JP2000205989A - Wet sensor and joint box having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily assemble a wet sensor into a circuit mounted in a vehicle and to detect wetting due to submergence of the vehicle, etc. SOLUTION: This wet sensor includes a plurality of wiring members 31 to 36, a pair of detection electrodes 21, 22 formed integrally with the pair of wiring members 31, 32 and oppositely disposed with a predetermined gap therebetween, a detection circuit element 23a circuit connected to the predetermined wiring members 31 to 36 for outputting a detection signal of a predetermined level when a leak current flows because of the intervention of water between the detection electrodes 21, 22, mounting parts 41 to 46 formed integrally with the wiring members 31 to 36 and attached to sensor attaching terminals while being aligned parallel to one another, and a cover member 38 covering the wiring members 31 to 36 and the detection circuit element 23a while leaving the mounting parts 41 to 46 exposed. The pair of detection electrodes 21, 22 are oppositely disposed in midair, and the mounting parts 41 to 46 are generally of the same shape as fuse attaching parts.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water wetting sensor for detecting water wetting due to submersion of a vehicle such as an automobile and a joint box provided with the water wetting sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computerization of vehicles such as automobiles has progressed.
Many vehicles are equipped with a control unit having a control circuit for automatically opening and closing windows. In such a control unit, for example, when the vehicle is flooded or the like and the control circuit becomes wet, the control circuit malfunctions, and even if the occupant operates the switch, there is a possibility that the window may not be opened with the window closed. There is. For this reason, in the conventional control unit, a printed circuit board constituting the control circuit is housed in a joint box or the like, and a waterproof structure for preventing water from entering is provided in the joint box to protect the control circuit from water intrusion. .

[0003]

However, when a waterproof structure as described above is provided, a waterproof packing and a molding resin are required, and the assembling work of the control unit becomes complicated. However, the structure is extremely complicated, and the cost cannot be avoided. Therefore,
Instead of employing such a heavy equipment waterproof structure, a water wetness sensor for detecting water wetness due to water submersion of the vehicle is mounted on a printed circuit board constituting a control circuit together with other electronic components, and the vehicle is submerged. For example, it is conceivable to prevent a malfunction of the control circuit based on a detection signal output from the water wetting sensor when the joint box becomes wet. However, a large number of small electronic components are mounted on a printed wiring board at high density, and it is not easy to secure a mounting space for a water wetness sensor on such a printed wiring board. In particular, when a detection circuit for stably outputting the detection signal of the water wetting sensor is provided, it is more difficult to secure a mounting space on the printed wiring board.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a water wetting sensor and a water wetting sensor that can be easily incorporated into a circuit mounted on a vehicle and that can detect water wetting due to submersion of the vehicle and the like. It is an object to provide a joint box with a sensor.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water wetting sensor configured to be mountable together with a fuse on a joint box to detect water wetting of a vehicle. A wiring member, and a pair of sensing electrodes formed integrally with a pair of wiring members of the wiring member and opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and a circuit connected to the wiring member, and a water between the sensing electrodes. A detection circuit for outputting a detection signal of a predetermined level when a leak current flows through the mounting member, a mounting portion formed integrally with at least a part of the wiring member of the wiring member, and a state in which the mounting portion is exposed. And a covering member for covering the wiring member and the detection circuit,
The mounting portions are arranged in parallel with each other so that the mounting portions can be simultaneously mounted on the sensor mounting terminals of the joint box.

According to this configuration, the water wetting sensor has a simple structure in which a plurality of wiring members and a detection circuit are simply covered with a covering member, and the same procedure as when a fuse is mounted on a fuse mounting terminal of a joint box. As a result, the sensor can be mounted on the sensor mounting terminal of the joint box, so that the handling performance is excellent. Further, even if the value of the leak current flowing between the pair of detection electrodes flowing when wet changes, a detection signal of a predetermined level is always output from the detection circuit, so that malfunction of the control circuit is effectively prevented, and Since the circuit is provided integrally with the water wetness sensor, the space for mounting can be reduced, and the circuit can be easily incorporated into the circuit.

The invention according to a second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the pair of sensing electrodes are arranged to face each other in a hollow state.

[0008] According to this configuration, the pair of detection electrodes is not short-circuited by a minute amount of water droplets or the like due to dew condensation, so that it is possible to detect only water wetting due to submersion of the vehicle or the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the mounting portion has substantially the same shape as a mounting portion of a fuse mounted on the joint box. And

According to this configuration, the water wetting sensor can be mounted on the joint box with the same structure as the fuse mounting structure, and the handling performance is improved. Further, since the structure for mounting the water wet sensor and the fuse may be the same, the configuration of the circuit board can be simplified.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the detection circuit comprises:
An amplifier circuit for amplifying a leak current flowing between the detection electrodes, and an output circuit for outputting a detection signal of a predetermined level by amplifying the leak current by the amplifier circuit.

According to this configuration, when the control circuit becomes wet due to water immersion or the like, a leak current flowing between the detection electrodes is amplified by the amplifier circuit, and the output circuit is driven by the amplified leak current to a predetermined level. As a result, the wet signal can be stably detected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, based on the fourth aspect, the detection circuit continues the detection signal of a predetermined level even when the leakage current flowing between the detection electrodes decreases or disappears. And a latch circuit for outputting the data.

