JP2008177354A - Variant case for housing electronic component, and resin-molded electronic device using the case - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a variant case stand erect that has the thickness of the end part of the opposite side of the opening part thinner than that of the other part for housing an electronic component, with the opening part of the case facing upward, without having to provide a special holder when a resin is injected. <P>SOLUTION: The outer surfaces of the wall parts 10a, 10b facing in the thickness direction at the thickest part of the case 10 are formed smoothly, a first engaging part 11 is provided on one outer surface of the two wall parts 10a, 10b; and a second engaging part 12 capable of engaging, with an engaging part having the same shape and the same size as the first engaging part 11 being provided on the other outer surface so that the respective positions correspond. Engagement of the first engaging part 11 and the second engaging part 12 mutually adjacent to a plurality of lined cases 10 couples the plurality of cases to structure an aggregation 13 of the case having a self-supporting capability. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an odd-shaped case for storing an electronic component used as an exterior case of an electronic device such as an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling an engine, and a resin-casting electronic device using this case.

  In an electronic device such as an electronic control device that controls an engine or a control device that controls equipment mounted on a vehicle, in order to provide weather resistance, the electronic components constituting the device are housed in the case. Inside, a thermosetting insulating resin such as an epoxy resin is cast, and an electronic component is molded by the cast resin.

  In this type of electronic device, when using a rectangular parallelepiped or cubic as a case, after the electronic component is accommodated in the case, the case is erected on the workbench with its opening facing upward In the state, the resin can be cast from the opening of the case.

  However, the case is not always configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a cubic shape, and a deformed case other than a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a cubic shape may be used. For example, in the case shown in Patent Document 1, in order to facilitate the positioning of the electronic circuit board in the case, the thickness dimension (height dimension) of the end opposite to the opening is set to the thickness on the opening side. It is smaller than the dimensions. In addition, in order to reduce the volume in the case and save the amount of resin to be cast in the case, when the thickness is changed along the height of the electronic component accommodated in the case, the opening portion The thickness dimension of the end portion on the opposite side may be smaller than the thickness dimension on the opening side. FIG. 6 shows an example of a deformed case 1. The illustrated case has an opening 1 a on one end side, and the end 1 b opposite to the opening 1 a has a smaller thickness than the other portions. It has a dimension d.

  When such a deformed case is used, the area of the end surface 1b1 of the end 1b opposite to the opening 1a of the case 1 is smaller than the area of the opening 1a. Cannot stand on the workbench upwards. In this case, when casting the resin, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to hold the case 1 upright on the work table 2 with its opening 1a facing upward, A special jig 3 for receiving and holding the end 1b opposite to the portion 1a is required.

In the present specification, the “abnormally shaped case” means a shape different from the shape normally adopted as the shape of the box-shaped case, such as a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube. Specifically, since the thickness dimension of the end opposite to the opening is smaller than the thickness dimension of the other part, a shape in which a plurality of parts having different thickness dimensions are arranged in the depth direction of the case means.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-133749

  As described above, when the unusual case 1 is used as a case for housing the electronic component, it is necessary to prepare a special jig 3 for supporting the case when the resin is cast into the case 1. Therefore, it was inevitable that the manufacturing cost would increase.

  In addition, when changing the specifications of an electronic device that uses an irregular case as described above, if the thickness dimension of the end opposite to the opening of the case is changed, the jig used for casting must also be changed. Yes and troublesome. Therefore, when changing the specifications (dimensions and shapes) of an electronic device that uses this type of case, the shape and thickness dimensions of the end opposite to the opening of the case are not changed. Therefore, when changing the shape and dimensions of the case in accordance with the change in the specifications of the electronic device, the change is made except for the end on the side opposite to the opening (the end that becomes the lowest end when casting). There is a problem that the degree of freedom in designing the case is reduced because it is necessary to change only the part.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a special jig when casting resin in a deformed case for storing electronic parts in which the thickness dimension of the end opposite to the opening is smaller than the thickness dimension of other parts. An object of the present invention is to allow the case to stand on a flat surface with its opening facing upward.

