Shell for electronic equipment and electronic equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to a shell for electronic equipment and the electronic equipment. The shell comprises a main body, the main body is provided with a top wall and a side wall extending from the top wall, and a shell opening is limited by the lower edge of the side wall; and the bottom plate is fixedly connected with the main body so as to cover the shell opening. The bottom plate comprises a covering region for covering the opening of the housing and a bonding region extending from the covering region around the covering region, and wherein the lower edge is formed by a sealing section of the side wall, the thickness of which is reduced relative to the remaining section of the side wall, so that the sealing section is sealed in the assembled state of the housing. The sealing section is pressed and deformed towards the bonding region, so that the sealing section is attached to the bonding region in a liquid-tight manner. Thus, a separate sealing member does not need to be used between the main body and the base plate, thereby simplifying the manufacturing and assembly of the electronic device and reducing the cost of the electronic device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a housing for an electronic device and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] In modern automobiles, there are various electronic devices, such as an electronic controller for an airbag in an automobile, an engine controller for an internal combustion engine, a motor controller for a motor, etc. Such electronic devices usually have a housing, and electronic components such as a circuit board assembly are arranged in the inner cavity of the housing. Electronic components are usually relatively sensitive and fragile parts, which are very easy to be damaged, and the housing can provide protection for the electronic components. In addition, for electronic devices, the waterproof problem is also very important. Usually, the housing is formed by fixing two housing parts together, and it is easy for water to seep through the joint of the two housing parts. For this reason, in the prior art, a separate seal is usually used at the joint of the two housing parts to prevent water from entering the housing. However, the use of a separate seal will increase the complexity of housing manufacturing and assembly and increase the manufacturing cost. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The purpose of the present application is to solve or at least alleviate at least a part of the problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] A first aspect of the present application is to provide a housing for an electronic device, the housing including: a main body having a top wall and side walls extending from the top wall, a lower edge of the side walls defining a housing opening; and a bottom plate fixedly connected to the main body to cover the housing opening. Herein, the bottom plate includes a covering area for covering the housing opening and a bonding area extending from the covering area around the covering area, wherein the lower edge is formed by a sealing section of the side wall with a reduced thickness relative to the remaining sections of the side wall, so that in the assembled state of the housing, the sealing section is squeezed and deformed towards the bonding area, such that the sealing section is liquid-tightly abutted against the bonding area.

[0005] Therefore, no separate seal is required at the joint between the two housing components of the housing, namely the main body and the bottom plate. The sealing function is achieved by the side walls of the main body of the housing itself. The sealing section is formed by constructing a section near the lower edge of the side wall of the main body to have a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the side wall. Due to the reduced thickness, the sealing section is flexibly deformable. Thus, when the main body is fixedly connected to the bottom plate, the sealing section abutting against the bonding area of the bottom plate can be flexibly deformed, so that the sealing section can closely adhere to the bonding area and thereby achieve good sealing performance. Since the sealing section is an integral part of the side wall of the main body, the main body together with the seal (i.e., the sealing section) can be manufactured in a single injection molding process. Since no separate seal is required, the manufacturing and assembly process of the housing is simplified, and the cost of the housing is reduced.

[0006] Optionally, the covering area has a surrounding protrusion protruding from the upper side of the bottom plate, and there is a gap between the inner surface of the side wall and the side of the protrusion facing the side wall. Thus, even when a small amount of water seeps into the housing due to aging of the sealing section, the surrounding protrusion can prevent the seeping water from crossing the protrusion and reaching the circuit board assembly installed in the housing, thereby further improving the waterproof performance of the housing.

[0007] Optionally, the bottom plate includes a plurality of fixing areas extending from the bonding area, and each fixing area has a mounting hole for fixedly mounting the electronic device.

[0008] Optionally, the bottom plate includes a reinforcing area extending from the bonding area between adjacent fixing areas, and the reinforcing area has a reinforcing rib protruding from the upper side of the bottom plate. The reinforcing area between adjacent fixing areas improves the strength of the fixing areas extending from the bonding area, so that a more stable fixation of the electronic device can be achieved.

[0009] Optionally, the sealing section is formed by indenting relative to the inner surface and / or the outer surface of the side wall.

[0010] Optionally, the thickness of the sealing section remains constant or gradually decreases in the direction of the lower edge.

[0011] Optionally, the sealing section is curved outward in an arc relative to the adjacent section of the side wall. Thus, the inner surface of the sealing section contacts the bonding area and can increase the area of the sealing area formed between the sealing section and the bonding area, thereby further improving the sealing performance.

[0012] Optionally, the side wall is configured to include a step. The stepped configuration of the side wall enables the body of the housing to be flexible in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate, thereby increasing the pre-compression force with which the sealing section presses towards the bonding area in the assembled state.

[0013] Optionally, the sealing section is integrally formed of the same material or a different material as the rest of the body.

[0014] A second aspect of the present application is to provide an electronic device having a housing as described above, a circuit board assembly disposed in the inner cavity of the housing, and an electrical connector mounted in a mounting opening provided in the housing wall and electrically connected to the circuit board assembly.

