Patent Publication Number: US-11395052-B2

Title: Electronic component module, combination of electronic component module and casing, and control device including the combination

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-046026 filed on Mar. 13, 2019, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The invention relates to an electronic component module, a combination of the electronic component module and a casing, and a control device including the combination. 
     Background Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-88609 describes a conventional control device. This device is an information provision device for vehicles including a speaker module, a casing, a circuit board, and a controller. The speaker module has a speaker body, a frame to which the speaker body is fixed, and a connection line connected to the speaker body. The speaker body is arranged in an opening of the casing, and the frame is fixed to an edge of the opening of the casing. The circuit board is arranged in the casing and connected to the connection line. The controller is mounted on the circuit board and controls driving of the speaker body via the circuit board and the connection line. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In the conventional control device, the connection line is electrically and mechanically connected to the speaker body and hangs down from the speaker body. Therefore, when placing the speaker body into the opening of the casing and fixing the frame to the edge of the casing, the connection line may partly enter between the frame and the edge of the casing and become pinched therebetween. 
     The invention provides an electronic component module with a reduced risk of a connection line becoming pinched. The invention also provides a combination of the electronic component module and a casing, and a control device including the combination. 
     An electronic component module according to an aspect of the invention includes a fixing part being a frame or a circuit board, a function part being configured to function as an electronic component, at least one connection line, and at least one protrusion. The fixing part includes an abutting face, an outer face extending from an end of the abutting face in a direction including a component of a first direction, and an edge line along which the abutting face and the outer face meet. The first direction is substantially orthogonal to the abutting face. The function part is housed in, or fixed to, the fixing part. The at least one connection line is flexible and electrically connected to the function part. The at least one connection line is positioned on a second direction side relative to the abutting face of the fixing part, and configured to be led out from an inside to an outside relative to the edge line of the fixing part to extend in a third direction. The second direction is opposite to the first direction, and the third direction crosses the first and second directions. The at least one protrusion is provided on the function part or the fixing part, extends at least partly in the third direction, and is positioned at least partly on the first direction side relative to the at least one connection line having been led out in the third direction. 
     In the electronic component module of this aspect, since the at least one protrusion is positioned at least partly on the first direction side relative to the at least one connection line having been led out in the third direction, the electronic component module can be mounted to a casing with a reduced risk that the at least one connection line becomes pinched between the abutting face of the electronic component module and a first edge portion of the housing hole of the casing on the first direction side, and/or between the electronic component module and a side wall of a housing hole of the casing. To mount such electronic component module to a casing, the electronic component module can be tilted such that the at least one protrusion faces a second edge portion of the housing hole of the casing on the second direction side or faces at least one engaging portion provided on the side wall of the housing hole; in this state, the at least one connection line can be inserted into the housing hole; and then the at least one protrusion can be inserted into the housing hole so as to be positioned on the second direction side relative to the second edge portion or the engaging portion of the casing; with this state maintained, the electronic component module can be partly housed in the housing hole, and the abutting face of the electronic component module is brought into abutment with the first edge portion. 
     If an attempt is made to bring the abutting face into abutment with the first edge portion of the casing from the first direction side without tilting the electronic component module as described above, the at least one protrusion will abut against the first edge portion of the casing before the at least one connection line becomes pinched between the abutting face and the first edge portion of the casing. This is because the at least one protrusion is at least partly positioned on the first direction side relative to the at least one connection line having been led out in the third direction. It is therefore possible to reduce the risk that the at least one connection line becomes pinched between the abutting face of the electronic component module and the first edge portion of the casing. 
     The at least one protrusion may be partly positioned on the second direction side relative to the at least one connection line having been led out in the third direction. In the electronic component module of this aspect, if an attempt is made to bring the abutting face into abutment with the first edge portion of the casing from the first direction side without tilting the electronic component module, the at least one protrusion is more likely to abut against the first edge portion of the casing before the at least one connection line will. This is because the at least one protrusion is partly positioned on the second direction side relative to the at least one connection line having been led out in the third direction. It is therefore possible to further reduce the risk that the at least one connection line becomes pinched between the abutting face and the first edge portion of the casing. 
     The at least one protrusion may extend in the third direction, from an inside to an outside relative to the edge line of the fixing part. In the electronic component module of this aspect, if an attempt is made to bring the abutting face into abutment with the first edge portion of the casing from the first direction side without tilting the electronic component module, the at least one protrusion is more likely to abut against the first edge portion of the casing before the at least one connection line becomes pinched between the abutting face and the first edge portion of the casing. This is because the at least one protrusion extends in the third direction, from the inside to the outside relative to the edge line of the fixing part. 
     The fixing part may further include a flange. The flange may include the above abutting face, the above outer face, and the above edge line. 
     The electronic component module according to any of the above aspects may further include a retainer positioned on the second direction side relative to the abutting face. The retainer may retain the at least one connection line partly such that the at least one connection line is led out in the third direction from an inside to an outside relative to the edge line. The at least one connection line may include a retained portion to be retained by the retainer. The at least one protrusion may be positioned in a vicinity of the retained portion of the at least one connection line and at least partly positioned on the first direction side relative to the retained portion of the at least one connection line. 
     In the electronic component module of this aspect, the at least one protrusion is at least partly positioned in the vicinity of the retained portion of the at least one connection line and on the first direction side relative to the retained portion of the at least one connection line. This arrangement further reduces the risk that the at least one connection line is pinched between the abutting face and the first edge portion of the casing and/or between the electronic component module and the side wall of the housing hole when tilting the electronic component module and bringing the abutting face into abutment with the first edge portion of the casing from the first direction side. 
     The at least one connection lines may be provided as a plurality of connection lines. In this case, the or each protrusion may be positioned between two of the connection lines. 
     The at least one protrusion may be provided as two protrusions. In this case, the two protrusions may be arranged on opposite sides of the at least one connection line. 
