FR3051137A1 - PLASTIC HOUSING - Google Patents

Abstract

A plastic housing (1) having an interior space (5) and having a first plastic housing part (2) and a second plastic housing part (3) welded in a joint area ( 4). The joining zone (4) extends in a peripheral direction (8) in a closed manner around the interior space (5). An improved qualitatively superior visual appearance can be achieved when the joining zone (4) is in a separation plane (9), projecting radially inwards into the interior space (5) at least along an part of the housing periphery and terminates radially outwardly flush with a first outer contour (10) of the first housing part (2) and a second outer contour (11) of the second housing part (3), which then interlock with one another continuously in the junction zone (4).

Description

PLASTIC HOUSING

A plastic housing that encloses an interior space, comprising a first plastic housing portion and a second plastic housing portion that are welded to each other in a junction area, wherein the junction extends in a peripheral direction in a closed manner around the interior space; the housing is characterized in that the joining zone is in a separation plane and projects radially inwards into the interior space at least along a portion of a housing periphery, and terminates radially. outwardly flush with a first outer contour of the first housing portion and a second outer contour of the second housing portion such that the first outer contour and the second outer contour interlock with each other; the other in a continuous manner at least in said part of the housing periphery in the junction area. The present invention further relates to a method for producing a plastic housing of this type.

Plastic housings used in automotive applications to house components, for example to protect them against impurities are of particular interest in this context. For example, it can be envisaged to house control devices or the like in plastic boxes of this type. It is also possible to provide plastic housings that can be traversed by a fluid flow, for example to achieve a silencer in a fresh air system or in an air exhaust system or in an installation exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. In addition, housings for resonators, filter housings for "single-use filters" including filter medium, pump housing, oil mist separator, as well as parts of cylinder head covers, suction modules and filter housings.

For example, a generic plastic housing is known from DE 103 36 263 A1. The plastic housing encloses an interior space and has a first plastic housing portion and a second plastic housing portion which are welded to the housing. one to another in a junction zone. The junction zone extends in a peripheral direction in a closed manner around the interior space. In the case of the known plastic case, the junction area is configured as an axially interlocking tongue-and-groove connection in which a first edge region of the tongue-like first housing portion is axially plugged into a second region. edge of the second housing portion shaped into a groove. An outer circumferential weld bead is provided on the tongue, which weld bead rests radially outwardly on an outer wall of the groove. A weld connection between the weld bead and the outer wall can then be generated through the outer wall with a laser. For this purpose, the second housing portion must be configured to pass the laser beam, at least in the region of the outer wall, while the first housing portion must be configured so as not to let the ray pass. laser, at least in the region of the welding bead. As a result, the plastic case is comparatively more expensive. In the case of the known plastic case, the junction area protrudes radially outwardly beyond outer contours of the case portions which connect to the edge regions of the case portions.

Another plastic housing is known from DE 10 2004 045 421 A1, in which two plastic housing parts are welded to each other in a junction area, the junction area terminating radially indoors in flush the inner contours of the two housing parts, so that the inner contours interlock with one another in a continuous manner. In contrast, the junction area protrudes radially outwardly beyond the outer contours of the housing portions.

Outwardly projecting junction areas are advantageous for friction welding processes, since the axial compression forces required for friction welding can thus be applied in the region of the junction area directly from the junction region. 'outside. Friction welding methods are preferred for series parts, as far as they can be made compared to an advantageous price. If, on the other hand, it is necessary to conceal the bonding by welding, it is preferred to employ laser welding processes or hot gas welding processes or heat radiation processes, which, however, require comparatively large amounts of material. If a high quality aesthetic appearance is required for the corresponding plastic housing, visible welding areas and / or visible junction areas are perceived as troublesome.

From DE 10 2004 015 881 A1, it is known to produce an inlet manifold by welding several individual bodies to each other along separation planes. In order to be able to apply friction welding processes, the joining zones here also form support zones accessible from the outside, on which a connecting tool for generating the corresponding friction welding connection can press the two elements of junction against each other. For this purpose, the junction zones project radially outwardly so that there is no longer any regular external contour here either.

