Waterproof breathable valve

Abstract

The present invention provides a waterproof breathable valve comprising: a valve body having a first chamber and a second chamber formed therein; and a porous coalescing filter element disposed within the valve body. The porous coalescing filter element has an oleophobic region and an oleophilic region connected thereto, the oleophobic region and the oleophilic region being connected to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. When gas mixed with oil droplets in the first chamber passes through the porous coalescing filter element, the oil droplets are adsorbed by the porous coalescing filter element and sequentially pass through the oleophobic region and the oleophilic region to converge into the second chamber. The present invention addresses the technical issues of porous coalescing filter elements, such as their tendency to saturate, clog, and have low filtration efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of valve structures, and further relates to a waterproof and breathable valve, and in particular to a waterproof and breathable valve that can be applied to the internal transmission system of a new energy vehicle. Background Art

[0002] During the continuous driving of the car, the membrane material in the waterproof breathable valve element is mainly used to prevent external water and other impurities from invading the power transmission system. In this process, the air inside the system that carries a lot of oil will also exchange air with the external environment through the breathable valve element. Therefore, a porous coalescence filter element is usually set in the breathable valve (the porous coalescence filter element is a multi-layer fiber filter material that can realize droplet coalescence in the waterproof breathable valve, usually made of glass fiber, polypropylene fiber or cotton fiber) to separate the oil from the air. The porous material in the porous coalescence filter element can be made of a variety of materials such as glass fiber, polypropylene fiber and cotton fiber. The filter layer is mainly used to ensure that the air carrying oil will not damage the waterproof breathable membrane of the waterproof breathable valve, thereby extending the service life of the waterproof breathable valve.

[0003] In the waterproof breathable valve, the air flow passes through the porous filter element and the waterproof breathable membrane from bottom to top (both are the core components of the waterproof breathable valve). The main function of the waterproof breathable membrane is to intercept water droplets and solid impurities in the gas to ensure the cleanliness of the gas, while the function of the porous filter element is to remove oil droplets entrained in the gas. At present, the methods of removing oil from porous filter elements are mainly divided into two types: oleophilic adsorption and oleophobic agglomeration. Oleophilic adsorption refers to the use of oleophilic porous materials to adsorb and store oil droplets in the air to achieve the purpose of oil-liquid separation and removal; oleophobic agglomeration mainly refers to the use of oleophobic porous materials to capture oil droplets in the gas, and then make small droplets collide and merge continuously inside the fiber to grow into large droplets, and rely on gravity to gradually discharge the oil back into the power transmission system components to achieve the purpose of removing oil droplets in the air. However, the above-mentioned porous agglomeration filter element will have the following problems during operation:

[0004] 1. For oleophilic porous coalescing filter elements, the filter material has a strong adsorption capacity for oil, but the liquid absorption capacity of this oleophilic material has a certain saturation value. When saturation is reached, the filter material loses its oil removal ability and the air valve needs to be replaced frequently, resulting in high cost of use.

[0005] 2. For oleophobic porous coalescing filter elements, the droplets will gradually accumulate and be discharged back into the system after being coalesced by the material. When the gas velocity is low, as the amount of droplet accumulation increases, the gravity of the accumulated liquid will gradually be greater than the drag of the airflow, causing the accumulated liquid to penetrate downward into the material, resulting in clogging of the pores of the porous material, thereby reducing the air permeability of the porous coalescing filter element; when the gas velocity is high, the coalesced liquid cannot rely on gravity to be discharged downward back to the power transmission system, and will accumulate on the upper surface of the porous coalescing filter element. When the droplets accumulate to a certain amount, they will cause pollution to the waterproof breathable membrane, affecting the efficacy and performance of the waterproof breathable membrane, and thus affecting the normal use of the entire waterproof breathable valve.

[0006] 3. For some existing breather valve products using oleophobic materials, the path or area through which the liquid flows through the porous coalescing filter element block when it is discharged back into the power transmission system is relatively random and non-selective. As a result, the clean area within the porous filter block gradually decreases, and the air permeability and filtration efficiency gradually decrease, affecting the performance and life of the breather valve.

[0007] Currently, no effective solution has been provided to the problem that the porous agglomeration filter elements in the breathable valve products in the related art are easily saturated, easily clogged, and have low filtration efficiency.

[0008] Therefore, the inventors, relying on their many years of experience and practice in related industries, propose a waterproof breathable valve to overcome the defects of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a waterproof breathable valve that can achieve the effect of real-time separation of oil droplets from gas and one-way drainage, effectively solving the problem that when a vehicle is running for a long time, the oil droplets cannot be discharged back to the traditional power system in time, resulting in excessive liquid accumulation, affecting the air permeability and contaminating the waterproof breathable membrane, thereby effectively extending the service life of the waterproof breathable valve.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved by adopting the following scheme:

[0011] The present invention provides a waterproof breathable valve, comprising:

[0012] a valve body, wherein a first chamber and a second chamber are formed in the valve body;

[0013] a porous coalescing filter element disposed in the valve body, the porous coalescing filter element having an oleophobic region and an oleophilic region connected thereto, the oleophobic region and the oleophilic region being connected to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively;

[0014] When the gas mixed with oil droplets in the first chamber passes through the porous coalescing filter element, the oil droplets are adsorbed by the porous coalescing filter element and sequentially pass through the oleophobic region and the oleophilic region to converge into the second chamber.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second chamber is filled with a filler through which oil can pass.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the porous coalescence filter element includes a plurality of coalescence filter layers stacked together, each of the coalescence filter layers includes the oleophobic region and the oleophilic region, the oleophobic regions in each of the coalescence filter layers are stacked together at relative positions, and the oleophilic regions in each of the coalescence filter layers are stacked together at relative positions.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the oleophilic region facing the entry of the oil droplet has oleophilic wettability, and the surface of the oleophilic region facing away from the entry of the oil droplet has oleophobic wettability.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a convex portion is formed on the coalescing filter layer and located in the oleophobic region to guide the oil droplets adsorbed by the oleophobic region to the oleophilic region.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a drainage hole is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber so that the oil collected in the second chamber can flow into the first chamber.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a channel connected to the first chamber is provided on the valve body, so that the gas mixed with oil droplets enters the first chamber through the channel, and the oil flowing from the second chamber into the first chamber is discharged through the channel.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a third chamber is formed inside the valve body, the porous agglomeration filter element separates the third chamber from the first chamber and the second chamber, and the valve body is provided with an air hole connected to the third chamber to allow the gas in the valve body to be exchanged with the outside world.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first chamber is located in the middle of the valve body, and the second chamber is annular and arranged around the outer periphery of the first chamber.

[0023] The porous coalescence filter element is sealed at the top of the first chamber and the top of the second chamber, the oleophobic area is located in the middle of the porous coalescence filter element and is vertically opposite to the first chamber, and the oleophilic area is annular and is vertically opposite to the second chamber.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the oleophilic regions in each coalescing filter layer have different wettabilities, and the wettabilities of the oleophilic regions in each coalescing filter layer decrease from top to bottom.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a filter screen and a breathable membrane are sequentially arranged between the porous coalescing filter element and the third chamber.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an end cover is provided on the top of the valve body, the third chamber is located between the inner wall of the end cover and the breathable membrane, and the air hole is opened on the end cover.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the channel is located at the bottom of the valve body, and the channel is vertically connected to the first chamber.

[0028] As described above, the characteristics and advantages of the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention are as follows: a first chamber and a second chamber are formed in the valve body, and a connected oleophobic area and an oleophilic area are formed on the porous coalescing filter element, and the oleophobic area and the oleophilic area are respectively connected to the first chamber and the second chamber; when the gas mixed with oil droplets in the first chamber passes through the porous coalescing filter element, the oil droplets will coalesce in the oleophobic area to form larger oil droplets, and since the oleophilic area has a strong adsorption force on the oil droplets, the oil droplets coalesced in the oleophobic area will be absorbed into the interior by the oleophilic area, and when the oleophilic area reaches saturation After the oil droplets are absorbed, they will form oil liquid and gather in the second chamber under the action of gravity, and then the oil liquid can be collected and discharged through the second chamber. The whole process can achieve the effect of real-time separation of oil droplets mixed in the gas and one-way drainage, avoiding the situation that the oil droplets in the waterproof breathable valve cannot be discharged in time and may cause blockage of the channel and pollution of the waterproof breathable membrane. It effectively solves the problem that the vehicle cannot discharge the oil droplets back to the traditional power system in time for a long time, resulting in excessive liquid accumulation, affecting the air permeability and polluting the waterproof breathable membrane, and effectively prolongs the service life of the waterproof breathable valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The following drawings are only intended to illustrate and explain the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0030] in:

[0031] Figure 1 : It is the front view of the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 : It is an exploded view of the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 :for Figure 1Schematic diagram of the cross section at the AA position.

[0034] Figure 4 : It is a top cross-sectional view of the valve body in the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 : A top view of the porous agglomerate filter element in the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 : It is a front cross-sectional view of the porous agglomeration filter element in the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 : It is the working principle diagram of the porous coalescence filter element in the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8 : A comparative analysis diagram of flow attenuation between the porous coalescing filter element in the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention and the existing porous coalescing filter element.

[0039] The accompanying drawings in the present invention are:

[0040] 1. Valve body; 101. First chamber;

[0041] 102. Second chamber; 103. Drainage hole;

[0042] 104. Passage; 105. Third chamber;

[0043] 2. End cap; 201. Air hole;

[0044] 3. Porous coalescing filter element; 301. Coalescing filter layer;

[0045] 3011, oleophobic area; 3012, oleophilic area;

[0046] 4. Sealing ring; 5. Filling;

[0047] 6. Filter; 7. Breathable membrane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purposes and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] In the present invention, words with directional indications such as above and below are all attached. Figure 3 The upper middle and lower directions are subject to the standard and are explained here.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 6As shown, the present invention provides a waterproof breathable valve, which includes a valve body 1 and a porous coalescing filter element 3, wherein a first chamber 101 and a second chamber 102 are formed in the valve body 1; the porous coalescing filter element 3 is arranged in the valve body 1, and a connected oleophobic area 3011 and an oleophilic area 3012 are formed on the porous coalescing filter element 3, wherein the oleophobic area 3011 is connected to the first chamber 101, and the oleophilic area 3012 is connected to the second chamber 102; when gas mixed with oil droplets in the first chamber 101 passes through the porous coalescing filter element 3, the oil droplets are adsorbed by the porous coalescing filter element 3 and sequentially pass through the oleophobic area 3011 and the oleophilic area 3012 to converge into the second chamber 102.

[0051] In the present invention, a first chamber 101 and a second chamber 102 are formed in the valve body 1, and a connected oleophobic region 3011 and an oleophilic region 3012 are formed on the porous coalescing filter element 3, and the oleophobic region 3011 and the oleophilic region 3012 are respectively connected to the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102; when the gas mixed with oil droplets in the first chamber 101 passes through the porous coalescing filter element 3, the oil droplets will coalesce in the oleophobic region 3011 to form larger oil droplets. Since the oleophilic region 3012 has a strong adsorption force on the oil droplets, the oil droplets coalesced in the oleophobic region 3011 will be absorbed into the interior of the oleophilic region 3012. After the oil area 3012 reaches saturation, the oil droplets absorbed in the oleophilic area 3012 will form oil liquid and gather in the second chamber 102 under the action of gravity, and then the oil liquid can be collected and discharged through the second chamber 102. The whole process can achieve the effect of real-time separation of oil droplets mixed in the gas and one-way drainage, avoiding the situation where the oil droplets in the waterproof breathable valve cannot be discharged in time and may cause blockage of the channel and pollution of the waterproof breathable membrane. It effectively solves the problem that the vehicle cannot discharge the oil droplets back to the traditional power system in time during long-term operation, resulting in excessive liquid accumulation, affecting the air permeability and polluting the waterproof breathable membrane, and effectively extends the service life of the waterproof breathable valve.