  Another object of the present invention is to increase the degree of freedom in designing an odd-shaped case for storing electronic components in which the thickness dimension of the end opposite to the opening is smaller than the thickness dimension of other portions. .

  Another object of the present invention is to accommodate an electronic component in a deformed case for storing electronic components in which the thickness dimension of the end opposite to the opening is smaller than the thickness dimension of the other portion, and resin in the case. In an electronic device having a cast structure, the case can be erected on a plane with its opening facing upward without using a special jig when casting resin, and its manufacture To make it easier.

  Still another object of the present invention is to house an electronic component in a deformed case for housing an electronic component in which the thickness dimension of the end opposite to the opening is smaller than the thickness dimension of the other portion. An electronic device having a structure in which a resin is cast is to increase the degree of freedom in case design.

  In the present invention, one surface is an opening, the thickness near the end opposite to the opening is set to be smaller than the thickness of the other portion, the electronic component is accommodated therein, and the opening The target is an odd-shaped case for storing electronic parts into which resin is poured.

  In the present invention, the outer surfaces of the two wall portions opposite to each other in the thickness direction are formed flat in the thickest portion, and the first fitting portion is formed on one outer surface of the two wall portions and the other outer surface. The second fitting portion having a structure capable of fitting a fitting portion having the same shape and the same size as the first fitting portion is provided corresponding to each position.

  When configured as described above, when a plurality of cases are arranged and the first and second fitting portions of adjacent cases are fitted to each other and the plurality of cases are connected, the openings of the cases are directed upward. Since an assembly of a plurality of cases that can be erected on a plane is configured, after housing electronic components in the case, the plurality of cases are erected on a workbench without using a jig, Resin can be cast in the case. The insertion of the electronic component into the case may be performed in a state in which a plurality of cases are connected, or may be performed in a state before the cases are connected.

  In addition, when configured as described above, a plurality of cases are connected to form a plurality of cases so that the case becomes independent, regardless of the thickness of the end opposite to the opening of the case. Therefore, when changing the specifications of the electronic device, the thickness dimension of the portion opposite to the opening of the case can be changed, and the degree of freedom in designing the case can be increased.

  Usually, the case for storing electronic components includes a first and second wall portions opposed to the thickness direction and a third and fourth wall portions opposed to the width direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the thickness direction and width direction. And a fifth wall portion that closes one end in the depth direction perpendicular to both of them, and an opening is formed at the other end in the depth direction opposite to the fifth wall portion. When this type of case is an irregular shape for the purpose of facilitating the positioning of the circuit board, the portion near the fifth wall is formed to have the smallest thickness dimension. At least one portion having a larger thickness dimension than the portion near the fifth wall portion is formed between the portion near the wall portion and the opening.

  When the present invention is applied to such a deformed case, the outer surfaces of the first wall portion and the second wall portion facing in the thickness direction at the portion having the largest thickness dimension are formed flat, and the thickness is The first fitting portion is arranged on one of the flat outer surfaces of the first wall portion and the second wall portion facing each other at the largest size portion, and the same shape and the same size as the first fitting portion are arranged on the other side. A second fitting portion having a structure capable of fitting the fitting portion having the position is provided in correspondence with each position.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the portion having the largest thickness dimension is provided near the opening of the case.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first fitting portion is formed of a protrusion, and the second fitting portion is formed of a recess that can be fitted with a protrusion having the same shape and the same size as the protrusion constituting the first fitting portion. It has become.

  When the first and second fitting portions are configured as described above, the cases can be easily connected by simply bringing the first and second fitting portions of the adjacent cases facing each other and approaching each other. Therefore, the case can be connected even after the electronic component is accommodated in the case. Further, after casting the resin in the case, the connection can be released simply by pulling the adjacent cases apart.

  In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are shaped so as to mesh with each other in a state in which sliding displacement along the depth direction or the width direction of the case is allowed between them. And a groove. In this case, for example, the first fitting portion can be constituted by a protrusion whose cross section has a dovetail shape, and the second fitting portion has a dovetail-like cross section shape and has a depth direction or a width direction of the case. (Grooves into which dovetail-like protrusions can be slidably fitted).

