFIG. 12A, the presser40having a relatively long distance from the bent place to the plate portion41(the length of the region42a) is obtained as illustrated inFIG. 12C. Since a bent place of each plate portion42is adjustable, a plate portion41of each presser40may be able to abut on a connector21of any size.

Next, the fixing metal fitting60of the cable fixture30will be described.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13Care diagrams to describe an exemplary fixing metal fitting of the cable fixture according to the second embodiment.FIG. 13Aschematically illustrates a side view of the exemplary fixing metal fitting,FIG. 13Bschematically illustrates a top view of the exemplary fixing metal fitting, andFIG. 13Cschematically illustrates a front view of the exemplary fixing metal fitting.

The fixing metal fitting60of the cable fixture30is formed by using a metal material having predetermined rigidity. As illustrated inFIGS. 13A to 13C, the fixing metal fitting60includes a plate portion62, a plate portion61bent from the plate portion62, and a plate portion63further bent from the plate portion61. The plate portion62faces the surfaces40aof the plate portions42of the above-described pressers40, and the plate portion61faces the outlets11of the above-described PDU10and the connectors21of the above-described power cables20plugged into the outlets11. The plate portion62and the plate portion61include four openings64(four openings corresponding to the quadruple outlets11in this example:FIGS. 13B and 13C) through which the electric wire portions22leading to the connectors21are made to pass, respectively. The plate portion61includes two screw holes65(two screw holes in this example:FIG. 13C) in order to fix the presser metal fitting70to the fixing metal fitting60by screwing. InFIGS. 13A and 13B, only positions where the screw holes65are provided are illustrated by chain lines.

Next, the presser metal fitting70of the cable fixture30will be described.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14Care diagrams to describe an exemplary presser metal fitting of the cable fixture according to the second embodiment.FIG. 14Aschematically illustrates a side view of the exemplary presser metal fitting,FIG. 14Bschematically illustrates a top view of the exemplary presser metal fitting, andFIG. 14Cschematically illustrates a front view of the exemplary presser metal fitting.

The presser metal fitting70of the cable fixture30is formed by using a metal material having predetermined rigidity. As illustrated inFIGS. 14A to 14C, the presser metal fitting70includes a plate portion72, and a plate portion71bent from the plate portion72. The plate portion72faces the surfaces40bof the plate portions42of the above-described pressers40, and the plate portion71faces the outlets11of the above-described PDU10and the connectors21of the above-described power cables20respectively plugged into the outlets11. The plate portion72includes openings73(four openings corresponding to the quadruple outlets11in this example:FIG. 14B) at positions corresponding to the knobs43respectively provided on the plate portions42of the pressers40. The plate portion71includes four openings74(four openings corresponding to the quadruple outlets11in this example:FIG. 14C) through which the electric wire portions22leading to the connectors21are made to pass, respectively. The plate portion71includes screw holes75(two screw holes in this example:FIG. 14C) in order to fix the presser metal fitting70to the fixing metal fitting60at the positions corresponding to the screw holes65of the fixing metal fitting60. InFIGS. 14A and 14B, only the positions where the screw holes75are provided are illustrated by chain lines. The plate portion71may further include a spacer76having a thickness equivalent to a thickness of each of the pressers40sandwiched between the fixing metal fitting60and the presser metal fitting70.

In the cable fixture30having the configuration as illustrated above inFIGS. 8 to 14C, the pressers40are provided on the fixing metal fitting60provided at the fixed position, and the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing while sandwiching the pressers40. In each presser40, a bent position of a plate portion42(place of a cutout portion42c) is adjusted in accordance with a size of each connector21plugged into an outlet11. Thus, a plate portion41of the presser40is made to abut on the connector21. The adjustment of the bent position of the plate portion42and the abutment of the plate portion41on the connector21are performed in accordance with a size of each connector21plugged into each outlet11of the PDU10. In the cable fixture30, even when the connectors21respectively plugged into the outlets11of the PDU10have different sizes, each connector21may be pressed to each outlet11side by a plate portion41of a corresponding presser40that abuts on the connector21. According to the cable fixture30, a connector21of any size to be plugged into an outlet11may be pressed to an outlet11side, and the connector21may be suppressed from coming off from the outlet11.

Next, a method of fixing a power cable20connected to a PDU10by using the above-described cable fixture30will be described with reference toFIGS. 15A to 21C.

