Connector connection structure

Abstract

In order to prevent damage to the conductivity of the electrical connection portion between the electronic control unit and the internal connector in a reliable manner even when the electrical connection portion between the electronic control unit and the internal connector is placed in an environment where there is oil mist or conductive substances, the electronic control unit (50) includes: a main body portion (54); a first conductive connection portion (56) provided at the lower end of the main body portion (54) and configured to be electrically connected to the internal connector (20); and a housing member (64) that extends downward to surround the first conductive connection portion and is open only at its lower end, and wherein the internal connector (20) is provided with a housing (22) that includes a portion (60) defining an upwardly open annular recess (62) on its outer periphery, and when the electronic control unit (50) is connected to the internal connector (20), the lower end of the housing member (64) is received in the annular recess (62).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector connection structure, and more particularly to a connector connection structure in which an electronic control unit is connected to a connector. Background Art

[0002] In known electronic control devices, a box housing an electronic control unit is directly connected to a control object device such as an electric motor, and an electrical connector for external connection is mounted on the box.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP2017-143287A Summary of the Invention

[0006] Tasks to be Accomplished by the Present Invention

[0007] If oil mist is present inside the box containing the electronic control unit to lubricate mechanical components therein, the electrical connection part between the electronic control unit and the connector may be contaminated by the oil mist, which may lead to deterioration of conductivity. In addition, if conductive substances such as metallic dust are present inside the box, they may intrude into the electrical connection part between the electronic control unit and the connector, which may lead to deterioration of conductivity. Therefore, sealing is required in the electrical connection part between the electronic control unit and the connector, so that foreign substances such as oil mist and conductive substances that may cause conductivity damage can be prevented from entering the electrical connection part between the electronic control unit and the connector.

[0008] If this sealing is performed by assembling a rubber sealing member, deterioration of the sealing performance due to deterioration of the sealing member over time becomes a problem. In addition, when the sealing member needs to have both oil resistance and heat resistance, an expensive rubber material must be used.

[0009] In addition, when the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the box changes, for example, when the box forms a housing member of an engine or a transmission, a pressure difference is generated between the inside and outside of the box, causing the box to "suck in" air. Therefore, only the sealing member may not provide sufficient sealing performance.

[0010] In view of this problem of the prior art, the main object of the present invention is to reliably prevent deterioration of conductivity of the electrical connection part between the electronic control unit and the internal connector even when the electrical connection part between the electronic control unit and the internal connector is placed in an environment where oil mist or conductive substances are present.

[0011] Methods for Accomplishing the Tasks

[0012] To achieve this object, a specific aspect of the present invention provides a connector connection structure, which includes an internal connector (20) located inside a box body (10) and an electronic control unit (50) configured to be electrically connected to the internal connector (20) from above relative to the internal connector (20). Among them, the electronic control unit (50) includes a main body portion (54), a first conductive connection portion (56) provided at the lower end of the main body portion (54) and configured to be electrically connected to the internal connector (20), and a housing member (64) that extends downward to surround the first conductive connection portion and is open only at its lower end. And among them, the internal connector (20) is provided with a housing (22), and the housing includes a portion (60) that defines an upwardly open annular recess (62) on its outer periphery. When the electronic control unit (50) is connected to the internal connector (20), the lower end of the housing member (64) is received in the annular recess (62).

[0013] Thus, by placing a liquid in the annular recess (62), a seal is provided for the conductive connection portion between the electronic control unit (50) and the internal connector (20). As a result, even if the conductive connection portion between the electronic control unit and the internal connector is in an environment where oil mist or conductive substances are floating, the conductive connection portion between the electronic control unit and the internal connector is reliably protected from the conductive damage of the oil mist or conductive substances.

[0014] In this connector connection structure, preferably, the housing member (64) has an inner surface, and the inner surface includes a portion that abuts against the outer surface of the housing (22) adjacent to its lower end.

[0015] Since the inner surface of the housing member (64) contacts the outer surface of the housing (22), the electronic control unit (50) can be connected to the internal connector (20) in a guided manner.

