JP4549952B2 - Electrical equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical device such as a camera device connected to an external device via an external harness.

  For example, a technique described below is proposed as a technique for connecting the in-vehicle camera device to another control device or a power source.

  That is, the in-vehicle camera device includes a substrate on which an image sensor is mounted and a power supply circuit, a signal processing circuit, and the like, a case-like housing body that accommodates the substrate, and the in-vehicle camera device as an external control device or power source. And a harness for connecting to the like.

  The harness includes a relatively small-diameter harness portion suitable for connection to the substrate and a relatively large-diameter harness portion suitable for external wiring. The small-diameter harness portion is connected to the substrate inside the case-like housing body, and is drawn out through the case-like housing body. A large-diameter harness portion is connected to the small-diameter harness portion outside the case-like housing body. The large-diameter harness portion is properly routed in the vehicle body and connected to other control devices, a power source, and the like.

  However, in the above configuration, one end of the small-diameter harness portion itself is introduced into the case-shaped housing. For this reason, in order to prevent water from entering the in-vehicle camera device, it is necessary to take a sufficient waterproof measure for the small-diameter harness portion. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to cover a connecting portion between a small-diameter harness portion and a large-diameter harness portion with a heat-shrinkable tube, and further seal the periphery with an epoxy resin or the like. . For this reason, the configuration is complicated and the assembly work is complicated.

  In addition, since the harness is integrally assembled with the in-vehicle camera device, there is a problem that it is not easy to deal with, for example, a change in the required length of the harness due to a change in the mounted vehicle type, and the versatility is inferior.

  Therefore, a configuration has been proposed in which a relay terminal is insert-molded in the case-shaped housing body itself, and a connector including the relay terminal as a connector terminal is integrally formed inside and outside the case-shaped housing body.

  In this case, since the relay terminal is insert-molded in the case-like housing body itself, excellent waterproof performance can be obtained with a relatively simple configuration and assembly. Further, by changing the harness connected to the connector on the outside of the case-like housing body, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the required length of the harness due to a change in the mounted vehicle type, and excellent versatility.

JP 2002-359017 A

  However, for example, when the vehicle type of the in-vehicle camera device is changed, the wiring path from the in-vehicle camera device to the external device also changes, and then the direction in which the harness from the in-vehicle camera device should be extended also changes. However, in the configuration in which the connector is integrally formed on the case-shaped housing body, the direction of the harness is limited depending on the position and orientation of the connector, and it cannot be easily dealt with, for example, the change of the wiring route accompanying the change of the mounted vehicle type. There was a problem.

  Further, when the case-like housing body is divided into a predetermined case portion and a case portion with a connector, if the mounting posture of the case portion with the connector with respect to the predetermined case portion is limited, Inconvenient.

  Therefore, the present invention is excellent in waterproofness and can easily cope with the change of the harness, and also improves the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the case portion which is divided, for example, to change the harness drawing direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric device that can be easily handled.

An electrical device according to the present invention is an electrical device connected to an external device through an external harness, and is configured by combining an internal electrical component, a first case portion, and a second case portion, A case-like housing body that houses an electrical component therein , wherein the internal electrical component is fixed to the first case portion, and the second case portion has a plurality of mounting postures with respect to the first case portion. A plurality of inner terminal portions that are formed so as to be attachable to the first case portion and to which the internal electrical components are electrically connected are provided on the inner surface side of the second case portion. In addition, an outer connector part that has a plurality of outer connector terminal parts on the outer surface side of the second case part and that can be connected to the outer harness is integrally provided, and the inner terminal parts and the outer connector terminals Part is the second In connection conductor provided in the case portion in which are respectively connected.

Another electrical device according to the present invention is an electrical device connected to an external device via an external harness, and is configured by combining the internal electrical component, the first case portion, and the second case portion, A case-like housing body that accommodates the internal electrical component therein , wherein the internal electrical component is fixed to the first case portion, and the second case portion includes a plurality of parts with respect to the first case portion. A plurality of inner terminal portions that are formed so as to be attachable to the first case portion by selecting one of the mounting postures, and in which the internal electrical components are electrically connected to the inner surface side of the second case portion And an outer connector portion that has a plurality of outer connector terminal portions on the outer surface side of the second case portion and can be connected to the external harness from one side of the second case portion. Each inner terminal part and front In connection conductor and the outer connector terminal portion is provided on the second case portion in which are respectively connected.

