Ventilation structure of in-vehicle device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a ventilation structure that allows a ventilation member and a ventilation mechanism to be provided without protruding in the outward direction from a housing enclosure and comprises sufficient waterproofness and dust resistance together with breathability, while also ensuring sustainable procurement and supply of the material and achieving lower manufacturing cost. [Solution] This ventilation structure in which an inner ventilation port (20) provided in an enclosure inner wall surface (5) of a housing (1) without protruding outside the enclosure and an outer ventilation port (21) provided in an enclosure outer wall surface (6) are connected each other via an in-wall ventilation path (18) provided in a wall interior part (7) of the housing, the inner ventilation path (20) and the outer ventilation path (21) being provided so as to be bent with respect to the in-wall ventilation path (18).

Description

Ventilation structure for in-vehicle equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation structure and a ventilation member for an in-vehicle device.

[0002] Conventionally, the housings of vehicle lighting fixtures such as headlamps, rear lamps, and lid lamps, in-vehicle devices such as electronic control devices, battery packs, radars, and cameras, as well as various electronic devices for home, medical, and office use, require ventilation between the interior of the housing and the outside air to eliminate pressure differences that occur between the interior and exterior of the housing due to temperature changes. Vehicle lighting fixtures also face the problem of fogging of lenses due to condensation inside the lamp body, requiring ventilation to quickly eliminate fogging. While these devices are provided with ventilation holes to ensure ventilation, they also require dustproofness to prevent foreign objects from entering the housing through the ventilation holes and waterproofness to prevent water from entering. Therefore, ventilation members or ventilation structures with these breathable, dustproof, and waterproof properties are installed in the devices.

[0003] Here, we will explain a vehicle lamp, which, among other in-vehicle devices, is required to eliminate the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the housing and to shorten the time it takes for lenses to defog due to condensation. The entire vehicle lamp is referred to as a lamp body, the lens portion that transmits light from the lamp body when the lamp body is attached to the vehicle body is referred to as a lens cover 2, the portion that is hidden by the vehicle body when the lamp body is attached to the vehicle body is referred to as the rear surface of the lamp body, and the resin molded portion that covers the entire rear surface of the lamp body is referred to as a housing 1. The lens cover 2 and the housing 1 are combined to form a housing interior 4, and at least one light source 3 is provided in the housing interior 4. The space between the housing interior wall 5 of the housing 1 and the housing exterior wall 6 of the housing 1 is referred to as an interior wall 7 of the housing. In in-vehicle devices other than vehicle lamps, the entire housing is referred to as the housing 1, and the space between the housing interior wall 5 of the housing 1 and the housing exterior wall 6 of the housing is referred to as the interior wall 7 of the housing. In such a housing structure, the housing 1 is provided with a vent that communicates between the inside and outside of the housing and circulates air. For in-vehicle devices other than vehicle lighting fixtures, the entire enclosure is referred to as the housing 1 .

[0004] 10(b) and 13(a), an inner vent is provided from the inside of the housing 4 on the back surface of the lamp body, a cylindrical protrusion 10 is provided from the inner vent, the inside of the cylinder communicates with the inside of the housing 4, the tip of the protrusion is covered with a cap member 11 that is attached later, a groove on the outer surface of the protrusion and a gap between the inner surface of the cap member form a folded-back vent path, the opening of the cap member serves as an outer vent for outside air, and the outer vent communicates with the inner vent through the vent path, forming a folded labyrinth structure that prevents dust and water from entering the inside of the housing 4. Another example is one in which an air path is formed by a synthetic resin or rubber tube bent into an L-shape or C-shape around the protrusion, as shown in Figure 13(c).

[0005] In some cases, a filter is inserted into the ventilation path to further improve dust resistance or to prevent insects from entering the housing, and in other cases, a PTFE breathable membrane is attached to the ventilation path to further improve waterproofing.

