Electronic control unit and brake control device
The electronic control unit's design with a leaf spring piece and retaining portion simplifies the assembly process by securely holding the coil assembly in the housing, improving assembly efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021139809
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-08-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-08-30
AI Technical Summary
The existing brake control device assembly process is complicated due to the inability to configure a sub-assembly where the coil assembly is held in the housing, making it difficult to assemble the housing to the base.
The electronic control unit incorporates a coil assembly held in a housing with an intermediate wall portion that includes a leaf spring piece pressing the coil assembly from one side to the other and a retaining portion restricting its movement, allowing for secure attachment and easy assembly.
This configuration enables the formation of a sub-assembly where the coil assembly is securely held in the housing, enhancing assembly workability and reducing complexity.
Smart Images

Figure 0007755417000001 
Figure 0007755417000002 
Figure 0007755417000003
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control unit and a brake control device. [Background technology]
[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a brake control device equipped with an electronic control unit is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this brake control device, a leaf spring is interposed between an intermediate wall of a housing that constitutes an electronic control unit and a coil assembly for driving a solenoid valve. The coil assembly is resiliently biased toward a base by the leaf spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-241846 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the process of manufacturing the brake control device of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to first assemble the coil assembly to the base, and then assemble the housing with the leaf spring to the base in that state. In other words, the technology of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to configure a sub-assembly in which the coil assembly is held in the housing, making the work of assembling the housing to the base complicated.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic control unit and a brake control device that are easy to assemble. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The electronic control unit according to the present invention, which has been invented to solve the above problems, includes a coil assembly and a housing having an intermediate wall portion that holds the coil assembly. The intermediate wall portion is provided with a leaf spring piece that presses the coil assembly from one side of the intermediate wall portion to the other side, and a retaining portion that restricts movement of the coil assembly toward the other side of the intermediate wall portion. The leaf spring piece is fixed to the intermediate wall portion and extends from the other side toward the one side beyond the retaining portion.
[0007] In this configuration, the coil assembly is restricted from moving toward the other surface by the retaining portion, and is pressed from one surface to the other by the leaf spring. In other words, the coil assembly is easily and securely held in the middle wall of the housing via the leaf spring, which has sufficient elastic deformation. This prevents the coil assembly from falling off the middle wall. Therefore, according to the present invention, a sub-assembly can be formed in which the coil assembly is held in the housing, resulting in an electronic control unit with excellent assembly workability.
[0008] Preferably, the leaf spring piece has an extending portion extending from the other surface toward the one surface and an abutting portion extending from a tip of the extending portion. The abutting portion extends in a direction approaching the central axis of the coil assembly and abuts against the coil assembly. In this configuration, the direction of the force applied to the coil assembly from the abutting portion approaches the central axis of the coil assembly. Therefore, the coil assembly can be more effectively pressed from one surface side to the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion.
[0009] Preferably, the leaf spring pieces have guide portions extending from the tips of the abutting portions, and the guide portions are inclined in a direction away from the central axis of the coil assembly as they extend from the other surface side toward the one surface side. With this configuration, when the coil assembly is attached to the housing, the coil assembly is guided along the guide portions while bending the leaf spring pieces outward. This allows the coil assembly to be smoothly guided to a position where it abuts on the abutting portions of the leaf spring pieces. This further improves assembly workability.
[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the leaf spring pieces press the coil assembly in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis of the coil assembly. With this configuration, after the coil assembly is attached to the housing, the leaf spring pieces can be pushed from the other side to the one side, thereby bending the leaf spring pieces outward and removing the coil assembly. This makes it easy to replace the housing or the coil assembly.
[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the leaf spring pieces are embedded in the intermediate wall portion. In this configuration, the base ends of the leaf spring pieces are very firmly fixed to the intermediate wall portion, so that the tip ends can more reliably press the coil assembly. Furthermore, because the leaf spring pieces can be integrally formed with the housing during molding, there is no need to fix the leaf spring pieces to the housing in a later process, further improving assembly workability.
[0012] Preferably, the intermediate wall has a recess recessed toward the other surface, and the leaf spring pieces protrude from the bottom of the recess toward the one surface. By having the leaf spring pieces rise from the bottom of the recess, a sufficient length of the leaf spring pieces can be ensured even in a compact configuration. This allows the leaf spring pieces to be sufficiently elastically deformed.
