JP2002237341A - Electric circuit apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To strike a balance between simplification of an arrangement pattern of a conductor and miniaturization of the connector. SOLUTION: A second circuit board 4 is attached to a first circuit board 1, which has the conductor 1d for signals, while preparing the conductor 4b for load current in the second circuit board 4, a switch 5, which opens and closes between the conductor 4b for load current, is mounted, and further, the conductor 4b for load current is directly connected to a connection terminal 2c for load current of the connector 2. By this, the conductor arrangement pattern of the first circuit board 1 can be made simple in the extent of the part of conductor 4b for load current prepared in the second circuit board 4. Since the switch 5 is mounted in the second circuit board 4, in another words, since the switch 5 is not directly attached to the connector 2, the miniaturization of the connector 2 can be attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric circuit device in which a connector is mounted on a circuit board such as a printed wiring board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art On a circuit board on which a switch such as a relay or a MOSFET is mounted, a signal conductor and a load current conductor which requires a large occupation area to flow a large current are provided in a mixed manner. However, the arrangement pattern of the conductors becomes complicated.

Therefore, in an electric circuit device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-219259, a connector 2 having a large number of connection terminals 2b and 2c as shown in FIGS.
The relay 5 is directly attached to the back of the connector, and the connection terminals 2b and 2c provided on the relay itself are used as the connection terminals 2b and 2c of the connector 2, thereby removing the load current conductor from the circuit board and simplifying the conductor arrangement pattern. And so on.

[0004]

However, in the conventional device described in the above publication, the relay 5
Are directly attached, only four connection terminals 2b and 2c from the relay 5 can be arranged in the relay directly attached portion of the connector 2.

The connection terminal 2b is connected to a general pitch P
As is clear from comparison with the example (see FIG. 7B), the relay 5 directly attached to the connector 2 in the conventional device.
, There is a problem that the width W of the connector 2 is increased.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to achieve both simplification of conductor arrangement patterns and miniaturization of connectors.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a first circuit board (1) having a signal conductor (1d) and a plurality of signal connection terminals (2b) are provided. ) And a connector (2) having a plurality of load current connection terminals (2c) mounted on an insulating housing (2a). The signal conductor (1d) and the signal connection terminal (2b) are connected, and the insulating housing ( 2a) is the first circuit board (1)
An electric circuit device arranged on one side (1a) of the first circuit board has a plurality of load current conductors (4b) and the first
A second surface disposed on one surface (1a) of the circuit board (1);
A circuit board (4), and a switch (5) mounted on the second circuit board (4) to open and close the circuit of the load current conductor (4b), the load current conductor (4b) and the load current The connection terminal (2c) is directly connected.

Here, that the load current conductor (4b) and the load current connection terminal (2c) are directly connected means that the load current conductor (4b) and the load current connection terminal (2c) are the first. This means that they are electrically connected without the intervention of the circuit board (1).

According to this, since the load current conductor provided on the first circuit board is moved to the second circuit board, the conductor arrangement pattern on the first circuit board can be simplified. Further, since the switch is mounted on the second circuit board and the switch is not directly attached to the connector, the size of the connector can be reduced.

Therefore, it is possible to achieve both simplification of the conductor arrangement pattern and miniaturization of the connector.

Further, the size of the first circuit board can be reduced by moving the switch mounted on the first circuit board to the second circuit board.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the second circuit board (4) is disposed substantially perpendicular to one surface (1a) of the first circuit board (1), and the second circuit board (4) Wherein a switch (5) is mounted on a surface (4e) facing the connector (2).

According to this, the switch is disposed in the space between the connector and the second circuit board by effectively utilizing the space between the connector and the second circuit board. The circuit device can be reduced in size.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the switch (5)
Is an electromagnetic relay.

In the conventional device shown in FIG. 6, since the connection terminals 2b and 2c provided on the relay 5 itself are used as the connection terminals 2b and 2c of the connector 2, when the mating connector is fitted to the connector 2, The connection terminals 2b and 2c move due to stress, and the air gap between the iron core and the armature and the point gap between the contacts in the relay 5 change, resulting in malfunction of the relay 5 and reduction in durability. There's a problem.

On the other hand, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the relay is mounted on the second circuit board, no stress is applied even when the mating connector is fitted to the connector, so that the air gap and the point gap in the relay are not applied. Does not change, and therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the relay and deterioration of durability.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the connector (2) and the second circuit board (4) can be connected by the positioning plate (3).

