Pressure balancing device and housing having the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure equalizing device, comprising a grid-like cage having a gas passage opening through which gas can flow in a flow direction, said gas passage opening connecting an inner side and an outer side of the pressure equalizing device in a flow-conducting manner, the end face of the gas passage opening facing the outer side being covered by a gas-permeable membrane, the membrane is provided in a functionally parallel manner with an overpressure valve, which is designed as a rupture protection, and which spatially separates the inner side and the outer side from one another, the membrane having a circular functional surface delimited by a first outer diameter, the overpressure valve being formed in a ring-shaped manner, the overpressure valve having an inner diameter, the overpressure valve has a sealing lip with a second outer diameter, the sealing lip can be raised from the sealing surface and can be brought into an open position, and the end face and the membrane are arranged adjacent to each other at a distance in the flow direction. A first outer diameter of the functional surface substantially corresponds to a second outer diameter of the sealing lip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pressure balancing device and a housing having said pressure balancing device, wherein the pressure balancing device includes a grid-like cage having a gas through-hole permeable in the flow direction, the gas through-hole connecting an inner and outer side of the pressure balancing device in a flow-guiding manner, wherein the gas through-hole has an outer-facing end side covered by a gas-permeable membrane, wherein the membrane is functionally arranged in parallel with an overpressure valve configured as a rupture protection element, wherein the membrane and the overpressure valve together spatially separate the inner and outer sides, wherein the membrane has a circular functional surface defined by a first outer diameter, wherein the overpressure valve is annularly formed, the overpressure valve having an inner diameter that sealably surrounds the gas through-hole on the outer circumference, and the overpressure valve having a sealing lip with a second outer diameter, the sealing lip sealingly contacting the sealing surface of the cage under elastic pre-tightening, and wherein the sealing lip can be lifted from the sealing surface and can enter an open position for emergency venting of the inner side and for providing a flow-guiding connection between the inner and outer sides. Background Technology

[0002] Such a pressure balancing device and its housing are known from EP 3 385 584 B1. Through the functional parallel connection of the diaphragm and the overpressure valve, the diaphragm remains undamaged even during emergency venting from the inside, allowing the diaphragm of the pressure balancing device, and thus the pressure balancing device itself, to continue to be used unchanged after emergency venting. The diaphragm and the overpressure valve are arranged coaxially such that the first outer diameter of the functional surface of the diaphragm substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the overpressure valve.

[0003] The membrane is directly disposed on the outward-facing end of the gas passage opening, such that the functional surface of the membrane corresponds to the cross-section of the gas passage opening.

[0004] During the normal use of pressure equalization equipment, i.e., when the pressure difference between the inside and outside is not significant and emergency venting of the inside is not required, the best possible membrane permeability is generally important. At the same time, high tolerance to water pressure relative to the outside is advantageous.

[0005] If only a small structural space is available for the pressure balancing device, especially when the diameter of the pressure balancing device is limited by its installation space and is very small, the functional surface of the membrane in previously known pressure balancing devices is also correspondingly small, such that in this case, the pressure balance between the inner and outer sides no longer works satisfactorily during the normal use of the pressure balancing device.

[0006] Previously known pressure equalization devices can be applied to housings surrounding electronic components or chemical reactors. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The objective of this invention is to improve the pressure balancing device and its housing of the type mentioned at the beginning, such that the pressure balancing device ensures good pressure balance even when the outer diameter of the pressure balancing device is small. The effective surface of the membrane for ventilation should be maximized relative to the effective surface of the overpressure valve for emergency venting.

[0008] According to the present invention, the objective is achieved by a pressure balancing device having the features of the embodiments and by a housing having the features of the embodiments.

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention relate to advantageous designs for pressure balancing devices.

[0010] To achieve the stated objective, a pressure balancing device and a housing having such a pressure balancing device are proposed, wherein the end sides and the membrane are arranged adjacent to each other at a distance in the flow direction, wherein the first outer diameter of the functional surface substantially corresponds to the second outer diameter of the sealing lip.

[0011] These two outer diameters are basically equal.

[0012] Advantageously, the functional surface of the membrane is significantly larger than the cross-sectional area through the gas perforation opening.

[0013] Furthermore, the functional surface is maximized relative to the outer diameter of the pressure balancing device.

[0014] Regarding the outer diameter of the pressure balancing device, the design scheme according to the present invention not only maximizes the membrane's ventilation function, but also maximizes the emergency venting rate through the overpressure valve.

[0015] The ratio of the first outer diameter to the second outer diameter is preferably between 0.9 and 1.1. This ratio results in the functional surface and the overpressure valve having essentially the same outer diameter, thereby maximizing the use of the internal space in the cage, not only for the membrane but also for the overpressure valve. Consequently, the functional surface of the membrane and the emergency venting rate through the overpressure valve are maximized with respect to the diameter of the pressure balancing device.

[0016] The overpressure valve can be configured as a shield that convexly arches outwards and is made of a rubber-elastic sealing material. Through the convex arch of the shield, the sealing lip rests flat and seals against the sealing surface of the cage under elastic pre-tightening. During normal, routine use of the pressure balancing device, ventilation between the inner and outer sides occurs only through the functional surface of the membrane. At this point, the overpressure valve is closed.

[0017] The overpressure valve opens only when the pressure difference between the inner and outer sides exceeds a threshold, reliably preventing membrane rupture through subsequent pressure balancing. This functional parallel connection between the membrane and the overpressure valve creates effective rupture protection for the membrane.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention relates to housings including the pressure balancing devices previously described. The pressure balancing device according to the invention is, in principle, applicable to all components having a closed housing, where a pressure difference between the inner and outer sides could cause damage or failure of the component. Simultaneously, a membrane ensures that water and / or contaminants do not reach the inner side from the outer side.