According to this configuration, once a leak current flows between the detection electrodes, a detection signal of a predetermined level is continuously output due to the presence of the latch circuit even if the leak current subsequently decreases or disappears. For this reason, even if the leak current is reduced or disappears to such an extent that the sensing electrode is not recognizable as being wet due to the fact that the detection electrode is gradually oxidized, the water-wetting state can be continuously detected. it can.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joint box mounted on a vehicle, wherein a circuit board on which a sensor mounting terminal and a fuse mounting terminal are mounted, and a mounting portion is mounted on the sensor mounting terminal, 5. A water wet sensor according to claim 1, wherein the detection signal is supplied to a circuit on the circuit board, and a fuse having a mounting portion mounted on the fuse mounting terminal. .

According to this configuration, since the detection circuit is built in the water wetness sensor, the space for mounting can be saved, and the joint box can be made a compact configuration in which the water wetness sensor and the fuse are mixed. Thus, the joint box itself can have a function of detecting water wetting. In addition, since the water wet sensor has a simple configuration in which a plurality of wiring members and a detection circuit are simply covered with a covering member, the water wet sensor can be miniaturized and easily attached to the sensor mounting terminal of a circuit board housed in a joint box. And the joint box can be easily configured.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joint box mounted on a vehicle, wherein a circuit board on which a sensor mounting terminal and a fuse mounting terminal having the same structure are mounted, and a mounting portion mounted on the sensor mounting terminal. Wherein the detection signal is supplied to a circuit on the circuit board, and a water wetting sensor according to claim 3 and a fuse for mounting a mounting portion to the fuse mounting terminal are provided.

According to this configuration, since the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal have the same structure, the structure of the circuit board is simplified and assembly is facilitated, while the structure of the joint box is simplified. it can. In addition, since the detection circuit is built into the water wetting sensor, mounting space can be saved, and the joint box can be made compact with a combination of the water wetting sensor and fuse, making it easy for the joint box itself. Can have a function of detecting water wetting.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth or seventh aspect, the circuit board is formed of a bus bar board, and the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are housed in a joint box. It is characterized by comprising a tab terminal of a substrate.

According to this configuration, since the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are configured to include the tab terminal of the bus bar board, each mounting terminal can be easily configured, and assembling of the joint box is facilitated. become. Also, a predetermined circuit is configured by mounting the water wetting sensor and the fuse on the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal of the bus bar substrate.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the water wetting sensor is provided through a sensor through hole formed in a case forming a joint box. The fuse is mounted on the sensor mounting terminal, and the fuse is mounted on the fuse mounting terminal through a fuse through hole formed in the case.

According to this configuration, even if the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are provided on the internal circuit board, the water wet sensor and the fuse can be mounted from outside the case.

The invention according to claim 10 is the same as the invention according to claim 6.
In any one of the first to ninth aspects, a circuit board constituting a control circuit is further provided in addition to the circuit board on which the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are mounted.

According to this configuration, the joint box houses the circuit board constituting the control circuit together with the circuit board on which the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are mounted, so that the water in the control circuit due to submersion of the vehicle or the like is stored. Wetting can be detected stably, and malfunction due to water wetting of the control circuit can be effectively prevented.

[0025]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic control circuit to which a water wetness sensor (immersion sensor) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The electronic control circuit 10 is employed in a power window mechanism of an automobile, so that when the vehicle becomes wet due to submersion or the like, the electronic control circuit 10 malfunctions and the opened window is not closed without permission. It was made.

That is, the electronic control circuit 10 comprises a first output amplifier 11 constituted by an OR circuit, a first switch means 12 connected to one input terminal of the first output amplifier 11, Second switch means 1 connected to the other input terminal of amplifier 11 via control unit 13
4 is provided. The first switch means 12 is, for example,
ON only while the switch operation by the passenger is continued
The second switch means 14 is configured to output a signal, and once the occupant performs the ON operation by the action of the output preamplifier 16 described later, the ON signal continues unless the occupant performs the OFF operation. It is configured to be output. These first and second switch means 12, 1
No. 4 is provided with a waterproof structure or the like so as not to malfunction even if it becomes wet with water.

The control unit 13 includes a second output amplifier 15 constituted by an AND circuit, an output preamplifier 16 connected to one input terminal of the second output amplifier 15, and the other input terminal of the second output amplifier 15. A water wetting sensor 17 connected to the terminal. The second output amplifier 15 and the output preamplifier 16 are mounted on a printed wiring board 18 housed in a joint box 19,
7 is mounted on a bus bar board 20 which is also housed in a joint box 19 together with a printed wiring board 18. The joint box 19 is disposed, for example, at the foot of a driver's seat of a vehicle, and houses fuses for protecting various electric circuits such as a clock, a horn, a lamp, and the like, and is formed by stacking an insulating plate and a bus bar. And a circuit board such as a printed wiring board on which electronic components are mounted as necessary.

