EMC housings, housing parts of EMC housings and their use

Abstract

To provide a housing or a housing part for a housing that can be manufactured at low cost and can effectively shield electrical components at the same time. [Solution] The present invention relates to an EMC housing 1 for electrical components, the EMC housing 1 comprising at least a first housing part 3 and a second housing part 4, which are connected to each other via a sealing surface 5 and liquid-tightly enclose a space 6 of the housing 1, within which a plate-shaped third housing part 7 is arranged between the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4, and the third housing part 7 has a plurality of elastically deformable contact elements 9 for forming a conductive connection between the housing parts 3, 4, 7 in at least one connection region with at least one of the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an EMC housing, a housing part of an EMC housing and the use of an EMC housing. The housing or housing part is intended to ensure electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in an arrangement of electrical components, in particular by shielding the electrical components from the surroundings.

[0002] Shielding of electrical or electrotechnical components consists in keeping electric and magnetic fields, especially high frequency ones, away from the electrical or electrotechnical component, or conversely in protecting the surroundings from the electric and magnetic fields emitted by the component.

[0003] In particular, shielding is provided by electrically conductive metal plates, foils or layers (connected to earth or reference potential or ground), including, for example, metal-coated plastic foils, aluminum foil-laminated paper, graphite layers, conductive lacquer layers, etc. It is also known to coat plastic housings with metal layers.

[0004] In particular, the housing or housing part is designed to perform the shielding function, enclosing a space in which at least one electrical component (to be shielded) is arranged, and since the housing must also be able to mount the components arranged inside it, so-called EMC mounting plates are often arranged inside the housing.

[0005] Such housings typically consist of multiple parts, such as a cover area (first housing part), a base area (second housing part), and a mounting plate (third housing part) located between the base and cover areas, where the mounting plate extends into and partially defines the space of the housing enclosed by the base and cover areas.

[0006] For electromagnetic shielding purposes, it is important that the various parts of the housing are connected to each other with as low an impedance as possible and to form a common potential (ground connection). To achieve this, it is necessary to ensure conductive connections between the various parts of the housing and to the ground or reference potential. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The object of the present invention is to solve at least some of the problems mentioned in the prior art, in particular to propose a housing or a housing part for a housing that can be produced at low cost and at the same time provides effective shielding of electrical components.

[0008] A housing having the features of claim 1, a housing part having the features of claim 12 and the use of a housing according to claim 13 contribute to solving these problems. Advantageous further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The features recited in the claims may be combined in any technically feasible manner and may be supplemented by the details of the illustrative technical content and figures of this specification, which disclose further embodiments of the invention.

[0009] An EMC housing (hereinafter also referred to as "housing") for electrical components (for example, inverters, particularly inverters used in automobiles, converters, etc.) is proposed.

[0010] The EMC housing includes at least a first housing part and a second housing part, which are connected to each other via a sealing surface and enclose a liquid-tight space in the housing. A plate-shaped third housing part is disposed in the space between the first and second housing parts. The third housing part includes a plurality of elastically deformable contact elements in at least one connection region with at least one of the first and second housing parts for forming a conductive connection between the housing parts. When the housing parts are connected to the housing, the housing parts come into contact with each contact element, causing the contact elements to elastically deform.

[0011] The EMC housing is a particularly dimensionally stable housing, which is not particularly elastic or only slightly elastic and is only capable of plastic deformation, in particular the first housing part, the second housing part and to a limited extent also the third housing part.

[0012] Housings are used to shield components placed within a space from the surroundings / surroundings of the housing. In doing so, consideration must be given to both the effects of electromagnetic radiation from the components inside the housing on the surroundings, and the effects of electromagnetic radiation acting on the housing from the surroundings on the components placed inside the housing. Furthermore, the housing must also be able to mount components placed within it, and so-called EMC mounting plates (third housing parts) are often placed within the space.

[0013] In particular, the housing parts are connected to one another so as to provide a uniform ground potential.

[0014] In particular, the first housing part is an upper part (upper half) or cover part, and the second housing part is a lower part (lower half) or base part. The first and second housing parts are connected to one another, in particular via sealing surfaces, and enclose a space in a liquid-tight, possibly gas-tight manner. The third housing part can form at least this sealing surface or can be arranged (completely) within the space. The third housing part serves in particular as a mounting plate for components arranged within the space. Alternatively or additionally, the third housing part serves to divide the space into sub-spaces, whereby the sub-spaces are shielded from one another by the third housing part.

