Fixing structure
The fixing structure for control devices on vehicles addresses instability and vibration issues by using an inclined bracket with specific rib configurations, enhancing rigidity and suppressing vibrations to improve NVH performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Conventional fixing structures for control devices on vehicles face instability and increased vibration when the mounting surface is tilted relative to the vertical plane, leading to deteriorated NVH performance and potential bracket failure.
A fixing structure with a bracket that includes a support surface inclined to the vertical plane, featuring ribs and leg portions with specific orientations and configurations to enhance rigidity and suppress vibrations, thereby improving NVH performance.
The structure effectively increases rigidity and suppresses vibrations, enhancing the stability and NVH performance of control device mountings by intersecting rib directions and optimizing fastening points, reducing resonance frequencies and bracket deformation.
Smart Images
Figure JP2024039253_15052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
fixed structure
[0001] This invention relates to a fixing structure for securing the housing of a control device mounted on a vehicle to the vehicle body using a bracket.
[0002] Regarding the fixing structure of a control device mounted on a vehicle, there is a known method in which the housing of the control device is fixed to the vehicle body with a bracket. The bracket is provided with, for example, a fixing seat portion to which the housing of the control device is fastened and fixed, and a mounting seat portion to which clips for securing wire harnesses are attached (see Patent Document 1).
[0003] Patent No. 7448094
[0004] The bracket described in Patent Document 1 is fixed to the vehicle body in a position where the fixed seating surface is parallel to the vertical plane. The direction of the load (self-weight) input from the control device housing to the fixed seating surface is along the plate surface of the fixed seating surface, and the load acting in the axial direction of the fastener is almost zero. This ensures the stability of the mounting state of the control device.
[0005] On the other hand, if another in-vehicle device is placed near the control device, layout constraints may necessitate tilting the fixed mounting surface of the bracket relative to the vertical plane. In this case, the direction of the load applied from the control device housing to the fixed mounting surface becomes non-parallel to the plate surface of the fixed mounting surface, reducing the stability of the control device's mounting. As a result, it becomes more difficult to suppress increased bracket vibration and decreased resonant frequency, leading to a deterioration in NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) performance, and in the worst case, potentially resulting in bracket failure.
[0006] One of the objectives of this invention is to improve NVH performance with a simple configuration in a fixing structure for securing the housing of a control device to the vehicle body with a bracket, which was devised in light of the above-mentioned problems. In addition to this objective, another objective of this invention is to achieve effects that cannot be obtained with conventional technology, which are derived from the various configurations shown in the "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention" described later.
[0007] The fixed structure of the disclosure can be realized as the embodiments (examples of application) disclosed below, and solves at least some of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward is an additional embodiment that can be appropriately selected and each is an embodiment that can be omitted. None of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward disclose any embodiments or configurations that are indispensable to this case.
[0008] Embodiment 1. The disclosed structure is a fixing structure for fixing the housing of a control device mounted on a vehicle to the vehicle body with a bracket. The housing comprises a connection surface to which a wire harness connector is connected, and a housing bottom surface perpendicular to the connection surface. The bracket is attached to the vehicle body at an angle to a vertical plane and comprises a support surface portion that supports the housing, an upper leg portion provided on the upper part of the support surface portion and having a first fixing point fixed to the vehicle body, a lower leg portion provided on the lower part of the support surface portion and having a second fixing point fixed to the vehicle body, and a first rib formed in a groove shape on the support surface portion and extending in a direction intersecting a line segment connecting the first fixing point and the second fixing point in a front view of the support surface portion.
[0009] Embodiment 2. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the lower leg portion has a lower fixed surface portion on which the second fixing point is provided, and a lower support surface portion connecting the support surface portion and the lower fixed surface portion. Furthermore, it is preferable that the boundary between the lower support surface portion and the support surface portion is in a mountain fold shape, and the boundary between the lower support surface portion and the lower fixed surface portion is in a valley fold shape. Moreover, it is preferable that the bracket has a second rib formed in a shape that spans the support surface portion and the lower support surface portion.
[0010] Embodiment 3. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 2 described above, it is preferable that the second rib is connected to the first rib. Embodiment 4. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 2 described above, it is preferable that the second rib extends in the same direction as the line segment in the front view.
[0011] Embodiment 5. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 2 described above, it is preferable that the bracket comprises a raised portion formed in a shape that spans the lower support surface portion and the lower fixing surface portion. Embodiment 6. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 5 described above, it is preferable that the raised portion is formed in a triangular shape so as to cover the triangular region connecting the lower support surface portion and the boundary between the support surface portion and the second fixing point.