  When configured as described above, after configuring an assembly of a plurality of cases, when a force in a direction to separate the connected cases is applied, the connection between the cases can be prevented from being released, Case aggregates that are formed by connecting a plurality of cases into a production line and sequentially storing electronic components in each case and casting the resin into the cases. Can eliminate the possibility of the case being separated due to vibration or the like in the process of being transported along the production line, and smoothly inserting the electronic component into the case and casting the resin into the case it can.

  The present invention also includes an odd-shaped case for storing an electronic component in which one surface is an opening, and the thickness near the end opposite to the opening is set smaller than the thickness of the other part. The present invention is applied to a resin casting type electronic device in which electronic parts constituting the electronic device are housed in a case and an insulating resin is cast in the case.

  In the resin cast electronic device according to the present invention, the outer surfaces of the two wall portions opposed to each other in the thickness direction are formed flat in the thickest portion, and the first fitting is performed on one outer surface of the two wall portions. A second fitting portion having a structure that can fit a fitting portion having the same shape and the same size as the first fitting portion on the other outer surface is provided corresponding to each position. When a plurality of cases are arranged and the first and second fitting portions of adjacent cases are fitted to each other to connect the plurality of cases, the openings of the cases may be raised on a plane with the upward direction facing upward. An aggregate of multiple possible cases is constructed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first fitting portion is provided on one outer surface of the two wall portions opposed to each other in the thickness direction at the thickest portion of the deformed case, and the first fitting is provided on the other outer surface. Since the second fitting portion having a structure capable of fitting a fitting portion having the same shape and the same size as the joint portion is provided in correspondence with each position, the first and second cases adjacent to each other by arranging a plurality of cases. By connecting the plurality of cases by fitting the two fitting portions, an assembly of a plurality of cases that can stand on a plane with the opening of each case facing upward can be configured. it can. Therefore, after housing electronic components in the case, it is possible to stand a plurality of cases on a workbench without using a jig and cast resin into each case, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the electronic device. Can be planned.

  Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of cases are connected to form a plurality of case aggregates regardless of the thickness dimension of the end portion opposite to the opening portion of the case, so that the case has a self-supporting property. Therefore, when changing the shape and dimensions of the case when changing the specifications of the electronic device, the thickness dimension of the portion opposite to the opening of the case can be changed as necessary. , Can increase the degree of freedom in case design.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 is a plan view of a case according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the case, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the case. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which a case assembly configured by connecting a plurality of cases is erected on a work table with the opening of each case facing upward.

  In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 10 denotes a deformed case according to the present invention. The illustrated case 10 includes first and second wall portions 10a and 10b facing the thickness direction (Z direction) and a thickness direction (high height). The third and fourth walls 10c and 10d facing the width direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the thickness direction) and one end in the depth direction (X direction) perpendicular to both the thickness direction and the width direction. And an opening 10f is formed at the other end in the depth direction opposite to the fifth wall 10e. Arm portions 10g and 10h projecting outward are formed on the portions of the third and fourth wall portions 10c and 10d facing the width direction of the case that are close to the second wall portion 10b, and penetrate these arm portions. Thus, mounting holes 10i and 10j are formed.

  In the illustrated case, the entire second wall portion 10b is made flat, and the height of the first wall portion 10a is gradually changed from the fifth wall portion 10a side to the opening portion 10f side. Between the fifth wall portion 10e and the opening 10f, the portion 10A near the fifth wall portion having the smallest thickness dimension d1 and the thickness dimension d2 larger than the portion 10A near the fifth wall portion. The intermediate portion 10B and the portion 10C near the opening (the portion having the largest thickness) having a thickness dimension d3 larger than the intermediate portion 10B are provided in order.

