Electronic control device

Abstract

This electronic control device comprises: a base member (4) that holds a substrate (2); a cover (5) that covers the substrate (2); a connector (3) that electrically connects the substrate (2) and the outside; a waterproof adhesive applied between any two among the base member (4), the cover (5), and the connector (3); and a liquid detour path (8) which is provided above a recess section (60) having a relatively small amount of the waterproof adhesive protruding toward the outside, or above the waterproof adhesive located above a protruding section (44), in the waterproof adhesive, protruding from the base member (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an electronic control device in which a circuit board on which electronic components are mounted is housed in a housing composed of a base and a cover, and a sealing member is interposed between the base and the cover for sealing.

[0003] In particular, in an electronic control device that may be exposed to moisture, such as being disposed in an engine room, a waterproof adhesive is filled in a groove provided in the base, and a fixing protrusion provided on the lower surface of the cover is inserted into the groove to cause the waterproof adhesive to protrude, suppressing the intrusion of moisture between the base and the cover.

[0004] Among them, the electronic control device of Patent Document 1 accurately positions the base and the cover, thereby accurately positioning the waterproof adhesive and the fixing protrusion, reducing variations in the amount and position of the protruding waterproof adhesive, and enhancing the reliability of the waterproof performance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the above-described electronic control device, the gap between the base and the cover is eliminated by causing the waterproof adhesive to protrude from between the base and the cover, suppressing the entry of moisture into the gap.

[0007] However, due to the structural and productivity issues of the electronic control device, there are areas where it is impossible to squeeze out the waterproof adhesive between the base and the cover. For example, the grooves at the corners of the base are formed in an obtuse angle or a curved shape in order to uniformly fill the waterproof adhesive. That is, at the corners of the base, the grooves are provided more inward than other parts. Furthermore, the fastening parts for fastening the cover and the base with screws or heat caulking are set at the corners to secure the area of the circuit board and are provided outside the grooves (waterproof adhesive) in order to satisfy the waterproof function. That is, at the corners, since the distance from the grooves to the outer peripheral wall of the base is larger than that of other parts, the waterproof adhesive does not squeeze out between the base and the cover, and the structure is such that a gap is likely to be formed between the base and the cover.

[0008] In an electronic control device with a cover installed on the base, water droplets adhering to the cover fall onto the base along the surface of the cover due to gravity, wind pressure, vibration, etc. If there is a gap between the base and the cover as described above, the fallen water droplets may flow down and accumulate in the gap. In particular, when the water contains salt, salt may accumulate in this gap, and the deposited salt may corrode the seal interface and cause the loss of waterproof performance.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic control device capable of reducing the amount of salt deposition.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a base member for holding a substrate, a cover for covering the substrate, a connector for electrically connecting the substrate to the outside, a waterproof adhesive applied between any two of the base member, the cover, and the connector, and a detour for liquid provided above a recess that is a portion where the amount of the waterproof adhesive squeezing out to the outside is relatively small, or above the waterproof adhesive located above a protruding portion protruding from the base member of the waterproof adhesive. , the bypass circuit is at least one linear groove provided in either the cover or the connector, the groove is provided on the surface of the side plate portion of the cover or on the side surface of the connector exposed to the outside, and extends in the lateral direction provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, since the amount of salt deposition can be reduced by the liquid bypass circuit, deterioration of the waterproof performance of the electronic control device can be mitigated. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the configuration and operation of the electronic control device according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described. In each figure, the same reference numerals denote the same parts. Also, in the plan view and the cross - sectional view, the directions are specified by the XYZ axes orthogonal to each other, and + X is defined as "right", - X as "left", + Y as "up", - Y as "down", + Z as "front", and - Z as "rear".

[0014] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electronic control device 1 according to the present embodiment as seen from the plane side, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic control device 1 according to the present embodiment as seen from the bottom side, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic control device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0015] The electronic control device 1 is an ECU (engine control unit) mounted in the engine room, and includes a circuit board 2 (see FIG. 3), a connector 3, a base 4, a cover 5, a sealing material 6, and a fastening portion 7.

[0016] The circuit board 2 is a so-called printed wiring board on which electronic components (not shown) are mounted. The circuit board 2 is provided with a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of fixing holes 21, and the connector 3 is attached to the front end portion (+Z direction end portion).

