Housing Vent Valve with Integrated Cover for Membrane Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure compensation valves for electronic and electrical device housings, such as those in electric vehicles, have complex designs that require additional parts like caps or covers to protect membranes, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The valve apparatus integrates a cover as an integral part of the housing device, allowing the membrane to be welded counter to the assembly direction, simplifying the manufacturing process and eliminating the need for separate caps or covers, and features gas passage openings orthogonal to the assembly direction to deflect water away from the membrane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate caps or covers are used to protect the membrane, then the membrane is protected against mechanical damage, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane protectionVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is integrated directly into the housing device as an integral component, eliminating the need for separate protective caps or covers. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts while maintaining the protective function for the membrane against mechanical damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated cover serves multiple functions: it protects the membrane against mechanical damage, guides water flow away from the membrane through orthogonal gas passage openings, and maintains structural integrity of the housing device, thereby reducing the need for additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate caps or covers are used to protect the membrane, then the membrane is protected against mechanical damage, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective function is extracted and integrated into the housing device itself, eliminating the need for separate protective components. This reduces manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and associated costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If gas passage openings are oriented orthogonal to the assembly direction, then water is deflected away from the membrane, but the gas flow path becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protectionVSAvoidgas passage configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas passage openings are specifically oriented orthogonal to the assembly direction at critical locations where water ingress is most likely, providing targeted protection to the membrane while maintaining simple overall gas flow paths through the housing device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies the production process while ensuring reliable operation by protecting the membrane from mechanical damage and optimizing gas flow, enhancing safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a membrane (10) arranged in the gas passage opening for pressure compensation and/or for reducing a positive pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The valve apparatus integrates a cover as an integral part of the housing device, allowing the membrane to be welded counter to the assembly direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS20250383027A1Valve Apparatus, In Particular for a Housing of an Electronic and/or Electrical Device, as well as a Method for Production Thereof

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

The disclosure describes a valve apparatus designed for use with the housing of an electronic or electrical device. This apparatus includes a housing with a connection section for attaching to another component and a surrounding section. A gas passage runs through the housing from the connection section to the surrounding section, in the opposite direction of assembly, to allow for pressure equalization or to relieve excess pressure. The gas passage is covered by a lid that sits roughly perpendicular to the assembly direction and includes at least one gas opening, also oriented perpendicularly. Inside the gas passage, a membrane is installed to help manage pressure changes or reduce positive pressure within the device.