[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable that a predetermined space be formed between the leaf spring pieces and the wall surface of the intermediate wall portion located on the opposite side of the leaf spring pieces from the coil assembly. With this configuration, sufficient space can be secured for the leaf spring pieces to deform radially outward from the coil assembly. Therefore, for example, when the coil assembly is to be held in a housing, the coil assembly can be easily attached to the housing while the leaf spring pieces are sufficiently deformed radially outward.
[0014] Preferably, the coil assembly is provided with a terminal, and the leaf spring presses a portion of the coil assembly facing the terminal. Here, the terminal is used to attach a spring contact that resiliently contacts a control board. In this configuration, the portion pressed by the leaf spring and the portion pressed by the spring contact are positioned opposite each other, making it possible to press the coil assembly more stably.
[0015] In addition, it is preferable that the plurality of leaf spring pieces have a common base portion fixed to the intermediate wall portion. With this configuration, the number of parts and the number of work steps can be reduced during the manufacture of the electronic control unit, thereby reducing costs.
[0016] The brake control device according to the present invention includes the electronic control unit and a base body having a brake fluid passage formed therein, and the housing is attached to the base body with the other surface facing the base body, and the coil assembly is biased toward the base body by the elastic force of the leaf spring pieces. This invention provides a brake control device with excellent assembly workability. [Effects of the Invention]
[0017] According to the present invention, an electronic control unit and a brake control device that are easy to assemble can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a brake control device equipped with an electronic control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the brake control device when the electronic control unit is positioned on top. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electronic control unit with a cover member removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the electronic control unit with the cover member removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a housing of an electronic control unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the housing of the electronic control unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating how the coil assembly is attached to the housing. [Figure 8] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 before the housing is assembled to the base. [Figure 9] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 before the housing is assembled to the base body. [Figure 10] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 after the housing has been assembled to the base. [Figure 11] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 after the housing has been assembled to the base body. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the leaf spring piece extracted from the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the electronic control unit is applied to a brake control device for a vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as a "brake control device").
[0020] Brake control devices are used in four-wheeled automobiles and the like, and perform anti-lock brake control, behavior stabilization control, and other controls by appropriately controlling the brake fluid pressure applied to the wheel cylinders of the wheel brakes.
[0021] The brake control device can be installed in automobiles powered solely by engines (internal combustion engines), as well as hybrid automobiles that also use motors, and electric automobiles and fuel cell automobiles that use motors as their only power source.The brake control device can also be used in the brake systems of motorcycles, three-wheeled automobiles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
[0022] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing a brake control device equipped with an electronic control unit 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing the brake control device when the electronic control unit 2 is positioned on top. For convenience of explanation, the up / down, left / right, front / rear directions of the brake control device are set as shown in Fig. 1. However, the directions shown in Fig. 1 are merely an example, and the actual installation direction of the brake control device is not limited to these directions.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the brake control device includes a base body 1, an electronic control unit 2 attached to a rear surface 1a of the base body 1, and an electric motor 3 attached to a front surface 1b of the base body 1.
[0024] The base 1 is a metal part (non-magnetic metal part, for example, made of an aluminum alloy) formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Inside the base 1, cylinder holes and multiple brake fluid paths (not shown) are formed. The brake fluid paths are fluid paths that connect a master cylinder (not shown), which is a hydraulic pressure source, to wheel brakes (not shown).
[0025] Of the surfaces of the base 1, a plurality of electrical components (not shown), such as an electromagnetic valve 8 (see FIG. 10) and a pressure sensor, are mounted on the rear surface 1a. An inlet port 4 is formed on the front surface 1b, and an outlet port 5 is formed on the top surface 1c of the base 1. A pipe leading to a master cylinder is connected to the inlet port 4. A pipe leading to a wheel brake is connected to the outlet port 5.
[0026] A pump hole 6 is formed in the side surface 1d of the base body 1. A plunger pump 6a is attached to the pump hole 6. Furthermore, a reservoir hole 7 is formed in the bottom surface 1e of the base body 1. A reservoir 7a is attached to the reservoir hole 7.
[0027] The holes provided in the base body 1 communicate with each other directly or via brake fluid paths.