[0015] In particular, the third housing part is plate-shaped. In particular, the third housing part is designed as a sheet metal part.

[0016] The third housing part comprises a plurality of elastically deformable contact elements in at least one connection region with at least one of the first and second housing parts for forming an electrically conductive connection between the housing parts, in which the third housing part is in contact with either the first housing part or the second housing part or with both housing parts, in particular (only) on the upper side thereof, and in which the third housing part is in contact with the first housing part (only) on the lower side thereof.

[0017] The contact element is adapted to contact the other housing part and is in particular elastically deformable.

[0018] When the housing parts are connected to the housing, the contact of the housing parts with the respective contact elements causes the contact elements to deform at least elastically or only elastically (or even plastically). This means that the contact elements are in an undeformed state before the housing is first assembled, and then deform during assembly. In particular, this also means that when the housing is assembled, the contact elements are in a preloaded state.

[0019] If the housing is disassembled again and the housing parts are separated from each other, the contact elements are (at least partially) elastically deformable.

[0020] In particular, the contact elements are arranged adjacent to one another (along the extension direction) in the connection region and are each separated from one another by at least (or exactly) one slit, and between at least two of the contact elements there may be more than one slit, and between the slits there may be an area of ​​the third housing part with a different shape (different from the shape of the contact elements).

[0021] In particular, the slit is an opening in the third housing part that extends from the top to the bottom thereof. In particular, the slit is elongated and has a length that is 2 to 50 times longer than its width.

[0022] The slits of the connection area are in particular oriented substantially parallel to one another or extend substantially transversely to the linear or possibly curved path (extension direction) of the connection area.

[0023] In particular, the slit may extend linearly, but may have a curved path along its length.

[0024] The role of the slits is, in particular, to allow the contact elements arranged between two slits to deform (elastically, and possibly also plastically) independently of each other or of the region of the third housing part that surrounds them.

[0025] In particular, the contact elements are arranged adjacent to one another in the connection region along the extension direction, and at least one slit has a length extending transversely to the extension direction of 5 to 50 millimeters, in particular 10 to 30 millimeters, preferably 15 to 20 millimeters.

[0026] In particular, at least one of the contact elements has a width between the two slits of 5 to 20 mm, in particular 7 to 15 mm.

[0027] In particular, at least one slit has a transverse width (extending transversely to the length) of 0 to 5 mm, in particular 0.2 to 5 mm, preferably 0.4 to 2.5 mm. The transverse width is in particular constant along the length. The slit can be provided, for example, by separating material (which may have a transverse width of zero mm) or, for example, by removing material (which may have a transverse width greater than zero mm).

[0028] In addition to the (first) slits located between the contact elements, further (second) slits may be provided, in particular at each longitudinal end of the (first) slits and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction thereof, which narrow but do not penetrate the boundary between the contact elements and the flat area surrounding them.

[0029] In particular, the above statements apply to at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, particularly preferably at least 80% or even all contact elements or slits.

[0030] In particular, the length, width and transverse dimensions are measured by projecting the elements onto a plane extending transversely to the height direction.

[0031] In particular, each contact element is defined by the length of the slit and the width of the contact element, and these contact elements occupy 0.5% to 80%, in particular 5% to 20%, of the total area of ​​the third housing part (i.e. the upper or lower area, in particular as a projection onto a plane defined, for example, by the outer periphery of the third housing part).

[0032] In particular, the contact element extends over 25% to 90%, in particular 50% to 75%, of the circumference of the third housing part.

[0033] In particular, the third housing part extends substantially in one plane. The third housing part has a flat region on the one hand and contact elements or connection regions on the other hand. In particular, the height direction is a direction extending transversely to the plane. In particular, the contact elements extend from a first height to a second height of the flat region. The second height can be located above or below the plane. The distance between the first height and the second height is in particular 0.5 to 10 millimeters, preferably 2 to 5 millimeters.

