Drying device and vehicle lamp

Abstract

The drying device comprises a drying pipe, a first exchange part, a second exchange part and a control valve, a drying agent is arranged in the drying pipe, and one end of the drying pipe can be inserted into a shell and communicates with an inner cavity of the shell through the second exchange part; the other end of the drying pipe can extend out of the shell and communicate with the external space through the first exchange part. The control valve is arranged at the end, extending out of the shell, of the drying pipe. Moisture in the inner cavity can enter the drying pipe through the second exchange part and is absorbed by the drying agent; gas in the inner cavity can enter the external space through the second exchange part, the drying pipe and the control valve in sequence, and moisture in the drying agent can be volatilized and enters the external space through the control valve; gas in the external space can sequentially pass through the first exchange part, the drying pipe and the second exchange part to enter the inner cavity. According to the drying device and the automobile lamp, the problems that an existing automobile lamp drying mode is short in use time and water vapor is likely to be reversely released into the automobile lamp are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of defogging devices, and in particular to a drying device and a vehicle light. Background Technology

[0002] Fogging has always been a major challenge in the automotive lighting industry. Common methods for solving fogging include adding desiccants or using CMD membrane dryers. However, both traditional desiccants and CMD membrane dryers lose their effectiveness after about three months of installation. Furthermore, once the desiccant becomes saturated with moisture, it can release water vapor into the headlight. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a drying device and vehicle lamp to solve the problems of existing vehicle lamp drying methods having short service time and being prone to releasing moisture back into the vehicle lamp.

[0004] The drying device provided in this application includes a drying tube, a first exchange section, a second exchange section, and a control valve. A desiccant is disposed inside the drying tube. One end of the drying tube can be inserted into a housing and connected to the inner cavity of the housing through the second exchange section. The other end of the drying tube can extend out of the housing and connect to the external space through the first exchange section. The control valve is located at the end of the drying tube extending out of the housing. When the humidity of the gas in the inner cavity is greater than that in the drying tube, the moisture in the inner cavity can enter the drying tube through the second exchange section and be absorbed by the desiccant. When the air temperature in the inner cavity, the air temperature in the drying tube, and the air temperature in the external space decrease sequentially, the gas in the inner cavity can sequentially enter the external space through the second exchange section, the drying tube, and the control valve, and the moisture in the desiccant can evaporate and enter the external space through the control valve. When the air temperature in the inner cavity, the air temperature in the drying tube, and the air temperature in the external space increase sequentially, the gas in the external space can sequentially enter the inner cavity through the first exchange section, the drying tube, and the second exchange section, and the desiccant can absorb the moisture in the gas.

[0005] In one embodiment, the first exchange part is a breathable membrane, and the diameter A of the breathable membrane's pores satisfies 0.05μm≤A≤5.0μm; and / or, the second exchange part is a breathable membrane, and the diameter B of the breathable membrane's pores satisfies 0.05μm≤B≤5.0μm.

[0006] In one embodiment, the first exchange section is disposed at the end opening of the drying tube away from the inner cavity; and / or, the second exchange section is disposed at the end opening of the drying tube away from the external space.

[0007] In one embodiment, the total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane in the first exchange section is smaller than the total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane in the second exchange section.

[0008] In one embodiment, the drying tube includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is located on the side of the housing facing the inner cavity, and the outer tube is located on the side of the housing facing the external space. The inner tube and the outer tube are detachably connected and communicate with each other. A desiccant is disposed in the inner tube and the outer tube, respectively.

[0009] In one embodiment, the length of the inner tube along the axial direction of the drying tube is greater than the length of the outer tube along the axial direction of the drying tube.

[0010] In one embodiment, the control valve is a one-way valve structure, allowing gas to flow unidirectionally from the drying tube to the external space.

[0011] In one embodiment, there are multiple control valves, which are spaced apart circumferentially along the drying tube.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sidewall of the drying tube is a light-transmitting element.

