DE102012109230A1 - Housing equipped with a viewing window - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing (3) equipped with a viewing window (1), which can be used as flexibly as possible, is described, with a housing interior closed by an outer wall (7), a recess (5) provided in the outer wall (7), and a transparent first pane arranged in the housing interior (9), which has an outer edge which is mechanically fastened on an area of the outer wall (7) surrounding the recess (5) in the interior of the housing (3), and a second transparent planar disk (13) which is flush with the front Recess (5) is inserted, and the housing (3) is flush with the outside.

Description

The invention relates to a housing equipped with a viewing window. With viewing windows equipped housing are used for example in industrial metrology. An example of this are measuring devices in which a suburb display, in particular for displaying measured values and / or operating parameters, is provided in a housing, which can be viewed from outside through the viewing window.

Depending on the location of use, a variety of requirements are placed on housings with viewing windows, in particular for their use in industrial metrology. These include, in particular, hygiene requirements for use in the pharmaceutical industry and in the food industry, requirements for tightness, and requirements for their mechanical stability. The latter are especially relevant for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, where high demands are placed on the pressure resistance especially with respect to high pressures occurring inside the housing.

There are already equipped with viewing windows today housing in use, which have an outer wall in which a generally circular recess is provided, which opens into the interior of the housing. For the viewing window a planar, usually circular disk-shaped, glass or plastic disk is used regularly, whose cross-sectional area is greater than the cross-sectional area of the recess. This disc is fixed in the interior of the housing such that an outer edge of the disc rests on a recess surrounding the inside of the outer wall.

These housings have the advantage that the outer wall of the housing forms a mechanically stable bearing surface for the viewing window with respect to pressures arising in the housing interior.

The disadvantage is that in the outside located in front of the disc recess water or dirt from the environment of the housing can accumulate. This can form deposits on the viewing window over time. The recess forms a cavity that is difficult to clean. Accordingly, these housings are not suitable for applications with high hygiene requirements.

In addition, deposits in the recess can lead to an impairment of the visibility of the housing interior through the viewing window.

In the WO 2012/000526 A1 is described a housing equipped with a viewing window, wherein the viewing window is formed by a planar plastic disc, which is flush mounted in a recess in the housing. For this purpose, an outer edge of the disc-shaped viewing window with the interposition of a seal on an outwardly facing the recess surrounding shoulder surface in the outer wall. The disc-shaped viewing window has an outwardly facing out of the housing direction conically tapered outer surface, and is mechanically fixed on the shoulder surface by a positive connection is generated in such a way by forming a recess and the shoulder surface outside surrounding bead of the material of the housing in that the resulting connection between the viewing window and the housing on the outside of the housing forms a substantially jointless step-free transition.

This causes a front flush substantially gap-free installation of the viewing window. However, the housing has a lower mechanical strength with respect to pressures arising in the interior of the housing than housings in which the viewing window in the interior of the housing rests on a solid edge of the housing wall surrounding the recess.

It is an object of the invention to provide a versatile as possible equipped with a window housing.

• – einem von einer Außenwand abgeschlossenen Gehäuseinnenraum,
• – einer in der Außenwand vorgesehen Ausnehmung,
• – einer im Gehäuseinnenraum angeordneten durchsichtigen ersten Scheibe,
• – die einen äußeren Rand aufweist, der auf einem die Ausnehmung umgebenden Bereich der Außenwand im Inneren des Gehäuses mechanisch befestigt ist, und
• – einer zweiten durchsichtigen planare Scheibe,
• – die frontbündig in die Ausnehmung eingesetzt ist, und
• – die das Gehäuse frontbündig nach außen abschließt.

