Enclosure and control device

Abstract

To provide a housing capable of improving the strength of a regulation part.SOLUTION: A housing 110 that is attached to an object via a bracket 200 includes: a contact surface 111 that comes into contact with a press-fit bracket 200; a pair of protrusions 112 that protrude from both sides of the contact surface 111 toward the bracket 200 in a width direction and extend in a press-fit direction; a pair of clamping parts 113 that extend towards each other from protruding edges of the pair of protrusions 112, and clamp the bracket 200 between the contact surface 111 and at least a portion of the pair of clamping parts; and a regulation part 114 that comes into contact with the bracket 200 in the press-fit direction to regulate the bracket 200 from being press-fitting beyond a specified length. In the housing 110, the tip of clamping part 113 in the press-fit direction and the regulation part 114 are connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a housing and a control device including the housing.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a control device including a housing attached to an object such as a vehicle via a bracket is known. Patent Document 1 describes a method of attaching a bracket in which a bracket is press-fitted between a pair of holding portions arranged oppositely and the surface of a housing, the pair of holding portions being provided on the surface of a resin housing and having a cross-sectional L shape protruding integrally from the surface. The housing is also described as having a regulating portion that prevents the bracket from advancing excessively during press-fitting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] s

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when press-fitting a bracket into the gap between the housing surface and the holding portion, there is a risk of breaking the regulating portion due to the momentum during press-fitting.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a housing that can prevent the regulating portion from being broken due to the momentum when press-fitting a bracket, and a control device including the housing. s

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A housing according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a housing that is attached to an object via a bracket, comprising: a contact surface portion that contacts the press-fitted bracket; a pair of protruding portions that extend toward the bracket from both sides of the contact surface portion toward the bracket in a width direction perpendicular to the press-fitting direction of the bracket along the contact surface portion and extending in the press-fitting direction; a pair of clamping portions that extend toward each other from the tip edges of the pair of protruding portions, with at least a portion of them clamping the bracket between themselves and the contact surface portion; and a restricting portion that abuts the bracket in the press-fitting direction and restricts the press-fitting of the bracket beyond a predetermined length, wherein the tip of the clamping portion in the press-fitting direction is connected to the restricting portion.

[0007] Furthermore, a control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device that is attached to an object via a bracket, the control device comprises a housing for housing electronic components, the housing comprising: a contact surface portion that the press-fitted bracket contacts; a pair of protruding portions that extend toward the bracket from both sides of the contact surface portion in a width direction perpendicular to the press-fitting direction of the bracket along the contact surface portion and extend in the press-fitting direction; a pair of clamping portions that extend toward each other from the tip edges of the pair of protruding portions, with at least a portion of them clamping the bracket between themselves and the contact surface portion; and a restricting portion that contacts the bracket in the press-fitting direction and restricts the press-fitting of the bracket beyond a predetermined length, the tip of the clamping portion in the press-fitting direction and the restricting portion are connected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, the restricting portion that restricts the press-fitting of the bracket to a predetermined position can be structurally strengthened, thereby suppressing the destruction of the restricting portion during press-fitting. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the control unit with the bracket pressed into the housing. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the bracket and control device before press-fitting. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the second side of the housing before the bracket is attached. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing another example of the enclosure (Example 1). [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing another example of the enclosure, part 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the housing and control device equipped with the housing relating to this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples provided to illustrate this disclosure and are not intended to limit it. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, formulas, the content of each step in the method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical rigor and include substantially acceptable errors and deviations. Similarly, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0011] Furthermore, the drawings are schematic diagrams that have been appropriately emphasized, omitted, or had their proportions adjusted to illustrate this disclosure, and do not represent the actual shapes, positions, or proportions. Also, the X, Y, and Z axes shown in the drawings represent orthogonal coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of illustrating the drawings. In other words, the Z axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X and Y axes are not necessarily located in the horizontal plane.

[0012] Furthermore, in the following, multiple inventions may be described comprehensively as a single embodiment. Also, some of the content described below is described as an optional component relating to this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the control device 100 with the bracket 200 pressed into the housing 110. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the bracket 200 and the control device 100 before press-fitting.

[0014] The bracket 200 is a component that attaches the control device 100 to an object by being partially fixed to the housing 110 of the control device 100 and having the other part fixed to the object. The shape and material of the bracket 200 are not limited, but in this embodiment, the bracket 200 is formed by bending a metal plate-like member into an L-shape. The first surface portion 210 and the second surface portion 220 of the bracket 200 are provided with a first hole 211 and a second hole 212 that penetrate in the thickness direction, respectively. The first hole 211 engages the bracket 200 with an engaging projection 115 (details described later) provided on the housing 110, preventing the bracket 200 from coming off the housing 110. The second hole 212 is through which fastening members such as bolts and rivets are inserted, and serves to fix the bracket 200 to the object.