  In this case, the joint part of the first case part and the joint part of the second case part may be formed in a substantially n rotationally symmetric shape (n is an integer of 2 or more) or a substantially circular shape. .

  In addition, one of the inner terminal portions, one of the outer connector terminal portions, and a connection conductor that connects these terminal portions may be formed of a single conductive member.

  Furthermore, the connection conductor may be insert-molded in the second case portion.

  Further, an inner connector part having each inner terminal part as a connector terminal part is provided on the inner surface side of the second case part, and the internal electrical component and a component side connector connected to the inner connector part are provided. The wiring member is connected via a wiring member, and in a state where the inner connector part and the component-side connector are connected, the wiring member is near the rotational symmetry axis or the central axis of the joint part of the second case part. It may be pulled out from the component side connector part.

  According to the electric device of the present invention, the outer connector portion having a plurality of outer connector terminal portions on the outer surface side of the second case portion and capable of connecting an external harness is integrally provided. For this reason, invasion of water transmitted through the external harness is more reliably prevented and the waterproof property is excellent, and the change of the external harness can be easily coped with. Furthermore, the second case part is formed so that it can be attached to the first case part by selecting one of a plurality of attachment postures with respect to the first case part. The attachment posture of the second case portion with respect to the first case portion can be appropriately selected and attached, and the degree of freedom of the attachment posture of the second case portion with respect to the first case portion can be improved.

  According to the electrical device of the present invention, the outer connector portion having a plurality of outer connector terminal portions on the outer surface side of the second case portion and capable of connecting an external harness from one side of the second case portion is integrally formed. Is provided. For this reason, invasion of water transmitted through the external harness is more reliably prevented and the waterproof property is excellent, and the change of the external harness can be easily coped with. Furthermore, the second case part is formed so that it can be attached to the first case part by selecting one of a plurality of attachment postures with respect to the first case part. By appropriately selecting and attaching the mounting orientation of the second case part to the part, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the mounting orientation of the second case part with respect to the first case part, and also to change the harness drawing direction It becomes easy to deal with it.

  More specifically, the joint portion of the first case portion and the joint portion of the second case portion are formed in a substantially n rotationally symmetric shape (n is an integer of 2 or more) or a substantially circular shape. Then, the mounting posture can be changed by rotating the second case portion relative to the first case portion.

  Furthermore, when one of the inner terminal portions, one of the outer connector terminal portions, and a connection conductor connecting these terminal portions are configured by a single relay conductive member, The configuration can be further simplified.

  Furthermore, when the connection conductor is insert-molded in the second case portion, it can be easily manufactured and is excellent in waterproofness.

  Further, an inner connector part having each inner terminal part as a connector terminal part is provided on the inner surface side of the second case part, and the internal electrical component and a component side connector connected to the inner connector part are provided. The wiring member is connected via a wiring member, and in a state where the inner connector part and the component-side connector are connected, the wiring member is near the rotational symmetry axis or the central axis of the joint part of the second case part. When pulled out from the component-side connector, the drawing position and required length of the wiring member can be made substantially constant regardless of the mounting posture of the second case with respect to the first case.

  Hereinafter, an electric device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, an example in which an in-vehicle camera device is assumed as an electric device will be described. However, in addition to various in-vehicle electric devices and general module devices, electric devices that are electrically connected to external devices through an external harness in general. Applicable.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an in-vehicle camera device and an external harness according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a rear case part. This in-vehicle camera device 20 is a device that is installed on a vehicle bumper, grill, or the like to capture an external scenery of the vehicle, and constitutes a so-called blind corner monitor, a back monitor, a side monitor, and the like, via an external harness 21. Thus, it is configured to be connected to an external device such as a power source or a display device in the vehicle interior.