[0017] The connector 3 is a component into which an external connector is inserted and electrically connects the circuit board 2 and a battery or the like, and can be made of a resin such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), polyamide, or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide). The connector 3 is provided with a mounting base portion 31, a connection port 32, and a plurality of connector terminals (not shown), and the mounting base portion 31 can be fixed to the circuit board 2 by soldering via the plurality of connector terminals.

[0018] The base 4 is a component that holds the circuit board 2 to which the connector 3 is attached, and can be formed of a metal mainly composed of aluminum, iron, or the like. The base 4 is provided with a plate portion 41 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), an annular peripheral wall 42 (see FIG. 3), a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of board fixing portions 43 (see FIG. 3), and a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of flange portions 44. Note that the base 4 can also be formed of a resin such as PBT, PPS, or nylon.

[0019] The plate portion 41 (see FIG. 3) is, for example, a rectangular plate-shaped portion. A peripheral wall 42 is formed around the plate portion 41, a plurality of board fixing portions 43 are formed on the upper surface 411, and a plurality of flange portions 44 are formed on the lower surface 412 (see FIG. 2).

[0020] The peripheral wall 42 is an annular member protruding upward (+Y direction) from the plate portion 41. Groove stripes 422 are formed on the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42, and a plurality of base fastening portions 45 protrude from the side surfaces of the corner portions 423 of the peripheral wall 42 (the corner portions 423 are also the corner portions of the plate portion 41 and the base 4).

[0021] The groove stripes 422 are grooves with a substantially U-shaped cross-section provided on the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42, and a waterproof adhesive filled in the grooves is solidified to form a sealing material 6a. Note that the sealing material 6a shown in FIG. 3 schematically shows the shape after the waterproof adhesive is solidified.

[0022] The groove stripes 422 are formed in an obtuse-angled or curved shape around the corner portions 423 so that the waterproof adhesive is filled substantially uniformly over the entire circumference. Therefore, at the corner portions 423 of the base 4, the groove stripes 422 are provided inside relative to the outer circumference compared to other portions. And base fastening portions 45 described later are provided on the peripheral wall 42 of the corner portions 423 of the base 4. Therefore, at the corner portions 423 of the peripheral wall 42, the distance between the groove stripes 422 and the outer circumference of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4 is larger than that of other portions, and the area of the corner portions 423 in the area of the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 is wider than that of other portions (see FIG. 4).

[0023] The plurality (four in this embodiment) of base fastening portions 45 are, for example, quadrangular columnar portions protruding in the front-rear (Z-axis direction) from the outer peripheral surface 424 of the peripheral wall 42 located at the corner portions 423, and each base fastening portion 45 is provided with a boss hole 451 penetrating in the up-down (Y-axis direction).

[0024] The plurality (four in this embodiment) of substrate fixing portions 43 are portions where the circuit board 2 is fixed, and protrude upward from the upper surface 411 of the plate portion 41 to substantially the same height as the peripheral wall 42 in the vicinity of the inner surface of the peripheral wall 42. Screw holes 431 are provided on the upper surfaces of the respective substrate fixing portions 43.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the circuit board 2 with the connector 3 attached is fixed to the base 4. The circuit board 2 with the connector 3 attached is placed on four board fixing parts 43 (see FIG. 3), and screws 22 (see FIG. 4) are inserted into the fixing holes 21 (see FIG. 3) of the circuit board 2 and screwed into the screw holes 431 (see FIG. 3) of the board fixing parts 43 to be fixed to the base 4. The lower part of the mounting base 31 of the connector 3 is adhered by a waterproof adhesive filled in the groove 422, and the space between the mounting base 31 and the base 4 is sealed.

[0026] The plurality (four in this embodiment) of flange parts 44 are plate-like parts for fixing the base 4 to a vehicle with bolts or the like, are combined with the lower surface 412 of the plate part 41, and protrude in the X-axis direction (left and right direction). Further, bolt holes 441 are provided at substantially the center of each of the flange parts 44. The four flange parts 44 of this embodiment are composed of two front first flange parts 44a and two rear second flange parts 44b.

[0027] Note that the peripheral wall 42 above the flange part 44 is curved in an arc shape to secure the distance from the center of the bolt hole 441, and the second moment of inertia of the cross section is increased compared to the linear peripheral wall 42. Thereby, the sealing material 6a above the flange part 44 is not only suppressed from deforming, but also the generated stress is reduced, and thus the strength is improved.

