Cover attachment structure and sensor device

Abstract

To provide a cover mounting structure and a sensor device which can be miniaturized and can prevent foreign matter from entering a case from the outside without increasing the number of components.SOLUTION: In a cover mounting structure that attaches a cover to the case to block an opening of a case, the case includes a mounting portion that accommodates and fixes a flange portion of the cover, the mounting portion includes a base, an inner protrusion rising from one end of the base and positioned inside the flange portion, and an outer projection standing from the other end of the base and positioned outside the flange portion. The tip portion of the outer protrusion in the erecting direction extends above the flange portion, and presses and clamps the flange portion between the base and the tip portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover attachment structure for attaching a cover for closing an opening of a case to the case, and a sensor device provided with this cover attachment structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various attachment structures are known as cover attachment structures for attaching a cover for closing an opening of a case of an electronic component such as a sensor device to the case.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cover attachment structure of an imaging device that attaches a cover to a camera unit by a snap fit structure. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a knocking detection device that attaches a cover to a housing by clamping the housing with a buffer member sandwiched between the housing and the cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, since the cover is attached to the camera unit by a snap fit structure, the sealing performance between the camera unit and the cover is insufficient, and there is a risk that foreign matters such as dust may enter the inside of the device. Further, in Patent Document 2, although the sealing performance can be improved compared to Patent Document 1, since a buffer member is required, the number of parts increases and the device cannot be miniaturized.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cover attachment structure and a sensor device that can be miniaturized and prevent foreign matter from the outside from entering the case without increasing the number of components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The cover attachment structure according to the present invention is a cover attachment structure for attaching a cover for closing an opening of a case to the case, wherein the case has an attachment portion for accommodating and fixing a flange portion of the cover, and the attachment portion includes a base portion, an inner protruding portion that stands up from one end of the base portion and is located inside the flange portion, and an outer protruding portion that stands up from the other end of the base portion and is located outside the flange portion. The tip portion of the outer protruding portion in the standing direction extends to the upper portion of the flange portion, and the flange portion is pressed and clamped by the base portion and the tip portion.

[0008] The sensor device according to the present invention is a sensor device having a sensor, a case in which the sensor is disposed inside, and a cover for closing an opening of the case, wherein the case has an attachment portion for accommodating and fixing a flange portion of the cover, and the attachment portion includes a base portion, an inner protruding portion that stands up from one end of the base portion and is located inside the flange portion, and an outer protruding portion that stands up from the other end of the base portion and is located outside the flange portion. The tip portion of the outer protruding portion in the standing direction extends to the upper portion of the flange portion, and the flange portion is pressed and clamped by the base portion and the tip portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it can be miniaturized and prevent foreign matter from the outside from entering the case without increasing the number of components.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a cover attachment structure and a sensor device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Also, in the following drawings, for the sake of clarity of each configuration, the scale and number, etc. of each structure may be different from those of the actual structure.

[0012] (First Embodiment) <Configuration of Sensor Device> The configuration of a sensor device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0013] The sensor device 1 includes a sensor 10, a sheet metal 20, a connector portion 30, a wiring portion 40, a case 50, and a cover 60.

[0014] The sensor 10 includes a main body portion 11, a terminal portion 12, and a flange portion 13, and here, a pressure sensor is exemplified.

[0015] The main body portion 11 is inserted into a through hole 21 of the sheet metal 20 and includes a detection portion (not shown) inside.

[0016] The terminal portion 12 is formed of a conductive material and is electrically connected to the detection portion of the main body portion 11. The terminal portion 12 extends from the main body portion 11 and is connected to the wiring portion 40 by soldering or the like. The terminal portion 12 outputs a signal corresponding to the detection result in the detection portion to the wiring portion 40.

[0017] The flange portion 13 is provided along the peripheral edge portion of the main body portion 11 and protrudes outward from the main body portion 11. The flange portion 13 is pressed and held between the sheet metal 20 and the holding portion 56 of the case 50.

[0018] The sheet metal 20 is integrally provided on the case 50 by integral molding. The sheet metal 20 is provided with a through hole 21 penetrating in the plate thickness direction for providing the sensor 10.

