Housing for an electric device and method for producing same

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (1A-1F) for an electric device (2), said housing being at least partly made of a material that comprises a plastic which is a polymer secondary raw material and / or a biodegradable polymer and / or a bio-based polymer.

Description

[0001] Housing for an electrical device and method for its manufacture

[0002] The invention relates to a housing for an electrical device according to claim 1, an electrical device with such a housing, a method for producing a housing for an electrical device and a method for producing such an electrical device.

[0003] Housings for electrical devices have established themselves as particularly important in the electrical engineering industry, where they hold, for example and in particular, electronic components, populated circuit boards and / or cables, such as electrical cables, photonic conductors, and even conductor tracks worn out on a circuit carrier, in or in various positions. These are typically intended to meet the high requirements for intended use customary in the industrial sector. They are, for example and in particular, designed and constructed to protect the electronic components, populated circuit boards and / or cables arranged on or in the housing, which serves, for example, as the base body, from the effects of external environmental influences.Furthermore, they should regularly ensure functional reliability over a long service life, as is typical for equipment in the industrial sector, as well as trouble-free operation of a system with the housing. At the same time, they should not pose any health risks.

[0004] GB 2 401 084 A describes a printer housing made of a biodegradable material, namely water-soluble cellulose. The disadvantage is that a wax paper coating is required for water protection, which makes production complex, and due to the mechanical properties of the material, only a relatively small portion of the printer housing can be manufactured this way.

[0005] Housings for electrical devices, such as the printer housings mentioned above, are typically made of polymer or metal. Polymers have established themselves very early in the industrial sector as cost-effective and easily moldable materials for a variety of applications and applications, covering a very wide range of potential uses. However, the problem with plastic materials is that they can pose a significant environmental impact.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve the environmental impact of a housing for an electrical device and its production. This object is achieved by an object having the features of claim 1.

[0007] Accordingly, a housing is provided, in particular for an electrical device, which is at least partially made of a material comprising a plastic which is a polymeric secondary raw material and / or is a bio-based polymer (e.g. made from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas and / or liquids and / or general reactants) and / or is a biodegradable polymer.

[0008] This is based on choosing from a selection of plastics that can be used alone or in combination to increase the environmental compatibility of a housing or to reduce its environmental impact. This enables a housing with a significantly improved environmental balance. The invention solves its stated problem by a materials-based approach to reducing environmental impact. To solve the problem, the invention moves away from an approach that reduces the use of a polymer obtained from a fossil raw material simply by changing the geometry of the housing in order to use fossil raw materials to a lesser extent. Furthermore, the invention moves away from the approach of replacing a plastic material with another material such as a metal.

[0009] This is achieved by providing a selection of plastics that are recyclable and / or made from renewable resources and / or biodegradable. The selection is thus not limited to any one of the aforementioned plastics, meaning they can also be combined with one another.

[0010] The material can consist of at least one of the aforementioned plastics, but can also contain other material additives, such as additives or other polymers or polymer components. Furthermore, composite materials can also be used for the material. Furthermore, it is possible to mix the aforementioned plastics with other components, such as additives or primary polymers.

[0011] The housing described herein not only makes it possible to noticeably reduce environmental pollution, but also to significantly lessen the burden on raw material resources. Furthermore, the housing can meet the sometimes high requirements for its usability, e.g. with regard to electrical breakdown safety, fire protection and / or electrical insulation, which are usually achieved with primary materials. Optionally, the material comprises several different plastics. Each of the several different plastics can be a polymeric secondary raw material and / or made from renewably and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts and / or be biodegradable. For example, the material comprises a polymeric secondary raw material and a renewable raw material. Or the material comprises a polymeric secondary raw material and a biodegradable raw material.Or the material comprises a renewable raw material and a biodegradable raw material. Or the material comprises a polymeric secondary raw material and a renewable raw material and a biodegradable raw material. Optionally, one and the same plastic in the material can be both a polymeric secondary raw material and a renewable raw material. Or one and the same plastic can be both a polymeric secondary raw material and a biodegradable raw material. Or one and the same plastic can be both a renewable raw material and a biodegradable raw material. Or one and the same plastic can be both a polymeric secondary raw material and a renewable raw material and a biodegradable raw material. This makes it possible to provide particularly environmentally friendly housings.

