JP2013080673A - Electronic circuit unit capable of making external connection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic circuit unit which has a waterproof function preventing water from intruding into a coupling portion between a circuit board and a connector for external connection.SOLUTION: An electronic circuit unit comprises: a circuit board 10 having first and second edge parts 12A, 12B provided with multiple connection conductors 14A; a case 20 housing the circuit board 10; first and second connector which have first and second terminals 30A, 30B respectively attached to terminals of multiple electric wires W and first and second housings 40A, 40B respectively holding the first and second terminals 30A, 30B; electric wire side sealing members 50 provided at the respective electric wires; and first and second connector side sealing members 60. The case has a first opening and a second opening, and the circuit board is inserted into the case from one of the openings to be housed therein. The connector side sealing member is disposed between the housing and the case so as to seal the interior of the case. Each electric wire side sealing member is disposed between the electric wire W and an inner peripheral surface of a terminal insertion part 45 so as to seal the interior of the case.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic circuit unit which is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and can be connected to an external circuit via a plurality of electric wires.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic circuit unit mounted on a vehicle includes a circuit board in which an electronic circuit is incorporated, and a board connector for connecting an external connection wire to a connection conductor on the circuit board. Many are known. Furthermore, as the board connector, a so-called card edge type connector that is mounted on the edge of the circuit board is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, as shown in FIG. 7, a terminal 92 provided at each end of a plurality of electric wires, a terminal-side housing 94 that holds these terminals 92, and an edge of a circuit board 96 are fixed. A connector having a board-side housing 98 is disclosed. Each of the terminals 92 has an elastic contact piece 93 that can be elastically displaced in the thickness direction of the circuit board 96. When the elastic contact piece 93 comes into contact with the surface of the circuit board 96, the elastic contact piece 93 is elastically displaced by receiving a reaction force from the surface, and is brought into pressure contact with the connection conductor on the surface by the elastic return force. The terminal-side housing 94 is arranged so that the elastic contact pieces 93 of the terminals 92 sandwich the circuit board 96 from both the front and back sides, and a plurality of terminals 92 are arranged along the width direction of the circuit board 96. These terminals 92 are held. The board-side housing 98 has a shape capable of receiving the terminal-side housing 94, and the terminal-side housing 94 is placed at a position where the elastic contact piece 93 of each terminal 92 contacts the connecting conductor of the circuit board 96. Lock.

JP 2008-112682 A

  The electronic circuit unit as described above is required to have a waterproof function depending on the place of use and use environment. Specifically, when the connector 90 is used, it is required to prevent moisture from entering the contact portion between the terminal 92 and the connection conductor of the circuit board 96. In order to prevent such moisture from entering, it is conceivable that the entire circuit board 96 including the contact portion is sealed in a dedicated case. The case including the connector 90 connected to the circuit board 96 is also included in the case. It is not easy to seal in a waterproof state. Furthermore, the structure of the connector 90 itself has a complicated structure including a terminal side housing 94 that holds a plurality of terminals 92 and a board side housing 98 that locks the terminal side housing 94 to the circuit board 96. Providing the connector 90 with a waterproof function also complicates the structure and significantly increases the cost.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an electronic circuit unit including a circuit board and a connector for external connection coupled to the circuit board, the circuit board and the connector for external connection having a simple structure. It aims at providing the thing which has a waterproof function which prevents the penetration | invasion of the water | moisture content to the coupling | bond part.