[0013] This application also provides a vehicle lamp, which includes a light source, a housing, and a drying device as described in any of the above embodiments. The housing has an inner cavity, the light source is disposed in the inner cavity, and the visible light emitted by the light source has a thermal effect.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the drying device and vehicle light provided in this application can not only absorb excess moisture inside the housing, but also dry the gas entering the housing from the external space. Most importantly, the drying device can use the heat generated by the temperature rise after the vehicle light is turned on to expel the moisture in the desiccant, and use the air pressure difference to make the moisture exit through the control valve into the drying tube. This not only prevents moisture from flowing back into the inner cavity, but also allows the desiccant to be recycled, effectively extending the service life of the drying device. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of a drying device and a housing according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Reference numerals: 100, drying tube; 110, desiccant; 120, inner tube section; 130, outer tube section; 200, first exchange section; 300, second exchange section; 400, control valve; 500, housing; 510, inner cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Fogging has always been a major challenge in the automotive lighting industry. Common methods for solving fogging include adding desiccants or using CMD membrane dryers. However, both traditional desiccants and CMD membrane dryers lose their effectiveness after about three months of installation. Furthermore, once the desiccant becomes saturated with moisture, it can release water vapor into the headlight.

[0019] Please see Figure 1 To address the problems of short operating time and easy backflow of moisture into the headlights in existing headlight drying methods, this application provides a drying device and a headlight. The drying device includes a drying tube 100, a first exchange section 200, a second exchange section 300, and a control valve 400. A desiccant 110 is disposed inside the drying tube 100, and the housing 500 has an inner cavity 510. One end of the drying tube 100 can be inserted into the housing 500 and connected to the inner cavity 510 of the housing 500 through the second exchange section 300, while the other end can extend out of the housing 500 and connect to the external space through the first exchange section 200. The control valve 400 is disposed at the end of the drying tube 100 that extends out of the housing 500.

[0020] It should be noted that the control valve 400 has two states: open and closed, and is not always connected to the drying tube 100.

[0021] When the airtightness of the headlights decreases and moisture enters the inner cavity 510, resulting in the humidity of the gas in the inner cavity 510 being greater than that in the drying tube 100, the moisture in the inner cavity 510 can enter the drying tube 100 through the second exchange section 300 and be absorbed by the desiccant 110.

[0022] It should be noted that, since a desiccant 110 is installed inside the drying tube 100, under normal circumstances, the humidity inside the drying tube 100 cannot be greater than the humidity inside the cavity 510.

[0023] When the car starts, the headlights are turned on. As the car moves and the headlights continue to operate, the temperature of the inner cavity 510 gradually increases. At this time, the inner cavity 510, the drying tube 100, and the external space will form an operating condition in which the air pressure decreases in sequence, so that the gas passes through the inner cavity 510, the second exchange section 300, the drying tube 100, and the control valve 400 in sequence into the external space. In addition, the heat of the inner cavity 510 can be transferred to the desiccant 110 in the drying tube 100, so that the moisture in the desiccant 110 evaporates and enters the external space through the control valve 400.

[0024] As the car continues to run, the internal cavity 510, the drying tube 100, and the external space reach a pressure balance. At this point, there is no gas flow between the three.

[0025] When the car reaches its destination and the headlights are turned off, the temperature of the inner cavity 510 gradually decreases. At this time, according to the principle of thermal expansion and contraction, the greater the heating amplitude, the greater the expansion ratio. Similarly, the volume shrinkage ratio after cooling is also greater. Therefore, after the gas in the inner cavity 510 and the gas in the drying tube 100 are cooled, their pressure will be less than atmospheric pressure, and the pressure drop in the inner cavity 510 is the greatest. At this time, the external space, the drying tube 100 and the inner cavity 510 can form an operating condition in which the gas pressure decreases sequentially, so that the gas enters the inner cavity 510 sequentially through the external space, the first exchange section 200, the drying tube 100 and the second exchange section 300. Furthermore, the desiccant 110 in the drying tube 100 can absorb the moisture in the gas.

