JP6499676B2 - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device including a housing having a vent hole.

  In general, an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on a vehicle includes a circuit board on which a control circuit for controlling an in-vehicle device is mounted, and a housing that accommodates the circuit board inside. ing.

  Further, the ECU casing may be provided with a vent hole that allows the internal space and the external space of the casing to communicate with each other, thereby preventing deformation of the casing due to a pressure difference inside and outside the casing. Since such a vent can be a path for foreign matter such as water and dust to enter the internal space of the housing, the opening of the vent is normally blocked by a vent filter having air permeability and waterproofness. ing.

  However, an ECU disposed in an engine room may be exposed to, for example, high-pressure washing water, and the ventilation filter mounted on the housing may be deformed or dropped depending on the degree of impact of the washing water. There is. If there is a problem with the installation of the ventilation filter that closes the ventilation hole, it is impossible to block the entry of foreign matter into the internal space of the housing, and various measures are taken to protect the ventilation filter. .

  For example, in Patent Document 1, an inner pipe whose one end is covered with a ventilation filter is attached to a cylindrical ventilation portion provided outside the casing, and a filter protective cap is attached so that the upper portion of the ventilation filter is covered. An electronic device provided is disclosed. According to such an electronic device, since the high-pressure washing water flying to the ventilation filter can be blocked by the filter protection cap, the ventilation filter can be prevented from being deformed or dropped out.

  However, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 requires a plurality of dedicated parts such as an inner pipe and a filter protection cap to be attached to the ventilation portion, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost. Further, since the ventilation portion of Patent Document 1 protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the surface of the casing, the frequency of impact on the ventilation portion due to vibration, negligence, etc. increases, and the connection portion between the cylindrical portion and the casing It tends to cause deterioration of mechanical strength.

  Furthermore, since the ventilation portion of Patent Document 1 is provided only in the vicinity of a specific heating element mounted on the circuit board, the heat dissipation effect for other heating elements other than the specific heating element is limited, The heat dissipation efficiency of the entire casing cannot be sufficiently increased.

  In order to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the housing, for example, a method of increasing the air permeability of the housing by using a plurality of vent holes provided in the housing can be considered, Since a sufficient space for providing a plurality of vent holes and a plurality of protective members for protecting the vent holes cannot be secured, it is difficult to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the ECU.

JP 2002-353675 A

  From such a background, in an electronic device including a housing provided with a vent hole, it is desired to protect the vent hole with a low cost and simple configuration and to increase the heat dissipation efficiency of the electronic device.

One embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device including a housing and a circuit board accommodated in an internal space of the housing. The casing is provided with a gap that opens to an external space, and the gap has an opening that opens to the external space from one side of the casing to the other side. is configured to extend continuously to the side, a portion of the surfaces forming the gap, the opening of the through hole is provided for communicating the said internal space and the external space.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the opening of the through hole is provided on one of two opposing surfaces constituting the gap .
According to another aspect of the present invention, the opening of the through hole is provided on another surface different from the two surfaces facing each other among the surfaces constituting the gap .
According to another aspect of the present invention, the gap has a triangular shape with two sides of the one side surface and the other one side surface in a plan view of a portion of the housing where the gap is formed. Is provided .
According to another aspect of the present invention, a ventilation filter is provided so as to close the opening.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the electronic device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electronic device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cross section of the electronic device which concerns on the modification of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, as an electronic device according to the present invention, for example, an electronic control device (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) that is mounted on a vehicle and performs at least one function control in the vehicle is shown. The configuration of the electronic device of the present invention can be widely applied to general electronic devices.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the electronic device 10, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The electronic device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 101 and a circuit board 103 accommodated in the housing 101.

  The circuit board 103 is, for example, a circuit board that constitutes an electronic device that is mounted on a vehicle and controls the engine of the vehicle, and includes a control circuit that includes electrical components 104a to 104d such as semiconductor elements that generate heat during operation, and a connector. 102 is mounted, and an external control device (not shown) electrically connected via the connector 102 is controlled. The circuit board 103 is, for example, a rectangular flat plate, and is configured by a multilayer board (for example, a multilayer printed wiring board) in which a plurality of insulator layers having a predetermined dielectric constant are stacked.

  The housing 101 includes a cover 101a and a base 101b. The cover 101a and the base 101b can be made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as metal (for example, aluminum). The base 101b is provided with a circuit board 103 on its bottom surface, and a rectangular opening is provided above the bottom surface. The cover 101a is disposed above the base 101b so as to close the rectangular opening of the base 101b.