The output preamplifier 16 is connected to the second
The ON signal is continuously output by temporarily operating the switch means 14. Also,
The water wetting sensor 17 includes a pair of detection electrodes 2 for detecting water wetting.
In addition to detecting a leak current flowing due to the presence of water between the pair of detection electrodes 21 and 22,
A detection circuit 23 for outputting a detection signal of a preset predetermined level even when the value of the leak current fluctuates and becomes unstable, and is connected to a battery 25 via a voltage dividing resistor 24. ing. The first output amplifier 11
Is disposed outside the printed wiring board 18 in the present embodiment, so that it does not malfunction even if it is wet by applying a waterproof structure or the like. It is also possible to implement it.

In the present embodiment, the detection circuit 23
As shown in (a), a pnp-type first transistor TR ₁ that amplifies a leak current flowing between the detection electrodes 21 and 22.
When, the transistor TR ₁ is configured to include a second transistor TR ₂ of the npn type that outputs a predetermined level of the detection signal which is set in advance by being driven. As the second collector of the transistor TR ₂ is connected to the other input terminal of the second output amplifier 15 in a state where a voltage of a predetermined value to output a predetermined level of the detection signal (drive power) is applied Has become. Thus configured detection circuit 23, as shown in the block diagram in FIG. 2 (b), an amplifier circuit 231 configured to include a first transistor TR _1, is configured to include a second transistor TR ₂ Output circuit 232.

In this configuration, when the vehicle is not in a wet state due to submersion or the like, the first switch means 12
When either one of the second switch means 14 is operated, the drive motor 26 for opening and closing the power window is driven by the control signal output from the output terminal of the first output amplifier 11, and the open window is closed. Will be done. That is, when the vehicle is not in a wet state due to submersion or the like, the detection electrode 2
Since a high resistance is maintained between the first and the second, the first and the second
Since the transistors TR ₁ and TR ₂ are both non-conductive, a high signal is input to the other input terminal of the second output amplifier 15, and the second switch means 14 is operated to operate the second output amplifier 15. When the high signal is also input to one of the input terminals, the drive motor 26 is driven, and the open window is closed.

On the other hand, when the inside of the joint box 19 becomes wet due to, for example, the vehicle being submerged in water, the detection electrodes 21 and
As a result, a leak current flows between the two and the detection electrodes 21 and 22 are in a low resistance state, and the first and second transistors TR ₁ and TR ₂ are both in a conductive state. As a result, the other input terminal of the second output amplifier 15 is provided. Receives a low signal. For this reason, the second output amplifier 1 is operated by operating the second switch means 14.
Even if a high signal is input to one of the input terminals 5, the drive motor 26 will not be driven, and the open window will not be closed. Therefore, the power window can be closed only by operating the first switch means 12, so that the inconvenience of closing the power window against the occupant's will is avoided.

As described above, the provision of the detection circuit 23 in the water wetness sensor 17 may cause an unstable state in which the leakage current flowing between the detection electrodes 21 and 22 fluctuates and decreases. also the leakage current is amplified by the first transistor TR _1, since this by amplified current second transistor TR ₂ is to be driven, the predetermined level is always set in advance from the first transistor TR ₂ of the collector A detection signal is output, and water wetting due to submersion or the like can be stably detected, and the reliability is excellent.

Further, as the detecting circuit 23, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the output signal from the transistor TR ₂ latches, after latching the output signal from the transistor TR ₂ is extinguished Also has a configuration in which a latch circuit element FF including a flip-flop or the like that continuously outputs a low signal is provided at the other input terminal of the second output amplifier 15.
It becomes possible to easily detect a wet state due to submersion or the like.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the portion between the pair of sensing electrodes 21 and 22 is in a wet state within a predetermined time (t _{0 to} t ₁ ) at the beginning of the wet state. A leak current (sensing current) exceeding the current value Ia required to determine that the current has flown, ions elute from the detection electrodes 21 and 22 after a predetermined time has elapsed, or the detection electrodes 21 and 22
2, the leak current is reduced in spite of the fact that gas is generated by electrolysis and the surfaces of the detection electrodes 21 and 22 are oxidized, and the leak current is reduced. Current value I required to determine that
It is also conceivable that the state becomes less than a. In such a case, the detection circuit 23 shown in FIG. 2, this means that the leakage current becomes below the current value Ia is the transistor TR ₂ high signal in the non-conductive state which is not driven is output, the electronic control circuit 10 Erroneous operation may cause the opened window to close without permission.

