JP2003063325A - Case for electric power steering controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce manufacturing costs and to improve reliability by ensuring waterproofing at a certain level without using O-shape ring or adequately enhancing accuracy of alignment among terminals of a connector unit and electrodes on a printed board. SOLUTION: To store an electronic circuit board in a metal case 100 with opening units formed on continuous two faces, this invention closes one opening face of the case 100 by mounting a connector unit 200 for electric signals input/ output as well as power signals input/output responding to the electronic circuit board, closes the other opening face by mounting an upper lid 300 on the opening face of the case 100, and forms a seal unit 60 by applying sealing materials such as hot melt to the circumference of the connector unit 200 and the circumference of the upper lid 300 and seals the case 100 in a closed condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a case for an electric power steering controller, and more particularly to a control of an electric power steering device (abbreviated as "electric power steering") for assisting a steering force of a vehicle with a driving force of an electric motor. A technique for improving a unit case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a power steering device utilizing hydraulic pressure (hereinafter referred to as "hydraulic power steering") has been conventionally used as an auxiliary device for reducing an operating force (steering force) of a steering device (steering handle) of a vehicle. ) Has been used, but hydraulic power steering does not use hydraulic pressure because it has troubles such as the troublesome handling of oil pipes and the trouble of assembling. Power steering is receiving attention.

In the electric power steering, an operation amount of a steering wheel is detected by an electric sensor (steering angle sensor), a dedicated control unit generates electric power for the motor based on the signal, and the electric power is used to drive the motor. Due to
It is to obtain an auxiliary steering force. Electric power steering
Needless to say, oil piping is not required, and flexible cable harnesses (cable harnesses for electric signals and electric power) can be laid, which facilitates assembly and eliminates the disadvantages of hydraulic power steering. it can.

By the way, a dedicated control unit for electric power steering (electric power steering controller) is composed of electronic parts such as a printed circuit board on which an electronic circuit is mounted. However, these electronic parts are vulnerable to water and are submerged in a car wash. Must be used in a sealed case because it may damage the insulation and cause malfunction.

FIG. 10 is an assembly state diagram of a conventional electric power steering controller. In this figure, case 1
Is made by molding a metal material (for example, aluminum), which is excellent in heat conduction and is sturdy, into a substantially box shape. On one side surface of the case 1, terminal holes 3 and 4 for passing terminals of the connector section 2 are formed, and eight screw holes 5 for fixing the connector section 2 are provided around the terminal holes 3 and 4. ~ 12 are provided. The top lid 1 is attached to the opening edge of the top surface of the case 1.
Three screw holes 14 to 17 for fixing 3 and four screw holes 19 to 22 for fixing the printed circuit board 18 are provided, and further, the bottom surface of the case 1 has a large amount of heat generation power. A heat sink base 24 is formed for mounting and fixing the amplification module 23 and allowing the heat to escape to the case 1.

Now, the procedure for assembling the conventional electric power steering controller having such a structure is as follows. First, thermal conductive grease is applied to both the heat sink base 24 and the power amplification module 23 of the case 1 (or one of them), and the power amplification module 23 is placed on the heat sink base 24 and fixed with screws (not shown). .
Next, an annular elastic seal member (so-called O-ring) 25 is sandwiched between the case 1 and the connector part 2, and the connector part 2 is screwed into the screw holes 5 to 1 of the case 1 with eight screws 26 to 33.
The connector part 2 is fixed to the case 1 by being tightened to 2. Next, the printed circuit board 18 is fixed to the screw holes 19 to 22 of the case 1 using the four screws 34 to 37, and the required electrodes of the printed circuit board 18 and the terminals of the connector portion 2 are soldered. Finally, the annular elastic seal member 38 is fitted into the opening edge of the upper surface of the case 1, and the four screws 39 to 42 are tightened with the annular elastic seal member 38 sandwiched therebetween, whereby the upper lid 13 is fixed to the case 1. .

According to the above-mentioned assembly procedure, the upper surface opening of the case 1 is closed by the upper lid 13, and the terminal holes 3 on the side surface,
4 is also closed by the connector part 2, and those closed parts are sealed by the annular elastic sealing members 25 and 38, respectively. Therefore, for example, it is possible to ensure waterproofness when washing a car.