[0052] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown, the second chamber 102 is filled with a filler 5 through which oil can pass. The main purpose of the filler 5 is to increase the damping coefficient within the second chamber 102, allowing oil to enter and providing a certain barrier to gas. This prevents the gas separated from the oil droplets from entering the second chamber 102, but selectively exchanges air with the outside world. Simultaneously, the filler 5 can cooperate with the porous coalescing filter element 3 to absorb and drain the oil separated by the porous coalescing filter element 3 and located in the oleophilic region 3012, thereby facilitating the smooth entry of the oil in the oleophilic region 3012 into the second chamber 102 so that the oil can be discharged back into the vehicle's powertrain through the second chamber 102.

[0053] Furthermore, the filler 5 is preferably a material that allows oil to pass through and has a certain degree of oil absorption capacity. The filler 5 may be, but is not limited to, a porous, oil-absorbing material such as sponge or glass fiber. The shape and volume of the filler 5 can be adjusted based on the second chamber 102 so that the filler 5 can adapt to the second chamber 102. It is optimal if the filler 5 can completely fill the second chamber 102. The specific shape and volume of the filler 5 are not limited herein.

[0054] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the porous coalescing filter element 3 includes a plurality of stacked coalescing filter layers 301. Each coalescing filter layer 301 includes an oleophobic region 3011 and an oleophilic region 3012. The oleophobic regions 3011 in each coalescing filter layer 301 are stacked and arranged in relative positions, and the oleophilic regions 3012 in each coalescing filter layer 301 are stacked and arranged in relative positions, so that the oleophobic regions 3011 in each coalescing filter layer 301 form a whole, and the oleophilic regions 3012 in each coalescing filter layer 301 form a whole. Oil droplets in the gas are coalesced by the oleophobic regions 3011 in the plurality of coalescing filter layers 301 to form larger oil droplets. After the oil droplets are affected by the potential energy difference, they migrate to the oleophilic regions 3012 connected to the oleophobic regions 3011. The oleophilic regions 3012 adsorb the oil droplets and gradually discharge them into the second chamber 102. Specifically, the number of coalescing filter layers 301 can be, but is not limited to, 2-8.

[0055] Further, such as Figure 6 、 Figure 7 As shown, a convex portion is formed on the coalescing filter layer 301 and located in the oleophobic region 3011 (i.e., the thickness of the coalescing filter layer 301 at the oleophobic region 3011 is greater than the thickness of the oleophilic region 3012, with the thickness difference being approximately 1 mm to 3 mm). The provision of the convex portion creates a potential energy difference between the oleophobic region 3011 and the oleophilic region 3012, thereby directing oil droplets adsorbed by the oleophobic region 3011 into the oleophilic region 3012. The convex portion can be formed in the oleophobic region 3011 by coating the surface of the oleophobic region 3011 corresponding to each coalescing filter layer 301 with an electrospun nanofiber film to increase the thickness of the oleophobic region 3011.

[0056] Furthermore, the coalescing filter layer 301 is entirely made of an oleophobic filter material (oleophobic glass fiber material), and a lipophilic modifier is sprayed on a predetermined position on the surface of each coalescing filter layer 301, thereby forming an oleophilic region 3012 on the coalescing filter layer 301 (a super-lipophilic modifier may also be sprayed to form a super-lipophilic region). Of course, other methods may also be used to achieve the lipophilic modification treatment of the coalescing filter layer 301, and the specific method is not limited here.

[0057] Furthermore, the surface of each coalescing filter layer 301 facing the oil droplet entrance is sprayed with an oleophilic modifier, that is, the surface of the oleophilic region 3012 facing the oil droplet entrance (i.e. Figure 6 、 Figure 7 The upper surface in the middle) is oleophilic, and the oleophilic area 3012 faces away from the surface where the oil drop enters (i.e.: Figure 6 、 Figure 7 The lower surface of the oleophilic region 3012 is oleophobic and wettable, so that the upper surface of the oleophilic region 3012 has a strong ability to capture and adsorb oil droplets, while the lower surface of the oleophilic region 3012 can play an oleophobic and liquid-discharging role, so that by treating each coalescing filter layer 301, the effect of a one-way circular flow of capturing, adsorbing and discharging oil droplets can be achieved.

[0058] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 、 Figure 4 As shown, the valve body 1 is provided with a channel 104 connected to the first chamber 101, and a drainage hole 103 is provided between the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102. The oil gathered in the second chamber 102 can flow into the first chamber 101 through the drainage hole 103; since the first chamber 101 is connected to the channel 104, the channel 104 can serve as a gas inlet, and the gas mixed with oil droplets in the vehicle's power transmission system can enter the first chamber 101 through the channel 104. At the same time, the channel 104 can also serve as an oil discharge outlet, and the oil flowing into the first chamber 101 through the drainage hole 103 can be discharged back to the vehicle's power transmission system through the channel 104.

[0059] Specifically, there are multiple drainage holes 103, each of which is spaced apart along the circumference of the first chamber 101 and evenly distributed in the lower position between the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102. The air holes 201 can be, but are not limited to, circular holes with a diameter of 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0060] Further, such as Figure 3 As shown, a third chamber 105 is formed inside the valve body 1, and the third chamber 105 is located above the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102. The porous coalescing filter element 3 separates the third chamber 105 from the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102. The valve body 1 is provided with an air hole 201 connected to the third chamber 105. After the oil droplets and the gas are separated by the porous coalescing filter element 3, the gas enters the third chamber 105 and can be exchanged with the outside world through the air hole 201.

[0061] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3As shown, the first chamber 101 is located in the middle of the valve body 1, the second chamber 102 is annular, and the second chamber 102 is arranged around the outer periphery of the first chamber 101; the top of the first chamber 101 and the top of the second chamber 102 are both provided with openings, and the porous agglomeration filter element 3 is sealed at the top openings of the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102, and correspondingly, the oleophilic area 3012 is annular and arranged around the outer ring of the oleophobic area 3011, so that the oleophobic area 3011 is located in the middle position of the porous agglomeration filter element 3 and vertically opposite to the first chamber 101, and the oleophilic area 3012 is vertically opposite to the second chamber 102. The gas mixed with oil droplets entering the first chamber 101 from the bottom to the top enters the oleophobic area 3011 in the porous coalescing filter element 3 through the top opening of the first chamber 101. The oil droplets coalesced in the oleophobic area 3011 are absorbed by the oleophilic area 3012 arranged around the periphery of the oleophobic area 3011 and move into the oleophilic area 3012. When the oleophilic area 3012 reaches saturation, the oil droplets absorbed in the oleophilic area 3012 will form oil liquid and converge in the second chamber 102 under the action of gravity. The oil liquid in the second chamber 102 flows into the first chamber 101 through the drainage hole 103 and is discharged back to the vehicle's power transmission system through the channel 104 connected to the first chamber 101, thereby realizing the real-time drainage function of the waterproof breathable valve.

[0062] Further, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the channel 104 is located at the bottom of the valve body 1 , and the channel 104 is vertically connected to the first chamber 101 .

[0063] Furthermore, the oleophilic regions 3012 in each coalescing filter layer 301 have different wettabilities, and the wettability of the oleophilic regions 3012 in each coalescing filter layer 301 decreases from top to bottom. The oleophilic regions 3012 located at or near the top can provide greater adsorption force to the oil, allowing the oil to smoothly enter the oleophilic regions 3012 from the oleophobic regions 3011. Wettability, which refers to the degree of wetting of the filter material by the liquid, is typically expressed by the contact angle between the liquid and the filter material and can be categorized into three types: super-oleophilic (contact angle less than 90°), oleophobic (contact angle greater than 90° and less than 150°), and super-oleophobic (contact angle greater than 150°).

[0064] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 、 Figure 3As shown, a filter screen 6 and a breathable membrane 7 are sequentially disposed between the porous coalescing filter element 3 and the third chamber 105. The filter screen 6 and breathable membrane 7 block oil droplets, ensuring that only gas can enter the third chamber 105. This further ensures that oil droplets are fully collected. Furthermore, the ventilation channel and the drainage channel in the waterproof breathable valve do not interfere with each other, thus achieving the one-way drainage function of the waterproof breathable valve. The filter screen 6 can be, but is not limited to, a stainless steel filter screen.

[0065] Furthermore, a slot is provided on the inner wall of the valve body 1, into which the edges of the filter screen 6 and the edges of the breathable membrane 7 can be clamped, thereby fixing the filter screen 6 and the breathable membrane 7. Of course, other structures or methods can also be used to fix the filter screen 6 and the breathable membrane 7, and the specific structure and method are not limited here.

[0066] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an end cover 2 is provided on the top of the valve body 1 , the end cover 2 is sealed and connected to the valve body 1 , the third chamber 105 is located between the inner wall of the end cover 2 and the breathable membrane 7 , and the air hole 201 is opened on the end cover 2 .

[0067] Specifically, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, there are a plurality of air holes 201, and each air hole 201 is spaced and evenly arranged along the circumference of the end cover 2. The air holes 201 may be, but are not limited to, rectangular holes of 2 mm x 3 mm.

[0068] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a sealing ring 4 is provided at the bottom of the valve body 1 at the interface position of the channel 104 .

[0069] The characteristics and advantages of the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention are:

[0070] 1. Existing vent valves use oleophobic materials to form porous coalescing filter elements. Since oleophobic materials are mostly made of fibers with a single wettability, coalesced oil droplets cannot be drained promptly, adversely affecting the performance of the waterproof vent valve. In the waterproof vent valve of the present invention, an oleophobic material with an oleophilic region 3012 is used as the filter element to coalesce and separate oil droplets. The oleophilic region 3012 has a strong adsorption force for oil droplets. Therefore, after oil droplets coalesce in the oleophobic region 3011, they are absorbed by the oleophilic region 3012. Once the oleophilic region 3012 reaches saturation, the oil in the oleophilic region 3012 moves downward and enters the filler 5 in the second chamber 102. It then flows through the drainage hole 103, the first chamber 101, and the channel 104, returning to the vehicle's powertrain. This prevents the oil droplets from being unable to drain promptly, potentially clogging the channel and contaminating the waterproof vent membrane, effectively extending the service life of the waterproof vent valve.

[0071] like Figure 8As shown, through experimental comparative analysis, the time and flow relationship of the structure of the porous coalescing filter element 3 of the present invention and the existing coalescing filter element when using the same oleophobic material was compared. The results showed that the flow rate of the porous coalescing filter element 3 of the present invention was reduced by about 25% after a certain period of use, while the flow rate of the existing coalescing filter element was reduced by about 75% after the same period of use. It can be seen that the performance and life of the porous coalescing filter element 3 of the present invention are significantly better than those of the existing coalescing filter element. The oil droplets can be effectively discharged through the lipophilic area 3012, which effectively maintains the air permeability of the waterproof breathable valve and improves the drainage capacity of the waterproof breathable valve.

[0072] 2. In the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention, a convex portion is formed on the coalescing filter layer 301 and located in the oleophobic area 3011. The convex portion is formed of a coated oleophobic filter material. The oleophilic area 3012 is arranged around the periphery of the oleophobic area 3011. Because the oleophilic area 3012 has a strong adsorption effect on oil droplets, the provision of the convex portion gives the oil droplets coalesced in the oleophobic area 3011 greater gravitational potential energy, thereby promoting the migration of the oil droplets from the oleophobic area 3011 to the oleophilic area 3012. This ensures that the oil has a selective and unidirectional path through the porous coalescing filter element 3 when it is discharged back into the vehicle's powertrain, preventing the coalesced oil droplets from contaminating other parts of the waterproof breathable valve.