[0012] Embodiment 7. With respect to embodiments including Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the bracket comprises: a first fastening surface portion provided at one end of the support surface portion located near the first or second fixing point and having one first fastening hole for fastening and fixing the housing to the bracket; a second fastening surface portion provided at the other end of the support surface portion and having two second fastening holes for fastening and fixing the housing to the bracket; and a clip portion formed integrally with the second fastening surface portion and to which a clip for fixing the wire bundle of the wire harness to the bracket is attached.
[0013] According to the disclosed fixing structure, the rigidity of the support surface can be increased by providing a first rib on the support surface that is attached to the vehicle body in an inclined state with respect to the vertical plane. Furthermore, by making the extension direction of the first rib intersect with the line segment connecting the first and second fixing points, longitudinal surface vibration of the support surface can be efficiently suppressed. As a result, vibration of the housing and bracket can be suppressed with a simple configuration, and NVH performance can be improved.
[0014] This is a perspective view showing the housing and bracket of the control device fixed to the vehicle body. This is a perspective view of the housing. This is a diagram showing the entire bracket. This is a diagram showing the extension direction of the first and second ribs of the bracket. This is a cross-sectional view of the bracket (section A-A in Figure 3). This is a side view of the bracket (viewed from arrow B in Figure 3).
[0015] The disclosed fixing structure is for fixing the housing of a control device (ECU, Electronic Control Unit) mounted on a vehicle to the vehicle body with a bracket. The vehicle body refers to the structural elements and the parts that form the exterior of the vehicle. Specific examples of control devices fixed to the vehicle body include engine ECUs, EV (Electric Vehicle) ECUs, HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) ECUs, PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) ECUs, onboard camera ECUs, corner sensor ECUs, radar ECUs, network ECUs, body ECUs, etc.
[0016] Vehicles to which the disclosed fixed structure can be applied include electric vehicles, engine-powered vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), etc. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle refers to a hybrid electric vehicle that can be externally charged to its battery or externally powered from its battery. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are equipped with a charging port (inlet) for inserting a charging cable that supplies power from an external charging facility, and an outlet for external power supply.
[0017] In the following embodiments, the longitudinal direction is defined relative to the forward and reverse directions of the vehicle, and the lateral direction is defined relative to the occupants facing forward. The longitudinal direction is also called the vehicle length direction, and the lateral direction is also called the vehicle width direction. The vertical direction is defined relative to the state in which the vehicle is stopped on a flat road surface. Furthermore, "vertical" means the direction of gravity, "vertical line" means a vertical line, and "vertical plane" means a plane that contains a vertical line.
[0018] In a vehicle, the direction from the outside towards the passenger compartment is considered the inside direction, and the direction from the passenger compartment towards the outside is considered the outside direction. To the right of the vehicle's midline (the vertical plane that divides the vehicle into left and right halves), the right direction is the outside direction (outside in the vehicle width direction), and the left direction is the inside direction (inside in the vehicle width direction). To the left of the vehicle's midline, the left direction is the outside direction (outside in the vehicle width direction), and the right direction is the inside direction (inside in the vehicle width direction).
[0019] [1. Configuration] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the housing 2 and bracket 1 of the control device fixed to the vehicle body 3. This control device is an ECU for HEVs that comprehensively controls the operating status of the motor and engine mounted on the vehicle, as well as the operating status of the battery, inverter, brake system, etc. The vehicle body 3 shown in Figure 1 is the inner panel of the right front pillar that supports the right side of the dash panel 70 (see Figure 6). The housing 2 and bracket 1 are fixed to the inner surface of the inner panel in the vehicle width direction.
[0020] The part of the vehicle body 3 to which the bracket 1 is fixed does not have to be perfectly vertical; it may be inclined. Also, in the horizontal cross-section of the part to which the bracket 1 is fixed (top view of the vehicle), the direction of the normal to the part to which the bracket 1 is fixed does not have to be perfectly inward in the vehicle width direction; it may be inclined forward or backward. A dash panel 70 (see Figure 6) is positioned in front of the housing 2 and bracket 1 shown in Figure 1. In front of the dash panel 70 is the engine compartment, and behind the dash panel 70 is the passenger compartment (the area where the driver's feet are).