     The at least one protrusion may include an opposing face opposing the abutting face. The opposing face of the at least one protrusion may curve or incline such that a distance between the opposing face and the abutting face gradually increases in the third direction. The electronic component module of this aspect facilitates the insertion of the at least one protrusion into the housing hole so as to place the at least one protrusion on the second direction side relative to the second edge portion or the engaging portion of the casing. 
     A combination of an electronic component module and a casing of an aspect of the invention includes the electronic component module of any of the above aspects and a casing. The casing includes a housing hole opening to the first direction side, a first edge portion of the housing hole on the first direction side, and a second edge portion of the housing hole on the second direction side. The first and second edge portions, or alternatively the first edge portion and the engaging portion, are positioned between the abutting face and the at least one protrusion in a state where the electronic component module is partly housed in the housing hole from the first direction side and the abutting face of the electronic component module abuts the first edge portion of the housing hole from the first direction side. The combination of this aspect provides one or more of the effects as described earlier in relation to the electronic component module of the above aspects. 
     A control device of an aspect of the invention includes the combination of any of the above aspects, a main circuit board, and a controller mounted on the main circuit board. The main circuit board is positioned on the second direction side relative to the casing and connected to the at least one connection line of the electronic component module. The controller is mounted on the main circuit board and configured to output a signal to, and/or receive a signal from, the function part of the electronic component module via the main circuit board and the at least one connection line. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can be even more fully understood with the reference to the accompanying drawings which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the present invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a front, top, right side perspective view of a combination of an electronic component module and a casing according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front, bottom, left side perspective view of the combination. 
         FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of the combination, taken along line  1 C- 1 C in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a rear, top, left side perspective view of the combination, showing a state before the electronic component module is mounted to the casing. 
         FIG. 2B  is a front, bottom, left side perspective view of the combination, showing a state before the electronic component module is mounted to the casing. 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic component module, taken along line  3 A- 3 A cross section in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic component module, taken along line  3 B- 3 B in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded, rear, top, left side perspective view of the electronic component module. 
         FIG. 4B  is an exploded, front, bottom, left side perspective view of the electronic component module. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view, corresponding to  FIG. 1C , of a first variant of the combination. 
         FIG. 6  is a front, bottom, left side perspective view of a second variant of the combination, showing a state before the electronic component module is mounted to the casing. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a control device according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the combination of the electronic component module and the casing according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments of the invention will be described below. It should be noted that elements of the embodiments and their variants described below may be combined in any possible manner. 
     First Embodiment 
     The following describes a combination S of an electronic component module M and a casing  10  (attachment structure S) according to a plurality of embodiments of the invention, including the first embodiment and its variants, with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 6 .  FIGS. 1A to 4B  show the combination S of the first embodiment.  FIG. 5  shows a first variant of the combination S of the first embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows a second variant of the combination S of the first embodiment. 
     The combination S includes the casing  10  and the electronic component module M (which may be referred to simply as a module M) to be mounted to the casing  10 .  FIGS. 1C to 3A  and  FIGS. 4A to 6  show a Z-Z′ direction. The Z-Z′ direction includes a Z direction and a Z′ direction opposite to the Z direction. The Z direction corresponds to a first direction, and the Z′ direction corresponds to a second direction.  FIGS. 1C to 3A and 4A to 6  show a Y-Y′ direction, which is substantially orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction. The Y-Y′ direction includes a Y direction and a Y′ direction opposite to the Y direction. The Y direction may correspond to a third direction.  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, and 6  show an X-X′ direction orthogonal to the Y-Y′ and Z-Z′ directions. 
     The casing  10  has a housing hole  11 , and a first edge portion  12   a  of the housing hole  11  on the Z-direction side. The housing hole  11  may be a through hole extending through the casing  10  and opening to the Z- and Z′-direction sides (as shown in  FIGS. 1C to 2B ) or may be a blind hole opening to the Z-direction side. 
     Where the housing hole  11  is a through hole, the casing  10  may further include a second edge portion  12   b  of the housing hole  11  on the Z′-direction side (see  FIG. 1C ), or may further include at least one engaging portion on the or a side wall of the housing hole  11  (i.e. on the or an inner wall of the casing  10 ). Where the side wall of the housing hole  11  has a depression or hole (an engaging hole  13 ), the at least one engaging portion may particularly be an edge portion on the Z-direction side (third edge portion  14 ) of the engaging hole  13 , for example (see  FIG. 5 ). In this case, the at least one engaging hole  13  and the third edge portion  14  thereof are arranged on the Z′-direction side relative to the first edge portion  12   a.    
     Where the housing hole  11  is a blind hole, it is preferable that the casing  10  further have the at least one engaging hole  13  and the third edge portion  14  thereof described above. 
     The at least one engaging hole  13  may particularly be a plurality of engaging holes  13 . The or each engaging hole  13  may be provided with a third edge portion  14 . 
     The module M includes a function part  100  that performs a function as the module M. The function part  100  may be configured to function as a speaker as shown in  FIGS. 1A to 6 , a microphone, a sensor, a connector, an active component, a passive component, a circuit board, and/or the like, for example. The sensor may particularly be a touchscreen, an acceleration sensor, a touch switch, a motion detector, or the like. The active component may particularly be a semiconductor device, an electric motor, or the like. The passive component may particularly be a resistor, a capacitor, a coil, a transformer, a relay, a piezoelectric element, an oscillator, or the like. 
