VENTILATION ARRANGEMENT AND DEVICE HAVING A VENTILATION ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A ventilation arrangement has a ventilation channel with a mouth opening and a first shielding hood shielding the mouth opening. The ventilation channel widens and/or narrows in cross section towards the mouth opening. The mouth opening is encompassed by the first shielding hood, leaving free a gap.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A ventilation arrangement for a housing, the ventilation arrangement comprising: a ventilation channel formed with a mouth opening, said ventilation channel having a widening and/or narrowing cross section toward said mouth opening; and a shielding hood shielding said mouth opening, said shielding hood encompassing said mouth opening, leaving a gap between said shielding hood and said mouth opening free.

19. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said shielding hood for encompassing said mouth opening has a cross-sectional change directed in an opposite direction relative to a cross-sectional change of said ventilation channel in a region of said mouth opening.

20. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 18, wherein mutually facing mouth edges of said ventilation channel and said first shielding hood do not undercut one another.

21. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said shielding hood is a first shielding hood and wherein a second shielding hood encompasses said first shielding hood.

22. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said second shielding hood is connected to a wall of said ventilation channel and said first shielding hood is supported on said second shielding hood so as to be suspended in front of said mouth opening.

23. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 21, wherein an outer casing side of said ventilation channel and an outer casing side of said second shielding hood are formed with coaxially running grooves.

24. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said first shielding hood is formed with a groove running coaxially on an inner casing side.

25. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said shielding hood is formed with a groove running coaxially on an inner casing side.

26. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 24, wherein a groove base of said groove of said ventilation channel is arranged in an axial sequence below groove bases of said grooves formed in said first and second shielding hoods.

27. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 24, wherein a groove base of said groove formed in said first shielding hood is arranged in an axial sequence both above a groove base of said groove of said ventilation channel and above a groove base of said groove formed in said second shielding hood.

28. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 24, wherein a ventilation opening is arranged at least in one groove flank of a groove at a distance from a groove base of the respective said groove.

29. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 18, further comprising a filter arranged in said ventilation channel.

30. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 18, wherein a wall of said ventilation channel is formed with a stop for a casing-side thread.

31. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 30, wherein said stop is formed for an outer-casing-side thread.

32. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 30, wherein said shielding hood is one of two coaxial shielding hoods and at least one of said shielding hoods is supported on said stop.

33. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 30, wherein a joint between said shielding hood and said stop is formed with at least one ventilation opening.

34. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 18 having the characteristics of having been manufactured additively.

35. The ventilation arrangement according to claim 18, configured to be UV-stable.

36. A device, comprising: a closed housing with a housing wall; and a ventilation arrangement according to claim 18 penetrating said housing wall.

37. The device according to claim 36, wherein the housing is a housing of a switch cabinet.

Description

[0045] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown below schematically in a drawing and described in more detail below. In the drawing

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a ventilation arrangement;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the ventilation arrangement known from FIG. 1 in section;

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the ventilation arrangement in section in an installed position;

[0049] FIG. 4 shows the ventilation arrangement in section in an upright installation position;

[0050] FIG. 5 shows the ventilation arrangement in section in an oblique installation position;

[0051] FIG. 6 shows the ventilation arrangement in section in a horizontal installation position;

[0052] FIG. 7 shows the ventilation arrangement in section in an oblique installation position upside down, and

[0053] FIG. 8 shows the ventilation arrangement in an installation position upside down.

[0054] The ventilation arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is formed substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis of rotation 1. A rotationally symmetrical ventilation channel 2 is arranged coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation 1. The ventilation channel 2 has a rotationally symmetrical section which widens in cross section in the region of a mouth opening 3. For this purpose, the ventilation channel 2 is provided with a reduction in the thickness of a wall 4. Proceeding from a cylindrical section of the ventilation channel 2, the latter is first of all provided with a cross-sectional tapering along the axis of rotation 1 in the direction of the mouth opening 3 in order subsequently to undergo widening. The mouth opening 3 is bounded here by a mouth edge 5. The mouth edge 5 here is circular ring-shaped and forms the end of the widening cross section of the ventilation channel 2. A stop 6 is arranged at the transition from the cylindrical section of the ventilation channel 2 to the cross-sectionally reduced or widened section of the ventilation channel 2. The stop 6 is arranged in a substantially circular ring-shaped manner around the outer casing side of the ventilation channel 2 and forms a flush assembly with the wall of the ventilation channel 2. A thread is arranged on the outer casing side of the wall of the ventilation channel 2, said wall surrounding the hollow-cylindrical section. A union nut 7 can be screwed onto the thread (cf. FIG. 3). The section of the ventilation channel 2 which bears the thread can be plugged through an opening in a wall, with the entry depth being limited by the stop 6. The ventilation arrangement can be screwed and secured, for example, to a housing wall by the union nut 7 being screwed on and optionally with the use of a seal 8 (cf. FIG. 3). The ventilation channel 2 penetrates the housing wall into which the ventilation arrangement is inserted. Furthermore, a filter 9 is arranged within the ventilation channel 2. The filter 9 is arranged here within the ventilation channel 2 in the form of a mesh substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (cf. FIG. 2). Passage of coarse particles through the ventilation channel 2 is prevented by the filter 9.

