DE102022114919A1 - Device and method for housing electrical devices - Google Patents

Abstract

According to a first aspect, a housing (10) for accommodating an electrical circuit (26) comprises a first housing part (20) with a rectangular housing base (22) and a first side wall (24) extending vertically at a first end of the housing base (22). ; a second housing part (40) with a rectangular housing ceiling (42) and two mutually parallel second side walls which extend perpendicularly from the housing ceiling on opposite edges of the housing ceiling (42), the housing base (22) and the housing ceiling (42) being parallel, and the first side wall (24) is perpendicular to the second side walls, and wherein the housing cover (42) has at least one connecting tab (45) at the first end, with which the first side wall (24) is mechanically connected or connectable by a connecting element (46). is; and a third housing part (60), which can be attached to a second end opposite the first end for mechanical connection to the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing ceiling (42).

Description

The invention relates to a technique for designing a housing for an electrical device. Without being limited thereto, the invention relates in particular to a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit with an optimized assembly connection for sheet metal housing parts of electrical devices.

Housings for electrical devices are subject to a variety of requirements. This ranges from the inclusion of the electrical circuit, to the arrangement of electrical and mechanical connections, compliance with the relevant safety standards, the mechanical stability requirements for the housing and others. To meet these requirements, a variety of designs can be considered, which generally consist of a number of housing elements and electrical components. The housing elements are made from a variety of materials, which include various metal and plastic versions. In particular, a large number of connecting and positioning elements are used to connect the various housing parts, some of which are already part of the housing elements and some of which are also designed as additional fastening means. In particular, screws are used as additional fasteners, which guarantee a high mechanical strength of the connection and can also serve as electrical connecting elements.

However, the construction of the housing described above often leads to complex assembly of the devices, especially with at least three housing parts. This is due, among other things, to a number of fasteners, for example screws, which are used at several points on the housing in different orientations, particularly for the required stability of the devices. It is particularly time-consuming during production to mount housing screws in different assembly directions - i.e. with different axes of rotation. This significantly increases the complexity of the assembly process, while slowing it down and increasing assembly costs.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a technology that realizes a housing that meets the above requirements and has at least three housing parts for an electrical device that is as easy to assemble and therefore as cost-effective as possible. It is particularly desirable to minimize the number of mounting directions of the screws used, since the mounting effort increases significantly with each additional mounting direction.

The task is solved with the features of the independent claims. Appropriate refinements and advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Embodiments of the invention, which can optionally be combined with one another, are disclosed below with partial reference to the figures.

A first aspect relates to a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit. The housing is composed of at least three housing parts. A first housing part comprises a rectangular housing base and a first side wall which extends vertically at a first end of the housing base. The housing part can be made of metal, preferably of a metal sheet. The metal sheet can be made of aluminum or steel, for example stainless steel. Alternatively, the housing part can also be made of plastic, for example thermoplastic material. This can include the thermoplastics PES, PSU, PC, PPE, PVC, PMMA, PS, SAN, ABS, LCP, PEEK, PA, PET, PA, PBT, POM, TPU, PE and PP. The housing base and the first side wall can be integrally formed in one piece. For example, the two surfaces can be made from a piece of metal through a bending process.

A second housing part comprises a rectangular housing ceiling and two mutually parallel second side walls which extend perpendicularly from the housing ceiling on opposite edges of the housing ceiling. The housing base and the housing ceiling are arranged parallel. In the assembled state of the first housing part and the second housing part, the first side wall of the first housing part is arranged perpendicular to the (two) second side walls of the second housing part. The housing cover has at least one connecting tab at the first end, with which the first side wall is mechanically connected or connectable by a connecting element. The connecting element can be designed as a screw, a rivet, a clip or in another form. The second housing part can be made of the same metal or plastic as the first housing part. Furthermore, the three surfaces of the second housing part can be made from a piece of metal by a bending process.

The housing further comprises a third housing part which counteracts the first end at one end overlying second end can be attached. The third housing part is intended for mechanical connection to the housing base, the (two) second side walls and the housing ceiling. Its material can consist of plastic, preferably thermoplastic material, more preferably one of the types mentioned above. The third housing part can be designed as a front and/or control element that accommodates signaling elements and/or accommodates connecting elements. Alternatively, it can be made of metal, in particular a metal of the above-mentioned types.

