Electronic device

Abstract

The electronic device includes: a housing having an accommodating portion formed therein and including a polymer resin; a printed circuit board disposed in the accommodating portion; a connector connected to the printed circuit board; and a shielding member disposed in the accommodating portion and covering at least a portion of the printed circuit board, in which the shielding member includes a first region and a second region disposed to have a horizontal difference with respect to the first region in a vertical direction, and the connector includes a ground pin in contact with the second region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Electronic devices in a vehicle generally include engine electrical devices (starter, ignition, charging, etc.) and lighting devices. However, recently, as vehicles become more electronically controlled, most systems including chassis electrical devices have become more electronic.

[0003] Various electronic devices installed in a vehicle (e.g., lights, audio, heaters, and air conditioners) are supplied with power from a battery when the vehicle is stopped and from a generator when the vehicle is running. In this case, the power generation capacity of a 14V power system is used as the normal power voltage.

[0004] Recently, with the development of the information technology industry, various new technologies (electric power steering, Internet, etc.) aimed at improving vehicle convenience are being incorporated into vehicles, and it is expected that new technologies that can utilize most of the current vehicle systems will continue to be developed in the future.

[0005] The appearance of an electronic device is defined by a housing. A plurality of electronic components for driving are provided inside the housing. The plurality of electronic components generate heat when driven. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem

[0007] This embodiment provides an electronic device capable of improving heat dissipation efficiency while reducing its weight.

[0008] Technical solution

[0009] The electronic device according to this embodiment includes: a housing in which a receiving portion is provided and which includes a polymer resin; a printed circuit board provided in the receiving portion; a connector connected to the printed circuit board; and a shielding member provided in the receiving portion and configured to cover at least a part of the printed circuit board, wherein the shielding member includes a first region and a second region provided to have a height difference with respect to the first region in the vertical direction, and the connector includes a ground pin in contact with the second region.

[0010] The shielding member may be made of a metal material and integrated with the housing by insert molding.

[0011] At least a part of the second region may be provided to overlap the connector and the printed circuit board in the vertical direction.

[0012] The accommodating part may include a support member protruding from the bottom surface, and the shielding member may include a third region that is set to have a height difference with respect to the first region in the vertical direction, wherein the third region may be provided on the support member.

[0013] The printed circuit board may be provided on the support member, and the printed circuit board, the third region, and the support member may be threadedly coupled to each other.

[0014] The electronic device may further include a grounding member that is provided in the housing and has one end provided inside the support member so as to be threadedly coupled to the printed circuit board, the third region, and the support member.

[0015] The housing may include a body coupling part protruding from the outer surface and having a first screw hole, and the grounding member may have the other end in which a second screw hole facing the first screw hole is defined.

[0016] The grounding member may be integrated with the housing by insert molding.

[0017] The printed circuit board, the third region, the support member, and the grounding member may be arranged to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0018] The shielding member may include a side surface portion extending from the edge of the first region, wherein the side surface portion may be arranged to face the inner surface of the housing.

[0019] Beneficial effect

[0020] In this embodiment, the shielding member and the grounding member (each of which is made of metal) may be integrated with the housing made of a plastic material by insert molding to prevent electrical noise from occurring between the space inside the housing and the external region, and to simply implement the grounding structure between the housing, the connector, and the printed circuit board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a housing and a shielding member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the coupling structure of a housing and a shielding member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5It is a view showing a coupling structure of a connector, a shielding member, a printed circuit board, and a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a view showing a coupling structure of a grounding member and a shielding member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to some of the described embodiments, but can be implemented in various different forms, and even one or more components in the embodiments can be selectively combined and replaced within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention for use.

[0029] In addition, unless clearly and specifically defined and described, terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention can be interpreted as having the meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, and terms commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, can be interpreted in consideration of the context meaning of the related technology.

[0030] In addition, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, unless specifically stated otherwise in a phrase, the singular may also include the plural, and when it is described as “(at least one of) A and (or) B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, and C.

[0031] In the description of the elements of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used.

[0032] These terms are only used to distinguish components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the corresponding components is not limited by the terms.

[0033] In addition, when a component is described as “connected”, “coupled”, or “linked” to another component, it may include not only the case where the component is directly “connected”, “coupled”, or “linked” to other components, but also the case where the component is “connected”, “coupled”, or “linked” to other components through another component.