[0016] In this connector connection structure, preferably, the connector connection structure further includes an external connector (30) located on the box body (10). Among them, the electronic control unit (50) is provided with a second conductive connection portion at the upper end of the main body portion (54) to be electrically connected to the external connector (30), and the main body portion (54) is provided with a portion opposite to an opening (16) formed in the box body (10). A first sealing member (70) is provided on the outer periphery of the main body portion. The first sealing member closes the opening (16) in a state where the electronic control unit (50) is not connected to the external connector (30) and is connected to the internal connector (20).

[0017] Since the electronic control unit (50) can be removed from the internal connector (20), the electronic control unit (50) can be replaced in an efficient manner, and when the external connector (30) is removed for maintenance purposes, the first sealing member (70) prevents foreign matter from entering the box body (10).

[0018] In this connector connection structure, preferably, the external connector (30) is provided with a cylindrical portion (37) having a portion opposite to the opening (16) in a state where the electronic control unit (50) is connected to the internal connector (20) and the external connector (30), and the first sealing member (70) is configured to selectively be in a first state when the electronic control unit (50) is connected to the internal connector (20) and the electronic control unit (50) is not connected to the external connector (30) and be in a second state when the electronic control unit (50) is connected to the external connector (30). In the first state, the first sealing member (70) abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the opening (16) to provide a seal between the box body (10) and the electronic control unit (50), and in the second state, the first sealing member (70) abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion (37) to provide a seal between the electronic control unit (50) and the external connector (30).

[0019] Thus, when the electronic control unit (50) is not connected to the external connector (30), the first sealing member (70) is in the first state to provide a seal between the box body (10) and the electronic control unit (50), and when the electronic control unit (50) is connected to the external connector (30), the first sealing member is in the second state to provide a seal between the electronic control unit (50) and the external connector (30).

[0020] In this connector connection structure, preferably, the first sealing member (70) is made of rubber and is provided with a base portion (72) fixed to the outer periphery of the main body portion (54) and a lip portion (74) including a radially extending free end (74A) such that the free end (74A) is configured to abut against the inner peripheral surface of the opening (16) and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion (37) under elastic deformation of the lip portion (74).

[0021] Thus, the first sealing member (70) automatically enters the first state and the second state through elastic deformation of the lip portion (74), and provides a good seal in either state.

[0022] Preferably, this connector connection structure further includes a second sealing member (42) attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion (37) to provide a seal between the electronic control unit (50) and the box body (10) at the opening (16).

[0023] Accordingly, when the external connector (30) is connected to the electronic control unit (50), the second sealing member (42) prevents foreign matter from entering the box body (10).

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the connector connection structure of the present invention, even when the electrical connection portion between the electronic control unit and the internal connector is placed in an environment where there is oil mist or conductive substances, it is possible to reliably prevent damage to the conductivity of the electrical connection portion between the electronic control unit and the internal connector. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a connector connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the external connector is not connected;

[0027] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector connection structure of an embodiment of the present invention, where the external connector is removed; and

[0028] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector connection structure of this embodiment. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0029] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 3 to describe a connector connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The connector connection structure of this embodiment includes a box body 10, an internal connector 20 located inside the box body 10, an external connector 30 located outside the box body 10, and an electronic control unit 50 electrically connected to the internal connector 20 and the external connector 30.

[0031] The box body 10 has a sealing structure, which includes a box-shaped box body main body 12 with an open upper end, and a flat cover plate 14 attached to the upper end of the box body main body 12 to close the upper opening of the box body main body 12 and form a housing member for an engine, a transmission, etc. The box body 10 is internally provided with mechanical moving parts such as a gear train lubricated by oil mist.

[0032] A control object device 15 to be controlled by the electronic control unit 50 is placed at the bottom of the box body 10. The cover plate 14 is formed with an opening 16 for placing the electronic control unit 50 into the box body 10.

[0033] The connector mounting plate 18 is attached to the upper end of the controlled device 15. The connector mounting plate 18 is provided with a pair of upright members 18A on its two lateral sides. Each upright member 18A is provided with an engagement hole 18B which engages with an engagement projection 22A formed on the corresponding side of the outer wall of the housing 22 of the internal connector 20. Due to this engagement, the internal connector 20 is mounted to the connector mounting plate 18.

[0034] The internal connector 20 is a double-sided card edge connector which includes a plurality of female terminals 26 that are placed in terminal chambers 24 formed in a cylindrical portion 23 which is formed in the housing 22 to have an open upper end.

