Method for manufacturing an electronic component unit, and electronic component unit

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing electronic component units that can produce electronic component units compatible with multiple specifications at low cost. [Solution] The manufacturing method for the electronic component unit 1 comprises a first step of manufacturing a base member 2, and a second step of assembling to the base member 2 a selected one of either a connector-type housing 3A which is integrally molded to the base member 2, or a case-type housing 3B which is assembled to engage with the base member 2. When the connector-type housing 3A is selected, the connector-type housing 3A is integrally molded to the base member 2 so as to fill the engaging portion 23 of the base member 2 and to form a mating opening 91. When the case-type housing 3B is selected, after connecting a pair of electric wires 6 to a pair of terminals 30, the case-type housing 3B is assembled to the base member 2 so as to engage with the engaging portion 23 of the base member 2 and so as to insert the pair of electric wires 6 into the inside and outside of each of the pair of housing chambers 78.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electronic component unit including a base member incorporating an electronic component and a housing integrally formed with the base member, and to an electronic component unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electronic component unit incorporating an electronic component, such as a temperature sensor incorporating a temperature measuring element such as a thermistor, has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when actually mounting the above-described types of electronic component units in an automobile or the like, depending on the likelihood of being exposed to water, an electronic component unit having a strong waterproof structure and an electronic component unit having a simple waterproof structure are used separately for each location where the electronic component unit is mounted. There is a need to manufacture an electronic component unit corresponding to such a plurality of specifications while reducing the production cost as much as possible without impairing the original performance of the electronic component unit.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electronic component unit capable of manufacturing an electronic component unit corresponding to a plurality of specifications at a low cost, and an electronic component unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the method for manufacturing an electronic component unit and the electronic component unit according to the present invention are characterized by the following:

[0007] A method for manufacturing an electronic component unit containing an electronic component, The aforementioned electronic component unit is A base member having the aforementioned electronic component, a pair of terminals connected to the electronic component and extending in a predetermined direction, and a housing that embeds and houses the electronic component inside, and exposes each of the pair of terminals to the outside, and has engaging portions on its outer surface that protrude or are recessed in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction, It comprises a housing that is assembled to the base member and houses the pair of terminals, separating them from each other, The manufacturing method is A first step in manufacturing the base member, The second step involves selecting one of the following as the housing: a connector-type housing having a connector shape that is integrally molded onto the base member and has a mating opening that exposes one end of the pair of terminals, and a case-type housing having a case shape that is assembled to engage with the base member and has a pair of housing chambers that house the pair of terminals while isolating them from each other; and assembling the selected housing onto the base member. In the second step described above, When selecting the connector-type housing, the connector-type housing is integrally molded onto the base member such that it fills the engagement portion of the housing of the base member and exposes one end of it to the fitting opening. When selecting the case-type housing, after connecting the pair of wires to the pair of terminals, the case-type housing is assembled to the base member so as to engage with the engaging portion of the housing of the base member, and so as to house the pair of terminals in the pair of housing chambers and pass the pair of wires inside and outside each of the pair of housing chambers. It is a method for manufacturing electronic component units.

[0008] A base member having an electronic component, a pair of terminals connected to the electronic component and extending in a predetermined direction, and a housing that embeds and houses the electronic component inside, exposes the pair of terminals to the outside, and has engaging portions on its outer surface that protrude or are recessed in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction, The device comprises a housing integrally molded with the base member, having a fitting opening that fills the engagement portion of the housing of the base member and exposes one end of the pair of terminals, It must be an electronic component unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit of the present invention, the base member can be used as a common part whether a connector-type housing or a case-type housing is selected. When a connector-type housing is selected, the connector-type housing is integrally molded onto the base member so as to fill the engaging portion of the housing of the base member, thereby properly insulating the pair of terminals of the base member and firmly integrating the connector-type housing and the base member. This prevents the connector-type housing and the base member from separating, even if an external force is applied to the connector-type housing such that one of the base member and the connector-type housing is fixed while the other rotates. On the other hand, when a case-type housing is selected, the case-type housing is assembled onto the base member so as to engage with the engaging portion of the housing of the base member, and the pair of terminals are housed in the pair of housing chambers, thereby properly insulating the pair of terminals of the base member and holding the case-type housing to the base member with sufficient strength. This prevents the case-type housing and the base member from separating, as described above. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit of the present invention, by using a base member as a common part and changing the housing according to the specifications, it is possible to manufacture electronic component units that correspond to multiple specifications at low cost.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the electronic component unit of the present invention (an electronic component unit using a connector-type housing), the housing is integrally molded to the base member so as to fill the engaging portion of the housing of the base member, thereby properly insulating the pair of terminals of the base member and firmly integrating the housing and the base member. As a result, even if an external force is applied to the housing such that one of the base member and the housing is fixed while the other rotates, separation of the housing and the base member can be suppressed. Therefore, the electronic component unit of the present invention has excellent durability.