[0034] In addition, when described as being formed or disposed "above (upper)" or "below (lower)" each component, "above (upper)" or "below (lower)" includes not only the case where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more other components are formed or disposed between the two components. In addition, when expressed as "above (upper)" or "below (lower)", it includes not only the meaning of the upward direction based on one component, but also the meaning of the downward direction based on one component.

[0035] The electronic device according to the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle and may include a converter, a pump, and an electronic control unit (ECU). However, this is merely an example, and the electronic device may include various devices, which include at least one electronic component disposed in a housing and may be electrically connected to an external terminal through a connector.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a housing and a shielding member according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the coupling structure of a housing and a shielding member according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a view showing the coupling structure of a connector, a shielding member, a printed circuit board, and a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a view showing the coupling structure of a grounding member and a shielding member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 to 6 , the electronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a housing 100, a cover 200, a printed circuit board 300, a connector 400, a shielding member 500, and a grounding member 600.

[0038] The housing 100 may define the appearance of the electronic device 10. The housing 100 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The housing 100 may have a box shape. A receiving portion 110 may be provided inside the housing 100 to receive components for driving the electronic device 10, including the printed circuit board 300 and the shielding member 500. The receiving portion 110 may be opened upward. The cover 200 may be coupled to the top surface of the housing 100 to cover the top surface of the receiving portion 110.

[0039] The housing 100 may include a lower plate 102 and side plates 104 extending upward from the edges of the lower plate 102. The lower plate 102 may define the bottom surface of the electronic device 10. The side plates 104 may define the side surfaces of the electronic device 10. At least one hole 120 may be defined in the side plates 104. When observing the housing 100 from above, the hole 120 may have a groove shape that steps down from other areas. A connector 400 may be disposed in the hole 120. The holes 120 may be provided in plurality and are disposed adjacent to each other on one side surface of the housing 100.

[0040] A support member 150 may be disposed on a receiving portion 110 within the housing 100. The support member 150 may have a shape protruding upward from the top surface of the lower plate 102. The top surface of the support member 150 may be set lower than the top surface of the side plates 104. The top surface of the support member 150 may support the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 300. The top surface of the support member 150 may be in contact with the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 300. Due to the support member 150, the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 300 may be spaced apart from the top surface of the lower plate 102 in the vertical direction.

[0041] The support members 150 may be provided in plurality and are respectively disposed at four corner regions of the receiving portion 110 within the housing 100.

[0042] A protrusion 154 and a first coupling hole 152 may be provided on / in the top surface of the support member 150. The protrusion 154 may have a shape protruding upward from the top surface of the support member 150. The first coupling hole 152 may have a shape recessed downward from the top surface of the support member 150 compared to other areas. The protrusion 154 may be coupled to a second coupling hole 534 of a shielding member 500 to be described later. The first coupling hole 152 may be provided to face a third coupling hole 532 of the shielding member 500 to be described later in the vertical direction.

[0043] A first coupling groove 140 having a shape more recessed than other areas may be defined in the top surface of the housing 100. The first coupling groove 140 may be defined in the top surface of the side plates 104 of the housing 100. The side plates 220 of the cover 200 may be coupled to the first coupling groove 140. The first coupling groove 112 may be defined along the perimeter of the top surface of the housing 100. The side plates 104 of the housing 100 may be referred to as first side plates, and the side plates 220 of the cover 200 may be referred to as second side plates.

[0044] A second coupling groove 122 having a shape more recessed than other regions may be defined in the inner surface of the hole 120 of the housing 100. The second coupling groove 122 may be defined in the inner circumferential surface of the hole 120. The second coupling groove 122 may be connected to the first coupling groove 140. Each of the first coupling groove 140 and the second coupling groove 122 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0045] A body coupling part 130 may be provided on the outer surface of the housing 100. The body coupling part 130 may have a shape protruding more outward from the outer surface of the housing 100 than other regions. The body coupling part 130 may be provided in plural and are respectively provided in the corner regions of the housing 100. A first screw hole 132 to which a screw (not shown) is coupled may be defined in the top surface of the body coupling part 130. Due to the body coupling part 130, the electronic device 10 may be coupled to a body defining a frame of a vehicle, for example, coupled to a chassis. In this case, the screw may be threadedly coupled to each of the body and the first screw hole 132 of the body coupling part 130.

[0046] The material of the housing 100 may be a polymer resin. The material of the housing may be plastic. Thus, compared to a device made of metal, the electronic device 10 may be lightweight.

