HOUSING AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A HOUSING

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a housing, in particular for a control device, and a method for assembling a housing.

[0002] To protect printed circuit boards (PCBs), control units often have covers that can be attached directly to the board, or housings consisting of two screwed-together housing sections that house the board. However, screwing the housing sections together is labor-intensive and does not reliably seal the joint between the two housing sections.

[0003] DE 10 2015 217 572 B3 discloses a control unit with a printed circuit board and a housing cover, the peripheral edge areas of which are overmolded with a polymer. A communication unit with a housing is known from US 2019 / 0069426 A1.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a housing which is well sealed to the outside compared to the prior art and whose assembly is simplified at the same time.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a housing, in particular for a control unit, comprising a first housing part made of metal, which has a circumferentially projecting first flange, and a second housing part made of metal, which has a circumferential second flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange lie on one another in a contact region, so that the first housing part and the second housing part together delimit a closed cavity, and wherein a frame made of plastic is formed on the outside around the edge of the contact region in such a way that it completely encloses the flanges with the contact region in order to connect the housing parts to one another and to seal the cavity from the outside.

[0007] The frame, in particular, prevents the housing components from being detachably connected to one another, meaning that opening the frame requires destroying the frame. However, the housing and any circuit boards housed within it are not affected, allowing repairs and subsequent resealing of the housing.

[0008] The housing parts, which can be made of aluminum or steel, rest on top of each other with the two flanges in the contact area, ensuring that the cavity is completely enclosed all the way around and also sealed by the plastic frame. The frame is molded, specifically injection-molded. This enables the housing parts to be connected quickly and without chipping in less than half a minute, eliminating the need for screws. Standard housing components can also be used.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a fastening element for attaching the housing to a surrounding structure. This can be particularly useful in moving surrounding structures such as motor vehicles.

[0010] For this purpose, the fastening element can comprise at least one fastening plate protruding from the housing and / or the frame. The fastening plate can, for example, be a fitting and have an opening for attaching the housing to the surrounding structure by means of connecting elements, in particular screws.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the fastening plate is fastened to the housing by the frame, in particular by the frame being formed in the region of the fastening plate in such a way that a part of the fastening plate is surrounded by the housing and the frame and the fastening plate is thereby fixed.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fastening element can have two fastening plates protruding from the housing and / or the frame on opposite sides of the housing. This enables secure attachment of the housing to the surrounding structure.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a circuit board can be arranged in the cavity. The circuit board can be secured in the cavity in a material-to-material manner, for example, by adhesive bonding, and / or by form-fitting.

[0014] The frame can be U-shaped in cross-section to fit precisely against the flanges and enclose the flanges.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the second housing part can have a circumferential step against which the first housing part rests, in particular in a transition region between a side wall of the first housing part and the first flange. The circumferential step can be formed, for example, in a transition region between the second flange and a main surface of the second housing part or at a free end of the second flange.

[0016] At the step, there is a circumferential contact between the housing parts, which prevents them from slipping.

[0017] According to a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for assembling a housing, comprising a first housing part made of metal, which has a circumferentially projecting first flange, and a second housing part made of metal, which has a circumferential second flange, the method comprising the following steps: Arranging the first housing part and the second housing part in a molding tool, in particular an injection molding tool, so that the first flange and the second flange lie on one another in a contact area and the first housing part and the second housing part together delimit a closed cavity, and molding, in particular injection molding, a frame made of plastic in such a way that the frame itself is attached to the contact area on the outside around the edge in such a way that it completely encloses the flanges with the contact area.

[0018] This process allows the housing components to be quickly and securely joined to form a single housing. Drilling and tapping threads to screw the housing components together is no longer necessary.

[0019] In one embodiment, at least one fastening plate projecting from the housing and / or the frame is attached to at least one of the flanges prior to molding the frame, and a part of the fastening plate is enclosed between the frame and the at least one flange during molding of the frame in order to fasten the fastening plate to the housing.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a printed circuit board can be arranged in the cavity prior to the molding of the frame. In particular, the printed circuit board can be secured in the cavity by a material fit, for example, by adhesive bonding, and / or by a form-fitting manner.

[0021] The present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a housing with a fastening element and Fig. 2 shows a cross section through the housing from Fig. 1 shows.

[0022] In Fig. 1 and 2 A housing is shown, which has a first housing part 11 and a second housing part 12. The housing parts 11, 12 are made of metal, in particular as cast parts made of aluminum or as stamped and bent parts made of aluminum or steel.

[0023] As from Fig. 2As can be seen, there is a circumferentially projecting first flange 13 on the housing part 11 and a circumferential second flange 14 on the housing part 12. The first flange 13 extends outwards approximately at a right angle from a side wall 11b of the first housing part 11 and approximately parallel to a main surface 11a of the first housing part 11. The side wall 11b and the first flange 13 are connected to one another by a transition region 11c, which can in particular be designed as a curve. The second flange 14 extends outwards approximately parallel to a main surface 12a of the second housing part 12. The second flange 14 and the main surface 12a are connected to one another by a transition region 12b which runs approximately obliquely to the latter, so that a circumferential step is formed between the second flange 14 and the main surface 12a and the second flange 14 and the main surface 12a are offset from one another transversely to their respective planes of extension.The first housing part 11, with the transition area 11c, rests against the transition area 12b, particularly circumferentially. This results in circumferential contact between the two housing parts 11, 12, so that they align automatically and are secured against slipping.