     Where the function part  100  is a speaker, the function part  100  includes a vibratable unit  110  and a magnetic circuit  120  (see  FIGS. 1A to 6 ). The vibratable unit  110  includes a vibratable member  111 , a coil bobbin  112 , and a voice coil  113 . The vibratable member  111  is a thin plate made of paper, synthetic resin, metal, ceramic, or other material. The coil bobbin  112  is of a tubular shape with a circular cross-section, fixed to the vibratable member  111 , and arranged on the Z′-direction side relative to the vibratable member  111 . The voice coil  113  is fixed to and along the outer circumferential surface of the coil bobbin  112 . The magnetic circuit  120  is arranged on the Z′-direction side relative to the vibratable member  111 . The magnetic circuit  120  includes a magnet  121 , a yoke  122 , and a pole piece  123 . The yoke  122  is a close-bottomed tube including a bottom and a side wall with a circular cross-section. The side wall extends in the Z-Z′ direction from the outer circumference of the bottom. The magnet  121  is disposed on the bottom of the yoke  122 . The pole piece  123  is placed on the magnet  121  to be located within the yoke  122 . A tubular magnetic gap G is formed between the side wall of the yoke  122  and the combination of the magnet  121  and the pole piece  123 . The coil bobbin  112  and the voice coil  113  are arranged within and along the magnetic gap G. 
     The module M further includes a fixing part. The fixing part may particularly be a frame  200  made of synthetic resin or other material. The frame  200  may be configured to house the function part  100  therein. For example, the frame  200  may include a housing portion A of any of the following aspects (1) to (3). 
     (1) The frame  200  includes a first frame  210  and a second frame  220 . The first and second frames  210 ,  220  may be combined together in the Z-Z′ direction (see  FIGS. 1A to 6 ) and may be fixed together with an adhesive or other means. The first frame  210  and/or the second frame  220  are provided with the housing portion A. The housing portion A houses the function part  100 . 
     The first and second frames  210 ,  220  shown in  FIGS. 1A to 4B  further have the following configurations, but the invention is not limited thereto. 
     The first frame  210  is provided with a first housing recess  211  opening in the Z′ direction. 
     The second frame  220  is provided with a second housing recess  221  opening in the Z direction and communicating with the first housing recess  211 . The bottom of the second housing recess  221  is provided with a cylindrical opening  222 . The first housing recess  211 , the second housing recess  221 , and the opening  222  constitute the housing portion A. The outer rim of the vibratable member  111  of the function part  100  is held between the circumferential area of the first housing recess  211  of the first frame  210  and the circumferential area of the second housing recess  221  of the second frame  220 , so that the vibratable member  111  is housed in the first housing recess  211 . The coil bobbin  112  and the voice coil  113  are housed in the second housing recess  221  and the opening  222  to be located in and along the magnetic gap G of the magnetic circuit  120  arranged in the opening  222 . The side wall of the yoke  122  of the magnetic circuit  120  may be fixed directly to the inner wall of the opening  222  with an adhesive R or other means (see  FIGS. 1C and 3A to 4B ), or may be fixed indirectly to the inner wall of the opening  222  via another member interposed between the inner wall of the opening  222  and the side wall of the yoke  122  of the magnetic circuit  120 . For convenience of illustration, the adhesive R is not illustrated In  FIG. 1C . 
     (2) The housing portion A of the frame  200  may be a blind hole opening in the Z′ direction. The function part  100  is housed in the housing portion A of the frame  200 . 
     (3) The function part  100  may be housed in the frame  200  by insert molding or other means. In this case, the housing portion A is the portion of the frame  200  that the function part  100  is embedded in. 
     It should be noted that the function part  100  may not be housed in the frame  200  but fixed to the frame  200 . 
     The frame  200  may include a body and at least one flange  230 . The body has a greater dimension in the Z-Z′ direction than the or each flange  230 . 
     Where the function part  100  is housed in the frame  200 , the body of the frame  200  may form at least part of the housing portion A, as described below as non-limiting examples. 
     Where the frame  200  has configuration (1) described above, at least one of the first frame  210  and the second frame  220  includes the body of the frame  200 . Where the first frame  210  includes the body, the body may include part of the housing portion A (e.g., the first housing recess  211 ). Where the second frame  220  includes the body, the body may include part of the housing portion A (e.g., the second housing recess  221  and the opening  222 ). Where the first frame  210  and the second frame  220  include the body, the body may include the housing portion A. 
     Where the frame  200  has configuration (2) or (3) described above, the body may include the housing portion A. 
     Where the function part  100  is fixed to the frame  200 , the body may include the portion of the frame  200  that the function part  100  is fixed to. 
     The at least one flange  230  extends from the body of the frame  200 , at least in the Y direction. The at least one flange  230  may have any of the following configurations (a) to (d), for example. 
     (a) There is provided a single flange  230  extending from the body of the frame  200 , in the Y direction. 
     (b) There is provided a plurality of the flanges  230  extending from the body. One of the flanges  230  extends in the Y direction, and the remaining one, or each of the remaining ones, extends in a direction (except the Y direction) substantially orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction. 
     (c) There is provided a single flange  230  including a ring  231  of generally ring shape. The ring  231  extends along the body of the frame  200  in a circumferential direction substantially orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction. 
     (d) The flange  230  of configuration (c) may be modified to further include at least one extension. The or each extension extends from the ring  231  in a direction substantially orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction. 
     In the embodiment as shown  FIGS. 1A to 4B , there is provided a single flange  230  including a ring  231 , an extension  232 , and three extensions  233 . The three extensions  233  are provided at 120° intervals along the ring  231 . The extension  232  is positioned between two of the three extensions  233  and extends from the ring  231  in the Y direction. 