[0015] The control device 100 is a device attached to an object via a bracket 200 and includes a housing 110 that houses electronic components (not shown). Specifically, examples of objects include mobile bodies such as automobiles, aircraft, and ships. An example of the control device 100 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that electronically controls all or some of the functions of the object.

[0016] The housing 110 is a box-shaped resin member that is attached to the object via a bracket 200, and includes a contact surface portion 111, a protruding portion 112, a clamping portion 113, and a restricting portion 114. In this embodiment, the housing 110 includes an engaging projection 115. Inside the housing 110 of the control device 100, a circuit board (electronic control unit) on which electronic components are mounted, for example, is fixedly attached.

[0017] The general outer shape of the housing 110 is not limited and may be a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, or the like. The housing 110 may be provided with an openable lid and may be able to maintain the inside in a sealed state, or the outside and the inside of the housing 110 may communicate with each other. In the case of the present embodiment, the housing 110 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and includes a pair of main surfaces 121 with the largest area, a pair of first side surfaces 122 with the next largest area, and a pair of second side surfaces 123 with the narrowest area.

[0018] Examples of the material of the housing 110 include ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), ABS containing PP (polycarbonate) as a contained material, ASA (acrylate styrene acrylonitrile), SAN (styrene acrylonitrile), and PP (polypropylene). Further, it may contain Glass Fiber or the like as a reinforcing material. Also, the material constituting the housing 110 is preferably adjusted to have an elastic modulus suitable for a snap fit that is not too hard or too soft. As a specific elastic modulus, about 2,000 to 2,500 MPa can be exemplified. This elastic modulus may be realized by adjusting the amount of contained substances such as butadiene and acrylate rubber.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the second side surface 123 of the housing 110 before the bracket 200 is attached. The contact surface portion 111 is a part of the housing 110 that comes into contact with the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 to be press-fitted and moves by rubbing. In the case of the present embodiment, the contact surface portion 111 is provided on both of the second side surfaces 123 of the housing 110 and one of the first side surfaces 122, and is flush with each side surface.

[0020] The protruding portion 112 is a pair of ridge portions that protrude from both sides of the contact surface portion 111 toward the bracket 200 in the width direction (the X direction or the Y direction in the figure) orthogonal to the press-fitting direction (the Z-axis direction in the figure) of the bracket 200 along the contact surface portion 111 and extend in the press-fitting direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the protruding portion 112 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that stands vertically from the side surface of the housing 110, and the length in the press-fitting direction coincides with the length of the side surface of the housing 110.

[0021] The clamping portion 113 extends in a direction approaching each other from the tip edge portions of the pair of protruding portions 112 (the edge portions far from the outer surface of the housing 110), and at least a part thereof is a tongue-shaped portion that clamps the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 between the contact surface portion 111. That is, the clamping portion 113 protrudes in the width direction from the tip edge portion of the protruding portion 112 and is a cantilevered plate member disposed at a predetermined interval from the contact surface portion 111.

[0022] A pair of openings facing each other in the width direction are formed by the pair of clamping portions 113, the pair of protruding portions 112, and the pair of portions of the contact surface portion 111, and a groove extending in the press-fitting direction is formed. The groove formed by the clamping portion 113, the protruding portion 112, and the contact surface portion 111 is open at the base end into which the bracket 200 is inserted in the press-fitting direction, and the bracket 200 is press-fitted into the pair of grooves arranged oppositely from the opening. In the case of this embodiment, the tip of the groove in the press-fitting direction is also open, and the groove formed by the portions of the clamping portion 113, the protruding portion 112, and the contact surface portion 111 penetrates in the press-fitting direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to weaken the structural elastic force of the clamping portion 113 as compared with the case where the tip of the groove is blocked. At least a part of the gap between the clamping portion 113 and the contact surface portion 111 is shorter than the thickness of the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200. Thereby, the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 press-fitted between the contact surface portion 111 and the clamping portion 113 is clamped by the clamping portion 113 and the contact surface portion 111.

