Shut-off device for a vehicle ventilation system and a vehicle ventilation system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure device (1) for a vehicle ventilation system, particularly in a vehicle with an electric drive and an associated high-voltage battery, and to a vehicle ventilation system. The closure device (1) according to the invention comprises a first closure element (10) and a second closure element (20), which are arranged coaxially to each other on a longitudinal axis (A) and each has a closure cover (11, 21) with openings.The first locking element (10) and / or the second locking element (20) are designed to be rotatable relative to each other by an actuator (30), so that they can be moved from an open position of the locking device (1), in which the openings are at least partially arranged one above the other and form at least one passage (40), to a closed position, in which the openings of the locking elements (10, 20) are covered by the locking cover (11, 21) of the respective other locking element (10, 20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure device for a vehicle ventilation system, in particular in a vehicle with an electric drive and an associated HV battery, and to a vehicle ventilation system.

[0002] Electrically or partially electrically powered vehicles have a so-called HV battery (high-voltage battery), also known as a traction battery, which provides the electrical energy for the electric motors used for propulsion. The HV batteries, or the entire vehicle, must also meet certain requirements in the event of a thermal event (thermal propagation - TPOPA), in which a large amount of energy is suddenly released. These requirements are also known as TPOPA requirements.

[0003] This involves implementing a closure device that is able to release or block a flow path for a quantity of fluid, in particular a quantity of gas.

[0004] Conventional systems often have disadvantages in terms of installation space and compactness, as well as in terms of their robustness against external influences.

[0005] Various systems are known in this context from the prior art. Document CN 118 017 121 A deals with an unmanned multi-purpose vehicle with an integrated explosion-proof enclosure for underground use. Document DE 10 2023 106 417 A1 describes a special emergency venting arrangement for removing gases escaping from a battery cell in a motor vehicle into the environment. Document DE 10 2019 118 182 A1 relates to a special emergency venting valve for a high-voltage battery housing. Document EP 3 916 894 B1 describes a special lower housing with a receiving area for a battery cell. Document DE 10 2024 106 330 A1 describes a special electric vehicle battery assembly. Document US 10 826 037 B2 deals with a special battery device mounted on a vehicle.Document DE 10 2017 214 754 A1 concerns a special device for pressure equalization in a housing.

[0006] Document DE 10 2013 107 382 A1 discloses a hood assembly for a vehicle, consisting of a stationary frame with openings and a rotatable closing slide arranged above it. The closing slide's wings are pushed over the frame's openings by its rotational movement, thus closing the air passage. This movement occurs exclusively in one plane.

[0007] The German patent application DE 44 28 742 A1 also shows an air guide device, which, however, consists of two structurally similar, superimposed plates: a closing plate and a sliding plate. Both plates have openings. Here, too, a purely rotary movement twists one of the plates relative to the other in order to align or offset the respective openings, thereby opening or blocking the airflow.

[0008] Against the background of the prior art described above, the object of the present invention is to provide a closure device for a vehicle ventilation system in which, on the one hand, the required installation space can be optimized, which at the same time represents a robust and easy-to-implement solution, and a vehicle ventilation system itself.

[0009] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the dependent claims.

[0010] The closure device according to the invention for a vehicle ventilation system comprises a first closure element and a second closure element, which are arranged coaxially to each other on a longitudinal axis and each has a closure cover with openings. The first closure element and / or the second closure element are designed to be rotatable relative to each other by an actuator, so that they can be moved from an open position of the closure device, in which the openings are arranged at least partially one above the other and form at least one passage, to a closed position, in which the openings of the closure elements are covered by the closure cover of the respective other closure element.

[0011] Therefore, embodiments of the invention are conceivable in which the first locking element can be rotated against the second locking element, the second locking element against the first locking element, or both locking elements can be rotated against each other.

[0012] In the closed position, no passage is formed by the overlapping openings of the respective closure elements. In the open position, fluids, especially gases, can pass through the closure device via the opening formed by the closure. However, if the device is moved into the closed position by rotating the two closure elements, and the at least one passage is thus closed due to the complementary positions of the openings, fluid flow can be largely prevented. The force for moving the device from the open position to the closed position, or vice versa, is transmitted from the actuator to at least one of the closure elements, in particular by a toothed connection, a worm gear, or a fixed connection. Connections between a drive and a moving element that are common in the prior art are conceivable here.

[0013] Essentially, the locking device consists of two flat locking elements that are rotatably movable relative to each other, allowing the installation space to remain flat regardless of the locking device's state. Furthermore, the principle of these two rotatable locking elements enables the development of robust yet space-saving designs.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the closure elements comprises at least one sealing element, in particular in the form of a sealing lip, which is designed to form a seal between the closure elements and / or to a housing surrounding the closure elements when the closure device is closed. The sealing elements increase the tightness of the closure device, so that fluid flow through the closure device can be largely prevented when the closure device is closed. The sealing element is preferably made of silicone or a similarly thermally resistant material.