[0034] In particular, the surface of the contact element, i.e., the portion along its length between the two slits, has a curved shape, i.e., the contact element has a curved or other curved shape, such as a sawtooth, zigzag, or other shape, along a direction extending parallel to the slits, thereby forming a protruding region with a different (second) height relative to the flat region (with a first height) surrounding the contact element.

[0035] In particular, the contact elements are arranged adjacent to each other along the extension direction in the connection region, and when the housing parts are interconnected, the contact elements are deformed in the height direction. In their undeformed state (i.e., before the housings are joined and before the contact elements are elastically deformed), the contact elements have the same or different heights along the extension direction. "Different heights" means that the heights differ from each other by 5% to 200%, in particular 50% to 150%, of the maximum distance. On the one hand, this means that the contact elements extend in opposite height directions relative to the plane (first height) and extend to a second height of the same absolute amount. On the other hand, this means, for example, that of two contact elements extending to the same second height, one contact element extends to a slightly lower second height. This means, for example, that the contact element extending to a higher height is more (elastically) deformed than the contact element extending to a lower height.

[0036] In particular, of two adjacent contact elements, the first contact element contacts only the first housing part, and the second contact element contacts only the second housing part.

[0037] In particular, the third housing part extends in the connection region along the extension direction in a central plane, and of the two adjacently arranged contact elements, the first contact element faces from the central plane towards the first housing part and the second contact element faces from the central plane towards the second housing part, meaning that the contact elements extend in opposite height directions relative to the plane or central plane (first height) and to second heights of the same or different absolute amounts.

[0038] In particular, the contact elements are arranged adjacent to one another in the extension direction in the connection region and are deformed in the height direction by the connection between the housing parts. In particular, at least one contact element has a different height along the extension direction in an undeformed state. In particular, the contact element has a maximum second height (hereinafter also referred to as a maximum) adjacent to two slits separating the contact element and a minimum second height (minimum value) between these two maximum second heights (maximum values). In particular, this minimum second height (minimum value) is greater than the first height.

[0039] In particular, at least one contact element has a contact surface with a structure that contacts the respective housing part, and upon elastic deformation of the contact element, the structure comes into contact with the housing part and damages the surface of the housing part, specifically meaning that, for example, an oxide layer present on the surface of the housing part is destroyed by the edge of the contact element and the deformation of the contact element, so that a conductive connection between the housing parts is ensured via the contact element.

[0040] For example, such structures may have sharp edges (edge ​​radii of less than 0.2 mm, in particular less than 0.1 mm, and angles between adjacent surfaces of the edges of 20 to 160 degrees). The structures may be formed, for example, by edges of the contact elements adjacent to the slits. In the undeformed state (i.e. before the housing is assembled / joined and before the contact elements are elastically deformed), these edges point towards the housing part and are in contact with the housing part. In particular, the surfaces of the contact elements adjacent to the edges extend at an angle of at least 20 to 120 degrees relative to the contact surface of the housing part (housing part surface).

[0041] In particular, the third housing part is made of a metallic material, which may be any electrically conductive material, and is preferably a conductive material between aluminum (a low-cost material) and copper (a high-conductivity material).

[0042] In particular, the sealing surface between the first housing part and the second housing part is designed to completely enclose a space, and therefore the sealing surface extends in particular around the periphery of the respective housing part or the (partial) space enclosed by the respective housing part, and each seal (e.g. a conventional electrically non-conductive seal or a commonly known electrically conductive EMC seal) extends in particular along and completely around the sealing surface.

[0043] In particular, the conductive connection between the first and second housing parts is ensured by the third housing part. The connecting elements (screws, rivets, etc.) used to connect the first and second housing parts may form a conductive connection, but are typically insufficient to provide a low impedance connection between the housing parts.

[0044] Furthermore, a housing part of the aforementioned EMC housing is proposed, wherein the housing part is a third housing part.

[0045] It is also proposed to use the above-mentioned EMC housing in an inverter as an electrical component.

[0046] In particular, the EMC housing is intended to be placed in a motor vehicle as a housing for electrical components used in connection with the traction drive and electrical machines of the vehicle.

[0047] Any comments regarding the EMC housing apply specifically to the third housing part and its use and vice versa.