[0008]

However, in such a conventional electric power steering controller case,
Since the annular elastic seal members 25 and 38 (O-rings) have a mechanism for ensuring waterproofness, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost cannot be reduced for the following reasons.

That is, since the O-ring is made of a flexible elastic material such as rubber, the shape of the O-ring is not easily fixed when it is held by hand, and in particular, it has a large ring shape as in the conventional example. This is because the tendency of the (annular elastic seal members 25, 38) to appear remarkably appears, so that attachment to a predetermined position is troublesome and requires skill. Moreover, the work requiring skill is, in other words, a work not suitable for automation, and therefore, in these points (skilled work, work unsuitable for automation), an increase in manufacturing cost cannot be denied.

Further, in the conventional case, since the connector portion 2 and the printed circuit board 18 are separately fixed to the case 1,
There is a problem in that the positioning accuracy between the terminals of the connector section 2 and the electrodes of the printed circuit board 18 is not sufficient, and if the positions of both are misaligned, soldering will be hindered.

Further, in the conventional case, since the end surface of the upper lid 13 is exposed to the outside, it is necessary to prevent the end surface from rusting (plating or the like), which also leads to an increase in manufacturing cost. There is a point.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the required waterproofness can be secured without using an O-ring, or the positioning accuracy between the terminals of the connector and the electrodes of the printed circuit board can be sufficiently enhanced. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a case for an electric power steering controller that can reduce manufacturing cost and improve reliability.

[0013]

A case for an electric power steering controller according to the present invention accommodates an electronic circuit board for electric power steering control inside a metal case having openings formed on two continuous surfaces. Attaching a connector portion for inputting / outputting electric signals and inputting / outputting electric power to / from the electronic circuit board to one opening surface of the metal case to close the one opening surface, and to attach a predetermined upper lid to the metal case. It is realized by closing the other opening surface by attaching it to the other opening surface of the case, and in the closed state, applying a sealing material around the connector portion and around the upper lid to seal the case. It is what

Here, the reason why the material of the case is "metal" (metal case) is that the case for the electric power steering controller accommodates the power amplification module having a large heat generation amount, so that the heat is efficiently released to the outside. It is necessary to radiate heat. Therefore, according to the concept of the present invention, the above metal case may be one that has at least "heat dissipation" out of the various functions that the term "metal" means. A non-metallic case is not included in the concept of the present invention.

The term "continuous two surfaces" means two continuous surfaces of the outer peripheral surfaces of the case. For example, in the case of a substantially box-shaped case, the case has two upper and lower faces and four side faces for a total of six faces, so two faces other than the two faces facing each other, that is, one of the upper and lower faces and one face. A side surface, or one side surface and another side surface that is in contact with a corner of the side surface are continuous two surfaces.

According to the present invention, the connector portion and the upper lid respectively close the two openings formed on the two continuous surfaces of the case, and the coating is applied to the periphery of the connector portion and the periphery of the upper lid. The case is sealed by the sealing material. Therefore, without using an O-ring, the case can be closed / sealed to ensure waterproofness.

As a result, the cost of manufacturing and obtaining the O-ring can be saved, and the work of applying the sealing material is much easier than the work of attaching the O-ring.
This work cost can also be reduced. Moreover, it is possible to automate the application of the sealing material by using, for example, a dispenser, and as a result, it is possible to provide a case for an electric power steering controller with a significantly reduced manufacturing cost.

According to a more preferred configuration of the present invention, the metal case has a continuous seal material application portion along the peripheral edge portions of the two openings. With such a configuration, it is possible to continuously perform the sealing material application work, and it is possible to improve workability.

Further, according to a more preferable configuration of the present invention, the seal material applying portion has a seal material outflow preventing portion other than the peripheral portions of the two openings. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the sealing material from flowing out immediately after the application (before the sealing material is solidified), avoid applying the sealing material to an unnecessary portion, and improve the finished state.

Further, in a more preferable configuration of the present invention, the connector portion is made of a resin material as a main material, and an exhalation hole for equalizing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the case is provided at an arbitrary position thereof. It is said to have.

The "expiration hole" is used to release the internal pressure that rises due to heat generation inside the case, but it is not a simple "through hole", and its functional structure allows the passage of air. However, it does not permit the passage of moisture or the like (for example, those having minute holes of the size of air molecules). When the exhalation hole having such a functional structure is formed in, for example, a metal case, a hole must be formed in the case body, and a member having the above-mentioned functional structure must be attached to the hole by an attachment or the like. This leads to an increase in the number of installation steps.