[0026] It should be noted that during prolonged periods of inactivity, the gas flow between the inner cavity 510, the drying tube 100, and the external space is minimal.

[0027] As can be seen from the above, the drying device of this application can not only absorb excess moisture inside the housing 500, but also dry the gas entering the housing 500 from the external space. Most importantly, the drying device can use the heat generated by the temperature rise after the vehicle lights are turned on to expel the moisture in the desiccant 110, and use the air pressure difference to make the moisture exit through the control valve 400 and the drying tube 100. This not only prevents moisture from flowing back into the inner cavity 510, but also allows the desiccant 110 to be recycled, effectively increasing the service life of the drying device.

[0028] In one embodiment, the sidewall of the drying tube 100 is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0029] Specifically, the sidewall of the drying tube 100 can be made of glass, resin, or transparent plastic, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0030] This design allows the headlights to shine through the side wall of the drying tube 100 into the drying tube 100, which helps to increase the heating rate of the desiccant 110 inside the drying tube 100 and accelerate the evaporation of moisture.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first exchange section 200 is a breathable membrane, and the diameter A of the breathable pores of the breathable membrane satisfies 0.05μm≤A≤5.0μm.

[0032] Specifically, the materials of breathable membranes may include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polyurethane (PU), etc., which will not be listed here.

[0033] This design allows gas from the external space to enter the drying tube 100 through the first exchange section 200 and, after being dried by the desiccant 110, enter the inner cavity 510, thus balancing the pressure difference between the inner cavity 510 and the external space. Furthermore, because the diameter of the pores in the breathable membrane is less than 5 micrometers, large-diameter liquids such as droplets from the external space cannot enter the drying tube 100 through the first exchange section 200, which helps extend the service life of the drying tube 100.

[0034] It is understandable that the water vapor such as droplets evaporated by the desiccant 110 does not need to enter the external space through the first exchange section 200, but directly enters the external space through the control valve 400. Therefore, setting the first exchange section 200 as a breathable membrane will not affect the discharge of water vapor in the drying tube 100.

[0035] However, it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the first exchange unit 200 can also be a differential pressure control valve 400 structure. Specifically, when the gas pressure of the drying tube 100 is less than the gas pressure of the external space, the differential pressure control valve 400 structure opens so that the gas in the external space can enter the drying tube 100 through the differential pressure control valve 400 structure.

[0036] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first exchange section 200 is disposed at the end opening of the drying tube 100 away from the inner cavity 510.

[0037] This arrangement facilitates the assembly of the breathable membrane and the drying tube 100, and can increase the coverage area of ​​the breathable membrane.

[0038] However, this is not the only embodiment. In other embodiments, the first exchange unit 200 may also be disposed on the side wall of the drying tube 100.

[0039] In one embodiment, the second exchange section 300 is a breathable membrane, and the diameter B of the breathable pores of the breathable membrane satisfies 0.05μm≤B≤5.0μm.

[0040] This design serves two purposes. First, it facilitates gas exchange between the inner cavity 510 and the drying tube 100 via the second exchange section 300, thereby balancing the pressure difference between them. Second, because the diameter of the pores in the breathable membrane is less than 5 micrometers, large-diameter liquids, such as droplets evaporated from the drying tube 100 when heated, cannot enter the inner cavity 510 through the second exchange section 300, thus preventing water vapor backflow.

[0041] It is understandable that, since the inner cavity 510 is close to the lamp tube, the temperature of the inner cavity 510 is higher, and the moisture in the inner cavity 510 can be turned into gaseous water vapor and then enter the drying tube 100 through the second exchange section 300.

[0042] In other embodiments, the second exchange unit 300 may also be a solenoid valve structure. By providing a pressure sensor and a humidity sensor in the inner cavity 510 and the drying tube 100 respectively, when the humidity in the inner cavity 510 is greater than the humidity in the drying tube 100, or when the air pressure in the inner cavity 510 is not equal to the air pressure in the drying tube 100, the controller can control the solenoid valve structure to open so that the gas in the drying tube 100 and the gas in the inner cavity 510 can flow to each other.