[0023] In this embodiment, in the width direction, a portion of the tip side of the clamping portion 113 is inclined so that its tip edge approaches the contact surface portion 111. The edge of the clamping portion 113 opposite to the restricting portion 114 (the Z-side edge in the figure) is chamfered so that, in the width direction, it moves away from the protruding portion 112, and in the press-fit direction, it moves closer to the restricting portion 114. The base edge of the clamping portion 113 connected to the protruding portion 112 is the same length as the protruding portion 112, but the tip edge of the clamping portion 113 is shorter than the base edge, so the structural elastic force of the clamping portion 113 is smaller than in the case where it is not chamfered. By chamfering the base end of the clamping portion 113 in the press-fit direction, it becomes possible to arbitrarily set the elastic force of the clamping portion 113 by adjusting the chamfer angle during the design stage. Furthermore, by chamfering the clamping portion 113, it becomes easier to insert the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 between the clamping portion 113 and the contact surface portion 111 during press-fitting.

[0024] The restricting portion 114 is a stopper that contacts the bracket 200 in the press-fitting direction and restricts the press-fitting of the bracket 200 beyond a predetermined length at a predetermined position. The restricting portion 114 is the tip end (Z+ side in the figure) of the clamping portion 113 in the press-fitting direction, positioned between the pair of clamping portions 113, and protruding toward the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 which is press-fitted from the outer surface of the housing 110. The shape of the restricting portion 114 is not limited, but in this embodiment, the restricting portion 114 is rectangular parallelepiped and two are positioned between the pair of clamping portions 113. Note that there may be one or three or more restricting portions 114 positioned between the pair of protruding portions 112.

[0025] The protruding end of the restricting portion 114 and the tip of the clamping portion 113 in the press-fitting direction (the Z+ side end in the figure) are connected. Furthermore, the base end of the restricting portion 114 and the clamping portion 113 are connected via the protruding portion 112 and a part of the housing 110. In other words, the restricting portion 114, a part of the clamping portion 113, a part of the protruding portion 112, and a part of the housing 110 are connected in an annular manner. This allows the restricting portion 114 to be structurally reinforced, enabling it to resist forces exceeding the restricting pressure applied from the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 during press-fitting, thereby suppressing the destruction of the restricting portion 114 itself. In particular, when the restricting portion 114 is positioned flush with the outer surface (one of the main surfaces 121) of the housing 110, and when it is desired to secure a longer clamping allowance for the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200, the thickness of the restricting portion 114 in the press-fitting direction is limited, and connecting the restricting portion 114 and the clamping portion 113 enhances the structural strength.

[0026] In this embodiment, the restricting portion 114 and the clamping portion 113 are connected via a connecting portion 116 that extends in the width direction. By bridging the gap between the restricting portion 114 and the clamping portion 113 with the connecting portion 116, it becomes possible to arbitrarily set the elastic force of the clamping portion 113 by adjusting the length of the connecting portion 116 during the design phase.

[0027] The engaging projection 115 is a projection that engages with a first hole 211 provided in the first surface portion 210 of the press-fitted bracket 200, and by fitting into the first hole 211 provided in the first surface portion 210, it prevents the press-fitted bracket 200 from coming off the housing 110. The engaging projection 115 protrudes from the contact surface portion 111 towards the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 between the pair of clamping portions 113. In this embodiment, a slope 118 with an upward gradient toward the tip is provided on the base end side of the engaging projection 115 in the press-fitting direction. When the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 is press-fitted, the first surface portion 210 is guided by the slope 118 and separates one end from the contact surface portion 111. As the first surface portion 210 is further pressed in, the engaging projection 115 fits into the first hole 211, and the first surface portion 210 comes into contact with the contact surface portion 111 and is clamped between the contact surface portion 111 and the clamping portion 113.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the engaging edge 117 (Z-side edge in the figure) on the side opposite to the restricting portion 114 in the press-fitting direction of the most protruding part of the engaging projection 115 is positioned further from the restricting portion 114 than the first position 131, which is the midpoint of the protruding portion 112 (Z-side in the figure). In this embodiment, the engaging edge 117 is positioned on the base end side of the second position 132, which is the midpoint between the base end of the protruding portion 112 and the base end of the restricting portion 114, in the press-fitting direction. By moving the position where the engaging projection 115 rides on the first surface portion 210 of the bracket 200 away from the connecting portion 116 between the restricting portion 114 and the clamping portion 113 during press-fitting, the force that the first surface portion 210 receives from the clamping portion 113 during press-fitting can be reduced.

