Device and method for housing of electrical devices

Abstract

According to a first aspect, a housing (10) for accommodating an electrical circuit (26) comprises a first housing part (20) having a rectangular housing base (22) and a first side wall (24) extending perpendicularly at a first end of the housing base (22); a second housing part (40) having a rectangular housing cover (42) and two mutually parallel second side walls extending perpendicularly from the housing cover at opposite edges of the housing cover (42), wherein the housing base (22) and the housing cover (42) are parallel, and the first side wall (24) is perpendicular to the second side walls, and wherein the housing cover (42) has, at the first end, at least one connecting tab (45) to which the first side wall (24) is mechanically connected or connectable by means of a connecting element (46); and a third housing part (60) which can be fitted on at a second end situated opposite the first end in order to be mechanically connected to each of the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing cover (42).

Description

[0001] Device and method for housings of electrical devices

[0002] The invention relates to a technology for designing a housing for an electrical device. Without being limited thereto, the invention particularly relates to a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit with an optimized mounting connection for sheet metal housing components of electrical devices.

[0003] Housings for electrical devices are subject to diverse requirements. These range from the accommodation of electrical circuitry, the arrangement of electrical and mechanical connections, compliance with relevant safety standards, mechanical stability requirements for the housing, and more. To meet these requirements, a variety of designs are considered, which generally consist of several housing elements and electrical components. The housing elements are manufactured from a variety of materials, including various metal and plastic versions. In particular, a variety of connecting and positioning elements are used to connect the various housing components. Some of these are already part of the housing elements, while others are designed as additional fastening elements.In particular, screws are used as additional fastening elements, which guarantee a high mechanical strength of the connection and can also serve as electrical connecting elements.

[0004] However, the enclosure design described above often results in complex device assembly, especially when there are at least three enclosure components. This is due, among other things, to the multiple fasteners, such as screws, which are used at various points on the enclosure in different orientations, particularly to ensure the required stability of the devices. During manufacturing, it is particularly laborious to install enclosure screws in different assembly directions—i.e., with different rotation axes. This significantly increases the complexity of the assembly process, slows it down, and increases assembly costs.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a technology that realizes a housing for an electrical device that meets the above requirements and has at least three housing parts in a way that is as easy to install and thus as cost-effective as possible. In particular, it is desirable to minimize the number of mounting directions of the screws used, since the assembly effort increases significantly with each additional mounting direction. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Expedient embodiments and advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] Embodiments of the invention, which can be optionally combined with one another, are disclosed below with partial reference to the figures.

[0007] A first aspect relates to a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit. The housing is composed of at least three housing parts. A first housing part comprises a rectangular housing base and a first side wall extending vertically at a first end of the housing base. The housing part can be made of metal, preferably of a metal sheet. The metal sheet can be made of aluminum or steel, for example stainless steel. Alternatively, the housing part can also be made of plastic, for example of a thermoplastic material. This can include the thermoplastics PES, PSU, PC, PPE, PVC, PMMA, PS, SAN, ABS, LCP, PEEK, PA, PET, PA, PBT, POM, TPU, PE and PP. The housing base and the first side wall can be formed as a single piece. For example, the two surfaces can be produced from a single piece of metal by a bending process.

[0008] A second housing part comprises a rectangular housing cover and two second side walls that are parallel to one another and extend perpendicularly from the housing cover at opposite edges of the housing cover. The housing base and the housing cover are arranged parallel. When the first housing part and the second housing part are assembled, the first side wall of the first housing part is arranged perpendicular to the (two) second side walls of the second housing part. The housing cover has at least one connecting tab at its first end, to which the first side wall is or can be mechanically connected by a connecting element. The connecting element can be designed as a screw, a rivet, a clip or in another form. The second housing part can be made of the same metal or of plastic as the first housing part.Furthermore, the three surfaces of the second housing part can be made from one piece of metal by a bending process.

[0009] The housing further comprises a third housing part, which can be plugged onto a second end opposite the first end. The third housing part is intended for mechanical connection to the housing base, the (two) second side walls, and the housing cover. Its material can be made of plastic, preferably of thermoplastic material, more preferably of one of the types mentioned above. The third housing part can be designed as a front and / or control element that accommodates signaling elements and / or connecting elements. Alternatively, it can be made of metal, in particular of a metal of the types mentioned above.