[0047] A cover 200 may be provided on the upper part of the housing 100. The cover 200 may be coupled to cover the top surface of the accommodating part 110. The cover 200 may include an upper plate 210 and side plates 220 extending downward from the edges of the upper plate 210. The upper plate 210 may define the top surface of the electronic device 10, and the side plates 220 may, together with the side plates 104 of the housing 100, define the side surface of the electronic device 10. The lower end of the side plate 220 may be coupled to the first coupling groove 140. A part of the lower end of the side plate 220 may be coupled to a third coupling groove 452 of a connector module 400 to be described later (see Figure 5 ).

[0048] A printed circuit board 300 may be provided in the accommodating part 110 within the housing 100. The printed circuit board 300 may be provided in a plate shape, and at least one or more electronic components for driving the electronic device 10 may be provided on at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface. The printed circuit board 300 may be coupled to pins 470 of a connector 200 to be described later (see Figure 5 ). The printed circuit board 300 may include pin holes to which the pins 470 are coupled, and the pins 470 may be coupled to the pin holes.

[0049] The bottom surface of the printed circuit board 300 can be supported by the top surface of the support member 150. The top surface of the support member 150 can be in contact with the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 300. The printed circuit board 300 can include a fourth coupling hole 310 that faces a first coupling hole 152 defined in the support member 150, and a screw can be threadedly coupled within the first coupling hole 152 of the support member 150 by passing through the fourth coupling hole 310 of the printed circuit board 300 and a third coupling hole 532 of the shielding member 500. The printed circuit board 300 can include a fifth coupling hole 320 to which a protrusion 154 is coupled. The fifth coupling hole 320 can have a shape that passes from the top surface to the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 300. The protrusion 154 can be coupled to a second coupling hole 534 of the shielding member 500 and the fifth coupling hole 320 of the printed circuit board 300.

[0050] A portion of the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 300 can be supported by the connector 400. A portion of the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 300 can be in contact with the top surface of the connector 400.

[0051] The connector 400 can be arranged to pass through a side surface of the housing 100. The connector 400 can be arranged to pass through the hole 120. The connector 400 can be coupled to the hole 120.

[0052] The connector 400 can be coupled to an external terminal, and thus, can supply power to the electronic device 10, or can send / receive control signals related to the driving of the electronic device 10 to / from an external component.

[0053] The connector 400 can include one end disposed in a receiving portion 110 within the housing 100 and the other end disposed opposite to the one end and outside the housing 100.

[0054] The connector 400 can have an appearance defined by a connector housing. The material of the connector housing can be plastic. Pins 470 can be provided on one end of the connector housing that is disposed in the receiving portion 110 within the housing 100. The pins 470 protruding from one end of the connector housing can have at least one bend so as to be coupled to the printed circuit board 300.

[0055] Specifically, the connector housing that defines the appearance of the connector 400 can include a first region 410, a second region 450, and a guide 430.

[0056] The first region 410 can be disposed outside the housing 100. An external terminal can be coupled to the first region 410. Thus, the first region 410 can be named the connector extraction portion. The first region 410 can have a shape that protrudes outward from the housing 100.

[0057] The second region 450 may be disposed within the housing 100. At least a portion of the second region 450 may be coupled to the hole 120. The pin 470 may be disposed to protrude from one end of the second region 450. The pin 470 may be disposed along the space within the first region 410, the guide 430, and the second region 450, and may have one end coupled to an external terminal and the other end coupled to the printed circuit board 300. Accordingly, when the external terminal of the connector 400 is coupled through the pin 470, the electronic device 10 and the external terminal may be electrically connected to each other.

[0058] A rib having a shape that protrudes more upward than other regions may be disposed on the top surface of the second region 450. The rib may be disposed to pass through the printed circuit board 300. The printed circuit board 300 may have a hole defined such that the rib can be coupled thereto.

[0059] A third coupling groove 452 that is recessed more than other regions may be defined in the top surface of the second region 450. The third coupling groove 452 may be disposed to overlap with the side plate of the housing 100. The third coupling groove 452 may be connected to the first coupling groove 140. The third coupling groove 452 may be disposed to correspond to the formation region of the hole 120. Accordingly, when the cover 200 is coupled to the housing 100, a portion of the lower end of the cover 200 may be coupled to the first coupling groove 140, and the remaining portion may be coupled to the third coupling groove 452.

[0060] A protrusion 490 that protrudes more downward than other regions may be disposed on the bottom surface of the second region 450. The protrusion 490 may be coupled to the second coupling groove 122. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 290 may correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the second coupling groove 122. The protrusion 490 may be coupled to the inner surface of the hole 120.