[0011] The present invention has been briefly described above. Further details of the present invention will be clarified by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a base member used in assembling an electronic component unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view of the base member shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the base member shown in Figure 1, after the exposed terminal portion has been bent into an L-shape in preparation for assembling the connector-type housing. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an electronic component unit obtained by integrally molding a connector-type housing onto the base member shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the area around the groove of the base member located between the pair of terminals in the CC cross-section of Figure 6. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which, for preparation of assembling a case-type housing, an upper portion of an exposed portion of a terminal is cut with respect to the base member shown in FIG. 1 and a lead wire is connected to the remaining exposed portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the base member shown in FIG. 8, and a case and a cover that constitute a case-type housing assembled to the base member shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an electronic component unit obtained by assembling a case-type housing to the base member shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a groove portion of the base member located between a pair of terminals in the cross-section E-E of FIG. 11.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, an electronic component unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a method for manufacturing the electronic component unit 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic component unit 1 (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 10) according to the embodiment of the present invention is used as a temperature sensor, for example, in a state where a base member 2 described later is inserted and fixed into a mounting hole (not shown) of a mounting target. The mounting target is, for example, a wall of a container in which vehicle transmission oil, engine oil, or the like is stored. In this case, the electronic component unit 1 attached to the mounting target serves to measure the temperature of the oil in the container.

[0014] As shown in Figure 5 or Figure 10, the electronic component unit 1 consists of a base member 2 and a housing 3 that is assembled to the base member 2. For the housing 3, either the connector-type housing 3A shown in Figure 5 or the case-type housing 3B shown in Figure 10 is selected and assembled to the base member 2. That is, whether the connector-type housing 3A or the case-type housing 3B is selected as the housing 3, the electronic component unit 1 is constructed using the base member 2 as a common component.

[0015] For the sake of explanation, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" are defined below, as shown in Figure 1, etc. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The up-down direction corresponds to the "predetermined direction" of the present invention. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction do not necessarily have to coincide with the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle, etc., on which the electronic component unit 1 is mounted.

[0016] First, the configuration of the base member 2, which is used as a common component, will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the base member 2 has an electronic component 10 (see Figure 3), a housing 20 in which the electronic component 10 is embedded and housed, and a pair of terminals 30 that are connected to the electronic component 10 and exposed to the outside of the housing 20. Specifically, the electronic component 10 is a thermistor element. The electronic component 10 and the pair of terminals 30 are integrated into the resin housing 20 by transfer molding or the like so that they are housed (embedded) inside the housing 20.

[0017] The resin molded housing 20, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, integrally comprises a cylindrical main body 21 extending vertically, a protruding portion 22 projecting downward from the lower surface of the main body 21, and a projection 23 projecting upward from the upper surface of the main body 21. An annular groove 24 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 21, and a rubber O-ring 40 is fitted into the annular groove 24. The O-ring 40 fitted into the annular groove 24 adheres tightly to the inner circumferential wall of the mounting hole of the object to be mounted, thereby providing a waterproof function. As can be seen from Figure 3, the protruding portion 22 has an elongated hole shape that is long in the left-right direction and protrudes downward from the main body 21, and the entire electronic component 10 is embedded in the protruding portion 22. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the projection 23 has a first portion 25 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the main body 21 and extends in the left-right direction, and a pair of second portions 26 that protrude from the entire left-right direction of the upper end of the first portion 25 toward both the front-rear and rear-facing sides, and has a substantially T-shape when viewed from the left-right direction. A groove 27 that penetrates in the front-rear direction is formed in the left-right central part of the upper surface of the projection 23. Here, the projection 23 corresponds to the "engaging portion" of the present invention, and the groove 27 corresponds to the "recess" of the present invention.

[0018] As can be seen from Figures 1, 2, and 6, the pair of terminals 30 each have a shape that extends substantially linearly in the vertical direction and are arranged side by side with a gap in the horizontal direction. The entire vertically extending portion located below the exposed portion 31, which is the upper region, is embedded in the projection 23, main body 21, and protruding portion 22 of the housing 20. The lower ends of the pair of terminals 30 located within the protruding portion 22 are connected to the electronic component 10 (see Figures 3 and 6). The exposed portion 31 of the pair of terminals 30 protrudes linearly upward from both the left and right sides of the groove 27 on the upper end surface of the projection 23 and is exposed to the outside of the housing 20. The configuration of the base member 2 used as a common part has been described above.