[0019] The connector portion 30 is connected to the conductive terminal of the mating connector (not shown) and includes a connection terminal portion (not shown) connected to the wiring portion 40. The housing of the connector portion 30 is integrally provided on the case 50.

[0020] The wiring portion 40 is integrally provided on the case 50 by integral molding. One end of the wiring portion 40 is connected to the connection terminal portion of the connector portion 30, and the other end is connected to the terminal portion 12 of the sensor 10.

[0021] The case 50 is formed of resin and includes a mounting portion 51, an opening portion 55, and a holding portion 56.

[0022] The mounting portion 51 houses and fixes the flange portion 62 of the cover 60. Details of the configuration of the mounting portion 51 will be described later.

[0023] The opening portion 55 opens upward (upward in FIG. 2) and is covered by the cover 60.

[0024] The holding portion 56 presses and holds the flange portion 13 of the sensor 10 between the sheet metal 20.

[0025] The cover 60 is formed of resin and includes a covering portion 61 and a flange portion 62.

[0026] The covering portion 61 covers the opening 55 of the case 50.

[0027] The flange portion 62 is vertically bent downward (downward in FIG. 2) from the end of the covering portion 61.

[0028] The sensor device 1 having the above configuration includes a cover attachment structure for attaching a cover 60 for closing the opening 55 of the case 50 to the case 50.

[0029] <Cover attachment structure> The cover attachment structure included in the sensor device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0030] The cover attachment structure is composed of an attachment portion 51 and a flange portion 62.

[0031] The attachment portion 51 includes a base portion 52, an inner protruding portion 53, and an outer protruding portion 54.

[0032] The base portion 52 presses and clamps the flange portion 62 between it and the tip portion 542 of the outer protruding portion 54.

[0033] The inner protruding portion 53 is composed of a plate material, stands up from one end 52a of the base portion 52, and is located inside the flange portion 62. Here, the inside means the inside with respect to the center when the sensor device 1 is viewed from above. The inner protruding portion 53 is configured not to contact the cover 60. The inner protruding portion 53 is shorter in the standing direction (upward in FIG. 3) than the outer protruding portion 54.

[0034] The outer protrusion 54 is composed of a plate material, stands up from the other end 52b of the base portion 52, and is located outside the flange portion 62. Here, the "outer side" refers to the outside with respect to the center when the sensor device 1 is viewed from above. The outer protrusion 54 includes a standing portion 541 that stands up from the base portion 52, and a tip portion 542 that extends parallel to the base portion 52 from the tip of the standing portion 541 in the standing direction.

[0035] The tip portion 542 at least partially overlaps with the inner protrusion 53 when viewed from above (above in FIG. 3). The tip portion 542 extends to the upper part of the flange portion 62 by caulking. Here, the "upper part" refers to the upper part in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the two-dot chain line indicates the tip portion 542 of the outer protrusion 54 before caulking.

[0036] The flange portion 62 extends in a direction opposite to the standing direction of the inner protrusion 53 and the outer protrusion 54 from the end of the covering portion 61, and is pressed and clamped by the tip portion 542 and the base portion 52.

[0037] Subsequently, a modified example of the cover mounting structure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0038] The cover mounting structure in FIG. 4 is composed of a flange portion 62 and a mounting portion 151 of the case 150.

[0039] The mounting portion 151 includes a base portion 52, an inner protrusion 53, and an outer protrusion 154.

[0040] The base portion 52 presses and clamps the flange portion 62 between it and the tip portion 1542 of the outer protrusion 154.

[0041] The inner protrusion 53 is shorter in the standing direction (upward in FIG. 4) than the outer protrusion 154.

[0042] The outer protrusion 154 is composed of a plate material, stands up from the other end 52b of the base portion 52, and is located outside the flange portion 62. The outer protrusion 154 includes a standing portion 541 that stands up from the base portion 52, and a tip portion 1542 that extends parallel to the base portion 52 from the tip of the standing portion 541 in the standing direction.

[0043] The tip portion 1542 at least partially overlaps with the inner protrusion 53 when viewed from above (above in FIG. 4). The tip portion 1542 extends to the upper portion of the flange portion 62 by caulking. The tip portion 1542 is configured such that the plate thickness gradually decreases toward the tip.