For this purpose, the invention comprises a housing with

• A housing interior closed off from an outer wall,
• A recess provided in the outer wall,
• A transparent first pane arranged in the interior of the housing,
• - Has an outer edge which is mechanically fixed on a recess surrounding portion of the outer wall in the interior of the housing, and
• A second transparent planar disc,
• - The front flush is inserted into the recess, and
• - Completes the housing flush with the front to the outside.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the second disc with the interposition of a seal, esp. A seal made of an elastomer, is inserted into the recess.

According to a first development, the outer edge of the first pane is glued to an inner side of the outer wall surrounding the recess by means of an adhesive, in particular a silicone adhesive.

According to a further embodiment of the housing according to the invention, the first disc is made of glass or plastic, and the second disc is made of glass or plastic.

• – der äußere Rand der ersten Scheibe auf einer die Ausnehmung umgebenden Innenseite der Außenwand aufliegt,
• – die erste Scheibe außenseitlich von einem an die Außenwand anschließenden Wandsegment des Gehäuses umgeben ist, und
• – die erste Scheibe mittels eines in einen die Scheibe außenseitlich umschließenden Spalt zwischen der ersten Scheibe und dem Wandsegment eingebrachten Klebers, insb. eines Silikonklebers, mechanisch im Gehäuse befestigt ist.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a second development according to the

• The outer edge of the first disk rests on an inner side of the outer wall surrounding the recess,
• - The first disc is surrounded on the outside by a subsequent wall of the outer wall segment of the housing, and
• - The first disc is mechanically fastened in the housing by means of an adhesive, in particular a silicone adhesive, introduced into a gap between the first disk and the wall segment enclosing the disk on the outside.

• – ist im Inneren des Gehäuses ein Stützring vorgesehen, und
• – der äußere Rand der ersten Scheibe ist zwischen dem Stützring und der Außenwand eingespannt.

According to another embodiment

• - Inside the housing, a support ring is provided, and
• - The outer edge of the first disc is clamped between the support ring and the outer wall.

• – ist die erste Scheibe eine druckfeste Glasscheibe, insb. eine Scheibe aus einem Sicherheitsglas, und
• – die zweite Scheibe besteht aus Glas oder aus Kunststoff.

According to a development of the invention or the second development of the invention

• - The first disc is a pressure-resistant glass, esp. A pane of safety glass, and
• - The second disc is made of glass or plastic.

According to a first variant of the invention, the first and the second disc are two mechanically interconnected by an adhesive bond elements.

According to a second variant of the invention, the first and the second disc portions of a one-piece insert.

According to a preferred embodiment, the outer wall of the housing is an outer wall of a housing cover.

The construction of the viewing window according to the invention comprising a first disk arranged inside the housing and a second disk inserted flush into the recess offers the advantage that the mechanical closure of the housing interior relative to the environment takes place via the first disk arranged in the interior of the housing second pane regardless of the requirements for the mechanical closure of the housing interior a flush-mounted, undercut and cavity-free installation of the viewing window is effected.

This is both a high hygienic requirements sufficient front-flush completion of the housing to the outside, as well as a high degree of mechanical stability against occurring in the housing interior pressures.

The invention and further advantages will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures of the drawing, in which two embodiments are shown; like parts are provided in the figures with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a housing according to the invention equipped with a viewing window; and

2 shows a sectional drawing of another embodiment of a housing according to the invention equipped with a viewing window.

1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of an inventive with a viewing window 1 equipped housing 3 ,

The housing 3 is, for example, a housing of a measuring device for measuring process variables or a housing of a local display. These housings are used, for example, in measurement and control technology and in process automation in industrial plants. Over the viewing window 1 is one of the viewing window 1 Covered portion of the housing interior visible from the outside. In the visible portion, for example, a not shown here display and / or an LED display is arranged. The housing 3 consists for example of a metal, esp. Of aluminum or stainless steel, or of a plastic.

The viewing window 1 is flush with the front in a recess 5 in an exterior wall closing the housing interior to the outside 7 of the housing 3 used. Basically, the viewing window 1 in any outer wall of the housing 3 be used. In the embodiment shown here is the recess 5 in a front side of a housing cover, which closes the underlying housing interior to the outside.