[0035] The external connector 30 is a double-sided card edge connector which includes a plurality of female terminals 36 that are placed in terminal chambers 34 formed in the housing 32 of the external connector 30 to have an open lower end.

[0036] The electronic control unit 50 includes: a main body portion 54 which has a rectangular shape and contains the main body portion of the printed circuit board 52, and a CPU and other electronic components (not shown in the figure) mounted on the main body portion of the printed circuit board 52, all of which are molded in an electrically insulating resin; a first conductive connection portion 56 (terminal) (see Figure 3 ), which is formed on both sides of a first card edge portion 52A extending downward from the lower edge of the main body portion 54 of the printed circuit board 52; and a second conductive connection portion 58 (terminal) (see Figure 3 ), which is formed on both sides of a second card edge portion 52B extending upward from the upper edge of the main body portion 54 of the printed circuit board 52. The first conductive connection portion 56 is configured to be electrically connected to the female terminals 26 of the internal connector 20. In other words, the electronic control unit 50 is configured to be connected to the internal connector 20 from above so as to be electrically connected to the internal connector 20. The second conductive connection portion 58 is configured to be electrically connected to the female terminals 36 of the external connector 30.

[0037] As Figure 1 shown, a first sealing member 70 is attached to the outer periphery of the main body portion 54 of the electronic control unit 50, which outer periphery faces the outer periphery of the opening 16 in the connection state between the electronic control unit 50 and the internal connector 20, in which connection state the first conductive connection portion 56 is in contact with the female terminals 26. The first sealing member 70 is made of rubber and includes a base portion 72 and a thin-walled lip portion 74, the base portion being fixed to the outer periphery of the main body portion 54 by being fitted into an outer peripheral groove 54A formed in the outer periphery of the main body portion 54, the thin-walled lip portion being provided with a free end 74A extending radially outward from the main body portion 54 like an umbrella.

[0038] As Figure 3As shown, the opening 16 is similar in shape in a plan view to the outer contour of the portion of the main body portion 54 located within the opening 16, and has an oval shape elongated in the lateral direction. Similarly, the first sealing member 70 is similar in shape in a plan view to the outer contour of the portion of the main body portion 54 located at the opening 16, and has an elliptical annular shape extending along the entire circumference of this portion of the main body portion 54.

[0039] The first sealing member 70 is configured to be in a first state when the electronic control unit 50 is connected to the internal connector 20 and the external connector 30 is not connected to the electronic control unit 50, in which the free end 74A of the lip portion 74 abuts (contacts) the inner peripheral surface of the opening 16 so as to close the opening 16 and provide a seal between the housing 10 and the electronic control unit 50.

[0040] As a result, in a state where the external connector 30 is not connected to the electronic control unit 50, foreign matter is prevented from entering the housing 10 through the opening 16.

[0041] In a state where the external connector 30 is connected to the electronic control unit 50, a cylindrical portion 38 is provided at a portion of the housing 32 opposite to the opening 16, and the cylindrical portion is similar in shape to the opening 16 in a plan view. The outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 38 is fitted with a second sealing member 42. The second sealing member 42 may be an O-ring made of rubber or the like, and in a state where the external connector 30 is connected to the electronic control unit 50, by abutting (contacting) the inner peripheral surface of the opening 16, a seal is provided between the electronic control unit 50 and the housing 10 at the opening 16.

[0042] As a result, in a state where the electronic control unit 50 is connected to the internal connector 20 and the external connector 30 is connected to the electronic control unit 50, foreign matter is prevented from entering the housing 10 from the opening 16.

[0043] When the external connector 30 is inserted into the opening 16 from above (externally) of the housing 32 to be connected to the electronic control unit 50, the cylindrical portion 38 of the external connector 30 abuts the lip portion 74 of the first sealing member 70, causing the lip portion 74 to elastically deform.

[0044] Therefore, as Figure 1 shown, when the external connector 30 is connected to the electronic control unit 50, the first sealing member 70 is in a second state, in which the first sealing member 70 contacts the inner peripheral surface 38A of the cylindrical portion 38. In the second state, a seal is provided between the external connector 30 and the electronic control unit 50, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the electrical connection portion between the external connector 30 and the electronic control unit 50.

