Electronic enclosures and methods for housing electronic components

Abstract

Electronic housing (2) for enclosing electronic components, in which a housing lower part (6) and a housing upper part (12) are connected to each other by connecting means (14) to form a housing body (4), characterized in that the connecting means (14) have at least one screw (16) which has a threaded section (20) designed and formed for thread formation, wherein in the connected state of the housing body (4) the threaded section (20) of the screw (16) is screwed through a connection area (22) of the housing upper part (12) forming a thread and is screwed into a connection area (24) of the housing lower part (6) at least partially forming a thread or vice versa, wherein the connection areas (22, 24) each have a screw section (52, 52') for connection by the screw (16), between which a threaded space (50) is formed in the state of use.

Description

The invention relates to an electronics housing for enclosing electronic components according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein a lower housing part and an upper housing part are connected to one another by connecting means to form a housing body. The invention further relates to a method for enclosing or forming the electronics housing according to the preamble of claim 15. Electronic enclosures of the type in question are known from the prior art, for example from DE 296 06 194 U1 and DE 34 17 161 A1, in which a printed circuit board is arranged inside an electronic enclosure, which in turn has electrical connections in order to connect the electrical or electronic components on the printed circuit board to power or signal technology. Furthermore, electronic housings of the type in question are known from DE 299 20 465 U1, wherein cable passages are provided in the walls of the electronic housing in order to be able to insert cables for the energy or signal connection of the circuit board into the interior of the electronic housing. Furthermore, electronic enclosures of the type in question are known from DE 10 2014 109 970 A1 and DE 10 2012 204 526 A1, in which a lower enclosure part and an upper enclosure part are connected to each other by separate connecting means, clamping the lower enclosure part and an upper enclosure part against each other to form an enclosure body. DE 88 14 890 U1, DE 199 40 950 A1 and JP 2007 - 327 555 A disclose electronic housings of the type in question, in which a lower housing part and an upper housing part are connected to each other by means of screws. For this purpose, threaded sleeves are provided in the housing parts, which enable screwing. DE 10 2008 020 099 B4 discloses an enclosure in which a cylinder head cover made of plastic is held to a metal engine block by means of self-tapping screws. DE 10 2005 049 816 A1 further discloses a housing whose housing components are connected to one another using clamping screw bosses and screws inserted therein in a clamping manner. Moreover, housings of the type in question are known from DE 10 2007 032 510 A1 , DE10 2009 043 177 A1 , DE 37 01 004 C1 as well as EP 1 494 518 A1 . The invention is based on the objective of simplifying and ensuring the safety of the manufacture of an electronic housing of the type in question, and at the same time achieving cost savings. To solve the problem it addresses, the invention departs from the idea of ​​achieving savings through the use of inexpensive materials. Furthermore, the invention departs from the idea of ​​achieving savings by minimizing the number of parts in order to reduce manufacturing costs. Rather, the invention solves the problem set for it by providing at least one screw connection to form a housing body that serves to enclose electronic components. Against this background, the connecting means in an electronics housing according to the invention have at least one screw which in turn has a threaded section designed and formed for thread formation. Furthermore, the invention provides that, in the connected state of the housing body, the threaded section of the screw is screwed through a connection area of ​​the upper housing part in a thread-forming manner and is screwed into a connection area of ​​the lower housing part at least partially in a thread-forming manner. The invention comprises the lower housing part and the upper housing part being designed and configured such that the screw for connecting the lower housing part and the upper housing part can be optionally screwed through the connection area of ​​the upper housing part and screwed into the connection area of ​​the lower housing part, or vice versa. Thus, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible for the screw for connecting the lower housing part and the upper housing part to be screwed through the connection area of ​​the lower housing part and screwed into the connection area of ​​the upper housing part. Therefore, an advantage of an electronics housing according to the invention lies in the fact that there is no preferred direction for the at least one screw in which it is inserted into the corresponding connection areas of the housing parts (upper housing part, lower housing part) for their connection. Furthermore, according to the invention, the connection areas corresponding to each other for the connection of the upper housing part and the lower housing part each have a side that faces each other in the connection state and between which a threaded clearance is formed. Within the scope of the invention, the sides that face each other in the connected state refer to those that are penetrated by the screw head for thread formation. Within the scope of the invention, a threaded space is characterized in that the screw does not form a thread in the threaded space, so