[0012] The housing can therefore be made from several different materials, each of which can comprise a plastic that is a polymeric secondary raw material, made from renewably and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts, and / or is biodegradable. This makes it possible to create a housing that is both environmentally friendly and particularly well-adapted to application-specific requirements. For example, the housing has a first housing part or a first housing section made of a first such material and a second housing part or a second housing section made of a first such material. The housing sections can be connected to one another in a form-fitting or material-fitting manner.

[0013] The polymeric secondary raw material can be a conventional and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic. Conventionally recycled thermoplastics are, for example, mechanically recycled and / or produced by melting. Conventionally recycled thermoplastics typically differ from corresponding primary, i.e., non-recycled thermoplastics in their correspondingly shorter polymer chains. Conventionally recycled materials regularly differ from standard materials in their additional thermal stress, as the polymers are typically melted at least once more than the original standard material. If additional granulation processes are planned before the second processing / use, the additional thermal stress / damage can be further exacerbated. Certificates for a reduced CO2 content are typically issued for chemically recycled materials.Usually, this allows a corresponding CO2 reduction to be claimed retrospectively.

[0014] For example, the material consists of at least 25 wt.% of the plastic, which is a conventionally and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic, in particular at least 50 wt.% or even 100 wt.%. This enables a substantial improvement in the environmental balance, the so-called CCh footprint of the material.

[0015] Optionally, the polymeric secondary raw material is a conventionally recycled thermoplastic, which can be an engineering thermoplastic. For example, the polymeric secondary raw material is a conventionally recycled thermoplastic and / or selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene. These materials enable particularly good properties for many applications.

[0016] Optionally, the material consists of 10 to 100 wt.% (or 10 to 80 wt.%) of the plastic produced from renewably and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts. This allows for a particularly resource-efficient housing.

[0017] For example, the plastic of the material is made from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts, with the renewable raw material being selected from sugar, starch, protein, cellulose, lignin, fat, and / or vegetable oil, especially castor oil. This generally includes regeneratively or biologically produced synthesis gases and synthesis liquids that are used as educts for the plastic formulation (e.g., biogas, biomethanol, bioliquids, organic waste, etc.). This enables an environmentally friendly yet robust housing.

[0018] The plastic of the material can be made from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / reactants and can be in the form of polylactide, polyhydroxyalkanoate, cellulose derivatives, especially cellulose esters or cellulose butyrate, polyethylene, starch derivatives, polyamide 4.6, or polycarbonate. This also enables an environmentally friendly yet robust housing.

[0019] The plastic used for the material is optionally biodegradable and can be in the form of polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactide, starch blend, or polyester. This allows the housing to be easily composted after use, optionally with the inclusion of composting additives. This makes disposal particularly environmentally friendly.

[0020] The housing can also feature a mounting point for a component. Optionally, the mounting point is permanently connected to the rest of the housing via a predetermined breaking point. This allows the component to be easily removed before recycling, ensuring optimal recycling of the housing material.

[0021] In one embodiment, the housing is designed as a printer housing. The housing can have an opening. The opening can be designed and configured for the insertion and / or removal of a printing medium. The printing medium can be a film, a plate, a strip, or a label. The printing medium can be rigid.

[0022] According to one aspect, an electrical device is provided. The electrical device comprises the housing according to any embodiment described herein. The electrical device may comprise one or more electrical and / or electronic components arranged in and / or on the housing. The housing may be designed as a conductor carrier for conductors and, for example, comprise an electrical component in the form of a conductor.

[0023] The electrical device includes, for example, a printing unit for printing on a printing medium. As already mentioned, the printing medium can be a film, a plate, a strip, or a label. The printing medium can be rigid.

[0024] The electrical device can further comprise a media holder. The media holder is designed and configured, for example, to hold and / or convey the print medium during printing by the printing unit. The media holder and the printing unit can be configured such that rigid print media can be printed. For example, the electrical device comprises an input magazine and an output magazine for the rigid print media.

[0025] In one embodiment, the media holder and / or the printing unit are designed such that plastic- or metal-based rigid printing media in the form of plates, strips or signs can be printed.

