HOUSING ELEMENT, COMBINATION OF A PRESSURE COMPENSATION ELEMENT AND A HOUSING ELEMENT, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A COMBINATION

In order to create a housing element, comprising a housing wall and a receiving structure for a pressure compensation element, wherein the receiving structure comprises a through-opening for the passage of a gas, said housing element being configured such that a collection of liquid on a pressure compensation element mounted on the housing element is prevented or at least reduced, it is proposed that the receiving structure comprises at least one pressure compensation element abutment face that is raised, at least in sections, relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a housing element, which comprises a housing wall and a receiving structure for a pressure compensation element, wherein the receiving structure comprises a through-opening for the passage of a gas.

Such a housing element serves to close an opening in a housing that comprises at least one further housing part, for example a housing body, in addition to the housing element.

By means of the pressure compensation element that is insertable into the housing element, it is possible to produce a pressure compensation between an inside space enclosed by the housing and an outside space of the housing.

In known housing elements of the aforementioned kind, there is the problem that liquid collects on the pressure compensation element mounted on the housing element and may impair the function of the pressure compensation element.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a housing element of the kind stated at the outset is created, which is configured such that the collection of liquid on a pressure compensation element mounted on the housing element is prevented or at least reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, provision is made in a housing element with the features of the preamble of claim1that the receiving structure comprises at least one pressure compensation element abutment face that is raised, at least in sections, relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall.

Underlying the present invention is the concept of reducing or completely preventing the collection of liquid on a pressure compensation element mounted on the housing element by the pressure compensation element being arranged on a pressure compensation element abutment face that is arranged raised relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall of the housing element.

In contrast to the arrangement of the pressure compensation element on a pressure compensation element abutment face that is arranged at the same level as the outer face of the base region or even at a lower level than the outer face of the base region, the collection of liquid on the pressure compensation element is hereby reduced or completely prevented and the discharge of liquid from the pressure compensation element onto the base region of the housing wall of the housing element is promoted.

Each point of the pressure compensation element abutment face has an offset V along a thickness direction of the base region of the housing wall relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall.

Seen from the outer face of the base region of the housing wall, this offset V is directed outwardly, i.e., toward the outside space side of the housing element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the receiving structure comprises a raised web extending around the pressure compensation element abutment face.

Such a raised web is preferably provided with at least one discharge opening.

It is particularly favorable if the web is provided with two or more discharge openings, in particular with three or more discharge openings, particularly preferably with four or more discharge openings.

Each discharge opening may be configured, e.g., as a recess that opens at an upper rim of the web.

Here, the upper rim of the web is a rim of the web that points away from the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element.

It is particularly favorable for the discharge of liquid from the pressure compensation element if the pressure compensation element abutment face is inclined, at least in sections, relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall.

The pressure compensation element abutment face is preferably inclined as a whole relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall.

The angle of inclination α by which the pressure compensation element abutment face is inclined relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall is preferably smaller than 30°, in particular smaller than 10°, particularly preferably smaller than 5°.

Furthermore, provision is preferably made that the angle of inclination α is greater than 1°, particularly preferably greater than 2°.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the receiving structure of the housing element comprises two partial pressure compensation element abutment faces that are inclined relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall and have mutually different slope directions.

Adjoining partial pressure compensation element abutment faces together form a pressure compensation element abutment face of the receiving structure.

Here, provision may be made, for example, that at least two of the partial pressure compensation element abutment faces of the receiving structure adjoin one another along a crest line and slope down from the crest line along mutually different slope directions.

Here, the crest line preferably runs through the longitudinal central axis of the through-opening of the receiving structure.

For example, a first partial pressure compensation element abutment face slopes down from this crest line along a first slope direction up to a first lowest point of the pressure compensation element abutment face, while a second partial pressure compensation element abutment face slopes down from the crest line along a second slope direction oriented opposite to the first slope direction up to a second lowest point of the pressure compensation element abutment face.

In this case, liquid from the pressure compensation that is mounted on the housing element can discharge from the pressure compensation element in two opposite slope directions.

The receiving structure is preferably formed in one piece with the housing wall, in particular in one piece with the base region of the housing wall.

