JP2001085866A - Case for electronic control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the warpage and distortion of a cover by filling a groove formed in the opening edge of a case body with a liquid sealant for sealing the opening edge of the case body and the peripheral edge of the cover together, and arranging a projecting ridge portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section so as to be fitted into the groove of the case body. SOLUTION: A cover 16 is formed by, e.g. pressing an iron sheet. A flange portion 16b is formed all around the peripheral edge of a cover 16. The portion 16b includes an inner horizontal portion 16c, a projecting ridge portion 16d having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and an outer horizontal portion 16e. The lower end of the portion 16d is so structured as to be fitted into a groove 15h of a case body 15. According to this construction, the cover 16 can secure high rigidity as a whole even formed of a thin plate material (iron sheet). This allows a liquid sealant 19 to reliably seal the cover 16 and the case body 15 together.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a case of an electronic control device which is suitable for use as an electronic control device installed in, for example, an engine room of an automobile, and relates to a case of an electronic control device having an improved waterproof structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of an electronic control device installed in an engine room of an automobile is, for example, an engine control unit (hereinafter, referred to as an ECU). This ECU
Is composed of a printed wiring board on which various electronic components including a microcomputer are mounted, and a case for accommodating the printed wiring board. FIG. 7 shows a partial longitudinal sectional view of the ECU having such a configuration.

[0003] As shown in FIG.
Is composed of a rectangular container-shaped case main body 2 and a cover 3 for closing an opening in the upper surface of the case main body 2. A printed wiring board 4 is housed in the case body 2 and is fixed by screws 5. A flange 2a is formed on the opening edge of the case body 2, and an upper surface of the flange 2a is
A groove 2b for filling the liquid sealing material 6 is formed.

[0004] A flange 3 a formed on the peripheral edge of the cover 3 is placed on the flange 2 a of the case body 2, and the cover 3 is screwed to the case body 2. In the case of the above configuration, the liquid sealing material 6 seals between the flange portion 3a of the cover 3 and the flange portion 2a of the case main body 2, so that sufficient waterproof performance can be obtained. The case body 2 and the cover 3 are each formed of aluminum die casting.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional construction, the cover 3 is formed by die-casting aluminum and its thickness is increased to some extent, so that the manufacturing cost of the cover 3 increases and the weight of the cover 3 increases. There was a problem of doing. In order to solve such a problem, the present inventor has considered a configuration in which the cover 3 is formed by, for example, pressing a thin steel plate.

However, in the case of the cover 3 made of an iron plate, the rigidity (strength) of the entire cover is insufficient because the plate thickness is small.
A problem that the entire cover 3 was warped or distorted occurred. When the cover 3 is warped or distorted, as shown in FIG. 8, the flatness of the flange 3a of the cover 3 deteriorates, and the liquid shield material 6 applied to the flange 2a of the case body 2 and the cover 3 3 flange 3a
However, there is a disadvantage that a portion that does not adhere to the seal is generated, and the seal between the two is incomplete.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the cover from being warped or distorted while forming the cover from a thin plate, and to reliably seal between the cover and the case body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a case of an electronic control device that can be used.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an opening in the upper surface of a case body accommodating an electronic circuit unit is closed by a cover made of a thin plate material. Fill the groove provided on the edge with a liquid sealing material that seals between the opening edge of the case body and the peripheral edge of the cover, and on the peripheral edge of the cover,
A ridge having a substantially U-shaped cross section was provided so as to fit into the groove of the case body. According to this configuration, at the peripheral portion of the cover,
Since the ridge portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section is provided, it is possible to prevent the cover from being warped or distorted while forming the cover from a thin plate material. For this reason, the space between the cover and the case body can be reliably sealed. Also, since the ridge on the peripheral edge of the cover is in contact with the liquid sealing material,
The length of contact with the liquid sealing material, that is, the sealing length is increased, and the sealing performance can be improved. Furthermore, the filling amount of the liquid sealing material can be reduced by an amount corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the ridge on the peripheral edge of the cover.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the cover is made of a metal plate, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. Further, even if the cover is made of a steel plate as in the invention of the third aspect, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since the cover is formed by pressing, the cover can be manufactured easily and easily.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the horizontal portion is provided on the peripheral portion of the cover so as to extend outward from the ridge portion, the rigidity of the cover can be further increased, and the cover can be further strengthened. Warping and distortion can be further prevented.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the wall portion is provided upright outside the groove at the opening edge of the case main body. When the liquid sealing material protrudes outward from between the opening edge of the main body and the peripheral edge of the cover, the liquid sealing material can be prevented from protruding by the wall. Thereby, the liquid sealing material can be prevented from dripping on the outer surface of the side wall of the case body, and the appearance of the product can be improved.

