Apparatus and method for housing of electrical device

Abstract

According to a first aspect, a housing (10) for housing an electrical circuit (26) comprises: a first housing portion (20) having a rectangular housing bottom (22) and a first side wall (24) extending vertically on a first end of the housing bottom (22); a second housing part (40) having a rectangular housing top (42) and two second side walls which are parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly from the housing top on opposite edges of the housing top (42), the housing bottom (22) being parallel to the housing top (42) and the first side walls (24) being perpendicular to the second side walls, and wherein the housing top (42) has at least one connecting piece (45) on the first end, to which the first side wall (24) is or can be mechanically connected by means of a connecting element (46); and a third housing part (60) insertable on a second end arranged opposite to the first end and for mechanically connecting with the housing bottom (22), the second side wall and the housing top (42), respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for designing a housing for an electrical device. In particular, and without limitation, the present invention relates to a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit, with an optimized mounting connection for a sheet metal housing part of the electrical device. Background Art

[0002] Housings for electrical devices need to meet various requirements. These requirements include accommodating circuits, arranging electrical and mechanical connections, meeting relevant safety standards, mechanical stability requirements for the housing, etc. In order to meet these requirements, various configurations can be considered, which are usually composed of multiple housing elements and electrical components. Among them, the housing elements are made of various materials, including various metal and plastic embodiments. In particular, multiple connecting and positioning elements are used to connect different housing parts together, and these connecting and positioning elements are partially implemented as components of the housing elements and partially implemented as additional fastening components. The additional fastening components are especially screws, which can ensure a higher mechanical connection strength and can also be used as electrical connection elements.

[0003] However, the aforementioned housing construction usually makes the installation of the device more difficult, especially when at least three housing parts are provided. This is primarily because, in order to achieve the necessary stability of the device, multiple fastening elements, such as screws, are used at multiple points of the housing in different orientations. During production, the housing screws need to be installed very laboriously in different installation directions (i.e. with different rotation axes). This greatly complicates the installation process, while at the same time slowing down the installation and increasing the installation costs. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a technology that realizes a housing for an electrical device having at least three housing parts that meets the above requirements in a way that is as easy to install as possible and at a very low cost. In particular, it is necessary to minimize the number of installation directions of the screws used, because each additional installation direction will greatly increase the difficulty of installation.

[0005] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned object is characterized by the independent claim. The beneficial technical solutions and advantageous improvements of the present invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0006] The following part describes the optionally combinable embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings.

[0007] The first aspect relates to a housing for accommodating an electric circuit. The housing is assembled from at least three housing parts. The first housing part comprises a rectangular housing bottom and a first side wall extending vertically on a first end of the housing bottom. The housing part can be made of metal, preferably a metal plate. The metal plate can be made of aluminum or steel (such as stainless steel). Alternatively, the housing part can also be made of plastic, such as a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic plastics PES, PSU, PC, PPE, PVC, PMMA, PS, SAN, ABS, LCP, PEEK, PA, PET, PA, PBT, POM, TPU, PE and PP can be included. The housing bottom and the first side wall are integrally formed. The two surfaces can be made of metal parts, for example, by a bending process.

[0008] The second housing portion comprises a rectangular housing top and two second side walls which are parallel to each other and extend vertically from the housing top on opposite edges of the housing top. The housing bottom is arranged parallel to the housing top. In the assembled state of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the first side wall of the first housing portion is perpendicular to the (two) second side walls of the second housing portion. The housing top has at least one connecting piece at the first end, and the first side wall is mechanically connected or can be mechanically connected to the connecting piece by a connecting element. The connecting element can be implemented as a screw, a rivet, a clip or other forms. The second housing portion can be made of the same metal or plastic as the first housing portion. The three faces of the second housing portion can also be made of metal parts by a bending process.

[0009] The housing further comprises a third housing part, which can be plugged onto a second end arranged opposite the first end. The third housing part is used to be mechanically connected to the housing bottom, the (two) second side walls and the housing top, respectively. Its material can be made of plastic, preferably thermoplastic, more preferably one of the aforementioned types. The third housing part can be designed as a front element and / or an operating element, which accommodates a signaling element and / or a connecting element. Alternatively, the third housing part can also be made of metal, in particular a metal of the aforementioned type.