  An electronic circuit unit provided by the present invention includes a circuit board having a first edge and a second edge located opposite to the first edge, and a plurality of connection conductors are provided on the surfaces of these edges, A case for accommodating the circuit board, which has a first opening opened in a specific direction and a second opening opened on a side opposite to the first opening, and at least one of the first and second openings. The circuit board is allowed to be inserted into the case from the opening in the board insertion direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction, and a plurality of connection conductors of the circuit board accommodated in the case are provided in the case. A first connector and a second connector mounted on the case so as to connect the electric wires, a first connector-side seal member interposed between the case and the first connector, the case and the first Between two connectors Comprising a second connector-side seal member to be, and a plurality of wire-side sealing member respectively provided for said respective electric wires. The first connector is connected to a terminal of an electric wire to be connected to the first connector of the electric wires, and contacts a connection conductor provided on the first edge of the circuit board. A first housing holding the first terminals in an arrangement in which the first terminals can be brought into contact with the connecting conductors on the first edge at the same time. The first housing includes a terminal insertion portion having an inner peripheral surface surrounding each of a plurality of terminal insertion holes through which the first terminals can be inserted from the outside, and a first terminal inserted through the terminal insertion portion. And has a shape that can be inserted into the case from the first opening of the case, and in the inserted state, the first terminals are connected to the contact conductors on the first edge of the circuit board. Each touched Rukoto having a terminal holding portion for holding the respective first terminals such is possible. The second connector is respectively connected to a terminal of an electric wire to be connected to the second connector of the electric wires, and is in contact with a connection conductor provided on the second edge portion of the circuit board. A plurality of second terminals that can be electrically connected to the connecting conductor, and a second housing that holds the second terminals in an arrangement in which the second terminals can simultaneously contact the connecting conductors on the second edge. The second housing includes a terminal insertion portion having an inner peripheral surface surrounding each of a plurality of terminal insertion holes through which the second terminals can be inserted from the outside, and a second terminal inserted through the terminal insertion portion. And has a shape that can be inserted into the case from the second opening of the case, and in the inserted state, the second terminals are connected to the contact conductors on the second edge of the circuit board. Each touched Rukoto having a terminal holding portion for holding the respective second terminals such is possible. The first connector-side seal member is interposed between the first housing and the case so as to seal the inside of the case, and the second connector-side seal member is used to seal the inside of the case. 2 interposed between the housing and the case. Each said electric wire side sealing member is each interposed between each said electric wire and the internal peripheral surface of each terminal insertion part of the said 1st and 2nd housing so that the inside of the said case may be sealed. In the case, each first terminal holding the first housing on the terminal holding portion of the first housing is in contact with each connection conductor on the first edge of the circuit board in the case, and the first connector. A first housing locking portion that locks at a position interposed between the first housing and the case so that a side seal member seals the inside of the case; and the second housing holds the terminal of the second housing. The second housing so that each second terminal held by the contact portion contacts each connection conductor on the second edge of the circuit board in the case, and the second connector side seal member seals the inside of the case. And a second housing locking portion that locks at a position interposed between the case and the case.

  In this electronic circuit unit, the circuit board is inserted into the case through the first opening or the second opening provided in the case, and the first and second connectors are respectively inside the first and second openings. And the terminal holding part of the second housing is inserted, and the first and second housing locking parts of the case lock the first and second housings, respectively, so that the circuit board and the first housing are in the case. Since the contact portions of the first and second connectors with the first and second terminals are stored, and the first opening and the second opening can be closed by the first housing and the second housing, respectively. First and second connector-side seal members interposed between the first and second housings and the case, respectively, and a plurality of wire-side seal members provided for each of the wires A simple structure only comprises, it is possible to perform the waterproofing and sealing the contact portion within the case.

  The first connector-side seal member is made of, for example, an elastically deformable material, and is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion of the first housing and the inner peripheral surface of the case while elastically deforming. By having a possible shape, the inside of the case can be sealed with a simple shape.

  In this case, it is preferable to be fixed on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion of the first housing. This enables the inside of the case to be sealed by a simple operation of simply inserting the terminal holding portion and the first connector side seal member into the inside of the first opening of the case. .

  Similarly, the second connector side sealing member is made of an elastically deformable material, and is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion of the second housing and the inner peripheral surface of the case while elastically deforming. Therefore, the case can be sealed with a simple shape.

  In this case as well, it is preferable that the terminal holding portion of the second housing is fixed on the outer peripheral surface, so that the terminal holding portion and the second connector-side seal member are integrated into the second of the case. The inside of the case can be sealed with a simple operation by simply inserting it inside the opening.

  On the other hand, each of the wire-side seal members is made of an elastically deformable material, and is attached to each of the wires so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is also elastically deformed on the inner peripheral surface of the terminal insertion portion. What has the shape which can be closely_contact | adhered over is suitable.

  The first housing preferably has a cover portion having a shape that covers an end portion of the case on the first opening side from the outside in a state where the terminal holding portion is inserted into the case from the first opening. The cover portion of the first housing can be effectively protected by covering the seal portion between the terminal holding portion of the first housing and the case from the outside. Similarly, the second housing has a cover portion having a shape that covers an end portion of the case on the second opening side from the outside in a state where the terminal holding portion is inserted into the case from the second opening. Preferably, the cover portion of the second housing can be effectively protected by covering the seal portion between the terminal holding portion of the second housing and the case from the outside.

  Further, the first housing is provided with a locked portion to be locked to the first housing locking portion of the case in the cover portion, and the second housing is provided with the case in the cover portion. By providing the locked portions to be locked to the second housing locking portion, the second housing locking portion can be locked to the case outside the case without affecting the seal part.