The viewing window 1 includes a first transparent disc 9 which is completely inside the case 3 is arranged. It is made of glass or a transparent plastic.

The first disc 9 has an outer edge on a recess 5 surrounding area of the outer wall 7 mechanically fastened. The mechanical fastening takes place in the in 1 illustrated embodiment, by the outer edge of the first disc 9 by means of an adhesive 11 , esp. Of a silicone adhesive, on a recess 5 surrounding inside of the outer wall 7 is glued on. The bonding is preferably carried out on a closed annular surface along the edge, so that thereby at the same time a sealing of the housing interior is effected relative to the environment.

According to the invention, the viewing window comprises 1 in addition, a second planar disk 13 , Also, this consists of a transparent material, esp. Of a glass or plastic. The second disc 13 is with the interposition of a seal 15 flush with the outside of the housing interior in front of the first pane 9 existing recess 5 used. As a seal 15 For example, a seal made of an elastomer can be used. The second disc 13 fills the recess 5 preferably completely off and closes the housing 3 flush to the outside.

This offers the advantage that there are no cavities, recesses or undercuts to the outside in which water and / or dirt can accumulate. In addition, the front flush mounted housing outside in this way is easy to clean. The housing 3 is therefore well suited for use in applications in which high demands are made on hygiene and cleanability.

The first and the second disc 9 . 13 can, as in 1 represented by a bond 17 be mechanically interconnected single element. The bond 17 is preferably carried out by means of an adhesive intermediate layer, which consists for example of a casting resin or of a viscoelastic, tear-resistant, thermoplastic composite film.

This variant offers the advantage that both discs 9 . 13 have a simple economically producible geometry. In addition, the materials of the two discs 9 . 13 be specified independently.

Alternatively, the first and the second disc 9 . 13 be formed as portions of a one-piece insert of a single material. In this case, the in 1 Bonding shown 17 ,

2 shows a further embodiment of an inventive with a viewing window 1 equipped housing 3 , This embodiment is specially designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. There is a high pressure resistance of the housing 3 against pressures occurring in the interior of the housing, esp. Of pressures in the range of 80 bar or even up to 100 bar, required to ensure that the housing 3 is not damaged even if, for example due to a malfunction in the housing interior explosion occurs.

Again, the viewing window includes 1 a planar, completely in the housing interior, inside the housing 3 mechanically fastened first disc 9 , and one outside the first pane 9 arranged second disc 13 that the recess 5 in the outer wall 7 flush to the outside. The second disc 13 is also here with the interposition of a seal 15 flush with the outside of the housing interior in front of the first pane 9 existing recess 5 used.

To achieve a high compressive strength, the housing exists 3 here of a metal, esp. Of aluminum or a stainless steel, and the first disc 9 is designed as a pressure-resistant glass. The first disc 9 preferably consists of a safety glass with a thickness of the order of 10 mm.

The outer edge of the first disc 9 again lies inside the housing on the stable metallic outer wall 7 of the housing 3 on. As a result, a high mechanical stability is given to occur in the housing interior high pressures.

The first disc 9 is on the outside from one to the outer wall 7 adjoining wall segment 19 of the housing 3 surround. In the embodiment shown, the wall segment 19 formed by a substantially cylindrical outer wall of the housing cover, the front side of the viewing window 1 containing outer wall 7 is completed. Alternatively this may be the first disc 9 enclosing wall segment 19 but also by a in the housing interior on the outer wall 7 provided the first disc 9 be formed outside annularly enclosing paragraph.

The mechanical attachment of the first disc 9 takes place here by means of a disk in one 9 Outer enclosing gap between the first disc 9 and the wall segment 19 introduced adhesive 21 , The glue 21 is preferably a silicone adhesive, such as, for example, sold by the company Wacker Silicones under the name Elastosil RT607 silicone adhesive. These silicone adhesives offer the advantage here that they can be used to create a pressure-resistant connection suitable for use with the housing 3 in potentially explosive atmospheres.

