U.S. patent application number 09/770404 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-09 for installation structure of printed-circuit board for electronic control unit.
Invention is credited to Ishihara, Hideki, Katsuro, Hajime, Kinoshita, Kenji, Kobayashi, Toshiki, Kurimoto, Akira, Matsuzaki, Haruki, Nakamura, Ryouta, Yamamoto, Ryoichi, Yoshida, Akihiro.
Application Number | 20010012199 09/770404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27480990 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010012199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kinoshita, Kenji ; et
al. |
August 9, 2001 |
Installation structure of printed-circuit board for electronic
control unit
Abstract
A casing of an ECU is formed within an air cleaner of an intake
module for an internal combustion engine. The casing faces an
intake air passage, and formed in a pocket, so that the casing is
easily formed and the water and dust proof performances thereof are
improved. A printed-circuit board to which a metal plate is fixed
is inserted into the casing along slits formed on an inner wall of
the casing. The slits pinch the printed-circuit board and the metal
plate at the rear end area thereof. Thus, anti-stress and
anti-vibration performances of the printed-circuit board are
improved. The metal plate including convexes and concaved
contacting portions is easily formed by pressing an aluminum or
steel plate. Thus, the metal plate is formed with low cost.
Further, the metal plate appropriately includes holes, thereby
promoting the heat radiation and reducing the weight thereof.
Inventors: |
Kinoshita, Kenji;
(Kariya-city, JP) ; Ishihara, Hideki; (Anjo-city,
JP) ; Kurimoto, Akira; (Anjo-city, JP) ;
Matsuzaki, Haruki; (Kariya-city, JP) ; Yamamoto,
Ryoichi; (Handa-city, JP) ; Yoshida, Akihiro;
(Aki-gun, JP) ; Nakamura, Ryouta; (Kariya-city,
JP) ; Kobayashi, Toshiki; (Okazaki-city, JP) ;
Katsuro, Hajime; (Nagoya-city, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Larry S. Nixon, Esq.
NIXON & VANDERHYE P.C.
1100 North Glebe Rd., 8th Floor
Arlington
VA
22201-4714
US
|
Family ID: |
27480990 |
Appl. No.: |
09/770404 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/752 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 5/0039
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/752 |
International
Class: |
H05K 005/00; H05K
005/04; H05K 005/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2000 |
JP |
2000-24624 |
Feb 8, 2000 |
JP |
2000-29909 |
Feb 8, 2000 |
JP |
2000-29910 |
Dec 21, 2000 |
JP |
2000-388900 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic control unit, comprising: a printed-circuit board
on which a plurality of electronic devices are mounted; a metal
plate including a convex for containing said electronic devices;
and a casing for containing said printed-circuit board, wherein
said printed-circuit board is fixed to said metal plate at a
peripheral end and approximate center portions thereof.
2. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said
casing faces to an intake air passage within an intake module for
an internal combustion engine.
3. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said
casing is formed within an intake module for an internal combustion
engine.
4. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said
casing includes an opening and is formed in a pocket, said casing
includes a pair of slits facing to each other, at an inner wall
thereof, and at least one of said printed-circuit board and said
metal plate is inserted into said casing from said opening along
said pair of slits.
5. An electronic control unit according to claim 4, wherein said
pair of slits pinch at least one of said printed-circuit board and
said metal plate at guide ends thereof.
6. An electronic control unit according to claim 4, wherein, an
inside of said casing communicates with an intake air passage at
some locations of said inner wall, and said metal plate covers the
some locations of said inner wall.
7. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said
metal plate includes a contact portion to which said
printed-circuit board is fixed, and said contact portion is
arranged not to directly contact said electronic devices.
8. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said
metal plate is fixed to said printed-circuit board at a side where
an outside connector is attached to said printed-circuit board.
9. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said
convex includes a hole.
10. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said
convex contacts an inner wall of said casing.
11. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, further
comprising a support member tightly pinching said printed-circuit
board and said metal plate at plural peripheral ends thereof.
12. An electronic control unit according to claim 11, wherein said
metal plate includes a contact portion contacting said
printed-circuit board, and said contact portion is arranged not to
directly contact said electronic devices.
13. An electronic control unit according to claim 11, said metal
plate is provided on said printed-circuit board at an opposite side
of an outside connector.
14. An electronic control unit according to claim 11, said support
member includes a mortised portion at a location corresponding to
said convex.
