Device for closing a housing opening

Abstract

Device for closing a housing opening (13), characterized in that the device (1) has a wedge element (2) and a plug element (3), that the plug element (3) has a recess (4), and that in the position of use the wedge element (2) rests on a housing wall (15) and at least partially engages in the recess (4) of the plug element (3).

Description

[0001] The invention comprises a device for closing a housing opening.

[0002] Housings for electronic devices often consist of two or more housing parts that are screwed together, for example. The screws are guided in screw channels or screw holes, for example.

[0003] Such enclosure openings are usually sealed to prevent dirt from accumulating, either as a seal or as a decorative cover. For this purpose, the enclosure openings can be permanently filled with a curing substance, for example. For this purpose, the surfaces to be bonded must be prepared, and curing conditions must be observed (waiting times, heating, etc.). Another disadvantage is that they cannot be opened without causing damage.

[0004] Alternatively, plugs or other locking components can be used. The disadvantage is that the assembly and manufacturing of the housings is complex. This requires undercuts or complex geometries, which are expensive to manufacture and not possible for every component size.

[0005] The object of the invention is to simplify the closing of housing openings.

[0006] This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a wedge element and a plug element, the plug element having a recess, and in that, in the use position, the wedge element rests against a housing wall and at least partially engages in the recess of the plug element. The engagement of the wedge element in the recess of the plug element creates a radially acting force on the wall of the recess in the use position, so that it is pressed against a wall of the housing opening. This creates a holding force that holds the plug element in the housing opening.

[0008] It is advantageous if the wedge element rests with an axial end face against a housing wall, so that the wedge element is supported against pressure on the housing wall when inserted into the plug element.

[0009] The wedge element is essentially characterized in that its outer circumference is larger on a first axial end face than on the other, second axial end face. Thus, the area of ​​the first end face is also larger than the area of ​​the second end face. It is advantageous if the cross-section of the wedge element decreases continuously between the first end face and the second end face. This results in a wedge shape of the wedge element. The circumferential contour of the end faces is essentially free and can be, for example, circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or triangular. The recess of the plug element preferably has an identical shape to the cross-sectional circumferential contour.

[0010] In one embodiment, the plug element is made of an elastic, particularly rubber-elastic, material, especially an elastomer. The advantage of this is that the plug element can be deformed by the wedge element, creating a contact pressure against the housing opening that secures the plug element. This also creates a seal. This means that liquids and dirt are prevented from penetrating the housing.

[0011] In one embodiment, the wedge element has a locking means, and the plug element has a counter-locking means, wherein the locking means engages with the counter-locking means in the use position. In this way, the wedge element is fixed within the plug element in the use position, preventing the connection from becoming loose.

[0012] In one embodiment, the locking means is designed as a recess, and the counter-locking means as a thickened portion or bead. The recess can be designed, for example, as a circumferential groove. The recess can be arranged at the end with the larger outer circumference of the wedge element, or axially within the wedge element. The thickened portion can be, for example, a circumferential edge or a circumferential projection. Alternatively, the locking means can be designed as a thickened portion and the counter-locking means as a recess, such as a groove. In addition, other locking and counter-locking means can be used.

[0013] In one embodiment, the largest outer circumference of the wedge element is smaller than the outer circumference of the plug element, particularly in the area of ​​the recess. This allows for easy assembly of the device. In particular, inserting the wedge element into a housing opening can be simplified.

[0014] In one embodiment, the plug element has a rim at its closed end that projects radially beyond the outer circumference of the plug element. The rim can close and seal a housing opening to the outside.

[0015] In one embodiment, the wedge element is substantially formed as a truncated cone, and the plug element has a substantially cylindrical recess.

[0016] The device according to the invention is preferably used as follows. First, the wedge element is inserted into the housing opening to be closed. Subsequently, the plug element is inserted into the housing opening so that the wedge element engages the plug element. This expands the plug element and presses it against a wall of the housing opening, thereby fixing the device in the housing opening. It is important that the wedge element rests against a housing wall, for example, the bottom of a screw hole. This way, the wedge element counteracts the pressing pressure when inserting the plug element and engages in the recess of the plug element.