[0035] In contrast, the case of providing the latch circuit element FF, the second transistor low signal from the TR ₂ and the leakage current of a predetermined value flows between detection electrodes 21 and 22 is output the low signal latch Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, after a predetermined time (t _{0 to} t ₁ ) elapses, the detection electrode 2
Even if the leakage current between 1 and 22 decreases or disappears, a low signal is continuously output from the latch circuit element FF, so that malfunction of the electronic control circuit 10 due to water wetting can be effectively prevented. You can do it. Incidentally, the detection circuit 23 having a latch circuit element FF is 3 as shown in the block diagram (b), the amplification circuit 233 configured to include a first transistor TR _1, the second transistor TR ₂
And a latch circuit 234 including the latch circuit element FF, and an output circuit 235 including the latch circuit element FF.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of an embodiment of the water wetting sensor 17 suitable for being disposed in the joint box 19, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing its appearance. In these figures, the water wetting sensor 17 includes a plurality of wiring members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 formed of metal plates disposed at predetermined intervals in the same plane.
The upper ends of the pair of wiring members 31 and 32 located on the left side and facing each other are located at opposing positions.
32, a pair of detection electrodes 21 and 22 for detecting water wetting, which are integrally formed so as to protrude toward the space 32 and are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval in a hollow state, and a wiring member 34 located in the middle.
Of the integrated circuit constituting the detection circuit 23 and the wiring members 31 to 36 and the detection circuit element 23a. And a mounting portion 41, 42, 43 formed integrally with the lower end of each of the wiring members 31 to 36, arranged in parallel with each other, and drawn out of the coating member 38. , 4
4, 45, and 46. These mounting portions 41 to 4
For example, the mounting portion 42 is a play terminal, the mounting portion 43 is a battery terminal, the mounting portion 44 is a ground terminal, the mounting portion 45 is a drive power terminal, and the mounting portion 46 is an output terminal. It is to be attached.

The size and the distance between the pair of sensing electrodes 21 and 22 are set so that a predetermined level of leakage current can be obtained when water is interposed between the sensing electrodes 21 and 22. The detection circuit element 23a is connected to each of the connection lines L ₁ , L ₂ ,
L ₃ and L ₄ are connected to the wiring members 32, 33, 35 and 36, respectively, and the ground terminal is directly connected to the wiring member 34, thereby constituting a detection circuit shown in FIG. 3 as a whole. The covering member 38 is obtained by molding with an insulating material such as a synthetic resin.
A cavity 49 is formed around the first and second electrodes 22 so as to be open to the outside, and the pair of sensing electrodes 21 and 22 can face each other in a hollow state. In addition, a concave portion 50 is formed at substantially the center of one surface of the covering member 38, so that the direction in which the mounting portions 41 to 46 are mounted to the sensor mounting terminals 55 described later is formed.

The covering member 38 is made of, for example, an insulating case made of a synthetic resin or the like divided into two parts, a part located on one surface side and a part located on the other surface side of the wiring members 31 to 36. It is also possible to integrate the components 31 to 36 with a fitting means, an adhesive means, or the like in a sandwiched state.

The water wetting sensor 17 thus configured
Are a plurality of wiring members 31 to 36 and the detection circuit element 23a.
Is simply covered with the covering member 38.
By setting the shape of each of the mounting portions 41 to 46 to be approximately similar in appearance to the mounting portion of the fuse to be mounted on the joint box 19 installed at a predetermined position of the vehicle, a structure similar to that of the fuse mounting terminal 56 described later is provided. Can be mounted on the sensor mounting terminal 55 by aligning it with a fuse.

Further, since the pair of sensing electrodes 21 and 22 are arranged opposite to each other in a hollow state, when the vehicle is submerged, water immediately arrives between the sensing electrodes 21 and 22, and the vehicle gets wet due to the submergence of the vehicle. Can be quickly detected, while the minute amount of water droplets generated
Since there is no short circuit between the terminals 1 and 22, erroneous detection due to condensation or the like is effectively prevented. Further, since the detection circuit 23 is incorporated in the water wetness sensor 17, the space for mounting can be saved, and the incorporation into the circuit becomes easy.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the water wetness sensor 17 is mounted on the joint box 19. That is, in this configuration example, the printed circuit board 18 constituting a control circuit in which the first output amplifier 11, the second output amplifier 15, the output preamplifier 16, and the voltage dividing resistor 24 are mounted in the joint box 19; And a bus bar substrate 20 formed by laminating bus bars, and the water wetting sensor 17 and the plurality of fuses 54 are mounted on the sensor mounting terminals 55 and the fuse mounting terminals 56 provided on the bus bar substrate 20. . In the present embodiment, the mounting portions 41 to 46 of the water wetting sensor 17 have the same or similar external appearance as the mounting portions of the fuse 54. The detailed configurations of the fuse 54, the sensor attachment terminal 55, and the fuse attachment terminal 56 will be described later.

A predetermined connection is made between the printed wiring board 18 and the bus bar board 20. The printed wiring board 18 is provided below the drive motor 26 built in the door DR of the vehicle and the window WD. The first and second switch means 12 and 14 are electrically connected to a window operation unit 57 to which the first and second switch means 12 and 14 are attached.

According to this configuration example, the fuse mounting terminal 56 for mounting the fuse 54 is mounted on the joint box 19.
It is only necessary to provide the sensor mounting terminal 55 having the same structure as the fuse mounting terminal 56 in a row, so that the configuration of the bus bar substrate 20 is simplified and the assembly of the joint box 19 is facilitated. Further, since the water wetness sensor 17 can be easily attached to and detached from the sensor mounting terminal 55 similarly to the fuse 54, the handling performance is excellent, but it is not necessary to mount the water wetness sensor 17 on the printed wiring board 18. Therefore, the size of the printed wiring board 18 can be reduced. Further, since the joint box 19 accommodates the printed wiring board 18 which forms a control circuit together with the bus bar board 20, water wetting of the control circuit can be easily detected, and malfunction of the control circuit is effectively prevented. be able to.