15. An electronic control unit according to claim 11, wherein said
casing faces to an intake air passage within an intake module for
an internal combustion engine, and said support member is fixed to
said casing.
16. An electronic control unit according to claim 15, wherein said
casing is formed within said intake module, an inside of said
casing communicates with said intake air passage at some locations
at an inner wall thereof, and at least one of said support member
and said metal plate covers said some locations.
17. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, further
including: an elastic plate provided on said metal plate at an
opposite side of said printed-circuit board; and a support member
tightly pinching said printed-circuit board and said metal plate at
plural peripheral ends thereof, while providing said elastic plate
between said metal plate and said support member.
18. An electronic control unit according to claim 17, wherein said
metal plate includes a contact portion contacting said
printed-circuit board, and said contact portion is arranged not to
directly contact said electronic devices.
19. An electronic control unit according to claim 17, wherein said
metal plate is provided on said printed-circuit board at an
opposite side of an outside connector.
20. An electronic control unit according to claim 17, wherein said
elastic plate includes a mortised portion at a location
corresponding to said convex.
21. An electronic control unit according to claim 17, wherein said
support member includes a mortised portion at a location
corresponding to said convex.
22. An electronic control unit according to claim 17, wherein said
casing faces to an intake air passage within an intake module for
an internal combustion engine, and said support member is fixed to
said casing.
23. An electronic control unit according to claim 17, wherein said
casing is formed within said intake module, an inside of said
casing communicates with said intake air passage at some locations
at an inner wall thereof, and at least one of said support member
and said metal plate covers said some locations.
24. An electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said
printed-circuit board is fixed to said metal plate at four or more
peripheral end portions.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on and incorporates herein by
reference Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2000-24624 filed on Feb.
2, 2000, 2000-29909 filed on Feb. 8, 2000, 20002-9910 filed on Feb.
8, 2000, and 2000-388900 filed on Dec. 21, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an installation structure
of a printed-circuit board on which electronic devices are mounted,
suitable for use in an electronic control unit of a vehicle
engine.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] An intake module of an internal combustion engine includes
sub-modules such as an air cleaner, an intake duct, an air-flow
sensor, a throttle body, and an intake manifold. The sub-modules
include not only miscellaneous sensors and actuators, but also ECU
(Electronic Control Unit), which has been installed in a vehicle
cabin so far. Here, housings of the sub-modules are mainly made of
resin.
[0006] The ECU is installed in a casing within an air cleaner made
of resin. Since the casing is influenced by an engine vibration, a
printed-circuit board disposed in the ECU is also influenced by the
vibration. A resonance of the vibration might cause a vibration ten
times as large as the engine vibration in the printed-circuit
board. The large vibration worsens the electronic devices mounted
on the printed-circuit board, so that the ECU does not work
effectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present invention is to improve anti-stress
and anti-vibration performance of an electronic control unit, and
to reduce a total weight thereof.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a
printed-circuit board is fixed to a high rigid metal plate at a
peripheral end and approximate center portions thereof. The metal
plate includes a convex for containing a plurality of electronic
devices mounted on a printed-circuit board. The printed-circuit
board is contained in a casing. Thus, the resonance frequency of
the printed-circuit board increases, and vibration amplitude at the
resonance decreases, thereby preventing the electronic devices from
being broken.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the
metal plate is fixed to the printed-circuit board at a side where
an outside connector is attached to the printed-circuit board, so
that a space defined by the printed-circuit board and an inner wall
of the casing is set larger than the disposing dimension of the
outside connector. Thus, the convex of the metal plate is easily
and freely formed even when the shape thereof is complicated.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an
inside of the casing communicates with an intake air passage at
some locations of the inner wall, and the metal plate covers the
communicating locations for separating the printed-circuit board
from the intake air passage. Thus, the metal plate faces the intake
air passage, so that heat radiation of the electric devices is
improved.
[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a
support member tightly pinches the printed-circuit board and the
metal plate at plural peripheral ends thereof. Thus, the heat
radiation of the electric devices is improved without worsening a
mount efficiency of the printed-circuit board. The metal plate
fixed to the printed-circuit board improves the anti-stress and
anti-vibration performances of the ECU.
[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the
metal plate is provided on the printed-circuit board at an opposite
side of the outside connector. Thus, the convex of the metal plate
contains the electronic devices without being influenced by the
outside connector, and covers most of the printed-circuit board.
