Electronic control device

Abstract

To provide an electronic control device designed to improve the power of holding substrates accommodated in a case.SOLUTION: An electronic control device 10 according to the present disclosure comprises: a bag-shaped case 11 which has an opening 11a at one end and is deformable; a substrate 12 accommodated in the case; and a cover 13 assembled to one end of the case. The inner surface of the case is provided with a fixing protrusion 11c that protrudes along a plate thickness direction of the substrate accommodated in the case, and the cover is constituted so as to deform the case by being assembled to the one end of the case. A fixing unit separates from the substrate accommodated in the case before the cover is assembled to the one end of the case, and comes into contact with the substrate accommodated in the case to fix the substrate in position after the cover is assembled to the one end of the case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic control device that houses a board in a case. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the electronic device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a circuit board is housed in a case, and the electronic device is configured so that the circuit board is sandwiched and held by a front support portion and a back support portion provided in the case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-238709 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the conventional configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tip of the front-side support part in an elastically deformed state contacts the front side of the circuit board. Therefore, if the front-side support part is deformed in a direction away from the circuit board due to, for example, vibration, the holding force between the front-side support part and the back-side support part weakens, causing problems such as the circuit board becoming misaligned or tilted.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an electronic control device that can improve the retention force of a board housed in a case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic control device 10 of the present disclosure is an electronic control device comprising a deformable bag-shaped case 11 having an opening 11a at one end, a substrate 12 housed in the case, and a cover 13 attached to one end of the case, wherein the inner surface of the case is provided with a fixing protrusion 11c that protrudes in the thickness direction of the substrate housed in the case, and the cover is configured to deform the case when attached to one end of the case, and the fixing portion is spaced apart from the substrate housed in the case before the cover is attached to one end of the case, and comes into contact with the substrate housed in the case and fixes the substrate after the cover is attached to one end of the case.

[0007] According to the electronic control device 10 of the present disclosure, after the cover is attached to one end of the case, the fixing portion contacts the circuit board housed in the case to fix the circuit board. With this configuration, even if the circuit board moves inside the case due to vibration, for example, the fixing portion keeps the circuit board firmly fixed. Therefore, the holding force of the circuit board housed in the case can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state after a cover has been attached to one end of a case. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a state before a cover is attached to one end of a case. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing a comparison of the shapes of the case according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure before and after deformation; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state after a cover has been attached to one end of a case. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a state before a cover is attached to one end of a case. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state after a cover has been attached to one end of a case. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a state before a cover is attached to one end of a case. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state after a cover has been attached to one end of a case. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a state before a cover is attached to one end of a case. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration example of an electronic control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state after a cover has been attached to one end of a case. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration example of an electronic control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a state before a cover is attached to one end of a case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, multiple embodiments of the electronic control device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components in multiple embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) 1 is generally referred to as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and is mounted on, for example, a vehicle. The electronic control unit 10 functions as, for example, an engine ECU that controls the vehicle engine, and is capable of communicating with an external device (not shown). Note that the electronic control unit 10 can also be used for purposes other than as an engine ECU.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic control device 10 includes a case 11, a circuit board 12, and a cover 13. The case 11 is a deformable bag-like case with an opening 11a at one end. The case 11 is made of, for example, resin, and is deformable. A guide groove 11b is provided on the inner surface of the back wall of the case 11. A plurality of fixing protrusions 11c, in this case two, are provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the case 11 so as to face each other.

[0012] The fixing protrusions 11c are an example of fixing portions, and protrude from the inner surfaces of the side walls of the case 11 so as to face each other. The tips of the fixing protrusions 11c form flat surfaces that can come into contact with the substrate 12. The fixing protrusions 11c are provided on a portion of the case 11 that faces the guide groove 11b, not the opening 11a.

[0013] The substrate 12 is, for example, a rectangular plate and is housed in the case 11. One end of the substrate 12 is provided with a connector 12a. The electronic control device 10 can communicate with an external device (not shown) located at a distance from the electronic control device 10 via cables (not shown) connected to the connector 12a. Various elements 12b are mounted on the substrate 12. The other end of the substrate 12 is fitted into and supported by a guide groove 11b within the case 11.

