HOUSING FOR AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURING METHOD

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a technique for designing a housing for an electrical circuit. However, without being limited thereto, the invention particularly relates to a housing for receiving an electrical circuit with an optimized mounting connection, for example for metal housing parts and / or power supplies, as well as a simplified manufacturing method for this purpose.

[0002] Numerous enclosure designs exist for power supplies, particularly for use in control cabinets in mechanical engineering. Key requirements in this area include a space-saving, cost-effective, and robust design. The enclosure material is predominantly metal, plastic, or a combination of both, depending on the typically demanding electrical, mechanical, and thermal requirements.

[0003] Especially when the requirements for the three areas (electrical, mechanical, thermal) are high, the housing design becomes complex. This also increases manufacturing effort and production costs due to the numerous assembly connections (e.g., screws) and assembly steps. In the case of higher power classes and thus higher power losses, a housing made of thin sheet metal parts is usually no longer sufficient to dissipate the generated heat adequately. In these cases, larger heat sinks, often with cooling fins, are used.

[0004] Document EP 0 040 752 B1 shows an electronics housing consisting of two opposing heat sinks as half-shells with cooling fins. The heat sinks are connected along their entire length by a multitude of transverse bolts, requiring assembly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0005] Document EP 2 119 970 A2 shows a mounting system for an electromechanical vent in which an additional mounting bracket holds the side walls at a defined distance. The mounting bracket is positively connected to the side walls.

[0006] Document EP 1 845 763 A2 relates to an enclosure for holding printed circuit boards, electronic and / or electrical components or the like, wherein the enclosure essentially consists of two identical profiles, one of which (2) forms the bottom (5) and a first side wall (1 1) of the enclosure (1) and the second profile (3) forms the top (7) and the second side wall (13) of the enclosure (1).

[0007] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a reference example of a state-of-the-art enclosure. The enclosure has multiple screw directions. Furthermore, there are screws in the area of ​​the ventilation grilles and enclosure heat sinks in the rear area near the mounting rail.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a technique that realizes a housing that meets the above requirements with reduced assembly effort and thus as cost-effectively as possible. It is particularly desirable to minimize the number of mounting directions for the screws used, since the assembly effort increases significantly with each additional mounting direction. An alternative or more specific objective is to provide a manufacturing-optimized, robust assembly connection between sheet metal housing components and the housing heat sink with a reduced number of screws.

[0009] The problem(s) is / are solved by the features of each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the invention, which can be optionally combined with one another, are disclosed below with partial reference to the figures.

[0011] A first aspect concerns a housing for an electrical circuit. The housing consists of at least one back panel, two parallel heat sinks, and / or two parallel side panels.

[0012] The back wall extends in a first transverse direction and a second transverse direction.

[0013] The two housing heat sinks extend in one mounting direction and the first transverse direction. The first transverse direction is perpendicular to the mounting direction. Each of the two housing heat sinks is screwed or screwable to the rear panel of the housing in the mounting direction. Each of the housing heat sinks has two mounting pins on one housing front that extend in the mounting direction.

[0014] The two side panels extend in the mounting direction and a second transverse direction. The second transverse direction is perpendicular to the mounting direction and / or perpendicular to the first transverse direction. Each of the two side panels has retaining pin openings on the front of the housing. The retaining pin openings (for example, one per side panel) positively engage one of the two retaining pins of each of the two housing heat sinks (for example, with respect to the first and second transverse directions) or are capable of receiving one of the two retaining pins. With the retaining pins engaged in the retaining pin openings, each of the two side panels is screwed or screwable to the rear of the housing in the mounting direction.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments can secure the received state (i.e., the state of the retaining pins received in the respective retaining pin openings) with respect to the mounting direction by screwing or screwing each side panel to the rear panel in the mounting direction (i.e., the retaining pin can be secured against removal from the respective retaining pin opening in the mounting direction). Due to the positive locking of the heat sinks and the side panels at the front of the housing in this secured received state with respect to the first and second transverse directions, the housing heat sinks and the side panels are reliably mechanically connected to each other without the need for further screwing at the front of the housing and / or in a direction other than the mounting direction.

