Front rail of an electronic rack

Abstract: A front rail is formed by bending a steel sheet. The front rail has a front part 1 having a hole 2, the hole 2 allowing insertion of a dowel pin arranged on a printed circuit board, a top part 3 mounting a guide rail for guiding the printed circuit board thereon, a rear part 4 extending from the top part 3 via a hem 6 formed by folding back the steel sheet, for supporting a lower portion of the top part 3, and a bottom part 5 extending from the rear part 4.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a front rail in a sub-rack, which acts as a cabinet in which a plurality of printed circuit boards packing electronic circuit assemblies are mountable, and which constitutes an electronic equipment unit such as a communication apparatus and so on. Description of the Prior Art FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the constitution of a conventional sub-rack. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a sub-rack. 101 denotes a top plate. 102 denotes a bottom plate. 103 denotes a side plate. 104 denotes a front rail arranged on front edges of the top plate 101 and the bottom plate 102, respectively. 105 denotes a mid-rail arranged on a midrange of the top plate 101 and the bottom plate 102, respectively, so as to cross the midrange. 106 denotes a guide rail whose both ends are mounted on upper faces of the front rail 104 and the mid-rail 105. 107 denotes a locating hole for locating a position on which a printed circuit board (not shown) is inserted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sub-rack 100 that a plug-in unit is partially mounted. In FIG. 2, 111 denotes a front panel constituting a front part of the sub-rack 100 when the printed circuit board (not shown) is mounted into the sub-rack 100. 112 denotes a handle mounted on the front panel 111 and used for the insertion of the printed circuit board (not shown) into the sub-rack 100 and for the removal thereof from the sub-rack 100. FIG. 3 is a side view of the constitution of the plug-in unit mounted into the sub-rack 100. In FIG. 3, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 2, the description of such parts is omitted. 121 denotes a printed circuit board. 122 denotes a connector arranged on the printed circuit board 121, which is connectable by a plug-in type with another connector (not shown) on a back plane mounted on a rear part of the sub-rack 100. 123 denotes a guide pin which can be inserted into the locating hole 107 in order to locate the printed circuit board 121. 124 denotes a handle-supporting part which is connected with the printed circuit board 121 or the front panel 111. 125 denotes a pin which is fixed to the handle 112 or the handle-supporting part 124 to allow rotation of the handle 112 with respect to the handle-supporting part 124. FIG. 4 is a drawing of the plug-in unit coupling with the front rail. In FIG. 4, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIGS. 1 to 3, the description of such parts is omitted. 131 denotes a first claw part of the handle 112, and 132 denotes a second claw part of the handle 112. 133 denotes a first engagement part formed on the front rail 104, and 134 denotes a second engagement part formed on the front rail 104. The operation of this invention will be described as follows. When the plug-in unit having the printed circuit board 121 is inserted into the sub-rack, the printed circuit board 121 is slid along a groove formed in the guide rail 106. The guide pin 123 arranged on the plug-in unit is then inserted into the locating hole 107 formed in the front rail 104 to locate the front panel 111 with respect to the front rail 104. Consequently, the handle 112 is rotated in a direction "A" in a state of engaging the first claw part 131 of the handle 112 with the first engagement part 133 of the front rail 104. The connector 122 of the printed circuit board 121 is then connected to the back plane to finish the insertion of the plug-in unit into the sub-rack 100. When the plug-in unit is removed from the sub-rack 100, the handle 112 is rotated in a direction "B" in a state of engaging the second claw part 132 of the handle 112 with the second engagement part 134 of the front rail 104 to remove the connector 122 of the printed circuit board 121 from the back plane. Consequently, the printed circuit board 121 is pulled out along the groove formed in the guide rail 106 to remove the plug-in unit from the sub-rack 100. The conventional sub-rack is constituted as described above. The front rail 104 is made of extruded aluminum materials. When a plurality of large-size printed circuit boards are mounted on the front rail 100, the front rail 100 bent, and the printed circuit board 121 disconnects from the groove of the guide rail 106 and falls to the bottom part of the sub-rack 100. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a front rail having a sufficient strength to hold a plurality of large-size printed circuit boards in required positions of a sub-rack. In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a front rail in a sub-rack formed by bending a piece of plate comprises a front part having a hole, the hole allowing insertion of a dowel pin, the dowel pin being arranged on a printed circuit board, a top part on which, in use, a guide rail for guiding the printed circuit board is mounted, a rear part for supporting a lower portion of the top part, and a bottom part extending from the rear part or the front part with a first hem extending from the top part and formed by folding back the plate. The front rail may further comprise a second hem, extending from the bottom part by folding back the plate. The front rail may further comprise a plurality of engagement holes which are arranged on the second hem extending from the bottom part. The front rail may further comprise a mounting part having a screw hole, the mounting part formed by bending a cantilever part in a lateral direction, wherein the cantilever part is integrated with the top part. The front rail may further comprise a mounting hole arranged on the hem extending from the top part, the mounting part for mounting a guide rail guiding the printed circuit board. The front rail may further comprise a plurality of projections arranged on the rear edge side, the respective projections extending in a rear direction. The front rail may further comprise a screw-accommodating part formed by partially cutting and raising an articulated region defined between the rear part and the bottom part, and a female screw thread cut in an internal face of the screw-accommodating part. A pole-type body may be inserted into a cavity partitioned by the front, the top, the rear and the bottom parts, the pole-type body having a height nearly equal to a distance between the top and the bottom parts. A screw plate may be inserted into a cavity partitioned by the front, the top, the rear and the bottom parts, the screw plate having a screw hole allowing insertion of dowel pins arranged on the printed circuit board. The front rail may further comprise an engagement part formed on the top part, the engagement part for engaging the screw plate within the cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the constitution of a conventional sub-rack. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sub-rack 100 in which a plug-in unit is partially mounted. FIG. 3 is a side view of the constitution of the plug-in unit mounted into the sub-rack. FIG. 4 is a drawing of a state of coupling the plug-in unit with the front rail. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 2 according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 3 according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 4 according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 5 according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 6 according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 7 according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a front rail and a reinforcing member in a sub-rack in embodiment 8 according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member used for a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 9 according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a front rail and a reinforcing member in a sub-rack in embodiment 10 according to the present invention. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 11 according to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a side view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 11 according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 1 according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, 1 denotes a front part. 2 denotes a locating hole (hole) formed on the front part 1, into which a guide pin as a dowel pin of the plug-in unit can be inserted. 3 denotes a top part mounting ends of the guide rail for guiding the printed circuit board. 4 denotes a rear part disposed so as to support the top part 3. 5 denotes a bottom part extending from the rear part 4. 6 denotes a hem formed by folding back a steel sheet (plate) and extending from the top part 3 and the rear part 4. Similarly, 7 denotes a bending edge part constituted by a hem formed by folding back a steel sheet, both ends of the bending edge part 7 having engagement parts for engaging with the claws of the handle in the plug-in unit. The front part 1, the top part 3, the hem 6, the rear part 4, the bottom part 5 and the bending edge part 7 are formed by bending the plate made of steel sheets and so on. As described above, the front rail in the sub-rack in embodiment 1 is formed by bending the steel sheet. The front rail also includes a front part 1 having a hole 2 allowing insertion of a dowel pin arranged on a printed circuit board, a top part 3 mounting a guide rail for guiding the printed circuit board thereon, a rear part 4 extending from the top part 3 via a hem 6 formed by folding back the steel sheet, the rear part 4 for supporting a lower portion of the top part 3, and a bottom part 5 extending from the rear part 4. As a result of such bending of one steel sheet and the arrangement of the hem, the front rail can obtain a sufficient strength. The front rail is hardly bent when the plurality of large-size printed circuit boards are mounted thereon, and as a result it can prevent such boards from dropping out of the guide rail. Embodiment 2 FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 2 according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 5, the description of such parts is omitted. 11 denotes a hem formed by folding back the steel sheet at the bottom part 5. 