Ventilator

Abstract

A ventilator (1) for attachment to a housing wall (2) having an aperture (12), the ventilator (1) comprising: a body portion (3) comprising a wall (4) having an inner surface (5) defining at least a portion of a central ventilation channel (6) for allowing gas to pass through the ventilator (1); attachment means (9) for attaching the ventilator (1) to the housing wall (2). The ventilator further comprises a cover (22) arranged at a first axial end (19) of the body portion (3) to cover the central ventilation channel (6); and at least one opening (25) located at a first axial end (19) of the body portion (3) for gas to exit the ventilator (1) wherein an antenna (7) is attached to an inner surface of a wall (4) of the body portion (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a ventilator according to the preamble of independent claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] A ventilator may be attached to an opening in a housing of various devices, such as an electronic control unit (ECU), an inverter, or a converter, to ensure ventilation of the housing.

[0003] EP3618589 discloses a known prior art ventilator. It discloses a support member that snaps into a hole in the surface of a housing. The support member has a central opening through which air can pass. The support member is provided with a cover that snaps onto the support member and prevents foreign matter from directly entering the central opening axially. The ventilator also has an air-permeable membrane disposed between the cover and the support member. This ventilator thus prevents foreign matter such as dust, water, oil, and salt from entering the housing while ensuring ventilation both inside and outside the housing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The ventilator according to the present invention as defined in claim 1 improves the arrangement or assembly options of electronic equipment within a housing by providing a ventilator with multifunctionality.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved with a ventilator for attachment to a housing wall having a hole, said ventilator comprising:

[0006] a body portion including a wall having an inner surface defining at least a portion of a central vent passage for allowing gas to pass through the ventilator,

[0007] Attachment means for attaching the ventilator to the housing wall,

[0008] a cover provided at a first axial end of the main body portion to cover the central ventilation passage,

[0009] at least one opening at a first axial end of the body portion for gas to exit the ventilator,

[0010] Wherein, the antenna is attached to the inner surface of the wall of the main body portion.

[0011] As a result, there is no need to allocate internal space for the antenna within the housing of the electronic device, but rather the antenna is arranged to be attached to the ventilator itself. Since the ventilator can be provided with a pre-attached antenna, assembly of the electronic device is simplified because the ventilator can be easily attached to the housing, and only the antenna feed cable needs to be connected to the electronic device within the housing.

[0012] The inner surface of the wall of the main body portion is the surface of the wall portion facing the central ventilation channel.The axial direction is a direction perpendicular to the housing wall to which the ventilator is designed to be attached.

[0013] The antenna is preferably a printed circuit board (PCB) antenna, wherein the PCB is attached to the inner surface of the wall of the main body. The term "PCB antenna" should be understood to include flexible printed circuit board (FCB) antennas. The PCB can be attached to the inner surface of the wall by suitable means, such as using an adhesive. This allows the PCB antenna to be located inside the ventilator and thus protected from damage during transport and installation of the ventilator on the housing.

[0014] The antenna is preferably a WIFI or Bluetooth antenna. However, other types of antennas are also possible.

[0015] An antenna feed cable is connected at one end to a feed point on the PCB and extends out of a central ventilation channel at a second axial end of the main body. When the ventilator is mounted on the housing wall, the feed cable extends into the housing to connect to the electronic equipment. The feed cable is preferably a coaxial cable.

[0016] The attachment device used to attach the ventilator to the housing wall comprises a plurality of resilient legs extending axially from the wall, each leg including a protrusion or hook at its distal end. When the ventilator is pressed axially into a hole in the housing wall, the resilient legs deform. The legs extend through the hole, and the protrusions or hooks at their distal ends engage the inner surface of the housing wall. Thus, the ventilator can be securely attached simply by pressing it axially into the hole in the housing wall.

[0017] The ventilator is provided with a seal, preferably an annular seal, which is arranged circumferentially around the main body portion. When the ventilator is mounted on the housing wall, the seal forms an airtight seal between the main body portion of the ventilator and the housing wall.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the wall of the body portion has a rectangular cross-section defining a central ventilation channel having a rectangular cross-section.