[0028] Returning to FIGS. 1-3, the cover 5 is fastened to the base 4 by a fastening part 7 (see FIG. 1 for example), and is a component that covers the circuit board 2 and the mounting base 31 of the connector 3, and can be molded from a resin such as PBT, PPS, or nylon. Note that the cover 5 can also be molded from a metal mainly composed of aluminum, iron, or the like.

[0029] The cover 5 includes an opening 51 formed on the front surface (see FIG. 3), a plate-like top plate part 52 that covers the upper part, side plate parts 53 that block the left and right sides, a rear plate part 54 that blocks the back, and a plurality (four in this embodiment) of cover fastening parts 55. At the lower end of each of the left and right side plate parts 53 and the rear plate part 54, a ridge 56 which is a protrusion to be inserted into the groove 422 of the base 4 is formed.

[0030] The opening 51 is a portion that exposes the connection port 32 of the connector 3 to the outside and covers the mounting base 31 of the connector 3. A waterproof adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the mounting base 31 of the connector 3, and the waterproof adhesive solidifies after bonding the cover 5 and the base 4 to become the sealing material 6b. Note that the sealing material 6b shown in FIG. 3 schematically shows the shape after the waterproof adhesive has solidified.

[0031] The four cover fastening portions 55 are portions provided for fastening the cover 5 to the base 4, and are provided at the four corners of the lower end of the cover 5. A boss 551 is provided on the lower surface of the cover fastening portion 55.

[0032] The boss 551 serves as a positioning pin when attaching the cover 5 to the base 4, and is a portion that suppresses the cover 5 attached to the base 4 from coming off the base 4.

[0033] The sealing material 6 is a solidified waterproof adhesive. The waterproof adhesive may be a waterproof adhesive having fluidity during filling, and is not particularly limited to a specific configuration, and can be selected according to the specifications of the electronic control device, for example, epoxy-based, silicone-based, acrylic-based, etc.

[0034] As described above, the sealing material 6 used in the electronic control device of the present embodiment includes a sealing material 6a filled in the groove 422 for sealing between the mounting base 31 of the connector 3 and the base 4 and between the base 4 and the cover 5, and a sealing material 6b for sealing between the mounting base 31 of the connector 3 and the cover 5.

[0035] The fastening portion 7 is a portion for fastening the base 4 and the cover 5, and includes a base fastening portion 45 and a cover fastening portion 55. As described above, the base fastening portion 45 is provided with a boss hole 451 penetrating in the vertical (Y-axis direction), and a boss 551 is provided on the lower surface of the cover fastening portion 55.

[0036] The fastening part 7 inserts the boss 551 into the boss hole 451, melts and solidifies the tip protruding from the boss hole 451 with, for example, a predetermined heating jig, and performs thermal caulking to fasten the base 4 and the cover 5.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of the electronic control device 1 shown in FIG. 1. To fasten the base 4 and the cover 5, when the boss 551 (see FIG. 3) of the cover 5 is inserted into the boss hole 451 (see FIG. 3) of the base 4, the protrusion 56 of the cover 5 is inserted into the groove 422 of the base 4.

[0038] When the protrusion 56 is inserted into the groove 422, the waterproof adhesive filled in the groove 422 overflows from the groove 422 and overflows to the outside of the cover 5 and the base 4 from between the lower surface 533 of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 and the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4.

[0039] Then, the waterproof adhesive solidifies to become the sealing material 6a, and as shown in FIG. 5, the space between the lower surface 533 of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 and the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4 is sealed without a gap. Note that the space between the lower surface (not shown) of the rear plate portion 54 and the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4 is also sealed by the sealing material 6a in the same manner.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of the electronic control device 1 at the corner 423 located at the rear right side of the electronic control device 1 (see FIG. 1), and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of the electronic control device 1 shown at the corner 423 located at the front right side of the electronic control device 1 (see FIG. 1).

[0041] Since the waterproof adhesive is filled substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the groove 422, the amount of the waterproof adhesive overflowing from the groove 422 when the protrusion 56 is inserted into the groove 422 is also substantially uniform.

[0042] However, as described above, around the corner portion 423, the groove 422 is formed in an obtuse-angled or curved shape. Therefore, at the corner portion 423 of the peripheral wall 42, the distance between the groove 422 and the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4 is larger than that of other portions, and the area of the corner portion 423 in the area of the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 is wider than the area of other portions (see FIG. 4).

