Housing

Abstract

Housing (1) for an actuator (100), in particular for a turbocharger, comprising a housing wall (2) enclosing a housing interior (3), wherein a stiffening structure (4) with stiffening ribs (6) for stiffening the housing wall (2) is formed on the housing wall (2), and wherein a ventilation opening (5) is provided on the housing wall (2) for ventilating the housing interior (3). The ventilation opening (5) is arranged in the area of ​​the stiffening structure (4) such that the stiffening structure (4) forms a splash guard for the ventilation opening (5). Actuator (100) with housing and turbocharger with actuator (100).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing for an actuator having a ventilation opening, an actuator having such a housing, and a turbocharger having such an actuator.

[0002] Various housings for actuators are known from the prior art. In particular, housings are known that, due to their size, incorporate ventilation to allow pressure equalization, especially depending on the operating or ambient temperature. Such housings are often made of a plastic material whose wall stiffness varies considerably depending on the temperature and the specific plastic material.

[0003] Such a housing with ventilation is known from WO 2022 / 156886 A1. Ventilation is necessary to compensate for changes in pressure, for example due to temperature changes. Splashing water can enter the interior of the housing through the ventilation opening and damage the actuator's electronics.

[0004] DE 10 2013 102 025 B4 discloses a two-part housing consisting of an upper shell and a lower shell which interlock via a circumferential groove on the lower shell, wherein a drip edge is formed on the groove that prevents dripping water from entering the housing via the groove. The circumferential groove significantly increases the required installation space, so that the housing can only be used in non-critical spatial conditions.

[0005] WO 2015 / 144156A1 discloses a housing with stiffening ribs designed to ensure sufficient rigidity of the housing walls, especially when hot. Furthermore, the housing lacks ventilation, resulting in high or low pressure within the housing at extreme temperatures.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to prevent water from penetrating the housing even more effectively.

[0007] The problem is solved by a housing with the features of claim 1, an actuator according to claim 9, and a turbocharger according to claim 10. Advantageous further embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and embodiments result from the general description and the description of an exemplary embodiment.

[0008] A housing according to the invention for an actuator, in particular a turbocharger, comprises a (closed) housing wall that encloses a housing interior and, in particular, seals it off (essentially watertight) from the environment. A stiffening structure with stiffening ribs is formed on the housing wall to reinforce it. A ventilation opening is provided on the housing wall to ventilate the interior of the housing. The ventilation opening is arranged in the area of ​​the stiffening structure, so that the stiffening structure forms a splash guard for the ventilation opening.

[0009] The invention has many advantages. A significant advantage is that splashing water is effectively kept away from the ventilation opening, thus reducing the risk of splashing water entering the ventilation opening. Advantageously, the electrical or electronic components inside are even better protected in this way.

[0010] Preferably, the stiffening ribs extend at least partially from (a surface of) the housing wall to the outside. Advantageously, the stiffening ribs are thus particularly effective and give the housing a high degree of rigidity. In addition, splash water striking the stiffening ribs is deflected in various directions. In particular, water droplets can be split by the stiffening ribs and deflected so that they no longer come into contact with the ventilation opening.

[0011] The stiffening structure preferably extends over a substantial section of the housing wall. This advantageously makes the housing wall particularly rigid.

[0012] Preferably, at least some of the stiffening ribs of the bracing structure form closed honeycomb structures. Advantageously, these cavities, formed by the honeycomb structure together with the housing wall, effectively keep water away from the ventilation opening, as this opening is the only one through which water can enter. In the case of small cavities, the water is also retained by capillary action. Furthermore, the honeycomb structure prevents water from running down the outside of the housing wall.

[0013] Preferably, at least some of the honeycombs are formed as a rhombus, i.e., a quadrilateral in which all four sides are of equal length. Advantageously, rhombuses are particularly stable. Furthermore, rhombic honeycombs are especially easy to manufacture, particularly by injection molding.

[0014] In its intended use, the ventilation opening is designed to be open at the bottom, i.e., the ventilation opening points in the direction of gravity. Consequently, water running off the housing cannot flow directly into the ventilation opening.

