JP5490286B2 - Electronic control unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic control device in which an electronic component is mounted on an electronic circuit board and the electronic circuit board is accommodated in a housing.

An electronic control device used for control of a vehicle or the like is made of a resin or a metal to mount a plurality of electronic components on an electronic circuit board on which a connector for electrical connection with the outside is arranged and protect the electronic components. Housed in a housing.
Among the electronic control devices, for example, an engine room or a type directly mounted on the engine has a waterproof structure in consideration of water exposure. As an example of such an electronic control device, an electronic device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is disclosed. There is a control unit.

This electronic control device has a structure in which an electronic circuit board on which connectors are arranged is sandwiched by using a casing composed of a base and a cover that are divided into upper and lower parts. A space between the end surface of the peripheral wall of the base and the flange portion of the cover is sealed with a waterproof sealant.
Also, the seal structure at the joint surface between the base and the connector and between the cover and the connector has a groove in the connector, a protrusion on the cover side at a position corresponding to this groove, and a protrusion on the base side. And a waterproof seal material is disposed in the groove of the connector to seal between the cover and the connector and between the base and the connector.

JP 2003-258454 A (FIGS. 4 and 5)

In an electronic control device having a waterproof structure as shown in Patent Document 1, after assembling the electronic control device in order to guarantee the waterproof property, it is necessary to check the waterproof property by an airtightness confirmation test.
In an electronic control device that uses adhesive or liquid packing as the sealant, if the amount of sealant applied is small in the airtightness confirmation test of the case, and the case does not meet the prescribed criteria, It is necessary to apply a sealant to the joints of the body from the outside and perform a retest.

However, in the case of this electronic control device, it is difficult to easily identify the amount of sealant applied at each joint of the housing, and it is difficult to identify air leak locations, that is, locations where sealant coating needs to be applied. Met.
And, for example, if a complicated operation such as submerging the electronic control device in a water tank in which water is stored and sending air into the electronic control device to specify the air leak location, the leak location can be specified. It is not realistic to carry out such work on the production line of the electronic control device from the viewpoint of line space, capital investment and production cost.

As described above, the conventional electronic control device has a problem that it is difficult to identify a portion of the sealant with a high possibility of air leakage at the assembly site and to apply the sealant only to that portion. there were.
As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to apply a sealing agent to the entire circumference from the outside of the casing of the electronic control device. However, in this case, the amount of the sealing agent used is increased, which increases the cost of the electronic control device. there were.

It is an object of the present invention to solve such a problem, and it is possible to visually identify a portion with a small amount of sealant, which is highly likely to leak air from a joint portion, and is airtight. An object of the present invention is to obtain an electronic control device in which the rejection rate of the test is reduced by applying a sealant to a place specified visually before the confirmation test is performed, and the work efficiency of the assembly is improved.
Also, an object of the present invention is to obtain an electronic control device that makes it possible to reduce the amount of sealant used by applying the sealant to an appropriate amount by applying the sealant only to a portion where the sealant is applied in a large amount. To do.

An electronic control device according to the present invention includes an electronic circuit board on which electronic components are mounted, and the electronic circuit board is housed, and a plurality of casing members are sealed with a sealant applied to each joint surface. And a housing configured with
Of the pair of joined casing members, one casing member is provided with a claw that is elastically locked to the other casing member, and the sealant application surface is provided at the base of the claw. A hole is provided at a position opposite to, and after the casing is joined, the application state of the sealant can be confirmed from the hole.

According to the electronic control device according to the present invention, a space where the application state of the sealant can be visually observed from the outside in a state where each housing member is joined at the joint portion where the housing members are joined together. Since it is provided, it is possible to visually identify a portion of the sealant where there is a high possibility that air leaks from the joint, and it is possible to eliminate the test by applying additional coating before conducting the airtightness confirmation test. The acceptance rate is reduced and the work efficiency of assembly is improved.
In addition, when the sealant is reapplied, the amount of the sealant used can be made appropriate by applying only to the portion where the sealant is small, and the waste of the sealant can be omitted.