[0045] In a fully connected state where the electronic control unit 50 is connected to the internal connector 20 and the external connector 30 is connected to the electronic control unit 50, the external connector 30 can be fixed to the housing 10 by screwing a bolt 44 (see Figure 3 ) engaged with the external connector 30 into a screw hole 17 formed in the cover plate 14.

[0046] An overhang portion 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 23 of the housing 22 of the internal connector 20, which defines an upwardly open annular recess 62. The annular recess 62 extends substantially horizontally over the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the housing 22. A shoulder 60A is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 23 corresponding to the overhang portion 60, and a plurality of ribs 66 are provided on the shoulder 60A of the cylindrical portion 23 and arranged circumferentially around the cylindrical portion 23.

[0047] Each of the ribs 66 is provided with an outer surface, which forms a part of the overall outer surface of the housing and abuts against the inner surface of the outer housing member 64 (to be described hereinafter), and the sliding contact between the outer surface of the rib 66 and the inner surface of the outer housing member 64 guides the vertical movement of the outer housing member 64.

[0048] As a result, the electronic control unit 50 can be connected to the internal connector 20 in an accurate manner and without play, and the working efficiency of connecting the electronic control unit 50 to the internal connector 20 is improved.

[0049] An outer housing member 64 formed of a cylindrical member is attached to the electronic control unit 50 so as to surround its main body portion 54. The outer housing member 64 cooperates with the main body portion 54 to define a gap 65, and the gap 65 is only open at its lower end, so that the cylindrical portion 23 of the internal connector 20 can enter the gap from below. The vertical dimension of the outer housing member 64 is selected such that in a state where the electronic control unit 50 is connected to the internal connector 20, the lower end 64A of the outer housing member 64 is received in the annular recess 62, and the upper end 64B of the outer housing member 64 reaches the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 23.

[0050] A portion of the outer housing member 64 adjacent to its lower end and received in the annular recess 62 is formed as a thin-walled portion 64C, so that the inner surface of the outer housing member 64 is offset from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 23. Thus, the rise of the liquid (oil) level in the space between the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 23 and the inner surface of the outer housing member 64 due to surface tension is prevented.

[0051] A part of the oil mist that has penetrated into the housing 10 falls into the annular recess 62. As a result, oil is deposited in the annular recess 62, so that due to the liquid oil deposited in the annular recess 62, the oil mist is prevented from passing under the lower end 64A of the outer housing member 64 and entering the gap 65.

[0052] As a result, entry of oil mist into the contact portion between the female terminal 26 and the first conductive connection portion 56 in the terminal chamber 24 is prevented, and conductivity degradation due to the oil mist is avoided.

[0053] When the liquid level of the oil deposited in the annular recess 62 reaches the upper edge of the annular recess 62, the oil in the annular recess 62 overflows from the upper edge of the annular recess 62 to the outside (inside the housing 10), but the state in which the oil is deposited in the annular recess 62 is maintained.

[0054] When the temperature in the terminal chamber 24 and the gap 65, or in other words, the temperature inside the housing member 64, rises due to the heat generated by the electronic control unit 50 to such an extent that the internal pressure of the housing member 64 becomes higher than the external pressure of the housing member 64, the resulting pressure difference causes the oil trapped between the housing member 64 and the cylindrical portion 23 to be discharged outward. Conversely, when the temperature inside the housing member 64 drops to such an extent that the internal pressure of the housing member 64 becomes lower than the external pressure of the housing member 64, the oil is sucked into the space defined between the housing member 64 and the cylindrical portion 23. However, since the upper end of the cylindrical portion 23 is sufficiently higher than the annular recess 62, oil overflowing over the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 23 and flowing into the terminal chamber 24 is prevented.

[0055] As described above, since the seal between the electronic control unit 50 and the internal connector 20 is provided by the oil deposited in the annular recess 62 without any tight contact, the force required to connect and disconnect the electronic control unit 50 and the internal connector 20 from each other is reduced as compared with the case where a seal is provided by assembling a rubber-made seal member.

[0056] In addition, even if a mechanical moving part such as a gear train (not shown in the figure) is provided in the housing 10 and metal dust due to wear or the like drifts or diffuses in the housing 10, by contacting the oil deposited in the annular recess 62 and sinking to the bottom of the annular recess 62, the metal dust is prevented from reaching the contact portion between the female terminal 26 and the first conductive connection portion 56 in the terminal chamber 24.

