Connecting element for mechanically joining electronic housings

Abstract

Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) for mechanically connecting electronic housings (200, 200A, 200B) - with two spreading legs (140, 140A, 140B), the ends of which are each designed as hook elements (141, 141A, 141B), with a head (110, 110A, 110B) and with a neck (120, 120A, 120B) connecting the head (110, 110A, 110B) to the legs (140, 140A, 140B), - wherein the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) is designed such that the hook elements (141, 141A, 141B) of its legs (140, 140A, 140B) engage in a neck area (121B) of the identical connecting element between the head (110, 110A, 110B) and leg (140, 140A, 140B) of the identical connecting element for mechanical connection with an identical connecting element (100, 100A, 100B).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting element for mechanically connecting electronic housings and to an electronic housing with such a connecting element. State of the art

[0002] Electronic devices typically comprise an electronics housing, for example made of plastic or metal, with electronics arranged therein, in particular circuit boards, electrical components, microcontrollers, etc. Such electronic devices can be designed, for example, as control and / or measuring devices for motor vehicles.

[0003] It is often advisable to stack electronic devices on top of each other. To ensure a secure connection between the individual electronic devices, the electronics housings are mechanically connected, for example, using plug-in connectors. However, such plug-in connections can easily become accidentally disconnected. While electronics housings can also be screwed together, it is time-consuming to establish and then remove a mechanical connection in this way.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved way to mechanically connect electronic housings of electronic devices.

[0005] A control system for electronic control and automation systems is known from US Pat. No. 6,027,380 A. This system comprises at least one terminal block with power and / or signal conductor connections and at least one electronic module for signal processing. The electronic module and the terminal block are mechanically connected to each other via T-slot guides and T-slot counterparts. A separate locking element that can be secured in the T-slot guides blocks the electronic module in the extension direction.

[0006] US Pat. No. 5,677,830 A discloses an expandable housing for printed circuit boards arranged parallel and spaced apart from one another. Posts of another circuit board can be placed on posts, which have snap-hook-like fastening elements molded onto them. The snap-hook-like element engages a slot in the attached post, creating a positive connection.

[0007] From the publication DE 100 13 134 A1, a mounting frame is known that comprises at least one printed circuit board for electronic components. The mounting frame can be stacked with other mounting frames to form an electronics housing. For this purpose, the mounting frame has a locking and unlocking device, which, on the one hand, has a locking mechanism with respect to an adjacent second mounting frame. The second mounting frame has locking means for the locking mechanism and, on the other hand, has an unlocking mechanism with respect to the same locking means.

[0008] From the publication DE 35 31 714 A1, a modular housing for electrical systems is known, which is distributed across stacked housing units. The housing units are joined together using fixed hooks on the one hand and flexible tabs on the other. For this purpose, the hooks engage in window cutouts in the tabs. The hooks each have an insertion ramp over which the associated tab slides during mating, and each has a locking bevel followed by the actual locking surface. When two housing units approach each other, only one reversible locking position results, in which the hook bends the tab and engages behind an edge of the window cutout of the tab with its locking bevel, while the housing units only finally lock together when the tabs are individually pressed onto the hooks with great force. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] According to the invention, a connecting element for mechanically connecting electronics housings and an electronics housing with such a connecting element are proposed, having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims and the following description.

[0010] The connecting element has two expandable legs, a head, and a neck connecting the head to the legs. The ends of the legs facing away from the head are each designed as hook elements. The connecting element is designed such that the hook elements of its legs engage in a neck region of the identical connecting element between the head and leg of the identical connecting element for mechanical connection to a structurally identical connecting element. The legs interact in a tweezer-like manner or, in particular, form gripping arms that grip the head of an identical connecting element for mechanical connection to the identical connecting element. Advantages of the invention

[0011] The connecting element allows electronic housings to be mechanically connected to each other in a simple and flexible manner. The mechanical connection can be quickly established and released.

[0012] The legs are expandable, in particular, in a direction perpendicular to a main axis of the connecting element. The main axis is understood to be the axis along which the head, neck, and legs are arranged. In particular, the legs are axially symmetrical to each other with respect to the main axis. Furthermore, the entire connecting element is axially symmetrical to this main axis.

