Housing cover

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing cover for fastening to a housing, in particular to an inverter housing, wherein the housing cover is provided with a plurality of fastening means through-openings and with a sealing bead comprising an elastomeric material, and wherein the sealing bead is arranged on a sealing support surface of the housing cover.

[0002] From EP 1 683 997 A2 a housing cover is known in which a sealing bead made of an elastomer material is arranged in a groove embossed in the housing cover.

[0003] The requirement to provide a groove in the housing cover, the width of which must be greater than the width of the sealing bead when the housing cover is not pressed, limits the design freedom of the housing cover.

[0004] DE 10 2012 023857 A1 and US 2015 / 146347 A1 disclose housing covers for fastening to a housing, wherein the respective housing cover is provided with a plurality of fastening means through-openings and with a sealing bead comprising an elastomeric material, wherein the sealing bead is arranged on a seal support surface of the housing cover and wherein the housing cover comprises at least one deformation limiting element which projects beyond the seal support surface in the same direction as the sealing bead and limits deformation of the sealing bead in the assembled state of the housing cover.

[0005] JP 2015 141991 A discloses a housing cover according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of creating a housing cover of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the course of the sealing bead can be designed more freely and in particular can be placed closer to the fastening means passage openings of the housing cover.

[0007] This object is achieved by a housing cover according to claim 1.

[0008] In the housing cover according to the invention, in the assembled state of the housing cover, in which the sealing bead is pressed between the housing cover and the housing to be closed by the housing cover, the deformation limiting element is in the main force connection and the sealing bead is in the secondary force connection. This prevents excessive deformation of the sealing bead.

[0009] The at least one deformation-limiting element can be produced by forming a, preferably metallic, base body of the housing cover, for example by a stamping process or a deep-drawing process.

[0010] The deformation-limiting element can be designed topographically, i.e., the height H of the deformation-limiting element (where the height of an element refers to its extension in the normal direction of the seal support surface) can vary in a longitudinal direction of the deformation-limiting element. In particular, it can be provided that the height H of the deformation-limiting element varies depending on the respective distance from the nearest fastening means passage opening.

[0011] Preferably, the height H of the deformation-limiting element increases with increasing distance from the nearest fastener through-opening. Due to the topography of the deformation-limiting element designed in this way, the variation in the surface pressure with which the housing cover is clamped by means of the fastening means, in particular fastening screws, passing through the fastening means through-openings, in the longitudinal direction of the sealing bead, which variation is caused by the varying distances from the nearest fastening means, is at least partially compensated, thus achieving a uniform contact of the sealing bead against the housing to be closed at every point of the sealing bead.

[0012] The topography of the deformation limiting element is preferably created during the forming process by which the deformation limiting element is formed on the base body of the housing cover.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one section of at least one deformation limiting element extends along the circumferential direction of a fastening means passage opening by a circumferential angle of at least 240° around the fastening means passage opening.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be provided that the section of at least one deformation-limiting element extends along the circumferential direction of the fastening means passage opening by a circumferential angle of less than 360°, in particular of less than 300°, particularly preferably of less than 240°, around the relevant fastening means passage opening.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one section of at least one deformation limiting element extends in a closed ring around a fastening means passage opening.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one section of at least one deformation-limiting element is arranged on a side of a fastening means passage opening facing away from the sealing bead.

[0017] In particular, it can be provided that the at least one section of the at least one deformation limiting element is arranged between the fastening means passage opening and an outer edge of the housing cover.

[0018] A plurality of deformation limiting elements can be provided on the housing cover, which extend along a circumferential direction of the housing cover and are spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction of the housing cover.

[0019] In such an embodiment, a deformation-limiting element is only partially assigned to the sealing bead; in this case, at least one section of the sealing bead does not run adjacent to and / or parallel to a deformation-limiting element of the housing cover.

[0020] The sealing bead is preferably formed in a closed ring shape.

[0021] A region of the seal support surface surrounded by the seal bead is preferably substantially flat.

[0022] In particular, it can be provided that the entire area of ​​the seal support surface surrounded by the sealing bead is substantially flat.

[0023] The deformation-limiting element may comprise a projection extending in a longitudinal direction of the deformation-limiting element. Such a projection may be formed as a bead, in particular as a full bead.

[0024] Furthermore, it is provided that the deformation limiting element is assigned a recess on the outer side of a - preferably metallic - base body of the housing cover facing away from the seal support surface.

[0025] At least one fastener through-hole in the housing cover can open into a recess associated with a deformation-limiting element. In this case, the recess extends directly to the edge of the fastener through-hole.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be provided that the deformation limiting element also extends directly to the edge of the fastening means passage opening.

[0027] A fastening means, for example a fastening screw, passing through a fastening means passage opening in the assembled state of the housing cover can bear against a recess surrounding the fastening means passage opening, in particular against a bottom of the recess, for example with a head of the fastening means, for example the fastening screw, preferably with substantially the entire shaft-side contact surface of the head.

[0028] When the housing cover is assembled, the deformation-limiting element can be arranged entirely or partially between the fastening means, in particular a head of the fastening means, for example a fastening screw, and the housing to be closed by the housing cover. In this case, the deformation-limiting element is directly pressed into place by the fastening means itself.