[0019] The rectangular shape of the central ventilation channel facilitates mounting the PCB antenna on the inner surface of the wall of the main body in the central channel. The PCB can thereby be attached to the flat inner surface of the wall of the main body.

[0020] Alternatively, the attachment means may include threads provided on the outer surface of the wall of the main body. In this case, the wall of the main body has a circular cross-section. The threads may cooperate with internal threads in the hole of the housing wall so that the ventilator can be screwed into the hole. Alternatively, a nut may be screwed onto the threads so that the housing wall is clamped between the nut and the main body of the ventilator. In the case where the ventilator is attached by a threaded connection, the inner surface of the wall of the main body may be provided with a flat surface extending over the area of ​​the PCB to facilitate attachment of the PCB.

[0021] The ventilator cover is preferably attached to the main body via a clip or snap connection. This clip or snap connection can be provided by resilient portions of the cover or main body that deform when the cover is pressed against the main body and, in a specific relative position, lock into a corresponding moving portion of the cover or main body, respectively. In one embodiment, the cover is provided with a plurality of resilient arms extending axially from the cover. The arms have protrusions or hooks at their distal ends that engage the main body in a locking manner in the attached position.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first axial end of the main body portion includes a flange extending perpendicularly to the axial direction from the wall, wherein a layer of filter material is arranged between the cover and the main body portion. The layer of filter material is, for example, an air-permeable membrane. The membrane may be partially supported by the flange of the main body portion.

[0023] The cover prevents foreign matter from directly entering the channel in the axial direction and, together with the main body, defines a lateral ventilation opening to allow gas to pass through the ventilator. The main body may include an end wall at a first axial end of the main body, and the end wall may be provided with a plurality of openings. The end wall may serve as an additional support for the filter material. Alternatively, a support grid may be provided on the main body to provide support for the filter material while allowing gas to enter and exit the central ventilation channel. The cover may also include at least one protrusion extending in an axial direction toward the central ventilation channel for firmly fixing the filter material to the main body while allowing gas to flow over the surface of the filter material.

[0024] The body portion and cover are preferably made from a plastics material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The embodiments will be described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a ventilator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a ventilator according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a ventilator according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a ventilator according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figures 1 to 3 A ventilator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The ventilator 1 can be attached to the housing of an electronic device. A portion of the housing wall 2 is shown in dashed lines. The electronic device may be, for example, an inverter, a converter, or an onboard charger, which may require communication means for communicating with other components or control units.

[0031] The ventilator 1 comprises a main body portion 3 having an axially extending wall 4 with an inner surface 5 defining at least a portion of a central ventilation channel 6 for allowing air to pass through the ventilator 1. The ventilation channel 6 extends in an axial direction 8 which is perpendicular to the wall 2 of the housing of the electronic device.

[0032] According to the present invention, an antenna 7 is attached to the inner surface 5 of the wall 4 of the main body 3. The antenna is preferably a WIFI or Bluetooth antenna 7. However, other types of antennas 7 are also possible. In the embodiment shown, the antenna 7 is a printed circuit board (PCB) antenna, wherein the PCB is attached to the inner surface of the wall 4 of the main body 3. The term "PCB antenna" should be understood to include flexible printed circuit board (FCB) antennas. The PCB can be attached to the inner surface of the wall 4 by any suitable means, for example using an adhesive or a clip. Since the PCB antenna 7 is located inside the ventilator 1, it is protected from damage during transportation and when the ventilator is mounted on the housing wall 2.

[0033] Therefore, the housing of the electronic device does not need to allocate space for an internal antenna. Instead, the antenna 7 is arranged to be attached to the ventilator 1 itself. Since the ventilator 1 can be equipped with a pre-attached antenna 7, the assembly of the electronic device is simplified, because the ventilator 1 can be easily attached to the housing, and it is only necessary to connect the feed cable 29 of the antenna 7 to the electronic device arranged in the housing. The antenna feed cable 29 is connected to the feed point on the PCB antenna 7 at one end and extends out of the central ventilation channel 6 at the second axial end 30 of the main body 3. When the ventilator 1 is mounted on the housing wall 2, the feed cable 29 extends from the housing to connect to the electronic device. The feed cable is a coaxial cable.

