EP3963163B1 - Cover device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a closing device for closing a housing opening, in particular an electric door drive housing.

Such a closing device is basically known and is used, for example, to close an opening in a housing, in particular a door drive housing. At the same time, access to components located inside the housing, in particular electronic components, should remain possible. For example, it may be necessary to connect a cable, program a controller, and/or set a drive priority inside the housing. For this purpose, the closing device is designed in such a way that it can be opened.

A closing device serving as a cable or pipe bushing with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is from the DE 694 04 266 T2 known. Additional cable glands are included FR 2 054 892 A5 and in the DE 91 00 004 U1 disclosed. The DE 43 25 138 A1 teaches a sealing plug for a cable or line screw connection.

In order for the closing device to still be impermeable to objects such as dust or dirt particles and/or moisture, complex structural measures are often required, which makes the closing device difficult to operate and/or open.

An object of the invention is therefore to create a locking device that is easy to assemble and which is easy to operate and at the same time good Has closure properties and is also characterized by a high level of security.

To solve the problem, a closing device with the features of claim 1 is provided.

The invention is based on the idea that the closing device can be connected to a housing in a simple manner in a tensile and pressure-resistant manner, in that the closing device has its own frame, which can be inserted into a housing opening to be closed and firmly anchored there. The frame opening of the frame can then be closed using the cover, whereby the housing opening as a whole is tightly closed. At the same time, it is possible to detach the cover from the frame again in order to thereby enable access to the interior of the housing, with the frame remaining in the housing opening. In other words, the cover is reversibly detachably connected to the frame.

As a result, the housing opening can be closed particularly well using the closing device.

In principle, every housing opening, for example in the middle, at the end or at the front, can be securely closed in a simple manner without any components other than the frame and the cover.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims, the description and the drawings.

For a particularly simple anchoring of the frame in the housing opening, the frame can have a clip connection, by means of which the frame can be clipped into the housing opening to be closed.

To effect the clip connection between the frame and the housing opening, the frame can have an elastic projection and a stop, which are designed to accommodate an edge of the housing opening between them in a positive and/or non-positive manner, at least in sections, when the frame is clipped in. This means that the frame is securely and firmly anchored in the housing opening without additional aids. In particular, the frame can be anchored in the housing opening in a tensile and pressure-stable manner without screws or the like, which means that the frame cannot come loose undesirably.

So that the frame can be clipped particularly easily into the housing opening, the projection of the frame can have an outer surface, which serves to ensure that the edge of the housing opening runs onto the outer surface when the frame is clipped into the housing opening.

When the frame is clipped into the housing opening, the outer surface of the projection runs against the edge delimiting the housing opening, with the elastic projection then being deflected towards the center of the frame opening. This means that the frame can be clipped into the housing opening with little effort.

Once the frame is completely clipped into the housing opening, the elastic projection springs back to its original position and the frame is firmly anchored in the housing opening. When the frame is clipped in, the projection engages behind an edge of the housing opening, so that the frame is securely anchored in the housing opening by means of the projection and the stop.

Alternatively, the projection can also form a, in particular elastic, ramp, on which the edge of the housing opening runs when clipped in.

Preferably, the frame opening is closed in a liquid-tight or gas-tight manner by the lid when the closing device is closed.

Depending on the desired degree of sealing, a seal, in particular a sealing ring, can be provided between the frame and the cover. The seal can be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicone, so that when the closing device is closed there is no gap, or at least no significant gap, between the frame and the lid.

So that the housing opening is closed as flat as possible when the closing device is closed, the cover can define a closure surface which is flush with the frame in the closed state.

So that the cover can be inserted particularly easily into the frame to close the frame opening, the cover can have at least one guide element which is designed to be guided by a counter-guide element formed on the frame when the frame opening is closed. Preferably, the guide element formed on the cover is designed in the form of a guide web, which can cooperate with a counter-guide element of the frame designed as a guide groove. In principle, the guide element can also be a guide groove and the counter-guide element can be a guide web.