     The frame  200  further includes an abutting face  201 , an outer face  202 , and an edge line  203  along which the abutting face  201  and the outer face  202  meet. The abutting face  201  is a face that is abuttable, from the Z-direction side, with the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  of the frame  200 . With the abutting face  201  abutting the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10 , the frame  200  is fixed to the first edge portion  12   a  by fixing means, such as screwing, adhesion with an adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape, or fitting. The fitting may particularly be such that one or more projections provided on one of the abutting face  201  and the first edge portion  12   a  are fittingly engaged with corresponding recess or recesses provided on the other. The outer face  202  faces generally to the Y-direction side and may particularly be a flat face, a face having an arc-shaped section, a concave face, a convex face, a concave-convex face, or other face. The outer face  202  extends from the distal end of the abutting face  201 , generally in a direction including a component of the Z direction. Particularly, the outer face  202  may extend orthogonally to the abutting face  201 . Alternatively, the outer face  202  may extend diagonally to the abutting face  201 , substantially diagonally to the abutting face  201 , in a direction including components of the Z and Y directions (this direction may be referred to as a “ZY direction”), or in a direction including components of the Z and Y′ directions (this direction may be referred to as a “ZY&#39; direction”). The Z-Z′ direction is substantially orthogonal to the abutting face  201 . 
     Where the frame  200  includes no flanges  230 , the outer perimeter portion of the frame  200  may include the abutting face  201 , the outer face  202 , and the edge line  203 . 
     Where the frame  200  includes the at least one flange  230 , the at least one flange  230  may include the abutting face  201 , the outer face  202 , and the edge line  203 , particularly as detailed below. 
     In the case of configuration (a) or (c) described above, the single flange  230  may include the abutting face  201 , the outer face  202 , and the edge line  203 . 
     In the case of configuration (b) described above, the one of the flanges  230  that extends in at least the Y direction may include the abutting face  201 , the outer face  202 , and the edge line  203 . 
     In the case of configuration (d) described above, the ring  231  of the single flange  230  may include the abutting face  201 , the outer face  202 , and the edge line  203 . Alternatively, the single extension of the flange  230  may include, or the plurality of extensions may collectively include, the abutting face  201 , the outer face  202 , and the edge line  203 . Still alternatively, the ring  231  and the extension or extensions may collectively include the abutting face  201 , and the extension may include, or the plurality of extensions may collectively include, the outer face  202  and the edge line  203 . 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1A to 4B , it is the ring  231 , the extension  232 , and the three extensions  233  of the flange  230  that collectively include the abutting face  201 , and it is the extension  232  that includes the outer face  202  and the edge line  203 . 
     The module M further includes at least one connection line  300  electrically connected to the function part  100 . The or each connection line  300  is a cable, a lead wire, a cord, or the like that is flexible enough to hang down under its own weight, for example. The at least one connection line  300  may be connected directly to the function part  100 , or indirectly to the function part  100  via an intervening member, which may be a conductive connecting member (such as a terminal or a pin) retained by the frame  200 . The at least one connection line  300  is positioned on the Z′-direction side relative to the abutting face  201  and configured to be led out in the Y direction, from the inside to the outside relative to the edge line  203 . The number of the at least one connection line  300  may be appropriately determined depending on the type of the function part  100 . 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1A to 4B , there are two connection lines  300 , two terminals  400 , and two lead wires  113   a . The connection lines  300  are embedded in the second frame  220  of the frame  200  by insert molding or other means and connected to the respective terminals  400 . The terminals  400  are retained by the second frame  220  and also connected to the respective lead wires  113   a . The lead wires  113   a  are drawn out from the voice coil  113 . 
     The module M may further include a retainer  600 . The retainer  600  may be provided integrally with the function part  100  or the frame  200 . Alternatively, the retainer  600  may be provided separately from the function part  100  or the frame  200  and may be fixed to the function part  100  or the frame  200  by any of the fixing means described above. The retainer  600  is positioned on the Z′-direction side relative to the abutting face  201  of the frame  200 , and retains the connection line or lines  300  partly such that the connection line or lines  300  are led out in the Y direction, from the inside to the outside relative to the edge line  203  of the frame  200 . For example, the retainer  600  may have one or more through holes extending in the Y-Y′ direction to receive therethrough the one or more connection lines  300  in the Y-Y′ direction. Alternatively, the one or more connection lines  300  may be partly fixed to the end face on the Z′-direction side of the retainer  600  by any of the above fixing means such that the one or more connection lines  300  are led out in the Y direction, from the inside to the outside relative to the edge line  203 . 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1A to 4B , the retainer  600  is provided integrally with the abutting face  201  and has two through holes in accordance with the number of connection lines  300 . 
     For convenience of explanation, the portion of the or each connection line  300  that is retained by the retainer  600  will be hereinafter referred to as a retained portion  310 . The retainer  600  may be omitted. 
     The module M further includes at least one protrusion  500 . The at least one protrusion  500  may be provided integrally with the function part  100  or the frame  200 . Alternatively, the at least one protrusion  500  may be provided separately from the function part  100  or the frame  200  and may be fixed to the function part  100  or the frame  200  by any of the above fixing means. The at least one protrusion  500  may have any of the following configurations (i) to (iii), for example. 
     (i) Where the frame  200  includes the body, the or each protrusion  500  is provided on an outer face on the Y- or Z′-direction side of the body. 
     (ii) The or each protrusion includes has a first portion extending in the Z′ direction from the abutting face  201  of the frame  200  and a second portion extending in the Y direction from the first portion. 
     (iii) Where the module M includes the retainer  600 , the or each protrusion  500  is provided on the face on the Y-direction side (see  FIGS. 1C and 3A ) or on the Z′-direction side of the retainer  600 . In this case, the at least one protrusion  500  is positioned in the vicinity of the retained portion  310  of the at least one connection line  300 . 
     Configuration (iii) may be modified such that the module M includes the retainer  600 , the at least one protrusion  500  is positioned in the vicinity of the retained portion  310  of the at least one connection line  300  and further include configuration (i) or (ii). 
     The at least one protrusion  500  is arranged at least partly on the Z-direction side relative to the one or more connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction. The or each protrusion  500  includes a top portion, which is the topmost portion to the Z-direction side of the protrusion  500 . The top portion is located on the Z-direction side relative to the one or more connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction. Accordingly, the one or more connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction are not positioned in the Z-Z′ direction between, i.e. are positioned in the Z-Z′ direction outside the area between, the at least one protrusion  500  and the abutting face  201 . 