[0028] The electric motor 3 serves as a drive source for the plunger pump 6a. The electronic control unit 2 is fixed to the rear surface 1a of the base 1 in a state where it covers electrical components (not shown) protruding from the rear surface 1a. The electronic control unit 2 includes a housing 21 integrally molded from a resin material, and a cover member 22 that closes an opening formed on the rear side of the housing 21. The cover member 22 is made of a resin material or a metal material.
[0029] The housing 21 has a generally rectangular shape. The housing 21 is attached to the rear surface 1a of the base 1 via bolts 21a inserted into attachment holes 21b (see FIG. 3) provided on the periphery of the housing 21. A seal member (not shown) is attached to the attachment surface of the housing 21.
[0030] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the electronic control unit 2 with the cover member 22 removed. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the electronic control unit 2 with the cover member 22 removed.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 21 has a peripheral wall 23 and an intermediate wall 24 formed inside the peripheral wall 23. The intermediate wall 24 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 23 and divides the space formed inside the peripheral wall 23 in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a control board P (shown by a broken line) is disposed in the space on the front (rear) side 24a, which is one side of the intermediate wall 24. Meanwhile, most of the coil assembly 40 is accommodated in the space on the back (front) side 24b (see FIG. 10), which is the other side of the intermediate wall 24. The front side 24a is the surface of the intermediate wall 24 that faces the cover member 22 (see FIG. 2), and the back side 24b is the surface of the intermediate wall 24 that faces the base 1 (see FIG. 2).
[0032] A plurality of coil assemblies 40 are attached to the intermediate wall portion 24. Each coil assembly 40 is held in a retaining state (unable to fall off) on the intermediate wall portion 24 by a retaining portion 30 and a leaf spring piece 31. Each coil assembly 40 is attached to a solenoid valve 8 (not shown in FIG. 3; see FIG. 10) attached to the base 1 side, and drives the solenoid valve 8. Examples of the solenoid valve 8 include a normally open type solenoid valve and a normally closed type solenoid valve. The specifications of the solenoid valve 8 are set appropriately depending on the configuration of the brake control device.
[0033] In addition, a sensor (not shown) is inserted into the intermediate wall portion 24. An example of the sensor is a pressure sensor (hydraulic pressure sensor). The pressure sensor can detect the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid flowing through the brake fluid path inside the base body 1.
[0034] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the housing 21 of the electronic control unit 2. Fig. 6 is a view of the housing 21 of the electronic control unit 2 as seen from behind.
[0035] 5 and 6, a plurality of coil mounting holes 25 are formed in the intermediate wall portion 24 corresponding to the positions where the coil assemblies 40 (see FIG. 3) are to be mounted. The coil assemblies 40 are inserted into the coil mounting holes 25. Here, some of the plurality of coil mounting holes 25 partially overlap one another.
[0036] A plurality of bus bars (not shown) made of a conductive material are embedded (molded) inside the intermediate wall portion 24. An end of each bus bar is electrically connected to a connector 21c or the like provided on the housing 21.
[0037] On the front surface 24a side of the intermediate wall portion 24, restricting walls 27 having arc-shaped inner surfaces are erected at the opening edge of the coil mounting hole 25. Furthermore, at the opening edge of the coil mounting hole 25 located on the front surface 24a side of the intermediate wall portion 24, retaining portions 30 are provided at the circumferential ends of each restricting wall 27. Each terminal 46 (see FIG. 4 ) of the coil assembly 40 is disposed in this retaining portion 30. When the terminal 46 is disposed in the retaining portion 30, the restricting walls 27 restrict each coil assembly 40 from rotating in the circumferential direction relative to the coil mounting hole 25. Furthermore, each coil assembly 40 is locked by the retaining portions 30 in a state where it is restricted from moving toward the back surface 24b side of the intermediate wall portion 24.
[0038] Fig. 7 is a perspective view for explaining how the coil assembly 40 is attached to the housing 21. As shown in Fig. 7, the coil assembly 40 is inserted into the coil attachment hole 25 from the surface 24a side of the intermediate wall portion 24.
[0039] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 4 before the housing 21 is assembled to the base body 1. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 4 before the housing 21 is assembled to the base body 1.