  In the present embodiment, the outer surfaces of the first wall portion 10a and the second wall portion 10b that are opposed to each other in the thickness direction at the portion 10C having the largest thickness dimension are formed flat, and the portions having the largest thickness dimension are relatively aligned. The first fitting portion 11 (see FIG. 1) is provided on one of the flat outer surfaces of the first wall portion 10a and the second wall portion 10b, and the same shape and size as the first fitting portion on the other side. A second fitting portion 12 (see FIG. 3) having a structure capable of fitting a fitting portion having a position corresponding to each position is provided.

  In the illustrated example, the first fitting portion 11 is composed of a pair of protrusions 11a and 11b formed side by side in the case width direction, and the second fitting portion 12 is also formed side by side in the case width direction. It consists of a pair of recesses 12a and 12b. The protrusions 11a and 11b are formed so that the cross section is circular. The recesses 12a and 12b are formed so as to have a square cross section, and in a state in which a plurality of cases are aligned in the respective directions, the protrusions 11a and 11b of each case correspond to the adjacent cases. The dimensions of the recesses 12a and 12b are set so that the recesses 12a and 12b can be tightly fitted.

  A circuit board on which electronic components constituting the electronic device are mounted is inserted into each case 10 through the opening 10f. After the circuit board on which the electronic component is mounted is inserted into each case, a plurality of cases 10 are arranged as shown in FIG. 4, and the first and second fitting portions 11 and 12 of the adjacent cases are fitted. Thus, a plurality of cases 13 are formed by connecting the plurality of cases.

  As described above, a plurality of cases 10 are arranged, and a plurality of cases 13 are connected by fitting the first and second fitting portions 11 and 12 of the adjacent cases and connecting the plurality of cases. Since it can stand up on a plane with the opening of each case facing upward without using a jig, a plurality of cases are accommodated after housing electronic components in the case. Can be erected on a workbench without using a jig.

  In a state where a plurality of cases are raised as described above, a liquid of a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin is poured into each case, the cast resin is cured, and the electronic components in the case are poured. A resin-casting electronic device is completed by molding with a mold resin.

  In the above description, after inserting an electronic component in each case and connecting a plurality of cases, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of cases are connected to form an assembly of a plurality of cases. The assembly of cases may be flowed to the production line, and electronic parts may be inserted into the cases and resin casting may be sequentially performed.

  In the above embodiment, the first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12 are a pair of protrusions 11a and 11b and a pair of recesses 12a and 12b, respectively. The number of protrusions and recesses constituting each second fitting portion 12 is arbitrary. In addition, the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are respectively fitted to the second fitting portion and the first fitting portion of other cases arranged adjacent to each other, and adjacent cases are mutually connected. What is necessary is just to have the function to connect, and the structure of a 1st fitting part and a 2nd fitting part is not limited to said example.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion have projections 11a ′ shaped so as to mesh with each other in a state where sliding displacement along the width direction of the case is allowed between them. It can also be constituted by a groove 12a '. In this case, the protrusion 11a ′ and the groove 12a ′ are not released from the connection when a force is applied in a direction to separate the connected cases from each other (in a direction to separate the protrusion and the groove in a meshed state). It preferably has a cross-sectional shape.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 11 a ′ is provided so as to extend in the width direction of the case, and the cross section thereof is formed to have a dovetail shape. Further, the groove 12a 'is also provided so as to extend in the width direction of the case, and is formed so that its cross section has a dovetail shape.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the projections 11a 'and the grooves 12a having a shape in which the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are engaged with each other in a state in which sliding displacement along the width direction of the case is allowed between each other. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusions and grooves that are engaged with each other is set so that the connection is not released when a force in the direction of separating the protrusions and grooves that are engaged with each other is applied to the case. After the assembly of a plurality of cases is configured, the connection between the cases can be prevented from being released when a force is applied in a direction in which the connected cases are separated from each other. Therefore, when an assembly of cases formed by connecting a plurality of cases is flowed to the production line and electronic parts are stored in each case and resin is poured into the cases in order, It is possible to eliminate the possibility of the case being separated due to vibration or the like during the process of transporting the assembly along the production line, and smoothly inserting the electronic components into the case and casting the resin into the case. be able to.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are engaged with each other in a state in which sliding displacement along the width direction of the case is allowed between each other. However, the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are constituted by the protrusions 11a ′ and the grooves 12a ′ that are engaged with each other in a state in which sliding displacement along the depth direction of the case is allowed between them. You can also.

