Terminal connection structure with a circuit board in a housing

Abstract

The present application provides a terminal connection structure with a circuit board in a housing, wherein a resin-made holding member in which a plurality of terminal members are embedded and combined is embedded and combined with a resin-made housing member having a connector portion and constituting a part of the housing, one end portion of the terminal member is connected with a circuit board housed in the housing, and the other end portion of the terminal member is arranged in the connector portion, so as to prevent the terminal members held by the holding member from being short-circuited by moisture. The holding member (81) is embedded and combined with the housing member (29) in a manner that exposes holes (83, 84) are left as voids, and open holes (87, 88) are formed in the housing member (29) to communicate with the exposing holes (83, 84) and open to the housing chamber (40) side.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a terminal connection structure with a circuit board in a housing, the housing having a housing member of resin in which a connector portion is integrally formed, a housing chamber is formed in the housing, and one end portion of a plurality of terminal members connected to a circuit board housed in the housing chamber is insert-bonding to a resin-made holding member, and an exposure hole exposing a part of the terminal members is formed in the holding member, the holding member being insert-bonding to the housing member in a manner that the other end portion of the terminal members is disposed in the connector portion. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Patent Literature 1, a vehicle button switch device for releasing a latch of a tailgate or the like is known, in which a resin-made holding member in which a plurality of terminal members are insert-bonding is insert-bonding to a resin-made housing member having a connector portion facing an inside of a vehicle and constituting a part of a housing, one end portion of the terminal members is connected to a circuit board housed in the housing, and the other end portion of the terminal members is disposed in the connector portion.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 6260874 SUMMARY

[0005] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] In addition, after the one-molding of insert-bonding the plurality of terminal members to the resin-made holding member is completed, an exposure hole for cutting the linking portions linking the plurality of terminal members to each other to release the linking to each other, or an exposure hole for preventing deformation of the terminal members at the time of insert molding is formed in the holding member, and in the structure disclosed in the above Patent Literature 1, the secondary-molding resin is filled to the exposure hole at the time of secondary-molding of insert-bonding the holding member to the housing member, and a boundary is generated between the one-molding resin and the secondary-molding resin in a portion corresponding to an inner side of the exposure hole. Therefore, in a case where moisture in the air is infiltrated from the connector portion facing the inside of the vehicle side through a gap between the terminal members and the one-molding resin, the moisture reaches between the terminal members adjacent to each other along the boundary between the one-molding resin and the secondary-molding resin in a portion corresponding to the exposure hole, and short-circuit between the terminal members can be generated.

[0007] The present application is accomplished in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a terminal connection structure with a circuit board in a housing capable of preventing short-circuit between terminal members held by a holding member due to moisture.

[0008] Means for solving the problem

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present application relates to a terminal connection structure with a circuit board in a housing, the housing having a housing member of resin integrally formed with a connector portion, a housing chamber being formed in the housing, a plurality of terminal members having one end portions connected to a circuit board housed in the housing chamber, the plurality of terminal members being insert-coupled to a retainer member of resin, and an exposure hole exposing a part of the terminal members being formed in the retainer member, the retainer member being insert-coupled to the housing member in a manner that the other end portions of the terminal members are disposed in the connector portion, the terminal connection structure with a circuit board in a housing being characterized in that,

[0010] the retainer member is insert-coupled to the housing member in a manner that the exposure hole is left as a void, and an open hole communicating with the exposure hole and opening to the housing chamber side is formed in the housing member.

[0011] Further, based on the structure of the first feature, the second feature of the present application is that the exposure hole is formed in the retainer member at a position facing a part of the terminal members other than the both end portions.

[0012] Further, based on the structure of the first or second feature, the third feature of the present application is that a communication hole communicating the outside of the housing member with the housing chamber is formed in the housing member.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the first feature of the present application, the exposure hole of the retainer member is left as a void after the retainer member is insert-coupled to the housing member, and at a part corresponding to the inner side of the exposure hole, a boundary between a primary molding resin forming the retainer member and a secondary molding resin forming the housing member is not generated, so that even if moisture in the air is infiltrated from a gap between the connector portion and the primary molding resin through the terminal members, short circuit between the terminal members caused by the moisture is not generated at the part of the exposure hole.

[0015] Further, according to the second feature of the present application, the range of the exposure hole formed in the retainer member can be minimized, and the part of the mold forming the exposure hole can be minimized, so that reduction of the mold cost can be achieved.