[0010] Advantageously, only one mounting direction is required for the connecting element at the first end, allowing for simple assembly of the housing. For example, the mechanical connection between the first and second housing parts at the second end can be achieved simply by plugging on the third housing part, and the mechanical connection between the first and second housing parts at the first end can be achieved by mounting in one mounting direction.

[0011] In each embodiment, the connecting element can be designed as a screw. The screw can be a secured screw. This can, for example, enable UL approval (according to "Underwriters Laboratories") for the device. It can then be designed as a combination screw. Alternatively, the screw can also be designed as a countersunk head screw if a secured design of the screw is not necessary or if the screw head is undesirable due to space constraints. The housing cover can have at least two connecting tabs at the first end. The mounting direction of both screws can be identical. Furthermore, the first housing part, the second housing part, and the third housing part can each be designed as an integral one-piece.

[0012] For example, the housing cover can have at least two connecting tabs at the first end, each of which is designed to receive a screw in a mounting direction, wherein the mounting direction of the screws is identical.

[0013] This advantageously allows a reliable connection of the two housing parts to be achieved, whereby both safety aspects and design aspects can be taken into account by using different types of screws.

[0014] The first side wall can have at least one recess at its first end. This recess is designed to accommodate one of the connecting tabs of the housing cover. Accordingly, if there are two connecting tabs, two recesses can be designed to accommodate one connecting tab each. Optionally, the recess can be designed such that the connecting tabs are arranged flush with the first side wall on the outside.

[0015] This advantageously ensures a compact housing design with flat outer surfaces. The first housing part and the second housing part can each be electrically conductive. Furthermore, the connecting tab of the second housing part can be electrically conductively connected to the first side wall of the first housing part. This can be improved by using a conductive connecting element if it mechanically connects the connecting tab to the first side wall without electrical insulation.

[0016] Advantageously, an electrical potential difference between the first housing part and the second housing part can be avoided and separate earthing measures for the housing parts can be omitted.

[0017] Furthermore, the second side walls can be flush with opposite edges of the housing base. Alternatively or additionally, the first side wall can be flush with an edge of the housing top at the first end. Alternatively or additionally, at the first end, one edge of each of the opposite second side walls can abut an edge of the first side wall.

[0018] This advantageously increases the mechanical stability of the housing, while at the same time achieving a large-area electrical contact that shields the electrical circuit arranged in the housing from external electromagnetic influences in a type of Faraday cage.

[0019] The housing base can have eyelets that protrude in the plane of the housing base at opposite edges of the housing base. Furthermore, the second side walls can each have at least one finger that engages or can be inserted into one of the eyelets. Finally, the eyelets can optionally be flush with the second side walls on the outside.

[0020] This advantageously further increases the mechanical stability of the housing, particularly the fixation of the side panels relative to the housing base. At the same time, the electrical contact between the side panels and the housing base is improved, ensuring that it remains intact even if the housing is twisted.

[0021] The at least one finger can be arranged outside a plane of the respective second side wall. Furthermore, one of the eyelets of the housing base can be arranged in a recess in the respective second side wall corresponding to the finger.

[0022] This advantageously prevents bulges on the opposite edges of the housing base and achieves a flat housing edge.

[0023] The mechanical connection of the third housing part to the housing base, the second side walls, and the housing cover can be designed without a separate connecting element. For example, it can be screwless, rivetless, or clipless.

[0024] Advantageously, assembly can be simplified by using only a few fastening elements, although the installation of additional fastening elements would obviously require additional assembly directions, which would entail additional assembly effort.

[0025] The second side walls can each have at least one punched bridge at the second end, into which guide retaining pins projecting from the third housing part engage or can be inserted. Furthermore, the housing cover can have at least one punched bridge at the second end, into which a guide retaining pin projecting from the third housing part engages or can be inserted. The punched bridges can point into the interior of the housing. The projecting guide retaining pins can have an arrow-shaped form that becomes more pronounced towards the third housing part.

[0026] This advantageously allows a stable fixation between the connected housing parts to be achieved, which is cost-effective to implement and, moreover, does not disturb the housing surface with mechanically protruding parts.