[0016] These or other embodiments can enable an optimized assembly connection for combining sheet metal housing parts with housing heat sinks of electrical devices.

[0017] Herein, a reference to two housing heat sinks does not preclude the housing from including a third or further housing heat sinks. Alternatively or additionally, a reference to two side panels does not preclude the housing from including a third or further side panels. Alternatively or additionally, a reference to two mounting pin openings does not preclude one or each of the side panels from including a third or further mounting pin opening (for example, for receiving one of the mounting pins). Alternatively or additionally, a reference to two mounting pins does not preclude one or each of the housing heat sinks from including a third or further mounting pin.

[0018] The front of the housing can be opposite the rear of the housing in the mounting direction.

[0019] Each of the housing heat sinks may have blind holes with an internal thread on the rear of the housing. The rear panel may have through holes which are aligned with the blind holes for screwing the respective housing heat sink to the rear panel.

[0020] The first transverse direction can be perpendicular to the mounting direction. Alternatively or additionally, the second transverse direction can be perpendicular to the mounting direction and / or perpendicular to the first transverse direction. The rear panel can be screwed vertically onto the housing heat sinks.

[0021] The side panels can be rectangular. Alternatively or additionally, the case heat sinks can be rectangular.

[0022] The two edges of each side panel can touch one of the case heat sinks. Alternatively or additionally, each of the two edges of the side panels can extend along an edge of the case heat sinks.

[0023] Each of the housing heat sinks can form a closed side surface of the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the housing heat sinks and the side panels can be arranged circumferentially (around an axis corresponding to the mounting direction).

[0024] One or each of the housing heat sinks can carry a printed circuit board for the electrical circuit on its inner surface. Alternatively or additionally, one or each of the housing heat sinks can have cooling fins on its outer surface to dissipate heat from the electrical circuit.

[0025] The housing heat sink or heat sinks, each with a pre-mounted circuit board, can form a pre-assembled assembly for mounting the housing (for example, a corresponding electrical device).

[0026] The cooling fins can extend in the first transverse direction, for example continuously and / or over the length of the respective housing heat sink in the first transverse direction.

[0027] The cooling fins can cover a section of the outer surface. The side walls can have a recess corresponding to this section on one or each of their longitudinal edges extending in the mounting direction. The recess allows the cooling fins to be exposed in the first transverse direction.

[0028] The recess can correspond to a tapering of the side wall or side walls in the second transverse direction. Alternatively or additionally, the size of the recess in the second transverse direction can correspond to the size of the cooling fins in the second transverse direction.

[0029] One or each of the side walls may have ventilation openings, for example, to circulate air between the inside and outside of the enclosure. Ventilation openings may be arranged according to a grille (for example, a cutout in a Bravais grille). The grille may be rectangular or oblique.

[0030] One or each of the side panels can have ventilation openings in the mounting direction along the entire length of the respective side panel (for example, up to the point of locking recesses for receiving locking elements of a front cover) or over a length greater than the section with the cooling fins of the housing heat sink(s). Alternatively or additionally, one or each of the side panels can have ventilation openings in the second transverse direction along the entire length of the side panel.

[0031] One or each of the side walls may have ventilation openings with a surface area of ​​more than half of the (for example, convex outer shell of the) respective side wall.

[0032] One or each of the side panels can include a front rib extending in the first and second transverse directions at the front of the housing. The front rib can incorporate the mounting pin openings. The front rib allows for bending stiffness of the side panels at the front of the housing without the need for screws to attach them to a front cap.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, one or each of the side walls (for example, individual) can include eyelets that project from the side walls parallel to the first transverse direction and encompass the retaining pin openings.

[0034] One or each of the side walls can include projecting tongues on the rear of the housing, parallel to the first transverse direction. These tongues can have screw holes (for example, each tongue can have one screw hole) for screwing the respective side wall to the rear wall.