According to the present invention, the electronic circuit unit is constituted by a printed wiring board, and a connector opening is connected to the side wall of the case main body, and the connector at one end of the printed wiring board is fitted to the opening. And a groove for filling the liquid sealing material is provided on the upper surface of the connector. According to this configuration, the printed wiring board can be assembled upward in the case main body, and assembling workability can be improved. In addition, it is possible to reliably seal the space between the cover and the case body, the space between the cover and the connector, and the space between the connector and the case body while configuring the upper body as described above.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a groove for filling with a liquid sealing material is provided on the inner bottom surface of the connector opening, and a convex portion which fits into the groove of the connector opening on the lower surface of the connector. Is provided, so that the space between the connector and the case body can be more reliably sealed.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the cover for closing the opening of the case main body is not formed of a thin plate material, the cover at the outer edge of the opening edge of the case main body is
The wall was provided in a rising shape. According to this configuration, claim 6
In the same manner as in the invention, due to the variation in the filling amount of the liquid sealing material, when the liquid sealing material protrudes outward from between the opening edge of the case body and the peripheral edge of the cover, The protrusion of the liquid sealing material can be dammed.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an engine control unit (hereinafter referred to as an ECU) will be described below with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the entire configuration of the ECU 11 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG.
U11 is a printed wiring board 12 on which various electronic components including a microcomputer are mounted, and a printed wiring board 12
And a case 13 for accommodating the same. The printed wiring board 12 constitutes an electronic circuit unit of the present invention, and a connector 14 is attached to a right end, which is one end, by, for example, soldering.

The case 13 of the ECU 11 comprises a rectangular container-shaped case main body 15 and a cover 16 for closing an opening 15a in the upper surface of the case main body 15.
The case main body 15 is formed by, for example, aluminum die casting, and the thickness of each wall is relatively thick. In the case body 15, a plurality (for example, four)
The support projections 17 of the left and right side walls 15b and 15c in FIG.
Are formed in the up-down direction along the inner surface. The height of the support protrusion 17 is the same as the height of the side walls 15b and 15c. Further, a shape in which the connector 14 can be fitted with almost no gap, that is, a substantially trapezoidal connector opening 15e communicates with the opening 15a on the lower side wall 15d in FIG. 2 of the case body 15. (See FIG. 4).

In the case of this configuration, when mounting the printed wiring board 12 on the case main body 15, the printed wiring board 12 is placed on the supporting projection 17 and the connector 14 of the printed wiring board 12 is connected to the connector opening 15.
Insert and fit into e. Then, the screw 18 is inserted into the screw insertion hole formed in the printed wiring board 12 and is fastened and fixed to the screw hole formed in the support projection 17. As a result, the printed wiring board 12 is
5 is attached. And in this mounting state,
The height of the upper surface of the connector 14 and the height of the opening edge 15f of the case main body 15 are substantially the same, that is, both are substantially flush.

A flange 15g is formed on the opening edge 15f of the case body 15 so as to protrude outward. This flange portion 15g (that is, the opening edge portion 15)
A groove 15h for filling and holding the liquid sealing material 19 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) is formed on the upper surface of f). As the liquid sealing material 19, for example, it is preferable to use an adhesive resin having a sealing property, specifically, an ultraviolet curable resin, an activator curable resin, an anaerobic curable resin, a moisture curable resin, or the like.

Further, a groove 14a for filling and holding the liquid sealing material 19 is also formed on the upper surface of the connector 14 (see also FIG. 5). The groove 14 of this connector 14
“a” is connected to the groove 15h of the case body 15 almost continuously. The groove 14 of the connector 14
The width dimension of “a” is set wider than the width dimension of the groove 15 h of the case body 15. In this case, both grooves 14
The width dimensions of a and 15h may be set to the same dimensions.