[0040] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the intermediate wall portion 24 is provided with a leaf spring piece 31 that presses the coil assembly 40 from the front surface 24a side to the back surface 24b side of the intermediate wall portion 24. This prevents the coil assembly 40 from slipping out toward the front surface 24a side. The leaf spring piece 31 is fixed to the intermediate wall portion 24. In this embodiment, the leaf spring piece 31 is embedded in the intermediate wall portion 24 by insert molding. The leaf spring piece 31 extends from the back surface 24b side of the retaining portion 30 (see Figure 9) toward the front surface 24a side.
[0041] The leaf spring pieces 31 press the coil assembly 40 in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis of the coil assembly 40 (the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 8), i.e., from diagonally rearward to diagonally forward. In other words, the leaf spring pieces 31 abut against the coil assembly 40 so as to bias the coil assembly 40 diagonally from upward to downward in FIG.
[0042] The leaf spring piece 31 has a base portion 32, an extending portion 33, a contact portion 34, and a guide portion 35. The base portion 32 is embedded in the intermediate wall portion 24. The extending portion 33 is connected to one end of the base portion 32 and extends from the back surface 24b side of the intermediate wall portion 24 toward the front surface 24a side.
[0043] The abutting portion 34 extends from the tip of the extending portion 33. The abutting portion 34 extends in a direction approaching the central axis of the coil assembly 40 and abuts against the coil assembly 40. In this embodiment, the abutting portion 34 is inclined in a direction approaching the central axis of the coil assembly 40 from the front to the rear. The leaf spring piece 31 is bent radially inward of the coil assembly 40 at the boundary between the extending portion 33 and the abutting portion 34.
[0044] The guide portion 35 extends from the tip of the abutting portion 34. The guide portion 35 is inclined in a direction away from the central axis of the coil assembly 40 as it extends in a direction from the back surface 24b side toward the front surface 24a side of the intermediate wall portion 24. In other words, the guide portion 35 extends in a direction from front to rear while moving away from the central axis of the coil assembly 40. The leaf spring piece 31 is bent radially outward of the coil assembly 40 at the boundary between the abutting portion 34 and the guide portion 35.
[0045] The intermediate wall portion 24 is provided with a recess 26 (see also FIG. 4) recessed toward the back surface 24b. The leaf spring piece 31 protrudes from the bottom surface of the recess 26 toward the front surface 24a. A predetermined space S is formed between the leaf spring piece 31 and the wall surface of the intermediate wall portion 24 located on the opposite side of the leaf spring piece 31 from the coil assembly 40.
[0046] The contact portion 34 of the leaf spring piece 31 extends from the tip of the extension portion 33 in a direction approaching the central axis of the coil assembly 40. The shortest distance between the central axis of the coil assembly 40 and the contact portion 34 is set to be smaller than half the outer diameter (radius) of the coil assembly 40.
[0047] 8 and 9 show a state in which the rear side of the housing 21, to which the cover member 22 is attached, is positioned upward. In this state, the elastic force of the leaf spring pieces 31 causes the terminals 46 of the coil assembly 40 to abut against the holding portion 30, as shown in Fig. 9, and movement toward the back surface 24b is restricted.
[0048] 8, the coil assembly 40 includes a bobbin 41 around which a winding is wound, and a yoke 42 that surrounds the bobbin 41 and forms a magnetic path. The yoke 42 includes a yoke body 42a and a yoke top 42b that is attached to and locked on the upper surface of the yoke body 42a.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a terminal 46 having a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the rear is provided at an axial end of the coil assembly 40. The terminal 46 is provided with a pair of terminal terminals 47. Each terminal terminal 47 is electrically connected to the winding inside the yoke body 42a. A spring contact 49 that functions as a connection terminal is attached to each terminal terminal 47. Each spring contact 49 is a coil spring made of a conductive material, extends toward the control board P (see FIG. 2), and resiliently contacts and electrically connects with a terminal (not shown) of the control board P.
[0050] 4 and 7, when viewed from behind, the outer corners 48, 48 of the terminal 46 protrude so as to engage with the retaining portions 30 provided on the opening edge of the coil mounting hole 25 located on the front surface 24a side of the intermediate wall portion 24. In other words, when the coil assembly 40 is inserted into the coil mounting hole 25 from the front surface 24a side of the intermediate wall portion 24 during assembly, the corners 48, 48 of the terminal 46 come into contact with the retaining portions 30, and the coil assembly 40 is placed on the intermediate wall portion 24.