[0029] When the housing cover is assembled, the sealing bead can be arranged entirely or partially in the area between the head of the fastening element, for example, a fastening screw, and the housing to be closed by the housing cover. This achieves a particularly high contact force acting on the sealing bead and thus a high sealing force.

[0030] The sealing bead can be arranged such that it is overlapped over its entire width b or over part of its width b by a portion of the recess surrounding the fastener passage opening, viewed in a Z-direction oriented perpendicular to the seal support surface.

[0031] The deformation limiting element can have a reduced width B" in a region which lies between a fastening means passage opening on the one hand and the sealing bead on the other hand, which makes it possible to bring the sealing bead as close as possible to the relevant fastening means passage opening there.

[0032] In such a region, the deformation limiting element may have a substantially rectilinear edge, preferably running substantially parallel to the sealing bead.

[0033] The recess associated with the deformation limiting element and extending around the same fastening means passage opening may comprise a (preferably circular segment-shaped) region which - viewed in the Z direction - does not overlap with the deformation limiting element.

[0034] In order to prevent the reduced width B" of the deformation limiting element in the above-mentioned region from leading to an impermissibly high surface pressure in the assembled state of the housing cover, it can be provided that another region of the deformation limiting element, which extends around the same fastening means passage opening, has a greater width, and / or that the deformation limiting element comprises a region which adjoins the region of the deformation limiting element which has a reduced width in a direction running substantially parallel to the sealing bead.

[0035] A section of a deformation limiting element which extends along a circumferential direction of a fastening means passage opening completely or partially around the fastening means passage opening in question can have a maximum width B and a minimum width B". The width B or B" corresponds to the distance between an inner edge facing the fastening means passage opening and an outer edge of the section of the deformation limiting element facing away from the fastening means passage opening.

[0036] The inner edge of the section of the deformation limiting element can coincide with the edge of the fastener passage opening.

[0037] The maximum width B of the section of the deformation limiting element is preferably at most 100% of the diameter of the fastening means passage opening, in particular at most 60% of the diameter of the fastening means passage opening, particularly preferably at most 20% of the diameter of the fastening means passage opening.

[0038] The minimum width B" of the section of the deformation limiting element is preferably less than 50% of the maximum width B of the section of the deformation limiting element.

[0039] An edge portion connecting the inner edge and the outer edge of the deformation-limiting element portion may be arranged substantially tangentially to the fastener passage opening. In this case, the minimum width B" of the deformation-limiting element portion is zero.

[0040] The inner edge of the section of the deformation limiting element can extend over a circumferential angle α (relative to the central axis of the fastening means passage opening) of 360° or less, preferably of 320° or less, in particular of 270° or less, particularly preferably of 180° or less.

[0041] The outer edge of the section of the deformation limiting element can extend over a circumferential angle β (relative to the central axis of the fastening means passage opening) of 360° or less, preferably of 320° or less, in particular of 270° or less, particularly preferably of 180° or less.

[0042] The circumferential angle α, along which the inner edge of the section of the deformation-limiting element extends around the fastener passage opening, can be substantially equal to the circumferential angle β, along which the outer edge of the section of the deformation-limiting element extends around the fastener passage opening. In this case, the edge sections connecting the inner edge and the outer edge of the section of the deformation-limiting element can be aligned substantially radially to the central axis of the fastener passage opening.

[0043] In particular embodiments of the deformation-limiting element, however, the circumferential angle α is greater than the circumferential angle β. In this case, the edge portions of the deformation-limiting element, which connect the inner edge to the outer edge of the deformation-limiting element, are aligned non-radially with respect to the central axis of the fastener passage opening.

[0044] In particular, it can be provided that the edge sections of the section of the deformation limiting element, which connect the inner edge and the outer edge of the section of the deformation limiting element to one another, are aligned substantially parallel to the sealing bead.

[0045] The distance d of the sealing bead from the edge sections of the section of the deformation limiting element is preferably at least 0.5 mm, in particular at least 0.7 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.0 mm.

[0046] If the section of the deformation limiting element does not extend completely around the fastener passage opening, the distance d' of the sealing bead from the edge of the fastener passage opening is preferably smaller in sections than the distance d of the sealing bead from the deformation limiting element.

[0047] In this case, the distance d' of the sealing bead from the edge of the fastening means passage opening is preferably at least 0.5 mm, in particular at least 0.7 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.0 mm.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sealing bead extends at least in sections at a distance d from the deformation limiting element which is smaller than the width b of the sealing bead and / or smaller than the width B of the deformation limiting element.

[0049] The width of the deformation limiting element is preferably less than four times, in particular less than three times, particularly preferably less than twice, the width b of the sealing bead.

[0050] Preferably, the seal support surface comprises a substantially flat region which supports the sealing bead and has a width on the side of the sealing bead facing away from the deformation limiting element which is greater than the width b of the sealing bead.

[0051] A base body of the housing cover, on which the sealing bead is arranged, is preferably designed as a sheet metal part.

[0052] A metallic base body of the housing cover, on which the sealing bead is arranged, preferably comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0053] In order to stiffen the housing cover in the area of ​​the outer edge of the housing cover, it can be provided that an edge area of ​​the housing cover running on the side of the deformation limiting element facing away from the sealing bead has a bend.

[0054] It can be provided that the edge region of the housing cover is bent away from the side of a base body of the housing cover carrying the sealing element or is bent towards the side of the base body of the housing cover carrying the sealing element.

