FR3101434A1 - Interchangeable dehumidification device intended to dehumidify an interior of a closed housing. - Google Patents

Abstract

- Interchangeable dehumidification device intended to dehumidify an interior of a closed housing. - The device (100) comprises at least one base (1) containing a moisture absorber (4) and arranged to be able to be inserted into a socket of a closed housing, an orifice (5) in the base (1) opening in the reservoir (3), the orifice (5) being arranged so as to be able to face an opening of the sleeve when the base (1) is inserted into the sleeve and a closing element (7) arranged to close the first hole (5) before a first insertion of the base (1) in the socket (2) and to open the first hole (5) after the first insertion of the base 1 in the socket 2. The device (100) makes it easy to change the moisture absorber without having to open the closed housing. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Interchangeable dehumidifying device intended to dehumidify an interior of a closed enclosure.

The present invention relates to the field of closed boxes such as closed boxes of vehicle headlamps, LIDAR system boxes ("Light Detection And Ranging" in English) for detection and estimation of the distance by light or battery boxes. . The invention relates more particularly to an interchangeable device for dehumidifying such a box.

A closed case of projector, LIDAR system or batteries is generally not a perfectly sealed case. Moisture can enter the housing and condense. In the case of a projector or LIDAR system housing, condensation may appear on the glass closing the housing. This condensation affects the lighting efficiency of the projector or LIDAR system. Similarly, in a battery cabinet, condensation can affect battery operation. Dehumidification of the case is therefore necessary to avoid condensation.

There are already cases enclosing a sachet of humidity absorber attached to the internal surface of the case. However, the bag is no longer accessible once the case is closed, which prevents it from being changed when the humidity absorber is saturated with humidity. In addition, desiccant particles may escape from the pouch.

In addition to the sachet, the internal surface of the crystal closing the case can be covered with an anti-fog coating. However, despite this coating, we observe traces of humidity on this internal surface of the ice.

The documents CN 108662537, CN 109539169, CN 208775272 U, DE 102012008089 and US 8425099 propose devices for dehumidifying vehicle headlight housings. However, these devices have a complex structure and are not entirely satisfactory.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a device making it possible to remove the humidity which may have penetrated into a closed casing.

To this end, the invention relates to an interchangeable dehumidifying device intended to dehumidify an interior of a closed housing.

According to the invention, the device comprises at least:

• a base having an internal volume forming a reservoir configured to contain a humidity absorber, the base being arranged to be able to be inserted into a socket arranged on the closed housing;
• a first orifice made in the base and opening into the reservoir, the first orifice being arranged to be able to face an opening made in the sleeve of the closed casing when the base is inserted into the sleeve, the opening communicating with the Enclosed Enclosure Interior;
• a closure element arranged to close the first orifice before a first insertion of the base into the socket and to open the first orifice after the first insertion of the base into the socket.

Thus, the dehumidification device has a simple structure allowing it to be easily changed by another similar device that can contain an unsaturated humidity absorber without having to open or disassemble the closed box. The valve prevents the humidity saturation of the humidity absorber by ambient air when the device is not installed and allows the humidity absorber to absorb humidity from the air moisture from the closed enclosure when the device is installed.

In addition, the device comprises a second orifice formed in the base and opening into the reservoir, the second orifice being arranged to remain free when the base is inserted into the sleeve.

Furthermore, the device comprises a first membrane closing off the first orifice, the first membrane being configured to allow moist air to pass from inside the closed casing to the reservoir.

In addition, the device includes a second membrane sealing the second orifice, the second membrane being configured to prevent entry of moisture and particles into the reservoir and to allow air to enter the reservoir.

According to a first embodiment, the closure element comprises a valve arranged to close the first orifice when the base is not inserted into the sleeve and to open the first orifice when the base is inserted into the sleeve.

Advantageously, the base comprises a first hollow cylinder having a first axis of revolution, the first hollow cylinder housing the valve.

According to a first variant of the first embodiment, the first hollow cylinder protrudes into the reservoir, the first hollow cylinder having a first end corresponding to the first orifice and a second free end opening into the reservoir.