It is, however, known from DE 10 2007 026 826 A1 to radially offset the junction area at least against one of the joining elements, so that it is possible to cover the junction zone towards the outside. by a flange made against this connecting element. A regular outer contour in the region of the junction zone is however not obtained. DE 10 2013 208 872 A1 discloses a welded connection in which a front-end junction area is employed which does not exceed either the inner contour or the outer contour and which also does not extend into a plane either. Very large wall thicknesses are required for the joining elements for such a front-end junction area. Also provided in this junction zone located on the front side of the heels extending parallel to the central weld heel bearing linearly against heels facing each other via triangular projections in profile to close a slot in the area junction.

The present invention aims to provide, for plastic housings of the type described above or for a production method associated, an improved embodiment which is distinguished in particular in that a housing having a high quality aesthetic appearance can be provided at lower production costs.

This problem is solved according to the present invention by the subject of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the preceding claims. The invention is based on the general idea of configuring the junction zone so that it protrudes into the interior space radially inwardly, along a portion of the housing periphery or along the periphery of the housing. together the housing periphery, and terminates radially outwardly flush with a first outer contour of the first housing portion and flush with a second outer contour of the second housing portion. The junction zone is configured in the manner of a flange or forms a flange. Insofar as the junction zone ends radially on the outer side flush with the outer contours of the two housing parts, it is possible to make a continuous passage and in particular without a gap between the two outer contours. This makes it possible to achieve an aspect of high quality in terms of quality. In addition, the junction zone must be in a separation plane and must extend completely along the periphery of the housing. It is thus possible to implement a friction welding process to produce in the junction zone the desired welding connection. Particularly advantageously, the housing parts can be configured axially aligned with each other at least in the region of the outer contours connecting to the junction zone, so that the first contour outside and the second outer contour come axially end to end in the junction zone. Thus, the forces required can be printed distally from the junction area on the housing portions and transmitted through the housing portions into the junction area to achieve the welding process there. by friction. Insofar as the junction zone extends radially inwards into the interior space from the outer contours, the weld connection generated there is invisible or can not be seen from the outside. Furthermore, the junction area itself forms - at least along a portion of the housing periphery - no annoying outline on the outer side of the plastic housing.

In the present context, the axial direction is defined by the direction in which the two housing parts are placed against each other in the junction zone, which corresponds to what is called here a longitudinal direction of the housing . The axial direction and the direction of junction are preferably perpendicular to the plane of separation. The peripheral direction extends around a longitudinal axis of the housing extending parallel to the axial direction and passing through the interior space. The radial direction extends perpendicularly to the axial direction.

A wall section connecting to the junction area forming the first outer contour of the first housing portion may extend, in an advantageous embodiment, into the longitudinal section of the housing, substantially perpendicular to the plane of separation. In addition or alternatively, a wall section connecting to the junction zone forming the second outer contour of the second housing portion may extend, in an advantageous embodiment, into the longitudinal section of the housing, substantially perpendicular to the separation plan. Thus, the passage located externally visible between the two housing parts in the junction zone is cylindrical or rectilinear in the profile. The term "substantially" here includes on the one hand deviations of ± 5 ° with respect to the perpendicular, therefore 90 ° and also allows slightly curved outer contours.

It is particularly advantageous that an outer contour region containing the junction zone of the housing extends at least in said portion of the housing periphery on either side of the separation plane by at least 50%. preferably at least 75%, a height present here of the corresponding housing portion measured perpendicularly to the separation plane. Thus the regular outer contour extends well beyond the junction zone.

It is provided in a simple embodiment that the junction zone protrudes radially inwards into the interior space along the entire housing periphery and ends radially outwardly flush with the first outer contour and the outer edge. second outer contour. In this embodiment, the passage between the two housing parts in the junction area along the entire housing periphery is continuous and in particular without slit.

