Sheet metal parts for housings of devices such as electrical, electronic and optical devices

Abstract

A sheet metal part for use in an enclosure for housing devices such as electrical, electronic and optical devices is described. The sheet metal part includes a penetrable opening through which a shank of a screw can be disposed to change the penetrable opening from an unpenetrated state to a penetrated state. The penetrable opening in the unpenetrated state is covered by an air-tight coating, has a central region configured to accommodate a threaded shank of the screw and a lug extending radially outwardly from the central region a distance, and the lug of the penetrable opening is configured to bend back at the central region when the penetrable opening is brought into the penetrated state by the shank of the screw without coming loose from the sheet metal part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet metal part used in housings for accommodating devices such as electrical, electronic and optical devices and / or in passages between such housings.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an assembly of a sheet metal part according to any one of the preceding claims and a device or other component connected thereto, the connection being provided by a headed screw with a shank extending from the head through a penetrable opening. Such assemblies are typically used in housings for accommodating devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical devices, and / or in passageways between such housings.

[0003] The present invention also relates to the housing for accommodating devices including electrical, electronic and optical devices, wherein the housing includes at least one sheet metal part and / or assembly according to the present invention. Background Technology

[0004] Enclosures for housing devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment, particularly computer equipment, have been known for some time. Non-limiting examples of suitable electronic devices include servers, network hardware, and audio technology equipment. For example, enclosures that can be used in commercial applications may include racks that are typically open walls except for the top, and cabinets that typically also include side walls. Such enclosures include a load-bearing frame with interconnecting frame members comprising a bottom frame member, vertically oriented side frame members, and a top frame member. Vertically oriented mounting rails for suspending the equipment may be provided on and / or between the side frame members. Each mounting rail may be connected to the bottom frame member and the top frame member. An example of such an enclosure is the so-called 19-inch enclosure, which includes multiple vertically oriented mounting rails that extend parallel to each other at a typically standardized distance of 17.7 inches. Each mounting rail is provided with multiple openings or other receivers that extend along the longitudinal direction of each mounting rail and are positioned at equal heights between the mounting rails. Standardized, optionally modular equipment is typically up to 17.7 inches wide and may be further provided with fixing lips, for example, connected to the openings or receivers by screws. In this way, multiple device units can be stacked and suspended on top of each other within the same housing.

[0005] It should be noted that the housings including the sheet metal parts and / or assemblies of this invention are not limited to the aforementioned 19-inch housings. This invention is equally applicable to other housings preferably having standardized dimensions, such as 23-inch or metric housings, for example, housings used in telecommunications. This invention is also applicable to other sheet metal parts besides such housings, such as sheet metal parts used in passageways between such housings.

[0006] There has been ongoing effort in this field to improve housings in terms of strength, rigidity, cooling, prevention of rattling and other noises, and reduction of weight and cost. Specifically, the airtight connection between sheet metal parts and other components, such as the frame members of the housing that provide the top part or side walls of the housing, or walls for any other purpose, is of great importance.

[0007] Maintaining conditioned (ideally cooling) air within the enclosure or server rack is a crucial feature. This allows the maximum amount of conditioned air to reach IT equipment or other electrical, electronic, and optical devices. Such solutions offer both ecological and economic benefits to the user of the enclosure or server rack. To maintain conditioned air within the enclosure or rack, it is desirable to create an airtight seal at the front (or rear) of the rack, ensuring the most complete possible closure.

[0008] However, achieving such an airtight seal is challenging, at least in part because it requires an adjustable front (or rear) of the cabinet and the application of accessories of different shapes and types.

[0009] In practice, for connection purposes, in the prior art, the sheet metal wall can be provided with multiple openings, and a connection can be established by a headed screw. The threaded shank, which is provided through the openings in the thin sheet metal and received and fastened in the cavity of a frame member, extends from the head and serves as a base plate component for the sheet metal. Due to the openings, such a connection may not be airtight.

[0010] Therefore, NL2008988 or NL2008770 proposes adding foil to the back of the metal plate to seal openings in the metal plate for connection purposes. This solution is not very practical, especially because additional sealing foil is required to seal the openings for airtightness.

[0011] DE 10 2014 204292 discloses a metal component connected to another metal component by intermittent layers of adhesive. The metal components have openings sealed by caps. The two metal components are connected by a pointed flow screw that passes through the cap, the opening, and the other metal component. The cap prevents the adhesive from being sprayed out until it has fully cured.