In addition to the mechanical attachment causes the adhesive 21 at the same time a seal of the housing interior to the environment.

The first and the second disc 9 . 13 Again, through the already in conjunction with the in 1 shown embodiment adhesive 17 be mechanically interconnected individual elements. The bond 17 also takes place here preferably by means of an adhesive intermediate layer, which consists for example of a casting resin or of a viscoelastic, tear-resistant, thermoplastic composite film. Because the compressive strength by the first disc 9 is ensured, can for the second disc 13 another material, such as a simple glass or a plastic used.

Alternatively, the two discs 9 . 13 Here also be part of a one-piece overall consisting of a pressure-resistant glass insert.

In addition, inside the housing in addition a support ring 23 be provided. The support ring 23 is from the inside to the inside of the housing facing outer edge of the first disc 9 assembled. He has this, for example, a externally equipped with an external thread radially outwardly extending shoulder, and is about this in a corresponding internal thread in which the first disc 9 surrounding wall segment 19 screwed. In this way, the outer edge of the first disc 9 between the support ring 21 and the outer wall 19 clamped. As a result, an additional mechanical stability of the viewing window 1 against external forces acting on it, in particular against pressing or striking effected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 window

3

 casing

5

 recess

7

 outer wall

9

 first disc

11

 Glue

13

 second disc

15

 poetry

17

 splice

19

 wall segment

21

 Glue

23

 support ring

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2012/000526 A1 [0007]

Claims (10)

Casing ( 3 ) with - one of an outer wall ( 7 ) enclosed housing interior, - one in the outer wall ( 7 ) provided recess ( 5 ), - in the housing interior arranged transparent first disc ( 9 ), - having an outer edge, on a recess ( 5 ) surrounding area of the outer wall ( 7 ) inside the housing ( 3 ) is mechanically fixed, and - a second transparent planar disc ( 13 ), - the front flush in the recess ( 5 ) is inserted, and - the housing ( 3 ) flush with the front. Casing ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein the second disc ( 13 ) with the interposition of a seal ( 15 ), esp. A seal made of an elastomer, in the recess ( 5 ) is used. Casing ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge of the first disc ( 9 ) by means of an adhesive ( 11 ), esp. Of a silicone adhesive, on a the recess ( 5 ) surrounding inside of the outer wall ( 7 ) is glued. Casing ( 3 ) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein - the first disc ( 9 ) is made of glass or plastic, and - the second pane ( 13 ) consists of glass or plastic. Housing according to claim 1, in which - the outer edge of the first disc ( 9 ) on a recess ( 5 ) surrounding inside of the outer wall ( 7 ), - the first disc ( 9 ) on the outside from one to the outer wall ( 7 ) subsequent wall segment ( 19 ) of the housing ( 3 ), - the first disc ( 9 ) by means of a disk ( 9 ) on the outside enclosing gap between the first disc ( 9 ) and the wall segment ( 19 ) adhesive ( 21 ), esp. Of a silicone adhesive, mechanically in the housing ( 3 ) is attached. Casing ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein - inside the housing ( 3 ) a support ring ( 23 ), and - the outer edge of the first disc ( 9 ) between the support ring ( 23 ) and the outer wall ( 7 ) is clamped. Casing ( 3 ) according to claim 1 or 5, wherein - the first disc ( 9 ) a pressure-resistant glass pane, esp. A pane of a safety glass is, and - the second disc ( 13 ) consists of glass or plastic. Casing ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second disc ( 9 . 13 ) two by gluing ( 17 ) are mechanically interconnected elements. Casing ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second disc ( 9 . 13 ) Are part of a one-piece use. Casing ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall ( 7 ) of the housing ( 3 ) is an outer wall of a housing cover.

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