[0035] The screw holes may have an internal thread for screwing the respective side panel to the rear of the housing. Alternatively or additionally, self-tapping screws can be used to screw the respective side panel to the rear of the housing.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the rear panel can have further through-holes. These additional through-holes can be aligned with the screw holes for attaching the respective side panels to the rear of the housing. For example, a first set of screws can connect the rear panel to the housing heat sinks. A second set of screws, different from the first (e.g., separate from the first set), can connect the side panels (e.g., in the screw holes of the side panels) to the rear panel (e.g., via the additional through-holes in the rear panel).

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the screw holes (for example, all or individual screw holes) for attaching the respective side panel to the rear panel can be aligned with the internal threads of the housing heat sinks on the rear of the housing. The attachment of the housing heat sinks to the rear panel and the attachment of the respective side panels to the rear panel can utilize common screw connections.

[0038] Optionally, the screw holes for attaching the respective side panel to the rear panel can be aligned with internal threads in the housing heat sinks, allowing the attachment of the housing heat sinks to the rear panel and the attachment of the respective side panels to the rear panel to be completed in a single assembly step and / or using the same screw connections. For example, the same screws can connect the side panels and the rear panel to the housing heat sinks. This further reduces the number of assembly steps.

[0039] The two retaining pins (for example, each of the two housing heat sinks) can be spaced apart from each other in the first transverse direction. For example, the two retaining pins (for example, each of the two housing heat sinks) can be arranged at the edge of the respective housing heat sink.

[0040] By positioning the two retaining pins away from each other (for example, close to the edge extending in the mounting direction), the connectors can create a torsionally rigid connection between the housing heat sinks and the side panels. Alternatively or additionally, by positioning the two retaining pins close to the edge (extending in the mounting direction), the front web can be short in the first transverse direction.

[0041] The housing may also include a front cover. The front cover can be attached to the front of the housing, opposite to the mounting direction, either by clipping it onto the side panels and / or the housing heat sinks.

[0042] The front cap may include locking elements. The side walls and / or the housing heat sinks may include locking recesses designed to accommodate the locking elements (e.g., latching or elastically locking) when the front cap is attached.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, the front cap can include initial locking elements, arranged, for example, on edges of the front cap opposite each other in the first transverse direction and / or extending in the second transverse direction. The side walls can include initial locking recesses (e.g., slots) designed to receive the initial locking elements when the front cap is attached. Optionally, the initial locking recesses can form part of a grille for the ventilation openings. Alternatively or additionally, the front cap can include secondary locking elements, arranged on edges of the front cap opposite each other in the second transverse direction and / or extending in the first transverse direction. The housing heat sinks can include secondary locking recesses (e.g., slots) designed to receive the secondary locking elements when the front cap is attached.

[0044] The front cover may include guide pins. The side panels and / or the housing heat sinks may include guide bridges arranged to accommodate the guide pins in the opposite direction to the mounting direction when the front cover is attached.

[0045] The front cap may include primary guide pins, which are arranged, for example, on edges of the front cap that are opposite each other in the first transverse direction and / or that extend in the second transverse direction. The side walls may have primary holes (e.g., primary guide bridges) arranged to receive the primary guide pins when the front cap is attached. Alternatively or additionally, the front cap may include secondary guide pins arranged on edges of the front cap that are opposite each other in the second transverse direction and / or that extend in the first transverse direction. The housing heat sinks may have secondary holes (e.g., secondary guide bridges) arranged to receive the secondary guide pins when the front cap is attached.

[0046] The housing heat sinks can be made of aluminum, copper, and / or steel. Alternatively or additionally, the side panels can be made of aluminum, copper, and / or sheet steel.

[0047] The side panels can be flush with the edges of the case heat sinks. Alternatively or additionally, the rear panel can be flush with the side panels and / or the case heat sinks at the rear of the case. Alternatively or additionally, the case heat sinks and the side panels can be flush with the front of the case, for example, with the attached front cover.

[0048] The positive connection between the housing heat sinks and the side panels can be screwless at the front of the housing. Alternatively or additionally, a mechanical connection of one or more of the front caps attached to the front of the housing can also be screwless.