[0048] In particular, in the claims and in the restatements of these claims, the indefinite articles ("an", "a") are intended to be understood as such, rather than as numerals, and therefore the correspondingly introduced terms and elements are intended to be understood as occurring at least once, but in particular as possibly occurring several times.

[0049] As a reminder, ordinal numbers ("first," "second," etc.) used herein are primarily intended to distinguish between several similar objects, sizes, or steps; that is, in particular, these ordinal numbers do not necessarily define any dependency or ordering of these objects, sizes, or steps relative to one another. Where a dependency or ordering is necessary, this will either be explicitly stated herein or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon inspection of the actually described configuration. Where an element can occur more than once ("at least one"), a description of one of those elements may, but need not, apply equally to all or some of those elements.

[0050] The present invention and the technical background will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the detailed embodiments do not intend to limit the present invention. In particular, it should be noted that the drawings and particularly the illustrated proportions are merely schematic. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1] This is a known configuration of an inverter and an electric motor. [Figure 2] 3A and 3B are a side cross-sectional view and an enlarged cross-sectional view of an inverter; [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view showing a lower part of the inverter shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 5 is a top view of the third housing part shown in FIG. 4 inserted into the inverter. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, and is a side cross-sectional view of the inverter. [Figure 7] 3 is a detailed view of the inverter shown in FIG. 2 in a cross-sectional perspective view. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a view of the contact element of the first embodiment as seen from a lateral direction relative to the extension direction. [Figure 9] 9 is a view of the contact element shown in FIG. 8 as seen along the extension direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of the contact element of the second embodiment as seen laterally with respect to the extension direction. [Figure 11] 11 is a view of the contact element shown in FIG. 10 viewed along the extension direction. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a housing prior to assembly of the housing portions. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 in an assembled state. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a housing before the housing portions are assembled. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14 in an assembled state.

[0052] 1 shows a known arrangement of an inverter (electrical component 2) and an electric motor 22. The arrangement includes the electrical component 2 including an EMC housing 1, the electric motor 22 and its electrical connections 23, and signal lines 24.

[0053] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view and an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inverter. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the inverter. Figures 2 and 3 are described together below. Please refer to the description of Figure 1.

[0054] An electrical component 2, shown here as an inverter, is arranged in an EMC housing 1. The housing 1 serves to ensure electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in the configuration of the electrical component 2 by shielding the electrical component 2 from the surroundings 25.

[0055] The purpose of shielding an electrical or electrotechnical component 2 is to keep electric and magnetic fields, especially at high frequencies, away from the electrical or electrotechnical component 2, or conversely to protect the surroundings 25 from electric and magnetic fields emitted by the component 2.

[0056] Shielding is provided by conductive housing parts 3, 4, 7 connected to ground 27. The housing parts 3, 4 enclose a space 6 in which an electrical component 2 (to be shielded) is placed. A conductive connection must be ensured between each of the housing parts 3, 4, 7 and ground 27.

[0057] If the housing 1 consists of several parts, it must also be ensured that the space 6 enclosed by the housing 1 is at least liquid-tight (and possibly gas-tight) with respect to the surroundings 25. For example, it is known to provide non-conductive sealing elements in the area of ​​the sealing surfaces 5 of the housing parts 3, 4 which come into contact with one another, thereby ensuring an electrically conductive connection of the respective housing parts 3, 4 (only or essentially) via connecting elements 26, such as, for example, screws. Alternatively, known EMC seals can be used in the area of ​​the sealing surfaces.

[0058] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the lower part of the inverter shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a top view of the third housing part 7 inserted into the inverter shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 2 and a side cross-sectional view of the inverter. Figure 7 is a detailed portion of the cross-sectional perspective view of the inverter shown in Figure 2. Figures 4 to 7 are described together below. Please refer to the descriptions of Figures 1 to 3.

[0059] The EMC housing 1 comprises a first housing part 3 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 6) and a second housing part 4, which are connected to each other via a sealing surface 5 and enclose a space 6 of the housing 1 in a liquid-tight manner. A plate-shaped third housing part 7 is arranged in the space 6 between the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4. The third housing part 7 has a plurality of elastically deformable contact elements 9, 10 in a plurality of connection regions 8 with at least one of the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 (e.g., FIG. 7), which form a conductive connection between the housing parts 3, 4, and 7. When the housing parts 3, 4, and 7 are assembled to form the housing 1, the housing parts 3 and 4 come into contact with the contact elements 9, 10, respectively, causing the contact elements 9, 10 to elastically deform.

