INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICE WITH FRAME

Abstract

In order to manufacture an input and output device (1) for industrial use as cost-effectively as possible, while also fulfilling the demanding requirements in an industrial environment, it is provided that the frame (2) of the input and output device (1) is assembled from a plurality of individual frame sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) which are connected to one another at the corners (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) in order to form the frame (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and which are firmly bonded at the adjoining connecting surfaces (15) in order to form a fully sealed external front face (6) of the frame (2) and a fully sealed external circumferential surface (13) of the frame (2).

Claims

1. An input and output device for industrial use with a frame (2) which is sealed around the circumference with a continuous central recess (3) in which an input/output unit (4) is set in, wherein the frame (2) is assembled from a plurality of individual frame sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) which are connected to one another at the corners (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) in order to form the frame (2), characterized in that the frame sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are firmly bonded at the adjoining connecting surfaces (15) using a glued joint in that an adhesive gap in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm formed between two adjoining frame sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) is filled with adhesive and the adhesive, as a joining agent (16), forms a bonding layer (20) which is fully sealed in the area of an external front face (6) and an external circumferential surface (13) of the frame (2) in order to form a fully sealed external front face (6) of the frame (2) and a fully sealed external circumferential surface (13) of the frame (2).

2. The input and output device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two adjoining frame sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are mitred or dovetailed in order to form the con-necting surfaces (15) at a corner (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) of the frame (2).

3. The input and output device according to claim 1, characterized in that protruding joining agent (16) is removed from the external front face (6) and/or the external circumferential surface (13) through finishing after joining in order to achieve an even external front face (6) and/or external circumferential surface (13).

4. The input and output device according to claim 1, characterized in that a cover sheet which covers at least the bonding layer (20) is glued over the external front face (6) and/or the external circumferential surface (13).

5. The input and output device according to claim 1, characterized in that the external front face (6) and/or the external circumferential surface (13) is painted or coated at least in the area of the bonding layer (20).

6. A method for the production of a frame (2) which is sealed around the circumference for an input and output device (1) for industrial use, wherein the frame (2) is assembled from a plurality of individual frame sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) which are connected to one another at the corners (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) in order to form the frame (2), characterized in that the frame sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are firmly bonded at the adjoining connecting surfaces (15) using a glued joint in that an adhesive gap in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm is formed between two adjoining frame sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), which is filled and cured with an adhesive as a joining agent (16) in order to form a bonding layer (20) which is fully sealed in the area of an external front face (6) and an external circumferential surface (13) of the frame (2) in order to form a fully sealed external front face (6) of the frame (2) and a fully sealed external circumferential surface (13) of the frame (2).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that a joint is at least partially fin-ished in order to form a flawless surface.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that joining agent escaping from the adhesive gap is removed before curing.

9. A method for the production of an input and output device (1) for industrial use with a frame (2) which is sealed around the circumference, which is manufactured according to claim 6, wherein an input/output unit (4) is inserted into a continuous central recess (3) in the frame (2).

Description

[0018] The present invention is described below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 which show advantageous embodiments of the invention in a schematic and non-restrictive way. Shown here

[0019] FIG. 1 an input and output device according to the invention,

[0020] FIG. 2 the mounting of the input and output device according to the invention on a support plate,

[0021] FIG. 3 a view of a connecting surface on a frame section made from a hollow profile,

[0022] FIG. 4 a section through a sealing layer,

[0023] FIG. 5 a finished sealing layer, and

[0024] FIG. 6 a sealing layer with a covering overlaying it.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an input and output device 1 according to the invention for an industrial environment with a frame 2 with a central, axial continuous recess 3 through the frame 2 in which the one input and output unit 4, e.g. a display, a touch screen, a unit with buttons, knobs or switches, or a combination of such elements, is set in. The input and output unit 4 can be inserted into the input and output device 1 in a wide variety of ways.

[0026] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the input and output unit 4 has an external circumferential ridge 5 running around the circumference. The frame 2 has a circumferential groove 7 complementary to the circumferential ridge 5 on its external front face 6, i.e. the front face which is visible during operational use of the input and output device 1, in which the circumferential ridge 5 is set in. The circumferential ridge 5 and circumferential groove 7 are preferably dimensioned such that a flush continuous external front face of the input and output device 1 is achieved, as indicated in FIG. 2. The input and output unit 4 can be glued between the circumferential ridge 5 and circumferential groove 7 in order to fix it in the frame 2. Suitable sealing elements, such as O-rings for example, can also be located between the circumferential groove 7 and circumferential ridge 5. However, it is also possible for the input and output unit 4 to be attached to the frame 2 in a different manner, e.g. with a screw, clamp or snap connection, or similar. Likewise, it is also possible for the input and output unit 4 to simply be inserted loose into and held in the frame 2.

[0027] The input and output device 1 is generally inserted into an assembly hole 9 in a support plate 8, e.g. in a control cabinet or a control panel of a machine, wherein the frame 2 lies flat on the support plate 8 and is connected to the support plate 8 by means of the frame 2, as shown in FIG. 2. A clamping fixture 10, for example, can be provided on the input and output unit 4 in the form of a screw 11. The frame 2 can be clamped to the support plate 8 by means of the screw 11 and the input and output device 1 can therefore be fixed. Likewise, a seal 12 can be located between the frame 2 and the support plate 8, as described in EP 2 590 489 A2, for example.

