Sheet metal parts for use in housings for containing devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical devices

Abstract

A sheet metal part for use in a housing for containing devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical devices is described. The sheet metal part includes a penetrable opening through which a shank of a screw can be provided to change the penetrable opening from a non-through state to a through state. The non-through state penetrable opening is covered by a gas-tight coating layer and has a central area configured to receive the threaded shank of the screw and a lug extending radially outward from the central area a distance, the lug of the penetrable opening configured to fold back together with the central area without loosening from the sheet metal part when the penetrable opening is put into a through state by the shank of the screw.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to sheet metal parts for use in housings for containing devices such as electrical, electronic and optical devices and / or for use in passages between such housings.

[0002] The invention further relates to an assembly of a sheet metal part according to any one of the preceding claims with a device or other part connected thereto, the connection being provided by a screw having a head with an exiting shank provided through a penetrable opening. Such assemblies are typically used in housings for containing devices such as electrical, electronic and optical devices and / or in passages between such housings.

[0003] The invention further relates to such a housing for containing an electrical, electronic and optical device, the housing comprising at least one sheet metal part and / or assembly according to the invention. [Background technology]

[0004] Housings for housing devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment, particularly computer equipment, have been known for some time. Non-limiting examples of applicable electronic devices include servers, network hardware, and sound technology equipment. For example, housings that may be used in business applications may include racks, which are typically open except for the roof, and cabinets, which typically also include side walls. Such housings include a load-bearing frame of interconnected frame members, including floor frame members, vertically oriented side frame members, and roof frame members. Vertically oriented mounting rails for suspending equipment may be provided relative to and / or between the side frame members. Each mounting rail may be connected to the floor and roof frame members. One example of such a housing is a so-called 19-inch housing, which includes several vertically oriented mounting rails extending parallel to one another at a standardized distance from one another of typically 17.7 inches. Each mounting rail includes a plurality of openings or other receptacles extending along the length of each mounting rail and provided at equal heights between the mounting rails. The standardized, optionally modular, device is typically no more than 17.7 inches wide and may further comprise a locking lip that is connected to the opening or receptacle, for example by a screw. In this way, multiple units of the device can be suspended above each other in the same housing.

[0005] It should be noted that housings including the sheet metal parts and / or assemblies of the present invention are not limited to the 19 inch housings described above, and the present invention is equally applicable to other housings preferably having standardized dimensions, such as 23 inch or metric housings used, for example, in telecommunications. The present invention also applies to other sheet metal parts external to such housings, such as those used in passageways between such housings.

[0006] There is a continuing effort in the art to improve housings with respect to strength, rigidity, cooling, prevention of rattle and other sounds, and weight and cost reduction. In particular, airtight connections between sheet metal parts and other parts, such as roof parts or frame members of the housing that provide side walls, or walls for other purposes, are of great importance.

[0007] Maintaining conditioned (preferably cooled) air inside is an important function of a housing or server cabinet. In this way, a large amount of conditioned air can reach IT equipment or other electrical, electronic, and optical devices. Such a solution provides ecological and economic benefits to users of the housing or server cabinet. To maintain conditioned air inside the housing or cabinet, it is desirable to create an airtight seal at the front (or rear) of the cabinet that is as complete as possible. However, achieving such an airtight seal is difficult due, at least in part, to the need for an adjustable front (or rear) of the cabinet and the need to accommodate accessories of different shapes and types.

[0008] Indeed, for the connection, in known technology, the sheet metal wall part may provide several openings and the connection may be established by means of screws having a head with an exiting threaded shank, which are provided through the openings in the thin sheet metal part and are received and fastened in a cavity of a frame member which serves as a base part of the sheet metal part. Due to the openings, such a connection may not be airtight.

[0009] Therefore, in NL2008988 or NL2008770 it is proposed to add a foil to the rear side of the sheet metal plate in order to seal the openings provided in the sheet metal plate for connection purposes, This solution is not very practical, in particular due to the need for an additional sealing foil to seal the openings in order to achieve gas tightness.

[0010] DE102014204292 discloses a metal part that is connected to another metal part through an intermittent adhesive layer. The metal part has an opening that is sealed by a cover. The two metal parts are connected by drilling a pointed flow drill screw through the cover, the opening, and the other metal part. The cover prevents the adhesive from escaping before it has finally hardened.

