DE29823669U1 - Universal housing - Google Patents

Description

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg * »' · * ·!**·. *··&iacgr;"··&idigr; ^Page

2 Description

3 Universal housing

5 The invention relates to a universal housing for printed circuit boards with

6 electronic components and/or connection elements, in particular as modular

7 component of a small distribution board.

9 In the case of a universal housing installed in such a small distribution board, a

10 top housing level always visible. According to DIN 43880, the maximum,

11 there referred to as width the extent of this visible uppermost casing

12 sea level in the housing longitudinal direction standardized to 45 mm. The remaining area of the

13 housing is covered by a distribution cover. The shoulder height of this

14 The remaining area of the universal housing is a maximum of 44 mm according to DIN 43880.

&igr;? Such a universal housing is known from DE 30 26 247. The known universal housing has a housing rear wall which is terraced to form housing levels. A

20 housing base provided with a mounting foot for a mounting rail

21. Furthermore, the two terraced longitudinal ends

22 The rear wall of the housing has transverse walls which extend completely over

23 a housing level. The terraced gradation results in a

24 transverse walls arranged in parallel are piece by piece connected to each other.

25 that the universal housing is completely sealed in its longitudinal direction.

26 is closed. By offsetting the transverse walls of two adjacent

27 of the housing levels, a slotted opening is provided between these two transverse walls.

28 opening oriented perpendicular to the transverse walls. For mounting

29 of the printed circuit boards, a retaining groove running in the transverse direction of the housing is formed immediately adjacent to this opening in the outer of the two transverse walls.

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg * Ji I !!!·· JiII Page

&igr; In the known universal housing, two in the housing longitudinal direction with

A circuit board is inserted into 2 aligned retaining grooves. This circuit board

3 is provided at its longitudinal ends with connecting elements which pass through the openings

4 between the adjacent transverse walls from the housing interior

5. Using a screw attached to the cross walls and the housing base,

6 housing front wall and by means of a similar to a circuit board in the top

7 Housing level inserted housing cover is the well-known universal

8 houses closed on all sides.

10 With the well-known universal housing, replacing a circuit board is relatively

11 labor-intensive, since the housing has to be opened to replace a circuit board.

12 net. Especially since generic universal housings are usually in

13 transverse direction are mounted closely together on a mounting rail, the &eegr; opening of the known universal housing and replacing a circuit board

is only possible after dismantling the universal housing from the mounting rail.

ie Furthermore, in the known universal housing, the installation position of a

&igr;? is fixed for each circuit board. This reduces particularly at high

The electronic components of the circuit boards ensure the usability of the universal

19 housing, especially since the distance between the circuit boards and thus the maximum

20 installation height for electrical components is specified. Although the maximum installation height

21 part height in the known universal housing can be increased by

22 a circuit board or the housing cover is not installed, but this has the

23 The result is that openings remain in the universal housing through which its

24 Interior is accessible from outside.

26 The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a universal housing of the

27 of the type mentioned above, which is particularly simple in structure and

28 which allows the replacement of circuit boards with little effort.

30 This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the patent application

31 claim 1. The universal housing comprises a one-piece housing

32 frame made of two side walls connected by cross braces,

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg *&iacgr;&iacgr;&iacgr; 1 &iacgr;&iacgr;.. JIJt Page

&igr; which are used to form terraced housing levels

2 have a stepped outer contour, as well as a base plate on which the

3 house frames can be attached to the floor.

s Advantageously, the universal housing according to the invention is arranged along a

6 level opened, which is parallel to the base plate forming the housing bottom

7. Opening the universal housing is therefore possible even if

8 lent if additional enclosures are arranged adjacent to the side walls. The

9 Replacing a circuit board is therefore particularly easy, since at least the

10 Base plate remains in the mounted position.

12 Preferably, the cross braces of the housing frame are arranged such that

The uppermost housing level facing away from the base plate is connected by two crossbars

14 ben in the housing longitudinal direction. This is advantageous, especially

15 especially in a small distribution board the top level of the housing is freely accessible. The cross braces arranged in the area of the top level of the housing thus serve simultaneously to stabilize the housing frame and to shield the

is the interior of the housing. In contrast, the areas between the topmost housing level

19 and the base plate arranged further housing levels in the longitudinal direction

20 preferably at least partially opened. This increases the combination possibilities

21 of the universal housing, as this opening allows a variety of freely designed

22 connection elements can be contacted.