[0021] [1-1. Enclosure] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the enclosure 2 of the control device. A wire harness 4, including signal lines and power supply lines, is connected to the enclosure 2. An electronic circuit board on which a processor and memory are mounted is built into the enclosure 2. The enclosure 2 has a connection surface 21 to which at least the connector 42 of the wire harness 4 is connected, and a bottom surface 22 of the enclosure that is perpendicular to the connection surface 21. The enclosure 2 shown in Figure 2 is box-shaped (rectangular parallelepiped) and has a connection surface 21, a bottom surface 22, a top surface 23, a rear surface 24, and a pair of side surfaces 25.
[0022] The connection surface 21 is the surface on which a socket 20, shaped to correspond to the connector 42 of the wire harness 4, is provided. As shown in Figure 1, when the bracket 1 and housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3, the connection surface 21 is in a downward-facing position. In this embodiment, when the bracket 1 and housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3, the connection surface 21 is not horizontal, but is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle and outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the horizontal plane.
[0023] The bottom surface 22 of the housing is a surface perpendicular to the connection surface 21. As shown in Figure 1, when the bracket 1 and housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3, the bottom surface 22 of the housing is in a position facing the bracket 1 (facing the vehicle body 3). In this embodiment, when the bracket 1 and housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3, the bottom surface 22 of the housing is not vertical, but is inclined toward the rear and upward of the vehicle with respect to the vertical plane.
[0024] The upper surface 23 of the housing is the opposite surface to the lower surface 22 of the housing, and faces away from the lower surface 22. As shown in Figure 1, when the bracket 1 and the housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3, the upper surface 23 of the housing is facing inward in the vehicle width direction, and is facing forward and downward. In this embodiment, the upper surface 23 of the housing is inclined with respect to the vertical plane, similar to the lower surface 22 of the housing.
[0025] The rear surface 24 of the housing is the surface opposite to the connection surface 21, and faces away from the connection surface 21. As shown in Figure 1, when the bracket 1 and housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3, the rear surface 24 of the housing faces upward. In this embodiment, when the bracket 1 and housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3, the rear surface 24 of the housing is not horizontal, but is inclined forward of the vehicle and inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the horizontal plane.
[0026] Each of the pair of housing sides 25 is a surface perpendicular to the connection surface 21 and the housing bottom surface 22. As shown in Figure 1, when the bracket 1 and housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3, the housing sides 25 are positioned facing either the front or rear of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 2, each housing side 25 has a planar housing fastening surface 26. The housing fastening surface 26 extends from the boundary between the housing side 25 and the housing bottom surface 22 so as to be coplanar with the housing bottom surface 22. Each housing fastening surface 26 is provided with a housing fastening hole 27 through which a fastener is inserted. Each housing fastening surface 26 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has two housing fastening holes 27. Since the housing fastening surface 26 is coplanar with the housing bottom surface 22, it may be considered as a part included in the housing bottom surface 22.
[0027] [1-2. Bracket] Figure 3 shows the overall structure of the bracket 1. The bracket 1 comprises a support surface portion 11, an upper leg portion 12, and a lower leg portion 13. The support surface portion 11 is a planar part that supports the housing 2. The support surface portion 11 is attached to the vehicle body 3 at an angle to the vertical plane. When the housing 2 is attached to the bracket 1, the support surface portion 11 is in a position facing the housing bottom surface 22 (facing the housing 2). Preferably, the support surface portion 11 supports the housing 2 in a state of surface contact with the housing 2.
[0028] The upper leg portion 12 and the lower leg portion 13 are parts that are fixed to the vehicle body 3. The upper leg portion 12 is provided on the upper part of the support surface portion 11 when the bracket 1 is attached to the vehicle body 3. On the other hand, the lower leg portion 13 is provided on the lower part of the support surface portion 11 when the bracket 1 is attached to the vehicle body 3. The support surface portion 11 is fixed to the vehicle body 3 in a position sandwiched between the upper leg portion 12 and the lower leg portion 13, and slightly separated from the surface of the vehicle body 3 in the vehicle width direction. The upper leg portion 12 and the lower leg portion 13 connect the support surface portion 11 and the vehicle body 3 so that the support surface portion 11 is separated from the surface of the vehicle body 3 (floating).