[0015] At least part of the stiffening structure is positioned above the ventilation opening. Advantageously, this prevents water running off the housing wall from reaching the ventilation opening.

[0016] Preferably, at least one stiffening rib of the stiffening structure extends over an edge of the housing wall (perpendicular to the direction of gravity) above the ventilation opening, forming a drip edge. Advantageously, the water can drip off the drip edge and consequently cannot penetrate into the ventilation opening.

[0017] The actuator according to the invention comprises at least one housing as described above. A turbocharger according to the invention comprises at least one actuator as described above with at least one housing as described above. Further advantageous embodiments of the actuator and the housing will become clear from the application as a whole.

[0018] Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and for parts having the same or similar functions. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of an actuator according to the invention with a housing according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of a lower part of the housing according to the invention; and Fig. 3 a schematic detail view of the area of ​​the lower part of the housing according to the invention.

[0019] It is not necessary for the housing according to the invention to have all the features described below. It is also possible for a housing according to the invention to have only individual features of the embodiment described below.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an actuator 100 according to the invention with a housing 1 according to the invention. The housing 1 has a housing wall 2 that encloses the housing interior 3. The housing 1 comprises an upper part 1a and a lower part 1b. The lower part 1b of the housing 1 has a stiffening structure 4 with stiffening ribs 6.

[0021] The ventilation opening 5 is located here in the area of ​​the stiffening structure 4, so that the stiffening structure 4 and in particular the stiffening ribs 6 form a splash water protection for the ventilation opening 5.

[0022] The stiffening ribs 6 of the stiffening structure 4 form honeycombs 8. The honeycombs 8 are designed here as rhombuses, i.e. as squares with the same edge length, which makes the stiffening structure particularly effective.

[0023] The stiffening structure 4 extends over a substantial portion of the housing wall 2, thereby significantly increasing the stiffness of the housing wall 2. The ventilation opening 5 is designed to be open at the bottom. Part of the stiffening structure 4 is positioned above the ventilation opening 5. In this case, several stiffening ribs 6 of the stiffening structure 4 extend over an edge of the housing wall 2 at the ventilation opening 5, forming a drip edge.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of a lower part 1b of the housing 1 according to the invention.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic detail view of the lower part of the housing 1 according to the invention with the ventilation opening 5 and the stiffening ribs 6 extending over the ventilation opening 5. Reference symbol list 1 case 1a Upper part of the housing 1b Lower part of the housing 2 Housing wall 3 Case interior 4. Stiffening structure 5 ventilation openings 6 stiffening ribs 8 honeycomb structure 100 actuators QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2022 / 156886 A1

[0003] DE 10 2013 102 025 B4

[0004] WO 2015 / 144156A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Housing (1) for an actuator (100), in particular for a turbocharger, comprising a housing wall (2) enclosing a housing interior (3), wherein a stiffening structure (4) with stiffening ribs (6) for stiffening the housing wall (2) is formed on the housing wall (2), and wherein a ventilation opening (5) is provided on the housing wall (2) to ventilate the housing interior (3), characterized by , that the ventilation opening (5) is arranged in the area of ​​the stiffening structure (4) so ​​that the stiffening structure (4) forms a splash water protection for the ventilation opening (5). [2] Housing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening ribs (6) extend at least partially outwards from the housing wall (2). [3] Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stiffening structure (4) extends over a substantial section of the housing wall (2). [4] Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stiffening ribs (6) of the stiffening structure (4) form a honeycomb structure (8). [5] Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the honeycomb (8) is formed as a rhombus. [6] Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation opening (5) is open on the underside. [7] Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the stiffening structure (4) is arranged above the ventilation opening (5). [8] Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one stiffening rib (6) of the stiffening structure (4) extends over an edge of the housing wall (2) at the ventilation opening (5) so that it forms a drip edge. [9] Actuator (100) comprising a housing (1) according to any of the preceding claims. [10] Turbocharger comprising an actuator (100) according to any of the preceding claims.

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