JP4634293B2 - Connector and circuit board case with connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector and a circuit board case with a connector, and more particularly to a connector in which metal terminals are insert-molded and a circuit board case with a connector.

A conventional board connector includes a resin housing that houses a circuit board and an elongated terminal fitting (metal terminal) that is insert-molded in the housing. The portion of the terminal fitting that extends outside the housing is bent into an approximately L shape, and the L shape portion serves as a board connection portion for connection to the circuit board. Further, the tip end portion of the board connecting portion is inserted into a through-hole terminal of the circuit board and fixed in a conductive state by soldering. In the manufacture of such a board connector, after a plurality of terminal fittings are insert-molded in the housing, a portion extending from the housing is bent into an L shape to form a board connection portion. The alignment (position) of each tip portion is likely to be distorted. Therefore, there is known a board connector that can prevent misalignment and deformation of the terminal fitting by assembling the terminal fitting to the housing by insert molding after bending the board connecting portion into an L shape in advance ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-85091 A

  However, in the board connector described in Patent Document 1, the tip of the board connection portion of the terminal fitting is firmly fixed to the through-hole terminal of the circuit board by soldering. Stress between dissimilar materials due to the difference in thermal expansion between the housing and the terminal metal fitting may be applied to the solder part of the circuit board, which may destroy the solder part or deform the circuit board itself. . Also, in resin insert molding of the terminal fitting, when the resin was poured into the cavity with the terminal fitting inserted and supported in the insertion hole of the mold, it occurred between the terminal fitting and the insertion hole. There was also a risk that the resin would enter the gap and extra resin would adhere to the surface of the terminal fitting.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can absorb stress caused by a difference in thermal expansion between different kinds of materials during use and can prevent excessive resin from adhering to the surface of the metal terminal. An object is to provide a connector and a circuit board case with a connector.

  In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a housing portion that is made of resin and extends in the axial direction with one end opened, and a metal terminal that is insert-molded with the housing portion. A connector connecting portion that extends from one end side to the other end side of the housing portion while being surrounded by the housing portion, and is intended to be connected to an external device through the opening, in a substrate thickness direction with respect to the axial direction Is a board connection part that is to be connected to a circuit board that is substantially orthogonal, and is to be joined to a connecting part connected to the other end of the connector connection part and a through-hole terminal of the circuit board. A connector having a bonding portion and a metal terminal having a board connecting portion extending in the substrate thickness direction, wherein the board connecting portion is connected to the connecting portion and the bonding portion. Between the connecting portion and the joint portion, in order, an S-shaped bent portion comprising a first bending point, a second bending point, a third bending point, and a fourth bending point. And the resin constituting the housing portion is in contact with the surface of the portion connecting the first bending point and the second bending point in the bending portion, and the second bending point and the The housing part is provided on at least a surface of the portion connecting to the third bending point that faces the bonding portion side and a surface of the portion that extends from the third bending point to the bonding portion via the fourth bending point. The metal terminal and the housing part are insert-molded in a non-contact state with the resin constituting the.

  A circuit board case with a connector according to a second aspect of the invention is made of a resin, which accommodates a circuit board and the circuit board, and has a housing portion projecting outward in an axial direction with one end opened. A casing and a metal terminal that is insert-molded with the casing, and extends from one end side to the other end side of the housing portion while being surrounded by the housing portion, and is connected to an external device through the opening. A connector connecting part, a board connecting part connected to the circuit board whose board thickness direction is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction, and a connecting part connected to the other end of the connector connecting part and the circuit board With a connector provided with a metal terminal having a joint part to be joined to the through-hole terminal and having a board connection part extending along the board thickness direction In the circuit board case, the board connecting portion includes a first bend point, a second bend point, a first bend, in order from the connecting portion to the joining portion between the connecting portion and the joining portion. A surface of a portion connecting the first bending point and the second bending point in the bending portion, and having an S-shaped bending portion composed of three bending points and a fourth bending point. The resin constituting the casing comes into contact with the surface and faces at least the joint portion among the portions connecting the second bending point and the third bending point, and the fourth bending point from the third bending point. The metal terminal and the casing are insert-molded on the surface of the portion reaching the joint portion through the bending point in a non-contact state with the resin constituting the casing.