[0010] Advantageously, only a single mounting direction is required for the connecting element at the first end, thereby simplifying the mounting of the housing. For example, the mechanical connection of the first and second housing parts at the second end can be achieved simply by plugging in the third housing part, and the mechanical connection of the first and second housing parts at the first end is achieved by mounting along the mounting direction.

[0011] In each embodiment, the connecting element can be implemented as a screw. The screw can be a safety screw. This can, for example, achieve UL certification of the device (based on "Underwriters Laboratories"). In this case, the screw can be implemented as a combination screw. Alternatively, the screw can also be implemented as a countersunk screw when the screw does not need to be fixed or the screw head is not required due to limited space. The top of the housing can have at least two connecting pieces at the first end. The installation direction of the two screws can be the same. In addition, the first housing part, the second housing part and the third housing part can be integrally formed.

[0012] The housing top can have, for example, at a first end at least two connecting pieces, which are designed to receive a screw in each case in an installation direction, wherein the installation directions of the screws are the same.

[0013] In this way, a secure connection of the two housing parts can be achieved, wherein the use of different types of screws allows for safety and constructional aspects to be taken into account.

[0014] The first side wall may have at least one recess at the first end. The recess is configured to receive one of the connecting pieces of the housing top, respectively. Accordingly, in the case of two connecting pieces, two recesses are configured to receive one connecting piece, respectively. Optionally, the recess may be configured such that the connecting piece is flush with the first side wall on the outside.

[0015] This ensures a compact design of the housing with a flat outer surface.

[0016] The first housing part and the second housing part can both be electrically conductive. In addition, the connecting piece of the second housing part can be electrically conductively connected to the first side wall of the first housing part. The conductive connection can be improved by using a conductive connecting element, provided that the conductive connecting element mechanically connects the connecting piece to the first side wall in an electrically insulating manner.

[0017] In this way, potential differences between the first housing part and the second housing part can be avoided and there is no need to provide separate grounding measures for these housing parts.

[0018] Furthermore, the second side wall may be flush with the opposite edge of the housing bottom. As an alternative or supplement, the first side wall may be flush with the edge of the housing top at the first end. As another alternative or supplement, at the first end, the opposite second side walls each have an edge that abuts against an edge of the first side wall.

[0019] This increases the mechanical stability of the housing and simultaneously enables electrical contact over a large area, which protects the circuit in the housing from external electromagnetic influences in the form of a Faraday cage.

[0020] The housing bottom can have holes which protrude in the plane of the housing bottom on opposite edges of the housing bottom. The second side walls can also each have at least one finger which respectively snaps into or can be inserted into one of the holes. Finally, the holes can optionally be flush with the second side walls on the outside.

[0021] This further increases the mechanical stability of the housing, in particular by fixing the side wall relative to the housing bottom. At the same time, the electrical contact between the side wall and the housing bottom is improved, which is ensured even when the housing is twisted.

[0022] This at least one finger nail can be arranged outside the plane of corresponding second side wall.In addition, each eyelet of housing bottom can be arranged in the groove corresponding to finger nail of corresponding second side wall.

[0023] This prevents the formation of protrusions on the opposite edges of the housing bottom and enables smooth housing edges to be achieved.

[0024] The mechanical connection of the third housing part to the housing bottom, the second side wall and the housing top can be without separate connecting elements, for example, can be constructed without screws, rivets or clips.

[0025] This simplifies installation by using a small number of fastening members, wherein installing more fastening members would necessarily require setting more installation directions, thereby increasing the difficulty of installation.

[0026] The second side walls each have at least one punched bridge at the second end, into which the guide and retaining pin protruding on the third housing part snaps or can be inserted. In addition, the housing top can have at least one punched bridge at the second end, into which the guide and retaining pin protruding on the third housing part snaps or can be inserted. These punched bridges can point to the interior of the housing. The protruding guide and retaining pin can be arrow-shaped and gradually thicken toward the third housing part.

[0027] This allows a stable fastening between the connected housing parts which is cost-effective and does not cause the housing surface to be disturbed by mechanically protruding parts.

[0028] The third housing part, also called the front cover, can have protruding snap-in elements arranged around it. These snap-in elements can be used to mechanically connect the housing bottom, the second side wall and the housing top at the second end. These snap-in elements are designed as molded parts of the front cover, which are produced together with the front cover in the process and thus also have the material of the front cover. They can be produced by injection molding.

[0029] This makes it possible to provide the connection element without requiring additional manufacturing steps.