[0006] JP 2001-143524 A JP 2015-207529 A JP 2006-324260 A JP 2010-52613 A JP 2022-22939 A

[0007] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have the following technical problems to be solved.

[0008] First, the rear of the lamp body of a vehicle lamp fixture is narrow due to the proximity of vehicle body components other than the lamp body, such as vehicle body panels. Furthermore, the rear space is limited due to the placement of a power cord connected to the light source, a socket for inserting the light source protruding from the rear of the lamp body, and a light distribution mechanism. Furthermore, in conventional technologies, the ventilation structure is provided in a tubular or vertical wall-like manner, with a ventilation passage protruding from the wall of the housing toward the exterior of the housing 13, and a cylindrical ventilation member or rubber tube attached to the tip of the passage. This further limits the location where the ventilation structure can be installed to avoid interference with vehicle components. Furthermore, because water spraying toward the housing seeps in between the cylindrical opening and the outer wall of the tubular ventilation passage, the entire protruding ventilation structure must be surrounded by a waterproof wall 12, which further protrudes toward the exterior of the housing 13. Due to the protruding structure, it is not possible to provide a ventilation structure in a location that is effective in shortening the time it takes for the defogging to disappear, and a desiccant may be placed inside the housing 4, which increases the cost.

[0009] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(b), in the area 9 where the body 8 and housing 1 are close to each other, there is no space to protrude the ventilation path toward the vehicle body to provide a ventilation structure. Furthermore, in this area, the narrow gap between the housing 1 and lens 2 of the lamp body makes it impossible to provide a ventilation mechanism inside the lamp. Therefore, a PTFE-made breathable membrane 15, which is breathable, waterproof, and dustproof, is attached to the adhesive surface 16 of the ventilation hole 14 provided in the housing 1. However, the breathable membrane 15 is expensive, increasing the cost of the finished product. Furthermore, the breathable membrane has a very low rigidity, raising concerns about breakage during installation or maintenance of the housing. To prevent breakage, a protective cover is attached, or a ventilation path is provided toward the inside of the housing, with the breathable membrane attached to its inner end, resulting in a complex structure that protrudes inward. Another proposal has been made to attach a breathable membrane made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, but its large pore size raises concerns about waterproofing and dustproofing, and, like the PTFE breathable membrane, its rigidity is very low.

[0010] Furthermore, the PTFE breathable membranes mentioned above use PFAS as a raw material, raising concerns about their toxicity to the human body and ecosystems. Restrictions on their use are being tightened around the world, raising concerns about the sustainability of future production and supply. PFAS-free breathable membranes have been developed, but they are expensive. Demand for fluorine compounds, the raw material for PTFE breathable membranes, is expanding for semiconductor manufacturing and other applications. The natural minerals that contain the main raw materials are rare, and protecting global resources and ensuring sustainable procurement and supply can be challenging.

[0011] It is desirable for the ventilation structure of vehicle lighting and other in-vehicle equipment to be able to provide a ventilation structure in a more effective location by minimizing protrusion into the outside 13 and inside 4 of the housing, and to provide a ventilation structure that is breathable, dustproof, waterproof, can reduce the time it takes for fogging due to condensation to disappear, and is rigid, has no adverse effects on the human body or the ecosystem of the raw materials, has no concerns about the sustainability of production and supply, and is able to be procured stably, and has a lower manufacturing cost.

[0012] The following describes the ventilation structure of the present invention for a vehicle lamp, which, among other in-vehicle equipment, requires not only breathability for eliminating pressure differences but also a reduction in the time required for the lens to defog due to condensation inside the housing.