[0029] The upper leg portion 12 is provided with an upper fixing hole 63 through which an upper fixing device (not shown) for fixing the bracket 1 to the vehicle body 3 is inserted. The upper fixing device and the upper fixing hole 63 function as a first fixing point fixed to the vehicle body 3. The first fixing point (upper fixing device and upper fixing hole 63) is the position where the upper leg portion 12 and the vehicle body 3 are fixed. The center point of the upper fixing hole 63 may be considered as the first fixing point. Similarly, the lower leg portion 13 is provided with a lower fixing hole 66 through which a lower fixing device (not shown) for fixing the bracket 1 to the vehicle body 3 is inserted. The lower fixing device and the lower fixing hole 66 function as a second fixing point fixed to the vehicle body 3. The second fixing point (lower fixing device and lower fixing hole 66) is the position where the lower leg portion 13 and the vehicle body 3 are fixed. The center point of the lower fixing hole 66 may be considered as the second fixing point. Specific examples of the upper and lower fixing devices include bolts, nuts, rivets, etc.
[0030] Next, the structure of bracket 1 will be described in detail. In the following description, the position and direction (front, back, left, right, up, down) of the members will be described assuming that bracket 1 and housing 2 are attached to the vehicle body 3. The support surface portion 11 has a flat portion 50, a first fastening surface portion 51, a second fastening surface portion 52, and a clip portion 55. The flat portion 50 is a rectangular portion that is approximately parallel to the housing bottom surface 22 and faces the housing bottom surface 22. As shown in Figure 3, the upper leg portion 12 is in contact with the upper edge of the flat portion 50, and the lower leg portion 13 is in contact with the lower edge of the flat portion 50.
[0031] The flat portion 50 is provided with a first rib 14 as a reinforcing structure. The first rib 14 is a recessed portion formed in the shape of a groove in the flat portion 50, or an elongated bulge formed as a protrusion. Preferably, the direction of the irregularities of the first rib 14 is from the flat portion 50 toward the vehicle body 3. In this embodiment, the flat portion 50 has two first ribs 14 that are parallel to each other. One first rib 14 is positioned near the upper edge of the flat portion 50, and the other first rib 14 is positioned near the lower edge of the flat portion 50. In this way, the first ribs 14 have a shape that extends in the longitudinal direction of the flat portion 50 (support surface portion 11).
[0032] These first ribs 14 extend in a direction that intersects the line segment 5 (the line segment overlapping the dashed line in Figure 3) connecting the first and second fixed points when viewed from the front of the support surface 11. As shown in Figure 4, the direction in which the line segment 5 connecting the first and second fixed points extends (the direction of extension of the line segment 5) is D ０ This is the direction. Line segment 5 is not vertical, but is inclined such that its upper end is located further rearward than its lower end. In contrast, the direction in which the first rib 14 extends (the direction of extension of the first rib 14) is D １ This is the direction. The first rib 14 is not horizontal, but is inclined so that its front end is located lower than its rear end. The extension direction D of the first rib 14 １ It is approximately parallel to the upper and lower edges of the planar portion 50. Also, D １ Direction is D ０ It is not parallel to the direction. D ０ Direction and D １ The angle at which the directions intersect is, for example, about 45 to 90 degrees.
[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the first fastening surface 51 and the second fastening surface 52 are planar portions provided at one end and the other end of the support surface 11. The first fastening surface 51 is provided at one end of the support surface 11 located near the first fixing point (the right end in a front view of the support surface 11, the end on the rear side of the vehicle). The second fastening surface 52 is provided at the other end of the support surface 11 (the left end in a front view of the support surface 11, the end on the front side of the vehicle). The first fastening surface 51 and the second fastening surface 52 are arranged so as to sandwich the planar portion 50. The first fastening surface 51 is in contact with the right side (the rear side of the vehicle) of the planar portion 50, and the second fastening surface 52 is in contact with the left side (the front side of the vehicle) of the planar portion 50.
[0034] The first fastening surface 51 and the second fastening surface 52 are arranged so as to be on the same plane as each other. Alternatively, the first fastening surface 51 and the second fastening surface 52 may be formed so as to be on the same plane as the flat surface 50, or they may be positioned at an offset location so as to be on a plane parallel to the flat surface 50. In this embodiment, the first fastening surface 51 and the second fastening surface 52 are provided at a position offset from the flat surface 50 towards the housing 2 side.