[0016] Further, according to a third feature of the present application, by forming the communication hole in the housing member, it is possible to avoid a pressure difference between the pressure outside the housing member and the pressure in the accommodation chamber. Thus, even if moisture in the air is assumed to have penetrated to the exposure hole side from the connector portion through the gap between the terminal member and the primary molded resin, it is possible to suppress the moisture from being drawn to the accommodation chamber side. That is, in the case where the accommodation chamber is a space that is independent from the outside, at the time of low temperature, the pressure in the accommodation chamber decreases, and thus the moisture that has penetrated to the exposure hole can be drawn to the accommodation chamber and fall, but by forming the communication hole in the housing member, it is possible to avoid such a situation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle as viewed from the rear.

[0018] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 .

[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective view as viewed from the arrow 3 direction of Figure 2 , in a state where the tailgate and the garnish are omitted.

[0020] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of Figure 3 .

[0021] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line 5-5 of Figure 3 .

[0022] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle button device corresponding to Figure 2 , in a pressed operation state of the button.

[0023] Figure 7 is a view along the arrow 7 direction of Figure 6 .

[0024] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the first housing member and the button as viewed from below.

[0025] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the button.

[0026] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line 10-10 of Figure 3 .

[0027] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line 11-11 of Figure 7 .

[0028] Figure 12The terminal components are perspective views showing a state (a) before being fitted and coupled to a holder and a state (b) after being fitted and coupled to a holder.

[0029] Figure 13 It is along Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of line 13-13.

[0030] Description of labels

[0031] 23: Shell;

[0032] 29: Shell components;

[0033] 29b: connector portion;

[0034] 40: Containment room;

[0035] 41: circuit board;

[0036] 80: terminal components;

[0037] 81: retaining element;

[0038] 83, 84: exposure holes;

[0039] 87, 88: open holes;

[0040] 90: Connecting hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Reference Figures 1 to 13 The embodiments of the present invention are described. First, Figure 1 In the embodiment, a tailgate 15 serving as a cover is installed at the rear of a body B of a passenger vehicle so as to be openable and closable upward. A rear glass 17 is provided on the upper portion of the tailgate 15. A decorative cover 19 is fixed to the center portion in the width direction of an outer panel 16 of the tailgate 15 so as to be arranged below the rear glass 17. A license plate 18, which is arranged below the decorative cover 19, is fixed to the center portion in the width direction of the outer panel 16.

[0042] exist Figure 2 In the figure, the decorative cover 19 is formed to open toward the tailgate 15 side and bulge out from the tailgate 15 toward the rear of the vehicle, and the decorative cover 19 is fixed to the outer panel 16 of the tailgate 15, and a first sealing component 20 connected in a ring shape is clamped between the opening edge of the decorative cover 19 on the tailgate 15 side and the outer panel 16.

[0043] With regard to the terminal connection structure of the present application to the circuit board in the housing, in the present embodiment, it is applied to a vehicle button switch device 21 which is installed to the tail gate 15 in a manner of being housed in the garnish 19. In this embodiment, the vehicle button switch device 21 is capable of switching between the locked state and the unlocked state of all the doors other than the tail gate 15, and is capable of switching the tail gate 15 from the latched state to the unlatched state, and an operation opening portion 22 for operating the vehicle button switch device 21 is provided at the bottom of the garnish 19.

[0044] Referring to Figures 3 to 6 The vehicle button switch device 21 has a housing 23 which is fixed to the outer panel 16, and a first switch 24 and a second switch 25 which are fixedly arranged in the housing 23, and these switches 24, 25 are momentary switches in the present embodiment.

[0045] The first switch 24 is used to set all the doors other than the tail gate 15 to the unlocked state and the tail gate 15 to the unlatched state, and when it is confirmed to be a regular user through the bidirectional communication between the portable device carried by the vehicle user and the vehicle in the state where the switch mode of the first switch 24 has been changed by the press operation, all the doors other than the tail gate 15 become the unlocked state, and only the tail gate 15 becomes the unlatched state by the electric drive and automatically becomes the open state. Further, it can be that, after it is confirmed to be a regular user in advance, all the doors other than the tail gate 15 become the unlocked state and only the tail gate 15 becomes the unlatched state by the change of the switch mode of the first switch 24.

