Sealing unit for air compressor of fuel cell

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing unit (10) for an air compressor of a fuel cell, comprising a contact unit (12), a receiving unit (14), the receiving unit (14) and / or the contact unit (12) comprising at least one first sealing element (16), the contact unit (12) being displaceable into the receiving unit (14), the first sealing element (16) comprising at least one second sealing element (16) comprising at least one second sealing element (16). The contact unit (12) is provided for forming a substantially fluid-tight space (18) with the receiving unit (14) and the first sealing element (16) in order to protect a signal and / or energy-conducting connection (20) between the contact unit (12) and the receiving unit (14) from environmental influences.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing unit for an air compressor of a fuel cell and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are multiple different solutions for constructing and operating air compressors in the vehicle field. Due to the increasing number of air compressors or fuel cells in the vehicle field and the increasing requirements for quality and efficiency, the demand for innovative and robust air compressors is constantly increasing.

[0003] In the vehicle field, the continuous reduction of weight to reduce consumption and the increasing competition resulting in cost pressure have led to an increasing demand for more advantageous and efficient components for vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Compared with known sealing units, the sealing unit for an air compressor of a fuel cell according to the present invention has the following advantages: the contact part with the stator and the contact part with the inverter can be in airtight contact, which particularly has a favorable impact on the operating duration. Another advantage is that the connection tolerance of the contact unit and the receiving unit or their positioning relative to each other can be improved, which can have a positive impact on the manufacturing production of the sealing unit.

[0005] This is achieved according to the present invention by a sealing unit for an air compressor of a fuel cell having a contact unit and a receiving unit. The receiving unit and / or the contact unit has at least one first sealing element, wherein the contact unit can be moved into the receiving unit, and the contact unit is arranged to form a substantially fluid-tight space with the receiving unit and the first sealing element to protect the signal and / or energy-conducting connection between the contact unit and the receiving unit from environmental influences.

[0006] In other words, the sealing unit forms a closed geometry to protect the fastening device between the receiving unit and the contact unit from environmental influences or the like.

[0007] The following shows preferred expansion schemes of the present invention.

[0008] Preferably, the first sealing element has a cross-section, and the cross-section is arranged to compensate for the offset between the contact unit and the receiving unit.

[0009] The advantage of this embodiment is that the positional tolerance of the contact unit relative to the receiving unit can be improved, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced accordingly. Preferably, the first sealing element can include a cross-section having a predetermined thickness or a similar thickness, and this thickness can compensate for the offset between the contact unit and the receiving unit.

[0010] Further preferably, the contact unit has a notch, wherein the sealing unit has at least one cover element, and the cover element is arranged to substantially fluid-tightly close the notch.

[0011] One advantage of this embodiment is that the replaceability of the contact unit or the contact device such as a screw can be improved by the cover element. The contact unit preferably has a notch, such as a hole, into which the sealing element can be inserted.

[0012] Preferably, a contact device can be arranged in the notch, and the contact device fixes the contact unit to the receiving unit.

[0013] The advantage of this embodiment is that the receiving unit can be secured relative to the contact unit by means of a contact device such as a screw, without having to use a special tool or the like.

[0014] Furthermore preferably, the receiving unit is arranged to form a substantially fluid-tight connection with the housing element.

[0015] The advantage of this embodiment is that the connection for signal or energy conduction can be protected from more environmental influences.

[0016] The receiving unit preferably has a second sealing element, and the second sealing element is arranged to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection between the housing element and the receiving unit.

[0017] The advantage of this embodiment is that the second sealing element can be adapted to the possible conditions of the housing element, such as material and / or shape stability characteristics.

[0018] Further preferably, at least a part of the contact unit and a part of the receiving unit can be arranged in a hole of the housing element, and a third sealing element is arranged to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection between the wall of the hole of the housing element and a part of the contact unit and / or a part of the receiving unit.