[0015] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is one in which the closure covers of the first closure element and the second closure element are formed from circular segment-shaped individual elements, which also have circular segment-shaped openings between them. Such a closure cover thus resembles the shape of a propeller, with the individual rotor blades forming the circular segment-shaped individual elements. In particular, the size of the individual elements is oriented to the size of the openings of the corresponding other closure element, so that the openings of one closure element can be covered by the individual elements of the other closure element when closed. Any number of individual elements is conceivable.The design of the closure covers and the openings between them allows for a simple geometry to create effective closure elements that can also be well sealed against each other. Furthermore, the largest possible opening in the open position can be ensured, thus achieving the best possible effectiveness of the closure device.

[0016] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is one in which the individual elements of the closure cover have axial ribs of at least one of the closure elements that extend towards the corresponding other closure element and are designed to substantially close a gap between the closure elements when closed. The axial ribs can also include sealing elements such as sealing lips, e.g., made of silicone, or similar materials, to prevent fluid passage between the closure elements in their radial direction when the closure device is closed.

[0017] A further advantage of this embodiment is provided if axial ribs are provided on the individual elements of the closure covers of both closure elements, which form a positive fit in a rotational direction when the closure device is closed. Due to the positive fit formed between the axial ribs, the closure elements cannot be moved beyond the closed position in such an embodiment. This contributes to safety by ensuring that the end positions of the closure elements relative to each other are clearly defined when the closure device is closed, thus reducing the likelihood of malfunction. However, the definition of the end position can also be achieved by other means in other embodiments. Furthermore, such an embodiment contributes to a fluid-tight closure of the closure device when closed.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the individual elements of the locking cover are arranged at an angle in the radial direction of the locking elements, starting from the longitudinal axis of the locking device, and are particularly designed and arranged such that, in the closed position of the locking device, an individual element of the first locking cover rests against an individual element of the second locking cover. An angled arrangement exists when the individual elements are not arranged parallel to the direction of rotation, but rather at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In particular, the individual elements of the first locking element and the second locking element are arranged parallel to each other.Such an embodiment, in combination with an axial web that closes the spatial offset in the longitudinal direction to the next individual element of the correspondingly different closure element, offers a particularly simple way to create a sealing arrangement and thus prevent the passage of fluid through the closure device in its closed position. Due to the angled positioning of the individual elements, the use of an axial web to seal the area between the individual elements of the closure elements can be dispensed with compared to embodiments without such positioning.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking device has a gear mechanism designed to generate opposing movements of both locking elements. In this embodiment, both locking elements move in opposite directions. This reduces the time required to move the locking device into the open or closed position. In the event of a thermal event in a battery, this allows for a rapid response and ensures short locking device response times.

[0020] According to the invention, a cam guide is provided, in particular on a housing that radially surrounds the locking elements starting from the longitudinal axis. This cam guide is designed to impose not only a rotational movement on at least one of the locking elements, but also a translational movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis onto at least one of the locking elements. This allows, for example, a simplified seal to be achieved when the locking device is closed, since the two locking elements can be pressed together in overlapping areas of the locking cover. Likewise, an opposite principle is conceivable, in which an actuator in the form of a linear actuator exerts a translational movement on at least one of the locking elements, and a rotational movement is imposed by the cam guide, resulting in the closing of the openings.

[0021] Furthermore, an embodiment with cam guidance has the advantage that a clear movement trajectory is ensured at the radial end of the locking elements and clearly defined end positions of the locking elements can be realized in both the open and closed states.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one of the two locking elements is firmly connected to a housing surrounding the locking elements.

[0023] The vehicle ventilation system according to the invention comprises at least one closure device according to the invention.

[0024] The following section explains embodiments and advantageous aspects of the invention in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show: Fig. Figure 1a shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the locking device 1 according to the invention in the closed position. Fig. Figure 1b shows a schematic representation of the embodiment of the locking device 1 according to the invention. Fig. 1a in the open position Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a drive for a locking device according to the invention.

[0025] The in the Fig. 1a and Fig. The embodiment of the locking device 1 shown in Figure 1b is explained with reference to both figures. Fig. 1a represents the locking device 1 in a closed state and Fig. 1b represents an open state.

[0026] The locking device 1 has a housing 50 with a round recess in the center. A first locking element 10 and a second locking element 20 are provided in the round recess, arranged concentrically around a longitudinal axis A that lies in the plane of the drawing. Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b extends into, are arranged. Furthermore, an actuator 30 is provided which is connected to the second locking element 20 in order to rotate it against the first locking element 10. The first locking element 20 is connected to the housing 50 at its radial ends.

[0027] The first locking element 10 and the second locking element 20 are identical in design. They are essentially formed by a first locking cover 11 and a second locking cover 21, respectively. These, in turn, are formed from individual circular segments. The individual elements have an opening between them, which is also circular segment-shaped. Each locking cover 11, 21 is formed from four individual elements and resembles the shape of a propeller.

[0028] Of course, within the scope of the invention, closure covers are also conceivable that have more or fewer individual elements.

