ENCLOSURES FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a housing for electronic components, in particular photovoltaic inverter housings, comprising at least two interconnectable housing parts and a sealing profile for sealing the interior of the housing against the exterior of the housing, the sealing profile being arranged in at least one groove of at least one housing part, the at least one groove in at least one housing part being designed in the form of an open section, wherein the beginning and the end of the at least one groove are arranged next to each other in an overlap area of ​​a predetermined length, and the sealing profile is arranged next to each other in contact over at least a part of the predetermined length of the overlap area, and the sealing profile is formed by a hollow chamber profile seal with at least one longitudinally extending hollow chamber.wherein the beginning of the hollow chamber profile seal is arranged in the overlap area towards the outside of the housing and the end of the hollow chamber profile seal is arranged in the overlap area towards the inside of the housing.

[0002] Basically, any enclosure for electronic components is included, provided it has a seal to protect the interior, i.e., the electronics, from external influences. Generally, the enclosure consists of two parts: a trough-shaped housing and a lid. Various enclosure designs are possible, and some may even consist of more than two parts. The primary goal is to prevent dust from entering the interior as much as possible to ensure the longest possible lifespan for the electronic components. For some devices, especially those intended for outdoor use, even higher requirements may apply. For example, photovoltaic inverters are frequently installed outdoors, where they are sometimes exposed to enormous temperature fluctuations and other environmental factors such as rain and storms.For this reason, some electrical devices must meet certain standards or protection classes. For example, in Europe, photovoltaic inverters often meet the IP65 protection class of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 60529). This protection class requires the highest level of protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects and a high level of protection against a light jet of water and other liquids, i.e., dust and water resistance.

[0003] To protect electronic enclosures from dust and water, gaskets are often inserted between the enclosure components. In photovoltaic inverter enclosures, in addition to sprayed-on foam gaskets, sealing profiles, especially hollow chamber profile gaskets, are primarily used to seal the interior of the enclosure from the outside. Sealing profiles offer the advantage over foam gaskets of being replaceable during servicing and allowing for a high degree of tolerance between components. For such sealing profiles to meet protection classes, such as the aforementioned IP65, they must be arranged in a ring with the ends glued together. In the case of a hollow chamber profile gasket, it must also be perforated on the inside of the enclosure to allow pressure equalization between the hollow chamber and the interior of the enclosure.Accordingly, the sealing profiles must be of relatively precise lengths, and the ends must be cut exactly perpendicular and glued together. The bond is then manually sanded to ensure the sealing profile fits snugly against at least one groove of at least one housing part. This work is particularly labor-intensive and costly. Automation is difficult or impossible with such seals.

[0004] The JP H06 188577 A describes a housing of the type in question with a sealing profile in at least one groove in at least one housing part, wherein the sealing profile is arranged next to each other in an overlap area.

[0005] DE 17 84 276 U, EP 0 278 567 A2, CN 109 469 730 B and CN 105 485 344 B also show different housings with sealing profiles.

[0006] For example, CN 21937229 U describes a housing for a photovoltaic inverter in which a circumferential sealing profile is arranged in a circumferential groove of a housing part.

[0007] A housing with a circumferential sealing profile is also known from CN 217336182 U, featuring a special profile shape in the area of ​​the holes for screws connecting the housing parts. The sealing profile is held in the desired position by corresponding structural elements on the housing parts.

[0008] Special forms of hollow chamber profiles have become known from US 2017 / 0248900 A1 and CN 114 727 534 A.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to create a housing for electronic components, in particular a photovoltaic inverter housing, which is sufficiently sealed and optionally designed according to specific protection classes. The seals should be able to be inserted into the housing parts as quickly and easily as possible, and possibly even automatically. Disadvantages of known housings, especially photovoltaic inverter housings, should be avoided or at least reduced.

