Passenger protection control device

Abstract

A passenger protection control device for effectively preventing an infiltration of water into the interior of a case without the use of a sealant includes: a printed circuit board; a connector; and a case that accommodates such that, while a connection end surface with a wire harness of the connector is exposed, the printed circuit board is isolated from the outside. The case is formed by: a box shaped cover in which the periphery of a ceiling wall is enclosed by side walls and a floor surface is opened; and a rear cover that plugs the floor surface of the cover. The connector is installed in an opening provided in the side wall of the cover. The rear cover has a first standing wall projecting so as to face a connector in the portion of the cover in which the connector is installed. The first standing wall of the rear cover has a planar region in a head top part. The planar region has an inclined surface having a falling gradient facing outwardly from the cover.

Claims

1. A passenger protection control device, comprising: a printed circuit board with a control circuit for outputting a control signal printed thereon; a connector attached to the printed circuit board; and a case that accommodates such that, while a connection end surface with a wire harness of the connector is exposed, the printed circuit board is isolated from the outside, wherein the case comprises: a box shaped cover in which a periphery of a ceiling wall is enclosed by side walls and a floor surface is opened, with the connector installed in an opening provided on the side walls; and a rear cover that closes the floor surface of the box shaped cover, the rear cover being generally rectangular and having a first standing wall running along a length of a first side of thereof, the first standing wall projecting so as to face the connector in a portion of the box shaped cover in which the connector is installed, wherein the first standing wall of the rear cover has a planar region running the length of the first side in a head top part, the planar region having an inclined surface with a falling gradient facing outwardly from the box shaped cover, and wherein the planar region with the inclined surface is spaced from the connector such that an opening is defined between the planar region and the connector that facilitates a flow of accumulated water outwardly down from the rear cover.

2. The passenger protection control device according to claim 1, wherein an interval is provided between the first standing wall of the rear cover and the connector.

3. The passenger protection control device according to claim 1, wherein, when the rear cover is attached to the box shaped cover, side wall parts of the cover disposed on both sides of the connector are of a length reaching an erecting part on an outer peripheral side of the first standing wall of the rear cover.

4. The passenger protection control device according to claim 1, wherein the rear cover further comprises a flange for attachment to a vehicle body projecting outwardly from the box shaped cover.

5. The passenger protection control device according to claim 3, wherein the rear cover further comprises a flange for attachment to a vehicle body projecting outwardly from the box shaped cover.

6. The passenger protection control device according to claim 1, wherein the rear cover further comprises a second standing wall projecting in a direction of the ceiling wall of the cover, on an inner peripheral side of side wall portions other than an installation region of the connector.

7. The passenger protection control device according to claim 3, wherein the rear cover further comprises a second standing wall projecting in a direction of the ceiling wall of the cover, on an inner peripheral side of side wall portions other than an installation region of the connector.

8. The passenger protection control device according to claim 4, wherein the rear cover further comprises a second standing wall projecting in a direction of the ceiling wall of the cover, on an inner peripheral side of side wall portions other than an installation region of the connector.

9. The passenger protection control device according to claim 6, wherein the second standing wall has a planar region in the head top part, while the planar region has an inclined surface having a falling gradient facing outwardly from the box shaped cover.

10. The passenger protection control device according to claim 7, wherein the second standing wall has a planar region in the head top part, while the planar region has an inclined surface having a falling gradient facing outwardly from the box shaped cover.

11. The passenger protection control device according to claim 6, wherein the second standing wall of the rear cover is disposed below the printed circuit board.

12. The passenger protection control device according to claim 7, wherein the second standing wall of the rear cover is disposed below the printed circuit board.

13. The passenger protection control device according to claim 6, wherein an interval is provided between the second standing wall of the rear cover and the printed circuit board.

14. The passenger protection control device according to claim 7, wherein an interval is provided between the second standing wall of the rear cover and the printed circuit board.

15. The passenger protection control device according to claim 6, wherein a first height of the first standing wall disposed below the connector is formed so as to be higher than a second height of the second standing wall.

16. The passenger protection control device according to claim 7, wherein a first height of the first standing wall disposed below the connector is formed so as to be higher than a second height of the second standing wall.

17. The passenger protection control device according to claim 6, wherein, when the rear cover is attached to the box shaped cover, portions other than the installation region of the connector on the side walls are of a length reaching an erecting part on an outer peripheral side of the second standing wall of the rear cover.

18. The passenger protection control device according to claim 7, wherein, when the rear cover is attached to the box shaped cover, portions other than the installation region of the connector on the side walls are of a length reaching an erecting part on an outer peripheral side of the second standing wall of the rear cover.

19. The passenger protection control device according to claim 2, wherein the interval between the connector and the first standing wall disposed below the connector is an interval that stops infiltration into the case at the planar region formed in the head top part of the first standing wall so as to prevent an accumulated liquid from contacting the connector.