The receiving structure is preferably formed by reshaping part of the housing wall.

The reshaping operation by which the receiving structure is formed from part of the housing wall may comprise, in particular, an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation.

The minimum offset Vminby which the lowest part of the pressure compensation element abutment face is offset outwardly in the thickness direction of the base region relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall may be smaller than the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region of the housing wall.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, provision may be made that the minimum offset Vminby which the lowest point of the pressure compensation element abutment face is offset outwardly in the thickness direction of the base region relative to the abutment face of the base region of the housing wall is greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region.

Furthermore, provision may be made that the minimum offset Vminby which the lowest point of the pressure compensation element abutment face is offset outwardly relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall is substantially equal to the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region of the housing wall.

The housing element in accordance with the invention is suited, in particular, for use in a combination that comprises a pressure compensation element and a housing element in accordance with the invention, wherein the pressure compensation element is preferably arranged on the receiving structure of the housing element.

The pressure compensation element preferably comprises a pressure compensation membrane, which is arranged on the pressure compensation element abutment face of the housing element.

The pressure compensation element membrane may be configured as a semipermeable membrane.

The pressure compensation element membrane may be configured as a film.

The pressure compensation element membrane is preferably connected to the pressure compensation element abutment face by substance-to-substance bond.

In particular, provision may be made that the pressure compensation element membrane is adhesively bonded to the pressure compensation element abutment face.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the pressure compensation element comprises a protective cap, which covers the pressure compensation element membrane.

The protective cap preferably consists of a metallic material, for example a steel material or an aluminum material.

Such a protective cap may comprise at least one ventilation channel.

Provision is preferably made that the protective cap comprises two or more ventilation channels, in particular three or more ventilation channels, particularly preferably four or more ventilation channels.

Each ventilation channel preferably extends from an outside space-side fluid receiving space of the pressure compensation element up to an outlet opening of the respective ventilation channel.

The outside space-side fluid receiving space is preferably arranged on the pressure compensation element membrane located opposite the through-opening of the receiving structure of the housing element.

The outside space-side fluid receiving space of the pressure compensation element is preferably arranged substantially centrally on the pressure compensation element.

The at least one ventilation channel preferably extends from the outside space-side fluid receiving space of the pressure compensation element, for example in the radial direction, up to the outer periphery of the pressure compensation element.

A plurality of ventilation channels of the protective cap, which are in alignment with one another in their longitudinal direction, may together form a longer rectilinear ventilation channel.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the protective cap comprises two intersecting ventilation channels.

The ventilation channels may, in particular, intersect in the region of an outside space-side fluid receiving space of the pressure compensation element

In particular embodiments of the invention, provision is made that the protective cap comprises a collar, which laterally covers a rim of the pressure compensation element membrane.

In this way, in particular, a rim of the pressure compensation element membrane on the peripheral side can be protected from environmental influences.

The protective cap of the pressure compensation element may, in particular, be connected to the pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element by substance-to-substance bond.

In particular, provision may be made that the protective cap is adhesively bonded to the pressure compensation element membrane.

For example, provision may be made that, preferably substantially planar, regions of the protective cap that are located outside of the ventilation channel or ventilation channels of the protective cap are connected to the pressure compensation element membrane by substance-to-substance bond, particularly preferably adhesively bonded to the pressure compensation element membrane.

The present invention further relates to a method for producing a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, such a method is created, by means of which a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element is produced in which a collection of liquid on the pressure compensation element is reduced or completely prevented.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for producing a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element is provided, wherein the method comprises the following:reshaping a housing wall of the housing element for forming a receiving structure;producing a through-opening in the region of the receiving structure, wherein the receiving structure comprises at least one pressure compensation element abutment face that is raised, at least in sections, relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall;arranging a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element on the at least one pressure compensation element abutment face.

In a particular embodiment of this method in accordance with the invention, provision is made that a protective cap is arranged on the side of the pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element that faces away from the receiving structure of the housing element.

Further preferred embodiments of such a method for producing a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element have already been described above in connection with particular embodiments of the housing element in accordance with the invention and particular embodiments of the combination in accordance with the invention of a pressure compensation element and a housing element.