[0019] Next, we will describe the manufacturing procedure for the electronic component unit 1 when a connector-type housing 3A (see Figure 5) is selected as the housing 3 to be assembled to the base member 2, which is used as a common component.

[0020] First, a base member 2, shown in Figure 1, which is used as a common part, is manufactured and prepared. Next, in preparation for assembling the connector-type housing 3A to the base member 2 shown in Figure 1, the exposed portions 31 of each of the pair of terminals 30 are bent into an L-shape, as shown in Figure 4. As a result of this process, each of the exposed portions 31 of the pair of terminals 30, which are spaced apart in the left-right direction, is composed of a first portion 32 that extends linearly upward from the housing 20, and a second portion 33 that extends linearly backward from the upper end of the first portion 32. Hereafter, for the sake of explanation, the base member 2 shown in Figure 4 will be referred to as "base member 2A".

[0021] Next, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a resin connector-type housing 3A is integrally molded onto the base member 2A. Specifically, the base member 2A is integrated with the connector-type housing 3A by insert molding or the like. The connector-type housing 3A integrally molded onto the base member 2A comprises a main body portion 80 that is integrated with the base member 2A and extends upward from the base member 2A, and a connector portion 90 that has a roughly rectangular box-shaped hood that extends backward from the top of the main body portion 80. The rear end of the connector portion 90 is open, forming a mating port 91.

[0022] As shown in Figure 6, the entire first portion 32 of the pair of terminals 30 of the base member 2A is embedded in the main body portion 80. The second portion 33 of the pair of terminals 30 protrudes rearward from the back wall (front end wall) of the connector portion 90 in the hollow portion of the hood-shaped connector portion 90. The second portion 33 of the pair of terminals 30 located in the hollow portion of the connector portion 90 is exposed to the outside through the mating opening 91 of the connector portion 90.

[0023] As shown in Figure 6, the main body portion 80, which is integrated with the base member 2A, is molded to fill the uneven structure formed by the overall outer shape of the projection portion 23 of the base member 2A. Specifically, a part 81 of the main body portion 80 fits snugly into the interior of a pair of front and rear groove portions 28 (recessed portions that are recessed inward in the front-rear direction and extend in the left-right direction) which are configured to be adjacent to the lower side of the pair of front and rear second portions 26 of the projection portion 23. This allows the main body portion 80 (i.e., the connector-type housing 3A) and the base member 2A to be firmly integrated. For example, even if the base member 2A is fixed and rotational stress is applied to the connector-type housing 3A with the vertical direction in which the pair of terminals 30 extend as the axis of rotation, separation of the connector-type housing 3A and the base member 2A can be suppressed. Furthermore, the main body portion 80 (i.e., the connector-type housing 3A) is prevented from falling upward from the base member 2A.

[0024] As shown in Figure 7, the main body portion 80, which is integrated with the base member 2A, is molded to fill the groove portion 27 of the base member 2A (projection portion 23) located between the pair of terminals 30. Specifically, a portion 82 of the main body portion 80 enters the groove portion 27 of the projection portion 23 without any gaps. This properly insulates the pair of terminals 30 of the base member 2A and increases the creepage distance between the pair of terminals 30, thereby further ensuring reliable insulation between the pair of terminals 30. With this, the assembly of the electronic component unit 1 is completed, and the electronic component unit 1 shown in Figure 5 is obtained.

[0025] In Figure 5, the connector portion 90 of the electronic component unit 1 is fitted via a mating port 91 to a mating connector (not shown) provided at the end of a wire extending from a temperature detection device (not shown). When the mating connector is connected to the connector portion 90, the electrical signal output from the electronic component 10 (thermistor element) (a signal indicating the temperature around the thermistor element) is input to the temperature detection device, allowing the temperature around the thermistor element to be detected. The manufacturing procedure for the electronic component unit 1 when the connector-type housing 3A is selected has been described above.

[0026] Next, we will describe the manufacturing procedure for the electronic component unit 1 when a case-type housing 3B (see Figure 10) is selected as the housing 3 to be assembled to the base member 2, which is used as a common component.

[0027] First, the base member 2 shown in Figure 1, which is used as a common part, is manufactured and prepared. Next, in preparation for assembling the case-type housing 3B to the base member 2 shown in Figure 1, the upper part of each exposed portion 31 of the pair of terminals 30 is cut off, and one end of the lead wire 6 is connected to each of the remaining exposed portions 31, as shown in Figure 8. Specifically, one end of each of the pair of lead wires 6 is connected to each exposed portion 31 of the pair of terminals 30 by welding. The pair of lead wires 6 extend upward from the exposed portions 31 of the pair of terminals 30. Each of the pair of lead wires 6 has the flexibility to be bent arbitrarily. Hereafter, for the sake of explanation, the base member 2 shown in Figure 8 will be referred to as "base member 2B".