Further, a groove 15j for filling and holding the liquid sealant 19 is also formed on the bottom 15i of the connector opening 15e of the main body case 15 (FIG. 5).
See also). As shown in FIG. 5, a convex portion 14b that fits into the groove 15j is formed on the lower surface of the connector 14. The inner side surfaces 15k and 151 on both sides of the connector opening 15e are flat surfaces without grooves.

In addition, the flange portion 15 of the case body 15
Outside the g (i.e., the opening edge 15f), a wall 15m is formed upright (i.e., substantially vertically) (Fig. 1).
And FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, the wall 15m has a function of damping the protruding liquid sealing material 19 (this function will be described later).

The left and right side walls 15 of the case body 15
b, 15c, ECU11 (case 13 of)
For example, a mounting piece (not shown) used when mounting and fixing the vehicle at a predetermined installation site in an engine room of an automobile is provided so as to project in the left-right direction.

On the other hand, the cover 16 is formed by, for example, pressing a thin iron plate. The cover 16 is formed such that a bulging portion 16a bulges upward. A flange 16b is formed all around the periphery of the cover 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the flange 16b includes an inner horizontal portion 16c, a ridge 16d having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and an outer horizontal portion 16e.

The lower end of the ridge 16d is formed to have a size that fits into the groove 15h of the case body 15.
Here, the groove 14 of the connector 14 of the ridge 16d
The lower end of the ridge 16d at the portion corresponding to a is formed to have a size that fits into the groove 14a, and is wider than the other portions. The outer horizontal portion 16e
Is formed so as to extend horizontally outward from the ridge 16d.

The cover 16 having each part having the above-mentioned shape is manufactured by, for example, performing press working (drawing) including four to five steps. In this case, since the ridge 16d and the outer horizontal portion 16e are formed on the flange 16b at the peripheral edge of the cover 16, the cover 16 is formed from a thin plate (iron plate), and the entire cover 16 is formed. Has a sufficiently high rigidity (strength). Thereby, the entire cover 16 warps,
There is no distortion.

Here, the operation of attaching the cover 16 to the case body 15 will be described. In this case, first, the inside of the groove 15h of (the flange 15g of) the opening edge 15f of the case body 15 and the connector opening 1 of the case body 15 are formed.
The liquid sealing material 19 is applied and filled on the inner side surfaces 15k and 15l on both sides of 5e and inside the groove 15j of the inner bottom surface 15i of the connector opening 15e of the case body 15. At the same time, the connector 14 of the printed wiring board 12
The liquid sealing material 19 is applied and filled in the inside of the groove 14a on the upper surface, the left and right outer surfaces of the connector 14, and the protrusions 14b on the lower surface of the connector 14.

Then, the printed wiring board 12 is fixed to the case body 15 with the screws 18 as described above. In this mounting state, the liquid sealing material 19 is interposed between the left and right outer side surfaces and the lower surface of the connector 14 and the inner side surfaces 15k, 151 and the bottom surface 15i of the connector opening 15e of the case body 15. Thereby, the above-mentioned spaces are sealed in a watertight manner.

Thereafter, the opening 16a on the upper surface of the case body 15 is closed with the cover 16. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the protrusion 16 d at the peripheral edge of the cover 16 is fitted to the groove 15 at the opening edge 15 f of the case body 15.
h and the inside of the groove 14 a on the upper surface of the connector 14. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the screws 20 are inserted into the screw insertion holes formed at the four corners of the cover 16, and the opening edge 15 f (
5g) and tightened into the screw holes formed at the four corners. Thereby, the cover 16 is attached to the case main body 15.

In this mounting state, between the ridge 16d of the flange 16b of the cover 16 and the groove 15h of the flange 15g (opening edge 15f) of the case body 15, and the flange of the cover 16 16b ridge 1
The liquid sealing material 19 is interposed between the groove 6d and the groove 14a on the upper surface of the connector 14, so that the above-mentioned parts are sealed in a watertight manner. As a result, EC
The case 13 of U11 is a housing having sufficient waterproof performance.