[0027] The third housing part, also called the front cap, can have circumferentially arranged projecting locking elements. These can serve as a mechanical connection at the second end to the housing base, the second side walls, and the housing cover. The locking elements are designed as molded portions of the front cap, which are produced in a single operation and therefore also contain the same material as the front cap. Production can be carried out using an injection molding process.

[0028] Advantageously, connecting elements can thus be provided which do not require any additional work step for their production.

[0029] The locking elements of the third housing part, the front cap, can engage at the second end in openings in the housing base, the second side walls, and the housing cover. The locking elements engage in the openings in the housing base, the second side walls, and the housing cover. The openings can be punched out. When they engage, a tensile connection to the third housing part is created, which securely fixes the guide pins, spacer pins, and retaining tabs in the housing base, the second side walls, and the housing cover. Optionally, one of the openings can be arranged between each two adjacent punch bridges. This advantageously allows the intended positioning of the third housing part, combined with a stable positioning of the other housing parts, to be achieved without the use of a screw connection. The arrangement of the openings between two adjacent punch bridges advantageously further increases the mechanical strength.

[0030] A circuit board for the electrical circuit can be mounted or attachable parallel to the housing base. Optionally, the circuit board can be configured to provide the power supply. The third housing section can have at least two spacer pins that engage or can be inserted into a gap between the circuit board and the housing base.

[0031] This allows a safe distance to be maintained between the circuit board and the housing base of the first housing section. Alternatively or additionally, an insulating foil can be placed in the gap between the circuit board and the housing base for electrical safety.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the third housing part can be secured by clamping at least two spacer pins between the circuit board and the housing base. Optionally, the spacer pins can also position the insulation foil located beneath the circuit board at a predetermined distance from the circuit board.

[0033] Advantageously, the circuit board can be mounted unobstructed on the housing base without having to consider other housing components that might interfere with the assembly. Another advantage is that the minimum clearance between the circuit board and the housing base can be supported, as well as the minimum distance between the circuit board and the insulation foil.

[0034] The third housing part can have retaining tabs which rest on the outside of the housing base of the first housing part and / or on the outside of the second side walls of the second housing part.

[0035] This makes it advantageous to cover the screw connection of the circuit board on the bottom of the housing from the outside.

[0036] The second side walls can each have ventilation openings. These can optionally cover more than half of the respective second side wall.

[0037] This allows the waste heat from the circuit board to be dissipated without heat build-up.

[0038] A power supply (technically also called "Power Supply Unit" or PSU) with a

[0039] Housing according to the designs described above can be extended by a

[0040] An overcurrent protection device (also known as a "circuit breaker" or CB, for example a power circuit breaker) and / or components for an uninterruptible power supply (or UPS) can be added. The components can also be arranged in the housing. Accordingly, the dimensions of the housing side walls for a PSU without a CB and / or UPS can differ from the dimensions of the housing side walls for a PSU with a CB and / or UPS. In other words, the side walls of the housing and consequently also the front panel are larger, so that, for example, additional circuit boards and / or components can be arranged parallel to the power supply board. The front panel can also have additional cutouts into which additional control elements or electrical connections can be arranged.

[0041] A second aspect relates to a set of multiple power supplies. Each power supply can comprise a housing according to the first aspect, for example, with a uniformly dimensioned housing base and / or uniformly dimensioned housing ceiling. The set comprises at least one power supply, which is supplemented in the housing by an overcurrent protection device and / or components for an uninterruptible power supply. The dimensions of the first and second side walls of the housing of the at least one power supply with an overcurrent protection device or components for an uninterruptible power supply are larger than the dimensions of the first and second side walls of the housing of a power supply in the set without an overcurrent protection device or without components for an uninterruptible power supply.

[0042] Advantageously, according to 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 for electrical devices with different components (e.g., a PSU without a CB and without a UPS, a PSU with a CB and without a UPS, a PSU without a CB and with a UPS, a PSU with a CB and with a UPS).

[0043] A third aspect relates to a method for producing a housing according to the first aspect (for example in one of the embodiments described above). The method can comprise a step of providing the housing. In the method, the mounting direction of all screws used is identical. For example, the mounting direction of the screws can be horizontal. It can serve for the screwed connection of the first housing part and the second housing part. Both housing parts can be brought together in a vertical mounting direction. Even when using the large side parts (i.e. the side walls of the second housing part) for mounting additional components of the overcurrent protection device (CB) and / or the uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the mounting direction can be maintained. Furthermore, two screws can be mounted, which can also have different designs.However, one screw or three screws can also be screwed in the mounting direction of the screws.