It is the disassembled perspective view which showed typically the structure of the electronic control apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the main part before joining the cover and the base in FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the main part after the cover and the base in FIG. 1 are joined, and FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the modification of the junction part of a cover and a base. It is a perspective view of the nail | claw of FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the main part before joining the cover and the base of the electronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the main part after the cover and the base are joined. is there. It is the exploded sectional view showing typically the structure of the electronic control unit of Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a main part before joining the housing body and the lid in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the main part after joining the housing body and the lid.

  The electronic control device according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent members and portions will be described using the same reference numerals.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the structure of an electronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The electronic control device includes an electronic circuit board 2 on which electronic components 5 are mounted, and a housing that houses the electronic circuit board 2.
The housing supports the base 4 and the cover 1 that cover the electronic circuit board 2 from both sides, and the connector 3 that is electrically connected to the electronic circuit board 2, and the opening formed by the base 4 and the cover 1. It is comprised with the lid | cover 30 which closed 36. FIG.
In addition, the lid | cover 30 and the connector 3 are good also as one component instead of a separate member.
In this embodiment, the casing members constituting the casing are the base 4, the cover 1, and the lid 30.
The cover 1, the base 4 and the lid 30 are preferably made of a metal having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum in consideration of heat dissipation, but other materials may be used as long as heat dissipation is not required.

The base 4 and the cover 1 are joined using a sealant 20 at the three sides of the rectangular base 4 and the three sides of the cover 1. The lid 30 is bonded to one side portion of the rectangular base 4 at the lower end thereof using the sealing agent 20, and the inner peripheral edge portion of the opening 36 enlarging in the trapezoidal shape of the cover 1 and the sealing agent at the upper end surface thereof. 20 is used.
The sealing agent 20 is applied to the groove 10 formed along the four sides of the base 4 and the groove 11 formed along the upper end surface of the lid 30, respectively.

2A is a cross-sectional view of the main part before joining the cover 1 and the base 4 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the main part after the cover 1 and the base 4 in FIG.
At the lower end of the cover 1, a protrusion 12 is formed that is bent at the root portion over the entire area. The width W1 of the protrusion 12 is smaller than the width W2 of the groove 10.
When the cover 1 and the base 4 are joined to each other, the protrusion 12 is lowered while the inner wall surface 39 of the protrusion 12 comes into surface contact with the inner wall surface 34 of the groove 10 of the base 4, and the sealing agent 20 applied to the groove 10 is removed. It is supposed to crush.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the cover 1 and the base 4 are joined, the sealing agent 20 is pushed away into the space 16 generated by the difference between the width W2 of the groove 10 and the width W1 of the protrusion 12 of the cover 1. ing. This space 16 is a gap generated in the joint when the protrusion 12 is inserted into the groove 10.
Therefore, it is possible to visually check the application state of the sealing agent 20 in a state where the cover 1 and the base 4 are joined through the space 16 formed in the joint portion between the cover 1 and the base 4.
In this example, the space 16 for confirming the application state of the sealing agent 20 from the outside by visual observation is provided in parallel with the base 4 in the horizontal direction.
Therefore, since the application state of the sealant 20 can be easily confirmed in an easy posture without moving the casing, the confirmation workability is good.
Further, since the projection 12 of the cover 1 falls while the inner wall surface 39 of the projection 12 comes into surface contact with the inner wall surface 34 of the groove 10 of the base 4, the sealing agent 20 does not flow into the inside of the housing, but from the outside. Therefore, the location where the sealant 20 is insufficient can be easily identified.

