Exhaust unit for supplying and exhausting air to and from interior space

Abstract

The invention relates to an exhaust unit (100) for blowing and exhausting an interior (210), in particular for blowing and exhausting an interior of a transmission or an oil container, comprising a base body (10), a valve (30), a sealing element (20) and at least one mounting element (18). The base body has a fluid-permeable flow opening (22) for blowing and exhausting the interior space, the interior space has a filter region (24) which at least partially fills the flow opening and is connected to the base body in a substantially fluid-tight manner, and the sealing element surrounds the flow opening. The valve has a valve body (32) which is arranged on an inner side (14) of the base body facing the interior space in order to be able to sealingly close the base body. A closing element (36) of the valve keeps the flow path (60) leading to the flow opening open in a specified installation position (80) and closes the flow path leading to the flow opening from an angle of inclination (72) with respect to the direction of gravity (70).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to an air exhaust unit for ventilating and exhausting an interior space, in particular for ventilating and exhausting an interior space of a transmission or an oil container. BACKGROUND

[0002] Air exhaust units are used for ventilating and exhausting transmissions or oil containers. Usually an additional pre-filter is used, which should protect the air exhaust membrane from damage by oil. Oil foam or oil droplets are not allowed to come into contact with the membrane, because otherwise the pores of the membrane would be closed and the membrane would lose its function.

[0003] For example, WO 11058571 A1 discloses an air exhaust assembly for a mechanically enclosed environment, comprising a main body with circularly aligned intake and exhaust chambers, a plurality of ball valves, a plurality of diamond polished valve seats, a spacer holder, a spring and a cap for covering the main body, an air and oil filter for sucking in fresh air arranged in a side chamber of the main body and an oil filter for exhaust air, which is wetted by oil vapors, arranged above the chamber. With the ball valves, the intake and exhaust chambers are hermetically sealed in a tilted position or in an inverted position, so that neither air nor water can enter the chambers. SUMMARY

[0004] It is the task of the invention to specify an air exhaust unit for ventilating and exhausting an interior space, in particular for ventilating and exhausting an interior space of a transmission or an oil container.

[0005] The aforementioned task is solved according to one aspect of the invention with an air exhaust unit for ventilating and exhausting an interior space, in particular for ventilating and exhausting an interior space of a transmission or an oil container, comprising a base body, a valve, a sealing element and at least one assembly element, wherein the base body has a fluid-permeable flow-through opening for ventilating and exhausting an interior space having a filter region, which at least regionally fills the flow-through opening and is connected to the base body substantially fluid-tightly, wherein the sealing element surrounds the flow-through opening, wherein the valve has a valve body, which is arranged on an inner side of the base body facing the interior space, in order to be able to close the base body sealingly, wherein a closing element of the valve keeps a flow path to the flow-through opening open in a prescribed installation position and closes the flow path to the flow-through opening from an angle of inclination with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention are given in the other claims, the description and the drawings.

[0007] According to one aspect of the application, a ventilation unit for ventilating and de- ventilating an interior space, in particular for ventilating and de- ventilating an interior space of a transmission or an oil container, is proposed, which comprises a base body, a valve, a sealing element and at least one assembly element. The base body has a fluid-permeable flow opening for ventilating and de- ventilating the interior space having a filter region, which at least regionally fills the flow opening and is connected to the base body substantially fluid-tightly, wherein the sealing element surrounds the flow opening. The valve has a valve body, which is arranged on an inner side of the base body facing the interior space, in order to be able to close the base body sealingly. A closing element of the valve keeps the flow path to the flow opening open in a prescribed installed position and closes the flow path to the flow opening from an angle of inclination with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0008] In the installed state, the interior space, for example an oil container of an oil tank or a transmission, is ventilated and de- ventilated by the filter region, which can have a pre-separation element and a membrane. The closing element, for example a ball which can be made of stainless steel, is held in the open position by its own weight.

[0009] As soon as the oil container is tilted or turned, the valve is closed by the closing element, for example by means of a spring element, before the oil reaches the filter region.

[0010] If the oil container is tilted or inverted, for example during assembly or in the event of a vehicle rollover, the valve is advantageously closed by the own weight of the closing element, the spring element and the static oil pressure.

