Case fixing structure

Abstract

To solve a problem of a fixing structure of a conventional case, specifically high manufacturing cost caused by complexity in structure and assembling work.SOLUTION: In a structure for fixing a case C which stores an electronic device IN to a structure M, the structure M and case C have connections 1 and 2 opposed to each other at a prescribed interval. One of the connections 2 includes an attaching hole 3 opened in its thickness direction, a cylindrical buffer member 4 fitted through the attaching hole 3, and a cylindrical collar 5 fitted in an inner hole 4H of the buffer member 4. A bolt 6 inserted through an inner hole 5h of the collar 5 is engaged with a nut 7 provided in the other connection 1, and the buffer member 4 is interposed between one connection 2 and the collar 5. Thus, a structure and assembling work are simplified, and manufacturing cost is reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for fixing a case that houses an electronic device to a structure, and more specifically, to a fixing structure of a case having a function of protecting an electronic device from vibrations of the structure.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional case fixing structure, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The fixing structure described in Patent Document 1 includes a connecting member fixed to a side member of a vehicle and an overhanging portion of a case that faces the upper surface thereof. An inverter is housed in the case. Further, on the upper surface of the connecting member, an inner cylinder portion, a cylindrical buffer member, and an outer cylinder portion are coaxially combined and arranged from the center side.

[0003] Then, in the fixing structure, after fitting a hole formed in the overhanging portion of the case to the outer periphery of the outer cylinder portion, a bolt is passed through the inside of the inner cylinder portion and the connecting member via a washer, and a nut is screwed onto the tip of the bolt protruding from the lower surface of the connecting member, thereby fixing the overhanging portion of the case to the connecting member. This fixing structure absorbs vibrations generated on the side member side by the buffer member interposed between the connecting member and the overhanging portion, and protects the inverter housed in the case from vibrations.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional case fixing structure as described above has a triple structure in which a soft buffer member in a cylindrical shape is sandwiched between a hard outer cylinder part and an inner cylinder part. Therefore, there are problems that the structure is complex, the assembly work is complicated, and the manufacturing cost increases. Thus, it has been an issue to solve such problems.

[0006] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described conventional problems, and aims to provide a case fixing structure capable of simplifying the structure and assembly work and reducing the manufacturing cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The case fixing structure according to the present invention is a structure for fixing a case containing an electronic device to a structure. In this case fixing structure, the structure and the case have connecting portions facing each other at a predetermined interval. Further, either one of the connecting portions of the structure and the case includes a mounting hole penetrating in the thickness direction thereof, a cylindrical buffer member mounted in a penetrating state in the mounting hole, and a cylindrical collar mounted in the inner hole of the buffer member. And, the case fixing structure screws a bolt inserted through the inner hole of the collar to a nut portion provided on the other connecting portion, with the buffer member interposed between one connecting portion and the collar. wherein the structure and the case are mounted on a vehicle, and the combination of the pin and the receiving hole is arranged at a portion other than the surface facing the inner wall of the vehicle body of the vehicle It is characterized by this.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] In the case fixing structure according to the present invention, the cylindrical buffer member is a soft member such as rubber, and the similarly cylindrical collar is a hard member such as metal. Therefore, in either one of the connecting portions of the structure and the case, it is only necessary to previously mount the buffer member in the mounting hole and insert the collar into the inner hole thereof, and an outer cylinder member for inserting the buffer member is unnecessary. Thereby, the case fixing structure can achieve simplification of the structure and assembly work and reduction of the manufacturing cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] 〈First Embodiment〉 FIG. 1 is a view showing a first embodiment of a case fixing structure according to the present invention. The illustrated case fixing structure is a structure for fixing a case that houses an electronic device to a structure. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, in the engine room of a vehicle, a case C that houses an inverter (electronic device) IN is fixed to the upper part of a motor (structure) M adjacent to the engine E. The case C has a flat plate-shaped cover K that closes the upper open portion, and a gasket G is interposed between the cover K.