FIGS. 15A to 21Care diagrams to describe a fixing method using the cable fixture according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15Care diagrams illustrating an exemplary PDU including the fixing metal fitting.FIG. 15Ais a side view,FIG. 15Bis a top view, andFIG. 15Cis a front view.FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16Care diagrams illustrating an exemplary fixing metal fitting provided in the PDU.FIG. 16Ais a side view,FIG. 16Bis a top view, andFIG. 15Cis a front view.

For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 15A to 15C, the PDU10including a main power cable13leading to the main body12is attached and mounted on a frame81of the rack80by the screwing. Here, for example, the PDU10including two of the quadruple outlets (blocks14and15) is illustrated. In each of the blocks, four outlets11are provided in parallel. For example, a 19-inch rack is used as the rack80, and the PDU10having a height of 1 U (44.45 mm) that is a unit standard height is mounted on the rack80.

For example, the fixing metal fitting60is attached to the frame81of the rack80on which the PDU10is mounted. For the fixing metal fitting60, a fixing metal fitting having the configuration as described above inFIGS. 13A to 13Cis used for each of the blocks14and15of the outlets11of the PDU10as illustrated inFIGS. 16A to 16C. The fixing metal fitting60illustrated inFIGS. 16A to 16Cincludes, in a manner corresponding to each of the blocks14and15: the plate portion62; the plate portion61bent from the plate portion62; the plate portion63further bent from the plate portion61; and the openings64through which the power cables20are made to pass respectively; and the screw holes65to fix the presser metal fitting70. The fixing metal fitting60is fixed together with the PDU10to the frame81of the rack80by screwing at a projecting portion66projecting laterally and including a screw hole66a.

The fixing metal fitting60as illustrated inFIGS. 16A to 16Cis prepared, and the prepared fixing metal fitting60is fixed together with the PDU10to the frame81of the rack80. Thus, the state as illustrated inFIGS. 15A to 15Cis obtained.

Besides, the fixing metal fitting60may be preliminarily integrated with the PDU10as a part of the PDU10. A state similar to the state illustrated inFIGS. 15A to 15Cmay also be obtained by mounting, on the rack80, the PDU10thus preliminarily integrated with the fixing metal fitting60.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17Care diagrams illustrating an exemplary state where power cables are connected to a PDU.FIG. 17Ais a side view,FIG. 17Bis a top view, andFIG. 17Cis a front view.

FIGS. 17A to 17Cfocus on the block14among the above-described two blocks14and15of the PDU10. InFIGS. 17A to 17C, illustration of the frame81of the rack80is omitted.

As illustrated inFIGS. 17A to 17C, connectors21of respective power cables20are plugged into respective outlets11of the PDU10provided with the fixing metal fitting60. Here, for example, a state where power cables20having connectors21of different sizes are connected to some of the outlets11of the PDU10is illustrated. For example, as indicated by a chain line ofFIG. 17Bin this example, the power cables20including the connectors21having the same size are connected to outlets11positioned at both ends among the four outlets11of the block14. Among remaining two outlets in the block14, a power cable20including a connector21having a size larger than the sizes of other power cables20is connected to one of remaining two outlets11, and a power cable20including a connector21having a size smaller than the sizes of other power cables20is connected to the other one of the remaining two outlets11.

An electric wire portion22of each power cable20including a connector21to be plugged into each outlet11passes through an opening64provided in the fixing metal fitting60and drawn out.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18Care diagrams illustrating an exemplary state where a presser is provided.FIG. 18Ais a side view,FIG. 18Bis a top view, andFIG. 18Cis a front view.

FIGS. 18A to 18Cfocus on the block14among the above-described two blocks14and15of the PDU10. InFIGS. 18A to 18C, illustration of the frame81of the rack80is omitted, and illustration of a side plate (FIG. 17A) of the fixing metal fitting60is omitted inFIG. 18A.

The fixing metal fitting60is provided and the connectors21of the power cables20are plugged into the outlets11respectively in the PDU10. The pressers40are provided on the fixing metal fitting60in a manner corresponding to the respective connectors21as illustrated inFIGS. 18A to 18C. For each presser40, a presser having the configuration as described above inFIGS. 11A to 11CandFIGS. 12A to 12Cis used. Each presser40includes: the plate portion41; the plate portion42bent from the plate portion41; the cutout portion42cand the knob43provided in the plate portion42; and the opening44through which the corresponding power cable20is made to pass.

