electronic machines
The electronic device facilitates automated connector insertion by using an inclined insertion port and gripping wall to manage reaction forces and contain foreign matter, enhancing assembly efficiency and cleanliness.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing electronic devices lack configurations suitable for automated assembly of connectors, particularly in inserting connectors into insertion slots or connecting them to terminals protruding from the housing, as they do not account for the forces required by automated machines.
The electronic device incorporates an outer peripheral wall with an inclined insertion opening and a gripping wall inside the case, which includes a partition wall with a gripping wall portion parallel to the insertion port, allowing for automated insertion by canceling out reaction forces and preventing foreign matter entry.
Enables easy automated connector insertion without moving the case, while maintaining a clean environment by isolating the insertion area from the electronic components, simplifying the assembly process and reducing contamination risks.
Smart Images
Figure 2026101774000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device in which electronic components are housed inside a case, and particularly to an electronic device in which an insertion port for inserting and removing a connector is provided in a part of an outer wall.
Background Art
[0002] In the assembly process of this type of electronic device, a process of connecting a connector is always included, and it is required that the connection work be performed efficiently in the same manner as the assembly of a substrate into the case. In Patent Document 1, when inserting a harness connector into an insertion port provided in a housing of a terminal block, a structure is described in which the harness-side connection terminal can be easily inserted to the position of the housing-side connection terminal. In the structure described in Patent Document 1, when the harness connector is inserted into the insertion port from the upper oblique side, the harness-side connection terminal is configured to be guided toward the horizontally arranged housing-side connection terminal, and as a part for performing the guidance, a tip-side inclined portion with a small inclination angle on the insertion port side and a rear-side inclined portion with an increasing inclination angle toward the housing-side connection terminal are provided subsequently.
[0003] Another example of an electronic device having connection terminals is described in Patent Document 2. The power conversion device described in Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which a plurality of substrates are housed inside a housing, and terminals for connecting connectors are provided to protrude outside the housing, and inside the housing, the terminals and the substrates are connected by a printed wiring board.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] When assembling the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the process involves inserting connectors into insertion slots or connecting them to terminals protruding from the outside of the housing. In such cases, a certain amount of force is applied to the connectors to ensure they are firmly fitted into the insertion slots or housing to prevent them from easily coming loose. Therefore, if the connector insertion process is performed by an automated machine, the force applied to the connectors must be received at some point. However, the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not designed with assembly automation in mind, and therefore, the technical challenges of using an automated machine for connector insertion, as well as preferred configurations for inserting connectors into insertion slots, are not disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.
[0006] The present invention was made against the background described above, and aims to provide an electronic device that enables an automated machine to easily insert a connector into a socket opening that penetrates the outer wall of a case. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an electronic device that houses electronic components inside a case, wherein the case has an outer peripheral wall surrounding a space in which the electronic components are arranged, and an insertion opening is provided in the outer peripheral wall for inserting and fixing a connector that is electrically conductive to the electronic components, and a partition wall portion is provided inside the case that divides the space into a first region in which the electronic components are arranged and a second region in which the insertion opening is open, and the partition wall portion has a gripping wall portion that is parallel to and opposite to the insertion opening.
[0008] In the present invention, the insertion port is formed in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the outer peripheral wall located forward in the insertion direction of the connector, and the gripping wall portion may be parallel to the insertion port in the direction inclined at the predetermined angle.
[0009] In the present invention, the upper end surface of the gripping wall portion may be a guide surface that slopes downward toward the opposite side from the insertion port side.
[0010] In the present invention, the gripping wall portion may have a structure that has higher bending rigidity than the portion of the partition wall portion other than the gripping wall portion.
[0011] In the present invention, the partition wall portion extends from the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall to a predetermined location inside the space, and further comprises a relay terminal block that extends from the first region to the second region, bypassing the end of the partition wall portion that extends to the predetermined location inside the space, and the electronic component is connected to one end of the relay terminal block, and the connector is connected to the other end of the relay terminal block. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] In this invention, a gripping wall is provided inside the case, facing the connector insertion port. When pushing the connector into the insertion port, a suitable retaining device can be brought into contact with the side of the gripping wall opposite to the side facing the insertion port, thereby generating a reaction force with the retaining device or the gripping wall. As a result, no load is generated to move the case, eliminating the need to hold the case against any fixed point or to provide such a fixed point, and allowing the connector insertion work to be easily performed by an automated machine. Furthermore, since the gripping wall separates the area where the insertion port is open from the area where the electronic components are located, even if foreign matter (contamination) enters the case from the insertion port before or during the process of inserting the connector, the foreign matter can be contained in the area on the insertion port side, preventing or suppressing its entry into the electronic components side. In this way, the partition wall functions as a retaining part when inserting the connector, and also prevents foreign matter from entering the electronic component side. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the overall configuration by sharing a single part or section.