[0034] The ventilator 1 further comprises attachment means 9 for attaching the ventilator to the housing wall 2. Figures 1 to 3In one embodiment shown, the attachment device 9 includes a plurality of resilient legs 10 extending from the wall 4 of the main body 3 in the axial direction 8, each leg 10 including a protrusion 11 or hook at its distal end 13. When the ventilator 1 is axially pressed into the hole 12 of the housing wall 2, the resilient legs 10 deform. The legs 10 extend through the hole 12, and the protrusions 11 or hooks at their distal ends 13 engage with the inner surface 14 of the housing wall 2. Thus, the ventilator 1 can be securely attached to the housing wall 2 by simply pressing the ventilator 1 axially into the hole 12 of the housing wall 2. An annular seal 15 is arranged circumferentially around the main body 3. When the ventilator 1 is mounted on the housing wall, the seal 15 forms an airtight seal between the main body 3 of the ventilator 1 and the housing wall 2. The seal 15 rests against the axial end face of the wall 4 and radially surrounds the legs 10 or an axially extending lip provided on the wall 4.

[0035] The wall 4 of the main body 3 has a rectangular cross-section, defining a central ventilation channel 6 having a rectangular cross-section. The rectangular shape facilitates mounting the PCB antenna 7 on the inner surface 5 of the wall 4 of the main body 3 within the central channel 6. Thus, the PCB can be attached to the flat inner surface 5 of the wall of the main body 3. The hole 12 in the housing wall 2 is also rectangular. However, the main body 3 of the ventilator 1 can also have a circular cross-section for insertion into the circular hole 12 in the housing wall 2.

[0036] Figure 4 A ventilator 1 is shown with an alternative attachment device 9 for attaching the ventilator 1 to the housing wall 2. The outer surface 16 of the wall 14 of the main body 3 is provided with a thread 17. In this case, the wall 4 of the main body 3 has a circular cross-section. The thread 17 can cooperate with an internal thread in the hole of the housing wall 2, so that the ventilator can be screwed into the hole 12. Alternatively, a nut 18 can be screwed onto the thread 17, so that the housing wall 2 is clamped between the nut 18 and the main body 3 of the ventilator 1. In the case where the ventilator 1 is attached by a threaded connection, the inner surface of the wall of the main body can be provided with a flat surface 5 extending over the area of ​​the PCB to facilitate the attachment of the PCB.

[0037] The cover 22 is arranged at the first axial end 19 of the main body 3 to cover the central ventilation channel 6. The cover 22 of the ventilator 1 is preferably attached to the main body 3 via a clip or snap connection. The clip or snap connection is provided by an elastic portion 23 of the cover 22 or the main body 3, which is deformed when the cover 22 is pressed onto the main body and locks into a corresponding portion of the cover or the main body in a specific relative position. In the embodiment shown, the cover 22 is provided with a plurality of elastic arms 23, which extend from the cover 22 in the axial direction 8. The elastic arms 23 are distributed around the periphery of the cover 22 and have protrusions 24 or hooks at their distal ends, which engage in a locking manner with the main body 3 in the attached position. Figures 1 to 3 The cover 22 in the embodiment shown has a rectangular shape, and Figure 4 The cover 22 in the illustrated embodiment has a circular shape.

[0038] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the embodiment shown, the first axial end 19 of the body portion 3 comprises a flange 20 extending from the wall 4 perpendicular to the axial direction 8. The projection 24 of the resilient arm 23 is arranged to engage with the flange 20 in the locked position. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the seal 15 bears against an axially facing surface of the flange 20 and is clamped between the flange 20 and the housing wall 2 when the ventilator is attached to the housing wall 2 .

[0039] A layer of filter material 21 is disposed between the cover 22 and the main body 3. The layer of filter material 21, for example, is an air-permeable membrane that allows air to pass through the ventilator 1 while preventing water or foreign particles or matter from passing through the ventilator 1. The membrane 21 may be partially supported by the flange 20 of the main body 3. The cover 22 and the main body 3 further define lateral ventilation openings 25 for air to pass around the cover 22 and through the ventilator 1. The main body 3 includes an end wall 26 at its first axial end 19, which is provided with a plurality of openings 27. The end wall 26 further supports the filter material 21. Alternatively, a support grid may be provided integrally with the main body 3 or as a separate component to provide support for the filter material 21 while allowing air to enter and exit the central ventilation passage 6. The cover 22 also includes at least one protrusion 28 extending in the axial direction 8 toward the central ventilation passage 6 to securely secure the filter material 21 to the main body 3 while allowing air to flow over the surface of the filter material 21. The filter material 21 is sandwiched between the at least one projection 28 of the cover and the end wall 26 of the main body portion 3. The main body portion 3 and the cover 22 of the ventilator are made of a plastic material.

[0040] Reference Signs List

[0041] 1. Ventilator

[0042] 2. Shell wall

[0043] 3. Main body

[0044] 4. Wall of the main part

[0045] 5. Inner surface

[0046] 6. Central ventilation channel

[0047] 7. Antenna

[0048] 8. Axial direction

[0049] 9. Attachment device

[0050] 10. Elastic Legs

[0051] 11. Protrusion

[0052] 12. Kong

[0053] 13. Remote

[0054] 14. Surface

[0055] 15. Seals

[0056] 16. External surface

[0057] 17. Thread

[0058] 18. Nuts

[0059] 19.First axial end

[0060] 20. Flange

[0061] 21. Filter material

[0062] 22. Cover

[0063] 23. Elastic Arm

[0064] 24. Protrusion

[0065] 25. Side ventilation openings

[0066] 26.End wall

[0067] 27. Open your mouth

[0068] 28. Protrusion

[0069] 29.Feeder cable

[0070] 30. Second axial end

Claims

1. A ventilator (1) for attachment to a housing wall (2) having a hole (12), the ventilator (1) comprising: a main body portion (3) comprising a wall (4) having an inner surface (5) defining at least a portion of a central ventilation passage (6) for allowing gas to pass through the ventilator (1); Attachment means (9) for attaching the ventilator (1) to the housing wall (2); a cover (22) arranged at a first axial end (19) of the main body portion (3) to cover the central ventilation passage (6); at least one opening (25) located at a first axial end (19) of the body portion (3) for gas to exit the ventilator (1); Therein, the antenna (7) is attached to the inner surface of the wall (4) of the main body part (3).

2. The ventilator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The antenna (7) is a PCB antenna, wherein the PCB is attached to the inner surface (5) of the wall (4) of the main body part (3).

3. Ventilator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The antenna (7) is a WIFI or Bluetooth antenna.

4. The ventilator according to claim 2, characterized in that An antenna feed cable (29) is connected at one end to a feed point on the PCB and extends out of the central ventilation channel (6) at a second axial end (30) of the main body portion (3).

5. Ventilator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The attachment means (9) comprises a plurality of resilient legs (10) extending from the wall in an axial direction (8), each leg (10) comprising a hook or protrusion (11) at its distal end (13).

6. The ventilator (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The wall (4) of the main body portion (3) defines a central ventilation channel (6) having a rectangular cross-section.

7. The ventilator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The attachment means (9) comprises a thread (17) provided on the outer surface of the wall (4) of the body portion (3).

8. Ventilator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover (22) is attached to the body portion (3) via a snap connection.

9. Ventilator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The body portion (3) comprises a flange (20) extending from the wall (4) perpendicular to the axial direction (8), wherein a layer of filter material (21) is arranged between the cover (22) and the body portion (3).

10. The ventilator (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The inner surface (5) of the wall (4) of the body portion (3) comprises a flat surface extending over the area of ​​the PCB.

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