[0010] The problem according to the invention is solved by a housing as described above, in which the beginning of the hollow chamber profile seal is closed by clamping and the end of the hollow chamber profile seal is open, and the clamping is formed by a projection in a groove of one housing part and by a counterpart on the other housing part. Due to the overlapping arrangement of the at least one groove of at least one housing part and thus the overlapping arrangement of the sealing profile in the at least one groove, a circumferential sealing profile that is elaborately connected or bonded at the ends is no longer necessary, and the corresponding work steps for machining and joining the end of the sealing profile and any subsequent machining of the joint can be eliminated.Nevertheless, the contact of the ends of the sealing profile ensures a seal between the interior of the housing and the exterior, at least over a portion of the predetermined overlap area, when the housing is closed. Depending on the protection class, further measures may be necessary to achieve this; these are described optionally below. For the secure positioning of the sealing profile in at least one housing part, at least one groove is required. The other housing part can also be designed without a groove, provided that the sealing profile fits snugly against the housing parts when they are connected and the housing is closed. Alternatively, both or more housing parts can be provided with corresponding opposing grooves, so that the sealing profile is encompassed by these opposing grooves.The housing design, with at least one groove in at least one housing part and a corresponding sealing profile in the form of an open section instead of a closed ring, simplifies manufacturing and enables automated application of the sealing profile to a housing part, as well as, if necessary, automated joining of all housing parts and thus the closing of the housing. This results in further cost savings and accelerated production processes. Another advantage of the open sealing profile is a higher tolerance capability. While prior art designs could not use sealing profiles with rings that were too short because they did not fit into the specified groove, the present housing design allows for greater tolerances.If the sealing profile is cut too short, only the area where the ends of the sealing profile touch in the overlap zone would be slightly shorter. However, the housing's seal would still be ensured as long as the length of contact does not fall below a certain limit. In some applications, it may still be advantageous or even necessary to bond the seal to a housing component, at least in certain areas. The sealing profile must, of course, be made of an elastic material. The sealing profile is formed by a hollow chamber profile seal with at least one hollow chamber running lengthwise. Such hollow chamber profiles are frequently used for sealing housings. Since the hollow chamber profile remains open at least at one end, pressure equalization with the environment is possible through this open end.This eliminates the need for the perforation step required with self-contained hollow chamber profile gaskets. This simplifies housing assembly and further reduces overall costs. The beginning of the hollow chamber profile gasket in the overlap area faces the outside of the housing and is closed by clamping, while the end of the hollow chamber profile gasket in the overlap area faces the inside of the housing and is open. The closed beginning of the hollow chamber profile gasket prevents moisture from penetrating from the outside into at least one of the hollow chambers of the gasket. Conversely, the open end of the hollow chamber profile gasket facing the inside of the housing allows for pressure equalization between the hollow chamber and the housing interior. Therefore, the perforation of the hollow chamber profile gasket for pressure equalization, as described above, is unnecessary.Pressure equalization can be particularly important when there are very strong temperature fluctuations in the vicinity of the housing. To enable pressure equalization between the interior and exterior of the closed housing, additional pressure equalization valves can be arranged on the housing. Clamping the beginning of the hollow chamber profile seal can be carried out particularly quickly and easily and essentially requires no prior machining of the hollow chamber profile seal. According to the invention, the clamping of the beginning of the hollow chamber profile seal is achieved by means of a projection in the groove of one housing part and a counterpart on the other housing part. The beginning of the hollow chamber profile seal can be automatically clamped and thus sealed when the housing parts are fastened or when the housing is closed. Only a corresponding design of the aforementioned projection and the counterpart on the other housing part is necessary.Ideally, the extension and the counterpart are integrated directly into the respective housing parts and taken into account during the manufacturing process (for example, through an injection molding or casting process).

[0011] Preferably, the sealing profile is arranged without adhesive, which allows the sealing profile to be removed and, for example, replaced without much effort.

[0012] Advantageously, the overlap area of ​​the grooves and the sealing profile is arranged essentially parallel to an outer surface of the housing within the overlap area. This means that only a minimal amount of the housing's interior space is occupied by the overlap area.

[0013] The predetermined length of the overlap area can, for example, be between 10 mm and 80 mm. In any case, the length of the overlap area must ensure that the ends of the sealing profile are in contact with each other for a certain minimum length, so that no dust or moisture can penetrate from the outside of the housing into the interior between the sealing profiles, thus ensuring the required seal.

[0014] If a clamping profile is arranged on the opposite side of at least one of the hollow chambers of the hollow chamber profile seal, such a sealing profile can be inserted into a groove of a housing part particularly easily and quickly. Thanks to the suitably designed clamping profile, for example in the form of several protruding ribs on both sides, the hollow chamber profile seal is held securely in the groove of a housing part automatically and without the need for adhesive.

[0015] With the housing closed, the distance between the aforementioned extension and its counterpart is between 20% and 50% of the height of the hollow chamber profile seal. This degree of clamping is usually sufficient to securely seal the beginning of the hollow chamber profile seal and the at least one hollow chamber within it. The height of the hollow chamber profile seal refers to the height of the cross-section of the hollow chamber profile seal without any clamping profile.