The method in accordance with the invention is suited, in particular, for producing the combination in accordance with the invention of a housing element and a pressure compensation element.

In a particular embodiment of the claimed invention, a housing element is produced by a reshaping operation and is provided with a connection geometry or receiving structure for a pressure compensation element.

The pressure compensation element may, in particular, be adhesively bonded onto the receiving structure of the housing element.

By arranging the pressure compensation element on a pressure compensation element abutment face that is raised relative to an outer face of a base region of a housing wall of the housing element, a collection of liquid on the pressure compensation element can be reduced or completely prevented, thereby avoiding an impairment to the function of the pressure compensation element.

The pressure compensation element abutment face is preferably oriented, at least in sections, obliquely to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element.

It is thereby made possible that liquid that has collected on the pressure compensation element discharges from the pressure compensation element along the slope direction of the pressure compensation element abutment face that is sloped at least in sections.

The raised pressure compensation element abutment face is preferably produced by a reshaping operation, for example an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation.

The pressure compensation element abutment face may comprise one partial pressure compensation element abutment face oriented obliquely to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element or two or more partial pressure compensation element abutment faces oriented obliquely to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall.

The pressure compensation element abutment face may be surrounded by a web, which preferably protects a peripheral face of a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element.

This web may comprise a discharge opening at one or more locations, through which liquid from the pressure compensation element can flow onto the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element.

The receiving structure of the housing element is preferably surrounded by the base region of the housing wall of the housing element.

Provision is preferably made that the base region of the housing wall of the housing element directly adjoins the receiving structure of the housing element.

The outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element is preferably of substantially planar configuration.

The pressure compensation element may comprise a protective cap.

The protective cap may be connected to a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element and/or to the receiving structure of the housing element by substance-to-substance bond.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the protective cap is connected to the pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element and/or to the receiving structure of the housing element by adhesion.

The protective cap may comprise one or more ventilation channels, which serve to and/or aerate and/or ventilate the protective cap or the pressure compensation element.

Such a ventilation channel may be configured, e.g., as a bead.

The protective cap may comprise a collar, which projects beyond a peripheral rim of a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element, in order to protect said peripheral rim of the pressure compensation element membrane.

Such a collar may be formed, in particular, by a reshaping operation, for example by an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation on the protective cap.

The housing element may be configured, in particular, as a housing cover.

The protective cap may comprise a metallic material. The protective cap is preferably made of a metallic material.

If the minimum offset Vminof the pressure compensation element abutment face of the receiving structure of the housing element relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element is smaller than the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region, the receiving structure is preferably produced by an embossing operation.

If the minimum offset Vminof the pressure compensation element abutment face of the receiving structure of the housing element relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element is equal to or greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region, the receiving structure is preferably produced by a bending operation or a deep-drawing operation.

Further features and advantages of the invention are subject matter of the subsequent description and the graphical representation of exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The same or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all Figures.

A combination, depicted inFIGS.1to7and denoted as a whole with100, of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104serves to close an opening in a housing (not depicted as a whole) by means of the housing element102, said housing comprising at least one further housing part, for example a housing body, in addition to the depicted housing element102, and to produce a pressure compensation between an inside space enclosed by the housing and an outside space of the housing by means of the pressure compensation element104.

The housing element102is configured, e.g., as a housing cover106.

The housing element102may comprise one or more fastening means through-openings108through which, in the assembled state of the housing, fastening means, for example screws, can extend in order to, preferably releasably, fix the housing element102to another housing part.

The housing element102comprises a housing wall110that is preferably configured, at least in sections, in the form of a plate112.

The housing wall110preferably consists of a metallic material, for example a steel material or an aluminum material.

An aluminum material may be an aluminum alloy or substantially pure aluminum.

The housing wall110comprises an outer face116arranged on an outside space side114of the housing element102, said outer face116preferably being of substantially planar configuration.

The housing element102further comprises a receiving structure118for accommodating the pressure compensation element104.

As can best be seen inFIGS.3and7, the receiving structure118comprises a pressure compensation element abutment face120, which is of raised configuration relative to the outer face116of the base region112of the housing wall110surrounding the receiving structure118.