[0019] The advantage of this embodiment is that a radial and axial securing or fluid-tight connection can be formed by means of only one sealing element.

[0020] Further preferably, the housing element has at least one contact portion, and a fourth sealing unit is arranged to form a substantially fluid-tight connection between the contact portion and the receiving unit.

[0021] The advantage of this embodiment is that the contact unit can be pressed against the fourth sealing element and the receiving unit by means of the contact element, so that a substantially fluid-tight connection can thus be formed.

[0022] Further preferably, the fourth sealing element is arranged to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection between the contact unit and the receiving unit.

[0023] The advantage of this embodiment is that axial and radial seals can be provided.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a sealing unit as described above and below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Shown in the drawings are:

[0026] Figures 1 to 6 : a sealing unit according to one embodiment,

[0027] Figure 7 : a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0028] Preferably, all identical components, elements and / or units are provided with the same reference numerals in all the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Figure 1 Shown is a sealing unit 10 according to one embodiment. The sealing unit 10 for an air compressor of a fuel cell preferably has a contact unit 12 and a receiving unit 14, wherein the receiving unit 14 and / or the contact unit 12 preferably has at least one first sealing element 16, wherein the contact unit 12 can be moved into the receiving unit 14, and wherein the contact unit 12 is preferably arranged to form a substantially fluid-tight space 18 with the receiving unit 14 and the first sealing element 16 in order to protect the signal and / or energy-conducting connection 20 between the contact unit 12 and the receiving unit 14 from the environment.

[0030] Figure 2 Shown is an embodiment of the sealing unit 10. Preferably, the sealing unit 10 has a contact unit 12 and a receiving unit 14. The sealing unit 10 preferably has a first sealing element 16 which can be arranged on the receiving unit 14 and / or the contact unit 12. By means of the first sealing element 16, a substantially fluid-tight space 18 can be formed in order to protect the signal and / or energy-conducting connection 20 between the contact unit 12 and the receiving unit 14 from the environment. The energy and / or signal-conducting connection 20 is preferably a connection between a stator and a converter.

[0031] Further preferably, the first sealing element 16 has a cross-section which can compensate for the offset between the contact unit 12 and the receiving unit 14. Further preferably, the receiving unit 14 is arranged to form a substantially fluid-tight connection with a housing element 28. Preferably, the receiving unit 14 has a second sealing element 30 which is arranged to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection between the housing element 28 and the receiving unit 14.

[0032] Further preferably, at least a part of the contact unit 12 and a part of the receiving unit 14 can be arranged in the hole 32 of the housing element 28, wherein a third sealing element 34 is provided for providing a substantially fluid-tight connection between the wall 35 of the hole 32 of the housing element 28 and a part of the contact unit 12 and / or a part of the receiving unit 14. Further preferably, the housing element 28 has at least one contact portion 36, wherein a fourth sealing element 38 is provided for forming a substantially fluid-tight connection between the contact portion 36 and the receiving unit 14.

[0033] Figure 3 Shows an embodiment of the sealing unit 10. Preferably, the sealing unit 10 has a contact unit 12 and a receiving unit 14. The sealing unit 10 preferably includes a first sealing element 16. By means of the first sealing element 16, a substantially fluid-tight space 18 can be formed between the contact unit 12 and the receiving unit 14 in order to protect the signal or energy-conducting connection 20 between the contact unit 12 and the receiving unit 14 from environmental influences. Further preferably, the contact unit 12 has a notch 22, wherein a cover element 24 can be arranged in the notch 22 in order to preferably close the notch 22 in a substantially fluid-tight manner. Further preferably, the receiving unit 14 is provided for forming a substantially fluid-tight connection with the housing element 28. Further preferably, the receiving unit 14 has a second sealing element 30 which is provided for providing a substantially fluid-tight connection between the housing element 28 and the receiving unit 14. Further preferably, at least a part of the contact unit 12 and a part of the receiving unit 14 can be arranged in the hole 32 of the housing element 28, wherein a third sealing element 34 is provided for providing a substantially fluid-tight connection between the wall 35 of the hole 32 of the housing element 28 and a part of the contact unit 12 and / or a part of the receiving unit 14. Further preferably, the housing element 28 has a contact portion 36, wherein a fourth sealing element 38 is provided for forming a substantially fluid-tight connection between the contact portion 36 and the receiving unit 14, and further preferably, the fourth sealing element 38 is provided for providing a substantially fluid-tight connection between the contact unit 12 and the receiving unit 14.

[0034] Figure 4 Shows a sealing unit 10 according to an embodiment. Preferably, a plurality of connectors 11 each having a contact unit 12 are fixed to the receiving unit 14. The receiving unit 14 preferably has a contact portion 13.

[0035] Figure 5 Shows a sealing unit 10 according to an embodiment. As can be seen from Figure 5As can be seen, the housing element 28 preferably has a contact portion 36, wherein a fourth sealing unit 38 is provided for forming a substantially fluid-tight connection between the contact portion 36 and the receiving unit 14, and wherein the contact unit 12 is arranged on the receiving unit 14. Further preferably, the sensor unit 39 can be arranged on the contact portion 36. Further preferably, the contact unit 12 can have at least one signal element 41, which can include a temperature probe or the like, and further preferably, a signal and / or energy-conducting connection 20 is provided for connecting the probe 41 to the sensor unit 39.

[0036] Figure 6 Figure 10 shows a sealing unit according to one embodiment. The contact unit 12 is preferably fixed to the receiving unit 14 by means of screws or the like. Here, the sealing unit can have a plurality of sealing elements in order to protect the signal or energy-conducting connection 20 from the environment.

[0037] Figure 7 Figure 11 shows a vehicle according to one embodiment. The vehicle 100 preferably has a sealing unit 10 as described above and below.

Claims

1. A sealing unit (10) for an air compressor of a fuel cell, comprising: - a contact unit (12), - a receiving unit (14), -in, The receiving unit (14) and / or the contact unit (12) have at least one first sealing element (16), wherein the contact unit (12) can be inserted into the receiving unit (14), wherein the contact unit (12) is configured to form a substantially fluid-tight space (18) with the receiving unit (14) and the first sealing element (16) in order to protect a signal and / or energy-conducting connection (20) between the contact unit (12) and the receiving unit (14) from environmental influences.

2. The sealing unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The first sealing element (16) has a cross section, wherein the cross section is provided for compensating for an offset between the contact unit (12) and the receiving unit (14).

3. The sealing unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The contact unit (12) has a recess (22), wherein the sealing unit (10) has at least one cover element (24), wherein the cover element (24) is provided for closing the recess (22) in a substantially fluid-tight manner.

4. The sealing unit (10) according to claim 3, wherein: A contact means (26) can be arranged in the recess (22), which fixes the contact unit (12) to the receiving unit (14).

5. The sealing unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The receiving unit (14) is configured to form a substantially fluid-tight connection with a housing element (28).

6. The sealing unit according to claim 5, wherein: The receiving unit (14) has a second sealing element (30) which is provided for providing a substantially fluid-tight connection between the housing element (28) and the receiving unit (14).

7. The sealing unit (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein: At least a portion of the contact unit (12) and a portion of the receiving unit (14) can be arranged in a hole (32) in the housing element (28), wherein a third sealing element (34) is configured to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection between a wall (35) of the hole (32) in the housing element (28) and the portion of the contact unit (12) and / or the portion of the receiving unit (14).

8. The sealing unit (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: The housing element (28) comprises at least one contact point (36), wherein a fourth sealing unit (38) is provided for forming a substantially fluid-tight connection between the contact point (36) and the receiving unit (14).

9. The sealing unit (10) according to claim 8, wherein: The fourth sealing element (38) is configured to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection between the contact unit (12) and the receiving unit (14).

10. A vehicle (100) having a sealing unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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