[0014] The cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11 to close the opening 11a. The cover 13 has a through-hole 13a that penetrates the cover 13. When the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, the connector 12a of the board 12 is fitted into the through-hole 13a. This allows cables (not shown) to be connected to the connector 12a of the board 12 even when the opening 11a of the case 11 is closed by the cover 13. The diameter of the cover 13 is shorter than the diameter of one end of the case 11 before deformation, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] 1, cover 13 is configured to deform case 11 when attached to one end of case 11. Fixing protrusion 11c protrudes from the inner surface of the side wall of case 11 so as to extend in the thickness direction of substrate 12 housed within case 11.

[0016] 2, before the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, the fixing protrusion 11c is spaced apart from the board 12 housed in the case 11. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, after the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, the fixing protrusion 11c comes into contact with the board 12 housed in the case 11 to fix the board 12.

[0017] 3 illustrates an example of the deformation amount D1 of the case 11 that occurs when the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11. In FIG. 3, the case 11 before deformation is indicated by a dashed line, and the case 11 after deformation is indicated by a solid line. Meanwhile, FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a distance D2 by which the fixing protrusion 11c is spaced from the board 12 before the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11. In the electronic control device 10, the deformation amount D1 is greater than the distance D2.

[0018] According to the exemplary configuration of electronic control device 10, one end of board 12 housed in case 11, in this case the left end in the drawing, is firmly fixed to cover 13 via connector 12a. The other end of board 12 housed in case 11, in this case the right end in the drawing, is firmly fixed by guide groove 11b of case 11. Furthermore, board 12 housed in case 11 is firmly fixed by having its middle portion sandwiched between two fixing protrusions 11c.

[0019] According to the electronic control device 10 of the present disclosure, after the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, the fixing protrusions 11c come into contact with the circuit board 12 housed in the case 11 to fix the circuit board 12. According to this configuration example, even if the circuit board 12 attempts to move within the case 11 due to vibration, for example, the circuit board 12 remains firmly fixed by the fixing protrusions 11c. Therefore, the holding force of the circuit board 12 housed in the case 11 can be improved.

[0020] According to the electronic control device 10, the amount of deformation D1 of the case 11 that occurs when the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11 is larger than the distance D2 that the fixing protrusion 11c is spaced from the board 12 before the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11. According to this configuration example, the case 11 is deformed when the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, and this allows the fixing protrusion 11c to be firmly pressed against the board 12, thereby further improving the holding force of the board 12 housed within the case 11.

[0021] According to the electronic control device 10, the case 11 is made of a deformable resin. This configuration example allows the case 11 to be easily deformed, and as the case 11 deforms, the fixing protrusions 11c can be easily brought into contact with the board 12. This allows the fixing protrusions 11c to be pressed more firmly against the board 12, further improving the holding force of the board 12 housed in the case 11.

[0022] According to the electronic control device 10, before the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, the fixing protrusion 11c is provided at a position spaced apart from the board 12 housed in the case 11. According to this configuration example, before the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, when the board 12 is inserted into the case 11, it is possible to prevent the fixing protrusion 11c from interfering with the insertion of the board 12.

[0023] According to the electronic control device 10, the end of the board 12 on the opening 11a side of the case 11 can be firmly fixed because the connector 12a is fitted into the through-hole 13a of the cover 13. For this reason, the fixing protrusion 11c is preferably provided at a position where it contacts the portion of the board 12 on the guide groove 11b side rather than the opening 11a side of the case 11. Note that the fixing protrusion 11c may also be provided at a position where it contacts the portion of the board 12 on the opening 11a side rather than the guide groove 11b side of the case 11.

[0024] (Second embodiment) According to the electronic control device 10 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the cover 13 has a guide portion 21 as a deformation function portion that deforms the case 11 when assembled to one end of the case 11, causing the fixing protrusion 11c to contact the substrate 12.