[0035] The first fastening surface portion 51 has at least one first fastening hole 53, and the second fastening surface portion 52 has at least two second fastening holes 54. Both the first fastening hole 53 and the second fastening hole 54 are holes through which a fastener for fastening and fixing the housing 2 to the bracket 1 is inserted. The first fastening hole 53 and the second fastening hole 54 are arranged at positions corresponding to the housing fastening hole 27. The distance from the first fastening hole 53 to the first fixing point is shorter than the distance from each of the second fastening holes 54 to the first fixing point.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the clip portion 55 is a portion where a clip 43 for fixing the wire harness 4 is attached. The clip 43 is locked to the clip portion 55 in a state where it grips the wire bundle 41 of the wire harness 4. The clip portion 55 is integrally formed with the second fastening surface portion 52 as shown in FIG. 3. The clip portion 55 of the present embodiment extends in a planar shape from the left end portion (the end portion on the vehicle front side) of the second fastening surface portion 52 toward the front and downward of the vehicle. A clip hole 56 to which the clip 43 is locked is formed near the lower end portion of the clip portion 55.
[0037] The upper leg portion 12 has an upper fixing surface portion 61 and an upper support surface portion 62. The upper fixing surface portion 61 is a planar portion that is fixed in a state of surface contact with the vehicle body 3. An upper fixing hole 63 that functions as a first fixing point is provided in the upper fixing surface portion 61. The upper fixing surface portion 61 of the present embodiment is substantially vertical in the state of being fixed to the vehicle body 3. Further, the upper support surface portion 62 is a planar portion that connects between the support surface portion 11 and the upper fixing surface portion 61.
[0038] The boundary between the upper fixing surface portion 61 and the upper support surface portion 62 is formed in a valley-fold shape in a front view of the support surface portion 11 (the state shown in FIG. 3). On the other hand, the boundary between the support surface portion 11 and the upper support surface portion 62 is formed in a mountain-fold shape in a front view of the support surface portion 11. The bending angle of the upper support surface portion 62 with respect to the upper fixing surface portion 61 is different from the bending angle of the upper support surface portion 62 with respect to the support surface portion 11. Therefore, the support surface portion 11 is non-parallel to the upper fixing surface portion 61.
[0039] The lower foot portion 13 has a lower fixing surface portion 64 and a lower support surface portion 65. The lower fixing surface portion 64 is a planar portion that is fixed in a state of surface contact with the vehicle body 3. A lower fixing hole 66 that functions as a second fixing point is provided in the lower fixing surface portion 64. The lower fixing surface portion 64 of the present embodiment is substantially vertical in the state of being fixed to the vehicle body 3. Further, the lower support surface portion 65 is a planar portion that connects between the support surface portion 11 and the lower fixing surface portion 64.
[0040] The general shape of each of the lower fixing surface portion 64 and the lower support surface portion 65 is approximated to a triangle as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the lower fixing surface portion 64 and the lower support surface portion 65 shares one side with each other. That is, the upper side of the lower fixing surface portion 64 coincides with the lower side of the lower support surface portion 65. The general shape of the lower foot portion 13 in which the lower fixing surface portion 64 and the lower support surface portion 65 are combined is also approximated to a triangle in the front view of the support surface portion 11 (the state shown in FIG. 3). However, the general shape of the lower foot portion 13 is not limited to a triangle.
[0041] The boundary between the lower fixing surface portion 64 and the lower support surface portion 65 is formed in a valley-fold shape in the front view of the support surface portion 11 (the state shown in FIG. 3). On the other hand, the boundary between the support surface portion 11 and the lower support surface portion 65 is formed in a mountain-fold shape in the front view of the support surface portion 11. The bending angle of the lower support surface portion 65 with respect to the lower fixing surface portion 64 is different from the bending angle of the lower support surface portion 65 with respect to the support surface portion 11. Therefore, the support surface portion 11 is non-parallel to the lower fixing surface portion 64.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, a second rib 15 and a hilly portion 16 are provided on the bracket 1 of the present embodiment. The second rib 15 is a reinforcing structure formed in a shape that straddles the planar portion 50 and the lower support surface portion 65. Similar to the first rib 14, the second rib 15 is formed as a groove-shaped recessed portion or an elongated bulging portion (ridge). The direction in which the second rib 15 protrudes is preferably the direction from the planar portion 50 toward the vehicle body 3. Two second ribs 15 parallel to each other are provided on the bracket 1 of the present embodiment. The upper end portion of each second rib 15 is connected to one of the first ribs 14. Thereby, the second rib 15 is integrated with one of the first ribs 14.