[0028] Next, the case 4 and cover 5 (see Figure 9) that constitute the case-type housing 3B are manufactured and prepared. Note that the case 4 and cover 5 may be manufactured and prepared before the "process of connecting the lead wire 6 to the exposed portion 31 of the terminal 30" described above is performed. Each of the case 4 and cover 5 is manufactured by resin molding. The case 4 is a component that is assembled to the base member 2B, and the cover 5 is a component that is assembled to the case 4 while it is assembled to the base member 2B. The configurations of the case 4 and cover 5 will be described in order below.

[0029] First, let's describe the configuration of Case 4. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, Case 4 integrally comprises a roughly rectangular box-shaped main body 51 with an open top, a slender portion 52 that protrudes downward from the center of the bottom wall of the main body 51 in the front-to-back direction and extends in the left-to-right direction, and a cylindrical portion 53 that is continuous with the lower part of the slender portion 52 and extends in the vertical direction. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 53 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the main body 21 of the base member 2B (see Figures 10 and 11).

[0030] Case 4 has a slit portion 54 formed in the center of the elongated portion 52 and the cylindrical portion 53 in the front-to-back direction, extending over the entire vertical area, and extending horizontally from the right end to near the left end of the elongated portion 52 and the cylindrical portion 53 (see Figures 9 and 11). The slit portion 54 opens to the right at the right end of the elongated portion 52 and the cylindrical portion 53, opens upward at the top surface of the elongated portion 52 (i.e., the bottom surface of the main body portion 51), and opens downward at the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 53. Furthermore, Case 4 has a slit portion 55 formed in the center of the front-to-back direction of the main body portion 51 and the right end of the elongated portion 52, extending over the vertical direction of the main body portion 51 and the elongated portion 52 (see Figures 9 and 10). The slit portion 55 is open on the upper surface of the right side wall of the main body portion 51, the lower surface of the elongated portion 52, and on the inner and outer surfaces (left and right end faces) of the right side wall of the main body portion 51. The lower end of the slit portion 55 overlaps with the right end of the slit portion 54. Because the slit portion 54 and the slit portion 55 are formed in the case 4, the case 4 has a shape that is easily deformed so that the slit portion 54 and the slit portion 55 expand. When the case 4 is assembled to the base member 2B, the first portion 25 of the projection 23 of the base member 2B and the exposed portion 31 of the pair of terminals 30 are housed in the slit portion 54 (see Figure 11), and the exposed portion 31 of the pair of terminals 30 and the pair of lead wires 6 pass through the slit portion 55 (see Figure 11). When the cover 5 is assembled to the case 4, the extension portion 72 of the cover 5, which will be described later, is housed in the slit portion 55 (see Figure 10).

[0031] On the inner walls of the slit portion 54 located in the cylindrical portion 53, a pair of front and rear grooves 56 are formed, which are recessed outward in the front-rear direction and extend in the left-right direction, corresponding to the pair of front and rear second portions 26 of the projection 23 of the base member 2B (see Figures 9 and 11). When the case 4 is assembled to the base member 2B, the pair of front and rear grooves 56 accommodate the pair of front and rear second portions 26 of the projection 23 of the base member 2B.

[0032] On the inner walls of the slit portion 55 formed on the right side wall of the main body portion 51, on both the front and rear sides, there is a pair of front and rear grooves 61 that are recessed outward in the front-rear direction and extend vertically from the upper end of the right side wall to an intermediate position in the vertical direction (see Figure 9). When the cover 5 is assembled to the case 4, the pair of front and rear grooves 61 will accommodate the pair of front and rear protrusions 73 of the cover 5, which will be described later.

[0033] On the upper edge of the rear side wall of the main body 51, which is roughly rectangular and flat, extending in the left-right direction, there are two downward-sloping recesses 62, corresponding to the two left and right lead wires 6 extending from the exposed portions 31 of the two left and right terminals 30. When the case 4 is assembled to the base member 2B, the two left and right lead wires 6 are inserted through the two left and right recesses 62 (see Figures 10 and 11). The width (distance in the left-right direction) of each of the two left and right recesses 62 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the lead wire 6. In other words, the lead wire 6 is press-fitted into the recesses 62.