[0055] A first shielding hood 10 is positioned at a distance from the mouth opening 3, in a manner shielding the mouth opening 3 and suspended in front of the latter. The first shielding hood 10 has a structure which is substantially rotational, with the wall of the first shielding hood 10 being curved concavely in a manner substantially pointing in the direction of the mouth opening 3. The mouth edge 11 which closes the hood-shaped structure is provided with a larger cross section than the mouth edge 5 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2. Accordingly, the first shielding hood 10 is placed over the mouth edge 5 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2 with an annular gap 12 being formed in the direction of the axis of rotation 1. An annular gap 12 is formed between the mouth edges 5, 11 of the ventilation channel 2 and the first shielding hood 10, wherein the annular gap 12 itself is free from structures crossing it, such as webs or similar. This is achieved by the first shielding hood 10 being arranged in a freely suspended manner in front of the mouth opening 3. Owing to the cross-sectional widening in the region of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2 and the cross-sectional reduction of the first shielding hood 10 in the region of the mouth edge 11, the wall sections of the first shielding hood 10 and of the ventilation channel 2, said wall sections bounding the annular gap 12, are oriented in a manner converging toward each other, i.e. are oriented substantially parallel. Accordingly, the annular gap 12 is arranged radially with respect to the axis of rotation 1, but with a direction at the annular gap 12 being forced by the bounding wall sections to differ from the direction of the axis of rotation 1. In the present case, fluid emerging from the ventilation channel 2 via the mouth opening 3 can thus flow against the first shielding hood 10, can flow deflected from there in the direction of the annular gap 12 and can flow there on the outer casing side against the wall of the ventilation channel 2. The fluid flow is thus deflected by at least 180°, in particular >180°.

[0056] The mouth edge 5 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2 and the mouth edge 11 of the first shielding hood 10 are dimensioned here in cross section in such a manner that the first shielding hood 10 can freely encompass, or notionally move relative to, the ventilation channel 2 in the direction of the axis of rotation 1. In other words, the mouth edges 5, 11 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2 and of the first shielding hood 10 are dimensioned in such a manner that the mouth edge 11 of the first shielding hood 10 has at least the same cross section as the mouth edge 5 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2. The mouth edge 11 of the first shielding hood 10 is preferably provided with a larger cross section than the mouth edge 5 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2.

[0057] A second shielding hood 13 is arranged at a distance from the first shielding hood 10 in such a manner that the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13 ensure a two-shell shielding of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2. For this purpose, the second shielding hood 13 has a substantially rotationally symmetrical design, with a convexly configured wall of the first shielding hood 10 facing a substantially concavely configured wall of the second shielding hood 13. The convexly formed wall section of the first shielding hood 10 extends here with respect to the mouth opening 3 on the side facing away from the mouth opening 3, with the concavely curved wall section of the second shielding hood 13 facing the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2. A channel is delimited between the convexly and concavely shaped wall sections of the first shielding hood 10 and of the second shielding hood 13. The channel is penetrated by webs 14 by means of which the first shielding hood 13 is supported on the second shielding hood 14 such that the first shielding hood 10 can be positioned in a manner freely suspended in front of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2. Owing to the curvature of the first shielding hood 10, a groove 15 encircling coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation 1 is formed on the inner casing side in the first shielding hood 10. In the region of its largest radial extent, the groove 15 has a groove base from which groove flanks rise in order to bound the groove base. One of the groove flanks of the groove 15 of the first shielding hood 10 extends as far as the mouth edge 11 of the first shielding hood 10.

