Automotive Control Devices

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device having a snap-fit portion in which the waterproof performance can be improved and the amount of projection projecting to the inside or outside of a housing can be reduced with a simple shape. The vehicle control device according to the present invention comprises: a substrate1 provided with an electronic circuit for controlling a vehicle; a case 3 having an opening portion at one end portion and fixed in a state in which the substrate 1 is inserted thereinto; and a cover 4 assembled to the case 3 so as to lid the opening portion. The case 3 is provided with a fitting recessed portion 33, and the cover 4 is provided with a first snap-fit portion 41 having a first fitting projection 42 that fits into the fitting recessed portion 33. The fitting recessed portion 33 is provided such that the opposite side to the side to which the first fitting projection 42 is fitted is blocked without penetrating the case 3 member. The first fitting projection 42 is fitted into the fitting recessed portion 33 by being inserted into the inside of the case 3.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2018-131118 A (Patent Document 1) describes an automobile control device having a snap-fit ​​portion that fixes the engagement between the case and the cover. One of the issues of the automobile control device of Patent Document 1 is to support a simple waterproof structure, and a snap-fit ​​portion that engages with the inner periphery of the mating side and a fitting protrusion on the outer periphery are provided on the case or cover, and the fitting hole provided on the mating side is installed so that it cannot be seen from the outside. By adopting such a configuration, a simple waterproof structure is realized without increasing the number of parts (see abstract and Figures 1 to 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-131118 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the automobile control device of Patent Document 1, the case or cover is provided with a snap-fit ​​portion and a fitting protrusion facing the snap-fit ​​portion, so that the shape of the case or cover becomes complicated, and it takes time and effort to manufacture the case or cover having the snap-fit ​​portion and the fitting protrusion. In addition, when the snap-fit ​​portion and the fitting protrusion are provided on the cover side (FIGS. 1 and 3 of Patent Document 1), the fitting protrusion protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the case, so that the outer shell of the housing formed by the case and the cover becomes large. Alternatively, when the snap-fit ​​portion and the fitting protrusion are provided on the case side (FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1), there is a gap between the snap-fit ​​portion and the fitting protrusion that sandwiches the member (part) on the cover side, so that the snap-fit ​​portion protrudes largely inward from the housing, and the internal volume of the housing becomes small.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an automobile control device having a snap-fit ​​portion that can improve waterproof performance and has a simple shape, and can reduce the amount of protrusion that protrudes inside or outside the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control device for an automobile, comprising: a substrate having electronic circuitry for controlling a vehicle; a case having an opening at one end and into which the substrate is inserted and fixed; a cover attached to the case so as to cover the opening, a fitting recess is provided on the case, and a first snap-fit ​​portion having a first fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting recess is provided on the cover; the fitting recess is provided without penetrating a member of the case, and the side opposite to the side where the first fitting protrusion is fitted is closed, The first fitting protrusion is inserted into the inside of the case to be fitted into the fitting recess. death Further, the fitting recess is provided in a state where a side opposite to a side where the first fitting projection is fitted is blocked by an outer peripheral surface of the case, The case has a groove formed on the outer circumferential surface side of the portion where the fitting recess is formed. do. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automobile control device having a snap-fit ​​portion that can improve waterproof performance and has a simple shape, and can reduce the amount of protrusion that protrudes inside or outside the housing.

[0008] Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are an exploded view and an assembly view of an automobile control device according to one embodiment (embodiment 1) of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an automobile control device according to an embodiment (embodiment 2) of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3 . [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section similar to that of FIG. 2, illustrating an automobile control device according to an embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section similar to that of FIG. 2, illustrating an automobile control device according to an embodiment (Example 4) of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part VII in FIG. 6 . [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram of Case 3 according to an embodiment (Example 5) of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section similar to that of FIG. 2 of Case 3. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are exploded and assembled sectional views of an automobile control device according to an embodiment (Example 6) of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment can be used in whole or in part in combination with each other, unless there is a contradiction. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for similar configurations in each embodiment, and their explanation is omitted. In addition, when there are different parts in the configurations using the same reference numerals, the different parts will be explained.

