Housing Assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing suitable for enclosing an electromechanical component, and to a housing assembly, the housing comprising two housing parts connected by a guide groove and a complementary element which fits into the guide groove, the housing assembly having a mounting guide member mounted on the housing, the mounting guide member fitting into a slot guide member mounted on a carrier, and thus guiding the housing to an insertion position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing and housing assembly suitable for enclosing electromechanical components. [Background technology]

[0002] A variety of electrical and electro-mechanical applications require enclosures, such as fuses and control equipment components, particularly contactors.

[0003] It is important that the housing is itself robust, i.e., provides good protection for the enclosed components, but it also needs to be rigidly attached to the assembly or assembled components.

[0004] These requirements are particularly, but not exclusively, directed to the contactor housing. The focus here is on power contactors. A contactor is typically a mechanical-electronic safety component in a circuit, with high currents, typically up to 1000 A, and high voltages, typically in the range of approximately 1000 V, e.g., 1500 V. The contactor is typically connected to the load circuit by suitable contacts. The contactor may be a remote switch, which can be turned on or off by a control circuit, which may be the contactor's second power or signal line circuit.

[0005] One important application of such contactors is as a safety component for opening or disconnecting the battery circuit, typically in the field of electric vehicles. A typical combination is, for example, a contactor in combination with a fuse between the battery and the electric motor. The battery may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery.

[0006] However, such requirements are addressed by various aspects described below, and advantageous embodiments with other advantages are also described.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is described a housing assembly having a housing, the housing having a plug-in side and enclosing an electromechanical component, the housing being adapted to be mounted on a carrier. Also according to this aspect, the housing has a first mounting guide member adapted to engage with a slot guide member disposed on the carrier, so that the plug-in side of the housing can be guided into a plug-in position on the carrier by the engagement.

[0008] Here, the carrier may have, for example, a box-like shape. A printed circuit board or a circuit board may be disposed on the carrier. The printed circuit board or the circuit board may be a part of the carrier. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In this first aspect of the invention, the housing preferably rests in the plugged position on a slot in the carrier or on a circuit board on or in the carrier, and there may be, for example, an electrical connection between a connector in the slot and the electromechanical component.

[0010] The inventors of the present invention have found that when an installation guide member that engages with a slot guide member is placed on the housing, the housing can be more easily inserted into the carrier. For example, the housing can be fed near the slot or insertion position. In particular, the housing can be fed into a pre-insertion position, where the installation guide member begins to engage with the slot guide member. This guide makes it easier to feed the housing along the insertion direction into the insertion position.

[0011] Furthermore, the stability of the housing assembly can be improved by cooperation between the mounting guide member and the slot guide member, and in particular, the mechanical stability of the housing assembly against forces acting perpendicular to the insertion direction can be improved.

[0012] If a matching combination of the mounting guide member and the slot guide member is realized in one housing assembly, the positioning accuracy on the insertion position or on the slot can be realized within 0.2 mm, or even smaller in some cases. For example, when the internal volume is 100 to 1000 mm 3 In a typical housing, such positioning accuracy is sufficient to insert the plug into the mating plug and achieve electrical contact.

[0013] This aspect of the invention therefore provides a housing that is easy to insert accurately in a stable housing assembly.

[0014] The housing may be essentially cubic in shape, although the shape may deviate from a perfect cube, for example, corners or sides may be rounded, and the housing may have regions, portions, or other parts that protrude from the cubic core.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, the first mounting guide member and the first slot guide member are complementary in shape.

[0016] Here, complementary is understood to mean that the shapes of the mounting guide member and the slot guide member are adapted to each other or fit together. For example, they may be convex or concave. However, the convex or concave shapes do not have to be perfect shapes. The corresponding shapes may have interruptions or may not be solid, for example in terms of material.

[0017] If the shapes of the mounting guide member and the slot guide member are complementary to each other, this is advantageous in terms of guiding accuracy.

[0018] According to another preferred embodiment, the first mounting guide member is arranged on a side of the housing that is laterally adjacent to the insertion side.

[0019] This means that the mounting guide member is preferably located on one side of the housing, neither on the plug-in side itself nor on the side opposite the plug-in side, which may be called the base side of the housing.

[0020] The mounting guide member preferably extends along the insertion direction.

[0021] Furthermore, the direction of the mounting guide member is preferably oriented along the insertion direction, and therefore is preferably perpendicular to the orientation of the insertion side of the housing, thereby simplifying insertion into the insertion position.

[0022] According to another aspect, the mounting guide member may be formed in a rail shape, and the complementary slot guide member may accordingly be formed in a groove shape, with the rail shape preferably matching the groove shape.

[0023] The mounting guide member may also have a lead-in bevel, i.e., be inclined, at the end closest to the insertion side, which facilitates insertion of the mounting guide member into the slot guide member. Alternatively, the mounting guide member may be rounded or similarly shaped so that it can be easily inserted into the slot guide member.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment, the first mounting guide member forms a protrusion, which can for example mean that the first mounting guide member protrudes from the side surface on which it is arranged.

[0025] Therefore, the shape of the slot guide member, which is complementary in shape, is preferably an elongated notch, which makes it easier to insert the mounting guide member into the slot guide member.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment, the housing has a second mounting guide member on the other side of the housing, which is located on the insertion side, and which is adapted to be fitted into the second slot guide member, which is also preferably disposed on the carrier.

[0027] The second mounting guide member, which is located on the other side of the housing, has the advantage that the housing can be fixed on two sides. This increases the accuracy of insertion into the slot. The insertion position itself can also be determined more accurately.

[0028] Additionally, the second mounting guide member and the slot guide member can improve mechanical stability, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0029] This advantage is particularly noticeable when the second mounting guide member is disposed on the side of the housing opposite to the first mounting guide member.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment, one mounting guide member is provided or arranged on each side of the housing facing the plug-in side, which mounting guide member is suitable for insertion into a corresponding slot guide member preferably arranged on the carrier.