[0019] The housing can be formed, for example, by a battery housing, an inverter, an electric motor, or a car headlight, wherein the housing typically has the enclosed dead volume.

[0020] In an airtight, sealed enclosure, not only overpressure but also negative pressure can occur inside the enclosure due to heating / cooling during operation or due to atmospheric pressure fluctuations.

[0021] As housings become increasingly lightweight and thus thinner-walled, it becomes essential to protect them from undesirably high pressure differentials. Pressure balancing devices are proposed to address this need. Pressure balancing elements can eliminate pressure spikes, thereby reducing potential pressure loads on the housing in a controlled manner. The main requirements for a well-functioning pressure balancing device are: good gas permeability during normal operation, high permeability from the inside out during emergency venting, high water resistance, good resistance to oil and dust contamination, and good mechanical robustness. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The embodiments of the pressure balancing device according to the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 An embodiment of a pressure balancing device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Pressure balancing devices can be used for all types of housings 17, where undesirable pressure differentials between the inner side 4 and the outer side 5 should be avoided.

[0025] The pressure balancing device is inserted into housing 17, which is shown only schematically.

[0026] The pressure balancing device includes, for example, a grid-like cage 1 made of a rigid polymer material. The cage 1 has a gas passage opening 3 through which gas flows, with the flow direction indicated by reference numeral 2.

[0027] The gas passage opening 3 connects the inner side 4 and the outer side 5 to each other in a flow-guiding manner, wherein the gas passage opening 3 is cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment.

[0028] If the membrane 7 is in direct contact with the outer end 6 of the gas passage opening 3, the functional surface 10 of the membrane is only relatively small and will substantially correspond to the opening cross-section of the gas passage opening 3.

[0029] Therefore, in order to improve the ventilation function of the pressure balancing device according to the present invention, it is proposed that the end side 6 and the gas-permeable membrane 7 are arranged adjacent to each other at a distance of 15 in the flow direction 2.

[0030] As a result, the functional surface 10 of the membrane 7 is significantly larger than the cross-section through the gas passage opening 3, and the ventilation function of the pressure balancing device is improved.

[0031] To maximize the functionality of the surface 10, the first outer diameter 9 of the surface substantially corresponds to the second outer diameter 13 of the sealing lip 12. The ratio of the first outer diameter 9 to the second outer diameter 13 is substantially 1 in the illustrated embodiment. Thus, the internal space 18 of the cage 1 is utilized to the maximum extent not only by the membrane 7 but also by the overpressure valve 8. The outer diameters 9 and 13 extend almost to the inner boundary of the internal space 18.

[0032] This approach, which maximizes the use of the internal space 18 by having the largest possible outer diameters 9 and 13, is particularly advantageous when the pressure balancing device is generally small and has a small outer diameter. The maximum possible outer diameters 9 and 13 offer significant advantages relative to the size of the internal space 18, contributing to good performance not only in terms of breathing function but also in terms of emergency exhaust rate.

[0033] The membrane 7 is equipped with an overpressure valve 8, which serves as a rupture protection unit, in a functional parallel configuration. The membrane 7 and the overpressure valve 8 together spatially separate the inner side 4 from the outer side 5.

[0034] The inner diameter 11 of the overpressure valve 8 seals around the gas passage opening 3 on the outer circumferential side to prevent flow short-circuiting in the area. During normal use, gas exchange between the inner side 4 and the outer side 5 occurs only through the functional surface 10 of the membrane 7.

[0035] The overpressure valve 8 includes a sealing lip 12 with a second outer diameter 13, wherein the sealing lip 12 is in a sealing contact with the sealing surface 14 of the cage 1 under elastic preload. For emergency venting of the inner side 4, the sealing lip 12 is lifted from the sealing surface 14. After pressure equalization, the sealing lip 12 of the overpressure valve 8 is resealed back onto the sealing surface 14, the overpressure valve being formed by a shield 16 that is convexly arched outwards 5 and made of a rubber-elastic sealing material.

Claims

1. A pressure balancing device comprising a grid-like cage (1) having gas-permeable openings (3) in a flow direction (2) connecting an inner side (4) and an outer side (5) of the pressure balancing device in a flow-guiding manner, wherein the gas-permeable opening (3) has an end side (6) facing the outer side (5), the end side being covered by a gas-permeable membrane (7), wherein the membrane (7) is functionally connected in parallel with overpressure valves (8) configured as rupture protection parts, wherein the membrane (7) and the overpressure valves (8) together spatially separate the inner side (4) and the outer side (5) from each other, wherein the membrane (7) Having a circular functional surface (10) defined by a first outer diameter (9), wherein the overpressure valve (8) is annularly formed, the overpressure valve having an inner diameter (11) that sealably surrounds the gas passage opening (3) on the outer circumferential side, and the overpressure valve having a sealing lip (12) with a second outer diameter (13), the sealing lip sealingly contacting the sealing surface (14) of the cage (1) under elastic pre-tightening, and wherein the sealing lip (12) is liftable from the sealing surface (14) and can enter an open position for emergency venting of the inner side (4) and for providing a flow connection between the inner side (4) and the outer side (5), characterized in that, The end side (6) and the membrane (7) are arranged adjacent to each other at a distance (15) in the flow direction (2), and the first outer diameter (9) of the functional surface (10) substantially corresponds to the second outer diameter (13) of the sealing lip (12).

2. The pressure balancing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of the first outer diameter (9) to the second outer diameter (13) is 0.9 to 1.

1.

3. The pressure balancing device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The overpressure valve (8) is configured as a shield (16) that is convexly arched toward the outer side (5) and is made of a rubber-elastic sealing material.

4. A housing comprising the pressure balancing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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