12 denotes an engagement hole formed as a through hole by a punching operation, the engagement hole having engagement parts which can be engaged with the claw parts of the handle of the plug-in unit, the respective engagement parts arranged at front and rear edges of the engagement hole 12. The front rail in embodiment 2 is characterized in that the front part 1 extends from the bottom part 5 via the hem 11. When the front part 1 extends from the top part 3 in the front rail in embodiment 1, a tool used for pressing and tapping on a bending portion of the hem 6 interferes with the front part 1 when the hem 6 extends from the top part 3 is formed. It is therefore difficult to manufacture such a front rail. On the other hand, it is ease to form the hem 11 in embodiment 2 because the front part 1 extends from the bottom part 5. Since the engagement hole 12 is formed on the hem 11, the engagement part for engaging with the claw parts of the handle of the plug-in unit has a depth corresponding to a thickness of 2 sheets of the steel sheet. The engagement between the engagement part and the claw parts can be firmly constructed. As described above, with the front rail in the sub-rack in embodiment 2, the front part 1 extends from the bottom part 5 via the hem 11. The structural strength of the front rail can be therefore enhanced according to the addition of the hem 11. It is ease to form the hem 11 extends from the top part 3 because the front part 1 extends from the bottom part 5, and accordingly the production of the front rail can be easily performed. Since the plurality of the engagement holes 12 acting as through holes are further formed in the hem 11 extends from the bottom part 5, the claw part of the handle of the plug-in unit can easily engage with the engagement hole, and convenience of operation can be enhanced. Embodiment 3 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 3 according to the present invention. In FIG. 7, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 6, the description of such parts is omitted. 21 denotes a mounting part formed by bending a piece of the steel sheet (cantilever part) integrated with the top part 3 in order to couple the front rail to side parts of the sub-rack. 22 denotes a screw hole formed in the mounting part 21, which can be connected with a bolt inserted into the side part of the sub-rack in order to couple to the front rail. As described above, with the front rail in the sub-rack in embodiment 3, the mounting part 21 having the screw hole 22 is formed by bending the steel sheet integrated with the top part 3. The front rail can be therefore easily arranged in the sub-rack owing to a simple operation of connecting the bolt inserted into the side part of the sub-rack with the screw hole 22. Embodiment 4 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 4 according to the present invention. In FIG. 8, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 6, the description of such parts is omitted. 31 denotes a mounting part formed by bending a piece of the steel sheet (cantilever part) integrated with the bottom part 5 in order to couple the front rail to the side parts of the sub-rack. 32 denotes a screw hole formed in the mounting part 21, which can be connected with a bolt inserted into the side part of the sub-rack in order to couple to the front rail. With the structure of the front rail in embodiment 3, under a downward load forced via a guide pin inserted into the locating hole 2, the hem 6 is opened to alter the shape of the front rail. On the other hand, with the structure of front rail in embodiment 4, the side parts of the sub-rack can sustain the downward load forced via the guide pin. Accordingly, the stability of the front rail shape can be improved without opening the hem 6. As described above, the front rail in the sub-rack in embodiment 4 can obtain the same effects in embodiment 3. With the front rail in embodiment 4, since the side parts of the sub-rack can sustain the downward load on the bottom part 5 which prevents the hem 6 extends from the top part 3 from opening, the stability of the front rail shape can be improved. Accordingly, aspects such as positional accuracy can be further improved. Embodiment 5 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 5 according to the present invention. In FIG. 9, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 8, the description of such parts is omitted. 41 denotes a through hole formed by punching the top part 3 or the hem 6 extends from the top part 3, or a mounting hole for mounting a guide rail formed as a depression by a drawing operation. The mounting hole 41 is formed by a series of sheet-metal operations including bending and so on. As described above, the front rail in the sub-rack in embodiment 5 can obtain the same effects in embodiment 4. With the front rail in embodiment 5, the mounting hole 41 for mounting the guide rail guiding the printed circuit board is arranged at the hem 6 extends from the top part 3. Accordingly, it is possible to form the mounting hole 41 by a series of sheet-metal operations including a bending working and so on. As compared with arranging a mounting member on the top part 3 by other operations, the front rail in embodiment 5 can be manufactured at a low cost. Embodiment 6 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 6 according to the present invention. In FIG. 10, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 8, the description of such parts is omitted. 