[0011] GB 488,049 discloses a sheet metal part having an opening, a surrounding portion extending radially outward, and a slit extending radially from one end of the portion into the body of the sheet metal element. A portion of the element surrounding the opening is then extruded from the plane of the element to create a protrusion in the form of a truncated cone to provide a helix for engagement with the threads of a crew-threaded element. The sheet metal part must have a thickness less than the pitch of the threads of the screw. The disclosed arrangement is self-locking in that it prevents backing out of the screw.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to obviate or at least partially eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0013] These and other objects are achieved by providing a sheet metal part for use in a housing for containing devices such as electrical, electronic and optical devices according to claim 1. The invented sheet metal part comprises a penetrable opening including an area in the sheet metal part that is weakened by having a weakened border, through which a shank of a screw may be provided to change the penetrable opening from a non-through state to a through state in order to mechanically and / or electrically connect a device or other component to the sheet metal part, the penetrable opening in its non-through state being covered by a gas-tight coating layer and having a central area configured to receive the threaded shank of the screw and a lug extending radially outward from the central area over a distance, the lug of the penetrable opening being configured to fold back together with the central area around its connection with the sheet metal part when the penetrable opening is changed into a through state by the shank of the screw without loosening from the sheet metal part.

[0014] The sheet metal parts of the present invention achieve gas tightness in a cost and time efficient manner. Indeed, using the present invention eliminates the need to subsequently cover with foil openings provided in the sheet metal parts for connection purposes.

[0015] A penetrable opening in the context of the present invention is meant to include an area in a sheet metal part that is weakened so that it can be easily penetrated by the shank of a screw to put the opening into a penetrated state. The weakened area is covered by a gas-tight coating layer, which provides gas-tightness, at least in the non-penetrated state. In the penetrated state, the weakened area is moved apart by the penetration shank of the screw, preferably remaining covered by the gas-tight coating layer, and then broken along the weakened boundary.

[0016] The penetrable opening further includes a central area of ​​the sheet metal configured to receive the threaded shank of the screw and a lug extending radially outward from the central area over a distance. The lug of the penetrable opening is configured to fold back on itself at the central area when the penetrable opening is penetrated by the shank of the screw, without loosening from the sheet metal part. In other words, the lug connects the displaced central area with the rest of the sheet metal part. This prevents the release of any material (no debris) from the penetrable opening when it is penetrated. This also prevents the formation of any sharp edges before or after the connection.

[0017] The sheet metal part of the present invention further allows the connection to be provided simply by tightening the screw with a (power) screwdriver, without the need for additional work. The provided connection is also strong enough to hold devices and other components and is easily removed by removing the screw connection. However, after removing the screw connection, the airtightness may be compromised.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the connections are capable of conducting electricity, as further described below.

[0019] The central area of ​​the penetrable opening is configured to receive the threaded shank of a screw. The inner diameter of the penetrable opening is slightly larger than the diameter of the screw shank, which means that the screw shank can be presented unhindered in the part of the opening covered by the inner diameter.

[0020] The lugs of the penetrable opening extend radially outward from the central area over a certain distance and can contact the head of the screw. Countersunk and pan head screw heads can be used. In most applications, pan head screw heads can be used. When using a countersunk head screw, the screw can enter the penetrable opening so that the top surface of the countersunk head screw, facing away from the shank, is flush with or can even be located below the outer surface of the sheet metal part when connected.

[0021] The threaded shank of the screw can be received and fastened in the penetrable opening, particularly in its central area. Alternatively, the threaded shank of the screw can be received and fastened in a cavity of a base component. The central area of ​​the penetrable opening or other cavity can be threaded to cooperate with the threads to provide a connection. In another option, the central area of ​​the penetrable opening or other cavity is not threaded, but threads are generated in the central area or sidewalls of the cavity when the screw shank is provided in the central area of ​​the penetrable opening or cavity and fastened. The screw is said to be "self-tapping".

[0022] The device or other part for connection with the sheet metal part can be made of metal, but preferably also of any other suitable material that can conduct electricity. Suitable materials other than metal can be, for example, polymers with conductive fibers, such as carbon fibers.

