Electronic control device

Abstract

An electronic control device (10) comprises a housing (20) that is open at one end and closed at the other; a printed circuit board (12) that is received in the housing (20) and on which electronic components can be mounted; and a cover (40) that closes an opening of the housing (20). A bottom section (25) located at the other end of the housing (20) is provided with a first V-shaped retaining section (33) that extends to an edge of the printed circuit board (12), has a substantially V-shape, and holds the edge of the printed circuit board (12) from both sides. The cover (40) is provided with a second V-shaped retaining section (43) that extends to the edge of the printed circuit board (12), has a substantially V-shaped shape, and holds the edge of the printed circuit board (12) from both sides.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control device. background

[0002] Many vehicles are equipped with an electronic control device known as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). A conventional technology relating to the electronic control device is disclosed in patent document 1.

[0003] The electronic control device shown in patent document 1 comprises a housing that is open at one end and closed at the other end, a printed circuit board that is received in the housing and on which electronic components can be mounted, and a cover that closes an opening of the housing.

[0004] In this electronic control device, the housing or cover has a protrusion with an inclined surface, and the printed circuit board is held in place by bending it in the direction of its thickness. This prevents the circuit board from rattling within the housing. Bibliography Patent document

[0005] Patent document 1: Unexamined Japanese publication no. H9-74291 Disclosure of the invention Problem to be solved by the invention

[0006] According to the electronic control device disclosed in patent document 1, deformation occurs in the curved section of the printed circuit board. Since a large load is exerted on a section where deformation occurs, it is preferable not to mount electronic components in such sections. Consequently, the space available for mounting electronic components becomes smaller. To ensure the required mounting space, the electronic control device is made larger.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact electronic control device. Means of solving the problem

[0008] The following describes the present revelation.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an electronic control device is provided, comprising: a housing that is open at one end and closed at the other end; a printed circuit board that is received in the housing and on which electronic components can be mounted;and a cover that closes an opening of the housing, wherein a bottom section arranged at the other end of the housing is provided with a first V-shaped retaining section extending to an edge of the printed circuit board having a substantially V-shaped form and holding the edge of the printed circuit board from both sides, wherein the cover is provided with a second V-shaped retaining section extending to the edge of the printed circuit board having a substantially V-shaped form and holding the edge of the printed circuit board from both sides, and wherein the printed circuit board is arranged between the first V-shaped retaining section and the second V-shaped retaining section. Effect of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a compact electronic control device. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electronic control device according to a first embodiment; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the electronic control device located in Fig. 1 is shown; Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the electronic control device after Fig. 1 is shown in a top view; Fig. Figure 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view in the direction of arrow 5 in Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram showing one step of inserting a printed circuit board into a housing; Fig. Figure 7 is a representation showing one step of attaching a cover to the housing; Fig. 8A is an exploded view in section showing an electronic control device according to a second embodiment in a top view; Fig. 8B is a sectional view of a composite state of the electronic control device, which is located in Fig. 8A is shown; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an electronic control device according to a third embodiment in a side view; Fig. 10 is a sectional view of an electronic control device according to a fourth embodiment in a side view; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a cover used in an electronic control device according to a fifth embodiment; Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a cover used in an electronic control device according to a sixth embodiment; and Fig. Figure 13 is a sectional view of an electronic control device according to a seventh embodiment in a top view. Embodiment(s) for carrying out the invention

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. <Erste Ausführungsform>

[0012] It will be on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Reference is made to an electronic control device 10 comprising a housing 20 which is open at one end and closed at the other end, a printed circuit board 12 which is received in the housing 20 and on which electronic components can be mounted, and a cover 40 which closes the opening of the housing 20.

[0013] It will be on Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Reference is made to the housing 20. The housing is made of a plastic, such as polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide, or polyphenylene sulfide.

