Electronic Control Device Connector Fitting Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic control devices face challenges in miniaturizing their structure while ensuring precise and reliable insertion of substrates with various electronic components and connectors into cases, particularly due to interference from tall components, which necessitates increased sizes for mounting spaces.

Innovation Solution

The electronic control device features a fitting section with a higher height than the tall component, allowing the connector to be fitted in a gap between the fitting section and the substrate, enabling immediate and reliable insertion and attachment, while maintaining a simplified structure and ensuring space for tall components. This includes a fitting insertion portion that is spaced from the case, allowing easy engagement and positioning of the connector, and a stepped portion for early abutting contact, facilitating miniaturization and effective use of accommodating chambers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the holder section is located inside the case to guide the connector, then the connector can be reliably positioned, but tall components cannot be mounted below the holder section due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector positioning reliabilityVSAvoidmounting space for tall components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the case into multiple accommodating chambers (first accommodating chamber and second accommodating chamber) separated by a partition wall. The holder section is positioned in one chamber while tall components can be mounted in the other chamber, allowing both connector guidance and tall component mounting to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the holder section at a specific height within the case, allowing tall components to be mounted below it in the same horizontal plane. This vertical arrangement enables both the holder section and tall components to coexist in the available space without horizontal interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate mounting space for tall components is provided away from the holder section, then tall components can be mounted, but the sizes of the substrate and case increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting space for tall componentsVSAvoidcase size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the accommodating chambers for different components within a single integrated case structure. The first and second accommodating chambers are positioned adjacent to each other and share common case walls, allowing efficient space utilization without increasing the overall case volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested arrangement where the holder section and tall components are positioned within the same case volume but in different spatial zones. The partition wall creates a nested-like structure where both components fit within the overall case boundaries without requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If the substrate is rapidly inserted into the case for improved productivity, then assembly efficiency increases, but precise positioning and reliable attachment become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidsubstrate positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates guide rails and guide slots that pre-align the substrate and connector with the case during insertion. These guiding structures are positioned in advance to automatically guide the components into correct positions, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and enabling rapid, precise assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the holder section and guide rails as intermediary structures that facilitate the rapid and precise insertion of the substrate. These intermediary elements mediate between the moving substrate and the stationary case, ensuring proper positioning through mechanical guidance while maintaining high assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2445325B1Electronic control device
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP2445325B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2445325B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2445325B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5B

AI summary

An electronic control device (S) is provided with a plurality of electronic components (10, 12) including a first electronic component and a second electronic component, a substrate (20) on which the plurality of electronic components are mounted, a case (30) accommodating the substrate, on which the plurality of electronic components are mounted, in an accommodating chamber, and a connector (40) mounted on the substrate and entering into the accommodating chamber from an opening portion of the case. Here, the case and the connector cooperate with each other to form a fitting section through which the connector is fitted to the case. The first electronic component has a height with respect to the substrate, which is higher than a height, with respect to the substrate, of the second electronic component. The fitting section has a height with respect to the substrate, which is higher than the height, with respect to the substrate, of the first electronic component. Also, the first electronic component is mounted on the substrate in a gap portion defined between the fitting section and the substrate.