[0023] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a sheet metal part in which a hermetic coating layer is provided on the side of the sheet metal part on which the screw is to be provided. An embodiment in which a hermetic coating layer is provided on the side of the sheet metal part opposite the side on which the screw is to be provided is more preferred. An embodiment in which a hermetic coating layer is provided on the side of the sheet metal part on which the screw is provided and on the side of the sheet metal part opposite the side on which the screw is provided is even more preferred. The latter embodiment provides good hermeticity but also easy penetration.

[0024] The shape of the central area of ​​the penetrable opening can be any shape suitable for the purpose, such as a polygon or even an irregular shape. One embodiment of the sheet metal part in which the central area is circular is preferred.

[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, penetrable openings can be provided in sheet metal parts by laser cutting and / or punching with a punching tool. Both methods provide weakened areas, i.e., areas with weakened boundaries, in the sheet metal part that provide the penetrable openings. The punching tool or laser creates an area of ​​some shape in the sheet metal part, which is sealed in an airtight manner by a surface finish that provides an airtight layer. Laser cutting is typically achieved along the weakened boundaries of the area that defines the penetrable opening. The weakened boundaries are then weakened by a reduced thickness or by cutting through the full thickness of the sheet metal part. Punching with a tool having approximately the same shape as the area that defines the penetrable opening can weaken the weakened boundaries by deforming these boundaries out of the plane of the sheet metal part.

[0026] The degree of weakening may depend on the properties of the metal used in the sheet metal part and on other properties such as the wall thickness of the sheet metal part, which is understood to mean the dimension of the part perpendicular to the extension of the area of ​​the part.

[0027] Weakening a sheet metal part to a weakened area can be achieved in many ways. In one embodiment, the weakened area is formed by reducing the wall thickness of the sheet metal part in the weakened area. In another embodiment, the sheet metal part can be weakened in the weakened area by (additionally) removing a portion of the sheet metal part, such as by drilling a through-hole through the thickness of the sheet metal part. Thus, the weakened area can be defined as an area of ​​the thin sheet metal part that has reduced mechanical properties, such as stiffness and / or strength.

[0028] In one embodiment of the sheet metal part according to the invention, the penetrable opening extends over a portion of the thickness of the sheet metal part, meaning that the weakened boundary, e.g. defined by a cut in the sheet metal part, extends over a portion of the thickness of the sheet metal part.

[0029] To provide easier penetrability, another embodiment of a sheet metal part according to the present invention has a penetrable opening (and weakened boundary) that extends through the full thickness of the sheet metal part.

[0030] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a further improved sheet metal part is characterized in that the hermetic coating layer has a thickness and the non-penetrable penetrable opening (and weakened boundary) extends through the thickness of the sheet metal part and optionally through a portion of the thickness of the hermetic coating layer.

[0031] Yet another useful embodiment may be obtained by laser cutting the sheet metal part to obtain the weakened area, which has the advantage that a flush outer surface may be obtained between the penetrable opening and the rest of the sheet metal part.

[0032] It should be noted that the sheet metal part may contain multiple penetrable openings, any of which may be characterized according to one of the previously described embodiments.

[0033] The hermetic coating layer on the sheet metal part can be provided by any method known in the art. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hermetic coating layer provided on the sheet metal part comprises a coating layer selected from a powder coating layer, a wet paint coating layer, a low-emissivity coating layer also known as an E-coating layer, a hot-dip galvanized layer, a zinc coating layer, and / or a plastic dip coating layer. Coatings for the intended purpose are known in the art and readily available from suppliers.

[0034] According to the present invention, a penetrable opening in a sheet metal part in a non-penetrated state has a central area configured to receive the threaded shank of a screw and a lug extending radially outward from the central area over a certain distance, such that the lug of the penetrable opening is configured to fold back around its connection with the sheet metal part together with the central area without loosening from the sheet metal part when the penetrable opening is penetrated by the shank of the screw. In the penetrated state, the material covered by the central area is moved out of the plane of the sheet metal part by the screw shank while remaining attached to the sheet metal part by the lug. The movement of the sheet metal material covered by the central area out of the plane of the sheet metal part creates an opening in the sheet metal part. The connection with the deformed lug prevents the material covered by the central area from loosening from the sheet metal part. As disclosed above, the material covered by the central area may include a portion of the sheet metal material and a hermetic coating material, or only the hermetic coating material.

[0035] The penetrable opening may include multiple lugs, and in preferred embodiments, may include one lug.

