Housing element and electrical device

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing element, in particular of an electrical device, by means of which an interior of a housing, in particular for accommodating a circuit carrier of the electrical device, can be closed. The housing element has a penetration by means of which the interior space can be connected to an outer region of the housing in order to communicate with the atmosphere. In the region of the penetration, a pressure equalizing element is arranged, which comprises at least one sealing film that closes the penetration in a gas-permeable and moisture-impermeable manner. A mechanical protective element is arranged on the side of the sealing membrane facing the outer region, which protective element completely covers the sealing membrane and / or the penetration at least in the sealing region of the sealing membrane and is at least indirectly connected to the sealing membrane and / or the housing element by means of a force-transmitting connection, a form-fitting connection and / or a material connection. The protective element is configured to ensure that atmosphere can reach the sealing membrane and prevent small animals from reaching the sealing membrane by means of an opening structure formed in the protective element and / or a gap opening formed adjacent to the sealing membrane and / or the housing element with a maximum opening width < = 0.3 mm.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing element and an electrical device including a housing having at least one housing element as described in the preamble of the independent claim. Background Art

[0002] Electrical devices typically have a provided circuit carrier having circuits that provide dedicated functions. To provide protection against external influences, such as mechanical forces and / or environmental influences, such as media influences, electrical devices have a mechanical housing for this purpose, which has a subsequently enclosed internal space in which the circuit carrier is protectively accommodated. To ensure the function-critical functions of the electrical device, especially in the automotive field, the provided internal space cannot be substantially sealed relative to the external space. Otherwise, pressure peaks will be generated inside the housing due to temperature fluctuations, which will damage the housing and / or the circuit carrier at least after a certain period of time. In addition, these pressure differences will promote the formation of condensate, thereby triggering damage mechanisms to the components of the circuit until the components completely fail. For the purpose of pressure equalization, pressure equalization elements (hereinafter referred to as DAE) are known, which are sealed into the housing wall. The DAE includes a sealing membrane that allows air to flow through but at the same time prevents liquid penetration. Such DAE are usually designed to prevent direct mechanical action on the membrane from the outside, thereby eliminating the risk of membrane damage as much as possible. Therefore, the DAE may have a mechanical covering in the area of the membrane, for example, which prevents a water jet from directly hitting the membrane. Although there is a mechanical covering, sufficient access to the membrane is still provided outside the area where the water jet may hit to ensure air passage. In addition, despite these measures, the membrane of the DAE may still be damaged. This is especially true when the electrical device operates in an area where a large number of different small animals may appear. These small animals include, for example, ants, insects, small beetles, spiders, etc. Due to their small size, they can advance to the membrane and damage the membrane, for example, through feeding activities or settlement. Since the membrane is damaged, its original function cannot be performed or at least cannot be performed optimally anymore, so the electronic circuit may be damaged in the long term. More importantly, small animals may also pass through the damaged membrane into the internal space and reach the circuit carrier. If a small animal dies on the circuit carrier, it often causes a short circuit due to corrosion. As a result, the electrical device has a high risk of completely failing in the short term. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to ensure pressure equalization in the electrical device and prevent small animals from invading.

[0004] This object is achieved by a housing element and an electrical device including a housing having at least one housing element with the features of the independent claim.

[0005] The present invention is based on a housing element, in particular a housing element of an electrical device, wherein the interior space of the housing can be enclosed by means of the housing element, and this interior space is particularly used for accommodating a circuit carrier of the electrical device. Here, the housing element has a penetration part, and the interior space can be connected to the external area of the housing through this penetration part to communicate with the atmosphere. The penetration part can continue from the housing wall as a recess, in particular as a passage. A pressure equalizing element is arranged in the area of the penetration part, and this pressure equalizing element includes at least one sealing film, which closes the penetration part in a gas-permeable and moisture-impermeable manner. A mechanical protection element is arranged on the side of the sealing film facing the external area, and this protection element completely covers the sealing film and / or completely covers the penetration part at least in the sealing area of the sealing film, and is connected to the sealing film and / or the housing element at least indirectly by means of a force-transmitting connection, a form-fit connection and / or a material connection. The protection element is configured to ensure that the atmosphere can reach the sealing film and prevent small animals from reaching the sealing film through an opening structure with a maximum opening width ≤ 0.3 mm constructed in the protection element and / or through a gap opening with a maximum opening width ≤ 0.3 mm formed adjacent to the sealing film and / or the housing element. Preferably, the protection element can continue to provide mechanical protection, but additionally can also provide the function of preventing small animals from entering. It should be particularly pointed out that this does not adversely affect the original gas-permeable function of the pressure equalizing element in any way. Generally speaking, this measure better ensures the operating function of an electrical device with a housing including at least one of the described housing elements during a predetermined operating period. In addition, the electrical device equipped with the housing element can be put into use regardless of the region.

