Ventilation unit for supplying and extracting air from an interior space

Abstract

Ventilation unit (100) for the supply and exhaust of an interior space (210), in particular for the supply and exhaust of an interior space (210) of a gearbox or oil reservoir, comprising a base body (10), a valve (30), a sealing element (20) and at least one mounting element (18), wherein the base body (10) has a fluid-permeable flow opening (22) for ventilating the interior (210) with a filter area (24) which at least partially fills the flow opening (22) and is substantially fluid-tight connected to the base body (10), wherein the sealing element (20) surrounds the flow opening (22), wherein the valve (30) has a valve body (32) which is arranged on an inner surface (14) facing the interior (210) on the base body (10) in a way that allows for tight closure, wherein a closing element (36) of the valve (30) in the intended installation position (80) keeps a flow path (60) to the flow opening (22) open and closes the flow path (60) to the flow opening (22) from a tilting angle (72) relative to a direction of gravity (70), characterized in that the valve (30) has the closing element (36) and a spring element (38) in an interior (34) of the valve body (32), and that the closing element (36) is in an open position (40) in the direction of gravity (70) due to its own weight in the intended installation position (80) against a preload of the spring element (38), and that the closing element (36) is in a closed position (42) from the tilting angle (72) relative to the direction of gravity (70) against its own weight with the preload of the spring element (38).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a ventilation unit for the ventilation of an interior space, in particular for the ventilation of an interior space of a gearbox or oil reservoir. State of the art

[0002] Venting units are used for venting and purging gearboxes and oil reservoirs. An additional pre-filter is typically used to protect the vent membrane from oil. Oil foam or oil droplets must not come into contact with the membrane, as this would clog its pores and render it ineffective.

[0003] WO 2011 / 058 571 A1 discloses by way of example a venting assembly for a mechanically closed environment, consisting of a body with a circular, centrally oriented intake and exhaust chamber, several ball valves, several diamond-polished valve seats, spacers, a spring and a cap for covering the body, an air and oil filter for intake of fresh air housed in the side chamber of the body, and an oil vapor-impregnated oil filter for exhaust air, which is arranged above the chamber. The intake and exhaust chamber is hermetically sealed by the ball valves in a tilted or inverted position, so that no air or water can enter the chamber.

[0004] US Patent 2,113,454 A describes a vent valve for a container which closes automatically when the container is tilted from a vertical position.

[0005] From FR 1 014 869 A a safety device with a main valve and an auxiliary valve is known.

[0006] DE 10 2016 105 025 A1 describes a valve for venting / ventilating a transmission or fuel tank of a vehicle, wherein a valve body in a closed position seals against a valve seat, with an actuating unit for the valve body that is movable in a plane of movement and which changes its position in the valve housing from a certain tilt angle of the vehicle and thereby pushes the valve body into the closed position.

[0007] From DE 102019 134 788 A1 a pressure equalization valve is known which is connected to a unit via a press fitting. Disclosure of the invention

[0008] One object of the invention is to provide a ventilation unit for the ventilation of an interior space, in particular for the ventilation of an interior space of a gearbox or oil reservoir.

[0009] The aforementioned problem is solved according to one aspect of the invention with a ventilation unit for ventilating and aerating an interior space, in particular for ventilating and aerating an interior space of a gearbox or oil reservoir, comprising a base body, a valve, a sealing element and at least one mounting element, wherein the base body has a fluid-permeable flow opening for ventilating and aerating the interior space with a filter area which at least partially fills the flow opening and is substantially fluid-tightly connected to the base body, wherein the sealing element surrounds the flow opening, and wherein the valve has a valve body which is arranged on an inner surface facing the interior space in a way that allows for a tight seal on the base body.wherein a closing element of the valve, in its intended installation position, keeps a flow path to the flow opening open and, from a certain tilting angle relative to a direction of gravity, closes the flow path to the flow opening, wherein the valve has the closing element and a spring element in an interior of the valve body, and wherein the closing element, in its intended installation position, is in an open position due to its own weight in the direction of gravity against a preload of the spring element, and the closing element, from a certain tilting angle relative to the direction of gravity, is in a closed position due to its own weight and the preload of the spring element.