     The at least one protrusion  500  may be partly positioned on the Z-direction side relative to the one or more connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction. In this case, the bottom portion, which is the bottommost portion to the Z′-direction side, of the at least one protrusion  500  is located on the Z′-direction side relative to the one or more connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction. In other words, the or each connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction is positioned next to, and on the X- or X′-direction side relative to, the or a respective protrusion  500 , and positioned in the Z-Z′ direction between the top portion and the bottom portion of the or the respective protrusion  500 . 
     Alternatively, the bottom portion may be positioned at the same height in the Z-Z′ direction as the end in the Z′ direction of the one or more connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction. Still alternatively, the bottom portion may be positioned on the Z-direction side relative to the one or more connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction. 
     As used herein the phrase “one or more connection lines  300  having been led out in the Y direction” means a state in which the one or more connection lines  300  are led out and stretched tightly in the Y direction. 
     The at least one protrusion  500  is located on the Z′ direction side relative to, and at a distance D 1  in the Z-Z′ direction from, the abutting face  201  of the frame  200 . The distance D 1  (distance in the Z-Z′ direction from the at least one protrusion  500  to the abutting face  201 ) may be slightly greater than a distance D 2  from the face on the Z-direction side of the first edge portion  12   a  to the second edge portion  12   b  of the casing  10  (see  FIG. 1C ). Alternatively, the distance D 1  may be substantially the same as the distance D 2 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , the distance D 1  may be slightly greater than a distance D 3  from a face on the Z-direction side of the first edge portion  12   a  to the third edge portion  14  (see  FIG. 5 ). Alternatively, the distance D 1  may be substantially the same as the distance D 3 . 
     The at least one protrusion  500  may extend in the Y direction, from the inside to the outside relative to the edge line  203  of the frame  200 . 
     Where the portion of the outer face  202  of the frame  200  that is located furthest in the Y direction (this portion may be referred to as a “furthest portion”) is located in the Y-Y′ direction at the same position as that of the edge line  203  or on the Y′-direction side relative to the edge line  203  (particularly, where the outer face  202  is a vertical face extending in the Z direction from the abutting face  201 , or an inclined face inclining in the ZY′ direction from the abutting face  201 , or a concave face recessed in the Y′ direction, for example), the at least one protrusion  500  may extend to the Y-direction side relative to not only the edge line  203  but also the outer face  202 . 
     Where the furthest portion of the outer face  202  is located on the Y-direction side relative to the edge line  203  (particularly, where the outer face  202  is an inclined face inclining in the ZY direction from the abutting face  201 , or a face having an arc-shaped section protruding in the Y-direction, or a convex face protruding in the Y direction, or a concave-convex face having a convex portion protruding in the Y-direction, for example), the tip on the Y-direction side of the at least one protrusion  500  may be positioned on the Y′- or Y-direction side relative to the furthest portion of the outer face  202 . The tip on the Y-direction side of the at least one protrusion  500  may be positioned along an imaginary line (not shown) extending in the Z-Z′ direction from the edge line  203  of the frame  200 , or may be positioned inside (on the Y′-direction side) relative to the imaginary line. 
     The or each protrusion  500  further has an opposing face  510  opposing the abutting face  201 . The or each opposing face  510  may curve or incline such that the distance between the opposing face  510  and the abutting face  201  gradually increases in the Y direction. In this case, the top portion of the or each protrusion  500  is the end on the Y′-direction side of the opposing face  510 . The opposing face  510  may not curve or incline as described above, but may be a flat face substantially parallel to the abutting face  201 . In this case, the top portion of the or each protrusion  500  is the entire opposing face  510 . 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1A to 4B , the single protrusion  500  extends in the Y direction from the end face on the Y-direction side of the retainer  600  to the outside relative to the edge line  203 , is positioned between the two connection lines  300 . Also, the end on the Y′-direction side of the opposing face  510  of the protrusion  500  (the top portion of the protrusion  500 ) is positioned on the Z-direction side relative to the retained portions  310  of the two connection lines  300 , and the face on the Z′-direction side of the protrusion  500  (the bottom portion of the protrusion  500 ) is positioned on the Z′-direction side relative to the retained portions  310  of the two connection lines  300 . 
     The at least one protrusion  500  may include a plurality of protrusions  500 . Where the casing  10  includes the second edge portion  12   b , one or more protrusions  500  may be provided to be located on the Z′-direction side relative to the second edge portion  12   b  (see  FIG. 1C ). Where the casing  10  includes a single engaging hole  13  and a third edge portion  14  thereof, one or more protrusions  500  are inserted into the engaging hole  13  of the casing  10  and can be arranged on the Z′-direction side relative to the third edge portion  14  (see  FIG. 5 ). Where the casing  10  includes a plurality of engaging holes  13  and third edge portions  14  thereof, a plurality of protrusions  500  are provided to be received in respective engaging holes  13  of the casing  10  and located on the Z′-direction side relative to the respective third edge portions  14 . 
     Where two protrusions  500  are provided, the protrusions  500  may be spaced apart in the X-X′ direction and may be positioned on opposite sides of the one or more connection lines  300  (see  FIG. 6 ). In other words, the one or more connection lines  300  may be arranged between the two protrusions  500 . 
     The following describes a method of mounting the module M including the one or more protrusions  500  to the casing  10  including the housing hole  11 , the first edge portion  12   a , and the second edge portion  12   b . This method may be hereinafter referred to as a first mounting method. 