[0006] Advantageous improvements and refinements of the housing element according to the invention can be achieved by the measures given in the dependent claims.

[0007] In an advantageous embodiment of the housing element, the penetration part comprises at least one recess section within the housing element. Here, the protection element is arranged within the recess section in an arrangement position where it comes into at most physical contact with the sealing film. The recess section can for example be configured as a recess within the housing wall that points towards the interior space. Furthermore, the longitudinal extent of the recess section can also extend beyond the dimension of the wall thickness and can continue to protrude from the housing wall in the direction of the interior space. In particular, the recess or the recess section is preferably designed to be channel-shaped, i.e., it has a longitudinal extent that is greater than the corresponding channel cross-sectional dimension. Further preferably, the recess is designed such that its cross-section is substantially circular, elliptical or rectangular. By determining the arrangement within the recess section, the protection element can protect the environment within the housing element from external influences. In applications where significant external influences are expected, such as in the case of high-pressure jets during cleaning operations in the area immediately adjacent to the housing element, the protection element can be arranged deeply within the recess section until the film itself comes into physical contact with the protection element as an end stop for arranging the protection element. The deeper the arrangement of the protection element within the recess section is set, the greater the external force-related influences can act without damaging the protection element.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the housing element, the protection element abuts the abutment surface of the housing element at least partially circumferentially or completely circumferentially closed in the edge region. Here, the abutment surface can advantageously be used as a stop limit and thus as an indicator of the final assembly position of the protection element. In addition to determining the final assembly position, in the case of a force acting on the protection element, the protection element itself can be reliably supported via the abutment surface. Alternatively, the protection element can also abut the abutment surface of the sealing film at least circumferentially closed in the edge region. For example, by welding the protection element and the sealing film to each other via the surface at the abutment surface, for example by means of a thermocompression method, the abutment surface can simultaneously be a connection surface here. In the region adjacent to the connection area, the circumferential edge region of the sealing film can also project radially from the connection area and can itself be connected to the housing element in this region, for example also by a welding connection.

[0009] A further advantage results from an embodiment of the housing element, in which the protective element comprises at least one elastic element which is configured to be preloaded when introduced into the recess section to form a subsequently acting elastic force. By means of this elastic force, at least a partial region of the protective element is subsequently formed with respect to the loading state and / or clamping state of the housing element. Thereby, the protective element as a whole remains fixed within the recess section. Advantageously, the protective element itself is used as a fixing element, so that the assembly can be carried out without additional elements and very easily. In many cases, previously designed electrical devices without a protective element can be retrofitted in the simplest way by using the additional locking function of the protective element. Similarly, for specific electrical devices used in corresponding critical areas, the protective element can be conveniently provided without any adjustment to the basic design of the electrical device without a protective element.

[0010] The following embodiment of the housing element is advantageous, in which the protective element has a central region which has a bounding edge surrounding the central region, wherein at least one flange protruding at an angle with respect to the central region is constructed as an elastic element at at least one bounding section. Here, the end edge of the elastic element and the opposing bounding edge of the central region or the opposing end edge of another elastic element are pressed against the wall portion within the recess section. For example, the assembly is carried out by simply pressing the protective element into the recess section described previously, for example, in the insertion direction with a finger. In certain cases, the introduction is carried out, for example, by means of an insertion tool which then causes the protective element to enter its final assembly position in a manner similar to a punch. With the introduction, the elastic force is simultaneously activated, so that the final assembly position is preferably determined further by means of a stop limitation which is in particular part of the housing element.