  Each of the first connector and the second connector according to the present invention can be configured as a so-called card edge type connector that is connected to the circuit board so as to sandwich the edge of the circuit board from both sides. Specifically, for the first connector, the connection conductors are arranged on both surfaces of the first edge of the circuit board, and the first housing is on one surface of the first edge of the circuit board. The first terminals to be connected to the arranged connection conductors are arranged in a direction along the first edge of the circuit board to form a first terminal row, and the other of the first edges of the circuit board is formed. The first terminals are held so that the first terminals to be connected to the connection conductors arranged on the surface form a second terminal row in a direction parallel to the first terminal row. Thus, it becomes possible to connect more first terminals and electric wires to the circuit board. Similarly, for the second connector, the connection conductors are arranged on both surfaces of the second edge of the circuit board, and the second housing is arranged on one surface of the second edge of the circuit board. The second terminals to be connected to the connected connecting conductors are aligned in the direction along the second edge of the circuit board to form a second terminal row, and the other surface of the second edge of the circuit board Holding the second terminals so that the second terminals to be connected to the connecting conductors arranged in parallel form the second terminal row in a direction parallel to the second terminal row. Thus, it becomes possible to connect more second terminals and electric wires to the circuit board.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a circuit board is accommodated and held, and the inside of the case is sealed with a simple structure using a connector housing. There is provided an electronic circuit unit capable of efficiently waterproofing the connection part.

It is a partial cross-sectional exploded perspective view which shows the state before a 1st connector and a 2nd connector are attached to the case of the electronic circuit unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the first and second connectors are attached to the case. It is a cross-sectional front view which shows the state of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state of FIG. It is a cross-sectional front view which shows the 1st connector side seal member (or 2nd connector side seal member) fixed to the said 1st connector (or 2nd connector) and its 1st housing (or 2nd housing). It is a partial cross section perspective view showing the 1st housing (or the 2nd housing) and the 1st connector side seal member (or the 2nd connector side seal member) fixed to this. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the conventional card edge type connector.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The electronic circuit unit according to this embodiment includes a circuit board 10, a case 20 that accommodates the circuit board 10, a first connector and a second connector for connecting a plurality of electric wires W to the circuit board 10, and a plurality of electric wire sides. A plurality of waterproof plugs 50 as seal members; a first seal ring 60A as a first connector side seal member; and a second seal ring 60B as a second connector side seal member. The first connector 30A and a first housing 40A for holding them, and the second connector has a plurality of second terminals 30B and a second housing 40B for holding them.

  The circuit board 10 is made of, for example, a printed circuit board, and a conductor pattern for circuit configuration is disposed on both the front and back surfaces of the circuit board 10 and electronic components constituting the circuit are mounted. The circuit board 10 according to this embodiment has a rectangular shape. A plurality of thin plate-like first connection conductors 14A are provided on the front side surface and the back side surface of the first edge portion 12A, which is one edge portion (the right edge portion in FIGS. 1 to 3). In addition, a plurality of thin plate-like first portions are respectively provided on the front side surface and the back side surface of the second edge portion 12A which is the edge portion on the opposite side to the first edge portion 12A (the left edge portion in FIGS. 1 to 3). A two-connection conductor 14B is provided. The first and second connection conductors 14A and 14B are arranged along the first and second edge portions 12A and 12B, respectively.

  The case 20 has a substantially square cylindrical shape, and has a first opening 21A opened in a specific direction (rightward in FIGS. 1 to 3) and a second opening 21B opened in the opposite direction. The circuit board 10 is inserted into the case 20 from at least one of the first and second openings 21A and 21B in the board insertion direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction (in this embodiment, the left direction in FIGS. 1 to 3). It has a shape that allows it to be inserted. Specifically, it has a top wall 22, a bottom wall 24, and a pair of left and right side walls 23 (only the back side wall 23 is shown in FIG. 3). The top wall 22 and the bottom wall 24 are arranged vertically in parallel postures. Both side walls 23 are disposed between the top wall 22 and the bottom wall 24 and together with the top wall 22 and the bottom wall 24 form a rectangular cylinder. As will be described later, the first housing 40A of the first connector and the second housing 40B of the second connector are respectively engaged with the top wall 22 and the bottom wall 24 in the vicinity of the openings 21A and 21B. A plurality of locking projections 28 serving as a first housing locking portion and a second housing locking portion are formed so as to protrude outward.

  The first and second connectors according to this embodiment have the same shape and structure. Each first terminal 30A of the first connector is attached to a terminal of the corresponding electric wire W, and contacts the first connecting conductor 14A of the circuit board 10 to connect the circuit board 10 and the electric wire W to each other. Connect electrically. Similarly, each second terminal 30B of the second connector is attached to the terminal of the corresponding electric wire W, and comes into contact with each second connection conductor 14B of the circuit board 10, thereby causing the circuit board 10 and the electric wire to contact each other. W is electrically connected. The first and second housings 40A are each formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The first housing 40A is attached to the case 20 while holding the first terminals 30A together, and the second housing 40B is The second terminal 30B is attached to the case 20 while being held together.