[0030] The snap-in element of the third housing part (front cover) can snap into the openings of the housing bottom, the second side wall and the housing top at the second end. The snap-in element snaps into the openings of the housing bottom, the second side wall and the housing top. These openings can be punched. By snapping in, a tensile connection with the third housing part can be achieved, so that the guide pins, the spacing pins and the retaining sheet are reliably fixed in the housing bottom, the second side wall and the housing top. One of the openings can be optionally arranged between two adjacent punching bridges.

[0031] In this way, the desired positioning of the third housing part and the stable positioning of the other housing parts can be achieved without using screw connections. The mechanical strength can be further improved by arranging openings between two adjacent punched bridges.

[0032] The circuit board of the circuit can be fastened or can be fastened parallel to the housing bottom. Optionally, the circuit board can be used for power supply. The third housing part can have at least two spacing pins, which snap into or can be inserted into the gap between the circuit board and the housing bottom.

[0033] This allows the circuit board to maintain a safe distance from the housing bottom of the first housing portion. As an alternative or supplementary solution, in order to achieve electrical safety, an insulating film (also referred to as an insulating membrane) may be arranged in the gap between the circuit board and the housing bottom.

[0034] As an alternative or supplementary solution, when at least two spacing pins are clamped between the circuit board and the housing bottom, the fixing of the third housing part can be realized. In addition, optionally, the spacing pins can be arranged at a certain distance from the circuit board to the insulating film below the circuit board.

[0035] This allows the printed circuit board to be mounted on the housing base without any hindrance, without having to consider other housing parts that could impede the mounting. In addition, a minimum distance between the printed circuit board and the housing base can be maintained and a minimum distance between the printed circuit board and the insulating film can be established.

[0036] The third housing part can have retaining webs which bear on the outside against the housing bottom of the first housing part and / or on the outside against the second side wall of the second housing part.

[0037] In this way, the screw connection of the printed circuit board to the housing base can be covered from the outside.

[0038] The second side walls may have a plurality of vents respectively. Optionally, the areas of these vents may exceed half of the corresponding second side walls.

[0039] This removes waste heat from the circuit board without causing heat buildup.

[0040] An overcurrent protection device (also called "circuit breaker" or CB in professional terminology, such as a circuit breaker) and / or an uninterruptible power supply component (also called "Uninterruptible Power Supply" or UPS in professional terminology) can be added to a power supply (also called "Power Supply Unit" or PSU) having the above-mentioned housing. These components can also be arranged in the housing. Accordingly, in a PSU without a CB and / or UPS, the size of the side walls of the housing can be different from the size of the side walls of the housing in a PSU with a CB and / or UPS. In other words, the side walls of the housing are enlarged, and thus the front cover is enlarged, so that more circuit boards and / or components can be arranged parallel to the power supply circuit board. The front cover can also have more notches for arranging more operating elements or electrical connectors.

[0041] A second aspect relates to a group of multiple power supplies. Each power supply may include a housing according to the first aspect, for example, having a housing bottom of uniform size and / or a housing top of uniform size. The group includes at least one power supply having an overcurrent protection device and / or an uninterruptible power supply component added to the housing. The first and second side walls of the housing of the at least one power supply having an overcurrent protection device or an uninterruptible power supply component are larger than the first and second side walls of the housing of the power supplies of the group without the overcurrent protection device or the uninterruptible power supply component.

[0042] According to the embodiments of the first and / or second aspects, even more complex power supplies can be designed to be compact and easy to install. This eliminates the need to provide different housings or at least different housing parts for electrical devices with different components (e.g., PSU without CB and UPS, PSU with CB and without UPS, PSU without CB and with UPS, PSU with CB and UPS).

[0043] The third aspect relates to a method for manufacturing a housing according to the first aspect (as described in any of the foregoing embodiments). The method may include the step of providing a housing. In the method, the installation direction of all screws used is the same. The screw installation direction may be horizontal, for example. This installation direction can be used for the spiral connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The two housing portions can be joined together in a vertical installation direction. When using a larger side portion (i.e., the side wall of the second housing portion) to install more components of an overcurrent protection device (CB) and / or an uninterruptible power supply component (UPS), the installation direction may also remain unchanged. In addition, two screws that may have different implementations may be installed. One or three screws may also be screwed in the screw installation direction.