20. The passenger protection control device according to claim 3, further comprising an interval between the connector and the first standing wall disposed below the connector that stops infiltration into the case at the planar region formed in the head top part of the first standing wall so as to prevent an accumulated liquid from contacting the connector.

21. The passenger protection control device according to claim 6, further comprising an interval between the connector and the first standing wall disposed below the connector that stops infiltration into the case at the planar region formed in the head top part of the first standing wall so as to prevent an accumulated liquid from contacting the connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view when the passenger protection control device according to the present invention is seen from the rear cover side.

(2) FIG. 2 is a view seen from the direction of the cross section of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the rear cover configuring a case of the passenger protection control device according to the present invention is seen from the interior of the case.

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of the rear cover configuring the case of the passenger protection control device according to the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view when the passenger protection control device according to the present invention is seen from the cover side.

(6) FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view when the passenger protection control device according to the present invention is seen from the rear cover side.

(7) FIG. 7 is a view describing the effects of the configuration of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view employing the configuration of the present invention, while (b) is a view not employing the configuration of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view when the passenger protection control device is seen from the cover side.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) An object of the present invention is to prevent the infiltration of a liquid, for example, water to the interior of a case without the use of a sealant.

(10) In addition, the object is achieved by having an inclined surface with a falling gradient facing outwardly from the cover at the planar region in the head top part of the first standing wall formed in the portion of the rear cover in which at least the connector is installed.

EXAMPLES

(11) One example for carrying out the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

(12) As described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 in the background art, the passenger protection control device is configured to have a connector 2, a printed circuit board 3, and a case 1 which accommodates the connector 2 and the printed circuit board 3. Among these, the case 1, for example, is configured such that a resin cover 11 and a metal rear cover 12 are fastened using screw shafts 4 so as to be integrated.

(13) For example, when a sensor, electronic element, etc. are mounted on the printed circuit board 3, and an automobile crash is determined based on the acceleration or deceleration detected by the sensor, a control circuit for outputting a control signal to deploy an air bag, for example, is printed on the printed circuit board 3.

(14) A positioning hole 3a of the connector 2, for example, is provided at two locations on one end of this printed circuit board 3. Moreover, on both sides (the other end of the printed circuit board 3 and the central part closer to one end thereof), an insertion hole 3b of the screw shaft 4 for attaching the rear cover 12 to the cover 11, for example, is provided at four locations.

(15) In contrast, a positioning pin 2b for insertion into the positioning hole 3a of the printed circuit board 3 is provided on the lower surface of the connector 2. In addition, when this positioning pin 2b is inserted into the positioning hole 3a, the connector 2 is attached to one end of the printed circuit board 3. In this attached state, a connection end surface 2a with a wire harness of the connector 2 faces outward. Moreover, a circular peripheral wall 2c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector 2.

(16) For example, with side walls 11a.sub.1 to 11a.sub.4 provided such that they hang down from the front, rear, left, and right of a ceiling wall 11c, the cover 11 has a box shape in which the periphery of this ceiling wall 11c is enclosed by the side walls and in which a floor surface is opened. In the side wall 11a.sub.1 for installing the connector 2 among the side walls 11a.sub.1 to 11a.sub.4, the installation region thereof is removed from below the floor surface side to provide an opening 11b. In addition, a groove 11d fitted to the circular peripheral wall 2c of the connector 2 is formed in the opening 11b part of the side wall 11a.sub.1. Moreover, a screw hole 11e of the screw shaft 4 for insertion into the insertion hole 3b of the printed circuit board 3 is provided at the attachment position of the printed circuit board 3 in the interior of the cover 11.

(17) In contrast, the rear cover 12 plugs the floor surface of the cover 11, with an insertion hole 12c of the screw shaft 4 provided in a position coinciding with the screw hole 11e of the cover 11. Moreover, the flange 12a, which is projected outward so as to be exposed from the cover 11, is provided at three locations among four corners of the rear cover 12, with these flange 12a parts attached to a vehicle body. Moreover, a second standing wall 12d of a rear plate 12 is formed so as to protrude on the inner peripheral side of the side walls 11 a.sub.2 to 11 a.sub.4 of the cover 11 below the printed circuit board 3. In contrast, a first standing wall 12b of the rear plate 12 is formed so as to protrude in a portion disposed below the connector 2. In addition, the inner peripheral part of the printed circuit board 3 is enclosed by the first standing wall 12b and the second standing wall 12d.

(18) In the abovementioned passenger protection control device, the positioning pin 2b of the connector 2 is inserted into a positioning hole 3a of the printed circuit board 3, while a contact terminal 2d of the connector 2 is connected to the control circuit printed on the printed circuit board 3 so as to attach the connector 2 to the printed circuit board 3. In this state, the circular peripheral wall 2c of the connector 2 is fitted to the groove 11d of the side wall 11a.sub.1 so as to position the connector 2 and the printed circuit board 3 with the cover 11.

(19) In this state, because the screw holes 11e of the cover 11 coincide with the insertion holes 3b of the printed circuit board 3, the insertion holes 12c are made to coincide with the screw holes 11e and the insertion holes 3b so as to fasten and integrate rear cover 12 to the cover 11 using the screw shafts 4.