[0013] In particular, the legs are pre-tensioned in a direction perpendicular to the main axis, so that a force is required to spread the legs apart. The legs can be pre-tensioned, for example, by an elastic element, e.g., a spring element, or, in particular, by the special mechanical (elastic) design of the connecting element. The hook elements thus engage under tension between the head and legs of the identically constructed connecting element, so that the mechanical connection cannot be accidentally released.

[0014] In particular, the head has a greater extension perpendicular to the main axis than the neck. This creates a tapered section from the head to the neck. The hook elements of the connecting element engage with this tapered section of the identically constructed connecting element.

[0015] To connect the connecting element to the identical connecting element, they are pushed onto one another along a connecting direction, preferably in the direction of the main branch. In this case, the legs of the connecting element are pushed over the head of the identical connecting element towards its neck. The legs are first spread apart until the hook elements have been pushed or pushed over the head of the identical connecting element. The hook elements then snap into place, particularly in the neck area of ​​the identical connecting element, thereby establishing the mechanical connection. The connecting elements can thus be mechanically connected simply and easily without great effort. A suitable number of identical connecting elements can be pushed onto one another and thus mechanically connected.

[0016] The connecting element is preferably arranged on an electronics housing. The electronics housing can thus be mechanically connected to another electronics housing on which an identical connecting element is arranged. This allows a plurality of electronics housings to be mechanically connected to one another in a simple, flexible manner.

[0017] The electronics housing is designed, in particular, as the housing of an electrical device. The electronic device is designed, in particular, as a measuring and / or control device, in particular as a device for arrangement in a rack, test bench, or motor vehicle. The electronic device can preferably also be designed as a control unit of a motor vehicle, for example, as an engine control unit. Electronic components of the electronic device, for example, a circuit board with a processor and memory units, are arranged within the electronics housing.

[0018] Advantageously, the head tapers in a tapered region along the main axis towards the neck. The head extends along the main axis in particular between a vertex and a base of the head, wherein the head is connected to the neck at the base of the head. Starting from the vertex towards the base of the head, the head initially widens in a widening region up to a chin area. In the chin area the head is in particular at its widest and has its largest circumference. This chin area is adjoined in particular by the tapered region in the direction of the base of the head. Accordingly, the head tapers preferably starting in the chin area up to the base of the head. The chin area is advantageously designed as an edge that at least partially surrounds the head.

[0019] The surface of the head in the tapered region and / or in the widened region is in particular flat and inclined by a predetermined angle relative to the main axis of the connecting element. Preferably, the surface of the head in the tapered region is inclined between 0° and 90° relative to the main axis, preferably by at least 60°, also preferably by less than 90° or by at most 80°. Alternatively, the surface in the tapered and / or widened region can also be curved in an elliptical or circular manner. In particular, the surface in the tapered region is inclined by a larger angle relative to the main axis than in the widened region, in particular by an angle at least twice as large.

[0020] This head shape makes it particularly easy to create the mechanical connection without requiring great force. Nevertheless, a strong connection can be created that cannot be accidentally released. When the hook elements of the connecting element are placed over the head of an identical connecting element, they and thus the legs are spread apart by touching the widened area. After the hook elements have been moved over the chin area, they and thus the legs move towards each other again when they touch the tapered area, or rather, click into place. For the mechanical connection to the identical connecting element, the hook elements preferably engage the tapered area of ​​the head of the identical connecting element.

[0021] Preferably, the connecting element is designed such that, when it is engaged with a structurally identical connecting element, its legs are spread apart over a second tolerance range perpendicular to the connection direction when the connecting element is displaced relative to the structurally identical connecting element over a first tolerance range in the connection direction.