[0016] If at least one pressure element, in particular a pressure rib, is arranged between the grooves of a housing part in the overlap area, the beginning and end of the sealing profile can be slightly compressed and thus pressed together in the overlap area. This ensures a good seal of the space between the overlapping ends of the sealing profile in the overlap area.

[0017] If the beginning of the hollow chamber profile seal is cut in a stepped manner, so that the portion of the seal containing at least one hollow chamber protrudes beyond the clamping profile, the area of ​​the seal containing the at least one hollow chamber can be optimally clamped by the measures described above, thus sealing the at least one hollow chamber. The stepped cutting of the hollow chamber profile seal is preferably also performed automatically. The end of the hollow chamber profile can also retain the stepped cut, even if clamping of the end of the seal is not necessary there. This avoids waste and eliminates a further work step in which the end of the hollow chamber profile seal would be cut off flush.

[0018] A marking can be provided at the beginning of a groove in a housing component to indicate the insertion point of the sealing profile. This marking, which may be a notch, a preferably colored line, or the like, shows the installer, when manually inserting the sealing profile, where to position the beginning before inserting it into the groove, until the end of the profile terminates at the desired point in the overlap area. Naturally, the marking can also be designed to assist manipulators or robots.

[0019] If at least one groove of at least one housing part is bounded on the outside by a wall in the overlap area, the insertion of the sealing profile can be facilitated and unwanted protrusion of the sealing profile from the groove in the overlap area can be made more difficult. Such a wall can be particularly helpful when the sealing profile is inserted automatically using appropriate manipulators or robots.

[0020] The insertion of the sealing profile, especially automated insertion, can be further facilitated if at least one groove of at least one housing part on the inside of a curve is bounded by a wall. The wall thus forms a kind of guide for the sealing profile during the insertion process within the curve.

[0021] When the housing is mounted vertically in its operating position, it is advantageous for the beginning of the hollow chamber profile seal to point downwards. This ensures that moisture cannot penetrate into a hollow chamber of the hollow chamber profile seal due to gravity, for example, if it is not completely sealed due to insufficient clamping.

[0022] The sealing profile is preferably made of plastic, especially silicone. A certain degree of material elasticity and a long service life are required. High temperature resistance is also essential, particularly when used in photovoltaic inverter housings. Besides plastics, natural materials such as rubber are also suitable for the sealing profile.

[0023] As already mentioned, it is advantageous if the sealing profile can be automatically inserted into a groove of a housing part, as this saves time and costs in the assembly of the housing.

[0024] The two housing parts, at least, can be connected to each other in the conventional manner using screws or quick-release fasteners. The screws, quick-release fasteners, or other fasteners should enable the fastest and most secure connection of the housing parts, thus allowing the housing to be closed. To ensure that the fasteners are sufficiently tight, locking mechanisms can be provided that signal proper closure tactilely and, if necessary, also audibly.

[0025] At least one housing component can be made of metal, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or of plastic, in particular thermoplastics. For example, a housing component can be made of polyamide or polycarbonate.

[0026] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a housing with open housing parts; Fig. 2 an example of a housing with open housing parts that is not covered by the claim text; Figs. 3A and 3B an end view and a side section of the end of a conventional hollow chamber profile seal; Figs. 4A and 4B detailed views of the grooves of the two housing parts in the overlap area; Fig. 5 a section through a part of an assembled housing in the overlap area along the section line V - V in Figur 4A ; Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view through part of an assembled housing in the overlap area along section line VI - VI in Figur 4A ; Fig. 7 a perspective view of a housing part in the overlap area of ​​the groove, wherein walls are provided to facilitate the insertion of the sealing profile; and Fig. 8 a perspective view of a housing part in the area of ​​a curve of the groove with a wall arranged inside the groove to facilitate the insertion of the sealing profile.

[0027] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a housing 1 with two open housing parts 2, 3. The housing 1 serves to contain and protect electronic components, such as a photovoltaic inverter (not shown). The two housing parts 2, 3 can be connected to each other in the usual way using suitable fasteners, such as screws or quick-release fasteners or the like (not shown). To seal the interior I of the housing 1 from the exterior A when closed, in order to protect the electronic components located therein from environmental influences, a sealing profile 4 made of elastic material is arranged between the two housing parts 2, 3. A groove 5, 6 is provided in at least one or both housing parts 2, 3, into which the sealing profile 4 is inserted when the housing parts 2, 3 are connected.The state of the art usually involves a circumferential, i.e., self-contained, sealing profile 4 (not shown). The manufacture and arrangement of such a circumferential sealing profile 4 is associated with a corresponding level of effort.