  Here, the external harness 21 is configured such that a harness-side connector 22 is attached to the end portions of the plurality of electric wires 21a. As the electric wires 21a, those having a relatively large diameter suitable for external wiring from the viewpoint of bending resistance and the like are used.

  The harness-side connector 22 is configured such that connector terminals 22b (for example, female terminals) corresponding to the respective electric wires 21a are incorporated in the connector housing 22a. As each connector terminal 22b, a relatively large diameter terminal capable of crimping the relatively large diameter electric wire 21a in accordance with the diameter of the electric wire 21a is used.

  In addition, the other end side of the external harness 21 is connected to an external device such as a display device in a vehicle interior or a power source through a connector connection or the like as appropriate.

  The in-vehicle camera device 20 includes a circuit board 24 as an internal electrical component and a camera housing 30 as a case-like housing body.

  On the circuit board 24, an image sensor 26 such as a CCD element is mounted, and a power supply circuit, a signal processing circuit, and the like related to the image sensor 26 are formed.

  In addition, a plurality of electric wires 25 for supplying power and transmitting / receiving signals are connected to the circuit board 24 as wiring members by soldering or the like, and a component-side connector 27 is attached to the ends of the plurality of electric wires 25. As the plurality of electric wires 25, those having a diameter smaller than that of the electric wires 21 a, that is, those having a relatively small diameter suitable for wiring in a narrow place in the camera housing 30 and connection to the circuit board 24 are used.

  The component-side connector 27 is configured such that a plurality of connector terminals 27b are incorporated and held in the connector housing 27a in a predetermined arrangement (here, a substantially square arrangement) in the connector housing 27a.

  Each connector terminal 27 b is connected to the end of the electric wire 25. As each connector terminal 27b, one having a relatively small diameter that can crimp the relatively small diameter electric wire 25 in accordance with the diameter of the electric wire 25 is used.

  Each electric wire 25 connected to each connector terminal 27b is pulled out from one side of the connector housing 27a via the side of each connector terminal 27b (see FIGS. 1 and 2A). Then, in a state where the component-side connector 27 and an inner connector portion 37 to be described later are connected, a substantially central portion of the rear case portion 34 (more specifically, an axis of rotational symmetry of the opening peripheral edge portion 34a of the rear case portion 34). It is pulled out from the component side connector 27 at a position near (A). Thereby, irrespective of the rotational mounting posture with the rear case part 34 with respect to the front case part 32, the required length of each electric wire 25, a wiring aspect, etc. can be made substantially constant.

  In addition, the circuit board 24 is fixed in the camera housing 30 at a position and posture at which the image sensor 26 can capture an external scenery. Here, the circuit board 24 is fixed in the front case portion 32.

  The camera housing 30 has a two-part structure of a front case part 32 as a first case part and a rear case part 34 as a second case part, and the two are combined by screwing or the like through an appropriate sealing material. It is structured to be united densely.

  The front case portion 32 is formed of a resin or the like, and an optical system 30c is incorporated on one main surface thereof. And the image pick-up element 26 in the camera housing 30 is comprised so that an external scenery may be imaged through the said optical system 30c.

  The rear case portion 34 is also formed of resin or the like, and is configured to be able to be attached to the front case portion 32 by selecting one from a plurality of mounting postures with respect to the front case portion 32.

  More specifically, an opening peripheral portion 32a that is a joint portion of the front case portion 32 and an opening peripheral portion 34a that is a joint portion of the rear case portion 34 (including a sealing member provided on the opening peripheral portion 34a). Are formed in a substantially square shape having a rotationally symmetric shape four times. Then, the rear case part 34 can select one of postures in which the rear case part 34 is sequentially rotated about the predetermined rotational symmetry axis A by about 90 degrees with respect to the front case part 32 and can be attached in a liquid-tight manner. It is configured. Here, the predetermined rotational symmetry axis A is an axis A that passes through the center of the joint portion (opening peripheral edge portions 32a, 34a) between the front case portion 32 and the rear case portion 34.