[0043] The second rib 15 extends in a direction parallel to the line segment 5 connecting the first fixing point and the second fixing point in the front view of the support surface portion 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the direction in which the second rib 15 extends (the extending direction of the second rib 15) is the D ２ direction. The D ２ direction is the same direction (i.e., parallel) as the D ０ direction. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, in the front view of the support surface portion 11 (the state shown in FIG. 4), any one of the second ribs 15 is arranged so as to overlap the line segment 5.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the hilly portion 16 is a reinforcing structure formed in a shape that straddles the lower fixing surface portion 64 and the lower support surface portion 65. The hilly portion 16 is formed in a shape in which a predetermined region in the lower fixing surface portion 64 and the lower support surface portion 65 bulges in a hilly shape or sinks in a basin shape. The direction in which the hilly portion 16 protrudes is preferably the direction from the lower fixing surface portion 64 toward the housing 2. The hilly portion 16 of the present embodiment is formed in a triangular shape so as to cover a triangular region connecting both ends at the boundary between the lower support surface portion 65 and the support surface portion 11 and the second fixing point.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3. Here, a portion of the vehicle body 3 where the upper fixing surface portion 61 is fixed is defined as the first vehicle body portion, and a portion of the vehicle body 3 where the lower fixing surface portion 64 is fixed is defined as the second vehicle body portion. In the example shown in FIG. 5, although both the first vehicle body portion and the second vehicle body portion are vertical planes, they are not located on the same plane. The second vehicle body portion is arranged at a position offset inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the first vehicle body portion.
[0046] The upper leg portion 12 supports the upper portion of the support surface portion 11 so that the separation distance between the upper portion of the support surface portion 11 and the vertical plane including the first vehicle body portion is relatively large. On the other hand, the lower leg portion 13 supports the lower portion of the support surface portion 11 so that at least the separation distance between the lower portion of the support surface portion 11 and the vertical plane including the first vehicle body portion is relatively small. Thereby, the support surface portion 11 is in a state of being inclined with respect to the vertical plane. Note that the lower leg portion 13 preferably supports the lower portion of the support surface portion 11 so that the separation distance between the lower portion of the support surface portion 11 and the vertical plane including the second vehicle body portion is also relatively small.
[0047] The load of the control device attached to the support surface 11 is input to the support surface 11 via fasteners. At this time, the direction of action of the load input from the housing 2 of the control device to the first fastening surface 51 and the second fastening surface 52 is non-parallel to the plate surfaces of the first fastening surface 51 and the second fastening surface 52. This load acts to separate the housing 2 from the support surface 11, which can reduce the stability of the mounting state of the control device.
[0048] On the other hand, in the fixing structure of this embodiment, a groove-shaped first rib 14 is formed on the flat portion 50 of the support surface portion 11. The extension direction D of the first rib 14 １ The line segment 5 connecting the first and second fixed points is set in a direction that intersects with it. This increases the rigidity of the support surface 11 and improves the stability of the mounting state of the control device. In this embodiment, two parallel first ribs 14 are provided on the flat surface 50. This further enhances the improvement in rigidity and stability.
[0049] Figure 6 is a view in the direction of arrow B in Figure 3. In the fixing structure of this embodiment, since the support surface portion 11 of the bracket 1 is inclined with respect to the vertical plane, the orientation of the housing 2 supported by the support surface portion 11 is also inclined. This makes it possible to set the position of the second bracket 71 for fixing the second control device 72 to the right side in Figure 6, for example, when attaching a second control device 72 to the dash panel 70. In other words, when fastening the second bracket 71 to the dash panel 70 with a socket head cap screw, it is possible to prevent interference between the tool (hex wrench) used to fasten the socket head cap screw and the housing 2, while bringing the mounting position of the second bracket 71 closer to the vehicle body 3 (inner panel of the front pillar).
[0050] [2. Effects] (1) This embodiment relates to a fixing structure for fixing the housing 2 of a control device mounted on a vehicle to the vehicle body 3 with a bracket 1. The housing 2 has a connection surface 21 to which the connector 42 of the wire harness 4 is connected, and a housing bottom surface 22 perpendicular to the connection surface 21. The bracket 1 has a support surface portion 11, an upper leg portion 12, a lower leg portion 13, and a first rib 14. The support surface portion 11 is attached to the vehicle body 3 in an inclined state with respect to a vertical plane and supports the housing 2.