[0049] A power supply unit with an enclosure as described in the first aspect can be supplemented with an overcurrent protection device (also known as a "circuit breaker" or CB) and / or components for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). These components can also be housed within the enclosure. Accordingly, the dimensions of the enclosure's side walls may differ between a power supply unit without a CB or UPS and one with a CB and / or UPS. For example, the enclosure's side walls, and consequently the front panel, may be larger, allowing for the placement of additional circuit boards and / or (e.g., taller) components parallel to the power supply's circuit board. The front panel may also feature additional openings for further controls or electrical connections.

[0050] Preferably, for cooling reasons, the components of CB or UPS are not arranged between the housing heat sinks. For example, the components of CB or UPS are attached to one side of a housing heat sink as a separate assembly (e.g., with a side panel). The assembly or the side panel can extend parallel to the housing heat sink and / or be screwed to the rear panel. The rear panel, the front cover, and both side panels are enlarged to the dimensions required for the assembly.

[0051] The separate assembly and / or the side panel can be positioned outside the two parallel housing heat sinks. For example, the front cover and / or the rear panel and / or the two side panels can extend beyond one of the housing heat sinks in the second transverse direction and optionally be closed off by the side panel extending in the mounting direction and the first transverse direction. The separate assembly can also be positioned between one of the housing heat sinks and the side panel. This allows, for example, the two housing heat sinks to be mounted at the same distance from each other in different housings, despite varying functional configurations.

[0052] A second aspect concerns a set of multiple power supplies. Each power supply comprises an enclosure according to an embodiment of the first aspect, with enclosure heat sinks that are uniform or uniformly dimensioned in the mounting direction and the first transverse direction. The set includes at least one power supply that is supplemented within its enclosure by an overcurrent protection device (CB) and / or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) components. The side walls, rear wall, and / or, optionally, the front cover of the enclosure of the at least one power supply with overcurrent protection device and / or uninterruptible power supply components are larger in the second transverse direction than those of the enclosures of a power supply in the set without overcurrent protection device and / or uninterruptible power supply components.

[0053] Advantageously, according to the exemplary embodiments of the first and / or second aspect, even more complex power supplies can be designed to be compact and easy to install. This eliminates the need to provide different housings or at least different housing parts (e.g., components) for the respective components (power supply, CB, UPS).

[0054] A third aspect concerns a method for manufacturing an enclosure according to the first and / or second aspect. The method for manufacturing an enclosure includes a step of providing the features (e.g., components) of the enclosure according to an embodiment of the first aspect. For example, the printed circuit board(s) of the electrical circuit can be pre-mounted on the inner surface of one or more of the enclosure heat sinks before the enclosure is assembled. Alternatively or additionally, the method can include a step of assembling the enclosure. The assembly direction of all screws used can be identical.

[0055] This simplified assembly of the housing is advantageous, as a single screw mounting direction significantly reduces assembly complexity. In particular, this enables automated and / or reliable assembly.

[0056] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using reference examples and preferred embodiments which can optionally be combined with one another.

[0057] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an existing enclosure for accommodating an electrical circuit with different mounting directions and screw connections on several sides; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit according to a first embodiment; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit according to a second embodiment in a pre-assembled state; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the housing for accommodating an electrical circuit according to the second embodiment in an assembled state; and Fig. 5A schematic flowchart of a process for manufacturing a housing.

[0058] In this document, features shown or described in different embodiments are interchangeable with the same or extended reference numerals.

[0059] Fig. 1 This shows a perspective view of an existing enclosure for housing an electrical circuit as a reference example. Its manufacture requires numerous work steps due to different mounting directions and screw connections on multiple sides. Furthermore, loose parts such as screws can fall into adjacent ventilation openings during assembly.

[0060] In contrast, in one embodiment of a housing, all screw connections can be located at the rear and have the same mounting direction. The front panel of the housing can be held together by a positive fit, secured (preferably only) by the screw connections at the rear. Optionally, a front cap can be attached to the front panel without being an essential component for the mechanical connection.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, a housing for at least one printed circuit board (for example, a circuit board) is disclosed. The housing comprises a rear panel (i.e., at the rear of the housing); two opposing housing heat sinks screwed to the rear panel in one mounting direction; and two opposing ventilation grilles screwed to the rear panel in the same mounting direction. At one end of the housing opposite the rear panel (i.e., at the front of the housing), each of the ventilation grilles is positively connected to both housing heat sinks when screwed in place.