In each presser40on the fixing metal fitting60, a bent position of the plate portion42(a place of a cutout portion42c) is adjusted in accordance with a size of a connector21plugged into an outlet11. Thus, the plate portion41is made to abut on the connector21(a stepped portion from a root covered portion22cof the electric wire portion22). The adjustment of the bent position of each plate portion42is performed by using each knob43, for example. The electric wire portion22of each power cable20including a connector21plugged into an outlet11is made to pass through an opening44provided in each presser40.

An exemplary method of making (a plate portion41) of each presser40abut on a connector21will be described in detail later (FIGS. 20A to 21Cand the like).

FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19Care diagrams illustrating an exemplary state where the presser metal fitting is provided.FIG. 19Ais a side view,FIG. 19Bis a top view, andFIG. 19Cis a front view.

FIGS. 19A to 19Cfocus on the block14among the above-described two blocks14and15of the PDU10. InFIGS. 19A to 19C, illustration of the frame81of the rack80is omitted, and illustration of the side plate (FIG. 17A) of the fixing metal fitting60is omitted inFIG. 19A.

As illustrated inFIGS. 19A to 19C, the presser metal fitting70is provided on the pressers40provided on the fixing metal fitting60. For the presser metal fitting70, a presser metal fitting having the configuration as described above inFIGS. 14A to 14Cis used. The presser metal fitting70includes: the plate portion72; the plate portion71bent from the plate portion72; the openings73corresponding to the knobs43of the respective pressers40; the openings74through which the power cables20are made to pass respectively; the screw holes75to fix the presser metal fitting70; and the spacer76having the thickness equivalent to the thickness of each of the pressers40. Note that illustration of the spacer76is omitted inFIGS. 19A to 19Cfor convenience.

The presser metal fitting70is provided on the pressers40on the fixing metal fitting60such that the knobs43of the pressers40provided in a manner corresponding to the respective connectors21are exposed from the openings73. The presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing while using the screw holes75of the presser metal fitting70and the screw holes65of the fixing metal fitting60provided in a manner corresponding to the screw hole75. In a case where the spacers76having the thickness same as or equivalent to the thickness of each of the pressers40is provided in the presser metal fitting70, it may be possible to suppress: excessive fastening at the time of fixing the presser metal fitting70to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing while sandwiching the pressers40; and uneven load application due to the fastening places. Since the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing, the positions of the pressers40sandwiched between the presser metal fitting70and the fixing metal fitting60are fixed.

The presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing in the state where the plate portions41of the pressers40are made to abut on the respective connectors21. As a result, it may be possible to achieve the cable fixture30in which the respective connectors21are pressed to the respective outlets11side by the pressers40. According to this cable fixture30, movement of each connector21in the direction in which the connector21comes off from a corresponding outlet11is regulated by each presser40, and the connector21is suppressed from coming off from the outlet11. Since the plate portions41of the pressers40are made to abut on the connectors21in accordance with the respective sizes of the connectors21plugged into the respective outlets11before fixation by the screwing, the connector21of any size as illustrated inFIGS. 19A to 19Cis suppressed from coming off by the cable fixture30.

Here, an exemplary method of making (a plate portion41) of each presser40abut on a connector21will be described.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20Care diagrams illustrating a first example of the method of making each presser abut on the connector.FIG. 20Aschematically illustrates a side view of the main portion in an exemplary process of providing the presser on the fixing metal fitting.FIG. 20Bschematically illustrates a side view of the main portion in an exemplary process of making the presser abut on the connector.FIG. 20Cschematically illustrates a side view of the main portion in an exemplary process of fixing the presser metal fitting to the fixing metal fitting.

In this first example, each presser40is first provided on the fixing metal fitting60as illustrated inFIG. 20Afrom the state (FIG. 17A) of obtaining the PDU10in which the fixing metal fitting60is provided and the connectors21of the power cables20are plugged into the respective outlets11as described above. At this time, a plate portion41of each presser40provided on the fixing metal fitting60does not necessarily abut on the connectors21.FIG. 20Aillustrates, for example, the state where a plate portion41of each presser40is positioned separately from each connector21.