     The casing  10  and the module M are prepared. The module M is tilted in a direction including components of the Z′ and Y directions (hereinafter also referred to as a “Z′Y direction”) such that the one or more protrusions  500  face the Z′-direction side of the second edge portion  12   b  of the casing  10 . In this state, the one or more connection lines  300  of the module M hang down under their own weight and are inserted into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 . The one or more protrusions  500  are then inserted into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10  so as to be positioned on the Z′-direction side relative to the second edge portion  12   b  of the casing  10 . With this state maintained, the module M is partly placed into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 , and the abutting face  201  of the frame  200  of the module M is brought into abutment with the first edge portion  12   a  of the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 . As a result, the first edge portion  12   a  and the second edge portion  12   b  are positioned between the abutting face  201  and the one or more protrusions  500 . The frame  200  of the module M is then fixed to the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  by one of the above-described fixing means, such as screwing, adhesion, fitting, etc. 
     The following describes a method of mounting the module M including the one or more protrusions  500  to the casing  10  including the housing hole  11 , the first edge portion  12   a , the engaging hole  13  and the third edge portion  14  thereof. This method may be hereinafter referred to as a second mounting method. 
     The casing  10  and the module M are prepared. The module M is tilted in the Z′Y direction such that the one or more protrusions  500  face the Z′-direction side of the third edge portion  14  of the engaging hole  13  of the casing  10 . In this state, the one or more connection lines  300  of the module M hang down under their own weight and are inserted into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 . The one or more protrusions  500  are then inserted into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 , then into the engaging hole  13  of the casing  10 , so as to be arranged on the Z′-direction side relative to the third edge portion  14  of the engaging hole  13 . With this state maintained, the module M is partly placed into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 , and the abutting face  201  of the frame  200  of the module M is brought into abutment with the first edge portion  12   a  of the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 . As a result, the first edge  12   a  and the third edge portion  14  are positioned between the abutting face  201  and the one or more protrusions  500 . The frame  200  of the module M is then fixed to the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  by one of the above fixing means, such as screwing, adhesion, fitting, etc. 
     The following describes a method of mounting the module M including the plurality of protrusions  500  to the casing  10  including the housing hole  11 , the first edge portion  12   a , the plurality of engaging holes  13 , and the third edge portions  14  thereof. This method may be hereinafter referred to as a third mounting method. 
     The casing  10  and the module M are prepared. The module M is tilted in the Z′Y direction such that the protrusions  500  respectively face the Z′-direction sides of the third edge portions  14  of the engaging holes  13  of the casing  10 . In this state, the one or more connection lines  300  hang down under their own weight and are inserted into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 . The protrusions  500  are then inserted into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 , then into the respective engaging hole  13  of the casing  10 , so as to be arranged on the Z′-direction side relative to the respective third edge portions  14  of the engaging holes  13 . With this state maintained, the module M is partly placed into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 , and the abutting face  201  of the frame  200  of the module M is brought into abutment with the first edge portion  12   a  of the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 . As a result, the first edge portion  12   a  and the third edge portions  14  are positioned between the abutting face  201  and the protrusions  500 . The frame  200  of the module M is then fixed to the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  by one of the above fixing means, such as screwing, adhesion, fitting, etc. 
     In any of the above mounting methods, if an attempt is made to bring the abutting face  201  of the frame  200  of the module M into abutment with the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  from the Z-direction side by bringing the module M in the Z′ direction to be closer to the casing  10  without tilting the module M in the Z′Y direction, the one or more protrusions  500  will abut against abutment with the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  before the one or more connection lines  300  will. This reduces the risk that the one or more connection lines  300  are pinched between the abutting face  201  and the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  and/or between the module M and the side wall of the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 . 
     The following describes a control device C according to the first embodiment of the invention, with reference to  FIG. 7 . The control device C includes the combination S of any of the above aspects, a main circuit board  1 , and a controller  2 . The controller  2  is provided on, and connected to, the main circuit board  1 . The at least one connection line  300  of the module M of the combination S is connected to the main circuit board  1 . Accordingly, the controller  2  is connected to the function part  100  of the module M via the main circuit board  1  and the at least one connection line  300 . The controller  2  is configured to output a signal (e.g., a drive signal) to the function part  100  and/or to receive a signal from the function part  100  and execute processing based on the received signal. 
     Where the function part  100  is a loudspeaker device, the casing  10  may be a casing of a measurement device for use in vehicles and other transports, and the controller  2  of the control device C may be configured to output a drive signal to the function part  100  to notify a state of a vehicle, etc. Some examples of such state are as follows: a seat belt is not fastened; a door of the vehicle, etc. is closed without being properly locked; or the vehicle is traveling at an excessive speed. However, the invention is not limited to these configurations. 
     The module M, the combination S of the module M and the casing  10 , and the control device C including the combination S provide at least the following technical features and effects. 
     It is possible to reduce the risk that the at least one connection line  300  is pinched between the abutting face  201  and the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  and/or between the module M and the side wall of the housing hole  11  of the casing  10  (this risk may be hereinafter referred to as the risk of pinching the at least one connection line  300 ). This is because the at least one protrusion  500  is positioned at least partly on the Z-direction side relative to the at least one connection line  300  having been led out in the Y direction. In other words, the at least one connection line  300  having been led out in the Y direction is not positioned in the Z-Z′ direction between the at least one protrusion  500  and the abutting face  201 . This arrangement allows to mount the module M to the casing  10  by tilting the module M in the Z′Y direction as described above, inserting the at least one connection line  300  into the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 , and placing the at least one protrusion  500  on the Z′-direction side relative to the second edge portion  12   b  or the third edge portion  14  of the casing  10 . Such mounting manner reduces the risk of pinching the at least one connection line  300 . 
     If an attempt is made to mount the module M to the casing  10  without tilting the module M in the Z′Y direction as described above, the at least one protrusion  500  will abut against the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  before the at least one connection line  300  becomes pinched between the abutting face  201  and the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10 . This is because the at least one protrusion  500  is positioned at least partly on the Z-direction side relative to the at least one connection line  300  having been led out in the Y direction. It is therefore possible to reduce the risk that the at least one connection line  300  is pinched between the abutting face  201  and the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10 . 
