Pressure compensation device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressure compensation device (20) for compensating the internal pressure in a housing of an electrochemical or electro-technical device, in particular a battery housing, comprising a casing (20.3) having at least one gas passage opening (20.4), the gas passage opening (20.4) forming a gas-permeable connection between the inner side (20.1) and the outer side (20.2) of the casing (20.3), the gas passage opening (20.4) being blocked by a breathable or airtight diaphragm (40), a rupture element (30) being arranged corresponding to the diaphragm (40), the rupture element (30) being such that when the diaphragm (40) is deformed in the direction towards the outer side (20.2), the diaphragm (40) is destroyed at least at one location under the action of the rupture element (30), thereby forming a flow connection from the inner side (20.1) to the outer side (21.1) through the gas passage opening (26.2), and being formed and positioned. In order to be able to achieve reproducible rupture characteristics with simple means in such a pressure compensation device, according to the invention, it is proposed that the inner diaphragm surface (42) of the diaphragm (40) facing the inner side (20.1) of the casing (20.3) is connected to the rupture element (30), in particular in a material-connected manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure compensation device for compensating the internal pressure in a housing of an electrochemical device or an electrical engineering device, in particular for a battery casing, comprising a casing having at least one gas passage opening, the gas passage opening forming a gas-permeable connection between the inside and the outside of the casing, the gas passage opening being blocked by a breathable or airtight diaphragm, in particular at least partially shielded, and a rupture element being arranged opposite the diaphragm, the rupture element being such that when the diaphragm is deformed in the outward direction, the diaphragm is destroyed at least at one location under the action of the rupture element, thereby forming a flow connection from the inside to the outside through the gas passage opening.

[0002] Such a pressure compensation device according to the present invention serves to compensate the internal pressure in the housing. When the diaphragm is formed to be breathable, during normal operation, a certain degree of pressure fluctuation between the inner chamber of the housing and the surroundings can be compensated through this diaphragm. When a non-breathable diaphragm is used, additional measures may or may not have been taken to compensate for normal pressure fluctuations.

[0003] When the internal pressure in the inner chamber of the housing, which the inside of the pressure compensation device faces, suddenly rises, this pressure must be immediately relieved in order to prevent the housing from bursting. For this purpose, a bursting element is provided in the pressure compensation device according to the invention, which in this case destroys the diaphragm at at least one location. This means that in the pressure compensation device according to the invention, when such an unacceptable pressure increase occurs, the diaphragm can be destroyed at the bursting element, for example by being cut, by strongly deforming the diaphragm. Thus, the internal pressure of the housing can be relieved in the direction towards the outside of the pressure compensation device, and thus towards the surroundings, via the region opened through the gas passage opening.

[0004] A pressure compensation device is known from German Patent Application Publication No. 102011080325. This known pressure compensation device has a casing, and the casing has a flange portion with holes for attachment to a battery casing. The casing shields the edge of the penetration portion of the battery casing. The casing is connected to a diaphragm that blocks the gas passage opening of the casing. The diaphragm is clamped between a support element and a clamping member and is sealed and held in an annular shape. Further, a casing-shaped protective element is used, and the protective element has a cutting element in the central region. This cutting element faces the diaphragm. The protective element serves to prevent access to the diaphragm from the outside of the pressure compensation device. The protective element has a gas passage opening. The diaphragm is gas-permeable but substantially water-repellent. The water-repellent function means that water from the surroundings cannot reach the inner region from the outside or can reach it only substantially hardly. During normal operation, gas compensation can be performed between the surroundings and the battery casing through the diaphragm. This is possible because the diaphragm is gas-permeable. For example, if a rapid burst pressure occurs based on a failure within the battery casing, the diaphragm is curved outward. A gap is provided between the cutting element and the outer surface of the diaphragm. This gap defines the allowable deformation of the diaphragm in such a damage situation. When the diaphragm is curved beyond the allowable deformation, the diaphragm collides with the cutting element formed as a tip. The cutting element damages the diaphragm, causing the diaphragm to tear. The gas can quickly leak out from the battery casing through the gas passage opening to the surroundings. This prevents the battery casing from exploding.

[0005] The pressure compensation devices known in the prior art are laboriously constructed. Furthermore, due to the inevitable dimensional errors between the individual device components, it is not guaranteed that the cutting elements are always positioned at the same distance from the surface of the diaphragm in the same structural form in various different pressure compensation devices. Therefore, precisely reproducible bursting characteristics do not occur in overload cases.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a pressure compensation device in the form described at the beginning, in which precisely reproducible bursting characteristics are reliably ensured.