[0044] This facilitates mounting of the housing, since in particular a single screw mounting direction reduces the installation complexity to a minimum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with preferred embodiments which may be optionally combined.

[0046] in:

[0047] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a housing for accommodating a circuit;

[0048] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a first and a second housing portion constructed as a housing bottom and a housing top;

[0049] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a third housing portion constructed as a front cover;

[0050] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the first, second and third housing parts;

[0051] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a method for manufacturing a shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Features shown or described in different embodiments may be replaced by identical or expanded reference numerals.

[0053] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a housing for accommodating a circuit, which is numbered 10 . Figure 1 The housing is generally shown from the front, with some lateral weight.

[0054] The housing 10 includes a first housing portion 20 having a rectangular housing bottom 22 and a first side wall 24 extending vertically at a first end of the housing bottom 22, the basic shape of the first side wall being a rectangle. Thus, the first housing portion 20 is L-shaped. The first housing portion 20 is made of aluminum, but may alternatively be made of other metals or non-metals as mentioned above. The housing bottom is used to accommodate at least one circuit board for a circuit.

[0055] Figure 1 Also shown is a second housing part 40, which has a rectangular housing top 42 and two second side walls which are parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly from the housing top at opposite edges of the housing top 42. The basic shape of these side walls is also rectangular. The housing bottom 22 and the housing top 42 are parallel to each other in the assembled state of the housing. The first side wall 24 of the first housing part 20 is perpendicular to the second side wall in the assembled state of the housing. The housing top 42 has two connecting pieces 45 at a first end, and the first side wall 24 is connected by connecting elements (e.g. Figure 2The second housing part 40 is made of the same material as the first housing part 20. Thus, when a conductive material such as aluminum is used, a low-resistance electrical connection can be established by screwing, which can be used as a reliable grounding electrical connection in particular.

[0056] The connecting piece 45 is preferably arranged and designed in such a way that the connecting element can be mounted in a uniform (ie, identical) mounting direction 12 , so that the first housing part 20 is mechanically connected to the second housing part 40 .

[0057] at last, Figure 1 A third housing part 60 is also shown, also called a front cover. The third housing part can be plugged onto a second end of the housing bottom 22 arranged opposite the first end. The third housing part is used to mechanically connect to the housing bottom 22, the second side wall and the housing top 42, respectively. The material of the third housing part 60 is usually not conductive. It is preferably made of plastic, such as a thermoplastic material. This is also beneficial for various protrusions provided on the real front cover, such as pins, tabs and elements, which can be made together with the real front cover using the same material during the injection molding process.

[0058] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the first and second housing parts constructed as a housing bottom and a housing top. These housing parts are shown in a moderate exploded view, wherein these housing parts are partially in contact. The figure is basically a side view and a rear view. The housing top 42 has at least these two connecting pieces 45 at the first end. Two connecting elements 46 implemented as screws are provided. One screw 46 is implemented as a UL-compliant safety screw with a protruding screw head, also known as a round head screw. The second screw 46 is implemented as a countersunk screw, which does not extend out of the connecting piece 45 in the installed state. The installation direction of the two screws 46 is the same. The first housing part 20, the second housing part 40 and the third housing part 60 are respectively integrally formed.

[0059] The first housing part 20, the second housing part 40 and the screw 46 are all electrically conductive. The connecting piece 45 of the second housing part is electrically conductively connected to the first side wall 24 of the first housing part. This connection is a low resistance connection and can be used as a ground connection as described above.

[0060] The second side wall of the second housing part 40 is flush with the opposite edge of the housing bottom 22. As a supplement, the first side wall 24 is flush with the edge of the housing top 42 at the first end. Finally, at the first end, an edge of each of these opposite second side walls abuts against an edge of the first side wall 24.

[0061] The housing bottom 22 has holes 23 which protrude in the plane of the housing bottom 22 on opposite edges of the housing bottom 22. The second side walls each have at least one finger 25 which is respectively snapped into or can be inserted into one of the holes 23. In some embodiments, the holes 23 are flush with the second side walls on their outer sides.

[0062] The at least one finger nail 25 is Figure 2 Each hole 23 of the housing bottom 22 is arranged in a groove of the corresponding second side wall corresponding to the finger nail 25. Therefore, when the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 40 are installed together, the finger nail 25 is snapped into the hole 23 of the housing bottom 22.

