MULTIPART HOUSING MADE OF PLASTIC

Abstract

A multipart plastic housing may include a first plastic housing part and a second plastic housing part detachably securable to one another via at least one fastening device. The at least one fastening device may include a first bracket disposed integrally on the first housing part and a second bracket disposed integrally on the second housing part. The first bracket may include a boss for receiving a fastener and a clamp engaging member on which a clamp of a clamp closure is engageable. The second bracket may include a counter-bearing on which a head of the fastener is supported axially when the fastener is received in the boss and a lever bearing on which a lever of the clamp closure is supported when the clamp is engaged with the clamp engaging member. The clamp may be pivotably mounted on the lever.

Claims

1. A multipart plastic housing, comprising: a first plastic housing part and a second plastic housing part detachably securable to one another via at least one fastening device; at least one fastening device including a first bracket disposed integrally on the first housing part and a second bracket disposed integrally on the second housing part; the first bracket including a boss for receiving a fastener and a clamp engaging member on which a clamp of a clamp closure is engageable; and the second bracket including a counter-bearing on which a head of the fastener is supported axially when the fastener is received in the boss and a lever bearing on which a lever of the clamp closure is supported when the clamp is engaged with the clamp engaging member, wherein the clamp is pivotably mounted on the lever.

2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the counter-bearing has a through-opening for a shank of the fastener, and wherein the through-opening is aligned with an opening of the boss when the first housing part is attached to the second housing part.

3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the lever bearing is externally concavely curved and defines a lever pivot axis about which the lever in the lever bearing is pivotably mounted.

4. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the counter-bearing is arranged in the lever bearing.

5. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the lever has a bearing end inserted in the lever bearing which covers the screw counter-bearing.

6. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the clamp has a clip end engaged in the clamp engaging member and overlapping the boss when the first bracket is coupled to the second bracket.

7. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the boss is arranged centrally with respect to the clamp engaging member in relation to a lever pivot axis about which the lever is pivotally mounted in the lever bearing.

8. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the counter-bearing is arranged centrally with respect to the lever bearing in relation to a lever pivot axis about which the lever is pivotally mounted in the lever bearing.

9. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the second bracket includes a latching device securing the lever on the second bracket, wherein the latching device engages the lever when a bearing end of the lever is inserted into the lever bearing.

10. The housing according to claim 1, wherein: the first bracket has a first stop facing the second bracket; the second bracket has a second stop facing the first bracket; and the first stop is supported on the second stop when the first housing part and the second housing part are attached to one another.

11. The housing according to claim 10, wherein the first stop and the second stop lie in a parting plane in which the first housing part and the second housing part abut against one another.

12. The housing according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one fastening device includes the clamp closure; the lever of the clamp closure includes a manually actuatable grip end and a bearing end mounted pivotably about a lever pivot axis in the lever bearing; and the clamp is mounted pivotably on the lever about a clamp pivot axis which extends parallel to the lever pivot axis between the bearing end and the grip end.

13. The housing according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one fastening device includes the clamp closure; the clamp closure is adjustable between a closed position and an open position by pivoting the lever about a lever pivot axis in the lever bearing; and the clamp closure is disposed in a dead centre position in the closed position.

14. The housing according to claim 1, wherein: the first housing part includes an opening edge which borders a housing opening, wherein the housing opening is closed by the second housing part when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part; the first housing part further includes a groove disposed in the opening edge; and the second housing part includes a tongue arranged complementary to the groove, wherein the tongue engages into the groove when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part.

15. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening device includes the fastener, and when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part by the at least one fastening device, the fastener is received in the boss of the first bracket and is supported with via the head on the counter-bearing of the second bracket.

16. The housing according to claim 15, wherein the at least one fastening device further includes the clamp closure, and when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part by the at least one fastening device, the clamp closure is adjusted into a closed position in which the clamp engages in the clamp engaging member of the first bracket and the lever is supported on the lever bearing of the second bracket.

17. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening device includes the clamp closure, and when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part by the at least one fastening device, the clamp closure is adjusted into a closed position in which the clamp engages in the clamp engaging member of the first bracket and the lever is supported on the lever bearing of the second bracket.

18. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the clamp engaging member defines a recess in the first bracket on a side facing away from the second bracket in which the clamp is engageable.

19. The housing according to claim 7, wherein the counter-bearing is arranged centrally with respect to the lever bearing in relation to the lever pivot axis about which the lever is pivotally mounted in the lever bearing.