Advantageously, only one assembly direction is required for the connecting element at the first end, which allows the housing to be easily assembled. For example, the mechanical connection between the first and second housing parts at the second end can be achieved simply by plugging on the third housing part, and the mechanical connection between the first and second housing parts at the first end can be achieved by mounting in one mounting direction.

In each exemplary embodiment, the connecting element can be designed as a screw. The screw may be a secured screw. This makes it possible, for example, to obtain UL approval (according to “Underwriters Laboratories”) for the device. It can then be designed as a combination screw. Alternatively, the screw can also be designed as a countersunk screw if a secure design of the screw is not necessary or the screw head is undesirable due to space constraints. The housing cover can have at least two connecting tabs at the first end. The mounting direction of both screws can be identical. Furthermore, the first housing part, the second housing part and the third housing part can each be made integrally in one piece.

For example, the housing cover can have at least two connecting tabs at the first end, each of which is designed to accommodate one screw in a mounting direction, the mounting direction of the screws being identical.

A reliable connection of the two housing parts can thus advantageously be achieved, whereby both safety aspects and construction aspects can be taken into account by using different types of screws.

The first side wall can have at least one depression at the first end. This recess is designed to accommodate one of the connecting tabs of the housing cover. Correspondingly, with two connecting straps, two recesses can be designed to accommodate one connecting strap each. Optionally, the recess can be designed such that the connecting tabs are arranged flush with the first side wall on the outside.

A compact design of the housing with flat outer surfaces can thus advantageously be ensured.

The first housing part and the second housing part can each be electrically conductive. Furthermore, the connecting tab of the second housing part can be electrically conductively connected to the first side wall of the first housing part. This can be improved by using a conductive connecting element if it mechanically connects the connecting tab to the first sidewall without electrical insulation.

Advantageously, an electrical potential difference between the first housing part and the second housing part can be avoided and separate grounding measures for the housing parts can be omitted.

Furthermore, the second side walls can be flush with opposite edges of the housing base. Alternatively or additionally, the first side wall can be flush with an edge of the housing ceiling at the first end. Further alternatively or additionally, one edge of the opposite second side walls can rest against an edge of the first side wall at the first end.

Advantageously, the mechanical stability of the housing can be increased, while at the same time a large-area electrical contact is achieved, which shields the electrical circuit arranged in the housing from external electromagnetic influences in a kind of Faraday cage.

The housing base can have eyelets that bulge in the plane of the housing base on opposite edges of the housing base. Furthermore, the second side walls can each have at least one finger, which engages or can be inserted into one of the eyelets. Finally, the eyelets can optionally be flush with the second side walls on the outside.

Advantageously, the mechanical stability of the housing can be further increased, in particular the fixation of the side walls in relation to the housing base. At the same time, the electrical contact between the side walls and the housing base is improved, which is secured even if the housing is twisted.

The at least one finger can be arranged outside a plane of the respective second side wall. Furthermore, one of the eyelets of the housing base can be arranged in a recess in the respective second side wall that corresponds to the finger.

Advantageously, bulges on the opposite edges of the housing base can be avoided and a flat housing edge can be achieved.

The mechanical connection of the third housing part with the housing base, the second side walls and the housing ceiling can be designed without a separate connecting element. For example, it can be designed without screws, rivets or clips.

Advantageously, assembly can be simplified by using only a few fasteners, although the assembly of further fasteners would obviously also require further assembly directions, which would entail additional assembly effort.

The second side walls can each have at least one punching bridge at the second end, into which guide retaining pins projecting from the third housing part engage or can be inserted. Furthermore, the housing cover can have at least one punching bridge at the second end, into which a guide retaining pin protruding from the third housing part engages or can be inserted. The punched bridges can point into the interior of the housing. The cantilevered guide retaining pins may have an arrow-shaped shape that becomes thicker towards the third housing part.

Advantageously, a stable fixation between the connected housing parts can be achieved, which can be implemented cost-effectively and, moreover, does not disturb the housing surface due to mechanically protruding parts.

The third housing part, also called the front cap, can have cantilevered locking elements arranged all around. These can be used for mechanical connection at the second end to the housing base, the second side walls and the housing ceiling. The locking elements are designed as shapes of the front cap, which are created with it in one operation and therefore also have the material of the front cap. The production can take place in an injection molding process.