[0011] In a modified or an alternative embodiment of the housing element, the protective element has a central region which has a bounding edge surrounding the central region. As the protective element is introduced into the recess section, the protective element moves from an unloaded basic state, which is a static first stop state, into a preloaded state and forms an elastic element. This is achieved in such a way that, during introduction, the central region moves elastically in the introduction direction relative to an edge region including the circumferential bounding edge adjacent to the central region to such an extent that at least a part of the bounding edge or substantially the entire bounding edge is pressed against the wall section within the recess section under force due to the radial expansion of the edge region associated with the movement of the central region. With the central region moved in this way, the protective element is statically held in a stable second stop state. In this regard, depending on the arrangement of the central region of the protective element relative to the edge region, the protective element has two stable stop positions. The retention in one of the stop positions is determined by the travel of the central region beyond a critical point in the introduction direction, from which point onwards the total force acting on the central region suddenly reverses its force direction and then remains in the first stop position or the second stop position.

[0012] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the housing element is characterized in that the recess section has at least one stepped shoulder which has a shoulder face constructed on the end side within the recess section. Here, the protective element and the sealing film are sealingly connected to one another via circumferentially closed surface regions facing one another accordingly and form a composite assembly, in particular by means of a material connection, for example preferably by means of a thermocompression method. Here, the composite assembly is furthermore sealingly connected to the end-side shoulder face via the circumferentially closed edge face of the sealing film or the protective element facing the end-side shoulder face, in particular by means of a material connection, for example also preferably by means of a thermocompression method. Here, the end-side shoulder face mentioned can also advantageously serve as a bounding element indicating the spatial arrangement of the sealing film, more precisely the composite assembly, in the desired defined final assembly position. In addition, this connection design results in particularly durable sealing reliability in the region of the sealing film.

[0013] Generally speaking, it is advantageous if the opening structure is designed in the form of elongated holes spaced apart from one another, which are arranged in particular in a parallel arrangement or in a star-shaped arrangement. It has been shown that, in such an embodiment, a blockage, for example of protective particles, is not too noticeable. Even if a blockage occurs, it is still unimportant, since only a partial blockage occurs due to the longitudinal extension of the opening structure and sufficient unblocked channels remain for the air supply. It is further advantageous if the opening structure is designed in the central region of the protective element and / or the slot opening is designed in the region of the limiting edge of the protective element. In this way, the protective element can be designed to be very stable in terms of mechanical aspects, so that sufficient connection area remains, which can withstand the effects of force without being damaged when introduced into the recess section.

[0014] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the housing element is such that, in a plan view along the insertion direction, the outermost contour of the protective element corresponds to the inner wall contour of the recess section. The outermost contour or the inner wall contour is designed in such a way that this correspondence exists relative to one another only in a single, defined orientation. This measure ensures a poke-yoke installation, i.e., the protective element is always installed correctly in its orientation.

[0015] The present invention also provides an electrical device, which comprises a housing having at least one housing element according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments, and the housing also comprises a circuit carrier, which is accommodated in a closed inner space of the housing. In addition to achieving pressure balance between the inner space of the housing and the outer area, the circuit carrier is also protected from intrusion by small animals and the risk of corrosion damage caused thereby is prevented.

[0016] Therefore, when the housing element according to at least one of the above embodiments is used as a protective device for an electrical device to prevent small animals from penetrating through the sealing film into a circuit carrier accommodated in the interior space of the housing of the electrical device, the above-mentioned advantages are generally obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 The opened electrical device is shown in a perspective view, which also includes a housing element with a sealing membrane for pressure compensation,

[0019] Figure 2a Shown in plan and side cross-sectional views Figure 1 a sealing area of ​​a housing element in a housing element, comprising a first embodiment of a mechanical protection element as a barrier against the entry of small animals,

[0020] Figure 2b The first embodiment of the protection element and another embodiment of the protection element are shown in separate three-dimensional views, Figure 2a and another embodiment of the protection element is shown in a very schematic principle view.

[0021] Figure 2c Another embodiment of the protection element is shown in a three-dimensional sectional view,

[0022] Figure 3a showing the housing element, and only showing the composite formed with the sealing element in another three-dimensional view. Figure 1 Another embodiment of the protection element is shown in a three-dimensional sectional view,

[0023] Figure 3b showing the housing element, and only showing the composite formed with the sealing element in another three-dimensional view. Figure 1 Detailed Description

[0024] In the drawings, components having the same function are respectively marked with the same reference numerals.