[0026] One or more movable parts can be arranged in or on the housing of the device. Optionally, the movable part(s) is / are also at least partially made of a material comprising a plastic that is a polymeric secondary raw material, is made of renewably and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquid reactants, and / or is biodegradable. In particular, the movable part(s) can be made of the same material as the housing. This enables an even further improved environmental balance and also simplified production.

[0027] Optionally, at least one component arranged in or on the housing, in particular an electrical and / or electronic component, is secured to the housing via a predetermined breaking point. This allows for easy removal of the component and quick and easy separation of the device during recycling.

[0028] According to one aspect, a method for producing a housing, in particular for an electrical device, is specified. The method comprises providing a material that comprises a plastic, wherein the plastic is (or will be) produced by recycling a thermoplastic, is (or will be) produced from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts and / or is (or will be) biodegradable, and forming the housing at least partially, optionally completely, from the material. With regard to the advantages, reference is made to the above information on the housing. The method can be used to produce the housing according to any embodiment described herein.

[0029] To manufacture the housing, a selection can be made from a variety of polymers, in particular polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polyphenylene oxide, styrene acrylonitrile, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyacetal, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyarylates, polysulfones, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ketone, polyimides, polyetherimide, polyphthalamide, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone and / or polyamide, e.g. PA 66.

[0030] Optionally, the plastic is produced through chemical recycling of a thermoplastic. This enables particularly high performance and quality of the plastic while simultaneously achieving a particularly good environmental impact. Alternative or additional conventional recycling may include shredding. Chemical recycling includes, for example, solvolysis, depolymerization, pyrolysis, and / or gasification. This allows for the production of particularly high-quality recycled thermoplastics.

[0031] According to one aspect, a method for producing a (particularly electronic) device is provided. The method comprises producing a housing according to the method described above in any desired configuration and arranging one or more (e.g., electrical and / or electronic) components in the housing.

[0032] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show:

[0033] Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an electrical device in the form of a printer with a housing;

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a method for producing a housing for an electrical

[0035] device and the electrical device;

[0036] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of another electrical device in the form of a printer with a housing;

[0037] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a housing in the form of a

[0038] input magazine;

[0039] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of another electrical device in the form of a battery module with a housing;

[0040] Fig. 6 is a schematic view of another electrical device in the form of a power supply with a housing; and

[0041] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of another electrical device for

[0042] Mounting on a mounting rail.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows an electrical device 2 in the form of a printer for printing on printing media 3. Fig. 1 shows an arrangement of the electrical device 2 with a printing medium 3. The electrical device 2 comprises a housing 1A. The housing 1A is generally made at least partially from a material comprising a plastic which (a) is a polymeric secondary raw material and / or (b) is made from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts and / or (c) is biodegradable.

[0044] The polymeric secondary raw material is, for example, a conventionally (e.g., mechanically and / or by melting) and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic. The material consists, for example, of at least 25 wt.% of the polymeric secondary raw material. The polymeric secondary raw material can be an engineering thermoplastic, in particular polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, or polypropylene. Thermoplastics have the advantageous property of good formability and processability, as they can, for example, soften to the point of flow through the application of heat, making them easily moldable. After a cooling phase, they become solid again and retain their shape.

[0045] Industrial plastic waste is often available in large quantities and is often sorted by type, which minimizes sorting or cleaning effort and makes it immediately available for recycling. For example, it can be shredded and then reused to form the 1A housing.

[0046] Furthermore, the material can consist of 10 to 100 wt.% of the plastic produced from renewably and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts. The renewable raw material can be sugar, starch, protein, cellulose, lignin, fat, and / or vegetable oil. In particular, the renewable raw material can be castor oil. Bio-based polymers are also referred to as technical biopolymers and can be produced from biogenic raw materials, preferably renewable plant raw materials. Biowaste can also be used for this purpose, thereby further increasing or improving sustainability. Available renewable raw materials include, for example, and in particular, rapeseed and corn, which are available or can be cultivated in large quantities. A bio-based polymer that is also biodegradable is particularly environmentally friendly.Examples of bio-based polymers are polybutyrate adipate terephthalate (PBAT), so-called starch-based biodegradable blends or polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), cellulose derivatives, e.g. cellulose esters (CA) and cellulose butyrate (CAB), so-called biodegradable polyesters as well as starch derivatives. They also include bio-polyethylene and can correspond to the properties of a conventional polyethylene based on a fossil raw material (primary polymer). Furthermore, the plastic of the material can be biodegradable and be present in the form of, for example, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactide, starch blend or polyester. A biodegradable portion of the material can be detected by carbon detection. A material is biodegradable in particular if the degradation in question occurs through a chemical process in which microorganisms present in the environment convert the material into natural substances such as, for example,It converts it into water, carbon dioxide, and compost (notably, artificial additives are not required). The biodegradation process depends on environmental conditions (e.g., location or temperature), the material, and the application. Biodegradable polymers include PBAT, PLA, and PHA.

