Ventilation device with antenna

Abstract

Vent (1) for attachment to a housing wall (2) with an opening (12), wherein the vent (1) comprises the following: a body section (3) comprising a wall (4) with an inner surface (5) that defines at least part of a central vent passage (6) to allow gas to flow through the vent (1), Fastening means (9) for attaching the vent (1) to the housing wall (2), a cover (22) arranged at a first axial end (19) of the body section (3) to cover the central vent passage (6), at least one opening (25) at a first axial end (19) of the body section (3) for the escape of gas from the vent (1), wherein an antenna (7) is attached to the inner surface of the wall (4) of the body section (3).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The invention relates to a venting device according to claim 1. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A vent can be attached to an opening in the housing of various devices, for example electronic control units (ECUs), inverters or converters, to ensure ventilation of the housing.

[0003] A known venting system from the prior art is disclosed in EP 3 618 589 A1. This discloses a support element that is clamped into an opening in a surface of a housing. The support element has a central opening through which gas can flow. The support element is provided with a cover that is clamped onto it and prevents foreign substances from entering the central opening directly in the axial direction. The venting system is also provided with an air-permeable membrane that is arranged between the cover and the support element. The venting system is thus able to prevent the ingress of foreign substances such as dust, water, oil, and salt into the interior of the housing while simultaneously ensuring ventilation between the interior and exterior of the housing.

[0004] Further venting devices are known from the prior art. From DE 100 53 681 A1, a waterproof plastic body with a waterproof, gas-permeable membrane for electronic housings is known, which is shielded against the ingress and egress of electromagnetic waves while simultaneously exhibiting high gas permeability.

[0005] From DE 10 2007 012 703 A1, a pressure equalization element is known which can be attached to a mounting opening, in particular a vent dome, of a housing. A cup-shaped cover element with a base and a cylindrical wall is provided. An adapter part has a through bore, the opening of which, facing the base of the cover element, has cross-shaped ribs. The ribs serve to support a filter element covering the opening.

[0006] A venting device is known from WO 2018 / 183 804 A1. The venting device has a housing that defines a cavity, a first end, a second end, and a coupling structure towards the second end. A mounting surface is positioned around the central axis between the first end and the second end within the cavity. The mounting surface defines a valve opening and a vent opening, wherein the vent opening is located around the central axis (X) and the valve opening comprises a plurality of openings that define a segmented ring around the central axis. A vent is connected to the mounting surface via the vent opening.

[0007] A combined waterproof ventilation valve is known from CN 1 11 022 725 A. This combined waterproof, breathable valve consists of a valve body and a breathable membrane, with an airflow channel arranged within the valve body. The valve has a threaded body in the form of a bolt, with a head section positioned at the top and a rod section positioned at the bottom. The external thread is located on the outer side wall of the rod section. The outer diameter of the head section is larger than that of the rod section. A first airflow channel, extending upwards and downwards, is formed within the threaded body, and the upper opening of the first airflow channel is provided with the support frame. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The venting according to the invention, as defined in claim 1, improves the options for the arrangement or mounting of electronics within a housing by providing a multifunctional venting system.

[0009] This is achieved according to the invention with a vent for attachment to a housing wall with an opening, wherein the vent comprises: a body section comprising a wall with an inner surface defining at least part of a central vent passage to allow gas to flow through the vent, fastening means for attaching the vent to the housing wall, a cover arranged at a first axial end of the body section to cover the central vent passage, at least one opening at a first axial end of the body section for the escape of gas from the vent, wherein an antenna is attached to the inner surface of the wall of the body section.

[0010] Thus, instead of creating space for an antenna inside the housing of an electronic device, the antenna is provided attached to the vent. Since the vent can be supplied with a pre-assembled antenna, the installation of an electronic device is simplified, as the vent can simply be attached to the housing and only the antenna's feed cable needs to be connected to the electronic device inside the housing.

[0011] The inner surface of the wall of the body section is the surface of the wall section facing the central vent. The axial direction is the direction perpendicular to the housing wall to which the vent is to be attached.

[0012] The antenna is preferably a printed circuit board (PCB) antenna, with the PCB attached to the inner surface of the wall of the housing section. The term PCB antenna also includes antennas for flexible printed circuit boards (FCBs). The PCB can be attached to the inner surface of the wall section using suitable means, for example, adhesive. The PCB antenna is thus located inside the vent and is therefore protected from damage during transport and assembly of the vent into a housing.

[0013] The antenna is preferably a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth antenna. However, other antenna types are also possible.

[0014] An antenna feed cable is connected at one end to feed points on the PCB and extends axially from the central vent at a second end of the body section. If the vent is located on a housing wall, the feed cable thus extends into the housing to be connected to an electronic device. The feed cable is preferably a coaxial cable.

