HOUSING AND BLOWER FILTER UNIT WITH ONE HOUSING

Abstract

A housing (1) accommodates various electrical, electronic, electromechanical and/or electropneumatic components (13) in a housing interior (2). A blower filter unit (19) is provided with such a housing (1). The housing (1) has at least one housing through-opening (4), arranged between the housing interior (2) and a housing environment (3), for receiving at least one functional unit (6) which, in a state received in the housing through-opening (4) is connectable to at least one of the components (13) arranged in the housing interior (2) for transmitting data, signals and/or power. The functional unit (6) is provided as an adapter module (9), which has a connector (10) that can be non-destructively detachably connected to a contact element (5) arranged in the housing through-opening (4), establishing a connection for transmitting the data, signals and/or power.

Claims

1. A housing for accommodating electrical, electronic, electromechanical and/or electropneumatic components in a housing interior, the housing comprising: a housing wall having at least one housing through-opening arranged between the housing interior and a housing environment; a contact element arranged in the housing through opening; and a functional unit comprising an energy storage unit, a drive unit, a fan motor, an operating status display and/or an control element for initiating a switch-on or switch-off process of at least one of the components arranged in the housing interior, the functional unit being configured to connect to at least one of the components in a state received by the housing through opening for the transmission of data, signals and/or power, wherein the functional unit is comprised by an adapter module with a connector configured to be non-destructively detachably connected to the contact element arranged in the housing through opening and to establish a connection for transmitting the data, signals and/or energy, and wherein in a state in which the adapter module connector is inserted into the housing opening, a dust-tight and/or liquid-tight and/or gas-tight seal is provided between the housing interior and the housing environment.

2. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the operating status display is integrated into the control element.

3. A housing according to claim 1, wherein an air inlet for supplying air into the housing interior and an air outlet for at least an indirect connection of a breathing air hose or tube, are provided on the housing wall.

4. A housing according to claim 1, further comprising a fastening element configured to provide an at least indirect fastening of a belt and/or a carrying strap to the housing wall.

5. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing through-opening has a thread, a latching element and/or a recess for fastening the adapter module to the housing.

6. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing through-opening is at least in sections conical and/or undersized with respect to an outer diameter of the adapter module.

7. A housing according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing element arranged in the housing through-opening and/or on the adapter module.

8. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the adapter module comprises a line for transmitting data, signals and/or power between the connector and an outer adapter contact element arranged on the opposite side.

9. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the contact element includes a wall structure socket portion and contacts, and the connector of the adapter module comprises a plug portion with contacts or the contact element includes a wall structure plug portion and contacts and the connector of the adapter module comprises a socket portion with contacts.

10. A blower filter unit comprising: a housing for accommodating electrical, electronic, electromechanical and/or electropneumatic components in a housing interior, the housing comprising: a housing wall having at least one housing through-opening arranged between the housing interior and a housing environment; a contact element arranged in the housing through opening; a functional unit comprising an energy storage unit, a drive unit, a fan motor, an operating status display and/or an control element; and components arranged in the housing interior, wherein the control element is for initiating a switch-on or switch-off process of at least one of the components arranged in the housing interior, the functional unit being configured to connect to at least one of the components in a state received by the housing through opening for the transmission of data, signals and/or power, wherein the functional unit is comprised by an adapter module with a connector configured to be non-destructively detachably connected to the contact element arranged in the housing through opening and to establish a connection for transmitting the data, signals and/or energy, and wherein in a state in which the adapter module connector is inserted into the housing opening, a dust-tight and/or liquid-tight and/or gas-tight seal is provided between the housing interior and the housing environment, wherein the housing has an air inlet for supplying air from the environment into the housing interior and an air outlet for discharging air from the housing interior, wherein the components arranged in the housing interior comprise data, signal and/or power transmission paths, a control unit configured to generate a control signal for actuating at least one of the components, an energy storage unit and, arranged between the air inlet and the air outlet, elements for guiding air, at least one air conveying unit and a filter for cleaning the air from the environment.

11. A blower filter unit according to claim 10, further comprising a potting compound arranged in the housing interior.

12. A blower filter unit according to claim 10, wherein the adapter module further comprises an identification unit, via which a proper fit of the adapter module relative to the contact element and/or to the housing through-opening and/or an identity of the adapter module can be detected by the control unit.

13. A blower filter unit according to claim 10, wherein the adapter module further comprises a transceiver unit for at least partial transmission and/or reception of wirelessly transmitted signals.

14. A process for operating a device, the process comprising the steps of: providing a housing for the accommodation of various electrical, electronic, electromechanical and/or electropneumatic components in a housing interior with at least one housing through-opening arranged between the housing interior and a housing environment for accommodating a functional unit which can be connected or is connected to at least one of the components arranged in the housing interior for the transmission of data, signals and/or power; providing an adapter module that comprises the functional unit, the adapter module having a connector that is configured to be non-destructively detachably attached to a contact element arranged in the housing through-opening such that a connection for transmitting the data, signals and/or power is established; and connecting the connector to the contact element with a connecting of the adapter module to the housing wall.

15. A process according to claim 14, wherein the functional unit comprises at least one operating state display and an control element for switching on and off at least one of the components arranged in the housing interior, and data, signals and/or power are transmitted at least intermittently between at least one of the components arranged in the housing interior and the operating state display and/or the control element via the connector of the adapter module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In the drawings:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a housing with a housing wall having a through-opening and with a contact element for connection to an external power supply and showing an adapter module with an operating status display and a control element; and

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective partially schematic view of a blower filter unit with housing configured according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] FIG. 1 shows in a schematic sectional view a part of a housing 1 configured according to the invention. In FIG. 1, an adapter module 9 is shown with a functional unit 6, which has an operating status display 7, a control element 8 for switching a device on and off, and a connector 10. In this case, the device is a blower filter device 19 that includes the housing 1. The connector 10 can be connected to a contact element 5 in the form of a charging socket arranged in a housing through-opening 4, which is provided for forwarding data, signals and/or power to at least one component 13 in the housing interior 2. It is essential that a separate adapter module 9 is provided, in which both the operating status display 7 and the control element 8 are arranged, and which also has a connector 10 which can be inserted into the contact element 5, in particular a contact element socket with metallic contact pins (contacts). A connection is produced between the adapter module 9 and the contact element 5 arranged in the housing through-opening 4 of a housing wall (a housing wall structure) 17 which can be detached without tools or destruction. The housing wall 17 is further shaped in the region of the housing through-opening 4 in such a way that the outer contour 22 of the adapter module 9 can be inserted into the outer edge wall contour 24 formed by the housing wall 17, and the housing wall 17 and the outer surface 22 of the adapter module 9 are at least partially in contact.

[0040] In the area of the housing opening 4, only a seal with a suitable sealing element 18 is required to ensure a dust-free seal between the housing environment 3 and the housing interior 2 when the adapter module 9 is inserted, with connector 10 inserted in the socket of the contact element 5. In addition, the contact element 5 is covered by the adapter module 9 during operation and thus reliably protected from contamination. The sealing element 18 may be arranged in the housing through-opening 5 and/or on the adapter module 9, as shown schematically in FIG. 1.

[0041] The housing through-opening 4 may have a thread, a latching element and/or a recess for fastening the adapter module 9 to the housing 1. The housing through-opening 4 may be at least in sections conical and/or undersized with respect to an outer diameter of the adapter module 9. A potting compound may be arranged in the housing interior 2.

[0042] During initial operation of the blower filter unit 19 shown in a detail in FIG. 1, which is used to protect the equipment carrier in an environment 3 with substances, gases or gas mixtures hazardous to health, the adapter module 9 is inserted into the housing opening 4, the connector 10 of the adapter module 9 being inserted into the contact structure of the contact element 5. Via the connector 10 and the contact element 5, a unidirectional or bidirectional transmission of signals and data takes place, at least temporarily, between the components 13 arranged in the housing interior 2, in particular the control unit 13b and the blower motor of the air conveying unit 13e, and the operating status display 7 and the control element 8.

[0043] According to a special further development of the solution shown in FIG. 1, the operating status display 7 is integrated in the control element 8. In any case, it is essential that only one housing opening 4 is provided in which both the contact element 5, the operating status display 7 and the control element 8 are arranged. In this way, relatively simple means can be used to achieve a reliable seal between the housing interior 2 and the housing environment 3, which can preferably even be configured to be gas-tight.

