On-vehicle device

Abstract

Provided is an on-vehicle device capable of suppressing falling of a component held by a locking structure. This on-vehicle device comprises a base, a case forming a storage space together with the base, and a component at least a part of which is positioned in the storage space. One of the base and the case includes a locking part for holding the component, and the other of the base and the case includes a suppression part for suppressing elastic deformation of the locking part in a direction in which the locking part comes off from the component.

Description

In-vehicle device

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an antenna device that is an in-vehicle device, and this antenna device has a metal base.

[0003] Patent No. 6856702

[0004] From the viewpoint of reducing the weight and cost of in-vehicle devices, there are antenna devices in which the metal base is composed of a metal base and a resin base. Regarding the component retention structure, a locking structure such as a snap fit is effective in reducing the number of screws. However, there is a possibility that the locking structure may open due to the impact of the product being dropped or the vibrations and shocks caused by the vehicle being driven, causing the component to fall out.

[0005] An example of an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device that can prevent components held by a locking structure from falling off. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an in-vehicle device comprising a base, a case that forms a storage space together with the base, and a component that is at least partially located within the storage space, wherein one of the base and the case has a locking portion that holds the component, and the other of the base and the case has a suppression portion that suppresses elastic deformation of the locking portion in a direction that causes it to detach from the component.

[0007] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device that can prevent components held by a locking structure from falling off.

[0008] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the case 45 is assembled in the state in FIG. 11 . FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the bolt 59 is tightened in the state in FIG. 12 . FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle device 1A according to a second embodiment, taken along a cross section corresponding to the cross section AA in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle device 1A according to a second embodiment, taken along a cross section corresponding to the cross section AA in the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle device 1A according to a second embodiment, taken along a cross section corresponding to the cross section AA in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle device 1A according to a second embodiment, taken along a cross section corresponding to the cross section AA in the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle device 1A according to a third embodiment, taken along a cross section corresponding to the cross section AA in the first embodiment.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Figures 1 to 13 relate to an in-vehicle device 1 according to embodiment 1. The in-vehicle device 1 is an antenna device, specifically a pole antenna or a microantenna. As shown in Figure 1, an attachment surface 100 on which the in-vehicle device 1 is attached is, for example, the roof or hood of a vehicle. A through-hole 101 for attaching the antenna device 1 is opened in the attachment surface 100. Figures 1 to 4 and the like define the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions of the antenna device 1, which are perpendicular to one another. The front direction is the traveling direction of the vehicle to which the antenna device 1 is attached. The up-down direction is a direction perpendicular to the attachment surface 100 of the antenna device 1.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a conductive base 10, a substrate 17, an insulating base 20, a pad 30, a case 45, a pole portion 47, a washer 50, a bolt 59, and the like.

[0011] The conductive base 10 is, for example, a die-cast metal base. The conductive base 10 is an example of a component at least a portion of which is located between the insulating base 20 and the case 45. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 , the conductive base 10 has a base 11, a screw boss 12, a positioning through-hole 13, a boss 14, and a locking receiving portion 15.

[0012] The base 11 is a plate-like portion that is approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, there are two screw boss portions 12, each rising upward from the base 11. A screw 18 for attaching a substrate 17 is screwed into each screw boss portion 12. In the illustrated example, there are two positioning through holes 13, each passing through the base 11 in the vertical direction. A positioning boss 24 of the insulating base 20 is inserted into each positioning through hole 13. The number of screw boss portions 12 and positioning through holes 13 is not limited to the above-mentioned number and can be set appropriately as needed.

[0013] The boss 14 protrudes downward from the base 11. The boss 14 has a screw hole 14a as a threaded portion for attaching the in-vehicle device 1 to the mounting surface 100. A bolt 59 is screwed into the screw hole 14a. In the illustrated example, there are two locking receiving portions 15, which are erected upward from the left and right ends of the base 11, respectively. The locking receiving portions 15 are hooked onto the locking receiving portions 15 to receive the locking portions 23 of the insulating base 20.