[0061] The guide 430 may be disposed between the first region 410 and the second region 450. The guide 430 may be disposed to have a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of each of the first region 410 and the second region 450. The guide 430 may be coupled to the side surface of the housing 100. The inner surface of the guide 430 may contact the outer surface of the housing 400. As Figure 5 shown, the side surface of the housing 100 that contacts the guide 430 may have a shape that protrudes more outward than other regions.

[0062] The connector 400 may include a ground pin 480. The ground pin 480 may be disposed within the connector housing. One end of the ground pin 480 may be configured to protrude downward from the bottom surface of the second region 450. A hole through which one end of the ground pin 480 passes may be defined in the bottom surface of the second region 450. One end of the ground pin 480 may have a region that is bent at least once. A contact portion 482 that contacts a shielding member 500 to be described later may be defined at one end of the ground pin 480. The contact portion 482 may have a substantially "U" - shaped cross - section. The ground pins 480 may be provided as a plurality spaced apart from each other. The ground pins 480 may have a ground power source. The other end of the ground pin 480 may be disposed within the first region 410. The other end of the ground pin 480 may be connected to an external terminal.

[0063] The electronic device 10 may include a shielding member 500. The shielding member 500 may be referred to as a shielding plate. The shielding member 500 may be disposed in the receiving portion 110 within the housing 100. The shielding member 500 may be made of a metallic material. The shielding member 500 may be integrated with the housing 100 by insert molding. The shielding member 500 may be disposed in the receiving portion 110 within the housing 100 to prevent electrical noise from occurring with the external region. The shielding member 500 may be connected to at least one of the printed circuit board 300, the connector 400, or the vehicle body to provide a ground power source.

[0064] Specifically, the shielding member 500 may include a first region 510, a second region 520, and a third region 530. The first region 510, the second region 520, and the third region 530 may be provided integrally. The first region 510, the second region 520, and the third region 530 may be configured to have a height difference in the vertical direction.

[0065] The first region 510 may be configured in a plate - like shape. The first region 510 may be disposed on the lower plate 102 of the housing 100. The bottom surface of the first region 510 may be spaced a predetermined distance from the top surface of the lower plate 102. The first region 510 may be disposed parallel to the lower plate 102.

[0066] The top surface of the second region 520 may be configured to step - down from the top surface of the first region 510. When observing the formation region of the second region 520 from above, the second region 510 may have a groove shape in which a part of the first region 510 is recessed downward. The second region 520 may be configured to overlap the connector 400 in the vertical direction. The second region 520 may be configured to be adjacent to the hole 120. The second region 520 may be configured to overlap the coupling region of the pin 470 and the pin hole in the vertical direction.

[0067] The second region 520 may be in contact with the ground pin 480 of the connector 400. The second region 520 may be in contact with the housing 100. The second region 520 may be in contact with the contact portion 482 provided at one end of the ground pin 480. The contact portion 482 may be in contact with the top surface of the second region 520. Since the contact portion 482 and the second region 520 are in contact with each other, the shielding member 500 may be grounded. Since the contact portion 482 and the second region 520 are in contact with each other, the shielding member 500 may prevent an electric shock accident due to leakage current from occurring in the region where a plurality of terminals are electrically connected to each other, and may also be set to a reference potential of 0.

[0068] The top surface of the third region 530 may be set to step up from the top surface of the first region 510. The third region 530 may be provided on the support member 150. The bottom surface of the third region 530 may be in contact with the top surface of the support member 150. The shielding member 500 may include a connecting portion 538 that connects the first region 510 to the third region 530. The connecting portion 538 may have a shape that protrudes upward from the top surface of the first region 510. The connecting portion 538 may be provided perpendicular to the first region 510 and the third region 530.

[0069] The third region 530 may be coupled to the printed circuit board 300 and the housing 100. The third region 530 may include a third coupling hole 532 and a second coupling hole 534. The third coupling hole 532 is provided to face the first coupling hole 152 of the housing 100 and the fourth coupling hole 310 of the printed circuit board 300. The second coupling hole 534 is provided such that the protrusion 154 of the housing 100 passes through it. Each of the second coupling hole 534 and the third coupling hole 532 may have a shape that passes through the bottom surface from the top surface of the third region 530. The second coupling hole 534 and the third coupling hole 532 may be provided adjacent to each other.

[0070] The third region 530 may overlap with the housing 100, the printed circuit board 300, and the ground member 600 in the vertical direction. The third region 530 may include holes that overlap with the housing 100, the printed circuit board 300, and the ground member 600 in the vertical direction. The third region 530 may be threadedly coupled to the housing 100, the printed circuit board 300, and the ground member 600.