[0043] Therefore, at the corner portion 423, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, between the lower surface 533 of the cover 5 and the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4, the amount of the waterproof adhesive oozing out to the outside is relatively less than that of other portions, and gaps (recesses) 60a and 60b are formed.

[0044] In the present embodiment, on the surface of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 at a position above the gaps (recesses) 60a and 60b, a detour 8 (a first detour 8a and a second detour 8b) for changing the flowing and falling direction of the liquid (droplet) is provided.

[0045] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the first detour 8a provided on the rear side surface (rear side surface portion 531) of the right side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 in the electronic control device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0046] The first detour 8a is a flow path provided above the gap 60a (see FIG. 1) for changing the direction of the droplet flowing along the surface of the rear side surface portion 531 of the side plate portion 53.

[0047] The first detour 8a has at least one groove 8a1 provided on the rear side surface portion 531 of the side plate portion 53. The groove 8a1 is a linear groove recessed with respect to the rear side surface portion 531 and having an opening at the rear end (-Z direction end portion), and has a bottom surface 8a2, an upper inner wall 8a3, a front inner wall 8a4, and a lower inner wall 8a5.

[0048] The bottom surface 8a2 is, for example, substantially parallel to the rear side surface portion 531, and the upper inner wall 8a3, the front inner wall 8a4, and the lower inner wall 8a5 intersect the rear side surface portion 531, for example, substantially perpendicularly. Also, the upper inner wall 8a3 and the lower inner wall 8a5 are, for example, lower at the front side and higher at the rear side. Therefore, the dripping droplets flowing along the surface of the rear side surface portion 531 above the gap 60a flow forward between the upper inner wall 8a3 and the lower inner wall 8a5 and flow down to the portion where the sealing material 6a protrudes from between the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 and the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4.

[0049] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the second bypass circuit 8b provided on the inclined surface portion 532 on the front side (+Z side) of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 in the electronic control device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0050] The second bypass circuit 8b is a flow path provided above the gap 60b for changing the direction of the dripping droplets flowing along the surface of the inclined surface portion 532 on the front side of the side plate portion 53.

[0051] The second bypass circuit 8b has at least one protrusion 8b1 provided on the inclined surface portion 532 of the side plate portion 53. The protrusion 8b1 is, for example, a linear protrusion having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, protrudes substantially perpendicularly from the inclined surface portion 532, and is lower at the front side and higher at the rear side. Therefore, the dripping droplets flowing along the surface of the inclined surface portion 532 of the side plate portion 53 flow forward by the protrusion 8b1, and the flow into the gap 60b is suppressed.

[0052] [Operation and Effect] In the electronic control device 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, there may be a case where a gap (recess) 60, which is a portion where the amount of the waterproof adhesive protruding to the outside is relatively small, is formed between the lower surface 533 of the cover 5 and the upper surface 421 of the corner portion 423 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4. However, above the gap (recess) 60, a bypass circuit 8 for flowing water droplets to the portion where the sealing material 6a protrudes, covering the entire gap (recess) 60 in the front-rear direction, is provided. Therefore, the droplets flowing down along the surface of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 are prevented from flowing into the gap 60. As a result, the amount of salt deposited in the gap 60 can be reduced, and the deterioration of the waterproof performance can be alleviated.

[0053] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the electronic control unit 12 according to the second embodiment. The difference between the electronic control unit 12 according to the present embodiment and the electronic control unit 1 according to the first embodiment lies in the shapes of the first bypass circuit 8a and the second bypass circuit 8b.

[0054] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the first bypass circuit 8a provided on the rear surface portion 531 on the rear side (-Z side) of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 in the electronic control unit 12 according to the present embodiment.

[0055] The first bypass circuit 8a of the present embodiment has a stepped portion 8a6, a side surface 8a7, and a front surface 8a8, with the upper side (+Y direction), the rear side (-Z direction), and the right side (+X side) being open.

[0056] The stepped portion 8a6 is a portion that extends in the front-rear direction (lateral direction) and is open at the top, intersecting the rear surface portion 531 at, for example, a substantially perpendicular angle, and is an inclined surface with a lower front side and a higher rear side. The side surface 8a7 rises from the left end of the stepped portion 8a6 and is an inclined surface where, for example, the upper end is located on the left side of the lower end. The front surface 8a8 rises from the front end of the stepped portion 8a6 and is an inclined surface where, for example, the upper end is located on the front side of the lower end.