[0013] In particular, when the socket is inclined, that is, when there is no part of the outer wall of the case that is parallel to the socket, it is not possible to generate a reaction force on the outer wall when inserting the connector into the socket. However, in the present invention, a gripping wall is provided parallel to the so-called inclined socket, so by attaching an appropriate retaining device to the gripping wall, the load for inserting the connector and the reaction force against it can be canceled out inside the case. As a result, no force is generated that acts to change the position or orientation of the case, so there is no need to provide jigs or receiving parts to hold the case, and consequently it becomes possible to make the connector insertion work easier using an automated machine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention with the lid or top panel removed. [Figure 2] This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the gripping wall and insertion opening. [Figure 3] This is a schematic plan view of a configuration with a relay terminal block. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0015] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented and do not limit the invention.
[0016] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention, where the electronic device 1 is, for example, a DC / DC converter. The electronic device 1 is constructed by housing electronic components inside a case 2, and Figure 1 shows the case 2 with its cover or top plate removed, revealing the interior. The case 2 has an outer peripheral wall 3 and a bottom plate 4 that enclose the entire case, and the outer peripheral wall 3 as a whole is approximately rectangular parallelepiped. That is, it is enclosed by four walls: a pair of circumferentially long walls and two circumferentially short walls connecting them, and one of these walls is bent in a shape that curves inward and outward from the case 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, one of the pair of circumferentially short walls is bent inward and outward from the case 2. Hereinafter, let us tentatively refer to this bent wall as the front wall 3a, the other circumferentially short wall as the rear wall 3b, one of the pair of circumferentially long walls as the left wall 3c, and the other as the right wall 3d.
[0017] An insertion slot 6 is provided in the front wall portion 3a for inserting and securing the connector 5. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of the insertion slot 6, which is formed approximately in the center of the front wall portion 3a in the vertical direction, penetrating the front wall portion 3a in the thickness direction, in other words, in a direction parallel to or horizontal to the bottom plate portion 4. On the outer surface of the front wall portion 3a, a boss portion 6a is formed at the opening end of the insertion slot 6, protruding in a direction perpendicular to the front wall portion 3a. The connector 5 is electrically connected to the electronic device 1 by inserting its cylindrical tip into the insertion slot 6 so as to fit snugly into the inside of this boss portion 6a. The connector 5 has terminals 5a protruding towards the tip, and when inserted into the insertion slot 6, these terminals 5a extend into the interior of the case 2. Therefore, the case 2 is not only open on the top side, but also open to the outside at this insertion slot 6 before the connector 5 is inserted.
[0018] The portion of the front wall 3a where the insertion port 6 is provided is inclined with respect to the outer peripheral wall 3 located in the insertion direction of the connector 5, more specifically, to either of the aforementioned side wall portions 3c or 3d. Here, "inclined" means that the angle of intersection between the central axis of the insertion port 6 along the insertion direction of the connector 5 and the outer peripheral wall 3 (rear wall portion 3b or either of the side wall portions 3c or 3d) is not a right angle. In other words, the insertion port 6 is oriented in an oblique direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped formed by the outer peripheral wall 3, and the portion where the insertion port 6 is provided is not parallel to or opposite the rear wall portion 3b.
[0019] A partition wall 7 is provided to divide the internal space of the case 2, which is partitioned by the outer peripheral wall 3 and the bottom plate 4 described above. The partition wall 7 is located close to the front wall 3a where the socket 6 is formed, and is positioned so that the terminals 5a of the connector 5 inserted into the socket 6 do not come into contact with it. This partition wall 7 is a plate-like portion that rises from the bottom plate 4 and extends into the interior of the case 2 from one of the side walls (the right side wall in the example of Figure 1) 3d, and is formed integrally with the bottom plate 4 and the outer peripheral wall 3. Furthermore, the height of the partition wall 7 is greater than or equal to the height of the socket 6 from the bottom plate 4. Therefore, the interior of the case 2 is divided by this partition wall 7 into a first region 8a on the rear wall 3b side and a second region 8b where the socket 6 is open.
[0020] The partition wall portion 7, more specifically, extends linearly from the inner surface of one side wall portion (for example, the right side wall portion) 3d toward the other side wall portion (for example, the left side wall portion) 3c, and the tip position thereof extends beyond the position where the insertion port 6 is open toward the other side wall portion (for example, the left side wall portion) 3c side. And, among the partition wall portion 7, the portion corresponding to the position where the insertion port 6 is extended in its insertion direction is bent so as to be parallel to the insertion port 6 and face the insertion port 6. This portion parallel to the insertion port 6 is the gripping wall portion 7a in the embodiment of the present invention. As will be described later, this gripping wall portion 7a is a portion for generating a reaction force against the pushing force when inserting the connector 5 into the insertion port 6. Therefore, the upper surface of the gripping wall portion 7a is a guide surface 7b that slopes downward toward the side surface opposite to the insertion port 6 side. Also, the gripping wall portion 7a may be formed thicker than other portions of the partition wall portion 7 in order to increase the strength or bending rigidity, or ribs (not shown) may be formed on its front or back surface. Further, the partition wall portion 7 may extend further toward the other side wall portion 3c side from the gripping wall portion 7a, but does not reach the other side wall portion 3c.