The pressure compensation element abutment face120is thus offset outwardly by an offset V along a thickness direction124of the base region122of the housing wall110relative to the outer face116.

Furthermore, the pressure compensation element abutment face120is inclined by an angle α relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110.

The offset Vminoutwards along the thickness direction124of the base region122relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is thus minimum at a point126of the pressure compensation element abutment face120depicted on the left in the sectional view ofFIG.4, while the offset Vmaxoutwards along the thickness direction124of the base region122relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is maximum at a point128of the pressure compensation element abutment face120depicted on the right inFIG.4.

In the first embodiment depicted inFIGS.1to7, the minimum offset Vminof the pressure compensation element abutment face120relative to the outer face116is smaller than the material thickness d of the housing wall110in the base region122.

For example, provision may be made that Vminis smaller than half, in particular smaller than a fourth, of the material thickness d of the housing wall110in the base region122.

The maximum offset Vmaxof the pressure compensation element abutment face120relative to the outer face116is preferably also smaller than the material thickness d of the housing wall110in the base region122.

Provision is preferably made that Vmaxis smaller than half, in particular smaller than a third, of the material thickness d of the housing wall110in the base region122.

The angle of inclination α by which the pressure compensation element abutment face120is inclined relative to the substantially planar outer face116is preferably smaller than 30°, in particular smaller than 10°, particularly preferably smaller than 5°.

Furthermore, provision is preferably made that the angle of inclination α is greater than 1°, particularly preferably greater than 2°.

The receiving structure118for the pressure compensation element104further comprises a raised web130extending around the pressure compensation element abutment face120.

As can best be seen inFIGS.3and7, the web130is provided with at least one discharge opening132.

The web130is preferably provided with two or more discharge openings132, for example with at least three discharge openings132, particularly preferably with at least four discharge openings132.

Here, a discharge opening132ais preferably arranged adjacent to the lowest point126of the pressure compensation element abutment face120at which the pressure compensation element abutment face120has the smallest offset Vminrelative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110.

A discharge opening132bis preferably arranged adjacent to the highest point128of the pressure compensation element abutment face120at which the pressure compensation element abutment face120has the greatest offset Vmaxrelative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110.

The two discharge openings132aand132bare preferably located diametrically opposed to one another.

Further discharge openings132cand/or132dmay be arranged between the discharge openings132aand132bin the peripheral direction of the web130.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made that the discharge openings132are distributed substantially equidistantly along the periphery of the web130.

The discharge openings132serve to allow liquid that has collected in the pressure compensation element104to discharge through the web130onto the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102.

The discharge openings132may be configured, e.g., as recesses134, which extend from an upper rim135of the web130in the direction toward the pressure compensation element abutment face120.

As can best be seen inFIG.4, the receiving structure118further comprises a through-opening136, which extends from an inner face140of the receiving structure118that faces toward an inside space side138of the housing element102through the full material thickness of the housing wall110and opens at the pressure compensation element abutment face120of the receiving structure118.

The passage opening136is preferably arranged substantially centrally on the pressure compensation element abutment face120.

The passage opening136may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the thickness direction124of the base region122of the housing wall110.

The material thickness d of the housing wall110is preferably smaller than 5 mm, in particular smaller than 4 mm, particularly preferably smaller than 3 mm.

Furthermore, the material thickness d of the housing wall110is preferably greater than 0.5 mm, in particular greater than 0.8 mm, particularly preferably greater than 1.2 mm.

The receiving structure118is produced on the housing element102, for example, by a reshaping operation, for example an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation, being performed on the material of the housing wall110in the region of the housing wall110in which the through-opening136is to be arranged, in order to form the receiving structure118with the raised pressure compensation element abutment face120.

Then, the passage opening136is separated out of the material of the housing wall110, for example by drilling, milling, cutting, preferably by means of a laser, or by punching.

In principle, the through-opening136may also first be separated out of the material of the housing wall110, for example by drilling, milling, cutting, preferably by means of a laser, or by punching, and then a reshaping operation may be performed on the remaining material of the housing wall, by which the receiving structure118with the raised pressure compensation element abutment face120relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is formed.