[0057] Therefore, the falling droplets that flow along the surfaces of the side surface 8a7 and the front surface 8a8 above the gap 60a flow forward at the stepped portion 8a6 and fall onto the portion where the sealing material 6a protrudes.

[0058] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the second bypass circuit 8b provided on the inclined surface portion 532 on the front side (+Z side) of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 in the electronic control unit 12 according to the present embodiment.

[0059] The second bypass circuit 8b of the present embodiment has a ridge 8b2 that is a single linear protrusion. The ridge 8b2 is a ridge that protrudes from the inclined surface portion 532 and extends in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction), having a trapezoidal cross-section, and has an upper surface 8b3, a side surface 8b4, and a lower surface 8b5.

[0060] The upper surface 8b3 is substantially parallel to the X-axis, for example, with the front side being lower and the rear side being higher. Therefore, the falling droplets flowing along the surface of the inclined surface portion 532 above the gap 60b flow toward the front side on the upper surface 8b3, and are suppressed from flowing into the gap 60b.

[0061] Also, the side surface 8b4 forms an obtuse angle with the upper surface 8b3. The lower surface 8b5 forms an obtuse angle with the side surface 8b4 and forms a right angle or more with the upper surface 8b3. Therefore, the angle formed by the intersection of any two of the upper surface 8b3, the side surface 8b4, and the lower surface 8b5 is a right angle or more.

[0062] [Function and Effect] Similar to the electronic control device 1 according to the first embodiment, the electronic control device 12 according to the present embodiment changes the direction of the falling droplets flowing along the surface of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5, suppresses the accumulation of droplets in the gap 60, and can reduce the deterioration of the waterproof performance.

[0063] The first bypass circuit 8a of the present embodiment extends in the front-rear direction (lateral direction) and has a stepped portion 8a6 that is open upward. Further, the second bypass circuit 8b of the present embodiment is a single linear protrusion (ridge 8b2), and the ridge 8b2 has a plurality of surfaces (upper surface 8b3, side surface 8b4, and lower surface 8b5), and the minimum value of the angle formed by the intersection of any two of the plurality of surfaces is a right angle or more. Therefore, the first bypass circuit 8a and the second bypass circuit 8b do not have an undercut portion and have a shape that does not require a slide type. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the complication of the mold for molding the cover 5 and suppress the increase in the cost of the mold.

[0064] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an electronic control device 13 according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic control device 13 according to the third embodiment. The difference between the electronic control device 13 according to the present embodiment and the electronic control device 1 according to the first embodiment is that the bypass circuit 8c is provided in the connector 3.

[0065] In the connector 3 of the present embodiment, the left and right side surfaces 311 of the mounting base 31 are exposed to the outside, and the mounting base 31 is placed on the upper surface 421 of the front corner 423 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4. Therefore, a gap (recess) 60c is formed between the front corner 423 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4 and the mounting base 31 of the connector 3 above it, where the amount of the waterproof adhesive protruding to the outside is relatively small.

[0066] In this case, droplets adhering to the surfaces of the left and right side surfaces 311 of the mounting base 31 of the connector 3 on the upper surface 421 may fall along the surfaces of the side surfaces 311 due to gravity, wind pressure, or vibration, enter the gap 60c, and accumulate.

[0067] In the present embodiment, a bypass circuit 8c for suppressing the flow and fall of droplets is provided at a location above the gap (recess) 60c on the surface of the side surface 311 of the connector 3.

[0068] FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the bypass circuit 8c provided on the side surface 311 of the connector 3 in the electronic control device 13 according to the present embodiment.

[0069] The bypass circuit 8c is provided above the gap 60c (see FIG. 13) and is a flow path for changing the direction of droplets flowing and falling along the surface of the side surface 311 of the connector 3.

[0070] The bypass circuit 8c includes at least one groove 8c1 provided on the side surface 311 of the connector 3. The groove 8c1 is a linear groove that is recessed with respect to the side surface 311 and has an opening at the front end (+Z direction end), and has a bottom surface 8c2, an upper inner wall 8c3, a rear inner wall 8c4, and a lower inner wall 8c5.

[0071] The bottom surface 8c2 is, for example, substantially parallel to the side surface 311, and the upper inner wall 8c3, the rear inner wall 8c4, and the lower inner wall 8c5 intersect the side surface 311, for example, substantially perpendicularly. Therefore, droplets flowing and falling along the surface of the side surface 311 of the connector 3 are accumulated on the lower inner wall 8c5 and flow down from the opening at the front end.