[0014] The housing 20 comprises an upper housing surface section 21, which covers the printed circuit board 12 from above and has a substantially rectangular shape, a lower housing surface section 22, which is opposite the upper housing surface section 21 and which covers the printed circuit board 12 from below, a side housing surface section 23, which connects the upper housing surface section 21 to the lower housing surface section 22 and which covers each side of the printed circuit board 12, and a bottom section 25, which is formed in a rectangular shape and which closes off the other ends of the upper housing surface section 21, the lower housing surface section 22 and the side housing surface section 23.

[0015] The housing 20 has a flat shape, in which the height of the side housing surface section 23 is less than the width of the upper housing surface section 21 and the lower housing surface section 22.

[0016] The housing 20 comprises an upper guide section 26, which is formed on the outside of the lateral housing surface section 23 and which projects along the upper surface of the cover 40 to serve as a guide when the cover 40 is fitted, a lower positioning section 27, which is formed on the lower section of the other end of the lateral housing surface section 23 and which positions the lower surface of the cover 40, and a fastening section 28, which fastens the housing 20 to the other components.

[0017] Furthermore, the housing 20 comprises a locking section 31, which is formed in a step shape in the lateral housing surface section 23 and engages with the cover 40, and a guide rail section 32, which is formed in a rail shape on the inner surface to serve as a guide when the printed circuit board 12 is inserted.

[0018] It will be on Fig. 4 Referenced. The housing 20 comprises a first V-shaped retaining section 33 extending to the edge of the printed circuit board 12, which has a substantially V-shaped form and holds the edge of the printed circuit board 12 from both sides. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the first V-shaped retaining section 33 is provided in two positions to fit both ends of the circuit board 12.

[0019] It will be on Fig. 1 Reference is made. One end of the upper housing surface section 21 covers the top of the cover 40 and limits the upward displacement of the cover 40.

[0020] One end of the lower housing surface section 22 covers the underside of the cover 40 and limits the downward displacement of the cover.

[0021] The end of the upper guide section 26, which is formed on the lateral housing surface section 23, is connected to the mounting section 28. The upper guide section 26, the lower positioning section 7, and the mounting section 28 are formed on both the left and right lateral housing surface sections 23.

[0022] It will be on Fig. 4. The first V-shaped retaining section 33 comprises a first bottom section 33a, which corresponds to the V-shaped bottom and is narrower than the thickness of the circuit board 12, a first lower tapered section 33b, which extends obliquely downwards from the lower end of the first bottom section 33a, and a first upper tapered section 33c, which extends obliquely upwards from the upper end of the first bottom section 33a. The angles of inclination of the first lower tapered section 33b and the first upper tapered section 33c with respect to the first bottom section 33a are approximately equal. Furthermore, the first lower tapered section 33b and the first upper tapered section 33c may be curved.

[0023] The printed circuit board 12 is preferably, for example, a hard plate, also known as a rigid plate. A printed circuit board can be used, for example, where the traces are printed on both sides of a glass-epoxy resin plate. Electronic components, such as ICs and capacitors, are mounted on the printed circuit board 12.

[0024] The corner area on the other end (the end near the cover 40) of the printed circuit board 12 can be formed as a recessed section 12a. By forming the recessed section 12a, it is possible to prevent the cover 40 from touching the corner area of ​​the printed circuit board 12, even if the cover 40 is significantly bent.

[0025] Furthermore, the printed circuit board 12 can be any type of board, such as a single-sided board or a multi-layer board, but is not limited to this.

[0026] A terminal element 15, to which a cable harness can be connected, is attached to the upper surface of the printed circuit board 12. The terminal element 15 is made of a plastic, such as polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide, or polyphenylene sulfide. Furthermore, the terminal element 15 comprises a plurality of contacts made of a metal whose main component is copper. The contacts are used to receive voltage and current and to transmit them between the inside and outside of the electronic control device 10, and are connected to the printed circuit board 12 by soldering, press-fitting, or the like.

[0027] It will be on Fig. 5. Reference is made to the cover 40, which is made of a plastic such as polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide, or polyphenylene sulfide.