[0015] Optionally, the electronic device is an electronic controller for an automotive airbag.

[0016] Different from the housings of traditional electronic devices, the housing of the electronic device as described above does not use a separate seal between its housing components to seal the joints therebetween. This saves the cost of separately manufacturing the seal by secondary molding and simplifies the assembly of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these drawings are only for the purpose of explaining the embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application. The following drawings show:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application in an unassembled state;

[0020] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a partially enlarged view of the body of the housing of the electronic device shown in the embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a partially enlarged view of the body of the housing of the electronic device shown in the embodiment;

[0024] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a housing of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application; and

[0025] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a partially enlarged view of a main body of a housing of an electronic device according to the embodiment shown. Detailed Embodiment

[0026] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. Here, the electronic device 100 may be an electronic controller for an automotive airbag. However, the present application is not limited to an electronic controller for an automotive airbag, but may relate to any other type of electronic device. As can be seen from Figure 1 it, the electronic device 100 has a housing 50. An electrical connector 30 is installed in an installation opening in a wall of the housing 50, and the electrical connector 30 is electrically connected to a circuit board assembly (not shown) disposed in a cavity of the housing 50. In Figure 1 the electronic device 100 shown, the electrical connector 30 has two terminal interfaces. However, the electrical connector 30 may also have only one terminal interface or more terminal interfaces as needed.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application in an unassembled state. Here, it can be seen that the housing 50 of the electronic device 100 has two housing parts, namely a main body 10 and a bottom plate 20. The main body 10 has a top wall 11 and side walls 12 extending from the top wall 11. A lower edge 13 of the side walls 12 defines a housing opening (not shown), and the bottom plate 20 can be fixedly connected to the main body 10 to cover the housing opening. As can be seen from Figure 2 it, the bottom plate 20 has four connection positions, and fixing members respectively protrude from below the bottom plate 20 through fixing holes 25 at the four connection positions. Although not shown, those skilled in the art can easily understand that the main body 10 also has four connection positions corresponding to the four connection positions of the bottom plate 20, and the fixing members can be respectively screwed into corresponding holes at the four connection positions of the main body 10, thereby realizing the fixed connection between the main body 10 and the bottom plate 20. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above-mentioned fixed connection manner between the main body 10 and the bottom plate 20 is only exemplary and should not be construed as a limitation on the fixed connection manner.

[0028] From Figure 2It can also be clearly seen that the bottom plate 20 includes a covering area 21 for covering the opening of the housing and a bonding area 22 extending from the covering area 21 around the covering area 21. The lower edge 13 of the side wall 12 of the main body 10 is formed by a sealing section 14 with a reduced thickness relative to the remaining sections of the side wall 12 of the side wall 12. Thus, in the assembled state of the housing 50, the sealing section 14 is squeezed and deformed towards the bonding area 22, so that the sealing section 14 is liquid-tightly attached to the bonding area 22. The structure of the sealing section 14 is not shown in detail in Figure 2 and will be described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 3 to 8 .

[0029] From Figure 2 It can also be clearly seen that the covering area 21 has a surrounding protrusion 24 protruding from the upper side of the bottom plate 20. In the assembled state, there is a gap between the inner surface of the side wall 12 and the side of the protrusion 24 facing the side wall 12 (see Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 ). Thus, even when a small amount of water seeps into the housing 50 due to aging of the sealing section 14, the surrounding protrusion 24 can prevent the seeping water from passing over the protrusion 24 and reaching the circuit board assembly installed in the housing 50, thereby further improving the waterproof performance of the housing 50.

[0030] In addition, from Figure 2 It can also be clearly seen that the bottom plate 20 includes a plurality of fixing areas 23 extending from the bonding area 22. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 , three fixing areas 23 are provided, and each fixing area 23 has a mounting hole 27 for fixedly mounting the electronic device 100. In order to strengthen the fixing area 23 extending from the bonding area 22 and thus achieve a more stable fixing of the electronic device 100, the bottom plate 20 includes a reinforcing area 26 extending from the bonding area 22 between adjacent fixing areas 23, and the reinforcing area 26 has a reinforcing rib protruding from the upper side of the bottom plate 20.

[0031] The structure of the sealing section 14 of the side wall 12 of the main body 10 will be described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 3 to 8 .

[0032] From Figures 3 to 8As can be seen, the sealing section 14 is integrally formed with the rest of the side wall 12 of the main body 10. Here, the sealing section 14 is formed by making the thickness of the section near the lower edge 13 of the side wall 12 smaller than that of the rest of the side wall 12. The sealing section 14 is flexible due to its smaller thickness. Thus, when the main body 10 is fixedly connected to the bottom plate 20, the sealing section 14 is deformed by squeezing the sealing section 14 towards the bonding area 22 of the bottom plate 20. Thereby, the sealing section 14 can closely adhere to the bonding area 22, thus achieving a liquid-tight seal between the main body 10 and the bottom plate 20. Here, the sealing section 14 can be made of the same material as the rest of the main body 10. However, alternatively, the sealing section 14 can also be made of a material different from that of the rest of the main body 10. Thus, a material with better sealing performance can be selected for the sealing section 14.