[0015] The fastening device for attaching the vent to a housing wall comprises a plurality of resilient leg sections extending axially from the wall, each leg section including a projection or hook at its distal end. The resilient leg sections deform when the vent is pressed axially into the opening in the housing wall. The leg sections extend through the opening, and the projections or hooks at their distal ends engage an inward-facing surface of the housing wall. Thus, the vent can be securely fastened simply by pressing it axially into the opening in the housing wall.

[0016] The vent is provided with a seal, preferably an annular seal, arranged circumferentially around the body section. The seal forms an airtight seal between the body section of the vent and the housing wall when the vent is mounted on the housing wall.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the wall of the body section has a rectangular cross-section that defines the central vent passage with a rectangular cross-section.

[0018] The central ventilation opening, which has a rectangular shape, facilitates the mounting of a PCB antenna on the inner surface of the wall of the body section within the central opening. The PCB can thus be attached to a flat inner surface of the wall of the body section.

[0019] The fastening means can alternatively include providing the outer surface of the body section wall with a thread. In this case, the body section wall has a circular cross-section. The thread can either engage with an internal thread in the opening of the housing wall, allowing the vent to be screwed into the opening, or a nut can be screwed onto the thread, clamping the housing wall between the nut and the vent body section. If the vent is secured by a screw connection, the inner surface of the body section wall can be provided with a flat area extending over the PCB area to facilitate PCB mounting.

[0020] The vent cover is preferably attached to the body section by a clamp or a snap-fit ​​connection. The clamp or snap-fit ​​connection can be provided by resilient parts of the cover or the body section that deform when the cover is pressed onto the body section and snap into a corresponding part of the cover or body section in a specific relative position. In one embodiment, the cover is provided with a plurality of resilient arms extending axially from the cover. The arms have projections or hooks at their distal ends that engage in a locking manner with the body section when the cover is in the engaged position.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first axial end of the body section comprises a flange extending from the wall perpendicular to the axial direction, with a layer of filter material arranged between the cover and the body section. The layer of filter material is, for example, an air-permeable membrane. The membrane may be partially supported by the flange of the body section.

[0022] The cover prevents foreign substances from directly penetrating the passage in an axial direction and, together with the body section, defines lateral vent openings through which gas can escape. The body section may include an end wall at its first axial end, which may be provided with a plurality of openings. This end wall may serve as additional support for the filter material. Alternatively, a support grid may be provided on the body section to support the filter material while allowing gas to enter and exit through the central vent opening. The cover may also include at least one projection extending axially toward the central vent opening to securely attach the filter material to the body section while allowing gas to flow over the surface of the filter material.

[0023] The body section and the cover are preferably made of a plastic material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments will now be described in more detail in a purely exemplary manner and with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view of a vent according to an embodiment of the invention is, Fig. 2 an exploded view of a vent according to the invention is, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a vent according to the invention is, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a vent according to a further embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show a vent 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The vent 1 can be attached to the housing of an electronic device. A portion of the housing wall 2 is indicated in the figures by a dashed line. The electronic device can be, for example, an inverter or converter, or an onboard charger, which may require communication means for communication with other components or control units.

[0026] The vent 1 comprises a body section 3 having an axially extending wall 4 with an inner surface 5 that defines at least a portion of a central vent passage 6 through which gas can flow. The vent passage 6 extends in the axial direction 8, which is perpendicular to the wall 2 of the housing of the electronic device. According to the invention, an antenna 7 is attached to the inner surface 5 of the wall 4 of the body section 3. The antenna is preferably a Wi-Fi 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 antenna (PCB antenna), wherein the PCB is attached to the inner surface of the wall 4 of the body section 3. The term PCB antenna also includes antennas with flexible printed circuit boards (FCBs).The PCB can be attached to the inner surface of wall 4 using any suitable means, for example, adhesive or clamps. Since the PCB antenna 7 is located inside the vent 1, it is protected from damage during transport and during the installation of the vent on a housing wall 2.

[0027] The housing of an electronic device therefore does not need to provide space for an internal antenna. The antenna 7 is instead provided attached to the vent 1. Since the vent 1 can be supplied with the antenna 7 pre-assembled, mounting an electronic device is simplified, as the vent 1 can simply be attached to the housing and only the antenna 7's feed cable 29 needs to be connected to the electronic device located inside the housing. The antenna feed cable 29 is connected at one end to feed points on the PCB antenna 7 and exits at a second axial end 30 of the body section 3 from the central vent passage 6. Thus, when the vent 1 is attached to a housing wall 2, the feed cable 29 extends into the housing to be connected to an electronic device. The feed cable is a coaxial cable.The vent 1 further comprises fastening means 9 for attaching the vent to the housing wall 2. In an embodiment, which is shown in the . Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fastening means 9 comprises a plurality of resilient leg sections 10 extending axially 8 from the wall 4 of the body section 3, each leg section 10 including a projection 11 or hook at its distal end 13. The resilient leg sections 10 deform when the vent 1 is pressed axially into an opening 12 of the housing wall 2. The leg sections 10 extend through the opening 12, and the projections 11 or hooks at their distal ends 13 engage an inwardly facing surface 14 of the housing wall 2. Thus, the vent 1 can be securely fastened to the housing wall 2 simply by pressing the vent 1 axially into the opening 12 of the housing wall 2. An annular seal 15 is arranged around the body section 3.The seal 15 forms an airtight seal between the body section 3 of the vent 1 and the housing wall 2 when the vent 1 is attached to the housing wall. The seal 15 rests against an axially oriented end face of the wall 4 and radially surrounds the leg sections 10 or an axially extending lip provided on the wall 4.