[0031] That is, if the housing is cubic, the first mounting guide member, the second mounting guide member, the third mounting guide member, and the fourth mounting guide member may be arranged on the side of the housing that is adjacent to the insertion side. If the housing has multiple sides that are adjacent to the insertion side of the housing, other mounting guide members may be arranged on the housing in the same manner. Preferably, a corresponding number of slot guide members are always provided on the carrier.

[0032] Four guide members and four slot guide members provide greater stability and precision than if only one or two slot guide members were provided.

[0033] According to another preferred embodiment, two openings for passing electrical contacts or contact elements may be arranged on the side of the housing, and preferably, a mounting guide, i.e., the first mounting guide or another mounting guide, is arranged between the openings and configured to provide an electrical break for the contact elements in the area between the openings.

[0034] The contact element may refer to the load circuit contact of the contactor.

[0035] Thus, one of the mounting guide members can be used as a shield disposed between the electrical contacts, for example, to disconnect such contacts when making contact or electrical contact, if the connector is already energized during contact.

[0036] Such isolation may also prevent, for example, flashover by isolating separated contacts or connectors from each other during operation.

[0037] Here, for example, the lines attached to the corresponding contacts in the contactor are preferably characterized by a voltage of more than 1000 volts and a current of more than 500 amperes, i.e., a power of 50 kilowatts to more than 500 kilowatts may be present in the lines.

[0038] According to another particularly preferred aspect, the electrical plug may be arranged on the plug-in side of the housing, and the electrical plug contacts a mating plug on or in the carrier.

[0039] In this way, the housing can be preferably introduced into the plug-in position while the plug is electrically engaged with the mating plug, thereby making electrical contact.

[0040] The plug and mating plug may preferably be part of the contactor's control circuitry or another electromechanical component enclosed in the housing, such that the electromechanical component preferably electrically connects to the plug so that the electromechanical components are in electrical contact when attached.

[0041] According to another preferred embodiment, the housing has a base side opposite the plug-in side, on which fastening points are provided and adapted for fastening to the carrier by means of a screw connection, for example arranged on parts projecting from the base side.

[0042] Here, the screw connection may be carried out, for example, on a retaining bolt which is arranged on the carrier.

[0043] The screw connection allows the housing to be stably mounted on the carrier in all directions.

[0044] According to another preferred embodiment, at least one external fine guide element may be arranged on or in the plug side. Preferably, such an external fine guide element may be arranged in the vicinity of the plug or directly on the plug. The external fine guide element is adapted to engage with a first fine positioning element arranged on the carrier. Preferably, the fine positioning element is arranged on a slot.

[0045] Correspondingly, due to this engagement of the last-mentioned external fine guide element in the fine positioning element, the plug-in side of the housing can be positioned more precisely in the plug-in position in the carrier.

[0046] For some electrical contacts, the accuracy provided by the mounting guide element and slot guide element alone may not be sufficient. In such cases, an external fine guide element can be provided which precisely guides the plug-in side into the plug-in position during insertion, for example in the last few millimeters of insertion in the insertion direction.

[0047] Here, a guiding accuracy far below 0.2 mm, for example 0.1 mm or less, can be achieved.

[0048] According to another preferred aspect, there is provided a method for installing a housing assembly, in which the housing is first fed into a pre-insertion position where the installation guide member begins to engage with the slot guide member. For example, the feeding into the pre-insertion position can be performed manually or by an appropriate insertion device. Then, the housing is pushed into the insertion position along the insertion direction by the engagement of the installation guide member and the slot guide member.

[0049] This mounting method has the advantages described for the housing.

[0050] Preferably, the mounting method of the housing can be implemented so that the insertion direction is oriented in the direction of gravity.

[0051] That is, preferably, the housing is oriented with the insertion side facing downwards, i.e., along the direction of gravity, and likewise, the housing is subjected to the insertion process in this direction, i.e., the direction of gravity is preferably the insertion direction.

[0052] Advantageously, gravity holds the housing in place before any possible screw connections are fed in.

[0053] Also, forces that usually act perpendicular to the direction of gravity in mobile applications can be better absorbed by the mounting guide member and the slot guide member.

[0054] In another aspect, a housing for housing an electromechanical component is described, comprising a first housing part and a second housing part. Housing the electromechanical component here means to encapsulate, i.e., to encase or surround, the electromechanical component. According to this first aspect, the second housing part has a first guide groove. The first housing part has a first complementary element. The first complementary element and the first guide groove are configured to be pressed together along a guide direction to connect the housing parts to form the housing.

[0055] Particularly preferably, the housing is a contactor housing, i.e. a housing provided and adapted to enclose a contactor as an electromechanical component.

[0056] These housing features described in this aspect may be provided on the housing instead of or in addition to the features described for the housing assembly above.

[0057] According to this aspect, the housing may be, but need not necessarily be, assembled: the first and second housing parts that together form the housing may exist in an unassembled form, but are in any case adapted to be assembled.

[0058] The housing may include two or more housing parts, and preferably includes mainly a first housing part and a second housing part.

[0059] The first housing part and the second housing part may be a first housing half and a second housing half, respectively.

[0060] Preferably, the first complementary element fits into the guide groove. The first guide groove may have any shape. For example, the guide groove may be cut into the material forming the side surface of the second housing part. The shape may have an undercut. That is, the shape may have, for example, a wedge, trapezoid, T-shape, or L-shape in cross section. Preferably, such a shape is molded or excavated into the material forming the side surface of the second housing part.