that it also does not have a thread formed by the screw in the connected state. This offers the advantage that deformation stresses are avoided when connecting the housing parts with at least one screw. According to the invention, this is achieved by preventing the threaded section of the screw from being located in both connection areas simultaneously. As a further advantageous effect, the thread formed by the screw is also not unnecessarily stressed or deformed. In the following, the term housing part is used as a shortened form for housing upper part or housing lower part. When using multiple screws, they can also be arranged differently relative to each other on the housing body. For example, when using two screws, the threaded section of one screw is screwed through the connection area of ​​the upper housing part, forming a thread, and is at least partially screwed into the connection area of ​​the lower housing part, forming a thread. The other screw is also screwed through the connection area of ​​the lower housing part, forming a thread, and is at least partially screwed into the connection area of ​​the upper housing part, forming a thread. Furthermore, it is possible that both screws are inserted into the connection areas in the same direction or orientation relative to each other when connected. Within the scope of the invention, the term "screwed in" is to be understood in particular as a state of the screw in which the threaded section of the screw cooperates, at least section by section, with the thread formed in the relevant connection area to hold the housing parts together. Within the scope of the invention, a connected state is understood to be a state of the housing body in which the housing body is designed by arranging the upper and lower housing parts relative to each other and connecting them by means of at least one screw to enclose the electronic components. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, a connection area is to be understood as a respective section provided on the lower or upper housing part for thread formation by the screw, in order to connect and hold the lower and upper housing parts together by means of a screw connection. For a screw connection of the housing parts by means of at least one screw, the connection area of ​​the lower housing part and the corresponding connection area of ​​the upper housing part are therefore arranged and aligned with each other in such a way as to allow the screw to be inserted into the connection areas. A connection state is assumed in the characterization and description of the features of an electronic housing according to the invention, whereby deviations from this are described / characterized accordingly or result from the respective context. The invention offers the advantage of reducing the cost of producing an electronics housing according to the invention, among other things, by connecting the upper and lower housing parts using at least one screw that is screwed through both the upper and lower housing parts. To create this connection, the screw can be selectively first screwed through the relevant connection area of ​​the lower housing part and then screwed into that of the upper housing part (or vice versa) to create a thread. This ensures that the upper and lower housing parts are securely held together to form the housing body. This reduces the effort required to align the housing parts arranged to form the housing body, resulting in advantages in handling and assembly / disassembly. This contributes to lower manufacturing costs. Furthermore, as previously explained, the invention enables the use of a high proportion of identical parts, which in turn results in lower costs. For example, identical housing components and screws of the same type can contribute to cost savings. Furthermore, the invention advantageously achieves a simple, secure, and backlash-free connection between the lower and upper parts of the housing. Furthermore, the invention offers the advantage that, to simplify assembly / disassembly, the screw is held captive on one of the housing parts by being inserted into one of the connection areas. Furthermore, connecting the housing parts of an electronic housing according to the invention using at least one screw eliminates the need for additional components, such as a nut. This, in turn, results in simple handling of the electronic housing designed according to the invention during both assembly and disassembly. Furthermore, the use of a screw connection offers not only cost advantages but also high connection reliability (even under dynamic loads) and good recyclability. Moreover, according to the invention, screwing a screw into the respective housing parts creates a self-locking effect, which supports a secure connection and also simplifies the assembly and disassembly of an electronics housing according to the invention. According to the invention, a connection area can be designed in various ways. For example, it is possible that the connection area has a material or material composition that differs from the material or material composition of the remaining area of ​​the lower or upper housing part, and is, for instance, softer for screwing in or through. To facilitate the screwing process, the invention also includes the screw being designed and constructed in such a way that the threaded section, at least in sections, particularly with its area facing a free end of the screw, has a higher strength and / or hardness compared to the connection area of ​​the upper housing part and / or the lower housing part. Furthermore, the invention offers the possibility of selecting the usable materials from a wide range. According to the invention, for example, at least one of the connection areas or the upper housing part and / or the lower housing part can consist of an electrically insulating material or a plastic, a non-metallic material, a composite material, or a biomaterial (e.g., so-called liquid wood). Advantageously, the housing body can thus be electrically insulating, lightweight, and cost-effective. Furthermore, according to the invention, the screw can consist, at least in sections, of a metal, e.g., steel, or a non-ferrous metal such as titanium or aluminum, as well as a plastic or composite material. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve a high level of connection reliability. Within the scope of the invention, the term electronic component includes an electrical / electronic component, an assembly consisting of electrical / electronic components, as well as a combination of electronic components, such as a populated printed circuit board. An electronic housing according to the invention can be designed, in particular, to accommodate a printed circuit board (also referred to as a circuit board) with which, for example, an electronic computer, such as a so-called "single-board computer", is implemented. In such a single-board computer, the entire computer is housed on a single circuit board, which, according to the invention, can be enclosed by the housing body in order to provide a compact computer. The advantage of a screw designed according to the invention lies, among other things, in the fact that no increased requirements are placed on its realization or on its choice of material. Therefore, within the scope of the invention, for the formation of a thread in a relevant connection area, it is provided that the material of the screw is matched to the material of the relevant connection area(s) in such a way that the screw has a higher strength compared to the respective connection area in order to be able to form a thread reliably. Likewise, this eliminates the need for further precautions, such as those required by using different tools for thread production. To facilitate the screwing process for inserting the screw into one of the aforementioned connection areas, a further advantageous invention provides that at least one of the connection areas has a hole, in particular a through hole, wherein the hole is designed and constructed in such a way and thus dimensioned and matched to the screw in such a way that the threaded section forms a thread at least partially circumferentially in a hole wall of the hole when the screw is inserted into the hole. Within the scope of the invention, as mentioned above, the insertion of the screw into a connection area is preferably achieved by a screwing process in which a rotation of the screw, in conjunction with the threaded section and the connection area in question, creates a thread in the connection area, wherein the screw also performs a translational movement through the rotational movement. Within the scope of the invention, "inserting a screw into a connection area" encompasses the screw penetrating or being screwed into the connection area, and thus being arranged only partially, preferably at least partially, with its threaded section within the connection area. Within the scope of the invention, the term "inserting" also encompasses the possibility that, in a suitably flexible connection area, the screw can be positioned within the connection area by a purely translational movement under the influence of a compressive force. According to the invention, the use of a hole, for example designed as a pilot hole for the screw, simplifies the screwing process. Furthermore, this reduces the risk of cracking in the relevant connection area or the associated housing part. Within the scope of the invention, the hole can also be designed as a blind hole; however, within the scope of the invention, a design as a through hole is preferred, among other things, to avoid cracking and the already described optional insertion of the screw into the respective connection area. According to the invention, it is taken into account that the thread does not have to be formed completely within the hole. Within the scope of the invention, it is also sufficient that the thread is formed only partially or in a partial section of the hole. According to the invention, the circumference of the hole is relative to the hole axis, along which the hole extends longitudinally and along which the screw is screwed through / into the hole. Accordingly, a partial formation of the thread in the hole refers to a part of the circumference, as it is formed in the aforementioned manner. The circumference of the screw is determined in relation to the screw axis, along which the screw extends between its two free ends. The formation of a thread in the connection area can be achieved in various ways within the scope of the invention. For example, it is possible to design the threaded section of the screw as a thread cutter, so that the thread formation in the relevant connection area of ​​the respective housing part is created by a cutting process. This offers the advantage that thread formation requires minimal force. However, a disadvantage of this solution is that chips may be produced, which must then be removed and disposed of. To avoid these chips, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the screw is designed and constructed in such a way that the threaded section is at least partially designed and constructed for thread forming. In addition to avoiding chips, this advantageously prevents material loss, reduces wear on the screw during thread formation, and lowers the requirements for the thread section compared to a previously mentioned variant of the thread section. Furthermore, the advantage arises that thread forming allows for a more precise shaping of the thread. To form a thread, it has proven advantageous within the scope of the invention to provide a hole in at least one of the relevant connection areas, preferably both connection areas. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of cracking during thread formation. The implementation of a screw can be carried out in various ways within the scope of the invention. For example, a cylinder screw can be used, at one free end of which a threaded section is arranged and at the remaining free end of which a screw head (e.g. flat head, (internal) hexagon, countersunk, round and lens head shape, ...) is formed, which is designed and configured to actuate the screw for the realization of its rotational movement for the screwing process. According to the invention, the screw with its threaded section is first screwed through a connection area of ​​the upper housing part or the lower housing part, in order to then be screwed into the corresponding connection area of ​​the lower housing part or upper housing part in order to connect the housing parts together. The screw penetrates the joining area of ​​the housing part, through which the threaded section of the screw is screwed, while it is screwed into the joining area of ​​the remaining housing part for a secure connection of the housing parts together. The screwing into the lower housing part (or the upper housing part) ensures that the lower and upper housing parts are securely held together by the screw action and also easily meet requirements for protection against the ingress of foreign bodies or fluids, possibly using sealing agents. To facilitate screw connection, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the screw has a screw shank formed between a screw head and the threaded section, the outer diameter of which is smaller than a nominal diameter, in particular smaller than a flank diameter, preferably smaller than a core diameter, of the threaded section of the screw. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the screw shank has a length equal to or greater than the threaded section of the connection area for the screw. According to the invention, the length of the screw shank is measured in the direction in which the screw shank extends between the free ends of the screw. Within the scope of the invention, the screw-through section is the section of the connection area along which the screw forms a thread in the manner described above, after the threaded section of the screw has passed through this section or has been screwed through this section of the connection area to achieve a connection between the housing parts. The aforementioned further development of the invention leads to the advantage that the screwing process or the thread formation is facilitated. A further simplification of the thread formation is achieved by means of a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, whereby the thread section tapers towards the free end of the screw, thus reducing the diameter accordingly. A tip can be formed at one free end of the screw, which further simplifies the thread formation process. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention relates to the fact that the housing body, in particular the upper and / or lower housing part, consists at least partially of an electrically insulating material or of a plastic or of a material comprising plastic components. According to the invention, this makes it possible to manufacture a housing body of an electronic housing according to the invention as a cost-effective mass-produced item or as a serial part using injection molding. The use of plastic offers several advantages. Besides cost-effective production, benefits include insulating properties and a good weight-to-strength ratio. Within the scope of the invention, an advantageous embodiment takes into account that the upper housing part and / or the lower housing part is / are formed in one piece, in particular in one piece, which results in advantages in the handling as well as the manufacture of an electronic housing according to the invention. Side walls are formed between the upper and lower housing sections, and between the housing lid and base, respectively. These side walls define the interior of the housing body in a circumferential direction. The circumferential direction is defined, in particular, by an outer edge of the upper / lower housing section, which defines its boundaries. Thus, the side walls form a frame, with the upper and lower housing sections forming the base and top, respectively. The side walls can be formed, for example and in particular, by individual parts or side elements and can also be molded onto at least one upper or lower housing part. In the simplest way, a housing body of an electronics housing according to the invention is thus formed by the housing upper part and the housing lower part, which, when arranged relative to each other, also form the aforementioned side walls. The invention also provides that the housing body is modularly designed and constructed, so that, among other things, optional elements can be attached to it. Furthermore, the assembly with electronic components can be carried out modularly. Furthermore, the invention provides that through feedthrough openings the passage of electrical conductors or cables is made possible in order to connect or supply the electronic components located in the interior of the housing body with regard to energy technology or signal technology. In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventions, it is provided that the housing body is shaped symmetrically at least in sections with respect to at least one plane. This results in the advantage of further simplified handling of an electronic housing according to the invention. The invention also provides that the