[0044] This advantageously allows simplified assembly of the housing, since a single screw mounting direction in particular keeps the complexity of the assembly to a minimum.

[0045] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings using preferred embodiments which can be optionally combined with one another.

[0046] They show:

[0047] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a housing for accommodating an electrical circuit;

[0048] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a first and a second housing part, which are designed as a housing base and a housing cover;

[0049] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a third housing part designed as a front cap;

[0050] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the first, second and third housing parts;

[0051] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a method for producing a housing.

[0052] Herein, features shown or described in various embodiments are interchangeable with the same or expanded reference numerals.

[0053] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a housing, designated 10, for accommodating an electrical circuit. Figure 1 is an exploded view. The housing is shown essentially from the front, with a side section.

[0054] The housing 10 comprises a first housing part 20 with a rectangular housing base 22 and a first side wall 24 with a rectangular basic shape extending vertically from a first end of the housing base 22. The first housing part 20 thus has an L-shaped character. The first housing part 20 is made of aluminum, but can alternatively also be made of other metals or non-metals, as already explained above. The housing base is intended to accommodate at least one circuit board for an electrical circuit. Fig. 1 also shows a second housing part 40 with a rectangular housing cover 42 and two mutually parallel second side walls extending vertically from the housing cover 42 at opposite edges. The side walls also have a rectangular basic shape. The housing base 22 and the housing cover 42 are arranged parallel to one another when the housing is assembled.The first side wall 24 of the first housing part 20 is arranged perpendicular to the second side walls in the assembled state of the housing. The housing cover 42 has two connecting tabs 45 at its first end, to which the first side wall 24 is or can be mechanically connected by connecting elements (for example, reference numeral 46 in Fig. 2). The second housing part 40 is made of the same material as the first housing part 20. Accordingly, with electrically conductive materials such as aluminum, a low-resistance electrical connection can be established by a screw connection, which can serve, in particular, as a reliable electrical ground connection.

[0055] The connecting tabs 45 are preferably arranged and designed such that the connecting elements can be mounted in a uniform (ie identical) mounting direction 12 for the mechanical connection of the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 40.

[0056] Finally, Fig. 1 shows a third housing part 60, which can also be referred to as a front cap. This can be plugged onto a second end of the housing base 22, opposite the first end. It serves for the mechanical connection to the housing base 22, the second side walls, and the housing cover 42. The material of the third housing part 60 is often not electrically conductive. It is preferably made of plastic, for example, a thermoplastic material. This is also advantageous for the various projections of the actual front cap in the form of pins, tabs, and elements, which can be manufactured together with the actual front flap in a single injection molding process using the same material.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first and a second housing part, which are designed as a housing base and a housing cover. The housing parts are shown in a moderately exploded view in which the housing parts partially touch each other. The view is one with essentially lateral and rear sections. The housing cover 42 has at least two connecting tabs 45 at its first end. Two connecting elements 46 are shown, which are designed as screws. One screw 46 is designed as a UL-certified safety screw with a raised screw head, which is also referred to as a round-head screw. The second screw 46 is designed as a countersunk head screw, which does not protrude beyond the connecting tab 45 when assembled. The assembly direction of both screws 46 is identical. The first housing part 20, the second housing part 40 and the third housing part 60 are each designed as a single, integral piece.

[0058] The first housing part 20, the second housing part 40, and the screws 46 are each electrically conductive. The connecting tabs 45 of the second housing part are electrically connected to the first side wall 24 of the first housing part. This connection is designed with low resistance and can act as a ground connection, as already explained.

[0059] The second side walls of the second housing part 40 are flush with opposite edges of the housing base 22. Additionally, at the first end, the first side wall 24 is flush with an edge of the housing cover 42. Finally, at the first end, one edge of each of the opposite second side walls rests against an edge of the first side wall 24.

[0060] The housing base 22 has eyelets 23 that protrude in the plane of the housing base 22 at opposite edges of the housing base 22. The second side walls each have at least one finger 25 that engages or can be inserted into one of the eyelets 23. In some embodiments, the eyelets 23 are arranged on the outside flush with the second side walls.