  The cover 101a and the base 101b are bonded and fixed to each other via an adhesive such as waterproof grease applied along the opening of the base 101b to constitute the housing 101. And the circuit board 103 is accommodated in the internal space 120 of the housing | casing 101 comprised by the cover 101a and the base 101b. Note that the fixing of the cover 101a and the base 101b is not limited to an adhesive, and for example, a fastening member such as a screw can be used. In the following description, an inner portion of the housing 101 that is an area surrounded by the cover 101a and the base 101b is referred to as an internal space of the housing 101, and an outside of the area is referred to as an external space of the housing 101.

  Here, in the electronic apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the gaps 107a and 107b and the flanges 105a and 105b that cover the gaps 107a and 107b from above in the drawing are particularly provided on the outer surface of the cover 101a that constitutes the casing 101. I have. In FIG. 1 (a), the portion in the gap that is hidden by the flanges 105a and 105b is indicated by a broken line.

  The flanges 105a and 105b are plate-like bodies having a right-angled triangular shape in a plan view protruding in a direction perpendicular to the side surfaces (side surfaces 110, 112, and 114) of the housing 101, and are formed in the upper portions of the gaps 107a and 107b in the drawing. It is arranged. The flange portion 105a is a part of the upper portion 109, a portion of the first side surface 110, a portion of the second side surface 112, and a corner where the first side surface 110 and the second side surface 112 are orthogonal to each other. Contains parts. Further, the flange portion 105b has a part of the upper portion 109 of the housing 101, a part of the second side surface 112, a part of the third side surface 114, and a corner where the second side surface 112 and the third side surface 114 are orthogonal to each other. Includes some.

  Note that the cover 101a having such a configuration is formed by, for example, cutting a rectangular column-shaped concave portion corresponding to the gaps 107a and 107b from a side surface constituting the rectangular parallelepiped in a rectangular parallelepiped metal (for example, aluminum). The gaps 107a and 107b and the flanges 105a and 105b can be integrally formed by a single process.

  Next, the gaps 107a and 107b formed immediately below the flange portions 105a and 105b will be described. The gap 107a is a gap that leads from the first side surface 110 of the housing 101 to the second side surface 112 adjacent to the first side surface 110, and is in contact with the outer surface of the housing 101 (the outer space 122 of the housing 101). This is a gap formed by the outer surfaces 111a, 111b, and 111c, which are part of the surface constituting the surface. Further, the gap 107 b is a gap that leads from the third side surface 114 facing the first side surface 110 to the second side surface 112 adjacent to the third side surface 114, and constitutes the outer surface of the housing 101. It is a gap formed by the outer surfaces 113a, 113b, and 113c that are part of the surface.

  On the outer surface 111a constituting a part of the gap 107a, two openings of vent holes 108a and 108c constituted by through holes communicating with the internal space 120 are formed. Similarly, two openings of vent holes 108b and 108d formed of through holes communicating with the internal space 120 are formed on the surface of the outer surface 113a constituting a part of the gap 107b. Each opening of each of the vent holes 108a to 108d is formed at a position opposite to the illustrated lower surfaces 111c and 113c of the flange portions 105a and 105b, and a slope portion (outer surface) of a triangular prism-shaped space formed by the gaps 107a and 107b. 111b, 113b). In addition, the shape of the opening part which each vent hole 108a-108d comprises is not restricted to a rectangular shape, For example, arbitrary shapes, such as a triangular shape or an ellipse shape, can be selected.

  As described above, in the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, since a plurality of air holes are provided on the surface of the housing 101, the air permeability is improved as compared with the case of the related art having a single air hole. In addition, the atmospheric pressure in the internal space 120 becomes more stable. In addition, the internal gas heated by the electric components 102a to 102d formed on the circuit board 103 is quickly discharged to the external space 122 without staying in the internal space 120 by the plurality of vent holes. Since the outside air 122 can be immediately taken into the inside space 120 and the electric components 104a to 104d can be directly cooled by the outside air, the heat dissipation efficiency of the electronic device 10 can be greatly improved. it can.