Connecting elements can thus advantageously be provided for the production of which no additional work step is required.

The locking elements of the third housing part, the front cap, can engage at the second end in openings in the housing base, the second side walls and the housing ceiling. The locking elements snap into the openings in the housing base, the second side walls and the housing ceiling. The openings can be punched out. When it snaps into place, a tensile connection is created to the third housing part, which securely fixes the guide pins, spacer pins and retaining tabs in the housing base, the second side walls and the housing ceiling. Optionally, one of the openings can be arranged between two adjacent punching bridges.

Advantageously, the intended positioning of the third housing part, combined with a stable positioning of the remaining housing parts, can be achieved without using a screw connection. By arranging the openings between two adjacent punching bridges, the mechanical strength is advantageously further increased.

A circuit board of the electrical circuit can be attached or attachable parallel to the housing base. The circuit board can optionally be designed for power supply. The third housing part can have at least two spacer pins that engage or can be inserted into a gap between the circuit board and the housing base.

A safety distance can thus be maintained between the circuit board and the housing base of the first housing part. Alternatively or additionally, an insulating film (also: insulating film) can be arranged in the gap between the circuit board and the housing base for electrical safety.

Alternatively or additionally, the third housing part can be fixed if at least two spacer pins are clamped between the circuit board and the housing base. Further optionally, the spacer pins may position the insulating film disposed under the circuit board at a predetermined distance away from the circuit board.

The circuit board can advantageously be mounted unhindered on the housing base without having to take into account other housing parts that may be disruptive during assembly. Further advantageously, the minimum distance of the circuit board from the housing base can be supported and the minimum distance between the circuit board and the insulation film can be established.

The third housing part can have retaining tabs which are located on the outside of the housing base of the first housing part and/or on the outside rest against the second side walls of the second housing part.

In this way, a screw connection of the circuit board on the housing base can be advantageously covered from the outside.

The second side walls can each have ventilation openings. These can optionally cover an area of more than half of the respective second side wall.

This advantageously allows the waste heat from the board to be dissipated without heat build-up.

A power supply (technically also “Power Supply Unit” or PSU) with a housing according to the versions described above can be an overcurrent protection device (technically also “Circuit Breaker” or CB, for example a circuit breaker) and/or components for an uninterruptible power supply (technically “Uninterruptible Power Supply” or UPS) can also be added. The components can also be arranged in the housing. Accordingly, the dimensions of the side walls of the housing in a PSU without CB and/or UPS can differ from the dimensions of the side walls of the housing in a PSU with CB and/or UPS. In other words, the side walls of the housing and, as a result, the front cap also increase in size, so that, for example, additional circuit boards and/or components can be arranged parallel to the power supply circuit board. The front cap can also have further openings in which further operating elements or electrical connections can be arranged.

A second aspect concerns a set of multiple power supplies. Each power supply can comprise a housing according to the first aspect, for example with a uniformly dimensioned housing base and/or a uniformly dimensioned housing top. The set includes at least one power supply, which is supplemented in the housing by an overcurrent protection device and/or components for an uninterruptible power supply. The dimensions of the first and second side walls of the housing of the at least one power supply with overcurrent protection device or uninterruptible power supply components are larger than the dimensions of the first and second side walls of the housing of a power supply of the set without overcurrent protection device or without uninterruptible power supply components.

Advantageously, according to exemplary embodiments of the first and/or second aspect, even more complex power supplies can be designed to be compact and easy to install. This eliminates the need to have different housings or at least different housing parts for electrical devices with different components (for example a PSU without CB and without UPS, a PSU with CB and without UPS, a PSU without CB and with UPS, a PSU with CB and with UPS).

A third aspect relates to a method for producing a housing according to the first aspect (for example in one of the embodiments described above). The method may include a step of providing the housing. In this process, the assembly direction of all screws used are identical. This means that the mounting direction of the screws can be horizontal. It can serve as a screwed connection between the first housing part and the second housing part. Both housing parts can be brought together in a vertical assembly direction. Even when using the large side parts (i.e. the side walls of the second housing part) for mounting additional components of the overcurrent protection device (CB) and/or the uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the mounting direction can be maintained. Two screws can also be mounted, which can also have different designs. However, one screw or three screws can also be screwed in the mounting direction of the screws.