[0029] According to the housing 110 of the control device 100 in this embodiment, the restricting portion 114 and the clamping portion 113 are integrally connected, thereby suppressing an increase in the press-fit load of the bracket 200 while improving the structural strength of the restricting portion 114. In particular, the fracture strength of the restricting portion 114 in the press-fit direction can be improved.

[0030] For example, the control value for the press-fit load of the bracket 200 in the production plant of the control device 100 is set between the maximum press-fit load (if there is variation) and the breaking load of the restricting part 114 (if there is variation). According to the housing 110 of the embodiment, the breaking load of the restricting part 114 is higher than when the tip of the restricting part 114 and the clamping part 113 are not connected, thus widening the selectable range of press-fit load in process control. For example, by increasing the press-fit load, the press-fit time of the bracket 200 can be shortened, and the production efficiency of the control device 100 can be increased.

[0031] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, other embodiments realized by arbitrarily combining the components described herein, or by excluding some of the components, may also be considered embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, modifications obtained by applying various modifications to the above embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive of, without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, i.e., the meaning of the language used in the claims, are also included in this disclosure.

[0032] For example, the restricting portion 114 may be positioned between a pair of clamping portions 113, as shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, one restricting portion 114 may be connected to each of the pair of clamping portions 113 positioned on both sides in the width direction. Furthermore, the restricting portion 114 may be directly connected to the clamping portions 113 without the use of a connecting portion 116.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a reinforcing portion 119 connecting the clamping portion 113 and the contact surface portion 111 may be provided at a part of the tip of the groove formed by the clamping portion 113, the protruding portion 112, and the contact surface portion 111, thereby adjusting the structural elastic force of the clamping portion 113. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 100 Control device 110 cabinets 111 Contact surface section 112 Protrusion 113 Clamping part 114 Regulatory Department 115 Engagement protrusion 116 Connection section 117 Engaging edge 118 Slope 119 Reinforcement section 121 Main surface 122 First aspect 123 Second aspect 131 First position 132 Second position 200 brackets 210 First page 211 First hole 212 Second hole 220 Second face

Claims

1. A housing that is attached to an object via a bracket, The contact surface portion that the press-fitted bracket contacts, A pair of protrusions extending in the press-fit direction from both sides of the contact surface toward the bracket, along the contact surface and in a width direction perpendicular to the press-fit direction of the bracket, A pair of clamping portions extending toward each other from the protruding edges of a pair of protrusions, with at least a portion of each clamping portion between itself and the contact surface portion to clamp the bracket, In the press-fitting direction, it includes a restricting portion that contacts the bracket and restricts press-fitting of the bracket beyond a predetermined length, The tip of the clamping portion in the press-fitting direction and the restricting portion are connected, Between the pair of clamping portions, there is an engaging projection that protrudes from the contact surface and engages with a hole provided in the bracket, In the press-fitting direction, the edge of the most protruding portion of the engaging projection, opposite to the restricting portion, is positioned further from the restricting portion than the midpoint of the protruding portion. Cabinet.

2. The tip of the clamping portion in the press-fitting direction and the restricting portion are connected via a connecting portion that extends in the width direction. The housing according to claim 1.

3. The edge of the clamping portion opposite to the restricting portion approaches the restricting portion as it moves away from the protruding portion. The housing according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The material includes at least one of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), ASA (acrylate styrene acrylonitrile), SAN (styrene acrylonitrile), and PP (polypropylene). The housing according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The material includes reinforcing materials. The housing according to claim 4.

6. At least the elastic modulus of the clamping portion is The pressure range is selected from 2,000 MPa or higher and 2,500 MPa or lower. The housing according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A control device that is attached to an object via a bracket, The control device comprises a housing for electronic components, The aforementioned enclosure is The contact surface portion that the press-fitted bracket contacts, A pair of protrusions extending in the press-fit direction from both sides of the contact surface toward the bracket, along the contact surface and in a width direction perpendicular to the press-fit direction of the bracket, A pair of clamping portions extending toward each other from the protruding edges of a pair of protrusions, with at least a portion of each clamping portion between itself and the contact surface portion to clamp the bracket, In the press-fitting direction, it includes a restricting portion that contacts the bracket and restricts press-fitting of the bracket beyond a predetermined length, The tip of the clamping portion in the press-fitting direction and the restricting portion are connected, Between the pair of clamping portions, there is an engaging projection that protrudes from the contact surface and engages with a hole provided in the bracket, In the press-fitting direction, the edge of the most protruding portion of the engaging projection, opposite to the restricting portion, is positioned further from the restricting portion than the midpoint of the protruding portion. Control device.

Images