[0072] Note that the groove 8c1 may be lower at the front end side and higher at the rear end side so that the dripping droplets flowing along the surface of the side surface 311 of the connector 3 flow down forward along the upper inner wall 8c3 and the lower inner wall 8c5.

[0073] [Operation and Effect] In the electronic control device 13 according to the present embodiment, there may be a case where a gap (recess) 60c, which is a portion where the amount of the waterproof adhesive protruding to the outside is relatively small, is formed between the lower surface of the connector 3 and the upper surface 421 of the corner portion 423 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4. However, above the gap (recess) 60c, a detour 8c is provided that covers the entire gap (recess) 60c in the front-rear direction and prevents water droplets from flowing into the gap (recess) 60c. Therefore, the droplets flowing down along the surface of the side surface 311 of the connector 3 are prevented from flowing into the gap 60c. As a result, the amount of salt deposited in the gap 60c can be reduced, and the deterioration of the waterproof performance can be alleviated.

[0074] (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an electronic control device 14 according to the fourth embodiment. The difference between the electronic control device 14 according to the present embodiment and the electronic control device 1 according to the first embodiment is the method of coupling the base 4 and the cover 5. That is, while the first embodiment uses thermal caulking for coupling, the present embodiment uses a snap fit for coupling.

[0075] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the snap fit coupling portion 73 and the detour 8d of the electronic control device 14 according to the present embodiment. The snap fit coupling portion 73 has a hook 731, a latch 732, and two guides 733.

[0076] The hook 731 is, for example, a protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface 424 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4. The latch 732 is, for example, a substantially U-shaped leaf spring and has two protruding portions 7321 protruding from the lower end of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 and a U-shaped plate portion 7322 that is coupled to the two protruding portions 7321 and whose lower end is caught by the hook 731.

[0077] The two guides 733 are, for example, ridges protruding from the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4, and suppress the outer peripheral surface 424 of the peripheral wall 42 from bulging outward and the latch 732 from disengaging from the hook 731.

[0078] To couple the cover 5 to the base 4, when the latch 732 is hooked onto the hook 731, the protrusion 56 of the cover 5 is inserted into the groove 422 of the base 4.

[0079] When the protrusion 56 is inserted into the groove 422, the waterproof adhesive filled in the groove 422 overflows from the groove 422 and overflows to the outside of the cover 5 and the base 4 from between the lower surface 533 of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 and the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4. However, two guides 733 are provided on the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4, and the waterproof adhesive is suppressed from overflowing by the two guides 733. Therefore, the amount of the waterproof adhesive overflowing to the outside is relatively small compared to other portions, and a gap (recess) 60d is formed.

[0080] Also, since the protruding portion 7321 of the latch 732 protrudes from the lower end of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5, a recess (gap 60e), which is a portion where the amount of the waterproof adhesive overflowing to the outside is relatively small, is formed between the lower surface of the latch 732 and the upper surface 421 of the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4.

[0081] In the present embodiment, on the surface of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 provided with the latch 732 of the snap - fit coupling portion 73, a detour 8d for changing the flowing and falling direction of droplets is provided at a location above the gaps (recesses) 60d and 60e.

[0082] The detour 8d has, for example, at least one (three in the present embodiment) groove portion 8d1 provided in the side plate portion 53. The groove portion 8d1 is a fan - shaped groove recessed with respect to the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54, and has a bottom surface 8d2, an upper inner wall 8d3, two side inner walls 8d4, and a lower inner wall 8d5.

[0083] The bottom surface 8d2 is, for example, substantially parallel to the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54, and the upper inner wall 8d3, the two side inner walls 8d4, and the lower inner wall 8d5 intersect the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54 at, for example, substantially right angles. Also, the upper inner wall 8d3 and the lower inner wall 8d5 are, for example, higher at the central portion and lower at both ends. Therefore, the droplets that flow down along the surface of the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54 above the snap - fit coupling portion 73 flow along the upper inner wall 8d3 and the lower inner wall 8d5 to both ends, and flow down to the portion where the sealing material 6a protrudes from between the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 and the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4.

[0084] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the snap - fit coupling portion 73 of the electronic control device according to the present embodiment and another detour circuit 8e. Another detour circuit 8e of the present embodiment, similar to the detour circuit 8d, has at least one (three in this embodiment) groove portion 8e1 provided in the side plate portion 53. The groove portion 8e1 is a linear groove recessed with respect to the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54, and has a bottom surface 8e2, an upper inner wall 8e3, two side inner walls 8e4, and a lower inner wall 8e5.