According to a second variant of the first embodiment, the first hollow cylinder projects out of the base, the first hollow cylinder having a first free end opening out of the base and a second end corresponding to the first orifice.

Further, the first hollow cylinder has a circular shoulder arranged on an inner surface of the first hollow cylinder;

the valve comprising:

• a rod having a first end, a second end and a second axis of revolution coinciding with the first axis of revolution of the first hollow cylinder, the first end being directed towards the reservoir,
• a bearing plate perpendicular to the second axis of revolution, the bearing plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the bearing plate being fixed to the second end of the rod and,
• a retainer attached to the first end of the rod,
• a sealing element perpendicular to the second axis of revolution, the sealing element being arranged between the circular shoulder and the retaining element,
• an elastic element between the backing plate and the circular shoulder, the elastic element being configured to space the backing plate from the circular shoulder;

the valve being configured so that:

• the sealing element is compressed by the retaining element against the circular shoulder when no pressure is applied to the second surface of the backing plate,
• the sealing element moves away from the circular shoulder when pressure is applied to the second surface of the backing plate.

According to a second embodiment, the closure element comprises a lid configured to close the first orifice before the first insertion of the pellet into the socket and to permanently open the first orifice by a piercing of said lid after the first insertion of the pellet in the sleeve by at least one piercing element projecting in the base.

Additionally, the device includes a first removable fastener configured to removably secure the pellet in the socket in cooperation with a second removable fastener of the socket.

In addition, the tank contains a humidity absorber.

The invention also relates to a closed box.

According to the invention, the closed box comprises a socket arranged to receive a dehumidification device as specified above.

According to the first embodiment, the sleeve comprises a second hollow cylinder having a third axis of revolution and projecting inside the sleeve, the third axis of revolution being coincident with the first axis of revolution when the base is inserted in the sleeve, the second hollow cylinder having a first end corresponding to the opening in the sleeve and a second end opening inside the sleeve, the second end of the second hollow cylinder being configured to apply pressure against the second surface of the backing plate when the base is inserted into the socket.

According to the second embodiment, the sleeve comprises at least one piercing element projecting into the sleeve, the piercing element(s) being configured to pierce the lid of the base after the first insertion of the base into the sleeve.

The invention, with its characteristics and advantages, will emerge more clearly on reading the description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a cross section of the dehumidification device according to a first variant of a first embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the dehumidification device according to a second variant of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 represents a cross section of the dehumidification device according to the second variant of the first embodiment in which the exchanges of fluids through the orifices have been represented when the valve closes the first orifice.

FIG. 4 represents a cross section of the dehumidification device according to the second variant of the first embodiment in which the exchanges of fluids through the orifices have been represented when the valve opens the first orifice.

FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of a cross section of the dehumidification device according to the second variant of the first embodiment in which the membranes are represented.

FIG. 6 represents a cross section of a closed casing comprising a socket receiving a dehumidification device according to the second variant of the first embodiment in which the membranes are represented.

Figure 7 shows a cross section of the dehumidification device according to the second variant of the first embodiment in which the humidity absorber is not yet saturated with humidity.

Figure 8 shows a cross section of the dehumidification device according to the second variant of the first embodiment in which the humidity absorber is saturated with humidity.

FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c show steps for fixing the base in the sleeve by perspective views of the dehumidification device according to one embodiment.

Figure 10a shows a cross section of the dehumidifying device according to a second embodiment and a cross section of the bottom of the socket for the second embodiment.

FIG. 10b represents a cross section of the dehumidification device according to the second embodiment with the piercing elements having pierced the lid.

A first variation of a first embodiment of the interchangeable dehumidifying device 100 is shown in Figure 1. A second variation of the first embodiment of the interchangeable dehumidifying device 100 is shown in Figures 2-9c. A second embodiment of the interchangeable dehumidification device 100 is shown in Figures 10a and 10b. In the remainder of the description, the interchangeable dehumidification device 100 is referred to as "device 100".