[0024] The flanges 13, 14 each have a contact surface 13a, 14a, where the flanges 13, 14 rest on one another and define a contact area 15. The housing parts 11, 12 thus form a closed cavity 16 for receiving a circuit board 21.

[0025] In order to connect the housing parts 11, 12 to one another and to seal the cavity 16 from the outside, a plastic frame 17 is molded around the contact area 15, which itself extends around the outside edge in such a way that it completely encloses the flanges 13, 14 and the contact area 15. To enclose the flanges 13, 14, the frame 17 can have a U-shaped cross-section. The frame 17 can be formed by injection molding or overmolding.

[0026] The frame 17 can be designed to incorporate a mounting plate. The frame 17 can also be designed to incorporate mounting elements such as holes or ribs into the frame.

[0027] The housing 10 may have a fastening element comprising a fitting (mounting plate 19). Several mounting plates 19 may also be attached to the housing 10 on different sides to securely fasten the housing 10 in an ambient structure, for example, in a motor vehicle.

[0028] The mounting plate 19 is attached to the housing 10 by attaching it to at least one of the flanges 13, 14 before the frame 17 is molded on, and then the frame 17 is molded on such that it surrounds the mounting plate 19 with the flanges 13, 14. That is, the mounting plate 19 is attached to the housing 10 by the frame 17 by molding the frame 17 in the region of the mounting plate 19 such that a part of the mounting plate 19 is enclosed between at least one flange 13, 14 and the frame 17, and the mounting plate 19 is thereby fixed.

[0029] During assembly of the housing 10, the first housing part 11 and the second housing part 12 are first arranged in a molding tool, in particular an injection molding tool, so that the first flange 13 and the second flange 14 rest on one another in the contact area 15. The fastening plate 19 is then attached to at least one of the flanges 13, 14. Finally, the frame 17 is molded, in particular injection-molded, in such a way that it is attached circumferentially to the contact area 15, encloses the first flange 13 and the second flange 14, and secures the fastening plate 19.

[0030] Depending on the requirements, the completely pre-assembled housing can be inserted into the injection molding tool in order to then connect the two housing parts by injection molding using the molded-on frame 17. List of reference symbols

[0031] 10 Housing 11 First housing part 11a Main surface 11b Side wall 11c Transition area 12 Second housing part 12a Main surface 12b Transition area 13 First flange 13a Contact surface 14 Second flange 14a Contact surface 15 Contact area 16 Cavity 17 Frame 19 Mounting plate 20 Opening 21 Circuit board

Claims

1. A housing (10), in particular for a control device, comprising a first housing part (11) made of metal, which has a peripherally projecting first flange (13), and a second housing part (12) made of metal, which has a peripherally projecting second flange (14), wherein the first flange (13) and the second flange (14) lie above one another in a contact region (15) so that the first housing part (11) and the second housing part (12) together bound a closed cavity (16), and characterized in that a frame (17) made of plastic is itself molded to the contact region (15) in a manner revolving around the outside of the margin such that said frame (17) completely encloses the flanges (13, 14) with the contact region (15) in order to connect the housing parts (11, 12) to one another and to outwardly seal the cavity (16).

2. A housing (10) according to claim 1, characterized by a fastening element for fastening the housing (10) to a surrounding structure.

3. A housing (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening element has at least one fastening plate (19) projecting from the housing (10) and / or the frame (17).

4. A housing (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fastening element is fastened to the housing (10) by the frame (17).

5. A housing (10) according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the fastening element has two fastening plates (19), which project from the housing (10) and / or the frame (17), at oppositely disposed sides of the housing (10).

6. A housing (10) according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized by a circuit board (21) which is arranged in the cavity (16).

7. A housing (10) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the frame (17) is U-shaped in cross-section.

8. A housing (10) according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second housing part (12) has a peripheral step which is contacted by the first housing part (11).

9. A method of assembling a housing (10) comprising a first housing part (11) made of metal, which has a peripherally projecting first flange (13), and a second housing part (12) made of metal, which has a peripherally projecting second flange (14), wherein the method comprises the following steps: arranging the first housing part (11) and the second housing part (12) in a molding tool, in particular an injection molding tool, so that the first flange (13) and the second flange (14) lie above one another in a contact region (15) and the first housing part (11) and the second housing part (12) together bound a closed cavity (16), and characterized in that the method comprises the following step: molding on, in particular injecting, a frame (17) made of plastic such that it is itself attached to the contact region (15) in a manner revolving around the outside of the margin such that said frame (17) completely encloses the flanges (13, 14) with the contact region (15).

10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that, before the molding on of the frame (17), at least one fastening plate (19) projecting from the housing (10) and / or the frame (17) is attached to at least one of the flanges (13, 14) and, during the molding on of the frame (17), a part of the fastening plate (19) is enclosed between the frame (17) and the at least one flange (13, 14) to fasten the fastening plate (19) to the housing (10).

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, before the molding on of the frame (17), a circuit board (21) is arranged in the cavity (16) and is in particular fixed in the cavity (16) in a bonded and / or form-fitting manner.