[0044] The flange portion 62 extends in a direction opposite to the standing direction of the inner protrusion 53 and the outer protrusion 154 from the end portion of the covering portion 61, and is pressed and clamped between the tip portion 1542 and the base portion 52.

[0045] Furthermore, other modifications of the cover attachment structure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0046] The cover attachment structure in FIG. 5 is composed of an attachment portion 251 of the case 250 and the flange portion 62.

[0047] The attachment portion 251 includes a base portion 52, an inner protrusion 53, and an outer protrusion 254.

[0048] The base portion 52 presses and clamps the flange portion 62 between itself and the tip portion 2542 of the outer protrusion 254.

[0049] The length of the inner protrusion 53 in the standing direction (upward in FIG. 5) is shorter than that of the outer protrusion 254.

[0050] The outer protrusion 254 is composed of a plate material, stands up from the other end 52b of the base portion 52, and is located outside the flange portion 62. The outer protrusion 254 includes an upright portion 541 that stands up from the base portion 52, and a tip portion 2542 that extends parallel to the base portion 52 from the tip of the upright portion 541 in the upright direction.

[0051] The tip portion 2542 at least partially overlaps with the inner protrusion 53 when viewed from above (above in FIG. 5). The tip portion 2542 extends to the upper portion of the flange portion 62 by caulking. The plate thickness T2 of the tip portion 2542 is smaller than the plate thickness T1 of the upright portion 541 (T1 > T2).

[0052] The flange portion 62 extends in a direction opposite to the upright direction of the inner protrusion 53 and the outer protrusion 254 from the end portion of the covering portion 61, and is pressed and clamped between the tip portion 2542 and the base portion 52.

[0053] <Cover Mounting Method of Sensor Device> The cover mounting method of the sensor device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6.

[0054] First, as shown in FIG. 6, the flange portion 62 of the cover 60 is inserted between the inner protrusion 53 and the outer protrusion 54 of the case 50, and the lower end (lower end in FIG. 6) of the flange portion 62 is brought into contact with the base portion 52.

[0055] Next, by caulking the tip side in the upright direction of the outer protrusion 54 inward (leftward in FIG. 6) by caulking, the flange portion 62 is pressed and clamped between the base portion 52 and the tip portion 542 of the outer protrusion 54. Here, the caulking is heat caulking, ultrasonic caulking, or the like, and heat caulking is particularly preferable. By heat caulking the tip portion 542 of the outer protrusion 54, the tip portion 542 can be easily caulked.

[0056] In the sensor device 1 to which the cover 60 is attached by the above-described cover attachment method, foreign matter attempting to enter the inside of the sensor device 1 from the gap between the cover 60 and the outer protrusion 54 cannot enter the inside of the sensor device 1 unless it passes through the intrusion path L passing through the gaps between the flange portion 62 and the tip portion 542, the gap between the flange portion 62 and the upright portion 541 of the outer protrusion 54, the gap between the flange portion 62 and the base portion 52, the gap between the flange portion 62 and the inner protrusion 53, and the gap between the covering portion 61 and the inner protrusion 53, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from the outside from entering the sensor device 1, and it is possible to prevent a short circuit or the like of an electric circuit (not shown) inside the sensor device 1.

[0057] Note that since the cover attachment method in the cover attachment structure of FIGS. 4 and 5 is the same as the cover attachment method in the cover attachment structure of FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0058] When having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 in which the thickness of the tip portion 1542 gradually decreases toward the tip, caulking of the tip portion 1542 can be easily performed. Similarly, when having the configuration shown in FIG. 5 in which the thickness of the tip portion 2542 is smaller than the thickness of the upright portion 541, caulking of the tip portion 2542 can be easily performed.

[0059] Incidentally, when caulking is used to crush the tip portion 542, the tip portion 1542, or the tip portion 2542 from above and the flange portion 62 is pressed and clamped by the tip portion 542, the tip portion 1542, or the tip portion 2542 and the base portion 52, a bulge is generated on the outer peripheral side of the upright portion 541, which impairs the aesthetic appearance of the sensor device 1.