[0051] The upper leg portion 12 is provided on the upper part of the support surface portion 11 and has a first fixing point that is fixed to the vehicle body 3. The lower leg portion 13 is provided on the lower part of the support surface portion 11 and has a second fixing point that is fixed to the vehicle body 3. The first rib 14 is formed in a groove shape on the support surface portion 11 and extends in a direction that intersects with the line segment 5 connecting the first fixing point and the second fixing point in a front view of the support surface portion 11, for example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
[0052] This configuration increases the rigidity of the support surface 11, thereby improving the stability of the mounting state of the control device. Also, the extension direction D of the first rib 14 １ The extension direction D of line segment 5 ０ By intersecting the ribs, longitudinal surface vibrations on the support surface 11 can be efficiently suppressed. Therefore, vibration increases and resonance frequency decreases in the housing 2 and bracket 1 can be suppressed with a simple configuration, improving NVH performance. Furthermore, by providing two parallel first ribs 14 on the flat surface 50, the effect of improving rigidity and stability can be further enhanced. In addition, since the resonance vibration of the bracket 1 is reduced, deformation and damage to the bracket 1 can be efficiently suppressed.
[0053] (2) The lower leg portion 13 of this embodiment has a lower fixed surface portion 64 on which a second fixing point is provided, and a lower support surface portion 65 that connects the support surface portion 11 and the lower fixed surface portion 64. The boundary between the lower support surface portion 65 and the support surface portion 11 is in a mountain fold shape, and the boundary between the lower support surface portion 65 and the lower fixed surface portion 64 is in a valley fold shape. The bracket 1 also includes a second rib 15 that is formed to span the support surface portion 11 and the lower support surface portion 65.
[0054] In the bracket 1 described above, the support surface portion 11, the lower support surface portion 65, and the lower fixed surface portion 64 are in a twisted relationship, and each is non-parallel to the others. Therefore, the rigidity of the bracket 1 can be further increased. In addition, the second rib 15 can suppress the bending deformation of the support surface portion 11 relative to the lower support surface portion 65, and surface vibration of the support surface portion 11 can be efficiently suppressed. Thus, the NVH performance can be further improved.
[0055] (3) In this embodiment, the second rib 15 is connected to the first rib 14, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. By integrating the first rib 14 and the second rib 15 in this way, the rigidity of the support surface 11 can be further increased, and surface vibration of the support surface 11 can be efficiently suppressed. Therefore, the NVH performance can be improved.
[0056] (4) In this embodiment, the second rib 15 extends in the same direction as the line segment 5 in a front view of the support surface 11, as shown in Figure 4. This allows the support surface 11 to extend in the short direction (the extension direction D of the line segment 5). ０ This effectively suppresses surface vibrations and improves NVH performance. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the effect of suppressing surface vibrations can be further enhanced by overlapping one of the second ribs 15 with the line segment 5.
[0057] (5) The bracket 1 of this embodiment includes a raised portion 16 that is formed to span the lower support surface portion 65 and the lower fixed surface portion 64. This suppresses bending deformation of the lower support surface portion 65 relative to the lower fixed surface portion 64, and consequently effectively suppresses surface vibration of the support surface portion 11. Therefore, NVH performance can be further improved. In addition, the rigidity of the lower fixed surface portion 64 can be increased, improving the stability of the mounting state of the control device.
[0058] (6) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hill portion 16 of this embodiment is formed in a triangular shape so as to cover the triangular region connecting both ends of the boundary between the lower support surface portion 65 and the support surface portion 11 and the second fixed point. This efficiently suppresses the relative bending deformation between the lower fixed surface portion 64 and the lower support surface portion 65, and improves the rigidity and shape stability of the lower leg portion 13. Therefore, the NVH performance can be further improved.
[0059] (7) The bracket 1 of this embodiment comprises a first fastening surface portion 51, a second fastening surface portion 52, and a clip portion 55. The first fastening surface portion 51 is provided at one end of the support surface portion 11 located near the first or second fixing point, and has one first fastening hole 53 for fastening and fixing the housing 2 to the bracket 1. The second fastening surface portion 52 is provided at the other end of the support surface portion 11, and has two second fastening holes 54 for fastening and fixing the housing 2 to the bracket 1. The clip portion 55 is the part to which a clip 43 for fixing the wire bundle 41 of the wire harness 4 to the bracket 1 is attached. The clip portion 55 is formed integrally with the second fastening surface portion 52.