[0063] The third housing portion 60 is connected to the housing bottom 22, the second side wall and the housing top 42 without screws. Instead, the first housing portion 20 and the second housing portion 40 are provided with a variety of sockets for the pins, tabs and other components of the second housing portion 60 to fasten the third housing portion, which will be described in detail below.

[0064] The second side wall has two punched bridges 44 at the second end, into which the guide and retaining pins 62 protruding on the third housing part snap or can be inserted. Alternatively, different embodiments with one or three punched bridges 44 are also possible. In addition, the housing top 42 has at least one punched bridge 44 at the second end, into which the guide and retaining pins 62 protruding on the third housing part snap or can be inserted. Alternatively, different embodiments with one or three punched bridges 44 are also possible. These punched bridges have a shape that is at least partially parallel to the surface of the stamped housing part.

[0065] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the third housing part 60 constructed as a front cover; the view shows the interior of the third housing part 60. The third housing part 60 has a snap-on element 64 arranged around for mechanical connection with the housing bottom 22, the second side wall and the housing top 42 respectively at the second end. The snap-on element 64 has a variety of embodiments. The size of the snap-on element 64 for the second side wall and the housing top 42 is larger than the snap-on element 64 for the housing bottom 22. In addition, these snap-on elements are arranged in the center. All snap-on elements 64 are fed into the housing, that is, the space between the housing bottom 22, the second side wall and the housing top 42. These snap-on elements have snap-on flanges facing outward, which are snapped into the provided openings of the housing bottom 22, the second side wall and the housing top 42 from the inside to the outside from the inside of the housing. The snap-on flange is arranged in a surrounding protrusion so as to be flush with the housing bottom 22, the second side wall and the housing top 42 and connected thereto.

[0066] The snap-in element 64 of the third housing part 60 snaps into the opening of the housing bottom 22, the second side wall and the housing top 42 at the second end. As an alternative or supplement, one of the openings can be optionally arranged between two adjacent perforated bridges 44. An opening is arranged between two adjacent perforated bridges 44 on the second side wall and the housing top 42, respectively, which is designed for the snap-in element 64 of larger size. An opening for the snap-in element 64 of smaller size is arranged in the housing bottom 22.

[0067] The circuit board 70 of the circuit 26 is fastened or can be fastened parallel to the housing bottom 22. In some embodiments, the circuit board 70 can optionally be used for power supply. The third housing part 60 has at least two spacing pins 68, which snap into or can be inserted into the gap between the circuit board 70 and the housing bottom 22. In this way, a safe distance is maintained between the circuit board 70 and the housing bottom 22 of the first housing part 20, or a gap is created between the circuit board 70 and the housing bottom 22 so that the insulating film can be accommodated therein without pressure damage. In some embodiments, the spacing pins (68) can optionally arrange the insulating film (not shown) located below the circuit board 70 at a certain distance from the circuit board 70.

[0068] Furthermore, the third housing part 60 has two retaining tabs 66, which rest on the outside against the housing bottom 22 of the first housing part 20 and / or on the outside against the second side wall of the second housing part 40 (not shown). The retaining tabs 66 are rectangular. The retaining tabs are designed to cover the screw connection. This may be a housing cover for the screw connection of the circuit board on the housing bottom.

[0069] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the first, second and third housing parts. In the figure, the first and second housing parts are connected, and the third housing part is in its plug-in position. The second side walls are respectively provided with a plurality of vents 48. These vents are in the form of discontinuous strips and are arranged obliquely on the second side walls. The area of ​​these vents exceeds half of the corresponding second side walls.

[0070] A power supply can be arranged in the housing 10, which includes a power supply circuit board and related circuit elements (electronic components), see above. In some embodiments, an overcurrent protection device (professional term "circuitbreaker", CB) and / or an uninterruptible power supply assembly (USV or professional term UPS) can be added to the power supply, which are also arranged in the housing. This module is then screwed into the second housing part 40 (not shown). The size of the housing side wall when the power supply is without a CB module or a UPS module is different from the size of the housing side wall when the power supply is with a CB or a UPS. In particular, the extension of the housing side wall perpendicular to the housing bottom 22 and the housing top 42 is large, while the extension of the side wall parallel to the housing bottom 22 and the housing top 42 remains constant. Therefore, a third housing part with a correspondingly larger size can also be used.