[0014] The substrate 17 is an example of a component located between the insulating base 20 and the case 45. In this embodiment, the substrate 17 is a plate-shaped circuit board made of epoxy resin and a conductive material. The substrate 17 has two notches 17a. The substrate 17 is attached and fixed to the conductive base 10 by two screws 18 (fastening members) that pass through each notch 17a and screw into the screw bosses 12 of the conductive base 10. The substrate 17 is installed approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction. A terminal 17b is provided on the substrate 17. A terminal 48 shown in FIGS. 4, 12, and 13 is electrically connected to the terminal 17b. The electrical connection between the terminal 17b of the substrate 17 and the terminal 48 provides electrical continuity to an antenna element (not shown) connected to the terminal 48. A coaxial cable 16 is electrically connected to the substrate 17.

[0015] One end of the coaxial cable 16 is connected to the substrate 17, extends downward from the substrate 17, passes through a through-hole 101 in the mounting surface 100, and extends below the mounting surface 100, i.e., inside the vehicle to which the device is to be mounted. A signal received by the in-vehicle device 1 is transmitted via the coaxial cable 16 to electronic devices and the like in the vehicle to which the device is to be mounted.

[0016] The insulating base 20 is a resin base made of, for example, resin. Examples of resin that can be used include PBT resin and glass fiber reinforced resin. The insulating base 20, together with the conductive base 10, forms the base of the in-vehicle device 1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 , the insulating base 20 has a base portion 21, boss insertion holes 22, locking portions 23, positioning bosses 24, screw through holes 25, and temporary fastening portions 26.

[0017] The base 21 is a plate-like portion that is approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction. The boss insertion holes 22 penetrate the base 21 in the vertical direction. The bosses 14 of the conductive base 10 are inserted into the boss insertion holes 22. In the illustrated example, there are two locking portions 23, which are erected upward from the base 21 on the left and right of the boss insertion holes 22. Each locking portion 23 engages with the lock receiving portion 15 of the conductive base 10, snapping in, thereby locking the conductive base 10 to the insulating base 20.

[0018] In the illustrated example, there are two positioning bosses 24, each rising upward from the base 21. The positioning bosses 24 are inserted into the positioning through-holes 13 of the conductive base 10, thereby determining the position of the conductive base 10 relative to the insulating base 20. In the illustrated example, there are two screw through-holes 25, which penetrate the insulating base 20 in the vertical direction at the front and rear ends of the insulating base 20. Screws 57 and 58, described below, pass through each screw through-hole 25. In the illustrated example, there are three temporary fastening portions 26, each provided below the periphery of the boss insertion hole 22. Each temporary fastening portion 26 engages with the edge of a through-hole 101 (through-hole for a bolt 59 or the like) provided in the mounting surface 100, providing a snap fit, thereby locking (temporarily fixing) the in-vehicle device 1 to the mounting surface 100. The numbers of locking portions 23, screw through-holes 25, temporary fastening portions 26, etc. are not limited to those described above and can be appropriately set as needed.

[0019] The pad 30 is an elastic member made of a resin such as rubber or elastomer. The pad 30 is interposed between the insulating base 20 and the mounting surface 100, and also between the case 45 and the mounting surface 100. The pad 30 has a base 31, a boss insertion hole 32, a screw through-hole 33, a guide portion 34, and a protrusion 35.

[0020] The base 31 is a plate-shaped portion that is approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction. The boss insertion hole 32 penetrates the base 31 in the vertical direction. The boss 14 of the conductive base 10 is inserted into the boss insertion hole 32. In the illustrated example, there is one screw through hole 33 that penetrates the base 31 in the vertical direction. A screw 57 (described below) passes through the screw through hole 33. The guide portion 34 is a rib that protrudes upward from the base 31. The guide portion 34 has a shape that surrounds the boss insertion hole 32 and goes around the periphery of the boss insertion hole 32. The insulating base 20 fits inside the guide portion 34.

[0021] The case 45 (antenna case) is, for example, a resin molded body, and together with the insulating base 20, forms a housing space. In this embodiment, PC+ASA resin is used. A part of the conductive base 10, the substrate 17, etc. are housed in the housing space formed by the case 45 and the insulating base 20. As shown in FIG. 4 , the case 45 has screw boss portions 45a and 45b, a rib 45c, and a suppressing portion 45d.