[0055] Such a bent edge area of ​​the housing cover can be convex or concavely curved - as seen from the side of the base body carrying the sealing element.

[0056] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawing of an embodiment.

[0057] The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a housing cover, looking towards an inside of the housing cover provided with a sealing bead and deformation limiting elements; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the housing cover from Fig. 1 , looking towards an outer side of the housing cover provided with recesses; Fig. 3 a plan view from above of the inner side of the housing cover provided with the sealing bead and the deformation limiting elements; Fig. 4 a plan view of the outer side of the housing cover provided with the recesses; Fig. 5 a cross section through the housing cover from the Fig. 1 bis 4 through a region of a housing on which the housing cover is arranged, and through fastening means for releasably securing the housing cover to the housing, in an unpressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 6 an enlarged view of the region I from Fig. 5 , without the fastening means, in an unpressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 7 a representation of the area I from Fig. 5 in a compressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 8 an enlarged view of area II from Fig. 4 ; Fig. 9 a partial cross-section through the housing cover and a portion of the housing along the line 9 - 9 in Fig. 4 , in an unpressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 10 a partial cross-section through the housing cover, a region of the housing and a fastening means by means of which the housing cover is releasably fixed to the housing, along the line 9 - 9 in Fig. 4 , in a compressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 11 a partial cross-section through the housing cover along the line 11 - 11 in Fig. 4 , in an unpressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 12 a partial cross-section through the housing cover and a region of the housing along the line 12 - 12 in Fig. 4 , in an unpressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 13 a partial cross-section through the housing cover, a region of the housing and a fastening means by means of which the housing cover is releasably fixed to the housing, along the line 12 - 12 in Fig. 4 , in a compressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 14 a partial cross-section through the housing cover and a region of the housing along the line 14 - 14 in Fig. 4 , in an unpressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 15 a partial cross-section through the housing cover, a region of the housing and a fastening means by means of which the housing cover is releasably fixed to the housing, along the line 14 - 14 in Fig. 4 , in a compressed state of the sealing bead; Fig. 16 a plan view of the seal support surface of the housing cover, showing a section of a deformation limiting element which extends around a fastener passage opening and has a smaller width B'' on the side of the fastener passage opening facing the sealing bead than on the side of the fastener passage opening facing away from the sealing bead; Fig. 17 a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the section of the deformation limiting element from Fig. 16 , in which edge portions of the deformation limiting element connecting an inner edge and an outer edge of the portion of the deformation limiting element extend substantially tangentially to the edge of the fastening means passage opening; Fig. 18 a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the portion of the deformation limiting element from the Fig. 16 and 17 , in which the inner edge of the section of the deformation limiting element extends along a circumferential angle α around the central axis of the fastener passage opening and the outer edge of the section of the deformation limiting element extends along a circumferential angle β around the central axis of the fastener passage opening, wherein the circumferential angle α is greater than the circumferential angle β and both circumferential angles α and β are less than 360°; and Fig. 19 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the section of the deformation limiting element from Fig. 18 , in which the edge portions connecting the inner edge and the outer edge of the portion of the deformation limiting element extend substantially parallel to an edge of the sealing bead.

[0058] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0059] One in the Fig. 1 bis 15 The housing cover shown, designated as a whole by 100, is provided for closing a housing opening on a housing 102, for example on a housing of an inverter, in particular an inverter of a drive device for an electric automobile.

[0060] The housing cover 100 shown by way of example in the drawings is substantially rectangular and comprises a metallic base plate 104 with a substantially flat central region 106 and with a curved edge region 108 which has a bend with a bending angle of preferably more than 60°, for example of substantially 90°, in order to stiffen the housing cover 100 at its outer edge.

[0061] The edge region 108 can in principle be bent toward the housing 102 to be closed or away from the housing 102 to be closed; in the embodiment shown in the drawing, the curved edge region is bent away from the housing 102 to be closed by means of the housing cover 100.

[0062] Along the outer circumference of the central region 106 of the housing cover 100, in the vicinity of the transition to the curved edge region 108, the housing cover 100 is provided with a plurality of fastening means passage openings 110, six in the illustrated embodiment, which follow one another at a distance from one another along the circumference of the housing cover.

[0063] These fastening means through-openings 110 serve to receive the shafts 112 of fastening screws 114 when mounting the housing cover 100 on the housing 102 to be closed (see the Fig. 5 , 7 , 10 , 13 and 15, which represent the housing cover 100 in its state mounted on the housing 102 by means of the fastening screws 114), which extend through the fastening means passage openings 110 and are screwed with their external threads into corresponding internal threads of threaded holes 116 in fastening means mounting areas 118 of the housing 102 to be closed.

[0064] For fluid-tight sealing between the housing cover 100 and the housing 102 to be closed, a sealing bead 120 is provided, which is arranged on an inner side of the housing cover 100 facing the interior of the housing 102 to be closed in the assembled state of the housing cover 100, which inner side forms a sealing support surface 122 of the housing cover 100.

[0065] The sealing bead 120 is preferably formed in a closed ring shape.

[0066] A region 124 of the seal support surface 122 surrounded and bordered by the seal bead 120 is preferably substantially planar.

[0067] In particular, it can be provided that the entire region 124 of the seal support surface 122 surrounded by the seal bead 120 is substantially flat.