[0043] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the second exchange section 300 is disposed at the end opening of the drying tube 100 away from the external space.

[0044] This arrangement facilitates the assembly of the breathable membrane and the drying tube 100, and can increase the coverage area of ​​the breathable membrane.

[0045] However, this is not the only embodiment. In other embodiments, the second exchange section 300 may also be disposed on the side wall of the drying tube 100.

[0046] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane of the first exchange section 200 is smaller than the total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane of the second exchange section 300.

[0047] It should be noted that the total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane refers to the sum of the flow areas of all the pores.

[0048] With this configuration, when the humidity of the external space is greater than that of the drying tube 100, the amount of gas exchanged between the drying tube 100 and the external space through the first exchange section 200 can be reduced, thus delaying the absorption of water vapor from the external space by the desiccant 110.

[0049] However, this is not the only one. In other embodiments, the total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane of the first exchange section 200 may also be greater than or equal to the total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane of the second exchange section 300.

[0050] In one embodiment, the control valve 400 is a one-way valve structure, so that gas can flow unidirectionally from the drying tube 100 to the external space.

[0051] This configuration prevents gases from entering the drying tube 100 through the control valve 400 and avoids moisture from the external space contaminating the desiccant 110.

[0052] However, this is not the only embodiment. In other embodiments, the control valve 400 may also be a solenoid valve structure, and the opening and closing of the solenoid valve structure may be controlled by a controller.

[0053] In one embodiment, the control valve 400 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the drying tube 100, and the control valve 400 is disposed at one end of the drying tube 100 near the housing 500.

[0054] Since the control valve 400 is located at the end of the drying tube 100 that extends out of the housing 500, the control valve 400 is positioned approximately in the center of the drying tube 100, which facilitates the rapid discharge of moisture from the entire drying tube 100.

[0055] However, this is not the only embodiment. In other embodiments, the control valve 400 may also be located at the middle of the portion of the drying tube 100 extending out of the housing 500, or it may be located at the end of the portion of the drying tube 100 extending out of the housing 500 that is away from the housing 500.

[0056] In one embodiment, the drying tube 100 includes an inner tube portion 120 and an outer tube portion 130. The inner tube portion 120 is disposed on the side of the housing 500 facing the inner cavity 510, and the outer tube portion 130 is disposed on the side of the housing 500 facing the external space. The inner tube portion 120 and the outer tube portion 130 are detachably connected and communicate with each other, and a desiccant 110 is disposed in the inner tube portion 120 and the outer tube portion 130, respectively.

[0057] Specifically, the inner tube 120 and the outer tube 130 can be connected by threads, by snap-fit, or by fasteners.

[0058] Because the desiccant 110 on the side of the drying tube 100 closer to the external space is closer to the external space, it absorbs more water vapor. Furthermore, because the desiccant 110 on the side of the drying tube 100 closer to the external space is farther from the heat source of the vehicle headlights, the evaporation efficiency of the moisture in the outer desiccant 110 is lower.

[0059] By dividing the drying tube 100 into a detachable inner tube section 120 and an outer tube section 130, the desiccant 110 inside the outer tube section 130 can be dried separately by disassembly, which helps to improve the service life of the entire drying device.

[0060] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the inner tube portion 120 has a longer length along the axial direction of the drying tube 100 than the outer tube portion 130 has along the axial direction of the drying tube 100.

[0061] This design has two advantages. First, it reduces the length of the drying tube 100 protruding from the housing 500, which is beneficial to the overall aesthetics of the headlight and reduces interference from external factors on the outer tube 130, thus improving the assembly stability of the drying tube 100. Second, it increases the depth to which the drying tube 100 extends into the housing 500, which in turn allows moisture deep within the housing 500 to quickly enter the drying tube 100.

[0062] Preferably, the ratio of the length M of the inner tube portion 120 along the axial direction of the drying tube 100 to the length N of the outer tube portion 130 along the axial direction of the drying tube 100 satisfies 1 / 2. <M / N≤2。

[0063] However, this is not the only possibility. In other embodiments, M and N may be equal, or N may be greater than M.