upper and lower housing parts are identically shaped. This offers the advantage that the housing parts can be manufactured as identical components, resulting in advantages in both warehousing and production. This also leads to cost advantages in development and manufacturing. According to the invention, the upper and lower housing parts can therefore consist of two identical parts, thus minimizing the number of variants of necessary components required to form an electronics housing according to the invention. A further embodiment of the invention provides that the upper and lower housing parts are shaped similarly, in particular identically, preferably identically. The invention encompasses various embodiments and uses of an electronics enclosure designed according to the invention. It can be configured and designed for wall, ceiling, or floor mounting, or positioned in other ways. Furthermore, it is possible to attach an electronics enclosure according to the invention to a reference surface using retaining means. Accordingly, an enclosure according to the invention can be positioned, for example, by means of wall mounting, a stand, a VESA mount, a VESA base, etc. However, the invention is not limited to these possibilities. To simplify the use of an electronics housing according to the invention, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the housing body is designed and configured for mounting on a mounting rail. This offers the advantage of simplified assembly and disassembly of an electronics housing according to the invention and its use, for example, in a control cabinet. Furthermore, this makes it possible to arrange an electronic housing according to the invention at predetermined locations without requiring any special effort for its alignment or attachment, thus resulting in time and cost advantages. This leads to improved handling of an electronic housing according to the invention. To simplify handling, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the distance between the thread-forming sections of the corresponding connection areas is greater than or equal to the length of the threaded section of the screw. This distance also determines the size of the thread clearance. This offers the advantage that the screw can be captive and held in place on either the upper or lower part of the housing. This simplifies the assembly and disassembly of an electronic housing according to the invention, without the need for any additional tools. Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for housing electronic components by means of an electronic housing, wherein the features described above can form an electronic housing according to the invention in any combination. A method according to the invention incorporates features such as those already mentioned, so that a repetition of these features as components of a method according to the invention is omitted. Accordingly, the preceding statements also apply mutatis mutandis to a method according to the invention. A method according to the invention provides, among other things, that a lower housing part and an upper housing part are connected to each other by means of connecting means in order to form a housing body. The connecting means shall have at least one screw, the thread-forming thread section of which is first screwed through a connecting area of ​​the upper housing part in a thread-forming manner and is then screwed into a connecting area of ​​the lower housing part at least partially in a thread-forming manner. Furthermore, a method according to the invention comprises that the at least one screw is first screwed through a connection area of ​​the lower part of the housing in a thread-forming manner and is then screwed into a connection area of ​​the upper part of the housing in a thread-forming manner, at least section by section. When using multiple screws, the previously described example of an electronics housing according to the invention also applies analogously to a method according to the invention. In addition to the aforementioned advantages, the process also allows the assembly steps for connecting the upper and lower housing parts to be kept simple and few in number. An advantageous further development of a method according to the invention provides that the screw, whose thread-forming thread section is formed at least section by thread formation, is screwed into a hole of at least one connection area. The advantages already mentioned also apply analogously to a method according to the invention. Therefore, the further features for forming the thread in the hole described above are transferable accordingly. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an embodiment of an electronic housing according to the invention is shown as representative of a multitude of electronic housings according to the invention, and in which a method according to the invention is also illustrated. All claimed, described and illustrated features, taken individually and in any combination with one another, constitute the subject matter of the invention, irrespective of their summary in the patent claims and their cross-references, and irrespective of their description or illustration in the drawing. The figures in the drawing show a possible embodiment of an electronics housing according to the invention, each in a schematic representation. The representations in the figures are therefore not necessarily to scale and, for the sake of clarity, have been reduced to the elements / components / parts that support understanding. In the figures, identical or corresponding components / parts or elements are provided with the same reference symbols. For better clarity, not all elements / components / parts are always provided with reference symbols in the