[0007] This object is solved in that the inner diaphragm surface of the diaphragm, which faces the inside of the casing, is connected to the bursting element, in particular in a material-bonded manner.

[0008] In an overload case, when an unacceptable pressure increase occurs in the accommodation chamber of the accommodation casing and thus on the inner diaphragm surface, the diaphragm curves in the direction towards the outside of the casing. Since the inner diaphragm surface of the diaphragm is connected to the bursting element, the diaphragm cannot deform here or can only deform to the same extent as in the remaining regions that shield the gas passage openings. As a result, the diaphragm tears in the region of the bursting element based on this non-uniform deformation state, so that the gas passage openings are opened. In that case, the pressure can be relieved from the accommodation casing towards the outside.

[0009] Thereby, precisely reproducible bursting characteristics are ensured. This is because, unlike in the prior art, there is no need to adjust an error-prone distance between the cutting tip and the outer diaphragm surface, and the diaphragm is directly connected to the bursting element. Surprisingly, it has been shown that the bursting characteristics of the diaphragm are significantly improved by the fact that the inner diaphragm surface is connected to the bursting element. In particular, the response characteristics during an unacceptable pressure increase are improved by this.

[0010] According to the present invention, the rupture element can form a body edge portion following the connection with the diaphragm, where the diaphragm is peeled off or the diaphragm is separated based on the pressure difference acting between the inside and outside of the casing. As soon as a crack or cut starts within the diaphragm, the diaphragm is weakened so that it tears open and the gas passage opening is rapidly opened.

[0011] Advantageously, the rupture element is arranged such that it penetrates into the region of the gas passage opening and the connection with the diaphragm, in particular a form - fit connection, is arranged at least in a predetermined region on this penetrating part. Thus, crack initiation in the rupture element can be carried out in the diaphragm region that is exposed to large deformations. Furthermore, the rupture element in contact with the inner surface of the diaphragm supports the diaphragm against external pressure actions. Such pressure actions occur, for example, when a water pressure formed by cleaning equipment (hose, steam radiator) acts from the outside. This support reduces the risk of the diaphragm being damaged unintentionally in such operating positions.

[0012] In a preferred configuration of the present invention, the diaphragm has a peripheral edge, by which the diaphragm is annularly connected to the casing, and the rupture element projects into the region of the gas passage opening and is connected to the diaphragm in the region within the peripheral edge, in particular it may be connected in a material - bonded manner.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the connection extends into the central region of the diaphragm in the central region or at least in a predetermined region.

[0014] A possible variation of the present invention is that the diaphragm shields the gas passage opening in a predetermined area region, this area region has a maximum free shielding length, the length by which the rupture element extends into the region of the gas passage opening is at least 30% of this free shielding length, and / or the minimum longitudinal extension length of the material-bonded joint is at least 25% of this free shielding length in one direction. At this time, on the one hand, good support inside the diaphragm is achieved, and furthermore, good rupture characteristics are also achieved.

[0015] A possible variation of the present invention is that the gas passage opening is defined by a ring-shaped annular wall, and the rupture element may protrude from the wall radially inward into the region of the gas passage opening.

[0016] According to a preferred variant of the present invention, the rupture element has a joint, the joint has a joint surface facing the diaphragm, the diaphragm is attached to this joint surface in a material-bonded manner, the joint surface transitions to an edge extending transversely to this joint surface, in particular an edge, preferably a cutting edge, and preferably the material-bonded joint is defined to extend up to the edge, in particular the edge, preferably the cutting edge. This measure further improves the reproducible rupture characteristics. Because a defined positioning is provided for crack initiation at the edge, in particular the edge, especially the cutting edge.

[0017] When the casing has a cover part with an annular receiving part, the receiving part is preferably formed as a recessed part and surrounds the gas passage opening, the peripheral part of the diaphragm is applied to the receiving part or inserted into the receiving part, and the bonding region of the peripheral part is annularly bonded to the bonding part of the receiving part in a material-bonded manner, the accurate positioning of the diaphragm is easily achieved.

[0018] In particular in this case, it may be provided that the diaphragm is injection-molded into the casing from behind in a plastic injection molding process. In this case, the joining and sealing of the diaphragm, the casing and the rupture element are correspondingly incorporated into the injection molding process. However, within the framework of the present invention, the diaphragm is joined to the casing in a material-bonded manner, and it is also possible for the diaphragm to be joined to the finished casing, in particular in a material-bonded manner.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if it is provided that the joint of the rupture element, where the diaphragm is joined in a material-bonded manner, transitions flush into the joint. The joints between the rupture member, the diaphragm, the casing and the rupture member can then be formed in one method step.

