Sheet plate enclosure

Abstract

To provide a sheet plate enclosure which can be mounted on a vehicle while restraining cost and weight.SOLUTION: A sheet plate enclosure comprises a first sheet plate enclosure 11 and a second sheet plate enclosure 21 which forms internal space for overlapping with the first sheet plate enclosure 11 and for storing a substrate 41 between the first sheet plate enclosure 11 and itself. The first sheet plate enclosure 11 comprises a first main body 12 which stores the substrate 41 and at least one first attachment part 16 which protrudes from the first main body 12 and includes a first hole. The second sheet plate enclosure 21 comprises a second main body 22 which stores the substrate 41 and at least one second attachment part 26 which protrudes from the second main body 22 and includes a second hole. The first attachment part 16 and the second attachment part 26 overlap with each other so that mutual principal surfaces contact and are mounted to an attachment surface of a vehicle by screw stop which overlaps the first hole and the second hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sheet metal housing attached to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Various devices are attached to vehicles. Examples of devices attached to vehicles include a camera that captures images of vehicle occupants, a lighting device that irradiates light onto the occupants, or an antenna device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle mounting bracket for an antenna device. This vehicle mounting bracket has two or more antenna device positioning mechanisms, and the mounting position of the antenna device can be changed without changing the shapes of the antenna device and the vehicle mounting bracket.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] According to the configuration of Patent Document 1, a separate vehicle mounting bracket is required to attach the antenna device to the vehicle, resulting in problems of increased cost and weight.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a sheet metal housing that can be attached to a vehicle while suppressing cost and weight.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The sheet metal housing of the present disclosure includes a first sheet metal housing and a second sheet metal housing that overlaps the first sheet metal housing and forms an internal space for housing a substrate between the first sheet metal housing and the second sheet metal housing. The first sheet metal housing includes a first main body for housing a substrate and at least one first attachment portion that protrudes from the first main body and has a first hole. The second sheet metal housing includes a second main body for housing a substrate and at least one second attachment portion that protrudes from the second main body and has a second hole. The first attachment portion and the second attachment portion overlap so that their main surfaces are in contact with each other, and are attached to the attachment surface of the vehicle by screwing the first hole and the second hole together.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] The sheet metal housing of the present disclosure can be attached to a vehicle while suppressing cost and weight.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <A. Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sheet metal housing 101 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first sheet metal housing 11 and a second sheet metal housing 21 that constitute the sheet metal housing 101. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the back side of the first sheet metal housing 11. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing 21 are combined. FIG. 5 is a top view showing a state in which the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing 21 are combined. Hereinafter, the sheet metal housing 101 will be described with reference to these figures.

[0011] The sheet metal housing 101 is attached to an attachment surface of a vehicle (not shown). The sheet metal housing 101 is configured to include an upper first sheet metal housing 11 and a lower second sheet metal housing 21 in FIG. 1.

[0012] The first sheet metal housing 11 includes a first main body 12 that houses the substrate 41, and at least one first attachment portion 16 that serves as an attachment portion to the attachment surface of the vehicle. The first main body 12 includes a rectangular main surface portion 13 that is the upper surface in FIG. 1, and four rectangular side surface portions 14 that extend in a direction perpendicular to the main surface portion 13 from each of the four sides of the main surface portion 13. Each of the main surface portion 13 and the four side surface portions 14, and the four side surface portions 14 are continuous with each other. The substrate 41 is housed in the space surrounded by the main surface portion 13 and the four side surface portions 14.

[0013] The first attachment portion 16 is provided to protrude in a direction parallel to the main surface portion 13 from the side opposite to the main surface portion 13 among the one side surface portion 14. However, the protruding direction of the first attachment portion 16 may have an angle with respect to the direction of the main surface portion 13. In FIG. 1, two first attachment portions 16 are shown, one on each side of the first main body 12, but the number or position of the first attachment portions 16 is not limited to those shown in FIG. 1. That is, the sheet metal housing 101 only needs to include at least one first attachment portion 16. The first attachment portion 16 includes a flat portion 17 parallel to the main surface portion 13, and two inclined portions 18 rising from both ends of the flat portion 17.

[0014] The second sheet metal housing 21 includes a second main body 22 and at least one second attachment portion 26. The second main body 22 includes a rectangular main surface portion 23 facing the main surface portion 13 of the first main body 12, and two side surface portions 24 that extend in a direction perpendicular to the main surface portion 23 from two of the four sides of the main surface portion 23.