  The electric wire W includes a conductor (not shown) and an insulating coating that covers the conductor. At the end of the electric wire W, the insulating coating is partially removed and the conductor is exposed. Thus, the waterproof plug 50 is attached at a position immediately behind the exposed portion of the conductor. The waterproof plug 50 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber and has a cylindrical shape surrounding the electric wire W from the outside.

  Each of the first and second terminals 30A and 30B is formed of a metal plate as a conductor, and integrally includes a substrate contact portion 31 located on the front side and an electric wire connection portion 32 located on the rear side. The electric wire connection portion 32 includes left and right conductor barrels 33 and left and right insulation barrels 34 positioned behind the left and right conductor barrels 33. Both conductor barrels 33 are crimped to the conductors so as to embrace the exposed conductors of the ends of the electric wires W, thereby conducting to the conductors. Both insulation barrels 34 are crimped to the electric wire W so as to embrace an insulating coating portion located behind the exposed portion of the conductor together with a front end portion of the waterproof plug 50 located outside thereof. Thereby, the waterproof plug 50 is attached to the electric wire W so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire W.

  The substrate contact portion 31 includes a main body portion 37, an elastic contact piece 35, and a resilient force reinforcing member 36 as shown in FIGS. The main body portion 37 is formed integrally with the wire connection portion 32 and has a rectangular tube shape. The elastic contact piece 35 extends in the axial direction of the terminals 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B, and the front end portion thereof is integrally connected to the main body portion 37, and the rear end portion can be bent and displaced in the vertical direction with the front end portion as a fulcrum. . The rear end portion constitutes a contact end portion 35a (FIG. 5) for contacting the first connection conductor 14A or the second connection conductor 14B of the circuit board 10 while being elastically displaced. The elastic contact piece 35 has a shape protruding outside the main body portion 37 in a state where it is not deformed as shown in FIG. 5, but this contact end portion 35 a is the first of the circuit board 10 as shown in FIG. 3. When contacting the edge portion 12A or the second edge portion 12B, the contact end portion 35a is bent and displaced in a direction to be immersed in the main body portion 37 due to the reaction force from the edge portion 12A or 12B, and the elastic The contact end 35a is pressed against the first connection conductor 14A or the second connection conductor 14B by the generated force. The elastic force reinforcing member 36 is provided in the main body portion 37 so that the elastic force reinforcing member 36 itself is elastically deformed as the contact end portion 35a is deflected and displaced. The elastic restoring force of the contact end portion 35a is increased by the generated force.

  In the present invention, the specific structure of the first and second terminals is not limited to the above structure. The first and second terminals according to the present invention have a portion that can contact and electrically connect to the connection conductor of the circuit board and a portion that can be attached to the end of the electric wire. I just need it.

  In the first housing 40A, the contact end portions 35a of the elastic contact pieces 35 in the first terminals 30A are simultaneously in contact with the first connection conductors 14A on both surfaces of the first edge portion 12A of the circuit board 10, respectively. The first terminals 30A are held together in an array. Similarly, in the second housing 40B, the contact end portions 35a of the elastic contact pieces 35 in the second terminals 30B are simultaneously in contact with the second connection conductors 14B on both surfaces of the second edge portion 12B of the circuit board 10, respectively. The second terminals 30B are held together in such an arrangement.

  Specifically, each of the first and second housings 40A and 40B integrally includes a terminal holding portion, a plurality of terminal insertion portions 45 positioned behind the terminal holding portion, and a cover portion 46.

  The terminal holding portion has a shape that can be inserted inside the opening 21A (21B) of the case 20 while mainly holding the substrate contact portion 31 of each first terminal 30A (second terminal 30B). Each terminal 30A (30B) is held so that each substrate contact portion 31 and each connection conductor 14A (or each connection conductor 14B) of the circuit board 10 can come into contact with each other in this state.

  The terminal holding portion according to this embodiment has a front inner wall 43, a rear inner wall 44 positioned at a rearward distance from the front inner wall 43, and a peripheral wall 42 surrounding these inner walls 43, 44. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers are formed between the inner walls 43 and 44 and the peripheral wall 42 for accommodating and holding the substrate contact portions 31 of the terminals 30A (30B). The front inner wall 43 surrounds a board insertion space 41 into which the first edge 12A (second edge 12B) of the circuit board 10 can be inserted from the front side, and the rear inner wall 44 is behind the board insertion space 41. Located in.