[0022] In this embodiment, there are two screw bosses 45a, each protruding downward from the inner surface of the case 45. A screw 57 serving as a fastening member passes through the screw through hole 33 of the pad 30 and the screw through hole 25 of the insulating base 20, and is screwed into the screw boss 45a of the case 45. A screw 58 serving as a fastening member passes through the screw through hole 25 of the insulating base 20, and is screwed into the screw boss 45b of the case 45. The screws 57 and 58 secure the case 45, the insulating base 20, and the pad 30 to one another.

[0023] The rib 45c protrudes downward from the inner surface of the case 45. The rib 45c goes all the way around the insulating base 20. The rib 45c bites into the upper surface of the guide portion 34 of the pad 30, preventing water from entering the inside of the guide portion 34 through the gap between the rib 45c and the guide portion 34.

[0024] The suppressing portion 45d is a rib that protrudes downward from the inner surface of the case 45, and in this embodiment, is provided so as to protrude inward from a part of the inner peripheral surface of the rib 45c. As will be described later with reference to Fig. 12 , the suppressing portion 45d suppresses the elastic deformation of the locking portion 23 in a direction in which it disengages from the locking receiving portion 15 of the conductive base 10 when the locking receiving portion 15 of the insulating base 20 is locked with the locking receiving portion 15 of the conductive base 10.

[0025] The pole portion 47 is detachably attached to the case 45 and rotatably supported by the case 45. The pole portion 47 extends rearward and upward from the case 45. The pole portion 47 has a helical element (not shown) therein as an antenna element. A signal is transmitted from this helical element to the vehicle via a terminal portion 48 of the case 45, a terminal portion 17b of the circuit board 17, and the coaxial cable 16.

[0026] 3 and 4 , the washer 50 has a base 51, a bolt through-hole 52, a holding portion 53, and a biting portion 54. The washer 50 is sandwiched between the conductive base 10 and a bolt 59.

[0027] The base 51 is a plate-shaped portion that is approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction. The bolt through-holes 52 pass through the base 51 in the vertical direction. A bolt 59 made of a conductor such as metal passes through the bolt through-holes 52 and is screwed into the screw hole 14a of the boss 14 of the conductive base 10. In this way, the in-vehicle device 1 is attached and fixed to the attachment surface 100.

[0028] In the illustrated example, there are two retaining portions 53, each extending upward from the base portion 51. Each retaining portion 53 fits into a fitting hole 14b provided around the boss 14 of the conductive base 10, thereby positioning and temporarily fixing the washer 50. In the illustrated example, there are four biting portions 54, each extending upward from the base portion 51. When attaching the in-vehicle device 1 to the mounting surface 100, bolts 59 are screwed into the threaded holes 14a of the boss 14. As the bolts 59 are screwed in, the middle portions of each retaining portion 53 bend, and the tips of each biting portion 54 bite into the underside of the mounting surface 100, establishing electrical conductivity with the mounting surface 100, which is made of a conductor such as metal. Electrical conductivity is established between the mounting surface 100 and the conductive base 10 via the washers 50 and the bolts 59. The washer 50 and the bolt 59 , together with the boss 14 of the conductive base 10 , constitute a mounting portion for mounting the in-vehicle device 1 to the mounting surface 100 .

[0029] FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9 to 11 show the process of combining the conductive base 10 with the insulating base 20. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the assembly process of the on-board device 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which the conductive base 10 is aligned with and placed on the insulating base 20, following the state shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the state in which the conductive base 10 is pressed down against the insulating base 20, following the state shown in FIG. 6, and the conductive base 10 is held by the locking portion 23 of the insulating base 20. FIGS. 9 to 11 show the states shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, respectively, in cross sections corresponding to the A-A cross section of FIG. 8. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows the state shown in FIG. 5 in a cross section corresponding to the A-A cross section of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 shows the state shown in FIG. 6 in a cross section corresponding to the A-A cross section of FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A cross section of FIG. 8. The pads 30 are not shown in FIGS. 5 to 11. This also applies to FIGS. 12 and 13, which will be described later.