[0068] The sealing bead 120 is formed from an elastomer material, for example a silicone material, and can be formed, for example, by application by means of a dispenser (in a so-called "cured-in-place" process) or by a screen printing process on the seal support surface 122.

[0069] When the housing cover 100 is mounted on the housing 102 by means of the fastening screws 114, the sealing bead 120 is pressed into the threaded holes 116 of the fastening means mounting areas 118 of the housing 102 by tightening the fastening screws 114, whereby the height h of the sealing bead 120, i.e. its extension perpendicular to the seal support surface 122, is reduced to a value h'.

[0070] The elastic restoring force of the elastomeric sealing bead 120 then generates the sealing force with which the sealing bead 120 sealingly bears against the housing 102.

[0071] In order to avoid excessive deformation of the sealing bead 120, the housing cover 100 comprises one or more deformation limiting elements 126 which protrude beyond the seal support surface 122 in the same direction as the sealing bead 120, namely in a Z-direction 128 oriented perpendicular to the seal support surface 122, and limit deformation of the sealing bead 120 in the assembled state of the housing cover 100.

[0072] Each deformation limiting element 126 is designed to be stiffer than the sealing bead 120, preferably substantially rigid, so that the height h' of the sealing bead 120 in the compressed state thereof is limited downwards by the height H of the deformation limiting element 126 above the seal support surface 122.

[0073] Each of the deformation limiting elements 126 is preferably produced by a forming process, in particular a stamping process or a deep-drawing process, on the metallic base plate 104 of the housing cover 100, which forms a base body 152 of the housing cover 100.

[0074] Each deformation limiting element 126 is formed, for example, as a projection 130 which extends in a longitudinal direction 154 of the projection 130 and which preferably comprises one or more sections 132 which extend substantially parallel to an outer edge 134 along a circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100, and / or comprises one or more sections 138 which extend substantially along a circumferential direction 140 of a respective fastening means passage opening 110.

[0075] In this case, each section 138 of a deformation limiting element 126 can extend along the circumferential direction 140 of the respective fastening means passage opening 110 over a circumferential angle of at least 120°, preferably of at least 180°, in particular of at least 240°.

[0076] Furthermore, it can be provided that a section 138 of a deformation limiting element 126 extends in a closed ring shape around a fastening means passage opening 110.

[0077] Since each deformation limiting element 126 is preferably produced by a forming process in which the total volume of the material of the metallic base plate 104 of the housing cover 100 is substantially maintained, each deformation limiting element 126 formed as a projection on the seal support surface 122 is assigned a recess 142 which is formed on the outer side 144 of the housing cover 100 facing away from the seal support surface 122 of the housing cover 100 (see Fig. 2 and 4 ).

[0078] As from Fig. 2 As can be seen, each recess 142 associated with a deformation limiting element 126 can also have one or more sections 146 which extend along the circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100 substantially parallel to the outer edge 134 of the housing cover 100, and one or more sections 148 which extend along the circumferential direction 140 of a fastening means passage opening 110.

[0079] In this case, each section 148 of a recess 142 can extend along the circumferential direction 140 of a fastening means passage opening 110 over a circumferential angle of at least 120°, preferably of at least 180°, in particular of at least 240°.

[0080] Furthermore, it can be provided that a section 148 of a recess 142 extends in a closed ring shape around a fastening means passage opening 110.

[0081] The sections 146, 148 of a recess 142 on the outer side 144 of the housing cover 100 can in particular be formed as a groove 150.

[0082] For example, Fig. 11 As can be seen, the width B' of a recess 142 which is associated with a deformation limiting element 126 may differ from the width B of the deformation limiting element 126.

[0083] Likewise, the depth H' of the recess 142, i.e. its extent in the Z-direction 128 oriented perpendicular to the seal support surface 122, may deviate from the height H of the associated deformation limiting element 126.

[0084] As in Fig. 11 In particular, as shown, the width B' of the recess 142 may be smaller than the width B of the associated deformation limiting element 126.

[0085] Furthermore, the depth H' of the recess 142 may be greater than the height H of the associated deformation limiting element 126.

[0086] Alternatively, it could also be provided that the width B' of the recess 142 is greater than the width B of the associated deformation limiting element 126.

[0087] Furthermore, it could be provided that the depth H' of the recess 142 is smaller than the height H of the associated deformation limiting element 126.

[0088] The width B' and the depth H' of the recess 142 as well as the width B and the height H of the associated deformation limiting element 126 can be adjusted as desired by the design of the tool parts used for the forming process in which the deformation limiting element 126 and the associated recess 142 are produced.

[0089] In particular, it is also possible to design the recess 142 and the associated deformation limiting element 126 such that the width B' of the recess 142 substantially corresponds to the width B of the associated deformation limiting element 126 and / or that the depth H' of the recess 142 substantially corresponds to the height H of the associated deformation limiting element 126.

[0090] In order to ensure that the deformation limiting element 126 effectively limits the compression of the sealing bead 120, it is advantageous if the sealing bead 120 extends at least in sections at a distance d from the respectively adjacent deformation limiting element 126, which is smaller than the width B of the deformation limiting element 126 and / or smaller than the width b of the sealing bead 120, in particular the width b of the sealing bead 120 in the unpressed state.