51 denotes a plurality of projections formed at the rear edge of the hem 6 by cutting the rear edge thereof. These projections are preferably formed with a required pitch. In this case, the rear edge of the hem 6 has a comb-shape owing to the projections 51 formed with the required pitch. Thus, since the plurality of projections 51 are provided at the rear edge side of the hem 6 so as to extend in a rear direction, the guide rail guiding the printed circuit board can be mounted on the projections 51 by forwardly moving the guide rail in a horizontal direction. As described above, the front rail in the sub-rack in embodiment 6 can obtain the same effects in embodiment 4. With the front rail in embodiment 6, the plurality of projections 51 extending in the rear direction are arranged at the rear edge side of the hem 6 extends from the top part 3. The guide rail guiding the printed circuit board can be therefore mounted on the projections 51 by forwardly moving the guide rail in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, the mounting of the guide rail on the front rail can be easily performed, and the structure of a guide rail-mounting part can be simplified to facilitate manufacture of the front rail. Since the guide rail is mounted relative to the projections 51, the positional accuracy of the guide rail can be further improved. Embodiment 7 FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 7 according to the present invention. In FIG. 11, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 6, the description of such parts is omitted. 61 denotes a screw-accommodating part formed with an appropriate width by partially cutting and raising an articulated region defined between the rear part 4 and the bottom part 5. A female screw thread is cut in an internal face of the screw-accommodating part 61. 62 denotes a screw hole, which can be connected with a bolt inserted into the side part of the sub-rack in order to couple to the front rail. As described above, according to embodiment 7, the screw-accommodating part 61 is formed by partially cutting and raising an articulated region defined between the rear part 4 and the bottom part 5, with the female screw thread cut in the internal face of the screw-accommodating part 61. The front rail can be therefore easily arranged in the sub-rack by a simple operation of connecting the bolt inserted into the side part of the sub-rack with the screw hole 62 formed at the screw-accommodating part 61. Since the screw-accommodating part 61 is formed by only cutting and raising operation, the structure of a guide rail-mounting part can be simplified and facilitates manufacture of the front rail. Embodiment 8 FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a front rail and a reinforcing member in a sub-rack in embodiment 8 according to the present invention. In FIG. 12, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 6, the description of such parts is omitted. 71 denotes a cavity partitioned by the front part 1, the top part 3, the rear part 4 and the bottom part 5. 72 denotes a reinforcing member comprising a pole-type body made of materials such as steel and so on. The reinforcing member 71 is inserted into the cavity 71, and has a height nearly equal to a distance between the top part 3 and the bottom part 5. It should be noted that a sectioned shape is limited to a rectangular shape, and that the reinforcing member may take any shape, whose height is nearly equal to a distance between the top part 3 and the bottom part 5. As described above, with embodiment 8, the reinforcing member 72 has a height nearly equal to a distance between the top part 3 and the bottom part 5. The reinforcing member 72 is inserted into the cavity 71 partitioned by the front part 1, the top part 3, the rear part 4 and the bottom part 5. The structural strength of the front rail can be therefore enhanced. Embodiment 9 FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member used for a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 9 according to the present invention. In FIG. 13, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 6, the description of such parts is omitted. 73 denotes a reinforcing member comprising a pole-type body made of materials such as steel and so on. The reinforcing member 73 is inserted into the cavity 71, and has a height nearly equal to a distance between the top part 3 and the bottom part 5. 74 denotes an insertion hole formed in the reinforcing member 73, and is inserted by a guide pin arranged on the printed circuit board. With the front rail in embodiment 8, it is necessary to narrow the width of the reinforcing member 72 so that the guide pin can be adequately inserted into the cavity 71 without the reinforcing member 72 interfering with the insertion of the guide pin via the locating hole 2. On the other hand, with the front rail in embodiment 9, since the insertion hole 74, allowing insertion of the guide pin, is provided in the reinforcing member 73, the width of the reinforcing member 73 can be increased to a width of the cavity 71. As described above, with embodiment 9, the insertion hole 74, which can be inserted by the guide pin, is provided in the reinforcing member 73. The width of the reinforcing member 73 can be therefore increased to a width of the cavity 71, and the area of the reinforcing member 73 for supporting the top part 3 can be increased. Accordingly, the structural strength of the front rail can be further enhanced. Embodiment 10 FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a front rail and a reinforcing member in a sub-rack in embodiment 10 according to the present invention. In FIG. 14, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 6, the description of such parts is omitted. 