[0047] Biodegradable plastics can be enhanced with additional properties using additives based on fossil or renewable raw materials, allowing for additional, possibly specific material properties compared to conventional polymers, such as desired labeling and / or printability, light resistance, water vapor permeability, or even biodegradability. These polymers thus open up a broad spectrum of applications through specific adaptation of the material.

[0048] In the example of Fig. 1, the material of the housing 1 A consists of recycled starch blend.

[0049] The housing 1A has an outer wall 10 defining an interior space. A plurality of electrical components 20 are arranged in the interior space. In the example shown, the electrical components 20 are arranged in the housing 1A in the form of a circuit board with a plurality of electronic components. Furthermore, a printing unit 21 is arranged in the housing 1A, by means of which the printing medium 3 can be printed. The printing unit 21 is optionally movably mounted in the housing 1A, for example, in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the printing medium 3 in the housing 1A. The printing unit 21 can also represent an electrical component.

[0050] The printing unit 21 provides thermal transfer printing, inkjet printing and / or laser marking.

[0051] When applying a marking by laser marking, a color and / or contrast change can be created on the relevant surface by laser radiation. This occurs, for example, by carbonizing the polymer or polymer composition. This allows for precise and rapid creation of a marking. Furthermore, additional auxiliary materials, in particular printing media such as ink, are unnecessary. Furthermore, the marking can be applied by other methods, for example and in particular using ink, for example and in particular using a pen plotter or inkjet printing, or even by thermal transfer printing.

[0052] The housing 1A has an opening 12. The opening 12 serves to insert the printing medium 3.

[0053] The electrical device 2 further comprises a media holder 22, on which the printing medium 3 can be arranged and is arranged as shown in Fig. 1. In the example shown, the media holder 22 is movable relative to the housing 1A. In the present case, the printing medium 3 arranged on the media holder 22 can be displaced relative to the printing unit 21 by a relative movement of the media holder 22 relative to the housing 1A.

[0054] In order to effect a movement of the media holder 22, the electrical device 2 has a drive mechanism with a plurality of parts 23 that can be moved relative to the housing 1A, two gears being illustrated here as an example. In the example shown, the drive mechanism comprises an electric motor for effecting the movement of the movable parts 23. The electric motor is electrically connected via lines to further electrical components, in this case the circuit board. The housing 1A thus also serves as a line carrier with a line, with a base body, namely the housing 1A, on which the line is arranged, the housing 1A having a section (here the section shown in Fig.1 shown section) which consists of a polymer composition or has such a polymer composition, wherein at least one component of the polymer composition consists of at least one of the following substances or has at least one of the following substances: polymeric secondary raw material, biodegradable polymer, bio-based (i.e. produced from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gasZ-liquidsZ-educts) polymer.

[0055] The polymer composition can be or be based on a thermoplastic polymer, in particular a polypropylene or a polyethylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyvinyl chloride, or a combination of at least two thereof. The polymeric secondary raw material can be or comprise a polymer recyclate, in particular a reused and / or recycled polymer. The polymer recyclate can be formed from a post-industrial material or comprise such a material. The polymer recyclate can have the same material properties as the primary recyclate on which it is based. At least one additive, in particular another polymer and / or a masterbatch, can be added to the polymeric secondary raw material. The masterbatch is, for example, an additive or a composition of additives in the form of granules, in particular with an added colorant. This serves to color or change the material properties.Masterbatches make it possible to concentrate several additives within themselves. Compared to powdered additives, masterbatches can increase technical process reliability and ensure good processability. In addition to coloring, they can also provide UV stabilization, flame retardancy, antistatic properties, or anti-blocking properties as required. Other often important material properties are, in particular, chemical, e.g., resistance to aggressive media, odor formation, environmental and health neutrality, and the like; thermal, e.g., melting and long-term use temperature as well as a thermal expansion coefficient; mechanical, e.g., specific density, crystalline or amorphous configuration, fatigue resistance, achieving a desired stiffness, hardness, strength, and / or the like.