[0071] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a method 100 for manufacturing a housing 10 according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The method 100 comprises providing 102 housing parts 20 and 40 (and optionally 60), and mounting 104 at least housing parts 20 and 40 with the same mounting orientation 12 for all screws 46 used.

[0072] The installation direction of the screws 46 may be, for example, horizontal and / or parallel, and the first housing portion 20 may be connected to the second housing portion 40 , for example.

[0073] In other words, an improved mounting connection for sheet metal housing parts of electrical devices is described here. The following solutions can be regarded as prior art: There are a large number of housing solutions for power supply, including switch cabinets for mechanical engineering. Important requirements in this field are space-saving, inexpensive and robust structures. The housing material usually consists of metal or plastic or a combination of both materials. This is due to the usually high electrical, mechanical and thermal requirements. In particular, the housing construction becomes complicated in the case of high requirements in all three areas (electrical, mechanical, thermal). The manufacturing difficulty and production costs are also increased by the large number of mounting connections (especially screws) and mounting steps.

[0074] Thus, it is desired to obtain a manufacturing and cost-optimized, secure housing connection with reduced mounting direction and screw circumference. The first housing part 20 (basic component) is composed of an L-shaped (such as aluminum) metal housing 20, on which at least one circuit board 70 (printed circuit board) can be screwed. In order to protect the electronic equipment, a U-shaped second housing part 40 (metal cover) is plugged into the first housing part 20. In order to achieve a reliable ground connection, the second housing part 40 (metal cover) is connected to the first housing part 20 (basic component) in the rear area through two tabs, each of which has a screw. Finally, the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 40 (metal housing) that are screwed to each other are fixedly connected and closed in the front area by the buckled third housing part 60 (front cover). Specifically, this is implemented without screws by a snap element 64 arranged around the third housing part 60 (front cover), as well as a guide retaining pin 62 and a spacing pin 68. The interaction of these different elements ensures a stable and secure housing connection.

[0075] The third housing part 60 (front cover) has at least two spacing pins 68, which are fixedly arranged between the circuit board 70 (printed circuit board) and the first housing part 20 (metal housing) in the installed state. Around the side of the U-shaped second housing part 40 (metal cover), at least one or at most two punching bridges 44 can be installed on each side, and the correspondingly arranged guide and retaining pins 62 of the third housing part 60 (front cover) are fed into the punching bridges.

[0076] In addition, the third housing part 60 (front cover) is characterized in that two retaining pieces 66 are buckled around the first housing part (metal housing) from the outside. As an alternative or supplementary solution, the third housing part 60 (ie, the front cover) has at least one snap element 64 on each side.

[0077] In addition, the housing can accommodate multiple modules. The circuit board 70 (e.g., as a basic component) itself is a real power supply. In the housing, a circuit board 70 (e.g., a basic component) with an overcurrent protection device (technical term: "circuit breaker" or CB) or an uninterruptible power supply module (USV, technical term: "uninterruptible power supply", UPS) can be obtained. The module can be fastened (e.g., screwed) in the second housing part 40 (i.e., in the U-shaped piece).

[0078] Although the present 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 may be used as replacements. In addition, multiple changes may be made to match specific situations or specific modules in a housing with the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0079] Description of Reference Numerals

[0080] 10 Housing

[0081] 12 Installation direction

[0082] 20 first housing portion

[0083] 22 Shell bottom

[0084] 23 Eyelets

[0085] 24 First side wall

[0086] 25 Finger nails

[0087] 26 Circuit

[0088] 40 second housing portion

[0089] 42 Shell top

[0090] 44 Punching Bridge

[0091] 45 Connecting piece

[0092] 46 Connecting elements, such as screws

[0093] 47 recess

[0094] 48 Vents

[0095] 60 Third housing part

[0096] 62 Guide retaining pin

[0097] 64 snap-on components

[0098] 66 retaining piece

[0099] 68 Spacer Pin

[0100] 70 Circuit Board

[0101] 100 Method for manufacturing housing

[0102] 102 Provide housing portion

[0103] 104 Install with the same mounting direction for all screws used

Claims

1. A housing (10) for accommodating a circuit (26), comprising at least the following components: A first housing portion (20) having a rectangular housing bottom (22) and a first side wall (24) extending vertically at a first end of the housing bottom (22); a second housing part (40) having a rectangular housing top (42) and two second side walls which are parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly from the housing top (42) at opposite edges of the housing top (42), wherein the housing bottom (22) and the housing top (42) are parallel to each other, and the first side wall (24) is perpendicular to the second side wall, and wherein the housing top (42) has at least one connecting piece (45) at the first end, and the first side wall (24) is mechanically connected or can be mechanically connected to the connecting piece via a connecting element (46); and A third housing part (60) can be plugged onto a second end arranged opposite to the first end and is used for mechanically connecting to the housing bottom (22), the second side wall and the housing top (42) respectively.