[0022] In particular, the hook elements of one connecting element interact with the tapered area of ​​the identical connecting element in such a way that a relative displacement of the connecting elements in the connection direction is possible, with the spread legs pressing on the tapered area of ​​the identical connecting element at all times, thus pulling the connecting element towards the identical connecting element in the connection direction. The preload of the legs, together with the tapered area, thus serves in particular to minimize the distance between two connected connecting elements. The mechanical connection between the two connecting elements is not broken.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting element has an opening element for releasing the mechanical connection of the connecting element with the identically constructed connecting element. The opening element is preferably designed to spread the legs of the connecting element apart, in particular such that the hook elements of the legs no longer engage in the neck region of the identically constructed connecting element between its head and legs. For this purpose, the opening element is preferably arranged between the legs. The opening element is preferably arranged displaceably in the direction of the main axis of the connecting element.

[0024] The opening element is preferably designed as a movable wedge with converging side surfaces. The tip of the wedge points in particular toward the head. By moving the wedge in the direction of the main axis of the connecting element toward the head, the legs of the connecting element are spread apart by the converging side surfaces of the wedge. The wedge is preferably movable via a lever mechanism. By operating a corresponding lever, the mechanical connection of the connecting elements can thus be easily released.

[0025] Preferably, a projection is arranged on at least one of the legs in the direction of the respective opposite leg. In particular, both legs each have such a projection. The opening element preferably engages these projections to release the mechanical connection of the connecting element with the identically constructed connecting element. In particular, the opening element touches these projections.

[0026] The projections and the opening element allow the mechanical connection to be released easily and flexibly as needed. In particular, the projections of the legs form a wedge-shaped arrangement. In this case, the opening element can have a suitable shape, for example, round or cube-shaped, to engage these wedge-shaped projections and thus spread the legs apart when the opening element is moved perpendicular to the main axis toward the head.

[0027] Preferably, the connecting element has a body connecting the neck to the legs. The body, in particular, has the greatest extension of the connecting element in a direction parallel to the transverse axis of the connecting element. The body, in particular, imparts greater stability and robustness to the connecting element. The legs, in particular, are attached to the body. Thus, the legs cannot easily break off or be damaged.

[0028] The body is preferably designed to attach the connecting element to the electronics housing. Fastening elements such as screws, nails, or pins can be attached to the body, via which the connecting element can be attached or secured to the electronics housing. For this purpose, the body preferably has at least one bore.

[0029] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described below with reference to the drawing. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a connecting element in a plan view and in a perspective view. Fig. 2 shows schematically a section of a preferred embodiment of a connecting element in a plan view. Fig. 3 shows schematically a preferred embodiment of a connecting element in a plan view. Fig. 4 schematically shows two mechanically connected connecting elements according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a plan view. Fig. 5 schematically shows two mechanically connected connecting elements according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 shows schematically a further preferred embodiment of a connecting element in a plan view. Fig. 7 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of an electronics housing with a preferred embodiment of a connecting element in an exploded view. Fig. 8 schematically shows two mechanically connected electronics housings according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0031] Same reference numerals in the Fig. 1 to 8 each refer to identical or structurally identical elements.

[0032] In Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of a connecting element is shown schematically and designated 100. In Fig. 1a, the connecting element 100 is shown in a plan view, in Fig. 1b in a perspective view. The connecting element 100 has a head 110, a neck 120, a body 130, and legs 140.

[0033] The legs 140 are axially symmetrical to a main axis 101 of the connecting element 100. The ends of the legs 140 are each angled and form hook elements 141. The ends of the legs are L-shaped. The legs 140 have projections 142 directed toward each other.

[0034] The body 130 has two holes 131. Through these holes, the connecting element 100 can be attached to an electronics housing using fastening elements such as screws, nails, or pins.

[0035] In Fig. 2 is a section of the connecting element 100 according to Fig. 1a is shown schematically.

[0036] The head 110 extends in a direction parallel to the main axis 101 between a vertex 112 and a head base 115. The vertex 111 has a flat surface that extends essentially perpendicular to the main axis 101. Adjacent to the vertex 112 is a widening region 112, in which the head 110 widens up to a chin region 113. In the chin region 113, the head 110 has its largest circumference. The chin region 113 is formed here as an edge. Adjacent to the chin region 113 is a tapering region 114, in which the head 110 tapers down to the head base 115. At the head base 115, the head 110 is connected to the neck 120.

[0037] In the tapered region 114, a surface of the head 110 is inclined relative to the main axis by an angle β. This angle β is preferably between 60° and 80°, more preferably between 65° and 75°. In this example, the angle β is particularly preferably 70°.

[0038] In the widened region 112, a surface of the head 110 is inclined relative to the main axis 101 by an angle α. This angle α is preferably between 15° and 35°, more preferably between 20° and 25°. In this example, the angle α is particularly preferably 22°.

[0039] The different angles of inclination α and β of the surface of the head 110 in the regions 112 and 114 result in the edge 113 at which the two regions 112 and 114 border on each other.

[0040] In Fig. 3, the connecting element 100 according to Fig. 1 schematically shown. As can be seen Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the legs can be divided into an upper region 143 and a lower region 144. The lower region 144 is bent at an angle γ relative to the upper region 143. The angle γ is preferably between 10° and 20°, in this example preferably 16°.

[0041] In Fig. 4, two mechanically interconnected connecting elements according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are schematically shown. A first connecting element 100A analogous to the Fig. 1 to 3 is mechanically connected to a second such, structurally identical connecting element 100B. The first connecting element 100A is plugged onto the second connecting element 100B in a connecting direction. The connecting direction runs along the main axis 101.

[0042] Each of the connecting elements 100A and 100B has a head 110A and 110B with a tapered region 114A and 114B and a widened region 112A and 112B, a neck 120A and 120B, a body 130A and 130B, and legs 140A and 140B with hook elements 141A and 141B.

[0043] The hook elements 141A of the first connecting element 100A engage in a neck region 121B of the second connecting element 100B between its head 110B and its body 130B. The hook elements 141A engage in the tapered region 114B of the head 110B of the second connecting element 100B.

[0044] Due to the special shape of the tapered region 114B, it is possible for the legs 140A of the connecting element 100A to be spread apart over a second tolerance range perpendicular to the connection direction (here main axis 101) of the connecting element 100A when the connecting element 100A is displaced relative to the identical connecting element 100B over a first tolerance range parallel to the connection direction (here main axis 101) of the connecting element 100A. This will be explained below with reference to Fig. 5, in which the two mechanically connected connecting elements 100A and 100B according to Fig. 4 are shown schematically.

[0045] In Fig. 5a, the connecting elements 100A and 100B are spaced apart by a distance l1 in the connection direction. The hook elements 141A of the first connecting element 100A are spaced apart by a distance d1. The legs 140A of the first connecting element 100A are in the example of Fig. 5a minimally spread apart.

[0046] The surface of the head 110B in the tapered region 114B in particular represents a sliding plane along which the hook elements 141A of the first connecting element 100A can be moved when the first connecting element 100A is displaced relative to the second connecting element 100B over the first tolerance range in the connecting direction.

[0047] In the example of Fig. 5b, the first connecting element 100A is relative to the second connecting element 100B in comparison to the example of Fig. 5a in the connection direction. The connecting elements 100A and 100B are spaced apart by a distance l2 that is greater than the distance l1. The hook elements 141A are spaced apart by a distance d2 that is greater than the distance d1.

[0048] In the example of Fig. 5c is the first connecting element 100A compared to the examples of Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b is displaced even further in the connection direction relative to the second connecting element 100B. The connecting elements 100A and 100B are spaced apart by a distance l3 that is greater than the distance l2. The hook elements 141A are spaced apart by a distance d3 that is greater than the distance d2.

[0049] In Fig. 5c, the connecting element 100A is displaced relative to the second connecting element 100B over the entire first tolerance range Δl. The connecting elements 100A and 100B have a maximum distance from each other at which they are still mechanically connected. The legs 140A of the connecting element 100A are spread apart over the entire second tolerance range Δd.

[0050] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of another preferred embodiment of a connecting element 100. The connecting element 100 is attached to an electronics housing 200, for example, to an electronics housing 200 of a control unit of a motor vehicle. The connecting element 100 is attached to the electronics housing 200 via fastening elements 201, in this example via pins.