With such a structure, the functional structure of the expiratory hole can be easily formed in the connector portion made of the resin material as a main material, for example, by a method such as adhesion. The problem of increase in

Further, in a more preferable configuration of the present invention, the connector portion has an engagement fixing portion for the case. With such a configuration, the external force applied to the connector portion (the external force when the harness is attached or detached) can be received by the engagement fixing portion. Therefore, the stress stress on the terminals of the connector section and the electrodes of the electronic circuit board connected to the terminals can be relieved, and damage to the terminals can be avoided and reliability can be improved.

[0024] In a further preferred structure of the present invention, the connector portion has a mounting position aligning portion for the electronic circuit board. With such a configuration, it is possible to perform the alignment between the electrode of the electronic circuit board and the terminal of the connector portion connected to the electrode by the attachment alignment portion provided in the connector portion, and the connection between the electrode and the terminal can be performed. It is possible to improve accuracy and reliability.

Further, in a more preferable configuration of the present invention, the connector portion has an attachment position aligning portion with one opening surface of the case. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the alignment accuracy when the connector part is attached to the case, and thus the alignment accuracy of the tube between the connector part and the electronic circuit board connected to the terminal of the connector part is also improved. It is possible to improve reliability.

A more preferable structure of the present invention is to attach a protective cover that covers at least the seal material application portion. With such a configuration, since the seal material application portion is covered with the protective cover, for example, when the engine room is washed in a high pressure state while being installed in the engine room of the vehicle, the seal material application portion is protected from the cleaning pressure. It is possible to prevent the sealing material from peeling off and improve the reliability.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an assembly completed state diagram of a case for an electric power steering controller according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, this assembled and completed state is referred to as an "electric power steering control unit".

Electric power steering control unit 50
After accommodating an electronic circuit board described later inside the case 100, attaching the connector section 200, and electrically connecting the connector section 200 and the electronic circuit board,
It is assembled by attaching the upper lid 300 and applying hot melt. As a sealing material,
Although hot melt is used in this embodiment, a silicon adhesive, epoxy resin, urethane resin or the like can be used as a seal material instead of hot melt. In addition, the hatched portion in the figure represents the seal portion 60 formed by applying hot melt, which is one of the seal materials.

The case 100 has a substantially box shape having two continuous open surfaces, and one open surface has the connector portion 2
00, and the other opening surface is closed by attaching the upper lid 300. That is, in the illustrated example, the upper surface of the substantially box-shaped case 100 (“upper and lower” is the respective directions when facing the drawing; the same applies hereinafter) is the mounting surface of the upper lid 300. Is one of the above two continuous surfaces (the other surface), and one side surface of the substantially box-shaped case 100 is the mounting surface of the connector portion 200. Therefore, this one side surface is the above continuous surface. One of the other two sides (one side)
Becomes

The case 100 further has three screw holes 101 to 103 for attaching to the vehicle body, and these screw holes 101 to 103 have three projecting portions 104 to 106 protruding laterally of the case 100. Are formed respectively. In addition, as shown in the upside down view of FIG. 1 in FIG.
The bottom surface of the case 100 is formed with a large number of uneven portions (or fins) of heat radiating portions 107 and 108. The heat radiating portions 107 and 108 are designed to increase the surface area of the case 100 and enhance the heat radiating effect. ing.

The first function required of the case 100 is
The purpose is to protect the contained items (prevent electrical troubles due to mechanical damage, flooding, etc.), and for that purpose it must have the required rigidity and waterproofness. As for the rigidity, any sturdy material may be used, and provisional waterproofness (particularly waterproofness other than the openings) can be obtained with such a sturdy material. The second function required of the case 100 is to efficiently dissipate the heat generation of the contained material to the outside. Especially, in the case of the electric power steering, the second function is important because the power amplification module that generates a large amount of heat is included in the contents.

From the above viewpoint, the material of the case 100 should be robust and excellent in heat conduction, that is, made of metal, and preferably metal material which can be easily processed (for example,
Aluminum). Furthermore, case 100
In order to improve the heat radiation performance of the
It is desirable to form 08. Therefore, the non-metal such as plastic has the above-mentioned first function (rigidity and waterproofness), but does not have the above-mentioned second function (heat dissipation).
It is not suitable as a material of 0. In the present specification, a material having the above-mentioned first and second functions is referred to as a "metal".