20. A multipart plastic housing, comprising: a first plastic housing part and a second plastic housing part; at least one fastening device structured to attach the first housing part and the second housing part together; the at least one fastening device including a first bracket disposed integrally on the first housing part, a second bracket disposed integrally on the second housing part, and a clamp closure including a clamp pivotally mounted on a lever; the first bracket including a boss for receiving a fastener and a clamp engaging member on which the clamp of the clamp closure engages when the first housing part and the second housing part are attached together; the second bracket including a counter-bearing on which a head of the fastener is supported axially when the fastener is received in the boss and a lever bearing on which the lever of the clamp closure is supported when the clamp is engaged with the clamp engaging member; and wherein the counter-bearing is arranged recessed in the lever bearing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the figures, in each case schematically,

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a plastic housing with a plurality of fastening devices,

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the plastic housing in the region of a fastening device with a clamp connection,

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the fastening device with a screw connection,

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a clamp closure of the clamp connection,

[0031] FIG. 5A shows a highly simplified schematic view of the clamp closure to illustrate a closed position,

[0032] FIG. 5B shows a highly simplified schematic view of the clamp closure to illustrate an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] According to FIG. 1, a multipart plastic housing 1 comprises a first housing part 2 and a second housing part 3. First housing part 2 and second housing part 3 are each made of plastic, for example by means of injection moulding. In the example shown, the plastic housing 1 consists of these two housing parts 2, 3. The housing 1 encloses a housing interior 4 in which at least one, quasi-arbitrary component can be accommodated. The housing interior 4 is closed by fastening the two housing parts 2, 3 to one another. It is usually no longer accessible as a result. The housing interior 4 is only accessible again when the housing 1 is opened. Opening of the housing 1 is accomplished by removing the second housing part 3 from the first housing part 2 and/or conversely.

[0034] The housing 1 additionally has at least one fastening device 5 with the aid of which the two housing parts 2, 3 can be detachably fastened to one another. In the example of FIG. 1 precisely four such fastening devices 5 are provided which are arranged distributed on four sides of the overall quadrangular housing 1.

[0035] The respective fastening device 5 comprises according to FIGS. 1 to 3 in each case a first bracket 6 and a second bracket 7. The first bracket 6 is integrally formed on the first housing part 2, is therefore already formed thereon during the injection moulding of the first housing part 2. The second bracket 7 is formed integrally on the second housing part 3 and is accordingly formed in one piece or composed of a single material thereon during manufacture of the second housing part 3.

[0036] The first bracket 6 has a screw boss 8 into which a screw 9 identifiable in FIGS. 1 and 3 can be screwed. In so doing, a shank 10 of the screw 9 engages in a screw opening 11 which is formed in the screw boss 8. Furthermore, the first bracket 6 has a clamp engaging member 12 on which a clamp 13 of a clamp closure 14 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 can engage. To this end the clamp 13 has a clip end 15 which cooperates with the clamp engaging member 12 to fix the clamp 13 on the first bracket 6. It can be seen that the clamp engaging member 12 can define a recess in the first bracket 6 on a side facing away from the second bracket 7, in which the clamp 13 can engage positively.

[0037] The second bracket 7 has a screw counter-bearing 16 on which a head 17 of the screw 9 can be supported axially. Furthermore, the second bracket 7 has a lever bearing 18 in which a lever 19 of the clamp closure 14 can be supported pivotably about a lever pivot axis 20. On this lever 19 the clamp 13 is mounted pivotably about a clamp pivot axis 21. Expediently the lever bearing 18 is curved concavely outwards for this purpose in such a manner that it defines the lever pivot axis 20 about which the lever 19 inserted therein is pivotably mounted in the lever bearing 18.

[0038] The screw counter-bearing 16 has a through-opening 22 for the shank 10 of the screw 9, which is covered in the figures. This through opening 22 is aligned axially to the screw opening 11 of the screw boss 8 when the first housing part 2 and the second housing part 3 are placed correctly on one another. For screwing the screw 9 with its shank 10 is passed through the through opening 22 and screwed into the screw opening 11.

[0039] The screw counter-bearing 16 is arranged in the lever bearing 18 and specifically recessed, which can be deduced in particular from FIG. 3. The recessed arrangement of the screw counter-bearing 16 in the lever bearing 18 can be designed according to FIG. 3 so that the screw head 17 is arranged completely recessed in the lever bearing 18. Consequently the lever 19 can then also be attached to the second bracket 7 when the screw 9 is inserted. A bearing end 23 of the lever 19 inserted in the lever bearing 18 then covers the screw counter-bearing 16 and optionally the screw head 17. The clamp engaging member 12 is arranged on a side of the screw boss 8 facing the housing interior 4 so that the clip end 15 of the clamp 13 overlaps the screw boss 8 when this is in engagement with the clamp engaging member 12. In particular, the screw boss 8 can thereby form a component of the clamp engaging member 12 on its side facing the housing interior 4.