[0012] GB 488,049 discloses a sheet metal part having an opening, a portion extending radially outward in the periphery of the opening, and a slit extending radially from one end of said portion into the body of the sheet metal part. A portion of the element surrounding the opening is then pressed out of the plane of the element to create a protrusion in the form of a truncated cone, thereby providing a helix for threaded engagement with a threaded element. The thickness of the sheet metal part must be less than the pitch of the thread. The disclosed arrangement is self-locking because it prevents the screw from being loosened.

[0013] One object of the present invention is to prevent or at least partially eliminate the defects of the prior art described above. Summary of the Invention

[0014] These and other objectives are achieved by providing a sheet metal part for use in housings of devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical devices, as described in claim 1. The sheet metal part of the invention includes a penetrable opening comprising a region in the sheet metal part weakened by having a weakened boundary, through which a screw shank can be disposed to change the penetrable opening from a non-penetrating state to a penetrating state, so as to mechanically and / or electrically connect devices or other components to the sheet metal part, wherein the penetrable opening in the non-penetrating state is covered by an hermetically tight coating, has a central region configured to receive the threaded shank of the screw and a lug extending radially outward from the central region, and the lug of the penetrable opening is configured to bend rearward around its connection with the sheet metal part and the central region when the penetrable opening is brought into the penetrating state by the shank of the screw, without becoming detached from the sheet metal part.

[0015] The sheet metal parts of this invention achieve airtightness in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. In fact, this innovation eliminates the need to subsequently cover the openings in the sheet metal parts provided for connection purposes with foil.

[0016] In the context of this invention, a penetrable opening refers to a region within a sheet metal component that has been weakened to allow it to be easily penetrated by the shank of a screw to enter a penetrated state. The weakened region is covered, at least in the non-penetrated state, by an airtight coating, thereby providing airtightness. In the penetrated state, the weakened region is removed by the penetrating shank of the screw and preferably remains covered by the airtight coating, which is then broken along the weakened boundary.

[0017] The penetrable opening also has a central region of sheet metal configured to receive the threaded shank of a screw, and a lug extending radially outward from the central region. The lug of the penetrable opening is configured to bend backward along with the central region when the penetrable opening is brought into a penetrating state by the screw shank, without detaching from the sheet metal. In other words, the lug connects the displaced central component to the rest of the sheet metal. This prevents any material from being released from the penetrable opening (no debris) when it is penetrated. This also prevents the formation of any sharp edges before and after the connection is formed.

[0018] The sheet metal parts of this invention also allow for connections to be provided simply by tightening screws with a (electric) screwdriver, without requiring additional action. The provided connections are also robust enough to secure devices and other components that can be easily separated by removing the screw connections. However, airtightness may be compromised after removing the screw connections.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the connection can be conductive, as will be further explained below.

[0020] The central region of the penetrable opening is configured to accommodate the threaded shank of the screw. The inner diameter of the penetrable opening is slightly larger than the diameter of the screw shank, meaning that the screw shank can be positioned unobstructed within the opening portion covered by the inner diameter.

[0021] A lug with a penetrable opening extends radially outward from the central region and can contact the head of the screw. Countersunk screw heads and pan head screw heads can be used. Pan head screw heads are used in most applications. When using a countersunk screw head, the screw can enter the penetrable opening such that, when connected, the top surface of the countersunk head facing away from the shank can be flush with or even below the outer surface of the sheet metal.

[0022] The threaded shank of the screw can be received and tightened into a penetrable opening, particularly its central region. Alternatively, the threaded shank of the screw can be received and tightened into a cavity in a substrate component. The central region of the penetrable opening or other cavity can be threaded to mate with the screw, thus providing a connection. In another option, the central region of the penetrable opening or other cavity is unthreaded, but when the screw shank is provided and tightened into the central region of the penetrable opening or cavity, threads are created in the sidewalls of the central region or cavity. Screws thus referred to as "self-tapping" screws are called such.

[0023] Devices or other components used for connection to sheet metal parts can be made of metal, but can also be made of any other suitable material that is preferably conductive. Besides metal, suitable materials can be polymers with conductive fibers, such as carbon fiber.