[0025] Figure 1 A part of the opened electrical device 100 is shown in a three-dimensional view. The electrical device 100 is, for example, in particular a controller, a vehicle computer, a sensor device, etc. in the field of automotive applications. The electrical device 100 includes a housing 10 here, which encloses an internal space 15, and a circuit carrier 20 equipped with the electrical device 100 is accommodated in this internal space. Figure 1 Only one housing element 10.1 is shown in, and the second housing element 10.2 is hidden (only partially shown) so as to be able to see the internal space 15. The shown housing element 10.1 includes at least one pressure equalizing element 30 here to ensure pressure balance between the internal space 15 and the external area 16. For this purpose, the housing element 10.1 has a penetration part 11 in its housing wall, and the pressure equalizing element 30 is arranged in the area of the penetration part 11. The pressure equalizing element 30 includes at least one sealing film 35, which closes the penetration part 11 in a gas-permeable and moisture-impermeable manner. The arrow marked E points, for example, in the direction of the installation position or the operating position of the electrical device 100 in a fully encapsulated state, such that the penetration part 11 faces the ground side.

[0026] In Figure 2a ​In [the figure], a plan view of the area of the penetration part 11 in the housing element 10.1 is shown on the left. Here, a mechanical protection element 40 is arranged in the area of the penetration part 11, which completely covers the penetration part 11. On the right, a partial cross-section of the housing element 10.1 in the area of the protection element 40 is shown in a side cross-sectional view. The penetration part 11 is, for example, configured as a recessed channel 11.A, which extends towards the interior space 15 and protrudes beyond the wall thickness d of the housing element 10.1. Here, the recessed channel 11.A may have a shoulder 12 after a first recessed section 11.A1, after which the recessed channel 11.A is guided to the sealing film 35 via at least one additional recessed section 11.A2 with a reduced channel cross-section. The channel cross-section shape in the first recessed section 11.A1 and / or the second recessed section 11.A2 is, for example, circular, elliptical or rectangular, for example square. The two recessed sections 11.A1, 11.A2 may also have different channel cross-section shapes from each other. Here, the protection element 40 covers not only the channel cross-section of the first recessed section 11.A1, but also the channel cross-section of the other recessed section 11.A2. In addition, the protection element 40 is arranged within the first recessed section 11.A1. In principle, the arrangement position is variable and selectable, wherein in the illustrated arrangement scheme, the maximum final assembly position of the protection element 40 within the first recessed section 11.A1 is achieved by means of the shoulder 12 which functions as a mechanical stop limit. Here, in the edge region 42, the protection element 40 partially circumferentially abuts against the abutment surface 12A of the shoulder 12 configured as an end face. If the channel cross-section of the second recessed section 11.A2 is arranged within the channel cross-section of the first recessed section 11.A1 in a coaxial arrangement, in particular in the plan view of the recessed channel 11.A, a closed circumferential abutment is obtained.

[0027] Basically, the protection element 40 is always arranged from the side of the sealing film 35 facing the external region 16. The subsequent sealing film 35 towards the interior space 15 is also completely covered, at least indirectly via the recessed channel 11.A, more precisely the first recessed section 11.A1 and / or the other recessed section 11.A2. It is also conceivable that the sealing film 35 follows immediately after the protection element 40 such that they form a physical contact. This embodiment can be modified as a whole such that the recessed channel 11.A is also configured without a shoulder 12. Generally, the protection element 40 is connected to the sealing film 35 and / or the housing element 10.1, in particular the recessed channel 11.A, at least indirectly by means of a force-transmitting connection, a form-fitting connection and / or a material connection. Therefore, such a fixed connection can be achieved in different ways, sometimes by means of a screw connection, by caulking at the protection element 40 and / or the housing element 10.1, by gluing or, in the case of a metal protection element 40 and a metal housing element 10.1, also by means of a brazing connection or a metal welding connection.