[0051] As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, one leaf spring piece 31 is provided for one coil assembly 40. In this case, the circumferential angle between the position of the leaf spring piece 31 and the position of the terminal 47 of the coil assembly 40 is preferably 90 to 180 degrees from the viewpoint of stable holding of the coil assembly 40. It is more preferable that this angle is 180 degrees, that is, that the leaf spring piece 31 and the terminal 47 are arranged to face each other (see Fig. 9). In this case, the leaf spring piece 31 presses against the portion of the coil assembly 40 facing the terminal 47.
[0052] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the leaf spring pieces 31 extracted from the housing 21. As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the plurality of leaf spring pieces 31 share a common base 32 fixed to the intermediate wall portion 24. That is, the plurality of leaf spring pieces 31 are integrally formed by pressing via the common base 32, thereby forming leaf spring assemblies 36a, 36b, and 36c. The leaf spring assembly 36a is formed by integrally forming two leaf spring pieces 31, and the leaf spring assemblies 36b and 36c are formed by integrally forming four leaf spring pieces 31. The number of leaf spring pieces 31 sharing the common base 32 can be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications.
[0053] Next, the operation of assembling the housing 21 to the base body 1 will be described. 7, the coil assembly 40 is attached to the intermediate wall portion 24 of the housing 21. At this time, the coil assembly 40 is moved forward from the surface 24a side of the intermediate wall portion 24 toward the coil attachment hole 25.
[0054] As the coil assembly 40 approaches the coil mounting hole 25, the bottom or side surface of the coil assembly 40 abuts against the guide portions 35 of the leaf spring pieces 31 provided on the intermediate wall portion 24. This guides the coil assembly 40 along the guide portions 35. As the coil assembly 40 is further moved toward the coil mounting hole 25, the force applied to the guide portions 35 of the leaf spring pieces 31 moves the guide portions 35 radially outward from the coil assembly 40. This bends and deforms the extension portions 33, spreading the tip ends of the leaf spring pieces 31 apart. With the tip ends of the leaf spring pieces 31 spread apart in this manner, the coil assembly 40 is inserted into the coil mounting hole 25. Then, when the coil assembly 40 passes through the guide portions 35, the force applied to the guide portions 35 is removed, and the elasticity of the extension portions 33 causes the guide portions 35 to move radially inward from the coil assembly 40. As a result, the tip ends of the leaf spring pieces 31 that had been pushed outward contract radially inward and return to their original shape. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, the abutment portions 34 of the leaf spring pieces 31 abut against the end faces of the coil assembly 40, and the leaf spring pieces 31 press the coil assembly 40 from the front surface 24a side to the back surface 24b side of the intermediate wall portion 24. Therefore, the leaf spring pieces 31 prevent the coil assembly 40 from moving toward the front surface 24a side of the intermediate wall portion 24.
[0055] 9, when the coil assembly 40 is inserted into the coil mounting hole 25, the corners 48, 48 of the terminal 46 come into contact with the retaining portion 30 provided on the intermediate wall portion 24. This temporarily holds the coil assembly 40 on the intermediate wall portion 24 in a state where it is prevented from falling off toward the rear surface 24b.
[0056] In this way, each coil assembly 40 is sub-assembled to the housing 21. In this state, each coil assembly 40 is pulled forward by the elastic force of the leaf spring pieces 31 and is held in a state in which it protrudes slightly forward from the front surface 21e of the housing 21. Meanwhile, each coil assembly 40 can move in the axial direction of the coil mounting hole 25 against the elastic force of the leaf spring pieces 31 so as to be approximately flush with the front surface 21e of the housing 21.
[0057] When attaching the electronic control unit 2 to the base 1, the electronic control unit 2 is positioned relative to the base 1 so that each solenoid valve 8 attached to the base 1 is inserted into the corresponding coil assembly 40. Then, the electronic control unit 2 is attached to the base 1 using bolts 21a.
[0058] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 4 after the housing 21 has been assembled to the base body 1. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 4 after the housing 21 has been assembled to the base body 1.