[0051] In this example, the connecting element 100 further comprises an opening element 150. By means of this opening element 150, the mechanical connection between the connecting element 100 and a structurally identical connecting element 100, as described in relation to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The opening element 150 is movably mounted in the direction of the main axis 101.

[0052] The opening element 150 is designed as a wedge 151, which is movable via a lever mechanism by means of a lever 152. The tapered side surfaces of the wedge 151 contact the bulges 142 of the legs 140 of the connecting element. By actuating the lever 152, the wedge 151 is moved toward the head 110, thereby spreading the legs 140 apart.

[0053] In Fig. 7, the electronics housing 200 with the connecting element 100 according to Fig. 6 is shown schematically in an exploded view. In this example, a handle 202 is provided, which at least partially conceals the connecting element 100. Furthermore, the handle 202 prevents inadvertent actuation of the lever 152.

[0054] In Fig. 8, two mechanically interconnected electronics housings 200 are schematically shown. A first electronics housing 200A has a first connecting element 100A, a second electronics housing 200B has a second connecting element 100B. The connecting elements 100A and 100B are mechanically connected, analogous to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, which also creates a mechanical connection between the electronics housings 200A and 200B.

Claims

[1] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) for mechanically connecting electronic housings (200, 200A, 200B) - with two expandable legs (140, 140A, 140B), the ends of which are each designed as hook elements (141, 141A, 141B), with a head (110, 110A, 110B) and with a neck (120, 120A, 120B) connecting the head (110, 110A, 110B) to the legs (140, 140A, 140B), - wherein the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) is designed such that the hook elements (141, 141A, 141B) of its legs (140, 140A, 140B) engage in a neck region (121B) of the identical connecting element between the head (110, 110A, 110B) and legs (140, 140A, 140B) of the identical connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) for mechanically connecting to an identically constructed connecting element (100, 100A, 100B). [2] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to claim 1, wherein the head (110, 110A, 110B) tapers in a tapered region (114, 114A, 114B) along a main axis (101) of the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) towards the neck (120, 120A, 120B). [3] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the head (110, 110A, 110B) in the tapered region (114, 114A, 114B) is flat and is inclined by a predetermined angle (β) with respect to the main axis (101) of the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B). [4] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the head (110, 110A, 110B) widens in a widening region (112, 112A, 112B) along the main axis (101) of the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) from a vertex (111) to a beginning of the tapering region (114, 114A, 114B). [5] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to one of claims 2 to 4, which is designed such that the hook elements (141, 141A, 141B) of the legs (140, 140A, 140B) for mechanically connecting to the identical connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) engage the tapered region (114, 114A, 114B) of the head (110, 110A, 110B) of the identical connecting element (100, 100A, 100B). [6] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed such that, in the case of a mechanical connection between the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) and the identical connecting element (100, 100A, 100B), when the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) is displaced relative to the identical connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) over a first tolerance range (Δl) along a connecting direction which runs along a main axis (101) of the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B), the legs (140, 140A, 140B) of the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) are spread apart perpendicularly to the connecting direction over a second tolerance range (Δd) can be. [7] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to one of the preceding claims, with an opening element (150) for releasing the mechanical connection of the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) with the identical connecting element (100, 100A, 100B). [8] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to claim 7, wherein the opening element (150) is designed as a movable wedge (151) and / or is movable via a lever mechanism. [9] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a projection (142) is arranged on at least one of the legs (140, 140A, 140B) in the direction of the respective opposite leg (140, 140A, 140B). [10] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to one of the preceding claims, with a body (130, 130A, 130B) connecting the neck (120, 120A, 120B) to the legs (140, 140A, 140B). [11] The connector (100, 100A, 100B) of claim 10, wherein the body (130, 130A, 130B) is configured to attach the connector (100, 100A, 100B) to an electronics housing (200, 200A, 200B). [12] Connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the legs (140, 140A, 140B) are expandable in a direction perpendicular to a main axis (101) of the connecting element (100, 100A, 100B). [13] Electronics housing (200, 200A, 200B) with at least one connecting element (100, 100A, 100B) according to one of the preceding claims.

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