[0013] The ventilation structure of the present invention provides a ventilation structure for in-vehicle equipment, characterized in that an internal air vent (20) is provided from an internal wall surface (5) of the housing toward an interior wall (7) of the housing without penetrating an external wall surface (6) of the housing and without protruding from the external wall surface of the housing toward the outside of the housing, an external air vent (21) is provided from the side of the external wall surface (6) of the housing at an appropriate position spaced along the internal wall surface (5) from the position of the internal air vent (20) toward the interior wall (7) of the housing without penetrating the internal wall surface (5), an internal air passage (18) is provided in the interior wall (7) of the housing to communicate with the internal air vent (20) and the external air vent (21), the internal air vent (20) is bent relative to the internal air passage (18), and the external air vent (21) is bent relative to the internal air passage (18), thereby communicating the interior (4) of the housing with the outside (13) of the housing.

[0014] Within the in-wall air passage 18, one or more blocking walls 24 are provided to block part of the in-wall air passage 18 while ensuring partial ventilation, thereby forming a first labyrinth structure 23, and the bending of the air passage by the first labyrinth structure 23 and the expansion chamber 25 formed by the blocking walls 24 ensure pressure loss of outside air entering the housing, thereby preventing water, dirt, and dust from entering the housing.

[0015] The inner walls of the in-wall air passage 18 are an inner wall 27 on the lamp chamber side and an outer wall 28 on the outside of the housing, and at least one or more outer wall barriers 33 are provided on the external air vent 21 side of the outer wall 28 of the outer wall member 19 and outer wall member 35, facing the inner wall 27, to block a portion of the in-wall air passage 18 and allow ventilation through it, and at least one or more inner wall barriers 34 are provided from the inner wall 27 toward the outer wall 28, to block a portion of the in-wall air passage 18 and allow ventilation through it, and the outer wall barriers 33 and the inner wall barriers 34 provide a second labyrinth structure within the in-wall air passage 18.

[0016] In the case where the environment where the vehicle is used is one with a high dust concentration or where the lamp is attached to the vehicle body and there is a concern that insects may get into the housing, a filter 22 is installed in the ventilation path 18 to prevent dust and insects from getting into the housing 4.

[0017] The outer wall members 19 and 35 are collectively referred to as the outer wall members. The outer wall members are flexible, and the pressure of the water spraying onto the outer vent 21 causes the outer wall members to bend toward the inner wall 27, blocking the opening from the outer vent 21 to the intra-wall air passage 18 and preventing water from entering the intra-wall air passage 18.

[0018] A drainage channel 54 is provided between the joint between the outer wall barrier 33 and the joint groove 36, and is connected to the ventilation port 21 so that water that has entered the enclosure can flow out from the ventilation port 21 to the outside of the housing 13.

[0019] When water splashes on the exterior vent 21, a water film may form between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall barrier 33 due to the surface tension of the water. When the vehicle is placed in cold weather, the water film may freeze and impede the ventilation of the housing. In the present invention, a water film aggregating protrusion 42 is provided so that its tip comes into contact with the water film, which guides the water film downward and prevents it from forming between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28.

[0020] Unlike conventional cap-type and tube-type ventilation systems, the ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment of the present invention does not require the ventilation passage to protrude outside the housing. This eliminates the need to consider interference with other vehicle components or the body when designing the ventilation structure, greatly expanding the range of possible ventilation structures. Furthermore, the interior and exterior ventilation ports can be spaced apart, allowing the interior ventilation port to be located in a location that is more effective in shortening the time it takes to eliminate fogging due to condensation. The exterior ventilation port can be located in a location that does not interfere with or obstruct other components. The interior and exterior ventilation ports can be connected via an in-wall ventilation channel within the housing wall. Furthermore, the present invention addresses the challenges of conventional PTFE ventilation membrane ventilation systems: reduced costs for vehicle-mounted equipment, improved ventilation structure rigidity, and sustainability of material procurement, production, and supply.