[0085] The bottom surface 8e2 is, for example, substantially parallel to the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54, and the upper inner wall 8e3, the two side inner walls 8e4, and the lower inner wall 8e5 intersect the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54 at, for example, substantially right angles. Also, the upper inner wall 8e3 and the lower inner wall 8e5 are, for example, lower at the front side and higher at the rear side. Therefore, the droplets that flow down along the surface of the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54 above the snap - fit coupling portion 73 flow along the upper inner wall 8e3 and the lower inner wall 8e5 to the front side, and flow down to the portion where the sealing material 6a protrudes from between the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 and the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4.

[0086] Note that the upper inner wall 8e3 and the lower inner wall 8e5 may be, for example, higher at the front side and lower at the rear side. In this case, the droplets that flow down along the surface of the side plate portion 53 or the rear plate portion 54 above the snap - fit coupling portion 73 flow along the upper inner wall 8e3 and the lower inner wall 8e5 to the rear side, and flow down to the portion where the sealing material 6a protrudes from between the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 and the peripheral wall 42 of the base 4.

[0087] Further, the detour circuit 8d may have, for example, at least one linear protrusion provided on the side plate portion 53.

[0088] [Function and Effect] In the electronic control device 14 according to the present embodiment, there may be formed gaps (recesses) 60c and 60d which are portions where the amount of the waterproof adhesive protruding to the outside is relatively small at the portion where the snap fit coupling portion 73 is provided. However, above the gaps (recesses) 60c and 60d, there is provided a detour circuit 8d or a detour circuit 8e for flowing water droplets to a portion where the sealing material 6a protrudes covering both of the gaps (recesses) 60c and 60d. Therefore, droplets flowing down on the surface of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 are prevented from flowing into the gaps 60c and 60d. As a result, the amount of salt deposited in the gaps 60c and 60d can be reduced, and thus deterioration of the waterproof performance can be alleviated.

[0089] (Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 19 is a plan side perspective view of an electronic control device 15 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0090] As described above, the plurality (four in the present embodiment) of flange portions 44 (44a, 44b) are coupled to the lower surface 412 and protrude outward in the X-axis direction (left-right direction). Further, the peripheral wall 42 above the flange portion 44 is curved in an arc shape such that the distance from the center of the bolt holes 441 (44a1, 44b1) becomes a predetermined value, and its surface is a curved surface 425 (425a, 425b).

[0091] In the present embodiment, a detour circuit 8f is provided above a sealing material 6a in which a waterproof adhesive located above the second flange portion 44b, which is a protruding portion protruding from the base 4, has solidified.

[0092] FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of a detour circuit 8f provided on the curved surface 534 of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 in the electronic control device 15 according to the present embodiment.

[0093] The detour channel 8f is a channel for suppressing the dripping of droplets flowing along the surface of the curved surface 534 of the side plate portion 53 and flowing to the second flange portion 44b.

[0094] The detour channel 8f has at least one groove 8f1. The groove 8f1 is a linear groove recessed with respect to the curved surface 534, and has a bottom surface 8f2, an upper inner wall 8f3 connected to the bottom surface 852 above, two side inner walls 8f4 connected to both ends of the bottom surface 852 in the front-rear direction, and a lower inner wall 8f5 connected to the bottom surface 852 below.

[0095] The bottom surface 8f2 is, for example, substantially parallel to the curved surface 534 of the cover 5, the upper inner wall 8f3 and the lower inner wall 8f5 intersect the curved surface 534 of the cover 5, for example, substantially perpendicularly, and the two side inner walls 8f4 intersect the upper inner wall 8c3 and the lower inner wall 8c5, for example, substantially perpendicularly.

[0096] [Function and Effect] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which residues of droplets are accumulated at the intersection of the flange portion and the peripheral wall in the D-D arrow cross section of the electronic control device shown in FIG. 1. As shown in this figure, droplets tend to accumulate at the intersection 44b3 where the upper surface 44b2 of the second flange portion 44b and the curved surface 425b of the peripheral wall 42 intersect. If the electronic control device 1 is continuously used, the salt S in the droplets accumulates and reaches the sealing material 6a, and there is a possibility of corroding the seal interface and losing the waterproof performance regardless of the presence or absence of the gap 60 described from the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment.