[0024] Another embodiment of the invention provides a sheet metal part in which the airtight coating is disposed on the side of the sheet metal part where the screw is to be disposed. More preferably, the airtight coating is disposed on the side of the sheet metal part opposite to the side where the screw is to be disposed. Even more preferably, the coating is disposed on both the side of the sheet metal part where the screw is disposed and the side of the sheet metal part opposite to the side where the screw is disposed. The latter embodiment provides good airtightness but is also prone to penetration.

[0025] The shape of the central region of the penetrable opening can be any suitable shape, such as a polygon or even an irregular shape. Preferred embodiments are sheet metal parts in which the central region is circular.

[0026] According to embodiments of the invention, penetrable openings can be formed in sheet metal parts by laser cutting and / or by stamping with a stamping tool. Both methods provide weakened regions, i.e., regions with weakened boundaries, in the sheet metal parts with penetrable openings. The stamping tool or laser forms regions of a certain shape in the sheet metal parts, which are hermetically sealed by a surface treatment providing an hermetically tight layer. Laser cutting is typically performed along the weakened boundaries defining the regions of the penetrable openings. These weakened boundaries are then weakened by reducing the thickness or by cutting the entire thickness of the sheet metal part. Stamping with a tool of a similar shape that defines the regions of the penetrable openings can weaken these weakened boundaries by deforming them away from the plane of the sheet metal part.

[0027] The degree of weakening can depend on the properties of the metal used in the sheet metal part, as well as other properties such as the wall thickness of the sheet metal part. The wall thickness of the sheet metal part should be understood as the dimension of the part extending perpendicularly to its area.

[0028] There are several ways to weaken sheet metal parts in a weakened region. In one embodiment, the weakened region is formed by reducing the wall thickness of the sheet metal part in the weakened region. In another embodiment, the sheet metal part can be weakened in the weakened region by (additionally) removing a portion of the sheet metal part, for example by drilling a hole through the thickness of the sheet metal part. Therefore, a weakened region can be defined as an area where the mechanical properties of a thin sheet metal part, such as stiffness and / or strength, are reduced.

[0029] In an embodiment of the sheet metal part according to the invention, the penetrable opening extends over a portion of the thickness of the sheet metal part. This means, for example, a weakened boundary, such as that defined by a cut in the sheet metal part, extending over a portion of the thickness of the sheet metal part.

[0030] To provide easier penetration, another embodiment of the sheet metal part according to the invention has a penetrable opening (and weakened boundary) extending over the entire thickness of the sheet metal part.

[0031] A further improved sheet metal part according to yet another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the hermetic coating has a certain thickness, and the permeable opening (and weakened boundary) in the non-penetrating state extends over the thickness of the sheet metal part and optionally over a portion of the thickness of the hermetic coating.

[0032] Another useful embodiment can be achieved by laser cutting the sheet metal to obtain the weakened area. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a flush outer surface between the penetrable opening and other parts of the sheet metal.

[0033] It should be noted that the sheet metal part may contain multiple penetrable openings, and any one of these openings can be characterized according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0034] An airtight coating on a sheet metal part can be provided by any method in the art. According to embodiments of the invention, the airtight coating disposed on a sheet metal part includes coatings selected from: powder coatings, wet paint coatings, low-emissivity coatings (also known as E-coatings), hot-dip galvanized layers, zinc coatings, and / or plastic dip coatings. Coatings for the intended purpose are known in the art and readily available from suppliers.

[0035] According to the present invention, the permeable opening in the unpenetrated state of a sheet metal part has a central region configured to receive the threaded shank of a screw and a lug extending radially outward from the central region. The lug of the permeable opening is configured to bend backward along with the central region when the permeable opening is brought into a penetrating state by the screw shank, without detaching from the sheet metal part. In the penetrating state, the material covered by the central region has been removed from the plane of the sheet metal part by the screw shank, while still attached to the sheet metal part by the lug. The sheet metal material covered by the central region that has been removed from the plane of the sheet metal part forms an opening in the sheet metal part. The connection with the deformed lug prevents the material covered by the central region from detaching from the sheet metal part. As previously described, the material covered by the central region may include part of the sheet metal material and an airtight coating material, or only the airtight coating material.

[0036] The penetrable opening may include multiple lugs, or in a preferred embodiment, may include a single lug.