[0062] The mounting direction can be perpendicular to the rear panel. The housing heat sinks can be parallel to each other. The ventilation grilles can be parallel to each other.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, each of the housing heat sinks can have two retaining pins that project parallel to the mounting direction and engage in a through-opening of the two ventilation grilles to form a positive connection.

[0064] The housing may also include a front cap that is attached or attachable to the end opposite the rear wall.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, the housing also includes at least two circuit boards of the electrical circuit, each of which is attached (e.g. pre-assembled) to one of the housing heat sinks.

[0066] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a housing generally designated by reference numeral 100 for accommodating an electrical circuit. Fig. 2This is an exploded view, showing a pre-assembled state of the housing 100. The housing 100 is essentially shown from the side with a front view.

[0067] The housing 100 comprises a rear wall 112, two parallel housing heat sinks 102, and two parallel side walls 110.

[0068] The rear wall 112 can extend in a first transverse direction 204 and a second transverse direction 206.

[0069] The two housing heat sinks 102 can extend in a mounting direction 202 and the first transverse direction 204. The first transverse direction 204 can be perpendicular to the mounting direction 202. Each of the two housing heat sinks 102 can be screwed or screwed to the rear panel 112 of a housing rear 116 in the mounting direction 202. Each of the housing heat sinks 102 can have two retaining pins 108 extending in the mounting direction on a housing front 118. The two retaining pins 108 of each of the two housing heat sinks 102 can be arranged at the edge of the respective housing heat sink 102.

[0070] The two side walls 110 can extend in the mounting direction 202 and the second transverse direction 206. The second transverse direction 206 can be transverse to the mounting direction 202 and / or transverse to the first transverse direction 204. Each of the two side walls 110 can have retaining pin openings 120 on the front of the housing 118. The retaining pin openings 120 (for example, one per side wall 110) can receive one of the two retaining pins 108 of each of the two housing heat sinks 102 in a form-fitting manner (for example, with respect to the first transverse direction 204 and the second transverse direction 206). With the retaining pins 108 received in the retaining pin openings 120, each of the two side walls 110 can be screwed or screwed to the rear wall 112 on the rear of the housing 116 in the mounting direction 202.

[0071] This ensures a positive connection on the front of the housing 118 between the housing heat sinks 102 and the side walls 110 on the rear of the housing 116 without additional screwing on the front of the housing 118.

[0072] In a first variant of each embodiment, the same screw connections connect the side walls 110 and the housing heat sinks 102 to the rear wall 112. In a second variant of each embodiment (for example, as in Fig. 2 (shown) first screw connections 138 connect the housing heat sinks 102 to the rear panel 112, and second screw connections 138 connect the side panels 110 to the rear panel 112.

[0073] One or each of the housing heat sinks 102 can carry a printed circuit board 104 of the electrical circuit on its inner surface. Alternatively or additionally, one or each of the housing heat sinks can have cooling fins 106 on its outer surface for dissipating heat from the electrical circuit. The housing heat sink or heat sinks, each with a pre-mounted printed circuit board, can form a pre-assembled unit for mounting the housing (for example, a corresponding electrical device).

[0074] One or each of the side walls 110 can include a front web 122 extending in the first transverse direction 204 and the second transverse direction 206 on the front of the housing 118, for example, a 90-degree bent end of a stamped part. The front web 122 can have the retaining pin openings 120. The front web 122 allows the side walls 110 to achieve bending stiffness at the front of the housing without screws being required to attach them to a front cap.

[0075] One or each of the side walls can include 204 projecting tongues on the rear of the housing, parallel to the first transverse direction. The tongues can

[0076] Screw openings (for example, each tongue can have a screw opening) for screwing the respective side wall 110 to the back wall 112.