[0060] The EMC housing 1 is a dimensionally stable housing 1, i.e. it has no or only very little elasticity and is only capable of plastic deformation, as are the first housing part 3, the second housing part 4 and to a limited extent the third housing part 7 (the contact elements 9, 10 of the third housing part 7 are elastically deformable).

[0061] The housing parts 3, 4, 7 are connected to one another so that the ground potential is uniform.

[0062] The first housing part 3 is the upper part (upper half) or cover part, and the second housing part 4 is the lower part (lower half) or base part. The first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 are connected to each other via a sealing surface 5 and enclose a space 6 in a liquid-tight or, if necessary, gas-tight manner. The third housing part 7 is arranged completely within the space 6. The third housing part 7 serves as a mounting plate for the component 2 arranged within the space 6. Furthermore, the third housing part 7 serves to divide the space 6 into sub-spaces, which are thereby shielded from each other by the third housing part 7.

[0063] The third housing part 7 is plate-shaped and is configured as a formed sheet metal part.

[0064] The third housing part 7 has a plurality of elastically deformable contact elements 9, 10 in a connection region 8, which form an electrically conductive connection between the housing parts 3, 4, 7. In the connection region 8, the third housing part 7 may be in contact only with the first housing part 3 (e.g., FIG. 7 ), or only with the second housing part 4, or with both housing parts 3, 4 (e.g., along the outer periphery 28 of the housing 1). In this case, the third housing part 7 is in contact with the first housing part 3 only on its upper side and with the second housing part 4 only on its lower side.

[0065] The contact elements 9, 10 are in contact with the other housing parts 3, 4 and are elastically deformable.

[0066] When the housing parts 3, 4, and 7 are connected to form the housing 1, the contact of the housing parts 3 and 4 with the contact elements 9 and 10, respectively, causes the contact elements 9 and 10 to at least elastically deform, or exclusively elastically (or even plastically) deform. This means that the contact elements 9 and 10 are in an undeformed state before the housing 1 is first assembled (see, e.g., Figures 5, 8-12, and 14), and then deform during assembly (see, e.g., Figures 13 and 15). It also means that when the housing 1 is assembled, the contact elements 9 and 10 are in a preloaded state.

[0067] The contact elements 9 , 10 are arranged adjacent to one another in the connection region 8 along the direction of extension 12 and are each separated from one another by a slit 11 .

[0068] The slit 11 is an opening in the third housing part 7, and extends from the top to the bottom of the third housing part 7 (see FIG. 5). The slit 11 is elongated, and its length 13 is approximately 20 times the width 29.

[0069] The slits 11 in the connection region 8 are oriented parallel to one another or extend transversely to a straight path of the connection region 8 (e.g., along the periphery 28, see Figure 5) or, in some cases, a curved path (e.g., in the flat region 30, see Figure 5).

[0070] The slits 11 each extend linearly (when viewed along the height direction 16).

[0071] The role of the slits 11 is to allow the contact elements 9, 10 arranged between the two slits 11 to deform (elastically, and possibly also plastically) independently of each other or of the region 30 of the third housing part 7 that surrounds them.

[0072] The contact elements 9, 10 are arranged adjacent to one another in the connection region 8 along the extension direction 12. The slits 11 of the contact elements 9, 10 arranged away from the outer periphery 28 (in the flat region 30) have a length 13 extending transversely to the extension direction 12 of approximately 25 millimeters. The slits 11 of the contact elements 9, 10 arranged on the outer periphery 28 have a length 13 of approximately 10 millimeters.

[0073] The contact elements 9, 10 located on the outer periphery 28 have a width 14 of 15 millimeters between two slits 11. The contact elements 9, 10 located away from the outer periphery 28 (in the flat region 30) have a smaller width 14 of about 10 millimeters between the slits 11.

[0074] The slit 11 has a lateral width 29 of 1 millimeter and extends transversely to the length 13. The lateral width 29 is constant along the length 13.