[0061] The complementary element has a shape that matches the guide groove. The complementary element may have, for example, a rail-like shape. This means that the complementary element, e.g., the rail, can be inserted into the guide groove. However, this does not mean that the length of the complementary element in the guide direction must be greater than its width perpendicular to the guide direction. The width may, for example, be greater than the length.

[0062] The guide groove and / or the complementary element may in principle have a stopper that limits the position of the housing parts relative to each other. This allows the stopper to, for example, ensure that the housing parts abut against each other at a predetermined point and prevent the housing parts from being pressed further together along the guiding direction. The stopper may also be part of the guide groove. The stopper may, for example, be an end of the guide groove, beyond which the complementary element cannot be guided further along the guiding direction.

[0063] The guide groove and / or the complementary element may also include latching or clamping elements that can provide a certain stability in the guiding direction.

[0064] However, it is preferred to achieve a clamping or stability in the guiding direction by the following means.

[0065] According to this first aspect, a particularly stable connection between the two housing parts can be achieved. By firmly inserting the first complementary element into the first guide groove, a more stable connection can be achieved than when the two separate housings are connected by, for example, only a unstable latch.

[0066] In particular, the guide groove and the complementary element enable the housing in the assembled state to withstand forces in particular perpendicular to the guide direction, and also to withstand torsion in particular around an axis parallel to the guide direction.

[0067] Furthermore, such a housing structure can simplify the assembly of the housing parts or the encapsulation of the electromechanical part, since according to the above embodiment, the two housing parts can be simply pressed together around the electromechanical part to be protected.

[0068] This makes such encapsulation easier than multi-part enclosures in which the enclosure parts and the encapsulated components are co-cast with a resin or other filler material, and also significantly reduces the weight of the composite enclosure and encapsulated components compared to a casting.

[0069] Therefore, the described aspects of the housing assembly can also achieve a synergistic effect, since stabilization of the housing in the housing assembly and stabilization of the mounting can be made easier or ensured.

[0070] However, some of the above-mentioned features may in principle be implemented alone, since they provide at least a slight advantage over a housing that does not have the other features.

[0071] According to one preferred embodiment, the connections of the housing parts perpendicular to the guiding direction are of the press-fit type. More preferably, all of the connections in all directions perpendicular to the guiding direction are of the press-fit type.

[0072] This can mean, for example, that the two housing parts can only be assembled or pressed together or separated in the guide direction, at least as long as no other parts are arranged on the housing that would hinder this. Separation of the housing parts in at least one direction perpendicular to the guide direction, or preferably in all directions, can be limited by mutual engagement in the guide grooves of the complementary elements.

[0073] In this way, the housing can be made much more stable in all directions perpendicular to the guiding direction, and this also applies to torsion around an axis parallel to the guiding direction.

[0074] According to another preferred embodiment, the press-fit connection is supported or achieved in particular by the shape of the guide groove and the shape of the complementary element which is complementary thereto.

[0075] Here, "complementary shapes" can be understood to mean that the shapes fit together in a substantially shape-fitting manner. However, the shape of the guide groove and the shape of the complementary element do not necessarily have to be convex and concave, but may also be convex and concave. For example, the complementary element may have an interruption in its shape along the guiding direction.

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, the complementary element may have a wing shape, with the wing engaging the undercut.

[0077] Alternatively, the guide groove may be formed only partially in the guiding direction, and may be formed, for example, as a clip into which the complementary element is fitted.

[0078] According to another aspect, the second guide groove and the second complementary element may be included in the housing, or the housing may include the second guide groove and the second complementary element, again with the second complementary element being pressed into the second guide groove or equivalently disposed and adapted to interlock with the first guide groove and the first complementary element.

[0079] Here, it is preferable that these two complementary elements are arranged on a first housing part, and these two guide grooves are arranged on a second housing part.

[0080] Preferably, the second complementary element and the second guide groove are mated. Preferably, the second guide groove and the second complementary element are shaped and arranged on the housing such that the two housing halves are pressed together by and simultaneously with the first guide groove and the first complementary element, and wherein the second complementary element can be engaged in the second guide groove.

[0081] The second guide groove is preferably arranged on the first housing part, like the first guide groove, and correspondingly, the second complementary element is preferably arranged on the first housing part.

[0082] If two complementary elements are arranged in two guide grooves, the guide grooves and the elements may be arranged symmetrically with respect to, for example, a plane or axis of symmetry of the housing.

[0083] Two guide grooves and two complementary elements allow a stable connection of these two housing parts, particularly against torsion, as would be possible with a single, very wide guide groove and a single complementary element, but in some cases the cost of the material forming the two elements can be kept to a low level.

[0084] According to another preferred embodiment, the housing has or has arranged on it a clamping mechanism, which clamping mechanism fixedly connects the first housing part and the second housing part in the guiding direction.

[0085] Again, the housing may be thought of as a single set of parts that together form the housing, i.e., the housing includes a first housing part, a second housing part, and an element used as a fastening mechanism, and these parts do not need to be assembled.

[0086] The preferred embodiment described above has the advantage that when the assembly process is finished, the housing parts are also fixedly connected, for example by a press fit in the guide direction.

[0087] That is, the clamping mechanism synergistically complements the connection of the housing parts by the guide groove and the complementary element.

[0088] According to one preferred embodiment, the tightening mechanism may for example be embodied by or comprise two or more tightening elements.

[0089] The tightening mechanism may, for example, consist of two or more tightening elements.

[0090] For example, the two or more clamping elements may be elongated tenons inserted into the overlapping side surfaces of the two housing parts in a direction perpendicular to the guide direction. They may also be rivets or pins, or may be screws or nails. The clamping elements are preferably made of metal. They may include materials such as steel, bronze or aluminum. The clamping elements may also include alloys of these materials, in particular alloys with mechanical stability similar to that of steel. The clamping elements may also include the material of the housing, for example the plastic of the housing. The clamping elements may consist of these materials.