[0036] The lugs extend radially outward from the central area over some distance, from the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central opening to the outer diameter. Any lug may extend over a distance less than the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central opening. However, preferred embodiments provide a radial distance of at least the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central area of ​​the penetrable opening, more preferably at least 1.2 times the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central area of ​​the penetrable opening, and more preferably at least 1.5 times the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central area. Preferably, the radial distance should not exceed twice the diameter (or other characteristic dimension) of the central area.

[0037] The above embodiment has the advantage that the lug can be folded back when providing a screw into the central opening without the need for an additional tool. Furthermore, the bent lug and the central opening material are less likely to fall off. Third, when a user wants to cut the bent lug, they may need to use a separate tool. This prevents accidental cutting of the lug. Fourth, the lug shape is also designed to become blunt when penetrated, thereby reducing the risk of cutting any potential wiring around it.

[0038] This advantage also applies to screws: the difference with drill screws is that the screws are also blunt, therefore reducing the risk of cutting any possible wiring around them and making the screw less likely to create splinters.

[0039] The lugs can be deformed by bending them around the outer diameter under the action of the penetrating screw head, in other words, the lugs remain attached to the rest of the sheet metal part.

[0040] Other useful embodiments of the sheet metal part provide lugs with rounded edges. In another embodiment, the lugs are shaped so that the pierceable opening has a tennis racket shape. In another embodiment, the lugs are shaped so that the pierceable opening has a water drop-like shape.

[0041] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a sheet metal part with a protective, electrically insulating layer on the side facing the head of the screw, which is provided through a penetrable opening, and the head is provided on its shank side with a cutting edge that cuts through the insulating layer when the screw is fastened, thereby providing an electrical connection between the screw and the sheet metal part, bringing them to the same voltage level, or for grounding purposes, preferably the gas-tight layer is the protective, electrically insulating layer. In one such embodiment, the cutting edge of the screw makes an electrical connection with the sheet metal part. The shank of the screw makes an electrical connection with the sheet metal part where the lug is located, while the body of the screw makes an electrical connection at the same voltage level, which in some embodiments may be at ground level. In this way, electrical connections can also be made with devices or other parts to which the sheet metal part is connected, including a second sheet metal part.

[0042] It will be clear to one skilled in the art which faces of the claimed sheet metal parts are meant to be penetrated by screws. Indeed, in housings for containing devices such as electrical, electronic and optical devices, the screws are typically provided in the walls of the housing from the outside.

[0043] It should be noted that in the case of a zinc coating or hot dip galvanized layer, a protective electrical insulating layer may not be necessary.

[0044] Screws, sheet metal parts, and optional electrical connections between other parts can serve to provide an earth or ground connection. In electrical equipment, an earth or grounding system connects certain parts of the equipment to conductive surfaces of the earth for safety and functionality purposes.

[0045] It should be noted that the protective electrically insulating layer may be a separate layer from the hermetic layer, or in a preferred embodiment may be identical to the hermetic layer, which then combines hermeticity with electrically insulating properties. Another embodiment may provide a hermetic layer further comprising an electrically insulating layer, for example in the form of a two-layer structure.

[0046] The deformation of the lug when the screw is fastened into the central opening or other cavity can be of any type. In one embodiment, the lug is elastically deformed by the head when the screw is fastened. In this embodiment, loosening the screw and restoring the connection between the thin sheet metal part and the base part can result in the deformation of the lug returning to its original state. In another preferred embodiment, the lug is plastically deformed by the screw head when the screw is applied or fastened. In this embodiment, loosening the screw leaves the lug in its deformed state. In other words, in this embodiment, the deformation of the lug of the penetrable opening of the sheet metal part is permanent once deformed.

[0047] The sheet metal part may have any shape. For example, it may be strip or plate shaped, or it may have a contoured cross section. The sheet metal part may preferably be used as part of an enclosure or housing for devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment, particularly computer equipment. The sheet metal part may have a wall thickness not exceeding 3 mm. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of the sheet metal part does not exceed 1.8 mm, more preferably not exceeding 1.6 mm, more preferably not exceeding 1.4 mm, and even more preferably not exceeding 1.1 mm. In most embodiments, the sheet metal part will have a constant wall thickness. If not, the wall thickness of the sheet metal part corresponds to its wall thickness at the location of the penetrable opening. In other words, the sheet metal part may be thicker at locations other than the locations of the penetrable openings, for example, between the locations of the penetrable openings. The wall thickness of the sheet metal part is preferably greater than the pitch of the thread that will pass through the penetrable opening of the sheet metal part. This allows the screw to be threaded into the sheet metal part either by a pre-formed thread or by self-threading.