[0028] In Figure 2b it, the protection element 40 shown in Figure 2a is shown separately in a perspective view on the left side. In this embodiment, the protection element 40 is configured in the form of a sheet metal bend, in particular made of an elastic sheet material. The protection element 40 has a central region 41 delimited by a bounding edge 41.a here. Basically, the protection element 40 includes an elastic element 43, which is configured to be preloaded when introduced into the recess section 11.A1. In this embodiment, the elastic element 43 is formed by four pairs of oppositely disposed flanges 43.1 that protrude at an angle relative to the central region 41, and the flanges are molded outward via at least a part of the bounding edge 41.a. Alternatively, fewer than four flanges 43.1, such as three or two or only one flange 41.3, may also form the elastic element 43. Similarly, more than four flanges 43.1 may be provided for the elastic element 43.

[0029] Since the shape profile of the recess channel 11.A is designed to be smaller in terms of its channel cross-section than the shape profile of the protection element 40 when the flanges 43.1 are not loaded, when the protection element 40 is pressed into the recess channel 11.A, for example, by means of a finger or a tool, by an insertion force F' acting on the central region 41, the flanges 43.1 elastically bend in the direction of the central region 41, forming an elastic force F. Due to the acting elastic force F, at least a partial region of the protection element 40 exhibits a loaded state and / or a clamping state relative to the housing element 10.1, whereby the protection element 40 is fixedly held within the recess section 11.A as a whole. Here, specifically, depending on the number and arrangement of the flanges 43.1, at least one end edge 43.a of the elastic element 43 and the opposing bounding edge 41.a of the central region 41 or the opposing end edge 43.a of another elastic element 43 are pressed against the wall portion within the recess section 11.A1.

[0030] Within the central region 41, an opening structure 45 is preferably configured in the form of a plurality of parallel arranged slot-shaped elongated holes 45A. Alternatively, other opening shapes may also be selected, wherein the opening width W is basically at most 0.3 mm and this ensures that the atmosphere can reach the sealing film 35 and at the same time prevents small animals from reaching the sealing film 35. Additionally or alternatively, such an opening structure 45 may also be configured in the region of the bounding edge 41.a of the protection element 40 in the form of a slit opening 45B. For example, for the embodiments of the protection element 40 described so far according to Figure 2b it, there may be only two oppositely disposed or adjacent flanges 43.1, wherein the opposing bounding edge 41.a thereof is formed to keep a corresponding slit opening 45B open relative to the housing element 10.1. This can be configured as an alternative or addition to the shown opening structure 45.

[0031] InFigure 2b In the right-hand illustration of FIG. 4 , another embodiment of a protective element 40 is also shown in a perspective view. In principle, it corresponds to the embodiment on the left, but is structurally adapted to a deep-drawn part. Therefore, the punching in the corner area included in the embodiment designed as a sheet metal bending part can be omitted. As an alternative, a large-scale fillet is now provided in the wall 43.2 which extends circumferentially, protrudes, and is elastically flexible. In addition to the known arrangement of the elongated holes in the central area 41, these elongated holes can also be basically varied relative to each other in terms of length, as shown by way of example on the right.

[0032] Figure 2c A further fixing principle of the protective element 40 is shown in a schematic diagram, wherein the protective element 40 in its final assembly position as a whole acts as an elastic element 43. The protective element 40 is shown on the left in a basic state without force. In the basic state, the protective element 40 has a central region 41 which is preferably curved in a spherical cap shape, and a boundary edge 41.a around the central region 41 forms an edge region 42 adjacent to the central region 41. For the assembly process into the first recess section 11.A1, the protective element 40 is placed via its edge region 42 onto the end-face stepped shoulder 12A. Since the channel cross-sectional shape in the first recess section 11.A1 is designed to be larger than the outer cross-sectional shape of the protective element 40 in the basic state, it can be inserted substantially without force. For the final assembly, a load force F' is now applied to the central region 41 in the direction of the second recess section 11.A2, as shown on the right. Here, the protective element 40 is brought into the preloaded state from the unstressed basic state as the static first stop state (S1) by elastically displacing the central region 41 relative to the adjacent edge region 42 in the introduction direction to the point where at least a portion of the delimiting edge 41.a or substantially the entire delimiting edge 41.a is pressed with force against the wall in the recess section 11.A1 due to the radial expansion of the edge region 42 associated with the displacement of the central region 41. The travel distance h thus performed via the central region 41 will pass through the dead point T, after which the central region 41 remains in the statically stable second stop state (S2). As a result, the loaded state of the protective element 40 is maintained and the protective element is fixedly held in the recess section 11.A1.