figures, whereby the assignment results from the same representation or a representation adapted to the view. It shows: Fig. 1 the lower housing part with side walls of an embodiment of an electronics housing according to the invention in a perspective view in schematic representation, Fig. 2 the embodiment of an electronics housing according to the invention in the same perspective view and representation, but in a different size ratio to the representation in Fig. 1, wherein, in addition to the components shown there, the upper housing part as well as the screws for the screw connection and a schematically represented screwdriver are also shown section by section, Fig. 3 the embodiment of an electronics housing according to the invention in a perspective view in the same representation as in Fig. 1, wherein the representation is based on one of the housing corner regions of the housing body, Fig. 4 the embodiment of an electronics housing according to the invention in a perspective view in the same representation as in Fig.Fig. 1 to illustrate the screwing process, Fig. 5 a section of a connection area of ​​the upper and lower parts of the electronics housing, marked AA in Fig. 4, in otherwise the same manner of representation as in Fig. 1, but in a different size ratio to the representation in Fig. 1, Fig. 6 one of the screws in a perspective view and in a schematic representation, which serves to connect the upper and lower parts of the housing, Fig. 7 the embodiment in a view according to Fig. 5 to illustrate a provided cavity between the housing parts. For the sake of clarity, the description will subsequently be reduced to the differences between the exemplary embodiments or figures, provided the structure is the same or similar. The details of the exemplary embodiment of an electronic housing according to the invention, mentioned in the figures, complement each other, so that the details in question also apply analogously to other electronic housings designed according to the invention. In the following, the exemplary embodiment of an electronic housing according to the invention will also be referred to by the abbreviated term electronic housing. Fig. 1 shows the electronics housing 2 with its housing body 4 in a perspective view in a reduced detail representation, the representation being directed towards the housing base 6 with side walls 8 (uniformly marked with the reference numeral 8). A first process step for producing the housing body 4 is shown, wherein side elements 10 (uniformly marked with the reference numeral 10) are provided for forming the side walls 8 of the housing body 4. The side elements 10 are already aligned with each other in Fig. 1 for arrangement on the lower part of the housing 6. In this embodiment of an electronics housing 2 according to the invention, the side elements 10 are designed identically. However, they can also be individually replaced by differently designed side elements 10. Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible that the side walls 8 are integrally formed on the lower housing part 6 or on the upper housing part 12, so that the housing body 4 can be produced by an upper housing part 12 and a lower housing part 6 arranged thereon, which are connected to each other by means of a screw connection (explained below). Fig. 2 shows the electronics housing 2 and illustrates a further process step for forming a housing body 4, in which the side elements 10 are arranged on the housing lower part 6 and the housing upper part 12 is fed to and arranged on the housing lower part 6 with the side elements 10 located thereon. Basically, the arrangement can also be done vice versa, so that first the side elements 10 are attached to the upper housing part 12 and then the lower housing part 6 is attached to the upper housing part 12. In the housing body 4, in a connected state in which the housing body 4 is configured and designed to enclose electronic components (not shown), the lower housing part 6 and the upper housing part 12 are connected to each other by connecting means 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting means 14 have a plurality of screws 16, which are uniformly provided with the reference numeral 16. In the connected state, a screw 16 is arranged in a respective corner area 18 (uniformly marked with the reference numeral 18) of the housing body 4, so that in the illustrated embodiment of an electronic housing according to the invention, four screws 16 are used to connect the upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 6 and thus hold them together. Each screw 16 has a threaded section 20 designed and formed for thread formation (uniformly marked with reference numeral 20) in order to produce a thread (explained below with reference numeral 30) in the respective connection area 22 of the housing upper part 12 and the threaded lower part 6. The screws 16 used in the illustrated embodiment of an electronics housing 2 according to the invention are of the same screw type, although the invention is not limited to this. Different screw types can also be used. The screws 16 of the screw type used are explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 6. In the connected state of the housing body 4, the threaded section 20 of the respective screw 16 is screwed through a connection area 22 of the upper housing part 12, forming a thread, and is screwed into a respective connection area 24 (uniformly marked with the reference numeral 24) of the lower housing part 6, at least partially forming a thread. This can be done using a standard screwdriver S, which is shown section by section in Fig. 2 and is more clearly visible in Fig. 4. Fig. 3 shows the electronics housing 2 in a perspective view in the same manner as in Fig. 1, the representation