[0046] In addition, the second switch 25 is used to set all the doors other than the tail gate 15 to the locked state, and when it is confirmed to be a regular user through the bidirectional communication between the portable device carried by the vehicle user and the vehicle in the state where the switch mode of the second switch 25 has been changed by the press operation, all the doors other than the tail gate 15 become the locked state. Further, it can be that, after it is confirmed to be a regular user in advance, all the doors other than the tail gate 15 become the locked state by the change of the switch mode of the second switch 25. The vehicle button switch device 21 provided on the tail gate 15 is provided with the second switch 25 for setting all the doors other than the tail gate 15 to the locked state, in order to eliminate the trouble of intentionally pressing the lock switch provided on the door at the driver seat side in order to lock the other doors after closing the tail gate 15.

[0047] The housing 23 is formed by combining a first housing member 29 and a second housing member 30, each formed of synthetic resin. A flat mounting plate portion 29a formed on the first housing member 29 is mounted to the outer panel 16. The first housing member 29 is formed into a bowl-shaped shape that opens downward when the tailgate 15, to which the housing 23 is mounted, is closed. Meanwhile, the second housing member 30 is joined to the lower open edge of the first housing member 29, partially blocking the lower open end of the first housing member 29. The second housing member 30 has a first recess 31 recessed to allow a user's hand to be inserted through the operating opening 22 of the decorative cover 19 and into the first housing member 29. An opening 32 is formed in the portion of the first recess 31 that is positioned rearward when the tailgate 15 is closed.

[0048] Refer to Figure 7 The first housing member 29 is provided with a pair of first locating pins 33 projecting from the mounting plate portion 29a at positions spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. A pair of bolts 34 projecting from the mounting plate portion 29a are molded and coupled so as to be positioned outward in the vehicle width direction of these first locating pins 33. Furthermore, a connector portion 29b is integrally formed on the mounting plate portion 29a of the first housing member 29, projecting toward the vehicle interior, in an intermediate portion between the pair of first locating pins 33.

[0049] The first positioning pin 33, the bolt 34 and the connector portion 29b pass through the outer panel 16, and the nut 35 (see FIG. 1 ) is tightened from the inner side of the outer panel 16. Figure 2 ) is screwed and tightened with the bolt 34 that passes through the outer panel 16, so that the first shell member 29, that is, the shell 23 is mounted on the outer panel 16.

[0050] Moreover, a second sealing component 36 that is connected in a ring shape and surrounds one of the pair of first positioning pins 33, one of the pair of bolts 34 and the connector portion 29b, and a third sealing component 37 that is connected in a ring shape and surrounds the other of the pair of first positioning pins 33 and the other of the pair of bolts 34 are clamped between the mounting plate portion 29a and the outer panel 16.

[0051] A cover component 39 is installed on the outer peripheral edge of the second shell component 30, and the cover component 39 has a second recess 38. The second recess 38 has a shape corresponding to the first recess 31 of the second shell component 30 and is arranged in the first recess 31. The cover component 39 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and the opening portion 32 is closed by the cover component 39.

[0052] With reference to the drawings Figure 8 The housing 23 has a housing chamber 40 inside which communicates with the opening portion 32, and a circuit board 41 which extends long in the vehicle width direction and is housed in the housing chamber 40 is fixedly arranged on the side of the first housing member 29 opposite to the connector portion 29b. That is, the circuit board 41 positioned by a pair of second positioning pins 43 integrally protruding from the first housing member 29 is fastened to the first housing member 29 by a plurality of, for example, a pair of screw members 42.

[0053] The first switch 24 and the second switch 25 are housed in the housing chamber 40 and are arranged on the lower surface of the circuit board 41. Also, the first switch 24 is arranged on the substantially central portion of the circuit board 41 in the vehicle width direction, and the second switch 25 is arranged on the right end portion of the circuit board 41 in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] In addition, the housing 23 supports a button 44 which can be pressed to perform a pressing operation for causing the first switch 24 to perform a switching operation, and the pressing operation direction of the button 44 is toward the rear oblique upper direction as indicated by an arrow 45. Figure 6 In contrast, the first switch 24 is arranged on the lower surface of the substantially horizontal circuit board 41, and thus the switching operation direction of the first switch 24 is substantially upward as indicated by an arrow 46. Figure 6 That is, the first switch 24 is arranged on the circuit board 41 such that the switching operation direction 46 thereof is different from the pressing operation direction 45 of the button 44.

[0055] A pressing direction conversion member 47 which is operated in accordance with the pressing operation of the button 44 to press the first switch 24 in the switching operation direction 46 is interposed between the button 44 and the first switch 24.