[0020] According to a variation of the present invention, it may be provided that the casing supports a spacer in its outer region, and the spacer supports a cover spaced apart from the diaphragm, and the cover shields the diaphragm with a cover portion at a distance from the outer surface of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is protected from mechanical loads on its outer surface.

[0021] Advantageously, it may be provided that the spacer has at least one ventilation opening, and this ventilation opening forms a spatial connection between the outer surface of the diaphragm and the surroundings. Pressure compensation with the surroundings can be carried out via the ventilation opening. If the diaphragm is formed, for example, to be gas-permeable, pressure compensation between the inside and the outside can be carried out during normal operation via the diaphragm and the ventilation opening (respiratory function).

[0022] If the spacer is formed as a ring body in at least a predetermined area or has such a ring body, the ring body has an outer wall, the outer wall is spaced from the edge of the cover, and at least one degassing area in the form of an interval space is formed between the edge and the outer wall, protection against mechanical access can be easily realized.

[0023] In order to easily attach the cover part, the spacer has an attachment part with a holding member spaced from the outer surface of the diaphragm in the area above the outer surface of the diaphragm, the cover part is attached to the spacer at the holding member, and the cover part may be defined as being formed from a flexible material. When ruptured, the pressure in the gas flow deforms the cover part. As a result, a large opening cross-section that was previously shielded by the cover part can be rapidly opened.

[0024] In this case, if the spacer has a web, the web holds the attachment part on the outer surface of the diaphragm, and a gas guiding area is formed between the webs, a simple and compact structure is produced.

[0025] The object of the present invention is also solved by a method for compensating the internal pressure in the housing of an electrochemical device or an electrical technical device, in particular a battery housing, by means of the pressure compensation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein when an unacceptable pressure increase occurs in the housing, the diaphragm deforms in a direction towards the outside opposite to the inner chamber of the housing, in particular bulges, and the diaphragm is broken at at least one location under the action of a rupture element, thereby forming a flow connection from the inside to the outside through a gas passage opening.

[0026] Within the framework of the present invention, the diaphragm may be configured to be watertight or substantially watertight. The diaphragm may be configured, in particular, as a planar element, in particular as a plastic film. The diaphragm may have a polyester material, such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate, or may consist entirely of such a material.

[0027] The diaphragm is preferably formed in the form of a circular disk. This results in suitable characteristics during deformation of the diaphragm.

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on the illustrated embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a protection device 10 equipped with a pressure compensation device 20. This pressure compensation device 20 has a casing 20.3. The casing 20.3 forms an outer side 20.2 and an inner side 20.1.

[0031] When the casing 20.3 is assembled to a housing casing, in particular an electrochemical device or an electrical technology device, such as a battery casing, with respect to operation, the inner side 20.1 is arranged corresponding to the inner chamber of the housing casing. In contrast, the outer side 20.2 is arranged corresponding to the surroundings on the opposite side of the inner chamber of the housing casing.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing 20.3 forms a cover 21 in the region of the outside 20.2. This cover 21 is closed by a cover portion 28 that forms a cover surface on the upper side. On the side opposite to the cover portion 28, the casing 20.3 has a seal portion in the cover 21.

[0033] The seal portion may be integrally formed with the casing 20.3 as a ring-shaped annular protrusion, and preferably protrudes beyond the outer surface of the casing 20.3 in the radial direction.

[0034] The seal portion directed towards the inside 20.1 forms an assembly surface. Preferably, this assembly surface is formed as a ring-shaped annular closed surface, and this surface preferably extends in the radial direction. An annular seal may be provided in the region of the assembly surface. This seal is integrally formed, for example, in the region of the seal portion in a two-component injection molding method and protrudes in the direction of the inside 20.1.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively to the seal, an energy director may be provided protruding from the assembly surface. The energy director may be configured as an annular ridge. This ridge can be used to annularly and tightly weld the casing 20.3 to the housing casing.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 20.3 may have a receiving portion 24. The peripheral portion of the diaphragm 40 is attached to this receiving portion 24, preferably by material bonding. Advantageously, since the diaphragm 40 is formed in the form of a circular disk, the edge of this circular disk forms a bonding region 43, and by this bonding region 43, the diaphragm 40 can be annularly attached to the receiving portion 24.