[0011] In the following description, the up and down directions may be specified, but these up and down directions are directions defined based on the drawings being described and do not specify the up and down directions in the installed state of the automobile control device 100.

[0012] [Example 1] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is an exploded view and an assembly view of an automobile control device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 1.

[0013] A board 1 having a circuit for electrically controlling an external device (not shown) is equipped with a connector 2 for electrical connection to the outside. The connector 2 and board 1 are configured to be slid into a bag-shaped case 3 through an opening 31 and assembled therein.

[0014] The case 3 has an internal space with a rectangular cross section, and has an opening 31 at one end in the depth direction. The internal space of the case 3 forms a storage space for the board 1 and the connector 2. The other end in the depth direction of the case 3 is closed. The opening 31 of the case 3 is closed by the cover 4, so that the internal space is closed in a watertight state. The case 3, together with the cover 4, forms the housing of the automobile control device 100. The cover 4 has an opening 4a that exposes the connector 2 to the outside, and the connector 2 plays a part in the watertight structure of the housing (case 3 and cover 4). Therefore, the connector 2 can also be considered as a member that forms part of the housing.

[0015] Hereinafter, the height direction (vertical direction) H, width direction W, and depth direction D of the automobile control device 100 are defined and used as shown in FIG. 1. The width direction W is a direction along the upper and lower edges that form the opening 31 of the case 3. The height direction (vertical direction) H is a direction along a side edge that connects the upper and lower edges of the opening 31 of the case 3. The depth direction D is a direction perpendicular to the width direction W and the height direction (vertical direction) H, with the opening 31 side being the front side and the opposite side to the opening 31 being the back side. In this case, the height direction (vertical direction) H does not specify the up and down direction when the automobile control device 100 is mounted.

[0016] After the substrate 1 is assembled to the case 3, the cover 4 is assembled and fixed to the case 3 so as to cover the substrate 1. The cover 4 is assembled so as to cover the opening 31. The cover 4 is provided with a snap fit portion 41 for fitting and fixing to the case 3.

[0017] The snap-fit ​​portion 41 is inserted into the inside of the case 3. Then, the fitting protrusion 42 formed on the snap-fit ​​portion 41 in the upper part of FIG. 2 is fitted into the fitting recess 33 provided on the case 3, which receives the fitting protrusion 42 of the snap-fit ​​portion 41. The fitting recess 33 is formed as a recess recessed from the inner peripheral surface (inner side surface: inner surface) 3d of the case 3 toward the outside. That is, the fitting recess 33 is provided in a state in which the side opposite to the side where the first fitting protrusion 42 is fitted is blocked by the outer peripheral surface 3b of the case 3, without penetrating the member of the case 3 in which the fitting recess 33 is provided.

[0018] 2 is fitted into a fitting hole 32 provided in the case 3. The fitting hole 32 is provided so as to penetrate the member of the case 3 in which the fitting hole 32 is provided.

[0019] In order to distinguish between the two snap-fit ​​portions 41, in the following description, the snap-fit ​​portion 41 on the side that fits into the fitting recess 33 may be referred to as the first snap-fit ​​portion 41, and the snap-fit ​​portion 41 on the side that fits into the fitting hole 32 may be referred to as the second snap-fit ​​portion 41. Also, the fitting protrusion 42 formed in the first snap-fit ​​portion 41 may be referred to as the first fitting protrusion, and the fitting protrusion 42 formed in the second snap-fit ​​portion 41 may be referred to as the second fitting protrusion.

[0020] In this embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​portion 41 is provided on the cover 4 side and fits into the fitting recess 33 provided on the case 3 side. The second snap-fit ​​portion 41 is provided on the cover 4 side and fits into the fitting hole 32 provided on the case 3 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the first snap-fit ​​portion 41 may be configured to be provided on the case 3 side and fit into the fitting recess 33 provided on the cover 4 side. The second snap-fit ​​portion 41 may be configured to be provided on the case 3 side and fit into the fitting hole 32 provided on the cover 4 side.

[0021] In this case, while an engaging recess 33 is provided in either the case 3 or the cover 4, and the other has a first engaging protrusion 42 that engages with the engaging recess 33, the engaging recess 33 is provided in a state in which the side opposite to the side where the first engaging protrusion 42 engages is blocked, without penetrating the member of the case 3 or the cover 4 in which the engaging recess 33 is provided.