[0030] Prior to assembly to the insulating base 20, the substrate 17 is fixed to the conductive base 10, and the washer 50 and bolt 59 are engaged. At this time, the bolt 59 is lightly screwed into the threaded hole 14a of the conductive base 10 so as not to fall off. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the conductive base 10 is set above the insulating base 20. Next, while aligning the positioning boss 24 of the insulating base 20 with the positioning through-hole 13 of the conductive base 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conductive base 10 is lowered relative to the insulating base 20 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. This results in the lower part of the locking receiving portion 15 of the conductive base 10 resting on the upper part of the locking portion 23. From this state, when the conductive base 10 is pressed down relative to the insulating base 20 while elastically deforming the locking portion 23, the locking portion 23 hooks onto the upper part of the locking receiving portion 15 of the conductive base 10 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11.

[0031] The in-vehicle device 1 is characterized by a structure in which the locking portion 23 prevents the snap fit from coming loose.

[0032] For example, when the bolt 59 is tightened into the threaded hole 14 a of the conductive base 10, an upward thrust force is applied to the conductive base 10 from below via the bolt 59. The upward thrust force acts on the conductive base 10 in a direction that lifts it from the insulating base 20, and ultimately acts as a force that elastically deforms the locking portion 23 of the insulating base 20 in a direction that disengages from the locking receiving portion 15 of the conductive base 10. Therefore, if the upward thrust force is large, there is a risk that the locking portion 23 will disengage from the locking receiving portion 15 of the conductive base 10, causing the conductive base 10 to fall off the insulating base 20. In addition to the upward thrust force caused by tightening the bolt 59, there is a risk that the locking portion 23 will open and elastically deform in a direction that disengages from the locking receiving portion 15 due to the impact of a dropped product or vibrations and shocks while the vehicle is running, causing the conductive base 10 to fall off the insulating base 20. In consideration of such risks, in this embodiment, the case 45 is provided with a suppressing portion 45 d.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the case 45 is assembled in the state shown in FIG. 11 . The suppressing portion 45d is located on the opposite side of the locking portion 23 from the locking receiving portion 15 of the conductive base 10 in the left-right direction. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 12 , a slight gap L2 exists between the suppressing portion 45d and the locking portion 23 so as not to interfere with the assembly of the case 45 to the insulating base 20. The engagement length L1 between the locking portion 23 and the locking receiving portion 15 is longer than the gap L2. Therefore, even if the locking portion 23 elastically deforms to the point where it abuts against the suppressing portion 45d due to a thrust force associated with tightening the bolt 59, the impact of a dropped product, or vibrations and impacts during vehicle travel, the engagement between the locking portion 23 and the locking receiving portion 15 is maintained, thereby reducing the risk of the conductive base 10 falling off the insulating base 20.

[0034] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the bolt 59 is tightened in the state shown in Fig. 12. When the bolt 59 is tightened into the screw hole 14a of the conductive base 10, the bolt 59 bends the retaining portion 53 of the washer 50 shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and the biting portion 54 opens and rises, biting into the periphery of the attachment surface 100 (not shown).

[0035] According to this embodiment, the insulating base 20 has a locking portion 23 that holds the conductive base 10, and the case 45 has a suppression portion 45d that suppresses elastic deformation of the locking portion 23 in a direction that causes it to come off the conductive base 10. This suppresses the risk of the locking portion 23 and the locking portion 15 of the conductive base 10 coming off engagement with each other due to a thrust force associated with tightening the bolts 59, the impact of a dropped product, or vibrations and impacts while the vehicle is running, and also suppresses the risk of the conductive base 10 held by the locking portion 23 falling off the insulating base 20.

[0036] (Embodiment 2) FIGS. 14 to 16 relate to an in-vehicle device 1A according to embodiment 2. Specifically, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle device 1A according to embodiment 2, taken along a cross section corresponding to the A-A cross section of embodiment 1. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a part of the assembly process of the in-vehicle device 1A. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the circuit board 17 is held by the locking portion 146 of the case 145, following the state shown in FIG. 15. The following description will focus on differences from embodiment 1. In FIGS. 14 to 16, components corresponding to the conductive base 10, pole portion 47, washer 50, and bolt 59 of the in-vehicle device 1 are omitted. In the in-vehicle device 1A, the case 45 and insulating base 20 of the in-vehicle device 1 are replaced with a case 145 and insulating base 120, respectively.

[0037] The case 145 differs from the case 45 in that it has a locking portion 146 instead of the suppressing portion 45d and a positioning boss 147, but is the same in other respects. The insulating base 120 differs from the insulating base 20 in that it has a suppressing portion 121 instead of the locking portion 23, but is the same in other respects.