[0073] To prevent smaller oil droplets coalesced by the coalescing filter element from flowing with the airflow toward the waterproof breathable membrane and contaminating the membrane, existing breathable valves often incorporate funnel-shaped backflow permeable elements within the valve. These elements typically intercept and discharge oil droplets carried by the airflow toward the membrane. However, these elements can delay separation at high gas flow rates. Furthermore, the small bottom diameter of the funnel-shaped element can cause sudden changes in gas flow within the valve, affecting the valve's performance stability. In the present invention, the surface of each coalescing filter layer 301, facing the oil droplet entrance, is sprayed with an oleophilic modifier. This allows the upper surface of the oleophilic region 3012 to have a strong ability to capture and adsorb oil droplets, while the lower surface of the oleophilic region 3012 acts as an oleophobic drainage device. Consequently, the treatment of each coalescing filter layer 301 achieves a unidirectional, circular flow effect, capturing, adsorbing, and draining oil droplets.

[0074] 4. In the waterproof breathable valve of the present invention, a filler 5 is provided in the second chamber 102, and a drainage hole 103 is provided between the second chamber 102 and the first chamber 101. The filler 5 can provide a certain suction force for the oil and play a certain role in blocking gas, thereby facilitating the smooth entry of the oil in the oleophilic area 3012 into the second chamber 102 so that the oil can be discharged back into the vehicle's powertrain through the second chamber 102. This improves the drainage capacity of the waterproof breathable valve and prevents the accumulation of oil droplets inside the waterproof breathable valve.

[0075] The above description is only an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principle of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A waterproof breathable valve, characterized in that: include: A valve body, wherein a first chamber and a second chamber are formed in the valve body, the first chamber is located in the middle of the valve body, and the second chamber is annular and arranged around the outer periphery of the first chamber; a porous coalescence filter element, the porous coalescence filter element being disposed in the valve body, the porous coalescence filter element being sealed at the top of the first chamber and the top of the second chamber, the porous coalescence filter element being formed with an oleophobic region and an oleophilic region connected to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively; the oleophobic region being located in the middle of the porous coalescence filter element and vertically opposite to the first chamber, and the oleophilic region being annular and vertically opposite to the second chamber; The porous coalescing filter element includes a plurality of stacked coalescing filter layers, each of which includes the oleophobic region and the oleophilic region. The oleophobic regions in each coalescing filter layer are stacked at relative positions, and the oleophilic regions in each coalescing filter layer are stacked at relative positions. The oleophobic regions in each coalescing filter layer form a whole, and the oleophilic regions in each coalescing filter layer form a whole. Oil droplets in the gas are coalesced by the oleophobic regions in the plurality of coalescing filter layers to form larger oil droplets, which are then transported to the oleophilic region connected to the oleophobic region under the action of potential energy difference. The oleophilic region adsorbs the oil droplets and gradually discharges them into the second chamber. The surface of the coalescing filter layer and located in the oleophobic area is formed with convex portions by means of electrospinning nanofiber coating, so as to form a potential energy difference between the oleophobic area and the oleophilic area, thereby guiding the oil droplets adsorbed by the oleophobic area to the oleophilic area.

2. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second chamber is filled with a filler through which oil can pass.

3. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the oleophilic region facing the oil droplet is oleophilic in wettability, and the surface of the oleophilic region facing away from the oil droplet is oleophobic in wettability.

4. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: A drain hole is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber so that the oil collected in the second chamber flows into the first chamber.

5. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: The valve body is provided with a channel communicating with the first chamber, so that gas mixed with oil droplets enters the first chamber through the channel, and oil flowing from the second chamber into the first chamber is discharged through the channel.

6. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 5, characterized in that: A third chamber is formed inside the valve body, and the porous coalescing filter element separates the third chamber from the first chamber and the second chamber. The valve body is provided with an air hole connected to the third chamber to allow the gas in the valve body to be exchanged with the outside world.

7. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The oleophilic regions in each coalescing filter layer have different wettabilities, and the wettabilities of the oleophilic regions in each coalescing filter layer decrease from top to bottom.

8. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: A filter screen and a breathable membrane are sequentially arranged between the porous coalescing filter element and the third chamber.

9. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 8, characterized in that: An end cover is provided on the top of the valve body, the third chamber is located between the inner wall of the end cover and the breathable membrane, and the air hole is opened on the end cover.

10. The waterproof breathable valve according to claim 6, wherein: The channel is located at the bottom of the valve body, and the channel is vertically connected with the first chamber.

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