[0056] The pressing direction conversion member 47 integrally has a pressure receiving portion 47a which extends in the vehicle width direction and which straddles the first switch 24 from the side opposite to the circuit board 41, a pair of first leg portions 47b which are continuously provided at right angles near both ends in the length direction of the pressure receiving portion 47a, which penetrate the circuit board 41 and extend upward, and a bridge portion 47c which links between the pair of first leg portions 47b above the circuit board 41, and is formed of synthetic resin.

[0057] The pressure receiving portion 47a of the end portion of the pressing direction conversion member 47 on the side of the button 44 receives a pressing force from the button 44 and is formed to have a circular arc-like longitudinal cross-sectional shape on the side of the button 44.

[0058] A pair of cutout portions 50 disposed on both sides of the first switch 24 in the vehicle width direction are formed on the circuit board 41, and a pair of the first leg portions 47b of the pressing direction conversion member 47 are disposed so as to pass through these cutout portions 50.

[0059] The pair of the first leg portions 47b of the pressing direction conversion member 47 are fitted to first sliding recesses 51 provided to the first housing member 29 in a manner that enables the relative position of the pressing direction conversion member 47 with respect to the first switch 24 in a direction perpendicular to the switch operation direction 46 to be determined as constant while sliding in the switch operation direction 46.

[0060] The first spring receiving portion 52 is provided on the first housing member 29 in a manner that protrudes from the closed end of the first sliding recess 51 between the pair of the first leg portions 47b of the pressing direction conversion member 47, and a rod-shaped first spring guide 53 protrudes from the center portion of the first spring receiving portion 52. On the other hand, the bridge portion 47c of the pressing direction conversion member 47 is provided with a third recess 54 that is open toward the first spring receiving portion 52 and a through-hole 55 that communicates with the central portion of the third recess 54 in a manner that the first spring guide 53 is inserted therethrough, and the first spring guide 53 is inserted into the third recess 54 and the through-hole 55, and the tip portion of the first spring guide 53 abuts against the upper surface of the circuit board 41.

[0061] A first coil spring 56 that exerts a force on the pressing direction conversion member 47 to the side opposite to the switch operation direction 46 is provided between the bridge portion 47c of the pressing direction conversion member 47 and the first spring receiving portion 52 on the first housing member 29 of the housing 23.

[0062] An LED 57 is mounted on the circuit board 41 behind the second switch 24 in the vehicle front-rear direction, and an inner lens 58 that covers the LED 57 is mounted to the circuit board 41. In addition, two portions of the second housing member 30 of the housing 23 that correspond to the inner lens 58 and are adjacent to each other are formed as outer lenses 59 for irradiating light toward the license plate 18.

[0063] Referring to Figure 9The button 44 is formed integrally with a button main portion 44a formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to be disposed in the opening portion 32 of the housing 23, a first shaft portion 44b protruding from a vehicle-width-direction left side end portion of an upper portion of the button main portion 44a, a second shaft portion 44c protruding from a vehicle-width-direction right side end portion of the upper portion of the button main portion 44a, and a third shaft portion 44d disposed in a vehicle-width-direction central portion of the upper portion of the button main portion 44a.

[0064] In addition, a flat pressing surface 60 is formed on a surface of the button main portion 44a facing the accommodation chamber 40, in a manner so as to be disposed in a vehicle-width-direction central portion near a lower end portion of the button main portion 44a, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 44e that cross each other are integrally formed.

[0065] The second recess portion 38 in the cover member 39 is formed with a first pressing operation portion 39a that causes a portion of the button main portion 44a to protrude outward from the accommodation chamber 40. In addition, the pressing surface 60 of the button 44 abuts against the pressure receiving portion 47a of the pressing direction conversion member 47, and the button main portion 44a of the button 44 is sandwiched by the cover member 39 and the pressing direction conversion member 47 that is forced by the first coil spring 56.

[0066] The first shaft portion 44b, the second shaft portion 44c, and the third shaft portion 44d are formed to have coaxial circular cross sections, and a through-hole 61 facing a lower portion of the third shaft portion 44d is formed in the button main portion 44a.

[0067] First, second, and third shaft support portions 62, 63, 64 that support the first to third shaft portions 44b, 44c, 44d of the button 44 so as to be rotatable are provided in an upper portion of the first housing member 29, and these shaft support portions 62 to 64 are formed to have substantially C-shaped cross-sectional shapes that open toward the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a portion of the third shaft support portion 64 is inserted into the through-hole 61.