[0011] In the proposed ventilation unit, the valve is integrated in the interior space before the filter region, whereby in the event of a rollover in operation or during assembly, oil is advantageously prevented from reaching the membrane by the pre-separation element.

[0012] Thereby, the functionality of the ventilation unit is ensured, for example even after a rotation of 180° around the longitudinal axis during assembly of the engine or the vehicle in the production plant or in the event of a vehicle rollover.

[0013] This advantageously prevents a large amount of oil from flowing through the pre-separation element and wetting the membrane.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the ventilation unit, the filter region can have a pre-separation element and a membrane, wherein the membrane is arranged facing away from the inner side. In particular, the membrane can be a semi-permeable membrane, which is permeable to gaseous media, but not to liquid media and / or solid particles. In this way, in normal operation, the membrane can be protected from being wetted by oil droplets or oil foam by the pre-separation element. On the other hand, the membrane prevents the ingress of water from the outer region into the interior space. For example, the membrane can have, for example, Teflon. The pre-separation element can be configured, for example, as a sponge or a fibrous non-woven fabric.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the air outlet unit, the valve can have a closing element and a spring element in the interior space of the valve body. The closing element can be in the open position in the prescribed installation position by its own weight against the pre-tension of the spring element in the direction of gravity and in the closed position from the angle of inclination thereof relative to the direction of gravity using the pre-tension of the spring element against its own weight.

[0016] If the oil container is tilted or inverted, for example during assembly or in the event of a vehicle rollover, the valve is advantageously closed by the own weight of the closing element, by the pre-tension of the spring element and by the action of the static oil pressure before the oil can wet the pre-separation element or the membrane. Thereby, it can be advantageously prevented that oil reaches the membrane via the pre-separation element.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the air outlet unit, the valve body can have a valve seat, wherein the closing element is arranged on the side of the valve seat facing away from the inner side of the base body and the spring element is arranged on the side of the closing element facing away from the inner side of the base body. In particular, the spring element can be a compression spring, in particular a coil spring. In this way, when the container equipped with the air outlet unit is tilted, the closing element can be pressed into the valve seat with the aid of the pre-tension of the spring element, with the aid of the own weight of the closing element, thereby closing the valve.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the air outlet unit, the valve body can have a cover element on the side facing away from the inner side of the base body, which closes the interior space of the valve body and the closing element and the spring element located therein. In particular, the spring element can be supported on the cover element. The cover element can advantageously be used for the assembly of the valve and for the support of the spring element.

[0019] According to an advantageous design of the air outlet unit, the cover element can have at least one outflow opening. In particular, the at least one outflow opening can be arranged centrally in the cover element. In this way, it can be ensured that oil entering the valve body can also flow out again as soon as the valve is in the normal installation position again.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the air outlet unit, the cover element can grip the valve body from the radially outer side. In this way, the cover element can advantageously ensure additional splash protection against oil splashing onto the filter area.

[0021] According to an advantageous design of the air outlet unit, the closing element can have one or more slits extending along the radially outer side of the valve body. These slits ensure the free flow of air in both directions, so that the required air supply and air outlet of the interior space can be achieved.

[0022] According to an advantageous design of the exhaust unit, the valve body may have one or more perforations extending in the axial direction on its outer wall. Through these perforations, free circulation of air in two directions can be achieved, thereby achieving the required air supply and exhaust in the interior space.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the ventilation unit, the base body can have a cover element on its outer side for covering the flow opening in a fluid-open manner, thereby protecting the membrane from damage from the outside. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further advantages can be derived from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous combinations of features. A person skilled in the art can also appropriately consider these features individually and arrive at other suitable combinations. For example:

[0025] Figure 1 An isometric view of an exhaust unit for supplying and exhausting air to an interior space, in particular for supplying and exhausting air to the interior space of a transmission or an oil container, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 Shows the installation position in accordance with Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the exhaust unit shown;

[0027] Figure 3 Shown in an inverted position according to Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the exhaust unit shown;