  The opening peripheral edge portions 32a and 34a may be formed in a substantially elliptic shape having a two-rotation symmetric shape or a substantially equilateral triangle shape having a three-fold symmetry shape. In short, a substantially n-rotation symmetric shape (n is 2 or more). Integer). Moreover, the opening peripheral parts 32a and 34a may be formed in a substantially circular shape.

  A plurality (four in this case) of relay terminal members 36 are provided on one main surface (rear surface) of the rear case portion 34.

  Each relay terminal member 36 is a member obtained by bending an intermediate portion of a long conductive member into a substantially L shape, and one end portion thereof is formed to have a smaller diameter than the other end portion. An end portion on the small diameter side of each relay terminal member 36 is formed in an inner connector terminal portion 37 a that can be connected to the connector terminal 27 b of the component-side connector 27. The end portion on the large-diameter side of each relay terminal member 36 is formed in an outer connector terminal portion 38 a that can be connected to the connector terminal 22 b of the harness-side connector 22. That is, one inner connector terminal portion 37a, one outer connector terminal portion 38a corresponding to the inner connector terminal portion 37a, and a connecting conductor (here, an intermediate portion of the relay terminal member 36) connecting them are a single conductive member. It will consist of But each of these parts may be constituted by separate members, and each of these members may be separately connected by soldering, welding, pressure bonding or the like. Incidentally, the relay terminal member 36 also has a function of converting a relatively small-diameter terminal connection structure inside the camera housing 30 into a relatively large-diameter terminal connection structure outside the camera housing 30.

  Such a relay terminal member 36 is formed by, for example, punching a metal plate into an appropriate shape, and is a member obtained by performing Sn plating on a base material such as a copper alloy, for example. The inner connector terminal portion 37a on the small diameter side, which tends to have a smaller contact area with the counterpart terminal, may be plated with gold in order to improve connection reliability. Furthermore, the terminal shapes of the inner connector terminal portion 37a and the outer connector terminal portion 38a of the relay terminal member are preferably formed in a square shape in order to reduce costs. In this case, in order to improve the connection reliability with the mating terminal, the contact surface with the mating terminal is a smooth surface (the surface that was the surface of the base plate material) that is not a shearing surface during the terminal material shearing process. It is preferable that

  These relay terminal members 36 project the inner connector terminal portions 37 a into the rear case portion 34 and the rear case portions 34 in a state where the outer connector terminal portions 38 a project outward from the rear case portion 34. It is insert molded. In addition, a part of a part of the main surface of the rear case part 34 where the relay terminal member 36 is insert-molded may be formed slightly thicker than the other part.

  The inner connector terminal portions 37a are arranged in a predetermined arrangement (here, substantially rectangular shape) on the back side of one main surface of the rear case portion 34, and the inner connector terminal portions 37a are connected to the component-side connector 27 by the inner connector terminal portions 37a. A connectable inner connector portion 37 is configured.

  Further, each outer connector terminal portion 38 a extends toward the outer surface side of the rear case portion 34 in a predetermined arrangement (here, substantially square shape). In other words, each outer connector terminal portion 38a extends along a direction substantially orthogonal to the predetermined rotational symmetry axis A. Further, a substantially cylindrical connector housing 38b is integrally formed on the outer surface of the rear case portion 34 so as to surround the outer connector terminal portions 38a. The connector housing 38b is formed with a lock portion 38d for engaging and holding the connected state with the mating harness side connector 22. Each outer connector terminal portion 38a and connector housing 38b constitute an outer connector 38. As a result, the outer connector 38 to which the harness side connector 22 can be connected from one side of the rear case portion 34 is integrally provided in the rear case portion 34.

  In assembling the in-vehicle camera device configured as described above, the circuit board 24 is fixed in the front case portion 32 and the component-side connector 27 on the circuit board 24 side is connected to the inner connector portion 37 in the rear case portion 34. Connecting. In this state, the circuit board 24 in the front case portion 32 and the component side connector 27 in the rear case portion 34 are connected by a flexible and flexible electric wire 25. For this reason, the attitude | position of the rear case part 34 with respect to the front case part 32 is changeable.