[0037] One or more lugs extend radially outward from the central region a distance from the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central opening to the outer diameter. Any lug may extend over a shorter distance than the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central opening. However, in preferred embodiments, the radial distance is at least the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central region through which the opening can be penetrated, more preferably at least 1.2 times the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central region through which the opening can be penetrated, and even more preferably at least 1.5 times the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central region. Preferably, the radial distance should not exceed twice the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central region.

[0038] The advantages of the above embodiments are that one or more lugs can be bent backward without the use of additional tools when the screw is set into the center opening. Furthermore, the material of the bent lugs and center opening is less likely to come loose. Third, when a user wants to cut the bent lugs, they may have to use a separate tool. This prevents accidental cutting of the lugs. Fourth, the shape of the lugs is also designed to be blunt when penetrated, thereby reducing the risk of cutting any possible cables around them.

[0039] This advantage also applies to screws. Unlike drilled screws, screws are also blunt. Therefore, the risk of cutting any possible cables nearby is reduced, and screws are less likely to produce debris.

[0040] The lug can be deformed by bending it around the outer diameter under the action of the penetrating screw head. In other words, the lug remains attached to the rest of the sheet metal part.

[0041] The sheet metal part according to other useful embodiments is provided with one or more lugs having rounded edges. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the lugs are shaped such that the penetrable opening has a tennis racket shape. In yet another embodiment, the lugs are shaped such that the penetrable opening has a teardrop shape.

[0042] Another embodiment of the invention provides a sheet metal part having a protective electrically insulating layer on the side facing the head of the screw that passes through the penetrable opening, and the head having a cutting edge on its shank side, the cutting edge cutting through the electrically insulating layer when the screw is tightened, thereby providing an electrical connection between the screw and the sheet metal part to bring them to the same voltage level or for grounding purposes. In such embodiments, the cutting edge of the screw is electrically connected to the sheet metal part. The shank of the screw is electrically connected to the sheet metal part with lugs, while the body of the screw is electrically connected at the same voltage level, which, in some embodiments, may be a ground level. In this way, it can also be electrically connected to a device or other component (including a second sheet metal part) to which the sheet metal part is connected.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will understand which side of the sheet metal to be protected will be penetrated by the screw. In fact, in enclosures used to house devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical instruments, screws are typically mounted externally within the walls of the enclosure.

[0044] It should be noted that in the case of zinc coating or hot-dip galvanized coating, a protective electrical insulation layer may not be required.

[0045] Optional electrical connections between screws, sheet metal parts, and other components can help provide a ground or earthing connection. In electrical installations, a grounding system connects specific components of the installation to a conductive surface of the earth for safety and functional purposes.

[0046] It should be noted that the protective electrical insulating layer can be a separate layer from the hermetic layer, but in a preferred embodiment, it can be the same as the hermetic layer, thereby combining hermeticity and electrical insulation properties. Another embodiment may provide a hermetic layer that further includes an electrical insulating layer, for example, in the form of a double-layer construction.

[0047] When a screw is tightened into a central opening or other cavity, the deformation of one or more lugs can be of any type. In one embodiment, the lug is elastically deformed by the head when the screw is tightened. In this embodiment, loosening the screw and disconnecting the sheet metal from the base plate component allows the lug to return to its original deformation. In another preferred embodiment, the lug is plastically deformed by the screw head when the screw is applied or tightened. In this embodiment, loosening the screw leaves the lug in its deformed state. In other words, in this embodiment, the deformation of the lug with the penetrable opening in the sheet metal is permanent once deformed.

[0048] Sheet metal parts can have any shape. For example, it can be strip-shaped or plate-shaped, or it can have an irregular cross-section. Sheet metal parts are preferably used as components for housings or enclosures of devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment, especially computer equipment. The wall thickness of the sheet metal part can not exceed 3 mm. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of the sheet metal part does not exceed 1.8 mm, more preferably not more than 1.6 mm, more preferably not more than 1.4 mm, and even more preferably not more than 1.1 mm. In most embodiments, the sheet metal part will have a constant wall thickness. If not, the wall thickness of the sheet metal part corresponds to its wall thickness at the location of the penetrable opening. In other words, the sheet metal part can be thicker at locations other than the locations of the penetrable openings, for example, at locations between the locations of the penetrable openings. The wall thickness of the sheet metal part is preferably greater than the pitch of the screw that penetrates the penetrable opening in the sheet metal part. This allows the screw to be screwed into the sheet metal part by pre-formed threads or by self-tapping threads.