2. The housing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element (46) is implemented as a screw, and wherein the housing top (42) has at least two connecting pieces (45) at the first end, the connecting pieces being configured to accommodate a screw (46) in each case along an installation direction (12), wherein the installation directions (12) of the at least two screws (46) are the same, and / or The first shell portion (20), the second shell portion (40) and the third shell portion (60) are respectively integrally formed.

3. The housing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side wall (24) has at least one recess (47) at the first end for accommodating a connecting piece (45) of the housing top (42), and optionally wherein: The connecting piece (45) is flush with the first side wall on the outside.

4. The shell (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first shell part (20) and the second shell part (40) are both conductive, and wherein the connecting piece (45) of the second shell part is conductively connected to the first side wall (24) of the first shell part.

5. The housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second side wall is flush with an opposite edge of the housing bottom (22), and / or wherein the first side wall (24) is flush with an edge of the housing top (42) at the first end, and / or At the first end, each of the opposite second side walls has an edge that abuts against an edge of the first side wall (24).

6. The housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing bottom (22) has holes (23) which protrude on opposite edges of the housing bottom (22) in the plane of the housing bottom (22), and The second side walls each have at least one finger nail (25), which is respectively inserted into or can be inserted into one of the holes (23), Optionally, the hole (23) is flush with the second side wall on the outside.

7. A shell (10) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one finger nail (25) is arranged outside the plane of the corresponding second side wall, and wherein each hole (23) of the shell bottom (22) is arranged in a groove of the corresponding second side wall corresponding to the finger nail (25).

8. The housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mechanical connections between the third housing portion (60) and the housing bottom (22), the second side wall and the housing top (42) are all screwless connections.

9. A housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second side wall has at the second end at least one punched bridge (44), into which a guide retaining pin (62) protruding on the third housing part is inserted or can be inserted, and / or The housing top (42) has at least one punched bridge (44) at the second end, into which a guide and retaining pin (62) protruding on the third housing part engages or can be inserted.

10. A housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the third housing portion (60) has a circumferentially arranged snap-fit ​​element (64) for mechanically connecting to the housing bottom (22), the second side wall and the housing top (42) at the second end, respectively.

11. The housing (10) according to claim 10, wherein the snap element (64) of the third housing portion (60) snaps into the openings of the housing bottom (22), the second side wall and the housing top (42) at the second end, Optionally, one of the openings is arranged between two adjacent perforated bridges (44).

12. The housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a circuit board (70) of the circuit (26) is fastened or can be fastened parallel to the housing bottom (22), optionally wherein: The circuit board (70) is designed to provide power supply, and The third housing part (60) has at least two spacing pins (68), which are inserted into or can be inserted into the gap between the circuit board (70) and the housing bottom (22), so as to maintain a safe distance between the circuit board (70) and the housing bottom (22) of the first housing part (20), and optionally, The spacing pins (68) arrange the insulating film located below the circuit board (70) at a certain distance from the circuit board (70).

13. A shell (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the third shell part (60) has a plurality of retaining plates (66), which abut against the shell bottom (22) of the first shell part (20) on the outside and / or abut against the second side wall of the second shell part (40) on the outside.

14. The housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second side walls respectively have a plurality of ventilation openings (48), the areas of which are optionally more than half of the corresponding second side walls.

15. A group of multiple power supplies, wherein each power supply comprises a shell (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the shell having a shell bottom (22) of uniform size and / or a shell top (42) of uniform size, wherein the group comprises at least one power supply, the power supply having an overcurrent protection device and / or an uninterruptible power supply component added to the shell (10), and the dimensions of the first and second side walls of the shell (10) of the at least one power supply having the overcurrent protection device or the uninterruptible power supply component are larger than the dimensions of the first and second side walls of the shell (10) of the power supplies of the group without the overcurrent protection device or the uninterruptible power supply component.

16. A method (100) for manufacturing a housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the mounting direction (12) of all screws (46) used is the same.

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