  Further, the ventilation holes 119a, 119b, 119c, and 119d are formed in the ventilation holes 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108d so as to close the opening from the inner space 120 side using an adhesive or the like, for example. These are attached to the (surface on the internal space 120 side), thereby preventing foreign matters such as water and dust from entering the internal space 120 through the vent holes 108a to 108d. Here, since each of the ventilation filters 119a to 119d is attached from the inner surface side (the inner space 120 side) of the housing 101, the bonding portion between each of the ventilation filters and the housing 101 exists in the inner space 120. For example, even when the casing 101 is exposed to wind and rain for a long time, the adhesive portion is always protected by the casing 101. Therefore, the adhesive strength between each ventilation filter and the casing 101 is reduced. Reduction is prevented.

  In addition, each ventilation filter 119a-119d is comprised with the waterproof moisture-permeable material which has the property of air permeability which allows air to pass through, and the waterproofness which does not allow water etc. to pass through. Further, each ventilation filter is not limited to a form that is attached to the inner surface of the cover 101a using an adhesive or the like. For example, each ventilation filter is attached so as to be fitted into each ventilation hole, attached to the cover 101a with a tape, or the like. Alternatively, a fastening member such as a screw and a flat metal fitting may be used to fix the edges of each ventilation filter so as to be sandwiched between the metal fitting and the cover 101a.

  With the configuration as described above, in the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, the flanges 105a and 105b constituting a part of the housing 101 are opposed to the vent holes 108a to 108d and the vent filters 119a to 119d. Therefore, the openings of the vent holes 108a to 108d are always covered and protected by the flanges 105a and 105b. Thereby, for example, even if high-pressure washing water comes into the casing 101, the flanges 105a and 105b protect the washing holes from being directly hit by the ventilation holes 108a to 108d and the ventilation filters 119a and 119b. In addition, it is possible to prevent water from passing through each ventilation hole and / or deformation of each ventilation filter and a decrease in adhesive strength with the housing 101 in advance.

  Further, in the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to protect the ventilation hole with a dedicated protective member unlike the case of the prior art, so that the number of parts constituting the case can be greatly reduced. it can. Furthermore, in the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, since the air holes are provided in the surfaces constituting the gaps 107a and 107b, even if the electronic device housing is downsized as in the prior art, for example, The air holes can be arranged at predetermined positions in the gap without being restricted by the surface area or the degree of empty space.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, even when a plurality of ventilation holes are provided on the surface of the housing, the ventilation holes 108a to 108d can be collectively protected only by the flanges 105a and 105b. There is no need to provide a plurality of protective members for individually protecting each vent hole as in the prior art. As described above, in the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of ventilation holes can be collectively protected by a part of the housing without increasing the number of components, and thus an expensive protective member is provided. Compared to a conventional electronic device that is provided to protect the ventilation filter, a significant cost reduction can be realized.

  Further, since the vent holes 108a to 108d can stably maintain the balance of pressure between the internal space 120 and the external space 122 of the housing 101, the deformation of the cover 101a and the base 101b due to the pressure difference inside and outside the housing. Can be prevented, and an atmospheric pressure sensor or the like can be disposed on the circuit board 103 to perform highly accurate atmospheric pressure measurement.

  Further, in the case 101 of the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, the gaps 107a and 107b are provided with surfaces (111b and 113b) inclined with respect to the respective side surfaces of the case 101, so that the cooling air does not stagnate. Passing in an oblique direction, it is difficult for outside air to stay in each gap. As a result, the cooling can be continued from the outer surface side of the housing 101, and the heat dissipation efficiency of the electronic device 10 can be maintained in a high state. Further, since the gaps 107a and 107b are provided only in the vicinity of the corners of the casing 101, a cooling structure with high heat dissipation efficiency can be realized without impairing the mechanical strength of the casing 101.

  Furthermore, in the case 101 of the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, the case 101 is provided with new heat radiating surfaces including the outer surfaces 111a to 111c and 113a to 113c by the gaps 107a and 107b. The heat dissipation performance of the electronic device 10 can be further improved. Moreover, since the collar parts 105a and 105b function also as a large radiation fin for radiating the heat conducted from the inner surface side of the cover 101a, the heat radiation effect can be further increased.