[0028] The cover 40 comprises a substantially rectangular cover body 41 that closes the opening of the housing 20, a fastening section 42 that extends from the cover body 41 along the side housing surface section 23 and is attached to the housing 20, and a second V-shaped retaining section 43 that extends from the cover body 41 to the edge of the printed circuit board 12, has a substantially V-shaped form and holds the edge of the printed circuit board 12 from both sides.

[0029] The cover body 41 has an essentially rectangular plate shape and is provided with a connection through-opening 41a in the central area, through which the connection element 15 (see Fig. 3) extends through. The plate thickness of the cover body 41 is greater in a section P1 between a second V-shaped retaining section 43 and the other second V-shaped retaining section 43 than in a section P2, which differs from this section.

[0030] It will be on Fig. 2. Furthermore, the bending stiffness of the cover 40 is less than the bending stiffness of the printed circuit board 12. More precisely, the bending stiffness of the printed circuit board 12 can be calculated by multiplying the modulus of elasticity E1 of the material by the area moment of inertia I1. In this case, if the thickness of the printed circuit board 12 is given by b1 and the length by h1, I1 is expressed by I1 = (b1×h1^3) / 12. In other words, the bending stiffness of the printed circuit board 12 is expressed by... Similarly, the bending stiffness of the cover 40 is expressed by E1×(b2×h2^3) / 12, where E2 is the modulus of elasticity of the material and b2 is the thickness of the thick section P1 (see...). Fig. 5), and h2 is the height. For the bending stiffness of the cover 40 to be less than the bending stiffness of the circuit board 12, it is sufficient that the relationship E1×(b1×h1^3) > E2×(b2×h2^3) is satisfied.

[0031] It will be on Fig. 3 Referenced. The fastening sections 42 extend from the left and right ends of the printed circuit board 12 along the lateral housing surface sections 23. The end of the fastening section 42 is an essentially triangular, hook-shaped locking section 42a which engages with the locking section 31.

[0032] It will be on Fig. 4. Reference is made to each second V-shaped retaining section 43. Every second V-shaped retaining section 43 is formed at a position opposite the first V-shaped retaining section 33. The second V-shaped retaining section 43 comprises a second bottom section 43a, which corresponds to the V-shaped bottom and is narrower than the thickness of the circuit board 12, a second lower tapered section 43b, which extends obliquely downward from the lower end of the second bottom section 43a, and a second upper tapered section 43c, which extends obliquely upward from the upper end of the second bottom section 43a. The angles of inclination of the second lower tapered section 43b and the second upper tapered section 43c with respect to the second bottom section 43a are approximately equal.Furthermore, the angle of inclination of the second lower tapered section 43b with respect to the second soil section 43a is essentially equal to the angle of the first lower tapered section 33b with respect to the first soil section 33a. In addition, the second lower tapered section 43b and the second upper tapered section 43c may be curved.

[0033] It will be on Fig. 5. Reference is made to the lower ends of the two second lower tapered sections 43b. The lower ends of the two lower tapered sections 43b are connected to each other by a retaining section-connecting section 44. The retaining section-connecting section 44 is integrally formed with the cover body 41.

[0034] Furthermore, the retaining section connecting section 44 does not necessarily have to be connected to the two second lower tapered sections 43b and may not be required if the cover body 41 has sufficient stiffness.

[0035] Furthermore, the holding section-connecting section 44 can be formed in such a way that it has two first V-shaped holding sections 33 (see Fig. 3) connects.

[0036] A method for assembling the previously described electronic control device 10 is described below.

[0037] It will be on Fig. 6. First, the printed circuit board 12 is inserted into the housing 20 with its end opposite the end to which the terminal element 15 is attached. As the printed circuit board is inserted into the housing 20, it is inserted along the guide rail section 32. The printed circuit board 12 is inserted until its edge contacts the first V-shaped retaining section 33.

[0038] Furthermore, when the printed circuit board is inserted, it is not necessary to insert the printed circuit board along the guide rails, and the width of the printed circuit board can be set arbitrarily according to the size of the electronic circuit.