[0038] 14 and 15 , the locking portion 146 holds the substrate 17. The suppressing portion 121 suppresses elastic deformation of the locking portion 146 in a direction that causes it to come off the substrate 17. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 14 , the engagement length L1 between the locking portion 146 and the substrate 17 is longer than the gap L2 between the suppressing portion 121 and the locking portion 146.

[0039] In this embodiment, the substrate 17 is held by the locking portion 146 of the case 145 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and then the insulating base 120 is assembled to the case 145 as shown in FIG.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the risk of the engagement between the locking portion 146 and the substrate 17 coming loose due to the impact of the product being dropped or the vibrations and impacts caused when the vehicle is running is reduced, and the risk of the substrate 17 held by the locking portion 146 falling off from the case 145 is reduced.

[0041] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above may also be adopted. The embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0042] The conductive base 10 may be a die-cast product, a metal plate, or a processed sheet metal product. Aluminum alloys, zinc alloys, and the like may also be used as the metal. Furthermore, conductive resin may also be used for the conductive base 10. In addition to the insulating base 10 and the conductive base 20, a metal plate may also be used for the base.

[0043] Resin parts such as the insulating base 20 and case 45 can be made of PC, PBT, ASB, ASA, PET, POM, glass fiber reinforced resin, and combinations of these materials, depending on the usage environment and demand.

[0044] In this embodiment, the conductive base 10 or the substrate 17 (circuit board) is shown as an example of a component located between the insulating base 20 and the case 45. However, the component may be a component other than those shown in this embodiment, such as an electronic device or an antenna element, or a combination thereof.

[0045] The in-vehicle device of the present invention is not limited to the antenna device exemplified in the embodiment, but may be an in-vehicle device other than an antenna device, such as a camera device or a radar device.

[0046] The in-vehicle device of the present invention is a device that is installed in a vehicle. Here, "vehicle" refers to a vehicle having wheels. However, the term is not limited to vehicles, and may also refer to moving objects that do not have wheels, such as construction machinery, agricultural machinery, ships, aircraft, drones, etc.

[0047] Although the in-vehicle device of the present invention has been described as being attached to the roof or hood of a vehicle, the in-vehicle device of the present invention may be installed at a location other than the roof or hood.

[0048] According to the present specification, there is provided an in-vehicle device having the following aspects.

[0049] (Mode 1) An in-vehicle device comprising: a base; a case that forms a storage space together with the base; and a component that is at least partially located within the storage space, wherein one of the base and the case has a locking portion that holds the component; and the other of the base and the case has a suppression portion that suppresses elastic deformation of the locking portion in a direction that causes it to come off the component.

[0050] According to the first aspect, it is possible to prevent the component held by the locking portion from falling off.

[0051] (Aspect 2) The in-vehicle device, wherein the base is an insulating base having the locking portion, and the component is a conductive base.

[0052] According to the second aspect, the number of screws for joining the insulating base and the conductive base can be reduced, while preventing the conductive base from falling off the insulating base.

[0053] (Aspect 3) The on-vehicle device, wherein the conductive base has a screw portion for attaching the on-vehicle device to a vehicle.

[0054] According to the third aspect, when a force is applied to the conductive base when the in-vehicle device is attached to the vehicle using the screw portion, the conductive base can be prevented from falling off the insulating base.

[0055] (Aspect 4) The in-vehicle device, wherein the case has the locking portion, and the component is a circuit board.

[0056] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to reduce the number of screws for holding the board, while preventing the board from falling off the case.

[0057] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 on-vehicle device 10 conductive base 17 substrate 20 insulating base 23 locking portion 45 case 45c rib 45d suppression portion

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device comprising: a base; a case that forms a storage space together with the base; and a component that is at least partially located within the storage space, wherein one of the base and the case has a locking portion that holds the component, and the other of the base and the case has a suppression portion that suppresses elastic deformation of the locking portion in a direction that causes it to come off the component.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the base is an insulating base having the locking portion, and the part is a conductive base.

3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2, wherein the conductive base has a screw portion for attaching the vehicle-mounted device to a vehicle.

4. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the case has the locking portion, and the component is a circuit board.

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