[0060] In this way, by providing multiple second fastening holes 54 on the second fastening surface 52, which is integrated with the clip portion 55 that is susceptible to vibrations from the clip 43, the stability of the mounting state of the housing 2 to the bracket 1 can be improved. Furthermore, by providing one first fastening hole 53 on the first fastening surface 51, which is located on the opposite side of the flat surface 50 from the second fastening surface 52, the stability of the mounting state of the housing 2 to the bracket 1 can be ensured while reducing the number of fastening parts and simplifying the device configuration. In addition, by setting the position of the first fastening hole 53 near the first or second fixing point, the resonant frequency of the bracket 1 and housing 2 can be increased. In other words, the resonant frequency of the bracket 1 and housing 2 can be increased while minimizing the number of fastening holes and fasteners, thereby improving NVH performance.
[0061] [3. Others] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly stated in these embodiments. Each configuration of these embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from their intended purpose. Furthermore, each configuration of these embodiments can be selected or combined as needed.
[0062] The vehicle body 3 to which the above-described fixing structure can be applied is not limited to the inner panel of the right front pillar. The position to which the above-described fixing structure can be applied is not limited to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the inner panel. The above-described fixing structure can also be applied to vehicle body 3 that constitute the engine compartment or luggage compartment, for example. Furthermore, the housing 2 related to the above-described fixing structure is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 2 only needs to have at least a connecting surface 21 and a housing bottom surface 22. The bracket 1 related to the above-described fixing structure only needs to have at least a support surface portion 11, an upper leg portion 12, a lower leg portion 13 and a first rib 14. The second rib 15 and the hill portion 16 may be omitted.
[0063] This invention is applicable to the manufacturing industry of housings and brackets for control devices mounted on vehicles. It is also applicable to the vehicle manufacturing industry in which the housing of the control device is fixed to the vehicle body.
[0064] 1 Bracket 2 Housing 3 Body 4 Wire harness 5 Wire segment 11 Support surface 12 Upper leg 13 Lower leg 14 First rib 15 Second rib 16 Hill section 20 Socket 21 Connection surface 22 Housing bottom surface 23 Housing top surface 24 Housing rear surface 25 Housing side surface 26 Housing fastening surface 27 Housing fastening hole 41 Wire bundle 42 Connector 43 Clip 50 Flat surface 51 First fastening surface 52 Second fastening surface 53 First fastening hole 54 Second fastening hole 55 Clip section 56 Clip hole 61 Upper fixing surface 62 Upper support surface 63 Upper fixing hole (first fixing point) 64 Lower fixing surface 65 Lower support surface 66 Lower fixing hole (second fixing point) 70 Dash panel 71 Second bracket 72 Second control device D ０ Line segment direction (direction of extension of the line segment) D １ First rib direction (extension direction of the first rib) D ２ Second rib direction (direction of extension of the second rib)
Claims
1. A fixing structure for fixing the housing of a control device mounted on a vehicle to the vehicle body with a bracket, wherein the housing comprises a connection surface to which a wire harness connector is connected, and a housing bottom surface perpendicular to the connection surface, and the bracket comprises a support surface portion that is attached to the vehicle body at an inclination with respect to a vertical plane and supports the housing, an upper leg portion provided on the upper part of the support surface portion and having a first fixing point fixed to the vehicle body, a lower leg portion provided on the lower part of the support surface portion and having a second fixing point fixed to the vehicle body, and a first rib formed in the shape of a groove on the support surface portion and extending in a direction that intersects with a line segment connecting the first fixing point and the second fixing point in a front view of the support surface portion.
2. The fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower leg portion has a lower fixing surface portion on which the second fixing point is provided and a lower support surface portion connecting the support surface portion and the lower fixing surface portion, the boundary between the lower support surface portion and the support surface portion is in a mountain fold shape, the boundary between the lower support surface portion and the lower fixing surface portion is in a valley fold shape, and the bracket comprises a second rib formed in a shape that spans the support surface portion and the lower support surface portion.
3. The fixing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the second rib is connected to the first rib.
4. The fixing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the second rib extends in the same direction as the line segment in the front view.
5. The fixing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the bracket comprises a raised portion formed in a shape that spans the lower support surface portion and the lower fixing surface portion.
6. The fixing structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the hill portion is formed in a triangular shape so as to cover the lower support surface portion and the triangular region connecting both ends of the boundary of the support surface portion and the second fixing point.
7. The fixing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the bracket comprises: a first fastening surface portion provided at one end of the support surface portion located near the first or second fixing point and having one first fastening hole for fastening and fixing the housing to the bracket; a second fastening surface portion provided at the other end of the support surface portion and having two second fastening holes for fastening and fixing the housing to the bracket; and a clip portion formed integrally with the second fastening surface portion and to which a clip for fixing the wire bundle of the wire harness to the bracket is attached.