FIG. 8 shows the water wetting sensor 17 and the fuse 5
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a main part of a joint box 19 to which the joint 4 is mounted. That is, the joint box 19 has a case 193 formed by fitting the upper case 191 and the lower case 192 to each other.
The printed wiring board 18 and the bus bar board 20 are housed in the housing. Here, illustration of the printed wiring board 18 is omitted for convenience.

A plurality of through holes 194 through which the mounting portions 41 to 46 of the water wetting sensor 17 can be individually inserted are formed at predetermined positions in the upper case 191. A water wetting sensor is provided around each through hole 194. Guide member 5 for guiding the mounting portions 41 to 46 of the
8 is attached. The guide member 58 has a convex portion 581 for regulating the mounting direction of the water wetting sensor 17 at a central position in the longitudinal direction, and the concave portion 50 (FIG. 6) of the covering member 38 fits into the convex portion 581. This makes it possible to mount the water wetness sensor 17.

The upper case 191 is formed with a plurality of through holes 195 adjacent to the through holes 194 and having a size through which the fuses 54 can be inserted. The through holes 195 are formed around the respective through holes 195. A guide member 59 for guiding the inside of the through hole 195 is attached. Further, a plurality of relay sockets 61 for mounting the relay 60 are attached to the upper case 191, and an external connector 62 is provided adjacent to the relay socket 61.
A plurality of connector sockets 63 for mounting the. It should be noted that the joint box 19 is provided with the bus bar board 20 without the relay 60 and the connector 62 mounted thereon.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only the water wetness sensor 17 and the fuse 54 are attached to the water heater.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fuse 54 to be mounted on the joint box 19 is a pair of terminal members 71 made of a long metal plate opposed to each other at predetermined intervals in a parallel state on the same plane. , 72, a holding member 73 for holding the pair of terminal members 71, 72 at a predetermined distance from each other, and a fusing member disposed in the holding member 73 and connected between the pair of terminal members 71, 72. 74. The upper half of the pair of terminal members 71, 72 is covered with the holding member 73, and the lower half is exposed from the holding member 73 to form attachment portions 75, 76 to the fuse attachment terminal 56.
In the present embodiment, the mounting portions 41 to 46 of the water wetness sensor 17 are configured to have the same or similar external appearance as the mounting portions 75 and 76 of the fuse 54, and the sensor mounting terminal 55 and the fuse mounting terminal 56 are used. They can be configured with the same structure.

A plurality of tab terminals 81 are erected at predetermined positions on the bus bar substrate 20 so that the water wet sensor 17, the fuse 54, the relay 60, the external connector 62, and the like can be connected to the corresponding tab terminals 81. It has become.
For example, the water wetting sensor 17 and the fuse 54 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of tabs (six for the water wetting sensor 17 and two for the fuse 54 in this embodiment) are respectively provided at corresponding positions. The terminals 81 are erected at predetermined intervals, and these tab terminals 81
The relay terminals 82 are attached to the
The attachment portions 41 to 46 of the water wetness sensor 17 and the attachment portions 75 and 76 of the fuse 54 are attached to the water contact sensor 17.

Each relay terminal 82 has a pair of lower holding portions 82 formed by bending the lower half from both right and left sides.
1 and a pair of upper holding portions 822 which are formed by bending the upper half portion from both left and right sides in a curved shape.
1 is attached to the tab terminal 81 by sandwiching the tab terminal 81. The water wetting sensor 17 and the fuse 54 are connected to the relay terminals 82 with the mounting portions 41 to 46 and the mounting portions 75 and 76 being held by the upper holding portion 822.
Will be attached to That is, the plurality of tab terminals 81 and the plurality of relay terminals 82 constitute the sensor mounting terminal 55 and the fuse mounting terminal 56.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the structure in which the water wetting sensor 17 is provided in the joint box 19. That is, this configuration example includes the first output amplifier 11, the second output amplifier 15, the force preamplifier 16, and the voltage dividing resistor 24.
Printed circuit board 18 that constitutes a control circuit on which is mounted
Are disposed in the window operating section 57, only the bus bar substrate 20 is accommodated in the joint box 19, and the water mounting sensor 17 and the fuse 54 are provided on the bus bar substrate 20. It is attached to the mounting terminal 56. In this configuration example, the joint box 19 is
Is arranged in the same manner as that shown in FIG.

According to this configuration example, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 7, a sensor mounting terminal 55 having the same structure as the fuse mounting terminal 56 is provided together with the fuse mounting terminal 56 for mounting the fuse 54 in the joint box 19. Therefore, the bus bar substrate 20 is simplified, and the assembly of the joint box 19 is facilitated. In addition, the water wetting sensor 1
7 can be easily attached to and detached from the sensor mounting terminal 55 in the same manner as the fuse 54. On the other hand, the printed wiring board 18 can be downsized because there is no need to mount the water wetness sensor 17 on the printed wiring board 18. be able to.
In addition, since the joint box 19 is generally located below the window operation unit 57, even if the printed wiring board 18 is not yet wet, the joint box 19 located below may be wet. At this stage, it is possible to detect water wetness due to the vehicle being submerged.