In this way, a simplified assembly of the housing can advantageously be achieved, since in particular a single screw assembly direction keeps the complexity of the assembly low.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments that can optionally be combined with one another.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Gehäuses zur Aufnahme einer elektrischen Schaltung;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten und eines zweiten Gehäuseteils, die als Gehäuseboden und als Gehäusedecke ausgebildet sind;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines dritten Gehäuseteils, der als Frontkappe ausgebildet ist;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung des ersten, zweiten und dritten Gehäuseteils;
• 5 die schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrens zur Herstellung eines Gehäuses.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit;
• 2 a schematic representation of a first and a second housing part, which are designed as a housing base and a housing cover;
• 3 a schematic representation of a third housing part, which is designed as a front cap;
• 4 a schematic representation of the first, second and third housing parts;
• 5 the schematic representation of a process for producing a housing.

Features shown or described in various embodiments are interchangeable with the same or extended reference numerals.

The 1 shows a schematic representation of a housing with reference number 10 for accommodating an electrical circuit. 1 is an exploded view. The housing is essentially shown from the front with a side portion.

The housing 10 includes a first housing part 20 with a rectangular housing base 22 and a first side wall 24 in a rectangular basic shape which extends vertically at a first end of the housing base 22. The first housing part 20 thus has an L-shaped character. The first housing part 20 is made of aluminum, but can alternatively also be made of other metals or non-metals, as already explained above. The housing base is intended to accommodate at least one circuit board for an electrical circuit.

Next shows 1 a second housing part 40 with a rectangular housing ceiling 42 and two mutually parallel second side walls which extend perpendicularly from the housing ceiling on opposite edges of the housing ceiling 42. The side walls also have a basic rectangular shape. The housing base 22 and the housing top 42 are arranged parallel to one another in the assembled state of the housing. The first side wall 24 of the first housing part 20 is arranged perpendicular to the second side walls in the assembled state of the housing. The housing cover 42 has two connecting tabs 45 at the first end, with which the first side wall 24 is connected by connecting elements (for example reference number 46 in 2 ) is mechanically connected or connectable. The second housing part 40 is made from the same material as the first housing part 20. Accordingly, with electrically conductive materials such as aluminum, a low-resistance electrical connection can be established using a screw connection, which can serve in particular as a reliable electrical ground connection.

The connecting tabs 45 are preferably arranged and designed so that the connecting elements can be mounted in a uniform (i.e. identical) assembly direction 12 for mechanically connecting the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 40.

Finally shows 1 a third housing part 60, which can also be referred to as a front cap. This can be attached to a second end of the housing base 22 opposite the first end. It serves for mechanical connection to the housing base 22, the second side walls and the housing top 42. The material of the third housing part 60 often has no electrical conductivity. It is preferably made of plastic, for example thermoplastic material. This is also advantageous for the various projections of the actual front cap in the form of pins, tabs and elements, which can be produced together with the actual front flap in one injection molding process using the same material.

2 shows a schematic representation of a first and a second housing part, which are designed as a housing base and a housing ceiling. The housing parts are shown in a moderate exploded view, in which the housing parts partially touch each other. The view is one with essentially side and rear portions. The housing cover 42 has at least the two connecting tabs 45 at the first end. Two connecting elements 46 are shown, which are designed as screws. One screw 46 is designed as a safety screw according to UL with a raised screw head, which is also referred to as a round head screw. The second screw 46 is designed as a countersunk screw, which does not protrude beyond the connecting tab 45 when installed. The mounting direction of both screws 46 is identical.

The first housing part 20, the second housing part 40 and the third housing part 60 are each designed in one piece.

The first housing part 20, the second housing part 40 and the screws 46 are each electrically conductive. The connecting tabs 45 of the second housing part are electrically conductively connected to the first side wall 24 of the first housing part. This connection has a low resistance and can act as a ground connection, as already explained.

The second side walls of the second housing part 40 are flush with opposite edges of the housing base 22. In addition, the first side wall 24 is flush with an edge of the housing cover 42 at the first end. Finally, at the first end, one edge of the opposite second side walls rests against an edge of the first side wall 24.