  In the connector according to the first aspect of the present invention, the S-shaped bent portion is provided in the board connecting portion of the metal terminal insert-molded in the housing portion, and the second bent point and the third of the bent portions are provided. The resin constituting the housing portion contacts at least the surface facing the joint portion and the surface of the portion extending from the third bend point to the joint portion through the fourth bend among the portions connecting the bend points. Therefore, good spring properties can be obtained at the portion from the second bending point to the fourth bending point of the bent portion. Thereby, even if the through-hole terminal of the circuit board is bonded to the bonded portion of the metal terminal, the stress due to the difference in thermal expansion between different materials can be absorbed by the spring property of the bent portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent a failure such as a breakdown from occurring in the joint portion between the metal terminal and the circuit board due to the stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion.

  Further, in the connector of the present invention, when the metal terminal is inserted into the housing portion, the insertion hole of the mold is closed at a portion connecting the second bending point and the third bending point in the bending portion. be able to. Accordingly, the resin is applied to the surface facing the joint portion of the portion connecting the second bending point and the third bending point, and the surface of the portion reaching the joint portion from the third bending point through the fourth bending point. It can prevent adhesion. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the resin from intervening at the joint portion between the joint portion of the terminal fitting (substrate connection portion) and the through-hole terminal of the circuit board and hindering the electrical connection therebetween.

  In the circuit board case with a connector according to the second aspect of the present invention, an S-shaped bent portion is provided in the board connecting portion of the metal terminal that is insert-molded in the casing. A casing is formed on the surface of the portion connecting the bending point and the third bending point at least on the surface facing the bonding portion side and on the surface of the portion extending from the third bending point to the bonding portion via the fourth bending point. Since the resin is not in contact, good spring properties can be obtained at the portion from the second bending point to the fourth bending point of the bent portion. Thereby, even if the through-hole terminal of the circuit board is bonded to the bonded portion of the metal terminal, the stress due to the difference in thermal expansion between different materials can be absorbed by the spring property of the bent portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent a failure such as a breakdown from occurring in the joint portion between the metal terminal and the circuit board due to the stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion.

  Further, in the circuit board case with a connector of the present invention, when the metal terminal is inserted into the casing, the mold is inserted at the portion of the bent portion connecting the second bent point and the third bent point. The hole can be closed. Accordingly, the resin is applied to the surface facing the joint portion of the portion connecting the second bending point and the third bending point, and the surface of the portion reaching the joint portion from the third bending point through the fourth bending point. It can prevent adhesion. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the resin from intervening at the joint portion between the joint portion of the terminal fitting (substrate connection portion) and the through-hole terminal of the circuit board and hindering the electrical connection therebetween.

  Hereinafter, a circuit board case 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the circuit board case 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the storage case 2, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the upper side of the storage case 2. 4 is a perspective view seen from the bottom side of the storage case 2, FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view around the lower portion of the terminal connecting portion 20 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view, FIG. 7 is a right side view of the metal terminal 80, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the terminal mold 100, and FIG. 9 is a view of the periphery of the bent portion storage chamber 111 shown in FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the terminal mold 100 on which the metal terminals 80 are supported, and FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view around the bent portion storage chamber 111 shown in FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the storage case 2 in which the metal terminal 80 is insert-molded, and FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view around the bent portion 85 of the metal terminal 80, FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view around the bent portion 85 of the metal terminal 80 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 15 shows the storage case 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a circuit board 15 is installed in a storage area 60.

  In the following description, the left side of FIG. 1 is the front side of the circuit board case 1, the right side is the rear side of the circuit board case 1, the upper side is the upper side of the circuit board case 1, the lower side is the lower side of the circuit board case 1, and the front side of the page. The side is the right side of the circuit board case 1 and the depth side of the paper is the left side of the circuit board case 1. Furthermore, the direction of the storage case 2 of FIG. 2 shall follow the direction of FIG. 7 is the front side of the metal terminal 80, the right side is the rear side of the metal terminal 80, the front side of the paper is the right side of the metal terminal 80, and the depth side of the paper is the left side of the metal terminal 80.