FIG. 12 shows a printed circuit board 18 constituting a control circuit on which the first output amplifier 11 and the like are mounted.
7 is a diagram showing a configuration example in which the water wetting sensor 17 is mounted in the window operation unit 57 while being disposed in the window operation unit 57 in the same manner as in the case shown in FIG. That is, in this configuration example, the fuse 54 is mounted on the fuse mounting terminal 56 disposed on the bus bar substrate 20 housed in the joint box 19, and the window operation unit 57 disposed on the door DR is A printed wiring board 18 on which a one-output amplifier 11 and the like are mounted;
A joint box 85 different from 9 is provided, and the water wetting sensor 17 is attached to this joint box 85.

The joint box 85 has the same structure as that of the joint box 19, and has a busbar board 20 having the same structure as the busbar board 20 therein.
'Is stored. The busbar substrate 20 ′ has a sensor mounting terminal 5 having the same configuration as the sensor mounting terminal 55.
5 ′ and a fuse mounting terminal 56 ′ having the same configuration as the fuse mounting terminal 56 are provided.
The fuse 54 is mounted on the sensor mounting terminal 55 'and the fuse mounting terminal 56'.

According to this configuration example, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
Since the sensor mounting terminal 55 ′ having the same structure as the fuse mounting terminal 56 ′ only needs to be provided together with the fuse mounting terminal 56 ′ for mounting the busbar 4, the bus bar substrate 20 ′ is simplified and the assembly of the joint box 85 is facilitated. Become. Further, the water wetting sensor 17 can be easily attached to and detached from the sensor mounting terminal 55 'similarly to the fuse 54, but it is not necessary to mount the water wetting sensor 17 on the printed wiring board 18; 18 can be reduced in size. In addition, since the joint box 85 in which the water wetting sensor 17 is mounted is disposed in the window operation unit 57 together with the printed wiring board 18 constituting the control circuit, the water wetting of the control circuit can be stably detected. And the malfunction of the control circuit can be effectively prevented.

The water wetness sensor 17 according to the present invention has a simple configuration in which a plurality of wiring members and a detection circuit are simply covered with a covering member, and furthermore, since the detection circuit is built in, the mounting space can be reduced. As a result, it can be easily incorporated into a circuit mounted on the vehicle, and as a result, it can be easily mounted on the joint boxes 19 and 85. In addition, since the pair of detection electrodes 21 and 22 are arranged to face each other in a hollow state, erroneous detection due to dew condensation or the like is prevented, and it is possible to effectively detect water wetness due to submergence of the vehicle and the like, and the assembly is easy. And it becomes excellent in mass productivity. In addition, the joint boxes 19 and 85 are provided with the fuse mounting terminals 5.
Since it is only necessary to provide the sensor mounting terminals 55, 55 'together with 6, 56', the bus bar boards 20, 20 'are simplified, and the assembling of the joint boxes 19, 85 is facilitated. Also, since the detection circuit is built-in, the space for mounting can be saved, and the joint boxes 19 and 85 can be used.
Can have a compact configuration in which the water wetting sensor 17 and the fuse 54 are mixed.
9, 85 itself can easily be provided with a function of detecting water wetting.

The water wetting sensor 17 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may employ various modifications as described below.

(1) In the above embodiment, the water wetting sensor 1
7 is provided with a concave portion 50 (FIG. 6) on one surface of the covering member 38 so that the directionality with respect to the sensor mounting terminal 55 is formed. For example, as shown in FIG.
The dimension between predetermined adjacent mounting sections (between the mounting section 42 and the mounting section 43 in FIG. 13) of the mounting sections 41 to 46 may be made larger than the dimension between other mounting sections. This also allows the sensor mounting terminal 55 to have directionality.

(2) In the above embodiment, the water wetting sensor 1
7 is provided with six mounting portions 41 to 46, but if it is configured as shown in FIG. 14, for example, the number of mounting portions can be reduced and the water wetness sensor 17 can be configured more compactly. That is, the water wetting sensor 17 shown in FIG. 14 is composed of a metal plate 4 disposed in the same plane.
One wiring member 91, 92, 93, 94, a pair of detection electrodes 21, 22 formed on the upper ends of the pair of wiring members 91, 92 for detecting water wetting, and a wide area 911 in the middle of the wiring member 91. And a covering member 96 for insulatingly covering each of the wiring members 91 to 94 and the detection circuit element 23a, holding the wiring members 91 to 94 in a predetermined positional relationship, and a wiring member 91. , 93,9
Attachment parts 97, 9 formed integrally with the lower end of the cover member 4 and arranged in parallel with each other and drawn out of the covering member 96.
8,99.

The connection lines L ₅ , L ₆ , L ₇ are connected to the wiring member 9.
2, 93 and 94, and the ground terminal portion is directly connected to the wiring member 91, and the detection circuit 23 shown in FIG. 3 is constituted as a whole. In addition, a cavity 100 that is open to the outside is formed in the covering member 96 around the pair of detection electrodes 21 and 22 so that the pair of detection electrodes 21 and 22 can face each other in a hollow state. In this configuration example, for example, the wiring member 97 is a ground terminal, the wiring member 98 is an output terminal, and the wiring member 99 is a terminal that also serves as a battery terminal and a drive power supply terminal.