[0048] The multiple openings may be provided in any area or portion of the sheet metal part. While the location of the openings may be arbitrary, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a sheet metal part comprising multiple penetrable openings disposed along the side edges of the sheet metal part. It will be understood that the sheet metal part may also comprise multiple other openings, optionally disposed along the side edges of the sheet metal part. According to the present invention, the other openings are not penetrable.

[0049] Another aspect of the invention further relates to the assembly of a sheet metal part according to the invention with a device or other part connected thereto, the connection being provided by a screw having a head with an exiting shank, provided through a penetrable opening.

[0050] The other part may have any shape and preferably comprises a cavity for receiving and fastening the threaded shank of the screw.

[0051] The sheet metal parts of the present invention are preferably used in housings for housing devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment, particularly computer equipment, and / or in passages between such housings or housings. Therefore, another aspect of the present invention relates to a housing for housing devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical devices, comprising at least one sheet metal part according to the present disclosure. The sheet metal part may comprise a wall of the housing, for example, selected from an airtight wall, an air barrier wall, a bottom wall or a roof wall of the housing, and / or a passage wall between the housings.

[0052] Other components may involve strips or mounting rails, preferably extruded mounting rails with several cavities or holes. These examples are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0053] The embodiments of the invention described in this disclosure may be combined in any possible combination of these embodiments, and each embodiment may separately form the subject of a divisional patent application. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0054] The invention will now be further explained on the basis of some non-limiting embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings. [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of a housing or rack to which the present invention may be applicable; [Figure 2] 2 shows details of the rack shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates a schematic top view of a sheet metal part with a penetrable opening, according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3B] 3B illustrates a schematic side view of the sheet metal part of FIG. 3A, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 depicts a schematic top view of a sheet metal part with a penetrable opening according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 10 depicts a schematic top view of a sheet metal part with a penetrable opening according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6A] 1A-1C show schematic rear views of a thin sheet metal part with an opening according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state (left), a used state (center), and an open state (right). [Figure 6B] Finally, a schematic front view of the thin sheet metal part of FIG. 6A is shown in a closed state (left), a used state (center) and an open state (right).

[0055] Description of exemplary embodiments Referring to FIG. 1, a rack 1 for housing devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical equipment (not shown) according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The rack includes a rectangular floor 10 having four interconnected floor frame members 10a extending between four floor corner elements 10b. Similarly, a rectangular roof 11 is provided having four interconnected roof frame members 11a extending between four roof corner elements 11b. The floor 10 and roof 11 are held at a vertical distance 13 from each other by vertically extending side frame members 12, each side frame member 12 being provided between a floor corner element 10b and a roof corner element 11b. The frame members 10a, 11a, and 12, and the corner elements (10b, 11b), together form a load-bearing structure for housing the equipment.

[0056] The roof 11 in the illustrated embodiment includes three adjacent top panels 11c made of thin sheet metal, preferably steel. The sheet metal 11c has a thickness of 1.0 mm, but can have other thicknesses. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , two vertically oriented mounting rails 14 are provided between each pair of side frame members 12 on at least two sides 15 of the rack 1. Each mounting rail 14 is connected at its ends to a floor frame member 10a and a roof frame member 11a according to known practice. The 19-inch mounting rails 14 typically extend parallel to one another at a standard distance 16 of 17.7 inches from one another. Each mounting rail 14 further includes a plurality of square openings 14a extending along the longitudinal direction 14b of each mounting rail 14 and provided at equal heights between the mounting rails 14. Suitable standardized equipment may include fastening lips connected to the openings 14a, for example, by screws. In this manner, multiple units of equipment (not shown) can be suspended above one another within the rack 1. The mounting rail 14 may include other openings 14c for the same purpose or for connection to auxiliary components of the rack 1, such as reinforcing brackets, side walls (not shown), etc. Apart from the top plate 11c, which together form a roof wall component, the rack 1 may include other wall components, such as side wall components 17 or floor wall components 18, to form a substantially closed cabinet. The surface of the top plate 11c may be provided with a protective, electrically insulating layer, such as a powder coating layer 111. Such a layer 111 protects the top plate 11c, but on the other hand, electrically insulates the top plate 11c, which may not be desirable for grounding purposes.