[0021] [Correction based on Rule 91 04.03.2025] Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of the ventilation structure of Example 1 of the present invention installed in part B of Figure 12, viewed from outside the housing 13. Figure 1(b) is a perspective view of the ventilation structure of Example 1 of the present invention installed in part B of Figure 12, viewed from inside the housing 4. Figure 1(c) is a perspective view of the ventilation structure of Figure 1(a) with the outer wall member 19, which forms the outer wall 6 of the housing, removed so that the internal structure can be explained. Figure 2(a) is a front view of the ventilation structure of Example 1 from the outside of the housing 13. Figure 2(b) is a front view of Example 1 from inside the housing 4. Figure 2(c) is a cross-sectional view along CC. Figure 2(d) is an enlarged view of section D in Figure 2(c). Figure 2(e) shows the state in which the outer wall member 19 is made of a flexible material. When water is sprayed toward the external vent 21, the end of the outer wall member 19 bends due to water pressure, causing the outer wall barrier 33 to block the external vent 21 and stop water from entering. Figure 2(f) is an enlarged cross-sectional view along MM, showing the water film aggregation protrusion 42. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of Example 2 of the ventilation structure of the present invention, installed at section B in Figure 12, viewed from the outside of the housing 13. Figure 3(b) is a perspective view of the ventilation structure of Figure 3(a) with the outer wall member 35 forming the housing side wall 6 removed to enable explanation of the internal structure. FIG. 3(c) shows a diagram of Example 2 with three internal ventilation openings 20. FIG. 4(a) shows a front view of the ventilation structure of Example 2 from the outside 13 of the housing of FIG. 3 . FIG. 4(b) shows a front view of the ventilation structure from inside 4 of the housing. FIG. 4(c) is an E-E cross-sectional view. FIG. 4(d) is an enlarged view of section G of FIG. 4(c). FIG. 4(e) is an F-F cross-sectional view. FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of Example 3 of the ventilation structure of the present invention, installed at section B of FIG. 12. FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of the ventilation structure of FIG. 5(a) with the outer wall member 35 forming the housing outer wall 6 removed to enable explanation of the internal structure. FIG. 5(c) is a front view of the ventilation path Z of Example 3.FIG. 6(a) is a front view of the ventilation structure of Example 3 of FIG. 5 from the outside of the housing 13. FIG. 6(b) is a front view of the ventilation structure from inside the housing 4. FIG. 6(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H. FIG. 6(d) is an enlarged view of section J of FIG. 6(c). FIG. 6(e) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line K-K. FIG. 7(a) is a front view of the ventilation structure of Example 4 from outside the housing 13 at section P of FIG. 12. FIG. 7(b) is a front view of the ventilation structure of Example 4 from inside the housing 4. FIG. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line N-N. FIG. 7(d) is a perspective view of the internal structure of FIG. 7(a) with the outer wall member 19 removed. FIG. 7(e) is a perspective view of the internal structure of FIG. 7(b) with the inner wall member 51 removed. FIG. 8 is a view of Example 5, in which the ventilation structure of Example 1 is provided with a detachable ventilation member attached to the opening of the housing 1. FIG. 8( a) is a perspective view before the outer wall member 19 is attached to the internal ventilation port 20 and the intra-wall ventilation path 18. FIG. 8( b) is a perspective view of the ventilation member 43. FIG. 8( c) is a perspective view of the back side of the ventilation member 43. FIG. 8( d) is a perspective view of the opening before the ventilation member 43 is fitted to part B in FIG. 12. FIG. 8( e) is a perspective view of the opening in FIG. 8( d) as viewed from the outside of the housing 13. FIG. 8( f) is a perspective view of FIG. 8( e) as viewed from the inside of the housing 4. FIG. 9( a) is a perspective view of the housing 1 of the in-vehicle device. FIG. 9( b) is a perspective view of the housing 1 of the in-vehicle device with the top cover open. FIG. 9( c) is a front view of the housing 1 of the in-vehicle device. FIG. 9( d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line L-L. FIG. 10( a) is a front view of a typical vehicle. FIG. 10( b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A. Fig. 11(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B in Fig. 10(a). Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A, including a portion of the vehicle body. Fig. 12(a) is a view seen from the arrow A of the lamp body in Fig. 11. Fig. 12(b) is a view seen from the arrow A in Fig. 11, in which the ventilation structures of Examples 1, 2, and 4 are installed in the housing. Fig. 12(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along H-H. Fig. 13(a) shows a ventilation member using a cap according to the prior art, Fig. 13(b) shows a bent path ventilation device, and Fig. 13(c) shows a ventilation member made of a rubber tube.

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The upper, lower, and upper and lower sides are based on the state in which the in-vehicle device is mounted on the vehicle. The right and left sides are based on the illumination direction of the vehicle lamp being forward.

[0023] FIG. 1( a ) is a perspective view of a housing 1 according to a first embodiment, showing the ventilation structure of the present invention as viewed from the outside 13 of the housing. FIG. 1( b ) is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the ventilation structure of the first embodiment, with the outer wall member 19 removed. An internal ventilation port 20 from the inside 4 of the housing communicates with an internal ventilation channel 18 inside the wall 7 of the housing, which in turn communicates with an external ventilation port 21. The ventilation mechanism of the present invention was installed in the area B in FIG. 12( b ), where a PEFE ventilation membrane had been attached to the adjacent area 8. The ventilation structure of the first embodiment was formed by molding the internal ventilation port 20 and the internal ventilation channel 18, which lacked the external wall surface 6, in the mold used to mold the housing 1. Then, the external wall member 19 was attached to the external wall surface 6 so that a portion of the external wall surface 6 was open. This opening became the external ventilation port 21, forming the ventilation structure of the present invention. The outer wall member 19 could be assembled in the same amount of time as with a conventional PTFE breathable membrane. The ventilation structure of Example 1 could also be formed using a 3D printer, but the above-described formation method was chosen in consideration of the printing process time and the work time required to remove the support material.

[0024] A blocking wall 24 and an expansion chamber 25 are provided within the air vent path 18, forming a first labyrinth structure 23. The blocking wall 24 and the expansion chamber 25 increase the pressure loss of the airflow from the outside of the housing 13 compared to the airflow from the inside of the housing 4, providing breathability and high waterproof and dustproof properties. An air vent path Z is formed, and this air vent path Z connects the inside of the lamp housing 1 to the outside. The molds for the internal air vent 20 and the in-wall air vent path 18 have a nested structure, so that the structure within the in-wall air vent path 18 can be changed by replacing the nesting parts to meet the performance requirements of the environment in which the on-vehicle equipment is used.

[0025] A filter 22 can be provided inside the air passage 18. In Example 1, foamed urethane was used as the material for the filter 22, but since the filter is protected by the outer wall member 19, any breathable and dustproof material such as nonwoven fabric, microfiber, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene sintered body can be used. In combination with the first labyrinth structure, the filter can meet the waterproof and dustproof requirements that vary depending on the environment in which the vehicle body is used and the location where it is attached to the vehicle body.

[0026] In this embodiment, the ventilation structure of the present invention was fabricated by molding the internal ventilation port 20 and the in-wall ventilation passage 18 in the housing 1, installing a filter in the in-wall ventilation passage 18, and covering it with an outer wall member 19 molded from a thermoplastic elastomer to form the housing outer wall surface 6, and adhering it with double-sided tape. The outer wall member can be attached to the housing 1 by ultrasonic welding, high-frequency welding, laser welding, adhesive, or pressure-sensitive adhesive. Attaching the filter 22 before assembling the outer wall member 19 improves assembly efficiency.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2(d), two exterior wall barriers 33 are provided on the outer wall 28 of the exterior wall member 19 on the exterior vent 21 side, and an interior wall barrier 34 is provided on the interior wall 27, forming a second labyrinth structure 26. The exterior wall member 19 is made of an elastic, flexible material, and as shown in Figure 2(e), it bends when water sprays from any direction, blocking the exterior vent 21 and preventing water from entering. The stronger the water pressure, the more water-resistant the structure becomes. In addition, the exterior vent peripheral wall 53 acts as a waterproof wall to prevent water spraying into the exterior vent, eliminating the need for the conventional cylindrical ventilation path and waterproof wall 12 of the bottomed cylindrical ventilation structure.

[0028] When water gets on the exterior air vent 21, a water film forms between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28 due to the surface tension of the water. When the vehicle is placed in cold weather, the water film may freeze and impede ventilation. In the present invention, a water film agglomeration protrusion 42 is provided so as to come into contact with the water film formed between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28, which guides the water molecules of the water film downward, causing the water film to flow downward and preventing the water film from forming between the inner wall 27 and the outer wall barrier 33.

[0029] A comparative test was conducted to compare the defogging time of the ventilation structure of Example 1 with that of a standard PTFE ventilation membrane. The PTFE ventilation membrane has an area of ​​280 square millimeters, while the narrowest cross-sectional area of ​​the inner ventilation port 20, outer ventilation port 21, and in-wall ventilation channel 18 of Example 1 is 13 square millimeters, roughly 1 / 20 of the area of ​​the vent hole. The defogging time was measured using the ventilation structure of Example 1, which showed a reduction of approximately 20% compared to the PTFE ventilation membrane.

[0030] 3 and 4 are diagrams of a second embodiment of the ventilation structure of the present invention, and Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view of the inside of the ventilation structure with the outer wall member 35 removed. The inner ventilation port 20 from the inside of the housing 4 is bent inside the wall 7 of the housing and communicates with the inner-wall ventilation path 18, and the inner-wall ventilation path 18 extends and communicates with the outer ventilation port 21, so that the ventilation structure communicates between the inside of the housing 4 and the outside of the housing 13.

[0031] The outer wall member 35 is molded from EPDM rubber. Materials other than rubber can also be used. Unlike the adhesive and welding used in Example 1, the outer wall barrier 33 provided on the outer wall member 35 is pressed and fastened to the fitting groove 36. By making the outer wall member 35 round and concentrically shaped, it is symmetrical in the vertical and horizontal directions. This means that the assembly direction when fitting the outer wall member 35 to the housing 1 is not limited, improving assembly workability and facilitating assembly by robot.

[0032] The outer wall barrier 33 of the outer wall member 35 is a fitting portion with the fitting groove 36 of the housing 1, but there is no fitting groove 36 where it covers the intra-wall air passage 18, and it functions as an outer wall barrier 33 for waterproofing the intra-wall air passage 18. Furthermore, together with the inner wall barrier 34 provided on the inner wall 27, it forms the second labyrinth structure 26, as in Example 1. The outer wall member 35 is made flexible, so that it bends under the pressure of water from a fountain directed toward the external air vent 21, blocking the external air vent 21 and preventing water from entering. Furthermore, to prevent water from seeping into the ventilation structure due to capillary action between the housing 1 and the outer wall member 35, a drainage channel 54 is provided at the fitting portion between the outer wall barrier 33 and the fitting groove 36, allowing any water that seeps in to flow out into the external air vent 21.

[0033] Figure 3(c) shows the ventilation structure of Example 2, which has three internal ventilation openings 20. Each internal ventilation opening 20 connects to the internal ventilation passage 18 within the housing wall 7. The internal ventilation passages 18 extend to the center of the ventilation structure, merge, and connect to the external ventilation opening 21. A filter is installed at the central junction to ensure dust and insect protection. By providing three internal ventilation openings 20, the time required to clear lens fogging caused by condensation over a wider area can be reduced. Furthermore, by combining the internal ventilation passages 18 from the three internal ventilation openings 20 in one location at the center of the circular ventilation structure, the outer wall member 35 is made round and has the same shape as a concentric circle. This creates a symmetrical shape in the vertical and horizontal directions, eliminating limitations on the orientation of the outer wall member 35 when assembling it to the housing 1, improving assembly workability.