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the positioning plate (3) has the hole (3) into which the signal connection terminal (2b) is inserted.
a), wherein the signal connection terminal (2b) is positioned by the positioning plate (3) between the insulating housing (2a) and the first circuit board (1).

According to this, the positioning of the signal connection terminals by the positioning plate makes it easy to assemble the connector and the first circuit board, and also prevents contact between adjacent signal connection terminals after the assembly. it can.

Note that the reference numerals in parentheses of the above means indicate the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a front view showing an electric circuit device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a right side view of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. However,
The printed wiring board 1 is shown only in FIG. This electric circuit device is used as a control device for controlling loads such as lamps and motors of automobiles.

1 to 3, a printed wiring board 1
A large number of circuit elements 1b are mounted on an upper surface 1a (corresponding to a first circuit board), and a signal conductor 1d through which a signal current flows is formed on a lower surface 1c of the printed wiring board 1. The signal conductor 1d includes a circuit element 1b and a connection terminal 2b described later.
Is electrically connected to

At the end of the upper surface 1a of the printed wiring board 1, a connector 2 having a large number of connection terminals 2b and 2c mounted on a housing 2a molded of insulating synthetic resin is arranged. A mating connector (not shown) is inserted into the space 2d formed in the housing 2a from the right side in FIG. 2, and the connection terminals 2b and 2c are inserted into the space 2d.
Of the connection terminals 2b and 2c extend outside the housing 2a.

A signal connection terminal 2b through which a signal current flows among a large number of connection terminals 2b and 2c extends in the horizontal direction (that is, in parallel with the printed wiring board 1) from within the space 2d.
It is bent 90 ° outside the housing 2a and extends downward (ie, toward the printed wiring board 1).

A plurality of holes 3a are formed in the positioning plate 3 molded of insulating synthetic resin, and one of the signal connection terminals 2b is formed in each of the holes 3a of the positioning plate 3.
a, and the signal connection terminal 2b is positioned between the housing 2a and the printed wiring board 1.

Further, the signal connection terminal 2b penetrates a hole (not shown) of the printed wiring board 1, and its tip is soldered to the signal conductor 1d.

Also, a number of connection terminals 2b of the connector 2,
The connection terminal 2c for load current is electrically connected to a load such as a lamp or a motor, and thus the connection terminal 2c for signal.
A current larger than b flows. This connection terminal 2c for load current
Extends in the horizontal direction (that is, in parallel with the printed wiring board 1) from the space 2d, and the leading end thereof passes through a hole (not shown) of the bus bar 4 (corresponding to the second circuit board), and the conductor land of the bus bar 4 At 4a, the bus bar 4 is soldered to the load current conductor 4b.

The bus bar 4 is formed by molding a large number of conductors 4b and 4c formed by pressing a metal plate with a resin. The bus bar 4 is disposed vertically on the upper surface 1a of the printed wiring board 1 with respect to the printed wiring board 1. , Are arranged close to the connector 2 so as not to interfere with the signal connection terminal 2b.
Further, the connector 2 and the bus bar 4 are connected to each other by a positioning plate 3 and a load current connection terminal 2c which engage with them.

A pin-shaped terminal portion 4d extending toward the printed wiring board 1 is formed on the signal conductor 4c through which a signal current flows among the many conductors 4b and 4c of the bus bar 4. The terminal portion 4d Are soldered to the signal conductors 1d of the printed wiring board 1 through holes (not shown) of the printed wiring board 1. In addition, one of the many signal conductors 4c of the bus bar 4 is shown in FIG.

Further, a large number of conductors 4b, 4c of the bus bar 4
Among them, the load current conductor 4b through which a larger current flows than the signal conductor 4c is directly connected to the load current connection terminal 2c of the connector 2. That is, the load current conductor 4b and the load current connection terminal 2c are electrically connected without the printed wiring board 1 interposed therebetween. Note that one of the load current conductors 4b of the bus bar 4 is indicated by a broken hatched line in FIG. 1 for convenience.

Six relays 5 (corresponding to switches) are mounted on a surface 4e of the bus bar 4 facing the connector 2. These relays 5 are arranged between the housing 2a of the connector 2 and the bus bar 4 and in the space 6 above the load current connection terminal 2c of the connector 2 (that is, on the side opposite to the printed wiring board).

These relays 5 open and close between the load current conductors 4b. Specifically, one movable contact (not shown) is connected to a movable contact (not shown) depending on whether or not a coil (not shown) is energized. This is an electromagnetic relay of the type that is switched and connected to one of the two fixed contacts. The relay 5 has only one fixed contact, and the fixed contact
A relay of a type that opens and closes between two movable contacts may be used.

The two terminals connected to the coil in the relay 5 have their tips penetrating through holes (not shown) of the bus bar 4, and are soldered to the signal conductors 4c of the bus bar 4 at the conductor lands 4f of the bus bar 4. Is attached. The terminal connected to the movable contact of the relay 5 has its tip end penetrated through a hole (not shown) of the bus bar 4 and is soldered to the load current conductor 4b of the bus bar 4 at the conductor land 4g of the bus bar 4. I have. Further, the terminal connected to the fixed contact in the relay 5 has its tip portion penetrated through a hole (not shown) of the bus bar 4 and is soldered to the load current conductor 4b of the bus bar 4 at the conductor land 4h of the bus bar 4. I have.

Next, the procedure and method for assembling the electric circuit device will be described.

First, the connection terminals 2b, 2c are mounted on the housing 2a of the connector 2, the signal connection terminals 2b are passed through the holes 3a of the positioning plate 3, and the positioning plate 3 is engaged with the housing 2a.

Next, the positioning plate 3 is engaged with the bus bar 4 in which the relay 5 is temporarily assembled, and the connection terminal 2c for the load current of the connector 2 is inserted into the hole of the bus bar 4, whereby the connector 2 and the relay 5 are connected. Is temporarily assembled. At this time, the connector 2 and the relay 5 are connected and positioned by the positioning plate 3.

Then, the temporary assembly is introduced into the flow solder bath with the surface 4i of the bus bar 4 on the side opposite to the connector (reverse side of the relay) facing downward, and the conductor lands 4a, 4f, 4g, and 4h of the bus bar 4 are placed. In this portion, the connection between the connection terminal 2c for the load current of the connector 2 and the conductor 4b for the load current of the bus bar 4 is performed, and the conductors 4b and 4c of the bus bar 4 and the terminals of the relay 5 are soldered. .

At this time, the connection terminal 2c for load current of the connector 2, the positioning plate 3 and the relay 5 are arranged on the connector side surface 4e of the bus bar 4, and the anti-connector side surface 4i of the bus bar 4 is flat.
Soldering with a flow solder bath is possible.

The connection terminal 2 for the load current of the connector 2
The connection method between c and the load current conductor 4b of the bus bar 4 and the connection method between each conductor 4b, 4c of the bus bar 4 and each terminal of the relay 5 are welding, welding,
Alternatively, caulking may be used.

Next, the connector 2 and the bus bar 4 after the soldering are mounted on the printed wiring board 1 on which the circuit elements 1b are temporarily mounted. Specifically, the signal connection terminal 2b of the connector 2 and the terminal portion 4 of the signal conductor 4c of the bus bar 4
d is inserted into the hole of the printed wiring board 1, the circuit element 1b of the printed wiring board 1 and the signal conductor 1d are soldered, and the signal connection terminals 2b and the terminal portions 4d and the signal The conductor 1d is soldered, and after the soldering, the printed wiring board 1 and the connector 2 are joined by screws (not shown).

At this time, since the signal connection terminal 2b is positioned by the positioning plate 3, the signal connection terminal 2b
And the holes of the printed wiring board 1 are easily aligned, and thus the connector 2 and the printed wiring board 1 are easily assembled.

According to the present embodiment, the load current conductor 4b
Is mounted on the printed wiring board 1, a relay 5 for opening and closing between the load current conductors 4b is mounted on the bus bar 4, and the load current conductor 4b of the bus bar 4 is directly connected to the load current connection terminal 2c of the connector 2. (That is, the printed wiring board 1
Since the connection is made electrically, the load current conductor 4b is removed from the printed wiring board 1 to reduce the size of the printed wiring board 1 and simplify the conductor arrangement pattern of the printed wiring board 1. Can be.

Further, since the relay 6 is disposed in the space 6 by effectively utilizing the space 6 between the housing 2a of the connector 2 and the bus bar 4, this is combined with the downsizing of the printed wiring board 1 described above. Thus, the size of the electric circuit device can be reduced.

Further, since the relay 5 is mounted on the bus bar 4, in other words, since the relay 5 is not directly attached to the connector 2, the size of the connector 2 can be reduced. Alternatively, if the size of the connector 2 is not changed,
It is possible to arrange more connection terminals 2b and 2c, and it is possible to increase the number of poles of the connector 2.

Further, the positioning of the signal connection terminals 2b by the positioning plate 3 can prevent the adjacent signal connection terminals 2b from contacting each other after the connector 2 and the printed wiring board 1 are assembled.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by changing the connector 2 in the first embodiment to a connector 2 of another type. The same or equivalent parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the connector 2 according to the present embodiment, the space 2d is open on the upper side (opposite the printed wiring board side) in FIG. 4, and a mating connector (not shown) is inserted from above in FIG. I have.