The circuit board case 1 of the present embodiment is connected to a sensor-side lead wire (not shown) connected to a gas sensor (not shown) and an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as “ECU”) side that controls the automobile. And at least a sensor control circuit for converting a detection signal output from the gas sensor in accordance with the gas concentration of the specific component into a concentration signal. The circuit board 15 (see FIG. 15) is accommodated and attached to an attachment object such as a vehicle floor. In the circuit board case 1, a plurality of metal terminals 80 that electrically connect the circuit board 15 and the ECU side connector (not shown) are insert-molded and provided in the board connection portion 81 of the metal terminals 80. The shape of the bent portion 85 has the characteristics of the present invention. In addition, as a gas sensor in which the circuit board case 1 of the present embodiment is used, an oxygen sensor for detecting an oxygen concentration in exhaust gas, an all-region air-fuel ratio sensor, or a NO _x concentration in exhaust gas is detected. It includes NO _x sensor is.

  First, the configuration of the circuit board case 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the circuit board case 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open bottom, and is made of a resin that stores the circuit board 15 (see FIG. 15) in the inner storage area 60 (see FIG. 4). The storage case 2 and a metal protective cover 3 that covers the upper portion of the storage case 2 (on the top wall 5a side: see FIG. 2) and protects the storage case 2. Hereinafter, each component of the circuit board case 1 will be described in order.

  First, the storage case 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage case 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case main body 5 having a predetermined bottom and an open bottom, and a substantially central portion of the outer surface of the top wall 5 a of the case main body 5. And a rectangular tube-like support portion 6 that supports a connector exterior portion 7 to be described later, and extends substantially horizontally from the front wall 6a of the support portion 6 toward the front of the support portion 6. The cylindrical connector exterior portion 7 surrounds and protects the front end side (connector connection portion 82 described later) of the plurality of metal terminals 80 connected to the circuit board 15. And the storage case 2 which consists of such a structure is integrally formed with resin, and the case main body 5, the support part 6, and the connector exterior part 7 become a shape which continues mutually. The storage case 2 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a “casing”, and the connector exterior portion 7 and the support portion 6 correspond to a “housing portion”.

  First, the case body 5 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the case main body 5 is formed in a box shape, and includes a top wall 5a, a front wall 5b, a right side wall 5c, a left side wall 5d, and a back wall 5e. As shown in FIG. 4, a circuit board 15 (see FIG. 15) is installed inside the case body 5, and a storage area for sealing the circuit board 15 by filling with urethane (not shown). 60 is provided. Furthermore, pedestal portions 62 for positioning the four corners of the circuit board 15 in contact with the four corners inside the case body 5 are provided. When the circuit board 15 is installed, a double-sided tape 68 (see FIG. 15) is attached to the lower part of the terminal connection portion 20 described later, and the upper surface of the circuit board 15 is bonded to the double-sided tape 68. ing.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a lower portion of a terminal connection portion 20 to be described later protrudes from the central portion of the inner surface of the top wall 5a. And in the front of the terminal connection part 20, the lower end part (joining part 84 mentioned later) of the five metal terminals 80 is each protruded in parallel with right and left. The metal terminal 80 is formed with a bent portion 85 that is bent in an S shape, and the lower half of the bent portion 85 protrudes from the top wall 5a and is exposed. The shape of the metal terminal 80 will be described later.

  Further, the urethane filled in the storage area 60 is filled so as to be in contact with the inner side surfaces of the top wall 5a, the front wall 5b, the right side wall 5c, the left side wall 5d, and the back wall 5e of the case body 5. Thereby, the circuit board 15 installed in the accommodation area | region 60 can be airtightly and watertightly sealed and hold | maintained.

  On the other hand, concave portions 23 that are recessed toward the inside of the case body 5 are provided on the front side and the rear side of the respective outer side surfaces of the right side wall 5c and the left side wall 5d. Further, a locking portion 14 having an engaging claw 44 is provided inside each concave portion 23. And each engagement claw 44 of the four latching | locking parts 14 provided in the right side wall 5c and the left side wall 5d is a pair of engagement holes 57 provided in the right side wall and the left side wall of the protective cover 3 described later, 57 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, the storage case 2 is attached to the inside of the protective cover 3. The structure of the locking portion 14 will be described later.