[0049] Multiple openings can be provided in any area or component of a sheet metal part. Although the location of the openings can be arbitrary, embodiments of the invention relate to a sheet metal part including a plurality of penetrable openings arranged along the side edges of the sheet metal part. It should be understood that the sheet metal part may also include a plurality of other openings, optionally arranged along the side edges of the sheet metal part. According to the invention, the other openings are non-penetrable.

[0050] Another aspect of the invention relates to an assembly of a sheet metal part according to the invention and a device or other component connected thereto, the connection being provided by a screw having a head extending from the head through a shank provided with a penetrable opening.

[0051] The other component can have any shape and preferably includes a cavity for receiving and fastening a threaded shank of a screw.

[0052] The sheet metal parts of the present invention are preferably used in housings for accommodating devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment, particularly computer equipment, and / or in channels between such housings or enclosures. Therefore, another aspect of the invention relates to a housing for accommodating devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment, the housing comprising at least one sheet metal part according to the present disclosure. The sheet metal part may, for example, include walls of the housing, selected from airtight walls, air-blocking walls, bottom or top walls of the housing, and / or channel walls between housings.

[0053] Other components may involve strips or mounting rails, preferably extruded mounting rails, which are provided with multiple cavities or holes. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0054] The embodiments of the invention described in this disclosure can be combined in any possible combination of these embodiments, and each embodiment can be individually the subject of a filed patent application. Attached Figure Description

[0055] The invention will now be further illustrated with reference to several non-limiting embodiments, as shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0056] Figure 1 A perspective view showing the housing or frame to which the present invention can be applied;

[0057] Figure 2 express Figure 1 Details of the rack shown;

[0058] Figure 3A A schematic top view showing a sheet metal part with a penetrable opening according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 3B This indicates an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3A A schematic side view of the sheet metal part;

[0060] Figure 4 A schematic top view showing a sheet metal part having a penetrable opening according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 5 A schematic top view showing a sheet metal part having a penetrable opening according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 6A A schematic rear view showing a thin sheet metal part including an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed (left), used (middle) and open (right) state; and

[0063] at last Figure 6B express Figure 6A A schematic front view of a thin sheet metal part in closed (left), used (middle) and open (right) states. Detailed Implementation

[0064] refer to Figure 1 A rack 1 for accommodating devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The rack includes a rectangular bottom 10 comprising four interconnected bottom frame members 10a extending between four bottom corner elements 10b. Similarly, a rectangular top 11 is provided, comprising four interconnected top frame members 11a extending between four top corner elements 11b. The bottom 10 and the top 11 are held vertically apart 13 by vertically extending side frame members 12, each side frame member 12 being disposed between the bottom corner elements 10b and the top corner elements 11b. The frame members 10a, 11a, and 12, together with the corner elements (10b, 11b), form a support structure for accommodating the equipment.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the top 11 is provided with three continuous top plates 11c, which are made of thin metal sheets, preferably steel. The thickness of the metal plates 11c is 1.0 mm, but other thicknesses are also possible. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, two vertically oriented mounting rails 14 are disposed between each pair of side frame members 12, at least in two side planes 15 of the rack 1. According to known practice, each mounting rail 14 is connected at its end to a bottom frame member 10a and a top frame member 11a. The 19-inch mounting rails 14 extend parallel to each other at a standardized distance 16 typically 17.7 inches. Each mounting rail 14 is also provided with a plurality of square openings 14a extending along the longitudinal direction 14b of each mounting rail 14 and disposed at equal heights between the mounting rails 14. Standardized, suitable devices may be provided with a fixing lip, for example, attached to the openings 14a by screws. In this way, multiple device units (not shown) can be stacked on top of each other in the rack 1. The mounting rails 14 may be provided with other openings 14c for the same purpose, or for connecting to auxiliary components of the rack 1, such as reinforcing brackets, sidewalls (not shown), etc. In addition to the top plate 11c that forms the top wall component, the rack 1 may also be provided with other wall components, such as side wall components 17 or bottom wall components 18, to form a substantially enclosed cabinet. The surface of the top plate 11c may be provided with a protective electrical insulating layer, such as a powder coating 111. This layer 111 protects the top plate 11c, but on the other hand, it electrically insulates the top plate 11c, which may be undesirable for grounding purposes.