  A contact space is secured between the inner walls 43, 44, and each terminal 30 </ b> A (30 </ b> B) is arranged so that the contact end portion 35 a of the elastic contact piece 35 of each substrate contact portion 31 protrudes into the contact space. Is held in the housing 40A (40B). That is, the first terminal 30A or the second terminal 30B (terminal in the upper row) accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber between the inner walls 43, 44 and the upper portion of the peripheral wall 42 has the contact end portion 35a on the lower side. The first terminal 30A or the second terminal 30B (lower side) is held in the housing 40A (40B) so as to face and is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber between the inner walls 43, 44 and the lower portion of the peripheral wall 42. Row terminals) are held in the housing 40A (40B) so that the contact end portion 35a faces upward. The contact end 35a of each terminal 30A (30B) is connected to each circuit board 10 in a state where the edge 12A (12B) of the circuit board 10 is inserted into the board insertion space 41 at a predetermined depth. The holding positions of the terminals 30A and 30B in the housings 40A and 40B are set so as to contact the connecting conductor 14A (14B) at the same time. That is, the first housing 40A has the first terminals 30A to be connected to the first connection conductors 14A arranged on one surface of the circuit board 10 (the upper surface in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5). A first terminal row (upper terminal row in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5) is formed side by side along the first edge 12A of the circuit board 10, and the other surface of the circuit board 10 (FIG. 1). The terminals to be connected to the first connection conductors 14A arranged on the lower surface in FIGS. 3 and 5 are arranged in a direction parallel to the first terminal row, and the second terminal row (FIGS. 1 to 5). 3, the first terminal 30A is held so as to form a lower terminal row in FIG. Similarly, the second housing 40B has second terminals 30B to be connected to the second connection conductors 14B arranged on one surface (the upper surface in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5) of the circuit board 10, respectively. Are arranged in a direction along the second edge 12B of the circuit board 10 to form a first terminal row (the upper terminal row in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5), and the other surface of the circuit board 10 (FIG. 1 to 3, the terminals to be connected to the second connection conductors 14 </ b> B arranged on the lower surface are arranged in a direction parallel to the first terminal row (see FIG. 1 to FIG. 1). These second terminals 30B are held so as to form a lower terminal row in FIGS.

  A plurality of lances (terminal locking portions) 47 extend forward from the front ends of the peripheral walls 42 of the housings 40A and 40B. Each lance 47 is for locking the substrate contact portion 31 of the first and second terminals 30A and 30B, and the front end is bent and displaced in the direction of retreating from the terminals 30A and 30B with the rear end as a fulcrum. By elastic recovery upon completion of insertion of the terminals 30A and 30B, the appropriate positions of the terminals 30A and 30B are locked.

  Each of the terminal insertion portions 45 has an inner peripheral surface surrounding a terminal insertion hole 49 through which the substrate contact portion 31 of the first terminal 30A or the second terminal 30B corresponding to the terminal insertion portion 45 can be inserted from the rear. It extends rearward together with this. Each terminal insertion portion 45 according to this embodiment is cylindrical and has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface surrounding the terminal insertion hole 49. In these terminal insertion portions 45, the substrate contact portion 31 of the first terminal 30A or the second terminal 30B inserted from the rear into the terminal insertion hole 49 surrounded by the terminal insertion portion 45 is directly in the terminal accommodating chamber of the terminal holding portion. Each is formed at a position where it can be accommodated.

  Here, each of the waterproof plugs 50 is entirely attached to the inner peripheral surface of each of the terminal insertion portions 45 in a state in which each of the substrate contact portions 31 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber so as to seal the inside of the case 20. It has a shape that closely adheres to the circumference. Specifically, a plurality of protrusions 52 that protrude outward in the radial direction and extend over the entire periphery are formed on the outer peripheral surface of each waterproof plug 50, and the terminal insertion portion 45 while these protrusions 52 are elastically deformed. By contacting the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 40A, 40B through the terminal insertion portion 45, the intrusion of moisture into the first housing 40A, 40B is prevented.

  The cover portion 46 has a portion protruding outward from the rear end of the peripheral wall 42, and further extends forward from the portion, and the end portion (opening 21 </ b> A) of the case 20 into which the peripheral wall 42 and the peripheral wall 42 are inserted. , 21B, respectively, and a portion covering from the outside. The cover portion 46 is formed with a through hole 48 into which each locking projection 28 of the case 20 can be fitted from the inside. The through holes 48 provided in the first housing 40A are locked to the locking projections 28 on the first opening 21A side of the case 20 to thereby provide a housing (the first housing 40A or the second housing 40B) to the case 20. Specifically, each terminal (first terminal 30A or second terminal 30B) held by the terminal holding part of the housing is held by the edge (first terminal) of the circuit board 10 in the case 20. A locked portion for holding the housing is formed at a position in the first edge portion 12A or the second edge portion 12B) that can contact each of the connecting conductors 14A or 14B.