On the other hand, it is provided in a more complex alternative embodiment that the junction area projects only radially inwards into the interior space along a preferably contiguous portion of the housing periphery and terminates radially outwardly flush with the first outer contour and the second outer contour, while the joining region projects radially outwardly along a remaining, preferably contiguous, portion of the housing periphery and terminates radially inwardly flush with a first inner contour of the first housing portion and a second inner contour of the second housing portion so that the first interior contour and the second interior contour interlock. one in the other continuously and / or without gap in said remaining portion of the housing periphery in the junction area. Said embodiment is then advantageous when a mounting space is to be provided in the interior space in said remaining portion of the housing periphery in the region of the junction area.

An improvement, in which an inner contour region containing the junction region of the housing extends at least in said remaining portion of the housing periphery on either side of the separation plane by at least 50%, preferably At least 75%, of a height of the respective housing part here measured perpendicular to the plane of separation, is advantageous.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the junction zone may have in a profile extending perpendicular to the peripheral direction, on a first edge region located in the junction zone of the first housing part, a first welding spacer which is welded to a second edge region located in the junction area of the second housing portion. In addition, the junction zone may have in the profile a first outer groove which abuts radially outwardly the first welding spacer. Furthermore, the junction zone may have in the profile a first outer spacer which radially adjoins the first outer groove and which rests axially, preferably flat, in the second edge region. This makes it possible to achieve that the welded connection is disposed offset radially inwards with respect to the first outer contour insofar as the first outer contour is defined by the outer side of the first outer spacer. Thanks to the optional flat contact, a gap in the junction area is avoided in this frame on the outside of the housing. The first external groove makes it possible to guarantee in this context that no annoying interaction occurs between the first welding spacer and the first outer spacer, in particular during the welding operation so that the connection by welding is not possible. not visible from the outside.

In an improvement, the junction zone may have in the profile, in the second edge region, a second welding spacer which is welded to the first welding spacer, a second outer groove adjacent radially outwardly the second spacer of welding, which second outer groove is axially aligned with the first outer groove and forms therewith an outer chamber, and a second outer spacer adjoining radially outwardly the second outer groove, which second outer spacer is axially aligned with the first spacer outer and forms with the latter an outer axial joint, so rests flat on the latter and flush with the latter. In other words, the second edge region is formed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the first edge region. During welding, liquid plastic may exit into the outer chamber, and edge regions may be axially compressed in the junction area to axial contact of the outer struts. The outer axial joint forms the outer, continuous, gap-free passageway of outer contours in the junction area.

In another improvement, the junction zone may have in the profile, in the first edge region, a first inner groove adjacent radially inwardly the first welding spacer and a first inner spacer adjoining radially inwardly the first inner groove, which first inner spacer lies axially, preferably flat, in the second edge region. Thus, the profile of the junction zone is configured in the first edge region in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the first welding spacer. Thus, the axial support of the two edge zones against each other can be improved to simplify the search for the end position during friction welding. The first inner groove in this context reduces interactions with the first inner spacer.

Here too, an improvement in which the second edge region is mirrored symmetrically with respect to the first edge region is advantageous. Conveniently, the junction zone accordingly has in the profile, in the second edge region, a second inner groove radially inwardly adjacent to the second welding spacer, which second inner groove is axially aligned with the first groove interior and form with the latter an inner chamber, and a second inner spacer adjoining radially inward the second inner groove, which inner second spacer is aligned axially with the first inner spacer and forms with the latter an axial inner join, so rests on the latter flat and outcrop.

In an advantageous improvement, the first welding spacer may have a radially measured spacer width which is as large as or larger than a wall thickness of the first housing portion in a first wall region connecting to the first region. on board. Correspondingly, the welding zone, which can be produced by friction welding on the first welding spacer, is comparatively wide, which makes it possible to create a high quality and stable welding connection.

Further, it can be advantageously provided that the second welding spacer has a radially measured spacer width which is at least as large as a wall thickness of the second housing portion in a second connecting wall region. to the second edge region. In this regard, the housing portions are also configured at least in the region of the junction area symmetrically mirrored with respect to the separation plane.