  Next, the support part 6 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support portion 6 is formed in a rectangular tube shape including a front wall 6 a, a right side wall 6 b, a left side wall 6 c, and a back wall 6 d, and is formed outside the top wall 5 a of the case body 5. It is erected at a predetermined height at a substantially central portion of the side surface. A hole 16 is provided inside the support 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a terminal (not shown) connected to the sensor-side lead wire is inserted into the lower portion of the hole portion 16, and a through-hole terminal (not shown) of the circuit board 15 (see FIG. 15) is inserted. ) Is provided with a pedestal-shaped terminal connection portion 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the terminal connection portion 20 penetrates in a direction orthogonal to the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal connection portion 20 and is a through-hole terminal of the circuit board 15 accommodated in the case body 5. Each of the six connection holes 21 is provided for connection.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of sensor-side lead wires led out from the terminal connection portion 20 toward the outside of the hole portion 16 are provided at the upper end portion of the back wall 6 d toward the rear of the support portion 6. A plurality of cut holes 18 are provided for wiring so as not to be entangled with each other.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a book in which one end is joined to a through-hole terminal (not shown) of a circuit board 15 (see FIG. 15) housed in the case main body 5 at a substantially central portion of the front wall 6a. The front ends of the five L-shaped metal terminals 80, which are the features of the invention, extend through the front wall 6 a of the support portion 6 toward the front of the support portion 6. And the front-end | tip (connector connection part 82 mentioned later) of the some metal terminal 80 which protrudes from the outer surface of these front walls 6a is surrounded and protected by the connector exterior part 7 mentioned later.

  Next, the connector exterior part 7 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylindrical connector exterior portion 7 is provided on the upper side of the front wall 6 a of the support portion 6 and extends substantially horizontally toward the front of the support portion 6. Then, a terminal (not shown) connected to the ECU-side lead wire is inserted into the distal end side of the connector exterior portion 7 so as to be connected to the distal ends (connector connecting portions 82 described later) of the five metal terminals 80. The opening 7a is provided.

  A predetermined gap 8 is provided between the lower portion of the connector exterior portion 7 and the outer surface of the top wall 5 a of the case body 5. Thereby, for example, an ECU side connector exterior portion (not shown) surrounding terminals connected to the plurality of ECU side lead wires is fitted so as to cover the distal end side of the connector exterior portion 7. At this time, the lower part of the outer peripheral edge of the ECU-side connector exterior portion can enter the gap 8. Therefore, the terminal connected to the ECU-side lead wire can be reliably connected to the tip of the metal terminal 80 located inside the connector exterior portion 7. That is, by fitting a tubular ECU-side connector exterior portion (not shown) that surrounds the radial periphery of the terminal electrically connected to the ECU-side lead wire (not shown) into the connector exterior portion 7. The ECU-side lead wire and the sensor-side lead wire are electrically connected via the circuit board 15.

  Next, the protective cover 3 will be described. The protective cover 3 shown in FIG. 1 protects the storage case 2 shown in FIG. 2 from external impacts (for example, stone splashes) and holds the storage case 2 on the inside so as to attach it under the floor of the vehicle. Is. The protective cover 3 is provided so as to cover the bottom and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cover main body 50 having a bottom surface and a part of the top wall 50a, and the opening of the top wall 50a of the cover main body 50. And a box-shaped roof portion 51 having an open bottom surface, and a plurality of sensor sides extending rearward from the back surface of the roof portion 51 and the back surface of the cover main body 50 and drawn from the storage case 2 (support portion 6) side. The lead wire (not shown) includes a roof-like wiring cover 53 having a substantially U-shaped cross section for drawing out the outside of the protective cover 3.

  In addition, on the right side of the front lower end portion of the front surface of the cover main body 50, a bracket 54 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view for attaching the protective cover 3 to the lower floor of the vehicle in a state in which the storage case 2 is stored From the lower end portion, it extends substantially horizontally toward the front of the protective cover 3, and a mounting hole 55 for inserting a mounting screw or mounting bolt is drilled in the approximate center of the bracket 54. On the other hand, a bracket (not shown) similar to the bracket 54 is also provided on the left side of the lower end of the back surface of the cover body 50 (right side toward the back surface of the cover body 50).

  Furthermore, two engagement holes 57 and 57 having a rectangular shape in front view are provided on the right side surface and the left side surface of the cover body 50. Then, the engaging claws 44 of the locking portions 14 of the storage case 2 are engaged with the engaging holes 57, respectively. Accordingly, the storage case 2 can be attached so as to cover the protective cover 3.