[0010] Favorable embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, a venting unit for ventilating and aerating an interior space, in particular for ventilating and aerating the interior space of a gearbox or oil reservoir, is proposed, comprising a base body, a valve, a sealing element, and at least one mounting element. The base body has a fluid-permeable flow opening for ventilating and aerating the interior space, with a filter area that at least partially fills the flow opening and is substantially fluid-tightly connected to the base body, the sealing element surrounding the flow opening. The valve has a valve body that is arranged on an inner surface facing the interior space of the base body in a way that allows for a tight seal.In this design, a valve's closing element, when properly installed, keeps a flow path to the flow opening open and closes the flow path to the flow opening at a certain tilt angle relative to gravity. The valve body contains the closing element and a spring element. In its proper installation position, the closing element can be held in an open position by its own weight against the force of gravity, contrary to the spring element's preload. At a certain tilt angle relative to gravity, the closing element is held in a closed position against its own weight, also due to the spring element's preload.

[0012] When installed, the interior of, for example, an oil reservoir, oil tank, or gearbox is vented and aerated via the filter section, which may include a pre-separator element and a membrane. The sealing element, for example, a ball made of stainless steel, is held in the open position by its own weight.

[0013] As soon as the oil container is tilted or rotated, the valve is closed via the sealing element by means of a spring element before the oil reaches the filter area.

[0014] If the oil reservoir is tilted or turned upside down, for example during assembly or if a vehicle rolls over, the valve is closed by the weight of the sealing element, the spring element and the hydrostatic oil pressure.

[0015] In the proposed venting unit, the valve is integrated inside the unit in front of the filter area, which advantageously prevents oil from reaching the membrane through the pre-separator element in the event of a rollover during operation or assembly.

[0016] This ensures that the function of the ventilation unit can be maintained, for example, even in the event of a vehicle rollover or after a 180° rotation around the longitudinal axis during engine or vehicle assembly in the production plant.

[0017] This advantageously prevents the flow of oil through the pre-separation element and the wetting of the membrane by large quantities of oil.

[0018] According to a favorable embodiment of the venting unit, the filter section can include a pre-separator element and a membrane, with the membrane facing away from the inside. In particular, the membrane can be a semipermeable membrane, permeable to gaseous media but impermeable to liquid media and / or solid particles. In this way, the pre-separator element protects the membrane from being wetted by oil droplets or oil foam during normal operation. Conversely, the membrane prevents water from the outside from entering the interior. The membrane can, for example, be made of Teflon. The pre-separator element can, for example, be designed as a sponge or as a nonwoven fabric with fibers.

[0019] If the oil reservoir is tilted or turned upside down, for example during assembly or in the event of a vehicle rollover, the valve is advantageously closed by the weight of the sealing element, the preload of the spring element, and the hydrostatic oil pressure before the oil can wet the pre-separator element or the diaphragm. This advantageously prevents the oil from passing through the pre-separator element and reaching the diaphragm.

[0020] According to a favorable embodiment of the venting unit, the valve body can have a valve seat, wherein the closing element is arranged on a side of the valve seat facing away from the inside of the base body, and the spring element is arranged on the side of the closing element facing away from the inside of the base body. In particular, the spring element can be a compression spring, especially a coil spring. Thus, when the container on which the venting unit is mounted is tilted, the closing element can be pressed into the valve seat by means of the preload of the spring element, supported by the closing element's own weight, thereby closing the valve.

[0021] According to a favorable embodiment of the venting unit, the valve body can have a cover element on the side facing away from the inside of the base body, which seals the interior of the valve body containing the sealing element and the spring element. In particular, the spring element can be supported by the cover element. The cover element can advantageously serve to mount the valve and to support the spring element.

[0022] According to a favorable embodiment of the venting unit, the cover element can have at least one drain opening. In particular, the at least one drain opening can be arranged centrally in the cover element. In this way, it can be ensured that any oil that has entered the valve body can drain out again as soon as the valve is back in its normal installation position.

[0023] According to a favorable design of the venting unit, the cover element can surround the valve body from a radial outer side. Advantageously, the cover element can thus provide additional splash protection, preventing oil splashes from entering the filter area.

[0024] In a favorable design of the venting unit, the cover element can have one or more slots extending along the radial outer surface of the valve body. These slots allow free airflow in both directions, thus enabling the necessary ventilation of the interior.

[0025] According to a favorable design of the venting unit, the valve body can have one or more axially extending openings in its outer wall. These openings allow free airflow in both directions, thus enabling the necessary ventilation of the interior.

[0026] According to a favorable design of the venting unit, the base body can have a cover element on its outer surface to provide a flow-open covering for the flow-through opening. This protects the membrane from damage from the outside. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Further advantages become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations. The following are shown as examples: Fig. 1 an isometric representation of a ventilation unit for the supply and exhaust of an interior space, in particular for the supply and exhaust of an interior space of a gearbox or oil reservoir, according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the ventilation unit to Fig. 1 in a suitable installation position; Fig. 3 a longitudinal section through the ventilation unit to Fig. 1 in an upside-down position; Fig. 4 an isometric representation of a venting unit according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 a longitudinal section through the ventilation unit to Fig. 4 in the intended installation position; Fig. 6 a longitudinal section through the ventilation unit according to Fig. 4 in the head-down position; Fig. 7 a longitudinal section through a container with the venting unit according to Fig. 4 in an upright position; Fig. 8. the container Fig. 7 in a position tilted relative to a direction of gravity; and Fig. 9 the container after Fig. 7 in an upside-down position opposite the direction of gravity. Embodiments of the invention

[0028] In the figures, identical or similar components are numbered with the same reference symbols. The figures merely show examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0029] To explain the invention, Fig. 1 an isometric representation of a ventilation unit 100 for the supply and exhaust of an interior space 210, in particular for the supply and exhaust of an interior space 210 of a gearbox or oil reservoir, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through the ventilation unit 100 in its intended installation position 80.

[0030] The venting unit 100 comprises a base body 10, a valve 30, a sealing element 20 and at least one mounting element 18.

[0031] The base body 10 has a fluid-permeable flow opening 22 for ventilating the interior 210, with a filter area 24 that at least partially fills the flow opening 22 and is substantially fluid-tightly connected to the base body 10. The sealing element 20 surrounds the flow opening 22 and serves to seal the base body 10 against a wall of the interior 210, for example, against a wall of the container 200, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown.

[0032] The filter area 24 has a pre-separation element 26 and a membrane 28. The membrane 28 is arranged facing away from the inner side 14.

[0033] The membrane 28 can advantageously be a semipermeable membrane, which is permeable to gaseous media and impermeable to liquid media and / or solid particles. The membrane can, for example, have Teflon.

[0034] The valve 30 has a valve body 32 which is arranged on an inner side 14 facing the interior 210 on the base body 10 in a way that allows for tight sealing.

[0035] At the in Fig. In the intended installation position 80 shown in Figure 2, the direction of gravity 70 is directed axially 16 towards the interior 210, so that a closing element 36 of the valve 30 is pressed in the direction of gravity 70 by its own weight, thus keeping a flow path 60 open to the flow opening 22. The flow path 60 through the valve 30 and the filter area 24 with pre-separation element 26 and diaphragm 28 is symbolized by an arrow. The closing element 36 of the valve 30 is designed as a sphere, for example a stainless steel sphere, but can also have a different shape.

[0036] The valve body 32 further has one or more openings 46 extending in the axial direction 16 in its outer wall 33, through which a free passage of air for venting and de-ventilating the interior 210 is possible, but when the container with the attached venting unit 100 is tilted, a passage of a liquid such as oil located in the interior is also possible.

[0037] The valve 30 therefore has a closing element 36 and a spring element 38 in an interior space 34 of the valve body 32. In its intended installation position 80, the closing element 36, due to its own weight, is in an open position 40 in the direction of gravity 70, against the preload of the spring element 38.

[0038] The valve body 32 has a valve seat 44, for example in the form of a frustoconical taper of the interior 34 of the valve body 32. The closing element 36 is arranged on a side of the valve seat 44 facing away from the inner surface 14 of the base body 10. The spring element 38 is arranged on the side of the closing element 36 facing away from the inner surface 14 of the base body 10.

[0039] The spring element 38 can, for example, be a compression spring, in particular a coil spring.

[0040] The valve body 32 has a cover element 48 on the side facing away from the inner side 14 of the base body 10, which closes off the interior 34 of the valve body 32 containing the closure element 36 and the spring element 38. The spring element 38 is supported on the cover element 48.

[0041] Furthermore, the base body 10 has a cover element 13 on its outer surface 12 for the flow-open covering of the flow opening 22. This prevents damage to the membrane 28 from mechanical impact from the outside.

[0042] In this embodiment, the mounting elements 18 are designed as bores, so that the venting unit 100 can be mounted to a housing by means of bolts.

[0043] Fig. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through the ventilation unit 100. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in an upside-down position 84.

[0044] From a tilt angle 72 relative to a gravity direction 70, the closing element 36 closes the flow path 60 to the flow opening 22. From a tilt angle 72 relative to the gravity direction 70, the closing element 36 is in a closed position 42 against its own weight due to the preload of the spring element 38. The preload of the spring element 38 and the weight of the closing element 36 can be advantageously matched so that the closing element 36 closes the valve seat 44 at a tilt angle 72.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the inverted position 84, in which the tilting angle 72 is 180°. As a result, the closing element 36 is already in the valve seat 44 due to its own weight and is further pressed into the valve seat 44 by the preload of the spring element 38, thus blocking the flow path 60.

[0046] Fig. Figure 4 shows an isometric representation of a venting unit 100 according to a further embodiment of the invention, while in Fig. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section through the ventilation unit 100 in the intended installation position 80.

[0047] The in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. The embodiment shown in section 6 is essentially the same as the one shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment and differs in the differently designed cover element 48.

[0048] The cover element 48 has a centrally arranged drain opening 50 for draining any oil that has penetrated.

[0049] In this embodiment, the cover element 48 surrounds the valve body 32 from a radial outer surface 52. To allow free air passage in order to ensure the ventilation of the interior 210, the cover element 48 has one or more slots 54 extending along the radial outer surface 52 of the valve body 32, which enable air to pass through the openings 46 of the outer wall 33 of the valve body 32 into the interior 34 of the valve body 32.

[0050] Fig. Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section through the ventilation unit 100. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 in the head-down position 84.

[0051] In the head-down position 84 in Fig. 3 The tilt angle is 72 180°. As a result, the closing element 36 is already in the valve seat 44 due to its own weight alone and is further pressed into the valve seat 44 by the preload of the spring element 38, thus blocking the flow path 60.

[0052] Fig. Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section through a container 200 with the venting unit 100. Fig. 4 in an upright position 80.

[0053] The container 200, which can be, for example, an oil container, is approximately half-filled in its interior 210 with a liquid 220, for example, oil. A venting unit 100 is arranged at an opening 212 of the container 200 for venting and aerating the interior 210. The venting unit is screwed to the container 200 by means of bolts 214 in the bores of the mounting elements 18. The sealing of the venting unit 100 to the container 200 is achieved by the sealing element 20, which surrounds the through-opening 22 of the venting unit 100.

[0054] In the upright position 80 in Fig. 7. Due to its own weight, the closing element 36 of the valve 30 is pressed against the spring element 38, opening the flow path 60 through the valve 30. Effective ventilation of the interior 210 can be achieved through the venting unit 100.

[0055] In Fig. 8 is the container 200 after Fig. Figure 7 is shown in a position 70 tilted relative to the direction of gravity 70. The tilt angle 72 relative to the direction of gravity 70 is approximately 45°.