[0015] The second attachment portion 26 is provided to protrude in the same direction as the main surface portion 23 from the two sides among the four sides of the main surface portion 23 where the side surface portions 24 are not provided.

[0016] The second sheet metal housing 21 is overlapped with the first sheet metal housing 11 in the x-axis direction shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 and fixed with screws 51. In this state, the first attachment portion 16 and the second attachment portion 26 overlap, and an internal space is formed between the first main body 12 and the second main body 22. Therefore, the number of the second attachment portions 26 is the same as that of the first attachment portions 16, and they are provided at positions corresponding to the first attachment portions 16. The second attachment portion 26 includes a flat portion 27 parallel to the main surface portion 23 of the second main body 22 and two inclined portions 28 rising from both ends of the flat portion 27.

[0017] The substrate 41 is housed in the internal space formed between the first main body 12 and the second main body 22. As shown in FIG. 1, sockets 42 and 43 for connecting to a camera provided outside the sheet metal housing 101 are mounted on the substrate 41. Various circuits are mounted on the substrate 41. These circuits perform sensing processes such as setting of the camera, power supply to the camera, and face detection of the occupant based on the image received from the camera. The sensing process may include detection of face orientation, eye opening degree, or line of sight. In addition, a plurality of holes 44 used to fix the substrate 41 to the first main body 12 and the second main body 22 are provided in the substrate 41.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of screw hole portions 25 are provided in the main surface portion 23 of the second main body 22. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of screw hole portions 15 are provided in the first main body 12 by folding the end portion of the side surface portion 14 inward. The substrate 41 is disposed on the second main body 22 of the second sheet metal housing 21, and the first sheet metal housing 11 is overlapped thereon. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 30 of the second attachment portion 26 is inserted into the positioning hole 20 of the first attachment portion 16, thereby realizing the positioning between the first attachment portion 16 and the second attachment portion 26. In this state, the screw hole portion 15 of the first main body 12, the hole 44 of the substrate 41, and the screw hole portion 25 of the second main body 22 overlap. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, by inserting the screw 51 into the screw hole portion 25, the hole 44, and the screw hole portion 15 from below the second main body 22, the substrate 41 can be housed and fixed between the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing 21.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing 21 are combined, the flat portion 17 of the first attachment portion 16 overlaps along the flat portion 27 of the second attachment portion 26, and the inclined portion 18 overlaps along the inclined portion 28. However, there is a clearance between the first attachment portion 16 and the second attachment portion 26, and they are not in complete contact. This clearance is provided to prevent rattling from occurring when the substrate 41 comes into contact with the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing 21 are combined, the hole 19, which is the first hole provided in the first attachment portion 16, overlaps with the hole 29, which is the second hole provided in the second attachment portion 26. The sheet metal housing 101 is fixed to the mounting surface of the vehicle by being screwed to the mounting surface through these holes 19 and 29.

[0021] According to the above configuration, since a separate bracket for attaching the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing 21 to the mounting surface is not required, the effects of reducing the number of parts, reducing the assembly process, and reducing the weight can be obtained.

[0022] In a state where the sheet metal housing 101 is fixed to the mounting surface, since the first attachment portion 16 is pressed against the second attachment portion 26 by screws, the clearance between the two described above disappears, and they are in a completely contacting state. According to such a configuration, even when the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing 21 are each formed of a thin sheet metal having a thickness of about 0.8 mm, the required strength can be ensured, and the effect of weight reduction can be obtained.

[0023] The first attachment portion 16 and the second attachment portion 26 are preferably formed by drawing and bending the sheet metal. As a result, a structure without holes is formed between the first attachment portion 16 and the first main body 12, and between the second attachment portion 26 and the second main body 22. As a result, the intrusion of water into the housing interior is suppressed.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second attachment portion 26 is provided with a drain hole 31. This assumes a case where the second attachment portion 26 is located below the first attachment portion 16 in the vertical direction with the sheet metal housing 101 attached to the attachment surface. With such a configuration, even if water enters between the first attachment portion 16 and the second attachment portion 26, it is possible to discharge the water from the drain hole 31. In addition, when the first attachment portion 16 is located below the second attachment portion 26 in the vertical direction with the sheet metal housing 101 attached to the attachment surface, the first attachment portion 16 may be provided with a drain hole 31.

[0025] In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the drain hole 31 is formed across the flat portion 27 and the inclined portion 28 in the second attachment portion 26. The drain hole 31 may be formed only in the flat portion 27 or only in the inclined portion 28. When the sheet metal housing 101 is attached obliquely with respect to the vertical direction, if the drain hole 31 is provided in the inclined portion 28 in the direction in which the water that has entered between the first attachment portion 16 and the second attachment portion 26 flows, it is easy to discharge the water from the drain hole 31.