[0011] The above-described case C fixing structure has connecting portions 1 and 2 where the motor M and the case C face each other with a predetermined interval therebetween. Either one of the connecting portions has a mounting hole 3 that is open in its thickness direction, a cylindrical buffer member 4 mounted in a penetrating state in the mounting hole 3, and a cylindrical collar 5 mounted in the inner hole 4H of the buffer member 4. Then, in the fixing structure, a bolt 6 inserted through the inner hole 5H of the collar 5 is screwed to a nut portion 7 provided on the other connecting portion, and the buffer member 4 is interposed between one connecting portion and the collar 5.

[0012] In the fixing structure of this embodiment, the connecting portions 1 and 2 of the motor M and the case C are plate-shaped and face each other vertically. The upper side is the connecting portion 2 of the case C, and the lower side is the connecting portion 1 of the motor M. The connecting portion 2 of the case C is an extended portion integrated with the cover K. The connecting portion 1 of the motor M is an extended portion integrated with the housing of the motor M or the like.

[0013] And the above-mentioned fixing structure includes the mounting hole 3, the buffer member 4, and the collar 5 at the connecting portion 2 of the case C which is one of the connecting portions. Also, the above-mentioned fixing structure is provided with a nut portion 7 to which the tip of the bolt 6 is screwed at the other connecting portion 1. Incidentally, contrary to the illustrated example, the fixing structure may be provided with the mounting hole 3, the buffer member 4, and the collar 5 at the connecting portion 1 of the motor M, and a nut portion 7 to which the bolt 6 is screwed may be provided at the connecting portion 2 of the case C.

[0014] The buffer member 4 is a relatively soft member made of rubber or the like, and in the axial direction, it has a small-diameter portion 4A with a width corresponding to the thickness of the connecting portion 2 at a position near the upper end of the middle portion thereof, and has an upper large-diameter portion 4B and a lower large-diameter portion 4C on both sides thereof.

[0015] The collar 5 is a relatively hard member made of metal, plastic, or the like, has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the inner hole 4H of the buffer member 4, has a length corresponding to the total length of the buffer member 4, and has an outward flange portion 5F at the upper end that abuts against the upper end surface of the buffer member 4. The inner diameter of the inner hole 5H of the collar 5 is clearly larger than the diameter of the bolt 6.

[0016] Also, the above-mentioned fixing structure can be configured to include at least one of a washer 8 mounted on the head of the bolt 6 and abutting against the end face of the buffer member 4, and a flange portion 5F formed at the end of the collar 5 and abutting against the end face of the buffer member 4. In this embodiment, both the above-mentioned washer 8 and the flange portion 5F are provided, and the flange portion 5F which is below the washer 8 abuts against the end face of the buffer member 4.

[0017] Furthermore, the above fixing structure includes a pin 10 through which the connecting portion 2 of the case C, which is one of the connecting portions, penetrates through the receiving hole 9 formed in the other connecting portion 1. The pin 10 and the receiving hole 9 have an appropriate clearance between them, are detachable in the axial direction, and substantially suppress movement in the radial direction. Note that, contrary to the illustrated example, the above fixing structure may be configured such that the receiving hole 9 is provided in one connecting portion 2 and the pin 10 is provided in the other connecting portion 1. However, when the two connecting portions 1 and 2 are arranged vertically as in the illustrated example, it is more desirable to provide the receiving hole 9 in the other connecting portion 1 on the lower side.

[0018] Furthermore, in the above fixing structure, the protruding dimension L2 of the tip portion of the pin 10 protruding from the receiving hole 9 is larger than the axial length dimension L1 of the large-diameter portion, that is, the upper large-diameter portion 4B, interposed between the head of the bolt 6 and one connecting portion 2 (L1 < L2).

[0019] Furthermore, the above fixing structure arranges the combination (A) of the pin 10 and the receiving hole 9 at a plurality of locations in the case C. At this time, since the fixing structure of this embodiment is such that the motor M and the case C are mounted on a vehicle, it is more desirable to arrange the combination of the pin 10 and the receiving hole 9 at a portion other than the surface facing the vehicle interior wall W of the vehicle.