[0075] Each contact element 9, 10 is defined by the length 13 of the slit 11 and the width 14 of the contact element 9, 10. The contact elements 9, 10 occupy approximately 15% of the total area 15 of the third housing part 7 (i.e., the upper or lower area, for example, as a projection onto a plane 18 defined by the periphery 28 of the third housing part 7).

[0076] The contact elements 9 , 10 extend over approximately 70% of the area of ​​the outer periphery 28 of the third housing part 7 .

[0077] The third housing part 7 extends substantially in a plane 18. The third housing part 7 has, on the one hand, a flat region 30 and, on the other hand, contact elements 9, 10 or connection regions 8. A height direction 16 extends transversely to the plane 18. The contact elements 9, 10 extend from a first height 17 of the flat region 30 to a second height 31. The second height 31 can be located above or below the plane 18 (e.g., above in FIG. 7). The distance 32 between the first height 17 and the second height 31 is, for example, 7 millimeters for the contact elements shown in FIG. 7.

[0078] The surfaces of the contact elements 9, 10, i.e., the portions between the two slits 11 and along the length 13, have a curved shape, i.e., the contact elements 9, 10 have a curved or other curved shape along a direction extending parallel to the slits 11 (see Figures 4 and 7), resulting in a protruding area having a second height 31 relative to a flat area 30 surrounding the contact elements 9, 10 having a first height 17.

[0079] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 9, showing a first embodiment of the contact elements 9, 10, seen transversely to the extension direction 12. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along line IX-IX in Figure 8, showing the contact elements 9, 10 of Figure 8, seen along the extension direction 12. Figures 8 and 9 are described together below; please refer to the descriptions of Figures 1 to 7.

[0080] The surfaces of the contact elements 9, 10, i.e. the part between the two slits 11 and along the length 13, have a curved shape, i.e. the contact elements 9, 10 have a curved shape along a direction extending parallel to the slits 11 (see FIG. 9 ), which results in a protruding area having a second height 31 in comparison to a flat area 30 surrounding the contact elements 9, 10 having a first height 17.

[0081] In an undeformed state (i.e. before the housing 1 is joined and before the contact elements 9, 10 are elastically deformed), the contact elements 9, 10 each have the same second height 31 along the extension direction 12. The contact elements 9, 10 each have a constant second height 31 along the extension direction 12.

[0082] Figure 10 is a cross-section along line XX in Figure 11 and shows a second embodiment of the contact elements 9, 10, viewed transversely to the extension direction 12. Figure 11 is a cross-section along line XI-XI in Figure 10 and shows the contact elements 9, 10 of Figure 10 along the extension direction 12. Figures 10 and 11 are described together below; see the description of Figures 8 and 9.

[0083] Unlike the first embodiment, the contact elements 9, 10 in the undeformed state have a second height 31 that varies along the extension direction 12. Each contact element 9, 10 has a maximum second height 31 (maximum) adjacent to the two slits 11 that separate it, and a minimum second height 31 (minimum) between these two maximum second heights 31 (maximum). The minimum second height 31 (minimum) is greater than the first height 17 of the flat region 30.

[0084] The contact elements 9, 10 have contact surfaces 19 with structures 20 that contact the respective housing parts 3, 4. The structures 20 contact the housing parts 3, 4 upon elastic deformation of the contact elements 9, 10 and damage the housing part surfaces 21. The structures 20 have sharp edges 33 (the edge radius is very small and the angle between the adjacent surfaces of the edges 33 is approximately 40 degrees). The structures 20 are formed by the edges 33 of the contact elements 9, 10 adjacent to the slits 11. In the undeformed state (i.e., before the housing 1 is joined and before the contact elements 9, 10 are elastically deformed), these edges 33 face the housing parts 3, 4 and are themselves in contact with the housing parts 3, 4. The surfaces of the contact elements 9, 10 adjacent to the edges 33 extend at an angle of 90 degrees and are inclined at an angle of approximately 50 degrees relative to the contacting housing part contact surfaces 21 of the housing parts 3, 4.

[0085] Figure 12 shows a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the housing 1 before the housing sections 3, 4, 7 are assembled. Figure 13 shows the cross-sectional view of Figure 12 in an assembled state. Figures 12 and 13 are discussed together below. Please refer to the descriptions of Figures 1 to 11.