[0039] It will be on Fig. 7. Next, the cover 40 is pressed onto the housing 20, thus securing the cover 40 to the housing 20. As the cover 40 is secured to the housing 20, the fastening section 42 is inserted between the upper guide section 26 and the lower positioning section 27, and the locking hook section 42a is pressed into a curved position. Pressing the cover 40 into a position where the locking hook section 42a makes contact with the locking section 31 secures the cover 40 to the housing 20. As the cover 40 is secured to the housing 20, the edge of the circuit board 12 is held by the second V-shaped retaining section 43. <Zweite Ausführungsform>

[0040] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] It will be directed to the Fig. 8A and Fig. Reference is made to Figure 8B. In an electronic control device 10A according to the second embodiment, the cover 40A is elastically deformed when it is attached to the housing 20. The remaining basic configurations correspond to those of the electronic control device 10 (see Figure 8B). Fig. 3) For configurations corresponding to those of the electronic control device 10, the same reference numerals are used and a detailed description may be omitted where appropriate.

[0042] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8A, when the printed circuit board 12 is inserted into the housing 20, the length L1 from the locking section 31 to the end of the printed circuit board 12 is set such that it is greater than the length L2 from a section of the locking hook section 42a that comes into contact with the locking section 31, to a section of the second V-shaped retaining section 43 that comes into contact with the printed circuit board 12.

[0043] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to 8B. When the cover 40A is attached to the housing 20, the cover 40A is bent and is attached to the housing 20 in an elastically deformed state. <Dritte Ausführungsform>

[0044] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0045] It will be on Fig. 9 Reference is made to an electronic control device 10B according to the third embodiment, comprising a second V-shaped retaining section 43B which is elastically deformable in the direction in which the V-shape opens. The remaining basic configurations correspond to those of the electronic control device 10 (see Fig. 3) For configurations corresponding to those of the electronic control device 10, the same reference numerals are used and a detailed description may be omitted where appropriate.

[0046] A cover 40B, which closes the opening of the housing 20, includes two second V-shaped retaining sections 43B, which extend to the edge of the circuit board 12, which have a substantially V-shape and which hold the edge of the circuit board 12 from both sides.

[0047] Every second V-shaped retaining section 43B is formed at a position opposite the first V-shaped retaining section 33. The second V-shaped retaining section 43B comprises a second bottom section 43Ba, which corresponds to the V-shaped bottom and is narrower than the thickness of the circuit board 12, a second lower tapered section 43Bb, which extends downward from the lower end of the second bottom section 43Ba and is elastically deformed downward, and a second upper tapered section 43Bc, which extends upward from the upper end of the second bottom section 43a and is elastically deformed upward.

[0048] Furthermore, the second lower tapered section 43Bb and the second upper tapered section 43Bc may be formed in a curved shape.

[0049] The second V-shaped retaining section 43B holds the circuit board 12 in a more open state than before the circuit board 12 is picked up. In a state held by the second V-shaped retaining section 43B, the circuit board 12 is biased in the direction in which the second V-shaped retaining section 43B closes. Accordingly, the circuit board 12 is biased in the direction of the first V-shaped retaining section 33. <Vierte Ausführungsform>

[0050] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0051] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to 10. An electronic control device 10C according to a fourth embodiment comprises a first V-shaped retaining section 33C which is elastically deformable in a direction in which the V-shape opens. The remaining basic configurations correspond to those of the electronic control device 10 (see Fig. 3) For configurations corresponding to those of the electronic control device 10, the same reference numerals are used and a detailed description may be omitted where appropriate.

[0052] A housing 20C, which accommodates the printed circuit board 12, comprises two first V-shaped retaining sections 33C, which extend to the edge of the printed circuit board 12, which have a substantially V-shaped form and which hold the edge of the printed circuit board 12 from both sides.