If the guide element formed on the lid is a guide web, this can extend from a side of the lid facing away from the closure surface.

The frame opening can be closed particularly tightly if the lid has a collar which runs at least in sections and extends outwards, which is supported on the frame when the closing device is closed. In particular, when the closure device is in the closed state, the collar can be supported on a counter surface of the frame that is complementary to the collar. Furthermore, to increase the degree of sealing between the collar and the frame, a seal made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicone, can be provided. In particular, the seal can be formed on the collar and/or the frame. Alternatively, the collar and/or the frame can be coated with a sealant, for example rubber or silicone. For a gas-tight and/or moisture-tight seal, a seal with a higher degree of sealing is used than, for example, for a dust-tight and/or particle-tight seal.

Preferably, the frame can have a chamfered section pointing towards the frame opening, on which the collar of the lid is supported, in particular in a form-fitting manner, in the closed state of the device with a side which is complementary to the chamfered section. In other words, the frame is designed like a funnel in its chamfered section. The chamfered section forms a counter surface for a collar, which has a corresponding sloping surface. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the collar of the lid and the frame are designed like steps.

To make the closing device particularly easy to use, the frame opening can be closed by means of the cover using a locking connection. For this purpose, the lid has a flexible latching means to effect the latching connection between the lid and the frame, which engages behind a projection formed on the frame and protruding into the frame opening when the lid is in the latched state. Alternatively, the flexible locking means formed on the frame, which engages behind a projection formed on the lid when the lid is in the locked state.

So that the latching connection between the lid and the frame can be released again, the latching means has an engagement means for a tool, with the latching connection between the lid and the frame only being able to be released by the engagement means. By being able to be solved exclusively using a tool, corresponding standard requirements, for example DIN-EN 60529, can be met. Preferably, the latching means and the engagement means are arranged recessed in the cover and the lid has an access opening for the engagement means for releasing the latching connection, through which the latching connection can be released with the aid of the engagement means.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the cover can have a cover section and a base section, with the locking means being formed between the cover section and the base section. In principle, the locking means can be formed on the cover section and/or on the base section. However, it is advantageous in terms of production technology if at least the cover section and the base section are separate components. Since the blend section and the base section are separate components, they can be produced by injection molding using simpler injection molds than if the

Blend section and the base section are formed in one piece. The lid can be realized in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner by clipping the cover section and the base section together to form the lid. Advantageously, the blind section, the base section and the locking means are separate components.

If the locking means is a separate component to the cover section and the base section, the locking means can be designed in the form of a locking ring which is received between the cover section and the base section of the cover.

The locking ring is preferably a slotted ring, which is also known as a snap ring. Such a slotted ring has two ends, each surrounding the slot of the slotted ring, which can be compressed in the direction of the slot against a spring force, thereby reducing the circumference of the ring.

Compressing the ring serves to clip the cover into the frame opening and to release the locking connection. To release the locking connection, the ring can have engagement means for a tool at its ends facing the slot. For example, the engagement means can be designed in the form of holes formed in the respective ends, so that the ring can be compressed using snap ring pliers. Alternatively, extensions can also protrude from the ends of the ring surrounding the slot so that the ring can be compressed by hand.

As previously mentioned, the circumference of the slotted ring decreases as the ends surrounding the slot are compressed. The circumference of the ring is reduced in such a way that the ring is formed on the frame

Counter bearing no longer engages behind the locking connection and the cover can be removed from the frame, allowing access to the interior of the housing.

The invention further relates to a housing, in particular a door drive housing, with a housing opening and a locking device.

Although the invention is described in the context of a door operator housing, the invention may also be used in connection with other types of housings.

Fig. 1

eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Verschließvorrichtung mit einem Deckel und einem Rahmen sowie eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Gehäuses mit einer zu verschließenden Gehäuseöffnung;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Gehäuses von Fig. 1 mit eingesetztem Rahmen der Verschließvorrichtung von Fig. 1 in einem geöffneten Zustand der Verschließvorrichtung.

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Gehäuses von Fig. 2 mit geschlossener Verschließvorrichtung;

Fig. 4

eine seitliche Schnittansicht von Fig. 3; und

Fig. 5

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Deckels der Verschließvorrichtung von Fig. 1.

The invention is described below purely by way of example using a possible embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an exploded view of a closing device with a lid and a frame and a perspective view of a housing with a housing opening to be closed;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the housing of Fig. 1 with the frame of the locking device inserted Fig. 1 in an open state of the closing device.

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the housing of Fig. 2 with closed locking device;

Fig. 4

a side sectional view of Fig. 3 ; and

Fig. 5

an exploded view of the lid of the closing device Fig. 1 .

The Fig. 1 to 4 show different views of a closing device for closing a housing opening 10 of a housing 12, which in the illustrated embodiment is an electric door drive housing. The Housing opening 10 is required to allow access to the interior of the housing 12, for example to make a connection 14 of a cable 16 inside the housing 12.

The closing device comprises a frame 18 and a lid 20, which in Fig. 5 is shown in detail and its structure is explained in more detail below.

The frame 18 defines a frame opening 22 and is designed to be inserted into the housing opening 10 to be closed. The frame 18 can be particularly easily clipped into the frame opening 22 without any additional aids by means of a clip connection into the housing opening 10 to be closed. For this purpose, the frame 18 has elastic projections 24 and stops 26 on its outer circumference, which are designed to accommodate an edge 28 of the housing opening 10 between them in a positive and/or non-positive manner when the frame 18 is clipped in ( Fig. 4 ). The projections 24 and the stops 26 are arranged on an outside of the frame 18 facing the edge 28 of the housing opening 10.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the frame 18 specifically comprises four projections 24 and a stop 26 that completely surrounds the frame 18. In principle, for a fixed installation of the frame 18 in the housing opening 10, it would be sufficient if the stop 26 is interrupted, since only the edge 28 the housing opening 10 must be accommodated between the stop 26 and the respective projections 24. However, the sealing effect can be significantly increased if the stop 26 is designed to be completely circumferential, i.e. continuous.

Each of the projections 24 can be designed to be elastic so that the frame 18 can be easily clipped into the housing opening 10 to be closed. Moreover Each of the projections 24 has an outer surface 30 along which the edge 28 of the housing opening 10 runs when the frame 18 is clipped in.

The frame opening 22 can be closed in cooperation with the lid 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the frame opening 22 can be closed by means of the cover 20 through a snap connection between the frame 18 and the cover 20. For this purpose, the cover 20 has a flexible locking means 32, which, in the closed state of the housing opening 10 or in a locked state of the cover 20, engages behind a projection 34 formed on the frame 18 and projecting into the frame opening 22 ( Fig. 4 ). In the present exemplary embodiment, two opposing projections 34 are provided on the frame 18.

Now referring to Fig. 4 and 5 the structure of the lid 20 is explained in more detail. The cover 20 comprises a cover section 36, which faces away from the housing opening 10 when the closing device is closed and thus forms part of an outside of the housing 12. Furthermore, the lid 20 includes a base section 38, which projects into the housing opening 10 when the closing device is closed.

The panel section 36 and the base section 38 are clipped together to form the lid 20. For this purpose, the base section 38 has four clip hooks 40, which are each arranged at corner regions of the base section 38. When the lid 20 is clipped, the clip hooks 40 each engage behind a clip abutment 42 provided on the cover section 36. Conversely, the clip hooks 40 can also be formed on the cover section 36 and corresponding clip abutment 42 on the base section 38. Furthermore, the number of clip hooks 40 and clip counter bearings 42 can deviate from four, ie more or fewer than four clip hooks 40 and clip counter bearings 42 can be provided. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary that the clip hooks 40 and Clip counter bearings 42 are arranged at corner areas. Rather, it is also possible to arrange the clip hooks 40 and clip counter bearings 42 between, in particular in the middle, between the corner areas.