[0033] In Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 shows the positional relationship between the main body 10 and the bottom plate 20 in the assembled state. However, here the imaginary undeformed state of the sealing section 14 is schematically shown. In the undeformed state of the sealing section 14, the lower edge 13 defined by the sealing section 14 extends beyond the upper surface of the bonding area 22. Therefore, in the actual assembled state, the upper surface of the bonding area 22 will exert a squeezing force on the sealing section 14 to deform it, thereby enabling a liquid-tight seal between the main body 10 and the bottom plate 20.

[0034] In Figures 3 to 6 the illustrated embodiment, the sealing section 14 is formed by indenting relative to the inner and outer surfaces of the side wall 12. However, alternatively, the sealing section 14 can also be formed by indenting only relative to the inner surface of the side wall 12 or only relative to the outer surface of the side wall 12. As in Figure 7 and Figure 8 the illustrated embodiment, the sealing section 14 is formed by indenting only relative to the inner surface of the side wall 12, and the outer surface of the sealing section 14 is flush with the outer surface of the rest of the side wall 12.

[0035] In addition, in Figures 3 to 6 the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the sealing section 14 gradually decreases in the direction towards the lower edge 13. However, alternatively, the thickness of the sealing section 14 can also remain constant. As in Figure 7 and Figure 8 the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the sealing section 14 is substantially constant.

[0036] In Figures 3 to 6 the illustrated embodiment, the sealing section 14 extends substantially perpendicular to the bonding area 22 of the bottom plate 20. In other words, the sealing section 14 and the adjacent side wall 12 section extend in the same direction. Thus, the lower edge 13 defined by the sealing section 14 first contacts the bonding area 22 during assembly. However, alternatively, in Figure 7 and Figure 8 the illustrated embodiment, the sealing section 14 is curved outwardly relative to the adjacent section of the side wall 12. Thus, during assembly, the inner surface of the sealing section 14 contacts the bonding area 22, in this way increasing the contact area between the sealing section 14 and the bonding area 22, thereby further improving the sealing effect.

[0037] In Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 12 is configured to include a step. Here, in the above embodiments, the side wall 12 all has a step located above the protrusion 24. In Figure 5 the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 12 further has a step located outside the protrusion 24. The stepped configuration of the side wall 12 realizes the flexibility of the main body 10 of the housing 50 in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate 20, thereby being able to increase the pre-compression force for pressing the sealing section 14 against the bonding area 22 in the assembled state.

[0038] The above are only exemplary embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the concept of the present application belong to the protection scope of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principle of the present application, several improvements and refinements should also be regarded as within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A housing (50) for an electronic device (100), the housing (50) comprising: A main body (10), the main body (10) having a top wall (11) and a side wall (12) extending from the top wall (11), wherein a lower edge (13) of the side wall (12) defines a housing opening; as well as a bottom plate (20), the bottom plate (20) being fixedly connected to the main body (10) to cover the housing opening, It is characterized in that The base plate (20) comprises a covering area (21) for covering the shell opening and a bonding area (22) surrounding the covering area (21) and extending from the covering area (21), wherein the lower edge (13) is formed by a sealing section (14) of the side wall (12) having a reduced thickness relative to the remaining sections of the side wall (12), so that when the shell (50) is assembled, the sealing section (14) is squeezed and deformed toward the bonding area (22), so that the sealing section (14) is liquid-tightly attached to the bonding area (22).

2. The housing (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that The covering area (21) has a circumferential projection (24) protruding from the upper side of the base plate (20), wherein a gap exists between the inner surface of the side wall (12) and the side of the projection (24) facing the side wall (12).

3. The housing (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that The base plate (20) includes a plurality of fixing areas (23) extending from the combining area (22), each of the fixing areas (23) having a mounting hole (27) for fixing and mounting the electronic device (100), wherein the base plate (20) includes a reinforcing area (26) extending from the combining area (22) between adjacent fixing areas (23), and the reinforcing area (26) having a reinforcing rib protruding from the upper side of the base plate (20).

4. The housing (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The sealing section (14) is formed by being indented relative to the inner surface and / or the outer surface of the side wall (12).

5. The housing (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The thickness of the sealing section (14) remains constant or gradually decreases towards the lower edge (13).

6. The housing (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The sealing section (14) is curved outwardly in an arc shape relative to an adjacent section of the side wall (12).

7. The housing (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The side wall (12) is configured to include a step.

8. The housing (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The sealing section (14) is integrally made of the same material as the rest of the body (10) or a different material.

9. An electronic device (100), characterized in that: The electronic device (100) comprises: A housing (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 8; A circuit board assembly disposed in the inner cavity of the housing (50); as well as An electrical connector (30) is installed in a mounting opening arranged in a wall of the housing (50) and is electrically connected to the circuit board assembly.

10. The electronic device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The electronic device (100) is an electronic controller for an automobile safety airbag.

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