It is a top view of the case concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the case. It is a bottom view of the case. It is the front view which showed the state which stood up on the work table | surface with the opening part of each case facing upwards in the assembly of the case comprised by connecting the some case concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part front view for demonstrating the structure of the fitting part provided in a case in other embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the conventional case. It is the front view which showed the state which stood up the case shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Case 10a Case 1st wall part 10b Case 2nd wall part 10c Case 3rd wall part 10d Case 4th wall part 10e Case 5th wall part 10f Case opening 10A Case End part on the opposite side to the opening part 11 First fitting part 12 Second fitting part 13 Aggregation of a plurality of cases

Claims (6)

One surface is an opening, the thickness near the end opposite to the opening is set smaller than the thickness of the other part, the electronic component is housed inside, and the resin is poured from the opening. In the odd-shaped case for storing electronic parts to be molded,
The outer surfaces of the two wall portions opposed to each other in the thickness direction at the portion where the thickness is the largest are formed flat, the first fitting portion on one outer surface of the two wall portions, and the first fitting portion on the other outer surface. A second fitting portion having a structure capable of fitting a fitting portion having the same shape and the same size as the one fitting portion is provided in correspondence with each position;
An unusual case for storing electronic components. Depth perpendicular to both the thickness direction and the width direction and the first and second wall portions opposed to the thickness direction and the third and fourth wall portions opposed to the width direction perpendicular to the thickness direction A fifth wall portion that closes one end in the direction, an opening is formed at the other end in the depth direction opposite to the fifth wall portion, and the portion near the fifth wall portion is the smallest At least one portion having a thickness dimension larger than that of the portion near the fifth wall is formed between the portion near the fifth wall and the opening. In an odd-shaped case for storing electronic parts in which electronic parts are stored and resin is cast,
The first wall and the outer surface of the second wall that are opposed in the thickness direction at the portion having the largest thickness dimension are formed flat, and the first wall that is opposed at the portion having the largest thickness dimension The second fitting has a structure in which the first fitting portion can be fitted to one of the flat outer surfaces of the first portion and the second wall portion, and the fitting portion having the same shape and the same size as the first fitting portion can be fitted to the other. The fitting part is provided corresponding to each position,
An unusual case for storing electronic components.   The odd-shaped case for storing an electronic component according to claim 1, wherein the portion having the largest thickness dimension is provided closer to the opening.   The first fitting portion comprises a protrusion, and the second fitting portion comprises a recess capable of fitting a protrusion having the same shape and the same size as the protrusion constituting the first fitting portion. The odd-shaped case for storing electronic parts as described in 1, 2 or 3.   The first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are configured by protrusions and grooves that are meshed with each other in a state in which sliding displacement along the depth direction or the width direction of the case is allowed between each other. Item 4. A modified case for storing electronic components according to Item 1, 2 or 3. An electronic device is provided with an odd-shaped case for storing an electronic component in which one surface is an opening and the thickness near the end opposite to the opening is set smaller than the thickness of the other portion. In a resin casting electronic device in which an electronic component is housed in the case and an insulating resin is cast in the case,
The outer surfaces of the two wall portions opposed to each other in the thickness direction are formed flat in the thickest portion, the first fitting portion is provided on one outer surface of the two wall portions, and the first outer surface is provided on the other outer surface. A second fitting portion having a structure capable of fitting a fitting portion having the same shape and the same size as the fitting portion is provided corresponding to each position,
When a plurality of cases are arranged and the first and second fitting portions of adjacent cases are fitted to each other and the plurality of cases are connected, the openings of the cases are erected on a plane with the upward direction facing upward. A collection of multiple cases that can be configured,
Resin casting type electronic device.

Images