[0061] The at least one finger 25 is arranged outside a plane of the respective second side wall in Fig. 2. Each of the eyelets 23 of the housing base 22 is arranged in a recess in the respective second side wall corresponding to the finger 25. Accordingly, the fingers 25 engage the eyelets 23 of the housing base 22 during assembly of the first housing part 20 with the second housing part 40.

[0062] The third housing part 60 is connected to the housing base 22, the second side walls, and the housing cover 42 without screws. Instead, the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 40 provide various receptacles for pins, tabs, and other elements of the third housing part 60 for fastening the third housing part, as explained in more detail below.

[0063] The second side walls each have two punched bridges 44 at their second ends, into which guide retaining pins 62 projecting from the third housing part engage or can be inserted. Alternatively, different embodiments with one or three punched bridges 44 may also exist. Furthermore, the housing cover 42 has at least one punched bridge 44 at its second end, into which a guide retaining pin 62 projecting from the third housing part engages or can be inserted. Alternatively, different embodiments with one or three punched bridges 44 may exist. The punched bridges have, at least in sections, a recess parallel to the surface of the punched-out housing part. Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a third housing part 60, which is designed as a front cap. The illustration shows the interior of the third housing part 60.The third housing part 60 has circumferentially arranged locking elements 64 for mechanically connecting at the second end to the housing base 22, the second side walls, and the housing cover 42. The locking elements 64 have various designs. The locking elements 64 for the second side walls and the housing cover 42 are larger than the locking element 64 for the housing base 22. Furthermore, they are each arranged centrally. All locking elements 64 are inserted into the housing, i.e., into the space between the housing base 22, the second side walls, and the housing cover 42. They have outwardly facing locking lugs that engage from the inside of the housing into the openings provided in the housing base 22, the second side walls, and the housing cover 42. The locking lugs are arranged within a circumferential projection for flush connection to the housing base 22, the second side walls, and the housing cover 42, and are connected to the latter.

[0064] The locking elements 64 of the third housing part 60 engage at the second end in openings in the housing base 22, the second side walls, and the housing cover 42. Alternatively or additionally, one of the openings can optionally be arranged between each two adjacent punch bridges 44. In particular, one opening is arranged between each two adjacent punch bridges 44 at the second side walls and the housing cover 42, which opening is designed for the larger locking elements 64. An opening for the smaller locking element 64 is arranged in the housing base 22.

[0065] A circuit board 70 of the electrical circuit 26 is fastened or can be fastened parallel to the housing base 22. In exemplary embodiments, the circuit board 70 can optionally be designed for power supply. The third housing part 60 has at least two spacer pins 68 that engage or can be inserted into a gap between the circuit board 70 and the housing base 22. This maintains a safety distance between the circuit board 70 and the housing base 22 of the first housing part 20 or creates a gap between the circuit board 70 and the housing base 22 in which an insulating film can be accommodated without pressure damage. Optionally, in exemplary embodiments, the spacer pins (68) can arrange an insulating film (not shown) arranged beneath the circuit board 70 at a predetermined distance from the circuit board 70.

[0066] The third housing part 60 further comprises two retaining tabs 66, which rest on the outside of the housing base 22 of the first housing part 20 and / or on the outside of the second side walls of the second housing part 40 (not shown). The retaining tabs 66 are rectangular in shape. They are designed to cover screw connections. This can, for example, concern the outer housing cover of a screw connection of the circuit board on the housing base.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the first, second, and third housing parts. The first and second housing parts are joined together, and the third housing part is in its insertion position. The second side walls each have ventilation openings 48. These are formed as discontinuous strips and arranged diagonally on the second side walls. They comprise an area of ​​more than half of the respective second side wall.

[0068] A power supply can be arranged in the housing 10, comprising a circuit board for the power supply and the associated circuit elements (electronic components), see above. In exemplary embodiments, the power supply can be supplemented by an overcurrent protection device (technically known as a "circuit breaker", CB) and / or components for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which are also arranged in the housing. Such a module is then screwed into the second housing part 40 (not shown). The dimensions of the side walls of the housing for a power supply without a CB module or UPS module differ from the dimensions of the side walls of the housing for a power supply with a CB or UPS.In particular, the side walls of the housing are larger in their extension perpendicular to the housing base 22 and the housing ceiling 42, while the side wall extension parallel to the housing base 22 and the housing ceiling 42 remains constant. Thus, a correspondingly dimensioned, larger third housing part is also used.