[0022] An end face of the cover 4 on the case 3 side is provided with an abutting surface 4c that abuts against an end face (abutting surface) 3c of the case 3 on the cover 4 side in the depth direction D. The abutting surface 4c is provided inside the outer circumferential surface (edge ​​surface) 4b of the cover 4 and in the vicinity of the outer circumferential surface (edge ​​surface) 4b. In other words, the abutting surface 4c of the cover 4 and the abutting surface 3c of the case 3 abut against each other, and the snap fit portion 41 is provided inside the abutting surface 4c and is inserted into the inside of the case 3 from the inside of the abutting surface 3c of the case 3.

[0023] In FIG. 2, there is a gap between cover 4 and case 3, but this gap may be filled with a sealing material.

[0024] According to this embodiment, fitting hole 32 is provided in a position on the side wall of case 3 opposite fitting recess 33. This allows a mold for forming fitting recess 33 to be inserted through fitting hole 32, making molding by a mold possible, while improving waterproofing because snap fit portion 41 that fits into fitting recess 33 is not exposed on the outer surface of the case.

[0025] In this embodiment, the waterproof performance can be improved by the snap-fit ​​portion 41 on the fitting recess 33 side of the two snap-fit ​​portions 41. For this reason, the automobile control device 100 is preferably mounted so that the outer peripheral surface 3b of the case 3 on which the fitting recess 33 is provided faces upward and the outer peripheral surface 3b of the case 3 on which the fitting hole 32 is provided faces downward. For this reason, the fitting recess 33 and the fitting hole 32 may be configured to be arranged in a reversed arrangement to that shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the snap-fit ​​portion 41 may be configured so that the fitting recess 33 and the fitting hole 32 are arranged on a side wall along the up-down direction H.

[0026] Waterproofing may be improved by providing an appropriate sealant on the fitting hole 32 side where waterproofing cannot be achieved, as is the case with the fitting recess 33 side. In this case, the work of providing the sealant only needs to be performed on one of the two snap-fit ​​portions 41, improving work efficiency.

[0027] In this embodiment, due to the above-described configuration of the two snap-fit ​​portions 41 and the fitting recesses 33 and fitting holes 32, the snap-fit ​​portions 41 do not protrude from the outer peripheral surface (outer side surface: outer surface) 3b of the case 3, and the outer peripheral surface 3b of the case 3 and the outer peripheral surface 4b of the cover 4 are flush with each other. In this manner, the automobile control device 100 of this embodiment has snap-fit ​​portions that can improve waterproof performance with a simple shape and reduce the amount of protrusion that protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface 3d of the housing or outward from the outer peripheral surface 3b.

[0028] The above-described embodiment has the following features. (1) A substrate 1 having an electronic circuit for controlling an automobile; a case 3 having an opening 31 at one end and into which the substrate 1 is inserted and fixed; A cover 4 is attached to the case 3 so as to cover the opening 31, The case 3 is provided with a fitting recess 33, and the cover 4 is provided with a first snap-fit ​​portion 41 having a first fitting protrusion 42 that fits into the fitting recess 33, The fitting recess 33 is provided without penetrating the member of the case 3, and is closed on the side opposite to the side where the first fitting protrusion 42 is fitted. The first fitting protrusion 42 is inserted into the inside of the case 3 and fits into the fitting recess 33 .

[0029] (2) The case 3 is provided with a fitting hole 32, and the cover 4 is provided with a second snap-fit ​​portion 41 having a second fitting protrusion 42 that fits into the fitting hole 32, The fitting hole 32 is provided so as to penetrate the member of the case 3 .

[0030] (3) The fitting recess 33 is provided with the side opposite to the side where the first fitting projection 42 is fitted being closed by the outer circumferential surface of the case 3 .

[0031] (4) The automobile control device 100 is mounted so that the outer peripheral surface 3b of the case 3 on which the fitting recess 33 is provided faces upward, and the outer peripheral surface 3b of the case 3 on which the fitting hole 32 is provided faces downward.

[0032] [Example 2] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an automobile control device according to an embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction BB in Fig. 1.