Such a reshaping operation may be, in particular, an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation.

This pressure compensation element104to be arranged on the receiving structure118comprises a pressure compensation element membrane140.

The pressure compensation element membrane140may be configured, in particular, as a semipermeable membrane.

The outer contour of the pressure compensation element membrane140corresponds substantially to the outer contour of the pressure compensation element abutment face120of the receiving structure118of the housing element102, such that the pressure compensation element membrane140, in the mounted state of the pressure compensation element104, substantially completely covers the pressure compensation element abutment face120and the through-opening136of the receiving structure118.

In order to fix the pressure compensation element membrane140to the receiving structure118, provision is preferably made that the pressure compensation element membrane140is connected to the receiving structure118by substance-to-substance bond, for example by adhesion.

As can best be seen inFIG.4, the thickness of the pressure compensation element membrane140(including the adhesive layer between the pressure compensation element membrane140and the pressure compensation element abutment face120, as the case may be) corresponds substantially to the height of the web130in the region of one of the discharge openings130over the pressure compensation element abutment face120or is less than this height, such that the peripheral face of the pressure compensation element membrane140is laterally covered and thus protected from environmental influences by the web130of the receiving structure130.

The pressure compensation element104further comprises a protective cap142, which covers the pressure compensation element membrane140, such that a top side144of the pressure compensation element membrane140, which faces away from the pressure compensation element abutment face120, is also protected.

The protective cap142comprises at least one ventilation channel146.

Such a ventilation channel146serves to aerate and/or to ventilate the pressure compensation element104.

Provision is preferably made that such a ventilation channel146extends from an outside space-side fluid receiving space148up to an outlet opening150on the periphery of the protective cap142.

The outside space-side fluid receiving space148is preferably arranged such that, in the mounted state of the pressure compensation element104, it is located opposite the through-opening136of the receiving structure118of the housing element102.

As can best be seen inFIG.1to3or6, provision may be made that the protective cap142comprises a plurality of ventilation channels146, which extend radially outwardly from the outside space-side fluid receiving space148up to the outer periphery of the protective cap142.

The fluid receiving space148is preferably arranged substantially centrally on the protective cap142.

The outlet openings150of the ventilation channels146of the protective cap142are preferably each arranged in alignment with a respective one of the discharge openings132of the web130of the receiving structure118of the housing element102.

In particular, provision may thus be made that an outlet opening150aof a first ventilation channel146ais in alignment with the discharge opening132a, which is arranged adjacent to the lowest point126of the pressure compensation element abutment face120.

An outlet opening150bof a second ventilation channel146bis preferably in alignment with the discharge opening132a,which is arranged adjacent to the highest point128of the pressure compensation element abutment face120.

The outlet openings150cand150dof a third ventilation channel146cand of a fourth ventilation channel146d,respectively, are preferably in alignment with the discharge openings132cand132d,respectively, of the web130, which are arranged along the periphery of the web130between the discharge openings132aand132b.

The ventilation channels146are provided, for example, by part of a disc-shaped protective cap preform being bent out of the plane of a top side152of the protective cap142.

This reshaping operation may be a bending operation, an embossing operation, or a deep-drawing operation.

In the graphically depicted embodiment, the first ventilation channel146aand the second ventilation channel146bare in alignment with one another, such that they can be seen as one single rectilinear ventilation channel146′ that extends from the outlet opening150aup to the outlet opening150b.

Furthermore, the third ventilation channel146cand the fourth ventilation channel146dare preferably in alignment with one another, such that these ventilation channels together can be seen as one rectilinear ventilation channel146″ that extends from the outlet opening150cup to the outlet opening150d.

The two rectilinear ventilation channels146′ and146″ cross or intersect in the region of the outside space-side fluid receiving space148of the protective cap142.

The protective cap142preferably consists of a metallic material, for example a steel material or an aluminum material.

An aluminum material may be an aluminum alloy or substantially pure aluminum.

The material thickness of the protective cap142is preferably smaller than the material thickness d of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102.

The material thickness of the protective cap142is preferably smaller than 1.0 mm, in particular smaller than 0.8 mm, particularly preferably smaller than 0.5 mm.

