Pressure equalization element having a membrane, housing, battery cell module, and motor vehicle

Abstract

A pressure equalization element for a housing, such as a lithium-ion accumulator, includes a membrane and at least two parallel non-return valves. The membrane is connected in series to the non-return valves, which are positioned opposite each other. The non-return valves are formed by two valve plates and a valve membrane. The plates define at least one outlet chamber and at least one inlet chamber which each have a respective entry opening and exit opening. The membrane is positioned between the plates and includes at least two valve dampers, the entry openings of the inlet and outlet chambers sealed by a respective damper. Pressure equalization elements of this type can thus be cost-effectively and logically implemented via few components, while avoiding loose components. Such elements can be included in, for example, a housing, battery cell module, or motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A pressure equalization element for a housing, comprising: at least two non-return valves arranged in parallel and positioned in opposition to each other, the at least two non-return valves formed by: two valve plates that define: at least one inlet chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and at least one outlet chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and a valve membrane positioned between the two valve plates, the valve membrane including at least two valve caps, each valve cap sealing off a respective inlet opening of the at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber, the valve membrane further including a circumferential O-ring; a membrane connected in series with the at least two non-return valves; and a protective cap defining a hollow interior, wherein the membrane and the two valve plates are received within the hollow interior, and wherein the circumferential O-ring is arranged in direct contact with the protective cap.

2. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two valve caps are resiliently connected to the valve membrane by a resilient connection.

3. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: at least one meander spring, each meander spring forming the resilient connection of a respective one of the at least two valve caps.

4. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two valve caps, the valve membrane, and the resilient connection are embodied in a single piece.

5. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential O-ring is molded on the valve membrane.

6. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a drying mechanism, connected to an output side of the membrane and the at least two non-return valves.

7. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential O-ring is arranged radially outwardly of the protective cap.

8. A pressure equalization element for a housing, comprising: at least two non-return valves arranged in parallel and positioned in opposition to each other, the at least two non-return valves formed by: two valve plates that define: at least one inlet chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and at least one outlet chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and a valve membrane positioned between the two valve plates, the valve membrane including at least two valve caps, each valve cap sealing off a respective inlet opening of the at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber, the valve membrane further including a circumferential O-ring; a membrane connected in series with the at least two non-return valves; and a protective cap configured to cover the membrane, wherein: the circumferential O-ring is arranged in direct contact with the protective cap, and the valve membrane further includes: an upper side and a lower side arranged facing in opposite directions, and a circumferential stay extending from the upper side and from the lower side, the circumferential stay arranged radially inwardly of the circumferential O-ring and radially outwardly of the at least two valve caps.

9. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the valve membrane further includes further stays coupling the circumferential O-ring to the circumferential stay.

10. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the valve member further includes a second stay extending from the upper side and from the lower side, and the second stay extends from a first location on the circumferential stay to a second location on the circumferential stay.

11. The pressure equalization element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second stay is at least partially arranged between the at least two valve caps.

12. A pressure equalization element for a housing, comprising: at least two non-return valves arranged in parallel and positioned in opposition to each other, the at least two non-return valves formed by: two valve plates that define: at least one inlet chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and at least one outlet chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and a valve membrane positioned between the two valve plates, the valve membrane including at least two valve caps, each valve cap sealing off a respective inlet opening of the at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber, the valve membrane further including a circumferential O-ring; a membrane connected in series with the at least two non-return valves; and a protective cap configured to cover the membrane, wherein: the circumferential O-ring is arranged in direct contact with the protective cap, and the membrane is in direct contact with the protective cap and with a first valve plate of the two valve plates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are explained in more detail on the basis of the drawings and the following description. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 depicts an inventive pressure equalization element in a cutaway view,

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a first embodiment of the valve membrane of the inventive pressure equalization membrane in a perspective view,

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a second embodiment of the valve membrane of the inventive pressure equalization membrane in a perspective view, and

(5) FIG. 4 depicts a cavity plate for valve membranes of the inventive pressure equalization membrane in a top view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIG. 1 depicts a pressure equalization element 10 according to this disclosure, which is arranged above a basic holder 11 in a passage opening of a wall 12 of a housing that is not described in more detail here. The basic holder 11 is secured on the inside of the housing by means of a snap closure 13. Other means of attachment are possible. The basic holder 11 serves at the same time according to this embodiment as a protective cap for a membrane 14 arranged in the basic holder 11. The basic holder 11 has a number of passage openings 15 for the inlet or the outlet of air or for pressure equalization.

(7) The basic holder 11 exhibits circumferentially a projecting section 16, wherein an O-ring 17 for sealing is arranged between said section 16 and the wall. Situated downstream of the membrane 14 in the interior of the basic holder 11 are two valve plates 18 and 19, which together constitute an outlet chamber 20 and an inlet chamber 21, each of which exhibits an inlet opening 22 and an outlet opening 23, wherein the inlet openings 22 are extended into the inlet chamber 21 and the outlet chamber 20 as far as the center of the space. Arranged between the two valve plates 18 and 19 is a valve membrane 24, which, on the one hand, serves for the sealing of the valve plates 18 and 19 against one another, and, on the other hand, serves for the separation of the inlet chamber 21 and the outlet chamber 20. The valve membrane 24, which is represented in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 4, exhibits a round central part, which possesses a circumferential stay 25 and a second stay 26, which divides the valve membrane centrally. The stays 25 and 26 are provided on the upper side and the lower side of the valve membrane 24 and serve, as previously stated, for sealing and subdivision. Furthermore, the valve membrane 24 exhibits circumferentially the aforementioned O-ring 17, which is secured to the valve membrane 24 by multiple stays 27. The stays 27 pass through openings, which are not illustrated here in more detail, through the valve plates 18, 19 and the basic holder 11. Arranged in the two parts of the valve membrane 24, in each case in a passage opening, is a cylindrical valve cap 28, which are retained by stays 29 or meander springs 30. The valve caps 28 in the finally assembled pressure equalization element 10 cover the inlet openings 22 and uncover these in the presence of a predetermined pressure. FIG. 4 depicts a so-called cavity plate 31 for the efficient production of the valve membrane 24.