75 denotes a reinforcing member comprising a pole-type body made of materials such as steel and so on. The reinforcing member 75 is inserted into the cavity 71, and has a height nearly equal to a distance between the top part 3 and the bottom part 5. The reinforcing member 75 is hollow, and is a rectangular in cross section but lacks one of four sides. As described above, with embodiment 10, the reinforcing member 75, which is a rectangular in cross section but lacks one of four sides, is inserted into the cavity 71 partitioned by the front part 1, the top part 3, the rear part 4 and the bottom part 5. Accordingly, the structural strength of the front rail can be further enhanced owing to such a simple structure while the guide pin can be adequately inserted into the cavity 71. Embodiment 11 FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a front rail in a sub-rack in embodiment 11 according to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a side view of the front rail in the sub-rack in embodiment 11 according to the present invention. In FIGS. 15 and 16, since the common numerals denote common elements or the counterparts in FIG. 6, the description of such parts is omitted. 81 denotes a screw plate which has a height nearly equal to a distance between the top part 3 and the bottom part 5, and which is inserted into the cavity 71. 82 denotes an engagement part formed on the top part 3 by a drawing operation in order to engage the screw plate 81 within the cavity 71. 83 denotes a screw hole formed in the screw plate 81, which can be connected with a male thread formed at an end of the guide pin. As described above, with embodiment 11, the screw plate 81 having the screw hole 83, which can be connected with the male thread formed at the guide pin arranged on the printed circuit board, is inserted into the cavity 71. Electromagnetic shielding can be therefore enhanced while binding force between the plug-in unit and the front rail can be enhanced by screwing the guide pin on the screw plate 81. The engagement part 82 is formed on the top part 3 in order to engage the screw plate 81 within the cavity 71. Insertion of the screw plate 81 into the cavity 71 can be easily performed, and a tip or tilt of the screw plate 81 can be prevented which facilitates the screwing operation of the guide pin. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims: A front rail of an electronic rack formed by bending a piece of plate, comprising: a front part (1) having a hole (2), the hole (2) allowing insertion of a dowel pin arranged on a printed circuit board; a top part (3) on which, in use, a guide rail for guiding the printed drcuit board is arranged; a rear part (4) for supporting a lower portion of the top part (3); a bottom part (5) extending from the rear part (4) or the front part (1); and a first hem (6) extending from the top part (3) and formed by folding back the plate. A front rail according to claim 1, further comprising a second hem (7, 11) extending from the bottom part (5) by folding back the plate. A front rail according to daim 2, wherein a plurality of engagement holes (12) are arranged in the second hem (7, 11). A front rail according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a mounting part having a screw hole (22, 32, 62, 83), the mounting part formed by bending a cantilever part in a lateral direction, wherein the cantilever part is integrated with the bottom part. A front rail according to claim 1 to 4, further comprising a mounting hole arranged on the hem (6) extending from the top part (3), the mounting part for mounting a guide rail guiding the printed circuit board. A front rail according to claim 1 to 5, further comprising a plurality of projections (51) arranged on the rear edge side, the respective projections extending in a rear direction. A front rail according to daim 1 to 6, further comprising a screw-accommodating part formed by partially cutting and raising an articulated region defined between the rear part (4) and the bottom part (5), and a female screw thread cut in an internal face of the screw-accommodating part. A front rail according to claims 1 to 7, wherein a pole-type body is inserted into a cavity partitioned by the front (1), the top (3), the rear (4) and the bottom (5) parts, the pole-type body having a height nearly equal to a distance between the top and the bottom parts. A front rail according to claims 1 to 8, wherein a screw plate (81) is inserted into a cavity partitioned by the front (1), the top (3), the rear (7) and the bottom (5) parts, the screw plate having a screw hole (81) allowing insertion of dowel pins arranged on the printed circuit board. A front rail according to claim 9, further comprising an engagement part (82) formed on the top part (3), the engagement part (82) for engaging the screw plate (81) within the cavity.

Inventors: TABUCHI HIROSHI, TABUCHI, HIROSHI, Tabuchi, Hiroshi, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki K.
Applicants: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP, MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H05K7
IPC codes: H02B1, H05K7