  In addition, an opening 52 is provided on the front surface of the roof 51, and the ECU-side connector exterior (not shown) is inserted and fixed to the connector exterior 7 of the storage case 2 through the opening 52. The ECU-side lead wire connected to) can be routed outside the protective cover 3. The roof portion 51 mainly protects the support portion 6 of the storage case 2 and the ECU-side connector exterior portion (not shown) when the protective cover 3 covers the storage case 2. Depending on the mounting location of the substrate case 1, it may be omitted from the protective cover 3.

  Next, the locking part 14 of the storage case 2 will be described. Since all the four locking portions 14 provided on the left and right side walls of the storage case 2 have the same structure, only the locking portion 14 provided in front of the right side wall 5c of the case body 5 will be described here. To do. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the locking portion 14 extends from the lower end portion of the outer surface of the recess 23 provided in the right side wall 5c, and is folded back obliquely upward so that the tip side is separated from the right side wall 5c. A pair of elongated connection support portions 41, 41 spaced apart from each other by a predetermined width, and one end portion of each of the pair of connection support portions 41, 41 is connected to the top wall 5a side of the case body 5 The arch portion 42 bent in an arch shape and the other end portion (upper end portion) opposite to the one end portion (lower end portion) of the arch portion 42 are bent toward the connecting support portion 41 side and stored. When the protective cover 3 is attached to the case 2, the contact portion 43 that contacts the inner surface of the recess 23 and the inner surface of the top wall 50 a of the protective cover 3, and the outer surface of the arch portion 42, the right side wall 5 c Side-view substantially trapezoidal engagement claw protruding toward the opposite side And a 4.

  By covering the protective cover 3 from the upper side of the storage case 2 having such a locking portion 14, the protective cover 3 is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the case body 5 of the storage case 2 in the respective engagement holes 57. Further, the engaging claws 44 of the respective locking portions 14 are engaged with each other. In this way, the protective cover 3 is attached to the storage case 2, and the circuit board case 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is configured. Furthermore, the bottom surface side of the circuit board case 1 is opposed to the lower floor side of the vehicle, and is attached to the vehicle with a pair of brackets 54 of the protective cover 3, so that the storage case 2 is securely attached to the vehicle side. be able to.

  Next, the metal terminal 80 that is a feature of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the metal terminal 80 is formed by bending an elongated metal plate into a substantially L shape. More specifically, the metal terminal 80 includes a columnar substrate connection portion 81 extending in the vertical direction, and extends upward from the upper end portion of the substrate connection portion 81 and is bent at a substantially right angle. The connector connection part 82 of the substantially L shape extended horizontally is comprised. The board connecting portion 81 is connected to the lower end portion of the connector connecting portion 82 and joined to a connecting portion 83 extending downward and a through-hole terminal (not shown) of the circuit board 15 by soldering. Is formed between the joint 84 and the bent portion 85 which is provided between the joint 84 and the connecting portion 83 and bends in a substantially S-shape.

  Next, the connector connecting portion 82 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connector connecting portion 82 is connected to a terminal (not shown) connected to the ECU-side lead wire through the opening 7 a (see FIG. 2) of the connector exterior portion 7 of the storage case 2. It is the part where connection is planned. The connector connecting portion 82 is formed wider and flat than the portion where the bent portion 85 and the joining portion 84 of the board connecting portion 81 are formed. This is because it has durability for connecting to a terminal connected to the ECU-side lead wire and matches the shape of the hole into which the tip of the connector connecting portion 82 in the terminal is inserted.

  Next, the bent portion 85 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the bent portion 85 extends from the first bent point 91, which is the lower end portion of the connecting portion 83, to bend and extend obliquely downward to the distal end side of the connector connecting portion 82. A first extending piece 85a and a second bent point 92, which is the lower end of the first extending piece 85a, are bent in a direction opposite to the distal end side of the connector connecting portion 82 and extended substantially horizontally. From the second extending piece 85b and the third bending point 93 which is the other end of the second extending piece 85b opposite to the one end on the second bending point 92 side, the first extending piece 85a A third extending piece 85c that is bent and extended in a direction parallel to the extending direction, and a lower end portion of the third extending piece 85c that is bent and connected to the upper end portion of the joint portion 84. And a fourth bending point 94. Therefore, the bent portion 85 has a shape that bends in the front-rear direction of the metal terminal 80.