[0091] According to one preferred embodiment, the clamping element has at least one hollow sleeve, which is arranged in aligned holes in the first and second housing parts.

[0092] The clamping element may in particular be formed as one or more hollow sleeves, the first housing part having holes aligned with corresponding holes in the second housing part, the one or more hollow sleeves being placed in these aligned holes.

[0093] Preferably, the hollow sleeve is made of metal and may have a circular or elliptical cross section. The hollow sleeve may be, for example, a hollow rivet.

[0094] The hole-like openings formed on the housing in this manner may be used as fastening points to fasten the housing from the outside.

[0095] The holes or fastening points may be located, for example, on the base side of the housing. Preferably, the holes are located in the area where the first and second housing parts overlap, which may be referred to as the overlap area. More preferably, the holes are located in the wings of the first and second housing parts that are remote from the main body of the housing.

[0096] For example, a screw connection can be made at the fastening points formed in this way, for example screws or grub screws can be threaded through these fastening points and these screws or grub screws can fasten the housing directly on the base side against a fastening element or fasten the housing in a slot on the plug-in side that is usually opposite the base side.

[0097] This allows the fastening element to achieve the synergistic effect of fastening along the guide direction, i.e., to fixedly connect the first housing part and the second housing part, while also being used as a fastening point for fastening the housing from the outside.

[0098] According to another preferred embodiment, the housing has at least one latch mechanism. The first housing part and the second housing part are preferably assembled. The first housing part and the second housing part are latched to each other by the latch mechanism.

[0099] In particular, the second housing part has an engaging element which comprises a resilient or bendable part and a hook-shaped part, which can be engaged in an opening in the first housing part, for example.

[0100] Additionally, multiple latch mechanisms of similar or identical design may be installed or positioned on the housing.

[0101] The latch mechanism may be located on any part of the housing, or mating portions of the latch mechanism may be located on corresponding housing parts to allow the housing parts to engage with each other.

[0102] The latching mechanism can have several advantages: on the one hand, it additionally stabilizes or fastens the two housing parts along the guide direction in addition to or instead of the clamping mechanism.

[0103] The latch mechanism may be, for example, a depth stop in the guiding direction, in particular, by engagement, which fixes the first housing part to the second housing part in a specific position relative to each other. In such a position, the holes may, for example, be aligned with each other, and in such a case, for example, a fastening mechanism may be inserted into the holes.

[0104] Such a latching mechanism also makes it less likely or prevents sliding of the housing parts relative to one another during or after installation.

[0105] According to one preferred embodiment, at least one latch mechanism or a plurality of latch mechanisms are arranged on the side of the housing opposite to the guide groove side.

[0106] This latch or these latches may in particular be arranged on the side of the housing opposite to the side on which the first guide groove is arranged.

[0107] A particularly stable connection between the housing halves can be achieved by mounting the guide grooves, together with the complementary elements that fit into the guide grooves, opposite the latch assemblies, so that the opposing arrangement prevents the plug-in housing parts from separating when subjected to force.

[0108] According to another preferred aspect, the housing has an opening, which is arranged on the housing so as to be suitable for guiding the electrical contact from the inside to the outside of the housing along the guiding direction.

[0109] These electrical contacts may be, for example, the load circuit contacts of a contactor.

[0110] The openings may be arranged, for example, on a side surface of the housing that is oriented perpendicular to the guiding direction. For example, in such a case, a contactor or another electromechanical component can be placed or inserted into the second housing part, and the first housing part can be pressed against the second housing part in the guiding direction around the electromechanical element to be protected. In such a case, the load circuit contacts can extend out through the openings. In such a case, contact can be easily made at these load circuit contacts without an additional step of guiding the load circuit wiring out.

[0111] Here, these openings may be openings between which the mounting guide members as shields can be arranged as described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0112] The present invention will be described in more detail below by way of exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments are shown in the following drawings, but the drawings are not drawn to scale, so that lengths and relative and absolute dimensions cannot be seen from the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the drawings.

[0113] [Figure 1]1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the housing enclosing electromechanical components in an assembled state; FIG. [Figure 2] 1 shows a first perspective view of a first embodiment of the housing, in which the housing parts are separated from each other in the insertion direction; [Figure 3] 2 shows a second perspective view of the first embodiment of the housing, in which the housing parts are separated from each other in the insertion direction; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic cross section of a first embodiment of a complementary element and a guide groove. [Figure 5] 10 shows a schematic cross section of a second embodiment of a complementary element and a guide groove. [Figure 6] 10 shows a schematic cross section of a third embodiment of a complementary element and a guide groove. [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic cross section of a first embodiment having two complementary elements and two guide grooves. [Figure 8] 1 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the housing enclosing electromechanical components in an assembled state; FIG. [Figure 9] 10 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the housing enclosing electromechanical components; FIG. [Figure 10] 10 shows a schematic plan view of the plug-in side of a third embodiment of the housing. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 shows a schematic plan view of the plug-in side of a fourth embodiment of the housing. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 shows a schematic plan view of the plug-in side of a fifth embodiment of the housing. [Figure 13] 10 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the housing enclosing electromechanical components; FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the insertion side of a seventh embodiment of the housing. [Figure 15] 1 illustrates a cross section of one embodiment of a housing assembly. [Figure 16] 1 shows a top view of the embodiment of the housing assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0114] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a housing 1 of the present invention.

[0115] The housing 1 can be characterized by an internal Cartesian coordinate system consisting of x, y, and z. The housing 1 is approximately cubic, with rounded corners and sides.

[0116] The housing 1 has a plug-in side 2 which is oriented parallel to the xy plane of an internal coordinate system.