Thereby, the shape of metal plate is simplified, and heat radiation
thereof is improved.
[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an
elastic plate is provided on the metal plate at an opposite side of
the printed-circuit board, and a support member tightly pinching
the printed-circuit board and the metal plate at plural peripheral
ends thereof while providing the elastic plate between the metal
plate and the support member. Thus, heat radiation of the electric
devices is improved without worsening a mount efficiency of the
printed-circuit board. The metal plate including the elastic plate
fixed to the printed-circuit board improves the anti-stress and
anti-vibration performances of the ECU.
[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the
printed-circuit board is fixed to the metal plate at four or more
peripheral end portions. Thus, the anti-stress and anti-vibration
performances of the printed-circuit board are improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Additional objects and advantages of the present invention
will be more readily apparent from the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments thereof when taken together
with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an ECU installed in an
intake module for an internal combustion engine;
[0017] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate
state of assembling the ECU (first embodiment);
[0018] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a completed state
of assembling the ECU (first embodiment);
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a casing and an
electronic control circuit installed in the casing (first
embodiment);
[0020] FIG. 4 is a graph showing effects in the ECU (first
embodiment);
[0021] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate
state of assembling the ECU (first modification of first
embodiment);
[0022] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a completed state
of assembling the ECU (first modification of first embodiment);
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a casing and an
electronic control circuit installed in the casing (first
modification of first embodiment);
[0024] FIG. 7A is an enlarged perspective view showing principal
parts of a metal plate (first modification of first
embodiment);
[0025] FIG. 7B is an enlarged side view showing principal parts of
the metal plate (first modification of first embodiment);
[0026] FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views showing metal plates (second
and third modifications of first embodiment);
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a completed state
of assembling the ECU (fourth modification of first
embodiment);
[0028] FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing a completed state of
assembling the ECU (fourth modification of first embodiment);
[0029] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a completed state
of assembling the ECU (second embodiment);
[0030] FIG. 12 is a bottom view showing a completed state of
assembling the ECU (second embodiment);
[0031] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a completed state
of assembling the ECU (third embodiment), and
[0032] FIG. 14 is a bottom view showing a completed state of
assembling the ECU (third embodiment).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] (First Embodiment)
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an ECU (Electronic
Control Unit) 10 installed into an air cleaner 2 of an intake
module for an internal combustion engine 1.
[0035] The ECU 10 controls a driving state of the engine 1. A
plastic resin housing forming the air cleaner 2 integrally includes
a casing 11 facing to an intake air passage 2a, and the ECU 10 is
installed in the casing 11. Miscellaneous sensor signals are input
into the ECU 10 to calculate an intake air amount and a fuel supply
amount for the engine 1. The ECU 10 controls the opening of a
throttle valve 6 and fuel injection amount of an injector 7 based
on the calculated intake air amount and fuel supply amount. The
intake module further includes an intake duct 3, air-flow meter 5,
a throttle body (not illustrated), and an intake manifold 4. The
air-flow meter 5 detects an intake air amount. The throttle body
contains an open/close mechanism of the throttle valve 6. The
intake manifold 4 connects with an intake port of the engine 1, and
contains the injector 7.
[0036] FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views showing principal
parts of the ECU 10. FIG. 2A shows an intermediate state of
assembling the ECU 10, and FIG. 2B shows a completed state thereof.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the casing 11 and an
electronic control circuit 20 installed in the casing 11.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, the ECU 10 includes the
casing 11, a printed-circuit board 21 installed in the casing 11,
and a metal plate 31. A plurality of electronic devices 22 forming
the electronic control circuit 20 are mounted on the
printed-circuit board 21. The metal plate 31 is made of aluminum or
steel having high heat conductivity, and screwed to the
printed-circuit board 21.
[0038] The casing 11 of the ECU 10 includes an opening 12 at the
housing front end of the air cleaner 2. The inner wall 13 of the
casing 11 includes a pair of slits 14a and 14b facing to each
other. The electronic devices 22 such as SMD (Surface Mounted
Devices) including IC, tip-condenser, and the like, and high height
VMD (Vertical Mounted Devices) including condenser, resister, and
the like are mounted on the printed-circuit board 21 to form the
electronic control circuit 20. An outside connector 27 is fixed to
the casing 11 in such a manner that the terminal thereof is
soldered the board 21.