In another improvement, the first welding spacer may have, in the region of the junction zone projecting inwardly, a distance to the first radially measured outer contour which is as large or larger than a wall thickness of the first housing portion in a first wall region connecting to the first edge region. This has the consequence that comparatively a substantial wall thickness is available for the first outer spacer in order to achieve high support forces for friction welding. Since a region is also provided with an outwardly projecting junction area, the first welding spacer may have at this point a distance to the first radially measured inner contour which is as large as or larger than a thickness. wall of the first housing portion in a first wall region connecting to the first edge region.

Optionally, a mirror symmetry is also here again. Correspondingly, the second welding spacer may have, in the region of the inwardly projecting junction region, a distance to the second radially measured outer contour which is at least as large as a wall thickness of the second housing portion in a second wall region connecting to the second edge region. Since also a region with an outwardly projecting junction region is provided, the second welding spacer may have at this point a distance to the second radially measured inner contour which is as large as or larger than a thickness. wall of the second housing portion in a second wall region connecting to the second edge region.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the first housing portion has, in the region of the inwardly projecting junction region, an interior side facing the interior space, a plurality of support ribs arranged in a distributed manner. in the circumferential direction, which supporting ribs support a portion of the first edge region projecting into the interior space on a first wall region connecting to the first edge region of the first housing portion. With the aid of said first support ribs, the first edge region is significantly stiffened so that the axial forces impressed in the first housing portion distally of the junction area can be transmitted not only along the first region of the housing. outer contour but also, through the first support ribs, to the portion protruding into the interior space of the first edge region. This simplifies the realization of the friction welding process.

Similarly, the second housing portion may have, on its inner side facing the inner space, in the region of the inwardly projecting junction region, a plurality of second support ribs distributedly distributed in the direction peripheral, which second support ribs support a portion of the second edge region projecting into the interior space on a second wall region connecting to the second edge region of the second housing portion. This also has the effect that the forces impressed on the second housing part can be transmitted also towards the protruding part in the interior space of the second edge region in order to simplify friction welding in the junction area.

An improvement in which the second support ribs are axially aligned with the first support ribs is particularly advantageous. In particular, it can be provided in the present case that a second support rib is associated with each first support rib, and vice versa. In addition or alternatively, the support ribs may extend axially.

Insofar as a region with an outwardly projecting junction zone is also provided, the latter is preferably, on the outside and the inside, without a supporting rib.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the welding connection is produced in the junction zone by a friction welding method.

A method according to the invention for producing a plastic housing of the type described above is distinguished in that firstly the first housing part and the second housing part are brought to bear against one another axially in the junction zone, and in that a friction welding method is immediately implemented to produce, in the junction area, a weld connection between the two housing parts. The axial compression required for friction welding of the two housing parts in the region of the joining zone is in this case simplified by the fact that the axial forces are printed distally with respect to the joining zone in the parts. of housing and are transferred, via wall sections extending around the circumferential direction of the housing parts, into the edge regions of the housing parts, which rest against each other in the area of the housing. junction. This allows for a weld bead located inside, can not be seen from the outside. This allows at the same time to achieve an aesthetically attractive exterior contour without annoying contour in the region of the junction area. Other important features and advantages of the present invention arise from the subclaims, figures and the associated description of the figures with the aid of the figures.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and the characteristics still to be explained hereinafter may be used not only in the combination respectively indicated but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the figures and are explained in more detail in the description which follows, identical reference numerals relating to identical or similar elements or identical function.

The figures can be seen respectively schematically: FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a plastic case; Fig. 2 is a side view of the plastic housing; Fig. 3 is a front view of the plastic housing in accordance with a viewing direction III of Fig. 2; Figure 4 a section of the plastic housing according to section lines IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a top view of the plastic housing in accordance with a viewing direction V of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a stretched isometric view of the plastic housing; Figure 7 an enlargement of detail VII of Figure 4 in the region of a junction area; Figure 8 isometric longitudinal section of the plastic housing in another embodiment.

In accordance with FIG. 1, a plastic housing 1 - or abbreviated housing 1 - comprises a first plastic housing part 2 and a second plastic housing housing 3 which are connected to each other in a junction area 4, preferably are welded to each other. The plastic casing 1 contains an interior space 5. In the illustrated example, each housing part 2, 3 encloses part of the interior space 5. The two housing parts 2, 3 further enclose the set of 5. As a consequence, the two housing parts 2, 3 are configured to have a pot shape and are placed against each other in the region of their pot openings in order to close. pot openings. In the same way, it is conceivable to configure only one of the housing parts 2, 3 so as to have a pot shape and close its pot opening with the other housing part 2, 3 configured in the form a lid. The two housing parts 2, 3 are adjacent to each other in a junction direction 6 in the junction zone 4. Said junction direction 6 is indicated in the figures by two arrows oriented towards each other . The junction direction 6 defines an axial direction 7 which extends parallel to the junction direction 6. A peripheral direction 8 extends around said axial direction 7. A radial direction, which is not referenced so more detailed, is perpendicular to the axial direction 7.

The housing 1 has, in the region of the junction zone 4, a housing periphery 41 which extends along the peripheral direction 8. The junction zone 4 extends in a separation plane 9 which extends perpendicular to the axial direction 7.

According to FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8, the junction zone 4 projects radially inwards into the interior space 5 at least along a portion of the housing periphery 41. In a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, the junction zone 4 projects inwards along the entire periphery of the casing 41. In a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, however, the junction zone 4 protrudes. inwardly in a portion 42 only of the housing periphery 41, while projecting outwardly in a remaining portion 43 of the housing periphery 41.

According to FIGS. 1 to 6, the junction zone 4 ends, along the whole of the housing periphery 41 and according to FIG. 8 along the portion 42 only of the housing periphery 41, radially towards the outside flush with a first outer contour 10 of the first housing portion 2 and a second outer contour 11 of the second housing portion 3 such that the first outer contour 10 and the second outer contour 11 interlock one in the other in the junction zone 4 continuously and here also without gap. For this purpose, the first outer contour 10 and the second outer contour 11 are oriented in the region of the junction zone 4 perpendicularly to the plane of separation 9.

According to FIG. 7, which applies to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 as well as to the second embodiment of FIG. 8, the junction zone 4 has a first welding spacer 14 in a 12 s profile. extending perpendicularly to the peripheral direction 8 on a first edge region 13 in the junction region 4 of the first housing portion 2. A first outer groove 15 radially outwardly adjoins the first welding spacer 14. A first outer spacer 16 adjoins the first outer groove 15 radially outwardly. A first inner groove 17 adjoins the first welding spacer 14 radially inwardly. A first inner spacer 18 radially inwardly adjoins the first inner groove 17. In the present context, "radially inward" is systematically oriented towards the interior space 5, while "radially outward Is oriented away from the interior space 5.

The junction zone 4 is appropriately configured mirror-symmetrically with respect to the separation plane 9. By correspondence, the junction zone 4 has in the profile 12, on a second edge region 19 located in the junction zone 4 of the second housing portion 3, a second welding spacer 20 which is aligned axially with the first welding spacer 14. In addition, a second outer groove 21 is provided at the second edge region 19 so as to radially abut the outside of the second welding spacer 20. A second outer spacer 22 radially outwardly adjoins the second outer groove 21. A second inner groove 23 radially inwardly adjoins the second welding spacer 20. A second inner spacer 24 radially inwardly adjoins the second inner groove 23. A first welding spacer 14 and a second spacer 20 are welded to each other. A corresponding welding connection is designated in FIG. 7 by the reference numeral 25. The first outer groove 5 and the second outer groove 21 are arranged aligned with each other axially so that they form In the same way, the first inner groove 17 and the second inner groove 23 are arranged aligned with each other axially so that they form an inner chamber 27. The first spacer 16 and the second outer spacer 22 are arranged aligned with each other axially and form in the assembled state an outer axial joint 28, in which they rest against each other flat and radially outcrop. The first inner spacer 18 and the second inner spacer 24 are oriented relative to one another axially and form in the assembled state housing parts 2, 3 an inner axial joint 29, in which they rest one of the two inner struts. against the other flat and radially outcrop.