The device 100 is intended to dehumidify an interior of a closed box 30, that is to say to remove the humidity present inside the closed box 30. FIG. 6 shows a very schematic representation of a box closed 30. This closed box 30 is not shown in the other figures for the sake of clarity of the figures.

In a non-limiting manner, the closed box 30 corresponds to a closed projector box, a closed LIDAR system box or a closed battery box.

The device 100 comprises a base 1 capable of being inserted into a socket 2 arranged on the closed casing 30.

In the figures, the base 1 and the sleeve 2 have a generally cylindrical shape. However, the base 1 and the sleeve 2 can take different general shapes. In the case where base 1 and sleeve 2 have a generally cylindrical shape, the axis of revolution of base 1 coincides with the axis of revolution of sleeve 2 when base 1 is inserted into sleeve 2.

Base 1 has an internal volume forming a reservoir 3. Reservoir 3 is configured to contain a humidity absorber 4.

The device 100 can thus comprise a humidity absorber 4.

For example, Moisture Absorber 4 contains Magnesium Chloride and Calcium Chloride. These two components can be mixed with gel. According to another variant, the humidity absorber 4 can comprise magnesium chloride hexahydrate.

To form the tank 3, the base 1 can comprise two parts (figure 2): a part forming a container 32 configured to contain the humidity absorber 4 and a part forming a lid 31 to close the container 32 and thus create the reservoir 3. The lid 31 can be assembled to the container 32 by any assembly means preventing the opening of the lid 31 during use of the base 1. For example, the lid 31 can be welded to the container 32, screwed to the container 32 or snapped onto container 32.

The device 100 comprises an orifice 5 made in the base 1 and opening into the reservoir 3. Thus, the orifice 5 allows communication between the reservoir 3 and the outside of the base 1.

This orifice 5 is arranged so that it can face an opening 6 made in the sleeve 2 of the closed casing 30 when the base 1 is inserted into the sleeve 2. The opening 6 of the sleeve 2 allows communication between the inside of the closed case 30 and the outside of the closed case 30.

The device 100 also comprises a closure element 7, 70 arranged to close the orifice 5 before at least a first insertion of the base 1 in the sleeve 2 and to open the orifice 5 after at least a first insertion of the base 1 in the sleeve 2.

Thus, before the first insertion of the base 1 in the socket 2 (FIGS. 3 and 10a), the reservoir 3 is not in communication with the exterior of the device 100. This then prevents the humid air 84 from penetrating into the reservoir. 3 and therefore prevents the humidity absorber 4 from unnecessarily absorbing the humidity contained in the air which could enter the tank 3.

After the first insertion of base 1 in sleeve 2 (figures 4 and 10b), orifice 5 is open. Thus, the reservoir 3 communicates with the inside of the closed casing 30 through the orifice 5 and the opening 6 made in the socket 2 allowing moist air 84 to penetrate into the reservoir 3. The humidity contained in the moist air 84 can then be absorbed by the humidity absorber 4 included in the tank 3.

Advantageously, the device 100 further comprises an orifice 8 made in the base 1 and opening into the reservoir 3. This orifice 8 is arranged to remain free when the base 1 is inserted into the sleeve 2.

This orifice 8 has the role of balancing the pressures between the tank 3 and the external environment. In fact, when the humidity absorber 4 expands as it absorbs humidity (FIGS. 7 and 8). This orifice 8 makes it possible to compensate for the volume taken up by the humidity absorber 4 by letting air 83 escape (figure 4). Similarly, there may be a temperature difference between, on the one hand, the interior of the closed casing 30 or of the tank 3 and, on the other hand, the external environment. This temperature difference can lead to a pressure difference which can be compensated through port 8.

The orifice 8 is small enough to prevent the introduction of large quantities of moist air 81 and particles 82 into the tank 3 (FIGS. 3 and 4). For example, hole 8 has a diameter between 1 mm and 2 mm.

The device 100 may further comprise a membrane 9 closing the orifice 5. This membrane 9 is configured to let moist air pass from inside the closed casing 30 to the reservoir 3 (FIGS. 5 and 6).