Furthermore, the material thickness of the protective cap142is preferably greater than 0.1 mm, in particular greater than 0.2 mm, particularly preferably greater than 0.3 mm.

In the operation of the pressure compensation element104, a preferably gaseous fluid, for example air, can travel through the through-opening136of the receiving structure118of the housing element102from an inside space-side fluid receiving space154, which is arranged on the inside space side138of the housing element102, to the pressure compensation element membrane140and through the pressure compensation element membrane140into the outside space-side fluid receiving space148of the pressure compensation element104.

From the outside space-side fluid receiving space148, the fluid travels through the ventilation channels146in the protective cap142to the outlet openings150of the ventilation channels146and from there to the outside space side114of the housing element102.

A second embodiment, depicted inFIGS.8to14, of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104differs from the first embodiment depicted inFIGS.1to7in that the protective cap142comprises a collar156, which laterally covers a peripheral rim158of the pressure compensation element membrane140.

As can best be seen in the sectional view inFIG.11, the collar156projects in the radial direction beyond the web130of the receiving structure118of the housing element102, such that a gap160remains between the collar156of the protective cap142on the one hand and the web130of the receiving structure118of the housing element102on the other hand, through which gap160fluid can travel from the ventilation channels146of the protective cap142to the outside space side114of the housing element102or can travel from the outside space side114of the housing element102into the ventilation channels146of the protective cap142of the pressure compensation element104.

In this embodiment, the web130of the receiving structure118of the housing element102preferably has the same height everywhere along its periphery, which substantially corresponds to the thickness of the pressure compensation element membrane140(including an adhesive layer between the pressure compensation element membrane140and the pressure compensation element abutment face120, as the case may be).

In this embodiment, in principle, fluid arranged on the top side144of the pressure compensation element membrane140is therefore able to discharge onto the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102at any point of the web130.

In all other respects, the second embodiment depicted inFIGS.8to14of a combination100of a housing element and a pressure compensation element104corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the first embodiment depicted inFIGS.1to7, to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard.

A third embodiment, depicted inFIG.15, of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104differs from the second embodiment depicted inFIGS.8to14in that the pressure compensation element abutment face120of the receiving structure118is not inclined relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102, but instead is oriented substantially in parallel to the outer face116.

In all other respects, the third embodiment depicted inFIG.15of a combination100a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the second embodiment depicted inFIGS.8to14, to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard.

In a variant of the third embodiment, provision could also be made that the protective cap142comprises no collar156, but instead the ventilation channels146open at their respective outlet openings150on the outside space side114of the housing element102.

A fourth embodiment depicted inFIG.16of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104differs from the second embodiment depicted inFIGS.8to14in that the receiving structure118of the housing element102comprises not one single pressure compensation element abutment face120with a constant inclination relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102, but instead comprises two partial pressure compensation element abutment faces161aand161binclined relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110, said partial pressure compensation element abutment faces161aand161badjoining one another along a crest line164and sloping down from the crest line164along mutually different slope directions162aand162b,respectively.

The two partial pressure compensation element abutment faces161aand161btogether form the pressure compensation element abutment face120of the receiving structure118.

The crest line164preferably runs through the longitudinal central axis of the through-opening136of the receiving structure118.

The partial pressure compensation element abutment face161adepicted on the left inFIG.16slopes down from this crest line164along a slope direction162brunning from right to left inFIG.16toward a first lowest point126aof the pressure compensation element abutment face120.

Furthermore, the second partial pressure compensation element abutment face161bslopes down from the crest line164along a slope direction162brunning from left to right inFIG.16toward a second lowest point126bof the pressure compensation element abutment face120.

In this embodiment, the crest line164preferably runs in parallel to the second rectilinear ventilation channel146″ and substantially perpendicularly to the first rectilinear ventilation channel146′.

In this embodiment, the web130protecting the peripheral rim of the pressure compensation element membrane140may be omitted.

In this embodiment, liquids located on the top side144of the pressure compensation element membrane140flow to substantially the same extent via the first lowest point126aand via the second lowest point126bof the pressure compensation element abutment face120onto the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102when the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is oriented substantially horizontally.

