Vent

Abstract

To provide a vent with multifunctionality to improve the options for the arrangement or assembly of an electronic apparatus within a housing.SOLUTION: There is provided a vent (1) for attachment to a housing wall (2) with an opening (12). The vent (1) includes: a body portion (3) that includes a wall (4) with an inner surface (5) defining at least part of a central vent passage (6) that allows gas to pass through the vent (1); and attaching means (9) for attaching the vent (1) to the housing wall (2). The vent further includes: a cover (22) arranged at a first axial end (19) of the body portion (3) to cover the central vent passage (6); and at least one opening (25) at the first axial end (19) of the body portion (3) for gas to exit the vent (1). An antenna (7) is attached to the inner surface of the wall (4) of the body portion (3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air vent according to the preamble of independent claim 1 .

[0002] Background technology The vents can be installed in openings in the housings of various devices, such as electronic control units (ECUs), inverters or converters, to ensure ventilation of the housings.

[0003] A known prior art vent is disclosed in European Patent No. 3618589. This discloses a support member that is clipped onto an opening in the surface of a housing. The support member has a central opening through which gas can pass. The support member is provided with a cover that is clipped onto the support member and prevents foreign matter from directly entering the central opening in the axial direction. The vent further includes a breathable membrane disposed between the cover and the support member. This allows the vent to ensure ventilation between the interior and exterior of the housing while preventing the intrusion of foreign matter such as dust, water, oil, and salt into the interior of the housing.

[0004] Summary of the Invention The vent according to the invention as set forth in claim 1 improves the placement or assembly options for electronic devices within a housing by providing a vent with multi-functionality.

[0005] This is achieved in accordance with the present invention by means of a vent for mounting on a housing wall having an opening, the vent comprising: a body portion including a wall having an interior surface defining at least a portion of a central vent passage for permitting gas to pass through the vent; mounting means for mounting the vent to the housing wall; a cover disposed at the first axial end of the body for covering the central air passage; at least one opening at the first axial end of the body for gas to exit the vent; An antenna is attached to the inner surface of the wall of the main body.

[0006] Thus, instead of allocating space within the housing of the electronic device for the antenna, the antenna is provided mounted on the vent itself. Because the vent can be supplied with the antenna pre-mounted, the vent can be easily attached to the housing, and assembly of the electronic device can be facilitated because only the antenna's power cable needs to be connected to the electronic device placed within the housing.

[0007] The inner surface of the body wall is the surface of the wall that faces the central vent passage. Axial direction is the direction perpendicular to the housing wall in which the vent is designed to be mounted.

[0008] The antenna is preferably a printed circuit board (PCB) antenna, the PCB being attached to the inner surface of the wall of the body. The term PCB antenna is understood to include flexible circuit board (FCB) antennas. The PCB can be attached to the inner surface of the wall using suitable means, for example, adhesive. The PCB antenna is therefore located inside the vent and is therefore protected from damage during transportation of the vent and during installation in the housing.

[0009] The antenna is preferably a WIFI or Bluetooth antenna, however other types of antenna are also possible.

[0010] The antenna feed cable is connected at one end to a feed point on the PCB and extends from the central air passage at the second axial end of the body. When the air passage is attached to the housing wall, the feed cable therefore extends into the housing for connection to an electronic device. The feed cable is preferably a coaxial cable.

[0011] The attachment means for attaching the vent to the housing wall includes a plurality of resilient legs extending axially from the wall, each leg including a protrusion or hook at its distal end. The resilient legs deform when the vent is forced axially into the opening in the housing wall. The legs extend through the opening, and the protrusions or hooks at their distal ends engage the interior facing surface of the housing wall. Thus, the vent can be securely attached simply by forcing the vent axially into the opening in the housing wall.

[0012] The vent is provided with a seal, preferably a ring seal, circumferentially disposed about the body portion which forms an airtight seal between the body portion of the vent and the housing wall when the vent is attached to the housing wall.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the walls of the body portion have a rectangular cross-section defining a central air passage having a rectangular shaped cross-section.

[0014] The rectangular central air passage facilitates mounting of the PCB antenna on the inner surface of the wall of the body within the central passage, thus allowing the PCB to be mounted on the flat inner surface of the wall of the body.

[0015] Alternatively, the attachment means may include providing a thread on the outer surface of the wall of the body. In this case, the wall of the body has a circular cross-section. The thread may cooperate with an internal thread in an opening in the housing wall so that the vent can be screwed into the opening. Alternatively, a nut may be threaded onto the thread so that the housing wall is sandwiched between the nut and the body of the vent. If the vent is attached by a threaded connection, the inner surface of the wall of the body may be provided with a flat surface extending over the area of ​​the PCB to facilitate attachment of the PCB.