  The first extending piece 85a shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 corresponds to “a portion connecting the first bending point and the second bending point”, and the second extending piece 85b is “the second extending piece 85b”. The third extending piece 85c corresponds to “a portion connecting the third bending point and the third bending point”, and the third extending piece 85c corresponds to “a portion connecting the third bending point to the fourth bending point”.

  Next, an insert molding technique for the metal terminal 80 to the storage case 2 will be described. The storage case 2 shown in FIG. 2 is molded by pouring resin into a cavity of a mold unit composed of a plurality of molds. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to insert-mold the metal terminal 80, a terminal mold 100 capable of supporting the metal terminal 80 as shown in FIG. 8 is used.

  Next, the terminal mold 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal mold 100 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a front surface 100a, a right side surface 100b, a left side surface 100c, an upper surface 100d, a bottom surface, and a back surface. In addition, five insertion holes 110 for inserting and supporting the joint portions 84 of the board connection portions 81 of the five metal terminals 80 are provided on the upper surface 100d at predetermined intervals. Further, these insertion holes 110 are extended to the vicinity of the bottom of the terminal mold 100, and the opening ends are bent to accommodate only a predetermined portion below the bent portion 85 of the metal terminal 80. Department storage rooms 111 are provided. Then, with the tip of the connector connecting portion 82 of the metal terminal 80 facing the front of the terminal mold 100 with respect to the insertion hole 110 of the terminal mold 100 having such a shape, the metal terminal 80 The board connecting portion 81 is inserted.

  Next, the bent portion storage room 111 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the bent portion storage chamber 111 is formed in an opening on the upper surface 100 d of the terminal mold 100. Furthermore, the bent portion storage chamber 111 is long in the front-rear direction of the terminal mold 100, and has a rectangular parallelepiped first storage portion 121 that can store the entire second extending piece 85b, and a lower portion of the first storage portion 121. The second housing part 122 is connected and is long on the rear side of the terminal mold 100 and can accommodate the entire third extending piece 85c. Therefore, the bent portion storage chamber 111 stores the second extended piece 85b and the third extended piece 85c in the bent portion 85, and does not store the first extended piece 85a. As a result, the first extending piece 85 a is exposed by protruding upward from the upper surface 100 d of the terminal mold 100.

  Next, a method for supporting the metal terminal 80 in the terminal mold 100 will be described. First, the board connecting portion 81 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the metal terminal 80 is inserted into each insertion hole 110 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the terminal mold 100. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the joint portion 84 of the board connection portion 81 of the metal terminal 80 is inserted inside each insertion hole 110, and a predetermined portion of the bent portion 85 is stored in the bent portion storage chamber 111. The

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the surface of the second bending point 92 of the bent portion 85 contacts the inner surface of the first housing portion 121 on the front surface 100 a side of the terminal mold 100. On the other hand, the surface of the third bending point 93 of the bent portion 85 is in contact with the inner surface on the back side of the terminal mold 100 among the inner surfaces of the second storage portion 122. As a result, the bent portion storage chamber 111 is closed by the second extending piece 85 b of the bent portion 85. Furthermore, since the fourth bending point 94 of the bent portion 85 abuts on the corner portion of the second storage portion 122, the entire bent portion 85 is supported inside the bent portion storage chamber 111. Thereby, only the 1st extension piece 85a can be made to protrude upward from the upper surface 100d of the bending part storage chamber 111 among the bending parts 85. FIG.

  Next, an insert molding technique for the metal terminal 80 using a mold unit will be described. First, the metal terminal 80 is inserted and supported in each insertion hole 110 of the terminal mold 100. Next, the terminal mold 100 is combined with a plurality of other molds used for forming the storage case 2. Then, resin is poured into the cavity of a mold unit composed of the plurality of molds. Then, the resin enters the bent portion storage chamber 111 of the insertion hole 110 of the terminal mold 100. However, the first storage portion 121 is closed by the second extending piece 85b. For this reason, the resin is blocked by the second extending piece 85b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the resin from entering below the second extending piece 85b.