[0025] The diameter of the tip of guide portion 21 on the case 11 side is shorter than the diameter of opening 11a before deformation of case 11. Guide portion 21 is formed in a tapered shape such that the diameter gradually decreases from the tip on the case 11 side toward the base end on the opposite side from case 11.

[0026] As the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, that is, as the cover 13 is gradually pushed toward the case 11, the guide portion 21 compresses and narrows the outer surface of the one end of the case 11. As a result, the guide portion 21 deforms the case 11 and brings the fixing protrusion 11c into contact with the substrate 12.

[0027] According to this configuration example, as cover 13 is attached to one end of case 11, guide portion 21 can efficiently deform case 11, making it easier to secure substrate 12 in place by fixing protrusions 11c. Also, guide portion 21 can firmly secure cover 13 to case 11, making it possible to more stably maintain the state in which substrate 12 is secured by fixing protrusions 11c.

[0028] (Third embodiment) According to the electronic control device 10 illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the cover 13 has a claw portion 31 as a deformation function portion that deforms the case 11 when assembled to one end of the case 11, causing the fixing protrusion 11c to contact the substrate 12.

[0029] As the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, that is, as the cover 13 is gradually pushed toward the case 11, the claws 31 catch on the outer surface of the one end of the case 11, compressing and narrowing the outer surface. As a result, the claws 31 deform the case 11 and bring the fixing protrusions 11c into contact with the board 12.

[0030] According to this configuration example, as cover 13 is attached to one end of case 11, claws 31 can efficiently deform case 11, making it easier to secure substrate 12 in place by fixing protrusions 11c. Also, cover 13 can be firmly secured to case 11 by claws 31, making it possible to more stably maintain the state in which substrate 12 is secured by fixing protrusions 11c.

[0031] (Fourth embodiment) 8 and 9, the cover 13 has a screw fixing portion 41. The screw fixing portion 41 is an example of a deformation function portion that, when attached to one end of the case 11, deforms the case 11 and brings the fixing protrusion 11c into contact with the substrate 12.

[0032] The screw fixing portions 41 are provided on both ends of the cover 13 in the extension direction of the fixing protrusions 11c. The screw fixing portions 41 are formed in a stepped shape with a notch cut out on the side opposite to the case 11. The screw fixing portions 41 fix the cover 13 to one end of the case 11 that has deformed so that the fixing protrusions 11c come into contact with the substrate 12.

[0033] Cover 13 is attached to one end of case 11 in a state where case 11 is deformed and fixing protrusion 11c comes into contact with substrate 12. Then, screw fixing portion 41 fixes cover 13 attached to one end of case 11 to case 11 by screwing screw 42 into screw fixing portion 41.

[0034] According to this configuration example, the cover 13 can be firmly fixed to the case 11 by the screw fixing portion 41, and the state in which the substrate 12 is fixed by the fixing protrusions 11c can be maintained more stably.

[0035] (Fifth embodiment) 10 and 11, a protrusion 51 is provided on the case 11 instead of the cover 13. The protrusion 51 is an example of a deformation function portion that deforms the case 11 when the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, thereby bringing the fixed protrusion 11c into contact with the substrate 12.

[0036] The protrusions 51 deform the case 11 so that the fixed protrusions 11c come into contact with the substrate 12. The cover 13 has protrusion pressing portions 52 at both ends in the extension direction of the fixed protrusions 11c. The protrusion pressing portions 52 protrude toward the case 11.

[0037] The cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11 in a state where the case 11 is deformed and the fixing protrusion 11c is in contact with the substrate 12. The protrusion pressing portion 52 presses the protrusion 51 from the outside.

[0038] According to this configuration example, when the protrusion 51 is pressed from the outside by the protrusion pressing portion 52, it is possible to prevent the opening 11a of the case 11 from being deformed so as to enlarge, and in turn, it is possible to prevent the fixing protrusion 11c from being separated from the substrate 12. This makes it possible to more stably maintain the state in which the substrate 12 is fixed by the fixing protrusion 11c.