[0037] Preferably, the receiving portion 24 is formed in the form of a recessed portion 26, and this recessed portion 26 is recessed into the cover portion 28 on the upper side. Thus, the recessed portion 26 forms an annular joint portion 25 for the peripheral portion of the diaphragm 40.

[0038] The cover surface 28 of the casing 20.3 transitions to the outer wall 27 of the cover 21.

[0039] The casing 20.3 may form an annular inner wall that surrounds the gas passage opening 20.4. The gas passage opening 20.4 can be closed by a diaphragm 40. The diaphragm 40 is configured as a planar element and preferably consists of a breathable or airtight plastic film. The diaphragm 40 is formed to be substantially watertight and is preferably designed with sufficient tear resistance to prevent unwanted failure of the diaphragm 40 due to water pressure being applied from the outside 20.2.

[0040] The diaphragm 40 has a diaphragm outer surface 41 that faces the outside 20.2 of the casing 20.3. On the side opposite to the diaphragm outer surface 41, the diaphragm 40 has a diaphragm inner surface 42 that faces the inside 20.1 of the casing 20.3.

[0041] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the diaphragm 40 has an annular coupling region 43 that may be particularly formed in a ring shape. By this coupling region 43, the diaphragm 40 is airtightly coupled to the coupling portion 25 of the receiving portion 24, preferably by a material bonding method. In particular, in this embodiment, the diaphragm 40 may be injection-molded onto the casing 20.3 from behind in an injection molding method of plastic.

[0042] The coupling portion 25 is formed as a ring-shaped annular surface in the receiving portion 24. In particular, the coupling portion 25 extends in a ring shape surrounding the periphery of the gas passage opening 20.4.

[0043] Furthermore, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that a rupture element 30 is formed in the casing 20.3. This rupture element 30 may have a cutting element as described above. Preferably, the rupture element 30 is integrally connected to the casing 20.3. Particularly preferably, the rupture element 30 is integrally connected to the inner wall of the casing 20.3.

[0044] As shown in the drawings, the rupture element 30 is connected to the casing 20.3 via a connecting portion 31 which may be formed as a spring portion. Furthermore, the entire rupture element 30 may additionally be formed elastically like a spring or may be able to form a spring portion.

[0045] The rupture element 30 has an end portion 34 at its free end. The side of this end portion 34 facing the outside 20.2 forms an edge, preferably a cutting edge 34, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, it may be defined that one or more edges of the rupture element 30 are formed with edges or edges, preferably cutting edges 33, 34.

[0047] The above-described cutting edges 33, 34 may be formed in a dot-like, linear, arcuate or other form.

[0048] In this embodiment, the rupture element 30 is connected to the casing 20.3 and is preferably integrally connected via a connecting member 31. The rupture element 30 projects into the region forming the gas passage opening 20.4 starting from the connecting member 31.

[0049] The rupture element 30 tapers continuously in the direction of the end portion 35 starting from the connecting member 31. In this case, the cutting edges 33, 34 may converge in the direction of the end portion 35 starting from the connecting member 31 and extend linearly.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the joint 32 of the rupture element 30 may be flush with the surface of the joint 25. As a result, at the annular joint 43 of the diaphragm 40 and also at the joint 32 simultaneously, a consistent material bonding type of bonding can be achieved with the diaphragm 40. However, this is not essential. In particular, the joint 32 may be spaced apart from the accommodating portion 24.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the rupture element 30 projects into the central region of the diaphragm 40, and thus supports the diaphragm 40 here in the region of the inner surface 42 of the diaphragm.

[0052] Furthermore, FIGS. 2 and 3 reveal that the casing 20.3 of the pressure compensation device 20 may have a centering attachment portion 23 following the attachment portion 22. This centering attachment portion 23 is formed in the form of an annular web as shown in FIG. 3. By means of the centering attachment portion 23, the casing 20.3 can be positionally adjusted within the through-hole of the accommodating casing where the pressure compensation device 20 can be attached.

[0053] Furthermore, FIGS. 2 and 3 show that a spacer 50 can be coupled to the casing 20.3. The spacer 50 may be formed as a ring body.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows that the spacer 50 has a lower surface 52, by which the spacer 50 is placed on the cover portion 28 and can be coupled, preferably in a material bonding manner, to this cover portion 28. The spacer 50 has an attachment portion 51 that projects upward in the direction of the outer side 20.2 following the lower surface 52. A plurality of ventilation openings 55 in the form of notches are provided at the upper end portion of this attachment portion 51.