[0069] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a method 100 for manufacturing a housing 10 in one of the embodiments described above. The method 100 comprises providing 102 the housing parts 20 and 40 (and optionally 60) and assembling 104 at least the housing parts 20 and 40 with an identical assembly direction 12 of all screws 46 used.

[0070] For example, the mounting direction of the screws 46 can be horizontal and / or parallel and, for example, connect the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 40 to one another.

[0071] In other words, an improved assembly connection for sheet metal housing components of electrical devices is described. It can be considered state of the art that a wide variety of housing concepts for power supplies exist, including for use in control cabinets in mechanical engineering. Key requirements in this area include a space-saving, cost-effective, and robust design. The housing material is predominantly made of metal, plastic, or a combination of both. This depends on the usually high electrical, mechanical, and thermal requirements. Particularly when the requirements for all three areas (electrical, mechanical, thermal) are high, the housing design becomes complex. Consequently, the manufacturing effort and production costs increase due to the large number of assembly connections (especially screws) and assembly steps.

[0072] Accordingly, a production- and cost-optimized, robust housing connection with reduced assembly directions and screw count is desirable. A first housing part 20 (base assembly) consists of an L-shaped metal housing 20 (e.g. made of aluminum), to which at least one circuit board 70 (printed circuit board) can be screwed. To protect the electronics, a U-shaped second housing part 40 (metal cover) is plugged onto the first housing part 20. For a secure ground connection, the second housing part 40 (metal cover) is connected to the first housing part 20 (base assembly) in the rear area via two tabs, each with a screw. Finally, the screwed together first housing part 20 and second housing part 40 (metal housing) are firmly connected and closed via a snap-in third housing part 60 (front cap) in the front area.What's special about this is that this occurs screwlessly via circumferentially arranged locking elements 64, as well as guide pins 62 and spacer pins 68 in the third housing part 60 (front cap). The interaction of the various elements ensures a stable and robust housing connection.

[0073] The third housing part 60 (front cap) has at least two spacer pins 68, which, when assembled, sit firmly between the printed circuit board 70 and the first housing part 20 (metal housing). At least one or a maximum of two punched bridges 44 can be provided on each side of the U-shaped second housing part 40 (metal hood), where the correspondingly arranged guide pins 62 are inserted from the third housing part 60 (front cap).

[0074] Furthermore, the third housing part 60 (front cap) is characterized by two retaining tabs 66 that engage the first housing part (metal housing) from the outside. Alternatively or additionally, the third housing part 60 (i.e., the front cap) has at least one locking element 64 on each side.

[0075] Additionally, the housing can accommodate multiple modules. The circuit board 70 (e.g., as the base module) alone is the actual power supply. Within the housing, the circuit board 70 (e.g., the base module) is available with an overcurrent protection device (technically known as a "circuit breaker" or CB) or a module for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This module can be mounted (e.g., screwed) in the second housing section 40 (i.e., the U-shaped section).

[0076] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or module in the housing to the teachings of the invention. Consequently, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but encompasses all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0077] List of reference symbols

[0078] 10 housings

[0079] 12 Mounting direction

[0080] 20 First housing part

[0081] 22 Case back

[0082] 23 eyelets

[0083] 24 First side wall

[0084] 25 fingers

[0085] 26 Electrical circuit

[0086] 40 Second housing part

[0087] 42 Housing cover

[0088] 44 Punching bridge

[0089] 45 connecting straps

[0090] 46 Fastening element, e.g. screw

[0091] 47 recesses

[0092] 48 ventilation openings

[0093] 60 Third housing part

[0094] 62 Guide retaining pin

[0095] 64 locking elements

[0096] 66 retaining tabs

[0097] 68 spacer pins

[0098] 70 circuit boards

[0099] 100 Methods for manufacturing a housing

[0100] 102 Providing the housing part

[0101] 104 Assembly with identical mounting direction of all screws used

Claims

Patent claims 1. Housing (10) for receiving an electrical circuit (26), composed of at least: a first housing part (20) with a rectangular housing base (22) and a first side wall (24) extending perpendicularly at a first end of the housing base (22); a second housing part (40) with a rectangular housing top (42) and two second side walls parallel to each other, extending perpendicularly from the housing top (42) at opposite edges of the housing top (42), wherein the housing base (22) and the housing top (42) are parallel, and the first side wall (24) is perpendicular to the second side walls, and wherein the housing top (42) has at least one connecting tab (45) at its first end, to which the first side wall (24) is mechanically connected or connectable by a connecting element (46);and a third housing part (60) which can be attached to a second end opposite the first end for mechanical connection with the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing top (42).