In all other respects, the fourth embodiment depicted inFIG.16of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the second embodiment depicted inFIGS.8to14, to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard.

A fifth embodiment depicted inFIG.17of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104differs from the third embodiment depicted inFIG.15in that the minimum offset Vminof the pressure compensation element abutment face120relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102along the thickness direction124of the base region122of the housing wall110is equal to or greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall110in the base region122.

In this embodiment, the receiving structure118of the housing element102transitions into the base region122of the housing wall110not in a step, but along a slope166.

The angle of inclination β of the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is preferably more than 20°, in particular more than 30°, particularly preferably more than 40°.

Furthermore, the angle of inclination β of the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is preferably less than 70°, in particular less than 60°, particularly preferably less than 50°.

The reshaping operation by means of which the receiving structure118of the housing element102is produced in this embodiment is preferably a bending operation or a deep-drawing operation.

In all other respects, the fifth embodiment depicted inFIG.17of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the third embodiment depicted inFIG.15, to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard.

A sixth embodiment depicted inFIG.18of a combination of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104differs from the fourth embodiment depicted inFIG.16in that the minimum offset Vminof the partial pressure compensation element abutment faces161aand161brelative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102along the thickness direction124of the base region122of the housing wall110is equal to or greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall110in the base region122.

In this embodiment, the receiving structure118of the housing element102therefore transitions into the base region122of the housing wall110not in a step, but along a slope166.

The angle of inclination β of the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is preferably more than 20°, in particular more than 30°, particularly preferably more than 40°.

Furthermore, the angle of inclination β of the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is preferably less than 70°, in particular less than 60°, particularly preferably less than 50°.

The reshaping operation by means of which the receiving structure118of the housing element102is produced in this embodiment is preferably a bending operation or a deep-drawing operation.

Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment depicted inFIG.18, provision may be made that the protective cap142of the pressure compensation element104comprises no collar156, which laterally covers a peripheral rim158of the pressure compensation element membrane140.

Instead, provision may be made that the ventilation channels146of the protective cap142open at their peripheral outlet openings150directly on the outside space side114of the housing element102.

In all other respects, the sixth embodiment depicted inFIG.18of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the fourth embodiment depicted inFIG.16, to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard.

A seventh embodiment depicted inFIG.19of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104differs from the first embodiment depicted inFIGS.1to7in that the minimum offset Vminof the pressure compensation element abutment face120relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110of the housing element102along the thickness direction124of the base region122of the housing wall110is equal to or greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall110in the base region122.

In this embodiment, the receiving structure118of the housing element102therefore transitions into the base region122of the housing wall110not in a step, but along a slope166.

In this embodiment, due to the inclination of the pressure compensation element abutment face120relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110, the angle of inclination β of the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110may vary along the periphery of the receiving structure118.

The angle of inclination β preferably has its smallest value βminadjacent to the lowest point126of the pressure compensation element abutment face120and its greatest value βmaxadjacent to the highest point128of the pressure compensation element abutment face120.

The smallest angle of inclination β of the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is preferably more than 20°, in particular more than 30°, particularly preferably more than 40°.

Furthermore, the smallest angle of inclination βminof the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is preferably less than 70°, in particular less than 60°, particularly preferably less than 50°.

The greatest angle of inclination βmaxof the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is preferably more than 40°, in particular more than 50°, particularly preferably more than 60°.

Furthermore, the greatest angle of inclination βmaxof the slope166relative to the outer face116of the base region122of the housing wall110is preferably less than 85°, in particular less than 80°, particularly preferably less than 70°.

The reshaping operation by means of which the receiving structure118of the housing element102is produced in this embodiment is preferably a bending operation or a deep-drawing operation.

In principle, the protective cap142may comprise a collar156in the seventh embodiment depicted inFIG.19, too, which laterally covers a peripheral rim158of the pressure compensation element membrane140.

In all other respects, the seventh embodiment depicted inFIG.19of a combination100of a housing element102and a pressure compensation element104corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the first embodiment depicted inFIGS.1to7, to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard.