Modular Protection Housing

Abstract

A modular protection housing with a first housing module and a second housing module is provided. The first housing module comprises a first volume and a first potential rail, while the second housing module comprises a second volume and a second potential rail. In this arrangement the first housing module and the second housing module are coupleable to an operating state in such a way that the first volume and the second volume form a shared volume. In this arrangement the first potential rail and the second potential rail are coupleable such that in the coupled operating state the first potential rail and the second potential rail form a shared potential rail for the overall volume.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a housing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of a housing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a partial section view of a housing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a further partial section view of a housing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a further lateral view according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a housing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a lateral view of a protection housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a further view of a protection housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a base plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a potential rail in a protection housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a protection housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows an insert according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a clamping ring, designed as a potential rail, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a partial section view of a housing module with a seal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a detailed section view of a sealing lip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of an open housing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular protection housing for a field device, comprising: a first housing module having a first volume and a first potential rail; anda second housing module having a second volume and a second potential rail;wherein the first housing module and the second housing module are coupleable so as, in a coupled operating state, to form a uniform housing with a shared volume, the shared volume being composed from the first volume and the second volume; andwherein the first potential rail and the second potential rail are coupleable in such a way that the first potential rail and the second potential rail, in the coupled operating state, form a common potential rail for the shared volume.

2. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein the first housing module and the second housing module are rotatably coupled to each other.

3. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second housing modules includes a receptacle for an electronic circuit.

4. The modular protection housing according to claim 3, wherein a part of the receptacle establishes an electrical contact with at least one of the first and second potential rails.

5. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein at least one potential rail is made from the group comprising the first potential rail, the second potential rail and the common potential rail as an electromagnetic compatibility protection device.

6. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein at least one potential rail is made from the group consisting of the first potential rail, the second potential rail and the common potential rail as a potential equalisation device.

7. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein a part of at least one of the housing modules is made from a conductive material.

8. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the housing modules is (i) selected from the group consisting of the first housing module and the second housing module and (ii) includes a plug-in insert; and wherein the plug-in insert separates an intrinsically safe region of the housing module volume from a region of the housing module volume that is not intrinsically safe.

9. The modular protection housing according to claim 8, wherein the plug-in insert includes a captive attachment device.

10. The modular protection housing according to claim 9, wherein the captive attachment device is a screw.

11. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein at least one housing module is (i) selected from the group consisting of the first housing module and the second housing module and (ii) includes an external opening.

12. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein a cable is inserted in the external opening.

13. The modular protection housing according to claim 1 wherein the external opening is utilized for a connection to the potential rail.

14. The modular protection housing according to claim 1, wherein at least one housing module is (i) selected from the group consisting of the first housing module and the second housing module and (ii) includes a closing cover, the closing cover being detachable from the housing module; and wherein, in an operating state in which the cover is detached, the volume of the housing module is accessible.

15. The modular protection housing according to claim 14, wherein a seal is situated between the housing module and the closing cover.

16. The modular protection housing according to claim 15, wherein the seal is captive.

17. A field device, comprising: a modular protection housing including (i) a first housing module having a first volume and a first potential rail; and (ii) a second housing module having a second volume and a second potential rail,wherein the first housing module and the second housing module are coupleable so as, in a coupled operating state, to form a uniform housing with a shared volume, the shared volume being composed from the first volume and the second volume;wherein the first potential rail and the second potential rail are coupleable in such a way that the first potential rail and the second potential rail, in the coupled operating state, form a common potential rail for the shared volume; andwherein the field device is selected from the group consisting of a fill level measuring device, a pressure measuring device and a switching measuring device.