[0028] The at least one groove 5, 6 in at least one housing part 2, 3 is designed as an open section, i.e., not closed. In the illustrated embodiment, a groove 5, 6 is provided in each housing part 2, 3, which are identical when the housing parts 2, 3 are assembled. A housing 1 is also possible in which a groove 5 or 6 is arranged only in one housing part 2 or 3, and the other housing part 3 or 2 is flat. When the housing 1 is closed, the sealing profile 4 is then inserted into both grooves 5, 6 and thus seals the interior I of the housing 1 against the exterior A. The beginning 7 and the end 8 of the groove 5 of the housing part 2, as well as the beginning 9 and the end 10 of the groove 6 of the housing part 3, are arranged side by side in an overlap area 11 with a predetermined length lU.Thus, the open sealing profile 4 can be inserted into the groove 5 or 6 of the housing part 2 or 3 without the need to manufacture a closed sealing profile 4. The required seal between the interior I of the closed housing 1 and the exterior A is ensured by the fact that the sealing profile 4 is arranged in contact with each other over at least a portion of the predetermined length lU of the overlap area 11. The sealing profile 4 is preferably arranged without adhesive in the at least one groove 5, 6, so that it can be easily removed and, for example, replaced. The shape of the groove 5, 6 and the cross-section of the sealing profile 4 are correspondingly matched.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the overlap area 11 is arranged essentially parallel to an outer surface of the housing 1 within the overlap area 11. This means that the interior space I of the housing 1 is hardly restricted or reduced by the overlap area 11. The overlap area 11 can therefore be located at the edge of the housing parts 2, 3. The edge of the housing parts 2, 3 can, at least in the overlap area 11, be made slightly wider (not shown).

[0030] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows an example of a housing 1 with open housing parts 2, 3, which does not fall under the claim text, since both the beginning and the end of the sealing profile 4 are arranged towards the interior I.

[0031] In this variant, the overlap area 11 is arranged essentially perpendicular to an outer surface of the housing 1 within the overlap area 11. In this case, although more of the interior space I of the housing 1 is occupied by the overlap area 11, the beginning 7, 9 and the end 8, 10 of the grooves 5, 6 of the housing parts 2, 3, and thus the ends of the sealing profile 4, are arranged towards the interior space I when the housing 1 is closed (not shown), which can be advantageous for some applications.

[0032] Fig. 3A shows a frontal view and Figur 3B a lateral sectional view along section line III-III in Fig. 3A through the end of a conventional hollow chamber profile seal 12 as a sealing profile 4. The hollow chamber profile seal 12 has a longitudinally continuous hollow chamber 13. A clamping profile 14 is arranged on the opposite side of the hollow chamber 13 of the hollow chamber profile seal 12. The clamping profile 14 can be designed in various ways to ensure a secure hold of the hollow chamber profile seal 12 in a suitable groove (not shown) even without the need for an adhesive. For example, several (here three) ribs projecting from both sides can be provided, creating a Christmas tree-like clamping profile 14.

[0033] As in Fig. 3B As can be seen, the beginning 15 of the hollow chamber profile seal 12 is stepped, so that the part of the hollow chamber profile seal 12 with the hollow chamber 13 protrudes beyond the clamping profile 14. This allows the area of ​​the hollow chamber profile seal 12 in which the hollow chamber 13 is located to be optimally clamped. When the beginning 15 of the hollow chamber profile seal 12 is clamped, the height h H of the hollow chamber profile seal 12 without the clamping profile 14 is reduced accordingly, so that the hollow chamber 13 is closed. The clamping of the hollow chamber profile seal 12 is determined by the Figuren 4A, 4B and 5 explained in more detail.

[0034] Fig. 4A und 4B Show detailed views of the grooves 5, 6 of the two housing parts 2, 3 in the overlap area 11. Fig. 4A shows the groove 5 of housing part 2 and Fig. 4B The groove 6 in the housing part 3 is located in the overlap area 11. Accordingly, the beginning 7 and the end 8 of the groove 5 and the beginning 9 and the end 10 of the groove 6 are arranged side by side in the overlap area 11 with the predetermined length lU. The sealing profile 4 is arranged side by side in contact with each other over at least a portion of the predetermined length lU of the overlap area 11 (see figure). Fig. 6 To clamp the beginning 15 of a hollow chamber profile seal 12, a projection 17 is arranged in the groove 5 of the housing part 2 and a corresponding counterpart 18 on the other housing part 3. (See sectional view.) Fig. 5 along the intersection line V - V in Fig. 4A The clamping of the hollow chamber profile seal 12 between the extension 17 and the counterpart 18 is more clearly visible.

