Housing for electrical or electronic device

Abstract

A housing for an electrical or electronic device is described, having a first housing part (1) made of metal and a second housing part (2) made of metal, in which the first housing part (1) has a groove (4) containing a sealant and in which one or more ribs of the second housing part (2) engage. According to the utility model, the one or more ribs are designed to be crimping ribs (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a housing for electrical or electronic equipment. Background Technology

[0002] DE19528313A1 and DE202016106815A1 disclose enclosures for electrical or electronic equipment.

[0003] EMC shielding and moisture-proof sealing are standard requirements for such enclosures. For reliable EMC shielding, conductive connections are needed between the metal enclosure components. In conventional enclosures, this contact is ensured by a conductive adhesive that bonds the two metal enclosure halves while providing a moisture-proof seal.

[0004] Conductive adhesives contain metal particles or other conductive particles, making them significantly more expensive than conventional, non-conductive adhesives. Furthermore, the resulting electromagnetic attenuation is less effective than that achieved with metallic connections. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to demonstrate a method for manufacturing a housing for electrical or electronic equipment that ensures reliable EMC shielding throughout the service life of the electrical or electronic equipment, and also provides a seal against moisture.

[0006] This objective is achieved by a housing having the features described in the embodiments of this utility model. Advantageous improvements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The housing according to this invention is formed by a first metal housing component and a second metal housing component. The first metal housing component has a groove, and the second metal housing component has a crimp rib that engages in the groove. By engaging the crimp rib in the groove, reliable electrical contact is achieved, thereby improving the EMC shielding between the two housing components.

[0008] The dimensions of the crimp ribs ensure that the ribs and / or the groove undergo plastic deformation when pressed into the groove. This crimp ribs thus reliably ensure good electrical contact between the two housing components; in particular, the plastic deformation of the crimp ribs and the groove can lead to favorable cold welding of the two housing components. Circumferential crimp ribs can engage in circumferential grooves. However, multiple ribs arranged at intervals may also be used, engaging in grooves, preferably circumferential grooves.

[0009] These crimp ribs deform during insertion into the groove, particularly in the direction transverse to the insertion direction. The groove may, for example, have sidewalls with sloping wall portions that the crimp rib contacts when inserted. As the crimp rib is pressed into the groove, it then slides along the sloping wall portion, deforming in the process. This generates a force pressing the rib against the sidewall, deforming it, and subsequently leading to a cold welding process.

[0010] The inclined wall portion can be a curved surface or a plane at an angle to the insertion direction. The inclined surface can be adjacent to a flat wall portion that extends in the insertion direction of the crimp rib, and the crimp rib rests flat against the flat wall portion in the assembled state. The inclined wall portion can be located between two flat wall portions extending parallel to the insertion direction. Alternatively, the crimp rib can also have a side surface with an inclined portion that slides along the edge of the groove when pressed into it, causing the crimp rib to deform and generate a clamping force that presses the crimp rib against the side wall of the groove.

[0011] The groove contains a sealant, such as a rubber seal, an O-ring portion, or an adhesive, particularly an electrically insulating adhesive, such as a silicone adhesive.

[0012] An advantageous improvement of this invention provides a first housing component and a second housing component connected by screws. In this way, a mechanically resilient connection between the two housing components can be achieved even before the adhesive hardens. The screws are preferably self-tapping screws or self-cutting screws, as these are particularly easy to apply. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Further details and advantages are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 An example of the casing is shown; and

[0015] Figure 2 The cross-sectional details of the casing are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1 An enclosure for electrical or electronic equipment is shown, such as an electronic control unit for an electric turbocharger, fluid or air heater, inverter, motor, or fan. The enclosure has a first enclosure component 1 and a second enclosure component 2, each made of metal, such as an aluminum-based alloy. Therefore, the illustrated enclosure has two metal enclosure halves.

[0017] In the example embodiment shown, one of the two housing components, such as housing component 1, has a press-fit rib 3 that engages in a groove 4 in the other housing component, namely, a groove 4 in housing component 2.