The housing base 22 has eyelets 23 which bulge in the plane of the housing base 22 on opposite edges of the housing base 22. The second side walls each have at least one finger 25, which engages or can be inserted into one of the eyelets 23. The eyelets 23 In some exemplary embodiments, they are arranged on the outside flush with the second side walls.

The at least one finger 25 is in 2 arranged outside a plane of the respective second side wall. One of the eyelets 23 of the housing base 22 is arranged in a recess in the respective second side wall corresponding to the finger 25. Correspondingly, when assembling the first housing part 20 with the second housing part 40, the fingers 25 grip the eyelets 23 of the housing base 22.

The connection of the third housing part 60 to the housing base 22, the second side walls and the housing top 42 is carried out without screws. Instead, the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 40 provide various receptacles for pins, tabs and other elements of the third housing part 60 for fastening the third housing part, as will be explained in more detail below.

The second side walls each have two punching bridges 44 at the second end, into which guide retaining pins 62 projecting from the third housing part engage or can be inserted. Alternatively, there may also be different embodiments with one or three punching bridges 44. Furthermore, the housing cover 42 has at least one punching bridge 44 at the second end, into which a guide retaining pin 62 projecting from the third housing part engages or can be inserted. Alternatively, there may be different embodiments with one or three punching bridges 44. The punching bridges have, at least in sections, a shape parallel to the surface of the punched out housing part.

The 3 shows a schematic representation of a third housing part 60, which is designed as a front cap. The illustration shows the interior of the third housing part 60. The third housing part 60 has circumferentially arranged locking elements 64 for mechanical connection at the second end with the housing bottom 22, the second side walls and the housing ceiling 42. The locking elements 64 have different embodiments. The latching elements 64 for the second side walls and the housing ceiling 42 are dimensioned larger than the latching element 64 for the housing base 22. In addition, they are each arranged centrally. All locking elements 64 are inserted into the housing, i.e. into the space between the housing base 22, the second side walls and the housing ceiling 42. They have outwardly located locking lugs which engage from the inside of the housing into the openings provided in the housing base 22, the second side walls and the housing top 42 from the inside. The locking lugs are arranged within a circumferential projection for flush connection to the housing base 22, the second side walls and the housing ceiling 42 and are connected to it.

The locking elements 64 of the third housing part 60 engage at the second end in openings in the housing base 22, the second side walls and the housing ceiling 42. Alternatively or additionally, one of the openings can optionally be arranged between two adjacent punching bridges 44. In particular, the one opening between two adjacent punching bridges 44 is arranged in the second side walls and the housing ceiling 42, which is designed for the larger-sized locking elements 64. An opening for the smaller-sized locking element 64 is arranged in the housing base 22.

A circuit board 70 of the electrical circuit 26 is fastened or can be fastened parallel to the housing base 22. In exemplary embodiments, the circuit board 70 can optionally be designed for power supply. The third housing part 60 has at least two spacer pins 68 which engage or can be inserted into a gap between the circuit board 70 and the housing base 22. This maintains a safety distance between the circuit board 70 and the housing base 22 of the first housing part 20 or creates a gap between the circuit board 70 and the housing base 22 in which an insulating film can be accommodated without pressure damage. Optionally, in embodiments, the spacer pins (68) may place an insulating film (not shown) disposed under the circuit board 70 at a predetermined distance away from the circuit board 70.

The third housing part 60 also has two retaining tabs 66, which rest on the outside of the housing base 22 of the first housing part 20 and/or on the outside on the second side walls of the second housing part 40 (not shown). The holding tabs 66 have a rectangular shape. They are designed in such a way that screw connections are covered. This can, for example, affect the housing outer cover of a screw connection of the circuit board on the housing base.

4 shows a schematic representation of the first, second and third housing parts. The first and second housing parts are joined together and the third housing part is in its insertion position. The second side walls each have ventilation openings 48. These are designed as interrupted strips and arranged obliquely on the second side walls. They have an area proportion of more than half of the respective second side wall.

A power supply can be arranged in the housing 10, which includes a circuit board for the power supply and the associated circuit elements (electronic components), see above. In exemplary embodiments, the power supply can be supplemented by an overcurrent protection device (technically “circuit breaker”, CB) and/or by components for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS or technically UPS), which are also arranged in the housing. Such a module is then screwed into the second housing part 40 (not shown). The dimensions of the side walls of the housing for a power supply without a CB module or UPS module differ from the dimensions of the side walls of the housing for a power supply with a CB or UPS. In particular, the extent of the side walls of the housing is larger perpendicular to the housing base 22 and the housing ceiling 42, while the side wall extension parallel to the housing base 22 and the housing ceiling 42 remains constant. A correspondingly sized, larger third housing part is therefore also used.

The 5 shows the schematic representation of a method 100 for producing a housing 10 in one of the embodiments described above. The method 100 includes providing 102 the housing parts 20 and 40 (and optionally 60) and the assembly 104 of at least the housing parts 20 and 40 with identical assembly direction 12 of all screws 46 used.

For example, the mounting direction of the screws 46 can be horizontal and/or parallel and, for example, connect the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 40 to one another.

In other words, an improved assembly connection for sheet metal housing parts of electrical devices is described. It can be seen as the state of the art that there are a large number of housing concepts for power supplies, among other things for use in control cabinets in mechanical engineering. Important requirements in this area are a space-saving, cost-effective and robust design. The housing material is predominantly metal or plastic or a combination of both materials. This depends on the usually high electrical, mechanical and thermal requirements. Especially when the requirements for all three areas (electrical, mechanical, thermal) are high, the housing design becomes complex. This means that the manufacturing effort and production costs also increase due to many assembly connections (especially screws) and assembly steps.

Accordingly, a manufacturing and cost-optimized, robust housing connection with reduced assembly directions and screw circumference should be sought. A first housing part 20 (base assembly) consists of an L-shaped metal housing 20 (for example made of aluminum), to which at least one circuit board 70 (printed circuit board) can be screwed. To protect the electronics, a U-shaped second housing part 40 (metal hood) is attached to the first housing part 20. For a secure earth connection, the second housing part 40 (metal hood) is connected in the rear area to the first housing part 20 (base assembly) via two tabs, each with a screw. Finally, the screwed together first housing part 20 and second housing part 40 (metal housing) are firmly connected to one another and closed in the front area via a third housing part 60 (front cap) that can be snapped into place. What is particularly special is that this happens without screws via circumferentially arranged locking elements 64, as well as guide retaining pins 62 and spacer pins 68 in the third housing part 60 (front cap). The interaction of the various elements ensures a stable and robust housing connection.

The third housing part 60 (front cap) has at least two spacer pins 68, which, in the assembled state, sit firmly between the circuit board 70 (circuit board) and the first housing part 20 (metal housing). Circumferentially on the sides of the U-shaped second housing part 40 (metal hood), at least one or a maximum of two punching bridges 44 can be introduced per side, where the correspondingly arranged guide retaining pins 62 are inserted from the third housing part 60 (front cap).

In addition, the third housing part 60 (front cap) is characterized in that two retaining tabs 66 grip around the first housing part (metal housing) from the outside. Alternatively or additionally, the third housing part 60 (i.e. the front cap) has at least one latching element 64 on each side.

In addition, the housing can accommodate a number of modules. The circuit board 70 (for example as a basic assembly) alone is the actual power supply. In the housing, the circuit board 70 (for example the base module) is available with an overcurrent protection device (technically: “circuit breaker” or CB) or a module for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS, also technically: “uninterruptible power supply”, UPS). second housing part 40 (i.e. in the U-part) can be fastened (for example screwed on).

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or module in the housing to the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but includes all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference symbol list

10

Housing

12

Mounting direction

20

First housing part

22

Case back

23

eyelets

24

First side wall

25

finger

26

Electrical circuit

40

Second housing part

42

Housing ceiling

44

punching bridge

45

Connecting tabs

46

Connecting element, for example screw

47

depressions

48

Ventilation openings

60

Third housing part

62

Guide retaining pin

64

Locking elements

66

retaining tabs

68

Spacer pins

70

circuit board

100

Process for producing a housing

102

Providing the housing part

104

Assembly with identical assembly direction of all screws used

Claims (16)