[0056] The biodegradable polymer can be based on or comprise a cellulose acetate, in particular a secondary acetate obtained therefrom, preferably a diacetate, wherein in particular at least the bio-based polymer is designed and formed as a drop-in polymer, wherein in particular at least the biodegradable polymer is designed to be UV-resistant.

[0057] Polymers obtained from fossil raw materials can also be referred to as primary polymers. Accordingly, polymers obtained through recycling from primary polymers can be referred to as secondary polymers. These can, for example, and in particular, have a specific chemical structure, e.g., molecular chains, that distinguishes them from primary materials.

[0058] In general, at least one component can be fastened to the housing 1A via predetermined breaking points 13. In the present case, several components, namely the circuit board and the printing unit 21, are fastened to the housing 1A via predetermined breaking points 13. In each case, a predetermined breaking point 13 connects a fastening point 14 with the rest of the housing 1A. The components are firmly connected to the respective fastening points 14. For recycling, the corresponding component can then be easily separated from the housing 1A by destroying the predetermined breaking points 13, for example by manually breaking it out. Other, in particular mechatronic components, can also be made from a material as described herein, in particular gears, holding plates, panels, locking hooks, covers, intervention guards, decorative components, sensor housings, motor housings and / or the like.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows a method for producing a housing (e.g., the housing 1A according to Fig. 1) for a particularly electrical device (e.g., the electrical device 2 according to Fig. 1), and for producing such a (particularly electrical) device. The method comprises the following steps.

[0060] In a first step S1, a material is provided. The material comprises a plastic or consists of a plastic. The plastic is produced in a step S10 by recycling, in particular chemical recycling, a thermoplastic, in a step S11 from a renewable raw material, and / or in a step S12 provided in the form of a biodegradable plastic. The chemical recycling of the thermoplastic in step S10 comprises, for example, solvolysis, depolymerization, pyrolysis, and / or gasification. To avoid repetition, reference is made here to the possible properties and compositions of the material described elsewhere herein.

[0061] In a further step S2, the housing is formed at least partially, in particular completely, from the material, for example by primary forming and / or reshaping. For the forming process, an injection mold can be provided, into which the material is injected by plastic injection molding. The housing is then ready.

[0062] To produce the electronic device, the method further comprises a further step S3, in which at least one (in particular electrical and / or electronic) component is arranged in the housing. The component can be attached to corresponding attachment points, at which, in particular, predetermined breaking points can be provided.

[0063] It should be noted that the process can be used to recycle a polymer by breaking it down into its original monomers or other, particularly petrochemically recyclable, materials through pyrolysis. Examples of such materials include methanol and synthesis gases. To obtain monomers, recycling can be carried out using a single-variety plastic. This makes it possible to recover not only monomers but also petrochemical raw materials. Furthermore, it is possible to extract gases, waxes, and oils of equivalent raw material value and correspondingly recyclable from, particularly mixed, plastic waste using degradative extrusion. This makes it possible to recycle even polymers that are difficult to separate.

[0064] Fig. 3 shows a further example of a housing 1B for an electrical device in the form of a printer. A removable input magazine, which in turn has a housing 1C, is arranged on the housing 1B. Furthermore, a removable output magazine 24 is arranged on the housing 1B. Print media 3 can be arranged in the housing 1C of the input magazine in order to feed them to a printing unit of the printer according to Fig. 3. The print media 3 can be films, plates, strips or signs, in particular rigid print media. In the input magazine, a stack of unprinted print media 3 can be fed to the printing unit. The printed print media 3 are collected in the output magazine 24, in this case again in a stack.

[0065] The printer further includes a display 27, which is designed and configured as a control panel for entering commands. The display 27 represents an electronic component.