From the state where the presser40is provided on the fixing metal fitting60, the position of the presser40is adjusted so as to make the plate portion41abut on the connector21(the stepped portion from the root covered portion22cof the electric wire portion22) as illustrated inFIG. 20B. A knob43is used to adjust the position of each presser40, and the plate portion42of the presser40is slid on the fixing metal fitting60by displacing the knob43in the facing direction between the presser40and the outlet11. When the plate portion42is slid on the fixing metal fitting60, the presser40is sequentially bent at respective cutout portions42ceach corresponding to a bent portion between the plate portion62and the plate portion61of the fixing metal fitting60. A plate portion41of each presser40is displaced with the sliding movement of a plate portion42on the fixing metal fitting60. For example, from the state as illustrated inFIG. 20A, the plate portion42of the presser40is slid on the fixing metal fitting60toward the connector21side by the knob43as illustrated inFIG. 20B. With this sliding movement, the plate portion41is displaced toward the connector21side, and the plate portion41abuts on the connector21. Such abutment of a plate portion41is performed in accordance with a size of a connector21for every connector21plugged into an outlet11of the PDU10.

Then, from the state where the plate portions41of the respective pressers40abut on the respective connectors21, the presser metal fitting70is provided while exposing the knobs43from the respective openings73(FIGS. 19A to 19Cand the like) on the respective pressers40on the fixing metal fitting60as illustrated inFIG. 20C. The presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing. Since the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing, a plate portion41of each presser40is fixed at a position where the plate portion41abuts on each connector21. Since the position of the presser40is thus fixed, the connector21is pressed to the outlet11side by the abutment of the plate portion41of the presser40. Thus, each connector21is suppressed from coming off from each outlet11.

For example, the method as described in the first example (FIGS. 20A to 20C) is used to adjust the position of each presser40and make a plate portion41of the presser40abut on the connector21.

FIGS. 21A to 21Care diagrams to describe a second example of the method of making each presser abut on a connector.FIG. 21Aschematically illustrates a side view of the main portion in an exemplary process of providing the presser on the fixing metal fitting.FIG. 21Bschematically illustrates a side view of the main portion in an exemplary process of providing the presser metal fitting on the presser.FIG. 21Cschematically illustrates a side view of the main portion in an exemplary process of making the presser abut on the connector.

In this second example, each presser40is first provided on the fixing metal fitting60as illustrated inFIG. 21Afrom the state (FIG. 17A) in which the connectors21of the power cables20are plugged into the outlets11of the PDU10provided with the fixing metal fitting60. At this time, a plate portion41of each presser40provided on the fixing metal fitting60does not necessarily abut on the connectors21.FIG. 21Aillustrates, for example, the state where a plate portion41of each presser40is positioned separately from each connector21.

From the state where the pressers40are provided on the fixing metal fitting60, the presser metal fitting70is provided on the pressers40on the fixing metal fitting60as illustrated inFIG. 21Bsuch that the knobs43are exposed from the respective openings73(FIGS. 19A to 19Cand the like). At this time, the presser metal fitting70is provided on the pressers40such that the pressers40sandwiched between the presser metal fitting70and the fixing metal fitting60may be slid by the respective knobs43. For example, the presser metal fitting70is temporarily fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by screws or the like in a state where the pressers40are sandwiched between the presser metal fitting70and the fixing metal fitting60. Alternatively, the presser metal fitting70may be provided in a state simply placed on the pressers40.

From the state where the presser metal fitting70is provided on the pressers40on the fixing metal fitting60, a position of each of the pressers40is adjusted, and a plate portion41of the presser40abuts on each connector21(a stepped portion from the root covered portion22cof the electric wire portion22) as illustrated inFIG. 21C. A knob43is used to adjust a position of each presser40, and a plate portion42of each presser40is slid between the fixing metal fitting60and the presser metal fitting70by displacing the knob43in the facing direction between the presser40and the outlet11. When the plate portion42is slid between the fixing metal fitting60and the presser metal fitting70, the presser40is sequentially bent at places of cutout portions42ceach corresponding to a bent portion between the plate portion62and the plate portion61of the fixing metal fitting60and a bent portion between the plate portion72and the plate portion71of the presser metal fitting70. A plate portion41of each presser40is displaced with the sliding movement of a plate portion42between the fixing metal fitting60and the presser metal fitting70. For example, from the state illustrated inFIG. 21B, a plate portion42of each presser40is slid toward a connector21side between the fixing metal fitting60and the presser metal fitting70by a knob43as illustrated inFIG. 21C. With this sliding movement, the plate portion41of the presser40is displaced to the connector21side, and the plate portion41abuts on the connector21. Such abutment of a plate portion41is performed in accordance with a size of a connector21for every connector21plugged into an outlet11of the PDU10.