[0040] As can be deduced from FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular, the screw boss 8 is arranged centrally to the clamp engaging member 12 on the first bracket 6 in relation to the lever pivot axis 20. Furthermore the screw counter-bearing 16 is arranged centrally to the lever bearing 18 on the second bracket 7 in relation to the lever pivot axis 20. This results in a compact integration of the elements required to implement a screw connection within the elements required to implement a clamp connection.

[0041] The second bracket 7 can additionally be fitted with a latching device 24 which secures the lever 19 on the second bracket 7. To this end the latching device 24 cooperates with the bearing end 23. The latching device 24 is thereby configured and matched to the bearing end 23 so that the latching connection is made when inserting the bearing end 23 into the lever bearing 18. In other words, locking takes place when inserting the bearing end 23 into the lever bearing 18. The lever 19 and therefore the entire clamp closure 14 is thus held captive on the second bracket 7.

[0042] According to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first bracket 6 has a flat first stop 25 facing the second bracket 7. The second bracket 7 has a flat second stop 26 facing the first bracket 6. The stops 25, 26 are matched to one another so that the first stop 25 is supported flat on the second stop 26 when the two housing parts 2, 3 abut against one another or are fastened to one another. In particular, it can thereby be provided that the two stops 25, 26 in the assembled state lie in a parting plane 27 indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 in which the two housing parts 2, 3 abut against one another.

[0043] As can be deduced from FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the lever 19 has a manually actuatable grip end 28 and the bearing end 23 cooperating with the lever bearing 18. The clamp 13 is now mounted pivotably about the clamp pivot axis 21 between the bearing end 23 and the grip end 28 on the lever 19. The clamp pivot axis 21 thereby extends parallel to the lever pivot axis 20. The clamp closure 14 is adjustable by pivoting the lever 19 about the lever pivot axis 20 between a closed position S indicated in FIG. 5A and an open position O indicated in FIG. 5B. In the closed position S the clamp closure 14 adopts a dead point position. In FIGS. 5A and 5B the lever pivot axis 20, the clamp pivot axis 21 and the clip axis 29 are reproduced in a simplified manner. The clip axis 29 is defined by the clip end 15 of the clamp 13 cooperating with the clamp engaging member 12. This clip end 15 extends in the clamp engaging member 12 in said clip axis 29. The clamp pivot axis 21 and the clip axis 29 define a plane 30 in which the clamp pivot axis 21 and the clip axis 29 run. The dead point position of the closed position S is characterized in that this plane 30 in which the clamp pivot axis 21 and the clip axis 29 lie extends between the lever pivot axis 20 and the housing interior 4. In the open position O according to FIG. 5B on the other hand, the lever pivot axis 20 is arranged between the housing interior 4 and said plane 30. The dead point position is stable since in order to move the clamp closure 14 from the dead point position, i.e. out from the closed position S the distance between clamp pivot axis 21 and clip axis 29 must be increased. This can only be accomplished against the spring force of the clamp 13. The spring force of the clamp 13 is here produced by a bent spring section 31 of the clamp 13.

[0044] In the example in FIG. 1 the first housing part 2 has an opening edge 32 which borders a housing opening 33 through which the housing interior 4, at least the area of the housing interior 4 lying in the first housing part 2 is accessible. When the second housing part 3 is attached to the first housing part 2, the housing opening 33 is closed by the second housing part 3. In the example in FIG. 1 the first housing part 2 is now fitted with a closed circumferential groove 34 in its opening edge 32. Complementary to this, the second housing part 3 has a closed circumferential tongue 35 which is formed integrally on the second housing part 3. When the second housing part 3 is placed on the first housing part 2, the tongue 35 engages positively in the groove 34. According to an advantageous embodiment, the tongue 35 can be made of a sealing material. It can be foamed or injection moulded onto the plastic of the second housing part 3. Alternatively to this a separate seal can be inserted in the groove 34. It is also feasible to inject or foam a seal into the groove 34.

[0045] The two housing parts 2, 3 can be fastened detachably to one another with the aid of the respective fastening device 5 therefore either with the aid of the respective screw 9 or with the aid of the respective clamp closure 14. Whereas the screw connection can only be opened a few times, the clamp connection can be opened and closed frequently. In the example shown here the clamp connection can be retrofitted since the clamp closure 14 can easily be attached subsequently to the second bracket 7. In principle, an embodiment is also feasible in which both the screw 9 and also the clamp closure 14 are used. For example, in the course of a mass production all the housings 1 can be closed by means of screws 9 in order to provide these for the usual cases of application where only a small number of the housings 1 produced is additionally fitted with the clamp closures 14 in order to provide these for special cases of application.