The locking means 32 is formed between the blind section 36 and the base section 38. In the present exemplary embodiment, the locking means 32 is designed in the form of a locking ring 44, which is received between the cover section 36 and the base section 38.

How especially based on Fig. 5 can be seen, the locking ring 44 is a slotted ring with a slot 46, which is each surrounded by one end 48 of the slotted ring 4. With this structure, it is possible to compress the lock ring 44 to a certain extent, thereby reducing its circumference.

If the cover 20 is clipped into the frame 18, the projections 34 of the frame 18 projecting into the frame opening 22 cause the locking ring 44 to be compressed against its spring force. The locking ring 44 is immersed in a pocket provided on the cover 20, which is formed between the cover section 36 and the base section 38. If the cover 20 is clipped into the frame opening 22 to such an extent that the locking ring 44 has passed the projections 24 of the frame 18, the locking ring 44 springs back into its original shape due to its spring force and engages behind the projections 34. The frame opening 22 is then closed. If the frame 18 is clipped into the housing opening 10 of the housing 12, the housing opening 10 is also closed.

So that the frame opening 22 can be opened again, the locking ring 44 has an engagement means 50, which is in the form of a hole 52 on the respective Ends 48 is formed. A pin of snap ring pliers (not shown) can be inserted into each hole 52, so that the circumference of the locking ring 44 can be reduced by means of the snap ring pliers, as a result of which the locking ring 44 no longer engages behind the projections 34 of the frame 18 and the locking connection between the frame 18 and the lid 20 is solved. The cover 20 can then be removed from the frame 18 to gain access to the interior of the housing 12.

To release the locking connection between the frame 18 and the cover 20 by compressing the locking ring 44 using the snap ring pliers, the cover 20 has an access opening 54 for the snap ring pliers. Furthermore, the locking ring 44 and the attack means 50 are not accessible from the outside, so that the housing closure can meet the requirements of IP class 42 of DIN EN 60529.

In order to make it easier to clip the cover 20 into the frame 18, but also to ensure the correct alignment of the cover 20 with respect to the frame 18, the cover 20 has at least one guide element 56, which is designed to be attached to the frame opening 22 when the frame opening 22 is closed Frame 18 trained counter-guide element 58 to be guided.

In the exemplary embodiment, the guide element 56 is designed in the form of four guide webs 60 on the base section 38 of the lid 20. The guide webs 60 are arranged in corner regions of the base section 38. The counter-guide element 58 is designed in the form of four guide grooves 62, which are arranged on the frame 18 on the side of the frame opening 22.

Like based on Fig. 5 As can be seen, the guide webs 60 also extend on a side of the base section 38 facing away from the clip hooks 40 away from the blind section 36. In other words, the guide webs 60 extend in the direction of the frame 18 when the closing device is closed.

The closure surface 64 is defined by the lid 20. The frame opening 22 can be closed by the closure surface 64 in such a way that the closure surface 64 of the frame 20 and the frame 18 are aligned flush with one another in the closed state of the closure device ( Fig. 4 ).

Based on the in Fig. 4 In the closed state of the closing device shown, it can be seen that the frame 18 has a chamfered section 66 pointing towards the frame opening 22, on which a collar 68 formed on the cover 20 is supported in a form-fitting manner with a side 70 formed complementary to the chamfered section 66. In other words, the frame 18 is designed like a funnel, with the cover 20 being pressed or pulled firmly into the frame opening 22 as a result of the latching connection to the frame 18, as a result of which the frame opening 22 is closed particularly tightly. The funnel-like design of the frame 18 also causes the lid 20 to be self-centered with respect to the frame 18 and to rest precisely on the frame 18.

To increase the tightness between the frame 18 and the cover 20, a sealant can be provided. In particular, a sealing coating, for example made of rubber or silicone, can be provided on the frame 68 of the lid 20 and/or the chamfered section 66 of the frame 18.

The result is that the frame opening 22 is in the closed state of the closing device ( 3 and 4 ) is sealed tightly, in particular liquid-tight or gas-tight, by the lid 20.