  The first and second seal rings 60A and 60B are each made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, and are respectively provided between the case 20 and the first and second connectors so as to seal the inside of the case 20. In this embodiment, it is an endless belt that surrounds the peripheral wall 42 and is fixed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 42 in close contact with the outer peripheral surface. The first seal ring 60A is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the case 20 over the entire circumference while being elastically deformed in a state where the terminal holding portion of the first housing 40A is inserted into the case 20 through the first opening 21A. This contact prevents water from entering the case 20 through the gap between the case 20 and the peripheral wall 42. Similarly, the second seal ring 60B is formed so that the terminal holding portion of the second housing 40B is elastically deformed with the terminal holding portion of the second housing 40B inserted inside the case 20 through the second opening 21B, and the inner peripheral surface of the case 20 It has an outer peripheral surface that is in close contact with the periphery, and this close contact prevents moisture from entering into the case 20 from the gap between the case 20 and the peripheral wall 42. In this embodiment, a plurality of protrusions in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the seal rings 60A and 60B to facilitate elastic deformation thereof.

  Next, an example of the assembly procedure of the electronic circuit unit will be described.

1) Inserting the terminals 30A and 30B into the housings 40A and 40B The board contact portions 31 of the first terminals 30A and the second terminals 30B are inserted into the terminal insertion holes 49 of the first housing 40A and the second housing 40B from the rear. It is inserted. The substrate contact portion 31 reaches each terminal accommodating chamber of the terminal holding portion and is locked by the lance 47. In this way, the first terminals 30A are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and the first terminals 30A are held in the common first housing 40A with the contact end portions 35a of the first terminals 30A facing inward. In addition, the second terminals 30B are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and the second terminals 30B are held in a common second housing 40B with the contact end portions 35a of the second terminals 30B facing inward. Is done. At this time, the waterproof plug 50 attached to the electric wire W behind the terminals 30A and 30B is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the terminal insertion portion 45 surrounding the terminal insertion hole 49, so that the electric wire W and Sealing with the terminal insertion portion 45 is performed. That is, waterproofing is performed on the electric wire W side.

2) Inserting and holding the circuit board 10 in the case 20 The circuit board 10 is inserted into the case 20 from the first opening 21A or the second opening 21B, and a predetermined position, specifically, the first position of the circuit board 10 is The first and second edge portions 12A and 12B are held at positions where they can be inserted into the board insertion spaces 41 of the first and second housings 40A and 40B of the first and second connectors, respectively.

  In the present invention, any specific means for holding the circuit board 10 in the case 20 may be used. For example, the case 20 may be connected to the circuit board 10 using a dedicated member other than the case 20, and the left and right edges of the circuit board 10 (the alignment direction of the edges 12A and 12B) Holding grooves into which both edges in the orthogonal direction can be respectively inserted are formed on the inner side surfaces of the side walls 23 of the case 20, and the left and right edges are inserted into the holding grooves. May be held in the case 20. With respect to the board insertion direction, the circuit board 10 may be constrained between the rear inner walls 44 of the housings 40A and 40B with no gap or with some gaps, and the circuit board 10 may be formed depending on the shape of the holding groove. May be positioned. Alternatively, the circuit board 10 is connected to each connector only by the fitting force between the circuit board 10 and each of the first and second terminals 30A and 30B (the upper and lower rows of terminals 30A or the upper and lower rows of terminals 30B sandwich the circuit board 10). Further, a structure for reinforcing this holding may be added to each of the housings 40A and 40B. In the latter case, that is, when the first and second connectors each independently hold the circuit board 10, the circuit board 10 and the first connector or the second connector are coupled to each other. The circuit board 10 is inserted into the case 20.

3) Attaching the Connector to the Case 20 The first connector is attached to the end of the case 20 on the first opening 21A side, and the second connector is attached to the end of the second opening 21B side. Specifically, the terminal holding portions of the first housing 40A and the second housing 40B are inserted into the case 20 from the first opening 21A and the second opening 21B, respectively, and penetrate the cover portions 46 of the housings 40A and 40B. The housings 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are locked to the case 20 by fitting the locking protrusions 28 of the case 20 into the holes 48.

  At this time, or when the circuit board 10 and the connector are connected in advance, the first and second edge portions 12A and 12B of the circuit board 10 are respectively inserted into the board insertion spaces 41 of the first and second housings 40A and 40B. By being inserted, the connection conductors 14A and 14B arranged on the first and second edge portions 12A and 12B, the first terminals 30A held on the first and second housings 40A and 40B, and the The substrate contact portion 31 of the second terminal 30B, more specifically, the contact end portion 35a of the elastic contact piece 35 contacts. Thereby, the circuit board 10 and each electric wire W are electrically connected via each 1st terminal 30A and each 2nd terminal 30B. Further, at the positions where the housings 40A, 40B are locked to the case 20 as described above, the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second connector-side seal members 60A, 60B are respectively the case 20's. By contacting the inner peripheral surface of the end portion on the first opening 21A side and the second opening 21B side over the entire periphery, from between the inner peripheral surface of the case 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 42 of each housing 40A, 40B. Intrusion of moisture into the case 20 is prevented. That is, waterproofing is performed on the connector side.

  As described above, the electronic circuit unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 includes the case 20 that accommodates the circuit board 10, and the first housings 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B that respectively hold the first terminal 30 </ b> A and the second terminal 30 </ b> B. Since it is used as a lid that respectively closes the first opening 21A and the second opening 21B of the case 20, a plurality of wire-side seal members (in this embodiment, a plurality of waterproofing members) attached to each wire W as waterproofing members. Plug 50), and first and second connector-side seal members (in this embodiment, first and second seal rings 60A, 60) interposed between the first and second housings 40A and 40B and the case 20, respectively. 60B), and a connection portion between the circuit board 10 and the first and second connectors (specifically, each of the connecting conductors 14A and 14B and the first and second terminals). 0A, the contact portion with the substrate contact portion 31 of the 30B) can be reliably waterproofed.

  The first and second connector side seal members according to the present invention (first and second seal rings 60A and 60B in the above embodiment) are provided between the case and the first and second housings so as to have a waterproof function. It suffices if they are interposed between the first housing and the second housing. However, the fact that the first connector side seal member is fixed in advance to the terminal holding portion of the first housing and that the second connector side seal member is fixed in advance to the terminal holding portion of the second housing It is possible to seal the inside of the case with a simple operation by simply inserting the holding part and the connector-side seal member fixed thereto into the inside of the case opening (first opening or second opening). To. In addition, the connector-side seal member and the housing can be integrally molded with respect to at least one of the first connector and the second connector.

  Alternatively, the first or second connector-side seal member is made of a material having a low fluidity, such as grease, and is interposed between the two so as to fill a gap between the case and the housing. Good. Also in this case, the inside of the case can be sealed. Each wire-side seal member is also made of a material having the same low fluidity, and may be interposed between the wires so as to fill a gap between each wire and the inner peripheral surface of the terminal insertion hole.

  The cover 46 may be omitted for at least one of the first and second housings 40A and 40B. However, the cover portion 46 can be effectively protected by covering the seal portion between the terminal holding portion and the case 20 from the outside. Further, by providing the cover portion 46 with a locked portion such as the through hole 48, the housings 40A and 40B are locked to the case 20 outside the case 20 without affecting the seal portion. Can be.

W electric wire 10 circuit board 12A first edge portion 12B second edge portion 14A first connection conductor 14B second connection conductor 20 case 21A first opening 21B second opening 28 locking projection 30A first terminal 30B second terminal 31 Substrate contact portion 32 Electric wire connection portion 35 Elastic contact piece 35a Contact end portion 40A First housing 40B Second housing 41 Substrate insertion space 42 Peripheral wall (constituting terminal holding portion)
43 Front inner wall (configures terminal holding part)
44 Rear inner wall (constitutes terminal holding part)
45 Terminal insertion part 46 Cover part 47 Lance 48 Through hole (locked part)
49 Terminal insertion hole 50 Waterproof plug (cable side seal member)
60A first seal ring (first connector side seal member)
60B Second seal ring (second connector side seal member)

Claims (12)