  Then, the rear case portion with respect to the front case portion 32 is directed so that the outer connector 38 is directed in a predetermined one-side outward direction of the camera housing 30 in accordance with the laying aspect of the external harness 21 in the installation corresponding place of the camera device 20. 34 postures are determined and combined. For example, when the external harness 21 is routed below the camera device 20, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer connector 38 is directed toward the lower side of the camera device 20 with respect to the front case portion 32. Combine the rear case part 34. When the external harness 21 is routed above the camera device 20, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer connector 38 faces the front case portion 32 so that the outer connector 38 faces the upper side of the camera device 20. Combine the rear case part 34. Further, when the external harness 21 is routed in the lateral direction of the camera device 20, the rear case portion 34 is assembled to the front case portion 32 so that the outer connector 38 is oriented in the lateral direction of the camera device 20. Match. Then, the front case portion 32 and the rear case portion 34 are fixed using screws or the like.

  Further, when the vehicle-mounted camera device 20 assembled in this way is installed in the vehicle, the harness-side connector 22 of the external harness 21 is connected to the outer connector 38 by a connector. As a result, the circuit board 24, which is an internal electrical device, is connected to an external device such as an external control device or an external power source via the component-side connector 27, the inner connector portion 37, the outer connector 38, the harness-side connector 22 and the external harness 21. Electrically connected.

  According to the camera device 20 configured as described above, the outer case 21 has a plurality of outer connector terminal portions 38 a on the outer surface side of the rear case portion 34 and can be connected to the external harness 21 from one side of the rear case portion 34. A connector 38 is integrally provided. For this reason, when the invasion of the water which transmitted the external harness 21 is prevented more reliably and it is excellent in waterproofness. In addition, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the external harness 21 caused by a change in the installation position and posture of the in-vehicle camera device 20 and a vehicle type to be installed.

  Further, the rear case portion 34 is formed so as to be able to be attached to the front case portion 32 by selecting one of a plurality of mounting postures with respect to the front case portion 32. In this embodiment, the opening peripheral part 32a of the front case part 32 and the opening peripheral part 34a of the rear case part 34 are formed in a substantially n rotationally symmetric shape (n is an integer of 2 or more) or a substantially circular shape. The mounting posture of the second case portion with respect to the first case portion can be changed. For this reason, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the drawing direction of the external harness 21 by appropriately selecting and attaching the mounting posture of the rear case portion 34 to the front case portion 32.

  Further, one of the inner connector terminal portions 37a, one of the outer connector terminal portions 38a, and a connection conductor that connects these terminal portions 37a and 38a are formed by a single relay terminal member 36. Since it is configured, the configuration can be further simplified.

  Moreover, since the relay terminal member 36 including the connection conductor is insert-molded in the rear case portion 34, it can be easily manufactured and is excellent in waterproofness.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the inner connector portion 37 and the component-side connector 27 are connected to each other has been described. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, instead of the inner connector terminal portion 37a, an inner terminal portion that can be soldered or welded is formed, and a lead wire, FFC (flexible flat cable) or FPC (flexible printed circuit board) that is a wiring member on the circuit board 24 side. Or the like may be connected to the inner terminal portion by soldering or welding.

  However, as in the present embodiment, an inner connector portion 37 is provided on the inner surface side of the rear case portion 34, and the circuit board 24 and the component side connector 27 are connected via the electric wires 25. 37 and the component side connector 27 are connected to each other, the electric wire 25 is pulled out from the component side connector 27 in the vicinity of the rotational symmetry axis A or the central axis of the opening peripheral edge portion 34a of the rear case portion 34. Regardless of the mounting posture of the rear case part 34 with respect to the part 32, the drawing position of the electric wire 25 and its required length can be made substantially constant.