[0055] The spacer 50 surrounds a gas guiding region 56 formed above the outer surface 41 of the diaphragm.

[0056] The accessory part 51 has a web 57 integrally formed thereon. In this embodiment, three webs 57 are used, and these webs 57 are joined to each other in the central region of the gas guiding region 56 and may be arranged with a 120° shift from each other. An attachment accessory part 58 is provided in the region where the webs 57 are gathered. The attachment accessory part 58 protrudes in a direction from the web 57 upward and toward the outside 20.2 and has a holding member 58.1 that terminates at the head 58.2.

[0057] A cover 60 can be coupled to the spacer 50. The cover 60 has a cover part 61 in which an attachment housing part 62 is machined. Further, the cover part 60 has an annular edge part 63.

[0058] To assemble the cover 60, the cover 60 is coupled to the spacer 50. This is easily achieved by coupling the cover part 61 to the attachment accessory part 58.

[0059] In particular in this case, the cover 60 may be made of a flexible material, for example a rubber-like material. Then, the cover part 61 can be stretched in the region of the attachment housing part 62 and guided over the head 58.2, so that the cover part 61 then fits onto the holding member 58.1.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows that the cover part 61 of the cover 60 is placed on the accessory part 51 at the end side in the assembled state. The ventilation opening 55 is cut out so as to be set back with respect to the free end of the accessory part 51, so that a connection part for guiding gas between the diaphragm outer surface 41 and the periphery can be formed here.

[0061] FIG. 3 further shows that for this connection part for guiding gas, the annular edge part 63 of the cover 60 is also spaced apart from the outer wall 53 of the accessory part 51, and that the outer wall 53 is formed in a ring shape in an annular manner.

[0062] In a state where the pressure compensation device 20 is assembled in a housing (not shown), the inner side 20.1 of the casing 20.3, and thus also the inner surface 42 of the diaphragm, are arranged corresponding to the inner chamber of the housing. The outer side 20.2, and thus also the diaphragm outer surface 41 of the diaphragm 40, are arranged corresponding to the surroundings.

[0063] When the diaphragm 40 is formed as a breathable diaphragm 40, during normal operation, the pressure difference between the surroundings and the inner chamber of the housing can be compensated via the diaphragm 40, thereby fulfilling the breathing function.

[0064] This pressure compensation is carried out such that, for example, when the pressure in the inner chamber of the housing rises relative to the surroundings, gas reaches the gas guiding region 56 of the spacer 50 through the breathable diaphragm 40. From this gas guiding region, this gas is led out to the surroundings via the ventilation opening 55. Similarly, when the pressure in the inner chamber of the housing drops, pressure compensation in the reverse direction can be carried out.

[0065] When the pressure in the housing rises rapidly, this pressure is applied to the inner surface 42 of the diaphragm. As a result, the diaphragm 40 is deformed in the direction towards the outer side 20.2, and in particular, the diaphragm 40 bulges in the direction towards the outer side 20.2. In this case, various different deformation states may occur in the diaphragm 40. At the location where the inner surface 42 of the diaphragm is connected, in particular by material bonding, to the opposing joint 32 of the rupture element 30, the diaphragm 40 does not deform or deforms only slightly more than in the annular region that shields the gas passage opening 20.4. Based on these various different deformation states, the diaphragm 40 is caused to tear in the region of the joint 32 of the rupture element 30. In this case, in particular, based on the pressure difference prevailing, the crack in the diaphragm 40 is initiated at at least one of the cutting edges 33, 34 of the above-mentioned end 35 and / or joint 32.

[0066] As a result, the diaphragm 40 is damaged and then destroyed. Thereby, the region of the gas passage opening 20.4 is rapidly opened at least in a predetermined region. The liberated gas flow reaches the cover 60. If the gas flow is so strong that it cannot be led out through the ventilation opening 55, the flexible cover portion 61 deflects outward, and a larger cross-section for leading out the gas flow is rapidly opened.

[0067] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. As specifically shown in this drawing, the ventilation opening 55 is formed in the region between the lower surface 52 of the spacer 50 and the cover portion 28 of the casing 20.3. In other respects, the embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5 correspond to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3. Therefore, in order to avoid repetition, reference can be made to the above description.