[0064] In one embodiment, there are multiple control valves 400, which are spaced apart circumferentially along the drying tube 100.

[0065] This design facilitates the rapid discharge of moisture generated by the evaporation of desiccant 110 within the drying tube 100 through the control valve 400.

[0066] This application also provides a vehicle lamp, which includes a light source, a housing 500 and a drying device as described in any of the above embodiments. The housing 500 has an inner cavity 510, the light source is disposed in the inner cavity 510, and the visible light emitted by the light source has a thermal effect.

[0067] It should be noted that, in addition to defogging car lights, the drying device can also be used to remove moisture from other heat-sensitive components, such as cameras. The drying device can heat the desiccant 110 through the camera's heating element.

[0068] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0069] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

[0070] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0071] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0072] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0073] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0074] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0075] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus, characterized in that, The device includes a drying tube (100), a first exchange section (200), a second exchange section (300), and a control valve (400). The drying tube (100) contains a desiccant (110). One end of the drying tube (100) can be inserted into a housing (500) and communicates with the inner cavity (510) of the housing (500) through the second exchange section (300). The other end of the drying tube (100) can extend out of the housing (500) and communicate with the external space through the first exchange section (200). The control valve (400) is located at the end of the drying tube (100) that extends out of the housing (500). When the humidity of the gas in the inner cavity (510) is greater than that in the drying tube (100), the moisture in the inner cavity (510) can enter the drying tube (100) through the second exchange section (300) and be absorbed by the desiccant (110). When the air temperature of the inner cavity (510), the air temperature of the drying tube (100) and the air temperature of the external space decrease sequentially, the gas in the inner cavity (510) can enter the external space sequentially through the second exchange section (300), the drying tube (100) and the control valve (400), and the moisture in the desiccant (110) can evaporate and enter the external space through the control valve (400); When the temperature of the inner cavity (510), the temperature of the drying tube (100) and the temperature of the external space increase sequentially, the gas in the external space can enter the inner cavity (510) sequentially through the first exchange section (200), the drying tube (100) and the second exchange section (300), and the desiccant (110) can absorb the moisture in the gas.

2. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first exchange unit (200) is a breathable membrane, and the diameter A of the breathable pores of the breathable membrane satisfies 0.05μm≤A≤5.0μm; And / or, the second exchange section (300) is a breathable membrane, and the diameter B of the breathable membrane's pores satisfies 0.05μm≤B≤5.0μm.

3. The drying apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first exchange section (200) is located at the end opening of the drying tube (100) away from the inner cavity (510); And / or, the second exchange section (300) is disposed at the end opening of the drying tube (100) away from the external space.

4. The drying apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane of the first exchange section (200) is smaller than the total flow area of ​​the breathable membrane of the second exchange section (300).

5. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drying tube (100) includes an inner tube (120) and an outer tube (130). The inner tube (120) is disposed on the side of the housing (500) facing the inner cavity (510), and the outer tube (130) is disposed on the side of the housing (500) facing the external space. The inner tube (120) and the outer tube (130) are detachably connected and communicate with each other. A desiccant (110) is disposed in the inner tube (120) and the outer tube (130).

6. The drying apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner tube (120) is longer along the axial direction of the drying tube (100) than the outer tube (130) is longer along the axial direction of the drying tube (100).

7. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control valve (400) is a one-way valve structure, which allows gas to flow unidirectionally from the drying tube (100) to the external space.

8. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of control valves (400) is multiple, and the multiple control valves (400) are arranged at circumferential intervals along the drying tube (100).

9. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sidewall of the drying tube (100) is a light-transmitting element.

10. A vehicle light, characterized in that, The device includes a light source, a housing (500), and a drying apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing (500) has an inner cavity (510), the light source is disposed in the inner cavity (510), and the visible light emitted by the light source has a thermal effect.

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