Electronic control unit and waterproof case

• US 20070109730A1
• Filed: 11/08/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Astemo Ltd. (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Nozawa, Kazunori, Shigyo, Toshikazu
• Granted Patent: US 7,936,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/600
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0052 characterized by joining features of the housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0213 Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0216 Venting plugs comprising semi-permeable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/068 having a pressure compensation device, e.g. membrane venting means H05K5/0213
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2098 Vortex generator as control for system

Abstract

The mounting direction, posture, or location of an electronic control unit provided with a respiratory filter in a waterproof case is not restricted in an engine room or the like. Raised protective walls that surround the portion at which the respiratory filter is arranged are provided, and at least two concave portions for drainage that each extend through different positions of the protective walls are provided.

Claims

1. An electronic control unit comprising a waterproof case in which a printed-circuit board mounting electronic components is housed, a respiratory filter for allowing air to flow into and out of the waterproof case in the waterproof case, and raised protective walls that surround the portion at which the respiratory filter is arranged,

wherein at least two concave portions for drainage that each extend through different locations of the protective walls are provided in the waterproof case.

2. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory filter is fixed in an airtight manner via an O-ring into a ventilation hole formed so that the hole penetrates through the waterproof case, and wherein the height position of the upper edges of the protective walls is higher than the height position of the upper side of the O-ring.

3. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the concave portions extend in the form of channels from open ends that extend through the protective walls leading to the outside of the case diagonally or radially with respect to the portion at which the respiratory filter is arranged.

4. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the lateral shape of each of the open ends of the concave portions in the protective walls and extension ends leading to the outside of the case is rounded, cornerless, or crank-shaped.

5. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the planar shape of each of the concave portions is a doglegged shape or a labyrinthine shape that is bent more than the doglegged shape.

6. The electronic control unit according to any one of claims 1, wherein the bottom portions of the concave portions are provided with inclined portions having triangle shapes.

7. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the protective walls are vertical walls that form side surfaces of protruding portions formed so that the protruding portions protrude from outside walls of the waterproof case, and wherein the concave portions extend across the protruding portions so that the concave portions extend through the protective walls at one end and extend through outer walls of the protruding portions at the other end.

8. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof case has a consistent wall thickness (board thickness), including the protruding portions.

9. A waterproof case in which a printed-circuit board and the like are housed, comprising:

a respiratory filter for allowing air to flow into and out of the waterproof case; and

raised protective walls that surround the portion at which the respiratory filter is arranged,

wherein the waterproof case is provided with at least two concave portions for drainage that each extend through different locations of the protective walls.