[0039] The printed-circuit board 21 and the metal plate 31 are
inserted into the casing 11 along the slits 14a, 14b. At rear ends
area of the slits 14a and 14b, the width of the slits 14a and 14b
is set the same as the rear end area thickness of the
printed-circuit board 21 and the metal plate 31. Thus, the
printed-circuit board 21 and the metal plate 31 are fixed by the
slits 14a, 14b at the rear end area thereof. When the
printed-circuit board 21 is completely inserted into the casing 11,
a flange 28 of the outside connector 27 covers the opening 12 while
providing a seal member 29 therebetween, and is screwed to the
casing 11 to seal the inside of the casing 11.
[0040] The metal plate 31 is fixed to the upper side of the
printed-circuit board 21. That is, the metal plate 31 is fixed to
the printed-circuit board 21 at the side where the outside
connector 27 is soldered to the board 21. The metal plate 31
includes press-formed convexes 32 for appropriately containing the
electronic devices 22 therein. Further, the metal plate 31 includes
a concaved contacting portion 33 at the center thereof for being
screwed to the printed-circuit board 21. The concaved contacting
portion 33 is provided in such a manner that it does not directly
interfere with the electronic devices 22 and wire patterns, so that
the concaved contacting portion 33 does not worsen a mount
efficiency of the printed-circuit board 21. The convexes 32 include
a plurality of holes 34 for promoting heat radiation from the
inside thereof, and for lightening the metal plate 31.
[0041] The metal plate 31 is formed by pressing and bending an
aluminum or steel plate, and is connected to the print-circuit
board 21 at the minimum necessary area not to influence the mount
efficiency of the electronic parts 22. Especially, the concaved
contacting portion 33 is formed by pressing and bending, because
general squeezing needs a large connection area. Further, some
parts of the metal plate 31 are gouged out for lightening.
[0042] Effects of the metal plate 31 of the above-described ECU 10
will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 explains a slide
of resonance point of the printed-circuit board 21.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, as engine rotation number [rpm]
increases, the vibration frequency [Hz] and vibration [G: Gravity]
of the casing 11 gradually increase. When the rotation number is
within 6000-6990 [rpm], the frequency is within 200-233 [Hz], and
the vibration is about 9 [G]. When the printed-circuit board 21
resonates, the printed-circuit board 21 vibrates ten times as large
as the casing 11.
[0044] As described above, as the engine rotation number increases,
the vibration frequency of the casing 11 increases. However, when
the engine rotation number exceeds 7000 [rpm], a limiter works to
shut off a fuel supply. Thus, when the engine rotation number
exceeds 7000 [rpm], the vibration of the casing 11 is reduced to
about 3 [G] (about {fraction (1/3)} of maximum vibration).
[0045] Therefore, the resonance point of the printed-circuit board
21 is designed over 233 [Hz], and the vibration of the
printed-circuit board 21 is made about {fraction (1/3)} in
comparison with a board 21 of which resonance point is within
200-233 [Hz]. In this way, the vibration of the printed-circuit
board 21 is suppressed.
[0046] According to researches and experiments, inventors of the
present invention made sure that the resonance point slides from
149 [Hz] denoted by slid line in FIG. 4 to 246 [Hz] denoted by
broken line in the above-described structure. Here, the
printed-circuit board 21 is fixed to the metal plate 31 at the
peripheral ends and plural center portions thereof. In more detail,
the slits 14a, 14b pinch the peripheral ends of the board 21 and
the metal plate 31 to fix the peripheral ends of the
printed-circuit board 21 to the metal plate 31. In this way, the
electronic devices 22 mounted on the printed-circuit board 21 are
protected.
[0047] A first modification of the metal plate 31 will be explained
with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6. FIGS. 5A and 5B are
cross-sectional views showing the first modification. FIG. 5A shows
an intermediate state of assembling the ECU 10, and FIG. 5B shows a
completed state thereof. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the
casing 11 and an electronic control circuit 20 installed in the
casing 11. FIGS. 7A and 7B are enlarged views showing P portion in
FIG. 6. FIG. 7A is a perspective view, and FIG. 7B is a side view.
The metal plate 31 integrally includes a pair of fixing portions 35
at the rear end thereof. As shown in FIG. 7A, the fixing portion 35
has two upper projections and one lower projection therebetween,
and has resiliency. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the casing 11
includes a pocket 15 at the rear thereof, for receiving the fixing
portion 35. Each projection of the fixing portion 35 includes a
small dimple 36 at their surface to contact the inner wall of the
pocket 15.