[0053] Each first V-shaped retaining section 33C is configured in a position opposite the second V-shaped retaining section 43. The first V-shaped retaining section 33C comprises a first bottom section 33Ca, which corresponds to the V-shaped bottom and is narrower than the thickness of the circuit board 12, a first lower tapered section 33Cb, which extends obliquely downwards from the lower end of the first bottom section 33Ca, and a first upper tapered section 33Cc, which extends obliquely upwards from the upper end of the first bottom section 33Ca.

[0054] Furthermore, the first lower tapered section 33Cb and the first upper tapered section 33Cc may be formed in a curved shape.

[0055] The first V-shaped retaining section 33C holds the circuit board 12 in a more open state than before the circuit board 12 is picked up. In a state held by the first V-shaped retaining section 33C, the circuit board 12 is biased in the direction in which the first V-shaped retaining section 33C closes. Accordingly, the circuit board 12 is biased in the direction of the second V-shaped retaining section 43. <Fünfte Ausführungsform>

[0056] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0057] It will be on Fig. 11 Reference is made to it. In an electronic control device 10D according to the fifth embodiment, an elastic deformation section 42Dc, which is more easily elastically deformable than the other sections, is formed in a fastening section 42D. The remaining basic configurations correspond to those of the electronic control device 10 (see Fig. 3) For configurations corresponding to those of the electronic control device 10, the same reference numerals are used and a detailed description may be omitted where appropriate.

[0058] With a cover 40D that closes the opening of the housing 20 (see Fig. 2) The fastening sections 42D extend from both ends of the cover body 41 along the housing 20. The fastening section 42D is a section for fastening the cover 40D to the housing 20.

[0059] The fastening section 42D includes the elastic deformation section 42Dc, which is more easily elastically deformable than the other sections. By forming a section that is bent in a boundary section with the cover body 41 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the printed circuit board 12, a section from this section to the locking hook section 42a is designed such that it is more easily bent than the other sections. It can be determined that the base end of the elastic deformation section 42Dc is formed by bending the boundary section with the cover body 41 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the printed circuit board 12. <Sechste Ausführungsform>

[0060] Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0061] It will be on Fig. 12 Reference is made to it. In an electronic control device 10E according to the sixth embodiment, an elastic deformation section 42Ec, which is more easily elastically deformable than the other sections, is formed in a fastening section 42E. The remaining basic configurations correspond to those of the electronic control device 10 (see Fig. 3) For configurations corresponding to those of the electronic control device 10, the same reference numerals are used and a detailed description may be omitted where appropriate.

[0062] With a cover 40E that closes the opening of the housing 20 (see Fig. 2), each fastening section 42E extends along the housing 20 from both ends of the cover body 41. The fastening section 42E is a section for fixing the cover 40E to the housing 20.

[0063] The fastening section 42E includes an elastic deformation section 42Ec, which is more easily elastically deformable than the other sections. By forming a section in the fastening section 42E that is bent away from the housing 20, a section extending from this section to the locking hook section 42a is formed such that it is more easily bent than the other sections. It can be determined that the base end of the elastic deformation section 42Ec is formed by bending a portion of the fastening section 42E away from the housing 20. <Siebte Ausführungsform>

[0064] Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0065] It will be on Fig. 13 Referenced. In an electronic control device 10F according to the seventh embodiment, the bottom section 25 of a housing 20F is provided with a first left / right guide section 37F, which is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the printed circuit board 12 and which positions the printed circuit board 12 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. Furthermore, in the electronic control device 10F, a cover 40 is provided with a second left / right guide section 47F, which is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the printed circuit board 12 and which positions the printed circuit board 12 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The remaining basic configurations correspond to those of the electronic control device 10 (see Fig. 3) For configurations corresponding to those of the electronic control device 10, the same reference numerals are used and a detailed description may be omitted where appropriate.

[0066] The electronic control devices 10 to 10F described above are summarized below.