  Further, the external harness 21 is not necessarily connected directly to an external device, and may be connected to the external device via a relay harness or the like.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the aspect in which the outer connector 38 extends toward one side of the rear case portion 34 has been described, but this is not necessarily required.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer connector 138 may extend from the rear surface of the rear case portion 134 corresponding to the rear case portion 34 toward the outer direction (rear). . In this example, the relay terminal member 136 corresponding to the relay terminal member 36 is formed linearly in accordance with the extending direction of the outer connector 138.

  Further, these outer connectors 138 may be located at a position shifted from the center portion on the back surface of the rear case portion 34 or may be located at the center portion.

  Even in such a configuration, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to obtain an effect that the waterproof property is excellent and the change of the harness can be easily dealt with. Further, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the mounting posture of the rear case portion 34 with respect to the front case portion 32, thereby making it possible to easily cope with a change in the harness drawing position on the rear case rear surface, and assembling workability. The improvement etc. can be aimed at.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the vehicle-mounted camera apparatus and external harness which concern on embodiment. 2A is a front view showing the rear case portion, FIG. 2B is a bottom view showing the rear case portion, and FIG. 2C is a rear view showing the rear case portion. (D) is sectional drawing which shows a rear case part. It is a figure which shows the other example of the attachment attitude | position of a rear case part. It is sectional drawing which shows the rear case part which concerns on a modification. It is a front view which shows the rear case part which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Camera apparatus 21 External harness 22 Harness side connector 24 Circuit board 25 Electric wire 27 Component side connector 27a Connector housing 27b Connector terminal 30 Camera housing 32 Front case part 32a Opening peripheral part 34 Rear case part 34a Opening peripheral part 36 Relay terminal member 37 Inside Connector part 37a Inner connector terminal part 38 Outer connector 38a Outer connector terminal part 38b Connector housing A Axis of rotation symmetry

Claims (6)

An electrical device connected to an external device via an external harness,
Internal electrical components,
A case-shaped housing body configured by combining the first case portion and the second case portion, and housing the internal electrical component therein;
With
The internal electrical component is fixed to the first case portion;
The second case part is formed so that it can be attached to the first case part by selecting one of a plurality of attachment postures with respect to the first case part.
A plurality of inner terminal portions to which the internal electrical components are electrically connected are provided on the inner surface side of the second case portion, and a plurality of outer connector terminal portions are provided on the outer surface side of the second case portion. Outer connector parts to which the external harness can be connected are integrally provided, and the inner terminal parts and the outer connector terminal parts are respectively connected by connection conductors provided in the second case part, Electrical equipment. An electrical device connected to an external device via an external harness,
Internal electrical components,
A case-like housing body configured by combining the first case portion and the second case portion, and housing the internal electrical component therein;
With
The internal electrical component is fixed to the first case portion;
The second case part is formed so that it can be attached to the first case part by selecting one of a plurality of attachment postures with respect to the first case part,
A plurality of inner terminal portions to which the internal electrical components are electrically connected are provided on the inner surface side of the second case portion, and a plurality of outer connector terminal portions are provided on the outer surface side of the second case portion. An outer connector portion to which the external harness can be connected from one side of the second case portion is integrally provided, and the inner terminal portions and the outer connector terminal portions are provided in the second case portion. Electrical devices that are connected to each other by connected conductors. The electric device according to claim 1 or 2,
The electrical device in which the joint portion of the first case portion and the joint portion of the second case portion are formed in a substantially n rotationally symmetric shape (n is an integer of 2 or more) or a substantially circular shape. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An electrical apparatus in which one of the inner terminal portions, one of the outer connector terminal portions, and a connection conductor that connects these terminal portions are formed of a single conductive member. It is an electric equipment in any one of Claims 1-4,
The connection conductor is an electrical device that is insert-molded in the second case portion. The electric device according to claim 1 or 2,
An inner connector part having each inner terminal part as a connector terminal part is provided on the inner surface side of the second case part,
The internal electrical component and the component side connector connected to the inner connector portion are connected via a wiring member,
In a state where the inner connector part and the component side connector are connected, the wiring member is drawn out from the component side connector part in the vicinity of the rotational symmetry axis or the central axis of the joint part of the second case part, Electrical equipment.

Images