[0068] In the cover member 39, a second pressing operation portion 39b having an oblong circular shape that is longer in the vehicle front-rear direction and protruding outward is formed at a position on the right side in the vehicle-width direction relative to the second recess portion 38, and a slider 71 that slides in accordance with the pressing operation force of the second pressing operation portion 39b so as to cause the second switch 25 to perform a switching operation is supported by the first housing member 29 in a slidable manner.

[0069] Referring to Figure 10The slider 71 is formed of synthetic resin and integrally has a switch pressing portion 71a capable of pressing the second switch 25 and opposed to the second switch 25 from below, a spring force acting portion 71b formed so as to extend long in the vehicle width direction in a manner of projecting from the circuit board 41 and provided in continuation with a front portion in the vehicle front-rear direction of the switch pressing portion 71a, a pair of second leg portions 71c provided in continuation with the length direction both ends of the spring force acting portion 71b at right angles, penetrating the circuit board 41 and extending upward, a pressed portion 71d having an oblong shape long in the vehicle front-rear direction and connected with the switch pressing portion 71a and the spring force acting portion 71b, and abutting arm portions 71e projecting to the side from four portions of the pressed portion 71d spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0070] A through hole 72 corresponding to the second pressing operation portion 39b is formed in the second housing member 30. A part of the pressed portion 71d is inserted in the through hole 72 and fitted in the second pressing operation portion 39b from the accommodation chamber 40 side, and the abutting arm portions 71e abut against the second housing member 30 from the accommodation chamber 40 side around the through hole 82.

[0071] The pair of second leg portions 71c of the slider 71 are fitted in second slide recesses 74 provided in the first housing member 29 in a manner capable of determining the relative position of the slider 71 with respect to the second switch 25 in a direction perpendicular to the switch operation direction 70 of the second switch 25 to be constant while sliding in the switch operation direction 70.

[0072] The first housing member 29 is provided with a second spring receiving portion 73 projecting from the closed end of the second slide recess 74 at a position corresponding to the spring force acting portion 71b of the slider 71, and a rod-shaped second spring guide 75 projecting from the second spring receiving portion 73. A second coil spring 76 applying force to the slider 71 to the side opposite to the switch operation direction 70 of the second switch 25 is provided between the second spring receiving portion 73 and the spring force acting portion 71b, and is disposed around the second spring guide 75.

[0073] In Figure 11 In the circuit board 41, a plurality of, for example, six terminal members 80 are inserted and connected at one end portion thereof, and connection terminal portions 80a formed at the other end portions of the terminal members 80 are disposed in the connector portion 29b of the first housing member 29 constituting a part of the housing 23.

[0074] Referring to Figure 12The plurality of terminal members 80 are insert-bonding to a resin-made holder 81 in a manner that the connection terminal portions 80a are disposed inside the connector portion 29b.

[0075] The terminal member 80 is formed in a shape that is curved in correspondence with the shape of the portion of the first housing member 29 in which the terminal member 80 is disposed, and in a state before the insert-bonding to the holder 81, as shown in (a) of FIG. 10, the terminal members 80 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 82 for keeping the relative disposition of the respective terminal members 80 constant. Figure 12

[0076] As shown in (b) of FIG. 10, the terminal member 80 is insert-bonding to the holder 81, and the holder 81 is formed with a first exposure hole 83 for cutting the connecting portion 82 that connects the plurality of terminal members 80 to each other, and a second exposure hole 84 for preventing the deformation of the terminal member 80 at the time of the insert molding with the holder 81. That is, on the holder 81, the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 are formed at positions facing the portions of the terminal member 80 other than the both end portions. Figure 12

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in (c) of FIG. 10, the holder 81 is insert-bonding to the first housing member 29 in a manner that the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 are left as voids, and the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 are formed on the first housing member 29 so as to communicate with each other and open to the accommodation chamber 40 side inside the housing 23. Figure 11

[0078] Referring to FIG. 11, on the first housing member 29, a pair of communication holes 90 for making the outside of the first housing member 29 communicate with the accommodation chamber 40 are formed. Figure 13 The communication holes 90 are formed on the mounting plate portion 29a of the first housing member 29 at portions surrounded by the second sealing member 36, and in the present embodiment, the communication holes 90 are formed on the mounting plate portion 29a in a manner that they are arranged in the left-right direction between the connector portion 29b and the first positioning pin 33.