In addition, the space 16 formed in the joint portion between the base 4 and the cover 1 has an opening width for performing additional coating from the outside, and functions as a reservoir for the sealing agent 20. When the amount of ink is small, the repainting operation can be easily performed through the space 16.
The opening width of the space 16 is larger than the diameter of the nozzle 50 of the sealing agent injection means for applying the sealing agent 20 from the outside, and the nozzle 50 is directed to the groove 20 through the space 16 to increase the application of the sealing agent 20. Work is done.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of an example in which a space 16A for confirming the application state of the sealing agent 20 is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction.
In this example, a protruding portion 38 extending in the horizontal direction is formed at the lower end portion of the cover 1, and a space 16 </ b> A is formed between the protruding portion 38 and the base 4.
When the space 16A is provided in the vertical direction with respect to the base 4, it is necessary to move the housing and check the joint surface in order to check the application state of the sealant 20 compared to the case where the space 16 is provided in the horizontal direction. However, the outer dimension of the casing can be designed to be small as much as the area for storing the sealant 20 is secured in the vertical direction, which is advantageous for downsizing.
Note that the color of the sealing agent 20 is different from that of the cover 1, the base 4 and the lid 30 which are the casing members of the casing, so that the application state of the sealing agent 20 can be more easily confirmed. Also good.
Moreover, you may make it more easily confirm the application state of the sealing agent 20 in each junction part of the cover 1, the base 4, and the lid | cover 30 by making the cover 1 into a colorless and transparent raw material.
In this case, there may be no space for the joint portion.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the claw 13 provided on the cover 1.
Claws 13 are formed at three locations on the lower edge of the cover 1.
A hole 14 is formed at the base of the nail 13. Corresponding to the claw 13, a locked portion 37 is formed on the base 4. By elastically locking the claw 13 to the locked portion 3, the cover 1, the base 4 and the lid 30 are prevented from moving relative to each other until the sealant 20 is cured.

The base hole 14 is formed when the claw 13 is molded, and the application state of the sealant 20 is confirmed through the hole 14 in the same manner as the joint surface of the cover 1 and the base 4 other than the claw 13. Can do.
Further, the hole 14 has an opening width for refilling the sealant 20 and is coated with the sealant 20 in the same manner as the space 16 at the joint portion between the cover 1 and the base 4 other than the claw 13. Used as additional storage.
Note that the amount of the sealant 20 applied may be determined based on the height of the sealant 20 in the hole 14.

Therefore, the application state of the sealing agent 20 can be confirmed also on the nail 13, and the same effect as that of the site without the nail 13 can be obtained.
Moreover, since the hole 14 provided in the base part of the nail | claw 13 was made into the structure which has the opening width which can apply the sealing agent 20 more, the workability | operativity at the time of additional coating improves.

  The structure of the joint portion between the cover 1 and the lid 30 is the same as the structure of the joint portion between the cover 1 and the base 4, and the cover 1 passes through the space formed at the joint portion between the cover 1 and the lid 30. There is an effect that the application state of the sealing agent 20 in a state where the cover 30 and the lid 30 are joined can be visually confirmed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
4A is a cross-sectional view of the main part before the cover 1 and the base 4 of the electronic control device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention are joined, and FIG. 4B is a diagram after the cover 1 and the base 4 are joined. It is principal part sectional drawing.
In this embodiment, the cover 1 is formed with a jetty 18 inside the projection 12A and facing the projection 12A. The dimension of the jetty 18 extending to the base 4 side is longer than the dimension of the protrusion 12A extending to the base 4 side.
Other configurations are the same as those of the electronic control device of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, before the protrusion 12A of the cover 1 crushes the sealant 20, the inner wall surface 40 of the jetty 18 hits the inner wall surface 35 of the base 4, and the intrusion path of the sealant 20 into the housing is formed. Since it descends while blocking, the sealing agent 20 is prevented from entering the inside of the housing.
Further, in the first embodiment, in FIG. 2B, the protrusion 12 is covered with the sealing agent 20 on two surfaces, whereas in this embodiment 2, the entire surface of the protrusion 12A is the sealing agent 20. Compared to the first embodiment, the adhesion distance of the protrusion 12A to the sealing agent 20 is long, and the adhesive strength and the sealing performance between the cover 1 and the base 4 are high.
Other operations and effects are the same as those of the electronic control device of the first embodiment.