[0016] The vent cover is preferably attached to the body portion via a clip or snap-fit ​​connection. The clip or snap connection may be provided by a resilient portion of the cover or body portion that deforms when the cover is pressed against the body portion and locks the corresponding portions of the cover or body portion against movement with respect to each other when in a specific relative position. In one embodiment, the cover comprises a plurality of resilient arms extending axially from the cover. The arms have protrusions or hooks at their distal ends that lockingly engage with the body portion in the attached position.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first axial end of the body includes a flange extending perpendicularly from the wall in the axial direction, and a layer of filter media is disposed between the cover and the body. The layer of filter media may be, for example, a breathable membrane. The membrane may be partially supported by the flange of the body.

[0018] The cover prevents foreign objects from entering the passageway axially and, together with the body, defines a lateral vent opening for gas to pass through the vent. The body can include an end wall at a first axial end thereof, thereby providing multiple openings in the end wall. The end wall can serve as additional support for the filter media. Alternatively, the body can include a support grid to support the filter media while allowing gas to pass in and out of the central vent passage. The cover can also include at least one protrusion extending axially toward the central vent passage to secure the filter media to the body while simultaneously allowing gas to flow across the surface of the filter media.

[0019] The body and cover are preferably made from a plastic material.

[0020] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vent according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a vent according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a vent according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a vent according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1 to 3 show a vent 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vent 1 may be attached to a housing of an electronic device. Part of the housing wall 2 is shown in dashed lines in the figures. The electronic device may be, for example, an inverter or converter, or an on-board charger, which may require communication means to communicate with other components or control units.

[0023] Vent 1 comprises a body portion 3 having an axially extending wall 4 with an interior surface 5 defining at least a portion of a central vent passage 6 for allowing gas to pass through vent 1. Vent passage 6 extends in an axial direction 8 perpendicular to wall 2 of the housing for the electronic device.

[0024] According to the invention, an antenna 7 is attached to the inner surface 5 of the wall 4 of the main body 3. The antenna is preferably a WIFI or Bluetooth antenna 7. However, other types of antennas 7 are possible. In the embodiment shown, the antenna 7 is a printed circuit board (PCB) antenna, and the PCB is attached to the inner surface of the wall 4 of the main body 3. The term PCB antenna is understood to include flexible circuit board (FCB) antennas. The PCB can be attached to the inner surface of the wall 4 by any suitable means, for example using adhesive or clips. Since the PCB antenna 7 is located inside the vent 1, it is protected from damage during transportation of the vent and during attachment to the housing wall 2.

[0025] Thus, the housing of the electronic device does not need to allocate space for an internal antenna. Instead, the antenna 7 is provided attached to the vent 1 itself. Because the vent 1 can be supplied with the antenna 7 pre-installed, the vent 1 can be easily attached to the housing, and assembly of the electronic device is facilitated because only the feed cable 29 of the antenna 7 needs to be connected to the electronic device placed within the housing. The antenna feed cable 29 has one end connected to a feed point on the PCB antenna 7 and extends from the central air passage 6 at the second axial end 30 of the main body 3. When the vent 1 is attached to the housing wall 2, the feed cable 29 therefore extends into the housing for connection to the electronic device. The feed cable is a coaxial cable.

[0026] The vent 1 further comprises attachment means 9 for attaching the vent to the housing wall 2. In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the attachment means 9 comprises a plurality of resilient legs 10 extending axially 8 from the wall 4 of the main body 3, each leg 10 having a protrusion 11 or hook at its distal end 13. The resilient legs 10 deform when the vent 1 is axially pressed into an opening 12 in the housing wall 2. The legs 10 extend through the opening 12, and the protrusions 11 or hooks at their distal ends 13 engage with an interior facing surface 14 of the housing wall 2. Thus, the vent 1 can be securely attached to the housing wall 2 simply by axially pressing the vent 1 into the opening 12 in the housing wall 2. A ring seal 15 is disposed circumferentially around the main body 3. The seal 15 forms an airtight seal between the main body 3 of the vent 1 and the housing wall 2 when the vent 1 is attached to the housing wall. The seals 15 abut axially opposite end faces of the wall 4 and radially surround axially extending lips on the legs 10 or wall 4 .

[0027] The wall 4 of the body 3 has a rectangular cross-section that defines a central vent passage 6 having a rectangular cross-section. The rectangular shape facilitates mounting of a PCB antenna 7 to the inner surface 5 of the wall 4 of the body 3 within the central passage 6. Thus, a PCB can be mounted to the flat inner surface 5 of the wall 4 of the body 3. The opening 12 in the housing wall 2 is also rectangular in shape. However, it is also possible to fabricate a vent 1 having a body 3 with a circular cross-section for insertion into a circular opening 12 in the housing wall 2.

[0028] 4 shows a vent 1 with an alternative mounting means 9 for mounting the vent 1 to a housing wall 2. An outer surface 16 of a wall 14 of the body 3 is provided with a thread 17. In this case, the wall 4 of the body 3 has a circular cross-section. The thread 17 can cooperate with an internal thread in an opening in the housing wall 2 so that the vent can be screwed into the opening 12. Alternatively, a nut 18 can be threaded onto the thread 17 so that the housing wall 2 is sandwiched between the nut 18 and the body 3 of the vent 1. If the vent 1 is mounted by a threaded connection, the inner surface of the body wall can be provided with a flat surface 5 extending over the area of ​​a PCB to facilitate mounting of the PCB.

[0029] A cover 22 is disposed at the first axial end 19 of the body 3, covering the central air passage 6. The cover 22 of the vent 1 is preferably attached to the body 3 via a clip or snap-fit ​​connection. The clip or snap connection is provided by a resilient portion 23 of the cover 22 or the body 3, which deforms when the cover 22 is pressed against the body and locks onto the corresponding portion of the cover or body when in a specific relative position. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 22 is provided with a plurality of resilient arms 23 extending from the cover 22 in the axial direction 8. The resilient arms 23 are distributed around the periphery of the cover 22 and have protrusions 24 or hooks at their distal ends that engage in a locking manner with the body 3 in the attached position. The cover 22 in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 has a rectangular shape, while the cover 22 in the embodiment of Figure 4 has a circular shape.

[0030] 1-4, the first axial end 19 of the body portion 3 includes a flange 20 extending from the wall 4 at a right angle to the axial direction 8. The projections 24 of the resilient arms 23 are arranged to engage the flange 20 in the locked position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the seal 15 abuts the axially facing surface of the flange 20 and is sandwiched between the flange 20 and the housing wall 2 when the vent is attached to the housing wall 2.

[0031] A layer of filter media 21 is disposed between the cover 22 and the body 3. The layer of filter media 21 may be, for example, a gas-permeable membrane for allowing gas to pass through the vent 1 while preventing water or foreign objects or substances from passing through the vent 1. The membrane 21 may be partially supported by the flange 20 of the body 3. The cover 22, together with the body 3, further defines a lateral vent opening 25 for gas to pass through the cover 22 and into the vent 1. The body 3 includes an end wall 26 at the first axial end 19 of the body 3, whereby the end wall 26 defines a plurality of openings 27. The end wall 26 serves as further support for the filter media 21. Alternatively, a support grid may be provided integrally or as a separate part of the body 3 to provide support for the filter media 21 while allowing gas to pass into and out of the central vent passage 6. The cover 22 also includes at least one protrusion 28 extending axially 8 toward the central vent passage 6 to securely fasten the filter media 21 to the body 3 while allowing gas to flow across the surface of the filter media 21. The filter media 21 is sandwiched between the at least one protrusion 28 of the cover and an end wall 26 of the body 3. The vent body 3 and cover 22 are formed from a plastic material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 Ventilation hole 2 Housing wall 3 Main body 4 Main body wall 5. Inner Surface 6 Central Ventilation Channel 7 Antenna 8 Axial Direction 9 Mounting means 10 Elastic leg 11 Protrusion 12 Opening 13 distal end 14 Surface 15 Seals 16 Exterior 17 threads 18 Nut 19 first axial end 20 flange 21 Filter media 22 Cover 23 Elastic Arm 24 Protrusion 25 Lateral ventilation openings 26 End Wall 27 Opening 28 Protrusion 29 Power Cable 30 second axial end

Claims

1. A vent (1) for mounting in a housing wall (2) having an opening (12), a body (3) comprising a wall (4) having an inner surface (5) defining at least a portion of a central vent (6) for allowing gas to pass through said vent (1); mounting means (9) for mounting the vent (1) to the housing wall (2); a cover (22) disposed at the first axial end (19) of the body (3) to cover the central air passage (6); at least one opening (25) at a first axial end (19) of said body portion (3) for gas to exit said vent (1); Equipped with The vent (1) has an antenna (7) attached to the inner surface of the wall (4) of the body (3).

2. 2. The vent (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna (7) is a PCB antenna, the PCB being attached to the inner surface (5) of the wall (4) of the body (3).

3. The air vent (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the antenna (7) is a WIFI or Bluetooth antenna.

4. 3. The air vent of claim 2, wherein an antenna feed cable (29) is connected at one end to a feed point on the PCB and extends from the central air passage (6) at a second axial end (30) of the body portion (3).

5. 5. A vent (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the attachment means (9) comprises a plurality of resilient legs (10) extending from the wall in the axial direction (8), each leg (10) comprising a hook or protrusion (11) at its distal end (13).

6. 6. A vent (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the wall (4) of the body (3) defines the central vent channel (6) having a cross section in the shape of a rectangle.

7. 5. The vent (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the attachment means (9) comprise a screw thread (17) provided on the outer surface of the wall (4) of the body (3).

8. 8. The vent (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover (22) is attached to the body (3) via a snap-fit ​​connection.

9. 9. The vent (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the body (3) comprises a flange (20) extending from the wall (4) perpendicular to the axial direction (8), and a layer of filter material (21) is arranged between the cover (22) and the body (3).

10. 3. The vent (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner surface (5) of the wall (4) of the body (3) comprises a flat surface extending over the area of ​​the PCB.

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