relating to one of the corner areas 18 of the housing body 4. The upper housing part 12 is connected to the lower housing part 6 by means of the screws 16, each of which penetrates a connection area 22, wherein the respective screw 16 is screwed into the relevant connection area 24. For this purpose, the upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 6 are arranged in such a way that a connection area 22 is arranged correspondingly to a connection area 24 in order to insert a screw 16 into the respective connection areas 22,24 and thereby connect the upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 6 to each other. Each of the connection areas 22, 24 has a hole 26 (uniformly designated with reference numeral 26) for thread formation, which is designed as a through hole 28 (uniformly designated with reference numeral 28). The thread formation in the respective hole 26 is illustrated and explained with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 4 illustrates a further process step in which the screws 16 are screwed into the upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 6, forming threads. Fig. 4 also illustrates a connection state as previously described. The housing body 4 consists of a plastic which, in addition to providing sufficient protection for the electronic components arranged inside 13 (not shown) against external influences, also has an electrically insulating protective effect. Furthermore, the housing body 4 is symmetrically shaped in three planes 34,36,38 which are aligned perpendicular to each other. In addition to the side elements 10, the upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 6 are also formed as identical parts. In this embodiment of an electronic housing 2 according to the invention, they are identically shaped, resulting in cost savings in manufacturing and storage, as well as simplified handling during assembly and disassembly. The upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 6 each form a side part of the housing body 4, wherein the upper housing part 12 forms a housing cover 12' and the lower housing part 6 forms a housing base 6', between which the side elements 10 are arranged. Fig. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the screw 16 in the holes 26 of the lower / upper housing part 6, 12, which are assigned to each other for the screw connection. Furthermore, the illustration in Fig. 5 clarifies a process step for forming a thread 30 using the screw 16. To simplify the creation of a screw connection or the creation of a thread 30 in the respective connection area 22, 24, each connection area 22, 24 has a hole 26 (uniformly designated by reference numeral 26) designed as a through hole 28 (uniformly designated by reference numeral 28). The respective hole 26 is designed and configured, and thus dimensioned and aligned with the screw 16, such that when the respective screw 16 is inserted into the correspondingly provided hole 26, the threaded section 20 forms a thread 30 (uniformly designated by reference numeral 30) in the hole wall 32 (uniformly designated by reference numeral 32) of the respective hole 26 (recognizable by the section of the lower housing part 6). The respective hole 26 is therefore designed as a pilot hole for thread formation. The insertion of the respective screw 16 into a respective connection area 22,24 is carried out by means of a rotational movement of the screw 16, which in this embodiment is generated by means of a screwdriver S via the screw head (see reference numeral 44 in Fig. 6 ). After completion of the screwing process, the screw 16 has formed a thread 30 by thread forming in the hole wall 32 of the respective hole 30. The length of screw 16 is dimensioned such that, after completion of the screwing process, the free ends 40, 42 of screw 16 do not protrude beyond the housing body 4. The length of screw 16 is determined by the distance between its free ends 40, 42. The screw head 44, which is located at one free end 40 of the screw 16, is recessed in a feed opening 46 to the hole 26 and is therefore concealed. The respective feed opening 46 can be covered by a plug (not shown) or a cover (not shown) so that the screw head 44 is not visible from outside the housing body 4. Furthermore, the length of the screw 16 is dimensioned such that, after completion of the screwing process, the free end 42, on which the threaded section 20 is located, does not penetrate the connection area 24 in which it is screwed in, although the invention is not limited to this. The completion of the screwing process for all screws 16 marks the end of the method according to the invention, in which the housing body 4 is finished. Subsequently, components can be attached to the housing body 4 to adapt it for the intended purpose. Fig. 6 shows the screw 16 in a perspective view in a schematic representation with the threaded section 20, which is located at one free end 42 of the screw 16. The screw head 44 is located at the other free end 40 of the screw 16, via which a rotational movement of the screw 16 is generated by means of the screwdriver S. As can be seen in the illustration, the screw 16 has a screw shank 48 formed between its screw head 44 and its threaded section 20, which is unthreaded and whose outer diameter is smaller than the core diameter of the threaded section 20. The screw 16 is therefore designed in this embodiment in the manner of a thin-shank screw 16'. The threaded section 20 has a higher strength and hardness compared to the respective connection area 20,22 of the upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 6 in order to ensure a secure screwing process and to make the screw 16 wear-resistant or to allow it to be reused multiple times. The threaded section 20 is set up and designed for