ECU Connector Seal Structure for Thermal Deformation Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic control units face weakened waterproofness due to deformation of housing components caused by temperature differences, which imposes stress on seal members, leading to potential water intrusion.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit design featuring a connector with a seal arrangement including a first seal arrangement portion and a second seal arrangement portion, where the second seal arrangement portion is inclined towards the electronic control board, and a cover with bent portions that reduce the load on the seal member, enhancing the unit's waterproof reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal member is provided in the housing to secure waterproofness, then waterproofness is improved, but the housing deforms due to air pressure difference caused by temperature difference, imposing load on the seal member and causing separation
Solution Approach 1:
The seal arrangement portion is divided into multiple segments: a flat surface seal arrangement portion, inclined seal arrangement portions at both ends, and predetermined portions with grooves and banks. This segmentation allows each segment to handle different aspects of sealing and deformation independently, preventing single-point failure under thermal stress
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined seal arrangement portions create angled surfaces that gradually transition between the flat surface and the connector body. This curvature approach distributes stress more evenly compared to sharp angles, reducing concentration points that could compromise seal integrity under deformation
2Stability of the object's composition
If the connector main body is made rigid to maintain structure, then structural stability is improved, but deformation due to temperature difference imposes stress on the seal member
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the connector are designed with different properties: the connector main body maintains overall rigidity for structural stability, while the seal arrangement portion incorporates flexible elements like grooves and banks that can locally deform to accommodate thermal expansion without transmitting stress to the seal member
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves and banks in the predetermined portions create pre-formed deformation zones that can absorb thermal stress before it reaches the seal member. These features act as cushioning elements that prepare the structure to handle expected thermal variations
3Reliability
If the seal member is pressed firmly to ensure sealing, then waterproofness is improved, but the sealing material may be insufficient on long sides due to pressing amount
Solution Approach 1:
The seal arrangement transitions from a purely two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional structure with inclined portions and predetermined grooves. This dimensional change allows the seal member to be contained in multiple directions, ensuring adequate sealing material distribution even on long sides without excessive pressing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively suppresses the load on the seal member, improving the waterproof reliability of the electronic control unit by reducing deformation and stress, thereby ensuring better protection against water and foreign matter intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
a seal member interposed between the connector and the cover
Implementation Method 2
the seal arrangement portion includes... a second seal arrangement portion that is continuous with both end portions of the first seal arrangement portion and is inclined toward the electronic control board
Implementation Method 3
the cover includes a plurality of bent portions formed so as to be directed toward the electronic control board from a center side of the cover toward both end sides of the cover
Implementation Method 4
The difference between the air pressure inside the housing and the air pressure outside the housing is caused by a temperature difference between the air inside the housing and the air outside the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control unit (1) includes a connector (2), the connector includes a connector main body (21) and a plurality of terminals (23), the connector main body includes an attachment surface (24) and a seal arrangement portion (210) on a surface (25), the seal arrangement portion includes a first seal arrangement portion (211) formed in an arrangement direction of the terminals, and a second seal arrangement portion (212) that is continuous with both end portions (213) of the first seal arrangement portion and is inclined toward the electronic control board side as it goes toward the other end side facing one end side of an electronic control board (6), the first seal arrangement portion includes a plurality of predetermined portions (2112) formed so as to be directed toward the electronic control board side from a center side of the first seal arrangement portion toward both end sides of the first seal arrangement portion at both end portions of the first seal arrangement portion, the cover (3) includes a plurality of bent portions (312) formed so as to be directed toward the electronic control board side from a center side of the cover toward both end sides of the cover, and each of the predetermined portions is in contact with each of the bent portions.