24 It is advisable to provide the base plate along its circumference with

25 of these projections protruding into the housing interior. These

26 projections have a dual function. On the one hand, they serve to ensure safe

27 and yet easily removable fixing of the housing frame to the base

28 plate by inserting the base plate with the projections into the housing

29 frame. Some of the projections are advantageously designed as springs

30 hooks and thus effectively prevent unintentional opening

31 of the housing. On the other hand, the projections form a particularly useful

32 Mounting a circuit board by sliding it along a line parallel to the base plate,

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ^# !i! I!!·· I Il 1 Page

&igr; first support level flush with each other. The circuit board is pre-

2 is simply placed on the projections. When closing the housing

3 This automatically clamps the circuit board and thus holds it securely.

5 In an advantageous embodiment of the universal housing, some of the

&bgr; projections are terraced against the housing interior. The gradation

7 The projections form at least one additional support surface for

&bgr; a circuit board which is positioned between the first support surface and the base plate

9. In this way, a comprehensive electronic

10 circuit can be implemented in a particularly space-saving manner. Advantageously,

11 all support levels are within the lowest level facing the base plate

12 housing level. This means that all circuit boards inserted into the support levels

13 the maximum housing area remaining within the lowest housing level

14 cross sections available.

ie Especially for a between the first support level and the base plate

&eegr; arranged circuit board, it is advantageous if the universal housing has a

is provided with a predetermined breaking groove to create an opening for a connecting element.

19 This opening is located within the opening on the base plate.

20 facing end of the housing frame arranged cross brace can be

21 may be activated by breaking out the predetermined breaking groove. If only the installation of a

22 PCB is provided in the first support level, the predetermined breaking groove remains

23 damaged. The shielding of the housing interior is thus retained.

25 The side walls and/or the cross braces of the housing frame are

26 moderately on the inside with perpendicular to the base plate, mutually

27 aligned opposite guide grooves. These guide grooves, in

28 which allows a circuit board to be inserted perpendicular to the base plate, increases the number

29 of the possible combinations of the universal housing.

31 Advantageously, the base plate is provided with a mounting foot for floor-side

32 Attaching the universal housing to a mounting rail. In a

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg * &iacgr;&idigr; · I · ··· &idigr; Il * Page

&igr; particularly practical design, this mounting foot works with a

2 the ring-shaped, closed predetermined breaking groove provided in the

3 base plate together. By breaking out the predetermined breaking groove, a

4 direct access between the housing interior and the usually hat-

5 shaped curved support rail. This allows the execution

6 of contacts, in particular bus contacts, which are connected to the conductor tracks of a

7 Contact the printed circuit board inserted in the mounting rail (see EIB Handbook of the Euro-

8 Pean Installation Bus Authority - EIBA).

&iacgr;&ogr; The combinability of the universal housing is further improved by a

11 Blind cover, by means of which a housing level can be locked lengthwise.

12 This makes it possible to equip only some of the housing levels with connection elements

13 without creating openings through which the

14 The housing interior is accessible from the outside. The blank cover is provided

15 preferably provided with retaining bars, with which they can be inserted into complementary retaining

16 ten of the side walls. The blind cover thus forms an additional &igr;? cross brace and thus contributes to increasing the stability of the housing frame. is Advantageously, the blind cover protrudes in the direction of the base plate over the

is corresponding housing level and thus engages behind a in a different

20 closing housing level. This improves

21 the shielding effect of the universal housing.

23 According to an advantageous further development, the uppermost housing level is

24 Base plate opposite housing end by means of a cover

25, which is pivotably mounted on the housing frame. The cover

26 can therefore be used for inspection or repair purposes, or for adjustment or

27 similar purposes, can be easily opened without the need for a complete or

28 partial disassembly of the universal housing is required. Advantageously,

29 This cover is transparent. This allows for optical con-

30 trolls of the electronics held in the universal housing.

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg * &iacgr; ! &iacgr; I II·· I Il I Page

&igr; The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that in a

2 a universal housing consisting of a few components printed circuit boards with

3 electronic components and/or connection elements in a variety of

4 possible combinations. Because the ladder

5 plates can be used both parallel and perpendicular to the base plate

&bgr;, the available housing space can be used particularly effectively for

7 housing electronic circuits. Furthermore,

&bgr; the number and shape of the connecting elements can be freely selected.

9 by means of the blind cover and optionally by means of the predetermined breaking grooves.

10 openings of the universal housing ensure that the housing interior is always

11 fully shielded.

13 In the following, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to a drawing

14 is explained in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a universal housing with a base

17 plate, a housing frame, a blank cover and a cover

18 hood,

19 Fig. 2 the base plate according to Fig. 1 with two inserted circuit boards,

20 Fig. 3 in a representation according to Fig. 2 the base plate, with a single

21 circuit board,

22 Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an assembled universal housing

23 according to Fig. 1 with connection elements arranged in two housing levels

24 ments,

25 Fig. 5 in a detailed view V according to Fig. 1 a retaining groove of the housing frame

26 mens, and

27 Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the assembled universal housing,

28 but with a middle section covered by two blind covers

29 Housing level.

31 The universal housing 1 shows a one-piece housing frame 2. The housing

32 frame 2 consists of two opposite in the housing transverse direction 3

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg * Ii J !!!·· ! I! i Page

&igr; side walls 4. The side walls 4 are with respect to a housing vertical

2 kalrichtung 5 terraced. This gradation is symmetrical with respect to

3 is formed in a housing longitudinal direction 6 and defines three housing levels

A nen 7,8 and 9, which are shown in Fig. 1 by dashed auxiliary lines H

5 are separated from each other. The two side walls 4 are separated by cross-

6 ben 10 and 11 are connected in one piece, with a cross brace 10 on each

7 longitudinal end 12 of the uppermost housing level 7. Each further

&bgr; Cross brace 11 is attached to each longitudinal end 13 of the lowest housing level 9.

9. The or each cross strut 11 is provided with a predetermined breaking groove 14,

10 long which has a rectangular, to a lower edge 15 of the housing frame 2

11 open opening 16 can be optionally broken out.

13 The universal housing 1 further comprises a horizontal, i.e. along the

14 housing transverse axis 3 and the housing longitudinal axis 6 aligned base plate 17, is on which the housing frame 2 is on the bottom side, i.e. with its lower edge 15

The base plate 17 is provided with a number of housing-vertical

17 kalrichtung 5 facing projections 18,19 and 20, which with slight

The distance to the side edges 21 and 22 of the base plate 17 around its circumference

19 are distributed. The projections 18,19 and 20 thus form a multiple

20 openwork shaft, which fits positively into the housing frame 2.

21 and thus fixes the position of the housing frame 2 on the base

22 plate 17. The projections 19 are designed as spring hooks, the grip

23 ends 23 with the housing frame 2 pushed on in corresponding opening

24 holes 24 of the side walls 4 and thus move the housing frame 2

25 Type of a snap connection captively fixed to the base plate 17.

27 The free ends 24 of the projections 18,19 and 20 close with respect to the housing

28 svertical direction 5 flush with each other and thus lie on a, in the following

29 the level designated as the first support level 25. The projections 19 and 20

30 are each provided with a terrace-shaped step 26 on the inside. The

31 steps 26 serve as support points for a second support level 27, which is between

32 is arranged between the first support plane 25 and the base plate 17. Between

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ·*";;**;5*";;IIl"\l"'. Page Q

&igr; see two steps 26 each, there is a spring retainer on the circumference of the base plate 17.

2 ken 28 are provided, the hook end 29 for clamping interaction

3 is aligned with the corresponding steps 26 on the inside.

s The base plate 17 is provided on its side facing away from the housing frame 2 with

6 a mounting foot 30, with which the base plate 17 is mounted on a hat-shaped

7 shaped support rail 31. The base plate 17 is provided in the area of the &bgr; mounting foot 30 with a ring-shaped closed soII-

9 breaking groove 33. Along the breaking groove 33, an opening can thus be

10 opening 34 for additional contacts, e.g. bus contacts.

12 On the opposite side of the base plate 17 in the vertical direction 5 of the housing

13 housing end 35, the uppermost housing level 7 is closed off by means of a cover 36. This cover 36 is pivotably mounted on the side walls 4 of the housing frame 2. The universal housing 1 can thus be opened simply by pivoting the cover 36.

ie As an optional component of the universal housing 1, a blanking cover 37

19, by means of which the middle housing plane 8 in the housing longitudinal direction

20 6 can be closed. The blind cover 37 is in a form-fitting

21 sig on the edges 38 of the side walls 4 and on a support rib 39 of the

22 cross brace 10. The blind cover 37 is used to fix it to the housing

23 frame 2 provided with two spring hooks 40, which are in the middle

24 housing level 8 in each side wall 4 provided openings 41 engage. Therefore

25 further, the blind cover 37 has two in the housing vertical direction 5 running

26 holding webs 42, each of which is inserted into a recess provided in each side wall 4.

27 retaining groove 43 engage in a form-fitting manner (Fig. 5). In the area of the retaining webs 42, the blind cover 37 has a wall extension 44 running in the vertical direction 5 of the housing, with which the blind cover 37, in the fastened state,

thus protruding beyond the middle housing plane 8 in the direction of the base plate 17 (Fig. 6).

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg * Il SS SS·· S Il I Page

&igr; In Fig. 2, the base plate 17 is integrated into the first support surface 25 and the second

2 printed circuit boards 50 and 51 inserted into the support surface 27. Therefore, the

3 Printed circuit board 50 is placed on the free ends 24 of the projections 18, 19 and 20. The

4 Surface α of the circuit board 50 is selected such that it is flush with the

5 outside of the projections 18,19 and 20. In this way it is ensured

6 ensures that the circuit board 50 after attaching the housing frame 2 of

7 whose side walls 4 and cross braces 11 are positively enclosed.

B Shifts of the circuit board 50 are thus possible when the housing frame 2 is plugged in.

9 effectively prevented. The circuit board 50 is in the embodiment on a

10 Longitudinal end exemplary with connecting elements in the form of single-storey

11 terminals 52a. The terminals 52a can be connected either one-sided or

12 can be mounted on both sides. In addition to the single-level terminal 52a shown,

13, a multi-level clamp 52c can also be used, as shown in Fig. 4

14. Due to the largely open design in the housing longitudinal direction 6,

15 housing frame 2, the use of any designed connection

16 elements are possible. Instead of the terminals 52a, 52b shown,

17 rem Blade contacts, contact pins or corresponding sockets in any

18 Orientation can be used.

20 Fig. 3 shows the base plate 17 in an assembled state in which only the

21 second support level 27 is covered with a circuit board 51. The circuit board 51

22 has a slightly smaller size than the previously described circuit board 50.

23 nered area A _2. This area A ₂ is dimensioned such that the circuit board 51

24 can be inserted into the projections 18, 19 and 20 in a form-fitting manner. The inserted

25 The base plate 51 rests on its underside facing the base plate 17 on

26 the gradations 26 described in connection with Fig. 1. The Fe-

27 of the hooks 28 engage with their hook ends 29 the circuit board 51, where

28 is secured to the base plate 17 in a captive manner. The circuit board 51 is

29 is provided with a plug part 52b containing a number of contact pins.

31 Fig. 4 shows the assembled universal housing 1 with contact elements in the form of

32 two-level terminals 52c. These are arranged in the universal housing 1 in such a way

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg *&idigr;&iacgr;&idigr; ! SSm &iacgr;&idigr;&idigr;&idigr; Page 1Q

&igr; arranged so that the two terminal levels 53 are in different housing levels

2 8 and 9 are arranged. The terminals 52c are sealed on all sides by the

3 house frame 2 so that the universal housing 1 is closed on all sides.

4 sen. The universal housing 1 is therefore particularly suitable for installation in a small

5 distributors. According to DIN 43880, the length L of the topmost

6 Housing level 7 maximum 45 mm. Furthermore, the distance between

7 see the upper edge of the support rail 30 and the upper edge of the middle housing

8 sea level 8 measured shoulder height S 42.5 mm. With the blind cover 37 fitted (Fig. 6), the wall thickness of the blind cover 37 is to be added to this value.

10. The shoulder height S then corresponds to the height specified in DIN 43880.

11 Maximum value 44 mm. The uppermost part of the cover 36 is

12 Housing level 7 protrudes in the case of a universal housing installed in a small distribution board

13 from the distributor cover (not shown). The cover 36 is

14 is therefore openly accessible. Due to the hinged along the swivel path W

15 Cover 36 allows an electronic circuit contained in the universal housing 1 to be serviced without having to remove the distributor cover

17 must.

19 Fig. 5 shows in detail the Hal-

20 tenut 43. The recess provided in the side wall 4 at the foot of the middle housing level 8

21, the retaining groove 43 is dovetail-shaped. The retaining groove 43

22 ends with one of the upper edges 55 of the lowest housing level 9 in a recess

23 notch 56 of the side wall 4. When attaching the blind cover 37 to the

24 Housing frame 2, the retaining bar 42 of the blind cover 37 is inserted into the HaI-

25 tenut 43. The retaining web 42 is complementary to this, i.e. also

26 dovetail-shaped, and thus fits positively into the HaI-

27 tenut 43. As can be seen from Fig. 6, the blind cover is in the

28 assembly state in the notch 56 and fills it completely. By means of

29 of the combination of the dovetail-shaped groove-web connection 42,43, the notch 56 thus enclosing the blind cover 37 and the

31 spring hook 40 provides a particularly stable fixation of the blind cover

32 on the housing frame 2. The blank cover 37 is in all room

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg * &idigr;&idigr;&idigr; !!?·. III! ^Page

&igr; directions 3,6,5 and thus acts as an additional cross brace for stabilization.

2 ization of the housing frame 2.

4 In Fig. 6, the universal housing 1 is shown in a different form to that shown in Fig. 4.

5 native assembly state, whereby the cover 36 is removed for reasons of

6 is not shown for clarity. The connecting elements are

7 tiered terminals 52a are provided, which are located within the lowest housing

8 level 9 are arranged. Corresponding to the second support level 27 for

9 The circuit board 51 (Fig. 3) also has a plug part 52b provided. This plug

10 The kerteil 52b is accessible from the outside via the opening 16. To produce this

11 Opening 16, the cross strut 11 is broken along the predetermined breaking groove 14. The

12 The middle housing level 8, which is free of connection elements, is covered by the blind cover

13 kung 37. The wall extension 44 of the blind cover 37, which extends from side wall 4 to side wall 4 within the housing frame 2 &eegr;, fulfils a dual function. On the one hand, the wall extension 44 forms

ie its arrangement between the side walls 4 an additional cross brace and

17 thus stabilizes the housing frame 2. On the other hand, the wall extension

18 set 44 - as indicated by dashed lines - the terminals 52a with a small distance and is thus shielding the housing interior 57 from the outside.

21 In the open interior 57 of the universal housing 1, a printed circuit board 58 is

22 is inserted right to the base plate 17. As a holder for this circuit board 58

23 are aligned with each other on the side walls 4 and the crossbars

24 ben 10 arranged guide grooves 59. By means of the guide grooves 59 up to

25 to four circuit boards 58 can be arranged vertically in the universal housing 1. The

26 printed circuit boards 58 can be arranged in the transverse direction 3 or in the longitudinal direction 6.

27 is directed.

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Patent attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg

List of reference symbols Universal housing Side edges 35 Housing end 1 Housing frame Hook end 36 Cover CNl Housing cross direction Freedmen 37 Blind cover 3 Side wall Support level 38 Edge 4 Housing vertical direction gradation 39 Support rib 5 Housing longitudinal direction Support level 40 Spring hook 6 Housing levels Spring hook 41 opening 7,8,9 Cross braces Hook end 42 Holding bridge 10,11 Longitudinal end Mounting foot 43 Retaining groove 12,13 Breaking groove Support rail 44 Wall process 14 Bottom edge Plate level 50,51 Circuit board 15 opening Breaking groove 52a Clamp 16 Base plate Exit opening 52b Plug part 17 18,19,20 lead 52c Clamp 21,22 53 Terminal floor 23 54 Insertion opening 24 55 Top edge 25 56 notch 26 57 Housing interior 27 58 Circuit board 28 59 Guide grooves 29 30 H Guide line 31 Ai,A ₂ Area 32 L length 33 S Shoulder height 34 W Swivel path