thread forming, whereby it forms a thread 30 in the respective connection area 22,24 by cutting or by chipless deformation in the respective deformation area 22,24. Fig. 7 shows the embodiment in a view according to Fig. 5. It can be seen therein that the upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 6 are arranged and designed such that the corresponding connection areas 22, 24 each have a side 52, 52' (also shown in Fig. 3) which face each other in the connected state and between which a threaded clearance 50 is formed. The thread clearance 50 initially leads to a secure connection between the housing parts 6,12, as described at the beginning. The thread clearance 50 also makes it possible for the threaded section 20 of the screw 16 to be arranged in an intermediate state in which the threaded section 20 is screwed through one of the connection areas 22 and is out of engagement with the further connection area 24, whereby it is held captive on one of the housing parts 6, 12 when the housing parts 6, 12 are removed from each other (in this embodiment on the upper housing part 12). Fig. 7 shows that the screw shaft 48 has a length L which, in this embodiment, is greater than the screw-through length D of the connection area 22,24 for the screw 16. The features shown and described with reference to the embodiment of an electronic housing 2 according to the invention shown in the figures are not limited to this embodiment, but can also form an electronic housing 2 according to the invention in a different constellation of features.

Claims

Electronic housing (2) for enclosing electronic components, in which a housing lower part (6) and a housing upper part (12) are connected to each other by connecting means (14) to form a housing body (4), characterized in that the connecting means (14) have at least one screw (16) which has a threaded section (20) designed and formed for thread formation, wherein in the connected state of the housing body (4) the threaded section (20) of the screw (16) is screwed through a connection area (22) of the housing upper part (12) forming a thread and is screwed into a connection area (24) of the housing lower part (6) at least partially forming a thread or vice versa, wherein the connection areas (22, 24) each have a screw section (52, 52') for connection by the screw (16), between which a threaded space (50) is formed in the state of use. Electronic housing (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the connection areas (22, 24) has a hole, in particular a through hole (28), wherein the hole is designed and configured such that the threaded section (20) forms a thread (30) at least partially circumferentially in a hole wall (32) of the hole (26) when the screw (16) is inserted into the hole (26). Electronic housing (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the threaded section (20) is at least partially designed and configured for thread cutting. Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threaded section (20) is at least partially designed and configured for thread forming. Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw (16) has a screw shank (48) formed between screw head (44) and threaded section (20), the outer diameter of which is smaller than a nominal diameter, in particular smaller than a flank diameter, preferably smaller than a core diameter, of the threaded section (20). Electronic housing (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the screw shaft (48) has a length (L) which is equal to or greater than a screw-through length (D) of the connection area (22,24) for the screw (16). Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threaded section (20) tapers towards the free end (40,42) of the screw (16). Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing body (4), in particular the housing upper part (12) and / or the housing lower part (6), consists at least partially of an electrically insulating material or a plastic or of a material comprising a plastic. Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing upper part (12) and / or the housing lower part (6) is / are formed in one piece, in particular in one piece. Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing body (6) is shaped symmetrically at least in sections with respect to at least one plane (34, 36, 38). Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing upper part (12) and the housing lower part (6) are shaped similarly, in particular identically, preferably identically. Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing body (4) is designed and configured for mounting on a support rail. Electronic housing (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance (E) between the screw sections (52,52) is greater than or equal to the length (L) of the threaded section (20) of the screw (16). Method for enclosing electronic components by means of an electronic housing (2) formed according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a housing lower part (6) and a housing upper part (12) are connected to each other by means of connecting means (14) to form a housing body (4), characterized in that the connecting means (14) have at least one screw (16) whose thread-forming thread section (20) a) is first screwed through a connection area (22) of the housing upper part (12) in a thread-forming manner b) and is then screwed into a connection area (24) of the housing lower part (6) in a thread-forming manner at least sectionally. Method for housing electronic components according to claim 14, characterized in that the screw (16), whose thread-forming thread section (20) is at least partially designed to form threads, is screwed into a hole (26) of at least one connection area (22, 24).

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