Claims

1. A pressure compensation device (20) for a battery casing, in particular for a housing casing of an electrochemical or electrical equipment, comprising a casing (20.3) having at least one gas passage opening (20.4), the gas passage opening (20.4) forming a gas-permeable connection between the inside (20.1) and outside (20.2) of the casing (20.3), the gas passage opening (20.4) being sealed by a permeable or airtight diaphragm (40), and the die In a pressure compensation device (20), a bursting element (30) is positioned in correspondence with a diaphragm (40), and the bursting element (30) is formed and positioned such that when the diaphragm (40) deforms in the direction toward the outward side (20.2), the diaphragm (40) is ruptured at at least one location under the action of the bursting element (30), thereby forming a flow connection portion that flows from the inside (20.1) to the outside (21.1) through the gas passage opening (26.2), A pressure compensation device (20) characterized in that the inner surface (42) of the diaphragm (40) facing the inner side (20.1) of the casing (20.3) is coupled to the bursting element (30), and is particularly coupled in a material-bonding manner.

2. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bursting element (30) has a coupling portion (32), the coupling portion (32) has a coupling surface facing the diaphragm (40), the diaphragm (40) is attached to the coupling surface in a material coupling manner, the coupling surface transitions to an edge portion, particularly an edge, preferably a cutting edge (33, 34) extending laterally with respect to the coupling surface, and preferably the material coupling manner extends to the edge portion, particularly the edge, preferably the cutting edge (33, 34).

3. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diaphragm (40) has a peripheral edge, and the diaphragm (40) is coupled to the casing (20.3) in an annular manner by the peripheral edge, and the bursting element (30) protrudes into the region of the gas passage opening (20.4) and is coupled to the diaphragm (40) in the region within the peripheral edge, and is particularly coupled in a material-bonded manner.

4. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the diaphragm (40) shields the gas passage opening (20.4) in a predetermined area region, the area region having the maximum free shielding length, the length to which the bursting element (30) extends into the area of ​​the gas passage opening is at least 30% of the free shielding length, and / or the minimum longitudinal extension length of the material-bonded joint is at least 25% of the free shielding length in one direction.

5. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas passage opening (20.4) is defined by a ring-shaped annular wall, and the bursting element (30) protrudes radially inward from the wall into the region of the gas passage opening (20.4).

6. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the casing (20.3) has a cover portion (28) having an annular housing portion (24), the housing portion (24) is preferably formed as a recessed portion (26) and surrounds the gas passage opening (20.4), the peripheral edge of the diaphragm (40) is pressed against the housing portion (24) or inserted into the housing portion (24), and the coupling region (43) of the peripheral edge is annularly materially coupled to the coupling portion (25) of the housing portion (24).

7. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that the diaphragm (40) is materially bonded to the rupture element (30), and the bonding portion (32) of the rupture element (30) transitions flush with the bonding portion (25).

8. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the casing (20.3) supports a spacer (50) in the outer region (20.2), the spacer (50) supports a cover (60) spaced apart from the diaphragm (40), and the cover (60) shields the diaphragm (40) with a cover portion (61) spaced apart from the outer surface (41) of the diaphragm.

9. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 8, wherein the spacer (50) has at least one ventilation opening (55), and the ventilation opening (55) forms a spatial connection between the outer surface (41) of the diaphragm and the surrounding area.

10. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that the spacer (50) is formed as a ring body in at least a predetermined area, or has such a ring body, the ring body has an outer wall (53), the outer wall (53) is spaced apart from the edge (63) of the cover (60), and at least one degassing area in the form of a spacing space is formed between the edge and the outer wall.

11. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that the spacer (50) has a mounting portion (58) equipped with a retaining member (58.1) in a region above the outer surface (41) of the diaphragm, spaced apart from the outer surface (41) of the diaphragm, the cover portion (61) is attached to the spacer (50) by the retaining member (58.1), and the cover portion (61) is formed of a flexible material.

12. The pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 11, characterized in that the spacer (50) has a web (57), the web (57) holds the mounting portion (58) on the outer surface (41) of the diaphragm, and a gas guide region (56) is formed between the webs.

13. A method for compensating the internal pressure inside a housing casing of an electrochemical apparatus or electrical equipment, particularly a battery casing, using a pressure compensation device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when an unacceptable pressure rise occurs inside the housing casing, the diaphragm (40) deforms in a direction toward the outside (20.2) opposite to the inner chamber of the housing casing, particularly bulging, and the diaphragm (40) is ruptured at at least one location under the action of a rupture element (30), thereby forming a flow connection from the inside (20.1) to the outside (21.1) through a gas passage opening (26.2).

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