FIG. 3A is an internal structure diagram of the case 100. As described above, the case 100 is integrally molded in a substantially box shape using a metal material so that two continuous surfaces (an upper surface and one side surface in this example) are opened. The case 100 has three protrusions 10 on the same plane as the upper surface.
4 to 106, and each of the protrusions 104 to 1
The screw holes 101 to 103 for attaching the vehicle body are formed in 06.

In this example, the power amplification module 400 for electric power steering control is already attached to the inner bottom surface of the case 100. Power amplification module 40
In the attached state, 0 is fixed to the case 100 by a screw or the like (not shown), and a heat conductive grease for assisting heat transfer is applied between the power amplification module 400 and the case 100.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the peripheral edge of the upper surface opening of the case 100 has a three-step staircase which gradually decreases from the outer surface 111 to the inner surface 112 of the case 100. The portion 113 is formed, and the lowest first step portion 114 is used as a mounting portion of the upper lid 300, and the intermediate second step portion 115 is used as (a part of) a hot melt application portion described later. In addition, the third stage portion 116 at the highest position (more accurately, the second stage portion 115 and the third stage portion 116
The riser section 117) between the two is used as a hot melt outflow prevention section.

Further, screw holes 118 and 119 for fixing the upper lid 300 are also provided on the periphery of the upper opening of the case 100.
Are formed, and their screw holes 118, 1 are formed.
Screw holes 12 for mounting an electric power steering control board 500 described later (see FIG. 5) at a position slightly lower than 19
0, 121, 122, 123 are formed.

The peripheral edge of the side surface opening of the case 100 has a BB cross section and a CC cross section shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, at least one recess 124 is formed from the outer surface 111 to the inner surface 112 of the case 100. The recess 124 is a guide groove for mounting the connector unit 200. Used as.
That is, the concave portion 124 is continuously provided along the peripheral edge of the side surface opening of the case 100, and the connector portion 20.
When attaching 0, the projections (see projections 203 and 205 in FIG. 4) provided on both ends of the connector part 200 are fitted into the recesses 124, and are slid from top to bottom in the surface direction of the side opening of the case 100. It allows you to attach it in the correct position.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the connector portion 200, and is a view of the connector portion 200 as viewed from the back side (the side facing the inside of the case 100 when attached to the case 100). The connector part 200 is integrally formed into a predetermined shape by using a resin material (preferably a thermosetting resin having excellent heat resistance) such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin as a main material, and a preferable embodiment thereof. First, a power system harness mounting part 201 and a signal system harness mounting part 202 are individually provided on the front side (opposite side of the back side) of the connector part 200, and the case 100 is provided on the two side surfaces and the bottom surface of the connector part 200. Continuous projections 203, 2 that engage with the guide groove (recess 124)
04, 205 (attachment alignment section),
Positioning unit 206 (mounting position adjusting unit) for fitting and aligning an end of an electric power steering control board 500 described later (see FIG. 5) with the upper surface of the connector unit 200.
In addition to having two projecting portions 207, 208 (engaging fixing portions) projecting to the back side of the connector portion 200 at predetermined positions (near both ends in the figure) of the connector portion 200, the projecting portions 207, 208 Each with a screw hole 20
9, 210 (engagement fixing portion), and further has an expiratory hole 211 penetrating the front side and the back side of the connector section 200.

The part indicated by reference numeral 212 is a power terminal group and the part indicated by reference numeral 213 is a signal terminal group. These terminal groups 212 and 213 are respectively the connector portion 20.
While penetrating through the front and back of No. 0, the front end of the connector section 200 is exposed inside the power system harness mounting section 201 and the signal system harness mounting section 202.

Here, the expiratory hole 211 is not a simple through hole, but a hole provided with waterproof measures. A fibrous material that typically has fine pores, that is, it allows small molecules such as air to pass through, but not large molecules such as water, for example, it is blocked with something like GORE-TEX®. It's a hole. Therefore, the expiratory hole 211 functions as a means for equalizing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the case 100 without impairing the waterproof property.

FIG. 5 is a state diagram in which the electric power steering control board 500 is attached to the connector section 200. As described above, since the alignment portion 206 is formed on the upper surface of the connector portion 200, the electric power steering control board 5
When mounting 00, the electric power steering control board 500
By fitting the end portion of the to the alignment portion 206, it is possible to achieve the attached state shown in the drawing while limiting the positional deviation.