According to this embodiment having such a configuration, the flange 16b (peripheral edge) of the cover 16 is provided with the ridge 16d having a substantially U-shaped cross section, so that the cover 16 is made of a thin plate. For example, the rigidity of the entire cover 16 can be increased while being formed from an iron plate, and the cover 16 can be reliably prevented from warping or distorting. Thereby, the gap between the cover 16 and the case main body 15 can be made substantially uniform, so that the space between the cover 16 and the case main body 15 can be reliably sealed with the liquid sealing material 19.

Further, in the above embodiment, since the projection 16d of the flange 16b of the cover 16 is in contact with the liquid sealing material 19, the contact length with the liquid sealing material 19,
That is, the sealing length is increased, and the sealing performance can be improved. Further, in the above embodiment, the filling amount of the liquid sealing material 19 can be reduced by an amount corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the protrusion 16d of the flange 16b of the cover 16.

Further, in the above embodiment, since the cover 16 is formed of a steel plate, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where the cover 16 is formed of aluminum die casting. Furthermore, since the cover 16 is formed by pressing, the cover 16 can be manufactured simply and easily as compared with the case where the cover 16 is formed by die-casting.

In the above embodiment, the cover 1
The outer horizontal portion 16e is provided on the flange portion 16b of FIG.
6d so as to extend outward from the cover 16d.
Can be further strengthened. This allows
It is possible to more reliably prevent the cover 16 from warping or distorting.

In the above embodiment, the groove 15 in the flange 15g (opening edge 15f) of the case body 15 is used.
Outside wall h, wall portion 15m was provided in a rising shape. For this reason, due to the variation in the filling amount (application amount) of the liquid sealing material 19, the liquid sealing material 19 is removed from between the flange portion 15 g of the case body 15 and the flange portion 16 b of the cover 16 as shown in FIG. In the case where the liquid sealing material 19 protrudes, the wall portion 15m can prevent the liquid sealing material 19 from protruding. Thereby, the liquid sealing material 19 can be prevented from dripping on the outer surface of the side wall of the case body 15, and the appearance of the product can be improved.

In this case, the liquid sealing material 19 can be prevented from dropping to the outside of the case body 15, and another EC placed adjacent to the case body 15 can be prevented.
The liquid sealing material 19 can be prevented from adhering to the case 13 of U11 (another product). Therefore, the appearance of other products can be improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the worker operates the wall 1
Since the liquid sealing material 19 clogged by 5 m can be easily visually recognized, it is easy to recognize that the step of applying the liquid sealing material 19 has been omitted, and the amount of the liquid sealing material 19 applied Can be roughly recognized.

Further, in the above embodiment, the liquid sealing material 19 dammed by the wall portion 15m is folded back on the wall portion 15m, so that it adheres to the upper side of the outer horizontal portion 16e of the flange portion 16b of the cover 16. become. For this reason, the contact length with the liquid sealing material 19, that is, the seal length is further increased, so that the sealing performance can be further enhanced.

On the other hand, in the above embodiment, a connector opening 15e communicating with the opening 15a is provided in the side wall 15d of the case body 15, and the connector 14 of the printed wiring board 12 is placed in the connector opening 15e. And fitted. According to this configuration, a step of attaching the printed wiring board 12 to the case body 15;
Since the process of attaching the cover 16 to the case main body 15 can be performed by assembling the upper case, automation of the assembling work is facilitated.

In this configuration, the connector 1
4 (the convex portion 14b of the lower surface portion) and the inner surface portion 15 of the connector opening 15e of the case body 15.
The liquid sealing material 19 is interposed between each of k, 15l, and (the groove 15j of) the bottom portion 15i so that the above-mentioned portions are sealed in a watertight manner. And
Between the groove 14a on the upper surface of the connector 14 and the ridge 16d of the flange 16b of the cover 16, the groove 15h of the flange 15g (opening edge 15f) of the case body 15, and the flange of the cover 16 Ridge 1 of part 16b
6d, a liquid sealing material 19 is interposed therebetween so that the respective spaces are sealed in a watertight manner. Thus, a configuration having sufficient waterproof performance can be realized while the printed wiring board 12 (and the connector 14) is configured to be assembled upward to the case main body 15.

In the above embodiment, the cover 16 is formed of an iron plate. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The cover 16 may be formed of another metal plate, such as an aluminum plate or a stainless steel plate. It may be composed of a (resin) molding material.