  Further, in the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, the widths of the gaps 107a and 107b (for example, the separation distance between the outer surface 111a and the outer surface 111c in the gap 107a) are narrow, for example, about 1 mm to 1 cm. During maintenance of the electronic device 10, fingers or tools are prevented from coming into contact with the ventilation filters 119 a and 119 b due to negligence, and damage to each ventilation filter and adhesion strength between the ventilation filter and the housing 101 are prevented. Reduction is prevented in advance.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an electronic device 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The housing of the electronic device 20 according to the present embodiment is provided with a vent hole in a surface orthogonal to the collar portion among a plurality of surfaces constituting a gap formed on the external space side of the housing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the electronic device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a perspective view of the electronic device 20, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2A. In the electronic device 20 shown in FIG. 2, the same components as those of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. The description about FIG. 1 is used.

  The casing 201 of the electronic apparatus 20 is a casing that can be used in place of the casing 101 of the electronic apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. The housing 201 includes gaps 207a and 207b and flanges 205a and 205b covering the gaps 207a and 207b on the outer surface of the cover 201a, similarly to the housing 101 of the electronic device 10 of the first embodiment. Yes. Here, in the housing 201 according to the electronic device 20 of the second embodiment, in particular, the openings of the ventilation holes 208a, 208b, 208c, and 208d configured by through holes communicating with the internal space 220 are Of the outer surfaces constituting the gaps 207a and 207b, provided on the outer surfaces 211b and 213b (the inclined surface portion constituting the triangular columnar space formed by the gaps 107a and 107b) perpendicular to the illustrated lower surfaces 211c and 213c of the flanges 205a and 205b. ing.

  Further, the housing 201 of the electronic device 20 is provided with a connection space 240 on the inner space 220 side of the vent holes 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, 208 d, and the external space 122 and the internal space 220 are formed by the connection space 240. Are connected. In addition, the opening of each ventilation hole is blocked by ventilation filters 219a and 219b from the connection space 240 side.

  With such a configuration, in the electronic device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, convection is generated between the connection space 240 and the internal space 220 by the inflow and outflow of outside air through the vent holes 208a to 208d. The high-temperature gas in the connection space 240 is efficiently cooled through the upper portion 209 of the cover 201a thermally connected to the connection space 240 and the flanges 205a and 205b that are connected to the upper portion 209 and function as heat radiation fins. . The internal gas cooled in the connection space 240 is returned to the vicinity of the circuit board 103 by convection and cools the circuit board 103, so that the heat dissipation efficiency of the electronic device 20 is further enhanced.

  FIG. 3 is a modified example of the electronic device 20 according to the second embodiment, and shows a configuration of a housing 301 that can be used in place of the housing 201.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a housing 301 which is a modification example of the second embodiment. The housing 301 according to this modification differs from the housing 201 in the second embodiment only in that the outer surfaces constituting the gaps 307a and 307b have convex portions 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, 330e, and 330f. Other configurations are the same as those of the housing 201 of the second embodiment. The convex portions 330 a to 330 f of the housing 301 according to this modification are convex portions formed so as to block part of the front direction such as the four air holes 308 a and 308 b, and the side surfaces 310 of the housing 301. 314 or the convex portions extending in the gaps 307a and 307b so as to be parallel to the inclined surfaces (outer surfaces 311b and 313b) of the triangular prism-shaped spaces constituting the gaps 307a and 307b.

  With this configuration, in the housing 301 that configures the electronic device 30 according to the present modification, each of the convex portions 330a to 330f is formed so as to block a part of the front direction of each air hole. Each air hole is protected from the direct hit of the incoming high pressure water, etc., so that water from each air hole and deformation of each air filter that closes each air hole are prevented.

  As described above, the electronic devices 10, 20, and 30 according to the first and second embodiments and the modifications thereof are accommodated in the casings 101, 201, and 301 and the internal spaces 120, 220, and 320 of the casing. Circuit board 103, wherein the housing is moved from the first region 110, 210, 310, etc. on the side surface of the housing to the second region 112, 212, 312, etc. on the side surface. Clearance gaps 107a, 107b, 207a, 207b, 307a, 307b are provided on the external space 122 side, and the internal space and the external space are formed on part of the surfaces 111a, 113a, 211b, 213b, 311b, 313b constituting the gap. Through holes 108a to 108d, 208a to 208d, and 308a to 308d are provided. Thus, in the electronic device according to the present invention, the vent hole can be protected by a part of the casing constituting the gap, and therefore the vent hole can be protected without providing a dedicated protective member. Since the number of parts constituting the housing can be reduced, a significant cost reduction can be realized as compared with the electronic device of the prior art.