[0117] The housing is provided and adapted to be fed into the housing assembly with the plug-in side facing forward, and therefore the direction normal to the surface of the plug-in side parallel to the z-direction may be defined herein as the insertion direction.

[0118] The base side 14 faces the insertion side 2. The other sides are numbered as a first side 3, a second side 4 facing the first side 3, a third side 5, and a fourth side 6.

[0119] The housing 1 comprises a first housing part 7 and a second housing part 8 which enclose electromechanical components, for example contactors. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to electromechanical components being enclosed in a housing. Furthermore, these two housing parts 7 and 8, which may be considered housing halves here, do not need to be assembled. The housing parts are suitable for assembly.

[0120] The plug-in side 2 of the housing 1 has a plug 12 in or on the plug-in side 2, which is provided and adapted to be inserted into a mating plug, as described below.

[0121] The second housing part 8 also has a first guide groove 17, which will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The first complementary element 16 is fitted into this guide groove, and the first complementary element will be described in detail below together with the guide groove 17.

[0122] The housing 1 may be formed by assembling a first housing part 7 and a second housing part 8 such that the two housing parts 7 and 8 are pressed together along a guide direction via a guide groove 17 and a complementary element 16 that fits into the guide groove 17. Here, the pressing direction is a guide direction that is oriented parallel to the x-axis. The guide direction is oriented along the -x direction (negative x direction).

[0123] The mutual engagement of the first guide groove 17 and the first complementary element 16 realizes a press-fit type connection of the housing 1 in all directions perpendicular to the guiding direction.

[0124] The housing also has openings on the first side 3 with load circuit contacts 10', which are guided by the openings. Here, the load circuit contacts may be load circuit contacts of a contactor. A shield 11 is arranged between the openings with the load circuit contacts 10'. This shield 11 provides electrical insulation between the contacts. When assembling the housing parts 7 and 8, the load circuit contacts can easily pass through the openings in the first housing part 7 because these openings are oriented perpendicular to the guiding direction, i.e., along the yz plane.

[0125] The housing also has four fastening points: two first fastening points 9 and two second fastening points 9'. The fastening points 9 and 9' are all located in areas protruding from the cubic housing, which are preferably formed flat in the xy plane. The fastening points 9 and 9' are provided and adapted to allow the housing to be fastened to an external element, such as a carrier, by means of screw connections on these fastening points, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0126] The first fastening point 9 is formed by inserting a hollow metal sleeve 13 into aligned holes in the first and second housing parts 7, 8, which are part of the overlap area between the first and second housing parts 7, 8, as described in more detail below. The hollow sleeve is oval in this embodiment, but may also be circular.

[0127] The second fastening point 9' may likewise have a corresponding hollow sleeve.

[0128] The first fastening point 9 functions as a clamping mechanism together with the hollow sleeve 13. In particular, the hollow sleeve 13 may be understood as a clamping part. The clamping thus created prevents the first housing part 7 and the second housing part 8 from moving relative to each other in the guide direction (i.e. parallel to the x-direction).

[0129] Thus, the first guide groove 17, the first complementary element 16 and the clamping mechanism ensure a press-fit type connection of these two housing parts in all three spatial directions.

[0130] The housing 1 shown here and below can in principle be manufactured by any process.

[0131] However, it is preferable to use an injection molding process. Preferably, a raw material including a polymer component and glass wool is used in the injection molding process. The polymer component may be, for example, polyamide, but is preferably polybutylene terephthalate (PPT). In addition, in order to provide a housing 1 that is substantially resistant to high temperatures, the raw material may contain glass wool in a weight ratio of 20 wt% to 40 wt%, preferably 30 wt%.

[0132] The dimensions of the housing 1 may in principle vary arbitrarily depending on the electromechanical components to be enclosed.

[0133] Preferably, and for various uses, the insertion side 2 is 25 to 100 cm. 2 The housing may have a depth of 4 to 10 cm in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in side 2. In principle, the features described here can also be applied to housings with dimensions that deviate from these dimensions.

[0134] The plug 12 has the above dimensions, for example, 10 to 600 mm 2 It has an area of

[0135] 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the housing 1, in which the housing parts are shown separated or separated from each other along the direction opposite to the guide direction. That is, the first housing part 7 is detached from the second housing part 8 along the x direction. In this way, the guide groove 17 in the overlap region 142 can be more clearly shown. Unless otherwise specified, all other parts correspond to the parts shown in FIG. 1.

[0136] In this figure, there are no electromechanical components inside the housing 1. The interior of the housing is empty and no load circuit contacts are shown in the holes 10. Also, instead of a plug, the housing 1 may have an empty space 12' for the plug, into which the plug can be inserted. Alternatively, cabling can be guided through the empty space 12'.

[0137] 2, the base side 14 of the housing 1 in the assembled state is formed by the overlapping portions of the first housing part 7 and the second housing part 8. These overlapping portions are called an overlapping region 141 of the first housing part 7 and an overlapping region 142 of the second housing part 8, respectively.

[0138] In this embodiment, the entire side surface of the first housing part 7 facing away from the viewer is the overlapping region 141 of the first housing part 7.

[0139] An overlapping region 142 of the second housing part 8 is indicated by a dotted line. In the assembled state, the overlapping region 141 overlaps with the overlapping region 142 when viewed from the z direction.

[0140] A first guide groove 17 is further formed in the overlapping region 142, and the guide groove is provided and adapted to receive the first complementary element 16. Alternatively, the first complementary element 16 may be pressed into the first guide groove 17 along the guiding direction (here, the x-direction).

[0141] The extent of the first guide groove 17 and the first complementary element 16 in the guiding direction (-x direction) may be defined as the length of the first complementary element 16 or the first guide groove 17. The width of these components is defined perpendicular to the x direction, i.e. parallel to the y direction, respectively.