(3) In the above embodiment, the water wetting sensor 1
7 are the mounting portions 7 of the fuse 54.
Although the external appearance is the same or similar to that of the fuses 5, 76, the external appearance may be different from the mounting portions 75, 76 of the fuse 54. Even in this case, the water wetting sensor 17 is connected to the joint boxes 19 and 85 by the fuse 5.
4 can be attached.

The water wetting sensor 17 has a mounting portion 41
46 are the upper case 1 of the joint box 19
The fuse 54 is inserted into the through hole 194 formed in the sensor 91 and is attached to the sensor mounting terminal 55, and the fuse 54 is inserted into the through hole 195 formed in the upper case 191 of the joint box 19 and is connected to the fuse mounting terminal 56. The through hole 194 may be formed to have a size that allows the whole of the water wetness sensor 17 to be inserted.
It may be formed in a size that allows only 5, 76 to be inserted.

(4) In any of the above embodiments, the pair of detection electrodes 21 and
Although 22 is opposed to each other in a hollow state, the pair of detection electrodes 21 and 22 may be opposed to each other along the surface of the covering member 38. Also in this case, water can be detected by interposing water between the pair of detection electrodes 21 and 22.

[0063]

As described above, in the water wetting sensor according to the first aspect, a plurality of wiring members and a pair of wiring members of the wiring members are formed integrally with each other, and are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval. A pair of sensing electrodes, a sensing circuit connected to the wiring member, a sensing circuit for outputting a detection signal of a predetermined level when water is interposed between the sensing electrodes and a leak current flows, and at least a portion of the wiring member wiring A mounting part formed integrally with the member, and a covering member that covers the wiring member and the detection circuit with the mounting part exposed are provided, and the mounting part is mutually attached so that the mounting part can be simultaneously mounted to the sensor mounting terminal of the joint box. Since they are arranged in a parallel state, they can be easily incorporated into a circuit mounted on a vehicle, and it is possible to detect water wetness due to submersion of the vehicle or the like.

Further, in the water wetness sensor according to the second aspect,
Since the pair of detection electrodes are arranged opposite to each other in a hollow state,
It is possible to detect only the wetness of the vehicle caused by the submersion of the vehicle.

Further, in the water wetness sensor according to the third aspect,
Since the mounting portion has substantially the same shape as the mounting portion of the fuse to be mounted on the joint box, the mounting portion can be handled in the same manner as the fuse and has excellent handling performance. In addition, the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal may have the same structure, and the configuration of the circuit board on which the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are mounted can be simplified.

Further, in the water wetness sensor according to the fourth aspect,
The detection circuit includes an amplifier circuit that amplifies a leak current flowing between the detection electrodes and an output circuit that outputs a detection signal of a predetermined level by amplifying the leakage current by the amplifier circuit. As a result, a detection signal of a predetermined level is always output when a leak current flows, so that water wetting can be stably detected.

Further, in the water wetting sensor according to the fifth aspect,
The detection circuit has a latch circuit that continuously outputs a detection signal at a predetermined level even when the leakage current flowing between the detection electrodes decreases or disappears. Even if the leak current decreases or disappears to the extent that it cannot be performed, the water wet state can be continuously detected.

In the joint box provided with the water wetting sensor according to the sixth aspect, a circuit board on which the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are mounted, a mounting portion is mounted on the sensor mounting terminal, and a detection signal is transmitted to the circuit board. Since the water wet sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is supplied to the circuit of (1) to (4) and a fuse having a mounting portion mounted on the fuse mounting terminal, the detection circuit is built in the water wet sensor. Therefore, the mounting space can be saved, the joint box can have a compact configuration in which a water wetness sensor and a fuse are mixed, and the joint box itself can have a water wettability detecting function. In addition, since the water wet sensor has a simple configuration in which a plurality of wiring members and a detection circuit are simply covered with a covering member, the water wet sensor can be miniaturized and easily attached to the sensor mounting terminal of a circuit board housed in a joint box. And the joint box can be easily configured.

Further, in the joint box provided with the water wetting sensor according to the seventh aspect, a circuit board on which the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal having the same structure are mounted is provided.
4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein a mounting portion is mounted on the sensor mounting terminal, and a detection signal is supplied to a circuit on the circuit board.
Since the fuse mounting terminal is provided with the fuse to which the mounting portion is mounted, the structure of the circuit board is simplified and assembly is facilitated, while the configuration of the joint box can be simplified. In addition, since the detection circuit is built into the water wetting sensor, mounting space can be saved, and the joint box can be made compact with a combination of the water wetting sensor and fuse, making it easy for the joint box itself. Can have a function of detecting water wetting.

In the joint box provided with the water wetting sensor according to the eighth aspect, the circuit board is formed of a bus bar board, and the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal include the tab terminal of the bus bar board housed in the joint box. Therefore, the mounting terminal can be easily formed, and the joint box can be easily assembled.