  Next, the shape around the bent portion 85 of the metal terminal 80 insert-molded in the storage case 2 will be described. As described above, the storage case 2 in which the five metal terminals 80 are insert-molded can be obtained by removing the mold unit into which the resin has been poured. In this storage case 2, as shown in FIG. 12, the metal terminal 80 is supported in a state where its own joint 84 protrudes from the inner surface of the top wall 5 a of the storage case 2 toward the storage region 60. . In the bent portion 85, since the intrusion of the resin is blocked by the second extending piece 85b, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the resin is applied to the surface of the second extending piece 85b that faces the joint portion 84. It is not attached. Further, no resin adheres to both side surfaces of the third extending piece 85c. Thereby, since the bending part 85 can use the 2nd bending point 92-the 4th bending point 94 as a fulcrum, the favorable spring property which bends in the up-down direction of the storage case 2 can be obtained.

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 15, the circuit board 15 is installed in the storage area 60 of the storage case 2 in which the metal terminals 80 are insert-molded. The circuit board 15 abuts its own square on four pedestal parts 62 provided on the inner square of the case body 5 and is bonded to the lower part of the terminal connection part 20 via a double-sided tape 68. Further, the joint 84 of the metal terminal 80 is joined to the through-hole terminal (not shown) of the circuit board 15 by soldering. Then, urethane is poured into the storage area 60 of the storage case 2 with the circuit board 15 temporarily fixed. In this way, the circuit board 15 is sealed in the storage area 60 of the storage case 2 in a watertight manner. For example, when heat is applied to the storage case 2 to which the circuit board 15 is fixed, the resin that is the material of the storage case 2 thermally expands, and the relative position between the metal terminal 80 and the circuit board 15 is displaced. Arise. In this case, the bent portion 85 bends so as to correct the positional deviation. As a result, the stress applied to the soldered portion of the through-hole terminal of the circuit board 15 is reduced, so that it is possible to prevent the soldered portion from being damaged or the circuit board 15 from being deformed.

  As described above, the circuit board case 1 according to this embodiment includes the storage case 2 that stores the circuit board 15 and the protective cover 3 that is attached to the storage case 2. The storage case 2 is insert-molded with metal terminals 80 that electrically connect the circuit board 15 and an ECU-side connector (not shown). The metal terminal 80 includes a board connecting portion 81 and a connector connecting portion 82, and the board connecting portion 81 includes a bent portion 85 that is bent in a substantially S shape. Further, the bent portion 85 has a shape that bends at four locations, a first bent point 91, a second bent point 92, a third bent point 93, and a fourth bent point 94, and includes a first extending piece 85a and a second extending point. The formed piece 85b and the third extending piece 85c are formed in a substantially S shape.

  And since the resin which comprises the storage case 2 is not contacting the surface which faces the junction part 84 side of the 2nd extension piece 85b and the surface of the 3rd extension piece 85c among the bending parts 85, the bending part 85 Good spring properties can be obtained. Therefore, in the state where the resin is in contact with the surface of the bent portion 85 facing the connecting portion 83 side of the first extending piece 85a and the surface of the second extending piece 85b (in the present embodiment, the bonding portion 84). Even if the through-hole terminal of the circuit board 15 is joined to the bent portion 85, the stress due to the difference in thermal expansion between the metal terminal 80 and the circuit board 15 and the difference in thermal expansion between the metal terminal 80 and the storage case 2 is applied. It can be absorbed by the spring property.

  Further, when the metal terminal 80 including the bent portion 85 is insert-molded in the storage case 2, the metal terminal 80 is inserted into and supported by the insertion hole 110 of the terminal mold 100. Further, a bent portion storage chamber 111 is provided at the opening end of the insertion hole 110, and a portion of the bent portion 85 of the metal terminal 80 is stored and supported in the bent portion storage chamber 111. . Inside the bent portion storage chamber 111, the second bent point 92 and the third bent point 93 of the bent portion 85 come into contact with the inner surface of the bent portion storing chamber 111 of the terminal mold 100. Thereby, since the bent portion storage chamber 111 can be completely closed by the second extending piece 85 b, the resin is applied to the third extending piece 85 c, the fourth bending point 94, and the joint portion 84 among the bent portions 85. It can prevent adhesion. And the metal terminal 80 insert-molded in the storage case 2 has its joint part 84 and the third extending piece 8c of the bent part 85 from the inner surface of the top wall 5a of the storage case 2 to the storage area 60 side. Can be protruded.