[0020] In FIG. 2, the left side is the front side of the vehicle, and the front and rear surfaces and one side surface of the motor M are surrounded by the vehicle interior wall W. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the combination (A) of the pin 10 and the receiving hole 9 is arranged at two locations on the engine E side, which is a portion other than the surface facing the vehicle body wall surface W. Note that the fixing structure can also arrange the combination (B) of the mounting hole 3, the buffer member 4, the collar 5, the bolt 6, and the nut portion 7 at a plurality of locations (four locations in the figure) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] The fixing structure of the case having the above configuration is such that the cylindrical buffer member 4 is a soft member such as rubber, and the similarly cylindrical collar 5 is a hard member such as metal. When fixing the case C to the motor M, the buffer member 4 is pre-mounted in the mounting hole 3 at the connecting portion 2 of the case C. At this time, the buffer member 4 is elastically deformed and inserted into the mounting hole 3, so that the small-diameter portion 4A is engaged with the mounting hole 3, and the upper large-diameter portion 4B and the lower large-diameter portion 4C project upward and downward, and as a whole, it is mounted in a penetrating state in the mounting hole 3. Therefore, there is no worry that the buffer member 4 will accidentally come off from the mounting hole 3.

[0022] After that, for the above fixing structure, it is only necessary to insert the collar 5 into the inner hole 4H of the buffer member 4. Therefore, for example, compared with the conventional triple structure in which a soft buffer member having a cylindrical shape is sandwiched between a hard outer cylinder portion and an inner cylinder portion, the outer cylinder portion becomes unnecessary and the assembly is also easy.

[0023] Next, for the above fixing structure, the case C is positioned by inserting the pin 10 into the receiving hole 9 of the connecting portion 1 of the motor M. At this time, for the above fixing structure, the buffer member 4 and the collar 5 are positioned so as to be coaxial with respect to the nut portion 7, the lower end portions of the buffer member 4 and the collar 5 abut on the upper surface of the connecting portion 1, and the tip end portion of the pin 10 projects below the receiving hole 9. After that, for the above fixing structure, the bolt 6 is inserted into the inner hole 5H of the collar 5 via the washer 8, and when the bolt 6 is screwed into the nut portion 7, the fixing of the case C is completed.

[0024] In this way, for the above fixing structure, the buffer member 4 is interposed between the connecting portion 1 and the collar 5 in the case C, and the buffer member 4 absorbs the vibrations of the engine E and the motor M to protect the inverter IN housed in the case C from vibrations. And as is clear from the above-described assembly procedure, the above fixing structure can realize the simplification of the structure and the assembly work, and can also realize the reduction of the manufacturing cost.

[0025] In addition, in the above-described fixing structure, since one connecting portion (connecting portion 2 of case C) is provided with a pin 10 that penetrates a receiving hole 9 formed in the other connecting portion (connecting portion 1 of motor M), the positioning operation of case C becomes easy and can contribute to further simplification of the assembly work. Moreover, in the above-described fixing structure, when an external force such as a collision is applied while mounted on a vehicle, displacement of case C is suppressed by the engagement between receiving hole 9 and pin 10, and high-voltage protection of the electronic device (inverter IN) can be performed.

[0026] Furthermore, in the above-described fixing structure, the buffer member 4 has a small-diameter portion 4A, an upper large-diameter portion 4B, and a lower large-diameter portion 4C, and includes a washer 8 attached to the head of bolt 6 and a flange portion 5F formed at the end of collar 5, with the flange portion 5F being in contact with the upper end surface of buffer member 4. Thereby, in the above-described fixing structure, buffer member 4 can be easily and reliably fixed to mounting hole 3 in case C, and buffer member 4 is restrained by washer 8 and flange portion 5F to maintain a good vibration absorption function.