Therefore, the electric power steering control board 500
Since the electrode group (not shown) and the terminal group of the connector section 200 (power terminal group 212 and signal terminal group reference numeral 213) can be correctly aligned, both can be soldered without any trouble. Therefore, operational reliability can be improved.

FIG. 6 is an assembly diagram of the electric power steering control unit 50, and its assembly procedure is as follows. The electronic circuit boards such as the power amplification module 400 and the electric power steering control board 500 housed in the electric power steering control unit 50 are manufactured in advance by mounting required electronic parts, and
It has passed the required operation test and passed the test.

(1) First, the power amplification module 400 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the case 100. This mounting is performed on the bottom surface of the power amplification module 400 or the case 10.
No. 0 of the module mounting surface or both surfaces thereof is coated with heat conductive grease for assisting heat transfer, and the case 100
The inner bottom surface of the power amplification module 400 and the bottom surface of the power amplification module 400 are closely adhered to each other, and are fixed to the case 100 with, for example, screws.

(2) Next, the connector section 200 and the electric power steering control board 500 are assembled. This assembly is performed by fitting the end portion of the electric power steering control board 500 into the alignment portion 206 formed on the upper surface of the connector portion 200. This procedure (2) may be performed before the previous procedure (1) or may be performed concurrently with the procedure (1).

(4) Next, the connector section 200 and the electric power steering control board 500 are mounted on the case 100, and the space between the connector section 200 and the case 100 and between the electric power steering control board 500 and the case 100 are set. Screws 51-54
Stop with and fix. That is, the two screws 51 and 52 are screwed into the screw holes 118 and 120 of the case 100 through the holes 501 and 502 of the electric power steering control board 500, and the two screws 53 and 54 are connected to the hole 2 of the connector unit 200.
09, 210 through the screw holes 122, 1 of the case 100
21 is screwed and fixed.

(5) Next, a terminal group of the connector section 200 (see reference numerals 212 and 213 in FIG. 4) and a corresponding electrode group (provided on the electronic circuit board such as the power amplification module 400 and the electric power steering control board 500). (Not shown) is electrically connected by joining with solder.

(6) Next, the upper lid 300 so as to cover the electric power steering control board 500 fixed to the case 100.
Cover, and attach the two screws 55, 56 to the hole 30 of the top lid 300.
Screw holes 118, 11 of the case 100 through 1, 302
The upper lid 300 is fixed by being screwed on 9.

FIG. 7 is an external view of the electric power steering control unit 50 assembled by the above procedure. In the electric power steering control unit 50 in this state, the upper opening surface of the case 100 is closed by the upper lid 300 and the side opening surface is closed by the connector portion 200, but it is not yet completely sealed. . The sealing is performed by applying hot melt described later.

From the external view of FIG. 7, the presence of "continuous grooves" around the upper lid 300 and around the connector portion 200 is recognized. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG.
(A) is a figure before hot-melt application, (b) is a figure after hot-melt application. The upper lid 300 has a stepped portion 3 near its outer edge.
03 is provided, and the case 100 has a small wall corresponding to the step portion 303 (this wall is shown in FIG. 3B).
It is formed by the kick-up part 117. ) Is provided. Therefore, these elements (step 3
00 and the riser 117) form grooves 57 and 58 along the outer edge of the upper lid 300.

A groove (a groove 59 on the left side surface is shown for convenience in the figure, but a similar groove is also present on the right side surface (not shown)) is formed on both side surfaces of the connector portion 200. The groove 59 and the grooves 57 and 58 described above are continuous. Then, hot melt can be applied to these grooves 57, 58, 59 to form a sealing portion 60 for sealing as shown by hatching in FIG.

Therefore, according to the above configuration, the following remarkable effects can be obtained. (A) Two open surfaces of the sealed case 100 by hot melt coating are closed by the upper lid 300 and the connector portion 200, respectively, and the grooves 57, 58, 59 formed around the upper lid 300 and the connector portion 200.
Since the hot melt is applied to (see FIG. 8) to form the seal portion 60 to seal it, the O-ring at the beginning can be made unnecessary. Therefore, the cost of manufacturing and obtaining the O-ring can be saved, and since the hot melt application work is much easier than the O-ring attachment work, this work cost can also be reduced.