[0059] 10 and 11, when the housing 21 is assembled to the base 1, each coil assembly 40 receives a reaction force from the base 1 and is moved slightly rearward against the elastic force of the leaf spring pieces 31. Each coil assembly 40 is then held in a state where it is substantially flush with the front surface 21e of the housing 21 while abutting against the rear surface 1a of the base 1 with a biasing force. This positions each coil assembly 40 in a predetermined position for each solenoid valve 8.
[0060] As described above, in the electronic control unit 2 of this embodiment, the intermediate wall 24 of the housing 21 is provided with the leaf spring pieces 31 and the retaining portions 30. The leaf spring pieces 31 press the coil assembly 40 from the front surface 24a side toward the back surface 24b side of the intermediate wall 24, and the retaining portions 30 restrict movement of the coil assembly 40 toward the back surface 24b side of the intermediate wall 24. The leaf spring pieces 31 are fixed to the intermediate wall 24, and extend from the back surface 24b side toward the front surface 24a side beyond the retaining portions 30.
[0061] In this embodiment, the coil assembly 40 is restricted from moving toward the back surface 24b by the retaining portion 30, and is pressed from the front surface 24a toward the back surface 24b by the leaf spring pieces 31. In other words, the coil assembly 40 is easily and securely held in the intermediate wall portion 24 of the housing 21 via the leaf spring pieces 31, which exhibit sufficient elastic deformation. This prevents the coil assembly 40 from falling off the intermediate wall portion 24. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a sub-assembly can be formed in which the coil assembly 40 is held in the housing 21, thereby providing an electronic control unit 2 with excellent assembly workability.
[0062] In this embodiment, the leaf spring pieces 31 and the retaining portion 30 are provided directly on the intermediate wall portion 24. This simplifies the retaining structure and reduces its size and weight, contributing to a reduction in the size and cost of the housing 21. In addition, there is no need to employ a mounting means for the coil assembly 40 using, for example, the peripheral wall portion 23 of the housing 21. Therefore, even in a layout in which the coil assembly 40 is disposed at a position away from the peripheral wall portion 23, the coil assembly 40 can be easily held using the leaf spring pieces 31 and the retaining portion 30.
[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the leaf spring piece 31 has an extending portion 33 extending from the back surface 24b toward the front surface 24a, and an abutting portion 34 extending from the tip of the extending portion 33. The abutting portion 34 extends in a direction approaching the central axis of the coil assembly 40 and abuts against the coil assembly 40. In this configuration, the direction of the force applied to the coil assembly 40 from the abutting portion 34 approaches the direction along the central axis of the coil assembly 40. Therefore, the coil assembly 40 can be more effectively pressed from the front surface 24a toward the back surface 24b of the intermediate wall portion 24.
[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the leaf spring pieces 31 have guide portions 35 extending from the tips of the abutting portions 34. These guide portions 35 are inclined in a direction away from the central axis of the coil assembly 40 as they extend from the back surface 24b toward the front surface 24a. With this configuration, when the coil assembly 40 is attached to the housing 21, the coil assembly 40 is guided along the guide portions 35 while bending the leaf spring pieces 31 outward. This allows the coil assembly 40 to be smoothly guided to a position where it abuts against the abutting portions 34 of the leaf spring pieces 31. This further improves the ease of assembly.
[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the leaf spring pieces 31 press the coil assembly 40 in a direction inclined relative to the central axis of the coil assembly 40. With this configuration, after the coil assembly 40 is attached to the housing 21, it is possible to remove the coil assembly 40 by pressing the coil assembly 40 from the back surface 24b side toward the front surface 24a side, thereby bending the leaf spring pieces 31 outward. This makes it possible to easily replace the housing 21 or the coil assembly 40.
[0066] In this embodiment, the leaf spring pieces 31 are embedded in the intermediate wall portion 24. In this configuration, the base ends of the leaf spring pieces 31 are very firmly fixed to the intermediate wall portion 24, so that the tip ends can more reliably press the coil assembly 40. Furthermore, because the leaf spring pieces 31 can be integrally formed with the housing 21 when the housing 21 is molded, there is no need to fix the leaf spring pieces 31 to the housing 21 in a later process, which further improves assembly workability.