[0142] The end of the guide groove 17 in the guiding direction (-x direction), starting from the nearest edge of the housing 1, may be understood as a depth stop, at which the housing parts 7 and 8 are pressed together, united, and then held in a fixed, defined position.

[0143] The second housing part 8 also has a plug-in area 15, which is a recessed area of ​​the second housing part 8 into which a corresponding area of ​​the first housing part is inserted to provide additional stability.

[0144] The second housing part 8 also has a hole 9b which, in the assembled state, aligns with the hole 9a in the first housing part 7. A hollow sleeve 13 can then be inserted into this hole, as shown in Figure 1.

[0145] The housing 1 in FIG. 2 may also have structural components 18 therein that reinforce the mechanical stability of the housing 1, for example here as strip-like ribs.

[0146] FIG. 3 shows a further view of the first embodiment of the housing 1 seen from the base side 14 .

[0147] All components of the housing 1 correspond to those shown in Figure 2. Here, the shape of the first guide groove 17 can be particularly seen. This guide groove has an undercut into which the complementary element 16, which has a corresponding shape, is fitted. In this embodiment, the complementary element 16 and the guide groove 17 adopt a convex shape and a concave shape.

[0148] The complementary element 16 shown here has a larger extension in its width (y direction) than in the guide direction (-x direction). For example, the width of the complementary element 16 may be 20% to 80% of the width of the base side.

[0149] With a single complementary element 16 and a single guide groove 17, the length may in principle be any length. In the shown configuration, the length is 10% to 90% of the corresponding extent of the base side in the same direction. In principle, the longer the guide groove 17, the more stable the connection, especially against torsion.

[0150] The shape of the complementary element 16 corresponding to the guide groove 17 is not specifically limited and may be any shape as long as the first housing part and the second housing part can be pressed or inserted together as described above. Figures 4 to 6 show various exemplary embodiments of the complementary element 16 and the guide groove 17 in schematic cross sections of the overlapping area 141 of the first housing part 7 and the overlapping area 142 of the second housing part 8.

[0151] FIG. 4 shows a first guide groove 17, which corresponds to the guide groove of the first embodiment. The guide groove 17 is embedded in the overlapping region 142 of the second housing part 8 in a trapezoidal shape, with the shorter of the parallel sides of the trapezoid facing the contact surface between the overlapping regions 141 and 142. The trapezoidal shape of the guide groove results in an undercut. The complementary element 16 is formed in the overlapping region 141 of the first housing part 7 and has a shape complementary to the guide groove 17. This engages with the undercut, preventing separation or removal of the housing parts in all directions perpendicular to the guide direction, i.e., in all directions within the plot plane of the cross section. Therefore, the guide groove 17 and the complementary element 16 form a press-fit connection in all directions perpendicular to the guide direction.

[0152] The first complementary element 16 does not necessarily have to be complete or continuous over the entire length of the first guide groove 17 in the guiding direction. For example, the first complementary element 16 may have an interruption in the guiding direction. However, it is preferable that the first complementary element 16 and the first guide groove 17 are formed to be continuous in the guiding direction to facilitate uniform guiding when the housing parts are pressed together.

[0153] Similarly, the first guide groove 17 does not necessarily have to be formed so as to be continuous. The guide groove may be formed so as to have a larger thickness in the region of the overlapping region 142 of the second housing part 8 and not have a larger thickness in other flatter regions. However, for the reasons mentioned above, it is also preferable that the first guide groove 17 be formed so as to be continuous.

[0154] 5, the first complementary element 16 also does not need to follow the complete shape of the first guide groove 17, such as a convex and concave shape, to be considered complementary in shape. Correspondingly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first complementary element 16 is formed as two wings that respectively fit into the trapezoidal undercut of the first guide groove 16.

[0155] In this way, the material cost of the first complementary element 16 can be reduced.

[0156] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the first guide groove 17 and the first complementary element 16, which, unlike the above-mentioned example, does not have an inclined undercut, but the first guide groove 17 and the first complementary element 16 have a T-shape, and therefore have an undercut parallel to the base side 14 of the housing 1.

[0157] 7 shows an embodiment in which a second guide groove 17' is provided in addition to the first guide groove 17. A first complementary element 16 and a second complementary element 16', which are respectively complementary to the shapes of these guide grooves, are fitted into these guide grooves.

[0158] These structures can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry of the housing, for example, and can provide torsional stability that would otherwise have to be achieved by a single very wide complementary element.

[0159] Preferably, if there are two guide grooves and two complementary elements, their corresponding extent in the guiding direction may be greater than their width.

[0160] Likewise, in principle, further complementary elements and guide grooves may also be provided.

[0161] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention or housing 1.

[0162] Here, all the components described above with respect to Figure 1 are provided. The housing also has a latch mechanism 19 on the plug-in side 2.

[0163] The latch mechanism 19 here comprises openings provided in the first housing part 7. Hook-shaped elements of the locking element are engaged in these openings and further comprise elastic or bendable portions which are part of or fasten to the second housing part 8.

[0164] The hook-shaped element can be engaged in the opening to provide an additional mechanically stable connection between the first housing part 7 and the second housing part 8. In particular, the latch mechanism 19 forms a connection of the housing part opposite to the connection formed by the first guide groove 17 and the first complementary element 16, thereby preventing these two housing parts from separating.

[0165] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the housing 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0166] The third embodiment of the housing 1 corresponds to the previously described embodiments except for the following features.

[0167] The housing 1 according to the third embodiment has a first mounting guide member 21 on the third side surface 5. In addition, a fourth mounting guide member 24 is disposed on the first side surface 3 of the housing. In this example, other mounting guide members (a second mounting guide member 22 and a third mounting guide member 23) are also formed, but are not visible in the perspective view.