[0028] The wall 4 of body section 3 has a rectangular cross-section, which defines the central vent passage 6, also with a rectangular cross-section. The rectangular shape facilitates the attachment of the PCB antenna 7 to the inner surface 5 of wall 4 of body section 3 within the central passage 6. The PCB can thus be attached to a flat inner surface 5 of the wall of body section 3. The opening 12 in the housing wall 2 also has a rectangular shape. However, it would also be possible to design the vent 1 such that it has a body section 3 with a circular cross-section, which can be inserted into a circular opening 12 in a housing wall 2.

[0029] Fig. Figure 4 shows a vent 1 with alternative fastening means 9 for attaching the vent 1 to the housing wall 2. The outer surface 16 of the wall 14 of the body section 3 is provided with a thread 17. In this case, the wall 4 of the body section 3 has a circular cross-section. The thread 17 can either engage with an internal thread in the opening of the housing wall 2, allowing the vent to be screwed into the opening 12. Alternatively, a nut 18 can be screwed onto the thread 17, clamping the housing wall 2 between the nut 18 and the body section 3 of the vent 1. If the vent 1 is fastened by a screw connection, the inner surface of the wall of the body section can be provided with a flat surface 5 extending over the area of ​​the PCB to facilitate PCB mounting.

[0030] A cover 22 is arranged at a first axial end 19 of the body section 3 to cover the central vent passage 6. The vent cover 22 is preferably attached to the body section 3 by a clamp or a snap-fit ​​connection. The clamp or snap-fit ​​connection is provided by resilient parts 23 of the cover 22 or of the body section 3, which deform when the cover 22 is pressed onto the body section and snap into a corresponding part of the cover or body section in a specific relative position. In the embodiment shown, the cover 22 is provided with a plurality of resilient arms 23 extending axially 8 from the cover 22. The resilient arms 23 are distributed around the circumference of the cover 22 and have a projection 24 or a hook at their distal ends, which engages in a locking manner in the body section 3 when the cover is in the engaged position.The cover 22 in the version in the . Fig. 1 to 3 has a rectangular shape, while the cover 22 in the embodiment in Fig. 4 has a round shape.

[0031] In the embodiments described in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first axial end 19 of the body section 3 comprises a flange 20 extending from the wall 4 perpendicular to the axial direction 8. The projections 24 of the resilient arms 23 are arranged such that they engage in the flange 20 in a locked position. In the embodiment shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the seal 15 rests against an axially directed surface of the flange 20 and is clamped between the flange 20 and the housing wall 2 when the vent is attached to the housing wall 2.

[0032] A layer of filter material 21 is arranged between the cover 22 and the body section 3. The layer of filter material 21 is, for example, a gas-permeable membrane that allows gas to pass through the vent 1 and prevents water or foreign particles or substances from passing through the vent 1. The membrane 21 can be partially supported by the flange 20 of the body section 3. The cover 22, together with the body section 3, further defines lateral vent openings 25 so that gas can flow past the cover 22 through the vent 1. The body section 3 includes an end wall 26 at the first axial end 19 of the body section 3, the end wall 26 being provided with a plurality of openings 27. This end wall 26 serves as further support for the filter material 21.Alternatively, a support grid can be provided integrally or as a separate part on the body section 3, providing support for the filter material 21 while simultaneously allowing gas to enter and exit through the central vent passage 6. The cover 22 also includes at least one projection 28 extending axially 8 toward the central vent passage 6 to securely fasten the filter material 21 to the body section 3 while allowing gas to flow over the surface of the filter material 21. The filter material 21 is clamped between the at least one projection 28 of the cover and the end wall 26 of the body section 3. The body section 3 and the vent cover 22 are made of a plastic material. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1. Vent 2 Housing wall 3 Body section 4 Wall of the body section 5 interior surface 6 central ventilation duct 7 Antenna 8 axial direction 9 Fasteners 10 resilient leg section 11 lead 12 Opening 13 distal end 14 Area 15 Seal 16 outdoor area 17 threads 18 Mother 19 first axial end 20 flange 21 Filter material 22 Cover 23 spring arm 24 lead 25 side vent openings 26 End wall 27 openings 28 lead 29 supply cables 30 second axial end

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