[0056] The liquid level of the liquid 220 in the interior 210 has noticeably tilted due to the tilted position 70, but has not yet touched the valve 30 of the venting unit 100. However, the preload of the spring element 38 has already pressed the sealing element 36 against its own weight into the valve seat 44, so that the flow path 60 for the liquid 220 is blocked. Therefore, if the container 220 is tilted further with a larger tilt angle 72, the liquid 220 cannot reach the filter area 24.

[0057] In Fig. 9 is the container 200 after Fig. 7 shown in an upside-down position 84 opposite the direction of gravity 70, where the tilt angle 72 is 180°.

[0058] Since the valve 30 was already closed at smaller tilt angles 72, it is also ensured in this upside-down position 84 that the liquid 220 does not reach the filter area 24 and thus the membrane 28 cannot be damaged by the liquid. Reference sign 10 basic shapes 12 Outside 13 Cover element 14 Inside 16 axial direction 18 Mounting element 20 sealing elements 22 Flow opening 24 filter area 26 Pre-separation element 28 Membran 30 valve 32 valve bodies 33 Outer wall 34 Interior 36 locking element 38 Spring element 40 Open position 42 Closed position 44 Valve seat 46 Breakthrough 48 Cover element 50 Drain opening 52 radial outer side 54 slots 60 Flow path 70 Gravity direction 72 tilt angles 80 intended installation position 82 tilted position 84 Inverted position 100 ventilation units 200 containers 210 Interior 212 Opening 214 bolts 220 liquid

Claims

[1] Venting unit (100) for venting and aerating an interior space (210), in particular for venting and aerating an interior space (210) of a gearbox or oil reservoir, comprising a base body (10), a valve (30), a sealing element (20) and at least one mounting element (18), wherein the base body (10) has a fluid-permeable flow opening (22) for ventilating the interior (210) with a filter area (24) which at least partially fills the flow opening (22) and is substantially fluid-tight connected to the base body (10), wherein the sealing element (20) surrounds the flow opening (22), wherein the valve (30) has a valve body (32) which is arranged on an inner surface (14) facing the interior (210) on the base body (10) in a way that allows for tight closure, wherein a closing element (36) of the valve (30) in the intended installation position (80) keeps a flow path (60) to the flow opening (22) open and closes the flow path (60) to the flow opening (22) from a tilting angle (72) relative to a direction of gravity (70), characterized by, that the valve (30) has the closing element (36) and a spring element (38) in an interior (34) of the valve body (32), and that the closing element (36) is in an open position (40) in the direction of gravity (70) due to its own weight in the intended installation position (80) against a preload of the spring element (38), and that the closing element (36) is in a closed position (42) from the tilting angle (72) relative to the direction of gravity (70) against its own weight with the preload of the spring element (38). [2] Venting unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter area (24) has a pre-separation element (26) and a membrane (28), wherein the membrane (28) is arranged facing away from the inside (14), in particular wherein the membrane (28) is a semipermeable membrane which is permeable to gaseous media and impermeable to liquid media and / or solid particles. [3] Venting unit according to claim 1 or 2, 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 inside (14) of the base body (10) and the spring element (38) is arranged on the side of the closing element (36) facing away from the inside (14) of the base body (10), in particular wherein the spring element (38) is a compression spring, in particular a coil spring. [4] Venting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (32) has a cover element (48) on the side facing away from the inside (14) of the base body (10), which closes off the interior (34) of the valve body (32) with the closure element (36) and the spring element (38) located therein, in particular wherein the spring element (38) is supported on the cover element (48). [5] Venting unit according to claim 4, wherein the cover element (48) has at least one drain opening (50), in particular wherein the at least one drain opening (50) is arranged centrally in the cover element (48). [6] Venting unit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the cover element (48) surrounds the valve body (32) from a radial outer side (52). [7] Venting unit according to claim 6, wherein the cover element (48) has one or more slots (54) extending along the radial outer side (52) of the valve body (32). [8] Venting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (32) has one or more openings (46) extending in the axial direction (16) in its outer wall (33). [9] Venting unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (10) has on its outer side (12) a cover element (13) for a flow-open covering of the flow opening (22).

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