[0168] That is, each of the four side surfaces 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the housing 1 has an installation guide member. The installation guide members are elongated in the z direction and are oriented along this direction. These installation guide members are provided and adapted to be inserted into the corresponding slot guide members in a direction defined as the insertion direction and guided within these slot guide members. The length of the installation guide member is approximately 20% to 90%, preferably 50% to 80%, of the groove of the side surface on which it is located. Furthermore, the installation guide members are oriented perpendicular to the corresponding side surface as flat elements.

[0169] To facilitate engagement with the slot guide member, the mounting guide member may have a lead-in slope on the insertion side 2, i.e., may be inclined.

[0170] FIG. 10 shows a schematic plan view of the plug-in side of the housing 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0171] Here, all four mounting guide members 21, 22, 23, 24 are visible.

[0172] As shown in the schematic plan view of the fourth embodiment in Fig. 11, according to the present invention, even if the housing 1 has only one first mounting guide member 21, if this mounting guide member is appropriate, it can in principle be engaged with a corresponding slot guide member to guide the housing 1 into the slot or to feed it into the insertion position in the carrier. Here, it is preferable that the single first mounting guide member 21 is not arranged on the first side surface 3 of the housing 1; in the example used here, this first side surface is the side surface having the opening for the load circuit contacts. In other words, this single first mounting guide member 21 can be securely attached to the housing as a complementary shield.

[0173] In other respects, the features of the housing 1 may correspond to those of the embodiments described above, for example the housing shown in FIG.

[0174] 12, an embodiment of the housing 1 having a first mounting guide member 21 and a second mounting guide member 22 is also obtained. Here, the first mounting guide member 21 and the second mounting guide member 22 are arranged opposite each other. The first mounting guide member 21 is arranged, for example, on a second side surface of the housing, and corresponds to the second mounting guide member 22 on the first side surface of the housing.

[0175] The use of two mounting guide members has the advantage of providing more accurate and stable guidance compared to the use of only one mounting guide member. However, the use of two mounting guide members has the advantage of reducing the number of components and the weight of the housing 1 compared to the use of four mounting guide members. The manufacturing mold is also less complicated.

[0176] 13 and 14 show a sixth embodiment of the housing 1 which may generally correspond to the housing 1 shown in FIG.

[0177] However, one of the mounting guide members, namely the fourth mounting guide member 24, also functions as a shield 11. This shield may be an electrical break between the contacts, for example between the load circuit contacts of a contactor.

[0178] To effectively function as a shield, the fourth mounting guide member 24 is flatter than the other mounting guide members, for example the first mounting guide member 21. Flatter means that its length, i.e. its extent on the first side, may correspond approximately to the length of the other mounting guide members, but its height, i.e. its extent in the direction normal to the first side, in the x-direction, is preferably greater than the other mounting guide members.

[0179] 15 and 16 respectively show a schematic cross section of a housing assembly using, for example, housing 1 as in Figures 9 and 10. The cross section line is line AB shown in Figure 10.

[0180] FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of the housing 1 as seen from the base side.

[0181] The cross section in FIG. 15 has been simplified to make it easier to see the other components, and the fastening points on the flat components protruding from the housing core of the housing 1 are not shown here.

[0182] The housing assembly comprises a carrier 26 on or in which, for example, a circuit board or printed circuit board can be arranged, and the housing assembly also comprises electromechanical components 25, for example contactors, which are arranged or enclosed in the housing 1.

[0183] In particular, it can be seen how the mounting guide elements 21 and 24 engage with the corresponding slot guide elements 27 arranged on the carrier 26. The mounting guide elements 21 and 24 preferably have a lead-in bevel on the side facing the insertion side 2. Here, the slot guide element 27 is also beveled, more precisely at the end facing away from the carrier 26. Furthermore, at the beveled end, the notch corresponding to the complementary shape of the slot guide element with the mounting guide element is larger than the required width of the complementary shape for the mounting guide element. This allows for easier engagement in the pre-insertion position, where the mounting guide element begins to engage with the slot guide element during insertion.

[0184] Also shown in the housing assembly shown here are power circuit contacts 10' and power circuit wiring 101 which are part of the power circuit and connected to the electromechanical component.

[0185] The housing 1 also has on or in its plug side a plug 12 which electrically connects to the electromechanical part 25, in particular the contacts of the control circuit.

[0186] The plug 12 has a shape complementary to a mating plug 121, which is placed on the carrier as part of a slot, so that an electrical connection can be made between the control unit and the control circuit thus formed.

[0187] As shown diagrammatically by the corresponding triangular shape of plug 12, an external fine guide element may be provided and positioned on plug 12 as part of receptacle side 2. This external fine guide element engages with a fine positioning element in the slot to precisely mate plug 12 with mating plug 121. Alternatively, the external fine guide member may be positioned in a peripheral area of ​​the plug on receptacle side 2.

[0188] In this way, basic positioning at the insertion position of the housing can be ensured with a positioning accuracy of up to 2 mm by the mounting guide members 21, 22, 23, 24 and the slot guide member 27, and more accurate positioning of the electrical contacts can be assisted by the additional external fine guide member. In this way, more accurate positioning can be achieved, and further, it is possible to make it easier to effectively insert the plug 12 into the mating plug 121.

[0189] FIG. 16 shows a corresponding top view of the base side of the housing in the housing assembly.

[0190] The parts correspond to those in Figure 15, with the addition of fastening points 91. Fastening points 91 may correspond to fastening points 9 or 9' in the previous examples, but with additional threaded connections. These threaded connections may also have washers.

[0191] These threaded connections can be screwed onto retaining bolts which can be placed on the carrier.

[0192] Thus, as a complement of the four mounting guide members and the slot guide members, the housing 1 can be firmly fixed in the plug-in position by means of corresponding screw connections.