[0034] The front and rear side walls of the main body 51, which are roughly rectangular and flat, each have upper edges extending in the left-right direction that are inclined surfaces (planes) 63 that are inclined outward in the front-rear direction (see Figures 9 and 11). When the cover 5 is assembled to the case 4, the front and rear pair of inclined surfaces 63 come into surface contact with the front and rear pair of inclined surfaces 77 of the cover 5, which will be described later (see Figures 9 and 11). A locking projection (not shown) is formed on the outer surface of the left side wall of the main body 51, which is roughly rectangular and flat. When the cover 5 is assembled to the case 4, the edges of the locking holes of the locking frame portion 76 (see Figure 9), which will be described later, of the cover engage with the above-mentioned locking projection.

[0035] Next, the configuration of the cover 5 will be described. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the cover 5 includes a top plate portion 71 having a rectangular flat shape corresponding to the shape of the upper end opening of the case 4 (main body portion 51). At the center of the front-to-back direction of the right edge of the top plate portion 71 that extends in the front-to-back direction, a substantially elongated flat extension portion 72 is provided that extends downward, corresponding to the slit portion 55 of the case 4. On the front and rear sides of the extension portion 72, a pair of front and rear projections 73 are provided that protrude outward in the front-to-back direction and extend in the vertical direction. At the center of the top plate portion 71 in both the left-to-right and front-to-back directions, a substantially elongated flat extension portion 74 is provided that extends downward. When the cover 5 is assembled to the case 4, the tip (lower end) 74a of the extension portion 74 enters the groove portion 27 of the projection portion 23 of the base member 2B and comes into contact with the bottom wall of the groove portion 27 (see Figure 12). Here, the extension portion 74 corresponds to the "isolation wall" of the present invention.

[0036] On the rear edge of the top plate portion 71, which extends in the left-right direction, a pair of left and right projections 75 are formed to protrude downward, corresponding to a pair of left and right recesses 62 of the case 4 (see Figure 11). On the left edge of the top plate portion 71, a locking frame portion 76 having a locking hole is provided to extend downward, corresponding to the locking projection of the case 4 (see Figure 9). On the front edge and rear edge of the lower surface of the top plate portion 71, which extend in the left-right direction, an inclined surface (plane) 77 is formed that slopes inward in the front-rear direction, corresponding to a pair of front and rear inclined surfaces 63 of the case 4 (see Figures 9 and 11). The configuration of the case 4 and cover 5 has been described above.

[0037] Next, the case 4 is assembled to the base member 2B from the left side. Specifically, starting with the case 4 positioned on the left side of the base member 2B (see Figure 9), the case 4 is assembled to the base member 2 such that the exposed portions 31 of the pair of terminals 30 and the pair of lead wires 6 pass through the slit portion 55, the first portion 25 of the projection 23 and the exposed portions 31 of the pair of terminals 30 are housed in the slit portion 54, and the front and rear pair of second portions 26 of the projection 23 are housed in the front and rear pair of grooves 56 (see Figure 11).

[0038] When the case 4 is assembled to the base member 2B, the pair of front and rear second portions 26 of the projection 23 of the base member 2B engage with the pair of front and rear grooves 56 of the case 4. That is, the pair of front and rear grooves 56 of the case 4 engage with the uneven structure formed by the overall outer shape of the projection 23 of the base member 2B. This allows the case 4 (i.e., the case-type housing 3B) and the base member 2B to be firmly integrated. For example, even if the base member 2B is fixed and rotational stress is applied to the case 4 (i.e., the case-type housing 3B) with the vertical direction in which the pair of terminals 30 extend as the axis of rotation, separation of the case 4 (i.e., the case-type housing 3B) and the base member 2B can be suppressed. Furthermore, the case 4 (i.e., the case-type housing 3B) is prevented from falling upward from the base member 2B. The slit portion 54 of the case 4 is closed by the first portion 25 of the projection 23 housed in the slit portion 54 (see Figure 11). The exposed portions 31 of the pair of terminals 30 of the base member 2B are surrounded by the side walls of the main body portion 51 of the case 4 (see Figure 11). The pair of lead wires 6 extending upward from the exposed portions 31 of the pair of terminals 30 are bent backward at their bases. One end of the pair of lead wires 6 extending in the front-rear direction from the bent point is press-fitted into a pair of recesses 62 of the case 4 (see Figures 10 and 11).

[0039] Next, the cover 5 is assembled to the case 4 from above. Specifically, starting from a state where the cover 5 is positioned on top of the case 4 (see Figure 9), the cover 5 is assembled to the case 4 such that the top plate portion 71 closes the upper end opening of the main body portion 51, the extension portion 72 is housed in the slit portion 55 (see Figure 10), the pair of front and rear projections 73 are housed in the pair of front and rear grooves 61, the extension portion 74 enters between the exposed portions 31 of the pair of left and right terminals 30 to isolate the pair of left and right exposed portions 31 in the left and right directions (see Figure 12), the tip (lower end) 74a of the extension portion 74 enters the groove portion 27 of the projection 23 of the base member 2 to contact the bottom wall of the groove portion 27 (see Figure 12), and the edge of the locking hole of the locking frame portion 76 engages with the locking projection.

[0040] When the cover 5 is assembled to the case 4, the top plate portion 71 closes the upper end opening of the main body portion 51. The edge of the locking hole of the locking frame portion 76 engages with the locking projection, preventing the cover 5 from falling upward from the case 4. The tip of the extension portion 72 contacts (engages) with the right end surface 23a (see Figure 9) of the projection portion 23 of the base member 2B. Furthermore, a pair of front and rear projections 73 are housed in a pair of front and rear grooves 61. These prevent the cover 5 from falling to the left from the case 4. The slit portion 55 of the case 4 is closed by the extension portion 72 housed in the slit portion 55. The extension portion 74 divides the hollow portion of the main body portion 51 into two parts in the left-right direction, thereby defining a pair of left and right housing chambers 78 inside the main body portion 51 (see Figures 11 and 12). Each of the exposed portions 31 of a pair of terminals 30 is housed in each of a pair of housing chambers 78. This ensures that the exposed portions 31 of the pair of terminals 30 are isolated from each other. The tip (lower end) 74a of the extension 74 is pressed against and crushed against the bottom wall of the groove 27 of the projection 23 of the base member 2B (see Figure 12). This properly insulates the pair of terminals 30 of the base member 2B and increases the creepage distance between the pair of terminals 30, thereby further ensuring reliable insulation between the pair of terminals 30. Each of the pair of lead wires 6 extending from the exposed portions 31 of the pair of terminals 30 extends outwards from each of the pair of housing chambers 78 through the recesses 62 to the outside of the electronic component unit 1. A pair of left and right projections 75 of the cover 5 press down from above on the lead wires 6 which are press-fitted into a pair of left and right recesses 62 of the case 4 (see Figure 11). As a result, even if an external force is applied to the lead wire 6 extending from the electronic component unit 1 to the outside, the external force is prevented from being applied to the contact point between the lead wire 6 and the terminal 30 (exposed portion 31). The front and rear pair of inclined surfaces 77 of the cover 5 are in surface contact with the front and rear pair of inclined surfaces 63 of the case 4. As a result, the engagement between the inclined surfaces 77 and 63 prevents the case 4 from deforming in such a way that the slit portions 54 and 55 widen. With the above completed, the assembly of the electronic component unit 1 is obtained as shown in Figure 10.

[0041] A pair of lead wires 6 extending from the electronic component unit 1 (see Figure 1) shown in Figure 10 are electrically connected to a wire extending from a temperature detection device (not shown). As a result, the electrical signal output from the electronic component 10 (thermistor element) (a signal indicating the temperature around the thermistor element) is input to the temperature detection device, allowing the temperature around the thermistor element to be detected. The manufacturing procedure for the electronic component unit 1 when the case-type housing 3B is selected has been described above.

[0042] <Effects and Actions> As described above, according to the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit 1 of this embodiment, the base member 2 can be used as a common part whether a connector-type housing 3A or a case-type housing 3B is selected. When a connector-type housing 3A is selected, the connector-type housing 3A is integrally added to the base member 2 by molding it so as to fill the engaging portion (projection 23) of the housing 20 of the base member 2, thereby properly insulating the pair of terminals 30 of the base member 2 and firmly integrating the connector-type housing 3A and the base member 2. For example, even if the base member 2 is fixed and rotational stress is applied to the connector-type housing 3A with the rotation axis in a predetermined direction in which the pair of terminals 30 extend, separation of the connector-type housing 3A and the base member 2 can be suppressed. When a case-type housing 3B is selected, the case-type housing 3B is assembled to the base member 2 so as to engage with the engaging portion 23 of the housing 20 of the base member 2, and the pair of terminals 30 are housed in the pair of housing chambers 78. This properly insulates the pair of terminals 30 of the base member 2 and firmly integrates the case-type housing 3B and the base member 2. For example, even if rotational stress is applied to the case-type housing 3B as described above, separation of the case-type housing 3B and the base member 2 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit 1 of this embodiment, the electronic component unit 1 can be manufactured using common parts that can accommodate multiple specifications.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit 1 of this embodiment, the creepage distance between the pair of terminals 30 can be increased by having the connector-type housing 3A fill the recess (groove 27) of the housing 20 of the base member 2, or by inserting the isolation wall (extension 74) of the case-type housing 3B into the recess 27, thereby providing even more reliable insulation between the pair of terminals 30.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the electronic component unit 1 according to this embodiment (see Figure 5), the housing 3 (connector-type housing 3A) is integrally molded to the base member 2 so as to fill the engaging portion 23 of the housing 20 of the base member 2, thereby properly insulating the pair of terminals 30 of the base member 2 and firmly integrating the housing 3 and the base member 2. For example, even if the base member 2 is fixed and rotational stress is applied to the housing 3 with the rotation axis in a predetermined direction in which the pair of terminals 30 extend, separation of the housing 3 and the base member 2 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the electronic component unit according to this embodiment (see Figure 5), the electronic component unit 1 can be manufactured using common parts that can accommodate multiple specifications.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the electronic component unit 1 (see Figure 5) of this embodiment, the housing 3 (connector-type housing 3A) fills the recess 27 in the housing 20 of the base member 2, thereby increasing the creepage distance between the pair of terminals 30 and providing even more reliable insulation between the pair of terminals 30.