[0097] Therefore, in the electronic control device 15 according to the present embodiment, a detour channel 8f is provided above the second flange portion 44b which is a protruding portion protruding from the base 4 and above the waterproof adhesive (sealing material 6a) located above the second flange portion 44b. Due to this detour channel 8f (lower inner wall 8c5), the dripping droplets flowing along the surface of the side plate portion 53 of the cover 5 are suppressed from flowing down to the second flange portion 44b, so that the amount of salt deposited on the second flange portion 44b can be reduced, and the deterioration of the waterproof performance of the electronic control device 15 can be mitigated.

[0098] Incidentally, Fig. 22 is a schematic view showing a state in which residues of droplets have accumulated at the intersection 44a3 of the upper surface 44a2 of the first flange portion 44a and the curved surface 425a of the peripheral wall 42 in the cross section taken along the line C-C of the electronic control unit shown in Fig. 19.

[0099] As shown in this figure, droplets also tend to accumulate at the intersection 44a3 where the upper surfaces 44a2 of the two front first flange portions 44a intersect with the curved surface 425a of the peripheral wall 42, and the residue S accumulates up to the sealing material 6a, which may corrode the seal interface and cause loss of waterproof performance.

[0100] Therefore, it is preferable to provide the second bypass circuit 8b of the first embodiment above the first flange portion 44a. The second bypass circuit 8b also has the effect of suppressing droplets (salt) from accumulating on the upper surfaces 44a2 of the two first flange portions 44a.

[0101] Note that a bypass circuit 8f of the fifth embodiment may be provided on the cover 5 of the electronic control unit 1 of the first embodiment.

[0102] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Also, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Also, for a part of the configuration of each embodiment, addition, deletion, or replacement with other configurations is possible.

[0103] Note that the embodiments of the present invention may also be in the following aspects. For example, an embodiment in which the bypass circuit 8 is provided on the cover 5 and the connector 3 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be provided on the base 4.

[0104] Also, the liquid that forms droplets is not limited to water containing salt, and the present invention is also effective for liquids containing components that may corrode the seal interface.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1, 12, 13, 14, 15... electronic control device, 2... circuit board, 3... connector, 4... base, 42... peripheral wall, 423... corner, 425, 425a, 425b... curved surface, 44... flange portion (protrusion), 44a... first flange portion, 44b... second flange portion, 443... intersection, 5... cover, 6, 6a, 6b... sealing material, 7... fastening portion, 73... snap fit coupling portion, 731... hook, 732... latch, 733... guide, 8, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f... detour, 8a... first detour, 8a1, 8c1, 8f1... groove, 8a6... step portion, 8b... second detour, 8b1, 8b2... rib, 8b3... upper surface, 8b4... side surface, 8b5... lower surface, 8d1, 8e1... groove portion, 60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e... gap (recess)

Claims

1. A base member for holding a substrate, a cover covering the substrate, a connector for electrically connecting the substrate to the outside, a waterproof adhesive applied between any two of the base member, the cover, and the connector, a liquid detour provided above a recess which is a portion where the amount of the waterproof adhesive protruding to the outside is relatively small, or above the waterproof adhesive located above a protruding portion protruding from the base member of the waterproof adhesive, the detour being at least one linear groove provided in either the cover or the connector, the groove being provided on the surface of a side plate portion of the cover or on a side surface of the connector exposed to the outside, and extending in a lateral direction, an electronic control device characterized by this.

2. The electronic control device according to Claim 1, wherein the recess is formed between the base member and the cover, or between the base member and the connector, an electronic control device characterized by this.

3. The electronic control device according to Claim 1, wherein the recess is located between a corner portion of the base member and the cover, an electronic control device characterized by this.

4. The electronic control device according to Claim 1, wherein the base member and the cover are coupled by a snap fit, the recess being located in a portion constituting a part of the snap fit, an electronic control device characterized by this.

5. The electronic control device according to Claim 4, wherein the detour has at least one groove, the at least one groove being a fan-shaped groove with a high center and low ends, or a linear groove with a high end and a low end, an electronic control device characterized by this.

6. The electronic control device according to Claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is a flange portion protruding from the base member, an electronic control device characterized by this.

7. The electronic control device according to Claim 6, wherein a portion of a peripheral wall surrounding the base member that intersects with the flange portion is curved, an electronic control device characterized by this.

8. The electronic control device according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one linear groove is inclined, an electronic control device characterized by this.

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