  In addition, in the electronic devices 10, 20, and 30 according to the first and second embodiments and the modifications thereof, two gaps and two flanges are provided symmetrically in one housing, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which one of the left and right gaps and the flange portion is provided (for example, a configuration in which the gap 107b and the flange portion 105b are not provided in FIG. 1) may be employed. An effect can be obtained. Further, in order to further enhance the heat dissipation effect, a configuration may be adopted in which three or more gaps and flanges are stacked on the side surfaces 110, 112, and 114 of the housing in multiple stages. Further, the air holes can be provided on each of a plurality of surfaces constituting the gap (for example, in FIG. 2 (b), the air holes 208a and 208d provided on the outer surfaces 211b and 213b are formed on the outer surfaces 211a and 213a. Can also be provided with additional vents).

  In the electronic devices 10, 20, and 30 according to the first and second embodiments and the modifications thereof, each ventilation filter is provided so as to close the opening of each ventilation hole from the inner space side of the housing. For example, the ventilation filter may be attached so as to close the opening of each ventilation hole from the external space 122 side of the housing. Further, each ventilation filter is not limited to being provided so as to cover the opening of each ventilation hole. For example, the ventilation filter may be provided so that the inside of the ventilation hole is filled with the ventilation filter. With such a configuration, the ventilation filter can be stably fixed, and the entry of foreign matter into the internal space can be effectively suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the electronic devices 10, 20, and 30 according to the first and second embodiments and the modifications thereof, the water repellent finish (for example, the surface finish or the water repellent coating) is formed around the openings of the air holes and the side surfaces in the through holes. Etc.), it is possible to significantly reduce the intrusion of water into the internal space through the vent hole, and the waterproof effect of the housing can be further enhanced.

  Further, in the electronic devices 10, 20, and 30 according to the first and second embodiments and the modifications thereof, the shape of each air hole is a rectangular shape or a slit shape. As long as outside air can be introduced into the body, it can have any shape. For example, if the shape of each air hole is made in a zigzag shape or the like, the effective length of the air hole can be increased, so that outside air can be introduced smoothly and the heat dissipation effect can be further enhanced. . Moreover, the shape of each vent hole can also be formed differently.

  In addition, by applying a coating or the like that can absorb radiant heat from the electrical components to the inner surfaces of the covers 101a, 102a, and 103a facing the electrical components 104a to 104d, the electrical components 104a to 104d are applied. Can effectively absorb the radiant heat emitted from the housing 101, and the heat dissipation efficiency of the housing 101 can be further improved.

  In the electronic devices 10, 20, and 30 according to the first and second embodiments and the modifications thereof, the cover and the base are bonded and fixed with an adhesive or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. Instead of the adhesive, for example, the cover can be mechanically connected and fixed by fitting a part of the cover into the opening of the base and fixing the cover. Even in such a case, the cover and the base can be firmly connected by using an adhesive or the like together.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified and used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic device, 101 ... Housing, 101a ... Cover, 101b ... Base, 102 ... Connector, 103 ... Circuit board, 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d ... Electricity Parts, 105a, 105b, 205a, 205b, 305a, 305b ... collar, 107a, 107b, 207a, 207b, 307a, 307b ... gap, 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 208a, 208b, 208c, 208d 308a, 308b ... vent holes, 110, 210 ... first side, 112, 212 ... second side, 114, 214 ... third side, 111a, 111b, 111c, 113a, 113b, 113c, 211a, 211b, 211c, 213a, 213b, 213c ... outer surface, 117 ... contact Parts, 119a, 119b, 219a, 219b, 319a, 319b ··· ventilation filter, 120 ... internal space, 122 ... external space, 240, 340 ... connection space.

Claims (5)

An electronic device comprising a housing and a circuit board accommodated in an internal space of the housing,
The casing is provided with a gap that opens to an external space,
The gap is configured such that an opening that opens into the external space continuously extends from one side surface of the housing to another side surface adjacent to the one side surface,
Some of the faces forming the gap, the opening of the through hole is provided for communicating the said internal space and the external space,
Electronic equipment.   The opening of the through hole is provided on one of two opposing surfaces that form the gap,
  The electronic device according to claim 1.   The opening of the through hole is provided on another surface different from the two surfaces facing each other among the surfaces constituting the gap.
  The electronic device according to claim 1.   The gap is provided so that a plan view of a portion where the gap is formed in the housing forms a triangle having two sides of the one side surface and the other one side surface.
  The electronic device according to claim 1. In electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A ventilation filter provided to close the opening;
Electronic equipment.