[0029] In the Fig. In the closed position shown in Figure 1a, the two locking elements 10, 20 are arranged complementarily, such that a single element of one locking cover 11, 21 always covers an opening of the locking cover 11, 21 of the other locking element 10, 20. This differs from the open position shown in Figure 1a. Fig. 1b therefore does not form passage 40.

[0030] In the open position, which is achieved from the closed position by rotating the second locking element by 45 degrees, as indicated by the dashed arrow, the individual elements of the locking covers 11, 21 of the two locking elements 10, 20 align, thus forming the openings 40 which, in the closed position, were still covered by the individual elements of the second locking cover 21. The individual elements, and therefore also the locking covers 11, 21, thus overlap in the open position.

[0031] To exit the closed position Fig. 1a To substantially prevent fluid permeability, corresponding sealing elements can be provided at the overlapping points of the individual elements of the two closure covers 11, 21. Likewise, in advantageous embodiments, a positive fit can be created by corresponding axial ribs provided at the overlapping points.

[0032] As already explained elsewhere, embodiments are also conceivable in which both locking elements 10, 20 rotate in opposite directions to achieve the closed position. Likewise, embodiments are conceivable in which the individual elements are positioned opposite the one described in the text. Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shown in the drawing plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, are arranged at an angle.

[0033] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of an exemplary drive for the second locking element 20 in a side sectional view. An output shaft of the actuator 30 engages with corresponding mating elements in the second locking element 20 by means of a worm drive 31. Simultaneously, a positive locking connection is formed between the radial ends of the locking element 20, specifically the locking cover 21, and the housing 50 arranged around the locking element 20, by means of a cam guide 51 in the housing 50 and a corresponding cam mating element 22 engaging therein.

[0034] Rotation of the actuator's output shaft 30 transmits a force to the worm drive 31, causing the second locking element 20 to move along its longitudinal axis A. The cam guide 51 is designed around the circumference of the housing's inner wall such that the second locking element 20 is forced into rotation. This allows the second locking element 20 to be moved into the closed position, in which the second locking cover 21 closes the openings of the first locking cover 11 of the first locking element 20 (not in Fig. (2 shown) covered. The translational movement superimposed on the rotation, which is generated by the worm drive 31 in conjunction with the cam guide 51, causes the second locking element 20 to lower onto the first locking element 10 and be pressed against it in the closed position. This further increases the sealing effect in the closed position.

[0035] It is also conceivable to provide a pure gear connection instead of the worm drive 31. Likewise, embodiments are conceivable in which the second locking element 20 is pressed against correspondingly provided stops or contact surfaces on the housing in order to reach the respective end position of the closed or open position. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 locking device 10 first locking element 11 first locking cover 20 second locking element 21 second locking cover 22 Backdrop counter-element 30 actuator 31 snail drive 40 passage 50 cases 51 Backstage Tour A Longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Shut-off device (1) for a vehicle ventilation system, comprising a first locking element (10) and a second locking element (20) which are arranged coaxially to each other on a longitudinal axis (A) and each have a locking cover (11, 21) with openings, wherein the first locking element (10) and / or the second locking element (20) are designed to be rotatably rotated relative to each other by an actuator (30), so that they can be moved from an open position of the locking device (1), in which the openings are at least partially arranged one above the other and form at least one passage (40), to a closed position, in which the openings of the locking elements (10, 20) are covered by the locking cover (11, 21) of the respective other locking element (10, 20), wherein a cam track (22) is provided which is designed to impose, in addition to the rotary movement of at least one of the locking elements (10, 20), a translational movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) on at least one locking element (10, 20). [2] Closure device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the closure elements (10, 20) has at least one sealing element, in particular in the form of a sealing lip, which are designed to form a seal between the closure elements (10, 20) and / or to a housing (50) in the closed position of the closure device (1). [3] Closure device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure covers (11, 21) of the first closure element (10) and of the second closure element (20) are formed from circular segment-shaped individual elements which also have circular segment-shaped openings between them. [4] Locking device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the individual elements of the locking cover (11, 21) have axial webs extending towards the other locking element (10, 20) and designed to substantially close a gap between the locking elements (10, 20) when closed. [5] Locking device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein axial webs are provided on the individual elements of the locking covers (11, 21) of both locking elements (10, 20) which form a positive locking in a rotational direction in the closed position of the locking device (1). [6] Locking device (1) according to one of the two preceding claims 3 or 4, wherein the individual elements of the locking cover (11, 21) are arranged in the radial direction of the locking elements (10, 20) starting from the longitudinal axis (A) and are in particular designed and arranged such that in the closed position of the locking device (1) an individual element of the first locking cover (11) abuts an individual element of the second locking cover (21). [7] Locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (1) has a gear unit configured to generate an opposite movement of both locking elements (10, 20). [8] Locking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cam guide (22) is provided on a housing (50) radially surrounding the locking elements (10, 20) starting from the longitudinal axis (A). [9] Vehicle ventilation system comprising at least one closure device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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