[0060] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the tip portion 542 in the upright direction of the outer protrusion 54 extends above the flange portion 62, and by pressing and clamping the flange portion 62 between the base portion 52 and the tip portion 542, it is possible to miniaturize and prevent foreign matter from the outside from entering the case without increasing the number of components.

[0061] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the inner protruding portion 53 does not contact the cover 60, the flange portion 62 can be strongly pressed against the base portion 52 by the tip portion 542, so that the cover 60 and the case 50 can be sealed more firmly, reliably preventing the intrusion of dust or the like into the sensor device 1, and suppressing the displacement (displacement in the left - right direction in FIG. 3) of the flange portion 62 between the inner protruding portion 53 and the outer protruding portion 54, and suppressing the rattling of the cover 60 with respect to the case 50.

[0062] Further, according to the present embodiment, by making at least a part of the tip portion 542 overlap with the inner protruding portion 53 when viewed from above, the contact area between the tip portion 542 and the cover 60 can be increased. Therefore, the cover 60 can be firmly attached to the case 50, and deformation of the tip portion 542 when the cover 60 is bent can be prevented.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the inner protruding portion 53 is made not to contact the cover 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inner protruding portion 53 and the cover 60 may be in contact with each other in a state where the flange portion 62 can be pressed and clamped between the base portion 52 and the tip portion 542, the tip portion 1542 or the tip portion 2542.

[0064] Also, in the present embodiment, the cover attachment structure for attaching the cover 60 to the case 50, the case 150 or the case 250 in the sensor device 1 is adopted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cover attachment structure for attaching a cover to a case of an electronic component other than the sensor device may also be adopted.

[0065] (Second Embodiment) <Configuration of Sensor Device> The configuration of the sensor device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the portions having the same configuration as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the sensor device 2, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] The sensor device 2 includes a sensor 10, a wiring section 40, a sheet metal 320, a connector section 330, a case 350, and a cover 360.

[0067] The sheet metal 320 is integrally provided on the case 350 by integral molding. The sheet metal 320 is provided with through holes (not shown) having the same configuration as the through hole 21 that penetrates in the sheet thickness direction for providing the sensor 10.

[0068] The connector section 330 includes connection terminal sections (not shown) that connect to the conductive terminals of a mating connector (not shown) and are also connected to the wiring section 40. The housing of the connector section 330 is integrally provided on the case 350.

[0069] The wiring section 40 is integrally provided on the case 350 by integral molding. One end of the wiring section 40 is connected to the connection terminal section of the connector section 330, and the other end is connected to the terminal section 12 of the sensor 10.

[0070] The case 350 is formed of resin and includes a mounting portion 351 that houses and fixes a flange portion (not shown) of the cover 360, and an opening (not shown) having the same configuration as the opening 55.

[0071] The mounting portion 351 has the same configuration as the mounting portion 51, the mounting portion 151, or the mounting portion 251.

[0072] The cover 360 is formed of resin and includes a covering portion 361 that covers the opening of the case 350, and a flange portion (not shown) having the same configuration as the flange portion 62.

[0073] In this embodiment, the internal protrusion 53 is made not to contact the cover 360. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the internal protrusion 53 and the cover 360 may be brought into contact with each other in a state where the flange portion 62 can be pressed and clamped between the base portion 52 and the tip portion 542, the tip portion 1542, or the tip portion 2542.

[0074] Also, in this embodiment, a cover attachment structure for attaching the cover 360 to the case 350 in the sensor device 2 is adopted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cover attachment structure for attaching a cover to the case of an electronic component other than the sensor device may also be used.

[0075] The above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above-described embodiments but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

[0076] Specifically, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the tip portion 542, the tip portion 1542, or the tip portion 2542 is arranged such that at least a part thereof overlaps with the inner protrusion 53 when viewed from above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tip portion 542, the tip portion 1542, or the tip portion 2542 may be arranged so as not to overlap with the inner protrusion 53 when viewed from above.

[0077] Also, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the tip portion 1542 or the tip portion 2542 having a shape with a smaller plate thickness than the standing portion 541 is provided on the outer protrusion 154 or the outer protrusion 254. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a tip portion having an arbitrary shape with a smaller plate thickness than the standing portion 541 may be provided on the outer protrusion 154 or the outer protrusion 254.

[0078] Also, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the tip portion 1542 or the tip portion 2542 having a shape with a smaller plate thickness than the standing portion 541 is provided on the outer protrusion 154 or the outer protrusion 254. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the bent portion from the standing portion 541 may be made smaller in plate thickness than the standing portion 541. Even in this case, caulking of the tip portion can be easily performed.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1 Sensor device 2 Sensor device 10 Sensor 11 Main body portion 12 Terminal portion 13 Flange part 20 Sheet metal 21 Through hole 30 Connector part 40 Wiring part 50 Case 51 Mounting part 52 Base part 52a One end 52b The other end 53 Inner protrusion 54 Outer protrusion 55 Opening 56 Clamping part 60 Cover 61 Coating part 62 Flange part 151 Mounting part 251 Mounting part 320 Sheet metal 330 Connector part 350 Case 351 Mounting part 360 Cover 361 Coating part 541 Upright part 542 Tip part 1542 Tip part 2542 Tip part

Claims

1. A cover attachment structure for attaching a cover for closing an opening of a case to the case, comprising: the cover has a flat plate portion covering the opening and a flange portion extending downward from an end of the flat plate portion; the case has an attachment portion for accommodating and fixing the flange portion of the cover; the attachment portion includes: a base portion, an inner protruding portion that stands up from one end of the base portion along the flange portion and is located inside the flange portion, and an outer protruding portion that stands up from the other end of the base portion along the flange portion and is located outside the flange portion; the outer protruding portion has an upright portion standing up from the base portion and a tip portion extending parallel to the upper portion of the flange portion and the upper surface of the flat plate portion from the tip of the upright portion in the upright direction; at least a part of the tip portion overlaps the inner protruding portion when viewed from above; the tip portion and the base portion of the outer protruding portion press and clamp the flange portion; An intrusion path through which foreign matter attempts to enter from the outside of the case into the inside of the case is defined by a gap between the flat plate portion and the tip portion, a gap between the flange portion and the upright portion, a gap between the flange portion and the base portion, a gap between the flange portion and the inner protruding portion, and a gap between the flat plate portion and the inner protruding portion, and no sealing member is provided in the intrusion path. A cover attachment structure characterized by this.

2. An end portion of the inner protruding portion in the upright direction is located near the flat plate portion of the cover and does not contact the flat plate portion of the cover. The cover attachment structure according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The inner protruding portion: has a shorter length in the upright direction than the outer protruding portion. The cover attachment structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by this.

4. The outer protruding portion is constituted by a plate material, and the plate thickness of the tip portion is smaller than the plate thickness of the upright portion. The cover attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by this.

5. The tip portion of the outer protruding portion extends to the upper portion of the flange portion by caulking, and presses and clamps the flange portion between the base portion and the tip portion. The cover attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by this.

6. The flange portion: extends in a direction opposite to the upright direction from an end of the flat plate portion. The cover mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that...

7. The cover mounting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that an upright direction end portion of the inner protrusion contacts the flat plate portion of the cover.

8. A sensor, A case for arranging the sensor inside, A cover for closing an opening of the case, A sensor device having: The cover has a flat plate portion covering the opening and a flange portion extending downward from an end of the flat plate portion. The case has a mounting portion for accommodating and fixing the flange portion of the cover. The mounting portion has a base portion, an inner protrusion that stands up from one end of the base portion along the flange portion and is located inside the flange portion, and an outer protrusion that stands up from the other end of the base portion along the flange portion and is located outside the flange portion. The outer protrusion has an upright portion standing up from the base portion and a tip portion extending parallel to an upper surface of the flange portion and an upper surface of the flat plate portion from a tip of the upright portion in the upright direction. At least a part of the tip portion overlaps the inner protrusion when viewed from above. The tip portion and the base portion of the outer protrusion press and sandwich the flange portion. An intrusion path through which foreign matter tries to enter from the outside of the case into the inside of the case is defined by a gap between the flat plate portion and the tip portion, a gap between the flange portion and the upright portion, a gap between the flange portion and the base portion, a gap between the flange portion and the inner protrusion, and a gap between the flat plate portion and the inner protrusion, and no sealing member is provided in the intrusion path. A sensor device, characterized in that...

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