[0067] It will be on Fig. 4. Reference is made to this. First, the electronic control device 10 comprises the housing 20, which is open at one end and closed at the other, the printed circuit board 12, which is housed in the housing 20 and on which electronic components can be mounted, and the cover 40, which closes the opening of the housing 20. The bottom section 25, which is located at the other end of the housing 20, is provided with the first V-shaped retaining section 33, which extends to the edge of the printed circuit board 12, has a substantially V-shape, and holds the edge of the printed circuit board 12 from both sides. The cover 40 is provided with the second V-shaped retaining section 43, which extends to the edge of the printed circuit board 12, has a substantially V-shape, and holds the edge of the printed circuit board 12 from both sides. The printed circuit board 12 is located between the first V-shaped retaining section 33 and the second V-shaped retaining section 43.

[0068] The edge of the printed circuit board 12 is held on both sides between the first V-shaped retaining section 33 and the second V-shaped retaining section 43. Accordingly, the printed circuit board 12 can be held without rattling. Since the area of ​​the contact section between the first V-shaped retaining section 33 and the printed circuit board 12, and the area of ​​the contact section between the second V-shaped retaining section 43 and the printed circuit board 12, can be small, the area in which deformation occurs can be further reduced, allowing electronic components to be mounted over a larger area. Because a sufficient number of electronic components can be mounted even on a small printed circuit board 12, a compact electronic control device 10 can be provided.

[0069] Since the edge of the circuit board 12 is held between the first V-shaped retaining section 33 and the second V-shaped retaining section 43 on both sides, the circuit board 12 does not need to be bent to be held in place. Because the load on the circuit board 12 is reduced, the service life of the electronic control device 10 can therefore be extended.

[0070] Furthermore, the housing 20, the circuit board 12, and the cover 40 inevitably have dimensional errors for each product. Since the edge of the circuit board 12 is held between the first V-shaped retaining section 33 and the second V-shaped retaining section 43 on both sides, the edges of the circuit board 12 come into contact with the first V-shaped retaining section 33 and the second V-shaped retaining section 43 at suitable points, thus preventing the loss of the holding effect of the circuit board 12 due to dimensional errors. This also applies if each component expands or contracts due to heat.

[0071] Furthermore, the electronic control devices 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F have a similar configuration and provide similar effects.

[0072] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to 8B. Secondly, in the first electronic control device 10A, the cover 40A is elastically deformed when it is attached to the housing 20, and pre-tensions the circuit board 12 over the second V-shaped retaining section 43 in the direction of the first V-shaped retaining section 33. That is, the circuit board 12 is pressed by the cover 40A in the direction of the first V-shaped retaining section 33. The circuit board 12 can be held more reliably. Furthermore, this configuration can also be applied to the electronic control devices 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F and produces the same effects when applied.

[0073] It will be on Fig. 9. Thirdly, in the first or second electronic control device 10B, the second V-shaped retaining section 43B is elastically deformable in a direction in which the V-shape opens. By holding the circuit board 12 while the second V-shaped retaining section 43B is elastically deformed, a bias force is exerted on the circuit board 12 in a direction in which the second V-shaped retaining section 43B returns to an initial position. The circuit board 12 is pressed towards the first V-shaped retaining section 33 by the force exerted by the second V-shaped retaining section 43B and is held with a greater force. Furthermore, this configuration can also be applied to the electronic control devices 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F and produces the same effects when applied.

[0074] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to Section 10. Fourth, in each of the first to third electronic control devices 10C, the first V-shaped retaining section 33C is elastically deformable in a direction in which the V-shape opens. By holding the circuit board 12 while the first V-shaped retaining section 33C is elastically deformed, a bias force is exerted on the circuit board 12 in a direction in which the first V-shaped retaining section 33C returns to an initial position. The circuit board 12 is pressed toward the second V-shaped retaining section 43 by a force exerted by the first V-shaped retaining section 33C and is held with a greater force. Furthermore, this configuration can also be applied to the electronic control devices 10D, 10E, and 10F and produces the same effects when applied.