[0077] The housing 100 can also include a front cover 126. The front cover 126 can be attached or plugged onto the side walls 110 and the housing heat sinks 102 on the front of the housing 118, opposite to the mounting direction 202.

[0078] The front cap 126 can include locking elements 128 that extend in the opposite direction to the mounting direction 202. The side walls 110 and / or the housing heat sinks 102 can have locking recesses 130 arranged to receive the locking elements for (preferably reversible) locking when the front cap 126 is attached.

[0079] The housing heat sinks 102 can comprise aluminum, copper and / or steel. Alternatively or additionally, the side panels 110 can comprise aluminum, copper and / or sheet steel.

[0080] The material of the front cover 126 often has no electrical (and / or low thermal) conductivity. It is preferably made of plastic, for example, thermoplastic material. This is also advantageous for the various projections of the actual front cover in the form of locking elements 128 and guide pins, which, together with the actual front cover 126, can be manufactured in a single injection molding process using the same material.

[0081] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of housing 100 according to a second embodiment in a pre-assembled state. The second embodiment may be a further development of the first embodiment. In any case, matching reference numerals denote features that may be identical or interchangeable with those of the first embodiment.

[0082] The side walls 110 can include ventilation grille plates. That is, one or each of the side walls 110 can have ventilation openings 136, for example, for circulating air between the inside and outside of the housing. The ventilation openings 136 can be arranged according to a grille (for example, a cutout in a Bravais grille). The grille can be rectangular or (as shown by way of example in Fig. 3 (shown) be oblique. Alternatively or additionally, one or each of the side walls 110 can have ventilation openings 136 with a surface area of ​​more than half of the convex outer shell of the respective side wall 110.

[0083] The ventilation openings 136 can extend in the mounting direction 202 over the entire length of the respective side wall 110 up to the locking recesses 130 for receiving locking elements 128 of the front cap 126. In any case, the ventilation openings 136 can extend over a length that is greater than a section with the cooling fins 106 of the housing heat sink 102.

[0084] In the front area (i.e., on the front of the housing 118), both housing heat sinks 102 have a retaining pin 108 at the top and bottom (for example, at least one) in the first transverse direction 204. The ventilation grille plates 110 are slid onto these retaining pins 108 from the front and pulled around the rear panel 112 in the rear area (i.e., on the back of the housing 116). There, the ventilation grille plates 110 are also fastened to the rear panel 112 from the rear (i.e., in the mounting direction 202) with screws 138. A particularly noteworthy feature is the stable and robust connection (for example, by means of the secured positive locking) between the retaining pins 108 and the retaining pin openings 120 of the ventilation grille plates 110 in the front area (i.e., on the front of the housing 118) without the need for screws.

[0085] The front cap 126 can include guide pins 132. The side walls 110 and / or the housing heat sinks 102 can include guide bridges 134 arranged to receive the guide pins 132 opposite the mounting direction 202 when the front cap 126 is attached. The guide pins 132 can be arranged circumferentially around the edges of the front cap 126, for example, on the edges extending in the first transverse direction and on the edges extending in the second transverse direction of the front cap 126.

[0086] Finally, the front cap 126 is inserted into the existing assembly from the front (i.e., opposite to the mounting direction 202). The front cap 126 has guide pins 132 (or guide pins) around its circumference, which slide into the guide bridges 134 of the housing heat sinks 102 and ensure the precise positioning of the front cap 126.

[0087] The locking elements 128, which are also arranged around the front cap 126, lock into the ventilation grille plates 110 and housing heat sink 102 at the end stop (i.e. in the locking recesses 130 of the ventilation grille plates 110 and housing heat sink 102).

[0088] In each embodiment, the cooling fins 106 can extend parallel to each other and in the first transverse direction 204.

[0089] Fig. 4Figure 2 shows the second embodiment in assembly. The cooling fins 106 can encompass a section of the outer surface (i.e., the outer surface) of the housing heat sink 102. The side walls 110 can have a recess corresponding to the section on one or each of their longitudinal edges extending in the assembly direction 202. The recess allows the cooling fins 106 to be exposed in the first transverse direction. The recess can correspond to a taper of the side wall or side walls in the second transverse direction. Alternatively or additionally, the size of the recess in the second transverse direction 206 can correspond to the size of the cooling fins 106 in the second transverse direction 206.