Further, in the joint box having the water wetting sensor according to the ninth aspect, the water wetting sensor is mounted on the sensor mounting terminal via a sensor through hole formed in a case constituting the joint box, and the Is attached to the fuse mounting terminal through the fuse through hole formed in the case, so that even if the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are arranged on the internal circuit board, the water wetting sensor and the fuse can be mounted. Can be easily mounted from outside the case.

In the joint box having the water wetting sensor according to the tenth aspect, a circuit board constituting a control circuit is further provided in addition to the circuit board on which the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are mounted. It is possible to stably detect the wetness of the control circuit due to the submersion of the vehicle or the like, and it is possible to effectively prevent the malfunction of the control circuit due to the wetness of the control circuit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic control circuit to which a water wetness sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a configuration example of a detection circuit integrated with the water wetness sensor shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
(B) is the block diagram.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing another configuration example of a detection circuit integrated with the water wetting sensor shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a circuit configuration diagram and FIG. 3B is a block diagram thereof.

4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a state of a leak current flowing between detection electrodes of the water wetting sensor shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 4A is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a leak current and time, and FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between an output signal and time.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an internal structure according to an embodiment of the water wetting sensor applied to the electronic control circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the water wetting sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of mounting the water wetness sensor shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a joint box on which the water wetting sensor shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is mounted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fuse mounted on the joint box shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a sensor mounting terminal and a fuse mounting terminal.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another example of mounting a water wetness sensor.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining another example of mounting the water wetness sensor.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a modification of the water wetness sensor.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of another modification of the water wetting sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 17 Water Wet Sensor 18 Printed Wiring Board (Circuit Board) 19,85 Joint Box 20,20 'Bus Bar Board (Circuit Board) 21,22 Detecting Electrode 23 Detecting Circuit 31,32,33,34,35,36 Wiring Member 38, 96 Covering member 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 Mounting part 54 Fuse 55, 55 'Sensor mounting terminal 56, 56' Fuse mounting terminal 193 Case 194, 195 Through hole 231, 233 Amplifying circuit 232, 235 Output circuit 234 Latch circuit 23a Detection circuit element

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koji Kishimoto 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi F-term in Harness Research Institute, Inc. (reference) 2F014 AB01 AB02 AB04 AC04 DA01 2G060 AB02 AC01 AD02 AE12 AF06 AF07 AG03 AG08 HC27 KA05 2G067 BB11 CC02 DD22 DD23

Claims (10)

[Claims] A water wetting sensor configured to be mounted together with a fuse on a joint box and to detect water wetting of a vehicle, wherein the sensor is formed integrally with a plurality of wiring members and a pair of wiring members among the wiring members. And a pair of detection electrodes opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and a circuit connected to the wiring member, and outputs a detection signal at a predetermined level when water is interposed between the detection electrodes and a leak current flows. A detection circuit;
A mounting member integrally formed on at least a part of the wiring member of the wiring member, and a covering member for covering the wiring member and the detection circuit in a state where the mounting portion is exposed, wherein the mounting portion is a sensor of a joint box. A water wetting sensor, wherein the sensors are arranged in parallel with each other so that they can be simultaneously attached to mounting terminals. 2. The water wetting sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pair of detection electrodes are arranged to face each other in a hollow state. 3. The water wetting sensor according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion has substantially the same shape as a mounting portion of a fuse to be mounted on the joint box. 4. The detection circuit includes an amplifier circuit for amplifying a leak current flowing between the detection electrodes, and an output circuit for outputting a detection signal of a predetermined level by amplifying the leak current by the amplifier circuit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
4. The water wetness sensor according to any one of claims 3 to 3. 5. The detection circuit according to claim 4, further comprising a latch circuit for continuously outputting a detection signal of a predetermined level even when a leakage current flowing between the detection electrodes decreases or disappears. Water wetting sensor as described. 6. A joint box mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a circuit board on which a sensor mounting terminal and a fuse mounting terminal are mounted; and a mounting portion mounted on the sensor mounting terminal, wherein the detection signal is transmitted to the circuit board. A joint box provided with a water wetting sensor, comprising: the water wetting sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 supplied to a circuit; and a fuse having a mounting portion mounted on the fuse mounting terminal. . 7. A joint box mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a circuit board on which a sensor mounting terminal and a fuse mounting terminal having the same structure are mounted; a mounting portion mounted on the sensor mounting terminal; 4. A joint box provided with a water wetting sensor, comprising: the water wetting sensor according to claim 3, which is supplied to a circuit of the circuit board; and a fuse having a mounting portion mounted on the fuse mounting terminal. 8. The circuit board comprises a bus bar board,
The joint provided with a water wetness sensor according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are configured to include a tab terminal of a bus bar board housed in a joint box. box. 9. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the water wetting sensor is mounted on a sensor mounting terminal via a sensor through hole formed in a case forming a joint box, and the fuse is formed in a fuse through hole formed in the case. 7. The battery pack according to claim 6, which is mounted on the fuse mounting terminal via a wire.
A joint box provided with the water wetness sensor according to any one of claims 8 to 8. 10. The water according to claim 6, further comprising a circuit board constituting a control circuit, in addition to the circuit board on which the sensor mounting terminal and the fuse mounting terminal are mounted. Joint box with a wetting sensor.