[0066] The housing 1 B is made of the material described herein and by the method described herein, in each case of any desired configuration.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows the housing 1C of the input magazine for the printer according to Fig. 3 in a separate illustration. The housing 1C has a cover 11. The cover 11 and the rest of the housing 1C are each made of a material described herein and are each manufactured in any desired configuration using the method described herein. The cover 11 consists of a first material and at least part of the rest of the housing 1C consists of a second material, wherein the first and the second material are different from one another. In the present case, the cover 11 is made of a renewable raw material that is biodegradable and transparent. The rest of the housing 1C is made of a polymeric secondary raw material and is not transparent. Due to the transparency, in the present example, a fill level with print media 3 can be checked when the cover 11 is closed.Optionally, the transparent cover 11 has an opacity of 0.6 haze according to ASTM D 1033. Fig. 5 shows another housing 1D for an electrical device in the form of an accumulator, e.g., the printer according to Fig. 3. Several rechargeable battery cells 25 are accommodated in the housing 1D, one of which is illustrated as an example in Fig. 5.

[0068] The housing 1 D is made of the material described herein and by the method described herein, in any configuration.

[0069] Fig. 6 shows another housing 1E for an electrical device in the form of a power supply, e.g., the printer shown in Fig. 3. Several electrical components, such as a transformer or the like, are housed in the housing 1E. Further electrical components in the form of a cable 5 connected to the housing 1E, a power switch, and a socket for a connector are illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0070] The housing 1E comprises a first housing part 17 in the form of an upper shell and a second housing part 18 in the form of a lower shell, which together define an interior space. Both housing parts 17, 18 are made of the material described herein and using the method described herein, each of any desired configuration. Both housing parts 17, 18 of the example shown are made of the same material.

[0071] In Fig. 7, an arrangement of disc-shaped housings 1F is shown, representative of a multitude of other examples of housings, each serving as a conductor carrier. The housings 1F are arranged or can be arranged in a row on a support rail 4.

[0072] The individual housings 1F are each configured and designed as industrial electronics housings for enclosing electrical and electronic components, such as connectors 15 (representatively marked once in Fig. 7), circuit carriers, such as printed circuit boards, and electrical and electronic components, including components of a populated printed circuit board. The connectors 15 are used to connect cables for electrical power, data, and / or signal transmission and are configured and designed accordingly.

[0073] Each housing 1F has a snap-in foot 16, by means of which the respective housing 1F can be snapped onto the mounting rail 4. The housings 1F have electrical connections which are connected via lines inside the housing 1F either directly to one another or to the aforementioned components, in particular a printed circuit board. Surprisingly, it has been shown that with the housings 1A-1F described here, the implementation quality can be kept at the same level as with conventional production, despite reduced CO2 emissions. For example, it has surprisingly been shown that polymers from a secondary raw material can be used which represent an equivalent substitute for a polymer produced from a fossil raw material. The housings 1A-1F described here have the advantage that recycled polymers can be used for high-quality products orComponents or assemblies, as well as sections thereof, can be used, and their use is not limited solely to packaging purposes or applications with low requirements. In this respect, the housings 1A-1 F described herein make it possible to significantly reduce the CO2 burden on the environment by opening up a broad range of applications for secondary polymers.

[0074] Optionally, it is provided that at least the compostable / biodegradable polymer meets at least the requirements of DIN CERTCO DIN EN 13432 in the version valid in 2021.

[0075] List of reference symbols

[0076] 1A-1 F housing

[0077] 10 Exterior wall

[0078] 11 Cover

[0079] 12 Opening

[0080] 13 Predetermined breaking point

[0081] 14 Attachment point

[0082] 15 Connection

[0083] 16 locking foot

[0084] 17 first housing part

[0085] 18 second housing part

[0086] 2 electrical devices

[0087] 20 electrical components

[0088] 21 printing unit

[0089] 22 Media holder

[0090] 23 movable part

[0091] 24 issue magazine

[0092] 25 battery cells

[0093] 27 Display

[0094] 3 Print medium

[0095] 4 mounting rail

[0096] 5 cables

Claims

Patent claims 1. Housing (1 A-1 F) for an electrical device (2), at least partially made of a material comprising a plastic which: is a polymeric secondary raw material and / or is a biodegradable polymer and / or is a bio-based polymer.