[0057] Thereby, entry of metal dust into the contact portion between the female terminal 26 and the first conductive connection portion 56 is prevented, and any conductivity degradation due to the metal dust can be avoided.

[0058] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but it is easily understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, not all components shown in the above embodiments are essential, and they can be appropriately selected without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0059] List of Reference Numerals

[0060] 10: Housing 12: Housing main body

[0061] 14: Cover plate 15: Controlled object device

[0062] 16: Opening 17: Screw hole

[0063] 18: Connector mounting plate 18A: Upright member

[0064] 18B: Engaging hole 20: Internal connector

[0065] 22: Housing 22A: Engaging protrusion

[0066] 23: Cylindrical portion 24: Terminal chamber

[0067] 26: Female terminal 30: External connector

[0068] 32: Housing 33: Flange

[0069] 34: Terminal chamber 36: Female terminal

[0070] 38: Cylindrical portion 38A: Inner peripheral surface

[0071] 42: Second sealing member 44: Bolt

[0072] 50: Electronic control unit 52: Printed circuit board

[0073] 52A: First card edge portion 52B: Second card edge portion

[0074] 54: Main body portion 54A: Outer peripheral groove

[0075] 56: First conductive connection portion 58: Second conductive connection portion

[0076] 60: Overhanging portion 60A: Shoulder

[0077] 64: Outer shell member 64A: Lower end

[0078] 64B: Upper end 64C: Thin wall portion

[0079] 65: Gap 66: Rib

[0080] 70: First sealing member 72: Base portion

[0081] 74: Lip 74A: Free end

[0082] 80: First sealing member 82: Base portion

Claims

1. A connector connection structure, comprising an internal connector located inside a box body, and an electronic control unit configured to be electrically connected to the internal connector from above relative to the internal connector, wherein the electronic control unit includes a main body portion, a first conductive connection portion provided at a lower end of the main body portion and configured to be electrically connected to the internal connector, and a housing member that extends downward to surround the first conductive connection portion and is open only at its lower end, and Among them, the internal connector is provided with terminals and a housing, the terminals being configured to be connected to the first conductive connection portion, the housing including a cylindrical portion having an open upper end and defining a terminal chamber for placing the terminals therein, the cylindrical portion being provided on its outer periphery with a projecting portion defining an upwardly open annular recess, when the electronic control unit is connected to the internal connector, a lower end of the housing member is received in the annular recess, the projecting portion has an upper edge lower than an upper edge of the cylindrical portion, and the upper edge of the projecting portion is higher than the lower end of the housing member, such that a liquid surface of liquid oil deposited in the annular recess is higher than the lower end of the housing member.

2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1, wherein, The housing member has an inner surface, and the inner surface includes a portion that abuts an outer surface of the housing adjacent to its lower end.

3. The connector connection structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an external connector located outside the box body, Among them, the electronic control unit is provided with a second conductive connection portion at an upper end of the main body portion to be electrically connected to the external connector, and the main body portion is provided with a portion opposite to an opening formed in the box body, a first sealing member is provided on an outer periphery of the main body portion, and the first sealing member closes the opening in a state where the electronic control unit is not connected to the external connector and is connected to the internal connector.

4. The connector connection structure according to claim 3, wherein, The external connector is provided with a cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion has a portion opposite to the opening in a state where the electronic control unit is connected to the internal connector and the external connector, and the first sealing member is configured to selectively be in a first state when the electronic control unit is connected to the internal connector and the electronic control unit is not connected to the external connector and in a second state when the electronic control unit is connected to the external connector. In the first state, the first sealing member abuts an inner peripheral surface of the opening to provide a seal between the box body and the electronic control unit, and in the second state, the first sealing member abuts an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the external connector to provide a seal between the electronic control unit and the external connector.

5. The connector connection structure according to claim 4, wherein, The first sealing member is made of rubber and is provided with a base portion fixed to the outer periphery of the main body portion and a lip portion including a radially extending free end, such that the free end is configured to abut the inner peripheral surface of the opening and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the external connector under elastic deformation of the lip portion.

6. The connector connection structure according to claim 4 or 5 further includes a second sealing member attached to the outer periphery of the external connector to provide a seal between the electronic control unit and the box body at the opening.

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