The bonding by welding 25 is preferably a friction bonding connection. Before the generation of said welding connection 25, the first welding spacer 14 protrudes axially beyond the first outer spacer 16 and the first inner spacer 18. In addition or alternatively, the second welding spacer 20 can make projecting axially from the second outer spacer 22 and the second inner spacer 24. Thus, do not come into contact, at the beginning of the friction welding process, at first, axially against each other as the welding spacers 14, 20. During the friction welding operation, said contact zones resting against each other are heated and melted. Insofar as junction forces are applied at the same time in the junction direction 6, the housing parts 2, 3 can be moved one on the other. In this context, melt can flow into the outer chamber 26 and into the inner chamber 27. The welding operation is carried out until the outer struts 16, 22 and the inner struts 18, 24 abutting against each other axially and form the inner seam 29 and the outer seam 28.

The first welding spacer 14 and the second welding spacer 20 have respectively a radially measured spacer width 30, which in the illustrated example is larger than a wall thickness 31, that the first housing portion 2 present in a first wall region 32 which connects to the first edge region 13. The second housing portion 3 also has a second wall region 33 connecting to the second edge region 19, the wall thickness 31 of which is the same way smaller than the spacer width 30. In the example of Figure 7, it is further provided that a distance 34 of the first welding spacer 14 and the second welding spacer 20 to the first contour outside 10 or the second outer contour 11 is larger than the wall thickness 31 of the first wall region 32 or the second wall region 33.

According to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the first housing portion 2 has, on its inner side 35 facing the interior space 5, a plurality of first support ribs 36 arranged in a distributed manner in the peripheral direction 8, which first ribs of FIG. support support a portion 37 of the first edge region 3 projecting into the interior space 5 into the first wall region 32. Similarly, the second housing portion 3 has on its inner side 38 facing the space inside 5, a plurality of second support ribs 39 arranged distributed in the peripheral direction 8, which second supporting ribs support a portion 40 of the second edge region 19 projecting into the interior space 5 into the second wall region 33 In this context, it is possible to identify the first support ribs 36 and the second support ribs 39 respectively aligned one with the other. compared to others axially.

FIGS. 2 and 8 show a first height 44 of the first housing portion 2 and a second height 45 of the second housing portion 3, which are respectively measured perpendicular to the separation plane 9. In the region of the junction 4 projecting inward, a region of outer contour 46 smooth or continuous housing 1 is defined using the junction zone 4 configured without gap and continuously on the outer side of the housing 1. Said region outer contour 46 contains the junction zone 4 and extends on either side of the separation plane 9 over at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, of the height 44, 45 here present of the part of housing 2, 3 respectively.

It is provided in the second embodiment, of which FIG. 8 illustrates a variant, that the junction zone 4 protrudes radially inwards in the interior space 5 along the portion 42 only here contiguous with the periphery of housing 41 and ends radially outwardly flush with the first outer contour 10 and the second outer contour 11. Moreover, the junction zone 4 projects radially outwardly along the remaining portion 43 here contiguous with the enclosure periphery. In addition, the junction zone terminates in said remaining portion 43 of the housing periphery 41 radially inwardly flush with a first inner contour 47 of the first housing portion 2 and a second interior contour 48 of the second housing portion 3 so that the first inner contour 47 and the second inner contour 48 interlock in one another continuously and without gaps in said remaining portion 43 of the housing periphery 41 in the zone junction 4.

Here too, a regular or continuous inner contour region 48 of the housing 1 is optionally defined in the region of the junction zone 4 projecting outwards by means of the junction zone 4 configured without a gap and continuous manner on the inner side of the housing 1. Said inner contour region 49 contains the junction zone 4 and extends on either side of the separation plane 9 on at least 50%, preferably on at least 75% of the first height 44 here present of the first housing part 2 and the second height 45 here present of the second housing part 3.