Housing (10) for accommodating an electrical circuit (26), composed of at least: a first housing part (20) with a rectangular housing base (22) and a first side wall (24) extending vertically at a first end of the housing base (22); a second housing part (40) with a rectangular housing ceiling (42) and two mutually parallel second side walls which extend perpendicularly from the housing ceiling (42) on opposite edges of the housing ceiling (42), the housing base (22) and the housing ceiling (42) are parallel, and the first side wall (24) is perpendicular to the second side walls, and wherein the housing cover (42) has at least one connecting tab (45) at the first end with which the first side wall (24) is mechanically connected by a connecting element (46). is connected or connectable; and a third housing part (60), which can be attached to a second end opposite the first end for mechanical connection to the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing ceiling (42). housing (10). Claim 1 , wherein the connecting element (46) is designed as a screw, and wherein the housing cover (42) has at least two connecting tabs (45) at the first end, each of which is designed to receive one screw (46) in a mounting direction (12), wherein the mounting direction (12) of the at least two screws (46) is identical, and/or wherein the first housing part (20), the second housing part (40) and/or the third housing part (60) are each designed integrally in one piece. housing (10). Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the first side wall (24) has at least one recess (47) at the first end for receiving a connecting tab (45) of the housing cover (42), optionally wherein the connecting tab (45) is flush with the first side wall on the outside. Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the first housing part (20) and the second housing part (40) are each electrically conductive, and wherein the connecting tab (45) of the second housing part is electrically conductively connected to the first side wall (24) of the first housing part. Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the second side walls are flush with opposite edges of the housing base (22), and/or where at the first end the first side wall (24) is flush with an edge of the housing top (42), and/or where at the first end there is one edge in each case the opposite second side walls rests on an edge of the first side wall (24). Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the housing base (22) has eyelets (23) which bulge in the plane of the housing base (22) on opposite edges of the housing base (22), and wherein the second side walls each have at least one finger (25) which is inserted into one the eyelets (23) grip or can be inserted, optionally wherein the eyelets (23) are flush with the second side walls on the outside. housing (10). Claim 6 , wherein the at least one finger (25) is arranged outside a plane of the respective second side wall, and wherein one of the eyelets (23) of the housing base (22) is arranged in a recess in the respective second side wall corresponding to the finger (25). Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the mechanical connection of the third housing part (60) to the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing top (42) is screwless. Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the second side walls each have at least one punching bridge (44) at the second end, into which guide retaining pins (62) projecting on the third housing part engage or can be inserted, and / or wherein the housing cover (42) has at least one punching bridge (44) at the second end has, into which a guide retaining pin (62) projecting on the third housing part engages or can be inserted. Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the third housing part (60) has circumferentially arranged locking elements (64) for mechanical connection at the second end to the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing ceiling (42). housing (10). Claim 10 , wherein the locking elements (64) of the third housing part (60) engage at the second end in openings in the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing top (42), optionally with one of the openings being arranged between two adjacent punching bridges (44). . Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , wherein a circuit board (70) of the electrical circuit (26) is fastened or can be fastened parallel to the housing base (22), optionally wherein the circuit board (70) is designed for power supply, and wherein the third housing part (60) has at least two spacer pins (68) which engage or can be inserted into a gap between the circuit board (70) and the housing base (22), so that a safety distance is maintained between the circuit board (70) and the housing base (22) of the first housing part (20), optionally wherein the spacer pins ( 68) place an insulating film disposed under the circuit board (70) at a predetermined distance away from the circuit board (70). Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 12 , wherein the third housing part (60) has retaining tabs (66) which rest on the outside of the housing bottom (22) of the first housing part (20) and / or on the outside on the second side walls of the second housing part (40). Housing (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 13 , wherein the second side walls each have ventilation openings (48), optionally with an area proportion of more than half of the respective second side wall. Set of multiple power supplies, each power supply having a housing (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 14 comprises a uniformly dimensioned housing base (22) and/or a uniformly dimensioned housing ceiling (42), the set comprising at least one power supply which is supplemented in the housing (10) by an overcurrent protection device and/or components for an uninterruptible power supply, and the dimensions of the first and second side walls of the housing (10) of the at least one power supply with overcurrent protection device or uninterruptible power supply components are larger than the dimensions of the first and second side walls of the housing (10) of a power supply of the set without overcurrent protection device or without uninterruptible power supply components. Method (100) for producing a housing (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 14 , with a mounting direction (12) of all screws (46) used being identical.

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