[0071] The shielding member 500 may extend upward from the edge of the first region 510 and include side surface portions 540 that define the side surfaces of the shielding member 500. The side surface portions 540 may be disposed inside the side plates 104 of the housing 100. The outer surfaces of the side surface portions 540 may contact the inner surfaces of the side plates 104. The side surface portions 540 may be disposed perpendicular to the first region 510. The side surface portions 540 may be disposed as a plurality spaced apart from each other along the edge of the first region 510.

[0072] The shielding member 500 may be coated inside the housing 100.

[0073] The grounding member 600 may be disposed inside the housing 100. The grounding member 600 may be referred to as an ESD plate.

[0074] The grounding member 600 may be made of a metallic material and may be integrated with the housing 100 by insert molding. The grounding member 500 may be disposed between the inner and outer surfaces of the housing 100. The grounding member 600 may have one end disposed within the support member 150 and the other end disposed within the vehicle body coupling portion 130. A sixth coupling hole may be defined in one end of the grounding member 600 to face the first coupling hole 152 of the housing 100, the fourth coupling hole 310 of the printed circuit board 300, and the third coupling hole 532 of the shielding member 500. Thus, as Figure 6 shown, a screw S may be disposed to pass through the first coupling hole 152, the fourth coupling hole 310, the third coupling hole 532, and the sixth coupling hole. The screw S may be coupled to the first coupling hole 152, the fourth coupling hole 310, the third coupling hole 532, and the sixth coupling hole.

[0075] The screw S may be referred to as a screw or a connecting member.

[0076] A ground pattern may be disposed on the formation region of the fourth coupling hole 310 on the surface of the printed circuit board 300.

[0077] A second screw hole may be defined in the other end of the grounding member 600 to face the first screw hole 132 of the housing 100. Thus, when the screw is coupled to the first screw hole 132 and the second screw hole, the grounding member 600 may be electrically connected to the vehicle body.

[0078] According to the structure described above, the shielding member and the grounding member (each of which is made of metal) may be integrated with the housing made of a plastic material by insert molding to prevent electrical noise from occurring between the space inside the housing and the external region, and to simply implement the grounding structure between the housing, the connector, and the printed circuit board.

[0079] All components may be coupled to each other to form a single body or operate as a single body, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, within the scope of the present disclosure, one or more components are selectively coupled and operated. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically stated, terms such as "comprising," "including," or "having" as described above implicitly may include the corresponding components and should thus be construed as including other components rather than excluding other components. Unless the terms used in the present disclosure are defined differently, these terms may be construed to have meanings known to those skilled in the art. Terms such as those commonly used and already in a dictionary should be construed to have a meaning that matches the context in the art. In this specification, unless explicitly defined, terms should not be ideally over-interpreted as formal meanings.

[0080] The subject matter disclosed above should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the technical spirit of the invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the invention is not defined by the detailed description of the invention, but by the appended claims, and all differences within that scope will be construed as being included in the invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: a housing, which has a receiving portion and comprises a polymer resin; a printed circuit board disposed in the receiving portion; a connector connected to the printed circuit board; and a shielding member, which is disposed in the receiving portion and configured to cover at least a part of the printed circuit board, wherein the shielding member includes a first region and a second region which is arranged to have a height difference relative to the first region in a vertical direction, and wherein the connector includes a ground pin that contacts the second region.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, the shielding member is made of a metal material and integrated with the housing by insert molding.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, at least a part of the second region is arranged to overlap with the connector and the printed circuit board in the vertical direction.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, the receiving portion includes a support member protruding from a bottom surface, and the shielding member includes a third region which is arranged to have a height difference relative to the first region in the vertical direction, wherein the third region is disposed on the support member.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein, the printed circuit board is disposed on the support member, and the printed circuit board, the third region and the support member are threadedly coupled to each other.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising a grounding member, which is disposed in the housing and has one end disposed in the support member so as to be threadedly coupled to the printed circuit board, the third region and the support member.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein, the housing includes a body coupling portion protruding from an outer surface and having a first screw hole, and the grounding member has the other end in which a second screw hole facing the first screw hole is defined.

8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein, the grounding member is integrated with the housing by insert molding.

9. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein, the printed circuit board, the third region, the support member and the grounding member are arranged to overlap with each other in the vertical direction.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, the shielding member includes a side surface portion extending from an edge of the first region, wherein the side surface portion is arranged to face an inner surface of the housing.

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