[0075] It will be on Fig. 5. Fifthly, in each of the first to fourth electronic control devices 10, at least two second V-shaped retaining sections 43 are provided, and the plate thickness of the cover 40 is greater in section P1 of the second V-shaped retaining sections 43, which is located at both ends of the second V-shaped retaining sections 43, than in the other sections P2. It is possible to suppress deformation in the section in which the second V-shaped retaining section 43 is formed. Accordingly, each second V-shaped retaining section 43 can be brought into more reliable contact with the printed circuit board 12, and the printed circuit board 12 can be held more reliably. Furthermore, this configuration can also be applied to the electronic control devices 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F and produces the same effects when applied.

[0076] It will be directed to the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Sixthly, in each of the first to fifth control devices 10D and 10E, the covers 40D and 40E comprise the cover bodies 41D and 41E, which close the opening of the housing (see Fig. 2), and the mounting sections 41D and 42E, which extend from the cover bodies 41D and 41E along the housing 20 and are attached to the housing 20. The mounting sections 42D and 42E are provided with the elastic deformation sections 42Dc and 42Ec, which are more easily elastically deformable than the other sections. By allowing elastic deformation over a larger area, it is possible to prevent a load from concentrating in a particular section. Furthermore, this configuration can also be applied to the electronic control device 10F and produces the same effects when applied.

[0077] It will be on Fig.2. Seventh, in each of the first to sixth electronic control devices 10, the bending stiffness of the cover 40 is lower than the bending stiffness of the printed circuit board 12. That is, the cover 40 is easier to bend than the printed circuit board 12. The protection of the printed circuit board 12 can thus be improved.

[0078] Although the electronic control device according to the present invention has been described as being mounted on a vehicle, the electronic control device can also be used in construction machinery and the like, which differ from vehicles, and is not limited to this type of machine.

[0079] Furthermore, the components shown in each embodiment can be combined with one another in a suitable manner. The number of components that can be combined is not limited to combining one embodiment with a component from another embodiment; rather, one embodiment can also be combined with components from two or more other embodiments.

[0080] Furthermore, the materials from which the housing 20, the circuit board 12 and the cover 40 are formed can be selected from materials other than those described above, and are not limited to the materials described in the embodiments.

[0081] In other words, the present invention is not limited to the examples, as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved. Industrial applicability

[0082] The electronic control device of the present invention is suitable for controlling electrical components of the vehicle. Reference symbol list 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F electronic control device 12 circuit boards 20, 20C, 20F case 25 floor section 33, 33C first V-shaped holding section 40, 40A, 40B, 40D, 40E, 40F Cover 41 Cover bodies 42 Fastening section 42Dc, 42Ec elastic deformation section 43, 43B second V-shaped holding section QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 9-74291

[0005]

Claims

[1] Electronic control device with: a housing that is open at one end and closed at the other end; a printed circuit board that is housed in the casing and on which electronic components can be mounted; and a cover that closes an opening in the housing, wherein a bottom section, which is arranged at the other end of the housing, is provided with a first V-shaped retaining section extending to an edge of the printed circuit board, having a substantially V-shaped form and holding the edge of the printed circuit board from both sides, wherein the cover is provided with a second V-shaped retaining section extending to the edge of the printed circuit board, having a substantially V-shaped form and holding the edge of the printed circuit board from both sides, and the circuit board is arranged between the first V-shaped holding section and the second V-shaped holding section. [2] Electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is elastically deformable when attached to the housing and the circuit board is biased by the second V-shaped retaining section in the direction of the first V-shaped retaining section. [3] Electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the second V-shaped retaining section is elastically deformable in a direction in which the V-shape opens. [4] Electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the first V-shaped retaining section is elastically deformable in a direction in which the V-shape opens. [5] Electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein at least two second V-shaped holding sections are provided, and wherein the plate thickness of the cover in one section of the two V-shaped retaining sections, which is located at both ends of the second V-shaped retaining sections, is thicker than in the other sections. [6] Electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a cover body that closes the opening of the housing and a fastening section that extends from the cover body along the housing and is attached to the housing, and wherein the fastening section is provided with an elastic deformation section which is more easily elastically deformable than the other sections. [7] Electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a bending stiffness that is less than the bending stiffness of the printed circuit board.

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