[0091] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the width B of the deformation limiting element 126 is less than four times, in particular less than three times, particularly preferably less than twice, the width b of the respectively adjacent section of the sealing bead 120.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the width B of the deformation limiting element 126 is substantially equal to the width b of the sealing bead 120.

[0093] The seal support surface 122 preferably comprises a substantially planar region which supports the sealing bead 120 and has a width on the side facing away from the deformation limiting element 126 which is greater than the width b of the sealing bead 120.

[0094] This ensures that the desired reduction of the height h of the sealing bead 120 to the height H of the deformation limiting element 126 when the housing cover 100 is pressed onto the housing 102 is not hindered by a structure on the seal support surface 122 arranged on the side of the sealing bead 120 facing away from the deformation limiting element 126.

[0095] The base plate 104 of the housing cover 100 forms the base body 152, which is preferably designed as a sheet metal part.

[0096] The base body 152 of the housing cover 100 may in particular comprise aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0097] In order to ensure that the housing cover 100 fits evenly against the housing 102 to be closed, each deformation limiting element 126 can be provided with a so-called "topography", i.e. the sections 132 of the respective deformation limiting element 126 located between each two fastening means passage openings 110 are designed such that they have a height H above the seal support surface 122 that varies in the longitudinal direction 154 of the deformation limiting element 126, wherein the height H of the respective deformation limiting element 126 preferably increases with increasing distance from the nearest fastening means passage opening 110.

[0098] Due to the topography of the deformation limiting element 126 designed in this way, the variation in the surface pressure with which the housing cover 100 is clamped against the housing 102 to be closed, which variation is caused by the varying distances from the nearest fastening screw 114, is at least partially compensated in the longitudinal direction of the sealing bead 120, and thus a uniform contact of the sealing bead 120 against the housing 102 to be closed is achieved at every point of the sealing bead 120.

[0099] This topography of the deformation limiting element 126 is preferably generated during the forming process in which the respective deformation limiting element 126 is formed.

[0100] The Fig. 1 bis 15 The illustrated embodiment of a housing cover 100 includes various shapes of deformation limiting elements 126 and various embodiments for the sections 132 and 138 of such a deformation limiting element 126, which are described in detail below.

[0101] In principle, however, it is possible to combine these different designs of deformation limiting elements 126 as well as of sections 132 and 138 of such deformation limiting elements 126 in any desired manner on a housing cover 100.

[0102] In particular, it can also be provided that only a single type of deformation limiting elements 126 and / or only a single type of sections 132 of a deformation limiting element 126 and / or only a single type of sections 138 of deformation limiting elements 126 is present on a housing cover 100.

[0103] The embodiment shown in the drawing comprises two types of deformation limiting elements 126, namely a first deformation limiting element 126a, which, for example, has only a single section 132, which is located in the area between two fastening means passage openings 110a and 110f (see Fig. 1 ) extends along the circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100 substantially parallel to the outer edge 134 of the housing cover 100.

[0104] This section 132 is essentially straight and preferably ends at both ends at a distance from the nearest fastening means passage opening 110a or 110b.

[0105] This first deformation limiting element 126a is assigned a first recess 142a' arranged on the outer side 144 of the housing cover 100, which also has only one, preferably substantially rectilinear, section 146 which extends along the circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100 and substantially parallel to the outer edge 134 of the housing cover 100.

[0106] The first recess 142a' preferably ends at both its ends at a distance from the nearest fastening means passage opening 110a or 110b.

[0107] The width B' of the first recess 142a' is preferably smaller than the width B of the first deformation limiting element 126a.

[0108] The depth H' of the first recess 142a' is preferably greater than the height H of the first deformation limiting element 126a.

[0109] The exemplary embodiment of a housing cover 100 shown in the drawings further comprises a second deformation limiting element 126b, which comprises, for example, the following sections: a first section 138a, which extends over a circumferential angle of preferably more than 240° and preferably less than 300° around the first fastening means passage opening 110a; a second section 132b extending substantially along the circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100 between the first fastening means passage opening 110a and a second fastening means passage opening 110b; a third section 138c extending along the circumferential direction 140 over a circumferential angle of approximately 180° around the second fastening means passage opening 110b; a fourth section 132d extending in the region between the second fastening means passage opening 110b and a third fastening means passage opening 110c along the circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100;a fifth section 138e extending in a closed ring shape around the third fastener passage opening 110c along the circumferential direction 140 of the third fastener passage opening 110c; a sixth section 132f extending in the region between the third fastener passage opening 110c and a fourth fastener passage opening 110d along the circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100; a seventh section 138g extending in a closed ring shape around the fourth fastener passage opening 110d along the circumferential direction 140 of the fourth fastener passage opening 110d; an eighth section 132h extending between the fourth fastening means passage opening 110d and a fifth fastening means passage opening 110e along the circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100;a ninth section 138i extending in a closed ring around the fifth fastener passage opening 110e along the circumferential direction 140 of the fifth fastener passage opening 110e; a tenth section 138j extending between the fifth fastener passage opening 110e and a sixth fastener passage opening 110f along the circumferential direction 136 of the housing cover 100; and an eleventh section 138k extending along the circumferential direction 140 of the sixth fastener passage opening 110f over a circumferential angle of preferably at least 180° and preferably less than 300° around the sixth fastener passage opening 110f.