[0033] Figure 3aAnother embodiment of the protection element 40 is shown, in which a partial cross-section of the housing element 10.1 in the region of the protection element 40 and the sealing film 35 is shown in a cross-sectional view on the left, and only the composite body formed by the protection element 40 and the sealing film 35 is shown in a perspective view on the right. The recess channel 11.A again has a shoulder 12, wherein the channel cross-sections of the formed recess sections 11.A1, 11.A2 are arranged coaxially with each other. The protection element 40 and the sealing film 35 are sealed to each other at least in corresponding partial regions of the surface regions facing each other, in particular by a material connection or a welding connection, preferably by thermocompression welding. Here, the edge region 35.a of the sealing film 35 projects radially beyond the connected surface region. The composite assembly formed by the protection element 40 and the sealing film 35 is arranged in the region of the recess channel 11.A such that the protection element 40 is arranged in the first recess section 11.A1 and the sealing film 35 is arranged in the second recess section 11.A2. Here, the sealing film 35 abuts against the end-side abutment surface 12A facing the inner region 15 via its protruding edge region 35.a and is sealed to it, in particular by a material connection or a welding connection, preferably by thermocompression welding. The outer cross-sectional shape of the protection element 40 can form a gap opening 45B with the inner wall portion of the recess section 11.A1 in a closed loop manner at least in the radial section or in the radial direction, or extend to the inner wall portion. Alternatively or additionally, the protection element 40 preferably further has an opening structure 45, such as the slotted hole structure 45A described above, in the central region 41.

[0034] Figure 3b Another embodiment of the protection element 40 is shown, in which a partial cross-section of the housing element 10.1 in the region of the protection element 40 and the sealing film 35 is again shown in a cross-sectional view on the left, and only the composite body formed by the protection element 40 and the sealing film 35 is shown in a perspective view on the right. In this embodiment, the sealing film 35 is sealed to the surface 42 of the protection element 40 facing the edge region 35.a in a closed loop manner in the radial direction in its edge region 35.a to form a composite body, in particular by a material connection or a welding connection, preferably by thermocompression welding. The recess channel 11.A corresponds to Figure 3a the recess channel described in. The composite body is now arranged as a whole in the second recess section 11.A2 facing the inner space 15, wherein the end face 12A in the stepped shoulder 12 formed in the second recess section 11.A2 and the corresponding partial surface of the edge region 42 of the protection element 40 facing it are sealed to each other, in particular by a material connection or a welding connection, preferably by thermocompression welding. The pressure balance between the inner space 15 and the outer region 16 is ensured by the first recess section 11.A and the opening structure 45 in the protection element 40.

[0035] For the case of applying thermocompression welding, the protective element 40 is preferably formed from a corresponding plastic material.

Claims

1. A housing element (10.1), in particular a housing element (10.1) of an electrical device (100), wherein: An interior space (15) of a housing (10) can be closed by means of the housing element (10.1), the interior space being in particular for accommodating a circuit carrier (20) of the electrical device (100), a penetration (11) being provided in the housing element (10.1), the interior space (15) being connectable to an exterior region (16) of the housing (10) by means of the penetration to communicate with the atmosphere, wherein a pressure equalization element (30) is arranged in the region of the penetration (11), the pressure equalization element comprising at least one sealing membrane (35) which closes the penetration (11) in an air-permeable and moisture-tight manner, It is characterized in that A mechanical protective element (40) is arranged on the side of the sealing membrane (35) facing the external area (16), and the protective element completely covers the sealing membrane (35) and / or completely covers the penetration portion (11) at least in the sealing area of ​​the sealing membrane, and the protective element is at least indirectly connected to the sealing membrane (35) and / or the housing element (10.1) by means of a force-transmitting connection, a form-fitting connection and / or a material connection, and the protective element is constructed to ensure that the atmosphere can reach the sealing membrane (35) and prevent small animals from reaching the sealing membrane (35) through an opening structure (45) with a maximum opening width of ≤0.3 mm constructed in the protective element (40) and / or a gap opening (45B) with a maximum opening width of ≤0.3 mm formed adjacent to the sealing membrane (35) and / or the housing element (10.1).