(B) Hot Melt Outflow Prevention Structure The hot melt applied to the above-mentioned grooves 57, 58, 59 (see FIG. 8) is the side walls of the grooves 57, 58, 59 (to be precise,
Outflow is blocked by the riser 117) of FIG. 3 (b). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hot melt from flowing out immediately after coating (before the solidification of the hot melt), avoid the hot melt coating to an unnecessary portion, and improve the finished state.

(C) Simplification of hot melt coating step The above-mentioned grooves 57, 58 and 59 (see FIG. 8) are formed on the outer edge of the upper lid 300 and the outer edge of the connector part 200, respectively. Because 58 and 59 are continuous,
Familiarity with the automation of hot melt application work (for example, automation with a dispenser) can improve workability.

(D) Optimization of the position of the expiratory hole The position of the expiratory hole 211 for equalizing the difference between the internal and external atmospheric pressures is set to an arbitrary position of the connector portion 200 made of a resin material. It is possible to reduce the cost for forming the expiratory hole 211 as compared with the case where the expiratory hole 211 is provided. This requires a separate member (attachment or the like) for attachment when attached to the metal case 100, whereas the connector portion 20 made of a resin material is used.
This is because when 0 is set as the attachment destination, it can be attached by a simple method such as bonding the both, and no separate member is required.

(E) Structure for Preventing Application of External Force to Electronic Circuit Board Since the connector portion 200 is screwed and fixed to the case 100, the external force applied to the connector portion 200 (for example, connector insertion / removal force) is fixed at the fixed portion. Can be received and therefore the power amplification module 400
It is possible to prevent external force transmission to an electronic circuit board such as the electric power steering control board 500. As a result, it is possible to prevent damage such as damage to the electronic circuit board and improve reliability.

(F) Improving the mounting position accuracy of the electronic circuit board and the connector section The positioning section 206 of the electric power steering control board 500 is formed in the connector section 200, and the positioning when mounting the connector section 200 in the case 100 is performed. Section (Fig. 3 (c))
Since the recessed portion 124 of (d) is formed in the case 100 and the protrusions 203 and 205 (see FIG. 4) that engage with the recessed portion 124 are formed in the connector portion 200, the mounting position accuracy of the electronic circuit board and the connector portion can be improved. Can be improved,
It is possible to improve workability at the time of connecting terminals and improve operational reliability.

Although the present embodiment is excellent in that the above various effects can be obtained,
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, if a protective cover 600 made of metal or resin for covering the upper lid 300 and the connector portion 200 to protect at least the seal portion 60 is attached, for example, the electric power steering control unit 50 can be provided. After mounting in the engine room of a vehicle, when the engine room is subjected to high-pressure cleaning, peeling of the seal portion 60 due to the cleaning pressure can be avoided, and the sealing performance can be maintained for a long period of time, which is practically desirable. There is a particular merit that it can be done.

As described above, the protective cover 600 may have any shape as long as it can protect at least the seal portion 60. For example, as shown in FIG.
Opening 601 for the connector section 200
2 and some lateral projections 603-605,
Screw holes 60 formed in the protrusions 603 to 605
It is good also as a structure which has 6-608.

[0060]

According to the present invention, the waterproof property can be secured by closing and sealing the case without using an O-ring. Therefore, the cost of manufacturing and obtaining the O-ring can be omitted, and the work of applying the sealing material is much easier than the work of attaching the O-ring, so that the work cost can also be reduced. Moreover, it is possible to automate the application of the sealing material by using, for example, a dispenser, and as a result, it is possible to provide a case for an electric power steering controller with a significantly reduced manufacturing cost.

Further, according to the more preferable structure of the present invention, the sealing material can be applied continuously, and the workability can be improved.

Further, according to the more preferable configuration of the present invention, the flow of the sealing material can be prevented immediately after the application (before the sealing material is solidified), and the application of the sealing material to an unnecessary portion can be avoided to improve the finished state. be able to.

Further, according to a more preferable structure of the present invention, the functional structure of the expiratory hole can be easily formed in the connector portion made of the resin material as a main material, for example, by a method such as adhesion. Therefore, the problem of increase in the number of installation steps does not occur.