[0028] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of an exhaust unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 Shows the installation position in accordance with Figure 4 A longitudinal sectional view of the exhaust unit shown;

[0030] Figure 6 Shown in an inverted position according to Figure 4 A longitudinal sectional view of the exhaust unit shown;

[0031] Figure 7 A longitudinal section of the container is shown with the container in an upright position according to Figure 4 The exhaust unit shown;

[0032] Figure 8 Shows the position in which the beam is tilted relative to the direction of gravity according to Figure 7 the container shown; and

[0033] Figure 9Shown in an inverted position relative to the direction of gravity according to Figure 7 Container shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In the figures, identical or similar components are marked with the same reference numerals. The figures are presented by way of example only and are non-limiting.

[0035] To illustrate the present invention, Figure 1 An isometric view of an exhaust unit 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown for supplying and exhausting air to an interior space 210 , in particular for supplying and exhausting air to an interior space 210 of a transmission or an oil container. Figure 2 The exhaust air unit 100 is shown in a longitudinal section in the intended installation position 80 .

[0036] The exhaust unit 100 includes a base body 10 , a valve 30 , a sealing element 20 and at least one mounting element 18 .

[0037] The base body 10 has a fluid-permeable flow opening 22 for supplying and exhausting air to an interior space 210 having a filter area 24, which fills the flow opening 22 at least in regions and is connected to the base body 10 in a substantially fluid-tight manner. The sealing element 20 surrounds the flow opening 22 and serves to secure the base body 10 relative to the wall of the interior area 210, for example, Figure 7 The walls of the container 200 shown in FIG. 2 are sealed.

[0038] The filter region 24 has a pre-separation element 26 and a membrane 28 . The membrane 28 is arranged facing away from the inner side 14 .

[0039] Advantageously, the membrane 28 can be a semipermeable membrane, which is permeable to gaseous media but impermeable to liquid media and / or solid particles. For example, the membrane can comprise Teflon.

[0040] The valve 30 has a valve body 32 which is arranged on the inner side 14 of the main body 10 facing the interior space 210 in order to be able to seal the main body.

[0041] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated intended installation position 80, the direction of gravity 70 points in the axial direction 16 toward the interior 210, so that the closing element 36 of the valve 30 is compressed in the direction of gravity 70 due to its own weight, thereby keeping the flow path 60 to the flow opening 22 open. The flow path 60 through the valve 30 and the filter area 24 with the pre-separating element 26 and the membrane 28 is schematically indicated by arrows. The closing element 36 of the valve 30 is designed as a ball, for example, a stainless steel ball, but can also have other shapes.

[0042] Furthermore, the valve body 32 has one or more perforations 46 in its outer wall 33 which extend in the axial direction 16 and through which air can pass freely in order to ventilate the interior space 210 and, of course, also the liquid, such as oil, which is present in the interior space when the container with the ventilation unit 100 located thereon is tilted.

[0043] The valve 30 thus has a closing element 36 and a spring element 38 in the interior space 34 of the valve body 32. In the prescribed installation position 80, the closing element 36 is in the open position 40 by virtue of its own weight against the pretension of the spring element 38 in the direction of gravity 70.

[0044] The valve body 32 has a valve seat 44, for example in the form of a conically tapering narrowing of the interior space 34 of the valve body 32. The closing element 36 is arranged on the side of the valve seat 44 which faces away from the inner side 14 of the base body 10. The spring element 38 is arranged on the side of the closing element 36 which faces away from the inner side 14 of the base body 10. The spring element 38 can be, for example, a compression spring, in particular a coil spring.

[0045] The valve body 32 has a cover element 48 on the side which faces away from the inner side 14 of the base body 10, which closes the interior space 34 of the valve body 32 and the closing element 36 and the spring element 38 located therein. The spring element 38 is supported on the cover element 48.

[0046] Furthermore, the base body 10 has a cover element 13 on its outer side 12 for covering the flow-through opening 22 in a fluidically open manner. Damage to the membrane 28 as a result of mechanical action from the outside can thereby be prevented.

[0047] In this embodiment, the fitting element 18 is designed as a drilled hole, so that the ventilation unit 100 can be fitted to the housing by means of a screw.