[0044] If the technical solution shown in FIG. 1 is used in a housing 1 of a blower filter unit 19, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing interior 2 contains above all hose lines for conveying air 13d, lines for transmitting data, signals and power 13a, a blower as an air conveying unit 13e, a voltage source in the form of an energy storage unit 13c configured as a battery (an accumulator), at least one filter 13f for treating the ambient air drawn in as required, and a control unit 13b for controlling the individual components 13. Air is drawn in from the environment 3 via an air inlet 11, purified of at least one substance hazardous to health by the at least one filter 13f and discharged from the housing interior 2 via an air outlet 12, to which a breathing air hose 14 can be connected. Finally, the device wearer is supplied with purified air via the breathing air hose 14 and a hose connector (not shown) arranged in a helmet or hood.

[0045] The adapter module 9 may have a transceiver unit via which data is at least partially transmitted wirelessly from an external data provision unit to the control unit 13a of the blower filter unit 19 arranged in the housing interior 2. The adapter module 9 may also comprise a line for transmitting data, signals and/or power between the connector 10 and an outer adapter contact element 20 that is arranged on the opposite side of the adapter module 9. The adapter module 9 may further comprise an identification unit, via which a proper fit of the adapter module 9 relative to the contact element 5 can be detected by the control unit 13b, and/or the identification unit may be provided such that an identity of the adapter module 9 at the housing through-opening 4 can be detected by the control unit 13b. The identification unit may be a transponder integrated into the adapter module 9.

[0046] If, after the end of operation, the battery 13c arranged in the housing interior 2 is to be recharged and supplied with electrical energy for this purpose and/or data is to be transferred between the internal control unit 13b and an external data provision unit, for example an update of the firmware is to be loaded, the adapter module 9 is removed from the housing through-opening 4 and a suitable connection is made between the contact element 5 arranged in the housing through-opening 4 and an external power supply and a data provision unit. When the blower filter unit 19 is started up again, the corresponding connector is released from the contact element 5 and the adapter module 9 is reinserted into the housing through-opening 4 so that the connector 10 of the adapter module 9 is again connected to the contact structure of the contact element 5.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a blower filter unit 19 as carried by an equipment carrier in an area in which harmful substances, in particular dusts, and/or gases or gas mixtures hazardous to health may be present. The housing 1 of the blower filter device 19 is configured according to the invention. In particular, an adapter module 9 with an operating status display 7 and control elements 8 for switching the device 19 on or off or making special settings is provided, which is inserted into a housing through-opening of the housing wall. On a side facing the housing interior 2, the adapter module 9 has a connector 10 which is connected to a contact element 5 in the form of a socket with metallic contact pins for transmitting data, signals and power.

[0048] During operation, the blower filter unit 19 draws in contaminated air from the environment 3 via an air inlet 11 with the aid of an air conveying unit 13d arranged in the housing interior 2, conveys this air through hose lines 13c to a filter 13f and finally conveys the purified air to an air outlet 12. A breathing air hose 14 is connected to the air outlet 12, via which purified air is supplied to a hose connector of a helmet or hood worn by the device wearer (not shown). A control unit 13b is provided for the proper control of the components 13 arranged in the housing interior 2, in particular the air delivery unit 13d, which is connected to the operating status display 7 and the control elements 8 via the contact element 5 and the connector 10 of the adapter module 9 for the exchange of data and signals.

[0049] Further, the housing 1 has fasteners 15 by which a belt 16 is attached to the housing 1 of the blower filter device 19 so that the device 19 can be carried on the body by the device wearer.

[0050] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers 1 Housing 2 Housing interior 3 Housing Environment 4 Housing opening 5 Contact element 6 Functional unit 7 Operating status display 8 Control element 9 Adapter module 10 Connector 11 Air inlet 12 Air outlet 13 Component 13a Data, signal and/or power transmission lines 13b Control unit 13c Energy storage 13d Elements for air guidance 13e Air delivery unit 13f Filter 14 Breathing air hose 15 Fastening element 16 Belt 17 Housing wall - housing wall structure 18 Sealing element 19 Blower filter unit 20 Outer adapter contact element 22 Outer surface of the adapter module 24 Outer edge wall contour