Likewise, the device 100 can comprise a membrane 10 closing off the orifice 8. The membrane 10 is configured to prevent the entry of humidity 81 and particles 82 into the reservoir 3 and to allow air to enter the reservoir. 3 (Figure 6).

The device 100 can also comprise a removable fixing element 241 configured to removably fix the base 1 in the socket 2 in cooperation with a second fixing element 242 of the socket 2. Thus, when the humidity absorber 4 is saturated with humidity (FIG. 8), it is possible to remove the device 100 by removing the base 1 from the sleeve 2 to replace it with another similar device 100 comprising a humidity absorber 4 which is not yet saturated with humidity. moisture (Figure 7).

According to the first embodiment, the closing element comprises a valve 7 arranged to close the first orifice 5 when the base 1 is not inserted into the sleeve 2 and to open the first orifice 5 when the base 1 is inserted in socket 2.

Furthermore, the base 1 may comprise a hollow cylinder 11 having an axis of revolution 12. This hollow cylinder 11 houses the valve 7.

According to the first variant of the first embodiment, the hollow cylinder 11 projects out of the base 1. The hollow cylinder 11 has a free end 13 emerging out of the base 1 and an end 14 corresponding to the orifice 5.

According to the second variant of the first embodiment, the hollow cylinder 11 protrudes into the reservoir 3. The hollow cylinder 11 has an end 13 corresponding to the orifice 5 and a free end 14 opening into the reservoir 3.

According to one embodiment of the valve 7, the hollow cylinder 11 comprises a circular shoulder 15 arranged on an internal surface of the hollow cylinder 11.

In this embodiment of the valve 7, the valve 7 comprises a stem 16 having an end 17, an end 18 and an axis of revolution 19 (FIG. 7). The axis of revolution 19 coincides with the axis of revolution 12 of the hollow cylinder 11. The end 17 of the rod 16 is directed towards the tank 3. The diameter of the rod 16 is smaller than the inside diameter of the circular shoulder 15.

At the end 18 of the rod 16, the valve 7 comprises a bearing plate 20 perpendicular to the axis of revolution 19. The bearing plate 20 has a surface 201 and a surface 202. The surface 201 of the plate support 20 is integrally fixed to the end 18 of the rod 16.

At the end 17 of the rod 16, the valve 7 comprises a retaining element 21. This retaining element 21 is fixed integrally to the end 17 of the rod 16.

The valve 7 also comprises a circular sealing element 22 and an elastic element 23.

By way of example, the sealing element 22 is an O-ring.

The rod 16 is threaded through the sealing element 22 and the elastic element 23.

The sealing element 22 is arranged perpendicular to the axis of revolution 19. It is also arranged between the circular shoulder 15 and the retaining element 21.

The elastic element 23 is arranged between the support plate 20 and the circular shoulder 15. The elastic element 23 is configured to separate the support plate 20 from the circular shoulder 15.

By way of example, the elastic element 23 corresponds to a helical spring.

Valve 7 is therefore configured so that:

• the sealing element 22 is compressed by the retaining element 21 against the circular shoulder 15 to provide a seal 40 (FIG. 3) between the circular shoulder 15 and the retaining element 21 when no pressure is applied to the surface 202 of the support plate 20,
• sealing member 22 moves away from circular shoulder 15 when pressure is applied to surface 202 of backing plate 20.

According to one configuration, the rod 16 has longitudinal grooves 25 (FIGS. 7 and 8). Thus, when the sealing element 22 deviates from the circular shoulder 15, the humid air coming from the interior of the closed housing 30 can circulate with greater ease between the rod 16 and the hollow cylinder 11 by the longitudinal grooves 25. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the diameter of the rod 16 is substantially equal to the diameter of the circular shoulder 15.

Furthermore, the sleeve of the closed box 30 may comprise a hollow cylinder 26 having an axis of revolution 27 and projecting inside the sleeve 2.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow cylinder 26 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder 11 so that the hollow cylinder 26 can slide in the hollow cylinder 11 along their respective axis of revolution 12 and 19 during insertion or removal of base 1 from sleeve 2.