[0048] Figure 3 A longitudinal sectional view of the ventilation unit 100 is shown in Figure 2. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A longitudinal sectional view of the ventilation unit 100 is shown in Figure 2.

[0049] From the angle of inclination 72 relative to the direction of gravity 70, the closing element 36 closes the flow path 60 to the flow-through opening 22. From the angle of inclination 72 relative to the direction of gravity 70, the closing element 36, against its own weight, is in the closed position 42 with the pretension of the spring element 38. The pretension of the spring element 38 and the own weight of the closing element 36 can advantageously be coordinated with one another such that the closing element 36 closes the valve seat 44 when the angle of inclination 72 is reached.

[0050] In Figure 3The inverting position 84 is shown, in which the angle of inclination 72 is 180°. Thus, the closing element 36 is located in the valve seat 44 solely due to its own weight and is additionally pressed into the valve seat 44 by the pretension of the spring element 38, thereby blocking the flow path 60.

[0051] Figure 4 An isometric view of the exhaust unit 100 according to another embodiment of the application is shown, Figure 5 A longitudinal sectional view of the exhaust unit 100 in the prescribed installation position 80 is shown.

[0052] Figures 4 to 6 The shown embodiment is essentially identical in construction to Figures 1 to 3 the shown embodiment, with the difference that the construction of the cover element 48 is different.

[0053] The cover element 48 has a centrally arranged outflow opening 50 for the outflow of the incoming oil.

[0054] In this embodiment, the cover element 48 embraces the valve body 32 from the radial outer side 52. In order to ensure the free passage of air for the supply and exhaust of the interior space 210, the cover element 48 has one or more slits 54 extending along the radial outer side 52 of the valve body 32, which enable the passage of air through the perforations 46 of the outer wall 33 of the valve body 32 into the interior space 34 of the valve body 32.

[0055] Figure 6 An isometric view of the exhaust unit 100 according to Figure 4 and Figure 5 is shown.

[0056] In the Figure 3 shown inverting position 84, the angle of inclination 72 is 180°. Thus, the closing element 36 is located in the valve seat 44 solely due to its own weight and is additionally pressed into the valve seat 44 by the pretension of the spring element 38, thereby blocking the flow path 60.

[0057] Figure 7 A longitudinal sectional view of the container 200 with the exhaust unit 100 shown in the upright position 80 is shown. Figure 4

[0058] The container 200, for example an oil container, has an interior space 210 that is approximately half-filled with a liquid 220, for example oil. The exhaust unit 100 is arranged at an opening 212 of the container 200 for the supply and exhaust of the interior space 210. The exhaust unit is fixed to the container 200 by means of a screw 214 screwed into a drilled hole of the mounting element 18. The sealing of the exhaust unit 100 relative to the container 200 is achieved by means of a sealing element 20 that surrounds the flow-through opening 22 of the exhaust unit 100.​

[0059] exist Figure 7 In the upright position 80 shown, the closing element 36 of the valve 30 is pressed against the spring element 38 due to its own weight and clears the flow path 60 through the valve 30. The exhaust unit 100 allows efficient supply and exhaust of air to the interior 210.

[0060] exist Figure 8 In, according to Figure 7 The container 200 is shown in a tilted position 70 relative to the direction of gravity 70. The tilt angle 72 relative to the direction of gravity 70 is approximately 45°.

[0061] Due to the tilted position 70, the liquid level of liquid 220 in interior space 210 is significantly tilted, but has not yet contacted valve 30 of exhaust unit 100. However, the preload force of spring element 38 has overcome the deadweight of closing element 36 and pressed it into valve seat 44, thereby blocking flow path 60 of liquid 220. Therefore, when container 220 is tilted further at a larger tilt angle 72, liquid 220 cannot reach filter area 24.

[0062] exist Figure 9 In, according to Figure 7 The container 200 is shown in an inverted position 84 relative to the direction of gravity 70 , where the tilt angle 72 is 180°.

[0063] Since the valve 30 is already closed at a small tilt angle 72 , it is ensured that the liquid 220 cannot reach the filter region 24 even in this inverted position 84 , so that the membrane 28 is not damaged by the liquid.

[0064] List of reference signs

[0065] 10 matrix

[0066] 12 Outer side

[0067] 13 cover element

[0068] 14Inner side

[0069] 16 axial direction

[0070] 18 assembly components

[0071] 20 sealing elements

[0072] 22 circulation openings

[0073] 24 filter areas

[0074] 26 pre-separation elements

[0075] 28 membranes

[0076] 30 valve

[0077] 32 valve body

[0078] 33 outer wall

[0079] 34 inner space

[0080] 36 closing element

[0081] 38 spring element

[0082] 40 open position

[0083] 42 closed position

[0084] 44 valve seat

[0085] 46 bore

[0086] 48 cover element

[0087] 50 outflow opening

[0088] 52 radially outer side

[0089] 54 slit

[0090] 60 flow path

[0091] 70 direction of gravity

[0092] 72 angle of inclination

[0093] 80 prescribed installation position

[0094] 82 inclined position

[0095] 84 inverted position

[0096] 100 air outlet unit

[0097] 200 container

[0098] 210 inner space

[0099] 212 opening

[0100] 214 screw

[0101] 220 liquid

Claims

1. Exhaust unit (100) for ventilating and exhausting an interior space (210), in particular for ventilating and exhausting an interior space (210) of a transmission or an oil container, comprising: - a base body (10), a valve (30), a sealing element (20) and at least one assembly element (18), - wherein the base body (10) has a fluid-permeable flow opening (22) for ventilating and exhausting the interior space (210), which has a filter region (24) that at least regionally fills the flow opening (22) and is connected substantially fluid-tight to the base body (10), wherein the sealing element (20) surrounds the flow opening (22), - wherein the valve (30) has a valve body (32) arranged on the inner side (14) of the base body (10) facing the interior space (210) in order to be able to sealably close the base body, wherein a closing element (36) of the valve (30) keeps a flow path (60) to the flow opening (22) open in a prescribed installation position (80) and closes the flow path (60) to the flow opening (22) from an inclination angle (72) relative to the direction of gravity (70).

2. The exhaust unit according to claim 1, wherein, - the filter region (24) has a pre-separation element (26) and a membrane (28), wherein the membrane (28) is arranged facing away from the inner side (14), in particular wherein the membrane (28) is a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to gaseous media and impermeable to liquid media and / or solid particles.

3. The exhaust unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the valve (30) has the closing element (36) and a spring element (38) in an interior space (34) of the valve body (32), wherein the closing element (36) is in an open position (40) in the prescribed installation position (80) against the force of its own weight against the pretension of the spring element (38) in the direction of gravity (70) and wherein the closing element (36) is in a closed position (42) from the inclination angle (72) relative to the direction of gravity (70) against the force of its own weight with the pretension of the spring element (38).

4. The exhaust unit according to claim 3, wherein, - the valve body (32) has a valve seat (44), wherein the closing element (36) is arranged on a side of the valve seat (44) facing away from the inner side (14) of the base body (10) and the spring element (38) is arranged on a side of the closing element (36) facing away from the inner side (14) of the base body (10), in particular wherein the spring element (38) is a compression spring, in particular a coil spring.

5. The exhaust unit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein - the valve body (32) has a cover element (48) on a side facing away from the inner side (14) of the base body (10), which closes the interior space (34) of the valve body (32) and the closing element (36) and the spring element (38) located therein, in particular wherein the spring element (38) is supported on the cover element (48).

6. The exhaust unit according to claim 5, wherein, The cover element (48) has at least one outflow opening (50), in particular wherein the at least one outflow opening (50) is arranged centrally in the cover element (48).

7. The exhaust unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The cover element (48) encircles the valve body (32) from a radially outer side (52).

8. The exhaust unit according to claim 7, wherein, The cover element (48) has one or more slits (54) extending along the radially outer side (52) of the valve body (32).

9. The exhaust unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The valve body (32) has one or more perforations (46) extending in the axial direction (16) in its outer wall (33).

10. The exhaust unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The base body (10) has a cover element (13) on its outer side (12) for covering the flow-through opening (22) in a fluidically open manner.

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