[0067] In this embodiment, the intermediate wall portion 24 is provided with a recess 26 recessed toward the back surface 24b, and the leaf spring pieces 31 protrude from the bottom surface of the recess 26 toward the front surface 24a. In this configuration, by having the leaf spring pieces 31 rise from the bottom surface of the recess 26, it is possible to ensure a sufficient length of the leaf spring pieces 31 even in a compact configuration. Therefore, the leaf spring pieces 31 can be sufficiently elastically deformed.
[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a predetermined space S is formed between the leaf spring pieces 31 and the wall surface of the intermediate wall portion 24 located on the opposite side of the leaf spring pieces 31 from the coil assembly 40. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure sufficient space for the leaf spring pieces 31 to deform radially outward from the coil assembly 40. Therefore, for example, when the coil assembly 40 is to be held in the housing 21, the coil assembly 40 can be easily attached to the housing 21 while the leaf spring pieces 31 are sufficiently deformed radially outward.
[0069] In this embodiment, some of the leaf spring pieces 31 press against portions of the coil assembly 40 that face the terminals 47. Spring contacts 49 are attached to the terminals 47. In this case, the portions pressed by the leaf spring pieces 31 and the portions pressed by the spring contacts 49 are positioned opposite each other, so that the coil assembly 40 can be pressed more stably.
[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, the plurality of leaf spring pieces 31 have a common base 32 fixed to the intermediate wall portion 24. With this configuration, the number of parts and the number of work steps can be reduced when manufacturing the electronic control unit 2, thereby reducing costs.
[0071] The brake control device according to this embodiment includes an electronic control unit 2 and a base 1 in which a brake fluid passage is formed. The housing 21 is attached to the base 1 so that the rear surface 24b faces the base 1, and the coil assembly 40 is biased toward the base 1 by the elastic force of the leaf spring pieces 31. According to this embodiment, a brake control device with excellent assembly workability can be obtained.
[0072] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments, and the configurations can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, parts of the configurations of the above embodiments can be added, deleted, or replaced.
[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a brake control device is exemplified that appropriately controls the brake fluid pressure applied to the wheel cylinder of the wheel brake to perform antilock brake control, behavior stabilization control, etc. However, the brake control device according to the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, an input device for a brake system.
[0074] The brake system input device has a master cylinder within the base that generates brake fluid pressure in response to the force applied to the brake pedal. The base may also be provided with a stroke simulator that applies a simulated reaction force to the brake pedal. Examples of brake systems to which the brake system input device can be applied include those that include both by-wire types that operate when the engine is started and hydraulic types that operate when the engine is stopped.
[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, one leaf spring piece 31 is provided for one coil assembly 40, but this is not limiting. A plurality of leaf spring pieces 31 may be arranged around the coil assembly 40, with the coil assembly 40 at the center. In this case, it is preferable that the angular intervals in the circumferential direction between the positions where the plurality of leaf spring pieces 31 are provided be uniform, from the viewpoint of stably holding the coil assembly 40. For example, when two leaf spring pieces 31 are provided for one coil assembly 40, it is preferable that the two leaf spring pieces 31 are arranged so as to face each other.
[0076] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the abutment portions 34 of the leaf spring pieces 31 are inclined in a direction approaching the central axis of the coil assembly 40 from front to rear, but this is not limited to this. For example, the abutment portions 34 may be approximately parallel to the front surface 21e of the housing 21 (the surface attached to the base 1). In this case, however, to remove the coil assembly 40, it is first necessary to bend the leaf spring pieces 31 outward and then push the coil assembly 40 rearward in this state.
[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of leaf spring pieces 31 are integrally formed by pressing via the common base 32, but this is not limiting. A single leaf spring piece 31 having a single base 32 that is formed independently may also be used.
[0078] In the above embodiment, the holding portion 30 is provided at the opening edge of the coil mounting hole 25, protruding slightly rearward from the front surface 24a, but this is not limited to this and the holding portion 30 may be flush with the front surface 24a. Furthermore, the terminal 46 of the coil assembly 40 abuts against the holding portion 30 to restrict movement toward the back surface 24b, but this is not limited to this and another portion of the coil assembly 40 may abut against the holding portion 30.
[0079] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the surface of the guide portion 35 of the leaf spring piece 31 is configured as an inclined plane, but this is not limited to this and may be configured as a curved surface or a combination of a flat surface and a curved surface.
[0080] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, one or two leaf spring pieces 31 are erected on the bottom surface of one recess 26, but the bottom surface of the recess 26 may be formed wide so that three or more leaf spring pieces 31 are erected on the bottom surface of one recess 26.
[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, some of the multiple coil mounting holes 25 partially overlap each other, but this is not limited to this, and each coil mounting hole 25 may be provided separately and independently from each other. [Explanation of symbols]
[0082] 1 Base 2 Electronic Control Unit 21 Housing 24 Intermediate wall 24a Surface (one side) 24b Back side (other side) 26 Recess 30 Holding part 31 Leaf spring piece 32 Base 33 Extension part 34 Contact part 35 Guide section 40 Coil assembly Terminal 46 47 Terminal 49 Spring Contact P control board S space
Claims
1. a coil assembly; a housing having an intermediate wall portion that holds the coil assembly; the intermediate wall portion is provided with a leaf spring piece that presses the coil assembly from one surface side to the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, and a holding portion that restricts the coil assembly from moving toward the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, the leaf spring piece is fixed to the intermediate wall portion and extends from the other surface side toward the one surface side beyond the holding portion, The leaf spring piece has an extension portion extending from the other side toward the one side and an abutment portion extending from the tip of the extension portion, and the abutment portion extends in a direction approaching the central axis of the coil assembly and abuts against the coil assembly.
2. 2. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring piece has a guide portion extending from the tip of the abutment portion, and the guide portion is inclined in a direction away from the central axis of the coil assembly as it extends in a direction from the other surface side toward the one surface side.
3. a coil assembly; a housing having an intermediate wall portion that holds the coil assembly; the intermediate wall portion is provided with a leaf spring piece that presses the coil assembly from one surface side to the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, and a holding portion that restricts the coil assembly from moving toward the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, the leaf spring piece is fixed to the intermediate wall portion and extends from the other surface side toward the one surface side beyond the holding portion, The electronic control unit is characterized in that the leaf spring pieces press the coil assembly in a direction inclined with respect to a central axis of the coil assembly.
4. a coil assembly; a housing having an intermediate wall portion that holds the coil assembly; the intermediate wall portion is provided with a leaf spring piece that presses the coil assembly from one surface side to the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, and a holding portion that restricts the coil assembly from moving toward the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, the leaf spring piece is fixed to the intermediate wall portion and extends from the other surface side toward the one surface side beyond the holding portion, The electronic control unit is characterized in that the leaf spring piece is embedded in the intermediate wall portion.
5. a coil assembly; a housing having an intermediate wall portion that holds the coil assembly; the intermediate wall portion is provided with a leaf spring piece that presses the coil assembly from one surface side to the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, and a holding portion that restricts the coil assembly from moving toward the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, the leaf spring piece is fixed to the intermediate wall portion and extends from the other surface side toward the one surface side beyond the holding portion, The intermediate wall portion is provided with a recess recessed toward the other surface, The electronic control unit is characterized in that the leaf spring piece protrudes from the bottom surface of the recess toward the one surface side.
6. 6. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined space is formed between the leaf spring piece and a wall surface of the intermediate wall portion located on the opposite side of the leaf spring piece from the coil assembly.
7. The coil assembly is provided with a terminal to which a spring contact that resiliently contacts a control board is attached, 7. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring piece presses against a portion of the coil assembly that faces the terminal.
8. a coil assembly; a housing having an intermediate wall portion that holds the coil assembly; the intermediate wall portion is provided with a leaf spring piece that presses the coil assembly from one surface side to the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, and a holding portion that restricts the coil assembly from moving toward the other surface side of the intermediate wall portion, the leaf spring piece is fixed to the intermediate wall portion and extends from the other surface side toward the one surface side beyond the holding portion, The electronic control unit is characterized in that the plurality of leaf spring pieces have a common base portion fixed to the intermediate wall portion.
9. A brake control device comprising: the electronic control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a base body in which a brake fluid path is formed, the housing is attached to the base so that the other surface faces the base, A brake control device, characterized in that the coil assembly is urged toward the base by the elastic force of the leaf spring pieces.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Electrical connecting structure of solenoid valve drive assembly
JP2012241846A
Electronic control unit and brake control device
JP2016013713A