Then, from the state where a plate portion41of each presser40abuts on a connector21, the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing in a manner similar to the above-described method. Since the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing, a plate portion41of each presser40is fixed at a position where the plate portion41abuts on each connector21. Since the position of the presser40is thus fixed, the connector21is pressed to the outlet11side by the abutment of the plate portion41of the presser40. Thus, each connector21is suppressed from coming off from each outlet11.

For example, the method as illustrated in the second example (FIGS. 21A to 21C) is used to adjust the position of the presser40and make the plate portion41abut on the connector21.

Here, the description has been provided for the exemplary methods in which a plate portion42of each presser40is slide along the plate portion62of the fixing metal fitting60(first example) or along the plate portion62of the temporarily-fixed fixing metal fitting60and the plate portion72of the presser metal fitting70(second example) before fixing the presser metal fitting70to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing. Besides, in a case where a presser40bent at a place of a cutout portion42ckeeps a bent shape of the presser40, the presser40may be preliminarily adjusted to a size of a connector21before being provided on the fixing metal fitting60, and then the presser40may be bent at a cutout portion42cwhere a plate portion41abuts on the connector21. Since the pressers40thus bent in advance are provided on the fixing metal fitting60, and the presser metal fitting70is provided on the pressers40, and then the presser metal fitting70is fixed to the fixing metal fitting60by the screwing, it may be possible to achieve a structure in which connectors21are pressed to outlets11side by the pressers40, respectively.

As described above, according to the cable fixture30according to the second embodiment, the pressers40are fixed by the fixing metal fitting60and the presser metal fitting70in the state where the plate portions41of the pressers40abut on the respective connectors21of the power cables20plugged into the corresponding outlets11of the PDU10. As a result, each connector21is pressed to each outlet11side by each presser40, and the connector21is suppressed from coming off from the outlet11. Since each connector21is suppressed from coming off from each outlet11, power failure of another electronic device that receives power supply from the PDU10via the power cable20is suppressed.

In the cable fixture30, a position of each presser40may be adjusted in accordance with a size of each connector21, and a plate portion41of each presser40abuts on a connector21of any size. Thus, each connector21is suppressed from coming off from each outlet11, and the power failure caused by the coming-off of the connector21is suppressed. Thus, since the cable fixture30is adaptable to a connector21of any size, a type of a power cable20used in the PDU10may not be limited by the size of each connector21. Even in a case of using power cables20respectively having connectors21having different sizes, it may be possible to avoid preparing fixtures for (connectors21) of respective power cables20and installing these fixtures in (the connectors21) of the respective power cables20. In the cable fixture30, it may not be desired to change arrangement of a plurality of outlets11in the PDU10, for example, not desired to broaden a pitch between the outlets like the case of providing a cable clamp. Therefore, it may be possible to avoid reducing the number of outlets11of the PDU10and reducing the number of connectable electronic devices. Alternatively, it may be possible to avoid upsizing the PDU10and reducing the number of electronic devices mountable on the rack80. In the cable fixture30, even in a case where the plurality of outlets11is provided in parallel at a narrow pitch, the connectors21to be plugged into the respective outlets may be pressed by the respective pressers40in accordance with the respective sizes of the connectors21. Thus, a connector21of any size may be suppressed from coming off from an outlet11.

In the description of the second embodiment, the description has been provided for the example in which the cable fixture30is applied to the connectors21of the power cables20connected to the outlets11of the PDU10. Besides, not limited to the PDU10, the cable fixture30may be applicable to: a connector21of a power cable20connected to an outlet of an electronic device from which the PDU10receives power supply; and connectors of power cables connected to outlets of other various kinds of electronic devices. The cable fixture30may be applicable to not only to a connector21of a power cable20but also to connectors of various kinds of cables connected to outlets of various kinds of electronic devices.