[0026] The first attachment portion 16 of the first sheet metal housing 11 may have a larger dimension than the second attachment portion 26 of the second sheet metal housing 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the first sheet metal housing 11 and the second sheet metal housing 21 are combined, the first attachment portion 16 of the first sheet metal housing 11 located above in the vertical direction hides the second attachment portion 26 of the second sheet metal housing 21 located below in the vertical direction. Thereby, the entry of water into the interior of the sheet metal housing 101 is suppressed.

[0027] Although the preferred embodiments and the like have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments and the like without departing from the scope described in the claims.

[0028] Hereinafter, aspects of the present disclosure will be summarized as appendices.

[0029] (Appendix 1) A first sheet metal housing, A second sheet metal housing that overlaps the first sheet metal housing and forms an internal space for housing a substrate between the second sheet metal housing and the first sheet metal housing. The first sheet metal housing A first main body for housing the substrate, At least one first attachment portion that protrudes from the first main body and has a first hole. The second sheet metal housing A second main body for housing the substrate, At least one second attachment portion that protrudes from the second main body and has a second hole. The first attachment portion and the second attachment portion overlap such that their main surfaces are in contact with each other, and are attached to an attachment surface of a vehicle by screwing with the first hole and the second hole overlapping. Sheet metal housing.

[0030] (Appendix 2) Among the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, when the one located on the upper side in the vertical direction in the state of being attached to the attachment surface is the upper attachment portion and the one located on the lower side in the vertical direction is the lower attachment portion, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the upper attachment portion are each larger than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the lower attachment portion. The sheet metal housing according to Appendix 1.

[0031] (Appendix 3) Among the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, when the one located on the upper side in the vertical direction in the state of being attached to the attachment surface is the upper attachment portion and the one located on the lower side in the vertical direction is the lower attachment portion, the lower attachment portion has a drain hole other than the first hole or the second hole. The sheet metal housing according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.

[0032] (Appendix 4) The first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are formed by drawing and bending. The sheet metal housing according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0033] (Appendix 5) Before being attached to the mounting surface, there is a clearance between the first sheet metal housing and the second sheet metal housing in a state where they overlap, and there is a clearance between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. The sheet metal housing according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0034] 11 First sheet metal housing, 12 First main body, 13 Main surface portion, 14 Side surface portion, 15 Screw hole portion, 16 First attachment portion, 17 Flat portion, 18 Inclined portion, 19 Hole, 20 Positioning hole, 21 Second sheet metal housing, 22 Second main body, 23 Main surface portion, 24 Side surface portion, 25 Screw hole portion, 26 Second attachment portion, 27 Flat portion, 28 Inclined portion, 29 Hole, 30 Protrusion, 31 Drain hole, 41 Substrate, 42 Socket, 43 Socket, 44 Hole, 51 Screw, 101 Sheet metal housing.

Claims

1. a first sheet metal housing, a second sheet metal housing that overlaps the first sheet metal housing and forms an internal space for accommodating a substrate between the first sheet metal housing and the second sheet metal housing, wherein the first sheet metal housing includes a first main body for accommodating the substrate, at least one first mounting portion that protrudes from the first main body and has a first hole, and the second sheet metal housing includes a second main body for accommodating the substrate, at least one second mounting portion that protrudes from the second main body and has a second hole, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion overlap such that their main surfaces are in contact with each other, and are attached to a mounting surface of a vehicle by screwing the first hole and the second hole together, a sheet metal housing.

2. When, among the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, the one located on the upper side in the vertical direction in the state of being attached to the mounting surface is defined as the upper mounting portion, and the one located on the lower side in the vertical direction is defined as the lower mounting portion, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the upper mounting portion are each larger than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the lower mounting portion, the sheet metal housing according to Claim 1.

3. When, among the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, the one located on the upper side in the vertical direction in the state of being attached to the mounting surface is defined as the upper mounting portion, and the one located on the lower side in the vertical direction is defined as the lower mounting portion, the lower mounting portion has a drain hole other than the first hole or the second hole, the sheet metal housing according to Claim 1.

4. the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are formed by drawing and bending, the sheet metal housing according to Claim 1.

5. Before being attached to the mounting surface, when the first sheet metal housing and the second sheet metal housing overlap, there is a clearance between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, the sheet metal housing according to Claim 1.

Images