[0057] 2, there is shown a schematic detail of a floor corner of rack 1. As shown, a sheet metal part, such as sidewall part 17, may include a plurality of openings 3. Although openings 3 are shown as open, in accordance with the present invention they are eligible to be embodied as penetrable openings 5 ​​in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0058] Possible shapes of these penetrable openings 5 ​​are further described below, for example with reference to FIGS.

[0059] According to the present invention, for example as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B , a sheet metal part in the form of a wall part 17 comprises a penetrable opening 5 through which a shank 41 of a screw 4 can be provided to move the penetrable opening 5 from a non-penetrated state (left side of FIGS. 6A and 6B , referred to as “closed, before use”) to a penetrated state (center of FIGS. 6A and 6B , referred to as “used”) for mechanically and / or electrically connecting a device or other component to the wall part 17. As shown, the penetrable opening 5 in the non-penetrated state is covered by an airtight coating layer 19, which closes the underlying opening. The right side of FIGS. 6A and 6B , referred to as “open, after screw removal,” shows the penetrable opening 5 as an open opening 3 resulting from removal of the screw 4 from the penetrable opening 5 in the penetrated state.

[0060] Note that the states designated "closed, before use" (left) and "used" (center) provide airtightness to the wall part 17, whereas the state designated "open, after removal of screws" does not.

[0061] To make the connection, any suitable screw 4 may be provided with a head, such as a pan head 40, from which emerges a threaded shank 41. The head 40 may be provided with a recess 42 for receiving a screw driver. On its shank side, the head 40 may be provided with a cutting edge (not shown) that cuts the gas-tight coating layer 19, which is also electrically insulating for this purpose, when the screw 4 is fastened. This provides an electrical connection between the screw 4 and the wall part 17, for example, to bring these parts to the same voltage or for grounding purposes.

[0062] One embodiment of the penetrable opening 5 is shown schematically in Figures 3A (top view) and 3B (side view). The penetrable opening 5 in its non-penetrated state is covered by a gas-tight coating layer 19 and is further defined by a central circular area 50 configured to receive the threaded shank 41 of the screw 4. The lugs 51 are seen to extend radially 52 outward from the central area 50 for some distance 53, which in the embodiment shown is approximately 3.8 mm. The lugs are shaped such that the penetrable opening 5 has the shape of a tennis racket. The central area has a diameter 54 of approximately 3.15 mm.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3B , the penetrable opening 5 is created by punching the wall part 17 or other sheet metal part with a punching tool to deform the wall part 17 in the shape of the penetrable opening 5. This deformed wall part is also shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B (left), and its boundary is weakened and prone to breakage when a screw 4 is inserted into the penetrable opening 5. When the shank 41 of the screw 4 penetrates the central area 50, this central area 50 is moved together with the lug 51 to which it remains connected. This situation is shown, for example, in the center of FIGS. 6A and 6B . In this process, the lug 51 of the penetrable opening 5 is folded back around its connection with the remainder of the sheet metal part 17 together with the central area 50 without loosening from the sheet metal part 17. The connection between the lug 51 and the remainder of the sheet metal part 17 remains in place. As shown on the right side of Figure 6B, after removal of the screws, an opening 3 remains, having the shape of a penetrable opening 5, including an open circular central area 30 and open lug shapes 31. The lugs 51 and displaced central area 50 may remain attached to the sheet metal part 17, as shown on the right side of Figure 6A, but may also be removed with a tool.

[0064] Other embodiments of the penetrable opening 5 are shown in Figures 4 and 5. These embodiments were made by laser cutting the border of the penetrable opening 5 to form a weakened area in the thin sheet metal part 17. When a screw 4 is inserted into the penetrable opening 5, the weakened area will preferentially break along the border.

[0065] The embodiment of Figure 4 shows several circular pierceable openings 5 ​​made by laser cutting, including round holes attached to the rest of the sheet metal part 17 through ribs 55. Embodiments requiring diametrically opposed ribs tend to require some force to push them out, and the round parts can easily come loose from the sheet metal part 17, potentially leaving debris.