2. Housing (1A-1F) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material comprises several different plastics, each of which is a polymeric secondary raw material, is made from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquidsZ-educts and / or is biodegradable.

3. Housing (1 A-1 F) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (1 A-1 F) is made of several different materials, of which at least one comprises a plastic which is a polymeric secondary raw material, is made of bio-based polymer, regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquidsZ-educts and / or is biodegradable.

4. Housing (1A-1F) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymeric secondary raw material is a conventionally and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic.

5. Housing (1A-1F) according to claim 4, characterized in that the material consists of at least 20 wt.%, in particular at least 25 wt.%, in particular more than 50 wt.% of the plastic which is a conventionally and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic.

6. Housing (1 A-1 F) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the polymeric secondary raw material is a conventionally and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic, which is an engineering, standard or high-performance thermoplastic and / or thermoplastic elastomer, in particular selected from the group polyurethane, TPU, TPS, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polybutylene terephthalate, polyester and polypropylene, as well as their blends and copolymers.

7. Housing (1A-1 F) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material consists of 10 to 100 wt.% of the plastic produced from biological polymer regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts.

8. Housing (1A-1 F) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic of the material is made from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts, regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts, wherein this is represented by sugar, starch, protein, cellulose, lignin, fat and / or vegetable oil, in particular castor oil and rapeseed oil, biogas, biomethanol, bioliquids, organic waste, etc.

9. Housing (1A-1 F) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic of the material is produced from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts and is in the form of one or more of polylactide, polyhydroxyalkanoate, cellulose derivative, in particular cellulose ester or cellulose butyrate, polyethylene, starch derivative, polyurethane, TPU, TPS, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polybutylene terephthalate, polyester and polypropylene, as well as their blends and copolymers.

10. Housing (1A-1F) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic of the material is biodegradable and is in the form of polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactide, starch blend or polyester.

11. Housing (1A) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a fastening point (14) for a component (20), wherein the fastening point is connected to the rest of the housing (1) via a predetermined breaking point (13).

12. Housing (1A) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (1) is designed as a printer housing and has an opening (12) for inserting and / or removing a printing medium (3).

13. Electrical device (2), comprising the housing (1A-1F) according to one of the preceding claims, and electrical and / or electronic components (20) arranged in and / or on the housing (1A-1F).

14. Electrical device (2) according to claim 13, characterized by a printing unit (21) for printing a printing medium (3).

15. Electrical device (2) according to claim 14, characterized by a media holder (22) for holding and / or conveying the printing medium during printing by the printing unit (21), wherein the media holder (22) and the printing unit (21) are designed such that rigid printing media (3) can be printed.

16. Electrical device (2) according to claim 15, characterized in that the media holder (22) and the printing unit (21) are designed such that plastic- or metal-based rigid printing media (3) in the form of plates, strips or signs can be printed.

17. Electrical device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that movable parts (23) are arranged in or on the housing (1A-1F), which are also at least partially made of a material which comprises a plastic which is a polymeric secondary raw material, is made of regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts and / or is biodegradable, in particular of the same material as the housing (1A-1F).

18. Electrical device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that at least one electrical and / or electronic component (20) arranged in the housing (1A) is fastened to the housing (1A) via a predetermined breaking point (13) of the housing (1A).

19. A method for producing a housing (1A-1F) for an electrical device (2), comprising: Providing (S1) a material comprising a plastic, wherein the plastic is produced by recycling a thermoplastic, is produced from regeneratively and / or biologically produced synthesis gas / liquids / educts and / or is biodegradable; and Forms (S2) of the housing (1 A-1 F) at least partially from the material.

20. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that the plastic is produced by chemical recycling of a thermoplastic.

21. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the chemical recycling of the thermoplastic comprises a solvolysis, a depolymerization, a pyrolysis and / or a gasification.

22. A method for manufacturing an electronic device (2), comprising: - manufacturing a housing (1A-1F) according to the method according to claim 19, 20 or 21; and Arranging (S3) at least one electrical and / or electronic component (20) in the housing (1A-1F).

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