[0090] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method 500 for manufacturing the housing 100 according to one of the embodiments, for example a method for mounting the ventilation grille plates 110 and the front cap 126 to the housing heat sinks 102 screwed to the rear wall 112.

[0091] The method 500 for manufacturing a housing 100 can include a step of providing 502 the features (for example, components) of the housing 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the printed circuit board 104 (or boards 104) of the electrical circuit can be pre-mounted on the inner surface of one or each of the housing heat sinks before the housing 100 is mounted 504.

[0092] For example, in step 502 for assembly, two assemblies can be prepared, each comprising a left and right housing heat sink 102 with a screwed-on circuit board 104.

[0093] Alternatively or additionally, the procedure can include a step of mounting 504 of the housing 100. The mounting direction 202 of all screws 138 used can be identical.

[0094] For example, both housing heat sinks 102 are mounted parallel to each other, with the cooling fins 106 facing outwards, in a U-shape with the rear wall 112 from behind using screws 138.

[0095] Advantageously, this simplifies the assembly of the housing 100 (504), as a single screw mounting direction (202) keeps the assembly complexity low. In particular, this enables automated and / or reliable assembly.

[0096] In each embodiment, the housing 100 with the electrical circuitry can form a power supply. The at least one printed circuit board 104 comprises the associated circuit elements (electronic components) of the power supply. In embodiments, the power supply can be supplemented by an overcurrent protection device (circuit breaker, CB) and / or by components for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which are also arranged in the housing. Such a module can, for example, be mounted on the second of the two housing heat sinks 102 (not shown).The dimensions of the side walls 110 of the housing 100 differ between a power supply without a CB module and / or without a UPS module and the dimensions of the side walls of the housing 100 with a power supply including a CB module and / or UPS module in their extent in the second transverse direction 206, while the extent of the side wall 110 in the first transverse direction 204 is uniform. Therefore, a correspondingly larger rear panel 112 and front cover 126 are also used.

[0097] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made and equivalents can be used as replacements. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or a specific component in the housing to the teaching of the invention. Consequently, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but encompasses all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Reference symbol list

[0098] 100 Housing, for example for power supply 102 Housing heat sink 104 Circuit board 106 Cooling fins 108 Retaining pins 110 Side walls, for example ventilation grille plates 112 Rear wall 116 Housing rear 118 Housing front 120 Retaining pin openings 122 Front bar 124 Screw holes 126 Front cap 128 Detent elements 130 Detent recesses 132 Guide pins, for example guide retaining pin 134 Guide bridges 136 Ventilation openings 138 Screws 202 Mounting direction 204 First transverse direction 206 Second transverse direction 500 Method for manufacturing a housing 502 Providing the housing parts 504 Assembly with identical mounting direction of all screws used

Claims

1. Housing (100) for receiving an electrical circuit, assembled from at least: a rear wall (112) extending in a first transverse direction (204) and a second transverse direction (206); two mutually parallel housing heat sinks (102) extending in an assembly direction (202) and the first transverse direction (204), wherein the first transverse direction (204) is transverse to the assembly direction (202), wherein each of the two housing heat sinks (102) is screwed or screwable at a housing rear side (116) to the rear wall (112) in the assembly direction (202), and wherein each of the housing heat sinks (102) comprises at a housing front side (118) two retaining pins (108) extending in the assembly direction (202); and two mutually parallel side walls (110) extending in the assembly direction (202) and the second transverse direction (206), wherein the second transverse direction (206) is transverse to the assembly direction (202) and transverse to the first transverse direction (204), wherein each of the two side walls (110) comprises at the housing front side (118) retaining-pin openings (120) which receive or are able to receive one of the two retaining pins (108) of each of the two housing heat sinks (102) in a form-fitting manner with respect to the first transverse direction (204) and the second transverse direction (206), and wherein in the state of the retaining pins (108) received in the retaining-pin openings (120) each of the two side walls (110) is screwed or screwable at the housing rear side (116) to the rear wall (112) in the assembly direction (202).