     Where the at least one protrusion  500  is partly positioned on the Z′ direction side relative to the at least one connection line  300  having been led out in the Y direction, the at least one protrusion  500  will abut against the first edge portion  12   a  before the at least one connection line  300  will. It is therefore possible to further reduce the risk that the at least one connection line  300  is pinched between the abutting face  201  and the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10 . 
     Moreover, where the at least one protrusion  500  extends in the Y direction from the inside to the outside relative to the edge line  203  of the frame  200 , if an attempt is made to mount the module M to the casing  10  without tilting the module M in the Z′Y direction as described above, the at least one protrusion  500  is more likely to abut against the first edge portion  12   a  before the at least one connection line  300  becomes pinched between the abutting face  201  and the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10 . 
     Furthermore, where the module M includes the retainer  600 , the at least one protrusion  500  is at least partly positioned in the vicinity of the retained portion  310  of the at least one connection line  300  and on the Z direction side relative to the retained portion  310 . This arrangement further reduces the risk that the at least one connection line  300  becomes pinched when tilting the module M in the Z′Y direction as described above to mount the module M to the casing  10 . 
     Where the opposing face  510  of the at least one protrusion  500  curves or inclines such that the distance between the opposing face  510  and the abutting face  201  gradually increases in the Y direction. This arrangement makes it easier to bring the at least one protrusion  500  to the Z direction side of the second edge portion  12   b  or the third edge portion  14  of the casing  10 , and also makes it less likely that the at least one protrusion  500  becomes caught by the second edge portion  12   b  or the third edge portion  14  of the casing  10 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     The following describes a combination S′ of a casing  10  and an electronic component module M′ according to a plurality of embodiments including the second embodiment of the invention, with reference to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  shows the combination S′ of the second embodiment.  FIG. 8  also shows the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions. 
     The combination S′ may have the same configuration as that of the combination S, except that the casing  10  has an outer shape that is different from that of the casing  10  of the combination S, and that the module M′ includes a circuit board  700  (fixing part) in place of the frame  200 . The combination S′ will now be described focusing on the differences from the combination S and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The casing  10  of the combination S′ has an outer shape that is different from that of the casing  10  of the combination S, but otherwise may have the same configuration as that of the casing  10  of any of the aspects described above. 
     The circuit board  700  may be a single-layer circuit board. The circuit board  700  may alternatively be a multi-layer circuit board having a plurality of layers laminated together. The function part  100  is fixed to the circuit board  700 . More particularly, the circuit board  700  may be configured such that the function part  100  is mounted on the face on the Z′ direction side of the circuit board  700 , or that the function part  100  is fixed to and between two adjacent ones in the Z-Z′ direction of the layers of the circuit board  700 . 
     The circuit board  700  may include a body and at least one flange. The body may include a portion to fix the function part  100  of the circuit board  700 . The body has a greater dimension in the Z-Z′ direction than the or each flange. The at least one flange extends from the body, at least in the Y direction. For example, the at least one flange may have a configuration similar to any of configurations (a) to (d) described above, or may have a configuration similar to the flange  230  shown in  FIGS. 1A to 4B . 
     The circuit board  700  further includes an abutting face  701 , an outer face  702 , and an edge line  703  along which the abutting face  701  and the outer face  702  meet. The abutting face  701  is a face that is abuttable, from the Z-direction side, with the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10  of the circuit board  700 . With the abutting face  701  abutting the first edge portion  12   a  of the casing  10 , the circuit board  700  is fixed to the first edge portion  12   a  by any of the above fixing means. The outer face  702  faces generally to the Y-direction side and may particularly be a flat face, a face having an arc-shaped section, a concave face, a convex face, a concave-convex face, or other face. The outer face  702  extends from an end of the abutting face  701 , generally in a direction including a component of the Z direction. Particularly, the outer face  702  may extend orthogonally to the abutting face  701 . Alternatively, the outer face  702  may extend diagonally to the abutting face  701 , in a ZY or ZY′ direction. The Z-Z′ direction is substantially orthogonal to the abutting face  701 . 
     Where the circuit board  700  includes no flanges, the outer perimeter portion of the circuit board  700  may include the abutting face  701 , the outer face  702 , and the edge line  703 . 
     Where the circuit board  700  includes the at least one flange, the at least one flange may include the abutting face  701 , the outer face  702 , and the edge line  703 . The abutting face  701 , the outer face  702 , and the edge line  703  of the at least one flange of the circuit board  700  may have similar configurations to those of the abutting face  201 , the outer face  202 , and the edge line  203 , respectively, of the at least one flange  230  of the frame  200  of any of the aspects described above. 
     The module M′ further includes the at least one connection line  300 . The at least one connection line  300  may have the same configuration as that of the at least one connection line  300  of any of the above-described aspects of the module M, except that the at least one connection line  300  of the module M′ is positioned on the Z′ direction side relative to the abutting face  701  of the circuit board  700 , not relative to the abutting face  201  of the frame  200 . The at least one connection line  300  may be connected directly to the function part  100 , or indirectly to the function part  100  via the circuit board  700 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 , there are two connection lines  300  (one of them is shown), which are connected to the circuit board  700  and connected to the function part  100  via the circuit board  700 . 
     The module M′ may further include the retainer  600 . The retainer  600  may have the same configuration as that of the retainer  600  of any of the above-described aspects of the module M, except the following differences. 
     The retainer  600  may be provided integrally with the function part  100  or the circuit board  700 . Alternatively, the retainer  600  may be provided separately from the function part  100  or the circuit board  700  and may be fixed to the function part  100  or the circuit board  700  by any of the above fixing means. 