[0039] Case 11 may have a configuration including not one protrusion 51 but multiple protrusions 51. Protrusion 51 may be provided continuously or intermittently on the outer surface of case 11. The amount by which protrusion 51 protrudes from the outer surface of case 11 can be changed as appropriate.

[0040] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and extensions may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the electronic control device 10 may be configured by appropriately selecting and combining two or more of the above-described embodiments.

[0041] The protrusion amount of the fixing protrusion 11c that contacts the front side of the substrate 12 and the protrusion amount of the fixing protrusion 11c that contacts the back side of the substrate 12 may be the same or different. The shape of the fixing protrusion 11c that contacts the front side of the substrate 12 and the shape of the fixing protrusion 11c that contacts the back side of the substrate 12 may be the same or different.

[0042] The deformation function portion can be configured in various ways, as long as it is capable of deforming the case 11 when the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11, thereby bringing the fixed protrusion 11c into contact with the substrate 12, or capable of maintaining the deformed state of the case 11 so that the fixed protrusion 11c comes into contact with the substrate 12 when the cover 13 is attached to one end of the case 11.

[0043] Cover 13 may be formed from a non-deformable or difficult-to-deform material, such as a metal material or a hard resin material, or may be formed from a soft resin material that is deformable like case 11. However, case 11 is preferably formed from a material that is more easily deformed than cover 13. The position and size of fixing protrusion 11c can be changed as appropriate depending on, for example, the size and shape of case 11 and the size, shape, and thickness of substrate 12.

[0044] The deformation of the case 11 and the assembly of the cover 13 to the case 11 may be performed manually by a manufacturing worker of the electronic control device 10, or mechanically by a manufacturing device for the electronic control device 10, or a combination of these.

[0045] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] In the drawings, 10 indicates an electronic control device, 11 indicates a case, 11a indicates an opening, 11c indicates a fixing protrusion (fixing portion), 12 indicates a substrate, 13 indicates a cover, 21 indicates a guide portion (deformation function portion), 31 indicates a claw portion (deformation function portion), 41 indicates a screw fixing portion (deformation function portion), and 51 indicates a protrusion (deformation function portion).

Claims

1. a deformable bag-like case (11) having an opening (11a) at one end; A substrate (12) accommodated in the case; A cover (13) assembled to one end of the case; An electronic control device (10) comprising: a fixing portion (11c) protruding along the thickness direction of the substrate accommodated in the case is provided on the inner surface of the case, the cover is configured to deform the case when assembled to one end of the case, The fixing portion is Before the cover is attached to one end of the case, the cover is spaced apart from the substrate housed in the case, After the cover is attached to one end of the case, the cover comes into contact with the circuit board housed within the case to fix the circuit board in place.

2. 2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a deformation function portion (21, 31) that deforms the case when the cover is attached to one end of the case, thereby bringing the fixing portion into contact with the circuit board.

3. The cover has a guide portion (21) as the deformation function portion, The electronic control device described in claim 2, wherein the guide portion has a diameter dimension on the case side that is shorter than the diameter dimension of the opening, and is tapered so that the diameter dimension decreases from the case side toward the opposite side of the case, and when the cover is assembled to one end of the case, it presses against the outer surface of the case, deforming the case and bringing the fixing portion into contact with the board.

4. The cover has a claw portion (31) as the deformation function portion, The electronic control device according to claim 2 , wherein the claw portion presses against an outer surface of the case to deform the case when the cover is attached to one end of the case, thereby bringing the fixing portion into contact with the circuit board.

5. 2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a screw fixing portion (41) for fixing the cover to one end of the case that is deformed so that the fixing portion comes into contact with the circuit board.

6. 2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of deformation of the case caused by the cover being assembled to one end of the case is greater than the distance that the fixing portion is separated from the board before the cover is assembled to one end of the case.

7. 2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the case is made of a deformable resin.

8. 2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the case has a deformation function portion (51) that deforms the case so that the fixing portion contacts the circuit board.

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