Assembly comprising a first sealing partner and a second sealing partner

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement of two sealing partners, an arrangement of a first sealing partner (1) relative to a second sealing partner (2), wherein at least one elastic sealing element (5) is arranged between a first sealing surface (3) of the first sealing partner (1) and a second sealing surface (4) of the second sealing partner (2), which is force- and / or form-fittingly abutting against the first sealing surface (3), and the arrangement further comprises at least one corrosion-resistant device, which is constructed by at least one corrosion-resistant adapter element (6) connected to the second sealing surface (4) in a material-fitting manner, and wherein a connection is established directly between the first sealing partner (1) and the adapter element (6) or directly between the first sealing partner (1) and the second sealing partner (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement of a first sealing partner relative to a second sealing partner, wherein at least one elastic sealing element is arranged between a first sealing surface of the first sealing partner and a second sealing surface of the second sealing partner, which is in contact with the first sealing surface in a force- and / or form-fitting manner, and the arrangement further comprises at least one corrosion-resistant device. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are increasingly equipped with electric drives. This means that, in addition to the electric drive itself, energy sources for storing electrical energy for the drive, in particular batteries, are also arranged in the motor vehicle. In addition, a power regulator is required, which supplies the drive with the necessary electrical energy. These power regulators usually have a metal housing in which the necessary electronic power components are arranged. The power regulators are usually arranged in the underbody area of ​​the motor vehicle, in which they are exposed to harsh environmental conditions and the engine and / or transmission environment. This places high demands, in particular in terms of corrosion protection.

[0003] It should be noted here that the housing must of course consist of at least two housing parts in order to allow the arrangement of the power components or components in general in the housing. In order to prevent the ingress of liquids (such as water or other corrosive liquids) and the resulting damage to the power components, it is therefore necessary to seal the housing parts. For this purpose, sealing locations are usually provided, at which sealing elements, in particular composed of elastomers (such as O-rings or molded seals), are usually provided. Such a typical sealed connection is disclosed, for example, by the document DE 10 2010 042 137 A1, in which the deformation of the sealing element is limited by a stop. However, it is disadvantageously possible that liquids penetrate these sealing elements due to capillary action.

[0004] Such penetration is therefore usually problematic, since housings, such as the aforementioned power regulators, are usually made of corrosive materials and corrosion can therefore occur in the area of ​​the sealing points. The reasons for using corrosive materials can be cost minimization and / or environmental aspects. Especially for large-volume components such as housings, the use of more expensive, non-corrosive materials would be disadvantageous in view of the resulting costs, especially if high demands are placed on the material in terms of its mechanical properties and thus, for example, plastics are excluded.

[0005] In order to minimize this corrosion, a solution is to use a liquid seal. In this case, the liquid seal is applied to the sealing point instead of an elastomeric seal. However, the use of a liquid seal can be considered disadvantageous because it is difficult to maintain and / or repair. This is especially because both the removal and the re-installation of the liquid seal are associated with a high level of effort, for example, the necessary cleaning of the sealing point after removal.

[0006] Solutions are already known from the prior art, by which this problem should be avoided. DE 10 2012 223354 A1 solves these disadvantages by connecting the opening in the joint partner without a groove, in particular in the form of a free area or ventilation groove, to the groove in which the sealing element is arranged between the two joint partners. It is used here to ventilate the groove or the groove space.

[0007] From the disclosure of document DE 10 2015 225 219 A1, a housing is disclosed which surrounds a circuit assembly and is composed of two housing parts, wherein a sealant is provided in the region of the sealing point between the housing parts and contains a hydrophobic liquid. After the sealant is introduced, the liquid flows out of it and diffuses into the gap formed between the housing parts, thereby sealing it in a water-repellent manner.

[0008] From US Pat. No. 9,777,838 B2, it is known at the outset to implement the sealing of aircraft doors in a corrosion-resistant manner by applying an anti-corrosion layer by anodizing or coating to the sealing surface in contact with the seal of the aircraft door.

[0009] Furthermore, document DE 10 2010 001 979 A1 shows a seal between two sealing surfaces, in which a reservoir is provided at the sealing point in addition to an elastic sealing element, which is used to contain an anti-corrosive medium such as oil, grease or even felt. The reservoir can be formed in the joint partner to be sealed or in the sealing element itself. However, it is disadvantageous that the oil, grease or felt introduced must also be renewed during maintenance or repair.

[0010] Due to the above-mentioned ambient conditions, to which the power regulator mentioned above or usually also the components accommodated are exposed, and also due to the seal, there is the problem that, in particular in the event of temperature fluctuations, a pressure difference can exist with respect to the environment and / or condensation can occur in the interior of the housing. For this reason, the housing is usually equipped with a ventilation valve, via which a pressure and / or moisture exchange can take place.

[0011] Such ventilation valves are used in a large number of possible applications. For example, the document DE 20 2006 004 828 U1 describes an exhaust valve (ventilation) particularly for a heating element (heater), which has a two-part housing, wherein the housing parts are screwed into each other. In order to achieve exhaust, a diaphragm is clamped between the housing parts. In addition, the housing part that clamps the diaphragm also has an exhaust port; the housing part that accommodates the diaphragm is formed roughly in a hollow cylindrical shape for this purpose. In order to fix the exhaust valve, the housing part that accommodates the diaphragm has a threaded section with an external thread, to which an external hexagon (Aussensechskant) is also connected. The external hexagon also forms a stop for an O-ring that is put on the threaded section. The exhaust valve is sealed relative to the heating element via the O-ring.

[0012] From the document US 4 794 942 A, a vent valve for ventilating a transmission housing is also known, wherein the vent valve has a cylindrical housing part, which is provided with an external thread in a threaded section. The vent valve is screwed into a cylindrical molding (Ausformung) on ​​the transmission housing via the threaded section. The cylindrical molding has an internal thread for this purpose. In order to seal the connection, an annular seal is arranged between the outer end side of the cylindrical molding and a flange at the threaded section connected to the ventilation plug (Belueftungsstopfen).

[0013] In the aforementioned embodiments of the exhaust valve, it is also disadvantageously possible that liquid penetrates into the annular seal due to capillary action and that corrosion occurs in the region of the sealing point. Summary of the invention

[0014] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of implementing an arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the material susceptible to corrosion can be used for the housing and that the connection between the two sealing partners can also be released in a simple manner and thus simultaneously simplify maintenance or repair and / or be designed more cost-effectively.

[0015] This object is achieved with the arrangement according to the invention.

[0016] According to the invention, an arrangement of a first sealing partner relative to a second sealing partner (especially made of a material susceptible to corrosion) is provided. At least one elastic sealing element (especially an elastomeric seal or an O-ring, respectively) is arranged between a first sealing surface of the first sealing partner and a second sealing surface of the second sealing partner, which rests against the first sealing surface in a force- and / or form-fitting manner. In addition, the arrangement has at least one corrosion-resistant component, which is formed by at least one corrosion-resistant adapter element connected to the second sealing surface in a material-fitting manner. The material-fitting connection of the adapter element to the second sealing partner can be achieved, for example, by welding, soldering, sintering or preferably bonding. Corrosion-resistant here essentially means non-corrosive.

[0017] According to the invention, a connection is also established directly between the first sealing partner and the adapter element or directly between the first sealing partner and the second sealing partner. In the latter case (i.e. a direct connection between the first and second sealing partner), it is of course not excluded that they are also connected indirectly, in this case also in particular via the adapter element. This applies analogously to the case where a direct connection is established between the first sealing partner and the adapter element, wherein the first sealing partner and the second sealing partner are respectively connected to each other indirectly via the adapter element.

[0018] Furthermore, since the sealing element only bears in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner between the first and second sealing partner, it is possible to easily release and / or re-establish the connection between the first sealing partner and the adapter element or the second sealing partner without having to replace the sealing element. This simplifies maintenance or repairs, for example, and minimizes the costs incurred in this regard. Furthermore, due to the material-fitting arrangement of the adapter element, it can be ensured that in particular corrosive liquids can advantageously be prevented from penetrating into the adapter element between the adapter element and the second sealing surface. This minimizes or prevents corrosion or even pitting at the second sealing partner.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, the connection is also a material-fit connection or a force- and / or form-fit connection. In the case of a material-fit connection, it is conceivable that it is designed as a welded connection. However, it is also possible that the material-fit connection is implemented as a soldered connection and is therefore releasable. However, in addition to a soldered or soldered connection, it is also conceivable that the connection is implemented as an adhesive material connection, wherein it can also be designed to be releasable, wherein the adhesive material connection can be separated when a solvent is applied. In any case, it should be provided that it is implemented releasably.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is particularly provided that the non-positive and / or positive connection is a screw connection or a clamping connection. Both the non-positive and / or positive connection can be released in a relatively simple manner in the case of a design as a screw or clamping connection, thereby enabling a simplified replacement or rearrangement of the first sealing partner, for example within the scope of maintenance or repair.

[0021] In a promising embodiment of the invention, a latching projection is also formed on the first sealing partner, which, when the clamping connection is established, at least partially undercuts the second sealing partner or the adapter element or engages in an undercut formed in the second sealing partner or the adapter element. This provides a structurally simple and cost-effective possibility of establishing a clamping connection. In addition, a clamping connection designed in this way offers the advantage of a shorter assembly time, in particular compared to a screw connection, and it is possible to dispense with additional fixings to prevent undesired loosening due to dynamic loads on the connection.

[0022] A further development of the invention is also particularly advantageously shown if the adapter element is formed via a (particularly permanently elastic) adhesive material or a (particularly permanently plastic) sealing material or the adapter element is formed from plastic, non-corrosive metal, ceramic or a hybrid material. The non-corrosive metal can be, for example, stainless steel (also called high-quality steel) or an aluminum or magnesium alloy. The implementation of the adapter element from a sealing material, an adhesive material, a plastic, a non-corrosive metal, ceramic or a hybrid material particularly offers the advantage that corrosion of the adapter element can be avoided and the corrosion-resistant implementation of the adapter element can be ensured in an advantageously simple manner. The direct molding of the adapter element from an adhesive or sealing material further offers the advantage that a separately manufactured component (here the adapter element) does not have to be provided in order to then be connected to the second sealing partner in a materially compatible manner. On the contrary, the adapter element formed directly from an adhesive or sealing material on the second sealing surface will already be connected to the second sealing surface and thus the second sealing element in a materially compatible manner after the adhesive or sealing material has hardened. In conjunction with the clamping connection established between the first sealing partner and the adapter element or the first and second sealing partners, this provides a particularly cost-effective and easily manufacturable implementation variant.

[0023] However, a particularly promising embodiment of the invention also consists in that the adapter element is connected to the second sealing surface by a material fit via the corrosion-resistant intermediate layer. By implementing the corrosion-resistant intermediate layer, a material fit connection between the adapter element and the second sealing surface of the second sealing partner can be produced particularly advantageously, wherein the adapter element would accordingly be present in a separate embodiment.

[0024] In an advantageous manner, in a development of the invention, the intermediate layer is formed by a (particularly permanently elastic) adhesive material or a (particularly permanently plastic) sealing material. The adhesive material or the sealing material will be in hardened form here. There is the possibility of forming the further second sealing element by the intermediate layer formed by the hardened sealing material. There is also the possibility of the sealing material being in particular a liquid sealing material.

[0025] Another particularly advantageous improvement of the present invention is that a spacer is arranged between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface. The spacer can in particular produce a defined distance between the first sealing partner and the second sealing partner, whereby a defined compression state of the (first) sealing element exists for a nearly optimal sealing effect. In this case, the adapter element can be embodied as a spacer or the spacer can be integrated into the adapter element. This provides in particular the further advantage that mechanical loads, for example, of an intermediate layer molded via the sealing material (which can exist as a second sealing element after hardening) can be avoided during the curing of the sealing material and that undesirable deformations of the intermediate layer or the second sealing element molded in this way do not occur. Such deformations can lead to a reduced sealing effect and thus to penetration of the second sealing element by corrosive liquids. The same also applies to intermediate layers molded via adhesive materials.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first sealing partner is arranged to (at least) cover or completely close the opening in the second sealing partner. Thus, a high sealing effect can be ensured via the sealing element and the adapter element between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

[0027] In a practical embodiment of the invention, the first sealing partner is a pressure equalization element or a plug connector and the second sealing partner is a housing, wherein the pressure equalization element or the plug connector (or also a plug) is to be fixed to the housing via this connection. In particular, the pressure equalization element or the plug connector can extend into the interior of the housing via an opening in the housing. However, it is also conceivable that the pressure equalization element or the plug connector terminates before engaging in the interior of the housing. The housing can be embodied in particular as a housing of a power regulator. In this regard and generally, it is possible for the plug connector to be used for contacting electronic devices arranged in the interior of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention allows for a large number of embodiments. In order to further illustrate its basic principles, several of them are shown in the drawings and described below. Among them:

[0029] Figure 1A first development of the arrangement with a clamping connection produced between the first sealing partner and the adapter element is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 A second development of the arrangement is shown with a clamping connection produced between the first sealing partner and the adapter element;

[0031] Figure 3 A development of the arrangement with a screw connection between the first sealing partner and the adapter element is shown;

[0032] Figure 4 A development of the arrangement with a clamping connection produced between a first sealing partner and a second sealing partner is shown;

[0033] Figure 5 A development of the arrangement is shown with a screw connection produced between the first sealing partner and the second sealing partner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figures 1 to 5 Revisions of the arrangement according to the invention of the first sealing partner 1 relative to the second sealing partner 2 are shown accordingly, wherein in all the revisions the first sealing partner 1 is a pressure equalization element 13 and the second sealing partner 2 is a housing 14. Here, the first sealing partner 1 is arranged as a pressure equalization element 13 in such a way that it approximately covers or covers the opening 12 in the second sealing partner 2, i.e. the housing 14.

[0035] Furthermore, in all further developments, an elastic sealing element 5 is arranged between the first sealing surface 3 of the first sealing partner 1 and the second sealing surface 4 of the second sealing partner 2, which sealing element 5 is designed as an O-ring and rests in a non-positive and / or positive manner on the first sealing surface 3. Furthermore, the arrangement between the first sealing partner 1 and the second sealing partner 2 has a corrosion-resistant adapter element 6 which is connected to the second sealing surface 4 in a materially bonding manner.

[0036] In this case, the adapter element 6 is Figures 1 to 5 In all developments of the arrangement, the second sealing surface 4 is connected in a materially bonded manner via the corrosion-resistant intermediate layer 11 , wherein the intermediate layer 11 is formed from the sealing material and in this case completely forms the further second sealing element.

[0037] In addition, it should be noted that Figures 1 to 3 In a further development of the arrangement of Figure 4 and Figure 5In a further development of the invention, a connection is established directly between the first sealing partner 1 and the second sealing partner 2. All connections are here force- and / or form-fit connections, wherein in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 In a modification of the arrangement in the embodiment of the invention, the force- and / or form-fit connection is implemented as a clamping connection 8. Figure 3 and Figure 5 A development of the arrangement in , the non-positive and / or positive connection is provided as a screw connection 7 .

[0038] In addition, from Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 It can be seen from FIG. 1 that, in order to establish the clamping connection 8, latching projections 9 are correspondingly formed on the cylindrical section 15 (ie, the pressure equalization element 13) of the first sealing partner 1. These latching projections 9 are Figure 1 and Figure 4 In the embodiment of the arrangement of the cylindrical section 15, the end side is formed, according to Figure 2 In the embodiment of the arrangement of , the cylindrical section 15 is formed at a small distance from the end thereof. Figure 1 The embodiment of the present invention shows that the latching projection 9 undercuts the adapter element 6, whereas in the embodiment according to Figure 2 In the embodiment of FIG. , the latching projection 9 engages in a molded undercut 10 which is hollowed out in the adapter element 6. Figure 4 The embodiment of the arrangement of again discloses that the latching projection 9 undercuts the second sealing partner 2 , and thus the housing 14 .

[0039] List of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1. First sealing accessory

[0041] 2 Second sealing accessory

[0042] 3. First sealing surface

[0043] 4 Second sealing surface

[0044] 5 Sealing element

[0045] 6 Adapter element

[0046] 7 Screw connection

[0047] 8 Clamp connection

[0048] 9 Locking protrusion

[0049] 10 Undercut

[0050] 11. Middle Layer

[0051] 12 Opening

[0052] 13. Pressure balancing element

[0053] 14 Housing

[0054] 15 column segments.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising a first sealing partner (1) and a second sealing partner (2), wherein: At least one elastic sealing element (5) is arranged between a first sealing surface (3) of the first sealing partner (1) and a second sealing surface (4) of the second sealing partner (2), and the arrangement further comprises at least one corrosion-resistant device, characterized in that the corrosion-resistant device is constructed by at least one corrosion-resistant adapter element (6) connected to the second sealing surface (4) by material fit, wherein a connection is established directly between the first sealing partner (1) and the adapter element (6) or directly between the first sealing partner (1) and the second sealing partner (2).

2. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The connection is a material-fitting connection or a force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that The non-positive and / or positive connection is a screw connection (7) or a clamping connection (8).

4. The assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that A latching projection (9) is formed on the first sealing partner (1) which, when producing a clamping connection (8), at least partially undercuts the second sealing partner (2) or the adapter element (6) or engages in an undercut (10) formed in the second sealing partner (2) or the adapter element (6).

5. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The adapter element (6) is formed via an adhesive or sealing material and is made of plastic, non-corrosive metal or ceramic.

6. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The adapter element (6) is connected to the second sealing surface (4) in a materially bonded manner via a corrosion-resistant intermediate layer (11).

7. The assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that The intermediate layer (11) is formed via an adhesive material or a sealing material.

8. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that A spacer is arranged between the first sealing surface (3) and the second sealing surface (4).

9. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first sealing partner (1) is arranged in such a way as to cover the opening (12) in the second sealing partner (2).

10. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first sealing partner (1) is a pressure equalization element (13) or a plug connector and the second sealing partner (2) is a housing (14).

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