     The retainer  600  is positioned on the Z′ direction side relative to the abutting face  701  of the circuit board  700 , and retains the one or more connection lines  300  partly such that the one or more connection lines  300  are led out in the Y direction, from the inside to the outside relative to the edge line  703  of the circuit board  700 . The retainer  600  can be omitted in the module M′. 
     The module M′ further includes the at least one protrusion  500 . The at least one protrusion  500  may have the same configuration as that of the at least one protrusion  500  of the module M of any of the above-described aspects, except the following differences. 
     The at least one protrusion  500  may be provided integrally with the function part  100  or the circuit board  700 . Alternatively, the at least one protrusion  500  may be provided separately from the function part  100  or the circuit board  700  and may be fixed to the function part  100  or the circuit board  700  by any of the above fixing means. The at least one protrusion  500  may have any of configuration (iii) above, configuration (iv) below, or configuration (v) below. 
     (iv) Where the circuit board  700  includes the body, the or each protrusion  500  is provided on an outer face on the Y- or Z′-direction side of the body of the circuit board  700 . 
     (v) The or each protrusion  500  has a first portion extending in the Z′ direction from the abutting face  701  of the circuit board  700  and a second portion extending in the Y direction from the first portion. 
     Even where the module M′ includes the retainer  600 , the at least one protrusion  500  may have configuration (iv) or (v) and be positioned in the vicinity of the retained portion  310  of the at least one connection line  300 . 
     The at least one protrusion  500  located on the Z′ direction side relative to, and at a distance D 4  in the Z-Z′ direction from, the abutting face  701  of the circuit board  700 . The distance D 4  (distance in the Z-Z′ direction from the at least one protrusion  500  to the abutting face  701 ) may be slightly greater than the distance D 2  from the face on the Z direction side of the first edge portion  12   a  to the second edge portion  12   b  of the casing  10  (see  FIG. 8 ). Alternatively, the distance D 1  may be substantially the same as the distance D 2 . The distance D 4  may be slightly greater than the distance D 3  from the face on the Z direction side of the first edge portion  12   a  to the third edge portion  14  (see  FIG. 5  for reference purpose). The at least one protrusion  500  extends in the Y direction, from the inside to the outside relative to the edge line  703  of the circuit board  700 . 
     The module M′ of any of the above-described aspects is mounted to the casing  10  in a manner similar to one of the first to third mounting methods for the module M. It is to be noted here that in each of the first to third mounting methods, the frame  200 , the abutting face  201 , the outer face  202 , and the edge line  203  are replaced with the circuit board  700 , the abutting face  701 , the outer face  702 , and the edge line  703 . 
     The control device C may include the combination S′ in place of the combination S. 
     The module M′, the combination S′ of the module M′ and the casing  10 , and the control device C including the combination S′ provide the same technical features and effects as those of the module M, the combination S, and the control device C including the combination S. 
     The electronic component module, the combination of the electronic component module and the casing, and the control device described above are not limited to the embodiments described above but may be modified in any manner within the scope of the claims. Some example modifications will be described below. 
     The at least one protrusion of any of the above aspects is only required to extend in the Y direction at least partly. Thus, the at least one protrusion of any of the above aspects may extend partly in the ZY and/or Z′Y directions. In this case, the ZY or Z′Y direction corresponds to the third direction. 
     The at least one engaging portion of the casing of the invention is not limited to the third edge portion  14  of the engaging hole  13  but may be modified as follows, for example. The at least one engaging portion may be an edge portion on the Z direction side of an engaging recess in the or a side wall of the housing hole  11  of the casing  10  (i.e. in the or an inner wall of the casing  10 ). The at least one engaging portion may be an engaging projection extending in the Y′ direction from the or a side wall of the housing hole  11  of the casing  10  and positioned on the Z′ direction side relative to the first edge portion  12   a . The at least one protrusion  500  of any of the above aspects may preferably configured such that, with the abutting face  201  abutting the first edge portion  12   a  of the housing hole  11  of the casing  10 , the at least one protrusion  500  be positioned on the Z′ direction side relative to the edge portion on the Z direction side of the at least one engaging recess, or relative to the at least one engaging projection. 
     The materials, the shapes, the dimensions, the numbers, the positions, etc. of the elements of the electronic component module, the combination of the electronic component module and the casing, and the control device in the above-described embodiments and their variants are presented by way of example only and can be modified in any manner as long as the same functions can be fulfilled. The conditions, the numerical values, the materials, etc. of the mounting methods of various aspects and their modifications of the embodiments have been described by way of example only, and they may be modified in any manner as long as similar processes can be performed. The Z direction (first direction) of the invention may any direction substantially orthogonal to the abutting face of the frame or to the abutting face of the circuit board of the invention. The Z′ direction (second direction) of the invention may be any direction opposite to the first direction. The third direction of the invention may be any direction that crosses the first and second directions. 
     The present invention can include any combination of these various features or embodiments above and/or below as set-forth in sentences and/or paragraphs. Any combination of disclosed features herein is considered part of the present invention and no limitation is intended with respect to combinable features. 
     Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the present specification and practice of the present invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the present specification and examples be considered as exemplary only with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     C: control device 
       1 : main circuit board 
       2 : controller 
     S, S′: combination 
       10 : casing 
       11 : housing hole 
       12   a : first edge portion 
       12   b : second edge portion 
       13 : engaging hole 
       14 : third edge portion 
     M, M′: electronic component module 
       100 : function part 
       200 : frame (fixing part) 
       201 : abutting face 
       202 : outer face 
       203 : edge line 
       210 : first frame 
       220 : second frame 
       230 : flange 
       300 : connection line 
       310 : retained portion 
       400 : terminal 
       500 : protrusion 
       510 : opposing face 
       600 : retainer 
       700 : circuit board (fixing part) 
       701 : abutting face 
       702 : outer face 
       703 : edge line