The axis of revolution 27 coincides with the axis of revolution 12 when the base 1 is inserted into the sleeve 2. The hollow cylinder 26 has an end 28 corresponding to the opening 6 made in the sleeve 2 and an end 29 emerging inside socket 2. End 29 of hollow cylinder 26 is configured to apply pressure against surface 202 of backing plate 20 when base 1 is inserted into socket 2.

Consequently, when the base 1 is inserted into the sleeve 2, the end 29 presses on the surface 202 of the support plate 20. This pressure makes it possible to compress the elastic element 23. The sealing element 22 s then deviates from the circular shoulder 15 to allow the passage of moist air from inside the closed box 30 to the tank 3.

According to the second embodiment, the closure element comprises a lid 70 configured to close the orifice 5 before the first insertion of the base 1 in the sleeve 2 and to permanently open the first orifice 5 by a piercing of said lid 70 after the first insertion of the base 1 in the sleeve 2. The piercing is carried out using at least one piercing element 71 projecting into the base 1 at the time of the first insertion 72 of the base 1 in the sleeve 2.

The piercing element(s) 71 may correspond to conical elements having a vertex making it possible to facilitate piercing.

Figures 9a to 9c show an embodiment of the removable fixing element 241 in cooperation with the removable fixing element 242 for removably fixing the base 1 in the socket 2.

In this embodiment, the removable fixing element comprises at least one tongue 241 arranged at the periphery of the base 1. The fixing element comprises at least one opening 242 through a peripheral surface 243 of the sleeve 2 perpendicular to the axis of revolution 27. To removably fix the base 1 to the sleeve 2, the base 1 is inserted into the sleeve 2 by a translational movement so that the axis of revolution 12 coincides with the axis of revolution 27 (Fig. 9a). The tab(s) of the base 2 then penetrate into the opening(s) 242 (FIG. 9b). The base 1 can then rotate according to a rotational movement of the base 1 around the axis of revolution 12 of the hollow cylinder 11 so that the tab(s) 241 are retained by the peripheral surface 243.

For the second embodiment, according to a first example, the piercing element(s) 71 can each comprise at least one channel allowing the passage of humid air from inside the closed box 30 to the reservoir 3 after piercing the lid 70 by the piercing element(s) 71.

According to a second example, the piercing element(s) 71 can also allow the tearing of the cover 70 after the piercing of the cover 70 thanks to the rotational movement of the base 1 in the sleeve 2 to fix the base 1 in the sleeve 2 .

The sleeve may also include an elastic ring 244 tending to press the peripheral surface 243 on the tab(s) 241 when the base 1 is fixed to the sleeve 2.

The disassembly of the base 1 of the sleeve 2 can be achieved by turning the base 1 by a rotational movement of the base 1 around the axis of revolution 12 until the tab or tabs 241 are opposite the opening or openings 242. The base 1 can then be removed from the sleeve 2 by a translational movement along the axis of revolution 13 until the tab(s) have come out of the opening(s) 242.

The closed casing 30 may comprise a sleeve 2 or several sleeves 2.

Claims (15)

Interchangeable dehumidification device intended to dehumidify an interior of a closed box (30),
characterized in that it comprises at least:

• a base (1) having an internal volume forming a reservoir (3) configured to contain a humidity absorber (4), the base (1) being arranged to be able to be inserted into a socket (2) arranged on the closed casing ( 30) ;
• a first orifice (5) made in the base (1) and opening into the reservoir (3), the first orifice (5) being arranged to be able to face an opening (6) made in the socket (2) of the closed casing (30) when the base (1) is inserted into the socket (2), the opening (6) communicating with the interior of the closed casing (30);
• a closure element (7, 70) arranged to close the first orifice (5) before a first insertion of the base (1) into the sleeve (2) and to open the first orifice (5) after the first insertion of the base (1 ) in the socket (2).

Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that it further comprises a second orifice (8) made in the base (1) and opening into the reservoir (3), the second orifice (8) being arranged to remain free when the base (1) is inserted in the socket (2). Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that it further comprises a first membrane (9) closing off the first orifice (5), the first membrane (9) being configured to allow moist air (84) to pass from inside the closed casing (30 ) to the tank (3). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that it further comprises a second membrane (10) closing off the second orifice (8), the second membrane (10) being configured to prevent the entry of humidity (81) and particles (82) into the tank (3) and to allow air to enter the tank (3). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the closure element comprises a valve (7) arranged to close the first orifice (5) when the base (1) is not inserted in the sleeve (2) and to open the first orifice (5) when the cap (1) is inserted into the sleeve (2). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the base (1) comprises a first hollow cylinder (11) having a first axis of revolution (12), the first hollow cylinder (11) housing the valve (7). Device according to claim 6,
characterized in that the first hollow cylinder (11) projects into the reservoir (3), the first hollow cylinder (11) having a first end (13) corresponding to the first orifice (5) and a second free end (14) emerging in the tank (3). Device according to claim 6,
characterized in that the first hollow cylinder (11) protrudes from the base (1), the first hollow cylinder (11) having a first free end (13) emerging from the base (1) and a second end (14) corresponding to the first hole (5). Device according to claim 6,
characterized in that the first hollow cylinder (11) has a circular shoulder (15) arranged on an inner surface of the first hollow cylinder (11);
the valve (7) comprising:

• a rod (16) having a first end (17), a second end (18) and a second axis of revolution (19) coinciding with the first axis of revolution (12) of the first hollow cylinder (11), the first end ( 17) being directed towards the tank (3),
• a bearing plate (20) perpendicular to the second axis of revolution (19), the bearing plate (20) having a first surface (201) and a second surface (202), the first surface (201) of the plate support (20) being fixed to the second end (18) of the rod (16) and,
• a retaining element (21) fixed to the first end (17) of the rod (16),
• a sealing element (22) perpendicular to the second axis of revolution (19), the sealing element (22) being arranged between the circular shoulder (15) and the retaining element (21),
• an elastic element (23) between the bearing plate (20) and the circular shoulder (15), the elastic element (23) being configured to separate the bearing plate (20) from the circular shoulder (15 );

the valve (7) being configured so that:

• the sealing element (22) is compressed by the retaining element (21) against the circular shoulder (15) when no pressure is applied to the second surface (202) of the backing plate (20 ),
• the sealing member (22) moves away from the circular shoulder (15) when pressure is applied to the second surface (202) of the backing plate (20).

Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the closure element comprises a cap (70) configured to close the first orifice (5) before the first insertion of the base (1) into the sleeve (2) and to permanently open the first orifice (5 ) by a piercing of said cover (70) after the first insertion of the base (1) in the sleeve (2) using at least one piercing element (71) projecting in the base (1). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that it further comprises a first removable fixing element (241) configured to removably fix the base (1) in the socket (2) in cooperation with a second removable fixing element (242) of the socket (2). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that the tank (3) contains a humidity absorber (4). Enclosure closed,
characterized in that it comprises at least one socket (2) arranged to receive a dehumidification device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12. Closed housing according to claim 13,
characterized in that the sleeve (2) comprises a second hollow cylinder (26) having a third axis of revolution (27) and projecting inside the sleeve (2), the third axis of revolution (27) being coincident with the first axis of revolution (12) when the base (1) is inserted in the sleeve (2), the second hollow cylinder (26) having a first end (28) corresponding to the opening (6) made in the sleeve (2) and a second end (29) opening inside the sleeve (2), the second end (29) of the second hollow cylinder (26) being configured to apply pressure against the second surface (202) of the support plate (20) when the base (1) is inserted into the sleeve (2). Closed housing according to claim 13,
characterized in that the sleeve (2) comprises at least one piercing element (71) projecting into the sleeve (2), the piercing element(s) (71) being configured to pierce the cap (70) of the base (1) after the first insertion of the base (1) in the sleeve (2).