[0018] In particular, Figure 2 An example of a press-fit rib design is shown, illustrating cross-sectional details of the housing. The press-fit rib 3 shown can be designed as a circumferential press-fit rib or as one of a plurality of press-fit ribs arranged at intervals from each other.

[0019] When the crimp rib 3 is pressed in, the crimp rib 3 and the sidewall 5 of the groove 4 undergo plastic deformation. This plastic deformation results in a cold weld between the two housing parts 1 and 2, i.e., a cold weld between the crimp rib 3 and the sidewall 5 of the groove 4. Therefore, the two housing parts 1 and 2 are materially bonded to each other in the region of the crimp rib 3. Advantageously, this provides good electrical contact between the two housing parts 1 and 2.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 5 of the groove 4 has an inclined portion 5a, such as an inclined surface. When the crimping rib 3 is pressed into the groove 4, the crimping rib 3 slides along this portion and deforms in a direction transverse to the insertion direction, for example, by 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. This inclined wall portion can extend between two wall portions that extend linearly along the insertion direction.

[0021] Recess 4 contains a non-conductive adhesive, such as a silicone adhesive.

[0022] Non-conductive adhesives, sometimes called insulating adhesives, typically have a strength of 10. 8 Resistivity of Ω·cm or higher. This adhesive is less expensive than conductive adhesives that become conductive by adding metal or graphite particles. The adhesive in groove 4 provides a reliable seal between the two housing components 1 and 2, particularly preventing moisture ingress.

[0023] In addition, the two housing parts 1 and 2 are connected by screws 6. These screws 6 secure the connection between the two housing parts 1 and 2, especially until the adhesive hardens or dries. The screws 6 can be designed as self-tapping or self-cutting screws to simplify assembly.

[0024] One of the two housing components 1 and 2, in the example of the illustrated embodiment, is housing component 1, which has an opening 8 into which the housing of the electrical connector is inserted.

[0025] List of reference numerals

[0026] 1. Housing components

[0027] 2. Housing components

[0028] 3 Press-fit Ribs

[0029] 4 grooves

[0030] 5. Sidewalls of the groove

[0031] 5a Inclined portion of the sidewall

[0032] 6 screws

[0033] 8 openings

[0034] 9. Plastic casing

Claims

1. A housing for electrical or electronic equipment, having The first outer casing component (1) is made of metal, and The second outer casing component (2) is made of metal. The first housing component (1) has a groove (4) for receiving sealant, and one or more ribs of the second housing component (2) engage in the groove. Its features are, The one or more ribs are designed as press-fit ribs (3).

2. The outer casing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two outer casing components (1, 2) are also connected by screws (6), preferably self-tapping screws or self-cutting screws.

3. The outer casing according to claim 2, characterized in that, One or more crimp ribs (3) are cold-welded to the sidewall of the groove (4).

4. The housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sealant is a non-conductive adhesive.

5. The housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first housing component (1) and the second housing component (2) are made of aluminum-based alloy.

6. The housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The groove (4) has a sidewall (5) with an inclined wall portion (5a). When the crimping rib (3) is inserted into the groove (4), the crimping rib (3) contacts the inclined wall portion (5a), then slides against the inclined wall portion (5a) and deforms in the process, thereby generating a clamping force that presses the crimping rib (3) against the sidewall (5).

7. The outer casing according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inclined wall portion (5a) is adjacent to a wall portion that extends linearly along the insertion direction.

8. The housing according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The inclined wall portion (5a) is located between two wall portions that extend linearly along the insertion direction.

9. The housing according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The inclined wall portion (5a) forms an inclined surface, and when the crimping rib (3) is inserted into the groove (4), the crimping rib (3) contacts the inclined surface.

10. The housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The groove (4) is a circumferential groove.

11. The housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first housing component (1) or the second housing component (2) has an opening into which the housing (8) of the electrical connector is inserted.

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