[0035] Furthermore, pressure elements 19, in particular pressure ribs 20, can be arranged between the grooves 6 of a housing part 3 in the overlap area 11, by which the beginning and end of the sealing profile 4 or the hollow chamber profile seal 12 are slightly compressed and thus pressed together in the overlap area 11. This ensures a good seal of the space between the overlapping ends of the sealing profile 4 in the overlap area 11 (see sectional view). Fig. 6 along the intersection line VI - VI in Fig. 4A ).

[0036] A marking 21 can be arranged in the area of ​​the beginning 7 of the groove 5 of the housing part 2. Such a marking 21, which may be formed by a notch or a preferably colored line or the like, indicates to the assembler, when manually inserting the sealing profile 4, where the beginning of the sealing profile 4 should be placed before the sealing profile 4 is inserted into the groove 5. The marking 21 can also be designed for robots and, for example, be detected by cameras.

[0037] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a housing part 2 in the overlap area 11 of the groove 5, where walls 22 are provided to facilitate the insertion of the sealing profile 4. The walls 22 also make it more difficult for the sealing profile 4 to unintentionally protrude from the groove 5 in the overlap area 11.

[0038] Fig. 8Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a housing part 2 or 3 in the area of ​​a curve of the groove 5 or 6 with a wall 23 arranged inside the groove 5 or 6 to facilitate the insertion of the sealing profile 4 (not shown). Such a wall 23 can be particularly helpful when inserting the sealing profile 4 automatically.

[0039] The design of the housing 1 according to the invention facilitates the arrangement of a sealing profile 4 and thus reduces the effort and costs when assembling the housing 1 for electronic components, in particular photovoltaic inverters, which must meet certain protection classes (e.g. IP65).

Claims

1. Housing (1) for electronic components, in particular photovoltaic inverter housing, with at least two interconnectable housing parts (2, 3) and a sealing profile (4) for sealing the interior (I) of the housing (1) against the exterior (A) of the housing (1), which sealing profile (4) is arranged in at least one groove (5, 6) of at least one housing part (2, 3), the at least one groove (5, 6) is formed in at least one housing part (2, 3) in the form of an open section, wherein the beginning (7, 9) and the end (8, 10) of the at least one groove (5, 6) is arranged next to one another in an overlapping area (11) with a predetermined length (lU), and the sealing profile (4) is arranged next to one another in a contacting manner at least over a part of the predetermined length (lU) of the overlapping area (11), and the sealing profile (4) is formed by a hollow chamber profile seal (12) with at least one hollow chamber (13) continuous in the longitudinal direction, wherein the beginning (15) of the hollow chamber profile seal (12) is arranged in the overlapping area (11) towards the outer space (A) of the housing (1) and the end (16) of the hollow chamber profile seal (12) is arranged in the overlapping area (11) towards the inner space (I) of the housing (1), characterized in that the beginning (15) of the hollow chamber profile seal (12) is closed by clamping and the end (16) of the hollow chamber profile seal (12) is open, and the clamping is formed by an extension (17) in a groove (5, 6) of a housing part (2, 3) and by a counterpart (18) on the other housing part (3, 2).

2. Housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing profile (4) is arranged in the at least one groove (5, 6) without adhesion.

3. Housing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the overlapping area (11) is arranged substantially parallel to an exterior of the housing (1) in the overlapping area (11).

4. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a clamping profile (14) is arranged on the opposite side of the at least one hollow chamber (13) of the hollow chamber profile seal (12).

5. Housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one pressure element (19), in particular a pressure bar (20), is arranged between the grooves (5, 6) of a housing part (2, 3) in the overlapping area (11).

6. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the beginning (15) of the hollow chamber profile seal (12) is cut in a stepped manner, so that the part of the hollow chamber profile seal (12) with the at least one hollow chamber (13) protrudes beyond the clamping profile (14).

7. Housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a marking (21) is arranged in the region of the beginning (7, 9) of a groove (5, 6) of a housing part (2, 3).

8. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one groove (5, 6) of at least one housing part (2, 3) is delimited on the outside by a wall (22) in the overlapping area (11).

9. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one groove (5, 6) of at least one housing part (2, 3) is delimited on the inside of a curve by a wall (23).

10. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, when the housing (1) is arranged vertically in a position of use, the beginning (15) of the hollow chamber profile seal (12) is arranged facing downward.

11. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sealing profile (4) can be automatically inserted into a groove (5, 6) of a housing part (2, 3).