  Needless to say, the circuit board case of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, the bent portion 85 of the metal terminal 80 in the present embodiment has a shape that bends forward and backward in the axial direction of the connector exterior portion 7, but may be bent to the left and right in the axial direction.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the resin is in close contact with the surface of the bent portion 85 facing the connecting portion 83 side of the second extending piece 85b, but the resin does not necessarily have to be in contact.

  The present invention is not limited to gas sensors, and can be applied to various circuit board cases that house circuit boards on which circuits for controlling in-vehicle electrical components such as glow plugs, pressure sensors, and temperature sensors are formed.

2 is a perspective view of the circuit board case 1 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage case 2 as viewed from the front side. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the upper side of the storage case 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the storage case 2 as viewed from the bottom side. It is the elements on larger scale of the lower periphery of the terminal connection part 20 shown in FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a metal terminal 80. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the metal terminal 80. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal mold 100. FIG. It is the elements on larger scale around the bending part storage room 111 shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the metal mold | die 100 for terminals with which the metal terminal 80 was supported. It is the elements on larger scale around the bending part storage room 111 shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the storage case 2 by which the metal terminal 80 was insert-molded. It is the elements on larger scale around the bending part 85 of the metal terminal 80 shown in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale around the bending part 85 of the metal terminal 80 shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state in which the circuit board 15 was installed in the storage area | region 60 of the storage case 2 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Circuit board case 2 Storage case 7 Connector exterior part 7a Opening 15 Circuit board 80 Metal terminal 81 Board connection part 82 Connector connection part 83 Connection part 84 Joining part 85 Bending part 85a 1st extension piece 85b 2nd extension piece 85c Third extending piece 91 First bending point 92 Second bending point 93 Third bending point 94 Fourth bending point

Claims (2)

A housing portion that is made of resin and extends in the axial direction with one end opened,
A metal terminal that is insert-molded with the housing part,
A connector connecting part that extends from one end side to the other end side of the housing part while being surrounded by the housing part, and is intended to be connected to an external device through the opening.
A board connection part to be connected to a circuit board whose board thickness direction is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction, the connection part connected to the other end of the connector connection part, and a through-hole terminal of the circuit board And a metal terminal having a board connection part extending in the board thickness direction, and having a joint part scheduled to be joined to the board,
The board connecting portion includes a first bending point, a second bending point, a third bending point, and a fourth bending point in order from the connecting portion toward the connecting portion between the connecting portion and the connecting portion. And has an S-shaped bent portion consisting of
Among the bent portions, the resin constituting the housing portion comes into contact with the surface of the portion connecting the first bent point and the second bent point, and the second bent point and the third bent point. Resin constituting the housing portion is formed on at least a surface facing the joint portion and a surface extending from the third bending point to the joint portion through the fourth bending point. The connector, wherein the metal terminal and the housing portion are insert-molded in a non-contact state. A circuit board;
A housing made of resin that houses the circuit board and has a housing portion that extends in the axial direction with one end opened and projects outward,
A metal terminal insert-molded with the casing,
A connector connecting part that extends from one end side to the other end side of the housing part while being surrounded by the housing part, and is intended to be connected to an external device through the opening.
A board connecting portion connected to the circuit board whose board thickness direction is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction, and joined to a connecting portion connected to the other end of the connector connecting portion and a through-hole terminal of the circuit board A circuit board case with a connector provided with a metal terminal having a connecting portion to be provided and a board connecting portion extending along the board thickness direction,
The board connecting portion includes a first bending point, a second bending point, a third bending point, and a fourth bending point in order from the connecting portion toward the connecting portion between the connecting portion and the connecting portion. And has an S-shaped bent portion consisting of
Of the bent portions, the resin constituting the casing is in contact with the surface of the portion connecting the first bent point and the second bent point, and the second bent point and the third bent point are The surface of the portion connecting the at least the surface facing the joint portion and the surface of the portion extending from the third bending point to the joint portion through the fourth bending point are not in contact with the resin constituting the casing In this state, the circuit board case with a connector, wherein the metal terminal and the casing are insert-molded.

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