[0193] In applications such as mobile applications, it is preferable that the z-direction corresponds to the direction of gravity, since this allows the mounting guide member and slot guide member to particularly effectively absorb acceleration and deceleration forces that occur perpendicular to the direction of gravity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0194] 1 chassis 2 Insertion side 3 First aspect 4 Second aspect 5 Third aspect 6 Fourth aspect 7 First housing part 8 Second housing part 9 First Attachment Point 9a Hole in first housing part 9b Hole in second housing part 9' Second fastening point 10 aperture 10' Opening with load circuit contact 11 Shield 12 plugs 12' Clearance for plug 13 Hollow sleeve 14 Base side 15 Insertion Area 16 First complementary element 16' Second complementary element 17 First guide groove 17' Second guide groove 18 Structural parts 19 Latch mechanism 21 First mounting guide member 22 Second mounting guide member 23 Third mounting guide member 24 Fourth mounting guide member 25 Electromechanical Components 26 Career 27 Slot guide member 91 Fastening points using screw connections 101 Load circuit wiring 121 Mating plug 141 overlapping area of ​​first housing part 142 Second housing part overlap area x 1st direction y second direction z 3rd direction

Claims

1. a housing assembly having a housing, the housing having a plug-in side and a side surface on the side of the housing that is adjacent to the plug-in side, the housing housing housing containing an electromechanical component, the housing being configured to be mounted on a carrier, the housing having a first mounting guide member on the side surface that is configured to engage with a first slot guide member disposed on the carrier, the engagement enabling the plug-in side of the housing to be guided into a plug-in position on the carrier; A housing assembly, wherein two openings through which electrical contacts pass are arranged on the side of the housing, and the first mounting guide member is arranged between the openings so as to be suitable for electrically isolating the contact elements in the area between the openings.

2. The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting guide member and the first slot guide member are complementary in shape.

3. The housing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first mounting guide member is formed in a rail shape.

4. The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting guide member forms a protrusion.

5. 2. The housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a second mounting guide member on the other side of the housing that is on the side of the insertion side, and the second mounting guide member is configured to engage with the second slot guide member.

6. The housing assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the second mounting guide member is disposed on a side of the housing opposite to the first mounting guide member.

7. 2. The housing assembly of claim 1, wherein an installation guide member is disposed on each side surface of the housing that is adjacent to the insertion side, and each installation guide member is configured to engage with a corresponding slot guide member of the carrier.

8. the electrical plug is located on the plug side of the housing; The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical plug makes electrical contact with a mating plug on the carrier.

9. 2. The housing assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing has a base side opposite the plug-in side and including at least two fastening points, the fastening points being provided and adapted to fasten to the carrier by a threaded connection.

10. 2. The housing assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertion side has at least one external fine guide element, the external fine guide element being configured to engage with a first fine positioning element arranged on the carrier, and the engagement allows the insertion side of the housing to be more accurately positioned at the insertion position on the carrier.

11. The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly is a contactor housing assembly having a contactor housing that encloses a contactor.

12. 2. The method for installing a housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing is first fed into a pre-insertion position where the installation guide member begins to engage with the slot guide member, and then the housing is pushed into the insertion position along the insertion direction by the guidance of the installation guide member and the slot guide member that are engaged with each other.

13. The method for mounting the housing assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the insertion direction is oriented along the direction of gravity.

14. 1. A method of mounting a housing assembly, the housing assembly comprising: a housing assembly including a housing having a plug-in side and housing an electromechanical component, the housing being adapted to be mounted on a carrier and having a first mounting guide member adapted to engage with a first slot guide member disposed on the carrier, the engagement enabling the plug-in side of the housing to be guided into a plug-in position on the carrier; A housing assembly, the insertion side of which has at least one external fine guide element, the external fine guide element being adapted to engage with a first fine positioning element disposed on the carrier, and the engagement allows the insertion side of the housing to be more accurately positioned at an insertion position on the carrier; First, the housing is fed into a pre-insertion position where the mounting guide member begins to engage with the slot guide member, and then the housing is pushed into the insertion position along the insertion direction by the guidance of the mounting guide member and the slot guide member that are engaged with each other; When the outer fine guide element is guided to the insertion position, it engages with the first fine positioning element disposed on the slot. A method for mounting a housing assembly.

15. 10. A housing for accommodating electromechanical components having the features of claim 1, the housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, the second housing part having a first guide groove, the first housing part having a first complementary element, the first complementary element and the first guide groove being formed to be pressed together along a guide direction to connect the housing parts to form the housing.

16. The housing of claim 15 , wherein the connection in a direction perpendicular to the guiding direction is a press-fit type connection.

17. The housing of claim 16 , wherein the press-fit connection is supported by a shape of the guide groove and a shape of the complementary element that is complementary thereto.

18. 16. The housing of claim 15, wherein the housing has a second guide groove and a second complementary element, the second complementary element disposed and adapted to be pressed into the second guide groove.

19. The housing of claim 15 , wherein a clamping mechanism fixedly connects the first housing part and the second housing part in a guide direction.

20. 20. The housing of claim 19, wherein the fastening mechanism includes two or more fastening elements.

21. 21. The housing of claim 20, wherein the fastening element includes at least one hollow sleeve, the hollow sleeve being disposed in aligned holes in the first and second housing parts.

22. 16. The housing of claim 15, wherein the first housing part and the second housing part are assembled, the housing having at least one latch mechanism, and the first housing part and the second housing part are latched to each other by the latch mechanism.

23. The housing of claim 22 , wherein the at least one latch mechanism is disposed on a side of the housing opposite the guide groove.

24. The housing of claim 15 , wherein the housing has an opening, the opening being positioned on the housing to accommodate guiding the electrical contact from the inside to the outside of the housing along a guiding direction.

Images