[0066] Now for reference Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates the details of the bottom corner of the frame 1. As shown, for example, the sheet metal of the side wall component 17 may be provided with multiple openings 3. The openings 3 are shown as open, but according to the invention, they can be embodied as penetrable openings 5 ​​according to embodiments of the invention. The possible shapes of these penetrable openings 5 ​​will be further explained below, for example, with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5.

[0067] According to the invention, and for example in Figure 6A and 6B As shown in the embodiment, the sheet metal part in the form of wall component 17 includes a penetrable opening 5 through which the shank 41 of screw 4 can pass, so that the penetrable opening 5 is in a never-penetrated state. Figure 6A and 6B The left side, referred to as "closed before use") enters the penetration state ( Figure 6A and 6B The middle section (referred to as "in use") is used to mechanically and / or electrically connect the device or other components to the wall component 17. As shown, the permeable opening 5 in its non-penetrating state is covered by an airtight coating 19 that closes the opening below. Figure 6A and 6B The right side is referred to as “open after screw removal”, with the penetrable opening 5 shown as the open opening 3, which is created after the screw 4 is removed from the penetrable opening 5 which is in the penetrating state.

[0068] Please note that the states referred to as “closed before use” (left) and “in use” (middle) provide airtightness for the wall component 17, while the state referred to as “open after screw removal” does not provide airtightness.

[0069] For connection, any suitable screw 4 may include a head, such as a pan head 40, from which a threaded shank 41 extends. The head 40 may be provided with a recess 42 for receiving a screwdriver. The head 40 may have a cutting edge (not shown) on its shank side that cuts through an airtight coating 19 when the screw 4 is tightened; this coating is also electrically insulating for this purpose. This provides an electrical connection between the screw 4 and the wall component 17, for example, to bring these components to the same voltage or for grounding purposes.

[0070] Figure 3A (Top view) and (Side view) 3B schematically illustrate an embodiment of the penetrable opening 5. The penetrable opening 5, in its unpenetrated state, is covered by an airtight coating 19 and further defined by a central circular region 50 configured to receive the threaded shank 41 of the screw 4. A lug 51 can be seen extending radially 52 outward from the central region 50 by a distance 53, which in the illustrated embodiment is approximately 3.8 mm. The shape of the lug causes the penetrable opening 5 to have the shape of a tennis racket. The central region has a diameter 54 of approximately 3.15 mm.

[0071] like Figure 3B As shown, the penetrable opening 5 is formed by stamping the wall component 17 or other sheet metal parts with a stamping tool to deform the wall component 17 into the shape of the penetrable opening 5. This deformed wall component also... Figure 6A and 6B As shown on the left, when the screw 4 is inserted into the penetrable opening 5, the boundary of the wall component is weakened and prone to breakage. When the shank 41 of the screw 4 penetrates the central region 50, this central region 50 will move together with the lug 51 to which it is attached. This situation occurs, for example, in... Figure 6A and 6B The middle section is shown. During this process, the lug 51, which can penetrate the opening 5, bends backward around its connection with the rest of the sheet metal 17 and the central region 50 without detaching from the sheet metal 17. The connection between the lug 51 and the rest of the sheet metal 17 remains in place. As shown... Figure 6B As shown on the right, after the screw is removed, an opening 3 is left, which has a shape that allows the opening 5 to pass through, including a circular central region 30 and a lug shape 31. Figure 6A As shown on the right, the lug 51 and the removed center part 50 can remain attached to the sheet metal 17, but can also be removed with tools.

[0072] Figure 4 and 5 Other embodiments of the penetrable opening 5 are shown. These embodiments are formed by laser cutting the boundary of the penetrable opening 5 to create a weakened region in the sheet metal 17. When the screw 4 is inserted into the penetrable opening 5, the weakened region will preferentially break along the boundary.

[0073] Figure 4 The embodiment shows multiple circular, penetrable openings 5, which include circular holes attached to the remainder of the sheet metal 17 via ribs 55, these holes being formed by laser cutting. The embodiment has directly opposing ribs, which tend to require some force to push them out. Furthermore, the circular parts may be more easily detached from the sheet metal 17, potentially leaving debris behind.