[0017] It is possible to fix the wedge element in the housing opening. This prevents the wedge element from falling out or slipping before the plug element is inserted. For this purpose, the wedge element can be glued to the bottom of a screw hole, for example, using double-sided adhesive or liquid glue. In principle, it is also possible for the wedge element to have an axial through-hole, allowing a housing screw to pass through the wedge element. The wedge element is then fixed in the screw hole by the housing screw.

[0018] To close a housing opening, the wedge element can alternatively be gently inserted into the cylindrical recess of the plug element, and then the plug element with the inserted wedge element can be inserted into the housing opening. As soon as the wedge element rests against a housing wall at a certain point, the wedge element is pressed into the recess of the plug element, thereby achieving the retaining effect.

[0019] As already mentioned, it is important that the wedge element rests against a housing wall. This can be the case from the beginning, as already described, or at a certain point during insertion. However, this contact creates the counterforce required to insert and expand the plug element.

[0020] The device according to the invention can also be used to close housing openings with housing components. Such housing components can be, for example, cover components or other extended housing components. As already described, one or more wedge elements are inserted into the housing opening. The plug elements are then inserted into the housing component. The entire housing component can then be placed over the housing opening, with the plug elements being placed over the wedge elements, as already described.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below using some embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] It shows: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a device for closing a housing opening, Fig. 2 a sectional view of another device for closing a housing opening, Fig. 3 a sectional view of another device for closing a housing opening, Fig. 4 a sectional view of another device for closing a housing opening, Fig. 5 a sectional view of a housing opening, Fig. 6 the sectional view of the Fig. 5 in an intermediate step, Fig. 7 the sectional view of the Fig. 5 in an alternative intermediate step, Fig. 8 the sectional view of the Fig. 5 with a device for closing a housing opening in the position of use, Fig. 9 a sectional view of a housing with an extended housing opening and a housing component for covering the housing opening Fig. 10 the sectional view of the Fig. 9 in an intermediate step, and Fig. 11 the sectional view of the Fig. 9 with housing component inserted.

[0023] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for closing a housing opening. The device comprises a wedge element 2 and a plug element 3. The wedge element 2 is essentially frustoconical in shape. This means it has a circular cross-section or outer circumference. In principle, it is possible for the wedge element to have different outer circumference contours, such as elliptical or square. However, when arranging the two elements relative to one another, their orientation must be taken into account. Apart from that, this directional dependence could also be advantageous in some applications.

[0024] The plug element 3 is essentially cylindrical in shape, with a cylindrical recess 4. The plug element 3 can also have an outer peripheral contour that deviates from a circular shape, with this outer peripheral contour preferably corresponding in shape to the inner peripheral contour of a housing opening to be closed.

[0025] Independently of this, the recess 4 can also have a different inner circumferential contour, which preferably corresponds in shape to the outer circumferential contour of the wedge element 2. For example, a plug element 3 can have a square outer circumferential contour and a cylindrical recess, i.e., a circular inner circumferential contour.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for closing a housing opening. In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals below, and essentially only the differences from previous embodiments are explained again. This means that everything Fig. 1 also applies to the following statements.

[0027] In this embodiment, the plug element 3 has a circumferential edge 6 at its closed end 5, which projects radially beyond the outer circumference 7. This edge 6 serves, for example, as a seal and cover for a housing opening.

[0028] The Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for closing a housing opening, based on the Fig. 2. In addition, the wedge element 2 has a locking means in the form of a circumferential projection 8. The plug element 3 has a groove 10 arranged on the inner circumference 9 of the recess 4 as a counter-locking means, complementary to the projection 8. In the use position, the circumferential projection 8 engages in the groove 10, thus preventing the plug element 3 from automatically detaching from the wedge element 2.

[0029] The Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for closing a housing opening, similar to the Fig. 3, wherein in this embodiment, the wedge element 2 has a circumferential recess 11 as a locking means, which is arranged in the axial direction at the end with the largest diameter. The plug element 3 has a circumferential thickening 12, which engages in the recess 11 of the wedge element 2 in the use position.

[0030] The Fig. 5 to 8 show individual steps for using a device 1 according to the invention for closing a housing opening 13. The Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a housing opening 13 in a housing 14, such as an electronic device, which may, for example, be a screw hole 17. A screw is not shown here for the sake of simplicity. The housing opening 13 has, for example, a cylindrical shape, i.e., a circular cross-section or a circular inner circumferential contour.