[0086] The contact elements 9, 10 are arranged adjacent to each other along the extension direction 12 in the connection region 8 and are deformed in the height direction 16 during the joining of the housing parts 3, 4, 7. A flat region 30 of the third housing part 7 extends between the contact elements 9, 10. In the undeformed state (i.e., before the housing 1 is joined and before the contact elements 9, 10 are elastically deformed, see FIG. 12), the contact elements 9, 10 each have the same second height 31 along the extension direction 12. During assembly of the housing 1, this second height 31 is brought into contact with the first housing part 3, which subsequently deforms, reducing the second height 31 (see FIG. 13). In the deformed state, the contact elements 9, 10 are preloaded.

[0087] Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the housing 1 before the housing sections 3, 4, and 7 are assembled. Figure 15 is an assembled view of the cross-sectional view of Figure 14. Figures 14 and 15 are discussed together below. Please refer to the descriptions of Figures 1 to 13.

[0088] The contact elements 9, 10 are arranged adjacent to one another in the connection region 8 along the extension direction 12 and are deformed in the height direction 16 in the course of connecting the housing parts 3, 4, 7.

[0089] Of the two adjacently arranged contact elements 9 , 10 , the first contact element 9 is in contact only with the first housing part 3 , and the second contact element 10 is in contact only with the second housing part 4 .

[0090] In addition to the (first) slits 11 arranged between the contact elements 9, 10, further (second) slits 11 are provided, which are arranged at each end of the length 13 of the (first) slit 11 and extend transversely thereto, and which narrow the boundary between the contact elements 9, 10 and the flat area 30 surrounding them, but do not penetrate therethrough.

[0091] The third housing part 7 extends in the connection region 8 along an extension direction 12 in a (central) plane 18. Of the two contact elements 9, 10 arranged adjacent to one another, the first contact element 9 faces from the central plane 18 towards the first housing part 3, and the second contact element 10 faces from the central plane 18 towards the second housing part 4. This means that the contact elements 9, 10 extend in opposite height directions 16 relative to the central plane 18 (first height 17) and each extend to a second height 31 of the same absolute value.

[0092] In the undeformed state (i.e. before the housing 1 is joined and before the contact elements 9, 10 are elastically deformed, see FIG. 14), each of the first contact elements 9 has the same second height 31 along the extension direction 12. When the housing 1 is assembled, the portions of the second height 31 are brought into contact with the first housing part 3 and are subsequently deformed, thereby reducing the second height 31 (see FIG. 15). The same applies to the second contact elements 10.

[0093] In an undeformed state (i.e., before the housing 1 is joined and before the contact elements 9, 10 are elastically deformed), the contact elements 9, 10 have different second heights 31 along the extension direction 12. The second heights 31 differ from each other by 200% of the maximum distance 32 (the distance between the maximum second height 31 and the first height 17). The contact elements 9, 10 extend in opposite height directions 16 relative to a (central) plane 18 (first height 17) and each extend to the same second height 31. The contact elements 9, 10 are preloaded in the deformed state.

[0094] The contact elements 9, 10 have contact surfaces 19 with structures 20 that contact the respective housing parts 3, 4. The structures 20 contact the housing parts 3, 4 upon elastic deformation of the contact elements 9, 10 and damage the housing part surfaces 21. The structures 20 have sharp edges 33 (the edge radius is very small and the angle between adjacent surfaces of the edges 33 is approximately 100 degrees). The structures 20 are formed by the edges 33 of the contact elements 9, 10 adjacent to the slits 11. In the undeformed state (i.e., before the housing 1 is joined and before the contact elements 9, 10 are elastically deformed), these edges 33 face towards the housing parts 3, 4 and are themselves in contact with the housing parts 3, 4. The surfaces of the contact elements 9, 10 adjacent to the edges 33 extend at an angle of approximately 50 degrees relative to the contacting housing part surfaces 21 of the housing parts 3, 4.

[0095] In an undeformed state, the contact elements 9, 10 have a second height 31 that varies along the extension direction 12. The contact elements 9, 10 have a maximum second height 31 (maximum) adjacent to the two slits 11 that separate each contact element 9, 10, and a minimum second height 31 (minimum) between these two maximum second heights 31 (maximum). The minimum second height 31 (minimum) is greater than the first height 17 of the flat region 30.