Reference symbol list

10

Case opening

12

Housing

14

Connection

16

Cable

18

Frame

20

Lid

22

Frame opening

24

head Start

26

attack

28

edge

30

external surface

32

Rest means

34

head Start

36

Blend section

38

Base section

40

Clip hook

42

Clip counter bearing

44

Circlip

46

slot

48

End

49

Bag

50

means of attack

52

Hole

54

Access opening

56

Leadership element

58

Counter-guiding element

60

Guide bridge

62

Guide groove

64

Closure surface

66

chamfered section

68

collar

70

Page

Claims (14)

1. Closure device for closing off a housing opening (10), in particular of an electrical door-drive housing, comprising:

   a frame (18) which defines a frame opening (22) and which is configured for being inserted into the housing opening to be closed off and for being fixed, in particular without additional auxiliary aids, to the housing, and

   a cover (20) which is releasably connected or connectable to the frame (18) and by which, in interaction with the frame (18), the frame opening (22) is able to be closed off, wherein the frame opening (22) is able to be closed off by means of the cover (20) by way of a latching connection, wherein, for effecting the latching connection between the cover (20) and the frame (18), the cover (20) has a flexible latching means (32) which, in the latched-in state of the cover (20), engages behind a projection (34) formed on the frame (18) and projecting into the frame opening (22), or wherein the flexible latching means is formed on the frame (18) and, in the latched-in state of the cover (20), engages behind a projection formed on the cover (20), characterized in that

   the latching means (32) has an engagement means (50) for a tool, wherein release of the latching connection between the cover (20) and the frame (18) is possible exclusively by way of the engagement means (50).
2. Closure device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that,
   by means of a clip-type connection, the frame (18) is able to be clipped into the housing opening (10) to be closed off.
3. Closure device according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that,
   for effecting the clip-type connection, the frame (18) has an elastic projection (24) and a stop (26) which are configured such that, in the clipped-in state of the frame (18), they at least sectionally receive an edge (28) of the housing opening (10) between them in a form- and/or force-fitting manner.
4. Closure device according to Claim 3,
   characterized in that
   the projection (24) has an outer surface (30) which serves the purpose that the edge (28) of the housing opening (10) runs on the outer surface (30) when the frame (18) is being clipped into the housing opening (10) .
5. Closure device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that,
   in the closed state of the closure device, the frame opening (22) is closed off in a liquid- or gas-tight manner by the cover (20).
6. Closure device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the cover (20) defines a closure surface (64) by way of which the frame opening (22) is able to be closed off in such a way that, in the closed state, the closure surface (64) and the frame (18) are aligned flush with one another.
7. Closure device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the cover (20) has at least one guide element (56) which is configured for being guided by a counterpart guide element (58) formed on the frame (18) when the frame opening (22) is being closed off.
8. Closure device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the cover (20) has an at least sectionally peripheral collar (68) which extends away in an outward direction and which, in the closed state of the closure device, is supported against the frame (18) .
9. Closure device according to Claim 8,
   characterized in that
   the frame (18) has a bevelled portion (66) which is directed towards the frame opening (22) and against which, in the closed state of the closure device, the collar (68) of the cover (20) is supported, in particular in a form-fitting manner, by way of a side (70) which is formed in a manner complementary to the bevelled portion (66).
10. Closure device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the latching means (32) and the engagement means (50) are arranged in a recessed manner in the cover, and in that the cover (20) has an access opening (54) for the engagement means (50).
11. Closure device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the cover (20) has a covering portion (36) and a base portion (38), and in that the latching means (32) is formed between the covering portion (36) and the base portion (38).
12. Closure device according to Claim 11,
    characterized in that
    the latching means (32) is a retaining ring (44) which is received between the covering portion (36) and the base portion (38) of the cover (20).
13. Closure device according to Claim 11 or 12,
    characterized in that
    the covering portion (36) and the base portion (38) are clipped to one another to form the cover (20).
14. Housing (12), in particular a door-drive housing, with a housing opening (10) and with a closure device according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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