2. The housing element (10.1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The penetration (11) comprises at least one recessed section (11.A1, 11.A2) in the housing element (10.1), and the protective element (40) is arranged in the recessed section (11.A1, 11.A2) at a position where it is in physical contact with the sealing membrane (35) at most.

3. The housing element (10.1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The protective element (40) lies in a circumferentially closed manner, at least in the edge region (42), against a contact surface (12A) of the housing element (10.1) or of the sealing membrane (35).

4. Housing element (10.1) according to claim 2 or 3, It is characterized in that The protective element (40) includes at least one elastic element (43), which is configured to be preloaded when introduced into the recessed section (11.A1, 11.A2) to form a subsequently acting elastic force (F), by means of which at least a portion of the protective element (40) is placed in a loaded state and / or a clamped state relative to the housing element (10.1) so as to keep the protective element (40) as a whole fixed in the recessed section (11.A1, 11.A2).

5. Housing element (10.1) according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The protective element (40) has a central area (41), which has a limiting edge (41.a) surrounding the central area (41), wherein at least one flange (43.1) protruding at an angle relative to the central area (41) is constructed at at least one limiting section as the elastic element (43), wherein the end edge (43.a) of the elastic element and the opposite limiting edge (41.a) of the central area (41) or the opposite end edge (43.a) of another elastic element (43) are pressed against the wall in the recess section (11.A1, 11.A2) with force.

6. Housing element (10.1) according to claim 4 or 5, It is characterized in that The protective element (40) has a central area (41) having a limiting edge (41.a) surrounding the central area (41), wherein the central area (41) after being introduced into the recessed section (11.A1, 11.A2) is brought from a stress-free basic state as a static first stop state (S1) into a preloaded state to form the elastic element (43) in such a way that during the introduction the central area (41) is moved from the basic state relative to a position relative to the central area (41). The adjacent edge region (42) including the circumferential limiting edge (41.a) is elastically moved in the introduction direction so that at least a part of the limiting edge (41.a) or substantially the entire limiting edge (41.a) is pressed against the wall within the recessed section (11.A1, 11.A2) due to the radial expansion of the edge region (42) associated with the movement of the central region (41), and the moved central region (41) is statically maintained in a stable second stop state (S2).

7. Housing element (10.1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, It is characterized in that The recessed section (11.A1, 11.A2) has at least one stepped shoulder (12), and the stepped shoulder has an end-side shoulder surface (12A) constructed within the recessed section (11.A1, 11.A2), wherein the protective element (40) and the sealing membrane (35) are sealedly connected via corresponding circumferentially closed surface areas facing each other to form a composite component, in particular by means of a material connection, and wherein the composite component is sealedly connected to the end-side shoulder surface (12A) via a closed, circumferential edge surface (35.a) of the sealing membrane (35) or the protective element (40) facing the end-side shoulder surface (12A), in particular by means of a material connection.

8. Housing element (10.1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The opening structure (45) is designed in the form of mutually spaced elongated holes (45A), which are arranged in particular in a parallel arrangement or in a star-shaped arrangement.

9. Housing element (10.1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, It is characterized in that The opening structure (45) is formed in a central region (41) of the protective element (40) and / or the slot opening (45B) is formed in the region of a limiting edge (41.a) of the protective element (40).

10. The housing element (10.1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, It is characterized in that In a plan view along the introduction direction, the outermost shape contour of the protective element (40) corresponds to the inner wall contour of the recess section (11.A1, 11.A2), wherein the outermost shape contour or the inner wall contour is constructed so that this correspondence exists relative to each other only in a single defined orientation arrangement.

11. An electrical device (100), comprising a housing (10) having at least one housing element (10.1) according to any of the preceding claims and a circuit carrier (20), which is accommodated in a closed interior space (15) of the housing (10).

12. Use of the housing element (10.1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 as a protective device for an electrical device (100), wherein the use is used to prevent small animals from invading through a sealing film (35) into a circuit carrier (20) accommodated in an inner space (15) of a housing (10) of the electrical device (100).

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