[0034] In Figure 3 (c), a filter locking portion 39 is provided in the center of the outer wall member 35 to prevent the filter from falling off, and a cap locking portion 40 is provided at the tip of the filter locking portion 39.The cap locking portion 40 is fitted into a cap locking hole 41 provided in the inner wall 27 of the intra-wall air passage 18, thereby preventing the outer wall member 35 from falling off.

[0035] 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the ventilation structure of the present invention, in which an internal ventilation port 20 from inside the housing 4 communicates with an internal ventilation channel 18 provided around the inside of the circular ventilation structure within the housing wall 7. The internal ventilation channel 18 communicates with an external ventilation port 21, connecting the inside housing 4 and the outside housing 13. The internal ventilation channel 18 is provided with a first labyrinth structure and a second labyrinth 26. When ventilation air enters the internal ventilation channel 18 from the outside housing 13, pressure loss occurs due to the large expansion chamber 25. The internal ventilation channel 18 branches in two directions, and pressure loss is further reduced by the refraction caused by the blocking wall 24 and the expansion chamber 25. The elimination of a filter further reduced costs.

[0036] A cap locking hole 41 is provided in the center where the filter of Example 2 was provided, and the outer wall member 35 is molded from rubber, with a cap locking portion 40 provided in the center, which is fitted into the cap locking hole 41 provided in the housing.

[0037] The embodiment in Figure 7 is a diagram of Example 4 of the ventilation structure of the present invention, and is an example for when it is desired to install the ventilation mechanism of the present invention in a location suitable for shortening the time it takes to eliminate condensation, and when there is another component storage section 52 or the like on the outside of the casing of the housing 1, as in section P in Figure 12(a), and a conventional ventilation mechanism or ventilation member cannot be installed.

[0038] The external vent 21 is provided on the outside of the housing 1 in a location where there are no other component storage sections 52, etc., and the internal vent 20 is provided in a location suitable for shortening the time required for the ventilation mechanism of the present invention to eliminate condensation, and the external vent 21 and the internal vent 20 are communicated by the internal wall air passage 18. A groove that will become the external vent 21 and a groove that will become the internal wall air passage 18 are formed in advance in the housing 1 during molding, an outer wall member is attached to the internal wall air passage 18 on the housing exterior 13 to form the external air passage 21, and an internal wall member 51 equipped with the internal vent 20 is attached from the inside of the housing 4 side. It is now possible to install the internal vent 20 of the ventilation mechanism of the present invention in a location suitable for shortening the time required for condensation to eliminate condensation.

[0039] 8 is a diagram of Example 5, showing a ventilation member that forms the ventilation structure of the present invention when attached to a housing 1, and when attached to the housing 1, the ventilation member 43 has an inner ventilation port 20, an outer ventilation port 21, and an in-wall ventilation passage 18 that connects the inner ventilation port 20 and the outer ventilation port 21, and is structured so that a slide groove 44 of the ventilation member is fitted into a slide portion 47 provided on the inner periphery of an opening provided in the housing 1, and a locking portion 45 of the ventilation member 43 is fitted and fixed into a fall prevention wall 46 provided on the housing 1. This type is used when the structure of the casing makes it impossible to mold a complex in-wall ventilation passage 18 into the housing 1 due to the structure of the mold, when the housing is made of a material such as metal that makes it difficult to form an in-wall ventilation passage, or when the housing is in the design and prototype stage.

[0040] Figure 9 is a diagram of Example 6, in which an internal air vent 20, an in-wall air passage 18, an internal wall surface 5 of the housing, and an external wall surface 6 of the housing are formed using a mold when molding the housing 1 for the in-vehicle equipment, a filter 22 is inserted into the in-wall air passage 18, and an external wall member 19 is fixed by ultrasonic welding to form an external air vent 21.