The signal connection terminal 2b of the connector 2 extends downward from the space 2d (that is, toward the printed wiring board 1 side), penetrates a hole (not shown) of the printed wiring board 1, and has a distal end. It is soldered to the signal conductor 1d.

The connection terminal 2c for the load current of the connector 2
After extending downward from the space 2d, it is bent 90 ° and extends in the horizontal direction (that is, in parallel with the printed wiring board 1),
The leading end portion of the bus bar 4 is soldered to the load current conductor 4b of the bus bar 4 at a conductor land 4a of the bus bar 4 through a hole (not shown) of the bus bar 4.

According to this embodiment, since the signal connection terminal 2b of the connector 2 does not exist between the housing 2a of the connector 2 and the bus bar 4, the mounting position of the relay 5 on the bus bar 4 is made closer to the printed wiring board 1 side. In addition, the height of the bus bar 4 can be reduced to reduce the size.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is a detection system used for detecting a current flowing through a load current conductor 4b of a bus bar 4 in the first embodiment to a motor or a lamp load. It incorporates a resistor 7. The same or equivalent parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The detection resistor 7 is connected to the conductor 4b of the bus bar 4,
Since it is formed integrally by press working with 4c, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced as compared with the case where the detection resistor 7 is provided on the printed wiring board 1.

The portion of the detection resistor 7 is not covered with the resin.
Can be adjusted.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the bus bar 4 is used as the second circuit board having the load current conductor 4b and the relay 5 is mounted. Such a general wiring board may be used as the second circuit board.

In the above embodiment, the relay 5 is used as a switch for opening and closing between the load current conductors 4b. However, a semiconductor element such as a MOSFET may be used as the switch instead of the relay 5.

In each of the above embodiments, a part of the load current conductor may be provided on the printed wiring board 1. Specifically, a load current conductor through which a large load current flows may be provided on the bus bar 4, and all or a part of the load current conductor through which a small load current flows may be provided on the printed wiring board 1.

In each of the above embodiments, the relay 5
May be mounted on the anti-connector side surface 4i of the bus bar 4.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an electric circuit device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an electric circuit device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an electric circuit device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a connector portion of a conventional device.

7 (a) is a view of the conventional device shown in FIG.
(B) is a figure which shows the example in which a relay is not directly attached to the back surface of a connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printed wiring board which comprises a 1st circuit board, 1a ... One surface of the 1st circuit board 1, 1d ... Signal conductor, 2 ... Connector, 2
a: insulating housing, 2b: signal connection terminal, 2c: load current connection terminal, 4: bus bar forming a second circuit board,
4b: conductor for load current, 5: relay forming a switch.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Tsukada 3rd Iyama, Shinomecho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture Anden Corporation (72) Inventor Takayuki Yamanaka 1-1-1, Showacho, Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture Denso Corporation (72) Inventor Nobuto Takagi 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi F-Term in Denso Co., Ltd. BB06 CD18 DD02 EE12

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first circuit board (1) having a signal conductor (1d) and a plurality of signal connection terminals (2b) and a plurality of load current connection terminals (2c) are connected to an insulating housing (2).
a) a connector (2) attached to the a), wherein the signal conductor (1d) and the signal connection terminal (2b) are connected;
The insulating housing (2a) is connected to the first circuit board (1).
An electric circuit device arranged on one side (1a) side of the first device, comprising a plurality of load current conductors (4b) and
A second surface disposed on one surface (1a) of the circuit board (1);
A circuit board (4); and a switch (5) mounted on the second circuit board (4) to open and close a circuit of the load current conductor (4b). The electric circuit device, wherein the load current connection terminal (2c) is directly connected. 2. The second circuit board (4) is disposed substantially perpendicular to one surface (1a) of the first circuit board (1), and the connector (2) is provided on the second circuit board (4). The electric circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the switch (5) is mounted on a surface (4e) facing 2). 3. The electric circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is an electromagnetic relay. 4. A positioning plate (3) that engages with the connector (2) and the second circuit board (4) and couples the connector (2) and the second circuit board (4). The electric circuit device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The positioning plate (3) has a hole (3a) into which the signal connection terminal (2b) is inserted, and the signal connection terminal (2b) is connected to the insulating housing (2a) and the second terminal. 5. The electric circuit device according to claim 4, wherein the positioning is performed by the positioning plate with respect to one circuit board.