An electronic circuit unit that can be connected to the outside,
A circuit board having a first edge and a second edge located on the opposite side, and a plurality of connecting conductors provided on the surfaces of these edges,
A case for accommodating the circuit board, which has a first opening opened in a specific direction and a second opening opened on a side opposite to the first opening, and at least one of the first and second openings. Allowing the circuit board to be inserted into the case from the opening in the board insertion direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction;
A first connector and a second connector attached to the case so as to connect a plurality of electric wires to the connection conductors of the circuit board housed in the case;
A first connector-side seal member interposed between the case and the first connector;
A second connector-side sealing member interposed between the case and the second connector;
Made of an elastically deformable material, and provided with a plurality of electric wire side sealing members respectively attached to the electric wires,
The first connector is connected to a terminal of an electric wire to be connected to the first connector of the electric wires, and contacts a connection conductor provided on the first edge of the circuit board. A first housing holding the first terminals in an arrangement in which the first terminals can be brought into contact with the connecting conductors on the first edge at the same time. And
The first housing receives and holds a terminal insertion portion having an inner peripheral surface surrounding each of a plurality of terminal insertion holes through which the first terminals can be inserted from the outside, and a first terminal inserted through the terminal insertion portion. And having a shape that can be inserted into the case from the first opening of the case, and contacting each first terminal with each contact conductor on the first edge of the circuit board in the inserted state. A terminal holding portion that holds each of the first terminals so as to be possible,
The second connector is respectively connected to a terminal of an electric wire to be connected to the second connector of the electric wires, and is in contact with a connection conductor provided on the second edge portion of the circuit board. A plurality of second terminals that can be electrically connected to the connecting conductor, and a second housing that holds the second terminals in an arrangement in which the second terminals can simultaneously contact the connecting conductors on the second edge. And
The second housing receives and holds a terminal insertion portion having an inner peripheral surface surrounding each of a plurality of terminal insertion holes through which the second terminals can be inserted from the outside, and a second terminal inserted through the terminal insertion portion. And having a shape that can be inserted into the case through the second opening of the case, and in the inserted state, the second terminals are brought into contact with the contact conductors on the second edge of the circuit board. A terminal holding portion that holds each of the second terminals so as to be possible,
The first connector-side seal member is interposed between the first housing and the case so as to seal the inside of the case,
The second connector side sealing member is interposed between the second housing and the case so as to seal the inside of the case,
The electric wire side sealing members are respectively interposed between the electric wires and inner peripheral surfaces of the terminal insertion portions of the first and second housings so as to seal the inside of the case.
In the case, each first terminal holding the first housing on the terminal holding portion of the first housing is in contact with each connection conductor on the first edge of the circuit board in the case, and the first connector. A first housing locking portion that locks at a position interposed between the first housing and the case so that a side seal member seals the inside of the case; and the second housing holds the terminal of the second housing. The second housing so that each second terminal held by the contact portion contacts each connection conductor on the second edge of the circuit board in the case, and the second connector side seal member seals the inside of the case. And a second housing locking part that locks at a position interposed between the case and the case.   2. The electronic circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the first connector-side seal member is made of an elastically deformable material, and is elastically deformed while the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion of the first housing and the inner periphery of the case. An electronic circuit unit having a shape that can be in close contact with the entire surface.   3. The electronic circuit unit according to claim 2, wherein the first connector-side seal member is fixed on an outer peripheral surface of a terminal holding portion of the first housing.   4. The electronic circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the second connector-side seal member is made of an elastically deformable material, and is elastically deformed while the outer peripheral surface of the terminal holding portion of the second housing. And an electronic circuit unit having a shape capable of being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the case over the entire circumference.   5. The electronic circuit unit according to claim 4, wherein the second connector side sealing member is fixed on an outer peripheral surface of a terminal holding portion of the second housing.   It is an electronic circuit unit in any one of Claims 1-5, Comprising: Each said electric wire side sealing member consists of an elastically deformable material, and is mounted | worn so that it may contact | adhere to the said outer peripheral surface to each said electric wire, and An electronic circuit unit having a shape capable of being adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the terminal insertion portion over the entire circumference while being elastically deformed.   The electronic circuit unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first housing includes the first housing of the case in a state where the terminal holding portion is inserted into the case from the first opening. An electronic circuit unit having a cover portion configured to cover an end portion on the opening side from the outside.   8. The electronic circuit unit according to claim 7, wherein a locked portion to be locked to the case is provided on the cover portion of the first housing.   9. The electronic circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the second housing has the terminal holding portion inserted into the case inside the case through the second opening. An electronic circuit unit having a cover portion configured to cover an end portion on the opening side from the outside.   The electronic circuit unit according to claim 9, wherein a locked portion to be locked to the case is provided on a cover portion of the second housing.   11. The electronic circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the connection conductors are respectively arranged on both surfaces of a first edge of the circuit board, and the first housing is a first of the circuit board. A first terminal to be connected to each of the connecting conductors arranged on one surface of the edge portion is aligned in a direction along the first edge portion of the circuit board to form a first terminal row. The first terminals to be connected to the connecting conductors arranged on the other surface of the first edge are arranged in a direction parallel to the first terminal row to form a second terminal row. An electronic circuit unit that holds the first terminal.   12. The electronic circuit unit according to claim 1, wherein the connection conductors are arranged on both surfaces of a second edge of the circuit board, and the second housing is a second of the circuit board. The second terminals to be connected to the connection conductors arranged on one surface of the edge part form a first terminal row side by side along the second edge part of the circuit board, and The second terminals to be connected to the connection conductors arranged on the other surface of the second edge are arranged in a direction parallel to the first terminal row to form a second terminal row. An electronic circuit unit that holds the second terminal.

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