2. Housing (100) according to claim 1, wherein one or each of the housing heat sinks (102) carries on its inner surface a printed circuit board (104) of the electrical circuit and comprises on its outer surface cooling fins (106) for dissipation of heat from the electrical circuit.

3. Housing (100) according to claim 2, wherein the cooling fins (106) extend in the first transverse direction (204), preferably continuously over the length of the respective housing heat sink (102) in the first transverse direction (204).

4. Housing (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cooling fins (106) comprise a portion of the outer surface and the side walls (110) comprise at one or each of their longitudinal edges extending in the assembly direction (202) a recess corresponding to the portion, through which the cooling fins (106) are exposed in the first transverse direction (204).

5. Housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one or each of the side walls (110) comprises ventilation openings (136) for circulation of air between the interior and the exterior of the housing (100).

6. Housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or each of the side walls (110) comprises at the housing front side (118) a front web (122) extending in the first transverse direction (204) and the second transverse direction (206), which front web comprises the retaining-pin openings (120).

7. Housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one or each of the side walls (110) comprises at the housing rear side (116) tabs projecting parallel to the first transverse direction (204), which tabs comprise screw openings (124) for screwing the respective side wall (110) to the rear wall (112).

8. Housing (100) according to claim 7, wherein the screw openings (124) for screwing the respective side wall (110) to the rear wall (112) are aligned with internal threads of the housing heat sinks (102) at the housing rear side (116), wherein the screwing of the housing heat sinks (102) to the rear wall and the screwing of the respective side walls (110) to the rear wall comprises common screw joints.

9. Housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the two retaining pins (108) of each of the two housing heat sinks (102) are spaced apart from one another in the first transverse direction (204), optionally are arranged at the edge of the respective housing heat sink (102).

10. Housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a front cap (126) which is plugged on or pluggable at the housing front side (118) opposite to the assembly direction (202) onto the side walls (110) and / or the housing heat sinks (102).

11. Housing (100) according to claim 10, wherein the front cap (126) comprises detent elements (128), and the side walls (110) and / or the housing heat sinks (102) comprise detent recesses (130) which are arranged to receive the detent elements (128) in latched engagement when the front cap (126) is plugged on.

12. Housing (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the front cap (126) comprises guide pins (132), and the side walls (110) and / or the housing heat sinks (102) comprise guide bridges (134) which are arranged to receive the guide pins (132) opposite to the assembly direction (202) when the front cap (126) is plugged on.

13. Housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing heat sinks (102) comprise aluminum, copper and / or steel, and / or wherein the side walls (110) comprise aluminum, copper and / or sheet steel.

14. Housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the form fit at the housing front side between the housing heat sinks (102) and the side walls (110) is without screws, and / or wherein a mechanical connection of a front cap (126) or the front cap (126) plugged on at the housing front side (118) is without screws.

15. Set of multiple power supplies, wherein each power supply comprises a housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 with housing heat sinks (102) uniformly dimensioned in the assembly direction (202) and the first transverse direction (204), wherein the set comprises at least one power supply which is supplemented in the housing (100) by an overcurrent protection device and / or components for uninterruptible power supply, and wherein the side walls (110), the rear wall (112) and / or optionally the front cap (126) of the housing (100) of the at least one power supply with overcurrent protection device or components for uninterruptible power supply are larger in the second transverse direction (206) than in the housings (100) of a power supply of the set without overcurrent protection device or without components for uninterruptible power supply.

16. Method (500) for manufacturing a housing (100), comprising: providing (502) the features of the housing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, optionally wherein the printed circuit board (104) or printed circuit boards (104) of the electrical circuit is preassembled on the inner surface of one or each of the housing heat sinks (102) before the assembling (504) of the housing (100); and assembling (504) the housing (100), wherein the assembly direction (202) of all screws (138) used is identical.