[0033] The automobile control device 100 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a groove portion 34 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 3b side of the fitting recess 33. That is, the case 3 has the groove portion 34 formed on the outer peripheral surface 3b side of the portion where the fitting recess 33 is formed.

[0034] Specifically, groove portion 34 is provided on the side of outer peripheral surface 3b of case 3 at a portion where fitting recess 33 is formed. Fitting recess 33 is formed as a recess recessed outward from inner peripheral surface 3d of case 3, and groove portion 34 is formed as a recess recessed inward from outer peripheral surface 3b of case 3.

[0035] By providing the groove 34, it is possible to identify the location where the fitting protrusion 42 and the fitting recess 33 are fitted together. In this embodiment, if it becomes necessary to inspect the board 1 after the cover 4 is attached to the case 3, it becomes necessary to release the fitting between the case 3 and the cover 4. By destroying the groove 34 with a flathead screwdriver or the like, the fitting protrusion 42 can be easily exposed.

[0036] [Example 3] Third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram of an automobile control device according to an embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section similar to that of Fig. 2.

[0037] The automobile control device 100 of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that a fitting protrusion 43 is provided on a snap-fit ​​portion 41, and the fitting protrusion 43 is press-fitted into the fitting hole 32. That is, the second fitting protrusion 43 of this embodiment is press-fitted into the fitting hole 32 provided on the side of the case 3.

[0038] With the above-mentioned configuration, there is no gap between the fitting protrusion 43 and the fitting hole 32. With this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the infiltration of liquid from the fitting hole 32 penetrating the case 3. In addition, by making the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the fitting protrusion 43 perpendicular to the fitting direction larger than the opening area of ​​the fitting hole 32, the depth to which the fitting protrusion 43 is pressed into the fitting hole 32 in the fitting direction becomes large, and the effect of eliminating gaps by pressing is enhanced, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing the infiltration of liquid. In addition, it is preferable that the shape of the fitting protrusion 43 has a cross-sectional shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the fitting hole 32. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the fitting hole 32 is a polygonal pyramid shape or a cone shape. Correspondingly, the cross-sectional shape of the second fitting protrusion 43 perpendicular to the fitting direction is a polygonal pyramid shape or a cone shape.

[0039] [Example 4] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a diagram of an automobile control device according to an embodiment (fourth embodiment) of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section similar to Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part VII in Fig. 6.

[0040] The automobile control device 100 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a seal structure is added to the joint surface between the case 3 and the cover 4. A protrusion 35 is provided on an opening edge (an end surface formed around the opening 31) of the case 3 that mates with the cover 4, and a recess 44 is provided at a position on the cover 4 side that fits with the protrusion 35. That is, the protrusion 35 is provided on the end surface (butting surface) 3c of the case 3, and the recess 44 is provided on the butting surface 4c of the cover 4. However, a configuration in which the protrusion 35 is provided on the butting surface 4c of the cover 4 and the recess 44 is provided on the end surface (butting surface) 3c of the case 3 may also be used.

[0041] That is, in the automobile control device 100 of this embodiment, a recess 44 is provided on either the end face (butting surface) 3c formed around the opening 31 of the case 3 or the opposing surface (butting surface) 4c of the cover 4 opposing the end face 3c of the case 3, and a protrusion 35 is provided on the other. The protrusion 35 is formed continuous with the case 3 or the cover 4 on which the protrusion 35 is provided. The recess 44 and the protrusion 35 engage with each other to exert a fixing force for fixing the cover 4 to the case 3. Note that the fixing force exerted by the recess 44 and the protrusion 35 does not need to be 100% of the fixing force for fixing the cover 4 to the case 3.

[0042] This embodiment improves the effect of preventing liquid from entering through the mating surface between case 3 and cover 4. Furthermore, protrusion 35 may have a pointed triangular shape in the cross section of Fig. 7. That is, protrusion 35 extends along the periphery of opening 31 of case 3, and the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension direction may be triangular.

[0043] [Example 5] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram of case 3 according to an embodiment (fifth embodiment) of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of case 3 similar to Fig. 2.

[0044] The automobile control device 100 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the opening area W2 of the fitting hole 32 of the case 3 is larger than the cross-sectional area W1 of the fitting recess 33 perpendicular to the depth direction.