[0021] A circuit board 9 as an electronic component is disposed inside the first region 8a partitioned by the partition wall portion 7 and is fixed to the bottom plate portion 4. A relay terminal block 10 for electrically connecting the terminal 5a of the connector 5 to the circuit board 9 can be provided inside the case 2. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the relay terminal block 10 is provided inside the case 2 in a schematic plan view. The relay terminal block 10 has a strip-shaped conductor such as a bus bar or a printed wiring, and the conductor extends from the first region 8a to the second region 8b by bypassing the tip portion of the partition wall portion 7 described above. One end thereof is connected to the circuit board 9, and the terminal 5a of the connector 5 is connected to the other end. In FIG. 3, the reference numeral “11” indicates an output-side connector.
[0022] In the above-described electronic device 1, the circuit board 9 is assembled inside the case 2, and then the connector 5 is inserted into the insertion port 6. Further, its terminal 5a is connected to the relay terminal block 10. When the connector 5 is inserted into the insertion port 6, there is a possibility that foreign matter adhering to the connector 5 or the insertion port 6 may enter the inside of the case 2. However, the first region 8a where electronic components such as the circuit board 9 are arranged is isolated from the second region 8b where the insertion port 6 is open by the partition wall portion 7. Therefore, foreign matter that has entered the second region 8b is prevented or suppressed from reaching the electronic components such as the circuit board 9, and troubles caused by foreign matter are avoided or suppressed.
[0023] Also, since the orientation of the insertion port 6 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the case 2 as described above, the pushing force for inserting the connector 5 acts on the case 2 in the direction of rotating the case 2. However, in the above-described electronic device 1, since the gripping wall portion 7a facing parallel to the insertion port 6 is provided, an appropriate pressing tool 12 is applied to the back surface of the gripping wall portion 7a on the side opposite to the insertion port 6, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 2. In this state, when the connector 5 is inserted into the insertion port 6, the force for pushing the connector 5 is received by the gripping wall portion 7a, so that the case 2 does not move, and the connector can be easily inserted into the insertion port 6.
[0024] Particularly, when using an automatic machine (not shown) such as a robot for assembly, it is possible to use a tong-shaped member that sandwiches the connector 5 and the gripping wall portion 7a together. Even in this case, since there is no load that moves or rotates the entire case 2 or the electronic device 1, there is no need to arrange a member or portion for fixing the case 2 around the case 2 or form it on the outer peripheral portion of the case 2. Also in this regard, the insertion process of the connector 5 or the assembly process of the electronic device 1 can be simplified.
[0025] Furthermore, when applying a retaining tool 12 or a tong-shaped member (not shown) to the gripping wall portion 7a, these members are lowered from the upper side of the gripping wall portion 7a. However, since the upper surface of the gripping wall portion 7a is an inclined guide surface 7b as described above, even if there is a slight misalignment, these members can be easily slid along the guide surface 7b and brought into contact with the back surface of the gripping wall portion 7a.
[0026] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Essentially, it is sufficient that a gripping wall is provided as part of the partition wall, and the overall shape of the partition wall does not have to be the shape described above. Furthermore, the case does not need to be a rectangular parallelepiped; the contour shape when cut horizontally may be a square, polygon, deformed polygon, or any other appropriate shape. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0027] 1 Electronic equipment 2 cases 3 Outer wall 3a Front wall 3b Rear wall 3c Left side wall 3d right side wall 4 Bottom plate part 5 Connectors 5a terminal 6 outlets 6a Boss section 7 Bulkhead 7a Grip wall 7b Guide surface 8a 1st area 8b 2nd area 9 Circuit board 10 Relay terminal block 11 (Output side) connector 12. Retainer
Claims
1. An electronic device that houses electronic components inside a case, The case has an outer periphery wall that surrounds the space in which the electronic components are arranged. An insertion slot for inserting and securing a connector that is electrically connected to the aforementioned electronic component is provided on the outer periphery wall. A partition wall is provided inside the case that divides the space into a first region where the electronic components are arranged and a second region where the socket opening is located. The partition wall portion has a gripping wall portion that is parallel to and opposite the insertion opening. An electronic device characterized by the following features.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, The aforementioned socket is formed in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the outer peripheral wall located in the forward direction of insertion of the connector, and The gripping wall portion is parallel to the insertion opening which is inclined at the predetermined angle. An electronic device characterized by the following features.
3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The upper end surface of the gripping wall is a guide surface that slopes downward toward the opposite side from the insertion opening. An electronic device characterized by the following features.
4. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The gripping wall portion has a structure that provides higher bending rigidity than the portion of the partition wall other than the gripping wall portion. An electronic device characterized by the following features.
5. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, The partition wall extends from the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall to a predetermined location inside the space, The device further includes a relay terminal block that extends from the first region to the second region, bypassing the end of the partition wall portion that extends to a predetermined location inside the space, The configuration is such that the electronic component is connected to one end of the relay terminal block, and the connector is connected to the other end of the relay terminal block. An electronic device characterized by the following features.