[0046] <Other forms> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0047] For example, in the above embodiment, in the electronic component unit 1 (see Figure 10) to which the case-type housing 3B is assembled, the contact points between the terminal 30 extending from the base member 2 and the lead wire 6, and the lead wire 6 extending from the terminal 30, are not embedded in a sealant such as potting resin inside the case 4 (main body 51) (see Figure 11). In contrast, holes (through holes) may be formed in the top plate portion 71 of the cover 5. By forming these holes, potting material can be poured into the inside of the case 4 (main body 51) through these holes and solidified. This makes it possible to further insulate the terminals and contact points by embedding the contact points between the terminal 30 extending from the base member 2B and the lead wire 6, and the lead wire 6 extending from the terminal 30, in a sealant such as potting resin inside the case 4 (main body 51).

[0048] Herein, the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit 1 and the features of the embodiment of the electronic component unit 1 according to the present invention, as described above, are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].

[0049] [1] A method for manufacturing an electronic component unit (1) having an electronic component (10) built in, The aforementioned electronic component unit (1) is A base member (2) having the electronic component (10), a pair of terminals (30) connected to the electronic component (10) and extending in a predetermined direction, and a housing (20) that embeds and houses the electronic component (10) inside, and has engaging portions (23) on its outer surface that are exposed to the outside of each of the pair of terminals (30) and protrude or recess in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction, The system includes a housing (3) which is assembled to the base member (2) and houses the pair of terminals (30) while isolating them from each other, The manufacturing method is A first step in manufacturing the base member (2), The second step is to select one of the following as the housing (3): a connector-type housing (3A) having a connector shape that is integrally molded onto the base member (2) and has a fitting opening (91) that exposes one end of the pair of terminals (30); and a case-type housing (3B) having a case shape that is assembled to engage with the base member (2) and has a pair of housing chambers (78) that house the pair of terminals (30) while isolating them from each other; and then assemble the selected housing (3) onto the base member (2). In the second step described above, When selecting the connector-type housing (3A), the connector-type housing (3A) is integrally molded onto the base member (2) such that it fills the engaging portion (23) of the housing (20) of the base member (2) and one end is exposed to the fitting opening (91). When selecting the case-type housing (3B), after connecting the pair of electric wires (6) to the pair of terminals (30), the case-type housing (3B) is assembled to the base member (2) such that it engages with the engaging portion (23) of the housing (20) of the base member (2), and the pair of terminals (30) are housed in the pair of housing chambers (78), and the pair of electric wires (6) are inserted into and out of each of the pair of housing chambers (78). A method for manufacturing an electronic component unit (1).

[0050] According to the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit described in [1] above, the base member can be used as a common part whether a connector-type housing or a case-type housing is selected. When a connector-type housing is selected, the connector-type housing is integrally molded onto the base member so as to fill the engaging portion of the housing of the base member, thereby properly insulating the pair of terminals of the base member and firmly integrating the connector-type housing and the base member. This prevents the connector-type housing and the base member from separating, even if an external force is applied to the connector-type housing such that one of the base member and the connector-type housing is fixed while the other rotates. On the other hand, when a case-type housing is selected, the case-type housing is assembled onto the base member so as to engage with the engaging portion of the housing of the base member, and the pair of terminals are housed in the pair of housing chambers, thereby properly insulating the pair of terminals of the base member and holding the case-type housing to the base member with sufficient strength. This prevents the case-type housing and the base member from separating, as described above. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit with this configuration, by using a base member as a common part and changing the housing according to the specifications, it is possible to manufacture electronic component units that support multiple specifications at low cost.