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Claims (13)

1. Universal housing for printed circuit boards ( 50 , 51 , 58 ) with electronic components and/or connection elements ( 52a , 52b , 52c ), with a one-piece housing frame ( 2 ) made of two side walls ( 4 ) connected to one another via cross struts ( 10 , 11 ), which have a stepped outer contour to form terrace-like housing levels ( 7 , 8 , 9 ) one above the other, and with a base plate ( 17 ) onto which the housing frame ( 2 ) can be placed on the bottom. 2. Universal housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the uppermost housing level ( 7 ) facing away from the base plate ( 17 ) is closed off by means of two cross struts ( 10 ) in the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 6 ), and that at least one further housing level ( 8 , 9 ) arranged between the uppermost housing level ( 7 ) and the base plate ( 17 ) is at least partially open in the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 6 ) for contacting a connection element ( 52a , 52b , 52c ). 3. Universal housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base plate ( 17 ) is provided along its circumference with projections ( 18 , 19 , 20 ) which project perpendicularly to the base plate ( 17 ) into the housing interior ( 57 ), with which the base plate ( 17 ) engages in a form-fitting manner in the housing frame ( 2 ), the free ends ( 24 ) of the projections ( 18 , 19 , 20 ) being flush with one another to form a first support plane ( 25 ) parallel to the base plate ( 17 ) for a printed circuit board ( 50 ). 4. Universal housing according to claim 3, characterized by a terrace-shaped step ( 26 ) of the projections ( 19 , 20 ) of the base plate ( 17 ) against the housing interior ( 57 ) to form at least one second support plane ( 27 ) arranged between the first support plane ( 25 ) and the base plate ( 17 ) for a circuit board ( 51 ). 5. Universal housing according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a cross strut ( 11 ) arranged on the lower edge ( 15 ) of the housing frame ( 2 ) facing the base plate ( 17 ), which is provided with a predetermined breaking groove ( 14 ) for producing an opening ( 16 ) for a connecting element ( 52b ). 6. Universal housing according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the side walls ( 4 ) and/or the cross struts ( 10 ) of the housing frame ( 2 ) are provided on the inside with guide grooves ( 59 ) running perpendicular to the base plate ( 17 ) and lying opposite one another in alignment as a holder for a circuit board ( 58 ) inserted perpendicular to the base plate ( 17 ). 7. Universal housing according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the base plate ( 17 ) is provided with a mounting foot ( 30 ) for plugging the universal housing ( 1 ) onto a support rail ( 31 ) at the bottom. 8. Universal housing according to claim 7, characterized in that the base plate ( 17 ) in the region of the mounting foot ( 30 ) has a predetermined breaking groove ( 33 ) which is closed in an annular manner within the plate plane ( 32 ) for producing a lead-out opening ( 34 ) for additional contacts which contact conductor tracks of a circuit board inserted into the support rail ( 31 ). 9. Universal housing according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a blind cover ( 37 ) which closes off a housing plane ( 8 ) of the housing frame ( 2 ) in the housing longitudinal direction ( 6 ) and is detachably plugged onto the housing frame ( 2 ). 10. Universal housing according to claim 9, characterized in that the blind cover ( 37 ) with a holding web ( 42 ) in each case engages in a form-fitting manner in a complementarily shaped holding groove ( 43 ) of each side wall ( 4 ) in such a way that the blind cover ( 37 ) forms an additional cross brace. 11. Universal housing according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the blind cover ( 37 ) projects in the direction of the base plate ( 17 ) beyond the corresponding housing plane ( 8 ) in such a way that it engages behind a connection element ( 52a ) arranged in an adjoining housing plane ( 9 ) at a small distance. 12. Universal housing according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized by a cover ( 36 ) which closes the uppermost housing level ( 7 ) at the housing end ( 35 ) opposite the base plate ( 17 ) and is pivotally mounted on the housing frame ( 2 ). 13. Universal housing according to claim 12, characterized in that the cover ( 36 ) is transparent.