Further, according to the more preferable structure of the present invention, the external force applied to the connector portion (the external force when the harness is attached or detached) can be received by the engagement fixing portion. Therefore, the stress stress on the terminals of the connector section and the electrodes of the electronic circuit board connected to the terminals can be relieved, and damage to the terminals can be avoided and reliability can be improved.

Further, according to a more preferable configuration of the present invention, the electrode of the electronic circuit board and the terminal of the connector portion connected to the electrode can be aligned by the mounting alignment portion provided in the connector portion. , The connection accuracy between the electrodes and the terminals can be improved, and the reliability can be improved.

Further, according to the more preferable configuration of the present invention, the positioning accuracy when the connector portion is attached to the case can be improved, and therefore, the pipe of the connector portion and the electronic circuit board connected to the terminal of the connector portion can be formed. Positioning accuracy can be improved and reliability can be improved.

Further, according to the more preferable structure of the present invention, since the seal material application portion is covered with the protective cover, for example, when the engine room is washed under high pressure while mounted in the engine room of a vehicle, the cleaning pressure thereof is increased. It is possible to protect the seal material application portion from the above, prevent peeling of the seal material, and improve reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an assembly completed state diagram of a case for an electric power steering controller according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an upside down view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an internal structure diagram of a case 100.

4 is an external shape diagram of a connector section 200. FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the electric power steering control board 50 on the connector section 200.
It is a state diagram in which 0 is attached.

6 is an assembly diagram of the electric power steering control unit 50. FIG.

7 is an external view of the electric power steering control unit 50 after assembly (however, before hot melt application). FIG.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG.

9 is an external view of the protective cover 600 and the protective cover 60. FIG.
Electric power steering control unit 50 with 0 attached
FIG.

FIG. 10 is an assembled state diagram of a conventional electric power steering controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

57, 58, 59 ...- Groove (seal material applying portion) 60 ...- Seal portion 100 ...- Metal case 117 ... Raising portion (seal material outflow preventing portion) 200 ... Connector parts 203, 204, 205 ... Protrusions (mounting position adjusting parts) 206 ... Positioning parts (mounting position adjusting parts) 207, 208 ... Projection parts (engagement fixing parts) 209, 210・ ・ ・ Screw hole (engagement fixing part) 211 ・ ・ ・ Expiration hole 300 ・ ・ ・ ・ Top lid 400 ・ ・ ・ ・ Power amplification module (electronic circuit board) 500 ・ ・ ・ Electric power steering control board (electronic circuit Substrate) 600 ... ・ Protective cover

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H05K 5/06 H05K 5/06 D 7/14 7/14 AF term (reference) 3D033 CA01 4E360 AB02 AB13 AB33 BA08 BD03 CA02 EA18 EA24 ED02 ED07 ED27 FA08 GA24 GA29 GB93 GB94 5E087 EE02 EE14 FF02 LL04 LL12 RR12 5E348 AA03 AA08 AA32 CC06 CC08 CC09 EE38 FF03 5G361 BA01 BB01 BC01 BC02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A case for an electric power steering controller in which an electronic circuit board for electric power steering control is housed in a metal case having openings formed on two continuous surfaces, the electric signal input to the electronic circuit board. The output and power input / output connector portions are attached to one opening face of the metal case to close the one opening face, and a predetermined upper lid is attached to the other opening face of the metal case. Thus, the other opening surface is closed, and in the closed state, a sealing material is applied to the periphery of the connector portion and the periphery of the upper lid to hermetically seal the case. 2. The case for an electric power steering controller according to claim 1, wherein the metal case has a continuous seal material application portion along the peripheral edge portions of the two openings. 3. The case for an electric power steering controller according to claim 2, wherein the sealing material applying portion has a sealing material outflow preventing portion other than peripheral portions of the two openings. 4. The connector part is made of a resin material as a main material, and has an exhalation hole at an arbitrary position thereof for equalizing the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the case. The case for the electric power steering controller described in 1. 5. The case for an electric power steering controller according to claim 1, wherein the connector section has an engaging and fixing section for engaging with the case. 6. The electric power steering controller case according to claim 1, wherein the connector portion has a mounting position aligning portion for mounting the electronic circuit board. 7. The case for an electric power steering controller according to claim 1, wherein the connector portion has a mounting position aligning portion with one opening surface of the case. 8. A protective cover for covering at least the seal material application portion is attached,
Case for electric power steering controller.