[0051] [2] In the manufacturing method described in [1] above, The base member (2) is The outer surface between the pair of terminals (30) has a recess (27), The aforementioned connector-type housing (3A) is The recess (27) is formed to fill the recess, The aforementioned case-type housing (3B) is The isolation wall (74) is inserted into the recess (27) and separates the pair of housing chambers (78), A method for manufacturing an electronic component unit (1).

[0052] According to the manufacturing method of the electronic component unit described in [2] above, the creepage distance between a pair of terminals can be increased by having the connector-type housing fill the recess of the housing of the base member, or by inserting the isolation wall of the case-type housing into the recess, thereby providing more reliable insulation between the pair of terminals.

[0053] [3] A base member (2) having an electronic component (10), a pair of terminals (30) connected to the electronic component (10) and extending in a predetermined direction, and a housing (20) that embeds and houses the electronic component (10) inside, and exposes the pair of terminals (30) to the outside, and has engaging portions (23) on its outer surface that protrude or are recessed in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction, The device comprises a housing (3A) integrally molded to the base member (2), which has a fitting opening (91) that fills the engaging portion (23) of the housing (20) of the base member (2) and exposes one end of the pair of terminals (30), Electronic component unit (1).

[0054] According to the electronic component unit described in [3] above, the housing is integrally molded to the base member so as to fill the engaging portion of the housing of the base member, thereby properly insulating the pair of terminals of the base member and firmly integrating the housing and the base member. As a result, even if an external force is applied to the housing such that one of the base member and the housing is fixed while the other rotates, separation of the housing and the base member can be suppressed. Therefore, the electronic component unit of the present invention has excellent durability.

[0055] [4] In the electronic component unit (1) described in [3] above, The base member (2) is The outer surface between the pair of terminals (30) has a recess (27), The aforementioned housing (3A) is The recess (27) is filled with Electronic component unit (1).

[0056] According to the electronic component unit described in [4] above, the housing fills the recess in the base member's housing, thereby increasing the creepage distance between the pair of terminals and providing more reliable insulation between the pair of terminals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1 Electronic component unit 2 Base member 3 Housing 3A Connector Type Housing (Housing) 3B Case-type housing 6. Lead wires (electrical wires) 10 Electronic Components 20 containment units 23 Projection (engaging part) 27 Groove (recess) 30 terminals 74 Extension (isolation wall) 78 Confinement Rooms 91 Mating opening

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an electronic component unit containing an electronic component, The aforementioned electronic component unit is A base member having the aforementioned electronic component, a pair of terminals connected to the electronic component and extending in a predetermined direction, and a housing that embeds and houses the electronic component inside, and exposes each of the pair of terminals to the outside, and has engaging portions on its outer surface that protrude or are recessed in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction, It comprises a housing that is assembled to the base member and houses the pair of terminals, separating them from each other, The manufacturing method is A first step in manufacturing the base member, The second step involves selecting one of the following as the housing: a connector-type housing having a connector shape that is integrally molded onto the base member and has a mating opening that exposes one end of the pair of terminals, and a case-type housing having a case shape that is assembled to engage with the base member and has a pair of housing chambers that house the pair of terminals while isolating them from each other; and assembling the selected housing onto the base member. In the second step described above, When selecting the connector-type housing, the connector-type housing is integrally molded onto the base member such that it fills the engagement portion of the housing of the base member and exposes one end of it to the fitting opening. When selecting the case-type housing, after connecting the pair of wires to the pair of terminals, the case-type housing is assembled to the base member so as to engage with the engaging portion of the housing of the base member, and so as to house the pair of terminals in the pair of housing chambers and pass the pair of wires inside and outside each of the pair of housing chambers. A method for manufacturing electronic component units.

2. In the manufacturing method described in claim 1, The housing of the base member is The outer surface between the pair of terminals has a recess, The aforementioned connector-type housing is It is formed to fill the aforementioned recess, The aforementioned case-type housing is Having an isolation wall inserted into the recess to separate the pair of accommodation chambers, A method for manufacturing electronic component units.

3. A base member having an electronic component, a pair of terminals connected to the electronic component and extending in a predetermined direction, and a housing that embeds and houses the electronic component inside, exposes the pair of terminals to the outside, and has engaging portions on its outer surface that protrude or are recessed in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction, The device comprises a housing integrally molded with the base member, having a fitting opening that fills the engagement portion of the housing of the base member and exposes one end of the pair of terminals, Electronic component unit.

4. In the electronic component unit according to claim 3, The base member is The outer surface between the pair of terminals has a recess, The aforementioned housing is Formed to fill the aforementioned recess, Electronic component unit.

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