[0110] The second deformation limiting element 126b ends in the first section 138a and in the eleventh section 138k, each at a distance from the respective facing ends of the first deformation limiting element 126a.

[0111] As is particularly evident from Fig. 3 As can be seen, the sealing bead 120 preferably crosses the Fig. 3 broken connecting lines 156 between the end points of the first deformation limiting element 126a and the end points of the second deformation limiting element 126b, which has the result that the deformation limiting elements 126a, 126b adjacent to these regions of the sealing bead 120 also exert the greatest possible deformation limiting effect on the sealing bead 120 in the region of the circumference of the housing cover 100 in which no deformation limiting element 126 is formed.

[0112] How best to use the Fig. 14 and 15 As can be seen, the section 138a of the deformation limiting element 126b extends directly to the edge of the fastening means passage opening 110a, so that in the assembled state of the housing cover 100 (see Fig. 15 ) at least a part of the deformation limiting element 126 is clamped between the head 156 of the associated fastening screw 114 and the housing 102 and is pressed into a block.

[0113] The recess 142a associated with the section 138a of the deformation limiting element 126b is preferably formed substantially rotationally symmetrically to the longitudinal central axis 158 of the fastening means passage opening 110a and extends to the edge of the fastening means passage opening 110a, so that the fastening means passage opening 110a opens into the recess 142a.

[0114] In the assembled state of the housing cover 100, the fastening screw 114 rests, preferably substantially flat, on a bottom 160 of the recess 142a surrounding the fastening means passage opening 110a.

[0115] The sealing bead 120 overlaps at least partially - seen in the Z direction 128 - with a part of the recess 142a, which is not opposite any area of ​​the deformation limiting element 126 on the seal support surface 122, and with the head 156 of the fastening screw 114.

[0116] As a result, at least a part of the sealing bead 120 is pressed directly between the head 156 of the fastening screw 114 and the housing 102, which results in a particularly high contact force of the sealing bead 120 in this area and thus a particularly high sealing force.

[0117] Another part of the sealing bead 120 extends outward in the radial direction of the fastener passage opening 110a beyond the recess 142a and beyond the head 156 of the fastening screw 114.

[0118] In section 138c of the deformation limiting element 126b, as can be seen from the upper part of Fig. 5 As can be seen, the deformation limiting element 126 and / or the recess 142c associated therewith do not extend directly to the edge of the fastening means passage opening 110b.

[0119] In the assembled state of the housing cover 100, the deformation limiting element 126 and / or the recess 142 associated therewith are therefore preferably located radially (relative to the longitudinal center axis 158 of the fastening means passage opening 110b) outside the head 156 of the fastening screw 114.

[0120] Preferably, in the area of ​​the fastening means passage opening 110b, the sealing bead 120 is also located radially outside the head 156 of the fastening screw 114.

[0121] The section 138e of the deformation limiting element 126b extends at a distance from the edge of the fastening means passage opening 110c in a closed ring around the fastening means passage opening 110c (see the Fig. 9 and 10).

[0122] The recess 142 associated with the deformation limiting element 126 also extends in a closed ring shape around the fastening means passage opening 110c at a distance from the latter.

[0123] In the assembled state of the housing cover 100, the deformation limiting element 126 and / or the recess 142 associated with the deformation limiting element 126 are preferably located radially (relative to the longitudinal center axis 158 of the fastening means passage opening 110c) outside the head 156 of the fastening screw 114 in the region of the fastening means passage opening 110c.

[0124] The sealing bead 120 is arranged in the region of the fastening means passage opening 110c radially outside the deformation limiting element 126 and / or radially outside the recess 142 associated with the deformation limiting element 126.

[0125] In the area of ​​the fastening means passage opening 110d, the section 138g of the deformation limiting element 126b extends in a closed ring around the fastening means passage opening 110d.

[0126] The deformation limiting element 126 extends directly to the edge of the fastening means passage opening 110d (see the Fig. 12 and 13 ).

[0127] The recess 142g associated with the deformation limiting element 126 is formed substantially rotationally symmetrically to the longitudinal central axis 158 of the fastening means passage opening 110d.

[0128] The fastener passage opening 110d opens into the recess 142g.

[0129] The deformation limiting element 126 is in the pressed state of the housing cover 100 (see Fig. 13 ) is arranged between the head 156 of the fastening screw 114 and the housing 102 and is pressed directly onto the block by the fastening screw 114.

[0130] The sealing bead 120 is located in the area of ​​the fastening means passage opening 110d radially (relative to the longitudinal center axis 158 of the fastening means passage opening 110d) outside the head 156 of the fastening screw 114.

[0131] In the area of ​​the fastening means passage opening 110e, the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126b extends in a closed ring shape around the fastening means passage opening 110e.

[0132] The deformation limiting element 126 extends directly to the edge of the fastener passage opening 110e (see the lower part of Fig. 5 as well as the Fig. 6 and 7 ).

[0133] When the housing cover 100 is pressed (see Fig. 7 ) at least a part of the deformation limiting element 126 is arranged between the head 156 of the fastening screw 114 and the housing 102, so that the deformation limiting element 126 is pressed directly into a block by the fastening screw 114.

[0134] The recess 142i associated with the deformation limiting element 126 is formed substantially rotationally symmetrically to the longitudinal central axis 158 of the fastening means passage opening 110e.