[0058] A further radially encircling groove 16 is arranged on the outer casing side in a wall of the ventilation channel 2. The groove 16 is formed by the shaping of the wall of the ventilation channel 2, with a groove base being arranged in the region of a cross-sectional reduction of the ventilation channel 2. Groove flanks emerge from the groove base, with the one groove flank extending as far as the mouth edge 5 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2. The other groove flank merges into the stop 6 which is formed here completely annularly encircling the ventilation channel 2. Accordingly, a substantially S-shaped profile of the grooves 15, 16 of the first shielding hood 10 and of the ventilation channel 2 is provided in section, in a manner interrupted by the annular gap 12. The groove base of the groove 15 of the first shielding hood 10 is arranged in front of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2 with respect to the axis of rotation 1. The groove base of the further groove 16 of the ventilation channel 2 lies, with respect to the axis of rotation, below the groove base of the groove 15 of the first shielding hood 10.

[0059] The second shielding hood 13 has a groove 17 on its outer circumference. The groove 17 is arranged coaxially with respect to the grooves 15, 16 of the ventilation channel 2 and of the first shielding hood 10. Owing to its arrangement on the outer casing side, the groove 17 opens with its groove base and the groove flanks analogously to the further groove 16 in the wall of the ventilation channel 2 on the outer casing side. The groove base here is positioned in such a manner that groove flanks emerging therefrom extend as far as the stop 6, i.e. as far as the outer circumference of the stop 6, such that a joint 18 is formed between the second shielding hood 13 and the stop 6. The diameter of the groove base of the groove 17 of the second shielding hood 13 is preferably provided here with at least the same diameter as the groove base of the groove 15 of the first shielding hood 10. This diameter is preferably larger. The groove base is positioned with respect to the groove 15 of the first shielding hood 10 and with respect to the further groove 16 on the ventilation channel 2 in such a manner that the groove base of the groove 17 of the second shielding hood 13 is positioned in the direction of the axis of rotation between the groove base of the groove 15 of the first shielding hood 10 and the groove base of the groove 16 of the ventilation channel 2.

[0060] In the region of the groove 17 of the second shielding hood 13, a further annular gap 12a is formed between the second shielding hood 13 and the first shielding hood 10. The annular gap 12 between the mouth edge 5 of the ventilation channel 2 and the first shielding hood 10, and also the further annular gap 12a between the mouth edge 11 of the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13 encompassing the latter on the outside are bounded here by walls in each case differing in orientation. That is to say, the annular gap 12 between the mouth edge 5 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2 and the mouth edge 11 of the first shielding hood 10 is bounded by mouth edges 5, 11 oriented in opposite directions, whereas the further annular gap 12a between the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13 is arranged between mouth edges 11 oriented in the same direction. The mouth edge 11 of the mouth opening of the first shielding hood 10 is used both for bounding the annular gap 12 toward the mouth edge 5 of the ventilation channel 2 and for bounding the further annular gap 12a toward the second shielding hood 13. The annular gaps 12, 12a are arranged substantially coaxially here, with the directions through the walls bounding them each differing from a perpendicular and preferably being oriented here at an angle toward the axis of rotation 1.

[0061] In order to permit passage or dripping of foreign matter, such as liquids, entering the grooves 15, 16, 17, ventilation openings 19 are arranged both in the first shielding hood 10 and in the second shielding hood 13. The ventilation openings 19 are distributed substantially in each case on a circular path. The first shielding hood 10 is thus penetrated by ventilation openings 19 on a first circular path 20. The second shielding hood 13 is penetrated by ventilation openings 19 on a second circular path 21. Furthermore, the second shielding hood 13 is penetrated by ventilation openings 19 which are arranged on a third circular path 22. The second shielding hood 13 is furthermore at least partially penetrated by ventilation openings 19 which are arranged on a fourth circular path 23.

[0062] Ventilation openings 19 are in each case distributed on the circular paths 20, 21, 22, 23. The ventilation openings 19 preferably have a circular cross section and extend in each case through a wall of the first or the second shielding hood 10, 13. Openings are introduced into the second shielding hood 13 via the ventilation openings 19 lying on the second circular path 21. Gases or liquids can pass via the openings through a wall of the second shielding hood 13. Communication is thus permitted between the exterior of the second shielding hood 13 and the channel formed between the first and second shielding hoods 10, 13. The ventilation openings 19 on the second circular path 21 substantially permit passage of a liquid or a gas or a particle parallel to the axis of rotation 1. The diameter of the second circular path 21 is smaller here than the diameter of the first circular path 20 with the ventilation openings 19 which are correspondingly distributed thereon and penetrate a wall of the first shielding hood 10. The first circular path 20 is arranged in a groove flank of the groove 15, thus enabling passage of a fluid or a particle located in the groove 15. For this purpose, the diameter of the first circular path 20 is preferably larger than the diameter of the mouth edge 5 of the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2.

[0063] The third circular path 22 extends on a wall section of the second shielding hood 13. The third circular path 22 is arranged here in a first groove flank of the groove 17 of the second shielding hood 13. The fourth circular path 23 with ventilation openings 19 is arranged in a second groove flank of the groove 17. The fourth circular path 23 is arranged here in such a manner that ventilation openings 19 which are also bounded by the stop 6 are arranged within the joint 18 in the second shielding hood 13. The joint 15 is thereby penetrated by ventilation openings 19.

[0064] The diameter of the fourth circular path 23 is approximately the same as the third circular path 22, with it also being possible for the fourth circular path 23 to be larger than the third circular path 22. Both the third circular path 22 and the fourth circular path 23 have a larger diameter than the second circular path 21 and the first circular path 20.

[0065] In addition to positioning the ventilation openings 19 on circular paths 20, 21, 22, 23, said ventilation openings can also be positioned differently therefrom. However, it should preferably be provided that respective ventilation openings 19 are distributed about the axis of rotation 1 such that, in the event of different installation positions, one ventilation opening 19 also always is positioned in the vicinity of a low point or a high point. Furthermore, the ventilation openings 19 can also be arranged on differing paths. In each case, however, care should be taken to ensure that a direct passage from one ventilation opening 19 of a shielding hood 10, 13 to a ventilation opening 19 of another shielding hood 13, 10 is blocked such that fluid or a particle passing through a ventilation opening 19 impacts against a wall and is deflected.

[0066] A ventilation arrangement, as shown in the figures, is advantageously designed to be UV-resistant. The ventilation arrangement can preferably be formed from a metallic material. For example, the shielding hood 10, 13 and the ventilation channel 2 and also the stop 6 can be formed as discrete assemblies, whereupon the latter are joined together using fastening means, for example webs, screws, bolts or adhesive connections, to form an angularly rigid assembly of a ventilation arrangement. Furthermore, it can also be provided that the ventilation arrangement is produced by an additive manufacturing method. An additive manufacturing method preferably brings about a lengthwise construction of the ventilation arrangement. This provides the possibility of finally forming an integral, low-mass ventilation arrangement. In addition to metallic materials, electrically insulating materials, such as plastics, porcelains, etc., can also be used as the material for the ventilation arrangement. Irrespective of the selected type of material, it can be advantageously provided that the ventilation arrangement is manufactured from UV-resistant material in particular in an outer region, i.e. in particular in the region of the second shielding hood 13 and of the stop 6.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows the ventilation arrangement which is known from FIG. 1 with the same sectional plane, but in a perspective illustration. The structure of the filter 9 which is advantageously introduced within the ventilation channel 2 within the scope of an additive manufacturing method can now be seen. In the perspective illustration, it furthermore becomes clear that the ventilation openings 19 arranged in each case within the first and second shielding hood 10, 13 are oriented in such a manner that they each lie in front of or behind a wall, for example of a shielding hood (for example the first shielding hood 10) or of the stop 6 or the wall 4 of the ventilation channel 2 in the perpendicular passage direction. This makes direct passage through a plurality of walls difficult.

[0068] In FIG. 3, the sectional illustration known from FIG. 1 is shown in the mounted state. A recess in which the ventilation channel 2 is inserted in a complementary manner in terms of shape is introduced in a housing wall of a housing 24. A seal 6 is arranged around the stop 6 and lies annularly between the stop 6 and the housing wall of the housing 24. The stop 6 can be braced by means of the union nut 7 against the housing wall with the interposition of the seal 8, with the seal 8 being compressed such that an undesired passage through of a liquid or a particle in the region of the outer casing of the ventilation channel 2 is prevented. Communication of the interior of the housing 24 through the housing wall with the surroundings is permitted via the ventilation openings 19 and the flow paths, which are located in the interior of the second shielding hood 13, as far as the mouth opening 3 and the filter 9 arranged there.

[0069] FIGS. 4 to 8 show various installation positions of the ventilation arrangement, wherein a path for conducting away particles or liquids is in each case shown by way of example by means of arrows.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows a vertical orientation of the axis of rotation 1. Accordingly, particles which enter through ventilation openings 19 of the second circular path 21 can slide off on the outer casing surface of the first shielding hood 10 and via the channel between the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13 through the further annular gap 12a as far as the stop 6. The further groove 16 prevents penetration into the ventilation channel 2. Undesired foreign matter, such as particles or liquids, can drip or fall to the outside via the ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23.