Insofar as the housing 1 has, as in the examples illustrated here, a substantially rectangular cross-section, it has, along its housing periphery 41, exactly four housing sides directly connected to each other, among which respectively two face each other and extend substantially parallel to each other. FIG. 8 then illustrates a particular form of mounting, in which the right case portion and the rear case portion opposite the viewer have the portion 42 of the case periphery 41, in which the junction area 4 protrudes. inwards and is continuously configured with no gaps in outboard flush. The front housing side and the front housing side turned towards the observer, however far away in the longitudinal section, however, have the remaining portion 43 of the housing periphery 41, in which the junction zone 4 protrudes outwardly. and is configured inwardly flush in a continuous manner and without gaps.

The plastic case 1 shown here can be produced as follows as appropriate:

The first housing part 2 and the second housing part 3 are brought into contact with one another axially in the junction zone 4. In this context, only the welding spacers 14, 20 are in contact with one another. with each other at first. A friction welding process is then implemented in order to generate in the junction zone 4 the welding connection 25. During friction welding, the end faces in contact with each other of the two welding struts 14 , 20 are pressed axially against each other and are at the same time displaced by oscillation transversely, for example in the peripheral direction. Oscillatory displacements are often implemented with an ultrasonic frequency so that plastic friction welding can also be referred to as ultrasonic welding. Due to the appearance in this frame of a friction, the contact areas located against each other are heated until they melt. The welding spacers 14, 20 are displaced towards each other due to the axial contact pressure, the melt being forced back. The melt can escape in this frame radially into the inner chamber 27 and into the outer chamber 26. As soon as said liquefaction has occurred, the oscillation displacements can be adjusted. The maintained axial pressure force then exerts pressure on the two housing parts 2, 3 towards each other axially until a defined relative position of the two housing parts 2, 3 relative to each other. to the other is reached, wherein the inner struts 18, 24 form the inner seam 29 and the outer struts 16 and 22 form the outer seam 28. In a predefined relative position, the housing parts 2, 3 are then positioned the molten material is sufficiently solidified.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown, from which we can provide other modes and other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention. .

Claims (20)