[0048] In this way, the slits 14a and 14b pinch the peripheral ends
of the metal plate 31 therebetween, and the fixing portion 35 is
inserted into the pocket 15. Thus, the metal plate 31 is firmly
fixed to the casing 11. Here, the small dimples 36 assist the
fixing portion 35 to be inserted into the pocket 15, and get right
into the upper and lower inner walls of the pocket 15 to be firmly
fixed.
[0049] As second and third modifications, the metal plate 31 may be
formed in X-shape as shown in FIG. 8A, or may be formed in H-shape
as shown in FIG. 8B, to avoid interfering and contacting with the
electronic devices 22, and may be fixed to the printed-circuit
board 21 by using four points of peripheral end thereof.
[0050] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the
metal plate 31 is fixed to the printed-circuit board 21 at the
concaved contacting portion 33, and the slits 14a and 14b pinch
both peripheral ends of the printed-circuit board 21 and the metal
plate 31 to further fix the metal plate 31 to the printed-circuit
board 21. Thus, even when the engine vibration acts on the intake
module including the air cleaner 2, the electronic devices 22
mounted on the printed-circuit board 21 are protected from the
vibration.
[0051] The casing 11 for the ECU 10 is formed in a part of the air
cleaner 2, and is formed in a pocket to face the intake air passage
2a. Thus, the casing 11 is easily formed, has a good heat radiation
performance, and is easily sealed.
[0052] The metal plate 31 including the convexes 32 and the
concaved contacting portion 33 is easily formed by pressing an
aluminum or steel plate. Thus, the metal plate 31 is formed with
low cost.
[0053] The metal plate 31 appropriately includes holes 34, thereby
promoting the heat radiation and reducing the weight thereof.
[0054] According to the above-described first embodiment, the metal
plate 31 includes the convexes 32 for containing the electronic
devices 22. The convexes 32 may be made higher to contact the upper
inner wall 13 of the casing 11. A contact pressure between the
convexes 32 and the upper inner wall 13 is appropriately provided,
so that vibration proof of the printed-circuit board 21 increases
and the heat radiation performance from the electronic devices 22
is improved. The printed-circuit board 21 is fixed to the metal
plate 31 at four or more peripheral end portions, so that
anti-stress and anti-vibration performances of the printed-circuit
board 21 are improved.
[0055] A fourth modification of the first embodiment will be
explained with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the casing 11 of the ECU 10 is
formed in the air cleaner 2, and includes an opening 12. Inside of
the casing 11 communicates with the intake air passage 2a at some
parts of the inner wall 13. The metal plate 31 is adhered to the
lower side (opposite side of outside connector 27) of the
printed-circuit board 21 to face the intake air passage 2a. That
is, the metal plate 31 partitions the electronic control circuit 20
from the intake air passage 2a.
[0057] The metal plate 31 is installed into the casing 11 along the
slits 14a, 14b. After the metal plate 31 is completely installed in
the casing 11, the flange 28 of the outside connector 27 covers the
opening 12 while providing a seal member 29 therebetween, and is
screwed to the casing 11. In this way, the inside of the casing 11
is sealed.
[0058] According to the fourth modification, the metal plate 31 is
adhered and fixed to the printed-circuit board 21, and includes a
number of concaved contacting portions 33. The concaved contacting
portions 33 are arranged not to interfere with the electronic
devices 22 and adhered to the board 21 with small contact areas.
Thus, the metal plate 31 does not worsen a mount efficiency of the
printed-circuit board 21, and strengthens the connection between
the metal plate 31 and the printed-circuit board 21, thereby
improving the anti-stress and anti-vibration performance.
[0059] In this way, the inside of the casing 11 communicates with
the intake air passage 2a, and the metal plate 31 covers the
communication portions to partition the electronic control circuit
20 from the intake air passage 2a. Since the metal plate 31 faces
to the intake air passage 2a, the intake air to the engine 1
directly contacts with the metal plate 31, thereby promoting the
heat radiation from the electronic devices 22.
[0060] According to the first embodiment and modifications thereof,
the casing 11 is integrally formed in the plastic housing including
the air cleaner 2. Alternatively, the casing may be provided
independently from the housing, and arranged to face the intake air
passage.