[0135] The fastener passage opening 110e opens into the recess 142i.

[0136] When the housing cover 100 is pressed (see Fig. 7 ) the head 156 of the fastening screw 114 rests on the bottom 160 of the recess 142i.

[0137] The deformation limiting element 126 has a reduced width B" in a region 162, which lies between the fastening means passage opening 110e on the one hand and the sealing bead 120 on the other hand, which makes it possible to bring the sealing bead 120 in this region as close as possible to the fastening means passage opening 110e and to the fastening screw 114.

[0138] Furthermore, the deformation limiting element 126 can have in this region 162 a substantially rectilinear edge 164, preferably running substantially parallel to the sealing bead 120.

[0139] The recess 142 associated with the deformation limiting element 126 and extending around the same fastening means passage opening 110 comprises a region 166 (preferably in the shape of a circular cylinder segment) which - viewed in the Z direction 128 - does not overlap with the deformation limiting element 126.

[0140] In order to prevent the reduced width B" of the deformation limiting element 126 in the region 162 from leading to an impermissibly high surface pressure in the assembled state of the housing cover 100, it can be provided that another region of the deformation limiting element 126, which extends around the same fastening means passage opening 110e, has a greater width, and / or that the deformation limiting element 126 comprises a region which adjoins the region 162 of the deformation limiting element 126, which has a reduced width B", in a direction running substantially parallel to the sealing bead 120.

[0141] The sealing bead 120 overlaps - seen in the Z-direction 128 - preferably with the recess 142i and / or with the head 156 of the fastening screw 114 (see Fig. 7 ).

[0142] This makes it possible to apply a particularly high contact force to the sealing bead 120 in this area and thus to generate a particularly high sealing force.

[0143] Various alternative embodiments of the portion 138i of the deformation limiting element 126b are shown in the Fig. 16 bis 19 shown.

[0144] In this case, this section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 can be spaced from the adjacent sections 132h and / or 132i of the deformation limiting element 126 or connected to them.

[0145] The section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126, which extends along the circumferential direction 140 of the fastening means passage opening 110e completely or partially around the fastening means passage opening 110, can have a maximum width B and a minimum width B'' (see Fig. 16 ). The width B or B" corresponds to the distance between an inner edge 168 facing the fastening means passage opening and an outer edge 170 of the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 facing away from the fastening means passage opening.

[0146] The inner edge 168 of the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 can coincide with the edge 172 of the fastening means passage opening 110.

[0147] The maximum width B of the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 is preferably at most 100% of the diameter D of the fastening means passage opening 110, in particular at most 60% of the diameter D of the fastening means passage opening 110, particularly preferably at most 20% of the diameter D of the fastening means passage opening 110.

[0148] The minimum width B" of the portion 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 is preferably less than 50% of the maximum width B of the portion 138i of the deformation limiting element 126.

[0149] At the Fig. 17 In the alternative embodiment illustrated, edge portions 174 interconnecting the inner edge 168 and the outer edge 170 of the portion 138i of the deformation-limiting element 126 are arranged substantially tangentially to the fastener passage opening 110. In this case, the minimum width B'' of the portion 138i of the deformation-limiting element 126 is zero.

[0150] At the Fig. 18 In the alternative embodiment shown, the inner edge 168 of the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 extends over a circumferential angle α (relative to the central axis 176 of the fastening means passage opening 110) of 360° or less, preferably of 320° or less, in particular of 270° or less, particularly preferably of 180° or less.

[0151] The outer edge 170 of the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 extends over a circumferential angle β (relative to the central axis 176 of the fastening means passage opening 110) of 360° or less, preferably of 320° or less, in particular of 270° or less, particularly preferably of 180° or less.

[0152] The circumferential angle α, along which the inner edge 168 of the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 extends around the fastener passage opening 110, can, as shown in the Fig. 16 and17 shown, be substantially equal to the circumferential angle β along which the outer edge 170 of the portion 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 extends around the fastener passage opening 110. In this case, the edge portions 174, which interconnect the inner edge 168 and the outer edge 170 of the portion 138i of the deformation limiting element 126, can be aligned substantially radially to the central axis 176 of the fastener passage opening 110.

[0153] In the Fig. 18 and 19In the illustrated embodiments of the deformation-limiting element 126, however, it is provided that the circumferential angle α is greater than the circumferential angle β. In this case, the edge sections 174 of the deformation-limiting element 126, which connect the inner edge 168 to the outer edge 170 of the deformation-limiting element 126, are aligned non-radially with respect to the central axis 176 of the fastening means passage opening 110.

[0154] At the Fig. 19 In the embodiment shown, it is provided that the edge sections 174 of the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126, which connect the inner edge 168 and the outer edge 170 of the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 to one another, are aligned substantially parallel to the sealing bead 120.

[0155] The distance d of the sealing bead 120 from the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 is preferably at least 0.5 mm, in particular at least 0.7 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.0 mm.

[0156] If the section 138i of the deformation limiting element 126 does not extend completely around the fastening means passage opening 110, the distance d' of the sealing bead 120 from the edge 172 of the fastening means passage opening 110 is preferably smaller in sections than the distance d of the sealing bead 120 from the deformation limiting element 126 (see the Fig. 18 and 19 ).