(20) In this manner, while the connection end surface 2a with a wire harness of the connector 2 is exposed from the case 1, the printed circuit board 3 is enclosed by the cover 11 and the rear cover 12 so as to be isolated from the outside. The thus assembled passenger protection control device is attached to the vehicle body by inserting each bolt into a hole 12aa provided in the flange 12a of the rear cover 12.

(21) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the thus assembled passenger protection control device has an interval between the first standing wall 12b of the rear cover 12 and the connector 2 as well as between the second standing wall 12d and the printed circuit board 3. In this manner, the first standing wall 12b and the second standing wall 12d are prevented from being pressed against and compressing the connector 2 and the printed circuit board 3.

(22) Moreover, the passenger protection control device is attached with the connector 2 placed on the printed circuit board 3. Consequently, if the first standing wall 12b is of the same height as the second standing wall 12d, the interval d2 between the connector 2 and the first standing wall 12b is larger than the interval d1 between the printed circuit board 3 and the second standing wall 12d, causing water to have a tendency to infiltrate. Then, in the present example, the height h1 of the first standing wall 12b disposed below the connector 2 is formed so as to be higher than the height h2 of the second standing wall 12d disposed below the printed circuit board 3.

(23) In the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a metal plate forming the rear cover 12, for example, is folded in a projection shape to form the first and second standing walls 12b, 12d, such that planar regions 12bb, 12db are formed in head top parts 12ba, 12da.

(24) Moreover, in the present example, the interval d2 between the connector 2 and the planar region 12bb of the first standing wall 12b disposed below the connector 2 refers to an interval in which water 5 accumulated at the planar region 12bb in a head top part 12ba of the first standing wall 12b does not contact the connector 2.

(25) At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 7(b), if the planar region 12bb is horizontal, water 5, which is attempting to infiltrate the interior of the case 1, may flow in the case 1. If water 5 flows in the case 1, it will likely damage the printed circuit board 3.

(26) Then, in the present invention, for example, the planar region 12bb in the head top part 12ba of the first standing wall 12b is formed so as to serve as an inclined surface having a falling gradient facing outwardly from the cover 11. In this case, the interval d2 refers to the interval of the narrowest portion among the intervals between the connector 2 and the planar region 12bb.

(27) With such a configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 7(a), water, which is attempting to infiltrate the interior of the case 1, stops at the planar region 12bb in the head top part 12ba of the first standing wall 12b, temporarily accumulates, and then flows down outwardly from the cover 11 so as to be discharged outside the device.

(28) Moreover, the cover 11 excluding the region for installing the connector 2 has the side walls 11a.sub.1 to 11a.sub.4. Consequently, in the present example, the side walls 11a.sub.1 to 11a.sub.4 are of a length reaching the vicinity of erecting parts 12bc, 12dc on the outer peripheral side of the first and second standing walls 12b, 12d of the rear cover 12, preventing the infiltration of water into the interior of the case 1 from these portions. In the present example, only the first standing wall 12b disposed below the connector 2 forms the planar region 12bb in the head top part 12ba on an inclined surface having a falling gradient facing outwardly from the cover.

(29) The present invention is not limited to the abovementioned example, and embodiments may be appropriately changed as long as they are included in the category of technical ideas described in each claim.

(30) That is, the passenger protection control device described above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with other embodiments also capable of being executed or implemented by various methods. Unless otherwise described as limitations in the specification of the present application, the present invention is not limited to the detailed components, sizes, configuration arrangements, etc. illustrated in the appended drawings. Moreover, the expressions and terms used in the specification of the present application are for the purpose of description and are not limited thereto unless otherwise limited thereto.

(31) For example, as long as the entire periphery of the cover 11 is enclosed by the side walls, for example, the front, rear, left, and right side walls 11a.sub.1 to 11a may be separately configured, or may be integrally configured. Moreover, the housing 1 may be made of metal, in addition to resin. Moreover, the first standing wall 12b disposed below the connector 2, as well as the planar region 12db in the head top part 12da of the second standing wall 12d disposed below the printed circuit board 3, may be formed on an inclined surface having a falling gradient facing outwardly from the cover 11.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(32) As described above, the passenger protection control device according to the present invention is not limited to that which controls the activation to deploy an air bag, it is effective in controlling any device such as engine control and power steering control.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(33) 1 Case 11 Cover 11a.sub.1 to 11a.sub.4 Side walls 11b Opening 11c Ceiling wall 12 Rear cover 12a Flange part 12b First standing wall 12ba Head top part 12bb Planar region 12bc Erecting part 12d Second standing wall 12da Head top part 12db Planar region 12dc Erecting part 2 Connector 2a Connection end surface 3 Printed circuit board h1 Height of the first standing wall h2 Height of the second standing wall d1 Interval between the printed circuit board and the second standing wall d2 Interval between the connector and the first standing wall