Patent Description:
As is known, there are specific regulatory standards for mechanical components to be used in environments where a certain attention to hygiene aspects is required, particularly in the food industry. These standards are also used for electrical panels.

The purpose of these regulations is to make the electrical panel, as well as other components used in the food industry, free of problems from the point of view of hygiene.

One of these problems is the presence of contact surfaces between two metal components, as is known from the document XP055607756, retrieved from the Internet:URL:https://ec. com/AcroFiles/Catalogues/ IS_PL-EGH-11013984_(en)_hi. The regulations require that the components exposed to the environment do not have metal-to-metal contact surfaces. In fact, in the interspace between the two surfaces there could be stagnation of material, for example liquid, which could lead to the proliferation of bacteria.

For this reason, the regulations require that between two metal surfaces a sealing gasket be interposed (hereinafter also referred to as a seal only) so that the possibility of material stagnation in the gap is prevented.

The electrical panels of the prior art are therefore provided with a seal positioned between the case and the cover.

A typology of electrical panels for these uses provides for the cover to be hinged to the case, so that, once opened, there is no need to remove and rest the cover before operating inside the compartment of the case in which the electronics is arranged.

For the reasons explained above, relating to hygiene problems and the consequent constraints dictated by the law, the hinges that connect the case and the cover are placed inside the compartment. In this way, not being exposed, they may not be subject to the hygienic constraints mentioned above and in particular to the constraints relating to the metal-metal contact described above.

The prior art, although widely appreciated, is not free from drawbacks.

A first drawback relates to the positioning of the internal hinge or of the internal hinges with respect to the seal between the case and cover.

In fact, in order to ensure correct rotation of the cover, the axis of rotation of the cover must be very close to the outer edge of the case and of the corresponding outer edge of the cover. For this reason, the hinge or hinges, which define the rotation axis, must be positioned very close to the edge of the case and of the corresponding edge of the cover, and therefore very close to the seal.

The risk is that of crushing or "pinching" the seal during rotation.

These problems mean that the seal is always positioned on the cover, a positioning that implies other critical issues.

The cover must therefore be shaped to be able to hold the seal in place. The door is therefore heavy and subject to deformations that could also compromise the seal of the gasket.

Furthermore, if the seal has to be dismantled due to cleaning or replacement issues, the operation is not in itself simple since the cover is in any case a movable element, in rotation, with respect to the case.

A further drawback with respect to the prior art is the space inside the compartment occupied by the hinge or hinges.

In fact, the space occupied is precisely at the opening of the case, making the insertion of an element inside the case complicated, or in any case constituting a space that cannot be used to contain other components.

A further drawback is that the hinge positioned internally, in order to fully open the door, must be of considerable size, bringing the rotation pin to a considerable distance with respect to the cover and consequently is very stressed by the weight of the cover itself. This aspect prevents prior art panels from applying weights, such as electronic components, on the door itself.

The need of solving the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art is therefore felt.

Therefore, the need is felt to provide an electrical panel arranged with a hinge which allows maintaining a correct positioning of the gasket between the case and the cover.

Furthermore, the need is felt for an electrical panel in which the internal compartment is more spacious than the electrical panels of the prior art, with the same external bulk.

Furthermore, the need is felt for an electrical panel that is able to solve one or both of the aforementioned requirements, maintaining the electrical panel in compliance with specific regulatory standards for electrical panels that can be used in the food industry.

A further requirement is to provide an electrical panel suitable for hygienic environments with the possibility of loading weights, such as electronic components, on the door.

Such needs are met by an electrical panel according to claim <NUM>.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of preferred non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:.

Elements or parts of elements in common to the embodiments described below are referred to with the same reference numerals.

<FIG> shows an electrical panel according to an embodiment of the present invention and is indicated by the reference numeral <NUM>.

The electrical panel comprises a case <NUM> and a cover <NUM>, connected together by at least one hinge <NUM>, <NUM>. In the example in <FIG>, the hinges <NUM>, <NUM> are two. However, according to alternative embodiments, the hinges <NUM>, <NUM> may be even more than two.

The case <NUM> defines a compartment <NUM> suitable for being closed by the cover <NUM>, and between the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM>, a sealing gasket <NUM> is provided adapted to prevent the fluid connection between the compartment <NUM> and the outside of the electrical panel <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the at least one hinge <NUM>, <NUM> is positioned outside the compartment <NUM>. The at least one hinge <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a case element <NUM> and a cover element <NUM>. The case element <NUM> is connected to the case <NUM>, while the cover element <NUM> is connected to the cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the case element <NUM> and the cover element <NUM> are coupled together by a pin <NUM> inserted in a hole <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment, which is shown in <FIG>, the pin <NUM> is arranged on the case element <NUM>, while the hole <NUM> is arranged on the cover element <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the accompanying figures, the pin <NUM> is arranged on the cover element <NUM>, while the hole <NUM> is arranged on the case element <NUM>.

The case element <NUM> and the cover element <NUM> are therefore suitable for rotating in a relative manner around a hinge axis <NUM>.

Between the pin <NUM> and hole <NUM> there is a hinge gasket <NUM> adapted to prevent the fluid communication between the external environment and the hole <NUM>.

The hole <NUM> comprises an insertion opening <NUM> for said pin <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, a seat <NUM> for the hinge gasket <NUM> is arranged at the insertion opening <NUM>.

As can be seen in the embodiment of the example in <FIG>, the seat <NUM> may comprise an undercut <NUM> suitable for preventing the hinge gasket <NUM> from slipping off the seat <NUM> according to the direction of extraction of the pin <NUM> from the hole <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the hinge gasket <NUM> may be integral in rotation with the seat <NUM>. In this case, the hinge gasket <NUM> may be mounted with interference in the seat <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the hinge gasket <NUM> may comprise a sealing lip <NUM> which in use exerts a pressure on the pin <NUM>. In the figure, the hinge gasket <NUM> has been shown in undeformed conditions, and therefore it overlaps the pin <NUM>. This representation is for descriptive purposes only.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the hinge gasket <NUM> completely surrounds the pin <NUM>. Essentially, the hinge gasket may have a substantially circular outer footprint and a substantially circular inner footprint.

The hinge gasket <NUM> may for example be made of silicone suitable for food use. It is also possible to use other materials known per se to those skilled in the art.

The coupling with the fixed part of the hinge is on a circular area and with interference. This interference guarantees the adhesion of the gasket with the two metal surfaces, that of the fixed part and that of the movable part, during rotation but also during the stop. The gasket mounted with interference generates a compressive force on the contact surfaces which guarantees the seal against fluids and in particular the hydraulic seal.

Moreover, the compression of the gasket is uniformly distributed on all the contact surfaces, since the gasket is substantially circular with mounting interference, as shown in the accompanying figures.

The surface of the hinge gasket that is in use is exposed to the environment, has a lying inclined downwards. This inclination avoids possible stagnation of liquids and improves washability, as this surface is the only one exposed to the external environment where the panel is applied.

The gasket between the rotating part and the fixed part may be positioned from top downwards so that it is protected and prevents the stagnation of liquids. In alternative embodiments, the gasket between the rotating part and the fixed part may be mounted from bottom upwards.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the pin <NUM>, having a substantially circular section, may be shaped, and in particular may comprise portions <NUM>, <NUM> having different diameters.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, it can be seen that the pin <NUM> may comprise a fully inserted portion <NUM> inside the hole <NUM>, and a larger diameter portion <NUM> partially inserted inside the hole <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one bush <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided between pin <NUM> and hole <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the bushes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are three inserted in the pin <NUM>. Advantageously, one of the bushes has a shoulder <NUM> suitable for coupling with the larger diameter portion <NUM> of the pin <NUM>.

According to a possible alternative embodiment, not shown in the accompanying figures, pin <NUM> and hole <NUM> may be in direct contact, and therefore without the interposition of bushes.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the pin <NUM> is provided with an end portion <NUM> of reduced diameter, and the hole <NUM> is provided with a transverse threaded seat <NUM> for a locking screw <NUM>. The locking screw <NUM>, when screwed into the transverse threaded seat <NUM>, is adapted to cooperate with the reduced-diameter end portion <NUM> to block the longitudinal movement of the pin <NUM> with respect to the hole <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM> are made of metal, for example stainless steel. For this reason, the hinge <NUM>, <NUM> has the cover element <NUM> connected to the cover <NUM> by the interposition of a first gasket <NUM>, and the case element <NUM> connected to the case by a second gasket <NUM>.