[0066] The embodiment of Figure 5 shows some improved pierceable openings 5, also made by laser cutting, with lugs 51 shaped such that the pierceable openings 5 ​​have a water drop-like shape. This embodiment may present a relatively weak connection between the lugs 51 and the rest of the sheet metal part 17 (due to having less material around the screw 4 when inserted into the opening). This embodiment may be selected when it is desired to easily break the pierceable opening material after insertion and removal of the screw 4.

[0067] It will be apparent that many variations of the above-described embodiments can be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A sheet metal part for use in a housing for containing devices such as electrical, electronic, and optical devices, the sheet metal part comprising a penetrable opening including an area in the sheet metal part that is weakened by having a weakened boundary, through which a shank of a screw may be provided to change the penetrable opening from a non-through state to a through state in order to mechanically and / or electrically connect a device or other component to the sheet metal part, the non-through state of the penetrable opening being covered by a gas-tight coating layer and having a central area configured to receive the threaded shank of a screw and a lug extending radially outward from the central area a distance, the lug of the penetrable opening being configured to fold back together with the central area around its connection with the sheet metal part when the penetrable opening is brought into the through state by the shank of the screw without loosening from the sheet metal part.

2. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 , wherein the hermetic coating layer is provided on one or both sides of the sheet metal part.

3. The sheet metal part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central area is circular.

4. The sheet metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the penetrable opening extends through a portion of the thickness of the sheet metal part or through the complete thickness of the sheet metal part.

5. 5. The sheet metal part according to claim 1, wherein the hermetic coating layer has a thickness, and wherein the non-penetrated penetrable opening extends over the thickness of the sheet metal part and optionally over a portion of the thickness of the hermetic coating layer.

6. 6. The sheet metal part according to claim 1, wherein the hermetic coating layer comprises a coating layer selected from a powder coating layer, a wet paint coating layer, a low-emissivity coating layer, an electrodeposition layer, a hot-dip galvanized layer, a zinc coating layer, and / or a plastic dip coating layer.

7. 7. The sheet metal part according to claim 1, wherein the lugs extend radially outward from a central area of ​​the penetrable opening over a distance of at least the diameter of the central area of ​​the penetrable opening.

8. The sheet metal part according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the penetrable opening comprises only one lug.

9. The sheet metal part according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lugs have rounded edges.

10. 10. The sheet metal part according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lugs are shaped such that the penetrable openings have a tennis racket and / or water drop-like shape.

11. The sheet metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the lugs of the penetrable openings are configured to bend back plastically when the screws are tightened.

12. The sheet metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the sheet metal part comprises a plurality of penetrable openings arranged along a side edge of the sheet metal part.

13. A sheet metal part according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall thickness of the sheet metal part does not exceed 3 mm, more preferably does not exceed 1.1 mm.

14. A method for manufacturing a sheet metal part as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the penetrable openings are provided in the sheet metal part by laser cutting the boundaries of the weakened areas in order to weaken the boundaries by a reduced thickness or by cutting through the full thickness of the sheet metal part and to obtain a flush outer surface between the penetrable openings and other parts of the sheet metal part, and / or by punching out the weakened areas with a punching tool having the shape of the areas defining the penetrable openings and weakening the boundaries by deforming these boundaries out of the plane of the sheet metal.

15. Assembly of a sheet metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 13 with a device or other part connected thereto, wherein the connection is provided by a screw having a head with an exiting shank provided through the penetrable opening.

16. 16. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein the sheet metal part comprises a protective electrically insulating layer on a side facing the head of the screw provided through the penetrable opening, the head being provided on its shank side with a cutting edge which cuts through the electrically insulating layer when the screw is tightened, thereby providing an electrical connection between the screw and the sheet metal part to bring them to the same voltage level or for grounding purposes, and preferably the hermetic coating layer is a protective electrically insulating layer.

17. 17. The assembly of claim 15 or 16, wherein the shank is received within and fastened to a cavity in the device or other component.

18. A housing for containing devices, such as electrical, electronic and optical devices, comprising at least one sheet metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and / or an assembly according to claim 16 or 17.

19. 20. The housing of claim 18, wherein the sheet metal part comprises a wall of the housing selected from an upstanding front wall, a rear wall, or an aisle wall, a floor wall, or a roof wall of the housing.

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