[0157] In this case, the distance d' of the sealing bead 120 from the edge 172 of the fastening means passage opening 110 is preferably at least 0.5 mm, in particular at least 0.7 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.0 mm.

[0158] In section 132j ​​of the deformation limiting element 126b, the deformation limiting element 126 extends substantially parallel to the sealing bead 120 and / or substantially parallel to an outer edge 134 of the housing cover 100 (see the Fig. 1 and 3 ).

[0159] The distance d between the sealing bead 120 and the deformation limiting element 126 in this section is preferably smaller than the width b of the sealing bead 120 and / or preferably smaller than the width B of the deformation limiting element 126 (see Fig. 11 ).

[0160] In the area of ​​the fastener passage opening 110f, the deformation limiting element 126 runs at a distance from the edge of the fastener passage opening 110f (see Fig. 3 ).

[0161] The recess 142k associated with the deformation limiting element 126 also does not reach the edge of the fastening means passage opening 110f (see Fig. 4 ).

[0162] To produce the housing cover 100 described above, the procedure is as follows, for example: In a progressive die, the housing cover 100 with the desired outer contour and the fastening means through-openings 110 is punched out of a sheet of a metallic material, in particular from an aluminum sheet.

[0163] Furthermore, the housing cover 100 is provided in the progressive composite tool by suitable forming tools with the deformation limiting elements 126 and the recesses 142 associated therewith, optionally with the topography of the deformation limiting elements 126 described above.

[0164] The sealing bead 120 is then produced from the elastomer material on the sealing support surface 122 by a dispenser application process ("cured-in-place" process) or by a screen printing process.

[0165] The housing cover 100 is particularly suitable for closing a housing 102 of an inverter, in particular an inverter of an electric drive device, for example an electric drive device of an electric automobile.

Claims

1. Housing cover for fixing to a housing (102), in particular to a power inverter housing, wherein the housing cover (100) is provided with a plurality of fastening means through-openings (110) and with a sealing bead (120) that comprises an elastomeric material, wherein the sealing bead (120) is arranged on a seal bearing surface (122) of the housing cover (100), wherein the housing cover (100) comprises at least one deformation limiting element (126), which projects beyond the seal bearing surface (122) in the same direction (128) as the sealing bead (120) and limits a deformation of the sealing bead (120) in the assembled state of the housing cover (100), and wherein at least one portion (138a, 138c, 138e, 138g, 138i, 138k) of at least one deformation limiting element (126) extends along the circumferential direction (140) of a fastening means through-opening (110) by a circumferential angle of at least 160° around the fastening means through-opening (110), characterized in that a recess (142) on the outside (144) of the housing cover (100) facing away from the seal bearing surface (122) is associated with the deformation limiting element (126).

2. Housing cover in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the deformation limiting element (126) is produced by reshaping a base body (152) of the housing cover (100).

3. Housing cover in accordance with either of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one portion (138e, 138g, 138i) of at least one deformation limiting element (126) extends in an annularly closed manner around a fastening means through-opening (110c, 110d, 110e).

4. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one portion (138) of at least one deformation limiting element (126) is arranged on a side of a fastening means through-opening (110) that faces away from the sealing bead (120), wherein preferably the at least one portion (138) of the at least one deformation limiting element (126) is arranged between the fastening means through-opening (110) and an outer rim (134) of the housing cover (100).

5. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the housing cover (100) a plurality of deformation limiting elements (126) are provided, which extend along a peripheral direction (136) of the housing cover (100) and are spaced at a distance from one another along the peripheral direction (136).

6. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sealing bead (120) is of annularly closed configuration, wherein preferably a region (124) of the seal bearing surface (122) that is surrounded by the sealing bead (120) is of substantially planar configuration.

7. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the deformation limiting element (126) comprises a projection (130) extending in a longitudinal direction (154) of the deformation limiting element (126).

8. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one fastening means through-opening (110a, 110d, 110e) of the housing cover (100) opens into a recess (142a, 142g, 142i) that is associated with a deformation limiting element (126).

9. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a fastening means passing through a fastening means through-opening (110a, 110d, 110e) of the housing cover (100) in the assembled state of the housing cover (100) abuts on a recess (142) surrounding the respective fastening means through-opening (110a, 110d, 110e).

10. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sealing bead (120) is configured and / or arranged such that a portion of the sealing bead (120), seen in a Z-direction (128) oriented perpendicularly to the seal bearing surface (122), is overlapped across its entire width (b) or across part of its width (b) by a recess (142) surrounding a fastening means through-opening (110a, 110d, 110e).

11. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sealing bead (120) runs at least in sections at a distance (d) from the deformation limiting element (126), which distance is smaller than the width (b) of the sealing bead (120) and / or is smaller than the width (B) of the deformation limiting element (126).

12. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the width (B) of the deformation limiting element (126) is smaller than four times the width (b) of the sealing bead (120).

13. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the seal bearing surface (122) comprises a substantially planar region, which bears the sealing bead (120) and on the side facing away from the deformation limiting element (126) has a width, which is greater than the width (b) of the sealing bead (120).

14. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a base body (152) of the housing cover (100) on which the sealing bead (120) is arranged is configured as a shaped sheet metal part.

15. Housing cover in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a rim region (108) of the housing cover (100) running on the side of the deformation limiting element (126) facing away from the sealing bead (120) has a bend.