[0096] The conductive connection between the first housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 is also ensured by the third housing part 7. However, screws may also be applied as connecting elements 26, which are used to connect the first housing part 3 to the second housing part 4 and ensure the conductive connection. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1 (EMC) Housing 2. Electrical Components 3 First housing part 4 Second housing part 5 Sealing surface 6 Space 7 Third housing part 8 Connection Area 9 First Contact Element 10 Second Contact Element 11 Slit 12 Extending direction 13 Length 14 width 15 Total Area 16 Height 17 First Height 18 (Central) Plane 19 Contact surface 20 Structure 21 Housing surface 22 Electric motor 23 Connection 24 signal line 25 perimeter 26 Connecting Elements 27 Grand 28 Outer circumference 29 Width 30 areas 31 Second Height 32 distance 33 En

Claims

1. An EMC housing (1) for an electrical component (2), comprising: The EMC housing (1) comprises at least a first housing part (3) and a second housing part (4), The first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) are connected to each other via a sealing surface (5) and enclose a space (6) of the housing (1) in a liquid-tight manner; A plate-shaped third housing portion (7) is disposed in the space (6) between the first housing portion (3) and the second housing portion (4), the third housing part (7) has, in at least one connection region (8) with at least one of the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4), a plurality of elastically deformable contact elements (9, 10) for forming an electrically conductive connection between the housing parts (3, 4, 7); When the housing parts (3, 4, 7) are interconnected to form the housing (1), the housing parts (3, 4) come into contact with the contact elements (9, 10), respectively, causing the contact elements (9, 10) to elastically deform. EMC housing (1).

2. 2. An EMC housing (1) according to claim 1, the contact elements (9, 10) are arranged adjacent to one another in the connection region (8) and are separated from one another by at least one slit (11); EMC housing (1).

3. An EMC housing (1) according to claim 2, the contact elements (9, 10) are arranged adjacent to one another along an extension direction (12) in the connection region (8), The at least one slit (11) has a length (13) extending transversely to the extension direction (12) of 5 to 50 millimeters. EMC housing (1).

4. An EMC housing (1) according to claim 2 or 3, At least one of the contact elements (9, 10) has a width (14) between two slits (11) of 5 to 20 millimeters; EMC housing (1).

5. An EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The contact elements (9, 10) are defined by the length (13) of the slit (11) and the width (14) of the contact elements (9, 10), the contact elements (9, 10) occupy between 0.5% and 80% of the total area (15) of the third housing part (7); EMC housing (1).

6. An EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the contact elements (9, 10) are arranged adjacent to one another in the extension direction (12) in the connection region (8) and are deformed in the height direction (16) by the connection of the housing parts (3, 4, 7); the contact elements (9, 10) have, in an undeformed state, the same or different heights (17) along the extension direction (12); EMC housing (1).

7. An EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Of the two contact elements (9, 10) arranged adjacent to each other, the first contact element (9) is in contact only with said first housing part (3); the second contact element (10) is in contact only with said second housing part (4); EMC housing (1).

8. An EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the third housing part (7) extends in the connection region (8) along an extension direction (12) in a central plane (18); Of the two contact elements (9, 10) arranged adjacent to each other, a first contact element (9) facing from said central plane (18) towards said first housing part (3); a second contact element (10) facing from said central plane (18) towards said second housing part (4); EMC housing (1).

9. An EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the contact elements (9, 10) are arranged adjacent to one another in the extension direction (12) in the connection region (8) and are deformed in the height direction (16) by the connection of the housing parts (3, 4, 7); At least one contact element (9, 10) has, in an undeformed state, a height (17) that varies along said direction of extension (12), EMC housing (1).

10. An EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, At least one contact element (9, 10) has a contact surface (19) with a structure (20) that contacts the respective housing part (3, 4), the structure (20) comes into contact with the housing parts (3, 4) during elastic deformation of the contact elements (9, 10) and causes damage to the housing part surfaces (21); EMC housing (1).

11. An EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The third housing part (7) is made of a metal material. EMC housing (1).

12. A housing part (7) of an EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The housing part (7) is a third housing part (7), Housing part (7).

13. Use of an EMC housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in an inverter as an electrical component (2).

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