The connection between the cover element <NUM> and the cover <NUM> may be implemented by means of screws <NUM>, for example with four screws. The connection between the case element <NUM> and the case <NUM> may be implemented by means of screws <NUM>, for example two screws.

As can be seen in <FIG>, according to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the hole <NUM>, near the opening <NUM> is arranged with a sloping surface <NUM>.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the seal <NUM> between the case <NUM> and the cover <NUM> is arranged on the case.

With reference to <FIG>, the case <NUM> may be arranged with a perimeter lane <NUM>, inside which said sealing gasket <NUM> may be inserted.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the lane <NUM> may have an open surface for insertion substantially perpendicular to the plane of the case, and facing the outside of the case. In other words, the direction of insertion of the seal inside the lane may be substantially parallel to the front surface of the case. Advantageously, the lane <NUM> may have a narrower opening than the interior, so that the coupling with the seal <NUM> takes place with interference.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the sealing gasket <NUM> may have a body <NUM>, and two sealing lips <NUM>, <NUM>, in which a first sealing lip <NUM> projects from the body <NUM> by a smaller extent than the second sealing lip <NUM>.

As shown in the example in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> may have a contour surface <NUM> inclined with respect to the plane of the cover <NUM>, towards the case <NUM>.

Advantageously, in the closed position of the cover <NUM>, the first sealing lip <NUM> is coupled with the inner surface of the contour surface of the cover, while the second lip <NUM> is crushed by the contour surface <NUM> against the case <NUM>. A protection channel <NUM> is thus created between the first lip <NUM> and the second lip <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the seal <NUM> is shown in undeformed conditions.

Advantageously, the body <NUM> may have a through discharge <NUM>. On the outer surface of the body, protrusions <NUM> may be provided, adapted to improve the adhesion of the seal <NUM> inside the lane <NUM>.

Advantageously, all the gaskets used may also be certified according to specific standards applicable to electrical panels for electrical aspects.

The advantages that can be achieved with the present invention are now apparent.

In particular, the hinges allow an optimal rotation of the door without risking to crush or "pinch" the gasket during the rotation, guaranteeing an optimal position of the axis of rotation.

Furthermore, the hinges are robust and can be removed for cleaning.

Again, they are safe because they can only be removed from the inside of the compartment by a screw.

Furthermore, the hinges have no contact surfaces between metal and metal, as prescribed by the hygienic guides. They have a rounded geometry that can be sanitized as prescribed by the hygienic guides and do not have flat horizontal surfaces to avoid the stagnation of liquids.

Furthermore, they do not need special equipment for assembly and disassembly.

In addition, they allow adequate rotation of the cover even for applications with coupled panels.

Furthermore, the external positioning of the hinge leaves the compartment and the opening of the panel completely free for the insertion of the internal components.

In particular, the electrical panel with external hinges allows the use of an electrical panel with a gasket positioned on the electrical panel case and not on the cover. This prevents movement during the cover opening and closing steps. However, a quick disassembly of the gasket from the case is allowed for cleaning or replacement operations.

Advantageously, the gasket is positioned inside a seat by means of an undercut that locks the gasket in position, without the use of adhesives.

Moreover, the hollow and unloaded gasket in the lower part is softer than the gaskets of the prior art and guarantees a good seal even if the cover and the case have geometric imperfections.

Claim 1:
Electrical panel (<NUM>) comprising a case (<NUM>) and a cover (<NUM>); said cover (<NUM>) being connected to said case (<NUM>) by at least one hinge (<NUM>, <NUM>); said case (<NUM>) defining a compartment (<NUM>) suitable for being closed by said cover (<NUM>); between said case (<NUM>) and said cover (<NUM>) a sealing gasket (<NUM>) is provided which is adapted to prevent the fluid connection between the compartment (<NUM>) and the outside of the electrical panel (<NUM>); wherein said at least one hinge (<NUM>, <NUM>) is positioned outside the compartment (<NUM>); and in that said at least one hinge (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a case element (<NUM>) and a cover element (<NUM>), said case element (<NUM>) and said cover element (<NUM>) being coupled together by means of a pin (<NUM>) inserted in a hole (<NUM>), said case element (<NUM>) and said cover element (<NUM>) being adapted to rotate in a relative manner around a hinge axis (<NUM>); characterised by a hinge gasket (<NUM>) adapted to prevent fluid communication between the external environment and said hole (<NUM>) being provided between said pin (<NUM>) and said hole (<NUM>).