In the above-described embodiment, the wall portion 1 is provided outside the groove 15h in the flange portion 15g of the case body 15.
Although 5 m is provided in a rising shape, the wall 15 m may not be provided. In the case of this configuration, the effect of damping the protruding liquid shielding material 19 is lost, but
Otherwise, the same functions and effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the outer horizontal portion 16e is provided on the flange portion 16b of the cover 16 so as to extend outward from the ridge portion 16d.
May be omitted, that is, only the protrusion 16d having a U-shaped cross section may be provided. Also in this configuration, the strength of the cover 16 can be sufficiently increased.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ridge 16d is provided on the flange 16b of the cover 16, but the ridge 1d is provided.
6d may be omitted. In the case of this configuration, in order to increase the strength of the cover 16, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the plate material forming the cover 16 or to form the cover 16 by die-casting aluminum. However, the groove 15 h in the flange 15 g of the case body 15 is required. The wall portion 15m provided in a rising shape on the outer side of the wall can provide an effect of damping the protruding liquid shielding material 19.

In the above embodiment, a connector opening 15e communicating with the opening 15a is provided in the side wall 15d of the case body 15, and the connector 14 of the printed wiring board 12 is placed in the connector opening 15e. However, instead of this, an opening (closed through hole) for inserting a connector that does not communicate with the opening 15a is formed in the side wall 15d of the case body 15, and the opening is formed in this opening. You may comprise so that a connector may be inserted. In this configuration, the space between the outer peripheral surface of the connector and the inner peripheral surface of the opening in the side wall of the case body may be sealed by, for example, an O-ring. Also in this configuration, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operation and effect as the above-described embodiment (particularly, the effect of further improving the sealing performance).

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the ECU 11
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to other electronic control device cases that require waterproof performance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a portion where a flange portion of a cover is attached to a flange portion of a case body.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a case body.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector portion of the ECU.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion where a flange portion of a cover is attached to a flange portion of a case body.

FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a conventional configuration.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a case body and a cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 is an ECU (electronic control device), 12 is a printed wiring board (electronic circuit unit), 13 is a case, 14 is a connector, 14a is a groove, 14b is a protrusion, 15 is a case body,
15a is an opening, 15e is a connector opening, 15f is an opening edge, 15g is a flange, 15h is a groove, 15i.
Is the bottom, 15j is the groove, 15m is the wall, 16 is the cover,
16a is a bulging portion, 16b is a flange portion, 16d is a ridge, 16e is an outer horizontal portion, 17 is a supporting convex portion, 18 is a screw, and 19 is a liquid sealing material.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A case main body having an opening in an upper surface portion for accommodating an electronic circuit unit, a cover made of a thin plate material for closing the opening of the case main body, and provided at an opening edge of the case main body. A liquid sealing material that is filled in the groove and seals between the opening edge of the case body and the peripheral edge of the cover; and the peripheral edge of the cover fits into the groove of the case main body. Of an electronic control device comprising: a ridge having a substantially U-shaped cross section provided as described above. 2. The electronic control device case according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of a metal plate. 3. The electronic control device case according to claim 2, wherein the cover is made of a steel plate. 4. The cover according to claim 2, wherein the cover is formed by press working.
Electronic control device case as described. 5. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal portion is provided on a peripheral portion of the cover so as to extend outward from the ridge portion. Case. 6. A case for an electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein a wall portion is provided upright outside the groove portion at an opening edge of the case body. . 7. The electronic circuit unit includes a printed circuit board, a connector provided at one end of the printed circuit board, and a side wall of the case body, and communicates with the opening. A connector opening in which the connector is fitted, and a groove provided in an upper surface of the connector, filled with the liquid sealing material, and fitted with a ridge of the cover. The electronic control device case according to claim 1. 8. A groove provided on the inner bottom surface of the connector opening and filled with the liquid sealing material, and a protrusion provided on a lower surface of the connector and fitted into the groove of the connector opening. The case of the electronic control device according to claim 7, comprising a unit. 9. A case body having an opening in the upper surface and housing the electronic circuit unit, a cover for closing the opening of the case body, a groove provided at an opening edge of the case body, A liquid sealing material that is filled in the groove and seals between the opening edge of the case body and the peripheral edge of the cover, and outside the groove at the opening edge of the case body.
A case of an electronic control device comprising: a wall provided in a rising shape.