2. Housing (10) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element (46) is designed as a screw, and wherein the housing cover (42) has at least two connecting tabs (45) at the first end, each designed to receive a screw (46) in a mounting direction (12), wherein the mounting direction (12) of the at least two screws (46) is identical, and / or wherein the first housing part (20), the second housing part (40) and / or the third housing part (60) are each integrally formed in one piece.

3. Housing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side wall (24) has at least one recess (47) at the first end for receiving a connecting tab (45) of the housing top (42), optionally wherein the connecting tab (45) is flush with the outside of the first side wall.

4. Housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first housing part (20) and the second housing part (40) are each electrically conductive, and wherein the connecting tab (45) of the second housing part is electrically conductively connected to the first side wall (24) of the first housing part.

5. Housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second side walls are flush with opposite edges of the housing base (22), and / or wherein at the first end the first side wall (24) is flush with an edge of the housing top (42) closes flush, and / or wherein at the first end an edge of the opposite second side walls abuts an edge of the first side wall (24).

6. Housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing base (22) has eyelets (23) which protrude in the plane of the housing base (22) at opposite edges of the housing base (22), and wherein the second side walls each have at least one finger (25) which engages or can be inserted into one of the eyelets (23), optionally wherein the eyelets (23) are flush with the outside of the second side walls.

7. Housing (10) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one finger (25) is arranged outside a plane of the respective second side wall, and wherein one of the eyelets (23) of the housing base (22) is arranged in a recess of the respective second side wall corresponding to the finger (25).

8. Housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mechanical connection of the third housing part (60) to the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing top (42) is screwless.

9. Housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second side walls each have at least one stamped bridge (44) at the second end into which guide retaining pins (62) projecting from the third housing part engage or can be inserted, and / or wherein the housing top (42) has at least one stamped bridge (44) at the second end into which a guide retaining pin (62) projecting from the third housing part engages or can be inserted.

10. Housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the third housing part (60) has circumferentially arranged locking elements (64) for mechanical connection at the second end with the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing top (42).

11. Housing (10) according to claim 10, wherein the locking elements (64) of the third housing part (60) engage at the second end in openings of the housing base (22), the second side walls and the housing top (42), optionally wherein one of the openings is arranged between two adjacent punching bridges (44).

12. Housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a circuit board (70) of the electrical circuit (26) is attached or attachable parallel to the housing base (22), optionally wherein the circuit board (70) is designed to provide power, and wherein the third housing part (60) has at least two spacer pins (68) which engage or can be inserted into a gap between the circuit board (70) and the housing base (22) so that a safety distance is maintained between the circuit board (70) and the housing base (22) of the first housing part (20), optionally wherein the spacer pins (68) position an insulating film arranged under the circuit board (70) at a predetermined distance from the circuit board (70).

13. Housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the third housing part (60) has retaining tabs (66) which are located on the outside of the housing base (22) of the first housing part (20) and / or on the outside of the second side walls of the second housing part (40).

14. Housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second side walls each have ventilation openings (48), optionally with a surface area of ​​more than half of the respective second side wall.

15. Set of several power supplies, wherein each power supply comprises a housing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 with a uniformly dimensioned housing base (22) and / or uniformly dimensioned housing top (42), wherein the set comprises at least one power supply which is supplemented in the housing (10) by an overcurrent protection device and / or components for uninterruptible power supply, and the dimensions of the first and second side walls of the housing (10) of the at least one power supply with overcurrent protection device or components for uninterruptible power supply are larger than the dimensions of the first and second side walls of the housing (10) of a power supply of the set without overcurrent protection device or without components for uninterruptible power supply.

16. Method (100) for manufacturing a housing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein one mounting direction (12) of all screws (46) used is identical.

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