[0079] Furthermore, on the outer surface of the mounting plate portion 29a, a substantially U-shaped eave portion 91 that covers the pair of communication holes 90 from above and from the side and is formed so as to open downward is integrally provided.

[0080]

[0081] ​​​​Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. One end of a plurality of terminal members 80 (six in this embodiment) housed in the housing chamber 40 in the housing 23 and fixed to the circuit board 41 of the housing 23 is connected to the holding member 81 made of resin having first and second exposure holes 83, 84 facing a portion of the terminal members 80, the connector portion 29b is integrally formed in the first housing member 29 made of resin constituting a portion of the housing 23 and protrudes toward the inside of the vehicle, the connection terminal portion 80a of the other end of the terminal members 80 is arranged in the connector portion 29b, the holding member 81 is embedded and joined to the first housing member 29, and the holding member 81 is embedded and joined to the first housing member 29 in such a manner that the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 are left as voids, and the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 are formed in the first housing member 29 so as to communicate with the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 and open to the housing chamber 40 side.

[0082] Therefore, the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 of the holding member 81 are left as voids after the holding member 81 is embedded and joined to the first housing member 29, and in the portion corresponding to the inner side of the first and second exposure holes 83, 84, a boundary between the primary molding resin forming the holding member 81 and the secondary molding resin forming the first housing member 29 is not generated. Therefore, even if moisture in the air penetrates from the connector portion 29b through the gap between the terminal members 80 and the primary molding resin, short-circuiting between the terminal members 80 caused by the moisture is not generated in the portions of the first and second exposure holes 83, 84.

[0083] In addition, the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 are formed in the holding member 81 at positions facing a portion of the terminal members 80 other than the both end portions, and therefore the range of the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 formed in the holding member 81 can be greatly reduced, the portion of the mold forming the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 in the mold forming the holding member 81 can be minimized, and reduction of the mold cost can be achieved.

[0084] Further, since the communication hole 90 is formed in the first housing member 29 to communicate the outside of the first housing member 29 with the accommodation chamber 40, a pressure difference between the pressure of the outside of the first housing member 29 and the pressure in the accommodation chamber 40 can be avoided by the communication hole 90. Thus, even if moisture in the air is infiltrated into the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 from the connector portion 29b through the gap between the terminal member 80 and the primary molded resin, the moisture can be inhibited from being drawn to the accommodation chamber 40. That is, in the case where the accommodation chamber 40 is a space independent from the outside, the moisture infiltrated into the first and second exposure holes 83, 84 can be drawn to the accommodation chamber 40 and dripped at low temperature due to the decrease in the pressure in the accommodation chamber 40, but by forming the communication hole 90 in the first housing member 29, such a situation can be avoided.

[0085] The above describes the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present application described in the claims.

[0086] For example, in the above-described embodiments, the vehicle button device 21 is described as the terminal connection structure with the circuit board in the housing, but the present application can be widely applied to a structure in which a housing member that constitutes a part of a housing having an accommodation chamber that accommodates a circuit board and integrally has a connector portion, and in which a plurality of terminal members provided between the connector portion and the circuit board are embeddedly coupled, and a retainer having an exposure hole facing a part of the terminal member are embeddedly coupled.

Claims

1. A terminal connection structure with a circuit board in a housing, wherein the housing (23) has a resin housing component (29) integrally formed with a connector portion (29b), a receiving chamber (40) is formed in the housing (23), one end portion of a plurality of terminal components (80) is connected to a circuit board (41) received in the receiving chamber (40), the plurality of terminal components (80) are embedded in a resin retaining member (81), and the retaining member (81) is formed with exposure holes (83, 84) for exposing a portion of the terminal components (80), the retaining member (81) is embedded in the housing component (29) in such a manner that the other end portion of the terminal component (80) is arranged in the connector portion (29b), and the terminal connection structure with the circuit board in the housing is characterized in that: The retaining member (81) is embedded in the housing member (29) in a manner that the exposure holes (83, 84) are retained as hollows, and the housing member (29) is provided with opening holes (87, 88) that communicate with the exposure holes (83, 84) and open to the side of the receiving chamber (40).

2. The terminal connection structure with the circuit board in the housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exposure holes (83, 84) are formed in the retainer (81) at positions facing a portion of the terminal member (80) excluding both end portions.

3. The terminal connection structure with the circuit board in the housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The housing member (29) is formed with a communication hole (90) for communicating the outside of the housing member (29) with the accommodation chamber (40).

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