  The structure of the joint portion between the cover 1 and the lid 30 is the same as the structure of the joint portion between the cover 1 and the base 4, and the cover 1 passes through the space formed at the joint portion between the cover 1 and the lid 30. There is an effect that the application state of the sealing agent 20 in a state where the cover 30 and the lid 30 are joined can be visually confirmed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the electronic control device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the main part before joining the housing body 7 and the lid 30A of FIG. FIG. 6 and FIG. 6B are cross-sectional views of the main part after the casing body 7 and the lid 30A are joined.
In the electronic control device of this embodiment, the housing body 7 that is a housing member that houses the electronic circuit board 2A and the connector 3A that is electrically connected to the electronic circuit board 2A are supported, and the housing body 7 And a lid 30A that is a casing member that closes the opening 36A.
In addition, the lid | cover 30 and the connector 3 are good also as one component instead of a separate member.
The housing body 7 has a groove 10A formed so as to surround the entire circumference of the opening 36A. A protrusion 12A is formed on the lid 30A so as to face the groove 10A to which the sealing agent 20A is applied.

  In this embodiment, when the lid 30 and the housing body 7 are joined, the protrusion 12A descends while the inner wall surface 39A is in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface 42 of the housing body 7 and is applied to the groove 10A. The sealing agent 20A is crushed.

As shown in FIG. 6B, a space 16B is provided at the joint between the lid 30A and the housing body 7, and the sealing agent 20A is washed away into the space 16B, and through the space 16B, The application state of the sealing agent 20A when the housing body 7 is joined can be confirmed.
Further, the space 16B for confirming the application state of the sealant 20A in the groove 10A of the housing body 7 has an opening width for performing additional coating from the outside, and functions as a reservoir for the sealant 20A. When the amount of 20A is small, the repainting operation can be easily performed through the space 16B.
The opening width of the space 16B is larger than the diameter of the nozzle 50 of the sealing agent injection means used for recoating.

In the first and second embodiments, the groove 10 is formed on the base 4 and the protrusion 12 is formed on the cover 1, but the groove may be formed on the cover and the protrusion may be formed on the base.
In the third embodiment, the groove 10A is formed on the casing body 7 and the protrusion 12A is formed on the lid 30A. However, the groove may be formed on the lid and the protrusion may be formed on the casing body.
In the first and second embodiments, the casing is configured by using three casing members. In the third embodiment, the casing is configured by using two casing members. The housing | casing comprised with the above housing | casing members may be sufficient.

  1 Cover (housing member), 2, 2A Electronic circuit board, 3, 3A connector, 4 Base (housing member), 5 Electronic component, 7 Housing body (housing member), 10, 10A, 11 Groove, 12 , 12A protrusion, 13 claws, 14 holes, 16, 16A, 16B space, 18 jetty, 20, 20A sealant, 30, 30A lid (housing member), 34, 35, 39, 39A, 40 inner wall surface, 36, 36A Opening part, 37 to-be-latched part, 38 protrusion part, 42 outer peripheral surface, 50 nozzle.

Claims (5)

An electronic circuit board on which electronic components are mounted, and a housing configured to house the electronic circuit board and have a plurality of housing members sealed with a sealant applied to each joint surface ,
Of the pair of joined casing members, one casing member is provided with a claw that is elastically locked to the other casing member, and the sealant application surface is provided at the base of the claw. The electronic control device is characterized in that a hole is provided at a position opposite to and the application state of the sealant can be confirmed from the hole after the casing is joined.   Of the casing members, a groove to which the sealing agent is applied is formed on the joint surface of one casing member, and a projection directed to the groove is formed on the other casing member. The electronic control device according to claim 1.   The electronic control device according to claim 2, wherein the claw and the hole are provided in the housing member on the side where the protrusion is formed.   A jetty that prevents the sealant from entering the housing when the pair of housing members are joined to each other is provided inside the joint. The electronic control device according to any one of the above.   The electronic control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealant has a color different from that of the housing.

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