[0041] Furthermore, instead of a filter 22, a breathable membrane was attached to cover the internal ventilation port 20, ensuring dustproofness. Because the breathable membrane is protected by the housing outer wall surface 6, it will not be damaged during installation or maintenance of the housing. This eliminates the need for a complex structure, such as creating a protruding ventilation channel on the housing interior 4 and attaching a breathable membrane to that side, expanding the range of locations where a breathable structure can be installed. Furthermore, because it is not directly exposed to water, a hydrophobic PTFE breathable membrane was not used, and instead a polyester nonwoven fabric was attached. This resulted in significant cost reductions. Together, this ensured the sustainable production and supply of breathable structures for in-vehicle equipment, as well as the procurement of materials.

[0042] The above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited by these descriptions.

[0043] The present invention can be used in a ventilation structure for equipment.

[0044] 1 Housing 2 Lens cover 3 Light source 4 Inside the housing 5 Housing inner wall surface 6 Housing outer wall surface 7 Inside the wall of the housing 8 Body 9 Adjacent area 10 Protrusion 11 Cap member 12 Waterproof wall 13 Outside the housing 14 Vent 15 PTFE breathable membrane 16 Adhesive surface 17 Conventional cap breathable member 18 In-wall breathable path 19 Outer wall member 20 Inner breathable port 21 Outer breathable port 22 Filter 23 First labyrinth structure 24 Shielding wall 25 Expansion chamber 26 Second labyrinth structure 27 Inner wall 28 Outer wall 29 Right side wall 30 Left side wall 31 Upper side wall 32 Lower side wall 33 Outer wall barrier 34 Inner wall barrier 35 Outer wall member 36 Fitting groove portion 37 Approximately rectangular breathable structure 38 Round breathable structure 39 Filter engaging portion 40 Cap engaging portion 41 Cap locking hole 42 Water film aggregation protrusion 43 Ventilation member 44 Slide groove 45 Locking portion 46 Fall prevention wall 47 Slide portion 48 Opening 49 Ventilation membrane 50 Sloped wall for preventing backflow of fountain 51 Inner wall member 52 Other parts storage portion 53 External vent peripheral wall 54 Drainage channel

Claims

1. A ventilation structure between the inside and outside of a housing covered by a housing, wherein an internal air vent is provided from the internal wall surface of the housing toward the inside of the wall of the housing without penetrating the external wall surface of the housing and without protruding from the external wall surface of the housing toward the outside of the housing, an external air vent is provided from the external wall surface of the housing toward the inside of the wall of the housing at an appropriate position along the internal wall surface of the housing away from the position of the internal air vent toward the inside of the wall of the housing without penetrating the internal wall surface of the housing, an internal air passage is provided inside the wall of the housing so that the internal air vent and the external air vent communicate, the internal air vent is bent relative to the internal air passage and the external air vent is bent relative to the internal air passage, thereby connecting the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing.

2. The ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that a labyrinth structure is formed within the ventilation passage within the wall.

3. The ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of an outer wall barrier and an inner wall barrier is provided within the in-wall ventilation passage.

4. The ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that a filter is installed in the air passage within the wall.

5. The ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall member is a flexible body.

6. The ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that a drainage channel communicating with an external ventilation port is provided between the outer wall barrier and the groove.

7. The ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the ventilation mechanism has a water film condensation protrusion on the inner wall of the outer vent port.

8. The ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the in-wall ventilation passage is provided inside the wall of the housing with at least one of the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the housing open, and the open in-wall ventilation passage is covered by at least one of the outer wall member and the inner wall member, the covered outer wall member becoming the outer wall surface of the housing, and the covered inner wall member becoming the inner wall surface of the housing.

9. The ventilation structure for vehicle-mounted equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the ventilation structure is constructed by attaching a ventilation member having the inner ventilation port, the outer ventilation port, and the in-wall ventilation path to an opening provided in the housing.

Images