[0074] Figure 5 The embodiment illustrates multiple improved penetrable openings 5 ​​with lugs 51, the shape of which causes the penetrable openings 5 ​​to have a teardrop shape similarly formed by laser cutting. This embodiment may show a relatively weak connection between the lugs 51 and the rest of the sheet metal 17 (because it has less material around the screw 4 when inserted into the opening). This embodiment can be chosen when it is necessary to easily break off the material of the penetrable opening after the screw 4 has been inserted and removed.

[0075] Obviously, those skilled in the art can contemplate many variations of the above embodiments within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sheet metal part for use in a housing for accommodating a device comprising electrical, electronic and optical devices, the sheet metal part comprising a penetrable opening comprising a region in the sheet metal part weakened by having a weakened border, through which a shank of a screw can be arranged to change the penetrable opening from an unpenetrated state to a penetrated state in order to mechanically and / or electrically connect the device or a second sheet metal part to the sheet metal part, wherein the penetrable opening in a closed and unpenetrated state is covered by a gas tight coating, having a central region of the sheet metal part in the plane of the sheet metal part configured to accommodate the threaded shank of the screw and a lug in the plane of the sheet metal part radially outwardly extending from the central region a distance, and wherein, The lug of the penetrable opening is configured to bend back around its connection with the sheet metal part and the central region when the penetrable opening is brought into an open and penetrated state by the shank of the screw, without coming loose from the sheet metal part.

2. The sheet metal part according to claim 1, wherein the gas-tight coating is provided on one or both sides of the sheet metal part.

3. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central region is circular.

4. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the penetrable opening extends over a part of the thickness of the sheet metal part or over the entire thickness of the sheet metal part.

5. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas-tight coating has a thickness and the penetrable opening in the unpenetrated state extends over the thickness of the sheet metal part.

6. The sheet metal part according to claim 5, wherein the penetrable opening in the unpenetrated state extends over a part of the thickness of the gas-tight coating.

7. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas-tight coating comprises a coating selected from the group consisting of a powder coating, a wet paint coating, a low-emissivity coating, an E-coating, a hot-dip galvanizing layer, a zinc coating and / or a plastic dip coating.

8. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lug extends radially outward from the central region by a distance which is at least the diameter of the central region of the penetrable opening.

9. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lug extends radially outward from the central region by a distance which is at least 1.5 times the diameter of the central region of the penetrable opening.

10. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the penetrable opening comprises only one lug.

11. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lug has a rounded edge.

12. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lug is shaped such that the penetrable opening has the shape of a tennis racket and / or has a drop shape.

13. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the penetrable opening is provided in the sheet metal part by laser cutting the boundaries of a weakened region to weaken the boundaries with a reduced thickness, or by cutting through the entire thickness of the sheet metal part and obtaining a flush outer surface between the penetrable opening and the other parts of the sheet metal part, and / or by stamping the weakened region using a stamping tool having a shape which defines the region of the penetrable opening and weakening the boundaries by deforming these boundaries such that they depart from the plane of the sheet metal part.

14. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lug of the penetrable opening is configured to plastically bend back when the screw is tightened.

15. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet metal part comprises a plurality of the penetrable openings arranged along the side edges of the sheet metal part.

16. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet metal part has a wall thickness of not more than 3 mm.

17. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet metal part has a wall thickness of not more than 1.1 mm.

18. An assembly of a sheet metal part according to any one of the preceding claims and a device or a second sheet metal part connected therewith, the connection being provided by a screw having a head from which a shank extending through the penetrable opening is protruding.

19. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein the sheet metal part comprises a protective electrically insulating layer on the side facing the head of the screw arranged through the penetrable opening, and the head is provided with a cutting edge on its shank side which cuts through the electrically insulating layer when the screw is tightened, thereby providing an electrical connection between the screw and the sheet metal part for the purpose of bringing them to the same voltage level or for grounding purposes.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein, The air-tight layer comprises or is the protective electrically insulating layer.

21. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein the shank is received and fastened in a cavity of the device or second sheet metal part.

22. A housing for accommodating a device comprising electrical, electronic and optical devices, comprising at least one sheet metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and / or an assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 21.

23. The housing according to claim 22, wherein the sheet metal part comprises a wall of the housing, the wall being selected from an upright front, back or passage wall, a bottom or top wall of the housing.

Images