[0071] FIG. 5 shows an oblique orientation of the axis of rotation 1, with a deflection by approx. 45° being shown in the clockwise direction. There is now the possibility that, for example, particles or moisture can penetrate the interior of the ventilation arrangement through ventilation openings 19 of the second circular path 21 or of the fourth circular path 23. Particles or moisture penetrating the region between the first shielding hood 10 and second shielding hood 13 via ventilation openings 19 of the second circular path 21 can slide away there on the outer surface of the first shielding hood 10 where they can either drip off via ventilation openings 19 of the third circular path 22 or, on further sliding away via the further annular gap 12a, which is formed between the mouth edge 11 of the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13, can slide in the direction of the stop 6 and can be conducted out of the ventilation arrangement from there via ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23. Further ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23 can optionally serve for entry of liquids or particles, wherein said liquids or particles are conducted around the ventilation channel 2 via the further groove 16 in the wall thereof and, at the end which is substantially opposite, can slide off into the surroundings via ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a horizontal orientation of the axis of rotation 1 of the ventilation arrangement. Particles or liquids can enter the interior of the ventilation arrangement via ventilation openings 19 of the third circular path 22. Said particles or liquids can either be conducted away via the region between the outer wall of the first shielding hood 10 and the inner wall of the second shielding hood 13 and can emerge in turn from ventilation openings 19 of the third circular path 22. Alternatively, particles or moisture can also slide away via the further annular gap 12a between the mouth edge 11 of the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13, wherein said liquids or particles are conducted away in the further groove 16 on the outer casing side around the ventilation channel 2 and pass from there into the region of the joint 18 in order to be again output there into the surroundings of the ventilation arrangement from ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23.

[0073] FIG. 7 shows an oblique arrangement of the axis of rotation 11, wherein a deflection of approximately 135° in the clockwise direction, starting from a vertical arrangement, is illustrated here. Particles which pass through ventilation openings 19 of the third circular path 22 into the region between the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13 can slide off there again and can also emerge again from the ventilation arrangement via substantially oppositely arranged ventilation openings 19 of the third circular path 22. Furthermore, there is the possibility of ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23 ensuring an entry of liquids or other fluids or particles. These can then be conducted around the ventilation channel 2, for example in the further groove 16 of the ventilation channel 2, and can be conducted from there into the concavely shaped section, i.e. in particular into the region of the inherently closed, encircling groove 15 of the first shielding hood 10. The annular gap 12 can be used for the transition from the further groove 16 into the concavely shaped section of the first shielding hood 10. From said annular gap, foreign matter can pass via the ventilation openings 19 lying on the first circular path 20 into the region between the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13 and can pass from there, for example via ventilation openings 19 of the third circular path 22, into the surroundings of the ventilation arrangement.

[0074] FIG. 8 shows a vertical installation position of the ventilation arrangement, wherein the axis of rotation 1 is arranged vertically. In a departure from the position as shown in FIG. 4, an orientation of the ventilation arrangement rotated by 180° (upside down) is now provided. Fluids or particles entering via ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23 or the third circular path 22 can now in each case emerge into the surroundings via ventilation openings 19 of the second circular path 21. Fluids or particles entering via ventilation openings located in the third circular path 22 can move here, for example, directly to the ventilation openings 19 of the second circular path 21. When particles or fluids enter the region of the ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23, the possibility is provided that they can be conducted either via the further groove 16 or the groove 15 of the first shielding hood 10 (through the annular gap 12) into the region of the ventilation openings 19 of the first circular path 20, whereupon they pass from there into the channel between the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13. From said channel, the particles or the fluid can emerge into the surroundings of the second shielding hood 13 via the ventilation openings 19 of the second circular path 21. Fluids or particles entering via the ventilation openings 19 of the fourth circular path 23 can optionally also drip off on a convex wall of the second shielding hood 13 and can be conducted directly into the channel between the first shielding hood 10 and the second shielding hood 13.

[0075] As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, it is ensured independently of the installation position of the ventilation arrangement that an undesired direct penetration of fluids or particles into the mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2 is made difficult. The mouth opening 3 of the ventilation channel 2 is protected by the shaping of the wall of the ventilation channel 2 of the first shielding hood 10 and of the second shielding hood 13. Owing to the position or the arrangement of the ventilation openings 19 on the various circular paths 20, 21, 22, 23, a gravity-driven emptying of grooves or connecting points for particles or fluids is also made possible here.