[0028] The frame 2 is made up of a plurality of individual frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and in the example according to FIG. 1 is made up of four frame sections. The frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are preferably formed of profiles, e.g. made from metal or plastic, cut to the required length. The profiles can be solid or hollow profiles with essentially any desired cross section. It is preferably intended that the metal or plastic profiles which form the frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are extruded profiles and/or pultruded profiles. Extrusion constitutes a particularly cost-effective and efficient manufacturing technique for appropriate profiles and is widely used for this reason. Such profiles are comparatively cost-effective and are available quickly and in sufficient quantities.

[0029] The frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are connected to one another at the corners 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of the frame 2. To this end, the frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can be mitred at the corners 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of the frame 2, as shown in FIG. 1. Instead of a mitre, the frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, particularly when solid profiles are used, can simply be joined to one another edge to edge at the corners 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. It is likewise possible for the frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to be dovetailed at the corners 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d.

[0030] Each two adjoining frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are firmly bonded (in the form of a substance-to-substance joint) to one another at their resulting facing connecting surfaces 15 (FIG. 3), e.g. mitred surfaces or dovetailed surfaces, whereby a bonding layer 20 is formed. A glued joint, a welded joint or a solder joint can be used for this.

[0031] Owing to the complex cross-sectional shape of the frame 2, for example with the circumferential groove 7 and the recess for the seal 12, and the small dimensions, the joining process is complicated in terms of production if the desired seal and a clean surface are to be achieved. The finished frame 2 must be fully sealed on the external front face 6 of the frame 2 and on the external circumferential surface 13 of the frame 2 for industrial use. Here, fully sealed means that no medium, such as spray or cleaning agent for example, can penetrate from outside into the interior of the input and output device 1.

[0032] In the case of a glued joint, a suitable joining agent 16 (adhesive) is applied to at least one connecting surface 15 of the adjoining frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d (FIG. 3). The joining agent 16 is preferably applied to the connecting surface 15 continuously over the circumference. However, the joining agent 16 is at least applied such that the resulting bonding layer 20 is completely sealed in the area of the external front face 6 and the external circumferential surface 13 of the frame 2, i.e. the surfaces of the input and output device 1 which are visible during proper use, so that a completely sealed surface results on the external front face 6 of the frame 2 and on the external circumferential surface 13 of the frame 2 and the resulting bonding layer 20 in particular has no holes through which a medium, such as spray or cleaning agent for example, can penetrate from outside into the interior of the frame 2. After application of the adhesive, the adjoining frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are pressed together using an appropriate device until the adhesive squeezes out on all sides. The adhesive is then cured and the glue joint is finished in order to achieve a clean surface. To this end, at least the external visible circumferential surface 13 and front face 6 should be finished in order to achieve a clean surface, in particular a continuous surface without any indentations or protrusions.

[0033] The same applies similarly in the case of a solder or welded joint. Here, too, the frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are joined such that the resulting bonding layer 20 is completely sealed in the area of the external front face 6 and the external circumferential surface 13 of the frame 2, i.e. the surfaces of the input and output device 1 which are visible during proper use, so that a completely sealed surface results on the external front face 6 of the frame 2 and on the external circumferential surface 13 of the frame 2 and the resulting bonding layer 20 in particular has no holes through which a medium, such as spray or cleaning agent for example, can penetrate from outside into the interior of the frame 2. For a solder joint, solder can likewise protrude at the joint, and this should subsequently be at least partially removed in order to achieve a clean surface. A welded joint should also preferably be at least partially finished. To this end, at least the external visible circumferential surface 13 and front face 6 should be finished in order to achieve a clean surface, in particular a continuous surface without any indentations or protrusions.

[0034] The glued joint can preferably be realized using a thin-film process. The corresponding adhesive gaps between the individual frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are small, preferably in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, preferably 0.1 mm, and can very easily be completely filled with the adhesive used. The most homogeneous possible appearance without visible, external defects can thus be realized. Furthermore, with proper control of the adhesion process, there are no appreciable irregularities on the surface in the area of the joint, whereby the accumulation of dirt is also kept as low as possible in this area.

[0035] Ideally, the joining agent 16 is applied such that the joining agent 16 neither protrudes on the front face 6 (circumferential surface 13) nor forms a recess at this point.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, however, a joining agent 16, for example an adhesive or fusible link etc., can deliberately be applied such that the joining agent 16 emerge at the front face 6 and the circumferential surface 13 during assembly of the frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and protrudes from the front face 6 and from the circumferential surface 13. If an even external front face 6 and an even external circumferential surface 13 are desired then the joined frame 2 can also be finished, in particular machine finished, after joining, i.e. after adhesion and curing of the adhesive for example, in order to remove the protruding joining agent 16, as shown in FIG. 5. However, the removal of the protruding joining agent 16 before curing, e.g. by wiping or stripping it off, may suffice for finishing.

[0037] The joining agent 16 can also be applied such that the joining agent 16 does not emerge at the front face 6 and the circumferential surface 13 during assembly of the frame sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, but rather a small recess 21 remains at this point, as shown in FIG. 6. If there are hygiene requirements for the input and output device 1 then such a recess 21 can be undesirable. In this case, it can be provided that a cover 22 is arranged on the front face 6 and/or on the circumferential surface 13 which covers at least the bonding layer 20. The cover 22 can be made as cover sheet, for example, which is glued onto the surface. Alternatively, the firmly bonded frame 2 can be coated, e.g. through powder coating, or painted at least in the area of the bonding layer 20, preferably in its entirety, on the external front face 6 and/or the circumferential surface 13 as the cover 22.

[0038] The application of a cover 22, e.g. in the form of a cover sheet, a coating or paintwork, can of course also occur on a frame as shown in FIG. 4 or 5. In this case, it may be possible to save on finishing of the frame 2 after joining.