[0027] Furthermore, in the above-described fixing structure, the protruding dimension L2 of the tip portion of pin 10 protruding from receiving hole 9 is larger than the axial length dimension L1 of upper large-diameter portion 4B interposed between the head of bolt 6 and connecting portion 1. Thereby, in the above-described fixing structure, even if upper large-diameter portion 4B is compressed by vibration in the axial direction (vertical direction in the embodiment) of buffer member 4, the engagement state between receiving hole 9 and pin 10 is surely maintained, and the suppressing force in the axial direction of buffer member 4 can be increased.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above-described fixing structure, the connecting portion 1 of case C and the connecting portion 2 of motor M are arranged to face each other vertically, and receiving hole 9 is provided in the lower connecting portion 1 of motor M. Thereby, in the above-described fixing structure, water during rainfall or car washing does not directly reach receiving hole 9, and clogging of the hole caused by corrosion due to moisture can be prevented.

[0029] Furthermore, the above-described fixing structure can easily and highly accurately position the case C by arranging the combination (B) of the pin 10 and the receiving hole 9 at a plurality of locations on the case C. Moreover, when the case C is mounted on a vehicle and receives an external force such as a collision, the displacement of the case C can be more reliably suppressed, and the high-voltage protection function of the electronic device (inverter IN) is improved.

[0030] Furthermore, the above-described fixing structure is such that the structure (motor M) and the case C are mounted on a vehicle, and the combination (A) of the pin 10 and the receiving hole 9 is arranged at a portion other than the surface facing the inner wall W of the vehicle body. Thereby, when the fixing structure receives an external force such as a collision, it tries to avoid as much as possible a situation where the pin 10 and the receiving hole 9 are damaged due to the deformation of the inner wall W of the vehicle body, and maintains the high-voltage protection function of the electronic device (inverter IN) well.

[0031] The fixing structure of the case according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention, and is applicable not only to in-vehicle use but also to the fixing structure between various structures and a case housing an electronic device.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0032] C Case IN Inverter (electronic device) M Motor (structure) W Inner wall of vehicle body 1 Connecting portion of motor (the other connecting portion) 2 Connecting portion of case (one connecting portion) 3 Mounting hole 4 Buffer member 4A Small-diameter portion 4B Upper large-diameter portion 4C Lower large-diameter portion 4H Inner hole 5 Collar 5F Flange portion 5H Inner hole 6 Bolt 7 Nut portion 8 Washer 9 Receiving hole 10 pins

Claims

1. A structure for fixing a case containing an electronic device to a structure, wherein the structure and the case have connecting portions facing each other with a predetermined interval therebetween, wherein one of the connecting portions of the structure and the case includes a mounting hole opened in its thickness direction, a cylindrical buffer member mounted in the mounting hole in a penetrating state, and a cylindrical collar mounted in the inner hole of the buffer member, a bolt inserted through the inner hole of the collar is screwed into a nut portion provided on the other connecting portion, and the buffer member is interposed between the one connecting portion and the collar, the one connecting portion includes a pin penetrating a receiving hole formed in the other connecting portion, the structure and the case are mounted on a vehicle, A case fixing structure, characterized in that a combination of the pin and the receiving hole is arranged at a portion other than a surface facing an inner wall of the vehicle body of the vehicle.

2. In the axial direction, the buffer member has a small-diameter portion with a width corresponding to the thickness of the one connecting portion in an intermediate portion thereof, and large-diameter portions on both sides of the small-diameter portion, The case fixing structure according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a washer mounted on the head of the bolt and abutting against an end surface of the buffer member, and a flange portion formed at an end of the collar and abutting against the end surface of the buffer member.

3. The case fixing structure according to claim 2, wherein a protruding dimension of a tip portion of the pin protruding from the receiving hole is larger than an axial length dimension of the large-diameter portion interposed between the head of the bolt and the one connecting portion.

4. The one connecting portion and the other connecting portion are arranged to face each other vertically, The case fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower connecting portion has the receiving hole.

5. The case fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a combination of the pin and the receiving hole is arranged at a plurality of locations of the case.

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