[0031] According to the Fig. 6, a wedge element 2 of a device 1 according to the invention is first inserted into the screw hole 17. The screw hole 17 has a base 15 onto which the wedge element 2 is placed. To prevent the wedge element 2 from slipping or falling out, the wedge element 2 can be fixed to the base 15, for example, with an adhesive tape. Subsequently, the plug element 3 can be inserted into the screw hole 17. The wedge element 2 engages in the recess 4 of the plug element 3.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 7 shows an alternative procedure in which the wedge element 2 is gently inserted into the recess 4 of the plug element 3. The plug element 3 together with the wedge element 2 is then inserted into the screw hole 17 with the wedge element 2 first. Upon further insertion, the wedge element 2 will rest from a point on the bottom 15 of the screw hole 17.

[0033] From this point on, both approaches are similar. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The wedge element 2 rests on the base 15 and is pressed further into the recess 4 upon further insertion of the plug element 3. Due to the wedge shape, the diameter of the plug element 3 expands in the area of ​​the inserted wedge element 2.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 8 shows the device 1 in the use position, in which the plug element 3 is fully inserted into the screw hole 17. The outer circumference 7 of the plug element 3 is pressed against the inner circumference 16 of the screw hole 17 by the wedge element 2. This holds the plug element 3 in the screw hole 17, and the screw hole 17 is sealed by the plug element 3. In the example, the plug element 3 additionally has an edge that also radially covers the screw hole 17, thus additionally sealing the housing opening 13.

[0035] In addition to the screw hole described here as an example, any housing opening can be closed in a similar manner. The shapes of the housing openings, wedge elements, and plug elements are also not specified.

[0036] For this purpose, it is expedient and advantageous if at least the plug element 3 is made of an elastomer, such as TPE, silicone, or rubber. The wedge element can be made of the same material, which can make production simpler and more cost-effective. However, the wedge element 2 can also be made of a rigid or less elastic material, which can potentially enhance the wedging effect.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 9 shows another housing 14 with an extended housing opening 13, which in the example has two screw holes 17. The housing opening is closed by a cover component 18.

[0038] As in Fig. 10, is used to close the housing opening 13 analogously to Fig. 6, a wedge element 2 is first placed on the base 15 in each of the two screw holes 17. In the example, the cover component 18 has two recesses 19 for inserting plug elements 3, in this example without a rim.

[0039] Now the entire cover component 18 can be inserted into the housing opening 13, whereby each plug element 3 interacts with one of the wedge elements 2, as shown in relation to the Fig. 5 to 8.

[0040] In the position of use, the cover component 18 is held in the housing opening by the clamping action of the two devices 1, whereby the screw holes 17 are additionally sealed. List of reference symbols 1 device for closing a housing opening 2 wedge element 3 Plug element 4 Recess in the plug element 5 closed end of the plug element 6 Edge 7 Outer circumference of the plug element 8 projection as a locking device 9 Inner circumference of the recess 10 Groove as counter-locking device 11 Recess as locking device 12 Thickening as counter-locking means 13 Housing opening 14 housings 15 Floor 16 Inner circumference of the housing opening 17 screw hole 18 Cover component 19 Recess in the panel component

Claims

[1] Device for closing a housing opening (13), characterized by that the device (1) has a wedge element (2) and a plug element (3), that the plug element (3) has a recess (4), and that in the position of use the wedge element (2) rests on a housing wall (15) and engages at least partially in the recess (4) of the plug element (3). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the plug element (3) consists of an elastic, in particular rubber-elastic, material, in particular an elastomer. [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the outer circumference of the wedge element on a first axial end face is larger than the outer circumference on the other, second axial end face. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the wedge element (2) has a locking means (8, 11) and the plug element (3) has a counter-locking means (10, 12), wherein in the position of use the locking means (8, 11) engages in the counter-locking means (10, 12). [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by that the locking means is designed as a recess (11) and the counter-locking means as a thickening (12). [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the largest outer circumference of the wedge element (2) is smaller than the outer circumference (7) of the plug element (3). [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plug element (3) has at its closed end (5) an edge (6) which projects radially beyond the outer circumference (7) of the plug element (3). [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the wedge element (2) is essentially designed as a truncated cone and the recess (4) is essentially cylindrical.

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