[0045] In this embodiment, the die for forming the fitting recess 33 can be made thicker, which extends the life of the die and reduces the risk of the die breaking.

[0046] Furthermore, when the fitting recess 33 is formed by a die inserted through the fitting hole 32, the opening area W2 must be equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area W1.

[0047] [Example 6] A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows an exploded cross-sectional view and an assembled cross-sectional view of an automobile control device according to an embodiment (sixth embodiment) of the present invention.

[0048] The automobile control device 100 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the height T2 of the fitting protrusion (first fitting protrusion) 42 that fits into the fitting recess 33 is greater than the depth T1 of the fitting recess 33.

[0049] In this embodiment, the fitting protrusion 42 pushes up the bottom surface of the fitting recess 33, forming a bulge (bulging portion) 3b1 on the outer circumferential surface 3b of the case 3. Therefore, it can be confirmed from the outside that the fitting protrusion 42 and the fitting recess 33 are fitted together.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations. It is also possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is also possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...board, 2...connector, 3...case, 3b...outer surface of case 3, 3c...end face (mating surface) of case 3, 3d...inner surface of case 3, 31...opening of case 3, 32...mating hole, 33...mating recess, 34...groove, 35...convex, 4...cover, 4c...mating surface of cover 4, 41...snap-fit ​​portion, 42...mating protrusion, 43...mating cone, 44...recess, 100...automotive control device.

Claims

1. A substrate having an electronic circuit for controlling an automobile; a case having an opening at one end and into which the substrate is inserted and fixed; a cover attached to the case so as to cover the opening, a fitting recess is provided on the case, and a first snap-fit ​​portion having a first fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting recess is provided on the cover; the fitting recess is provided without penetrating a member of the case, and an opposite side to a side where the first fitting projection is fitted is closed, the first fitting protrusion is inserted into the inside of the case to be fitted into the fitting recess, Further, the fitting recess is provided in a state where a side opposite to a side where the first fitting projection is fitted is closed by an outer peripheral surface of the case, The case has a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the portion where the fitting recess is formed.

2. 2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, a fitting hole is provided in the case, and a second snap-fit ​​portion having a second fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting hole is provided in the cover; The fitting hole is provided so as to penetrate a member of the case.

3. 3. The vehicle control device according to claim 2, The automobile control device is mounted so that the outer peripheral surface portion of the case on which the fitting recess is provided faces upward and so that the outer peripheral surface portion of the case on which the fitting hole is provided faces downward.

4. 3. The vehicle control device according to claim 2, The second fitting protrusion is press-fitted into the fitting hole provided on the side of the case.

5. 5. The vehicle control device according to claim 4, A control device for an automobile, wherein a maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the second fitting projection perpendicular to the fitting direction is larger than an opening area of ​​the fitting hole.

6. 6. The vehicle control device according to claim 5, The second fitting protrusion has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the fitting direction that is a polygonal pyramid shape or a cone shape.

7. A substrate having electronic circuits for controlling an automobile; a case having an opening at one end and into which the substrate is inserted and fixed; a cover attached to the case so as to cover the opening, a fitting recess is provided on the case, and a first snap-fit ​​portion having a first fitting protrusion that fits into the fitting recess is provided on the cover; the fitting recess is provided without penetrating a member of the case, and an opposite side to a side where the first fitting projection is fitted is closed, the first fitting protrusion is inserted into the inside of the case to be fitted into the fitting recess, a recess is provided on one of an end surface formed around the opening of the case and an opposing surface of the cover opposing the end surface of the case, and a protrusion is provided on the other of the end surface and the opposing surface of the cover; the protrusion is formed continuously with the case or the cover on which the protrusion is provided, The recess and the protrusion engage with each other to exert a fixing force for fixing the cover and the case together.

8. 8. The vehicle control device according to claim 7, The convex portion extends along the periphery of the opening of the case, and has a triangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of extension.

9. 3. The vehicle control device according to claim 2, An automobile control device, wherein the opening area of ​​the fitting hole is larger than the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the depth direction of the fitting recess.

10. 2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, The height of the first fitting protrusion is greater than the depth of the fitting recess.

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