A plastic housing (1) which encloses an interior space (5), comprising a first plastic housing part (2) and a second plastic housing part (3) which are welded to each other in a junction zone (4), - in which the junction zone (4) extends in a peripheral direction (8) in a closed manner around the interior space (5), characterized in that the junction zone (4) is in a separation plane (9) and protrudes radially inwards into the interior space (5) at least along a portion (42) of a housing periphery (41) and terminates radially outwardly flush with a first outer contour (10) of the first housing part (2) and a second outer contour (11) of the second housing part (3) so that the first outer contour (10) and the second outer contour (11) interlock continuously with each other at least in said portion (42) of the housing periphery (41) in the junction area (4). Plastic casing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first outer contour (10) and the second outer contour (11) interlock with one another without a gap at least in said portion ( 42) of the housing periphery (41) in the junction area (4). Plastic casing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an outer contour region (42) containing the junction region (4) of the casing (1) extends at least in said portion ( 42) of the housing periphery (41) on either side of the separation plane (9) by at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, of a height of the housing part (2, 3 ) respectively (44, 45) measured perpendicularly to the separation plane (9). Plastic casing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the junction region (4) projects along the entire housing periphery (41) radially inwardly in the housing. internal space (5) and terminates radially outwardly flush with the first outer contour (10) and the second outer contour (11) · Plastic casing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the junction region (4) projects along a portion (42) only of the casing periphery (41) radially. inward into the interior space (5) and terminates radially outwardly flush with the first outer contour (10) and the second outer contour (11), while the joining region (4) projects radially outwardly along a remaining portion (43) of the housing periphery (41) and terminating radially inwardly flush with a first inner contour (47) of the first housing portion (2) and a second inner contour (42) of the second housing portion (3) so that the first inner contour (47) and the second inner contour (48) interlock continuously and / or without gaps in said second housing portion (3). remaining portion (43) of the housing periphery (41) in the junction area (4). Plastic casing (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that an inner contour region (49) containing the junction region (4) of the casing (1) extends at least in said portion (43). ) of the housing periphery (41), on either side of the separation plane (9) over at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, of a height of the housing part (2, 3 ) respectively measured perpendicularly to the separation plane (9). Plastic casing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the joining zone (4) has a first welding spacer (14) in a profile (12) extending perpendicular to the peripheral direction (8) on a first edge region (13) in the junction region (4) of the first housing portion (2), a first outer groove (15) radially outwardly adjoining the first spacer welder (14) and a first outer spacer (16) radially outwardly adjoining the first outer groove (15), - the first outer spacer (16) lies axially on a second edge region (19) located in the junction zone (4) of the second housing part (3), - that the first welding spacer (14) is welded to the second edge region (19). Plastic housing (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the joining zone (4) has in the profile (12), in the second edge region (19), a second welding spacer (20). which is welded to the first welding spacer (14), a second outer groove (21) radially outwardly adjoining the second welding spacer (20), which second outer groove is axially aligned with the first outer groove (15) and forms therewith an outer chamber (26), and a second outer spacer (22) radially outwardly adjoining the second outer groove (21), which second outer spacer is axially aligned with the first outer spacer (16) and forms with the latter an outer axial joint (28). Plastic housing (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the joining zone (4) has in the profile (12) in the first edge region (13) a first internal groove (17). radially inwardly of the first welding spacer (14) and a first inner spacer (18) radially inwardly adjoining the first inner groove (17), which first inner spacer rests axially in the second edge region ( 19). 10. Plastic housing (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the junction zone (4) has in the profile (12), in the second edge region (19), a second inner groove (23) adjoining radially inwardly the second welding spacer (20), which second inner groove is aligned axially with the first inner groove (17) and forms therewith an inner chamber (27), and a second inner spacer (24) adjoining radially inwardly the second inner groove (23), which second inner spacer (24) is aligned axially with the first inner spacer (18) and forms therewith an inner axial joint (29). Plastic case (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the first welding spacer (14) has a radially measured spacer width (30) which is as large as or larger than a wall thickness (31) of the first housing portion (2) in a first wall region (32) connecting to the first edge region (13). Plastic housing (1) according to claims 8 and 11, characterized in that the second welding spacer (20) has a radially measured spacer width (30) which is as large as or larger than a thickness of wall (31) of the second housing portion (3) in a second wall region (33) connecting to the second edge region (19). Plastic housing (1) according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the first welding spacer (14) has a distance (34) to the first radially measured outer contour (10) which is also large or small. greater than a wall thickness (31) of the first housing portion (2) in a first wall region (32) connecting to the first edge region (13). Plastic housing (1) according to claims 8 and 13, characterized in that the second welding spacer (20) has a distance (34) to the second radially measured outer contour (11) which is as large as or larger than a wall thickness (31) of the second housing portion (3) in a second wall region (33) connecting to the second edge region (19). Plastic housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the first housing part (2) has on its inner side (35) facing the interior space (5) a plurality of first ribs support members (36) arranged in a distributed manner in the peripheral direction (8), which first ribs support a portion (37) of the first edge region (13) projecting into the interior space (5) on a first region of wall (32) of the first housing part (2) connecting to the first edge region (13). 16. Plastic housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the second housing part (3) has on its inner side (38) facing the inner space (5) several second ribs support members (39) arranged in a distributed manner in the circumferential direction (8), which second ribs support a portion (40) of the second edge region (19) projecting into the interior space (5) on a second region of wall (33) of the second housing part (3) connecting to the second edge region (19). Plastic case (1) according to claims 15 and 16, characterized in that the second supporting ribs (39) are axially aligned with the first supporting ribs (36). Plastic housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the welding connection (25) is produced in the joining region (4) by friction welding. Method for producing a plastic housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing part (2) and the second housing part (3) are axially supported by the one on the other in the junction zone (4), - a friction welding method is implemented to produce in the junction zone (4) a welded connection (25) between the two parts of the junction zone (4); housing (2, 3). Method according to claim 19, characterized in that axial compression required for friction welding of the two housing parts (2, 3) is obtained in the region of the joining zone (4), in that axial forces are printed distally at the junction area (4) in the housing portions (2, 3) and are transmitted into the joint area (4) through wall sections (32, 33) of the housing parts (2, 3).