[0061] According to the first embodiment and modifications thereof,
the metal plate 31 is screwed or adhered to the printed-circuit
board 21. Alternatively, the metal plate may be mechanically fixed
thereto by using a rivet, or fitting structure including a
protrusion and a hole corresponding thereto.
[0062] (Second Embodiment)
[0063] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a
support member 41 is provided. The support member 41 includes a
stopper 42 pinching the printed-circuit board 21 and the metal
plate 31, and is screwed to the casing 11.
[0064] As in the first embodiment, the electronic devices 22 such
as SMD and VMD are mounted on the printed-circuit board 21 to form
the electronic control circuit 20. The inside of the casing 11
communicates with the intake air passage 2a at some places of the
inner wall 13.
[0065] The support member 41 including the stopper 42 is screwed to
the casing 11 from the side of intake air passage 2a. The outside
connector 27 is attached to the opening 12 of the casing 11 from
the outside. The flange 28 of the outside connector 27 covers the
opening 12 to seal the inside of the casing 11. Further, the
support member 41 covers the inner wall of the casing 11 and the
intake air passage 2a side.
[0066] The metal plate 31 is fixed to the lower side (opposite side
of the outside connector 27) of the printed-circuit board 21. The
metal plate 31 includes press-formed convexes 32 for containing the
electronic devices 22. The support member 41 includes mortised
portions 43 at locations corresponding to the convexes 32. Thus,
the convexes 32 directly face to the intake air passage 2a. The
metal plate 31 further includes contact points 37 contacting the
printed-circuit board 21. The contact points 37 are arranged to
avoid interfering with the electronic devices 22 and wire patterns
not to worsen the mount efficiency of the printed-circuit board
21.
[0067] As described above, the support member 41 tightly pinches
and supports the printed-circuit board 21 and the metal plate 31.
Thus, even when the vibration of the engine 1 acts on the intake
module including the air cleaner 2, the printed-circuit board 21 is
prevented from resonating.
[0068] The inside of the casing 11 communicates with the intake air
passage 2a at some locations of the inner wall 13, and the support
member 41 and the metal plate 31 cover the communication
portions.
[0069] The metal plate 31 is easily formed by pressing an aluminum
or steel plate and includes the convexes 32 and the contact
portions 37 contacting the printed-circuit board 21, so that the
weight and manufacturing cost thereof are reduced. Further, since
the inside of the casing 11 is easily sealed, water and dust proof
performances are improved.
[0070] According to the second embodiment, the stopper 42 of the
support member 41 tightly pinches the plural peripheral ends of the
printed-circuit board 21 and the metal plate 31. Additionally, the
contact portions 37 may be adhered to the printed-circuit board 21
to ensure a sealing state at the center area of the printed-circuit
board 21 and the metal plate 31, thereby improving the anti-stress
and anti-vibration performances, and promoting the heat radiation
from the electronic devices 22.
[0071] (Third Embodiment)
[0072] In the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an
elastic plate 38 is provided between the metal plate 31 and the
support member 41. Remaining structures are the same as in the
second embodiment. The elastic plate 38 includes mortised portions
39 at locations corresponding to the convexes 32. Further, the
metal plate 31 includes mortised portions 43 at locations
corresponding to the convexes 32. Thus, the convexes 32 directly
face to the intake air passage 2a without being interfered by the
elastic plate 38 and the support member 41.
[0073] As described above, the support member 41 tightly pinches
the printed-circuit board 21 and the metal plate 31 while providing
the elastic plate 38 between the metal plate 31 and the support
member 41. Thus, even when the vibration of the engine 1 acts on
the intake module including the air cleaner 2, the printed-circuit
board 21 is suppressed from resonating, thereby preventing the
electronic devices 22 from being broken due to the engine
vibration. Further, the metal plate 31 with which the elastic plate
38 is provided improves the anti-stress and anti-vibration
performance of the printed-circuit board 21.
[0074] According to the third embodiment, the stopper 42 of the
support member 41 pinches the plural peripheral ends of the
printed-circuit board 21 and the metal plate 31 while providing the
elastic plate 38, for making the printed-circuit board 21 to
contact the metal plate 31 tightly. Additionally, the contact
portions 37 may be adhered to the printed-circuit board 21 to
ensure a sealing state at the center area of the printed-circuit
board 21 and the metal plate 31, thereby improving the anti-stress
and vibration performances and promoting the heat radiation from
the electronic devices 22.
* * * * *